The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 114

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 114

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).

Just before the fall election it was pro- posed to him by leading members of the Democratic party, to which he belonged, to run for town representative. He in- formed them that his residence in town had hardly been a year, the constitutional time required, and that if elected he prob- ably could not hold his seat. The town was very closely divided in its vote politi- cally, and it was thought as things then stood that he was the only Democrat who could win, and that it would be more grat- ifying to succeed at the polls than to be defeated, even if his seat should be success- fully contested, and so he was nominated. The first ballot showed a tie between him

and his whig opponent, but on a subse- quent ballot he was declared elected, and received his credentials and took his seat. It was however contested, and having re- tained it in the controversy till toward the close of the session, he was ousted. Dur- ing this time he was on several important standing and other committees; was the Democratic candidate for Speaker, run- ning against Senator Edmunds. The next year, having remained in Roxbury, he was again elected representative by a large ma- jority, and his seat was not contested. In 1860 he moved to Montpelier, the better to pursue his largely increasing law prac- tice.

In 1858, the legislature having organized a militia brigade in the State, consisting of a regiment from each congressional dis- trict, Gen. Alonzo Jackman was appointed Brigadier General, and in making up his staff. Col. Randall was made Brigade Judge Advocate, and in that year the brigade mustered at Montpelier, and Col. Randall was present in his official capacity. When three years after the town of Montpelier raised a company for the 2d Vt. Regt. in the Rebellion, this was remembered by some, and after, at a war meeting during the extra session of the legislature, it was found that more than enough men for the company had enlisted in a single evening. Col. R. was asked to take charge of and drill them. He reluctantly consented to do so, and when finally on the organiza- tion of the company, he received every vote for captain, he was persuaded to ac- cept the position, with the expectation and belief that the war would not continue 6 weeks. With that company he served as captain, having been with it at the first Bull Run battle, and all the battles that followed till the close of Mcclellan's Pen- insula Campaign, when he was made Col. of the 13th Regt., and served with that during its term of service. The Governor then offered him the command of the 17th Regt., then being recruited, which he ac- cepted, assisting in filling up the regiment, and serving with it to the end of the war. Col. Randall was the only man from the State who was colonel of two regiments.

708

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

In the winter of 1863-'4, after the Pres- ident's call for 300,000 men, known as the call of October 17, 1863, at the request of Gen. Washburn, then Adjutant General, and charged with the raising of men, Col. Randall was detailed to assist by address- ing war meetings in different parts of the State, his appointments to speak being made by Gen. Washburn in those local- ities where recruiting was hardest and where they were most behind. Many amusing anecdotes are told of the shifts which the Colonel made to induce men to enlist, which space will not permit us to insert. But during that winter he spoke at about 50 war meetings all over the State, and at no place where he spoke did they fail to fill their quota, and generally before the meeting was closed.

At the close of the war he returned to Montpelier, where for about 6 or 8 years he pursued his law practice with much success ; but the interruption of the 4 or 5 years that he was out of practice during the war diminished his interest in his pro- fession, and for several years he has not made it a leading business, having done very little at the law, but has cultivated his farm without engaging much in other business.

F. V. R.

PAPER ON EARLY METHODISM IN NORTH- FIELD.

BY REV. J. R. BARTLETT.

The earliest records now known on the history of Methodism in this section, are those of the Barre Circuit from 1804 ; quite incomplete, but show the class in North- field possessed some 20 or more members at that time. The list reads: William Keyes, Betsey Keyes, William Ashcroft, William Smith, Abel Keyes, Esther Keyes, Mary Smith, Susanna Latham, Joseph Nichols, Weltha Nichols, Lydia Robinson, Betsey Robinson, Cynthia Nichols, Polly Smith, Isaiah Bacon, Ruth Bacon, Anan- ias Tubbs, Hannah Tubbs, Simeon Fisk, Betsey Fisk. In 1812, three classes were reported. Jason Winch leader of one with 9 members, William Keyes leader of another with 23; and the third having no. stated leader, but 6 members, and two on trial ; Asa Winch recorded as an "ex-

horter " and resident at Northfield. This town was included in Barre circuit until 1826, when Brookfield circuit was organ- ized, including Brookfield, Northfield, Williamstown, Roxbury and Randolph.

