The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 104

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 104

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).

Mr. Carpenter married Harriet S. Gil- christ, of Chelsea, Feb. 14, 1838, who was born in Goffstown, N. H., Dec. 24, 1816. They had 4 children : George Nathaniel, Caroline Sophronia, Jason Heman, Abigail Fidelia.

Mrs. Carpenter died June 21, 1865, and Judge Carpenter married his present wife, Mrs. Betsey S. Edgerton, Oct. 16, 1866, at Burlington. She was born in Berlin,

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July 20, 1822, and was the widow of John H. Edgerton, and daughter of Solomon Nye.

JAMES CARY BARREL THAYER,

born in Braintree, Aug. 10, 1824; fourth son of Dr. Samuel W. Thayer, came to Northfield, and became clerk for George B. Pierce about 1840, and has since, except a few months in 1848, been a resident of this town. In 1848, he became clerk for H. H. Camp; was in partnership with him I year, and wentinto the clothing business, which he has since followed, and has been treasurer of the Northfield savings bank since it commenced operations in 1869; in religion is an Episcopalian ; has been twice married ; has 4 children,

REUBEN M. MCINTOSH,

born in Bethel, 1823; was brought up a farmer, but when of age learned the daguer- rean art, and practiced in and about his native town. In 1853, he moved to North- field, and worked in the first daguerrean saloon established in this place. From that time to within a few years he worked at making pictures in the daguerrean, am- brotype, and photograph process with marked success. Latterly he has made a specialty of taking stereoscopic views, and among the noted places he has visited are the Ausable Chasm, Mount Mansfield, and Black River Falls in Cavendish, taking a great variety of scenes that commend themselves.

ROSWELL CARPENTER

came to Northfield when the country was very new, not far from 1787. He was from Charlestown, N. H., married Louisa Larkins of Rockingham. They had four children : Elvira, Louisa, Roswell, Ursula ; all born in Northfield.

Mr. Carpenter, it is said, was a good dancer. So Col. George Cobleigh and Adolphus Denney, Esq., loved to " trip the light fantastic toe in the mazy dance," and took great delight in parties. Proba- bly there was no scientific violining in those days, but a good deal of fiddling.

health, and remained 2 years; is one of the charter members of the Vermont State Eclectic Medical Society, was its treasurer 27 years, its president I year, and is also a member of the National Eclectic Medical Association. He is married, and has 4 children.

SIMON EGGLESTON, born in Middle- town, N. Y., came here in 1793. He worked for Judge Paine in his factory 21 years, and for the Governor 16-a boss- spinner much of the time, but during his last years a sorter of wool, and a more faithful man to his employers, perhaps never lived.

ALMON WEATHERBEE

moved from Moretown to Northfield in 1845 ; worked for Governor Paine in his factory and grist-mill. He built the house where his family now live-the first house on that hill. He was killed Dec. 11, 1867, in the terrible railroad disaster at Harlow Bridge. He was an industrious and good citizen, and his sad death was lamented by his fellow townsmen. He left a wife and 3 children.

SILAS SHELDON,

born in Dorset, Jan. 25, 1794, came to Northfield in 1816. He married Sarah Richardson, Jan. 25, 1818, for his first wife, and Anna Richardson for his second, Dec. 30, 1821, twin daughters of Stanton and Anna Richardson. The first wife died Dec. 1, 1818, leaving twins, Silas Harmon and Samuel Richardson, when 5 days old. The second wife had : Chauncey D., Martin B., Chauncey G.

