Gazetteer and business directory of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vt., for 1882-83, Part 26

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y., Journal Office
Number of Pages: 1208


USA > Vermont > Franklin County > Gazetteer and business directory of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vt., for 1882-83 > Part 26
USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > Gazetteer and business directory of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vt., for 1882-83 > Part 26


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


Emanuel Honsinger, from Duchess county, N. Y., located at an early day


218


TOWN OF ALBURGH.


upon the farm now owned by his son, William. It was then in the midst of a forest, not a tree having been felled. He built the house now occupied by William, and he and his wife spent sixty-seven years of their lives therein. Mr. Honsinger attained the age of ninety years, and his wife the great age of ninety-eight years.


George Bremmer, from Scotland, settled near Ticonderaga at an early day. He served in the revolutionary war, was taken prisoner together with his family, by the Indians, and carried to St. Johns, Can., where he died. George, Jr., left St. Johns about the year 1786, and was among the early settlers in Alburgh, locating in the eastern part of the town, where he resided until his death, in 1844, aged seventy-seven years. His son, Thomas, married Cath- arine Bramer in 1823, located near his father, and died in 1850. George, son of Thomas, now resides here, not far from his grandfather's old horne- stead.


Duncan McGregor, born at Montreal, December 25, 1781, came to Alburgh the following March with his father, who had been granted five hundred acres of land by the British government, as a reward for faithful services as an offi- cer in the army. At the age of twenty-three years, Duncan located on road 44, upon land now owned by his son, Duncan. Duncan, Sr., served his country at the battle of Plattsburgh, and when offered a pension for the ser- vice, proudly declined it. He died in 1877, aged ninety-five years.


Thaddeus Landon immigrated from Connecticut at an early day, making for himself a home in the southern part of South Hero, where he reared a family of twelve children, two of whom, John S., and Jesse, are now living. Edwin, the first son of the latter, located in the eastern part of this town in 1845, where he still resides.


Dwight Darrow was one of the first settlers in the southern part of the town, where Annette and Barton Darrow now reside. He reared a family of eleven children here, and died at an advanced age.


Jesse Brown came to Alburgh at an early day, but upon the final estab- lishment of the Province line, it was found his location was in Canada. Will- iam, son of Jesse, came here when quite young, learned the carpenter and joiner trade, and finally located where his son, Philander, now resides. He married Pauline Huxley, reared a family of nine children, and died about the year 1860. His wife survived him until 1878.


Timothy Wheeler, from Grafton, Mass., came to Alburgh in 1783, locating near the Province line. He died here in 1854, aged seventy-three years. Palmer, his son, who is still living, at the age of seventy years, also spent a portion of his life on the farm, which is now owned by Timothy's grandson, Dr. Philander A. Wheeler, of Alburgh Center.


Benjamin Marvin was a soldier in the French and Indian war, and also served as a captain during the revolutionary war. In 1787, he came to this town, locating upon the farm now owned by his grandson, Rev. David Mar- vin. Benjamin served the town in many positions of trust. His son,


1


219


TOWN OF ALBURGH.


Thomas, born on Long Island, in 1773, residedin Alburgh ninety-three years. He was a Methodist minister and preached about forty years, dying in 1869, aged ninety-six years.


Joshua Manning came to Alburgh in 1788, and located upon the farm now owned by his grandson, Allen Manning. He reared a family of ten children, and one of his sons, Harry, had the unusually large family of twenty-six children.


John LaDue, born at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., February 23, 1768, canie to Al- burgh at the age of twenty-one years, locating on Savage Point, where he kept a hotel for many years. From there he removed to a farm about two niiles north, on the western shore, where he died in 1832, aged sixty-five years. William A., his seventh child, has always been a resident of the town, and is now eighty years of age. Abraham, another son, lived on the old homestead eighty-four years, dying in 1881.


