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 9

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 9

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John, born in Washington city, June 15. 1866; attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and graduate of the Infantry and Cavalry School, United States Army, 1895 ; major, United States Army ; married Emily Britton, at San Francisco, California, in 1895.

Harry Stinson, born in Washington city, July 25, 1869; special student University of Vermont ; graduate of New York University Law School, I.L. B., 1899, admitted to Vermont bar, October 26, 1900.

Elizabeth, born in Washington city, Septem- ber 19, 1871 ; married at Burlington, Vermont, October 29, 1902, to Joseph Bancroft, of Wil- mington, Delaware.

EDWARD JUSTUS BARTLETT.

The Bartlett family, which as been prominent in state and national history from the colonial period to the present time, is represented in the present genration by Edward Justus Bartlett, a leading citizen of Plainfield, Vermont, who, hav- ing been placed by his townsmen in positions of honor and trust, has faithfully justified, by the manner in which he has discharged his duties, the confidence reposed in him.

Like so many of the best citizens of Vermont, he comes of Massachusetts stock, his grandfather, Solomon Bartlett, brother of Hon. Josiah Bart- lett, whose name appears as the second of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. hav- ing emigrated in 1790, or a little later, from Brookfield, Massachusetts, to Hanover, New

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

Hampshire. A few years after he removed to Orange, Vermont, and, later, to Plainfield, in the same state, where he died. During the Revolu- tionary war he served his country in the field as his brother did in the council chamber. Farming was the ocenpation of his life, and he cultivated the farm where his grandson, Joseph E., now lives. Ile was four times married, and was the father of seven children, of whom two sons, Chauncey and Levi, settled in Plainfield.

Levi Bartlett, son of Solomon Bartlett, was born in Hanover, New Hampshire, in November, 1800. When he was about eighteen years old he came to Orange, Vermont, with his father, and, later, to Plainfield. He cultivated the farm now in the possession of his son, Joseph E. Bartlett. During the latter part of his life Mr. Bartlett was a Republican. He was an extremely upright and public-spirited citizen, held various town of- fices and represented the town of Plainfield in the state legislature. Mr. Bartlett was a member of the Methodist church at Plainfield, of which he was steward for many years. He married Nancy Batchelder, daughter of Joseph and Alice (Bout- well) Batchelder. His wife was directly de- scended from the Rev. Stephen Batchelder, who was born in England, and decided to cast in his lot with those who sought religous freedom in the new world. He sailed from London, with sev- eral of his family, on the 9th of March, 1632, in the ship William and Francis, arriving in Bos- ton, June 5, 1632, and settled first in Lynn, Mass- achusetts, and later in Hampton, New Hamp- shire. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett were the parents of six children, namely: George Putnam died in infancy; George D. died in infancy; Mary Jane married D. M. Perkins; Solomon married Abbie Reed; Joseph E. married Clara Hutchin- son ; and Edward Justus.

Edward Justus Bartlett, son of Levi and Nancy (Batchelder) Bartlett, was born in the town of Plainfield, Washington county, Ver- mont. May 18, 1843, and was educated, as have been many of our best informed citizens, at the district schools of his native town. Mr. Bartlett has, all his life, devoted himself to the business of agriculture, being engaged both in general farming and dairying. His farm is beautifully situated, and is conducted on the most advanced

principles, all the latest improvements being found in operation there.

Mr. Bartlett is a Republican, and in his polit- ical life has received repeated proofs of the es- teem in which he is held by his townsmen, hav- ing filled the offices of lister, selectman, road commissioner, justice of the peace, and also rep- resented his town in the state legislature in 1890. Mr. Bartlett was district deputy grand master of District No. 7, I. O. O. F., of the state of Ver- mont. He is a charter member of Arcadia Lodge No. 53, I. O. O. F., at Plainfield, Vermont, and also of Pleasant Valley Lodge No. 42, Rebekalı Lodge, I. O. O. F., of the state of Vermont.

Mr. Bartlett married, December 27, 1865, Mary A. Nye, and had one child, Clinton Arthur, born September 5, 1869. His wife having died November 6, 1879, Mr. Bartlett married, April 9, 1881, Hattie P. Kidder, daughter of Ezra and Mary Kidder. By this marriage he had one child, Ray Kidder, born June 26, 1889. Mr. Bart- lett's second wife died November 9, 1900. His elder son, Clinton Arthur, married, March 29, 1900, Maud L. Austin. His younger son, Ray Kidder, lives at home with his father.

