USA > Vermont > Orange County > Gazetteer of Orange County, Vt., 1762-1888 > Part 68
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He also procured the passage of a bill giving to every non-commissioned officer and private seven dollars a month in addition to the amount paid them by the United States.
General Thomas entered with zeal into the task of raising men for the army, and his rirging and rousing patriotic speeches electrified the whole state. In November, 1861, he was commisioned colonel and proceeded to raise a full regiment, including two batteries of 1,350 men, which he accom- plished January 21, 1862, all uniformed and equipped, and all bills paid by the United States. He led his regiment to the front in March ensuing, and was its commander in the field the next three years, when he received the coni- mission of brigadier general, and served in that capacity to the close of the war.
General Thomas entered the army a Democrat, but by the course of that party he left it a Republican, designing to follow his new convictions in a quiet way. But the opposition of the old party, whose favorite he had been, would not permit it, and he was obliged to defend his course in public. The leaders with whom he had affiliated said to him after his return from the war, "Thomas, you've changed; we haven't." "Fools never do," was his witty reply.
General Thomas, in conversation with the compiler of this sketch, re- marked: "It's always hard for me to disagree with a friend." From this remark can be discovered something of the contest and the victory of con- science and right, when he severed his relations with his Democratic brethren.
He is not without later political honors. He would not be a candidate for governor, but in 1867 and 1868 he served the state acceptably as lieutenant- governor, and positively refused re-election to a third term. He was pension agent eight years, commencing with 1870. He was a delegate to the sol- diers' convention that nominated General Grant to the presidency; has been commander of the Grand Army of his state, president of the Officers' Reunion Society, and president of the State Soldiers' Reunion.
For the last sixteen or seventeen years General Thomas has resided in Montpelier, where he makes his influence felt in advocating, with his accus- tomed vigor and energy, the principles of the great party with which he now affiliates and in the affairs that engage the public mind, and he has a niche in the hearts of his fellow citizens, whom he has most faithfully served.
509
TOWN OF WEST FAIRLEE.
Jacob Church came to Vershire from Acworth, Mass., soon after the Revolution, and settled on what is called the North road, where he cleared a farm and reared seven children, all now dead. One son, Jacob, was born in Massachusetts, and was two years of age when he came to Vershire with his father. During his life he took an active part in town affairs, was select- man many years, also lister, and represented the town in the legislature. He died in 1876, aged eighty-four years. Of his family of five children, all are now living, one son, George L., in West Fairlee engaged in trade and mining, and is chairman of the present board of selectmen.
Capt. Comstock moved from Thetford to West Fairlee in 1834 or '35, and opened a general store in company with Bruce & Boutwell, in a building lo- cated where E. P. George's store now stands. After a few years he sold out his interest in the store and kept a public house where the present hotel now stands. After a time he sold his hotel and moved to a farm on Middle brook. He died August 24, 1884, at the residence of his son-in-law, Alvah Bean. His widow is still living at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, the oldest person residing in the town.
Israel Bliss was born in Chelsea, Vt., in 1797. In 1830 he married Phi- lena Allen. of Chelsea, by whom he reared a family of six children,-Sarah J., Julia A., Albert G., Charles W., Wellis R., and John W ,-one of whom, Charles W., now resides in West Fairlee, engaged in the furniture business. Israel died in Vershire in 1869. His twin brother, Ira, was murdered in Burn- side, Conn., in 1873. In early life Israel was a clothier, but later devoted himself to farming.
Alvah Bean was born in Plainfield, Sullivan county, N. H., July 29, 1814, and came to West Fairlee in August, 1839, and took charge of the farmers' and mechanics' store, then kept in a small building where E. P. George's store now stands. He married Phoebe A. Comstock, of Fairlee, in 1847, by whom he has had no children. Mr. Bean has always taken an active interest in town affairs, represented the town in 1848, '49, '53 and '54, was senator in 1862-63, has been town treasurer thirty-seven years, town clerk forty years, register of probate twenty-six years, judge of probate four years, and justice of the peace thirty-seven years.
