USA > Vermont > Orange County > Gazetteer of Orange County, Vt., 1762-1888 > Part 40
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the capacity for grinding 1,000 bushels of grain per day, Mr. Gowing deals in all kinds of feed and grain.
Wells River paper-mills, since their establishment, have had numerous proprietors, among whom may be named William Blake, Ira White, Shedd & Hale, and Mrs. Scott, daughter of Mr. Shedd. In 1849 Union Durant bought of Mr. Hale the upper and original Wells River mill, and in 1852 Mr. H. W. Adams became his partner, the firm name being Durant & Adams. They engaged in the manufacture of straw paper until 1857, when they placed new machinery in the building a few rods below the old mill, which they had purchased in 1855, of Mrs. Scott, and commenced the manufacture of manilla tissue paper, and other manilla papers. This firm continued the business until 1883, and were among the earliest manufacurers of that grade of paper. April 30, 1883, Mr. Adams sold his interest in the business to his partner, Mr. Durant, and January 1, 1884, Messrs. Deming, Learned & Co. succeeded to the business, refitted the mills, furnished them with new machinery and doubled their capacity, and are continuing the manufacture of the same grade of paper, under the efficient management of H.W. Adams, turning out daily $100 worth of goods, giving employment to twelve operatives.
The mill crank for the first saw-mill erected in the Coos Valley was drawn on a hand-sled from Concord, N. H., through the wilderness by six men. The sled was constructed with thin broad runners, so that the broad surface would carry it over the snow. These hardy backwoods.men found their experience in returning with the weighty iron crank quite different from their journey to Concord, although that was not mere boy's play. They wended their way up the Pemigewasset river to where the village of Bristol now stands, and thence across Newfound lake to avoid hills. When on the lake a num- ber of the party, nearly overcome with fatigue, sat down to rest while others went in search of water. When they returned they found those that remained fast sinking into that stupor caused by weariness and cold, which portends death. They were warned of their danger by their companions, but wished to be left unmolested. By repeated efforts they were arroused to their dan- ger, and induced to again take up their march, with their heavy burden, and a few miles further arrived at a hunter's lodge where they were soon warmed by a cheerful fire and refreshed with a supper ; and, after a night of sound sleep, and breakfast, they, with renewed energy, again proceeded on their toilsome journey without further incident. The crank was in due time placed in a mill at South Newbury on Hall's brook, near the site of the present mill owned by Mr. Knight, where it did the settlers efficient service throughout the existence of three mills successively built. In 1790 this "old crank " became the property of Jonathan Johnson, who, in company with Jonas, David and Elijah Tucker, transferred it to a mill at the outlet of Hall's pond, where it has, with several successive owners, turned throughout the life of four more. In 1861 Mr. Thomas L. Tucker rebuilt the last mill in which it did service, and it now lies in ignoble rest in the old wheel-pit at the foot of
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Hall's pond, and is the property of Mr. Sherburne Livermore Tucker. Mr. Tucker says this old relic of the past would, if required, do duty yet another century.
Gen. Jacob Bailey, the founder of Newbury, Vt., was born in Newbury, Mass., July 2, 1728. Gen. Bailey's first American ancestor was John Bailey, who came from Chippenham, Eng., and settled in Salisbury, Mass., as early as 1639. He was ship-wrecked on his voyage to this country at Pemaquid, and could not afterwards be induced to again venture upon the sea. He had left his wife in England, and as she would not trust herself to an element that had proved so near fatal to her husband, they met no more in time. The great sea divided them at their deaths. He died November 2, 1651. John, the son of the emigrant, was born about 1615, and died July 22, 1662. Isaac, son of the second John Bailey, was born in Newbury, Mass., July 22, 1654, married Sarah Emery, a daughter of John Emery, January 13, 1683. Joshua, son of Isaac Bailey, and the father of Gen. Jacob Bailey, was born in 1685, and February 4, 1706, married Sarah, daughter of Stephen Coffin, and died October 6, 1762. His wife survived until November 20, 1768.
Gen. Bailey was an officer in the French war (a colonel), and had occasion to pass through the wilderness embracing this county so remote from civilized life. He thus became acquainted with it, which led to his settlement of New- bury, as its pioneer, to which he gave the name of his native town.
