USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. > Part 44
USA > Vermont > Franklin County > History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. > Part 44
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The Gazette, a four-page weekly, published by the Gazette Publish- ing Company and edited by Mr. P. Maloney, is a reliable journal devoted to local and general news.
The Richford Journal is also a four-page weekly. It was established by C. L. Reed, October, 1878, as the Green Mountain Journal. In 1881 Mr. Reed changed its name to the Richford Journal. Besides local and general news Mr. Reed gives space for contributions of religious intelli- gence. 59
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
As already stated, Richford, in enterprise and business energy, com- pares favorably with other towns in the northern part of the state. The increase of its population and the enterprise of its people are shown by statistics gathered from time to time. In 1800 there were in what is now the village corporation but eight or nine families, with about as many more scattered over the town. In 1890 the population was about 2,200, one-half of which is included in the village corporation. The village was incorporated by an act of the state legislature approved No- vember 21, 1878, "to be hereafter known as the village of Richford." It was organized under this act in 1879. The village is provided with water and a board of water commissioners, with hose and an organized hose company, and an electric light plant for the purpose of lighting the village. The business interests of the village and town are about to receive fresh encouragement in the erection of a large grain elevator by the Canadian Pacific Railroad Company. Money has been sub- scribed and land purchased for the company, on which to erect the building, and preparatory work has already commenced.
CHAPTER XXIII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF FAIRFAX.
F AIRFAX is situated in the extreme southern part of Franklin county, and is bounded on the north by Fairfield ; east by Fletcher ; south by Westford in Chittenden county; and west by Georgia. The town is pentagonal in shape. The charter was granted by Benning Wentworth, governor of New Hampshire, August 18, 1763, to Edward Burling and sixty-three others, granting to them 23,040 acres of land, for the purpose of encouraging the settlement of a new plantation.
The surface of the town is broken, and has but very little plain land. Lying between the village and Westford is quite a large tract known as the "Plain," which is very level, and here the first village was laid out. It contains about 600 acres of land. The old stage road, running from
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Huntington to Canada, runs across the same, north and south. A road running east and west was laid out ten rods wide and known as the pa- rade ground. Formerly on the Plain was a store, tavern, pottery, still, pot- ash, and fulling-mill, all of which have now passed away, and what was the first incorporated village of Fairfax is now used for farming purposes.
Among the original forest trees the pine predominated, with a large ad- mixture of sugar-maple, beech, birch, elm, ash, hemlock, and basswood. In most all cases where the pine was cut off the sugar-maple has sprung up.
The town is well watered by the Lamoille River running through the southern portion, and about half way of its course there is a fall of eighty feet, which is known as the "Great Falls," which is without doubt the best water-power in the state. The stream now called Mill Brook heads in the extreme northern part of Fairfax, and flows a serpen- tine course through the town and empties into the Lamoille River at the village. On this brook are three dams. That which is known as Shepardson or Stone Brook heads in Fletcher, passes through the southeast part of the town, and empties into the Lamoille just below the Great Falls. On this there is one pond.
Early Proprietors' Meetings .- At a meeting of the proprietors of the town of Fairfax, legally convened at Arlington at the house of Elnathan Merwin, innholder, on the 30th day of August, 1786, according to the monition published in the Vermont Gazette for July, 1786, and occasion- ally in the Vermont Journal at the same time, the following action was taken :
"Whereas, Application is made to me the subscriber, by more than one Sixteenth part of the proprietors of the Town of Fairfax, County of Ad- dison, State of Vermont, to warn a meeting of said Proprietors; these and therefore to Notify to the sd Proprietors that they meet at the Dwelling house of Elnathan Merwin, of Arlington, in the County of Bennington, State aforesaid, on the 30th day of August next, beginning at Two oclock in the afternoon of sd day, then and there to act on the Following arti- cles : Ist, to choose a Moderator for sd Meeting ; 2d, a Proprietors Clerk ; to see if the Proprietors will proceed to lay out the first division Lots; 4th, to see if the Proprietors will raise a sum of Money by Tax to de- fray the necessary charges which may arise in making a division.
" ISAAC TICHONOR, Justice Peace.
" Bennington, July 2, 1786."
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
The meeting was properly opened and James Everts chosen mod- erator, and Timothy Todd, proprietors' clerk.
"Voted, That the proprietors will lay out as soon as may be one hun- dred acres on each right for the first Division in such a manner that the length of the lots shall not more than Twice exceed the Breadth of the same. Voted, That the surveyor be one of our Committee for laying out sd township, and that James Everts be our surveyor, and one of our com- mitte. Voted, That James Horsford be another of our Committee, and that this meeting be adjourned to Fryday the 8th day of Sept. next, to meet at the house of Timothy Todd, in Sunderland, at 3 oclock P. M.