Doubtless all the preachers appointed on Vershire circuit from 1796 to 1803, in- clusive, and on Barre circuit from 1804 to 1825, visited Northfield in the course of their labors at stated intervals to preach ; and quarterly meetings, which in the early days were attended from all parts of the circuit, were held here from time to time. The first one recorded here was May 23, 1807; the collections reported $78.48 for the quarter, and the summary for the year $148.45. This was disbursed : to E. Sa- bin, presiding Elder, $24.72 ; for commun- ion wine, $4.68 ; to Philip Munger, $54.67 ; for his expenses, $3.82; and the same to Jonathan Cheney, do. The preachers af- terwards received (during the remainder of the Conference year) $13.35 additional, in which was included a note from the class in Orange for one dollar. Following the organization of Brookfield circuit in 1826, this town remained therein until it became an appointment by itself. The Vermont Annual Conference has held its sessions here ; June 24, 1852, the 8th an- nual session, Bishop Levi Scott presiding ; Apr. 16, 1862, the 18th annual session, Bishop O. C. Baker presiding ; Apr. 20, 1871, the 27th annual session, Bishop E. S. Janes presiding.

THE OLD YELLOW MEETING-HOUSE, . (page 649 and 658), seems to be the butt for joke and mistake, though passed out of exist- ence. First, page 649, a superfluous "was " crept in, and did not get excluded. Line 2d, inclosed paragraph after " Impromptu " should read : "that was soon however burned." Again, the old yellow meeting- house was not burned at all. Father Druon has just sifted the conflicting accounts, and given us the reliable one. "Gov. Paine had given land to the Catholics for a church if occupied ; if not, they lost it ; hence, when they bought the old meeting- house, they had to move it 13 mile to the given site, which so racked the frame, and it was so much too small, though they re-

se en one

and 177 ter. the

mar herd 3 chỉ 1788 was 1803:

709

NORTHFIELD.

modeled it and got along with it some 3 years, Father Druon then commenced to build a new church directly in front of the old, and the new frame, partly inclosing in the rear the old one; which as the new progressed was cut away part at a

time, and when the new one was finished, the last fragment of the old house had been removed, and so no part of it was in fact burned ; but the new one, which was the second church, was burned by lightning in 1876.

Respectfully. A. Carpenter.

NATHANIEL CARPENTER, OF MIDDLESEX. BY HON. HEMAN CARPENTER, OF NORTHFIELD.

Nathaniel Carpenter, one of the early settlers of Middlesex, was born in Cov- entry, Conn., Sept. 20, 1766. He was one of a family of 12 children. His father and family moved to Sharon, Vt., about 1775. His oldest brother, Jonas Carpen- ter, was in the American army, and was at the taking of Cornwallis at Yorktown. He married for his first wife Susanna Shep- herd, of Sharon, and by this marriage had 3 children : Lavinia was born June 21, 1788, and died Aug. 21, 1865 : Stephen was born May 23, 1790, and died Dec. 30, 1803; Alanson was born Jan. 30, 1793, was very successful in his practice.

and is now living in Fremont, Ohio. Their mother died May 29, 1794. Said Nathaniel mar- ried for his second wife, Abigail (Morse) Waterman, March 26, 1797. They had by their mar- riage 9 children : Christopher, Susan, Wooster, Nathaniel M .. Don P., Heman, Otis H., Fi- delia, and Albert V. H., four of which are now living-Alanson, Nathaniel M., Heman, and Al- bert V. H. The father of these children held many prominent offices in said town of Middlesex, and he and his son Alanson were in the battle of Plattsburg in the war of 1812.

