USA > Vermont > Washington County > Gazetteer of Washington County, Vt., 1783-1889 > Part 32
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Hiram married Wealthy Kilburn. He was one of the first selectmen of the town of Montpelier, in 1791. He removed to Waterbury, and from there to Parishville, N. Y., where he died in 1831, having filled offices of honor and trust in the towns where he had resided. In 1806 the father of Nathaniel and Hiram, John Peck, came in old age with another son, Squire Peck, from Royalston, Mass., and settled on the farm of Nathaniel, who built a framed house for him, which is still standing in a dilapidated condition across the road from the present residence. John Peck had been a prominent man in the town from which he moved. He was for years a school teacher, and also
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something of a poet. His poem on Universalism, an ingenious Calvinistic production, was published in 1813, and republished by John P. Jewett & Co., in Boston, in 1858. The original manuscripts of several long poems are in the hands of his descendants. His wife was Mary Drown. Their graves in the little grave-yard on the farm where they spent their last days are marked by the old-fashioned slate head-stones, bearing their names, ages, and verses he himself composed. He died March 4, 1812. Squire Peck settled on the farm, a portion of which, including the buildings, is now owned by Sharlock Peck, just north of the house which Nathaniel built for their father. He married Elizabeth Godard, and was the father of one of Vermont's most illus- trious men, Gov. Asahel Peck, who was three years old when the family moved to Montpelier. There were seven children, one of whom died young, and another son who died in 1838. The three daughters moved to Hines- burgh and died there. The eldest son, Nahum, was a prominent lawyer in Hinesburgh, with whom Asahel studied law. Both in their youth pored over their books by the light of the old fireplace in their home on the hill, and both took their turns as teachers in the district schools in the vicinity. Nahum married, first, Lucinda Wheeler, of this town, by whom he had one son, Cicero Peck, of Hinesburgh. She died in 1854, and he afterwards married Marcia Wood, of Keeseville, N. Y. He died in Hinesburgh in 1883, aged eighty- six years. Before the house are two elegant elm trees, one of which in Asahel's boyhood sprang up in the brush fence that separated the door-yard from the highway, and the other he set out with his own hands where it stands to-day to speak of the boy who, by his own earnest efforts, rose from this humble home to the first place in the state. Studying and teaching in the common schools, he fitted for college in the Washington County Grammar school, entered the University of Vermont, studied French in Canada and law in Hinesburgh, and in 1833 removed to Burlington, where he spent his professional life. The eminent Rufus Choate, on his first acquain- tance with Mr. Peck, was surprised to find such a lawyer in Vermont, and urged him to go to Boston, assuring him he would there win fame and for- tune. But he preferred to remain in Burlington. It has been said " that no man in New England since Judge Story has equalled Judge Peck in his knowledge of the common law of England and the law of equity. His fame belongs to the state, and East Montpelier can only claim the honor of nurturing the early forming season of his life and character." He was judge of the Circuit Court from 1851 until December, 1857; judge of the Supreme Court from 1860 to 1874 ; and governor for the term 1874-76. He died on his own farm in Jericho, May 18, 1878. His life was blameless, and his last words, sublime as his life had been, were to his brother : " I hope to and have no fears but that I shall fare well before and in the hands of the great Judge." The home of Squire Peck was next occupied by Russel Peck, who died in September, 1877. His only son, Charles M. Peck, born here December 7,
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1843, is now a wholesale merchant in Morrisville, of the firm of H. A. Slay- ton & Co.
