USA > Vermont > Washington County > Gazetteer of Washington County, Vt., 1783-1889 > Part 35
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Capt. Isaac Marsh, of Stockbridge, Mass., in honor of whom the town was named, purchased the township of the Indians for £140 lawful money, and it was deeded to him July 29, 1789. The deed was signed by eighteen of the Indians, viz .: " O Joseph Shawguthguat, O Hendrick Aupaumat, O Jehosu-
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TOWN OF MARSHFIELD.
him Alokaim, O Peter Pohijhionurpjsut, + Joseph Luonahant, + John Pophmin, + Solomon Quargariahont, + Uhndrw Warmaeruph, + Vendru Waumurmn, + Hudrink Ichumhwmh, + Moses Laupumnsapeat, + Thomas Wind, + John Thonhpol, + David Nesowukausdahawauk, + Cornelius Jaumauch, + David Nesonuhkeah Grum, + Abraham Maurnmumthickhur, + Isaac Unamprey." The signatures were witnessed by David Pixley and John Sargent.
The surface of Marshfield is broken and hilly. The valley of the Winooski river divides it into two distinct divisions. That part embraced in this valley and west of it is mainly good tillage land, with a strong and productive soil. The eastern part is mountainous and rocky, and is largely used for pasturage, but has some good farms.
The rocks that form the geological structure of this town are granite and calciferous mica schist. The former occupies about two-thirds of the terri- tory, in the eastern part.
Sugar maples are found in nearly all parts of the town, from which the farmers annually do a thriving business in making large quantities of maple sugar. E. S. Pitkin, Esq., furnished statistics of the amount made in the spring of 1868. One hundred and eighty sugar orchards produced 140,350 pounds, something over seventy tons. This amount is above the yearly average.
The township is well watered. The Winooski river flows into it from Cabot and takes nearly a southern course entirely across the township. On this river are some good mill sites. Molly's brook, the outlet of Molly's pond, in the eastern part of Cabot, unites with the Winooski about a mile from the north line of Marshfield. Near the junction of these two streams, on this stream, are situated Molly's falls, where in the distance of thirty rods the water falls 180 feet by a series of beautiful cascades. In time of high water the roar of these falls can be heard several miles. Nigger Head brook is the outlet of Nigger Head pond. On this permanent brook are several good water-powers. The population of Marshfield is mainly engaged in farming, and these excel- lent water-powers are but little utilized.
As related by Mrs. H. C. Pitkin, daughter of Gen. Parley Davis, and the widow of Stephen Pitkin, Jr., in Hemenway's Gazetteer, Capt. Marsh, the pro- prietor of the township, married for his second wife a young widow by the name of Pitkin, of East Hartford, Conn., and her four sons, Caleb, Martin, Joshua, and Stephen, and two of his daughters, were among the pioneers of his new township. Caleb came in the spring of 1790, as a surveyor with a company under Gen. Whitelaw, spent the two ensuing summers in surveying, and in each fall returned to Connecticut. Caleb, with his brother, Martin Pitkin, and Gideon Spencer, came here and labored together, clearing land in the springs of 1792 and '93, but returned to East Hartford in the autumn of each year.
In February of the ensuing winter, 1794, Caleb Pitkin, who had married
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Hannah, and Gideon Spencer, who had married Polly, daughters of Capt. Marsh, and Aaron Elmer, also a married man, made the first permanent set- tlement in this town. They came with teams from Connecticut as far as Montpelier. The snow was then more than four feet deep, and there was no road to Marshfield. From Montpelier to Marshfield they drew their goods on hand sleds. The ensuing summer this colony was increased by the arrival of Ebenezer Dodge and his family.
The first child born in town was John Preston Davis Dodge, son of Eben- ezer Dodge, who was born September 7, 1794. The second was James Pit- kin, son of Caleb, born in ' January, 1795. Betsey, daughter of Gideon Spencer, was the first female child born in town. She became the wife of Dea. Dan Storrs.
