USA > Vermont > Windham County > Brattleboro > Brattleboro, Windham County, Vermont; early history, with biographical sketches of some of its citizens > Part 4
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[By Rt. Rev. Louis de Goesbriand, Bishop of Burlington].
The number of Catholic families in this town must have been about fifty when the diocese of Burlington was separated from that of Boston. Rev. Z. Druon, (now of St. Albans), in 1844, bought an old paint or carpenter shop and fitted it up for a church. Rev. Charles O'Reilly was given charge of the mission in 1855, and after a few years came to live in the village. He succeeded in building the present neat and substantial church edifice of St. Michael. In 1869, he was succeeded by Rev. Charles Halpin. Rev. N. St. Onge had charge of Brattleboro after Rev. Father Halpin. To Rev. Henry Lane, the present incumbent, is due the erection of the Catholic school house, the establishment of the house of the Sisters of St. Joseph, for the teaching of the children, the purchase of a parson- age, and ornamenting of the church edifice. There are 135 families in this congregation, and the number of pupils taught by the Sisters in 1877 was 125.
Too much credit cannot be given this congregation, who have done much, so well and so constantly, notwithstanding many and serious difficulties.
NOTE .- Some of the details, respecting the religious societies of Brattleboro, have been taken from their own printed books.
EAST VILLAGE OF BRATTLEBORO.
Within the limits of this village was made the first English settlement in Ver- mont. "His Majesty's Fort Dummer," as stated in the charter of the town in 1753. was here erected in 1724. In this charter is made four reservations of land, one for the first settled minister, one for the Eng- lish or Episcopal churchi, one for the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts, and one of 800 acres for Gov. Wentworth of New Hampshire. With one exception, we learn these reservations have never been appropriated for the purposes above named. That exception is the land now covered by this village, which was owned by Governor Wentworth and sold at some period from the date of the charter to 1771, for five oxen. Because first owned by Gov. Wentworth, this territory was for a long time known as "Governor's Farm." In 1771, this farm was purchased by Stephen Greenleaf, of Boston, Mass., and
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he established a store where now stands Union block on Main street. This store is said to be the first one established in Ver- mont. From ancient letters we learn this merchant was an importer of goods from England. From Harrison, Barnard & Spragg, of London, we find a letter, dated 1769, addressed to Stephen Greenleaf, con- taining a receipt for cash £100 on account, and information they had forwarded to his order and his "risque" goods to the amount of £400. This gentleman, Stephen Greenleaf, was father of Stephen Green- leaf, Jr., who was clerk of this town 45 years.
Among various means which have con- tributed to the rise and growth of this place, not the least that can be mentioned is the early attention given to mechanics. The first water-power set in operation here was by Matthew Martin, who built a saw mill near the mouth of Whetstone Brook, at the south part of Main street. Matthew Martin was born in 1737, and died in 1831. When 91 years of age, he informed us that at the time he built this saw-mill all " Gov- ernor's Farm " could be bought for 25 cents per acre.
This water-power, since first used by Mr. Martin, has operated a great variety of machinery. Joseph Clark, from Auburn, Mass., who owned, at one time, most of the land on the south side of Whetstone Brook to the Vernon and Guil- ford line, established here the first shop for wool-carding and cloth dressing. This power has been used for printing, paper making, machine shops, grinding grain, manufacturing silk, cotton, wool, pearl, ivory and boxwood rules, paper machinery, &c. John Holbrook, in 1811, sold all this water privilege below the paper mill to Francis Goodhue.
As Deacon John Holbrook was the main cause, and is so identified with the early prosperity of this village, it is difficult to separate his history from it; therefore, we give a brief sketch of him in this connec- tion.
JOHN HOLBROOK
Was born at Weymouth, Mass., in 1761, and died in this village in 1838, aged 77 years. At the beginning of the Revolu- tionary war, his father moved with his family to Dorchester, Mass. English offi-
cers stationed on Dorchester Heights were so well pleased with the conduct and per- sonal appearance of young Holbrook, they offered to instruct him in engineering, surveying, &c. The offer was gratefully accepted, and he became so well qualified that he was in after years employed by the government.
The opportunities for obtaining knowl- edge of this character were limited in this country at that time, and to this early event in his history may be attributed much of his success in after life; but men so lavishly gifted by nature with mind and matter, with the most desirable requisites of true manhood, as was Mr. Holbrook, wait not for opportunities or occasions, they create them. Difficulties, dangers, obstacles, such as discourage or dishearten common men, act, if they act at all, on such men as Mr. Holbrook, merely as stimulants to their progress.
