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 8
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CHILDREN OF DEACON JOHN DAVIDSON.
Lydia M. Daniel Coolidge, lives in Ludlow.
Sarepta, unmarried, died at Peru in 1872.
Clarissa M. Harley Coolidge, died at Peru in 1875, aged 64 years. Sarah and Mary died in Peru when young.
Daniel went to Illinois about 1845, married there.
Flavel died when a young man in Peru.
CHILDREN OF HARLEY COOLIDGE.
Chalmers M. Nellie Wise, he is a clergyman in Fairfield, Vt. Sarah M. Romaino Spaulding, lives in Weston.
Mary Emma M. Job Scott, lives in Weston.
John M. Ina Smith, lives in Peru.
Nathaniel Russell came from Jamaica in the autumn of 1838, and settled on the farm where Burkett Simonds lives, where he stayed five years, selling out to F. P. Batchelder. In 1844 he and his son bought the place where M. J. Walker lives, and lived on it twelve years, when Mr. Russell sold his share to Samuel and bought the Silas Staples farm in company with his son, O. N. Russell. They rebuilt the barns and improved the house, also made great improvements in the farm, but sold the place in 1867 to J. G. Batchelder and moved to Arlington, where Mr. Russell died in 1870, aged 74 years. Mrs. Betsey Russell, his wife, died at Deacon Batchelder's residence at Peru in 1879, aged 76 years.
CHILDREN OF NATHANIEL RUSSELL ..
Samuel B. M. Hannah Lawrence, lived on his farm in Peru some years and then moved to Landgrove, where he still lives.
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Philetus H. M. Mary Wyman, lived on the Ira Wait farm, the Joel Adams farm, and on the Jackson farm, but afterwards moved to Arlington, where his wife died. Laurin, his only son, enlisted in the army in 1863 and was killed in the war. Philetus now resides in Michigan.
Ziba M. Sarah Robbins, enlisted in the army from Lawrence, Mass., and was killed in the war.
Lysander M. Mary Simonds, lives in Natick, Mass.
Obadiah N. M. Janett Walker, she died at Peru in 1863, aged 22 years. Obadiah enlisted in the army at the time of the war, and after his discharge married Sarah Ann (Simonds) Quackenbush. He died at Arlington in 1867.
Joseph G. Whitney came from Westminster, Mass., in 1805, and began new on the lot where Clark Lakin lives, putting up the first buildings on the place. Soon after he settled his father came to see him, was taken sick in the house with typhus fever and died, he being one of the first that was buried in the north cemetery. Mr. Whitney was a useful man, both to the town and to society. About 1814 he sold the farm to Capt. James Lincoln and moved to West- minster. Capt. Lincoln kept the farm two or three years, selling out to Norman Whitney, who came to town with his father, Elisha Whitney. Norman having worked several years for Gov. Skinner in Manchester. He married Belinda Batchelder of Landgrove, and lived on the farm until 1827, when he sold out to James Lakin and moved to Andover, from there to Chester, and then to Putney, where they both died, leaving one daughter, who is still living there. Mr. Lakin built the present house and improved the barns, living there until he died in 1875, aged 68 years, when his son Clark continued to carry on the farm.
CHILDREN OF JAMES LAKIN.
Laura died at Peru in 1850, aged 19 years.
Susan died at Lowell in 1859, aged 25 years.
Harriet died in Massachusetts.
Jane M. W. H. Eddy of Winhall, lives in Townshend.
Clark R. M. Elvira Rideout of Dorset, lives on the homestead in Peru.
Annie M. E. B. Batchelder, lives in Townshend.
Elsie M. Harlan Batchelder for her first husband, and Elliot Morse for her second.
Addie M. S. E. Garfield, lives in Townshend.
JESSE WARREN.
ORK
ARY
1
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HISTORY OF PERU.
