USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Gazetteer and business directory of Windsor County, Vt., for 1883-84 > Part 28
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Perez Whitcomb, from Leicester, Mass., came to Springfield about 1783, and located upon the farm now owned by his son, George C., and died here about 1850. George C. was born July 6, 1815, married Adelia Merritt, of New York city, August 8, 1841, by whom he had one child, Sarah, who mar_ ried L. S. Allbee. Mrs. Whitcomb died September 8, 1859, and for his sec-
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ond wife Mr. Whitcomb married Juliette Lockwood, November 7, 1860, a fruit of this marriage being three children,-George S., Squire L. and Ever- ett H., all living in this town. James L. Whitcomb, son of Perez, was born in 1821, and now resides on road 60. He married Martha E. Rogers, of New York city, and has had five sons, only one of whom, Oscar, is living.
Phineas and Theophilus Bates came to this town in 1790, locating upon the farm now owned by Whitmore, on road 48. Phineas was born in Massa- chusetts, May 23, 1766, married Abigail Lincoln, in 1789, and reared twelve children. Mr. Bates was one of the first deacons of the Congregational church and was a staunch Christian. He died Nov. 1, 1843, and Mrs. Bates died July 15, 1836. Six of their children are living, viz : Abigail, in Cleveland, Ohio ; Sybil, in Weathersfield, Vt .; Gracie, in this town ; Nancy, in Portland, Oregon ; Lydia, in Brattleboro, Vt., and Theophilus, in New York city. Theophilus Bates also remained here until his death.
James Hewey came to Springfield, from Massachusetts, in 1790, locating upon the farm now owned by Isaac Ellis, where he died in 1833. His son Jeremiah, born in 1796, located upon the farm now owned by his son, L E. Hewey. He remained there a number of years, then removed to the farm now owned by another son, John H.
Eli Haskins, from Bolton, Conn., came to this town in 1792, locating on road 8, upon the farm now owned by his son, C. A. Haskins. Here he carried on the business of tanning and shoemaking for a long time, his being the only tannery in this section. He died at the advanced age of ninety-four years. Six of his ten children are living, four in this town, viz. : Calvin J. Will- iam, Electa and C. A.
Loammi Cutler, born July 1, 1763, came to Springfield about 1790, locat- ing upon the farm now owned by Hosea Burbank. Here he resided a few years, then purchased the farm now owned by E. B. Cutler, where he died, October 22, 1837. Four of his children are living, namely : Lucy (Mrs. Lyman Hulett), at Springfield village ; Judith Ann (Mrs. Joseph Butterfield), in Arling- ton, Mass. ; and Enoch and Enos B., in this town. Loammi Cutler, Jr., born here in 1792, married Maria House about 1818, and located upon the farm now owned by Foster Whitcomb, though he subsequently removed to the southern part of Chester, where he died in 1867. Mrs. Whitcomb died in 1878. His son Calvin D. now resides on road 41. He married Lucretia Bates, granddaughter of Perez Bates, and has four children, Davis H., Charles C., Susan A. (Mrs. George Allbee), and Elmer C.
Jacob Whitcomb, from Massachusetts, came to Springfield about 1793: locating upon the farm now owned by Emerson E. Whitcomb, his grand. son. He reared a family of six children, two of whom, Ezekiel and Israel are living, and died at the age of seventy-nine years. Ezekiel was born Octo ber 6. 1797, married Catharine Davis and has six children living.
"Open Ridge Place and Farm" is situated two and a half mile: northeast of Springfield village on the main road leading to Claremont
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N. H., and Windsor, Vt. The neighborhood is known as " Eureka " and in the early history of the town the section of the county road running through it was called " Eureka street," and was the only settlement in town. It comprised about forty dwellings, two stores and an inn, a saddlery, two smithys and other shops. This farm was purchased of Gen. Lewis R. Mor- ris by Jonathan Barnard, in 1793, and has been in the Barnard family ever since. A farm adjoining, owned by Nicholas Bragg, was purchased and added to the home farm in 1820. It now contains 300 acres of fine upland in a high state of cultivation, and has outlying pasturage in Ludlow and Cavendish, Vt.
