The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 110

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 110

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instead of india rubber for the purpose of insulation.

Prof. Jackman was well versed in tactics, and had a reputation as an excellent drill- master. This led to his being appointed Brigade drill master by the Governor of New Hampshire, with the rank of Major. He drilled the officers of the brigades of that state at certain times in 1847, '48.

Returning to Norwich from a drill, he had held at Exeter, N. H., he suffered from a severe attack of typhoid fever, from which he narrowly escaped death. This is one of the many times when he was near death, either by accident or sickness.

In Aug., 1849, he obtained 3 years leave of absence from the University, and in October, sailed from Boston for California by way of Cape Horn. His object was to see the country and to add to his resources. He reached San Francisco March 13, 1850. Within a few weeks he took out a claim in the gold region. The prospect seemed fair ; but it was desirable to turn the course of the river, and Jackman was elected the Engineer. He was 100 miles from a civilized center, and had to work at a disadvantage ; but his ingenuity and ac- quirements came to his aid. He accom- plished the work he had undertaken, and Californians pronounced it the greatest achievemeut in engineering in the state. He did not find much gold, however. When the rainy season was approaching, he sold out, and the same autumn went to Oregon, and took out a claim of 320 acres, not far from Pacific city, now included in Wash- ington Territory. When Pacific County was organized, June 2, 1851, and county officers elected, Mr. Jackman was made Probate Judge and School Superintendent. In December, he quit Oregon, with some of his farm products on board a bark bound for San Francisco, expecting to realize a goodly sum of money for them. The pas- sage was rough, and his property was ren- dered worthless by leakage of the vessel. While in this city, he learned that a large amount of gold had been realized from his old mining claim since he left it.

He returned to Norwich Apr. 10, 1852,

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intending to settle up his affairs and re- turn to his western farm. Dr. Bourns, at this time President of N. U., induced him to teach until the next commencement. Meantime, the reports he heard from the West dissuaded him from returning thith- er, and he consented to remain with Dr. Bourns and assist him not only in teach- ing, but in paying the indebtedness of the institution. In 1857, the N. U. cadets were organized under the militia law, as an infantry company, and Prof. Jackman was commissioned Captain, and in 1859, when officers of the 2d Regt. were ordered to meet at White River Junction for choice of regimental officers, he was chosen and commissioned Colonel. The next fall, he held an officers' drill there, and a regi- mental muster at Bradford. The same year the Vermont militia were consolidated into one brigade and Col. Jackman was made Brigadier General. He was very painstaking and thorough in his instruc- tions and drills ; and was himself skilled in the use of fife or drum.

At the beginning of our late civil war, he received a telegram from Gov. Fair- banks, summoning him to meet him at St. Johnsbury with Gens. Baxter and Davis. The Secretary of War had called for troops. A long consultation was held, and an extra session of the legislature was called. Several companies were detailed and equipped. The governor offered the general any position in his power to grant, if he wished to go to the front; but ex- pressed the preference that he should remain where he was, and qualify men for duty. He rendered service as an officer during this period ; inspected and got in readiness the old militia, organized new companies and regiments ; sent out cadets to drill companies in different parts of the State, as he was notified of their formation, and regimental officers from different States went to him for instruction at Norwich. At the time of the raid on St. Albans, he took the cadet corps to Derby Line, in response to an order from the governor, with authority to take command of any forces he might find, and to organize more if needed. As no danger had been appre-

hended the militia had been disbanded ; but the cadets were always ready, and were en route by rail 2 hours after the order was received.

Honor is due the general for the result of his work on behalf of his State and the Union during these years ; his industry was untiring ; and his clear, precise, th.I.e ough instructions to officers and men wers of great value to them in the service.

On March 13, 1866, the N. U. " South Barracks " building was burned, whereby Drs. Bourns and Jackman, who had paid up the indebtedness, lost heavily. The latter now thought of leaving to seek a support elsewhere ; but the friends of the institution were anxious that he should remain to aid in establishing it in a new place, and to this he consented, with the understanding that he should not be re- sponsible for its finances or government ; and he removed with it to its new loca- tion in Northfield, and remained connected with it until his death Feb. 24, 1879. He had attended to his duties as professor the previous week, and been at church the day before. He died from an affection of the heart.