During the first season not one of the settlers owned a team ; and all the grain to make bread for their families was carried to Montpelier to be ground, and brought home on their backs. March 1, 1795, Joshua and Stephen, and their cousin Nathaniel Pitkin, and Solomon Gilman moved into Marsh- field.
Nathaniel Dodge came at so early a date that he also was obliged to move into town with a hand sled, and Stephen Rich was an early pioneer. Martin Pitkin settled here previous to the organization of the town. Other promi- nent and worthy men were Simeon Dwinell and his four brothers, Squire, Zenas, and Aaron Bullock, John Pike, Daniel Bemis, and Caleb Putnam. The latter was the first blacksmith here. These were resolute and energetic men who had the courage to face the hardships, and the perseverance to build up a town, erect school-houses and churches, and surround themselves with all the comforts of thrifty and well-to-do farmers.
Joshua Pitkin was appointed August 23, 1799, and was the first justice of the peace in town. John Knox was the first person who died in town, date not known. The first town meeting was held in pursuance with the follow- ing order, or warning :-
" On application of a number of credible freeholders of the town of Marsh- field, county of Caledonia and State of Vermont, that said town may be organized, according to law, I hereby warn all freeholders, and other inhabi- tants of said town, qualified to vote in Town-meeting, to appear at the dwell- ing house of Joshua Pitkin, in said town, on the tenth day of March next, at ten o'clock forenoon on said day. Ist, To choose a moderator to govern said meeting. 2d, To choose all officers that the law requires for organized towns to have.
" JOSHUA PITKIN, Justice Peace.
" Marshfield, February 24th, 1800."
" March 10th, 1800.
"This day a Town-meeting agreeable to the above Notification was held, and Ist, Chose Stephen Rich, Moderator ; 2ond, Chose Stephen Rich, Town Clerk ; Joshua Pitkin, Clerk pro tem .; 3rd, Stephen Rich, Ist Selectman ; 4th, Stephen Pitkin, 2nd Selectman ; 5th, Samuel Paterson, 3rd Selectman ; 6th, Cabel Pitkin, Town Treasurer ; 7th, Stephen Rich, Nathaniel Pitkin,
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TOWN OF MARSHFIELD.
and Robert Waugh, Listers; Gideon Spencer, Constable and Collector ; Samuel Wilson, Grand juryman ; 8th, Aaron Elmer, Ebenezer Dodge, Jun., Joseph Wells, Surveyors of roads ; gth, David Benjamin, Ebenezer Wells, Nathaniel Pitkin, Fence Viewers ; 10th, Robert Waugh, Pound Keeper ; 11th, Giles Skinner, Sealer of Leather; 12th, Caleb Pitkin, Sealer of Weights and Measures ; 13th, Giles Skinner, Tythingman ; 14th, Ebenezer Dodge and Aaron Elmer, Hay wards ; 15th, Josiah Pitkin, Caleb Pitkin, and Joseph Page, Auditors of Accounts of Selectmen ; 16th, All of the above names chosen into the several offices, have taken solemn oath for the faithful dis- charge of their trust. This meeting adjourned until the 24th day of this month, by order of the Selectmen."
The adjourned meeting was held on the 24th of March, 1800. Then they proceeded to qualify the voters, by administering to them the necessary free- man's oath, next ratified by vote the proceedings of the previous meeting, and appointed grand and petit jurymen. The influx into this town had been so rapid that at this meeting sixty-one took the freeman's oath.
It is quite probable that the single school in the town was supported by its patrons, until January 7, 1800, when, at a meeting of the inhabitants (called a town meeting), Joshua Pitkin, moderator, and Stephen Rich, district clerk, "voted to support the school on the grand list." At the town meeting of March 25, 1801, this district was divided, and the old school-house was sold to Aaron Elmer, the highest bidder, for two and one-half bushels of wheat, on six months' credit ; table to Joshua Pitkin for two bushels and two quarts, and chair for three pecks and four quarts of wheat ; and Nathaniel Dodge had seventy-five nails for one peck of wheat.
