USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Wallingford > People of Wallingford, a compilation > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
here I have explained my motive and my wishes if it is of con- sequence enough to you to deserve a return it will be happily Receiv'd-
With Respect- Lucretia Robbins
Troy Febr 1st 1807 Mr. Alexander Miller Wallingford Vermont
23ª of March 1807 Lucretia, Doubtless Mr. Robbins informed you the calamitous Situation of our family when he was here which rendered it im- possible for me to write.
[82]
SOLOMON AND ALEXANDER MILLER
The Death of my honoured Parent since has almost rendered me unfit for social intercourse.
But know your expectation of an answer to your letters the first opportunity I imbrace the present. My reservedness to you on the subject when ever we have met will be sufficiently ex- plained when you recollect our last conversation on the subject. I then meant to be understood that my situation in Life was such in my opinion as could not be verry inviting to you and the probability was that you had better accept than wait as many accidents happen in a course of years as would render obliga- tions of no effect. But still you must recollect I gave you the preference that when I was in a condition to solicit your favor and you uningaged to any one else you alone would be the object of my choice. my ideas have ever since been uniform on this point. my reservedness afterwards was only a suspiciousness of myself for fear I should discover too great an anxiety in my own favour to permit you to act according to your own wishes.
But Lucretia you seem to attempt to rival me in sincerity you have Done every thing that you ought and more than I ought to expect. and since you have been so generous I will be as generous as you I think I can visit Troy as soon as June perhaps before I will then explain my condition to you and then you may have you choice of your proffered companions, till when you cannot perhaps so well judge which to give the preference.
Yours Sincerely Alex Miller
Mr. L. Hall Says Houghton told him you was about to be mar- ried immediately if you do not write perhaps I may think its true.
A.M. Miss Lucretia Robbins Troy
Worthy Lady, I wrote to you some time in the month of March pr Mail Superscribed to Mr. Robbins which I dont know whether you received or not. when I wrote I intend to have bin in Troy before this but I find I cannot leave my aged father with propriety among strangers though he is infinitely better than he has been I have expected one of my brothers here and do still If they come I shall go and perhaps without.
[83]
PEOPLE OF WALLINGFORD
Do not be so backward about writing it will come safe Di- rected to Danby post office.
You seem by not writing to be indifferent (if not you) * can be obliging enough to undeceive me.
You can never be indifferent to me although you were to bestow your hand on another.
Consider yourself under no obligation to me any time when you wish. one favor I must ask Let me always retain your friend- ship. any confidence you have or may have in me shall have a re- turn.
Do not accuse me by the backwardness of your writing & the shortness of your letters of writing two frequent & tiring you with long ones
be assured I am in all respects
Yours to command Alex Miller
29th of May 1807 Miss Lucretia
June 7th, 1807
I received your Letter Sir by Mail but defer'd writing expecting an opportunity to send a letter by my Father which I thought would be a little the most convenient for me but he did not go as he calculated and Too soon expecting you here I thought it not worth while to write
You informed me you understood I was soon to be Married -- and would you deign to believe it on no other foundation than hear-say-
I would ask you Alexander if you suppose I would have made my sentiments known to you in so familiar a way had I encour- aged the particular attention of any one else, or why was I solici- tous to know your present sentiments if that was the case-
If you believed the report you must have supposed me capable of that dissimulation which I ever detested-but if the freeness which I have used in my Correspondence with you has not been sufficient to convince you where my attachment lies it is because you do not wish to know. I likewise received your letter by Mr. Hill-
* Words missing through tear in breaking the seal.
[ 84 ]
-
SOLOMON AND ALEXANDER MILLER
You seem to be fearful that I am actuated by a sense of obliga- tion which I may be under to you and influenced thereby-but correct me if I am wrong in thinking that Obligation on your Part has not influenced your conduct in some respects. if that alone is the Basis of your friendship I feel unhappy that the Cor- respondence has been recontinued .- You accuse me of being indifferent; I compute that accusation to your love of controversy or else you are disposed thus Ironically to reprimand the freedom which I have already taken. However I shall kindly receive any friendly admonition you will please to give-
I must Join in the general regret for the loss of your worthy Mother may we revere her memory by imitating her virtues and evince our attachment to her in life by venerating her ex- amples. but to you her death must be truly affecting you have lost a worthy friend a tender Mother may you be able to discern the hand from which your afflictions come and humbly submit to his will-
You will perceive that I do not mean to accuse the longness of your letters by the shortness of this.
