USA > Vermont > Rutland County > History of Rutland County, Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 90
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123
758
HISTORY OF RUTLAND COUNTY.
services by reading sermons and otherwise for about two years, when he felt impelled to devote himself to the ministry, which he did, and served the church most acceptably until near his death in 1807. Rev. Holland Weeks was the next pastor and was installed in December of the same year. The succeeding pas- tors of the church have been Revs. Asa Messer, John Ingersoll, 1823 ; Willard Child, 1826; A. G. Pease, 1842 ; Charles Walker, 1846; Myron A. Munson, 1865 ; Russell T. Hall, 1780. Rev. C. C. McIntire is the present pastor of the church, which has a membership of 218. The deacons of the church are Simeon Gilbert, Simeon Parmelee, Moses P. Humphrey, Charles L. Pen- field, Thomas D. Hall, Amos D. Tiffany. The Congregational society was organized in 1827. The present church edifice was begun in 1835 and dedi- cated July 18, 1837. In 1879-80 a commodious lecture room was built and a fine organ put in the church, at an outlay of $4,500.
Baptist Church. - The Baptist Church was organized December 2, 1784. The record is as follows : " On December 2, 1784, a number of the Baptists met at the house of Moses Olmstead to inquire into the state of each other's mind in a spiritual sense considered ; likewise to know each other's thoughts concerning coming into church order, and so have the privilege of watching over each other.
" Consequently Elisha Rich, Caleb Hendee, Abel Stevens, Moses Olmstead, Mary Stevens and Esther Rowley made declaration of their faith in Christ, and came into covenant relation to watch over each other as God's word directs. Then agreed to have Elder Rich serve us at present as a preacher. Agreed to take the Scriptures as the only rule of faith and practice as well as govern- ment and discipline."
On the 3d of January, 1785, the church met at the house of Moses Olm- stead, and William Sutherland, Colburn Preston and Joseph Rowley were re- ceived into fellowship. Others were soon added. Elder Elisha Rich was the first pastor, beginning in 1785, and during his ministry nearly one hundred were added to the church. In January, 1808, the church, after having settled some serious dissensions which had arisen in it, voted to request Elder William Harrington to come and improve his ministerial gifts at this place. He came and continued until 1817. Soon after 1819 the church became so weakened by deaths, removals, etc., that it became difficult to sustain preaching and in October, 1824, it disbanded. The present church was organized in' 1841. Rev. L. B. Steele is the present pastor. The deacons are Allen Mills and Will- iam Ward. Sunday-school superintendent, Clarence Sargent. The church building erected in 1802 became very much impaired during the period when the church was disbanded ; but after the reorganizing it was remodeled and im- proved into substantially its present shape.
Methodist Church .- The first preaching by a Methodist in this town was in 1798-99, by Rev. Joseph Mitchell, and as a result of his labors the society
759
TOWN OF PITTSFORD.
was organized in 1799, under the labors of Elder McLain. The class at first consisted of only four members - Israel Lake, Mrs. Colonel Cooley, her daugh- ter Mary, and a fourth whose name is not known. The early meetings were held at Colonel Cooley's house. The church building was erected in 1816, and at the present time the Rev. Marcus M. Curry preaches one'sermon here every Sabbath. The membership is about 175. Following are the names of the stewards : A. A. Hewitt, F. W. Alexander, J. C. Howe, Charles A. Hitch- cock, G. A. Tarble, Charles Hitchcock, James E. Leonard, J. H. Peabody, Henry Walker, B. W. Ingalls, S. K. Burbank. The Sunday-school superin- tendent is Charles Hitchcock.
The East Pittsford Methodist Church, which is situated just over the line in Chittenden, was organized in 1851, by Aruna Lyon, the first pastor. Dur- ing the same year a small church was built. The society is not large and a pastor is sent there from other churches.
Catholic Churches .- St. Alphonso's Catholic Church, located at the Mills, was organized by their first pastor, Rev. Charles Boylan, in 1870, and the church was erected soon afterward. Rev. J. M. Gelot, of Rutland, now serves the church, which is in a prosperous condition. A society is also in existence at Sutherland's Falls, of which Father McLaughlin, of Brandon, has the charge.
