USA > Vermont > Windham County > Brattleboro > Brattleboro, Windham County, Vermont; early history, with biographical sketches of some of its citizens > Part 5
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seized him by the collar at the right mo- ment to save him from the threatened calamity. Sorrow and disappointment were apparent as swift water now obtained the victory, floating the Barnet and Blanch- ard down the stream. But all was not lost, the unconquerable will and genius. ever fertile in expedients, survived this cruel shock. The next trial to ascend proved successful, by applying the old sta- tionary windlass that had long been used for drawing flat-boats over these rapids.
Now safely moored in the desired haven, as the sun went down, the asthmatic breath- ing and noise of contending elements in the bosom of the Barnet ceased, but the public mind was under a high pressure all that night. For the best reasons in the world. some " wouldn't go home till morning." Light from the morning sun fell upon broken windows, tables, chairs, crockery, glass-ware, &c., thus giving any but com- plimentary evidence as to the way this high pressure was vented. The participants in this, ever after called, " famous high-go," largely represented the village. The sur- vivors of this brilliant engagement for the evening, aroused the following day by the cannon, bell and hissing steam of the Bar- net, bravely stepped on the hot, quivering. trembling deck of the monster, and away they went north, at the enormous speed of 4 miles an hour.
These heroic deeds were embalmed in verse by the poetical genius of the time and place, but most of the actors are now cov- ered by the silent turf.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Early in the present century, when the financial prosperity of this place depended upon the manufacture of spelling-books, Bibles, and rye whiskey, and the most con- spicuous, noticeable feature at town meet- ings and other public gatherings, was the tall, majestic form of Judge Whitney. Mr. A. said to his neighbor, Mr. F., "I learn an attempt is to be made at the next school meeting to raise money on the scholar, in- stead of on the grand list." Mr. F. replied. "I don't doubt the truth of that report, for I have heard conversation in various quar- ters of such a character as leads me to believe they will try it, and if we don't work pretty smartly they will accomplish their plans. Esquire S. said he should pay
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no more money to educate other people's children, and Mr. C. and Mr. P. were agreed in saying it is as bad as highway robbery to compel them to pay money for such a purpose."
Mr. A., the first person alluded to in this conversation, was a firm believer in special providences. He was a poor man with a young, dependent family, and it was all he could do to keep the wolf from the door. After hearing the remarks of his friend F., he said, "If Judge Whitney is on our side, they will find it up hill to carry out their plan, but, after all, my greatest confidence is in God; his attributes are on our side."
When this question came before the school meeting of the district, Judge Whit- ney expressed, in a decided manner, his opposition to it, and by a majority vote the cause of poor Mr. A. was sustained.
"Well," said Mr. F., " Whom are you going to thank now, God or Judge Whit- ney?"
There was at this time but little system in conducting public schools here. Chil- dren carried to their desks or benches any kind of books parents or guardians found the cheapest or most convenient to furnish. Consequently there could not be a proper classification of the school, or economy of effort by the teacher. A large part of the time was occupied by the schoolmaster in the manufacture of pens from goose quills and arousing the fiend; by almost incessant obedience to the "wise man's" instruc- tions. In the ill-ventilated school-room were long benches and seats, containing from 3 to 10 scholars each, crowded together in such a manner as to interfere as much as possible with their comfort and conven- ience. When school was dismissed, none but those who have been through such experiences can fully realize the joy occa- sioned by this temporary emancipation.
In a master, for the winter term, three qualifications were indispensable. He must understand how to make a good pen, and have an indomitable will, and sufficient physical power to maintain an absolute monarchy over "cabined, cribbed, con- fined," juvenile republicans, who, outside of school, were tolerated by their parents in all sorts of noisy, riotous demonstra- tions and ovations to the goddess of liberty. It was not without some influence upon the
rising generation, that the old veterans from: Bunker Hill, Saratoga and Bennington were then among us, living, walking reali- ties and representatives of that desperate though successful contest under a banner on which was inscribed, in awful letters of fire and blood, "Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God."
Almost daily, attended with cries of anguish, came physical conflicts between scholars and a master, who seemed as de- ficient in a knowledge of human nature, or philosophy of the mind, as in ability to make a watch.
Clearly comes before us recollections of that brute in human form, with stiff, black hair, standing like hog's bristles upon his- head, slashing his rule indiscriminately upon innocent and guilty tremblers,
"Who had learned to trace
The day's disaster in his morning face."
