USA > Vermont > Windham County > Brattleboro > Brattleboro, Windham County, Vermont; early history, with biographical sketches of some of its citizens > Part 16
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*Summer of 1837.
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He graduated at Yale College, with honor, in the class of 1825. He pursued theolog- ical study chiefly at Andover, and for many years, with ability and usefulness, · filled the office of Congregationalist pas- tor, first in Middletown and afterwards in Colebrook, Ct. He was, for a few years, editor of the Congregational Observer, a weekly religious journal published at Hart- ford, and since January, 1843, he has been editor and proprietor of the New England- er, which, in conjunction with other gen- tlemen, he originated and established. Mr. Tyler had a sound, clear and discriminat- ing mind, and excelled in the department of moral and theological science. He was remarkably liberal and catholic, though decidedly evangelical, in his views. He was a true friend of his race, and his mind, hand and heart were ever free and open to the claims of every philanthropic principle and enterprise. And in his private rela- tions, he was, in a rare degree, modest, unselfish and amiable," &c.
REV. JOSEPH D. TYLER
was a clergyman of the Episcopal church, but never officiated in that office to any great extent, for he early became interested in the instruction of the deaf and dumb, and was a teacher in the first institution for that purpose in this country ; the build- ings erected in Hartford, Ct. After seve- ral years service in Hartford, he was, in 1840, chosen principal of the Virginia deaf and dumb asylum, in Staunton, Va., where he died Jan. 28, 1852. Wide as is the manifest difference in the Tyler brothers as to tastes, avocations, religious views- as Episcopalians, Unitarians and Congre- gationalists -there is, in the most desira- ble features of humanity, a beautiful har- mony in their characters. If Joseph D. Tyler deserved censure for anything, it was his excessive modesty, or lack of a proper appreciation of himself. The testi- mony of those who have been associated with him during the last 12 years of his life, is of more value than anything we can say :
From a Virginia paper of January, 1852: "When we referred yesterday to the Virginia Institute for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, we little supposed that we should be called upon in to-day's paper to record the death of the accomplished prin_
cipal of the former department, the Rev. J. D. Tyler, through whose eminent qual- ifications, peculiar aptness for his post, and untiring energy, this benevolent institu- tion has acquired its present efficiency and exalted position. The loss of Mr. Tyler to the sphere of benevolence which he so nobly filled, to the community in which he lived, it will be difficult, if not impossi- ble, to supply. The writer knew him well, and a nobler specimen of a Christian gen- tleman, he never has known. He was be- yond all question one of the rarest and ripest scholars of our country, and one of the most vigorous and polished writers of the present day. His essays in the leading Reviews of the United States (though his shrinking modesty prevented him from ac- companying them by his own name) have been pronounced among the most power- ful and beautiful contributions to Ameri- can literature. His official duties rarely permitted him to preach, except in the language of signs to his deaf mute congre- gation; but such sermons as we have heard from him were masterpieces, models. and unsurpassed in strength of thought, purity of style, and solid learning, by anything which we have heard or read out of the pages of old English divines.
This man, with powers which would have graced the most conspicuous arena of cultivated intellect in our whole coun- try, was not only content, but joyful to pass his days in the comparatively obscure and humble position of teacher of the deaf and dumb, and devoted to that field of usefulness all the energies of an intellect, which, devoted to another sphere, would have achieved untold fame and wealth for its possessor. Mr. Tyler was a person of real and substantial excellence of charac- ter. There was about him no humbug, no cant; none of that pharisaical austerity of demeanor which atones for sins by frowning upon innocent pleasures. A
traveling correspondent of the Charleston Literary Gazette remarked, in a letter from Staunton, that he 'had never seen a face so strikingly stamped with the impress of benevolence.' The face was a faithful in- dex of the heart and life,-the noble and unambitious heart which now sleeps so quietly-the life whose record is written in golden letters on high. When we pon- der on the character of such a man, we
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cannot grieve that he has passed away, save for those he leaves behind-for surely there must be in another world some pecu- liar reward for those great intellects which are content to labor on, almost unknown and unappreciated here, so that they can minister to the happiness and elevation of their fellow-men.'
