USA > Vermont > Franklin County > Gazetteer and business directory of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vt., for 1882-83 > Part 8
USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > Gazetteer and business directory of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vt., for 1882-83 > Part 8
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Jonas Brigham was born in 1748, and came to this town, from North Brookfield, Mass., in the spring of 1791, locating in the northern part, where Walter Cutting now resides. Here he erected a log house which he occupied until able to build a more pretentious dwelling, the one now occupied by Mr. Cutting. He was the first representative of the town, elected in 1796. The next year the town by vote resolved not to elect a representative, but in 1798, he was returned by a unanimous vote, retaining the office for the next sixteen consecutive years. He also held the office of justice of the peace a term of years. His death occurred December 1, 1826, in his seventy-eighth year. His children were Michael, Eli, Hannah, Sally, Patty, Jonas, Luther,
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Asa, Betsey, and Cheney, none of whom are living. His representatives in the town now are ten grandchildren, with their families.
Josiah Fay Brigham, the sixth child of Uriah and Elizabeth (Fay) Brigham was born in Bakersfield, October 11, 1801, and died here August 28, 1878. Mr. Brigham was a man of wide reading, of independent thought, of pure morals, of upright character, kind to his neighbors, and gentle to his family. Being a Democrat in politics, he was on the unpopular side in the Green Mountain State, which has always been Whig or Republican ; yet at three different times (1857, 1869, 1876,) he was elected to the State legislature, and frequently filled the office of selectman. The last time he was elected to the legislature, Deacon Asa Dean, one of the oldest citizens of the town, and a life-long Whig and Republican, braved the inclemency of the weather, and came out to vote for bim, saying that he knew he was voting for an honest man. On relating this fact to a friend in Montpelier, Mr. Brigham said, with that frankness and simplicity so characteristic of him, that he regarded Deacon Dean's remark as one of the most flattering compliments he had ever received. In speaking of his death, a correspondent to the Montpelier Argus and Patriot made the following tribute to his memory :-
" My acquaintance with Mr. Brigham began thirty years ago, when I was a student at Bakersfield academy. He was then an influential citizen and a substantial farmer, in the very prime of life, and impressed me as a gentle- man of strong points of character, of more than ordinary intelligence, and of positive opinions. The impressions then made have been strengthened as we have occasionally met since. For candor and frankness in the expression of his opinions, which on some subjects were peculiar to himself, and for dignity of manner and courtly bearing, he was rarely excelled. * He
* enjoyed the esteem of his fellow townsmen to a high degree, and exerted an important influence upon all public affairs. He was a Democrat throughout his long life. Having been schooled and practised in the customs and ways of days long gone by, he naturally looked with distrust and suspicion on the extravagances and pretences of the present day. A great void has been created by his death, which it would be difficult to fill. To pay a simple tribute of respect to his memory is the object of these lines."
Simeon Maynard and Deacon John Perkins came to Bakersfield from Massachusetts, at an early day in the history of the town, making their way through the deep snow on a sled drawn by two yoke of oxen. Mr. Maynard had come on the year previous, built a log house, cleared some land, and planted and harvested crops, which he stored away to await the coming of bis family, which consisted of a wife and one child. Here he resided on road 17, upon the farm now owned by his son, Harrison, until his death, at the age of eighty years. He was held in high esteem by his townsmen, who often chose him to fill offices of trust. Of his family of ten children, five are yet living, Cal- vin and James in this town, Harrison in St. Albans, and Foradice and Mari- ette in Massachusetts.
Willis Ross, from Sterling, Mass., came to this town at an early day, locat- ing in the northeastern part. The farm upon which he settled has since been divided among several owners, the major portion being now the property of
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Patrick Brady. Mr. Ross was early promoted to the office of captain of militia, and served his company faithfully. He died in 1837, aged sixty years. He was the father of eleven children, eight of whom are now living, one, Horace, in this town.
William Giddings, from Massachusetts, came to Bakersfield, in company with Capt. Daniel M. Stearns and Thomas Childs, making their way through the forest by means of two teams of horses and two yoke of oxen, occu- pying four weeks on the journey. Mr. Giddings was one of the first pioneers in the eastern part of the town, that portion having been settled later than other parts, owing to its heavy growth of then unvaluable hemlock timber. He erected a blacksmith shop soon after his settlement, and followed that occupation, together with farming, until his death, at an advanced age. The old homestead is now owned by his grandson, Joseph Giddings. Two others of his grandchildren are residents of the town, Simeon on road 6, and William H., a practicing physician, located at the village.
