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 28
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Henry Jenks, b. at Hardwick, Mass .. Oct. 31, 1795.
Hannah, b. at Hardwick, Sept. 5, 1797; d. at Poultney, Oct. 5, 1856, unmarried.
William Winthrop, b. at Hardwick, Jan. 1, 1800.
Samuel, b. at Hardwick, March 3, 1802.
Frederick, b. in Poultney, Jan. 8, 1805.
Francis Haynes, b. in Poultney, Inne 25, 1807.
Seth Ruggles died March 28, 1846, at the age of 89; his last. wife died March 23, 1836, aged 72.
Ruggles, Henry J .- The oldest son of Seth, by the last mar- riage, was very well educated, but his education was mainly at- tained at his father's fireside, with the aid of a mother, and the old Poultney Library. He commenced teaching before he was 21 years old, and taught winters and worked on the farm sum- mers until 1821; then, about 26 years old, he went to C,l. umbia. South Carolina, and engaged as an assistant teacher in a female academy at that place, of which a Dr. Marks was princi- pal. In this position he remained three years, and then re- turned to Poultney, and soon after commenced mercantile busi- ness at Hampton, which he followed in Hampton and Poultney until 1832; then went into the Stanley foundry, where he was first clerk, then manager and overseer, until the suspension of Mr. Stanley's business in the foundry, in 1842. In 1844 he pur- chased the entire foundry property and continued in the busi- ness until his death, which occurred May 14, 1869. Mr. Rug-
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gles m. Phebe Mallary, a daughter of Daniel Mallary, and had four children: Horace M., Charles, Henry and Martha M. Horace M. is an attorney, and is in practice in New York. Charles was accidentally killed, when about 3 years old. Henry, with Horace M., under the firm name of Ruggles & Co., now own and carry on the old foundry establishment, and in connection with that the manufacture of machinery of various kinds, including the slate machinery that is nsed in the quarries and mills in the slate region. The business of this concern is now and has been for nearly half a century, a large item in the business of the town. Martha m. M. T. Lynde, and resides in Brooklyn, N. Y.
Ruggles, William Winthrop,-The second son of Seth Rug- gles, was a lawyer, and settled in Gaines, Orleans County, N.Y. HIe was one of the pioneers of that place; held the office of County Judge for several years, and was a prominent man in his locality. He d. at Gaines, in April, 1850; he left three chil -. dren; one, William Oakley, is now a broker in New York; an- other, Henry Clay, is a civil engineer in Cincinnati, O .; and the third, Helen, married, and now is a widow, in Gaines.
Ruggles, Samuel-Is a farmer, and lived in Poultney until about 1844, when he moved to Gaines, N. Y. He m. Laura Lewis, and has five children living; lost several. . Charles C. Ruggles, who went out as captain of Co. I, 7th Vermont, died near New Orleans, July 24, 1862, was a son of Samuel. The names of the five living are Pauline, William Winthrop, Susan- nah, Frank and Mary; the three last named still reside in Gaines; Pauline resides about forty miles from Gaines, and William. W., in Jersey City.
Ruggles, Frederick-Has lived in Poultney from his birth; he has been a farmer by occupation, and resided on his father's homestead until 1864; now resides in East Poultney. He rep- resented the town in the Legislature in the years 1855 and 1856, and has often held town offices; was one of the listers of the town for over twenty years, and has ever been regarded as a sensible and quiet citizen, He m. Emily Wood, a daughter of Samuel Wood, an old inhabitant of town. She d June 15,
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
1872, after a long and distressing sickness; was confined to her bed about four years. Mr. Ruggles has had eight children; four died in infancy; one son, Frank W., d. Jan. 11, 1859, at the age of 20; Marion E., Julia E. and Isabella, the three sur- viaing, are all living at home, in Poultney.
