USA > Vermont > Addison County > Shoreham > History of the town of Shoreham, Vermont, from the date of its charter, October 8th, 1761, to the present time > Part 25
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The price of Mr. Hammond's sheep has increased every year. In 1853 their sales amounted to $7.000: in 1854 they sold two ewes for $1200, and six others for $1200. Their bucks that year were sold from 8500 down to 810-the latter being culls. The whole averaged $29. cach. They have this year (1855,) shearcd from two two year old bucks, 22 and 23 pounds; in 1854, from one yearling ewe 12, and from one two year old ewe 13 pounds. The wool was not washed on the sheep, but was elcan.
Solomon W. Jewett, Esq., of Weybridge, had for many years been an extensive dealer in grade sheep. In 1843 he began to interest himself in pure blood sheep. He purchased of the de- scendants of the Merinos imported by Col. Humphreys, Mr. Jarvis and others. Among others he purchased the celebrated buck " Fortune, " a descendant of Mr. Jarvis's importation. Mr. Jewett raised from that buck about 200 lambs annually, which he sold from ten to twenty-five dollars, and some as high as $50 each. He sold several sheep sired by this buck, to Henry S. Randall, Esq., of Cortland Village, N. Y., on which he received the first and second premiums at the State Fair at Poughkeepsie in 1844, and with which. together with Mr. Jewett's buck, he published a challenge for competition, to the whole country.
In 1845, Mr. Jewett imported from England ten Spanish Meri- nos from the flock of Lord Weston. of Essex. who was the most noted breeder, and had the best flock of Spanish sheep in England.
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
Six hundred of these sheep, he states, having been presented, in 1803, to George III. That king gave Lord Weston the privilege of selecting from the flock, when first landed at Plymonth. These Mr. Jewett thinks were much inferior to the best flocks in this country. From the above, and some other additions, he kept for several years a flock of from 500 to 600 blooded sheep.
In 1851, Mr. Jewett went to Europe, for the purpose of examin- ing and purchasing sheep, and has been twice since for the same purpose. In France he purchased, at fifteen or twenty shipments, seven hundred French Merinos, which he selected from the three best flocks in that country, owned by Messrs. Gilbert, Cugnot and Guerin, and a few from the government flock at Rambouillet. These sheep, including expenses cost about $55,000. He has sold most of these at an average of about $100, each, the sales amounting to from 15 to 20,000 dollars annually. He sold one pair, a buck and ewe at $600. He also imported from Spain in 1854, ten sheep, through Mr. Haddock, the American Minister to Portugal ; but not being such as he wished to keep, he butchered them.
As to the relative value of the different breeds of sheep, Mr. Jewett's opinion is, that, if the farmer's object is to raise mutton, as well as wool, the French Merinos of the first quality are the best ; but for wool only, the Spanish. He has had an opportunity, not only for a personal examination of the best flocks in this country and in Europe, but has examined the published accounts of the weight of the fleeces of Spanish sheep in both countries, and his opinion is that they have greatly improved in this country since their importation. Referring particularly to the flock of the Messrs. Hammond of Middlebury, he expressed the opinion, that the fleeces of their sheep exceed, by one third or more, the fleeces of the native Spanish sheep. Indeed he expresses the decided opinion, that their flock is the best flock in the world.
Alonzo L. Bingham and Merrill Bingham, brothers of Cornwall, have been as long and as extensively engaged in the sheep business as any other farmers in the County. They have been not only large breeders but large purchasers : and have sold large numbers for many years in the Western, Middle and Southern States. From
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
Merrill Bingham personally, we have had no information. From Alonzo L. Bingham, we learn that he has been engaged in the breeding, purchasing and selling sheep for twenty years. He, for many years and until 1846, devoted his attention exclusively to Spanish Merinos, purchased from different importers.
In 1846, he commenced breeding French Merinos, and has im- ported large numbers through John A. Tainter, Esq., of Hartford, Conn. IIc now prefers the French sheep, and gives his whole. at- tention to them. When his attention was given to the Spanish, he had a flock of twelve hundred,-although not always so many- and raised annually from four to five hundred. Since he com- menced with French sheep, his flock has been less ; but he has raised from them annually more than he has ewes,-many of them having twins. At the State fair in the fall of 1855, he received not less than nine premiums on different classes of French sheep.
