The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 136

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 136

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Anti-masonry, as known in this century and in this country, originated in Western New York, in the autumn of 1826. It was currently reported in the summer of that year, that William Morgan of Batavia, a brick-layer and stone mason, In conjune- tion with David C. Miller, a printer of the same place, was about to publish a book disclosing the secrets of the Masonic Or- der. It was well known that Morgan was a Mason. These reports caused an imme- diate excitement among the Masons, and an effort was made to suppress the book, first by an unsuccessful attempt to obtain the manuscript. Following this, the print- ing office took fire in a way indicating the work of an incendiary. Miller was arrested Sept. 12, on a warrant issued by a justice in Le Roy ; and on the night of the same day, after 9 o'clock, Morgan disappeared. He has not been seen by family or friends since. Many circumstances of his abduc- tion, and the route over which he was taken, have been proved in courts of jus- tice, but with no positive evidence of his final disposal. The general belief is that no mortal man has seen him alive since the night of Sept. 19, 1826.

When the fact and these circumstances of his abduction became known, the excite-

ment was intense. As there had long been among the uninitiated a sort of mysterious awe of the Order numbering in its ranks so many eminent men, these startling devel- opments, following in close succession, tended still further to increase the mystery. The governor of New York, if not the offi- cial head, was of high rank in the Order : and as the investigation proceeded, it was found that most of the important offices of counties and towns were filled by masons. Judges, sheriff's and justices of peace had in a manner control of courts. These dis- closures intensified the excitement where it began, and extended it far and wide in other states.

The extent and power of the Anti-Ma- sonic party can hardly be realized by those who have not seen the public mind arous- ed upon a subject affecting the vital inter- ests of the people.

We have given this summary sketch of the formation of the Anti-Masonic party, avoiding all particulars not essential for an understanding of the public mind. There were suspicions and even charges that the secrets of the order interfered with the purposes of justice. If this were true, the remedy lay in selecting others than Masons to make and administer the laws.

We may presume this to be the funda- mental idea of political Anti-Masonry.

If the exclusion of Masons from office were necessary to secure justice in what was known as the Morgan trials, it was thought that similar cases might exist out- side of the "infected district" of New York. This principle of excluding Ma- sons from office was naturally denounced as illiberal and proscriptive ; but Anti- Masons met this charge with the state- ment that all parties are in their nature proscriptive. They became powerful in many States, and in our own State and town were dominant for several years. The reader is referred to the history of several northern States from 1828 to 1835 ; to legislation upon extra judicial oaths ; and the action of various Masonic bodies ; for the action of the order in this county, to the recent history of Montpelier.

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Comparing it with the present condition of masonry, he will wonder at its recuper- ative power, and find the event worthy his study.

MILLERISM.

About 1839, William Miller, the great preacher of the Second Coming of Christ, delivered a course of lectures in Water- bury. From diligent study of the Scrip- tures, particularly of Daniel and the Revelations, he became convinced that Christ's second coming and the end of the world would occur in 1843.

Mr. Miller appeared to be a man of ex- tensive reading, at least in matters relating to his subject ; and his zeal and apparent candor gave weight to his arguments. The subject was not a new one to careful read- ers of the Bible ; but his presentation of it, with a definite time for its occurrence, was both new and startling. Multitudes flocked to hear him. The train of his reasoning was unusual, and few men were prepared to meet him on ground with which he was so familiar. [Ludlow his- tory has an interesting paper on two of its citizens who took up his challenge for pub- lic discussion and met him ; see hereafter in the Windsor County Vol .- ED.] Mr.

Miller's hearers were numbered by thou- sands, and he gained many followers. Though the great event predicted so con- fidently did not occur, his presentation of Adventism did not pass away without influ- ence upon the evangelical churches of that or the present day. Many good church members, shaken in their former faith and disappointed in their expectations, sought a substitute as best they might. Few, if any, lapsed into unbelief, though without doubt the religious views of many were greatly modified. To us, a history of Waterbury would seem incomplete without recognition of the Second Advent move- ment and its effect.

The preaching and publication of Mr. Miller's views had been so wide-spread, that large numbers of believers were look- ing for the great event. In Waterbury, scores watched and waited for the second coming of the Lord. We are not surprised at the excitement that attends the burning

of a vessel, a theatre, or a city ; yet many cannot realize how large numbers of peo- ple should be so intensely wrought upon by the expectation of an event of whose approach there were no visible signs. After the lapse of forty years, when nearly all of those who were so moved by Mr. Miller have passed away, many may won- der at the credulity of sensible and intelli- gent persons who accepted his interpreta- tion of prophecy. Itis, however, a matter of history.