He had been a close student, often so absorbed when studying as to be oblivious of what was passing. His delight was in mathematics, in which he excelled, and he was conversant with natural science. His culture lay mostly in these channels and in military science. The degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him in 1862. He wrote some mathematical works which he never published, and demonstrated the problem of squaring the circle to his own satisfaction and to that of some other emi- nent professors-that old problem which had vexed mathematicians for centuries. 1

In person, Gen. Jackman was of sturdy compact frame, though of somewhat less than medium height; his complexion slightly dark, his eye, dark grey and keen ; the countenance indicating both benevo- lence and decision of character. He was was very methodical, earnest, and hon- est ; had great endurance and strength of body, and mind; under the trials of life was submissive and patient, and was a

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devout and faithful Christian, and in this respect has left an example which will not soon be forgotten. For several years he was Senior Warden of St. Mary's church, Northfield ; and bequeathed at his death his small estate to the poor.

He was married to Miss Charlotte Saw- yer of Royalton, Jan. 1, 1856. They had two children : Alonzo, born in 1857, and died 1859; Helen, born 1860, and died 1877 : Mrs. Jackman died 1874.

FREE

NORTHFIELD GRADED AND HIGH SCHOOL.

DESCRIPTION BY JAMES N. JOHNSON, ESQ.

The Northfield graded and high school, the most important public school in the valley of Dog river, was established nearly in its present form in 1870. The high school is the successor of the Northfield institution formerly the Northfield acad- emy-chartered by the Legislature in 1846. Previous there had been no regular high school in this valley. Gov. Paine donated the grounds for the academy site in 1850, upon an eminence between the river and the Central Vermont railroad, and not far from the geographical center of the village of Northfield.

Through the exertions of Gov. Paine, Heman Carpenter, John L. Buck, James

Palmer, George R. Cobleigh, Benjamin Porter, Leander Foster, and quite a num- ber of other public-spirited citizens, a sub- scription of about $2,400 was raised for erecting the school-building, and another to pay for furniture and apparatus. About a hundred men signed the main subscrip- tion, Gov. Paine giving $500 ; Heman Carpenter, $100 ; Wm. Nichols and James Palmer, $75, each ; H. H. Camp, James Moore, H. R. Campbell, P. Belknap & Co., N. C. & C. S. Munson, Dr. S. W. Thayer, George M. Cady, James Gould, Thomas Connor, R. H. Little, $50, each ; J. C. Cady, $40; William Rogers, $35; E. A. Webb, $30 ; N. W. Lincoln, Elijah Smith, Stephen Cochran, A. Wetherbee, G. P

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Randall, C. S. Dole, Leander Foster, $25, each; George K. Cobleigh, William R. Tucker,A. S. Braman, H. Nye, Theophilus Cass, $20, each ; H. L. Briggs, $12.50.

At the first meeting of the trustees, Mar. 6, 1847, Charles Paine, John L. Buck, Leander Foster, James Gould, Jas. Palmer and Heman Carpenter present, John L. Buck, Esq., was chosen presi- dent, James Gould vice president, and Heman Carpenter secretary and treasurer. Judge.Carpenter filled his offices till 1868. The building was erected in 1851, by Wm. H. H. Dunham and E. K. Jones; cost about $2,600 ; dedicated and school opened Sept. 1851, with C. C. Webster, A. M., principal. It flourished well, Rev. R. M. Manly succeeding as principal in 1852-3. In 1854, the name of the school was changed by the Legislature to Northfield Institution. The principals since have been John H. Graham, A. R. Bissell, George Brooks, J. G. McIntire, George F. Beard and Charles G. Tarbell, able teach- ers, and the school well patronized in their time. Having no separate fund, it de- teriorated somewhat during the War of the Rebellion.