The farm on which Rocius Fairbanks lives was a pitched lot, made by Asa Hull, and was under the jurisdiction of Landgrove until the present jurisdictional line was made and established in 1836 or '37, when it became part of Peru. Mr. Hull built the buildings in 1818, but sold out to Nathaniel Richardson, who sold it to his son Ralph. Ezra Dodge bought the place from him in 1839 and lived on it about ten years, when he sold out to William Davis, who occupied it a few years. He sold the place to Zimri Lathrop, who was burnt out while living there, but, with the help of the citizens, he built another house, living in it several years. T. J. Lakin next bought the place, and lived on it a few years, when he sold out to Mr. Ballard, who sold it to George Richardson, he seiling it to Sarah Russell. Rocius Fairbanks then bought the place and lived on it until 1889, when he sold out to George Richardson, who is the present owner.
There was a lot north of the Hull farm know as Mather's clearing, with a log house, a barn, and a large apple tree on it. The place can be remembered as far back as. 1820, but nothing is known of the person who built and cleared the place. It is now owned by John Coolidge.
The place east of the Mather lot was began by Mr. Scripture, who sold it to Jonathan Bruce. He erected comfortable buildings and had a very good farm, but after his death it was deserted. The place is now owned by R. Fairbanks, who has removed all the old buildings.
The farm east of John Coolidge's was commenced by Jacob Bennett, a brother to Francis Bennett, about 1825, and who built a log house and cleared some of the land. After living on the place a few years he sold it to James Farnum, who improved it and then sold out to Martin Granger. He lived there a while and sold the place to Charles Farnum, he selling it to Charles W. Jenkins, who improved the buildings and land very much. Mr. Jenkins died on this farm April 17, 1883, aged 43 years. Charles Moffat is the present owner and occupant.
The farm on which Burkitt Simonds lives was bought from Peter Allen by Joel Adams, Jr., about 1825, it being then in its natural state. Mr. Adams cleared some of the land and built a house and barn, remaining on the place until 1839, when he sold out to N. Russell. About four years later F. P. Batchelder bought it, but did not live on the place. Freeman Lyon and G. W. Carlton
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both lived on this farm before Asa Simonds bought and occupied it. William Simonds came into possession of the place, and made great improvements in the buildings and land.
Dana Wyman built the house on the lot east of W. B. Simonds's farm, and it has been occupied by Freeman Lyon, Allen Benson and Nahum Russell. Joseph and Albert Simonds bought it as an addition to their farm.
Joel Nason began on a lot south of A. T. Byard's farm, but sold out to Jesse Lanphere, who cleared the land and built a house. He was hurt by a horse while working on the farm and never fully recovered. Duane Walker was the next one that lived on the farm, and died there about 1855, when James H. Wait bought it. This place was in charge of P. T. Wyman for some time.
The farm that is now owned by A. T. Byard was begun in 1835 by Asa Phillips, who built a log house and barn and cleared the land. He afterwards erected a frame house and barn, and sold out to J. H. Simonds, who made some additions to the buildings. P. D. Wyman next bought the farm and hved on it several years, selling out to A. T. Byard, the present owner.
Josiah Brown came from Princeton, Mass., in 18c3, and built a house on the old road that runs from M. B. Lyon's house, through the Whitney lot, to Deacon Wyman's old house, and not far from Deacon Seth Lyon's house. Mr. Brown lived on this place several years and then returned to Manchester, no one ever living on the place since.
George W. Whitcomb built a house where F. Lyon now lives, and occupied it until about 1822, when he left town, selling the place to Thomas Wyman, who lived there a year or two. Anna Lawrence next owned the place, and afterwards Thomas Lawrence, he occupying it for nearly thirty years. He died at the house of his son-in-law, S. B. Russell. N. Russell occupied this place a year or two, then sold it to Charles Farnum, who sold out to Nathan Lillie. The present owner and occupant is Freeman Lyon.
The schoolhouse near Freeman Lyon's house was built in 1831, and a summer school was kept in it when it was only boarded up on the outside, but was finished before the winter school commenced. All the children from the village, the Lyon, Bigelow and Holton farms went there to school. This house was used as a schoolhouse about fifty years, when the one east of it was built.
