USA > Vermont > Caledonia County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 14
USA > Vermont > Essex County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 14
USA > Vermont > Orleans County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
clearings were made were obliged to seek homes to the east and west in the valleys. Among those who came to Burke prior to or about 1800 were Roman Fyler, Dan White, Abner Coe, Thomas Bartlett, Elder Peleg Hicks, Matthew Cushing, John, Norris, and Augustus Walter, Benjamin Farmer, Samuel Stanford, Isaac Denison, Daniel Newell, Titus Newell, Daniel Gleason, George
there may have been others, it is probable that these were all of vot- ing age then resident in town. The records show that Lemuel Walter was unanimously chosen moderator "to govern said meeting who is notified thereof and is in the chaire." that "the said Lemuel Walter is unanimously chosen town clerk." that Mr. "Barnabas Thur- ber is made first selectman, Mr.
OLD WHITE SCHOOL HOUSE.
Nichols, William Woodruff, and William Godding. All these fam- ilies, excepting that of George Nichols, have descendants in the town or vicinity to-day.
The organization of Burke took place at the house of Lemuel Wal- ter, December 5th, 1796. There were present Joseph Lord, justice of the peace of St. Johnsbury, Lem- uel Walter, Barnabas Thurber, God- frey Jones, and Ira Walter. Though
Godfrey Jones, second selectman, and the said Lemuel Walter, third selectman, and Mr. Ira Walter, con- stable."
The first regular town meeting was held the following March, when Barnabas Thurber became modera- tor, Lemnel Walter, town clerk, Bar- nabas Thurber, David Colefix, and Godfrey Jones, selectmen, Ira Wal- ter, constable, and Barnabas Thur- her. surveyor of highways. "Then
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voted to tax the inhabitants two- pence on the acre for all the land they own in Burke, to be worked out on the roads in said town."
From this time the town grew rapidly until all the land was taken. The first grand list, made in 1801, shows forty-five polls, 116 acres of improved land, cattle and horses valued at $1,086, and three silver watches. At freeman's meeting, 1810, fifty-four votes were recorded. The years 1811 and 1812 were hard ones. Wheat was received for taxes at $1 per bushel. The town pur- chased a supply of ammunition and was prepared for the ever-dreaded attacks of English and Indians.
After this time the gain in wealth and members was slow but steady. In 1850 there were 1,100 inhabi- tants.
The Burke Historical society was organized in 1895 and leased the "Old White School House," so called, which had been condemned for school purposes. For the rooms and museum of the society much valuable historical matter and many ancient articles have either been loaned or contributed to the society.
The organization took place in October, 1895. The officers chosen were: President, E. A. Darling of New York; vice-president, I. B. Bemis; recording secretary, Mrs. Addie Godding; corresponding see- retary and treasurer, Mrs. M. H. Walter; museum directors, Bion Humphrey and G. H. Page.
THE OLD UNION MEETING HOUSE. A history of the old meet- ing-house really comprises the his- tory of all religious development in Burke, since all denominations grew out of the first society established,
and the meeting-house itself became for many years the home of all.
As soon as communication was es- tablished by opening roads, Burke, following her Puritan instincts, took steps toward providing publie wor- ship. In March, 1798, a town com- mittee was appointed "to treat with Elder Peleg Hicks to come and preach with us." The negotiations seem to have been successful, for the next month an adjourned town- meeting gave Elder Hicks sixty acres of land off the minister's right. In July he was granted sixty acres more. Then disagreements arose and in 1799 the advice of Esquire Cahoon of Lyndon was sought. A majority of the settlers were Bap- tists, though there were some whose early associations were with other modes of belief. The first religious society, organized in April, 1801, was Baptist, and at a special town- meeting in September of that year Elder Hicks, the Baptist preacher, was voted to be the first settled min- ister of the gospel in Burke. In the succeeding years two parties arose. The Baptists, under the leadership of Barnabas Thurber, who was the son-in-law of Elder Hicks and first deacon in the church, supported their old Scoteh pastor in his claim to the land granted by the charter of Burke to the first settled minister.
On the town records, June, 1806, we find the following:
"CERTIFICATE OF RELIGIOUS SENTIMENTS IN BURKE.
"We, the subscribers, do hereby certify that we do not agree in religious opinions with a majority of the inhabitants of this town.
"GEORGE NICHOLS, ELAM WHITE,
JOHN WOODRUFF, EZRA ANDREWS,
AZEL PAINE, CHAUNCEY BURRINGTON,
E. BURRINGTON, AARON HANDERSON.
TIMOTHY FISHER, JR. MOSES SEVERANCE,
OZIAS HUMPHREY, ALDEN COOLEY."