"Romeo Wilson," "Tinsel Sargent,"" "Toad Cushing," and others were made to. plainly understand if they received a blow from this modern Solomon, a severer one- awaited them at home. The suffering vic- tims of tyrannical outrages from teachers and parents, as was enough, and did make some hate school and master forever, well knew an exposure of their wrongs would not lessen them, therefore,
" That tale they did not then unfold."
Time brought some improvements, and. other or different qualifications for teachers than those mentioned were demanded. The first time a blackboard appeared in the. school-room was under the administration of Mr. C. C. Frost, in the winter of 1827. This gentleman, who is now called "the learned shoemaker," we think had as much. will as any of his predecessors, but he did not spend so much of his time, as did most of them, in using the rod. While in the. employ of the district, he was faithful to his charge, and it was said the school had never been so well kept before. He was. obliged to labor under so many disadvan -. tages, such as we have already alluded to, he could not be induced to continue in this work. He has ever since labored upon the human understanding, though in a different manner, in Main street.
As this place advanced in wealth, citizens from other States became residents here. Among those who have helped to bring;
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about desirable changes in our school sys- tem, may be honorably mentioned REV. ADDISON BROWN, a graduate of Harvard and first pastor of the second church es- tablished here. He gave early attention to this matter, was a frequent visitor of the schools and tried to influence others to do the same. As early as 1834, he made this matter a theme of a public discourse at his church on Fast day. From personal ob- servation, we have reason to believe he im- proved every opportunity to move the peo- ple to establish the school system now in operation. With persistence and confi- dence, under some bitter persecution and but little, if any, encouragement, he la. bored on until seven years saw the accom- plishment of his wishes. Then one of his most wealthy parishioners, who would have all the " poor boys boot-blacks," abandoned his residence in this village to avoid, it was said, paying his school tax.
In the autumn of 1841, sufficient interest was excited upon this subject, as to call several meetings, attended by both sexes, to hear a discussion of the new system, as advocated by Mr. Brown. Messrs. J. Dorr Bradley, L. G. Mead, J. Steen, John R. Blake, A. Brown and C. Davis, advocated the new movement and made the occasion highly interesting by their remarks. It was convincingly made evident to their audience, all real estate owners would be benefitted by having good schools, as a knowledge abroad of such a fact would be an inducement to people living in less fav- ored places, to settle here for the educa- tional advantages. Families coming here from this motive would make valuable acquisitions to this community, &c.
No outspoken opposition was manifested at these meetings and such an array of the talent and wealth of the place carried the question almost by acclamation.
Messrs. L. G. Mead, C. Davis and Joseph Steen were elected prudential committee, with instructions to reorganize the schools upon the new plan, and Moses Woolson was the first teacher of the central or most ad- vanced school. He proved fully compe- tent for his position and was quite fortu- nate in material upon which to operate, thereby building up a good reputation for himself as well as for the school.
Brattleboro is the first town in the State
where was adopted the Massachusetts sys- tem of graded schools. The expense of sustaining the public schools for one year, were at first less than $2000. Now, (1870), as we learn from the report of the town superintendent, John Cutting, Esq., the expenses are over $6000 per year, for this village.
In 1857, and we think at some other times, there has not been that progress and discipline as was pleasing to the friends of common school education; but during most of the time since 1841 the schools have made good progress and given general if not universal satisfaction. During all this period of about 40 years, there has never been manifested anything like a general de- sire of the people to abandon the present system and return to the old ways. Under able management during the last 16 years, the most advanced school has maintained a high character and is now (1879), well worthy to be called a model school. Cer- tainly no public institution is doing more good, or reflects so high honor upon the East village of Brattleboro.
ยท That accomplished and able instructor, Mr. B. F. Bingham, now (1879), in charge of the high school, has served longer in this department than any one of his predecessors and no one has, since the beginning of the system, given better satisfaction.
MECHANICS.
Among the mechanics of the past, whose genius or inventive power has contributed to the welfare of the world, may be hon- orably noted the name of Sam'l G. Foster of this village. In the year 1828, Mr. Fos- ter made an important improvement in pa- per making, called the "pulp dresser." This invention, we learn, is now used in all paper mills and is considered indispen- sable. Though others have received great benefits from the use of this invention, Mr. Foster received no compensation for this benefit to the world, in cheapening the cost in paper manufacture. The first mill where this invention was used, caused the discharge of 12 hands and at the same time accomplished more work in the mill than before the discharge. This invention caused the establishment in this place of a manufactory of paper machinery, a busi- ness that has been successfully carried on here about 40 years.
