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 62
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 62
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From the above statement it must be inferred that the authorities of the state had but a very vague and indefinite understanding of the area of the island, for their resolution only contemplated the granting of 8,000 acres, which was supposed would not include the whole of the island, as their measurement provided that the survey should com- mence at the south end and run far enough to include the number of acres required. It is quite evident, too, that neither the petitioners nor the government knew the true area of the island or had any more than an approximate understanding of its size, or they would not have asked and paid for 8,000 acres when the island embraced considerably less than that number. The first knowledge of reliable character which the American pioneers had of the existence and fertility of Isle La Motte was derived during the period of the early French wars, and also during the early years of the Revolution. But what was then discovered was suffi- cient to satisfy them of the value and fertility of the lands on the island, and of its desirability as a possession. Had they not known this it is quite doubtful if they could have been persuaded into the payment of £36 per right for ninety-five shares, amounting to £3,420, or, its present equivalent in our money, $17,100. But then, there is nothing now in ex- istence to show that the consideration money was ever in fact paid, nor is it a matter of much consequence.
656
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
The name of Isle La Motte, applied by the Governor and Council and General Assembly when the grant was made in 1799, was maintained until 1802, when by legislative enactment, approved by the executive the 30th of October, the name was changed to Vineyard. This was a very appropriate and fitting designation, for it is well known now as it undoubtedly was at that time that the island was highly productive of fruits both of the tree and of the vine, and possessed, moreover, a rich and fertile soil for the growth of nearly every kind of staple product of the earth in this latitude. And it may be said as a fact indisputable that Isle La Motte, Vineyard, or by any name whatsoever it may be called contains the richest soil of all Vermont, and fully equal in quality for general productiveness to any in the New England or Middle-At- lantic states. The n'ame Vineyard was maintained until the year 1830, when the legislature, upon a petition therefor, restored the ancient ap- pellation of Isle La Motte less the final e.
As has already been stated the island was granted a town in the year 1779, but the instrument by which it was brought into existence as a town provided, as was the custom of the period, that its settlement need not be made until the circumstances of the war would admit of occu- pancy with safety ; but when the war was ended and peace once more restored the proprietors at once set about the survey and division of the town preparatory to permanent settlement by themselves or their grantees. The survey was made during the year 1785, and the map or plan completed and certified in January, 1786, by John Clark, sur- veyor. The first settlement on the island under Vermont authority was made by William Blanchard, one of the grantees, who also had served during the war then but recently ended. He came to the town in 1788, and lived here until the time of his death. About the same time there came Enoch Hall and his two sons, Elihu and Nathaniel. The latter became heads of families and left numerous descendants. Also there settled here at about the same time or soon afterwards Ebenezer Hyde, Ichabod E. Fisk, and Abraham Knapp, all worthy pioneers, and each of whom with those before named were prominently associated with the events of the early history of the town.
In 1791 Isle La Motte was found to have sufficient population to war- rant its organization and the election of its own town officers independ-
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TOWN OF ISLE LA MOTTE.
ent of the proceedings of the proprietors under their charter rights. On the 24th of March of that year the inhabitants met at the house of Na- thaniel Wales, in pursuance of the customary warning, and elected offi- cers for the year ensuing, as follows: Moderator, Abraham Knapp; town clerk, Abraham Knapp; selectmen, Ebenezer Hyde, Enoch Hall, Na- thaniel Wales; treasurer, Ebenezer Hyde ; constable, William Blanch- ard; collector, Ebenezer Hyde; listers, Nathaniel Wales, Enoch Hall, William Blanchard; grand juror, Ichabod Hyde; tithingmen, Joseph Rasey, Gardner Wait. In September following the town elected Na- thaniel Wales the first representative to the General Assembly. Dur- ing this same year was made the first census enumeration. The count showed Isle La Motte to possess forty-seven souls; in 1800, nine years later, the population had increased to 135. From this time there was a gradual increase shown at each Federal census until the maximum was attained in 1860, the census of that year giving the town a population of 564. From that to the present time there has been a gradual though not a marked decline in the number of inhabitants.
