USA > Vermont > Bennington County > Peru > Reunion celebration : together with an historical sketch of Peru, Bennington County, Vermont, and its inhabitants from the first settlement of the town > Part 7
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Edward married in New Hampshire, died there of consumption.
The farm on which Samuel Stiles lives is a lease lot, first division drawn to the school right. Samuel Bruce, who came from Westminster, took a lease of this lot from the town, agreeing to pay a stipulated rent every year to support the schools. He was an early settler, and built a log house and barn. In 1817 he sold the betterments to Peter A. Gould, who came from Wrentham, Mass., and returned to Westminster. Mr. Gould was a revolutionary pensioner. He and his son Horace lived on the place until 1822, when they sold the betterments to Jonas Bennett, who came from Groton, Mass., with his family. He built a frame house and barn, and lived on the place until his wife died, when he sold out to the Long brothers and moved over the mountain. Francis K. Stiles bought the place of the Longs, taking possession in 1850. He improved the farm and the buildings very much, and deeded the place to his son Samuel, who built the fine house now standing there.
CHILDREN OF JONAS BENNETT.
Jonas M. Ann Byard, lived in Manchester; died in 1863.
Albert M. Hepsibah Lyon, moved out west; died there.
Ann Maria M. Elijah Carlton, died in Peru.
Jane M. William Wiley of Landgrove, died there.
Samuel M. Miss Tryon, lives in Manchester.
Gilbert M., moved north.
Saviah M. Hiram Aldrich, moved away.
Loten M., lives in Goshen.
Daniel M. Sarah Fitch, lives in Winchenden.
Peter A. Gould moved on to the south half of the lease lot, west of the Smith lot, put up some buildings, and lived there until he died. His pension supported him in his last days. Both he and his wife lived to be very old.
The lot north of the Stiles farm is a lease lot, and was taken by Jeduthan Bruce, one of the early settlers, who built a log house and
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barn on the place. He had a large family of children, whose names were Susannah, Polly, Mark, Jeduthan, and Betsey. In 1815 he sold the place to Ebenezer Stiles and moved into the Moses Killam house, where he died of a cancer in the face in 1816. The family moved to Lunenburg, Mass. After a lapse of more than fifty years his daughter, Polly Houghton, came back to Peru and had a suitable monument erected over her father's grave. Ebenezer Stiles built a new house and barn, improved the farm in every way, and sold out to Rev. Nathaniel Rawson in 1826, who lived on the place several years. He sold the place to Abel Larkin, who died there, Susan Larkin renting the farm to Gilman Temple. J. P. Long next owned the farm, but sold it to P. H. Russell. Nathan Brown bought it from Mr. Russell and lived there several years, when he sold out to Ira Wait, the present owner.
Stephen Bennett and wife, parents of Francis and Jonas Bennett, came to Peru about 1823. He was a shoemaker by trade, but lived on a pension which he received for serving in the revolutionary war. The last part of his life he spent with his son Jonas, where he died.
Moses Bruce was an early settler, and took a lease of the lot north of Ira Wait's farm, where he built a log house and barn, cleared the land and planted an orchard. In 1817 he sold the place to David Sawyer and went to Westminster, Mass. David Sawyer was a shoemaker by trade; he had been a soldier in the revolutionary war, for which he drew a pension. He sold out to his son John in 1828 and moved to Westford, Vt. John Sawyer lived on the farm until 1847, when he sold it to Horace Gould, who lived on it several years, and took care of his mother in her last days. Mrs. Gould lived to be very old. Horace Gould sold the place to Nathan Lillie and moved to the J. Whitney farm. George Reed next bought the farm, and is the present occupant. The rent of this land is paid to the Episcopal church.
CHILDREN OF DAVID SAWYER.
David M., lived in Mount Tabor, a mile from any neighbor.
Hannah M. Joseph Farnum, moved to Wells, N. Y.
Judith M. Moody Roby, lived in Peru; died about 1830.
Eliza, unmarried, died in Weston.
John M. Hannah Roby of Wilton, N. H .; she died in 1871, aged 72 years.
