USA > Vermont > Franklin County > Gazetteer and business directory of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vt., for 1882-83 > Part 11
USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > Gazetteer and business directory of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vt., for 1882-83 > Part 11
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
M. C. & W. B. Shepardson, located on Stone's brook, two miles east of Fairfax, commenced the manufacture of linden feathers, in November, 1881, the first manufactory of this kind established in the East. Linden feathers are a manufactured article for filling beds and for lining carpets, made from the linden, or basswood tree. These feathers undergo a process of medica- tion whereby they are said to be rendered vermin proof, and being non-con- ductois of heat, cold or electricity, and at the same time very pliable and elastic, make an excellent substitute for natural feathers at a greatly reduced cost.
W. H. Rood's saw-mill, located on road 25, is operated by water-power, employs two men, and cuts 150,000 feet of lumber per year.
Newton D. Kidder's saw and grist-mill, located at Fairfax village, is operated by water-power, employs two men, does custom grinding, and cuts 200,000 feet of lumber, and 75,000 shingles per annum.
Edward A. Sowles's tannery manufactures from 5,000 to 9,000 rough deacon skins annually, using about fifty cords of bark.
Broadstreet Spafford and his two sons, Nathan and Asa, came into Fair- fax from Piermont, N. H., in 1783, began improvements, and soon after re- moved their families here, being the first settlers in the town. A Mr. East- man started from New Hampshire with them, but died on the road, and was buried in a trough on the flats in Johnson. They located on the banks of the Lamoille, in the southeastern part of the town. During the following year they were joined by Robert and Jose Barnet, and in 1786, by Thomas Rus- sell, they all being related to each other. In 1787, Levi Farnsworth made the first settlement on the Plain. He came from Charlestown, N. H., bringing only his gun and an axe. In the autumn he returned to New Hampshire, and in 1790, moved his family to their new home. They moved by way of Williston, and thence cut their road to Cambridge Borough, there crossed the Lamoille, and proceeded down its north bank, by the road of Capt. Spafford, and again fording the river just below the falls, cut a road to their new home, about a mile distant. He was soon followed by his brothers and friends, Jasper Farnsworth, Sr., Jasper Farnsworth, Jr., Oliver Farnsworth, and Joseph Farnsworth, all of whom settled on the Plain.
The first settlement made in North Fairfax was by Joseph Beeman, Sr., and Joseph Beeman, Jr. They came from Bennington, Vt., in the year 1786, on foot, carrying upon their backs their provisions and utensils for opening their farms. They built a house of logs, covered it with elm bark, and floored it with basswood, cleared a small space for corn and turnips and returned to
92
TOWN OF FAIRFAX.
Bennington in the autumn. The following year they moved their family here. Mr. Beeman drove a cow, which was their main dependence for food. He brought his flour from Bennington, of which the first year he had some 300 or 400 pounds. This year he raised a patch of turnips, and a small quantity of corn. The next year his sons, Joseph, Jr., and Beriah, came on, and became permanent settlers in the town. Numerous descendants of this family still reside here. The following season Hampton Lovegrove and Jacob Story boarded with Mr. Beeman, whilst they commenced settlements in the town. The settlement thus begun soon increased by Gideon Orton, Aaron Hastings, Shores Ufford, and others.
The first settlement in Buck Hollow, was begun by Gould Buck and Abi- gail Hawley, who came from Arlington, in 1791. They settled on land pur- chased by Lemuel Buck, of Arlington, of Elias Jackson and Eleazer Marble, of Salisbury, Litchfield county, Conn. This tract contained 1,400 acres, the original rights of John, Christopher, James, Viner and William Legraft, was purchased for £100, and comprised the territory now known as Buck Hol- low. They were followed the next year by Jesse, George, Nathan, Zadock and Joseph Buck.
