USA > Vermont > Orange County > Thetford > Annual reports of the Town Officers of the town of Thetford, Vt. : for the year ending 1919-1922 > Part 6
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DEATHS WITH DATES, NAME AND AGE.
Jan. 18 Mary G. Webster
Yrs. Mos. Days 6 4 1
Jan. 26 Andrew W. Austin.
Unknown
Feb. 9 Latimer A. Quimby
83
3
21
Feb. 23
Roger S. Howard.
72
8 29
Mar. 25 Ida H. Wise
17
6 18
April 9
Wesley H. Chamberlin
79
2 18
April 12
George B. Cummings
77
9
28
April 13
Arthur Heaton.
80
6 13
April 19
Swift
0
0
0
April 22
Charles H. Prentiss
67
0
5
April 26
Chester F. Bond.
87
4 22
April 26
James A. Trescott
68
4
13
June 5
Marian Roberts
78
2
24
June 10
Susan Simonds.
86
5
July 4 Caroline E. Allis
72
11
13
July 5
Charles H. Parker
82
10
5
July 19 Ethel Sargent.
0
0
0
Aug. 9
Mary J. Morse.
68
9
7
Aug. 25
George B. Campbell.
58
4
10
Oct. 20
William W. Bond .
79
6
22
Oct. 31
Lylendia J. S. Martin
74
3
2
Nov. 21
Randall .
0
0
0
Nov. 24
Martha M. Robinson.
77
0
7
Nov. 29
Mildred E. Barker
1
3
0
Some Facts in Connection With the Life of Richard Wallace, One of the Early Settlers of Thetford, Vt., as Told by Himself and Others.
Richard Wallace was born in Nova Scotia, A. D. 1753. Of his early life to his 16th year of age we have no record.
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At the age of 16 he came with Col. Chas. Johnston from Hampstead, N. H. to Haverhill, N. H. On the 2nd day's journey from Hampstead (April, 1769) my feet became very sore and swollen, which caused me to fall in the rear of the family many rods. I concluded to take off my shoes and stockings and travel barefoot. Expecting to overtake the family I hastened on as fast as I could and after wading a large stream, I entered what was called the "Eleven Mile Woods" in the upper part of the town of Boscowen. It soon became dark and I came to a stream I did not dare to cross in the dark. I saw I must spend the night there. I found a large tree fallen over a knoll and I crawled under it and went to sleep. I slept for a little while and when I awoke I was very cold and tired. Besides this I found myself saluted from all parts of the dreary forest by many of its animal inhabitants, the wolves tak- ing a leading part. They did not appear to be far off, but did not come near me to offer any trouble yet their noise was some alarming and very disagreeable. By and by something cried out over my head, making a noise like a little dog or a lot of parrots. I did not know what it was for I was but a boy from the sea coast and had never heard the like before, but I thought I would make no disturbance and let them alone until morning. When morning came I crawled out and behold the noisy creatures over my head were no other than great owls roosting upon a branch of a tree. I soon made ready to start, though my shoes and stockings were so frozen I could only get my shoes on slipshod. After a while I found a log on which to cross the stream and I found the road or trail and walked and ran as I could some miles until I reached "Favor's Tavern" in New Chester just at sun rise. Some of the company were up and some getting up and friends never came together in greater joy. I never shall forger how Col. Johnson looked when he told me what concern he had had for me through the night. When Col. Johnson arrived in Haverhill he bought the land where Haverhill Corner now is and lo- cated himself on the ground where Capt. Powers pitched his camp for the night in July, 1754.
In the autumn of 1772 John McConnel and family left Pembroke, N. H. for the Coos country and when they reached Baker's River, word reached Haverhill that they were coming. On hearing this Jonathan McConnel, brother of John set out on horseback to meet them and render any help needed. The next morning early, Richard Wallace left Col. Johnston's on horseback to goout and render them still further aid, taking some provisions with him.
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.
Jonathan McConnel met the family 18 miles from Haverhill took one of the children and started for Haverhill. Wal- lace met Jonathan returning near the height of land and he promised to stop at the camp near Eastman's brook and wait for Wallace and the rest of the family to come up and all spend the night together. Wallace went on and met the family near night. They were in a miserable condition. All on foot without shoes or stockings and an old horse staggering under the weight of a few necessary articles for the family. Some were scolding, some crying and some laughing. Wallace soon agreed to take two of the chil- dren, one a big girl of 12 years of age, and another of 2 years (which would have been the infant had there not been one younger) and return to Eastmans brook and the rest of the family was to reach there if possible. But in carrying out this plan, Wallace met with an unexpected embarrassment. It would be almost impossible for the girl of twelve to hold on in passing the sloughs and over logs, to ride in the usual manner of females. But as Wal- lace was at his wits end how to arrange matters to his mind, the mother in her good old scotch way cut the Gordian knot "in faith" said she, there must be a leg on each side o' the hoss" and so the girl rode into Haverhill.