Linden Jenkins built his house and barn near the Haynes mill
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in 1870; he also erected a blacksmith shop, in which he has since worked at his trade.
Henry Long built a house on the opposite side of the road from Mr. Jenkins's place, and lived in it a short time. It has been occupied by several families since he moved out.
Asa Bailey lived on the place west of the Hapgood farm for a short time. Mr. Hutchins next occupied the place, and built a shop on the brook near the schoolhouse, where he manufactured chairs, using water power to cut and turn his stock. He left town about 1822, John Chandler and Parker Wyman buying the place and manufacturing rakes there. Isaac G. Long next bought the place, and lived on it until 1838, when he sold out to Oliver Wyman, who occupied it several years. He sold the place to William Whitney, and it was he that built the present house, but lived there only a few years, selling out to Zimri Whitney. Mr. Whitney lived on the farm until he died, when his daughter, Mrs. Penfield, came into possession of it. Joseph Hapgood, A. C. Sloan, Freeman Lyon, and several others have lived on this farm. It was owned by Nathan Lillie a short time, but he never occupied it.
The house at the fork of the road on the way to the Burt farm was built by Eliab Stone. Asa Phillips, Jr., and Dana Wyman both lived on this place. John Q. Adams bought it and built a barn, but did not keep it long.
Capt. William Utley came from Connecticut in 1769, cutting his road from Chester to Bromley, and settled on the farm now owned by Menzie Thompson, the place still being known as the Utley flats. He attended two of the first conventions of New Hampshire Grants as delegate from Bromley. . He soon found that there was a gore of land west of Andover and 'Derry, and east of Bromley, not included in the charter of any town, and he, with others, obtained a charter of the gore from the government of Vermont. They proceeded to survey the gore and establish a western line between the town of Bromley and the gore, but the proprietors of Bromley did not acquiesce in Utley's western line. He remained on his land, but did not attend any more conventions as a delegate from Bromley.
William Barlow came to town in 1773 and settled on the farm where M. B. Lyon resides. He built his house near a spring on the lower side of the road, not far from the present house. It is supposed that he died in town and was buried in the south-west corner of the Holton farm. It is not known as he had any family, probably not.
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HISTORY OF PERU.
Asa Farnum and wife came to town in ISHI and settled in school district No. 6, building a log house on the land now owned by Luther M. Tuttle. His house was built without any chimney, having a hole in the roof to let the smoke out, and his only floor was the bare ground. He did not stay in town many years, but went to live with his son-in-law, Grovneur Davis, where he died in 1861, aged 82 · years. Mr. Farnum was a soldier in the war of 1812.
About 1803 Deacon John Batchelder cleared a piece of land on the lot now owned by the heirs of Joseph Utley, which he used as a pasture until he sold it to Stephen Tuttle and his son, E. H. Tuttle, who built a house on it. This was in 1826, and was the first per- manent settlement in district No. 6. Stephen Tuttle died on this farm on November 23, 1851, and his wife died on October 20, 185 1. E. H. Tuttle sold his interest in the farm to his brother, Stephen Tuttle, who married Rebecca Lampson. Stephen died on the farm of typhus fever on October 5, 1856, aged 56 years, leaving five children, namely: Cyrus, who died in Andersonville prison, James, Lucinda, Sophronia and Norman. The next one that owned the farm was George Pease, he selling out to Joseph R. Utley, who died on the farm on November 3, 1881. His only daughter married Merritt Cook, who now lives on the farm with the widow of Joseph R. Utley.
Reuben Lampson's farm was began by E. H. Tuttle and Moses Leonard, who sold out to Joseph Holt. He sold the farm to Ebenezer H. Lampson, who came from Weston. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lampson died on the place, the place going into the hands of their son Reuben. He married Miranda Woodward for his first wife, and Widow Diantha (Cook) Whitney for his second. There were six children by the first wife and two by the second. Reuben and his son Rodney now live on the farm.
CHILDREN OF REUBEN LAMPSON.
Wallace M. Miss Smith, lives in Manchester.
Rodney M. Katie Whitney, lives in Peru.
