USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Norwich > A history of Norwich, Vermont > Part 21
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Mr. Sawyer located in that part of the town known as Beaver Meadow (now West Norwich), on a farm subsequently owned by William Pixley, Captain Thomas Howard, and now by Chauncey Smith, except that part that came into the possession of his son Cal- vin, upon which the latter erected a dwelling, and there passed his days. He was born in 1756, and died in 1838. He had five wives: Deborah Robinson, Roxalana Miller, Ruth Boardman and Mary and Margaret McAllister, sisters. By Deborah Robinson he had two children, and by Ruth Boardman six, of whom Miss Harriet Sawyer, whose death occurred a few years since at the home of C. C. Sawyer, was one; the others were Calvin, already mentioned, Oramel, Milo, Almon, and Ruth.
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HISTORY OF NORWICH
Isaac Sawyer, the father of Conant, never came to Norwich, but soon after his death in Connecticut, his widow came here and lived in the family of Hon. Paul Brigham.
Jacob S. Sawyer removed to Norwich from Connecticut, in 1785, accompanied by his wife, Jemima, two sons, Western and Cornelius, and one daughter, Sally, six years old, who subsequently married Cephas Harding and resided in Pomfret, Vt. He settled upon a hill farm half a mile west of New Boston Schoolhouse, where he built him- self a log house. The family baking was done in an oven of stone and clay erected on a ledge of rocks in rear of the house. In 1786, he planted seeds from two apples brought by him from Connecticut, from which are two trees now bearing fruit. He died in 1826, aged seventy-six years, and his wife, October 20, 1835, aged eighty-one years.
From any source of information at our command, we are unable to decide whether Conant and Jacob S. Sawyer were of the same family-at least, of near ties of consanguinity.
Western Sawyer, after arriving at man's estate, located on a farmi about one mile north of New Boston Schoolhouse, and built a log house in which to reside. He removed to the State of Ohio, in 1825.
Cornelius and his wife (nee Alice Johnson) made their home on the farm where his father settled. He died February 20, 1860, aged seventy-six years, and his wife passed away May 23, 1852, aged sixty- seven years.
Their children were James, Milton, Ralph, Emeline, Alvira, and Arvilla.
To Calvin Sawyer and his wife (nee Fanny Hatch) were born eight children, among them C. C. Sawyer, now residing in Norwich.
THE STIMSON FAMILY
Joel Stimson, the progenitor of the Stimson family in Norwich, emigrated from Holland, Conn., during the Revolutionary War. He had previously served as a soldier from that town-a fifer in Captain Solomon Will's Company. He married Susanna Growe at Norwich, April 15, 1779. He settled on what is now the Danforth farm, on the
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old Sharon road, and for many years kept a hotel there. Mr. Stimson raised a large family of sons and daughters and was a leading man in town and church. He was chosen tithingman as early as 1785. He died April 15, 1813, aged sixty-two. His eldest son, Seba Stimson, removed to Greensboro, Vt., when quite a young man. He was the father of Joel G. Stimson, who was born in Greensboro.
COLONEL ALBA STIMSON
Second son of Joel Stimson, was born at Norwich, May 10, 1783, and died at Post Mills, Vt., March 15, 1864. The greater part of his long life was passed in Norwich, of which he was for many years one of the most respected and influential citizens. He was early prom- inent in the militia, where he rose to the rank of Colonel, and in that capacity was in command of several companies and detachments that were assembled at Windsor in June, 1825, to welcome General Lafay- ette to Vermont. He is best remembered, perhaps, by the older towns- people as a school teacher in the district schools, an occupation for which he was singularly well adapted, both as regards the instruction and discipline of his pupils. He was ever a firm friend of popular education and was annually elected superintending school committee for a long period. Colonel Stimson was one of the earliest and most aggressive among the founders of the Free Soil party in this section of the state, and he was often the candidate of that party for office in town and county.
For nearly thirty years he was much in public service, holding nearly every town office, one of the last of which was to serve as the representative of the town in the constitutional convention of 1850.
Colonel Stimson married Phoebe, daughter of Pierce Burton, Esq., March 16, 1809, whom he survived a few years. They had no chil- dren. During a considerable portion of his later life he resided upon and owned the Pierce Burton farm near Norwich village, now the home of W. S. Hazen.
