USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Wallingford > History of Wallingford, Vermont > Part 3
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Midway between the village and South Wall- ingford near the residence of Mr. George Stafford is the old Deacon Mosely Hall tavern. Shaded by an immense pine it is rap- idly falling into disrepair. FM.Hall's Upon an elm tree opposite there used to hang this sign. (The original is now TAVERN.S owned by Mr. Pitt Clark.) Evidently the good dea- con had picked the sign up elsewhere, for underneath his own name there can be faintly seen "Whites Inn," showing it had done duty in some other place. DE -17,98 Mosely Hall was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, March 15, 1772. He was
Old Tavern Sign.
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SKETCHES OF SOME EARLY SETTLERS.
the son of Isaac Hall, one of the original proprie- tors. He moved into the new township in 1792 when 20 years of age and married Mary Edgerton March 12, 1795. He united with the Congrega- tional Church in 1798 and became the second dea- con. Active and self reliant, no one ever knew him on the fence where principles were concerned. He loved his duties and discharged them faith- fully. Whatever he undertook he did to the best of his ability. He disliked tardiness and was noted for his punctual habits. Several times the
RESIDENCE OF MR. A. W. ANDREWS.
late Mr. George Dale, who summered in the little cottage (formerly occupied by Mrs. Melinda Chat- terton, opposite Mrs. J. Westcott), used to tell that when he was a small boy he delighted to drive his mother and stepfather to church. He was then living in the red brick house that Mr. Crary lives in, and further to the south there is decided curve in the road as it winds around a slope of the hillside. In his impatience he would ask, "Can't we go, father?" and was generally
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
answered with, "Not yet, my boy. Deacon Hall hasn't come around the bend!" Deacon Hall's influence was extensively felt throughout the town. All chicanery and dishonesty met his de- cided opposition and rebuke. He acted well his part in life and had the respect of those who knew him. He died in 1861.
The frequency with which the taverns came on the road precluded much search for hostelries. Between the one at South Wallingford opposite the church and the northern part of the town there was Deacon Halls, one where Mrs. J. Westcott lives, one where Mr. A. W. Andrew's home is, that in the middle of the last century was familiarly known as "The Beehive". One upon the site of the present "Hotel Wallingford" and one where Mr. L. S. Congdon lives, familiarly known as "Marm Hull's Tavern".
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SKETCHES OF SOME EARLY SETTLERS.
CHAPTER V.
Early Settlers-Continued.
O NE of the families early connected with Wallingford is the Fox family. Wm. Fox was born June 28, 1760, probably at New- burg, N. Y. His father died when he was but two years old and Wm. with his mother and brother returned to Woodstock, Conn. When war broke out he enlisted, although but 16, and was in service three years and ten months, part of the time act- ing as scout, for which his early experience as a hunter well qualified him. After the war he came to Vermont, bought a tract of land in Tinmouth and there married Miss Philena White. It is said that Fox and his father-in-law were very success- ful hunters, killing ten bears in thirteen days. Four or five years after he sold or exchanged his farm in Tinmouth for one in Wallingford. He built the brick house now occupied by Mr. C. Brown. Fox became popular with his townsmen and held the offices of justice of peace and town clerk for thirty years. An amusing story is related of him that when Governor Isaac Tichenor who twice served as chief executive of the State was on his way from Bennington to Rutland, that he with his party stopped at "Marm Hull's" tavern in Wallingford to get dinner and bait their horses. William Fox knew the Governor well, had served with him during the war. He secured the assis- tance of fourteen or fifteen fellow spirits and they painted and dressed as Indians, then in a body descended upon the Governor and his staff, and took them into the woods as prisoners. Here a regular pow-wow was held and it took more than
(4)
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
one bottle of "fire-water" to secure their ransom. William Fox represented the town in the legisla- ture for fifteen years and was also a prominent Mason. He died in Wallingford February 17, 1822.
DR. JOHN FOX.
Dr. John Fox was a son of William and although born in Tinmouth August 4, 1781, came at a very early age to Wallingford. He studied medicine with Dr. Z. Hamilton and was licensed to practice by the first Vermont State Medical Society in 1807. He received the degree of M.D. from the Vermont Academy of Medicine at Castle-
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SKETCHES OF SOME EARLY SETTLERS.
ton in 1829. His wife was a daughter of Capt. Elias Crary, commonly called "Leftenant Crary", a soldier of the Revolutionary war. For nearly half a century they lived together sharing the bene- fits and labors of a successful career. It is said that he never returned home at any hour of either day or night without receiving a warm welcome and finding everything in readiness for his com- fort. At times when there was a great amount of sickness, and the doctor nearly worn out, would declare he could not go out again, she with a few quiet words and a careful wrapping up would send him forth upon his errand of mercy. She was a devoted Christian and for fifty years an honored
THE LATE DR. GEO. II. FOX.
