The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 125

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 125

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Somewhat in the same line (though more successful) was the dream, thrice repeated the same night, of a Mr. Rice (late Dea Rice of Granville,) then in the employ o Gen. Wait, (not far from 1795,) that he went to " the cove," (now part of the mil pond at the village,) and saw a moose

an fa

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which he shot and killed, and that a man came along just then with a sled, and car- ried the game in for him. When he arose, having told this to the family, Mrs. Wait took down the old "Queen's arm " and handed it to him with the powder-horn and bullet pouch, when he repaired to the spot, saw the moose, brought him down with a single bullet, and returned with his booty on the sled of the man from Warren, all according to programme. This large story is too well attested to leave any room for contradiction.

The writer has many an instance in mind of the scrupulous care with which these grandmothers made sure of the " signs " in all important domestic matters, such as picking the geese and " setting " all sorts of bipeds, making soap, butchering, taking a journey, commencing a piece of work, and one even believed "it would spoil a hasty pudding to stir it against the sun."

It seems strange that sturdy men and women, who were not afraid of bears and wolves, and who could ride on horseback " double," and each carry a child to meet- ings-who were possessed of such ster- ling common sense in most matters-should be so completely under the powers of such petty superstitions.

ACCIDENTS.

It is sometimes remarked that " dead trees fall silently and in still weather."

This was illustrated in the case of Wm. Joiner in 1805. He was riding on horse- S

back through a piece of woods near the house now owned by Dea. David Phelps, when the trunk of a decayed tree fell across his path in such a way as to scratch the pommel of his saddle, and instantly kill his horse, while he remained entirely un- injured. There have been 15 cases of accidental deaths since the organization of the town :

In 1810, Lewis Taylor, age IO, was drowned in the flume of a grist-mill ; Enos Wilder, age 35, killed by a falling tree, und Gilbert Wait, Jr., age 3, killed by alling through an aperture in the chamber door.

In 1815, a child of Daniel Skinner was se mothered in bed.

In 1820, a child of Ezra Jones fell from the arms of a girl who was tossing it in sport, and was killed.

In 1821, Wm. Wheeler, age 55, was killed by " trying tricks " at a raising.

In 1822, Joseph L. Carpenter, age 14, was killed by the falling of a tree.

In 1830, John Kimball, age 3, was drowned in a channel washed out by the flood, which had previously swept away the dwelling ; Eliza A. Stoddard, age 6, killed by the kick of a horse.

In 1833, Mrs. Simeon Pratt, age 38, supposed to have died in a fit.

In 1836, Luther Fairbanks, age 30, drowned while bathing.

In 1842, child of C. Joyce, smothered in the bed.

In 1848, John O. Shaw, age 11, was hung in a school-house window when trying to climb in.

In 1850, James D. Bushnell, age 21, drowned while bathing.

In 1865, Howard Bruce, age 4, drowned in a spring.

There have also been several cases of sudden deaths from occult diseases, and 4 cases of suicide.

RELICS OF INDIANS.

This territory was once occupied as hunting grounds by a portion of the " St. Francis" tribe of Indians, if the traditions of a relic of the tribe can be relied upon. Many traces have been discovered of their occupancy, which seem to show that they had vacated the valley only a few years before the coming of Gen. Wait.

In 1808, Samuel Barnard, while at work in his sugar-place, found a two-gallon brass kettle turned upside down on a rock. The kettle only a few years ago was in use in his family. Another was found not long after on the lot lying east of Mr. Barnard's, and not very far from the spot where the first one was found.

In 1822, as Ebenezer Barnard (son of Samuel), and Rufus Childs, were clearing a part of this same sugar-place, they found a gun and pistol, tomahawk, and about a quart of beads, made of something resem- bling brown earthen ware. The stocks of the gun and pistol were rotten, but the

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barrels, though rusty, were good, and have done good service since. The gun was found sticking out of the ground, and in digging to see if some chief had been buried there, the pistol and beads were found at a depth of about 2 feet.

GAME.

