USA > Vermont > Windham County > Gazetteer and business directory of Windham county, Vt., 1724-1884 > Part 28
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The West River National Bank was chartered as a State institution, in 1853, the first bills being issued July 20, 1854, with James H. Phelps, presi- dent, and John E. Butler, cashier. In August, 1865, it re-organized as a National bank, with a capital of $100,000.00, though it was subsequently
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reduced to $60,000.00. The bank is located in a substantial brick build- ing at the lower end of Main street, in Jamaica village, with William Harris, of Windham, president, and John A. Butler, cashier.
The Jamaica Savings Bank was chartered in 1872, and commenced busi- ness with William Harris, president ; E. L. Waterman, vice-president ; and J. C. Robinson, secretary and treasurer. The institution was originated by Rev. Charles Burnham, who was pastor of the Congregational church here several years, and who died in 1883. It was at first located in the National Bank building, but was subsequently removed to its present quarters .. The officers are Hon. E. L. Waterman, president ; O. R. Garfield, vice-president ; and J. C. Robinson, secretary and treasurer. The bank now has 693 depositors, aggregating a gross deposit of $139,500.00, while the bank has a surplus of $4,500.00.
C. M. Nichols's saw, and shingle-mill, located at the corner of roads 22 and 32, was built by a Mr. Ward about twenty-five or thirty years ago. O. A. Richmond purchased the property about 1866, and in 1883 it came into the possession of the present owner, who has replaced the old upright saw with a circular saw, and added other improved machinery, giving the mill capacity for cutting about 5.000 feet of lumber, and 6,000 shingles per day, doing both custom and merchant work.
G. F. Richmond's carriage shop, located on road 22, was established in 1883. He carries on a general manufacturing and repair business.
C. A. Whites butter-tub and shingle factory, located on road 22, was estab- lished' by him in 1877. February 25, 1881, the buildings were destroyed by fire, the present mill being erected the same year. It is operated by both steam and water-power, giving employment to about six men, and turning out 15,000 butter tubs, and 1,000,000 shingles per annum. Mr. White also manu- factures sap buckets and does custom planing.
B. B. Houghton's saw and planing-mill, located on road 3, was built about fifty years ago, and has been in the present proprietor's possession about sixteen years. The mill has the capacity for cutting about 5,000 feet of lumber per day, and is also supplied with circular, board, and chair-back saws, planer, etc., and does merchant work.
A. A. Kingsbury's saw and grist-mill, located on road 3, in Rawson ville, was built by Flint Richardson, about forty years ago, and was purchased by Mr. Kingsbury, in July, 1882. The saw-mill is supplied with upright board saws, circular bench saws, shingle machine, band saw, and planer, and cuts annually about 100,000 shingles, also doing custom board sawing and jobbing. The grist-mill has one run of stones, and grinds about twelve tons of corn per month, besides the custom work.
H. H. Felton's saw-mill, located on road 24, was built by Mr. Felton in 1868. It is fitted with a circular board saw, is operated by water-power, and cuts about 200,000 feet of lumber per annum. Mr. Felton has also a mill on road 23, built by him in 1872, with the capacity for cutting 10,000 feet of lumber per day.
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W. H. Wheeler's saw-mill and chair-stock factory, located on road 23, was purchased by him in 1883. It is operated by both steam and water-power and is fitted with circular board-saw, chair-back saw, cutting-off saw, band-saw, planer and shingle machine, having the capacity for manufacturing 400,000 chair-backs per annum and about 10,000 shingles daily. Mr. Wheeler also cuts dimension lumber and does custom sawing.
Farr & Roel's rake factory, located on road 34, has all the necessary turn- ing machinery for manufacturing rakes, and has also splitting saws.
Alvin Frost's tray shop, located on Mechanic street, at Jamaica village, was established by him in 1877. He manufactures about 3,000 trays per annum. William F. Gleason's saw and shingle-mill and chair-stock factory, located on road 34, is furnished with a circular board-saw, cutting-off and splitting saws, band-saw, and shingle machines. He manufactures about 250,000 feet of rough lumber and 200,000 shingles per annum.
F. W. Perry & Son's tannery , located in Jamaica village, turns out about $75,000,00 worth of hides per year, employing about twelve men. The leather is not finished here, but is sent to Massachusetts in the rough.