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HISTORY OF NORWICH
DOCTOR AMOS TWITCHELL
Doctor Amos Twitchell, the famous physician and surgeon of Keene, N. H., half a century ago, began his professional life in Norwich, where he resided about three years, (1805-1808). Doctor Twitchell was born in Dublin, N. H., in 1781; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1802. He was early attracted to the medical profession and became a favorite pupil of Dr. Nathan Smith, the founder of the New Hamp- shire Medical Institution at Hanover. As there were four resident physicians in town at the time of Doctor Twitchell's settlement here, he made but slow headway in his profession. His charges during his first year's residence only amounted to about $250. He was poor and involved in debt, and his letters at this time show that he was subject to seasons of deep despondency in view of his future prospects. He expressed confidence in his ability to obtain in time the largest share of the business in the vicinity, but ambition and his necessities im- pelled him to seek a wider field of activity. In a letter to his brother- in-law Doctor Carter, under date of May 9, 1807, he says: "I have been looking over my books. I find I am doing very poorly; some have run away; others are unable to pay; and not any of them do pay. Of course, I shall never be able to make remittances to my creditors, so long as I tarry here." It appears there was an improve- ment in his business prospects towards the end of his residence here, but not such as he thought warranted him in remaining where he must spend the prime of his life before he could attain "to anything like independence." He was employed by the town to some extent in doctoring the poor; the auditor's report in 1810 showing that he was paid a bill of $44 for medical services.
During the time of his residence here Doctor Twitchell was devoting much time to the study and practice of anatomy, which was a passion with him for many years. The obtaining of subjects for dissection was attended with many difficulties at that time, and Doctor Twitch- ell's reputation for the surreptitious procurement of such material from the graveyards of the vieinage was notorious and unsavory. He is said to have been one of the most daring and adroit operators in this line while a student and in the first years of his practice. This fact and some professional jealousy towards him on his first coming
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to Norwich, doubtless operated to his disadvantage in obtaining busi- ness here. He settled in Keene in 1810, and from that time till his death in May, 1850, his fame as a surgeon grew constantly till he had no superior in northern New England.
THE WATERMAN FAMILY
This family trace their lineage back to those of that name in Nor- wich, England, by the following links in the chain : Robert and Eliza- beth (Bairne) Waterman; Thomas and Miriam (Tracy) Waterman ; Thomas and Elizabeth (Allyne) Waterman; Daniel and Mary (Gif- ford) and Elizabeth (Haskell) Waterman. There are, probably, some missing links in the chain before coming to Daniel Waterman, the progenitor of the family in Norwich, Vt.
The name of Waterman is connected with the earliest days of our town's history-before a settlement was made within its borders. It was at William Waterman's tavern at Mansfield, Conn., where the first and later steps were taken towards the organization and settle- ment of the town, from which event we follow speedily and directly to the Daniel Waterman, already mentioned, who was a voter of record in 1767, and who married Ann Ford, to whom were born ten chil- dren, as follows: Daniel, Jr., Samuel, Elisha, Elijah, James, John, Levi ( ?), Ann, who married Levi Baldwin, to whom were born eleven children ; Mary, who became the second wife of Jeremiah Hedges. and Elizabeth, who married Daniel G. Baker, as his second wife.
When Daniel Waterman located in Norwich, it was in the northeast part of the town (in the Pompanoosuc district) in which locality he, with others, had "proprietors' rights" of land voted them "as a con- sideration for first coming into town and for the burden of first set- tling said town."
In that section of the town later generations of the family established homes, forming quite a populous community of themselves.
The record of this family is sufficient for a long and interesting history.
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HISTORY OF NORWICH
THE WRIGHT FAMILY
Aaron Wright, born in the year 1700 (probably in Hebron, Conn., ) the only son of Samuel and Elizabeth Wright, came to Norwich from Preston, Conn., about 1765 and located on a hill farm, west of Nor- wich Plain, just south of the Deacon John Dutton farm. The prop- erty passed into the hands of Mr. Dutton some years since, and he took down the old house built by Mr. Wright.
Previous to his removal to Norwich, Mr. Wright married Eliza- beth, daughter of Rev. Samuel and Elizabeth Bliss, to whom were born six sons and two daughters. Of these children, John, born in 1774, married Olive Partridge, September 27, 1768; Elizabeth mar- ried Samuel Partridge, in 1770. Samuel married (first) Eunice Ballard, (second) Polly Lane or Mary Lane. One record states that his first wife was Mary Lane, to whom he was married in 1792. It is probable that all of Mr. Wright's children were born before their parents came to Norwich.