LYCEUM AND LIBRARY.

The coming of the Colby family into town was an acquisition to society in other than business relations. The senior brother immediately became interested in planning a lyceum for the entertainment and culture of the young. He was seconded by the active labors of his mother, sister, and brothers. Their efforts resulted in large and enthusiastic gatherings, with many participants in the exercises which were so varied as to sustain a constant interest in their weekly meetings. There were occa- sional lectures from entertaining and com- petent speakers ; carefully prepared de- bates, declamations by the youngsters ; and most interesting of all, the papers which were supported by contributions from all, and read by ladies.

The lyceum became a complete success, and continued so several years. One or two seasons created such a furor scribendi, and such a demand for reading, that ar association was formed, and a selection o: books made by a competent committee About 500 vols. were purchased. At the end of 2 years, the lyceum celebrated its success by a public entertainment and pic nic on the banks of the Winooski, march ing to the ground in a grand procession with an array of banners, bearing the assumed names of the principal writers fo the paper. Among the exercises was the reading of one of Julia Wallace Hutchins poems by Rev. C. C. Parker, of blessed memory, not long since passed to his re ward of heavenly rest.

The library was increased to over 60 volumes, and for 10 or 12 years was highl: esteemed ; but after the novelty of the firs

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few years had worn away, the very inex- pensiveness of its advantages seemed to diminish its usefulness, since some esti- mate value only by cost. Yet even now after 25 years, there are several hundred of the books in the care of George W. Kennedy as assistant librarian. This. together with the Agricultural Library, aided by the town or public-spirited indi- viduals, might form the basis of a new one which would be of great value to the town.

This much for the lyceum and library of a quarter of a century ago. The writer feels that their influence on the intelligence and culture of our people should not be forgotten.

[JULIA WALLACE, author of " Earth's Angels," written some 25 or 30 years since, often reprinted, a favorite with the public, is a native of Duxbury, which adjoins Wa- terbury. The years of her childhood were spent at the paternal home, on an isolated mountain, afar from neighbors, very soli- itary.

Bred with the elements, in her first poe- try-for a Montpelier paper-she sings of sunset skies, "painted and gilded," " the broad arch where starry armies throng"- she tells us what she " loves "-

" The lightning's flash, Its dazzling chalu When the black thunder cloud Is rent In twalu ; The storm's dark drapery In sombre fold Glittering with sparkles of electric gold.

The vivid flash, the broad bright flash, I love Showlug the earth beneath, the heavens above, As If the flame-wluged messengers of power Glance ou their errands through the tempest-hour."

We heard her recite this old, old poem. We heard her describe this mountain home most graphically a few days since : " No Duxbury house in sight, but over the river, Waterbury village beyond. that looked like a Paradise ; Governor Butler's house and farms ; Governor Dillingham's residence ; the beautiful cemetery : all dis- tinctly seen from our little house on the Duxbury mountain. You must have my " Earth's Angels " for Duxbury,-that be- longs to Duxbury, which has her history, -though no one has yet arisen to write it ; but there will."

By our author's rule, " Athenwood" be-

longs to Waterbury. It was written here, read at that old Lyceum so pleasantly de- scribed by our venerable historian, Mr. Butler, and we think we must break in on his pages and lay it here at the foot of the old " Lyceum and Library."]

ATHENWOOD.

A LEGEND OF ST. MINNIE.

Were you ever In Moutpeller? Not that Que old town of France, But a fair Green Mouutalu village, Young for legend or romance.

Brave and hardy are the people Of our Northeru State froutler:

So affirmed a bold Invader .. Aud the knowledge cost hlm dear.

Fırın In Dorle strength and beauty Stands their Capitol; Its dome Looking down upon a river Somethlug like the stream of Rome.

Winding through the verdant valley, Like a shaken allver chalu, Flows the mountalu-born Winooskl To the beautiful Champlain.

But we follow not lls current, For the theme will bhdf us stay 'Mong the hills that nurse lls torrent, Near the Capitol, to-day.

Just across the sparkling river, Where you hill-road wluds away, Lightly Ins the graceful chin-tree Many a slender, waving spray.

Where the tiny song-birds rally. Chirplug from thelr leafy screen, And the mountain breezes dally, Coming down a bright ravine.

There, above the village murmur. And the din of ulll aud forge, Stands an artist's quiet dwelling, In the green and narrow gorge.

