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 II, Part 30

Author: Carleton, Hiram, 1838- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1044

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 II > Part 30

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On December 3, 1873, in the town of Milton, Vermont, Mr. Blake was united in marriage to * Miss Sarah Emma Rich, who was born in Fair- field, Vermont, December 5, 1853, a daughter of Charles and Emily L. (Potter) Rich. Charles Rich was born in Fairfield, Vermont, and en- listed twice as a soldier during the progress of the war of the Rebellion ; his wife, Emily L. Pot- ter, was born in St. Albans, Vermont, a daugh- ter of Mosley Potter, who was one of the first settlers of the town of St. Albans, and he dis- played his patriotism by enlisting as a soldier dur- ing the war of 1812. Mrs. Blake acquired her education at the Montpelier Seminary and the Female College. Four children were born to her through her marriage with William Carlton Blake, namely : Bertha E., born in Milton, Aug- ust 29, 1874, was educated in St. Albans Academy and married April 18, 1900, Eugene Morrill Blake, great-grandson of Isaac Blake and who is a resident of St. Albans, where he prac- tices his profession of lawyer; Sarah Blanche, born in Milton, January 16, 1880, married, Febru- ary 26, 1902, John W. Richard, a resident and farmer of Milton, Vermont ; Florence Lydia, born in Milton, April 3, 1886; and Hannah Beryl, born in Milton, November 14, 1894.

JOHN FAY.

John Fay, the founder of the Fay family in this country, was born in England about 1648. When only about eight years old we find him a passenger on the ship Speedwell, which sailed from Gravesend, May 30, 1656, and arrived at Boston, June 27th. His father's emigration at this period may possibly have been due to the fact that he was a Royalist, and regretted the downfall of the monarchy, or that he was a re- publican and was dissatisfied with what has been called the "beneficent despotism" of Cromwell.

Whether or not the boys long voyage at so early an age had fostered in him a migratory dispo- sition, we are not informed, but it is certain that after removing to Sudbury he settled at Marl- boro, where his name appears on the records in 1669, when he was a freeman and had a wife and one child. John Fay seems to have been, from a material point of view, very prosperous in the new world. He was one of the proprietors of Worcester, but continued to reside in Marl- boro. He was also one of the proprietors of the Ockovcangenesett Plantation, which was pur- chased of the Indians in 1684. His character ap- pears to have been such as commanded respect. At his death he bequeathed large tracts of land to each of his sons. He married Mary Brigham, but the number of his children is not given.

Mary Brigham was the first daughter born to. the Brigham family in New England. Her father, Thomas Brigham, the common ancestor of the Brigham family, was born in England in 1608. He embarked for America April 18, 1635, in the ship Susan and Ellen, Edward Payne, master.

John Fay (2) born in Marlboro, November 30, 1669, was the son of John the settler. He was town clerk of Westboro for eleven years, selectman for ten years, was town treasurer, as- sessor and commissioned captain in 1724, and deacon of the Congregational church in 1727. The names of his wife and children do not ap- pear on the record.

Stephen Fay, son of John Fay (2) born May 5, 1715, seems to have removed to Benning- ton, Vermont, from the fact that he died there- May 17, 1781. He married Ruth Child; they had eleven children whose names do not appear.

John Fay (3), son of Stephen Fay, born De- cember 23, 1734, at Bennington, married Mary Fisk of Sturtridge, October 22, 1757; they had eight children, whose names are not given, John Fay was killed in the battle of Bennington.

Nathan Fay, son of John Fay (3), born November 15, 1760, served as a drummer-boy in the battle of Bennington, at the age of sixteen. He married Mary, daughter of General Samuel' Safford, March 27, 1783; they had ten children. He was a cloth-dresser by trade, and followed the business many years at Fay's Corner. He was sheriff of Bennington county in 1784, and in 1806.

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was appointed one of the committee on claims. After the war he removed to Richmond.