His duties, while in the employ of the government, led him beyond his native State to Newfane, Vt., where he married Sarah Knowlton, daughter of Luke Knowl- ton, Esq., then known as "Judge Knowl- ton," and presiding at the courts of Windham county. Late in the last cen- tury he established a store in the building which has since undergone alterations, fitting it for a hotel, now called the American House. He here became suc- cessful in importing goods from the West Indies, all the way to Brattleboro by water. His goods came by shipping to Hartford, Ct., and from there by flat-boats up the river to this place, and we learn he was the pioneer of this method of freighting to Brattleboro, which was long afterwards successfully carried on by G. C. Hall, Francis Goodhue, John R. Blake, and otliers. In 1811, Mr. Holbrook removed to Warehouse Point, Ct. His son-in-law, Wm. Fessenden, was proprietor of " The Reporter." and published Webster's spell- ing books as early as 1807. Immediately after the death of William Fessenden, in 1815, Mr. Holbrook returned to Brattle- boro and bought of the heirs of William Fessenden all his stock, fixtures, &c., and greatly enlarged the publishing business. For undertaking to publish a large family Bible, by subscription, in this obscure town, so far away from the great centers
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of trade, Mr. Holbrook was ridiculed by the greatest publishers of the day in New York and Boston, and certain failure of the enterprise was by them confidently predicted. Little did the sons of luxury and affluence know of the character or capabilities of that man. His opening manhood was in the storm of the Revolu- tion; his early life was spent in grappling with all sorts of difficulties, wandering on snow-shoes through trackless forests with compass and chain, and often did he retire for the night, under hemlock boughs, with scanty uncooked food, in the dark, cold, wintry, unbroken forest. Some of the disadvantages in establishing his business here may be learned by reading the follow- ing account, as given us not long ago by Mr. Hines, a few days before his death, at the age of 89 years: 1127446
"Many years ago I built a paper-mill in this village for Deacon Holbrook. It was a hard job, for there was at that time no iron foundry in this region, no machine shop, no engine-lathe or tools such as would be considered indispensable now for doing such work. I went with a horse team to Rhode Island to get iron castings for this mill. After I returned and had been several days at work, the deacon called on me to see how the work was progressing. 'Well,' said he, 'any new troubles, any more lions in the road?' ' Yes; there is one big one,' said I, pointing to a large iron casting on the floor; 'we must make a hole (giving the size) clear through that iron in the thickest place.' 'How in the world will you do it?' asked the deacon. I replied, 'I don't exactly know, but I must contrive some way to do it.' The deacon gave expression to his views upon the subject by saying, 'I should like to see the generation that will be on earth when you finish that job.' In the after part of that day it was a great pleasure to me to congratulate the deacon upon having had his wish, for the job was done."
Some idea of Mr. Holbrook's peculiar style of expressing his emotions, can be seen by the following: Mr. H. sent his man-of-all-work some distance from home to get some early potatoes for planting. The man returned with the potatoes and informed him of the price charged. Mr.
Holbrook said: " Jacob, return the potatoes immediately, and say to Mr. W. I would as soon die by famine as by the sword."
In spite of prophecy and discouragement, Mr. Holbrook supplied all subscribers with the great family Bible, and made a com- plete financial success. For more than 25 years the publishing business, first started by Wm. Fessenden, more than all other causes, in that day, put together, enlarged and built up this village. Mr. H. retired from being an active participant in the business, though he became associated with Joseph Fessenden, and the business con- tinued under the name of "Holbrook & Fessenden " until Mr. Holbrook became president of the Brattleboro Bank in 1832. Joseph Fessenden died in 1834. John C. Holbrook and others bought out the old concern and published "The Polyglot Bible," "Comprehensive Commentary." " Church History," and "Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge."
Unable to endure the financial crisis in 1836, the company failed, but the business was continued by a joint stock concern called the " Typographic Co .. " which com- menced operation in 1836; but it died such a gradual, lingering death, we hardly know when it ceased to breathe.