Alfred and Mary went to Westford with their parents.
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Thomas French began new on the lot west of the Sawyer farm, cleared it and built good buildings. He sold the farm to his son Alonzo, who sold it to J. P. and C. F. Long. They sold the place to Nathan Lillie, who came from Dorset with his family. He sold out to Daniel Roby, who carried on the farm a short time and then sold it to Rufus Lake. About this time the buildings were burnt down, and have never been replaced.
Ebenezer Stiles was born in Wilton, N. H., in 1765, and his wife was born in Temple, N. H., in 1766. They were married at Temple in 1793, living in Wilton until 1800, when they moved to Landgrove, Vt. He enlisted in the army at the time of the war in 1812. They moved to Peru in 1813 and bought the lease lot from Jeduthan Bruce. Mr. and Mrs. Stiles were members of the Congregational church, and frequently had religious meetings at their house. At the anniversary of Mrs. Stiles's one hundreth birthday a large number of relatives and townspeople assembled at the house, where Rev. M. A. Gates adminstered the Lord's supper. which pleased the old lady very much. There were four generations living in the house at one time. Mr. Stiles died on September 24th, 1857, aged 92 years, and his wife on September 30th, 1868, aged 102 years and 6 months.
CHILDREN OF EBENEZER STILES.
Sarah M. Samuel Parker in 1820, died in New York State in 1867.
Polly M. Joseph Stone of Peru in 1828, died at Peru in 1879.
Ebenezer M. Clarissa Edson in 1826, died in New York State in 1865.
Alice, unmarried, died in 1876.
Francis K. M. Martha Stone of Peru in 1829, died in 1881.
Aaron M. Laura Irish of New York State, lives there.
Benjamin M. Lydia Cotten, died in New York State in 1868.
The lot west of the Ira Wait farm was commenced in 1820 by Ebenezer Stiles, Jun., who erected a house and a log barn. He sold the place to his father in 1826, who sold it to his son Francis. He improved the farm and buildings very much, doing more hard work on the side of the mountain than any man ought to do anywhere. Francis Stiles kept a large stock of cattle, and made large quantities of butter, hiring a great deal of help. In 1850 he bought the Bennett farm at the foot of the hill and moved on to it, leaving the old place, which no one has since lived on, to grow wild. In 1877,
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he and his son Samuel, who now owns the paternal pastures, built a large two-story house, where Mr. and Mrs. Stiles spent their declin- ing years. Their golden wedding was celebrated by their relatives and friends in 1879, when Rev. M. Scott read a poem, Rev. Wm. F. Gillis made a short speech, and Mary Chandler read a selection. Francis K. Stiles died in 1881, aged 78 years. Mrs. Francis Stiles, whose maiden name was Martha Stone, still lives; has always been a leader in society, living a life of active industry and toil. She has long been an active Christian in the church of the living God.
CHILDREN OF FRANCIS K. STILES.
Ellen M. S. D. Simonds, lived in Granville, Ill .; died in 1890.
Rosette M. M. G. Walker, lives in Manchester.
Henry M. Helen Rider, lives in Masonville, lowa.
Sarah M. A. C. Nourse, lives in Grafton.
Samuel M. Sarah D. Conable of Bernardston, Mass .; she died in 1878, aged 32 years. Samuel M. Hattie A. Conable of Bernardston, Mass., for his second wife, lives in Peru.
Previous to 1820 Capt. James Lincoln built a log house on the lot north of Moody Roby's place, where he lived a year or two. In 1848 his son Prentice built a new house and lived there a short time.
John W. Farnum and Jonas Bennett began on a lot south of Moody Roby's farm about 1837, built a log house and barn and cleared some of the land. They sold the place in 1840 to Thomas French, who sold it to his son Joseph. Daniel Simpson next bought the place and built a frame house, carrying on the farm several years, when he sold out to Zimri Lathrop. Isaac Rush now owns the place.
The lot of land east of Moody Roby's farm was commenced by Mr. Blodgett, who was one of the early settlers. He sold the place to C. and E. Guillo, who built a log house and lived in it several years, when Isaac Rush took possession and erected good buildings, making it a good farm.
