USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Reading > History of Reading, Windsor County, Vermont. Vol. II > Part 20
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Arvilla's grandchildren and children of Alzina were -- Martha Buck who m Clarence Wilkins; Walter who m Mary Weston; Byron who m Hattie Solger ; Helen d unmarried ; Eunice who m David E. Burnham ; Carrol and Carrie, twins. Carrie is now the wife of Harry Burnham who lives at Reading Center on the Asa A. Burnham place.
Laura's only child was-Burton M. Newton who m Mary Watkins.
Jennett's children were -- Irene who m Elmer Sher- win ; they have one son Ben ; Herbert L., druggist who resides in Windsor, Vt .; Alice A., who m George D. Burnham. They reside in Felchville.
Priscilla Whitmore, b in Reading, April 8, 1806, m Joel Holden, April 22, 1827. He d May 23, 1850. She then m William A. Wait, Oct. 8, 1854. Priscilla d in Felchville June 24, 1893. William A. Wait d in Felchville Feb. 19, 1880. He was a soldier in Co. A. 12th Vt. Vols.
Priscilla's children were-Geo. S. Holden, b in Reading, July 23, 1837, d Oct, 1842, and Orsemor S.
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Holden b in Reading, July 30, 1843, m J. Ellen Nutting Andover, Vt., July 2, 1873. He is a painter and musi- cian and has always resided in Reading. He has held the offices of town representative, road commissioner, Justice of the Peace and other town offices.
Nelson Whitmore, (son of Oliver and Lydia) was b in Reading, Jan. 23, 1880, was a carpenter by trade and had served the town as selectman, and Justice of the Peace. He lived on the place his father bought in 1814, until his death, Feb. 11, 1880, at the age of 72 years. He m Lucy Holden, Dec. 27. 1831. She was b April 26, 1806, in Reading, d Oct. 30, 1888, at the age of 82 years. They were m on the first farm settled in Reading and in the same house now owned and occupied by Marcellus Bryant
Nelson Whitmore's children were -Jane A. b May 30, 1833, m Milo B. Cooke, Oct. 10, 1855, (Their only child was Vernon C. See the Milo B. Cook geneology).
Osceola A. b Sept. 2, 1838 now of Malden, Mass., a noted musician, who m Ellen L. Paige of Pomfret, Vt., Aug. 21, 1862. She d Aug. 22, 1894 in Malden.
Kosciusko A. b in Reading, Nov. 10, 1842, d in the army 1862, aged 20 years.
Of Nelson Whitmore's grandchildren, Bertha L. daughter of Osceola, was b Sept. 29, 1866, in Reading m Walter Lawler of Boston, Mass., Feb. 21, 1893. They have two daughters, Doris and Ruth ; Carlotta P. b in Malden, Mass., June 13, 1869 ; is a teacher of music.
Christina Whitmore, b Nov 23, 1809. in Nathan Sherwin of Reading.
Christina's children were-Sylvanus, who d; Oliver who m Louis Pierce; and Ethelbert who m Ann Shedd. Ethelbert d July 31, 1897 at Felchville.
Oliver's children were Jennie who m Frank Sim- mons of Woodstock where they now reside, and Dean who m - Sisco of Quechee and they reside in Woodstock.
Ethelbert's children were Sylvanus M. who m
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Marcia Hawkins; Eloise who m George Wilson of Cavendish, Orlando who m Alice Amsden of Reading. Sylvanus M., has one daughter Maude; Eloise has two sons, Charles and Harry; Orlando has two, Birdie and Claude.
Jerusha Whitmore b Dec. 10, 1811, d April 24. 1890; was m to Lyman Cady, May 22, 1839. by Rev. Samuel C. Loveland. He d Sept. 6, 1892, aged 86 years. They had no children.
Lydia Whitmore, b Jan 29, 1814, m Samuel Persons, b August 4, 1805; Lydia, d June 1, 1879; Samuel d Jan. 16, 1881.
