USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Ludlow > History of Ludlow, Vermont > Part 2
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Prior to 1835, Rescue Lake was only about two thirds its present size. In that year, the owners of the woolen mills
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in Ludlow, Proctorsville, and Cavendish (then known as Duttonsville) united, and constructed a dam across the southern end of the lake, filling in from the western end of the bridge that crossed just above the dam, to the west bank of the lake, leaving only a space for the flood-gate. This considerably increased the capacity of the lake as a reservoir, both in depth and surface. The area is now about five hundred acres. During the great freshet of 1869, the embankment filled in at the end of the bridge, on the top of which ran the public highway, was washed away, and the lake nearly drained.
The bottom of the lake is composed of black mud, and the early settlers found it the home of an abundant supply of eels and horned pout. We have been told that at that time, a bushel of fish could be caught with a hook and line in an hour, fishing from the bank.
In 1835, Jepthah Spaulding and Benjamin Billings brought nineteen pike from Wells pond, and put them into the waters of Rescue Lake. These fish greatly dimin- ished the stock of horned pout, by feeding on the little fishes newly hatched from the spawn. A few years later, the grass pickerel were introduced, and these in turn proved disastrous to the pike family. About 1875, the black bass and the rock bass were added, and these continued the work of destruction. In 1889, perch were put into the lake, and at the present time, perch and pickerel are about all that remain in any abundance, and the spoils of the fisherman are few.
Some previous writers have called the widening of the river below the dam, a lake, but it is hardly of sufficient extent to justify the name.
Before the dam was built across the river at the Ludlow Woolen Mills, the river, at what is now the upper end of the factory pond, was considerably widened in its natural bed, the land being low and marshy, but the building of the dam caused a much greater overflow, and the pond now takes up nearly the whole width of the valley in the north- ern part of the village.
The last, and, to the curiosity seeker, perhaps the most interesting of Ludlow's lakes, is the Cook pond, so named
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from Samuel Cook, who once lived near it. This little body of water lies to the northwest of Grahamsville, is nearly circular in form, and has an area of about an acre and a half. It lies like a half-buried jewel, surrounded by banks unbroken by any visible inlet or outlet, yet with pure, liv- ing waters, inhabited by the horned-pout and grass pick- erel. The waters are very deep, excepting a space on the northern and eastern sides, bordering which there are bogs that the explorer would do well to avoid. Many a boy has played and whiled away his happiest hours on the banks of this little lake, before entering the more important paths of life, and the memory of those innocent frolics is still cherished in their minds.
The surface of Ludlow is very uneven, there being only two valleys of any importance. Black River valley divides the northern part of the town nearly in the center, and then follows the course of the river eastward. It is a narrow valley, varying in width from about twenty-five rods to half a mile. Jewell Brook valley, also a narrow one, runs nearly north and south through the southwestern part of the town, and joins the Black River valley near the center, forming a Y.
That portion of the town which lies to the north and east of Black River valley, is known as North Hill. On the west and south, the hill rises abruptly, and slopes from the summit eastward to the Cavendish line. Most of the drainage of the hill is therefore carried in that direction. Some of the best farms in town are situated on this hill. South Hill and East Hill, separated only by a slight de- pression, fill out that portion of the town east of the Jewell Brook valley, and south of Black River valley. This portion contains nearly one half of the farming interests of the town. The highest point of South Hill is called Bear Hill, and is a peculiar formation. It rises in sugar-loaf form, from the irregular summit of the hill, and from its top the country can be seen for many miles around. Very fine specimens of steel and magnetic iron ore are found in this hill.
When the town was first settled, three hunters, Jonathan Whitcomb, Andrew Pettigrew, and Leonard Ross, climbed
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this hill in search of game, during a heavy snowstorm. They found a large maple tree, whose trunk was about four feet in diameter, and which inclined to the east at an angle of about forty-five degrees. About twenty feet from the foot of the tree, was a large opening into the hollow trunk and as the hunters came in sight, a bear came out from this hole, and walked down the sloping trunk to the ground. The hunters blazed away with their flintlock muskets, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that they attempted to do so, but the blaze was missing, owing to the priming of their guns being dampened by the storm. Two more bears followed the first in the same manner, and walked away, while the discomfited hunters in vain endeavored to get a shot at them. This incident gave the name to Bear Hill.
On the northern slope of South Hill are some fine speci- mens of soap-stone. The vein extends into Black River valley, and has been quarried to some extent at Smithville.
