USA > Vermont > Washington County > Gazetteer of Washington County, Vt., 1783-1889 > Part 42
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TOWN OF MONTPELIER.
U. S. hospital. Certainly no more beautiful, healthful, or suitable location could have been desired.
A charter for the Vermont Conference Seminary and Female College was secured November 6, 1865, and in the autumn of 1868 the school was moved to Montpelier. The boarding-house furnishings and school apparatus were removed here from Newbury ; and the funds from the sale of the property at. Springfield were also contributed to the school in its new location. Thus by mutual consent the two were merged into the Vermont Conference Seminary and Female College at Montpelier. Prof. S. F. Chester, and most of his assist- ants, came with the school from Newbury.
The principals at Montpelier were : 1868-70, Rev. S. F. Chester ; 1870-72, Rev. C. W. Wilder ; 1872-74, Rev. J. C. W. Coxe ; 1874-76, Rev. L. White ; 1876-82, Rev. J. B. Southworth; and since March, 1882, the writer, Rev. E. A. Bishop.
In 1872 the seminary edifice was completed and opened for use. It is a substantial four-story brick structure, 115 feet long by sixty-five feet wide, and is admirably adapted for school purposes. The boarding-house is a three-story frame building, 140 feet long, with three ells 120 feet long, accommodating about 140 persons. The two self-boarding-houses are two-story frame struct- ures, 120 feet long, and with accommodations for about twenty-five persons each. The buildings are all lighted by electricity.
From 1876 to 1882 the seminary was in private hands. During this time little or nothing was done to strengthen it_financially ; but in April, 1882, the trustees made Rev. J. D. Beeman the president and financial manager. In the next five years over $30,000 in annuities was raised, and a permanent scholarship fund of about $15,000. The permanent endowment fund solic- ited by Noah Granger has grown to over $40,000, with nearly $25,000 paid in and invested.
During the past six or seven years the school has been rapidly approaching the " palmy days of Newbury." Thus far this year the average attendance has been 215. Special attention has been devoted to the music and art de- partments, until they are second to none in Northern New England. In 1885 there was placed in the chapel a two-manual pipe organ of twenty-one registers. A fine cabinet and a good school library are among other im- provements.
The seminary seeks for thorough intellectual, social, and religious training of her pupils. As evidence that the intellect is well trained, it might be men- tioned that the best New England colleges admit her graduates without examination. The gentlemanly and lady-like deportment of the students is full proof that their social natures are not neglected. Lastly, while the in- stitution is not sectarian, there is reason for deep gratitude that in the past seven years about 200 have here begun a Christian life. A Christian educa- tion has ever been the aim of the school, the end being moral development and
-
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TOWN OF MONTPELIER.
a pure religions life, as well as accurate scholarship and refinement of man- ners.
STATE HOUSES.
The following is from the pen of Hon. E. P. Walton, in Miss Hemenway's Gazetteer :-
" The position of Montpelier as state capital from 1808, and county seat from 1811, has contributed much to the growth of the population and busi- ness of the town, and given it a prominence in the political, judicial, religious, and social affairs of the state which otherwise it could not have attained, and an influence from the strongest and best men of the town, which has always been wisely used.
" Previous to 1808 there had been forty-six sessions of the General As- sembly in fourteen different towns. To remedy the inconveniences of a state without a capital, and the frequent disputes between rival towns for the compliment of a legislative session, the General Assembly of 1805 appointed a committee to fix upon a place in the town of Montpelier, for the erec- tion of buildings for the accommodation of the legislature of this state, and on condition that the town of Montpelier should erect the buildings and con- vey them to the state, with the land whereon they shall stand, declared that 'said buildings shall become the permanent seat of the legislature for holding all their sessions.' All this Montpelier cheerfully did.
