USA > Vermont > Addison County > History of Addison county Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 47
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Roswell Mosley was an early settler in town, first commencing on the farm where F. D. Williams now resides, and subsequently removing into the south part of the town on the farm now occupied by his son, Royal Mosley.
Stephen Baldwin, from New Jersey, came to Bridport at an early date. His three sons, Martin, Stephen, jr., and Obadiah, served in the War of 1812. Two of the children of Stephen, jr., now reside here -Elizabeth and Abigail.
Samuel Buck was born in Milford, Conn., October 29, 1767, and came to Bridport in 1790, locating upon the farm now owned by Joseph R. Crane, and afterwards kept a store where A. A. Fletcher's house now stands. Mr. Buck, though possessed of considerable intelligence, had never been fortunate enough to have any educational advantages, and knew nothing of the science of pen- manship. In making entries upon his books he used hieroglyphics of his own manufacture instead of English letters. One of his customers, it is related, upon settlement for goods, found himself charged with a cheese, which he de- nied having bought. Mr. Buck was obstinate, but when the customer men- tioned the purchase of a grind-stone he exclaimed, "Oh ! yes, that's so. You see this ring here ! Well, I put that down for a grind-stone, but forgot to put the hole in it."
David Burwell, from New Jersey, came to Bridport in 1791, locating upon the farm now owned by J. T. Fletcher. He was a weaver by trade, which oc- cupation he followed as long as age permitted him to labor.
Thomas Baldwin, also from New Jersey, located in 1788 upon the farm now owned by H. C. Burwell, a son of Allen.
Jakamiah Johnson came from the same place as above, 1794, locating upon the farm now owned by his son, Lyman H. Johnson. His widow, Anna, died in 1885, the oldest person then in the township, aged ninety-two years.
Mitchell Kingman came from Canaan, Conn., about 1795, and located upon the farm now owned by J. C. S. Hamilton.
Rev. Phineas Randall, a Congregational minister from Stowe, Mass., located in Bridport in 1795. He preached here and in adjoining towns several years, then removed to Weybridge, where he married Phœbe Goodyear, in 1798. His son Joel also settled in town.
Henry Hall, from Rhode Island, came to Bridport in 1790, locating as the first settler upon the farm now occupied by Henry F. Hall.
James Hamilton was born in Barre, Mass., and came to Bridport in 1795, locating upon the farm now owned by his son, Amos Hamilton, and the house
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
he now occupies was built the first year of his father's residence here. Michael and John Hamilton, brothers of James, came during the same year. Michael settled upon the farm now owned by Charles A. Landers ; John upon the one now in the hands of his son, J. O. Hamilton. In 1804 John built a portion of the house now occupied by J. O., and which is still in very fair condition.
Isaac Pettibone, with his father, emigrated from Norwalk, Conn., to the eastern part of Middlebury, and subsequently, in 1795, removed to Bridport, settling upon the farm now owned by E. Jewett. Isaac was a hatter by trade, which occupation he followed here many years. His sons were Charles C. and Edwin S .; both have died and their widows have homes in town.
Rev. Increase Graves was the first settled minister and received the minis- terial lot allowed by charter, the same being the farm now occupied by H. N. Sollace. Calvin Sollace, born in Walpole, N. H., was a graduate of Middle- bury College, studied law in Middlebury, and commenced practice in Bridport in 1814, and subsequently served as judge six years.
Jacob Stiles, from New Jersey, made the first settlement on the farm now owned by Mrs. Marion A. Pettibone.
Samuel Bixby came to this town from Thompson, Conn., in 1792, and set- tled upon the farm now owned by Elmer H. Bixby.
Nathaniel Elitharp was the first settler on the farm now owned by J. D. Brooks, locating here about the year 1792. Prosper and Halsey C. are his: descendants.
William Braisted, from Sussex county, N. J., in 1786 first located upon the- farm now owned by his grandson, William R. Braisted, a farmer who has rep- resented the town in the Legislature, and held other town offices.
