USA > Vermont > Windham County > Gazetteer and business directory of Windham county, Vt., 1724-1884 > Part 14
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After the establishment of a garrison at Fort Dummer, as mentioned on the above cited page, nothing was done towards the settlement of the locality for a number of years, or, indeed, not until after the charter was granted, in 1753, by reason, probably, of the disturbances consequent upon Indian wars and depredations. Leave was once or twice asked and granted to have the time of filling the conditions of the charter extended; but of any deed issued, or other town business transacted, if there was any such deed or business in those early days, we have no account. Nor does there seem to have been any town clerk until Dr. Henry Wells was chosen such, some fifteen years after the town was chartered. Among the original records of the town the
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earliest bears date the first Tuesday of March, 1768, and speaks of the meet- ing as being called in accordance with an act passed in 1750, by which the "freeholders of any town in the colony of New York are empowered to assemble for town business at such time and place as shall be appointed by any two of his Majesty's justices of the peace." Under date of December 27, 1768, is also found a record of an intention of marriage, signed by Henry Wells, town clerk. The first representative to the legislature was Samuel Wells, in 1780.
The settlement of the town, however, after the fear of Indian depredations had subsided, was rapid, as is shown by the reports of the first census of Cumberland county, taken by New York, in 1771, which gives Brattleboro a total population of 403 souls, seventy-five of whom were heads of families ; 103 were males under sixteen years of age; 102 were males between the ages of sixteen and sixty ; eight were over sixty years of age; 110 were females under sixteen ; seventy-nine were females above sixteen, and one was a col- ored female.
John Sargent, erroneously called " David" in Thompson's Gazetteer, was one of the earliest settlers in Vermont. His home for a time was at Fort Dummer, where he arrived about 1730 or 1731. His family at this time consisted of a wife and two children, Daniel and Abigail. In after time, say up to 1742, there were born to them John, Thomas, Abigail, (her name-sake having died) Rufus and Mary. In March, (here the record is not legible, but probably 1742 or 1743.) while he and his son Daniel were a short dis- tance from the fort, looking for timber to make paddles, they were ambushed by Indians, the father killed and scalped and the son carried into captivity. This son, Daniel, remained for quite a time with the Indians, adopting their habits and manners ; but finally he returned, and, in company with the youngest son, Rufus, bought a section of land on the Connecticut river, lying in the southeastern corner of Dummerston, where each made a home and reared a family.
John Sargent, Jr., generally known as Col. John Sargent, was born Decem- ber 4, 1732, at Fort Dummer, and, so far as is known, was the first white child born within the present limits of this State. He, with his brother Thomas, bought a tract of land comprising 460 acres, lying in the northeast corner of Brattleboro. The deed of this land, now in possession of G. P. Sargent, residing on road 11, is legible in every respect, being dated as fol- lows : " Brattleboro, April twentieth, Seventeen hundred and seventy, County of Cumberland. Province of New York." The consideration, " Two Hun- dred & Eighty Six Pounds Lawful Money of New York." On the site now owned and occupied by J. H. Sargent, a lineal descendant, Col. John erected a commodious dwelling, wherein he, for many years, dispensed a generous hospitality to the weary traveler, and elevated the spirits and patriotism of his friends with liberal potations of the fluids of the time. Here, also, he reared two sons and two daughters. Col. John was noted as a thorough
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farmer, a genial landlord, and a spirited and efficient colonel of the State militia. He died July 30, 1798, in his sixty-eighth year.
