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Go 974.302 D19w 1625422
M. E.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
GC
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01100 2513
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historymapofdanb1869will
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THE
HISTORY AND MAP
DANBY, VERMONT.
BY J. C. WILLIAMS.
RUTLAND. VT. :
1869.
F84325.5
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1625422
Entered according to act of Congress. in the year INig, by
J. C. WILLIAMS,
in the Clek's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the District of Vermont.
4518
INTRODUCTION.
This work has been prepared at a great cost of time and labor. Some time has elapsed since it was commenced, and no pains have been spared in the collection of materials. A good deal of information has been obtained from the records of the town. which are very perfect. and much has been learned from tradition.
It has been my object in writing this history. to preserve the the use of this and future generations. those facts and incidents which relate to the carly history of my native town. I have de- signed in the work, to collect all the material facts connected with the settlement of the town, that could possibly be found. It is necessarily incomplete, for it has been a difficult task. to gather from the misty past a knowledge of those events which trans- pired a century ago. Many years have elapsed since the period of settlement, and the old pioneers have all passed of the stage. consequently much of the early history of the town is veiled i !! obsenrity. My earnest endeavors have been to acquire enough of those facts, to give some general outlines, without which: eu- deavors. would still remain as they were doomed to oblivion.
It affords us great pleasure to look back to our ancestors. and those who laid the foundation for the society and institutions we now enjoy. The incidents, trials, and hardships underwent by the first settlers of Danby, cannot be fully realized by as at the present day. We are possessed with means to supply all our wants and demands. enjoy the luxury of peaceful homes. and are greatly in contrast with those hardy pioneers. They were brave and true men, inured to toil and hardships. Most of them were religion- men, of great physical and mental ability, but for which this would still be a dreary willerness.
1
HISTORY OF DANBY.
We have introduced some proceedings of town meetings, a- we thought it would be desirable to know how business was done in the early days, of the town. Our plan has been to group the facts and statistics into distinct chapters, as much as posible. so as to improve somewhat the plan of loval histories prepared by others which generally give but a continuous detail of facts.
The department of Family Sketches is more imperfect than any other, as it was impossible to get the history of a good many of the early settlers, no descendants of whom are now living in town, and consequently no trace whatever could be found of them.
The Map in locating every inhabitant, stream, and road will be invaluable in connection with the history.
Perhaps there are others who could or will at some future day. present a history of the town in better form. but imperfeer as it is we have sought to give it a truthful expression. It has not been our aim to acquire a literary reputation. of which we -hall claim no merit. With these views we have been induced to write and publish the work, which is respectfully dedicated to the people of Danby.
And now if any of the present or future generation. shall re- ceive any gratification in reading the history and acts of those who have lived and moved upon their soil, and passed to their long homes, then the purpose for which this book was written. will have been accomplished, and our labors duly appreciated.
- -
--.
TOPOGRAPHY.
Danby is situated in the extreme southern part of Ratland County, is in latitude 43 deg. 21 min., and longitude 4 deg. 1 min .. and is bounded on the north by Tinmonth and Wallingford, on the east by Mt. Tabor. on the south by Dorset, and on the west by Pawlet. It contains 24.960 aeres. being little more than six miles square. The mountains upon the south. running cast and west, form a natural southern boundary, but with this excep- tion. it seems there was no reference had to natural bounds in surveying the town.
The surface of the town is greatly diversified by hills and val- leys. Danby Mountain, sometimes called " Spruce," runs north and south through the entire length of the town. and intersects at nearly right angles with what is familiarly called "Dorset Monn- tain" on the south. Another range of hills extend through the eastern half. thus dividing the town into three sections, designated as the east, west and middle. The ever renowned Green Mom- tains lie upon the east. west of which is Otter Creek valley. A portion of this valley is enclosed within the limits of Danby. The eastern range of hills terminate upon the south, forming a pass. Otter Creek flows through a small portion of the town, in the north-east.