Clark Stevens was born in Rochester, Mass., November 15, 1764. He was drafted as a soldier at the age of eighteen, and served a few months in that capacity, near the close of the war for our independence. At the close of the war he shipped from the port of New Bedford, in the capacity of a seaman, and spent a few years in the whaling and coasting service. On one occasion, while in the discharge of his duty as a sailor, he narrowly escaped drowning. This perhaps led him to leave the perils of the sea, and adopt the quiet occu- pation of a tiller of the soil. In 1790 he emigrated to the forests of Mont- pelier, purchased and cleared up the fine farm where his grandson, Thomas B. Stevens, now lives, and where he spent the remainder of a long and useful life. After he had made proper preparation for such an important event, by clearing several acres and building a comfortable log house and barn, he re- turned to the place of his nativity, and December 30, 1792, married Miss Huldah Foster, also of Rochester, Mass., and immediately brought his bride to his humble cabin. Mr. Clark seems to have been early in life inclined to a religion, and lived it in spirit, without forms and show. He with some of his neighbors united and formed a society of Friends, and with their aid he built a log meeting-house, on the bank of a little brook, on his farm, and near his house. Here this little band of congenial worshipers, under his leadership, established the first altar for public worship in Washington county. He cheerfully became their instructor, and on horseback frequently rode a dis- tance of nearly one hundred miles to attend the monthly meeting of which he was a member. On these occasions he had established his ability as a speaker and faithful laborer. In 1815, at a convocation of the Starksboro Associa- tion of Friends (or Quakers), he was acknowledged as a regular and accepted minister of the gospel. In this capacity he traveled hundreds of miles yearly, to attend monthly and yearly meetings. The little band in Montpelier pros- pered, increased, and built a commodious meeting-house, about half a mile from the first humble structure. In the unstability of the affairs of earth this band of informal worshipers one by one have come and gone, the " old meet- ing-house " is dilapidated, and no society of Friends now exist in East Mont- pelier. Clark Stevens is described as " a prince in appearance, but a child in humility, and one of the finest looking of men. Full six feet high and finely proportioned, dark eyes, thoughtful, sedate countenance, his presence was dignified and imposing." He was a man of superior intellect, and well balanced. But it was his great and good heart that made him conspicuous, and in truth he was a great man. The reason that he did not hold public offices was simply because he declined firmly to accept them. He died at his home, November 20, 1853.
Elisha Cummins was born in the town of Ward, Mass., in 1768. He came to East Montpelier, then Montpelier, in 1790 or 1791, and settled perma- nently on one-half of a lot of land adjoining his brother, John Cummins. He
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spent one or two seasons on his place clearing land, and built a log house. He then returned to Massachusetts and married Miss Rachel Eddy. They set out for their wilderness home with all their household goods on one load. not omitting the woolen and linen spinning-wheels, indispensable articles in all the pioneer families. With the aid of his prudent and very efficient wife, who was most truly a helpmate, they soon surrounded themselves with an abundant supply of all the comforts of well-to-do farmers. They never moved, but lived on the place where they first settled to the close of their long lives. Mr. Cummings died in the fall of 1860, aged ninety-three. Mrs. Cummings. died seven or eight years before her husband, aged eighty-four years. They were of the old school type, industrious, honest, and upright. Mr. Cum- mings adopted the motto " Pay as you go," and owed no man ; never was sued, nor never sued any man. He gave liberally to the church of his choice, and was the obliging neighbor and reliable citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings impressed their children, whom they gave a good practical education, with their own correct principles. They reared a family of nine to mature age, viz .: Joel, who was a farmer, settled in Middlesex, and died aged about seventy-six years ; Sophia, who was a teacher, and the weaver for the family, died at the age of thirty-six years ; Oren, who settled about a half mile from the old home, was noted for inventive genius, produced several articles of practical value, and also raised very fine cattle, and carried off many premiums at the county fairs. Only one of his sons, Timothy S. Cumings, reside in this town. He is now a farmer, but has been a railroad engineer. He inherits- from his father fine mechanical genius. Avery was a successful farmer on the homestead, until the death of his father, and afterwards on a farm in that neighborhood. He died at the age of about seventy-five years. Amasa Cum- mins married Lucy Holbrook, and is a successful farmer. He has a fine