USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Norwich > A history of Norwich, Vermont > Part 22
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By this you see we all agree that Norwich wears the bell.
261
NORWICH WEARS THE BELL
There's some that sell us goods,-their object is their pay,-
They strip us of our hogs and pigs, our corn, our oats, our hay : And this is sold at auction,-I think it pays them well,-
And now with me you must agree that Norwich wears the bell.
There's some in horses trade,-they say it is no hurt,- The calling is as honorable as any other work ; Our jockeys trade so fairly they all do make it well :
They cheer the heart before they part, and Norwich wears the bell.
There's some boarding out to learn a useful trade,
And Windsor is their residence,-it is the choice they've made,- And others stand propounded, and we can spare them well,
We have in store a number more, and Norwich wears the bell.
THE LIBERTY TREE By FAIRBANKS BUSH.
Our fathers of old, by oppression we're told, Were forced to cross the wide sea ; They came to this land, tho' a small, feeble band, And they planted a Liberty Tree.
This tree grew so tall (yet its branches were small) The nations of Europe did see : Then Britain engaged, with her forces enraged, To pluck up this Liberty Tree.
It pleased our God to oppose Britain's rod, And show their attempts all in vain ; This tree here must stand till it spreads o'er the land, And its branches shoot over the main.
This tree while ascending the gods were defending, And turning all envy to shame ;- The men of corruption who plot its destruction, All true-hearted men do disdain,
262
HISTORY OF NORWICH
We have some British tools that may well be styl'd fools, They would give up our freedom for gain ;
They would plunge the whole nation without hesitation In bondage and slavery's chains.
They would give up our claim to honor and fame, They would banish our flag from the sea ; If they had but the power they would crop the gay flower, And would cut down this Liberty Tree.
But woe to the man that with Britain doth plan Against his own country's cause, Working every invention to stir up contention, And censure our rulers and laws.
Though tories combine in a wretched design, And foreigners with them agree,
In a garb of disguise for to blind freemen 's eyes, While they cut down this Liberty Tree ;
Though Britain may boast of a brave gallant host, Her power is confined to the sea ; The sons of our land will soon weaken her hand, When aimed at this Liberty Tree.
Then let them all strive in their plans of disguise, They can't sap the least twig or a branch ; We have nothing to fear from the British career. Nor the threats of that tyrant of France.
For America's ground still echoes the sound- Our rights we'll defend and be free; In one solid band we will march hand in hand, And support this fair Liberty 'Tree.
*This song was composed and sung by Mr. Bush on the occasion of the erection of a liberty pole (Liberty Tree) and flag-raising, which was largely attended, on the grounds near the old First Meetinghouse. in Norwich, in the summer or early fall of 1812. This was shortly after the declaration of war with Great Britain, and while the war feeling was at fever heat,
NORWICH CHRONOLOGY
1761 (July 4.) The Charter of the town granted by Benning Went- worth, royal governor of New Hampshire. (Hartford, Hanover, and Lebanon chartered the same day.) The Grantees of Nor- wich hold their first meeting (Aug. 26) at the Inn of Wm. Waterman in Mansfield, Conn.
1762 A portion of the township laid off into lots by a committee of the grantees.
1763 The Grantees of Norwich unite with those of Hanover, Leba- non, and Hartford in "clearing a road from the old fort in Number Four (Charlestown, N. H.), to the middle of the town of Hanover." Jacob Fenton, Ebenezer Smith and John Slafter, from Mansfield, Ct., begin to make clearings on the meadows below the mouth of Pompa river. Death of Mr. Fenton from accidental injuries (July 15, 1763), aged sixty-five years.
1765 (March) Committee of five chosen by the grantees "to lay out roads for convenience of settling said township."
1765-6 The families of Nathan Messenger and John Hutchinson (from Ashford, Conn.), the first to pass the winter in town- occupying a hut on the flat near the west end of Hanover bridge. Jacob Burton built his first dwelling house a little west of the present Azro Turner house.
1766 First emigration of permanent settlers (10 or 12 families). Jacob Burton builds the first saw mill a little west of Norwich Plain, on Blood Brook.
