USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Rochester > History of the town of Rochester, Vt. > Part 2
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Attest, ISRAEL RICHARDSON, Moderator.
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ROCHESTER.
April 17, 1795. Recorded ye above this day. ENOCH EMERSON, Town Clerk."
This seems to be the most prominent posi- tion ocoupied by Guggin, save what eccen- tricities, (about which many stories are told), gave him. He was an illiterate and eccen- tric character. Being located in the woods, of course lonely, he was in the habit of mak- ing calls on Asa Whitcomb, Esq., at Stock- bridge, the adjoining town down the river, he being a man of lively and musical turn of mind, and somewhat of a poetic genius, with whom to associate in his lonely hours, and from whom he had the promise of an epi- taph. Guggin was slovenly in his dress, wore a lamb-skin wool cap, short breeches, generally ragged, long stockings not gar- tered or buckled up, and shoes, his stockings generally drawn around his ankles. When speaking of returning to Rochester he in- variably expressed himself as, "going up to to'ther town."
One day when Guggin made his usual call, Whitcomb said to him, "I have got your 3
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HISTORY OF
epitaph, Guggin." " Have you, fact ?" says Guggin, "let us have it." The epitaph was repeated to him, taking him off in ward- robe and expression as follows :
" Beneath this sod, if you chance to dig, You'll find an old man, with a lambskin wig, His breeches torn, his stockings down, His soul gone 'up to to'ther town.' "
" Pshaw, I won't have it," quoth Guggin. ·
1792.
At the March meeting it was " voted to buy a piece of land of Mr. Sheldon for a burying yard, after the rate of five pounds per acre. Also to raise a sum of money sufficient to pay Mr. Shelden for said bury- ing place, after the rate of wheat at five shillings per bushel, if paid this spring; if not, at the rate of four shillings per bushel."
The first goods brought into town for sale, were by Foster & Stacy, and a part of Mr. Shelden's tavern house, at the southwest corner of the common west side, was used for a store.
The first ashery in town, was built by
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Foster & Stacy, on the west side of the road, in the hollow or gulf, between Gardner E. Richardson's and Ebenezer Wellington's. The grand list of the polls and ratable es- tate in 1788, was 285 pounds 5 shillings, and in 1792, it was 981 pounds 15 shillings.
At a town meeting holden June 7, it was voted to build a bridge across White River, near where Austin Leonard now lives, about two miles north of the village.
Also " voted to give liberty to a number of individuals to set a house on the common to meet in on Sundays, and to do public busi- ness in, and to remove it off when they think proper."
1793.
At a special town meeting holden Febru- ary 7, the town voted as follows : " Voted to give the Rev. Mr. Howe three bushels of wheat per day for his labor among us in the ministry of the Word, so long as he shall preach among us. Also, keep or pay for keeping of said Mr. Howe's horse during the time he shall preach among or with us."
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Also "Voted to pay the Rev. Mr. Wash- burn for his preaching here in town last fall, as a town, and at the rate of four dollars per day and be paid in wheat."
1793.
The first school of which we have any knowledge in the lower part of the town was in the house of Mr. Enos Morgan, a log house with two rooms only,-School taught by Rev. Mr. Howe. Mr. Morgan was a cooper, lived with his family and worked at his trade in one room, while the other room was occupied as a school-room. Hoop poles furnished ready rods for correction. Solomon's rule was literally and rigidly ad- hered to, in dealing with the urchins of that day. Some of the old people now living have vivid recollections of the manner in which the old priest wielded the hoop poles over their heads. The impression made was indelible.
The first pitch in North Hollow was by Dea. Bailey, on the farm now owned by Asa Eaton, and the first school was taught in
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Deacon Bailey's barn by Miss Keziah Daniels, afterward married to a Mr. Billings. The first school in South Hollow was in the house on the Lyman Bush place, then owned by James Wing,-school taught by Hannah Meacham. The first school of which we have any knowledge in the village was in the old meeting-house, (pot-ash) on the common, taught by Hannah Eastman.
In March, the town "voted a bounty of ten dollars for each wolf, that any man shall kill in said town this year and bring a sufficient evidence of the same."