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In January, 1807, two more prom- inent citizens, William Barbour and C. Asher Flower, filed their dissent.
The next month, February, 1807, the first Congregational church was organized with eleven members.
the expenses of his installation were paid by the town. He remained with the Baptists until 1809 when, at his own request, he was dismissed. The three societies struggled along. By additions from new com-
UNION MEETING-HOUSE, BURKE HOLLOW, VERMONT.
Most of the other dissenters were Universalists, who did not organize until 1815, although they held meet- ings whenever they could obtain a preacher. Elder Hicks was finally installed pastor, May 1, 1807, and
ers who flocked into town between 1810 and 1820, their numbers grad- ually increased until, in 1825, the Baptists numbered fifty-seven, the Universalists fifty-three, the Con- gregationalists forty-eight, and the
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CALEDONIA COUNTY.
Methodists, though not present in large numbers, were sufficient to form a class.
Meetings were held at the town house on the Green and at private houses. The town house, however, was out of repair and its location was inconvenient. The audiences had outgrown house or barn services. In 1825 the question of a union meeting-house was agitated. Daniel Wellman, a leading Baptist, who afterwards became a Universalist preacher, took a prominent part in the movement. A meeting of all the inhabitants of Burke was called to discuss the question. The result was the formation of a joint com- pany for the building of a union house.
This meeting of citizens was held April 2, 1825, with Daniel Wellman, moderator, and Isaac Denison, elerk. A committee reported as to a site and George W. Denison. Timothy Fisher, Isaac Denison and Roman Fyler were appointed to draw a plan and draft a constitution.
An adjourned meeting was held the following week, a site was af- cepted and a general plan of build- ing was adopted, the use of the house to be divided equally between the four societies who joined in its building; funds were to be provided by selling shares of the "Meeting House company," the belfry to be built by private subscription.
The officers chosen under this constitution were Barton N. Fyler, clerk; George W. Denison, chair- man of committee; Timothy Fisher, for the Congregationalists; Roman Fyler, for Methodists; Sylvester ITall, for Universalists; Isaac Deni- son, for Baptists; Titus Newell, treasurer; Ira Walter, collector.
The plan provided for a house, 40x55 feet, with sixty slips and a gallery for singers over the lobby or entry. The sale of slips took place at the schoolhouse in Burke Hollow April 26. The notes of the sub- scribers were taken, payable, "one third in good saleable neat cattle in the following October or in mer- chantable grain the January after. The balance in cattle in October, 1826, or grain in January, 1827, with interest." Captain Elam White was chosen vendue-master and "the meeting proceeded to bidding."
Here, no doubt, culminated the interest in the acts of the Burke Meeting House company. These pioneers, most of whom found exist- ence a hard struggle, were, never- theless, about to bind upon their backs a heavier load in order to ob- tain that home so dear to every New Englander,-a suitable house of wor- ship. The total amount raised by the sale was $1,714.15. The highest bids were $10, the lowest $17, the average being $29.50. Among the first pew owners we find the names of Ebenezer Darling, Erastus Hum- phrey. Matthew Cushing. and Uz- ziah Farmer.
The effort to build a belfry was not successful and no provision was made for heating the church, nor was it painted at first. Otherwise the original plan was strictly fol- lowed, and as no alterations have ever been made, the old meeting- house, save for its fresh coat of paint, remains as it was when first built.
The first payment of notes was due in the fall that the building was completed. We have no doubt that in this case the "bleating of the
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
sheep and the lowing of the oxen" were held in delight of the Lord.
Two stoves, with sufficient pipe, were purchased for the meeting- house in 1828. It is uncertain when the house was painted, probably in 1842. In 1859 thorough repairs were made. The roof was shingled, a chimney built, and it was re- painted upon the inside. At this time a subscription was raised suffi- cient to add the long-desired belfry
in January, 1821, the order of de- nominations in occupying the house was: First, Congregational; second, Universalist; third, Baptist; fourth, Methodist. The same congregation and singers assembled each Sabbath, no matter what was the preaching. How abundant the doctrines served up to our fathers in that old church. Plain, severe Puritanism, fervent Methodism, the simple but exclusive belief of the Baptist, and the all-em-
INTERIOR OF UNION MEETING-HOUSE, BURKE HOLLOW, VERMONT.
and to buy a bell. The general ex- pense was met by a tax levied on the slips and as many of these remained unpaid, a collector's sale transferred the slips to new owners, who have held them ever since.
