USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Royalton > History of Royalton, Vermont, with family genealogies, 1769-1911 > Part 2
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CHAPTER V.
COUNTIES.
First county in the Grants-Other counties-First division by Ver- mont-Division of Cumberland county-Attempts to change the boundary of Windsor county-Royalton's action in the matter .. 38
CHAPTER VI. BOUNDARIES.
Loss of territory by Bethel charter and surveys-Petitions for changes-New surveys and agreements with Sharon and Bethel -Tunbridge Gore-Attempts to form a new town-Boundary of Royalton village 43
CHAPTER VII.
THE EARLIEST SETTLERS.
Settlement of Sharon-Joel Shepard's narrative-Sketches of men coming to Royalton before the Indian raid-Census of 1790 ....
58
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER VIII.
EARLY MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
Husking parties, apple parings, and quiltings-Fourth of July observances-Sabbath attendance-Outdoor sports-Training of children
77
CHAPTER IX.
ROYALTON FORT.
Extract from Dr. Gardner Cox's narrative-Provision for building the Fort-Capt. David Woodward's Company-Location of the Fort-Building of Forts Defiance and Fortitude 87
CHAPTER X.
REVOLUTIONARY AFFAIRS.
Importance of the New Hampshire Grants as a frontier-"Green Mountain Boys"-Raising of men in 1775-Protection of the frontier-The Rangers-Board of War-Wheelock's corps- Zebulon Lyon's Co .- Situation in 1777-Royalton record- 97 Indian raid
CHAPTER XI.
ZADOCK STEELE'S NARRATIVE OF THE BURNING OF ROYALTON.
Attack of the savages at Robert Havens' and John Hutchinson's- Course down the branch and river-Shooting of Phineas Park- hurst-Heroism of Mrs. Hendee-Pursuit of the Indians . 116
CHAPTER XII.
THE BURNING OF ROYALTON.
Motive for attack-Records at Ottawa-Sources of information- Hutchinson and Havens families-Course of the Indians- Families on the west or south side of the river-Narrative of a prisoner, George Avery-Heroism of Phineas Parkhurst- Families on the east or north side of the river-The heroine, Mrs. Handy-Pursuit of the Indians-Troops sent to Royalton- Jonathan Carpenter's diary-Randolph sufferers-Family tra- ditions-Anniversaries-Indian Monument 138
CHAPTER XIII.
HISTORY OF THE CHARTERS.
The petition-The five who controlled the land-The allotment of each-Organization of the town-History of the Vermont grant of Royalton-Sketches of the New York grantees .... .
183
xvii
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XIV.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
The first church-Union of Royalton and Sharon in supporting a minister-First church record in Royalton-First sermon in Royalton-Futile efforts to secure a minister-First pastor- The minister's lot-Pastorates of the Rev. Azel Washburn and Rev. Martin Tullar-Short pastorates-Call to Rev. Asahel C. Washburn-Pastorate of Dr. C. B. Drake-Supplies-Pastorate of Dr. S. W. Dike-Supplies of recent years 193
CHAPTER XV.
GROWTH AND POLITY OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Earliest records-Increase in membership-Dissidents-The Sab- bath school and its Home Department-Church doctrines- Church discipline-Deacons-Missions and Societies-Royalton Association-Officers of the church and society 218
CHAPTER XVI. THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE.
Lieut. Lyon's building-The meeting-house of 1790-91-The new house of 1840
236
CHAPTER XVII. ROADS.
First record relating to roads-Division into highway districts- Taxation for roads-First recorded survey-Change in the First Branch road-Authentication of roads-New roads and surveys previous to 1800-The county road and others previous to the building of the railroad-Court's Commission of 1849-Changes in roads-Court's committees of 1835 and 1868-More recent surveys-Abolishment of highway districts-Turnpikes-Ford- ways 245
CHAPTER XVIII. BRIDGES.
