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 60
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 60
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This same Patrick Conroy assumed to act as justice of the peace, but for which he had no authority whatever from the Vermont organization. For this offense he was summoned upon the order of Judge Elijah Paine, of the Supreme Court, to appear in Burlington, but there does not ap- pear any record of the final disposition of the matter.
On the 16th of May, 1792, Governor Chittenden instructed the just- ices of the peace of Alburgh, Benjamin Marvin and Samuel Mott, in the matter of their duties, as follows: "It is incumbent upon you as civil magistrates to execute your functions and cause town officers to be ap- pointed and sworn to a faithful discharge of their duty ; it is incumbent
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on the people also to assist you to form such regulations in the town of Alburgh, which is now unquestionably established within this and the United States." In conclusion the governor said : " If your people re- fuse to pay attention to the above requisition I cannot think it will be long before this government will call on them in a different way to sub- mit to the laws thereof. Should they be put to the necessity of taking so disagreeable a measure I should not think it strange should they be obliged to pay up all back taxes since you were represented [in Assem- bly], as some towns in this state in like circumstances have done." This was the communication of instructions to the justices upon which the town was organized, concerning which mention has already been made,
But the worthy justices themselves, Benjamin Marvin and Samuel Mott, were made the subjects of British affront, brought about through the malice and wanton spirit of this Patrick Conroy. On the 12th of June, 1792, a party of British, headed by Conroy, made prisoners of the justices, and also of Constable Joseph Mott, all residents of Alburgh, against whom was made the charge that they were officiating as officers of the town under Vermont. The. British threatened to take the pris- oners to Quebec, but afterwards consented to their release on parole, but charged them that they should not assume to act in their offices for the space of twelve days. It appears, however, that Conroy was the dis- turbing factor in this community, but he must have departed from the town some time in June, 1792, as will be noticed from the following de- position of Rev. Reuben Garlick, which on account of its peculiar gram- matical construction is reproduced literally, viz. :
"The deposition of Reuben Garlick of Alburg, of Lawful age Tistify & say that the Writs for the Election of a Member in this County of Bedford, in Lore Canaday for a member to their Legislature were sent to the Province Line, & I have been informed the Person that Brought them was directed not to summons any Person south of the Province Line nor have I heard of any Persons being summonsed in Alburg. The Deponent further saith that the Laws of Vermont are in fourse in Alburg, and the sivil officers of Government have met with no opisition from any Person under Pretext of British Government since the Depart- ure of Partrick Conroy & John Savage in June last.
" REUBEN GARLICK.
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
" SWANTON, July 31, 1792.
"County of Chittenden, ss .. Personally Appeared the Reverend Mr. Reuben Garlick & made solum Oath to the Truth of the above Deposi- tion. THO'S BUTTERFIELD, Just. Peace."
Notwithstanding the solum declaration of Rev. Reuben Garlick, who, . it appears, was a deacon in orders of the Church of England and a resi- dent in Alburgh, the offensive acts of the British troops were not relin- quished as against citizens and merchants, although there may have been no further interference with magistrates and other officers in the per- formance of their duties. On the 18th of August, 1794, Royal Corbin, of Alburgh, addressed a communication to the governor, in which he related that he was engaged in mercantile pursuits ; that "the repeated injuries and insults this vicinity has suffered from the British are so glar- ing and 'so very frequent as to rouse the indignation of every one who has the smallest tincture of republican blood circulating in their veins." The much aggrieved Corbin further stated that the British would not suffer him to pass either up or down the lake, nor cross it, and that he was restrained of his liberty and deprived of his rights as a citizen, while his goods were seized and detained. Corbin's statement was corrobo- rated by the affidavits of Samuel D. Searle and Roswell Mills, both of whom testified to the seizure of Corbin's boat with its cargo of forty bushels of salt and a puncheon of rum. (In this connection a citizen of Alburgh of to-day inquires concerning the necessity of so much salt )
But all these complaints were ended by the treaty made by John Jay, which resulted in the evacuation of the vicinity by the British troops, after which the people suffered no further molestation of their interests or property. From this time forth, until the outbreak of the War of 1812-15, the people enjoyed an era of prosperity hitherto unexampled in its history. The town possessed natural agricultural and commercial advantages not enjoyed by any other similar locality in the state; and, as a matter of fact, there was not and is not a town in the whole com- monwealth of Vermont that is situated precisely or approximately like Alburgh. It abuts the province line in the same manner as do others, but its entire region south of the line lies within the waters of the lake, forming a vast promontory some ten or so miles in length, the land of which is peculiarly fertile and productive in a high degree. More-
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TOWN OF ALBURGH.
