USA > Vermont > Franklin County > St Albans > A centennial history of St. Albans, Vermont > Part 4
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Mrs. - Clark, 103
A. B. Baldwin, 91
Nathan Smith,
IOI
Mrs. Holyoake, 92
Madam Antonia, 100
Charles O. Neal, 91
Mrs. Carter,
99
Peter Phelps, 98
Wheat Beals, 90
Mrs. Tullar, 98
Wm. Ischam, 90
Mrs. Aldis, 98
Dr. Chandler, 90
W. O. Gadcomb, 98
Mrs. McCarroll, 90
Mrs. Brigham,
96
Daniel O'Neal, 90
Wm. Robson,
95
Abner Morton, 90
Miss Mollie Doon,
95
Orange Ferriss, 90
Loomis Hoit,
95
Hiram Hatherway, 89
Nathan Green, 93
Mrs. E. L. Jones, 89
Azel Ischam, 94
Wm. Bridges, 89
Wooster McDuffy, 92
John Whittemore, 89
Mrs. Doolan,
92
Mrs. Whittemore, 89
Mrs. Brace, 92
Mrs. Nash, ' 89
Another Mrs. Tullar, 92
Mrs. Ischam,
88
Mrs. Green, 92
Gen. Nason, 88
Mrs. Woodbeck, 90
Mrs. Parsons, 88
In whose footsteps others are fast approaching, is at this writing we have among us several, rang- ng from 88 to 95, and when they too shall have bassed to "The Harvest Home of the Great Reaper," others upon whose heads rest the silver liadem of age, will fill their places.
ST. ALBANS AS THE SHIRE, AND OUR EARLY LAWYERS.
With our earliest physicians, clergy, and schools, ve had advanced so rapidly in civilization and re-
00
99
Henry Prince, 91
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A CENTENNIAL HISTORY
finement by 1793, that the subject of a Court House and jail became agitated ; in which year St. Albans became the shire of the newly organ- ized county. Previous to 1793, no lawyer had ventured to hang out his shingle, notifying the public he wished to gain a living out of their dis- putes. The first session of court was held in the Hoit house. The first lawyer admitted was John Mattocks, during the February Term of that year. Our first State's Attorney was Gen. Levi House, who, for several years, was the most conspicuous lawyer in town. He represented the gloss and glitter element of society. He erected the finest residence in the county, being situated where stands " the Warner Hospital." It was of octagon shape, and the parlor curtains were composed of hundred dollar counterfeit bills. Like many other successful attorneys, he assumed much pomp, his presence never failing to create a sensation among our early settlers, being rotund in form and rubi- cund in complexion. His importance was much enhanced, in his own opinion, by being elected Brigadier-General of the Militia, and when he was authorized by the legislature, to organize two com- panies to protect the shipping at St. Albans Bay. he had reached the top round of his military ambi- tion. In other words, he was overcome by mili- tary glory and rum, and when poor, was deserted
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OF ST. ALBANS, VERMONT.
by his friends, becoming an object of charity dur- ng his last days.
THE SHIRE AGAIN.
There had been so much wrangling over the ocation of the shire, and so sure were some that t would be Fairfield, that Judge Turner opened a aw school at the Center, " from which institution here and there," states a historian, " went forth 74 students, a larger number than from any pri- ate law school in New England," some of whom became the ablest lawyers in Canada and the United States. As before stated, it was located here. The courts, previous to 1803, were held in he Hoit house. The first jail was a lean- , to
he Coit house. The first sheriff was Prince B. Hall. The second jail was built of basswood logs, ind stood where the Welden now stands. The hird near the Episcopal Church, and the present exquisite specimen of architecture was built in 1828, partly consumed by fire, rebuilt in 1858, which should be stuffed and preserved in a glass case.
