USA > Vermont > Lamoille County > Gazetteer and business directory of Lamoille and Orleans counties, Vt., for 1883-84, pt 1 > Part 34
USA > Vermont > Orleans County > Gazetteer and business directory of Lamoille and Orleans counties, Vt., for 1883-84, pt 1 > Part 34
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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
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5288
TOWN OF IRASBURGH.
warned to meet at the dwelling of Caleb Leach, on Monday, the 21st of March. Foster Page was chosen moderator ; Caleb Leach, Levi Sylvester and Foster Page, selectmen ; and Samuel Conant, constable. Amos Conant was the first justice of the peace, in 1802. Caleb Leach was the first repre- sentative, in 1804. Ralph Parker built the first grist and saw-mill, upon the site now occupied by the grist-mill. These mills were built for the Allens, and remained in the family until 1869. During this year, 1803, Capt. James Richardson settled on lot No. 80. A few years after, roads were opened by his place-one from Amos Conant's northwesterly by Richardson's to Troy, and one from Burton's hill, by the Allen place northerly to Morrill hill, thence to Coventry and Derby. His buildings stood at four corners, where he kept the first tavern opened in the town. This, which was one of the most impor- tant points from 1804 to 1812, is now an old pasture with no road within half a mile. Later, a road was opened from Caleb Leach's to Parker's mills, pass- ing a McFarland's, who located on lot No. 113. Also one pasisng from Burton hill to Capt. Richardson's, passing this place, and another from Amos Conant's to McFarland's, making five corners. This place was thought, at that time, to be the place where the village would be located. Town and religious meetings were held here in 1810, when Eber Burton built a large frame house. A burying-ground was established on the hard, gravelly knoll on the top of the hill north of the road. The militia of the town held their annual June trainings at this place for several years, and it was the business center until the court-house was completed, in 1816.
Joshua Johnson, a native of Maine, was born in 1764, and came to Iras- burgh in 1806, where he resided a great many years and reared a large family of children. During the war of 1812, he served in the American army. During his absence, a tory neighbor at one time attempted to drive off a fat cow from Mr. Johnson's farm, for the use of the enemy. Mrs. Johnson raised a window and pointed a gun at the intruder, warning him to depart, which he did. Mr. Johnson died in Albany, aged ninety-three years.
Joseph Kidder, born in Lyndeborough, N. H., April 7, 1780, came to Irasburgh in February, 1807. He occupied a part of a neighbor's house for a few weeks, while he was constructing a log house of his own, to which, as soon as completed, he moved his family, a distance of three miles, upon the farm now owned by Freeman Metcalf. He was the first permanent settler west of Black river, and, as near as can be ascertained, the twelfth or thir- teenth family in the town. Mr. Kidder made the journey from New Hamp- shire, a distance of two hundred miles, with two yoke of oxen. Years after, Mrs. Kidder informed her daughter Mary (Mrs. Ware), that the summer after she came here, there was not a blade of grass about their dwelling, and that her brooms she manufactured herself, from hemlock boughs. Bears were numerous and troublesome, rendering it necessary to watch their stock at night. At the breaking out of the war of 1812, several neighbors who had settled near them, left through fear of the Indians, leaving this family alone.
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2886
TOWN OF IRASBURGH.
In 1836, Mr. Kidder sold out, intending to go west; but, in 1837, Mrs. Kidder died and he abandoned the project and purchased an adjoining farm where he died, in 1853. Two of his five children are now living, Mrs. Joseph S. Kidder, of Coventry, and Mrs. Mary Ware, of this town.
Ira H. Allen came here in 1814, and remained until his death, in April, 1866. The lands of the town belonged to his mother, and at her decease, in 1838, they came to him as the only surviving heir. In the management of the estate, which had for years previous to his mother's death devolved upon him, Mr. Allen exhibited those excellent traits of character which made him so popular. His mildness of manner, courteous and gentlemanly deport- ment, made him accessible to the humble, and honored and respected by the exalted. In all his business transactions, he never gave any man reason to doubt his word, and oftentimes when he had promised to convey real estate for a stipulated sum, other parties would offer more for the property and the offer not be accepted. He took a leading part in town affairs, and his towns- men honored him with many positions of trust. He was town clerk in 1816 and 1817 ; selectman from 1820 to 1826, inclusive; town representative in 1818, '19, '20, '22, '23, '27, '35, '37, '38, and '40. In 1822, he held the office of probate judge ; represented the county in the council in 1828, '29, '30, '31, and '32; and was electe.I to the council of censors in 1848,'and was also appointed aide-de-camp on the Governor's staff with the title of colonel. January 13, 1842, he married Sarah C. T. Parsons, of Highgate, a lady of great amiability and worth. She died February 29, 1844. July 8, 1848, he married her sister, Frances Eliza.
