USA > Vermont > Windham County > Brattleboro > Brattleboro, Windham County, Vermont; early history, with biographical sketches of some of its citizens > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
DEDICATION. TO JOSEPH STEEN, ESQ.,
THE ELDEST NATIVE CITIZEN (1878) OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND POPULOUS LOCAL- ITY IN THE TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO- THE EAST VILLAGE-WIIERE, 154 YEARS AGO, WAS MADE THE FIRST FOOT-PRINT OF ANGLO SAXON CIVILIZATION IN THE STATE OF VERMONT.
Not only are we grateful for his long, useful life in this village-reaching beyond the beginning of its business enterprise, and nearly covering the whole period of its growth to the present time-but for the aid of his retentive memory, whereby are here been able to rerire, restore and preserve some rapidly vanishing pictures of the past. for the present generation and the future his- torian
JOSEPH STEEN, ESQ.,
though a native of Brattleboro, is of En- glish parentage. His great-great-grand- father emigrated from Holland to the North of England, where he settled about the year 1700.
James Steen, father of Joseph, was born in Malpos, Cheshire county, six miles from the city of Chester, Eng., May 19. 1;61. He was a landholder, and by trade a house- builder. In Dec., 1785. he married Eliza- beth Wood, who was a native of the city of Chester, and came to this country in 1795, for the following reasons: In 1693. political troubles caused the taxes to be so innch upon real estate, rents were not enough to pay them; the "press gang" also went about the country, enlisting men
76
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
peacefully if they could, but otherwise forcibly, for the army and navy.
James Steen sold his property, receiving therefor but little more than enough to pay the expenses of his removal to this country. On recommendation from a Mr. Nelson, of London, to Kirk Booth, Esq., of Boston,-whom he luckily found aboard of the ship Galen on the passage-he ob- tained from Mr. Booth-who was ever after his friend-a letter of introduction to Rev. Wm. Wells, D. D., then but a short time settled in Brattleboro, Vt., as their only pastor.
James Steen settled in this village in 1795, living at first in the old Dickerman house, where now is the house erected by Chas. Crosby, and now (1878) belonging to the estate of F. Harris.
James Steen built the house now owned and occupied by his son Joseph, who was born in this village, March 2, 1797. Joseph worked at house-building with his father until 1814, when he commenced work at the printers' trade, under Wm. Fessenden. After 9 years' employment at this trade as journeyman, he worked on contract for Messrs. Holbrook & Fessenden until 1828. This year he bought of Messrs. Thomas & Woodcock the right to their pulp dresser for the State of New York, and engaged two years in the sale of them and putting them in operation in the paper-mills of that State.
The familiar form of this gentleman, and his present. quiet operations in the book and stationery business,-continued since 1830-gives no idea to the present generation-aside from the business afore- said-what he has been, or what he has done in the long period of 82 years since his birth in this place. The generation now passing off the stage of life have ever considered him an important acquisition- a tower of strength-to any cause his honest convictions led him to advocate, and it is fortunate for this community that his power and influence has been so gen- erally, if not invariably, in the right direction. He has really been a strong man, physically and mentally, often gen- erously exercising these attributes, in times of adversity, advantageously to the con- dition of those less fortunate than him- self. From his aid and counsel the latter
have received courage and inspiration to face the ills of life.
In the month of June, 1830, he bought of George H. Peck one half of the book- store and bindery business, but the next year dissolved partnership with Peck, and took simply the book-store and stationary business into his hands. This business he has ever since continued up to the present time.
Though 82 years of age, Mr. Steen has no partner in his business, but he stands daily behind his counter, selling goods as he has for nearly half a century. If there is another instance of this kind we know not where to look for it; the annals of this place cannot furnish a parallel case.
During his mercantile operations, he published 11,000 Royal octavo Bibles, 1,500 pages each, 11,000 Enc. of Religious Knowledge, 1.500 pages each, 2,000 school Bibles and 1,000 pocket Testaments. In the young or early days of Mr. Steen, the publications in this place were of a very different character. His employer pub- lished Webster's spelling-book and several of the old novels, now seldom seen. Among them were the works of Jane Porter, "Rasselas," by Johnson, &c.
Printing was hard work in those days, being done by hand power stimulated by alcoliol, in the form of whiskey black- strap, rum, or rye gin. For being a soli- tary exception in a total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors, Mr. Steen was ridiculed by his fellow-workmen; but he has lived to see nearly all of them in.a drunkard's grave. Near the printing office was a whiskey distillery, constantly sending into the atmosphere a delightful aroma, while the old presses were as con- stantly sending forth into the same atmos- phere, "The Mysteries of Udolpho," " Scottish Chiefs," "Alonzo and Melissa,", " Democracy Unveiled," "Paul and Vir- ginia," "Romance of the Forest," &c.