Building of smaller bridges-First bridge across White river- Rebuilding of branch bridges-Second bridge over White river -The lottery-Bridge at Foxville, or N. Royalton-South Royal- ton river bridge 266
CHAPTER XIX. EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.
First division into districts-Division of 1795-Trustees-District records-Means of supporting schools-Abolition of the district system-South Royalton graded school-Teachers of the town- Superintendents-Table to accompany Map of School Districts. 283
CHAPTER XX. ROYALTON ACADEMY.
The charter-Principals-Burning of the academy building-Union with the town high school-Last graduation-Records of stu- dents-College record
317
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXI.
MATTERS RELATING TO TOWN MEETINGS.
Officers-Place of meetings-Manner of conducting meetings- Town records-Town by-laws-Lists of selectmen and town rep- resentatives . 346
CHAPTER XXII.
THE TOWN'S POOR.
Auctioneering the poor-Overseers-Purchase of a town farm- Leasing of the town farm . 360
CHAPTER XXIII.
CEMETERIES.
Earliest burials-First action by the town-Establishment of the different cemeteries-Cemetery associations-Naming of the cemeteries . 371
CHAPTER XXIV.
HOTELS.
First innkeepers-Owners of the "Cascadnac"-The Gilbert-Pierce stand-The Fox tavern-The "South Royalton House"-The "Central Vermont House"-"Brightwood" 379
CHAPTER X XV.
POST-OFFICES AND POST-ROADS.
First post-route in Vermont-Postmasters in Royalton and South Royalton-Rural Delivery-Stage routes-Rivalry of stage 386
drivers
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE INDUSTRIES OF THE TOWN.
Saw and grist mills-Manufacture of potash and pearlash-Cider mills and distilleries-Tanneries-Shoemakers-South Royalton and White River Shoe companies-Blacksmiths-Creameries -Farm products-Telephone lines-Dressmakers, milliners, and tailors 397
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE GENERAL MILITIA.
State of the militia previous to the Revolution and at its close- A muster day at Woodstock-Equipment of militiamen-Legis- lation regarding the militia-List of officers connected with Royalton-War of 1812-Stationing of the militia-Controversy over commanding officers-Capt. Bingham's Co.
428
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXVIII.
ROYALTON IN THE CIVIL WAR.
Soldier's Aid Society-Bounties paid-Brief history of regiments- Roster of men sent out by Royalton-Royalton pensioners, 1911
... 443
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
Evidence of early organization-First preserved church records- Building of the first church-Removal to South Royalton- Union church at S. Royalton-Erection of the parsonage- Sketches of the pastors-The Sunday school, Ladies' Sewing Circle, and Epworth League-Gifts to the church 459
CHAPTER XX.
SOUTH ROYALTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Organization-Sketches of pastors-Bequests-Merging of Society and Church-Repairs-Deacons-The Sunday school-The Y. P. S. C. E. and Ladies' Aid Society-Its policy . . 471
CHAPTER XXXI.
OTHER RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
The Baptist Church-Early membership-Union with Sharon-Dis- ciplining of members-Connection with East Bethel church- St. Paul's Episcopal Church-Organization-Erection of a church building-Memorial gifts-Sketches of rectors-Officers -The Universalist Society-New organization of 1893-The Christian Church-Pastors and members-The Catholic Church -Mission at South Royalton 483
CHAPTER XXXII. THE BANKS.
The Bank of Royalton-Organization and officers-Change to The National Bank of Royalton-Burglary of the bank-Closing of the bank-The South Royalton Bank-Its status in 1852- Trouble with the Suffolk Bank of Boston-The failure of the bank
499
CHAPTER XXXIII.
TOWN PROPERTY.
The five public rights-Land for the first settled minister-Ex- change of land-Leasing of the public lands-Record of public lands for 1909-The Common-The Brewster deed-Re- port of the selectmen in 1835-The South Royalton Park- Owners preceding the Park Association-Work of the Associa- tion-Town buildings-The pound
507
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXXIV.
