USA > Vermont > Bennington County > Gazetteer and business directory of Bennington County, Vt. for 1880-81 > Part 15
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During the year ending Sept. 30, 1880, the town contained nine school districts, in which were eight schools, and employed ten female teachers, at an expense of $671.10. The number of pupils attending school was 155. The amount expended for school purposes $731.10.
READSBORO, a post village at the junction of the West Branch with Deerfield River in the south-east part, contains one church,
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TOWN OF READSBORO.
(Wesleyan,) one general store, one grocery, one tannery, one saw mill and cot bed factory, two hotels, one harness, three black- smith, one tin and one wagon shops, and about 250 inhabitants. The village is visited during the summer months by many tourists, who come from the cities for health or pleasure. The mountain streams afford abundant opportunity for the deciples of Isaac Walton to exercise their skill and patience.
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The Tannery of A. H. Tucker erected in 1866 on the site of one previously burned, contains forty lay away vats, ten lime and water vats, employs fifteen to twenty men and manufactures about 20,000 sides and the splits from the same into finished upper leather, using about 900 cords of hemlock bark per annum.
Titus Stowe built the saw mill at Readsboro in 1871. Three years later he added the business of making cot and spring beds. He employs about ten men, saws about 500,000 feet of lumber, makes 8,000 cot beds and 30 dozen spring beds per annum. He is now adding the manufacture of camp chairs.
READSBORO FALLS (p. o.) is a hamlet on West Branch in the center of town, and contains half a dozen houses besides the saw mill and chair stock factory of John T. Carrier, erected in 1879, on the site of an old mill which had burned about a year earlier. The falls are about twenty-five feet high and afford an abundant power. Four to six men are employed, about 500,000 feet of lumber and stock for 16,000 to 20,000 chairs are manufactured annually. He also makes excellent cider.
HEARTWELLVILLE, a straggling post village in the north-west part, on West Branch of the Deerfield, contains one church, (Union,) two saw mills, one chair factory, one packing box factory, one store, two hotels and one blacksmith and wagon shop and about 150 inhabitants. . The post office here was originally called Raymondville, after Lincoln Raymond, afterwards changed to West Readsboro, and more recently to Heartwellville, after Capt. Jos. Heartwell, one of the early settlers.
Silas Mason's saw mill and chair factory, on the West Branch, employs when in full operation about 50 hands, and manufactures annually from 500,000 to 900,000 feet of spruce and hard wood lumber, of which most of the latter is worked into chair stock.
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TOWN OF READSBORO.
The saw mill was purchased in 1851 of Hunt & Flint. Two wheels have been added which drive six circular and two barrel saws, planing and other machinery. The chair factory erected in 1870 contains a full set of Grecian chair machinery. A machine shop operated by steam power, and extensive dry houses belong to the establishment. Mt. Mason is also the only merchant at Heartwellville.
E. B. Fuller's Saw Mill and packing box factory, on West Branch, employs from eight to ten men, cuts 300,000 to 400,000 feet of lumber, about 400,000 feet are annually worked into pack- ing boxes. Large quantities of lumber suitable for this purpose is purchased from other mills.
South Readsboro, on South Readsboro creek is a settlement principally on roads 31 and 35, but extending west to road 30. It contains two saw mills one church (union) and one grocery.
It is not known who the first settlers were or where they located, - but by the petition of John Hamilton and others to the Legisla- ture of Vermont in 1779, it appears that William Brace had set- tled where the village of Heartwellville now is, and that one Whipple, a soldier in the Continental Army had settled, but when is not known.
It is supposed the first white persons who ever traversed the town were a body of 74 soldiers on their return from the expedi- tion against Crown Point, in December 1759, who intending to go to North Adams, Mass., got lost and struck the west branch of Deerfield River, in the present town of Woodford, which they followed to Charlemont, Mass., before reaching any settlement, upon striking the main stream where the village of Readsboro now is; their provisions having given out and becoming almost exhausted with hunger, they killed, roasted and eat a dog that accompanied them, and then continued their weary journey. One of their number, Daniel Henry Davidson, who enlisted at the early age of 15, was so exhausted and benumbed with cold that he laid down to go to sleep, he was soon missed by his compan- ions, who turned back and helped him along, and all the party reached Charlemont alive.
In 1785 the same Daniel H. Davidson mentioned above, Throop Chapman, and - Sloane from Conway, Mass., com- menced a settlement about a mile north of Readsboro village.
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TOWN OF READSBORO.
