USA > Vermont > Essex County > Guildhall > A history of Guildhall, Vt > Part 12
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BENONI CUTLER.
Originally came from Connecticut, he was a soldier in the French and Indian war, and a Captain in the Revolu- tion, at about the close of which he came to Vermont, first moving to Windsor, but in 1784 he came to Guillhall; he first restled on the meadow where Mr. Rice 20 years be- fore had first commenced, being on the farm owned by Wm. and H. Heywoodl. He remained there 3 years and then purchased the 12th settlers' lot and the 300 acres grant to Osgool and Bailey, including the mills, then on Spanllings brook. He was one of the first Justices of the Peace, and almost always held some town office; he was also one of the 7 persons composing the church organiza- tion in 1899; he lived to be over 60 years of age and died in 18(6; was buried in the north burying ground, being among the first buriel there. He had a family of 7 sons, viz: Charles, Theophilus, William. Joseph. Royal, Erastus and Zara ; and 2 daughters Rebecca and Luoy.
CHARLES CUTLER
Reside l in town many years ; was prominent and active in public affairs of Town and Church, holding frequent offices of responsibility. He moved west, with most of his family, where he lived to be over 90 years of age.
THEOPHILUS CUTLER.
Residel in town most of his life; was smart and rather distinguished as a constable and collector of taxes ; had a family of 5 sous and 3 daughters. lIe died, being over 80 years old, at Lunenburg.
218
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL. WILLIAM CUTLER.
Was an enterprising man ; he was chosen Deacon of the Congregational Church in 1810, and held that office till he died.
JOSEPII CUTLER.
He was a smart young man, but died early in manhood leaving no family.
ROYAL CUTLER.
Was born in 1778 at Windsor, and was abont 6 years old when his father came to Guildhall, and from the time he came with his father until his death he lived in town. He was a very trustworthy and smart man; he held many public offices, being Town Clerk, Selectman, Treasurer for a great many years, delegate to the Constitutional Convention, Justice, Assistant Judge of the County Court and Judge of Probate; he was also identified with the public interests of his fellow citizens in all branches during his entire life. He died in 1856 in his 78th. year.
ERASTUS CUTLER.
Was a man highly esteemed by the Church and society, possessing the confidence of all, being repeatedly honored by his fellow-townsmen and the Church, of which he was a deacon for 13 years. He was a very great help in sus- taining meetings for religious worship on the Sabbaths, during the times in which the church was without a preach- er; he left one child now the wife of Hon. Wm. H. Hartshorn. Mr. Cutler died Apr. 1832 in his 49th. year. ZARA CUTLER.
Was born in Guildhall in 1786, and was a lawyer; he
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went to Conway, N. HI., where he died March 1861 being 75 years old. He was a very able and prominent lawyer and had a large and lucrative practice in that vicinity.
Rebecca Cutler married Caleb Amy. Lucy Cutler married und finally went to N. Y. to reside.
MILTON CUTLER.
Was a prominent citizen, holding many offices. He was Assistant Judge of the County Court for the years 1866 and 1862. About 1861 he wrote a sketch on the history of Guildhall for Mrs. Hemenway's Vt. Gazettcer, which was very nicely gotten up and his work should be appreciated much more than it apparently is. He moved to Illinois Dec. 13, 1865. JJuly 9th. 1885 he and his family made a settlement at Jetmore, Hodgeman Co., Kas., by entering a quarter section as a homestead.
NATHANIEL SHAW.
Came to town in 1838; he has been a farmer most of the time and for a long time owned and operated the aqueduct, which supplies the village with water.
THE EMERY FAMILY.
Joshua and Hannah Emery came to Guildhall in March 1846, moving on the "Call place" now owned by A. M. Grout; there were 7 children, 4 boys and 3 girls, one of the daughters being born after they came to town. The children were ; John P., George C., Stephen W., Louisa L., Warren D., Elizabeth H., Elsa A. and Adeline H.
George C. died January 10, 1856 aged about 25 years.
John P. married Misa Louisa Sanderson in 1855 ; they had 7 children; he died in April 1884.
Stephen W. married Betsa Amy of this town; they have had 6 children; 3 died in infancy and 3 are now living.
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HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
Warren D. married Ruby S. Hendrick of Concord ; they have 4 children, 3 boys and 1 girl.
Louisa G. married John F. Ilartshorn and lived in Canaan, they have 1 boy.
Elizabeth H. married Marvin Fletcher of Canaan, and after his death married Charles Weeks of Canaan; has 4 children.
