The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 12

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 12

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In 1837, the society built a chapel a lit- tle south of the cemetery, and in 1844 it was moved to its present location near the Congregational church, when it was re- paired and enlarged. The society built a parsonage at Berlin Corner in 1847; cost $583.51. In West Berlin a class was formed in 1832, Isaac Preston and David Dudley being among the members. This class held their church relation at North- field till the year 1855, when through the labors of H. K. Cobb, (then preaching at Berlin) there were numerous conversions in West Berlin. In Dec. 1856, a church was organized by the election of Amos Chase, W. D Stone, Asbury Sanders and Isaac Preston as stewards.

Preaching was supported one-half the time in connection-both places being supplied by J. House for 2 years, A. Hay- ward and J. W. Hale each one year-until 1861, when it was voted that Berlin and West Berlin be separate stations. From that time until 1868, the church at Berlin Corner was supplied by Elisha Brown, lo- cal preacher, but from various causes, deaths and removals being the principal, its prosperity declined. In 1868, it sup- ported preaching one-half the time ; A. B. Hopkins supplying both churches for that year ; since that time services have been held only occasionally at that place.

In 1857, the Methodists of West Berlin united with the Congregationalists and Baptists in building a union church which they occupied a part of each year until 1870, when the Methodists concluded to build a church for their own use. The subject was first agitated in April, 1870, and about $700 raised ; first work, grading and laying corner-stone, done May 5th ; May 7th, first stick of timber cut ; house completed July 14th ; dedicated July 15th, free from debt, without help of Confer- ence ; dedication sermon by Rev. S. Hol- man from Montpelier. From this time one Sabbath service, Sunday school, class and prayer-meetings have been regularly sustained and steady spiritual interest man- ifested. Sabbath school numbered 74 in 1878; average attendance 37; books in library 250.

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BERLIN ROLL OF HONOR FOR 1814. Names of men that went to Plattsburgh.

Jacob Flanders, Zelotus Scott, Samuel Hubbard, Stephen Wright, Mr. Tiliston, Ensign, Jeremiah Culver, Jeremiah Good- hue, Josiah Benjamin, Ebenezer Bailey, Samuel Currier, Abraham Townsend Cyrus Johnson, Captain, Roger Buckley, Ord. Sergt., James Perley, Capt. Taylor, Eliada Brown, James Smith, Richard Smith, Alanson Wright, John Stewart, Ist Lieut., E. M. Dole, Samuel Perley, Moses H. Sawyer, Asa Dodge.

BERLIN VOLUNTEERS IN THE WAR OF 1861.

Samuel P. Atwood, Charles Bailey, Joel O. Bailey, William R. Bean, Peter Bres- sette, Chester Brown, Eliphalet E. Bryant, Charles N. Cilley, James M. D. Cilley, Benjamin F. Clark, Smith Clark, John B. Crandall, Richard B. Crandall, Jessie D. Cummings, John P. Davenport, Lorenzo Dow, William H. Dow, Wm. S. George, Charles B. Green, Lucius D. Hadlock, Charles Hanan, Ira L. Hanan, Charles C. Hartwell, Stillman A. Hatch, George S. Hayden, Obadiah W. Hill, John F. Huse, Henry F. Johnson, Nathan C. Kibbey, Josiah Lathrop, George Lawrence, Leon- ard Lawrence, William LeRock, Cornelius Nye, John F. Phelps, James F. Randall, Alfred M. Reed, Andrew J. Reed, Carlos H. Rich, Harlon P. Sargent, Carlisle Saun- ders, Joseph Slattery, Charles Smith, Franklin I. Southwick, Stephen G. Stew- art, Daniel H. Stickney, Horace M. Stick- ney, Wm. O. Stickney, Edward P. Stone, Joshua Wade, John Burke, Jesse Cayhue, Albert Darling, Andrew J. Davis, Francis Emerson, Bartholomew Fenton, Frederick Gale, Calvin W. Greenleaf, John C. Hack- ett, Paschal Hatch, Simeon Hatch, Wil- bur E. Henry, William O. Horton, Edso W. Howden, Charles Jandreau, Jeremiah Kelley, Franklin Labarron, John McCarty, Chas. McGlaflin, Francis Minor, Chas. D. Naylor, Chas. W. Nichols, Wm. B. Perrin, George Shattuck, David K. Stone, John W. Taylor, Henry C. Varnum, Alfred Whitney, Lucius J. Goodwin, Aaron Row- ell, William Yatta, Samuel W. Andrus, Alson H. Braley, Don B. Cilley, Peter

