The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 144

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 144

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Tere was Me to pro King do King on gress. . and his b t of gett ot grew had got & his wife with the high to M road. S And wrapped ong off hi and wra a sleigh r night an ro'sabout wasted ; ar situation. Oliver Wa Mr. Bro er turned ou te, put a b ded to brea oked, and th boy and he uf daylight. se in sight of . Upton sitt left her the ver but receit

parels pas travel bei od wife a are, nea fresh the out the Kuld prol i started lad was bare som

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; log tavern until 1824 or 25, when he It a large two-story house, the one now nding, for a tavern.

n February, 1817, Benjamin Upton and e of Bakersfield, came to visit Mr. own's family, Mrs. U. being Mr. B.'s er. It was an almost unbroken forest ween Elmore and Worcester, the road ely passable with teams; most of the vel being on horseback. Mr. Upton 1 wife arrived at Mr. Olmstead's in El- re, near noon, where they stopped to resh themselves and horse, and inquire out the road. They were told that they ild probably go through without trouble, d started about 3 o'clock, P. M. The d was quite good for a mile or two, ere some of the inhabitants had been wing wood, but they soon came where re was no track, and it became impos- le to proceed except by Mr. Upton's ding down the snow ahead, and then ding on the horse, making very slow gress. As night approached, Mr. Up- and his horse became weary ; the pros- 't of getting through the woods that ht grew less and less. They thought y had got about half way. Mr. Upton l his wife he saw no way but to leave with the team, while he would go ough to Mr. Brown's for help to break road. She consented, and her hus- d wrapped her up as well as he could, ng off his overcoat and putting it on , and wrapping a bed-quilt they had a sleigh robe about her, he bade her d night and started. He reached Mr. wn's about midnight, almost completely austed ; aroused them, and made known situation. Mr. Brown, his two boys, Oliver Watson, who soon after mar- Mr. Brown's daughter, started out. y turned out the oxen and some young e, put a boy on the horse, and pro- led to break a path, driving the oxen oked, and the young cattle before them, boy and horse bringing up the rear. ut daylight, Mr. Brown, who was ahead, e in sight of the horse and sleigh with . Upton sitting upright as Mr. Upton left her the night before. He spoke er but received no answer ; again, no

response ; becoming alarmed, went up close to the sleigh, and put his hand on her shoulder, calling her by name. This started her up. She was asleep; she was told help was at hand. She had slept most of the night. Finding they were only a little way in the woods, they took the team back to Mr. Olmstead's, so Mr. Brown and Mrs. Upton returned there, she stay- ing until the next day, the interval being spent by Mr. Brown's folks in breaking out the road. Early next morning, Mr. B. and his sister again started from Elmore, and about 3 o'clock P. M., arrived at Mr. Brown's house, finding Mr. Upton recov- ered from his exhaustion and glad to receive his wife safe again. They doubtless re- membered their visit that winter to Wor- cester as long as they lived.

Mr. Brown and wife both died compara- tively young, on the same place on which they first settled. She died March 6, 1826, aged 54 years, and he June 1, 1827, aged 57.

FRANKLIN JOHNSON,

born in Leominster, Mass., 1797, came from there Apr., 1820, in company with Capt. Artemus Richardson and Amos Mer- riam ; and the three together purchased the 300 acre lot, No. 31, situated on the south end of Hampshire hill, and reaching Minister brook. They divided the right, Mr. Merriam taking the north, known afterwards as the "Adams farm," Mr. Richardson the middle lot, known as the Farris Leonard farm, and Mr. Johnson the south lot, where he continued to reside until his death. That spring, they each chopped 5 acres on his lot. In June, Mr. Richardson and Mr. Merriam returned to Massachusetts, and left Mr. Johnson to see to the land. He stayed through the sum- mer, and burned the choppings on all three places ; then worked at clearing his own, and building him a log shanty. Just be- fore "Thanksgiving," he returned to Mas- sachusetts and spent the winter. In April, 1821, he came back to Worcester. Mr. J. started Fast day, and arrived in W. Fast day also, being just one week on the road. When he left Leominster, the farmers were plowing and sowing their fields ; when he

