The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 101

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt. : Vermont Watchman and State Journal Press
Number of Pages: 1064


USA > Vermont > Washington County > Montpelier > The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier. > Part 101


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born in Putney, 1791, came to Northfield in 1809. He married Sally Hutchinson, of Braintree, and located upon the farm afterwards owned by Moses Lane. He built the "Red House," now occupied by Miss Maria Howes, which was the second house erected on the road leading from the Center to the " Factory village." He was many years, and until his death, the " Post- man" of this section. His route included the towns of Berlin, Barre, Williamstown, Brookfield, Randolph, Braintree, Roxbury, and Northfield. The well known sound of " Uncle Armus'" horn, calling his pa- trons to the road-side for their weekly news, was always welcomed.


Mr. and Mrs. Nichols had 3 children : Ambrose, Jr., Sarah, and George A. Mr. Nichols died in 1835, and his widow in 1853.


ELEAZER NICHOLS, JR.


came at sixteen to Northfield with his fath- er. He is now [1878] in his 85th year. Though feeble, his mind retains its memory to a good degree. He has until lately had in his possession the ballot box used at the first town meeting held in Northfield, Mar. 25, 1794, said to have been made by Seth Smith : 5 inches long inside, and 2 wide, and 2} deep, dug out of a pine block. It has been presented to the town for safe keeping.


He married Mrs. Orra Starkweather White, mother of George J. and John A. S. White, Oct., 1822, and they lived for more than 50 years on the farm where the Adams Slate quarry is now yielding beautiful ma- terial for roofing. Their children were all born in this town: Mary Ann, Orra E., Olivia C., Dudley C., Emma. Mrs. Nich- ols died in 1877,


JAMES NICHOLS,


born in Putney, 1796, came to Northfield in 1809. He learned the carpenter and joiner's trade soon after, which he indus- triously pursued till compelled by the infir- mities of age to retire from the more active


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pursuits of life. He married Annis A. Dole, of Danville, Jan. 1, 1826; they had two children: George, b 1827; Annis, 1830. Mrs. Nichols died in 1830, and Mr. Nichols married for his second wife Harriet West, May 1, 1831 ; their children are : James C., Jane E., John W., Mary E. Mr. Nichols died in 1873 ; Mrs. Nich- ols died in 1876.


WILLIAM NICHOLS,


born in Putney, 1802, married Roxanna Herrick, of Barre, and settled on the farm now owned by Harvey R. Keyes, and where Mrs. Nichols still resides. The house they first occupied was the first one erected on Main street, between the two villages, and was built by Justus Burnham. Mr. Nich- ols acquired, through an honest indus- try, a handsome property, and died in 1863, lamented by a large circle of ac- quaintances.


HON. GEORGE NICHOLS,


son of James and Annis A. Nichols, was born in Northfield, Apr. 17, 1827. He married Ellen Maria, daughter of Abijah and Maria B. Blake, of Vergennes, Apr. 8, 1852, who was born in New Haven, Apr. 1, 1832. To them were born Alice Margaret in 1853, and a son in 1858, both of whom died in infancy.


Dr. Nichols was educated at the com- mon school and Newbury Seminary, fitted for college, but never entered, having de- termined to study medicine, and could not see the way clear to pursue both courses. He commenced teaching school previous to his 15th birthday. In 1848, he was ap- pointed State Librarian by Governor Cool- idge, and received successive annual elec- tions till 1853. He studied medicine with Dr. S. W. Thayer; graduated at the Ver- mont Medical College at Woodstock in 1851 ; commenced business in his native town, combining with it that of apothecary and druggist in 1854, which latter business he still retains, and continued in the prac- tice of his profession with eminent success till his return from the army in 1863, hav- ing served as surgeon of the 13th Reg., Vt. Vols. In 1865, he was appointed Secretary of State by Governor Smith, which office he has since continuously.


held. In 1870, was a member and President of the Constitutional Conven- tion ; in 1872, a delegate to the National Republican Convention, and made a mem- ber of the National Republican Committee, and has been a member and Secretary of the Republican State Committee since that year. In 1868, he was elected director, and in 1874, president, of the Northfield National Bank; in 1872, chairman of the board of commissioners to receive subscrip- tions to the capital stock of the Cen- tral Vermont Railroad Company, and has been clerk of the same since its organiza- tion. The Doctor has been repeatedly honored in elections to the various munic- ipal offices of trust and responsibility, and, what may be worthy of mention, with the exceptions of 1856-58-59-63 and 66, has been moderator of the annual town meet- ings since 1854.


