USA > Vermont > Chittenden County > Gazetteer and business directory of Chittenden County, Vermont, for 1882-83 > Part 27
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TOWN OF JERICHO.
tains no fossils, and in this locality no minerals. Numerous streams and springs are found throughout the township, affording an abundant supply of water. Winooski River washes the southwestern boundary. Brown's River enters the town at the northeast, from Underhill, and runs into Essex. Little River, or Lee's Brook, so-called, takes its rise in the east, and, running near the center of the town, unites with Brown's River at the village, in the west part of the town. Mill Brook enters the township from Bolton, and runs into the Winooski about half way from Richmond to Essex. On all of these streams are fine alluvial flats and good mill privileges, the best of the latter being on Brown's River. These numerous mill-sites have a tendency to make Jericho more of a manufacturing town than most of its neighbors, while its various soil, good climate, etc., render it not less valuable than they, in an agricultural point of view, it being well adapted for raising most kinds of grain and grass. Its timber, too, is various, though mostly beech, birch and maple, interspersed with hemlock, cedar, pine and spruce, with some oak and ash. For its products, both of the soil and the manufactory, it finds a ready means of transportation in the Central Vermont R. R., which passes across the southwestern corner of the territory, and also in the Burlington & La- moille Railroad. which has stations at Jericho, Jericho Center, and Underhill Flats.
In 1880, Jericho had a population of 1,687, was divided into twelve school districts and contained twelve common schools, employing six male and four- teen female teachers, at an aggregate salary of $1,598.80. There were 330 pupils attending school. while the entire cost of the schools for the year, end- ing October 3 Ist, was $2, 197.79.
JERICHO, a post village and station on the B. & L. R. R., in the western part of the town, is very handsomely situated on Brown's River, where, within a half-mile, are seven mill-sites, with an aggregate fall of one hundred feet, six of them being now in use. This fact goes far toward making the village what it is, a smart business-like little town, steadily growing in size, and now containing a drug store, hardware store, tin shop, one grocery and provision and three dry goods and general stores, blacksmith, boot and shoe, painters, and other mechanics' shops, three churches (Cong., Baptist and M. E.), two lawyers, jeweler, printer, etc., a cornet band, and about 400 inhabit- ants. It has also a pump and water-tubing manufactory, the shops of the Jericho Chair Company, a grist and flouring-mill, butter-tub and cheese-box manufactory, and two saw-mills. A large, handsome school building has lately been erected, in which three schools are in successful operation. Last, but not least, it also contains a fine, well-kept hotel, with a good livery attached.
UNDERHILL FLATS (Underhill p. o.), located partly in this town and partly in Underhill, contains a hotel, steam saw-mill, grist-mill, three churches (Episcopal, Methodist and Cong.), two stores, one in Jericho and one in Underhill, the Congregational church also being located in the Underhill part,
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one drug store, one tin and hardware store, one wagon shop, two blacksmith shops, one of which is in Jericho, a cheese factory, and about one hundred inhabitants in the Jericho portion, and seventy-five in the part lying in Underhill.
JERICHO CENTRE, a post village located, as its name implies, in the central part of the town, contains one store, two churches (Cong. and Universalist), a blacksmith shop, shoe and harness shop, and about twenty-five dwellings. Here also is situated Jericho Academy, formerly a very popular institution, erected in 1825, though it did not go into successful operation until March, 1827, when Simeon Bicknell, A. M., took it in charge, and under whose man- agement the school attained a high reputation. He remained with the Acad- emy until 1832, when he left, and with him left the energetic spirit of the institution, which gradually lost its popularity until it finally ceased to exist, in 1845. From that time up to about five years ago no enterprise was attempted, when school was again opened in the old building. It met with no particular success, however, and was given up again about a year ago.
Jericho Grist and Flouring Mill, located on Brown's River, was built about twenty-five years ago, by James H. Hutchinson, who operated there about eight years. They are now owned and operated by L. B. & .F. Howe, who do an extensive business in custom work, in addition to the manufacture of flour and meal from about 20,000 bushels of western corn, and 10,000 bushels of wheat per annum. The mills are furnished with four runs of stones, and employ five men.
Horatio B. Barney's carding-mill, located at Jericho village, was established bý Truman Barney in the year 1819. Mr. Barney does a modest, yet thriving business.
Spafford A. Wright's carriage manufactory and paint shop, also located at Jericho village, was established by Mr. Wright in 1876, who does new work, as well as carrying on a general repairing business.
