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 57
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 57
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During this period the inhabitants were not greatly disturbed on ac- count of fear of an invasion and the despoilation of their property and homes by the British, as the commander of the invading army had, as did Burgoyne of old, issued a proclamation declaring that all who remained quietly at their homes should suffer neither molestation nor injury,
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TOWN OF HIGHGATE.
either to person or property. But the people of the town, while assured of their safety from British attacks, had not that comforting assurance against the possibility of an Indian invasion with its almost certain ac- companying outrages and plundering. Not infrequently were the peo- ple thrown into a state of consternation by circulating rumors of an In - dian approach upon the town and its settlements, but during the course of the war they were exempted from an invasion in fact.
The next events of special importance in connection with the history of Highgate were those which occurred during the prevalence of the so-called Papineau war; but whatever then transpired was more in the nature of a useless demonstration and almost wholly without bloodshed, although there are evidences showing that one or two persons were more or less seriously wounded. Highgate being a border town it was to be expected as a matter of course that the insurgents would make the place a rendezvous, for such motley gatherings seldom ventured far into the enemy's country. Therefore in Highgate they assembled to the num- ber of from 150 to 200 men and boys, untrained in the arts of war and miserably armed. They gathered at one time around a school-house in which Judge Robinson was teaching, and against the door of which was posted a radical proclamation, and then gave three rousing cheers for their patron saint, the notorious Papineau. They afterwards marched on their hoped-for conquering tour against the British government in Canada, but being met by an armed force who fired a few shots into the ranks of the insurgents, with the result of routing them and putting the boys to flight, with the exception of burning a barn or two there were no serious depredations within the limits of this town. Notwithstand- ing the weakness of the insurgent force it became necessary to call into action the local militia, that the neutrality laws might be enforced, and that neither state or Federal government should become involved in complications with Great Britain either by overt act or negligence.
During the year 1839 the military of the town was on a number of occasions called into service. These organizations were the Washington Rifle Company, commanded by Captain Conrad Barr, and the company of which Abel Drury was captain. Captain Barr's company was on duty along the northern frontier for nineteen days, commencing March 3Ist. The personnel of the command was as follows: Captain, Conrad
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
Barr; lieutenant, Uriel D. Fillmore ; sergeants, David Sunderland, W. M. Sunderland, Schuyler Brewer, Philo Drury, Allen Barr; and privates, G. N. Steinhour, Samuel Sunderland, Joseph Haynes, William H. Steinhour, James Sunderland, S. K. Platt, Hamilton Wilson, William Fisher, Thomas Haynes, Zimri Daily, Luther Herrick, Fred Fisher, David Anderson, John Chappell, Thomas Higgins, Abel Carlin, John Croystea, jr., Charles Allen, Marshall N. Bisbee, Anson Sweet, William H. Corbin, Ephraim Russell, Benjamin Titus, Sanford Sanderson, James Proper, William R. Hogaboom, Charles R. Blake, William Teachout, Godfrey Steinhour, John Hunter, John Stinets, David Hunter, jr., Asa Rood, Asa Hunter, 3d, Samuel Decker, James Hogaboom, Charles Brown, Henry Hall, William Stearns, H. S. Eggleston, Benjamin Peake, G. G Winter, William B. Allen, Daniel Watson, Vincent Hutchins, N. W. Green, John H. Fairchild, John Butler, Levi S. Fairchild, A. Part- ridge, Horace Austin, E. Wait, Leander Mason, E. Haskins, F. W. Spear, Charles Haskins, Luther P. Rixford, John Shaw, Luther I. Rob- inson, James Johnson, David Sawyer, and John Blake.
