USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Gazetteer and business directory of Windsor County, Vt., for 1883-84 > Part 30
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William Dean, from Connecticut, came to Weathersfield previous to the Revolution, locating in the northeastern part of the town, and was soon after arrested and taken to Albany for violating the conditions of the charter of the town in cutting down pine timber without a permit from the king's officers. He reared seven children, none of whom are living. Benajah, son of Will- iam, was born here in 1774, and resided in the town until his death, in 1864,
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occupying the farm now owned by his son-in-law, L. F. Cabot. Three of his nine children, Mrs. L. F. Cabot, Mrs. Avis Newell and Mrs. Minerva Diggins, all of this town, are living.
Jonathan Allen came to Weathersfield, from Connecticut, at an early date, locating in the northwestern part of the town. Mr. Allen was a Revolution- ary soldier and was present at the battle of Bunker Hill, where he had a portion of one of his ears cut off by a sabre stroke, delivered by his commander for disobeying orders in shooting a British officer before the order to fire had been given. He died here in 1838. One of his six children, a daughter, is now living, at Newport, Vt. Jonathan, Jr., was born in this town and died here in 1845. Five of his seven children are living. One, Harvey G., resides on road 15.
Alva Chamberlin came to Weathersfield at an early date and located in the western part of the town, where his son Alva was born, in 1793. Alva, Jr., died in 1876. Seven of his ten children are now living, three, Mrs. Charles Barrett, Mrs. Albert Preston, and Nathaniel A., in this town.
John Williams came to Weathersfield, from Marlboro, Vt., locating about a mile from Perkinsville. His son Joseph R. was born here in 1788, and resided in the town until his death, in 1864. Mrs. Elizabeth H. Nichols is the only one of the latter's children now resing here.
Varney Fellows, from Connecticut, came to this town soon after the close of the Revolution, locating upon the farm now owned by his grandson, Edwin P., the house he now occupies having been built in 1794. John, son of Varney, born in 1792, married Pauline Shedd, of West Windsor, reared six children, and died in 1858. All of the children are now living.
John Davis, from Connecticut, was an early settler in what is now Ascut- neyville, where he died in 1840. His grandson, Daniel H., son of Daniel, resides on road 8.
Clark, David, Henry and John Tolls, four brothers, came to Weathers- field from Connecticut about 1770, locating in the central part of the town. Clark served in the Revolutionary war a short time, reared eight children, and died about 1830. His son, Henry 2d, was born here in 1782, reared eight children, three of whom are living, and died in 1849. He took an active part in public affairs, holding many of the town offices. His son, Henry P., born in 1815, resides on road 36, while another son, Warren J., resides on road 47. Clark Tolls, Jr., born in 1787, died here in 1867. Three of his four children are living. Philemon and Benjamin Tolls were also early residents of the town, the former being a deacon of the Congregational church for many years. Abner, son of Benjamin, and grandson of David, was born here in 1823, and resided upon the farm now owned by his son-in-law, E. F. Chamberlin, where he died in 1880.
Capt. William Upham, from Sturbridge, Mass., came to Weathersfield in 1772, locating near the center of the town, where he owned a large tract of land, and resided until his death, in 1812. His son Joshua, six months of
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age when he came here, was town clerk twenty-three years, justice of the peace forty-four years, and representative two years, and died in 1849. His grandson, Joshua, now resides on the old homestead, where Capt. William first settled.
Asa Upham, born at Sturbridge, Mass., in 1736, also located near the center of the town, in 1772, and died here in 1828, aged ninety-three years. Asa, son of Asa, born at Sturbridge, in 1771, came here with his father, and was justice of the peace many years. He was thrice married, and reared eight children, seven of whom are living. One of his sons, Francis G., residing on road 12, is one of the present selectmen of the town.
Caleb Upham, born here in 1775, reared a family of eight children, three of whom are living, and died in 1857. His son Joseph now resides near Ascutneyville.
Josiah Dartt came to Weathersfield, from Connecticut, about the time of the Revolutionary war, locating near the center of the town. He took an active interest in public affairs, held most of the town offices, and died in 1829. Of his family of children, three attained a mature age. His son Erastus, born in 1792, reared seven children and died in 1851. Justus, son of Erastus, born in 1836, was a member of the legislature in 1874, '78 and '80, was elected a trustee of the Vermont University in 1878, and was a. State senator in 1882, and is the present State superintendent of education. He now resides on road 8. Daniel, brother of Josiah, came here with the latter. He reared seven children, two of whom are living.