Nathaniel Carpenter died at Middlesex, Nov. 25. 1840; his wife Abigail, Sept. 21, 1842, and is buried in Middlesex, aged 65 years, 9 months, and 19 days.

The mother of these 9 chil- dren was born in Royalton, daughter of Nathaniel Morse. At the burning of Royalton by the Indians, her mother was flee- ing on horseback from the inva- ders, with her in her arms, and was captured and seated on a log, the In- dians brandishing their tomahawks over their heads. They left them, but took the horse, burning their house and barns, and the contents, including several fat oxen in the barns.

Alanson, the youngest by the first wife, read law and located at Chateaugay, Frank- lin Co., N. Y. He was custom-house offi- cer at that place for many years. He now resides in Fremont, Ohio.

Christopher studied medicine, and grad- uated at the medical school in Burlington, and located at Bangor, N. Y., where he died. He had a very extensive ride, and

710

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Wooster studied medicine with his brother, and graduated at Burlington or Castleton medical college, and located at Lisbon, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. He had a large and successful practice, but died poor, having become involved in debt in his efforts to build and complete a stone church in the small village where he resid- ed, which was dedicated to "The Church," as he called it, of which he was a zealous communicant.

Don P. was a farmer, but held many offices in his native town ; was a member of the Legislature in 1848, and twice elect- ed side judge of the county court.

Nathaniel M. was a farmer, and now lives in Middlesex.

Otis H. was a blacksmith by trade, and at the breaking out of the gold fever in California, he with a party went over land to the gold regions of that State, and on the way suffered all but death. Having gathered a competence, he returned and settled in Manitowoc, Min., where he died.

Albert V. H. fitted for college at the Washington Co. Grammar School, read law in the office of his brother in North- field ; set up in Strafford, Orange Co., where he remained two or three years, and returned to Northfield. He was a well- read lawyer, and a good advocate, but if beaten in a case that he thought he ought to have won, he became disgusted with the profession, for the lack of " pluck," and turned his attention to railroading. He was station agent at Rouses Point a while, and at Montpelier, and at Toledo, Ohio, and is now, and for nearly twenty years has been general ticket agent of the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway, embrac- ing nearly 4,000 miles of road. His resi- dence is at Milwaukee, Wis. He is well known throughout the North West, and many Vermonters will remember the kind greeting they have received from him, and the friendly aid he has extended to them.

PERRY MARSH

was born in Petersham, Mass. Aug. 7, 1796. His parents removed to Calais, Vt., when he was about 4 years old, draw- ing the subject of our sketch on a hand- sled from Montpelier to their new home in

that town. When Perry was still a boy, he enlisted as a fifer in the war of 1812. At the close of the war he returned to his home and to civil pursuits, residing in Calais until 1836, when he came to Mont- pelier and engaged to some extent in the manufacture of pianos, which he continu- ed several years, and then removed to Stowe; from which place, near 20 years ago, he came to Northfield. He was then approaching his three score years and ten, and has passed here, in a quiet, unobtru- sive fashion, his declining years, during which he has become widely known through his favorite pastime of playing his fife. He was a good player of some other wind instruments, but especially attached to this, an account of which, immediately after his death, Sunday, Feb. 4, 1882, Dr. Gilbert wrote the following tribute to :

THE OLD FIFER.

BY DR. N. W. GILBERT.

Did ever you hear the old fifer play

The martial music he loved so much- The shrill notes which, for many a day, Have answered oft to the magic touch Of his wrinkled fingers, long and lean, Yet iosing none of their old-time skill In conjuring up from the realms unseen The fairy forms of the master's will ?

