USA > Vermont > Washington County > Montpelier > History of Montpelier: a discourse delivered in the Brick church, Montpelier, Vermont, on Thanksgiving day, Dec. 8, 1842 > Part 2
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James and Susanna Hawkins, born March 25th, 1791, was the first male child born in town. The first recorded marriage in the town was that of Jacob Davis Jr., of Mont- riage.
1791.
First mar-
"This family lived on the same lot, that old Mr. Hatch does now,-in a house which now stand, on Main street, occupied by Mr. Town,-it having been removed from its original position.
tThe first death after the settlement of the place was that of a child of Enoch Cate, from quinsy, Nov. 4th, 1791.
3
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HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
pelier, and Caty Taplin, of Berlin, Oct. 3d, 1791. Cere- mony performed by John Taplin, Justice of the Peace.
1800. At a meeting of the town, hold March 13th, 1800, " Voted, that the money now received, or that may be re- ceived the present year, as rent for lands leased belonging to the right granted by charter for the social worship of God, be divided amongst the different sects or pursuasions of people in Montpelier, according to the number of male polls, over the age of twenty-one years, in each society, and that the said money be appropriated for the uses in- tended by charter." And " Voted, that the said money arising as aforesaid be paid over to the committee appoint- ed the 16th January last, to procure a preacher in Mont- pelier."
Population.
In 1800 the population of the town had increased to the number of 890, so that at an election held in Septem- ber of this year for Governor, Isaac Tichenor received fif- ty-nine votes, Paul Brigham, Esq. two votes, Doctor Ed- ward Lamb one vote.
Militia.
About this time a military company was organized, con- sisting of more than seventy men, mostly young men und- er thirty years of age, and a number of them had been sol- diers in the Revolution. Of this company Parley Davis was captain.
First framed house.
The inhabitants, in their first settlement, spread them- selves into every part of the township. The first frame raised in the town* was that commonly known as " the Silloway place," on the road leading from the village past
* I am informed that persons from seven miles distance were included among those in- vited to aid in raising this house. James Hawkins was the owner.
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Mrs. Howard's-though this house was not finished until HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
after the jail-house was built by Col. Davis. The third frame house was that standing north of the paper-mill, erected by Dr. Fry. In felling timber for this house a man had his jaw badly broken, and he was carried into Col. Davis's new house for dressing. The first store in town was opened in this house.
About the year 1794, a Circulating Library was estab- 1794. lished at the center of the town, of nearly two hundred volumes, which was used freely by the inhabitants .- From this Library were excluded all novels, and all strict- ly religious books ; a measure most likely to be influen- tial in giving a peculiar character to the readers. It is said great harmony prevailed among the inhabitants for the first ten years, all seeming desirous of promoting each other's temporal welfare.
In 1788, Col. Davis erected a saw-mill, and next year a 1788. grist-mill, on the Little North Branch, at the falls around First mills. which now stand Waterman's starch factory and Wain- right's iron foundry.
In 1791, Dec. 3d, the first ball ever held in the settle-
1791. ment was on Thanksgiving Day evening .* It was at the First ball. house of Col. Davis ; from which, early on the following morning, as four persons, two males and two females, were returning home and attempting to cross Onion River, in a canoc, they were thrown into the river, the water being high and rapid, and two of the company-a Mr. Brooks and a Miss Hobart-were drowned. The body of the female was found the next day ; the body of the male was not found
* The first Thanksgiving ever held in the settlement.
Circulating Library.
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HISTORY OF MONTPELIER. until several months after. The place, at which they at- tempted to cross the river, was near the house of Mr. Jones, in Berlin. Rev. Mr. Lyman, of Brookfield, preach- ed the funeral sermon on this mournful occasion.
First tavern, physicians, merchants, The first tavern was kept in a building since burnt, lawyers, &c. standing on the site of the Union House, by David Wing. (See appendix, C.) The first physicians who lived in the settlement were Doctors Pierce and Vincent .-- (See ap- pendix, D.) The first lawyer, Mr. Bulkley .- (See ap- pendix, E.) The first merchant, a Dr. Fry, in the house north of the paper-mill .-- (See appendix, F.) The first blacksmith, James Hawkins. Abel Knapp, now living in Berlin, was the first brick-maker.