Nathaniel Stoughton, from Windsor, Conn., came to Weathersfield in 1780, locating upon the farm now occupied by his grandson, John P. He built a log house which he occupied eight years, then built the house now occupied by John P. Mr. Stoughton held most of the town offices, acquit- ing himself with honor and ability. His death occurred February 6, 1815. Only one of eleven children, Mrs. Alice France, residing in Iowa, is now living. John, father of John P., resided on the old homestead until his death in 1774.
Hon. William Jarvis, son of Dr. Charles, was born in Boston, Mass., Feb- ruary 4, 1770. He was appointed consul and charge de affairs to Portugal, by President Jefferson, remaining at Lisbon nine years. He then came to Weathersfield Bow, where he purchased 2,000 acres of land, and died here in 1859. Mr. Jarvis imported at different times 3,500 Merino sheep from Portugal, and also a large amount of Holstein cattle and English bred horses. His son, Major Charles Jarvis, graduated from the University of Vermont, and also from the Harvard Law School. In 1862, he raised a company for the 9th Vermont Volunteers, of which he was elected captain, and was stationed at Newport Barracks. December 1, 1863, he was shot by a Confederate soldier, while on a private expedition for Colonel Ripley.
John Warren, from Northway, Mass., came to Weathersfield about 1785, locating in the central part of the town, where he reared six children, and
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died in 1855, aged ninty-three years. His son Luther, born in 1800, re- moved to Haverhill, N. H., where he engaged in the lumber trade, and at Hartford, Conn., in 1842. Two of his sons, Luther P. and Charles P., now reside in town.
Nathaniel Streeter, from New Hampshire, came to Weathersfield about 1785, locating in the northwestern part of the town, where he died in 1831. John, one of his four children, resided here until his death, in 1849, and two of his sons are now residents of the town.
Jonathan Whipple, born at Grafton, Mass., in 1765, married Lydia Leland and came to Weathersfield in 1789. Ormas M., one of his eight children, born in 1801, at the age of twelve years removed to Springfield with his parents, and at the age of sixty-five years came back to Weathersfield and resided here until his death. Charles T., son of Ormas, now resides here. Jonathan held many of the town offices, and Ormas was a justice of the peace and represented Springfield in the legislature two terms. Charles T. served three years and ten months in the late Rebellion.
James Divoll, from Lancaster, Mass., came to this town about 1790, locating upon the farm now owned by his grandson, John Divoll. Samuel, one of his three children, born in 1792, died here in 1877. Two of his sons, John and Joseph, now reside here.
Joseph Danforth came to this town, from Chester, Vt., about 1790, locat- ing at Weathersfield Bow, where he kept an hotel for many years. He died December 30, 1870, aged eighty-four years. His widow, residing with her daughter at Weathersfield Bow, is ninety-one years of age.
Clark Preston, from Mansfield, Conn., came to Weathersfield in 1793, locating in the eastern part of the town, and died here in 1836, aged eighty- two years. Three of his six children are now living, the youngest, Albert, on C road 4.
Aaron Hall, from Grafton, Mass., came here in 1795, locating about two miles east of the center of the town, upon the farm now owned by William Litchfield. Aaron, Jr., about two years of age when his father came here, died at Ascutneyville in 1855. Sherman Hall, son of Aaron, Sr., graduated from Dartmouth college, studied theology at Andover, and was a missionary to Indians twelve years. He afterwards located in Minnesota, where he preached twenty-four years, and died in 1879.
John Squire came from Salisbury, Vt., to Weathersfield, in 1799, locating upon the farm now occupied by his grandson, Horace R., where he reared : five children, and died in 1835. His son Peter came with him to the town " when ten years of age, and died on the old homestead in 1867. His widow, Ann C., aged eighty-three years, resides with her son Horace R.
Artemas Billings, from Northboro, Mass., came to Weathersfield previous to 1800, and died here in 1823. Of his six children two, J. M., of this town, and a daughter, at Ticonderoga, N. Y., are living. 1
Zavan Perkins came to Weathersfield, from Connecticut, in 1800, locating
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in the eastern part of the town, where he died in 1855. His son Paul K. now resides on road 48.
Josiah Newell, born at Nelson, N. H. came to this town about 1800, locating near Ascutneyville, where he reared a family of eleven children. Josiah, Jr., born in 1797, died here in 1881. His family of five children are all living, and his widow resides with her son, Francis A., on road 5.