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
and influential member of the Congregational Church. After the death of her husband in 1853, she resided with her daughter, Mrs. Edwin Mar- tindale, until she was called to rest after a short but painful sickness August 19, 1876.
Their son, Dr. William C. Fox, practised in Wallingford nearly fifty years and to distinguish him from his father was known as "Doctor Will". He represented the town in the State Legislature in 1852-53 and after a life of great usefulness died May 25, 1880. His brother George Herbert pur- sued a similar course in the study of medicine and practiced in Wallingford until 1863 when he re- moved to Rutland. He died 1911.
Another early settler was Samuel Townsend.
SAMUEL TOWNSEND.
His early life was spent in Hancock, Mass., and when he and his young family came to Wall- ingford in 1809, they brought all their belongings in two chests. He bought land in the northern part of the vil- lage, building the red brick house now occu- pied by Mr. James Cox. His family consisted of three sons and four daughters. It is said in pur-
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SKETCHES OF SOME EARLY SETTLERS.
chasing a farm for one of the boys for which he paid $3,000, that he paid for it in silver and found his burden so heavy that it had to be wheeled over on a wheelbarrow. However by thrift and fore- sight he raised and educated his family and left property worth over $20,000, all of which was derived from the soil. At the time of his death in
DYER TOWNSEND.
1859, he had twenty-four grandchildren and gave them each $100. He left a legacy of $200, the interest to be paid for the support of Sabbath Schools in the village, $200 for the Congregational and Baptist Missionary Societies and was the type of a man whom any descendant should remember
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
with gratitude and pride. He was over ninety- two and one-half years of age when he died. His oldest son Dyer bought a farm south of the village from Ebenezer Towner, June 18, 1814. The house had formerly been used as a tavern, and a tanning business was also carried on there by Edmund Douglass. In the spring of 1814, he married Miss Lucinda Button. He had a distinct recollection of Lent. Ives and of Joseph Randall, one of the earliest school teachers in town. His splendid health stood him in good stead for it was no un- common thing even when over eighty years of age for him to ride horseback. He died in February, 1886, at the age of ninety-six. Mrs. Jane Westcott is a daughter of Dyer Townsend and living at a good old age on the old homestead.
Joseph Randall was another Connecticut man who came to Wallingford in 1779 from Stonington. A man of correct principles and exemplary habits. A deacon in the Baptist Church for fifty-six years, he often supplied the pulpit when that church was without a pastor. He was church clerk fifty-four years, leader of the singing thirty-four years, jus- tice of the peace fifty years and representative four years. He was a member of the Constitu- tional Convention in 1793 and is spoken of as an honorable man, a christian and a patriot.
One man who appeared somewhat as a character is remembered by his poetry if nothing else. He was Ephraim Andrus. At one time he was visit- ing in South Wallingford where a furnace gave employment to a number of men. They were a rough looking set and probably their looks did not entirely do them justice. Seeing Ephraim they began to banter and challenge him to make them the subject of his rhymes. At first he paid little attention, but finally excited by their rail-
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SKETCHES OF SOME EARLY SETTLERS.
lery, he assumed an oratorical attitude and said:
"If you should take an iron rake, And rake the pit below, Another such a hellish set, I'd stump old nick to show."
Another upon a man named Adams who was fond of some things stronger than water.
"If Adams was dead and buried And should snuff the smell of rum, With open eyes the fellow would rise And back again would come."
Solomon Miller was born in 1731 and married Desire Smith in 1756. They came to town early in its history and settled opposite where the Congre- gational Church now stands. In addition to farm- ing he carried on the business of tanning and shoe making. He died in 1807. Alexander Miller was born in 1776 and was married in 1807 to Lucretia Robbins. He built a forge and black- smith shop on the site of "the old stone shop" and manufactured hoes, axes, nails, etc. The Congre- gational Society received from him the ground for their meeting house and a legacy in land for the support of preaching, which was afterwards sold for $1,050. He also left to the church $300, the interest of which was to be expended in pur- chasing Sabbath School books and in teaching children to sing. The old homestead is now occu- pied by Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Stone.