Stephen Sweet came to Alburgh in 1790, locating upon a farm in the northern part of the town, where he remained until his death. George, one of his ten children, located near his father and died in 1843. George, agrand- son of Stephen, now occupies the old homestead.


Samuel Mott emigrated from Poughkeepsie, N. Y., about the year 1798, and located upon the farm now owned by his grandson, Micajah T., where he reared a family of twelve children. Samuel, Jr., his sixth son, born in 1780, resided in the town from the date of his father's settlement here, until 1854, when he died, aged seventy-five years. Jacob, the fifth child, was a citizen of the town from 1798, until his death. Stephen, the fifth child of Jacob, died in March, 1882, after a long and useful life. Herbert S., a great-grand- son of Samuel. Sr., now resides on road 3.


Nathan Niles, an old revolutionary soldier, came to Alburgh, from Connec- ticut, in 1789, and made a settlement in the eastern part of the town, where he resided for a period of nearly fifty years, or until his death, aged seventy- five years. His son, Stephen, located on the same farm, where he died, aged sixty-five years.


Elisha Reynolds, a native of Rhode Island, immigrated to this town from Hoosac, in 1800. He took an active interest in public affairs and served the town in various capacities, dying at an advanced age. His family consisted of three sons and four daughters. The second son, John, born in 1782, located upon the farm now owned by his son, Barber W., and grandson Hardy H., in 1816. He died at the age of sixty-two years.


J. R. Chilton emigrated from England previous to 1800, and located at East Alburgh, where he reared thirteen children, and died about 1850. John Chilton, born August 11, 1799, located on road 44, where his widow now resides, reared a family of five children, and died January 31, 1868.


Josiah Bohannon, from New Hampshire, came here in 1812, and worked at his trade as carpenter and joiner until 1840, constructing many of the old houses now in use. He died in 1840, aged seventy years. Three of his twelve children are now residents of the town.


.


220


TOWN OF GRAND ISLE.


Clement Eddy came to Alburgh in 1809, and in 1820, purchased a small farm of Louis Sowles, upon which he resided until a short time previous to his death, in 1867, aged eighty-two years.


The Congregational Church of Alburgh, located at Alburgh Springs, was organized by Revs. Simeon Parmalee and E. W. Dorman, with eight members, in 1824. Rev. Chauncey Taylor was the first pastor. The church building, a brick structure capable of seating 200 persons, was erected in 1854, and is now valued, including grounds, at $6,000.00. The society has ninety-one members, with Rev. Richard Hicks, pastor.


The Methodist Episcopal Church, is located at Alburgh, with Rev. David Marvin, pastor. We have failed in getting particulars in regard to this church.


RAND ISLE, the northern town of the southern island of the county, lies in lat. 44° 43', and long. 3º 42', and is surrounded by the waters of Lake Champlain on all sides except the south, where it borders on South Hero. It is about six and one-third miles in length, and varies from a quarter of a mile to four miles in width, containing 10,234 acres,-includ- ing Savage Island of 200 acres on the east, and the Two Sisters of about ten acres on the northwest,-of which 7,034 acres are improved land. The charter of the town was granted by Vermont, together with North and South Hero, to Ethan Allen, Samuel Herrick, Joseph Bowker, Ira Allen, Jonas Fay, and 359 others, supposed to have all been veterans of the revolution, October 27, 1779. The grant was given under the name of the Two Heroes, referring to Ethan and Ira Allen, and contained 25,002 acres. Isle La Motte, or Vineyard as it was then called, was intended to have been included . in the grant, but by some misunderstanding it was left out. On October 21, 1788, the Two Heroes was divided into North and South Hero, giving to North Hero 6,272 acres; and November 7, 1798, South Hero was again divided, and the northern part named Middle Hero, a name it retained until November 5, 1810, when it was changed to Grand Isle.


