USA > Vermont > Windham County > Rockingham > History of the town of Rockingham, Vermont, including the villages of Bellows Falls, Saxtons River, Rockingham, Cambridgeport and Bartonsville, 1753-1907, with family genealogies > Part 39
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Bellows Falls, Vt. Published by Edmund Blake Printed at the Gazette Office By John W. Moore.
1847
REPORTS OF CASES, &C. Volumes XXIV-XXVI New Series, By John F. Deane, Counsellor at Law. Volumes I-III Bellows Falls Published by O. H. Platt 1853-1855 Svo, pp720, 760,821,
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, Together with an Historical Sketch of Reading, Windsor County, Vermont, and its inhabitants from the first settlement of the town to 1874.
By Gilbert A. Davis Bellows Falls Steam Press of A. N. Swain 1874 Svo, pp. 169.
An important publication which attracted much attention throughout the country and abroad, was :-
A COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA of Music, Elementary. Technical, Historical, Biographical, Vocal and Instrumental.
By John W. Moore, Boston Published by John Stewart & Co.
1854
438
Ilistory of Rockingham
It was published in 1854, by a man prominent in local business affairs and newspaper work. Being printed in Boston, it does not come under the head of books published here, but being a book of standard authority and written here, it should have a place with the above.
Mr. Moore the author, was at that time a druggist of Bellows Falls, and had been at different periods editor and publisher of the Bellows Falls Gazette, and the World of Music. The encyclopedia had been written here during the previous seventeen years.
There has always been an excellent job printing office in connection with the newspapers in succession to the Intelli- gencer. The present Times Press is now the representative of that line of succession. At times there have been two offices, notably in connection with the Republican and Argus, from 1849 to 1863 when removed to Montpelier. Other offices have had a temporary existence here. That now con- ducted by the Truax Printing company, established in 1885, has been the most extensive and important.
No books of large size have been printed or bound here during the last half century, but the most of the time Bellows Falls has had the advantage of two well equipped general job offices : sometimes, as at present, three.
CHAPTER XXXI.
BANKING-CONNECTICUT RIVER MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
The first effort to establish a bank of any kind in Ver- mont was made in 1786. For ten years the movement was unsuccessful, owing to the division of sentiment among the people regarding the wisdom of having any such moneyed institution. It furnished the text for unending contests at the sessions of the legislature each year. On November 10, 1806, an act was passed establishing the Vermont State Bank. This at first consisted of two branches, one at Woodstock, and the other at Middlebury. The next year two additional branches were established, at Burlington and at Westminster. All the stock of this bank, and all the profits arising there- from, were to be the property of the state, and all concerns of the bank were to be under the control and direction of the legislature forever. The immediate management was com- mitted to thirteen directors, to be chosen annually by the legislature, one of whom was to be president.
The record of this bank was not what had been antici- pated by its projectors, and complications of various kinds arose. Opposition and jealousy interfered with its patronage, and business never attained great proportions. The West- minster branch in 1811 was removed to Woodstock by act of the legislature, and the next year those of Burlington and Middlebury were transferred to the same place. In the year 1814, the legislature passed an act ordering the treasurer of the state to burn all the bills of the bank except what were needed to meet the demands upon the treasury for a few suc- ceeding years, and the business of banking by the state of Vermont was soon entirely discontinued. The loss to indi- viduals in consequence of the failure of the institution was trifling, but the loss to the state was large.
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History of Rockingham
Soon after the suspension of the Vermont State Bank a movement began, looking toward the establishment of small banks in different towns under the control of state laws, but by independent corporations. The first of this character was the Bank of Burlington, incorporated November 9, 1818; followed by the Bank of Brattleboro, incorporated November 5, 1821. Others followed during the next few years, and the first one at Bellows Falls was the tenth in the state to organize. No banks have ever been established in Rockingham except in the village of Bellows Falls, and the history of banking in the town has been one of continued success and advancement. No banking disaster or suspen- sion has ever occurred here, and present and past institu- tions have always been strong and reliable.