OPEN RIDGE PLACE
("OPEN RIDGE PLACE," RESIDENCE OF E. WELLMAN BARNARD, 2ND.)
It has always been considered the best hill farm in the town. The farm build- ings consist of a two-story house and ell, with a large number of barns and outbuildings. The fine modern set of buildings known as "Open Ridge Place " were erected in 1876, and are located about forty rods south of the " homestead," on the main road. E. Wellman Barnard, 2nd, a well known contributor to the press, and Vermont manager of the Boston Evening Star, also Vermont agent of Thomas Cook & Son, tourist and excursion managers, of London and New York, has an office at this place. The Boston & North- ern Telephone Co.'s trunk line to the north passes through his office, and a special wire runs to the village and is connected with a private 'phone at that point, in the office of Dr. E. E. Blood, and with the central exchange. Sev- eral rooms in the residence have beautiful frescoed ceilings, and the office is a gem of fresco and landscape decorations,-the work of the celebrated artist painter Rod E. Miller.
Thomas Cook came to Springfield, from Rhode Island, in 1795, locating on road 38, upon the farm now owned by H. H. Howe. He married Betsey Turner and reared seven children, none of whom are now living. He subse- quently went to New York State, where he died at an advanced age. Mrs. '
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Cook died in 1830, aged eighty-three years. Oliver, son of Thomas, born in Rhode Island, August 29, 1781, came here with his father, married Polly Bruce, of Baltimore, Vt., in 1804, and settled upon the homestead now owned by his daughter, Mary Ann Cook. He run one of the early saw-mills in town. Oliver reared eight children, Barna A., Selden O., Seymour O., Mary Ann, Franklin B., Charlotte R., Lewis E., and Susan B., six of whom are living. Selden O., born May 4, 1809, was a general merchant of Spring- field village for many years and also carried on the manufacture of boots and shoes. His son, E. B., now carries on the boot and shoe trade. Selden O. died in January, 1882. His wife, Mary Batchelder, of Baltimore, died in March, 1872.
Jonathan B. Wood came to this town, from Rockingham, Vt., about 1796, locating upon the farm now owned by his granddaughter, Mrs. M. A. Fletcher, where he died March 19, 1804, leaving his widow with a family of five children. Jeremiah P. was one year old when his father came here, and resided upon the old farm until his death, March 29, 1871, aged seventy-five years. Two of his children are now living, Mrs. M. A. Fletcher and Mrs. Dora L. Damon.
Matthew Pierce, son of Jonas, came from Massachusetts with his father in 1796, first locating in Weathersfield, where he remained a year, then came to Springfield, locating on road 9, where he resided until his death, June 16, 1835, upon the farm now owned by Mrs. J. E. Johnson. Jonas died June 27, 1819. John, son of Matthew, born August 29, 1794, married Abigail Haywood, of Weathersfield, and reared four children, as follows: John C., died in 1835 ; Eunice A., now Mrs. Parkman Davis ; Edson X., residing on road 5; and Mary J., widow of Henry O. Wright. Edson X., married Mary Barrett, of Weathersfield, December 19, 1849. He has held most of the town offices.
Ziba Ellis, from Massachusetts, came to Springfield previous to 1800, locating upon the farm now occupied by L. G. Ellis, and built the house now standing thereon about 1800. He subsequently sold the place to his brother Jeremiah, who came here in 1800, and removed to New York where he died in 1862, aged nearly ninety-two years. His son, Christopher, born here in 1807, lived on the old homestead until his death, in March, 1882. Jeremiah, Jr., born March 24, 1800, located upon the farm now occupied by his son Hiram, where he died December 15, 1856.