Though fastened with ribs of oak and bands of iron,
Vain were the efforts of Osgood and Gill To confine the spirits in that old still.
Out they would come at all times and seasons to haunt our houses and mingle with other spirits the ghosts of old war- riors, hobgoblins and youthful dreams of ethereal beauty, as they fell like snow- flakes from the press.
BRATTLEBORO
Thereby was an air of rum and romance through which our old-time friend passed from youth to manhood, when we heard him, in a public lyceum, declaim against novel reading; and in 1830, he was fore- most in organizing a temperance society in this village. The self-reliant, independent character of the man is apparent from the foregoing, and it is also so in every period of his life where decisive action was re- quired.
Mr. Steen has evidently made some ap- proach to obeying the.scriptural command: " Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good."
He read Paine's "Age of Reason," but could not become an infidel. Over 60 years ago he joined the Congregational church and Sunday-school. He yet re- mains the eldest member of those institu- tions, attending regularly upon the exer- cises of the same to this time (1878).
In 1838, he tried democracy, under Van Buren's administration, and for a short time was editor and proprietor of "The Windham County Democrat," years after- ward conducted by Geo. W. Nichols. This experiment worked upon him as harmlessly as did "Paine's Age of Reason."
In 1840, he was editor of " The Flail," a whig campaign paper, which had a circu- lation of 5000 copies per week. This paper was published by Wm. E. Rytler, now of Bernardston, Mass.
Mr. Steen has seen and had personal acquaintance with the editors and proprie- tors of all the old newspapers published here, commencing with the first one, The Federal Galaxy, by Benjamin Smead, first published 1797; Brattleboro Reporter, by Wm. and Thomas G. Fessenden, 1806; Brattleboro Messenger, by Alexander C. Putnam, succeeded by Geo. W. Nichols; The Yeoman, Simon Ide; Independent Inquirer, Wm. E. Ryther, 1833; Vermont Statesman, O. H. Platt; Windham County Democrat, Geo. W. Nichols.
Mr. Steen was the last agent appointed here for paying pensions to soldiers of the Revolution of 1776, having continued that duty until the last one died.
He was appointed assignee in bank- ruptcy for Windham county in 1844; jus- tice of the peace in 1848, and now holds the office; selectman, 1854 '55; school committee, first chosen to put in operation
the graded school system in 1841. He was prominent in advocating the school reform by effective remarks to the assembled voters of the district. He was severely censured by a wealthy man in this place for his action respecting the schools; but neither wealth or position could ever shut his mouth. He has always been ready to sell books, but never his principles.
His early struggles with poverty. his prudence, economy and self culture under difficulties-never having attended school over 12 months-and being by trade a printer, reminds us, in these respects, of Benjamin Franklin. "Seest thou a man diligent in business, he shall stand before kings."
In 1840, Mr. Steen advocated the elec- tion of Harrison to the presidency, and remained true to the whig party to the last. When the old flag was assailed by foes without and foes within, he threw his vote and influence for the party which de- fended it, and is unwilling to trust that flag in the hands of those who sought to destroy it. With him-our eldest, last living relic of a stormy past-the fight is over. When he shall finally lie down on the well fought field, to pleasant dreams, what drapery more fitting to wrap about him than that same old flag?
In compliance with the request of Miss Hemenway of Burlington, and for reasons given in the dedication of this work, we have made this brief sketch of our old friend of over half a century, whose ex- ample we deem a fitting one for the mechanics of Brattleboro.
[HENRY BURNHAM. ] HON, RICHARD WHITNEY.
[Brother of Hon. Lem'l Whitney.]
In the cemetery at Hinsdale, N. H., where Rev. Bunker Gay was buried, we found a monument having thereon the following inscription :
" Here lies the mortal remains of Richard Whitney, counsellor at law, of Brattleboro, Vermont, who departed this life Sept. 9, 1815, aged 39 years. Those who knew him not, may learn from this monumental stone that his vir- tues have rendered his memory precious to his bereaved friends. The sight of it will excite a ten-
78
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
der récollection of his worth in the bosoms of those who knew him, and a tear of sincere regret at his early and untimely depart- ure. Let us humbly hope he has gone where his virtues will be justly appreciated."