Amasa, Lewis, Geary and Elmer.
After E. H. Tuttle sold the Lampson farm he went out of town. His wife died in Grafton on October 26, 1839, and he then married Hannah Felton, who died in 1880, aged 71 years. On his return to Peru he lived on the farm now occupied by his son, Luther M. Tuttle. Mr. Tuttle built a mill on this place about 1842, and occupied it until 1850, when he sold it, with one acre of land, to
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MRS. J. L. HAYNES.
J. L. HAYNES.
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HISTORY OF PERU.
Moses Smiley. Mr. Tuttle died on this farm on June 9, 1875, aged 75 years.
CHILDREN OF E. H. TUTTLE.
Malvina, Keziah. Rosette, William E., Sarah, Amanda, Charles W., Warren C., George, Betsey, Miranda, Abby, Lucy, Emma, Irene, and Luther M.
Mr. Smiley erected a house on the piece of land sold to him by E. H. Tuttle, and then sold the place to Hiram Davis, who sold out to William E. and Warren C. Tuttle. E. H. Tuttle purchased the place of them and sold it to Edward Burnap, he selling it back again to Mr. Tuttle, who then sold to Warren C. Tuttle. He sold it to the present owner, Oscar J. Esterbrook.
James Wait came from Weston, Vt., in 1835, and settled on the present Wait farm. He cleared a small piece of land and soon had a comfortable house built on it. In the fall of 1835 he returned to Weston, but came back again the next year, when he cleared his land and erected a saw mill, giving energy and thrift to the whole school district. School was kept in his house until 1839, when a schoolhouse was built. Esquire Wait was a strong, muscular man, and very energetic in all his movements to carry out his plans, whether of a public or a private nature. He was a strong Democrat, and held town offices at different times. Mr. Wait died on the farm on March 10, 1854, and his widow then went to live with her son Albert, where she died in 1879.
CHILDREN OF JAMES WAIT.
James H. M. Nancy L. Wyman, lives in East Dorset. Nelson M. Jane Miles of Weston, died in Weston.
Albert M. Sarah Davis of Londonderry, lived on the homestead several years, moved to East Dorset; died there in 1877.
Lucretia, died young at Peru in 1844.
The lot north of the Wait farm was begun by Hiram Barney and Roswell Rowell about 1832, but they sold the place to John S. Rumrill, who sold it to William Strong. It is now owned by the Stone brothers. There is no building on this lot.
The lot west of the Barney place was begun by Thomas K. Hall, who was killed soon after he commenced work on the place by a tree falling on him. Royal Bryant owned this place a short time, but sold it to Martin Granger, who lived on it several years, then selling out to George Emerson, he being the last occupant. It is now owned by the Stone brothers.
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HISTORY OF PERU.
The Grovneur Davis farm was begun by Isham Purdy about 1827, who built a frame house and barn and lived on the place several years. He sold it to Mr. Thrasher in 1833, an l he sold it to G. Davis, who improved the farm and erected new buildings, living on it 49 years. He moved to Landgrove in 1882, and lived with his son-in-law until he died in 1884. Mrs. Davis is still living. Robert, Mr. Davis's son, now occupies the farm.
CHILDREN OF GROVNEUR DAVIS.
Betsey Nancy M. Daniel Eddy.
John M. Amanda Roby, lives in Manchester. Henry M., keeps a hotel at Factory Point. Ann M. Myron Piper.
Robert M. Josephine Nichols.
Sumner Wait began on a lot north of the G. Davis place about 1832, and lived there a short time, selling out to Mr. Kingsbury, who lived on it for a time. It has not been occupied since.
It has been impossible to find out who built the house in which Herbert C. Woodward now lives. It has been owned and occupied by the following: Wellman Hale, E. H. Tuttle, Amos Jenkins, William Camp, William E. Tuttle, Jefferson French, John Davis, and H. C. Woodward.
ROADS.
The first highway laid out in Bromley was in 1787, on the west side of the mountain, (now in Dorset). The committee who laid it was Aaron Dewey and Mr. Byrns, with Jonathan Aikin as surveyor.
