USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Poultney > A history of the town of Poultney, Vermont, from its settlement to the year 1875, with family and biographical sketches and incidents > Part 14
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164
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
The building cost over $40,000, but, when completed, a part of it was still due, and this debt remained to embarass the in- stitution. Efforts were made to remove the debt, and portions of it were paid from time to time, but enough was left to harrass and perplex the trustees. To rid themselves of this burden, the Conference, in 1855, gave a perpetual lease of the property to Rev. Joshua Poor. During the eighteen years following the building of the Academy, the institution had been very flourish- ing. In its literary department, it had paid current expenses, and was self-sustaining; but, from its earnings, it had not been able to extinguish the old debt.
From 1855 to 1863, the school was conducted by Rev. Joshua Poor, virtually as a private enterprise, and sustaining only a nominal relation to the Conference. In 1863, Mr. Poor sold his interest in it to Rev. John Newman and Prof. Seaman A. Knapp. These gentlemen changed the school to one for young ladies only, and called it by the name of Ripley Female College. In 1865, Rev. John Newman became the sole proprietor of it, and the institution sustained only the same nominal relation to the Conference, until August 26, 1873. The movement for its restor- ation to the Troy Conference began in 1871, when Dr. Newman published a proposition contemplating that result. His propo- sition was made to the Conference at its session in 1872, and, after protracted deliberation, the Conference unanimously re- solved that they would adopt it as a Conference School, if it could be presented to them free from debt, and appointed the Presiding Elders a committee to receive overtures for this pur- pose. In August, 1872, this committee called a meeting of the friends of the enterprise to receive overtures from the citizens of Poultney. At this meeting, the terms of purchase were definitely settled, and some further plans devised to accomplish the object. At the session of the Conference, in 1873, an en- couraging report of progress was made, and the same committee of Presiding Elders continued. It being found, in August, 1873, that the amount required to purchase the property had been offered, thé committee called a meeting of the trustees of the Academy, and the institution was reconveyed by Rev. John
165
1
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
Newman and wife to the said trustees, in trust for the Confer- ence, August 26, 1873. During the year 1873-4, the institution was carried on as a day school by Rev. N. S. Cramer, under the direction of the trustees. The first term of the Academy proper, after the restoration, opened August 27th, 1874, with a full faculty and boarding department. The Conference, at its session of 1874, voted to restore the old name of Troy Con- ference Academy.
The writer of the history before named gives a sketch of the several Principals of the Academy, which is here copied:
"The first Principal of Troy Conference Academy was Rev. Sabin S. Stocking. He graduated at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, married Miss Sarah Mallary of Poultney, estab- lished a school for boys in Orange, N. J., after leaving Poult- ney, and has been a teacher most of the time. He is an Epis- copal clergyman and resides in New York City.
The second Principal was Rev. Daniel Curry, D. D. He graduated at the Wesleyan University in Connecticut. After leaving Poultney he went south, was a teacher for some time, and a member of the Georgia Conference. When the tempera- ture became too hot for an outspoken anti-slavery man whose tongue could not be bribed nor month muzzled, he returned, joined the N. Y. East Conference, was a pastor several years, President of Indiana Asbury University four years, and has been for about ten years the editor of the Christian Advocate of New York City, the Magnus Appolo of Methodist editors.
" The third Principal was Rev. James Covel, A. M. He was a self-educated man, and successful pastor. After leaving Poultney he returned to the pastorates in the Troy Conference, and died several years since at the parsonage of the State street M. E. Church in Troy, N. Y.
"The fourth Principal was Bishop Jesse T. Peck, D. D. He was educated at Cazenovia Seminary, N. Y., and commenced his pastorate in the Black River Conference. He was soon chosen Principal of Grosvenenr Seminary in that Conference, and came thence to Poultney. From the Principalship of Troy Conference Academy he went to the Presidency of Dickinson
166
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
College, Pa. At the end of four years at Dickinson, he re resumed the pastorate in the Baltimore Conference. He was soon appointed Secretary of the Sunday School Union of the M. E. Church, but resumed the pastorate in the New York Confer- ence after two or three years. " Thence he was transferred to California, where he preached with great success for several years. He returned from California to the Troy Conference about eight years ago, and after occupying a prominent ap- pointment for two years was transferred to Syracuse, N.Y. He was the inspiration of an educational convention in which orig- inated the Syracuse University, of which he became the chief founder. In 1872 he was elected a Bishop of the M. E. Church, in which office he is, even at the age of 62, in labors more abundant, and in ubiquity eclipses St. Paul himself.