over, the town is by far the largest of the sub-divisions of Grand Isle county, and by far the most important. Its surface is quite level, there being no elevations of consequence, and hence there are no untillable lands in the town. From its level character there can be no streams of importance, and none of sufficient size to furnish any motive power for operating machinery; therefore Alburgh is of necessity an agricultural locality, and as such enjoys a reputation for productiveness second to none in the state. And in at least one other respect have the people here occasion to rejoice, and that in the fact that there are as few and even less mortgaged farms in Alburgh as can be found in any town in Vermont. More than that there are no abandoned farms, and therefore there exists no occasion for the services of the Commissioner of Agricult- ure in colonizing this town with foreign importation of humanity.
In 1779 there occurred in Alburgh an event which was the occasion of still further diplomatic correspondence between the governor of Ver- mont and the British authorities in Canada. It seems that John Griggs, a resident of Alburgh, was wanted by the deputy sheriff of Franklin county, who had a warrant for Griggs's arrest. Proceeding to the town the officer learned that Griggs had taken refuge at the house of his brother, across the province line; but the officers pursued and made him prisoner. In returning they put Griggs in a sleigh and came back by traveling on the ice in the lake, but in passing around "the tongue " of Alburgh the party broke through the ice and Griggs was drowned. Deputy Allen and his associates were indicted in Montreal for murder, and the provincial governor made a demand upon Governor Tichenor of Vermont that the indicted persons be surrendered up for trial. This was not done, nor were they ever tried in Canada or elsewhere ; for the drowning was an accident, and however unlawful may have been the pursuit into Canada the officers could be in no manner amenable to the laws of the province for the death to a person caused in the states. The only importance this incident has in this chapter is that it may show that the Canadian authorities had no friendliness of feeling towards the people and authorities of this locality and state.
Soon after the occurrence of this event the relations of the countries were again strained, brought about by the acts of oppression heaped upon the United States by the jealous and envious mother country, and
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
on account of these contemptible acts it became necessary that Congress retaliate at least in a measure, wherefore the embargo and non-inter- course laws. The enforcement of these laws worked serious injury to the people of Alburgh, for theirs was an agricultural and lumbering town, and they had always depended for many of their commodities upon the traffic and trade with the province, against which this town lay abutting. By the rigid enforcement of these obnoxious laws the peo- ple were driven to dire distress, and to relieve themselves a number of persons resorted to the dangerous art of smuggling; but this had to be done with great secrecy, for Alburgh was a port of entry and the cus- toms officers, the power of the Federal government, were stationed here, and were ever vigilant and watchful in the matter of their duties. Vigi- lant as they were they were not shrewd enough to stop all smuggling operations, and they had but little sympathy from the towns people who suffered by reason of the laws. At length it became necessary to call into service the militia of Franklin county, and these were stationed in various parts of the town, particularly at Windmill Point, on the western side of Alburgh. This was in May, 1808. The main purpose of this military force was to prevent certain rafts from passing into Canada, but the purpose was defeated, as the rafts ran the line under cover of dark- ness, and aided by favorable winds reached the province territory. This escape raised a cry against the efficiency of the militia, with the result of their withdrawal from the town and their place filled with mi- litia from Rutland county, and United States troops in addition.
