USA > Vermont > Addison County > Statistical and historical account of the county of Addison, Vermont > Part 10
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address, from which we have so largely quoted, in referring to the " effects and general results of the introduction " of foreign breeds, says : "I venture the assertion, that where a favorite individual is found, could the pedigree be traced in most instances, you would not go many removes back before you would run against some one of the imported improved breeds of stock." But the num- ber of full bloods of any of these breeds is quite limited. Cyrus Smith, Esq., of Vergennes, has a celebrated Durham bull, which took the first premium at the State fair in Rutland, and at the Ad- dison County fair at Middlebury this year, (1855) Alonzo L. Bing- ham of Cornwall, obtained several premiums, at the State fair, on Durham, Hereford and Devon cattle. Horatio Plumley of New Haven, has a full blood Durham cow, from which he has raised several excellent calves, and obtained, at the County fair, the sec- . ond premium on a bull, which was one of them. W. R. Sanford, Esq., of Orwell, two or three years since, imported two cows and one calf of the Devonshire breed, has bought a few since, and now has eight full bloods, besides two, which he lately sold to the Messrs. Hammond of Middlebury, who from them have raised two calves. . Mr. Sanford says, that the beef of this breed sells higher in Eng- land than any other. At the National Exhibition in Boston, and at the Vermont State fair, he received several premiums on Devon cattle. At the State fair Messrs. Hammond obtained the first pre- mium on bull calves of this breed.
We are glad to learn that a movement is in contemplation for the improvement of cattle in the County.
HIORSES.
The reputation of the County, and the enthusiasm in the breed- ing of horses, among the farmers, do not suffer much in comparison with those in regard to sheep. Vermont horses have a reputation through the whole country. The original stock consisted of such as were common in the States from which the emigrants came. In some of these States, and especially Connecticut, considerable efforts had been previously made to improve the stock. In the year 1810, Ep. Jones, Esq., introduced and kept in Middlebury. for three or four years, a very beautiful, full-blood Arabian horse,
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called the "Young Dey of Algiers." His descendents formed s very excellent breed. But the farmers had not then come to ap- preciate sufficiently the improvement in horses to patronize the high prices, which his services required, and he was removed. Since that, at various times, different stallions have been kept in the County, and among them the " Old Messenger," an imported En- glish horse, and his descendants ; from which the stock has been from time to time improved.
The present prevailing stock consists of the different branches of the Morgan horse. These originated from the horse generally known by the name of the "Justin Morgan." This horse was brought, when two years old, by Justin Morgan, from Springfield, Mass., from which place he removed to Randolph, Vermont, in the year 1795, and was kept by him there until March, 1798, when Mr. Morgan died. He was then sold to William Rice, of Woodstock. It does not appear that he was much thought of, or that much care was taken of him, until the excellence of his stock was revealed by his colts. His sire was the "True Britain, or Beautiful Bay," which was raised by Gen. Delancey, commander of the refugee forces on Long Island, and was afterwards kept one season by Justin Morgan. The True Britain was sired by the Traveller, an imported horse also owned by Gen. Delancey. The dam of the Justin Morgan was said to be a descendant of Wild Air, imported also by Gen. Delancey. Mr. Joshua Scott, of Vergennes, who has been acquainted with the Morgan horses from the first of that breed, has a record which traces back the pedigree of the sire and dam of the first Morgan to the Arabian Horse Godolphin, in England, which we do not think of importance enough to insert here. Mr. Scott states that four of the colts of Justin Morgan were kept as stallions, and from them were derived the several branches of that breed : to-wit: " Woodbury," owned and kept by Mr. Woodbury, at Rochester, Vermont, until twelve years old, and afterwards owned successively by Mr. Walker, of Chelsea, and Peter Burbank, of Newbury : " Sherman," owned by Mr. Sherman, of Barre, and afterwards kept by John Bellows, Esq., of Bellows Falls ; " Bulrush," raised in Williamstown, and " Revenge," kopt
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for a while in this State, and afterwards removed. The dams of the Woodbury and Sherman were of English descent. Mr. Scott thinks that three-fourths of the horses now generally known as Morgan, are of the Woodbury branch. Among the colts of the Woodbury was the Gifford. This was the sire of the Green Moun- tain Morgan, whose dam was also of that breed. This horse is or was owned by Silas Hale, of Darre, Mass., and, we believe, is the most noted of those known as Morgan horses. He was kept two seasons, a few years since, in Middlebury, in this County. The Gif- ford was also kept by Mr. Scott, in 1851, in the same place. The Hacket Horse, owned and kept by Col. Hacket, in Middlebury, for several years, was sired by the Gifford, from a Woodury dam. The Flying Morgan, sired by the Hacket horse, and owned by Riley Adams, of Burlington, and distinguished for his speed in trotting, was for some time kept in this County. Woodbury 2d, raised by Mr. Scott, and now eight years old, is still kept by him in Vergennes, and is the only real Woodbury horse kept for mares in the County.