Nathan Fay, son of Nathan Fay (1), born January 22, 1791, married, first, Mary Murray, May 18, 1818; they had one son, Murray; he married, second, Mary Colby, born in Richmond, in 1799; they had eight children, five sons and three daughters. His education was limited to the district school; and farming was his chief occupation. With his father and brothers he cleared up the farm on which his grandson now lives and which has always been in the Fay family. He was captain in the militia, justice of the peace for many years, served as selectman and overseer of the poor thirty-five years, and was town clerk. He always lived in Richmond with the exception of three or four years, about 1840, when he removed to Essex. He was originally a Democrat, but joined the Republican party on its organization and ever after remained a mem- ber of it. He was a stanch supporter of the Union, and very proud to have two of his sons enter the Union army. When Lee surrendered he ordered all the bells in the town to ring, and he marched, with all the vigor of youth, in proces- sion through the village, to the music of fife and drum. He was active in the Universalist church, beloved by all and always a leader in every good work. He died in April, 1873.

Arnold C. Fay, son of Nathan Fay (2), born in Essex, March 4, 1840, attended school at Un- derhill and Williston, where his instructor was Professor Joseph Cilley, and was a student at the old St. Lawrence Academy for three terms. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Thir- teenth Vermont Volunteers, and was made first sergeant, October Ioth of the same year. He served in the defense of Washington, doing picket duty, with an occasional visit from Mosby and Stewart. In March, 1863, he was pro- moted to the rank of second lieutenant. June 25th, the brigade under Stannard followed Lee on his northern tour, arriving at Gettysburg at dusk, July Ist, too late to take any part in the first day's struggle. On the 2d, the Thirteenth regiment retook a battery and captured two guns from the enemy. The regiment was in the front line all the third day, where it aided in repulsing Picket's grand charge. It was mustered out in July, 1863. From that time until October, 1864, Mr. Fay

was in the recruting service. He then enlisted in Company K, Seventeenth Vermont Volunteers, with the rank of first lieutenant, and joined the regiment which formed a part of the Second Brigade, Ninth Army Corps, in front of Petersburg. In the charge of April 2, 1865, it was their fortune to find Fort Mahone directly in their path. The right of the regiment made a lodgement on the outside of the fort, remain- " ing there until dark, when they returned to their line. The left was crowded a little past the front of the fort, when, finding it too warm, and they too few in numbers, they fell back to the starting point. At daybreak on the third day they charged again, finding little opposition, and Mr. Fay re- members, as the finest sight of his life, the view from the ridge which overlooked the city of Petersburg, whence could be seen the Union army hastening in immense numbers toward the long-coveted goal. Mr. Fay was in command of Company A, during nearly his whole term of serv- ice with the Seventeenth, and was commissioned brevet captain for his meritorious conduct in the charge on Fort Mahone. He was discharged in July, 1865, returned home and took up farming.

Mr. Fay has served as lister and appraiser several times ; filled the office of selectman three years; represented the town in 1890. He has always affiliated with the Republican party.

From 1865 to 1869 Mr. Fay followed the oc- cupation of a farmer in Irasburg. He then bought the farm of two hundred acres on which he now lives, on the shore of Lake Champlain in the northwest corner of Milton.

Mr. Fay was master of a Grange started sever- al years ago in Milton, is a Mason and Grand Army man, belonging to William Reynolds Post. At present he holds no official position. Mr. Fay is a Universalist, but the nearest church of that de- nomination being twelve miles distant from his home, he usually attends the Methodist church. Mr. Fay's benevolent work is not confined within the limits of any organization, but forms a part of his daily life, being manifest toward all with whom he is brought in contact.

Mr. Fay married Helen M. Webster, October IO. 1866, at St. Albans. She was educated in the public schools of that town. Her parents were Theoron and Ursula Webster. Theoron Web- ster was a farmer in Fairfax many years : he also

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

carried on the business of a millwright. He and his wife retired to a small place in St. Albans. where they passed the last years of their lives. Helen M. bay died July 11, 1881.