Elsa A. married John Carby of Lunenburg; they have 2 children living, and 2 have died.
Adaline married John Flanders of Canaan.
Joshua Emery lived on the Call farm 5 years, and then moved on the Bothel place where he lived until his death in 1869; his wife Hannah died in 1876. Stephen W. and Warren D. now live on the Bothel place.
HARDEN WILLARD.
Came to this county vory early and settled in Maidstone; he was a young man at that time but finally removed west.
HUBBARD WILLARD.
Youngest son of Harden Willard, was born August 24, 1829, became a resident of Guildhall in 1860.
Miss Mariette Follansby became his wife March 5, 1856. Their children are,-Mrs. C. E. Hubbard, George and Mary ; this last child died when 21 months old; a brighter little girl never lived in Guildhall. Mr. Willard hus held various town offices and in other ways been promi - nent in town. Ho is considered an influential, honorable and trustworthy citizen; is a carpenter and joiner by trade, but now owns a farm on the north road and is spending most of his time taking care of and working his farm, which by his ability and industry he has made one of the best and most productive in the town.
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL. 221
DR. JOHN DEWEY .* BY HON. WM. NIEYWOOD.
Was one of the remarkable men of Essex County. He was born at Hanover, N. H., Dec. 5, 1794. He received his education in his profession mainly under the tuition of Dr. Nathan Smith; and his medical degree from Dart- mouth College. He commenced his profession very young in Cana la. remaining there till he was attacked with a disease in his eyes, which for a time threatened him with blin Iness. Recovering from this infliction, he established himself at Hill, N. H., and about 1822 came to Guildhall. For nearly twenty years he was the leading physician in this section. Here he became a practitioner of large experience and great skill and judgment. No man was more relied upon in case of difficulty and danger.
Ile gave up his profession as a business about 1840, upon becoming involve l in business of other kinds. He marriel Mary P. Carlisle, Feb. 1832. In 1841 he moved to a beautiful farm in Maidstone. Here he and his wife kept n most hospitable home ; and many have been the times that acquaintances far and near have assembled there to enjoy such entertainment as no one else could dispense,-for the Doctor besides his liberality, had the manners of an accomplished gentleman ; and he was also a man of fine proportions and presence. The stranger also from city or country who might chance to stop in the neighborhood was sure to be invited to partake of their hospitalities. And there was no obstentation in this, but
"This sketch was originally written by Mr. Heywood for Mrs. Hemen - way's Gazetteer. As we give it, it is considerably abbreviated.
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HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
such generosity was a characteristic, and the poor never went hungry from his door, -many have been the bags- full and the basketsfull and the back loads with which the destitute of his neighborhood have been loaded *from his stores. Dr. Dewey was a man of extraordinary persever- ance and great energy of character. In politics he was a whig, and later a republican, and it never was with half assent that he supported and advocated the measures of his party.
He was a member of the State Legislature for twelve years. He was Assistant Judge 1526, '7; a member of the council of censors, and for several years he received appointments from the Legislature, such as director of the state prison, etc. The Doctor was able in debate, and many of his speeches would be a credit to any debater and worthy of any legislative body.
Dr. Dewey entered into the support of the government with zeal to put down the rebellion, and lent every aid in his power to that end.
On a summer evening he rode to the house of a neighbor where in course of a talk upon political affairs he became excited, not from opposition (for in political opinion they did not differ, ) and on his way home he was attacked by a paralysis of the brain, and when he arrived home he was insensible, and was carried into the house and died the next morning, which was July 11, 1862, and no man in all the community could have been more widely missed.
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HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
MR. CHESTER W. SCHOFF.
Was born in Brunswick, August 26, 1832, and came to reside in Guildhall in 1848. When he was 24 years of age he married Malinda Green and they reside in the village. They have had 3 children ; Ella, who died while quite young, Nelly A., boru in 1864, Charles, born in 1866.
Mr. Schoff is one of the leading men of the town and county; he has at various times filled to the great credit of himself and the people of this town, many important offices.
SAMUEL R. HALL.
Mr. Hall was an early settler and a prominent man; he came from Cornish, N. H., and was long known as "Dea- con Hall ;" he was a practical surveyor and was much employed in surveying roads, etc. He removed from town abont 1812 and became a preacher at Rumford, Maine.
He had several sons and daughters brought up here.
JOSIAH B. son of S. R. Hall was a smart farmer, but he removed with his family to Ohio in 1834 where his children were educated.
COL. HENRY HALL.