Thomas Sargent, or "Lieutenant Tom," as he was usually designated, was also born at Fort Dummer, Feb. 23, 1734 As previously stated, he bought land with Col. John, and selected for a home a situation about seventy-five rods north of the Colonel, where he built a substantial farm dwelling and other necessary structures. Here the forest gradually melted before his sturdy axe, and he soon had sufficient arable land to meet the necessities of an increasing household, but in the midst of usefulness and near the meridian of the allotted time, when all seemed fair, bright and hopeful before and around him, death knocked at his door, April 19, 1783. At his death his family consisted of his wife (formerly Miss Anna Lee), eight sons, Elisha, Thomas, Calvin, Luther. Erastus, Roswell and Harry W., and four daughters, Anna, Lecta, Susannah and Roxanna. Elisha, his son, who married Molly Kathan, and ultimately possessed the homestead, clearing from it the remaining surplus of wood and timber, besides adding to its acres and otherwise improving it. He died December 1, 1833. To him was born Elisha, Molly, Caressa, Thomas, Alex- ander, Chester and George. Of these none attained any special note, except- ing Thomas, who was a famous pedagogue of the times, and George, who stood at the head as a bass drummer. Such was the latter's skill with the "padded stick," that he and his favorite tenor, W. M. Knapp of Dummers- ton, were often employed in the adjoining States of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He married Roxanna Pratt, succeeded to the estate of his father, and died January 25, 1859. His widow still survives him, aged eighty- five years, and resides on the old place. To him were born George B., Ches- ter H., Herbert C. (deceased), Lucy R. (deceased), and Charles W. George B. Sargent married Miss M. A. French, and now owns and occupies a por- tion of the original farm. He has two children now living, Mrs. Lodema A. Sargent, Prescott, and George H.
Dr. Willard Arms, the third in line of descent from Maj. John Arms, was born in Brattleboro, December 2, 1880, and studied medicine with Dr. Wil. liam S. Williams, of Deerfield, Mass. February 8, 1803, he married Susan Arms, of Deerfield, and went immediately to Stukely, Canada. After abont a year he was called back to settle the estate of his father, Josiah Arms, who died in possession of the meadow farm, now the property of the Vermont asylum. which had belonged to the Major, his father. Dr. Arms remained in practice in his profession in this place about fourteen years, and he built the house at the East village which was owned and occupied by the late N. B. Williston, Esq- In 1818 he sold his house and practice to Dr. Artemas Robbins, conditioned that he should not practice in this town for ten years, and followed his profes- sion the most of this time in Northampton, Mass. In 1833 he returned and settled in the West village, where he remained thirty years, and died Septem- ber 25, 1863, aged almost eighty-three years. He practiced sixty years, forty- four in this town, where in many branches of his profession his counsel was
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often sought. He was considered the leading authority in obstetrics, small- pox, etc. "When I am sick," said he, "I don't want medicine; but I live on corn-meal hasty-pudding until the disease gets disgusted and leaves me." His long life and good health was owing, in no small degree, undoubtedly, to excellent care, good habits, and a large share of good common sense.
Dr. Jonathan A. Allen and his family lived on Main street as early as 1816, but how long before we are not able to state. Dr. Allen is spoken of in high terms of commendation by the few aged citizens in the village who remember him as an honor to the profession, gentlemanly, prudent and considerate in his intercourse and dealings with his fellow men. He left this place at some period from 1822 to '24, for a wider field, and satisfactorily did he prove his capability for the same in the way he long and faithfully fulfilled the duties he accepted, as professor of chemistry in Middlebury college.
Hen. Jonathan Dorr Bradley, son of Hon. William C. Bradley, of West- minster, Vt., was born in Westminster in 1803; was a graduate of Yale col- lege and was fitted for the legal professon ; married Susan Crossman in 1829, and first practised law at Bellows Falls, though about thirty years of his pro- fessional life was spent in Brattleboro, where he died, in September, 1862, leaving his widow and four children-William C., a graduate of Harvard col- lege in 1851, Richards, Stephen Rowe, and Arthur C., a graduate of Amherst in 1876. Mr. Bradley was a profound legal scholar; he represented Brattle- boro in the legislature in 1856-'57, and was one of the board of directors of the Vermont and Massachusetts railroad, and exerted a powerful influence in forwarding the construction of the road to Brattleboro.
