Gazetteer of Orange County, Vt., 1762-1888, Part 54

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers
Number of Pages: 836

USA > Vermont > Orange County > Gazetteer of Orange County, Vt., 1762-1888 > Part 54

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The Methodist Episcopal church at Randolph was organized in 1837, when. the Rev. Newell Culver was appointed preacher in charge. There had been occasional services held in town prior to that time, and the year before, 1836, Rev. George N. Fairbanks, presiding elder, held a quarterly meeting in the Congregational church, that house being courteously given for that purpose. There had been members of the Methodist church in town for several years, but they held their connection with the old Barnard circuit until 1837. The following persons were members of this church at the time of its organization : Roger Granger and wife, Betsey Granger, and six of their children, viz .: Luther, Eliza, E. Wells, Submit, Isaac and Noah ; L. O. Miles, Betsey Miles, Edmund Fish, Lucia M. Fish, Pember Russell, Betsey Russell, Benjamin M. Flint, Olive S. Flint, Luther D. Preston and wife, Nathan Nye, Albert B. Paine, Maria L. Paine, Lucius Hebard, and Cyrena Hebard. The first house of worship was built jointly by the town, the Universalists, the Christ- tians and the Methodists. The town built the basement story of brick, and used and maintained it for the purposes of the town. The church proper was built of wood and occupied by the several denominations having an interest in it until 1861, when the Methodists bought out the other proprie- tors and became exclusive owners with the town. In 1880 the church was burned, when the town abandoned the site, and built a town house on another lot. This left the Methodists in full possession. They built an elegant new church the same year, at a cost of $4,000, and in January of the following year it was dedicated. In 1883 the Methodists of West Randolph were organized into a separate society, and in August, 1885, a beautiful church, costing $5.000, was dedicated. The membership at West Randolph is about fifty, while that of Randolph is about seventy-five. The following ministers have served the society as pastors, in the following order : Newell Culver, Josiah Scarritt, Lyman Wing, S. P. Williams, Newell Culver, C. N. Smith, John G. Dow, I. D. Rust, O. S. Morris, J. H. Patterson, A. Hitchcock, W. J. Kidder, Caleb Fales, I. H. Hooker, J. W. Bemis, Z. S. Haynes, Harvey Webster, B. P. Spalding, A. T. Bullard, F. H. Roberts, J. M. Puffer, J. H. Hale, C. P. Taplin, J. O. Sherburn, H. F. Forrest, L. O. Sherburne, H. A. Spencer. At West Randolph, W. J. Kidder, a man seventy-five years old, served the church over two years, when George B. Hyde, now a missionary to Mexico, was appointed their pastor. At this writing ( 1887) H. A. Spencer, pastor at Randolph, is supplying the church at West Randolph.

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TOWN OF RANDOLPH.

The First Christian church of West Randolph .- In the fall of 1816 a Christian minister, Benjamin Putnam, came to Capt. Thomas Lamson's home, and began religious services. The meetings continued during the winter, and resulted in many conversions and a thorough awakening through- out the town. A union meeting was begun, which was participated in by the Christian church, which was organized in 1817. Persons now living give the names of Lamson, Martin, Fish, Morton, Edson and Bates as being enrolled among the charter members. The first house of worship, a wooden structure, was built in 1827, was altered and enlarged in 1834, and again in 1865, will comfortably seat 300 persons, and is valued, including other property, at $7,000. W. F. Peters is the present pastor. The society has 115 available members.

The East Randolph Freewill Baptist church .- The first Freewill Baptist meetings in this town were held in the fall of 1805, by Elder Aaron Buzzell, who, to use his own words, " felt it a duty from the Lord to visit this unculti- vated field of my Master." The first meeting is said to have been held in the Bates barn, and perhaps some subsequent ones were held there. Many of the first meetings were held in the house of Bethuel Keith, who was chosen the first deacon of the church, which was organized January 28, 1806, by Elders Aaron Buzzell and Nathaniel King, with eight members, Elder Buz- zell being the first pastor. Their first house of worship, a wooden structure, was built in 1816, and the present one, also of wood, in 1848, will seat 250 persons, and cost $2,000, about its present value. The society has a member- ship of fifty-four, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Benjamin P. Parker. The Sunday-school has a membership of sixty, with G. A. Robinson, super- intendent.

