USA > Vermont > Chittenden County > Gazetteer and business directory of Chittenden County, Vermont, for 1882-83 > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
Rev. Thaddeus F. Stuart, son of Eleazer, was born November 6, 1818, and learned the mysteries of a farm-boy's life at an early age. His education was obtained by his own exertions and self-denial, receiving no assistance from his father. Studying theology, he was ordained in 1842, and entered the itinerancy in 1844, laboring as a traveling preacher for eleven years. Through great exertion in revival work, his health failed and he was obliged to abandon the itinerancy and retire to the old farm, where he now resides.
Among the many fine residences and prospects of Burlington, none sur- pass'es "Overlake," the splendid mansion and grounds of Col. LeGrand B. Cannon, situated on the southern part of College Hill. The house was erected in 1857-'59, and is one of the finest, and surrounded by as beautiful grounds, as are to be found in the State. It is of the French chateau style of archi- tecture, rarely seen in this country, built of brick, trimmed with New York brown stone, three stories in height besides a basement. Several wings, and many upright angles break the line of prospective view, and a high slate roof with dormer windows, and a tower not greatly elevated above the main roof, surmount the structure. But one's eye rests upon this rare specimen of architectural beauty but a moment, when it is drawn instinctively to the magnificent grounds which surround it. They are about sixty acres in extent, and afford unusual facilities in the nature of the soil, rocks, and forest trees, for landscape gardening and picturesque effects, all of which have been im- proved to the fullest extent, until one would almost imagine them the em- bodiment of a poet's dream. The grand view of the lake and surrounding beautiful scenery is also one of the best the city affords. In addition to the residence, Mr. Cannon's grounds contain a fine green-house, stables for his large stud of horses, and cottages for his gardeners, coachmen, and others employed about the place.
CHURCHES.
Notwithstanding the rapid growth of the population from 1783 to 1800, the privileges of public worship were but rarely enjoyed. The few who desired them obtained an opportunity only at long intervals, when the town was visited by itinerant missionaries and other transient ministers. But in 1799, the Rev. Daniel C. Sanders having taken up his residence here for the pur- pose of getting the University into practical operation, the people soon after took measures by which he was voted $400.00 per annum for preaching at stated periods. In November, 1799, he commenced his labors, preaching in the court-house.
First Calvinistic Congregational Church .- On the 2 1st of February, 1805, fourteen persons, members of churches chiefly in Connecticut, met at the house of Moses Catlin. and after a repeated perusal of articles of faith and a form of church covenant, prepared by Rev. Mr. Sanders, agreed to enter into-
158
TOWN AND CITY OF BURLINGTON.
covenant with God and one another, as a church of Christ, and in testimony thereof signed the articles and covenant. On the 23d, immediately after ser- mon, the articles and covenant were read, and assent to them being con- tinued, they were publicly declared, by Pres't Saunders, to be a "regular church of the Lord Jesus Christ, established in Burlington." By way of dis- tinction from another church formed here five years afterwards, the name it now bears was given the society. The names of the original members are as follows : Ebenezer Lyman, Daniel Coit, Ozias Buel, Daniel C. Sanders, Abi- gail Catlin, Sarah Atwater, Anna Lyman, Nancy Sanders, Amelia Tuttle, Abigail Buel, Miriam Whetmore, Clarissa Lyman, and Lucinda Catlin. Mr. Sanders was elected their moderator and clerk, and served as such until their first pastor, Rev. Daniel Haskell, was ordained. Their meetings continued to be held in the court-house until 1812, when their first church edifice was erected, of wood. This was consumed by fire, kindled by an incendiary, on the morning of June 23, 1839, and replaced by the present building, dedicated April 14, 1842. It is built of brick, located on the corner of College and South Union streets, will accommodate 600 persons, and is valued, including grounds, etc., at $70.000.00. The society now has about 300 members with Rev. L. O. Brastow, D. D., pastor.