In April, at a special meeting, the town voted to receive and pay for ye house frame which a number of individuals obtained lib- erty to set on the meeting-house common in said town on Sundays, and to transact town business in. Also voted to raise forty pounds to be assessed and paid in wheat, at four shil- lings per bushel, for ye above purpose of pay- ing for said meeting-house frame and finishing the same. This was probably the frame of an old pot-ash building, bought by individu- 3*
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als, and from this circumstance, the meeting- house was always called the old " Pot Ash Meeting-House." The bridge spanning a gulf between the ledges north of the lower mills having been burned, a special meeting of the town was called June 19, and voted to make and repair the bridge at and by the ledge, so-called, in said town, this year, and the job was struck off to Mr. Eliphlet Morse, at twenty pounds and ten shillings, in wheat at four shillings per bushel.
1794.
In the Spring, the town meeting was held at the meeting-house on the common. Until this time all meetings for public business had been holden at the tavern near the common or at private dwelling-houses. The meeting house was set in the centre of the common, with a fence in front, was partially and some- what rudely fitted up.
The inhabitants thus far had been almost destitute of religious privileges. But very little preaching except as some minister who
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was travelling might happen to stop for a Sabbath.
It appears from records, that from the first settlement in 1780, until 1794, a period of fourteen years, had enjoyed but twenty-six Sabbaths of religious worship, and one eve- ning lecture.
In 1781, towns were authorized to levy taxes upon land, for the purpose of building houses of worship. We are not to suppose the legislators of that day were any more de- sirous of promoting and sustaining religious institutions, than those of the present day ; their object being rather to promote the rapid settlement of towns and increase the value of lands and the preamble to the statute, recognizes this idea expressly.
In 1783, at a session held in Westminster, the Legislature passed an act authorizing towns to support the preaching of the Gos- pel, as well as the building of meeting-houses, by taxes assessed, not only upon lands, but upon the polls and ratable estate of the in- habitants.
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This act was known as the ministerial act, and under it all property was liable to be taxed for religious purposes, according to the vote of a majority of the legal voters in town. The first action of the town of Roch- ester under this act, was at a special town meeting, holden February 7, 1793, and the town continued to act under the so-called ministerial act, until July, 1804, when at a town meeting legally holden, it was voted to form a religious society as the law directs, and the religious business which until that time had been transacted by the town, was thereafter to be transacted by the society.
Until 1801, the law considered every per- son as holding the same religious sentiments as the majority of the inhabitants of the town in which he resided, and liable to be assessed on his grand list for the support of such preaching as the majority chose.
In 1801, a law was enacted by which any could relieve himself from liability to sup- port the preaching established by the vote of the major part of the inhabitants, by deliver-
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ing a certificate to the town clerk signed by himself, that he did not agree in religious opinion or sentiment with the majority of the inhabitants. The record shows that about twenty in town availed themselves of this act by presenting their certificates, and hav- ing them recorded by the town clerk.
In 1807, an act was passed by the Legis- lature, divesting towns of all power to assess taxes for the support of the Gospel, either for preaching or the building of houses of worship.
1795.
It appears that Mr. Russell preached from December 21, 1794, until July 25, 1795. Meetings were not held in the meeting-house in cold weather, on account of the unfinished state of the house, but were held at private houses.
November 3, was kept as thanksgiving- day, and is the first day, kept as a public thanksgiving by the inhabitants of Roches- ter, of which we have any account.
It also appears that after Mr. Russell left,
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there was but occasional preaching for nearly three years.
The first clothing mill for dressing cloth, was built during this year, by Jonathan Jewett, on the brook, a little below the old Adros place.
1796.
During this year, Mr. Ransom preached a few Sabbaths.
1797.
The office of Constable having become lucrative was eagerly sought, and there were so many aspirants, the town was induced to make it a source of revenue by selling the office at auction to the highest bidder, and after it was struck off, then go through the form of electing the man as constable.
Great was the competition at times and it not unfrequently happened that the success- ful competitor was not the best qualified per- son to discharge the duties of the office, but qualifications did not enter into the arrange- ment save that the individual was required to give a satisfactory bond to the town for
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the faithful performance of the duties of the office. Occasionally some ludicrous scenes: were enacted. The idea prevailed with some that in order to make the service of a writ by a constable valid, the service must. be performed by touching the individual upon whom service was made with the writ,. generally by slapping them upon the shoulder with the writ in hand. It happened on one occasion that a well-to-do farmer who had but very little knowledge of legal process, entered with spirit into bidding for the office, and having outbid all competitors, was de- clared constable.