In the Vermont Register of May 31st, 1854, we find an article containing a statement of his sales from September 1st 1853, to May 1st, 1854, from which we collect the following summary. The sheep were French Merinos, and the amount of sales, during the above mentioned eight months, was $43,802,50. All but the amount of $7,033, which were sold by an agent at the west, were sold by himself on his farm in Cornwall, to persons living in each of the States of Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, Missouri, Connecticut and Vermont. He states also, that his sales of sheep for the last year,* have amounted to between thirty and forty thousand dollars ; and that the average price for which his French sheep have been sold, is $175. Mr. Bingham thinks, that both the Spanish and French sheep are greatly improved by being raised in this County. He says it is admitted, all over the west, that the sheep of Addison County are superior to any others; and that Mr. Tainter, who has been a large importer, says, that he found no such Spanish sheep in Europe, as in this County, and that French sheep are also greatly improved here.
* We wish the reader to bear in mind, that the materials for these chapters were obtained in 1855 and the chapters written at that time,
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
As a specimen of the weight of Mr. Bingham's fleeces, at his sheep-shearing in 1852, (we have no later information) we give the following extract from an editorial article in the Middlebury Reg- ister of May 26th of that year. "We select the following particu- lar instances from those sheared on the first day.
FLEECE.
No. 16
CARCASS. 107 pounds. 913
21 pounds. 20 6:
23
6. 25
1342
234
26
891
19:
6:
33
1114
18
There were thirty-three sheared on that day, " nearly or quite all yearling ewes."
The agriculturists named, are probably the most extensive deal .. ers in the County. But there are many others, who are largely engaged in breeding and in the improvement of their flocks, in every part of the County; some of whom are more or less also employed in the trafic. But we are not able to detail their operations. The raising of wool takes precedence of all other branches of farming in almost every town. We should be glad to avail ourselves of any means in our power to give a definite statement of the number of sheep, and the annual amount of the crop of wool in the County. We have spoken of the extensive trafic as an historical fact. But it is the breeding and improvement of the flocks, which is the more appropriate business of the agriculturist. The success which has attended this department has induced the trafic, to which we have re- ferred. The speculations and the extravagant prices and profits, which have arisen from this source may to some extent die away, when the country is more generally supplied with the best breeds ; but while the County sustains the reputation of raising the best sheep, there will be a market for them for recruiting and improving the flocks in less favored regions of the country.
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
CHAPTER X.
CATTLE-HORSES.
Tus standing of Vermont is generally strikingly shown by the reports of the Boston cattle market ; in which the number from this State appears, from week to week, to be nearly double those of any other New England State. Of these, Addison County, we believe, furnishes its full share : and it is represented, that the exhibitions, at the annual County fairs, are not inferior to those of any other County. But the farmers have made fewer efforts in that depart- ment. than in those of sheep and horses. We regret that, with all our diligence, we have not been able to ascertain, from those who best know, what efforts have been made and the success which has atten led them. At an early day, Thomas Byrd, Esq., of Vergen- nes, and soon after General Amos W. Barnum, of the same place, introduced into that neighborhood a considerable number of import- ed English breeds, and the full blood and cross breed of Ayer- shires, Herefords and Durhams, are quite common in the north part of the County, and, to some extent, prevail in other parts. Wight- man Chapman, Esq., then of Weybridge, kept on his farm, for eight or ten years, a very celebrated Ayershire bull, presented to him by John P. Cushing, Esq., of Massachusetts, which was cs- teemed by many the best bull in the country. The editor of the Albany Cultivator, who had examined him, in the number for August 1845, says : " He is a good bull, has a small clean head, clean limbs, a well shaped body and mellow skin. With the excep- tion of Mr. Archibald's bull, sent to the Poughkeepsie Show from Montreal, he is decidedly the best bull we have ever seen." The blood of this animal has been extensively diffused through the cattle in the central parts of the County. Governor Jenison, in the
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
address, from which we have so largely quoted, in referring to the " effects and general results of the introduction " of foreign breeds, says : "I venture the assertion, that where a favorite individual is found, could the pedigree be traced in most instances, you would! not go many removes back before you would run against some one of the imported improved breeds of stock." But the num- ber of full bloods of any of these breeds is quite limited. Cyrus Smith, Esq., of Vergennes, has a celebrated Durham bull, which took the first premium at the State fair in Rutland, and at the Ad- dison County fair at Mikllebury this year, (1355) Alonzo L. Bing- ham of Cornwell, obtained several premiums, at the State fair, on Dirham, Hereford al Devon cattle. Horatio Plumley of New Haven, has a full blood Durham cow, from which he has raised several excellent calves, and obtained, at the County fair, the sec- ond preminin on a bull, which was one of them. W. R. Sanford, Esq., of Orwell. two or three years since, imported two cows and one calf of the Devonshire breed, has bought a few since, and now has eight fall bloods, besides two, which he lately sold to the Messrs. Hammond of Middlebury, who from them have raised two calves. Mr. Sanford says, that the beef of this breed sells higher in Eng- land than any other. At the National Exhibition in Boston, and at the Vermont State fair, he received several premiums on Devon cattle. At the State fair Messrs. Hammond obtained the first pre- mium on bull calves of this breed.