The town is well waterel by numerous streams. the two prin- cipal of which is Mill River and Flower Brook. Mill River is formed by the junction of a large number of small streams, ono of which rises in the extreme south-western part of the town. Mill River flows an easterly course through the rowa, winding and twisting among the hills, until it empties into Otter Creek. in the town of Mt. Talor. Flower Brook rises in the north- western part of the town. flows southerly for about one mile, thon flowers westerly and empties into Pawlet river. in the town of Pau- let. Danby Road is situated near the center of the town. and it, outlet flows into Mill River.
Mill privilege is afforded on all these streams, which the early settlers found to be of great advantage. No town in the State is better watered. In every valley among the many hills of the
6
HISTORY OF DANBY.
town. may be found brooks and rivulets, and springs of unsur- passed purity. one or two of which are said to possess medical qualities.
The surface of the town in its primitive state was clothed in a luxurient growth of all the variety of forest trees found in this latitude. Previous to 1765, the time of the first settlement. of which we shall speak hereafter, it was one unkreken wilderness. a wild and rugged spot for the first settlers. The bear. wolf and other wild animals roamed through the solitary wilds unmolested. But time has wrought a great change in all this. Savage life has given way for the arts and sciences, and instead of a vast forest we behold green hills and smiling valleys, dotted with hundreds of peaceful homes.
SETTLEMENT.
In treating of the settlement of the town. perhaps it would be well to give the preliminary proceedings and events which led to it. In 1760 Jonathan Willard and sixty-seven others, petitioned to Benning Wentworth, governor of New Hampshire, for a Char- ter, for two townships. each of six miles square. On the 24th day of September, 1760. the petitioners held a meeting, at the house of Nathan Shepard, in Nine Partners, Dutchess County, N. Y. The notice for this meeting was signed by Samael Rose and Mathew Ford. two of the petitioners. At that meeting Jonathan Ormsby was appointed clerk. and Samuel Kose was appointed an ageat to go to Albany and get what information he could. relative to obtaining a grant for the townships above referred to. in the western part of the Province of New Hampshire. Capt. William Lamson of Albany, had been employed by the petitioners to procure this grant, the result of whose proceedings Rose was to learn. and report at their next meeting. Rose was to have twelve shillings per day for his services, and find himself. The following copy of a receipt will show how much money was raised for that purpose :
"Nine Partners, N. Y., Sept. 24th, 1760.
Then Received of JJonathan Ormsby, the sum of Three pounds Two shillings, toward Jefraying the charge of going to Albany, in order to get what information I can how far Capt. William Lam- sou has proceeded in getting a grant for two townships in New Hamip-hire.
I say, red'v'd by me, SAMUEL ROSF." The meeting was adjourned to October 8th. but at this adjouru- ed meeting, nothing of importance was done, and Samuel Rose did not make any report.
The next meeting of the petitioners was held at Nine Vart- uers. October 15th. 1700, of which Lawrence Willsee was chosen moderator. Jonathan WWhard was chosen agent to go to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and procure a Char-
.
8
HISTORY OF DANBY.
tex. He was to have three dollars on each right. with what had been paid to Capt. Lamson. From an account of money received at this meeting, we learn that the sum of fifty-eight pounds and six pence was raised, for which amount Willard was to proceed to New Hampshire, and if possible obtain a charter for two town- ships, and make report to the petitioners as soon as practicable. - The prayer of the petitioners was finally granted, and the char- ter for a township to be called Dauby was obtained the following year, and bears date August 27th, 1761. The township of Paw- let was granted to this same Jonathan Willard and sixty-zeven others. August 26th. 1761, and the township of Harwick (now Mt. Tabor. ) about the same time. Other charters for townships were granted the same year, some of which were Poultney, Tin- mouth. Dorset, Ira and Wells.
Balon will be found a copy of the Charter for the townsbin of Dauby, which is the general form of the New Hampshire Charter.
