USA > Vermont > Washington County > Gazetteer of Washington County, Vt., 1783-1889 > Part 30
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The rocky caverns of Camel's Hump in the early days of the settlement of Duxbury were the home for the bears, and " Honest John," or " Bear John Kennedy," as he was designated to distinguish him from relatives of the same name, a pioneer and famous hunter, killed upwards of eighty bears in this vicinity.
Duxbury is watered by the Winooski river, which separates it from Water- bury and Bolton, and numerous brooks and springs that have their source in the mountains. Among the largest are Ridley's brook, which drains the valley of Hardscrabble, runs in a northerly direction, and enters the Wi- nooski river at Ridley's Station ; Munson's brook rises high up the mountain near the lumber region known as Dowsville, takes an eastern course through the neighborhood and the little hamlet of South Duxbury, enters Moretown, and unites with Mad river about half a mile above Moretown village. There are two considerable streams that rise in the middle of the east side of the town and flow north into the Winooski river at the northeast corner of the town.
The first settlement was made by Walter Avery and Stephen Tilden, about 1786, who were soon after followed by Benjamin Davis, John Morse, Samuel Ridley, Sr., Josiah Towle, Daniel Kennon, Jeremiah Bryant, Isaiah Huntley, Jesse Arms, Curwin Wallace, and Ebenezer Corse. Mr. Kennon built a house of hewn timber, and of immense size, which had the sobriquet of "Old Fort," on account of its invulnerable appearance, or because of the hospi- tality of its owner, who never turned the wayfarer from his door.
The first town meeting was held at the house of Walter Avery, March 26, 1792.
" The meeting opened according to the time and place Mentioned in the warning ; Chose Walter Avery, Moderator ; Chose Walter Avery, Town Clerk; Chose Daniel Kennon, John Morse, and Stephen Tilden, Selectmen ;
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Chose Daniel Kennon, Town Treasurer ; Chose Walter Avery, Asa Johnson, and John Morse, Listers; Chose Walter Avery, Constable ; Chose Jeremiah Bryant and George Shepard, Highway-Surveyors."
The town was first represented in the state legislature by Benjamin Davis, in 1794. The first proprietors' clerk was Samuel Averill, of Kent, Mass. Walter Avery, the first town clerk, held the office one year, then Daniel Kennon was clerk four years, Joseph Nash five years, Jesse Arms eleven years, Ebenezer Corse one year, Joseph Nash two years, James Somerville one year, Pliny Nash one year, Calvin Huntley two years, Ira Arms twenty- five years, Nathan Huntley ten years, Isaiah Huntley sixteen years, and the present incumbent, Eber W. Huntley, has held the position the last seven- teen years.
The first birth in town on record is that of Lucy, daughter of Jeremiah and Lucy Bryant, born September 9, 1791. The second is that of George, son of Daniel Kennon, born November 9, 1792.
School districts No's I and 2 were formed at the annual town meeting, held the first Tuesday in March, 1796. Jesse Arms's mark on his creatures was entered on record August 1, 1795, and is a square crop off the left ear. Daniel Kennon's, entered September 4, 1795, is a half crop off the left ear. Joseph Nash's mark, entered on record September 4, 1798, is a swallow's tail in the left ear. Jason Crossett owned and run the first and only distillery in town.
In 1791 Duxbury had a population of thirty-nine souls. In 1880 it con- tained a population of 884. In 1888 the town had eight school districts, and maintained a school in all of them, taught by two male and fifteen fe- male teachers, at an average weekly salary, including board, of $4.78. The whole number of scholars who attended any school was 214, of whom twelve attended private schools. The entire income for all school purposes was $1,124.46, while the whole amount expended was $1, 159.08, with A. A. Lewis, superintendent.
Duxbury has no villages, and but one postoffice, which was established soon after the advent of the railroad.