James H. Congdon, born in 1779, came to Wall- ingford in 1804 from North Kingston, R. I. He settled upon the Sugar Hill section of the town and there raised a goodly family of children. It has been said that during the haying season it
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
was quite a sight to see "Uncle Hadley", as he was familiarly termed, walking towards the hay- field, followed by his nine sons, each over six feet in height, with scythe upon shoulder. Over "Fifty- four feet of Congdon" was the common way of expressing it. Several of his grandchildren are still living in town.
Philip White and Nehemiah his son came to Wallingford about 1790 settling upon the Clarence Ward place. They built a log house which was succeeded in 1804 by the old house, later used to
-
JAMES H. CONGDON.
make butter and cheese. The log house had only a blanket for a door. One morning there was a piece of venison lying just inside the door and a
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SKETCHES OF SOME EARLY SETTLERS.
large bear happening to stroll that way scented it, went in and helped himself. It was, however, his last chance for a meal, for Philip White taking down the old flint lock gun shot the bear dead, and thus furnished himself with meals for many days to come.
V
RESIDENCE OF MRS. A. CONGDON.
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
CHAPTER VI.
Scenes About the Town.
I F ENVIRONMENT has much influence on character, then Wallingford should produce splendid expressions of manhood. Its natural beauties are unexcelled and remarkable in variety. The town is located in the South Eastern part of Rutland County in latitude 43º 27' and longitude 4º 8' east from Washington. It is well watered with streams and lakes, and the village is sur- rounded on both sides by ranges of the Green Mountains.
THE BRIDGE TO TINMOUTH IN WINTER.
The Otter Creek winds its way northward crossed by many bridges. The old style wooden one spans the current not far from the more mod- ern one of steel. It may not be a bridge of "sighs" or of "size", but there is a certain sen- timent connected with the past, and a picturesque-
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SCENES ABOUT THE TOWN.
'ROUND THE WEST HILL ROAD.
ness that causes the old wooden bridge to appeal to one's imagination. The Creek allures many in the fishing season to "cast a fly" or "throw the
VIEW OF THE LAKE.
"Near the lake where drooped the willow, Long time Ago."
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
hook". Just outside the village, winding for a short distance round the West Hill road you see a beautiful sheet of water covering about 100 acres, that used to be called "Fox Pond", but more
GOING INTO THE WOODS NEAR THE LAKE.
"The melancholy days are come, the saddest of the year, Of wailing winds and naked woods and meadows brown and sere."
recently dignified by the title "Elfin Lake". The name could add nothing to its beauty. One of the first impressions of the beholder is that of abso- lute quiet and solitude. This is all the more strange when it is remembered that within ten minutes' walk is the heart of the town and in less than five minutes, one hears the pounding of ham- mers in the shops and many sounds of industrial activity.
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SCENES ABOUT THE TOWN.
Walking along the eastern side of the lake many vistas of beauty are seen as sunshine and shadow mingle together in glorious combinations. This has been a favorite stroll for many years and much delight has come through this beautiful walk in the woods. To the south of the village there is a little stream which at certain seasons of the year presents a rushing cascade. It is easily found by turning off the main road to the right at Mr. W. K. Merriam's. (Formerly it was the road to Center Rutland, running east of Fox Pond and west side
ENTRANCE TO THE CASCADE.
"The sounding cataract Haunted me like a passion."
of the creek.) Turning off the road where Mr. Huntoon lives, (formerly the home of Dr. John Fox), there is seen a defile, which gradually nar- rows as one goes further in. The sides become quite precipitous, and at its further end a stream falls a distance of 60 or 70 feet. After a heavy spring rain, or when the snow is melting, it makes
62
HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
THE CASCADE.
an interesting sight. One is reminded of Southey's "Cataract of Lodore":
"Through meadow and glade, In sun and in shade, And through the wood-shelter, Among crags in its flurry, Helter-skelter, Hurry-scurry. Here it comes sparkling And there it lies darkling,
Now smoking and frothing Its tumult and wrath in Till, in this rapid race On which it is bent,
It reaches the place Of its steep descent."
Another delightful scene is here reproduced as one turns round thinking of return and looks to- wards the entrance. A tree trunk has fallen and the wet rocks glisten even in the dense shade of
63
SCENES ABOUT THE TOWN.
LOOKING TOWORD THE ENTRANCE OF THE CASCADE.
the defile. Shut your eyes and listen; you may hear the tramp of mighty armies, or of clashing
"WHITE ROCKS."
