The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 133

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 133

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).

ROADS.

The town is intersected by a good many roads and cross-roads requiring rather a heavy tax to make and repair, and to build bridges over the various streams. The first road, or rather an apology for one, built through the town, was on the river through the Hog Backs to Middlesex. This, probably, was never traveled with a wheel carriage, but answered for single horses or, perhaps a yoke of oxen, to drag their grain to mill on their primitive drags, rudely constructed out of a crooked crotched tree. That part of this road or pathway lying above the present village was soon discontinued and the travel turned to the other side of the river. As settlers in- creased, and of necessity obliged to go further back into the woods, paths had to be cut out for their accommodation in va- rious directions. Many of these paths, ultimately, were recognized as highways, though not the most judiciously located for the public to travel. The old hill road was the first made through to the northern settlements, and a long time the only one much traveled to Stowe and on to Lamoille River. The land on this road is very good, and every lot was taken up and set- tled upon it at an early day. But in conse- quence of a far more level one east, and leading through the center village, the

827

WATERBURY.

hill road now is but little traveled except by those living on it. The road up Water- bury River to Stowe on the path of the old hunters, was made as settlers advanced up the stream. The number of bridges and the gullies occasioned by the strong and rapid current of the river, make this road rather an expensive one to keep in repair. Within a few years past, travel on it, both for business and pleasure, has greatly increased.

HIGHWAY, PLANK ROAD AND RAILROAD.

down is the long bridge over which the road leaves the town. The citizens of the place subscribed liberally for stock, but it proved almost an entire loss, except to those owning real estate, which was en- hanced in value by the completion of the road.

TURNPIKE, AND WHAT BECAME OF IT.

The most important and most traveled highway through the town is the stage road from the depot in the village by the center to Hydepark. On this the U. S. mail is transported once a day each way. and the numerous excursionists to Mt. Mansfield and other summer resorts, re- quiring extra stages much of the time. The large amount of merchandise for the towns of Lamoille Co. is mostly freighted over this road. There are branch roads to all parts of the town, and several out of it. One in the east to Stowe, one through the notch to Middlesex, and good farms on each. The roads crossing the Winooski on the two arch bridges, one up to More- town, one down to Richmond, and one south through Duxbury to Waitsfield, are a good deal traveled, the latter especially, and is second in travel and freight only to the mail route to Hydepark-Morristown, 1882. A few years since, a charter was obtained for a plank-road to Stowe. The stockholders made the road, and it was traveled 2 or 3 years, but it proved unre- munerative to the owners, and they surren- dered it to the towns. The railroad enters the town on the border of Middlesex, passes through the village, and a mile be- low, crosses on the long bridge into Dux- bury. It is so located that business and intercourse among neighbors is attended with but little inconvenience ; the deep cut at the crossing of the Stowe road is bridged, but not so high as to make a hard draft over it. The bridge over Thatcher's branch is elevated sufficiently for an under EARLY OCCUPIED FARMS. one for common use. Just below the Much the largest part of business done in the town is farming, the land being well channel of the river was turned for some distance, at great expense, and a half mile adapted to that purpose, the meadows for

In the year 1805, the Legislature granted a charter for a turnpike from Montpelier to Burlington. The stock was taken and the road built. It entered the town of Water- bury at the upper end of the village, and thence through the town to Bolton. The great freshet in the summer of 1830, swept away all the bridges on the road and other- wise very much damaged it: so much so that the proprietors hesitated about repair- ing it, as it never paid large dividends. Thomas and Hezekiah Reed, brothers, and enterprising young men of Montpelier, offered the nominal sum of $10 the share. which cost originally $175. Their offer was accepted ; they rebuilt the bridges and put the road in good repair. Before the canal was made, opening a water com- munication by the way of the Hudson river to Lake Champlain, goods from Boston and other Atlantic towns were nearly all brought to this place with ox or horse-teams, by way of Montpelier, each team drawing but little over half a ton, and requiring from two to three weeks to make a trip. But afterwards, at a cheaper rate, freight took the water route by way of Burlington, throwing a large additional amount of teaming and travel on to the turnpike. rendering it profitable to the Reeds. The Vermont Central Railroad, by its charter, was obligated to pay the owners of the turnpike for their franchise. They compromised. took the turnpike and applied the tolls to its own benefit, but when the cars commenced running, it was abandoned to the towns. The somewhat increased highway taxes of Waterbury were compensated for, however, by having a free road.