After the decease of Northfield's bene- factor, Governor Charles Paine, the fol- lowing resolutions were unanimously adopt- ed by the Board of Trustees, Jan. 30, 1854:

WHEREAS, The Trustees of Northfield Academy have heard with deep grief the melancholy intelligence of the death of the Hon. Charles Paine, one of the Trustees of this Institution

Resolved, That in his death this Institu- tion has lost one of its first friends, and one whose aid contributed largely to the establishment and success of the same.

Resolved, That the friends of this Insti- tution will ever hold in grateful remem- brance the many public and private virtues of our deceased friend, and the services he has rendered the cause of education in our midst, and the advancement of the growth and prosperity of our State.

This Institution will perpetuate its or- ganization, the following named gentle- men being the present Trustees : P. D. Bradford, president; Lorenzo Belknap, vice president ; J. H. Orcutt, secretary and treasurer ; P. D. Bradford, George Nich-

ols, J. H. Orcutt, L. Belknap, George M. Fisk, executive committee.

Perley Belknap, P. D. Bradford, J. C. Cady, Lorenzo Belknap, George Nichols, J. H. Orcutt, W. S. Hazen, E. K. Jones, J. C. B. Thayer, George M. Fisk, Charles Dole.

In 1870, the village school district made a permanent arrangement with the trus- tees of the institution to repair the build- ing, and occupy it for a graded and high school, free for all pupils of the village, which was accomplished through the friends of popular education, notably : Hon. Heman Carpenter, James N. John- son, Rev. William S. Hazen, Thomas L. Salisbury, A. S. Braman and J. H. Rich- ardson. The school opened in Sept. 1870, with 331 pupils, Marshal R. Peck, A. B., principal. He remained 2 years, and should ever be gratefully remembered. Principals since have been, A. R. Savage, Eben C. Smith, A. W. Blair and W. W. Prescott, all efficient, as also, many lady teachers in the graded departments. It received its charter from the Legislature in 1872.

The old building was accidentally burned Jan. 13, 1876, and the following season the present building, 60 x 90 feet, with 7 main rooms, was erected, at a cost of about $11,000, by J. C. Rice, upon the same site.

The school at present stands well among similar institutions of the State. It costs from $2,500 to $3,000 a year to run it.

Directors for 1882 .- P. D. Bradford, president, Chas. A. Edgerton, secretary, Geo. H. Crane, William B. Mayo, H. L. Kenyon.

SUICIDES.

Whole number of suicides in town, 25 : by hanging, 9, by drowning, 6; by poison- ing, 4; by cutting their throats, 4; by. shooting, 2.

Males, 6 by hanging, 4 by drowning, 3 by cutting their throats, 2 by poison, 2 by fire-arms ; total, 17. Females, 3 by hang- ing, 2 by drowning, 2 by poison, I by cut- ting throat ; total, 8.

Attempted suicides 6 ; 3 by cutting their throats, 2 by hanging, I by poison.

Males, 2 by cutting their throats; fe- males, 2 by hanging, I by cutting her throat, I by poison.

Jr D: Ca ery J. 1 0 W.

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REV. JOEL WINCH, FIRST W. M.

MASONIC.

The first record of DE WITT CLINTON LODGE, No. 15, F. & A. M., was Nov. 8. 1848, working under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Vermont. This rec- ord does not show where they met, but it | field, and to confer the orders of knight- is believed they held their meetings in 1. hood. W. Brown's hall at the Center village. The officers were: Joel Winch, W. M .; H. W. Carpenter, S. W .; Walter Little, J. W. ; Elijah Smith, Jr., Secretary. Date of Charter, Jan. 18, 1849.

Charter Members .- H. W. Carpenter, Joel Winch, Samuel L. Adams, Oramel Williams, Walter Little, Joshua Lane, Jo- seph Bean, John Fisk, Zeno Crocker, S. B. Holden, Philip Staples, John Leonard, and Jesse Averill.

Rev. John Gregory received the first de- gree in August, 1849.