Soon after the shire was established, the lawyers lowed in like a wave of the sea. Among the earliest were, Levi House, Thadeus Rice, Seth Wetmore, Asael Langworthy, Roswell Hutchins, Abner Morton, Gen. Fassett, Daniel Benedict,
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A CENTENNIAL HISTORY
Bates Turnet, founder of law school and Judge of Supreme Court ; C. P. Van Ness, Governor and U. S. Minister to Spain ; Asa Aldis, Chief Justice ; Benjamin Swift, U. S. Senator; John Smith,M. C .; Wm. Brayton, Judge ; Stephen Royce, Chief Jus- tice and Governor ; James Davis, a sound lawyer and the ablest writer in the county. Those were followed by Smalley & Adams, David Reed, S. S. Brown, Joseph H. Brainerd, Orlando Stevens, Gam B. Sawyer, Hunt & Nutting, H. R. Beards- ley, O. A. Aldis, J. G. Smith, J. J. Deavitt, R. H. Hoit, Homer E. & Heman S. Royce, Jasper Rand, H. G. Edson, Geo. F. Houghton, G. G. Hunt, C. Beckwith, J. G. Saxe, and so on, many of whom have, and are now, occupying high positions, and the others qualified and deserving of them. Take the bar, from Judges Aldis and Turner, down, it was regarded, comprising as it did, most of the county lawyers, the ablest bar in the state. And in this connection, I would mention with respect- ful memory our old friends, Hons. Augustus Burt, W. C. Wilson, and H. E. Hubbell, and with more than ordinary reverence, the name of him, whose shadow now illumes our hall of justice-Stephen Royce, who verily "walked a king among men." But most of those men have entered that higher court, where appeals are unknown, and where jus- tice shines ever bright like
61
OF ST. ALBANS, VERMONT.
" The lamp of Naptha In the Alabaster Vase."
In relating these verities, it is nothing to the disparagement of our present bar, who have been increasing in legal lore, and will now compare favorably with any bar in Vermont.
In those early days the customs varied some- what from those of the present time. The sheriff then escorted the judges across the common to the bench, with a drawn sword, and court was opened in the same manner. Within my own re- membrance, the judges wore ruffled shirts, with majestic collars, and long, broadcloth cloaks, faced with velvet, appearing the very embodiment of justice and lofty dignity.
It may be well to add here, that the first trial was long before the location of the shire. It was of a man, for stealing corn from Mr. Welden, whose sentence was to receive thirty-nine lashes on the naked back. The last one so punished in the state was in 1807, on the north end of the park, which was applied by the sheriff.
As lawyers did not work for nothing at that time, any more than they do now, it was deemed essential to have a bank to deposit their fees.
62
A CENTENNIAL HISTORY
OUR BANKS.
As early as 1807, John Curtis, a leading mer- chant of St. Albans, and others, petitioned the Vermont Legislature for a branch of the State Bank, to be established in St. Albans, which was acted upon very soon after ; in the wooden build- ing, now standing on the corner of Main and Con- gress Streets, then known as East Street; which building was erected in 1802. In 1826, a bank was chartered, which began business near the present store of Clark & Hatch, and afterwards a building was erected about where the Welden Bank is now located. Its charter expired, and was renewed, the last one expiring in 1856. And we have had other banks since ? ? ?
Our present ones appear to be well managed, and worthy of public confidence.
OUR NEWSPAPERS.
In all newly settled places, wherever there is money and news, a paper, to take the former and give the latter, is generally on hand at short notice.
In the year 1807, when our first bank was es- tablished, our first paper was published, under the name of
"THE ST. ALBANS ADVISER," BY RUFUS ALLEN.
63
OF ST. ALBANS. VERMONT.
I will give some extracts from some of our earl- iest papers, which, even in this progressive age, will prove interesting, and will occasionally com- ment upon them. The older readers will recall the building, so long occupied by Mr. Atwood, near the store now used by J. A. Bedard. This old store was situated some distance west of Main Street, and was occupied previous to 1810, by Carter Hicock, a merchant, and a part of it in 1807, as our first printing office. Afterwards it was moved up to Main Street, on a line with the other stores, and enlarged for the store of Taylor Bros., previous to 1829. Here, follow some noti- ces of those times :
" THE NORTH RIVER STEAMBOAT
Will leave Pauler's Hook (Jersey Citty,) on Fri- day, 4th of September, at 9 o'clock p. m. Provis- sions, good births, and accommodations are pro- vided. The charge to each passenger is as follows: To Newburgh, 3 dollars, time, 14 hours.
