USA > Vermont > Addison County > Gazetteer and business directory of Addison County, Vt., for 1881- 82 > Part 12
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Gen. Summers Gale was prominent in civil and military affairs, and died in 1826, aged fifty-one years. He served as Major in the battle of Plattsburgh, September, 1814. His youngest son, Dr. George S. Gale, was surgeon of the First Vermont Cavalry during the Rebellion, and another son, Dr. Nathan Gale, has for more than fifty years been a leading physician in Addison County, residing at Orwell.
Benjamin Casey came to Whiting, from Massachusetts, in 1817, and re- moved to this town in April, 1836, locating upon the farm he and his son George F. now occupy, on road forty-two, corner of fifty-two.
Asa Bond, from Chelsea, Vt., came to this town in 1810 or ISTI, and located upon the farm now owned by his son, Dr. F. Bond. He carried on
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TOWN OF CORNWALL.
the business of a tanner and currier for a period of forty years, and from that time until his death, in 1875, was engaged in farming. Dr. F. Bond was born here, educated at Castleton and Dartmouth, read medicine with Dr. M. O. Porter, and then practiced in Wisconsin. He came back to Cornwall in 1859, and has since been engaged in farming on the old homestead.
Nathan Stowell came to Cornwall from Ashford, Conn., at an early day, and here his son Chauncey, father of Edwin S., was born. Edwin S. was a Colonel of the Ninth Vermont Regiment, served through the war of the Rebellion, was a prominent breeder of Merino sheep and gentlemen's driving horses. He expended a large sum in the improvement of " Stonehenge," on
STONEHENGE STOCK FARM.
(THE RESIDENCE OF THE LATE COL. E. S. STOWELL.) (C. R. WITHERELL, Proprietor.)
road 36, the reputation of which as a stock farm has been wide-spread for many years. He died in Cornwall, of cancer, September 11, 1880. His father, Chauncey H., now aged eighty-one years, resides here with the Colonel's son-in-law, Charles R. Witherell, who now carries on the farm.
Hon. Solomon Foot, LL. D., was born in this town November 19, 1802. His father, Dr. Solomon Foot, removed to West Rutland in 1804. Solomon, Jr., was graduated from Middlebury College in 1826, and immediately became preceptor of Castleton Academy. After a year spent in this service, he was tutor in the University of Vermont during the college year of 1827-28. He then returned to Castleton and resumed the instruction of the Academy, where he remained the principal of the institution till 1831, officiating also as Professor of Natural Philosophy in the Vermont Academy of Medicine. As early as 1833, he was called by the people of Rutland to represent them in the Legislature, and was re-elected to that office in '36, '37, '38, and '47, and the three years last named was Speaker of that body. In 1842 he was chosen representative in Congress and filled that office four subsequent years. March 4, 1851, he took his seat as a member of the United States Senate, to which he was elected by the General Assembly of Vermont at their session of the
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TOWN OF FERRISBURGH.
previous October. He died in Washington, D. C., in the spring of 1866, aged sixty-four years.
Eli Stevens came to Cornwall, from Pittsford, in April, 1839, locating upon the farm he now occupies.
James Manchester came to Cornwall from Essex County, N. Y., in 1860, and died here in 1879, aged 70 years. His sons, Henry J. and William, still reside here.
Peter Tully, now a resident of this town, came here from Plattsburgh. He is a veteran of both the Florida, and our late civil wars.
Charles Stevens, from Pittsford, Vt., came with his father to this town in 1841, and located on road thirty-eight, upon the farm he now occupies.
Collice Patneaud, born in Canada, came here in 1847, and located in the west part of the town, where he remained seventeen years, and then removed to the place he now occupies on road thirty-eight.
It is claimed there are thirty-two Revolutionary soldiers buried in this town.
The Congregational Church, located in the centre of the town, was organ- ized in July, 1785, and the following year, Rev. Thomas Tolman was installed as pastor. In 1803, the church building was erected, and will seat 400 per- sons. The society has 168 members, with Rev. John C. Houghton, pastor.
The First Baptist Church, located at West Cornwall, was organized by Rev. Ephraim Sawyer, in 1796, he also acting as their first pastor. During the following year a meeting house was erected, which, in 1806, was super- ceded by the present structure, costing $2,800.00, and having accommodation for 200 persons. It is now valued, including grounds, at $2,000. The church now has forty members under the pastoral care of Rev. Ahira Jones.
