USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Gazetteer and business directory of Rutland county, Vt., for 1881-82 > Part 26
USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Gazetteer and business directory of Rutland county, Vt., for 1881-82 > Part 26
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Capt. Josiah Hart served in the war of the Revolution. Starting from Bellows Falls with a portion of the army, on their way to Ticonderoga, while passing through Rutland, they camped one night on the farm now owned by H. H. Dyer. Soon after the war, Mr. Hart came to Rutland on horseback and visited the old spring where they had camped, and resolved to locate near it, which he accordingly did a short time after. He was a practical builder, and assisted in building the first church at Rutland village, the pine for the clapboards being from a swamp located on his farm. He died at an advanced age, honored for his many virtues.
James Porter, son of a surgeon in the British army during the Revolution, came to Rutland village when ten years of age, to reside with his uncle, Ezekiel Porter, where he remained until eighteen years of age, when he began the study of medicine ; graduating at the age of twenty-three, he commenced its practice in Rutland, where he continued for over fifty years. His oldest son, Henry W. Porter, at the age of seventy-six, still resides in Rutland, at No. 83 Main street. The house where he resides was built in 1794; he has occupied it twenty-eight years. Another representative of this family is Dr. Cyrus Porter, of No. 8 West street. Dr. Porter is now 73 years of age.
Capt. Simeon Edgerton came to Pawlet from Norwich, Conn., among the first settlers of that township. He died Aug. 27, 1809, at the age of 70, leaving a widow and twelve children, seventy-nine grand-children and fifteen great-grand-children. His widow, Abiah, died Oct. 17, 1821, leaving four sons, seven daughters, ro2 grand-children and ninety-six great-grand-children. Jacob Edgerton, the second son, with two others, remained in Pawlet. Jacob had a family of twelve children, nine of whom arrived at maturity. He died in 1845, at the age of 85. Only three of this family now remain. Mr. Jacob Edgerton, Jr., resides in Rutland, at the age of 8r, a hale old man. He has been a prominent citizen of the town, both in business and politics, for the last forty-four years, twenty-two of which were spent in the office of county sheriff.
The farm now owned by German H. Chatterton was settled upon in 1786 by Isaac Chatterton, from Connecticut. The old house built by him nearly one hundred years ago is still standing, though it is not at present inhabited. Leverett was born here in 1789, residing on the place until his death, in 1877, aged 88 years.
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Daniel Kelley settled in the town of Danby at an early date in the history of that township, locating in the western part of the town, upon the farm now owned by - Green. Upon this place Daniel Jr. was born, in 1786. About the year 1828 the family removed to Rutland, locating upon the farm, on road 40, now owned by Smith F. Kelley. Mr. Kelley was a man that possessed the esteem of his fellow-townsmen, and at his death was much lamented. He held various offices of trust, both in Danby and Rutland. He died suddenly, in 1859, while at work in the field, aged 73. Mr. Kelley had a family of ten children, all of whom arrived at maturity. Smith F. still occupies the old homestead.
In 1794 Daniel Graves removed to Rutland County from Whately, Mass., locating in Ira, where he established a tannery, also keeping an hotel, shoe shop and hat manufactory. After Daniel's death, his son George continued the business at Ira until the year 1832, when he removed to Rutland, build- ing the tannery on Main street at " Tan Yard Village," which was subse- quently destroyed by fire. He also owned a tannery at Chase's Mills, N. Y., in company with his sons, Geo. E. and Chas. E. After his death, in 1879, ·the sons took full control of the business, which they have continued up to the present time, having one office located at Rutland and another at New Haven, Conn. Mr. Graves was an active business man and a zealous abo- litionist in the early days. He celebrated his golden wedding in 1876, and died April 4, 1879.