But even the presence of the United States troops did not effectually put an end to smuggling, for it was carried on to a greater or less extent till the outbreak of the second war with Great Britain. The story of the notorious vessel, Black Snake, is well known to every resident of Alburgh. Among the crew of the schooner was at least one resident of this town, Samuel I. Mott, who was with the party that fired on the militia and killed several of them. Mott with the others was indicted, tried, and convicted of murder. But in his case a new trial was granted, with re- sult in conviction of manslaughter and sentence that he stand in the pil- lory one hour, to be confined in the state prison ten years, and pay costs of prosecution. Mott was pardoned October 15, 1817. In October, 18II, smuggling operations cost the life of young Harrington Brooks,
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of St. Albans, he being shot while in a boat loaded with salt off the west shore of Alburgh.
In the War of 1812-15, from its very outset till its close in this region by the battle of Plattsburgh, the situation of Alburgh made it a point of peculiar interest ; and while there appears no record showing a hostile meeting of armies or troops within the limits of the town the fact that such a collision was at any time liable to occur, and the territory ever subject to invasion, had the effect of keeping the people in a state of constant excitement and prevented them from performing the duties of their business. The main channel of Lake Champlain was just west of the town, and passing to and fro at all times were the British vessels with their armed forces on board, and in the bordering town of Swan- ton there was an invasion and the consequent destruction of property. But from disaster and destruction of property the town of Alburgh was exempted. The inhabitants here had a friendly relation, both social and business, with the people of the province, and this was well known to the British officers and troops; moreover, just before the last campaign against Plattsburgh the British commander issued a proclamation assur- ing protection to those of the people who should remain at their homes in the care of their property. While this had the effect of keeping many of the enrolled militiamen in the town a number did respond to the call for volunteers, and served faithfully in the battle on the IIth of Septem- ber as well as in the skirmishing events of the days just preceding. But, unfortunately, there appears not to have been preserved any roll of the soldiery of Alburgh who served in that memorable engagement, for which reason their names cannot be reproduced in these pages.
Following the close of the second war with England peace and pros- perity returned and reigned supreme. At that time the town had a population of about 1, 100 souls, almost double that of 1800, and nearly three times the number of inhabitants in the town in 1791. During the long interval of peace that came after the war the resources of the town were fully developed, the previously unoccupied lands were taken up and improved, and small villages were established in several localities to accommodate the people of their vicinity in trade and barter. But in Alburgh, in contrast with the majority of the towns of the state, the max- imum of population was not attained until 1860, the census enumera-
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
tion of that year showing a total of 1,793, or more than one-third of the county's population, which then was 4,276.
So far as concerns communication with adjacent towns of Grand Isle or Franklin counties Alburgh is practically an island, and transportation to neighboring points prior to the construction of the old Vermont and Canada Railroad in 1851 was effected by boats. As early as 1796 Enoch Hall was granted the privilege of keeping a ferry between Isle La Motte and Alburgh ; and in the same year Reuben E. Taylor was likewise favored with the right to keep a ferry for hire between Alburgh and New York state. In 1798 an act was asked for a ferry between Al- burgh and Hog Island. David Harvey was also at an early day the proprietor of a ferry between this town and North Hero. The ferry be- tween Alburgh and Swanton was for a long time run by Nathan Niles and his son, John, as successor. Then it descended to Azom Niles, son of John. Still later a ferry company was chartered and organized.
As every organized town has its first events so has Alburgh. From all sources of information is gleaned the knowledge that the honor of being the first born in the town falls to Agnes, the daughter of John Gibson, who first saw the light on December 15, 1784; the first male child born in the town was William Sowles, in 1778. The first grist- mill was built in or about 1800, in the northwest part of the town, was run by wind mill power, and was altogether a primitive affair. The mill itself was circular in form, and was built of stone. The first steam saw-mill was built about 1830, also in the west part of the town, by Will- iam L. Sowles and William H. Lyman. In the same year another mill was built at Alburgh Center. The first physician in the town was Dr. Emerson, who is said to have come in 1786. Reuben Garlick was the pioneer pedagogue, and likewise clergyman and doctor. It is claimed on good authority that the first planing machine was invented in Al- burgh, the product of the genius of Joseph S. Mott; but it is fair to assume that even Mr. Mott himself, were he now living, would hardly recognize a single principle of his original invention in the planing ma- chines in use at the present time. The first town clerk was Thomas Reynolds. It is said that the first town representative was Thomas P. Loid in 1786, while the town was known as Missisco Leg. The town was not organized until 1792, and it was altogether an unusual thing
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TOWN OF ALBURGH.
