The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 35

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 35

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A mile away from them lived a young farmer, not a professor of religion. As he started after breakfast for the hay-field with his hired help, something seemed to impel him to stop. He must go back to the house and carry some provisions to the new minister. It was of no use to say, " I'm not acquainted with them, I know nothing of their needs," he must take them some food. He told the men they might go to mowing, he must go back. He went back, told his wife his feelings, and they together put up meat, potatoes, flour, butter and sugar, and other things, a fair wagon load, and he took it over, and found how blessed it was to give, and they, how safe to trust in God.

Slowly did the little church increase, never having preaching more than one- fourth of the time for many years.

In 1851, the Congregationalists and Methodists agreed to unite and support preaching. First for 2 years they would have Congregational preaching, and then Methodist for the next 2. Rev. Mr. Marsh, Congregational, was our first minister, and at the close of the two years Rev. Lewis P. Cushman was appointed by Con- ference, and spent 2 years with us. In those years a number were added to the church. Mr. Cushman is now a mission- ary in Texas ; his little daughter, Clara, so well remembered by us, started last October as a missionary to China.

Before the close of Mr. Cushman's first year Mr. Pitkin died, and as he had been very influential in procuring and sustain- ing preaching, and there was no one to then take his place, the effort was now aban-

doned, and for a number of years we had no stated preaching. At length, in 1859, a few concluded to make one more effort, and Rev. Joshua Gill was stationed with us. The Union church had passed mostly into the hands of the Universalists, and we had no preaching place. We needed a church, and one was put up and covered in '59, and finished in 1860. The house was the right size, well furnished. Our next minister was Rev. Geo. H. Bickford, an excellent preacher, and one of the best of men. He died some years later at Barton. His last words, his hand upon his breast, closing his eyes, that grand old doxology, the gloria, "Glory be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost." Rev. C. S. Buswell came next 2 years. Rev. James Robinson was stationed here in 1865, Rev. Joseph Hamilton in 1867 ; both years we had some additions. In 1869, Rev. James Spinney was appointed here. No. of vols. in S. S. library, 450.

In 1871, Rev. J. Hamilton was with us again, and stayed one year. In 1872, Conference made Rev. C. P. Flanders our pastor, succeeded in 1874, by Rev. C. A. Smith, who was with us 3 years, followed by Rev. G. H. Hastings in 1877, in 1879 by Rev. O. A. Farley, and in 1881 by Rev. C. H. Farnsworth, our present pastor. Our members have gradually increased ; our present number is 73.

In the spring of 1870, we bought of Bemis Pike a good house and garden for a parsonage ; cost, $1,800.

Feb. 3, 1878, our church was burned. The society had just put down a new car- pet, and a new organ and new lamps had been purchased, which, together with our large Sabbath-school library, was all con- sumed, and no insurance. What a loss for us ! But after mature deliberation we de- cided to rebuild. The Church Extension Society gave us $200, Rev. A. L. Cooper $50, and a few other friends smaller sums. January 16, 1879, our new church was dedicated, sermon by Rev. A. L. Cooper. The church is built in the Norman Gothic style of architecture, nicely finished and furnished throughout, warmed from the vestry beneath, and free from debt.

MARSHFIELD.

2II

Since we have had a church of our own, our Sabbath-school has been prosperous, and never more so than at the present time. It is large, numbering over 80. The pres- ent superintendent is J. B. Pike.

STEPHEN PITKIN,

whose history is so interwoven with early Methodism in Marshfield, was very un- assuming in his manners, and very strong in his temperance and anti-slavery prin- ciples. He belonged to the old Liberty party when in this town; their caucuses were opened with prayer. He had a great aversion to pretension. He once lent his sleigh and harness to a man calling him- self John Cotton, to go to Barnet, to be gone three days. Cotton was quite a stranger, having been in our place but 6 weeks, during which he had boarded with my husband's brother, working for him a part of the time, and the rest of the time selling clocks he had purchased of a Mr. Bradford, in Barre. Four days went by. On inquiry, Mr. Pitkin found that the clocks had been purchased on trust, and all sold for watches or money; that he owed $60 toward his horse, and that he had borrowed of the brother with whom he boarded, horse-blanket, whip and mit- tens. It seemed sure he was a rogue. What could be done? Pursuit was use- less after such a lapse of time. Mr. P. felt his loss severely ; he had little prop- erty then, and what he had, was the product of hard labor; but he always made his business a subject of prayer. About 3 weeks passed away. One evening, having been out some time, he came in, and with his characteristic calmness, said, "H-, I shall not worry any more about my sleigh and harness ; I think I shall get them again." " Why do you think so?" said I. His an- swer was, " I have been praying God to arrest Cotton's conscience, so that he will be obliged to leave them where I can get them, and I believe he will do it," and from this time, Wednesday evening, he seemed at rest on the subject. The next Tuesday morning, as he stepped into the post-office, a letter was handed him from Littleton, N. H., written by the keeper of a public house there :

