USA > Vermont > Windsor County > History of Windsor County, Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 55
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" To Have and to Hold the said described tract of land as above expressed, together with all privileges and appurtenances to them and their respective heirs and assigns for- ever upon the following conditions and reservations, (viz.)
"Imprimis .- That each Proprietor of the Township of Bethel aforesaid, cultivate five Acres on his share in said Town, within the term of three years from the date of this Grant, and build a house at least eighteen feet Square, and be in actual possession of the premises within five years from the date aforesaid, and continue to improve said Lands. And for non-performance thereof, the said land to revert back to the Freemen of this State.
"Secundo .- That all Pine Trees suitable for Masts and Spears for Shipping, be reserved to the use and benefit of the Freemen of this State.
" In Testimony whereof we have caused the Seal of this State to be affixed, At Ar- lington, in the County of Bennington, this 3d day of December, A. D., 1779, and in the third year of the Independence of this State.
" JOSEPH FAY, Secty."
" THOS. CHITTENDEN.
The first town meeting was held May 17, 1782. The officers chosen were: Clerk, Barnabas Strong ; constable, Michael Flynn ; selectmen, Joel Marsh, John Benjamin and George Smith. Michael Flynn was also the first chosen justice of the peace. The early town meetings, also other public gatherings, were called and held at the house of Colonel Joel Marsh.
561
TOWN OF BETHEL.
Early Settlements .- The settlement of the town was commenced in the autumn of 1779, by Benjamin Smith. He was joined the next sea- son by Joel Marsh, Samuel Peak, Seth Chase, Willard Smith and David Stone. Stone was afterwards taken prisoner by the Indians.
One of the first things the settlers attended to was the building of a log fort protection against Indian attacks, as the country was in an un- settled condition, and an Indian attack was imminent at any time. The fort was located where the railroad now runs, and near the freight depot. When the railroad was being built some of the old logs and other objects were excavated, showing this to be the exact spot of its location. The wisdom shown by these first settlers in causing the construction of this fort was fully demonstrated, for early in August, 1780, a party of twenty-one Indians made a raid on Barnard, taking three men from that town as prisoners, also the Daniel Stone (before referred to) from this town.
There was a small detachment of soldiers at Royalton at this time, commanded by a Captain Safford, who, with his command, were removed to the Bethel fort. This move was undoubtedly the salvation of the Bethel settlers, but proved directly the opposite for Royalton, for about two months later a large party of Indians fell upon that place and de- stroyed the settlement. Bethel probably would have shared the same fate but for this fort and the garrison stationed there, as the Indians came up the river in sight of the fort, but passed along to the northward up the east branch.
Some of the settlers and their families, after the burning of Royalton, went down the river to Hartford. All of the people in the vicinity came to the fort at the time of the Indian raid. One man by name of Peak, who lived about a mile from the fort, started to go to his place to see about his stock, but soon came back saying the Indians were there and were killing his hog, as he heard him squeal. But the squealing proved to be from hunger rather than the presence of Indians.
First Events .- The first deed recorded bears date April 17, 1780, all conveyances previous to this being by the proprietors. The first child born in town was Asa Smith, born September 6, 1780, and the farm where he was born is still known as the Smith farm. A daughter of Asa Smith is still living. The first marriage recorded bears date October,
71
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HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
1795, the parties being Bernice Snow and Rachel Hardy. September 21, 1786, Martin Kellogg was born. Mr. Kellogg at this writing is still living in Norwalk, O., in the one hundred and fourth year of his life. Jonathan Marsh, a son of Colonel Joel Marsh, was chosen town clerk in 1798, and held the office for many years. He, with his son, A. G. Marsh, and a grandson, William R. Adams, the present clerk, have held the office for over half the time since the town was organized.
Among what would appear to the present generation as curious cus- toms of the earlier times, which are recorded, was the making public of the religious belief of the voters, so as to pay their contributions for sup- port of preaching as they wished to. Here is a specimen :
" BETHEL, September 2d, 1794.
" This may Certify that William Curtis, appears and says that he be- lieves in his judgment that the Baptist Persuasion is right and desires to pay them.
SAMUEL PEAK, Deacon.
" Entered September 2, 1794, MICHAEL FLYNN, Town Clerk."
And another of a different nature, warning new comers out of town, to prevent them gaining a residence, in case they should become town charges :
"State of Vermont,
ont, } ss.
Windsor County,
" To either Constable of Bethel in said County of Windsor.
" By the Authority of the State of Vermont, you are hereby required to Summons or make known unto Calvin Dyke, Simeon Bacon, now re- siding in said Bethel, to depart this town forthwith, under the pains and penalties of the Law in such cases made and provided.