Municipal History. - The hamlet, or village, of Pittsford,1 dating from the from the early establishment of mills and the other necessary shops for the accommodation of the inhabitants, is nearly as old as the town itself. Allusion has been made in our account of the early settlements to most of the early in- terests of a business or manufacturing character, in connection with the men who established them. The post-office was established at Pittsford in January, 1808, with Oliver Keith as postmaster. Since then the following have served in the office : Joshua Brooks, October, 1808; Ozem Strong, October 1, 1809: John Barnes, jr., January 18, 1815 ; Thomas Tiffany, February 20, 1819; Asher Southworth, November 22, 1821 ; Isaac Hayden, January 2, 1823 ; German F. Hendee, June 21, 1824; Whipple Spooner, January 6, 1827 ; Eli- jah Brown, jr., March 4, 1828; Addison Buck, May 19, 1837; Samuel D. Winslow, May 28, 1841 ; Sidney P. Griswold, September 25, 1845; Samuel D Winslow, May 4, 1849 ; Robert R. Drake, May 20, 1853 ; Henry Simonds, April 13, 1861 ; George H. Simonds, December 6, 1865 ; Dan K. Hall, Jan- uary 10, 1870; L. F. Scofield, July 1, 1872. Frank C. Dennison and the pres- ent official, R. H. Drake, recently appointed.
Mercantile. - The first merchant in the town is supposed to have been Au- gustine Hibbard, his store being kept in the east room of the house built by Nathan Webster on the site of the present Otter Creek House. Many of the other early merchants we have alluded to. In 1819 J. Simonds & Co. bought
1 This village comprises three partially separated hamlets, called respectively Pittsford, Hitchcock- ville and Mill Village, or " The Mills." For the purposes of this work they may be treated as one village.
760
HISTORY OF RUTLAND COUNTY.
what was known as the Merriam store and business was continued there by some member of the family until 1870, the last one being George H. Simonds. He was followed by P. Bristol & Co., who were succeeded by the Denison Brothers (W. T. and F. C. Denison) in 1878. They are in business there at the present time. Addison Buck purchased the place now owned by Mrs. John Stevens in 1827, built a store and began trade ; his store was burned in the next winter and he rebuilt on the site and continued business until 1853. C. A. Hitchcock began trade here in 1876 and two years later took as a part- ner S. K. Burbank, and they are now in business. Dr. Winslow's mercantile business has been alluded to. In 1838 Seneca D. Townsend and Ira Button built the store afterward occupied by Lyman Rockwood, Thomas F. Palmer, James T. Gorham, Marcus C. Bogue and Rollin S. Meacham. This store burned in 1879 and Mr. Meacham resumed trade in the old Penfield store, the first one at the mills, which has been described, and is one of the most success- ful residents of the town. George A. Eayres began trade in 1880 in the brick store built in 1849 by William F. Manley and German Hammond ; others also occupied the store at different periods. Mr. Eayres also carries on in addi- tion to his store, a saw-mill, planing-mill, makes cider-presses, shingles, etc., in a large factory built by him in 1883. In 1842 Robert R. Drake opened a store in town and in 1861 bought the present store occupied by his son, which had been erected the preceding year by James T. Gorham. Mr. Drake con- tinued in trade until 1871, when he was succeeded by Denison & Rice, who were followed by the Denison Brothers, before mentioned. After they removed to their present location Mr. Drake again took the store and carried on busi- ness until his death in May, 1885. His son succeeds to the business and is postmaster. Joseph Peabody opened a store in Hitchcockville in 1858, which he still continues. He also manufactures moccasins, mittens and gloves for shipment, in which he does a large business.
Manufactures. - Saw and grist-mills are the first necessity of pioneers in the way of manufactures, and it was one of the first acts of the settlers in Pitts- ford to secure a grist-mill. At a proprietors' meeting September 3, 1771, it was " voted to give Samuel Crippen fifty acres of land upon his getting a good mill first, to grind by the first of December next." It appears that he did not fulfill this requirement, as the proprietors, at a meeting in April, 1772, voted to give him until the following September to build the mill, "upon the condi- tion that he builds a good mill." Prior to the fall of 1772 the nearest mills were at Bennington and Charlestown, some sixty miles distant. Mr. Crippen doubtless completed his mill in the fall of 1772, and in December of that year the proprierors voted to give him the land, " upon condition that he keeps said grist-mill in good repair ten years from this time fit for grinding." This mill stood on " Mill Brook," or "Sucker Brook " about where William C. Cotting's turning-shop afterwards stood.
761
TOWN OF PITTSFORD.