But as Wallace reached the height of land he knew the family could not reach the camp at Eastman's brook that night and as there was a camping place on the height, of land which they must pass, he dismounted, took a loaf of bread, run a pole through it and raised it above the camp to give them something to eat as they came along and to keep it from the wolves. They did not see it and passed on. They did not reach the camp at Eastman's brook and were obliged to lay out all night without food or covering. Wallace had a hard time too, for when he came to the camp at Eastman's brook where Jonathan McConnel proposed to stop and to have a fire for their comfort, he found no McConnel, no fire and nothing to make one of. McConnel had concluded to make Haverhill that night and leave the rest to shift for themselves. Wallace now found he must pursue his journey under cir- cumstances "somewhat alarming and very disagreeable". Beside this great girl holding on to him in the rear, he carried the child of two years before him. He kept it awake for a time by calling its attention to the howling of the wolves, but at length the child went fast asleep in his arms and he bore it into Haverhill in that condition. They arrived at Col. Johnston's house at midnight a full moon favoring them. The Col. was up and had a good fire, some expecting them
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from what Jonathan McConnel had told him, but Wallace so much exhausted by fatigue and benumbed by the cold that he fainted away on coming to the fire. The family arrived the next day and in just six months from that time, the girl whom Wallace brought in was married to Jonathan Tyler of Piermont at the age of "twelve years and six months. This was the first marriage in the town of Piermont.
Wallace says the first settlers at Coos, a number of them at least, pitched their tents upon the meadow with a view of making their permanent residence there but were driven off by the great flood of 1771. This was a destruction to many of the settlers, some of their fields were buried in sand two feet feep and they not only lost the'r crops more or less for that year but their soil for a number of years.
Wallace went to the relief of the family of Hugh Miller in Bradford. His wife was a sister of the far-famed Robert Rogers, the hero of St. Francois, When Wallace reached his habitation, he rowed or paddled his canoe in as far as the door would let him and took the family from a bed on which they stood and bore them to a place of safety.
Wallace speaking of the first settlers in Haverhill and Newbury were for the most part men of some little means and were able to furnish themselves with land, some stock and tools. They were laborious, prudent and economical.
Another class of persons he mentioned were in more indigent circumstances. They labored hard in the house and field and whose earthly fare was coarse and sometimes scanty. Their bowls, dishes, plates were all of wood, although in some families a little pewter was seen. The style of living in all of the settlement was similar. Boiled meat, peas or beans and potatoes was their repast at noon. At night and morning, pea or bean soup and sometimes milk porridge. We never thought of having meat but once a day and I never drank a cup of tea during my three years and a half I lived at Coos. Many wore Indian stockings and moccasins of raw hide and some of the wealthier had Indian blankets cut into box coats and wore "biff caps". Their clothing in general was of linen.
Richard Wallace came to Thetford about 1772 or 73. He married Bethsheba Rich, daughter of Jonathan Rich one of the early settlers of Lyme, N. H., later of Strafford. He settled on some wild land in the western part of the town in what is now called the Rice's Mills School District and on the farm now owned by Dr. J. H. Higgins. Here
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he built his log hut, cleared some land and commenced his home. At that time only two families lived west of the Ompompanoosuc River in the town.
In the summer of 1777 Wallace was in Charlestown, N. H. when an American scouting party came in with a British scouting party as prisoners of war from Bur- goyne's army. Upon these prisoners were found papers purporting that the British soldiers and Tories were being sent out to the Connecticut Valley. The news spread through the settlements like electricity.
Wallace made all speed for Thetford and found on his arrival that the people had gained the news of the possible invasion of the enemy and they were coming in for the River from Strafford and other settlements in the utmost consternation. This was done by order of the Committee of Safety. Strafford was literally emptied. There were a number of Tories in that town. Eight brothers in one family who went over to the British at once, and they car- ried some others with them. When Wallace came home he met men, women and children on their way to the river, but Wallace not seeing his wife with them put spurs to his horse and when he reached his hut he found his wife "sticking by the stuff". Having no horse or oxen to trans- port their few goods to the river she had resolved to wait and see if there was any good reason for this rumor. She had however commenced carrying their household stuff into the woods and covering it with bushes that it might not fall into the hands of the invaders should they suddenly appear. They both completed the work which his wife had so herocially commenced and then both mounted their horse and rode for the settlements at the river.