Micah George came to Vershire from New Hampshire at an early day, married and reared a family of four sons and four daughters, and died in West Fairlee in 1860, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. Two of his daughters removed to the West, the other children located in this vicinity. Page George, son of Micah, located in Thetford, and there engaged in farm- ing. He married Luna Matson and reared a family of five children, all now living, Royal J. and Edmund P. in this town, Mrs. Stephen B. Poor in Fairlee, and Charles T. and Mrs. W. L. Babcock in Minnesota. He died in West Fairlee in 1876. Edmund P. came to this town in 1858, bought out the store of Alvah Bean, and has since then carried on a mercantile business here.
510
TOWN OF WEST FAIRLEE.
He was appointed postmaster in 1861, and held the office till 1885. He was senator from the county in 1876-77.
David Miller, from Chichester, N. H., located in Strafford about 1800, in the northeast corner of the town, and carried on the business of farming. He died in 1837. Moses, son of David, was born in November, 1800, and now resides on the farm where his father settled. He had five children, four of whom are now living-Madison M., Harrison D., Jonathan, and Rosina. Rosella died in infancy. Madison M. is engaged in farming and breeding fine horses in this town. He located here in 1852, and has held the offices of selectman, lister, and justice of the peace. Of his family of three chil- dren, two, Harris M. and John C., are now living, in this town. Mary C. died in 1875, at the age of fourteen years.
John Tebbetts, from Methuen, Mass., settled in Bradford about 1820. He was a hatter by trade, and also a farmer. He married Relief Clough, who now resides in this town, aged eighty-eight years. Of his six children, all are now living, one son in Woodbury, Vt., Elizabeth and Azubah in this town, Mrs. Austin Chamberlin in Fairlee, Mrs. George Martin in Bradford, and Joseph, born in Bradford in 1832, engaged in business in Boston three years, when he came to West Fairlee in 1858, where he has held all the principal offices of the town, was elected assistant judge of the county in 1882, and re-elected in 1884, which office he now holds. John Tebbetts died at West Fairlee in 1864.
Dr. Marcus J. Bixby was born in Haverhill and reared in Warren, N. H. He began the practice of medicine at East Orange, Vt., and was also engaged in the boot and shoe business with his father-in-law, John Chubb. He did not at first devote his whole time to medicine, but the growth of his practice led him to give it his exclusive attention. He graduated from Boston univer- sity, in 1880 settled in Corinth, and in 1884 located in this town. He mar- ried Angeline Chubb in 1861, and has four sons and one daughter.
The Methodist Episcopal church, located at West Fairlee village, was organ- ized by J. D. Beeman, with ten members, in 1877, Rev. L. L. Beeman being the first pastor. Their house of worship, the present building, was erected of wood in 1855, at a cost of $2,000, about its present value, and will com- fortable seat 300 persons. The society now has fifty members, under the pastoral charge of Rev. W. M. Gillis. The Sunday-school has thirteen teachers, with a membership of 300.
The Congregational church, at West Fairlee Center, organized December 19, 1809, with six members, by Rev. Joseph Fuller, was first under the pas- toral charge of Rev. Joseph Tracy. The first house of worship was built in 181I, of wood, which in time gave place to the present structure, also of wood, erected in 1855, at a cost of about $2,000. It will comfortably seat 300 persons. The society now has forty-six members, with Rev. L. P. Tupper, pastor.
5II
TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN.
W ILLIAMSTOWN lies in the northwestern part of the county in latitude 44° 6' and longitude 4° 28', and is bounded north by Barre cornering by Berlin on the northwest, east by Washington, south by Brookfield, and west by Northfield. It was granted November 6, 1780, and chartered August 9, 1781, to Samuel Clark and seventy-four others, and contained 23,040 acres, which territory it still retains. The charter reserved " one lot for the use of a seminary or college, one for a county grammar school, one for the settlement of a minister and ministers in said town, one for the sup- port of the gospel, and one for the support of English schools in town." Each share was to have a settlement, with a house at least eighteen feet square, one family in each, and were to plant and cultivate five acres of land within three years next after the circumstances of the war would admit of a settle- ment with safety, on penalty of the forfeiture of each right or share not so improved or settled.