Captain Drury's Company : Abel Drury, captain ; Calvin Drury, Hannibal Skelters, lieutenants; Martin Lumpkins, Mason Peake, Alonzo S. Ward, James H. Hogaboom, sergeants; William Cutler, James A. Spooner, corporals ; and privates, Jacob Brewer, Rensselaer Brewer, James Proper, Nicholas Miller, G. M. Beebe, Ashley Newell, A. G. Cutler, Joshua Spooner, Josiah Winship, Luther Steinhour, Hiram Best, Peter Van Allen, John Anderson, William Sterns, Eldad Sterns, Timothy Jones, Samuel Curtis, Lovel Barnes, John Hogaboom, Warren Durkee, Daniel Farrington, Jonathan Rice, 3d, Gabriel Carlin, Hiram Blower, Asa Whit- comb, Michael Lee, David Steinhour, Jonathan Blodgett, Ephraim Bessy, James Lane, Duncan McClary, Harley Ricord, John Johnson, jr., Sam- uel B. Upham, William Sloget, Merritt Ricord, Ammon McGee, Justin Twist, John Proper, Peter Carman, John Jewett, Liberty Wood, Jacob Jewett, Orange Seward, Samuel Wood, P. Teachout, Russell Clow, George Averill, Jacob Church, Charles Jewett, Horatio Winters, Cyrus Thompson, William Smith, Edgar Smith, Guy Hogle, George E. Shelters, Francis Duell, Joshua Ripley, L. Frido, Ezekiel Loucks, Mathew Loucks, A. G. Weaver, W. R. Hogaboom, Nelson Austin, Samuel Hoga- boom, Cassius P. Pierce, William Proper, John Peelson, Joseph Stickney,
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TOWN OF HIGHGATE.
Nathaniel Johnson, James Johnson, Walter C. Stevens, Homer Johnson, William Stickney, Philip Shelters, Allen Stickney, Robert Clark, Will- iam Cline, Edwin Saxe, Luther K. Drury, B. F. Hollenbeck, Levi Spear, Charles Butler, Peter E. Brewer, Hamilton Wilson, Solomon Johnson, Dawson Johnson, John Mayville, jr., and D. G. M. Kidder.
Captain Drury organized another company for service, under a special order, during the same year, 1839, which company was as follows : Captain, Abel Drury; A. M. Lamkins, first sergeant; H. J. Saxe, ser- geant ; and privates, Charles McCarty, William Sloget, Garbriel Corbin, William Stearns, Josiah Jones, John Riley, Harley Ricord, John Turner, John Hogaboom, John Mayville, James Hogaboom, Cassius P. Pierce, Alfred Sweet, Justin Twist, William Cline, William Smith, Noah Ricord, George Stickney, Lovel Barnes, Frederick Dulback, and Hiram Blower.
A preceding chapter in this work has referred at length to the several regiments in which were contributions of men from Highgate during the period of the war of 1861-65, commonly known as the Rebellion ; and in that connection will be found the names of the men furnished by the town, and the company and regiment to which they respectively be- longed. Therefore in this chapter it will not be necessary to refer to and mention more than the aggregate of soldiery sent from the town to the service. During the course of the war this town is credited with having furnished the total number of 222 men, twelve of whom were killed in battle; twenty-two died of wounds and disease contracted in the service; twenty-seven were discharged for disabilities; twenty be- came veterans by re-enlistment. The total number regularly mustered out was III. There were fifteen desertions of enlisted men from High- gate, a number proportionately less than many other towns of the county ; and those charged with desertion were mainly persons who came to Highgate from Canada for the purpose of enlisting and obtain- ing the large bounties offered by the local authorities, and then return- ing secretly to the province, where they could not be pursued. As a matter of fact these Canadians, or many of them at least, never intended to enter the service, but became full-fledged bounty jumpers, and that at the expense of the town and to its great injury.