Many were the toils, trials and sufferings he endured while serving in the French war. He took an active part at the siege of Fort William Henry -- was one who run the gauntlet at the dreadful massacre that took place there, and with a few others of that intrepid band escaped to Fort Ann. He was pursued by some Indians, who, finding themselves unable to overtake him, set on their dogs. By leaping from a rock some twelve or fifteen feet, he threw the dogs off his track, and by this circumstance alone he escaped. After the conclusion of the war, and in 1762, he commenced the settlement of this town. At the breaking out of the Revolutionary war he was occupying the most northerly position in the United States. He received from New York the commission of colonel, and became an officer of great importance. He was soon after appointed by Gen. Washington commissary-general of the northern department, known then as Upper Coos. He had continued and frequent correspondence with Generals Washington and Greene. These letters show the high estimation in which he was held by those distinguished generals. This office involved great responsibilities, and subjected him to dangers, difficulties, and sacrifices of an extraordinary character, which he sustained through the war with firmness and unflinching patriotism, and with honor to himself and advantage to his country. A reward of five hundred guineas was offered for him, dead or alive, and many anecdotes are told of his hair-breadth escapes, his encounters with the Indians and tories, and his constant vigilance to escape the scouts sent out from Canada to take him. Among his numerous friends none were more faithful or did him so efficient
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service as his co-patriot neighbor, Col. Thomas Johnson. At one time, while the General was holding his plough on the Ox Bow, Cincinnatus like, a detachment of tories came to capture him, and encamped on the high bluff which commands a view of the " Meadows." The enemy was concealed, but could plainly observe every movement in the valley below. Col. Johnson determined to save the General at all hazards, and directed a friend to carry a slip of paper on which was written the words "The Phillistines are upon thee, Sampson," and drop it in the furrough at some distance from Gen. Bailey, and then return by a circuitous route. His ready sagacity warned him, when he read this missive, and he left his plough and immediately placed the Connecticut river between him and his enemies, and made good his escape.
The elevated position he occupied, and the important services he rendered his country, has awarded him a niche in our temple of fame. But our country has never remunerated him or his family for the fortune he sacrificed' in her behalf. He was a proprietor of a large estate at the commencement of the war. This he freely offered up, expecting a grateful people would: relieve his sufferings and restore his property. For his country's sake he died poor. Gen. Bailey died March 1, 1815. His wife Prudence, with whom he lived in the marriage state sixty-four years, died in 1809, aged eighty-four years. Their children were Ephraim, Joshua, Jacob, James, Abigail, John and Isaac.
Webster Bailey was born September 3, 1747, in West Newbury, Mass.,. and married Miss Mary Noyes, of the same place, August 27, 1773, who was born July 21, 1753. In 1788 Mr. and Mrs. Bailey emigrated to this town, and settled on the Connecticut river about one and a half miles south of the village postoffice. Here Mr. Bailey immediately erected a tannery, which, as near as can be ascertained, was the first established in Newbury. As soon as his sons, William, Ezekiel and Parker, successively arrived to manhood they united with their father and conducted the business jointly, and added a good farm to their other business. In connection with the tannery they conducted an extensive custom shoe shop, and during pressing seasons employed a force of twenty-four shoemakers. In 1816 the firm dissolved. Webster Bailey retired from active business and resided with his son William until the close of his life. He died February 7, 1830, Mrs. Bailey surviving until September 12, 1830. Their children were :-
. (1.) Lydia, born September 3, 1774, married Jesse White, settled in Top- sham, where she died February 1, 1833.
(2.) William, born April 15, 1776, never married. In 1816 he retired from the firm of his father and brothers, and purchased the farm, including the old Betsey (Haseltine) Lovell tavern site in the village, where the Seminary boarding-house now stands, conducted this farm and mercantile business in company with Dea. John Buxton, and later with Russell Hurd, in North Haverhill. In 1833 he sold the Lovell place and returned to the old home, where he owned an interest with his sisters, resided there about twenty years,
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.eventually resided with his nephew, William U. Bailey, where he died Decem- ber 22, 1866.
(3.) Ezekiel, born September 14, 1778, married Miss Lucy Bailey, left the partnership at the old stand, and removed to Hardwick, Vt., erected a tannery and shoe shop, remained seven years, then removed to Orfordville, N. H., where he conducted tanning and shoemaking about thirty years, finally returning to Newbury, where he lived a retired life, dying August 15, 1862, after a very active and energetic business career.
(4.) Sally, born April 19, 1781, married Whitefield Bailey, a farmer, removed to Hardwick, where she died May 15, 1828. Her children were William, deceased, Kiah resides in Iowa, Lucy, deceased, Ezekiel in Iowa, and Harry Bailey residing on the homestead in Hardwick.