For many years after the settlement of the town, the deer were quite plenty in the forests, as well as trout in the streams. The bears and wolves proved a serious annoyance to the settlers. Neither fields of grain nor flocks of sheep were safe un- less watched continually. But bruin soon became very cautious. 4

In the year 1804, Dea. Moses Fisk shot and killed a large bear Sabbath night, that was about to spring at one of his sheep, in a pasture very near his house. It was jokingly said that "the bear had too much confidence in the Deacon to suppose he would shoot him Sunday, and so exposed himself carelessly." The Deacon was an excellent shot, and it is said that he brought down six bears-sev- eral of them under hazardous circum- stances, and that he never missed but one that he fired at. He also killed many deer, one of them with an axe, at a time when the snow was very deep, with a little crust on the top, and the writer has the antlers upon his carving knife and fork. His wife, also, shot an insatiable hawk, that " did not come when the Deacon was at home," and it is probable that both did no more than their share, but other facts and names are lost.

In 1797, the wife of Dr. Pierce, living near Moretown line, saw a deer pursued by the hunters approaching the house. Judg- ing that he would pass through a narrow gap between the fence and the house, she caught up an axe and stationed herself by the corner of the house, and when the deer made its appearance, actually inflicted a mortal wound upon him ; but as soon as she had done so, became affrighted and fled to her chamber, "and almost went into hysterics."

In the spring of 1821, a wolf was dis- covered near the house of James Joslin, and was turned back into a strip of woods,

where he was speedily surrounded by the yeomanry, who rallied at short notice, and at length shot by Dea. Moses Fisk. The bounty of $20 was given to the minister, Rev. A. Chandler, and with it he made himself a life member of the Bible Society.

In March, 1855, another wolf was sur- rounded and killed in the same forest. The writer was one of the boys who waded through the deep snow to assist in his capture, and had the privilege of sending one bullet after him, with perfect safety to the wolf. He was first discovered by Pardon Bushnell, Esq., making for the East mountain, and first surrounded in the piece of woods lying between the river and the old common. It is not a little remarkable that, after breaking out of this ring, he should have been secured at all, and that in less than four hours after ; weight, 87 lbs. Several marksmen lay claim to the honor of bringing him down. It probably belongs to Cheney Prentice, Esq. It was sold for $5, and bounty, at auction, and the same distributed (by vote of the captors), to the poor of the town.

FIRES.

There have been 15 fires in town which amounted to total loss of the buildings, and in most cases an almost total loss of contents. They may be classified thus : distilleries, 2, prior to 1818; stores, I ; shops, 4; barns, 2; dwellings, 6. Of the causes of fire, it may be said that the store was set on fire late in the evening, while the clerk was drawing some alcohol to cook eggs with, for a few select com- panions. In several cases the dwellings were set on fire from ashes left in wooden vessels ; in others, the cause remains un- known. One barn was burned by light- ning. Only once (1846), have two such casualties occurred the same year.

The first fire of all occurred in 1794, and in the coldest of the winter. It was the dwelling-house of Daniel Taylor, the Elder, and was situated on the meadow now owned by Comstock Prentice, Esq. The story of the fire is so pleasantly told in rhyme by Mr. Smith before mentioned, that we give it entire, only adding that the settlers did all they could for the families,

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while one went to Shelburne, Mass., and procured supplies which could not be had nearer, and which were gladly given by the former neighbors of the two families :

THE BURNING HOUSE.

Among the many fictions new 'This story old is strictly trne; To snatchı It, fading, if I can, From dark oblivion, Is my plan.

When Waitsfield mostly was a wild. As I-an aged man-a chlid, When woods were 'round the dwelling near,

And huntsnien shot the bounding deer, When flowed Mad River full of trout, And boys could fish a plenty out, My father left a distant town To settie near the river down. No land had he but forest wild, No home to shelter wife or child: My Uncle Taylor kindly shared With us the house he had prepared ; Two rooms, with roof of bark, it had. And sheltered cousins very glad; Nine little children were we all. The oldest being only small. Our happy quiet did not last THil the first Sabbath eve was past ; The men that evening were away, The children mostly sleeping lay ; Some flax, in bundies very dry, Was o'er the entry lying high; My mother near with candie canie, And lucklessly It caught the flame; Her shriek I still remember well, Such shrieks as sudden panic tell. In vain she tried to stop the fire; She only made it blaze the ilghier. The rapid flames began to pour Bright biazes on the entry floor, And through that fiery entry lay The only chance to flee away. Just time the mothers liad to throw Their naked children on the snow,

Then count them rescued o'er and o'er, Lest there were missing one or more- When did a mother ever yet, In fright or haste, hier child forget ?- Poor " Penny " met a harder doom, And puss within that burning room. Without intent were blankets four Snatched with the children; notiilng more. Thelr garments all were left to share The fate of other comforts there. The absent fathers saw the flame, And with some neiglibors, breathless came- Too late,-they sped but to behold, With joy, the children In the cold. Stay, reader! hear my story through, Since all I have to tell Is true! While high the fire terrific blazed, The people o'er the river gazed,-

" What could that light, portentous, mean, Above the trees at distance seen ? " Off sped the men the canse to see, And offer aid If need should be; The women grouped and talked with fear, Expecting direful news to liear.