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arrived in Worcester, the snow was 4 feet deep. As soon as the snow was gone, he commenced work on his land, and also built him a larger log-house. Mr. Rich- ardson came back soon after Mr. Johnson, bringing his wife with him, but Mr. Mer- riam did not return, having sold his land to Ebenezer S. Kellogg of Brookfield. Mr. Johnson said, when building his house that summer, he got in a great hurry to complete it, and when shingling thought he would not stop for Sunday, as there were no neighbors near enough to be dis- turbed. In the morning, he went to work, and laid 10 or 12 shingles, but said " such echoes as the hammer awoke I never heard. It seemed as if the sound must be heard all over town; and I concluded to wait until Monday before I shingled any more." During this summer, Mr. Kellogg worked on his land, and as his family were in Brookfield, he stayed with Mr. Johnson. Mr. J. was courting Pamelia Brown, and would sometimes be gone evenings, leav- ing Mr. K. to keep house alone, and he being naturally timid, did not like this ar- rangement. One Sunday night, Mr. John- son went to Mr. Brown's, leaving Mr. Kel- logg alone. About 10 o'clock, Johnson hearing a loud hallooing in the woods, went out to see what was the matter. Mr. K. soon emerged above the house, swing- ing a fire brand. He had heard a bear about the shanty, and was not going to stay there alone. Mr. Johnson said when he first came to Worcester, the trout were so plenty he could catch enough in the brook in ten minutes any day to make a good meal. He cleared up his land, made improvements in building, raised up his family, and ended his days there. He married Pamelia Brown, Sept. 8, 1822, who died Jan. 23, 1834; and he married 2d, Jan. 4, 1835, Olive Brown, a sister of his first wife, who is still living on the same farm. Mr. Johnson united with the Con- gregational church in 1826. He bore his share in the toils of the new settlement, and in the town business ; was a good neighbor and citizen, and died respected by his townsmen, Dec. 8, 1868, aged 71 years.

ORAMEL L. SMITH,

a brother of Col. Harvey Smith of Thet- ford, and uncle to Hon. O. H. Smith of Montpelier, was born in 1783, where, I am unable to state, but he lived in Thetford while quite young, the writer's father and Mr. Smith being boys together there. He was married at Thetford to Polly, daughter of Thaddeus Ladd, who had a large fami- ly, mostly girls.

The story is told, that when some two: or three of Mr. Ladd's girls had been mar- ried, Mrs. Smith being among the num- ber, a neighbor, who was not on very good" terms with Mr. Smith and one or two other men who had married the Ladd girls, made the remark that he thought the devil had a grudge against Mr. Ladd and was paying him in sons-in-law. Mr. Smith and his wife came to Worcester in 1822 or 23, and commenced a settlement on the Minister brook, west of the " corner," and lived and died there. They had 3 girls, the two oldest, Mary and Jemima, born in. Thetford, the youngest, Frances, in Wor -- cester. The eldest died unmarried, Je- mima married Herman Foster, and Mr_ and Mrs. Smith lived with them at the time of their death. The youngest was the wife of Capt. Edward Hall of the 8th Vt. Regt., wounded at Cedar Creek, Oct., '64, who died of his wounds at Winchester a few days after. The daughters are all now dead.

Uncle Lyman, as Mr. Smith was famil- iarly called, was an active man in his day} and somewhat given to the use of intoxi cating drink ; his naturally irritable dispo- sition was made more irritable, and he had very much trouble with his neighbors ; for a series of years was almost constantly in- volved in law-suits. Probably he was plaintiff or defendant in more law cases than many others together in town ; and almost always was on the losing side. He was harassed by creditors almost con- stantly. It is said he concluded after awhile he could not afford to quarrel so much, and was more peaceably inclined in his later years.

Mr. Hutchinson's place joined his on the north, Mr. H. having another lot a mile on

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so south they were clearing, and to cross Mr. Smith's farm to reach the south lot, Mr. S. had a log-bridge across the brook south of his house ; Mr. Hutchinson's folks availed themselves of it going to and from work. Uncle Lyman, not feeling friendly at that time, forbade their passing over the bridge. One morning old Mr. Hutchinson and one of the boys started for the south lot to work, intending to cross the bridge ; but Mr. Smith came hurriedly out as the others were crossing, and succeeded in pitching the elder Mr. H. into the brook. A lawsuit resulted, in which Uncle Lyman was beat as usual. During his later years, he gave up his business cares to · his chil- dren, and lived more quiet. Mrs. Smith, the opposite of her husband, was a kind neighbor and excellent nurse, and often was called up by her neighbors in sickness ; and in those years when there was no phy- sician in town, she practiced midwifery, and even after a regular physician had loca- ted here, she was called upon for that ser- vice. Both Mr. S. and wife died at the age of 71 ; he in 1854, she in 1858.

