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 3
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Another thought now occurs, which, perhaps, may properly be given here. The first settlers of a towu will shape its des- tinies to a greater or less extent. They establish its institutions, its customs, its usages, and the character of its society, subject, of course, to modification by future settlers and by progress. But it is a truth, well known to the careful historian, that our New England towns have retained for a long time (some to this day) the distinctive characteristics given them by the early settlers. The Allen influence, if we may so call it, predomin- ated in Poultney for some years subsequent to the first settle- ment of the town. That was all right, so far as it gave energy, resolution and persistency to the settlers. It was all right, too, in integrity, honesty and fair dealing. Ethan Allen was as honest a man as ever lived; and his brother Heber, his cousin Ebenezer, and the Ashley brothers, his coadjutors in those early
31
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
days, were models of honesty, unflinching patriotism, and devc- tion to the interests of the new settlements .* But this influence favored infidelity instead of Christianity. It is well known that the prevailing influence in the western part of the town, for nearly half a century after the first settlement, was infidel in its character. This we regret to publish; but it is a part of our history, and should appear. The eause of this has been charged to the Allens and their intimate friends and relatives who set- tled here; but we shall not undertake to say exactly to what extent they were responsible for it, only we know from well- authenticated facts, that an infidel sentiment was created and prevailed in this part of the town, the effect of which remained years after the Allens and the elder Ashleys were in their graves. "Though a man die, yet shall he live! "
The Ashley brothers were not all infidels. Isaac Ashley was a member of the Baptist Church when he moved here in the Fall of 1771. He died in April, 1777, leaving a son, the late Elisha Ashley, who for half a century was a leading and worthy member of the Baptist Church. John Ashley, another of the Ashley brothers, became a member of the Baptist Church some time after his settlement here. But it is well known that Thomas Ashley, though a man of undoubted integrity-a man who rendered invaluable service in the settlement of the town, was, in sentiment, opposed to the doctrines of Christianity. There were others who settled here prior to 1777, who maintained a decidedly religious character. Among them was William Ward, and others of whom we shall have more to say in this work, and whose services in founding the religious institutions
* It is not now positively known that but one (Heber) of the Allen brothers, of whom there were seven, settled in Poultney; but four or five of them held lands here. Nearly one-third of the real estate in Poultney passed through the Allen's in the chain of title. We have now in our possession several deeds of Poultney lands drawn by Ethan and Ira Allen, in which are their well-written autographs. During those early years, they were much here; their property called them here-their rela- tives and intimate associates were here, and with them they held frequent consultation. It is not surprising, then, that the Allens had a controlling influence here in those early days.
32
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
here will appear in appropriate places; and we trust it will also appear that this sentiment of infidelity which for a time pre- vailed, was finally eradicated, and that for the last half century we have been as free from it as our neighboring towns.
It is gratifying to know that so many of the first settlers of the town of Poultney remained, and became permanent resi- dents. Ebenezer Allen remained but a few years, and Heber Allen died in 1781; but the Ashleys, William Ward, Zebediah Dewey, Josiah Lewis, the Howes, Marshalls, Richards and Hydes remained, and their descendants (except of the Ashleys) are now with us. In the next chapter, we shall give a narration of, perhaps, the severest trial the early settlers of Poultney had to pass through; but before coming to the stirring scenes, in con- sequence of Burgoyne's invasion, which occurred in July, 1777, it should appear that the settlers were, and had been, thoroughly alive to the situation, and were doing all they could to protcet their homes and their rights. It appears from the State His- torical Society's collections, that, from time to time, conventions of the settlers were held, beginning as early as the year 1772, and that Poultney was usually represented, though the names of the Poultney delegates do not appear, until a convention was held in Dorset, January 16th, 1776. Thomas Ashley was then present, and made chairman of a committee to whom was re- ferred "the 4th article in the warning," which was "to see if Law of New York shall have free circulation where it doth not infringe on the title of our lands or our rights." It does not appear that the committee reported, or that any further action was had upon this " article in the warning."
At a town meeting, held March 11th, 1777, William Ward was appointed Moderator. At this meeting, "it was deemed best, for the interests of the proprietors, that a Committee of Safety be appointed; and, accordingly, Nehemiah Howe, William Ward, John Grant, Heber Allen and Zebediah Dewey were elected such committee, and instructed to join the General Com- mittee of Safety of the New Hampshire Grants." The meet- ing also "voted to allow William Ward twenty shillings and sixpence, for attending the convention that year." At an ad-
33
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
journed meeting, held the 27th of April following, Thomas Ashley was added to the Committee of Safety.
