Gazetteer of Washington County, Vt., 1783-1889, Part 23

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836-, comp; Adams, William, fl. 1893, ed
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers
Number of Pages: 898

USA > Vermont > Washington County > Gazetteer of Washington County, Vt., 1783-1889 > Part 23

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Zachariah Perrin, with his family, came to Berlin from Hebron, Conn., in March, 1789, and settled in the east part of the town, where his grandson, J. N. Perrin, now lives. He came with two yoke of oxen, up the Connect- icut and White rivers, to Brookfield, which was then the end of the road. His sled was loaded with provisions and his wife and two children. From Brookfield his route was a line of blazed trees, and the snow was from three to four feet deep. Mr. Perrin was an influential citizen and aided in the settlement and organization of the town, and support of the Congregational church. He died in May, 1838, aged eighty-eight years. His second son, Porter Perrin, born February 1, 1790, was the first male child born in Berlin. He married Lucy, daughter of Rev. Jonathan Kinney, of Plainfield. He was a worthy man and dealt justly with his fellow-men. He died in May, 1871, aged eighty-one years. His brother, Rev. William Perrin, born in 1793, graduated at Middlebury College in 1813, entered the ministry of the Congregational church, was an eloquent speaker, and a poet. He married Fanny, daughter of Capt. Daniel Thompson, and died in 1824, aged thirty- one years. Rev. Truman Perrin, fourth son of Zachariah, was born in Berlin,

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April 28, 1796. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1817, preached in various places in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York, spent several years in Indiana, Georgia, and Alabama, and returned to Vermont in 1850. He died in Washington, Mass., November 19, 1869, aged seventy-three years.

William Flagg and Jacob Black, both natives of Holden, Mass., were born the same year, and died in 1838, aged eighty-four years. The life of each one was almost a counterpart of that of the other. They enlisted in the service of their country about the same time, and participated in the same battles. They were both at the battle of Bunker Hill and again under General Washington at Monmouth Court House. They both settled in Berlin in 1789.

Eleazer Hubbard, when about sixty years of age, came from Glastenbury, Conn., to Berlin, with an ox-team freighted with mill-irons and gearing for a saw and grist-mill, which he erected on Pond brook, near the head of Ben- jamin falls, in 1790 or '91. Mr. Hubbard died in 1819, aged eighty-nine years. His mills were continued in operation several years after his death. They were the first mills erected in Berlin.

David Nye, son of Melatiah, came to Berlin from Glastenbury, Conn., in 1790. He had served several years in the war for Independence, as a musi- cian, and was present at the battle on Long Island. At the organization of the town, in 1791, he was elected clerk and reelected several succeeding years. In addition to cultivating his farm he was for several years engaged in buying and driving beef cattle to the Boston market. He died in Septem- ber, 1832, aged seventy-two years. His brother, Elijah Nye, came to Berlin with him, and settled in the southeast part of the town. In 1825 he re- moved to Montpelier and died there in 1852, aged eighty-four years. Solo- mon Nye, brother of David and Elijah, enlisted and served in the Continental army as teamster when he was but eighteen years old. He came to Berlin about 1808, and engaged in farming. He died in 1857, at the extreme age of ninety-three years.

Lieut. Ebenezer Bailey, brother of Joshua, came to Berlin from Newbury, Mass., as near as can now be ascertained, about 1790, and made a perma- nent pitch on the East road. His farm contained 300 acres which he mainly cleared. He was one of the prominent men of his town, and held most of the town offices, and was also an influential member of the Methodist church, and gave liberally for the construction of their first meeting-house. He died on his farm at the age of eighty-seven years. He had a family of thirteen children, several of whom settled in town. His son Ebenezer, born in Ber- lin May 30, 1796, married Sally Benjamin, daughter of Maj. Josiah, and settled on a farm on the opposite side of the road from his father. He was always a farmer and resided in Berlin from his birth to the close of his long life, August 13, 1885, aged eighty-nine years. He was the father of ten children, all of whom lived to mature age. Mr. Bailey was a man of sterling

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integrity, a good citizen, and obliging neighbor. Ozias B. Bailey is the only one of his sons now residing in Berlin. He is now a justice of the peace and is engaged in farming.

