USA > Vermont > Genealogical and family history of the state of Vermont; a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol I > Part 104
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Dr. Dudley Beckwith Smith, a successful gen- eral practitioner of Plainfield, Vermont, is a de- scendant of John Smith, who was the progenitor of the American branch of the Smith family. He was a native of London, England, whence he emi- grated to this country and settled in Lynn, Con- necticut, in the early colonial days. His wife was the daughter of a miller, and Mr. Smith came to his death in this mill by being thrown against the water wheel. Samuel Smith, descendant of John Smith, was born in Lyme, Connecticut, in the year 1695. He served in the colonial army and attained the rank of sergeant. His death occurred in the year 1737.
Silas Smith, son of Sergeant Samuel Smith, was born in Lyme, Connecticut, where he ac- quired his education in the district school. He remained in this town all his life, and was united in marriage to Miss Deborah Gee, who was born in Lyme, Connecticut, in 1731. Mr. Smith con- tracted a fever from a son who was in the battle at New York city, died January 7, 1777, and his wife passed away in September, 1820. He was a deacon in the Baptist church.
John Smith, son of Silas and Deborah Smith, was born in Lyme, Connecticut, November 30, 1753. He attended the common schools and served his seven years' apprenticeship to tanner, currier and shoemaker's trade ; his employer sent to England for an outfit of shoemaker's tools, and he moved to Marlow, New Hampshire, where he followed his trade and farming. After attaining young manhood he was joined in marriage to Miss Mehitable Wood, who was born in Lyme, Connecticut, August 6, 1754. Mr. Smith died at Barre, Vermont, December 5, 1841, and his wife died at Marlow, New Hampshire, November 6, 1820.
Christopher Smith, son of John and Mehitable Smith, was also born in the town of Lyme, Con- necticut, December 28, 1777, and after receiving his education in the district schools followed the occupation of a farmer. He married Miss Lu-
cretia Beckwith, who was born in Marlow, New Hampshire, May 12, 1782. Mr. Smith died Jan- mary 14, 1867, at Williamstown, whither he moved in 1812, and his wife passed away at Will- iamstown, Vermont, March 9, 1857.
Alven Smith, son of Christopher and Lu- cretia Beckwith Smith, was born in the town of Lempster, New Hampshire, November 6, 1800. His early education was acquired in that town, and when he arrived at the age of twelve years his parents removed to Williamstown, Vermont, and he pursued his studies in the district school and the Orange county grammar school. After completing his studies he chose the occupation of farming, and resided on one farm in the town of Williamstown, Vermont, for over fifty years. He met with average success in this undertaking through his industry and skillful management, and also settled estates and attended to town af- fairs. In his politics Mr. Smith was a staunch. advocate of the Democratic party, and he was elected to serve as selectman of the town, and in 1850 and 1851 was appointed assistant judge of the county ; in 1870 the constitutional convention convened, Mr. Smith being one of the delegates, and it was noted for the high degree of intelli- gence of its members. Mr. Smith married, March 30, 1825. Miss Lydia Martyn, who was born at Williamstown. Vermont, March 13, 1804, a. daughter of Aaron Smith and Sarah (Martin) Martyn. Their children were: David Martyn, born May 8, 1827; Lydia Lucretia, born March 10, 1830, died March 9, 1857 ; Dudley Beckwith; Alven Henry, born July 15, 1836, died at the age. of two years ; and Marcus Alven, born July 29, 1839. Mr. Smith died April 28, 1876, and his wife passed away July 2, 1895.
Dr. Dudley Beckwith Smith, son of Alven and Lydia Smith, was born in_ Williamstown, Ver- mont, December 15, 1832. His preliminary edu- cation was acquired at the common schools of his native town, he then entered the Orange county grammar school at Randolph, Vermont, and was a student in the Kimball Union School at Meriden, New Hampshire, and the Northfield Academy at Northfield, Vermont. Deciding to become a member of the medical fraternity he en- tered the University of Vermont, from which he was graduated in 1856. He opened an office in Plainfield, Vermont, in the same year, and his
Dudley B Smith
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THE STATE OF VERMONT.
devotion to the duties of his profession, combined with a comprehensive knowledge of the science of medicine, has made him a most successful and able practitioner, whose prominence is well de- served. In addition to his many duties, Dr. Smith wrote the history of the town of Plainfield, which was published in Hemenway's "Historical Gazet- teer of Vermont" in 1882. He had the distinc- tion of being the one selected to deliver the his- torical address at the centennial anniversary of the Congregational church of Plainfield, Vermont, which was celebrated November 17, 1899. He is a prominent member of the Vermont State Medical Society.