" The first State House was constructed of wood, fifty by seventy feet on the ground, thirty-six feet high to the roof, septangular-shaped in front, and otherwise square. The roof was surmounted by a modest cupola, in which was the finest toned bell the town has ever had. The building was plainly furnished, warmed with stoves, and lighted with tallow candles-the hall of the representatives with a chandelier so striking in its proportions, and so brilliant in its effects, as to be a marked exception to the plainness of every. thing else. This house was used until 1836, when it was succeeded by the second State House. This was authorized by act of November 8, 1832, on condition that Montpelier should pay $15,000 towards its construction. This sum was paid, and $3,000 more for additional land. The second house was beautiful and substantial,-a perfect specimen (the dome excepted) of Gre- cian architecture,-and the finest Capitol of its day in New England. The grounds, including fences, terraces, and approaches, were the same as now. The whole cost of this structure was $132,077.23. This Capitol was used until January 5, 1857, when the wood work of the interior took fire, and all the wood work was destroyed, and the walls of granite and brick were badly damaged.
"The third State House was authorized by act of the legislature of Feb- ruary 27, 1857, and was completed in 1859, at the cost of $146,000. Mont- pelier contributed $42,000 of this amount, and to the three houses the total sum of $71,000. The style of architecture is the same as that of the second Capitol, but the furniture, upholstery, gas fixtures, and heating apparatus (steam) are far superior."
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TOWN OF MONTPELIER.
The State House and grounds are handsome and attractive. The Capitol building is a fine specimen of Grecian architecture. It occupies a command- ing site, and with its towering walls, huge dome, and massive Doric columns of white Barre granite, presents an imposing ap- pearance. This model of a Greek cross is set in a beautiful park with sloping lawns and rounded terraces reaching to the street. A wide flight of granite steps lead to the lofty portico, where a heroic-sized marble statue of Gen. Ethan Allen stands a silent guardian at the portal of the main cor- THE STATE HOUSE. ridor. The State House has a frontage of 177 feet, and is surmounted by a dome and cupola fifty-six feet high -making the statue of Agriculture which crowns the edifice 129 feet above the ground. Representatives' Hall contains seats for 240 mem- bers, and the Senate Chamber seats thirty senators. The Capitol contains a
fine cabinet of mineralogy and natural history, a valuable library of 26,000 volumes without duplicates, and the usual offices for state officials. The battle flags of the Vermont troops in the war for the Union are carefully pre- served in cases in the corridors, and in the executive chamber hangs a splen- did painting of the " Battle of Cedar Creek," executed by Julian Scott, of the Fourth Vermont Volunteers. It was purchased by the state for $10,000. A building erected in 1885-86, for the state library and the use of the Supreme Court and historical society, forms an annex to the State House. It is built of granite, seventy-four feet long, forty-eight feet wide, and two stories high. The wing projects fifty feet beyond the west wall of the Capitol and fronts on State street.
COURT-HOUSES.
From the first settlement of Montpelier till 1797 it was a town in Orange county. It was then transferred to Caledonia county, and continued in that organization until Jefferson county was formed, December 1, 1811, with Montpelier the county seat, and such she continues to be. The name of the county, however, was changed to Washington in 1814. The sessions of the court were held in the Council Chamber of the State House until 1818, when a wooden building was erected by the county near the State House, and oc- cupied by the court until 1843. This building is now the residence of the priest of the Catholic church. The county erected its second court-house, of
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TOWN OF MONTPELIER.
brick, on the corner of State and Elm streets, in 1843, but it was burned during the session of the court in November of that year. The third court- house, built of brick near the site of the one burned, was completed in the season of 1844, was enlarged in 1879, the wood work burned in 1880, and was reconstructed in its present fine style, in a few months. It is commo- dious, and warmed by steam, contains pleasant, spacious rooms for the use
WASHINGTON COUNTY COURT-HOUSE,
of the county clerk and judge of the Probate Court ; also convenient jury rooms. To enlarge the grounds and make the site of the court-house what it is, Montpelier contributed $1,000.