W. L. Barnes's carriage and blacksmith shop, located at Jamaica village, is operated by water-power and furnished with all necessary machinery for carry- ing on a manufacturing and job business.
Edwin F. Russell's chair factory, located on Factory street, at Jamaica vil- lage, has the capacity for turning out about 100 dozens of cane-seated chairs per month, but it is not operated for this purpose at present, being used as a sawing, matching and planning-mill.
Wardwell & Flint's steam saw-mill, located at the base of Bald mountain, was built in 1881. It is supplied with a circular board saw, edging saws, band saw, cutting-up machinery, etc., and cuts about 1,000,000 feet of lum- ber per annum, 250,000 feet of which is converted into chair-stock.
O. C. Flint's chair-stock factory and grist-mill, located on Mechanic street, of Jamaica village, has three lathes, bench saws, etc., and a mill for grinding meal and feed. He usually employs five men in the manufacture of turned chair-stock and in doing custom grinding.
Edward Magoon's saw-mill, located on road 34, cuts 200,000 feet of lum- ber per annum.
'The first event of historic importance occurring in Jamaica took place years before the territory was settled or had even been set apart by charter or name. It was back in the remote year of 1748, when the out-posts of white settlements in this section were at Fort Dummer, and at Charlestown, or Number Four, in New Hampshire. During this year Capt. Eleazer Melvin, of Northfield, Mass., in command of a scouting party of eighteen men, met, in the vicinity of Lake Champlain, a larger force of Indians than they could cope with, and so retreated towards Fort Dummer, along the valleys of Otter creek and West river. On the night of May 30th they camped within the present limits of Londonderry, and early on the following morning resumed
15
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their march. Being nearly out of provisions they halted in this town, a short distance above the mouth of Bald Mountain brook, to shoot salmon in the river. Here they were overtaken by the Indians, between nine and ten o'clock in the morning, they having, probably, crossed through the gap west of Bald mountain, while the scouting party had followed the river around the mountain. They fired upon the party from ambush, four men being killed at the first volley. Though taken by surprise, the little party rallied and charged on the Indians, killing several; but, after losing two more men, the soldiers scattered through the forest and fled, reaching Fort Dummer during that and the following day. A party was immediately sent out from the fort, who buried the four men who were shot at the outset of the affray, on the flat south of Bald Mountain brook, about fifty roads from its mouth. Their names were John Hayward, Isaac Taylor, John Dod and Daniel Mann. The other two men, Joseph Petty and Samuel Severance, managed to get some distance from the scene of the affray before death overtook them, and their bodies were not found until some time after. Thus occurred the first deaths and burials in what is now the township of Jamaica.
The first clearing made in the town was in 1775, by William Hayward (now spelled Howard), of Townshend, and his sons Caleb and Silas. They erected houses in their clearings, into which they moved in 1777, Caleb on the bank of West river, east of Wardsboro depot, and Silas on the hill to the north, supposing, however, that they were located in Townshend, and Silas was sent as the first representative in the general assembly from Townshend, in 1780. The town line being run the next year, 1781, however, proved that he was a citizen of Jamaica. In 1780 there were eleven or twelve families in the town, seven of whom were Haywards, and in 1791 the population had increased to 263 souls. .
The first proprietors' meeting seems to have been the one held at Newfane, June 5, 1781, where a committee was chosen to lay out the township into lots, James Mack, of Londonderry, being appointed surveyor. The first town meeting was held September 3, 1781, at the house of William Hayward, near the present site of Wardsboro station, on road 28. William Harrison Church was chosen town clerk and representative; Benjamin Hayward, William Hayward and William H. Church, selectmen ; Calvin Hayward, constable ; Peter Hazelton (or Hazeltine), treasurer ; Paul Hayward, lister ; and Caleb Hayward, surveyor of highways, though the latter office must have been a sinecure, as their were no highways opened in the town until June, 1784. The first birth was that of Banyard Hayward, son of Paul, in 1779. The first grist and saw-mill was built by Peter Hazelton, on Mill brook, or Wardsboro brook, on road 45, in 1782-'83. In 1785 they were called "Howe's mills," having been purchased by John Howe. The first road built through the town was laid in 1784, from the line near West Townshend to " Peaked rock," where the bridge crosses West river, about two miles below Jamaica village. In 1790 it was completed through to the Winhall line. The first
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house designated by the name of tavern was kept by John Wellman, on road 30, where was also a " training ground," a sign post, and stocks for the pun- ishment of wrong doers. It was erected in 1793. The first school was taught by Zebotes Skinner, in 1791, being held in a log school-house that was sustained by voluntary contribution. Mr. Skinner became a noted school master, teaching, at different times, twenty-one schools in the town. The first resident minister was Rev. John Stoddard, who was called by vote of the Congregational church, in 1794, He was dismissed in 1799, for selling his wife, who, it appears, however, ratified the sale, for she lived with the purchaser and reared a respectable family of descendants. The first carriage (with springs) in the town was probably that of Jonas Pierce, which is men- tioned in the tax list in 1812. The first lawyer to commence practice here was Hon. John E. Butler, in 1840, who was born in the town in 1809. The first physician was Dr. Nathan Weeks, who began practice in 1815. The heaviest freshet that ever visited the town occurred October 2, 3 and 4, 1869. It carried away bridges and washed out highways, doing damage to the amount of $15,000.00, and causing the death of William H. Carr, a promi- nent citizen of the town and at that time a deputy sheriff.