The next day, Wallace and another man took a team and went and brought in the goods. As soon as they were disposed of, Wallace enlisted to go in pursuit of Burgoyne and his army.
At the time of the alarm Wallace had corn, oats and potatoes growing on his newly cleared land. After he had gone and the alarm had somewhat subsided, Mrs. Wallace travelled out six miles to see to their crops. She found the oats ripe for cutting and many of them lodged. She was all alone and no man could be had to assist her in gathering them, for all that could be spared had gone to the war. Nothing daunted at this, she took a scythe and mowed them, dried them, raked them into bunches, bound and stacked them in good style. She took an axe, cut poles fenced them about and then went back to the river. When her corn stalks were ripe for cutting she cut them, bound
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them and out them on the top of her stack of oats. In like manner she went out, husked her corn and dug her potatoes. She then went to work clearing some ground which had been felled and burned over the year before, and when her husband returned from the army she had cleared and sown one acre of wheat, and had travelled in going to and from the river, seventy-two miles.
"RICHARD WALLACE'S HEROIC DEED".
A little while before Wallace returned from the pursuit of Burgoyne, he was engaged in an adventure, the parti- culars of which while he was obtaining his pension were transmitted to the pension office at Washington and are authentic beyond question.
It will be recollected by those acquainted with the war of the Revolution. As soon as the battle was fought at Bennington and the Americans began to hope that Bur- goyne would fail into their hands, they set about retaking the Forts of Ticonderoga and Mt. Independence on the shores of Laked Champlain which Burgoyne had left in his rear supplied with troops. Ticonderoga was taken and Mt. Independence was straitly besieged for some time. There was a good deal of hard fighting and it was confidently looked for that Mt. Independence would surrender; but they did not. The British shipping had full possession of the lake. Ticonderoga was on the west side of the lake and Mt. Independence on the east side. Our troops on the west side could hold no communication with those who had beseiged Mt. Independence and of course could have no concert of action. It was at this time when the greatest solicitude was felt by the two American Commanders to know each other's minds, that the Commander of Ti- conderoga called on his men to know if there were any two of them who would volunteer to swim the lake in the even- ing and carry despatches to Gen. Lincoln near Mt. In- dependence.
For a time no one offered to undertake the hazardous enterprise; but when informed how much was depending upon it, Wallace of Thetford stepped forward and said he would attempt it and there followed him Ephraim Webster of Newbury. About sundown an officer took these men on to a hill which overlooked the lake and pointed out the course they must take to avoid the British shipping and about where they probably find the American camp. At dusk the same night the same officer went with them to the shore of the lake and saw them started. They had got to swim up the lake and down in a zigzag course to avoid the enemy more than two miles before they could
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reach the other shore. They rolled their despatches in their clothes and bound their clothes to the back of their necks by cords passing over their foreheads and entered the water. "We shall never reach the shore" said Wallace to Webster. As soon as they touched the water it was late in the season and the water was very cold, but this he said without any thought of relinquishing the enterprise. When about midway of the lake the cords which bound Wallace's clothes to his neck slipped from his forehead to his neck and cut so heard as almost to strangle him. He failed in several attempts to replace the cord upon his forehead and was on the point of giving up all for lost when the thought of the importance of his undertaking seemed to insprie him with new vigor, he said, and at length he suc- ceeded in replacing the string and passed on without saying a word to dishearten Webster. They passed so near the British shipping as to hear the oft repeated cry "All's well" which they took care not to correct and buffeted the waves with stout hearts and sinewy limbs. They kept in company until they came near the eastern shore of the lake when Webster seemed to fall into the rear. And just as Wallace struck the twigs of a tree which lay extended into the lake, he heard Webster say, "Help Wallace, I'm drowning". Wallace sprung to the shore caught a stick, rushed into the water, extended it to Webster in the act of sinking and drew him ashore. Webster could not stand but Wallace rubbed him briskly and put on his clothes and he soon recovered so as to walk. Webster was so full of gratitude to Wallace for saving his life that Wallace had to caution him not to speak so loud, that the enemy might hear him.
They were out of the water now but new difficulties presented themselves. It was dark and they were in a strange place. The enemy was near and had their sentinels on shore as well as the Americans, and worst of all they were not the countersign of the Americans on that side of the lake. They started in quest, however, of the camp, but after wandering about for nearly an hour they were hailed by a British sentinel and did but just make their escape. They then took a different direction. Wallace gave both despatches to Webster and told him to keep in the rear while he would go forward and if he should fall into the hands of the enemy that he might have a chance to escape with the despatches.
