USA > Vermont > Addison County > History of Addison county Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 23
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1835. - " The Adventures of Timothy Peacock, esq., or Free Masonry Practically Illus- trated," by D. P. Thompson ; Knapp & Jewett, printers.
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THE PRESS.
1835. - "Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of Vermont," vol. VI ; in the next year volume VII of this work was printed, and in 1837 vol. VIII, all by Knapp & Jewett.
1836. - " A Manual or an Easy Method of Managing Bees in the Most Profitable Manner to their Owner," by John M. Weeks, of Salisbury ; Knapp & Jewett, printers.
1840. - " Revised Statutes of the State of Vermont." Compiled by Samuel Swift and others.
1840. - " Semi-Centennial Sermon, containing a History of Middlebury, Vt., Delivered December 3, 1840, by Thomas A. Merrill, D. D. ; " printed by E. Maxham.
1842. - " The Religious Library ; a Collection of Select Literature," edited by Rev. B. Brierly ; P. A. O'Neil, printer, Lowell.
1843. - " Poems by Rev. Jedediah Huntington, M. D." (Rector of St. Stephen's Church.) 1844. - " Reports of Cases Argued and Tried in the Supreme Court of the State of Ver- mont," vol. XV ; Fourth Series, vol. I, by William Slade, of Middlebury.
1848. - " Instrumental Calculation, or a Treatise on the Sliding Rule," by T. H. McLeod ; George Smith, publisher ; Justus Cobb, printer.
1846. - " Life of Hon. Nathaniel Chipman," by his brother, Daniel Chipman, of Middle- bury.
1848. - " Memoir of Colonel Seth Warner," by Daniel Chipman, LL. D. ; published by L. W. Clark ; Justus Cobb, printer. This work was enlarged in 1858 with an account of the New York and Vermont controversy.
1849. - " A Memoir of Thomas Chittenden, First Governor of Vermont," by Daniel Chip- man ; printed by Justus Cobb.
1850. - " Addresses and Proceedings at the Semi-Centennial Celebration of Middlebury College "; Justus Cobb, printer.
1850. - " Deming's Statistical View of the Legislature of Vermont," by Leonard Deming, Middlebury.
1853. - "Xenophon's Memorabilia of Socrates," by R. D. C. Robbins, Professor of Lan- guages, Middlebury College.
1857. - " Morgan Horses ; a Premium Essay," by D. C. Linsley.
1858. - " The History of the Town of Middlebury," by Samuel Swift, of Middlebury ; A. H. Copeland, publisher.
1860. - " History of Salisbury, Vt.," by John M. Weeks ; published by A. H. Copeland.
1861. - " History of the Town of Shoreham, Vt.," by Josiah F. Goodhue ; printed by Mead & Fuller.
1862. - " History of the Town of Cornwall, Vt.," by Rev. Lyman Matthews ; printed by Mead & Fuller.
1864. - " The Yankee Boy from Home," by Joseph Battell, Middlebury.
1872. - " Green Mountain Poets," edited by A. J. Sanborn, A. M., Principal of Middlebury High School.
1876. - " Third Biennial Report of the Vermont State Board of Agriculture, Manufactures and Mining, 1875-76," by Henry M. Seely.
1879. - "" Register of the Vermont Merino Sheep Breeders' Association ; vol. I," by Al- bert Chapman, Middlebury.
1880. -- " Middlebury Town Officers' Reports, 1862 to 1880."
1883. - " Register of the Vermont Merino Sheep Breeders' Association ; vol. II," by Al- bert Chapman.
In many instances we have abridged the titles of the above-named books in order to save space. Besides these various books there have been published in the town, and largely in Middlebury, about six hundred pamphlets treating upon a wide variety of topics. This list indicates an early and extensive liter-
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
ary talent and taste, a portion of which, at least, may undoubtedly be credited to the number of excellent educational institutions in this county, with the col- lege at the head.
CHAPTER XIII.
FREEMASONRY IN ADDISON COUNTY.1
Strength of the Order in this County - Grand Lodge Organization -- First Lodges in Ad- dison County -- The Anti-Masonic Crusade - Prominent Men of the Order.