I should be happy to see you when convenience admits if you have treated me with uninterested and unobligated friendship you certainly may be sure of mine-
This in Sincerity from Your Friend,
Lucretia Robbins-
I expect Mr. Hill to be the Bearer of this Mr. Alexander Miller
Wallingford, Vermont.
Lucretia you will excuse me if I adopt a different method of writing from my former I now must conclude my welfare & happiness concerns you more than ever. I perceive my anxiety towards you has increased to a second self. I should have glad had circumstances permitted to have tarried longer in Troy. I have not had time since to write my Father has been so unwell he is now better and appears as if it might continue awhile. I am calculating to go to Troy in the fall but you must not be dis- appointed if I dont come until winter can write you probably a few weeks previous to give you notice. If this fall perhaps we cannot procure a better method of conveyance than a shay. I
[85]
PEOPLE OF WALLINGFORD
have none but can procure one in the neighborhood but must consult your wishes as to the time method of conveyance and the time you will be prepared to come my house goes on slower than I could wish but hope to have it finished in a few weeks where by being more alone I believe my Father will be better.
Write to me often by so doing you will confer a great favor on
Yours Sincerely Alex Miller
Miss Lucretia 5th of July 1807
July 7th Intended Respected- -
May I now address you without formality and without that reservedness which I own I ever till now have wished to observe, but now I think I may without fearfulness repose in you whatever I think proper to communicate-but there are many things which in conversation would appear well, on paper would be obscene; therefore if you discover a degree of attachment to my former habits of writing reservedly you will not imagine it proceeds from want of confidence in you-
At times I am hapily lost in the anticipation of the contem- plated union-and my heart exulting in the fond Idea of the cordial felicity and pleasing friendship which naturally attend conjugal Love, I suffer my Imagination to take its flight and fancy happiness here below but then the gloomy view of expectations which you in your ingenious frankness impressed on my mind- seems to correct me in this fond indulgence and I am assured I shall be disappointed in this expectation of complete happiness let my aspirations be ever so fervent-for I find by observation and experience that there is ever something wanting necessary to the completion of our unlimited desires, and when we have at- tained our most earnest wish the very attainment of that may pro- duce new anxieties. However should I meet with a suitable return of tenderness and affection it might alleviate the cares which you pourtrayed in such dark and gloomy Colours-I spent the other evening with the Misses Houghtons I received their liberal
[ 86]
SOLOMON AND ALEXANDER MILLER
Compliments on your visiting Troy they were very sorry they had not the pleasure of seeing you. I very politely received a Card to attend the Independence Ball but haveing other engagements I did not attend.
Lawyer Houghton strongly solicits me to inform him what arangements are made-he says you would not tell him-I re- ceived a visit from him & his lady the 4th she spent the day with me etc-
If you should happen to conclude to visit Troy in the fall for the purpose under contemplation be so good as to inform me as soon as you make the conclusion for it will be indispensably necessary for me to know in order to make some adjustments respecting my school etc.
you will hardly be able to read this but when I tell you I have been teaching A B C all day you will not wonder at my careless- ness for I am tired and I will resign my pen after subscribing myself your
Respectful- L. Robbins-
Mr. Alexander Miller, Wallingford
July
I have this day received your letter but unavoidable engage- ments have occupied my time till now past eleven Oclock, and could I see you I might perhaps give you an Idea how I spent the evening, but shall omit it now --- as to the time of your Comeing I do not know as it will make any material difference with me excepting if this fall I should want to know it as soon as it would be convenient for you to determine I leave this more particu- larly to you supposeing it more difficult perhaps for you to com- ply with the arrangements I should make than it would be for me to yours. as to traveling in the fall the way you mentioned will be as agreeable to me as any. I think I shall dismiss my school in September if I dont get quite tired and Leave of sooner. However I shall hear from you again and it is likely I shall have other opportunities to write and I dont know as it is necessary to tell you all my expectations now-I expected Father would have set out on his journey yesterday I had written a letter to
[87]
PEOPLE OF WALLINGFORD
send you and I think it is a pitty so much paper and ink should be lost so I mean to send it-you have it enclosed in this-
the family are all reposed in sleep and I feel disposed to in- dulge its slumbers too. I bid you Adieu-
L.R.