I say that his fingers were lean and long, But the finger of time had made them so, As they were supple, and full and strong In the halcyon days of the long ago; For now it is three score years and ten- The time allotted to human life- Since Uncle Perry-a stripling then -. Began to play the inspiring fife,

Or rather, since he, at about sixteen- Already well tutored and drilled therefor- His knapsack on, with his tin canteen, Marched off to play in impending war. His tin canteen, but he never would sip From the poisonous fluid the government then Unwisely held to the thirsting lip,

And the hungry palate, of brave young men.

Where strife was raging and hearts beat high, With dauntless courage that would not yield, He helped to win, on the fourth of July, The bloody encounter on Chippewa's field; Then chasing the foe to Niagara's shore, He there still mingled his patriot strain

With the booming of guns and the cataract's roar, At the subsequent battle of Lundy's Lane.

When war was over, the fifer returned From scenes of carnage and scenes of strife, But still in his bosom there glowed and burned A quenchless love for his martial fife.

In age or in youth it was ever the same- He awaited the cars in his rustic seat, To carol his welcome to all who came,

And repeated his airs in the neighboring street.

ina

0 S

bo ex

711

NORTHFIELD.

On an empty box by the grocery store He sat in the sun and fifed away, As If he Imagined hhnself once more Encouraging men to the deadly fray ; Or as if, perchance, in a milder mood, Hle wondered if ever grim war would cease; And whether hls art would still be woord In the tranquil reign of the Prince of Peace.

When age and feebleness held him fast, Three days before the grim visitor came To bring him the summons which comes at last, He called for hls fife, as the flickering flame Flashed up once more, and his heart grew strong, Hls fingers resumed thelr cunning and skill, The notes were clear, which he couldn't prolong, And now they are silent; hils puise Is still.

The rallroad vehicles come and go,

The old sledge hammer stlii sounds the wheels, Bnt Uncle Perry sleeps under the snow ;

And the heart Instinctively, pensively feels The force of the truth that 'tls all men's doom

That mortais approach to the " farther shore:" The spring shall come and the flowers shall bloom, But the merry old fifer may come no more.

MAJOR CHARLES A. WEBB, U. S. A., son of Edward A. Webb, now of Chicago, Ill., born in Montpelier, Dec. 29, 1838, was removed to Northfield at 10 years of age. He assisted his father in his store and tin-ware business, and later in the management of the "Northfield House," of which his father was proprietor. He joined the old New England Guards, com- manded by Capt. S. G. Patterson, at its organization, and in April, 1861, entered the service as Ist Lieut. Co. F, Ist Vt. Reg., 3 months ; was commissioned, Aug. '61, Capt. 13th Reg. Inf .- Gen. Sherman's old regiment-and for gallant conduct at Vicks- burgh, breveted Major, Sept. 21, '66; transferred to 22d Reg. Inf., and com- missioned Major of the 16th Inf. Mar. 4, '79.

Following close the termination of the rebellion, he was for a time engaged in the campaigns against the Indians. Recalled to garrison life, was stationed at several East- ern forts, Fort Mackinaw, on Lake Superior, Fort Wayne, etc. Upon the breaking out of disturbances in the Ute reservation, re- sulting in the " Meeker massacre," he was ordered from Fort Riley, Kansas, to the scene of hostilities, and from there trans- ferred to Texas. His long experience in Indian warfare peculiarly fitted him for border service. As a military officer he exhibited marked ability.

In 1879, while stationed at Fort Mack- inaw, he married Mrs. Rose Disbrow, a

lady of culture and social accomplish- ments, who, with an infant daughter of four months, survives him. He died from congestion of the lungs, at Fort McKavett, Texas, at midnight, Jan. 31, 1882, in his 44th year.

Many in Northfield and vicinity will re- member Charley Webb, and regret his very unexpected death. Under a south- ern sky, away from friends and all the loved places of his youth, he finds his last resting-place .- Northfield News.

DR. BRADFORD'S CABINET.