T HE institution of Free and Accepted Masons has always been strong in Addison county, and has numbered among its defenders many of the most eminent and influential citizens within its borders. The Grand Lodge of Ver- mont was organized at Rutland October 14, 1794, by the representatives of five lodges of the State. Prior to that time two lodges had been established in Addison county, Dorchester at Vergennes, and Union at Middlebury, both of which participated by their delegates in the formation of the Grand Lodge, at which time Enoch Woodbridge, of Vergennes, was elected deputy grand mas- ter; and Colonel John Chipman, of Middlebury, elected grand senior warden, and Rev. Thomas Tolman, of Middlebury, grand secretary.
Dorchester Lodge was the third established in Vermont prior to 1794, and was chartered May 5, 1791, by Sir John Johnson, bart., grand master of the Province of Quebec. Owing to the loss of the early records, the task of giving a complete history of this lodge is more difficult. On the 12th of October, 1798, the lodge surrendered its Canada charter, and received a new one from the Grand Lodge of Vermont. This was in obedience to a requirement of the Grand Lodge. The Canada charter cannot now be found. The officers of the lodge in 1795 were Samuel Hitchcock, master; Jabez G. Fitch, senior warden ; Justus Bellamy, junior warden.
Union Lodge of Middlebury was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Con- necticut May 15, 1794, with Colonel John Chipman, master; Joel Linsley, senior warden ; and Lewis McDonald, junior warden. Rev. Thomas Tolman was secretary. The lodge first met at the inn kept by Samuel Foot. Early in 1795 they removed to a tavern kept by Samuel Mattocks, and from thence to the inn of E. Markham, on the north side of the river. This room was about twelve feet square, with arched roof, and in these modern times would have been rejected as entirely unsuited to Masonic purposes. In 1813 the lodge re- moved back to the Mattocks tavern, where it remained until 1816, or until de- stroyed by fire, when it removed back to the Markham tavern, and soon after to the then new three-story brick building near or on the site of the Mattocks
1 Prepared for this work by the late Edward S. Dana, of New Haven.
Eimais 8. Sama
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FREEMASONRY.
tavern. In February, 1824, they removed to a new Masonic hall in the three- story brick building near the court-house, which has since been their abiding place except for a short period. In 1880 Hon. John W. Stewart built large and commodious rooms for the Masons in the third story of a new block on Main street. They had been occupied but a short time when they were de- stroyed by fire. The lodge has had the singular good fortune to preserve its records through these different conflagrations. Union Lodge has always been prosperous, and since its organization has initiated about six hundred and seventy-five members.
On the 13th of October, 1800, Morning Sun Lodge No. 5 was chartered at Bridport. On the 9th of October, 1815, Independence Lodge No. 10 was chartered at Orwell. On the 13th of January, 1859, Libanus Lodge No. 47 was chartered at Bristol, and on the 9th of January, 1862, Simonds Lodge No. 59 was chartered at Shoreham. Six lodges are now, therefore, in successful operation in the county. In addition to these there are three chapters of Royal Arch Masons : Jerusalem No. 2, at Vergennes, chartered August 15, 1805, Potter No. 22, at Middlebury, chartered October 7, 1868, and Gifford No. 23, at Bristol, chartered September 16, 1872. There are three councils of Royal and Select Masters. Vergennes Council No. 2, chartered January 3, 1818, Middlebury No. 14, chartered October 8, 1868, and Munsil Council No. 15, at Bristol, chartered January 17, 1872. Mount Calvary Commandery of Knights Templar was chartered by the Grand Encampment of the United States Feb- ruary 20, 1824.
For about ten years, from 1836 to 1846, owing to an anti-Masonic furore which swept over portions of the country, and which was originated for partic- ular purposes by certain shrewd leading politicians in the State of New York, the Masonic bodies of Vermont suspended business ; but when this causeless opposition had spent its force, the Masonic brethren resumed their implements of labor, and have worked faithfully onward in the good work of "brotherly love, relief and truth."