Mr. Ray married, May 30, 1883, at Richmond, Jennie F. Williams, daughter of Kendall and Gerusha Wilhams. Kendall Williams always lived on the farm settled by his father, John Williams, and now owned by B. A. Williams, a grandson of the proprietor. The farm is on what is known as Williams Hill, and has one of the finest views imaginable of Camel's Hump, Mansfield and the Winooski valey.

Mr. Fay has no children. He has an adopted daughter, Mary E. Humphrey, whom he brought up from infancy and educated. She was married in 1888 to Frank Page and has four children. Mr. and Mrs. Page now live in Georgia, Ver- mont.

The Fay family has always been noted for its family gatherings. Mr. Fay remembers how his father and uncles used to visit each other and exchange reminiscences to the delight of the younger generation. Each year the descendants of Nathan Fay assemble at the home of Mr. Arnold Fay, at the family home in Richmond, or in Claremont, the home of Mr. Harvey Fay, and spend two or three weeks together in the enjoy- ment of each other's society and in various di- versions, of which fishing is always chief favorite.

JOSEPH D. DENISON.

Among those who have conferred honor and distinction on the bar of the sovereign state of Vermont,-a state whose jurists have com- manded the admiration and respect of men from the early epoch to the present time,-stands the subject of this review, who is actively engaged in the practice of his profession in Randolph Center, Orange county, and who has not only attained prestige in his chosen field of endeavor, but has also been a factor in public affairs, and is a representative of a family long identified with the annals of New England history.

Joseph Dudley Denison is a native son of the Green Mountain state, having been born in Royalton, Windsor county, Vermont, on the Ist of November, 1847, the son of Hon. Dudley Chase Denison, who likewise was born in this

state. 'The lineage in the paternal line is traced directly to William Demson, who married Mar garet Chandler Monck, November 7, 1602: they passed their lives in England. Their son, Colonel George Demson, was born in 1018, and emigrated to America in 1034, and settled at Stonington, Connecticut, becoming one of the influential men of the New Haven colony. He had served in Cromwell's army, where he ob- tained his title, held high rank in the colonial militia, and distinguished himself in King Philip's war. He continued to reside at Ston- ington and became a land holder, and there a number of his descendants may still be found, while many representatives of the name have conferred honor and dignity upon society through worthy lives and distinguished public service. He died October 23, 1694, while on a visit to Hartford. His wife's name was Ann Borodel.

Captain William Denison, son of Colonel George, was born in 1655, and died March 26, 1715. His wife, Sarah (Stanton) Prentice, was born in the same year as himself and (lied August 7, 1713. He, like his fa- ther, was a landholder and a life-long resi- dent of Stonington. William, son of Captain William Dennison, was also a landholder of Stonington, where he spent his life. He was born March 24, 1687, and died February 24, 1724. On May 10, 1710, he married Mercy Gal- lup, who was born in August, 1690, and died March 2, 1724, some seven days after her hus- band. Benadam Denison, son of William and Mercy, was born February 6, 1721, and was mar- ried November 3, 1742, to Anna Swan, who was born March 10, 1727, and died November 29, 175I. James, son of Benadam and Anna Deni- son, was born August 26, 1745, and died April 26, 1813. He was married in 1773 to Eunice Stanton, who died April 19, 1813. Joseph Adam Denison, son of James and Eunice, was born February 2, 1774, and was married in 1802, to Rachel Chase, who was born January 10. 1774, and died August 23, 1858. Joseph A. Denison died September 4, 1855. He removed from Ston- ington, Connecticut, to Vermont in 1790, locat- ing in Windsor county, where he passed the re- maincier of his days, and where his son Dudley C., was born September 13, 1819.