" Hereof fail not, but of this transcript and your doings herein, your return make according to law.
" Given under our hands at Bethel this 19th day of March Anno Dom- ini, 1804."
Signed, Nathaniel Nobles, Chester Chapman, David Stone, selectmen.
On September 20, 1790, there was a town meeting to see about the " First Settled Minister," when it was voted to give the " Rev. Mr. Thomas Russell a call to Gospel Ministry in this town"; also voted to give him as a settlement in the ministry one hundred pounds, to be paid in wheat at five shillings a bushel, thirty pounds to be paid the first
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TOWN OF BETHEL.
year, thirty the second and forty the third year. Also voted a salary of fifty pounds the first year and rise five pounds every year until the salary arises to seventy, and that be the stated salary. Also, at a subsequent meeting, voted "to him the full Share of land reserved for the first set- tled Minister." Also made arrangements for moving his family from Connecticut.
In 1794 a difficulty between pastor and people commenced, after which the minister's salary was not kept up. The result was an action commenced against the town, and judgment rendered against them, but the Legislature, petitioned to by the town, finally directed a settlement, which was agreed upon in December, 1796.
During the time the inhabitants were looking after their spiritual wel- fare their bodily safety was not forgotten, as the following vote at June meeting, 1794, will show :
" Voted to raise the sum of nine pounds on the list of the Inhabitants of this Town for the purpose of procuring Ammunition for the Militia as the law directs."
In March, 1804, there was an article in the warning for town meeting, "To See if the Town would vote to build a Meeting-House." They voted not to build one.
The first church organized in town was the Episcopal, formed July 27, 1794, with ten members, Rev. John C. Ogden being the first rector. The first church building was erected about four miles northerly from the depot, at Bethel village, and is still standing, although not often used. At a later day another edifice was erected in the village, where the society now worships. The society also owns a parsonage.
The East Bethel Baptist Church was organized in 1812. Rev. Benja- min Putnam was the first pastor. The society still holds services there.
There is a Union house in East Bethel, where occasional services are held by the Universalists and others.
The Congregational Church, located at Bethel village, was organized in 1817, with thirteen members. The first pastor was Rev. Benjamin Abbott. The church building is of brick and has been remodeled to keep step with the advancing spirit of the times.
There are two Methodist churches in the town. One is situated in the northern and the other in the western part. These are properly
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HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
called the Methodist Episcopal churches. They do not have regular preaching all of the time, but still enough to keep alive their organiza- tions.
The Adventists have a camp-ground near Findley's Bridge where they hold annual gatherings.
The Universalist Church, located in Bethel village, was organized December 29, 1817, with thirty six members. The society had stated preaching for a long time before the organization was perfected, the early meetings dating back to the first settlement, many of the pioneers being of that belief. Rev. Hosea Ballou preached to them, also others of the older ministers in the denomination. Meetings were held at Colonel Marsh's house and other dwellings. The church edifice was erected in 1816, as a Union church. It was of brick, and was a fine building for the times. It came into the sole control of the Universalists in time, and has since been remodeled several times, and is now in keeping with the age. Rev. Kittredge Havens was the first settled pastor, his pastorate extending from 1821 to 1828. The Universalist State Convention was first organized here over fifty years ago.
Schools .- In March, 1811, nine school districts were formed. Since that time five others have been added, but later alterations have reduced the number to twelve.
The town of Bethel, geographically, is nearly the center of the State. The surface is very uneven, especially back from the streams, and the soil is generally productive. There are many good farms, both on the streams and back on the hills. There is plenty of timber of all kinds usually found in this State. The town is well watered: White River flows across the southeast corner. The third branch of White River, which rises in Roxbury, courses through Braintree and a corner of Ran- dolph into Bethel, flows about four miles within this town, and then discharges into White River. The second branch flows across the eastern corner of the town, through the village of East Bethel, and joins White River at North Royalton. Locust Creek flows from Barnard, and is also the outlet of Silver Lake in Barnard, and joins White River. Camp Brook flows from Rochester and joins the third branch about two miles above Bethel village. The Gilead Brook flows across the northwesterly part of the town, and joins the third branch about two miles above Camp
Tedwin Namingtin
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TOWN OF BETHEL.
Brook. There is also a stream in the westerly part of the town that joins White River just before the latter enters Bethel. There are many other minor streams in different sections of the town.
The Central Vermont Railroad runs through the town, having about six miles of main line, affording ample accommodations for travel and freight. There are daily stages to Stockbridge, Rochester and points up White River, also one to Woodstock by way of Barnard.