JOHN AND DODGE HAYWARD,

formerly of Thetford, commenced a settle- ment on Minister brook in 1821, where Joel H. Templeton afterwards lived and died ; but Dodge soon after went to the Dea. Poor place, and both soon left the town.

OLIVER WATSON,

born in 1786, came here from Montpelier ; was a joiner by trade, and an extra work- man, making that his life business. He married Esther, oldest daughter of Amasa Brown, May 29, 1817 ; this is the first re- corded marriage in town. Their oldest son represented the town and was assistant judge of the County court 2 years. Mr. W. was for many years very deaf. He died in 1870, at 84 years. His widow went to live with her son, Judge E. C. Watson of Hartford,and died there, but was brought to Worcester for burial.

JESSE FLINT,

of Montpelier, bought a lot here in 1815, but I do not know that he came here to live before 1820 or 21. He lived for a

short time in a log-house, or shop, which had been used for a comb shop, near S. M. Seaver's present residence, until he could build a shanty on his own land. His land was on the hill where F. C. Har- riman now lives. Mr. Flint was prominent in town matters, but probably moved away about 1830, (as we find by the land records, he sold his farm then) and went to Middle- sex to reside. He has children now living there. At the time of Mr. Flint's settle- ment, he cut a road through the woods from the Branch road, commencing near where William Maxham now lives, going up the hill by W. P. Gould's, and so on, probably where the road now goes, to his log-house on the hill. Mr. Jacob Baldwin, who then lived with his father, Benjamin Baldwin, near " Putnam's mill" in Middle- sex, and who now lives in the State of Illi- nois, in a recent letter says, " In June, 1822, in company with Silas Baldwin, I went up to the place where Joel Templeton died. The branch road did not go where it now does, but farther west, and up a very steep hill, and came into the present road a lit- tle north from the Maxham road. Flint had begun up there, and cut a road from the foot of the hill west across the flat, up the hill by where J. P. B. Ladd began af- terwards ; and on to his place at the end of the road. He was the first man on the hill ; had his pick, and settled on the poor- .est farm there. From Flint's, we went by marked trees to Jesse Abbott's, (where Harrington now lives) and down to the brook where John and Dodge (Hayward) had begun, and Joel H. Templeton after- wards lived and died. There was no road in there, only one from Mr. Amasa Brown's log-house, west up by where Artemas Richardson had begun. Mr. Franklin Johnson went up the same road to his place, on which he had built a log-house."

Richard and Daniel Colby, Mr. B. says, had come in and cut down a small piece, built a small shanty, planted a few pota- toes, and were lazying round, smoking their pipes ; had killed an owl or two. They probably did not stay many years ; " lazying round" did not procure a very good living in those times.

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Samuel Upham from Brookfield, bought the place where the Haywards commenced, and moved there in 1823. He was a black- smith, built a shop on his place, and did what work he could get. Some think this was the first blacksmith shop in town. Mr. Upham moved away in 1825, having sold his place to Joel H. Templeton. Judge Zenas Upham of Brookfield is a son of Samuel Upham.

THE ABBOTTS.

During the early years there were on Minister brook and west of it seven men named Abbott. Jesse, Abraham, Ephraim, Asa and Titus, five brothers ; Nathan and Jonas, also brothers, and cousins of the former. Jesse, Abraham and Ephraim Abbott married three sisters, named Buz- zell. There were nine of the Buzzell girls, and beside those who married the Abbotts, two married Levi and Silas Pratt, two brothers ; two, also, David and Calvin Pratt, brothers, and cousins to Levi and Silas ; one married James Philbrick and one Major Goodwin.

THOMAS HUTCHINSON,

with his father and brothers came from Norwich, and settled near the mouth of Minister brook, where he continued to re- side until 1867, when he removed to the place where his son, L. M. Hutchinson, now lives. Mr. H. by industry and economy made for himself and family a good home. He was for years a member of the Congre- gational church, but in some of the church's" action in regard to certain members-being dissatisfied with the course taken, he with- drew for a time from the meetings; for this he was dropped from the church roll. He afterwards came back and became an active supporter himself with it again as a member of the church, though never con- necting. July 2, 1835, he was united in marriage to Almira Sumner, and together they traveled life's pathway 41 years. Mr. Hutchinson was a man of great energy and perseverance in carrying out his plans, and as his views of town matters did not always coincide with others, there would some- times come a struggle, which did not always tend to promote friendly feeling.