The proprietors afterwards voted lands to Roger Stevens, jr., and to Felix Powell for encouragement in building saw and grist-mills. Powell did not build his saw-mill, and the privilege was voted to Jonathan Fassett. There have been in all six grist-mills and numerous saw-mills built in this town, to which more or less allusion has already been made. The fourth one was built in 1795, by Nehemiah Hopkins, on the east branch on about the site after- wards occupied by the John Stevens mill; it has been mentioned as passing into the possession of John Penfield. The John Stevens mill was bought of him by Franklin Burditt, and passed into possession of Asher Burditt, who now runs it.
The first fulling-mill and cloth-dressing factory was built by Noel William Avery in 1796; it stood on Ripley Brook a little above its entrance into East Branch. This is the factory we have described as having been sold in 1797 to Chester Powers and by him to Jirah Barlow; he continued the business until 1826. About 1811 Captain Caleb Cooley built a similar establishment on Rip- ley Brook. His son-in-law, Justin Darling, had the management of these works for some years. Daniel Sherman bought the factory in 1823 and continued business until 1852, when it was abandoned. In October, 1812, the Pittsford Manufacturing Company was organized by Stephen Avery, John Penfield, Sturges Penfield, Allen Penfield, Thomas Hammond, Caleb Hendee, jr., and others, for the establishment of a manufactory of woolen cloths. The company carried on the business until 1820, when Hendee, Avery, Hammond and John Penfield retired and Sturges, Allen and Abel Penfield continued. Finally, in 1827 Sturges Penfield became the sole owner and continued the business until about 1860, when he retired and John Stevens purchased the factory property and converted it to other uses. About 1822 clothier's works were built on East Creek, in the southeasterly part of the town (East Pittsford). They changed hands several times and were abandoned after a few years' operation.
The first tannery in town was that built by Nathaniel Kingsley near the school-house site in district number 2; he was also a shoemaker, the two trades being often associated in early times. After Mr. Kingsley's death his son Joshua carried on the business until about 1835, when it passed to posses- sion of Samuel Warner & Son. The last owner was Abraham Butterfield, but he soon gave up the business and the tannery went to ruin. Isaac and Ken- drick Bresee began tanning in 1804, continuing until 1820, when Kendrick re- moved from town. The brother continued the business until 1852, when he also removed away and the work was abandoned. Frederick Freeman con- structed a tanning and currying works about 1805, which passed through sev- eral hands to Joseph Tottingham in 1812; they were soon afterward aban- doned.
The iron furnace, which for many years constituted one of the most import-
. ant industries of the town, has been sufficiently described in foregoing pages.
762
HISTORY OF RUTLAND COUNTY.
The stock company called the Pittsford Iron Company, which succeeded Gran- ger, Hodges & Co., did a large business for a few years; but owing to compe- tition in more favored localities, the profits were small and the business was suspended. In 1865 a new company took the works, repaired the furnace and again began operations, but the business was not sufficiently remunerative to warrant its continuance.
Two iron foundries have existed in town, the first having been built in 1827 by Cyrus Gibbs and John Cooley, near the mouth of Ripley Brook; it was connected with a trip-hammer shop which had been previously occupied by Amos Crippen, and which has been alluded to as the " Pocket furnace." The other foundry was built in 1829 by Simeon Granger & Sons, near the blast fur- nace. This was where the manufacture of stoves, etc. was carried on, as before described.
Three distilleries have been operated in this town, all of which were long ago abandoned. The first was that built in 1811 by George Wilson and Will- iam House. After several changes of ownership it was bought by John and Henry Simonds and for a number of years did a large business in making whisky. The second one was built by Allen Penfield in 1819; this stood on the East Branch a little south of the residence of Sturges Penfield; the building was finally converted into a dwelling by Sturges Penfield. The third one was built by Robert Wright in 1820 and stood on the west side of the creek ; Mr. Wright ran it several years when it was abandoned.
Marble Interests. - It is probable that the first marble quarrying in this county was done in the town of Pittsford, before the beginning of the present century ; since that early date the industry has possessed considerable impor- tance, as it does to-day. In 1795 Jeremiah Sheldon opened a quarry in this town, and four years later Eli Hudson opened one a few rods north of the " Pittsford Quarry Company's" opening. The third quarry in the town, as it was also the third in the county, was opened by Charles Lamb about the year 1806. The Pittsford Quarry Company was incorporated in October, 1865, by William Fox Richardson, Francis Gardener N. H. Hand, Thomas A. Dexter, H. L. Hazelton, George W. Messenger and R. S. Wade. The company built a mill and operated a few years, until about 1872 or 1873 and suspended. The property is now owned by F. W. Smith & Co.