828

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

growing corn, oats and grass, the upland for wheat and grazing. Within the past 20 or 30 years, agriculture has greatly im- proved, and many young men who started poor, by industry and good management, have paid for their land, and now have large and valuable farms, are entirely clear from debt, and possess sufficient personal property to support them through life. It has previously been stated that on the rivers and their tributaries are many ex- cellent farms, but little or nothing relating to their location, their present owners, or who began them. A short historical ac- count of a few of the earliest started, can hardly be otherwise than interesting to many, especially to those of an antiquarian cast of mind. On the meadow above the Winooski falls, JOHN CRAIG, about 1788, commenced clearing, and erected a humble residence. In a few years, he sold his possession and moved to Ohio. It was purchased with considerable surrounding land, by Joseph Palmer, an energetic bus- iness man, and somewhat noted in his day as a skillful bridge builder. After the death of Palmer, it was divided up, and the three valuable farms now owned by Luther Davis, Joel Remington and Geo. W. Randall were made of this tract of land. On the tract of land above Randall, Stiles Sherman located on coming to town, and resided the remainder of his lifetime, where for many years he kept a house of entertainment for travelers, where he reared a large family of children, and where he died at a ripe old age, much re- spected. Part of the farm is now owned by his son, Heman Sherman-1870, but the larger part of it by Joseph Thompson.

At the mouth of Waterbury river, on the east side, is the place where Dr. Daniel Bliss, the first physician, and the first representative of the town, resided, and where Seth Chandler, the first blacksmith, had his shop, and where not a long time after, he was killed by the fall of a tree. The farm is now owned by Mr. McAllister. The next east is where Amos Waters com- menced as early as 1788. It soon passed into the hands of Sylvester Henry, Esq., deceased. Mr. Henry added considerable

land, and at his death it was a large and valuable farm. By will he divided it with his four sons, James M., Sylvester, Jr., Samuel and Luther. Most of it at the present time is owned and occupied by Sylvester.

Adjoining, and within the boundaries of the village, is the old Gov. Butler place, of between 200 and 300 acres, about 130 acres of which constitute the farm of the State Reform School. Seven acres with the old house, the first framed one in the town, is now owned by Mr. Colby, of the United States Navy. Some 4 acres at the mouth of Thatcher's branch, on which stood the surveyor's camp, built as early as 1782, is owned by Russell Butler, the youngest son of Gov. Butler. The bal- ance, with the exception of a few acres of wood land on the northern part, constitute a part of the farm of H. F. Janes.

The tract of land pitched, and a short time occupied by James Marsh, and on which he erected his cabin, has been much divided-part taken for the village cem- etery and building purposes. Much so with the Cephas Wells farm. The low and rich meadow, in about equal parts, is owned at the present time by Elisha Moody and Geo. W. Randall.

But a small part of the large farm, so long owned and occupied by the late Amasa Pride, is now in his family. The home- stead, and 30 to 40 acres of land, are yet owned by his widow, and Mr. Caldwell, who married the daughter and only sur- viving child of Mr. Pride. This residence is pleasantly situated directly in front of the depot common.

The large hotel, the railroad buildings, the foundry, several stores, the stage office, a number of mechanic shops and dwelling- houses are on a part of the original farm.

The tract of land on which Gov. Butler and his brother, Asaph, first commenced work in town is in the upper part of the village. The Butlers, after occupying it a short time, gave it up, and it was taken by Richard Holden, who resided on it several years. Holden sold the farm to the late Judge Dan. Carpenter, and Carpenter to Gen. John Peck. By additions and im-

829

WATERBURY.

provement, it was, at the death of Mr. Peck, the largest and most valuable one in town. The administrator of Peck sold the place to D. G. Shipley, recently deceased. The elegant mansion and part of the farm are now owned and occupied by Dr. H. Fales, who married the only daughter of Mr. Shipley. The farm of C. C. Shipley is part of the original. The balance, with the exception of what has been taken for building purposes, is a part of the farm of J. Batchelder. On the large meadow above the village, Caleb Munson, the third set- tler, made his pitch. He was soon suc- ceeded by Amasa Marshall. Since the death of Mr. Marshall, it has passed through several hands and been much split up. The railroad passes through this meadow. The farm on Thatcher's branch, at the present time owned by Eugene Moody, was begun by Oliver C. Rood. Soon after the first settlement in the town, he came, young. vigorous, and of great physical endurance, and at the time very useful in clearing up land, in building bridges, in making roads, and in the performance of all kinds of work requiring skill and energy .- at an early day built the grist mill afterward rebuilt by W. W. Wells. Rood lived on the farm many years. It passed from him to his son-in-law.Albro Atkins, from Atkins to the late Judge E. S. Newcomb, and from him to the present owner.