The first road laid on the east side of the mountain was in June, 1797, by a committee appointed by the legislature at a session held in 1788, consisting of George Sexton and Asa Utley. They were empowered to lay a public road through the town, and expend a tax of two cents, granted by said legislature, on each acre of land in said town for making roads and building bridges. The road laid by said committee commenced 3.14 miles and 40 rods north from the south- east corner of the town in the east line of the town, thence running westerly and south-west by Charles and Edmund Batchelder's place below the stone mill, up the Stratton hill by David Stratton's house, across the Chandler brook, where it does at this time, thence back of the house occupied by Nathan Lillie, also on the hill back of M. G. Walker's house, thence runs on the west of the orchard and brick yard on the Deacon Wyman farm, by the old mill near I. R.
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Walker's, by the Gen. Dudley buildings, through the Benjamin Barnard farm, by the Butterfield tavern on top of the mountain, thence westerly down the mountain, through Peru and Winhall to Manchester. This road ran in Peru 6 miles and 94 rods. In 1800 this road, from the Chandler brook by Esquire Bigelow's, was altered to its present location. This was the main traveled road across the mountain until the turnpike was built in 1816, on which the travel has been to the present time.
In 1799 the legislature granted another land tax of three cents per acre for making roads and bridges. The committee appointed to lay out roads and expend the money were Jonathan Butterfield and Aaron Killam.
The second road laid commenced at the south-east corner of M. G. Walker's farm, thence west on a line between 4th and 5th ranges of lots, 212 rods to the Holt place, known as the Moss farm. Also a road from David Stratton's, running west thirty-five degrees, north 223 rods, to Isaac Jackson's house. Also another road commencing at the south corner of Reuben Bigelow's land, running east, then south by Aaron Killam's house to Benjamin Barnard's (Sen.) place. Also laid a road from Aaron Killam's to Landgrove line. This road was laid on the brook through the burnt meadow. Also in 1801 a road was laid from the great road, commencing at a stone standing half-way between the houses of Deacon Seth Lyon and Josiah Brown, (these houses stood on W. W. Whitney's land), thence east and south by the cellar hole in G. K. Davis's garden to the Bryant shop, east of the line between the Hapgood place and M. B. Lyon's pasture, running by the Burt house to the William Pollard house. Jonathan Butterfield and Aaron Killam were appointed to lay out and make these roads, which were made by the land tax granted in 1799, expended by the above committee.
After this time the roads were laid by the selectmen and made by the inhabitants of the town. The main roads have been well built and kept in good repair, but the back roads are not so good.
In 1814 the legislature granted a charter for the Peru turnpike, commencing near the Lovell farm, running westerly five miles towards Manchester village to the east line of Manchester. It was laid out and built as it is now, with the exception of a short piece in Winhall, by the spot where the Chapin mill stood, which has been altered. Three-fourths of this road is in Winhall. Work was com- menced on it in 1815, and was finished in 1816. Gen. Peter Dudley
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HISTORY OF PERU.
had the job of building the road, and worked on it repairing for more than twenty years, keeping it in excellent condition. A great amount of teaming and travel was done on the road until 1850, when the railroads diverted the travel to other places. At the time that it was built it was convenient to all towns east of it to the Connecticut river. The travel from Boston to Saratoga and west crossed the mountain here.
In 1820 commissioners were appointed by the Supreme Court to lay a road and alter the stage road from Chester to the east end of the Peru turnpike. The alterations made in Peru began at the place where Freeman Lyon now lives, by laying a new road westerly to the place where Everett Adams lives. The old road ran by the Holton farm to the road running north and south from M. B. Lyon's house, back of John Adams's house, south-west of the wall that divides W. W. Whitney's land from land belonging to the hotel lot to the Wyman place, where it was discontinued. A road was made from M. B. Lyon's house to the tavern house in 1821.
