USA > Vermont > Washington County > Gazetteer of Washington County, Vt., 1783-1889 > Part 38
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Cl. Putnam
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TOWN OF MIDDLESEX.
mother went to Lebanon, N. H., for better care at his birth. So it happened that a daughter of Jonah Harrington, born in March, 1785, is supposed to have been the first child born in town.
Some interesting stories are told of this family in Deming's Vermont Offi- cers, written by the late Horace Holden, Esq., and in the Vermont Historical Gazetteer, by the late V. V. Vaughn, Esq. Other legends still survive of the hunting exploits of Mr. Mead, and of the energy and ability of his wife.
At the organization of the town, March 29, 1790, Mr. Mead was chosen the first selectman, and for the next thirty years was almost continuously in some of the important town offices, often holding several in the same year. The town meetings were frequently held at his house. The descendants of this family are so numerous that it would be impossible to name them in this short biography ; they are scattered all over the county, especially in Middle- sex and the adjoining towns. Some of the grandsons of Thomas Mead are still living,-tall, stalwart, gray headed men; some of them have died at a good old age. Some of the later generations do not retain the strict orthodox faith and Puritan habits of their grand old progenitor. Still the name is a respected and respectable one in Washington county.
Jacob Putnam, a brother of Col. Seth Putnam, came to Middlesex from Charlestown, N. H., in 1784, and settled on the North Branch of Winooski river, road 7 of Middlesex, about five miles above Montpelier village. He was a carpenter and farmer, and possessed a clear head and good judgment. He was often elected to the offices of the town. Of his seven children, only Christopher C. and Jacob are now living. He died about 1850. His son Christopher C. was born in 1810, and has always resided in his native town. In 1836 he married Eliza Stone. Their children are Christopher C., Jr., Mary (Mrs. Whitney), Harriet, who resides with her parents, and Sarah (Mrs. H. Kemp), of Montpelier. Mr. Putnam has for fifty years been an extensive dealer in and manufacturer of lumber. He is now engaged in the business, in the firm of C. C. Putnam & Son. Besides giving his personal attention to his own large and laborious business, Mr. Putnam has taken time to serve his town as its representative in the legislature of 1864 and 1865, and as selectman, lister, and overseer of the poor. Mr. Putnam received only a common school education, but inherited the distinguishing trait of the family, good common sense, and by reading and close observation has ac- quired a large fund of practical knowledge. In early life he was an "old line Whig "; an admirer of Clay, Webster, Sumner, and Lincoln ; voted for Gen. Harrison in 1840, and for his grandson in 1888. He was never an office seeker. Such positions as were given to him he filled with general sat- isfaction. In his religious views he is decidedly liberal, and trusts himself to the care and love of his Heavenly Father. Mr. Putnam began poor, but by his good management and persevering industry, aided by his son, who now takes the laboring oar, he has accumulated a competency. His has been a busy life. Few have worked harder or more perseveringly, or with better
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courage. His liberal generosity is of the most unselfish kind. The recip- ients of his bounty are the worthy laboring poor who can never repay him. Mr. Putnam is a strong friend, a social companion, loves his home, and is a fair type of the successful go-ahead New England business man. A pleasant episode occurred on the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, when they celebrated their golden wedding, surrounded by all their children, grandchil- dren, and one great-grandchild, and a host of warm friends. His son, C. C. Putnam, Jr., served his country nine months as a soldier in the late war, and participated in the battle of Gettysburg. He also represented Middlesex in the legislature of 1886-87.
Lovell Warren came to Middlesex from Charlestown, N. H., at an early date (before 1787), and settled on the farm on the Winooski river, where his son George A. now lives. He was much esteemed by his townsmen, and served as town treasurer in 1790. He died in 1834. His son Leander was born in Middlesex in 1805, and always resided on the farm where he was born. He died in 1874. He was active and prominent in town affairs ; represented his town in the legislature several times, and nearly all the time held some office of trust and responsibility. He married Susan W. Taylor, of Montpelier, who still survives, aged eighty years, and resides with her son George A. on the homestead. They were parents of four children, three of whom are liv- ing and reside in Middlesex, viz .: Rufus W., George A., and Albert L. Rufus W. Warren has also represented his town in the legislature and filled other town offices.