JONATHAN WRIGHT, in 1788, on the same stream above the Rood place, built his cabin and cut the first tree on the ex- cellent tract of land he had selected for a farm. Here, himself and his wife resided the remainder of their long lives. Their son. Tilman, said to have been the first male child born in town, succeeded his father in the ownership and occupancy of the farm during his life, and by his ad- ministrator it was sold to the Hon. James Green, deceased. It is yet in the family of Mr. Green, and has been much im- proved. Stephen Guptil's farm was owned and occupied by the late Jared George, probably as far back as 1798. In the barn of Mr. George religious meetings were oc- casionally held during several years. The good farm of Levi Graves was made up of

portions taken from others, and first com- menced by the late Samuel Dutton.

It is difficult at this time to ascertain with certainty who was the first beginner on the farm of Harvey Eddy. It is safe to say, however, that it was one of the first started in that part of the town, and has been owned by many different individuals ; a long time by David Adams, and by Wm. Eddy, who conveyed it to his son, Harvey Eddy. On it is considerable fertile mead- ow, and is quite pleasant in location. Some miles further up the branch is situated the handsome and productive farm on which, as before stated, Dea. Asaph Allen, in 1796, began his residence in town. It passed into the hands of his son. Eliakim Allen, who, after occupying several years, conveyed it away, and it is now out of the Allen family.

In town are many more farms nearly or quite as productive as those named. Most of them are on the upland, and were com- menced at a later date. For the raising of stock and for dairy business, they yield a profit that ought to be satisfactory to the owners. But few of them are now in the hands of beginners or of their descend- ants. The only exception, probably, is that of Silas Loomis, yet owned and occu- pied by his son, Elam Loomis. The Clough place, on what is called Indian Hill, and where Isaac Parker began, is one of the best grazing farms in the vi- cinity. The farm of Raymond Huse, on Alder brook below the falls, is a valuable one. As early as 1794 or '5, Joseph Fisk began a clearing on the south part, and his son, Benjamin, a while after on the west part of it. West, and adjoining, is the place where Joshua Hill, about 1791, began his farm, and on which he lived many years. Hill kept tavern here some years, when the principal travel north was over the hill road. On this road, near the south line of Waterbury, Colonel George Kennan kept a tavern some years. The buildings are gone, and there is nothing remaining to determine its precise loca- tion. Nearly all the farms off from the rivers have large maple orchards, from the sap of which sugar and syrup are made

830

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZÍNE.

sufficient for family use, and much for exportation.

LAND TITLES.

But little litigation, growing out of original titles, has occurred in this town. It does not appear that any of the grantees or their heirs settled on their lands. But in most cases there is no trouble in tracing titles back to the original proprietors. A few may rest on vendue sales for non- payment of taxes or the statute of limit- ation. If sold for taxes, they were gen- erally redeemed ; one event in redeeming, so brave, that it will bear relating here :

Col. Sumner, of New Hampshire, owned several lots of land which had been sold for taxes, and the time of redemption was nearly out. David H., his son, a lad then about 14 years of age, was furnished with a purse of hard money, put on the back of his trusty old mare, and sent to redeem his land. The distance was some 75 miles, most of the way through woods almost pathless. The boy arrived at Col. Davis', in Montpelier, just as the sun was setting. After baiting his horse, he remounted, and proceeded down the river for Waterbury. It had become dark, and the road or path- way difficult to travel. At the foot of rock bridge, so called (the place described by Mr. Thompson in his history of Mont- pelier, where Thomas Davis, a boy of 16, so heroically got down the first wagon that entered that town), David's horse sud- denly stopped. He could not urge it forward. It was very dark, but carefully looking ahead, he saw a large bear stand- ing erect in the middle of the path. Though courageous, he was frightened. What boy or man would not have been? He con- sidered, however, his safety was in stick- ing to the back of his trusty mare. The bear, after sufficiently examining them, left for the more thick woods, and his mare then willingly ascended the ledge, and they passed on to the fording place in the river, crossed it, and arrived at Mr. Holden's, the collector, near the middle of the night, and just in time to redeem the land. One hour more would have been too late. This boy lived to a great age, and, as was reasonably expected, became

an energetic business man, highly respect- ed, and of much influence.