Ruggles, Francis Haynes-The youngest son of Seth Rug- gles, became a lawyer, and first settled in Fredonia, N. Y. Ho was a man of ability, and attained considerable eminence as a politician; in politics, he was a Whig and a Republican. Ho held the office of county judge in Chatauqua County, N. Y., State Senator and Canal Commissioner of the State of New York; while he held the latter office he resided at Albany. Ho was appointed to a consulship to Jamaica, in 1862, and died in New York, while holding this position, in May, 1865. Me mar- ried Mary Adams, of Hampton; she and one daughter survive and now reside in Corning, Steuben County, N. Y.
RUGGLES, JOHN-Son of Benjamin, was born in Hardwick in 1776. Ile m. Sarah Jenks, of Boston, sister of Rev. Wm. Jenks, D. D., and sister of the wife of Seth Ruggles. Ho anoved to Poultney in the year 1802, was an inhabitant of this town several years, and d. in Clarendon in 1839. They had thirteen children. Mary m. Rev. Jervis Gilbert, of Fairhaven, and d. in Chesterfield, N. Y., in 1826. Caroline C. m. J. Joslin Harriet m. Jabez Ward. Rosaline d. unmarried. Marriette m. Andrew Richards, and after his decease m. Solomon Morse. Sa- rah m. Amos Mainard. Seven d. in infancy. Mrs. Ruggles, their mother, d. in Pennsylvania in 1869, in the 87th year of her age.
SAFFORD, DR. JONAS-Settled in Poultney several years prior to 1800, but precisely what year the writer is unable to state. As a physician, he is remembered as one of the best, and he held a leading position as a citizen. He was an associate judge of Rutland County court in the years 1797, '98, '99, 1800, and 1801. He built the house between the two villages, known as the Hopson house; was married, had a family of seven children; sold to Dr. Stephen Brownson, in 1813, and moved to the Stato
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of Ohio. Dr. Safford, when here, was one of the strong men of the town and county. He was a brother of Jonathan Saf- ford, late of Pawlet, and of the wife of Samuel Lee, one of the carly deacons of the Poultney Congregational Church; but no information can be given of his descendants, if any there are now living.
SANFORD, OLIVER-Was one of the early settlers of the town. Ilis son Oliver was an early and prominent member of the Bap- tist Church, and for many years a deacon. Most of the San- ford family who lived in Poultney died or left the town many years ago. They were, for the most part, worthy and usefn! citizens, but their descendants who survive are now mainly in other sections of the country. Harvey, one of the sons of Dea- con Oliver, lived in Poultney until near the close of his life. He succeeded his father in the homestead, which is the place now occupied by - Bliss, in the north part of the town; mar- ried Lavina, daughter of Ezra Smith; moved to western Now York about 18 years ago, and died there; his widow now lives in Fairhaven.
SATTERLEE, JAMES-Was one of the earliest lawyers of Ponlt- ney, and the writer is informed that he studied his profession with John Cooke, who was still earlier in practice here than Mr. Satterlee. There are those now living who remember Mr. Sat- terlee, and about the only information we can gain of him is, that he was a man of unusual ability, and fine personal appear- Ance.
ScoTr .- Elisha Scott Cane from Tohan, Conn., to Poultney in the year 1804, and contracted to build the Baptist Church in the east village. That edifice was built under his supervision in 1805. Mr. Scott was a Carpenter and builder, and in his time was a workman of the first class. When he took the job, he only intended to remain in Ponftney until it was completed; but afterwards concluded to settle here permanently. His children were: Charles, Stephen. Elisha, George, Samuel, and three daughters, and Que child who d. in infancy. One of the
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daughters m. Salvator Rann, and another Calvin Mallary. Charles d. in Granville in 1862, unmarried. Elisha is a me- chanic, and lives in Whitehall. George is a farmer, and lives in St. George, Mich. Samuel d. in Poultney when a young man. Stephen has been a tanner and currier, which business he followed in East Poultney until a few years since; he now fol- lows shoemaking and farming.