Jeremiah Leland, one of the first settlers of Middlesex, was born in Barre, Mass., and came to Middlesex from Charlestown, N. H. He died soon after 1820, respected by all who knew him. He left three sons, Rufus, James, and Jeremiah, who were worthy and esteemed citizens. None of them are living. James never married. Jeremiah left four sons and Rufus two. Two of the sons of Jeremiah represented the town. Otis C. Leland, born in 1828, has always resided in town, and was its representative in 1884.
William Holden, who descended from an English family, came to Vermont at the close of the Revolution, and lived, died, and was buried at Springfield, Windsor county. He had quite a good war record, as appears by the inscrip- tion on his grave-stone in the old burying-ground on the bank of the Con- necticut : "Born about 1728, he enlisted in the colonial troops of King George the 2d while yet a mere youth, was with the British troops at the capture of Louisburg in 1745, and was with Wolfe on the Heights of Abra- ham in 1759, that last terrible struggle between the English and French for the possession of the best part of America." At the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, although an officer in the army of George III., he warmly espoused the patriot cause and joined the American army, and was in many of the important battles, notably those of Saratoga and Stillwater. He com- manded a detachment of troops at one time that captured some bateaux, troops, and stores, at or near Wood creek on Lake Champlain, and many
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relics taken at that time remain in the family. Two of his sons lived in Mid- dlesex, one of whom, also named William, was an early settler, coming soon after the first organization of the town (or it may be before). William Holden, one of the first settlers of Middlesex, located on the farm now owned by William B. McElroy, where he reared a family of four sons and five daughters. He was a prominent man in town affairs, his name first appearing on the town records in 1792 as lister, and often in the next twenty years as a town officer in various capacities. Mr. Holden died at Middlesex, March 3, 1813, aged forty-nine years four months. His wife, Hannah (Parker), died June 12, 1834, aged sixty-three.
Horace Holden, Esq., eldest son of William and Hannah Holden, was probably the best known man in town in his day. Born the year the town was organized, he may be said to have grown up with it. A man of energy, ability, and integrity, he begun in early life to have a large influence in mold- ing and fashioning the new town. Elected town clerk about 1820, he held the office thirty-two years, and was succeeded by his sons, William H., who was town clerk for nineteen years, and Charles B., who was in that office at the time of his death, in July, 1878, making over fifty-six years that the office was in the same family. Horace Holden was also one of the leading justices of the peace for nearly forty years. Living all his mature life on the farm where he cut the first tree, about 1812, and being of a cheerful and hospi- table spirit, his house became a pleasant place to all visitors, and he was well known and esteemed by almost every inhabitant of the town. As the town seldom had any lawyer he did most of the conveyancing of lands, and was often the poor man's counselor in cases of trouble. Always foremost in every good work, he lived beloved and died lamented at the age of seventy-four. He was often honored with the highest public trusts in the gift of his towns- men, and represented the town in the legislature of 1842 and '43.
William Xerxes Holden, second son of William Holden, born at Middle- sex in 1792, lived on his father's farm for awhile, and built the house now standing there. He afterwards built the house where Levi Swift now lives, and owned that place for many years. He was a good farmer and a quiet citizen. He was a volunteer at the battle of Plattsburgh, he and his brother Horace serving as musicians. He represented his native town in the legisla- ture at three different sessions, and held various town offices. He sold his farm previous to 1860, and lived the last few years of his life at Middlesex village.
Moses Holden, (born in 1800, died in 1878,) another son of William, was a farmer at first, and was a very remarkable worker. It is said that when a. young man he once threshed with a flail 100 bushels of coin in a day, and carried it all from the barn into the chamber of the house, some ten rods away. He afterwards kept store in company with his father-in-law, Jesse Johnson, at the village, where he was quite successful. Both partners left
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large estates. Although he never sought office, Mr. Holden was often honored in that way, and represented the town in 1853 and '54.
Philander Holden, now living at Swampscott, Mass., is the only survivor of the family. He has been a merchant at Middlesex, Newton, Mass., and for many years at Swampscott. He was first constable of Middlesex in 1843, '44, and '46, and soon after left the state. In Massachusetts he has held many offices of trust and responsibility. The five daughters of William Hol- den were Catharine, who married Joseph Chapin ; Nancy, who married Luther Farrar ; Polly, who married Lewis McElroy; Lucretia, who married John S. Rice ; and Lucinda, who married Elisha Scott. Time would fail me to write even a brief history of the next generation.