1198564
Reasoning from the idea of slapping an individual on the shoulder with the writ, he came to the conclusion that in attaching property in order to have the attachment of" any effect, each article must be touched by the writ. Acting on this idea he succeeded very well, until it became necessary for him to attach an old sow with a large litter of pigs. The scene was a novel one, and he being anxious to do the thing thoroughly-
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and make sure work, went at it with all his might, and a succession of gymnastic feats followed with which the feats of the present day bear no comparison.
The old sow being first in order was now the object of the constable, and by cautiously working along writ in hand, he hoped to succeed without much trouble. Vain hope -for as he drew near the sow began to be a little suspicious, and changing her position eyed him closely, showing her ivory with sundry snaps of her teeth indicative of her intention to defend her young. Finding she would not allow a near approach, and being bound to put the thing through at any rate, he made a spring, and with a leap that showed his elasticity of muscle, striking for- ward with his writ, at the same time suc- ceeded in his effort, but the effect of that leap and blow upon the saw was anything but encouraging, - for springing with a grunt and a wough that effectually startled the whole family of little porkers, they now with ears erect dodged and skulked in a
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manner that sorely tried the mettle of the constable. His leaps became frantic, and, striking with his writ at every jump, he was emphatically beating the air, for the little fellows `were on the alert, and when he struck where "they was," they were not there. It was sweaty work. At last he chanced to hit one. So much gained, but his efforts were exhaustive ; such· a strain upon the physical man could not long be en- dured ; he puffed and blowed like a huge bel- lows. Something else must be tried; there must be a change of tactics. Being fertile in expedients, he soon hit upon a plan. Taking a stone he tied his writ to it, and by pitching and throwing it at the pigs, he found it worked better, for he occasionally hit one, but now a new trouble arose ; he could not tell which of the pigs he had hit and which not, and then to crown all, his writ was fast being worn away and torn. What should he do ? His efforts had been tremendous, he must not be foiled now. Ceasing his efforts for a moment to wipe the perspiration from 4
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his face, and scratching his head-as he was wont when any mental effort was going on within ; an idea seemed to dawn upon him that if he could not tell which he had hit with his writ, no man could tell which he had not hit, and he would make return of service upon the whole.
1797.
It seems the agitation of the eight hour system of labor is no new thing, for at a town meeting holden August 16, after having voted to build a bridge across White River, it was "voted that each man who works upon said bridge, shall work eight hours in a day in order to be entitled to ye four shil- lings per day." In October, there was a meeting to sell pews in the meeting-house. The meeting-house at this time was but a roughly constructed affair. The floor was of rough boards, what were called pews, built next the walls, were of planed boards, high with seats on all sides. The pulpit, a high sort of a box, which nearly hid the minister from the gaze of the anxious, but little more
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than the head being seen, while the boarding of the walls was so open that swallows flitted in and out during service, dividing the at- tention of the younger portion of the audi- ence. It was in such a rude structure our fathers worshipped. Theirs were the stern spirits that battled successfully with the ob- stacles, and endured cheerfully the priva- tions incident to the settlement of a new country in order that they might lay the foundation for those institutions, and secure to their children those blessings which have flowed so richly from their efforts.
1798.
The meeting-house was in such an un finished condition that on March 10, Deacon Sparhawk was engaged setting glass in the windows. Mr. Ransom was engaged to preach one year from May 6.
1799.
Mr. Ransom preached about half of the time during this year.
CHAPTER III.
1800-1820. 1800.
H E population of the town was 524. Grand List of the town $6,585 40. A bridge was built across the Branch near Joel Cooper's during this year, being the first bridge above where the Branch unites with White River.
1801.
The first public library was established, and the first book was issued March 1. April 23, the old meeting-house was moved from the centre of the common to the line of the common near the northwest corner, on the west side. The Spring opened with remarkable promise. On the 17th of May, apple trees were in full bloom, but on the 5th day of June there was a severe frost which destroyed vegetation. The cold was
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so intense as to freeze both ground and water, and there was frost almost every night until the 13th of the month.