The first jail was presented to the county by Thomas Davis, and was the dwelling house of his father, Jacob Davis. The changes necessary to adapt this house to its new purposes were made by the voluntary subscription of the people of Montpelier. The present fine brick jail-house and jail was erected in 1857, and at that date the county fully reimbursed Mr. Davis for his generous donation.
United States Court-House and Postoffice .- The foundations of this build- ing go twelve feet below the surface of the ground, are laid upon concrete
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TOWN OF MONTPELIER.
placed upon the river stratum of gravel, and are of brick. The basement walls are of granite, and the superstructure is to be of random ashlar Suther- land Falls marble, with polished and carved trimmings. The principal en- trance for the public is to be at the porch tower in the southeast corner. The entire lower floor, except the stairway to the upper story, is to be given
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10
NOUS FRE CONY ._
--
UNITED STATES COURT-HOUSE AND POSTOFFICE.
up to the postoffice. In the second story there is to be a court-room, with offices for the judge, district attorney, and marshal. The entire appropria- tion for the building is $160,000 ; $15,000 was paid for the site, and the con- tract for the superstructure complete, except the heating apparatus, has been awarded to Clinton Smith, of Middlebury, for $92,500. The interior finish is contracted to be of hard pine, but an effort is being made to have it changed to white oak. The accompanying cut is an exact representation of the structure when completed, and it will be the finest looking building in the state.
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TOWN OF MONTPELIER.
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND WAR OF 1812.
The history of Montpelier did not begin until after the close of the Revo- lutionary war ; consequently as a town it has no record in that sanguinary struggle ; but several of the pioneers of the town were Revolutionary soldiers. Col. Jacob Davis, Ziba Woodworth, Eliakim D. Persons, Estis Hatch, Luther King, Aaron Griswold, and Joseph Woodworth were of the number.
In the War of 1812 Vermont, as near as can be ascertained, raised her quota of 3,000 "detached militia " in less than a month. In 1813 a quota of four regiments was assigned to the state. The headquarters of two of these were at Burlington ; presumably Montpelier was represented in them. The loyalty and patriotism of the " Montpelier Boys " was displayed on the occasion of the invasion of Plattsburgh, in September, 1814. A company, containing 118 officers and men, was raised at once, officered by Timothy Hubbard, captain ; Isaac Putnam, first lieutenant; Joseph Howes, second lieutenant ; and Stephen Foster, ensign ; and were immediately marched to the seat of war.
WAR FOR THE UNION.
The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 ; the occupation of Fort Sumter by Major Anderson; and the final attack upon it, which was like the shock of an earthquake to the Nation,-all seems but a recent dream. But it was a fearful dream. Years of blood and carnage followed, and eyes are still red with weeping over not a few desolated homes. Montpelier saw the Old Ship of State among the breakers, and her hardy, patriotic sons hastened on board and did valiant and efficient service in aiding her safety into port.
The total number of men furnished by Montpelier, who entered the service, was 365. Ten furnished substitutes ; ten paid comutations ; 120 served their term of enlistment, or to the close of the war; eighty were mustered out of the service previous to the close of the war, at the expiration of their term of service ; 114 were discharged for wounds received, and other disabilities ; twenty-one were killed in battle ; eleven died of wounds received in battle ; seventeen died of diseases contracted in the service ; two died in rebel prisons ; and twelve deserted.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
"The First Congregational Society in Montpelier " was founded by eighty- three leading citizens of the village, April 12, 1808. " The Congregational Church" was organized by Rev. Chester Wright, July 20, 1808, with seven- teen members. Rev. Mr. Wright was employed as stated preacher until
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TOWN OF MONTPELIER.