The First Congregational Society in Burlington, a Unitarian church, located on Pearl, at the head of Church street, was organized in 1810. To get at the facts of its organization, however, it is necessary to turn back a few years previous to 1810. On June 5, 1805, several of the substantial free- holders joined in a petition to George Robinson, town clerk, to warn a meet- ing of the inhabitants, for the purpose of forming themselves into a society for social and public worship, agreeable to the form and effect of the statute, entitled "An act for the support of the gospel, " passed October 26, 1797. This petition was signed by William C. Harrington, Lyman King, Osias Buell, Arza Crane, Elnathan Keyes, Moses Catlin, David Russell, James Saw- yer, Samuel Hickok, John Pomeroy, and Horace Loomis. The people met accordingly, without distinction of opinions, and voted unanimously to form themselves into a society by the name of the "First Society for Social and Public Worship in the Town of Burlington." This association flourished for a time, but soon dissentions began to arise on doctrinal points, the contro- versy ending in January, 1810, when articles of association, whereby a very large majority of the male inhabitants of the town formed themselves into a Unitarian society, by the name of the "First Congregational Society in the Town of Burlington, " articles being adopted in public meeting. A call was given to Rev. Samuel Clark, who had been preaching a few Sundays in town by invitation, to be their minister, and by him accepted. at a salary of $550.00 per year. He served the society for twelve years, with little or no interrup- tion, and died on Wednesday, May 2, 1827, having five years previously re- signed his pastoral office in consequence of an attack of pulmonary disease. The church was erected in 1816, a neat, substantial brick structure, costing,
159
TOWN AND CITY OF BURLINGTON.
including bell, clock, and organ, about $23,000.00. It was dedicated Thurs- day, January 9, 1817, and stands to-day little changed from what it was then. The society is at present large and in a flourishing condition, under the pastoral charge of Rev. L. G. Ware.
(THIRD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BURLINGTON.)
The Third Congregational Church of Burlington is located on the corner of College and Union streets. As two Congregational churches had been organized on the same doctrinal basis, only one of which had adhered to the faith their articles expressed, it was thought that the growing necessities of the Con- gregational body required the organization of another church. Accordingly, after several meetings for consultation and prayer on the part of those who were engaged in the enterprise, the Third Congregational Society was or-
1
160
TOWN AND CITY OF BURLINGTON.
ganized at the house of Mrs. E. W. Buell, on July 21, 1860, and public ser- vices commenced in the court-house on the 9th of the following September. On the 4th of November, 1860, the Third Congregational Church was or- ganized, in the court-house, the Rev Joseph Torrey, D. D., of Burlington, assisted by the Rev Simeon Parmelee, D. D., of Underhill, presiding at the organization. The original members comprised fifty-two persons, of whom forty-five brought letters of dismission from the First Calvinistic Congrega- tional church, three from other churches, and four united on profession of their faith. G. W. Benedict, H. P. Hickok, and B. W. Smith were elected deacons. On December 26th, the Rev. Geo. B. Safford was installed as pastor, through a council, of which the Rev G. W. Blagden, D. D., of Boston, was moderator, and the Rev. G. E. Sanborn, of Georgia, Vt., clerk, the services. being conducted in the house of the First church. The construction of their elegant house of worship, of which we furnish an accompanying cut, was com- menced in the spring of 1863, the congregation in the meantime continuing to meet in the court-house, until the chapel in the basement of their new building was ready for use, where they first met on the 15th of January, 1865. On February 27, 1866, the completed house was dedicated to the worship of God, on which occasion a sermon was preached by the Rev. E. N. Kirk, D. D., of Boston. The whole cost of the edifice, which is built of stone, and has a capacity for seating 650 persons, was $50,000.00, while the entire church property is now valued at $55,000.00. The society has 160 members, a well-organized Sabbath school with 120 members and an average attend- ance of seventy, and is in a flourishing condition. Rev. George B. Safford, D. D., is pastor.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church, located on Winooski avenue, was organized in 1801, by Rev. Ebenezer Washburn, their first pastor, and Maj. Jonathan Breckenridge, in 1801, consisting of nine members. The first house of worship was constructed of wood, 60x40 feet, and completed in 1832. The present elegant stone edifice, affording seating room for 700 persons, was completed in 1870, having cost $45,000.00. The property is now valued at $66,000.00. The society has 413 members, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Merritt Hulburd, A. M. It also his a fine Sabbath school, contain- ing 422 members.
The Protestant Episcopal Society of Burlington, located on St. Paul street, was first organized here by the name of St. Paul's church, in April, 1831, though the services of the church had been celebrated in the town occasion- ally for several years previous. The first corporators were Hon. Heman Allen, Timothy Follett, Andrew Thompson, Justus Burdick, Phineas At- water, Luman Foote, and Chauncey Goodrich. At its organization, fifty-four persons became members. On May Ist, 1831, the Rev. George T. Chapman, D. D., was chosen rector of the parish, and entered on his duties the second Sunday in June following. During the same year work was commenced on a house of worship, the elegant building of blue limestone the society yet
161
TOWN AND CITY OF BURLINGTON.