Gershom, Samuel, and Abel Cheney, three brothers, came to Rutland from Londonderry, Conn., in 1793, locating four miles north of Rutland village, on what is now known as Cheney Hill. Abel had six children ; the son of one, Benjamin, now resides in Rutland village. Abel resided in Rutland but a few years, and died in Canada in 1860. Gershom was born May Io, 1770. He was a carpenter and joiner, and was the architect and managed the building of the second church erected in Rutland village, and built many of the old houses of the village, including that now occupied by Mr. Luther Daniels, on Main street, and the old Kilburn house, next south of Gov. Page's, built in 1794. He also held the principal town offices at different periods, and after 80 years of age made the grand list of the town. About 1806 he built the first aqueduct from Mendon to supply the village with water; there was no reservoir. Soon after the war of 1812 he filled a con- tract with the Government for stocking muskets ; for many years kept a tav- ern on the road to Pittsford, half way between Rutland and Pittsford, his house being very popular with travelers from Vergennes to Boston. Ger- shom had no children, and died Sept. 18, 1855. A nephew of Cheney's, also named Gershon, is still a resident of Rutland, at the age of 70 years. He kept the old Franklin House from 1854 until it burned, in 1868.
John Ruggles, from Pomfret, Conn., came to Rutland in 1794, locating upon a farm which is now the site of the railroad depot. This farm was in- herited by his son, Gershom C. Ruggles, now an influential citizen of Rut-
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land. John was a prominent man of the township and held various offices of honor and trust.
William Shedd came to Rutland at an early date, from Groton, Mass. His son Charles, born in 1796, is still a resident of Center Rutland, residing with his son, G. D. Shedd. He retains his mental faculties wonderfully well, at the age of 85.
Levi Long came to Rutland from Coventry, Conn., in the year 1799, locat- ing on road 24. After a residence here of one year he returned to Conn., where he married Abigail Baker, and soon after came back and purchased a large tract of land near his residence. He was the father of seven boys and one girl. To each of the boys he gave a farm. That which Levi Jr. in- herited is now in the possession of his daughter Chloe, and is the only por- tion of the original tract now in the possession of any of the senior Levi's descendants.
The farm now occupied by Rollin C. Thrall was settled upon in 1786 by John Howe, from Granville, Mass.
Matthias Ames, a Revolutionary soldier from Stockbridge, Mass., settled in Ira in 1783, where he remained two years, and then removed to Rutland, in 1785, locating upon the farm now occupied by his grandson, Matthias.
Gad Daniels, from Worthington, Mass., came to Rutland in 1783, locating on the farm now owned by S. L. Daniels. His father, Nathaniel, and his son, Stephen, are both buried in the old cemetery at West Rutland. Stephen was killed while assisting to build a bridge at Centre Rutland in 1835.
John Hall came to Rutland in 1798, when he was but four years of age. He first learned the saddlers' trade, which he worked at for a time and then began business for himself as a general merchant, which he subsequently disposed of and retired to a farm in the northern part of the township, where he spent the remainder of his life. He married Betsey Hawkes, by whom he had a family of five children, two daughters and three sons, four of whom are now living, but widely separated, Mr. John M. Hall, of Rutland, being the only one left in the township.
Adrian T. Woodward, of Rutland village, is a representative of one of the oldest families of the county. His grandfather, Theodore Woodward, founded the Castleton Medical College, in 1818. Mr. A. T. is a native of Castleton, from whence he removed to Poultney, and more recently to Rutland.
James Ledgett, an Englishman, was "pressed" into the British service during the Revolutionary war. Soon after reaching America he deserted and enlisted in the Colonial army, where he fought bravely for our independ- ence. After the war closed he sent to England for his wife and two child- ren, settling with them in Pittsford, from whence he removed to Chittenden, and later to Rutland, where he died in 1831. James, Jr., is still a resident of Rutland, and John, another son, resides in Warren, Vt.
Noah Griswold came to Rutland from Castleton in 1800, locating on the farm now occupied by E. L. and Frank Griswold, where he resided until his death, at an advanced age.
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Stephen Hale came to Vermont from Keene, N. H., about the year 1800, locating in Rutland village; Lucy Williams and Franklin S. Hale, now resid- ing on road 28, are his son and daughter. Mr. Hale resided in Rutland until his death, at an advanced age.
Francis Slason was born in Stamford, Conn., March 23d, 1790, from whence he removed to Troy, N. Y., in 1804, where he was employed as clerk for Russell & Tracy for a period of nine years, when he removed to West Rutland and bought the store of Nathan Bristol, where he sold goods for forty years. He has been a director of the National Bank of Rutland ever since its organization, in 1824, and though now 91 years of age, has not missed a directors' meeting, held on Tuesday of each week, for the last three years.