" Poughkeepsie,4 I7
" Esopus, 5 20
" Hudson, 512 66 30 36
" Albany, 7
The editor copies from "Albany Gazette," Sep- tember, 1807.
"The Adviser " learns from same paper Oct. 5.
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A CENTENNIAL HISTORY
" Mr. Fulton's steamboat left New York against a strong tide, very rough water, and a violent gale from the north. She made a headway, against the most sanguine expectations, and without be- ing rocked by the waves."
The name of this first steamboat was "The Clermont," for the first season, but was changed the following year. Calling this Mr. Fulton's boat, has subjected him to some criticism in con- nection with being the real author of applying steam power to navigation. While " The Cler- mont " may have made the first successful voyage, it has been proven that it was invented by a Ver- monter, in our own state. For as early as 1791. Capt. Samuel Morey, of Fairlee, applied steam power to a small boat, on the Connecticut River, and afterwards on Fairlee Pond, where he resided, which worked so successfully, that Capt. Morey afterwards exhibited his model in New York, in the presence of Fulton and a moneyed man, by the name of Livingston, who became satisfied of its success, and offered Capt. Morey $100,000 for his invention, which, being refused, Fulton, aided by Livingston, obtained a patent for himself, while Morey was perfecting his invention, with the same object in view.
NEWS FOR 1807.
" A branch of the State Bank is soon to be es- tablished on the corner of Main and East Streets."
65
OF ST. ALBANS, VERMONT.
" Aaron Burr arrested for treason."
" Cardinal York, the last of the Stuarts, is dead."
" The author of . Salmagundi,' is a young writer by the name of Washington Irving."
"A good prospect of . the Second Steamboat in the World,' being built, next year, in Burlington, for a line boat on Lake Champlain."
4TH JULY BOAT RIDE.
Sloop Lady Washington will leave St. Albans Bay on the morning of the 4th, at 9 o'clock a. m., touching at the islands on passage to Plattsburgh and return. Tickets $2.00 per couple. Dinner 25 cents. Accommodations for dancing, which is free.
" NOTICE OF INDIGNATION MEETING."
As our first newspaper approached the end of its existence, in the early part of 1808, it contain- ed the following :
"A regularly called town meeting, of the inhab- itants of St. Albans, adopted a memorial to Presi- dent Jefferson, denying the imputation of his proc- lamation, and expressed their indignation with his administration. And it was signed by our citizens, Asa Fuller, John Gates, Azariah Brooks, select- men, and Seth Wetmore, town clerk."
If a similar meeting should be called today, not- withstanding the elements of civilization and mod- ern refinement, with which we are surrounded,
e
n
66
A CENTENNIAL. HISTORY
we would be denounced as guilty of treason. " The Adviser " was only published one year, and was discontinued for lack of support.
THE CHAMPLAIN REPORTER.
In 1809, our second paper was introduced to the public, and run on until 1811. " The Report- er " was published by Willard & Co., in the brick store, on the south-west corner of the park, corner of Main and Fairfield Streets, being ably edited by Abner Morton, a prominent lawyer in our town. Many of the advertisements and notices are full as amusing as some in our first paper.
"An act has passed the legislature, freeing the body of Doctor Daniel Coit from arrest on any civil process, and his property be freed from attach- ment on execution."
The following dun from a merchant of Quaker ancestry :
" Money for me ; or trouble for thee." Yours respectfully, Signed, O. F.
ARRIVAL OF THE SLOOP RISING SUN.
The above vessel has just unloaded, at the Bay. a large stock of Domestic and Fancy Dry Goods, for the firm of * * at the village of St. Albans, including Wet and Dry Groceries. Among which are are 50 pieces of British Calico, at $1.00 per yard ; French, German and English
67
OF ST. ALBANS, VERMONT.
