USA > Vermont > Orange County > Bradford > A history of Bradford, Vermont : containing some account of the place of its first settlement in 1765, and the principal improvements made, and events which have occurred down to 1874--a period of one hundred and nine years. With various genealogical records, and biographical sketches of families and individuals, some deceased, and others still living > Part 7
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The first grist-mill in this town was built by Col. John Peters, father of our well-remembered Andrew B. Peters, . Esq., on the lowest fall in Wait's River, near where the direct road from Newbury to Fairlee still crosses said river, and there a succession of mills of the same sort, greatly to the public accommodation, has since been main- tained, for over a hundred years. There have been, of course, a succession of proprietors ; and as new mills have succeeded the old, new improvements and facilities for increased business have been introduced. The present valuable brick grist-mill on that site, was erected by Mr. Asa Low, about the year 1848, and is now owned by Messrs. J. B. Peckett, Esq., of this place, and White, of Nashua, N. H., and is doing a profitable business. There has also been from the early settlement of the place a succession of saw-mills, in close proximity, immediately below the grist-mills, supplied with their motive power from the same source, in which a large amount of timber, boards, and other lumber, has been sawed. On the op- posite side of the same waterfall, there has long been a factory for preparing scythe stones-that is, stones for sharpening scythes ; the quarry from which the material is taken being in Piermont, N. H .; also a planing mill ; and factory of mackerel kits, for transportation; and of late the manufacture of butter boxes has been commenc- ed by Henry D. Brown & Co., with fair prospects. For some notice of the cotton factory, erected on the same site by Capt. Trotter, see his memorial.
At the next waterfall, some eight or ten rods above . this, there is another dam, and a large stone building for the manufacture of paper, of various sorts and qualities, but, of late, especially of wrapping paper, in which a great amount of business has been done. The manufac- ture of paper was commenced here between sixty and seventy years ago, and, with the exception of occasional interruptions by floods and other disasters, has been stead-
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ily carried on to the present time. This stone building was erected some thirty years since, by Mr. Asa Low, who was long the owner and manager of the establish- ment, which has recently, July, 1874, passed into the hands of Mr. John Anderson, of Boston.
About twenty rods still further up the river is another fail, on which a dam was long since erected, and where mills and machinery of various sorts have long been in successful operation. There a saw-mill, greatly to the benefit of the early settlers, was built by Benjamin Bald- win, the father of the Baldwin race in this town, in the year 1774; which was succeeded by another, built and managed by his son, Capt. Benj. P. Baldwin, and while timber was plenty a large business in the way of its man- ufacture was there carried on for about ninety years. Im- mediately below the saw-mill in this locality, a grist-mill was long since erected by B. P. Baldwin, Esq., and, by succession, under the management of different owners, a mill of this sort has there been in successful operation to the present time. The valuable mill now doing busi- ness there is owned by Mr. A. A. Bowen, lately of Pier- mont, N. H.
On or immediately above the site of the old saw-mill, which has passed away, Mr. R. R. Aldrich has a factory for the making of mackerel kits, on a large scale, for trans- portation ; also of pails, including all the requisite appa- ratus for doing such business with facility. The timber extensively used for this purpose has been chiefly pine, of the second growth, so called, which is fast disappear- ing from the surrounding country. The next factory, above the last named, is that of W. H. Leavitt & Son, for making doors, sash and blinds, sawing, planing, and get- ting out house finish generally, special attention being paid to getting out stair rails, of all styles. -
Within a few rods, further up the river, we come to the iron foundry. Mr. Horace Strickland, the owner of this 7
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foundry, came to this town from Western New York in 1824, and commenced the furnace business about 1834, by assisting a man by the name of Sexton, who had previ- ously started the business, furnishing him with iron, etc., for a while, but finally, by agreement, taking the whole concern into his own hands. From time to time he has added to his facilities for doing work, until now, in 1874, he has in addition to his foundry a blacksmith shop, a wood-shop, a large. lot of patterns, and machinery, suffi- cient for making all kinds of mill work, together with farming tools, of various kinds. For several years a some- what extensive business has been done, especially in the manufacture of ploughs, of different sorts.
In marble work, a somewhat extensive business has been carried on for several years by Mr. George Jen- kins, and a few words in regard to him and his family will not in this place be inappropriate. He was born in this town, a son of Mr. Elijah Jenkins, then living here, but now in Piermont, N. H. Mr. George Jenkins married Miss Sarah A. Crook, of Piermont, April 17, 1850. They have had three sons, two of whom died in childhood. The third, Charles E., now in infancy, is healthful and promis- ing. They have also an adopted son, Franklin, some two or three years of age ; also a daughter, Ella, their eldest child now living. The family have a pleasant residence, in the central part of the village.