Luther Daniels, now a resident of Main street, in Rutland village, was born at Keene, N. H., July 11, 1799, from whence he came to Rutland in September of 1814, and was engaged as a clerk in the store of Daniel Chip- man for about three years, when he returned to Keene and was employed in a store there until he was twenty-one years of age. He then came back to Rutland and engaged in business for himself at the place now known as " the Cheney store," where he sold goods for a period of thirty years, when he was chosen president of the Savings Bank, which office he held for nearly thirty years. Mr. Daniels has now retired from active business, and is enjoy- ing the competence that a long life of honor and industry has brought him. He represented the township in the State Legislature four years. Is now enjoying excellent health, at the advanced age of 82.
Avery Billings came to Rutland in 1818, from Guilford, Vt., and located on the west side of the creek, where Jesse L. Billings now resides. The place is a portion of the ministerial lot, and was purchased by Mr. Billings from the first settled minister. Mr. B. held various offices of honor and trust, and as a farmer accumulated considerable wealth. He married Mary Packer, a sister of Rev. Daniel Packer, who was so long and favorably known in the township of Mt. Holly. The Packer family are descendants of the Packers who came to this country from England about the year 1651, and settled in Connecticut. Mary Billings married John Cain, who was a prominent man in Rutland for many years. Mr. Billings died in 1860, at the age of 77, much lamented.
James Barrett came to Rutland from Concord, Mass., in 1819, locating in the village, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for a period of about forty years. He was a prominent man of the town for many years, dying in 1875, in the 83d year of his age. When he first came to the village he occupied the house now owned by E. A. Morse, and subsequently a house located on the site now occupied by J. B. Harris' residence, and finally, the house corner of Main and Washington streets, in which he resided for a period of forty years. Mr. Barrett was a descendant of Col. James Barrett, who commanded the first regiment raised in Massachusetts, and which con-
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tained the companies who took part in the battles of Concord and Lexing- ton. He was also one of the Committee of Safety, and also had charge of the collection of provisions and supplies, for the destruction of which the British troops were sent to Concord. Of the descendants now living in town there are : the wife of Evelyn Pierpont, the wife of Hon. W. C. Dunton, Ellen C. Barrett, unmarried, and Rockwood Barrett, treasurer of the Columbian Marble Company.
Robert Patterson came to Rutland from Montpelier, Vt., in 1816. He served in the war of 1812 and was at the Battle of Plattsburg. While in the army he contracted a disease which resulted in paralysis, from the effects of which he never recovered. He died in 1848, in his 65th year. He was the father of six children, three of whom are now living. Robert E. resides in Rutland, on road 13.
Jerusha A. Carruth, of Rutland village, is the daughter of Daniel and Bet- sey Carruth, who were married in Rutland, December 4, 1810, and on the 4th of December, 1860, were buried in the same grave in West Street Ceme- tery, having lived together in harmony on the spot where they were first mar- ried, fifty years to a day. They had a family of six children, of whom Jerusha is the only resident of Rutland, now residing on Woodstock avenue, at the age of 69.
Thaddeus Dunklee, from New Hampshire, came to Rutland in 1812, where he married Elizabeth Capron, July 29, 1822, by whom he had five children, Benjamin F., Hiram, Sarah, Samuel and George. But two are now living, George in Boston, Mass., and Benjamin F. in Rutland.
Dr. Lorenzo Sheldon, son of Meadad and Lucy (Boss) Sheldon, was born in Rutland village, May 8th, 1801. He was the eldest of a fainily of eleven children, consisting of five sons and six daughters. His father carried on the business of a blacksmith at Centre Rutland, and Lorenzo early learned to make himself useful in his father's shop. Subsequently the family moved upon a farm, north of what is now known as West Rutland village. Lorenzo early manifested a desire to study medicine, and eventually the way was opened for him to attend the Academy of Medicine at Castleton, Vt., where he continued his studies until his graduation, January 16th, 1820, when he returned to Rutland and commenced study and practice with Dr. Jonathan Shaw, with whom he formed a partnership. This connection, however, only continued one year, when Dr. Shaw removed to Clarendon Springs, leaving young Dr. Sheldon to practice independently. After a few years, induce- ments were held out to secure his removal to Waddington, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., to which place he removed in 1826, but only remained two years, when he returned to Rutland in 1828. In the year following he was married to Mahala Smith, of West Rutland. Of this marriage there were born seven children, Sophronia M., Darwin Rush, Lucy Amareth, Charles S., Lucy L., Harley G. and Mary Kate. In the year 1835 Dr. Sheldon entered into partnership with Mr. Wm. F. Barnes, and commenced the marble business,
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then in its infancy. At one time this company owned the entire marble de- posit from the present Sheldons & Slason, north. Dr. Sheldon, at a later date, became senior member of the firm of Sheldons & Slason, continuing his connection with this firm till 1865, when he sold out and ceased to have any connection with the marble business; but he continued to have large inter- ests in real estate, which absorbed a considerable portion of his time through the remainder of his life. He died at 12 o'clock on Sabbath morning, Sep- tember 5, 1880, in his Soth year, and was buried amidst the universal expres- sions of personal loss, by a people who had known and honored him from childhood.