Safford Cummings was born in Massachusetts, June 15, 1784. He lost his father in his early childhood, and in 1791 came to Berlin with his older brother when he was only seven years old. He married, early in life, Miss Polly Stickney, and settled in a log house on the farm where L. P. Lawrence . now lives. Later he built the commodious farm house now occupied by Mr. Lawrence. He was a well-to-do farmer, and a man prominent in the affairs of the town. He died on the homestead aged eighty-two years. His oldest son, Kimball, born May 19, 1808, married Catherine Drury, of Barre, Sep- tember 4, 1834, and settled on the farm where his son Albert D. now lives. He gave his attention to the cultivation of his farm. He was fond of music, and was especially noted as a drummer, and was always one of the military band at the musters of the militia. Mr. Cummings was a thrifty farmer, ab- horred debt, and always " paid down." Mr. and Mrs. Cummings reared three children to mature age, viz .: Albert I)., born February 21, 1836, married Miss Sophronia Arbuckle, of Middlesex, December 18, 1862, and brought his wife to the homestead, where they now live. They have one son, Alvin, who married Miss Adah Goodenough, of Walden, and lives in the near neighbor- hood, and has an infant son, Harry. Julia, born June 21, 1842, married, De- cember 22, 1863, George Richardson, and 'resides in Barre. Her children are Addie and Blanche. Emneline, born January 1, 1838, married John Golds- bury, of Barre. Their children are Joel, Katie, and Hattie.

Hon. Salvin Collins was born in Southboro, March 6, 1768. About 179t he settled on a farm in Berlin, adjoining Zachariah Perrin, which is still known as the Collins farm, where he resided the ensuing fourteen or fifteen years. He then sold his farm to Mr. Perrin and moved to the " Corners." He rep- resented Berlin in the legislature in 1805 and 1806, and in 1811 was assist- ant judge of the new county of Jefferson, now Washington, and removed to Montpelier. In 1812 he was reelected county judge, and in 1815 was judge of probate for Washington county, and received five successive elections. The last twenty years of his life he was justice of the peace, and did a large share of the justice business of Montpelier. Judge Collins was quiet and unassum- ing, social, honest, and few men were better calculated to win friends and re- tain them. He died November 9, 1831, aged sixty-three years.

Abel Knapp, a native of Rehoboth, Mass., and his wife, Miriam ( Hawks), of Charlemont, Mass., were very early settlers in Berlin. They located their farm at the cross-roads at the Center. Mr. Knapp was town clerk from 1795 to 1845; except one year, when Dr. Greshom Heaton held the position. He was justice of the peace fifty years, judge of probate in 1813 and '14, a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1836, town treasurer several years, and representative fourteen years, from 1809 to 1823. . He was also a surveyor, and because he preserved his field notes was able to settle many

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disputes about surveys. His son Chauncey L. was born in Berlin, February 26, 1809. He commenced a seven years' apprenticeship in the printing office of E. P. Walton, in Montpelier, when he was but fourteen years old. He was reporter for the legislature in 1833, and was for some years co-editor and proprietor of the Voice of Freedom and the State Journal. He was: elected secretary of state in 1836, '37, '38, and '39. He removed to Massa- chusetts and was secretary of the Massachusetts Senate in 1851, elected rep- resentative to the 34th and reelected to the 35th Congress of the United States.