farm, where he settled about 1835. He has a son, Lawson C., in California, with his permanent home in St. Paul, Minn. He is an extensive dealer in monu- mental and ornamental marble. His only daughter, Elsie (Mrs. G. A. Bruce), and her husband reside with her aged father. Elmira resided on the home- stead, and died at the age of seventy-three years. Lorinda (Mrs. Bowen) is a widow, and resides in Montpelier. Luman and Lucius Cummings were twins, and were born on the homestead, March 10, 1812. Luman spent most of his life on the home farm, but died at the home of his twin brother. Lucius united in marriage with Lucina, daughter of Benjamin Ellis, and on their wedding day went to housekeeping on the farm where they now live. Their children were Luman L., born April 30, 1847, died April 6, 1870 ; Walter S., born December 28, 1848, died May 7, 1867 ; and Edgar A., born February 6, 1853. The latter received his education at the common schools and the Methodist Seminary at Montpelier. He is a farmer, and is giving efficient aid to his aged father. Lucius Cummings, like his father and brothers, abhors debt, and "pays as he goes." In religious sentiment he is liberal, and an attendant at the Unitarian church. In politics he is a decided
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Republican, but is not an office seeker. He is a careful and constant reader, when not engaged in his business, has gained a practical education, and is quite proficient in mathematics.
Nathaniel Clark came from Rochester, Mass., and settled in East Mont- pelier, then Montpelier, in 1792, and made the first settlement in town on the east side of the Winooski river, where he died in 18to. He was father of two sons and four daughters, viz .: George, Sally, Lovisa, Lucy, Charles, and Adaline. George Clark, son of the pioneer Nathaniel, was born in Mont- pelier in 1794, on the farm settled by his father, 'and lived there his entire life. He died July 18, 1881, aged eighty-six years. He married Betsey Miller, of Bridgewater, Vt. They were parents of six children, three of whom arrived at mature age, viz .: George H., Nathaniel M., and Salvin C. Nathaniel M. is the only survivor, and was born on the old homestead which he still owns, and where he lived until 1863, when he moved to the farm where he now resides, in Plainfield. December 25, 1859, he married Cath- erine A., daughter of Junius B. and Sarah (Holbrook) Davis, of East Mont- pelier. Their children are C. Murray, born January 15, 1861, in the same room of the old home where his father was born ; and Genevieve, born De- cember 16, 1865, and in the same room of the Davis mansion where her mother was born. In the barn on the Clark homestead is stored about one- fourth of a ton of hay cut and put there by Nathaniel over seventy five years ago, and which retains its brightness to this day. C. Murray Clark resides on the old homestead.
Samuel Rich, whose ancestors emigrated from England and settled in Sut- ton, Mass., about 1683, was born in Sutton, Mass., February 24, 1769. De- cember 1, 1790, he married Margaret McCloud, who was born in Greenfield, N. H., May 9, 1772. In 1792 Mr. Rich emigrated from Sutton to East Montpelier, then Montpelier, purchased a tract of 700 acres of wild land on Kingsbury Branch, including the village of North Montpelier and its excel- lent water-power. His first labor was to cut down the forest and clear a place for his house and a saw-mill, which were built near each other. Mrs. Rich used a tool-chest for a table when they partook of their first meal at their forest home. Mr. Rich was a farmer and mechanic, and a man of sound mind, good judgment, and possessed great energy. In 1795 he built a grist-mill,-the first in the place,-and built several of the first houses. He was the proprietor of a saw-mill, grist-mill, carding machine, fulling- mill, a brick-yard, and distillery, and conducted them all. The little village that he built up was for many years known as Rich's Hollow ; but it is now known as North Montpelier. In 1804 he built his large and elegant two- story residence, on the hill that overlooks the little village below, opened it for a tavern, and continued to live there until his death, September 26, 1826. This old homestead has not passed out of the hands of the Rich family. The house was thoroughly repaired by its present owners in 1881. His granddaughter, Ada M. Rich, married George Kelton, April 20, 1878, and
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they now own the mansion and farm. Long may it stand as a monument to the worth and ability of its builder, Samuel Rich! The anniversary of our national independence was celebrated here July 4, 1812, when a whole ox was barbecued and the dinner was served in the shade of the trees in the front yard, where convenient tables had been placed. It was a happy and joyful occasion, and closed in the evening with music and dancing by the rustic belles and beaux for miles around. Mr. and Mrs. Rich reared nine children to mature age, all of whom are dead except their third son, aged eighty seven, and a daughter, aged seventy-three years. They dispensed a liberal hospitality : no man, woman, or child went from their door hungry.