In politics Dr. Smith is an ardent Republi- can and takes an active interest in all local af- fairs ; he has held the office of town treasurer, and was chosen to represent the town of Plainfield in the state legislature in 1880. Dr. Smith was united in marriage September 24, 1861, to Miss Edna L. Holbrook, who was born May 16, 1844, a daughter of David and Jerusha (Cutler) Hol- brook, of Orange, Vermont. Six children were born to them, namely: Herbert, born September 20, 1862, died November 15, 1870: Charles Wal- ter, born April 10, 1866, died April 13, 1866; Clara, born April 5, 1867, died April 26, 1867; Martyn, born July 30, 1874. died November 15, 1879; Holbrook, born July 11, 1876, died Febru- ary 7, 1877 : and Ida Alice, born September 27, 1882, died September 4, 1889. Dr. Smith is one of the leading citizens of Plainfield, Vermont, and is respected and honored by all who come in con- tact with him.
CAROLINE AND MARTHA YALE.
The Misses Yale are most consistently ac- corded consideration in this compilation as be- ing representatives of one of the sterling pioneer families of Chittenden county, where their pater- nal great-grandfather, Moses Yale, took up his abode in 1783, becoming one of the pioneers, of Charlotte township and contributing in marked degree to the development and industrial ad- vancement of this favored section of the Green Mountain state, a work which was duly carried forward by his descendants in succeeding gen- erations, while the name has ever stood for the best citizenship and for the loftiest personal in-
tegrity and honor. He was born October 19, 1743. in Wallingford, Connecticut, being a de- scendent of David Yale, who married Ann Mor- ton in England, in 1613.
Misses Caroline and Martha Yale are both natives of the town of Charlotte, where the have passed their entire lives and where their friends are in number as their acquaintances. Their father, the late Deacon William L. Yale, was born on the ancestral homestead in this town, on the Ist of October, 1807, being a son of Lyman Yale, who likewise was a native of Charlotte and a son of the pioneer representative of the family, Moses Yale. In 1783, as previously intimated, Moses Yale removed from Meriden, Connecticut, to Chittenden county, Vermont, taking up a tract of land on the shore of Lake Champlain, in Char- lotte township, and there developing a fine farm. This continued to be his home until he was called from the scene of life's activities, in 1813, at the age of seventy years. The maiden name of his wife was Laura Lyman, and they became the parents of six children, the grandfather of the Misses Yale having been one of twins. Like his honored father, Lyman Yale became a man of prominence and influence in the community, where both were engaged in agricultural pur- suits during the course of their signally active and useful lives. Lyman Yale was born May 10, 1773. He held various offices in the town and also represented the same in the state legislature for one term, his political allegiance having been given to the Whig party. He was summoned into eternal rest on August 24, 1840, at the age of sixty-seven years, having been a prominent and worthy member of the Congregational church, to whose maintenance he contributed liberally in the promotion of both its spiritual and temporal affairs. January 17, 1801. he was united in mar- riage to Miss Patty Foote, who was born in Middlebury, Vermont. on the 24th of August. 1770, the daughter of Philip Foote, and who died on the 6th of September, 1849. Lyman and Patty Yale became the parents of seven children, of whom the fourth in order of birth was Will- iam L.
William L. Yale was reared on the ancestral homestead and was indebted to the public school at Middlebury for his early educational discipline. He continued to be actively identified with the
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THE STATE OF VERMONT.
noble and basic industry of farming during prac- tically his entire life. He became the owner of a fine farm of five hundred acres, maintaining the same under a high state of cultivation, making the best of permanent improvements and being known as one of the progressive, energetic far- mers and able business men of the town, while upon his record as a man and a citizen there rests no shadow of wrong or suspicion of eveil. His integrity of purpose was inflexible and his entire life was one of signal honor and usefulness in all its relations. His death occurred on the 19th of June, 1893, at which time he had attained the venerable age of eighty-six years, and he passed to his reward secure in the esteem and high regard of all who knew him. He was a Republican in politics from the time of the organization of the party and was called upon to serve in various local offices of trust and responsibility. He was one of the leading members of the Congregational church in Charlotte, in which he held the office of deacon for many years, being ever zealous in the promotion of all good works and exemplify- ing in his daily life the deep Christian faith which ever guided his course in all things, his wife hav- ing also been one of the devoted workers in the church.