John, son of Aaron and Elizabeth Wright, had by his wife, Olive, four sons and seven daughters-three died in infancy. Anna mar- ried Don J. Brigham; Ruby married Norman Cloud; Polly married Daniel Durkee and resided in Pennsylvania, where her husband en- tered into the practice of law, became a judge of one of the courts, and died at York in that state; Olive married John Hutchinson ; Betsey married Elisha Hutchinson; Ebenezer, (born January 23, 1783) removed to Pennsylvania, where he became a lawyer of note and died at his home in Lancaster. Roswell, another son, born in Nor- wich, February 17, 1781, married Jemina Rose of Lisbon, Conn., February 20, 1803, and to them were born three children: George, Mercy R., and Olive Partridge. George graduated from the U. S. Military Academy in 1822; fought through the Mexican War, and was several times brevetted for meritorious conduct during that cam- paign ; saw much service against the Indians ;. reached the rank of Brigadier General for gallant service during the War of the Rebellion. IIe was drowned by the sinking of the steamer Brother Jonathan off the coast of Oregon, July 30, 1865, while on his way to his post of duty. Mercy R. died in Norwich at the home of her sister, Mrs. Olive P. Newton, widow of the late Baxter B. Newton, June, 1899. Roswell Wright died October 9, 1866.
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John Wright, Jr., youngest son of John and Olive Wright, was born in Norwich, June 8, 1792; graduated from the U. S. Military Academy, July 23, 1818. His first wife was Susan, a daughter of Dr. Phineas Parkhurst of Lebanon, N. H., to whom one child, Susan Ann, was born, and she became the wife of C. C. Benton, Esq., of Lebanon. Mr. Wright's second wife was Almira Kidder Green, of Putney, Vt., by whom he had five children, only three of whom reached adult age, viz .- Leonard Jarvis, Mary Jarvis, and Thomas K. G., all of whom are dead. Mr. John Wright read law after leav- ing the army, and established himself in his profession in his native town, becoming a prominent citizen in the community. He held several public offices; was postmaster from 1836 to 1839, and from 1853 to 1855. He died in Norwich, Sept. 10, 1860.
The tragic death of Mr. John Wright, Sr., as related by his grand- daughter, Mercy Wright, to a relative of hers, is related below :
"September 10th, 1799, grandfather was preparing a piece of land for sowing grain. He came home and took dinner with his family as usual, and before leaving his house requested his second son, Ebenezer, to come with the oxen in half an hour, where he was at work, in order to remove some logs. Ebenezer went according to di- rections, and, although some distance, the family were alarmed by his cries. They, with the neighbors, flocked to the spot, but to witness a sad spectacle indeed. Grandfather had attempted to roll a log down a descent, and by a sudden movement had got under the log- it had rolled onto his body (across his heart) and when his son ar-
rived life was extinct. Grandfather was fifty-six vcars old * * Grandfather was out in the Revolutionary War. He was at the battle of Bennington and the surrender of Bur- goyne."
Aaron Wright died at Norwich, in 1783, aged eighty-three years, and his wife in 1789, aged seventy-five years.
NOTE-The spot where Mr. Wright was killed has been enclosed for many years by a picket fence. It is a short distance south of the highway following the brook westerly from near W. S. Hazen's. At the time of Mr. Wright's death it was a part of his farm, but is now owned by Charles Swasey.
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HISTORY OF NORWICH
GEN. EDWARD B. WILLISTON
9X'57 Son of Ebenezer B. and Almira (Partridge) Williston, was born at Norwich July 15, 1836. He was four years at Norwich University previous to receiving an appointment of second lieutenant in the U. S. Artillery, August, 1861. General Williston served with distinction throughout the late Civil War, receiving several brevets for gallant conduct.
In the war with Spain he was on active duty-at one time pro- vost-marshal at Manila. In May, 1898, he was commissioned briga- dier-general. He is now assistant superintendent of the soldiers home, Washington, D. C.
PART III MISCELLANEOUS
OMPOMPANOOSUC AGRICULTURAL FAIR SOCIETY
[By A. V. Turner]
In the year 1885 Appleton R. Tilden became interested in the forma- tion of an agricultural society for the purpose of holding fairs in Nor- wich (near Pompanoosuc), and through his efforts quite a wide interest in this scheme was awakened in Norwich, Thetford, and Hartford, Vt., and Lyme. Hanover, and Lebanon. N. H. February 6, 1886. a meeting was called in Norwich and a temporary organization formed, with J. M. Fuller president, and A. V. Turner secretary. The membership fee was fixed at $1.00 and a committee elected to solicit membership. The meeting adjourned to February 21, at which time the committee reported that grounds suitable for fair purposes could be rented of J. H. and Sarah J. Chapman at a rental of $25.00 per year. A mem- bership of 177 was reported at this meeting.