Samuel H. Howard was born in Holland, Mass., in March 1813. During his childhood his father, Eleazer Howard, moved to Cambridge, Vt., where he remained about two years, then came to Irasburgh village where he fol- lowed shoemaking about ten years, then engaged in tanning, which occupa- tion he followed until his death, in 1852. Samuel H. has lived at the village since he was six years of age, being now over seventy. He was a member of the constitutional convention in 1870, and has been a justice of the peace for the past thirty-one years.
William Kidder, from Lyndeborough, N. H., came to Irasburgh in 1821, locating upon the farm now owned by his sons Charles and William. He accomplished the journey in twelve days with two yoke of oxen. He died on the old homestead in 1863, aged seventy-eight years. Seven of nine chil- dren are living, all in this town, as follows : Charles, William, Mrs. James Hancock, Benjamin A., Josiah, Mrs. George R. Bryant, and Faxson.
Ephraim Farrington from Westford, came to Irasburgh in 1822, and in 1823, located upon the farm now owned by Albert Alger. Seven or eight years later he sold out and purchased the farm where his son, Miles J., now resides, where he died, September 3, 1867, aged sixty-nine years. Three of his four children are living.
Stephen Bryant was born in Bolton, Mass., in 1774, and came from Weath-
1288
TOWN OF IRASBURGH.
ersfield, Vt., to his town, in March, 1822, and engaged in milling at the vil- lage. Here he remained about two years, then moved to the place now occupied by T. Harlow, remained about two years, then sold out and returned to the village, remained there three years, then located in the southern part of the town where his son, George R. Bryant, now resides, and where he died, November 11, 1855, aged eighty-one years. He was the father of eight children, six of whom are living, three, George R., Abigail (Mrs. W. Edmonds), and Clarinda (Mrs. George Ordway), in this town. He was mar- ried November 15, 1805, to Miss Elizabeth Hoyt, of Windsor, Vt.
Nathaniel Bryant, from Bath, N. H., came to Irasburgh about 1824, and settled upon the farm now owned and occupied by his grandson, Azro C. Bryant. He was the father of eight children. only two of whom are now living, Ira Bryant, on the old homestead, aged seventy years, and Mrs. Rosa- mond Morrill, aged seventy-six, in Union, Mich. Mrs. Bryant died Decem- ber 29, 1855, aged seventy-six years, and Nathaniel died June 3, 1862, aged eighty-two years.
Chandler W. Dewey was born in Piermont, N. H., September 14, 1800. At the age of fifteen years his father emigrated to Waterford, Vt. Here Chandler resided until twenty-four years of age, when he married Deigratia Buck, and the following year settled in this town upon the farm now owned by John Priest. Mrs. Dewey became the mother of twelve children, and died in 1851. In 1852, he married Mrs. Lucinda Wood, with whom he still lives, aged eighty-three years. Mr. Dewey enjoys the confidence and esteem of his townsmen, and has been called by their votes to hold many of the offices in their gift, having been justice of the peace fourteen years.
Abel N. Hawley was born at Middlebury, Vt., February 10, 1799, where he spent the years of his early life. In 1822, he married Miss Eliza Hawley, of Cambridge. She died in the autumn of 1831, leaving two sons. In April, 1842, he married Eliza Bissell, a cousin of Hon. Ira Allen, and located in Irasburgh. In company with Albert W. Dow he commenced the business of harness and saddle-making, which they continued about three years. He then engaged in farming, following it until the autumn of 188t, when he re- tired from active life. His second wife died in 1861, and in January, 1863, he married Mrs. Ann M. Bryant, who died in May, 1867. December 23, 1868, he married his present wife. Mr. Hawley has held many of the town offices, and at the age of four score years and four has his mental faculties unimpaired and his health well preserved.