Mr. Jenkins commenced working in marble here in 1857, and has gone on successfully for about seventeen years. The marble is obtained, mainly, from West Rut- land, Vt., though a considerable part is imported from It- aly. It is a singular fact that the imported differs very little in price from from the domestic of about the same quality. Both are said to be nearly twice as dear as they were twenty years ago. Mr. Jenkins' sales of work done in Bradford are understood to be, on an average, about $7000 dollars worth annually. He has another establish-
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ment of the same sort, at St. Johnsbury, where more than twice that amount of work is annually performed and sold.
Mr. H. M. Griffin, designer and engraver, who wrought in marble for Mr. Jenkins about thirteen years, has re- cently commenced a like business on his own account, in this village, and advertised himself as ready to do all kinds of cemetery work. There may be sufficient em- ployment for both.
The manufacture and sale of household furniture, and of coffins, is carried on by George L. Butler ; and, also, by A. P. Shaw.
Carriage making and repairing is done by George Brown; and work in tin, sheet-iron and zinc by B. T. Pillsbury, who also deals in wooden ware, tin and iron ware, lead pipe, and stoves of various sorts.
Shoe making and mending is done by Charles Swan. A plentiful supply of boots and shoes, manufactured abroad, is kept for sale in several stores.
Of tailors' shops, we have two. Mr. L. D. Livingstone, a good tailor and worthy man, lately come here, carries on his business in connection with Bailey & Co.'s cloth- ing store.
Mr. Crowell Hatch established himself as a tailor here May 21, 1833; and, after the lapse of forty years, is still diligently occupied in furnishing the needy with desira- ble garments. He was a native of Portland, Maine ; born there August 13, 1810. He first married Miss Sophronia Stearns, March 31, 1836, who died September 25, 1865. He married Mrs. Jane Freeman, his present wife, July 11, 1869. Mr. Hatch has long been a useful member of this community.
The millinery business, with stores of goods annexed, is carried on by Mrs. C. H. Curtis, Mrs. George Andross, Mrs. C. S. Stevens, and Mrs. A. T. Shaw ; and dress-mak- ing by several ladies.
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Of clock, watch and jewellers' establishments there are three. One belongs to J. A. Hardy, and was the first opened in this place ; one to J. M. Warden, telegrapher ; and the other to C. H. Harding, postmaster; all skillful and trustworthy in their business.
The harness makers' business is carried on by Mills O. Barber, Esq., and H. B. Kennedy. For blacksmiths, we have S. E. & M. A. Davis, S. B. Kennedy, and E. G. Ho- bert. Carpenters, E. R. Aldrich, Geo. W. Farr, and An- drew Sargent. Masons, Geo. F. Morris, and Wm. East- man. Painters, Wm. S. Nelson, and E. T. Clark. Manu- facturer and dealer in patent medicines, C. C. Doty. · Ma- chinists and millwrights, H. Gray & Co. The Gray Union water wheel is recommended by those who have tried it as one of rare excellence.
At Bradford Center, on Wait's River, there is a saw- mill, and the business of carding wool and of cloth dress- ing has been carried on for many years. At this water privilege, the manufacture of wooden bowls, from suitable native timber, is the only establishment of the sort in this vicinity. They are turned out with great facility.
There is still another sawmill, near the northern line of the township, on Roaring Brook; the structure of its dam being, apparently, copied from remnants of dams constructed long ago by the beavers.
PHOTOGRAPHY.
Mr. E. H. Allen, our highly esteemed Photographer, was a native of Rindge, N. H., born September 28th, 1831. He came to Bradford in July, 1858, and fitted up for his business a gallery in J. A. Hardy's building, where he has since exercised his art to the satisfaction of his many patrons, and to his own advantage.
He married first, Miss Arvilla Blake, of Rindge, No- vember 1, 1853; to whom was born, October 8, 1856, a
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daughter, Idella M., who died September 10, 1864, in the eighth year of her age. Mrs. Allen, a very amiable lady, after a long illness, patiently endured, died at Bradford, March 30, 1870, at the age of thirty-seven years. Mr. Allen married for his second wife Miss Maria E. Blake, also of Rindge, N. H., with whom, at this date, he is hap- pily living.
BANKS.
The first Bank in Bradford was chartered by the Legis- lature at its session in 1853. The stock-holders held their first meeting for the election of directors February 17, 1854, when the following named gentlemen were chosen : George W. Prichard, George P. Baldwin, Hubbard Wright, Henry Keyes, Stephen Thomas, Abijah Howard, Jr., and Reuben Page.