The surface of the town is quite uneven, being broken into hills and valleys, making a very pleasing picture, but causing some inconvenience in cultivating the soil, which is mostly clayey, but in some parts loom, in others sandy, most of it suitable for grass and the various kinds of grain, and with proper cultivation amply repays the husbandman for his toil. Stevens branch of the Winooski river flows north, from the southern part of the town, through a valley which divides the town into two very nearly equal parts. Near the middle of the southern boundary is a deep gorge known as the Gulf, with high and abrupt hills on each side, and through which flows a small stream, leaving, in some places, scarcely sufficient room for the highway which runs through here. One of the natural curiosities of the town is a small brook which divides near the corner of roads 67 and 68, one part running north, its waters to join the St. Lawrence river, the other part run- ning south to Long Island Sound. Three small ponds are located near the southern boundary, known as Staple's, Cutter, and Rood ponds, the latter lying partly in the town of Brookfield. Another pond was located here pre- vious to 1830. This pond was 941 feet above the level of the sea, was par- tially crescent shaped, covered about eight acres, and was from twenty to twenty-five feet deep. It was called Lime pond, on account of the vast amount of marl accumulated there, and used for the manufacture of quick- lime. Is was situated, like Long pond in Glover, which ran away under similar circumstances, at the height of land. Below it, on the east side, was a saw mill, fed by a stream that was not quite sufficient to carry the wheels at all seasons. Mr. Josiah White, the owner, was incited to open a trench in the barrier of the pond, to increase his mill-privilege. Thetrench was opened, and the water rushed out through a passage about twelve feet wide, and increased the stream more than was desired, for a short time tearing up trees and carrying along great stones as trophys of its power. The mill was saved with difficulty. On account of the smallness of the outlet the water did not all rush out in a dense column, and thereby its effects were not so perni-
512
TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN.
cious upon the property in its path. The bed of the pond that remains is composed entirely of marl of good quality, and in years past has been burned into quicklime, at a profit.
The rocks entering into the geological structure of the territory are argil- laceous and silicious slate, silicious limestone in ali parts of the town, granite in the east, many varieties of quartz in the west, and calcareous spar and tufa in the Gulf. Deposits of black oxide of manganese, sulphate of alumina, ru- tile, yellow ochre, and gold in small quantities are also found.
In 1880 Williamstown had a population of 1,038. In 1886 the town had fourteen school districts withi twelve common schools, employing five male and eighteen female teachers, who received an average weekly salary, includ- ing board, of $6.60 and $4.78 respectively. There were 234 scholars, forty of whom were attending private schools. The entire income for school pur- poses was $2,111.96, while the whole expenditures were $1,714.87, with Miss F. M. Martin, superintendent.
WILLIAMSTOWN, the only post village in the town, is very prettily located near the center on Stevens branch. There is one wide and well shaded street running through the village, upon which nearly all the residences are located. The houses are neat and tastily built, and the whole appearance of the vil- lage indicates intelligence, thrift and culture. It contains three churches, which are well supported, a town house, one general store, a blacksmith shop, three wheelwright shops, a good hotel, and about twenty-five dwellings. A beautiful monument, in honor of the soldiers from this town who lost their lives in the defense of their country, has been erected here at a cost of about $2,000, which sum was appropriated by the town. The monument is of marble, with granite base, the whole standing twenty-five feet high, sur- mounted by an eagle with outspread wings. It has the names of seventeen brave soldiers upon it, with the inscription, "Williamstown remembers the patriotic soldiers who lost their lives in the defense of their country." There are strong indications of a railroad here in the immediate future, which, if built, will tend to enlarge the place quite rapidly.
Williamstown Social Library was established in 1801, with the laudable purpose of "promoting useful knowledge and piety." The subscribers to its constitution bind themselves "to have the public good thereof in view in all our conduct relating to it ; never directly or indirectly to endeavor its over- throw or detriment." Its meetings are held quarterly, with an annual meet- ing on the second Tuesday in March, at which time the officers are chosen. Once in three months the use of the books is sold to the highest bidder, the proceeds of which are devoted to the purchase of new books. The society began with about forty volumes, which number has been increased to over 2,000, of which 771 are of history and biography, 512 each of fiction and travels, 121 religious, and 87 poetical works. This worthy institution has been the meus of stimulating many young men to higher educational attainments
513
TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN.
than was afforded by the town schools, and has amply repaid its founders by the noble work accomplished.