TAXES AND THE GRAND LIST.
Land tax-Proprietors' taxes-Taxes for specific purposes-Rates of taxation-Time of raising taxes-Civil war debt-Grand list by decades
527
CHAPTER XXXV.
THE LEGAL PROFESSION.
The first lawyer-Sketches of the subsequent lawyers-Hon. Jacob Collamer's connection with Royalton-Litigation .... 534
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
The epidemic of 1813-Licensing physicians-Inoculation-The first doctor in Royalton-Sketches of the physicians practicing in town-Dentists .... 545
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE VILLAGES.
Royalton village-Its beginning-The first firm-Increase in business and population-South Royalton village-The enterprise of Daniel Tarbell, Jr .- Erection of stores and residences-Fires in S. Royalton-Poem by Mrs. Nettie M. Waldo .. 561
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE CENTRAL VERMONT RAILROAD.
Its projection and building-First train through the town-Erection of depots-Station agents-Casualties and accidents ....... 577
CHAPTER XXXIX.
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS.
Rising Sun Lodge, No. 7, F. and A. M .- Its charter-Anti-masonic movement-Membership and officers-Order of the Eastern Star-History of its organization-The charter-Officers-The Washington Benevolent Society-Temperance Matters-Temper- ance societies-White River Grange-Organization and in- fluence-Royalton Woman's Club-Its work for the improve- ment of streets, schools, and the preparation of a town history -South Royalton Woman's Club-Its membership and line of study-Orville Bixby Post, G. A. R .- Organization, membership, and officers-Mark J. Sargent Camp, No. 74, Sons of Veterans- Organization and membership-Orville Bixby Woman's Relief Corps, No. 37-Object, work, officers-Royalton Lodge, No. 74, I. O. O. F .- White River Horticultural Society-White River Poultry Association-White River Camp of M. W. of A., No. 10040-The South Royalton Public Benefit Society-Gen. Han- cock Council, Jr., O. U. A. M.
585
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER XL.
-
PRESENT BUSINESS MEN OF SOUTH ROYALTON.
Sketches of each
610
CHAPTER XLI.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Visits of
noted men-Lafayette-President Monroe-President Roosevelt-The Vermont Advocate-Controversy with the Woodstock Observer-Sketch of Wyman Spooner-The Free Public Library-Relics-Longevity 617
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORDS.
Explanation 634
Celebrities
635
Biographical Sketch of the Marcy Family
642
The Smith Family in Vermont
644
Genealogies alphabetically arranged
648
Addenda
1049
Errata
1051
Index
1055
Cyrus B. Dratte Pastor
CHAPTER I.
ROYALTON.
LOCATION, TOPOGRAPHY, FAUNA, AND FLORA.
Perhaps not half a dozen residents of Royalton could give an inquirer the latitude and longitude of the town in which they live, nor is it to be charged to general ignorance, if they fail to do so. There are some facts which we carry around in our heads, some in our note books, and some that we let lie in bound volumes on dusty shelves. One such volume informs the reader that Royalton is located in the north part of Windsor county, in latitude 43 degrees 49 minutes, and longitude 4 degrees and 28 minutes east from Washington. Its latitude is about the same as that of Genoa in sunny Italy. Its climate, however, is more varied. The temperature generally ranges from the 90's
in July and August to 30 degrees below zero in the winter months. There are not many winter days when the mercury falls lower than 10 degrees below zero. The winters are vari- able, like other Vermont towns. Sometimes wheels run nearly every month in the year, but usually snow falls about Thanks- giving time, and from that date until the January thaw, the jingling of sleigh bells makes music on the frosty air. Heavy snow storms are likely to fall in February and March, but the residents console themselves with the thought that the sun is running its course higher every day, and the bed of downy white will soon melt under its warm rays. Occasionally the fall of snow is so heavy that the farmers are unable to get around in their sugar places, and a short supply of the delicious maple sugar is the result. Again, when there is an open winter, and spring comes earlier than usual, sending warm thrills through the sleeping maples, the buds start too early, and, though sap may run, it is not good for making sugar.