Upon the completion of the house in August, 1826, the Meeting House company took steps towards dedicat- ing the church, which occurred the third Wednesday in September,
Beginning with the first Sunday
bracing Universalism, and all in the compass of a month! Church at- tendance at that time was a point of conscience and honor. Exhausted by the labors of the week, the honest farmers dozed in their closed pews, "laboring the body for the good of the soul," while the thunder of con- flicting creeds rolled harmlessly from the barrel pulpit over their heads.
Behind the red curtains of the
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CALEDONIA COUNTY.
gallery sat the singer-, often fifty in number. "Burke singers" were famous all over the county. Mat- thew Cushing was their chorister for many years; Martin Doyle played the violin or clarinet, and Daranzel Cushing the double bass. In later years William G. Denison provided a small melodeon upon which his daughter played. The singers came from all denominations and from all parts of the town. There were Squire Hall's thirteen children, all good singers; William Godding, who could "bugle" (yodel) so that the call could be heard two miles away; all the Smiths, Sophie, Wealthy, Frinda, Almon, and Charles; C'ap- tain Lem Hall, fat, jolly, and not always sober; the Fylers, the Trulls, and many beside.
Rev. John E. Palmer was the first minister ordained in Burke. We find on the town records that he was ordained June 6, 1810, "by fasting and prayer and laying on of hands of elders." Ordained a Baptist he also turned Universalist, and after Mr. Wellman's departure he sup- plied Burke Hollow for fifteen years.
In 1848 Rev. L. H. Tabor, a noted and much-beloved man, was employed one half the time. The society increased under him until it numbered 110 members. He re- mained six years. Then followed another series of supplies, mainly by Revs. Palmer and Scott, until, in 1871, the society removed to its new church at West Burke.
The General Baptists were organ- ized in 1830 with six members. Rev. Jonathan Woodman preached until 1834, when Rufus Godding was or- dained and became their pastor. In 1840 the old Baptist soc'ety, then reduced to eight members, joined
them. This church soon became the most influential in town, largely through the efforts of Elder God- ding, who made this field his life- work. In 1855 the Baptists sold their interest in the Burke Meeting Hlouse company and removed to East Burke, where they built a church. Elder Gedding went with them and labmed until his death in 1865.
Rev. Nathan Denison, a success- ful Baptist preacher, was ordained and baptized into this church. Ile is remembered by the older people as he stood in the high pulpit of the meeting-house laboring, with the perspiration dripping from every pure, an earnest and forcible speaker. An old chronicle says: "The records of the Methodist church in Burke are like footprints in the sand which have been covered up by the passing wind." The father's of the church in Burke were Mat- thew Cushing, Angustus Walter, and Romanta Humphrey. John Lord was the pre-iding elder in 1828. It was a happy day when they secured a fourth interest in the Old Burke meeting-house. A new church of their own was built at East Burke in 1843, and by 1858 they withdrew entirely from Burke Hollow.
The first Congregational church was organized in 1802 by a secession from the Baptist -. There were eleven in number. The society was received into communion with other Congregational churches by Rev. John Fitch, pastor at Danville, March 1, 1802. Its early years were full of privations and hardships, but the little church held together, some t'mes hiring a neighboring clergy- man to preach for them, sometimes remembered by the missionaries on
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their rounds. Up to the year 1825 the church had enrolled a member- ship of forty-eight. Under the im- petus given by the building of the Union house at the Hollow, it in- creased until, in 1837, the first set- tled pastor, Rev. Thomas Duncan, was installed. Mr. Duncan was dis- missed at his own request in 1839 and was succeeded by Rev. S. M. Wheelock, who remained with the church two years. Then the Rev. John Clark preached for ten years.
He was a moderate man, an old- fashioned preacher, and during the ten years only twenty-four additions were made to the church. After his departure the situation became even more gloomy.
Services seem to have been for a time discontinued. In 1856 the church was again assembled by Rev. Mr. Wellington. It was decided to sustain a weekly prayer meeting al- ternating between the villages. In- terest began to increase and the mis- sionary society sent men to help. Rev. Richard Cordley, Henry Fair- banks, Thomas Kidder, F. D. Aver. E. Mix, and O. Pearson supplied at different times during 1856 and 1857. Meetings were held one fourth at East Burke and three fourths the time at Burke Hollow. It was at such a time of awakening interest that a young divinity student from New York, Edwin P. Goodwin, came to Burke. He preached during the summer of 1858 and returned again the next year. He was ordained at East Burke November 10, 1859.
The young pastor was full of en- ergy and enthusiasm. He was anxious for the society, which by this time was mainly centered at East Burke, to build a new church in that village.
