USA > Vermont > Windham County > Gazetteer and business directory of Windham county, Vt., 1724-1884 > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82
30424
TOWN OF TOWNSHEND.
gate to the county committee at Westminster, in company with Samuel Fletcher, in June, 1776, and was made a major of militia in 1775. The first representative was Gen. Samuel Fletcher, in 1778, serving three sessions. The first constable was Timothy Holbrook, and the first treasurer John Dyer, both elected in 1781, while the first listers elected that year were Ephraim Barnes, Caleb Hayward, and Joshua Wood, Jr. The first birth was that of Mary Hazeltine, August 5, 1766. The first death recorded is that of Eleazer Fletcher, April 6, 1771. The oldest person recorded as having died in the town was Jane, widow of Col. John Hazeltine, February 16, 1810, aged 104 years.
The first settlers in the old town of Action, were Riverius Hooker, John Hooker, Ruel Hooker, Noah Fisher, Eleazer Fisher, and Ebenezer Bivins, in 1781, the latter three of whom became the first permanent settlers, as the others returned to their homes in Athens. None of the original proprietors of the town, except Ebenezer Bivins, Noan Fisher, Amos Haile, 2d, and Phil- emon Holden, ever resided in the township, though many of them were resi- dents of Athens, Dummerston, Jamaica, Putney, Townshend, and West- minster, while others lived in New Hampshire. Among the first additions to the settlement was that of the family of Philemon Holden, whose descend- ants and those of the Fisher family, still reside within the limits of the old town. The first framed building erected in Acton was put up by Philemon Holden, and the second by Deacon Isaac Fisher. The first saw-mill was built by Eldad Granger, where M. A. Coven's mill now stands. There was never a church edifice erected, though religious meetings were held in dwellings and barns. No schools were sustained, except in private houses, by voluntary contributions. The first roads were mere bridle-paths through the forest, though some of these were afterwards enlarged and became the highways of the present day. The town was organized March 3, 1801, Waitstill Clark being the first town clerk. The town was annexed to Townshend in 1840, the union being celebrated February 1, 1841.
General Samuel Fletcher was one of the most prominent of the early set- tlers of the town. Thompson, in his Gazetteer of Vermont, speaks of him as follows: "Samuel Fletcher was born at Grafton, Mass., in 1745. At the age of seventeen he enlisted as a soldier in the contest between the British and French colonies, in which service he continued one year. On his return he learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed about four years, when he married a young lady with a handsome property, and, resigning the sledge, removed to Townshend to wield the axe among the trees of the forest. In 1775 he joined the American standard at Bunker Hill, with the rank of orderly sergeant. He returned to Townshend in January following, where he was made a captain of militia. He was, at this time, principal leader in the county convention, and was ordered, as captain, to raise as many minute men as possible in his vicinity, who were to hold themselves in readiness to march at the beat of the drum. His whole company volunteered, and in
.
. -
1
.
.
. VeTILs
. ish
F
Ken
V ne uf se wrig
Fisher Ame Hai
nc: w wo Though o of
Ta l'utney, Tesish
New Amomig the
fa
E
fan
M A.
A
iter
1
men as possible in his vicinity, who were to hold themselves in readiness to march at the beat of the drum. His whole company volunteered, and in
Beurs most likely
"304
TOWN OF TOWNSHEND.
1777 they marched to Ticonderoga for the purpose of relieving the American army, which was then beseiged. On this expedition with thirteen volunteers, he attacked a British detachment of forty men, killed one and took seven prisoners, without sustaining any loss himself. He soon after received a major's commission, and continued in the service until after the capture of Burgoyne. After his return, he rose through different grades of office to that of major-general of militia, which office he held six years. He was several years a member of the executive council, and in 1788 was appointed high sheriff of Windham county, which office he held eighteen consecutive years, and was also a judge of the county court three years. He died September 15, 1814, aged about seventy years."
The Taft family were among the early settlers of Townshend. During the winter of 1798-'99, Aaron Taft came from Uxbridge, Mass, and bought the farm where Peter Hazelton lived, on Taft hill. Jesse Murdock, son-in-law of Aaron, negotiated the purchase. On March 9, 1799, the family started from Uxbridge for their new home in Townshend. The household goods were loaded upon a sled, which was drawn to West Townshend by two yoke of oxen, and the snow here was so deep that it took nineteen yoke to move the effects from the West village to the end of the journey. At that time the snow at Uxbridge was not over three inches deep, while in the woods here it was six feet deep on a level.