When the expiring breath of a son of Brattleboro, from his distant field of ac- tion, wafts to our ears reports like the foregoing, we cannot too highly estimate the privilege of giving his record here. To us, the very soil where was first left the impress of his infant feet, is more sa- cred. We see the same old trees, and hear the same voices of nature, and her silent teachings, as greeted his earliest conscious- ness, yet "the latchet of his shoes we are unworthy to unloose." To great heights · of moral excellence we may never hope to attain, but we can, at least, love the virtues which we cannot claim. The following beautiful ideal, as expressed in verse, by Rev. Jos. D. Tyler, will, we believe, strike a chord in every bosom for "Who hath not lost a friend?" The more we read it, the more distinctly appears to us the fine, spiritual nature of the author-that spirit only staying in its outward or coarser garb from the necessity of circumstances:
BY J. D. TYLER.
"From the silence of the Scriptures re- specting the creation of these spiritual in- telligences, and from the remarkable lan- guage of the following passages, (Rev. 22, 8, 21, 7,) some have inferred that the whole angelic order is, in fact, composed of the spirits of glorified men."-Bush's Notes on Genesis.
"My father! glides thy spirit near, From happier mansions come,
To guard the home you lov'd while here, In airy angel form !
My brother! eldest, earliest dead, With pale and thoughtful brow,
O'er which bright rays of genius play'd, Still bends it near me now !
And thou the lov'd, the latest born, My meek, my gentle brother,
Comes thy glad form in fondness down, A ministering spirit thither !
Hovers thy radiant spirit here, My boy, my blessed son,
In angel brightness lingering near
Thy transient earthly home ?
Come ye to smooth the couch of pain, To soothe the aching head,
To cheer the hearts ye loved, again, Though numbered with the dead ?
Come ye to calm the troubled breast, To guide the erring feet,
To lure along to that sweet rest, Where happy spirits meet ?
We greet you here, each blessed one, Along our toilsome way, Till perils o'er and labors done, We meet in endless day !"
INTERESTING FACT.
"The Rev. J. D. Tyler, Principal of the Deaf Mute Department of the Virginia Institute, states, in his last interesting re- port, that our own country is the only one in which the question whether the children of deaf mutes are themselves apt to be deaf, has approached solution. Two hun- dred educated deaf mutes assembled in Hartford, Ct., Sept. 25, 1850, of these 103 were married, some quite recently, and 72 were parents,-the parents of 102 chil- dren, of whom 98 can hear and speak. Instances are given of parents, both deaf from birth, having children able to hear and speak. An instance," says Mr. Ty- ler, "exists in our own institution, in the case of an instructor and his amiable wife, both deaf from birth, but their two bright little boys have all their senses in perfec- tion. So that the apprehension in question is not sufficient ground for denying to deaf mutes the chief earthly happiness, the school and exercise of virtue-the state which preserves nations, fills cities and churches, and heaven itself."
As we have proceeded, our inability be- comes more and more apparent to do any- thing like justice to the Tyler family, un- der present circumstances. Our first in- tention was simply to give a few facts in regard to the head of the family, sufficient, if possible, to create an interest in the me- moir, to which we have referred, as would cause its publication. Since our attention has been directed to the sons of Judge Tyler who have passed away, we have of- ten been reminded-as we have discovered so much respecting them worthy of high commendation-of a work by Disraeli
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upon "The Curiosities of Literature." This work we have not seen since 1842, but we remember he gives a reason why the children of great or talented men are almost invariably inferior to their progen- itor. The mental qualities of the children depend upon their mother, and more cer- tainly is this so with the sons. Great men rarely use their greatness, or better judg- ment, when selecting a wife, but are gov- erned by taste or fancy. Our memory of the long vanished years is rarely more happily exercised than when it brings be- fore us the beautiful, the talented, the highly cultured and faithful mother of this distinguished family. When we think of her virtues and sterling character, we wonder not that of so many of her chil- dren she could say, as did the Roman ma- tron, "These are my jewels."
