USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Wallingford > History of Wallingford, Vermont > Part 5
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but they in turn are followed by those who are anxious, that the best of thought and service should be given for the good of mankind.
95
THE CHURCHES.
MINISTERS WHO HAVE SERVED THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Benjamin Osborn
Nov. 1802
July
1818
Eli Meeker
July
1818
1819
Eli S. Hunter
1820
1825
Timothy M. Hopkins
July 1828
1830
Stephen Martindale
Jan.
1832
Mar. 1847
William Mitchell
Aug.
1847
1852
Henry H. Saunderson
May
1853
May 1862
Aldace Walker
June 1862
July
1878
E. S. Huntress
May
1877
Dec.
1878
Stated Supply
Charles N. Brainerd Stated Supply
Oct.
1879
Aug. 1882
S. Franklin French
July
1883
July
1892
William A. Bushee
Nov.
1892
Oct.
1893
John S. Tupper
Nov. 1895
Sept. 1897
John C. Evans
Dec.
1897
Feb.
1899
J. Alphonse Belanger
May
1899
June 1902
Alexander L. Mckenzie
Aug.
1902
June 1906
Walter Thorpe
Oct.
1906
96
HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
CHAPTER VIII.
Public Libraries.
As early as 1795 there was an Association formed for the purpose of extending the influences of books. Mr. A. G. Stone has in his possession the original constitution and by-laws, and the pur- pose of their organizing is presented in the pre- amble "Whereas publick Libraries promote lit- erature and deseminate useful knowledge and we being desirous to benefit ourselves by the same, do hereby form ourselves into a Society by the name of the Wallingford Library proprietors, for the purpose of framing and using a social library and hereby agree and promise to Subject our- selves to the following regulations".
Then follows thirty articles which stated that the library should be open six times a year for the drawing of books "on the first Mondays of October, December, February, April, June and August, at five o'clock".
Definite penalties were affixed for damages to the books. "If any person shall turn down or fold a leaf in any book he shall pay a fine of one shilling." Grease spots were to be paid for in accord with their size and number. Examina- tions were supposed to be thorough although there is one record under the date of August 7, 1797 "Voted that the Treasurer pay back Mr. Hall a fine paid into the treasury for damage done a book that was not examined the preceding Library day."
The first to sign the articles was the first min-
97
PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
ister of the town, Henry Green, and among the names are:
Wm. Fuller
Daniel McClure Edmund Clark
Benj. Osborn
Daniel Edgerton
Joseph Randall
Robert Edgerton
Ormond Doty
Nehemiah White
Elisha Luther
William Hopkins
Elias Crary Daniel Moon
Alfred Hall
Seth Leonard
Eliakim Bradley
George Eddy
Alexander Miller
Nancy Hart
Nehemiah Rogers
John Ballou
Ichabod Shaw
Asahel Hulett
Thos. Miller, Jr.
James Wylie
Alexander Miller was chosen first librarian and he continued in that capacity until October 2, 1820, which is the last record in the book.
It might be of interest to catalogue the first selection of books that was placed in circulation in the town. Evidently from the titles it was planned to please a varied taste. They were bought from Mr. Samuel Campbell, a bookseller of New York, and include:
Gordon's American War, 3 vol.
Homes' Sketches of History of Man, 4 vols. Moore's Travels in France and Italy, 2 vols. Brydon's Tour Through Sicily and Malta. Jefferson's Notes on Virginia.
Home's Hints on Education. Plutarchs Lives, 6 vols. Baron Trenck.
Blair's Sermons, 3 vols.
Blair's Lectures, 2 vols.
(7)
98
HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
Montesquies Persian Letter.
Goldsmith's Essays. Fordyce's Sermons to Young Men. Children's Friend. The Rambler, 4 vols. Tom Jones, 3 vols. Cecelia, 3 vols. Tristam Shandy, 3 vols.
Sentimental Journey. Lady Montague's Letters.
Foot of Quality, 3 vols.
Vicar of Wakefield.
This selection cost in New York currency £21. 12. 0, from which a deduction of ten per cent was given for cash.
A smaller list was filled in Boston, including: Stackhouse History of the Holy Bible, 6 vols. Nicholson's Philosophy. Rollins' Ancient History, 10 vols. Edwards on Redemption.
Robertson's America, 3 vols.