Peter R. Taft, then fourteen years of age, accompanied the family. He came all the way on foot, and drove the cow. In the winter, like other farmers' boys, he did chores, helped prepare wood for the fire at home, and went to the district school. During the other months he spent his time in helping his father carry on the family homestead. His education, however, was under the oversight of his father, who was a college graduate. Fondness for mathematics resulted in his becoming a land surveyor, and receiving the appointment of county surveyor. The accuracy of his work in establish- ing disputed lines, and in making divisions of real estate, brought him into public notice and gave him much employment in every part of the county. The duties of this office often made necessary a long attendance on his part at the terms of our county court. On such occasions he was a willing as well as an attentive listener, and so gained a knowledge of many legal principles which a person of his parts would be apt to apply correctly in unfolding the twist of a complicated law-suit. From his first experience as a trial justice, the entire public had great confidence in him as a magistrate; and, in one capacity or other, he was often called upon to decide matters in dispute between litigants. While pursuing his studies, he devoted a portion of his spare moments to reading, a habit which grew with his advancing years. Later in life he was indeed a great reader. In early manhood he taught for a number of years the winter term of the common school in his district, and was employed as long as he could be hired by the district for that service. As a teacher he had an excellent reputation. No person was oftener called upon to fill
3042ยช
TOWN OF TOWNSHEND.
town offices. In one position or other his service was almost continuous. This was the case also in Jamaica, to which town he removed in .1825. When he gave up farming and returned to Townshend, in 1837, its voters, with unanimity, replaced him in the offices which he had so acceptably filled in former years. Tothe guidance of business matters he brought intelligence, honesty, energy, prudence, and a judgment that hardly ever mistook the right way. In the efforts made to establish what is now Leland and Gray Seminary, he took a very active part. His name heads the list of corporators, and he was the person designated in the statute for calling the meeting which organized the corporation. As one of the committee for erecting the academy building, his foresight and executive talent were highly appreciated. During his residence in the State he was one of the board of trustees,; and was re- garded as one of their most thoughtful and reliable advisers. In 1827 and 1828 he was chosen at the head of the board of road commissioners. These were county officers, and were elected annually by the joint assembly, as required by the statute of 1827. The nature of the duties cast upon this office made their performance laborious and perplexing. He was chosen judge of probate for the district of Westminster in 1830, '31, '32 and '33 ; a judge of Windham county court in 1835,'36 and'37 ; a justice of the peace in 1818, 1824, 1825-'35, 1838-'40, making twenty-two years of service as justice. In the general assembly of 1818, '20, '22 and '24, he represented Townshend, and in 1827, '33 and '34, he represented Jamaica. As a private citizen he was esteemed for his general information, integrity, readiness to do a favor, and for his social and genial qualities. In 1810 he married Miss Sylvia Howard, of Townshend, with whom he lived until her death, in 1866. In 1839, his only child, Hon. Alphonso Taft, commenced the practice of law in Cincinnati, Ohio. To that city the father removed, from Townshend, in the autumn of 1841, and died there January 1, 1867.
Col. Amariah Taft came when a young man to Townshend from Upton, Mass., in 1769, and took up land on road 9, which he afterwards sold to Levi Hayward, May 9, 1770, he was united in marriage with Mary Johnson, also from Upton, by Rev. Nicholas Dudley, the first settled minister in Town- shend. Though not enjoying the advantages of a liberal education, he was a man of energy, intellect and good judgment. He attained the rank of cap- tain in the militia, and became a colonel in the field service during the Revo- lution. He also bore his part in the business of the town. His children were Israel, Martha, Amariah, Jr., and Elisha. Amariah Taft, Jr., married Dotia Burnap and raised one son and four daughters. He was captain of a local militia company. He died September 5, 1856. His only son, George W., resides on road 12.
Benjamin Dyer came to Townshend about 1770-'71, when a young man. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Barnes, of Townshend, and settled on the farm now owned by W. Dutton, but died at the age of forty-three so that most of the clearing was done by his widow and children. They had
"1304
TOWN OF TOWNSHEND.
five children. John, the eldest, was born in Townshend, June 10, 1777. He married Martha Kingsbury and spent his life on the paternal homestead. He had four children, the eldest of whom, Benjamin, resides on road 28, in Town- shend. One daughter, Mrs. Melinda Bullard, lives in Grafton, and another son, Martin C., in New York. Benjamin married Polly Holbrook, and had seven children, of whom Mrs. Frank Thayer, of Guilford, is the only survivor. His eldest son, John, enlisted in Co. D, 16th Vt. Vols., and died from wounds received at Gettysburg, at the age of twenty-six years.