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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
Mr. Foster died in Fitchburg, Mass., in 1870, aged about 75 years.
In 1832, and from that time to 1845, John Gore manufactured in this place sta- tionary steam engines and boilers. Healso made machinery used on steamboats for freight business on Connecticut river. In 1837 he constructed a steam carriage, for use on common roads, which we have seen ascend some of the hills in this village by the power of steam alone.
The genius and successful efforts of our old mechanics is not sufficiently appreci- ated. We are reaping, almost uncon- sciously, the fruits of their efforts with as little thought of their origin as we bestow upon those little silent coral workers be- neath the sea, while we partake of tropical fruits and admire the beauty of islands on which they grow, reared by their unceas- ing industry.
Barnard A. Warren, born in Marlboro, Vt., in 1810, during some 10 years of life in East Brattleboro, gave evi- dence of great excellence in mechanical ability. Upon the urgent solicitation of the leading member of a large importing house in New York city, he left Brattle- boro in the employ of this company, in March, 1840, and lived in Brooklyn until his death in May, 1850. Six years before he left this village for New York, he re- ceived an accidental gun-shot wound upon one side of his head, that came near prov- ing fatal and impaired his health for some months. As his greatest successes in the exercise of his skill or inventive power, came after this accident, it is possible some new combinations or extra stimulus was given to his brain; as the health of some people has been improved by a shock of lightning. The aforesaid house in New York employed him to devise and con- struct machinery for the manufacture of steel pens. Up to this time they had em- ployed during 5 or 6 years, the best me- chanical talent they could find in this country for this purpose, but had been un- able to produce an article that would suc- cessfully compete with the imported pen. Mr. Warren so fully answered the demands of his employers, after laboring for them 5 years, they tried to secure his services by written contract 8 years longer and at great- ly increased compensation. He left his employers, after 5 years service and com-
menced the manufacture of gold pens. His labors in this new field and upon his own responsibility were attended with re- markable success. His career forms a noteworthy exception of the rule, viz: "Inventors sow for others to reap."
A MASONIC LODGE -
Was in operation here several years before the "Morgan excitement." This excite- ment rendered the order unpopular in this State and meetings of the order were dis- continued for many years. From a histor- ical sketch of this organization by R. W. Clarke, Esq., we copy the following:
"The first Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons established in Brattleboro, was called Columbian Lodge, No. 34, and re- ceived its charter from the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Vermont, at its annual session held at Montpelier in October, A. L. 5812. The original petition for a War- rant of Dispensation to work, was dated March 27, A. L. 5812, and addressed to the Hon. John Chipman, at that time the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the G. L. of Vermont, signed by the following named Brethren, none of whom are now living, viz: Lemuel Whitney, Abram Kingsbury, Abram Tinker, Elisha Chase, Elihu Field, Jr., Samuel Elliot, Samuel Clark, John W. Blake, Nahum Cutler, Rodney Burt, Quar- tus Smead, Nathaniel Bliss, Aaron Barney, Samuel Dickenson, Richard Phillips, Por- ter Johnson, Joseph Brown and Asa Green. Grand Master Chipman, having considered the petition, granted his Warrant of Dis- pensation under date of May 5th, A. L. 5812, which permitted the brethren to hold their communications either at Brattleboro or Guilford. For many years after the Lodge was constituted, the meetings were held in Guilford, but subsequently in Brat- tleboro. This Lodge suspended work about the year A. L. 5830, and soon after surrendered its Charter to the Grand Lodge of the State, under a mandate to that effect. The Hon. Lemuel Whitney was the first appointed Master of this Lodge and held that office by election for many consecutive years from the date of the charter. Many if not most of the leading and influential men of Brattleboro and Guilford, during those times, were of its membership. Masters of the old Colum- bian Lodge were_Samuel Whitney, Elihu
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Field, Artemas Robbins, Aaron Barney, Emerson Burnham, Dana Hyde, Jr., Arial Root, John Hudson. The present lodge received its charter January, A. L. 5856, under the name of Columbian Lodge, No. 36. The warrant of dispensation was issued to the following named brethren, petitioners, by the late Grand Master, P. C. Tucker, under date of January 4, 5855, viz: Chas. Cummings, Louis Furst, E. J. Carpenter, A. P. Wilder, W. C. Bryant, J. H. Capen, H. R. Godfrey, H. Hastings, Ashbell Dickinson, Henry Smith, Samuel Knight and R. W. Clarke. Brother E. J . Carpenter was the first appointed Master of the Lodge, as also the first elected Master. The following brethren have held the office of W. M. since the constitution of the lodge, viz: E. J. Carpenter, R. W. Clarke, Wm. E. Nichols, Geo. H. Newman, Wm. H. Vinton, N. S. Howe, L. H. Dearborn, C. A. Miles, E. H. Putnam and A. J. Simonds." The present membership is 180.