William F. Barnes, the pioneer of the marble interests of West Rutland, was born in Pittsford, January 17, 1806. His parents emigrated to the West during his boyhood, but Mr. B. chose to remain behind, and took up his residence with Elijah Boardman, in West Rutland. The labors and specula- tions of his younger days were confined entirely, then, to this section, and exhibited that wonderful energy, tact and endurance which made him re- markable through life. His life was a struggle, and he met with various vicissitudes, until about the year 1836, when fickle fortune deigned to cast a smile upon him, in the discovery and purchase by him of the quarry and swamp lands adjoining. In connection with the marble interest which was started by Mr. Barnes in company with Dr. Sheldon, he commenced the labor of reclaiming the almost impenetrable swamp land hereabouts, which now presents a scene of well cultivated fields. The building of the Depot Block, the Barnes House, etc., upon sites elevated many feet above the level, by carting soil from the swamp near by, were conceptions and performances of this energetic worker. These buildings were erected soon after the quarries were well developed, and the railroad was finished, the depot being given to the railroad for their occupancy. Fortunes have been accumulated and spent upon the field of his early toil, yet it cannot be said that he acquired wealth; reverses, illegal adjustments, and unfair deal- ings, all incident to life, were harsh experiences of his existence, and affected his later life and fortune. A little incident is related of him which illustrates the generous impulse of his nature. A friend noticing the slow and uncer- tain movements of some aged workmen, expressed his surprise that such men were given employment, considering their infirmity and small amount of labor they could perform. His answer was characteristic. "These men," said he, "have grown old in my employment ; I cannot deprive them now of the means whereby to exist." On Wednesday, May 10, 1871, while en- gaged in superintending the work in one of the quarries, a block of marble, weighing about 100 pounds, which had been lying in a pile at the top of the quarry, became undermined by rain, and fell a distance of over sixty feet, striking Mr. Barnes on the head and crushing the skull so terribly that the brain was exposed. Incredible as it may appear, his death did not occur until about nine o'clock of the Sunday following. Mr. Barnes represented
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Rutland two years in the Legislature, and was held in general esteem by his fellow citizens. He was for a time a local preacher of the Methodist Church, but several years previous to his death, he withdrew from that society and united with the Episcopal Church.
William Y. Ripley, son of Nathaniel Ripley, an early resident of Middle- bury, Vt., came to Rutland in 1837, locating at Centre Rutland, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1844 he established the marble business now carried on by his sons. In 1861 he was appointed president of the Rut- land County National Bank, which office he held until his death, which occurred September 27, 1875, when he was succeeded by his son, William Y. W., who still retains the position.
John Cain was born in Castletown, Isle of Man, January 28, 1809, where he received the rudiments of the education at that time afforded to the masses of the people of that island. Possessing an independent and am- bitious spirit, desirous of making its own way in the world, he emigrated to this country in 1832, at the age of 23 years. He came immediately to Rut- land, and began life, in connection with a brother in his occupation, as an architect and builder, which he pursued for two score years with great industry, and was the builder of many buildings in this section. On the 24th of May, 1834, he was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Avery Billings. Five children were born to them,-William J., John, Avery B., Jewett P. and Mary. William J. and Avery B. both died in 1879, which brought sorrow to the hearts of their parents. They were young men of more than ordinary promise, and served their country faithfully and well in the civil war, and received recognition of their services by promotion to posi- tions in the United States Army. The three others survive. Mr. Cain became an ardent politician of the Democratic school of Jefferson and Jackson, and valiantly and fearlessly fought the battles of that party. He was closely identified with the interests of the town of Rutland for many years, and held several positions of trust and responsibility in its local government. He was the founder and proprietor of the Rutland Courier, which was for a series of years a vigorous journal and the organ of the Democratic party in Western Vermont. He died, after a lingering illness, at Rutland, March 16, 1880.