Joseph Chapin, Sr., one of the pioneer settlers of Middlesex, was born in Connecticut, October 28, 1758. He was the fifth generation in direct de- scent from Samuel Chapin, Esq., of Dartmouth, England, who came to America in 1633, and was one of the first settlers of Agawam, now Spring- field, Mass. Joseph Chapin came to Vermont soon after the close of the Revolutionary war, in which he had been a soldier under Washington's com- mand. He was an iron worker or blacksmith by trade in his youth, and dur- ing the war was often detailed to repair the arms damaged in battle. He was a man of large frame, strong arm, and a determined will. After a few years' residence at Weathersfield, Vt., where his first wife, Mary Stoughton, died, in 1796, he came to Middlesex, his first purchase of land here being in 1798. He had probably visited various parts of the state earlier, as the writer has heard him tell of shooting otters in Otter creek, and of hunting exploits in other places. His first pitch in this town was a part of the farm now owned by H. L. McElroy ; but his title proving defective, he gave it up and bought the first lot north of the center of the town. This section was then an un- broken wilderness. Here Mr. Chapin cleared up a farm, married Polly Howe, in 1806, built a good house, and lived in it until 1826, when he removed to the second lot east, and built another house, where he resided most of the time up to his death, January 14, 1851. His was a long life of labor and hardship, wars and fightings at various times and places, for when the British invaded the Lake Champlain region, in September, 1814, the old veteran took down his gun, and with his oldest son, Joseph Chapin, Jr., marched in Capt. Holden Putnam's company, of Col. John Peck's regi- ment, to the battle-ground at Plattsburgh, where they were in the fight and under fire from the enemy until "McDonough gained the victory." Again, when the " Patriot " rebellion started up on the Canadian border, in 1837, he brought out that same old gun for the boys to carry, " or he would go himself." Many guns were collected at Middlesex at that time for the use of the patriots and their helpers from the state, but the rebellion collapsed before any of them were used. Mr. Chapin was for a long time lieutenant in the military company of his town, and was frequently in town office. Always prominent in promoting good works, he lived and died respected by his towns-
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men and neighbors. He was a stalwart farmer, a Federalist and Whig in politics, and although descended from the strictest sect of the Puritans, was independent and liberal in his religious views. A gentleman of the old school, he enjoyed his pipe and mug, a good story, and a lively dance. He had quaint, quiet humor, a cheerful mind, and, though never rich, was ever ready to help the poor. He outlived most of his old comrades, and passed away in his ninety-third year.
Joseph Chapin, Jr., was born at Weathersfield, Vt., June 25, 1792. He came to Middlesex with his father's family about the close of that century, and was an active farmer's boy until his majority. In 1814 he worked for Captain Holden Putnam, and was a volunteer in Capt. Putnam's company at the battle of Plattsburgh. It was a severe service to many of the younger and inexperienced soldiers. Poorly supplied with clothing and camp equipage, many of them were sick with colds and camp fever after the battle, and several died, among them a brother of the Captain. Mr. Chapin escaped with a hard sickness. March 6, 1817, he married Catharine Holden and set- tled at Middlesex Center, where for fifty-four years he lived the life of a quiet, thrifty, industrious farmer -never seeking nor accepting public office, but was always ready to aid and encourage all enterprises for public good. In 1843 he built a hall that was used for town meetings until 1885. About 1845 he invested all his surplus capital in the stock of the Vermont Central railroad. He lost every dollar thus invested, but the public receive a great benefit from the completed railroad. Mrs. Chapin died February 6, 1838. Mr. Chapin servived her thirty-three years, and never married again. He died March 25, 1871. Four of his six children are now living. His oldest daughter died in 1849, and the eldest son was accidentally killed on the cars in 1851.
Asa Chapin, youngest son of Joseph Chapin, Sr., was born at Middlesex, May 15, 1807, and for more than fifty years lived on the same farm where his father died. He was industrious and peaceable, a good citizen, and a Christian gentleman. His only son was drowned at the age of ten years. Asa Chapin died March 9, 1888, respected by all who knew him.
Hon. William Chapin, son of Joseph Chapin, Jr., was born December 7, 1831, on the old homestead, where his father lived and died. He has been an active and intelligent farmer, and has somewhat improved the old rough hill farm. He was town representative from 1880 to 1882, state senator from 1884 to 1888, and is now a member of the state board of agriculture. He married Catharine L., daughter of the late Dea. Jonas Abbott, of Worcester, May 15, 1860. They have four sons living, viz .: Harry L. at Oak Hill, Fla .; Joseph A. is " farmer" at the state experiment station at South Burlington ; and William A. and Hinkley B. still labor on the home farm. Edgar L. died December 14, 1887, aged nineteen. Forrest Dorset, son of Joseph A. Chapin, born February 6, 1888, is the only representative of the ninth generation of this family in America.