JOSEPH NICHOLS,


a brother of Eleazer Nichols, Sr., came from Putney, about 1805 ; was a carpenter, and assisted in building Judge Paine's dwelling- house in Williamstown, on the turnpike ; was selectman, &c. His children were Sally, Leonard, Martin, Louisa, Harrison.


JASON WINCH,


born in Framingham, Mass., Sept. 2, 1746, settled, in 1813, on the farm now owned by his grand-son, Joel Winch. He married Abigail Howe, of Dorchester, Mass. Their children were Asa, Joel, Hannah, Abigail, Thomas.


REV. JOEL WINCH


married Anna Kezar in 1808, and came to Northfield in 1815, living on what is now called the "Joel Winch farm." Their children were: Joel, Jr., Enoch, Anna, Elijah, Isaac, Benjamin P., and Mary.


Mr. Winch was an eccentric, remark- able man, a Methodist preacher, joined the conference at 19; was ordained by Bishop Asbury in Boston, June 4, 1807. As a preacher, he was full of wit and pleas- antry, and sent home his arguments with great pathos and power.


He was a staunch Mason. When many were going back on their principles, he re- mained firm, glorying in the sentiments George Washington had honored, and


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which had comforted and elevated millions of our race. No place seemed dearer to him than the lodge room ; surrounded by the fraternity, he was happy, and he made others so around him. Masonry was his great theme while among the brethren ; almost single handed he fought for it in Northfield, and lived to see the order again respected and beloved. He could say :


" A sacred burden is this life ye bear; Look on it, Ilft it, bear it solemnly, Stand up and walk beneath it steadfastly. Fail not for sorrow, falter not for sin, But onward, upward, till the goal ye win."


Elder Winch died in 1854.


ARIEL EGERTON,


born in Norwich, Conn., June 8, 1789, moved with his father's family in 1796 to Brookfield, Vt., from whence he came to Northfield in the fall of 1811. The follow- ing winter he taught school on the east hill. Of the scholars that winter, only one, John Averill, is known to be living in town. The winter following he taught near Judge Paine's factory, and in 1815, built a house and store at the Center vil- lage. His store was the first building erected in that village for business pur- poses. He continued there in trade until 1819; in 1824, bought from Judge Paine the grist-mill on the east hill, which he carried on about 5 years ; in 1829, bought a large building at the South village, and started a chair-factory, which he kept in operation about 5 years, and then removed from Northfield.


Mr. Egerton was among the first in this vicinity to observe the injurious effects arising from the use of liquors, and very early became active in the cause of tem- perance. In the winter of 1826, he invited the people living in his neighborhood to meet at their school-house and listen to some statements with regard to the use and abuse of intoxicating drinks. About 40 were present, and that was, as we be- lieve, the first attempt in the State, aside from pulpit addresses, to present the tem- perance question in a public lecture. In 1828, about 20 of the citizens of the town united to form a temperance society. Mr. Egerton was elected its first president ;


Orange Hovey, secretary. Mr. Egerton delivered an address in the Center meeting- house, which was published in the Mont- pelier Watchman and other papers in the State.


Mr. Egerton died in Quechee, in 1859. His wife survives him (1878), living with her oldest son, Hon. Charles B. Egerton, at Ironton, Ohio. Her maiden name was Abigail P. Keyes, only daughter of Capt. Abel Keyes, of Putney, born Aug. 11, 1796. They had 8 children : Almira E., Laura E., Olive S., Cynthia M., Abby S., Charles B., John S., Joseph K. ; all born in Northfield, and four now living.