DEA. CALVIN CADY,

born in Pomfret, Conn., 1786, located in Berlin, this County, and worked for Porter Perrin for $12 a month in haying, he agreeing to do all the pitching both ways. He and the hands would work until 8 o'clock at night, then milk the cows, eat break and milk, and go to bed. He lived at one time at Lanesville, and attended a saw-mill. It is said, one night he was standing on the carriage of the mill that ran out over the end of the mill, and falling partially asleep, stepped off, and fell some

Dr. MATTHEW MCCLEARN, born in Nova Scotia, 1824, came here from Boston and commenced the practice of medicine in 1855. He came for the benefit of his 20 feet, where it was rocks below; but

Ma an set

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there happened to be a slab which stood one end against the mill and the other on the rock, and he struck that on his back, and bounded off to his feet, and was not hurt. He removed to Northfield in 1828, and by working hard keeping Judge Paine's boarding-house, he succeeded in getting into comfortable circumstances. He took a great interest in his children as long as he lived, and made it a point to get them together as often as he could, especially on thanksgivings. He was one of the deacons of the Congregational church here, and had the esteem and confidence both of his church and townsmen. He married Betsey Merrill, May, 1809, who was born in 1785. Their children were: Almira, Abigail, Calvin, Jr., George, Eliza, Laura, Luther, Lyman, Mary A. Mr. Cady died in 1867 ; Mrs. Cady in 1858.

WILLIAM ALLEN, now living on the old homestead, is one of the oldest inhabitants born in Northfield. He married Esther E. Libby, of Strafford, in 1825 ; children : Harrison P., Nancy, John L., Edna, Emily E., Marietta C., John W., Amanda L., all born in Northfield.

ITHAMAR ALLEN, JR.,

born in 1778, came here from Gill, Mass., with his father at a very early day, and they settled near the north corner. Ith- amar, Jr., married Nancy, daughter of Aquillo Jones, and moved to the Falls vil- lage, and located on the farm now owned by his son William, where his father lived and died. At that time the whole valley north of our Depot village was all a wil- derness, and Aquillo bought this farm, together with the Burnham place, for al- most a song, and gave the former land to his daughter Nancy. Their children were : Elijah, William, Charles, Sally, Chloe, Amanda, Edna, Warren, Adaline, born in Northfield. Mr. Allen died in 1861, aged 83 years.

ABIJAH HOWE,

born in Middleton, Mass., 1788, married Martha Bridgman, of Hanover, N. H., and came to Northfield in 1834, and settled on the farm where Walter Bow- man now lives. Mr. Howe graduated at Dartmouth in 1810. They had 7 children :

Theoda, Asa, Martha A., Sophia D., Hannah S., Isaac B., Miraett. Mr. Howe died in 1872, aged 83 ; Mrs. Howe in 1865, aged 76 years.

ISAAC B. HOWE. ESQ.,

came to Northfield, with his father, when about 7 years old, where his boyhoodl days were passed on a farm. At the age of 18 he commenced teaching school, but aban- doned this in 2 years for civil engineering on the Vermont Central railroad. He was employed on that road and the Vermont and Canada about 12 years, having charge of the civil engineering and road repairs. He is now a resident of Clinton, lowa. He has at various times made valuable im - provements now in general use on rail- ways, although but few of them have been secured by letters patent. He also in- troduced several novel and useful improve- ments in the construction of the city water works while president of the Clinton Water Works Company.

In the spring of 1861, Mr. Howe went to Iowa, to take the position of chief engineer and assistant superintendentof the railway from Clinton to Council Bluffs. The next season he was appointed superintendent of the 350 miles of railroad from Clinton to the Missouri river at Omaha, which posi- tion he held until the summer of 1872, when ill health compelled him to withdraw from active railway service.

For several years Mr. Howe has been extensively engaged in operating stone and marble quarries in Iowa and Illinois, and with his banking business keeps him in constant employment. He is one of that kind of men who prefer to "wear rather than rust out."

Mr. Howe was representative of North- field in 1857-58, and received other marks of appreciation during his citizenship among us. To show his love for the town of his adoption is as strong as ever, an ex- tract from a letter is given :

This proposed history will not only be of great interest to us who are now here, but it will have a greater interest to those who are to succeed us. My little " Hawk- eye " son delights in hearing me tell of what I did when I was a little boy, and I derive pleasure from the recital, as the

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dream-like memories of the olden time al- most bring back the perfume of the wild flowers and fruits I gathered when a little barefooted boy, forty years ago! Your history of Northfield would be to me what my early history is to my children. It is almost 17 years since I left Vermont, but my interest in the State and in good old Northfield remains as strong as ever, and it gratifies me to know that I am not yet quite forgotten, but may still claim cit- izenship in your hearts, if not in your elections.