The First Congregational church of West Randolph was organized Octo- ber 21, 1831, by a council of churches and Rev. Salmon Hurlburt, the first pastor. At its organization it was composed of fifteen members, all of whom united on profession of faith. Three places are spoken of in the records of the church as having been occupied for public worship, namely, the "Brick Church" (which was in part a union house), the "Village School House," and "Esquire Salisbury's Hall," -- which latter place was permanently used for some years previous to the erection of their house of worship in 1844-45. This house was dedicated January 29, 1845, and enlarged and refitted in 1867-68. The present structure will seat about 350 persons, cost $8,000, and is now valued, including other church property, at $10,000. The society has a membership of 172, with Rev. V. M. Hardy, pastor. The Sun- day-school, organized in 1831, has a membership of 198, with an average attendance of 125.

The First Congregational church of Randolph, located at Randolph Cen- ter, was organized May 6, 1786, and Rev. Elijah Brainard was the first pastor. The first house of worship was built of logs, on Nutting hill, and gave place to the present wooden building in 1837, which will seat 500

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TOWN OF RANDOLPH.

persons, cost $4,000, and is now valued, including other church property, at about $5,000. The last pastor was Rev. Charles A. Perry. The Sunday- school has a membership of about 100, with Elias Grow, superintendent.

Grace Protestant Episcopal church, located at Randolph Center, was organized May 5, 1834, by Hon. Dudley Chase and others, and at its organ- ization consisted of twenty-two members. The society, which took to itself the name of "The Episcopal Society in Randolph," was governed by the articles of association it had adopted until the canons of the Diocese re- quired the wardens and vestry to hold a meeting by themselves, after being elected. The first wardens were Hon. Edmund Weston and Dr. J. S. Smith. The first clerk was Hon. Dudley Chase. These gentlemen were re-elected from year to year until 1840, except that in 1838, in consequence of the ill- ness of Judge Chase, Dr. Smith was elected to fill his office as well as those of senior warden, treasurer and sexton. The Masonic hall, which was not then in use by the fraternity, was fitted up and made a comfortable place for a small congregation. At Easter Monday meeting, April 20, 1835, the wardens reported that they had employed a clergyman, the Rev. John T. Sabine, during the past year, and that he had, according to their contract with him for five dollars a Sunday, preached to the society thirty-eight Sun- days. The Rev. Mr. Sabine was at first in deacon's orders, but by exchanges with his father, the Rev. James Sabine, rector of Christ's church, Bethel, the communion was regularly administered. When the Rev. J. T. Sabine was advanced to priest's orders it was voted to employ him as rector at a salary of five dollars a Sunday, or two hundred and sixty dollars a year, and he became the first rector. It was also voted to give the parish the name of Grace church. In 1847 Mr. William Nutting offered a site for a church and $100. towards building it. Judge Isaac F. Redfield, who had recently moved into the town, offered $500 towards the building of a church and an organ, and a subscription paper was circulated with the understanding that the amount subscribed should be allowed in payment for pews, and a building committee was selected. The church, a wooden structure, was consecrated December - 14, 1848, the original cost of building being about $2,500. The building will seat about 400 persons, and is now valued at $2,000. The present mem- bership is thirty-five, and they have no regular rector.

St. John's Episcopal church of West Randolph was organized in 1868, by Rev. Henry Kinney, the first rector. The first house of worship was erected' in 1866, was consecrated September 22, 1869, the estimated cost of the build- ing being about $4,000, its present value. The present number of members. is about sixty, with Rev. Andrew D. Merkel, rector. A prosperous Sunday- school is held, with Lewis P. Thayer, superintendent.