Among the early settlers were a number who had seen service during the Revolutionary war, and whose names have been preserved as fol- lows: Joseph Williams, who was wounded at the memorable Brandy- wine battle, William Blanchard, Ezra Pike, Daniel Bixby, Gardner Wait, Elisha E. Reynolds, Nathaniel Hall, William Wilsey, Seth Strong, John Fadden, Henry Scott, and Caleb Hill. Some of these were pio- neers of the town, while others came at a later day.
The first town representative was Nathaniel Wales; first town clerk, Abraham Knapp; first minister, Daniel Brumley ; first birth, Laura, daughter of William Blanchard; first death, child of Abraham Knapp; first physician, Luther Plympton ; first lawyers, Seth Emmons, Solomon Morgan, and Samuel Holton.
During the period of years that followed the close of the Revolution and continued down to the termination of the War of 1812-15 there was not much inducement to attempt settlement in the region of Northern Vermont, for after the close of the first war the British troops continued to occupy the territory south of the agreed line of possession, and exer- cised constant and often tyranical surveillance over the persons and property of all the inhabitants of the locality, particularly the people re-
83
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
siding in Alburgh ; and as Isle La Motte lay close to and opposite the south part of Alburgh the inhabitants here were not entirely exempted from the general disturbances of the region. And although the records furnish no instances of special acts of hostility or aggression upon the island occasions are not wanting in which the troops and marines came to the town, and their very presence had the effect of disturbing the peace of the little community. But the treaty of amity and commerce made with the British government by John Jay, treating on the part of the United States, resulted in the withdrawal of the troops and left the country free to occupancy and consequent enjoyment. In the years that followed the growth of all the towns was more rapid, but the un- fortunate complications in which the governments soon again became involved, followed by the adoption of the embargo laws and the passage of the non-intercourse acts, had the effect of unsettling and disturbing the peace of the inhabitants and the full enjoyment of the privileges and liberties previously accorded them. While the adoption and en- forcement of those laws was considered for the best interests of the coun- try the action was highly injurious to the people of this locality. And during the years immediately preceding the outbreak of the war, although the countries were nominally at peace, there was such a feeling existing along the border that the people could see the inevitable result, and it came no sooner than was expected.
During the period of the War of 1812-15 the towns-people of Isle La Motte were almost a unit in favoring the American side of the struggle. Their particular locality lay almost within the main channel of the lake, and the constant passing and repassing of armed vessels kept them in a constant state of excitement, for their houses and property were com- pletely at the mercy of the enemy and liable to invasion at any time. The local militia company was commanded by Capt. Caleb Hill, who died on August 16, 1814, and the arms and accouterments of the com- pany were sufficient for eighteen or twenty men, all of which were in charge of the captain and, after his death, of the family. Early in Sep- tember of that year the British came to the island, landed, and com- menced the erection of fortifications, and at the same time kept constant watch over the actions of the people. In the night-time Ira Hill, then a . young man of twenty-one years, carried the guns and ammunition to
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TOWN OF ISLE LA MOTTE.
Grand Isle that they might not fall into the hands of the enemy. For service during the war Isle La Motte was required to furnish one ser- geant and six privates. The persons who performed the duty demanded were these : Orlin Blanchard (sergeant), Ira Hill, Harry Wait, Minard Hilliard, Conrad Denio, Lewis Gordon, and Amos Holcomb.
The loyalty displayed and exhibited by the people of Isle La Motte during the war of 1861-65 was equal to that of any of the county's towns, but as the smallest jurisdiction in the county it was not to be ex- pected that the town would furnish as many troops for the service as the more populous communities. Nevertheless during the course of the war the town furnished seventy-three men for the service, all but four being volunteers, and of whom eighteen men never came back to the town. Of the whole number, which was nearly one and one-half per cent. of the island's population at the time, there were five commissioned officers, a surgeon, two captains, two lieutenants, ten sergeants, and three corporals.
As the reader must have learned from what has already been stated on the preceding pages of this chapter Isle La Motte is and for many years has been famous for its production of fruit, grain, and vegetables, but the town is also noted for its marble quarries and their products. And although the marble quarried on the island is not as valuable as some varieties produced in other parts of the state it is nevertheless in constant demand for interior decoration, and is otherwise extensively used for general purposes. The court-house of Grand Isle county at North Hero is built with Isle La Motte marble, as also is a large Cath- olic church known as the cathedral at Burlington, and other public and private buildings in other localities. At what exact date marble was first quarried on the island would be difficult to determine.