NORTH DUXBURY (p. o.) is a small hamlet and railroad station (Ridley's) situated at the mouth of Ridley's brook, in the northwestern part of the town. It is the location of W. R. Elliott's saw-mills and box factory, and also the " Ridley " mills, owned by E. S. White.
SOUTH DUXBURY is a pleasant hamlet near the corner of Waitsfield and Moretown, and contains the only church edifice in the township.
Duxbury can justly be proud of her war record. "Its cemeteries are the final resting places of a few soldiers of the Revolution, and of many of the volunteer militia company of the town that served at Plattsburgh in the War 1812, under the immediate command of Captain Isaac Smalley, in the regi- ment of Colonel James Smalley, and in the brigade of General John Peck, of Waterbury." Her patriotic citizens nobly responded to her country's call
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for aid, to the number of 150, in the late war for our Union, and the town as readily seconded the efforts of her soldiers by handing to the support of this sanguinary struggle the sum of $10,000.
William R. Elliott's saw-mill, and clapboard, dressing, and boxmaking- mills are located at North Duxbury. The saw-mill was first built by Moses Shurtleff, thirty-four or thirty-five years ago. When the property eame into the hands of Mr. Elliott he rebuilt it, and built a mill below it on the stream for the purpose of dressing lumber. In 1885 this building was burned and a new one built within a month. Mr. Elliott manufactures boxes, dresses lumber, and saws out from 1,000,000 to 1,300,000 feet of clapboards annually. He also buys and sells lumber. He employs a force of eighteen or twenty men.
John B. Phillips's circular saw-mill was erected on the site of the George Hills saw-mill, which was built about thirty-five years ago. The present mill has a capacity for sawing from 100,000 to 300,000 feet of lumber per year.
E. L. White's saw-mill is situated on the brook at Ridley's Station, North Duxbury. It was built by Samuel Ridley before the completion of the Cen- tral Vermont railroad. At first it contained only an " up and down " saw. Later Mr. Ridley put in a circular saw, and fitted the mill to saw dimension lumber. After the death of Mr. Ridley his sons transferred the property to the Winooski Lumber Co. In 1885 Mr. White bought it, with 1,300 acres of timberland, and is now manufacturing and dealing in all kinds of lumber, with dimension lumber a specialty. He is giving employment to an average of fifteen men, and turns out about 500,000 feet of lumber per year.
A. A. Lewis's cider and provender-mills are located about half way between North Duxbury and Waterbury villages. Mr. Lewis built the buildings in 1884, and used them for manufacturing cider and apple jelly. In the winter of 1888 he added a steam engine, and now manufactures cider and grinds provender.
J. A. & L. J. Durkee's steam saw-mill was built by the firm in 1882, for the manufacture of barrel staves, shingles, and clapboards. In 1883 this building was consumed by fire, and in about six weeks their present mill was built and in operation. The mill requires a force of six or seven men, be- sides about a dozen men in the woods.
J. A. Durkee is also proprietor of a circular saw-mill where he employs five men in sawing dimension lumber. This property Mr. Durkee bought in 1875. The site had been used for mills about forty years. Mr. Durkee rebuilt and put in a circular saw, and is now doing quite a business.
H. O. Ward's saw and clapboard-mills occupy the site of a saw-mill built some forty years ago. Mr. Ward became the proprietor of the property in 1874, put in a circular saw, and in 1884 added the clapboard-mill. He now manufactures about 1,000,000 feet of lumber annually. Mr. Ward also manufactures packing boxes in his box-mill at Moretown.
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Eber W. Huntley's saw-mill is located on the site of the first mill built in the town. About sixty-five or seventy years ago W. E. Corse built the first mill on this site. It had an upright saw, run by the old style undershot water-wheel. This property remained in the hands of Mr. Corse until October 27, 1867, when it became the property of D. E. Farrand, who placed in it one of Lane's circular mills and an improved water-wheel. Mr. Farrand sold it to George B. Wrisley in 1871, and Mr. Wrisley conveyed it to Samuel S. Foster in 1872. In the fall of 1886 the mill was consumed by fire, and Mr. Foster sold the site and grounds to Mr. Huntley, who built the present mill on the old site. Mr. Huntley is doing a good business in dressed lum- ber, chair stock, and hard wood flooring. He employs seven or eight men, and his output is about 500,000 feet per year.