In surface, the town is usually level, though it contains some elevations of minor importance, the view afforded from either of which is most beautiful. Nothing is lacking in the scene. On either side are lofty mountains towering into the clouds, while the town itself is washed by the waters of one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, and contains within its own limits, a com- plete scene of pastoral thrift and comfort, and at some points, wild, romantic solitudes, at others the peaceful sylvan dells so dear to a poetic soul. This wealth of natural beauty attracts many city-tired people during the warm summer months, so that the town has attained some celebrity as a summer resort. The soil is rich and productive, varying in different parts of the ter- ritory from marl to clay. Sheep breeding, grain raising and fruit culture, are extensively engaged in by a large majority of the inhabitants, the soil being especially well adapted to the raising of sheep. It is claimed that the disease commonly called "foot-rot," has never been known to exist among these


22I


TOWN OF GRAND ISLE.


animals here. Fruit culture, too, is conducted as successfully as in any other portion of the State. No streams of importance are found, there being but one, Beaver brook, that furnishes sufficient power for propelling machinery. The timber that originally covered the land has almost entirely disappeared to supply the never ending demand for lumber, that which remains being mostly maple on the uplands, from which sugar is manufactured in consider- able quantities, and cedar and hemlock on the low and swamp-land. The geological structure consists of Chazy and Trenton limestone and Utica slate, extending diagonally across the town from north to south, in parallel ranges. The slate vein contains a number of quarries of a good quality, some of which, on Savage Island, are worked to good advantage.


In 1880, Grand Isle had a population of 749, was divided into five school districts, and contained five common schools, employing three male and five female teachers, to whom was paid an aggregate salary of $578.00. There were 136 pupils attending common schools, while the entire cost of the schools for the year, ending October 31st, was $655.16, with S. P. Gordon. super- intendent.


GRAND ISLE, a post village located in the eastern part of the town, con- tains two churches (Methodist and Congregational), a school-house, etc., and about a dozen dwellings.


William Hoag's saw-mill, located on Beaver brook, road 22, was built in 1866, by its present proprietor. Mr. Hoag manufactures about 10,000 feet of lumber and 14,000 shingles per day.


Melvin A. Ladd's grist-mill, located on road 24, was built in 1880. The power is furnished by one of Halladay's wind-mills, giving the mill a capacity for grinding from two to twelve bushels of grain per hour, according to the strength and velocity of the wind.


Proprietors' meetings were held at stated times from 1783, to 1786, when the usual business of such bodies was conducted. John Knickerbocker was the first clerk, and was succeeded by Col. Ebenezer Allen, in 1784. The first deed on their records is one from William Williams to Capt. Jedediah Hyde, of Norwich, Conn., of a lot of land for [12, bearing date January 18, 1783. The first surveys were made in 1783. It is believed that the first settlers were Col. Allen, Lambertin Allen, and Alexander Gordon, about the year 1783, the exact date not being known. From this commencement of the settlement until 1785, the following named persons came here, most of whom had families to accompany them : Cyril Reed, William Hyde, Jonathan Griffith, Uzziel Clark, William Campbell, Jacob Vantyne, Abraham Vantyne, John Minckler, William Hazen, Barnabas Minckler, John Sawyer, Reuben Clapp, John Gibson, and Ephraim Sawyer, Jr. 'To these, others were added from time to time, so that in 1791, the town had a population of 337. Most of the early settlers located on the lake shore, and very little progress was made in the settlement of the interior of the town for many years. After a long series of efforts had been made to divide the island into two towns, the


222


TOWN OF GRAND ISLE.


object was finally accomplished in 1798. The first town meeting was warned by Reuben Clapp, justice of the peace, and was held at the dwelling of Isaac Atkins, March 1, 1799. Reuben Clapp was chosen moderator ; James Brown, town clerk and treasurer ; John Thomas, first constable; Abel Bristol, Thomas Cooper, Sen., and Reuben Clapp, selectmen ; and Thomas Cooper, Sen., James, Tobias, and William Hazen, listers. James Tobias, Reuben Clapp, and Jedediah Hyde, Jr., were appointed commissioners to settle the claims of South Hero, and various sums were subsequently voted in liquida- tion of its demands. It was also voted at this meeting to raise a tax of one per cent on the grand list of the town, the said tax to be payable in wheat at 5s. 6d. per bushel, and corn at 3s. per bushel, for the support of the poor, and other incidental town expenses. It was also voted to build a pound, and the contract for its construction was awarded to Timothy Nightingale and Joseph Merrihew, for $27.50.