Levi Howard (or, according to more ancient orthography, Hayward), was one of several children of Benjamin Hayward, of Mendon, Mass., who settled in Townshend and Jamaica. He was born September 13, 1752, and came to this town from Milford, Mass., in 1775. He married Bethiah Chapin, of the latter place, and settled on land purchased of Col. Amariah Taft, in the west part of the the town, on road 9, where he spent most of his life and raised a family of six sons and two daughters. He died in Jamaica. Three of his sons lived to maturity, Henry, Chapin and Levi, the former of whom married Nancy Weeks and remained on his father's farm. Levi, who was a farmer, married Kesiah Blodgett of this town and settled on the corner of roads 40 and 41. He has five children, all of whom are farmers. Henry had twelve children, eleven of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. Chapin, mar- ried Birsha Smith, March 13, 1809, and had eight children, all of whom mar- ried and had families. He was a tanner, having learned the trade of Francis Green in a building which stood near where road 14 crosses Simpson brook. He established himself in the tanning businesss at West Townshend and ac- quired a reputation for integrity and ability. His tannery was the first estab- lished in that village. He also kept a hotel in the present hotel building. In 1832 he moved to East Townshend. He made regular journeys to the West, where he became a large landholder. He was an acknowledged leader in all projects for the upbuilding of religious, educational and social interests, and to him more than to any other is due the establishment of the Leland Sem- nary at Townshend. He was an able financier, and while he aided public enterprises he also accumulated an ample competence for himself. In 1834, '35 and '36, he ably represented Townshend, and at various timnes filled minor offices. He was long a deacon of the Baptist church, of which he was a most munificent supporter, both while it retained its organization at West Town- shend and after its removal to Townshend village. He died May 6, 1854, aged sixty-nine years. His sons Aurelius Chapin and Ormando Smith have been life-long residents of Townshend and active in promoting its prosperity. Ormando S. still resides in Townshend.
Aurelius C. Howard, the eldest son of Chapin and Birsha'S. Howard, was born in Townshend March 29, 1812, and died at his residence here January 9, 1881. In 1835 Mr. Howard visited Michigan, then in its infancy and still under territorial government. Though a young man he possessed a maturity of judgment seldom surpassed by older men. On his return to Vermont he
304 **
TOWN OF TOWNSHEND.
induced his father to go West with him and invest in real estate in Kalamazoo and adjoining counties, at the same time making investments from his own earnings. He was thus instrumental in adding largely to his father's estate, and at the same time laid the foundation of his own fortune, making Michigan the center of the business transactions of his life. March 9, 1841, he was married to Hannah E., daughter of Daniel and Lucy (Stevens) Cobb, of Wind- ham, and settled in Townshend village, where he resided until 1858, when he moved to Chester, Vt., remaining there ten years, or until after the death of his mother, when he purchased the homestead and returned to Townshend. The love for his native town and State overpowered the attractions of his business relations in Michigan so far as to induce him to retain his old home, to which, for many years, he made annual visits, only spending a month or two in and about Kalamazoo. Mr. Howard's excellent judgment, together with his conservative and cautious habits, which led him to thoroughly investi- gate all matters that came under his care, rendered him a safe counselor in business affairs, whether relating to public or private interests. He was highly esteemed by his townsmen and acquaintances, not only on this account, but also for his genial and social qualities, which were prominent traits in his character. This regard was manifested in the resolutions passed after his decease by the directors of the People's Bank, and the trustees of Leland and Grey Seminary, speaking of the high opinion in which he was held by the prominent business men who were associated with him in the manage- ment of responsible trusts. He used his wealth to secure the comforts and conveniences of life, but made no display of magnificence, never failing to cordially recognize the poor as well as the opulent in his daily intercourse, and at his death bequeathed a legacy of $10,000.00 for the benefit of the poor of his native town. He was never ambitious for public office or for public favors of any kind, though he loved the esteem of his fellow men, and was entrusted by them with many weighty responsibilities in the towns where he resided. He represented Townshend in the legislature of 1846-'47, and Chester in 1859-'60, and was also a member of the constitutional convention of 1870. He was a man of even temper, never allowing passion to move him to indiscretion. Possessing strict integrity, honest himself in his deal- ings in small as well as large things, he required of others his just dues. He was never duped by flattery, nor moved by threats. To secure his aid in matters of public or private interest it was necessary to convince his judg- ment. Never lavish of his wealth, he nevertheless rendered substantial aid to the religious and educational institutions cherished by his parents and family, particularly during the latter years of his life. Nor were the poor and unfortunate overlooked by him. He was a believer in the Christian religion, and when in health a regular attendant upon public worship. In August, 1877, he had an attack of apoplexy while at Brattleboro, after which he had several other slight attacks, from all of which he speedily recovered, but on Sat- urday, the day preceding his death, he had a more severe attack, from which
"304
TOWN OF TOWNSHEND.