September 11. The present Congrega- tional Church was organized. Enoch Em- erson and Daniel Shaw, were the first deacons.
The town was divided into six school dis- tricts. At a regular town meeting holden in March, it was " voted that the inhabitants living on the centre turnpike road in this town, shall work their yearly highway rates on said turnpike until the proprietors shall get simple interest on their money expended in making the road ; provided, it is not to extend to any extra highway tax which the town may raise to do a particular piece of, s a town."
1802.
At an adjourned March meeting, the town " voted to choose a committee of five to make by-laws respecting hogs, horses, mules, and sheep, and to make report in one hour." After hearing the report, the town " voted 4*
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that all horse kind, shall be restrained from running at large at any time, and if any horse or mule, shall be found running at large on the common or highway, he shalt be liable to be proceeded with, in the same manner as the law directs in case of a beast breaking into inclosure and doing damage. And the owner or owners shall pay for all damages done on the highway by such beast, the same as though it was done within in- closure." The town also voted the same re- striction and penalties to apply to hogs and sheep.
1803.
The Methodist Church in this town was organized. Rev. Thomas Skeales was the first minister. The first meeting was holden in the Congregational meeting-house, Sep- tember 18, at the close of the Congrega- tional services. Discourse from the text, " They that have turned the world upside down have come hither also." The town of Rochester was embraced in the Barnard cir- cuit. First class leader, Robert Huse. First
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Quarterly meeting was holden in Calvin Morse, Sen.'s house, in the Branch district. Presiding Elder Thomas Branch. Quite a revival followed the efforts of the first Meth- odists, and the Church and Society increased rapidly in numbers and influence. The Church commenced with about a dozen members.
The Summer was remarkable for the preva- lence of dysentery, which proved very fatal, especially up the Branch. During the month of July there were six deaths. July 27th, was a day of fasting and prayer appointed by the people of the town on account of the very distressing sickness prevailing, and on that day three children of Mr. Moses Flan- ders were buried in one grave.
1805.
About this time a stage route was estab- lished from Hanover, N. H., to Middlebury, Vt. and the stage was driven by a Mr. Dewey. Previous to this time the people were sup- plied by a post-rider, who distributed letters and papers from his saddle bags. The first
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post-rider was Job Saunders. The first post- master was John Flint. The post-office was in Shelden's tavern house.
1806.
At the annual March meeting, the town " voted to accept a deed of gift from Mr. Edmund Shipman, of a certain piece of ground which said deed covers, and to ap- propriate the same for a burying ground in North Hollow."
During this year the first carding machine was brought into town by Oliver Wills and Nathaniel Dunham, and was set in opera- tion in the upper part of the grist-mill owned by Enoch Emerson.
The first leather tanned in town was by Esquire Eastman on the old Foster place. October 29, all that portion of the northeast corner of Pittsfield lying east of White River, was annexed to Rochester.
On this portion Thomas Hodgkins, George Martin and Anthony Whitcomb, pitched without survey, and commenced the settle- ment in 1786. The Hodgkins pitch em-
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braced what is now known as the Tupper farm. The Martin pitch embraced the farms- now owned by Granville Farwell and Wil -- liam Jewett; and the Whitcomb pitch em- braced the south part of Amos Coleman's. farm, and the farm now owned by Hiram: Wing.
Six other lots were included in the portion. annexed, embracing in all about five hunr- dred and seventy-five acres. Also another portion fifty rods wide, by the Whitlaw sur- vey, (so-called), making six lots one mile long, containing one hundred acres each, from the north side of the town of Pitts- field. As has been alluded to in a former part of this work, the proprietors and inhabitants of Rochester were considerably harassed by conflicting claims, owing to the overlapping of town lines, by the charter of different towns embracing the same lands, and redress was sought by petitions to the Legislature.
1807.
Operations were commenced at what is now called the Lower Mills Villagc. A dam was
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built across the river, and a building erected for a grist mill. The machinery, etc., of the grist mill up the Branch was moved and set in operation at this place, by Enoch Emerson. 1808.