The Haywards, or Howards, as the name is now spelled, were the pro- genitors of the large number of that name now residing in the town, William being the father of fourteen sons, all of whom settled in Jamaica. Of the others who settled here before the charter of the town was issued, were Peter Hazelton, who located on the river; Amariah Taft, who located the first farm west of the river, on Wardsboro branch, where Peter Hazelton built the first grist and saw-mill; Paul, son of Benjamin Howard, located on the farm just west of his father's, which is now owned by Deacon Burnap; William H. Church located on the farm next west, just below the railroad cut at the West river bridge; Stephen Wilcox, sometimes called Stephen Sabin, settled on the next farm west ; and John Wright, who located on a farm farther south. Among those who came at a later date were the following : Amos Skinner, from Packersfield, now New Alstead, N. H., in 1781 ; Elisha Chase, from Petersham, Mass., in 1783; Samuel Lamb, a shoemaker, from Petersham, Mass., in 1783; John B. Hinds, a shoemaker, from Blandford, Mass., in 1784; Hezekiah Howe, from Alstead, N. H., in 1784; Jonathan Coombs, from Billingham, Mass., in 1790; Benjamin Furniss, from Greenwich, Mass., in 1798 ; Jonas Pierce, from Lincoln, Mass., in 1792; and Childs Wheaton, from Pomfret, Conn., in 1798.
Benjamin Howard came from Mendon, Mass., when sixty-six or sixty-seven years of age, and located in Townshend. He built a log house on the hill northeast of West Townshend village, where he lived two years, then came to Jamaica, locating, with his son Calvin on the place now owned by Lestina and Sylvia Howard. Hle resided there in 1781, being elected that year as one of the first selectmen of the town, and died there about 1784. He was the father of fourteen sons, nearly all of whom reared families either in this town or Townshend.
TOWN OF JAMAICA.
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David Eddy was born in Heath, Mass., August 3, 1801, and died in Jamaica, December 18, 1881. He was the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Simmons) Eddy, and a direct lineal descendant of one of the Eddy brothers who came to this country in the " Mayflower." He belonged to an excep- tionally long-lived family, his father dying at the age of seventy-seven and his mother at the age of eighty-nine years. His father moved to Jamaica in 1802 or 1803, settling on the place now owned by Charles Gleason, near Wards- boro. He lived here but a short time, however, as he was living on what is now a pasture, owned by Brainerd Brown, at the time of the "dark day" of June 16, 1806. The incidents of that day were distinctly remembered and often recounted by David, although he was less than five years old at the time. In early life David Eddy evinced a remarkable taste and aptitude for books, and readily mastered obstacles that were insurmountable to his school- mates. For some twenty years ot his early manhood he taught school a part of the time each year. He married Lucy Stockwell, April 1, 1827, by whom he had four children. September 27, 1835, he married Lydia Pierce, by whom he had seven children. January 22, 1868, he married Mrs. Maria Dex- ter, of Wardsboro, who survives him. From 1837 until his death, he served the town by holding one or more of its most important offices. The duties of a constable were distasteful to him, for he said : " Many a time I've had to serve writs when I would rather have paid every cent of the debt than to do . it." In 1856 he was elected representative of the town, and served in the reg- ular and special sessions. For about forty years he was justice of the peace, and probably no man in the town ever tried more cases, or settled more estates of deceased persons than he. He was held in such universal respect that the name of David Eddy appeared on the justice ticket of both political parties. He believed in letting offices seek him, instead of his seeking office ; and, though repeatedly urged to allow his name to be used as a candidate for assistant judge, he as often refused. In politics he was a sturdy antislavery Republican from the birth of the party. He respected the man, and not the skin with which the man was covered; and many a time needy colored men have found shelter under his roof and hospitality at his table. Mr. Eddy was a farmer all his life. He lived upon the homestead of his father till 1863, when he removed to that of his father-in-law, to care for his wife's parents. He remained here until his marriage in 1868, when he removed to Wards- boro. Within a few months of his death he expressed a desire to return to the old homestead and die there, and the wish was granted. He was a thor- ough going temperance man, an ardent lover of the prohibitory law, and always took a determined and active part in its enforcement. He lived a consistent Christian life, and in his last moments evinced the clearest proof that his faith was unshaken and that death had no terrors for him. In early life Mr. Eddy and his young wife united with the Baptist church, in Jamaica, and both remained members until their death. Until within a few years he was a constant attendant upon church services, and very few Sabbaths passed
DAVID EDDY.