"Province of New Hampshire, George the third. by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland. King, defender of the faith, de. To all persons to whom these presents shall come, Greeting :
Know ye that we of our special grace, certain knowledge and more motion. for the due encouragement of settling a new planta- tion within our said province, by and with the advice of our trusty and well beloved Benning Wentworth, Esq., our Governor and Commander in Chief of our said province, have apoa conditions and reservations hereinafter mentioned, given and granted, and by these presents for us. our heirs and successors, do give and grant in equal shares, unto our loving subjects, inhabitants of our said province of N. IL, and our other governments, and to their heirs and assigns forever, whose names are entered on this grant. to be divided to and amongst them, into sixty-eight equal shares. all that tract or parcel of land, lying and being within our said province of N. H., containing by admeasurement 25010 acres. which tract is to contain six miles and no more. out of which an allowance is to be made for highways and winprovable lands. by roeks, ponds, mountains and rivers, one thousand and forty acres free, made by our said Governor's order. and returned into Secretary's office, and hereunto annexed, butted and bounded as follows. viz :
Beginning at the north-west corner of Dorset, from thence riu- ning due north six miles ; thence die cast six miles ; thener das south six miles, to the north-east corner of Dorset aforesaid ; and thenve due west by Dorset abresaid six miles, to the north-way! corner, which is also the south-east corner of Pawlet, and that the same be and is hereby incorporated into a township, by the name of Danby, and the inhabitants that do or shall hereafter in- habit the said township. are declared to be enfranchised with. and entitled to all and every the privileges and immunities that towns within our province by law exercise and enjoy; and fi-
1
SETTLEMENT.
ther, that the said town as soon as there shall be fifty families resident and settled therein, shall have the liberty of holding town fairs, one of which shall be held on the - -- , and the other on the - annually, which fairs are not to continue longer than the respective - following the said - -, and that as soon as the said town shall consist of fifty families, a market may be opened and kept one or more days in each week. as may be thought most advantageous to the inhabitants. Also that the first meeting for choice of town officers, agreeable to the laws of our said province, shall be held on the fourth Tuesday of Sep- tember next. which said meeting shall be notified by Jonathan Willard, who is hereby appointed moderator of said meeting. which he is to notify and govern agreeable to the laws and eus- toms of our said province, and that the annual meeting forever thereafter. for the choice of such officers for the said tows. chall be on the second Tuesday of March annually. To have and to hold the said tract of land as above expressed, together with all the privileges and appurtenances to them and their respective heirs and assigns forever, upon the following conditions :
1. That every grantee, his heirs or assigns shall plant and cul- rivate five arres of land within the term of five years. for every fifty arres contained in His or their share or proportion of land in said township. and continue to improve and settle the same by ad- ditional enltivations, on the penalty of the forfeiture of his graut or share in said township, and of its reverting to ns, our heirs and successors, to be by us or them, regranted to such of our sub- jects as shall be effectually settled and cultivate the same.
II. That all white and other pine trees within the said towu- slap, fit for masting our Royal Navy be carefully preserved for that use. and none be cut or feHled without our special license for so doing first had and obtained. upon the penalty of the forfeiture of the right of such grantee, his heirs and successors, as well as being subject to the penalty of any act or acts of Parliament that now are or hereafter shall be enacted.
III. That before any division of the land be made to and among the grantees, a tract of land as near the center of said township as the land will admit of shall be reserved and marked out for town lots, one of which shall be allotted to each grantee of the contents of one acre.
IV. Yielding and paying therefor to us, our heirs and success- ors, for the spare of ten years, to be computed from the date here .. of. the rest of one ear of Indian corn only. on the twenty-fifth day of December annually, if lawfully demanded, the first payment to be made on the twenty-fifth day of December. 1762.