"Test. TIMY TODD, Proprietors' Clerk."
At a subsequent meeting held at Sunderland, November 8, 1786, the committee made their report of the survey of the first division of lots, and they were allotted to the several owners. At a meeting of the pro- prietors holden at the house of Reuben Molton, innholder, at Castleton, on the 25th day of October, 1790, it was voted to survey the remaining undivided land in Fairfax, and to employ John Safford, of Bennington, as surveyor.
The first meeting of the proprietors holden in town was held June 9, 1791, at the house of Broadstreet Spafford, at which time Captain Seth Ford was elected moderator, and the oath of office was administered by Thomas Russell, justice of the peace. Nathan Spafford was proprietors' clerk. At this and subsequent meetings the balance of the lots were surveyed and drawn out. The surveying and dividing the town was not finished until May 7, 1792.
The first deed recorded in Fairfax was from James Everts, of Georgia, to Joseph Beeman, jr., dated May 20, 1798, deeding to him the whole of the right or share of Thomas Newton, likewise the right of Joseph Newmarch, for $450.
The first town meeting was held according to the following notice : " CAMBRIDGE, April 20, 1787.
"This may certify that the inhabitants of the Town of Fairfax had a legal warning given out to them for a town meeting in sd town on Tues- day, the 22d Day of March, A. D. 1787.
" AMOS FASSETT, Justice of the Peace."
The meeting was held at the house of Captain Broadstreet Spafford,
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TOWN OF FAIRFAX.
who was elected moderator. Thomas Russell was elected town clerk ; Nathan Spafford, constable; Broadstreet Spafford, first selectman; Rob- ert Barnett, 2d, second selectman; and Thomas Russell, third select- man. At that meeting the freeman's oath was administered to Broad- street Spafford, Asa Spafford, Robert Barnett, 2d, Nathan Spafford, Jose Barnett, and Thomas Russell.
The first birth in town of which we have any record was Martha, daughter of Simon and Prudence Powers, June 10, 1784.
Town Clerks and Treasurers .- Thomas Russell to 1796; Erastus Safford, 1796 to 1802; Seth Ford, 1802; Erastus Safford, 1803-07; Hampton Lovegrove, 1807-20; Erastus Safford, 1821 ; H. Lovegrove, 1822-30; N. W. Perry, 1831-33; Churchill Sampson, 1834-43 ; James H. Farnsworth, 1844; Silas W: Brush, 1845-56; Elias H. Wells, 1857-61 ; Samuel Randall, 1862; Dr. C. F. Hawley, 1863-68 ; Elias Bellows, 1868-81 ; A. B. Beeman, 1882-91.
The first settlement made in Fairfax was by Broadstreet Spafford, who, with two sons, Nathan and Asa, came from New Hampshire in 1783 and began improvement on the farm now owned by Mrs. David Shepardson, on the Lamoille River. In the following year Robert and Jose Barnett came, and a short time after Thomas Russell settled in the town. None of the descendants of these persons are now living here. At that time the nearest known settlers were at Cambridge, some seven miles distant. For supplies they had to go to Burlington, generally on foot, and brought their purchases back on their shoulders. In the spring of 1787 Broadstreet Spafford started to go to Burlington, and as he neared the "Plain" he saw smoke arising, and was surprised to find that a settlement had been made there by Levi Farnsworth, who came from Charlestown, N. H., bringing nothing but his dog, gun, and axe with him. He built a log house on the farm now owned by Mary Ovitt. Mr. Farnsworth went back to New Hampshire that fall, and in 1790 re- turned bringing his family with him. They returned by the way of Williston, and from there cut a road to Cambridge ; then followed the road of Captain Spafford down the river, and forded that stream just below the Great Falls, whence a road was cut to their homes. Levi Farnsworth was soon followed by Jasper Farnsworth, sr., Jasper, jr., and Oliver and Joseph Farnsworth, all of whom settled on the Plain.
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
Buck Hollow .- In the northeast part of the town of Fairfax, sepa- rated from the other portions by a high range of hills, is the locality com- monly known as Buck Hollow, and so named from one of the pioneer families of the town surnamed Buck. The pioneer of this family was Gould Buck, who came to the locality called Buck Hollow during the year 1790; but his coming was soon afterwards followed by his brothers, George, Zadock, Nathan, Joseph, and Jesse. Joseph Buck went into the British army, and afterwards drew land in Canada from the English government, on which land he lived and died. Jesse Buck afterwards moved to New York state.