The First Baptist church of West Randolph was organized in 1876, by Rev. D. C. Bixby and others, with twenty-three members. Their house of" worship, a brick structure, was erected in 1877, at a cost of $8,coo, will com- fortably seat 450 persons, and is now valued, including, other church property,.

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TOWN OF STRAFFORD.

at $15,000. The present number of members is seventy-five, under the pas- toral charge of Rev. J. A. Pierce.

The Church of St. Donation and Rogation (Catholic) was erected under the auspices of Rev. Z. Duron, in 1864, will seat 200 persons, and cost about $2,000. It is located on South Pleasant street, and Rev. Father Clavis is the pastor.

S TRAFFORD is located in the southeasterly part of the county, in latitude 43º 52' and longtitude 4º 39', and is bounded north by Ver- shire, east by Thetford, south by Sharon, in Windsor county, and west by Tunbridge. The town was chartered August 12, 1761, to Solomon Phelps and sixty-three others, distributed into seventy shares, and contains 23,040 acres. The surface is uneven, but the soil is generally good. The principal stream in the town is the west branch of Ompompanoosuc river, which pur- sues a serpentine course from its source in Vershire southerly nearly to the south line of Strafford, where it turns abruptly eastward and passes into Thet- ford. Across the southwest corner of the town flows a small stream, in the valley of which is the union meeting-house and district known as the " Robin- son neighborhood." This stream unites with White river, in Sharon. Miller's pond, the only considerable body of water here, lies upon the high- land about one mile from the north and east lines of the town. Its outlet flows south and joins the Ompompanoosuc in Thetford. Between these principal water-courses the surface is cut up into countless hills, though none of them attain the dignity of mountains. The western line is upon or near a high ridge, or divide, which, like a wall, separates the town from Tunbridge. Many beautiful views are discovered from easily accessible points in Strafford, while Old City falls, little more than a mile from the north village, is con- sidered a special point of interest because of natural scenery, and also from its connection with the events of the early history.

The rocks underlying this town are of calciferous mica schist formation. In the southeastern part is the celebrated Elizabeth copper mine, of which mention has been made in the County Chapter.

The first meeting of the proprietors for choice of town officers was held at Hebron, Conn., February 16, 1768, and adjourned to June 2, 1768, at Straf- ford. The first selectmen, chosen in March, 1778, were William Brisco, Joshua Tucker and Jonathan Rich. The first town clerk was David Cham- berlin, which office was subsequently held by Samuel Bliss from 1784 to 1811, and by Stephen Morrill from 1812 to 1848.

In the wars of this country Strafford has given a nember of her bravest sons. The following were Revolutionary pensioners: Capt. John Powell, Ezra Blaisdell, Elias Carpenter, Guy Young, Frederick Smith, Samuel Bliss, Jacob Kiblinger, Samuel Eastman, Joseph Smith, Azel Percival, Jonathan

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TOWN OF STRAFFORD.

Rich, Capt. Gray Young, and David Rich. Those who served in the War of 1812 were Ebenezer White, Jr., James Powell, Perley Powell, Nicholas Wells, Aaron Beede, Samuel McMaster, Samuel Hayes, Joab Young, Robert Sar- gent, Mansel Hazelton, George Roberts, William Smith, Levi Smith, Freeman W. Smith, Joseph Roberts, Thomas Newman, Nathaniel Brooks, James P. Blaisdell, John McNelly, Clark Sargent, William Keyes, Elisha Norton, Josiah Avery, Thomas Hazelton, Jared Robinson, Ebenezer George, Cyrus Robinson, Walter Hines, Alfred Sloan, Jonathan Clark, Kneeland Carrier, Joseph Sanborn, and Nathan Young. Nearly every man in town, whether liable to military duty or not, was a Plattsburgh volunteer. They were Frederick Smith, Jr., Jed H. Harris, Daniel Cobb, Abraham Brown, Smith Morrill, Joseph Morrill, Nathaniel Morrill, David Morrill, Stephen Morrill, Joseph Barrett, Thomas Hazelton, John Blaisdell, Uriah H. Stevens, Cyril Chandler, Rufus Chandler, Freeman Walker, Lathe Hyde, Lemuel Chandler, Samuel Brown, Abner Graves, Parker Carpenter, and Ephraim Carpenter. In the Mexican war Lieutenant William A. Newman lost an arm, at Cheru- busco. During the civil war 110 of Strafford's sons went to the front and fought for the maintenance of the Union, and many of them never came back.

