USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Reading > Centennial celebration, together with an historical sketch of Reading, Windsor County, Vermont, and its inhabitants from the first settlement of the town to 1874 > Part 12
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Truly do their memory and their courage deserve our highest veneration and respect, and if thus their memories are revered by their posterity, they will not, of necessity, need any lofty monu- ments or deeply wrought inscription to tell us of their noble deeds, their devoted patriotism and true greatness. However lowly may be their resting-place, let these tributes ever be ascribed to their
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memories with grateful hearts. May it truly be said of them, that :-
" The joy
With which their children tread the hallowed ground
That holds their venerated bones, the peace 'That smiles on all they fought for, and the wealth That elothes the land they received,-these, though mute As feeling ever is when deepest -these
Are monuments more lasting than the tombs
Reared to the kings and demi-gods of old."
CHAPTER XII .- DEA. NATHANIEL PRATT .*
BY LEVI W. CARLTON, OF WOODSTOCK, VT.
Nathaniel Pratt was born in Reading, Mass., Nov. 22d, 1749. Of his early boyhood we know nothing definitely, farther than that he was born of respectable -parents, and enjoyed such advan- tages for an education, as were accessible to farmers' boys in that community, at that time. He was married to Lydia Mason, June 10th, 1773, and probably settled in New Ipswich, N. H. im- mediately after marriage. He first saw the country in which he ultimately settled, on his way to Ticonderoga, as a volunteer in the Revolutionary war. Having come to No. 4,(Charlestown, N. H., )the company followed the Indian trail up the Black River to the twen- ty-mile stream, thence over the mountain. As Mr. Pratt, who was a tall and very slim man, came on the ground where the company were being mustered in, a couple of large, heavy men noticed his frail appearance, and one of them remarked to the other, "we shall have to carry him on our backs before we get through," but Pratt very soon took the lead, and his heavy companions were forced to acknowledge that they could not keep up.
Dea. Pratt moved his family, (wife, five children and wife's mother,) to Reading Vt., early in the spring of 1783. He came up the fall before and " pitched " his land, a thousand acres, made a clearing, and we think that he built the log house. We do not know upon what conditions he purchased his land, or what he re- alized for what he sold; we think that he never attempted to im- prove but about one hundred and fifty acres.
His history as a farmer is the simple story of the pioneer ; hew- ing a farm out of the wilderness, clearing land, erecting buildings, naking fences, planting orchards, and all done when mills were ar away, produce low, and money very scarce. Four children were born after they moved to Reading, two in the log house, and wo in the framed house, and as the second child was born in 1788 and the third child in 1791, the framed house must have been built between those two periods. There was a sawmill built in
* Nathaniel Pratt was the sixth in deseent from the original ancestor, from the southern part of England, John Pratt, who was made freeman in Dorchester, Mass,, May 4, 1632. Ilis randson, John Pratt, 3d, settled in Reading, Mass., and was the great grandfather of Nathaniel.
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HISTORY OF READING.
town in 1780, but the pine boards with which that house was ceiled were hauled from Windsor street ; the common boards werc doubtless procured in town.
Dea. Pratt commenced the manufacture of ropes from the hemp and flax that he raised on his farm at an early period, we think as soon as he was able to procure the necessary machinery, and this he followed as long as he lived. For the few last years of his life. he took but little interest in the farm work except the growing of the flax and hemp. This he " got out," dressed in the winter, and in the spring made up his cords and ropes. He made from a fish- line, to a rope large enough " to haul an ox into the swing." For the durability of his ropes, it can be said that there are now bed cords in existence, of his make, that have been constantly use since they were purchased of him. The rope trade was about his only source of income, and with it, he provided himself and family with many necessaries and comforts, of which he was a libera. dispenser according to his means. The culture of flax and hemp was exhaustive to the soil, and many loads of manure were eaten up by that crop and sold off from the farm, that ought to have been kept upon it to have kept up its fertility. It was " nominated in the bond" that his son-in-law, (Luther Carlton) gave to him that "he should have the use of a piece of land east of the Cider Mill house, three rods wide, and ten rods long, and that five loads of good stable manure should be put upon it annually." This was for the growing of hemp.