Benjamin Doane, from North Brookfield, Mass., was an early settler in the eastern part of the town. He remained there but a short time, however, when he removed to the farm now occupied by his son, Benjamin. He died in 1855, aged seventy-four years. Of his family of ten children three only are now living.
Thomas Potter, born at North Brookfield, Mass., November 16, 1757, started for this town, with his family, on the 29th of February, 1796. He made his way with an ox team, being twenty-one and one-half days on the road. Mr. Potter became one of the most esteemed men of the town and died at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Mrs. Potter, a most excellent lady, died at the great age of ninety-two years. They had a family of eleven children. Their son, Silas, was eight years of age when he came here with his parents. He married Dolly Hunter, and became one of the most promi- nent and public-spirited men of the town, and served his people as selectman for a period of twenty-four years, besides other important town offices, for all of which he received but four dollars in recompense, a fact fully illustrating his unselfishness. He had a family of six children by his first wife, who died in 1847, and one son by his second wife, Laura Lock. He lived to the good old age of eighty-five years, retaining his mental faculties wonderfully well to the last. His wife survived him about two years.
Thomas Ayers, born in Brookfield, Mass., in 1768, removed with his fam- ily to this town in 1799, locating in the northern part, near road 8. He after- wards removed to a place near the present town poor-farm. Mr. Ayers had a large family of children, and many of his descendants now reside in the town. He built a saw-mill on the site now occupied by Danford Ayers's mill, soon after his arrival here, which proved a great accommodation to his neighbors.
Moses Wheelock, from Westmoreland, came to Bakersfield about the year 1800. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and his first job after coming here was to build a house for Dea. Pratt, the same now occupied by Dr. Cutler,
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at the village. At this time Mr. Wheelock and his wife boarded with Mr. Pratt, where they made it their home for two or three years, then removed to the farm where their son, Hiram K., now resides. Mr. Wheelock died at the age of eighty-five years, while his wife attained the unusual age of ninety- seven years. They were the parents of six children, two of whom, Hiram K. and Emerson, now reside in the town.
Ephraim Maynard, from Oakham, Mass., came here about the year 1800, and located on road 21, where he continued to reside the remainder of his long life, being eighty-five years of age when he died. Of his large family of fifteen children, only four are now living.
Dr. Ebenezer Williams, born at Plainfield, N. H., in 1768, came to this town in 1801, and located upon the farm now known as the Wheelock place. He subsequently located upon the farm owned by John J. Hill, where he died, in 1848. He had a family of six children, the eldest of whom, George W., married Emily A. Leach and reared a family of four children. George W. occupied the old homestead until 1867, when he sold it and removed to the village, where he died in 1877. He was the father of four children. His eldest son, Merritt B., was captain of Co. G, 13th Regt., and died from wounds received at Gettysburgh. His son, Wesley C., was also a soldier during the late war, and now resides at Claremont, N. H. Sarah E. (Mrs. J. J. Hill) resides on the old homestead, her sister, Effie, residing with her. David K., the second son of Dr. Williams, was a Congregationalist minister. He obtained his edu- cation through hard labor and strict economy, graduating from the theological school at Bangor, Me.
Thomas Tupper, from Barnard, Vt., came to this town in 1801, and was . the first settler on the farm now owned by Clinton Cross. He subsequently removed to the farm now the property of his son, Jackson Tupper, where he died, aged eighty-nine years. He was a volunteer captain of artillery during the war of 1812, and was present at the battle of Plattsburgh, though he took no part in the engagement. Mr. Tupper reared a family of eleven children, four of whom, Rensselaer, Solon, Sarah, and Jackson, now reside in the town.
Elisha Parker, born at Hardwick, Mass., in 1787, came to Bakersfield in 1802, and located on road 40, upon the farm now occupied by his daughter, Mrs. M. Converse.
Joseph Park, from Paxton, Mass., came here in 1804, and located in the southern part of the town, upon the farm now owned by J. W. Stone.
Robert Scott came to Bakersfield, from Townsend, Vt., in 1804, and set- tled upon the farm now owned by his grandson, Hamlet H. Scott. Mr. Scott was a sturdy, hard-working man, and died at the age of sixty-nine years. His son, Thomas W., succeeded him to the homestead.