The Gulf Spring House was built by Porter Flint in 1847, and became the property of the present proprietor, Thomas Saunders, of Haverhill, Mass., in 1884. The Gulf, in which this hotel is located, is a steep-sided ravine, having a width in many places only sufficient for the road to pass along beside a small brook, and extends two miles in length, presenting on either side high, rocky walls, with occasional spots where the outline is not so sharp pointed, but the hills recede and give greater width to the valley. In one of these expansions of the valley is found a mineral spring, near which the hotel is located, and from which it derives its name. The waters of the spring are said to contain unusual medicinal qualities, and in the summer are patronized daily by from twenty to two hundred guests. The hotel is under the efficient management of E. F. Dunham, and is open to the public throughout the year.
Wells, Lamson & Co.'s stone quarry was opened in 1882, by Lamson & Pirie, and in 1883 S. O. Wells was admitted as partner. The product of the quarry is taken to Barre, where it is manufactured into a fine line of monu- ments, copings, etc., and furnishes employment for thirty men. Twenty-five men are employed in the quarry in this town.
Jones Brothers' quarry, on road 13, was first opened in 1881. It is owned by the Jones Brothers, of Boston, Mass., and is under the efficient manage- ment of James Simpson. They employ twenty men, and make a specialty of manufacturing monumental work.
Lynde & Cheney's saw and grist-mill, located on Stevens branch, on road 233, is run by both steam and water-power, steam-power having been added in 1886. Is was built in 1860 by L. T. Kinney, and became the property of the present proprietors in 1885. They do a profitable business in the manufacture of lumber, lath, etc., and in custom grinding.
Lynde's tannery, situated on a branch of Stevens branch, was built by George C. Earle, in 1882, and came into the possession of the present pro- prietor in 1885. It does but a small business, furnishing employment for only one man.
Farnham's planing-mill, on a branch of Stevens branch, on road 23, was built by Lyman Capron, and first used as a paint shop. It became the property of Mr. Farnham in February, 1886. He does custom planing, joining, etc.
Charles H. Woolcut's saw mill, on a small stream the outlet of Staple's pond, on road 66, was built by Abijah Bacon in 1825, and came into the pos- session of the present proprietor in 1882.
Silas Stone's wheelwright shop, on road 67, was built by the present pro- prietor in 1867. He does a general repairing business.
The Vermont Live Stock Co. has a farm on road 66, where is kept some of the finest stock horses in the state. The company was organized for the pur-
33*
514
TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN.
pose of improving the stock in this locality, and has been successfully con- ducted. The headquarters are at the Gulf Spring House, on road 66. -
Flint Bros.' steam saw and grist-mill was built in 1886. They employ six men, and make a specialty of manufacturing the rollers used in stone quar- ries for moving large stones.
J. B. Brockway's saw, shingle and planing-mill, on Stevens branch, road 23}, was built about 1825, and became the property of Mr. Brockway about 1868. It is propelled by water-power, and furnishes employment for four men.
G. T. Smith's carp pond was started in 1885, for the breeding of German carp, both for hatching and marketing purposes.
The first settlement in the town was made near its western boundary by Hon. Elijah Paine, John Paine, Josiah Lyman, Joseph Crane, and John Smith, in June, 1784. Penuel Deming came into town, with his family, the February following, which was the first family in town. Josiah Lyman, Joseph Crane, and Samuel Clark followed soon after with their families. The wives of Deming, Lyman and Crane each received a lot of land from the proprietors, they being the first three women to settle in the town. An inci- dent connected with the advent of Josiah Lyman, which we copy from the Vermont Hist. Gazetteer, is worthy of note :-
" A Frenchman, whose name is now unknown, wishing to try his fortune in the wilderness, requested permission to accompany Mr. Lyman to his new home. Having prepared a large hand sled and depositing a few articles, for culinary purposes, their wardrobe and a few bedclothes, with the indis- pensable jug of whiskey, placed for safety in the clothes, they started for Mrs. Lyman's father's, at Randolph, a distance of nine miles from their destina- tion. The terms of travel agreed upon were that Mr. Lyman was to draw the sled, and the Frenchman was to go behind and push. The day was ex- tremely cold, and when near the Williamstown line it was discovered that the Frenchman had worked harder at the jug than on the sled, and was in a state of exhaustion. As it was utterly impossible for Mr. Lyman to draw both his wife and the Frenchman on the sled, through the woods, in the deep snow, it was decided to leave the Frenchman and proceed in all haste with his wife to some place of shelter. They stopped at Mr. Deming's, and Dem- ing and Lyman returning, found the man so frozen that he lived but a short time after their arrival at Mr. Deming's. This was the first death in the town, and presents a sad opening chapter to the history."