We quote the following from an obitu- ary notice of her death, in the Vermont Phoenix :
"While aiding greatly, through the be- nign influence of high natural endow- ments, and all the graces of her sex, in sustaining and encouraging her husband in his progress to the Supreme Bench as Chief Justice of Vermont, she contributed much towards imparting a tone of eleva- tion and refinement, and an ambition for literary pursuits, to the new and unformed society around her. In those early times, she was a light and centre to society, giv- ing warmth and enjoyment to all who came within her sphere. She was beloved and respected, a bond of union, a centre of mingled love and authority to the early settlers, as she has ever been since, down to her latest day, to a large family of ador- ing children and descendants, amidst whose kindly administrations it was her happi- ness to expire. Devoted to everything that was calculated to elevate, refine and adorn humanity, she ever took a deep interest in the welfare of the country. Her infant eyes were opened, as we have already said, upon the dramatic scenes of the Revolu- tion; and, in the closing years of her life, she watched with the liveliest solicitude and concern every stage in the progress of the rebellion, until she saw the last rebel force defeated and disarmed. Amidst all, she received home a corpse of a grandson, a young colonel, who fell in the battle of the Wilderness, and saw his remains sent
to the grave." [See Military History of Brattleboro, sketch of Lt. John S. Tyler. ]' Mrs. Tyler died in 1866, aged 91 years, 7 months and 7 days.
Mrs. Tyler was the author of "The Ma- ternal Physician," a work published by Riley of New York, in 1811. This work was recommended by the best physicians of the time. The author's name was re- fused by herself. The work contained many passages of marked literary merit.
In the family of Judge Tyler there were two daughters,
MARY WHITWELL TYLER AND AMELIA SOPHIA TYLER.
They both lived until past three-score and ten years. Their sphere of action, and in almost everything, they were widely dif- ferent, yet were they both highly esteemed and beloved, because they were each, in their way, public benefactors.
Miss Mary was, in her earlier years, a natural kindergartener. Over half a cen- tury ago, she had as much, if not more, influence over a large portion of the chil- dren in this village than their own parents. She was a member of the Episcopal church, but at this time there was no organization of her faith in this place, yet there was no part of this village she did not frequent to gather the children for the Sunday school and meeting, in the old church on the common. If new clothing for the desti- tute children was wånting, she contrived some way to get it for them. If any poor family was in want, or destitution, or in suffering of any kind, she would interest some benevolent friend in their belialf, so that relief came. Her affection for the little ones, rich or poor, was unbounded. Among our earliest, pleasantest recollec- tions of infantile and juvenile days, is the kindly, happy face of "Aunt Mary," when she was telling a dozen or more of us in- teresting stories. She would always give an intelligent reply, to the little eager ques- tioners, in language adapted to their com- prehension. Parents freely gave their chil- dren permission to go on expeditions, in large or small companies, to the woods or fields, no matter where, if they only knew she was going with them. We all knew she was our friend. She was our oracle and sure defence against "bears and codg- ers. "
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In the summer of 1821, the inhabitants of the village were aroused to search after two little boys, one of them nearly 6 and the other nearly 5 years old, who had been sent to school, but did not appear in the schoolroom. Vainly did people look through the woods, in every direction, for the missing ones. As twilight was giving way to darkness, "Aunt Mary" appeared leading the two little truants, one of them a D. D. in embryo, and the other a Yan- kee genius-of the jack knife order-in the bud. The seat of learning, at this period, was at the West village. The two little boys must have been remarkable for their precocity and high aspirations. They had heard of the far-famed academy flourish- ing somewhere in the region of the setting sun, and had concluded it was just the place for advanced young gentlemen, like themselves, who had outgrown the limited educational facilities afforded in the one school-house of the village.
The little wanderers took the right di- rection to this goal of their ambition, un- til they arrived near the western limit of the grounds of Prof. Charlier, when down that steep bank they went, stripped off their clothing, and jumped into the Whet- stone brook. They, for the first time, learned it was a more easy thing to take off their clothing than to put on the same. Also, did they find, that it is a much easier thing to go down such a steep pitch than to go up the same. . "Aunt Mary" heard their cries of despair, in their vain efforts to replace their clothing. Think of the joy of the besieged in Lucknow, when they heard the distant slogan herald the approach of Havelock, and we can get an idea of the joy experienced by these little ones when they heard a voice which they loved so well. How many little wanderers she may have conducted, or given an im- petus, into the right path, which leads to home and happiness, on this side of the river, we may not know.