Lydia's children: Harriet E. b Feb. 1, 1833, d Aug. 18, 1895, in Keene, N. H .; m Wm. P. Chamberlain, Jan. 8, 1856.
Harriet's children-Alice Chamberlain, who d in infancy, and Berdie Chamberlain, b Oct. 1863; m Mr. Huntress. They have three children -- two sons, one daughter.
Forest G. Person b Feb. 11 1834; in Jane Pierce.
Forest's child - one daughter, Gertrude, m Wm. Engram of Rutland, Vt. They have one daughter, Mariam.
Aurelia Whitmore, b April 21. 1816, d Sept. 12, 1898; m Jonas G. Allen, b Jan. 9, 1813, d March. 20, 1868, Aurelia had only one child, a son, Theodora, J. b Oct. 24, 1846, in Reading, d in April 1887, in New York City, a noted musician. He m Susie Hildreth, b June 1, 1847, in Haverhill, Mass, she d in June. 1893. They had no children.
Zilipha M. Whitmore, b in Reading, May 7, 1818 ; m William Wilkins, and went to Alden, N. Y., where she lived and d. They had no children.
Charles S. Whitmore, b in Reading, April 23, 1823, d Jan. 6, 1892 ; m Melissa N. Hatch, b in Weathersfield, Vt., Dec. 2, 1823. They were m June 5, 1845. Their only child, Arnold Whitmore, d in infancy. Chas. S.
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act of legislature restricting the privilege of receiving and dissecting dead bodies to the four medical colleges, the dental college combined with and came under the management of Tufts college, such dissection being a condition of membership with the National Association of Dentists.
Dr. Wetherbee was 15 years professor of Dental Science and Operative Dentistry at the college, one year president of the American Dental association, and two years its treasurer. During all these years he maintained his large practice.
He was married in 1837, to Sarah Abbott Sheldon, of Pittsford, Vt., who d in 1870. He later married Miss Almira Woods, of Arlington, by whom he has had two children,-a son, Dr. Irving J. Wetherbee, who has continued his father's practice as a dentist, and - a daughter, Ellen W. the wife of Mr. L. A. Bowers.
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CHAPTER XXXII.
The White Family. .
Genealogy of The White Family.
Rt. Rev. John White, a bishop of the English church.
William White, a pilgrim on the Mayflower, 1620.
Resolved White, b in Leyden, Holland, about 1614. Samuel White, b in Massachusetts 1646.
John White, b about 1680; killed by Indians in 1710.
Cornelius White, b Feb. 11. 1711, m Hannah Gilbert.
Capt. Samuel White b 1739, d in camp at Roxbury, Mass. 1778. He m Thankful Gilbert and left three sons.
Thomas White, b Nov. 10, 1767, d Dec. 21, 1805, leaving four sons and a daughter. An early settler in Cavendish.
George White, b in Cavendish, Jan. 8, 1797, d in Felchville, Dec. 30, 1873. He was a copperplate printer and engraver, and for many years a resident of Felch- ville.
George White m Electa Cushman Oct. 15, 1821. Her genealogy is as follows :
Robert Cushman, pilgrim on the ship Fortune, and Thomas Cushman, at 13 years of age came on the Fortune in 1621.
Rev. Isaac Cushman, bin Mass., Feb. 8. 1647.
Isaac Cushman, b Nov. 15, 1676, d Sept. 18, 1727.
Nathaniel Cushman, b May 28. 1712, d Oct. 1, 1793.
Consider Cushman, soldier in French and Indian war, b July 6, 1740, d April 4, 1819.
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.Azahel Cushman, b in Brookfield, Mass., 1795, d in Chester July 12, 1816. He m Laurana Wood of Brook- field, Mass., May 2, 1786. She was b Feb. 1768 and d in Greenbush May 11, 1837.
Electa Cushman, b in Montague, Mass., June 17, 1803, d in Felchville Nov. 25, 1881.
Susanna, the widow of William White, m Gov. Edward Winslow and became the mother of Gov. Josiah Winslow.
Resolved White, m a daughter of Gov. Edward Winslow.