JOHN WOLCOTT STEWART.

John Wolcott Stewart, of Middlebury, one of the foremost citizens of Vermont, a lawyer of high capability, a master of affairs in financial circles and one who has rendered useful service in the legislative councils of the state and nation, is a native of the commonwealth, descended from an ancient and honorable New England ances- try. His first ancestor on the paternal side was Robert Stuart, of Edinburg, Scotland. ' Sam- 11el, his son, emigrated first to Londonderry, Ire- land, and from thence with the historical Scotch- Irish colony which crossed the Atlantic and set- tled in Londonderry, New Hampshire, in the early part of the eighteenth century. Samuel Stuart was the father of five sons and five daugh- ters, of whom John was the eldest. Leaving Lon- donderry, he finally fixed his residence at Cole- raine, Massachusetts, and died there. The spell- ing of the family name was altered about the time of the death of Samuel Stuart to Stewart, in

John wiftwork

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which form it has been preserved to the present day.

John Stewart, familiarly known as Captain John, was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, in 1744. He was a man of marked characteris- tics and took an active part in the French and Revolutionary wars. At the early age of fifteen years he killed an Indian in a notable fight in the forest, and subsequently he became a member of the famous band of courageous frontiersmen known as Rogers' Rangers. He accompanied the expedition of General Montgomery against Que- bec, and was near that gallant officer at the time of his death. After that he happened to be in Bennington, paying his addresses to the lady who afterward became his wife, at the epoch of the battle in that place, and led a company of patriot soldiers in that decisive conflict. In 1777 he mar- ried Huldah Hubbell, by whom he became the fa- ther of five children.

Ira Stewart, the second son of Captain John, was born July 15, 1779. He settled first in New Haven, Vermont, and in 1810 removed to Middle- bury, this state, of which in the following years he was one of the leading citizens. He entered into the mercantile business with his brother, No- ble, but the latter died in 1814, and Ira con- ducted thenceforward the business alone until his own death in 1855. He served his fellow-citizens in both branches of the state legislature, was a member of the Middlebury College corporation, and was actively interested in everything per- taining to the welfare of the villagers. October 29, 1814, he was married to Betsey, daughter of Wolcott Hubbell, of Lanesboro, Massachusetts. Three children were born to them. One of whom, a daughter, died in infancy, and the others, who were sons, were named Dugald and John Wol- cott, survived.

John W., son of Ira and Betsey (Hubbell) Stewart, was born November 24, 1825, in Middle- bury, Vermont. After preparation in Middle- bury Academy, he entered Middlebury College and graduated with honor in 1846. Adopting the legal profession, he began reading law in the office of Horatio Seymour in Middlebury, and re- mained there until January, 1850, when he was admitted to the bar of Addison county. Com- mencing practice at Middlebury, he conducted it alone until 1854, when he contracted a co-part-

nership with ex-United States Senator Phelps and maintained the connection until the death of the latter in April, 1855. His association with Senator Phelps proved to be very valuable in many respects. Early in his professional career Mr. Stewart identified himself with the political affairs of his native state. Honors have been showered upon him thick and fast by his fellow citizens, who in this way practically acknowledge his many sterling intellectual and moral qualifi- cations, and particularly his patriotic public spir- it. in the years 1852, 1853 and 1854 he held the office of state's attorney for Addison county. In 1856 he was elected to the lower house of the Vermont legislature, and served therein as chair- man of the committee on railroads. The matters affecting the consolidation of the Vermont Cen- tral Railroad interests came before his commit- tee, and attracted much and close public attention. His services proved so acceptable to his constit- uents that he was re-elected in the following year, and was also reappointed to his former position on the railroad committee. In 1857 the state house at Montpelier was destroyed by fire, and a strong movement was set on foot to make Bur- lington the capital of the state, but this move- ment Mr. Stewart resisted. Although one of the members from the "West Side" of Vermont, he was influentially active in the legislative debates on the question of removal, favoring the retention of Montpelier as the capital, and was largely in- strumental in carrying the point in favor of the old location.

In 1861 Mr. Stewart was returned to the state senate from Addison county, and served on the judiciary committee, of which the late United States Senator Edmunds was chairman. The members of the Vermont senate in that session were probably the most able that the citizens of the Green Mountain state have ever chosen. Not only Mr. Edmunds, but also F. E. Woodbridge and C. W. Willard-who were afterward elected to the Congress of the United States-Roderick Richardson and other gentlemen prominent in state affairs, were among the members. Elected to the senate of 1862, Mr. Stewart again served on the judiciary committee, and as chairman of the committee on rules. In 1864 he was returned to the lower house from Middlebury, and served on the committees on joint rules and the judiciary.