It is as a christian, that the life and character of Dea. Pratt must be presented, if it is presented at all in a manner to be known and appreciated, for in this was his life, the center of all his hopes, the end of all his labors. We do not know at what period of his life he embraced christianity, but doubtless in his boyhood. To him religion was a great and terrible reality, its laws and teachings were primary, every thing else secondary. Upon its altar he con- secrated himself and all that he had. As a practical christian he was a Puritan of the Puritans. He was strict in the keeping of the Sabbath-day, and punctilious in his observance of all the or- dinances of the church. On the Sabbath he arose early, ate a light breakfast, then spent the morning hours in reading the Bible, religions books and tracts and in family devotion. He attended meeting almost regardless of the weather or the condition of the roads. In the winter he has been known to start with a team and some of his family, find the road impassable, turn around, go home put up his team, and take his cane and walk briskly off to church two miles and a half, through drifts and bluster. When he re- turned he gave his family a brief history of the sermons he had heard and spent the evening as he had spent the morning. His necessary chores were done in the quickest manner, and nothing in the conduct of his family that savored of recreation, or relaxa- tion was allowed, not even conversation upon secular matters. In his own estimation he would have been remiss in duty as a chris-
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tian, and as a parent, if he had permitted those who were under his control to pollute its sanctity. He kept Saturday evening not as holy time, but as preparatory to the Sabbath. The many stories that were told of him such as, "that he whipped the beer barrel because the beer worked on the Sabbath day, but finding that such correction did no good, forbade the women-folks to brew on Satur- day," were of course fabrications, but his views of the sanctity of that day were well enough known in the neighborhood to give eur- rency and point to them.
He took a deep interest in the building of churches at home and the spreading of the gospel in foreign lands, and gave of his means liberally to both objects. His home was the home of the minister, the missionary and the colporteur, and many were the evening meetings that were held there.
Although living in a day when temperance lectures, societies, and literature were almost unknown, he entirely discarded the use of intoxicating liquor as a beverage, and became so disgusted with its effects, that in his last years he was unwilling to use it even as a medicine, and in his last hours he exacted a promise from his daughter with whom he lived, that none should be used at his funeral.
We have never heard it asserted that his daily walk and con- versation did not correspond to his profession, as well as those of any man who held as stern a creed.
Dea. Pratt had his playful side, and enjoyed a joke greatly. He had what the phrenologist would call "very large mirthfulness." If he found a bumblebees' or a wasps' nest in haying time he was never known to try to keep the dog away from it. It was a favor- ite sport of his, when he was spinning a cord or twisting a rope, if the dog attempted to run under it, to let his rope slack down and twist the dog's hair into it, and he has been known to very care- fully fasten his cord into the hair of imprudent little girls who at- tempted to run under it. Of course these were the sports of his younger years. As he grew older he grew less playful and more serious, but his mirthfulness was inherent in him, and scarcely less active than his veneration.
His last years were mostly spent in reading, visiting the sick, and attending meetings. He made it an object to visit every person in town with whom he was acquainted, if they were sick. He had ever been very punctual to attend all the week day meetings of the church, but in his latter years he attended nearly all the meet- ings that were held anywhere near his dwelling, and he often re- marked that " he hoped that the last place that he went to, would be to meeting, or to visit the sick," and it was; he died after a short illness, April 4th, 1831.
The Rev. Abram Marsh was then the settled minister. He left soon after Dea. Pratt's death, the church rapidly diminished, even to extinction, and from that day to this, it has been an nncommon occurrence for a Congregational minister to preach in town.
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HISTORY OF READING.
In closing this history of Dea. Pratt, we feel that it would be unjust and ungenerous not to say one word of her who was the companion of all his labors, his joys, and his sorrows. Lydia Mason Pratt* was a sterling woman, she was persevering in indus- try, kind of heart, generous of nature, and indomitable of will ; she had all the sternness of her husband without any of his play- fulness. All of life to her was a serious reality, yet she was always social, cheerful and hopeful. Her last thoughts that were ex- pressed in words were of the writer hereof, and it is in affectionate remembrance that this simple tribute is offered.
ene T e
NOTE .- Children and grand children of Nathaniel and Lydia Pratt: Charles M. married 1st Patty Stanly, of Reading. 2d, Melinda Cushing of Bridport, Vt. Children by first marriage, Nathaniel M., Jonas S., Anna, Charles, Lucy, Harriet, Laura, Ruth and Rebecca; by second marriage, Jason, Luther (', and Hannah.
Lydia married. 1st, Elihu Harrison, 2d, Moses Nutting, both of Reading. Children by first marriage, Mehitable and China; by second marriage. Arvilla, John W., Lydia and Laura.
Nathaniel married Sally Swain, of Reading. Children, Jarvis, Sarah, Mary, Linas and Lucy.
