The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 132

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 132

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In 1802, the first successful merchant of Waterbury, Mr. Amasa Pride, established himself in the place and opened a store. A Mr. Farnsworth and a Mr. Yeomans, the latter frnm Alstead, N. H., and who died in this place in 1803 or 4, had opened small stores, but had done little business. Mr. Pride was a native of Newington, Ct., but was then from Brookfield, Vt. He was a young man almost destitute of means ; but by his good sense, energy, enterprise and integrity, he became for wealth, character, public spirit and influ- ence, a leading man in the community. He outlived for many years nearly all his asso- ciates, and died August, 1872, aged 86 years. In 1805, Dan Carpenter, a young lawyer from Norwich, opened the first law- office in town. Mr. Carpenter immediately became a prominent citizen in the town and a leading lawyer and a prominent man in all the region. He was identified with the history of the village and town for nearly 50 years. There was hardly an honor which his fellow citizens could bestow or a trust they could repose, which he did not receive at their hands. For 14 or 15 years he represented the town in the legis- lature, and for many years was a judge of the County court. Judge Carpenter died December, 1852, aged 77 years.

See Appendix 2.

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About the same time that Judge Carpen- ter came, Mr. Roswell and Mr. Cephas Wells took up their residence in town, and were numbered among its valuable citizens. About the same time Mr. Paul Dillingham, father of Gov. Dillingham, settled near the Center. (8) But time would fail in men- tioning names worthy of record. At this time the town was settled, more or less, through nearly its whole extent. Mr. Bickford was the first settler on Indian Hill, followed soon after by Mr. Isaac Parker, father of Dea. E. Parker. Mr. Silas Loomis was the first on Loomis Hill. He commenced where his son Elam now lives, in 1797, having resided in the south part of the town one season previous. (9)

The first school house was built at a very early day, and stood near where the railroad crosses Stowe Street,-and in this house nearly all the meetings of the Village were held .- About 1801, a building for a County grammar school, to which allusion has been made, was put up and covered,-the expense being defrayed by private subscription ;- but the town de- clining to do anything, as a town, to aid in its completion, the building was sold, moved across the street and turned into a hotel, which was subsequently burned .. Regarded from our present point of view, the action of the town in refusing to aid this enterprise, whatever may have been its immediate cause, was most unfortunate. The influence for good upon all the best interests of the town, which such a school as was contemplated would have had, can hardly be overestimated. From nothing has the town suffered more, for the last 40 years, than from the want of such a school. It is now its great imperative want. Sure- ly, in its short sighted action, the town knew not what it did-what a power for good it was putting from it.

The first school taught in town was a private school, taught by the daughters of Mr. Reuben Wells. They were very small in stature, and though young ladies, were sometimes mistaken, by strangers, for children, of which amusing incidents are told. Their father was the first tanner in town. Seth Chandler. brother-in-law of

Dr. Bliss, was the first blacksmith; he lived near the present residence of G. Haskins, and was killed by the fall of a tree, while clearing land near his house. A Mr. Warren, grand-father of Rev. Dan- iel Warren, is said to have done the first carpenter work in town. A grist and saw- mill were put up about 1792, by Mr. John Carpenter, from New Milford, Ct .. Mr. Munson, Mr. Cady, and Mr. Knapp doing the work. Mr. Mason was the first miller. These mills were on or very near the site of the saw-mill in Mill Village. Polly Butler, eldest daughter of Gov. Butler, born Oct. 23. 1788, was doubtless the first person born in town. The first male child was probably Tilman Wright, who died in 1842. The first marriage was that of Mr. Philip Bartlett and Mrs. Marsh. Pr. Seth Cole, who so long practiced in Richmond, was the second physician in town.º Rich- ard Holden, Caleb Munson and E. Butler were the first selectmen-Caleb Munson first treasurer-Elias Marsh first constable -Phineas Waters first highway surveyor and fence viewer.

It is a remarkable fact in the history of the town that it had no meeting-house until 1824. Considering the importance and population of the town, and the fact that 3 churches, with such fair promise, were organized so carly, probably a par- allel to it cannot be found in the State. Ordinarily in the history of New England towns, one of the earliest facts recorded is that of building a house for the worship of God. The history of Waterbury in this respect is peculiar. For 40 years after the settlement of the town, and for 23 after the organization of its 3 churches, the Ark of God had no resting-place. The meet- ings were held in school-houses, private houses and barns. Several efforts were made to build a union house, and com- mittees were appointed to locateit. Twice the stake was stuck-once on the brow of the hill near Lucius Marshall's ; once near the east store at the Centre-but for some cause, both projects fell through.