James E. Crossett's saw mill is on the site of a mill built by his father, and was first furnished with the old style upright saw. This was changed to a muley mill, and ten years later again changed and a circular saw took the place. Mr. Crossett is engaged in manufacturing dimension lumber to order, and converts the hard wood into plank for manufacturers, and into lumber for chair stock. He employs ten men, and turns out about 400,000 feet of lumber of all kinds annually.
Jesse Arms, born in Greenfield, Mass., in 1772, married Lucretia Craig, of Windsor, Vt., about 1796. The first book of records for Duxbury shows that he was here as early as May 22, 1794, when Walter Avery conveyed to him, by deed, 116 acres of land in the northeast corner of the township, the same being a part of the governor's right. He was one of the prominent early set- tlers of the town, and quite an extensive land owner, having purchased several of the original proprietors' rights at tax sales. He died in Duxbury, May 16,. 1848. The children of Jesse and Lucretia (Craig) Arms were Ira; Orrin, born about 1800; Charles C., born in April, 1802, who was a successful phy- sician, and settled in Waterbury, where he practiced his profession until he died of consumption (the scourge of the family) in 1854; Lucretia, born in 1804, who married Dr. O. W. Drew, and died of consumption in 1836; Albert, who resides in Kalamazoo, Mich .; Emily, who died in Wisconsin ;. Laura (Mrs. T. Kendall), who resides in Janesville, Wis .; Esther (Mrs. W. Wells), who is a widow in Wisconsin; Alonzo, who went West, married, entered the Union army, and died serving his country ; Ambrose, who died. in Chicago; and Jesse, Jr., who went West, residence unknown.
Deacon Ira Arms was born in Duxbury, April 30, 1798, and resided in his native town until his death. He married Permele Atherton, of Duxbury, who bore him five children, viz .: Curtis N., born in December, 1821, has been an enterprising merchant, and resides in Waterbury ; Philo, born in June, 1824, died in April, 1877; George C., born in March, 1827, is a marble dealer in Bristol, Conn .; Mary L., born in January, 1830; and Lucretia D., born in September, 1834, died in April, 1856. Dea. Arms died in April, 1862. Mrs. Arms survives at the great age of eighty-nine years, and is the
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oldest woman now living in Duxbury. She and her daughter, Mrs. Mary L. Wells, reside on the old homestead. Dea. Arms was a highly influential man in both church and town affairs. He had the entire confidence of all who knew him, and was universally esteemed and respected. . He was a consistent Christian gentleman, a deacon of the Congregational church for years, was town clerk and treasurer twenty-five years, and justice of the peace quite as long.
Curwin Wallace, born in Lunenburg, Mass., April 22, 1759, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He married Thankful Bennett, of Leominster, Mass., in 1781, and settled, first, in Massachusetts, whence he removed to Fitzwilliam, N. H., and finally settled in Duxbury in 1793, on the farm now owned by Sheriff Atherton. This farm was then an uncultivated wilderness. He built a log cabin and spent his active life on his farm. He was a leader in town affairs, and represented Duxbury in the legislature several sessions. He died No. vember 3, 1833. Mrs. Wallace survived until January 3, 1845. They reared six children to maturity. Their son Frederick, born September 24, 1787, married Sylvia, daughter of Amasa Marshall, and settled on the homestead with his father, where he spent most of his active life. Ultimately he removed to Waterbury, where he died in April, 1873. Their children are Julia (Mrs. S. C. Hutchins), a poetess of considerable merit ; Frederick T., a lawyer in Cleveland, Ohio, who has filled important positions ; and William,. a farmer in Duxbury.