The first justice of the peace was Alexander Gordon, chosen in 1786. The first representative, Rev. Asa Lyon, in 1810. In 1810, the first free- men's meeting was held, there being thirty-one votes cast. The first birth was that of Esther, daughter of Lambertin Allen, December 13, 1782. The first death, that of Jesse Tripp, about 1786. The first saw-mill was erected by Enoch Allen, in 1822. Mr. Allen also had a grist-mill in connection, which was built the year previous, and ceased running in 1831. A small forge was erected near the mill in 1827, by Isaac Goodwin, where plows and domestic utensils were cast, it being discontinued in 1838. The first tanner and currier was Lambertin Allen. The first blacksmith was Samuel Daven- port. The first carpenter and joiner was Fox Fowler, about the year 1786. The first merchant was John Ferguson, at Ladd's Ferry, in 1792. The first physician was Jacob Roebeck. The first highway was surveyed in 1790, and extended through the island from north to south, and is now known as the Main road. The first tavern was kept by Alexander Gordon, at Ladd's Ferry, which at that time bore Gordon's name. Another tavern was opened a year or two afterwards, by Timothy Nightingale. The first postoffice was established in 1810, and Ephraim Beardsley was the first postmaster.


Ezra Kinney, from Stonington, Conn., came to this town when there were but two houses erected, and made the choice of a home in the southern part of the island, where he remained for a number of years, then removed to the foot of what is now known as Kinney's hill. Two of his family of ten chil- dren, Lorenzo D., and Lysander, are now living in the town, the former aged seventy-eight years, and the latter seventy-three years. Reuben S., the only son of Lorenzo D., was born in 1834, and now resides on road 11. Marcus O., the second child of Lysander, born in 1848, married Mary Cen- tre in 1873, and has one child, Clarence. Albert, the third child, born in 1852, Is now managing a large stock farm in South Hero.


Grinday Reynolds came to Grand Isle at an early date, and located near the centre of its eastern shore. His first grists were taken to Vergennes, re-


223


TOWN OF GRAND ISLE.


quiring a week for the trip. Of his family of ten children only two are now living, John Reynolds, of Winooski, and Guy, the fifth child, born in 1797, in this town on road 20.


Ephraim Hatch came into the town at an early date, and located in the extreme northern part of the island, where he died in 1831, aged sixty-six years. Abijah B., his eldest son, born in 1799, lived with his father until his marriage with Abigail Lyon, when he removed to a farm south of the center of the town on road 29, and upon which he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1861. He had a family of eleven children, two of whom, Daniel M., on the old farm, and Oscar E., on road 21, are still living in the town.


Wyman Chamberlain, born in 1772, came into this town at the age of four- teen years. William, his father, was killed in the war of the revolution, at Stillwater, N. Y. Wyman located on the western shore of the town, where he died at the age of sixty-six years. William, the only son of Wyman, born in 1859, now resides on road 11. Lavina, the fourth child of Wyman, born in 1804, married Mosher Hoag in 1830. Their only child living here is Mrs. Hannah Vantine.


Jonathan Griffith, from Danby, Vt., came here in 1786, and located in the southeastern part of the island, where he lived for several years, then removed to the eastern shore of Grand Isle, and finally took up his residence with his son Seth, on road 17, where he died in 1834, aged eighty-six years. Seth, born in 1772, was the first one to locate upon the old farm occupied by him, about 1800. A family of fifteen children have been reared on the place, only one of whom, Mrs. F. R. Griswold, is now a resident of the town. Seth, Jr., born in 1818, on the old homestead, lived there nearly sixty-four years, and died February 14, 1882, leaving a wife and one daughter.