1767
The first child (Lydia Hutchinson) born in town (Oct. 6), and the second male child (Joel Richards), born (Nov. 26). It is believed that John Waterman, son of Daniel Waterman, was the first male child born in town. Date of birth not known. Samuel Hutchinson erected a barn on his farm.
1768 A Court of Confiscation sat in town.
The first town meeting held within the limits of the town, at the house of Joseph Hatch, on the second Tuesday in March. This house stood on the opposite side of the street from the present Erastus Messenger house.
266
HISTORY OF NORWICH
1805
A postoffice established at Norwich Plain, July 1.
1807 Turnpike road to Chelsea laid through the town. The funds of Windsor County Grammar school transferred to Royalton Academy.
1809 Hon. Daniel Buck removes to Chelsea, where he dies in 1816.
1810 The feeling in favor of war with Great Britain runs high in town.
1815 The war continues popular to the end. The Methodists build their first meeting-house. Rapid growth of this sect in the northern and western portions of the town.
1817
Differences as to the location of a new meeting-house result in the building of two meeting-houses this year. The church build- ing at the village dedicated November 20, and the north meeting- house the 1st of the following January. President Monroe, in his tour through New England, visits Norwich and is formally received by the citizens at the Norwich Hotel.
1819 Death of Elisha Burton, Esq. Rev. R. W. Bailey settled over the church at Norwich Plain.
1820 Capt. Alden Partridge opens his Military Academy at Nor- wich. Lieut. Gov. Paul Brigham declines re-election after 22 years' service.
1822 Rev. Samuel Goddard settled in the north parish. Death of Hon. Ebenezer Brown.
1825 Captain Partridge removes his Military Academy to Middle- town, Ct. Death of Hon. Paul Brigham.
1825-35 Height of the prosperity of the North Congregational So- ciety.
1826 Baptist Church formed at Beaver Meadow.
1827 First organized Temperance Society (in the north parish).
1829 Hon. Thomas Emerson removes to Windsor, to become presi- dent of the bank there. Freshet carries away bridge and grist mill at Gleason's Flats.
1830 The census of this year shows a population of 2316-the maxi- mum number ever reached. Number of children of school age, 774. Captain Partridge returns to Norwich and erects a second school building. Postoffice opened at Union Village (January 1).
267
CHRONOLOGY
1833
Baptist meeting-house built at Beaver Meadow. Death of Dr. Joseph Lewis.
1834 School district No. 20 organized.
1835 Norwich University established. An Episcopal church organ- ized.
1836 The Methodists build a new brick meeting-house at Union Vil- lage.
1837 Methodist meeting-house at Beaver Meadow erected.
1839 The third toll-bridge between Norwich and Hanover built. Congregational vestry building, at Norwich Village, built at a cost of $700.
1840 The Whigs achieve a temporary victory, and elect Judge Love- land to the legislature. Tithing-men and haywards no longer elected at the annual town meeting. The town purchases its first poor farm of Nathaniel Leavitt.
1841 (Nov. 1) James Sweney murdered his wife.
1842-3 Erysipelas prevails in town and is very fatal.
1842 Culmination of the "hard times" following the financial col- lapse of 1837. Nearly $1,000 of uncollected taxes on the lists of 1840 and 1841.
1843 Capt. Partridge resigns the presidency of Norwich University, and is succeeded by Col. T. B. Ransom. Ex-Vice President of the United States, Richard M. Johnson, the guest of the town and is treated to a barbecue (Oct. 25).
1844 Death of Rev. Samuel Goddard. Two disastrous freshets, one in September did great damage in the north and west parts of the town ; and one in October carried away every bridge between Amsden's mill and the head of Blood Brook.
1847 Col. Ransom in command of the New England Regiment (9th Infantry) sails for Mexico (May 1). He is killed at Chapulte- pec, Mexico, at the head of a charging column (September 13). 1843 . The funeral of Col. Ransom at Norwich (February 22) at- tended with military honors. The largest assemblage of people ever seen here. The Passumpsic Railroad completed through town. Postoffice established at Pompanoosuc.