The town is a hilly one, as a whole, but not so much so as some of the surrounding towns. The river flowing through the whole length of the town, the two branches, which would be called rivers in many localities, and the long brooks, all have bordering them many acres of meadow land, as fine as can be
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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT
found in any other part of New England. The hills rise one above another, and are of such altitude as to be worthy of the name of mountain, could they be set down on a broad prairie. Not many of these hills, mostly crowned with a luxuriant growth of trees, have been given names. The "Elephant" is a peak near South Royalton, which ambitious youths sometimes climb, but oftener they are content to pick their way up the more mod- est elevation fronting the hotel, where a small building has been erected. At Royalton village the "Pinnacle" has been associ- ated in loving thought with many picnics and other good times in the minds of those who spent their young days in the quiet hamlet, or a few months within the academy walls.
A long range of hills in the southeast part of the town, back from the river, runs in a graded line for several miles. One part, the middle and highest portion, is sometimes called the Saw-tooth Range, from the fact that three sharp cuts, at quite regular intervals, are plainly noticeable from several viewpoints, one being on the north side of the river, near Havensville, and another on the old Royalton & Woodstock turnpike, over the hills to Barnard. The "Twins" are two small elevations near the mouth of the First Branch. "Bald Mountain" is another high elevation north of the river, the location of which can be seen on the map of "School Districts." In the northwest part of the town are high hills, on one of which, near Mr. Fayette Green's, the broadest and most beautiful landscape can be viewed that Royalton affords, stretching off to the distant Green Moun- tains, and revealing peak after peak. A sunrise or sunset watched from this elevation is most entrancing. Almost every hill road furnishes new delights to the traveller.
No quarrying of any consequence has been carried on in Royalton. The Bethel quarries are located on the border of the town. In 1846, the State Geologist, C. B. Adams, in his report, in speaking of a calcareo-mica slate region in Vermont, said that that part of the slate which lies east of the range from Mem- phremagog lake to the State House at Montpelier, and thence to Halifax, is wholly embraced in this division excepting a part of Essex county. He continues, "There is considerable differ- ence perceptible in a portion of this division, extending from Derby and Holland on the north, to Bethel and Royalton in White River valley, from the other portions, though similar in lithological character. - In the calcareo-mica slate region, especially in that portion of it first described, embracing Mem- phremagog basin, Clyde, Barton, and Black River valley, and from thence to Royalton, Barnard, and Sharon, in White River valley, the deposits of muck are both numerous and large."
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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT
According to his estimate Royalton and Woodstock contain not much less marl than the deposit at Williamstown, covering about fifteen acres, which he thought would yield more than sixty millions of bushels of marl, suitable for manufacturing lime. Speaking specifically of Royalton, he said, "There is a large and very valuable deposit of marl on the farm of Mr. Dewey. It was deposited in an ancient beaver pond, and is now very acces- sible. It will supply lime for the whole White River valley. Several valuable deposits of muck are found in the vicinity."
This beaver pond to which Mr. Adams referred was an arti- ficial pond of considerable size built up by beavers, that dammed the brook running through the farm now owned by Lisle Mc- Intosh. On the farm of Amos J. Eaton was another beaver pond of smaller size. Proofs of the existence of these ponds are to be seen today. It may be that the Indians in their migrations knew of these ponds. On the Harry Bingham farm is a large boulder, commonly called the "Indian Rock," where Indian re- mains have been found, and it is the tradition that Indians were in the habit of building a temporary shelter about it, by using limbs of trees.
There are no caves of any note in town. A small one is found near the home of Rev. Levi Wild, and another of small dimensions is on the hill back of the Edward Rix house. It was here that about the middle of the last century some young mem- bers of Elisha Rix's family found a mysterious note, which sent them scampering in fear to the protection of home. This note is now in the possession of Mrs. William Skinner, daughter of William Rix.