Of the pioneers but little can be now learned, and whatever is here stated is said on the authority of an old member of the family now liv- ing in the " Hollow." Gould Buck married Hannah Burritt, and had by her nine children. His second wife was Sarah Stone, who bore him two children. George married Lucy Hard, and raised a large family. Zadock married Harriet Murray, but had no children. Nathan married Polly Stone, and had seven children. Joseph married Hannah Hard, and had a goodly family of children. Jesse also married, but his wife's maiden name cannot be recalled. She was always known as Aunt Lydia. They also had a family. The Buck family name is well pre- served in the town, and among its representatives are some of the most thrifty and progressive farmers of the county.
Another of the old families in this locality was that of which Abijah Hawley was the head. He was the son of Jehiel Hawley, of Arlington, a man prominently associated with the events relating to the early his- tory of Vermont. Abijah Hawley settled in the extreme northern part of what is called Buck Hollow, as early it is said as 1789. He was in all respects the industrious and useful citizen, prominent in town affairs, and highly respected throughout the community. His descendants, though not numerous in Fairfax, are among the leading people of the town. The old home farm is still in possession of the family, though three generations removed from the pioneer stock. A part of the old dwelling still stands, and to that ancient structure the present Hawley representatives point with especial pride.
The Hollow has never been particularly productive of manufactures, the residents preferring the more peaceful arts of agriculture. The
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TOWN OF FAIRFAX.
present efforts in the direction of trade and manufacture appear to be confined to the industry of which W. Harmon Rood is proprietor, being a saw and planing-mill, and incident to it a blacksmith shop. These are situate on Mill Brook, west from the Hollow proper.
Christ's church (Episcopal) is the only society having a seat of location in this part of the town. The first seed of the church was sown here in the coming of the Buck family, and they were from Arlington, the home of the church in Vermont. Through the influence of the Bucks, Haw- leys, Bradleys, Lobdells, and others mission services were held here as early as the first years of the present century, although it was not until 1835 that a parish was formed, the people of the church being previously annexed to the Fairfield parish. Among the early rectors of Fairfield who officiated in this locality were Revs. Beach, Brainerd, Burgess, Bingham, Hard, Humphrey, and Sabin. Abijah Hawley and Nathaniel Chittenden were lay readers. On May 8, 1835, the parish was formed and thirteen persons signed the " Articles of Association," viz .: Alfred Wheeler, Lyman Hawley, Nathan Buck, 2d, James Farnsworth, Hiram Bellows, H. E. Hubbell, Asa L. Gove, Bundie Roys, James Bellows, George Buck, Horace Stearns, Jasper Rand, and Andrew Buck. The organization was perfected in 1836, when the name " Christ church " was applied, Rev. Samuel Crane being rector. In January, 1861, the new church was used for the first time. The building still stands, a plain, comfortable edifice, built mainly through the personal efforts of its people, having a seating capacity for about 200 persons.
The rectors since the formation of the parish have been these: Silas A. Crane, J. A. Spooner, E. H. Sayles, S. B. Bostwick, E. F. Putnam, J. A. Fitch, C. Fay, R. F. Cadle, F. W. Smith, J. A. Hicks, J. Swett, A. H. Bailey, and Gemont Graves, the latter being the present rector. The present officers of the church and parish are Andrew Buck, C. A. Hawley, wardens; Noble H. Buck, William Buck, Rollin Wheeler, Douglas Buck, A. N. Buck, S. F. Sturgis, and D. N. Buck, vestrymen ; Douglas Buck, treasurer ; D. N. Buck, secretary ; lay readers, N. H. Buck, C. A. Haw- ley, D. Buck, X. C. Wheeler, and D. N. Buck.
North Fairfax, as the name implies, lies in the northern part of the town, and is a scattered settlement, the occupants of which are farmers. The hamlet proper has two churches, Baptist and Methodist, the former
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
having been some years abandoned, and the latter supplied from Geor- gia. At North Fairfax is located the reservoir from which the county seat is supplied with water. A creamery was established at this point about three years ago.
The Methodist Episcopal church at North Fairfax had its organiza- tion about the beginning of the present century, but the society had no church home at the point until the year 1852, when was built the edi- fice now used. In 1873 it underwent substantial repairs, and it is now an attractive structure. The Baptist church here owes its origin to the labors of Rev. Alvah Sabin, who formed the society January 18, 1828, and was its moderator, while the office of clerk was filled by Elder William Ar- thur, father of the late President Arthur. The church building was erected in 1852, but is now sadly out of repair on account of the lack of interest and the constant reduction in members of the society.