FLOODS.

There have been but few floods since the settlement, raising the water much above the ordinary spring and fall freshets. That of July, 1830, was much the largest that has occurred. The rain, for nearly two days preceding, fell in torrents, and the adjacent highlands being mostly clear- ed and turfed with grass, the water flowed into the streams with but little absorption in the soil. The Winooski, with additions from tributaries, accumulated a volume of power sufficient to take in its course large trees, logs, bridges and floating field crops, so obstructing the passage through the falls, causing the water to set back, and forming quite a lake above, all of ten feet higher than any-former flood. Most of the streets at this time were under water, which at no other time has occurred. The damage in the aggregate was considerable, but not heavy individually. D. G. Shipley probably suffered the most, having had, in addition to his crops, a barn full of hay carried away, and his meadow injured by detrition of soil. Occasionally the lowest terraces have been overflowed in the sum- mer season by heavy rain; but the fer- tilizing deposits were equivalent to the waste of the growing crops. Bridges have been carried away at different times, owing rather to want of thoroughness in con- struction than to the floods. The villages are so elevated that the highest rise of water seldom reach the streets.

SCHOOLS.

The town in its corporate capacity, has never granted any money for the support of schools. In the second warning for the annual March meeting, 1791, there was an article inserted, " To see if the town would take any measures for the promotion of schools." Committee, John Craig, Reu- ben Wells and Caleb Munson, appointed to divide the town into two districts, for the benefit of schools. At the next meeting held in April of same year, Waterbury River was made the dividing line of the two districts. The only action upon that article at the meeting was to divide the

831

WATERBURY.

town into two school districts, leaving it to them to manage the subject as they should dleem advisable. Subsequently, from time to time, the districts have been divided and sub-divided so that at the present time there are 18 school-districts in town, and as many school-houses. The town has a small fund, or annual income arising from rents on public lands, interest on the U. S. surplus money, and the State school tax, total between $ 1000 and $1100, which is divided to the several districts, a small amount for each, and necessarily requiring a heavy additional tax for the building of school houses and paying teachers. The district in the principal village has lately established a graded school, and voted a tax of 50 cents on the dollar of their grand list for its support. It is now in operation in a good house, and under competent teachers.

WATERBURY CENTER VILLAGE.

The Village at the Center, divided by Alder brook near the middle, is pleasant and beautiful in all its surroundings On the north side are several handsome dwel- lings, the Methodist chapel, in the hall of which town meetings are holden alternate years, 1 store, the district school house. I tavern, a blacksmith shop and a few other shops. The Center burying ground is on this side of the stream. On the east side are more private dwellings, all neat and comely in appearance. Also, the Baptist meeting house, of wood in good taste, I store, in which the town clerk's office and the Center post office are kept, and two or three mechanic's establishments.

THE GREEN MOUNTAIN SEMINARY,

a Freewill Baptist institution, is located at the Center village, on the east side. It was chartered Oct., 1862, to D. L. Frost and other 12 corporators. The trustees were authorized to confer " degrees on male and female pupils as are usually conferred by the best Colleges, Academies and Seminaries ; also, on male pupils a di- ploma of honor." The corporation had no endowment to start npon, and were under the necessity of relying entirely on private subscriptions for the means to

erect their seminary building, and to pro- vide a suitable apparatus. By the energy and perseverance of the trustees, and the liberality of the citizens of the vicinity, they succeeded. It is truly said in their first report that their " Seminary building is one of the finest structures in the State, and surrounded by natural scenery unsur- passed in its magnificence and grandeur. Mount Mansfield, Camel's Hump, and all the spurs of the Green Mountains, from Addison, through Chittenden, Washing- ton and Lamoille counties, stand out in bold relief in full view from the Seminary."

VILLAGES-BUSINESS IN R. R. VILLAGE.

