USA > Vermont > Bennington County > Rupert > Rupert, Vt.; historical and descriptive, 1761-1898 > Part 3
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
From the Revolution to the War of 1812.
BREAK IN THE RECORDS .- From April, 1781, to March, 1789, our records are lacking; at the latter date they appear, and are henceforth continuous. As this break cannot be charged to the turmoil of war, much less to Cass, some other explanation is needed. One is that they were accidentally burned, but has little support and may be dismissed. Another of intentional burning is better supported and is probably true. The reason given for this act was the desire to prevent the Church of England from obtaining the land granted to it by the king. By des- troying the records of location of the glebe the church would be unable to find it, and so much gain to the town. This is as I understand it, if at all. If any reader thinks this explanation unsatisfactory, will add, so do I. Pos- sibly later more light may be thrown on the case.
33
From the Revolution to the War of 1812.
TOWN MEETINGS .- The reader will understand it is impossible to say when the meetings of the proprietors ended or those of the town began. After examining the histories of other towns I think it reasonable to believe the former were continued several years after the latter were held. Not having the date of organization, cannot give that of the first town meeting. The first which the records show, March 9, 1789, follows, in part ;
" NOTIFICATION
This is to warn the votable inhabitants of the town of Rupert to meet at the dwelling House of James Moore on the second Monday in March next at nine o'clock in the morning.
I To choose a Moderator to govern said Meeting,
II To choose a Town Clerk,
III To choose all other Town officers,
IIII To transact any other Business thought proper on that Day.
Rupert, Feb. the 25th
A. D. 1789.
SAMUEL LEAVITT MOSES ROBINSON . Selectmen. ENOS HARMON
March the 9th 1789.
According to warning the inhabitants of the Town of Rupert met.
11y Made choice of David Sheldon esq Moderator
2ly Chose Enoch Eastman Town Clerk
31y Chose Enoch Eastman
ENOS HARMON WILLIAM HOPKINS --- Selectmen
MOSES ROBINSON PHINEAS SHELDON
+ly Chose James Moore Treasurer
51y Chose ASEPH SHELDON Constables GROVE MOORE
61y Chose JOSEPH LEAVITT SAMUEL LEAVITT ABEL HODGE ENOCH EASTMAN JOEL SHELDON 4
Listers."
------
34
Rupert, Vermont.
The entire record of this meeting is too long for these pages, but among other matters I have selected the fol- lowing :-
" Chose SETH P. SHELDON
JAMES HOPKINS Tything men. DANIEL WEED
Chose ANDREW CLARK WM. NORTON OLIVER EASTMAN
Hog Howards.
THOMAS TOWSLEY JABESH MOORE 7 Voted to raise a tax of one penny on the pound to be paid in Wheat at 4-6 per Bushel Rye at 3-6 and Corn at 3. To be paid in the fall next coming to defray Town charges."
James Moore, at whose house this meeting was held, was the grandfather of the late Calvin Moore; and the premises are those now occupied by Albert Moore. With only a few exceptions, this continued to be the place of meeting until 1859. James Moore died in 1800 and his son, Seth, became proprietor; and so continued until 1852, when his son, Calvin, came into posession. From 1859 to 1872 the town meetings were held at various places; the basement room of the Congregational Church, Jenks' tavern, the Baptist Church and Wilder's store. In 1872 the meetings began to be held in the hall of the school house of Dist. No. 4, erected the year previous, and are now permanently located there; all school buildings be- coming the property of the town, in 1893.
At the annual meeting, March 8, 1791, " Voted that the Selectmen purchase a piece of land in the East Society for a Burying placc and that they Draw an Order on the Town Treasurer for the payment of the same."
This burying place I suppose to be what is now called North Rupert cemetery.
In 1794, during the second administration of Wash- ington, a treaty was negotiated with Great Britain, known as the " Jay treaty," from our representative, Hon. John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States. While
35
The War of 1812-15
the treaty was being considered by the Senate, in the summer of 1795, great excitement prevailed throughout the country, the opposition in some places taking the form of mob violence. Regarding this treaty our town is on record as follows : June 16th, 1795, A meeting was warned at the Meeting House in the west Society, " To see if the town will appoint members to sit in county Convention for the purpose of deliberating on the impending Treaty." This Meeting House, I suppose to have been the Congre- gational Church; and what the result of the meeting was we are not told.