The latter became one of the representative

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members of the legal profession in Windsor coun- ty and a man of prominence in connection with the public affairs of the state, having represented Vermont in Congress from 1875 to 1879. He married Miss Eunice Dunbar, who likewise was born in Vermont, of stanch Scottish lineage on the paternal side, and they became the parents of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the eldest and one of the four who are living at the present time. The mother died November 2, 1873, at Royalton, where the father now resides, still in vigorous health.

Joseph D. Denison received his early educa- tional discipline in the public schools of his native town and supplemented the same by a course of study in Royalton Academy. He then passed a year as a student in Norwich University, after which, in 1864, he matriculated in the Univer- sity of Vermont, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1868, receiving the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts. Having determined to adopt the legal profession as his vocation in life, he began his technical preparation by taking up a course of reading under the direction of his honored father ; he secured admission to the bar of Windsor county in May, 1869. He then en- tered into partnership with his father, in his native town of Royalton, and this alliance was continued until 1885. In that year Mr. Denison removed to Randolph Center, where he has since maintained his home and where he has gained precedence as an able attorney and counsel, se- curing a clientage of distinctly representative character, and being held in the highest esteem as a citizen.

From 1872 to 1874 Mr. Denison was secre- tary of civil and military affairs of the state of Vermont, during the regime of Governor Con- verse, while in 1888-90 he was incumbent of the office of state's attorney of Orange county. In 1894-6 he was the representative of the town of Randolph in the lower house of the state legis- lature, of which he proved a valuable working member and an able representative of his con- stituency and of the interests of the common- wealth at large. In politics he has ever accorded a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, of whose principles and policies he has been an ef- fective advocate. He is an appreciative member of the time-honored fraternity of Freemasons.

affiliating with Pheonix Lodge No. 28, F. & A. M., and Whitney Chapter No. 5, R. A. M., in Randolph, and with King Solomon Command- ery, K. T., in Montpelier. On the roth of Sep- tember, 1874, Mr. Denison was united in marri- age to Miss Elizabeth A. Rix, of Royalton, for- merly of Mobile, Alabama, where she was born, and they are the parents of two daughters : Eu- nice Dunbar and Katherine Kendall. The elder was married June 18, 1902, to John R. Spring. an attorney of Nashua, New Hampshire.

HENRY M. BROWN.

Henry M. Brown, one of the prominent agri- culturists of Jericho, Vermont, was born in that town, September 10, 1841. There is a tradition that three brothers came from England to Con- necticut about the year 1660, and that one of thent became the progenitor of the Brown family in America. Joseph Brown, great-grandfather of Henry M. Brown, was born in Watertown, Con- necticut, where he attended the common schools of his native village; later in life he removed to Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and in the year 1774 settled in Jericho, Vermont. In the autumn of 1780 he was captured and conveyed to Canada, as were also quite a number of other residents of the locality, and sold to British officers at eight dollars per head, the price of their passage. He returned to Jericho, Vermont, in 1783. The christian name of his wife was Hannah, and among their children were Charles, Joseph. and, Timothy.

Joseph Brown, grandfather of Henry M. Brown, was twice married, and the following named children were born to him by his first marriage : Truman, David, Joseph, Tirphenia and Bela; by his second marriage there were born to him Rufus, Elizabeth, Lovisa, Polly and Lu- cius Brown.

Joseph Brown, father of Henry M. Brown. was born in Jericho, Vermont, October 9, 1797- and acquired his education in the common schools of that town. After completing his studies he engaged in the occupation of farming, which he successfully followed for the remainder of his life. Mr. Brown was a man who throughout his entire life bore a character that was above re- proach ; in politics he was a stanch supporter

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of the principles advocated by the Republican parts. He married, December 1, 1825, Miss Lucy Martin, who was born in Underhill, Ver mom, May 7. 1804, the fourth child in order of birth born to Peter and Phininah ( Olds) Martin. Peter Martin was born in Scotland, came to this country when a small child, and was reared in the town of Orwell, Vermont, whence he re. moved to Underhill, where he resided for the re- mainder of his life. Mrs. Brown died March 8, 1891.