Hon. Richard Whitney was born in Petersham, Mass., in 1776, practiced law in Brattleboro in 1808, and was secretary of State in 1806. His character and attain- ments made him well deserving of the favorable testimonials inscribed upon his monument at Hinsdale.
Near the time of his death he became mentally deranged, and was committed to the care of Mr. Hooker, in Hinsdale, N. H. He was confined in the house-yet standing-built by Rev. Bunker Gay, and then occupied by his son-in-law, Mr. Hooker.
At that time but little, if anything, was known in regard to the proper treatment of insane persons. The faculty were vainly groping in the dark for a potent weapon with which they could meet this mysterious enemy of human happiness called insanity. Many, especially the de- voutly religious classes, attributed this malady to supernatural causes. There- fore they considered all remedial efforts vain, and nothing could be done but to confine the unfortunate victim and wait for death.
A council of physicians-Dr. Marsh of Hinsdale has been mentioned as one of the said council-decided upon trying, for the recovery of Mr. Whitney, a tem- porary suspension of his consciousness by keeping him completely immersed in water three or four minutes, or until lie became insensible, and then resuscitate or awaken him to a new life. 'Passing through this desperate ordeal, it was hoped, would divert his mind, break the chain of un- happy associations, and thus remove the cause of his disease. Upon trial, this system of regeneration proved of no avail, for, with the returning conscious- ness of the patient, came the knell of de- parted hopes, as he exclaimed, "You can't drown love."
According to a former version of the story, there was a second application of the drowning process that terminated the
life of Mr. Whitney. But Mr. Hooker, grandson of Rev. Bunker Gay, lately in- formed us that Mr. Whitney did not pass through a second ordeal by water; the physicians, upon mature deliberation, concluded they were on the right track, but had not used the proper agent for the stupefaction of the life forces. The next and last resort was opium, and Mr. Whit- ney died under the treatment.
The result of the aforementioned exper- iments for the cure of insanity may have suggested to the widow of Dr. Marsh, the importance of an asylum for the treat- ment of that class of persons so afflicted, and thereby her will of $10,000, whence originated the Vermont asylum at Brattle- boro.
HON. JAMES ELLIOT
was the first elected of the three members of Congress who were citizens of Brattle- boro at the time of their election.
His name, with that of Judge Chapin and others, is recorded as one of the cor- porators of the first joint stock company that originated in this place. This com- pany built the first bridge connecting the East village with New Hampshire in 1804, when it is evident Mr. Elliot was a resi- dent of Brattleboro. He was but about 26 years of age at this time, and this, with other circumstances or events, with which he was connected, compels us to believe he was the most conspicuous in early life, and attended to the serious duties of man- hood while other young men of his age were ''sowing their wild oats."
His intimate acquaintance with Gen. William H. Harrison, and high apprecia- tion of his character, caused Mr. Elliot to say, "I wish Gen. Harrison could occupy the highest office in this nation; if every man in this country knew the General as I know him, he would go to the presiden- tial chair with an overwhelming vote." These remarks were made several years before Harrison was before the public, or thought of, as a candidate for president. To our surprise, not four months had elapsed, after the death of Mr. Elliot, when Harrison received the nomination, and following soon came the "overwhelm- ing vote," which swept the venerable sage of North Bend from his quiet home to earthly greatness.
79
BRATTLEBORO.
In politics, Mr. Elliot was a Jeffersonian democrat and, to some extent, a party man: but he estimated character and ability far above party lines.
After remaining in this town over 25 years, he moved to Newfane. In a Brat tleboro paper appeared the following obituary :
"Died at Newfane, Vt., Nov. 10, 1839, Hon. James Elliot, aged 64. He was a native of Gloucester, Mass. He came to reside in Guilford in early life, and enlisted under Gen. Wayne at 18 years of age, and served in the Indian wars three years, quartered most of the time in the west part of Ohio, then a wilderness. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in Windham county, Vt. In the war of 1812, he held a captain's commission. Before he was 30 years of age, he was elected one of the representatives to Con. gress from this State, and ably discharged that trust for three successive elections.
" His after life was variegated with dif- ferent scenes and services. Besides his attention to the practice of law, he served several years as register of probate and clerk of the courts. and the past two years had the office of state's attorney for the county of Windham.
"He sustained through life the char- acter of an honest man, with talents and intellectual acquirements of the first order."
His remains were brought here and de- posited in Prospect Hill cemetery, where, since 1797, we have placed other of our honorod dust and choicest treasures. His widow-a daughter of Gen. Dow-sur- vived him 30 years, and died in New York city. Her remains were brought here and placed beside those of her husband. Their daughter, Mrs. D. Pomroy of New York, is now (1872) the only surviving member of the family.