Daniel Samson, from Norwich, Conn., immigrated to this town in 1786, and purchased the land now owned by his grandson, Daniel G. He reared a family of four children, all of whom settled in the town. Reuben, the only son, born in 1794, lived for seventy years on the old homestead, and died in 1865. Daniel G., the only living child of Reuben, born in 1825, has always resided on the old farm.


William Samson, from Norwich, Conn., came here as one of the earliest settlers, and located where Arthur Centre now lives, and died on the farm owned by Mrs. Julia Child, in 1856, aged eighty-seven years. He had a family of eight children, none of whom survived his death. Augustus C., one of his sons, had four children,-Julia, George F., Henry G., and Albert A. He died May 6, 1847.


Willard Gordon, from North Salem, N. H., located in the northern part of the town in 1788. On October 8, 1794, he married Clarissa Armstrong, the first marriage in the town. He died in 1846, aged eighty years. Lucretia, his seventh child, born in 1813, is still a resident of the town, located on road 25, corner 24. Norman, the fourth child, was a resident of the town for sixty-six years. Of his children, but two are now living here. Edward, the third child of Norman, born in 1840, now resides on road 25.


224


TOWN OF GRAND ISLE.


Jedediah Hyde, from Norwich, Conn., settled on road I, previous to 1788. He was a leader in the affairs of the town for a long time. His family con- sisted of ten children, six of whom located in this town. Mary, the sixth child, born in 1793, married Daniel Jackson, in 1815. Of their family, two are living,-Julia, the wife of Charles Watkins, in Worcester, Mass., and Dr. A. Henry N. Jackson, a medical graduate of Dartmouth college, a practicing physician here, where he has held the office of town clerk since 1851, and that of postmaster since 1845. George W. Hyde, grandson of Jedediah, and son of Alexander F., born in 1811, is still a resident of the town.


Timothy and Stephen Pearl came from Connecticut, to Pawlet, Vt., and thence to South Hero, in 1785, clearing the land where the South Hero post- office now stands. From there, Timothy removed to the eastern shore of Grand Isle, where he died in 1840, aged eighty-eight years. Wyman W., grandson of Timothy, and son of Stephen, was born in the house now stand- ing on the old farm, which he still occupies.


Wesson Macomber, from Duchess county, N. Y., came here in 1789, and located in the western part of the town, where his family of three children increased to twelve. They were prominent members of the Friends society, which at that date had a church consisting of a number of families. Wesson died in 1814, at the age of fifty years. Benjamin, the youngest child, born in 1806, is yet living on the old homestead with three of his sons, Joseph F., Samuel M., and Mahlon D. Wesson, the oldest child of Silas, and grand- son of Wesson, Sr., was born in 1815, on the farm he now occupies with his son, Abner H.


Daniel Hoag, from Duchess county, N. Y., came into the town in 1789, . and chose a home near Mr. Macomber, where he remained for several years, then removed to the lake shore. Of his family of fourteen children, all but one lived to have a family of their own. Mr. Hoag died in 1809, aged forty- eight years. His wife, Phoebe Mosher, survived his death forty-six years, dying in 1855, aged eighty-seven years. Two sons, Daniel and Seth, reside on the western shore of the town. Wyman C., son of Seth, with a wife and three children, is residing on road 16, and Stephen, born in 1824, lives on road 18, while James W., the youngest son of James, resides in the old farm house, part of which was built previous to 1805. Mercy R., the oldest daugh- ter of James, is now Mrs. William C. Irish, of South Hero.