On a certain day in the spring of 1823. Judge Carpenter and Mr. P'ride met, and

See Appendix 2.

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their conversation turned upon the matter of a meeting-house. They had taken active parts in the previous undertakings, and felt that it was a great reproach to the town and a sad detriment that it had no place for public worship; they resolved that it should be so no longer, though neither of them, then, was a professor of religion. That day they laid the matter before their neighbor, Roswell Wells, and found from him a hearty response, and before the day closed, these three men had combined together, and the matter of building a meeting-house was settled. If need be, they had resolved to do it at their own expense (10).

The house was erected and finished in 1824, and was dedicated to the worship of God near the close of that year, Mr. Chandler, of Waitsfield, preaching the sermon.

The building of this house marks an era in the history of the Congregational church and of the town. All honor to the mem- ory of the men who set the work forward, and with resolute hearts and open hands carried it to completion.

houses at the Center. During this period, in 1836, the Methodist church at the vil- lage was organized. Their house of wor- ship was erected in 1841. The Free-Will Baptists built their house on Waterbury river 5 or 6 years later.

With the building of the houses of wor- ship we cease to have to do with early set- tlement and settlers of Waterbury, and the work we proposed is done. I have spoken of the sufferings of the first settler and his family. They were peculiar, but all the early settlers endured hardships difficult for us to conceive: The labor of clearing the forests from the hills and meadows, now so smooth and easily tilled, was im- mense. Their houses were rude log-cabins, often with hewn plank floors and windows equally primitive ; their furniture was the rudest and scantiest. Their roads were rough, unwrought paths, the natural ob- stacles very great. They had no mills ; the nearest for several years were in Jer- icho, some 15 miles away, to which often they carried their grists on their backs. Much of the corn used was ground in what were called plumping-mills, a contrivance made by burning and cutting a hole into a solid stump, and pounding it there with a weight attached to a spring pole, arranged after the fashion of a well-sweep. At the close of the day, it is said, the sound of these mills could often be heard through the whole settlement, preparing for the meals of the coming day. Their food al- ways was the plainest and simplest ; often for the want of this with their large fam- ilies they suffered exceedingly.

The house thus built was not long un- occupied. Soon after its dedication, a young man, just graduated from Bangor Theological Seminary, stopped for the night at the hotel, then kept by Mr. Pride. Learning that Rev. Mr. Blodgett, of Jer- icho, with whom he had been acquainted, was to preach on the ensuing Sabbath, he concluded to stop and hear him. Mr. Blodgett did not come, and the young man was asked to supply the pulpit. He consented, and thus the Rev. Daniel As from year to year, with glad, if not thankful hearts, we come around the festive board, it may interest us and do us good to know how the first Thanksgiving was kept in Waterbury. On that day, 1786, the year that Mr. Butler moved into town, he called on Mr. Marsh, and said to him, " This is Thanksgiving day ; how shall we keep it?" Mr. Marsh, in his wilderness life, had lost the run of such days, and this was news to him. He replied that his family were almost destitute of food, and he was in a sad condition to keep such Warren preached his first sermon, and. began his 13 years' work in Waterbury. All were pleased. He was asked to re- main, and in a few months he had a unan- imous call to settle over them, and was or- dained pastor of the church Dec. 7, 1825. From that period everything has worn a new aspect in town. Mr. Warren was dismissed June 26, 1838 (II). There were two revivals during his ministry, extend- ing through the town-one in 1826-'7 ; the other in 1835-'6 (12). In 1832 and 1833, the Baptists and Methodists built meeting- la day. Mr. Butler proposed that they try

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their fortune at moose-hunting. For such an enterprise Mr. Marsh was always ready. After a few hours' hunt, a moose was found cropping the wild grass near Alder brook, the stream that runs from the Center and empties into Waterbury river. He was quickly dispatched, and each with a quarter on his shoulder made haste to his home, and that night, with their house- holds, they ate a most bounteous, joyful Thanksgiving supper. With all our abun- dance and variety in our pleasant, cheer- ful homes, it is doubtful whether this day has ever been kept, with truer joy or more unfeigned thankfulness, than in these log- cabins, on this moose meat, it was first kept by these hardy pioneers of the wil- derness.