In 1880 Strafford had a population of 1, 181. In 1886 the town had thir- teen school districts and the same number of common schools, taught during the year by two male and seventeen female teachers, who received an average weekly salary, including board, of $7. 12 and $4.42 respectively. There were 233 scholars, thirty-six of whom attended private schools. The entire income for school purposes was $1,725.79, while the total expenditures were $1,671.05, with J. S. Staples, superintendent.

STRAFFORD (p. o.), or the " Upper Hollow," is a little gem of a country village occupying nearly a central position in the town. A beautiful maple and elm-shaded common, of triangular form, with the base toward the north, within which, upon a sugar-loafed shaped hill, is the town house-formerly the house of worship of the Congregational church. Along the streets bounding the common and radiating from it are situated the present Con- gregational church building, the hotel, two stores, R. A. Hatch's bedstead factory, Harris library, the to .vn clerk's office, a lawyer's office, a saw-mill, several shops, and from thirty to forty dwellings. The west branch of Om- pompanoosuc river, flowing from north to south, is here bordered by level and beautiful meadows, which extend to South Strafford, two miles south.

SOUTH STRAFFORD (p. o.) village, or " Lower Hollow," is composed of two churches (Free Baptist and Universalist), two stores, a hotel, grist mill, and about thirty dwellings. A physician also has his office here.

COPPERAS HILL (p. o.) is a hamlet near the southeast corner of Strafford, and was formerly occupied by the busy host employed in mining and reduc- ing copperas ; but most of the houses and the works are now unoccupied.

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TOWN OF STRAFFORD.

Harris Library was established in 1856 with funds ($500) left for that purpose by Hon. J. H. Harris. The library was kept in the house of Na- than B. Cobb until 1883, when it was removed to the building it now occu- pies, which was presented to the town by Hon. J. S. Morrill. In 1883 the library consisted of 1,000 volumes, and a fund of $800 was raised by the friends of the institution, the interest on which is used to purchase new books. There are now 2,200. The library is the depository for the second Congres- sional district of Vermont. The present librarian is John W. Bradbury.

Royal A. Hatch's bedstead wanufactory was established by R. Hatch & Son in 1854, and when built were about half their present size. The ma- chinery was operated by water-power, furnished by the west branch of Om- pompanoosuc river. In 1879 Mr. Hatch put in a twenty-five-horse-power engine. The main building is of wood, 30x70 feet, with additions 20x30 feet and 24x24, and a paint shop 20x40. The engine-house is built of stone and is 24x24 feet. At the outset this firm manufactured the turned post bedstead wholly; but have since added new machinery and patterns in keep- ing with the times, and now manufacture modern French bedsteads, cribs and cradles, which are supplied to the trade in the white or finished. Twelve to fifteen men are employed, and from 6,000 to 7,000 bedsteads are produced annually, besides a quantity of other work.

John L. Barrett's grist and planing-mill, at South Strafford, was built by the present proprietor's grandfather, Martin Barrett, about seventy years ago, and was first used for a woolen factory. Enoch Dow carded wool and dressed cloth here from 1812 for a number of years, and later put in a prov- ender-mill, which he operated until his death in 1869. Hiram Barrett owned it for a time and added another run of stones. In February, 1875, when John L. Barrett purchased it, it contained a provender-mill and a corn- mill. He renewed the corn-mill, and in 1886 added a wheat-mill and bolt of approved pattern. He sells from two to three carloads of flour and from ten to twelve carloads of corn per year, employing one man. He has also in the same building a cider-mill, and makes about 1,000 barrels of cider annually.