ERRISBURGH, the northwest town of the county, lies in lat. 44° [2' and long. 3° 48', bounded north by Charlotte, in Chittenden County, east by Monkton and New Haven, south by New Haven, Waltham, Vergennes and Panton, and west by Lake Champlain. It was granted by New Hampshire, June 24. 1762, to Daniel Merrill and sixty-six others, in seventy shares, and contained, according to charter, 24,600 acres. On Octo- ber 23, 1788, about one square mile of its territory was taken towards forn- ing the city of Vergennes. The surface, except in the northeastern part, which is quite hilly, is very smooth and level, though low and marshy along some of the streams, while the soil is various, from a stiff clay to a very rich ' mold, and all parts producing abundant crops of all kinds with very little tillage. Originally, the territory was covered with a heavy growth of timber that has proven a source of great revenue to the inhabitants. Upon the up- lands the timber is mostly maple, beech, basswood and butternut ; the level and low lands produced pine and cedar, interspersed with oak, walnut, etc. The lake shore is very uneven, indented with numerous bays, forming some
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of the best harbors on the lake, while Otter Creek is navigable for vessels as far as Vergennes, nearly eight miles from its mouth, and Little Otter will admit shipping for a distance of three miles. The water courses are Otter Creek, which enters from Vergennes, flows in a northeasterly course, and is dis- charged into the lake near the center of the west line of the town. Little Otter Creek enters from Monkton, near the south line of the town, and flows a northeasterly course into the lake, about three miles north of the mouth of the Otter. Lewis Creek flows across the northern part of the town from east to west. Dead Creek enters from Panton in the western part of the town, and unites with Otter Creek. These, with their tributaries, form the principal streams. The whole western and central part of the territory overlays an immense bed Chasy and Black River lime stone, affording some excellent quarries for building purposes, and also material for a good grade of lime. East of this, the rocks are disposed in narrow ledges extending across the entire length of the town from north to south, in the following order: Trenton limestone, Utica slate, Hudson River slate, and the remaining portion, red sandrock. In the northeast part of the town is a quarry of black marble which has been worked to some extent. Clay beds suitable for the manfac- ture of brick are numerous, though no minerals have been discovered. The Central Vermont Railroad extends through the central part of the town from south to north, with stations at Ferrisburgh and at North Ferrisburgh.
In 1880, Ferrisburgh had a population of 1,684, was divided into fifteen school districts, and contained fifteen common schools, employing three male and sixteen female teachers at an aggregate salary of $1,518.39. There were 473 pupils attending common school, while the entire cost of the schools for the year ending Oct. 31st, was $2,365.77. H. Louise B. Tupper was super- intendent.
NORTH FERRISBURGH, a post village located in the northeast part of the town, about two and one-half miles from the depot, on Lewis Creek, contains one church (W. Meth.), four stores, four blacksmith shops, one harness shop, one physician, two paint shops, one grist-mill, one saw-mill, a hotel and fifty dwellings. About half a mile west of the village where Martin's hotel now stands, the first postoffice was located, in 1838. The principal manufactories of this place in times gone by have been its woolen mills. The mill was first used for carding only, till it came into the hands of Theodore D. Lyman, who began the manufacture of cloth. Previous to this there was a forge started for the manufacture of iron.
FERRISBURGH, a post village located in the central part of the town, about a quarter of a mile from the depot, contains two churches (Union and Cong.) a town hall, school house, store, millinery shop, two wheelwright and two blacksmith shops and several dwellings.
Barnum's saw mill, located on road fifty eight near Frazer's Falls, has a circular saw and cuts from 100,000 to 500,000 feet of lumber per year. The original mill on this site was one of the first built in the town.
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Mahlon Kingman's barrel factory, located on road fifty-four, was established in 1850. Mr. Kingman employs five hands. and manufactures from 3,000 to 5,000 pork and cider barrels per year.
John Banyea's brick yard, located near road fifty-one, was established in 1806, and from its location on Otter Creek can ship to all points on the lake with facility. Mr. Banyea employs ten hands and manufactures one million brick per year.
Kimball's cider mill, located on road two, established in 1844, is owned and operated by George B. and M. Kimball. During the cider season it em- ploys four men who manufacture one thousand barrels of cider.