At the early organization of several of the school districts, and before the inhabitants could build school-houses, the children were taught in barns or dwelling houses. Four winters the school in the Dwinell district was taught in Simeon Dwinell's kitchen, which at the same time was occupied by Mrs. Dwinell and her eight children.
The first marriage ceremony in Marshfield was performed by David Wing, Esq., of Montpelier, in March, 1797. The parties most interested were Thomas McLoud, of Montpelier, and Sally Dodge, of Marshfield.
A town meeting was called February 1, 1803, to organize a Congregational society and settle a minister. The proposition was rejected by the significant vote of only seventeen in favor and seventy against it.
Marshfield was first represented in the state legislature in 1804, by Stephen Pitkin. Joshua Pitkin "hung out " the first tavern sign in 1805, and for many years thereafter kept a tavern.
Daniel Wilson came from Alstead, N. H., in 1821, and built and operated the first mill for carding wool and dressing cloth. Alfred Pitkin, son of Joshua, was the first merchant, about 1818. The first saw-mill was built on Lye brook in 1802, by Judge Stephen Pitkin. In 1812 he built another in the village, and in 1818 he built the first grist-mill. The first physician in town was Dr. Bates, who came in 1826, but remained only a few months.
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TOWN OF MARSHFIELD.
The first church (Congregational) in Marshfield was organized December 24, 1800, by Rev. James Hobart, of Berlin.
In 1880 Marshfield had a population of 1, 102. In 1888 the town had ten school districts and eleven schools, which were taught by one male and twenty- two female teachers, at a weekly salary of $8. 10 for the male and an average weekly salary of $5.52 for the female teachers. The whole number of schol- ars who attended school some part of the year was 241, eleven of whom at- tended private schools. The entire income for all school purposes was $1,582.03. The amount paid teachers, including board, was $1,318.95. The whole amount paid for school purposes was $1,537.62. Ozias C. Pitkin was superintendent.
Marshfield, like other towns in this county, was " inhabited" by deer, bears, and wolves, when the pioneer settlers took possession, and it was no uncom- mon event to kill a bear or deer. Joshua Pitkin records in his journal the killing of eight.
Mrs. Pitkin, in Miss Hemenway's Gazetteer, gives an account of one of the "mighty hunters" of Marshfield as follows: "One season early in Sep- tember the bears began to make depredations in the corn on the Skinner place, now William Martin's. Solomon Gilman, one of the early settlers, who was a great sportsman, promised to watch for the bear, and put an end to his green corn suppers. He took his stand at night in the field, waiting the arrival of the depredator. The bear came on, and was soon helping himself, when, with true aim, the hunter fired. The bear gave one great spring, and came directly on, and over him. He felt that his time had come. The blood was flowing. He caught the larcerated intestines in his hands, replaced them as well as he could in that moment of desperation, wrapped the long skirt of his overcoat about his body, held it firmly with both hands ; had just strength enough left to shout for help, and to run only a short dis- tance. Help soon came. They assisted him to a place of safety, and care- fully folded back his overcoat, a double handful of-bruin's entrails fell to the ground ! Mr. Gilman lived long to be a terror to the denizens of the forest, but it was years before he heard the last of being killed by a bear."
Marshfield grist mill, Frank S. Page, proprietor, is located on the Wi- nooski river in the village of Marshfield. Mr. Page does custom grinding, and deals in grain, flour, and feed.
M. D. Bemis's butter tub and boot box manufactory and planing-mills are located in Marshfield village, on the Winooski river, and on the site of the first mill built in the village. Mr. Bemis bought the property in 1875 of O. Smith. He does general job work, makes boot boxes, and turns out about 5,000 tubs per year.