SHERMAN, OLCOTT-Was born in Barre, Vt. He came to Poultney Jan. 25, 1825, in company with Paul M. Ross, and the two, in company, set up the business of harness-making in East Poultney, as will appear in the sketch of Mr. Ross. Mr. Sher- man moved to the west village in 1835, where he has since re- sided, and where he now enjoys the fruits of an industrions and frugal life. He has held the office of constable and collector, and other offices in the town, and always faithfully discharged the trusts. Mr. Sherman m. Maria, a daughter of Philo IIos- ford, and had three children: Solon, Aun and Henrietta. Solon m. Isabella Lyon, of Vernon, Michigan, and lived in that State several years. He returned to Poultney in October, 1872, where he now resides, on the farm lately owned by his grandfather, Philo Hosford. He has had five children; four have died since his return from Michigan; one d. of canker rash in March, 1873; three, in August, 1873, within the space of three weeks' time, of diphtheria; the surviving child is about one and one- half years old. Ann, the eldest daughter of Olcott Sherman, m. C. J. Petty, of Detroit. She d. Sept. 5, 1871. Henrietta m. Henry Clark, Esq., now of Rutland.
SMITH, JOEL-Settled in the east part of the town soon after the close of the Revolutionary War. He had a large family of children, of which the following names have been obtained: Sanford, Ithamar, Stephen, Hannah, Harvey, Asahel, Joel and Warren. Joel Smith, Sen., d. at the time of the epidemic, in 1813, as did his oldest son, Sanford. The second son, Ithamar, married, settled in Gaines, N. Y., raised a family of children, and d. at that place. Capt. Stephen Smith m. a daughter of James Frisbie, and resided in Poultney until his decease, which
44
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occurred May 22, 1863. The children of Stephen Smith were: Wealthy, Asahel, Harris F., William H., Dennis A., Eliza L., and Sylvia J .; the oldest d. young. Asahel Smith, eldest son of Stephen, m. Louisa Griswold, of Castleton, and now resides in East Poultney; for several years he held the office of consta- ble of the town, and for some years was deputy sheriff, and has frequently held the offices of selectman and lister. Harris F. m. Jane Morgan and resides in the north part of the town. William H. m. Sarah Brown, of Castleton, and resides in Prophetstown, Ill .; he has two children. Dennis A. m. a daughter of John Farwell, and resides in this town.
Hannah m. Rowley Beach, and d. many years ago. Harvey m. a daughter of Gamaliel Waldo, of Middletown, moved to Gaines, N. Y., his wife d. there, and he m. a second time; he d. in the State of Illinois.
Asal:el, the son of Joel, senior, m. Abigail Couch, of Castle- ton; he had several children: Isaac N., Caroline, Henry F., Charlotte, Ann, and two who d. young. Asahel remained in Poultney until about 1865, when he removed to Mazeppa, Minn., where he now resides. None of his children now reside in Poultney. Caroline m. Daniel A. Ensign, who has been dead some years; she m. Josiah Willard, of Fairhaven, in the Fall of 1875, and removed to that place. Joel m. Charlotte Backland, and now lives in Menton, Ohio; he had five children. Warren m. Electa Amnes and was in the State of Illinois when last heard from. It is supposed by his friends that he is dead.
SMITH, HARVEY DOUGLASS-Was born in Pawlet, Vt., Nov. 9, 1789, being the youngest of fifteen children, and the twelfth son of Nathaniel Smith, Jr., who was born May 22, 1729, and d. Oct. 19, 1821; his father, Nathaniel Smith, was b. March 3, 1702 and d. 1776; his father, Ebenezer Smith, was b. in 1676 and d. Sept. 15, 1728; his father, Samuel Smith, was b. in 1640 and d. at Hadley, Mass ; his father, Rev. Henry Smith, came from England, an ordamed minister, and was installed first pas- tor of the church in Wethersfield, Ct., in 1636, and d. in 1648. Harvey D. Smith survived his mother, who d. eleven days after
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his birth, and he was adopted by his maternal grandmother, Mary Douglass, who with her husband, Dominie Douglass, re- Rided at Shoreham, Vt ; and he was nurtured there up to the age of 16, so kindly that he said he never knew the want of a mother's care. At that age he went to Sudbury, Vt., where he served three years as a clerk for D. Sawyer, and for two years with the firm of Thompson & Ashley, at Poultney, where, in 1811, he engaged in mercantile business for himself. In Sep- tember 1812, he m. Harriet Murdock, daughter of Rev. James Murdock, of Martinsburgh, N. Y .; by her he had three chil- dren: Esther M., who m. Melville H. Thrall, of Gouverneur, N. Y .; James M., now of Buffalo, N. Y., and Louisa L., now de- ceased, who m. Charles Anthony, Esq., of Gouverneur, N. Y. His wife d. February, 1819.