Thomas Dana was born May 18, 1779, came to Springfield about 1800, locating in the southern part of the town, upon the farm now owned by Silas Cutler. Mr. Dana was a brick mason by trade, and built many of the brick houses in town. He also held most of the town offices, and died at the village, September 2, 1852. His son, Benjamin F., is now engaged in mer- cantile pursuits at the village.
John White, Jr., born at Grafton, Mass., February 7, 1794, came to Springfield with his father, in 1801, locating at the village. He married
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TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD.
Eusebia Atwood, of Chester, in 1830, and located at North Springfield, where he was engaged in trade. He represented the town in the legislature, held most of the other town offices, and died in 1872. He reared three children, Esther A., Marcella E. and Abbie L. Mrs. White is now living, aged eighty years.
Nathan White came here, from Massachusetts, about 1805, locating in the northern part of the town, upon the farm now owned by P. Townsend. A few years after he removed to the farm now occupied by his son Levi R., and in 1826 he again moved, locating upon the farm now owned by his son, J. E., where he died in 1858. His widow, Olive Putnam, is still living, aged eighty-nine years.
Ellis M. Eaton, born at Ashburnham, Mass., March 8, 1806, came with his father, Asa, to this town when about one year old. He married Betsey Parker, daughter of Amos Parker, and in 1830 removed to Rockingham, Vt., where he died April 22, 1844. His widow died here April 16, 1880. Three of their children are now living, Calvin M., Ellis M. and Leonard P.
Eaton Fairbanks, son of Edward, was born in this town February 8, 1808. He married Rebecca L. Robinson and 'located upon a farm on road 38, where he resided about thirty-eight years. He now resides in New York city, with his daughter Harriet, who married H. P. Wilson. Another daughter, Helen, married M. J. Lewis, and resides on road 3.
Benjamin Lewis, from Sterling, Mass., came to Springfield in 1808, taught school here several years, married Barbara G. Stimson, and about 1812 located on road 43, upon the farm now owned by Lyman Whitcomb. Mr. Lewis was actively interested in founding the Reformed Methodist church here, and subsequently removed to Dewitt, N. Y., where he resided twenty- three years, then came back to Springfield and located upon the farm now occupied by his daughter, Martha A. Davis, where he died, April 20, 1877. Mrs. Lewis died July 20, 1875. Four of their seven children are now living.
Abel S. Smart came to Springfield about 1810, from Hopkinton, N. H., and carried on the cabinet maker's business here a number of years. He died August 9, 1869. His son Joseph still resides here.
Shubael Whitcomb, from Massachusetts, came to Springfield in 1812, locating upon the farm now owned by his grandson, William D. Whitcomb. He reared a family of eight children, and died in 1848. Four of the child- ren, Hannah, Lincoln, Henry and Abraham, are now living.
Jonathan Allen, from Middletown, Conn., came to Springfield, May 24, 1810, locating upon the farm now owned by his son Dennis B. He married Abigail Birdsey, March 7, 1810, and reared four children, as follows : Lucy M., Dennis B., Emily and Walter J. He died July 23, 1834. Mrs. Allen died August 23, 1855.
Aaron Bisbee, son of Elijah, was born here January 21, 1815, married Elvisa F. Warren, of Brandon, Vt., January 21, 1844, and located upon the old homestead now owned by his brother Abner. In 1850 he sold the place
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TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD.
to Abner and removed to the farm now owned by his widow. Mr. Bisbee was largely engaged in manufacturing in the State of New York, and died at Springfield village, September 14, 1882.
Samuel W. Porter, son of Samuel, was born in Townsend, Vt., November 4, 1792, and came to Springfield in 1815. Mr. Porter represented the town in the legislature of 1827-'28, was county judge from 1828 to 1837, a mem- ber of the council of censors and of the first senate in 1836-'37, and was town clerk a number of years, performing all the duties of that office with perfect regularity when eighty-eight years of age. He died August 11, 1882, aged over eighty-nine years. Mr. Porter married Fanny, daughter of Hon. Mark and Ann (Ruggles) Richards, of Westminster, Vt., and reared four children, as follows : Helen Ann, who now resides here ; Mark Richards, who died August 11, 1848 ; Frederick W., who also resides here; and Fran- ces H., who married R. B. Stearns, of Woodstock, and died January 5, 1865.