Was an early settler. For many years he carried on a very extensive saddle and harness business. He was quite prominent in town and military affairs. Hle represented the town in the State Legislature for the year 1834.
FRANK HALL.
Col. Henry Hall's grandson and oldest son of the late Ilenry S. Hall formerly of Northumberland; was born Aug. 1844. He came to Guildhall when he was 8 years old and has made this town his home most of the time since.
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HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
For quite a number of years he has had a store in the vil- lage, doing an extensive business. He is an influential citi- zen and is Post-master for the Guildhall office. Jan. 1875 he married Sarah A. Russell; they have 2 boys living, Frod N., and Harlie S., and one son died in infancy.
DAVID KENT, JR.
Was born in Canterbury, N. H., Sept. 28, 1795, and when he was 22 years old he went to Stewartstown, N. H. where he resided some 40 years. He came to Guildhall in 1857 and lived here until his death Sep. 1st, 1882. He was 3 times married, and father of 4 children.
Mr. Kent was a soldier in the war of 1812.
W. H. LEITH, M. D.
Born at Haverhill, N. H., in 1859; was educated at the common schools in that town and at the Academics at Plymouth, N. H., where he led his class. He then went into Dr. S. P. Carbie's office at Haverhill. He took his first course of lectures at Burlington in 1881; was President of class in 1883 and ranked among the very first in the class. He located in town in 1884, and hns been very successful in the practice of his profession, and it is hoped that he will see fit to make Guildhall his perman- ent residence.
REV. CALEB BURGE, A. M.
The Rev. Caleb Burge, first pastor of the Congregational Church of Guildhall, was born in Springfield, educated at Middlebury and came to Guildhall when he was abont the age of 30 in the year 1808, and was installed pastor of said church ou the last Wednesday of August of that year.
REV. CALEB BURGE
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HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
He was of the Calvanistic school, and was the founder of the church in Guildhall, being the author of their creed and articles of faith. His labors were to establish the church in the soundest orthodoxy ; believing it indispens- able that a church should be firmly grounded in the Faith.
It was during his ministry the greatest revival ever in town, or as it is termed the "great revival" occurred, and in the year 1810 over 70 joined the church, 41 being admitted on one day. His labors with the church were very successful and the loss was a heavy one to the place when he was dismissed, the reasons for which we have given ; this was Feb. 16, 1814; he went from here to Brattleboro, from there to Glastenbury, Conn., then to N. Y. State. We learn that while returning from a funeral at which he had preached the sermon, he was thrown from his carriage and instantly killed, and what is a sin- gular thing his text was-"Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh."
In person, Mr. Burge was tall and powerful, and while he resided in town he not only preached, but owned and occupied a farm. He produced a work entitled "Burge on the Atonement," which was at that early date consid- ered equal if not superior to any that had been written upon the subject.
REV. JAMES TISDALE.
Second pastor of the Congregational Church, was from Taunton, Mass. He graduated at Brown University in 1821 ; studied theology with Rev. A. Cobb, of Taunton.
His first labors in this part of New England were in the
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HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
capacity of a missionary, preaching in Burke, Granby and other places about a year. The Guildhall church gave him a call and Sep. 29, 1830 he was ordained pastor, and continued that relation until May 5, 1836.
He was considered a faithful pastor and was very suc- cessful; during his ministry, 28 were added to the church. He went to N. II., from there to Ill. He died Feb.28, 1863.
REV. FRANCIS P. SMITHI.
Third pastor of the Congregational Church; a native of Gilmanton, N. H., was educated at Dartmouth, and Was in his younger days a lawyer. He finally became a lic- ensed preacher and for two years supplied the pulpit at Epsom, N. H .; he came to Guildhall October 1837, and remained in town occupying the same position until May 1844. Mr. Smith was one of those men while a lawyer, could truthfully be called an "honest lawyer," remarkable for his uprightness and integrity ; as a man artless, ami- nble, social and friendly, as a Christian pastor, meek and zealously engaged in promoting the spiritual and temporal interests of the church and people. He was instrumental in advancing all interests of education, and whatever would serve the welfare of the people was his delight.
"He in some degree fell a pray to the malice of some whose errors and enmity his zeal and faithfulness corrected or reproved, and in his moral character was most villain- ously traduced and greviously wronged." The church did not uphold and sustain him as it should have done, and it is a noticeable fact that from that day to this. it has not enjoyed anything like its former prosperity.
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HISTORY OF GUILDHALL ..