1806 to 1842. The first newspaper* was commenced in the year 1806, by Clark Brown, in a house back of Judge Pren- Newspapers. tiss's, and was called the " Vermont Precursor."- This was continued until September, 1807, when it was purchased by Samuel Goss, and called " The Vermont Watchman." In October, 1810, it was purchased by E. P. Walton and Mark Goss, and by them published six years. It afterwards became the property of E. P. Wal- ton, by whom, and his sons, it is continued to the present time. " The Freeman's Press" was commenced about the year 1813, by Derrick Sibley, and by him and Sereno Wright continued two or three years, The " Vermont Patriot" was commenced, January, 1826, by George W. Hill, and is continued by J. T. Marston. The "State Journal" was published from 1830 to 1836, by Knapp & Jewett ; and in January, 1839, the " Voice of Freedom"
* This information as to newspapers was furnished by Gen. E. P. Walton.
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HISTORY OF MONTPELIER,
was commenced by C. L. Knapp, and continued by him until 1842, when it passed into the hands of the Vermont 1806 lo 1842. Anti-Slavery Society. The " Universalist Watchman," first published at Woodstock, in 1829, by Wm. Bell, was Newspapers. removed to Montpelier, and is continued by Eli Ballou .- The " Temperance Star" was published two years, 1841-2, by the Vermont Temperance Society. The " Reformed Drunkard" was commenced in 1842, by F. A. McDowell, and is now changed to the title of " The Re- former." A monthly literary and religious work was com- menced in 1838, by J. M. Stearns, entitled " The Green Mountain Emporium," and continued something more than one year, was then removed to Middlebury, and is discontinued. " Walton's Vermont Register," an annu- al, was commenced in 1818, by E. P. Walton,-has been published twenty-five years, and is continued by the original publisher and his sons. " The Daily Journal," embracing the proceedings of the Legislature and the news of the day, is annually published by E. P. Walton and Sons, during the sessions of the General Assembly of Vermont.
Nov. 7th, 1800, the "Trustees of Montpelier Acade- 1800. my" were incorporated .* A building was soon after The Acade- my. erected, about thirty-six feet by forty-four, two stories high, designed for a teacher's family and for school rooms. In October or November, 1813, on the petition of the corpo- rators and others, the corporation was changed to a coun- ty establishment, and named " The Trustees of Washing-
* The original Trustees, named in the statute, were Messrs. Jacob Davis, Charles Bulk- lay, David Wing, Jr., Jerathmel B. Wheeler, and Thomas West, Jr.
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HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
1822. Academy burnt.
ton County Grammar School." The Legislature then ap- propriated the rents of the Grammar School Lands lying in said county to aid the institution. In January, 1822, the building was burnt. In 1823 the present brick building was erected, at an expense of about $1600; about $800 of which was paid by voluntary subscription in the county, -- the principal part from citizens of this Village ; in addi- tion to which, the citizens of this village have at sundry times subscribed and paid nearly six hundred dollars, for procuring philosophical and chemical apparatus, and a bell for the institution. The preceptors employed, previously to 1815, were James McWhorter, James Dean, Benton Pixley, Ira Hill, and Thomas Heald ; since then, Justus W. French, - White, Heman Rood, John Stevens, Jon- athan C. Southmayd, (Mr. S. for about twelve years,) Jo- seph B. Eastman, A. G. Wood, A. G. Pease, Calvin Pease, (who continued four years,) and the present instructors, J. H. Morse and R. S. Hale. Various assistants have been employed at different times, male and female.
Preceptors.
1805.
Montpelier the seat of government.
