USA > Vermont > Washington County > Gazetteer of Washington County, Vt., 1783-1889 > Part 20
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Nathaniel Lawson came to Barre from New Salem, Mass., starting from there January 1, 1800, with his wife, Deborah Clark, and two young children, making the entire trip with an ox-team. He located where his grandson, George W. Lawson, now lives. He rolled up a log cabin and roofed it with bark. There were two acres of timber felled on the lot at the time he set- tled here. His nearest neighbor was Stephen Everett, one and one-half miles distant. Mr. Lawson's wife bore him seven children, four of whom lived to maturity, viz .: Elisha C. and Deborah, born in Salem, Mass., and Nathaniel and Polly, born in this town. Mr. Lawson always resided where he located until his death, in February, 1845, aged seventy-seven years. Mrs. Lawson died in May, 1843, aged seventy-three years. Deborah married Samuel Baker, and they had five children, four of whom are living, namely, Polly, who maried William Sherburne, and had two children ; Nathaniel, who married Abigail Howland, had no children, and is now living with George W., at the age of eighty-eight years ; Elisha, who married Lucy T. Freeman, and had two children, viz .: George W., born June 18, 1831, who married Eva, daughter of John and Rhoda (Reed) Wheaton, March 28, 1887, and is an ex- tensive dairyman and breeder of registered and grade Jersey cattle, Morgan horses, and Yorkshire swine. He has always lived where he was born, on the farm settled by his grandfather, now called "Evergreen Square." Olive A., born October 26, 1826, resides with her brother George W.
Leonard F. Aldrich .- The name Aldrich was originally spelled Aldridge ; and, according to " Burke's Landed Gentry," " The Aldridge family was from Uxbridge, Middlesex county, England, and inherited the estate of St. Leon- ard's Forest about 1750. This was originally royal property, is held under a grant from the Crown since the reign of Charles the First. John Aldridge was M. P. for Queensborough, from 1784 until 1790, and for Shoreham, from 1790 to 1792, and was Storekeeper of the Ordnance. Arms : Vert, on a fess, between three garbs, or, a crown having two leaves issuant there
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between two birds of the first, all within a bordure of the second, charged with eight pellets, and as many acorns alternately, ppr. Crest-an arm couped below the elbow, vested, or, charged with a bezant, the hand holding a quill, argent. Motto-Dirigo. Seat. St. Leonard's, Horsham, Sussex."
Among the early families of Barre, that of Aldrich is a prominent one, their characteristics of independent thought, honesty, and industry making them important factors in the growth of the newly-settled town. This particular family, of which Leonard Frost Aldrich is a representative, emigrated from Smithfield, R. I., in 1765, to Richmond, N. H. They were of strong phy- sique and large stature. Levi, of Richmond, married into the Ballou family, of which the Rev. Hosea Ballou, the beloved Universalist clergyman, was a member. Sylvanus, son of Levi, was born in Richmond, N. H., October 6, 1779. He learned the blacksmiths' trade, married Sarah Wheeler, and, in February, 1800, with his wife and two children, came to Barre, and located in the northeast corner of the town on the Jerry Batchelder place. Mr. Aldrich was accompanied by the father of the noted Daniel P. Thompson. Mr. Aldrich was a fine workman and mechanic. He manufactured mill-irons, scythes, plows, hoes, axes, cutlery, etc. His shop was the first which con- tained a trip-hammer, and it is said that here he worked the first cast-steel wrought in Vermont. He excelled in his workmanship, and had the reputation of furnishing the best goods in his line in the country, and continued in active business up to the time of his death, March 29, 1850. Mr. Aldrich was a man of progressive thought and action, strong convictions and decided opinions ; an anti-slavery man, and a practical temperance reformer - inas- much as for over forty years he would not have a man in his employ who used tobacco or ardent spirits. In politics he was an old-time Whig ; in religion an Universalist. In his family relations he was kind and affectionate ; with his neighbors and friends social and hospitable, enjoying much the " old-fashioned visitings and the old people's stories." Mrs. Aldrich was born in Holden, Mass., June 13, 1784, and died September 13, 1856. She was an energetic woman, a good disciplinarian of their large family, but quiet in demeanor, and of a deeply religious character, conforming to the Methodist faith, and a believer in the religion of love rather than of fear. Nine of Mr. Aldrich's children attained maturity. Stephen, born in 1798, moved to New Orleans, became an engineer, and was captain on a river steamer for many years, and afterwards was a member of the celebrated manufacturing firm, "Long, Aldrich & Smith"; Levi, born in 1800, died aged seventeen ; Sylvanus, born in 1801, was a resident of Mexico for thirty years, acquired wealth, but returned to Barre, where he died in 1865 ; Sarah, born in 1804, died in 1828 ; Lydia, born in 1808, died in 1828; J. Wheeler, born in 1810, died in New Orleans at the age of thirty-three ; Freelove, born in 1812 ; Lucy and Lewis B., born in 1814. Lucy died in infancy ; Lewis in 1856, in New Orleans.