he did not rally to cousciousness. His widow, two sons and one daughter survived him.
Rev. Mark Carpenter, of the Carpenter family mentioned on page 203, was born in Guilford, September 23, 1802, and died in Townshend, Monday, November 13, 1882, after an illness of two days. Before he became of age, Mr. Carpenter had had but three months of schooling. On attaining his majority, however, he set to work in earnest to acquire an education, and in April, 1827, united with the Baptist church, being licensed to preach soon after. He spent five terms in the academy and college at Amherst, taking his last year and graduating at Union college, Schenectady, N. Y., in 1830, and, after a three years' course at Newton Theological Institution, he settled in Milford, N. H., where he was ordained February 26, 1834. From that time until his death he was actively engaged in the gospel work, taking up his residence in Townshend in 1875. Mr. Carpenter's first wife, and the mother of his seven sons, was Catharine A. Howard, daughter of the late Chapin Howard, of Townshend. His second wife, who survives him, was Mrs. Sarah B. Jenkins, for many years a missionary connected with the Hansom Place Baptist church, in Brooklyn, N. Y.
David Lindsey came to Townshend about 1775 and settled on the West river, near the center of the town. He sold his farm before peace was de- clared, and took his pay in Continental money, which was worthless before he could invest it. He left Townshend and was gone several years, when he returned to Jamaica and died there. Peter was the only one of his six chil- dren who settled in this county. He married Betsey Crow and located in the west part of the town of Jamaica and engaged in farming. In 1811 he moved to the west part of Brattleboro and settled on road 22, where he died September 30, 1818. James, the eldest of his twelve children, was a soldier in the war of 1812. He settled in Broome county, N. Y. Only three of the children are living, Susan, wife of I. Blood, who resides in Cavendish, Vt. ; Polly, widow of Hosea Barrett, who lives in Jackson, Penn. ; and Willard, the youngest son, who was born in Jamaica, February 12, 1808, married Mary Butler, and settled in Brookline, where he lived until 1873, since which time he has lived in Brattleboro. But four of his eight children are now living.
James Nichols settled in Athens, just north of the Townshend line, on road 9, previous to 1778. He was a miller by trade and for many years conducted the milling business at Harmonyville, in Townshend, where he died at an advanced age. He had four sons and a daughter, all of whom, except one son, reared fami- lies, but all except Reuben and Jonathan removed from the county. Reuben, the eldest, was born in Athens, March 9, 1778. He married Sarah Holbrook and bought the homestead on road 20, in Townshend, where Hollis Nichols now lives. There he spent his life, and died at the early age of thirty-eight years. His wife survived him many years. She died October 27, 1874, at the advanced age of ninety-nine years. They had three children, all of whom are living.
30430
TOWN OF TOWNSHEND.
Hollis was born on the farm on which he has always lived, November 24 1801. He married Samantha Perry and has two daughters, one of whom, Jane L., resides with her father, and the other, Sarah M., is the wife of Frank Clay, of Westminster. Hollis Nichols has been a member of the Baptist church of Townshend nearly thirty years, and justice of the peace for nine years. The house in which he lives was built by his father in 1805-'06, and is probably the oldest frame house standing in that part of the town. Johr Lawton Nichols, of Guilford, and Sabin M. Nichols, of Kalamazoo, Mich. are the remaining members of Reuben's family.