The Central Vermont Marble Company's quarry was opened by H. F. Lo- throp, German Hendee, La Fayette Hendee and Oliver Ames in 1869. They operated about a year and leased the property to George Hall, who organized the above company in 1870. The company worked it about three years; but it is at present idle, although measures are soon to be taken to resume the business.
The Florence & Wakefield Marble Company are successors to the Black & White Marble Company ; the latter succeeded the Wheaton Marble Company,
763
TOWN OF PITTSFORD.
which worked a quarry in this town from 1870 to 1873. It was then idle until 1882 and after that year until 1884. In the present year (1885) it has passed to the possession of the Florence & Wakefield Marble Company, recently organized.
F. W. Smith & Co. have been for several years interested in the marble in- dustry in this town. They have a valuable quarry in the western part of the town, about three-quarters of a mile from the Central Vermont Railroad, with which it is connected by a switch. The first year of this quarry was 1880, and the product has since that time been large. In 1883 the North Pittsford Mar- ble Company was formed, in which Mr. Smith is a leading spirit. This com- pany opened its quarry and worked it until quite recently ; but it is at pres- ent idle.
The other manufacturing interests of this town are at the present time of a minor character. J. C. Leonard carries on carriage-making, in which he has been engaged in the town since 1852, when he worked for Whitaker & Fish ; he began for himself in 1854. F. Whitaker is engaged in carriage-making, also. In the old sash and blind factory of Charles T. Colburn is a wagon re- pairing and manufacturing shop now carried on by N. S. Williams & Son, who succeeded Williams & Hathaway. Martin Smith and Edward Randall began the manufacture of butter tubs in town quite recently, in which business Mr. Smith has been interested several years. Leonard Sargent & Sons carry on wagon-making in Whipple Hollow.
Schools. - Caleb Hendee, jr., taught school in Pittsford as early as 1786- 87, and was the first teacher in the town as far as there is an existing account. In March, 1791, the town voted to appoint a committee to divide the town into school districts; the committee were Amasa Ladd, Thomas Hammond, Amos Kellogg, David Gitchell, John Barnes, John Hitchcock and Jamcs Ew- ings. The division was made and the town laid out into six districts. In three of these school-houses were built within a short time, and others followed later. Almost innumerable changes and subdivisions have been made since, which need not be followed here. The town now comprises fourteen districts and the schools are liberally maintained.
In 1882 the Pittsford School Association was organized and chartered. Its object was the establishment and maintenance of a high school, or academy, in the town. This school was first opened in March, 1882, and before the char- ter was secured, the sessions being held in district school-house No. 3; E. P. Hitchcock and his wife were at the head of it. In September, 1882, the school occupied its present location in a building which had been a private residence, and the building was subsequently bought. In December, 1885, the school was placed under the direction of Mrs. Professor Commette, a teacher of ability and experience.
Cemeteries. - There are four cemeteries in this town, the first of which was
764
HISTORY OF RUTLAND COUNTY.
laid out in 1785, near the Baptist meeting-house. There was a burial ground at an early day on the west side of the creek, on lands formerly owned by James Hopkins, which were given to the town by him for that purpose. This has been transformed into farming lands and passed to private ownership. The third burial ground was laid out in 1793, when the town " voted to lay out a burying place northeast of the meeting-house plot, on the town plot." This ground was laid out by a committee and in 1794 the town instructed the select- men to fence the ground. The first headstone put up here was in memory of Sally Hammond, daughter of Captain Thomas Hammond, and Mrs. Hannah, his wife. In March, 1857, an association comprising a large number of the citizens of the town was formed and given the name of the Cemetery Associa- tion. The hill lot a little east of the village, containing six acres, was purchased and in the following autumn the association was incorporated by the General Assembly under the title of the Pittsford Cemetery Association. This ground has since been beautifully laid out in walks, drives and lots, trees and shrubbery planted, fences built, and made into a spot around which the tenderest memo- ries may willingly center, as the resting place of the beloved dead.
In the latter part of 1865, the Catholics of the town purchased two acres of land between the village and the mills, which has been fenced and greatly improved for a burial ground.