" His children left alone," they sald, the

" Have fired the house above their head." But when my sorrowing mother came,

And not a child was left in flame, Although in bitterness she cried, And seemed as if she might have died, They thought the trouble very small, Since house was nothing-life was all i

Now let us make the moral out (For facts their moral have, no doubt) ; Think, when nilsfortune gives you pain, It might be worse, and not complain.

FLOODS.

In July, 1830, the rivers overflowed the whole valley, sweeping away every bridge in town, and doing incalculable damage to the crops, and not a little to the mills. The grist-mill was left on an island, by the gulling of the flood. The dwelling of a Mr. Kimball was swept away, but the family escaped. This house stood on the bank. Mr. K. had lately buried his broth- er, with whom he was in company. He used to say, that in the night he awoke and listened to the roar of the water, and the thought once arose that he ought to get up and see if all was safe ; but he had so little apprehension that he did not arise. In a few moments, he saw his brother standing by the side of the bed, and bidding him get up and flee. He de- clared he was wide awake, and saw the form vanish away. He arose, and finding there was danger, removed his family ; and as he stepped out on the door-stone, last of all, the house began to settle away, and in a moment or two, went over into the flood.

In July, 1850, another flood swept through the valley. doing not so much dam- age as before, yet enough to make it re- membered well. In July, 1858, there was another of a singular character, as all the damage was done by the brooks on the west side, or by the river swollen by their torrents. It would seem as if a huge cloud must have emptied itself all at once upon the hills of Fayston, although there were, in- deed, heavy rains at the same time in the east part of the town. The thunder- shower (for such it was,) lasted only a few hours. It was the 21st birthday of the writer, and he remembers very well how, for over half an hour, a sheet of water poured from the roof breaking into drops, or pailfulls, about one foot below the ends of the shingles. "Shepard's Brook" (the

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most northerly of the streams having its rise in Fayston,) swept out for itself vari- ous new passages, and, in one case, up- rooted and pushed for over a mile into the river and across it, upon the meadow nearly half an acre of heavy timber. A Mr. Learned, living near the mouth of the brook was reading his paper in the even- ing, when he " heard something bumping against the floor," and on going to the cellar found it to be his meat-barrel float- ing about. The water was then running across his lower doorstep, and the roaring of the brook showed its furry, while exam- ation proved that there was no way of escape from the house. Though several buildings were swept away, this house the most beleagued of all, was spared.

Dea. Parker relates that at 5 o'clock there was not a foot of water in the brook, and at 10 o'clock he stood and saw his barn carried away by the flood. A num- ber of farms suffered severely by the wash- ing away of the soil.

In October, 1869, another flood swept through this valley, reaching within a little over a foot of the high water mark of 1830. The town were obliged to raise an extra tax of 60 cents on the dollar to meet the damages. The crops of corn which were not already housed were swept away, and the breaking out of the river at the west end of the dam above the grist mill seriously endangered the village, and car- ried away a shop belonging to J. W. Rich- ardson, Esq. It will be remembered that the water rose at three separate times, being highest on Monday, the 4th of Oct., but nearly as high on Monday the 11th, and high enough to awaken much anxiety on Wednesday, the 13th. Pine brook made a clean sweep of her 7 bridges, and many other bridges in the town followed suit. This high water was predicted by astronomers in the month of June, and their calculations did not fail except by less than 24 hours.