Gravelin, Elijah N. Hadlock, Hubbard E. Hadlock, Timothy Hanbrooks, Wm. H. Hunt. Edwin Jones, A. M. Reed, Frank Wheelock, George S. Lawrence, Barney McCarron, John W. Parmenter, Henry E. Preston, Hiram W. Scribner, George L. Wade, Lewis Bumblebee, Lorenzo Dow, Guy M. Reed, Charles B. Græen, Wm. A. Phillips, Carlos H. Rich, Eli M. Robbins, Charles Smith, Jabez Alexander, John H. Bartlett, Jedediah Carpenter, Stephen R. Colby, Elbridge G. Fisk, David Rollins.

VOLUNTEERS FOR NINE MONTHS.

Henry R. Austin, George C. Bailey, Merrill J. Bailey, Jerome E. Ballou, Hora- tio G. Beebe, S. Webster Benjamin, Wm. Blair, Winslow L. Blanchard, Don B. Cilley, Clark D. Cressey, John K. Cross, Samuel Crozier, Abraham Lezer, Oliver Luciere, David A. Marble, Henry A. Miles, George S. Robinson, Gardner P. Rowell, Reuben Rowley, George Shattuck, David C. Silloway, Joseph B. Silloway, Rollin D. Stewart, Willis P. Stewart, Arthur W. Taylor, Alfred B. Thompson, William W. Willey. Drafted and served his time, Nelson W. Chase.

The remains of the 5 soldiers mentioned below repose in the Cemetery at Berlin Corner :

MAJOR RICHARD B. CRANDALL, of Berlin, was killed in action at Cold Har- bor, Va., June 7, 1864. Richard Bailey Crandall, born in Berlin, a student in Dartmouth College one year, when he en- listed in the 6th Regiment, and went out under Col. Lord as Adjutant, was Captain of Co. K. some time. Re-enlisted and was promoted to Major. His age was 26 years 7 months.

DANIEL K. STICKNEY, a private in Co. D. 2d Reg'mt, was a prisoner in Libby prison over 6 months ; from effect of treat- ment received while there, died April 7, 1863, age 18 y'rs, 6 mos.

GEORGE MARTIN, son of Ira Andrews, a volunteer, private in Co. E. 17th Reg'mt was wounded in the arm which was ampu- tated, but did not heal and caused death in Sloan Hospital, July, 1864, age.19 years 5 months.

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JESSE D. CUMMINGS and CORNELIUS NYE, killed in action, were buried on the field.

JOHN P. DAVENPORT enlisted early in the war of the Rebellion, and becoming enfeebled from hardship and exposure, was discharged, came home, and died April, 1863, age 23.

Tell my friends the story When I sleep beneath the sod, That I died to save iny country, All from love for it and God.

HON. D. P. THOMPSON. BY D. F. WHEATON, OF BARRE.