The first improvements made where the village now stands, was by a man named Joseph Belcher, about the year 1787. In 1789, William Maxfield, Lester Grosevenor and John Andros made a permanent settlement here. Stephen England came in 1788, and located on the old Belcher claim, where he soon after opened a hotel, the first in the village. He subsequently sold to Hampton Lovegrove, and the old stand yet remains in the village.
The first certificate of warning for a town meeting, was as follows :-
"CAMBRIDGE, April 20, 1787.
" This may certify that the inhabitants of the town of Fairfax had a legal warning given out to them for a town meeting, in said Fairfax, on the 22d of March, A. D., 1787.
" To whom it may concern.
" AMOS FASSETT, Justice of the Peace."
Pursuant to this warning, the inhabitants met at the house of Capt. Broad- street Spafford, where Capt. Spafford was elected moderator ; Thomas Rus- sell, town clerk; Nathan Spafford, constable ; and Broadstreet Spafford, Robert Barnet, and Thomas Russell, selectmen. The first justice was Broad- street Spafford, in 1787. The first representative was Thomas Russell, also in 1787. The first birth in town was that of Martha Powers, June 10, 1784. The first mill was built in 1791, at the Great Fall, by Judge Amos Fassett, of Cambridge. It was a frame building, and the inhabitants from Buck Hollow, North Fairfax, Cambridge and Westford, turned out to assist in rais- ing it. Previous to this the people had gone to Burlington and Vergennes for milling. Crane & Crandall established the first clothing works at the Great Fall ; but their building was carried off by the great freshet of June, 1830. A woolen factory was built on a small scale, and a few years after- wards burned. The first machinery built on Mill brook was by a man named
93
TOWN OF FAIRFAX.
Bidwell, in 1792. His was a log building, with a fulling mill, and tenter-bars for fulling and drying the cloth, which was spun and woven by the women. In 1806, Joseph Beeman, Jr., built a grist and saw-mill. Josiah Spafford made the first improvement about a mile north of the village, and Asa Wilkins the first in the northeastern part of the town. The first framed house built was by Joel Leonard, in 1792. The first framed barn by Levi Farnsworth. The first single wagon brought into town was by Josiah Brush, in 1808. Pre- vious to this there were several two-horse wagons, and numerous ox-carts upon which people would visit about, but the traveling was on horse-back. The first mowing machine brought here was in 1855, by Reuben Hunt. The first town hall was built in 1807, or near that time, and was occupied many years as a house of worship. The first doctor in town was Aaron Hastings. He settled in North Fairfax, frequently served as a lawyer, and is represented as having been a shrewd, active man. The next to locate here was Dr. Ross Coon. The first tavern was kept by Hampton Lovegrove, in North Fairfax, a few years after his settlement here, on the Johnson farm. The first road in town was marked out by Capt. Broadstreet Spafford, and underbrushed so that he could get through. The first mail route was through from Danville to St. Albans, and a man by the name of Trescott carried the mail.
George Buck was born at New Milford, Conn., and removed to Arlington, Vt., with his father, previous to the Revolution. After the Revolution he came to this town and located upon the farm now owned by Cassius Buck, where he kept a public house for many years.
Jedediah Merrill came to this town, from Connecticut, at an early date and settled on road 15, upon the farm now owned by his great-grandson, Adrian J. James, son of Jedediah, was born here previous to the year 1800, and Martin, son of James, was born on the old homestead, in 1811. He married Eliza Story, reared a family of seven children, and died February 21, 1881. His widow still survives him. Adrian J., son of Martin, was born March 5, 1843, married Julia Beeman, and is the present town representative.
John Lawton, a veteran of the old French and Indian war, came to this town, from Hartland, Vt., in 1796, and located on road 57, upon the farm now owned by Henry Giddings. Mr. Lawton had a family of eleven children, one of whom, Taylor, came to Fairfax at the age of eighteen years, married Anna Brown, reared a family of three children, and died February 8, 1865, aged eighty-six years. His son, John B., born in 1829, married Esther Harrington, has one son, George H., and now resides on road 15.