1770003
THE WAR OF 1812=15.
I DO NOT FIND in the records proof of great interest in, or anxiety regarding, this contest. In the first months of the war, sufficient interest was manifested to warrant calling a meeting to consider the situation ; but it appears to have soon subsided. A copy of this meeting's record, is here given :
" Warning. In consequence of the peculiar situa- tion of public affairs at this time rendering defense necefsary. The inhabitants of the town of Rupert are hereby warned to appear at the dwelling house of Seth Moore in said Rupert on the 22d day of September instant at one o'clock in the afternoon to attend to business in the following manner :
1ly To choose a moderator to govern said meeting.
2ly To see what appropriation the town will make for the purpose of purchasing arms for the use of said town.
3ly To transact any other Business found necefsary on said day.
Given under our hand at Rupert this 8th day of Sep- tember, A. D. 1812.
JOHN PARKER ASEPH SHELDON SETH P. SHELDON ICHABOD BAKER
Selectmen.'
36
Rupert, Vermont.
The meeting was held according to warning, but after choosing David Sheldon moderator and Abel Harwood collector, voted to adjourn to the third Wednesday of Nov. next, but I find no further record of it.
The names of soldiers from this town, so far as I have been able to obtain them, are as follows: Richmond Dan- forth, Elisha Eastman, Samuel Farrar, Joseph Flower, Elisha Hopkins, James Hopkins, Seth Johnson, Alex. Mc- Arthur, James York Nelson, Luke Noble, Stephen Reed, James Sheldon, Seth P. Sheldon, Harry Sykes, Ira Weed, James Weed. I do not think this a complete list, and one name is in doubt. Seth P. Sheldon died in 1827: James Weed in 1839; Joseph Flower in 1847; Samuel Farrar in 1856; Ira Weed in 1867; James York Nelson in 1874; James Sheldon in 1876, being, I think, the last of the list. The last survivor of the war in town, was Capt. Hugh McCall, a native of Scotland and a resident of Rupert from about 1857, who died in 1879, aged 96. The date of his birth, as given on his tombstone is too late, by ten years. Capt. McCall received a pension the last two or three years of his life.
The Anti-Masonic Crusade.
THE ABDUCTION of William Morgan of Batavia, N. Y., in 1826, for revealing the secrets of the order, kindled a blaze that swept over the whole country, and our town had its full share of the excitement. There was no lodge in town at the time, but there were Freemasons who belonged to lodges in neighboring towns. An inci- dent, adding greatly to the interest here, was as follows: Shedrick Harmon, of Corfu, near Batavia, was a Mason of high degree, an acquaintance of Morgan and believed to be cognizant of his disappearance. Mr. Harmon was a
37
.
The Anti-Masonic Crusade .- The Mexican War.
native of this town, where he had many relatives. It will be readily understood how this would increase the local interest in the case. Judge Josiah Rising was a leading Anti-Mason in the town and country. In 1832, the Anti-Masonic forces of the county met in convention at / Baltimore, and nominated William Wirt for President of the U. S. Judge Rising was a delegate to that conven- tion. As to facts, Mr. Wirt had no possible chance for election, and the excitement gradually subsided through- out the country. Some thirty years after these events, a Masonic lodge was organized in town, which was removed to Pawlet about twelve years ago. The feeling born of the Morgan tragedy, is alive and aggressive, in town, to-day.
THE MEXICAN WAR.
THIS WAR, waged in the interest of slavery, at the command of the Southern oligarchy, received but little support here. One man started for the scene of conflict and went as far as New York.
The Anti-Slavery Cause.
THOUGH inclined to conservatism, the people of Ru- pert early advocated the cause of the oppressed, and as the years passed the friends of Abolition became more numerous. For a short time, that mania, called Know- Nothingism, distracted attention; but from its disappear- ance to the end, few communities were as largely Anti- slavery. The poor hunted fugitive, fleeing to Canada, that he might enjoy under a monarchy the liberty denied him under a republic, found shelter, food and sympathy
38
Rupert, Vermont.
here, the infamous fugitive slave law, to the contrary, notwithstanding. Several of our citizens were familiar with the workings of the " Underground Railway."