1859 Printed annual reports of town officers first provided for.
1851 Dr. Edward Bourne president of Norwich University.
268
HISTORY OF NORWICH
1852
After holding town and freemen's meetings for ten years at the village, they are resumed at the old Center meeting-house for a few years.
1853
The town votes in February, 177 to 104, not to ratify the Pro- hibitory Liquor Law enacted by the Vermont legislature of 1852. The last toll-bridge between Norwich and Hanover destroyed by fire.
1854
Sunday services discontinued in the north parish. Dissolution of the North Congregational church. Death of Captain Alden Partridge. Formation of the Republican party. End of the Democratic supremacy in town.
1857 The second meeting-house erected at the "Center," sold at auc- tion to Chas. A. and G. M. Slack for $100.
1858
All town meetings held at the village from this date.
1859 The Ledyard Free Bridge between Norwich and Hanover opened to public travel. (The first free bridge on Connecticut river ).
1861
The first volunteers for the war from Norwich (eight men) enlist (June 1) in Company C (Captain David T. Corbin), 3rd Regiment Vermont Volunteers. Gratuities to volunteers paid by Henry Blood, Esq.
1863
An Episcopal church built at the village.
1865 Total amount of war expenses, $32,260. Amount of town debt reported (March) $27,169.
1866
The "South Barracks" building of Norwich University burned (March 13). Removal of the institution to Northfield the fol- lowing autumn.
1857 The Norwich Classical and English Boarding School opened (December). Death of Dr. Shubael Converse.
1858 Death of Hon. Harvey Burton.
1 69
Great freshet, Oct. 4, damaging roads and bridges to the amount of $4,000 to $6,000 in town, besides extensive injury to private property. President U. S. Grant on his way from the White Mountains, received at Norwich and Hanover depot by a large concourse of people.
1870 Death of Hon. Aaron Loveland.
.
269
TOWN OFFICERS
1873
Death of Fairbanks Bush, aged 100 years. Death of Dr. Ira Davis.
1875 The "Old Corner Store" at Norwich village consumed by fire (August 4). The Baptist meeting-house at West Norwich de- molished and removed to Sharon village.
1878 The Norwich Classical and English boarding school extinct.
1880
The Norwich Public Library established (December). Num- ber of children of school age (between five and twenty), 391.
1883 The town (war) debt extinguished.
1889
Union Hotel and connecting buildings destroyed by fire (Dec. 29).
1890
"The Newton Inn" erected by Dr. W. S. Bowles.
1892
Ames' steam mill burned in August; rebuilt and again de- stroyed by fire, October, 1893.
1895 Joseph Murdock committed suicide, Nov. 29, by hanging him- self to a tree in his garden. Vandals removed his body from the grave; were prosecuted and forced to pay heavy fines.
1897 Academy building, formerly the north building of Norwich University, destroyed by fire, October 13.
1898
School building, Norwich village, erected.
1899
Robert Emerton killed by S. A. Bugbee.