At the annual March meeting, it was " voted that the meeting-house be open for all denominations to preach in when there is no preaching of the Congregational order " April 28, Mr. Blodgett was ordained and entitled to a lot of land appropriated for the first settled minister in town.
The meeting-house not being sufficiently large to accommodate the assemblage, the ordination services were on the common in front of the meeting-house. Sermon by Leonard Haynes, of West Rutland.
1810.
The population of the town was 911, and the town was divided into eight school dis- tricts.
1811 and 1812.
During the years 1811 and part of 1812, much labor was voluntarily appropriated to
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level and prepare the site of the present Congregational meeting-house, and a more beautiful site for a meeting-house is not to be found in any village in the State. On 2d and 3d days of July, 1812, the meeting- house was raised. During the Winter of 1812 and 1813, the spotted fever prevailed to an alarming extent, and was very fatal. 1813.
The Congregational meeting-house was finished. The annual March meeting was warned at the old meeting-house. After choosing a moderator, the town meeting was adjourned to the new meeting-house, and it was voted to hold town meetings thereafter at the new meeting-house, and that warnings for town meetings be put up at that place. Also chose a committee to dispose of the old meeting-house.
1814.
The first record of the number of scholars returned to the town clerk's office is in 1814, and the number from the several school dis- tricts is as follows :
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District.
Clerk. No. of Scholars.
Branch, E. Sparhawk, 99
South Hollow,
Daniel Paine, 64
North Hollow, L. B. Chaffee, 102
Little Hollow, Daniel Childs, 11
Middle or village, E. D. Briggs, 58
Upper River, Apollos Briggs, 50
Lower Meadow,
Gardner Chandler, 45
South Hill,
Joseph Boice, 12
Total, 441
First lawyer in town was a Mr. Huggins.
1815.
At a freeman's meeting holden in Septem- ber, the vote for Governor was a follows : For Martin Chittenden, 86
Jonas Galusha, 84
66 Galusha, 1
Total, 171
1816.
The season was remarkable on account of the cold weather. In the month of June there was snow on the ground most of the
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time until the 10th of the month. On the 9th of July there was a hard frost. Au- gust 21, there was a hard frost which ruined many fields of corn, and the month of September was very, very cold.
1817.
A Baptist Society was organized. Elder Perkins was the first minister. Quite a re- vival commenced the year before and con- tinued during a portion of this season.
The first saw and grist mill in the village were built during this year, by Charles Brackett, on the spot where the present mills, built by J. W. and G. L. Chaffee, now stands.
1819.
Until this year, the income derived from the rent of what are known as the minister lots was granted by the town to the Congre- gational Church and Society. At a town meeting holden March 2, it was voted "that the 25th day of April next be a time to di- vide the avails of the rights of land for the support of the Gospel among the several 5
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societies; and the clerks of the several so- cieties are requested to return the names of their several members to the town clerk for that purpose, for this year, and forever after this year, for each religious society to return their names to the town clerk, on or before 15th day of January in each year."
CHAPTER IV.
1820-1860. 1820.
H E number of inhabitants was 114 It appears there were twelve school districts in town, although but ten made re- turns of the number of scholars. Number of scholars returned, between the ages of four and eighteen years, 445.
The returns of the various religious soci- eties were as follows :
First Congregational Society, 108
Methodist Society, 31
Baptist Society, 16
Amount of moneys divided among the several school districts $123 29. Amount of moneys divided among the several religious societies $105 00. Amount of State and school tax, $170 70.
It appears the old meeting-house was sold
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to Luther P. Blogett in 1815, as a record is found January 20, of a note given the town by said Blodgett for the old meeting.house, and five years interest, for the sum of twen- ty-six dollars.
At a freemen's meeting holden in Septem- ber of this year, the vote for member of Con- gresss was as follows :
Elias Keyes, 98
Horace Everett, 36
Scat, 2
For Governor, Richard Skinner, 72
Dudley Chase, 6
1822.
The Universalist Society in this town was organized January 10, at a meeting legally holden at the house of E. D. Briggs. The returns made to the town clerk of the num- ber of members was thirty-three.
SMITH INGALLS, Clerk of said Society.
In the Fall, the dysentery prevailed ex- tensively, and proved so fatal, that in the course of two months, there were forty deaths within the limits of the town.
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