" The fifth Principal was Rev. John Newman, D. D. He graduated at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y. After being. a teacher in Troy Conference Academy for several years, he was chosen as successor to Dr. Peck when the latter took the Presidency of Dickinson College. He was subsequently chosen Professor of Latin in Union College, which position he held for ten years. In 1863 he became associate Projenitor and Presi- dent of Ripley Female College (Troy Conference Academy) .. The last two years he has devoted almost exclusively to restor- ing this institution to the Troy Conference, and has now the happiness of seeing his efforts crowned with success. He is at present the endowment agent of Troy Conference Academy.
" The sixth Principal was Rev. Oran Faville. He graduated at the Wesleyan University, and after leaving Poultney be- came President of the Wesleyan Female College at Delaware, Ohio. Thence he removed to Iowa, of which State he became. the Lieutenant Governor and subsequently the Superintendent of Public Instruction. He died at Waverly, Iowa, in the fall of 1872.
" The seventh Principal was Rev. Jason F. Walker. He graduated at Burlington, Vt. After serving as teacher he was. chosen as Principal to susced Mr. Faville. He has, since leav- ing. Poultney, made quite a circuit of creeds, having been a.
167
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
Spiritualist, a Universalist, and a Unitarian, and is now an Episcopalian clergyman in Chicago and editor of the leading organ of that church in Illinois.
"The eighth Principal was Rev. W. H. Poor. He graduated at Union College, had charge of the institution at two different times, resigned in 1863 and went into business in Troy as a member of the firm of G. W. Richardson & Co., but resides in Poultney. The restoration of the institution to the Conference is due largely to his efforts and counsel, and his fostering care will be unselfishly given to it under its new organization so far as its interests may require.
"Rev. Geo. S. Chadbourne was associated with Mr. Poor in his second term. He graduated at the Wesleyan University, Connecticut, resigned his Principalship in 1863 and entered the pastorate in the Troy Conference, was subsequently transferred to the New England Conference and is now stationed in Boston.
" The ninth Principal was Lewis Collins. He graduated at Union College, and after leaving Poultney established a school for boys in Albany, N. Y., where he still resides, laboring suc- cessfully as an educator and maintaining an honorable position.
"The tenth Principal was Rev. Ralza M. Manly. He gradu- ated at Wesleyan University, and on leaving Poultney became Principal of an academy at Randolph, Vt. Soon after the the breaking out of the war he entered the army as a chaplain. Subsequently he entered upon the work of education under the direction of the Freedman's Bureau, was appointed superin- tendent of public instruction in Richmond, Va., established in that city an academy for the higher education of colored youth, is now the principal of it and is doing more probably to elevate that unfortunate race to the rights and dignity with which 'na- ture and nature's God endowed them' than any other man south of Mason and Dixon's line."
The following have been Trustees of Troy Conference Academy: Sherman Miner, Amsterdam; Rev. C. Prindle, Me- chanicsville; Rev. S. D. Ferguson, Lansingburgh; Rev. Buel Goodsell, Troy; Benjamin Barnet, Fort Ann; Rev. T. Spicer,
168
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
Lansingburgh; Rev. Noah Levings, Troy; Isaac W. Thompson, Granville; William W. Whipple, Troy; Elisha Allen, Pawlet; Rev. T. Seymour, Albany ; Rev. Joshua Poor, West Troy; Mr. Christopher Snyder, Pittstown; Dennison Worthington, Albany ; Rev. Jesse T. Peck, Albany; R. R. Kennedy, Clinton Park; Philander C. Moore, Fort Ann; Rev. Stephen Olin, D.D .; Wm. Y. Ripley, Rutland; Charles W. Thompson, Troy ; Rev. Luman A. Sanford, Troy; Rev. Charles Sherman, Troy; John Hille- burt, Fort Ann; Rev. Dr. John Newman, Rev. Zebulon Phillips, Keesville; Rev. John Clark, Troy; George Harvey, Sandy Hill; John Lee, Cambridge; Rev. Seymour Colman, Rev. John Frazer.
The clergymen are credited to the place where they were located at the time of service.
The Board of Instruction since the opening of the Institution was as follows:
PRINCIPALS.
Entered.
