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 51

Author: Carleton, Hiram, 1838- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1032

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 51

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On February 9, 1859, Mr. Heath was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Eliza Putnam, daugh- ter of Dr. David Wing and Rebecca (Caldwell) Putnam, of Morrisville, Vermont.

Mr. Heath was a Republican in politics, and he commenced his political career early in the sixties by serving as state's attorney for the county for two years, and for the years 1868, 1869 and 1870 he was chosen to represent the people in the state senate, and was subsequently made a trustee of the state library. The cause of temperance had an ardent supporter in Mr. Heath, who firmly believed that most of the

troubles in this world were from the source of intemperance. He was also an adherent of the principles of Free Masonry, being advanced to the degree of knight templar. Mr. Heath was a man of very broad principles, and whatever commended itself as helpful to humanity was sure to enlist his hearty co-operation. . He possessed a wonderful memory and whatever he observed seemed indelibly impressed upon his mind. He was also a liberal thinker in his religious views.

GEORGE WADSWORTH ROBINSON.

The Robinson family, of which the subject of this sketch was a worthy representative, has long been prominently identified with the history of Bennington Center. The first of the name to locate here was Captain Samuel Robinson, who on returning from one of the campaigns of the continental army in the French and Indian war passed through Bennington Center, in 1761, and being impressed by the attractiveness of this locality determined to settle here. He was the moderator of the first town meeting, or "propri- etors' meeting," as it was then called, February II, 1762, and since that time members of the family have borne quite an active and prominent part in the affairs of the town and county.

General David Robinson, the eighth child of Captain Samuel Robinson, was born in Hard- wick, Massachusetts, November 22, 1754, and came with his father to Bennington, Vermont, in 1761. When the colonists took up arms against the mother country at the outbreak of the Revolutionary war, he joined the continental army, and as a private participated in the battle of Bennington, but afterwards rose by regular promotion to the rank of major general. He con- tinued his connection with military affairs until 1817, when he resigned his commission. For the long period of twenty-two years, ending in 18II, he efficiently served as sheriff of Bennington county, and was then appointed United States marshal, which office he filled until 1819. He was always deeply interested in everything con- nected with the growth and prosperity of Ben- nington, and was recognized as one of the most valued and useful men of the community, as well as one of its most distinguished and popular cit- izens. He died on the 12th of December, 1843,

Charles H. Heath

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at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. In early life he married Miss Sarah Fay, a daugh- ter of Stephen Fay. Captain Heman Robinson, the youngest son of this worthy couple, spent his entire life at Bennington, where he died at the age of fifty years. He wedded Miss Betsey Wadsworth, a daughter of Joseph Wadsworth, and twelve children blessed this union, one of whom was George Wadsworth Robinson.

The last named was born in Bennington Center on the 14th of January 1819, and his pri- mary education, acquired in the public schools of that place, was supplemented by a course at the Bennington Academy. After arriving at man's estate, he went to New York city, where he was employed as clerk in a carpet store, and he was offered an interest in the business, but at the earnest solicitation of his grandfather, Gen- ·eral Robinson, he returned to Bennington in 1843, to take charge of the general's estate. He later became proprietor of the Walloomsac House and also engaged in auctioneering, being a very active man throughout life. He finally disposed of his hotel. He built three observatories on Mount Anthony and devoted considerable time to that pursuit.

On the 8th of April, 1840, Mr. Robinsin was united in marriage to Miss Jane E. Hinsdill, whose father was Joseph N. Hinsdill, of Hins- dillville, who was a native of Bennington and the proprietor of the first woolen mill in the state. At the time of his death, which occurred when he was forty-eight years of age, Mr. Hins- dill owned every house in the village which bore his name. He married Miss Joanna Nichols, a cousin of Charles Foster, ex-secretary of treas- ury, and to them were born ten children, of whom nine reached years of maturity; one son, Joseph N., became cashier of the Bennington Bank and surveyor general of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson had ten children, namely: Mrs. Sam- uel B. Hall, who is a resident of North Benning- ton and has four sons, Deming, Robinson, Carter and Lincoln ; Mrs. Charles F. Sears, who makes her home in Atlantic City, New Jersey ; Carrie, a resident of Bennington Center ; David, who is now engaged in farming in the state of Washington ; Heman, who is employed in the mint in California; George A., who is at home with his mother; Chester, Fannie and Agnes,

deceased; and Jennie E., also at Bennington Center.