West Hill rises abruptly from the valley, west of the village, and forms a sort of table-land at the base of the mountain, on which are several good farms. Building stone is quarried here, and gold-bearing quartz is also found in small quantities.
When Ludlow was first settled, that part which is now Main street just above the new concrete bridge, was a swamp. This was proved when the ditches for the sewer and water-pipes were dug in 1894. Balsam and spruce trees were found, buried six feet below the surface, being, undoubtedly, some of the original forest trees. It seems a remarkable fact that they were still in sound condition. The wearing away of the river-bed during the past cen- tury, together with artificial aid by filling in, has rendered the land dry and habitable.
In 1760, Ludlow was one unbroken forest, and this forest was peculiarly divided as to the varieties of timber. From the site of the present village to the summit of North Hill, the acclivities, as far as the Plymouth line, were clothed with yellow pine. There was also a considerable quantity of the same kind of timber on the west side of Rescue Lake. The remainder of North Hill was covered
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principally with deciduous trees. South Hill, East Hill, and West Hill, were also covered mostly with hard wood tim- ber. The valleys were wooded with evergreens of a larger growth than those growing on higher ground. These were spruce, hemlock, and balsam. The mountain slopes on the west of the town were wooded principally with spruce and hard wood. A pine or hemlock tree is seldom found on the eastern slope of the mountains, above their base. On the mountain, the original forest was almost unmarred by the hand of man, as late as 1860, and at the present time, only a small percentage of the old growth timber remains standing. One mighty monarch of the forest, how- ever, is known to many of us. The old elm tree that stands near the river on Dr. L. E. Hope's lawn, (perhaps better known to some as the George Billings place,) is, without question, one of the original forest trees. The variety is known as the water elm, and this tree is the only one of that variety in, or about the village. By the usual method of computing the age of trees, we find this old giant to be more than four hundred and eighty years old. It had been growing seventy-seven years when Columbus dis- covered America, the storms of three hundred and forty- five winters had toughened its fibers, when Ludlow was chartered, and it was three hundred and sixty-one years old when it was dignified with American citizenship by the Declaration of Independence. It trembled at the sound of the first white woodman's axe, but, providentially, it has been spared, that it might stand as Ludlow's oldest landmark. It has stood the test of the severest storms by relaxing every fiber of its body, for centuries. Generation after generation has risen and passed away without harm- ing the old tree. May future generations, like those of the past, spare it to live its allotted time, and yield at last only to natural decay. It has always stood as a sentinel over Ludlow's sorrows and joys, and has ever been ready to yield obedience to the courts of justice, and cool all feverish brows that sought the shadow of its broad branches. For many years the industrious honey-bee made its home in one of its branches, feeling sure it had a home safe from the transgressions of the honey-loving boy.
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CHURCHES
The Congregational Church
The first religious meetings held within the limits of Ludlow, were held by the Congregationalists. The services were held at the house of Stephen Read, and were usually conducted by Peter Read. The house where these meetings were held in 1792, stood on the valley road leading to Mount Holly, near Buttermilk Falls. Vestiges of the old house are still visible. The house was sheathed up inside with pine boards, some of which were three feet wide, and were made from the large pine trees that then stood in the valley along Black River. Before the erection of a church edifice, meetings were sometimes held during warm weather, in a little hollow north-east of the cemetery.
In the summer of 1806, a plain, one-story church was built, with four gables, and without ornament or steeple. It was the first meeting-house built in Ludlow, and was located nearly on the site of the old Congregational church that was taken down in April, 1897. It stood opposite the northern end of Depot street. This little edifice was built by Ephriam Dutton, Sr., who died about the time the church was finished. Mr. Dutton was a Revolutionary soldier, and during his service, was taken prisoner by the Indians, and taken into the wilderness of New York. His captors cut his hair close to his head, and then painted his scalp. They then tried to teach him how to hoe corn, but he showed no knowledge of the art of agriculture, so he was excused from that branch of labor. Later, he married a squaw, but took a helpmeet of his own color, after he escaped and returned to civilized life.
The first church society was formed in 1806, and was called The First Congregational Meetinghouse Society. The first communion service was held about two months after the organization of the church.
The second church was built in 1839. It cost the society about $1,850, aside from what was donated. Asahel Miller built the church by contract. It was a one-story building,
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forty-five by sixty feet, and of very plain design, as suited the times. It had a square, open belfry having two bases, the upper one being a trifle smaller than the lower, and elevated above it about two feet. From each corner of these bases, rose a short spire, making eight in all. For more than half a century, they stood as silent sentinels, clothed with the mantle of gray which the storms of succeeding years had given them, pointing steadfastly heavenward.