Mehitable married Isaac Sherwin, of Reading. Children, Phila, Louisa, James L. and Sardine P.
Betsey married Reuben Fletcher of Plymouth Vt. Children, Stilman, Sumner, Anna P., Thomas S., Ruthy R., Sarah A., Henry P., Dorcas M. and Aaron P. Dorcas never was married
Hannah married Josiah Hawley of Windsor, Vt. Child. Nathaniel P Anna married Luther Carlton of Reading. Children, Emma L. and Levi W.
There were present at the Centennial celebration of Reading. of the lineal descendants of Dea. Pratt, thirteen grand children, twenty-three great-grandchildren, eleven great- great-grandchildren, and one great-great-great-grandchild.
CHAPTER XIII.
EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS AND EMINENT SONS OF READING.
The common school has existed in Reading from the time of the organization of the town. The early school houses were built of logs and equalled the dwellings of those days in comfort and con- venience. The early school master, physically if not mentally qualified, ruled with the rod and ferule. There being no examina- tion required, the committee drove as sharp a trade as possible with the applicant for the position of teacher, cheapness being the main consideration. The teacher's stock of knowledge being seanty, the pupil was not urged and stimulated by example and precept to strive for the mastery of more than the most elementary studies. Reading, spelling, writing and ciphering embraced the whole curriculum of studies. To these have been added other branches, and a more extensive and thorough knowledge required of the former, under the enlightened growth of public sentiment. The law requiring examinations of teachers, has elevated the stand- ard of qualifications required of the instructors, and gradually se- cured to the children of the public schools very many of the ad- vantages which were, at an early day, accessible to them only in
. Her father, Charles Mason, of Lynn End, Mass., died at Halfmoon, near Albany, N. Y., in 1766, a volunteer in the army of the Colonies in the old French war. Her mother's maiden name was Townsend, a sister of Daniel Townsend, who was killed by the British soldiers at Menotomy, Mass .. April 19, 1775, and of Thomas Townsend, father of Aaron, William and Thomas, early settlers of Reading Vt.
xt
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e the academy. There have, also, been vast improvements in the e text books used in the public schools, not only keeping pace with new discoveries in geographical researches, in the sciences and me- chanic arts, but placing before the pupils the results of the ripened experience and intelligent labors of a large class of professional teachers. With all these advantages the future must determine their influence on the mental growth and strength of the present generation of scholars in the public schools.
The day for developing great minds in the chimney corner by the glare of the lighted pine knot has gone into history. The boy of to-day is placed in the school room, surrounded by many of the modern appliances, and if not filled with ambition, must charge to his own indifference and negligence, his failures in life. " Intelli- gence is a primary ingredient in the wealth of Nations." Knowl- edge and abundance sustain to each other the relation of cause and effect. The extremely poor, the criminals, the scum of society are generally found to be ignorant, thoughtless and lazy ; and these tre potent reasons for the upholding and development of the com- non school system.
Keeping pace with the advance in the range of studies and the qualifications required of instructors, has been an improvement in he condition of the school houses. The school house in No. 2 Sawyer District) is nearly new, is convenient, well ventilated and provided with a bell, the gift of Benj. Sawyer, and with a library of some 200 volumes, the gift of Rev. T. J. Sawyer. The school touse in No. 8, (South Reading) was re-modeled in 1873, provided with modern style seats and desks for the pupils, with clock, ther- nometer, ample ventilation, and with a handsome teacher's chair resented by James O. Whitten of Peabody, Mass.
The Felchville District have a large school house, and a school f two grades. The school rooms are very respectably fitted up. With two exceptions the other school houses in town are convenient nd reasonably adapted to the health and comfort of the pupils.
The late Chief Justice Chase was at one time a teacher of a public school in Dist. No. 7 in Reading, and many of his pupils re yet living and remember him as a tall and awkward young han, then a student in Dartmouth College.
Very many other men who have become eminent in business or professional life have been teachers in the public schools of Reading.
The Town Superintendents of schools since 1852, [the names of hose prior to that date not being accessible to the editor] have een Frank M. Robinson, now of Dubuque, Iowa, 1853 '54 '55 '56; ames P. Osborne, M. D., 1857 ; Merritt E. Goddard, 1859 and 1860 ; 'harles C. Buck, 1861 and 1862; Rev. Rob't. G. Johnson, 1863 ; Ienry M. Taylor, 1864 '65; Rev. C. H. Richardson, 1866; Or- indo W. Sherwin, M. D., 1867 and '68; Silas W. Pike, 1869 nd 1870 ; Rev. Joseph Barber, latter part of 1870 ; Gilbert A. Davis, 1871, '72 and '73.