The Jericho Chair Company, whose works are located on Brown's River, at the above mentioned village, was established by Henry M. Field and Simon D. Bullock, in 1877, for the manufacture of cane-seat chairs. They now manufacture about $60,000.00 worth per annum, employing thirty-five men.
Anson G. Field, Jr.'s, wood-pump and water-tubing works, located on Brown's River, at Jericho village, were established by Simon Davis in 1840, he continuing the business until 1859, when it was taken by H. M. Field, who continued it until 1875, when the present owner purchased the property. In addition to the above mentioned manufacture, he also saws and planes lumber, cutting about 700,000 feet per year. The whole business amounts to a net value of $10,000.00 to $12,000.00 per annum, giving employment to twenty-five men.
John Early's saw and grist-mill, located on Brown's River, on road 2, was built by Early & Gibbons, about the year 1874. Mr. Early now manu-
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TOWN OF JERICHO.
factures here about 200,000 feet of lumber, and does, in both branches of the business, a general custom trade.
Whitcomb & Day's cheese-box manufactory and planing-mill, also located on Brown's River, near Mr. Early's mill, was established by Thomas Buxton and Charles Williamson, in 1874, and purchased by the present owners in 1876, who now employ four men, and manufacture 15,000 cheese-boxes annu- ally.
Underhill and Jericho cheese factory, located at Underhill Flats, in this town, was built by the present owners, Edward S. Whitcomb and Buel H. Day, 1873. The firm does an extensive business, manufacturing into cheese the milk from 600 to 1,000 cows, annually.
The steam saw and grist-mill and handle manufactory, located near the above mentioned factory, was built in 1877, and is now owned by a company of thirteen men, with Buel H. Day as secretary and principal manager. They manufacture plain lumber, do custom grinding, and also manufacture all kinds of turned handles. Of lumber alone they cut annually 2,000,000 feet.
Julius C. Hodge's mill, located on Mill Brook, was built about thirty years ago, destroyed by fire in May of 1880, and rebuilt in 1881, for sawing and planing lumber, manufacturing cheese-boxes, grinding grain, and also for manufacturing cider. The building stands on the corner of roads 50 and 5 1.
Mill Brook Cheese Factory, located on the brook of that name, was built, and is now owned and operated, by a stock company organized in 1874. It uses the milk from 375 cows, manufacturing about 95,000 pounds of cheese per annum.
Ezra Kinney's wheelwright and blacksmith shop, located on road 15, where Mr. Kinney does a moderately profitable business, was originally built about twenty-eight years ago, though destroyed by fire in 1875, and rebuilt in 1881.
Edgar A. Barney's saw and planing-mill, on road 17, upon Lee Brook, was established in 1864. It manufactures annually, about 200,000 feet of lumber, and also a considerable quantity of chair-stock.
Ansel Nash's grist, saw and cider-mill, located on Mill Brook, was built about twelve years ago. Mr. Nash saws 50,000 feet of lumber, and manu- factures two hundred barrels of cider per annum, while the grist-mill, for grinding feed only, does custom work.
Augustus S. Wood's rake manufactory and turning works, on Mill Brook, were established about fifty years ago, and purchased by Mr. Wood, January 15, 1866. In November, 1879, the buildings were destroyed by fire, and re- built in 1880. Mr. Wood manufactures the Weymouth clothes bars, hand rakes, and mop handles, also doing ornamental turning. The business amounts to from $2,000.00 to 2,500.00 per year.
William S. Noyes's fork and rake-handle and chair stock manufactory, located at Underhill Flats, employs fifteen men and turns out about 400,000 handles and $4,000 worth of chair stock annually.
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TOWN OF JERICHO.
Nearly ten years after Governor Benning Wentworth placed his "sign manuel" to the document which brought into existence the town whose title heads this sketch, in 1774, three families from the western part of Massachu- setts began their difficult journey "over into Jericho " through the trackless wilderness, guided only by here and there a blazed tree, or by following the course of some stream that cut like a silver thread the dense primeval forest. These, the families of Messrs. Messenger, Rood and Brown, after many pri- vations, at last reached their destination, and immediately took steps toward erecting their humble homes, thus establishing the first white settlement in the township. Mr. Brown located on the flats near Underhill, upon the banks of the river that has since borne his name, his farm consisting of three hun- dred acres of land, for which his wife had paid $300, and the same now owned, and occupied, in part at least, by their grandson, Rufus Brown. Mr. Messenger settled on the Winooski River, and near Mr. Rood. They were soon after followed by several other families.