The Bank of Bellows Falls was incorporated November 9, 1831 by special act of the legislature, with a capital stock of $100,000, of which one-half was paid in. The incorpora- tors were Mark Richards and John Smith of Westminster, William Henry of Chester, and Daniel Kellogg, Henry F. Green, S. W. Goodridge, James I. Cutler, and Alexander S. Campbell of the town of Rockingham. The first meeting of the incorporators was held February 2, 1832 at the old Mansion House which stood on the Square south of the present bank building. The following board of directors was elected : Daniel Kellogg, Nathaniel Fullerton, James I. Cutler, Nathan Wheeler, Samuel Porter, John Smith, and Otis Adams. These organized by electing Daniel Kellogg as the first president, and William Henry, cashier. These two officers were authorized at the same meeting to purchase the lot upon the west side of the Square now covered by the south end of the opera house building. Upon this lot, within a few months, was erected the small, plain, one-story, brick building which served as the only banking house of Bellows Falls until 1875. The business was commenced in a small room in the second story of Mammoth block, immediately over what is now the store of the Howard Hardware company, and was continued there for a few months until the new
EARLY OFFICERS OF BANKS.
JAMES HENRY WILLIAMS (Ist). HON. WILLIAM HENRY- IS13-1SS1. 1788-1861. COL. ASA WENTWORTH, JR. 1797-ISS2.
HENRY FRANCIS GREEN. 1789-1867.
"Bank of Bellows Falls" . 441
building was ready for occupancy. This small building was occupied by the Bank of Bellows Falls during the remainder of the existence of that institution. In 1841, the discounts of the bank amounted to $130,134.50, only four banks in Vermont at that time doing a larger business.
Daniel Kellogg remained president until January, 1837, when he was succeeded by Nathaniel Fullerton of Chester. William Henry, the first cashier, occupied the position until March 9, 1847, his resignation being occasioned by his election to Congress. He was succeeded by James H. Williams (Ist). Mr. Fullerton was president and Mr. Williams cashier until the institution was merged into the National Bank of Bellows Falls, June 12, 1865.
The figures of the standing and business of this state bank when it became a national bank measure the total banking transactions of the town at that time, except that done by the Savings Institution. These figures were: Deposits, $35,000 ; loans, $185,000 ; profit and loss account, $25,000.
By the terms of the new national banking act, the National Bank of Bellows Falls was organized from the old Bank of Bellows Falls, described above, on June 12, 1865. Its charter has been extended at the expiration of each twenty years, the last renewal being in June, 1905. Its first direc- tors were Nathaniel Fullerton, James H. Williams (Ist), Hugh H. Henry, Asa Wentworth, Jr., George Slate, and John A. Farnsworth. The first president was Nathaniel Fullerton, who was succeeded in November, 1872, by James H. Williams (Ist). Mr. Williams retained the office until his death and was succeeded in August, 1881, by his son, James H. Williams (2nd), the present incumbent. The first cashier was James H. Williams (Ist). Upon his election to the presidency in November, 1872, he was succeeded by his son, James H. Williams (2nd). Upon the succession of the latter to the presidency, in August, 1881, Preston H. Had- ley, formerly a teller in the bank, was elected cashier, which position he held until July, 1906, when, at his death, James H. Williams (3d) succeeded to the office.
4.42
History of Rockingham
The present board of directors of the National Bank of Bellows Falls are James H. Williams (2nd), Hugh Henry, John H. Williams and Charles E. Robertson.
The capital stock is $100,000, all paid in. The financial statement dated October 2, 1905, shows the following figures : Surplus and profits, $63,789 ; circulation, $95,900 : deposits, $265, 169 : loans, $259,077 : total assets, $530,309.
The National Bank occupied the small building erected by the Bellows Falls Bank until 1875, when the present commodious banking and mercantile building was built in conjunction with the Bellows Falls Savings Institution.
In accordance with the statutes providing for the retire- ment of the circulation of the bills of old state banks, the directors of the National Bank, on January 8, 1867, had a memorable bonfire in which they destroyed $144,000 of the bills of the former institution.
Four times in the history of the National Bank and its predecessor unsuccessful attempts were made to rob its vaults. In each case, burglars succeeded in getting through the outer door of the vault but were frustrated in their attempts to gain admission to the safe. The dates of these attempts were November 5, 1864, March 14, 1866, April 30, 1867, and November 21, 1870.
In the first attempt, Saturday night, November 5, 1864, the would-be robbers gained entrance to the banking room of the small building through the window fronting upon the Square, by bending upward the hasp which secured the lower sash. With powder they blew off a portion of the vault lock and succeeded in prying open the outer door. The inner door foiled them, probably from lack of time, and they departed, leaving some tools inside which they had stolen from the blacksmith shop of O. B. Arms. The attempt was not discovered until Sunday evening, when Hon. H. E. Stoughton, who resided in the brick dwelling near by, noticed the disarrangement of affairs. The bank was guarded through the night, fearing a renewal of the effort. That the
443
Bank Burglaries
thieves were not experts was evident from their bungling method of procedure.