Previous to the establishment of the publishing enterprise by Wm. Fessenden and his successor, Mr. Holbrook, the in- habitants of this place attended public wor- ship, on the Sabbath, at the West village, over 2 miles distant. In locating the first church building in this village, in 1814, the inhabitants of that day gave evidence of possessing more taste for the beautiful than any of their predecessors or successors. The meeting-house was placed at or near the centre of what is now the public park or common. In summer time the northern view, especially from the upper windows and belfry, was the most beautiful in this country. People living all their lives among mountains and scenery of a similar character. have said much in praise of this prospect, and even travelers from far-famed lands of song and story, have declared it unsurpassed in its peculiar attractiveness, and reluctantly withdrew their gaze upon scenes on which the eye long loved to linger.
At the time carpenters were framing the
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new meeting-house, Rev. Caleb Burge, then pastor at the West village, said he had a dream that two men were killed while raising the new church frame. This story got noised about, causing a large collection of people at the raising of the frame. Some difficulties and dangers attended the pro- cess, which made great excitement among the people. Finally, after the business was completed, without injury to life or limb, the crowd gave three tremendous cheers for "Rev. Caleb Burge."
When this village was very small, not more than one-fourth is present size, it was remarkable for its trade, life or business activity. Long before the introduction of railroads, eight or ten daily stages drove up at some hour of the day or night to the old " stage house," where the passengers were sure to be greeted with excellent fare, and the kind, polite attentions of that prince of hotel-keepers, COL. PAUL CHASE. His house was constantly open both night and day. During the winter months, fires were constantly burning in his capacious, old-fashioned fire-places. Many who have experienced life under his administration and roof, have declared it caused no un- pleasant memories.
THE POSTOFFICE,
Held by Asa Green, Esq., from 1811 to 1841, was, as the old stage house, constantly open both night and day. It was a distrib- uting office, and at one period of Mr. Green's administration was the postoffice for Guilford, Dummerston, Halifax, Ver- non, Whitingham, Newfane, Bernardston, Weybridge, Marlboro, Hinsdale, N. H., Gill, Mass., Leyden, Mass., and Chester- field, N. H. Inhabitants are yet living here who remember the pleasantries, pecu- liarities, virtues and eccentricities of the veteran postmaster. His memory will be ever green, for one of the pleasantest streets in this village, on land he once owned, now bears his name. Since the establish- ment of U. S. government postoffices in this State, he had two predecessors in this office, viz .: John W. Blake, in 1790, when there were but 8 government offices in this State, and Samuel Elliot in 1810. Previous to the admission of Vermont into the Union, we learn that John Arms was the first post- master of this town under the authority of Vermont.
A LOTTERY OFFICE,
Opposite the old stage house, with a large mythological painting for a sign, occupied the attention of the people from 1826 to '29. Ceres, goddess of the harvest, smilingly and willingly, through summer's heat and . winter's cold, looked down upon the public while scattering from a cornucopia a large quantity of Mexican dollars. This lottery was chartered by the State for the benefit of Horatio Knight, and Messrs. Chase and Smith, managers. The people, though charmed for a while and paying a sufficient tax on ignorance to learn this to be no im- provement on the old ways of money-mak- ing, turned their backs on this temple of mammon, and beautiful Ceres smiled on us no more. The most appropriate use ever made of the unsold tickets was by Messrs. Hooper and Hughes, in the construction of rarified air-balloons, which were started upon their important mission near the old meeting-house on the village common.
Some notoriety abroad was given this place by the Vermont Asylum for the In- sane, established here in 1836, but its popu- larity as a city resort in summer time, dates from 1845, when Dr. Wesselhoeft, from Germany, established here his, at one time, famous hydropathic institution. Dr. Wes- selhoeft, after traveling extensively in New England and testing water brought from various parts of the United States, decided upon locating in this village. The purity of the water in this place was an important consideration with him, but he was not in- sensible to the purity of the air, the moun- tainous features, ever clothed in green, and the varied surface of grounds in and about this place. There was here, in his estimation, a rare and happy combination of the desirable things which his system of treatment required. He found here excel- lent mechanics, markets, stores, schools, churches, representing all phases of Chris- tianity, from Rome to Geneva or Boston, Mass .; in short, a high civilization, from which a walk of fifteen minutes would place one in primitive forests, among precipices, glens, brooks, cascades, and scenes of the most perfect wildness and attractiveness.