Josiah Safford made the first settlement on the farm now owned by Lewis Story. Mrs. Safford brought with her a rose bush, which she planted in the yard. It is still standing, and continues to blossom each year. They reared a family of ten children. Silas was eleven years of age when they came ; he married Lucretia Story in 1803, and died at the age of seventy-eight years. The house now occupied by Mr. Story, was built by Josiah Safford in 1803, and is at present one of the oldest houses in the town.
94
TOWN OF FAIRFAX.
Thomas Story, from Bennington, Vt., was an early settler, and made the first settlement on the farm now owned by Alburn M. Story.
Thomas Farnsworth, from Charlestown, N. H., came to Fairfax at an early date, and settled upon the farm now owned by Mrs. Mary A. Weaver. He came to Burlington, and there learned something of the Lamoille river, and directed his journey in search of it, accompanied by his faithful dog. He struck the river at it's mouth, and followed its banks until he arrived at Fair .. fax Plain, where he located. Being pleased with the location, he immediately commenced improvements. He brought with him to his new home his gun, axe, a small quantity of flour, and a little bag of salt, relying for sustenance mainly upon the wild game and fish which were abundant in the vicinity. He remained here alone with his dog from May until. October, clearing his land. Towards fall he was surprised by a visit from Tisdale Spafford, who called at his clearing while on his way from Cambridge to Burlington to procure seed- wheat. Mr. Farnsworth accompanied him on his journey, and being a man of great muscular power, brought back with him two bushels of wheat on his shoulder. This he sowed, then returned to his old home in New Hampshire, where he remained for the winter. In the spring, accompanied by his brother Oliver, he returned, bringing with him a horse laden with supplies. With this re-enforcement he was enabled to make much larger improvements, so that he soon had his farm cleared, upon which he continued to reside until his death, in 1814. He married Chloe Balch, and was the father of seven chil- dren, all of whom remained in Fairfax until they attained a mature age. Ira settled in the town as a tanner, and continued the business about twenty-five years, when he built the brick hotel at the village, and occupied it about eight years, then sold it and engaged in farming until his death. Three of his children are now residents of the town, Charles H., Alvah D., and Caro- line M.
James Farnsworth, a lieutenant in the Revolution, came from Connecticut, and made the first settlement on the farm now owned by Henry Hull, where he died in 1800, aged seventy-two years. Oliver Farnsworth and his son Asa, both revolutionary soldiers, were early settlers.
Hon. Joseph D. Farnsworth, born at Middletown, Conn., December 22, 1771, removed to Bennington, Vt., with his father, when but six years of age. At the age of sixteen he was fitted for college, after which he com- menced the study of medicine, in Connecticut, and, in the autumn of 1789, received a diploma, he being then but eighteen years of age. He located at Addison, Vt., and commenced the practice of his profession. In January, 1795, he removed to Fairfield, and in 1801, was elected to the legislature, and one of the judges of the county in 1807, and chief judge in 1808, a position he held until 1824, when he left the county, and did not return until 1836, and died at Fairfax, September 9, 1857, aged eighty-six years. His son, Hon. James H. Farnsworth, was born at Fairfield, Vt., April 16, 1809. When quite young in years he commenced reading medicine with his father,
95
TOWN. OF FAIRFAX.
and graduated from the medical department of the University of Vermont, at the age of nineteen, in the class of '28. On April 5, 1830, he married Caroline Martin, of Ferrisburgh, Vt., who died October 17, 1874. Soon after his marriage he settled in Fairfax village, where he practiced medicine for many years, served the town as representative in both branches of the legislature, and other trusts. He died, full of years and honor, August :6,1878.
Samuel Alfred was born in Springfield, Mass., in 1804. In 1824, he settled in Lansingburgh, N. Y., where he married Miss Sally Willard She died in 1828, leaving two children. About the year 1831, he removed to Berkshire, where, in 1832, he married Miss Polly Smith, the union being blessed with ten children,-six sons and four daughters. In 1842, Mr. Alfred came to Fairfax and engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1868, when he sold out to his son, J. B. Alfred, who still continues the business. He was a liberal supporter of the cause of education, and used his means and influence towards establishing the New Hampton Institution at this village. Mr. Alfred is now seventy-eight years of age, enjoying all his faculties unim- paired by age, and is still strong and active.