Cloths, from $3.00 to $10.00 per yard ; Satinetts, Sarsanettes, Bombazenes, and Bombazettes, Black and Gro de Nap Silks, French and Swiss Muslins, Cottapalas and Crapes, Leghorn, French Straw, and Navarino Bonnets, Ribbons, Artificial Flowers, and Plumes, Chocolate-colored Bandannas, for snuff takers ; Reds, ditto, for military men, and yellows, for gentlemen; Goatshair Camblets, for men's cloaks and tailor's furnishings, including gold and silver-plated coat and vest buttons ; 150 chests Old Hyson, Young Hyson, and Hyson Skin Teas ; 500 bushels Turks Island and other salts, best Coffee, 200 quintals Cod-fish, and Tobacco by the cart load ; 2 hogsheads W. I. Molasses ; 2 barrels Oil; Candles ; 2 hogsheads Muscovodo Sugar, and 50 loaves White do; 10 Jars Rose- scented Snuff, and 50 bladders Scotch do ; 3 Hogs- heads Santa Cruz Rum ; 2 do Jamaica, for old soldiers ; 3 casks Malaga Wine ; 2 Old Port, 2 bar- rels Gin ; Spinning Wheels, Flax Wheels, and Weavers' Shuttles. All of which we will exchange for Cattle, Grain, Woolen Yarn, and Geese Feath- ers, but are not modest enough to refuse cash.
RAN AWAY.
In the days of our early newspapers, it was cus- tomary to bind out boys to merchants and mechan- ics, until they arrived at age. To us at the pres- ent time, it seems a species of white slavery. The following advertisement will demonstrate the value placed upon boys, who dared to complain of the long days, that extended from sunrise to sunset.
68
A CENTENNIAL HISTORY
RAN AWAY.
From the subscriber, on the 8th inst., an Inden- tured Boy, by the name of Jo Wappy. About 17 years of age, dark complexion, black hair and eyes, and a wart on his nose. All persons are hereby forbid harbouring or trusting said boy on my ac- count. One Cent will be paid for his apprehen- sion and return.
St. Albans, Vt., dated, and signed, D .- P .- M .-
" THE REPERTORY."
From 1811 to 1823, our county had no news- paper nearer than Burlington, but in 1823, Col. Spooner removed his paper from Burlington to St. Albans, which was published until 1836, in the basement of the present residence of Mr. C. F. Safford, and represented the Masonic element in a very emphatic manner. The bound volumes which I have examined, taking into consideration the lack of railroads, ocean steamers, submarine cables, and telegraphs, would compare well with our more modern journals. Many of its notices and articles are full as amusing as those of more ancient date, and will prove so novel, quaint, and queer, I am inclined to furnish them for the reader.
GRAND 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION AT ST. ALBANS, With dinner on the park, $1.00 per plate. With
69
OF ST. ALBANS, VERMONT.
music, and after the oration, a collection will be taken up for the Colonization So.
And how does this novelty of taxing the people, after inviting them here to celebrate, strike the present generation ?
THE FESTIVAL OF ST. JOHN, THE EVANGELIST.
The undersigned would inform the brethren of Franklin Lodge, and the fraternity in general, that he installation of officers of said Lodge for the ensuing year, will be held at the Episcopal Church, on Thursday, 27th inst. A sermon on the occa- sion, will be delivered by Rev. Bro. Sylvester Nash. Exercises at the church will commence at 6 o'clock p. m.
Nov. 13, 1827. Per Com.
The numerous notices throughout the paper, headed with the emblems of the sacred order, wherein members have been expelled for un-Ma- sonic conduct, calling upon all papers to notice it throughout the United States and Canada, prompted me to inquire, what un-Masonic con- duct consisted of? The reply was, divulging or hinting at its secret ceremonies, immorality, swindling, drunkenness, perjury, cheating your creditors, and not least, " the defaming the char- acter of others." The writer plainly states he is convinced by these guiding principles of the Order, that to be a Mason in those days, meant
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A CENTENNIAL HISTORY
much. Yea, it signified more than to be a church member at the present time. Let us hope that to be a Mason now, means as much as it did then.