To enumerate all of the prominent men who have been attached to the or- der would fill more space than we can give to this article, but a sketch of some of them will not be amiss. Among the charter members of Dorchester Lodge was Hon. Enoch Woodbridge, the grandfather of Hon. F. E. Woodbridge, now living in Vergennes. He graduated from Yale College in 1774. He was one of the gallant band who accompanied Ethan Allen in the capture of Fort Ticon- deroga. He was at Quebec and stood at the side of the brave General Mont- gomery as he fell. He was at Hubbardton in that disastrous engagement. He was at Bennington engaged with General Stark in that victorious battle, and was present at Burgoyne's surrender. After the war he lived a short time at Pownal and Manchester, and then settled in Vergennes. He was its first mayor, a member of the Legislature in 1791-92-93-94-95 and 1803 ; judge of the Supreme Court from 1794 to 1810, and became chief justice.
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
Dr. Roswell Hopkins was born at Amenia, N. Y., May 16, 1757, was en- gaged in the battle of Bennington, and rendered other military service in the Revolution. He was clerk of the General Assembly from 1779 to 1787, and secretary of State from 1788 to 1802. In 1786 he removed to Vergennes and was clerk of Addison County Court from 1786 to 1801. He subsequently re- moved to St. Lawrence county, N. Y. William Brush, another charter mem- ber, was judge of the Addison County Court in 1786, and afterward removed to Hopkinton, N. Y.
General Samuel Strong was born at Salisbury, Conn., July 17, 1762, and came to Vermont when three years old. He was elected sheriff of Addison county when twenty-five years old and served two years. He was mayor, and the first president of Vergennes Bank. November 5, 1804, he was chos- en by the General Assembly major-general of the Third Division of Vermont Militia, and at the battle of Plattsburgh, September II, 1814, had command of the Vermont Volunteers, where he served with great credit. The General Assembly of Vermont passed a resolution of thanks, and the Legislature of New York presented him with a sword. He was assistant judge of the County Court in 1805, 1807, 1813, 1814, 1815, and town representative in 1804-5.
Colonel Jabez G. Fitch was born at Canterbury, Conn., March 20, 1764. He was United States marshal from 1797 to 1801, and deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of 1801. He was brother of Rev. Ebenezer Fitch, D. D., first president of Williams College.
Philip C. Tucker entered the Grand Lodge in 1824 as grand junior deacon ; was deputy grand master from 1829 to 1846, and grand master from 1846 until his death in 1861, a period of fifteen years. He was one of the ablest grand masters who has ever served in the United States. Learned in Masonic history and literature, he was an accomplished writer and an apt and forcible public speaker. Of him, Brother Albert Pike, himself a distinguished Mason, says : "There are a few names in American Freemasonry that will never be for- gotten, of men whose intellectual labors and services to the great society it will always be profitable to recall to the remembrance of the craft. The years that pass away after their funerals in no degree weaken their title to our affectionate reverence and gratitude, and their names are indissolubly connected with the history of the order which honored them with office and rank, and was itself honored by having them in its service. One of these few was Philip C. Tucker, grand master of Vermont, a man of singular purity of character and great intel- lectual endowments."
In addition to his long service as grand master, he served as deputy grand high priest of the Grand Chapter in 1832 and 1833 and from 1849 to 1852, when he was elected grand high priest and served six years. In 1856 he was elected deputy general grand high priest of the General Grand Chapter of the United States ; from 1854 to 1857 he was deputy grand commander of the
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FREEMASONRY.
Grand Commandery of Vermont, voluntarily retiring, owing to the pressure of other Masonic duties. With a pen as sharp as a Damascus blade, few indeed were there who could successfully enter the lists of controversy with the favor- ite grand master of Vermont, who will long be remembered with pride by the fraternity of the jurisdiction.