Lieut. Asa Austin and Ensign Samuel Wiswell came to Townshend from Massachusetts previous to 1780, and made the first settlement on the farms now owned by Riley H. Austin and A. A. Mason. They came first to Put- ney and through Brookline, where one or two houses were then built. Asa Austin married Mary, sister of Samuel Wiswell, and reared a family of ien children. He served in the struggle for American independence, and was lieutenant of a militia company in Townshend. He died in 1816, aged fifty- four years. His children mostly scattered and made homes in other new towns. Horace and John were physicians. The former settled in Moot- gomery and the latter in Windham. Asa, Jr., spent his life as a farmer on the old homestead, where his only remaining son, Riley H., now lives. His wife was Martha Gleason, of Westminster. Riley H. married Hannah A Taft. The house in which he lives was built by Asa Austin, in 1799.
William Taft married Winifred Preston, of Uxbridge, Mass., and came to Townshend about 1780. He cleared up a farm on the hill in the southeast part of the town, and reared there a family of nine children. The youngest daughter, Hannah, a venerable lady nearly ninety-three years old, is the only one now living. The three younger sons, Hibbard, Chester and Ezekiel, reared families and died in the town. Chester married Abigail Peckham and had six children, of whom Mrs. R. H. Austin is the only one living in this town. Ezekiel married Emily Harris, and his son, C. C. Taft. is the only representative of his family left here.
James Walden and his wife, Martha Miller, came to Townshend in 1780. Their son Benjamin, who was then eight years old, married Celia Withereli and reared four children, Daniel, Fanny, Cynthia and Ahuira. Daniel mar- ried Rebecca Osgood, April 12, 1829, and spent most of his life in Town- shend. He died March 23, 1880, aged eighty-two years and nine months. He was for many years a member of the Baptist church of Brookline. Mrs. Celia M. Cutler, of Brookline, is the only representative of his family left.
Thomas Lowe emigrated from England to Amercia and settled in the village of Townshend about 1780, having shortly before his arrival here married Esther Parchurst in Massachusetts. After a few years he bought the place where Joel Leonard now lives. There he raised a large family and died August 8, 1821, aged seventy-seven years. Lodowick Lowe, one of his younger sons, who was born in 1790, was the tallest man in Townsend, standing six
"1304
TOWN OF TOWNSHEND.
feet six inches in his stockings. He married, March 15, 1817, Lydia, daughter of George Austin, and the same year bought the farm on which L. D. Lowe now lives. There he brought up ten children, six of whom are living, G. J., Leslie D. and Esther in Townshend, Martin L., in Newfane, Douglass M., in New York, and Sarah A. Newman, in Londonderry. For several years Lodowick Lowe lived in a log house on his farm. He built the present brick house in 1825. He was a member of the Congregational church from 1826 till his death in 1866. Leslie D. Lowe was born in the house in which he lives, May 15, 1838. and has ever since lived on the place. He married Anna L. Blodgett, of Newfane, and has three children.
Ebenezer Brigham, who was born March 3, 1761, married Judith Hesilton, of Sutton, Mass., in 1782, and came to Townshend from that State in that or the preceding year. He settled on road 34, and had ten children, four of whom died in infancy. One son, John H., was born August 1 4, 1783, and married Orpha Hesilton December 31, 1810. He settled on the place now owned by T. J. Holland, and had thirteen children, eight of whom died in infancy. One, Clarinda O., is a school teacher, and never missed a term from the age of sixteen to forty. The descendants of Ebenezer Brigham are widely scattered. Some of them are still left here, among them Haley F. Brigham, a blacksmith, in Wardsboro, and Ebenezer Brigham, of Westmin- ster.
George Austin came here from Rhode Island about 1789 and settled on the farm on which his grandson Henry Austin now lives, on road 20. He married Lois Nichols, of Putney, by whom he had eight children, three of whom are still living, Jonathan Austin, of Brattleboro, and Arnold Austin and Arvilla Simpson, of Townshend.
Thomas Barber came to Townshend from Winchester, N. H., about 1798, and bought 300 acres of wild land, which he divided between his five sons, Thomas, Benjamin, Daniel, Ober, and Calvin, all of whom settled on West Hill. Benjamin married Sallie Joy, of Hinsdale, and brought up three sons and three daughters. One daughter, Clarissa F., is living in Townshend, and a son, Benjamin C., in Massachusetts. Lewis P. married Persis Osgood, sis- ter of Luther Osgood, of Brookline, and had four children, of whom Lot Barber, of Townshend, is the only son living. Mrs. Lawrett Sherwin, of Put- ney, and Mrs. Hannah White and Mrs. Mary Flint, of Townshend, are descend- ants of this family.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.