A.M.
Sunday evening 26th of July 1807
My ever Lucretia,
I received yours by Mr. Robbins with the greatest pleasure multiplicity of business and attention to my Father has prevented me from writing before. I have now removed to my house I have been erecting & find it has no bad effect upon my Father my Brother Sam" visited me & left here toDay. he thinks riding would do my Father no injury I say that Elish will come Down about the first of Sepr & if then thought best would take him to Williston for awhile If he comes which I think he will I shall want to go to Troy immediately afterward.
Your confidential and generous method of writing is what I ever wished it to be but I suppose you ( )* truly Charac- teristic I hope I shall never forfeit what I have gained. In con- cordance to your feeling I anticipate the the greatest happiness in the matrimonial state, but still we must not expect an unin- terruped scene perhaps those only are capable of true injoy- ment who have tasted some of the evils of life. without bitter their could be no distinguishing its oposite. I have almost blamed myself sometimes for soliciting your consent to a union not wishing to make you a pertaker of my calamities, but when I return upon the past scenes of life I see not why I could not en- joyed myself infanitely better if I had had a partner in my woes and pleasures. I find their is something so agreeable in Sympathy it is hard to tell whether the giver or receiver is the greatest bene- fited-the number of years which I have constantly had an attachment for you is convincing to me that it will be lasting. Still Lucretia you know it is inconsistant for me to be afondling a character I at present think light of you verry well know the method I have been educated & hope you perfectly understand my character, affectionately Alex Miller
* Words missing-letter torn.
[88]
SOLOMON AND ALEXANDER MILLER
August 5, 1807
I received your letter Sir of the 25th July and from it I conclude I may expect to see you the first part of Sept™ there appears to be something Alexander which occasions a scrupulous concern in you respecting the unity contemplated. is it anything more than you have made known to me, or is it your greater knowledge of the disadvantages which must be submitted to which makes you more reflective than I-
it is true indeed that were it not for afflictions and trouble we should not know how to rightly estimate blessings and pleasure. I could not help laughing at the close of your letter where you express your respect for those you call fondlings and at the same time I was a little provoked that you should construe some part of my letter in the way you did I shall not write so freely as I did before for I think you far surpass me in reservedness, and that will not do for me-you always think me too reserved and particular but I do seriously believe were we to compare our letters we should find more reservedness in yours than in mine but I must not indulge my pen in telling all the thoughts of my mind or I shall contradict what I have before said that I would not write so long as before-
September will soon be a long and my mind time and heart is engaged my mind in Contemplation my time in preparation and my heart! who do you suppose has that ? but stop you will call me a fondling foolish girl and I will not tell you who I have entrusted with it. This from Yours-
LR
My Dearest Lucretia
I am very much surprised at yours the 5th Aust this moment received the little time I get to write the frequent interruption from my Father and the state of my mind when viewing him ought to have been recollected by you & given for an apology for my not writing everything that I ought or as I ought. I am at all times attending him by night and day and if I am gloomy its no more than I should guess would be the effect; but Lucretia you have mistaken verry grossly every sentiment I possess or or meant to convey in my last (how improper it is that I should attempt to write and not write inintelidgeale or be undistrood
[89]
PEOPLE OF WALLINGFORD
agreeable to my own sentiments ) for me to think you a fondling. I have thought you were two much the opposite. I write and have writen as if to the best of friends without formality or protys- tation. I have not the least Scrupulous concern as to the happi- ness of our long contemplated union as it concerns me or you if you could put up with the inconvenience of our family which perhaps you think I meant to represent more than it was If I have represented your condition here worse than it will be it will be a happy Disapointment and I think you will be no looser by the Deception.