In 1865 the new Baptist church at East Burke was bought for the society by Mr. Alfred B. Darling of New York, who for many subse- quent years retained his member- ship and interest in this church. The society at once withdrew from the meeting-house at the Hollow, though still retaining their share in the building.
Thus was the old house deserted by its children, one after another. For years it was opened only out of curiosity or to accommodate some neighboring clergyman who prof- fered an occasional service. In No- vember, 1894, Miss Jennie Gale and Miss Martha Brokaw, state evangel- ists, came to Burke Hollow. The courage and devotion of these Chris- tian girls are best proven by the labor they undertook. As soon as the citizens understood what the movement meant, the people of Burke Hollow responded cordially. In 1895 Alfred B. Darling of New York became aware of the mnove- ment and headed with a generous sum a subscription for repairing the old meeting-house. These repairs added to the cleanliness and comfort of the old church while altering none of its ancient and curious feat- ures. It stands to-day substantially as it was when built in 1825, true and staunch, of excellent propor- tions, and on a goodly site. It was rededicated June 28. 1896, with ap- propriate ceremonies and now stands ready to receive once more the large audiences which once crowded its ample floor.
MOUNTAIN VIEW FARM is per- haps one of the best examples of modern farming conducted along intelligent lines in Vermont. The estate consists of more than one
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CALEDONIA COUNTY.
thousand acres and embraces the historic estates of Lemuel Walter, Sylvester Hall, Benjamin Belden, Godfrey Jones, and a part of the farm of Abner Howland, together with several miscellaneous tracts of land. The view from this beautiful estate is one of the most charming in this section of the state. As far as the vision can extend is to be seen giant mountains, beautiful valleys with fertile farms and the pleasant village of East Burke, while in the distance may be had
" Glimpses of chimneys and gabled eaves,
Through green elm arches and maple leaves,
Old homes sacred to all that can Gladden or sadden the hearts of man-
And round and round, over valley and hill,
Old roads winding as old roads will."
With its elegant and commodious mansions, its many barns, its cream- ery, poultry houses, and out-build- ings, " Mountain View " looks like " a city set on a hill," and as the evening shadows fall,-
" A dreamy beauty haunts the dis- tant hill,
And all the meadows softly blurred, are still;
From the dark wood a whip-poor- will sings clear,
The only sound that breaks the silence ncar."
DARLING, EBENEZER, son of Peter Darling of Hopkinton, Massa- chusetts, was born in 1788. He was a soldier of the War of 1812 and
came to Burke at the close of the war and cleared land between the farms of Elder Hicks and Abner Coe.
He married Abigail Fisher of Claremont, New Hampshire, a sis- ter of Timothy Fisher, a new settler in Burke. Eight children were born to them. Major Darling was a man of energy, ability, and a stern disciplinarian. He served Burke in several town offices and was in 1828- '30 her representative in the legis- lature. He died in 1858.
Henry G., eldest son of Ebenezer, was born August 15th, 1816, and with the exception of a few years he always lived in Burke. He married Mehitable, daughter of Cummings and Louise (Quimby) Whitcomb of Lyndon in 1845. Mrs. Darling came from some of the bravest old colonial stock, and her grandfather and two of his brothers, Nathaniel and Major Benjamin, served in the Revolutionary war.
Major Benjamin Whitcomb was one of Essex county's most energetic men before the war. How he ob- tained his major's commission is graphically told by David Goodall, to whom Major Whitcomb related the incidents. His narration is as follows:
" Major Whitcomb was the most prominent pioneer, trapper, and hunter in Essex county, often spending months at a time in the wilderness, subsisting upon game, and falling in frequently with In- dians, and camping and hunting with them, always taking pains to conciliate them and secure their friendship.
" At one time he found an Indian in early winter, alone, nearly starved, his gun-lock having broken,
" MOUNTAIN VIEW FARM," ELMER A. DARLING, EAST BURKE, VERMONT,
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CALEDONIA COUNTY.