North Fairfax has a postoffice, smith's shop, and occasionally a store for small trade, but is so near the county seat and metropolis of the re- gion that the people prefer the enlarged facilities for trade at that place.
Fairfax Falls, commonly and appropriately called the "Great Falls," is unquestionably the most attractive spot in the town ; but beyond this quality there is the more important fact that here is the most excellent and valuable water power that Vermont can boast. The survey in this locality was made for James Everts in 1791, in the original right of Jo- seph Sackett, but the latter allowed the land to be sold rather than pay the tax laid against it. The first improvement here is credited to Ainos Fassett, who built near the falls the first saw and grist- mill in the town, in 1791. In 1824 Crane & Crandall built a cloth- mill on the privilege, the first also of its kind in the town, but which was carried away by the freshet of 1830. Samuel N. Gaut purchased the entire privilege and property in 1849, and operated it extensively until quite recently. In 1850 he built the brick grist-mill, having four runs of stone, and soon thereafter started in trade, thus making the falls a considerable trade center. Mr. Gaut also enlarged the saw-mill and changed it to a cloth or woolen factory, in which he was assisted by F. W. Shepardson as partner. Their products were flannels, cassimeres, and yarns, and their business was large and successful. Mr. Shepardson withdrew from the business in 1881, and the property soon passed into the ownership of
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TOWN OF FAIRFAX.
Susan E. Gaut and Harriet G. Minot, the latter being the present pro- prietress. She has entire supervision and control, both general and in detail, of the factory and business, and it goes without saying that the product of the Lamoille mills is not equalled in America. It is no exaggeration, but a fact, that the blankets manufactured at this place are superior to any produced in this country at the present time.
Fairfax Village .- This is by far the largest and most important set- tled community in the town, and is, withal, a desirable and comfortable place of abode. The village took a certain form of municipality in the year 1820, the people availing themselves of the provisions of an act of the state legislature that authorized the selectmen to prescribe certain limits within which cattle, swine, and other animals should not be per- mitted to run at large. These limits were defined by the selectmen in pursuance of a petition signed by Luther B. Hunt, Hampton Lovegrove, Hiram Bellows, Medad Parsons, Elijah Levens, James Farnsworth, Asa Wilkins, jr., and David Bascom.
Fairfax village, while an altogether desirable place, is peculiarly situ- ated, being practically divided by a high hill, a part of the business and residences being on the hill and the remainder in the valley. From this situation the people are classed as residents on the "Hill " or in the "Hollow "; and this condition of location has been productive of a di- vision of sentiment among the people, which does not fail to manifest it- self on frequent occasions, and particularly when a postmaster is to be selected, and sometimes in the choice of local officers. At present the "Hollow" folks have the best of their brethren on the "Hill," for they have the coveted office and a majority of business houses. The few who are dwellers along the ascent are happily situated, for they enjoy equal benefits from above and below. There appears to be no immediate hope for an adjustment of differences, and each faction will continue to struggle for its own advantage so long as the hill lasts, and it is yet in an exceedingly healthy condition. The up-Hill forces are led by mer- chants John B. Alfred and A. B. Beeman, while the champions of the Hollow are Counselor Ballard, Dr. Brush, S. E. Wilson, John B. Drew, Ira E. Hunt, and others. But all, whether " up or down-hillers," are good men and true, and all interested in the welfare of their pretty vil- lage. And their controversies are buried with each final result, regard- less of which side wins. 60
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
But Fairfax is, and for many years has been, a trade center of great importance, and at no time has there been a greater diversity of busi- ness interests than at present. The village has three churches, two ho- tels (only one now in use), one undertaker's shop, three blacksmith shops, two wheelwright shops, one tin shop, one jewelry store, one mil- linery store, one saw and shingle-mill, five general stores, three drug stores, two hardware stores, four groceries, eighty-two dwellings, two lawyers, four physicians, and two barbers. The population of the vil- lage is about 400 souls.