This town was made the seat of government for the state, by an act passed Nov. 8th, 1805, and became the shire town of the County. When this act was passed, the General Assembly sat at Danville. Judge Ware was the representative of the town that year, and for several suc- cessive years. . No little wisdom was found necessary for those who were favorable to the measure, to bring it about successfully, amid the conflicting claims set up for its loca- tion in other towns. The act directed, that the General Assembly should hold its session for 1808 at Montpelier ; so that the sessions of 1806 and 1807,-the former held at
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Middlebury, and the latter at Woodstock,-presented op- HISTORY OF MONTPELIER! 1808. portunities to the opposers of the act to attempt its repeal. Such attempts were inade, unsuccessfully, each year. In First session of the legis- lature. 1808, the General Assembly mct at Montpelier for the first time, in the State House, which had been erected for the purpose. During this session, some faint attempts were made to remove the seat of government, but it was found to be in vain,-the leaders of the attempt declaring, (as I have been informed,) " That the ladies of Montpelier made their Plumb Puddings too good, to induce the members to withdraw their patronage." The old State House was The old state house. a wooden building, fifty by seventy feet, with posis thirty- six feet high, and cost about $6000. It was erected near where Col. Jacob Davis, many years before, had positively declared it would stand, and not far from the site of the present granite building. The present beautiful State 1836. House,-a credit to the commonwealth, and the projectors The new state house: of the building -- was finished in 1836; in the fall of which year the General Assembly first held its meetings in it. The act which passed the Legislature, to build a new State House at Montpelier, and made an appropriation for the same, was powerfully opposed. Windsor and Burling- ton both set up claims, and offered to build a new edifice at each place, at their own expense, provided the Assem- bly would meet alternately in those towns. On the other hand, those friendly to the building of a permanent edifice in this town, demonstrated clearly, among other things, that there would be an annual saving to the state of a con- siderable amount by having the Capitol permanently near its center. The citizens of this town gave $15,000 to-
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HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
wards the present building, which cost about $130,000. (See appendix, G.)
1808.
First clec. tion sermon.
The first election sermon, preached to the Legislature in this town, was by Rev. Sylvanus Haynes, Pastor of the Baptist church in Middletown, -- Text, Prov. 14: 34,- " Righteousness exalteth a nation : but sin is a reproach to any people."
1802 to 1813. Prevalent Jiscases.
In 1802, the dysentery prevailed fatally throughout this town, and in many other parts of the State. In 1806, the typhus fever prevailed extensively, of which Judge Wing and Esq. Mosely died that year. In 1810 and 1811, the spot- ted fever prevailed in this and other towns of the state. In 1813, the typhus fever prevailed again fatally in this town, and throughout the region, and from a record which I find, it appears 73 persons died within the bounds of the town that year-which would be a proportion of one from every 26 persons, their being about 2000 in the town.
Warning off.
I find that as late at least as 1811, it was a custom in this town, for the selectmen, or any two of them, once cv- ery year or so, to issue a warrant to the constable of the town, ordering him to warn certain individuals in the town forthwith to depart from it; and in this warning, among others, I find the names of our most respectable citizens. Whereupon the constable would make his return of what he had done in the matter, what day he had serv- ed the summons on individuals to depart, &c; and one return was, that he (the constable) had failed to serve the warning on a certain individual, for he had " ELOPED !"
1813.
Second buri- al ground.
In 1813, the burying ground now occupied, lying near Mr. Samuel Goss's house, was laid out, and Mrs. Loomis,
.
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the first wife of Judge Loomis, was the first person interred HISTORY OF
MONTPELIER. there.
A Village Library was established in Montpelier, the 1814. 28th February, 1814, and has been continued more or less brary. prosperously ever since.
Village Li-
A Lyceum was established in 1827 or 1828, which con- 1827. tinued several years, and accumulated a library, which was Lyceum. afterwards given to the Academy.
I would here mention several items, which should have Miscellane- ous. been alluded to before. 'The town, though generally situ- ated on high ground, has been remarkable for its exemption from high winds, especially during its early settlement. The snow during the winter would generally fall deep, but lie level and still. Bears were rather plenty, and also fox- es, but there were few wolves. Clark Stevens brought the first drove of sheep into the town, from Pomfret. Lands usually brought $1,00 per acre, to be paid for in grain and stock. The first conveyance, that I find recorded was by James Hawkins to Ziba Woodworth, of one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, in the second division of lots. It is believed that Joel Dimmock and David Cole now live on said lot. Potatoes scarce in the first year or two after the settlement. (See appendix, H.)
I have deferred speaking of the religious history of this Religious Ilistory. town, to this place, that I might present it in a more em- bodied form.
There is no source of information on this subject, up- on which I can draw with more confidence than upon a short account of a revival of religion, given by the Rev. Mr. Wright, and which is found in a number of the " Ad- .
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HISTORY OF MONTPELIER. viser, or Vermont Evangelical Magazine," for 1811. From Religious History. that account I extract the following statement, in the lan- guage of the writer.