Seth Nichols, from Massachusetts, came to Weathersfield in 1804, locating near the center of the town. In 1813 he removed to the place now occupied by his grandson, F. H. Nichols, where he died in 1868, aged ninety-two years.
William Mudgett came to Weathersfield, from Ware, N. H., in 1806, locat- ing about a mile east of the center of the town, where he died in 1831. His son Charles, who resides on road 60, has been a justice of the peace twenty years.
Charles Barrett came to Weathersfield, from Francistown, N. H., in 1817, locating near the center of the town, where he reared a family of seven children, and died in 1865. Two of his children, George, at Perkinsville, and Mrs. Mary Pierce, of Springfield, Vt., are living. Mr. Barrett was a public spirited man and held most of the town offices. George represented the town in the legislature of 1869.
Rev. Baxter Burrows, born at Petersham, Mass., in 1804, came to Weath- ersfield, from Chester, Vt., in 1820, and in 1828 married Lydia Boynton. In 1833 he was ordained as a minister, and has since preached in Vermont and New Hampshire, being now one of the oldest clergymen in the State. Mrs. Burrows died in 1871, and in 1880 he married Mrs. Caroline Boynton.
Samuel Davis came to Weathersfield, from Plymouth, in 1822, and reared a family of nine children, three of whom are living, though only one, Jonah, in this town. Jonah was born in 1809, and has followed blacksmithing fifty- six years.
James W. Goldsmith, born at Saratoga, N. Y., in 1804, came to Weathers- field in 1821. In 1831 he married Paulina M. Warren, daughter of Asa Warren, and has reared a family of three children. Mr. Goldsmith has been a justice of the peace, town collector, and has held other offices.
Elisha Bowen came to this town, from Reading, about 1823, locating near Ascutneyville, where he reared seven children, five of whom are living, and died in 1854. His son, Henry S., is a merchant at Ascutneyville, and has held the office of selectman, etc.
Samuel Alford, born at Woodstock in 1815, came to Weathersfield in 1836, beginning the harnessmakers business at Perkinsville. In 1846, in company with William M. Pingry, he began to deal in real estate and lumber. After about six years Mr. Pingry withdrew from the firm, and Mr. Alford carried on the business alone, amassing a fortune. He was one of the directors of the old Springfield Bank, and some years after the National Bank was established he became one of its directors. He died in 1881. His widow, Mary M. Slayton, of Woodstock, survives him. His son, Frank
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S., is now engaged here in the real estate business, etc. Another son, George, resides in Springfield, another in Boston, and a daughter resides in Brooklyn, N. Y.
Samuel Fay, born in Reading in 1805, came to Weathersfield in 1837, locating upon the farm now occupied by Nathaniel Chamberlin, where he died in 1879. Four of his nine children are now living, of whom C. M. is a merchant at Felchville, and Mrs. S. F. Hamilton resides in this town.
Hon. William M. Pingry was born at Salisbury, N. H., in 1806, removed to Danville, Vt., in 1830, was admitted to the bar of Caledonia county in 1832. He practiced his profession at Waitsfield nearly nine years, when he located in Springfield, and subsequently in Perkinsville, where, with the excep- tion of three years, when he was cashier of the White River National Bank, of Bethel, he has since resided. Mr. Pingry has held the offices of State auditor, county commissioner, served in both branches of the legislature, has been assistant judge of both Washington and Windsor counties, and was a member of the constitutional convention of 1850. Mr. Pingry has been a deacon of the Baptist church forty-one years, and superintendent of the Sabbath-school thirty-three years.
Elroy C. Robinson was born in South Reading, January 30, 1844, and in 1868 removed to this town, where, by exercising an untiring energy and great executive ability, he has accumulated a handsome property, and ranks high in the estimation of his townsmen. He has held various offices of trust, being elected representative in 1882.
Charles Amsden, born May 6, 1832, came to Weathersfield, March 20, 1849, to tend a grist-mill for John Howard. Two weeks later he purchased the mill, being then not quite seventeen years of age. During the following year Mr. Amsden married Abbie E. Craigue, and also commenced to trade a little in the mercantile line in his mill. This business rapidly increased, so that he was soon doing a large business in the sale of general merchandise. At this time two dilapidated buildings stood where the village of Amsden now is ; but Mr. Amsden, as his business enterprises increased, blasted away rocks, filled up frog ponds, etc., to afford a village site, and now has about twenty dwellings here, most of them occupied by his employees. He has here a saw and grist-mill, two improved lime kilns, a blacksmith shop, and a large store. He has been town treasurer eight years, represented the town in 1870-'71, and has held many other offices of trust. His only child is the wife of Charles E. Woodruff, of Woodstock.