Amid countless hardships and priva- tions the first settlers laid the foundations of this community. It was not all done as we could have wished-not all with the wisest forecast of the future. But they did, nevertheless, a great and stern work ; into that work we have entered. They sowed, often in sadness; we reap in joy. Their work is done; ours is yet on our hands. These hills and these valleys, the fertile soil of which they laid open to the sun, with the river that winds among them and the grand settings of the mountains, were beautiful to them. They are beauti- ful, exceedingly beautiful to us. Verily the lines are fallen to us ín pleasant places. We have a goodly heritage. As we con- sider the days of old, and talk of the years of ancient times, and of what our fathers did, let it be our purpose, our high re- solve, by fostering every worthy interest and enterprise, and by the exercise of every manly and Christian virtue, to trans- mit the heritage we have received, en- hanced and beautified with every excel- lence, to the generations to come. The task God has given us will be quickly done. Let us do it with fidelity, that God may be honored, the community benefited, and our names held in affectionate remem- brance.

[Mr. Parker's excellent little pamphlet is still extant. We obtained a fresh one (complimentary), from Russell Butler, Esq., but this week .- ED.]

MR. JANES' PAPER.

[The following supplementary to and continuation of Mr. Parker's .. Early His- tory" was written principally by the late Hon. H. F. Janes, by request. about the year 1872. and consequently cannot apply to the last decade of our town's history which since the death of Mr. Janes must be supplied by others. R. BUTLER.]

In February, 1867, the Rev. C. C. Par- ker, pastor of the Congregational church, delivered an interesting discourse to his society on the early history of Waterbury, in which the hardships and the privations of the pioneers, who penetrated so far into the wilderness, and successfully opened a way for the advance of civilization, was graphically delineated. It did not, how- ever, purport to be a complete history of the town. It is much to be regretted that he could not have completed the work, but on account of his removal from the State and his duties as a minister of the gospel, he could not with propriety undertake the task of finishing the work so ably begun ; thus leaving with others, less competent. the duty of adding a few things deemed necessary for a more full history of the place.

The town of Waterbury is pleasantly situated in the valley between the Green Mountain range on the west and a spur of that mountain called the Hog Backs, on the cast, and embraces nearly all the set- tleable land between those two elevations. There is not a lot of land but that is or may be profitably cultivated, and the soil on the upland is excellent for grazing and grain. The extensive intervals on the Winooski and other streams are not sur- passed by any in the State. The rivers and their tributaries afford privileges for numerous mills and manufactories, and an abundance of water for domestic and agri- cultural purposes. It is in lat. 44° 23' and long. 4º 17', bounded N. by Stowe, E. by Middlesex, S. by the Winooski River, which separates it from Duxbury and part of Moretown, and W. by Bolton, and is 12 miles west from Montpelier and 24 S. E. from Burlington.

The charter is dated June 7, 1763, and was granted by Gov. Wentworth of New

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Hampshire, to Joseph Abbott, John Dick- inson, Hezekiah Thompson, Joseph Os- born, James Scudder, James Corey, Nathl. Salmon, Daniel Lacey, Jonathan Stiles, Patridge Thatcher, Daniel Bedford, Isaac Ball, Lopher Squire, John Marsh, 3d, Isaac Woodrough, Wm. Connet, Nathl. Wade, James Osborn, Samuel Ballard, Hon. James Neven, Esq., Benj. Williams, Ezekiel Worthen, Barnardus Van Neste, David Meeker, Jr., Heron Ball, John Boyles, John Mills, John Stiles, Esq., W. Pierson, Nathl. Bond, Esq., Meseck Ware, Esq., Ichabod Dean, Joseph Badgeley, Joseph Neomoseck, Esq., David Ball, John Page, Esq., Willard Mills, Jeremiah Pangborn, David Potter, Ebner Frost, Thomas Gardner, Ebenezer Price, Ken- eday Vance,- Charles Gillhouse, Thomas Miller, Thomas Willis, Nathaniel Potter, Jonathan Crane, Esq., Elias Bedford, Jesse Clark, Therry Baker, Joseph Meeker, Da- vid Baker, Wm. Pierson, Jr., Jesse Morse, Nathl. Baker, Job Nixon, Joseph Crane, William Wilcox, Jeremiah Mulford, David Baker, James Puflasey, Manning Fores, and Jonathan Dayton.