Phineas Kitchel, born in Hanover in October, 1763, removed to Bridport in 1798, locating upon the farm now owned by John Melvin. Here he carried on his trade as weaver, to which he finally added blacksmithing and carriage- making. He died in 1853, aged ninety years. Joseph, son of Phineas, born in 1794, died in 1852. Oscar F. Kitchel is a descendant.
Benjamin A. Skiff, whose grandfather came from Sharon, Conn., in 1805, purchased the farm now owned by his son, Abel P. Here he kept a hotel per- haps twenty years ; he died in 1825. Abel P., who is now eighty-five years, of age, devotes his time to the culture of peaches, quinces, and pears.
Paris Fletcher was born in Woodstock, Vt., March 21, 1794, and at the age of sixteen years came to Bridport, and engaged with his brother James, who came here two years previous, in the saddle and harness-making business. Young Fletcher's inclinations, however, were towards a more active and specu- lative life, and he soon became a general merchant, in which vocation he dis- played the same ability and energy that characterized him in all ventures of his life, from shop-boy to bank president. Mr. Fletcher was held in the highest esteem by his townsmen, whom he served in most of the important town offices.
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TOWN OF BRIDPORT.
In financial circles his wealth and ability as a financier'made him conspicuous. He was one of the original directors of the Rutland and Burlington Railroad, and held the offices of director or president of the Middlebury Bank for fifty years, or until advancing age compelled him to resign the position in 1877. He married Anna Miner, daughter of Benjamin Miner, in 1817, and Albert Fletcher, now of Middlebury, is a son. His latter years were spent in retire- ment in Bridport. He left the town substantial testimonials of his love and regard for it. He died February 27, 1880, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. Ira D. Fletcher, a merchant of Bridport, and J. T. Fletcher, are sons of James, who died here in 1881, aged ninety-one years. Thomas W. Fletcher is a grand- son of Paris, and occupies the homestead.
James Wilcox, who was at Ticonderoga with Ethan Allen, located on the lake shore where E. H. Merrill now lives. Among his sons were Abner, Vil- roy, Henry, and Anson. E. D. and Arthur Wilcox are sons of Abner.
Arunah Huntington, the donor of the munificent sum of $200,000 for the benefit of the common schools of Vermont, learned his trade in this town, as a shoemaker and a worker in leather, of Matthew Nobles during the years 1821 to 1825. Being an industrious, prudent young man, he taught school winters during his stay in town, where a few still retain his memory as being among his small scholars in their younger days.
At this date, April, 1886, Bridport has living, in a population, of 1, 168, twenty persons who are octogenarians, and one, Lyman Pease, has passed ninety years.
Early Business Interests, etc .- The population of Bridport has always been strictly of an agricultural character. Its tradesmen and mechanics have almost invariably devoted their energies exclusively to supplying the home de- mand. The dearth of manufactures is attributed to the absence, as we have previously noted, of adequate water power.
At an early day, when the settlers were clearing their lands and wood ashes were plentiful, Bridport, in common with other towns, did considerable busi- ness in the manufacture of potash, which found a market in Troy, Albany, and sometimes Quebec. In this manufacture Samuel Buck was pioneer. His works were located near the present village, upon what is still known as " Potash Hill." After the lands were cleared the first general product was wheat. This was taken to Troy and exchanged for goods, cash rarely entering into the transaction. The currency system was " exchange of commodities," and of course no great debates over the " silver question " are handed down to us. This trade with Troy was continued until about 1823, when the business of raising sheep, cattle and horses was ushered in. This interest developed rap- idly and extensively, and the town is still noted for its fine live stock. The celebrated horse " Black Hawk " had his home here, whither he was brought by David Hill. Allen Smith was a large stock dealer. Among the principal
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
stock and sheep growers of to-day are H. C. Burwell, J. J. Crane, E. H. and H. E. Merrill, C. H. Smith, E. D. Wilcox, F. G. Converse, and many others. Before the days of the railroad, when all the commerce was conducted through the medium of the lake, several ferry lines sprang up and the business of the town naturally drifted to the lake front. The persons early receiving license to carry on the ferry business were as follows: John Rogers, in 1811 ; B. Pick- ett, in 1812 ; Samuel Renne, 1820; Alinda Wells, 1820; and John Rogers, 1820. The ferries now in operation are as follows : Port Franklin Ferry, by Lewis Wilkinson ; Witherell Ferry, by John Witherell ; and Brooks Ferry, by J. D. Brooks. The latter is located at West Bridport.