Ou a sultry day of summer Sank beneath the wayside tree. One who sighed, In foreign accent, " Mary Mother. plty me!"

'Twas a sad and weary woman, With a child of tender years; Ou her feet the soll of travel, On her face the stalu of tears.

Surely she can toll no farther 'Neath the bright, unpit! Ing sky; But for that sweet, patlent Infant, It were well that she should dle!

Hers had been a happy bridal In a distant father-land ; Hers a husband, brave and noble, Firm, yet gentle, hopeful bland.

Tyranny proclalmed lılm rebel, For a patriot heart had he; They, In want, had fled from perl !- He was buried In the sea.

· Sir John Burgoyne.

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In her land of cross and convent, Sweet Madonna, pale and fair, Shrine of saint or tomb of martyr, Wins the stricken soul to prayer.

Now she scans that peaceful cottage- Gray its walls and sloping eaves -- Lifting up its modest gables, Carved in pendant oaken leaves;

Rustic porch, with open portal, Arclied windows, diamond pane- Sure it bore no slight resemblance To some humble rural fane.

Was it not a wayside chapel, Built in form of holy cross ? Was it hermitage? or dwelling? Long she mused, and much at loss,

Till an organ-tone came swelling On the silent summer air ; Quick she mounts the rocky terrace, Lifts her child from stair to stair.

In the softly shaded parlor Minnie had sat down to play Hopeful hymns that cheered her husband -- These should while the hours away.

On she played and sang, unheeding Her who on tlie threshold stood, Dreaming of an old cathedral Far beyond the ocean-flood.

Through the curtain came the sunlight With a crimson-tinted ray; So it fell, from storied window, Where in youth she kneeled to pray.

Near her stood a slender table, Fair the Parian vase upon't, Quaintly carved from antique sculpture- Was it not a marble font ?

On the walls hung glowing pictures- " Autumn scenery," richly wrought, Graceful forms and gentle features- Not the haloed head she sought.

When the soaring anthem ended, Timidly she moved to say, "Lady, please, is it a chapel ? I have need to rest and pray."

Oh, not utterly mistaken Was that simple, fervent heart; Less than only Heaven's own altar Is the shrine of Love and Art.

Minnie placed a couch with pillows, Offering rest and sweet relief; Spoke as woman speaks to woman In her trial-hour of grief.

Bringing food, tlie cup of water, Covering for the sunburned child, Laughed the winsome little creature- Sweet the wayworn pilgrim smiled.

"Now my weary heart is lighter; Mary Mother heard my plaint- If I found no priestly altar, Surely I've not missed a saint."

BIOGRAPHICAL LETTER FROM A. G. PEASE.

Born at Canaan, Conn., February, 1811; the family moved to Charlotte, Vt. Nov., 1826: My father, Salmon Pease, was born at Norfolk, Conn., June 14, 1783. My mother, Matilda Huntington, was born at Ashford, Conn., Dec. 30, 1780 ; there were 9 sons and one daughter, four of the sons and the daughter still living. I graduated at the University of Vermont in 1837 ; at Andover, 1841 ; ordained and settled at Pittsford, Junc, 1842; married to Anne Page, daughter of Dea. William Page of Rutland, Oct. 18, 1842; went to Water- bury, July, 1847 ; installed 1849; went to Norwich, July, 1853; installed January, 1855 ; I supplied at Poultney and Royal- ton, from October, 1845, when I left Pitts- ford, until going to Waterbury. After leaving Waterbury, I preached 3 months by invitation in the first Congregational church in Quincy, Ill.

My health failed the summer of 1855, and I have had no charge since. We have had 5 daughters, of whom 3 are living, and 3 sons, all living.

Rutland, Sept. 17, 1876.

BIOGRAPHICAL LETTER FROM REV. CHAS CARROLL PARKER.

Was born in Underhill, Sept. 26, 1814 son of Edmond (b. in Richmond, N. H.) son of Reuben, son of Benjamin, son o John, son of John, son of Dea. Thoma: Parker, who settled in Reading, Mass. about 1635, where the four preceding wer born; name of mother, Hepzibah Curtis daughter of John Curtis, of Dudley, Mass. lived with father until nearly twenty-one working on his and neighboring farms went to school 3 months in summer fror five to nine, and 3 months in winter, fror seven to eighteen ; began to teach schod at nineteen, and taught the 8 following wir ters ; fitted for college at Jericho Academy

Bradford Academy, and under the privat instruction of Rev. Samuel Kingsbury then acting pastor of the Congregation: church in Underhill; entered college i 1837 ; graduated Aug. 4, 1841, with r. pecuniary help from first to last ; was prin cipal of the boys' high school in Burlingto