Throughout life Mr. Robinson was a staunch supporter of the men and measures of the Dem- ocratic party, and for a number of years he filled the office of postmaster at Bennington Center. He was a charter member and the first president of the Bennington Historical Society, to which organization he devoted much time and labor with most gratifying results. He was also actively interested in the erection of the Ben- nington Battle Monument, for which he collected a large amount of money, and as a public-spir- ited and progressive citizen he gave his support to every enterprise calculated to advance the moral, social or material welfare of his native place. He was a man highly honored and es- teemed by all who knew him, and well merited the regard in which he was held. His widow survived him until June 3, 1902, when she passed away at the old homestead in Bennington Center, at the age of eighty-two years, sur- rounded by a host of friends and acquaintances who esteemed her highly for her sterling worth. The following is an extract from a local paper, The Banner :

"The impressive characteristic in the char- acter of Mrs. Robinson was her gentleness. There was such an element of quiet and gentle- ness about her that few would be aware of her abilities. She had a remarkable memory and would repeat many a psalm and hymn and poem for the benefit of her children. Her love of home and devotion to her family were of the deepest kind. Often would she get her children to repeat with her these lines :

'Let not soft slumber close your eyes Before you've recollected thrice,

The train of actions through the day.

Where have my feet sought out the way' What have I sought that I could shun ?

What duties have I left undone ? Or into what new follies run?

These self-inquiries are the road, Which lead to virtue and to God.'

"But her thought was not confined to her own home, and again and again she would in- quire about friends and neighbors after she was unable to get to see them herself. One of her

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favorite hymns was, 'How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,' and it was expressive of her Christian faith. She united with the Old First church, January 5, 1834, when in her fifteenth year, and was a consistent member for sixty- eight years. She showed her interest in the church to the very last, being greatly interested in the preparations for re-opening the church for services the Sunday before her death, after the long absence necessitated by extensive repairs. "Her passing to the other life was beautiful and peaceful, so gentle that the friends could hardly tell the exact moment it came.

"Homeward.

"She sat at peace in the sunshine Till the day was almost done,

And then, at its close, an angel stole over the threshold stone.

He folded her hands together,

He touched her eyelids with balm,

And her last breath floated upward Like the close of a beautiful psalm.

No tender, yet sad, farewell,

From her quivering lips was heard.

So softly she crossed the quiet stream That it was not by a ripple stirred.

She was spared the pain of parting tears, She was spared all mortal strife. It was scarcely dying, she only passed In a moment, to endless life.

Weep not for the swift release From earthly pain and care,

Nor grieve that she reached her home and rest Ere she knew that she was there. But think of the sweet surprise,

The sudden and strange delight

She felt as she met the Savior's smile And walked with him in white."

George A. Robinson, who lives in the old homestead, has made farming his life occupa- tion and still carries on that pursuit with good success. During his boyhood he attended the common schools of Bennington Center and also the Mount Anthony Seminary. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, and is now (1902) efficiently serving as village clerk. He belongs to the Vermont Society of the Sons of the Revolution and the Vermont Historical

Society, and is a member of the old First church at Bennington Center, in which his father was president of church and society.

ALBERT WHITMAN FERRIN.

Albert Whitman Ferrin, known as a most capable financier and man of affairs, was born July 4, 1851, in Johnson, Vermont, son of Whit- man George and Harriet Matilda (Harris) Fer- rin, of old and well known families. Whitman G. Ferrin was born in Croydon, New Hamp- shire, July 9, 1818, son of John and Hannah (Jacobs) Ferrin. John was born December 25, 1789, at Newport, New Hampshire, son of Zeb- ulon and Lydia (Coburn) Ferrin. Zebulon first married Lydia Coburn, at Newport, Sep- tember 25, 1783, and for his second wife married Chloe, the widow of James Winter, at Croydon, October 8, 1812. He disappeared from Croydon in 1818. His son John was a farmer; he re- moved in 1820 to Morristown, Vermont, and be- came a man of prominence, occupying various town offices and serving in the legislature, where he was noted as the largest man in that body. He married Hannah Jacobs, who was born August 10, 1794, and died November 9, 1874, a daughter of Whitman and Hannah (Walker) Jacobs. Whitman Jacobs was a pensioner of the Revolutionary war, and a son of the Rev. Whitman Jacobs, of Royalston, Massachusetts.