It appears from the records of the state that the products of marble quarries in Canada were at an early day brought into this country, much to the annoyance and disturbance of that branch of trade in this locality, and to such an extent that Charles Carron, jr., representative from Isle La Motte in 1832, introduced a resolution by which the legislature was requested to ask the senators and representatives of the state in Con- gress " to procure the passage of a law which shall effectually protect our citizens engaged in the manufacture of marble from foreign compe-
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
tition." Of the Isle La Motte marble there are several varieties, each of which is susceptible of high polish.
The town of Isle La Motte has but one settled village or hamlet, called by the same post name as the town itself. The village proper has about twenty dwellings and perhaps an hundred population, with the customary stores, postoffice, and shops, and it has the only church of the town, the Methodist Episcopal, and a Masonic hall. The society of the Methodist Episcopal church here had its organization during the early years of the century, but the first church building was not erected until 1831. It was built of native stone and wood. The wooden portion was destroyed by fire in 1847, and the church was substantially rebuilt during the same year.
Town Representatives .- Nathaniel Wales, 1791-93; William Utley, 1794; none in 1795; William Goodrich, 1796-97; Daniel Baker, 1798 ; none in 1799; Daniel Baker, 1800; Truman Clark, 1801 ; Samuel Fisk, 1802 ; Seth Emmons, 1803-04; John Borden, 1805-10; William Wait, 18II-12; Caleb Hill, 1813; Charles Carron, 1814; William Wait, 1815 ; Jesse A. Clark, 1816-17; Truman Clark, 1818-20; William Wait, 1821; none in 1822; Charles Carron, 1823-24; William Wait, 1825; Ezra Pike, jr., 1826-27 ; Ira Hill, 1828; Harvey Hill, 1829-30; Charles Car- ron, 1831-32 ; Reuben Pike, 1833-34; Minus McRoberts, 1835; Will- iam Dawson, 1836-37 ; Enoch Hall, 1838-39; Martin Reynolds, 1840- 41 ; Ephraim A. Holcomb, 1842-43 ; Elihu Holcomb, 1844-45 ; Hiram Hall, 1846; Simeon Cooper, 1847-48; Dyer Hill, 1849-50; Peter Fleurey, 1851; Doras V. Goodsell, 1852; Carmi Hall, 1853; Henry Pike, 1854; Julius Fisk, 1855-57; Peter Fleurey, 1856; Ezra Fleurey, 1858; Doras V. Goodsell, 1859; N. S. Hill, 1860; Melvin J. Hyde, 1861 - 62; S. H. Pike, 1863-64; E. R. Goodsell, 1865-66; Hiram C. Fisk, 1867-68 ; Henry H. Goodsell, 1869-71 ; Ransom Hall, 1872-63 ; Na- than G. Hill, 1874-75 ; Braman E. Longfield, 1876-77; John D. Bow- man, 1878-79; James Hurst, 1880-81; Nelson W. Fisk, 1882-85; Ja- red P. Hall, 1886-87 ; Edgar S. Fleury, 1888-91.
66 1
TOWN OF NORTH HERO.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF NORTH HERO.
N
TORTH HERO, shire town of Grand Isle county, is an island town of 6,272 acres, lying in the northern part of Lake Champlain, in latitude 44° 50' and longitude 3º 40'. It is separated from Alburgh on the north and Grand Isle on the south by channels nearly half a mile in width ; it is six miles west of St. Albans and twenty-five miles from Burlington. Although nearly fourteen miles in extreme length the greatest width is but little more than a mile, and in several places con- siderably less. The narrowest part is near the center of the island, where it is but a few rods in width, and is known as the "carrying- place," boats being sometimes carried across at this point in order to save a longer voyage. Government officials have sometimes been foiled in their attempts to capture boat-loads of smuggled goods by their be- ing carried across this " narrow," while the larger vessel in pursuit must go around the island. Butler's Island, Knight's Island, and two or three smaller islands of less importance also belong to this town.
During the period of French dominion in America the whole of the territory now embraced within the town of North Hero, as well as Grand Isle and South Hero, was granted by the king of France, under the name of la Grande Isle, to one Monsieur Contrecouer, which grant was known to the French as a seigniory and not as a town ; but the re- sult of the last French and English war, which was finally terminated by the treaty of 1763, brought this region under the control of the British government, and the grant was thereafter treated as a nullity.