The present generation have only seen her in life's decline, as with faded eye, shaking frame and feeble, tottering step, she slowly passed away,-
"Her labor done, securely laid In this her last retreat."
MISS AMELIA S. TYLER
was the principal of a female seminary of a high order, sometime before 1830. Young
ladies received instruction from her in the higher English studies, and languages. Music upon the piano forte was also taught by Prof. Hughes of Boston, and we be- lieve her school may be said to be the first one in Brattleboro where such instruction was given. Her school received frequent accessions from outside the town, and also from outside the State. A lady from Con- necticut, who attended her school one summer, we heard remark as follows:
"Miss Amelia S. Tyler is the most per- fect lady I ever met, and she made use of so choice and perfectly grammatical lan- guage in conversation, whether in the schoolroom or out of it, it was one great pleasure of my life to hear her voice."
In the later years of her life, she gave instruction principally to the sons of her brothers, and after they passed on to col- lege, or elsewhere, she gave her attention to teaching boys, up to the last week of her life. It is the universal testimony of all those who had the opportunity of judg- ing, that she performed her duties in the most creditable, faithful manner. And they were duties of a character such as she was eminently fitted by nature and cultivation to perform. As a member of the Episcopal church, she was decided in her convictions, and she had no lack of reasons to give for her decision upon this or any other matter. She died Feb. 28, 1878, aged 71.
Extract from the Vermont Phoenix :
"A life so full as hers has been of every patient and loving sacrifice is rare indeed, but when coupled with the high intellec- tual qualities and Christian virtues which lent such a charm and dignity to Miss Tyler's character, it becomes, after it is ended, a subject over which one lingers with tender admiration. And to the young what a lesson of unselfish devotion it fur- nishes. Many of our middle-aged and older ladies remember, with grateful affec- tion, the careful instruction they received at her hands, when her school for young ladies was in existence, while in more re- cent years, and up to the time of her death, the old Tyler homestead has been a school for boys, in the management and instruc- tion of which Miss Tyler possessed rare skill and tact, combined with an unvary- ing motherly love."
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FESSENDEN BROTHERS IN BRATTLEBORO.
William Fessenden, the pioneer business man of Brattleboro, East village, was son of Rev. Thomas K. Fessenden of Walpole, N. H. He was born at the residence of his father, in Walpole, in 1779, and came here soon after learning the trade of prin- ter, in his native town, where he served his time with Messrs. Thomas & Carlyle. He came to this village about 1803. He was married to Miss Patty Holbrook, daughter of Dea. John Holbrook, Oct. 9, 1807, who was left a widow in 1815, with four children; and she seemed to have a charmed life. Time withered the faces of her cotemporaries and covered them up in darkness forever, while her face, at four- score years, had the smoothness and bloom of youth. Though all her life one of the most attractive, substantial and beautiful women in Brattleboro, no earthly influ- ence, no second love, could swerve her de- votion from the memory of the early loved and lost. The character and magnitude of her loss, as well as the loss to the com- munity of that day, the traditions and records of the past inform us.
This was a village of scarce a dozen dwellings, when Mr. Fessenden commenc- ed publishing here a newspaper, called The Reporter, in 1804. Fresh from his apprenticeship, with no capital, but a mind fertile in resources, and active hands to execute his designs, he bravely labored under great disadvantages. Often did he make a journey on horseback, to some distant paper-mill, and return with just sufficient paper bound upon the back of the horse, to issue the Reporter one week. While he was engaged in this enterprise, Anthony Haswell was trying to establish at Bennington the publication of Web- ster's spelling book. Mr. Haswell did not succeed, and his effects were sold. Mr. Fessenden, in some way, came into possession of the plates and fixtures for the spelling-book. Under his economical, sagacious management the publication of this work caused the land, once called "Governor's Farm," to assume a very dif- ferent appearance. Houses sprang up rap- idly, and the population very soon doub- led. Never before was it more fully dem- onstrated that success in any enterprise depends more upon the character of the
man engaged in it, than upon the charac- ter of the business.