Daniel Pierce Thompson, son of Daniel and Rebeckah Thompson, was born in Charlestown, Mass., Oct. 1, 1795, and em- igrated with his father to Berlin in 1800; and here he passed his boyhood days, on his father's farm, following the routine of a farmer boy's life. But his desire was for books, the fishing-rod and his gun, and he left the farm in early manhood, without means, but determined to possess an ed- ucation, and by his own efforts succeeded. He pursued his studies in Randolph and Danville, this State, and entered Middle- bury College in 1816; graduated in 1820; went to Virginia, and engaged in teaching several years; studied law while there ; was admitted to the bar of that State, and returning to Vermont, commenced to practice at Montpelier, where he resided till his death. He married Miss Eunice Robinson of Troy, Vt., had 5 children, three of whom and his widow are still liv- ing. He engaged in his profession but a short time, being soon chosen the Register of Probate for Washington County, which office, together with that of Clerk of the House of Representatives, he held for sev- eral years, and then was appointed Clerk of the County and Supreme Courts, and soon after was chosen Judge of Probate. He was elected Secretary of State, and held the office until 1855. He was editor of " The Green Mountain Freeman" from 1849 to 1856, and eminently successful in making an interesting and entertaining newspaper.

In politics, originally a Democrat, he early became identified with the old Lib-

erty party, and after that party was dis- banded, became a supporter of the Re- publican party. It was not as a public officer, however, but as a writer, that his name will be most widely known and cher- ished. He was the only popular novelist Vermont has ever produced. During his whole life he devoted much time to the in- cidents of the early history of the State. He loved to embody in his writings such reminiscences as he was able to gather from the records and the recollections of old men. A lover of stories and tradi- tions, it was his habit to convene with the old people, and listen to the quaint narra- tives they loved to tell.

A devotee of the piscatorial art, he would take jaunts about the county with his fishing-rod, and was familiar with every trout brook and pond for miles around, and almost rivalled Izaak Walton of old in his passion for fishing, and in the success that attended his hook, in the long string of trout he bore home in triumph.

Often stopping at some wayside farm- house, he would spend hours with some of the old settlers, garulous of the early scenes and times in the history of our State. The fame of many of the founders of the State is greatly indebted to his pen and the industry and enthusiasm with which he collected and placed before the people incidents that otherwise would have been forgotten long ago. Besides news- paper and magazine articles, his first work ·was "May Martin, or The Money Dig- gers"; published in book form in 1835. It was written in successful competition for a prize offered by one of the Boston journals. In 1840, "The Green Moun- tain Boys" appeared-a historical tale, containing some of the chief incidents of the history of the State, and introducing the leading characters of that period. Then followed "Locke Amsden, or the School-master," written with a view to the reformation of the school system of that time ; " The Rangers, or the Tory's Daugh- ter," published in 1851, illustrative of the early history of the State, and gives an interesting account of the Battle of Ben- nington, and incidents connected with the

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northern campaign of 1777. In 1852, he issued " Tales of the Green Mountains "; in 1857, "Gaut Gurley, or the Trappers of the Umbago "; in 1860, " The Doomed Chief, or Two Hundred Years Ago"; which contains an interesting account of the brave, but unfortunate. King Philip, of Mount Hope ; " Centeola " and a History of Montpelier close the list of his books.

Most of his works have passed through numerous editions ; May Martin and the Green Mountain Boys as many as fifty, and have been re-published in England, and some of his scenes have been dram- atized. His prolific pen also produced many other less pretentious stories and ar- ticles deservedly popular. His novels, rich in historical facts, are written in a graphic, natural language and entertain- ing style, and he has done much to fa- miliarize our State history.

The last few years of his life he suffered ill health from partial strokes of paralysis, which were but precursors of the final at- tack, which proved fatal June 6, 1868. By his death a pen rich in historic incidents and scenes was laid aside forever ; but his name will long be associated with the his- tory of our State through his works.

He was frank and pleasant in his deal- ings with his fellow-men ; lenient almost to a fault, unpretending in dress, and genial as a friend and companion.

THE GREAT WOLF HUNT ON IRISH HILL. BERLIN IN EARLY TIMES.