The beauty and fertility of these islands, especially Isle Longue as called by the French, for some time attracted the attention of private individuals who desired to obtain grants of land from the governor and legislature of Vermont. Among the petitions presented was the follow- ing unique specimen :
" To the Hon'le the Gineral Assembly of the State of Varmount Now Setting at Benninton in the county of Benninton by adJorment on the
662
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
Second thursday of febuary Instant-the Petition of Elnathan Ives and Con'l Strete Hall of Wallingford in Cornettecut and others-Humbly Shueth that Wharas there is a Large tract of Land the just Property of this state in Pertickler there is in this state two large Ilands lying in the Lake Champlain betwine Croun pint & Cannady South line where it crosis the Lake Champlain, the fust grate South Islan is Knone by the Name of Grand Island lying in the lake nere the mouth of Onion River and About aGinst Scodoqua or La Moile rivers mouth s'd river comes Down Nere fairfix-the next Grate Islon North which all most Gines the a bove s'd Ilon Which is Knone or Called by the Name long Ilan- the above s'd Grand Ilon and long Ilan containing A bout a nof for two toun Ships. We yeour Honnors Pertisnors Prey in behalf of our Selves and others that the two a bove s'd Ilans be granted to us and a Sutible Number of Settleers with all the Good Ragalation toun ships as Your Hon- nors shall See fite in your Grate Wisdom-as yeour Honners Pertishners Shall ever Pray.
" Datted at Bennaton fabury ye II A D 1779.
" ELNATHAN IVES,
" CON'L STREETE HALL."
All of what is now Grand Isle county, except Albrugh and Isle La Motte, was included in the original charter by Governor Thomas Chit- tenden of Vermont to Ethan Allen, Samuel Herrick, and 363 others, dated October 27, 1779, by the name of the Two Heroes, from Ethan and Ira Allen. This island was set off as a separate town October 21, 1788, and named North Hero.
Enos Wood came from St. Albans in March of 1783, in company with Ebenezer Allen and Alexander Gordon, and located his claim upon the south end of the island upon a lot afterwards owned by John Knight and subsequently by his son, Guy Knight. Allen and Gordon located upon South Island. The three men brought their families and settled upon their claims August 25th of the same year. Wood and his family were for a time the only residents on the island. The wife of Enos Wood was Asenath Hazen, whom he married in 1782. Mrs. Wood claimed the honor of being the first white woman who had stepped upon this beautiful island shore. Solomon Wood, who was a cousin of Enos, came soon after, and the two families were the only residents of the
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TOWN OF NORTH HERO.
town until the following spring, when a few other families came to cheer their isolated, wilderness home.
These early settlers were people of energy and perseverance, were always ready to do and dare, and were always firm, reliant, and trust- ful. The discouragements they met, the toils they endured, and the privations they suffered fitted them for the keen enjoyment of every success, and made them self-reliant in times of adversity. Their primi- tive dwellings were like those in many other sections of the country: log structures roofed with bark, an opening for exit and entrance, with smaller holes for the admission of light,-no floor save the ground, but blessed by that endearing title, home. These were approachable from the outer world only by cumbrous raft, the rude canoe, or the ancient "dug-out" constructed from the trunk of some forest monarch. Lim- ited supplies of game, fish so easily obtainable, or some laid-away article of food-as on one occasion finding about a pint of wheat which was boiled for temporary relief of a hungering family-carried the early set- tlers through seasons of scarcity and want. All learned and carried into practice those deeds of kindness and hospitality which characterized their lives, and which, transmitted to their posterity, continue to be dis- tinguishing traits in these island homes. For several years subsequent to the treaty which terminated the Revolutionary war the British held possession of a block house on the west side of the island, at Block- House Point, then called Dutchman's Point. The commandant was one Sergeant Howard, a man of many good qualities, who frequently re- lieved extreme necessities of the islanders by judicious distribution of his supplies.
To go to mill in those early times implied a journey to Whitehall, a distance of nearly ninety miles, and a lack of water-power precluded the erection of a mill upon the island until 1797, when a wind-mill was erected and operated for a few years with partial success. In this little isolated community first events were of noticeable importance.