occupies, and it was finished and dedicated by the late Bishop Hopkins, No- vember 25, 1832. The grounds and building, including bell, cost $8,000.00, and, in 1857, it was enlarged and repaired at a cost of $7,000.00 more. In 1867, the size of the building was nearly doubled, about twenty thousand dollars being expended upon it so that it can now comfortably accommodate eight or nine hundred persons. In 1881, it was much improved and beauti- fied by the removal of its side galleries, thus enhancing the symmetry of the inside, and increasing the light, and also by the erection, through the generos- ity of Mr John P. Howard, one of its members, of a beautiful stone chapel, which cost $10,000.00 The building, which is valued, including grounds, at about $75,000.00, is one of the finest church edifices in the State. The society has at present 388 members, with Rev. William C. Dawson, rector.
The First Baptist Church, located on St. Paul, between Bank and Cherry streets, was organized by its first pastor, Rev. Mr. Norris, September 26, 1834, with eleven members. The first house of worship was erected in 1842, and gave place to the present elegant structure in 1864, which will seat 734 persons, and cost $63,000.00. Its present value, including grounds, is estimated at $65,000.00. The society now has 352 members, with a Sabbath school of 400 pupils, and Rev. F. J. Parry, pastor.
The Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, or St. Mary's Cathedral, as it is generally known, was organized by the Rev. J. O'Callagan, in 1832. Father O'Callagan continued in charge of the parish until November, 1853. At this time Vermont, which was until then comprised in the limits of the diocese of Boston, was erected into a diocese of which Burlington was made the See, and the Right Rev. L. DeGoesbriand consecrated its first Bishop, a position he still occupies. The first house of worship was erected upon the lot now used by them as a cemetery, in 1832, and was destroyed by fire in 1838. After the burning of the church, until 1841, when the basement of the present edi- fice was completed, services were held in the court-house. The building was considerably enlarged and improved in 1866, making a structure capable of seating 1,200 persons, and valued, including grounds, at $150,000.00.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church is located on North Prospect street. In 1841, the French Catholics, under the direction of Rev. Mr. Anse, put up a church edifice near the site of the building burned in 1838, and after that the two congregations had separate services. In 1850, the French resolved to build the present neat edifice known as St. Joseph's church, which was completed under the direction of Rev. Joseph Quevillon. The society is now under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Jerome Cloarec.
In addition to these, one of the most extensive building enterprises now in progress in the city is that of a new Catholic convent and chapel on North avenue. The building, when completed, will be 170x55 feet, three stories and a basement, all except the basement, which is of stone, to be built of brick, with a plain slate roof, surmounted by a tower.
11
162
TOWN OF CHARLOTTE.
HARLOTTE, a lake town in the southwestern part of the county, lying in lat. 44° 18' and long. 3° 49', is bounded north by Shelburne, east by Hinesburgh, south by Ferrisburgh and a portion of Monkton, in Addi- son County, and west by Lake Champlain. The town was granted by New Hampshire to Benjamin Ferris and sixty-four associates, the charter bearing date June 25, 1762, conveying to them a tract of land about six miles square, containing 24,060 acres bounded as follows :-
" Beginning at a marked tree standing in the northerly line of the township of Monkton, thence running west about two miles and one half by Monkton to the northwesterly corner thereof, which is also the northwesterly corner of Ferrisburgh, and thence about four miles by Ferrisburgh aforesaid to Lake Champlain ; then beginning again at the first mentioned marked tree, and running thence north six miles to a marked tree, thence west about six miles to Lake Champlain aforesaid, then as the said lake runs, southerly to the northeasterly corner bound of Ferrisburgh aforesaid."
No changes have been made in the area thus bounded in the charter deed, a territory that presents as good agricultural facilities, and a surface with as rare points of natural scenery as are to be found in the county. Extending through the township from north. to south is a range of low mountains or hills, dividing the town into two nearly equal parts, the highest elevations being Mount Philo in the southern, Pease Mountain in the central, and Mut- ton Hill in the northern part, from either of which may be obtained a view that is well worthy the labor of a journey to their summits. Looking east- ward, a panorama is presented to the beholder, only exceeded in beauty and grandeur by that extending before the westward-looking eye. Eastward, the Green Mountains stand against the horizon, with Camel's Hump and Mans- field piercing the clouds, silent, grand, "rock-ribbed, and ancient as the sea," between which and the beholder lie many peaceful glens and rural glades, well-kept farms and modest homesteads. Westward, a more glorious scene is presented to the beholder, for just enough of the intervening country with its beautiful farms and neat dwellings, just enough of the blue waters of the unequaled Champlain, backed by the long stretch of the Adironacks, rough, rugged, silent and sublime, to form a picture beautiful in the extreme, one that perhaps may be the better summed up in the two words,-" Vermont's best." This natural division of the town, however, has not only been in sur- face, but also politically, leading to much rivalry and jealous feeling on the part of the inhabitants of the two divisions, retarding somewhat the growth and best interests of the township ; still, this unenviable strife may now be counted as one of the unpleasantries of the past, or at least if any of the old feeling exists it is fast dying out.