Highgate village is about one mile south and a little to the east of the geographical center of the town, on a waterfall of the Missisquoi
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
River. This fall is one of the best if not the best to be found in the state, with one or two others directly above, at a distance not exceeding two miles, which are almost as good. The village is divided by the river. The south village is called Highgate and that on the north High- gate Center. The bed of the river lies some seventy-five feet below the handsome plain land on which the two villages are built. The banks of the stream are high and rocky, making it a safe and conven- ient water privilege. Any desirable "head" or fall can be obtained. The bed of the river runs rapidly for nearly half a mile through a rocky, deep gorge, and the foot of the gorge is nearly 100 feet lower than the water above the dam. Directly below the dam the river was spanned by an arch bridge built entirely of pine by S. W. & S. S. Keyes in 1824, and was one of the best built bridges in the state, being erected by private enterprise, and was for many years a toll bridge. Kibbee & Hatch were the builders. In 1887 it was thought to be unsafe, and what could be saved of the timbers was taken down, after which the arches were blown apart by dynamite and fell to the bed of the river, a distance of nearly 100 feet. It was replaced the same year by an iron bridge built by the Berlin Bridge Company.
Andrew Potter built the first house and barn in the limits of the village about 1795, and the first grist-mill, of logs, about 1800. It was run by an overshot wheel, and the water was conducted to the wheel by a spout, there then being no dam across the river. In 1804 or '05 Andrew Potter and a Mr. Phelps built the first saw-mill, and also a dam across the river, which soon went off. In 1811 or '12 Hemen Allen built a frame grist- mill, which was burned down about a year after. In 1815 Mr. Allen built a grist-mill of brick, which was taken down ten or eleven years after, and rebuilt by S. W. & S. S. Keyes. They also built, about 1826, what was called the new mill, with four runs of stone, which mill, after stand- ing a few years, was undermined by the river and the back part fell into the stream. It was rebuilt by the same parties, but was soon after taken down. What is called the old mill is doing business at the present time, and is owned by Dr. Baxter. The first bridge across the river here was a trestle bridge, near the foot of the falls, built by Allen & Evarts in 1812, and this went down in the fall of 1822 or '23. The mill-dam was built by Heman Allen in 1811 or '12, and rebuilt by Dr.
O. S. Scarle BEL
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TOWN OF HIGHGATE.
Baxter in 1884, and a new wing and bulk head in 1888. This water privilege is used to some extent at the present time : One saw-mill, run by Mr. Hinerth, the grist-mill, the foundry, and machine shops owned by Haskins & Hinerth, and all doing a good business. There are two blacksmith shops in the south village, E. U. Sunderland occupying one, and in connection with it he is doing quite a business in manufacturing wagons and sleighs; the other is run by Sears & Lumbard. There is also a store in the south village, E. D. Herrick's, and an Episcopal church.
In the north village are two stores doing a good trade, viz .: C. A. Lyon & Sons and J. B. Cross & Son. The Methodist, Congregational, and Catholic churches are also in this village. In the west part of the town is done a large business in manufacturing lime by S. H. Felten. The lime rock is said to be of superior quality.
The old Highgate spring is situated in the west part of the town, near the lake, and is a favorite resort for invalids and sportsmen. Its cura- tive properties have been known and appreciated for years. The Frank- lin House, kept by L. S. Scott, is a popular hotel, accommodating 150 guests, and is filled every season. The hunting and fishing in the vicinity is excellent, making this a great resort for campers. The hotel at Highgate Center is owned and kept by Philip Sheltes, the descend- ant of one of the first children born in the town.
East Highgate village is situated three miles east of Highgate Center, on the Missisquoi River-a thriving, busy little village, the prosperity of which is mainly due to O. S. Rixford, esq., son of Luther Rixford, who settled there in 1837 and commenced the manufacture of scythes. Mr. Rixford has carried on the business since 1868, and built large and commodious shops for the manufacture of axes in connection with the scythe business. There are two stores, two hotels, and one tannery in this village; one grist-mill, two saw-mills, a creamery separator, school- house, and forty dwelling houses. At the present time there are noth- ing but common district schools in either of the three villages in town.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was erected at Highgate Center in 1869, at a cost of $8,500, of brick, and is a substantial and commo- dious edifice. Rev. Elijah Hedding (afterwards bishop) is supposed to have preached the first Methodist sermon in town, in 1799. Rev.