Hon. Oliver Chapin was a member of General Washington's body-guard during the Revolution, and early in the present century came to Brattleboro, from Orange, Mass. He became one of the county judges and held other offices with credit to himself and honor to his constituents, being an emin- ently capable, enterprising and persevering man. Not only did he build several houses on Main street, destroyed by fire in 1869, but he was chiefly instrumental in building the first bridge connecting Brattleboro with New Hampshire. Application for the charter was made in 1801, and the bridge and Hinsdale turnpike were completed in 1806. He died in 1811, aged fifty-one years. His widow died in 1849, aged eighty-four years. Dr. Charles, son of Oliver, was born at Orange, Mass., July 10, 1803, was fitted for col- lege by Rev. Dr. Coleman, and graduated from Harvard University in 1823, when twenty years old. He went through the usual course of studies for the medical profession, under the direction of the celebrated Dr. Bigelow, of Boston, and commenced the practice of medicine in Sprinfigeld, Mass., in 1826. In 1827 he married Elizabeth B. Bridge, of Charlestown, Mass, by whom he had one child, Elizabeth Alice, who married Joseph Clark, in 1846 .or '47. In 1830, his first wife having died, he married Sophia Dwight Orne, of Springfield, by whom he had five children-Lucinda Orne, Oliver Howard, Mary Wells, William Orne and Charles Jones. In 1831 Dr. Chapin re-
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moved to Brattleboro, and soon after gave up the practice of medicine, and thereafter devoted himself to business and public affairs, filling many public o fices with credit and fidelity. He was a member of the legislature in 1833, and was for a long time deputy sheriff and the most active officer of that kind in the county. He was United States marshal during the administration of President Pierce, and for many years was one of the efficient directors of the Vermont Mutual Insurance Company. He was one of the first mem- bers and organizers of the Unitarian Society of this place, and for twenty-five years was a favorite moderator and presiding officer at town meetings and other public gatherings, and his services were in frequent request to conduct funerals. For many years, and until infirmities forbade, he was the very ac- ceptable and efficient chief engineer of the fire department ; also a director of the Vermont Valley Railroad Company when their road was being con- structed, in 1850, and at the same period a clerk of the company. He died January 6, 1878.
Hon. Samuel Clark, of Brattleboro, who was, through his mother, Sarah Cushman, a lineal descendant, in the seventh generation, from Robert Cush- man, the puritan, was born at Lebanon, Ct., February 28, 1777. He remained at home until the age of eighteen, when his health proving insufficient for the labors of the farm, he left, and most of the time until 1815, when he removed to West Brattleboro, was engaged in merchantile pursuits in the towns of Guilford and Dover, Vt. He continued in business at West Brattleboro about fifteen years, when, having gained a competence, he retired from busi- ness but continued to take an active and prominent part in the public affairs of the town. For four years, 1820, 1821, 1825, and 1826, he represented Brattleboro in the legislature. In 1827 he was chosen a member of the senate, which office he held three years. In 1833 he was the first assistant, or side judge of the county court. In 1836 he was a delegate from Brattle- boro to the State convention to revise the constitution of Vermont. For several years he held the office of selectman and lister, was a trustee of the Vermont Asylum for the Insane, and of the Brattleboro Academy, which school owes much to the interest he always took in its welfare, and to his timely and liberal gifts. He was for twenty years a director of the Bank of Brattleboro, and justice of the peace fourteen years. In all these various positions he proved himsel' worthy of the confidence reposed in him. He was for many years an active member of the Congregational church, of West Brattleboro, and did much to sustain the institutions of the Gospel both at home and abroad, and at his death left large legacies for benevolent objects.
His wife was Susan, daughter of Captain Daniel Johnson, of Dover, by whom he had four sons, Lafayette, Amandrin, Samuel Cushman, and Stam- ford Russell, two only of whom, Lafayette and Samuel C., survive him He died April 19, 1861, at the age of eighty-four years, greatly beloved by those immediately about him and highly esteemed by all.