Mr. Weissinger, one of the editors of the Louisville, Ky., Jour- nal, who, some ten years ago, made a tour through Vermont, and other eastern States, and took pains to examine the best horses of the general Morgan breed, as quoted by the Cultivator, says, "There is no doubt whatever of this, that the breed of the Morgan horse was and is now, in the few instances where it can be found, far the best breed of horses for general service, that was ever in the United States, probably the best in the world; and it is remarkable, that this breed was and is now known by many striking peculiari- ties, common to nearly every individual."
The old Woodbury Morgan, at twenty years old, was sold for $1300. Mr. Hale says, "several stallions, begotten by Green Mountain Morgan," of which he was the owner, "have sold as high as $1500; many have brought prices ranging from $800 to $1200; geldings and mares from $300 to $800: few less than $200. The Woodbury and other breeds generally designated as Morgans, are less generally found in this County than in the eastern part of the State; and in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, haring been generally sold and removed.
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The Black Hawk and his descendants are more generally found here. This horse was sired by the Sherman Morgan, then owned by John Bellows, Esq., of Bellows Falls, and his dam was a large black mare and fast trotter, and is said to have been a half-blood English, raised in New Brunswick. Ile was raised by Mr. Twom- bly, of Greenland, N. II .. and when four years old, was purchased by Benjamin Thurston of Lowell, Mass. In the year 1844, David Hill, Esq., of Bridport in this County purchased him of Mr. Thurston, and has kept him in that place ever since. Mr. Weissinger, from whom we have before quoted, says of him, "I think he deserves all the praise that has been bestowed on him. He is the finest stallion I ever saw. His legs are flat and broad, shoulders well set back, loin and back bone very strong, length of hip beyond anything I ever saw, as quick in breaking as the bullet from the rifle, head and neck faultless; in motion, mouth open, crest sublime, legs carried finely under him, square and even, and fore legs bending beautifully." We might quote other printed descriptions and recommendations of him, but it does not comport with our design.
Nearly all his colts more or less exhibit his traits. In this County they have become very common. Alinost every farmer is anxious to obtain a Black Hawk colt. He has also a high repu- tation in almost every State. Probably the stock of no horse, ever kept in this country, has been so extensively known and so highly appreciated. Mr. Hill says, -.. It is claimed by many of our best judges, that this is a new and permanent variety or breed. By this is meant that they possess peculiar points so uniform and dis- tinet from the immediate ancestors of Black Hawk, that he is justly entitled to be considered the parent or head of a distinct class." He says also, " Black Hawk has sired, I think, fully one hundred colts a year, since I owned him. His colts are now distributed throughout nearly all, if not all. the States of the Union, and several are in Canada. I know of some owned in every Stato except " five southern and south-western States. He says, " this breed of horses have great beauty and symmetry, are high-spirited, yet docile and tractable : are more generally adapted for light and
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rapid driving ; have great courage and endurance ; many are adapted for the farmer's "all work " horses, and few or none for the slow and heavy coach."