On the 20th of October, 1835, Deacon William L. Yale was married to Miss Adelia Strong, who was born in Charlotte, on the Ist of January, 1809, a daughter of Dr. John Strong, one of the honored pioneer physicians of this county, where he was for a long term of years successfully en- gaged in the practice of his profession, being widely known and honored by all. He died at the age of seventy years. His wife, whose maiden name was Huldah Squire, was born in New Ha- ven, Connecticut, and her death occured on the 27th of January, 1811. She became the mother of three children, all of whom are now deceased. Deacon William L. and Adelia (Strong) Yale became the parents of five children, all of whom survive except one, their names, in order of birth, being as follows : Martha, whose name appears at the opening of this sketch, resides in the village of Charlotte. John, who is now engaged in the manufacturing business in the city of Burlington, was one of the gallant sons of Vermont who served throughout the war of the Rebellion, hav- ing been a captain of a company of Vermont vol-
unteer infantry, and having been in active ser- vice in many of the memorable engagements of this great struggle. He became seriously ill at Fairfax, West Virginia, and was incapaciated for duty for a time, being brought to his home by his father, who went to his assistance, the latter having also been a member of the state militia prior to the Rebellion. William S. is a resident of Charlotte, where he is engaged in farming. Caro- line, one of the immediate subjects of this sketch, was the next in order of birth, and resides with her sister. Jeanette died at the age of twenty-five years. The cherished and devoted mother was summoned into eternal rest on the 6th of Septem- ber, 1888, at the age of eighty years. The chil- dren all received excellent educational advantages, attending the public schools and the Williston Academy. Miss Caroline Yale completed her education in Mount Holyoke Seminary, in Mass- achusetts, and was later one of the popular and successful teachers in the schools of Williston and Brandon. In 1883 she accepted a position as instructor in the Clark School for the Deaf, at Northampton, where she has remained for a period of twenty years, gaining marked prestige in her work and being advanced to the position of principal of the institution, thus having the supervision of the work of a corps of twenty-five teachers. Her sister Martha has passed practi- cally her entire life in Charlotte, and both have been identified prominently with church work and have taken part in the best social life of the com- munity. They are devoted members of the Con- gregational church and their influence has ever been exerted in a kindly and helpful way, so that they have drawn about them a wide circle of sin- cere and devoted friends.
JOHN EMERSON BENJAMIN.
John Emerson Benjamin, one of the promi- nent and influential citizens of the town of Berlin, Vermont, was born in Washington county, Vermont, July 19, 1833. He is a descendant of Major Josiah Benjamin, son of William Benjamin, who was born in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, June 19, 1769. Subsequently. he removed to Woodstock, Ver- mont, and in November, 1793, he settled in Ber- lin on lot 5, range 2; in February, 1795, he re-
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J. E. Bayansure
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THE STATE OF VERMONT.
moved to lot 5, range 3, and on April 26, 1800, he made his permanent home on lot I, range I, and first division of the town, where he remained for the balance of his life. Major Benjamin suc- ceeded Eleazer Hubbard on lot I, which includes in its territory Benjamin Falls on Pond brook. Mr. Hubbard had erected the first saw and grist mill in Berlin at the falls, about 1791 or 1792. Major Benjamin rebuilt the mills near the foot of the falls, and he retained them in his posses- sion for many years. In addition to this busi- ness he followed the occupation of farming, at which he was eminently successful, being an in- dustrious, energetic and capable man.
Major Benjamin won his title in the state militia, and he went with his command to Platts- burg in September, 1814, in order to participate in that battle, but they did not reach the place un- til after the battle had been fought on Sunday, September II, 1814, when a decided victory was won for American arms. In his political views Major Benjamin was in sympathy with the old- line Whig party, and he took an active interest in all town affairs. In religion he was a Congre- gationalist, being a member of that church in Ber- lin, Vermont.
On October 10, 1791, Major Benjamin was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Banning, and the following named children were born to them : Lucy, born in Woodstock, April 22, 1793 ; Clara, born March 8, 1795 : Ozias, born April 13, 1797 ; Sally, born in May, 1798; Josiah, born July 6, 1803; Eliza, born July 31, 1805; Matilda, born March 26, 1807 ; and Hannah, born July 10, 181I. Major Benjamin died January 26, 1836, and his wife died October 26, 1844.