Leonard Frost Aldrich, youngest child of Sylvanus and Sarah (Wheeler) rich, was born in Barre, June 9, 1823. He was educated at the district
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and select schools, and the academy at Newbury. He also was educated in the school of labor, his father's shop offering him an opportunity to strengthen his muscles and develope his working powers. At the age of twenty-one he had a clerkship in the store of Orvis French. [This store was the building now the National bank, and was across the street from his father's shop, which occupied the site where the Aldrich block now stands.] Here he worked for Mr. French ten years, his indefatigable industry gaining for him a good name among business men. The succeeding ten years he was manager of the " Union (cooperative) store " in the same building, and under his skillful management this enterprise paid a premium to the stockholders (the only store of that character in the state which did). The shares at the beginning were $3 each ; when it was closed the stockholders were paid $66. In 1860 he made a journey to Mexico, remaining about eight months. On his return in 1862 the excitement relative to the great Rebellion was moving the hearts of loyal, patriotic men, and Mr. Aldrich, by his own personal exer- tions, raised $725 when the Tenth Regiment was organized, for the twenty- seven men enlisted in the town, and in September of this year he enlisted in the Thirteenth Regiment, received the commission of quartermaster, and accompanied his regiment to Washington where they were placed in the de- fences of that city. After five months' service he was taken ill, discharged, and returned home, where he regained his health in the vigorous northern climate. For the next two years he was in the store of J. M. & G. C. French & Co.
Mr. Aldrich has always been interested in educational work, and was one of the first donors and incorporators of the Barre Academy ; was long on its executive committte and generous in his support of that institution. At the time when the question of securing a seminary at Barre was agitated, he with others was instrumental in getting it located, and for two years devoted him- self to the supervising and construction of the seminary building, which is now such an attractive feature of the town. He went into the woods and selected the trees for the entire finishing, had them cut, drawn, and seasoned ; (75,000 feet of ash and 30,000 feet of butternut were used). He also super- intended the making and burning of the brick, which were made on the place. He supervised the putting in the steam heating apparatus, which was the first introduced into this part of the state. During the time of building there was no public house in Barre, and Mr. Aldrich's house was the hotel for the builders and contractors. His home was that of his sister, Freelove, who was its valued mistress, and their work was a labor of love. They provided and made the entire furnishing for the seventy-five rooms. [A few words in rela- tion to this worthy woman are in place here. Miss Freelove Aldrich is most remarkable for her industry, neatness, and order ; and although at the present writing in her seventy-fifth year, the amount of fine sewing, embroidery, and other kinds of needle-work she accomplishes far exceeds that of much younger women, and she "worketh willingly with her hands."] The Aldrich
1
LA Aldrich
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household comprises the brother and sister and a niece, and is a most com- fortable and pleasant home.
In the public welfare of Barre Mr. Aldrich has done his part faithfully. When the Orange County bank was removed from Chelsea, and establised at Barre, in 1873, he was on the first board of directors, and is now the only one remaining of the original board. In 1880 he was made its president, and from its organization he has devoted his time to its interests. Republican in his politics, he represented Barre in 1859-60 ; has served as justice of the peace and other town offices. He has been from the age of ten years identi- fied with the temperance cause, and has done much to advance and promul- gate its principles. He served as temperance county commissioner for 1871- 72. He is like his father,-strong and positive in his convictions, temperate in all things, never using tobacco, and never drank a drop of liquor, or any- thing sold over a bar; his personal habits are excellent, and his robust physique and clear, healthful complexion are the result. Universalist in his religious belief, he has been treasurer of the society of that faith, and trustee of Goddard Seminary, and its treasurer for the last nine years.
Mr. Aldrich has been successful financially, owns much real estate, and his prosperity is the reward of well-directed efforts. Trained in the school of experience and labor, his judgment of men is practical and seldom misleads him. Self-reliant, systematic, tenacious of his rights, a marked individuality are among his prominent characteristics. The example of such men should be recorded as an incentive to young men to follow, who would gain esteem, confidence, and a high place in the community.