James Bellows made the first settlement on the farm now owned by his grandson, James.
Francis Story, a native of Connecticut, came to Fairfax, from Bennington, in 1786, and located upon the farm now owned by Owen Campbell. Mr. Story was an early settler in Bennington, and was engaged in the battle of Bennington, and subsequently in the battle of Plattsburgh. Aaron H., son of Francis, came to this town with his father, married Cynthia Learned, and . had a family of eight children, five of whom are now living.
Jedediah Beeman, from Bennington, Vt., came to Fairfax in 1786, in com- pany with his father and four brothers, and located upon the farm now occu- pied by his son, Hubbard, and grandson, George W. Here he erected a log house and kept bachelor's hall for a time, but soon becoming convinced that "it is not good for man to be alone," he took to himself a wife, and was blessed with a family of three children, when she died. He subsequently married again and had a family of seven children. He died on the farm upon which he first settled, at the age of eighty-eight years, honored and re- spected by all. Mrs. Beeman died in 1871, aged ninety-five years. Hubbard Beeman, who now occupies the farm, was born June 11, 1807, and was mar- ried to Rhoda Stratton in February, 1830. They are both enjoying excellent . health, and celebrated their golden wedding in 1880. One of their sons was killed at the battle of Gettysburgh, and two are now Methodist ministers. One son, Rev. J. D. Beeman, is president of the Vermont Methodist Semi- nary, of Montpelier, and another is superintendent of the car manufactory of the C. V. R. R. Co., at St. Albans, while the other is a farmer, residing on the old homestead.
Gould Buck, born in New Milford, Conn., in 1764, removed to Arlington,
:
96
TOWN OF FAIRFAX.
Vt., when twelve years of age, and, in 1787, came to Fairfax and settled upon the farm now owned by John Wanzer. The first barn built in the town was erected by Mr. Buck, upon this farm, and is still standing. He married for his first wife Hannah Burritt, by whom he had nine children, two of whom are now living. For his second wife he married Sarah Ann Hawley, by whom he had two daughters, both now living.
Jacob Story, from* Bennington, came to this town in 1789, and made the first settlement on the farm now owned by Perry Cook. His son, Joseph, was the first male child born in the town, and is still living here, on road 6, aged ninety years.
Hamton Lovegrove came to Fairfax, from Bennington, in 1789, and made the first settlement on the farm now owned by R. Stevens.
Samuel Hawley, Sr., emigrated from England to Stratford, Conn., in 1666. He had two sons, Samuel, Jr., and Ephraim. Ephraim settled in Newtown, Conn., and had a family of ten sons and two daughters. One of these, Jehiel, settled in Arlington, Vt., in 1766, where he organized the first Episcopal church in the State. Abijah, son of Jehiel, came from Arlington to Hinesburgh, in 1786, and, in 1789, removed to this town and made the first settlement on the farm now owned by Lyman and Cyrus A. Hawley. This was the first farm settled in this part of the town and has never since been owned outside the family.
Gideon Orton, from Tyringham, Mass., came to Fairfax about the year 1790, and made the first settlement on the farm now owned by Robinson Richardson.
Gen. Josiah Grout, from Massachusetts, made the first settlement on the farm now owned by Uzeb White, in 1790. He served as a general in the war of 1812.
Shores Ufford, born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1756, came to Fairfax in 1791, and settled upon the farm now owned by S. D. Ufford. His son, Samuel, came with him, and represented the town in 1813.
Shen England, a revolutionary soldier, born in Massachusetts, came to Fair- fax in 1794, and made the first settlement upon the farm now owned by Isaac Wilson. He built and kept the first hotel in Fairfax village, in 1800, and died May Ist, 1810, aged fifty-two years.