1
THE CIVIL WAR.
FROM what has been written, it will readily be be- lieved that this town supported heartily the war for the preservation of the Union, and the nobler, though less understood, purpose of freeing an enslaved race. I think less than a dozen voters were hostile to the policy of the administration, in its main features, though, naturally, there were sharp and angry criticisms as to management. The first public meeting to consider the state of the country, was held in the "Basement," I think in the month of February, 1861. It was largely attended. Rev. E. T. Wood was chairman. Remarks were made by Thos. S. Beebe, LaRoy G. Hay, Hiram S. Smith and Dea. Titus Sheldon. When the call for troops came, and often re- peated, came town meetings, to comply with the demands of the government. These meetings, which were held very often, especially in 1862 and '63, sometimes two and three a week, were called " war meetings," and will be so remembered by the people of that period. The grove war meeting of July 31, 1862, deserves special notice. T. L. Sheldon was moderator; Henry Clark of Poultney, A. L. Miner of Manchester, and C. C. Dewey of Rutland addressed the meeting; remarks were made by Jonas Wilder and others. John V. Hall, of Bennington, after- ward county clerk, was present as recruiting officer. The meeting voted a bounty of $100.00 to each soldier. After the meeting, six men enlisted at T. S. Beebe's; were ex- amined and accepted by Dr. J. H. Guild, as examining surgeon. These men were members of the 10th Vt. In- fantry. Three died in the service and three are living.
.
39
The Civil War.
The policy of our town was to secure enlistment by offer- ing large bounties, rather than stand the draft; also to pay at the time, rather than to incur a debt.
The following named entered the service of the United States during this conflict, all residents of Rupert. The 4th Infantry-Byron Danforth, Marion Chaffee. The 5th Infantry-George W. King, John R. Wilkins. The 7th Infantry-George Brown, Chauncey Sheldon. The 10th Infantry-Daniel Barber, Chillian Lackey, George Lackey, John G. Wright, T. S. Bailey, Hugh Carr, B. C. Guilder, Jas. W. Jolly, C. M. Lincoln, W. H. Perkins, Dennis Rafter, Solon Shaw. The 11th Infantry-Clark Wright, James Wright. The 14th Infantry-Frank Jones, George Knights, Joseph Clark, George Derby, Charles Graham, Heman Harwood, Miner Kinne, William Kinne, Convis Parker, David Parker, S. M. Rising, A. P. Shel- don, Seth Sheldon, Horace Sykes, J. M. Moore. The 1st Cavalry-J. A. Sheldon, W. J. Clark, J. E. Hadaway, H. H. Hadaway, Stephen Chellis, Stephen Clapp, Palmer Clapp, Otis Derby, Philip Fitzgerald, Morgan Guilder, John Gookins, Thomas Hard, William Moncrief, Clark Nelson, D. E. Watrous, H. W. Watters, W. H. Woodard. In New York regiments-D. C. Beebe, Isaac Clapp, Byron Flower, George E. Shaw. The following are credited to Rupert, but I am in doubt as to their residence: Josiah Belding, John Tobin, Thomas Reynolds, Edwin Morey, William Richards, George W. Bennett, P. R. Randall, Alonzo Waters, John Belding, Seymour Brooks, Zimri Lathrop, Marquis Smith, William Belding, Thomas Bur- rows, William Colby, Theron Howe, Henry Lamb, Samn. Snell, John Morey. John G. Wright was killed at Mono- cacy ; Byron Danforth, Chauncey Sheldon, Hugh Carr, Solon Shaw, Miner Kinne, John Gookins, Byron Flower, died of disease ; Clark Wright in Andersonville, Palmer Clapp in Libby. On three occasions troops passed through here by rail for the seat of war: May 9, '61, the 1st In- fantry; Dec. 14, '61, six companies of the cavalry; March 10, 1862, the 7th Infantry. On these occasions the people
1
40
Rupert, Vermont.