that it should have a representation before having local organization. The query naturally arises, Who elected the representative? On the assumption that the election was a fact and regular it may be said also that Alburgh was represented in 1788 by William Coit, but not again till 1792, when David Staunton was elected ; in 1793, Elisha Reynolds; 1794-97, Benjamin Marvin; 1798, Timothy Sowles; 1799-1800, John Babcock ; 1801-02, Samuel Mott; 1803-04, Elisha Reynolds; 1805- 06, Lewis Sowles; 1807, James W. Wood; 1808, Alexander Scott; 1809, Lewis Sowles ; 1810, Phillyer Loop; 1811-12, Alexander Scott; 1813-14, Stephen Pettes ; 1815, Lewis Sowles; 1816, Ephraim Mott ; 1817, Robert Ransom; 1818, Joseph Sewall ; 1819, L. Sowles; 1820, Truman A. Barber; 1821, Joseph M. Mott; 1822-24, John M. Mott ; 1825-27, Thomas Mott; 1828-30, William L. Sowles; 1832, Giles Har- rington ; 1833-34, Joseph Sewall ; 1835, John M. Sowles ; 1836-37, G. W. Goodrich ; 1838-40, Frederick Hazen; 1841-42, Nathan Kins- ley ; 1843-44, William A. Ladue ; 1845-47, Solomon J. Davis ; 1848- 49, Albert C. Butler ; 1850-51, Job Babcock, jr .; 1852, Hiram L Bullis.
The lawyers of the town of Alburgh have been Samuel Holton, Philo Berry, I. P. Richardson, Samuel Miller, Eleazer Miller, Asa Robinson, T. A. Barber, Giles Harrington, Frederick Hazen. John M. Sowles, Da- vid G. Dixon, Jed P. Ladd, B. H. Smalley, Henry Adams, Charles Per- rigo, Henry C. Adams, and Jed P. Ladd, jr., the latter being the present state's attorney for the county, though not yet a member of the bar of the county. The physicians have been Drs. Emerson, Wood, J. Berry, J. S. Berry, Searle, Goodenow, Ransom, Samson, Burgess, Earle, H. H. Reynolds, Butler, L. Reynolds, S. S. Clark, C. B. Anderson, Howard, Ladue, and Phelps, the last four named being the present medical prac- titioners of the town.
The next distinguishing period after the War of 1812-15 in which Alburgh was a central point of operations in occurring events of an un- usual character was during the years 1837-39, or during the prevalence of the so-called Papineau war, being nothing less than an attempt which, by the way, proved wholly abortive on the part of certain adventurous, ambitious, and recalcitrant Frenchmen to overthrow the British rule in the province. A preceding chapter has made considerable mention concerning the events of this period, therefore an extended notice in
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
this place becomes unnecessary. Then, too, an admirably written chap- ter on these occurrences has recently been prepared by Rev. David Marvin, to which nothing of later development could be added; and that sketch is already in the family of nearly every reading person in the town. It may be said, however, that, notwithstanding the foolhardy character of the Papineau or Patriot outbreak, it was an occurrence of much singular prominence, and not without significance in our state and national political affairs; and during its prevalence Alburgh was a cen- tral point of operations, and therefore awakened became the dwellers of the locality ; and not only that, but Captain Giles Harrington's militia company was called into service on the frontier and performed such duty as was required of it in subduing and quelling the rampant spirit of insurrection among the insurgents. In Alburgh the rebellious sub- jects of the English government not only were permitted to remain for a time, but here they found sympathizers and in a few instances co- con- spirators against the Crown, all of which gave additional interest and excitement to the occasion.