Retired.
1836
Rev. S. S. Stocking, A. M.,
1837
1837
Rev. Daniel Curry, D. D., 1838
1838
Rev. James Covel, A. M., 1840
1840
Rev. Jesse T. Peck, D. D.,
1848
1848
Rev. John Newman, A. M., 1851
1851
Rev. Oran Faville, A. M., 1852
1852
Rev. Jason F. Walker, A. M., 1855
1855
Rev. William H. Poor, A. B.,
1956
1856
Lewis Collins, A. M.,
1858
1858
Rev. R. M. Manly, A. M.,
1860
1860
( Rev. William H. Poor, A. B.
Rev. George S. Chadbourn, A. M.
PRECEPTRESSES.
1837
Jane C. Morrison,
1838
1838
Lucy B. Hurlbut,
1840
1840
Annette W. Wright,
1845
1842 1845
Francis Ann Wentworth, 1846
1846
Mrs. Maria M. Faville, 1847
Malona Stevens, 1848
1847 1848
Sarah Allen, 1850
1850
Mrs. Maria E. Newman,
1851
1851
Mrs. Maria M. Faville,
1852
1852
Mrs. Betsey, Walker, 1855
1855
Julia A. Wicks,
1857
Mary Pearle, 1842
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
169
En ered.
Retired.
1857 1859 1862
Amanda I. Searle, 1859 Anna M. Thompson, L. A. Plympton. 1862
ANCIENT LANGUAGES.
1837
Rev. George B. Cone, A. M.,
1844
1844
James Strong, S. T. D., 1846
1846
Rev. Oran Faville, A. M., 1851
1851
Rev. John E. Johnson, A. M., 1852
1852
Rev. W. Irving Pond, A. M., 1853
1853
Irwin Spink, A. M., 1854
1854
Rev. Sanford Halbert, A. M., 1855
1855
Mowry A. Arnold, A. M.,
1857
1857
Henry B. Lovell, A. M.,
1858
1858
Rev. George S. Chadbourn, A. M.,
MATHEMATICS.
1837
Rev. William H. Backus, A. M., 1838
1838
Rev. Stephen Allen, A. M., 1839
1838
Rev. John Newman, A. M., 1845
1845
Henry R. Pierson, A. M , 1846
1846
Rev. Russell Z. Mason, A. M.,
1848
1848
Samuel L. Hooker, M. D.,
1849
1849
Rev. Russell Z. Mason, A M.,
1851
1851
John Colburn, A. M., 1852
1852
Warren P. Adams, A. M., 1853
1853
E. G. Whitney, 1855
1856
1856
Lewis Collins, A. M.
1858
1856
Rev. R. H. Howard, A. M., 1858
1858
Daniel C. Knowles, A. M.,
1859
1859
Edwin B. Harvey, A. M., 1860
1860
Rev. W. P. Codington, A. B., 1862
1862
John McGee, 1863
MORAL SCIENCE AND BELLES LETTRES.
1837
Rev. Daniel Curry, D. D., 1838
1838
Rev. James Covel, A. M., 1840
1840
Rev. Jesse T. Peck, D. D., 1848
1848
Rev. John Newman, A. M., 1851
1851
Rev. Oran Faville, A. M.,
1852
1852
Rev. Jason F. Walker, A. M.,
1855
1855
Rev. Wm. H. Poor, A. B.,
18₴8
1853
Rev. Geo. G. Saxe, A. M.,
1859
1859
Rev. R. M. Manly, A. M.,
1860
1860
Rev. Wm. H. Poor, A. B.
22
Lewis Collins, A. M., 1856
185-
Rev. O. R. Bouton, A. M.,
1855
170
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
NATURAL SCIENCES.
Entered.
Retired. 1838
1837 1838
Rev. James Covel, A. M., 1839
Rev. Erastus Wentworth, D. D., 1846
Lewis F. Jones, A. M.' 1848
1848
D. Alexander, A. M., M. D.,
1849
1849
Lorenzo Dow, A. M.,
1850
1850
William Smith, A. M.,
1853
1853
Rev. Jason F. Walker, A. M.,
1855
1855 1857
Rev. Frederick Widmur,
1858
1858
Rev. R. M. Manley, A. M.,
1860
1860
Rep. William H. Poor, A. B.,
Wm. H. Miller, M. D., lecturer on Anatomy and Physiology, from
1847 to 1852
MODERN LANGUAGES.