JOSEPH KEYES EGERTON


lived in Quechee until the death of his father, when he moved to Norwich, where he resided 15 years, and came to North- , field, March, 1877. He married Sarah F. Tyler, of Claremont, N. H., in 1856, and had two children, Edith K. and Fred T.


Mr. Egerton was clerk in J. C. Brooks' store in Hartford 4 years, 1 year in Cleave- land's at Brookfield, and I year with Camp & Thayer in Northfield. He was post- master at Quechee from 1853 to 1861, when he removed to Northfield ; he was town agent, town treasurer and justice of the peace; joined the Odd Fellows in Northfield in 1852; joined the Masons in 1854, and was Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of Vermont 3 years, from 1867 to 1870.


I am under great obligation to Mr. Egerton for his valuable assistance in work- ing up the history of his ancestors, his father, and the Keyes' who built so ex- tensively in Northfield.


WILLIAM AND TAMASIN ASHCROFT, from Connecticut, had 11 children ; one of them, Lois, was born in Judge Paine's grist-mill, and was the second child born in town. Mr. Ashcroft took part in the first meetings that were held here. He settled on what is now the poor farm. He held town offices ; children : Daniel, Sarah, Abigail, Tamasin, John D., Lydia, Eliza T., Nathan B., Lois, William, Lucy.


REV. NATHAN BROWN ASHCROFT, son of William, born in Brookline, Conn., in 1787, and came to Northfield with his


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father. He was a preacher of the Methodist order, ordained by Bishop Kendrick as an Elder, in Bristol, R. I., Sept. 5, 1822, and was one of the first ministers in this sec- tion. In his latter days also he not only looked after the spiritual wants of the people, but attended to their physical ail- ments, dealing in " roots and herbs " after the Thompsonian plan.


Mr. Ashcroft married Betsey Lawrence, in Plainfield, in 1812. Their children were : Hester Ann R., Nathan Sias, John Wesley, Eliza Ann. Mr. Ashcroft died in 1857; Mrs. Ashcroft in 1872.


JOEL SIMONDS


settled on the mountain where Mr. Annis used to live, in 1816, butafterwards moved to a farm in the N. E. corner of the town. He married Lydia Brailey, of Hartford. They had 13 children : Daniel, Polly, Joel, Horace, Albert Clark, Charles, Rufus, Seth, John, Lydia, Harriet, John; all but two born in Northfield.


Rev. JOEL SIMONDS, his son, resides at the Center village, and still owns the farm where his father lived. He married Olive Pitkin, in 1844.


JAMES and ELETHEN PAUL were early settlers on the Berlin road, near the north corner ; children : Lucy, Mary, Benjamin, Belinda, Daniel J., Hosea, all born here.


LEBBEUS BENNETT,


born in Connecticut, 1777, settled on the " Bennett place," a well-to-do farmer ; married Elizabeth Millington ; children : Melinda, Ambrose, Gamaliel, Seymour, Rial, Joseph, Lucinda.


AMOS HOWES,


born in Windham, Conn., 1792, married Melinda, daughter of Lebbeus Bennett. Their children were: Augustus, Harriet, Fanny, Lucinda, Maria M., Elizabeth, Seymour, Adelia L., Edward H., Lebbeus A., all born in Chelsea, and all living now (1878), in Northfield, but two.


ANANIAS TUBBS


came from Gilsum, N. H., to Northfield in 1806, and settled in the Loomis neighbor- hood. He married Hannah Hill. Their children were: Jeremiah, Sally, Patty, Annie, Elizabeth, William, Julia, Polly


and Solomon. He died in 1828, aged 84 ; his wife in 1832, aged 80.


He was a soldier of the Revolutionary War; enlisted under Benedict Arnold, and marched under his command through the wilderness of Maine; was wounded and taken prisoner at Quebec. He had orders after enlisting to march in two days, and a pair of pants must be had. His wife took her shears, cut the wool from two sheep, one white and one black, which she carded together, and with the assistance of a neighbor, spun, wove, and made a pair of pants before she slept, and they were ready at the time they were wanted.