The way the settlers met and overcame the wild animals is well described in the following story by the late Hon. D. P. Thompson, and printed in the Montpelier Argus and Patriot in 1867, of " The Great Wolf Hunt on Irish Hill in Early Time."

One Saturday night, about dark, in the month of February, 1803, a smart resolute boy, who was then eleven years old, who is still alive and one of the most honored citizens of Montpelier, Hon. Daniel Bald- win, and who had been boarding out to attend the district school on the lower part of Dog river, started on foot and alone to go to the house of Israel Dewey, his broth- er-in-law, three or four miles up the river, over a road leading mainly through a dense forest, to his destination near the borders

of Northfield. Not anticipating the least difficulty in accomplishing his undertaking, he pushed confidently forward till he reached the log-cabin of old Mr. Seth Johnson, which was the last house on his way before entering the long woods sepa- rating the lower settlements from those in the vicinity of Northfield Falls whither he was bound. As he came up Mr. Johnson, who was in the yard, on learning his des- tination, ominously shook his head, and said, "Daniel, you must not try to go through the long woods to your sister's to- night, for the varmints will catch you." But the boy not frightened by the warning, was for going on, when Mrs, Johnson came out and interposed by " Now, Seth John- son, if that boy will go, you must go with him, or the varmints will certainly have him ; have been prowling in the woods every night for a week." Well, I would go if I could not do better by him, but I can contrive to furnish him with a better safe- guard than my company will afford," re- turned the husband. " Daniel, you hold on a minute and I will show you." So. saying, he ran into the house and brought the firebrand of a stout sapling club, with one end well on fire, and putting it into the boy's hand, said to him, " There, take that and begin now to swing it enough to keep it alive, and if the savage brutes be- set you on your way swing it round you like fury and run the gauntlet, and I'll warrant they won't dare to touch you."

The boy who had been a little staggered by what he had heard, now, however, as he was armed with the efficacious fire- brand, as he was told it would prove, again went fearlessly forward. But the events of the next half hour were destined to change his feelings of confidence into those of lively apprehension, for he had not gone more than half-a-mile after entering the woods, before his ears were greeted by a long shrill howl rising from the forest a short distance to his left, bringing the un- welcome conviction to his startled mind of the near vicinity of one at least of the wild beasts against which he had been warned, the terrible wolf. And to add to his dis- may, the howl he had heard was almost instantly answered by a dozen responsive howls from various points more or less distant, on the wooded sides of Irish Hill, which rose immediately from Dog river on the east; while these ominous sounds, growing louder and more distinct every moment, very plainly indicated a very large troop of these savage brutes were rapidly closing in on his path with a pur- pose of which he trembled to think. Be- lieving it would be as dangerous for him to retreat as advance, he quickened his

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walk into a run, and commenced swinging his firebrand as he went, hoping thus to get through the woods before the gang would beset his path. But he soon found that neither his speed nor his firebrand were sufficient to ensure him against the threatened danger. He had not gone an- other half-mile before a fierce and hungry yowl, issuing from a dark flitting figure in the road a few steps in advance brought him to a stand. He recoiled from the frightful cry and began to retreat, but his steps were quickly arrested by another fierce yowl, apprising him that the enemy were in possession of the road behind as well as before him, while out there on his left, out here on his right and everywhere around, rose in full chorus the same shrill, eager, hungry yowl; yowl; yowl for his blood. Having become perfectly desperate under these appalling surroundings, which plainly told him that a struggle for his life was now at hand, he made a wild rush forward, swinging his firebrand around him with all his might, and uttering a fierce yell at every bound both to keep up his own courage and frighten away the wolves which were keeping pace with him, gallop- ing along on each side of his path, or leap- ing into the road behind and before him, besetting him so closely and with such boldness and determination, that it often required an actual contact of the firebrand with their noses to make them yield the way for his advance. And thus for the next half mile he ran the fearful gauntlet through this terrible troop of infuriated brutes till almost dead with fright and exhaustion, he at length reached the home of Israel Dewey his brother-in-law, with joy and gratitude for his preservation from a terrible death which no words could describe.