He bore his share of public burdens, and performed all his duties faithfully; was representative 2 years. Mr. Hutchinson died Oct. 4, 1876, age 64, and his wife Sept. 30, 1877, age 60.

The northeast part of the town was set- tled last. An effort was often made for a road through that part of the town from Moses P. Wheeler's mill, north through the eastern part of Elmore to Wolcott village. A petition was made for a court's committee ; the result only a large bill of costs for the petitioners to pay. The road was opposed by the central and western part of both Elmore and Worcester on account of the expense, and it would divert travel from the old county road. But about 1860 another petition to the court obtained a committee to examine the premises again, and the road known as the Eagle Ledge road was made, which opened the way for many settlers in that part of the town, and some good farms have been cleared ; and a more easy access to large tracts of timber lands, and a con- siderable portion of the inhabitants in that section depend on the lumber business for their livelihood. "Wheeler's mill" in Worcester, and " Slayton's," just in El- more, annually cut out large quantities of lumber.

A NIGHT'S EXPERIENCE.

. Mrs. Alma P. Howieson, wife of James Howieson, who lived in this section, relates to us : " In the spring of 1864, myself and family came to Vermont first, where we had one family of relations, a brother of my husband, living in Worcester. We came to this place, and purchased a piece of wild land, and commenced a farm, in- tending to settle permanently, but 2 year's later my husband's brother, a " millwright," hired with a company in New York to go south and build a mill in Georgia. He went, and came North for more efficient laborers ; and with others took my husband and three sons, leaving me to look after things at home ; I had two little girls and my eldest son's wife with two small chil- dren, in my family. My men folks left the IIth of Oct. One week after, my little

aki one

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8-year old girl fell and broke her arm, which kept me pretty closely confined some time ; but I had a short web of flannel I wanted to get wove, and had heard of a woman in Calais, living near Mr. Snow's, who was a weaver ; so thought to go over and get my work done. The weather had been rough, but cleared, leaving about 2 inches of snow on the ground. It was the 4th of Dec. ; the sun shone pleasantly for that time of year. I took my youngest little girl with me and started by a cut across the woods into Calais, to Mr. Elias Snow's place, intending to make a short visit there and return in the evening by the road ; it was 3 miles round ; but "over the hill," only ¿ths of a mile. Having been this way several times, I had no difficulty in finding my way, besides a slight path, now mostly blotted out with leaves, there was a line spot- ted through on the trees, any one at all vers- ed in wood craft, could follow. I left home about I0 o'clock, A. M., telling my daugh- ter-in-law I would be back before dark; she was timid and did not like to stay alone. I had a pleasant walk through the woods, accompanied by my " house-dog " and large black cat, which persisted in following, in spite of my efforts to scold him back. He followed until I came into Mr. Snow's clearing, when he retreated into the sugar-house at the edge of the woods. I found the old people well, and arranged with them to get their neighbor to do my work, and after resting awhile was about to return, but the old people proposed I should remain until 3 o'clock, when the boys would be back from their work, and one of them would go and help me up the hill with my little one. As the hill was steep and long, I was willing to accept their offer. The kind old lady filled a three-quart pail with milk to take to the little folks at home. Thinking I would have time to get home after 3 o'clock, I was willing to wait, but it had been thaw- ing all day, and when the sky overspread with clouds and a drizzling rain commenc- ed, conscious it would be dark early, I did not dare wait longer for the boys, and taking the pail in one hand and the little one in my arms, I set out for home. I had