The same fall Simon Miyers (or Miquers) a Hessian soldier, who had been taken prisoner with Burgoyne at Saratoga, with his wife and infant daughter, (afterward Mrs. Betsey Bowen.) came and settled on north hill, he was soon after followed by - - Root, and others. It is related by Miyers that when he first came in to chop a little clearing for a house, he saw no man for six weeks, his only visitor being a huge bear, which upon look- ing up from his work one morning, he saw sitting up calmly watching the movements so new to his bearship.
Robert Valentine an Irishman, also a prisoner taken from the British, settled about the same time near the present cemetery. [Elijah A. Parsons says these men were with Baum and taken prisoners at Bennington. ]
The first birth is supposed to be that of Hannah, daughter of Throop Chapman, born Nov. 8th, 1785. The first death in town was of a young child of one Cochran, in 1786, it was buried between two rocks, natures monuments which shall endure, a suitable inscription should be cut on the face of one of them.
The first adult that died in town was "Nabby," wife of Ebe- nezer Thompson, Feb. 20, 1792, aged 30 years.
The first town meeting is supposed to have been held in 1786, at which time in addition to the ordinary town officers, the inhal i- tants elected a board of State officers ; when one Ichabod Stock- well, the smallest man in town, was elected Governor, and his salary fixed, payable in vegetables, cabbage heads predominating, ever after during his life, he was known as "Governor" Stock- well.
The store of Elijah Bailey was burned November 12 1793, and with it the town records. The records for 1794, the earliest now in existence, show that in that year the town meeting was held at the house of Robert Valentine, on the 17th of March. Capt. Joseph Heartwell was moderator, John Fairbank, town clerk.
Simeon Thayer was Ist selectman, lister, treasurer, highway commissioner and fence viewer. Elijah Bailey, selectman, sealer of weights and measures; Ezra Amidon, selectman; Henry H. Davidson, constable ; Throop Chapman, grand juror; Philip Bali'sy and Daniel Davidson, highway surveyors ; Jerry Davidson and Jedediah Amidon, haywards or hog constables. Lieut. Samuel
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TOWN OF KEADSBORO.
Amidon, surveyor of lumber ; Elijah Sibley, fence viewer. The foregoing list will afford further information as to who were the early settlers.
At a town meeting held May r, 1794, it was voted to raise a tax of sixpence on the pound, to support a school, and to divide the town into two districts, the "Branch" to be the dividing line. Lois Ward was the first school teacher, she afterwards married- Cady, and died here in 1859, at the age of over 100 years. In that year the tax-payers of the town numbered 36. In 1796 the tax-payers had increased to 51. At a town meeting held that year, September 6, "to see if the town will build stocks," it was "voted there shall be no stocks built." Up to 1800, the tax-payers numbered same as in '96. In 1810 the number had increased to 67.
The Daniel Henry Davidson spoken of as one of the earliest settlers, was great grandfather of Montraville Davidson now re- siding at Heartwellville, he located on lands awarded him by the government. After the death of his wife he moved to the State of New York, leaving his son Henry H. Davidson, who during his residence here cleared up several farms, and built several houses, one of them, built previous to 1800, is now occupied by Martin Stafford on the corner of road 7 and 12-see map.
Among other early settlers may be mentioned Joy Bishop, of Fair Haven, Conn., who settled where George Wallace now lives about 1794, cleared land and built a house and then brought on his wife. On one occasion, being out of meal, he walked to Ben- nington and returned the same way carrying half a bushel of rye for the support of his family. He died at the age of 82.
Joseph Parsons from Conway, Mass., settled just north of the village of Readsboro, near Robert Valentine's, about 1790. He soon after removed to the north part of the State. Upon arriving of age his son Joseph came back and settled, about 1805, cleared up several farms in South Readsboro, aud resided here until 1850 when he moved to Wisconsin, where he died. Elijah A., his son still lives at South Readsboro. Lemuel Blanchard, originally from Guilford, settled in Readsboro Hollow, and was and among the first settlers. He was a rigid Seventh-Day Baptist, and it is related used to say "his faith was so strong that he would believe his
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TOWN OF READSBORO.
minister, sooner than his own eyes." He cleared a farm and died here in 1811 at the age of 65, and was buried in the cemetery on the river bank. Isaac his son died here about 1860, aged 75. Isaac's sons-Edmond A., Emmerson and William still live in town.