Edson K. Hill's cheese factory is located on road 47. This factory was built by Mr. Hill in May, 1888, and is the only one of the kind in the town. It has a capacity for manufacturing from 300 to 500 pounds of cheese per day.
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TOWN OF MARSHFIELD.
A. T. Durant's saw and planing-mill is located in the village of Marsh- field, on the Winooski river, where he manufactures and deals in rough and dressed hard and soft wood lumber and chair stock. He employs five hands, and turns out yearly about 200,000 feet of lumber.
D. W. Bancroft, manufacturer of Bancroft's household remedies, estab- lished by him in 1868, has a laboratory on road 22, just out of the village, where he manufactures as a specialty his celebrated liniment. He also puts: up lung syrup, liver syrup, Hancock plasters, worm elixir, essences, etc. Dutcher & Sons, of St. Albans, Vt., are his wholesale agents.
J. D. Dow's saw and planing-mills and chair stock factory are located on Nasmith brook, road 35. The brook furnishes the power. The mills were built by the late Dennis Lane, and were purchased by Mr. Dow in 1865. He has enlarged and furnished them with a circular saw, band saw, and planer. Mr. Dow manufactures and deals in rough and dressed hard and soft wood lumber and chair stock, and turns out in all about 250,000 feet of lumber annually.
D. & E. Lane's steam saw-mill is located at Lanesboro, on the Montpelier & Wells River railroad, in the eastern part of the town, and was built by them in the winter of 1882-83. The firm continued business until April, 1888, when the senior member, Dennis Lane, died, and since then Edwin Lane has conducted the business. The mill is supplied with the latest im- proved machinery, and has every facility for doing excellent work and a large business. The firm owns a tract of 2,600 acres of timberland, employs a force of 25 to 50 men, and turns out annually 2,000,000 feet of lumber and 1,000 cords of wood.
Messrs. D. M. Perkins and E. P. Norcross, in the fall of 1887, built their steam mill on Maple hill, which is run by a sixty-horse-power steam engine. They manufacture and dress hard and soft wood lumber and chair stock. The firm owns a tract of timberland in the vicinity of the mill; employs from twenty to forty men, and has facilities for turning out 2,000,000 feet of lumber per year. Mr. Perkins purchased a saw-mill on the Winooski river in the winter season of 1861-62, enlarged its capacity, put in the ma- chinery for sawing, planing, and matching, sawing shingles, and getting out chair stock, which he conducted until the new mill above described was ready for machinery, when Messrs. Perkins & Norcross removed the machinery to the steam mill on Maple hill. Mr. Perkins is a public spirited and energetic business man, and has represented his town in the legislature. Mr. Norcross resides at East Montpelier.
L. T. Kinney, of Barre, has mills on the outlet of Nigger Head pond, on the Montpelier & Wells River railroad. These mills were built in 1850, by Jonathan and Myron Graves. Mr. Kinney purchased the property in 1863. His timber is run through Nigger Head pond, and thence through a sluice- way forty rods to his mill pond. His mills form a series. Mill No. I has a board saw, edger, and trimmer. Mill No. 2 has a planer and matcher, edger, 19*
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TOWN OF MARSHFIELD.
shingle and cloth-board saw. No. 3 has a clapboard machine, planer, lath saws, and machinery for manufacturing wooden bowls. Mr. Kinney owns 1,700 acres of timberland, employs an average of eighteen men, and cuts 750,000 feet of lumber per annum.
H. S. Laird's saw-mill is located on Lye brook, road 43. Since Mr. Laird bought the mill, in 1869, he has enlarged it, and put in a forty-five-horse- power steam engine and entire new machinery. He turns out annually about 800,000 feet of lumber, and employs from ten to fifteen men.
H. S. Laird & Son (Harry L. Laird) built a large steam mill in Harris Gore in 1880, where they manufacture rough and dressed hard and soft wood lumber and chair stock. They own 2,000 acres of timberland, employ twenty men, and use about 1,500,000 feet of lumber per year.