AN ODD FELLOWS LODGE
Was instituted in this town in 1846. The ceremonies of organization were conducted by Grand Master Rev. Albert Case, from Massachusetts. The first Noble Grand was Rev. John Willis. The order is in a pros- perous condition, and has within its ranks many worthy citizens.
At the time of the organization of this lodge there was no Grand Lodge of the State, therefore they applied to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for a dispensation.
BANKS.
The first monied institution in this place, called the Brattleboro Bank, was incorpor- ated in 1821, Hon. Jonathan Hunt was the first president and Epa. Seymour first cashier. The institution always main- tained a high character, and the first pres- ident and cashier continued in office dur- ing life. Mr. Hunt died in 1832, and Mr. Seymour died in 1854. Dea. John Hol- brook succeeded Mr. Hunt in 1832, and upon the death of Mr. Holbrook, Epa. Seymour was chosen president. It was during the administration of the next pres- ident, Capt. Sam'l Root, that the institu- tion was changed to suit the times into what is now called " Brattleboro National Bank," chartered July 13, 1865.
The cashiers from its first organization in 1821, to the last charter in 1865, are as
follows: Epa. Seymour, Henry Smith, S. M. Clark, Horatio Noyes, Phillip Wells,/ Frank Wells. George S. Dowley, present cashier, 1876. Present capital $150,000.
*THE WINDHAM PROVIDENT INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS
Was chartered in 1846 and it went into op- eration January 1847. Application was made for a charter in 1844 and in 1845, but without success, as but little was then known about savings banks in this State, and it was thought no more banks were needed in Vermont. In 1869, with liberty granted by the Legislature in 1867, the directors have erected a substantial brick building three stories in height, which in its general appearance, its finish and ar- rangements, its thorough construction, both as to material and work is a credit to the institution and an ornament to the vil- lage. L. G. Mead, Esq., was its treasurer from the time of its commencement to 1869. Under the able and faithful management of Mr. Mead, assisted by a board of directors selected from time to time from the best business men of Brattleboro and other towns in this county, the institution has attained its present success and importance. It has now, 1869, invested $816,000. It has paid depositors 71/2 per cent. for the last 5 years. N. B. Williston, Esq., was the first president and L. G. Mead. Esq., was the last one choson to fill that office in January, 1869.
THE WINDHAM COUNTY BANK,
N. B. Williston, president, and S. M. Waite, cashier, was first in operation in the year 1856. It is now called the First Na- tional Bank of Brattleboro, with a capital of $300,000.
POSTMASTER. Charles H. Mansur. PHYSICIANS. (1870).
J. P. Warren, H. D. Holton, D. P. Dear- born, C. W. Horton, G. F. Gale, I. H. Stedman.
PHYSICIANS. (1879).
Martin Bruce, Henry Tucker. C. A. Gray, James Conland, G. H. Harvey, and Drs. Draper, Clark and Phelps at the Asy- lum.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW. (1870).
Clarke & Haskins, Nathan Hall, Daniel
* From the Vermont Phonix.
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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
Kellogg, Larkin G. Mead, Field & Tyler, Geo. Howe, Asa Keyes.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. (1869.)
Elm Hall Seminary, (established 1855,) Mrs. L. M. Chase, principal; Burnside-A family boarding school for boys, (estab- lished 1860,) C. A. Miles, principal; Glen- wood Ladies Seminary, (established 1860,) Hiram Orcutt, principal, Miss Mary E. Cobb, vice principal, West Brattleboro; Home School for Boys under ten years of age, by Miss Amelia S. Tyler, (established 1867); Laneside Family School for Girls, (established 1860,) by Miss Louise Barber.
ANTI-SLAVERY IN 1837.