Although the town is well wooded, little lumbering is carried on. There is now only one saw-mill in the town. About 1820 Daniel Haskins had a hotel and store near Mr. Smith's on the lake road, where was also kept a post- office. He sold to Hiram Smith in 1821.
A lamentable accident occurred here in 1834, which it may not be out of place to record at this point. A boat containing eleven persons, who were on a blackberrying excursion, was capsized just off the Addison line, nine of whom were drowned. Seven were members of Allen Smith's household, and two were daughters of Joseph Eldridge.
When the tide of internal war swept over the country and calls were made by the government for volunteers to aid in preserving the Union, this town responded with the same alacrity and patriotism that characterized all New England communities. The following list gives the names of those who en- listed from Bridport in Vermont organizations, as compiled in the adjutant- general's report :
Volunteers for three years, credited previous to call for 300,000 volunteers of October 17, 1863 : W. Allen, W. Baldwin, E. Barry, F. A. Brainard, A. Bristol, H. H. Burge, D. Carpenter, jr., J. Carpenter, E. D. Carrier, O. F. Cheney, J. Clair, J. M. Clinton, A. A. Crane, C. R. Crane, G. W. Crane, J. Duckett, A. C. Fisher, G. S. Gale, A. H. Hamilton, F. H. Hathorn, W. W. Hathorn, H. Heitman, N. Herbert, F. H. Holdredge, J. Howe, J. Kennedy, H. Kerner, A. P. Legier, C. A. Lamos, C. N. Lapham, J. F. Lapham, J. Lav- erty, F. Little, N. B. Lucia, G. Macha, G. Madigan, J. L. Martin, J. McCor- mick, C. B. Myrick, P. M. Myrick, G. E. Norton, J. F. Olmstead, J. B. Rice, J. Ross, J. F. Russell, L. Russell, S. Smith, R. W. Swinton, C. H. Taylor, H. Towle, F. Tremble, J. Tremble, Z. B. Wickwire, A. H. Wilcox.
Credits under call of October 17, 1863, for 300,000 volunteers and subse- quent calls :
Volunteers for three years .- H. H. Alden, W. Baker, W. C. Braisted, M. Brannan, P. Canada, C. W. Corey, G. H. Corey, R. F. Crossman, G. D. S. Drew, J. Dukett, J. Fernett, W. Fernett, H. A. Fields, T. Foy, E. Godon, E. Hayes, G. A. Holmes, J. H. Lucia, N. B. Phelps, G. W. Pratt, J. Sproule, H. Taylor, F. R. Tremble, O. Trickay.
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TOWN OF BRIDPORT.
Volunteers for one year .- S. Buffum, W. Buffum.
Volunteers re-enlisted .- O. F. Cheney, F. H. Hathorn, F. H. Holdredge, R. Hudson, J. Kennedy, J. McCormick, C. R. Shambo, W. E. Taylor.
Enlisted men who furnished substitutes .- A. A. Fletcher, J. O. Hamilton. Not credited by name .- Three men.
Volunteers for nine months .- H. Austin, L. S. Buzwell, C. W. Corey, B. W. Crane, H. P. Elitharp, N. V. Elitharp, G. B. Grovener, F. C. Howe, J. Kennedy, A. La Point, jr., H. G. Lawrence, J. H. Lucia, J. E. Moriarty, M. Randall, P. J. Shumway, J. J. Sprowl, A. A. Walker.