The rocks entering into the geological formation, as is the case, indeed, with most other towns in the State, are disposed in distinct ledges or veins, extending in a general north and south direction. The first of these veins, beginning on the west, is a narrow belt of Black River limestone, forming the
163
TOWN OF CHARLOTTE.
main rock-bed of Thompson's Point. Next, extending nearly the whole length of the town, is a bed of Trenton limestone, lying beside a ledge of Utica slate, next to which is a vein of Hudson River slate, while the residue of the town, except a small bed of Eolian limestone or marble, in the northeastern corner, is composed of red sandrock. These veins, however, are varied by all the modifications incident to the several rock forma- tions, as are more fully described in the county chapter. Overlying these rocks is a rich fertile soil, owing to which, and the lack of mill privileges, the industry of the people has always been devoted to agriculture. Coupled with this rare fertility was a large amount of marketable timber-valuable oak in the western and pine in the eastern parts, accounting quite readily for the rapid growth of the population after settlement was once begun, offering, as it did, superior advantages to the pioneers who flocked thither faster than to any other town in the county. This superior quality of land and beauty of location is also attested by the numbers now residing upon the homestead of of their ancestors, proving the fallacy of Stephen A. Douglass's assertion that " Vermont is a good State-to emigrate from."
The principal streams are Lewis Brook, flowing across the southeastern corner of the town, and upon which is situated the only mill-site of the town- ship ; LaPlotte River, flowing across the northeastern corner ; Bear's Brook, flowing south into Addison County, and thence turning north again, across the southwestern corner of the town, where it is discharged into the lake; Beaver Brook, rising in the central part of the township, flowing north into LaPlotte River ; and Pringle Brook, also rising in the central part of the town, flowing west and northerly into Holmes Creek, and thence into the lake. All of these streams have several tributaries, while numerous other small brooks are distributed over the country, furnishing plenteous irrigation to the soil.
Among the several curiosities and wonders of nature found in Charlotte is a remarkable cavity in a low mountain in the southeastern part of the town, on the line of Addison County, known as Dean's Cave. In company with Mr. Joshua M. Dean, the proprietor of the land upon which the cavern is situated, a gentlemanly and intelligent farmer, we paid a visit to the interesting locality, an account of which may prove of interest at this point. After preparing a quantity of pitch pine for torches, we started from Mr. Dean's residence one pleasant afternoon, and after a walk of a quarter of a mile, reached the foot of the mountain wherein the cave is situated, and commenced its ascent, up an easy grade, a sort of natural pass, for a half mile or so, then turned abruptly to the left and up a steep bank, assisting our ascent by clinging to the numer- ous small trees and shrubs with which it is clothed, for a distance of about one hundred feet, which brought us to the summit, a wild spot covered with a stunted growth of timber. Turning southward a distance of twenty rods, we reached a little higher elevation, whose appearance reminds one of the little girl's remark that she thought her father was growing tall, as his bald head
164
TOWN OF CHARLOTTE.