Settlement was first begun in Ferrisburgh at the falls, in the part now Ver- gennes, in 1769, where a mill was erected and some improvements made, when the settlers were molested by Col. Reid, of New York, who claimed their land by right of a grant from that State. But the record of their troubles, ejectments, reinstatements by Allen and his followers, etc., more properly belong to the history of Vergennes, and the reader is therefore referred to the remarks on that city for an account of the same. The year following the issue of the charter, 1763, Benjamin and David Ferris, surveyors for the pro- prietors, came on and suryeyed the township and made the division into lots ; but the proceedings of the proprietors subsequent to this must ever remain unknown on account of the burning of their records, October 3, 1785, while in possession of Timothy Rogers, proprietors' clerk, The first settler within the present limits of the town is said to have been Charles Tupper, who came just before the Revolutionary war. He was joined by some others, but all left during the Revolution, though some new settlers came in before the ces- sation of hostilities, as follows : Ananias Rogers, Uriah Crittenden and Judge Thompson, in 1778; Abraham Rogers and James Saxton, in 1779; Noah Porter, Joseph Burroughs and Timothy Dakins, in 1780, and Joshua Barnes, in 1781. Zuriel Tupper, brother of Charles, is said to have been the first after the Revolution, coming in 1783. Theophilus Middlebrook settled in 1784. Other than these, though we in many instances are not able to fix the date of their settlement, the pioneers were Cornelius Hurlburt, Benjamin Carpenter, Thomas Robertson, Ashbel Fuller, Asa Carpenter, Obadiah Walker, Samuel Tupper, Wing Rogers, Nathaniel Austin, John Huff, Ira Tupper, Absalom Tupper. Simeon Miller, George Gage, Solomon and Will- iam Kellogg, Sylvester Jaquesways, Benjamin Ferris, Solomon Dimick, Stephen Fish, Abner and Stephen Perry, John Frazier, William Beard, William Walker, J. Hines, and Archibald Collins. The early settlers of School Dis- trict No. 6, were Joseph Burroughs, Anthony, Stephen, Benjamin, and George Field, Theopholus Middlebrook, Benjamin Ferris, Asa Carpenter, Joseph, Benjamin, Joshua, and Lewis Barnes, Solomon Dimick, Elnathan B. Beers, and Jonathan Keeler.
The town was organized March 29, 1785, when Jonathan Saxton was elected town clerk, Jeremiah Reynolds, constable, and Abel Thompson,
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Isaac Gage, and Silas Bingham, selectmen. The first justice was Abel Thompson, chosen in 1787, who was also the first representative, in 1786. First born, Eunice Webster, March 22, 1773. The first religious service was held at Nathan Walker's house, at which Rev. Ephraim Sawyer officiated. The first regular place for holding services was at the house of Zurial Tup- per, and was also used for the first public house. The house just east of the depot at Ferrisburgh village, known as the "old Frazier house," was the first framed building erected in town, and was long known as the Blue House. The first school house was built of logs and stood near the Booth corner.
Abel Thompson came to Ferrisburgh in 1778, and located upon the farm where D. M. Tappan now lives, on road sixty-six. He built the first house on that place and afterwards sold to Daniel, son of John Marsh. Mr. Thompson was a prominent man and held various offices of trust, and was the first justice and representative. On a hill not far from the residence of D. M. Tappan, is a plain marble slab marking the last resting place of
" Abel Thompson, born in 1741, died in 1808 : . Settled in Ferrisburgh 1778."
John Field, among the first settlers, located on road thirty-eight, where George W. Kellogg now resides. At this time there were but three houses in the city of Vergennes. Mr. Field's first house was built of logs, in 1780, and was succeeded by a block house, and in 1875, by the present substantial structure built by George W. Kellogg. Mr. Field had a family of fourteen children. He and his wife lie side by side in a little cemetery just south of Joseph Newton's place, their grave stones being marked by the simple inscription : "John Field died November 19, 1827, aged 61 years 6 mo., and 13 days. Francis, wife of John, died March 13, 1843, aged 76 years, 10 mo, and 13 days."
Timothy Hatch was one of the early settlers in the west part of the town, coming from New Hampshire. He had a family of eight children, of whom Martin, the eldest, went to the war of 1812, with his father, where he was wounded, and where his father died. Martin was only thirteen years of age when he enlisted, and drew a pension until his death. Isaac was born in 1801, married Mina Mills, and died in 1878.
John Marsh came at an early date, and his son Daniel two years later, both locating on road sixty-six. Daniel, a man of ability, became quite prominent and gained the esteem of all.