E. P. Hyde's saw, grist and cider-mills, on road 22 near 23, have been owned and operated by the present proprietor since October, 1881. He does merchant work, produces 100,000 feet of manufactured hard wood lum- ber, 25,000 to 50,000 feet of dimension timber, and 100,000 shingles annually. The grist-mill does custom grinding, and he also manufactures from 400 to 500 barrels of cider per year. The mills are run by steam-power, are operated about six months in the year, and give employment to four or five men.

D. K. White's saw-mill, on road I, was built by J. C. Buzzell, who oper- ated it many years. It is run by water-power, has an upright board saw and circular cut-off and splitting saws, is usually operated about six months in the year, and manufactures from 40,000 to 50,000 feet of lumber per year.

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TOWN OF STRAFFORD.

L. A. Clark's saw and grist-mill, located at Strafford village, does custom work, sawing about 200,000 feet of rough and dressed lumber, lath, etc., per year, besides doing a good business at custom grinding and merchant work. Mr. Clark bought the saw-mill in 1875, and the same year added the grist- mill. It is operated by water-power.

J. F. & J. D. Wood's cider-mill, on road 20 near 15, was built by Jesse. Wood over fifty years ago. It does a fair business in custom cider-making.

Charles F. Avery, undertaker and carriage-maker, commenced business in this town in 1864. He manufactures carriages and sleighs, and does all other work in his line in an acceptable manner.

Chester B. Dow's greenhouse was established by the present proprietor in. 1 879. He gives special attention to the cultivation of flowers, potted plants, etc.

James Pennock settled in Strafford in 1768, and, if not the first settler,. was the first who broke the soil, and it is so recorded on his tombstone. Peter Thomas, a negro, came into town the same year. In the fierce con- troversy which the "New Hampshire Grants" had with New York, relative to land titles and jurisdiction, some of the Pennocks and Beans espoused the cause of New York, and finally became so much alienated from their fellow townsmen in the struggle against British rule, as to be identified with those who called themselves "loyalists," and were called by others "tories." During the invasion of Burgoyne, in 1777, a few of these men abandoned their homes, and, it is supposed, joined the enemy. In March, 1779, it was. "Voted, That those tories and their families, that this town had leave to. send away, should not return and inhabit in this town again."

At the same meeting it was also voted to have a committee of safety, composed of David Chamberlin, Silas Alger and John Powell, the latter obtaining, late in life, a Revolutionary pension for his services as captain. The quota of men raised at a later period (1782) were voted the pay of "ten bushels of wheat per month."

Party violence was extreme, and men and women fled for shelter when. tory, Indian or British raids were apprehended. At the time when Royal- ton was burned, in August, 1780, a town meeting was at once called to take some means of defense against the enemy, then on a march down a branch of White river, through Tunbridge to Royalton, and the news of whose ap- proach quickly reaching the town, struck every householder with terror. Under a projecting rock below the mill at what is called Old City falls, Mrs. Frederick Smith, Sr., took refuge with her infant son for several days and nights, while her husband was away on a scout.

James Pennock was a man of more than ordinary abilities and influence. March 16, 1770, he was appointed justice of the peace under the authority of New York ; and on the following day, March 17, received a commission. as assistant justice of the superior court of common pleas for Gloucester- county, and in that capacity attended a session of the court at Kingsland

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TOWN OF STRAFFORD.

(now Washington), held May 29, 1770. For eight years he was the only justice of the peace in Strafford. Six of Mr. Pennock's sons* came here with him, and several of them occupied important public positions in town.