There is a fine and extensive deposit of granite located about three miles from the railroad, which only needs capital and proper manage- ment to be of very great advantage to the town. Considerable gold has been found, but in so small quantities as to hardly pay for the work in procuring it. There are also specimens of iron ore, vitriol and slate to be found in the town.
Bethel Village is located in the southeastern part of the town, at the junction of White River and its third branch, and is the central point for trade and travel from Barnard, a portion of Royalton, Stockbridge, Rochester, Hancock, a portion of Sherburne and Pittsfield. Bethel is one of the most important stations on the Central Vermont Railroad between Essex Junction and White River Junction. There is a great amount of travel and freighting at this station. Large quantities of lumber, in the rough and manufactured, are loaded here. There are three churches, Universalist, Congregational and Episcopal, which hold regular services ; a fine graded school of four departments, with an average attendance of about one hundred and forty pupils; a bank, two hotels, a printing office, a large flour and feed-mill doing wholesale and retail business, a saw-mill, an extensive tannery, carriage shop, two harness shops, marble and granite works, two livery stables, photograph gallery, two tin shops, three attorneys' offices, insurance agents, meat market, milliner and dress-maker's rooms, furniture store, and about a dozen stores of various kinds which keep large stocks and a great variety. The village has about six hundred inhabitants, and is, in all respects, a thriving and growing country village. There has been, during the past year or two and at the present time, some very fine residences erected.
The village, with the territory immediately surrounding it, was origi- nally divided into two school districts, the third and fifth, but about
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HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
1850 they were united and called District No. 3. In 1885 it was formed into a graded school district, and in 1886 was chartered by the Legisla- ture as the Bethel Graded School.
Many years ago there was a woolen factory, with carding works, full- ing mill, and works for pressing oil from flaxseed. There is a building on the old site now which is commonly called "The Old Factory." There also used to be in the long ago what were called "Potashes," places where postash was made from hardwood ashes. The writer re- members being in and about them when he was a lad. In July, 1830, occurred what was known as the " great freshet," which swept away the bridge over the branch, stores, mills, factories, etc.
December 10, 1877, the " great fire" occurred, burning out two busi- ness blocks, livery barn, furniture store, tenement house, private dwell- ings, etc. The place has now a line of pipe connected with a strong pump in the Bethel mills, and a good quantity of hose, so that such a fire as the above would not be likely to occur again.
East Bethel is a small village in the eastern part of the town, situated on the second branch of White River. It has two churches, a hotel, tin shop, store, mills, etc .; also daily stage connections. Its nearest railroad point is Royalton. There was a woolen factory at this point for a num- ber of years, but it burned and was not rebuilt. There has been a cream- ery started there within the year past, which is doing a fair business.
OLD FAMILIES.
It would be impossible within the compass of this work to give a genealogical sketch of each family that has been connected with the town. The remainder of this chapter is devoted to those who feel and have manifested an interest in preserving the records of their ancestors. For sketches received too late for insertion in this chapter please refer to a later chapter of this work.
Abbott, Lewis H., born in Kingfield, Me., September 25, 1842, was the only son of Lewis H. and Arabella (Stevens) Abbott. He came to Roxbury, Vt., in the spring of 1863, and subsequently removed to Randolph, and graduated in the spring of 1863 from the Normal School situated in the town. Previous to his graduation he taught school, and in 1872 went West and taught in Illinois, Michigan and Kansas. He also engaged in stock raising in Kansas. He came to Bethel in 1881. He married Louisa L. Jones, who was born in Tunbridge, February 22, 1843. They have two children, viz .: John B., born in Bethel, January 5, 1883; and Thomas J., born in Bethel, January 31, 1885,
567
OLD FAMILIES.