llenry M. Brown, only child of Joseph and Lucy Brown, was indebted to the common schools and academy of Underhill, Vermont, for his literary education. Being reared upon a farm, his thoughts naturally turned to that direction after leaving school, and he has followed the vo- cation of farmer ever since, residing in the same house in which he was born. Mr. Brown is a representative citizen of this section of the state, broad and liberal in his views and judgments, strong in his convictions and earnest in his opinions ; he is a stalwart supporter of the princi- ples of the Republican party, but has never sought or held office, always devoting his entire time and attention to his farming interests. He is prominently identified with the Farmers' League.

Mr. Brown was united in marriage in Jericho, Vermont, August 1, 1883, to Miss Emma E. Hicks, a daughter of Hiram W. and Eliza (Carr) Hicks. Hiram W. Hicks served as a soldier in Company D, Tenth Regiment, Vermont Infantry ; he was shot while participating in the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, and died the fol- lowing day from the effects of the wound. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown are: Ella Medora, born in Jericho, Vermont, July 10, 1885 ; and Emma May, born in Jericho, Vermont, March 29, 1892.

JULIUS S. WHEELOCK.

Julius S. Wheelock, of East Montpelier, Ver- mont, can trace his ancestry back six generations to Ralph Wheelock, who was born in England in 1600. He was a graduate of Cambridge Uni- versity, England, and received his degree in 1626 or 1630. He came to this country in 1631 and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts. Later he

removed to Dedham, where he represented the town at the general court, and he also served as clerk of the writ. His son, Benjamin, had a son also named Benjamin, and his son David, the great-grandfather of Julius S. Wheelock, was one of the proprietors of Calais, Vermont, and his two sons, Abijah and Gideon, settled on the land in 1789. Abijah Wheelock, grandfather of Julius S. Wheelock, was born in Charlton, Massachu- setts, in 1764. In 1786 he married Miss Lois Nichols, and in 1788 he removed to Calais, where he built a hut and returned to his native town again. In the spring of 1789, accompanied by his wife, a son two years old, and a daughter only four months old, and bringing his household ef- fects on a sled, he returned to Calias, cleared a farm and reared to maturity eleven children, none of whom died under forty years of age. Their children were Jonathan, Lucy, Laura, Alyanda, Cyrus, Perez, Elfrida, 'Titus, Jairus, Rachel and Abijah Wheelock. Mr. Wheelock was an hon- orable, upright man, and he was elected to fill various town offices. He died in April, 1848, at the age of eighty-four years, and his wife died in 1847, aged eighty-three years. Titus Wheelock, father of Julius S. Wheelock, was born in Calais, Vermont, in 1802. He followed farming as an occupation, and was one of the prominent men of the town. He was elected to many of the local offices of the town. He married Miss Elizabeth Heath, daughter of Elias Heath, of Woodbury, Vermont. Five children were born to them, but all died young with the exception of Julius S.

Julius S. Wheelock was born in the town of Calais, Washington county, Vermont, January 29, 1834. He acquired his education in the com- mon schools, and at the age of eighteen years became the apprentice of the late Dennis Lane, of Montpelier, but who conducted business prior to that time in Plainfield, Vermont. He assisted him to erect the first board mill, which made Mr. Lane so famous as an inventor. After serving three years with Mr. Lane, Mr. Wheelock en- gaged in the manufacture of doors, sashes and blinds at East Calais. In 1863, in partnership with Mr. J. O. Lamb, he manufactured shoe pegs; he continued in this line of trade until 1866 of 1867, when he disposed of his interest to Mr. Joel Wheeler. In 1870 he purchased the lumber and grist mill on Dog river, in the town

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F.S. Wheelock

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of Berlin, where for the next sixteen years he conducted a successful trade. He then sold his mill and retired to live upon a farm near by. In the spring of 1888 the citizens of East Mont- pelier offered him. very liberal inducements to rebuild the mills which had been destroyed by fire; he accordingly erected a very substantial building and equipped it with the latest improve- ments in machinery. Aside from these pursuits he is the proprietor of the Wheelock House at East Montpelier.