The night of Wednesday, March 14, 1866, was selected for the second attempt. Access was gained by prying open the outside door. Powder was then used upon the vault door, but this time it resisted all efforts. It was not opened, the only damage being to the lock, which was injured so that it could not be used thereafter. In their retreat the robbers left a canister of powder, a piece of fuse and a cold chisel. Dr. O. F. Woods, who kept the hotel on the opposite side of the Square, about seven o'clock the next morning noticed the blinds of the bank closed, which led to an investigation and the discovery of the attempted robbery. Two days later, a satchel was found upon the depot grounds containing two mallets, a burglar's jointed iron-bar, powder, fuse, and some clothing. It was ascertained that three men, evidently those connected with the break, went toward Rutland on the morning train. Two left the train at Chester, and the third, giving his name as Thomas McCormick, was arrested at Rutland and proved to be a professional cracksman. He was brought here and had a hearing, March 20, 1866, before Justice Alexander S. Campbell, who held him in the sum of $750 bail for trial at county court. Bail was furnished by the late Charles Towns, which the man forfeited, the money paying the same being sent from New York by McCormick's friends. He was a young man and in later years was known as a professional rogue.
Tuesday night, April 30, 1867, the third attempt was made. The building was entered through a window upon the south side. No explosive was used, but the outer vault door was opened by means of bars, prying in, and through, the key-hole. This evidently took so long that there was no time for further effort, there being still two more, and still stronger, doors to open. As before, the tools were secured from the Arms blacksmith shop. The same night an attempt was made to blow open the safe in the hardware store of Arms & Willson.
444
History of Rockingham
The fourth and last attempt to rob the bank was made Monday night, November 21, 1870, and was evidently the work of experts. Entrance was gained by prying open the street door. The burglars succeeded in removing the casings of the outer door to the vault, getting as far as the second of the three doors that guarded the money. Either they were frightened away, or they lacked for time, as there was no evidence of any work upon the second door. They left in the room the most complete set of burglar's tools ever seen in this vicinity, consisting of two new jack-screws, a heavy sledge-hammer, and a large variety of wedges, bars, and chisels of all sizes and of the best workmanship. The bars were made to be put together in sections like fish-poles, and many of the implements were supplied with duplicate handles. Upon leaving, they swung the door of the vault together and the attempt was not discovered until James H. Williams (2nd) opened the bank for business the next morning.
In only one of the above attempts was there ever secured any evidence to warrant an arrest.
Banks patronized by citizens of Bellows Falls and located in Charlestown and Walpole, N. H., have each had experi- ence in being burglarized.
June 10, 1850, the old Connecticut River bank at the for- mer place was entered during the night by two brothers named Larkin. Access to the vault was gained, and every- thing of value was taken therefrom, including about $12,000 of specie, largely in gold. This they loaded into a buggy and started for Massachusetts. In ascending a hill, up which the men were walking, the horse strayed, unobserved in the darkness, into a by-path and was lost to the men. Early in the morning the horse and buggy, and all the bank property, were discovered, and restoration was made to the bank. The ownership of the horse was established and dis- closed the identity of the men. One of the brothers escaped, the other was arrested, and later forfeited the $2,500 bonds under which he was placed.
November 21, 1864, the Walpole Savings Bank, in which
445
Bellows Falls Savings Institution
many Rockingham citizens had deposits, was entered and cash and securities to the amount of $52,000 were secured, causing the failure of that institution. The noted cracks- man, Max Shinburn, was convicted as one of the robbers, and is still serving time in the Concord, N. H., prison for this offence. The story of his arrest, trial, two daring escapes, subsequent years of bank breaking, and imprison- ment elsewhere-later to be returned to Concord to serve his original sentence-furnishes one of the most interesting chapters in the history of crime.
The legislature of Vermont, on November 23, 1847, incorporated the Bellows Falls Savings Institution, naming the following as the incorporators : William Henry, Asa Wentworth, Jr., Rodney Sherwin, Marshall Newton, Daniel Kellogg, Charles I. Walker, Russell Hyde, Benjamin Smith, Jr., James H. Williams (Ist), Nathaniel Fullerton, Hugh H. Henry, John Barrett, Peter W. Dean, Ira Goodhue, Oliver Field, Peyton R. Chandler, Asa B. Foster, George Perry, and David Chandler.