Daniel Spofford, from Temple, N. H., came to this town about the year 1810, and built a small log cabin in the wilderness, which he occupied, with his family, until lumber became more plentiful, when he built a more com-
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modious place, where his son, Daniel, now resides. He became interested in the early military affairs of the town, and held all the company offices, from corporal to captain. He died in 1870, aged eighty-two years, being a hale and hearty man up to the time of his death.
Josiah Shattuck was born at Townsend, Vt., October 20, 1781, married Sarah Boutell, of Athens, Vt., and came to Bakersfield in 1812, locating where Willis L. Tillotson now resides. He had a family of eleven children, two of whom, William B. and Jason L., reside in the town.
Benjamin Upton came to Bakersfield about the year 1812, and located upon the farm now owned by his son-in-law, Simeon Giddings. Mr. Upton attained the great age of one hundred years and ten months. He was the father of ten children, three of whom are now living.
Peter Powers, from Temple, N. H., came to this town in 1818, and located about half a mile east of the village, upon the farm now owned by Dr. Cutler. He lived but four years after his settlement here, and left a family of eight children, two of whom are yet residents of the town.
On January 8, 1866, the pioneers of Bakersfield, so-called, held a re-union at the residence of Bradley Brigham, Mr. and Mrs. Brigham being grand- children of Jonas Brigham and Thomas Potter. Those who were gathered together, about fifty in number, were children of the first settlers, and most of theni aged over three-score years and ten. There are now but twelve of those who attended the party living.
During the war of 1812, this town furnished the following named soldiers who were present at the battle of Plattsburgh : M. Stearns, captain, Ichabod Wilkinson, John Doane, Francis B. Parker, Elisha Field, Benjamin Barnes, Josiah Doane, Orrin Holbrook, Samuel Sumner, Moses Brown, Jr., Prentice Farnsworth, Theophilus Potter, Ebenezer B. Scott, Eleazer Williams, Ewel Rice, Jacob Huntley, Josiah Edson, Jonathan Fullington, Joseph Hazelton, Jonathan Fay, Andrew Farnsworth, and John Prentiss. During the late civil war Bakersfield furnished 123 enlisted men and three commissioned officers, seventeen of whom died, from natural causes or from wounds received in action, before their term of service expired.
The subject of preaching and the gospel ministry early received attention. In the warning for the town meeting in March, 1801, was an article "to see if the town would grant money or a sum to be paid in produce, to hire preaching for three months, the coming season, or act thereon in any way that they shall think proper." This was not carried at this time, but was re- newed the following year, and in June, 1804, a meeting of the inhabitants qualified to vote, was called, "to see if the town will agree to give the Rev. Samuel Sumner an invitation to settle with them in the gospel ministry, and if the town will agree upon a yearly salary for his service." This meeting was held June 14th, at the dwelling of Col. Silas Hazeltine, with Elisha Parker, moderator. It was voted to "give the Rev. Samuel Sumner an in- vitation to settle with them in the gospel ministry, and to give the sum of
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$100.00 for a yearly salary, to be paid in good merchantable wheat, at cash price, the 20th day of January, annually." And it was also voted to give him twenty-five acres of land, at the northeast corner of lot No. 1, called the ministerial lot.
The First Congregational Church of Bakersfield was organized July 4, 1811, hy a committee of the North Western Consociation, consisting of the following clergyman : Revs. Wooster, Parker, Parmelee, and Truair. Its first members were Josiah Sheldon, Jeremiah Pratt, William Perkins, Joseph Ross, Ezra Allen, Daniel Stebbins, Lydia Perkins, Hannah Hazletine, Peggy Shoet, Elizabeth Ross and Lydia Allen.
For a period of ten years, the church had no regular minister. The first that remained a year was Elderkin Boardman ; he ministered to the church five years, and was succeeded by Samuel Perry, one year; S. G. Penny, three years ; Mr. Batchelder, one year ; Thomas Canfield, five years ; Daniel War- ren, seven years ; C. W. Piper, six years ; G. F. Wright, ten years ; and R. Hicks, five years. The present pastor is J. K. Fuller, in the sixth year of his ministry. The following have served as deacons of the church in the order of their election : Jeremiah Pratt, Amery Parker, William Perkins, Asa Dean, Cyrus Barnes, Joseph Allen, Andrew Farnsworth, Horace Denio, John A. Perkins, and James Perkins. Nearly five hundred persons have had connec- tion with this church, and the present membership is 119.