It will be readily seen that the majority of the books were for serious reading. The books were kept in circulation for many years and at differ- ent times the interest lagged and was revived again, but it was not until the last decade of the nineteenth century, that there was erected a building to house books, and to continue in a larger and more effective manner, "the dissemi- nating of useful knowledge and the promotion of literature."
99
PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
THE GILBERT HART LIBRARY.
The Library building is one of the finest in town. The foundation and lower walls are con- structed of rock faced blue marble, while the upper walls are a terra-cotta buff brick. Its lines are simple and of splendid proportion. Situated
GILBERT HART LIBRARY.
on the southwest corner of the square formed by the crossing of the two principal streets, it is casy of access and an adornment to the main thoroughfare. It was given to the town by a native of Wallingford, Gilbert Hart, of Detroit, Mich. His grandfather, Amasa Hart, was one of the early settlers of the town. He came from Wallingford, Conn., and located in the Hartsboro section away from the valley of the Otter Creek, which in the early days was more swampy than now. The idea was prevalent that malaria and ague were sure to be contracted unless one settled
100
HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
upon an elevation. Amasa Hart built where the first house is toward the Creek from the corners of the road (now the Coleman house). Gilbert Hart was born in the house below (now the Ganey place). His early days were spent amid hard- ships and he had to fight his own way in the world. As the inventor of the Hart Emery Wheel and by strict attention to business, he secured a fortune in the middle west, where he has since made his home. The Library that bears his name will ever be a memorial to his beneficence and love for his native town. His gift to the town was accepted with great appreciation and on July 25, 1894, the library was dedicated with appropriate
0
GILBERT HART.
101
PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
READING ROOM.
"'Knowing I lov'd my books, he furnish'd me From mine own library with volumes that I prize above my dukedom."
exercises. On August the first following, books were being issued. The reading room is an excep- tionally pleasant room. On the tables are found the leading magazines and newspapers. Part of the stack room can be seen in the rear. Upon the south walls of the room, there is a bronze tablet to the memory of the noble men who left Wall- ingford to take up arms for the defense of the Union-to be forever "one and inseparable".
It is fittingly called a "Roll of Honor". In the spring of 1910 an addition was built by Mr. Hart to make a special Children's Room. The number of books has increased to almost 5,000 volumes. Each year the town votes a certain percentage of its grand list for the support of the library. The property is under the immediate control of the Gilbert Hart Library Association, of which Mr. Charles N. Batcheller is president.
Thus is continued the goodly influence of books which the earliest settlers appreciated and strove
102
HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
to perpetuate. The library is open each day in the year excepting holidays.
Under the efficient direction of the present librarian, its usefulness to the community is con- stantly increasing. Those who have served in the capacity of librarian are:
Miss Jennie E. Ferry, 1894-1895.
Miss Minnie E. Townsend, 1895-1896.
Miss May L. Congdon, 1896 up to the present time.
-
1
WALLINGFORDS RULL OF HONOR 885
ESOEATON
DET JEWLT
ALEES
STIWAN
L.DANIEL TARD.CHAR
HARRISON
HARDUCKS
LOOMIS
THOMAS E
PATOM LIA
WIDE JAAZANICH
ASLANE ELLT
INSGEONCE
AQUIELLE A
PATCH. DEMILT
WHELLER, HORACE H TEST
BRYANT. A
HARDEA SAMUL
PTIN
ROLL OF HONOR IN THE GILBERT HART LIBRARY.
"Such is the patriots boast, wher'er we roam His first, best country ever is at home."
JULIUS
103
THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY.
CHAPTER IX.
The Early Nineteenth Century.
In the first decade of the nineteenth century, Wallingford passed the thousand mark in point of population. The town organization had become so well perfected that the election of the "hay- wards" caused as much excitement and uncer- tainty as though it was the most important office in town. In the minutes of the town meetings there can be read the accounts of electing as many as twenty-nine highway surveyors and eight or ten "haywards". The latter officials simply acted as pound keepers, for not only various towns had enacted laws, but upon the statutes of the state was one "for the purpose of restraining animals running at large in villages in this state".
The poor of the town were cared for at the annual meeting in March. One of the earliest records shows the recipient of town charity to have been a colored woman; dated October 4, 1803. "Voted that Geo. Richman be allowed $12.50 for keeping a negro woman, a porper of said town; then voted that Benjamin Darby be allowed $1.00 per week for keeping, clothing and Physiek, for the aforesaid negro woman".