The family monument is in the North- field cemetery, a portico monument of the Doric order; base 7x 12 feet from the ground to the top of the pediments ; of Vermont granite. The urn was executed by J. S. Collins, of Barre ; all other work by Jones Trow, of Berlin ; original designs by Isaac B. Howe.

JUSTUS BURNHAM, ESQ.,

came here from Hardwick, Mass., quite early, and worked at the carpenter trade, building, with John Green, the first house on Main street, where Mrs. William Nich- ols resides. His children were : Betsey, Anna, Hannah, Asa, Isabella, Arbijah, Rhoda, David, Lydia, Violet.

LUTHER S. BURNHAM,

born in Brookfield, Feb. 18, 1797, came to Northfield in 1840, and settled on a farm at the Falls village, and was a man respected and beloved. He married Lucy Nelson, of Orange, 1798, and they had 6 children : James H., Harris, David N., Elosia, Lucy Ann, Helen M.

REV. JAMES HARVEY BURNHAM

at an early age evinced a remarkable apti- tude for study, especially for theology. As he grew up, he wished to enter the minis- try of the Universalist denomination, and his whole soul seemed bent in that direc- tion. His parents did not much favor the idea, but at last consented. He attended Newbury Seminary a few terms; taught school with very good success, and after a while commenced preaching in Irasburgh, Barton and Coventry. His sermons, like his uniform bearing, were noted for clear- ness, candor, and marked conscientious- ness, rather than lively imagination, love of sensation, or effort for popularity. Soon after he married Ann P. Alexander, of

Northfield, and settled as a Universalist minister in Troy, Vt. Here his health failed him, and he returned to this town, and engaged in trade at the Center vil- lage. His wife died of consumption in 1848. After her death Mr. Burnham re- sumed preaching and settled in Sacrappa, Me. ; in 1850, married Mary A. Barnard, of Southbridge, Mass., and became a part- ner of Rev. Eli Ballou, at Montpelier, in the book business and publishing of the " Christian Repository," where he remain- ed till his death, Sept. 11, 1853, in the full prime of his manhood, of consump- tion, a loss to the denomination of which he was a worthy member.

MARVIN SIMONS,

born in Williamstown, 1804, and his wife, Olive Fisk, born Dec. 1806, moved here in March, 1829, and died Dec. 1870, age 66. He was one of the oldest and best citizens of the town, had resided here 40 years, was justice of the peace 19 years, selectman 12, and during his life held many large trusts. He never sought prefer- ment, but his fellow citizens, without dis- tinction of party, relying on his good judg- ment and integrity, kept him in service. His children were : Marcellus M., Lycur- gus L., Darrion A., Cordelia J., Olive M., Alma A., Willie G.

FREEDOM EDSON.

At one time he owned all the land in the Falls village. He married Phebe Ship- man; children : Daniel, Martin T., Bet- sey, Eli, Sally, Sophia, Marietta, Sylves- ter, Cynthia M., Caroline E.

WILLIAM R. TUCKER,

who was born in Norwich, 1812, and came to this town in 1835, at one time owned 650 acres in the town.

JAMES GOULD,

born in Amesbury, Mass., 1803; married Rebecca Morrill; their children were : Mary E., Harriet B., Hannah R., James P.

About 1835, Mr. Gould came to North- field, and, in company with Walter Little, established a potato starch factory at Falls village, which they successfully operated a few years, until it was destroyed by fire. He then engaged in woolen manufacturing, a part of the time with Erastus Palmer,

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extending and enlarging as increasing business warranted, until failing health forced him to withdraw from business, when he sold to his brother Joseph, and passed much of his time with his children in Wisconsin and Iowa, until 1867, when he removed to Wisconsin, and in company with his son engaged in the lumber busi- ness, etc. Under the pressure of business his health again failed. He died at Janes- ville, May, 1877.