According to the U. S. Geological Survey the altitude of Royalton is 510 feet. Its geographical center is on the "Brad- street" farm, near the place where the portable sawing machine was recently set up, not far from the old school house. Royalton village seems to have been built up as near the center as prac- ticable.
White river, the largest river east of the mountains, nearly sixty miles long, pursues its sinuous course through the town, having been frequently fed by hillside brooks since it left its birthplace in Granville, and continues to expand and deepen until its waters mingle with the Connecticut at Hartford. The First Branch, its largest tributary, winds its way down from Washington, through Chelsea and Tunbridge, and surrenders itself to the larger stream at South Royalton, while the Second Branch, somewhat smaller, with the same self-surrender in view, contentedly runs its course from Williamstown, through Brook- field, Randolph, and East Bethel to North Royalton. The town is thus supplied with sufficient water for the generation of power,
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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT
and for other purposes, though in very dry seasons these streams and other smaller ones become quite low. There is evidence, from the nature and conformation of the river banks and con- tiguous land, that the bed of the river was considerably broader, when the first settlers painfully picked their way along its banks, than it is today. Some islands have disappeared, and others have formed, so that a few deeds of real estate executed one hundred years ago are now practically worthless.
The first settlers of Royalton did not have the fear of wild animals that some pioneers had in other parts of the country. There were bears and wolves, but they do not seem to have had very ferocious natures, and the settler did not need so much to guard his life as his property from their greedy jaws. Their depredations were to be dreaded, but no instance has been forth- coming where one's life was really in danger from these animals, if one were armed and had courage.
Wolves were much more common than bears, and were so troublesome throughout the state, that bounties were early of- fered for them. A certificate is on file in the office of the Sec- retary of State at Montpelier, dated June 16, 1779, in which Isaac Morgan and Comfort Sever, selectmen, certify that in the preceding January John Parkhurst of Royalton killed a wolf, and brought the head to the subscribers, as the law directed. On July 6th the selectmen of Royalton paid Mr. Parkhurst £8 bounty. Independent action by the towns is shown by a town record dated 1795. In a warning for a town meeting to be held Dec. 8, was an article "To see if they will join with a number of the other Towns in this vicinity to raise the bounty on wolves killed within sd Towns & to chose an agent to meet with the agents of other Towns at Braintree the 10th Day of Decr. next on that business." They met and adjourned to the 22d, when no action was taken on this article. An act was passed by the legislature in 1797 offering a bounty of $20 for every wolf or panther killed in the state. The poor crow was in disfavor with Royalton farmers then as now, and April 24, 1806, it was voted to offer a bounty of twenty cents for every crow killed within the town from that date to August 1st. The treasurer's business was to cut off the head, administer the oath, and pay the bounty.
Bears and wolves are no longer domiciled in our forests. The animals most troublesome to dwellers are the fox, the wood- chuck, skunk, weasel, and rat. The fox has been persistently hunted, but he still holds his own, and not uncommonly outwits the farmer, and dines on his choicest fowls.
Mr. Amos J. Eaton has very kindly furnished a list of ani- mals found in town. Among those not already named are the ermine weasel, little brown bat, white-tailed deer, red, gray, and
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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT
flying squirrels, chipmunk, black, and brown rats, house, and white-footed wood mice, meadow vole, muskrat, star-nosed and shrew moles, hedgehog, common hare, raccoon, striped garter snake, chicken, red-bellied, and black snakes, land tortoise, snap- ping turtle, common hyla, green, brown tree, and common tree frogs, garden toad, red lizard and newt. Rarer specimens are the northern mink, marten, spotted salamander, deer mouse, conie rabbit, and Canada lynx. A few years ago Mr. Eaton saw a wolf peeping into Royalton from Strafford line.