The charter limits were 6 miles square, containing 23,040 acres, but it has since been considerably enlarged by territory an- nexed from Middlesex on the east and Bolton on the west ; was laid out and sur- veyed in three divisions. The Ist division lots contained 100 acres, the 2d, 31, and the 3d, 124 ; leaving undivided, 47 acres to each right. The intention of the propri- etors evidently was to give each share 31 acres of interval on the Winooski river, and for that purpose commenced the sur- vey of the first division, on what then was supposed to be the east line of Bolton, far enough north to leave on the river side of the base line of that division sufficient land for that object. But afterwards, on run- ning out the 2d division, it was found in- sufficient, and the balance of the small lots was laid in the central part of the town. The 3d division was laid north of the Ist, extending nearly to Stowe line. The Governor's right of 500 acres was surveyed in the S. E. corner of the town. Part of the undivided was situated between the 3d

division and the south line of Stowe, and the balance adjoined the Governor's right. Subsequently it was ascertained that the surveyor of the Ist division made a mis- take in his starting point, and run the width of two lots in Middlesex. The error was corrected, and these lots were subsequently plotted on the true line of Bolton. Win- ooski Falls are on this territory, but as they were then supposed to be in Bolton, they were called Bolton Falls, a name they still retain in many historical publications, though situated some distance within the geographical boundaries of Waterbury.

FORMATION OF THE VALLEYS-LAND SURFACE, GEOLOGY.

Judge Thompson, in his history of Montpelier, with much plausibility main- tains that at a time not very remote the altitude of Lake Champlain was consider- ably higher than at present. "That there was a branch lake extending from Middle- sex Narrows upwards, covering all the lowlands of that and the surrounding towns, and that there was an intermediate lake, covering the lower grounds of Water- bury, parts of those of Duxbury, Middle- sex and Moretown, and settling up the valley of Mad river into Waitsfield, making this lake at Waterbury somewhat deeper than the one above, as may, indeed, be found indicated by the greater height of the sand-hills east of Waterbury village." Without entering into the speculations of geologists and others on that subject, it may with seeming propriety here be stated some "testimony of the rocks," tending strongly to establish the theory of Mr. Thompson. In many places, high up on ledges, are grooves or indentations, evi- dently made by the action of water. They all are on the western dip of the ledges, are regular in cut and very smooth. But a case more striking and almost irresist- ible in proof is that of a pot hole in the solid rock, some hundred feet above the bed of the river, on the sharp ridge of a high ledge, directly in the line of the farms of S. Henry and H. F. Janes. This ex- cavation is round and regular in shape, is 30 inches deep, and nearly the same in diameter, and so like a cooking utensil

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that it is often called the " Indians' Pot." The ledge on the western side is nearly perpendicular, and at its base stands an ash tree, 40 to 50 feet high. the top of which does not reach to this excavation. In ages past there must have been at this place a great rush of water and splendid falls.

Not many townships in Vermont are so peculiar in formation as Waterbury. The central part and more than half of the en- tire surface is comparatively level ; a little dishing,-on the east and western borders rising gradually, and resembling in profile an amphitheater. The farms on these elevations afford a fair view of nearly the whole town, presenting a landscape beau- tiful and charming, especially in early summer when the fields are fresh and in bloom, and in autumn when ripe and " white unto the harvest."

With few exceptions, the geological for- mations are not dissimilar to surrounding towns. Pres. Hitchcock, State geologist. in his report of October, 1859, states that " there are out-crops of copper, but that they have not been fully developed by mining, but thinks it not improbable that mines in the town may become sources of wealth from the amount of copper obtained therefrom." He also states that " there are several small deposits of soapstone, but none sufficiently extensive to induce a great investment of capital to work them." In the same report interesting facts are given in relation to the alluvial terraces upon the Winooski and other streams. When making the railroad through the Hog Backs, some exceedingly handsome specimens of quartz crystals were found imbedded in the rocks near the dividing line between this and the town of Middle- sex. Probably more could be obtained by a small outlay in blasting the ledge.