Furnished under draft .- Paid commutation, F. A. Brainerd, S. E. Cook, W. M. Grandy. Procured substitute, O. P. Lee. Entered service, P. Dakin, W. Hammett.
The comparative growth of the town and its fluctuations in population may be seen by the following table, compiled from the census reports for each de- cade since 1791 : 1791, 449; 1800, 1, 124; 1810, 1,520; 1820, 1,511; 1830, 1,774; 1840, 1,480; 1850, 1,393; 1860, 1,298 ; 1870, 1, 171 ; 1880, 1, 167.
Present town officers .- Town clerk, N. S. Bennett; selectmen, J. R. Crane, C. H. Smith, G. R. Walker; town treasurer, D. H. Bennett ; overseer of poor, Ira D. Fletcher ; constable, C. W. Huntley ; listers, J. R. Rice, H. C. Burwell, J. W. Pratt ; collector of taxes, J. W. Pratt; auditors, M. K. Barbour, H. C. Burwell, F. A. Williams ; town agent (to prosecute and defend), J. J. Crane ; trustee United States deposit money, J. J. Crane; fence viewers, J. J. Crane, D. H. Bennett, T. W. Fletcher ; sexton, C. B. Fackerel ; agent Fletcher ceme- tery fund, T. W. Fletcher.
Municipal History .- Bridport village, or " The Center," as it is familiarly known, occupies a beautiful site just east of the center of the town, surrounded by a fine farming district. Like many other Vermont villages, however, it may be said of it, " other days saw it more prosperous." It does not lack the bustle and enterprise of a township mart, but its business and its population are both smaller than they formerly were. Perhaps the " occidental fever," which attacks so many of the young men of to-day, may in a large measure account for this decline. The village now has about thirty-five dwellings, two churches, and the usual complement of stores and mechanics' shops.
The following random sketches of the village of 1825 to 1830 may not be uninteresting, especially to those of the younger generation. Mathew Nobles then operated a tannery where Miss Huntley now resides. Among his work- men was Arunah Huntington, before alluded to. The tannery was discon- tinued about the year 1850. The blacksmiths then were Orville Howe and the two Foster brothers, Albert and Henry, and John Burwell at the Corners. Charles Eager did a large business in the manufacture of carriages and wagons. Where Miss Emeline Brainerd lives Lemuel Derby had a cabinet shop. John Brainerd was the hatter, and Norman Allen the tailor. The merchants were
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
Paris Fletcher, in the brick store; Matthew Chambers, where L. M. Taylor's dwelling is; Samuel Buck, on the corner where Miss Hattie Goodwin now owns ; and J. S. Strong, opposite where Ira D. Fletcher now is. Calvin Sol- lace, father of Hon. Henry N., was the attorney.
The brick store was built by Paris Fletcher in 1826, who first conducted business in it alone, and then, in 1831, in company with Daniel Miner. He died in 1839, and his son, F. P. Fletcher, succeeded them, and continued the business until his death in January, 1875, and was succeeded by D. H. Ben- nett, the present proprietor.
A number of years ago J. S. Strong owned the store at the Corners, fol- lowed by Gordon Searles & Son ; they were succeeded by Kinnor & Spaulding ; they by Spaulding & Skiff; they by A. P. & B. A. Skiff; they by Ketch & Brother, until 1881, when Mr. Fletcher became proprietor. Bessette & Brother (Albert and Joseph) are engaged here in blacksmithing and manufacturing wagons, which business they began in 1876. The hotel is kept by Frank A. Nisun. The blacksmiths are W. B. Bristol and George Wisell; and the shoe- maker, Louis Giard ; saddler and harness shop, Horace Taylor. The present postmaster is Ira D. Fletcher.
West Bridport has a beautiful location on the lake shore. It was originally called Catlin's Ferry, and subsequently went by the name of Frost's Landing. There has been a store and settlement here for many years, though the post- office was not established until recently. The postmaster is Henry E. Merrill.
Physicians .- Dr. H. L. Townsend, born in Plainfield, Vt., August 14, 1860, studied medicine at Burlington, and graduated in 1881.