From 1832 to 1840, lectures against slav- ery met with an unwelcome reception in many towns in New England. Public sentiment as manifested on this subject by the people of Brattleboro, in the summer of 1837, was more suited to the atmosphere of Hartford, Ct., or Charleston, S. C., than to the free air of Vermont. Looking back 40 years, in our history and realizing the comparatively isolated condition and quiet avocations of the people, it is hard to ac- count for the diseased state of the public mind as then exhibited upon this subject. This disease by its malignancy or intensity soon worked its own cure. The conduct of the opponents to these lectures answered their oft repeated question, "Why do you come here to lecture upon slavery, where we have no slaves?" When ministers of the gospel refused to read notifications of anti- slavery meetings, when one justice of the peace in Brattleboro advocated the appli- cation of tar and feathers to the person of Rev. E. R. Tyler, because he gave lectures upon this subject at the Congregational chapel in Elliot street, and another justice of the peace said he would "find powder for the mob if they would blow the damned abolitionist down the bank"-we involun- tarily became abolitionists. This crusade against free speech, this violation of the right of discussion, as manifested by firing cannons near the windows of the lecture room and loud disturbing, threatening shouts of a mob, sustained in this rascality, as we knew, by officers of the law and our nearest, and on other subjects, most rational neighbors- convinced thoughtful people that they had a work to do to emancipate themselves.
Such exhibitions of injustice or illiber- ality, in a community like this, are not without their uses, in the instruction they convey to perpetrators as well as the vic- tims of it. Probably this place is now as free from public intolerance as any com- munity in the world. There is ample proof. that persecution, whether from combina- tions of men or individuals, is beneficial to the persecuted. In the autumn of 1842 a stone was thrown against the door of the Methodist chapel, in Canal street, while a Second Advent preacher was on his knees at prayer, he exclaimed instantly, "God bless that stone."
MILITARY IN BRATTLEBORO FROM 1724.
The circumstances in which our early settlers were placed, rendered necessary a constant appeal to force. Frequent attacks from Indians, French Canadians, growing- out of old French War difficulties, claims and aggressions of New York, &c., so ex- ercised their organs of combativeness, there was probably but little time or dis- position to cultivate other departments of the brain. The military was, with them, the earliest and most important institu -. tion.
The first operations were commenced here 29 years before this town was char- tered by the royal governor of New Hampshire. To protect her northern fron- tier from attacks from Canada, Massa- chusetts built a fort on grounds within the present limits of Brattleboro East village, . on grounds now owned and occupied by Simon Brooks, Esq. In honor of Sir William Dummer, who was at that time Lieut .- Governor of Massachusetts, this fort received the name of "Fort Dum- mer." Sixteen years after the erection of this fort, the command devolved upon Col. Josiah Willard, and, we have been informed, his remains, with those of other early occupants of this fort, were placed in a cemetery upon the eastern bank of the Connecticut river, nearly opposite the site of the old fort.
Some of the monuments in this ancient. cemetery are covered with lichens, and the inscriptions so effaced it is not possible to read them. The earliest date legible is
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1759, upon a stone erected to the memory of Moses Palmer, of Little Compton.
Several headstones have inscribed there- on the name Willard, and they were probably erected to the memory of the connections of the old commander.
Though from some of these headstones we cannot learn who was placed beneath them, yet the following inscription, copied from one of these monuments, furnishes good presumptive evidence that we liave been correctly informed as to the last resting-place of Col. Josiah Willard:
" Here lies the remains of
MADAM HANNAH WILLARD,
Relict of Col. Josiah Willard, of Fort Dummer. She was an affectionate, faithful wife, a tender mother, a cor- dial friend, and a sincere Christian, and quitted mortality, May 13, 1772, in the 78th year of her age, leaving beliind her a numerous progeny and a noble example."
" Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."
Of the "numerous progeny," this moss- covered record of a hundred years informs us, one was well-known to several citizens now living in this village, and we well remember an aged gentleman, known as " Mr. Willard," who lived with his son- in-law, Asa Green, Esq., near the entrance of High from Main street. There was in the possession of Mr. Willard, a musket with a barrel of unusual length. This in- teresting relic of the olden time had proved a very effective weapon in the hands of his father, Col. Willard, as several Indians, thereby assisted to their happy hunting- grounds, could testify. Mr. Willard sev- eral times visited the "Dummer Farm " when it was owned by the father of the present proprietor.
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