In 1849 and '50 Ira Cochran erected the notch mill, coming up the Mad Tom on the west side of the mountain. He petitioned for a road across the mountain to Peru. The first committee laid the road from Dorset to the mill, the town paying for it. A subsequent committee laid the road over the mountain to Peru in 1871, and is of use to the north part of the town and Landgrove. It made a heavy tax on the town, and is a bill of expense to keep it in repair.
The early or first roads made in Peru were built with money raised by land tax granted by the legislature on all the land in town, and expended by a committee appointed by them. The last land tax granted was about 1823, and amounted to three cents per acre, the committee appointed to expend the money being Capt. James Lincoln and Parker Wyman.
ORGANIZATION OF BROMLEY.
The west line of Bromley was about 200 rods east of the depot in East Dorset. The west part of Bromley was settied earlier than the east side of the mountain. A petition for a warning of town meeting is as follows:
Bennington County. Dorset, January 30th, 1802. I have this day received a petition signed by four of the respectable inhabitants of the town of Bromley and County aforesaid, praying that I warn a meeting, 3d. town, for the purpose of organizing 3d. town, and to
HON. DEXTER BATCHELDER.
ENEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOY AND TILDEN FOUNDATION
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appoint officers to govern 3d. town as the law directs. Meeting duly warned and signed. Joseph Curtis, Justice of the Peace. Bromley, March 2nd, 1802.
The inhabitants met, agreeable to notice, in the dwelling of E. Hurlburt, and chose John Brock, town clerk; David White, Aaron Killam, and Ebenezer Hurlburt, selectmen; John Brock and Jonathan Butterfield, listers; Reuben Bigelow and David Colson, constables. Attested by John Brock, town clerk.
The next town meeting was appointed to be held at the Butter- field Inn, on the height of land between Manchester and Peru. The people on the west side of the mountain demurred, but attended the first meeting held there, after which they petitioned to be set to Dorset, but Dorset would not receive them. They then applied to Mt. Tabor, which received them, and a tract of land two hundred rods wide and six miles long was set to Mt. Tabor, and received the cognomen of Mt. Tabor Leg. This piece of land was afterwards set to Dorset.
TOWN OFFICERS.
SELECTMEN.
1802. David White, Aaron Killam, Ebenezer Hurlburt.
1803. Moses Hill, John Brock, Thomas Wyman.
1 804.
Reuben Bigelow, Thomas Wyman, John Brock.
1 805.
Reuben Bigelow, Samuel Cooper, Elias Beebe.
1806. Aaron Killam, Seth Lyon, Elijah Simonds.
1807. Joseph Fairbank, Peter Dudley, Jeduthan Bruce.
1808.
Joseph Fairbank, Peter Dudley, Jeduthan Bruce.
Joseph Fairbank, Peter Dudley, Jeduthan Bruce.
I 809. ISIO. ISII. 1812. 1813.
Joseph Fairbank, Peter Dudley, Jeduthan Bruce.
Joseph Fairbank, Thomas Wyman, John Batchelder.
Reuben Bigelow, Thomas Wyman, John Batchelder. John Batchelder, Elijah Simonds, Israel Batchelder.
1814. John Batchelder, Elijah Simonds, Israel Batchelder.
1815. Reuben Bigelow, John Batchelder, Elijah Simonds.
1816. Reuben Bigelow, John Batchelder, Elijah Simonds. Reuben Bigelow, Elijah Simonds, Samuel Stone.
1817. 1818. Reuben Bigelow, Samuel Stone, Josiah Barnard.
1819. Reuben Bigelow, Samuel Stone, Josiah Barnard.
1820. Reuben Bigelow, Samuel Stone, Seth Lyon.
1821. Peter Dudley, Samuel Stone, Seth Lyon.
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1822.
Peter Dudley, Samuel Stone, Josiah Barnard.
1823. 1824. 1825.
Josiah Barnard, Thomas Wyman, Seth Lyon. Josiah Stone, Seth Lyon, Thomas Wyman. Seth Lyon, Israel Batchelder, Josiah Hapgood.
Seth Lyon, Israel Batchelder, Josiah Hapgood.
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