The Directors, at their first meeting, made choice of George W. Prichard as President, and Benjamin T. Blodg- ett as Cashier. Colonel Prichard continued Président during the existence of the Bank, and Mr. Blodgett Cashier till his decease, in 1863, when George W. N. May, January 6, 1864, was elected Cashier, and continued till his resignation, December 31, 1864, when John W. Batch- elder, Esq., was elected to that office. The affairs of the Bank, in issuing and redeeming its bills, and transacting the various business of such an institution, went on with ordinary prosperity until the new banking laws of the General Government were producing a change in the management of such matters, when, at a general meeting of the stockholders, October 22, 1864, over two-thirds voted that it was " expedient to close up the affairs of said Bank, and to surrender the charter of the same at an early day." The charter was for twenty years, and the ·Bank had then been doing business but a few months over one half of that time. The complete redemption of the
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currency, and settlement of all the affairs of the Bank, to general satisfaction, and without loss to any, required three or four years longer, and was duly effected.
The present " Bradford Savings Bank and Trust Com- pany," chartered by act of the Legislature, November 14, 1870, was duly organized March 11, 1871, by electing Albert Bailey, L. F. Hale, Joseph W. Bliss, A. P. Gould, and Charles G. Smith a Board of Trustees.
At the first meeting of this Board, March 15, 1871, Al- bert Bailey was elected President, and L. F. Hale, Treas- urer, of said corporation.
The capital stock of this corporation is Fifty Thousand Dollars ; which amount has been paid in, and its affairs have been conducted with success, and to general satis- faction, with one lamentable exception, owing exclusively to the rascality of a clerk, of previously fair reputation, whom the trustees had the misfortune to employ. It would be a sad story to tell; suffice it to say, that on the night of March 24, 1874, this young man absconded, tak- ing with him, according to a subsequently published state- ment, $2,900 in Government Bonds, $200 in gold, and $1,135 in currency belonging to the Bank, and more than $500 from the private box of the Treasurer. He was pur- sued, arrested, and brought back, when the principal part of the above amount was recovered; but when, also, it appeared that he had previously long been engaged in peculation, in the course of which he had abstracted from the Bank many small sums, amounting in the whole to $2,250 more, then gone beyond recovery, the young man was by due authority sent to the county jail, but af- ter a few weeks liberated under bonds to appear at the time and place appointed for his trial. The session of the court before which he is bound to appear has not yet, August, 1874, occurred. Let his deplorable example be a warning to others in like circumstances of temptation. The Bank, notwithstanding these losses, and a narrow es-
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cape from fire at the time of their principal occurrence, is at present considered in a sound and prosperous con- dition.
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THE BRADFORD FAIR GROUNDS.
This locality, near the North end of the village, is ad- mirably adapted to the use to which it has for several years been appropriated. The grounds, which are suffi- ciently spacious, and enclosed by a high and close board fence, the boards set perpendicularly, consist of three sec- tions. First, the lower level, of hard soil, provided with a carefully prepared circular track of precisely half a mile in circumference, for trying the speed of horses, and various equestrian exercises : with a high stand by its side, next the hill, for the accommodation of the judges and public speak- ers, and musicians. The interior of this circle is adapted to the exhibition of cattle of various sorts, and especially teams of oxen. From that ground, a few years ago, on one of these occasions, a balloon arose with its aeronauts and sailed safely away over the high hills of New Hamp- shire, and lighted near the Southern border of Maine.
The second division, East side of the first, and elevated about fifty feet above it, affords not only a full view of the lower, but of the village, the neighboring valley of the Connecticut River, and of the mountains of New Hamp- shire beyond it. This beautiful plateau is encircled with stalls for the various classes of animals on exhibition, and contains a spacious Floral Hall, with ample accommoda- tions within and around it for the display of the choicest productions of the farms, gardens, orchards, and dairies, with domestic manufactures of all sorts awaiting hoped- for premiums. There are also tents for the use of those who have brought articles for sale, and all needful con- veniences for furnishing refreshments to those desiring them.
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The third division is the belt of steep hill-side between these two plains, which, furnished with convenient seats, affords pleasant accommodation to those wishing to hear the public speakers, or to see what is going on below.
The Fair for the present year, which has commenced this day, October 6, 1874, is published as the twenty- third which has been held, and it is said that about two thousand dollars have been expended in the new improve- ments of the grounds and buildings, for this, and future oc- casions. -
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Under due police regulations, no sale or use of intoxi- cating liquors is allowed, and these gatherings of the people have hitherto been characterized by the peaceful and good behaviour of the multitudes assembled.