Thomas White, m Betsey Lincoln March 1, 1790 and came from Westmoreland, N. H. to Cavendish soon .. after. Betsey Lincoln was b in Brookfield, Mass. in 1758 and was distantly related to the family of Pres. Abra- ham Lincoln. Gov. Levi Lincoln of Massachusetts who d in 1868 was a fourth cousin of Thomas Lincoln the father of Abraham Lincoln. This governor's father .. was also Gov. Levi Lincoln, b in 1749. Betsey Lincoln v. who was the daughter of Seth Lincoln had a brother Levi, but there is no proof that he became governor. All the Massachusetts Lincolns were of the same family however, being descended from Samuel Lincoln.
Robert Cushman was the business agent and man- ager of the Pilgrim Fathers and though not a clergyman, preached the first sermon in New England that was ever printed. This was in the year 1621. The text was Rom. XII ; 10. He d in England in 1625. He left his son Thomas in the care of Gov. Bradford by whom he was reared and educated. This son, Elder Thomas Cushman, m Mary Allerton, the last survivor of those who came over in the Mayflower, and he was for forty- three years the ruling Elder of the first church in New England. He was bin England in 1608 and d Dec. 10, 1691. Lt .- Gov. Henry W. Cushman of Massachusetts wrote and publishel the history of the Cushman family, and Charlotte Cushman, the famous actress, was a
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descendant of Robert Cushman.
The children of George and Electa (Cushman) White were, Stellah, b in Quechee Apr. 21, 1823, d there Sept. 3, 1824, and was buried there. Plin, bin Quechee Aug. 8, 1824, d in Reading, May 16, 1886. Aurora, b in Cavendish, Sept. 7, 1829, m Alonzo Rogers June 5, 1851. Azro, bin Reading, Oct. 2, 1833 not far from where Captive Johnson was born among the Indians ; d in Felchville, about half a mile from his birthplace, . Feb. 14, 1900. He was a soldier in the 16th Vt. Volun- teers and participated in the battle of Gettysburg. Afterwards for many years, under the name of Hank White he was known throughout New England as a favorite minstrel. Homer b in the tavern at Greenbush, town of Weathersfield, March 9, 1837. Edwin, b in Greenbush, Feb. 21, 1840. Calista, b in Greenbush Aug. 26, 1841 ; m Frederick B. Merrill June 23, 1868. Hugh, b in Greenbush July 9, 1844.
Sketch of Homer White.
Homer White, son of George and Electa (Cushman) White. was b in Greenbush March 9, 1837. At the age of seventeen he went to Newbury to learn the printing business of L. J. McIndoe, publisher of 'The Aurora of the Valley'. The next winter he attended the public school taught by H. B. Atherton at what is now known as Amsden. In the spring he attended Black River Academy at Ludlow. That summer he worked on the 'People's Journal' published by H. W. Rowell at Littleton, N. H., and here he first appeared in print. The next winter he taught school in North Springfield and in the spring entered the law office of J. Q. Hawk- ins at Felchville. After a few months he went to New York City, and worked at his trade for about a year.
He then, through the generosity of his brother Plin, entered the Mt. Washington Collegiate Institute on the
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corner of Fourth and McDougal Sts., and preparing for college entered Union College, Schenectady, a year in advance and graduated in the class of 1861. Resuming the study of law, he graduated from the Law Depart- ment of the University of the City of New York and was admitted to the bar in 1862. In war time there was little law business and he went to work again at printing in New York City and Odgensburg. Went . west and was m to Catherine Frances Carhein Nov. 10, 1861 in Detroit. Worked in Milwaukee and taught in Taychudah and Kenosha, Wis. His only child, Georgia, was b in Taychudah Sept. 6. 1866. He became a candidate for orders in the Protestant Episcopal Church and returned east in 1867. Taught school in Windham that winter and in the spring worked in the printing office at Springfield. Was ordained deacon by Bishop Bissell in St. Paul's Church, Windsor, June 13, 1869, and a priest in the same church June 5, 1870. His whole ministerial life of thirty-three years has been passed in the three towns of Enosburg, Northfield and Randolph. He received the degree of S. T. D., from Griswold college in 1892. Mrs. White d in Enosburg Falls, Aug. 29, 1878. His present wife was Martha E. Cramton of Enosburg and they were m April 15, 1880. Besides writing and preaching a great many ser- mons, he has written and published five novels, one, 'The Norwich Cadets', in book form, and a large num- ber of short stories, poems, lectures, etc. His cacoethes scribendi, inherited from his father, has descended to his daughter.