At the south end of this church, were two entrance doors, each opening into a small vestibule, and between these, the singers' gallery was built, facing the body of the church. The pulpit stood at the extreme north end of the church, facing the row of double pews in the center of the room, and a row of single pews along the eastern and western walls, left two long aisles extending from the en- trance doors to the pulpit. All the fixtures were of plain finish, and the walls were simply white-washed. The win- dows, of which there were ten in the audience-room, were of peculiar design, each having forty lights of glass eight by fourteen inches, making the windows about nine feet high. These windows were, no doubt, of the latest design, when they were put into the church.
In 1808, Peter Read, by request of the church, was licensed to preach by the Rutland Association, at the Sep- tember session held at Granville, N. Y. In April, 1810, the church gave him a unanimous call to become its pastor. This call he accepted, and was ordained in October, 1810. He closed his labors with this church, Oct. 25, 1826, after sixteen years of faithful service.
Rev. Peter Read was born in 1751, and died Oct. 6, 1839. He was ordained in the little hollow already alluded to, north-east of the cemetery. A short description of this place, which may still be traced out, may be of interest. The depression somewhat resembled a tin pan in form, and the congregation stood around above this hollow, while the ceremonies of ordination were conducted on the lower ground. In his remarks, Mr. Read said to his congregation, that he thought it customary for a preacher to be ordained over his people, instead of beneath them. He was a great and good man, but very peculiar in many ways. He was
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noted for his long sermons, and was very rigid toward the young people in them. Like the ancient, eight-day clock, his strength and vocal powers were slow to run down. He once owned an old sorrel horse, who would allow no one but his master to catch him. One day, a neighbor, Mr. Waldo Archer, went to borrow the horse to plow out some corn, Mr. Read being absent. Mrs. Read gave consent to the taking of the horse if Mr. Archer could catch him, as he was in the pasture. So, having put on a suit of Mr. Read's clothes and the familiar high stove-pipe hat, he went to the pasture, and, walking toward the horse, asked if he had ever seen the great St. Paul. Whereupon the horse, for some reason beyond explanation, submitted to so high an authority, and allowed himself to be led to the corn- field.
The same council that released the first pastor, installed the second, Rev. Frederick E. Cannon, who remained until 1831. Mr. Cannon was a zealous Christian, and worked for the general welfare of the community. It was through his earnest efforts that the first temperance pledge was started and circulated throughout the town. Nearly every woman in town, and most of the male citizens signed this pledge. A few refused to give their names to this worthy cause, on the ground that it would lead to too stringent liquor laws, but through the efforts of these good workers, and other similar associations throughout the state, the frame work of a prohibitory law, (repealed in 1902) was built, and passed the legislature in 1845. All temperance lovers should forever cherish in their hearts, the memory of Mr. Cannon's glorious work.
Rev. P. J. Nichols, who succeeded Mr. Cannon in 1831, was ordained pastor of the church, April 26, 1832, and was dismissed Sept. 1, 1834. Rev. Silas H. Hodge was in- stalled Oct. 7, 1835, and dismissed Aug. 31, 1836. Rev. Wm. Claggett commenced his labors Nov. 22, 1838, and closed them Nov. 11, 1840. At this time, two hundred and forty-seven members had been received into the church. From 1840 to 1862, but three pastors were settled over the church : Rev. H. H. Sanderson, April 20, 1848 to April 26, 1853, Rev. Amos Foster, from Nov. 8, 1853 to Dec. 30,
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1856, and Rev. Asa F. Clark, from May 11, 1859 to 1862. Faithful work was done by these pastors. From the or- ganization of the church fifty-four years previous, to the close of 1860, there had been eight pastors, and ten stated supplies. There had been three hundred and eleven mem- bers connected with the church, and two hundred and ninety-five children baptized. In 1860, there were but sixty-one members. From 1860 to 1870 were years of finan- cial depression in the church, doubtless occasioned princi- pally by the drafts on it, caused by the war of the Rebellion. During this time, Revs. R. B. Snowden, Henry C. Hazen, J. P. Stone, and H. A. Duboc were stated supplies.