Bryant, James, was born in Barnard, Vt., September 21, 1806. He married Eliza C., daughter of Hezekiah and Katharine (Clapp) Mack, November 11, 1827. She was born in Woodstock, Vt., March 30, 1810. Their children were Cordelia Eveline, Augusta Lorinda, Alonzo James, Hiram Alfred. James died January 19, 1864. His widow married again, and died November 5, 1868. Alonzo James, born in Bethel, April 4, 1836, married July 23, 1857, Julia A. Clark, a native of Landgrove, Vt. They have one child, Gilmore W., born in Bethel, August 8, 1859. His father was a teacher of vocal music, and secured for his son instruction by the ablest professors of music. The talent thus awakened was developed and cultivated by study with the best masters. He stud- ied with Professor Carlyle Petersilea, of Boston, finishing his musical education with him in 1881. Mr. Bryant taught lessons on the piano at different places, and in 1881 founded a Conservatory of Music at Brattleboro, Vt., which he conducted successfully for two years. He was engaged as teacher of music at Leland & Gray's Academy, at Townshend, Vt., and at the Glenwood Seminary, at West Brattleboro, Vt. In 1884 he moved to Springfield, Mass., where he remained till the fall of 1885. At that time he accepted the position of Director of Music in the Wesleyan Female Institute at Stanton, Va., which position he has since held. A number of Mr. Bryant's compositions have been published, among which we mention " Reverie Poetique," "Polka Chromatique," "Forty-Three Practical Piano Siudies," " Polonaise Americana," " Finger Flight Ma- zurka," " Mazurka Caprice," "Song of the Brook," "Distant Bells," "Dancing Shad- ows," and " Merriment." Mr. Bryant married Miss Mattie E., daughter of Penfield Bullard. She is a native of Bethel.
Brooks, Simeon, had seven children, viz .: Eli, who died in Braintree, Vt .; Simeon, died in Bethel; Ira, died in Bethel ; Asa; Anna, married Ellis Fish, and died in Ran- dolph ; Betsey, died single in Bethel; and Almira, was drowned during her childhood. Asa, of the above, was born in Bethel, July 31, 1788, and married January 16, 1814, Lucy Stevens, who was born November 27, 1792. Asa died August 7, 1871, his wife March 29, 1876. They had seven children, viz .: Lucy Hayward, died nine years of age ; Nancy Stevens, wife of Simeon A. Webster, of Bethel ; Asa Strong, died four years of age; Samuel Hayward, died in infancy ; Albert A .; Julius P., died at Auburn, Cal .; Sophia L., wife of Albert F. Waterman, of Tunbridge, Vt.
Brooks, Albert A., was born in Bethel, October 18, 1824. He received a common school education, and was engaged in farming till he was eighteen years of age. He then engaged in mercantile business, and in 1856 opened a store at Gaysville, Vt. He disposed of this business in 1875 and came to Bethel, formed a partnership under style name of Brooks & Montgomery, which continued three years. On the dissolution of this copartnership the present firm of Brooks & Washburn was formed. From 1879 to 1888 Mr. Brooks was connected with Nelson Gay, Chester Downer and F. P. Holden, under the name of the Gaysville Manufacturing Company, in the manufacture of under- wear. In the latter year a stock company was formed, and in the same year the works were destroyed by fire. He was postmaster at Gaysville, Vt., twelve years from 1861 to 1873, and is a director of the National White River Bank of Bethel. Mr. Brooks mar- ried Jeannette Whitcomb, aud has two children, Jennie, wife of J. A. Chedell, of Gays- ville, Vt .; and Kate, wife of S. M. Washburn, of Bethel.
Bowen, Squire, born in Rehoboth, Mass., February 28, 1786, married Candice Jones, a native of that town. He removed from Massachusetts to Cabot, Vt., in 1810, and came to Bethel in 1833. His children were Maria, Abel B., Squire, Albert, Joseph, Ab- igail, Zebedee, Lorenzo and Samuel, both residents of Bethel. Abel B. was born in Rehoboth, December 13, 1812, married, first, Polly Hoisington, by whom he had three children : Azro B., Beulah, Arlinda. He married, second, Mrs. Sarah J. Morse, nee Will- iams. Thomas Williams, her father, was born in Cornish, N. H., May 14, 1785, and mar- ried, October 15, 1820, Phila Kimball, who was born in Royalton, June 15, 1799. Thomas died October 9, 1875, his wife November 19, 1878. Their children were Lonisa Gifford, Benjamin, Sarah Jane, Leonard Kimball, Susan Alvira, Amos Huntington, Amplias
5 68
HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
French, Polly A., Charles Lyman, Amanda Rebecca, Thomas Rix, John Kimball, Esther Ann and Wallace Edward. Charles Morse, jr., her first husband, was born in Rochester, Vt., October 27, 1823, and was the eldest son of Charles and Hannah (Chapman) Morse. He was a farmer in Rochester, and in October, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Sixteenth Regiment Vermont Volunteers, and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. He married, June 28, 1846, Sarah J. Williams, born in Bethel, February 11, 1824. The children by this union were Charles L., born in Rochester, March 26, 1849; Lizzie J., born in Rochester, February 20, 1855; Sumner F., born in Rochester, October 3, 1857 ; and Kimball W., born in Rochester, January 2, 1859.