MARSHFIELD is a pleasant post village located in the northern part of the town, in a valley on the main branch of the Winooski river, and "hemmed in " by the surrounding high hills. It is about one mile north from the station on the Montpelier & Wells River railroad, and sixteen miles northeast from Montpelier. This village contains three churches (Congregational, Metho- dist, and Universalist), a High school building, three general stores, a boot and shoe manufactory, a grist-mill, a saw-mill, one hotel, about seventy-five dwellings, and the usual complement of shops, artisans, and mechanics.
LANESBORO (p. o.) is located at the intersection of roads 26 and 25₺, near Mud pond, in the eastern part of the town, on the Montpelier & Wells River railroad.
Gideon Spencer married Polly, daughter of Capt. Marsh, who purchased the township of the Indians, and was one of the little colony that first settled in Marshfield in the spring of 1794, as before related. He located about a mile from either of the other settlers, and so numerous were the bears that he considered it prudent to carry his gun when he went to find his cow in the forest. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Spencer were Daniel, Betsey, Margery, Horace, Samuel, Ruth, and George. Daniel was four years old when his parents moved to Marshfield. He married Rebecca Bliss. Betsey, the first female child born in town, married Dan Storrs, and one of her three children, Mrs. A. O. Whitcomb, resides on the place where her grandfather, Dea. Gid- eon Spencer, first settled. Very few of his descendants remain in Marshfield, Dea. Spencer gave his influence in organizing the Congregational church, and was active in sustaining its meetings. He was chosen one of its deacons soon after the church was formed. He lived to make a good farm of his pitch in the forest, and attained the great age of ninety years. Mrs. Spencer died at the age of eighty-six.
Jesse Martin was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was at the battle of Bunker Hill. He came from Francestown, N. H., with his wife, Naomi Hopkins, six sons, and one daughter. The daughter died at an early age. He settled on the farm now owned by his grandson William Martin, Jr. His sons were James, William, Jesse, Eben, Allen, and Joshua. James settled
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TOWN OF MARSHFIELD.
in Marshfield, and married, first, Nancy Dodge, who bore him four children, Nancy, James, William A., and Mary, two of whom, James and Mary, are liv- ing. His second wife was Irene Bancroft and they had eight children. Wesley P. and Jesse reside in town. Jesse married Hannah Jackman. Eben married Hannah Sias, and settled in Plainfield, and had three children, one of whom (Mary) is living. Allen married, first, Fannie Harwood, settled in Marshfield, and had three children. He was subsequently twice married, but had no children.
Hon. William Martin, second son of Jesse and Naomi (Hopkins) Martin, was born in Francestown, coming with his father to Marshfield when about twenty years of age. He learned the trade of brickmaking. He was self- reliant, industrious, and enterprising. His education was practical, such as he acquired by reading and transacting business. He was prominent in town affairs, and besides holding numerous minor town offices represented the town thirteen years, and was associate judge of the county several years. He was colonel of cavalry in 1812, and at President Monroe's visitto Vermont com- manded the company which escorted the President to Montpelier, and dined with him. He was a man of large frame, robust constitution, and remark- able vigor and endurance. By keen business tact and ability combined with frugal habits he accumulated a handsome property, and has done much to aid his brothers in business. He lived to be over ninety-four years of age, and died in September, 1879. He married Sabrina Axtell, of Charlton, Mass. Their children were Bowman B., William, Jr., Arminda, Hiram, Ed- win, Melinda, and Curtis B., five of whom are living. Bowman B. married Catherine D. Pratt, and has had eight children, viz .: Sabrina, Caroline, May, Arminda, Ann, Kate, Sophia, and Bowman B., Jr. William, Jr., married Vienna L. Perrin, who has borne him eight children, viz .: Julia S., William E., Curtis A., Cassius L., Charles P., Edwin B., Harry H., and Benjamin F. He was once a manufacturer of woolen goods, and is now an extensive farmer, and well preserved for one of his years.
