The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 134

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 134

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A short distance above the factory, is the saw-mill and mechanics shop owned by N. A. Rhoades. There has been at this place a saw-mill ever since the first set- tlement of the town. Over 40 years ago, P. Brown, a tanner, built at these falls a mill for grinding bark, and put in a few vats for tanning, in connection with his principal yard in the other village. Here, too, Thomas, Thompson and Seabury for- merly had a woolen factory, burned some years past and never rebuilt.

At the south end of Mill Village on the west side of the stream, Samuel Dutton many years since started a tannery on a

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small scale, intended principally for his own convenience in his trade as shoe- maker. It passed from him to his sons, Thomas, David, and Harper, and from them to W'm. W. Wells, who greatly en- larged and improved the works; Wells sold to R. Blush, and in a few years, while owned by Blush, the works were burned. The real estate and few out-buildings not consumed by fire, were purchased by Syl- vester Henry, who, with his son, rebuilt on the old site extensive works, making it one of the largest and best establishments of the kind in the State. The tannery is rented for a term of years by C. C. Warren, who works it mostly by steam, and in the amount of tanning he is exceeded by few, and by none with the same number of hands employed, in the State of Vermont.

COLBYVILLE is in the same school dis- trict as MiHl Village, the school-house being midway between the two. This village is sufficiently elevated to give a fine surround- ing view, and is really a pleasant location. On the lower fall, Enoch Bean, near the beginning of the present century, put in operation a carding-machine, and a num- ber of years carded the wool for nearly all the people in this and the surrounding towns. About the same time, O. C. Rood put up here a potato whisky distillery, and run it as long as self interest or a true sense of moral propriety, in his judgment, rendered it advisable. In 1855, E. P. Butler and E. Parker purchased the place, and on the same falls erected a factory and commenced making starch from potatoes. On the upper falls Mr. Butler built a saw- mill, which to the present time has been in operation. Grow Butler, son of the owner, was drowned in the flume of the mill while helping his father in making some repairs, and George Rood, son of O. C. Rood, was instantly killed here by a log rolling on him when unloading a sled. After Butler and Parker discontinued mak- ing starch, the building was used by S. S. Spicer as a tannery, but only for a short time, as it was soon burned and tanning never resumed here. The village at this time has about a dozen dwelling-houses

and a few mechanics' shops. The beauti- ful mansion of George J. Colby, probably is the best arranged and most tasteful in finish of any one, outside of Montpelier, within in the county. But what gave name and prominence to the village was the manufacturing establishment of Colby Brothers and Co.

The business of the Colby Brothers, established in 1857, in its various branches embracing the growing and peeling of willows, and the manufacturing them into various useful wares ; the making of the machines for peeling, and also clothes wringers. Children's cabs, etc., in all the branches of their business, was a new enterprise for this part of the country, and is entitled to special notice, for its impor- tant effect on the prosperity of the place for several years. But for a material financial error involved in an expensive lawsuit, and the unequal railroad exactions for freight, this business might have continued to contribute to the prosperity and welfare of the town.

Colby Brothers & Co., manufacturers of children's carriages, velocipedes and Colby's patent wringers, afford an example of what may be done by persistent effort and en- terprise, with little capital or encourage- ment.

In 1856, the older brothers, George J. and Edwin A. Colby, came from Bolton and purchased a shop and about 30 acres of land, on which 2 or 3 acres of willows had been planted by Dea. E. Parker, the former owner. The shop was furnished with machinery, and for a year or two the Colbys hired this. The senior brother was 23, and the other 21, and the only business with which they were familiar was farming. They peeled their first crop of willows in 1857, and at once began mak- ing custom work and machines invented by George for peeling willows. Next year they employed a first-class willow-worker, Mr. Laudt, who is now a stockholder with them, and began making willow cabs. At first they bought the wheels in Massachu- setts, but soon manufactured them them- selves.

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In 1860, through new partners, the cap- tal was increased to $11,000, and the firm became Howden, Colby & Co. The same year they began the manufacture of clothes wringers, also an invention of the senior brother. These are said to be the first made with frames of galvanized iron, and were almost the first to find extensive sale. In 1864, with additional partners, the cap- ital was increased to $28,000, and the name of the firm was Colby Bros. & Co. 1865, a joint stock company was formed, and the capital increased to $75,000, The firm have now (1871), a capital of $86,000, with 15 buildings, extending over 40,000 sq. ft. Besides, the Company have pur- chased and built some dozen houses for dwellings. Over $50,000 of the capital is employed in the cab manufacture, and about $30,000 in making wringers. About 50 hands are required on the cabs, which have a market value of nearly $100,000, and vary in price from $3 to $100. They go to all parts of this country and to foreign lands, and are not surpassed in beauty of finish and in durability.