Past Masters .- Joel Winch, Joel Winch, Jr., A. V. N. Carpenter, A. H. Proctor, David L. Howe, E. G. Babcock, C. N. Carpenter, James P. Warner, J. G. Som- erville, Geo. W. Kingsbury, Henry Ferris, J. L. Mack.

Officers for 1882 .- W. M. Rumbaugh, W. M. L. A. Howes, S. W .; Ozro

Winch, J. W .: J. C. B. Thayer, trea. : H. L. Kenyon, sec. : W. O. Whitmarsh, S. D .; G.C. Bates, J. D .: E. Ingalls, S. S. : Wm. Lu- ther, J. S. : D. Thomas, Marshal : A. McGillvary, Ty- ler.

MOUNT ZION COMMANDERY, NO. 9. Knight Templars. A dispensation was granted by the Right Eminent Grand Commander to the following Sir Knights : J. L. Mack, Joel Winch. Henry D. Bean. Stephen Thomas, Frank H. Bascom, L. Bart Cross, Emory Towne. G. C. V. Eastman, George W. Tilden, Charles E. Abbott, J. M. Poland, and Allen McGilvary, to open a Com- mandery of Knights Templars at North-

The first meeting under this dispensa- tion was held Apr. 9, 1873, A. O. 755, and the following officers were appointed : Jona L. Mack, Eminent Commander ; Henry D. Bean, Generalissimo : Frank H. Bascom, Captain General ; George C. V. Eastman, Prelate; Charles E. Abbott, Senior Warden : Allen McGilvary, Junior Warden ; Joel Winch, Treasurer ; J. Mun- roe Poland, Recorder ; Emory Town, Standard Bearer ; L. Bart Cross, Sword Bearer ; George W. Tilden, Warder.

A charter was granted them by the Grand Commandery, June 10, A. D., 1873, A. O. 755, and Aug. 27, of the same year, they were formally constituted with ap- propriate ceremonies by the Right Emi- nent Grand Commander, Joseph L. Per- kins, and other grand officers. This inter- esting occasion was graced by the presence of Burlington Commandery, No. 2, and

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the street parade of the two commanderies is remembered as beautiful and imposing.

LILY OF THE VALLEY, Conclave No. 5, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine. A charter having been granted to Henry D. Bean, George C. V. Eastman, Joel Winch, George W. Kingsbury, Charles E. Abbott and Allen McGilvery, by the Grand Imperial Council of the State of Michigan, to form and hold a Conclave of the Red Cross and Appendant Orders at Northfield, in the State of Vermont, the above-named Sir Knights on the ninth day of April, A. D., 1875, A. O. 1562, or- ganized Lily of the Valley, Conclave No. 21, Knights of the Red Cross of Constan- tine, by electing Henry D. Bean, M. P., sovereign ; George C. V. Eastman, vice- roy ; Allen McGilvery, sir general ; Chas. E. Abbott, Jr., general ; Joel Winch, treas- urer ; George W. Kingsbury, recorder.

A convention of the several Conclaves of the Order in this State met at Burling- ton, Apr. 30, 1875, and organized the Grand Imperial Council of Vermont under the direction of Sir D. Burnham Tracy, 33°, Grand Sovereign of Michigan. The organization being completed, the above- named charter, No. 21, issued by the Grand Imperial Council of Michigan, was surrendered for endorsement, and was re- issued by the new Grand Council as No. 5 on its roll of subordinates, by the author- ity of which charter Lily of the Valley Conclave has continued to convene reg- ularly for the transaction of the business of the Order until the present time.

MASONIC RELIEF ASSOCIATION of VT., established in Northfield, its principal of- ficers citizens of this town, was organized in Feb. 1875, Hon. George Nichols, pres- ident ; J. L. Mack, vice president ; G. B. B. Denny, secretary, and J. C. B. Thayer, treasurer, and the same gentlemen con- tinue to hold these several offices at the present time (1878.)

ODD FELLOWSHIP.