They did not go far before Wallace was hailed again by a sentinel "Who comes there". "A friend" answers Wallace. "A friend to whom' challenges the sentinel,
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"Advance and give the countersign". It was a trying moment. Wallace hesitated a moment and then replied by question, "Whose friend are you. "A friend to America" the sentinel said. "So am I said Wallace "and have im- portant despatches for your General". They were im- mediately taken to the General's quarters. The des- patches were delivered and Wallace and Webster were received with surprise and gratitude and everything was done to make them comfortable and happy. Within one hour the army was moving where the despatches directed but Wallace never enjoyed the same degree of health afterwards that he did prior to that cold and almost in- credible effort.
Burgoyne and his army surrendered Oct. 17, 1777. Wallace returned to his hut in December after, where he and his wife lived through the winter without any chimney hearth or floor excepting three or four boards to set their pole bedstead upon which was corded with elm bark. Here on this farm which they cleared up, being among the first settlers in Thetford, this worthy couple lived and died. Wallace drew a pension for some years and died Feb. 7, 1833, aged 80.
Their family consisted of themselves and eleven chil- dren. Nine of whom lived to settle in life and raise up families. Hannah, one of the daughters married Henry Gillett of Post Mills, Vt. Besides caring for a large family Mrs. Wallace served as an (accoucheuse) 45 years, rode in seven towns and was present at the birth of twenty-one pair of twins and 1624 single births, making in all 1,666 and never lost a mother of whom she had the care. Mrs. Wallace died May 1831, aged 81.
The town of Thetford to honor the memory of this worthy couple and his heroic deed of Patriotism built a brick house or vault near the Town House in which the town records and papers are to be kept. In the brick work over the door, is placed a marble slab inscribed 1753 in memory of Richard Wallace 1833." They are buried in the old cemetery in Thetford Center and a small granite monument marks their last resting place.
E. N. HEATON.
Thetford, Vt. Feb. 1, 1920.
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MEN WHO ENTERED THE FEDERAL SERVICE FROM THE TOWN OF THETFORD.
Aldrich, Almon F.
Allis, Neal M.
Bacon, Lee W.
Bacon, Alfred W.
Bond, William E.
Bond, Alden W.
Bond, Alpha M.
Brooks, Charles*
Bonnett, Frank E.
Barrows, Roy A.
Burr, Clarence H.
Bond, Maurice Cook, Fred*
Cook, George W.
Cadoo, Mervin A.
Clark, Claude T.
Coombs, Wm. A.
Estes, Howard T.
Harvey, Ernest A.
Hatch, Arlo W.
Higgins, Geo. H.
Higgins, Walter H.
Hill, Nathan W .*
Judd, Watson
Johnson, Earl*
McKnight, Maurice L.
McClary. Everett
McMaster, William
Nutbrown, Harold E.
Palmer, Ray H.
Paige, Harry A.
Parker, Stanley W.
Palmer, Ralph A.
Pennock, Grover R.
Robinson, Clarence*
Simonds, Ralph E .*
Smith, William
Slack, Preston S.
Slade, William
Smith, Clyde E.
Vaughan, Charles A.
Wilmot, Ralph
Wise, George W.
*Indicates the men who died in the service.
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Orange County
Summary of the reports of 130 teachers Including all reporting except those paid in part by State or Federal Government Excluding any teaching less than a year ..
Average salary (including Principals and High Schools) 4500
Average board- 45.96 rer "L . Leaving an average of "38) for all other expenses of the year. .
93 receive less than th: 3 average
33 receive more than this average
5 receive the $20 per week for 52 weeks accepted as a minium ware for Vermont teachers.
Increase in cost of living - the average increase in cost, of board since 1916 was 30%. Individuals record increases of 50% 125%, 133%.
Professional improvement expenses- the average sent in 1919 .28.63. 22 spent over (5)
Necessary travel expenses - Reports range from "100 to $130 47 apert over $20
Case 1 - Salary 1442 Board $5 “360 Professional improvement
Travelpiecessary 123
Left for all other needs 6.1
Case 2 -
Salary 1.442 Professional improvement ¥63.50 "I have my mother to support and all household expenses to pay."
Case 3 -
Salary #544 Board 16 4.313
Professional improvement 69
40
Travel.
F481
133
Left for all other needs
Case 4 - Salary #442 Board (4 and work worth 58 5.30.2
Professional improvement 60
She intends to stop teaching after this year as she cannot afford to pay out more for the training.
Case 5- # Salary increased 33% since 1916 - Board 60% Comfortable shoes now c:36 $3.00. In 1916, 4.00 - 100% Butside wrap. cost three times :- much as in 1916- 300% Dress goods costing [1.00 per yd. in 1916 now $2.50-150%
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WARNING.