FIRE DISTRICT.

In 1855, the selectmen, on application of the required number of freeholders, laid out a fire district of a square mile, comprising most of the River Village and a part of Mill Village; organized Aug. 14. Before this, there had been no systematic organization of a fire department in the place. The citizens had voluntarily asso- ciated, and by subscription purchased a medium sized engine and a limited supply of hose. This engine not being sufficient, directly after the great fire of 1858, the district voted a tax of 100 per cent. on their grand list, and purchased, at the cost of $1500, exclusive of hose, a second and larger one. The district has 2 engines, about 1000 feet of hose, and a fire compa- ny of 50 men, and the old engine.house being too small, was disposed of and a new one built the past year, [1871] 60 by 40 feet, two-story, with a hall in the upper story, 50 by 40 feet, for lectures, concerts and purposes not inconsistant to good morals. The building with the ground on which it stands, cost $3600.

FIRES.

The first building burned is believed to have been a tan-shop of Cephas Wells,. opposite Fireman's Hall. The school- house in the first school district was burned about 1810, and in 1816 the dwelling- house of I). C. Deming.

In the Spring of 1822, the large hotel of Amasa Pride, on the corner of Stowe and Main Street, where Col. Geo. Kennon, at an early day, commenced keeping tavern, was burned. It was a heavy loss to Mr. Pride, but he immediately rebuilt. Sayles Hawley and others succeeded as proprie- tors. It was kept as a public house until after the building of the railroad.

The tan works of M. and J. H. Lathrop, back of Luther Davis' house, were burned in 1834, never rebuilt; also in 1838, the woolen factory of Thompson and Seabury, in Mill Village, not rebuilt ; and none of the foregoing were insured. In 1840, or '41, the large store of J. B. Christy, and in 1856, that of J. G. Stimson, were burned, and both immediately rebuilt. Their losses were partly covered by insur- ance.

The largest and most destructive fire in town was that of Oct., 1858, at which time was burned the spacious hotel of E. and W. Moody, in one wing of which was the Bank of Waterbury; the stores of Wm. W. Wells, and that of D. M. Knights ; the large grocery establishment of I. C. and S. Brown; the stage barns and the livery stables of Bruce and Ladd; and some other less valuable buildings,- whole amount $30,000, but partially in- sured. The place has since been rebuilt, enlarged and improved.

D. Adams' foundry and the Railroad de- pot were burned a year or two since, and have been rebuilt, enlarged and greatly improved. There has also been some other fires in different parts of the town of a later date. Two or three old saw-mills, a few dwelling-houses and shops have been burned, but none of great value.

FATAL CASUALTIES

have been numerous. In 1788, James

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Marsh, the first settler, was drowned, as see before. In 1806, Seth Chandler was killed by the fall of a tree; later a son of Joel Rice by the kick of a horse ; the father of Mr. Rice several years previons had been killed in Claremont, N. H., un- der circumstances most heartrending. He went out to stir up his burning log-piles, where he was clearing land, and was caught between two logs that held him fast in the burning heap. He succeeded in alarming his wife, but she was unable to extricate him, and he perished in the flames before her eyes.

Lemuel Atherton was killed in moving a building not far from the time of Joel Rice.

In the summer of 1822 Henry Ricker, a young man, was drowned while bathing in the river.

In 1837. George Rood was killed by a log rolling on him while unloading a sled in the mlH-yard of E. P. Butler.

Grow Butler was drowned about 1847. in the flume of this mill. Joseph Otis, a man over 70, was killed at Fall's hill a few years since by the upsetting of his wagon loaded with lumber. Ira and George Sherman, father and son, were both killed, but at different times, by railroad trains. W. S. Frink in 1865, was killed by fall of a tree.

Over thirty years ago, the two only children of the late Deacon U. Thomas were killed, one by the kick of a horse, and the other by scalding. Three, all the sons of R. Thorndike, George, the oldest. in the spring of 1868, by fracture of skull while coasting ; William and Henry, the other two, both drowned in the spring of 1871, by upsetting a boat. Other acci- dental deaths have occurred, mostly of children, and so remote as to be indis- tinctly remembered., A child of Col. H. Peck drowned many years since. A little boy of H. Sherman was scalded, and one of A. Atkins killed by the kick of a horse. Several men and boys not named, also, have been killed by railroad trains, nearly all the employes of the road.