The first meeting was held December 13, 1847, "at the inn of Col. Russell Hyde," the old Bellows Falls Stage House located on the east side of the Square. At that meet- ing was chosen a board of trustees consisting of William Henry, Asa Wentworth, Jr., Hugh H. Henry, Charles I. Walker, David Chandler, Peter W. Dean, Ira Goodhue, Benjamin Smith, Jr., George Perry, Russell Hyde, Timothy H. Hall, James Whipple, Waitstill R. Ranney, Otis Bardwell, and Peyton H. Chandler. These organized by electing Nathaniel Fullerton of Chester, president ; Asa Wentworth, Jr., Ist vice president : Hugh H. Henry, 2nd vice president ; William F. Hall, secretary ; and James H. Williams (Ist), treasurer. The first members of the board of investment were, Asa Wentworth, Jr., David Chandler, Timothy H. Hall, and William Conant.
The following officers have been elected in the years indicated :
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History of Rockingham
PRESIDENT :
TREASURER :
Nathaniel Fullerton. Dec., 1847. Asa Wentworth, Jr., Jan., 1852.
Merrick Wentworth, Aug., 1860. Solon F. Goodridge, Sept., 1879. George Slate, Aug., 1881 Henry C. Lane, Jan., 1883.
Lavant M. Read, March, 1901. Albert N. Swain, July, 1902.
James HI. Williams (Ist), Dec., 1817. George Slate, March, 1858.
James H. Williams (2nd), Aug., 1860. John H. Williams, Apr., 1875.
The history of this institution has been one of continued progress, until at this time the deposits aggregate over a million and a half dollars.
The Savings Institution has always occupied the rooms with the Bellows Falls Bank and the National Bank, joining with the latter in the erection, in 1875, of the present model building on the west side of the Square.
The present board of trustees with their years of election follow :
John H. Williams, 1879.
Albert N. Swain, ISS2.
Sidney A. Whipple, 1896. Zina II. Allbee, 1899.
Hugh Henry, 1887.
Fred I. Lane, 1902.
George O. Guild. 1889.
George R. Wales, 1903.
Sidney Gage. 1889.
A charter was granted by special act of the legislature, November 22, 1900, to the Bellows Falls Trust company, and business was commenced on September 2, 1902, in the present banking rooms in Willson's block on the west side of the Square. The incorporators were Edward L. Walker, Charles H. Robb, and Charles E. Howard of Bellows Falls, Frederick W. Pierce of Chester, Jacob G. Ullery of Brattle- boro and Frederick L. Houghton of Putney. They were authorized by the charter as commissioners to receive subscrip- tions to the capital stock, which was to be $50,000, with power to increase the same to $200,000. The amount of $50.000 was subscribed and paid in before business was begun.
The first meeting of the incorporators and stockholders was held in the office of E. L. Walker in the second story of the opera house building, April 21, 1902, at which the follow-
447
Trust Company- Fire Insurance Company
ing board of directors was chosen : Edward L. Walker, president ; Charles E. Howard, vice president and treasurer ; Ozias M. George, James C. Day, John W. Flint, Willis C. Belknap, and Albert H. Chandler. These officials remain as when first elected, with the exception of the office of treas- urer which has been taken by Mr. Chandler in the place of Mr. Howard.
The charter is a broad one, empowering the company to transact a general banking, savings, and trust business. Each department has increased rapidly from the start. Their statement dated December 1, 1905, shows the follow- ing figures : Deposits, $313,080 ; assets, $377,426; surplus and profits, $14,346.
CONNECTICUT RIVER MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
From 1859 until 1882 an important fire insurance company of the above name was located in Bellows Falls and did a large business. The company was chartered by the legisla- ture in November, 1858, and issued its first policy April 1, 1859.
The first board of directors consisted of James H. Williams (Ist), Asa Wentworth, Jr., A. S. Campbell, John C. Richard- son, William Rounds, Joseph D. Hatch, John F. Dean, and Warren B. Richardson. These directors organized the com- pany December 27, 1858, by the election of Asa Wentworth, Jr., president ; A. S. Campbell, secretary, and James H. Williams, treasurer. The plan upon which its business was done was known as the premium note and assessment plan.
July 1, 1869, the company had at risk $3,222,924 under 3,246 policies. The premium notes at that time amounted to $187,655. The directors that year were Asa Wentworth, Jr., James H. Williams (Ist), George Slate, J. D. Bridgman, W. H. Johnson, W. S. Meyers, E. B. Campbell, L. C. Hubbard, and Charles Whitney.