Edward Crossett, born in Ireland, July 25, 1749, married Elizabeth Allen, February 24, 1774, who was born in Killingby, July 25, 1754, and they com- menced housekeeping April 12, 1774. They emigrated to America and eventually settled in Duxbury, and resided on the farm now owned by B. N. Phillips. About 1827 they removed to Crossett hill, where Mr. Crossett cleared a large farm and reared his nine children .. His son James was born on the first named place November 12, 1823, and at the age of twenty-one years married Miss Euretta Crosby, of Duxbury. This union was blessed with two children. Mrs. Crossett died August 15, 1878. Mr. Crossett now resides with his son James E. He has been an active and energetic business. man, has been an extensive lumberman, and one of the best farmers in town. He filled most of the offices of responsibility in the gift of his townsmen, has served as selectman a number of years, justice of the peace forty years, repre- sented Duxbury in the legislature of 1855, '56, '57, and was associate judge of Washington County Court two years. His children are Menta J. (Mrs. E. W. Huntley) and James E., before mentioned. The latter married Mary J. McMullen, and they have one child, Tenia May, born December 10, 1876. Mr. Crossett is now one of the board of selectmen, and an influential man in society and town affairs. He is engaged largely in the lumber business.
Rev. Nathan Huntley, son of Isaiah, was born in Marlow, N. H., about 1782. He married Eunice Way, and first settled in Middlesex, where he organized a religious society commonly called Elder Huntley's church, which in belief
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and form of worship was nearest that of the Freewill Baptist. Elder Huntley preached regularly to his church until about 1819, when he removed to a farm in this town, and occasionally preached. He became a prominent citizen of Duxbury, was its representative in three sessions of the legislature, and held most of the town offices. About 1824 he built a hotel and was its pro- prietor a few years. Elder Huntley died in June, 1858.
Isaiah Huntley, son of Nathan and Einice (Way) Huntley, was born in Middlesex, June 19, 1806. About 1819 his father removed to Duxbury and settled on a farm in " Duxbury Corner." At the death of his father Isaiah came into possession of his father's property, and now resides on road 19, near where his father first settled. Mr. Huntley has been honest and straight- forward. He possessed sound judgment and his counsel has been often sought by his neighbors. He has filled the important offices of the town- was town clerk and treasurer fifteen years, represented the town in the legis- lature of 1861, and has served as selectman a number of years. He is now living a retired life and is universally respected. January 25, 1831, he mar- ried Paulina Corse, who has borne him three children, of whom Mrs. Joseph Somerville, of Waterbury, is the only one now living.
Adonijah Atherton was born in Greenfield, Mass., April 4, 1775. He mar- ried Polly Chamberlain, of Dunham, Conn., October 16, 1796, and emigrated to Moretown, Vt. He removed from Moretown to Duxbury in 1803, and here resided the remainder of his life. He died December 31, 1858. Mrs. Atherton died September 30, 1863, aged eighty-eight years. Mr. Atherton was a man of good native ability, a great reader, and a safe counselor. He was one of the most prominent early settlers, and held many positions of re- sponsibility and trust. His children who grew to maturity were Permele, born February 24, 1800, who married Ira Arms, February 5, 1821, and still survives ; Chloe, born' June 24, 1804; Asenath, born September 30, 1807; Samuel B., born January 16, 1809 ; Alpha A., born July 31, 1812 ; Asa C., born November 2, 1814; Abner Newton, born April 6, 1816; and Charles C., born April 25, 1819. Samuel B. Atherton married Mary Straw, settled on a farm in the southern part of the town, and died in 1861. Alpha A. mar- ried and settled in Waterbury. He was a cabinetmaker and dealer in furni- ture many years. In 1885 he retired from business, and now resides with his son at Essex Junction. Asa C. died July 12, 1836. A. Newton Atherton married Mary Henry, of Waterbury, in 1842, and settled on a fine farm on Winooski river, but has since removed to Waterbury village. His son Frank H. is a highly respected citizen of Washington county, has held the position of sheriff for six years, and has been reelected for another term. Charles C. married Emeline Sprague, was a farmer in his native town, and died Novem- ber 8, 1846.