The Declaration of Independence, of the 4th of July, 1776, was fully appreciated by the settlers on the New Hampshire Grants. A convention was called at Dorset, July 24th, 1776, and was attended by fifty-one persons from thirty-five towns. This convention " was called to ascertain the general sentiment," and "entered into an association among themselves for the de- fence of the liberties of the country." Poultney was repre- sented in this convention by Nehemiah Howe and William Ward. Another convention was holden the 25th of the follow- ing September, when Howe and Ward were again present as delegates from Poultney; and this convention " resolved unani- mously, to take suitable measures, as soon as may be, to declare the New Hampshire Grants a free and separate district." On the 15th of January, 1777, a convention was held at Westminster. At this convention, "after due examination, agreed that the only way of safety was to form themselves into a new State, and provide a government for themselves." At this convention was adopted what has been known as the " Vermont Declaration of Independence." It was declared " that the district of ter- ritory known by the name and description of the New Hamp- shire Grants, is, and of right ought to be, considered as a free and independent jurisdiction or State, by the name, and forever hereafter to be called, known and distinguished by the name of New Connecticut, alias Vermont." It does not appear that Poultney was represented in this convention, but the conven- tion adjourned to meet at Windsor on the first Wednesday of June. At the adjourned meeting, Poultney was represented by "Capt. Zebediah Dewey."
We have now given all we have been able to collect in regard to the settlers and the settlement to July, 1777. The next chapter will be devoted mainly to the trials of the settlers, in consequence of Burgoyne's invasion.
5
34
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
CHAPTER III.
BURGOYNE'S INVASION IN THE SUMMER OF 1777-THE SETTLERS DRIVEN OFF-INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
FTER the taking of Ticonderoga, in May, 1775, the settlers on the territory, which afterwards became the State of Vermont, were not seriously disturbed, though the revolutionary struggle had been in progress for two years. War had been raging in the distance. This quieted, for the time, the New York claimants, and left the inhabitants of the Grants in comparative repose; though the settlers were, never- theless, in constant apprehension of attacks from Indians, or from some source-they hardly knew what. In the Spring of 1777, the British Government planned a campaign from Canada through, on Lake Champlain, and on to Albany, to meet and form a junction with another force, to move up the Hudson River from New York. General Burgoyne headed the expedi- tion from Canada, which consisted of ten thousand British soldiers, and a large number of Indians, and some Tories. Bur- goyne met with little resistance until the fight at Hubbardton, which occurred on the 7th of July, between a detachment of his army, under Reidsel and Fraser, and the Green Mountain Boys, under Colonel Warner. The old fort at Ticonderoga had been surrendered without a struggle; but Burgoyne had sent out his bulletins all the way along, and thereby the settlers were thoroughly aroused. Said an old man: "The call to arms was responded to by all the men in town (Poultney), save one, and he an invalid." Our supposition is that they were all in the Hubbardton battle; but of this we have no positive knowledge. All accounts agree that they were away from their homes, and the inference is fair that they were on duty somewhere, either in the fight at Hubbardton, or at some other place of duty as- signed them. The American force at Hubbardton was obliged
1307933
HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 35
to retreat; as soon as that was ascertained at Castleton, a mes- senger was sent from there to Poultney to warn the women and children of the approach of the enemy, and of the danger. They were told that they must at once leave their homes, and flee for their lives. The messenger came to Poultney on the Sabbath day. Many were assembled for religious services at a log school house, standing in what is now District No. 4, near a small stream of water, about thirty rods south of where the school house in that district now stands. When the news reached the people here assembled, they all left at once-some not even visiting their homes. Mrs. Dan Richards, subsequently Mrs. Lindsey Joslin, and the mother of Deacon J. Joslin, passed di- rectly from the school house, by her own home, carrying one child in her arms and leading another, and thus she went on foot to Bennington, without stopping for refreshments. Mrs. Lydia Marshall, the wife of Ichabod Marshall, says a descend- ant of hers, "prepared herself and children as hastily as possi- ble to leave their home. This resolute and good woman had nine children, one but three months old, the next but two years, and the oldest but fourteen. For aught she could see, they must make the journey on foot. They had a horse, which had been turned into the woods, and had not been seen for weeks; but there was no time to look him up. When about ready to start, she heard the whinney of a horse, opened the door, and there stood her horse, seemingly sent by Providence for her relief. With saddle and bridle, she soon equipped him for the journey. All the women then here, without a moment's delay, made their hasty preparations for flight, and started south, with their little ones, through an almost unbroken wilderness, expecting every moment, as they hurried along, to be overtaken by the pursuing foe and murdered; but were able to keep in advance, and ar- rived, in due time, at a place of safety. We have no inform- ation that any other but Mrs. Marshall had a horse; but our sup- position is that nearly all, with the exception of Mrs. Marshall, were on foot, and she could not have carried her entire family on one horse. They had in view, when they started, going to their native places in Massachusetts and Connecticut. and there
.