At an adjourned meeting held March 6, 1886, a permanent organiza- tion was made with the following named board of officers : R. A. Tilden, President; J. M. Fuller, Secretary ; A. V. Turner, Treasurer; E. M. Fullington and J. H. Chapman, Vice Presidents ; Executive Committee. H. P. Flint, Jonah Taylor, A. W. Brigham; J. W. Armstrong, Mar- shal; N. H. Clogston, General Superintendent ; Directors: Norwich, T. A. Hazen, Bartlett Sargent, Richard Waterman, G. M. Slack, A. W. Johnson. C. Strong; Hartford, David Hazen, Enos Gillett ; Hanover. N. H., J. H. Foster ; Lyme, N. H., A. P. Colby : Strafford, L. Parker. The Constitution and the premium list of the Tunbridge Fair Associa- tion were adopted. The Chapman grounds were leased for a long term of years and work was planned for a fair to be held in September.
During the early fall buildings and a track suitable for fair purposes were built entirely by the public spirit of the people. The first fair was set for the 20th of September. Entries in all the departments were good, but a rain storm of several days set in and the fair was
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HISTORY OF NORWICH
adjourned some days, but was finally held with a good attendance and fine show of stock.
Nine fairs were held by this association, all but one of which were in the midst of rainy weather, and the saying is still heard, "Pompa Fair will bring rain any time." Furthermore, the interest and work · of carrying on the fairs had fallen so heavily on a "few faithful work- ers" that in 1895 it was deemed best to close up the business of the association, which was done by selling at auction the association prop- erty and dividing the proceeds among the few remaining members of the society. While it cost a few members weeks of hard labor and much money to help carry on the fairs, yet much good came to the agricultural interests of this town and vicinity which made their bur- den seem lighter.
OLD HOME WEEK OBSERVANCE [By Rev. N. R. Nichols]
Agreeably to provisions of the laws of Vermont, citizens of Norwich assembled May 11, 1901, and organized the Norwich Old Home Week Association. The following officers were elected: H. V. Partridge, President : T. A. Hazen, 1st Vice President; G. M. Slack. 2nd Vice President ; F. W. Hawley, Secretary : George Messenger, Treasurer: Executive Committee : W. S. Bowles, D. D. S., Mrs. Wm. E. Lewis, M. S. Colburn, W. O. Blood, Mrs. Jerome Brown. At a meeting June 7th by-laws were adopted and the following committees appointed : Location, E. W. Olds, A. V. Turner, Mrs. F. W. Hawley: Invita- tion, Mrs. William E. Lewis, Miss Sarah J. Burton, Miss Mary A. Loveland; Finance, A. W. Brigham, W. O. Blood, Dea. R. T. Lewis: Program, Mrs. W. S. Bowles, Miss Anna Converse, Miss Emma Slack : Dinner, Dea. Samuel Hutchinson, Mrs. J. H. Loveland, Mrs. E. G. Lord. It was also voted that August 16th be observed as Old Home Day.
At a meeting of the various committees July 23d, it was decided to hold the public exercises on the common. The following invitation was sent to over four hundred former residents: "The Norwich Old Home AAssociation most cordially invites you to return and participate in the First Annual Reunion of present and former residents, Old Home
1
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OLD HOME WEEK
Week, August 11th to 17th, 1901, and especially to be present at the Public Exercises, Old Home Day, Norwich, Vermont, Friday, August 16th, 1901."
The day of observance was perfect. There was a general attend- ance of the citizens of the town, and many also came from neighboring towns, as well as from other states.In the record book may be found the names of 118 non-residents from without the state, and of ninety- five now living in Vermont, who had returned to renew their interest in their former home. It was estimated that more than a thousand people were present. Of this number some eight hundred partook of the dinner provided under the directions of the entertainment com- mittee. The exercises of the afternoon consisted of music, addresses by non-residents and by citizens, and the reading of letters from people unable to be present. In the evening there was an open air concert by the band engaged for the occasion.
Norwich village appeared at its best. Public buildings and private dwellings were very tastefully decorated, and, in the evening, illumin- ated, for the occasion. Windows were everywhere ablaze with light. Much interest was added by the use of the school building as a memo- rial hall where were gathered numerous portraits of earlier inhab- itants-representations and reminders of their sturdiness of character. So satisfactory was the outcome as to make it desirable to observe an Old Home Day the next summer. The date chosen for the occasion was the 15th of August. The celebration was carried out in a manner and with results very much like those of the preceding year. A shower, however, interfered somewhat with the full enjoyment of the exercises of the day.
Less elaborate preparations were made for the next summer. The Norwich Association, however, commemorated Old Home Week, August 21st, by a picnic on the common, to which a general invitation was extended. The three celebrations were so enjoyable, and in every way satisfactory, as fully to warrant a continued observance of Old Home Week.