RIVERS AND STREAMS.

Winooski River, the largest stream and the southern boundary of the town, has a smooth current from Middlesex narrows to the falls three miles below the village. In Thompson's Gazetteer of Vermont, the following description of the falls and the place is given : " The stream has worn a

channel through the rocks, which in times past, undoubtedly formed a cataract of no ordinary height below, and a considerable lake above. The chasm is at present about 100 feet wide and nearly as deep. On one side the rocks are nearly perpen- dicular, some of which have fallen across the bed of the stream in such a manner as to form a bridge, passable, however, only at low-water. On the same side the rocks which appear to have been loosened and moved by the water, have again rested and become fixed in such a position as to form several caverns or caves-some of which have the appearance of rooms fitted for the convenience of man. Several musket balls and Hints were found in the extreme part of this cavern, a few years since, which make it evident that it was known to the early hunters." On the upper sec- tion of these falls, Benjamin Palmer, soon after the commencement of settling of the town, constructed a dam across the river and erected a saw-mill ; but in a few years they were carried away in a freshet and never rebuilt. The main water power has not yet been brought into use. The place is much visited by admirers of grand scenery.

WATERBURY RIVER, the second in mag- nitude, has its source in Morristown, and takes a southerly direction through Stowe and the westerly part of this town, and enters the Winooski about a mile below the village. On this river is much good interval land, several mill privileges, and a number of valuable farms. Upon the borders of this stream and on the surround- ing hills, lay the principal hunting ground of the pioneers of the town. There they shot the deer and the moose, and there also they trapped the beaver. The former they killed only out of necessity, their flesh for food, their hides for the making of moccasins and thongs to string their snow shoes. The latter were trapped for their skins,-the fur of beaver, at that time, constituting the only article of traffic which brought its equivalent in cash. They slew no innoxious animal wantonly for mere sport.

The third stream in size, called THATCH-

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ERS BRANCH, rises in Stowe, and runs through the town near its center, and falls into the Winooski at the lower end of the village. This stream, though not large, has on it a number of falls affording good mill privileges, most of which are occu- pied, and a large part of the manufacturing done in town by water-power is on this branch. On it many of the early settlers located, and all the farms by them started in the wilderness are now valuable and in a high state of cultivation.

ALDER BROOK also has its source in Stowe, and runs along the center of the town into the Waterbury River, near the Free Will Baptist meeting-house. On it, Stephen Jones, one of the early settlers, built a saw-mill more than 50 years ago. The falls are rather picturesque. Leander Hutchins formerly had a starch factory here. The ownership of the saw-mill was changed from time to time, but continued up to the present. The road to Stowe crosses the pond just above the mill. The land above the falls is mostly level, good and very handsome ; below more uneven, but productive. On the west side of Wa- terbury River are two streams, on each of which are several mill privileges. Cotton Brook, the upper one, rises on the high land in Bolton, and enters Waterbury River near D. Conant's ; on this brook is one saw-mill. The other comes from Ricker mountain, and falls into the river about a mile above Randall's mill ; on this brook are two saw-mills.

'HUNTERS' STORIES.

Many a winter evening has been made interesting to the young by the stories of the old in the " winter of their years " of the hunting excursions in these then " wild woods," but now "teeming fields," so vivid and lifelike in description, that the listener could but enter into its spirit and see, or seem to see, how carefully and with the utmost secrecy he set his traps for the beaver, even to the washing away his footprints in the sand. How cautiously he wended his way through the tangled woods, his trusty dog close behind (the hunting in those days being still, and not in the noisy chase), peering in all direc-

tions for game. How when nearing the more common haunts of the deer, some accidental noise, perhaps, only the break- ing of a dry twig, starts him from his lair, but too late for escape, as his first move- ment was seen by the quick eye of the hunter-a sharp crack of his gun, and the deer fell lifeless.

On one occasion, the hunter became so excited when aiming at a moose, that the report of his rifle was not heeded, and he thought it had missed fire, and in his vexation at the supposed result, was tempt- ed to break the old thing on a tree by which he stood. He was happy, how- ever, on examination, to find that his gun was true as ever, that it did not miss fire, but had done good execution ; the moose had received a mortal wound, and expired after running but a few rods.

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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 132

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