Josiah Benjamin, son of Major Josiah and Lucy Benjamin, was born in the town of Ber- lin, Washington county, Vermont, July 6, 1803. His education was derived from the district schools of his native town, and upon completing his studies he succeeded his father on the old homestead, where he remained all his life, en- gaged in the occupation of tilling the soil. In politics Mr. Benjamin was at first a Whig, but on the formation of the Republican party, he joined its ranks. He was actively interested in all that concerned the welfare of his town. He held most of the local offices, and he was chosen
to represent the town of Berlin in the state legis- lature for two years. He was a consistent mem- ber and regular attendant of the Congregational church of Berlin. Both in public and private life Mr. Benjamin had proved himself to be an upright, honest and conscientious man, and he well deserved the esteem and respect of the citi- zens of his community.
Mr. Benjamin was united in marriage, De- cember 25, 1827, to Miss Rebecca Emerson. Eight children were born to them : Chauncey E., born February I, 1829, now deceased ; Lucy Ann, born April 2, 1831 ; John E., born July 19, 1833 ; Charles K., born November 20, 1836, now de- ceased; Philena, born July 18, 1839; Samuel Webster, born May 1, 1842; Ira A., born Jan- uary 26, 1845; Elizabeth B., born November 3, 1847. Mr. Benjamin died October 4, 1884, and his wife passed away in December, 1873.
John Emerson Benjamin, son of Josiah and Rebecca Benjamin, acquired his early education in the district school of his native town, and this was later supplemented by a course at the Barre Academy of Barre, Vermont. After his gradu- ation from the latter institution he located on a farm near the old homestead, where he has since been very successful in the cultivation of a gen- eral line of garden produce, for which he always finds a ready market.
In his political preference Mr. Benjamin is a Republican, and he has been honored by his townsmen by being elected to various positions of trust and responsibility. He has been lister of the town for many years, he has also served as justice of the peace and he represented the town of Berlin in the state legislature for 1878. Mr. Benjamin is one of the leading men of the town, and is noted for his honesty, truthfulness and strict fidelity to his duties.
Mr. Benjamin was united in marriage No- vember 13, 1857, to Miss Sarah Frances Perrin, who was born November 13, 1838, a daughter of William and Ann M. (Kinney) Perrin. Their children are: Forest Ellsworth, born August II, 1861, is a graduate of the Barre Academy, and re- sides in Malden, Massachusetts; Myrtie Sarah, born December 10, 1866, also a graduate of the Barre Academy, and resides with her father. Mrs. Benjamin died November 14, 1900.
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THE STATE OF VERMONT.
MARY ELIZA JONES.
As a representative of a family which has long been held in the highest honor in Chittenden county, Miss Jones is consistently accorded defi- nite consideration in this compilation, and this resume of her genealogical history is one which will serve as a perpetual tribute to her honored father and to others of the line who have likewise passed away, having made their lives count for good and leaving a worthy heritage and valuable example.
Miss Jones has passed most of her life in the town of Charlotte, where she has gathered about her a wide circle of sincere and appreciative friends. Her father, the late Joseph Jones, was a native of the state of New York, having been born in Claverack, Columbia county, on the 13th of December, 1805, and being a representative of one of the old and honored families of that sec- tion, where the name became identified with the annals of American history in the early colonial epoch. His father likewise bore the name of Joseph, and he was born in the state of New York, of the 18th of February, 1762, a son of Samuel Jones, who was a well known and highly honored citizen of Westchester county, that state, where for many years he conducted a hotel and where he died at a great age, having reared a family of nine children. His son, Joseph, became a suc- cessful farmer in Claverack, where he continued to reside until the year 1822, when he came to Charlotte, Vermont, here continuing in the same line of industrial enterprise until his death, on the Ist of March, 1843, at the advanced age of eighty- one years. He married Phoebe Jones, who, al- though of the same name, was not a relative, She was born April 22, 1768, and her death oc- curred February 3, 1832. They became the par- ents of fourteen children, all of whom are now deceased.
Joseph Jones, Jr., was reared to maturity on the homestead farm in Charlotte, early beginning to lend his aid in the work of field and meadow and waxing strong in mental and physical vigor through the sturdy discipline involved, while he was afforded such educational advantages as the common schools of the place and period offered. He became the owner of a part of the homestead, and there he continued to make his home for a
number of years, being known as an industrious, discriminating and successful farmer. In 1850 he removed to what is locally known as Charlotte Four Corners, becoming at that time the owner of the fine farm property upon which his daughter, Mary E., now resides, making the best of im- provements on the property and developing the same into one of the most valuable places in this favored section of the state. Here he continued to make his home until he was summoned from the scenes of life's activities, in the fullness of years and well earned honors, his death occurring on the 7th of May, 1888, at which time he had attained the age of eiglity-two years.