It is impossible for me to be as communicative in writing as in conversation you complain of my reservedness but I must conclude I wrote verry unreservedly indeed from what you gather from it. So be so obliging as to write me by the next mail and if you think me worthy of your confidence I think I shall discover it in what you write. I cannot again and again solicit your un- reservedness you know the connection we are about to form you know the spear you ought to act in better than I can dic- tate,-you wounded my feelings by the ideas you conveyed of my last but must think you meant to rally me and write a little jistingly.
Sincerely and affectionately Yours Alex Miller
15th of August 1807
Respected Friend,
When shall we have done with misrepresentations and mis- understandings,-not untill by a sacred Rite, we are firmly united by a tender Tie. I received yours of the 15th inst. and am unhappy that my last should have occasioned such disagreeable sensations in your heart; when I really only meant to be even with you; but you will over pay me for all my jesting I think perhaps I had better be serious .- I expected to find in your letter your calcu- lations about visiting us etc. but not one word about that! How- ever I suppose you thought best not to mention anything about that as you must have concluded I was quite affronted-Not so Alexander think me not so easily uneasy of an engagement which has been seriously and deliberately formed-I shall make no great commentaries on your letter and omit for the present
[ 90]
-
SOLOMON AND ALEXANDER MILLER
apologising for my severity in my last-for I really think it is time we had done with these trifling controversies-therefore I will not attempt to vindicate my freedom nor censure you because you did not understand my letter as I meant you should-but I will now endeavor to write something that you cannot but understand -this week I dismiss my school, after which If you think proper I shall be happy to see you when convenience will admit. and what advantage will be derived from a longer delay than con- venience requires; for my part I see none you must know what my wishes are and I hope if yours are congenial with mine we shall have no more occasion for these useless disputes-
Disappointments and afflictions are ever unwelcome let them proceed from what cause they will but when occasioned by A be- loved friend A Sister who we esteem and love one endeared by the ties of Nature and by a long social and closely united friend- ship they are peculiarly cutting and sink deep into the hearts of those whose sensibility is awakened by the rejection of every prof- fered friendship and alive to every emotion of love and duty.
You undoubtedly know to what I refer-a circumstance which has embittered many an hour and fills with admiration and aston- ishment every one acquainted with it-I could be reconciled to it were not my Parents so seriously opposed, but I hardly know what to think I hardly know what to say. surprising that fancy will thus entirely overpower judgment and silence all her ad- monitions but I am still in hopes she may be convinced of her precipitancy and consent at least to a delay of the business till time shall have given her opportunity to consider the great undertak- ing she imposes upon herself-I had not time after the receipt of your letter to write by the return of the Mail I intended to have sent my letter by Father but he went and left it so this is my next resource-Inform me if you please as soon as convenient what your calculations are-there is considerable speculation made on your letters in the present way. direct if you please to me or to Hazard Trimberly-
With every respect due to esteemed worth
I remain your's LR
August 26th
[91 ]
PEOPLE OF WALLINGFORD
My Dearest Lucretia,
Death has again visited our family and Deprived us of our only surviving parint-
My aged & infirm father has for nearly two years been deprived of the greatest blessing of life Sufficiently if sencible to wean him from the world-his friends could derive no satisfaction in seeing him in his pityful condition yet their is that degree of terror in his Disolution that fills my heart with awe-
Mr. Robbins was here yesterday said he thought he had a letter but could not find it I hope you will not neglect to write-I feel a degree of lonely discontentedness here which can only be made up by your company-decent mourning for me at this time will not only be proper but consistant with my feelling. I cannot at this time acquaint you when I shall be in Troy but will write again shortly-If you would permit me to advise you concerning your school it would be to have you leave it as quick as consistent I fancy your constant attention impairs your health
Consider me yours
Affectionately Alex Miller
26 of August
30 of August I wrote the above with intention to have sent it by Mr. Houghton but did not have opportunity I have since received yours per Mail.