This event, which of itself was suf- ficiently romantic and thrilling to deserve a place among the striking incidents of the early settlements, was the more note- worthy on account of the memorable affair to which it directly and almost immediately led, the great wolf hunt on Irish Hill in the winter of 1803.

Up to that time it was not known with any certainty that there were wolves in this section of the country. Several set- tlers in the vicinity of the extensive moun- tain forest called Irish Hill, had lost sheep ; whether they were killed by bears, cata- mounts, or wolves was a matter of conjec- ture ; but the boy's perilous adventure which spread rapidly among the nearest settlements and was implicitly believed at once, established the fact in the minds of all that there was really a gang of wolves in the vicinity, and Irish Hill was

probably their chief rendezvous. The settlers one and all eagerly expressed their wish to join in a hunt for the extermina- tion of the destructive animals.

A rally was made on the following Tues- day, but not extensive enough to form a ring around any large portion of the for- est where the wolves were supposed to be lurking. Having assembled at Berlin meeting house, they, however, marched into the woods and shot two wolves, when they postponed further operations till the following Saturday, when a grand hunt was proposed in which all the settlers from the adjoining towns within 20 miles were to be invited to participate, what they had done being considered merely a reconnoisance. Early Saturday morning, the well-armed settlers, having ambitiously responded to the call, gathered at the house of Abel Knapp, Esq., the town clerk, living very near what was then termed Berlin Center meeting-house.

The assembled forces numbering 400 or 500 then formed themselves into two equal divisions, and chose leaders or captains for each, with a general officer to remain at the starting point and give out the order or signal cries to be passed round the ring proposed to be formed. The two captains then led off their respective divis- ins, one to the south, along the borders of the woods, and the other to the west for a short distance and then south, each leav- ing a man every 50 or 60 rods, to keep his station till ordered to march inward, when the ring was completed. After waiting two hours or more to give time for the divisions to station their men so as to form an extended ring round the forest proposed to be enclosed, the word was given out by the general officer, " Prepare to march." This was uttered in a loud cry at the start- ing point, and repeated by the next man left stationed to the south, and soon, if the ring had been perfected by every man, round the ring. As had been expected, the sound of this watchword gradually grew fainter and fainter in the distance, and then ceased to be heard at all. Then followed a moment of anxious waiting with those at the starting point, for if the watchword was not soon approaching from the west it would show the ring not per- fected, and all success in enclosing the reputed wolves a hopeless affair. But they had not long to wait. In a short time a faint sound was heard on the west side of the ring which grew louder and louder till it reached the starting point in full tone. All was now animation and expectancy on this part of the ring, and almost instantly the next watchword " march" rang through the forest, and each man, as he repeated

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it, advanced rapidly into the interior of the ring a quarter of a mile as near as he could judge, and then commanded the " halt" as agreed at the outset. This word was promptly sent onward and re- turned like the others, when another com- mand to march was uttered, and all again advanced towards the supposed center of the ring. And thus rapidly succeeded the watchwords march and halt, till the ring was so nearly closed that it was seen and announced that there were enclosed several wolves, in the same, which ran gal- loping round the centre, as if looking for a chance to escape through the ring, now become a continuous line of men. But the frightened animals could find no out- lets, and were shot down with every at- tempt to escape. Two wolves and a fox or two were killed in this way, but by this time bullets flew so thickly across the ring that it was seen that some change of plan must be made, else as many men as wolves might be killed. By common consent at this crisis the late Thomas Davis, a well- known marksman and a man of steady nerve was requested to go inside thering and shoot the wolves. This he did, and ac- complished all that was expected of him. He shot five wolves and endangered no man. The whole number of the victims of the hunt were then found to be seven wolves and ten foxes. The company then took off the scalps of the wolves and took up their line of march for the house of the town clerk, where bounties for the slain wolves were to be allowed and of the avails some disposition made. It was announced that money to the value adequate had been advanced sufficient to pay for a supper for the whole company. These arrangements were soon effected and while the supper was being cooked a keg of rum was opened and distributed, which being taken in their exhausted condition, on empty stomachs, thus upset a large number who were never so upset before that it was said that Esquire Knapp's haymow that night lodged a larger number of disabled men than were ever before or since collected in Washington County.