Colonel Jesse Gove, son of Nathaniel and Esther (Tyler) Gove, was born in Bennington, February 20, 1783. He read law with Cephas Smith, Jr., Esq., of Rutland; was admitted to the Rutland County Bar at the March term of 1818, and thereafter resided in Rutland. He married, January 4, 1809, Sophia Ingersoll. In 1809 he was appointed clerk of the United States District and Circuit Courts for the District of Vermont, and held that office until his death. He was appointed postmaster at Rutland village April 9, 1841. He also attained the rank of colonel in the militia.
Julia Caroline Ripley, daughter of Wm. Y. Ripley, was born in Charles- town, S. C., February 13th, 1825, but most of her life has been spent in Vermont. She was married February 22d, 1847, to Hon. Seneca M. Dorr,
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then of New York, but now of Rutland. Mr. Dorr is well known to the people of his adopted State as a legislator of prominence and ability. " The Maples," their home, on the banks of Otter Creek, just outside the corporate limits of Rutland village, is one of the notable residences of this beautiful town. Mrs. Dorr is too well known as an authoress, to require special men- tion here. She began to write at an early date, but had none of her pro- cluctions placed in print until the year 1848 ; since that time a number of her poems have appeared in the best magazines of the day, and been widely copied at home and abroad, while she has also given to the public several novels and a choice edition of her poems, all of which have been very suc- cessful, winning for her, and with justice, the soubriquet of " Vermont's Poetess."
Ruth Field, widow of Nathaniel, now 97 years of age, resides with her son, Wm. M. Field, corner Centre and Main streets, and displays an unusual degree of vigor for one of that age.
William, father of Dr. George H. Fox, of Rutland village, was an old Revolutionary soldier, and settled in Clarendon, from Woodstock, Conn., in 1779, dying there February 17th, 1822. Dr. Fox traces the genealogy of his family back to John Fox of England, historian of the Martyrs, born in 1517.
Silas Aiken, D. D., removed from Boston, where he had occupied the pulpit of the Park St. Church for twelve years, and was settled over the Congregational Church of Rutland in 1849, which position he retained until he retired from the ministry in 1863. The high esteem in which he was held is attested by the fact that upon his retirement the Congregational Society presented him with a deed of the residence, No. 71 Main street, to retain the benefit of his influence among them, and here two of his daughters still reside.
About the commencement of the Revolutionary war a fort was erected at East Rutland, about twenty feet north of the present Cheney store, on what is known as the burnt district. It was oblong in form, about eight rods east and west, and ten rods north and south, made of pickets of maple, set five feet in the ground and extending fourteen feet high, the sides of the pickets touching each other and hewn smooth, the outside and inside unhewn. In- side was a small building for ammunition and provisions, afterwards used as a dwelling. As forts were soon after erected east and west of this, it became of little use, and was gradually torn down and the pickets used for fuel.
Soon after the organization of the Government of Vermont, in March, 1778, it was decided to make Rutland the headquarters of the State troops, and Gideon Brownson was appointed commander of the forces stationed here. A fort was erected at Centre Rutland during the same year, located on the hill east of Mead's (now Gookins) Falls, and named Fort Ranger. It was elliptical in form, covering an area of two or more acres, and made of unhewn hemlock logs or pickets, sunk in a trench five feet deep, rising fifteen feet high, sharpened at the top and inclining outward, accommodating two
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or three hundred troops. In the north-west part, a block-house, forty feet square and two stories high, was built, the north and west sides forming a part of the outside of the fort, and supplied on all sides with port-holes. This fort was used as the State headquarters, and from here the supplies were furnished the other forts until 1781, when the headquarters were removed to Castleton. At this time Centre Rutland contained, besides the fort, the first meeting-house of the town, the tavern of John Hopson Johnson, built of plank, on the site of the present store, and Mead's saw and grist mill, built for Col. James Mead, by Benjamin Blanchard, who received 100 acres of land for building the same, the land now being included in the farm of Chalon Blanchard.
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