I told Mr. Robbins I thought it would not be proper for me to go to Troy before the first of Oct" but I am every day more & more discontented with my present condition-my friends will not think I deviate from respect to my parents when they consider my condition if I go sooner I have some little arrangements to make before I can go but shall conclude Since your School is out you will be prepared any time-You write about your sister Mr. Robbins acquainted me the circumstance but was in hope, he was two much agitated-he proposes that she should visit the country with us I should like it extremely if we can contrive her pas- sage Doubtless we can when I come-I am so unwell with ( ) * that I can hardly sit up to write and must conclude myself your, affectionately
Alex Miller
* Word missing-letter torn.
[ 92 ]
IV. THE BUTTONS, THE JACKSONS AND THE MILLERS
By NELLE BUTTON
IT is impossible to understand the development of Wallingford as one of Vermont's finest towns, without a consideration of the character of the men who came here in its early days. It is my good fortune to have access to data for the portraying of three of Wall- ingford's early families, the Buttons, the Jacksons, and the Mil- lers.
In one of the closets of the little white cottage that has sheltered three generations of Buttons, in a dark closet called a "cubby- hole," a bandbox and linen bag, both filled with old letters, waited for over fifty years for a careful study. With the aid of these letters, together with a study of family records of the But- ton, Wilcox, Miller and Jackson families, and a searching of re- corded deeds and wills, and from recollections of oral traditions given from one generation to another, I have sought to separate truth from fiction. Even so, my tale depends upon that from which romantic history is made.
As late as 1886, when Smith and Rann published their interest- ing History of Rutland County, an unbiased account of the strug- gle between New Hampshire Province and the Province of New York, over grants of land, may have been impossible. Along our section of the Otter, as well as in other parts of the state, it had
[ 93 ]
PEOPLE OF WALLINGFORD
long been felt that the glory of the Green Mountain Boys must be proclaimed. Recollections of their bravery as an organized militia of the Revolution smothered memories of the cruelty of their earlier raids against settlers on disputed land. Thus, sensitive peo- ple of the third and fourth generations from Tory settlers kept a dignified silence.
In the late nineties, I asked my aunt for a copy of The Green Mountain Boys, confident it must be in my grandfather's library. "You will not find it," I was told, "but if you will hunt in the book-closet upstairs, you will find a copy of The Rangers, or The Tory's Daughter."
Although Wallingford profited from Tory influences, I do not think that many of our town forefathers were much concerned with allegiance to either New Hampshire or to New York State supporters in the struggle of the two provinces for the control of what is now known as Vermont. Before any settlers came to Wall- ingford, those who in 1761 had secured their rights under a sale authorized by Gov. Wentworth, and still desired in 1772 to be part of this new township, appealed to the New York Council for a confirmation of their grants. They did not appeal in vain. With thirty-six other proposed townships at this time, they were given a promise of a safe settlement. (Crockett's History of Vermont, Vol. 1, p. 199.)
Such wholesale seeking of confirmations is strong evidence that the settlers having intellectual qualifications, regarded the New York State claim as legal.
Often but few of the names on the New Hampshire lists reap- peared on the New York Council lists, and this fact may explain why few persons named in the Wallingford list of 1761 ever ap- peared here.
Abraham Jackson came in 1773, but before him in the fall of 1767 or in the winter of 1768, a young man, Charles Button, had come up from Rhode Island and had made a home two miles
[ 94 ]
THE BUTTONS, THE JACKSONS AND THE MILLERS
north of the present village. He was a Yorker in sympathy, an officer of His Majesty's Courts. When grandfather Jackson made his appearance in town in 1773, he had a New York confirmation for his deed of land, otherwise there might have been trouble be- tween these two grandfathers of mine. For Charles Button had been appointed Constable of Charlotte in 1772, a district that stretched from Arlington on the south to the Canadian forests at the north, and included the land chosen by Abraham Jackson for his home, in territory classed as Durham by New York Province.
But it is likely that Charles was in sympathy with the incoming Wallingford settlers. They were intelligent people, not inclined to want trouble, having secured a New York confirmation to their legal rights.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.