Rev. Philander Bates began his labors as acting pastor, Jan. 1, 1871, and continued till April 9, 1873, when, at the age of seventy-one, he was called to his final rest. His faithful work was taken up and carried forward by Rev. S. P. Cook, from September, 1873, to February, 1877, when he was obliged to give up his good work on account of failing health. While here, he was identified with the Y. M. C. A. work of the state, and was the corresponding sec- retary of the society. Rev. J. B. Clark, a resident minister, and Rev. Mr. Beecher supplied until Rev. Geo. H. French came in March, 1878, remaining till May, 1880, when J. B. Clark again supplied for about a year. After him, Rev. R. B. Grover was ordained and installed, Oct. 4, 1881, and remained till dismissed by council March 3, 1884, on ac- count of ill-health. It was during his ministry here, that the religious work at Tyson was begun, the pastor of this church going there each Sunday afternoon. A church edi- fice has been built at that place, completed and dedicated in 1896.
Rev. H. P. Fisher began his work in the fall of 1884, was ordained and installed Feb. 4, 1885, and dismissed by council May 28, 1889. Sept. 15, 1889, Rev. Evan Thomas took up the work of the church, being faithful in his calling nearly four years. Nov. 22, 1893, Rev. F. H. Boynton came on, remaining until Oct. 28, 1894. Rev. Stephen H. Robin- son took charge of the work of the church, April 1, 1895, and remained till Nov. 14, 1897. He was succeeded, Jan. 9, 1898, by Rev. Alfred V. Bliss, who remained till Oct. 9,
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1903. In June of the following year, the pastorate was taken up by Rev. Rodney W. Roundy. He was succeeded by Rev. Wm. J. Ballou, Jan. 4, 1908 to Jan. 1, 1920, and Rev. Clif- ford H. Smith, May 1, 1920 to March 20, 1924, and Rev. Edward G. French, Dec. 1, 1924 to May 1, 1930.
Nov. 24, 1888, this church was incorporated under Act No. 127 of the laws of the General Assembly of the state of Vermont, approved Dec. 24, 1889, giving it all the legal rights vested in a society or association. The Ludlow Con- gregational Association deeded all its property to the newly incorporated church, and voted to disband Feb. 12, 1890.
Among the members of this church, the following have gone as Missionaries: Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Spaulding, Mrs. Andrews, and Miss S. Gilson to the Sandwich Islands, Mrs. Henry C. Hazen to India, Miss Clara Pierce to Utah, and Miss Nellie Russell to China.
In 1875 and 1876, the members and friends of this church, desiring a better location and a new house of wor- ship, appointed a committee to make necessary arrange- ments for this end, and active efforts were made to procure a new lot. In this, Martin H. Goddard gave valuable assist- ance. The title to the old church was perfected in June, 1885, and the society bought the Gregg place on Main street for the location of a new church edifice. Aug. 6, 1885, an organization was formed to raise money to pay for the lot on Main street, and to build a new church. The first rule was that each member should set aside a certain sum each week, to be paid into the hands of the treasurer. To fur- ther this plan, the following committee were appointed : Rev. H. P. Fisher, Capt. E. A. Howe, Mrs. Viola A Cool- edge, Miss Maria I. Pierce, and Martin H. Goddard. This committee received and invested $2,591.42, including four hundred dollars furnished by the Ladies' Aid Society. In February, 1890, D. F. Cooledge, Charles Raymond, and M. H. Goddard were appointed a committee to procure plans, and to raise money to build a new church. The May following, the church voted to accept from Hon. Daniel A. Heald of New York City, the gift of the lot on the corner of Pleasant and Elm streets, (a part of what was known as the Washburn lot,) as the site of the new church. Mr.
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Heald also donated the plans, drawn by Edward Hapgood of New York. A building committee was appointed in October, 1890, consisting of the first committee, with the addition of E. C. Crane, A. H. Lockwood, and William Lawrence. In May, 1891, the contract for the building of the superstructure, was let to Clinton Smith of Middlebury, Vt., at $6,939.33. J. T. Remington of Wallingford, Vt., had charge of the work. The dimension lumber for the frame, covering boards, and lath, were furnished by J. N. Harris, at $735.07. The new church was completed in April, 1892, at a total cost of $10,918.43, furnishings included, and the dedication ceremony took place on the fifth of May fol- lowing.