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
Thomas Best was the first settled minister. The church was organized in 1822. Its first members were E. P. Haskins and wife, Daniel Her- rick and wife, Luke Hitchcock and wife, Daniel Fillmore and wife, Amasa Joslyn and wife, Thomas Best and wife, with other names un- known. The old records are lost. The list of preachers are as follows : Revs. Samuel Weaver, 1829; Dillin Stevens, 1830-33 ; I. Seward, 1833- 35 ; William Richards, 1835; John Graves, 1836; C. Chamberlin, 1837; B. A. Lyon, 1838 ; O. E, Spear, 1839-41 ; A. Dixon, 1841-43 ; John Seger, 1843-45 ; Charles Seward, 1845-47; J. D. White, 1847-49; Brown, 1849-51 ; Orrin Gregg, 1851-54; S. H. Climes, 1854-56; J. H. W. R. Puffer, 1856; J. E. Kimball, 1857-59; C. R. Hawley, 1859 ; H. C. Robinson, 1860; J. S. Mott, 1861-63 ; B. Cox, 1863; R. Chrystie, 1864; J. M. Puffer, 1865-67; James Robinson, 1867-68 ; C. Wedge- worth, 1868-70 ; Milo Barney, 1870-71 ; D. P. Bragg, 1871-73 ; Cor- tez Kimball, 1873-75; W. B. Howard, 1875-77 ; W. R. Puffer, 1877- 79 ; T. Trevellian, 1879-81; W. N. Roberts, 1881-83 ; S. S. Brigham, 1883-87 ; W. B. Malcomb, 1887-90.
The Congregational Church .- The first Congregational church of Highgate was organized in a school-house, in the northwest part of the town, October 28, 1811, Rev. Benjamin Wooster officiating. The names of the fifteen original members were as follows: Conrad Barr, Hezekiah Harnden, John Johnson, John Stimits, John Barr, Henry Loucks, Eu- nice Teachout, Anna Saxe, Martha Barr, Catherine Steinhour, Rachel Johnson, Sarah Drury, Sarah Williams, Hannah Stimits, and Rachel Harnden. This little flock in the wilderness was watched over by that bold and noble man, soldier of the Cross and of his country, Father Wooster, until the autumn of 1819. Rev. Messrs. Parker, Cheney, and other missionaries from Massachusetts and Connecticut made them oc- casional visits, traveling on horseback through the woods. Their num- bers increased at every communion except when the leader was away in defence of his country-during the War of 1812. In the autumn of 1819 Rev. Phineas Kingsley was installed pastor. Rev. Simon Parmelee preached from the words: "Put off thy shoes from thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." His pastorate, thus begun in the school-house on the south side of the river, closed in September, 1829. The next and only pastor installed after Mr. Kingsley was Rev.
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TOWN OF HIGHGATE.
E. W. Kellogg, June 7, 1846, Rev. James Dougherty preaching on this occasion. Their new commodious brick church edifice was dedi- cated on the same day. The meetings of the church previous to this time were first in school-houses, then in the town-house, and finally in a house built for the purpose at the center of the town. Mr. Kellogg was dismissed in July, 1852. No record speaks of Sabbath-schools until May II, 1842. The church engaged the stated labors of Rev. Messrs. Pierce, Squires, Cody, and Sampson from the time of Mr. Kellogg's dis- missal till June, 1867, when Rev. E. J. Cummings became their acting pastor and remained until 1871 ; Rev. E. J. Stone, from 1871-76; Rev. J .. H. Babbitt, from 1876-87, but resided in Swanton ; Rev. E. J. Rans- low, who also resides in Swanton, from .1887 to the present time. The church has numbered 140, and at other times has been reduced to fifty ; it is now in a prosperous condition. The first Congregational and the first Methodist churches built in town were erected about two and one- half miles north from Highgate Center, about one-half mile apart, be- tween the years of 1813 and 1818 ; the exact date cannot be ascertained. The Congregational church was taken down and moved to Highgate Center about 1854 or '55 by the Catholics, and is in use by them at the present time as a place of worship.