HON. SAMUEL ELLIOT
was born in Gloucester, Mass., Aug. 16, 1777, and died at West Brattleboro, Dec. 10, 1845.
With the exception of Hon. John W. Blake, we believe he and his brother, James Elliot, were the first ones estab- lished in law practice in this town, and he spent the largest share of the last 40
years of his life in Brattleboro, East vil lage. 1
Elliot street is so named because he formerly owned the land and erected the first house thereon, a brick building of two stories, now standing, near the south end of Crosby's block. His one-story. wood law office stood, as late as 1830, on the site of the Revere house. In or near 1835, he sold the site to Ashbell Dicken- son. A large share of, if not all, the land upon the south side of Green street was once in his possession.
He was the successor of Hon. John W. Blake as postmaster, but, becoming a federalist, and prominently advocating the principles of that party during the presidency of Jefferson, he was succeeded in 1810 by Asa Green, Esq., who uninter- ruptedly held the office until after the in- anguration of Harrison in 1841.
He was judge of probate for this dis- trict, and repeatedly represented the town in the State Legislature, was candidate for Congress, and also associate judge of this county, where he was widely known as a man of marked ability, unquestioned integrity, and not surpassed in his devo- tion to charity and mercy.
In the summer of 1826, his mind was greatly exercised by the destitution and sufferings of the inhabitants of Greece, caused by the barbarism of the Turks, with whom they were at war at that time. A ship was at this time in Boston harbor waiting for contributions of clothing and other necessities from New England, to carry to that suffering, unhappy people. At a public meeting, Mr. Elliot described the pressing necessities of the case with such eloquence few could listen to his appeal unmoved. One of the wealthiest citizens in this place became so interested it was said he offered to give as many dollars as his wealthy neighbor would give cents for this object.
The Grecian costume, loose fitting, and so simple one garment would snit persons of various sizes, garments were so easily made, quite a large quantity was soon furnished by the organized ladies of this village, and sent to the ship aforemen- tioned.
"Ought the reading of fiction to be en- couraged?" was the question before our
80
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
village lyceum a long time ago. A speaker said, "I know from experience novel- reading is an unhealthy exercise. My lamp has been burning and my tears fall- ing, long after the midnight hour, over accounts of human suffering that existed simply in the mind of the author of the book."
Mr. Elliot replied: "Mr. Chairman-I would not advise the reading of fiction indiscriminately; but no work of this character coming under my observation has, in descriptions of human suffering, ever exceeded the reality. Sentiment must ever precede action, therefore we have reason to hope that the gentleman who has just made so commendable an expose of his emotions will, when occa- sion shall require action, prove by praise- worthy deeds how valuable are the sources from whence came his inspirations. As I see how needful is the exercise of ideality upon occasions like this, and realize that the most sublime and beautiful sentiments and sentences can be found in works of fiction, I regret that so little of my time has been devoted to this matter, and am therefore unable to give so good an ac- count of my experiences as my friend G. has given of his. I am glad to learn that my neighbor is a man of fine sensibilities, tender emotions, and has a heart that can be moved by the woes and sufferings of his fellow-men."
Mr. Elliot was not destitute of humor, though there was at times a thoughtful, serious expression upon his countenance.
Born at that dark period in our history, soon after the commencement of that almost hopeless struggle against the great- est power, at that time, in Europe, he was old enough to remember that contest and the return from the war of his poor, sick father to a home of poverty, where he soon died from disease, contracted in the service of his country.
Few men were better fitted by past as- sociations, patriotic fervor and oratorical · power, to cause the generations growing up around him to properly appreciate their dear bought, priceless liberties. Therefore his services as orator at Fourth of July celebrations were exceedingly in- teresting, and eminently and universally acceptable.
During the absence of Rev. Wm. Wells,
at that time the only pastor of this place, death had come to one of his parishioners, and not a minister could be found in town to attend the funeral. Application was made to Rev. Mr. Beckley, then of Dum- merston, sickness preventing his attend- ance; and Mr. Elliot was called upon to address the funeral assembly, which he did in a manner highly creditable to his mind and heart.
He well knew how to sympathize with his sorrowing neighbors. The beloved partner of his early years went in her blooming beauty to the grave, leaving a child too young to realize the magnitude of his loss; but in after years he wrote the following lines, addressed to . his mother :*
[Copied from the Brattleboro Messenger of Decem- ber, 1824.]
"In childhood's gay and sportive hours, I reckless play'd upon thy grave ;
Well pleased to pluck the sweet wild flowers, Which o'er thy grassy bed did wave.