DAVID HEDGES


was born on Long Island, where both his parents died before he was a year old. Most of his early life was spent in Connec- ticut. He was a soldier in the Revolution- tionary War; married Hannah Shaw; came to Randolph in 1784; one of the first settlers of that town; came to North- field in 1794, with 12 children; was the 17th family here ; children : Jeremiah, Daniel, Hannah, Phebe, Matthew, Esther, David, Stephen, Jerusha, Lewis, Richard, and Elijah. He lived at the North Corner. His son Stephen died at 26; the rest of his children all settled in life ; one in Ohio, one in Western New York, and the others in Vermont, several living in this town a while. The three youngest died in North- field. Mr. Hedges died in 1829, aged 94 ; Mrs. Hedges in 1830, aged 81.


RICHARD, son of David, born in Ran- dolph, 1785 ; when a lad went to hunt up cattle, when all was a wilderness in Dog River valley; with no building except Stanton Richardson's log-house. In 1810, he married Rhoda, daughter of Joel Reed, of Williamstown, and settled on the East- Hill, the first farm west of Judge Paine's grist-mill, where he lived 43 years. His first wife died in 1819, leaving two daugh- ters, Louisa M., and Cynthia. Mr. Hedges married for his second wife, Julia, daughter of Ananias Tubbs ; children : Daniel, Gil- bert, Rhoda, Betsey E., Julia, Matthew M., John, Francis A .; all born in North-


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field. Mr. Hedges died in 1872, age 97. Mrs. Hedges in 1872, age 83.


THOMAS SLADE,


from Alstead, N. H., appears on the rec- ords as an early settler. He was quite a noted schoolmaster. His son Thomas, the miller, who followed in the footsteps of his father, says, " He taught school in Amos Robinson's district 6 or 8 terms, boarding at home," where Herbert Glidden now lives. He also taught school in Chel- sea and Brookfield, and was a surveyor many years in this town. He married Clarissa Burroughs ; children : Howard, Lavinna, Calista, Clarissa, Allen, Thomas, Jr., Anna, William ; all but Howard born in Northfield. Mr. Slade moved to Mont- pelier in 1823, and died in 1829.


PARLEY TYLER


was born in Connecticut in 1779, and soon after coming to Northfield bought of Judge Paine 100 acres, on what was known after- ward as Tyler Hill. He married Betsey Rood, of Brookfield. Their children were Martin P., Matilda, Juliet, Squire, Daniel, Royal, Edward, Jason, Louisa, Jason C., John A. Mr. Tyler died in 1855; Mrs. Tyler in 1849.


Daniel Tyler relates a story of one Bean, the first known thief convicted in North- field. He broke into Judge Paine's fac- tory one Sunday afternoon, and took out 25 rolls of cloth, and hid them under a hemlock tree-top, 40 rods back of the fac- tory. The next day all hands turned out to look for the stolen goods and the thief. Bean took one roll on his back and made for the East Hill, and went across Mr. Tyler's farm, and left it in the woods, going to the house and asking for break- fast. Mrs. Tyler told him he had better wait until dinner, it being then II o'clock, but he said that he was out surveying land, and some bread and cheese would answer.


The news soon reached the East Hill a theft had been committed, and search was made, and not far from noon Bean return- ed to Tyler's house, and suspecting that he was the guilty one, Mr. Tyler asked him if he had seen any cattle in his trav- els, when he answered he had not; said


" Daniel : 'Father approached him, get- ting nearer and nearer by slow advances, when he sprung upon him and took him down, when he told me to yank off that roll of cloth upon his back, which I did very easily, as it was tied on with listing, although I was only 9 years of age. Soon Bean gave up, and said he would go where we wanted he should. We fastened him with a rope and led him into the house, when he said, 'Well, mother, I have come back to dinner.' It was but a little while before all the villagers, headed by Judge Paine, Amos Robinson, and John Stark- weather, had arrived, when he had a pre- liminary trial before Esquire Robinson. I can well remember how Starkweather's hands shook when he read the warrant as constable, it being new business to him. This was the first man convicted of steal- ing and sent to the State prison from Northfield.'"