FIRST APPENDIX.

WATERBURY, Vt., March 4, 1867.

Rev. C. C. PARKER, Dear Sir :- We, the undersigned, Citizens of Waterbury, interested in preserving everything that will throw light upon the early History of our Forefathers-everything that will tend to perpetuate the Memories of those Heroic Men-having heard your very able dis- course on the Early History of this Town, and wishing to preserve it, for while it res- cues from oblivion the works of others, at the same time it shall stand a memento to remind us of your own long and successful labors among us, do hereby request you to prepare it for publication.

11. F. Janes, M. E. Smilie, Paul Dilling- ham, Erastus Parker, C. N. Arms, E. F. Palmer, William Carpenter, Russell But- ler, L .. Hutchins, Cecil Graves, Francis Graves, O. W. Drew.

WATERBURY, March 5. 1867.

GENTLEMEN :- The Discourse on the Early History of Waterbury, which you ask for publication, will be put at your dis- posal. If it shall save from oblivion any important name or event, the main purpose of its preparation will have been answered. It will be an additional gratification, that thus my name will be associated with yours and with the place where so many of the pleasantest years of my life have been spent.

With sincerest regards, I am Most truly yours, C. C. PARKER. Messrs. Janes, Hutchins. Drew, Carpen- ter, Parker, Dillingham, Arms, Smilie, Palmer, C. Graves, F. Graves, and R. Butler.

NOTE .- The publication of this discourse has been delayed by the author's change of residence and occupation, leaving no time for its revision, till recently ; and by the introduction of new matter, which had to be submitted to his approval by corres- pondence.

(1) The once famous Capt. Joe and his spouse Molly, two Indians of the Coossuck tribe, and of whom Thompson, in his "Civil History of Vt." gives an interesting account, once made a visit or stop of some weeks in this town. This was probably in 1787 or 8, and the place very near where T. Wade now lives. Only two, and those very rude habitations of civilization, ex- isted in town at that period. Joe and Molly called several times, at the cabin of Mr. Butler, for cooking utensils and for some kinds of food, for which they ex-

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pressed their gratitude. Joe died in New- bury, Vt., in 1819, after having been some years a pensioner of the State.

(2) The fact of tapped maple trees, be- ing found on this hill, is supposed to be the only evidence of Indians having camped here. The trees were not tapped at the season of the year the Royalton raid oc- curred, which was in October. If the trees were tapped by Indians, it was doubtless at some other, and probably earlier period.

(3) This statement is probably accord- ing to the family tradition, but is believed to be incorrect, as Mr. Marsh, a son of the pioneer, some 20 years ago asserted a claim to a large part of this village, found- ed on this alleged right of his father. But after examination of the records by the lawyers, the claim was abandoned, though at first it caused quite a sensation among the citizens.

(4) The Councilors being elected by general ticket, and the votes for Council- ors being counted by committee of the General Assembly, Mr. B. might have acted in the Assembly till the official an- nouncement of his election to the Council -probably not after.

(5) Mr. Sherman was not only one of the worthy pioneers, but was esteemed one of the most enterprising, public-spirited, substantial citizens. Having built a suit- able house, and for that time a large one, he opened it as a tavern, and kept it open to entertain travelers, many years. He died at a ripe old age, on the same farm which he took in the state of natural for- est, and left in a good state of improve- ment. By their kind and unwearied at- tentions to the sick and the needy, Mr. and Mrs. Sherman rendered inestimable services to their widely-dispersed neigh- bors. Long may they be held in grateful remembrance.

(6) Mr. J. Wright, a brother-in-law of Mr. Sherman, another of the pioneers coming into Waterbury the same year, was one of those sturdy, resolute men of whom not a few followed in the early years of our town. - He also was a man of con- siderable note in his time ; lived to an ad- vanced age, and died where he first settled some half century prior. Mr. Sherman and Mr. Wright were the fourth and fifth in the order of time, to seek their fortune and homes for life, in this particular and delightfui vale of the Winooski.