The Catholic Church was built from the old Congregational church about 1854 or '55, and has been supplied from Swanton until the past three or four years, when the society bought a parsonage. Since that time the Rev. Joseph Turcott has officiated. The church is in a fair condition. Its members are largely French, as there are but few Irish Catholics in town.
St. John's Episcopal Church .- The material from which to make a history of this parish is very limited. The record of several years of its early existence, if one was kept, has been lost. The church was built about the year 1831, by subscription from the different denomina- tions in town. It is a substantial brick building situated on the south side of the river in a very pleasant location. It was consecrated May I, 1833. In 1835 the original building was much improved by the addi- tion of a chancel and vestry room, and by painting the entire structure. This desirable change was effected through the liberality of the business men of the place. In 1837 the Hon. Heman Allen gave a bell, a font
77
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
of Italian marble, a silver communion service, and books for the altar and pulpit. About the same time an organ of excellent quality and tone was purchased and placed in the church. In 1831 Rev. Anson B. Hard became rector of the parish at that time; though many in the community were favorable to the church there was only one communi- cant. His ministry, which continued two years, was very successful. After the removal of Mr. Hard the Rev. S. R. Crane officiated in this parish one year, 1836. For that year he reported to the convention three baptisms and ten confirmations. In the fall of 1836 Rev. John S. Sabine took charge of this parish and remained one year. He reported nine baptisms and four confirmations. At that time the number of communicants was above thirty. Though brief, Mr. Sabine's ministry was useful. In 1837 'Rev. Charles Fay took charge, and resigned De- cember 30, 1840. During his ministry there were fifty-eight baptisms and thirty-four confirmations. When he left the number of communi- cants was sixty-two. The parish remained vacant about a year, when the Rev. William F. Holsey was called to the charge of it. He re- signed on account of ill health in April, 1843. Mr. Holsey recorded twelve baptisms and four confirmations. He reported to the committee in September, 1842, forty-three communicants. During some part of the year 1845 Rev. John A. Fitch, of Sheldon, officiated in this parish. He recorded eleven baptisms and one confirmation. The parish re- mained vacant until July, 1847, when the Rev. C. R. Batchelor was called to its charge. He resigned January 21, 1860, after laboring ten years and five months. During a portion of this time he had a private school in which a number of young men, still living in this and surround- ing towns, prepared for college. During his rectorship he reported sixty- five baptisms, and forty-three confirmations, and forty communicants. In June, 1862, Rev. Edward Winthrop took charge as rector. In 1886 he was obliged on account of illness to resign, and died soon after. He was a man of uncommon talent. During his rectorship he reported seven baptisms and eight confirmations. The parish remained vacant until August, 1867, when the Rev. J. B. Pitman was appointed. Twelve baptisms and nine confirmations was reported under his charge. Mr. Pitman remained until 1871 or '72, and resigned. The Rev. Josiah Swett was called to its charge and remained until his death, which was in 1889.
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TOWN OF SHELDON.
During his labors he established a school in Highgate which was of great benefit to this and surrounding towns, and it was well patronized. He was a man of rare talent and uncommon theological learning. During the past year services have been held in the church occasionally by his son, who is studying for the ministry.