AZRO (HANK) WHITE.
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CHAPTER XXXIII.
"Hank" White. From The Inter-State Journal.
Azro White-more commonly known by his stage name, 'Hank' White-was bin Cavendish, Vt., Oct. 2, 1833, and d suddenly of neuralgia of the heart, in Felchville, Feb. 14, 1900. His parents were of more than ordinary intelligence, his father George White, working in his younger days with the Eddys, who re- sided in Weathersfield, and were among the early print- ers of Vermont. They printed the entire Bible, with engravings, in which the apostles are depicted in modern garb, with stove pipe hats. Mr. White was afterwards an engraver and printer of maps. Azro was educated in the common school at Greenbush -- now Amsden-where his father resided.
As a Boy and Young Man.
Hank White was always upright and manly, scorning to do a mean act, free from any debasing habits, never tasting intoxicants nor making use of tobacco. This was also true of all his after life. Hank was noted for his mirth provoking ability. There was always much laughter and hilarity in any company when he was present. Good nature seemed to reign; everybody was funny. They did not always think of Hank as the unconscious cause of it all, for he never seemed to be trying to be funny, but still the fun was an invariable coincident of his presence. He could make his face look like the face of any one else he chose, and he could imitate the voice to perfection. Whether it were the old negro, Dr. Brattle, broad-nosed Packard, Uncle Joe Dick, or any other human freak, his persona-
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tion was so close to reality that every one recognized the living picture at once. He made glad the days of his boyhood friends and enlivened the streets and homes of his little village.' And for forty years after, on a broader stage, he brought to the surface all the hidden fun there was in the nature of those with whom he came in contact.
A letter lately written by a member of the United States Congress, who is burdened with affairs of State and whose mind is occupied with the consideration of many serious and important questions of national impor- tance, speaks thus of Hank, a notice of whose death the writer had seen only in the newspaper. "Probably 110 comedian ever lived who pleased me as much as Hank White. I enjoyed him more than any other comedian that I ever saw." This is a voluntary tribute from one who was personally a stranger to Hank and all his family, and proves that the United States Congress is not devoid of appreciation of genuine humor.
As a Printer.
Hank White, at the age of seventeen, went to Windsor to learn the printing business and served a term as an apprentice in the office of the Vermont Journal, where he was associated for a while with the now veteran editor, Hon. A. N. Swain, of Bellows Falls, with whom he maintained a life-long friendship. Mr. Swain writes: "On his advent to the office one of the first things he did was to name the 'bodkins' 'pegging awls' but gener- ally he was too wary to be sent out on the street for any such thing as 'a quart of editoral' and had too much kind- ness of heart to see others imposed upon in a manner which in the parlance of the the printing office, he thought could not be 'justified'. If his 'proof' was 'foul' or his type on the 'galley' 'off its feet' he had a ready explanation that he had to use 'italic spaces,' and his countenance could always be readily turned to good
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account into an eight, twelve or eighteen mo. 'form,' in which the future comedian was plainly visible. If he 'pied' a whole 'stick full' he would make it appear only a few 'quads.' 'Outs' and 'doublets' he abhorred in common with his colleagues, but was too genial to use 'slurs' and always placed his 'quoin' in the 'bank,' while in market quotations he considered it an improve- ment to change 'oats' to 'cats'. Those were the days of the hand press, and sometimes it took a whole night to work off an edition of the 'Journal.' On these occasions Hank was very useful. The midnight or two o'clock morning hour was liable to be drowsy, dull, heavy, fret- ful; there were even possibilities of ill temper. It was then that Hank shown out as a successful diplomat and mediator. Few words, almost entirely pantomine, and passing back and forth once or twice from press to com- posing room, all the while posing in the various atti- tudes of an important ambassador, the 'strained rela- tions' of his classmates would relax, and at three or four in the morning, the whole office force would be refreshed into a charming state of peace for a brief nap at the break of day. Such was Hank in the printing office. His sunny ways and disposition were both an entertain- ment and relief from monotony or vexation."