This Fair is under the conduct of the Orange County Agricultural Society, including Groton and Ryegate, Vt., and Haverhill, Piermont, Orford, and Lyme, N. H. Mr. Joseph H. Peters is owner of the grounds, but has leased them to the above named society for ten years longer.
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CHAPTER V.
The Patriotism and Soldiery of Bradford-Capt. Corliss, a Veteran of the Revolution-Charles May Killed in a Duel-Bradford Brass Band.
THE PATRIOTISM OF BRADFORD AND HER SOLDIERY.
We are indebted to Col. R. Farnham for the following list, prepared first for the Vermont Historical Gazetteer, of the men who served for Bradford in the Union Army, during the Great Rebellion, with the age, rank, regiment, company, dates of muster and discharge, of each, and such other facts of interest as could be briefly stated. Those in italics were not residents of this town, but were enlist- ed for and counted on the quota of the soldiers required of the town, and are justly entitled to a place in this list. There may be other Bradford men who served in regi- ments out of the State, but we are not able to add any such names to this list. The whole number furnished by Bradford appears to be 258 men, of whom 188 were resi- dents of the town, and 70 non-residents. Of these men but four appear to have been killed in battle ; seventeen died in the service, and four survived the wounds they had received.
The first company sent forth were "The. Bradford Guards," under the command of Dudley K. Andross, as Captain. On Sabbath afternoon, April 28, 1861, they ap- peared in a body, but without arms, in the Congregation- al church of this village, attended by a great gathering of sympathizing friends from this and other towns, and lis- tened to an appropriate discourse, by Rev. S. McKeen, the pastor, from 2d Samuel, X : 12-Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities
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of our God; and the Lord do that which seemeth Him good.
This discourse the company had printed, and the same was afterwards published in the Vermont Historical Ga- zetteer. An extract or two, as a memorial of the deeply affecting occasion, it is hoped will not be thought inap- propriate here. The company left for the scenes of active warfare on the subsequent Thursday, May 2, 1861.
" The true soldier is not influenced mainly by any con- siderations of personal advantage; he is not a pirate, ready to kill in order to plunder ; a savage, regardless of all the restraints of reason and humanity,' thirsting for slaughter and revenge: but he acts from a high sense of duty, and repels force by force, as the only means of sav- ing his country from the hands of her enemies ;. of re- establishing peace on the foundation of justice, and of se- curing to its people, both present and prospective, the enjoyment of their inalienable rights. The soldier should be a man of uncorruptible patriotism; a man of sterling integrity and honor, in whom the highest style of bravery is tempered with humanity and the fear of God. In the army, no countenance should be given to profanity, Sab- bath breaking, gambling, drinking, lewdness, or any of those vile practices which degrade humanity and provoke the wrath of Heaven. The soldier, going forth to battle, surely has reason to be thoughtful, and prayerful, to be truly religious, and ever ready to die the death of the righteous. God grant that our citizen soldiers, here ready to march, it may be to the scenes of deadly conflict, may all first present themselves as living sacrifices unto Him in whose hand is the temporal and eternal destiny of every human being, and heartily enlist in the service of the glorious Captain of Salvation. Then their highest inter- ests will be secure; for their lives will be hid with Christ in God."
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" Having faithfully performed our duty, it becomes us all to say, with the old warrior, Joab : " AND THE LORD DO - THAT WHICH SEEMETH HIM GOOD." He who guides the planets in their revolutions, and causes the seasons to suc- ceed each other in their order, who does His will in the armies of Heaven above, also controls the affairs of na- tions, and raises them to power and distinction, or casts them down and destroys them at His pleasure. To us His counsels, save as by His word or providence reveal- ed, are inscrutable. Often His way is in the sea, and His footsteps not known. Whether He will cause the thunder- clouds which hang over our nation to explode with blast- ing and most destructive effect, or to discharge their light- ning harmlessly and give place to the returning sunshine of prosperity,-whether he will suffer the rebels to pro- ceed to more outrageous acts, or will bless the strenuous efforts now making to suppress the insurrection and to support the Government,-whether our national banner is destined to be trailed in the dust, and be succeeded by that of the palmetto and rattlesnake, or is still to be borne aloft and respected as aforetime, not only at home, but on the remotest seas and in all foreign lands,-whether we are to sink amid the tumultuous waves of revolution to rise no more, or are still to maintain a high and honorable standing among the nations,-and what will be the result on the seceding States, whether slavery, as they intend, shall be firmly established and more widely extended than ever before, or its utter extinction by this insane move- ment shall be precipitated, and, sooner than the most hope- ful have dared to expect, liberty shall be proclaimed through all the land to all the inhabitants thereof,-are questions which it is impossible for the wisest, the most far-seeing among men, with any well-grounded confidence, to answer. But we may rest assured that Jehovah will reign, and do all His pleasure .. 'The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the
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mighty waves of the sea.' 'He will cause the wrath of man to praise Him, and all things to work together for good to them that love Him.' He will execute His holy purposes respecting both individuals and nations, and fill the whole earth with the most illustrious displays both of His justice and mercy. Let us, then, whether at home or abroad, whether occupied in peaceful pursuits, or called to the field of battle, aim to perform our whole duty, courageously and manfully, and submit the result entirely to His infinite wisdom and goodness. Blessed, forever blessed, are all they who put their trust in Him. While we feel deeply for our country, and pray and labor ear- nestly for its peace and prosperity, let us not fail to con- fess that it is both right and desirable that the Lord should do that which seemeth Him good. Let us not fail to lift up our united voices, with that of the enraptured Psalmist, saying, 'Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, and thy glory above all the earth.'