15
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HISTORY OF READING.
Thanks to the educational advantages of the town, that very many of the sons and daughters of Reading have become eminent in the learned professions and thus honored their native town. The lists subjoined are made as complete as possible, from the materials accessible to the editor.
ATTORNEYS-NATIVES OF READING.
John L. Buck, practiced at Lockport, N. Y.
Lysander M. Davis,
66
Pine Hill. Wilcox Co., Ala.
Josiah Q. Hawkins,
66
Brandon, Vt.
Calvin L. Robinson,
66
Jacksonville, Fla.
Frank M. Robinson,
Dubuque, Iowa.
Geo. O. Robinson,
Detroit, Mich.
John York Sawyer,
Edwardsville, Ill.
Seth T. Sawyer,
66
Manchester, Iowa.
John M. Stearns,
66
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Oscar Stearns,
66
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Win. Watkins,
Towanda, Penn.
CLERGYMEN-NATIVES OF READING.
Daniel Ackley, Universalist,
Perry, Wyoming Co., N. Y.
Ira Allen,
Richard Amsden,
Methodist Episcopal.
Daniel Bowen,
Baptist.
Daniel Davis,
Methodist Episcopal.
Samuel A. Davis,
Universalist,
Hartford, Conn.
Urial Fay,
Methodist Episcopal.
Marcellus Herrick, Episcopalian,
Woodstock, Vt.
Hunt
Methodist.
Jeremiah Johnson, Methodist Protestant.
Lorenzo Johnson, Methodist Episcopal.
WIn. Townshend, Methodist,
T. J. Sawyer, D. D., Universalist, Nathan Sawyer, B. P.Stone, D. D., Congregationalist, Josiah Wetherbee, Free-Will Baptist, Lorenzo White,
Concord, N. H. Sandwich, N. H.
Robert White,
Congregationalist. Methodist Protestant.
DENTISTS.
Marcellus Newton, D. D. S., practiced at Isaac J. Wetherbee, D. D. S., Woodstock, Vt Boston, Mass.
PHYSICIANS.
Marcellus Bowen, M. D., practiced at So. Boston, Mass. Brown, M. D. L. D. Harlow, M. D.,
Philadelphia.
Potsdam, N. Y. Missouri.
Louisiana. College Hill, Mass.
Elwyn M. Stearns,
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HISTORY OF READING.
Geo. W. Stearns, M. D.,
New Bedford, Mass.
Marcus Swain, M. D.,
Essex, Vt. & Englewood, Ill.
Oliver Swain, M. D.,
Colchester, Vt.
Reading, Vt. and Plainfield, N. H.
EDITORS.
John M. Stearns, Esq., now of Brooklyn, N. Y., in Nov. 1838, commenced at Montpelier, the publication of a monthly magazine entitled the "Green Mountain Emporium and Literary, Moral and " Religious Record." We quote from its prospectus.
"It is generally supposed that literature must be confined to cities, and flourish only amidst the blanishments of wealth and fashion, as if genius disdained to spread out the charms of her soul-stirring imagery amid the luxury of nature's scenery. The ah- surdity of this impression is seen from the fact, that a large propor- tion of the literary journals of our cities, are made up of contribu- tions from the country; and most of the scenes of their descriptions are laid amongst its rocks, valleys, landscapes and wild recesses."
"The child may be charmed with a bouquet of silk and paper flowers, but delicate and refined sensibility of mind, admires the lone violet of the mountain glen. It is believed that among the three hundred thousand people of Vermont, there are a sufficient num- ber of correct taste and sound moral principle, to give liberal encouragement to a literary journal, that in its spirit shall come somewhat to the circumstances of the country; though it may want the voluptuous livery of city gayety."
The literary character of this Magazine was of a high order, but its publication was not continued for any great length of time. Mr. Stearns subsequently published a weekly newspaper at Middle- bury, Vt., and in 1846, Edward Walker, 144 Fulton Street, N. Y., published a handsomely bound volume of 276 pages, written by Mr. Stearns, entitled " The Wreath of Wild Flowers, from the Liter- ary Miscellanies of John Milton Stearns."
Albert N. Swain, of the " Bellows Falls Times." [See Sirain, Part III.]
Simeon Ide, the well known Editor and Publisher of Clare- mont, N. H., spent many years of his boyhood in Reading.