There is not so large a number nor so great a variety of birds in Royalton, as in former years before the pugnacious English sparrow became so numerous. The kinds are about the same as in other towns in Vermont. The list which follows was furnished by Mr. Amos H. Lamb, Mr. Amos J. Eaton, and Miss Minnie Metcalf.
The summer residents that are more or less common are the green heron, American woodcock, spotted sandpiper, sharp- shinned, Cooper's, red-shouldered, and pigeon hawks, rose- breasted grosbeak, indigo bunting, scarlet tanager, cliff, barn, tree, and bank swallows, waxwing, loggerhead shrike, red-eyed, warbling, and yellow-throated vireos, summer, chestnut-sided, blackburnian, black-throated green, myrtle, parula, white-creep- ing, and Canadian warblers, oven bird, Maryland yellow-throat, redstart, catbird, house wren, wood, hermit, and Wilson's thrushes, red-breasted robin, bluebird, yellow-billed and black- billed cuckoos, kingfisher, yellow-bellied woodpecker, flicker, whip-poor-will, night hawk, chimney swift, brown creeper, king- bird, phoebe, wood pewee, least flycatcher, crow, bob-o-link, cow bird, red-winged blackbird, Baltimore oriole, purple finch, ves- per, chipping, song, and field sparrows, red-headed woodpecker, white-crowned sparrow, and the ruby-throated humming bird.
The rare summer residents are the sparrow hawk, brown thrasher, great-crested flycatcher, meadow lark, purple, and bronze grackles, and white-throated sparrow.
The resident birds, remaining through the year are the ruffed grouse, barred owl, saw-whet owl, and screech owl, hairy, downy, and pileated woodpecker, blue jay, American goldfinch, white-breasted, and red-breasted nuthatches, chickadee, American crossbill, and English sparrow. The robin has been known to winter here.
The common migrant birds are the shell drake, wild goose, fish hawk, and horned lark. The rare migrant birds are the American herring gull, great blue heron, black-bellied plover, fox sparrow, winter wren, golden crowned kinglet, Traill's fly- catcher, rusty blackbird, and white-crowned sparrow. The very
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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT
rare migrant birds are the American bittern, solitary sandpiper, and wild pigeon.
The summer visitants are the golden, and the bald eagle, both very rare. The winter visitants are the American goshawk, northern shrike, pine grosbeak, pine siskin, snow bunting, tree sparrow, and red poll, nearly all of which are rare.
Regarding the haunts and the time of appearance of some of these birds Miss Metcalf writes very entertainingly. In part she says, "The kingfisher's shrill whistle is heard along the river banks until quite cold weather, and again in early spring. With the advent of spring the blue bird appears, enjoying the distinc- tion of standing at the head in the systematic arrangement of the birds of America in point of development, as 'it takes prac- tically none of man's products and boards itself.' The robin and song sparrow soon follow the blue bird, and the purple finch only a little later completes our spring quartette of the roadside. By May our fields and highways are thickly peopled with sweet singing and gayly plumaged birds, the brown thrasher, notably of the first, the indigo bunting of the second, accompanied by the plainer little vesper sparrow, the cat bird, king bird, and phoebe, while from the hillside comes the engaging song of the rose- breasted grosbeak. As summer advances, from the woods comes the songs of the thrushes, the call of the oven bird, the cuckoos' monotones, mingled with the plaintive note of the wood pewee, and the scarlet tanager is seen flitting about among the trees. Among the low-growing trees and shrubs may be found the white-throated sparrow, white-crowned sparrow, chewink, golden crowned kinglet, Maryland yellow-throat, black and white creep- ing warbler, and the brown creeper. The wiry call of the grass- hopper sparrow announces its presence in the meadow. Along the river bank we may hear the sandpiper's monotonous call, and note the restless flight of many bank swallows. Occasion- ally we see a blue heron, and the call of the night heron is fre- quently heard, while the night hawk flies busily about, 'police- man of the night,' as he has been called."
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