(7) Gen. Peck came from Calais, after a short residence there, to Waterbury, but was a native of Massachusetts. His intel- ligence and good common sense, and his

social, genial and dignified manner, soon secured him the esteem of all, as a man the people would honor. Many of the offices of the town were conferred on him. He was twice elected its representa- tive. In 1818, he was elected chief judge of the County court. He was high sheriff several years. In 1818, his name was placed on the general ticket for members of Congress, nominated by the legislative caucus, but, through the powerful but per- sonal opposition of Mr. Van Ness, who supported Ezra Meach, Gen. Peck was de- feated. He held the office of assessor of U. S. taxes, an appointment by the U. S. government. As Brig. Gen. of Vt. Mili- tia, he was with his command at the battle of Plattsburgh, Sept. 11, 1814.

He was elected to the State Council in 1826, served through the session of that year, and died December following, aged 55, at Burlington, Mass. Having been to Boston on business, and returning home he was suddenly prostrated by sickness and died before any of his family could see and minister to him. His funeral was at- tended in Waterbury by a large concourse of people, anxious to testify their respect to the remains of him whom they had honored while living.

(8) Dea. Paul Dillingham, a native of Worcester Co., Mass., born Oct., 1759, served 33 years in the war of the Revolu- tion, afterwards settled and lived in Shutes- bury, Mass., from which town he came to Waterbury, arriving Mar. 5, 1805, and set- tled a little north-east the Center Village. He continued on the same farm to the time of his death, July, 1848, at the age of nearly 80 years. Dea. D. reared a large family of children, of whom 8 were living when he moved into W. Three sons, Gov. Dillingham, (then in his 6th year,) Holton and Geo. W., are now living. Job, an elder brother, a highly esteemed citizen, and long an exemplary member of the church of which his father was a worthy deacon, and of which his brother George was also deacon at a later period, died Nov., 1866, aged 81 years.

(9) Mr. James Bryant commenced on the farm now owned by Lewis Clark, north-east the Centre Chapel, in 1793 ; Ste- phen Jones settling 3 or 4 years later on a lot next north of his. Mr. Geo. Scagel began in 1794, where Noah Robinson re- sides, and lived there to the time of his death at an advanced age. Capt. Jones also lived to an advanced age. Both these last named were many years influential members of the Methodist church and well known citizens. Mr. Bryant died many years previous.

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Joshua Hill, one of the first to settle in town, began on that place long known by his name, probably in 1791 ; lived there more than 30 years, but moved to another part of the town some years before his death, at a rare old age. Mr. Basford was probably the first to settle on Waterbury river, in that beautiful vale above the mills. He was succeeded by Mr. Calkins, the father of a large family, the most of his children being sons, several of whom built tenements around the mills which were originally built by one of them, Rev. Chas. Calkins. These mills were built about 45 years ago, or about 30 years subsequent to the first saw and grist-mill on Thatcher's brook, (the name by which this stream was known as early as 1795.) on which Mill Village now stands.

About 1802 or 1803, Timothy Claflin, from Croyden, N. H., moved on to the farm north of the Loomis farm, now owned by Geo. Miles. About 1805 or 6, Abel De- Wolf, from Conway, Mass., moved on to the farm now owned by Daniel Stevens. In 1807 or 8, Capt. John DeWolf moved on to farm now owned by Alfred Demerit, built a log-house and a very nice framed barn, which is now standing. Daniel H. Nelson made a beginning on the north lot in Waterbury, in 1798. Simeon Woolson commenced on the farm now owned by C. S. Wrisley, next south of the Loomis farm, about 1798. Stanton Frink com- menced on the farm where his daughter. Mrs. Smith, now lives, about 1798. David Atkins commenced on the farm now owned in part by Wm. Kneeland, in 1796. Israel Thatcher commenced on the Godfrey place, so called, about the year 1808, and removed to western New York about 1812. There had been a small improvement on the Broderick farm previous to 1808, when Robert Broderiek moved there and lived there till Aug., 1866, when he died. Sol- omon Newcomb moved on to the farm now owned by Joseph Wheeler, Feb., 1809, and lived there till his death in 1845 ; there were no buildings of any kind on the farm nor any land cleared. Otis Whitney commenced on the Colby place, so called, in 1807 or 8. Robert Parcher commenced on the farm now owned by C. C. Robinson, the first in that region.

(10) The following, mainly copied from attested records, will give the reader a satisfactory understanding of the public proceedings leading to the building of the first meeting-house in Waterbury.