Dennis Nye came to Montpelier, now East Montpelier, from Rochester, Mass., in 1794, and settled in the northeast part of the town, where he re- sided until his death, about 1850, aged eighty years. He married Miss Betsey Gray, daughter of John and Mary Gray, pioneers of the town. Mr. Nye was always a farmer after he came to Montpelier. He brought means sufficient to pay the small price of two dollars per acre for his farm of 108 acres, which he lived to convert from a wilderness into cultivated fields. Mrs. Nye sur- vived her husband about thirteen years. They reared four sons, viz .: Will- iam, who never married, went to Ohio, but soon after removed to Columbus, Ind., where he was a successful teacher many years, and where he died; John, who married Betsey, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Rich, settled on the Nye homestead, where he lived from his birth until his death, about 1880; Ezekiel D., born July 3, 1812, who married Sarah M. H. Guy, of Peacham ; and George G., born June 26, 1815, who married Elsie C., daughter of Dr. Nathaniel C. King, of East Montpelier. In 1842 the last two named brothers formed a copartnership under the firm name of E. D. & G. G. Nye, and commenced the manufacture of reed organs, which they continued about forty years. Their organs are of the finest construction and tone, had a general local sale, are highly prized, and are in the homes of many of the families of this and surrounding towns. The children of Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Nye are Edward B., a piano tuner at the Miller piano manufactory in Wake- field, Mass .; and Harold E. and Ellen J., teachers of organ, piano, and violin at Malden, Mass. Mr. E. D. Nye was chosen by his townsmen as their representative in 1861 and 1862, and has served also as selectman. The children of Mr. and Mrs. G. G. Nye are William G., postmaster and general merchant at North Montpelier, and Edith F. (Mrs. John Willard), of East Montpelier village. Mr. G. G. Nye has served as selectman, and as justice of the peace about fifteen years.
Samuel McKnight, born September 1, 1774, came to East Montpelier and worked for Maj. Nathaniel Davis a season or two, then cleared a small piece of land, built a log house, returned to Sutton, Mass., his native town, married Miss Anna Putnam, February 15, 1795, and set off immediately for his wilderness home in Montpelier with an ox-team, which brought his bride and their household effects. He installed her mistress of his log cabin on
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the farm where his grandson, Mr. Edwin P. McKnight, now lives, and where they spent the remainder of their lives. After they had been in Montpelier a few years they visited friends in Massachusetts, making the journey in the same manner as they came, with a yoke of oxen. Their children were Sally, born October 7, 1795 ; Clara, born July 17, 1799 ; Putnam, born November 16, 1802 ; and Allen, born April 22, 1806, who died May 4, 18to. Putnam, married Margaret Holmes, January 1, 1828, and settled on the homestead where he was born. He was a man of general information, a great reader,. and had a good and practical education. In early life he taught school ; at more mature age he was selectman and lister of his town, and sometimes. contributed articles for publication in the local papers. He died June 7, 1883, and had lived to celebrate his golden wedding. Mrs. McKnight still. survives. Their children are Sarah (Mrs. Christopher Brooks), born August 12, 1829, who resides in this town ; Clara, born March 1, 1837, who married! William C. Vincent, is now a widow, and resides on the homestead with her- brother ; and Edwin P., who married Mary L. Cole, of Rome, N. Y., and resides, as before mentioned, on the homestead, which he owns.