Chadwick, Constantine, was born in West Randolph, Vt., July 22, 1826, and is the eldest son in a family of twelve children, of Rufus and Mahala (York) Chadwick. He was a carpenter by trade, and enlisted in August, 1862, and was mustered in on the first of September as a member of Company H, Eleventh Vermont Volunteers. He served till June, 1864, and lost his left arm at the battle of Cold Harbor, June 1, 1863. He has been a resident of East Bethel since 1878, and is engaged in farming. He married Mar- tha Gilson, of Randolph, and has four children, viz .: Amelia, wife of Cyrus M. Locke, of Detroit, Mich .; Jennie, wife of Cornelius Griffin, of Elkhart, Ind .; George, resides in Arizona; and Emma, wife of Daniel Scott, of Montpelier, Vt.
Chase, Moses, a son of Abner Chase, was born in Sutton, N. H., and married Hannah Slade. They had four children : Mary (deceased), married Hiram Thurston ; Moses; Fannie, wife of Lester Gay, of Iowa; and Lyman, died in Rochester, Vt. Moses, of the above family, was born in Rochester, Vt., April 30, 1821, and married, November 15, 1846, Rosina F. Hill. She was born at Sharon, Vt., April 4, 1823, and was the daugh- ter of Benjamin and Sarah (Scales) Hill. They have four children : Moses Roscoe, a dentist, at Ludlow, Vt., was born May 18. 1849; Flora Rosina, wife of W. T. Keyes, of Kearney, Neb .; Fannie Mabel, wife of H. C. Dunham, of Edmunds, Indian Territory ; and Rolla Miner. (See sketch of Dr. Rolla Miner Chase or. page 930 of this volume.)
The Child Family .- Benjamin Child emigrated from Great Britain to America. He helped i n building the first church in Roxbury, Mass., and was admitted to this church in 1658. He had twelve children. He died October 14, 1678, in Roxbury, Mass.
Child, Benjamin, second son of Benjamin and Mary Child, was born in Roxbury, Mass., in 1656. He married Grace Morris, March 7, 1683, and they had twelve children. He died January 24, 1724.
Child, Ephraim, first child of Benjamin and Grace (Morris) Child, was born in Rox- bury, Mass., December 18, 1683. He married Priscilla Harris in 1710, and they had ten children. He settled in Woodstock, Conn., about 1710, was active in the Revolutionary struggle, and was lieutenant in a Connecticut regiment. He died November 22, 1759.
Child, Daniel, second son of Ephraim and Priscilla (Harris) Child, was born in Wood- stock, Conn., January 1, 1713. He married, first, January 1, 1747, Ruth Ammidown, and second, Abigail Bridges. They had six children. He died in 1776.
Child, Stephen, third son of Daniel and Ruth (Ammidown) Child, was born in Wood- stock, Conn., November 27, 1749. He married, September 7, 1778, Mercy Chase, of Sutton, Mass., and they had eleven children. He died May 24, 1831. in Cornish, N. H. He was one of the early proprietors of Bethel, Vt., but never became a resident.
Child, Daniel, eldest child of Stephen and Mercy (Chase) Child, was born in Cornish, N. H., August 6, 1779. He married, November 11, 1804, Apama Lyman, daughter of Josiah and Eunice (Tiffany) Lyman, and they had nine children. Mr. Child, with his brother Enos, settled early in Bethel, Vt. After marrying he went to Rochester Hol- low, Vt., and began in the wilderness. He was a great pedestrian, and walked to Ohio and back on a prospecting tour in the summer of 1818. On his return he moved onto a farm in Bethel, where he lived until his death. He was a careful and methodical re- corder of events, and was for many years parish and town clerk, as well as clerk of the
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OLD FAMILIES.
district in which he lived. He was notably upright in business, temperate in his habits, one of the first to support the temperance movement in his town, a man of well defined, clear ideas, a lover of books, a scholar and a thinker. He was a life-long member of the Episcopal church, and in politics was a Whig. His mathematical and statistical turn of mind fitted well his business of land surveyor, and his opinion came to be authority con- cerning disputed corners, lines, etc. He died January 7, 1853, very suddenly, falling dead on the street in Bethel village.
Child, Lyman, third son and sixth child of Daniel and Apama (Lyman) Child, was born in Rochester, Vt., July 31, 1816. He married, June 26, 1838, Elizabeth E. Blanclı- ard, of Pomfret, Vt. Mr. Child has been a life-long resident of Bethel, Vt., a farmer, and prominent in trade as grocer and dealer in meat and grain, who believes a living can be earned in Vermont as well as elsewhere.
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