A form of agreement for a building as- sociation was drafted by H. F. Janes, Esq., and was signed by 38 substantial citizens-among them were men of various creeds. As the result of this association

was important, marking an era in the history of the town, a copy of this agree- ment and the signatures is given as follows :

"We, the subscribers, inhabitants of Waterbury and vicinity, do hereby volun- tarily associate and agree to form a society by the name of Waterbury Meeting House Society, in Waterbury, for the purpose of building a Meeting House in said town of W., according to the first section of an Act entitled an Act for the support of the Gospel, passed Oct. 26, 1798. And it is hereby expressly understood that no tax or assessment is to be imposed on the list of the polls and ratable estate of the per- sons hereby associating, nor any member of said Society be compelled to pay any more towards the building of said Meeting House than he voluntarily consents to.

In Witness whereof we have hereunto severally set our names.

Dated Waterbury, this 4th day of April, A. D., 1823.

Stiles Sherman. Enoch Bean, Amos Deming, Roswell Wells, Heman Sherman, Sylvester Henry, James Smalley, Henry F. Janes, Samuel Dutton, Amasa Pride, Samuel Parcher, Horace Atkins, William Eddy, Mason Carpenter, Samuel Bryant, Purchis Brown, Nathan T. Barron, I.e- ander Hutchins, David Dutton, Ezra P. Butler, Oliver Strickland, Chas, R. Cleaves, George Atkins, Asa Austin, O. W. Drew, Henry Atkins, Cephas Wells, Jotham Robbins, Avery Sherman, Jesse Calkins, Jason Cady, Jr., Dan Carpenter, O. C. Rood, Warren Murray, James Richardson, Jared George, Sales Hawley, Seth Munson.

WATERBURY, May 5, 1823.

Waterbury Meeting House Society met, agreeable to previous notice, at the School House in the first School District in Waterbury, and proceeded to choose Dan Carpenter, moderator ; Henry F. Janes, clerk ; and P. Dillingham. Jr., clerk pro tem.

On motion, Henry F. Janes and O. W. Drew were appointed a committee to re- port By-Laws for the Society by the next meeting of the same.

On motion, Resolved that a Committee of five be appointed to examine the places in contemplation for setting the Meeting House, the sum for which the land can be obtained, to make a plan of a house, the probable expense of building the same and the terms and manner of payment, and make report to this Society at their next meeting.

And on nomination, Amasa Pride, Syl- vester Henry, Horace Atkins, Roswell Wells and Dan Carpenter were appointed a Committee for the purpose aforesaid. When on motion voted that this meeting

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stand adjourned to Thursday, the 15th day of instant May, at this place on 6 o'clock P. M. A true record of the pro- ceedings. Attest,

H. F. JANES, Clerk.

At the next meeting of the Society, the Committee reported By-Laws, after des- ignating the name of the Society, the Offi- cers and their duties. Article 6th reads as follows :

The First Congregational Society in the town of Waterbury shall have the right to the use and occupancy of the Meeting House when built, in all cases when want- ed by said Society for religious meetings. But when not wanted by said Society for the purpose aforesaid, any other Christian Denomination shall have right to occupy said house for social worship, by making application to some person to be appoint- ed by the Society for that purpose, in said Waterbury, and when more than one de- nomination shall apply for the use of said house at the same time, the first applying shall have the first right.

Article 7th. The Meeting House shall be opened for Funerals at all times, both on the Sabbath and other days, and the friends of the deceased shall have liberty to invite a minister of any denomination to attend and preach on such funeral oc- casion as they may think proper. These articles were adopted.

At this meeting, held May 15, 1823, the plan of the house reported by the Committee was adopted; also the loca- tion, though that was afterwards changed by general consent.

The terms of payment for pews were also adopted at this meeting, and a vote passed to proceed immediately to the sale, by bidding for choice of pews, the appraised price having been previously affixed to each one on the plan. The names of purchasers were then written on each as sold. At the next meeting of the Society, held June 3d. 1823, Roswell Wells was chosen Treasurer. Voted to choose a committee of three to superintend the building : Amasa Pride, Roswell Wells and Dan Carpenter were chosen said committee. The sale of pews was then proceeded with in the same manner as at the previous meeting. There was another meeting for the sale of pews, June 17, 1823.

After these several sales, five or six pews remained unsold, the appraised value of which amounted to between $280 and $290. These pews the committee took at their appraisal, in addition to those they had individually bought. Mr. Pride deed- ed the land for site in consideration of $150. He also deeded a piece of land

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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 134

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