1800. " The first settlers not being disposed to encourage an State of mor- attention to religious concerns, no religious order was ob- als. served in the place for a number of years. The inhabit- ants, as might be expected, became generally dissipated, and a deplorable state of morals was the result. The Sab- bath, instead of being observed as a day of holy rest, was improved as a season of relaxation from ordinary business, only for the purpose of amusement, convivial entertain- ments, at public houses, or shops ; sleigh riding, trading or gambling ; and the language of profanity was the common dialect. Previous to the year 1800, there had rarely been any preaching in the town, except by the Methodists. At this time the inhabitants, having increased to a very con- siderable number, (890,) were divided into various sects, the largest of which, I believe, professed Universalism. Those of the Congregational order, or rather, such as were disposed to support the worship of that order, living principally in and about the Village, petitioned the Legislature to be incorporated into a local society ; but the measure excited opposition from the other parts of the town, and was abandoned. Afterwards, several candidates were successfully employed in the Village for short periods, and whatever sums were expended above those arising from public funds, were advanced by about five or six individuals. Meetings were very thinly attended, few paying any respect to them, or to the Sabbath."
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In this candid and frank description of the state of mor- HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
als, made by the writer, from whom I have quoted, we are not to suppose all the inhabitants of the town were includ- ed. There were many, even then, among them of excel- lent character, and some, of approved piety-especially some females, of whom it would be invidious in me to speak more particularly.
This state of things continued till the latter part of the 1804. year 1804, when a number of the inhabitants of the Vil- Public meet- lage met and adopted the following resolutions, viz :
" 'That we will take all due and reasonable measures, to enforce the laws of this state respecting the due observa- tion of the Sabbath, or Lord's day, so far as to prevent un- necessary labor and recreation on said day, in this vi- cinity.
" Also resolved, that we will constantly, when circum- stances will admit of it, attend meeting every Sabbath, at the Academy in Montpelier, and promote the attendance of our families and friends ; and when we are destitute of preaching, we will attend to singing, and reading of ser- mons ; and that in token of our assent to the foregoing resolutions, the individuals assenting thereto sign their names to this instrument."
" These resolutions were signed by twenty-nine persons ; and from them may be dated the first symptoms of order. Religion as yet had no place here ; prayer was not heard in any family in the Village, and very rarely in their meet- ings on the Sabbath. In the year 1806-7, a preacher was employed in the Village, but left the place in the autumn ployed. of 1807."
Religious History.
ing on the ob- servance of the sabbath.
1806-7. Preacher em-
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HISTORY OF MONTPELIER
Religious History.
Mr. Chester Wright was invited to spend a few Sabbaths with this people, in the winter of 1808, and although there were only three or four professors of religion in the Vil- lage, and many things looked unpromising, as a field of la- bor for a minister, still there were some things in the ap- pearance of the assembly on the Sabbath,-the fact that the people had had but little religious instruction, and the desire of the people to have him stay,-which induced Mr. Wright to conclude, that the providence of God called him to bestow his services there; and which more than twenty-two years of faithful labors served to confirm.
1808. Organization of the First congregation- al church.
In July, 1808, the first Congregational church in Mont- pelier was organized, and consisted at that time of the sev- enteen following persons, viz : Amasa Brown and wife, from 'Templeton, Massachusetts ; Sylvanus Baldwin, from Norwich, Vermont; Andrew Dodge, from Winchester, N. H. ; Heraldus Estabrooks, from Lebanon, N. H. ; Samuel Goss, from Hollis, N. H. ; Timothy Hatch and wife, from Falmouth, Mass., (Cape Cod) ; Joseph Howes and wife, from Norwich, Vt .; Solomon Lewis and wife, from Cape Cod, Mass. ; Bachsheba Burbank, from Milbury, Mass. ; Lydia Davis, from Cape Cod, Mass .; Polly Baker, from Cape Cod, Mass. ; Rebecca Persons, from Chesterfield, N. H .; Sarah Wiggins, from Exeter, N. H.
At this organization, Rev. Elijah Lyman, Pastor of the church at Brookfield, presided, and Mr. Samuel Goss was clerk. During this year twelve other members were received into the church, viz : Henry Howes, Ruth Jewett, Hannah Woudworth, Ebenezer Parker, Lydia Parker, Jo- seph Freeman, Patty Reed, Fanny Tyler, Nabby Wilder,
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Roxa Brooks, Mrs. Boyden, and Jemima Hatch. Two of HISTORY OF these were received by letter.
On the 16th day of August, 1809, Mr. Wright, who had studied theology with Dr. Burton of Thetford, in this state, was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, and in- stalled over this church.