Archibald Collins, born in Guilford, Conn., in 1764, married Rhoda Bates in 1787, and soon after settled in Ferrisburgh, where he died in 1842. He was born, married, and died in the month of December, and was the father of eleven children, of whom Elias D. Collins, Sr., is the only one now living in town. Archibald was a tanner and shoemaker by trade, a man of sound judgment, and upright in all his dealings.
William Webster, one of the early settlers, located on road forty-five, where George C. Spencer now lives. His father was captured by the British at Arnold's Bay, in Panton, taken to Canada, and never returned.
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The region about Basin Harbor was first settled, before the Revolution, by Platt Rogers, who came from Duchess Co., N. Y. Here he was joined by Jared Pond, whose grave is still to be seen on the farm lately owned by Mr. Newton, the stone fixing his death in 1817. The Harbor became a place of some importance and gave promise of being the site of a flourishing village, contained a hotel, a large stone house, etc., but for some reason declined. Platt Rogers brought with him a female slave named Millie, who was followed by her lover, another slave. He made a bargain with Mr. Rogers that he should work for him for a certain length of time, and that he should then see that they were both freed. This compact was faithfully kept, and they were finally married and Mr. Rogers built a house for them on road thirty-eight, where they lived happily for many years. The place has since been known as "negro orchard."
James I. Winans was employed by the government to survey northern New York, which he did, and shortly afterwards settled at Basin Harbor, with his brother James I. Both were ship carpenters, and here built the first steamboat that ever run on Lake Champlain, and James I. was the first cap- tain. Martin W., son of James I., now occupies the old homestead and has fitted up the commodious stone house as a summer resort. Basin Harbor is counted as one of the best on the lake ; and even if it is over-estimated in a nautical point of view, it certainly cannot be in point of beauty, for it is one of the most beautiful as well as healthful spots one could wish for. Mr. Winans also is blessed with one of those happy turns of mind that renders him the perfect host. He has also many curiosities in the house, among which is some costly furniture that has done service for over a century.
Stephen Beach, from Connecticut, settled on the farm now owned by his son Allen P. He had a family of nine sons, two of whom died in infancy, when not another death occurred among them for sixty-two years, and six are now living. Stephen died in 1859, aged eighty-two years. Allen P., now living on the old homestead in the west part of the town, is sixty-eight years of age. Stephen lived here during the season before the battle of Platts- burgh, and it was here that the family of John Field removed their goods at the time of the battle of Fort Cassin.
James Blakely, from Essex Co., N. Y., located on road forty at an early day, cleared the land and built the first house and barn on the farm now Owned by David Brydia. Two of his children are now living, Ida and Ira.
Obediah Allen, a blacksmith by trade, was the first settler on the farm now owned by Putnam Allen, on road forty three, which has remained in the Allen family ever since. The present stone house was built in 1835, taking the place of the old block house, built over a hundred years ago.
Nathan Walker located on road fifty, where his son J. O. Walker now resides, in 1790. The farm has since remained in the Walker family and is now owned by the fourth generation. Nathan died October 19, 1823, and was buried in the cemetery on road thirty-six. Obediah Walker, son of Nathan,
9
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TOWN OF FERRISBURG I.
was born November 2, 1770, and died January 13, 1813. Zuriel, son of Obe- diah, was born May 27, 1801. and died January 13, 1873. He represented the town in 1832, '33 and '34, and was in the Senate in 1848 and '49, justice of the peace twenty-five years, and town clerk thirteen years.
Joseph Rogers, from Danby, Vt., located near road twe .. ty-eight. He was a quiet person of the Quaker persuasion and did his own mechanical work of various kinds. He moved and repaired the house now occupied by Susan N. Rogers, in 1811. The old house originally built near its present site by Timn- othy Rogers, stands about as it did in 1811, except that the old-fashioned chim- neys and fire-places have given way to more modern improvements. Henry Rogers, son of Joseph, was born here in 1804, and died in 1875, having lived all his life on the old homestead, except a two years' residence in New York city. He was a very public spirited man, held various offices of trust, and was instrumental in establishing the postoffice at the Centre, also estab- lished the first select school, and the first district school at that place. His widow, Susan N., and daughter Phebe H., now occupy the old farm.
Benjamin Carpenter, from Shaftsbury, settled upon the farm now owned by Daniel B. Collins. He had two children, Fanny and Luther. Fanny, at the age of eighty-eight years, now lives in Addison, the widow of Rowland Haz- ard. Luther still resides in this town, aged eighty-six years. Benjamin was living in Shaftsbury at the time of the troubles between Ethan Allen and the " Yorkers," and left the place, taking up his residence in Brandon, till after they were quieted.