Rev. Calvin Huntley, son of Isaiah, was born in Marlow, N. H., August II, 1780. He married Elizabeth Miller, November 4, 1804, and removed to Duxbury soon after, settling first on Ward's hill, and subsequently on the
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farm now owned by Martin L. Henry. He cleared it mainly, and died there August 13, 1856. He was a Freewill Baptist preacher, and, as near as can be ascertained, the first settled minister in Duxbury. Elder Huntley pos- sessed rare and excellent qualities of " head and heart," and left a fragrant memory. His son Gilbert, born in Duxbury, in October, 1806, succeeded his father on the homestead, and was always a farmer and a prominent man in town affairs. He represented Duxbury in the legislature of 1858 and 1859, and was nearly all the time in town offices. He married Mary E. Nash, De- cember 14, 1835, and died on the homestead August 22, 1862. E. W. Hunt- ley, son of Gilbert and Mary (Nash) Huntley, was born in Duxbury, Novem- ber II, 1839. At the age of twenty-four years he united in marriage with Menta Crossett, of Duxbury. They are parents of an only daughter, Mertie E., born March 25, 1870. Mr. Huntley followed the trade of wheel- wright, and engaged in manufacturing chair stock until 1886. Since then he has been proprietor of a saw-mill. He is a thorough business man, is iden- tified with the interests of. Duxbury, and has filled many of the offices of trust in the gift of his townsmen. He has been clerk and treasurer of the town seventeen years, and was representative in 1882.
Albert Morse, son of Walter and Betsey (Hobbs) Morse, was born in Bol- ton, Vt., November 21, 1812. About 1823 the family moved to the farm now occupied by Michael O'Brien. Albert Morse cleared a farm in that vicinity, and resided there about thirty years. He then bought the place where he now lives, on road 4. Mr. Morse has been married twice. About 1839 he married Eunice Pineo, who was the mother of six of his children. Mrs. Morse died in August, 1849, and four of her children died at the same time. In 1850 he married Adaline Butler, his present wife, who has borne him one child, who now resides with them. Mr. Morse has been somewhat prominent in his town, has been a permanent and reliable citizen, and served his town as selectman, juror, and in other offices. He has lived to witness many important changes in Duxbury.
William Crosby, son of Amos and Fanny Crosby, was born in Duxbury, September 22, 1826. Mr. Crosby has been a railroad employee since he left his paternal roof. He commenced as brakeman on the Central Vermont, and was promoted to conductor. In 1861 he accepted the position of con- ductor on a western railroad, and there remained twenty-three years. He was obliged to retire on account of impaired health. In 1884 he returned to his native town. In 1849 or 1850 he united in marriage with Harriet Avery, of Duxbury. They have no children.
Rutty Lewis, son of Samuel and Sarah ( Rutty) Lewis, was born in Bolton, Vt., December 11, 1804. About 1826 or 1827 he settled in Duxbury on the farm now owned by William Casey, where he resided the ensuing forty- nine years. He then moved to the place where his son A. A. Lewis now lives, on road 6. About the time he settled in Duxbury he married Dorcas Bennett, of this town, and they were parents of three sons and three daugh-
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ters, of whom all but one of the daughters are now living. Mr. Lewis was so popular with his townsmen that he was town clerk twelve years. He died June 7, 1885, aged eighty years. Mrs. Lewis died August 15, 1887. Since the death of his parents his son A. A. has resided on the place. He is a surveyor, and is now superintendent of the schools of Duxbury. He is en- gaged in his custom grist-mill, and manufactures cider and apple jelly. De- cember 29, 1875, he married Florence E. Sturtevant, of New Haven, Vt., and they have three children.