After leaving here he went to Maine where he was en- gaged by the Maine Missionary Society for years.
Says the council, in dismissing Mr. Smith, "We rejoice that, among the reasons assigned why brother Smith's pastoral relation should be dissolved, nothing was present- ed derogatory to his Christian character, or his standing as a minister of the Gospel; and could cheerfully recom- mend him to the churches of Christ as a faithful, devout and worthy minister." By his labors 67 were added.
REV. IRA BEARD.
Came as pastor of the Methodist church in 1844, which was then in its infancy; his charge extended from Lan- caster bridge to Heriford, Canada. They had no church then, and meetings were held in the old court house.
Mr. Beard had a wife and one child at that time, and his receipts all told for the first year were $108 .; he wrote in a recent letter, "Rather small pay, the boys of the present day would think, but, O! if I could only strip off my coat now and put into the work as I could then how quickly I would do it, pay or no pay."
GOV. GEORGE N. DALE.
The subject of this sketch was boru at Fairfax, Feb. 19, 1834, and lived in Waitsfield, from six months to 21 years of age. He was educated scantily in the common schools and attended Thetford Academy 2 or 3 years, during which time his limited means compelled him to pursue only those branches which he regarded as the most neces- sary and beneficial in the practice of law, which profession, very early in life, he had determined to follow. He read during the time required in the office of Messrs Dilling- ham & Durant.
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HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
He was admitted to practice at the March Term, 1: 56, of the Washington County Court. In December of the same year he borrowed money to defray his expenses and came to Guildhall. Hlere he formed a partnership with Hon. Win. H. Hartshorn, which continued about two years. He soon became very much attached to the place and people, and did a growing business until 1861, being State's Attorney during most of the time. He was elect- od Representative of Guildhall in the Legislature in 1860 for the purpose of opposing the dismemberment of the County, and took part in the memorable session of April 1861. In June of the same year he was appointed Depn- ty Collector of Customs and took charge of the Port of Island Pond which position he held until 1866 when he was elected to the State Senate to which he was re-elect- ed in 1867, 1868 and 1:69. In the year 1870 he was elected Lieut. Governor and in 1871 he was reappointed Deputy Collector of the Port of Island Pond, which posi- tion he resigned in 1882. In November 1885 he was elected President of the Vermont Bar Association.
On the election of Judge Steele in 1866, Gov. Dale was substitute l for Judge Steele in the firm of Steela & Rob- inson under the name of Dale & Robinson, having an office at Derby Line, and Barton. Soon after he formed a partnership with B. F. IL Carpenter Esq., having an office at West Charleston, and continued in connection with them for several years, having his office at Island Pond, where he now resides, und does a large and profita- ble business and is regarded as one of the ablest lawyers now living and in active practice of the law in the State.
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I11STORY OF { GUILDHALL.
HON. ISAAC CUSHMAN.
Was a descendant of Robert Cushman who came to this continent in the Mayflower. He came to Guildhall early in this century and located at the south part of the town. He was Judge of Probate from 1815 to '22.
Mr. Cushman in his old age went and spent the remain- der of his days with one of his sons at Troy, N. Y.
GEN. SETH CUSHIMAN.
Previous to coming to Guildhall. Gen. Cushman resid- ed with his father. Hon. Isaac Cushman. in Connecticut, and was at the time of his father's settling in Guildhall studying law with an acquaintance in Vermont, and when he was ready to try for admission to the bar, Guildhall Was recommended to him; he came to town anl was in 1804 admitted to the bar and continued his residence with the exception of one year until 1845 when he died, at the age of 63. Gen. Cashman was a very talented man and probably few men possessc ! a greater amount and variety than he, and had his moral and religious principles equal- el his natural abilities, he would have been the pride of the place and his friends and a bright ornament of the Church and his State. He was entertaining at home, in the social circle, at the bar, and as an officer in the field.
At the bars of most counties in this part of the country he was the peer of such men as Hon. John Mattocks, James Bell and Isape Fletcher. all "giants of their time."
Hon. James Bell, * in addressing the jury of Orleans County Court in n case where a mother was on trial for the murder of her own child, as he stood up in the dignity of old age, and casting his eyes along the vacant places inside the bar, where were the wonted seats of his "fallen brethren." he said :- "May it please your honor, and gentlemen of the jary : I stood among giants, though not of them: my comrales at the bar have fallen. Fletcher! the
ยท Mrs. Hemenway's Vt. Gazetteer, sketch of Walden.