In the town are two large villages and three small ones. Much the largest one is on the Winooski river, nearly midway between Middlesex and Bolton. It is more than a mile in length east and west, and north on the Stowe road ; half that distance in width, not including Mill vil- lage. Mr. Marsh and Mr. Butler, the first and second settlers, commenced here, and laid the foundation of a community, which, ever since, has had a steady, prosperous and healthy growth. It now (1870), has a population of about Soo, and a grand list of $4.000. Has four churches, in each of which are regular services. The largest and first built, in 1824, is the Congrega- tional ; the second, of brick, is the Meth- odlist, built in 1841 ; the third, the Second Advent chapel : the fourth, the Roman Catholic. In this village is Waterbury First National Bank, two hotels, one com- modious and handsome, on the site of the one previously burned, owned and kept by W. H. Skinner; the other, owned and oc- cupied by J. Brown. There is also M. E. Smilie's large brick foundry, built by D. Adams on the site of his wooden one, there recently burned ; Geo. C. Arms' ex- tensive marble works, and three large brick stores-one on the corner of Stowe and Main street, built by Leander Hutch- ins, now owned by his son-in-law, C. N. Arms, and occupied by Wyman and Smith, merchants. The other two are on the opposite side of Main street-one erected by Wm. Carpenter, in which two of his sons are dealing in crockery.

832

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

BUSINESS FIRMS .- " Ready-made cloth- ing, medicines, &c.," Geo. W. Kennedy's office and the village library are in this store.

A three-story building, erected by the late A. S. Richardson, owned by Clough and Randall. In it is the law office of Palmer and Clough, a tailor's and jewel- er's shops ; a grocery in the basement, and a family living in the upper part.

The large wooden block on the corner, opposite C. N. Arms' brick store, built by I. G. Stimson (the larger part), and C. Graves, on the foundation of Stimson's store burned a few months before. The part of the block built by Stimson, owned by L. H. Haines, contains the store of Richardson and Fullerton, of Arms and Haines, traders in flour, grain, nails, tea, etc. ; the post-office, Moody's book and stationary store, and the Young Men's Christian Association reading-room. The part built by Mr. Graves is owned by him, in which he manufactures tinware, and has a stove and hardware store.

On the other side of the street is the cabinet-shop of George W. Atherton, the fine store of M. M. Knight, rebuilt a few years since by J. B. Christy on the same spot where stood his former one, there recently burned; the furniture shop of A. A. Atherton and Son; in the same building the groceries of F. Taylor and W. Ashley ; and adjoining, the apothecary store of Frink and Remington.

Brown and Atkins, successors of I. C. and S. Brown, wholesale and retail deal- ers in grain, general groceries, etc., are doing an extensive business near the depot [Arms & Haines, successors].

MANUFACTORIES.

The village has a supply of such me- chanics as are commonly found in country towns. L. Parmely, on Main Street, oppo- site of the bank, for a number of years has been engaged in the shoe trade ; and Geo. W. Lease in harness-making. Waterbury Manufacturing Co., successors of Case & Thomas, is opposite of the State Reform School. It was incorporated in 1869, with a working capital of $30,000. The busi- ness of the company is mostly making

cane-seated chairs, doors, window-sash and blinds. They also do a large amount of planing, wood-turning and scroll-saw- ing. They employ about 30 hands, and occasionally a number of the Reform School [1870] boys in addition. The Company deal to some extent in pine lumber.

MILL VILLAGE

took its name from its being the location of the first grist and saw-mills built in town. It is situated on the Stowe road, at the lower falls on Thatcher's Branch. There is here, within the distance of a fourth of a mile, a succession of falls, af- fording three good mill privileges, all of which are occupied. At the first is the large brick grist-mill, built a few years since by the late Wm. W. Wells, Esq., and now owned by his heirs. It stands on or near the spot of the one built in 1792. It has always done a large custom business. A few rods up stream, A. H. Selleck & Co. have a woolen factory, where they card wool and manufacture to some extent. They have recently put in machinery for turning small boxes. At this place were the first clothing works in town; owned and operated by sundry individuals and companies ; at a very early day by Jotham Robbins, subsequently a short time by JARED PERKINS, who became a Methodist preacher, a presiding elder and member of Congress from New Hampshire. Since Perkins, by Thomas and Thompson, by Thompson, Seabury and Blanchard, and others constantly until it came into the hands of the Sellecks.

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 133

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