We are glad to learn that a movement is in contemplation for the improvement of cattle in the County.
HORSES.
The reputation of the County, and the enthusiasm in the breed- ing of horses, among the farmers, do not suffer much in comparison with those in regard to sheep. Vermont horses have a reputation through the whole country. The original stock consisted of such as were common in the States from which the emigrants came. In some of these States, and especially Connecticut, considerable offorts had been previously made to improve the stock. In the year 1810, Ep. Jones, Esq., introduced and kept in Middlebury: for three or four years. a very beautiful, full-blood Arabian horse.
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
called the "Young Dey of Algiers." His descendents formed a very excellent breed. But the farmers had not then come to ap- preciate sufficiently the improvement in horses to patronize the high prices, which his services required, and he was removed. Since that, at various times, different stallions have been kept in the County, and among them the " Ok! Messenger," an imported En- glish horse, and his descendants ; from which the stock has been from time to time improved.
The present prevailing stock consists of the different branches of the Morgan horse. These originated from the horse generally known by the name of the "Justin Morgan." This horse was brought, when two years old, by Justin Morgan, from Springfield, Mass., from which place he removed to Randolph, Vermont, in the year 1795, and was kept by him there until March, 1798, when Mr. Morgan died. He was then sold to William Rice, of Woodstock. It does not appear that he was much thought of, or that much care was taken of him, until the excellence of his stock was revealed by his colts. His sire was the "True Britain, or Beautiful Bay," which was raised by Gen. Delancey, commander of the refugee forces on Long Island, and was afterwards kept one season by Justin Morgan. The True Britain was sired by the Traveller, an imported horse also owned by Gen. Delancey. The dam of the Justin Morgan was said to be a descendant of Wild Air, imported also by Gen. Delancey. Mr. Joshua Scott, of Vergennes; who has been acquainted with the Morgan horses from the first of that breed, has a record which traces back the pedigree of the sire and dam of the first Morgan to the Arabian Horse Godolphin, in England, which we do not think of importance enough to insert here. Mr. Scott states that four of the colts of Justin Morgan were kept as stallions, and from them were derived the several branches of that breed ; to-wit : " Woodbury," owned and kept by Mr. Woodbury, at Rochester, Vermont, until twelve years old, and afterwards owned successively by Mr. Walker, of Chelsea, and Peter Burbank, of Newbury ; "Sherman," owned by Mr. Sherman, of Barre, and afterwards kept by John Bellows, Esq., of Bellows Falls ; " Bulrush," raised in Williamstown, and " Revenge," kept
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
for a while in this State, and afterwards removed. The dams of the Woodbury and Sherman were of English descent. Mr. Scott thinks that three-fourths of the horses now generally known as Morgan, are of the Woodbury branch. Among the colts of the Woodbury was the Gifford. This was the sire of the Green Moun- tain Morgan, whose dam was also of that breed. This horse is or was owned by Silas Hale, of Barre, Mass., and, we believe, is the most noted of those known as Morgan horses. He was kept two seasons, a few years since, in Middlebury, in this County. The Gif- ford was also kept by Mr. Scott, in 1831, in the same place. The Ilacket Horse, owned and kept by Col. Hacket, in Middlebury, for several years, was sired by the Gifford, from a Woodury dam. The Flying Morgan, sired by the Hacket horse, and owned by Riley Adams, of Burlington, and distinguished for his speed in trotting, was for some time kept in this County. Woodbury 2d, raised by Mr. Scott, and now eight years old, is still kept by him in Vergennes, and is the only real Woodbury horse kept for mares in the County.