Stuart Lillie built a house north of George Reed's, in which he lived several years, when he left town.
A house was erected north of the Stuart Lillie house, and has been occupied by Frank Jones and several other families.
Henry Tifft came to town about 1860, bought a piece of land north of Frank Jones's place and built a small house. He was a shingle maker by trade, and a hard working, industrious man. He still lives on the place.
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Moody Roby came from Nashua, N. H., in 1818, and settled on his farm in the woods. He had no neighbor north or west of him, was three miles to the nearest house on the east, and one mile to David Sawyer's on the south. He enlisted in the army at the time of the war in 1812, being only 16 years old at the time, and served six months. Mr. Roby married Judith Sawyer for his first wife, who died in 1831, when he married Dolly Richardson, who died in 1872. He died at the residence of his daughter in Manchester in 1883, aged 88 years.
CHILDREN OF MOODY ROBY.
David S. M. Phebe Grant of Massachusetts, died there. Louisa A. M. George Q. A. Bryant, lives in Winchendon, Mass. Mary B. M. William Emery, lives in New Hampshire. Mahala M. Charles Morrell, died in New Hampshire. David W. M. Jane Lampson, lives in Idaho.
Mariah S. M. Ralph Weston, lives in New Hampshire. James Franklin, died.
An infant died.
Jane D. M. George Richardson, lives in Landgrove. Hannah R. M. N. Fuller, lives in New York.
Betsey E. M. John Davis, lives in Manchester.
Allen S. M. Betsey Tuttle, lives in Springfield.
George, died young.
Amanda L. M. Richard Cook, lives in Manchester. James F. M. Mary Lockwood, lives in Vermont.
Victoria H. M. Frank Jones, lives in Peru.
Shepherd Aldrich built all the buildings on his farm, being the first one that settled on the lot. He also built a mill in the north part of the town, which does some business. Mr. Aldrich married Emily Gould and has seven children. The farm is situated in one of the most sightly locations in town.
Samuel Stone came from Gardner, Mass., in 1802, and began on the farm where John Priest now lives. He was born in Gardner, Mass .. in 1779, and was one of eleven children, all of whom grew up to marry and settle down in life. Samuel Stone married Susannah Haynes the same year that he came to Bromley. He commenced clearing the unbroken forest with strong hands and a determined will that overcame ali obstacles, soon having a clearing large enough to build a log house. All the windows in the house were made of white paper, greased, and then pasted on to the sash. They lived in
H. O. DAVIS.
LENOX E MINDAT
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this house several years and then built the one now occupied by John Priest. Mr. Stone was a man who lent a willing hand in making improvements in a new country, such as making roads, building schoolhouses, and erecting churches. He was chosen to all the important offices of the town. was elected justice of the peace, sent as delegate to a constitutional convention, and was tythingman for a long time, which required him to see that the boys and girls who sat in the square boxes in the gallery sat up straight and gave reverent attention to the instructions proclaimed by the preacher in the high pulpit. The first time that Mr. and Mrs. Stone went to Gardner, Mrs. Stone rode horseback, while he accompanied her on foot. In the fall of 1825 the whole family, with the exception of Mrs. Stone, had the typhus fever, and one son died. In 1837 he sold the farm to James Bennett and went to Pittsfield, Ohio, where, with the help of one son, he cleared a farm and erected new buildings. It did not tend to lengthen his life by emigrating. He died in 1845, aged 66 years.
CHILDREN OF SAMUEL STONE. .
Martha M. Francis K. Stiles, lives in Peru.
Samuel died in Peru of typhus fever in 1825.
Susan M. H. S. Farmer of Pittsfield, Ohio.
Reuben M. Hannah Whitney of Peru, moved to Pittsfield, Ohio, in 1835. He started for the west, with his young bride, in an emigrant wagon, carrying all he could, the most prominent being his axe and gun. He lived in Oberlin and died there in 1886.
Joseph M. in Ohio, died in 1854.
Willis M. Eliza Barnard, went to Ohio; died in 1848.