David Webster, born in 1786, came to Irasburgh from Littleton, N. H., about 1830, locating on road 4, where his son, David H., now resides. The farm had been previously occupied but had no improvements, except a log house which Mr. Webster occupied about ten years. As was the case with most of the settlers, he had no means and purchased his home on credit, necessitating a long, hard struggle to support his large family of eleven chil- dren, subdue the forest, and pay for the farm. Patience and economy over-
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288ª
TOWN OF IRASBURGH.
came all obstacles, however, and he gained a moderate competence. Hewas a steward of the Methodist church for many years, and died in 1849, aged sixty-three years. Albert A., his oldest son, settled here about the time his father did, upon a farm in the neighborhood, reared a family of ten children, served in several town offices, and died a highly respectable farmer about ten years since. Of the surviving children of David one son and two daughters reside in Boston, and one, David H., on the old homestead.
Henry Somers, from Huntington, Vt., came here in 1854, and located on road 24, where his son, H. H. Somers, now resides. He resided on the farm about sixteen years, then removed to Irasburgh village, where he now resides. Mr. Somers has held most of the town offices, having been overseer of the poor over twenty years, lister at least twelve years, selectman for the past ten years, and representative in 1865-'66. He has extensive farming interests in this and adjoining towns, owning over 450 acres of land.
During the late civil war Irasburgh furnished 104 enlisted men, twenty- four of whom were killed or died from wounds or disease contracted while in the service.
The Methodist Episcopal church, located at Irasburgh, was organized in 1835, Rev. N. W. Aspinwall being the first pastor. The first church building was erected in 1836, and was succeeded by the present structure in 1874. It is a wood structure capable of seating 250 persons, and valued, including other property, at $4,200.00. Rev. A. B. Blake is the present pastor of the society.
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9288
TOWN OF JAY.
JAY.
AY is located in the northeastern corner of the county, in lat. 44° 57', and long. 4° 25', bounded north by the Canada line, east by Troy, south by Westfield, and west by Richford, in Franklin county. It contains an area of 23,040 acres, and was originally granted by the State, under the name of Carthage, March 13, 1780. Nothing was done towards a settlement under this charter, nor were the bounds laid out until 1789, when it was surveyed by James Whitelaw, consequently, under the conditions of the grant, the charter was made void, and the land reverted to the State. In 1792, the legislature decided that " the tract of land called Carthage is an uncommonly good one, and that it should be erected into a township by the name of Jay." One third of the territory was granted to Gov. Thomas Chittenden, and the remaining two thirds to John Jay and John Cozine, of New York. The Chit- tenden grant was chartered November 7, 1792, as follows :-
" The Governor, Council and General Assembly of the State of Vermont.
" To all to whom these presents shall come - Greeting: Know Ye, That whereas His Excellency Thomas Chittenden, Esquire, our worthy friend, has by petition requested a grant of unappropriated lands within this State, for the purpose of settlement, We have therefore thought fit, for the due encouragement of his laudable designe and for other causes and val- uable considerations us hereunto moving, do, by these presents, in the name and by the authority of the freemen of the State of Vermont, give and grant unto the said Thomas Chittenden, Esquire, and to his heirs and assigns for- ever, all that certain tract or parcel of land, situate in the County of Chittenden, in the state aforesaid, described and bounded as follows, viz .: Beginning at a stake and stones, being the Southwest corner of Carthage ; thence South 82° 20' East, six miles in the North line of Westfield to a birch tree standing in the Northeast corner thereof, marked 'Carthage, Westfield 1789 ;' thence North two miles to a stake sixteen links Northeast from a spruce tree marked ' 2, 1789 ;' thence North 82° 20' West, six miles to a fir tree standing on the West side of a mountain marked 'M. 4, 1789;' thence South to the first bound, containing seven thousand and six hundred acres of land, reserv- ing out of said tract of land five hundred and ninety acres to be appropriated for public uses, in manner and form as is usual and customary in other town- ships, granted by the State, and to be divided and laid out in like manner in quantity and quality and be disposed of, for public and pious uses agreea- ble to the usual customs aforesaid, and which tract of land is to be compre- hended within the township of and forever hereafter to be called and known by the name of Jay and the inhabitants that now do or shall hereafter ir.habit said township tract within the township of Jay aforesaid are declared to be enfranchised and intitled to all the privileges and immunities that the inhab- itants of other towns within the State do and ought, by the laws and constitution thereof to exercise and enjoy.
28810
TOWN OF JAV.