August 16, 1809, when he was ordained pastor of the church, and continued the relation until December 22, 1830. The whole number of members ad- mitted to this church is about 1,200. The removals by emigration and death have been over 900, leaving a present membership of 242. Until 1820 the meetings were held in the State House, and sometimes in the academy build- ing. Then "the brick church " was. erected at a cost of about $8,000. The present elegant and substantial stone building was dedicated October 15, 1868, and christened "Bethany church," which, with the grounds, is- estimated at $76,000. Rev. Chester Wright was pastor from August 16, 1809, to December 22, 1830 ; Samuel Hopkins from October, 1831, to April, 1835 ; Rev. Buel W. Smith from Au- gust, 1836, to July, 1840 ; Rev. John Gridley from December, 1841, to De- BETHANY CHURCH. cember, 1846 ; Rev. W. H. Lord from September, 1847, to 1878 ; Rev. J. H. Hincks from 1878 to 1888. At pres- ent the church has no regular pastor. The church has seats for 800 persons, and is warmed with three coal furnaces. The Sunday-school contains 225 members, with an average attendance of 143.
The Second Congregational church, or Free church, was organized in 1835, composed mainly of members from the First Congregational church, with Rev. Sherman Kellogg, pastor, and had a prosperous existence under his ministration. This church and society erected and used the church on State street, which is now the Village hall. In 1848 this church organization dis- solved.
The Church of the Messiah, (Independent,) popularly known as "The Uni- tarian church," has a fine church edifice on Main corner of Court streets, con- structed of wood in 1866, at a cost of about $16,000. Its present value, in- cluding grounds and all other church property, is estimated to be $20,000. The house is tasty and attractive in style, and will comfortably seat 320 peo- ple. This society was organized by Charles A. Allen, in 1864, who was its pastor until the fall of 1869, when he obtained leave of absence for a trip to Europe, and Rev. J. Edward Wright, a native of Montpelier, was engaged to supply his place for a year. While away Mr. Allen tendered his resignation, which was accepted, and Mr. Wright became the pastor, and yet continues in that position, with continual and increasing usefulness and popularity. Very few Unitarian ministers had been heard in Montpelier until in October, 1864, Mr. Allen began in the spirit of a missionary to hold meetings, to
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TOWN OF MONTPELIER.
which "liberal Christians " of whatever denomination were especially invited. The congregation met first in " Village hall," but soon permission was ob- tained to occupy the court-house, and meetings were held there for more than a year. The number who at first assembled was hardly more than a dozen, and has increased so that the number of families connected with the society
MATTHEWS.
THE UNITARIAN CHURCH.
through some or all of their members is now over 200. Their Sunday-school was organized while they occupied the court-house, and has now a member- ship of about 150, an average attendance of about ninety, with Fred Blanch- ard, superintendent. It has a library of 600 volumes.
" The covenant of Christian Fellowship in the Church of the Messiah," adopted May 19, 1867, reads as follows :-
" We write our names to this Covenant in the faith and fellowship of Chris- tian disciples ; trusting in God our Father in heaven, accepting the Gospel of Christ as our sovereign law, and resolving, by the help of God, to live in honesty and charity with all men, and in Christian faithfulness with one another."
The Baptist Church of Montpelier was organized in June, 1865, with four- teen members. Hon. Joseph Rowell (deceased) and Philip Hill, Esq., offi- ciated as deacons, and Rev. Rufus Smith, clerk. Mr. Smith was agent for the denomination in Vermont, and supplied the pulpit on Sundays, either in
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TOWN OF MONTPELIER.
person or by an arrangement with other clergymen in the vicinity. They occupied Village hall, Freeman hall, the court-house, and other places until the fall of 1868, when they were enabled to enter the basement of their pres- ent church edifice, located at the corner of School and St. Paul streets. The house was completed and dedicated January 29, 1873, which, with the grounds and church property, is estimated to be worth $20,000. The church now contains 128 members, with Rev. G. T. Raymond, pastor. The Sun - day-school is composed of about seventy pupils, an average attendance of fifty, and has about 100 volumes in its library.
SMATTHEWS.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF MONTPELIER.