The first house of worship, built of brick, was dedicated in March, 1831. This building waxed old, and has gone to decay. The present edifice, a brick structure, located on the common, near the cemetery, was erected in 1850. It is pleasant and commodious, and will seat five hundred persons with com- fort. Its original cost was about $3,000.00. The present value of chucrh property, including parsonage and grounds, is something over $5,000.00. The Sabbath school numbers eighty scholars, with an average attendance of sixty-four.
The church, in 1839, took decided grounds upon the subject of temper- ance, and with regard to vain amusements and Sabbath observance, and, in fact, upon all practical questions of morality it planted itself firmly ; and through its able ministry, deacons, and laymen, it has not ceased to teach and preach all truth and duty that make up the well-developed, symmet- rical Christian. It has had no hobbies, and is liberal in its interpretation of creed and scripture ; is always the friend and promoter of common schools and higher education. It has performed no unimportant part in the forma- tion of a staple, healthy, public sentiment in favor of morals and intelligence, besides leading to that higher life in Christ, into which it has helped many from year to year.
The Methodist Church of Bakersfield .- Methodist classes were formed, one in the northeastern and the other in the southern part of the town, at an early date, but at what time it is impossible to tell precisely. The class in the southwestern part was formed by Isaac Hill, from Fairfield, as early as
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TOWN OF BERKSHIRE.
1806. On January 27, 1816, the town voted to divide the money arising from the rents of the ministerial lands between the two societies, in the pro- portion of two-thirds to the Congregational society, and one-third to the Methodist. Afterwards it was divided pro rata, according to the members of the respective societies, including. a Freewill Baptist and a Universalist society. These latter have ceased to exist as separate organizations.
St. George's Catholic Church of Bakersfield .- In the early part of the year 1867, the Catholics of Bakersfield bought the lower part of the old academy building, paying therefor $600.00, and fitted it up as a chapel. The first resi- dent pastor was Rev. P. Savoie, in 1868, who remained two years. After his removal the church was supplied by pastors from Fairfield, once each month. In 1879, Rev. Father Brelivet, of Enosburgh, attended the church, and again in 1881 and 1882, it was supplied by Fairfield. The church now consists of about forty families, is out of debt, and it is hoped by many that the whole building will be given to the society.
ERKSHIRE, one of the northern tier of towns of the county, lies in lat. 44° 58', and long. 4° 16', bounded north by the Canada line, east by Richford, south by Enosburgh, and west by Franklin. It was granted by the State to William Goodrich, Brazilla Hudson, Charles Dibble and their associates, fifty-nine in all, March 13, 1780, and chartered June 22, 1781. It was intended it should have the usual township area of 23,040 acres, but through an error in locating its boundary lines, it received some 2,000 acres beyond its charter limits, so that it has an area of about 25.000 acres.
The surface of the township is broken into gentle swells and hills, rising from the beds of the several streams, though never so abruptly as to retard cultivation of the soil. These grass-grown hill slopes form excellent pasture land and afford sustenance to large herds of cattle, so that the town is prin- cipally noted as a grazing section. Still, it possesses a strong, arable soil, vary- ing in different localities, which produces fine crops of grain. The rich allu- vial tracts along the streams are especially productive. Missisquoi river, the principal stream, flows across the southeastern corner of the town, entering from Richford. Pike river rises in the northern part of the town, near the Canada line, and after a very circuitous course south and west, turns north again and enters Canada. Trout brook has its source near the central part of the town and flows south into Enosburgh. On these streams, though there are others of lesser magnitude, are numerous excellent mill privileges, several of which are in use. The timber is mostly beech, maple, bass, elm, and hem- lock. The products for export, manufactured and agricultural, have an ex- cellent means of transportation to market in the Missisquoi railroad, which crosses the southeastern part of the town, with a station at East Berkshire village. In 1869, when the road was put through, the town was bounded to
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the amount of $26,200.00; but a few of the people were averse to this debt, and proposed that the bonds be bought up. A meeting was called and a vote taken, which resulted in their carrying their point by a majority of thirty- five. A committee was appointed to transact the business consisting of Henry ' Ladd, E. A. Hull, and A. A. Moore. This committee succeeded in making the .purchase at a discount of twenty per cent., payable in three in- stalments, so that the town is now free from debt.