DAVID DENNY,


born in Windsor, Jan. 7, 1774, one of the earliest settlers in Northfield, was a col- lector of taxes, and held a number of town offices. He located on the hill, near the South village, where his grandson David now resides. The numerous family of Dennys in Northfield are his descendants. He married Betsey Spooner; their chil- dren : Paul S., Asenath, Adolphus, Amasa, Sally, Samuel, Harriet, Eliza, Joseph. Mr. Denny died in 1821.


ADOLPHUS DENNY, born in 1796, lived and died at the old homestead of his father. He married Eliza Frizzel, born in 1804; their children were : David, Sarah, Kath- erine, George, Mary, Katherine. Mrs. Denny died in 1864. Mr. Denny married 2d, Mrs. Electa, widow of Col. George K. Cobleigh, and died in 1873.


Dea. SAMUEL DENNY, son of David, was a farmer, and a respected officer of the Congregational church. No man attended public worship with more fidelity than he did, and he raised up a family of industri- ous and respected children, all in good circumstances. He married Prudence Ellis, of Berlin, Sept. 1828; children : Harriet E., Andrew E., Addison W., Le-


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land H., George B., Amasa M., Prudence J. He died in Lowell, Mass., in 1874.


JOSEPH, son of David, was but 10 years old when his father died. At 19 he left home, with just 25 cents to commence life for himself. He labored in Randolph I year, went to Berlin, and worked upon a farm 4 years ; commenced the tannery business at Berlin Corners, exchanged for the hotel there, and also bought his first farm, which occupation he always followed in connection with his other pursuits ; about 1841, entered into the mercantile business, continued in Berlin till 1847, when he moved his goods to Northfield Center, and continued in business 5 or 6 years, when he sold out, and turned his attention more particularly to farming. He came here and engaged in mercantile business in 1847 ; in 1856 formed a part- nership in tailoring with J. C. B. Thayer, and also with Geo. H. Crane in general merchandise some 3 years, and with his oldest son in 1860, till his removal to Worcester, Mass. ; when he took the next son into business, with the style of C. Denny & Co.


OLIVER COBLEIGH


came here from Westminster in 1796. He married Abiah Doubleday, one of the four sisters who came from that town, and were the foremost women to take up their resi- dence in this wilderness country ; Dinah, Ezekiel Robinson's wife, Anna, Stanton Richardson's wife, and Sally, Eliphus Ship- man's wife, all extraordinary, courageous women. Mr. Cobleigh's children were : Dinah, George K. and Harriet.


GEORGE K., son of Oliver, held a num- ber of town offices ; made a good officer in the militia, and rose to the rank of Colonel. He lived many years at the South village, where he died. He married Electa, daugh- ter of Eben Frizzel. Children : Caroline, George, Martin, Dennison and Charles H.


MARTIN COBLEIGH, son of George, lives at South Northfield, and is engaged in the sash, door and blind business.


JOSEPH SMITH, JR.,


born in Putney, in 1775. In 1807, influenc- ed by his brother-in-law, Capt. Abel Keyes, came to Northfield, bought two lots of


land from David Denny, Esq., built a house near where E. K. Jones' store now stands, in the south village, and opposite his house built a store, 16x25, the first in town, and filled it with goods ; but in 1809, he sold out to C. W. Houghton, of Montpelier, and the next year returned to Putney.


SOLOMON DUNHAM


lived at an early day not far from Judge Paine's grist-mill, on the East Hill ; was a clothier and carried on that business there. He removed to the south village afterwards, and worked at the same trade. He mar- ried Experience Smith ; children : Expe- rience, Mary, Sally, William H. H., Al- bert, all born in Northfield.


Mr. Dunham had three wives; by his third, Harriet, daughter of David Denny, he had two sons : Franklin and George.


HON. NATHAN MORSE,


of the south village, was born in Fitz- william, N. H., and came here from Rox- bury in 1838. He held a number of offices in town; was representative and also assistant judge in the Washington County Court. He married for his first wife Polly, daughter of John Hutchinson, Esq., of Braintree ; children : Nathan, Polly, Betsey, Lucy H. Mrs. Morse died in 1845, and he married Martha Abbott of Williamstown; they had one son, James. Judge Morse died in 1862. Mrs. Morse died in 1875.