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

In 1865, 1866 and 1867 he was a member of the house, and at each session was elected presiding officer of the body. As incumbent of the speak- er's chair his ruling were received with great favor, and the reputation for ability, faithfulness, and impartiality then established was such that on his election to the house in 1876 he received the singular compliment of unanimous election to his old post-the speakership.

One of the changes in the organic law of the state effected by the constitutional convention of 1870 was that by which the sessions of the legis- lature were made biennial, instead of annual, as formerly. Mr. Stewart was the first governor of Vermont elected under the new order of things, and filled the chief magistracy with great honor and acceptability from 1870 to 1872. His' in- angural address was brief, businesslike, and statesmanly. Delivered nine years before the re- sumption of specie payment, it contained the fol- lowing just and sagacious recommendation: "It is held by a recent decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, that the provisions of the Legal Tender Act are not retroactive and that debts contracted prior to its passage are payable in coin. I respectfully recommend the prompt recognition of the supreme judicial au- thority of the country, by an enactment authoriz- ing our treasurer to pay in coin that portion of our debt falling within the decisions referred to." This equitable recommendation was promptly acted upon. An additional expense of sixty thou- sand dollars was incurred, but the probity of the commonwealth was placed beyond question. In this as in other particulars Vermont is an ex- cellent exemplar to her sister states.

Governor Stewart's recommendations in re- spect to public education, and also in reference to the jails of the state exhibited keen foresight and were adopted by the legislature. His administra- tion had fallen in the "piping times of peace," and nothing occurred to develop special executive ability. The ordinary routine of state affairs was conducted with dignity and skill, and his whole ca- reer as governor was one of honor to himself and of credit to the state. He has not given his whole time to the practice of his profession, but has de- voted a portion of it to the management of finan- cial institutions. He was chosen a director of the

Middlebury Bank in 1858, and for several years prior to 1881 he served as president with great acceptance, and gave much evidence of his entire fitness for the position. In 1881 the pres- shire of other engagements upon his time forced him to decline a further re-election.

The redistribution of seats in Congress, agree- ably to the population of each state, that followed the United States census of 1880 occasioned a loss to Vermont of one member. Governor Stewart was elected by the Republicans of the new first congressional district to the Forty-eighth Con- gress, and received fifteen thousand six hundred and thirty-eight votes, against six thousand and nine cast for L. W. Redington, Democrat ; eight hundred and sixty-five for C. W. B. Kidder, Greenbacker; and thirty-six scattering. His long service in both branches of the Vermont leg- islature and his excellent gubernatorial adminis- tration gave promise that was amply fulfilled of good and influential service in national legisla- tion. He was re-elected to Congress in 1884, 1886 and 1888. Since the expiration of his eight years in Congress Governor Stewart has returned to the active practice of law-to the work of a profession which he adorns and whose members are all his admirers and friends.

Governor Stewart is a typical Vermonter of the best quality. Like most notable excellent men, he is most highly appreciated where he is best known. Middlebury certainly knows of no official honor that she would not bestow nor of any official duty that she would not entrust to her "favorite son." Possessed of a lucrative legal practice and ever widening acquaintance with men and things, his high reputation as a lawyer is established, and his professional services are in great demand. Not only is he frequently called upon to appear in the highest law courts of Ver- mont, but also of those in other states. His posi- tion in the foremost ranks of citizens and pro- fessional men is unchallenged. The state is hon- ored by the nurture and services of such sons as he.

John Wolcott Stewart was married November 21, 1860, to Emma, daughter of Philip Battell, of Middlebury. Five children were born to them, three of whom, two daughters and one son, are still living. The son, Philip, graduated from Yale

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

University in 1886, was admitted to the bar in Massachusetts, and is now a banker at Colorado Springs, Colorado. The daughters, Elga and Jessica, reside at home.

FRANK TALCOTT.