and took him to his camp and fed and kept him there three weeks, and trapped with him and divided furs, and gave him food to last him home. " Major Whitcomb served under General Putnam in the old French war, was in several fights, and taken prisoner by the Indians and carried to Quebec. He often wrestled, ran, and shot at a mark with the Indians, but always managed to let them beat him, as it would have given great offense to beat them. After Ticonderoga was taken by Colonel Ethan Allen, Major Whitcomb has- tened there and served as a scout. The commander of the fort received a circular from General Washington, saying that he wished to retaliate upon the British officers for the wanton butcheries and massacres of women and children by the British Indians; and, to accomplish it, he offered any American soldier who would go into Canada and waylay and shoot a British general, a ma- jor's commission and pay in the American army, a captain's commis- sion for a colonel, etc. Whitcomb and two others volunteered to go and try. One man deserted before reaching the line. Whitcomb and his companion pursued their way to near Three Rivers, and ascertained that a brigade of British soldiers and some Indians were about to move towards the line in a few days, and the route they would go. Whit- comb selected a place of ambush and made ready. The night before the British were to move, Whitcomb's companion, alarmed by their dan- gerous position, deserted and went over to the enemy and informed them of Whitcomb's plans and in- tentions. Whitcomb was greatly annoyed and vexed, but had no
thoughts of losing his major's com- mission. He moved nearer to the British camp, fixing upon a new place for his ambuscade, where a small river made a turn and came near the road-a deep, narrow ra- vine running back from the river some distance. His position was at the root of a large tree blown down, the top reaching into the ravine and the root affording cover and port- holes to fire through. This was about fifteen rods from the road, on the right side, and the river on the left side, and commanded a good view of the road in the direction the enemy would come. The ground to the river was covered with a thick growth of small trees, briars, and al- ders in the ravine. About 2 o'clock in the afternoon the British column came in sight and slowly passed. Several mounted officers passed, but none whose grade seemed high enough. Then came in sight an officer mounted upon a splendid white steed, richly dressed, with a broad red silk sash around his waist, and a long white plume in his hat, with several staff officers near by and Indian scouts in the road. Whitcomb thought that this officer would answer the purpose of Gen- eral Washington's circular and when he came within a few rods, took de- liberate aim and fired. He saw the officer throw his hands up and reel back, and quickly hid under the root. The Indians in the road near by saw the smoke of his gun and dashed into the woods after him, and supposing he would run back did not stop to look for him there, but hurried on and crossed the log within twenty feet of him. As soon as they had passed he crawled rap- idly alongside of the log into the ra-
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
vine, and down that, under the bridge and into the river, and up under the thick alders, occasionally coming upon the land for a rod or two, and crossing over and back. He had got about half a mile when he heard the blood hounds bay on his track, but all his arrangements had been made to baffle and elude them, and he succeeded in delaying them so much that he gained upon them until dark, when he took a smaller stream, running out of his direct route, and waded in that a mile, then left it and traveled all night and the next day without stopping, keeping in the woods.
" The officer shot was General Gordon, and he died in half an hour. At the time Whitcomb shot him all his provisions consisted of was about half a pint of parched corn, and that was all the food he had for four days. On the fifth day he crossed the line into Vermont, nearly starved, and his shoes entirely worn out. In all this time he had not kindled a fire or dared to shoot game, lest the smoke and report of his gun should indicate his where- abouts to the pursuing Indians, but necessity, which knows no law, com- pelled him to act. He did not dare to go to any house, fearing Tories; but finding a yoke of oxen feeding in a pasture, he shot one through the head and quickly cut out as much steak as he needed, and skin enough for a pair of moccasins, and ran into a deep swamp, kindled a fire, half roasted some steak and ate it upon the run, again fearing the smoke would betray him. The next morning he had gone about a mile only when he came upon an Indian camp, where several had stopped over night, the fire not being out.
He turned and traveled east half a day, and then turned south, and hurried on until he arrived at Roy- alton, Vermont, where he went into a house and asked for food and rest.
" The British had offered a thou- sand crowns for his head, and two thousand crowns for him delivered at any British post alive, and the Indians pursued and hunted for him along the lake to the very walls of Ticonderoga. After some little time had elapsed, Whitcomb joined a small frontier guard stationed at Lancaster, New Hampshire, in a blockhouse; feeling secure, he oc- casionally went out hunting. One day, when out alone, he was sud- denly seized from behind, disarmed, and bound by five Indians, and hur- ried off into Canada, and down the St. Francis river. Night came on dark, when within twenty miles of a British post, at the mouth of the river, where the Indians were to give him up and take the reward. They camped upon an island. Whit- comb's hands and feet were securely tied to a stake and otherwise se- curely bound, and in addition he was bound to two Indians, one sleeping on each side, close to him. Escape seemed impossible. Whit- comb recognized in one of his cap- tors the Indian whom he had years before found alone, nearly famished. and fed and supplied with food, and had by look and gesture tried to make the Indian know him, but en- tirely failed to gain any sign of re- cognition. Death seemed inevit- able and hope departed, but yet he slept. About ? o'clock in the morning, he was awakened by gentle taps on the mouth to indicate si- lence, and then the fingers passed to his eyes and found them open.
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