The list of soldiers from this towns during the war is as follows: Those in italics were enlisted by Bradford from other towns.
BRADFORD SOLDIERS OF 1861-65. BY COLONEL R. FARNHAM.
FIRST REGIMENT .- The Bradford Guards, Company D, mustered into the United States service at Rutland, May 8, 1861, by Lieut .- Colonel G. J. Rains, 5th United States Regiment, Infantry.
Remarks.
Harry N. Worthen, .
Major,
Afterwards Lieut. Col. of 4th regiment, ..
Dudley K. Andross,
37
Captain,
and Colonel of 9th regiment.
John B. Peckett, Jr.,
38
1st Lieut.,
Roswell Farnham,
33
2d Lieut.,
' of 12th regiment,
Cyrus B, Leach,
31
1st Serg't,
Captain Co. D, 8th
Edwin A. Kilbourne,
25
2d
Merrill G. Beard,
27
3d
Preston S. Chamberlin,
28
4th
James W. Kelley,
31
Corporal,
Edwin W. Roby,
27
Jason R. Bixby,
23
Edwin A. Wilcox,
21
Thomas L. Tucker,
44 Drummer,
George R. Morris.
27
Fifer,
Nathan A. Avery,
18
Private,
Corporal Co. H, 4th regiment. Private Co. B, 6th
Frank M. Bagley,
19
Harlan S. Blanchard,
27
James B. Brooks,
21
enlisted in New Hampshire regiment, 2d Lt. Co. H, 1st Lt. Co. I, Capt. Co. H, 4th regiment. Private Co. B, 6th regiment.
Oramel B. Brown,
28
Rank.
Names.
Age.
101
Co. G, 9th
Co. H, 12th
2d Lieut. and 1st Lieut. Co. H, 12th regiment.
Sergeant Co. B, 6th regiment. Quartermaster Sergeant, 4th regiment.
.
Names.
Age. Rank. Private,
Remarks.
Thomas A. Brock,
20
Afterwards 2d Lieut. Co. H, 12th regiment. 66
Dennis Buckley,
26
2d Co. D, 8th
Darius G. Child,
25
1st Co. D, 8th
R. W. Chamberlin,
25
1st Co. H, 12th
Henry M. Chase,
21
66
Assistant Surgeon,
Ezra Clarke,
18
66
Dwight S. Clarke,
20
Burnham Cowdry,
19
2d Lieut., 1st Lieut., and Capt. Co. D, 9th regiment. Private Co. H, 12th regiment.
Merritt A. Davis,
22
66
Thomas W. Dickey,
26
Co. D, 8th
Elijah Farr,
23
Color Sergeant, 12th
Edmund G. Flanders,
26
Daniel N. Flanders,
23
George W. Flanders, .
21
Wounded at Big Bethel; afterwards 2d Lieut. Co. A, 1st Lieut. Co. 1
102
Edward F. Gould,
19
Alfred E. Getchell,
33
Gardner J. Garfield,
24
Moses Gelo,
24
Albert D. Heath,
25
Emory A. Howard,
24
66
Samuel E. Howes,
19
1st Sergeant in 1st Battery.
William N. Jewell,
25
George A. Johnson,
19
66
George Lougee,
20
66
Philander Lougee,
18
1.
37
1
Daniel M. Lufkin,
18
Nelson Lapier,
23
.
Private Co. D, 8th regiment, Corporal Co. D. 8th
Sergeant Co. H, 12th “ 1
Sergeant Co. B, 6th regiment.
Died at Fortress Monroe, June 13, 1861. Entered a New Hampshire regiment, and was killed in service. Afterwards Corporal Co. B, 6th regiment. 66 Co, H, 12th
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