Frank Talcott, one of the leading agricul- turists of Williston, was born in Williston, Octo- ber 13, 1873, a son of Lewis H. Talcott, and a grandson of the late Roswell Talcott, who was among the first of the native-born citizens of the place. Deacon Jonathan Talcott, the great- grandfather of Frank Talcott, was born in 1773. After his marriage he settled in Williston, taking up one hundred and forty acres of land about two miles south of the present village, where he cleared and improved a farm, in addition kecp- ing a public house. He married Jerusha Morton, who was born March 1, 1778. He was a man of strong religious convictions, and a deacon in the Congregational church. He died while in the prime of manhood, leaving two children: Ros- well, the next in line of descent; and Jerusha, who became the wife of Leonard Smith. On December 21, 1803, his widow married Dr. Seth Cole, by whom she had three children, as fol- lows: Betsey, born September 22, 1804, died August 1, 1891 ; Morton, born March 16, 1807, died April 28, 1864; and Seth L., who died Jan- uary 27, 1861. Mrs. Cole died April 8, 1857.

Roswell Talcott, a life-long resident of Willis- ton, was born in 1798, and died September I, 1893. Following the occupation in which he was reared, he carried on general farming on the old homestead with much success. He married, Feb- ruary I, 1824, Lodicia Holt, daughter of Smith Holt, who was born in Ashford, Connecticut, in 1757, settled in New York state in 1793, and there reared his family, Lodicia being born there. She died October 19, 1887, in Williston. Five children were born of their union, as follows: Seth Cole, born January 24, 1825, resides in San Francisco, California ; Jerusha Caroline, born December 31, 1827; Lydia Janet, born November 2, 1831, died July 1, 1847; Lewis H., father of Frank ; and Jonathan Roswell, born May 3, 1844, is a resident of Oakland, California.

Lewis H. Talcott was born in Williston, June 27, 1836, and here acquired his early education,

attending the common schools and the academy. Obtaining a thorough knowledge of the various branches of agriculture under the wisc tuition of his father, he assisted in the management of the home farm until 1862, when he went to Cali- fornia, where he engaged in farming and dairy- ing for four years. Returning to his former home in 1866, he has since been extensively en- gaged in general farming and dairying, having a landed cstate of twelve hundred and fifty acres. A man of great enterprisc and energy, he organ- ized the first co-operative creamery in the state of Vermont, in 1891, and is now interested in three creameries in the neighborhood. He is prominently identified with the local public offices, besides which he represented his town in the leg- islature in 1872, and was state senator in 1896. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and a member of the Universalist church. He married, in 1858, Lucy Root, who was born in Williston. a daughter of Zimri and Amelia (Atwater) Root, and a granddaughter of Arnold Root, who came from Montague, Massachusetts, to Williston in 1800. Into their household five children were born, namely: Scth R., born March 12, 1860, died December 12, 1864; George M., born June 3, 1862, died August 9, 1883 ; Charles R .. born May 16, 1867, died March 5, 1886; Jane E., born September 30, 1870, died March 27, 1887: and Frank.

Frank Talcott was educated at Goddard Sem- mary and the University of Vermont, and has since carried on general agriculture with marked success, being a prominent member of the farm- ing community of his native town. He is an active member of the Republican party, and served as selectman in 1899, 1900 and 1901. Fra- ternally hc belongs to the Ethan Allen Lodge, F. & A. M. On August 25, 1897, Mr. Talcott married Clarinda Stuart, a daughter of Robert and Lucia (Bingham) Stuart, of Westford, Ver- mont.

WILLIS F. CHAPIN.

Willis F. Chapin, of Essex Center. Vermont, can trace his ancestry back to 1642, when Deacon Samuel Chapin settled in Springfield. Massachu- setts. His son, Japhet Chapin, was the father of a son named David Chapin, who resided in Chico-

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

pee, Massachusetts, and his son, Benoni Chapin, who was born January 24, 1726, was the founder of the family in Connecticut. His son Ichabod Chapin was born September 26, 1760. He learned the trade of tanner, which he followed in connec- tion with his farming pursuits. He was an active and carnest member of the Congregational church, and was noted for the wonderful memory he possessed. He was united in marriage to Miss Asenath Smith, of Goshen, Connecticut, and they took up their residence in Jericho, Vermont, in 1786. He died May 16, 1843. His son, My- ron Chapin, was born March 6, 1794, and mar- ried Miss Ruth Currier. Their son, Albert F. Chapin, was the father of Willis F. Chapin.

Albert F. Chapin was born in Jericho, Ver- mont, December 9, 1825. He was a self-educated man, and taught school for many years. He resided in Essex Center, Vermont, from 1871, and followed the occupation of farming. He was elected to the position of superintendent of schools, and he retained this office for many years. On November 25, 1853, Mr. Chapin mar- ried Miss Sarah Palmer, a resident of Underhill, Vermont. Two children were born to them: Willis Fremont ; and Carrie Palmer, who was born in 1862, and married G. E. Humphrey, of Bur- lington, Vermont. The father of these children died September 2, 1888.