But the record made by the volunteers from Alburgh during the war of 1861-65 forms an unusually bright page in its history. The town stands credited with having furnished 100 brave men for the service, some of whom earned straps on their shoulders, but the majority served in the ranks, carried and used the musket, and to good purpose rather than the ineffective brandishing of the sword. But for the full and complete record of the town's soldiery the attention of the reader must again be directed to a preceding chapter, where will be found a record, not only of men, but of deeds performed by them.
The evolutions of a century have not worked wonderful changes within the town of Alburgh. In that time at least four generations of people have occupied the land, but could the pioneer return once more to the scenes of his youth he would see the same general pursuits now being carried on as in his own day, but new and strange faces would perplex and puzzle him. One hundred years ago, the same as to day, this was an agricultural community, and the same general products are now raised and cultivated as were then. Then there were but few settled hamlets and only a merchant or two carrying on business, like Royal Corbin, and exchanging stock for produce and occasionally sup-
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plying some trader with a well-filled jug of the then indispensable but now prohibited rum.
The town of Alburgh owes much of its success of later years to the building of the Vermont and Canada Railroad. This line when com- pleted formed a connection between the northern portion of New York state and the Connecticut River country and the large New England cities on the south and east. Such a consummation proved of incalcu- lable value to this community, as it afforded ready transportation to established markets, and the people were not slow in availing themselves of its benefits. In the town two at least of the four settled hamlets owe their existence to this acquisition, which two are Alburgh Springs De- pot and Alburgh, the former in the east and the latter in the west part of the town.
Alburgh Springs Depot, or East Alburgh, although a small village is nevertheless an important point in the town, having a postoffice, hotel, a livery, and two merchants. From here is had direct communication with Alburgh Springs, which place has now become a health resort of considerable note. Many years ago the old residents knew of the health giving properties of these springs, but it is only within a compar- atively recent period that they have attracted attention from the outside world. The building of a large hotel has assured the visitor of comforts, added to which is the attraction of the springs themselves. Here, too, the climate and beautiful view both add to the attractions of the locality. The public buildings of the springs are the two churches, Congrega- tional and Methodist, the societies of both of which are nearly as old as the town itself; the public school of District No. 10 and the two hotels in operation during the pleasure season. Added to these are the usual stores, shops, and other business industries which make the average hamlet.
Alburgh Center is practically the seat of government of the town, and is located near the center of population and a few miles from the railroad. Here is the town clerk's office, a Methodist church, three mercantile establishments, and about a dozen dwellings.
The town of Alburgh has ten school districts, each supplied with suf- ficient accommodations for pupils, and each maintained by the district itself. That the teachers are competent there can be no doubt, as the
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
requirements of the recently enacted school law demand a superior ed- ucation on the part of persons who aspire to the position of teacher.
The Congregational church and society of Alburgh Spa are under the present pastoral charge of Rev. R. Titus, while in the same relation to the Methodist church at that place is the Rev. C. Brigham. Also the Methodist church at Alburgh Center is likewise under the charge of Mr. Brigham. The local minister of the town is the life-long resident, Rev. David Marvin, who has contributed not only to the building up and establishing the church and society in the town, but as well has by his writings preserved many of the interesting incidents of the early his- tory of Alburgh, which otherwise might have been lost to future gener- ations.
The merchants of Alburgh, at present engaged in business, are N. Young, J. S. Skelly, L. Harvey, John Carl, J. S. Gordon, J. W. Dean, and the firm of Skelly & Morse.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF GRAND ISLE.
T' HE town of Grand Isle occupies a position at the northern end of the island originally known as South Hero, but which was char- tered by Governor Thomas Chittenden, on the 27th of October, 1779, under the name of the "Two Heroes," which grant included all the territory that now comprises the distinct towns of North Hero, South Hero, and Grand Isle. The original grant was made in consideration of the sum of 10,000 pounds, to a large number of grantees, for the pur- pose of creating resources for the use of the state in civil and military affairs. Of the number of grantees, of which there were over 300, many neglected to comply with the conditions on which the grant was founded and made, with the result of a material reduction in number.
The town of Grand Isle formed a part of a seigniory originally granted by the king of France to M. Contrecoeur, an officer of infantry,
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