The Baptist church of Perkinsville was organized May 28, 1835, by a council of ministers and laymen from other churches. The society has forty- six members, with Rev. David Burroughs, pastor. The church building was erected in 1832, and used by the Episcopal and Congregational societies until the present church was organized. It is a brick structure, capable of seating 400 persons, and valued, including grounds, at $3,000.00. The society now has fifty-nine members.
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TOWN OF WESTON.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Perkinsville was organized by the Methodist conference in 1838, with 124 members, though Rev. Silas Quimby, the first pastor, had had a class here since 1835. The church building, which will seat 300 persons, and is valued at $2,000.00, was erected in 1836. The society now has thirty-one members.
The East Congregational church of Weathersfield, located at Weathers- field Bow, was organized by an ecclesiastical council of Congregational ministers, April 11, 1838, the society then having fifty-seven members, Rev. Benjamin Holmes being the first pastor. The house of worship was built in 1837, and is now valued at $1,000.00. The society has at present twenty- two members.
The Ascutneyville Congregational church, was organized in 1869, with eighteen members, by a council of five ministers. The society now has twenty-three members, with Rev. M. H. Wells, pastor. The church build- ing, a wood structure valued at $2,500.00, was built in 1846. It will com- fortably accommodate 250 persons.
W ESTON lies in the southeastern corner of the county, in lat. 43º 1y' and long. 4º 14', bounded north by Ludlow and Mount Holly, the latter in Rutland county, east by Andover, south by Landgrove, in Bennington county, and Londonderry, in Windham county, and west by Landgrove and Mount Tabor, the latter in Rutland county. Originally Weston formed a part of Andover, the early history of which is recorded on page 72. Extending down through the center of that town, as originally chartered, there arose a ridge of highlands known as Mt. Terrible and Markham mountain, rendering communication between the eastern and western portions of the township exceedingly difficult and tedious. This was endured by the inhabitants for many years, or until 1799, when, on the 26th of October of that year the legislature divided the township, making this highland the dividing line, erecting that portion of Andover to the west of it, together with a tract of 5,000 acres, known as Benton's Gore, into the township of Weston. For this reason the early histories of Weston and Andover are indivisible ; hence, to the early history of Andover we refer the reader for the early history of this town.
Weston lies entirely upon the eastern slope of the Green mountains, thus rendering its surface exceedingly broken and uneven. Still, though the land is rocky, there are many farms containing a fine, fertile soil ; but, in general, the land is much better adapted to grazing than agricultural pursuits. The grains and grasses grown, and the natural growth of timber, are of the varieties indiginous to most of the towns of the county, and yield a per- centage in about the same ratio. The scenery, climate, and commanding views are exceeded by few in any of the Windsor county towns, so that
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TOWN OF WESTON.
Weston, all in all, may be said to be a pleasant and profitable dwelling place. West river flows through the center of the town from north to south, and with its numerous tributaries from the east and west, forms the water- course of the territory. The Indian name of the stream was Wautasticook written also Wautastiqueg, and Wautastiquet. It rises in the northern part of the town and flows south into Londonderry. Near the south line of that town it receives Winhall river, from Winhall, and then takes a southeasterly course through Jamaica, Townsend, Newfane and Dummerston, uniting with the Connecticut in the northeastern part of Battleboro, having received the waters from 440 square miles of territory. The rocks that enter into the geological structure of the territory are almost entirely of gneiss formation.
In 1880 Weston had a population of 987, and in 1882 it was divided into nine school districts and contained ten common schools, employing three male and twelve female teachers, to whom was paid an aggregate salary of $1,136.79. There were 234 pupils attending common school, while the entire cost of the schools for the year, ending October 31st, was $1,240.08, with C. H. Walter, superintendent.
WESTON, a post village located in the southern-central part of the town, has three churches (Congregational, Methodist and Baptist), a good graded school, three general stores, a tannery, two butter tub manufactories, a chair- stock factory, saw-mill, grist-mill, and carding-mill, and a carpenter shop, harness shop and cabinet shop. In 1797 the village consisted of three build- ings, viz .: a saw-mill, dwelling and barn.
Foster & Juquith's chair-stock factory, located on a branch of West river, was established by W. H. & W. S. Foster in 1867. The firm now does a prosperous business.