January 22, 1822, he m. Mary Haven Preston, of Rupert. Vt. During his residence in Poultney he held various offices of trust, as town clerk, and justice of the peace, and was twice chosen to the Vermont Legislature. He removed, in the winter of 1824, with his family, to Gouverneur, N. Y., where he resided till his death, on the 28th day of September, 1864, in the 75th year of his age. One who knew Harvey D. Smith well, after he took up his residence in Gouverneur, has said of him: "His modest, truthful, self-reliant demeanor, soon gained him a place in the hearts of strangers, and he was happy in identifying himself with the interests of town and county; and public trusts were tendered and quietly accepted, and faithfully discharged; the office of town clerk he held for the greater part of his life, and was elected justice of the peace in 1827, and held that office, by election, until his death, a period of thirty-seven years. In 1829 he was member of the Assembly of New York, and super- visor of his town from 1827 to 1837, except one year; in 1858 he was elected special county judge, and in 1858, surrogate of St. Lawrence County. All these offices he distinguished by the sensible and useful manner in which he discharged their duties. His mind was logical, and he was a profound lawyer, without appearing to know it. His mind was remarkable for quickness and clearness of perception, his judgment sound and well bal-
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anced, his affections ardent and controlling; in all, a man of the greatest simplicity, he at a glance saw the fitness of things and acted accordingly. Those able to judge of men have said of him, that without being admitted to the bar, he was the best lawyer of his day; and as a court, administered law equal to judges of the highest reputation. He was a just man, of the highest religious principles, and it was said of him that he was modeled after the pattern of Him who embodied the immutable principles of Righteousness and truth; and all along his useful life he was known as " The Peace Maker."
[Contributed by I. W. T.]
SMITH, NATHANIEL AND JAMES-Brothers, came to Poultney before the Revolutionary War, and settled in the north part of the town. Nathaniel was a surveyor; he d. about the beginning of the present century. James lived many years after his brother died; he had several children, among whom are remem- bered, Daniel, Bliss and Peter. Daniel and Peter both m. daughters of Stephen Maranville. Daniel had several children: Louis, m. Arila Lewis; after his decease m. Moses Gorham. Joanna m. Buel Gorham. Stephen m. Tila Manley, moved to the State of Illinois, and has been reported wealthy. James m. Fanny Manning; he d. near the Hosford crossing a few years since; she survives. Harry settled in Castleton. Bliss followed his unele Bliss to Stillwater, N. Y. Almira and Polly married Kelloggs, living in Castleton. Chauncy m. & daughter of Eliakim Doolittle; d. in Poultney; his widow still lives in town. Bliss, the second named son of James, left town, and but little is known of him; Peter and his wife both died of small pox, leaving no children.
SMITH, EBENEZER-Came to Poultney the latter part of the last century. He built the house now occupied by Joseph Wade, on Beaman street, lived and died there. Ile had three daughters, and one of them, as before appears, became the wife of William Miller. Another daughter, Eleeta, m. Adna Noble, and had two children; one in. David Lewis, the other, Heman
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Chaffee. Aurilla, the third daughter of Ebenezer Smith, m. an Edson, the father of Melzer Edson, of Rutland.
SMITH, REUBEN-Was born in Pittsford; m. Matilda Cooper, of the same town. After their marriage they lived in northern New York for a little time, then in Brandon, Vt., for about 15 years; in Castleton about one year, and from there moved to Poultney, about 25 years ago. They had seven children: Al- len, Lois, Morris, Mary, Caroline and Dennis; the other died young. Mr. Smith d. in Poultney; has been dead about seven years; his widow is still living. Allen, the eldest son, lives in Michigan; Lois m. Joseph Cornish, and is now his widow; Morris m. Myra Mallary, and lives in Middletown; Mary is mar- ried, and lives in Sioux City, Iowa; Caroline m. John Moody and lives in Rutland; Dennis m. Amanda Gilman-she d. and he m. for a second wife Arabella Hodgkins; they reside in Poultney.