In the fall or winter of 1849 and '50, Brothers Dr. Samuel W. Thayer, J. C. B. Thayer, Dr. Edward A. Williams, Isaac L. Stevens, and Thomas J. Nutter sent a

petition to the Grand Master, asking to be instituted as a Lodge, which request was granted, and Mar., 1850, the grand officers visited Northfield, and instituted the Lodge, with the above named brethren as charter members, and the same evening T. A. C. Beard, S. S. Cady, James Pal- mer, and J. S. Abbott also became mem- bers, making 10 in all. The first Noble Grand was Dr. S. W. Thayer, and the first Vice Grand J. C. B. Thayer, and Dr. Edward H. Williams the first Secretary.

Prosperity attended the Lodge, and at the end of three months they had 30, and at the end of two years 60 members, with but one death ; but in May, 1852, their hall was burned, with all their books and Lodge property, except the secretary's book; loss in regalia, library, &c. was $350; no insurance, and a debt of $150, without a penny to pay ; no Lodge room, and members scattered, and had it not been for the faithfulness of those. who loved Odd Fellowship, it must have gone down never to rise again.

The first meeting after the fire was held in the hall of the Northfield House. After a time a hall was procured on Central Street ; the next hall was in Union Block.

Prosperity again dawned, Jan. 1, 1859, they had in the treasury $508.29, free from debt ; but sickness and death made inroads upon them soon again, and their treasury was depleted; and about this time the railroad works were removed to St. Albans, and as a matter of course many of the members went with them; those left be- came disheartened, and the good work ceased for the time, after paying all their debts.

But in the summer of 1871, Past Grand Master, P. D. Bradford, proposed a meet- ing of the faithful at his office, when a pa- per was drawn up, signed by a goodly number, petitioning the Grand Master to be again recognized. The request was granted ; on the evening of Aug. 1, 1871, the grand officers came to Northfield, and restored the Lodge to life. . After a few months they began to recuperate, and have gained steadily in funds and members until the present time, with a good working

m dr bre WOO fall boar coul Alber drifte were

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Lodge, and a determination to make it a success. So that to-day [1878] they have 100 members, $1200 in the treasury, free from debt.

The amount of relief paid by the Lodge cannot be told, as the records were burn- ed. But since 1871, they have paid $150 for funeral expenses, have buried 5 broth- ers, and 200 have been admitted to this institution since its first organization .- [J. G. 1878.

Present Officers, 1882 .- P. D. Bradford, N. G .: O. D. Edgerton, V. G; J. K. Edgerton, S .; E. Huntley, T.

EUREKA ENCAMPMENT of the Patriar- chal Branch of Independent Order Odd Fellows was institute1 Jan. 7, 1874, and now numbers 32 members. have $100 in bank, with good furniture and fixtures, and are free from debt. They meet first and third Mondays of each month, at 7.30 P. M.

ODD FELLOWS RELIEF ASSOCIATION- organized in Northfield, Feb. 2, 1875. Hon. P. D. Bradford was elected presi- dent, and O. D. Edgerton, Esq., clerk. Since then 188 have become members, and it is permanently established as one of the institutions of Northfield that is destined to do great good. Its principles are the same as those of the Masonic Re- lief Association, and we refer the reader to the comments made upon the latter in- stitution as appropriate for both. [1878.] No change. [1882.]

COL. ALBERT STEVENS. (FROM REV. MR. BARTLETT.)

Albert Stevens, son of Daniel Stevens, was born in Hartland, Apr. 23, 1804. He lived there till 1820, when father and son left to find a lot of wild land owned by the former in Northfield. On the way they met, in a chaise, the late Judge Paine, dressed in old English style, with knee- breeches. They built a shanty far in the woods, and cut away the timber. In the fall they built a large log-house, with boards laid on to keep off the storm till it could be finished. One morning when Albert awoke, he found the snow had drifted heavily over his bed, and on it were the tracks of animals, such as sables