Mr. Weissinger, one of the editors of the Louisville, Ky., Jour- nal, who, some ten years ago, made a tour through Vermont, and other eastern States, and took pains to examine the best horses of the general Morgan breed, as quoted by the Cultivator, says, "There is no doubt whatever of this, that the breed of the Morgan horse was and is now, in the few instances where it can be found, far the best breed of horses for general service, that was ever in the United States, probably the best in the world; and it is remarkable, that this breed was and is now known by many striking peculiari- ties, common to nearly every individual."
The old Woodbury Morgan, at twenty years old, was sold for $1300. Mr. Hale says, "several stallions, begotten by Green Mountain Morgan," of which he was the owner, "have sold as high as $1500 ; many have brought prices ranging from $800 to $1200; geldings and mares from $300 to $800; few less than $200. The Woodbury and other breeds generally designated as Morgans, are less generally found in this County than in the eastern part of the State; and in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, having been generally sold and removed.
15
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
The Black Hawk and his descendants are more generally found here. This horse was sired by the Sherman Morgan, then owned by John Bellows, Esq., of Bellows Falls, and his dam was a large black mare and fast trotter, and is said to have been a half-blood English, raised in New Brunswick. He was raised by Mr. Twom- bly, of Greenland, N. H .. and when four years old, was purchased by Benjamin Thurston of Lowell, Mass. In the year 1844, David Hill, Esq., of Bridport in this County purchased him of Mr. Thurston, and has kept him in that place ever since. Mr. Weissinger, from whom we have before quoted, says of him, "I think he deserves all the praise that has been bestowed on him. He is the finest stallion I ever saw. His legs are flat and broad, shoulders well set back, loin and back bone very strong, length of hip beyond anything I ever saw, as quick in breaking as the bullet from the rifle, head and neck faultless ; in motion, mouth open, crest sublime, legs carried finely under him, square and even, and fore legs bending beautifully." We might quote other printed descriptions and recommendations of him, but it does not comport with our design.
Nearly all his colts more or less exhibit his traits. In this County they have become very common. Almost every farmer is anxious to obtain a Black Hawk colt. IJe has also a high repu- tation in almost every State. Probably the stock of no horse, ever kept in this country, has been so extensively known and so highly appreciated. Mr. Hill says, -" It is claimed by many of our best judges, that this is a new and permanent variety or breed. By this is meant that they possess peculiar points so uniform and dis- tinct from the immediate ancestors of Black Hawk, that he is justly entitled to be considered the parent or head of a distinct class." He says also, " Black Hawk has sired, I think, fully one hundred colts a year, since I owned him. His colts are now distributed throughout nearly all, if not all, the States of the Union, and several are in Canada. I know of some owned in every Stato except " five southern and south-western States. He says, "this breed of horses have great beauty and symmetry, are high-spirited, yet docile and tractable ; are more generally adapted for light and
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
rapid driving ; have great courage and endurance ; many are adapted for the farmer's "all work " horses, and few or none for the slow and heavy coach."
Mr. Hill has furnished us the following information of the prices at which some of Black Hawk's colts have been sold. Fifty colts, including a few geldings, and mares, sold in Bridport, have averaged over $600 cach. Eight, sold by himself, consisting of four fillies, one gelding, two three year old and one four year old stallions have averaged over $700 each. "The following," he says, "are a few of the most noted of this horse's stock, with prices paid or offered for them. Ethan Allen, $10,000, Red Leg, a geld- ing, $1,750, Black Hawk Maid, a mare, $1,600. The above were all from the same dam, and raised by Joel W. Holcomb, of Ticonderoga, N. Y .. Belle of Saratoga, a mare raised by David Hill, $4,200; Know Nothing, a gelding. $5,500; David Hill, now in California, $10,000; Ticonderoga, $5,000; Hammitt colt, $5,000; Sherman Black Hawk, $5,000; Plato, three years old, $3,000 ; Flying Cloud, of Ohio, $3,000; Rip Van Winkle, two years old, $2,000."