I loved to view thy marble stone, To read the sculptur'd letters try ; But when my father wept thereon, I could not think what made him cry.
Remembrance cannot bring to light Thy form, or make thy face appear ; But fancy paints thee fair and bright As holy, beauteous angels are.
And now I love to think of thee- Of all thy virtues, all thy worth-
And hope my soul with thee will be When I am pillow'd deep in earth."
Mr. Elliot married, second, a daughter of Rutherford Hayes, by whom he had seven children. Three sons were collegiates at Yale and Trinity colleges (Conn.). The eldest, Sam'l H. Elliot, became a Congre- gationalist minister and principal of an educational institution near New Haven, Ct., and was the author of some interest- ing publications. J. H. Elliot finished his course in 1836+ at Trinity college, died in December, 1838, at Savannah, Ga.
*My grandfather copied these verses from the Brattleboro Messenger, Dec. 24, 1824, and from his authority alone do we relate the cir- cumstances, authorship, &c. H. B.
+He was at that time chosen to deliver the valedictory ; ill-health prevented.
81
BRATTLEBORO.
He was noted as a young man of great excellence and superior attainments.
The health of William C. Elliot, the youngest son, failed after about two years at Trinity college in Hartford, Ct., and he died in Brattleboro, October, 1839, As could be as truthfully said of the other members of this family who have died, he never caused sadness or affliction to his relatives or friends but when he sick- ened and died. Nothing we could say of our loved schoolmate and intimate friend would give so faithful a picture of him as the following tribute from his sister, Miss Belinda Elliot, who, some years since, married Mr. McClellan and left her native home.
"He was our youngest brother, fondly loved- Companion, friend, and cherished counsellor. Sweetly in him did blend
A childlike, simple spirit, with a mind .
Matured, refined, with knowledge and with grace.
To God he consecrated all he had: Yes, on His altar freely laid himself. His worth I cannot speak, for even now
The wound bleeds freshly that his loss has made;
And time, that antidote for grief like this, Has not yet sealed the fountain of my tears. Oh, in our hearts, as long as being lasts, We'll treasure up the memory of his deeds, And love him still."
The arrival to our shores of Gen. La Fayette, Aug. 15, 1824, gave Mr. Elliot so much pleasure he wrote some papers upon this subject.
In these papers we find an account of the progress of LaFayette through the country, and of his departure. We also learn his views respecting agriculture, the education of the masses, and on legal and moral questions. His writings give evi- dence of strong patriotism and love of the right. The last time we took the hand of this venerable man, he gave us the produc- tions to which we have alluded in the foregoing.
Reluctantly have we released our grasp upon even the rudest links connecting us with the early times-the morning hours of freedom; but painfully as well as re- luctantly have we let go forever of a link like this. Contact with such opens to our vision a pathway through the past, and as
by an electric wire, passing through the long dead years, there comes to us the pulsations of brave hearts, beating time to the march of liberty, well nigh one hundred years ago.
The eloquence of words rarely fall upon the ear in public places. "In America," it is said, "the orator is dying; in England he is dead." Whatever may be predom- inating influences, never, we trust, will the fashion of the day, or the influences of others, lessen our veneration and admira- tion for this old orator of Brattleboro.
SALMON BENNET.
Salmon Bennet, son of Noalı Bennet, was born in Brattleboro, Vt., Jan. 6, 1790. He studied theology with Rev. Ephraim H. Newton, of Marlboro, and was or- dained pastor of the Congregational church in Winchester, N. H., Sept. 10, 1817. Rev. Caleb Burge of Brattleboro (West) preached the sermon. He was dis- missed Dec. 25, 1823, preached a year in Roxbury, and was installed in Marlboro Sept. 27, 1825. Rev. Isaac Robinson of Alstead preached the sermon. He was dismissed April 5, 1831, and was installed in East Boscawen as colleague witlı Rev. Samuel Wood, D. D., Dec. 5, 1832. Rev. J. S. Barstow, D. D., of Keene, preached the sermon. He was dismissed Oct. 25, 1836, and then preached a year at Irvings- ville, Mass. He was installed at Wendell May 2, 1838. Rev. Francis Danforth of Winchester, N. H., preached the sermon. He was dismissed Sept. 26, 1844. He then preached a short time in Heath, first to the Congregational, and then to the Bap- tist church; and afterwards lived in Hali- fax, Vt., preaching to one or the other of the Congregational churches there for about three years, ending in 1852, when he removed to Chatauque county, N. Y.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.