Maj. Josiah Benjamin, son of William, was born in Ashburnham, Mass., June 19, 1769. October 10, 1791, he married Lucy Banning. In Novem -- ber, 1793, he removed from Woodstock to Berlin and settled on lot 5, in the- second range. In February, 1795, he removed to lot 5, third range, and April 26, 1800, he made his permanent home on lot I, first range, and first. division, of the township, where his grandson S. W. Benjamin now lives, and where he died January 26, 1836. His wife, Lucy, died October 26, 1844 .. Their children were Lucy, born in Woodstock, April 22, 1792 ; Clara, born March 8, 1795 : Ozias, born April 13, 1797; Sally, born in May, 1798 ;; Josiah, born November 28, 1801, died November 15, 1803; Josiah, born July 6, 1803 ; Eliza, born July 31, 1805 ; Matilda, born March 26, 1807 ;. and Hannah, born July '10, 1811. Maj. Benjamin succeeded Eleazer Hub- bard on lot 1, which includes Benjamin falls on Pond brook. Mr. Hubbard had erected the first saw-mill and grist-mill in Berlin at the falls, about 1791. or '92. Maj. Benjamin rebuilt the mills near the foot of the falls and kept them up for many years. He was always a farmer, and a man of great energy. He was the major of the state militia, and went with his command to Plattsburgh in September, 1814, but did not reach that place until after the battle had been fought, on Sunday, September 11, 1814, and a signal victory won. In religion he was a Congregationalist, and a member of that. church. In politics he was an earnest worker in the " Old Line Whig " party, and prominent in town affairs. Maj. Benjamin was succeeded on the home- stead by his son Josiah, who married Rebecca Emerson, December 25, 1827. Their children are Chauncey E., Lucy Ann, John E., Charles K., Philena R., Samuel Webster, Ira A., and Elizabeth B. Josiah Benjamin, Jr., was a very successful farmer and gave to each of his sons $1,000, and to each of his daughters $500, on their wedding day. Mr. Benjamin was a constant and regular attendant at the Congregational church, began in politics with the Whig party, joined the ranks of the Republican party at its organization, and was in every respect an honest, upright, and respected citizen. He represented Berlin in the state legislature and held other offices of responsi- bility and trust in his town. He died October 4, 1884. His wife died in December, 1873. Chauncey E. Benjamin, born February 1, 1829, married Lucy J. Stanwood, January 22, 1846, and resides in Malden, Mass., where he is engaged in the express business, and employs sixteen men and twenty-

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six horses. Lucy Ann, born April 2, 1831, married E. E. Andrews, Sep- tember 13, 1843, a farmer and nurseryman, and resides in her native town. John E. Benjamin, born July 19, 1833, married Sarah F. Perrin, November 8, 1858, and resides on a fine farm near the old homestead. Besides giving his attention to his farm he has served his town as their representative in the state legislature, and as lister, but declined to be selectman. His son Forest E. graduated at Barre Academy, and is now a commercial traveler in the vicinity of Boston, and resides at Malden, Mass. He was elected captain of the Walden militia at a younger age than any who ever held the position. The only daughter of John E. Benjamin, Myrtie S., also graduated at Barre Academy and is a teacher. Charles K. Benjamin, born November 20, 1836, married Emeline S. Goodhue, March 11, 1861, has been a farmer and is now a granite worker in Barre. Philena R., born July 18, 1839, married Eleazer House, December 22, 1859. Mr. House is a farmer in Berlin. Samuel Webster Benjamin, born May 1, 1842, married Edna L. Downing, March 2, 1865, and settled on the old homestead. He is now chairman of the board of selectmen and has been one of its members several years. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin have one daughter. Ira A. Benjamin, born January 26, 1845, married Emma F. Dodge, September 22, 1867. He is a reliable citizen of Berlin, a successful farmer, and is blessed with three sons. Elizabeth B., born November 3, 1847, married Abel H. Stewart, a farmer of Berlin, April 4, 1867.