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HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
they went. They expected to stop first at a tavern, in Pawlet, kept by a Mr. Willard, and about two miles north of where Pawlet village now is, and near the place where Elisha Allen afterwards lived and died. Their route to this place lay along the borders of Lake St. Catherine, in Wells. They doubtless took the "old military road," which ran from Bennington to Burlington, and which had been travelled, some on horseback, and more on foot, for a few years preceding this time; but this road was rough and difficult. They reached Willard's Tavern on the evening of the day they started, having travelled from twelve to fifteen miles, and found quartered there, at the tavern, a company of soldiers. The women and children were exhausted, and besought the landlady for something to eat, but were refused.
After the repulse at Hubbardton, the Poultney volunteers hastened to their homes in Poultney, to find them vacated by their wives and children. They gathered up what they could, including some provisions, beds and bedding, and followed on towards Bennington. Whether they overtook their families be- fore they reached Bennington, there seems to be a doubt, from the different accounts; but they found their wives and children either before they arrived at Bennington, or soon after. For a few days they all remained in Bennington in apparent security. But Baum, with his Hessians, came there, and the women and children were sent to Pownal, a town lying next south, and their husbands remained, and helped to win the Battle of Bennington on the 16th of August. The battle at Hubbardton was on the 7th; the flight from Poultney was the 8th. The women and children, on arriving at Pownal, brought up at a tavern, and not being sure as to the position of the landlord, Mrs. Zebediah Dewey made of him the direct inquiry whether he was a Whig or a Tory. He replied that he did not think that was any of her business; to which she said: "I am Captain of this company, and wish an answer; if you are a Tory, we shall go on; if not, we will remain." But the house proved to be full already, and those women and children were quartered in a log meeting- house, where they spent the night. During the night, one of
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HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
the women detected the sounds of footsteps outside, and, on looking out, several men, supposed to be Tories and wandering British soldiers, were seen, apparently reconnoitering, with a view to gain access to the inside. But, says our informant, " there was one within, Mrs. Zebediah Dewey, who stood up boldly for ' woman's rights.'" Under pretense that there were soldiers within, and means of defense, she called on the "men " to load their guns, and drive away the plundering marauders. She remembered that she had seen a gun in the house as she entered, which was, in fact, the only one in the house. That she seized, made free use of the ramrod for a moment, in run- ning it down the barrel, as if loading the gun, and then run the muzzle through a window. This accomplished her purpose. Mrs. Marshall, in relating the affair afterwards, said: " It would have done you good to see the red coats run." In the morning, we have been told that this company of women and children went on their way to Massachusetts and Connecticut. But we have some doubts whether all proceeded immediately. Mrs. Marshall often said, while she lived, that she visited the bloody field where the Bennington battle was fought, after the fight was over; and she often described its appearance. If this was so, she did not leave Pownal for her old home the next morning. But it is undoubtedly true that these women and children did, without much delay, go to their old homes in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and remained there for some little time. Most, if not all, however, returned to their Poultney homes the next Fall and following Spring.
The defeat and surrender of Burgoyne, at Saratoga, put an end to hostilities in this quarter, and soon, not only the former settlers returned, but other settlers came. Emigration received a new impulse.