Adin Wood, son of Enos and Asenath Wood, was the first child born in town, November 4, 1785. The second was Dame Knight, daughter of John Knight, November 27, 1786. The marriage of John Bronson to Mrs. Elizabeth Bates, January 27, 1787, was the first placed on record.
The town was organized and the first town meeting held March 17,
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
1789, at the dwelling of Benjamin Butler. Nathan Hazen was chosen moderator; Nathan Hutchins, jr., town clerk; Nathan Hazen, John Knight, and John Bronson, selectmen; Solomon Wood, Benjamin Butler, and Asahel Trumbull, listers ; Enos Wood, constable ; John Martin, town collector ; Nathan Hutchins, jr., and Ephraim Sawyer, fence viewers ; Nathan Hutchins, Jacob Ball, and Jabez Bronson, surveyors of high- ways. Nathan Hutchins, jr., was the first justice of the peace, and also the first town representative, elected in 1791. He was succeeded by Enos Wood as representative in 1792. Nathan Hutchins and Nathan Hutchins, jr., each represented the town several succeeding years. Nathan was a captain in the Revolutionary war. He died in September, 18II, in his ninetieth year. Nathan, jr., was a man of firm decision, marked integrity of character, and a tried and trusted public officer. He died in February, 1839, in his eighty-fourth year.
Joseph Hazen settled in 1788, reared a large family, several of whom remained in town, and were useful and influential citizens. Of these Daniel and Solomon died at the age of seventy-nine and Uriah at eighty-three. Another prominent early settler was Jedediah P. Ladd, born at Franklin, Conn., in 1766, settled in this town in 1789, held various official positions, kept the first store and hotel, and was promi- nent in local affairs for many years. He died at the age of seventy-nine. The longevity of these and other early settlers of the town is noticeable. People of fine physique, strong constitutions, and well developed minds, they lived useful lives and transmitted to their posterity what they at- tained through discouragements and self-sacrifice.
The growth of the settlement was comparatively slow. At the enu- meration of 1791 there were only 125 residents in the town. Oliver Russell, Elisha Hibbard, and John Dodd came soon after, and a few succeeding years witnessed a greater increase in population, which in 1810 had reached 552. The number of people by the census of 1850 had become 730, since which time there has been a slight decrease. The value of land a year after the organization of the town may be in- ferred from the following transaction at the town meeting held March 16, 1790 :
" Voted to give John Knight and Nathan Hazen two dollars for half an acre of land for a burying-ground." This purchase constituted the
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TOWN OF NORTH HERO.
first cemetery in the town. The price of land was materially increased soon after the organization of Grand Isle county, November 9, 1802, and an act of the legislature in 1803, by which North Hero became the shire town of the county.
At the early settlement of the town but little provision was made for the construction of suitable highways. At a town meeting held March 27, 1792, John Martin, Benjamin Butler, and Nathan Hutchins, jr., were chosen as a committee to solicit subscriptions to defray the expense of cutting a canal through the carrying-place for the passage of boats. Although this project proved a failure the attempt awakened an enthu- siasm for the improvement of highways in which the people of the town have been signally successful. The year. 1848 was especially notable for changes made in the roads of the town, by the abandonment of some of those earlier established, and the laying out and improvement of new and more direct routes, especially that leading from the south end of the island to " North Island City." This new road became more partic- ularly convenient after the construction of the Sand Bar bridge, which connects the South Island with the town of Milton. This bridge was completed and opened for travel in 1850. Gravel from the shore of the lake has been annually applied to these roads until they have nearly reached perfection. A bridge for connecting North Hero with Alburgh was a long-felt want. A few opposed the construction of such a work, mainly on account of the cost. The discussions concerning the bridge began to assume a more definite purpose and form at a special meeting held September 27, 1884, by the adoption of the following :
" Voted, to instruct Giles H. Hawrican, representative to the General Assembly of the state of Vermont, to ask for an appropriation from the state to build a bridge between the towns of Alburgh and North Hero.
" Voted, to instruct our town representative to ask the lesislature the right to bond the town of North Hero in aid of building said bridges."
Mr. Hawrican was successful in obtaining aid from the state, in com- pliance with these requests, and Warren Clark and D. B. Town as select- men called a meeting for December 13, of the same year, at which time Giles H. Hawrican, R. R. Hathaway, and David Dodds were chosen a committee to act with the selectmen in obtaining estimates, plans, and specifications for the work. 84
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