Dr. E. G. Blaisdell, born in Richford, Vt., December 13, 1846, graduated from the University of Vermont in 1871; has practiced medicine in town about fourteen years.
Morning Sun Lodge, F. & A. M .- Upon petition signed by John Strong, William McKendrick, John N. Bennett, Albion Mann, Daniel Hamblin, Buel Hitchcock, Richard Redfield, John Hall, Aldric Mann, Nathaniel Calender and Joel Barber, " worthy brethren in Masonry, residing at and in the vicinity of Bridport," the Grand Lodge of Vermont, on October 13, 1800, granted to the said petitioners " a regular lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, under the style and designation of Morning Sun Lodge No. 18" (now No. 5), which has ever since continued to exist and at the present time is in a very thrifty condi- tion. William M. Grandey is now master, this being his third term. The lodge has a very fine room and consists of about one hundred active members.
ECCLESIASTICAL.
The Congregational Church of Bridport, located at the village, was organ- ized by Rev. Lemuel Haynes, of West Rutland, June 30, 1790, with twelve members. February 29, 1794, Rev. Increase Graves was installed the first
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TOWN OF BRISTOL.
settled minister. The first house of worship was a frame structure, built dur- ing the year of organization, which is now a part of the dwelling which is owned and occupied by Miss Mariette Miner and her mother, situated south of the park in Bridport village. The present commodious brick building, capa- ble of seating five hundred and fifty persons, was erected in 1852, costing $9,000. The society is now in a flourishing condition, with one hundred and seventy-eight members, a Sabbath-school numbering one hundred and forty pupils, and owns church property to the amount of $11,800. The present pastor is Rev. F. W. Olmsted, who has had the charge since 1883.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, located at the village, was organized in 1800, and now has about sixty members. The church building was built in 182I as a union church, and the Masonic society, which has a hall in the upper part of the building, owns an interest in it. The Sabbath-school, with Miss Anna Huntley, superintendent, has about fifty members. The stewards are Martin E. Wheeler, Lucius M. Taylor, John D. Nichols, George H. Burwell, Charles H. Grandey and E. R. Wolcott.
There is a nice little church standing in the west part of Bridport, about a mile from Lake Champlain, which was built by the Baptist society at an early day, which at this date stands empty and has for some sixteen years past, al- though in good repair and in modern style.
CHAPTER XVIII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BRISTOL.
T HE town of Bristol lies largely upon the mountains, in the northeastern section of the county, and is bounded on the north by Monkton and Starksboro; east by Starksboro and Lincoln; south by Lincoln and Middle- bury, and west by New Haven. It was originally granted by Benning Went- worth, the colonial governor of New Hampshire under King George III, "by his excellency's command with advice of council," June 26, 1762, to Samuel Averill and sixty-two associates, under the name of Pocock. This name, given in honor of a distinguished English admiral, was retained only a few years, however, and was changed to Bristol by an act of the Legislature passed Octo- ber 21, 1789. The charter deed contained the usual restrictions incident to the Wentworth grants, and the usual reservation of public lands for the use of schools, propagation of the gospel, etc., and fixed the boundary lines of the new town as follows :
" Beginning at the northeasterly corner of New Haven and thence extend- ing south six miles by New Haven aforesaid to the southeasterly corner there-
26
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
of; thence turning off and running east four miles and one-half to a marked tree ; thence turning off and running north eight miles and a half to another marked tree; thence turning off and running west four miles to the easterly side line of Monkton; thence south by Monkton about half a mile, to an angle thereof; thence west by Monkton aforesaid about two miles to another angle thereof; thence south by Monkton aforesaid four hundred and twenty rods to the northerly side line of New Haven; and thence south seventy degrees east one mile and one hundred and ninety rods by New Haven to the northeasterly corner thereof, the bounds began at."