gathered at the R. R. station to greet, cheer and God speed the departing troops. In the last months of the war, three events occurred to be remembered. The sur- render of Lee and capture of Davis, were celebrated by . bell and bonfire; the assassination of Lincoln caused a sorrow so deep and bitter, as only to be understood by those who experienced it. The following veterans of this war reside in town: J. E. Hadaway, H. H. Hadaway, Sam. Hurd, W. L. Crandall, of the 1st Cavalry; B. P. Wheeler, 2nd Infantry ; Charles Roberts, 7th Infantry ; C. M. Lincoln, Dennis Rafter, 10th Infantry ; William Kinne, A. P. Sheldon, J. M. Moore, 14th Infantry ; Henry Tows- ley, 1st Light Battery; Albert Hopkins, 123d N. Y. In- fantry; Newton Clark, 4th U. S. Cav. All, I understand, are pensioners and members of Fuller Post, G. A. R., of Dorset.
SINCE THE WAR.
THE LAST THIRTY YEARS has been a period of growth through gradual changes: Societies, both fraternal and literary, have been prominent features. General educa- tion has advanced; the average of attainments is far above that time. Then the daily paper was little known ; now it is indispensable. We shared in the fair fever which pre- vailed in this region, 1875-85. A fair was organized in 1877, holding yearly at West Rupert, until 1881, when it was abandoned, the contributing territory being too limi- ted to sustain it. All means of communication have greatly improved during these years. We now have the telegraph and telephone; and our roads, owing to a new and better system of management, are better, year by year. At the present time, we are supporting the Spanish- American war, as a righteous use of the armed forces of the Republic, in abolishing the American Armenia, too long tolerated.
1
41
Political Parties. .
POLITICAL PARTIES.
1
WHILE the constitution of the United States was in formation, sharp differences of opinion arose, which were more clearly brought out in the conventions called in the States to consider its adoption. The advocates of the constitution, believing in a strong central government, were called Federalists. Adams and Hamilton were the recog- nized leaders of this party. Washington was above par- tizanship, but his tendencies were Federal. The opposi- tion, called Republicans, Democrats and States' Rights men, believed in a limited central government, much power being reserved by the States. Jefferson was the recognized leader of the Democrat or Republican party, which at this time were one and the same. Our State government was administered by one party and then the other. During the war of 1812, the Federalists, who op- posed the war, were mainly in control. It is difficult to ascertain, but from what I gather, it appears our town was usually Democratic-Republican, as against the Federal party. This party, as such, passed away before 1830, and for the next twenty-five years the contest was between Democrats and Whigs mainly. As between these parties Rupert was almost invariably Whig.
When the Republican party was formed, about 1855, this town took its place in that column, and so continues. I append a list of the votes cast at five memorable presi- dential elections: 1856, Fremont, 143; Buchanan, 7; 1860, Lincoln, 140; Breckinridge, 4; 1864, Lincoln, 156; Mcclellan, 8; 1868, Grant, 172; Seymour, 11; 1872, Grant, 133; Greeley, 24. Neither Greenbackism, Popu- lism, Prohibitionism or Silverism have made any progress here, and to-day the town is as strongly Republican as in dicated by the votes given.
(3)
1
1
1.
.
42
Rupert, Vermont.
EDUCATION.
IN COMMON with the settlers of other towns, those of Rupert early gave attention to schools. The lack of records makes it impossible to say at what date the first school was established. In 1796 a committee was chosen to divide the town into districts, lay out the bounds there of, and report their doings to the town. That committee was as follows: Moses Porter, Grove Moore, Abel Hodge, Stephen Martindale, William Cooley. The report of this committee shows that districts were formed and num- bered some years before this date. The committee di- vided the town into ten districts, numbering them from one up. Those up to and including No. 9, were substan- tially the same as those abolished when the town system came in. No. 10 was Clark Hollow. The school house stood on the right hand side, going up, near the line be- tween Ozro Smith and Edward Young. About 1800 the 11th district was formed. The school house stood between the residence of the late Seymour Harwood and that of Joseph M. Harwood, at the left, going down the mountain. I herewith present a copy of the returns made to the town by the several district clerks, in the year 1803:
Districts.
Children of school age
No.