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HISTORY OF NORWICH
SOME INCIDENTS OF LITIGATION IN NORWICH
That the people of this town were a litigious people in the early part of the century, may well be inferred from the following state- ment of suits-at-law brought before Hezekiah Goodrich, Justice of the Peace, as learned from his account book :
In 1808, Daniel Buck brought 23 suits; in 1809, 11 suits. In 1808, Ebenezer Brown brought 136 suits; in 1809, 218 suits. In 1808, Zenas Bliss, et al., brought 9 suits.
Making a total of 168 229
Although Norwich has had the reputation during the past few years of being nearly, or quite, the banner town in the county for litigation. it has not kept pace with the above record in number of suits brought. If the law was often brought into requisition in those early days, it was at times put in action in the interest of public morals. as evidenced by the following statements :
"Norwich, June 2ª, 1829.
"Edward Hutchins fined for swearing 'By Jesus Christ,' twice. Fine, $1.00 for each oath, $2.00
"Cost, officer, .34
"Court, .67
"$3.01"
"George W. Payne fined for swearing 'By God,' at 5 different times, $1.00 ea., $5.00
"Cost, officer, .34
"Court, .67
1.01
$6.01." "Stand committed.
Hutchins and Payne belonged in Hanover. June 2nd (the date of the above proceedings) was the first Tuesday of that month, the time
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SOME INCIDENTS OF LITIGATION
of the Annual Militia Training (June training). The proceedings were before Don J. Brigham, Esq.
"State of Vermont, Windsor County, SS. Be it remembered that on the first day of March, 1808, George C. Freeman of Norwich, was convicted before me, H. Goodrich, Justice of the Peace, for uttering one Profane Oath on the 26th day of Feb. last in the words following, to wit : 'By God,' etc., and was then ordered to pay a fine of 75 cts., and 25 cts. cost.
"A true record.
"H. Goodrich, Justice Peace."
"State of Vermont, Windsor County, SS. Be it remembered that on the 7th day of September, A. D. 1809. Calvin Miner of Hartford, in the county of Windsor, was convicted of horse racing in Norwich in the county aforesaid, on the 31st day of July last past, and winning the sum of $9.50, and was ordered to pay the same into the treasury of sd. Norwich, with $4.00 fine and $2.71 cost.
"A true record, Attest
"Hezh Goodrich, Just. Peace."
NORWICH WEARS THE BELL By FAIRBANKS BUSH.
Come ye who love the truth, give ear to what I say !
Although it is in poetry, the truth I will convey :. I'll tell you our condition-I think I know it well,
And then with me you will agree that Norwich wears the bell.
This town to me was dear, it was my place of birth,
"T was here I was conceived and drew my natal breath :
It was a pleasant land to me, and I am bold to tell,
For in those days we had much praise, and likewise wore the bell.
Our fathers all were friends, in wealth they did abound,
Their object was to live in peace and cultivate the ground : In this they were successful,-in harmony did dwell,
And we can say there was a day that Norwich wore the bell.
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HISTORY OF NORWICH
Alas, how great the change! the gold it has turned dim, We left the path our fathers chose, and do not dwell therein ; Our name is sounding far and wide, but this I'm loath to tell, For it is told by young and old, that Norwich wears the bell.
1 When I relate this truth my heart is filled with pain ; Those happy days which we have spent will ne'er return again ; Instead of love and friendship, contention here doth dwell, And it is known by this my moan that Norwich wears the bell.
The town is now deranged-this is the state of things : Our leaders are unskillful men, and cannot tune her strings: They vibrate loud in discord, the sound is sharp and shrill, There's none I see but what agree that Norwich wears the bell.
Our rulers they are wise-yes, in their own conceit, They think the common class all fools, but they will lie and cheat : Some things would make you wonder, but those I dare not tell,
It would disgrace the human race, and Norwich wears the bell.
These evils which prevail are numerous and great, Likewise they have increased abundantly of late;
Some things are now in practice which I'm ashamed to tell, That teaches all, both great and small, that Norwich wears the bell.
The law is our delight, and courts they do abound, We've almost twenty magistrates, but justice can't be found :
Our debts are so increased we cannot pay them well,
And for want of bail we go to jail, and Norwich wears the bell.
The men who guard our rights are those who love their ease. They show much zeal for virtue's cause, but twice as much for fees : They'll sign a writ for any sum, and execution fill,
And this is done by every one, and Norwich wears the bell.
There's some profess the law,-they say they guard our rights,- To rob us of our property they strive with all their mights: This is their calculation, we all do know it well,
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