This gave the town something more than the area of a full township, or 23,600 acres ; but this area was curtailed by the Legislature November 18, 1824, when a portion of land described as follows was set off to the town of Lincoln, viz .:
" Beginning at the southeast corner of the town of Bristol and thence run- ning west one mile to the west line of the second tier of lots; thence north on the west line of said lots six miles and eighty rods, to the north line of lots numbered twenty-two and twenty-three; thence east to Starksboro line; thence south to the northwest corner of Lincoln; and thence south on Lincoln west line to the place of beginning." This gave to Lincoln a tract of 4,400 acres, leaving the area of Bristol only 19,200 acres, as it exists to-day.
The surface of this territory, as a whole, may be regarded as extremely rough and broken, if not decidedly mountainous, though there are many level tracts. Through nearly the whole length of the town, from north to south, there extends a spur of the Green Mountain range. From the north line of the town south to Bristol village, a distance of about four miles, this spur has an elevation of 3,648 feet, unbroken by gorge or stream-crossed not even by a highway. From its peculiar formation it takes the name of Hogback Mountain. Near the village, however, it is broken by "The Notch," through which flows New Haven River. South of the Notch, which is wide enough to admit not only of the passage of the river, but a good carriage road and some intervale land, the elevation takes the name of South Mountain.
South Mountain continues lofty and unbroken until we reach the " Little Notch," through which flows O'Brian Brook; south of this it is unbroken until it crosses the southern line of the town. The larger part of these mountains is clothed with vegetation and timber to their summits; but upon South Mountain there is an area of several acres which appears from a distance to be a large smooth rock. A closer inspection, however, resolves it into an area of broken rocks, piled promiscuously together. It bears the name of "Rattle- snake Den," from the fact that in early days it was the favorite lurking-place of hordes of these reptiles.
About two-thirds of the tillable lands of the town lie west of these mount- ains. Following the course of New Haven River there is a wide tract of level
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alluvial land, called British Flats, northwest of which the land is moderately level, rising from gentle swells to hills of quite extensive proportions in the extreme northwestern part of the town. On the north line of the town, ex- tending south on both sides of the mountains, there is a cedar swamp several hundred acres in extent. East of the mountain the land is more broken, a large part being unfit for purposes of cultivation. The soil of the tillable tracts, though generally very productive, varies largely in different parts of the town. Bristol Flats, rising little above the level of the river, consists of a fine, deep, fertile alluvial deposit, which was originally covered with a heavy growth of timber, interspersed with a vigorous growth of nettles. On the more ele- vated plains a harder, compact, gravelly soil is found, but not so much dimin- ished in richness and fertility as one would naturally suppose, and made up largely of loam and clay. Some portions of the still higher elevations are very stony ; others are free from these obstructions. The uplands and inter- vales are capable of producing good crops of Indian corn, rye, oats, peas, beans, buckwheat, flax and potatoes. Formerly much winter wheat was raised. Gar- den vegetables flourish well, and small fruits are grown successfully. The land was originally covered with a dense growth of timber notable for its numerous varieties, among which were the following: White, Norway, and pitch pine ; sugar, soft, and striped maple; white, red, and black ash ; white, blue, and red beech; white, black, and red oak; large white, small white, black, and yellow birch; buttonwood, elm, slippery elm, butternut, hemlock, balsam, fir, tama- rack; double and single spruce ; basswood, ironwood, mountain ash, red cedar; red, black and choke cherry ; black alder, witch hazel, prickly ash, poplar, wil- low, hickory, and others, many of which varieties are still found in the towns.
The principal stream is New Haven River. It has its source in Ripton and that part of Lincoln formerly known as Avery's Gore, and after flowing a northerly course through a part of Lincoln, receiving the waters of several small tributaries, it enters Bristol from the east, passing through the deep ravine known as "The Notch," thence on to a point just west of Bristol vil- lage, when it turns abruptly to the south, continuing that course to a point just east of New Haven Mills, where it turns abruptly west again, flowing into New Haven. It affords many good and usually reliable water powers. The stream, however, is subject to frequent and heavy freshets; in 1830 one of these caused great loss of life and property, as will be noted in connection with the history of the town of New Haven.
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