The Professions. - In the spring of 1788 Dr. Abiathar Millard, from Reho- both, Mass., settled in Pittsford, relieving the inhabitants of the town from the necessity of sending a long distance when sickness entered their households. Dr. Millard removed from the town about the year 1808. Dr. Alexander Ew- ings settled here about 1792 and remained until 1805 when he removed to Can- ada. Dr. William Frisbie came here from Middletown about the year 1803, and removed to Ontario county, N. Y., about 1820. He was eminent in his profession and an honorable and upright citizen. Dr. Kenelm Winslow, who has already been mentioned, located here about 1811 and died in 1861, after a professional and private life of great usefulness. Dr. Freeman H. Mott settled in Pittsford in 1819, but removed to Ohio in a few years. Dr. Aaron Baker, a native of Rutland, came to Pittsford in 1819 and bought the house which had been built by Gordon Newell in the village ; he was a man of superior quali- ties and died here in 1825. Dr. Peleg C. Barlow, graduated at Castleton in 1822, practiced here most of the time until 1838, when he removed to Illinois. Dr. Anderson G. Dana studied his profession with his brother-in-law, Dr. Kenelm Winslow, with Dr. Selah Gridley, of Castleton, and Dr. Joel Green, of Brandon ; graduated from the Philadelphia Medical College; came to Pittsford in 1824. In 1843 he removed to Brandon, where he died in 1861. (See his- tory of Brandon.) Dr. George B. Armington located in Pittsford in 1831 and practiced until his death in May, 1863. He was a well educated physician and had a large practice. Dr. James S. Ewings practiced here next and removed
765
TOWN OF PITTSFORD.
to Wisconsin in 1847. Dr. George Page graduated from Middlebury College in 1840 and soon afterward located here. In 1851 he removed to Crown Point. Dr. Ebenezer H. Drury graduated at the Castleton Medical College in 1842 and began practice here in 1843, where he continued until 1863, since which he has retired, with little exception. He is one of the oldest men in the profes- sion in Rutland county. Dr. Edson Gibbs located here about 1855 and prac- ticed until 1864, when he removed to Brandon. Dr. A. M. Caverly has already been alluded to in connection with other members of the family. He located here in the spring of 1863 and continued in practice until near the time of his death. He was a thoroughly educated man both in and out of his profession. Dr. Thomas J. Ketcham began practice here in 1868 and still continues it. He was born in Sudbury in 1822; graduated at Castleton College in 1847 ; practiced in Sudbury until 1849, when he spent three years in California ; he then practiced one year in Sudbury and two in Brandon, coming here after- ward.
Dr. Henry H. Swift was born in Hadley Mass., in 1854; studied medicine at the University of Vermont and graduated in 1880. He came directly to Pittsford and has remained here since. Dr. Caverly was his preceptor.
Dr. Charles Orson Brigham was born in Ogdensburg, N. Y., in 1848. He studied medicine at the University of Vermont and is now practicing under a license ; will graduate the coming year.
Dr. C. A. Flanders (homeopathist) was born in Chelsea, in 1847; studied his profession in Waterbury and attended lectures at the Hahnemann College in Philadelphia; he practiced one year in Richmond, Vt., one year in Under- hill Vt., and six years in Cornwall; for the past six years he has practiced in Pittsford.
Attorneys. - There have been comparatively few lawyers in Pittsford. The first was Nathan B. Graham, brother of John A., of whom notice has been sufficiently made in the chapter on the bar of the county ; he removed to Rut- land in 1796. Gordon Newell began practice here in 1804, having been admit- ted to the bar in 1801. He represented the town in 1818-19 and was assist- ant judge of the county court in 1847-48 ; died in 1865. Ebenezer N. Briggs located here in 1823 and two years later removed to Salisbury and thence in 1839 to Brandon. (See history of that town.) Lyman Granger began prac- tice here in 1824, but two years later gave up the profession for other business. John Pierpoint began practice here in 1827, in which year he was admitted to the bar. About three years later he removed to Vergennes and became chief justice of the Supreme Court of Vermont ; he died recently. John G. Newell, eldest son of Gordon, practiced here from about 1831, in which year he was admitted, until his health forced him to cease ; he resides in Boston. James R. Newell, his younger brother, practiced in company with his father from 1832, but gave it up in a few years. Charles S. Colburn, of whom we have given a brief sketch, is now the only practicing attorney in the town.
766
HISTORY OF RUTLAND COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF POULTNEY.
T HE town of Poultney is situated on the western border of Rutland county, and is bounded on the north by Castleton ; on the east by Ira and Mid- dletown ; on the south by Wells and on the west by Hampton, N. Y., and a portion of Fairhaven. It was chartered by Benning Wentworth September 21, 1761, and contained an area of 23,040 acres. On the 28th of October, 1784, 2,388 acres were taken from Poultney towards the formation of Middletown, and on the 3Ist of October, 1798, 5,543 acres were added to Poultney from the north part of Wells.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.