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2 years after graduating ; united with Con- gregational church, Burlington, Jan. 1, 1843; entered Union Theological Sem- inary, N. Y., fall of 1843, and remained I year ; was again principal of boys' high school until fall of 1845 ; was then agent of the University in raising the $50,000 fund until the spring of 1847 ; resumed study of theology in Burlington, and was licensed to preach the Gospel by Winooski Asso- ciation at Williston, Oct. 11, 1847 ; preach- ed my first sermon in native parish at Underhill, first Sabbath in November fol- lowing ; began to preach in Tinmouth in January, 1848 ; was ordained, and in- stalled pastor of that church October 4th, following.

In the spring of 1853. I received an in- vitation to preach in Waterbury ; was dis- missed from the church in Tinmouth, May 18, 1853; was installed pastor of Congre- gational church in Waterbury, June 7. 1854. In June, 1863, 1 was elected Cor- responding Secretary of Vermont Domestic Missionary Society, but the Council de- clined to advise my dismissal that I might accept the office. In the fall of 1866, was elected principal of the Ladies' Seminary in Gorham, Me., and was dismissed by Council, Jan. 16, 1867, and accepted the position at Gorham.

In June, 1868, I resigned the place in the seminary, and accepted a call to the pastorate of a Congregational church in Gorham, and was installed Aug. 19, 1868; resigned the pastorate in Gorham, July, 1871, and was dismissed Sept. 22. In Nov. 1871, I received a call to the pastor- ate of the Congregational church in Orient, L. I .; also to that of the Presbyterian church in Passippamy. N. J., and accepted the latter ; was installed by Presbytery of Morris and Orange, Mar. 27, 1872, in which office I still remain (1876).

Was married Nov. 28, 1844, to Eliz- abeth McNiel Fleming, of Burlington, and have one son and three daughters. My pastoral and ministerial relations have been very pleasant and so remain. I have been a corporator of the University of Vermont since 1862.

REV. JONATHAN COPELAND,

was born in Smithville, Chenango Co., N. Y., Feb. 20, 1816; the eldest of 9 chil- dren, 4 sons and 5 daughters. His father, David Copeland, was a native of Brooklyn, Conn .; his mother, Martha Shepard, of Pittsfield, Mass. After their marriage, they remained some time in Smithville, then returned to Brooklyn, and soon after- wards became residents of Norwich, Conn., where they lived until 1825, when they re- moved to Rochester, where they are still living, at a very advanced age. The fath- er, a mason by trade, his family dependent upon his daily toil, was able to give his children but a limited common school edu- cation, and the sons were set at work with their father as soon as they were able to use the tools.

Jonathan was converted in his 18th year. and united with the church with which his parents were connected, the Presbyterian, and soon after was impressed to become a minister of the gospel. His father, una- ble to help him to an education, did not encourage it, but his pastor did, and he laid down his tools to study, resuming them at vacations ; and by his trade, teaching school some, and by his musical talent, carried himself through preparation for college, (Union college,) which he en- tered in 1837, and to the close of his last year in the Theological Seminary, which he entered 3 months before graduating at college. At the end of 2 years in the Seminary, he was licensed to preach by the Cayuga Presbytery, and called to the Presbyterian church in Holley, Orleans Co., N. Y., where he preached his first sermon May 14, 1843, and was installed in November. This large and flourishing field he held 153 years, when against the wishes of his people, he was dismissed to take charge of the Presbyterian church of Champlain, N. Y., where he was installed Feb., 1859; dismissed Oct., 1866, re- mained another year. The year previous, 107 new members were added to this church, and this last year there were fre- quent additions.

In Oct., 1867, he accepted a call from the Congregational church of Waterbury,

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and soon afterwards removed here. He was twice solicited to be installed pastor, but declined from personal preferences. Though coming from the Presbyterians, among whom he was converted, educated, licensed and installed, and with whom he had labored for more than 20 years, he very readily conformed to Congregational usages, found a pleasant home, cordial re- lations with the ministers and churches, and ever labored harmoniously and heart- ily with them ; and had Providence so or- dered, would have spent his remaining days happily in that connection. While in Waterbury, a parsonage was purchased by the society, the house of worship twice improved and beautified, and the commu- nicants increased ; the number being larg- er, notwithstanding numerous removals, at the close than at the beginning of his labors with the church. He at present re- sides in Rochester, N. Y., and is regularly employed in preaching in that vicinity.