Dr. Wesselhoeft did not bring to this work the vigor of early manhood or even the noontide of his life. His whitened locks and other indications made it mani-
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fest his stay here must be short, and he was only making an evening call. But his sagacity, as shown by his choice of location, has been highly commended by ladies and gentlemen of much culture, experience and extensive travel in this and other countries. His success in the treatment of chronic complaints, led us to hope his system would be continued here, and his mantle fall upon some worthy successor; but after he passed away, everything of his excepting the buildings he erected, disappeared, and the buildings were converted to other uses.
During the Rebellion, when Vermont placed over 32,000 of her sons upon the altar of freedom, Gov. F. Holbrook, son of Dea. John Holbrook, made application to the general government for leave to establish a hospital here for sick and wounded sol- diers. Leave being granted, the institution went into operation. There was reported from this hospital so large a percentage of cures from chronic diarrhea and other diffi- cult diseases to cure, as placed this hospital so far above any other in the United States, the authorities at Washington thought there was a mistake in the reports. Investiga- tion proved the reports correct. Conse- quently the institution was enlarged and made a United States hospital, where have been congregated, from several States, over 1500 invalid soldiers at once.
The surgeon-general, who officiated to the last, declared he never before found it necessary to use so little medicine, for obsti- nate chronic cases, as considered when brought from other hospitals to this one, seemed to be cured as if by magic.
Some years after the war closed, the doc- tor, while on a visit to this place, was con- sulted by a gentleman from New Haven, who was afflicted with chronic diarrhea. After making the needful inquiries, exami- nations and prescriptions, the doctor said : "Above all things I recommend, in your case, a large dose of Brattleboro."
The ground south of the village, where was this military hospital, is now (1872) owned by a company named " The Wind- ham County Park Association," and used by them for agricultural exhibitions and horse races.
In the erection of buildings, there was but little of the elegant in architecture prior to 1833. Since that time utility alone has
not always been consulted, but within the last twenty years art and taste have pre- sided in construction of really elegant and pleasant homes, which greatly help to give a desirable character to the place. It has been said that beautiful things have a bene- ficial effect upon the mind, causing a more agreeable expression upon its dial-plate. Seeing these unmistakable evidences of surplus means is ever gratifying to solicitors of contributions for literary, charitable or religious objects. The grand list is thereby made grander and more effective in satis- fying public needs by taxation.
Desirable as is this place for a summer residence, in particular localities, we believe some houses on Main and High streets are disease-breeding institutions, from the tol- eration of overgrown shade trees near the dwellings, causing gloom, dampness, rheu- matism, &c., to many otherwise sunny, healthful, cheerful homes.
Most of the roads and sidewalks are too narrow. With an increasing population, requiring an expansion of the avenues for public travel, some of these roads, whichi have been open to the public from all time, have, within 25 years, been partly covered by the enlargement of buildings or enclosed front yard fences. This practice is not only a damage to the public but to the real estate owners who are guilty of this action. It is also far from complimentary to the public authorities who suffer the public to be robbed.
FIRE AND WATER DEPARTMENT.
However sensible individuals may be as to the public necessities, communities require some costly experience before they will sufficiently realize those needs, as to be willing a tax should be raised upon their property to supply them. This village in providing the means for extinguishing fires has awaited this educational process. In the summer of 1834, a house near the north part of Main street, owned by Dr. John L. Dickerman, was entirely consumed by fire. Only the out-buildings were on fire when the engines arrived on the ground, and it was only the lack of water prevented the most valuable part of the house from being saved. The indignant owner said, as he gazed upon the crowd doing nothing, "there are women enough here to extin - guish that fire with their petticoats."
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It was easy to see how perfectly useless were the best of fire engines without some way to supply them. Meetings of the in- habitants were called at various times, at which committees were appointed to devise and report at a future meeting some feasible plan to meet the difficulty. Progress to this end was slow, but after years of con- sideration, large underground cement cis- terns, supplied by waste water from dwelling houses, were placed at such points as was most advantageous. In 1866, a great advance was made in this department, rendering the supply of water in Main street inexhaustible. A power-engine or force-pump was placed in the machine- shop of F. Tyler, at the south part of Main street, and operated by a large water-wheel. By this means 200 gallons of water per minute, from Whetstone Brook, could be delivered at several hydrants, in such posi- tions as to be available at a fire in any part of Main street, and, with sufficient hose, can be of great service in protecting prop- erty in other streets.