(5.) Mary, born October 13, 1783, married Samuel Hibbard, a farmer of Newbury, resided successively in Canada, Hardwick, Vt., and Haverhill, N. H., again returned to Newbury, and later to Haverhill, where she died October 31, 1878, aged ninety-five years. She was the mother of seven children, of whorn the first two died in early childhood. Ezekiel B., born December 12, 1810, married Esther, daughter of Robert and granddaughter of Col. Robert Johnston (one of the pioneers of Newbury). was first a mer- chant about ten years in North Haverhill, then spent twenty-two years in Alabama and North Carolina engaged in constructing and running steam and water-mills, returned, and now with his wife resides in Newbury village, on the fine farm on Connecticut river, the homestead of Col. Robert Johnston. They have an only son who is an enterprising farmer and horse breeder in Kansas. Thomas W. B. Hibbard, born February 8, 1814, married Jane Burnham, of Rumney, was a merchant in North Haverhill, N. H., went to Ohio, was there a traveling merchant, next engaged in New York as dry goods salesman about thirty consecutive years, is now an invalid and resides in North Haverhill. Parker B. Hibbard, born about 1817, married Priscilla Eastman in 1849, went the overland route from St. Louis to California with an ox-team, engaged with success in mining, started with his gold from the mines for San Francisco, and has never been heard from since. He left two sons, Charles P., of Burlington, Vt., and George E., an engineer of St. Albans. William B. Hibbard, born in 1820, married Elizabeth, daughter of Col. Moody Chamberlin, of Newbury, was twelve years with a shoe dealer in New York, was a merchant in Elkham, Indiana, two or three years, went to Chicago and settled the affairs of the Marine bank which then closed, and is still in Chicago, a book-keeper for the great firm of Libby, McNeil & Libby. Mary Hibbard, born in 1829, married Langdon Bailey, and resides in Woods- ville, N. H.
(6.) Betsey was born November 28, 1785, married Rev. John Dutton, a Congregational clergyman who was ten or twelve years pastor of the church of Pomfret, and of the 'church of Topsham a few years, and pastor of the church of North Haverhill the remainder of his life. Mrs. Dutton died Jan-
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uary 19, 1842, and her husband a few years later. Their daughter Dorcas married Charles West, and resides in Royalton, Vt.
(7.) Tempy, born December 1, 1789, died on the homestead May 11, 1839.
(8.) Parker Bailey, son of Webster Bailey, was born January 25, 1792, and married Eliza Ward, who was born May 14, 1800. After the division in 1816 he retained a portion of the homestead until 1833, when he sold to Samuel Hibbard and resided successively in Topsham, Newbury, Stanstead, Canada, Orfordville, N. H., and Wentworth. In 1852 he returned to this town, where he resided with his son William N. till the close of his life, July 12, 1881. His wife died in October, 1883. They were both members of the Congre- gational church many years. Mr. Bailey was a constant reader of the Bible, and from 1876 to the time of his death in 1881, he read the New Testament through by course one hundred and thirty-six times. Their children are Hon. Henry W., born January 18, 1819. William U., born September 25, 1820, married Abigail Eaton, of Wentworth, N. H., in November, 1844, set- tled first on a farm in that town, in 1852 removed to Newbury, and settled on a fine farm on the Connecticut river, adjoining the old homestead, where he now resides. His wife died November 25, 1880. Their children are . Ellen E. (Mrs. Remembrance Chamberlin), of Newbury Center ; Henry, born April 1, 1850, drowned in Connecticut river July 7, 1860 ; Horace W., born January 16, 1852, is an enterprising merchant in Newbury village and holds the offices of town clerk and superintendent of schools ; Warren W., born December 5, 1859, married Delia Hatch, of Groton, Vt., resides and owns the farm jointly with his father ; and Jesse P., born July 20, 1866, married Clara J. Hatch, who died in August, 1886, leaving a son. Mr Bailey is en- gaged with Messrs. Baldwin & Hazen, lumber manufacturers at Groton.
(9.) Hannah Bailey, daughter of Webster Bailey, was born April 23, 1794, died on the homestead March 20, 1874.
(10.) And Phebe Bailey, born October 14, 1797, also resided on the home- stead till her death, January 20, 1872.