V. Every proprietor, settler or inhabitant shall yield and pay to us, our heirs and successors yearly and every year for ever, from and after the expiration of ten years from the above said 25th day of December, namely, on the 25th day of December, which shall be in the year of our Lord 1762. one shilling Proclama- tion money, for every hundred acres he so owns, settles or possesses,
10
HISTORY OF DANBY.
and so in proportion for a greater or lesser tract of the said land. which money shall be paid by the respective persons above sai.l. their heirs or assigns, in our Council Chamber in Portsmouth. or to such officer or officers as shall be appointed to receive the same. and this to be in lieu of all other rents and services whatever.
In testimony whereof. we have caused the seal of our said pro- vince to be affixed. Witness Benning Wentworth. Esq .. our Governor and Commander in Chief of our said province. the 27th day of August, in the year of our Lord Christ, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-one, and in the first year of our reign.
B. WENTWORTH. By his Excellencey's command, with advice of Council. THEODORE ATKINSON.
Secretary.
Province of New Hampshire, August 27th, 1761. recorded in the Book of Charters.
THEODORE ATKINSON.
Secretary."
The names of the original grantees of the township of Danby. are as follows :
Jonathan Willard.
William T. Barton, Jr ..
Samuel Rose.
John Partilow.
Mathew Ford.
Joseph Alger,
Lawrence Willsee,
Hugh Ilall Wentworth, +
Benjamin Palmer,
Samuel Alger,
James Baker.
Jonathan Weller.
Jonathan Ormsby.
Lucius Palmer.
Joseph Soper,
Ephraim Reynolds,
William Willard,
John Downing.
Joseph Marks.
Capt. John Chamberlin.
Daniel Miller.
Moses Kellogg.
Daniel Dunham.
Reuben Knapp,
John Nelson.
David Willoughby.
Aaron Buck.
Isaac Finch.
Asa Alger,
William Barton,
Joseph Brown,
Gideon Orneby.
John Sutherland. Ir ..
John Willard
Josepl: Brown. Jr ..
Samuel Hunt. Jr ..
Thomas Brown.
Eliakim Weller.
Jeremiah Palmer.
Noah Gillett.
Benjamin Hammond,
Col. Ebenezer Kendall.
William Blunt.
Sanmiel Hunt.
Israel Weller.
Nathan Weller.
Benjauun Finch.
Williani Kennedy.
Noah Pettibone,
Nathan Fellow -.
Samuel Shepard.
Lamson Sheah.
Jobn Weller,
John Edmunds.
David Weller.
Daniel Ford.
Richard Joslin.
Nehemiah Reynolds, Jogathat. Palmer.
Willera Shows.
11
SETTLEMENT.
Upon the back of the Charter, and following the names, is the following reservation. viz :
"His Excellency. Benning Wentworth. Esq .. a tract of land containing five hundred acres, as marked B. W. in the plan. which is to be accounted two of the within shares ; one whole share for the incorporated society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts ; one share for a Glebe. for the Church of England. as by law established ; one share for the first. settled Minister of the Gospel ; one share for the benefit of a School in said town.
Province of N. II., Angust 27th, 1761.
THEODORE ATKINSON. Secretary."
It will be seen that this grant was accompanied by very easy conditions. The rent of one car of Indian corn only at Christ- mas for ten years, was merely nominal, and the one shilling Proc- lamation money was to pay for the Charter. The reservation of "all the white and other pine trees, suitable for masting the Roval Navy," shows that the English Nation paid great attention to the Navy.
By the Charter 250 aeres were called a share, and the proprie- tors were to have equal shares in making divisions. It will be seen hereafter that all these rights were fairly located. but the five hundred acres which were for the Governor. fell upon the mountain in the south-western part of the town. which land still bears the name of "Governor's Right."
The provisions of the Charter were all militied by the war which followed a few years after the settlement of the town. but the grantees retained their rights. although but few of them settled here. They donated some of the land to actual settlers.
As the Charter directed. the proprietors of the township of Danby, held their first meeting at the Great Nine Partners, Cromelbow Precinct. Dutchess County. Sept. 22d, 1761, and Jonathan Willard was moderator, agreeable to the charter. Jon- athan Ormsby was appointed proprietor's clerk. As this was the first meeting under the Charter, we will give below a copy of the doings which will no doubt be interesting at this time.