For a number of years at about the latter date, the com- pany sustained large losses, necessitating burdensome assess- ments, and the business of the company was reduced.
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History of Rockingham
The last report of the company made to the Insurance Department of Vermont, January 7, 1874, gave the officers as Asa Wentworth, president, Dr. F. Whitman, secretary, and George Slate, treasurer.
When the directors voted to cease issuing policies and close up the affairs of the company, they had in force about 1, 100 policies and about $1,500,000, at risk. All policies were cancelled, taking effect March 20, 1882.
The "Home office" of this company was located in the Times block, in rooms now occupied by the editorial office of that paper.
.
CHAPTER XXXII.
MILITIA.
As early as 1770, there was a military company in Rock- ingham which had for its officers Capt. Stephen Sargeant, Lieut. Philip Safford, and Surgeon Dr. Reuben Jones, the town physician.' The plucky patriotism which pervaded this pioneer organization is shown by the taunt which Lieutenant Safford is said to have used to the minions of King George, while fighting his way out of the Westminster court house during the massacre of March 13, 1775. History quotes him as saying he "could lick the whole of the King's army if he only had his company of Rockingham militia with him."
The Rockingham company which marched across the state to Ticonderoga and took part in the Battle of Hubbard- ton in July, 1777, was officered as follows: Capt. Joseph Woods, Lieut. Charles Richards, Lieut. Colburn Preston, and Ensign Ebenezer Fuller. They had twenty-one men at first, as shown by the list given on page 214. This number was later increased to thirty-four, who probably took part in the Battle of Bennington a month later under the same officers.
In October, 1777, a detachment of five men from Rock- ingham under Lieut. Charles Richards is supposed to have taken part in the Saratoga campaign, and to have been pres- ent at Burgoyne's surrender. Their names were Timothy Clark, Charles Richards, Jr., Elisha Walker, Asa White, and Daniel Richards.
In 1778, the list of companies organized. by the provincial congress of New York shows that the Rockingham company was officered by Moses Wright, captain ; Isaac Reed, first lieutenant ; and Ashur Evans, ensign. No list of the names of these men has been found, but they did service in the "First" or "Lower" regiment.
30
150
History of Rockingham
In 1779, Capt. Lemuel Sargeant commanded the Rock- ingham company.
In 1780, during October, a company of militia in this town shows by its roster, copied on page 224, twenty-nine men. The officers were Capt. Jonathan Holton, Lieut. Wil- liam Stearns, Ensign Timothy Clark, Ist Sergt. John Roundy, 2nd Sergt. John Whitney, 3rd Sergt. John Titus, 4th Sergt. John Pulsipher, Corp. Daniel Richards, and Drummer Charles Richards.
In October of 1782, the Rockingham company of twenty- three men was under the command of Capt. William Simonds, when they took part in quelling the insurrection in Guil- ford, Vt. The names of the men are given on page 226.
During January, 1784, the Rockingham militia to the number of twenty-two men, commanded by Capt. John Ful- ler, marched across the mountains in a blinding snow storm to Guilford and shared with the little army of Ethan Allen in his victory over the Tories of that town. No names of these men have been found.
Without doubt militia organizations were continuous in town from its early settlement until about the middle of the last century, as, by the law of the state, the entire arms-bearing population was required to be organized and drilled in mili- tary tactics at least once a year. In 1822, there was a com- pany of "Light Infantry" in the village of Saxtons River, and the commission from the Governor of Warren Lovell as lieutenant was dated June 10, 1822. Lieut. Lovell was but twenty years old at the time, and the next year he was chosen postmaster of Saxtons River.
In November, 1813, the Vermont legislature by a special act constituted a company of artillery for this town, which was probably located in Rockingham village. The act names only David R. Campbell and David Burt as incorporators. It was annexed to the Ist regiment, 2nd brigade, and first division of the militia of the state. The persons constituting the company were required to "furnish themselves, at their own expense with a good field piece, with suitable apparatus,
151
Early Militia Companies
and otherwise equip themselves, as a company of artillery." but it was provided that the enlistments for the artillery company "do not reduce the standing companies in said Rockingham, or elsewhere, to a less number than 50 priv- ates," indicating there were other companies then located in town.
The following from the Bellows Falls Intelligencer of September 30, 1822, shows that at that time military matters were an important factor in the life of this vicinity, there being a company of light infantry and one of artillery composed of Bellows Falls citizens, and two infantry com- panies in Grafton.
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