Shrewd in business, but more anxious to do justice to others than to exact the same ; foremost in worthy enterprises ; never seeking to make himself conspicuous, ac- cepting office only when forced upon him : diffident, tender-hearted as a child, his highest ambition seemed to be to do good and make others happy. By his will, his remains were brought back for burial in our cemetery, and his last resting-place is marked with a shaft of granite from the green hills of the State he loved so dearly.

JOSEPH GOULD,

born in 1809: came to this town with his brother James in 1835. In 1857, he pur- chased the woolen factory at Gouldsville, which was consumed by fire Jan. 31, 1873. On the 23d of June next, he commenced to rebuild on the old site, and in March, 1875, put in operation a first-class mill. For 12 years previous to his death his son Joseph W., had been in partnership with him in the manufacturing business. He married twice, and had 3 children : Joseph W., Hannah C., Alice M. He united with the Methodist church in 1863 ; was a leading member here. The pipe organ in his church at Northfield stands as a monu- ment of his beneficence.

WALTER LITTLE,

born in Haverhill, Mass., in 1797 ; in 1813 was drafted as a soldier and stationed at Portsmouth, and after his discharge worked in the factory at Salisbury, Mass. He came to Vermont in 1820, and worked for Judge Paine in his factory 3 years. In 1823, he went back to Salisbury, and worked at his trade till 1830, when he re- turned to Northfield, brought his carding machinery with him, and set it up at the

Falls village. James Gould, with 8 horses, moved him from Salisbury, and bought out Joseph Keyes' half interest in the grist, saw and cloth-mills which they were run- ning. Mr. Little and Joseph Keyes com- menced the first building for a mill in 1824, at the Falls ; James Gould going into part- nership with Mr. Little in 1831. In 1832 Messrs. Little & Co. built the starch mill ; 1837, they dissolved partnership, Mr. Gould taking the custom-mill, and Mr. Little the starch-mill. In 1847, Mr. Little went to Barre, remaining 2 years, thence to North Montpelier and engaged in woolen manufacturing, where he died in 1859. He married Jerusha, daughter of Samuel Richardson, in 1824, and they had children : Hazen A., Sarah H., Walter S. He was a successful business man, and Northfield is indebted to him for starting manufactures at the Falls village. He gave employment to many laboring men and women, and with his genial good na- ture contributed much to the enjoyment of those around him. He liked a good joke and a good story, and knew when to make business pleasant and agreeable ; and was a leading and faithful mason.

WEST HILL, NORTHFIELD.

A number of inhabitants settled here at an early day on land belonging to the town of Waitsfield, but in 1822 four tier of lots were by act of the Legislature annex- ed to Northfield.

WILLIAM COCHRAN,

from Hanover, N. H., made the begin- ning there in 1798. He married Polly Graves. Their son Stephen was the first child born in that part of the town. Their children were : William G., Lyman, Wel- tha, Stephen, Washington, Edmund, Pol- ly, James.

STEPHEN COCHRAN

resides at the Center village, is a tailor by trade, and well respected.

DEA. DANIEL PARKER,

from Jaffrey, N. H., a year later than Mr. Cochran, located on West Hill. He mar- ried Jennia Cochran, of Peterboro, N. H., and had 5 children.

Daniel Jr. graduated, called the best scholar of his class, at Burlington college.

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Afterward was ordained a Congregational minister, preached some 3 or 4 years in Craftsbury ; came back to South North- field, where he lived on the Kathan farm ; from there went to Brookfield, and pub- lished a book called " The Constitutional Instructor," designed for colleges and com- mon schools; while canvassing for this work he visited Glover, and while there, died at the house of Rev. Levi H. Stone. He left a son who is now a physician of considerable note in Texas. The Doctor contributed from his father's papers two ar- ticles for Mr. Gregory's book. Extracts : THE DYE-TUB.