Town Representatives .- John Knickerbocker, 1792; Jonathan But- terfield, 1793-94; Orange Smith, 1795 ; Jonathan Butterfield, 1796 ; John Cray, 1799; Matthew Saxe, 1800-02; Sylvanus Cobb, 1803-04 ; Peter Saxe, 1806, 1818, 1827 ; Simeon Hungerford, 1811 ; Abel Drury, 1812, 1823; Eben Hill, 1815; John Averill, 1820-22, 1824-25; Thomas Best, 1827; John Barr, 1829-31, 1837; Jesse Carpenter, 1832, 1835 ; Charles H. Jennison, 1836; Luther K. Drury, 1838 ; William Skeels, 1841; Luther Meigs, 1843; L. K. Drury, 1845; Luther Meigs, 1846; Daniel Watson, 1847-48; no choice, 1852; Jesse Cutler, 1849; A. P. Herrick, 1850; Jacob Carman, 1851-56; Calvin Drury, 1853-54; Asa Wilson, 1855 ; Henry Baxter, 1857; Warren Robinson, 1859-60, 1864-65 ; Amos Skeels, 1861; O. S. Rixford, 1862-63; Melvin Church, 1866; J. R. Smith, 1867; O. S. Rixford, 1868-69; Henry Baxter, 1870; Stephen Keyes, 1872; H. L. Culter, 1874; Hiram Skeels, 1876; O. E. Sheridan, 1878; O. S. Searls, 1880; O. E. Sheri- dan, 1882 ; J. B. Sanderson, 1884; J. A. Fitch, 1886; E. J. Phelps, 1888 ; J. B. Sanderson, 1890.
CHAPTER XXXII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHELDON.1
"PROVINCE 2 of New Hampshire. George the Third. By the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, De- fender of the Faith, etc.
' By P. B. B. Northrup, esq.
2 This is the only copy of a New Hampshire charter of any of the Franklin county towns given in this volume ; and the copy here furnished is for the purpose of informing the reader of the character of the charters granted by Benning Wentworth.
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
"To all persons to whom these presents shall come, Greeting.
" Know ye, that we of our special grace, certain knowledge and mere notion, for the due encouragement of settling a New Plantation within our said Province by and with the advise of our truly and well beloved Benning Wentworth, Esq. Our Governor and Commander in Chief of our said province of New Hampshire in New England and of our Counsil of the said province, HAVE upon the Conditions and Res- ervations herein after made, given, granted, and by these Presents for us, Our Heirs and Successors, do give and grant in equal shares, unto our loving Subject, Inhabitance of our said Province of New Hampshire and our other Government, and to their heirs and assigns for ever whose names are entered on this grant, to be divided to and amongst them into seventy equal shares, all that tract or Parcel of land situated, lying, and being within our said province of New Hampshire containing by admeasurement 23,040 acres. Which Tract is to contain six miles square, and no more, out of which an allowance is to be made for High Ways and unimprovable lands by rocks, ponds, mountains, and rivers, one-thousand and forty acres free, according to a plain and survey thereof, made by our said Governor's order and returned into the Sec- retary's office and hereunto annexed, buttet, and bounded as follows, by "Beginning at the North-easterly corner of Smithfield, a township this day granted, from thence running westerly by Smithfield, as that runs to the North-westerly corner there-of, which is also the south-Easterly corner of Highgate, then turning off Northerly and running by High- gate afforesaid, as that runs to the North-Easterly corner thereof, then turning off Easterly and running so far as a parallel line with the North- erly side line of Smithfield afforesaid, as that a straight line drawn from Meets Points to the North-Easterly corner bounds of Smithfield affore- said (the Bend beyond), shall include the contents of six miles square.
" And that the same be and hereby is incorporated into a township by the name of Hungerford, and the inhabitance that do or shall here- after inhabit the said township are hereby declared to be En-franchised, and intitled to all and every the priviledges and immunities that other towns within our province by leave exercise and enjoy. And further, that the said town, as soon as there shall be fifty families resident and settled thereon, shall have the liberty of holding two fairs, one of which
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TOWN OF SHELDON.
shall be held on the - and the other annually, which fairs are not to continue longer than the respective - following the said annually which Fairs.
" That as soon as the said town shall consist of fifty families, a market may be opened and kept one or more days in each week as may be thought most advantageous to the inhabitance.
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