Warren Corbin, from New York, was one of the first settlers on road 34, where he reared a family of seven children, and died in 1832. One son, Peter, resides in Illinois, aged eighty-four years. David T. Corbin resides in Charleston, S. C., during the winter, and in this town, on road 6, in the sum- mer.


James Tobias came here from Duchess county, N. Y., in 1791, and located in the western part of the town. Two of his grandsons now reside here.


Joseph Adams came to Grand Isle, from Pawlet, Vt., in 1792, and located on road 3, upon the farm now owned by his granddaughter, Mrs. Rev. Charles


225


TOWN OF GRAND ISLE.


Fay. Nathan, his second son, born in 1794, settled on road 2, after his mar- riage to Catharine Hildreth, in 1827. Their family consisted of three chil- dren, one of whom, Josiah H., occupies the old homestead, on road "2.


Andrew Ladd, from Norwich, Conn., came to this town in 1797, and located on road 2, where he purchased a farm of 135 acres, and where the descend- ants of the family still reside.


James Griswold from Hartford, Conn., came here about the year 1800, and located near the center of the town, upon the farm now owned by his son, Fitch R., where he resided until his death, in 1857, aged seventy-four years. Fitch R. was born in 1820, and now owns the old homestead and also a large stock farm on road 3. Solon S., the third child of D. Edgiston Griswold and grandson of James, is engaged in mercantile pursuits in the only store in the town. Carpenter M., the second son of James, born in 1809, still resides on road 20.


Dorastus Center, born at Sunderland, Vt., in 1784, came to this town about 1805, and after laboring in the forests for several years, accumulated sufficient means to purchase a lot of sixty-four acres of land. To this he ad -. ded from time to time, until at his death, in 1864, he owned over 600 acres. Jeremiah, the oldest child, born in 1809, resided on the old homestead most of his life. William H., the youngest of his four children, born in 1855, now occupies the old farm.


.


John Chamberlin, from Massachusetts, came here in 1806, locating on road 4, upon the farm where his son, John A .. was born. John died in 1873, aged eighty-nine years. He had a family of two children, Eliza, now Mrs. Hyde, of Chazy, N. Y., and John A., born in 1818, who now occupies the old home- stead.


The Congregational Church of South Hero and Grand Isle was organized in conjunction with that of South Hero in 1795, and was then called "The Congregational Church of South Hero." The original membership of the society consisted of seven persons, which number was not materially increased until about 1840. Rev. Asa Lyon was the first pastor, though he was never regularly installed. Rev. Orville G. Wheeler became pastor of the church in April, 1840, and was ordained November 5th following. The church build- ing, a brick edifice, was commenced in 1853, and completed the following year, at a cost of over $3,000.00. It was dedicated in September, 1854. Rev. O. G. Wheeler is the present pastor.


The Methodist Episcopal Church of Grand Isle was organized by its first pastor, Rev. William Anson, in July, 1802. The church building was erected in 1822, a wooden structure capable of seating 250 persons, at a cost of $2,000.00. It has been much repaired since, and is now valued at $3,000.00. The society has at present about sixty members, with Rev. D. P. Bragg, pastor.


St. Johns Episcopal Church, a small mission consisting of about twelve communicants, was lately organized by Rev. Charles Fay, of Chicago, who has a summer residence in town. Services are held in the Union church.


15


,


1


226


TOWN OF ISLE LA MOTTE.


SLE LA MOTTE, an island town of this county, six miles in length by two in breadth, its northern extremity eight miles south from the Cana- da line, and lying in lat. 44° 57' and long. 3º 41', one-half mile west of Alburgh, and one and one-eighth miles east of Chazy, in the State of New York, bounded on all sides by the waters of Lake Champlain, receives its name from a French officer, La Mothe, or La Motte. It was chartered by Vermont to Benjamin Wait and ninety-five associates, October 27, 1779, containing 4,640 acres. On November 1, 1802, its name was changed to Vineyard, and again, November 6, 1830, altered to the original.




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.