March 3, 1830, Joseph Jones, Jr., was united in marraieg to Miss Margaret W. Sweatman, who was born August 9, 1800, in Sheffield, Con- necticut, the daughter of Amos Sweatman, the maiden name of whose wife was Polly Charter. He removed from Connecticut to Camden, New York, where he passed the closing years of his life, as did also his devoted wife. They became the parents of four children, all of whom are now de- ceased. Joseph and Margaret Jones became the parents of four children, namely : Dr. Amos S., a successful physician and surgeon of Dayton, Ohio; Phoebe Margaret, who is the widow of Isaiah Carpenter, of Addison, Vermont ; Mary E., whose name heads this sketch ; and Clarinda M., who is the wife of Grant H. Burrows, for many years a well known carriage manufacturer of Cincinnati, and now a resident of Burlington, Vermont. The revered mother was summoned into eternal rest on the 5th of January, 1884, hav- ing attained the venerable age of over eighty-three years, and having been a woman whose gentle and gracious character endeared her to all who came within the sphere of her influence, while to those nearest and dearest to her remains the fullest appreciation of the ideal life which was merged in the life immortal when death set its seal upon her mortal lips. Both she and her husband were devoted members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, in which the latter held for a number of years the office of steward. In politics he originally gave his support to the Whig party, but espoused the cause of the Republican party at the time of its organization and ever afterward was found arraved under its banner. He was an uncompromising abolitionist during
ILL
A. W. Benjamin
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THE STATE OF VERMONT.
the crucial epoch culminating in the Civil war, and during that struggle was a most ardent Union man, doing all in his power to aid the no- ble boys in blue whose efforts perpetuated the integrity of the nation. He was a man of strong individuality, marked mentality and sterling char- acter, and in all the relations of life he was true to duty and ever ready to support all measures for the advancement of the welfare and happiness of his fellow men. His memory is held in last- ing honor in this community, for a more worthy and upright man has not lived and labored in this locality. He afforded his children the best possible educational advantages, and each has honored the name and taken a worthy place in the world. His son, of whom mention has been made, completed his technical education in the Albany Medical College, in the capital city of New York, and has attained marked prestige in his chosen profession. Mary E. Jones secured her prelim- inary educational training in the public schools of Charlotte and supplemented the same by a thor- ough course of study in Troy Conference Acad- emy, at Poultney, Vermont, and graduated at Fort Edward Institute. She became a successful and popular teacher, devoting her attention to this noble work for a long period at Cincinnati, Ohio, and having conducted a select school in Charlotte for a number of years. Her aim has ever been to be kindly and helpful, and her efforts have been fully appreciated in the community where she has passed her life and in which her friends are in number as her acquaintances. Miss Jones has been a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church from her girlhood days and has been a zealous and faithful worker in the local Congregational church, there being no other re- ligious society near her.
SAMUEL WEBSTER BENJAMIN.
Few men can claim a more honorable lineage than Samuel Webster Benjamin, himself one of the most respected citizens of Montpelier, Ver- mont. For more than a century this family has taken a prominent part in public affairs. The grandfather of Mr. Benjamin, Major Josiah Ben- jamin, son of William Benjamin, was born in the town of Ashburnham, Massachusetts, June 19, 1769. He removed first to Woodstock, Ver-
mont, and thence, in the month of November, 1793, to the town of Berlin, Washington county, where he settled on lot 5, range 2. In Febru- ary, 1795, he removed to lot 5, range 3, and April 26, 1800, he made his permanent home on lot I, range I. This was in the first division of the town, where he resided for thirty-six years, and where he died January 26, 1836. Before begin- ning his migrations, Major Benjamin had mar- ried Lucy Banning, October 10, 1791. His wife died October 26, 1844. Previous to Major Ben- jamin's settlement on lot I, which includes Ben- jamin Falls on Pond brook, Mr. Eleazer Hub- bard, the former owner, had erected the first saw and grist mill in Berlin, at the falls, about 1791 or 1792. Major Benjamin rebuilt the mills near the foot of the falls and kept them up for many years. In addition to this, Major Benjamin pur- sued with great energy the labors of a farmer. He was major of the state militia and went with his command to Plattsburg in September, 1814, but did not reach there in time to take part in the victory of September 11, 1814. In politics Major Benjamin was always active as an earnest Whig. He was a member of the Congregational church. His children were: Lucy, Clara, Ozias, Sally, Josiah, who was born November 28, 1801, died November 15, 1803; Josiah, born July 6, 1803; Eliza Matilda and Hannah.
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