Evidently with the change to auctioning off the town poor to the lowest bidder, the colored lady must have been somewhat in demand, for six years later (March 7, 1809) she only cost the town $27.75 for the whole year. Her name was Phyllis and it was generally spelt in the records phonetically, either "Philis" or "filis, the black woman". She must have been in the town many
104
HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
years. With advancing age her usefulness grew less for in 1834 and 1835, the cost to the town had run up again to $78.00 and $79.00 per year.
There is an account in 1804 how "Captain Ed. Bumpus was allowed $50.00 for keeping on Jona- than Ketchum and find him food and raiment". But Jonathan proved either too much of an eater, or in some way too much of a losing proposition, for Captain Bumpus called a special town meet- ing a few weeks later, "to see whether they would or not release said Bumpus, from the cruel and odious task which he voluntarily took upon him- self at the last town meeting in case of Jon. Ket- chum". However the gallant Captain did not derive much satisfaction from the town, for it was "Voted not to release him or allow him any more compensation for his care".
In 1835, although the poor were still bid off to the lowest bidders, it was decided to have "over- seers of the poor". In 1839, a committee of five, consisting of Thomas Hulett, Charles Button, Dyer Townsend, Alfred Hull, Lincoln Andrus, were appointed to purchase a farm for the sup- port of the town charges. It was not until 1855 that such a farm was purchased from Solomon Woodward, consisting of about 140 acres and sit- uated in the eastern part of the town.
Cephas Dale was one of the few Methodists in the town and it is said that in 1836 he, with John Ives, conceived the idea of organizing a Methodist Church in Wallingford. To further this object, they had Elder Spicer come and on several occa- sions, held services in the school house (now the Chapel). As they were generally conducted on Sunday evenings, members of the other churches would join them, some bringing tallow candles.
105
THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY.
After lighting they would drop a little of the grease on the desk and other available places and stick the candle into it. They even went so far as to choose a site and then they began to con- sider more seriously the cost. The question as to whether they could afford to build another church and support a preacher, and be honest to their fellow men, was of great importance. With two churches already in the village, it seemed as though they could well care for the religious life of the people. Finally it was decided to abandon the project and it proved a wise decision, for Wallingford has not suffered as so many Vermont towns have, through over-churching. That there were definite opinions in the matter, can be seen from the following quotation taken from an old
14
SCHOOL STREET.
letter, mentioning the proposed new church, "Never organize another religious body until your population reaches 10,000."
106
HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
It might be of interest to record that the same Cephas Dale made the first pair of elliptic springs ever produced in Vermont, and they were for a carriage belonging to John Ives.
When Howard Harris came to Wallingford in 1824 he kept a store on the site of Mr. W. C. Mason's residence. It was destroyed by fire in 1851. On about the site of the Gilbert Hart Lib- rary, James Rustin kept a hat store, whose daugh- ter Mr. Harris married. In the south end of the village Eliakim Johnson and William Marsh kept a general store under the firm name of Johnson and Marsh. Button and Townsend were located south of Edwin Crary's residence.
Abiel Child practiced law where the Congrega- tional parsonage is, and Dr. John Fox had an office in the same building. A rather amusing instance is related of a woman who had come to town from one of the hillside homes for the purpose of shop- ping. She was passing down Main Street and saw the sign ABIEL CHILD, ATTORNEY AT LAW. Stopping in her walk, with difficulty she spelled ont the words A BIEL CHILD, exclaiming "A biled child, why that's shocking." There were those who added to the joke by claiming that the "attorney at law" was meant to be "anatomy show." Whether the close proximity of the doctor's office had anything to do with it, is not known.
Towards the middle of the century the social life of the people was stimulating. Mutual respect for one another's good qualities, combined with a strong feeling of public disapproval for moral lax- ities produced a high standard of life and conduct. This is still shown by the expressions of apprecia- tion on the part of our older inhabitants for those who were in the period of their youth, the elders
107
THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY.
of the community. It was a period when a joke was enjoyed just as much as today. Pure fun and a jolly good time were associated with some as naturally as business or politics with others. Such
LINCOLN ANDRUS.
a one was Lincoln Andrus, and many were the remembrances of those who knew him for his stories and good natured puns whether they went to the great West, or remained behind. Another who gave great pleasure by his singing was Jerome Hilliard. His voice was naturally of splen- did timbre and his song was considered as neces- sary in the church service as the preacher's ser- mon. For funerals and other public occasions he
108
HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
was greatly in demand, and willingly gave to the extent of his physical powers.