In pursuance to letters missive, the following churches were represented in the council at the ordination of. Mr. Wright, viz : Hanover, Thetford, Vershire, Brookfield, Barre, Chelsea, and Plainfield. Samuel Goss and Sylva- nus Baldwin were the committee on the part of the church, who, with a committee from the society, made the necessa- ry arrangements for the ordination and installation.
From this time the church and congregation increased steadily, until 1810, when a precious revival of religion en- sued, and continued for several months with great interest. In April, 1810, says the Rev. Mr. Wright, " two young ladies having for some months been exercised with serious impressions, obtained a hope of forgiveness through the blood of a Saviour." These persons in open conference, where there was an unusual number of impenitent persons in attendance, stated their experience, in a simple and af- fectionate manner, and warned their youthful companions to flee from sin and embrace Jesus Christ. The work spread gradually, though not powerfully, from that time, in Montpelier, and across the river in Berlin, until May 18th, when at a conference held in Berlin, the work received an impulse, and continued to increase, until the whole popu- lation was more or less under its influence. Says Mr. Wright, speaking of the work at this stage of its progress,
MONTPELIER.
Religious History. 1809.
Ordination of Rev. Chester Wright.
Revival of 1810.
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HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
Religious History. 1810.
" On Monday morning, walking the streets, I perceived that instead of the usual noise and bustle, the place was still as a Sabbath ; and with emotions not to be described, I was constrained to exclaim, ' How dreadful is this place ! Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.'" He adds, also, " The progress of the work was (now) rapid, but we saw no appearance of disorder or wild enthusiasm. A deep conviction of guilt, rather than a fearful apprehen- sion of danger, was the cause of that distress which the subjects of the work experienced, and which, in many cas- es, was remarkably pungent and severe. Some for a con- siderable season were sensible of the most violent opposi- tion to God, his cause and people, and felt their enmity rise peculiarly in times of attendance on public worship, and on witnessing the enjoyment of such as had obtained peace in believing." The number added to the church, during the first year after the revival declined, was thirty- three. No age was excluded from a share in the work, from fifty years to twelve. But much the largest share had fallen to the age of between eighteen and twenty-four. Perhaps some present may date back their own spiritual life to that hour.
1809.
In 1809, the church in Falmouth, Massachusetts, pre- sented to the church in this town, a set of vessels for the communion, by the hand of Mr. Timothy Hatch, which was gratefully received, and a letter of thanks returned to them.
About this time, also, a montlily meeting was established by a vote of the church, to be holden on the first Friday of every month, which is still observed substantially.
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There have been three confessions of Faith adopted by this church, all of them essentially the same in doctrine, -- which was orthodox,-varying mostly in form and phrase- ology. The first was adopted at its organization, in June, 1808; the second in February, 1817,-corresponding with that of the churches of the Royalton association ; the third was a revision of the second, in February, 1832, and at that time there was also a revision of the Rules of the church, which Rules had been adopted in 1823. The last Confession of Faith and Covenant, revised, with the Rules, are now in force in the church, and are in the hands of the members in a printed form.
At a meeting of the church, Nov. 27th, 1826, the fol- lowing resolution was adopted, viz: "Resolved, that this church, as a body, will hold itself bound to use its best en- deavors to promote the interests of Sabbath School educa- tion in this Village." J. C. Southmayd was appointed Su- perintendent, and Joseph Howes, Librarian. The follow- ing persons were appointed a board of managers for the school, and to secure the attendance of the children : Je- duthun Loomis, George Worthington, James Spalding, Sylvanus Baldwin, H. H. Seelye, E. P. Walton, John
HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
Religious Ilistory.
1808 to 1832.
Confession of Faith.
In February, 1817, fifty-nine members were added to Revivals of this church, as the fruits of a precious revival during the 1817 and 1827. previous year ; and in March, 1827, some twenty-five per- sons were added to the church as the fruit of another revi- val some time before. Some of you, perhaps, date your spirital birth from one of those interesting periods.
Sylvanus Baldwin was the first deacon chosen in this church, and his election was February 2d, 1810.
1810.
First deacon.
1826. Sabbath Schools.
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HISTORY OF MONTPELIER. Wood, Samuel Goss, Joshua Y. Vail, Timothy Merrill and Religious History. John Spalding. Some ten years previous to this record, Sabbath Schools were in use in this Village, and as early 1816. as 1816 a Sabbath School celebration was held at the State House. (See Appendix, I.)
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