Elbridge C. French's saw-mill, located on West river, was built in October, 1882, and turns out about 25,000 feet of lumber per month.
Weston grist-mill, J. B. & O. S. Osborn, proprietors, has three runs of stones, and grinds flour, feed and meal.
Bryanť's Mills, located at Weston village, C. J. Willard, proprietor, are used for the manufacture of chair-stock, toys and turning and scroll sawing. They are operated by both steam and water-power, turning out about $8,000.00 worth of goods per aunum.
Briggs Bros'. butter tub factory, located at Weston village, turns out about 1,000 butter tubs per month.
Matthias Haynes's chair stock manufactory, located on road 42, gives em- ployment to four men and turns out about $3,000.00 worth of stock per year, and saws 60,000 feet of lumber.
Merrill Graves's saw mill, located on road 2, was originally built about twenty-nine years ago, destroyed by fire March 19, 1883, and rebuilt the same spring, as a steam mill.
Nelson L. Wait's butter-tub factory, located on Cold Spring brook, turns out from 4,000 to 6,000 butter tubs per annum.
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TOWN OF WESTON.
Henry W. Ball's tannery, located on Cold Spring brook, was built in 1881, upon the site of an old tannery that was destroyed by fire in September, 1880. Mr. Ball employs six men, and tins 3,500 sides and 800 calf skins per year.
Franklin Mansur's saw mill, located at Weston village, was built by a Mr. Pease, about seventy-five years ago, and has been in Mr. Mansur's hands about twenty-five years. He manufactures about 300,000 feet of lumber per annum.
The first settler came into Weston in 1775, a man by the name of Utley. He obtained a grant of a portion of the town of Landgrove, and supposed he was settling thereon, but in reality got over the line into what was then Andover, locating on the river, just below the present site of Weston village. Here he erected a log house and made a small clearing ; but it was not long before he discovered his mistake and realized the fact that he could have no title to the land. He then removed to a location on what has since been known as Utley's branch. The next to come into the town was a Mr. Gear, who also remained but a short time. The next following Mr. Gear was John Simons, who came here in June, 1776, and came to stay ; hence, to Mr. Simons is accorded the honor of having been the first permanent settler in the town. He located in the southern part of the town, where he reared a large family of sons, one of whom, Alvin, was the first town clerk and first representative, while another son, Major Edward, was the first child born in the town. Following Mr. Simons came the Peases, Tidders, Halls, Dales, Spaffords, Waites, Carpenters and others, locating in various parts of the town.
The town was organized and the first town meeting held, March 3, 1800, when Amasa Piper was chosen moderator ; Alvin Simons, town clerk ; Amasa Piper, Augustus Pease, and Deacon Henry Hall, selectmen ; Augustus Pease, town treasurer ; David Spafford, Jr., Oliver Farrer and Gideon Pease, listers ; and Joseph Bullard, constable. The first frame house was built in 1788, and the first store and school-house in 1797. The first burial in the cemetery at Weston village was that of Mrs. James Combs, in 1800.
Jacob Foster, a native of Temple, N. H., came to Weston at an early day, traveling on horse back. He reared a family of twelve children, and died at the age of eighty years. Jeremiah, born here, died at the age of thirty-six years, leaving three sons, Jerry M., Edwin R. and Wells H. Jerry M. and Wells H. still reside here, and Edwin R. is a resident of Corinth, Me
Samuel Peabody came to Weston at an early day, from Wilton, N. H. He married Lucina Pease, held most of the town offices, and died at the age of seventy years. Samuel, Jr., has held the office of town clerk, with the excep- tion of ten years, since 1844, and has also served in most of other town offices.
John Waite, a veteran of the Revolution, came to Weston from Mason,
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N. H., among the early settlers, and died here in 1830. Amos, son of John, born here, owned the farm now occupied by his son James G. Five of his eight children are living.
Thomas Piper, a native of Massachusetts, came to Weston with his parents when three years of age, and resided here until his death, in December, 1879, aged eighty-eight years. David A. Piper was born in the house now occu- pied by his widow, on road 35, and died here in 1875, aged fifty-five years. The house was built by Thomas seventy-two years ago, and has been occu- pied by members of the family since.
William Fuller, born in Lynn, Mass., came to Weston about 1808, locating where his grandson, Henry M. Fuller, now resides, and where he died, about 1853, aged seventy-six years. Lewis, son of William, now seventy-five years of age, sixty of which he has been blind, still resides in the town, with his son- in-law, John G. Wadleigh. Henry H. is a son of Lewis.
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