1,
2,
·
3,
85, 60,
.
4,
5,
66,
66
6,
49,
. Eli S. Weede. William Bailey. Seth Moore.
8, 9,
45, 59,
. Orange Frary.
10,
70,
11,
.
.
36,
Total,
681.
Clerks. Grove Moore. Stephen Eastman.
Josiah Rising. . Samuel Hopkins. Seth P. Sheldon.
7,
46,
.
.
·
.
John Weede. Perez Harwood.
93,
72,
43
Education.
In 1898 the number was 182. The population of the town in 1800 was 1648. It rapidly decreased after 1810,. and in 1826 No. 11 was abolished, being annexed to Nos. 1 and 8, from which it was taken. No. 10 was abolished · about 1837, being mainly included in No. 9.
TEACHERS .- The teachers of the early days had little or no special training for their work, nor would their com -. pensation warrant it. But I believe their work was much. better than could be reasonably expected. It is fashion- able to speak slightingly of the old-time country school, but I do not admire the fashion, remembering that out from it have gone forth men who have built States and guided the course of the nation. Here, as in other towns, a large proportion of the teachers were men, and it was an unusual thing, as late as 1860, for a woman to teach in the winter. Teachers were changed often, in fact, it was the rule rather than the exception, and few taught the same school two consecutive. terms. Wages were low, a man receiving double the pay of a woman for no more or better work. School discipline was effective, but rather too much on the muscular plan, and not tending to de- velop self-control in the pupil.
SUPERVISION .- For many years there was nothing in this line worth mentioning; likewise, the examination of teachers was a mere form, and of no value. The Rev. R. A. Watkins, pastor of the Congregational Church, 1847-55, was the first Superintendent, who brought to this work real fitness and capacity for the position.
TERMS .- In the olden time the summer and winter terms, of from three to four months each, made the school year. The weeks were six days, then five and a half, or every other Saturday; and it was with reluctance that the district fathers saw Saturday finally dropped out. The old two-term a year custom remained too long, some districts retaining it until very recent date. Boarding the teacher around in the district was universal for three- quarters of a century. The village districts were first to
.
44
Rupert, Vermont.
abandon this practice, about 1860. Others retained it un- til very recently.
SCHOOL HOUSES .- Of the first of these I have little knowledge; undoubtedly they were of logs, like the dwell- ings. In the general advance toward better dwellings the school house did not share, and is still far in the rear. At least three school houses of brick have been built in town, two at West Rupert and one at the "Street." The present building at West Rupert is designed for two de- partments, and was so used, the last occasion being the winter of 1888-9. Except the one at Rupert village, all school buildings are of one story only.
THE TOWN SYSTEM .- All schools and school property passed into the control of the town, April 1, 1893, when the dictricts ceased to exist. Two unsuccessful attempts to secure its adoption by the town had been made. From the beginning to the present time there has been a strong opposition to the new system; but I think a full vote would show a small majority in its favor. The town sys- tem went into operation with the following officers in charge: E. F. Haye, J. F. Sheldon, O. P. Black, Direct- ors; Mrs. M. C. Beebe, Superintendent. Schools have been maintained in each school house, regularly, under the new system, with the exception of the fall of 1896, when No. 6 was consolidated with No. 5, and No. 8 with No. 4. The trial was unsatisfactory in several ways. The prevailing sentiment here is to maintain a school where pupils are found, whether in the village homes of West Rupert, or the farm homes of Kent Hol- low. The school year is thirty-two weeks; spring and fall terms, ten weeks each; winter term, twelve weeks. Of the teachers employed. nearly one-half are residents of Rupert, and nearly all of this State. Under the pres- ent management school houses and outbuildings are being improved as fast as financial considerations will permit. The school officers are as follows: E. H. Beebe, W. C. Mason, Charles Phillips, Directors; Geo. S. Hibbard, Su- perintendent.
-
.
.
45
Education.
SOME FORMER TEACHERS .- The names are here pre- sented of teachers, residents of this town, who taught in our schools, one year or more, within the last thirty odd years; substantially, since " The War."
Names of others, looked for here, will be found no- ticed elsewhere.