A Republican in politics, he has discharged many public and official trusts. While a resident of Berlin he served as selectman for four years, was chairman of the board of selectmen for three years, served as lister and justice of the peace, and he was chosen to represent the town in the state legislature in 1886-87. Mr. Wheelock mar- ried Hattie Blodgett, of Summerville, Massa- chusetts. They have no children.

ROLFE COBLEIGH.

Rolfe Cobleigh was born in East St. Johns- bury, May 14, 1873. He is a son of Franklin E. Cobleigh, and a lineal descendant in the fifth generation of John Cobleigh, the emigrant, the line of descent being thus traced: John, John, Reuben, Franklin E., Rolfe. The Cobleigh family is of early Saxon origin, the first sylla- ble of the name, "Cob" of "Cobb," as it is some- times spelled, being derived, it is said, from the word meaning "head," or "chief," of the tribe. The earliest records of the family tell of a Saxon warrior of that name who led an army of in- vasion into Ireland, usurped the throne of the ruling monarch, and himself ruled for a time as king. The family later became established in England, where the name is frequently seen spelled Cobbleigh.

The founder of the American family of Cob- leigh, John Cobleigh (I), emigrated to New Hampshire in colonial days, settling in Chester- field, where he followed the trade of shoe- maker. John Cobleigh (2) followed the oc- cupation of his father, becoming a shoe- maker in Lisbon, New Hampshire, where the greater part of his life was spent. He mar- ried Polly Stanford, the descendant of a fam- ily that figured prominently in the early his-

tory of New England. They reared a large family of children, among whom were two sons, Nelson and Reuben. Nelson Cobleigh as a boy was "bound out" until he became of age, having no opportunity in the meantime of attending school. Subsequently by his own unaided efforts he secured a liberal education, and was ordained as a Methodist clergyman. He edited Zion's Herald in its early days, residing at Cambridge, Massachusetts, being afterwards called to the presidency of Wesleyan College, and later to preside over a western College. He died quite suddenly while yet in the prime of life. His son, Nelson S. Cobleigh, a resident of Brook- lyn, New York, is foreign editor of the New York World. Reuben, a younger son of John Cobleigh, was the next in line of descent.

Reuben Cobleigh (3) followed the occupation of a shoemaker, residing in St. Johnsbury, Ver- mont, or vicinity during most of his life. He married Mehitable Adams, daughter of Deacon Charles Adams, and granddaughter of Calendar J. Adams, one of the original proprietors of St. Johnsbury. A short time prior to November I, 1786, when Governor Thomas Chittenden granted a charter of what is now St. Johnsbury, Vermont, to Jonathan Arnold and his associates, four Adams brothers, James, Jonathan, Calendar J. and Martin, came from Massachusetts and made the first settlement in the town, locating on the meadow near the site of the present rail- way station. These brothers belonged to the same branch of the Adams family as the presi- dents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams. As original settlers in the town they were included in the grantees mentioned in the charter given by Governor Chittenden. Calendar J. Adams, with his son. Charles Adams, cleared a farm near East St. Johnsbury, but subsequently removed to Newport, Vermont, and died there in 1813. Charles Adams, however, remained on the home- stead which he assisted in improving from the wilderness. He married Rebecca Morgan,by whom he had ten children, namely : Polly ; Sally ; John C .; Rebecca; Cornelius; Mehitable, who became the wife of Reuben Cobleigh: Priscilla ; Minerva ; Ruth ; and Jonathan. The first wagon seen at St. Johusbury was brought there from Massachusetts by the Adams brothers, and a wheel from it is now in the possession of Rolf

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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 II, Part 30

Author: Carleton, Hiram, 1838- ed Publication date: 1903 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1044

Author: Carleton, Hiram, 1838- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1044