Benjamin Rice came to Springfield, from New Hampshire, in 1819, locat- ing upon the farm now owned by F. Francis Spaulding. About twelve years subsequent he removed to the farm now owned by N. P. White, where he died in 1841. His wife died about 1864. Four of their children now live here, Orrin, on road 16; Mary Ann (Mrs. Solon Putnam) ; Rebecca (Mrs. D. Graham) ; Matilda (Mrs. Jones Grimes) ; and Charles H., resides in Boston, Mass.
George Kimball, from Temple, N. H., came from Springfield in 1821, locating at the village, where he carried on blacksmithing for many years, building the shop now occupied by his son George, and died here November 24, 1874.
George Washburn came to this town in 1823, and established a harness business, which he carried on until his death, November 7, 1866. He mar- ried Achsah White, and had one child, Sarah M., who still resides here. Mr. Washburn was a life long Democrat and held the office of postmaster over twenty years.
George L. Cutler was born here in 1825, upon the farm he now occupies, which is known as "Parker Hill Stock Farm." In 1852, Mr. Cutler began the business of breeding Spanish Merino sheep, and is now one of the largest breeders in the State, owning a flock of over 800 head.
Abner Field, for something more than thirty years a resident of Spring- field, was born in Chester, Vt., November 28, 1793, a son of Pardon and Elizabeth (Williams) Field. His education was limited, as he attended nothing but the common school, and that only a portion of the time, and a few of the last of the years of his minority he was an invalid. When twenty- two years of age he entered the store of Peter Adams, on "East hill," in the town of Andover, as a clerk, where he remained five years, and then went into business on his own account. After remaining there some time he went to Chester and went into the mercantile business with Nathaniel Fullerton. In 1831 he moved to Springfield, and forming a co-partnership with Sylvester
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Burke, opened the store now occupied by his son. Afterwards Josiah Barnes was admitted to the firm, which was then Field, Burke & Co. February 16, 1832, he married Louisa, daughter of Daniel and Annah Lenthal (Ames) Griswold, by whom he had four children, as follows: Walbridge Abner, born April 26, 1833 ; Cordelia Louisa, born October 16, 1834, died July 25, 1843; Fred Griswold, born January 1, 1842; and Isadore L., born August 31, 1835. It was largely through Mr. Field's instrumentality that a postoffice was established at North Springfield, and he was appointed the first post- master. He was one of the incorporators of the Windsor County Mutual Fire Insurance Co., of the Springfield Savings Bank, and of the Bank of Black River, being for a number of years president of the latter institution. In 1835 and 1837 he represented Springfield in the general assembly, and was a senator from Windsor county in 1842-'43. He was quite generally regarded as a man of good judgment, with the courage to express his own opinions, as well as to form them. Walbridge A Field, the eldest son of Abner, gradu- ated from Dartmouth college in 1855, having attended the preparatory school at Perkinsville, Springfield Wesleyan Seminary, at Springfield, and Kimball Union Academy, at Meriden, N. H. He served as tutor at Dart- mouth college for two years, attended Harvard Law School, and studied law with Hon. Harvey Jewell, of Boston, Mass. ; was a member for a term or two of the Boston city council ; was appointed and served for some time as assistant United States district attorney for Massachusetts, under Richard H. Dana, Jr. During General Grant's administration he was appointed, in 1869, assistant attorney-general of the United States, under Attorney-Gen- eral E. R. Hoar, and resigned that position to practice law in Boston ; was a member of the law firm of Jewell, Gaston & Field, and afterward Jewell, Field & Shepard. In 1876 he was elected to congress from the third con- gressional district of Massachusetts, received the certificate of election, but after a long contest was denied a seat, but was re-elected in 1878. In 1880, at the expiration of his term in congress, he was appointed by Gov. John D. Long one of the justices of the Massachusetts supreme court, a position which he still holds. Mr. Field married Miss Ellen Eliza McLoon, of Rockland, Me., October 4, 1869, by whom he had two daughters. Mrs. Field died March 8, 1877. In 1882 he married again, his second wife being Miss Frances Farwell, of Rockland, Me. Fred G. Field, the youngest son of Abner Field, is a merchant occupying the store formerly occupied by his father. He represented his native town in the legislature of 1870 and 1872, and was a senator from Windsor county in 1880. July 2, 1872, he married Anna M. Tarbell, of Cavendish. Isadore L. Field, daughter of Abner, married Dr. D. J. Boynton, of Weathersfield, September 12, 1872. Dr. Boynton has given up his profession and is in the wood and lumber business.