The Rev. Whitman Jacobs was born May 3, 1727, at Bristol, Massachusetts (now in Rhode Island) ; he was married October 1, 1744, to Re- becca B. Jacobs, who died at Royalston, Massa- chusetts, December 15, 1754. His second wife was Rebecca Grow, whom he married June 3, 1773. He organized the first Baptist church in Thompson, Connecticut, and he was so famous as a pulpiteer that people came great distances to hear him preach. In 1769 he came to Royals- ton, where he died March 27, 1801. He was the father of fifteen children. ·

Nathaniel, father of the Reverend Whitman Jacobs, was born June 26, 1683, at Hingham, Massachusetts. He removed to Bristol, Massa- chusetts (now in Rhode Island), and in 1729 to Woodstock, then in Massachusetts and now in Connecticut, where he bought a large tract of

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land and lived until 1742, when he went to Thompson. Connecticut, and bought two large tracts of land, for which he paid fifty-four hundred dollars. He then opened an inn which, as the half-way house between Hartford and Boston, and known as the "Jacobs Inn," was famous to the travelers of the day. Lafayette, the gallant Frenchman who rendered such val- uable service to the patriot cause during the Rev- olutionary war, made it his stopping place while journeying from New York to Boston, and when he had departed it was found that he had left behind him his Masonic apron, which is now worn by George Jacobs, who occupies the old homestead farm upon which the famous old inn is yet standing. Washington was also a guest there while passing through the country. On one occasion Washington's coachman drove away without his master, whom he supposed had taken his seat in the vehicle, but Washington was so fleet of foot that he ran and overtook the fast-flying horses, and when on the step of the coach waved his hand in farewell to his host. Nathaniel Jacobs married, October 22, 1713, Mercy. Whitman, and he died February 22, 1772. His son John succeeded him in the proprietor- ship of the Jacobs Inn.

Joseph Jacobs, father of Nathaniel Jacobs, born in Hingham, Massachusetts, May 10, 1644, was a son of Nicholas Jacobs, who was the pro- genitor of the family in 1633. He first settled at Watertown, Massachusetts, where he became a freeman in 1636, was commissioned in 1646 to try small cases, and was a deputy in 1648-9. With his wife Mary and two children he removed to Hingman, where he died, June 5, 1657.

John and Hannah (Jacobs) Ferrin were the parents of seven children. Rebecca, the oldest, was three times married, and her children were Governor George W. Hendee, one of the most conspicuous men of his day, and is still living ; and Henry C. Fisk, of Morrisville. Lydia mar- ried Sylvester Gates, and two daughters were born to them, May Gates Cheney, still living, and Maria, deceased. Whitman G. is further men- tioned below. Harrison died without issue. John died unmarried. Elmira and Almira, twins; Elmira is the widow of Elisha Parker, and now resides in Middlefield, Connecticut ;

and Almira, deceased, married Moses Weld Ter- rill, and became the mother of five children.

Whitman G. Ferrin received a high school education in Morrisville and Montpelier. He read law under the preceptorship of Luke P. Poland, was admitted to the bar, and practiced in Wolcott, Johnson, Hyde Park and Mont- pelier, Vermont. In 1859 he removed to Mont- pelier and formed a partnership with F. F. Mer- rill, who died shortly afterward, and he after- ward practiced alone. He was a man of splen- did legal attainments, and cared for a very ex- tensive practice in the supreme and inferior courts. In 1866 and 1868 he served in the legis- lature, and was state auditor from 1871 to 1877. He was one of the incorporators and the first treasurer of the Montpelier Savings Bank and Trust Company, and occupied that position until 1878, when he was succeeded by his son. He was an organizer and a zealous supporter of the church of the Messiah (Unitarian), and assisted liberally in the building of its house of worship. He was a man of excellent social qualities, and was seld in high esteem in the community. December 25, 1843, he married Matilda Harris, who was born in Stowe, July 21, 1824, a daughter of Joel and Mahitabel (Akeley) Harris. Her father was born in Stowe, September 17, 1796, and died September 22, 1862. He was a farmer, a son of Joel K. Harris, born July 8, 1766, who was son of Nathaniel, born at . Colchester, Connecticut, April 2, 1743, who was a son of Jonathan, born at Montville, Connecticut, January 15, 1705, who was son of Lieutenant James Harris, born in Boston, April 4, 1673, who was the eldest son of James Harris, who was born in Boston, in 1640. Lieutenant James Harris married (1696) Sarah, daughter of Samuel Rogers, of New London. In 1750, when seventy-seven years of age, he married a daughter of Joseph' Henry, of New London, and he died February IO, 1757, aged eighty-four years.