"Voted that Jonathan Ormsby be Clerk. .: Samuel Shepard be Constable,
6. Mr. Aaron Buck be Treasurer,
66 The first division of land be 100 acres to each right
66 66 Mr. Jonathan Willard be 1st Committee,
6. Mr. Jonathan Ormsby . 2d
Mr. Sommel Rose .. Bd
Mr. Nchimiah Reynolds 4th 6.
Mr. Moses Kelly .. 5th
Mr. Daniel Donbam
.6 Mr. Stephen Videto .. 7th
" That the above committee set out from home the third Monday in October next, in order to proceed on said busines, and make division of land, &c.
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HISTORY OF DANBY.
Voted that the first hundred aere division lots be laid out and sized by the surveyor and committee.
Voted that one dollar be paid by each proprietor, to ruable said committee to proceed on their business and make division."
The above meeting was adjourned until the 8th of October fol- lowing. but for some reason was not held at that time, it being again adjourned to the 12th of January. 1762. at the house of Roswell Hopkins, Esq. Nine Partners. It was then voted that the proprietors pay to Johathan Willard, two dollars each for obtain- ing the grant.
The first annual meeting was held by the proprietors, at the house of Jonathan Reynolds, innholder at Nine Partners, on the second Tuesday of March. 1762. Samuel Shepard was modera- tor, and Jonathan Ormsby was elected clerk for the year ensuing. The report of the committee showed that a part of the first divis- ion lots had been laid out, but the shares not distributed. The number of committee were reduced from seven to three at this meeting, who were to finish laving out the lots. Jonathan Ormsby, Samuel Rose and Lewis Barton were chosen assessors. to examine the accounts of the property. The proprietors had as vet made no attempts at settling the land, for no oue knew where his share was to be located, and would not until after the survey- were completed. The first committee appointed had surveyed out the townships of Danby and Harwick. and seized them by virtue of the grant.
Sometime in April following the proprietors again met, and voted to pay the committee appointed to lay out the land. eleven shillings per day. This committee was engaged during the sum- mer of 1762. in making the surveys, and on the 5th of October following another meeting was held at the Inn of Lewis Delavar- gne, to hear a report of their proceedings. This report showed that the work was not wholly completed, and would have to be delayed until another spring.
Meetings continued to be held at the house of Jonathan Rey- Hold, and others at Nine Partners. until the spring of 1763, when we find that on the 12th day of April, the proprietors met and appointed a new committee, consisting of Darias Lobdel. Aaron Buck. Jonathan Palmer and Zephaniah Buck, who were instruct- ed to proceed at once and finish laying out the land.
The surveys in the first division wer completed during the summer of 1768, and rack one numbered, being according to the Charter sixty-eight shares, which the proprietors bad voird. to in. 1 00 acres each, in the first division. The sixrx-eight man lots. of the contents of our acre each for a "town plot" had also been laid out and numbered. We have been unable to learn the exact locality of these town lots, as the book containing a record of them was burned. But as near as can be assertained they were located east of Dauby Four Corners, on the farms now owned by J. E. Nichols and Howell Dillingham. According to the Charter.
13
SETTLEMENT.
the lots were to be laid out as near the centre of the township as possible. (See Map.)
The proprietors met at the house of Capt. Michael Hopkins. in Armenia Precinct, Duchess County. Sept. 5th. 1768. for the pur- pose of locating or distributing their lots, which was performed by placing the numbers in a hat or box. in the usual manner. and then drawn. Abraham Finch and Daniel Shepard were appointed to draw for each proprietor's lot. The drught as drawn by Finch and Shepard is exactly the same as entered in the Pro- prietor's Book of Records of land, for the township of Dauby. Thomas Rowley was surveyor in the first division, who had been employed by the committee for that purpose. Each proprietor was to pay his share of the cost of surveying, or forfeit bis right.
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