1837
Jane C. Morrison,
1838
1838
Lucy B. Hurlbut, 1840
1840
Mary Pearle,
1842
1842
Annette W. Wright,
1845
1845
Marion P. Hooker,
1847
1847
Malone Stevens,
1848
1848
Sarah Allen,
1851
1851 1852 1854
Mons H. J. Doucet,
1852
Mrs. Betsey Walker,
1854
Antoine Le Febvre,
1855
1855
Julia A. Wicks,
1857
1857
Amada I. Searle,
1858
1858
Anna M. Thompson,
1860
1860
Mrs. Louise R. Poor,
MUSIC.
1838
Frances Edgerton,
1840)
1840
Mrs. Maria E. Newman,
1842
1842
William Pease,
1844
1844
Lucy B. Perry,
1850
1850
George Schmidt
1852
1852
Agnes Merrill,
1852
1852
Edward Gleffer,
1853
1853
Catharine Thomas,
1853
1853
Isabel V. Miner,
1854
1854
Mrs. Frances Woodfin,
1855
1855
Frederic Woolner,
1858
1858
Stephen O. Spencer,
1861
Rev. Daniel Curry, D. D.,
1839
1846
Charles C. Wetsell,
1857
171
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
Entered.
1861
Lyman F. Brown.
Retired. 1861
1861
Edward C. King,
DRAWING AND PAINTING.
1837
Adeline Morrison,
1838
1838
Lucy B. Hurlbut,
1840
1840
Mary Pearle,
1842
1842
Annette W. Wright,
1845
1845
Marion P. Hooker,
1847
1847
Elizabeth C. Lester,
1849
1849
Harriet D. Dorr,
1851
1851
Mrs. Maria M. Faville,
1852
1852
Lois Benedict,
1855
1855
Ann E. Cutts,
1858
1858
Rev. George G. Saxe, A. M.,
1859
1858
Sarah J. Dix,
1859
1859
Lyman F. Brown,
1861
1860
Pamelia S. Murray.
The first Principal after the restoration was Rev. M. E. Cady. He is the eleventh and present Principal of the Troy Confer- ence Academy. He was born in Middlebury, Vt., May 12, 1846. He graduated at Middlebury College, in the Class of 1869. He married Helen L. Howard, a daughter of Rev. William B. Howard, a member of the Vermont Conference, July 26, 1871. From 1869, until he came to Poultney, he was at River Falls, Wisconsin. For about two years, he was Principal of the River Falls Institute, an academy in that place, and the remain- ing time of his residence there he was superintendent of schools of Pierce County, in which River Falls is situated. He brought to his position of Principal of the Troy Conference Academy, youthful vigor and enthusiasm, a high standard of attainment, ripe scholarship, and the rich fruit of successful experience. Mr. Cady has associated with him as Lady Principal, Miss M. Annie Wythe, a woman of rare culture and experience. As teacher at Gloversville, and Preceptress at Fort Plain, New York, and as Lady Principal of Ripley Female College, her success has been of the most flattering kind, and her reputation such as to satisfy all.
The present Board of Trustees of the Troy Conference Academy are-
172
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
TRUSTEES.
*Wm. Y. Ripley, Esq., Prest. Rev. J. Newman, D. D., Sec'y. Rev. C. F. Bardick, V. Prest. Hon. Merritt Clark, Treas.
Term expires in 1878.
Rev. J. E. Bowen, Wm. H. Poor, Esq., J. B. Graham, Esq.,
66 G. H. Townsend, Martin E. Cady, Thomas Fawell, Esq.
Prof. H. M. Seely.
Term expires in 1877.
Rev. John Newman, D. D.,
N. S. Vedder, Esq.,
B. K. Chase, Esq.,
66 H. C. Sexton, J. W. Eaton, Wm. Y. Ripley, Esq.
Hon. Merritt Clark,
Term expires in 1876.
Rev. C. F. Burdick, Rev. O. Gregg,
66 Wm. Griffin, D. D., Jas. J. Rowe, Esq.,
D. Starks, D. D., Charles Hitchcock, Esq.
" . S. Meredith,
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
Rev C. F. Burdick,
Rev. Martin E. Cady,
J. W. Eaton, Hon. Merritt Clark,
J. B. Graham, Esq.
VISITORS APPOINTED BY THE TROY CONFERENCE.