Whitman G. Ferrin was the father of four children: Alma T., born in Wolcott, Vermont, November 21, 1845, married, March IS, 1868, William P. Richardson, of New York: Albert Whitman, written of below: Charles H., born in Johnson, December II, 1852, who became a

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merchant and is now retired, married Ida Rob- inson, and to them were born two children, Whitman G. and Winnie; and Harriet M., born in Hyde Park, January 31, 1858, who became the wife of Dr. Homer C. Brigham, of New York. The parents of these children died, respectively, in June 1896, and February 11, 1892.

Their eldest son, Albert Whitman Ferrin, was educated in the public schools of Mont- pelier. He read law under the preceptorship of his father, but relinquished his studies, after being nearly prepared to enter upon practice, in order to take service with the Montpelier Sav- ings Bank & Trust Company at the time of its organization. He opened the books of that cor- poration August 1, 1871, and continued to act as clerk until 1878, when he succeeded his father in the teasurership, a position which he has since occupied, discharging his duties with signal ability and to the entire satisfaction of the direct- orate and patrons. He is also county treasurer of Washington county, and is identified with various important enterprises, among which are the Lester H. Greene Company and the Sabine Machine Company.

He has attained to high rank in the Masonic order ; is a member of Aurora Lodge No. 22, Keystone Chapter R. A. M., Mount Zion Com- mandery, K. T., and of Mt. Sinai Temple, Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Ferrin was married, December 24, 1874, to Miss Florence Huntington, a daughter of L. B. Hunt- ington, and of this marriage were born two chil- dren: Florence, born September 17, 1879, who is a teacher of French and German in the Mont- pelier high school; and Homer, born July 27, 1884, a cadet in the Norwich University, at Northfield. The mother of these children died in August, 1884. June 12, 1889, Mr. Ferrin was married to Miss Laura Sabin, a daughter of Charles S. and Emily M. Sabin. Of this marriage was born a son, Charles, November 27, 1892.

HENRY CRANE TINKHAM, M. D.

Dr. Henry Crane Tinkham, physician and dean of the medical department of the University of Vermont, is a descendant of an old and fa- mous New England family, some of whose mem-

bers participated in the Revolutionary war. Ephraim Tinkham, the progenitor of the Ameri- can branch of the family, was born in England about 1614; he emigrated to this country in the spring of 1630, and settled in Plymouth, Massa- chusetts. His son, Ephraim Tinkham, was born August 5, 1649 ; his son, John Tinkham, was born August 23, 1680; his son, Amos Tinkham, was born July 10, 1729. His son, Seth Tinkham, was born September 28, 1761 ; he was a man of fine physique, and performed many marvelous feats of strength and endurance. He also joined the army as a soldier during the war of the Revolution, and participated in that memorable and world-famous battle of Bunker Hill, where he displayed great courage and daring. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Nichols, and their son, Peter Tinkham, was reared on the old ancestral estate and followed the occupation of farming. He married Miss Pethana Stone, and four children were born to them, three of whom grew to years of maturity ; Ann, Jane and Sam- tel Stone Tinkham.

Samuel Stone Tinkham, father of Henry Crane Tinkham, was born in Cornish, New Hampshire, April 7, 1818. He was reared by his grandfather on a farm, which the latter pur- chased in Windsor, Vermont, in 1828; he re- mained there until 1838, when he removed to Rochester, Vermont, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1850, when Samuel Stone Tinkham removed to Brownington, Ver- mont, where he resided, engaged in the occu- pation of farming until 1880, when he took up his residence in Newport, Vermont, where he re- mained until the year 1896, when he finally set- tled in Burlington, Vermont, where he now re- sides with his son, Henry Crane Tinkham. Mr. Samuel Stone Tinkham was united in marriage, February 3, 1848, in Rochester, Vermont, to Miss Clarrissa, daughter of Elijah and Ruth (Crane) Richmond. Three children were born of this union, namely : Edson Scott, born June 2, 1850, now a farmer of Brownington, Vermont; Dr. Henry Crane; and Francis Samuel, born April 16, 1860, now engaged in the capacity of cashier of the savings bank of Newport, Vermont. The mother of these children died September 4, 1896.

Henry Crane Tinkham, second son of Sam- uel Stone and Clarrissa Tinkham, was born in

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Brownington, Vermont, December 7, 1856. He acquired his early education in the public schools of his native town, and this was supplemented later by a course of study in the Derby Academy. Subsequently he attended the medical department of the University of Vermont, from which he was graduated in 1883 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine and Surgery. Immediately after his graduation he located in Burlington, Vermont, where he entered upon the practice of his pro- fession, making a specialty of surgery. His de- votion to his chosen calling is deep and abiding, and his ability, both natural and acquired, has won him recognition as a most capable member of the medical fraternity. He has been associated with the medical department of the University of Vermont since his graduation, in the various capacities of demonstrator of anatomy, adjunct professor of anatomy and professor of anatomy; the latter position he held for the year 1895. He was elected professor of clinical surgery, and was also called upon to fill the honorable position of dean of the medical department in 1899, which position he still occupies.