Betsey went to Ohio with her parents in 1842.
James Bennett lived on the Stone farm two years, then selling it to John Whitney, who came with his family from Rindge, N. H. He lived on the farm until Moses Priest bought it, when he moved back to Rindge. Mr. Priest died on this farm, and his son, John Priest, then took possession, occupying it at the present time.
CHILDREN OF MOSES PRIEST.
John D. M. Edith Scott of Mt. Tabor, lives in Peru.
Mahlon studied medicine, settled in New York as a physician and druggist.
Caroline lives in Plymouth.
Clarissa M. Amos Smith, settled in Weston.
Joseph Stone came from Gardner, Mass., in 1804, and lived with
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his brothers, Samuel and Josiah. He made cardboards, which were used for carding wool and tow in the domestic factories of the land, transporting his goods to Gardner by team. Uncle Joe would inspect the wilderness to find smooth beech, of which he made his cardboards, and no landmarks interfered with his right to do this. Mr. Stone married Polly Stiles in 1828, and moved on to the place which his children now occupy. He began new on this place, erected all the buildings and made the road. Mr. Stone died in 1856, aged 75 years, leaving three children, Harvey, Hezekiah and Lenora, who are all unmarried and living on the old homestead. Mrs. Stiles died in 1879.
Capt. Josiah Stone came from Gardner in 1808, and began on a new lot east of his brother Samuel's. He built the best log house in the town, it being made of peeled spruce, long and straight, nicely laid up, and all made square at the corners. The house had two large rooms, with a stone fireplace in the centre of each, and a comfortable chamber. The house was shingled, and the family occupied it about thirty years as it was first built. Capt. Stone soon had cultivated land in place of the forest, and planted an orchard, where he had a quantity of grafted fruit, which the boys would watch and sometimes take. It was not long before he commenced making sugar, at first using troughs to catch the sap, but soon had the best pine buckets, which he made himself. He boiled the sap in a three-barrel kettle, made more than an inch thick, and shaped liked an earthen bowl, it having ears on the sides by which it was hung over the fire. When the fire was in full blaze the sap would boil furiously, but a slice of pork thrown into it would prevent its running over. If this sugar was not as nice as our modern sugar it was sweet and palatable, even if it had been strained in order to get the coals and leaves out of it, and everybody was invited to try it in the sugaring time. Capt. Stone was skilled in manufacturing salts for market. He would cut and pile the maple and birch, then burn it and collect the ashes, obtain lye, boil it and run it into casks or kettles to harden. On one occasion he had a five-pail kettle of salts that had hardened, and in trying to split the salts, for which he used an iron wedge, he split the salts and the kettle as well. Mr. Stone held many town offices, and in 1823 was captain of a militia company. He sold the farm and moved to the mill, occupying the house that J. P. Long now owns, but emigrated to Ohio in 1837, where he and wife died soon after. Benjamin Stiles owned and lived on this place until 1839, when he
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sold it to F. P. Batebelder, who sold it to Zachariah Whitney. He lived on the farm until 1854, when he sold it to F. B. Smith, who sold it to the Stone brothers, the present owners.
CHILDREN OF JOSIAH STONE.
Mary died in May, 1827. aged 16 years.
Josiah died in May, 1827, aged 14 years.
Eunice went to Ohio, married there; now dead.
Susan went to Ohio, married there; now dead.
Martha went to Ohio, married, now lives in Peru.
Ezra went to Ohio, married; died in 1881.
John Batchelder began new on the farm now occupied by his son, Deacon Edmund Batchelder. He built the first framed house east from present house in 1805, cleared up the land and built the wall. In 1823 he built the present house and moved into it, his son Edmund taking the old house. The farm has been in the hands of father, son and grandson for ninety years, and is now in the posses- sion of Edmund Batcheller and his son Hildreth. Improvements have recently been made on the house, and two new barns, which are the best in town, have been built.
CHILDREN OF DEACON JOHN BATCHELDER.
Mark M. Roxby Conant of Grafton, lived in Peru; died in 1863, aged 60 years.