Rev. H. C. Farrar, Rev. S.MeLaughlin,
66 H. F. Austin, 6 J. W. Bennett,
6 T. D. Walker, M. B. Mead.
FACULTY.
Rev. M. E. Cady, A. M , Principal-Mental and Moral Philosophy, Miss M. Annie Wythe, Lady Principal-French and Belles Lettres.
Rev. C. H. Dunton, A. M .- Natural Science and Higher Mathe- matics.
G. A. Perry, A. B .- Ancient Languages.
Byram G. Sanford, A. B .- Elocution.
ITiram Meeker, Jr., M. D .- Chemistry, Physiology and Hygiene. Henry M. Seeley, A. M., M. D. (Professor of Chemistry in Mid- (lebury College)-Lecturer on Applied Chemistry.
Mrs. C. H. Dunton-Vocal and Instrumental Music.
Miss S. C. Barton, A. B .- Drawing and Painting. C. R. Patterson-Book-keeping and Pemanship. Miss S. A. Pierce-English.
Died September 27th, 1875.
173
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
This Institution is again on a firm basis. It has a well ap- pointed and able Faculty, and an efficient Board of Trustees, and, we believe, the sympathies of the Conference and the peo- ple of Poultney and vicinity. It now (October, 1875) has about 160 students, and gives promise that it will in the future, as in the past, " send forth streams of influence to freshen and fertil- ize the entire Conference, and much of the regions beyond." The people of Poultney have a deep interest in the perpetuity of this Institution, and with the present prospect that interest will be cared for.
THE POULTNEY NORMAL INSTITUTE.
After the Ripley Female College was established, in 1863, in place of the Troy Conference Academy, the citizens of Poultney conceived the project of a school for boys and young men, and with this view an act was procured in the Vermont Legislature, and approved November 18, 1864, which incorporated the " Poultney Normal Institute."Joseph Joslin, Merritt Clark, M. D. Cole, D. D. Cole, S. P. Hooker, J. B. Beaman, H. Rowe, S. A. Knapp, J. Jay Joslin and Henry Clark were the first Board of Trustees. The Institute opened in the spring of 1864, and, prior to the act of incorporation, under the direction of Messrs. M. D. and D. D. Cole as principals, and in the building since known as the Poultney House, which had been purchased and fitted up fer that purpose. The school commenced under quite favorable auspices, and gathered a good number of students. The Messrs. Cole continued in charge of the school for two years-long enough to satisfy the people that they were con- petent instructors, and prudent, judicious managers of a school. In June, 1866, the school building and furniture were sold to James H. Lansley, then of Rutland. He had previously estab- lished a school at Rutland, known as the "Vermont Business College." This he removed to Poultney, and combined the same with the Normal Institute, and started off with quite favorable prospects. Within about three months from the time of his opening, he had about one hundred students, of
174
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
whom about half boarded in the institution. For two years Mr. Lansley conducted his school with ability, and in the summer of 1868, sold his school building to N C. Hyde, which was soon after converted into a hotel. Thus ended a school which had given promise of permanence and usefulness. In view of the restoration of the Academy to the Troy Conference, and the re- establishment of a school in the same for both sexes, the dis- continuance of the Normal Institute may not be regarded as a calamity.
ST. JOHN'S SCHOOL.
The rise and progress of this school is given in the history of St. John's Church, to which the reader is referred. From its beginning, it has been a model of its class, and for thorough instruction and wise discipline, it has no superior. The school room is complete in all its appointments, furnished suitably for the most refined, and is high, light, and airy. The Rector, Rev. E. H. Randall, is, at the time of writing, assisted by his accom- plished wife and Miss Mary E. Mott, who, as teachers, are popular with the citizens generally, and especially with the church. The grounds are beautifully laid out around the school-room, which is located on Church street. A walk has been recently laid from the Church to Main street (mainly through the instu- mentality of Mr. Randall), which, at first, created some opposi- tion; but as it was laid out by the selectmen, it was quietly acquiesed in, and since it was completed, it is the pride of all the village, and by none more so than those who originally opposed its construction.
As has been said in a previous chapter, the Rector of the Church erected the school-room in 1871, although the school was begun, in a small way, previous to that time. From that, it has grown to be one of the institutions of the place, and is still growing in favor both at home and abroad, which is mani- fested by the liberal patronage bestowed upon it by those in town as well as out of town, having now a larger number of students in attendance than ever before. The careful training
175
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
the children receive at this school extends beyond the school- room. It manifests itself in their walks and plays; in fact, under its present management, it is what is claimed for it,-a school for young men and women, where they are taught manners and decorum as well as literature and the arts.