The pioneer's anticipations of a quiet, peaceful home were soon to be dissi- pated. The war against the mother country soon after broke out, rendering not only the titles to their lands insecure, but their lives also were in jeop- ardy. The settlers of Vermont, especially those of the northern portion, were occasionally annoyed by Indians from the commencement to the ter- mination of the war. Their encroachments were made by scouting parties, whose pursuit was made for the acquisition of plunder and riotous entertain- ments, while their unwelcome visits were obtruded among the distressed in- habitants. The northern hive of Indians residing upon the Canadian frontier poured in upon the wilderness territory, destroying the property and carrying many of the luckless settlers into captivity.
Mr. Brown, with his family, consisting of a wife, a daughter, and two sons, was not seriously molested during the fore part of the Revolution, and had made such improvements on his land as to raise most of the necessaries of life ; but in the autumn of 1780, the family was surprised and made prisoners by a party of Indians, who, after securing their prisoners, killed the cattle, sheep and hogs belonging to them, set fire to the house, and started for Mon- treal. The prisoners suffered much on their journey, from fatigue and hunger, their principal food being raw bears meat. On arriving at St. Johns, they were turned over to the British officers, and the captors received their bounty, $8.00 per head, for them. For three years they were retained as nominal prisoners, though they were in reality slaves, being obliged to serve their ex- acting masters, receiving only the poorest of fare. At the time of their cap- ture there was a young man by the name of Olds in the house with them, who succeeded in escaping, and made his way to a block-house in the south- ern part of the town, on Winooski River.
Some time previous to this, in 1776, Mr. Messenger had hecu advised to take his family and leave for a place of greater safety, by Gen. Ira Allen. This friendly advice Mr. Messenger hooded, and soon after started for Ben- nington, where, after many friis, he arrived safely with his family.
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Soon after the cessation of hostilities, in 1784, the Browns returned to their possessions in Jericho, where they were speedily joined by others, so that in 1785, there were six enrolled freemen, which number was increased to twelve during the following year ; and in 1791, the whole population numbered 381 souls. The first town meeting, warned by John Fasset, judge of the supreme court, was held March 22, 1786, and James Farnsworth chosen moderator ; Lewis Chapin, clerk ; and Peter McArthur, constable. On the 13th of the following month, at an adjourned meeting, Dea. Azariah Rood, Capt. Joseph Hall, and Jedediah Lane, selectmen. November 29th of the same year, by a permit from the general assembly at its session at Rutland in the previous October, Jedediah Lane was also chosen representative. The first justice was James Farnsworth, chosen in 1787. Mr. John Lee, who died in 1789, was the first person buried within the limits of the town. The first physician was Matthew Cole, though he did not remain long in the town. Martin Post was the first lawyer.
Joseph Brown, the first settler, was born in Watertown, Conn., and came to this town from Great Barrington, Mass. In exchange for his property in the latter place, he received five hundred acres of land, situated where the village of Stowe now stands. During the three years of his captivity, taxes had been levied on this land as well as on the three hundred acres here, and accumu- lated to such an extent that he was unable to pay them, and consequently lost the property, retaining only a portion of that in Jericho, upon which he again located. But outliving his hardships, however, he was able at his death to leave his children a competence. His son Joseph, who was taken prisoner with him, came back with his father, and died here in April of 1838, leaving his property to his son Rufus, who now occupies the same.
Roderick Messenger, of Claverack, N. Y., who came during the same year, after taking his family to Bennington, was employed by the council of safety in defense of the settlers of the grants, and was stationed at a block-house on his farm in Jericho, which was occupied as a military out-post till, upon the approach of Burgoyne, the company stationed there retreated to meet the enemy at Hubbardton and Bennington. After the war Mr. Messenger re- occupied his farm, and was for a long time postmaster and news-carrier for the pioneers.
Dea. Azariah Rood, of Lanesboro, Mass., the other of the three, one of the first six freemen, first selectman, first deacon, etc., died in 1795, leaving his son, Thomas Drakely, to fill his place. Thomas became one of the most respected citizens of the town, which he served in almost every responsible civil position. In his old age he removed, with his youngest son, to Wiscon- sin, where he died, in 1855, aged eighty-seven years.