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Lafayette, the oldest son of Samuel Clark, was born at Dover, Windham county, Vt., June 7, 1801, and came to West Brattleboro with his father in 1815. After he became of age he entered his father's store, where he remained as clerk and later as partner until 1831. Though of a modest and retiring disposition his townsmen learned to appreciate his sterling qualities and sound ju igment, and for many years he was made prominent as an officer of the town, and as a member of the community in which he lived. He represented the town of Brattleboro in the legislature in 1843-'44, was town clerk from 1844 to 1862, and was selectman and lister several years. For seventeen years he was town treasurer, for a time trustee of the public money, and for forty-five years justice of the peace. He was one of the trustees of the Windham Provident Institution for Savings, now Vermont Savings Bank, from its commencement until 1869, and for some time previous to leaving the board, its president. From 1869 to 1878 he was a director of the Ver- mont National Bank of Brattleboro, and the last four years of which time its president.
For many years he served as clerk of the Congregational church at West Brattleboro, of which he was a member and an earnest supporter. He took an active interest in the welfare of Brattleboro Academy, and was a member of the board of trustees about fifty years, and about forty years clerk of the board. In every position to which he was called, he proved himself worthy of trust and honor, an efficient and faithful public servant, and was regarded by all as. a sincere friend. He died August 22, 1881, aged eighty years. In private his life was remarkably noble and unselfish, and none regarded him with more honor than those nearest to him and who turned to him for counsel or help.
Ranslure W. Clarke, of Brattleboro, son of Elam and Cynthia Clarke, was born at Williamstown, Vt., in 1816. His studies preparatory to entering college were persued at Black River Academy, at Ludlow, Vt., and at Ran- dolph Academy, Vermont. He entered Dartmouth college in 1838 and graduated in 1842, when he became principal of Black River Academy for three years; and in the meantime he read law with the late Gov. P. T. Washburn, completing his law studies in the office of the late Hon. J. Dorr Bradley, of Brattleboro, and was admitted to the bar at the September term of Windham county court, 1846. Since then he has practiced his profession in Brattleboro. He held the office of State's attorney in 1851-'52 and 1854; was a member of the constitutional convention in: 1858; was State senator in. 1858 and 1859 ; was one of the presidential electors of Vermont in 1868- He held the office of postmaster at Brattleboro from January, 1871, to Jan, uary, 1879 ; was register of probate for the district of Marlboro in 1861-'62, when he resigned that office, and in June, 1862, was appointed assistant quartermaster of United States volunteers, and remained in the United States military service till October, 1865. His official ranks in military service have been those of captain, major and colonel. He has been and now is pro ni-
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nently connected with the Brattleboro Savings Bank, of which he was for several years the president. For more than twenty-five years past he has held the offices of United States commissioner and master in chancery. In 1882 he was elected assistant judge of Windham county court, which office he still holds. In May, 1849, Mr. Clarke married Lucy C., daughter of the late Judge John Wilder, of Weston, Vt. She died in 1864, and in 1868 he mar- ried Susan O. Wilder, a sister of his first wife.
Joseph Clark, of Brattleboro, son of Joseph Clark, who came from England to Auburn, Mass., at an early date, and died in 1800, married Freedom Alex- ander, of Northfield, Mass., by whom he had seven children, and died Sep- tember 6, 1834. Henry, the eldest, married Electa, daughter of Jonathan Goodenough, in 1808. She died in 1810, and he afterwards married Eunice, her sister. Eunice died in 1823, and for his third wife Henry married Sophia Dennison, daughter of Judge Dennison, of Brattleboro. Henry died March 19, 1855. The fruits of the second marriage were three children. Electa, the eldest, born February 20, 1814, married Dr. Reuben Spaulding, of Mont- pelier, Vt., reared three children, Henry G., Frederick and Edward, only one of whom, Henry G., a Unitarian clergyman of Boston, Mass., is living. She died in February, 1856. Joseph, the second child, was born in Febru- ary, 1816, married Elisabeth, daughter of Dr. Charles Chapin, of Brattleboro, and had three children, Oliver C., William O., and a daughter who died in infancy. Only one, Oliver C., now of San Francisco, Cal., is living. Joseph was for many years engaged in the hardware and drug business, on Main street, and died in October, 1870. George H., the youngest son, was born January 12, 1818. He was educated in the common schools of Brattleboro, studied surveying with Addison Brown, and with his father, who was also a surveyor, and has been engaged most of his life in that occupation and in farming. He married Sarah, daughter of Col. Erastus Hubbard, of Vernon, Vt., November 7, 1842, and has resided in Brattleboro all his life. Their eldest son, Henry G., born Octoher 14, 1843, is now engaged in the dairy business at Brattleboro. Henry G. married Josephine Wooster, of Brattle- boro, December 16, 1865, and has four children, Mary J., born January 6. 1866; Sarah L., born December 22, 1867; Alice C., born February 23, 1870; and Charles H., born January 17, 1872. Their eldest son, born May 14, 1847, died November 15, 1852.