Also quite frequently, when the river breaks up in the spring, the ice will clog up, and the meadows will be flooded, wash- ing away fences and sometimes the soil it- self. And the poorer class of bridges,

built in an early day, were often carried off in this way, but for many years no riv- er bridge has been thus lost. Mad river without this turbulence, would be like the play of Hamlet with Hamlet left out.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

In 1794, a town committe was appointed to "lay out a meeting-house and yard." The site chosen was what is still known as " the common"-an elevated plain near the center of the original township. It consisted of about 9 acres, and the title was conveyed to the town in 1796. Five acres was the gift of Ezra Jones, Esq., on condition that, " if the town moved the centre (?) from that place" the title should be void. As soon, therefore, as the " new meeting-house" at the river village was oc- cupied, and the town voted to hold town- meetings at the river, the heirs took posses- sion of their portion. The remaining four acres, purchased for "£1, Ios.," of a Mr. Savage, are still common. The forest which covered this lot was chopped by a " Bee," in 1797, and the ground was then let out in parcels to be cleared, each work- man having the right to take two crops of grass for his remuneration upon the lot set apart as a common. The burial ground was not fenced until 1809.

The first proposal as to building a house of worship, was to erect one jointly with the school-district on the east side of the common, with the understanding that when both parties were better able, the district should buy out the town, and the town should build a regular church edifice. After the frame was up and partly covered, the district receded from the engagement ; and in due time, the frame was removed to the valley, where it has been used as store and dwelling-house until the present time- known as the " Lewis Holden" house.

This apparent drawback was after all a stimulous to the religious interests of the town. It hastened the erection of a suita- ble meeting-house-an imposing structure of the olden style, bearing date 1807, alto- gether innocent of paint inside, and for some years of stoves ; but extravagant in the amount of 7x9 glass, which rattled away at every suggestion of a breeze. It hac

ari 18 Rea A. 1830 Hob [54:

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the usual high pulpit, towering over the "deacon's seat,"-the capacious gallery. and for many years the ample sabbath as- sembly. On the Society's record, we read among other recommendations of a com- mittee, that a certain proportion of the money derived from the sale of the pews should be paid at the beginning, as it would be needed for nails, glass, "and rum for the raising."

CONGREGATIONAL.

The Congregational church, which con- troled this house, was organized with II members in 1796. Rev. Ebenezer Kings- bury, of Jericho, officiating. Others were gradually added to it, and it became strong enough in 1801 to settle a pastor ; and from that time has been the strongest re- ligious body in the town.

Rev. William Saulsbury, the first pastor, was a young man, well educated, and able in the pulpit, but singularly wanting in those qualities which secure the respect and affection of the people when outside the pulpit. He received the "minister's lot" as a settlement portion, and $166.67 the first year, it being agreed that the salary should be increased as fast as the grand list on the society's roll increased, until it should amount to $266.66. The ordination services took place in a booth built for the occasion, on the site chosen for the meeting-house, Rev. Mr. Lyman, of Brookfield, preaching the sermon from I. Tim. 4 : 16.

During the 68 years since the ordina- tion of Mr. Saulsbury, 19 ministers have at different times had charge of this church. Of these, the longest pastorate was that of Rev. Mr. Chandler, 20 years ; the next longest, that of Rev. Charles Duren, 10 years, and next, that of Mr. Saulsbury, 9 years.

LIST OF MINISTERS.

F e

Rev. William Saulsbury, 1801-'9 ; Am- ariah Chandler, 1810-'30 ; Guy Sampson, 1831-'31 ; Joseph Marsh, 1832-'34; B. F. Read, 1835-'35 ; S. G. Tenney, IS35-'37 ; A. Flemming, 1837-'38; Preston Taylor, 1839-'42 ; Calvin Selden, 1843-'4; James Hobart, 1845-'49; Charles Duren, 1849- 54 ; L. H. Stone, 1855-'56 ; Andrew Royce,

1856-'57; C. W. Piper, 1857-'57; C. S. Smith, 1858-'58 ; Robert Stuart, 1858-59 ; Mr. George Pierson, 1859-'60 ; Rev. A. B. Dascomb, 1860-'67; J. H. Babbitt, 1868.

Five men have commenced their minis- try with this people. None have finished their ministry here. But the impression of the character and doctrine of Mr. Chandler is not yet obliterated. A fact which shows how good it is for a people to keep a good and faithful pastor, and that the length and the success of a pastorate bear some relation to each other. .

THE DEACONS OF THE CHURCH.

John Barnard, 1796-'13; Moses Fisk, 1801-'47; David Phelps, 1813='23: Jede- diah Bushnell, 1825-66; Ithamer Smith, 1830-'48 ; Isaac Hawley, 1836- 48 ; Lyman Fisk, 1844 -; David M. Phelps, 1866-'69 ; Henry N. Bushnell, 1866 -; Edward A. Fisk, 1866 -.