There are now (1870) 3 engines and 1 hook and ladder company. Enrolled in the fire engine companies are 300 citizens. Having 4,000 feet of hose, a large part of the village can be protected from fires by water from Whetstone Brook. One of the engines was built by C. Hunneman & Co., of Boston, Mass., at a cost of $4,000. The other two hand-engines cost $2,000 each. Messrs. Jacob Estey & Co. purchased, a few years since, a steam fire engine, which will be more effectual than four or five hand-engines.
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There never has been so efficient a fire de- partment as within the last 4 years. For the late improvements, much credit is due the chief engineer, Col. S. M. Waite. Fires, under the present management, are almost invariably confined to buildings where they originate. The most remark- able exception to this rule occurred in No- vember, 1869, when the Brattleboro House and several stores were consumed. The great freshet, which occurred in the month before this fire, rendered inefficient the power-engine upon which the village de- pended for the great supply of water from Whetstone Brook.
All the buildings on Main street and a large share of the dwelling houses in the
village are supplied with constantly run- ning water from springs of great purity. The water is brought by conduits to several distributing reservoirs in such localities as to best accommodate the consumers of the water. There are 7 or 8 companies or organizations for supplying all demands for running water. The Western Aqueduct Association is the largest and most impor- tant in the place. Their spring is divided into 180 shares. This water was brought about one mile to High street in 1826, by Messrs. John Holbrook, Asa Green and Francis Goodhue. Shares have been sold for $8 each, but now are valued at not less than $100 each. The company deliver the water at a brick aqueduct, house in High street, and share owners put down small pipes leading to their dwellings at their own expense, and they are subject to taxa- tion, in proportion to the amount of water they own, to keep the main conduit in repair.
To the Western aqueduct may be at- tributed the growth, in fact, the very ex- istence of two of the most important streets in this village. The three originators of this association conferred a benefit of great importance to the public. They have long since passed away, but their memory lives in that appropriate emblem of purity and industry-pure running water.
The men who act as if they "were or- dained to do, not to enjoy," unconsciously build their own monuments. However large may be our organ of reverence, we involuntarily exercise it upon such as these. It will be well for human interests when selfishness shall assume no worse form of manifestation than was apparent in the action of these gentlemen in this and other movements, in which they acted more for the benefit of others than for themselves.
The village is well located for good drainage; therefore, the neglect to improve this advantage seems, at first thought, inex- cusable. It needs no argument to convince any thoughtful, reflective person how im- portant it is for the general welfare that impure water be not allowed to stand near dwellings, to be removed only by solar evaporation. Legal gentlemen have in- formed us that the laws of this State are defective in regard to this matter, and should be so amended as to give the same privileges in making sewers as is now given in the construction of roads.
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The proprietors of the large brick block, now building on the west side of Main street, have given a commendable example in making drains on private account.
STEAM NAVIGATION.
Three steamboats from below here have, at different times, visited this village, viz .: " Barnet," "John Ledyard " and " William Holmes." The first-named boat was built by Thos. Blanchard, of Springfield, Mass., where he invented a lathe for turning eccentric shapes, and first set it in successful operation at the U. S. Armory in shaping gun-stocks. Mr. Blanchard was confident he could make steam navigation on the Connecticut River, from Hartford far up into Vermont, a success. In 1827, when the little Barnet went, for the first time, screaming and puffing up the river, the in- habitants of this place, always noted for keeping up with the times in their notions if not their actions, needed but little to excite their hopes or stimulate their ideality regarding the great advantages this village was likely to receive from this powerful agency. Capt. Blanchard, the hero of the hour, the presiding genius of the Barnet, already known to fame for his achieve- ments in mechanics, proudly walked the deck of his steamer, inspiring increased confidence that greater things were at hand and a new era about to dawn upon this fer- tile valley. His advent here was greeted with bonfires, bell-ringing, illumination and intoxication. There was loud cheering from the well-lined river bank, and British cannon, taken from Burgoyne at Benning- ton, roared out from their brazen throats the joyful news. But these demonstrations were made before our hero had got into port; he was struggling against the rapids, called "the tunnel," below the bridge. When about half way up the rapids, the boat came to a standstill. Notwithstanding the fire was so great that the blaze poured from the smoke-stack, and Capt. Blanchard, with the energy of despair, was punching against the bed of the river with a spiked pole, no further progress could be made. While making vain efforts to successfully reinforce steam with this ancient method of navigation, Capt. Blanchard fell from the boat into the rapids and came near being drawn under the boat, but was for- tunately rescued by strong hands, which
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