Mr. Hill has furnished us the following information of the prices at which some of Black Hawk's colts have been sold. Fifty colts, including a few geldings, and mares, sold in Bridport, have . averaged over $600 each. . Eight, sold by himself, consisting of four fillies, one gelding, two three year old and one four year old stallions have averaged over $700 cach. "The following," ho says, "are a few of the most noted of this horse's stock, with prices paid or offered for them. Ethan Allen, $10,000, Red Leg, a geld- ing, $1,750, Black Hawk Maid, a mare, $1,600. The above were all from the same dam, and raised by Joel W. Holcomb, of Ticonderoga, N. Y .. Belle of Saratoga, a mare raised by David HIill, 84,200; Know Nothing, a gelding, $5,500; David Ilill, now in California, $10,000; Ticonderoga, $5,000; Hammitt colt, $5,000; Sherman Black Hawk, $5,000; Plato, three years old, $3,000 ; Flying Cloud, of Ohio, $3,000; Rip Van Winkle, two years old, $2,000."
Black Hawk * is now (1855) twenty-one years old, and there is so great demand for his services, that the price charged for each mare the present season is one hundred dollars.
The Rutland and Burlington Rail Road, from Burlington to Bellows Falls, and passing through the whole length of this County, which was first opened about the first of January, 1850, has ad- vanced the prosperity of agriculture beyond any other influence. It has opened a direct and rapid communication with Boston and New York, which are adequate markets for all the agricultural productions of the County at high prices. The result has been to raise the price of all agricultural products. The price of lands in the vicinity, by the same means, has also been raised from 25 to 50 per cent, and in some cases doubled. And if those who have con- tributed so liberally for the construction of the road, have lost their whole investment, the farmers have gained as much. One obvious
* Black Hawk has died since the above was written.
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benefit, resulting from this influence, has been to raise the amount and quality of the productions of the dairy. There is now no danger of getting any but good butter from any farmer. *
* See Appendix No. 2, for agricultural and other products in the County.
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10
CHAPTER XL
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-MEDICAL SOCIETY.
AN agricultural society, at an early day, was formed in this County, and continued an annual fair for several years; but soon declined for want of legislative encouragement. .
The legislature in 1843, passed an act to give encouragement for forming agricultural associations. This act authorizes the formation of agricultural societies in each County, which, when organized, become legal corporations with the usual powers necessary to accom- plish their design, and the object of them is declared to be "to en- courage and promote agriculture, domestic manufactures and the mechanic arts." The treasurer of the State is authorized to pay annually to each society a share of two thousand dollars, appropri- ated for the whole State, in proportion to the population of the County, in which it is established, provided that as large a sum shall have been otherwise raised.
Under this act, a society was formed by a convention held at Mid- dlebury, on the 22d of January 1844, by the name of "The Addi- son County Agricultural Society." By the constitution adopted on that occasion, its object is declared to be " the improvement of agri- cultural productions, useful domestic animals, domestic manufac- tures and the mechanic arts, so far as they concern the interest of agriculture." The payment of one dollar is made the condition of annual membership, and the payment of fifteen dollars, the condi- tion of life membership. The officers of the society, are to be a president, two vice presidents, secretary and treasurer. A board of managers is constituted, consisting of the above officers, and one member from each town, where ten members reside ; who are. author- ized "to have & general supervision of the affairs of the society,
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fix upon such productions, experiments, discoveries or attainments in agriculture and horticulture. and upon such articles of manufac- ture, as shall come in competition for premiums at the agricultural fairs, also upon the number and amount of premiums, and the time and place of holding fairs." The officers are to be chosen at an annual meeting, to be held at Middlebury, on the first Wednesday of January, which was afterwards altered to the fourth Wednesday of that month. The first meeting was held on the same day the society was organized, and Hon. Silas II. Jenison was elected presi- dent, and Harvey Bell, Esq., secretary.
The first fair was held at the court house and adjoining grounds in Middlebury, October 1st 1844, and an address was delivered by Hon. Silas H. Jenison, which was printed, and from which we have already largely quoted. The fairs in 1845 and 1847, were held at Vergennes ; at the former of which an eloquent and interesting ad- dress was made by Rev. Dr. Wheeler, President of the University of Vermont. Addresses have also been made at other fairs ; of which we have not now sufficient information to give a correct state- ment. The fair in 1849 was held in Shoreham. All the others have been held in Middlebury. At the annual meeting in January 1852, the constitution was so altered as to authorize the managers to fix on a permanent location for the annual exhibitions ; and they, at a meeting in June of that year, fixed on Middlebury for that purpose, provided the citizens should provide suitable grounds and fixtures, and pay one hundred dollars annually toward the expenses. Since that time the fairs have been held on grounds leased from Gen. Nash, in the north part of the village, where temporary fixtures were erected. These gronnds have now been sold and appropriated to another use.