David Goodell, from Amherst, Mass., settled where the widow Curtis now resides, in 1794. He came by marked trees and at first. built a log house. He had four sons and three daughters, all of whom, except one sister and one brother, are living. Daniel, now seventy-six years of age, still owns a part of the old homestead.
There is a tradition that one priest, Brown, of the Seventh- day Baptists, resided in Linn Hollow about 1794, who told his followers that they ought to lay by something each month for the needy widows and orphans that would soon people the hillsides round about; he advocated that the contributions be deposited in a store-house of which he was the custodian. His suggestions were followed by many, and liberal supplies were furnished. At the end of a year the contributors concluded to take an account of stock, when, on opening the store-house, to their amazement, less than a dollar's worth of their deposits remained. It is need- less to say that further contributions ceased.
· James Bailey, and Caleb, his son, came from Douglass, Mass., n 1794, when the latter was 14 years of age. They settled on road 12 near the cemetery. James died Dec. 14, 1814, aged SS years, and Caleb died April 6, 1867, aged 87. Silas and Apollos. sons of Caleb, now live in town. Michael and a sister, Bodisa, live in Adams, Mass. Ezra Keyes, a Revolutionary soldier, and Isaac and Hannah Estey were among the very early settlers.
Stephen Bishop, from North Haven, Conn., settled on road 8 about 1800, where he lived until 1822, when he moved to road [4, near the falls, and cleared a farm. He lived with his son Daniel in his old age, and died about 1871, aged 92.
The Bishops, father and son, were noted as successful bear hunters, or trappers. Even to the present day, bears are quite numerous in the woods of the Green Mountains, and nearly every year numbers are killed in this town. Sheep and calves are often killed by these animals.
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TOWN OF READSBORO.
Geo. Stearns lived opposite of Henry H. Davidson, on road 7, about 1800. One night when he was away from home his wife, who was alone with her baby, heard the sow in the pen make an unusual disturbance. On looking out she saw a huge bear looking in the pen. Just then the old sow rushed out to protect the pigs, when the bear siezed her in his powerful embrace and made off with her to the woods, where, on the next morning, the sow's partially eaten remains were found by the husband.
Richard Carpenter, from Mussachusetts, came to Readsboro with his young wife in 1804, and settled on the farm now owned by their son, Samuel, with whom his mother, Annis, still lives, honored and respected at the age of 93 years, the oldest person in town. Squire Richard, as he was called, represented his town in Assembly several years, and was justice of the peace twenty- three years. He died in 1859, aged 76 years. Calvin, another son, lives in Wilmington, his sons Willard and Daniel are now · dead.
James Carpenter, a Baptist clergyman and brother of Richard, settled where Elias Carpenter, his son, now lives, sometime pre- vious to 1810. He died in 1845, aged 76 years. Of his sons, Elias, Daniel P. and Childs are living, the two former in this town.
Daniel Carpenter, and Chloe, his wife, father and mother of Richard and James, came with Richard, bought a farm, built a house, and lived here until their death, Daniel in 1824, aged 77, and Chloe in 1823, aged 79.
At Daniel's house, Baptist meetings were held for many years, his son James conducting the services.
Mrs. Annis Carpenter says that when she came with her hus- band in 1804, there were as many residents on the north hill as now. Her husband, Richard, was a successful bear trapper. He caught during one fall, in a single trap, seventeen bears, and killed with the help of neighbors one panther which had killed and carried away to the woods one of his calves.
James Dalrymple from Whitingham, emigrated to Shaftsbury, and after remaining as a farmer for a few years, he came to Readsboro and settled on road 19, in 1817. The old unoccupied building still remains. His children James and Saloma, wife of Apollas Bailey reside in town. Job Stafford, from Norwich, N. Y.,
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TOWN OF READSBORO.
settled in 1820, on the north hill, where H. H. Davidson formerly lived. His sons, Lewis and Martin B., still live in this town. Job in Bennington and Joel in Stamford.
Christopher Shippee from Charlemont, Mass,, settled on road 34, South Readsboro, in 1822, on lands partly cleared by Benja- min Trevitt, an early settler. Mr. Shippee has resided on this farm ever since, and now at the advanced age of 87 years, (the oldest man in town,) he enjoys the fruits of a life of industry His wife and one son, Homer C., complete the home family.
Asahel C. Ballou settled on the West or Dutch-hill in 1837. At that time there were no clearings there, and he with his brother Darius, were for nineteen years the only settlers in that elevated part of the town.