Enoch Day Woodbridge, son of Enoch, was born at Bennington, May 16, 1779, and removed to Vergennes with his father. He was repeatedly elected mayor of the city, and in 1816, '18, '24, '34 and 1842 was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives, and subsequently was elected to the Senate. He left several children, among whom was Frederick E. Woodbridge, who, like his father and grandfather, is a member of the fraternity ; has served in both branches of the Legislature as State auditor, and from 1863 to 1869 as a member of Congress. Enoch D. Woodbridge, besides holding many other Masonic offices, was grand secretary of the Grand Lodge from January, 1806, to 18II.
Samuel Wilson, besides having served many years as master of Dorchester Lodge and high priest of Jerusalem Chapter, was, during most of Grand Mas- ter Tucker's administration, grand lecturer, and became quite generally known through the country as the custodian of the " Webb-Preston work." He served from 1848 to 1852 as grand senior warden of the Grand Lodge, and in 1860- 61 as grand king of the Grand Chapter. He is still living at Vergennes in infirm health and is over ninety years old.
William S. Hopkins, M.D., a leading physician, has long been a prominent member of the order, repeatedly master of Dorchester Lodge and high priest of Jerusalem Chapter, and has held various offices in the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Vermont, being deputy grand high priest of the Grand Chap- ter in 1879. He was several times mayor of the city of Vergennes and was for two years a member of the General Assembly.
William C. Bradbury, of Dorchester Lodge, is the present grand recorder of the Grand Commandery of Vermont.
Stephen Haight, of Monkton, was a member of the Masonic bodies at Ver- gennes, having joined the Chapter there July 21, 1823. He was one of the foremost men of his time in that section of the county, represented his town in the Legislature from 1812 to 1822 inclusive, was four years judge of the County Court and four years sheriff, retiring from this office in 1832. He afterward was appointed sergeant-at-arms of the United States Senate, which office he held at his death, January 12, 1841.
Deacon Calvin Squier, of New Haven, a prominent citizen of that town, was for nearly sixty years a Mason, and joined Jerusalem Chapter January 16, 1826, and died May 6, 1880.
Philip C. Tucker, jr., was grand secretary of the Grand Chapter of Vermont in 1841, '50, '51. He removed from Vergennes to Galveston, Tex., and has
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
been at the head of every Masonic State grand body in Texas, and is still liv- ing at Galveston.
Among the charter members of Union Lodge at Middlebury was Colonel John Chipman, the pioneer settler of the town, who was born at Salisbury, Conn., October 22, 1744. In the spring of 1766 he, with fifteen other young men, came to Vermont with an ox team. There was not a house in Vermont north of Manchester. Chipman located near "Three Mile Bridge," south of the present village ; the other fifteen men pushed on to Vergennes ; he cleared ten acres and returned in the autumn to Connecticut. He did not return until 1773, when he again located on his ten-acre clearing. The Revolution soon broke out, and, joining Seth Warner, Remember Baker and Ethan Allen, he took up arms for his country. He was present at the capture of Ticonderoga by Allen, and at the taking of St. Johns and Montreal; was at the battle of Hubbardton, serving as first lieutenant in Seth Warner's regiment. He was engaged in the battle of Bennington, and present at Burgoyne's surrender. He returned home at the close of the war, was sheriff of Addison county from 1789 to 1801. In 1794, at the organization of the Grand Lodge, he was elected grand senior warden, and in 1798 was elected grand master and served seventeen years with marked ability and to the general acceptance of the craft.
Joel Linsley, another charter member, came from Woodbury, Conn., and when the town was organized, March 2, 1784, was chosen town clerk and served thirty-five years. He was representative in the General Assembly ten years ; assistant judge of the Addison County Court from 1795 to 1800, and chief jus- tice of the court from 1801 to 1806. His son, Charles Linsley, was afterward eminent as a member of the Addison County bar, and active as a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Daniel Chipman was a member of Union Lodge, and one of the leading citizens of the State. In 1798, '99, 1800, '02, '04, '06, '07, '08, '12-14, '18, '21, he was a member of the Legislature from Middlebury, and in 1813 and 1814 was speaker of the House.