" To have and to hold the same granted premises as above expressed with all the privileges and appurtenances unto him the said Thomas Chittenden, Esquire, and to his heirs and assigns forever, upon the following conditions and reservations, viz. : That the said Thomas Chittenden, Esquire, his heirs and assigns shall plant and cultivate five acres of land and build a house, at least eighteen feet square upon the floor, or have one family settled on each respective right or share, or on each three hundred and sixty acres within the time limited by law of this State made and provided for that pur- pose on penalty of the forfeiture thereof, according to the usual custom in grants made by this State aforesaid, and the same to revert to the freemen of this State, to be by their representatives regranted to such persons as shall appear to settle and cultivate the same and that all pine timber be reserved for the use of a navy for the benefit of the freemen of this State.
"In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of this State to be here- unto affixed, in Council at Rutland, this 7th day of November, A. D., 1792. " THOMAS CHITTENDEN.
" By his Excellency's command.
"JOSEPH FAY, Secretary."
The remaining two thirds of the town was granted November 28, 1792, to John Jay and John Cozine, of New York city, the following being a copy of the charter deed :-
" The People of the State of Vermont,
"BY THE GRACE OF GOD FREE AND INDEPENDENT :
"To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: Know Ye, That we have given, granted and confirmed and by these presents do give, grant and confirm unto the Honorable John Jay, of the city of New York, Esquire, and to John Cozine, of the same place, Esquire, as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants, all that certain tract or parcel of Land situate, lying and being in the County of Chittenden, in the State of Vermont, Beginning at the North Easterly corner of a Tract heretofore called Carthage, being a stake and stones, standing in the North Line of the said State, fifteen links north from a Beech Tree, marked 'Carthage 1789' and running thence North eighty-two degrees and twenty minutes West, six miles in the North line of the State to a Beech Tree, marked 'Richford, Carthage, October 17, 1789.' Thence South four miles in the East line of Richford to a pine or fir Tree on the west side of a small mountain, marked 'M. 4, 1789.' Then South eighty-two degrees and twenty minutes East, six miles to a stake six- teen links northwest from a spruce Tree, marked 'M. 2, 1789.' Then
north in the East line of said Tract to the place of Beginning, containing fifteen thousand three hundred and sixty acres, statute measure, being six- teen Thousand acres of land straight measure, be the sarne more or less in the following proportions, viz. : Fourteen full equaland undivided sixteenth parts (the whole into sixteen equal parts to be divided) unto the said John Jay, and the residue and remaining Two full and equal undivided sixteenth parts (the whole into sixteen equal parts to be divided) unto the said John Cozine, together with all and singular the rights Heriditaments and appurtenances to the same belonging, or in any wise appertaining, excepting and reserving to ourselves all Gold and Silver mines. And also all that certain piece of land or parcel of the tract hereinbefore described: Beginning at the northwest corner of a tract of land granted to his Excellency, Thomas Chittenden, in the East line of Richford : Thence along the north bounds of the Tract so granted to Thomas Chittenden, south eighty-two degrees and twenty minutes East,
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TOWN OF JAY.
three hundred and ten rods: Thence north three hundred and ten rods : Thence north eighty-two degrees and twenty minutes West, three hundred and ten rods to Richford aforesaid. Thence south in the East line of Rich- ford three hundred and ten rods to the place of Beginning, for public uses.
" To have and to hold the said fourteen full and equal undivided sixteenths- (the whole into sixteen equal parts to be divided) of the said above mention- ed and described Tract of Land and premises unto the said John Jay his heirs and assigns forever, as a good and indefeasible Estate of Inheritance in fee simple. And to have and to hold the residue and remaining two full and equal and undivided sixteenth parts (the whole in sixteen equal parts to be divided) of the above mentioned and described tract of land and prem- ises unto said John Cozine his heirs and assigns forever, as a good and inde- feasible Estate of Inheritance in fee simple ; and on condition nevertheless, that within the term of seven years to be computed from the first day of January next ensuing the date hereof, there shall be one actual settlement made for every six hundred and forty acres of the said Tract of land hereby granted, otherwise these our Letters Patent and the Estate hereby granted shall cease, determine and become void; and we do by these presents Con- stitute, erect and create the tract of land hereby granted and chartered, together with another tract of Seven Thousand acres to the south of and adjoining thereto, granted to the before mentioned Thomas Chittenden and bounded westerly on Richford, southerly on Westfield, and easterly partly on land granted to Samuel Avery and others, a township to be forever hereafter distinguished, known and called JAY, with all and singular the powers, privi- leges, Franchises and immunities to other incorporated Townships within the State of Vermont-
" In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made Patent, and the Great seal of our said State to be hereto affixed-
"Witness our trusty and well beloved Thomas Chittenden, Esquire, Gov- ernor of our said State, General and Commander-in-Chief of all the militia of the same.