SMITH, ANDREW J .- Was b. in Brandon Nov. 21, 1828. He was a son of John and Betsey Smith, late of Brandon. He came to Poultney about 1850, and m. Lydia E. Gowey, daugh- ter of Peter and Lucy Gowey, June 16, 1851; Lydia E. was b. Aug. 15, 1828. They have had three children: Maria, b. Sept. 19, 1854-d. in infancy; Melinda, C., b. May 31, 1857; Ellen M., b. Sept. 30, 1858. Mr. Smith has been employed in the Ruggles foundry as a machinist, and is noted for his industrious habits.
SMITH, HORACE-(Son of a Methodist preacher) was born in South Granville, N. Y., Feb. 1st, 1825. Married Calista J. Babcock, of Ft. Ann (who was b. Sept. 26, 1824), June 2, 1847, by whom he had two children: Flora C., who received her edu- cation at Ripley Female College, in Poultney, and is now teach- ing in Elizabethtown, N. J .; and Fred D., who is clerk in a dry goods store, in Troy. Mr. Smith moved to Poultney in April, 1868, and has been engaged most of the time in the potato trade. His influence is in favor of good order. His wife and children are active members of the Baptist Church. The world is the better for their being in it.
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SCRIBNER, PETER-Was a resident of the town as early as 1797. He owned what is now the town farm, located in Hamp- shire Hollow; he was a substantial, well-to-do farmer. Hc was twice m., and had by his first wife a family of several chil- dren. A son, Reuben, m. Laura Mears, and moved from Poult- ney many years ago. Charity, a daughter, m. Sherebiah Evans and went to some place West. William Henry Harrison Scrib- ner, another son of Peter, was a resident of Poultney until about 1865, and lived on the Todd place, a half mile east of East Poultney. HIe m. a Miss Smith, of West Rutland, who d. since Mr. Scribner removed from Poultney; he is again in and lives in Castleton. Grove S., a son of Mr. Scribner, held an of- fice in one of the companies of Vermont sharp shooters, in the War of the Rebellion. There were several other children whose names we are unable to give. Peter Scribner d. July 28, 1856, at the age of 87.
SPAULDING, JULIUS -- Removed from Middletown to Poultney in the Spring of 1841. He was a deacon of the Middletown Congregational Church when he removed from there. He has been twice married; his first wife was Betsey Copeland, of Mid- dletown; she d. Feb. 3, 1865. For his second wife he m. the widow of Arch. Herrick, with whom he now resides, on the west part of the Guernsey farm, east of the east village. His children were: Edwin Clement, Fanny C., Mary Elizabeth, Moses Jay and Jessie. Edwin C. is now an editor in Lake City, Mich .; Fanny C. d from a blow from an ax, March 29, 1851.
SPAULDING, LOOMIS C .- Has been a resident of Poultney about, twelve years. He bought the Brown farm, located about two miles north of the village, where he has resided. It was on this farm that several slate quarries were developed, which are mentioned in the chapter on that subject. Mr. Spalding has been twice married; his first wife was a daughter of P. M. Harrington, of Middletown; his second wife was Fanny Swal- low; he has had two children by the second wife.
SPRAGUE, DANIEL-Was b. in the State of Connecticut, Nov. 4, 1769. Hle was by trade, a blacksmith, which trade he learned
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of Thomas Maxon, of Salisbury, Ct., whose daughter, Hannah, he afterwards married, and who was the mother of his children. He moved to Poultney as early as 1798, and settled in the west village, at the place now occupied by the widow of John Lewis, and carried on blacksmithing as long as he was in business. His children were: Isaac Newton, Norman, Chauncy, Mary Ann, . Harriet, Julia Ann, George Washington, and one other; name not given.
Daniel Sprague was one of the substantial men of his time; was one of the early postmasters of the town, and held other important positions. He d. June 2, 1853; his wife d. Dec. 20, 1858.