Fanny M. Lawrence McMullen, died in New York State in 1835. aged 30 years.
Eliza M. Rev. Benjamin Springer, lived in New York State, moved to Ohio; died in 1846.
John died at Peru in 1822, aged 13 years and 7 months.
Edmund M. Sophia Simonds, who died October 27th, 1856, aged 41 years.
Mary M. David Parker of 'Derry, lives there.
Mahala M. Thomas Manley of Dorset for her first husband, and Clinton Lord of Putney for her second; she died in 1865.
Josiah died in infancy.
CHILDREN OF DEACON EDMUND BATCHELDER.
Harlan M. Elsie Lakin, died at Peru in 1868, aged 30 years. Martha died young.
Clark M. Josie Hard, lives in Ayer Junction, Mass.
Newton M. Jennie Burnham, lives in Newfane.
Hildreth M. Ida Davis, lives in Peru.
There was another son that died young.
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Joseph Dodge came from Amherst, N. H., in 1804, and began on the farm now owned by Charles Batchelder. He built part of the house and cleared some of the land, remaining there until 1818, when he sold out to Edmund Batchelder and moved to Manchester, afterwards going to New York State, where he died. Edmund Batchelder came from Mt. Vernon, N. H., in 1819, and erected all the buildings now on the place, also cleared and improved the farm until he had over. 300 acres of good land. He died on the farm in July, 1869, aged 83 years, and his wife died the same month, aged 85 years. Charles Batchelder, Edmund's son, now owns the place.
CHILDREN OF EDMUND BATCHELDER.
Ira K. M. Nancy Barnard, lived in Peru, moved to Townshend.
Francis P. M. Abigail Barnard, lived in Peru until 1869, then moved to Ludlow, afterwards to Iowa, now living in Dakota.
Roxana M. Jonas Dale of Weston, moved to Jamaica, where he died in 1845, and she then married William L. Waterman; she died at 'Derry in November, 1868.
Amos M. Lucretia Jones of Waitsfield, lives in Peru.
Daniel M. Betsey Utley of Landgrove, lived in South 'Derry; died in 1886.
Hannah M. G. S. Hobart of 'Derry, died in 1870.
Charles M. Abbie Davis, lives in Peru.
James died October 24th, 1835, aged 6 years.
CHILDREN OF CHARLES BATCHELDER.
Charles K. M., lives in Beaufort, S. C.
Frank M., lives in Boston.
Nellie M. Robert I. Batchelder, lives in Peru.
Mark, unmarried, lives in Beaufort, S. C.
Edna lives with her parents.
Kittridge Mather began new on the farm where he lived in 1839, and erected the buildings and cleared the land, living on the place for more than 40 years. He was married twice. Mr. Mather died in 1883.
Levi Batchelder commenced on the farm north of Charles Batchelder's in 1829, clearing the land and building a frame house. He was an active, industrious man, and did a good deal of work for other people besides looking after his own farm. He was a useful member of the Methodist church, and led a good, Christian life. Mr. Batchelder lived an active life almost to the time of his death, which occurred in 1856, at the age of 60 years. After his
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death the farm was run by F. B. Smith, his son-in-law, and Mrs. Batchelder, who lived with him until she died.
CHILDREN OF LEVI BATCHELDER.
Mary M. John Gregg of New Boston, N. H., lived and died there.
Eben C. M. Miss Kittridge of Mt. Vernon, N. H., lives in Milford, N. H.
Belinda M. John Hart, lived in New Hampshire; died in Peru in 1873, aged 53 years.
Betsey M. William Davis, lives in Weston, Vt.
Ann M. F. B. Smith, lived on the homestead; died in 1888.
Noah M. in Amherst, N. H., lives in Lowell, Mass.
Levi, unmarried, lived in Peru; died in November, 1885.
Sarah M. T. J. Lakin, died at Landgrove in 1882.
Fanny M. A. P. D. Simonds, lived in Peru; he was killed with a mower. Fanny then married Clark Bryant, lives in Peru.
CHILDREN OF F. P. BATCHELDER.