Watson Crosby was one of the early settlers of Brattleboro. His gene- alogy is traced in a direct line to John Crosby, once Lord Mayor of London. His first ancestry in this country was another John Crosby, who settled in Cambridge, Mass., in 1635. Watson was one of the seven children of Miller and Rebecca Crosby, and was born at Cape Cod, November 7, 1776. In 1787, in company with his widowed mother and the rest of the family, he came to West Brattleboro, locating on a farm adjoining that of an old Cape Cod neighbor, Manassah Bixby. November 28, 1834, he married Desiah Bangs, daughter of Hon. Joseph Bangs, of Hawley, Mass., by whom he had
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ten children, viz. : Olive, Ruth, Miranda, Abigail Cobb, Joseph Bangs, Henry Barrett, Jeremiah Mayo, Charles Howard, Frances Hayes, and a daughter who died in infancy. Five of the children are now living, viz. : Mrs. Olive Robinson, at Washington, D. C .; Mrs. Ruth Miller, at Toledo, O .; Abigail C. Putnam, at Brattleboro; Henry Barrett, at Patterson, N. J .; and Charles Howard, at Boston, Mass. Watson died November 10, 1857, aged seventy- two years. Mrs. Crosby died September 24, 1859, aged eighty-three years.
Hon. James Elliot was a representative in Congress from Vermont, from 1803 to 1809. His name, with that of Judge Chapin and others, is recorded as one of the corporators of the first joint stock company that originated in Brattleboro. His company built the first bridge connecting the east village with New Hampshire, in 1804, when Mr. Elliot was but twenty-six years of age. He remained in Brattleboro about twenty-five years, then removed to Newfane, where he died, November 10, 1839, aged sixty-four years. He was a native of Gloucester, Mass. In early life he came to reside in Guilford, where he enlisted under General Wayne at eighteen years of age, and served in the Indian wars three years, quartered most of the time in the western part of Ohio, then a wilderness. He studied law and was admitted to the bar of Windham county. In the war of 1812 he held a captain's commis- sion. His later life was variegated with different scenes and services. Be- sides his attention to the practice of law, he served several years as register of probate and clerk of the courts, and the two years previous to his death was State's attorney for Windham county.
Hon. Samuel Elliot was born in Gloucester, Mass., August 16, 1777, and died at West Brattleboro, December 10, 1845 .. With the exception of Hon- John W. Blake, he and his brother were the first to establish a law practice in Brattleboro, and he spent the largest share of the last forty years of his life in the East village. Elliot street is so named because he formerly owned the land and erected the first house thereon, a brick building of two stories. His one-story wood law office stood, as late as 1830, on the site afterwards occupied by the Revere house. In or near 1835 he sold the site to Ashbell Dickenson. A large share of, if not all, the land on the south side of Green street was once in his possession. He was the successor of Hon. John W. Blake as postmaster, but, becoming a Federalist, and prominently advocating the principles of that party during the presidency of Jefferson, he was succeeded in 1810, by Asa Green, Esq., who uninterruptedly held the office until after the inauguration of Harrison, in 1841. He was judge of probate for this district, and repeatedly represented the town in the legisla- ture, was candidate for congress, and also associate judge of this county, where he was widely known as a man of marked ability, unquestioned integ- rity, and not surpassed in his devotion to charity and mercy.
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