There have been several seasons of re- vival among this people,-the most marked (considering their permanent fruits,) be- ing that in 1817-18, under Mr. Chandler's preaching, and that in 1865-6, under Mr. Dascomb's. In each case 35 members at one time,-and most of them by profes- sion, and others at intervals afterwards. It deserves to be said that, while this church may not have accomplished more than the average of country churches, it has done much good in training up those who have labored much in other places. Those who have gone out as laymen to strengthen other churches would make, in point of numbers, a large parish, and in point of influence a strong one, while it can show a longer roll of. professional men-nearly all ministers-than the ma- jority of Congregational churches in Ver- mont. Its membership from the first until now amounts to 500. The Congregational Society was formed under the old law. All the voters in town were members of it, unless they individually withdrew, by cer- tifying to the town clerk " that they did not agree in religious opinion with a ma- jority of the society." This statute was repeated at Woodstock in 1807, and in

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consequence, the society dissolved and formed a voluntary association, assuming all the rights and immunities of the old one. In 1845, a new meeting-house was built in the outskirts of the village, and dedicated, Rev. Mr. Gridley of Montpelier, preaching the sermon from Haggai 2 : 9.

The question, whether to "repair or build at the river," was one that divided the feelings of the people seriously. By vote of the society, it was at length sub- mitted to the judgment of three men, viz : John L. Buck, and two others, beside.

the agreement being that their decision should be accepted as final. They decid- ed naturally enough that the society " should build at the river." The results of this difficulty were that the new house was located just out of the village instead of in it, on elevated ground, toward the old common; so that the people who have to walk to church, find it quite a task to climb up from the village, and on week days, men drive by to the grist-mill and the postoffice, not always getting back to the meeting they should attend, or at least not until late, and evening meetings must go begging at private houses.

This partiality for the consecrated spot also led at length to the building of a small edifice out of the ruins of the old one, as a sort of union house, " to be used for fu- nerals, evening services, &c."

After the building of the new church, the society became greatly reduced. For various causes, one after another withdrew their names from the roll ; preaching was sustained by subscription only, and there were only about 12 men who could be de- pended upon to bring up arrears. These. were obliged to pay a sum equal to five times all their other taxes combined, for years. It is needless to say that these were earnest and pious men; and it is pleasant to record the fact at length they have seen better times. Much credit is due to Rev. A. B. Dascomb for his patient continuance with this people in times when i t was exceedingly difficult to raise a salary, he having come to them when they were lowest, and by the blessing of God, leav-

ing them in 6 years, able and willing to give a pastor a good support.

METHODIST.

The first Methodist preaching in the town was probably about 1804, and doubt- less a class was formed soon after. The town was first embraced in the Montpelier circuit, as were also the towns of Middle- sex, Moretown, Warren and Fayston. Their first church edifice was erected in the mill village in 1833, was remodeled, a spire added, and painted in 1852. In 1845, the circuit was abolished, and Waits- field and Warren became a station. In 1868, Waitsfield became a separate charge. The names of those who have been preach- ers, with the dates of their pastorate, as far as they can be ascertained, are as follows :

Rev. Wilder Mack, Abel Heath, John Cummings, Nathan Howe ; John Nason, 1835 ; Moses Sanderson, I. D. Rust, Cyrus Liscomb, H. J. Wooley, Wm. Blake, O. M. Legate, Harvey Hitchcock, H. T. Jones, D. Willis, P. N. Granger, A. J. Copeland, C. W. Kellogg, W. J. Kidder, P. Merrill, N. W. Scott, H. Webster, C. S. Buswell, L. Hill, B. P. Spaulding ; N. M. Granger, 1868; F. M. Miller, 1869. The present number of members is 62, and probation- ers 8.

A good little anecdote is told of the times of Elder Mack. There was strong prejudice at that time in all the land against this denomination, over and above the objection that it was dividing the feelings and interests of the people. One Sabbath, Dr. Stoddard and wife, who lived at the extreme south of the valley, were unable to attend meeting. The chil- dren, however, went, and learning before they arrived at home that Elder Mack was going to preach at the school-house in their neighborhood, they rouguishly re- ported to their parents that " there was to be a lecture at the school-house that even- ing." So the mother (who would not have countenanced a Methodist meeting by any means), went with the children to the lecture. Finding it was not their own minister, but supposing it was some one

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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 125

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