"At Williston, this twenty-eight day of December, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, and in the sixteenth year of our Independence.
THOMAS CHITTENDEN.
" Passed the Secretaries office this 28th day of December, 1792.
" By his Excellency's command,
JOSEPH FAY, Sec'y."
A copy of the Charter was filed for record in the office of the Secretary of State, January 29, 1806.
In the Chittenden grant is situated nearly all of the intervale, and nearly all the streams of water run through it, which unite in this town to form what is known as Jay branch, which empties into the Missisquoi river in Troy, and is the largest tributary thus far in the course of that river. Jay Peak, the highest point of the Green Mountain range north of Mt. Mansfield, is also situated in the Chittenden grant, and is 4,018 feet above sea level. Its summit is twenty rods or more north of the north line of Westfield, and one hundred rods or more east of the east line of Richtord.
The Green Mountain range covers nearly one-third of the town on the west side, presenting a formidable barrier to roads, and none have ever been
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TOWN OF JAY.
built across it ; but there are two quite feasible routes, one of which is through the notch south of the Peak, and it will probably be utilized before a great while. The other is some distance north of the Peak, opening into the set- tlement on the west side of the mountain, known as West Jay, and East Rich- ford. The range forms a vast semi-circle, commencing on the line between Jay and Westfield, about two miles west of the east line, and running on the line between the two towns nearly all the way west, rounding up the south- west corner of the town, as it swings around to the north, and then following along between Jay and Richford a couple of miles, and then bending around to the east to within about two miles of the east line of the town, making room for the settlement of West Jay, and thus completing the semi-circle. From this point the mountains swing back again to the west, forming another and smaller curve, crossing the Canada line. There is a vast amount of spruce and hardwood timber on the sides of these mountains, and there was formerly considerable pine timber in the town, but the navy was never bene- fitted by it, notwithstanding the charter. A pine tree was cut on the meadow of lot No. 12, in the 2d range, which made 5,250 feet of inch boards. It stood 135 feet high, and was five feet in diameter at its base. The first branches started twenty-five feet from the ground, and were three feet through. These again branched out so that the continuous length of saw-logs taken from the tree was two hundred and fifty feet. The tree was sold on the stump for $5.00. Another remarkable pine was cut on the little meadow just above the " duck pond" on lot No. 11, in the first range. It was but twenty-two inches through on the stump, though it was 125 feet high, straight as an arrow, and the first limb eighty feet from the ground.
The whole of the eastern part of the town is comparatively level, contains considerable intevale land, and is susceptible of producing excellent crops of grains and grasses. In this section the geological structure is quite varied, the rocks being disposed in alternate parallel veins, of narrow extent, extend- ing north and south. They consist of serpentine clay slate, steatite, and tal- cose schist, while in the residue of the township the rocks are almost entirely of this latter formation. The serpentine contains large quantities of chromic iron, of excellent quality, which is found in veins, somewhat irregular, of which the largest is from one to two feet wide. An early use of this ore was made by Prof. A. C. Twining, of Middlebury college, who obtained a large percentage of chrome yellow from the ore without exhausting the chromic oxide of the latter. Small quantities of gold have been found here, but not to any great value.
In 1880, Jay had a population of 696, and in 1882, it was divided into six school districts and contained six common schools. employing one male and six female teachers, to whom was paid an aggregate salary of $596.96. There were 202 pupils attending common school, while the entire cost of the schools for the year, ending October 31st, was $667.61, with A. A. Macomber, super- intendent.
19288
TOWN OF JAY.
JAY, a post village located in the southeastern part of the town, on Jay branch, contains a church (Baptist), an hotel, a school-house, one store, a a steam saw and shingle-mill, tannery, blacksmith shop, and eleven dwellings.
The Chittenden grant was surveyed into lots of too acres each, by Curtis Elkins, in 1803-'04, and numbered from one to seventy-six consecutively, beginning at the southeast corner of the grant, numbering back and forth, north and south, being one-half mile long and 100 rods wide, east and west. Most of the lots, however, overrun in width, some of them being 140 rods wide. This land has all passed out of the possession of the Chittenden heirs, the last sale being made to B. F. Paine, of this town, by George W. Chittenden, of Boston, Mass., on April 1, 1874.
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