Elijah Andrews was born in Eastbury, Conn., in 1758, and was one of the early and stalwart pioneers of Berlin. He moved into the town in 1796, and settled on the farm now owned by his grandson, E. E. Andrews, where he lived the remainder of his life. He built a log cabin on his farm, in which he and his family lived several years. He died January 19, 1826. His son Asa, born May 28, 1787, married Margaret Strong, of Berlin, January 1, 1812, and settled on a farm in the 'western part of the town, where he cleared eighty acres of land. Not having all the modern improved farming implements, he commenced drawing his hay from his field on a harrow turned bottom side up. After eight years he returned to his father's farm, where he spent the remainder of his long life. He died September 14, 1878, aged ninety-one years and three months. Mrs. Andrews died March 20, 1856. Mr. Andrews was an honest, industrious farmer, liberal in his contributions for benevolent objects, and won the respect and esteem of the people of his town. He was a lieutenant of militia, was representative two years in the Vermont legisla- ture, and held several prominent positions of trust in town offices. The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Asa Andrews were Aaron S., born January 23, 1815, married Betsey Andrews (not of kin), March 5, 1840, and settled on a farm half a mile from the homestead, where they spent their lives ; Eliza M., born February 18, 1817, married, first, Arad Bennett, and second, William H. Loomis, a farmer, with whom she now lives in the adjoining town of North- field, a mile and a half south of the old homestead ; William L., born Feb-

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ruary 9, 1819, married Harriet M. Steward, and settled on a farm adjoining and half a mile north of the homestead, where he has since resided. His wife died about two years ago. E. E. Andrews, before mentioned, was born January 17, 1823. He removed to South Reading, Mass., April 1, 1846, and September 14, 1852, he married Miss Lucy A. Benjamin, of Berlin, and moved to Malden, Mass., where he engaged in hardware business. He bought the old homestead and returned to Berlin in February, 1858, where he now re- sides. He is a farmer and nurseryman, is a prominent citizen of Berlin, rep- resented his town in the state legislature in 1866-67, and has also held other town offices. He has held office in Eagle Grange, of Berlin, since its organ- ization, and has been chaplain of Vermont State Grange several years. Martin Andrews, born September 28, 1825, married Caroline M. Ellis, March 27, 1851, and settled on a farm in Barre, where they lived several years. They now reside in Massachusetts. Lucina was born October 30, 1827, and is now residing and keeping house in Northfield with her widowed sister, Mrs. Aus- tin. The youngest son, Stephen, was born August 12, 1829. He married Fanny B. Pike, February 10, 1853, and bought a farm in the western part of Barre, where he died August 6, 1860. Martha, the youngest, was born Au- gust 20, 1831, married Chester R. Austin, of Berlin, January 6, 1857, and is now a widow, and resides in Northfield.

Esq. Joel Warren, born in Northborough, Mass., November 28, 1772, went to Weathersfield, Vt., and worked for his brother John, about six months, and then came to Berlin, as near as can now be ascertained, in 1797 or '98. He located a farm where his youngest son, Judge Abel K. Warren, now lives, and where he commenced to make a home by cutting the first tree, clearing a plot of ground, and building a log cabin. February 14, 1799, he married Rebecca P. Tolles, of Weathersfield, Vt., who was born in New Haven, Conn., May 4, 1776, and moved his bride into his "lodge in the wilderness," where he made a good home, and where he lived the remainder of his life. He died April 24, 1849, aged seventy-six years. Mrs. Warren died May 24, 1800, and was the mother of his son Tolles. March 29, 1801, Mr. Warren married Hannah Knapp, of Willington, Conn., who died November 21, 1851, aged seventy-eight years. Their children were Rebecca, Betsey, Joel, Jr., Hannah, and Abel Knapp. Esq. Warren was an intelligent, well-informed man, and was prominent in the affairs of his town. He served in the official positions of justice of the peace, representative in the state legislature, and other important town offices. Judge Abel K. Warren, before mentioned, residing on the homestead, is the only member of the family except his father who made a home in Berlin. He was born July 15, 1813, on the homestead, and has never had any other home. He married Laura A. House, January 25, 1842. Like his father, Judge Warren is a prominent and influential citizen of his town, and has served in the offices of justice of the peace and associate judge of Washington county. Judge Warren has always been a farmer. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Warren are Isabel (Mrs. H. N. Dustin),