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in which he and his family were not in their place in the sanctuary. During the last few years of his life he was troubled with deafness, so that he could not hear the public services, and he preferred to spend the few Sabbath in the quiet of his home. The religion of the New Testament was a reality to him, and he loved to drink it in, in all its purity, simplicity and fullness. Its influence was seen and recognized in his daily intercourse with men, and it is but sim- ple truth to say that his life was a "living epistle, known and read of all men," and that he was one of the noblest works of God-an honest man.
George Howard, son of Paul was the first settler on the farm now owned by Harland Howe, off road 8, on Turkey mountain. Willard H., his eldest son, married Abigail Chase and bought a partially cleared place on road 8, where Elwin Clayton now resides, about 1823. He reared three sons and six daughters, all of whom were born on this farm. . Of these children Alphonso P., Mason F., Marthaette (Mrs. Elwin Clayton), and Laurette (Mrs. P. Kellogg), reside in Jamaica, Willard H. was a staunch Methodist and died at the residence of his son, Mason F., at Jamaica village.
Revido Howard was born here in 1832, on the old homestead he now occupies He married Mary M. Clark, a native of Hubbardstown, Mass.
Jered Howard was born in Mendon, Mass., in 1788. He married Try- phenia Wheeler, by whom he reared nine children, Sylvia, Isaiah, Obadiah, Lestina, Taft, Henrietta, Raney, Anson and Webster, seven of whom are living. Sylvia, Lestina and Taft occupy the old homestead, neither of them ever having married.
Milton L. Howard was born here in 1847, has been twice married, and has five children. He was a member of Co. K, 9th Vt. Vols, and was mustered out of service June 15, 1865. He is now commander of Post Scott, G. A. R., of Jamaica.
Mary O. Howard, residing on road 42, married a descendant of Banyard Howard, the first white child born in the town.
Levi Howard, residing on road 47, was born in New Hampshire in 1839, and came to Jamaica in 1882.
John Howe, familiarly known as Miller Howe, was an early settler in the town. As early as 1785 he owned the grist-mill built by Peter Hazelton, and operated it for many years, while his sons Elijah and Joel also carried on the business a long time. John reared six sons and three daughters. Elijah married Annie Fisher, who bore him four children, two of whom, Elliot and Alfred, are living. John, Jr., Joel, Simon and Peter resided in Jamaica. Abijah, one of the younger sons of John, became a shoemaker and resided near Jamaica village, on road 24. He married Margaret, daughter of a Rev- olutionary soldier named Crapo, by whom he had nine children, only one of whom, Asa, born in 1814, is now living in the town.
Nathaniel Robbins, from Paxton, Mass., was one of the early settlers of the town, locating upon the farm now owned by Charles Robbins. He reared three sons and four daughters, of whom Loring and Cyrus succeeded to the homestead. Loring died August 28, 1871, and was succeeded by Charles.