He was married Jan. 30, 1844, to Kezia, daughter of John and Kezia Clark, of Nis- kayuna, Schenectady Co., N. Y. They have had three sons, Clark, Edward and William, all now in business, and four daughters, three now living, and their children are all members of the church.

CALKINS FAMILY.

John P. Calkins, of New London, Conn., moved to Canaan, N. H .; and from there came to Waterbury, and settled on the River about 1796. He had 8 sons and 3 daughters. The facts in this notice the writer has from a descendant, who with nearly all of the Calkins name, went to the older Western states, where several have won distinction in educational, profession- al, and business positions.

Sarah, eldest daughter of the family, married Rev. Thomas Kennan.

Hubbard, the eldest son, died in Ohio, about 40 years ago.

Harris, second son, settled in Waterbu- ry, where he died, leaving two sons and a daughter. The younger son, Dr. Calkins of Boston, and the daughter are living.

Clarissa died in Ohio, at the age of 89.

Charles, born in New London, had 6 children, 5 of whom were living in 1879.

It is from the oldest son that we have the principal facts relating to the family. His father was briefly noticed in Mr. Park- er's Early History, as supplying the pulpit of the first meeting-house in Waterbury several months after its dedication, and previous to the coming of Rev. Dr. War- ren.

Mr. Calkins died near Cleveland, Ohio, in 1877, aged 94; Mrs. Calkins, who be- longed to the New Hampshire family of Gilmans, a few years before her husband, at the age of 86. Charles G. Calkins, the eldest son, has given many interesting details of his own family and that of his sister Eliza, Mrs. Winchester of Detroit, who has 9 grown-up children living. Of his own family, one son has served as an officer in U. S. Navy, another as editor of a daily paper in Covington, Ky. George, the son next younger than Charles , living in 1879, in Elyria, Ohio, blind and deaf, has a son who is a wealthy resident of Cincinnati.

William was a teacher in Waterbury, and we think in Burlington, about 25 years ago. The writer remembers him well. A son of his has long been a prominent citi- zen of Ticonderoga, N. Y .; another son is a successful lumber merchant.

Charles Gilman Calkins, son of Rev. Charles Calkins, after giving brief notices of each of his father's brothers and sisters (as above related) so far as known to him at the time of his writing, April, 1879, concludes his account, thus : " So there are living, George, aged 92, Jesse 84, and Jedediah 82, and his wife; and but few years ago, Clarisa died aged 89, Charles 94, and my mother 86. Six in all hac lived many more years together, or not far separated than is usual in families. In deed, I have been disposed sometimes to prepare a sketch styling them the Centen nial family. The descendants are nume rous and far scattered, and I know but fev of them recently. They are mainly out side of Congress and of the State prison The name is becoming numerous and fa spread. They all so far as I can lear have many of the traits of our family. C personal resemblances there have bee

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several striking instances. Longevity, large families, muscular vigor, while there has been a large tendency to clerical and professional occupations."

KENNAN FAMILY.

Among the early settlers we must not omit to notice was the family of George Kennan, whose name appears as one of the town officers as early as 1794, when he served as moderator and selectman, and again in 1797 and 1804. and was justice of the peace many years. His son George was constable in 1802 ; and selectman in 1809.

Thomas, another son, assisted in the organization of the first Congregational church as clerk of the meeting ; afterwards became a minister of that denomination. He married Sarah, eldest daughter of John P. Calkins.

Another son of this family was Jairus, who fell an early victim to his love of knowledge a few years after his graduation in 1804. as a member of the first class of the University of Vermont. At the semi- centennial anniversary of the University in 1854, the late Charles Adams, Esq., of Burlington, paid the following tribute to his memory, in response to the sentiment, " The First Graduating Class of 50 years ago": " There were four of us who grad- uated fifty years ago. Three are present on this occasion. The joy of our meeting is chastened by the reflection that our other classmate, Jairus Kennan, is no more. He was feeble while in college, and having long struggled with disease, has gone, as we trust, to a higher and a better world. Jairus Kennan was not an ordinary man. He loved knowledge, and nothing could repress his ardor in the pursuit. His in- tellectual powers were of a high order, and he cultivated them with untiring devotion. He was distinguished for warmth of feel- ing and kindness of manner, and had he lived, would have taken high rank as a philanthropist. Poor in purse and poorer in health, he was above adverse circum- stances, and alone and unaided pursued a quiet course to the highest development of mind and heart. He was a bright exam- ple of what energy and ambition may accomplish."

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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 136

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