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who resides in Michigan; Ferrand, of Fargo, Dakota ; Ella (Mrs. G. W. Dustin), who resides in Berlin ; Alice, a teacher, resides with her parents, and has been a missionary teacher in Utah; Lizzie died in 1879; Frederick resides in Kansas City, and is cashier of the Barber Asphalt Paving Co .; and Minnie, who resides with her parents.

Abraham Townsend was born in Holden, Mass., October 25, 1792, and came to Berlin with his father in 1803, when but eleven years of age. His father, Abraham Townsend, settled in a log cabin on a farm in the woods with a clearing of about one acre. In 1819 he emigrated to Ohio, but was recalled at the death of his youngest brother. In 1822 he married Lovinia Hayward, who was born in Barre, November 11, 1801. He bought out the heirs and settled on the homestead, and provided for the wants of his aged parents in their declining years. He was always a farmer, and gave his at- tention to the cultivation of his farm and the comfort of his family. Mr. Townsend was always a citizen of Berlin, but died in Brookfield at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Willard Snow, while there on a visit, June 23, 1874. Mrs. Townsend died at the old home in Berlin, October 4, 1868. Their children are Betsey, who was born September 11, 1823, married Willard Snow, Sep- tember 10, 1843, is a widow, and resides in Brookfield, Vt .; Martha Lovinia (Mrs. A. H. Holt), born November 14, 1825, resides in Woodbury, Vt .; and Sarah S. (Mrs. P. S. Paine), born March 7,. 1828, resides in Hardwick, Vt. ; and Rebecca S., born May 1, 1850, married Joseph W. Norton, is a widow, and resides on the Townsend homestead in Berlin.

Daniel Chandler was born in Pomfret, Conn., January 21, 1784. When he was an infant his parents removed from Connecticut to Hanover, N. H., and his mother brought him in her lap on horseback. He came from Han- over to Berlin, it is believed, in 1806, and purchased the farm where his son' Lemuel now lives. His place then contained a log house and a small clear- ing. He remained through that season and enlarged his clearing ; and in the fall returned to Hanover, married Hannah Sloan, of Lyme, and next spring settled permanently on his farm where he spent the rest of his long life. He died October 3, 1860, aged nearly eighty-two years. He was one of the promi- nent and sturdy pioneer citizens of Berlin, and gave his influence to build up the town. His integrity was unquestioned-his word was as good as his bond. Hereared nine children to mature age, viz .: Daniel, Joseph, Hannah, Harriet, Temperance, Samuel, Levinus, Mary, and Lemuel. Lemuel, the youngest, born September 29, 1832, settled on the homestead where he was born, and where he has since lived. May 1, 1861, he married Lucretia E. Crossett, of Duxbury, and they have three sons and two daughters, viz .: Myron L., Ervin L., George W., Marion L., and Mabel W. Mr. Chandler is among the well-to-do farmers of his town and prominent in all its interests. He is now justice of the peace, has served as selectman four years, and has filled other town offices.

Nathaniel Bosworth was born in Rhode Island in 1753. He enlisted and

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served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war four or five years. At one time he was a prisoner of war, and confined in a prison ship, by the British, on the Delaware river. One night he managed to escape by swimming, as near as he could judge, about three miles, and towed his knapsack behind him by a string, the end of which he held in his mouth. In 1780, when Royalton was burned, Mr. Bosworth was stationed at Corinth. He came to Berlin in 1806 and settled at the "Corners." He was a blacksmith, and died in 1844, aged ninety-one years. His son, Dea. Jonathan Bosworth, was born in Lebanon, N. H., in 1787, and came to Berlin with his father, and followed the same trade. After a few years at custom work he began the manufacture of axes and scythes, with trip-hammers worked by water-power. About 1830 he added more machinery and did a large business. He also manufactured cast-steel and steel-plated hoes. His four sons worked in his shops, and all, in turn, became partners in the business, which was conducted with success. The business was discontinued about 1870. Mr. Bosworth was a deacon of the Congregational church many years. He died in April, 1878, aged ninety- one years.