The First Baptist Church of Fairfax was organized in 1792, and its first ordained minister was Rev. Elisha Andrews. In 1801 the Rev. Ephraim Butler conducted services here. He died in the town in 1861. In 1824 the society in association with the Congregationalists built a meeting-house (now a part of the institute building). In 1848 and '49 the society built the present church, the frame being furnished by Dea- con Ansel Shepardson and the long timber by Harry Safford. The old union meeting-house was used for the last time on August 19, 1849. The new edifice was repaired and enlarged in 1851. It is in all respects an attractive and comfortable church home, having received further ma- terial repairs in 1885. The succession of pastors, so far as can be ascer- tained, has been as follows: Elisha Andrews, 1793; Ephraim Butler, 1801; Amos Tuttle, 1806; Ephraim Butler, 1821; Jeremiah Hall, 1830; J. C. Bryant, licenciate, 1832; Josiah Huntly, supply; Simeon Fletcher, 1837 ; H. D. Hodge, 1840; Lewis A. Dunn, 1843-71, a pas- torate of twenty-seven years; Jabez Ferris, December, 1871; J. S. Webber, 1872; Deforest Safford, 1874; George W. Bower, 1877; W. G. Goucher, 1879; Charles A. Votey, 1884; Henry Crocker, 1887.
The Methodist Episcopal Church .- The early class services of the so- ciety of the Methodist Episcopal church of Fairfax village and vicinity date back to the beginning of the century in which we now live, but it was not until a comparatively recent time, or in 1832, that a separate organized society of the denomination was made here. The first meet- ing-house of this society was built in 1840, and the second and present one in 1851. Among the prominent early members of the society were Sewall S. Chamberlain, IsaacT. Parris, Reuben Moulton, Zenas Bascom, Kendrick Bascom, George W. Farrar, Flavel J. Butler, Aaron Drew,
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TOWN OF FAIRFAX.
E. J. Rogers, Hiram Stewart, and others. Among the early local preach- ers were Rev. Benjamin Stoddard, in 1822, who continued nearly thirty years, Rev. A. Hazelton, and Rev. O. Pier (preacher and physician). Other early ministers in this circuit were Revs. Solomon Stebbins, Chase, Caryhey, Foster, Leonard, and Campbell. From 1842 to the present time the succession of ministers has been as follows: George McKillips, Zina H. Brown, Chester Lyon, John Fassett, Reuben Washburn, S. W. Clements, Albinus Johnson, A. C. Rose, John Bate, Simeon Gardner, S. B. Whitney, H. F. Austin, George Townsend, H. Warner, M. Spen- cer, H. A. Bushnell, S. L. Eastman, W. Underwood, F. C. Kimball, W. D. Malcom, W. H. Hyde, W. W. Wilder, J. Enright, E. Folsom, and C. A. Smith.
The Roman Catholic Church at Fairfax village was built during 1872, under the direction of Father M. Pigeon, but there had been Catholic mission services in the town before that time, conducted by the same zealous priest. The church stands on Bridge street, and is a comforta- ble structure built of wood. The society or parish is not large, and the church is supplied from Milton and St. Albans.
The Society of the Congregational Church of Fairfax was organized on March 28, 1802, by Rev. Purlius V. Bogue, of Georgia, with an orig- inal membership of nine persons, viz .: Josiah Safford, Zenas Palmer, Samuel Dorwin, Giles Swift, Charles Swift, Joseph Parmalee, Jonathan Whipple, Abagail Parmalee, and Sarah Swift. The society as a church has not met since 1852.
The New Hampton Institute .- During the period in which Fairfax may be said to have attained its greatest prosperity some of the lead- ing citizens of the village and town conceived the idea of establishing a literary and educational institution that should not alone be an orna- ment and honor to their locality, but one as well that afford the youth of the region the facilities for thorough and complete education. To this end they opened correspondence with the managers of the New Hampton Institute, of New Hampton, N. H., with a result of a promise that the same would be moved to this town, provided suitable buildings should be erected free of expense to the management. To do this the enterprising people of Fairfax went deeply into their pockets and suc- ceeded in raising the sum of nearly $10,000, with which such additions
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
were made to the old union meeting-house as made it a large and admirably arranged school building. The leaders of this enterprise were Rev. L. A. Dunn, Rev. H. L. Parker, J. H. Farnsworth, Reuben Dewey, Silas W. Brush, Heman Hunt, S. D. Alfred, Albert Ufford, Damon Howard, Harry Maxfield, H. C. Safford, Franklin Hunt, Ira Hunt, and others. The work of preparing the building was prosecuted with such vigor that during the summer of 1853 the school was ready for occupancy. The school proved to be all that its projectors had ex- pected, and from the very outset and many years thereafter Fairfax enjoyed the reputation of having one of the best educational institutions in Northern Vermont. But in more recent years the school has suf- fered with the general decline in popularity of such throughout the state, yet, unlike many others, it has been maintained to the present day. At the present time the institute is under the principalship of Prof. A. G. Cox.
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