Hank in New York City.
From Windsor Hank went to New York City, where he remained for several years. Much of his time in the city was spent in studying theatre and negro minstrel performances, and he thus prepared himself for the business in which he was destined by nature, as well as study, to make himself distinguished.
Hank as a Minstrel.
About 1860, he returned to Vermont, and with George M. Clark, another Greenbush boy formed a negro min- strel company and commenced to travel, under the name
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of Broadway Minstrels. Clark made a study of the plantation negro while teaching singing in Florida. Hank's negro was not the conventional burnt cork darkey of the minstrel show, but the real article and sui generis. The one whose characteristics he evidently absorbed and probably the only real black he ever knew when a child, was "Doctor" Brattle, who had once been a slave and belonged to the family that gave its name to Brattle street in Boston, and who, living near Greenbush, carried a pair of saddle bags and collected and dispensed roots and herbs, He was an original, the hero of in- numerable funny stories, and the butt of many jokes in the first half of the present century.
It was at Burlington, as Clark used to tell it on the stage, that they were going through their program when a man from "the east side of the mountains" very much embarrassed them with the exclamation, "Broadway Minstrels be darned! I know them felers; they are from Greenbush, Vt." They never appeared under their metropolitan title again, but found they could stand on their own merits and soon, as Whitmore and Clark's Minstrels, became very popular and great favorites all over New England, the Canadas, and northeastern New York. They met with great success and everywhere drew large houses for more than twenty-five years. E. P. Hardy, the brother of the late Judge Hardy, of Keene, was their business manager. The last concert of each season was at Felchville. Vt., and the proceeds were given to the Free Public Library of the village.
Hank White was true to his country as he was to his fellow men. In 1862, both he and Clark enlisted in Co. E: 16th Vt. Regt .- Col. Veazey's. He was at the bat- tle of Gettysburg, his regiment belonging to the famous 2nd Vt. Brigade, that covered itself with glory in that battle. Dr. George Spafford, who was the surgeon of that regiment, says of them, that in the opinion of the Colonel they did more good with their jolly ways and
"Hank" at 22 Years of Age.
THE BROADWAY MINSTRELS.
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care dispelling songs, in inspiring the heavy-hearted and homesick, and averting sickness from their comrades than half the medicines administered by the regimental surgeon. Hank and Clark were often invited to head- quarters to sing before Gen. Meade and his staff.
A Couple of Reminiscences.
Hank's humor was often beneficial and helpful in the army and camp. It is related that when his regiment left Brattleboro for the seat of war, they were placed in cars and a long wait was tiring the soldiers into gloomy reflections of home and the future. Hank saw the situa- tion and took his position on the car platform in the 'umble attitude of Uriah Heep, with a cyclone cloud on his face. Soon an officer passed and observing him ex- claimed : "What's the matter, Hank ?" Don't want to tell," said he. "What is the matter ?" "I don't want to go." "Why ?" "I'm 'fraid." "What are you a- fraid of ?" "'Fraid I shall get hurt." Such episodes soon placed the soldiers in good spirits for a start.
His hyperbole and extravaganza were without con- ceit and sometimes as good as Joe Jefferson's Bob Acres in the duel scene of the Rivals, as for instance when Hank related how in the battle of Gettysburg, he faced (behind a rock) a rebel battery of three hundred guns, which all fired at him at the same time.
Kindness.
Many a young man with whom he has associated on the road, speaks of the uplifting effect he had upon their lives-the encouragement he gave them to live rightly, to let alone drink and habits that would finally lead to their ruin.