Several gentlemen in the County have recently purchased a tract of twenty-two acres, south of the court house. which formerly belonged to Jonathan Wainwright, including the barns and exten- sive sheds, erected for keeping and preparing for market his horses, when he was largely engaged in that trafic. Here they design to erect permanent fixtures upon a large scale for the accommodation of the annual exhibitions. Arrangements are in progress to raise
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the requisite funds to transfer the title to the corporation; but, until this is accomplished the society will pay rent to the proprietors.
Hitherto the fairs have fully met the expectations of the most sanguine. Many of them have been interesting and extensive, and, we think, have produced a favorable effect in stimulating efforts for improvement, and securing advancement in all the departments within the province of the society. There have been exhibited an extensive variety of the products of agriculture, horticulture, and of domestic and other manufactures ; and very often of numerous and fine specimens of painting, drawing and various kinds of orna- mental work by native artists. After what we have said of the stock department of agriculture, none will be disappointed when we say, that the exhibitions have been large and splendid in cattle, horses and sheep. Whatever others may say, the citizens of Addison County will not shrink from a comparison with the exhibitions of stock of any other County in the State, or perhaps of any other State.
The following have been the presidents and secretaries of the society.
FROM PRESIDENT. TO TROM SECRETARIES. TO
1844 Silas II. Jenison,
1848. 1844 Harvey Bell, 1847.
1848 Elias Bottum, 1850. 1847 E. W. Blaisdell, Jr. 1850.
1850 Charles L. Smith, 1852. 1850 Joseph H. Barrett, 1857.
1852 Harvey Munsill, 1754. 1857 Justus Cobb, still in office.
1854 Edwin Hammond, 1857.
1857 William R. Sanford, still in office.
ADDISON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
The legislature, at their session in 1813, passed an act author- izing several physicians in each county by name, to form themselves into County Medical Societies, by the name of the Medical Society of the County in which they should be formed. And the societies were severally to be corporations with the usual powers, necessary for the purposes, for which they were designed; and were author- ized to adopt and alter a corporate seal. They were to have power to assess taxes on the members, "for the purpose of procuring a library and suitable apparatus, and for other uses," provided tho
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tax shall not exceed three dollars. The officers authorized by the law are a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, librarian and three or more censors.to hold their offices for one year, or until others are chosen. The several societies were required to "hold semi-annual meetings in the shire town in each county, at the time of the sitting of the County Court, for the purpose of establishing and regulating the libraries of said society, receiving and communi- cating medical information, examining students," and any other proper business. The act requires that students examined and ap- proved by the censors " possess a good moral character," and " have pursued the studies of physic or surgery at least three years ;" and, being approved, shall receive a diploma from the president, which shall entitle him to all the privileges of a member of the society. The same act- authorizes the formation of a State Society, to consist of three delegates from each County Society.
The physicians named in the act for this County are William Bass, Edward Tudor, Ebenezer Huntington, Asher Nichols, John Wilson, Nicanor Needham, Frederic Ford Jr., John Lyman, Frederic Ford, William Guile, John Willard, Luther E. Hall, James Day, Dan Stone, Levi Warner, David MeCollister, Martin Gay, Zenas Shaw, Josiah W. Halc.
In pursuance of this act the physicians named met at Middle- bury on the 15th of December, 1813, and organized the Addison County Medical Society, and elected the following officers; Ebene- zer Huntington, of Vergennes, President, William Bass, of Mid- dlebury, Vice President, Luther E. Hall, Vergennes, Secretary, Frederic Ford, Cornwall, Treasurer, William Bass, Librarian, Dan Stone, Edward Tudor, Frederic Ford, Jr., John Lyman and David McCollister, Censors. Luther E. Hall and Dan Stone were ap- pointed a Committee to report a code of by-laws. It was further voted, that future meetings shall be held at Dr. William Bass's, in Middlebury, and that the President deliver an inaugural address, before the society, at their next meeting. This meeting was ad- journed to the 19th of January, 1814. At this meeting the Presi- dent delivered his inaugural address, and a code of by-laws, reported by the committee, was adopted. William Bass and Luther E.