Hon. Noah Chittenden, oldest son of Gov. Thomas Chittenden, born in 1753, was one of the early settlers of the town, and an opulent land owner. He had entered public life previous to his coming to Jericho, and in 1785, was sheriff of Addison County, while that county yet included Chittenden.
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TOWN OF JERICHO.
Most of the original titles to land were lost by sheriff's sale for taxes, and by this means "Judge Noah " became the owner of about 2,000 acres. This gave him great influence, and he was much employed in public business in the town and county for many years, until his death, of apoplexy, in 1833.
Jedediah Lane, from Killingworth, Conn., was among the first permanent settlers, one of the first six freemen registered, one of the first elected freemen, and first representative. Many of his descendants are now residents of the town and vicinity. He died here in 1818, aged seventy-seven years. His son, Jedediah, who engaged in mercantile pursuits for a time, and many years a teacher, was the first college graduate from Jericho.
John and Azariah Lee, from Saybrook, Conn., with their families, were among the first settlers, locating on road 49, upon the farm now occupied by Sylvanus Lee, great-grandson of Azariah. Solomon, the grandfather of Sylvanus and son of Azariah, was eleven years old when he came here, and died in 1848. John died a few years after their settlement here, in 1789, aged fifty years. Lee Brook, and numerous descendents, remain to perpetu- ate the name of the family.
John Lyman, from Salisbury, Conn., was one of the early settlers, and located upon the farm now owned and occupied by his grandson, Charles H. Lyman. Daniel, a son of John, is now living with Charles H., being eighty- nine years of age.
Lewis and Ichabod Chapin, from Springfield, Mass., came to Jericho in 1784 or'85. Lewis settled at the Center, where he purchased 300 acres of land, and soon became one of the principal men of the town, was chosen first town clerk, serving in that office many years, and also served as representa- tive, etc. He donated four acres of land for the site of the first meeting- house, and afterwards gave the site of the academy, and also two acres for a cemetery. Lewis died in 1827, aged seventy-twoyears. Lewis Chapin, Jr., born here, died in 1833, aged forty-one years. Milo H., son of Lewis, Jr., now resides on the old homestead, which has so long been in the possession of the Chapin family.
William Smith, from Lanesboro, Mass., removed to this town after a short residence in Essex, about 1785, locating on road 37, where his son John still resides. Gordon, son of John, born here, still resides on the old homestead, and has a family of three children, making three generations now living on the place.
Sylvanus Blodgett, from Whitingham, Vt., came to Williston at an early date, and from there to Jericho, where he married Rachel Woodward, and resided here until his death, in 1872, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. His daughter, Mary E., married William A. Brown, who died in 1862, while serving in the Union army. She now resides near Jericho village, on road 25.
Jesse Gloyd, born in Cummington, Conn., April 17, 1770, came to this town at an early date in its history, resided here many years, and died in Mil-
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ton, in 1845. His grandson, Jesse, son of Justin, who lived all his life here, now occupies the old homestead, which has been in the possession of the Gloyd family nearly one hundred years.
Nehemiah Prouty, from Massachusetts, came to Jericho at an early day, and resided here until his death, in 1871, aged ninety-three years. His son, Nehemiah, born here in 1832, built the house he now occupies, on road 17, and a few years later built a wagon shop, where he still carries on the busi- ness of wagon making.
Gains Pease, born in Enfield, Conn., October 21, 1771, came to this town in early life, where, after a long and busy life, he died, in 1855, aged eighty- three years. His son, Alvah, born here, now resides on road 18.
David T. Stone, from Connecticut, came to Jericho at an early day, locating near Lee Brook, where he continued to reside until quite aged, then removed to Underhill, and finally to Westford, where he died, September 2, 1845, aged seventy-six years. His son, Hiram T., was the first child born in the Lee Brook neighborhood, and resided in that vicinity nearly all his life, dying April 3, 1874, aged seventy-nine years and eleven months. Isaac C., son of Hiram, also born in this vicinity, remained until 1878, when he removed to the place he now occupies, on road 29.
Ezra Church, from Chelsea, Vt., came to Underhill while yet a boy, and remained there a few years, then removed to this town, and resided a long time on road 12. He was an active, energetic man, and served the town as constable for many years. He died August 20, 1881, aged eighty-four years. His son, Asa, born in Underhill, came to Jericho with his father when only one year old, and now resides on road 22. Hyman, another son, was born near where he now resides, on road 27.