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Capt. Rufus Chamberlin came to Middlesex from Greenfield, Mass., about 1800. After a residence in Middlesex of four years he returned to Green- field, and after two years' residence there he again settled in Middlesex, where he spent the remainder of his long life. He died at the advanced age of eighty-four years and six months. He was a prominent and influential citi- zen, served his town as selectman, and was once or twice a member of the Constitutional Convention. Only one of his family of nine children is now living, viz .: Oliver A., who was born in 1804, and resides in Middlesex. He married Bulah Farrar, of Moretown, and they were parents of two children now deceased. He has held the offices of justice of the peace, selectman, lister, constable, and collector, and has been the representative of his town in three sessions of the legislature. He now, in his green old age, resides with H. L. McElroy. Solomon W., son of Capt. Rufus Chamberlin, was born in Greenfield, Mass., and came to Middlesex with his father and resided there to the close of his life. His son, J. Burt Chamberlain, was a soldier in the late war, and now resides on road 28.
Capt. Robert McElroy, of Springfield, settled in Middlesex in 1804, on the farm where the Hon. William Chapin now lives. He later removed to the village, where he owned mills. He exchanged the mills for a farm about two miles north of the village, where he resided until his death, about 1846 or '47. He was a prominent citizen, captain of militia, and bore his share of the burdens of the town. He served as selectman and overseer of the poor. All but one of his four sons and three daughters settled in Middlesex. Harry, son of Capt. Robert, was born in Springfield, in 1799, came to Middlesex with his parents, and resided in town until his death, in 1867. His children were Clesson R., who served as lieutenant in the Union army, was a valiant officer, and was held in high esteem by both officers and privates ; H. L., who was superintendent of schools several years ; and William B., who is the clerk of Middlesex. Jerry, son of Capt. McElroy, was a carpenter and joiner, resided in Middlesex and Montpelier most of his life, and died in Middlesex in 1866. He married Florilla Broderick, of Waterbury. Their children now living are F. M., of Middlesex, Ella (Mrs. C. C. Warren), of Waterbury, and Mrs. Matilda A. Hatch, of Montpelier.
Cyrus Hill, a native of Rhode Island, settled in Middlesex about 1811. He enlisted in the Revolutionary army, at the age of nineteen, and served through the war. He afterwards settled in Canada; but when required to " swear allegiance to the King " he removed to Vermont. While he was a soldier he was frequently employed as a runner by General Washington to carry dispatches. He died on the farm where he settled in 1811, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-four years. His son Hubbard succeeded him on the homestead, married Hannah Burdick Hill, and were parents of three daugh- ters who are now (1888) all living. Their daughter, Mrs. Moses Silloway, and her husband reside on the old homestead, and are parents of a son, Ora F., who represents the fourth generation at the old home.
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Dan P. Carpenter, born December 8, 1808, was the son of Nathaniel Car- penter, one of the early settlers of Middlesex. He married Hannah Hutchins, granddaughter of Joseph Hutchins, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and an early settler of Middlesex. Mr. Carpenter served many years as jus- tice of the peace, was a notary public, overseer of the poor, represented More- town in the legislature, and was assistant judge of Washington Court Court two terms. Mrs Carpenter still resides in Middlesex.
Stephen Herrick, a farmer, came to Middlesex from Randolph, Vt., in 1820, and located about two miles north of the village. He was a long time superintendent of schools and filled other town offices. He also gained noto- riety by finally succeeding in a long continued litigation with the Central Vermont Railroad Co. He married Lydia, daughter of Rev. Nathaniel King, and reared one son and eight daughters. His son, N. K. Herrick, born in Middlesex, November 3, 1822, was a commercial traveler twenty-five years, and is now a merchant and farmer. Stephen Herrick died in March, 1886, aged ninety years.
Dudley B. Culver came from Groton, Conn., to Montpelier in 1809. Thomas Culver, his father, settled in Middlesex, on the farm where Orvis Sawyer now lives, in 1814. When Dudley B. was twenty-one years old he bought the farm where his son Daniel R. now lives. In 1827 he married Phebe Garrison, of Montpelier, and for fifty-three years resided where he first settled. Only two of their six children, William and Daniel R., are living. Mrs. Culver died in 1843. After her death Mr. Culver married Mrs. Betsey Hewitt. He died in 1880.