In 1824 John Ives built a house designing it
JEROME HILLIARD.
especially as a tavern. It however was used for other purposes for at one time Sabin an'd Johnson had a store in the south end, while Mary Atwood used one room as a millinery. In it John Warner had a part for his cabinet shop and Judge Button used two rooms as his law offices.
In 1835 just following a decided temperance agi- tation, Chester Spencer "opened it as the first temperance hotel in the world." A large square
109
THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY.
sign was placed on site of Odd Fellows Block and in large gold foil letters commencing at the bot- tom of the left hand corner, described a circle with the words TEMPERANCE HOUSE. The sign was supported upon a post and raised 15 feet from the
THE NEW WALLINGFORD.
ground. Without doubt this was the first sign erected in Vermont advertising a "Temperance House." It is a question whether the venture proved an unqualified success for it was only con- tinned for two or three years. Among those who have been proprietorsofthehotel at differing times are Almeron Hyde, Arnold Hill, J. H. Earle, Elmer Barrows and L. J. Vance. In 1877 W. D. Hulett became the owner and in 1892 made plans to in- crease the size. It was opened in July 1893 under the name of "The New Wallingford." Special efforts were made to attract the summer visitor and the attractiveness of both hotel and surround- ings is testified to, in the repeated visits that some
110
HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
make year after year. The water comes from a mountain spring and is piped to every floor. The house is heated by a hot water system and in part lighted by electricity. There is connected with it a barber shop and billiard room. Since 1906 the house had been managed by Mr. Patrick Lane until his death in 1910, since which time Mrs.
THE PARLORS OF THE HOTEL.
Lane and son have continued in charge. Hospit- able in its management, convenient in its appoint- ments, one is reminded of a certain quatrain, scratched upon the window of the "White Swan" at Henley-in-Arden, by William Shenstone.
"Whoe'er has travelled life's dull round, Where'er his stages may have been, May sigh to think how oft he found
The warmest welcome-at an Inn."
111
THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY.
Just outside of the Hotel there is a memorial fountain given by the children of Arnold Hill to the memory of their father.
THE HILL MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN.
It represents a boy with "one shoe off and one shoe on," holding at arm's length the "off shoe," through which trickles the spring water, "good for man and beast." Substantial in its construc- tion, not only neat but also novel in its appear- ance, it marks the intersection of two busy streets and proves a source of blessing.
112
HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
CHAPTER X.
South Wallingford.
B ETWEEN four and five miles south of Wallingford village, there is a pleasing little settlement with a separate post office and having its own schools and church. From Wallingford one follows the Otter Creek, along a good road, with an occasional stretch that invites fast riding. Splendid farms indi- cate a prosperous condition and the view down
THE ROAD TO SOUTH WALLINGFORD. Looking towards the Munson Farm.
the valley is one of great beauty. Nearing South Wallingford, places are seen that were worked as marble quarries. The first marble quarried was in what is now known as the Kelley quarry about 1835 by Orange Carpenter. A mar-
113
THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY.
ble mill was built on the dam south from the quarry by Oscar Eddy. Parties from New York worked the veins of marble for some time and then sold out to W. W. Kelley. Neither the quarry or the mill is used now, the latter burning to the ground in 1905. At the north end of the village stands the Grange Hall. It was built in 1909 of timber, commodious and convenient. It
.8 8
A. W. NICHOLS' FARM.
makes a splendid place, not only for Grange meetings but for all public gatherings.
The Main Street of the village presents a pleas- ing scene, especially when the foliage of the trees is changing. Flanked on either side with wooded hills, it affords a setting that at times is beautiful beyond description. The Union Church (build- ing) occupies the head of the street. It was built in 1840. The money was raised by subscription, the land being donated by Mr. Holden Stafford. The first pastor and the only one ever really (8)
114
HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
THE GRANGE HALL.
settled here, was a Universalist clergyman by the name of Rev. Dennis Chapin. For many years the organization worshipping within has been Congregational in its form and polity. In the past various young men have labored as summer supplies, from the Theological Seminaries of the East, especially Yale. For the last five years, services have been held the year around by the pastor of the Congregational Church in Walling- ford. Sabbath School is held regularly, preced- ing the afternoon preaching service.
Opposite the church is the old tavern. The last landlord was Joseph Edgerton, who left about 1875. Before the coming of the railroad South Wallingford was a stage station between Rutland and Bennington. Consequently there were far more transient guests than now. Even as early as 1815, a cotton factory was erected here by Jonas Wood. It was afterwards burnt and in 1835, Jesse Lapham, J. H. and A. R. Vail built a
115
THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY.
forge upon its site. A store was also built by Mr. Lapham that is still standing, four stories in height, across the creek from the depot.