Black Hawk * is now (1855) twenty-one years old, and there is so great demand for his services, that the price charged for each mare the present season is one hundred dollars.
The Rutland and Burlington Rail Road, from Burlington to Bellows Falls, and passing through the whole length of this County, which was first opened about the first of January, 1850, has ad- vanced the prosperity of agriculture beyond any other influence. It has opened a direct and rapid communication with Boston and New York, which are adequate markets for all the agricultural productions of the County at high prices. The result has been to raise the price of all agricultural products. The price of lands in the vicinity, by the same means, has also been raised from 25 to 50 per cent, and in some cases doubled. And if those who have con- tributed so liberally for the construction of the road, have lost their whole investment, the farmers have gained as much. One obvious
Black Hawk has died since the above was written.
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
benefit, resulting from this influence, has been to raise the amount and quality of the productions of the dairy. There is now no danger of getting any but good butter from any farmer. *
* See Appendix No. 2, for agricultural and other products in the County.
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
CHAPTER XI.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-MEDICAL SOCIETY.
Ax agricultural society, at an carly day, was formed in this County, and continued an annual fair for several years; but soon declined for want of legislative encouragement.
The legislature in 1843, passed an act to give encouragement for forming agricultural associations. This act authorizes the formation of agricultural societies in each County, which, when organized, become legal corporations with the usual powers necessary to accon- plish their design, and the object of them is declared to be " to cul- courage and promote agriculture, domestic manufactures and the mechanic arts." The treasurer of the State is authorized to pay annually to each society a share of two thousand dollars, appropri- ated for the whole State, in proportion to the population of the County, in which it is established, provided that as large a sum shall have been otherwise raised.
Under this act, a society was formed by a convention held at Mid- dlebury, on the 22d of January 1844, by the name of " The Addi- son County Agricultural Society." By the constitution adopted on that occasion, its object is declared to be " the improvement of agri- cultural productions, useful domestic animals, domestic manufac- tures and the mechanic arts, so far as they concern the interest of agriculture." The payment of one dollar is made the condition of annual membership, and the payment of fifteen dollars, the condi- tion of life membership. The officers of the society, are to be a president, two vice presidents, secretary and treasurer. A board of managers is constituted, consisting of the above officers, and one member from each town, where ten members reside ; who are author- ized " to have a general supervision of the affairs of the society,
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
fix upon such productions, experiments, discoveries or attainments in agriculture and horticulture, and upon such articles of manufac- ture, as shall come in competition for premiums at the agricultural fairs, also upon the number and amount of premiums, and the time and place of holding fairs." The officers are to be chosen at an annual meeting, to be held at Middlebury, on the first Wednesday of January, which was afterwards altered to the fourth Wednesday of that month. The first meeting was held on the same day the society was organized, and Hon. Silas H. Jenison was elected presi- dent, and Harvey Bell, Esq., secretary.
The first fair was held at the court house and adjoining grounds in Middlebury, October 1st 1844, and an address was delivered by Hon. Silas HI. Jenison, which was printed, and from which we have already largely quoted. The fairs in 1845 and 1847, were held at Vergennes ; at the former of which an eloquent and interesting ad- dress was made by Rev. Dr. Wheeler, President of the University of Vermont. Addresses have also been made at other fairs ; of which we have not now sufficient information to give a correct state- ment. The fair in 1849 was held in Shoreham. All the others have been held in Middlebury. At the annual meeting in January 1852, the constitution was so altered as to authorize the managers to fix on a permanent location for the annual exhibitions ; and they, at & meeting in June of that year, fixed on Middlebury for that purpose, provided the citizens should provide suitable grounds and fixtures, and pay one hundred dollars annually toward the expenses. Since that time the fairs have been held on grounds leased from Gen. Nash, in the north part of the village, where temporary fixtures were erected. These gronnds have now been sold and appropriated to another use.
Several gentlemen in the County have recently purchased a tract of twenty-two acres, south of the court house. which formerly belonged to Jonathan Wainwright, including the barns and exten- sive sheds, erected for keeping and preparing for market his horses, when he was largely engaged in that trafic. Here they design to erect permanent fixtures upon a large scale for the accommodation of the annual exhibitions. Arrangements are in progress to raise
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