Daniel Taylor, from Connecticut, came to Berlin, and was a pioneer set- tler of the town, near Berlin Corners. He was a farmer, and also kept a public house. His family of seven children are all deceased. His son Daniel was born in Berlin, and removed to Irasburg, Vt., in 1836. About 1871 he came to Middlesex and resided there until his death. His son Chester now resides in Middlesex.
Samuel Daniels came from Unity, N. H., to Middlesex, in 1811, and set- tled on the farm where his son Sylvanus now lives. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was at the battle of Plattsburgh. He cleared the farm where he first settled, and made it his home to the close of his life, about 1873. He was prominent in town affairs, was selectman many years, and held other responsible positions. Only four of his eight children are now living, viz .: Sylvanus, before mentioned, who resides on the old homestead, Louisa (Mrs. Jeremiah Leland), Mrs. Abigail Clark, of Montpelier, and Mrs. Lorinda Jones, of Northfield.
Rufus Montagu was born in Montague, Mass., in 1785, and removed to Middlesex in 1806. He purchased the farm of his brother Samuel who had preceded him two years, and where his sons Rufus D. and George now live. He married three times, first, Nancy Fisher, of Middlesex, second, Mandana C. Kelton, of Montpelier, and third, Mrs. Eunice Bates, of Worcester. His
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first wife bore him one son; his second, two. William and Charles are dead, and Rufus D. and George reside on the old homestead.
Otis C. Leland was born in 1828, and has always resided in Middlesex. He represented his town in the legislature of 1884.
Ezra Nichols was an early settler of Middlesex, and located near the center of the town. His son Paul C. was born, reared, and resided in town until his death in 1847. He married Abigail Chaffee. Four of their chil- dren now reside in Middlesex, viz .: Mrs. G. T. Miles, Mrs. J. C. Lewis, Mrs. W. L. Lewis, and H. W. Nichols, who was a soldier in Co. D, 2d Vt. Regt., in the late war, and is now one of the board of selectmen.
Jacob Ladd came to Middlesex from Claremont, N. H., in 1816, and set- tled on the farm where his son George H. now lives. He married Polly Nichols, and four of their children are now living, viz .: George H., Mrs. I. R. Densmore, Harriet, and Mrs. S. Bliss, of Montpelier.
Duncan Cameron, a Scotchman, went to Quebec with General Wolfe. He made his way to Williamstown, Mass., and removed to Barre some time be- fore 1800. He reared a numerous family and died in Barre. His son Dan- iel resided in Berlin, then Duxbury, and settled in Middlesex, where he died in 1844. His son A. J. now resides in Middlesex, and his son Ira in Wor- cester.
Lewis Ward came to Moretown from Springfield, Vt., in 1815, and settled in the eastern part of the town, and cleared a farm. He married Zilpha Field, of Springfield, and they had one son, David, who now resides in Mid- dlesex. Mr. Ward came to this town about 1818, and here resided until his death. David was born in Moretown, has been an employee of the Central Vermont R. R. Co., and is now engaged in farming. He has been overseer of the poor, and is now ( 1888) selectman.
Zerah Hills came from Connecticut to Berlin in 1801. Their son Zerah, who was born in Connecticut, married Patty Davenport, of Berlin, and set- tled in Middlesex about 1815, and engaged in the occupation of wheel- wright. He was captain of militia, selectman, and was otherwise honored by his town. Three of his five children are now living, viz .: Lorenzo D. in Duxbury, and Lotisa Knapp and Justin B. in Middlesex.
Elijah Holden came to Middlesex from Springfield, Vt., in 1823. He was a farmer and lived in Middlesex, Barre, and Waitsfield. He died in the last named town in 1876, aged eighty-eight years. He was a man of influence and enterprise, and was active in public affairs. He had ten children, three of whom are now living, viz .: James H., Josiah, and Mary E. (Mrs. Capt. O. C.Wilder), of Waitsfield. His son William, a young man of fine talents, died in Mississippi in 1839, at the age of twenty-four. Hon. James H. Holden, son of Elijah, was born in Middlesex in 1829. On arriving at maturity he went Massachusetts, and was there engaged in business seven years. He then returned so Middlesex, and engaged in mercantile trade, which he con- tinues at the present time (1888). Judge Holden has been very prominent
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