In 1880, the site of the old cotton factory was being used as a pulp mill, operated by J. T. Rem- ington and E. P. Ely. Only the broken raceway is now seen on the east side of Main Street, south of the post office.
While the evidences of business and industrial activity are largely in the days that are gone, the village life is simple and not bound by the con- ventionalities of more populous districts. There is a great freedom and intimacy existing between different families and none are strangers to one another. Social life is strong and many means of amusement are found. The South Wallingford Fair is a popular institution, generally held the latter part of September and attended by great crowds of people. The Fair Grounds are located north of South Wallingford, and are very attrac- tively situated. Horse trots, agricultural exhib- its, and the display in Floral Hall, combined with the opportunity of seeing old friends, or acquaint- ances, prove a great magnet for the folks who "would not think of missing the Fair."
Across the track is the school house. It was built in 1836, taking the place of one that was much smaller. Some winters there were as many as sixty pupils within its walls.
With the last few years, the Rutland and Benn- ington Ry. Co. have built a substantial depot, and Lewis C. Needham has been station agent for many years, coming from Leicester Junction. He represented the town of Leicester in the Legisla- ture during the years 1884-5, 1896-7 and was door- keeper in the Senate 1898-9.
116
HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
Across the creek is the store of Myron C. Rob- erts. Formerly it was used as a blacksmith shop, but in 1909, it was raised and now presents a
LEWIS C. NEEDHAM.
pleasing appearance, for overhead are the bran- ches of what is termed the largest "weeping elm" in the State of Vermont. Across is the grist mill of G. A. Kelley. The earliest proprietors of the saw and grist mill were J. O. and H. Stafford. They were among the earliest settlers in South Wallingford and several of their descendants are still living there. Among them is Dwight H. Stafford, a successful farmer in the southern part of the town. He represented Wallingford in the
117
THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY.
Legislature during the terms of 1908-1909. His cousin, Roland Stafford, is keenly interested in school affairs, serving for many years as a school committeeman. George H. has also been active in town matters serving in a number of ways. Many of the residences suggest the comfort of the typical New England home. A Creamery is operated by the Brigham Company, of Boston. There have been no physicians resident here, North Wallingford monopolizing the medical practitioner's homes. A great deal of pulp wood has been cut and shipped from here. There is a sawmill not far from the depot. The creek winds its way through the village
and at the com- mencement of the open season for fishing, many an- glers are seen upon its banks. It is no uncommon thing for those berrying upon the surround- ing hillsides (espe- cially to the East)
DWIGHT H. STAFFORD.
to come across tracks of big game including bear. The post office and general store is upon the main street. W. A. Girard, the present proprietor and postmaster has been here since 1908.
118
HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
SOUTH WALLINGFORD POST OFFICE.
His predecessors in office were John H. Vail, Ancil Eddy, Geo. Smith, E. O. Fuller, T. M. Thompson, W. A. Girard.
AHAOOL
DOTY.)
DIED NOV. 14.1858. AL 93 YRS.
A revolutionary soldier bom un Rochester Mass entered The army of the age of 16 in Boston becamea marine went to France al the close of the war as one of the guard who escorted Istoyete home
Upon one of the hillsides a little to the northwest of the Main Street, there can be seen a little cemetery. It is cared for by the town and one of the graves contains the remains of Jerathmiel Doty, a Revolutionary sol- dier. When he died at the age of 93 in November, 1857, he was the
119
THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY.
last survivor of the body guard and escort to the gallant Lafayette who returned to his native land on the good ship "Alliance," sent by the Conti- nental Congress. Jerathmiel Doty not only went to France but helped to bring back in the same ship a loan of five million dollars, negotiated from the French government. On their return they were attacked by a British cruiser, when the scuppers of the Alliance ran with blood and Jerathmiel
RESIDENCE OF A. W. NEEDHAM.
fought as gallantly as any until wounded, as it was thought mortally, and carried below. In the war of 1812 he again enlisted and was present at the battle of Plattsburg. After his death a public meeting was called to make arrangements for his funeral which occurred on Tuesday, November 17, 1857. The Wallingford Rifle Company under the command of Captain S. Cook attended, and when the earthly remains of the old veteran were laid in their last resting place, in addition to the relig-
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