"I cannot tell what you say mossy rocks, I cannot tell what you say But I know there is a spirit in you And a word in you this day."'
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
bells, the blare of many trumpets or the gladsome cries of festal throngs, and ever beneath the deep- est harmonies, the rhythm of nature's music.
Many pastoral scenes charm especially when contrasted with the days that are gone. As late as 1857, Hartsborough was the scene of a great bear hunt. The reason for it was that Mr. Bruin had invaded the quiet sheepfold of Mr. Israel Munson and slaughtered nineteen of his choicest Merinoes. It was generally decided that the bear should die and a great many men assailed him with hard words and fierce weapons. Yet he tracked his way to the mountain, but was caught and killed in a neighboring town.
SHEEP ON GREEN HILL.
"Scenes must be beautiful which daily view'd, Please daily, and whose novelty survives Long knowledge and the scrutiny of years."
To the east of the village rises Bear Mountain, two thousand two hundred and sixty-two feet above sea level. The slopes have been denuded
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SCENES ABOUT THE TOWN.
of heavy growths of timber, but there is yet a lot of wood upon the hill.
The road to East Wallingford winds its way between Bear Mountain and Sugar Hill. Rising sharply to the south is the "White Rocks Moun- tain", just four hundred feet higher than Bear Mountain-two thousand six hundred and sixty. two feet. Its beetling cliffs and dizzy heights pre- sent many views of grandeur. From the summit an extensive panorama of the valley is seen. The whole face of the mountain at some time has fallen and rocks are piled one upon the other in a disordered mass, those at the base of the cliffs being exceedingly large. It has been called "the Eagle's Eyrie", and looking upward one easily understands why it was so named. Ice can some- times be found the year around in the interstices of the rocks, and a picnic to the "ice-beds" is one of the summer pleasures. To rub initials or dates on the moss grown rocks is the ambition of all who visit. Following this range of hills to the south,
"OLD DOCTOR AINSWORTH AND HIS HOME."
(5)
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
there is found the largest pond in the town, cover- ing an area of about three hundred and fifty acres. It has been known as "Hiram Pond" or "Spec- tacle Pond".
If one returns westward down the Sabe Hill road, a low rambling structure is pointed out as the residence of Luther Ainsworth-Old "Doc Ainsworth" has been a character for many years, and his sister, "Sleeping Lucy" when alive, was possessed of supposedly clairvoyant or spiritual- istic power. The farms about appear prosperous. Modern implements and farm machinery making the work appear somewhat different to the farm- ing of years ago. Occasionally a yoke of oxen
OLD MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.
may be seen slowly wending their way along the road or over the field but they are not as common as formerly, when used not only for draught pur- poses but as a means of getting about. The busi- ness man, the professional man and the farmer are economizing on time in "the quiet country dis-
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SCENES ABOUT THE TOWN.
tricts" as well as in the busy centers of trade and commerce.
No matter where one turns there are seen scenes of beauty. Northward of the town is the famous
MODERN METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION.
Clarendon Gorge. For centuries the stream has cut its way down into the chasm so that care should be exercised by all who visit. The steep slippery sides of the rocks make an element of hazard that some would call "adventure". Whether among the rocks or in the fields, by the lake or on the hillside, one is convinced that there is
"One Spirit-His who wore the plaited thorns with bleeding brows,
Rules universal nature. Not a flower
But shows some touch, in freckle, streak or stain, Of his unrivalled pencil. He inspires their balmy odors and imparts their hues,
And bathes their eyes with nectar, and includes In grains as countless as the sea side sands,
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
The forms with which he sprinkles all the earth. Happy who walks with Him! whom what he finds Of flavor, or of scent in fruit or flower Or what he views of beautiful or grand In nature, from the broad majestic oak To the green blade that twinkles in the sun. Prompts with a remembrance of a present God. His presence, who made all so fair, perceived, Makes all still fairer.
THE SENIF RESIDENCE IN WINTER.
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THE CHURCHES.
CHAPTER VII.
The Churches.
O N FEBRUARY 10, 1780, the first church was organized in town at the house of Titus Andrews. There was no regular place for worship and services were held in dwell- ing houses and barns. Fifteen articles of faith were adopted and the little company of twenty- two people who had gathered from Clarendon and the eastern part of the town formed themselves into a Baptist Church. Their standard of mem- bership was high and this in part accounted for the large number of exclusions. The period was previous to temperance reform and intemperance was the commonest cause for such discipline. The first offence took place in March, 1781, and from that time until 1820 the number excluded was quite large in proportion to the number of mem- bers. Ebenezer Murray was the first deacon and in the following April Joseph Randall was elected to the same office which he kept until his death in 1836.