Josiah Brush, from Castleton, Vt., made the first settlement upon the farm now owned by Perry Cook, where he kept a hotel over thirty years.
Asa Wilkins, with his son, Asa, Jr., from Reading, Vt., came to this town in 1797. Asa, Sr., made the first settlement on the farm now owned by John S. Howard, and in 1800, Asa, Jr., made the first settlement on the farm owned by Robert B. Wilson.
Ansel Shepardson, from Middletown, Conn., made the first settlement on the farm now owned by Curtis Wilson. He had a family of eight children. Joel, the youngest, was born in 1797, and died in 1850. Ansel Shepardson, Jr., came here with his father when seven years of age, and died here in 1875, aged eighty-three years.
1. & Hubbell
97
TOWN OF FAIRFAX.
Alexander Rugg, born at Whitingham, Vt., in 1791, came to Fairfax with his father, Abram, who settled upon the farm now occupied by William Buck, about the year 1800. Abram built the first saw-mill in the northern part of the town. Alexander made the first settlement on the farm now owned by F. G. Rugg, where he died in 1874. He served as a captain during the war of 1812 .. His son, B. F. Rugg, is now a prominent citizen of St. Albans.
Nathaniel Gove was born in Preston, Conn., and came to Rutland, Vt., when quite young, and from there to Fairfax, in 1800, where he made the first settlement upon the farm now owned by Charles Brush. He kept a public house here for many years.
Isaac Webster, a revolutionary soldier, made the first settlement upon the farm now owned by Joseph Story, about the year 1800.
Rev. Ephraim Butler came to Fairfax in 1800. He was the first Baptist missionary who ever traveled in Vermont. He died June 12, 1861, aged seventy-eight.
Joseph Larned, born in Connecticut, July 14, 1779, married Lydia Powell, of Milton, Vt., in 1808, and, in the spring of 1809, removed to this town, and located upon the farm where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1867, aged eighty-nine years. He reared a family of seven children, and served his townsmen in most of the town offices.
Hilkiah Pierce was born at Bennington, Vt., in 1787, and came to Bakers- field when fifteen years of age, lived there ten years, and then came to Fair- fax, and located upon the farm now owned by his son, S. A. Pierce.
William Clark came to this town from Reading, Vt., in 1821, and located upon the farm now owned by his son, Marshall, where he died in 1860, aged eighty-seven years.
William Barrett, born in Williamstown, Mass., came to Fairfax in 1816, and located upon the farm now owned by Alfred Abels.
Homer E. Hubbell, son of Bildad and Polly Hubbell, was born in Cam- bridge, Vt., Aug. 10, 1805, and came to Fairfax when nineteen years of age, and entered the law office of Judge Luther B. Hunt, as a student, and was admitted to the bar of Franklin county, at St. Albans, in 1827, and in the fol- lowing April purchased the practice and real estate of Mr. Hunt, and built for himself an extensive practice in this and adjoining counties. He married Maria I .. Gove, in October, 1828. He was elected justice in 1828, which office he held for seventeen consecutive years ; was a member of the first State senate, in 1836, being the youngest senator ever elected in the State, at the age of thirty years ; was re-elected in 1838, and again in 1842 ; was a mem- ber of the constitutional convention, held at Montpelier, in January, 1843 ; was elected representative in 1847, '48, '49, '50, and '51, and again in 1861, '62 ; was always elected by the first ballot and each time the political majority was against him. In 1847, when it was ascertained that the State prisons were running behind financially, and by a joint resolution of the house one mem- ber from each party was elected to investigate the matter and devise some 7
1
98
TOWN OF FAIRFAX.