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Dea. Beriah Wheeler was an early settler, locating upon the farm now owned by Warren Wheeler, on road 16. He served as a captain in the Revolutionary war, at the battle of Bennington, was a deacon of the Congre- gational church, and was a well educated man for those times, serving for sometime as town clerk. He died about 1835. His wife was Mary Williams, by whom he reared ten children. One, Henry, is now living in Oswego county, N. Y .; Warren, born in Connecticut, in 1784, spent his life on the old homestead; Zachariah was born in Winhall, in 1793 ; and Merritt A., the remaining son, is doing an extensive business in Leicester, Mass.
Bailey Rawson, son of William, was born in Oxford, Mass., about 1760. He married Susannah Brown, of Keene, N. H., and located near Samuel Wiswell, in Townshend, about the close of the Revolution, in which war he served as a fifer. He was a farrier, and traveled through the surrounding towns on horseback, wherever his services were required. During one of his journeys he crossed the northwestern corner of Jamaica. Being impressed that the location was favorable, he, in 1810, made the first clearing where Rawsonville now is. He built a log house on the farm now owned by R. Tompkins, and later on the farm now owned by F. B. Pier, where he built a dam on the Winhall river, and erected a saw-mill. Mr. Rawson was an ex- centric man, and many amusing anecdotes are related of him. On one occasion he gathered several bags of sorrel seed, carried them to Massachu- setts, and sold the lot for "not clover seed." Being threatened with the law by the parties who used the seed, he replied : "I sold the stuff for ' not clover seed,' and if you can prove that they are clover seed I will pay the damage." He reared a family of three sons and three daughters, and died December 18, 1848, aged eighty-eight years. Bailey, Jr., married twice, and his second wife, Asenath Gale, now resides with his son Sylvester, on road 3. She has four sons living, three residing in Jamaica, Webster L., Sylvester E., and Bradford B. Thirteen grandsons of Bailey Rawson, Sr., served in the late war. Manley S. Rawson, on road 6, is the only son of Capt. Lowell Rawson, now residing in Jamaica.
James Clark came from Dummerston at an early date, locating on road 49, where Abial T. Morse now resides. One of his older sons, Osmer N., was born in 1809, married Eliza R., Mahan, of West Boylston, Mass., in August, 1829, and reared nine children. His widow now resides with their son Charles S., in Jamaica village. A daughter, Mrs. Eliza A. Higgins, resides off road 48, near the Wardsboro line.
James Waterman was born in Rhode Island, and came to Jamaica at an early date. He married Nellie Howard Butler, by whom he reared four chil- dren, Mary, Chandler, Eliza, and Lorenzo, all of whom, except Eliza, are living. Hon. Eleazer L., son of Chandler, married Jenny E. Bemis, of Windham, and is one of the prominent lawyers of the county. He has held various town offices, and was State's attorney in 1874-'75, and senator in 1876-'77.
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Lewis Shumway was one of the early settlers of the town. He was mar- ried, first, to Lucy Smith, by whom he reared thirteen children, and second, to Sally Mason, of Brookline, by whom he reared two children, John Q. and Elizabeth, both of whom are living.
Ephraim Higgins was born in Cape Cod and came to Jamaica at an early day, and reared six children, John, Isaac, William, Payne, Lacina and Lucy. Isaac married Almina Baldwin and reared eight children, seven of whom are living.
Joseph Johnson, from Putney, was one of the earlist settlers on Winhall river, between Bondville and Rawsonville. He reared seven children, two of whom, Mrs. Una Sanders and Mrs. Lorinda Blocher, now reside in Jamaica. Marshall, his fourth child, married Melinda Johnson, reared four children, and, in 1857, removed to Winhall, where his widow and one son, Irving W., now reside. His other surviving son, William B., resides in Jamaica village.
Israel Thayer came to Jamaica, from Sutton, Mass., at an early date, mak- ing the first settlement on the farm now known as the Thayer homestead. He married Molly A. Howard, by whom he reared six children. Moses, who succeeded to the homestead, married Sally Baldwin and reared nine children.
Elias Wilder, from Dummerston, was one of the early settlers in West Jamaica, having located upon the farm now occupied by his grandson, George F., about 1785. Only one of his sons, Ephraim, spent his life in Jamaica. He married Lucinda Rice and resided on the old homestead, reared seven children, three of whom reside in the town, George F., Henry S., and Austin N. George F., who resides on the homestead, married Mrs. Lucy M. Hurl- burt, daughter of David Gale, and has three children.
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