This is one of the most unique private cabinets in the State. First, here is the ballot-box used at the first town meeting in Northfield, and the communion table of " the Old Yellow Meeting-house " (See page 648, 654), oval, one-leaf, of cherry ; and two turn-up tables-a chair and table combined-in vogue some 60 to 70 years ago, a convenient and pretty piece of fur- niture ; as a chair, the oval-board of your centre-table, when you have finished your tea and want the room it occupies, turned back, forms a stout warm back to a com- fortable chair, that under the board of the table has been doing the office of support- ing your supper table till you were ready for your rest by the evening hearth. We rather coveted one of the Doctor's turn-up tables. It is the first thing we should pick from his " antiquettes," unless it were some of the old painted deft and china with which one of the " turn-ups " is loaded down-odd pitchers, quaint little cups, cunning creamers, teapots, and sugar- bowls ; plates-pewter, wood and earthen. We pass the good show of pewter-platter, porringer and tankard for white earthen- once was-a greenish-yellow white now, very old plate with perforated rim, various- shaped little holes four or five deep in the rim, running around it in a wreath ; or for one of the pretty pitchers, with raised groups of figures on either side. Many a little bric-a-brac lies on these and the tables around the room-a mouse-trap, half the size of a woman's hand, averred " 200 years old, and caught the first mouse that ever lived in Connecticut," antique wed- ding slippers-the Doctor's mother's, 80

712

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

years old and more ; knee-buckles, button- moulds, spoon-moulds, the great horn- spoon ; Mrs. John Averill's wrinkled, old 3-quart wooden pail-crackly paint -- faded, crinkled, wood beginning to crumble, “ 200 years old; the old earthen pepper-box, with cork in the bottom and top that does not fall off ; a small reed for weaving hair- sieves ; a minute hair-sieve. Ah, me ! the little necessaries once, a few years ago the "nothings of the garret," the pet of the cabinet now. "That old flint gun went through 1812 ;" that drum was "captured from the British in the battle of Bunker Hill, went through the Revolutionary war, the war of 1812, and the last war, and good for another fight."

There are three cases of minerals ; one large case of lovely specimens in coral from the West Indies ; one or more tables with West India curiosities ; carved sailor- work in wood, done at sea, etc. ; foreign curiosities, loaned or placed in the cabinet by Mrs. H. H. Walling, the Doctor's step- daughter ; sea-feathers or ferns-of coral- sea - spiders clinging to, on the walls ; centre-table of the cabinet laid with old blue and parti-colored crockery, Chinese umbrella over-on, old tin candelabra, with eleven candles; opposite wall with hanging cupboard ; bottled curiosities- horrible lizards! a tape-worm 110 feet -- It is a Doctor's cabinet-a hideous young alligator under the table ; yonder, far more agreeable drawers, with about 700 Indian relics, arrow-heads, spear-heads, gouges, battle-axe, etc., from Orange Co. mostly, and from Michigan ; belt of wampum in the window; not to mention spinning- wheels, cards, and the necessary imple- ments for home manufacture of wool and flax.

I also noticed a piece of old English plate and-glass, a table-castor, its base decorated with pretty raised flowers in the silver, that belonged to the late Rev. Dr. Edward Bourns- was his mother's; a West India sword of intermingled shark- teeth and fibre of wood ; wooden trenchers, tin dinner-horn, large ball-head andirons, the pleasantly-remembered, old, perforated tin lantern swinging overhead, like one

my father carried when I was a child. We have no more time to rummage, but I wish every town in the State had some cabinet for both its natural and its old-time curi- osities.

MOSES LANE-SUPPLEMENT TO P. 633.