It seems to have been understood by the old people, that there were thirteen of those women, with their children, who fled from Poultney at this time. After considerable inquiry, we have collected the thirteen names, and now is the time to make the record; having done so, it will not be our fault if their names are not perpetuated. They were: Mrs. William Ward,
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HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
Mrs. Thomas Ashley, Mrs. Ichabod Marshall, Mrs. Joseph Mar- shall, Mrs. Dan Richards (afterwards Mrs. Lindsey Joslin), Mrs. John Richards, Mrs. Timothy Hyde (afterwards Mrs. Abner Adams, mother of the late Parker Adams, and grandmother of Alanson Adams, now residing in Poultney), Mrs. Zebediah Dewey, Mrs. Silas Howe, Mrs. Nathaniel Smith, the widow of Isaac Ashley (the mother of Elisha Ashley, Esq., subsequently the wife of Joseph Rann, the mother of the late Sylvator Rann, and grandmother of Charles A. Rann, now residing in Poultney), Mrs. Nehemiah Howe and Mrs. Josiah Lewis.
In the Spring of 1778, and from thence onward, the town was settled rapidly, though Mr. Ashley says, that for some two or three years, "the inhabitants would often secrete some of their choicest articles before retiring to bed, fearing that they might be obliged to flee before the merciless savages before morning, or be murdered during the defenceless hours of sleep." "This," he says, "the writer well remembers." But we have no inform- ation that the Poultney settlers were ever afterward molested by armed foes.
Mr. Ashley informs us that " there were two Tories in town during the Revolutionary War." "One," he says, " was Gilbert Soper; and that during the absence of the inhabitants from their homes, when driven off in 1777, Soper remained, and made free use of such things as were left; for which, and his hostility to American independence, the Whigs determined to chastise him. Lieutenant James Smith, having a scouting party under him, came across Soper, while stopping for refreshments. Smith being in the house, some of the men said, "now is our time." They swore they would hang him-seized him, put a rope around his neck, tied it to a well-sweep, and began to draw him up .. Smith having been informed what was going on, rushed out, and gave orders that Soper be let down, just in time - to save his life. They both remained in town many years. Soper was a thievish, troublesome fellow; Smith an unfortunate and poor man, and often said he believed the curse of God had followed him for saving Soper's life."
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HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
CHAPTER IV.
THE FIRST TOWN REPRESENTATIVE-REORGANIZATION OF THE TOWN-GRAND LIST OF 1781-SETTLEMENT OF ITHAMAR HIBBARD-FIRST MEETING HOUSE ERECTED-DIVISION OF TOWN INTO SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
FTER the beginning of the year 1778, as before appears, the settlement more rapidly progressed in Poultney, as it did in other towns in Vermont. It also before appears, that in 1777, the people residing on the territory hitherto known as the New Hampshire Grants, had declared themselves inde- pendent, and had given to this territory the name of Vermont. A constitution had been adopted, and the first General Assembly under this organization met at Bennington, in March, 1778, and Poultney was represented by William Ward, to whom must be given the honor of being the first representative of the town. At that session the State was divided into two counties-Cum- berland on the east, and Bennington on the west side of the Green Mountains. Bennington County was divided into Shires, called Bennington and Rutland Shires, and Heber Allen, of Poultney, was made one of the judges of the Rutland Shire. The courts for the Rutland Shire were held in Tinmouth, until 1785, when Rutland was made a shire town, and has remained a shire town and county seat from that until the present time.
The work of organizing civil government in Vermont was hardly less remarkable than the stirring scenes which preceded this organization. The same bold and decisive, and, withal, wise measures characterized the action of the settlers from the first, up to the time Vermont was admitted to the Union, in 1791. To the ability and genius of her statesmen, as much as to the bravery of her men who distinguished themselves in the field, was she indebted; and we are proud to say that the town of Poultney furnished a goodly number who were prominent actors in founding the civil institutions of the State.
·
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HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
At a meeting held on the 16th March, 1778, the following vote was passed: "Whereas, By a union of the inhabitants of this district of land, called the State of Vermont, by their dele- gates, did frame a Constitution, and by the same did erect a General Assembly. Agreeable to their orders, we have warned the inhabitants of this town, and have met in consequence thereof of said orders; and by reason of said orders not coming to hand before our annual March meeting. We hereby organ- ize ourselves, under said Constitution, into a town for legal pur- poses." They then proceeded, and elected town officers in ac- cordance with the laws of the State.
The town had hitherto effected an organization, or, at least, had elected the ordinary town officers, and those officers had served in their several capacities, as before appears; but after organizing a general government, under the name of Vermont, and adopting a Constitution, it was thought advisable, as it seems, to reorganize the towns. This, then, is the explanation of the action above taken.