means to reduce the expenses, Mr. Hubbell was chosen to represent the Democratic party, and Col. Asa Wentworth the Republicans. Neighbor- ing State prisons were visited by them, and the matter adjusted with satisfac- tory results to the State. In 1842, Mr. Hubbell was elected State's attorney, and prosecuted the case in which Eugene Clifford was convicted of the mur- der of his wife and infant child, in 1843. Among the many students of Mr. Hubbell, were Judge David A. Smalley, Judge William C. Willson, and Henry L. Shepard, ex-State senator of Ill., and Jasper Rand, of St. Albans. Mr. Hubbell reared a family of five children, two sons, Geo. A. and John C. of Fairfax, and Mrs. Jennie E. Smith, of Princeton, Ill., are still living. He still resides at Fairfax, ill health having compelled him to relinquish much of his practice. He practiced at the Franklin county bar over fifty years, and was trustee of the surplus funds for the town of Fairfax, for twenty years, during which time the town never last a dollar.
During the war of 1812, the following volunteers from Fairfax were engaged in the battle of Plattsburgh, September 11, 1814: Joseph Grout, as captain; Asa Wilkins, lieutenant ; Abner Holmes, ensign ; Hiram Story, David Wilkins, and Lemuel Scott, Jr., sergeants ; Jesse Higgins, Benjamin Holmes, Joseph Webster, Isaac F. Story, and James Wilkins, corporals; and Phineas Chapman, James Robinson, Joseph Robinson, Cyril Cull, John Town, John Randall, Noah Richardson, Samuel Wright, Joseph Cox, Amos Fisk, Mar- shall Howard, John Andrews, Ebenezer Smith, Sylvanus Crissey, Joseph Story, Allen Loveland, Joseph Kingsbury, Ebenezer Bellus, Joseph Ellsworth, Jonathan Scott, Parker Ingalls, Samuel Bigsby, Levi Lockwood, Andrew Story, David Palmer, Joseph Hunt, George Majors, Jr., Ezekiel Richardson, Peter Smith, John Majors, Samuel Cressey, Samuel Webster, Zaccheus Kinney, Elijah Story, Hopkins Webster, Robert B. Wilkins, Elnathan Burdick, Asahel Farnsworth, John Crissey, and Isaac Webster, privates.
When the Union called for protectors during the late war, Fairfax responded with five commissioned officers, and 139 enlisted men, twenty-six of whom responded to that Higher Call before the war was ended.
The Methodist Church of North Fairfax was organized as early as 1800, though the early records are not now extant. The earliest pastor that can now be named was a Rev. Mr. Crane. The church building was erected in 1852, and thoroughly repaired and re-dedicated November 6, 1873. It will accommodate 300 persons, and is valued, including grounds, at $4,000.00. The society now has about seventy-five members, with Rev. W. N. Roberts, pastor.
The North Fairfax Baptist Church was organized January 18, 1828, by a council called for the purpose, with Rev. Alvah Sabin, moderator, and Elder William Arthur, father of President Arthur, clerk. Its total membership was thirteen, with Rev. Daniel Sabin as first pastor. The church edifice, a wood building capable of seating 200 persons, was erected in 1852, at a cost of $2,500.00, though it is now valued, including grounds, at $2,000.00. The society, which numbers about thirty members, has no regular pastor at present.
99
TOWN OF FAIRFIELD.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, located at Fairfax village, was organized, as nearly as can be ascertained, by its first pastor, Rev. Solomon "Stebbins, in 1832. The first house of worship was built in 1838, and gave place to the present structure in 1850. It is a commodious building capable or seat- ing 300 persons, cost $4,500.00, and is now valued at $6,000.00. The society now has 118 members, with Rev. N. W. Wilder, pastor.
The Protestant Episcopal Church, located in Buck Hollow, was organized by Alfred Wheeler, Lyman Hawley, and eleven others, May 8, 1835. From that time until 1860, services were held in the school-house, Rev. Edward F. Stevens acting as their first pastor. The present church was then built, a wood structure capable of seating 200 persons, at a cost of $2,000.00. Its present value, including the parsonage, is $4,000.00. The church now has forty members, with Rev. Gemont Graves, of Burlington, rector.
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.