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HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
untiring and laborious counselor, the persuasive advocate, the unyielding combatant, Is where ! Eternity echoes, here!
Cushman, the courtly and oloquent lawyer, the kind and feeling man, the polished and social companion and friend, where now is he? The world unseen alone can say."
Gov. Geo. N. Dale, in a letter to the author, says of Gen. Cushman: I understand him to have been a man nearly Oft. in height, full size very erect in form and bear- ing, a man most decidedly accurate and a plumb in this respeet, of most genteel and elegant appearance, and with faultless manners. Iu all that I have heard of him, 1 find no memory of a rough or vulgar expression of him, which always scemed singular when we consider his reputation for somewhat questionable gallantry. As an advocate I understand him to have been of the very finest type, very choice in the use of language and having a wonderful fac- ulty of eliciting the sympathy of his nuditors. His efforts seemed to have been temporary in their induonce and effects which seem to have passed away with the occasion that produced them. I have heard such men as Judge Redfield, and Judge Smalley relate instances in which he had rescued clients from defeat in court in a manner scarce- ly, if ever, equalled in Vermont. His efforts before the Legislature, among which is one urging the commuta- tion of a death sentence to imprisonment for life, are said to be the very finest ever made in the State.
Hon. Wm. Heywood* says of him : He was a man of remarkable forensic talents. He was not a deep student of the law, but his knowledge was sufficient to enable him to manage a trial skillfully. I never knew a lawyer of more resources. His perceptions were quick; almost without an effort he would understand a case and I have known him to sit down to a jury trial without instructions and render
. As we go to press with this chapter, we receive from Hon. Win. Heywood a very interesting sketch on the life of Gen. Cushman ; we have made room for part of it, and wish we could print nll.
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HISTORY CF GUILDHALL.
efficient aid. He was a brilliant advocate ; he was a very successful lawyer in the defence of criminal prosecutions.
I recollect that in a very important jury trial he and Judge John Mattocks were engaged in the defence and Gen. Cushman made the opening argument. After he had finished Judge Mattocks arose and said that Gen. Cushman had so argued the case that he should do best to say nothing, and he sat down. Gen. Cushman was a man of handsome presence of accomplished and gentleman- ly manners. He was always kind and ready to aid the yourger members of the profession. He was a man of deep sympathies. He would aid a poor man with no ex- pectation of pay with as much zeal as though he was sure of a large fee. Guildhall was and is yet a small vil- lage and a very narrow field for a distinguished man with such talents as Gen. Cushman possessed. He had the ability to have distinguished himself in a much greater field. But he also had failings which were a clog upon his success. A year before he died he had a paralytic shock, and though he got up so as to be around the village it was sad to see him, the wreck of an able man. He was many ways a man to he admired.
H. N. ALLIN.
Came with his father, Matthew Allin about 1840, and became the owner of a large tract of farming land, and at one time was the most extensive farmer in town, but could not be contented with farming business alone and embarked in the lumber business about 1870, an occupa- tion in which he was entirely unacquainted, and about 1874 he failed for a large sum, went into bankruptcy, and left town. He now resides in the State of New Jersey.
DANIEL KEITH.
Came to town about 1832 residing on the hill, but in 1852 he removed to the valley and for years operated the farm now carried on by his son Charles. He was a leading citizen in town. He died in 1861.
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HISTORY OF GUILDHALL ..
DANIEL KEITH.
Son of Daniel Keith, was born July 1831, and has rc- sided in various places but is now living in the village.
He married Miss Thankful Jackson who keeps a milli- nery and faney gonds store.
DEA. CHARLES KEITH.
Was born in town, Aug.29. 1833. He married Emeline M. Joslin, Oct. 14, 1>74, and they live on the farm already alluded to, which is about 1{ miles west of the village.
He has almost continuously for a long time held the important town office of collector of taxes and for quite a number of years been one of the Deacons of the Cong'l Church. Dea. Keith is considered one of the clear headed men of the town, and the fact of his so successfully carry- ing out his ideas in public life amply proves the above statement.
DEA. AZRO BURTON.
Was born in Norwich Feb. 28, 1813. He married Miss Sophia Morse at Bradford March 6, 1839; they moved to Guildhall in 1841, on a farm in the south part of the town, where he now resides. They had three danghters; Addie D., born July 21, 1841, and married Co !. E. R. Kent, of Lancaster, Jan. 1862; E.nily S., born Feb. 29, 1844, resides at Lancaster; Ella M., born Jan. 6, 1849; she died quito young. Mrs. Burton died March 27, 1861.
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