In the west part of the town beyond Readsboro Lake, the first settler was one Hall, about 1800, on the farm now owned by Seth : D. Case. Seth Case, father of Seth D., bought the farm about 1812, he lived in a log-house until 1822, when he built the house now occupied by his son. The other early settlers in this neigh- borhood were Amos Rice, where Rufus J. Case now lives. Capt. Wm. Sanford where Chauncey Bishop now resides, and Horace Rice where Stephen Perry now lives.
The first grist and saw-mill were erected by one Smith, about 1787, near the site of Tucker's tannery. Prior to this the settlers had to go either to Bennington or Charlemont for their lumber or · meal, and it frequently happened that new settlers suffered for want of suitable provisions, especially before securing their first crop.
A satinet factory erected of stone on West Branch, in 1832, at an expense of $16,000, employed 20 hands and worked 14 looms. With all its contents and uninsured, it was accidentally burned June 2, 1842 and never rebuilt.
The first saw-mill at Heartwellville, was opposite Canedy's hotel.
Joshua B. Howe settled on Readsboro Lake, in 1854 and erected an addition to a saw mill already there, he put in improved machinery, and for the past eighteen years has been engaged in making cot beds. Mr. Howe employs about ten men and cuts about 300,000 feet of lumber, and makes from 5,000 to 6,000
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TOWN OF READSBORO.
cot beds, besides some spring beds, annually. Mr. Howe owns the greater part of Readsboro Lake, (Mr. Seth D. Chase owns a few acres,) spoken of elsewhere. The fish of this lake are princi- pally pickerel and perch.
Daniel J. Hicks', saw mill, on South Readsboro Creek, cuts from 100,000 to 150,00 feet of lumber annually. The first mill on this priviledge was erected about 80 years ago. The flood of October, 1869, swept away the mill then standing and most of the bridges in this part of the town. Mr. Hicks rebuilt the mill in 1870.
The old Cemetery, at Readsboro village has recently been · enlarged by the addition of about one acre and surrounded by a substiantial stone wall, by which its appearance is much improved.
On road 29, is an immense ledge of milk quartz, so pure and white, as to unquestionably attract the attention of those in- terested in mineralogy.
Just west of road 2 on the side hill is a monumental slab of marble which tells the following sad tale :-
"Merritt E. Fuller, son of E. L. and S. M. Fuller, froze to death in this spot, Jan. 7, 1858, aged 16 years, 2 months."
The young man had been to a spelling school and on returning late at night, instead of going on the main road, a mile or two further to his own home, he attempted to climb the hill and cross over to his uncle's who lived near here on another road. The snow was light and deep, and becoming benumbed and bewildered he was overcome with the cold. Next day a passer by discovered the body lying stretched upon the hill side. The much trampled snow gave evidence of the struggle he made for life.
From the residence of Thomas B. Buxton, on road 9, and from the "Peak" on his grounds may be had one of the finest views in the town. Whitingham on the east with its many hills. the southern part of this town, Hoosac Mountains and others in Massachusetts are plainly visible.
Standing on West or Dutch Hill, near the residence of Mr. Fesch on road 15, the western and south-western view is one of great magnificence and well worth the trouble of reaching the -11
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point of observation. Looking over Stamford in the valley below, and far into Massachusetts, Saddle mountain rises boldly in the distance. Further south, on this same hill may be had an excel- lent southern view.
The view from Truman Greenslet's, and from D. S. Bishop's, on road 25, looking south-east over 30 or 40 miles of Massachusetts is of surpassing loveliness, distant mountain peaks, clear cut against the sky in a fine day, with beautiful valleys between, will reward the visitor to either of these fine farms, which are among the best in town.
Among the early converts to Methodism in this town Elijah and James Bailey and Ezra Amidon became somewhat noted in the religious world. After several years they and others became dis- satisfieded with the church government of the Methodist Episco- pal church. They met at Readsboro and formally withdrew "from the fallen state of the former traveling connection," and established a new religious association under the name of the "Methodist Reformed Church," which soon almost absorbed the mother church in this vicinity, and spread to other parts of the country.
Tne Methodist Reformed Church of Readsboro was organized Jan. 16, 1814, by Rev. Elijah Bailey, chairman; Ezra Amidon, clerk, and others. The first pastor was Rev. Elijah Bailey. The first house of worship shared by the Methodist Episcopals has been demolished, and services are now held at the North School House by Rev. Thaddeus Cutler, of Searsburg, the pastor. While the society has not increased largely in numbers, the members seem to be zealous in their faith.