LUCIUS EDSON,


born in Wheatley, Mass., 1798; married Matilda Ainsworth of Brookfield, and came to Northfield in 1822. He and Arba Crane bought out Solomon Dunham, in the cloth-dressing business near Judge Paine's grist-mill, where they worked two falls, and Mr. Edson went to the South village, where he added wool-carding to cloth-dressing. He had 4 children : Mar- shall L., Alice J., E. Annette, Walter A. ; all born in Northfield.


ANSON ADAMS


came from East Roxbury about 1816, and settled in the " Winch neighborhood." A log house was his dwelling-place, without doors or windows, using quilts in their stead. Crockery and other household goods were brought in the arms of the


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family, through snow banks and by marked trees, making life real if not pleasant.


Mr. A. carne originally from Connecticut to Vermont ; married Sukey Gold, sister of Deacon William Gold ; children : Adaline, Elvira, Emily, Susan, Avaline M., Harriet S., Charlotte, Ursula, Roswell, Sophronia, Anson, George W., Fanny H., all but two born in Northfield.


SAMUEL L. ADAMS,


born in Brookfield, Oct. 1796, married Harriet Cobleigh, July 1828, and settled in Northfield. He was a believer in the doc- trine of the restitution of all things, a good Mason, and died as he had lived, strong in his faith. His wife died in 1849. Four of his children are now living : John Quincy, Harriet M., Abbie A., Laura W., all born in Northfield.


Mr. Adams died at the home of his oldest daughter, in Revere, Mass., Dec. 1877, aged 81. He was brought to North- field, and buried at the Center cemetery, with Masonic honors, having made his ar- rangements for the last great change, and requesting his old friend, Rev. John Greg- ory, to attend his last service.


JOHN EMERSON,


a blacksmith, lived at an early day on the East Hill, in the Averill neighborhood. He came to Northfield from Norwich, and was a brother of Harry Emerson, the hatter, who carried on that business at the Center village.


ETHAN ALLEN.


We had an Ethan Allen in that early period of the town's history. Not the re- nowned hero of Ticonderoga, but an Ethan Allen who run Judge Paine's grist-mill sev- eral years.


SHERMAN GOLD,


born in 1813, deacon of the Universalist church, for many years carried on the sash, blind and door business at the South vil- lage-a sincere, conscientious man, gen- erally respected. Died in 1873.


JAMES LATHAM, SR.,


born 1750, came here from Chesterfield, N. H., at an early day. He married Su- sannah Brit, born in 1752. Their children were :


JAMES LATHAM, JR., settled in the Shaw


neighborhood. He married Polly, daugh- ter of Amos Robinson, Esq., and they had 15 children : Bathany, Leonard, Nancy, Patty R., Hollis, Arvilla, Susanna, Eli, Nancy L., Almon, Loran, Seth W., Mar- shall, Cynthia, Mary A.


EZRA LATHAM, married Polly, daughter of Aquillo Jones ; children : Ezra, Jr., Orrin, Harvey, Daniel.


CAPT. JOHN STARKWEATHER,


born in Norwich, 1790, married Cynthia Nichols, step-daughter of Capt. Abel Keyes, Dec. 1809. Sept. 1811, he took the free- man's oath, and thereafter during his life was almost continually in town and other public offices : lister, grand juryman, mod- erator of town meetings, justice of the peace, deputy sheriff, high sheriff of the county, representative, and captain of a military company 2 years, and several years kept tavern at the Center village. He was a friendly, familiar man, and be- fore 40 years old, children called him " Uncle John." He was quite popular as an officer. He died in 1841.


DEA. REUBEN SMITH,


a beloved member of the Baptist church, came from Tunbridge to Northfield, and settled in the South village in 1826. He married Molly Mudgett ; children : Polly, Apha, William, Tabitha, Reuben, Josiah and Anna.




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