LOTTERIES.
And what may surprise the people of the pres- ent day, is to learn that lotteries were legalized by our legislature, as the following notice from the editor will show.
PHOENIX LOTTERY.
A few select numbers remain on hand. Apply immediately, or it will be too late, at Spooner's Lottery Office, (Repertory) where some large prizes are expected to be sold March 20th, 1825.
DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP ! TO MADAM FORTUNE.
If poverty haunt you, to Spooner then fly. In a ticket or two, your luck quickly try, But if fortune by chance, should jilt you just then, Don't give up the ship, but try her again.
THESE ST. ALBANS LOTTERIES
Were abolished as soon as the State Lottery was chartered, to raise funds to support common schools. The editor of "The Repertory" thus expresses himself on the subject.
Feeling under obligations to his friends, The editor will act as agent gratis. The state will derive a handsome sum For the support of common schools.
2
71
OF ST. ALBANS, VERMONT.
While these notices appear full as novel as inter- esting, there are none more so than the following, in relation to our famous mountain.
BELLEVUE, JUNE 7TH, 1826.
" From the summit of the mountainous promi- nences, which more or less belong to every town in New England, to view the villages and roads, the fields, and meadows, the streamlets, and ponds, and lakes, which diversify our landscapes, is interesting enough, to reward bountifully some pains and efforts in the ascent. To look upon what is pleasing in nature, and what is admirable in a collected group of the dwelling places of en- lightened freemen, at an elevated distance, at which whatever may be displeasing, is invisible ; in short, to see beauties with their blemishes out of sight is a felicity rare enough to be worth seeking, even among the rude asperities of rocks and brambles. Therefore, on Friday last, a party of ladies and gentlemen, about thirty in number, ascended the mountain, south-east from the village of St. Albans, and from that elevation they had the pleasure of surveying, besides the smiling fields in the vale below, the calm waters of the Lake, to an extent of no less than forty miles, and including that field, where was acted one of the most interesting scenes of the last of our wars, (1814,) a scene which was then watched with eager interest by a crowded multitude' on the same summit from which we looked down with calm pleasure on the peaceful waters.
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A CENTENNIAL HISTORY
Before leaving the mountain, the subject of giv- ing it a name was proposed, and considered, and discussed ; and after several others suggested, the name Bellevue was fixed by a formal decision, to which the following stanzas, written by one of the party on the occasion, will secure sufficient ratifi- cation and authority.
BELLEVUE.
Who comes in the glow of the crimson morn With laughter, and mirth, and glee ?
What seek ye amid the briar and thorn
Here's retreat for none but the wretched forlorn, From whence-and who are ye ?
'Tis long since such sylph-like forms I've seen, As these that before me appear ;
And long will it be ere others, I ween,
Will leave their rich fields and valleys green, And like ye be rambling here.
Has the desolate rock any charms for ye ? Would ye here gather garlands of flowers ? Why leave ye the bright scenes of youth and flee From your chambers of love and hilarity, From your fountains, and halls, and bowers.
Here's nought but these cliffs, so rugged and wild, Round which lightning and tempests play ; And a lodge for the poor and friendless child
On whom fortune and honor once cheeringly smiled ;
Now to mis'ry and want a prey.
73
OF ST. ALBANS, VERMONT.
But ye are gay forms from the bowers of ease, And your footsteps are airy and light ; Each blossom to deck your fair brows ye seize, And your joyful voices are heard in the breeze, And your faces are cheerful and bright.
Sure ye come not to hide in this lonely retreat, Ye've no sorrows from which ye would flee, For glances of love from eyes that meet,
Tell of purest joyes and friendships sweet- Then from whence-and who are ye ?
He ceased-on a high pointed rock in the mist, His dark shaded form was espi'd,
The speaker bent forward in silence to list,
And the mirth, and the laughter, and song were suppressed,
While the leader thus sweetly repli'd.