The geological structure of Berkshire is very uniform, as nearly the whole rock formation is composed of talcose schist with its various component parts. There are, however, several small beds of granite, syenite and pro- fogne, lying in the northern and southern parts. A bed of steatite, or soap- stone, also is found east of the center. No minerals, to any extent, have been found, except iron. This is quite abundant, sufficient to warrant an almost inexhaustible supply. Upon the farm of H. Yaw, on road 8, there is a mine of this ore which was discovered many years ago. The ore has lately been tested at the iron works in Troy, Vt., and pronounced a superior quality. The mine bids fair to become quite valuable.
In 1880, Berkshire had a population of 1,596, was divided into fourteen school districts, and contained fourteen common schools, employing eight male and sixteen female teachers, to whom was paid an aggregate salary of $1,355.34. There were 347 pupils attending common school, while the entire cost of the schools for the year ending October 31st, was $1,507.61, with S. S. Davis, superintendent.
EAST BERKSHIRE, a post village and station on the Missisquoi R. R., located in the southeastern part of the town on the Missisquoi river, contains · two churches (Cong. and Epis.), one hotel, three stores, two millinery shops, a horse-power and churn manufactory, carriage shop, two blacksmith shops, an undertaker's store, and about 150 inhabitants. An extensive and destruc- tive fire occurred here on the 29th of April, 1868, destroying in all some thirty-five buildings. The fire originated in the business portion of. the village, on the north side of the river, and burned all the stores. Among the heaviest losers were the present firms of W. S. Rublee & Son, and Paul & Moren.
WEST BERKSHIRE, a post village located in the northwestern part of the town on Pike river, contains one church (Meth.), one hotel, two stores, a tannery, sash and blind manufactory, a wheelwright and blacksmith shop, and undertaking and cabinet shop, and about one hundred inhabitants.
BERKSHIRE CENTER, a post village located in the central part of the town, contains one church (Univ.), two stores, a blacksmith shop, and about fifty inhabitants.
William Samson & Co.'s horse-power and pump manufactory, located at East Berkshire, was established by Mr. Samson in 1873. The firm now manufactures about fifteen horse-powers and 350 churns per annum, in addition to doing a general repair business.
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TOWN OF BERKSHIRE.
W. HI. H. Penniman's carriage shop, established in 1878, employs four men, and turns out about forty carriages and sleighs per year, also doing a repair business.
Henry I. Stanley's cheese factory, located at East Berkshire, was built by Moore & Hulburt, in 1864, and purchased by Mr. Stanley in 1868. The factory has at present twenty patrons, and manufactures 80,000 pounds of cheese per annum.
The West Berkshire flouring-mill, owned by George A. Jones, was built by Chaffee, in 1830, It has three runs of stones, and does custom work. Collins Goddard's tannery, located at West Berkshire, was formerly used as a starch factory, but was remodeled by Anthony Goddard, in 1875. Mr. Goddard tans about r,040 hides per year.
A. L. Goddard's tannery, located at the above village, was built by Eber Hill. It employs three men.
L. A. Weld's saw-mill, also located at West Berkshire, was built by E. Weld in 1865. It cuts about 25,000 feet of lumber per year, and has a cider- mill connected with it, which manufactures 240 barrels of cider annually.
The first settler in Berkshire was Job L. Barber, who came here with his wife and child in 1792, and settled on the west bank of the Missisquoi. A short time after this Stephen Royce moved into the town, and located about a mile below Barber's, and Daniel Adams commenced a settlement where the village of West Berkshire now is. During that winter, however, none of them remained here. Barber removed his family to Franklin, and the others had not yet brought their families into the town ; but in the spring, they all re- turned, so that in the latter part of April, 1793, there were three families residing here. During this year, and the one following it, a few additional settlers arrived, among whom were Capt. Phineas Heath and Capt. David Nutting, revolutionary officers, Jonathan Carpenter, and James Adams. From this time forward the settlement increased rapidly, so that in 1800, the town had a population of 172.
The town was organized and the first town meeting held, March 7, 1796, when David Nutting was elected town clerk; Stephen Royce, James Adams, and Silas Pollard, selectmen ; and Timothy R. Barker, constable. Stephen Royce was also chosen the first representative, during this year. He had already been appointed justice of the peace, even as early as 1794, and con- tinued to hold that office for a period of eleven years. The first birth was that of Elihu M. Royce, July 19, 1793. The first resident minister was Rev. John Barnet. The first regular physician who located here was Dr. Amherst Willoughby, in 1798. The first lawyer was Solomon Brigham, a man of con- siderable talent.
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