At a town meeting, held in 1780, Nathaniel Smith, Elisha Ashley and Josiah Grant were appointed a committee "to find out the center of the town." The meeting also " Voted to locate the meeting house on the north side of the road, near the bury- ing ground, and that it be built by subscription-45 feet long, and 35 feet wide, and to be a frame building. In 1783, in pur- suance of this vote, the house was covered, the lower floor laid, and a desk built. In this condition it was occupied for several years, when a tax was raised by the town, and the house was finished. This was the first house of worship built within the town, and was located on the opposite side of the road from the burial ground, in East Poultney, and a little east of where a dwelling house now stands. Rev. Ithamar Hibbard was the first settled minister, and came here in 1780. This has been re- garded as an event of some importance; but we reserve mainly what we have to say upon it until we come to the history of the churches. We might say here, however, that it has been said that Mr. Hibbard came here from Bennington, with an organized church with him. How that may have been we cannot say ; but
41
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
we had it from his relatives, that many settled here through his influence and exertions. Mr. Hibbard was a Congregationalist; but the settlers then here, who were members of churches, it is supposed, were about equal in number of Congregationalists and Baptists. "They united," says Mr. Ashley, "in settling Mr. Hibbard."
Several of the early Grand Lists were out of the Town Clerk's office at the time of the fire, in 1862, and thereby saved. The earliest of these is dated October 4, 1781, and the following is а сору:
"STATE OF VERMONT.
" Poultney, October 4, A. D. 1781.
" A List of the Poles and Rateable Estate of the Inhabitants of said Town, maid up by us,
ABISHAI MOSELEY, Listers WILLIAM HOOKER, under
NATHANIEL SMITH, Oath.
£. s. d.
Allen, Heber -
53 0 0
Elisha and Samuel
56 73 13*
Ashley, Thomas-
66 0 0
66 Elkanah
38 10 0
66 Enoch -
14 0 0
Elisha
19 0 0
68 William -
10 9 0
John
37 0 0
Adams, Jeremiah
-
44 15 0
Joseph
6 00
Benjamin
90 0 0
Barber, James -
21 0 0
Brookin, Boaz
25 10 0
66
James -
9 0 0
66 Ithamar
33 0 0
Armstrong, James -
6 00
* The figures are given from the original, and it will be noticed that there are inaccuracies in the columns of shillings and pence.
6
42
HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
£. s. d.
Buel, Ephraim
46 31 0
Blackman, Epraim -
18 0 0
Craw, Joseph
36 10 0
Canfield, Ebenezer -
28 0 0
Craw, Joseph Jr.,
22 10 0
Dewey, Zebediah
59
0 0
Dickson, Archibald
47 0 0
D'Maranvile, Stephen
16
0 0
Darror, Ichabod,
9 0 0
Frisbie, Joel
15 10 0
Ebenezer
10
0
Fletcher, Samuel
31 8
5
Grant, John
43 25
0
Josiah
39 10
0
Grannis, Joel
29 10
0
Green, Robert
45 10 0
Goodin, Thomas
53 10 0
Guthrie, James
9 10 10
Gilbert, Elisha
23
() C
Hyde, Ebenezer
52
0 0
Timothy -
61 0 @
James
31
0 0
66 Henry
12 ()
Hosford, Isaac
22 C 0
Reuben
17
0
Hibbard, Elisha
15
()
Holmes, Azel
13
0 0
How, Silas -
51
()
0
" Peter
34 C
" Philip
18 0
Widow
32
0 0
Hooker, James
38
0)
William -
46
0
66 Thomas .
18
Higins, Samuel -
6 0
Lewis, Josiah
36
0 0
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HISTORY OF POULTNEY.
£. s. d.
Logan, Hezekiah
16 10 0
Lawrence, Asa .
21 0 0
Marshall, Ichabod
70 0 0
Joseph 11 0 0
Moseley, Abishai
53 10 0
Martin, John
12 10 0
Merit, Mical
27
0
0
Morgan, Caleb
12 0 0
Jonathan
6
Owen, Elijah
35 0 0
" Elijah Jr.,
8 C
John
38
0 0
Parmeter, Benjamin .
12
0)
0
Parker, Abel
30 0 0
Priest, Philip
23 0 0
Pierce, Phineas .
10.0 0
Richards, Zebulon
13 10
0
John
19 10 0
Daniel
16
0 0
Rann, Joseph
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