He helped, pecuniarily, more than one homeless, to a home and an academic education that fitted them for a life of usefulness.
Only the great hereafter can reveal all the results of
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the manifold kindness he performed.
He married Miss Kate Felch of Felchville, his partner, Geo. M. Clark, having before married her sister, Miss Lucinda Felch. Both Mrs. Clark and Mrs. White have survived their husbands, and now reside in Felchville.
No children blessed the union of Azro White and wife, but what was denied them in this way they en- deavored to supply in the good they did for others. One son, an adopted one, Howard White, is left to comfort and care for his mother, and mourn the loss of one who, to him, was more than a father.
The following article will explain the origin of the poem "To Hank White". The author of it is now Judge John A. Aiken of the Superior Court of Mass .-- Ed.
Greenfield Mass., Nov. 7, 1903.
My Dear Sir :
I send you the verses you ask for. They appeared Dec. 10, 1881, in a paper called "Before the Curtain", which was printed in Greenfield from time to time, whenever a "show came to town".
The publication used to contain a program of the performance together with advertisements of local tradesmen and some brief comments on local happenings and concerns.
The particular occasion for the verses was a per- formance of the Whitmore & Clark's Minstrels, a com- pany at that time and for a considerable number of years well-known, as you are no doubt aware, all over New England.
I presume there were other artists of merit in the company (certainly it would be ungracious to assert otherwise) but as I recall the past Hank White was "the whole show". I have seen eminent "Endmen" in the burnt cork profession from time to time since, but none
"Hank" at Sunapee Lake, 1898.
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of them, however, have displaced Hank White from the top place in my esteem. I hope the dear old man is still among the living, and if you ever see him, although I am a stranger to him, give him my regards.
John A. Aiken.
Gilbert A. Davis, Esq., Windsor. Vt.
To Hank White.
Immortal Hank, we all rejoice Again to hear your welcome voice. Saloons are empty, billards, beer. All fail to draw, when you are here. Boys bring their girls-the brave who dare- "None but the brave deserve the fair" (The rich oft get them, it is true ; Alas this world is all askew !) , And girls whose fellows are not bold All by themselves you here behold ; Babes in their mothers' arms are here To see the man their dads revere; Republican and democrat ; The rich, the poor, the lean, the fat, Deadheads and paupers -- every one Who love ennobling generous fun.
Long is the time since first we saw Burnt cork on your expansive jaw ; Time that is marked with joy and pain ; Still small our wages, small our gain ; But when we see your, each forgets His mortgage, washbill, and his debts.
Such changes you had not foreseen When first you took the tambourine ; Fakirs and snides usurp the stage With jokes of ancient lineage,
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Murder the jests they've learned by rote,
And incorrect sing every note, Stand on their heads and shout and yop, Turn somersets, and flip and flop.
Illustrious Hank, we find in thee True bard of ancient minstrelsy, Whose sturdy sense rejects the base, Despises all that's common place ; Whose judgment, talent, humor, wit Selects the best and cleaves to it ; Whose fancy can create the new And give the old an added hue; Beside all these, in every part You show the practiced actor's art.
Long life be yours, continued health; A fruitful farm, increasing wealth; May kindly Fate on you bestow All blessings that we mortals know. Our scanty pile we'll share with you 'Tis not a gift ; 'tis justly due- But, ah, the clock is striking eight, And all the boys impatient wait. At half past ten you'll count the tin. Up, curtain ! Let the show begin.
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circus as clown and singer for several summers in the meantime. Mr. Clark was stage manager and musical director for the Minstrels and composed much of the music that was used. He has written more than twenty- five songs, both words and music, among them being "Annie's Grave", "I'll Meet Thee, Darling Kate", "Flora Belle", "Don't Run in Debt", etc., many of which have become quite popular.
Mr. Clark and Mr. White were ever ready to help out local societies and organizations with their services and many have been materially benefitted through their aid. The Reading Library has received large sums through their generous efforts, and it can truly be said that they devoted the best part of their lives for the amusement and happiness of their fellow-beings.
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