Amasa Woolson was born at Grafton, Vt., in 1811, and came to Spring- field in 1834, resided here two years, then was absent ten years, and in 1846 came back, and in company with Davidson & Parks commenced the manu-
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TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD.
facture of cloth finishing machinery, under the firm name of Davidson, Parks & Woolson. Mr. Woolson has also been president of the First National Bank since 1877.
Jonathan Martin, born in Richmond, N. H., May 11, 1807, came to Springfield in 1838, beginning work in the cotton mill as a foreman, and in 1848 was admitted as a partner, under the firm name of Fullerton, Martin & Co .. remaining in the business until 1865, when he retired. Mr. Martin is an active worker in the cause of religion, and represented the town in the legislature one year.
Frederick Parks was born in Charlestown, N. H., and came to Springfield with his father, December 3, 1839, commencing the manufacture of cloth dressing machinery. He died September 28, 1877, aged seventy-six years. Mrs. Parks now resides here, aged seventy-five years.
Charles Sanders, one of the oldest business men of Springfield village, commenced the manufacture of furniture here in 1840, continuing the same until 1872, since which time he has dealt in furniture, on Park street.
Udney Burke, now residing at Springfield village at the age of seventy-six years, came here in 1840, and engaged in mercantile pursuits with his brother Russell, continuing the same about ten years. He was also at one time one of the proprietors of the Vermont Snath Company, the firm being Frost, Burke & Co.
Eli Burke, from Westminster, Vt., settled in Chester in 1801, and from there removed to Andover and subsequently to Pomfret, where he died at the age of eighty-four years. Three of eleven children are now living, Dex- ter, in Sharon ; Ora, in Barnard; and Sylvester in North Springfield. The latter came here in 1828, and in 1813 went into business with Abner Field, continuing the trade until 1831. He married Esther H. Shipman, of An- dover, in 1825, and has reared five children, as follows : Esther A., Elizabeth S., Lousa, Sidney S. and Amelia M. Two, Louisa and Sidney S., are living.
Judge Joseph W. Colburn was born in Claremont, N. H., April 14, 1800, and came to Springfield about 1840, locating upon the " Mount Vale " farm. Mr. Colburn enjoyed only the educational opportunities afforded by the dis- trict school, yet he became a thorough read man, and possessed considerable literary ability, being an eminent agricultural writer. He was State senator three years, 1848, '49 and '50, assistant county judge four years, and was one of the founders of the Exchange Bank of Springfield, also its president, and when the bank was superseded by the First National Bank, was presi- dent of that institution, holding the position at the time of his death. He was also one of the council of censors in 1870. Judge Colburn died Feb- ruary 17, 1871, leaving his widow, who still survives him, and one son, Robert M.