William Holmes, born in 1772, came to East Montpelier, then Montpelier, as near as can be ascertained, in 1795, and settled in the northeast corner of. the town. He took an interest in military affairs and was a captain of mili -. tia, a man of great energy and warm sympathies, ever ready to help whenever he had an opportunity. He died at the early age of forty-one years, and with -. out an enemy. He married Margaret Comins, of Charlton, Mass., and their children were John, born May 25, 1797, who died about the same time as. his father, of a malignant typhus fever, in 1813; William, who died on the homestead ; Harriet, who married Alvin McKnight, and died March 23, 1838; Margaret, born in 1803, who married Putnam McKnight, and resides on the McKnight homestead, and is the only surviving member of the family ; Hor- ace, born June 1, 1808, who was a farmer, had several locations, and died in Marshfield, in April, 1878; and Edwin, born December 27, ISI0, who was a merchant about twenty-five years, and of the firm of Bancroft & Holmes, of Montpelier. He had an enviable reputation, and died in Montpelier, May 17, 1871.
William Holmes, Jr., born on the Holmes homestead, February 26, 1799, received his education in the common schools of North Montpelier village. He married Diana Stevens, May 19, 1836, who was born July 18, 1812, and commenced housekeeping on the farm where he was born. He was always a Democrat, and always used his influence to advance the interests of his party. He was an industrious farmer, and loved his family and home. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes had nine children, four of whom died in childhood. Those who lived to mature age are Harriet (Mrs. Alvin Cate), who died at the age of forty-one years, and left an interesting family of eight children. Ellen mar- ried Stephen Greeley, and about four years after their marriage Mr. Greeley bought the Holmes homestead, and Mr. and Mrs. Holmes had a home with
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them. Mr. Greeley died April 12, 1882. Mrs. Greeley still resides at the home, and has two children, William and Mertie Ellen. Charlotte (Mrs. Whitney Davis) resides in Marshfield village. Sarah (Mrs. Austin Foster) resides on a farm in her native town. Mrs. Kate R. Morse resides with her sister, Mrs. Greeley. Mr. William Holmes died July 8, 1884, aged eighty- five years. Mrs. Holmes survives, aged seventy-five years.
Theophilus Clark, born June 18, 1766, came with an ox-team to East Mont- pelier from Massachusetts, in February, 1795, and settled in the southeast cor- ner of the town, on the farm where his grandson, George H. Clark, now resides. He located on lands adjoining his brother, Nathaniel, who had preceded him about two years, and when making his first clearing or opening in the woods boarded with his brother. He in time cleared up his farm of 100 acres, built comfortable buildings, where he resided until his death, on Thanksgiving day, 1859, -. the seventieth anniversary of his wedding day ;-- aged ninety-three years. He married Susannah Ellis, November 26, 1789, who died a few years before her husband, aged eighty-six years. His oldest son, David Dennis, died in Marshfield, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. His son Theophilus, born on the homestead, April 29, 1802, married Philura Sparrow, April 10, 1839, settled on the homestead, and provided for the wants of his aged par- ents in their declining years, and where he also spent his long life. He died December 27, 1881, aged nearly eighty years. . Mrs. Clark survived until June 14, 1884, aged sixty eight years. Mr. Clark was a reliable citizen, a good neigh- bor, honest, and industrious. He reared seven children to mature age, and all are now living, viz .: Orlana (Mrs. Ira D. Mears) in Barre. Orlando, born March 8, 1842, married Caroline Hathaway, March 15, 1865, who was born March 22, 1843. They went to housekeeping immediately after their mar- riage, on the farm where Mr. Clark now resides. Mrs. Clark died July 26, 1887. Their children are Alpha B. and Anna M. Fanny (Mrs. Edwin H. Foster) resides in the northern part of the town. Theophilus is a farmer in the northern part of his native town. Betsey resides with her brother Theo. George H., before mentioned, resides on the old homestead. Elsie also has a home with her brother Theo.