Methodism in Montpelier .- It is known that the first Methodist preacher sent to Vermont by the authorized voice of the Methodist Episcopal church, and who accepted and labored under the appointment, was Rev. Nicholas Snethen, who at the conference held at Thompson, Conn., convened Sep- tember 20, 1796, was "read off" as the appointee to " Vershire circuit." " Vershire circuit reached," as the records state, " from the towns near the Connecticut river to Montpelier." Jesse Lee, the pioneer of Methodism in New England, was presiding elder. The fragmentary records, which are the only means of information now extant, give conclusive evidence that Mont-
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pelier was thus visited by the early itinerant preachers. Montpelier may have been occasionally visited by the preachers of Vergennes circuit. The eccen- tric, but talented, Lorenzo Dow, an able though independent worker in the early itinerancy, but was never an appointee on any circuit which included the town, was known to have been an occasional preacher at Montpelier. In 1 804 Barre circuit was formed, and included Barre, Plainfield, Middlesex,
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MATTHEWS.
TRINITY (M. F.) CHURCH.
Montpelier, Northfield, Williamstown, Washington, Berlin, and Orange. Eventually Moretown and Waitsfield were included with other towns in the circuit. It seems, by an examination of the list of members for the entire circuit containing 257 names, that only six or eight were residents of Mont- pelier. There was, however, a " class " organized, and it was represented in the reported "collections " at each quarterly meeting of the circuit.
From this little nucleus the society slowly grew, and in 1812 there were two " classes " in town, with twenty-five members. The first quarterly meeting on record held in Montpelier was on August 5, 1820. The meeting convened in a grove at the "Center." In 1826 the Methodists built their first meeting-house in town, at the "Center." At the first quarterly meeting.
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held in this house Rev. Wilbur Fiske preached upon the theme of " endless misery." In 1828 Montpelier was made a station, and Rev. John Dow was the appointed preacher, with a membership of 105. November 19, 1837, the first church edifice was dedicated in Montpelier village, and in 1838 the church was made a station by itself, with ninety-nine enrolled members. After occupying this house thirty-seven years, on November 24, 1874, their present church was dedicated (Trinity church). This is a plain, substantial brick: structure, conveniently arranged and we'll finished, located on a fine lot on Main street, and is furnished with a superior organ and a massive bell. The: church has seating capacity for 700 people, and with the grounds and all' other church property is valued at $28,000. The membership is 204 and fourteen probationers, with J. O. Sherburne, pastor. The Sunday-school, in- cluding officers and teachers, numbers 254 members.
Christ church (Protestant Episcopal) was organized in 1840. In 1841 the' first parish meeting was held, and George B. Manser, Isaac F. Redfield, J. G. Dewey, S. P. Redfield, A.C. Pierce, H. N. Baylies, and Daniel Baldwin were. elected vestrymen. In 1842 the parish was represented by George B. Manser in diocesan convention. September 21st of the same year Mr. Manser was ordained a deacon, and had charge of the parish. Their first church edifice was also erected in the summer of 1842, and consecrated the 19th of December ensuing. June 7, 1843, Mr. Manser was advanced to the priesthood, and became the first rector. Rev. Howard F. Hill, of Concord, N. H., who was elected rector October 13, 1879, still occu- pies the position (December, 1888). Measures were taken and funds raised to erect a new church in 1866, which was completed and consecrated June CHRIST CHURCH. 2, 1868. The church is constructed of stone, plain and substantial in appearance on the exterior, but elegant and artistic within.