not climbed more than half way up the hill before the rain changed to sleet, and the wind rising drove the storm sharply into my face. Taking off my vail I tied it over my little one's face, and hugging her close, toiled up the steep hill in the storm, which increased every moment. On the summit I rested against a tree to regain strength. My path was entirely effaced by the thaw and storm; but I found the spotted line, and soon started as the night was fast closing in. Pressing forward, I thought in a few minutes to be clear of the woods, but after proceeding quite a distance came to a tree directly across my path ; and looking about, I had missed the way. I went back to where I first found the line, and setting down the pail of milk, which had become burden- some, made another trial to follow the marked trees ; it was getting too dark for that, and I took as straight a course as I could, hoping to come into the clearing somewhere, knowing I could then find my way in the darkness, even. The storm now ceased suddenly as it had commenced, but the wind increased to a perfect hurri- cane, blowing down trees, the limbs falling in showers about me in a manner I never before witnessed, nor since ; and this with the coming darkness increased my anxiety to get clear of the woods. I urged my- self on, I rushed through the underbrush, over the trunks of old fallen trees, tear- ing my clothes, and lacerating my hands hands and face, on and on in my endeav- ors to gain the clearing. From the in- clemency of the weather at this season, I supposed I must perish if I remained in the woods such a night ; but at last I sank exhausted on the trunk of a fallen tree, crying aloud, lost ! lost ! without a ray of hope, hearing, which my little girl, Carrie, commenced to cry to go home; which once more aroused me, I must not give up. Carrie needed my care ; the little sick girl at home needed me; their father and brothers 1500 miles away ; and my daugh- ter-in-law who could not speak one word of English, she too, depended on me. I must make one more effort to preserve my life, if possible. I took in the situation.

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It was a matter of endurance; could I bear up under the strain of walking all night, and carrying that child in my arms without getting tired out, and freezing to death? I must make the trial. In the dim twilight I could see a little ways around me. I selected "a beat." My first care was for my little one, and taking of a flannel under-skirt, I wrapped it carefully around her. The wind lulled and went moaning away over the hills; the rain again descended in torrents. It was a perfect down-pour. I was soon drenched to the skin, although I had a double woolen shawl and a worsted hood on. Sometimes I would sit down for a little while on a moss-covered log at one end of my beat, but would commence to grow chilly, which warned me to be moving. Let me tell you whence my strength came : I had invoked the aid of my Heavenly Father to support me through this trying ordeal, and quick as thought the answer came, " Be not dis- mayed; Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end." Before I had been all ex- citement ; not afraid of wild beasts, or anything the woods contained, but of the cold and fatigue the long night held in store. Now this vanished ; my nerves became steady ; my strength seemed re- newed; I walked my lonely beat with as firm a tread as any sentinel could while guarding his army against the foe. The rain continued what seemed a very long time ; though it ceased about midnight ; then it grew still colder and commenced snowing, and my little dog gave vent to to his anger or distrust by barking vehe- mently. I tried to quiet him, seating my- self for a moment on my log seat, with my babe on my lap, one hand hanging beside me ; a fuzzy head thrust up against my hand frightened me. I attempted to rise, but the animal pounced upon my lap press- ing its wet back against my face. The night dark as Eurebus, I could see noth- ing, but immediately knew my cat, which followed me. He stopped about an hour longer ; then left for home. The weary night came to a close at last. I could see in what direction to go, and steering straight for Worcester mountains, knowing

it would bring me to some clearing where I could shape my course. I had just fairly come out of the woods when I was met by one of my nephews, who took the little girl. I attempted to follow him to a house near by ; my strength failed me and I had to be supported by another person. My will-power deserted me as human aid came to my rescue. But about noon, I was able to walk home, and soon recovered from my hard night's work. My son's wife finding I did not come, at 8 o'clock lighted her lantern and leaving her chil- dren asleep, told the sick girl she was going to find mother. She went to my brother's, and made them understand I was in the woods. My brother was away from home, but two of the boys took a lantern and started for Mr. Snow's to see if I had left there. But the trees falling so fast and their lantern having been blown out, they beat a hasty retreat, telling my son's wife they would go in the morning. She returned to her children, and spent the night in weeping, expecting, as she often tells me, I should be found dead in the woods. My brother's wife sent one of her boys " as soon as peep of day," to use her words, to Mr. Snow's ; who, finding the pail of milk, knew I must be lost, and gave the alarm, and before I got clear of the woods the whole neighborhood were out hunting for me.

I was 47 years old that month, and the child I carried in my arms for over 14 hours, was 2} years old that day ; but that child was the magnet that held me to life. To this day I look back with a shudder to that dismal vigil in the woods, and thank my Father in Heaven, who gave me strength to bear up and save my own life and that of my child.

CASUALTIES.

For some of these we are indebted to a " Record of Births, Marriages and Deaths, by Simon C. Abbott ; " published in 1858 by the town.

A youth named Martin was drowned at an early day, while attempting to cross the river, on the farm where L. M. Hutchinson now lives. He was probably a son of George Martin, one of the first settlers

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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 144

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