How bright is the picture of childish emotion,

When memory paints what I used to enjoy- The frolic and fun, and each curious notion, And all the droll capers I cut when a boy! The wide-spreading fire-place, and pile of wood by it, The pot-hook and candlestick hung on a wire, The porridge-pot, kettle, and frying pan nigh i , And e'en the old dye-tub that stood by the fire; That old wooden dye-tub, the wooden-hooped dye-tub, The blue begrimmed dye-tub that stood by the fire.

" I saw the stately towering trees, I felt the soft and fragrant breeze, A wild, romantic boy; I heard the robin's early song, I heard the warbling rills,-

With vast delight I roamed along O'er Northfield's rural hills." . .

" When with a heart with care oppressed, Wandering I seek a place of rest, In which to find repose, Where I in friendship's bowers reclined, Enjoying rural bliss, may find Oblivion for my wocs. From fancy's visionary flight, O'er distant woods and rills.

Pleased with the well-known scenes I light On Northfield's rural hills."

CAPT. HENRY KNAPP,

born in Claremont, N. H., Nov. 1787, came to Northfield in 1808, and with Harry Jones and Silas Rice, Jr., young men about his age, commenced clearing land around the four corners on West Hill, where Mr. Knapp finally made for himself a good home. These young men built a shanty, took hemlock boughs for bedding, got bread baked at Deacon Parker's, and spent a few summers in clearing land ; in the fall migrating South to Claremont, and returning with the spring. It was a happy day for Mr. Knapp when he suc- ceeded in clearing an acre of land, and getting it well sown with rye, because it

was his, and the result of his labors, though they were obliged to go to Waitsfield to get their potatoes at this time.

Years after, when Mr. Knapp had pros- pered, he conceived the idea of building a large barn, and after cutting the timber and preparing it by the old rule, the ques- tion was how to raise it. The inhabitants were few and greatly scattered, but at the end of three days' hard labor from all that could be induced to lend a helping hand from the towns of Northfield, Waitsfield and Roxbury, the barn was raised, and stands to-day upon the old foundation.

Living on the main road frow West Roxbury to the " north neighborhood" in Northfield, he often had new-comers lo- cating farms call on him, and to his credit always had his "latch string out," and assisted to his ability those who after be- came substantial citizens of our growing and prosperous town.

He married Lucy, daughter of William Keyes, in 1818, born in Northfield in 1798, - now living (1878), in the Depot village, with her children.

George Henry died in Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., in 1864; was a soldier from Minnesota, and taken prisoner by the rebels.

SAMUEL U. RICHMOND, ESQ.,

born in 1803, came to Northfield with his father in 1823. He was a prominent man in the Methodist church, and a leader in the Democratic party. No man was ever turned hungry from his door. He was prompt, industrious, well regulated, and his word was as good as his bond. He moved to the Depot village in 1867, and died very suddenly in 1873. He married Sophia, daughter of Capt. Henry Knapp ; children : Samuel A., Henry C., Carlos S., Lucy S., George H.

DR. N. W. GILBERT.

Norman W. Gilbert, born in Morris- town, 1830, married Sarah Atwell, of Waterbury, 1854; studied dentistry in Lowell, Mass. ; 1858, settled in Northfield ; 1867, removed to Montpelier; 1873, to Boston, where, Jan. 1877, Mrs. Gilbert died, and soon after the Doctor returned

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to Northfield. He is a graduate of the Boston Dental College.

HON. DAVID W. HADLEY,

resides on the same place where his father located. At the age of 16, on the death of his father, he took charge of the farm and family. He has been representative and selectman-see town list for-and as- sistant judge for Washington county in 1850, '51. Judge Hadley has the honor of owning the lot, by actual calculation of General Jackman, is not only the center of Northfield, but the center of Vermont ; lot 9, range 5, and originally belonged to Peres Gallup. [This center of the State honor is claimed by three towns, or more. See Waitsfield to follow .- Ed.] Judge Hadley married Louisa Brown of Willis- ton, and has 8 children.