Between 60 and 70 years have passed away since Mr. Fessenden, accompanied by his wife and infant, was returning to Brattleboro from a visit to his friends at Hartford, Ct. While riding in a sleigh, some miles from any habitation, Mr. Fes- senden was suddenly seized with an apo- plectic attack. Mrs. Fessenden, with a child in her arms, and a dying husband at her side, drove to Mr. Pomroy's inn at Southampton, Mass. It was here our early public benefactor soon breathed his last. It was not only that he was a man of great business sagacity, and thereby benefiting himself and others, that he was highly es- teemed in this place, but it was liis integ- rity, benevolence, moral excellence and social virtues that won all hearts. Only 36 years of age at his death, and only about 12 years a resident of this place, was cer- tainly a short time to obtain such a hold upon the affections of everybody. But a character like his, diffusing light, hope and joy, is not of slow growth. It is when that light goes out-
"When comes the sable smoke where vanishes the flame,"
a darkness comes so thick it can be felt by all. Venerable men, who attended the funeral services of Mr. Fessenden, have told us, that never before or since that time, has the death of any person caused so universal sorrow in this place. All busi- ness of the place was suspended, and when the head of the procession arrived at Pros- pect Hill Cemetery, the rear rested on Main street, opposite the entrance to El- liot street.
The following extract is taken from the village paper of January, 1815:
"Rarely does it occur that a person who had so much to do with mankind in the common concerns of life, so universally obtained their good will; no man was his enemy, no one spoke of him but in his praise. He was at the head of a widely extended establishment, that he had him- self created, which gave employment and bread to a large number of families and individuals in this village, where his early death will be long felt and deeply regret- ted. Cut off in the prime life and in the midst of his usefulness, his decease has created a void which we almost despair of
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seeing again occupied. He was amiable in private and useful in public life; a most affectionate husband, a fond parent, a du- tiful son, an affectionate brother and a steady friend; open-hearted and generous, he had nothing selfish in his nature, and apparently lived more for others than for himself."
His eldest daughter, a lady of uncom- mon brilliancy and personal attractions, married Hon. Elisha Allen. At the time of this marriage, we think about 1828, Mr. Allen was a young lawyer in this vil- lage, just admitted to practice. He was afterwards a distinguished member of Congress from Maine, and received some foreign appointment from the Harrison and Tyler administration. We learn he is now (1870) and has been for many years, minister of finance for the Sandwich Isl- ands.
JOSEPH, JOHN, AND THOMAS GREEN FESSENDEN,
worthy brothers of the subject of the fore-" going sketch, have also lived in this place.
JOSEPH,
after the death of his brother William, became associated with his father-in-law, Dea. John Holbrook, in the publishing business and the manufacture of paper. He owned and occupied, at the time of his decease, the estate afterwards purchased for the Vermont Asylum for the Insane, and is now covered by their extensive buildings. Before Mr. Fessenden bought this place, it was owned and occupied by Mrs. Boott, who afterwards became Mrs. Lee. It was a noted place in her time, and some persons, whose "days are now in the yellow leaf," remember with pleasure their joyful festivities and youthful gatherings at the grand old home of Mrs. Boott.
Possession of this place by Mr. Joseph Fessenden was followed by additional at- tractions to the surroundings. His wife was a great admirer of flowers, and she caused the introduction of plants. trees and flowers never seen before in this town. Her flower garden was at one time the pride of the village, and very few residents here would omit, in summer time, to di- rect their visitors or friends from abroad to this charming spot. All we could see of the smiles of nature or charms of art were but outward representations or fitting
emblems of the presiding genius that reigned within. It was a sympathy with humanity, manifested in action as well as in sentiment, that was the most prom- inent feature in the characters of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Fessenden. Ripening for the better land with seeming unconscious- ness, weeping with those who wept, and rejoicing with those who did rejoice.
At a society meeting of the Congrega- tional church, of which Mr. F. was a prom- inent member, he was suddenly stricken with apoplexy, and died in Sept., 1834, aged 57 years. His widow, possessing very nearly the same characteristics as her hus- band, survived this event but a few months, when she passed away Jan. 28, 1835, and very soon after, her garden of beautiful flowers disappeared. Their children were Franklin H., Thomas K., William, Jane, ' Elizabeth and Mary.
GEN'L FRANKLIN H. FESSENDEN,
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