and weazels. Trees were marked by the axe to help find the way, and when belated at night one of these had to be found in the dark. Then one of the party would remain at it till some other should be found nearer home. Once a pair of oxen strayed away, and Albert traveled a month in search, going first to Hartland, where they were bought. They were found in Calais, where they had been raised. Mrs. Stevens visited the family in the fall, bring- ing her own handiwork in winter clothing. She came to remain in 1821. There was a hollow tree on the land 27 feet in cir- cumference, into which Mrs. S. took six ladies who came to take tea with her. It was afterwards used as a stable for young cattle. etc. Albert worked hard, and helped to clear about 25 acres. He left in 1823, and went to Warren for about 2 years, then returned and settled on 50 acres adjoining his father's lot. While there he husked corn for Judge Paine where the fountain now is on the common. It was all forest where Central street now is, only one house between the Factory village (now Depot village), and the Center, which was then mostly woods. Only one house was on Cady hill. that of Nathan Green, one on Water street, and none in Factory village except those con- nected with the factory. A small store was at the Center. Worship was held only at two farm-houses. There was no meeting-house till a year or two later, this name being then exclusively given to all places of worship except Roman Catholic and Episcopal churches.

Mr. Stevens chopped wood for 25 cts. a cord, and hewed timber 8 x8, which he sold, delivered, for a cent a foot running measure. In 1826, he was married to Dorothy Stevens, of Warren ; lived on clearing till 1829, when he removed to Eden and worked 8 years as carpenter and millwright ; built a meeting-house in Eden, and one in Potton, P. Q. About 1832, became sergeant of militia in La- moille County, and was afterwards pro- moted through other offices till he was made colonel. He went to Plattsburgh, N. Y., in 1842. When work commenced

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on the Vermont Central R. R., he returned to Northfield, where he has lived since. He has been bookseller since 1857. When 73 years old, he was asked and consented to do a difficult job of " setting out " for a new building in Sutton, P. Q., which the died 1841.

carpenters of the place were unable to do. Col. Stevens has had three children : William A., born 1827, died 1855 ; Mary Ann, born 1829, married 1849, and died 1869; Edwin, born 1837, died 1863; wife

John Gregor

DOG RIVER VALLEY ASSOCIATION.

In the summer of 1873, a meeting was called to take into consideration the pro- priety of forming an association to benefit the farmers of Northfield, and it resulted in the formation of the above named soci- ety. Oct. Ist and 2d of the same season, The officers were : John Gregory, pres- ident ; Frank W. Gold, Northfield, Geo. Crane, Williamstown, W. C. Clark, Brook- field, William Orcutt, Roxbury, and C. E. Andrews, Berlin, vice presidents ; James Morse, secretary ; J. F. Davis, auditor ; William Winch, treasurer. the first fair was held, on Frank W. Gold's trotting park, known as the " Dog River Valley Fair," which was so great a success that they have been continued each year since. It proved that the resources of Northfield and vicinity were equal to the occasion. Calling in the aid of Williams- After serving as president three years, town, Brookfield, Braintree, Roxbury and | Mr. Gregory declined a re-election, and J.

Berlin, the Fair was as good as any ever held in the County. Every department was well represented, and Floral Hall was the center of attraction not surpassed by any in the State, and elicited applause from thousands of people.

A Jo Th pre Ba

was tiona States ant ca 1878 Geo. Edger

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H. Orcutt was chosen to fill that position, which he has creditably held since. C. D. Williams is now the acting secretary.

Present Officers .- Royal W. Clark, pres-

ident ; George Denny, vice president ; J. K. Edgerton, secretary ; Christopher Dole, treasurer.

Yours very truly. Seo Nichols.

BANKS.

THE NORTHFIELD BANK was chartered by an act of the Legislature, Nov. 23, 1854, with a capital of $100,000. The first meeting for the election of officers was held Jan. 9, 1855 ; directors : Calvin Ainsworth, Perley Belknap, Reuben Peck, John B. Hutchinson and Alvin Braley. The same day Calvin Ainsworth was elected president by the directors, and H. M. Bates, cashier.

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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 110

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