Dr. Tinkham is a prominent member of the Vermont State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Burlington Clinical Society, and the Knights of Pythias. He serves in the capacity of school commissioner of Bur- lington, Vermont, and is an earnest, consistent member of the Congregational church. On October 17, 1886, Dr. Tinkham was united in marriage to Miss Clara E. Day, daughter of Albert Day. Two children have been born to them, one of whom died in infancy, and Mable Tinkham.

FREDERICK W. MORSE.

Frederick W. Morse, the genial passenger and freight agent for the Montpelier & Wells Railroad, was born in Duxbury, Vermont, Sep- tember 12, 1844, his parents being Samuel and Caroline (Randall) Morse. The father was born in Bolton, Vermont, December 8, 1809, and was a son of Joseph and Susanna (Gleason) Morse. Throughout his business career Joseph Morse carried on agricultural pursuits. He served his country in the war of 1812 and participated in the famous battle of Plattsburg. His death oc-

curred when he had attained the age of sixty years, and his wife passed away in 1867 at the ripe old age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of eight children, Samuel, Lorenzo, Russell, Allen, Edwin, Jane and Chauncey and Charles, twins.

Samuel Morse, the father of Frederick W., was reared on the old home farm, and later in life engaged in the hotel business, being proprie- tor of the old Stage House at Waterbury, Ver- mont. In addition to the care of the hotel he en- gaged in farming, and was a man of considerable prominence and influence in his locality. His fellow townsmen manifested their confidence in his ability and his loyalty of citizenship by elect- ing him their representative to the state legisla- ture. He married Caroline Randall, a daugh- ter of William and Dolly Randall, who removed from Dover, Massachusetts, to the Green Moun- tain state. Her father lived to the advanced age of ninety-two years. To Mr. and Mrs. Morse were born the following children: Leonard, de- ceased; Merinda ; William, who has also passed away ; Orin A., of Boston, Massachusetts ; Ran- som J., of Chicago, Illinois; and Frederick W. The mother of this family died in 1849 and the father afterward married Maria Windgate, by whom he had one child, Bertram B., of Chicago. In his political affiliations Mr. Morse was a Democrat prior to the Civil war, when he joined the ranks of the Republican party; which formed. the nation's bulwark at the time the south at- tempted to overthrow the Union. His death oc- curred on the 8th of August, 1899.

Frederick W. Morse pursued his education in the common schools. At the age of sixteen years he enlisted and for four years was con- nected with the Army of the Patomac. In 1865. he went with that command to Mexico, in a busi- ness capacity but not as a soldier. There his health failed and he returned to the United States. Soon afterward he secured a position as commercial traveler, thus serving until 1872. In that year he returned to the east, and in 1874 ac- cepted a clerkship in the general office of the Montpelier & Wells Railroad. In October of the same year he was made cashier of the road. In May, 1878, he was promoted to general pas- senger agent and in ISSI became freight agent. He filled all three positions until April, 1895,

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wlien he assigned the duties of the financial de- partment to others and took the entire charge of the traffic department. He is well qualified to meet the heavy responsibilities which devolve upon him in this connection. During his long identification with railroad interests he has thoroughly mastered the business in all its departments, and not a little of the success of the company is due to his efforts. He is also the secretary and treasurer of the Barre Branch Railroad, and is engaged in the coal business in the capital city.

In 1871 occurred the marriage of Mr. Morse and Miss Adeline L. Sparks, of Bowdoinham, Maine. She died in 1894, and he was again mar- ried in 1896, his second union being with Helen D. Kempton, of Montpelier. By this union there is one child, Randall Kempton. Mr. Morse is a prominent Mason, is a past master of the lodge, high priest of King Solomon Chapter, R. A. M., and generalissimo of Mt. Zion, Commandery, K. T. He has also taken the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite and belongs to the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a worthy representative of the order of Odd Fellows. In his political views he is a Democrat, and served as postmaster of Montpelier from 1888 until 1892, filling the office with marked ability. His unswering purpose, his unquestioned fidelity, his unfaltering honesty and his unchang- ing will have commanded the respect of all.

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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 51

Author: Carleton, Hiram, 1838- ed Publication date: 1903 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1032

Author: Carleton, Hiram, 1838- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1032