Isaac Newton, the eldest son, graduated at Middlebury Col- lege, entered the ministry, and has had a leading position in his denomination (Presbyterian). He is a fine speaker, and been noted as a superior elocutionist. He was pastor of a church in Brooklyn, many years, and now resides in Geneseo, N. Y.
Norman left home when a young man, and was never heard of after; it is supposed that he died.
Chauncey was drowned when about 5 years old.
Mary Ann m. Judge Benj. F. Witherel; she died of cholera, in 1832.
Harriet m. Ilenry Stanley; she d. March 10, 1844, at the age of 45.
Julia Ann m. Oliver M. Hyde, and is now living in Detroit, Mich.
George W., the youngest, was twice married; his first wife was Charlotte Sprague, a cousin; had two children by her: Louisa and Caroline; both d. young. For his second wife he m. Lucy Ann Potter, of Wells. The children from this mar- riage were: Dan P. and Julia Hyde (twins), Anna Maxon, George Henry and Caroline Rebecca (twins), William Wheeler and Harriet S. Dan P. is married, has three children, and lives in Texas. Julia H. m. C. W. Knapp, and resides in Poult- ney; she has three children. Anna m. II. C. Hopson, and lives in Detroit; she had two children who d. in infancy. Geo. II. m. Carrie Cable, and lives in Greenfield, Mich,; she had ono
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child who d. in infancy. William W. lives in Detroit, unmar- ried. Henrietta S. m. Silas W. Bullock, lives in Detroit, and has two children. - George W. removed from Poultney to De- troit in 1863; was in active business there until near the time of his death, which occurred Dec. 28, 1867. His widow is still living.
STANLEY .- Hon. John Stanley removed from Canaan, Ct. to Poultney in the Fall of 1791, accompanied by his father and mother and three children. He was a merchant in Connecticut, and brought his goods with him; moved into a house standing on the site of the brick house now occupied by Jonas Clark, opened his store in one part and lived with his family in the other. About 1794 he purchased the property where now the Beaman hotel stands, and moved into a one-story house that then stood there, and erected a building for a store directly op- posite, on the south side of Main street; subsequently he re- moved the old house and erected a two-story building, which comprises a part of the Beaman hotel building, and in 1805, or 1806, opened a public house. In 1808 he sold out the public house, and moved back to the old house he first occupied, and there, in 1816, erected the brick honse above named, where he resided until his death. About the time Mr. Stanley sold the public house, in 1808, he failed, and his mercantile business was suspended. He gave up all he had to his creditors, and told them to take it in satisfaction of his debts, as far as it would go. Dr. Dewey, about this time, had invented his shearing machine, elsewhere mentioned, and Mr. Stanley commenced the mannfac- ture of the machines, in which he was successful, and paid all his old debts, with interest. A common remark at that time was, "John Stanley is an honest man." Mr. Stanley's business in the manufacture of shearing machines, and his other business subsequent to his failure, will sufficiently appear, perhaps, in the latter part of chapter 10. Mr. Stanley was elected judge of Probate Court for the district of Fairhaven, in 1824, which of- fice he held by repeated elections, until 1829; during the same time Almon Warner was register. Those who knew Judge
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Stanley have ever spoken of him as a model of integrity. In this respect he doubtless furnished in himself one of the best examples the town has had. He was devoted to the public in- terests; he gave the land on which the first Methodist (Stone) Church was built and superintended the building. He gave the ground for the old cemetery on Beaman street. He always was an attendant upon the M. E. Church, and, with his wife be- came a member some years before his death. The early enter- prises of the town, as the first post office, the turnpike, the line of stages and other enterprises found in him an efficient advo- cate and supporter. As a business man he was enterprising, and delighted in success as that promoted the public interests. He lived long enough to see firmly established the Troy Con- ference Academy, and the Poultney bank; institutions which he gave all the aid in their establishment his declining years would permit. The children of John Stanley were: Ruth, George and Sophronia, b. in Connecticut, and John, Sarah, Henry and Myron N., b. in Poultney.
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