- Hon. Henry Webster Bailey, son of Parker and Eliza (Ward) Bailey, was born in Newbury, January 18, 1819; received a common school education. At the age of sixteen years he commenced an apprenticeship in the store of Nathan Blake, of East Corinth, where he served five years, and was afterward a sales- man for thirty-five years. When he became a voter he cast his lot with the old Whig party, and was a man of great influence. At the organization of the Republican party he became one of its leaders, and is yet active in its ranks, and is not without political honors. In 1852 he was elected justice of the peace, which position he held with only a few years exception until he resigned it in 1886. He is now a notary public and has been since 1852. He was the clerk of Newbury from 1856 to 1886, a term of thirty consecutive years, and treasurer from 1865 to 1878. He represented Newbury in the state legis- lature in 1859, 1860, and at the extra session in 1861. He also held the honorable position of Judge of Probate from 1868 until the fall of 1876.
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Judge Bailey is alive and active in all the interests and improvements of his town; a member of the society of the Congregational church and regular at- tendant, and a liberal supporter of its financial interests.
Col. Thomas Johnson, son of John Johnson, grandson of Dea. Thomas Johnson, great-grandson of Joseph Johnson, great-great-grandson of William Johnson, Esq., (one of the founders and principal municipal officers of Charles- town, Mass., who was born in Kent, in England, during the reign of James I.,) was born in Haverhill, Mass., March 22, 1742. His education was limited. He lived in his native place until 1762, when he came to Newbury in the service of Gen. Jacob Bailey, one of the grantees of the township. His first purchase of land bears the date of October 6, 1763. From this time he rap- idly accumulated landed estate and eventually became the most extensive land proprietor ever living in town, probably owning, at one time, 1,500 acres within the limits of the town, besides land in other sections of the state and New Hampshire. The events and hardships incident to pioneer life tend to bring out the powers of men, and it did not fail to bring out his large natural abilities, and he soon became a leading spirit in the Coos country. Besides his farming and land speculation he kept store and hotel for many years. It being the only store for many miles in all directions, he did a large trading business. He built four houses at the "Johnson village" at the Ox Bow, which are all still standing. The first one was built in 1775.
He was three times married. November 12, 1765, he married Elizabeth Lowell, by whom he had two sons, John and Moses, and one daughter, Betsey. November 26, 1772, he married Nabby Pool, by whom he had one daughter, Nabby. February 17, 1775, he married Abigail Carleton. Eight children were the fruits of this union,-four sons and four daughters. Two sons and two daughters died when quite young, and four sons and three daughters survived him at his death in 1819. John, Moses and Haines were farmers; David a merchant and farmer; Hannah married David Sloane, a prominent lawyer of Haverhill, N. H .; Betsey married Isaac Bailey, Esq., of Newbury ; Sally married Charles Story, for many years a lawyer in Orleans county.
The breaking out of the Revolution found him a staunch and unyielding patriot, and his influence was exerted and felt in this region in the raising and quartering of troops and advancing his country's cause. He took an active part in the siege of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, in the fall of 1777, and commanded a company of volunteers from Newbury ; but part of the time acted as aid to Gen. Lincoln. After the surrender of the British at Ticonderoga 100 prisoners were given to his charge and marched back into the country to Charlestown, " No. 4," out of danger of recapture. Soon after this he was appointed lieutenant-colonel. There were several men in town who had made themselves quite obnoxious to the British by their devotion to their country, among whom was Col. Johnson, whom they considered a very great rebel, as he had distinguished himself at the taking of Ticonderoga,
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and they sought opportunity to capture him ; but he eluded all their efforts until the spring of 1781 when they succeeded, as shown by the following extract from his journal :-
" March 5. 1781. This morning early, went to Haverhill with my teams for my mill-stones. Returned before dinner, shod my oxen, took dinner, and set ont for Peacham at 2 P. M. This night put up at Orr's in Ryegate.
" Tuesday, 6th. This day being thawy & bad going, I was obliged to leave one of my mill stones within one mile of the place where we lodged. This night arrived at Peacham with the other mill-stone. Lodged at Mr. Elkins'.
" Thursday, 8th. This morning, about twelve or one o'clock, I awaked out of my sleep, and found the house beset with enemies. Thought I would slip on my stockings, and jump out of the window, and run. But before that, came in two men with their guns pointed at me, and challenged me for their prisoner, but did not find myself the least terrified. Soon found two of the men old acquaintances of mine. I saw some motions for tying me, but I told them that I submitted myself a prisoner, and would offer no abuse. Soon packed up and marched but never saw people so surprised as the family was. When we came to Mr. Davis', I found the party to consist of eleven men, Capt. Prichard commanding.