THE DISTRICT SCHOOLS
In the town have been tolerably well sustained from its early history; as well, perhaps, as in other towns of the State. They have, perhaps, not improved to the extent they would have done in later years, but for the reason of the existence of academical schools in the town. There are now, nominally, at least seven- teen school districts, but some two or three of them are hardly kept alive, for the want of scholars to attend. The interest in the cause of education has by no means flagged, but has been turned in the direction of the higher schools. At different times, there have been valuable select schools within the town. R. S. Maranville, a native of the town, and a graduate of Mid- dlebury College, kept a select school at the east village for several years, in which he was quite successful. Dr. L. D. Ross also had a select school in the same place for several terms. The people of the town have, so far, taken good care of the educa- tional interest.
776
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
CHAPTER XIV. .
THE BANK OF POULTNEY-RUTLAND AND WASHINGTON RAILROAD -- TELEGRAPH.
The Bank of Poultney
AS first chartered, October 29th, 1840, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. The commissioners: under the act of incorporation, to receive subscrip- tions for the stock were: Amos Bliss, Joel Beaman, William P. Noyes, Henry Stanley, of Poultney; Barnabas Ellis, of Fairha- ven; Merritt Clark, of Middletown, and Arunah W. Hyde, of Castleton.
The first Board of Directors was chosen February 23d, 1841, and consisted of the following; named persons :
Joel Beaman, Henry Stanley,
Marcus G. Langdon,
Horace Clark.
William P. Noyes,
Merritt Clark was chosen Cashier, and business commenced July 7th, 1841.
By an act approved Nov. 7, 1842, the capital stock was re- duced to seventy thousand dollars; and was again reduced,. Nov. 2, 1843, to fifty thousand dollars, and so continued until the expiration of the charter.
A second Bank was established under an act of Nov. 13, 1856, with a capital stoek of one hundred thousand dollars, and. continued to do business under the State law until July 1, 1865, when it was converted into a National Banking Association under the law of Congress, approved June 3, 1864, and the. State law of November 22, 1864.
The following will exhibit the names of the several officers: and their time of service :.
177
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
Henry Stanley,
Director 1 year, President 1 year.
Marcus G. Langdon,
66
15
66
14
Joel Beaman,
5
66
Horace Clark,
12
8
66
Samuel P. Hooker,
66
16
President 12 years,
Elisha Allen, 66
11 66
Merritt Clark,
66
23
Cashier 35 years.
Joseph Joslin,
66
23
66 President 8 "
Lucius Copeland,
66
20 66
Jonas Wilder,
4
66
Zenas C. Ellis,
15
66
Gustavus Buel,
66
1
66
Edward Clark,
9
66
Jonas Clark,
66
4
J. Jay Joslin,
66
3
66
Vice President 8 years.
William P. Noyes,
In 1839 when application was made to the General Assembly of the State for the first charter, it was strongly opposed by existing Banks; but the year following, through the efforts of Amos Bliss, Esq., of East Poultney, the Hon. Joel Beaman, Henry Stanley, William Wheeler and others, a grant was ob- tained, and for thirty-five years this Bank has contributed to to the wants and promoted the industries of Poultney and vicinity.
Rutland and Washington Railroad.
One of the most important events connected with the history of Poultney was the building of the Rutland and Washington Railroad. In 1847 when its charter was obtained, the district through which it was proposed to build the line was poor and without the requisite means. Its friends and early projectors were also without experience, while its opponents residing in New York were determined to crush every effort to build a road which might be a competitor of the road then building be- tween Whitehall and Saratoga Springs. The construction at that day of sixty miles of railway was a great and complicated work, requiring large pecuniary supplies, and great and diver-
23
178
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
sified talents to direct it. It would be comparatively an easy task when public opinion favored it and money was at hand, to build. Such was not the case with the Rutland and Washing- ton and the Troy and Rutland railroads. Public opinion was against it. It was regarded as visionary; and the Legislatures of two States looked upon the work with indifference. The history of legislation and the trials to which many of the friends were subjected would furnish an interesting chapter, but the limits prescribed to our work will not allow it.
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