was projecting through his hair ; for here, a bare, solid rock rises high above its surroundings, a narrow ridge along which one must use caution in walking, as a false step would precipitate him to the rocks below, a distance of forty or fifty feet. Following along this ridge for twenty rods or so, we came to a sudden stop, for immediately before us was a perpendicular precipice with rough and jagged fragments of rocks lying at its base some eighty feet below, which our guide designated the "jumping off place." A few steps to the left is a terrace or flat, with a surface ten or twelve feet wide and sixty feet long. Here we halted, and Mr. Dean announced the spot as the " Camping Ground." We now made preparations for entering the cave, and, turning downward a short distance, enter an alley or fissure in the solid rock, about four feet in width, and descend rapidly as we pass northward about forty feet between its walls, then turn at right angles, west, and through a similar alley about the same dis- tance as the first. At this point stands a birch tree, twenty inches in diame- ter, whose base is full twenty feet below the surface of the rocks above, and whose growth is only nourished by the decayed leaves which are swept into the crevice by the winds. This "child of the rocks" so nearly fills the nar- row passage that a large man would experience some difficulty in passing it. Only a few feet from this point we turn again and are before the entrance of a room, the opening of which is so small that it is necessary to turn about and enter backward, crab-like, feet first. Once through this aperture it becomes necessary to " light up," and as the flickering glare of the torches dispel the almost impenetrable darkness, we find ourselves thirty feet below ground, in a room formed of solid rock, six feet wide, twenty feet long, and fifteen feet high. At the farther extremity and connecting with this is another room similar in construction, and of about the same size, turning off to the left at right angles. The ceiling or roof of both is a seamless rock with a surface as level and smooth as a flagging-stone. In the misty "long ago" some mighty force must have been exerted to have riven these masses in twain, crowding them asunder, leaving this amazing display of power ; for the cavern was formed in this manner, as is apparent from the corresponding deflections on either of the opposite walls. Late in the afternoon we marched home, thanking our guide, Mr. Dean, as we do now, for his courteous kindness.
.
Thompson's Point is a cape or low promontory, projecting into Lake Cham- plain, between Thorp's Bay on the south and Barton's Bay on the north. It has an undulating surface, cut occasionally by jagged ledges of rock, leaving an aspect of wild picturesqueness, while the extreme western extremity termi- nates in a bold cliff commanding a magnificent view of the lake with its islands and bays, a wide sweep of the country on the opposite shore, backed by the towering Adirondacks. Directly opposite, on the western side of the lake, is a high promontory or bluff, known as Split Rock, which is a curiosity in itself. By some powerful agency the mass of solid rock has been split in twain per- pendicularly, and thrown or forced apart, leaving a cleft ten or twelve feet in width, through which, at high water, small boats may pass into a bay to the
165
TOWN OF CHARLOTTE.
westward. On the main cleft stands Split Rock Light House. All of these points unite in forming a harmonious scene,-a picture of surpassing loveliness. Cedar Beech is a popular summer and fishing resort, on the lake, about two miles north of Thompson's Point, and one-half mile south from McNeil's Ferry. It is a point of land " V " shaped, containing from twelve to fifteen acres, the two water sides being of about equal length. The north side of the Point is the south side of a small bay, where the wharf is located, and along some portions of it is a gravelly beach, skirted with cedars. The bay forms a good harbor from the prevailing north and south winds. The shore on the south side is high and prominent, a bluff of rocks nearly perpendicular and about thirty feet high. The point is of dry, gravelly soil, covered with a fine grove, the whole of which is regular, smooth and accessible througout. This spot had been a transient camping ground for fishing parties for many years, but · was purchased by a number of gentlemen residing in Burlington, in 1873, known as the "Jolly Club." The property is divided into thirty shares, and thus gives to each about four rods space along the water-front for building purposes. Fifteen cottages have already been built, with barns and other out-buildings, a club-house, boat-house, and two ice-houses. The cottages are neat and well painted. Each family has a row-boat also, the boats being new, and altogether forming one of the largest and most costly fleets of small boats on the lake. New cottages are being added every year, and in all probability it will not be many years before the whole thirty will be built. This point is said to be the nearest to a railroad station of any on the lake, in Vermont, except Burlington and Alburgh, and also communicates directly with Essex, N. Y .. three miles across the lake, by ferry. Essex, N. Y., is a landing for all passenger steamboats. A steam yacht runs between this place and Burlington during the months of July and August, and the families, as a general thing, reside here during these two months, the men who are en- gaged in business going and returning at their convenience. These people are among the first people in Burlington, where they mostly reside, and are a law unto themselves. Hon. C. M. Spaulding is president, James A Shedd, vice- president, and Warren Gibbs, secretary and treasurer. The club is governed by a constitution and by-laws, and each proprietor pays annually five dollars towards the general expenses, and to keep the grounds in repair. The best of order prevails, and Sundays are strictly observed, religious services being frequently held and well attended. Of the numerous resorts on the lake, this is said to be the only one where the campers own their grounds and completely control them. At the western end of Thompson's Point, covering an area of six or eight acres, is a fine grove of primeval forest trees, at an elevation of about fifty feet above the level of the lake. In this sylvan retreat is located " Camp Pleasant," the park of the Thompson's Point Club, whose members occupy these agreeable grounds as a watering place during the heated season, spend- ing the time in social intercourse, fishing, and other recreations. This as- sociation was organized in 1870, with eight members, James Squier, C C.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.