William Bassett, originally from Massachusetts, came to Barre from Pomfret, Windsor county, about 1811. In his early life he was a sailor on a mer- chant trader plying between Boston and the West Indies. He first settled in the eastern part of the town, and later removed to Gospel Village, where his grandson, C. H. Bassett, now lives, and where he died. He married Lucy Russell, who purchased her wedding trousseau with funds she had earned at housework at fifty cents per week. Their children were William, Jr., Lucy, Ira, George W., and Merrill. Ira is a natural mechanic and musi- cian, and resides in Chicago. Without instruction he has made three pipe organs. One of them is still in use in the Congregational church and another in the Methodist church of Barre. George W. read law in the office of L. B. Wheelock, Esq., and has practiced in the courts of the state, but is not a member of the bar. Merrill married Mary Keene, of Penobscot, Me., and now resides in Augusta, Me. Their children are C. H. Bassett, before men- tioned, who married Mary Beckley; Gerald, who was killed by the acci- dental discharge of a gun in the hands of a companion ; Calvin, who married Mary J. Prescott, and is a farmer on road 41 ; and Amanda (Mrs. Chester H. Beckley), who resides in Orange, Orange county.
Justus Ketchum, son of Roger W., was born in Athol, Mass., and came to Barre with his grandfather, Justus, in 1815. His father, Roger W., had pre-
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ceded him in town five or six years. His grandfather purchased the farm where Mr. Ketchum now lives, and with who n he lived until the decease of the former. Mr. Ketchum then settled the claims of the other heirs and retained the homestead, where he has lived seventy-three consecutive years. He is now eighty-nine years of age, and the oldest man in Barre. January 6, 1820, he married Miss Lydia Dodge, who died December 4, 1874, aged seventy-five years. Four of their five children grew to maturity and married, viz .: Caroline (Mrs. Charles Q. Reed), who is the mother of three children, and resides in Barre; Loren (deceased), who married Martha Cook, and was the father of five children; Justus N., who married Leonora Bradford, and has three children; and Henry C., who married Lucilla French, and was the father of four children.
Stephen Morrison was born in Windham, N. H., in 1788 or 1789. He left home at the age of eighteen years, and resided the ensuing seven years in Salem and Danvers, Mass. In 1812 he married Eurydice Earle, of this town. About 1816 Mr. Morrison bought the farm of Oliver Earle, his wife's father, and removed to it from Concord, Essex county, and here he resided the ensuing forty-three years. He then went to Chicago and resided with his daughter, Mrs. L. B. Walker, several years, but eventually had a home with his son Stephen, in Saugatuck, Mich., where he died in November, 1884, aged ninety-seven years. Mrs. Morrison died October 27, 1867. Their chil- dren were Stephen A., a prominent business man of Saugatuck, Mich .; Samuel, who died in Topeka, Kan .; Cyrus, who died in childhood; Miles, who resides on the old homestead; Martha, who died, aged twenty-three years ; and Myra (Mrs. L. B. Walker), of Chicago. Miles Morrison is a successful farmer, and has accumulated a fine estate in rearing live stock and dairying. He now has a fine flock of more than 300 sheep. Mr. Morrison is a staunch Democrat in a strong Republican town, but such is his popularity and ability that he has been selectman, lister, and justice of the peace many terms. He married, first, Miss Sabrina Gale, who was the mother of M. Eugene, now employed in the office of the C., R. I. & P. R. R. Co., in Chicago, and John Gale, of the firm of Rawson & Morrison, manufacturers of portable and stationary steam engines and machinery, and dealers in boilers, etc. He is also of the firms of Morrison & Fitts, dry goods, and G. J. Towne & Co., grocers, of Barre. His second wife, Mary Taft, is the mother of his children Maud M. and Merle M.
Webber Tilden, son of Leonard and Phebe Tilden, was born in Williams- town, Orange county, January 6, 1804. At the age of twenty years his father gave him his time. He worked at brickmaking the ensuing two seasons, at Springfield. For several years he was engaged in the manufacture of stoves and tinware at South Barre, with his brothers Lester and Harvey. Their buildings were burned, Lester retired from the firm, and Dennis became a member. A few years later Webber and Dennis purchased Harvey's interest and have continued in company since, but neither of them are in active
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business at present. Now at the age of eighty-three years he is remarkably well preserved. Webber Tilden married, first, Nancy Patterson, of Barre, who was the mother of three children, only one of whom, Calista (Mrs. C. W. Hall), is living. His second wife, Abbie W. Cushman, of Randolph, was the mother of his children Ella C., Phebe C., and Frank W., all of whom are living.