From 1878 to 1881, he was Engineer in charge of constructing the new system of water supply for New Orleans, the sewerage system of Buffalo, of Pittsfield, Mass. ; was a member of the commission appointed by the city of Memphis after the yellow fever scourge, to perfect the drainage. The whole city sewerage plan was changed, and Memphis, in the opinion of eminent engineers, made one of the healthiest cities of the Union. He was consulting engineer for St. Louis and Boston; in Boston the originator of the great plan of sewerage being perfected there, which has attracted the attention of eminent engi- neers throughout the world. Mr. Davis, assistant to Mr. Lane, made out the plans, but for the grand idea was indebted to Mr. Lane. He suffered an apoplectic stroke, and died two weeks after, Jan. 25, 1882. He leaves a widow, three daugh- ters and one son. He was a natural gen- tleman, always courteous and agreeable, and one of the oldest, best known and es- teemed members of the American Society of Civil Engineers .- Milwaukee and Re- publican News.

AUTHORSHIP .- History of Northfield, by Hon. John Gregory, 8 vo. pp. 319; Re- view of Bp. Hopkins againt Universalism, pp. 314 ; Handbook of Design, by Gurdon P. Randall, architect and lecturer; In- struction to Town Clerks, by Hon. George Nichols ; Sermon by Rev. A. Smith, 1862 ; A rhyming geographical thick pamphlet, by Rev. Chas. O. Kimball; The Star of Vermont and Ch. Messenger from 1853, published by W. Woodworth; R. M. Manly published the Vt. Ch. Messenger. Gilman gives The Hatchet, Jan. 1874; The Thunderbolt, Apr. 1875; The North Star, I copy, Apr. 1878; The Amateur Herald, May, '78, 2 Nos. Rev. Guy C. Sampson, temperance, anti-slavery lec- turer and editor, who lived here some years, we reserve notice of for Woodstock.

pa pas nor the ner the into In banks spring of cuta

713

PLAINFIELD.

BY DUDLEY B. SMITH, M. D.

Plainfield is a small township, which contained, before the annexation of Goshen Gore, about 9,600 acres. Its surface was uneven, but no more so than the average of Eastern Vermont. It contained but little waste land, and was upon the whole a productive township.

Goshen Gore, by Plainfield, was about 34 miles long by 13 wide, lying east of Plainfield, and containing 3,000 acres. But very little of it is suitable for tillage. At one time it contained several families, but now has none. It formed a part of the town of Goshen until 1854.

It was annexed to Plainfield in 1874. It was embraced in the Yorkist town of Truro, and its highest mountain, which is called from that circumstance Mt. Truro, was measured by the writer, and found to be 2,229 feet above Plainfield station, or about 2,984 feet above the sea.

Winooski river flows about 1} mile through the north-western corner of the town. Soon after it passes the line into Plainfield, it runs through and over a ledge of rocks, making an excellent mill priv- ilege, around which has grown up the vil- lage of Plainfield.

By the canal survey of 1826, this stream at the west line of Plainfield was 152 feet above Montpelier, 546 above Lake Cham- plain, and 636 feet above the ocean. By the railroad survey, the station at Plain- field is 264 feet above the meadow near the mill-pond at Montpelier, or about 755 feet above the ocean.

The Great Brook rises in the eastern part of the town, and in Harris Gore, passes into Orange and returns, flowing northerly through the town, and enters the Winooski in Plainfield village. Gun- ner's Brook is a small stream, that rises in the southern part of the town, and empties into Stevens' Branch in Barre village.

In the southern part of the town on the banks of the Great Brook, is a medicinal spring, which is very efficacious in the cure of cutaneous and other diseases. Its vir-

tues are largely owing to the presence of sulphuretted hydrogen gas.

The town of Truro, which was chartered by New York, contained 22,000 acres. Its form resembled a carpenter's square, each limb being a little over 3 miles wide, and on its outer or longest side, nearly 6 miles long. The northern part of what is now Barre formed the southern limb. The eastern part of Plainfield, with a corner of Orange, the eastern or northern limb. The western part of Plainfield, with Montpelier and East Montpelier, was embraced in the town of Kingsboro, and contained 30,000 acres, and was chartered to John Morin Scott.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 114

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