Thus was ended the great Wolf Hunt on Irish Hill in 1803, which was the means of routing every wolf from this region of Vermont, and from that time to the pres- ent day at least none have been known."

D. P. T.

MONTPELIER, July 12, 1881.

The above is certified to, 78 years after by the actor in the scene, as substantially true. DANIEL, BALDWIN.

BERLIN POND AND BENJAMIN'S FALLS.

Upon the highlands of the town of Ber- lin, at a distance of four or five miles from the capital of the State, and at an eleva- tion of little less than 400 feet above the same, lies a beautiful body of water- Berlin Pond ; about 2 miles in length, nar- rowing into a width of 50 feet at two- thirds of the distance from the head, giv- ing the wider parts the designation of the upper and lower pond. The water is clear and soft, and when unmoved, reflects the entire margin of hill-sides, farm and forest, while the sky and clouds above seem to have lazily lain down upon its bosom till well might these be called Mirror lakes. Berlin pond, or ponds have long been a resort of fishing parties, and of late, a growing taste for rural scenes and camp- life, induces longer stay, and during the warmer summer months it is not uncom- mon now for families from neighboring towns to pitch here their tents and set up a system of co-operative housekeeping that succeeds, during which sojourn religious services are held on Sundays in the open air. or, if rainy, in some one of the larger tents.

If always " a thing of beauty," the pond has not always been "a thing of joy." At times it has shown a greed of human life, and helped to fill the cup of sorrow-en- gulfing once a bright and promising boy, the only son of parents dwelling on its bor- der, and from the shadowy forest of the eastern shore there once came whisperings of foul treachery and homicide. But these events were of the past-never to be re- peated, let us hope.

The village of the town is situated at the lower and northern extremity of the pond, and here is a fall with a good water- power which has long been utilized. From this outlet the stream runs in a circuitous route some over a mile, falling 19 feet, and furnishing two other water-powers on its way, thence rushing on more rapidly, as if tired of slow work, and eager for frolic, seeks the woods and at once away from observation and restraint, its wild race be- gins, and in less than 300 feet it falls ir one leap after another, 274 feet. The firs

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of these leaps 50 feet in an angle of 65 de- grees. The second about 6 rods below, falling 30 feet perpendicularly ; and 18 rods farther on is the third falls of 130 feet at an angle of 30 degrees. Thus far so completely hidden are Benjamin's Falls, known by the name of the owner of the land through which the stream runs-that perhaps most people in their vicinity have never seen this beautiful freak of nature's. But though long unknown and unvisited through the warm season, of late, parties one or more, may often be found spending the day here. Cool, sheltered, and for a wonder is not damp, nothing can be more delightful than to sit under the trees and watch the caprices of the rushing, roaring torrent. The maples and birches crowd close to its edge, laving their roots in its waters and throwing their arms out over it, the tall evergreens stand like sentinels around, and soft mosses and delicate ferns cushion and fringe its banks save where the sharp rocks jut out as a stronger bul- wark of protection. A party at one time visiting the falls after a long and heavy rain beheld in a nook at one side of the perpendicular fall, which the excess of water had completely filled, float a mass of foam in the form of the lower half of a perfect cone, 4 or 5 feet in diameter, of the purest white at the base, and gradually gaining color until crowned by the amber of the daintiest merschaum, while in a broader, but shallower pool a few rods be- low was the image of a huge ram, tossing and struggling to extricate himself from the watery element.

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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 12

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