1901 First observance of Old Home Week, Aug. 16.
1904 Harry Cooley, a child, run over and killed by a team near the bridge south of the railroad station.
TOWN OFFICERS
I. WHILE AN INDEPENDENT TOWNSHIP
YEAR FIRST SELECTMAN
1761 Samuel West
1762 Abner Barker
1763 1764 Andrew Crocker
1765 Jacob Burton
1766 William Johnson
1767 Peter Thatcher
1768 Samuel Partridge
1769 Thomas Murdock
FIRST CONSTABLE Andrew Crocker 66
TOWN CLERK Eleazar Wales 66
(None on record) 66 Samuel Fenton John Slafter Medad Benton 66
Moses Holmes Eleazar Wales Barnabus Delano 16 Hezekiah Johnson Thomas Murdock John Hatch
270
HISTORY OF NORWICH
1770 *Hezekiah Johnson
I771 *Joseph Smalley ·
177.2
* Jacob Burton
John Hopson 6
1773 *Samuel Hutchinson
(Town elected trustees)
I774 *Peter Olcott
66
66
1775 1776 Joseph Smalley
Peter Olcott
I777 Peter Olcott
Elijah Gates
John Hatch
*Supervisors
2. UNDER VT. STATE GOVERNMENT
YEAR FIRST SELECTMAN
FIRST CONSTABLE
REPRESENTATIVES
1778 Peter Olcott
Elijah Gates
* Jacob Burton, Mch. Ses. Abel Curtis October Joseph Hatch § Session
*Peter Olcott and Thomas Murdock were elected Representatives to the General Assembly in March, but on the convening of the legislature were each found to be chosen to the Council. They accordingly took their seats in that body. In September following, Messrs. Curtis and Hatch were chosen to the Assembly. In the meantime Jacob Burton appears to have served, either by special appointment in the vacancy, or from consent by reason of having sat in the conventions of the preceding year. The Assembly Journal shows that Mr, Burton was appointed one of a committee on the second day of the March session, to draw up rules for the regulation of the Assembly. Until 1785, every town containing eighty taxable inhabitants was allowed by a provision of the constitution, to send two representatives.
1779 Nathaniel Brown
1780 Hezekiah Johnson
Asa Story Solomon Cushman
Unrepresented
Thomas Murdock
Elisha Burton
1781 Abel Curtis
James Smalley
Abel Curtis
Elisha Burton
1782 66
Benjamin Hatch
Abel Curtis
Thomas Murdock
1783 Elijah Gates
Elisha Burton
Elisha Burton *Paul Brigham
*Abel Curtis died Oct. 1, 1783, when member elect. Paul Brigham was chosen to his place at a special town meeting held for that purpose a few days after the assembling of the legislature.
1784 Samuel Waterman
John Wright
Elisha Burton Elijah Gates
1785 Joseph Hatch 1786 William Lewis
Joseph Bartlett
1787
Asa Story
Elisha Burton
Adrian Hatch
Calvin Seaver
Roswell Olcott
Joseph Hatch Paul Brigham
I791 Daniel Buck
Hezekiah Goodrich
Jacob Burton Paul Brigham
1788 1789 1790 Thomas Murdock
John Slafter Francis Smalley
27 I
TOWN OFFICER
William Lewis
Hezekiah Goodrich William Lewis 66 John Slafter Pierce Burton Elisha Burton 66
Pierce Burton
Ebenezer Brown Samuel Waterman Ebenezar Brown Hezekiah Goodrich Constant Murdock Daniel G. Baker Joseph Howes 66 Jesse Stoddard Joseph Howes Pierce Burton 6 Don J. Brigham 66
Pierce Burton Don J. Brigham 66 Calvin Seaver John Emerson John Brown Thomas Emerson 66
Ethan Burnap Alba Stimson Alba Stimson
Elias Lyman Don J. Brigham James Harrison Cyrus Partridge 66
Pierce Burton 66
Jehiel Boardman 66
Peter Thatcher
John Burton 66 Elijah Yemans, Jr. Don J. Brigham 66
John Brown
66
66
Simon Baldwin John Brown
66
Edmond C. Hovey 66
66
Elisha Partridge Chauncey Hunt Edmond C. Hovey Levi Sanborn Edmond C. Hovey
David Freeman
Ebenezar B. Brown
66
66 66
66
William E. Lewis
Aaron Storrs Daniel Buck
John Bush Ebenezer Brown Roswell Olcott 66 Elisha Burton 66
Peter Olcott Pierce Burton Hezekiah Goodrich
Pierce Burton Daniel Buck 66
Joseph Lewis Pierce Burton ¥ 66
66 66 Israel Newton Don J. Brigham 66
66
66 Aaron Loveland 66
Thomas Emerson 66
66
66 66 Cyrus Partridge Elias Lyman, Jr. 66
66 Alden Partridge
Cyrus Partridge Alden Partridge Thomas Hazen Alden Partridge Aaron Loveland