(Rev. T. J. Sawyer, D. D., has wielded the editorial pen of the Christian Messenger, and subsequently had the same connection with the Christian Ambassador, both published in New York City.
. Y.
ry ent The als
James Wardner, M. D.,
ass,
PART THIRD.
HISTORY OF READING.
PERSONAL AND FAMILY RECOLLECTIONS.
The editor has designed in Part III to give the name and busi- ness of every resident citizen of Reading on the first day of Janu- ary. 1874, and to this has been added the name of his wife, (when known to the editor) and in some cases the names of other mem- bers of the family. No family record has been omitted, if the necessary data have been placed in the editor's hands. In addi- tion to the names of resident citizens, will be found brief sketches of many of the former residents of the town. The editor expressly disclaims any intention to omit any person's name coming within the foregoing classes. Names mentioned in former Parts of this work have not, ordinarily, been repeated in this Part.
Ainsworth, J. S. farmer, m.
Abbott, Ebenezer came to Reading in 1809 and served an ap- prenticeship as a clothier with Levi Bailey.
Abbott, W. M. C. farmer, m. Melvina Parkhurst.
Adams, John, stone-mason, m. Paulina Leavens, built the stone churches at South Reading, Cavendish and Chester, and many other stone buildings.
JOHN ALLEN AND HIS DESCENDANTS.
John Allen, a native of Waltham, Mass., was born in 1749. He became embarrassed in business at Waltham and came to Reading in 1788 or '9, first settling on a tract of about 30 acres a little south of the "Ladd place," his first domicil being a shanty covered with bark. The year following he moved to the place now owned by John Foley and continued to live there until his death in 1824. He was noted for his immense muscular power. He left two sons, Joseph and Ira, both born in Reading. Ira became a minister of
NOTE .- Abbreviations, b. for born, m. for married, d. for died.
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HISTORY OF READING.
the Gospel, commencing to preach about 1815 and continued to preach nearly every Sunday for 45 years. He moved to Potsdam, N. Y., in 1822, settled on a farm which he continued to cultivate, in connection with his preaching, until his death.
Joseph occupied the old homestead in Reading until his death in May 1851. He left three children, Albert, farmer, living on the next place north, married Eliza M. E. Cady ; Lanora, who married John Foley living on the old homestead ; Jonas Galusha, who married Aurilla Whitmore and lived on the next place south, and Lestina, who married Charles Maynard.
Jonas Galusha Allen, son of Joseph Allen, was a noted violin- ist, and an eminent musician. His compositions were simple and plaintive, but pleasing to hear. None of his music was ever pub- lished, yet many of his contra dances, and waltzes became favor- ites with other musicians. He never put names to his pieces, but some by common consent have taken names, they being so com- pletely suited to certain dances, as " Pat and Nelly," "Allen's Hornpipe," " Farmer's Reel," " Amsden's Favorite," and "Lynden Waltzes." He was leader of a stringed band for nearly thirty years, and as a musician, he was an honor to his profession. He was by trade, a house carpenter.
Always upright and honorable, faithful to meet engagements, a good neighbor, amiable in disposition and pleasing in manners ; he won the respect of all who knew him. He died March 20th, 1868, at the age of 55 years. He left one child; a son, Theo. J. Allen, a very promising musician and performer of rare skill and taste on the cornet. Willie Foley, also, has the musical talents of the Allens.
Allard, Uriah, farmer, m.
Allen, Henry, mechanic, m. Abbie Meachem.
Allen, Ethan A., mechanic.
ABEL AMSDEN.
Abel Amsden came from Marlboro, Mass. His first pitch in Reading was of 50 acres, July 3, 1787, and on this land he passed the remainder of his days. He had served four years in the Rev- olutionary army and was engaged in some of the fiercest battles, receiving an honorable discharge and his pay in continental cur- reney, at that time and subsequently so much depreciated that when on his way to Vermont he paid for a dinner of corn bread and milk $70 of this currency, the landlord did not consider it an equivalent for the dinner. His first log house was built near the red part of the house now owned by Orville D. Amsden. His father, Abram Amsden, came with him and died in town. Abel's privations and hardships in clearing up his farm were severe, but his iron will and hardy constitution carried him successfully through them all and he became a large land owner and quite wealthy for those days. He built the brick tavern and for a long time was the popular proprietor. He was a strong Universalist in
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HISTORY OF READING.
his religious belief, and the first sermon preached in Reading, by Rev. S. C. Loveland, was delivered in his tavern hall.
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