John W. Beebe of Kansas City; Edward F. Wood, Rutland; Lottie Wheeler (Mrs. Charles Walker), Hamp- ton; Emma Wood (Mrs. N. Clark); Jennie Sherman ; Celia Jenkins (Mrs. C. W. Ray, Jamaica), died' in 1887; Jennie Flower, died in 1884; W. H. Smith, Vassar, Michi- gan; Emma Maynard (Mrs. G. H. Richey), died in 1884; Cordie Bibens (Mrs. A. Hilliard, Dickinson, N. D.), died 1891; Nellie Bibens (Mrs. S. Swank), Uniontown, Wash .; Nelia Moore; Lottie Baldrige; Addie Hibbard (Mrs. B. F. Lester, Hartford), died 1897; Kate Scott, Shushan; Laura Scott, Shushan; Libbie Whedon; Hen- rietta Barden; Charles I. Sheldon; Julia Harwood, died 1874; Jennie Walsh (Mrs. O. H. Danforth); Flora Dan- forth (Mrs. Horace Edie), Coila ; Jennie McCall; Bell Mc- Call; Oscar Tobin, Greenwich; Etta Cornish (Mrs. J. A. Hogle); Ella Clark (Mrs. Harry Ladd), Buffalo; Effie Moore (Mrs. F. H. Hawley), Troy; Maria Moore (Mrs. M. C. Beebe); Mrs. A. F. Smith, Manchester Center; Mrs. Charles Fellows, Mexico, N. Y .; Anna Leach, died 1891 ; Janie Leach ; Libbie Hopkins (Mrs. George Shanon), Fort Edward; Julia Harmon; Mattie Morey (Mrs. G. W. Holmes) and George S. Hibbard.
PRIVATE OR SELECT SCHOOLS .- Before the common schools furnished what they now do, and academic schools being few, the educational want was largely supplied by means of what were popularly called "select schools." The first at the " Street," I have knowledge of, were taught by David S. Sheldon, son of Esq. David, in 1848. It was held first in the old brick school house, and next in the second story of the building known as the " Red Shop," now the tenant house of C. F. Sheldon. Upwards of twenty pupils attended, some from adjoining towns. Mr. Sheldon was
.
46
Rupert, Vermont.
an eminent teacher, and those schools were a landmark in our educational history. About 1851, Rev. R. A. Wat- kins taught a school in Judge Burton's office building ; but I do not know the number of pupils. In the fall of 1861, D. C. Beebe, now of Sparta, Wis., taught in the " basement " of the Congregational Church. The pupils numbered fifty-five, from four towns, and Miss Julia Beebe was an assistant teacher. In the fall of 1863, John N. Wiseman, now of Ohio, taught in the same room, hav- ing about forty pupils. In the fall of 1869, Miss Julia Harmon taught in the old brick school house, now the blacksmith shop, having about fifteen pupils. In the fall of 1878, Miss Mary Sheldon, now of Salem, taught in Schoolhouse Hall, having about twenty pupils. A writing school was taught in the old brick school house, in the winter of 1869-70, by Charles Graham, having about twenty pupils. I think the schools were held two even- ings a week. At West Rupert, in the winter of 1837-8, S. S. Sherman, now of Chicago, then a student in Middle- bury College, taught in a small house, then standing near the well of the present residence of E. Hawley, then of Sterling Sherman. A Mr. Spooner taught in the house now occupied by William Kinne, formerly the Misses Moncrief. The date is uncertain, but probably before 1840. Three terms of school were taught by Enoch Sher- man, one in the Bates house, later L. D. Hopkins; and two in the present West Rupert cheese factory building, then Morehouse Sherman's, where a school room was fitted for his use. Mr. Sherman ranked high as a teacher. The time appears to have been between 1840-45. Charles White taught in the Brick Church, in the spring of 1847. Upwards of twenty pupils attended. In the winter of 1848-9, Rev. Alfred Harvey taught in the second story of the Boynton house, having about twenty pupils. A Mr. Porter taught in the Lucien Moncrief house, about 1858, having some ten or twelve pupils. In the fall of 1864, Thomas Tellier, now of Groton, Vt., taught in the main room of the district school house, having about twenty-
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.