I792 I793 I794 1795 1796 1797 1798 I799 1800 180 66 1802 1803 1804 1805 1806 1807 1808 1809 1810 18II 1812 1813 1814 1815 1816 1817 1818 1819 1820 1821 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 66 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 66 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1888 1839 1840 John Wright
272
HISTORY OF NORWICH
1841 William Loveland
Ebenezar B. Brown John Wright 66
Joseph P. Wyatt
1
66
William Loveland
No election
Ebenezar Spear, 2nd
Ebenezar B. Brown
Samuel Goddard
Lewis S. Partridge
Franklin L. Olds 66
William E. Lewis 66
Joseph T. Loveland 66 John W. Loveland
Joseph II. Pratt William E. Lewis
Aaron G. Pease
Joseph T. Loveland
Ebenezar B. Brown 66 No election
William E. Lewis
John Dutton
Bartlett Sargent
William E. Lewis
66
66
Samuel H. Currier
Henry V. Partridge
66
66
66
66
George Messenger
66
66
Aaron Loveland
1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 188; 1888 1889
Shubael Converse 66 Edward M. Lewis Ebenezar B. Brown Edward M. Lewis
John W. Loveland Augustus C. Lyman Charles C. Sawyer 66 David A. Loveland Bartlett Sargent
Henry Hutchinson Richard Waterman
John W. Loveland Amberg V. Turner
60
George Messenger Bartlett Sargent Amberg V. Turner 6
John A. Sargent R. E. Cook
William E. Lewis 66
Samuel Wright
66
Isaac Pierce Alba Stimson
William E. Lewis
66
66
Elias Newton
William E. Lewis
66
John W. Loveland Eber N. Clark
Frederick W. Strong
66
Eber N. Clark
Joseph H. Pratt John W. Loveland
66
66
66
John A. Sargent John W. Armstrong Don A. Brigham Samuel A. Armstrong
66
66
Charles E. Ensworth Samuel A. Armstrong
Ira Davis 66
Ebenezar Spear, 2nd Shubael Converse
66
66
Charles Hatch Ezekiel Gile 66
66
66
66
Amberg V. Turner
·NORWICH . LIBRARY.
NORWICH PUBLIC LIBRARY
TOWN OFFICERS
273
1890 I891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1901 1903 1904
Sam'l Hutchinson
A. V. Turner
Samuel A. Armstrong J. W. Armstrong
66
David A. Loveland
J. W. Hutchinson
A. V. Turner
C. W. Brown 66
R. E. Cook
E. W. Olds
H. S. Goddard C. W. Brown
66
66
66
66
66
M. W. Bruce
66
Hersey E. Kendall
F. S. Nott
F. A. Fitzgerald 66
R. A. Tilden
THE NORWICH PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Norwich Public Library Association was organized in Decem - ber, 1880, with the following officers : J. G. Stimson, President ; Thos. A. Hazen, Vice President ; William H. Currier, Secretary ; Mrs. E. W. Olds, Librarian ; William E. Lewis, Treasurer ; and M. E. God- dard, Miss Sarah J. Burton, and Rev. N. R. Nichols, Trustees. At first the books of the library were kept in the upper rooms of the vestry in Norwich village; then removed to the Academy building, where they remained until fire destroyed that structure, October 5, 1897 ; thence to the James Hutchinson house on Main Street, whence they were removed to their present new home further up the street.
Before the erection of the library building, a subscription paper was put into circulation, both at home and abroad, which returned in due time with sufficient encouragement to warrant the project of building.
A contract was soon made with E. F. Phelps of Lebanon, N. H., and on the 10th day of September, 1901, the first removal of earth for the foundation of the structure was made. The building was finished on the 22d of the following February, ready to be turned over to the Trustees of the association. The following account of the dedicatory exercises was kindly prepared by Miss Mary Loveland :
"Norwich Library is a dedicated reality- on the afternoon of February 26, 1902, a goodly company gathered in the Congregational
W. H. Clogston
T. A. Hazen
66
Sam'l Hutchinson
R. T. Lewis
274
HISTORY OF NORWICH
Church to listen to interesting and instructive dedicatory exercises. Two from Dartmouth College, Prof. C. F. Richardson and Prof. Justin H. Smith, talked about the influence of books on a community, and small libraries. Professor Richardson, with many other helpful suggestions, gave one he wished remembered, if the rest were for- gotten : to read, on an average, one book each fortnight.