The first town meeting was held at the dwelling house of Josiah Lyman, September 4, 1787, at which meeting the town was organized and the follow- ing officers elected : Elijah Paine, moderator ; Cornelius Lynde, town clerk ; Joseph Crane, Benjamin Clark and James Smith, selectmen ; Joseph Crane, constable, and Elijah Paine, representative. In 1790, at the annual meeting of the town, it was " voted to raise six pence on the pound to defray the expense of cutting roads through the town "; and on July 12th, same year, a meeting was called to choose a committee to lay out a burying-ground in the west part of the town, on land located for the purpose by Amasa Howard.
515
TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN.
At a proprietors' meeting held at Bennington, December 7, 1785, it was " voted that the 100-acre lot No. 7, 13th Range, sequestered for the use of mills, be granted to Elijah Paine, on condition that said Paine shall build a good saw-mill in two years, and a good and sufficient grist-mill in three years from the present date on said lot." In compliance with this requirement the mills were erected by Mr. Paine, and in 1792 were sold to Benjamin Clark. The first framed house in the town was built by Josiah Lyman, in 1792, and was used as a hotel for many years. In the abandoned log house of Mr. Lyman the first school was taught, by Miss Eleanor Buck, which build- ing soon became unfit for occupancy, by the decaying of the hemlock bark roof, when the school was removed to the new hotel, where it was often dis- turbed by travelers who called for refreshments.
Joseph Crane was one of the very first settlers in the town. In July, 1784, he removed here from New Hampshire, and located on road 61, on the farm now owned by George Crane, and which has ever since been in the possession of descendants of Joseph. Ariel Crane, son of Joseph, was jus- tice of the peace for many years, and was presiding officer when the town of Roxbury, Vt., was organized. He married Mary Herrick, by whom he had eight children, of whom Joseph married Mary A. Smith, and his widow now resides in Brookfield ; three daughters are married, and also reside in Brookfield; two, a son and daughter, died in childhood ; Charles, who was professor in a college at Goliad, Texas, when the civil war broke out, and who served in the commissary department of the C. S. A. during the war, is now a merchant in Dexter, Iowa. George married Ann Simonds, by whom he had two children, Leslie and Charles C., and resides in this town.
Hon. Cornelius Lynde, son of John and Ruth Lynde, of Leicester, Mass., was the paternal ancestor of the Lyndes of this town. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and attained the rank of major. After the close of the war he settled in Williamstown, Mass., whence he removed to this town in 1786. He was active in the organization of the town, was the first town clerk, and was representative from 1791 to 1795. He built the first saw- mill in the town, and was also the first postmaster here. He married Rebecca Davis, who bore him ten children, of whom John resides in this town and has been twice married, first to Dolly Smith, who bore him twelve children, and died in 1881, and second to Laura E. Davis, in 1882. John has been an active participant in town affairs, has served as selectman, constable and lister, has been justice of the peace for forty five years, and county judge two years. He has also served as state senator and representative. James K. Lynde, son of John, was born September 7, 1851, and married Clara L. Per- rin, November 27, 1872. He is a prominent merchant here, and has been postmaster at Williamstown for fifteen years. George W. Lynde, also a son of John, was born in this town, where he married Frances Martin, March 16, .1871, by whom he has had two children, Fred G., who died in 1874, and John R.
516
TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN.
Jacob Jeffords came to this town from Massachusetts about 1785, and settled in the south part, on the farm now occupied by Daniel Rice. He reared a family of ten children, of whom Jacob, Jr., married Chestina Bur- roughs, who bore him twelve children, five of whom are living, viz .: George in Brocton, Mass .; Jacob in Bradford ; David, Julia A. (Mrs. Darwin Good- rich) and Jason H. in this town. The latter married Alcina Martin, by whom he had seven children, two of whom, Moses and Samuel D., are dead, and five are living, viz .: Tracy, Russell M., Haden M., Frank and Mary. Jacob Jeffords, Jr., was an industrious farmer, and accumulated a goodly store of this world's goods. He was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Tracy, son of Jason H., is a teacher in Buchtel college, Akron, Ohio. He earned the money with which to pay his expenses through college, and graduated from the University of Vermont, which institution conferred on him the degree of Ph. B. He is now but twenty-nine years of age.
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