Rosette M. J. L. Israel, lives in St. Louis.
Mary Emma M. Mr. Stewart, lives in Colorado.
Luella M. Mr. Knight, lives in St. Louis.
Herbert M. in Iowa, lives there.
Lizza M. Mr. Crank, lives in Iowa.
The lot on which J. P. Long resides was began by Isaac Bigelow, one of the early settlers, who built a log house and barn on the right of the road, and in the corner of the lot. In 1819 he sold the farm to Joseph Stone and moved to Pawlet, John HI. Dudley using the log house for a schoolhouse. Joseph Stone put up the frame of the present house in 1825, covered the outside, and sold the place to Josiah Stone, who finished the house and lived in it until 1837, when he sold out to Oliver Wyman, he buying the mill at the - same time. Isaac G. Long bought the farm and mill a year or two later, and, with the help of his son, carried on the farm, they also improved the mill by repairing the dam and putting in turning works. The mill was kept running until Mr. Long's death in 1850, when his sons sold it, with the land connected with it, to Holland Tarble. J. P. Long has made great improvements in the farm, and has erected some good buildings.
CHILDREN OF ISAAC G. LONG.
Remembrance M. James Farnum, lived in Peru; died in 1886.
Joseph P. M. Elvira Lakin, she died in Peru in 1859; he then married Widow Oliver Lincoln, lived in Peru. Joseph died in 1885.
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Charles M. Martha Batchelder, lived in Detroit, Mich .; she died in 1889, and was interred at Manchester.
Mary M. Elijah Carlton, lives in 'Derry.
CHILDREN OF J. P. LONG.
Madison enlisted in the army during the war, was sent to Brattleboro, where he was taken sick, never fully recovering. He died in 1866.
One son died young.
Henry M., lived in Peru, moved to Manchester.
Francis Bennett came from Groton, Mass., in 1819, and began on the lot east of Edmund Batchelder's farm, living on the Atkins place until 1821, when he had a comfortable log house to move into. The land was covered with maple, birch, beech, hemlock, spruce and balsam, which, with the help of his boys, Mr. Bennett cut down, soon having a good farm. He cultivated hops for several years and made it pay, but finding that they spoilt the soil he gave it up and used the land for other purposes. Mr. Bennett held several town offices, and was a prominent and useful member of the Methodist church. After he had put up all the buildings that are now on the farm he sold out to S. W. Lincoln, and lived on various farms in town until he moved to Troy, N. Y., from which place he went to Salem, Mass., where he died in 1868. He had moved more times than any other man in town, and a neighbor, " Uncle Fred," once asked him if he would be contented when he got to Heaven. There were nine children in the family.
CHILDREN OF FRANCIS BENNETT.
Francis enlisted in the army in 1825 and went to St. Paul, but returned for a short time, when he went away and roamed over the country until his death.
Lucinda M. Joseph Barnard, but did not live with him long; she married again and went to New York State.
Jacob was a merchant in New York, died of cholera in 1831.
James married a lady from Boston, lived in Peru and Rocking- ham, afterwards went into business with his son in Boston.
William went to sea and was never heard of since.
Thomas married in Green Bay, Mich., lived there.
Rufus married and went to Michigan; now keeps a hotel.
Samuel died at Peru in 1839.
George went South in 1842.
Caroline M. Mr. Davis of Rockingham, moved West.
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Deacon John Davidson came from Plymouth, Vt., in 1837, and bought his farm from S. W. Lincoln. He was quite advanced in years when he came to town, some of his children being at that time settled in different places, while some came with him. Deacon Davidson represented the town two years in the legislature He helped to build the church and parsonage, and was always ready to help support any good cause by his means and presence. On his eighty-fourth birthday he rode two miles on horseback to attend the weekly prayer meeting, saying that it was his eighty-fourth birthday and he had lived to enjoy twelve years of Sabbaths; this was the last meeting he attended. He died on December 28th, 1858, aged 84 years. After his death the farm was carried on by his son-in-law, Harley Coolidge, who died in 1889, leaving the farm to his son John, the present occupant.
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