Among other notable pioneers who early located in this town were Col. Nat. Gove, Samuel Eastman, Jonathan and Able Rich, Leonard and Free- man Walker, Dea. Moses Brown, Esquire Ben. Preston, Col. Asahel Cham- berlin, Elijah Beaman, Moses Sanborn, Capt. John Powell, Willard Carpen- ter, Elder Aaron Buzzell, Smith Morrill, Thomas Clogston, Sr., John Rowell, Samuel and Levi Root, Henry Blaisdell, Frederick Smith, Sr., Silas Alger, Rev. Joab Young, Samuel Bliss, Sr., the Barretts, Ben. Tucker, Ebenezer White, Sr., Rev. Jordan Dodge, Philip Judd, Peter Pennock, Levi Bacon, Sr., and Reuben Morey.

The same year Mr. Pennock and family settled here Ezekiel Parish, Fred- erick Smith, William Brisco, John West and his son Daniel and Peter Thomas. also came in. The next, or second year after, William Chamberlin came, with his four stalwart sons-Amasa, Elias, Isaac and Asahel, who all after- wards became men of note. In a few years, and before the war of the Revo- lution began, Silas Alger, John Alger, Jonathan Rich, Eliphalet Roberts, Levi Root, Joshua Tucker, Enoch Bean, Hezekiah May, David Chamberlin, Solomon Calkins, and others, had settled in the town.

During the Revolutionary war this locality was often visited by marauding bands of Indians and tories, and kept the early settlers in a continual state of fear for the safety of their lives and property. On Saturday, October 28, 1780, soon after the burning of Royalton, the town " voted to raise eight men to serve one month in guarding and scouting in the state," and the pay of each should be " forty shillings per month, in wheat at five shillings per bushel." Lieut. Frederick Smith was to be the provider, and his wife cooked the food. He was to furnish " meat, bread and sauce, and a gill of rum per day, suit- able for soldiers."

A log fort, or block-house, was at once erected at Old City, and several families resorted to it for safety. The men raised by the vote of the town garrisoned, Lieut. Smith being placed in command. Much of the time the little band was absent on the "scout." When all the men were gone Mrs. Smith took the sentinel's post. It was probably while the fort was being built that Mrs. Smith, her child Waitstill, then nine months old, and Philip Judd were secreted in the fir thicket on the ledge over the falls. (A part of the time, as before mentioned, they were hid in a cave beneath the falls.)

At the time of the invasion of Plattsburgh the town of Strafford sent for- ward some of her best citizens as volunteers. Hon. Jedediah H. Harris was captain of a Light Infantry company, and at Burlington drew and receipted

*The sons of this family were William, Samuel, Aaron, Peter, Heman, Oliver, Jesse, James, Jr., and Jeremiah. The last one named never came to Strafford. The daughters were Amy and Elizabeth.

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TOWN OF STRAFFORD.

for arms and 'rations for the whole sqad, although some, as regimental officers, outranked him, and all preferred to carry guns. Hon. Daniel Cobb, although lame with a crooked knee, was a prompt volunteer, and when about to embark at Burlington for the place of conflict, it was suggested by the party that he, being lame, had better not take a gun. He replied " I shall need it more than any of you, good G-d. The rest of you can run." And when he went to receive his equipments, the quartermaster, seeing his limping movements, again remonstrated with him, saying, " You can't march or run with such a load "-Cobb replied, " I didn't come to run ; I came to fight !"

Smith Morrill, then between sixty-five and seventy years of age, and quite lame, went with a two-horse team to carry baggage and those who could not go on horseback. At Burlington he wanted a gun as much as either of his four sons, (Joseph, David, Stephen and Nathaniel,) who were all on the spot, and when told it would be necessary for him to remain to guard the team and other horses and luggage, the disappointment showed itself in the old man's tears.

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Gazetteer of Orange County, Vt., 1762-1888, Part 54

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers Number of Pages: 836

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers
Number of Pages: 836