Dr. John Winslow was born in Pomfret, Vt., March 10, 1787. In 1811 he married Sarah Bishop, who was the mother of one daughter who died at the age of about five years. In January, 1837, he married his second wife, Keziah Heaton, who was the mother of one son, John F., who resides in Berlin. Dr. Winslow remained on his father's farm until he was about nine- teen years of age. He then entered the office of his uncle, Dr. Winslow, of Windsor, as a student of medicine, and graduated from the Medical depart- ment of Dartmouth College. In 1813, after two years' practice in Windsor, he settled in Berlin, where for many years he was a successful practitioner. About twenty years before his death he retired from active practice and de- voted his time to farming. Dr. Winslow was often called by his townsmen to fill offices of trust.

Aaron Martin, born in Connecticut, was the third child in a family of eight sons and eight daughters. He came to Williamstown, Vt, with a knapsack on his back containing a small amount of clothing and his provis- ions for the journey, which he performed on foot. He was one of the hard- iest of the pioneers and could travel sixty miles on foot in a day. He located in the woods on West hill, the only road to his home being a foot path in- dicated by marked trees. He carried a bushel of corn or wheat on his back to the mill three miles distant and then continued three miles further and peformed a day's work, and returned at night, took his grist at the mill and carried it home. He was never confined to his house by illness of any kind until after he was seventy years old, when he was so unfortunate as to break his hip. He remained on the farm of 200 acres, which he settled, cleared, and improved, and fenced it with more than a thousand rods of stone wall, which he laid with his own hands. He owned the farm at the time of his death, which occurred when eighty-eight years of age. He was the father

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of a large family, eight of whom lived to mature age. He was prominent in town affairs and served as selectman a number of years. Campbell B. Martin, the son of Aaron's third wife, Polly Burnham, was born in Williamstown, November 27, 1814. He married Miss Persis D. Davis, April 29, 1835, and they lived to celebrate their golden wedding, in 1885, at which time they were kindly remembered by their friends, and Mr. Martin received a gold headed cane from the selectmen of Berlin. Mr. Martin has spent nearly all of his active life in Berlin, and now resides on a fine farm about a mile from the pleasant village of Montpelier. where he has lived forty-three years. Be- sides cultivating his tarm he has dealt in horses, and largely in sheep. One season he handled 4,700, and had extensive dealings in mutton and tallow in Montreal. His great knowledge of horses makes his services sought for as a veterinary surgeon by the farmers in this and surrounding towns. Berlin is a strong Republican town. Mr. Martin is a Jacksonian Democrat, but has been honored with the offices of justice of the peace and selectman until he refused to hold these positions longer.

Asa Loveland, one of the first settlers of Berlin, came from Glastenbury, Conn. He was a blacksmith and one of the best, and made dentists' tools and used them. He bought land from time to time until he had over 200 acres, which cost only about $1.oo per acre. One field of about five acres he bought for a log chain. He was a worthy man and a class-leader of the Methodist church. His son Charles succeeded him on the homestead. He married Mrs. Louisa (Powell) Huse, daughter of Dr. Moses Powell, of Corinth, who was of Scotch descent. Mr. Loveland was always a farmer and lived on the homestead. He died in 1856. Their daughter died in 1879, aged twenty-six years.

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Gazetteer of Washington County, Vt., 1783-1889, Part 23

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836-, comp; Adams, William, fl. 1893, ed Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers Number of Pages: 898

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836-, comp; Adams, William, fl. 1893, ed
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers
Number of Pages: 898