Gamaliel Painter, who did so much to found Middlebury College and gave it thirteen thousand dollars, was another member of Union Lodge. He represented Middlebury in the Legislature in 1788-93, '96, 1801, '03, '05, '08, 'IO.
Samuel Miller and Seth Storrs, both very able lawyers at the commence- ment of the present century, were active members of the lodge, both serving as wardens prior to 1800. Robert B. Bates, one of the most distinguished lawyers of the Vermont bar, the compeer and rival of Samuel S. Phelps and Horatio Seymour, was many years a member of the Legislature and speaker of the House in 1827-28. He was especially distinguished and had few equals as a jury advocate.
The following are well-remembered members of the lodge: Jonathan
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Hagar, long a leading bookseller in Middlebury; John M. Weeks, one of the most prominent citizens of Salisbury, and the historian of that town; Joshua Stockwell, an active merchant in Cornwall; General William Nash, of New Haven, who was president of the Bank of Middlebury many years, and a mem- ber of both branches of the Legislature ; Ira Gifford, of New Haven, was many years master of the lodge, and was high priest of Jerusalem Chapter, and emi- nent commander of Mt. Calvary Commandery, and officiated at the funerals of over fifty of his Masonic brethren, prior to his decease in 1881. He was a most zealous and devoted member, was for a long time deacon of the Congre- gational Church, and in 1864-65 was a member of the General Assembly. He was also grand king of the Grand Chapter in 1866, '68, '69.
Daniel L. Potter was for several years master of the lodge, but more par- ticularly distinguished himself in his devotion to Christian knighthood. He was grand commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar from 1853 to 1859, and died in June, 1879, and was buried by the Templars, Hon. Barzillai Davenport, of Brandon, then grand commander, officiating.
Joseph Warner, for many years cashier of the Bank of Middlebury, a mem- ber of the Legislature in 1842-44, '50, and senator in 1855-56. Deacon Ira Allen, a leading business man of Middlebury, and a member of the Legislature in 1848-49. Erasmus D. Warner, of New Haven, a skilled physician of long practice, who was a member of the Legislature in 1839-40 and senator in 1853-54. William P. Nash, of New Haven, director of the Bank of Middle- bury, and a member of the Legislature in 1854-55, and senator in 1868-69. James M. Slade, lieutenant-governor of Vermont in 1856-57. David S. Church, high sheriff of Addison county for many years. Dr. William P. Russel, who was several years master of the lodge, and who served also as deputy grand commander of the Grand Commandery. Samuel Brooks, the present secretary of the lodge, who has served as master several years, and also as high priest of Potter Chapter and eminent commander of Mt. Calvary Commandery, and filled various positions in the grand bodies of the State, have all lent their in- fluence to build up and strengthen the Masonic institution.
Edward S. Dana, of New Haven, became a member of the lodge in 1856 and was the same year elected secretary. He has since served as master and warden. In 1862 he was elected grand master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masons of Vermont and served until 1866, when he declined a re- election. In 1868 he was again elected and served until 1876, eight years, making twelve years in all. In 1866 he was elected grand high priest of the Grand Chapter and served one year. In 1875 he was again elected and served until 1879, four years. In 1877 he was elected grand commander of Knights Templar and served until 1881, four years, representing the Grand Com- mandery in the Grand Encampment of the United States at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1877, and at Chicago in 1880. He has served eight years as chairman of
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
the correspondence committee in the Grand Chapter, and now holds that office. In 1875-77 he filled the same station in the Grand Commandery. He was also for twelve years president of the order of High Priesthood of the State.
Thaddeus M. Chapman has devoted his attention chiefly to the orders of knighthood. He was the popular commander of Mt. Calvary Commandery eight years, and, having filled nearly all the subordinate stations in the Grand Commandery, in June, 1885, was elected grand commander, which position he now holds.