We come from the green, verdant valley below, Which so lovely appears to the eye ;
Where plenty, and peace, and health's ruddy glow, Spread contentment, aye, and pleasure flow Unchecked by the sorrowful sigh.
We have come to look down from thy seat in the sky,
On the pure carpet of earth ; Its beautiful hues to behold, and espy
Its riches and wonders, disclosed to the eye, And exult in the land of our birth.
And sure 'tis a rich and a cheering sight ; All nature seems smiling around ; The groves and the forests are rife with delight,
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A CENTENNIAL HISTORY
The meadows are green, and the hills are bright, And echo with joyous sound.
'Tis true, this rock is barren and sear As well it may seem to you,
But yet, 'tis to many a heart most dear, And many in after years will
Gaze in rapture from thee, Bellevue.
I. of Vermont.
THE FRANKLIN JOURNAL.
The publication of the above paper was com- menced in 1833, as an anti-Masonic organ, under the management of S. N. Sweet, but the greater part of our intelligent people being Masons, its career was brief, and it died for want of patronage, but afterwards its remains were galvanized under the sensible editorship of Joseph H. Brainerd, in- dependent of both factions, but our worthy deacon soon discovered there was much verity in the words of Fontenelle, " that every editor of a news- paper pays tribute to the Devil," and as soon as Uncle Jo made this discovery, he renounced " the Stylus," and retired gracefully from " The editorial tripod," In 1837 came Enoch, surnamed Whiting, who purchased the concern, whitened its columns without being translated, and changed its name to
THE MESSENGER,
making that paper over fifty years of age. While we have had several meritorious publications since,
75
OF ST. ALBANS, VERMONT.
and have them now, in the shape of " The Sentry," and "The Academic," and among those of the past was "The Transcript," well edited by our old friend and neighbor, County Clerk Davis, and "The Advertiser," well loaded by the electric pen of Lucius Bigelow ; yet no paper was ever taken to the heart so affectionately as "Old Mother Messenger." I know near relatives and others who have taken it from its birth. Why? Some of our grandmothers regard this Messenger as a talisman or protection from evil. Their hot bricks and hop pillows are frequently covered with its in- spiring pages of long ago.
I once visited a family of substance, and all the literary matter in the best part of the house was Watt's Hymns, Pilgrim's Progress, the Farmer's Almanac, and a bound volume of "The Messen- ger." My venerable friend, may you never view the sunset of life
When we pore over the interesting columns of our newspapers at the present time, so prolific with news from every clime. As we sit at our evening repast, and glean from their columns who died in the morning in France, who was married the same day in Germany, and what John Bull had for breakfast, we lose sight of the obstacles our early publishers had to contend with, for it was more difficult in those days to procure news than
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A CENTENNIAL HISTORY
now. The mode of communication was in log canoes, or footing it through the forests, by mark- ed trees, or upon horseback and ox sleds, merely improved upon about the middle of the first quar- ter of this century, by the introduction of sailing vessels and the old stage-coach. with letter post- age from eighteen and three-quarters cents to a quarter.
Although steam had been established on our broad lake as early as 1809, yet no progress had been made here in locomotion until 1823. when Dr. Hoit and my grandsire built the ship Gleaner, at our Bay, which was the first vessel that ever passed through the lake via the canal to New York, the owners of which going with her. It
was so remarkable an event that they were met by the city council, and bands of music, who escorted them to the City Hall, amid salvos of artillery. where the mayor welcomed them in a flattering speech, and a popular poet of the age gave vent, as he alluded to " The Maid of the Mountains." The city merchants vied with each other in their attentions to the authors of the novel enterprise. and were so elated with the wonderful undertak- ing, sent the vessel home, laden with presents for the families of its owners. One little Dutchman, being so overjoyed at the though+ he could leave New York, and go to the North Pole without
77
OF ST. ALBANS, VERMONT.
changing boats, he sent each of their wives a nut- meg ; but then, they were twenty-five cents apiece at that time. During my first visit to Barnum's Museum, I was much amused in seeing a fragment of this same vessel labelled, "a ps of ship Gleaner."
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