The Union Church of South Readsboro was erected in 1844-5 by contributions from the Universalist, Christians, Baptists and Methodist Reformed societies, the Universalists furnishing by far the greatest share. Joy Bishop, jr., now in Kansas, was the first (Universalist) preacher. At present, 1880, it is supplied by Bap- tist and Methodist Reformed clergymen. The house will com- fortably seat 250 people, and cost when built about $500.
The Union Church of Heartwellville was erected in 1876-7, and dedicated Nov. 7, 1877, by Reverends Osgood, (Meth.,) Osborn, (Bap.,) and Gifford, (Universalist.) It is now supplied by clergy- men of different denominations. The church building, a very
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TOWN OF RUPERT.
pretty one of wood, with ground and stained windows, was erected entirely by the efforts of the ladies of the village, at an expense of $2,000, its present value. Such enterprise is believed to be nowhere surpassed in the State.
The First Baptist Church of Readsboro, Vt., at Readsboro, was organized by twenty-six constituent members, March 26, 18.79 · The first and present pastor is Rev. Edward A. Read. Ser- vices are held at the Town Hall. Mission services are held at Union Church, South Readsboro, regularly, with preaching and Sunday school.
The Wesleyan Methodist Church of Readsboro was organized with six members, by Rev. A. Kelsey, 1840, in which year the first and present house of worship was erected at a cost of $450. and will seat 300 people. The present value of church property is $500, and the membership is 40, who are under the pastoral care of Rev. John Blanchard. Mr. Blanchard, our informant, under- stands the present house was built by Calvin W. Baker and others who had united with the Wesleyan church, and by them given to the society. The members have ever been active in all reformn movements.
RUPERT.
Rupert is located in the north-western corner of the county, and is about six miles square. It borders on the west the towns of Hebron and Salem in New York State, while Pawlet lies to the north, Dorset on the east and Sandgate on the south. The surface is diversifed by hill, vale, mountain and ravine.
The Taconic range of mountains occupy a portion of the eastern part, while in the center Mount Antone raises its head high above all the surrounding country. To the south and west Hay Stack, Shatterack and Master's Mountains forin the water- shed of this section of the town, sending the waters south to the Hudson and north to the St. Lawrence. This town is unusually
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TOWN OF RUPERT.
well watered, in the north-eastern portion by the Pawlet River, which flows from Dorset, its source, through the town to the east on its way to Wood Creek in New York, and thence into Lake Champlain.
. Indian River and White Creek rise in the town, the Indian River emptying into the Pawlet River, while White Creek be- comes tributary to the Battenkill in New York, on its way to the Hudson. Smaller streams, which feed these rivers, rise all through the northern portion of the county, and nearly every farm has its brooklet coming down from the hills seeking the larger streams.
The variety of surface furnishes many excellent views, Mount Antone being one of the favorite resorts for those who wish a panorama of unexcelled beauty, giving to the beholder a view down into the beautiful valley of the Hudson, and in some places the river itself, as it winds on to the sea. The soil in this town is fertile in the vales, and fine corn lands are found all through. Oats and small grains are produced in good quantity in some sections. The larger part of the land, however, is better adapted to the pasturage of sheep and cattle. The hilly portions are heavily wooded with beech, oak, hickory, elm, hard maple and bass wood. Large quantities of maple sugar are made each year and shipped to less fortunate localities, in this respect. The Rutland and Washington R. R., operated by the Delaware and Hudson Canal Co., passes through the western portion of the town. The population of Rupert in 1880, was 957, among which was one Indian and two colored persons.
During the year ending September 30, 1880, the town had nine school districts, employing two male and thirteen female teachers. whose united salaries were $1,212. The number of pupils attend- ing during the year was two hundred and twenty-six. The entire cost of the schools being $1,321.15. Superintendent of public schools, W. H. Austin.
RUPERT, a post village, is situated on the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co.'s R. R., and contains, beside the post office, one church, two stores, blacksmith shop and a cheese factory. The inhabitants number 105, occupying seventeen dwelling houses.
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TOWN OF RUPERT.
WEST RUPERT is a village of some 155 inhabitants and thirty houses, situated in the western part of the town. It has a post office, two churches, two stores, two wagon shops, two blacksmith shops, a grist mill and a cider mill.
An association was formed during the year 1880, and had fitted up grounds and built a hall, called Floral Hall, for the purpose of holding town fairs. The first Fair was held last October for two days, the 5th and 6th, and was a most encouraging beginning, as it was largely attended by the inhabitants of the adjoining towns.
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