The legal voters of the Town of Thetford are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Town House in said Thetford, Tuesday, March 2nd, A. D. 1920 at 10 o'clock A. M. to transact the following business :
1. To elect a Moderator.
2. To elect a Town Clerk.
3. To hear and act upon the reports of the several town officers.
4. To see if the town will authorize and empower the Selectmen to appoint a Road Commissioner or elect by ballot, and to elect all necessary town officers.
5. To raise a tax to pay the indebtedness of the town and to pay current expenses.
6. To raise a highway tax.
7. To raise a school tax.
8. To see if the town will vote money for the benefit of the Grand Army Memorial Day.
9. To see if the town will vote any money to take advantage of the state highway aid law and if so how much.
10. Shall license be granted for the sale of intoxicat- ing liquors in town.
11. Shall license of fifth class be granted in town?
12. To elect a town library commission for five years.
13. Will the town vote medical inspection of schools as authorized in Sec. 1313 of General Laws?
14. To transact any other business proper to come before said meeting.
C. C. EMERSON, W. E. TUCKER, C. A. ADAMS, Selectmen of Thetford
Thetford, Feb. 17, 1920.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
Town Officers
OF THE
TOWN OF THETFORD VERMONT
For the Year Ending February 1 1921
P. H. GOBIE PRESS, INC. BELLOWS FALLS, YT.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
Town Officers
OF THE
TOWN OF THETFORD VERMONT
For the Year Ending February 1 1921
P. H. GOBIE PRESS, INC. BELLOWS FALLS, VT.
TOWN OF THETFORD
March 2, 1920. The following business was transacted at the annual Town Meeting.
1 Meeting called to order by C. C. Emerson 1st Selectman
Elected C. A. Adams, Moderator
3 Elected N. H. Porter, Town Clerk
Appointed K. C. Porter, Asst. Town Clerk.
4 Owing to so much sickness in the Town, it was moved and carried to adjourn this meeting until March 16, 1920.
A true copy, Attest, N. H. PORTER,
Town Clerk.
At the adjourned Town Meeting, March 16, 1920 the following named persons were duly elected to the several offices :
5 Moved and carried that the Auditors report be ac- cepted and adopted as printed.
6 Elected, R. H. Hatch, Lister for 3 years
7 Elected, C. C. Emerson, Selectman for 3 yrs.
8 Elected, G. A. Fifield. Overseer of Poor
9 Elected, E. E. Whitcomb, School Director for 3yrs.
10 Elected, John Kinsman, Auditor for 3 yrs.
11 Elected, E. N. Heaton, Treasurer and Receiver of Taxes
12 Elected, H. S. Colton, 1st Constable
13 Elected, Richard Welsh, 2nd Constable
14 Elected, C. A. Powell, Trustee of Public Money John P. Morris
15 Elected,
A. B. Palmer Town Grand Jurors.
G. W. Cook,
16 Elected,
E. N. Heaton, Cemetery Trustee
17 Elected,
L. B. Allen, Agent to prosecute and de- fend.
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18 Elected,
C. A. Adams, Agent to deed property.
19 Voted, To raise $1.60 for current expenses.
20 Voted, To raise $.30 Highway tax.
21 Voted,
To raise $1.20 School tax.
22 Voted,
Grand Army $40.00.
23 Voted, To pass over Article No. 9, in Warning. 24 Voted, Shall license be granted for sale of in- toxicating liquors in this town: Yes, 21; No, 48.
25 Voted,
Shall license of the fifth class be granted in this town: Yes, 20; No, 47.
26 Voted, To accept Medical Inspection in schools. 27 Voted, To invite Prof. Worthen to speak on Thetford Academy.
28 Elected, Chas. A. Wilcox, Trustee of Thetford Academy for 5 years.
29 Elected, Chas. C. Cook, Library Trustee for 5 yrs.
30 Appointed by Selectmen, Ray Powell,
C. W. Sayre, P. H. Cortee, L. B. Morse
Surveyors of wood and lumber
31 Appointed by Selectman C. S. Wilmot S. C. Stevens, Fence Viewers
W. E. Tucker '
32 Elected, L. B. Allen,
Pound Keeper
A true copy,
Attest, N. H. PORTER,
Town Clerk.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Warning
The legal voters of the Town of Thetford are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Town House in said Thetford on Saturday, October 16, A. D. 1920 at 1 o'clock P. M. to transact the following business.
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Article 1. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to quit-claim their right and title to the land in Post Mills Cemetery, to the Post Mills Cemetery Asso- ciation Inc.
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