GURDON RANDALL,

born in Scotland, Conn., in 1795 ; when 8 years old came to Northfield with his father, who settled in " Connecticut Cor- ner." Mr. Randall was a carpenter and joiner, and followed that business as long as he lived. He married Laura S. War- ner of Putney, born in 1803; they had 9 children : Gurdon Paine, Francis Voltaire, Laura T., Jean J. R., Minerva, Rouena M., Edward H. Citizen Frances Voltaire, Charles Rush.

ALLEN BALCH.

born in Old Topsham, Mass., 1791, came here in 1829, and settled on West Hill, where John Plastridge lives. He started out in the month of March, for his new home, moving his family and effects with a yoke of oxen on a sled. Getting as far as Springfield, he found the snow so deep he hired a stage-driver to take his family to Northfield ; but found them a few days after at Mr. Sampson's in Roxbury, the driver not being able to go any further with his team. Journeying along up through the west part of the town, they stopped over night at Capt. Henry Knapp's. The women on the next morning had to wade through the snow to get to their log- house. He married Hepsebah Dodge of N. H. ; 9 children ; died in 1881.

ADIN SMITH,

born in Monkton, '1794, came from Rox-

bury to Northfield, and settled on the West Hill in 1835. He married Lydia Waterman, born in Brookfield, 1792 ; chil- dren : Alvin F., Elvira E., John W., b 1819; Levi, b 1821 ; Danforth A., b 1825 ; Fanny B., Gilbert O., b 1830; Mary L., Wm. M. Adin Smith and wife made the greatest sacrifice of any of our citizens, in consenting that four of their sons, Levi, Danforth, John and Gilbert, might enlist to assist in putting down the rebellion, all of whom gave their lives to this end, ex- John, who returned.

WILLIAM A. GALLUP,

born in Hartland, May, 1795, came to Northfield in 1817, and began a clearing, boarding with David Denny and Isaiah Shaw. Growing homesick, he went back to Hartland. He was quite a military man, and received a commission as lieu- tenant of light artillery, from Gov. C. P. Van Ness, in 1825. He married Betsey Dodge, of Mass., and in 1828, came back to Northfield to stay, settling in the N. W. part of the town, where his son, Jonathan C. Gallup, until lately resided ; children : J. C., Wm. W., Roderick O. Mrs. Gal- lup died Mar. 1859, and Mr. G. Apr. 1868.

J. C. GALLUP, son of Wm. A., came to Northfield with his father, was very suc- cessful, and possessed one of the largest tracts of land in Northfield. At the time he sold his West Hill farm it contained 930 acres. He moved into the depot vil - lage in 1866, and bought the fine resi- dence formerly owned by Perley Belknap, commanding one of the best views of the village. He has been a lister, 1864-5-6, and in 1874-8 ; was director and president of the chair manufacturing company ; is director in the Northfield National Bank ; has a wife and 3 children.

SEWALL DAVIS,

born in Charlestown, N. H., in 1791, set- tled in the west part of the town. Their children were : Howard, Louisa, William, Hannah. At the burning of Charlestown, his Bible, while all the other books in the book-case were burned, even those that laid on the Bible, was preserved from de- struction ; had only one cover somewhat charred.

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JONATHAN BRIGGS,

from Putney, about 1817, settled, after living a while in the Center village, on the farm on West Hill where his son Harvey now resides. He was a constable here a few years, and gave the land where the yellow meeting-house stood, on condition it should revert back to his heirs should it not be used for such a purpose, which was done accordingly after its removal. He had 2 wives and II children.

JAMES STEELE, born in Antrim, N. H., 1793, married Esther Smith, in East Rox- bury, 1815, born in Randolph, 1798. They had 6 children. Mr. Steele died at the old homestead, in 1869, and Mrs. Steele in 1875.

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The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 104

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

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