Daniel Rice, born at Dummerston, July 28, 1809, has been extensively engaged in the publishing business at Philadelphia, Pa. In 1844 he pur-
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TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD.
chased a residence in Springfield, and now spends a large portion of his time here. Among the works Mr. Rice has published are "The History of the Tribes of North America," "The National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans," "North American Silver," " Boydell's Illustrations of Shakspeare," and numerous other works.
Jonas Butterfield came from Rockingham, Vt., to Springfield, in 1855, locating upon the farm now occupied by his widow and their son, J. M. He died in 1875.
Leonidas Barry's dwelling, on what is known as the "Forest Home Stock Farm," was built by James M. Lewis, in 1795.
Hon. Dudley Haskell, late member of congress from Kansas, who died at Washington, D. C., December 16, 1883, was a native of Springfield, born here March 23, 1842, but removed to Lawrence, Kansas, in 1855. He received a classical education at Easthampton, Mass., and subsequently took a special course at Yale college and received a degree. He was elected to the State legislature of Kansas in 1872, and in 1877 was elected a represen- tative to the Forty-fifth congress and served continuously until his death.
The First Church of Christ, Congregational, located at Springfield village, was organized by a council convened for the purpose, October 3, 1781, with sixteen members, Rev. Robinson Smiley being the first pastor. The church building, a wood structure capable of seating 500 persons, was built in 1791. The society is now in a flourishing condition, with Rev. Thomas Mason Boss, pastor.
The North Springfield Baptist church was organized by members from the Chester church in 1803. The first church building was erected in 1815, a portion of which is now used as a dwelling. The present brick structure was built in 1835, at a cost of about $3,500.00. It will seat 400 persons, and is now valued, including grounds, at $9,000.00. The society has 146 mem- bers, with no resident pastor at present.
The Second Advent church, located at North Springfield, was organized by its first pastor, Rev. H. F. Carpenter, October 6, 1869. The society now has thirty-two members, with Rev. D. W. Davis, pastor. The church build- ing, a wood structure capable of seating 200 persons, was built in 1856.
The Reformed Methodist church, located in the western part of the town, on road 42, was organized by George E. Lewis, Benjamin Lewis, W. B. Chit- tenden, William Kirk, Benjamin Aldrich and others, about twenty-five years ago (1883), the first pastor being Rev. George E. Lewis, who still retains the position, the society now having about eighteen members. The church build- ing was erected in 1840, will seat 200 persons, and is valued at $600.00.
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TOWN OF STOCKBRIDGE.
S® TOCKBRIDGE lies in the northwestern part of the county, in lat. 43º 45' and long. 4° 18', bounded north by Bethel, east by Barnard, south by Sherburne, and west by Pittsfield, the latter two towns in Rutland county. It contains an area of 28,100 acres, chartered by New Hampshire, July 21, 1761, to William Dodge and sixty-one others, in seventy-two shares. It was also granted by New York to William Story and others, in 1761, the first Vermont grant made by that province, though it is doubtful if the charter was ever made out, at least it is not in existence now.
The surface of the township is very uneven and in portions mountainous, though in the valleys of the several streams, and in some other localities, there are large tracts of level, arable land. Taken as a whole the town makes a fine farming and grazing country, producing all the grains and grasses in- diginous to the latitude. White river, flowing through the northern part of the town, forms, with its numerous tributaries from the south and north, the water course of the township. Tweed river and Stony brook, from the south, are the principal tributaries of the stream. Several excellent mill- sites are afforded. The rocks entering in the geological structure of the territory are of the tolcose schist and clay slate formation, the latter extend- ing across the town from north to south in ledges about one mile in width. Gold in considerable quantities has been found along White river.
In 1880, Stockbridge had a population of 1,124, and in 1882 the town was divided into nine school districts and contained ten common schools, employing two male and twenty-two female teachers, to whom was paid an aggregate salary of $1,179.08. There were 260 pupils attending common school, while the entire cost of the schools for the year, ending October 3 1st, was $6,934.40, with E. L. Sawyer, superintendent.
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