The building is of colonial style of architecture, covered on the outside with cedar shingles, and stained with Cabot's Creosote. The windows are worthy of especial mention. The one directly above and back of the pulpit, is an elab- orate work of art, donated by Hon. D. A. Heald as a mem- orial of Judge Reuben Washburn and his wife. The central window represents Christ talking with Mary and Martha, and is the work of an artist. The two smaller windows which complete the trio, are of the same class of work- manship. In the transept facing Elm street, is a trio of windows of workmanship inferior to those first described, yet artistic and beautiful. These were presented by the Sunday School, and the central one is so inscribed. The representation of the Holy Ghost descending upon the Savior in the form of a dove, is the leading feature of the window. Opposite this is another trio, a gift from the Young Peoples' Society of Christian Endeavor. The emblem is a cross and crown. All the other windows are of the same glass, are fine in design, durable, and very ornamental in appearance.
The Ladies' parlor was finished and furnished by Mrs. D. A. Heald. The room is finished in oak, and the furniture is of the same wood. The room is elegant, and impresses the mind of the observer with the sense of the taste and generosity of the donor of this beautiful and lasting gift. The beautiful mantel clock, presented by the noted clock- manufacturer, Seth Thomas, was a very useful as well as ornamental gift.
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Florence Memorial Library occupying the tower corner of the ground floor, was the gift of James S. Gill and his wife, in memory of their adopted daughter, Florence Hard- ing Gill. This room is finished in quartered oak, and the furnishings are of the same material. This was a circulat- ing library, free to every resident of Ludlow who con- formed to its rules. It was far the best library that Ludlow had ever possessed, and the generosity of the giver ought to be fully appreciated, though the library was closed to the public when the opening of the Fletcher library made its continuance unnecessary.
Perhaps nothing more plainly shows the advancement of the town, both in numbers and prosperity, than a com- parison of the little square meeting-house of 1806, with the fine church edifice of 1892, yet no truer Christian hearts are found within the beautiful walls of the latter, than re- ceived spiritual instruction in the first humble little house of worship.
Rev. Peter Read
Many questions have been asked as to the date of Mr. Read's birth, and other matters connected with his personal history. The sketch below may be of interest.
John Read, born 1598, came to America in 1630. He had a son, Daniel, born 1655, who was followed by a son and a grandson of the same name. The third Daniel, son of Daniel and Elizabeth, was born at Attleboro, Mass., Dec. 3, 1716, and married Mary White. The following children were born to them:
Matthew, born July 23, 1742,
Hannah, born June 26, 1744,
Mary, born Jan. 29, 1747, Daniel, born June 9, 1749, Peter, born July 6, 1751, Joel, born Aug. 16, 1753, Eunice, born Sept. 21, 1755,
Daniel, born Sept. 21, 1757, Ezra, born May 2, 1760, Levi, born Aug. 23, 1762,
William, born Dec. 27, 1764.
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Peter Read, the first pastor of the Congregational church at Ludlow, was born at Rehoboth, Mass., July 6, 1751, and married Mary Pitcher in 1776. They had one child, Ezra, born at Attleboro, Mass., Dec. 16, 1777. Mrs. Read died at the birth of her child. In 1786, Mr. Read was married the second time, to Lydia Gilbert, and had the following chil- dren :
Mary, born Sept. 10, 1787, Rufus, born July 10, 1789,
Jesse, born Oct. 2, 1790, Patty, born July 11, 1792, Peter, Jr., born Dec. 27, 1793,
Mary, born May 17, 1796,
Lydia, born Aug. 15, 1797, Miriam, born June 27, 1802.
Rufus, Jesse, and Patty, were born at New Haven, Ct., and those younger, at Ludlow, Vt., Mr. Read having come to this town in 1792. Lydia, the second wife, died in Lud- low, Nov. 10, 1815, aged fifty-six years, and was buried in the village cemetery.
In 1817, Mr. Read was married for the third time, to Elizabeth Baldwin of Dorset, Vt. By this marriage there were no children. Mr. Read died in Ludlow, Oct. 6, 1839. No trace is obtainable as to where he received his educa- tion. He was considered an able preacher in the days when he spoke the words of the Lord to his followers, and was esteemed as a good Christian man, but he was odd in many expressions, and more strict in his orthodoxy which he tried to impress rigidly upon the minds of his hearers, than would be appreciated in these days, coming from an Am- erican pulpit. A man who preaches the gospel to a sinning world, should do so with fearless earnestness, but when he fills his mind with the belief that he is God's strength incar- nate, standing between man and his Maker, and tries to enforce this belief upon the minds of others, it is a mistake that only hinders the advancement of true Christianity.
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