Dennis Tilden, the twelfth child of Leonard and Phebe Tilden, who were early settlers in Williamstown, was born October 12, 1821. In 1829 his father moved to Barre, where he died in November, 1848. Dennis Tilden, when sixteen years of age, commenced an apprenticeship with a tin- smith, and continued it five years. He then learned iron molding and con- ducted a foundry at South Barre several years, until his works were destroyed by fire. He was associated in business with his brothers Webber and the late Judge Harvey. Soon after the fire he purchased the foundry at Factory Village and made extensive repairs and additions, and continued in the busi- ness eighteen or twenty years. He also carried on wool-carding with his brother Webber from 1855 until 1885. He has now retired from business. January 17, 1849, he married Mary A. Walker. Their only child, Carrie A. (Mrs. Frank H. Carleton), of Boston, died February 8, 1885, and left three little daughters.
A. M. Jackman was born in Corinth, Orange county, and came to Barre in 1830, at the age of seventeen years, and learned the trade of wool-carding and cloth-dressing. In 1836 he bought the mills of his employer, and con- ducted the business alone, until his mills were destroyed by fire in 1853, and were never rebuilt. With the exception of the minister, lawyer, and doctor, all the people then wore " homespun " clothing, spun, woven, and made " to fit" by the deft hands of the industrious housewives and their daughters. Mr. Jackman has seen an entire change in the population of Barre since he came in 1830. He and one other are all that now remain. At that time the South village was the location of the postoffice and the center of business. He has taken an active interest in town and county affairs, and has had a long and busy official career. He has been deputy sheriff twenty years, and is now acting in that capacity (1888). He was sheriff of Washington county a term of two years, and was also justice of the peace and constable. Mr. Jackman has been interested in the welfare of Barre, and has been one of its reliable citizens nearly threescore years. Over fifty years ago, April 11, 1837, he was united in marriage with Miss Christina French, of Barre, and they now reside at their pleasant home on North Main street. Their five children were Eva J., Orvis F., deceased, John M., George W., and Charlie E., who died at an early age.
Capt. Albert F. Dodge was born in Barre, September 23, 1833. At the age of twenty-three years he enlisted as a private in Co. B, roth Regt. Vt. Vols., and left the state a corporal. He was sergeant February 19, 1863; and for meritorious conduct was promoted to the office of captain in the 39th
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Regt. U. S. Colored Troops. He remained in command of his company until disbanded at Wilmington, N. C., December 4, 1865. He returned from the war, married Miss Laura Bacon, and settled in Barre, where he now lives. They have two sons, Frank E. and Oramel J. Mr. Dodge is a carpenter and joiner.
Ozias H. Thompson, son of Hiram and Lovinia Thompson, was born in Plainfield, March 21, 1833. Mr. Thompson married Diana S. Lamson, February 25, 1855, and resided in Plainfield until 1861, when, in July, he enlisted in the army for the Union and served his country the next four years, and was engaged in twenty-four battles and several skirmishes. Mr. Thompson had charge of the line when private William Scott was detailed for sentinel duty and found sleeping at his post, court-martialed, and sentenced to be shot. Mr. Thompson prevailed upon the chaplain to visit the Presi- dent, and he was successful in gaining a reprieve for poor Scott. Scott was afterwards shot while crossing the river at Yorktown ; and Mr. Thompson, on seeing him fall, sprang into the river and caught him in his arms, and succeeded in bringing his lifeless comrade to the shore, although the shower of the enemy's bullets made the water boil like a kettle. Mr. Thompson escaped unhurt with a number of bullet-holes in his clothes.