John Strong was the first master of the Morning Sun Lodge No. 18 (now No. 5), at Bridport. He was succeeded in 1804 by Joel Barber, and he by Benjamin Skiff in 1806; Henry Hall was master in 1808; Richard Carrique in 1809; John N. Bennett in 1810; Richard Carrique in 1811 ; Benjamin Skiff in 1812; John Smith, jr., in 1813, with James Fletcher as senior warden and William Whitford as junior warden. Fletcher and Whitford both lived to be about ninety years of age, and have died within a few years. Whitford was master in 1816; Jonathan Wetherbee in 1817; John Bowers in 1822; Calvin Solace in 1826. Judge Solace was both lawyer and farmer, an able and prom- inent man, who served several terms in the Legislature, and was five years assistant judge of the County Court; Luther Ferre was master in 1828-29; Chester Stevens in 1830-31 ; Solomon Mason in 1833. John Brainard repre- sented the lodge in the Grand Lodge in 1836, its last regular communication before its suspension from labors owing to the anti-Masonic excitement.
Among the other prominent citizens of the town who have contributed to the success of Morning Sun Lodge we mention Paris Fletcher, long president of the Bank of Middlebury, and who served several terms in the Legislature ; James Fletcher, his brother, a wealthy and prosperous farmer, who lived to be about ninety years of age, and not long before his death marched a half mile in his Templar uniform at the funeral of a brother; William B. Benjamin, who was for nearly or quite twenty years master of the lodge; John Brainard was in 1847 deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge; Henry N. Solace who was in the Legislature in 1867-68 and was assistant judge of the County Court in 1880-82; Nathan S. Bennett, a member of the Legislature in 1853-54, and now, and for many years past, town clerk; Asa Rice, for several years master of the lodge, and now living at the ripe age of eighty-six years, respected by all who know him; Albert A. Fletcher, son of Paris, formerly master of the lodge, and recently eminent commander of the Mt. Calvary Commandery ; he is president of the Bank of Middlebury, was a member of the Legislature in 1872 and of the Senate in 1882.
Daniel Root was the first master of Independence Lodge No. 40 (now No. 9), at Orwell. Benjamin Pardy was master in 1821. The lodge meetings were held for several years at the house of Brother Willis Abell, in the east
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part of the town, but in 1821 were removed to the inn of Jeremiah Boynton at the village. This removal created some discontent, and a committee of the Grand Lodge reported in favor of the lodge meeting alternately one year at each place, which report was sanctioned by the Grand Lodge. The lodge was not as frequently represented in the Grand Lodge as most lodges in the vicin- ity. Wait Branch was master in 1825, and was present at the Grand Lodge. Benjamin Pardy was master in 1829, and Wait Branch in 1830. Among the prominent members of the lodge have been Roswell Bottum, who was forty- five years town clerk, a member of the Legislature in 1842, and served three years as assistant judge of the County Court. Judge Bottum served as master of the lodge, was a man of quiet, unostentatious manners, and who keenly en- joyed the social relations of life with his brethren. He would sit down to a Masonic banquet past midnight when nearly four score years of age, with as great a relish as any of his younger brethern.
William R. Sanford, one of the most noted and successful breeders of Me- rino sheep in the United States, and who has served as a member of both the Vermont House and Senate. Joshua W. Boynton, one of the most genial and popular inn keepers of the State, a member of the Legislature in 1859-60, and who was for two years assistant judge of the County Court. William B. Wright, a leading merchant, and a member of the Legislature in 1880. D. W. Clark, a member of the Senate in 1884. E. M. Bottum, formerly master of the lodge, and a member of the Legislature in 1884. Charles E. Abell, a graduate of Middlebury College, who served with great credit in the late war as an officer, and has also served as master of the lodge, and in the Legisla- ture. Dr. Joel Barber and Bishop Bottum were prominent citizens and active members of the lodge. Myron W. C. Wright, of Shoreham, was a member of the Legislature in 1846, '59, '60, and assistant judge of the County Court in 1858 -59. John L. Hammond was for many years president of the bank; C. M. Fletcher, son of Paris Fletcher, of Bridport, served two years in the Legisla- ture ; and Moses J. Clark, recently deceased, was also a member of the General Assembly, and George A. Kimball, superintendent of schools for many years, selectman, and present master of the lodge.
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