Hon. Stephen Pitkin came to Marshfield with his family March 1, 1795. He settled on the fine large farm where B. B. Martin and his son now live. Mr. Pitkin was the first town representative and held that office thirteen terms. He was the first captain of militia and rose to the rank of major, and was assistant county judge four years. Mr. Pitkin built the first saw- mill in town, and the first saw and grist-mills in the village. He was fairly educated and was fitted by nature to lead men rather than to be led, and he used his great influence for the interests of Marshfield. He was generous and sympathetic. It is said of him that in the winter of 1816 and 1817, after the cold season, when but very little provision was raised, he bought salmon by the barrel on his own credit, and sold it to those in need, to be paid for in work, He resided where he first settled until his death, May 22, 1834, aged sixty-two years. He married Damaris Goodwin and reared a family of twelve children, most of whom settled in Marshfield. His oldest son, Horace, settled in town, but a few years later emigrated to Ohio where he died.
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TOWN OF MARSHFIELD.
His second son, Edwin, married Olive Dwinell, and settled on the farm now owned by his son Levi. He was an intelligent and enterprising citizen, transacted a good share of the town's official business, was a good surveyor, and the principal one of the country round about. Mr. and Mrs. Pitkin had a family of six sons and three daughters, viz .: Josiah, Dorcas, Orsamus, Eli S., Levi W., Simon, Daniel W., Jerusha, and Elsie. Eli S. married Lydia A. Bemis, and two of their four children are living. Levi W. married Mary Burnap, and they had four children, only one of whom is living. Josiah, of Chelsea, Vt., has been married three times and has four living children.
His third son, Truman, who married a daughter of Gen. Parley Davis, set- tled first in Marshfield, and later removed to Montpelier, where he died, and left three sons and a daughter, one of whom is Gen. P. P. Pitkin, a distin- guished citizen and business man of Montpelier. Stephen Pitkin, Jr., also married a daughter of Gen. Parley Davis, and was a farmer, and he and his- worthy wife were the pioneers of the Methodist church of Marshfield. Mr. Pitkin was plain and; unassuming in his manners, abhorred pretension, and was very decided and strong in his temperance and anti-slavery principles.
Sherman Gilman and his wife, Betsey, with their family, came to Marshfield from Connecticut in 1793, and settled on the farm where his grandson, Solo- mon L. Gilman, now lives. Roger S. Gilman, the fourth child in their family of seven children, was born in 1787, and at that time was but six years old. He gained an education that fitted him to teach, and employed his time in winter in teaching and in summer at labor for the farmers, for several years. He then bought the homestead. He also spent several years in mercantile bus- iness, and in manufacturing pearlash at North Montpelier. He married Sally Robinson, who bore him eight children. His only son, Solomon L., before mentioned, married Diantha Powers, and resides on the homestead where he was born in 1817, and which has been in possession of the family since it was first settled, in 1793. His children are Heman L., engaged in lumber business in Groton ; Emma F. (Mrs. H. E. Cutler), of Plainfield ; and Sarah R. (Mrs. Ezra Russell), of Essex Junction, Vt.
Capt. Stephen Rich was born in Sutton, Mass. He came to Marshfield in February, 1798, and settled where his grandson, Samuel D. Hollister, now resides, where he spent the remainder of his long, useful life, and where he died, aged eighty-three years. His wife was a woman of great energy, and survived her husband several years. Capt. Rich was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war,-a substitute for his father,-at the early age of fifteen. He presided at the first town meeting held in Marshfield, and was then elected town clerk and first selectman. He served as town clerk seven years, and held several other town offices. Capt. Rich was an enterprising, energetic, and highly respected citizen, was successful in business, and accumulated a. large property. His only son, George, who was clerk of Marshfield seven years, removed to Montpelier, where he died. Besides this son, Capt. Rich was the father of five daughters.
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