" Professor Smith, a former resident of the town, before telling of small libraries of great men, gave an account of the ' Prehistoric Age' of the Norwich Library - a movement among some of the boys which secured books that were later turned over to this association. It may be stated that the Young Men's Christian Association had books which were handed down. Mr. H. V. Partridge was the historian of the library, and Mr. H. B. Olds urged town loyalty upon the residents. E. F. Phelps of Lebanon, the contractor, formally presented the keys, which were received by Rev. N. R. Nichols, one of the Trustees, who also gave a financial statement rendered by Miss S. J. Burton, and offered prayer. The church choir furnished two anthems for the occasion."
The success of this enterprise in all ways ; in the amount of good literature upon its shelves, its continued and increasing patronage by the lovers of good reading matter, and in the well arranged and attractive structure provided for its home, is highly gratifying to its friends. While enjoying this pleasing condition of affairs, let us not forget the sources of the means to provide all this. With no lessen- ing appreciation of what others have done, stern duty-to which we all render ready obedience in this instance - requires that we never forget the long and unceasing efforts so cheerfully rendered by Miss Sarah J. Burton and by the late M. E. Goddard, in creating and advancing this pleasant educational undertaking.
INDEX
PART I - HISTORICAL
Page
Page
3 State legislature meets at Norwich 67
Passage of Ministerial Act 69
4 Building of second meeting house at "the Center" 72
Early town meetings in Norwich
5
72 6 Extracts from commemorative discourse Meeting house built at Norwich Plain 74
First bridge across Ompompanoosuc river
8 Efforts to erect a rival meeting house on the Plain
76
Meeting of proprietors of Norwich Charter of " Norwhich "
9
12 The Congregational Church of Norwich
" Names of the Grantees of Norwhich "
15 Methodism in Norwich
List of Methodist Clergymen, 1822-1905
Early removals of proprietors to Nor- wich
16 The Baptists in Norwich
Further meetings of the proprietors
Last meetings of the proprietors
19 Norwich in the Revolutionary War
First settlements in Norwich
2I Court of Confiscation sits at Norwich
Experiences of early settlers
22 Confiscation of Tory Property
29 Roster of Revolutionary soldiers at Norwich
29
Norwich in the Second War with Great Britain
91
Founding of Dartmouth College
35 Resolutions passed relating to War with Great Britain
93
Norwich soldiers in War of 1812
94
38 Norwich soldiers in War with Mexico
95
Population of Norwich, 1770-1771
Fathers of the Town
39 Roster of soldiers in Civil War Educational
103
42 Windsor County Grammar School 106
Norwich Classical and English Board- ing School incorporated 107
47
The A. L. S. and M. Academy 109
49 Academy becomes Norwich University IIO
53 Norwich University in the Rebellion II2
II3
II4 57 Norwich University alumni Political parties in Norwich I16
59 Votes for President, 1828-1890
I20
60 Postmasters and postal service
123
62 Postmasters and locations of post offices 125
Growth and decline of population I28
63 Early surnames of families I36
87 87 89
First sawmill built in Norwich First house erected in town Sites of early settlements
31
First child born in town
33
Early journals of President Wheelock Norwich subscriptions for Dartmouth College
39 Norwich in the Civil War
96 97
Norwich in the controversy with New York
Independence recommended by com- mittee
Proposed union with New Hampshire
Norwich and Dartmouth College
Voluntary donations for the founding of Dartmouth Hanover bridge
54 The " College Cavaliers "
First bridge between Norwich and Han- over
Dedication of Ledyard Free Bridge Church history
Report of committee locating the first meeting house
37
17 The Episcopal Church at Norwich
76 78 80 81 83 84
Norwich an independent township First town meeting, held at Mansfield, Conn.
Highways first laid out
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