William E. Ward, son of Earl and Elizabeth (Munson) Ward, was born in Duxbury, June 3, 1829. He resided on the farm with his father until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1861 he married Mary Marble. He now owns the homestead where he was born, and has always resided on the same road. Mr. Ward is a pominent citizen and an influential member of the Congrega- tional church, of which he has been a deacon for many years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ward are William N., born January 5, 1862 ; Lizzie, born December 21, 1864 ; and Herbert G., born December 3, 1871.
Hiram O. Ward, son of Earl and Elizabeth (Munson) Ward, was born in Duxbury, January 10, 1842. He received his education in the district schools and Barre Academy, and graduated at Eastman Business College. About 1866 he married Mary A. Smith, of Hopkinton, N. Y., and they are the parents of three sons. Mr. Ward is now settled on road 27, and is the leading business man of the town. He is an extensive dealer in and man- ufacturer of lumber, owns several saw-mills in Duxbury and other towns, manufactures packing boxes, and deals in pianos and organs. He is de- servedly popular with his townsmen, is now chairman of the board of select- men, and represented Duxbury in the legislature of 1886 and 1888.
John B. Shonio and his wife, Lucy (Boyden), emigrated from New Hamp- shire about 1837, to the southern part of Duxbury, and were among the first settlers in that neighborhood. Mr. Shonio began in the wilderness, built a log house, resided there until about ten years ago, and has always lived in a log house. They reared a family of fifteen sons and daughters to mature years. Mrs. Shonio, besides doing the ordinary work of housekeeping for this numerous family, spun and wove the cloth to clothe them. Five of the sons entered the Union army and fought for the preservation of our country ; four returned. Arnold B. was one of the number who responded to his country's call, and enlisted in Co. G, 6th Vt. Vols., was one year in the ranks, and one year a hospital steward. May 4, 1863, he lost a leg, and has since that time walked on crutches. He was born in Danbury, N. H., October 29, 1835, and was but two years old when the family settled in Duxbury. About 1855 or 1856 he married Phebe Mann, and they are parents of eight children, all of whom are living. Mr. Shonio owns a small farm, and with the aid of one of his sons is enabled to cultivate it. He resides on road 20, corner of 16.
J. A. Durkee, son of Arba and Hannah (Chaffee) Durkee, was born in
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Brookfield, Vt., in 1836. In 1843 his parents removed to Fayston. At the age of twenty years he married Mary F. Boyden, of Duxbury, and became a citizen of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Durkee have had born to them six sons, four of whom are living. His son L. J. is of the firm of J. A. & L. J. Durkee, manufacturers of lumber. Mr. Durkee enlisted in Co. I, 9th Vt. Vols., and served as a soldier two years. Since then he has been engaged in farming, and in the manufacture and sale of lumber. He is now one of the board of selectmen of Duxbury, and is the commander of Dillingham Post, No. 22, G. A. R., of Waterbury.
William Casey, born in Ireland, emigrated to America with his parents when he was eighteen years old. At the age of twenty-five years he married Fanny Roddy, of Eden, Vt., and in 1860 settled in Duxbury. He is an in- dustrious and enterprising farmer, and owns a good farm on road 9, where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Casey have been blessed with eight children.
The Congregational church is located at South Duxbury, and is the only church in the town. It was organized by Samuel G. Tenney, January 18, 1836, with only nine members. The first pastor was Lyndon S. French. They erected their first meeting-house, of wood, in 1855, at a cost of $1,000, which they occupy at the present time. The church property, including buildings and grounds, is estimated at $1,500. The membership at this time is twenty-one, and never has been large. This church has the most cordial relations with the M. E. church at Moretown, and for several years the pastor of the latter church has been the acting pastor of this church. This arrangement is still continued, and Rev. William H. Dean is their officiating pastor at the present time. The house has comfortable seats for 150 persons. The Sunday-school has twenty-seven scholars, and an average attendance of nineteen.
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