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Hall and Dan Stone were also appointed a committee, to "present to the Society a device for a seal and form of diploma." At the first meeting a tax of one dollar was assessed, which at the next was increased to one dollar and fifty cents ; and at both these meet- ings, candidates were examined and licensed.
The society thus organized continued in full life and vigor until about the year 1824. Dissertations and addresses on medical sub- jects, under appointment for that purpose, were read ; difficult and uncommon cases of disease and their treatment reported by the members; new members admitted, candidates examined and ap- proved by the censors received diplomas, taxes were assessed, a library collected and delegates regularly elected to the State Society. In 1822, the State Society commenced a series of resolu- tions proposing measures for the regulation of the County Societies. One requiring the County Societies to make an annual report of the "diseases prevalent in the County during the year," " under a penalty of five dollars fine on failure ;" one prescribing new qualifications for the admission of candidates for license; and another affixing a penalty of five dollars for a neglect of the County Society to "send their proceedings to the State Society, annually, as required by law ; " also a regulation respecting the dismission or withdrawing of members from the County Societies.
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These proceedings were not received with much favor by this County Society ; and at the annual meeting in December, 1824, a committee was appointed to take into consideration the proceed- ings of the State Society, and "report some plan of management for our Library." At an adjourned meeting the committee reported, recommending a dissolution of their connection with the State Society ; and another committee was appointed to confer with the other County Societies on the subject. At a meeting in June, 1825, a resolution was passed instructing the delegates to request the State Society to " petition the Legislature so to alter the act of incorporation as to render the County Societies independent of the State Society."
The result of the proceedings, so far as appears of record, was that, at a meeting in May, 1826, a resolution was adopted to "put
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up our library at auction to the members of this Society ;" and the sale took place in June following. In the meantime, several mem- bers had withdrawn.with the consent of the Society few attended the meetings, and the measure above mentioned was adopted, we suppose, to close the existence of the Society. The last meeting of which there is any record, was in October 1826; when the whole business related to closing the financial affairs of the Society. The organization of subsequent societies seem to have been regarded as a revival of this society, formed under the act of 1813, although at each of these organizations, new constitutions were adopted.
Dr. Ebenezer Huntington, the first president, was continued in that office until 1823, when Dr. Luther E. Hall was appointed, and continued president until 1826, when Dr. William Bass was appointed the last president. Dr. Luther E. Hall was secretary from 1813 to 1820, when Dr. Thomas P. Matthews was appointed and continued to the close.
On the 24th of December, 1835, a County Medical Society was organized and adopted a Constitution, and on the same day held its first meeting. Dr. Jonathan A. Allen was chosen President, Dan C. Stone and E. D. Warner, Vice Presidents, Ralph Gowdey, Secretary, and Atherton Hall, Treasurer. About six months after, in June, 1836, another meeting was held. and this closes its written history.
"The Addison County Medical Society" was re-organized by a convention held at Vergennes on the 30th day of June 1842, adjourned from a preliminary meeting held at Middlebury two weeks before. A new Constitution was then formed, by which the object of the organization is declared to be. " to promote a knowledge of medical and surgical science, and a friendly intercourse among the members of the faculty." The officers of the Society are "a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian, and three Censors, together with the President and Vice President, who shall be e.c-oficio Censors." and they are elected annually. "Any regular practicioner of medicine, a graduate of any legally author- ized medical institution, who resides within the State, and shall sign the constitution and by-laws, and conform to the objects de- signed, may be a member of the society ; and any person, who sus-
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tains a good moral character may become a member, who shall have studied the science of medicine and surgery three years under the direction of a regular practicioner, and attended at least one course of medical lectures, in some legally established institution, and has passed an examination by the censors, and by them recom- mended." Any person having passed such satisfactory examination "may become a member by signing the constitution and by- laws, and receive, if he wish, a diploma by paying five dollars." According to the by-laws, meetings are to be held "at Middlebury semi-annually, on Thursday of the first week of the County Court." The first meeting was held on the day on which the Constitution was adopted, and Dr. J. A. Allen of Middlebury, was chosen President, Dr. Dan C. Stone of Vergennes, Vice President, and Dr. David C. Goodale of Addison, Secretary.
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