Willis Fremont Chapin, only son of Albert F. and Sarah Chapin, was born in Underhill, Ver- mont, October 23, 1857. He derived his educa- tion at Essex Classical Institute, and upon the completion of his studies he engaged in farming, making a specialty of dairy products, at which he was eminently successful.

Mr. Chapin has held many offices of trust and responsibility, among which may be mentioned that of selectman, a position he held for four years ; he held the positon of town clerk for three years ; was justice of the peace, and he was chosen to represent Essex Center in the legislature in 1898. Mr. Chapin is a notary public, and he has served in the capacity of president of the board of trustees of the Essex Classical Insti- tute ; he is a cornmissioner of the cemetery, and fraternally is a member of the Ethan Allen Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

Mr. Chapin was united in marriage Septem- ber 21, 1878, to Miss Ellen Andrews, daughter of

Gideon B. and Polly (Buel) Andrews, of Hunt- ington, Verment. Mr. Andrews was born in Richmond, Vermont, and when quite a boy came to Essex, where he married Polly Buel, and they removed to Huntington, where they resided until death. Mr. Andrews died November 20, 1893; his wife died June 30, 1896. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Chapin, namcly : Claudius, born October 6, 1880, a student of the University of Vermont ; Sarah B., born in 1882, now engaged as a teacher; Jeanette A., born in 1884, also en- gaged in teaching ; Albert Franklin, born in 1886, a student in the Essex Classical Institute; and Carrie P. Chapin, born in 1888.

HON. REDFIELD PROCTOR.

Hon. Redfield Proctor, of Proctor, Vermont, former governor of the state and United States senator, is a native of the soil, born in Proctors- ville, June 1, 1831. His ancestors were of ex- ccllent English stock. The first of the family to come to America was Robert Proctor (1), who in 1643 was a freeman and in prosperous circum- stances in Concord, Massachusetts. In 1653 he and others obtained a grant of land six miles square, upon which was founded the town of Chelmsford. He married Jane, eldest daughter of Richard Hildreth, the ancestor of the family of that name in America. He died April 28, 1697. Of his twelve children, seven were sons, and all became heads of families which were planted throughout Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire.

Samuel (2), tenth child of Robert Proctor, born in Chelmsford, September 16, 1665, and died January 17, 1757, was one of the grantees of the land which became Townshend. The christian name of his wife was Sarah, but her surname is unknown. Their children were also twelve in number.

Thomas (3), second son and third child of Samuel, was born in Chelmsford, December 12, 1698. He married Hannah, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Barron, who bore him four children. Their second son and fourth child,

Leonard (4), founder of the Proctor family in Vermont, was born in Chelmsford, January 16, 1734. He was a selectman in 1770, 1778 and 1779. He was among the most active of the Rev-

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

olutionary patriots, and was second lieutenant in Captain Minot's company, which marched from Westford to Lexington at the alarm of April 19, 1775. He participated in various engagements, including those of Lexington, Trenton and Mon- mouth. He was one of the committee of corre- spondence in 1780, and was one of its commit- tee of thirteen "to take under consideration the new form of government." In 1781 he was a captain, and was head of one of the five classes into which the town was divided for army en- rolling purposes. After the war he removed to Cavendish, Vermont, where he founded in an un- known forest the village of Proctorsville, which derived from him its name, and where he died, June 3, 1827. He married, in 1760, Lydia Nut- ting, who died November 16, 1767; and Decem- ber 25, 1769, he married Mary (died September 3, 1827), daughter of Captain Jabez Keep. Leonard Proctor was the father of twelve chil- dren, of whom the two eldest, Philip and Abel, were also Revolutionary war soldiers.

Jabez (5), tenth child of Captain Leonard Proctor, was born in Westford, Massachusetts, April 22, 1780, and was three years old when his parents removed to Vermont, in which state he lived to become one of its most influential and honored citizens. Vigorous and versatile, he was for many years not only a farmer and a merchant, but was also a manufacturer, and on a large scale, considering the conditions. He was a Whig, and actively participated in public affairs. At differ- ent times he was a member of the governor's council, and judge of probate. He was a presi- dential elector in 1824 and in 1836, and in the latter year, as chairman of the delegation, cast the vote of the state at Washington for William Henry Harrison. His wife Betsey, daughter of Isaac Parker, of Westford, Massachusetts, to whom he was married in 1817, bore him four children. He died in 1839.

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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 9

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