Sylvanus Morse was born in Marlboro, Mass., in 1765. He married Jemima Forbush, and in June, 1797, came to East Montpelier and located a farm of 150 acres where his grandson, Eri Morse, now lives. His first work was to clear the land and plant a patch of potatoes, from which he harvested forty bushels. He cleared six acres, and then built his log cabin and returned to Massachusetts. He set out with his wife and family in midwinter. with an ox-team, and arrived at his woodland home in February, 1798, after a journey of six weeks. In religion Mr. Morse was an active Methodist, and was one of the foremost in building the meeting-house at the Center. He also gave liberally for the support of this church. He died uni- versally respected at the great age of ninety-two years. Mrs. Morse was over ninety-two years of age at her death. Their children were Polly, who
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married Daniel Bassett, and settled on a farm which included a part of what is now East Montpelier village ; and Cyrus, who was born May 14, 1797. The latter married Miss Lavinia Lyman, of Duxbury, and remained on the homestead to the close of his life. Like his father he was a zealous Meth- odist, and gave liberally to all its financial interests. He died on the farm where he had spent his entire life, February 22, 1886, aged nearly eighty- nine years. Mrs. Morse died about ten years earlier. Their children were Sylvanus, born December 30, 1826, and Eri, born November 11, 1828. Sylvanus married Lorinda T. Leland, of Grafton, Mass., and settled on a part of the Morse farm and adjoining the old home, where he resided until his death, in April, 1872. His wife survives and resides in the village of Mont- pelier. Their son Forest E. has purchased the farm of his late father. He united in marriage with Miss Lulu Johnson, June 2, 1886. Eri Morse has been twice to California, where he spent about ten years, engaged in the mines, in milk business, and raising cattle. In March, 1863, he married Esther A. McDermott, of Middlesex, and now, as before mentioned, resides on the homestead, which has been continuously owned by the Morse family since its first occupancy in 1797. Mrs. Eri Morse died March 6, 1881. Their children are Arthur E., who resides in Winona, Minn., and Theresa L., who resides with her father.
Nahum Kelton was born in Warwick, Mass., in January, 1778. He came to Montpelier in the fall of 1798, and spent the ensuing winter in the employ of Col. Jacob Davis. The next spring he returned to Warwick, and soon after went to Schoharie, N. Y., and spent about three years in teaching pub- lic schools. About 1800 he returned to Montpelier, and in 1809 married Fanny, daughter of Dr. Philip and Eunice Vincent, and settled on the farm where his son Truman C. now lives, and where he remained until his death, in 1857. He taught school in New York and Vermont thirteen winters. As early as Isto he was elected deputy sheriff and served six years, and was constable the ensuing seven years. He represented the town of Montpelier in the state legislature in 1816, '17, '18, and '20, and again in 1829, and also held other offices. He was the father of two sons, Samuel Stillman and Tru- man C., both of whom are now living. Samuel S. Kelton was born on the homestead in October, 1810. March 10, 1838, he married Ursula Sprague, and settled on the farm in East Montpelier, where his son Francis P. now lives, and where he resided nearly forty years. He now resides in Montpe- lier village. Judge Kelton has held nearly all the offices in his town. He has been justice of the peace thirty-five years, town treasurer sixteen years, served as selectman, and was assistant judge of Washington County Court in 1861 and 1862. He has settled many important estates, some of which have involved him in litigation ; but he has never had a law suit on his own account. His son Francis P. was born where he now lives, in May, 1841. He married Joanna Colby, of Newbury, and is now an enterprising farmer and stock breeder. Dwight H., son of Samuel S. Kelton, was born in Octo-
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