James G. Walston, born in this county, has always resided here, and now lives on road 42. His son, Willie C., born in Richmond, resides in the northern part of this town, on road 42.
Asher Hall, born in Richmond, came to Jericho at an early day, and died in Bolton. His son, Lyman C., was born in this town, and is still a resident.
Col. Luther Dixon, born in Kent, in 1769, was one of the earliest settlers in Underhill, and from there removed to Milton, where he died, in Decem- ber, 1846. Luther was a colonel of militia, and commanded a regiment at the battle of Plattsburgh. His son, Leonard S., is now a resident of Jericho.
David and Jedediah Field, brothers, come to this town from Guilford, Conn., about 1797, and were among the most honored of the early settlers. David settled about half a mile east from Jericho Center, where he died, aged seventy-two. He had seven children, three sons and four daughters, two of whom only are now living, Anson, Sr., at Jericho Corners, aged, seventy-eight years, and Mrs. Mary Lyman, at the Center, aged eighty-one years. Harvey, son of Jedediah, came with his father at the age of seven years, and died here, in 1878, aged eighty-eight years. His son, Austin, was born near where he now lives, on road 47. Erastus Field, another son of Jedediah, now re-
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siding at Jericho village, was born here in 1798. He has held most of the town offices, among which that of constable and representative, and has held the office of Justice nearly or quite thirty years.
Thomas Lowery, born in Philadelphia, August 17, 1734, came to Jericho previous to the Revolutionary war, and pitched his claim of 300 acres where his great-grandson, Oliver J. Lowery, now resides. He then returned to Philadelphia, intending to settle on his land soon after ; but as the war frus- trated this plan, he did not make a settlement until 1789. His son, Oliver, born at Croton Falls, N. Y., June 6, 1783, came on with his father, and lived here until his death, in March, 1868, aged eighty-five, having lived on the farm seventy-nine years. During his long life here, Oliver served the town as magistrate, selectman, representative, etc., and also held the office of captain, in the war of 1812. Albert, son of Oliver, born in Jericho, January 8, 1810, died here, May 19, 1879. Oliver J., son of Albert, born April 4, 1847, now owns and occupies the old homestead, which has been in the possession of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather before him.
Polli C. Packard, born in Plainfield, Mass., January 26, 1768, came to Jericho in 1794, and returned to Massachusetts the following year, where, on February 16th, he married Ruth Nash and immediately returned to Jericho. Here he resided for a number of years, and finally died at Middlebury, while on his return from a visit to Massachusetts. Cyrus, son of Polli, born here in 1810, died in 1870. His widow, Melissa (Mead) Packard, born in Under- hill in 1812, now resides here with her son Harrison.
Arthur Bostwick, with his son Nathaniel, from New Milford, Conn., came to Jericho in 1788, and both remained here until their death. Nathaniel had one son, Arthur, who also died here, and his son, Isaac C., is now occupying the old homestead.
Abijah Whiton, born in 1795, died in 1872, aged seventy-seven years. His son, John P., still resides on road Io.
Isaac Burnham, born in Connecticut, came to Jericho from Genesee County, N. Y., at an early date, locating upon the farm now owned by Stephen Dow, where he died in 1846, aged ninety-three or ninety-four years. John Burn- ham, son of Isaac, better known as Dea. Burnham, born on the old home- stead, died here March 17, 1875. He was a prominent man and deacon of the Baptist church. Nathan, son of John, born here October 14, 1816, is still a resident.
Eliphalet Hatch, from Connecticut, was also one of the early settlers of Jericho, coming with his son Roswell. Roswell died in 1829, aged forty-five years. Moses B., son of Roswell, born here, is still a resident, on road 48.
James Marsh, one of the early settlers of the town, was born in Bath, N. H., and came to this town at an early date, with his family, which consisted of wife and eight children. He was subsequently drowned while crossing the river in Richmond, and was buried on the farm of Capt. Joseph Hall, then in Jericho, now near Richmond Corners. James Jr., who is said to have cut
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the first tree on the site of the cemetery at Jericho Center, died here February 17, 1865, in his ninetieth year. Lewis, son of John, Jr., born here, still resides on road 57.
Benjamin Day, from Whitingham, Vt., came to Jericho about 1800, locat- ing on road 12, where he died in 1846. Hiram B., son of Benjamin, now lives on road 12, corner of road 4. Byron W., son of Hiram, also resides on road 12.
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