St. Augustine's Roman Catholic church of Montpelier .- The following ac- count of the early history of Catholicism in Montpelier, from Miss Hemen- way's Gazetteer, is from the venerable Right Reverend Bishop of Burling- ton :-
" Rev. Jeremiah O'Callaghan, a priest of the Diocese of Cork, Ireland, was sent by Bishop Fenwick, of Boston, to Burlington, in the month of July, 23*
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1830. From this time, until 1851, he must have occasionally visited the Catholics of Montpelier, but no records exist of his laboring amongst them. Father O'Callaghan died at Holyoke, Mass., in the year 1861. About the year 1850 Rev. H. Drolet, a Canadian priest, was sent to reside at Montpe- lier. He lived here until the fall of 1854, when he returned to Canada, where he died. He it was who bought the old court-house, which was used as a church until the erection of the present edifice by Father Druon. After the departure of Father Drolet the Montpelier Catholic congregation was at- tended by the Obiate Fathers from Burlington until November, 1856, when Very Rev. Z. Druon became pastor of the Catholic congregation, and offici- ated as such until July 15, 1864, when he was replaced by Kev. Joseph Duglue.
"+ Louis, Bp. of Burlington."
ST. AUGUSTINE'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Rev. D. Druon, while in charge of this parish, built (in 1859) the present church, dedicated to St. Augustine, and purchased a church burying-ground. Father Duglue made some improvements on the church and house for the priest, and built a good school building on a lot adjoining the church, which commands a fine view of the village and State House grounds. These mis- sions were visited by Bishops Tenwick and Fitzpatrick, of Boston, while Rev. Father O'Callaghan was here, and some of the eldest people of Montpelier well remember the event. October 18, 1885, Rev. W. J. O'Sullivan suc- ceeded Father Duglue, and remains in charge of the parish at the present writing (February 22, 1889).
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The congregation has vastly outgrown the size of the church. Rev. Father O'Sullivan secured an elligible and fine site for a new church, known as the Rublee lot, on Barre street, in January last, on which he will commence the erection of an elegant and beautiful church edifice of Barre granite, at the opening of the ensuing spring, which will cost about $50,000.
Barre is a mission attached to the parish of St. Augustine, and is attended by Rev. W. J. O'Sullivan. Here he completed the past season one of the prettiest churches in the state. It is built of brick, and trimmed with Barre granite. It has seats for 650 people, and cost $18,000. The corner-stone was laid in October, 1887, and the structure was completed in December, 1888, and named St. Monca church.
The parish of St. Augustine contains about 225 families and 250 single members besides. St. Michael's School is connected with this parish. It is properly graded, taught by six female teachers, and attended by 175 scholars, who there have an opportunity to acquire a substantial education in both English and French.
Col. Jacob Davis, the first permanent settler of Montpelier, and the chief of its founders, was born in Oxford, Mass., in 1739. The portion of Oxford in which he was born was organized into a new town by the name of Charl- ton, in 1754, from which he removed to Montpelier in 1787. Of his boyhood and early manhood, no records remain. From his family it was learned that he had only such advantages for an education as the common schools of his district then afforded, and that in early manhood he married his second cousin, Rebecca Davis, of the same town ; that in 1776 he held the commis- sion of colonel, and was in command of his regiment in Washington's army, at the crossing of the Delaware at Trenton to attack the Hessians. Later he was executing a contract with the United States to carry the mails over a route in Massachusetts, which he continued several years. In 1780, with Timothy Bigelow, of Worcester, Mass., and others, he turned his attention to procuring, by purchase, the charter of the township of Montpelier. This was granted by the legislature at the October session in that year. The charter was not issued until August, 1781. At the second meeting of the proprie- tors, January 11, 1786, Col. Davis contracted to lay out the first division of seventy lots in the township. In the succeeding winter he removed his family to Brookfield, and early the next spring he left his wife and daughters and hastened to Montpelier to make for himself and family a permanent home. His career as the founder of the town has already been given. He was the first representative of the town, elected in 1792, and by successive annual elections held the position five years, and was a delegate to the State Consti- tutional Convention in 1793. About the year 1800 a heavy judgment was procured against him in the United States Circuit Court, growing out of some land agencies he had held from proprietors of lands, which he and his family and friends considered so unjust that he resolved never to pay it. He con- veyed his attachable property to his sons and sons-in-law, and removed his
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