Eli Holden was born in Barre, December 21, 1834. His father, Ira, was a substantial farmer, honored · by his fellow-citizens by election to various town offices, and chosen as their representative in the state legislature. His mother's maiden name was Abigail Wates. His early years were passed in laboring on the farm with his father during the summer, and his education, with the exception of a few terms at the academy, was acquired at the district school. After attaining his majority he went West, there remained several years, then returned to Vermont, and engaged as a laborer in the woolen factory at Gouldsville, where he was employed when the war broke out in 1861. He was one of the first to respond to the call for volunteers, and after serving three months in the Ist Vt. Regt., raised under the Presi- dent's call, he reënlisted in Co. C, Ist Vt. Cavalry, and served as drill- master of the company until mustered into service. He was, on the organi- zation of the company, elected Ist sergeant, and on the organization of the regiment his captain was chosen major, and he was elected 2d lieutenant and afterwards promoted to Ist lieutenant. September 25, 1863, while engaged with a party of Moosby's command, he was taken prisoner and sent to Libby prison ; afterwards transferred to Danville, Macon, and Columbia. While at Columbia he and a party of others bribed a guard, by the payment of fifteen dollars each in Confederate money, to allow them to escape ; but after wan- dering for a week in the country they were recaptured, and he remained a prisoner until the spring of 1865, when he was parolled, and the 15th of March was mustered out of service, and returned to Barre. He purchased the farm on which his father had resided, and which had been settled by his grand- father, and where he now resides. He has been chosen by his townsmen
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to various positions of responsibility and trust, and represented them in the state legislature. Lieutenant Holden was the only Barre boy who enlisted under Lincoln's first call for troops. He united in marriage with Miss Lucy Howard, of Barre.
Warren C. Nye, son of Flavel and Aurelia Nye, was born in Orange, Orange county, June 2, 1838. His parents moved to Barre when he was four years old. By his course of honest dealing, and for his sound judgment, he has been appointed executor or administrator of about fifty estates ; and although he is. quite an extensive farmer, he gives a large share of his time to the settlement of estates and official business. He has served the town as selectman, lister, grand juror, overseer of the poor fourteen years, and justice of the peace about ten years. Mr. Nye has been twice married. His first wife, Nancy (Abbott) Wheaton, was the mother of his children Arthur W., May W., and George S. He married, second, Mrs. Lydia Smith, of Northfield.
Amos E. Bigelow, M. D., son of Asa and Annie (Payne) Bigelow, was born in Brookfield, Orange county, February 23, 1819. Dr. Bigelow acquired his- preparatory education in the district schools of his native town, at Thetford Academy, and at Randolph Center. He was a student of Dr. Horace Smith, of Brookfield ; attended Dartmouth Medical school at Hanover, N. H .; and graduated from the Vermont Medical school at Woodstock, in June, 1845. In the following August he came to Barre, where he has since been in con- tinual practice. August 25, 1863, he married Nancy M. Richardson, of Barre, who died December 15, 1871, aged thirty-six years. They had but one child, Frankie M., who married Linly A. Averill, who has one child and lives in Barre.
Col. Samuel Fifield was a native of Hopkinton, N. H., and early in his life went to Norwich, Vt., where he remained a few years. Such was his in- dustry and economy that he walked twice daily two miles and returned to ring the church bell, receiving therefor the sum of $12 per year. March 2,. 1797, he united in marriage with Sarah Davis, of Norwich, and immediately settled in Orange, Orange county. His employer, Major Murdock, and others, contributed an outfit of a horse, sled, and a few house goods that en- abled them to "keep house " in their home in the woods, to which they wended their way thus equipped, guided by "blazed " trees. They were among the first pioneers of Orange, and at once commenced a successful ca- reer. Mr. Fifield gave his attention to trading and land speculations, and amassed a large fortune for his day. He gave some attention to military affairs, and rose to the rank of colonel ; hence his title. His brother, Col. Edward Fifield, of Wheelock, presented him a fine saddle-horse which he delighted to ride on all occasions of military parade, and which he rode at the battle of Plattsburgh, N. Y. A revengeful neighbor sought to deprive him of the use of his favorite charger, at an annual muster and parade, by cutting off one-half of one ear of the horse. Col. Fifield made matters even by cutting off the remaining ear to match, and rode him on that occasion and
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at subsequent parades. Thus the "war horse " gained the sobriquet of "Crop Ear." Col. Fifield, at his death, left an estate valued at about $20,000, consisting of a well-stocked store and a large land property. His real estate of 140 acres, in Barre, is now covered by that part of the village lying north of Main and between Church street and the residence of Mrs. Anette Wheel- ock. The only building then on the property is the one now occupied by the National bank, which has since been so much enlarged and remodeled that it exhibits but little of its original style. Col. Fifield never mingled in politics, but chose rather to give his attention and energies to his large busi- ness. He certainly possessed a very comprehensive business mind, and ac- complished much in his quite short business career. The great wonder is that with such a beginning he succeeded so well and accomplished so much. He died May 31, 1824, aged fifty-six years. Of his large family only two sons and a daughter are now living, viz .: Col. Orange Fifield, of Montpelier, Hon. Horace Fifield, of Barre, and Mrs. Randall Gale, of Orange.
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