About 1783 Elder Rich who was officiating pas- tor proposed a new plan of church policy and drew off with him Deacon Murray and two others. It did not, however, disturb the church which kept along together and sustained regular meetings. In June, 1786, the seceders confessed their fault and were received again into their places in the church. The membership at this time amounted to forty-four so that in the six years it had just doubled itself. Elder Rich discontinued his ser- vices and a call was extended to Henry Green to come and preach with a view to settlement. He
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
commenced preaching in March, 1787, and was ordained by council the following October. The sermon was from the text Matt. 28, 19-20, and preached by Rev. Amos Burrows of Shaftsbury. In the meantime with the influx of a large number of settlers other denominational beliefs became inanifest but all supported the one church.
At a town meeting called for October 3, 1787, a committee that had been previously appointed "agreed the right of land for the first settled min- ister be evenly divided in quantity and quality between the Presbyterian and Baptist Churches". (It is believed that this is the only example of such a division in the county and it should be remembered that in Connecticut a Consociation of Presbyterian and Congregational Churches was a common form of alliance in this early period.)
The Congregational Church was organized in 1792, but they united in support of Elder Green's preaching and it was decided to build a union house of worship. The location of this church be- came a serious question. At a town meeting called at the home of Lent. Ives, December 24, 1793, they tried to fix upon the time and place for building a meeting house, but did not succeed. They did agree unanimously that Elder Green should be "appointed for the examination and approbation of the regular ministers of Baptist, Congrega- tional or Presbyterian Churches who might preach to them occasionally". Evidently this did not prove satisfactory for on January 6, 1794, it was voted that the Congregationalists ought to have a committee of their own to examine and approve of their ministers who supplied the pulpit every fourth Sabbath. A committee of six, three from the Baptist and three from the Congregationalist were appointed to confer together, that the two
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THE CHURCHES.
Societies agree "upon the terms of government for the meeting house, as there is a suspicion of uneasiness arising on the principles agreed on in the last meeting". In the meantime there was no meeting house built. The members were scattered over a wide extent not only living in extreme parts of the town, but also in Tinmouth, Jackson's Gore and Clarendon. A meeting house so located as to accommodate one section of the church would not be convenient for others.
After much discussion it was voted on April 29, 1795, "to request the Council that is to attend at Elisha Buttons next Thursday, from Clarendon, Pittsford, Middletown, Salem, Shaftsbury and Chester, give them advice on a place where a meeting house ought to be built for the accommo- dation of the town of Wallingford, to seal the same and deliver it into the hands of the town clerk to be opened at a future day to which this meeting shall be adjourned". This council was composed entirely of legal gentlemen and con- sidered as a disinterested party, thus giving their decision as absolutely impartial. On May 11, 1795, a town meeting was held to deliberate upon the advice of the council which was "that in their opinion the meeting house in town for the accom- modation of the town ought to be built at a stake and stones which they have placed on Thomas Miller's land, near where the road from Tinmouth intercepts the main road, on the east side of the main road", then on motion the mind of the meet- ing was tried whether they were agreed to accept the advice of said council and it was found that there were forty-six in favor and forty-six against.
Then it was voted to build a meeting house where the council had set a stake near Dr. McClure's farm, and the good doctor was willing
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
provided they moved the barn to the other side of the road. The money to build the meeting house was by a tax levied on the polls and rateable estate of the inhabitants. It was also voted "that the bigness of the house be forty feet by fifty feet." The momentous question was settled.
The salary and manner of paying it in the early times also affords interesting reading. The agree- ment of the Church with Elder Green "was to help him on his farm when he needed, to pay his salary, and to meet at the close of the year to see if each had paid his full proportion. In 1799 they voted to give him 40 dollars salary, to be paid in cattle or grain, and averaged on the church according to their general ability. The next year, 1780, they agreed to give him £17. 17s. salary, which would be about $60. In 1801 they agreed to raise one penny on the pound on their church list; and for the two succeeding years the same assessment was voted. In 1805, he was allowed $60. This was when the Church numbered about two hundred and his pastoral duties employed all or nearly all of his time. It was therefore insuffi- cient for his support and he asked a dismission. On this the church met and agreed to pay up the arrears and raise a salary of $100 per year in future and assist him one day in winter to get up his wood."
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