Elnathan B. Beers, from Trumball, Conn., first located in Monkton, and then came to this town, settling on the farm lately owned by Nelson Collins, in the east part of the town. He died in Monkton at the age of eighty-seven years.
Robert Hazard located on road thirteen, where he owned a large tract of land, and built the house now occupied by Ezra A. Hazard. It occupied the site of a log house built by a Mr. Chase. Stephen G., eighty years of age, is the only one of Robert's children now living.
Alvin Ball, from Bennington, Vt., with his two brothers, located on road two, bringing all his property with him tied up in a pocket handkerchief, and cash to the amount of twenty-five cents. But he was an industrious, thrifty man, and accumulated quite a property. He had a family of six children, three of whom. Ansel, Alvin and Stephen, are now residents of the town.
Joseph Burroughs located at an early day upon the farm now occupied by the widow of Joseph Burroughs, on road sixty-six. He had two children, Ethan and Betsey. Ethan was a captain of militia, and held various town offices, was the father of eight children, six of whom arrived at maturity. He built the present house on the place in 1811.
Jonathan Locke, from Providence, R. I., was an early settler in the town. He and his four sons served in the war of 1812, and Jonathan lost his life while in that service.
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TOWN OF FERRISBURGH.
Jonathan Keeler, from White Plains, N. Y., settled in the south part of the town in 1786. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and helped build many of the old houses now standing. He had a family of eight children, and died in 1842, aged seventy-eight years.
Noah Porter, from New Hampshire, located near the present depot at the village, in 1780, and soon after removed to road thirty-seven, where he purchased forty, acres. He served in the French and Indian war six years, and in the war of the Revolution eighteen months. He first came to Ferris_ burgh for the purpose of hunting and trapping.
Daniel Nichols, an early settler in Vergennes, subsequently located on road thirty-seven, where his grandson, Joseph R. B. Wilkins, now resides. He died in 1847, aged seventy-five years.
Thomas R. Robinson, a Quaker, from Newport, R. I., located in Vergennes in 1792, and after a few years' residence there removed to road twenty-eight upon the farm now occupied by Gideon Spencer. He had two children, Abigail and Rowland T. Abigail married Nathan C. Holden and had a family of nine children. Rowland T. resided in town until his death, in 1879, aged eighty-three years. He was a prominent man, an early abolitionist, and held various town offices, was appointed town clerk in 1857, and that office has been filled by one of the family ever since, his son George G. being the present incumbent.
Timothy Dakin, from Quaker Hill, Conn., came to Ferrisburgh in 1792, locating upon the farm now owned by his children, Isaac and Judith. Isaac is now eighty-three years of age, and Judith seventy-six. Timothy was a seventh son, so had no share in the patrimony of his father. He learned the shoemaker's trade, was a successful workman, and thus earned money enough to purchase two hundred acres of land in Ferrisburgh, a year's provisions, and had two dollars remaining. On the farm where he settled they found many Indian relics.
Stoddard Martin was an early settler and an extensive land owner. He built the Martin Hotel, on road five, corner six, which has always remained in the Martin family. He also built the house opposite, occupied by Carlos C. Martin.
Albert W. Meade came from Stamford, Conn., and located on road seven, upon the farm now owned by his son Albert W., Jr. He afterwards resided in Bristol for a time, but came back to the old farm. He was a blacksmith, a partner of Mr. Halleck's, and afterwards with Robert Hazard, located where the village of North Ferrisburgh now is.
Robert Sattley located at an early day on the bank of Little Otter Creek, where Robert P. Sattley now lives. He located here so that he might carry his grain to mill, at Crown Point, by boat. Mr. Sattley was Lieut. of militia and died in 1844, aged eighty-nine years, having had a family of six boys and six girls. His son Isaac was also a captain of militia, his commission being dated June 3, 1828, and signed by Governor Ezra Butler. Robert was
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from England, having been pressed on board the ship Ambuscade, in 1776, and brought to New York city, where he left the ship.
John Marsh was the first settler on the farm now owned by John Birkett, on road sixty-six.
Joseph Birkett, born in England, located in this town on road fifty-seven, in 1802. In 1816 he married Martha Beers, the first female born in the town. Mrs. Birkett is still living, and retains her mental faculties wonderfully well. She had three brothers in the battle of Plattsburgh, and says she can remem- ber of hearing the cannons roar. Her husband died in 1854, aged seventy- five years ..
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