"Tuesday, 13th. This day marched to St. John's. Col. St. Leger took me to his house, and gave me a shirt and some refreshment, which I much needed. Told me I was to dine with him. Maj. Rogers, and Esq. Marsh, and others dined there. Then gave me my parole which I am told is the first instance of a prisoner having his parole in this fort without some con- finement. Lodged with Esq. Marsh."
He was treated with marked attention and given many privileges not usually given to prisoners. This was done, no doubt, hoping to win him over to the British cause ; but he was not caught with such chaff. An exchange not being effected, in September, 1871, he was released on parole and re- turned home. This parole placed him in a very trying situation and gave him much annoyance, as the British kept a vigilant watch over his move- ments. He corresponded with Gen. Washington, asking that an exchange might be brought about, and also communicating to him all he had learned regarding British movements in Canada. He visited Gen. Washington at his headquarters in Exeter, N. H., but before an exchange could be arranged peace was declared.
He represented the town of Newbury in the legislature in the years 1786, '87, '88, '89, '90, and 1795, '97, '99, 1800 and 1801. He died January 4, 1819.
Dr. Samuel White was the thirteenth son of Capt. Nicholas White, whose second wife, Mary Calef, was his mother, born November 6, 1750, died Feb- ruary 26, 1847, after a long and exceedingly useful life. Dr. W. H. Carter prepared an instructive and useful biography of Dr. White for the Vermont Geographical Society, which was published in the Aurora of the Valley, November 10, 1860. It well illustrates the life and character of an intelli- gent pioneer physician of the Revolutionary period.
Dr. White came to Newbury in 1773, though he is said to have previously visited relatives in the Coos country. He was the man who brought up the
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noted thanksgiving proclamation, appointing a day already past, and which was still further adjourned by patriotic citizens till the supply of molasses could be renewed.
He studied under Dr. Thomas Bricket, of old Haverhill, Mass. The deficiency of medical schools being made up by the instruction of the well- known and successful practitioners of the times. It is quite possible that the opportunity of practicing under the supervision and oversight of a learned and skillful practitioner may have been more nearly an equivalent to the ex- pensive, but often carelessly improved advantages of the present age than is generally supposed. He practiced one year in the town of Plaistow. Here he could have continued, with probably much greater advantages to himself than he reaped from his exertions in a new and very thinly settled community. There was then no other physician between Newbury and the Canada line within Eastern Vermont or Western New Hampshire. He was often called to ride fifty miles through thick woods and deep snows to attend the sick, and often times the distance had to be gone over on snow-shoes or on foot.
Col. Robert Johnston was an early pioneer of Newbury, settled on the farm where his granddaughter, Mrs. Ezekiel Hibbard, and her husband now live. His house was a few rods south of where Mr. Hibbard's residence stands, which he opened for a tavern, said to be the first public house in Newbury. He took an interest in military affairs, and his house was open and free to the soldiers of the Revolutionary army. He left his fine farm to his two sons, Charles and Robert, and purchased the farm about three miles further down the river where George Chamberlin now lives, and there spent the remainder of his life. He died about 1820, at an advanced age.
Robert Johnston, son of Col. Robert Johnston, was born July 4, 1776, mar- ried Betsey Spear, settled on a part of the homestead as before mentioned, was always a farmer, and died at his home where he first settled July 11, 1849. Mrs. Johnston survived her husband until February 19, 1860. They were parents of six children, viz .: James S., born October 15, 1806, married Miss Susan Smith, settled on the homestead, and lived there to the close of his life, dying July 28, 1872. Eliza died in early childhood. Susan, born February 15, 1812, married H. N. Burnham, who died July 7, 1865, aged fifty-nine years. Mr. Burnham engaged in merchandising and later kept a hotel. Mrs. Burnham survives her husband and resides in Newbury village. Esther, born August 28, 1815, married Ezekiel Hibbard and now resides on
the homestead of her ancestors. Robert, Jr., also died in early childhood. Jane, born February 28, 1820, married Jacob Shepard in 1840, settled on a portion of the Johnston homestead. Mr. Shepard was a specialist in the treatment of cancers, and spent some years in the South in the practice of his profession. Mrs. Shepard died at her home in Newbury March 20, 1863, and he November 26, 1884, at the age of sixty-eight years. Charles Johnston, son of Col. Robert, sold his portion of the home farm to Dea. John Buxton and removed to Beloit, Wis., where he died. James, also son of
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