Mr. Pitkin-Sir :- Mr. John Cotton has left your sleigh and harness here, and you can have them by calling for them.

Yours, &c., JOHN NEWTON.

He started for Littleton the same day, some 40 miles, found the sleigh and har- ness safe, with no encumbrance. The landlord said the Wednesday night pre- vious, at 12 o'clock, a man calling himself John Cotton came to his house, calling for horse-baiting and supper. He would not stay till morning, but wished to leave the sleigh and harness for Mr. Pitkin, of Marshfield, Vt. He also requested the landlord to write to Mr. Pitkin, and said he could not write, and that he took them for Mr. Pitkin on a poor debt, and started off at 2 o'clock at night, on horseback, with an old pair of saddle-bags and a horse-blanket on a saddle with one stirrup, and no crupper, on one of the coldest nights of that winter. None of the other men to whom he was indebted received anything from him, or ever heard from him after.

[This brief sketch of this so worthy man cannot be better completed than by the following lines we have in our possession, which were written by Mrs. Pitkin after his death : ]

" I have loved thee on Earth, May I meet thee in Heaven! "

Thrice, since they laid him with the dead, Have Autumn's golden sheaves been laded, Thrice have the spring-birds come and flown, And thrice the flowrets bloomed and faded.

Yet, yet the far-off birds returning, The harvest sunset gilded o'er,

The flowrets springing, blooming, fading, But whisper, "he will come no more."

That hymn of praise, that voice in prayer, On memory's zephyrs back to me, Thrilling my inmost soul, they come Like midnight music on the sea.

In these dear haunts, beside this hearth, There is for me no answering tone. We knelt together by her grave, I weep and pray by theirs alone!

Oh, " pure in heart," in purpose firm, To me be thy meek mantle given ; One faith, one hope was ours on earth, God grant us one bless'd home in Heaven.

In the winter of 1866, a lodge of Good Templars was organized here. Good has been accomplished, and it is hoped much more may yet be done. The present num- ber of members is IO1.

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DEA. GIDEON SPENCER

Came first to Marshfield from East Hart- ford, Conn., in company with Caleb and Martin Pitkin in the spring of 1792. That summer and the next they worked clear- ing land, and preparing for the coming of their families, returning for them in the fall. February, 1794, Mr. Spencer, Caleb Pitkin and Aaron Elmer removed their families to this wilderness, and commenced the settlement of Marshfield. From Mont- pelier they came with hand-sleds without roads over snow 4 feet deep. Daniel, old- est child of the Spencer family, was 4 years old. This family had the first daughter, born in town, and their son, Horace, was born the day the town was organized. Their location was a mile from either of the other settlers. So neighborly were the bears, Mr. Spencer found it necessary to take his gun when going after his cow, which had the whole forest for pasture.

He was chosen deacon of the Congrega- tional church, soon after its organization ; was active in sustaining meeting, and at- tained the great age of 90 years. His wife, a daughter of Capt. Isaac Marsh, a woman of energetic and social habits, died at the age of 86.

CALEB PITKIN

married Hannah, daughter of Capt. Isaac Marsh, and came first to Marshfield as a surveyor. He was rather retiring in his manners, but had a vein of pleasantry which made him agreeable company, and he had a good education for the times. He was a good reader, and often when no minister was present, read the Sunday sermon. His trade was a mason, and the original stone-chimneys of the first dwellings were laid by him. His wife was social, and a worker. He re- moved to Peacham a few years before his death, Apr. 1813, at the age of 40. His widow returned to Marshfield, and lived some years after the decease of her hus- band. The oldest son, James, still lives on the old place. One son, a physician, has deceased, and a daughter lives in Burlington.

JOSHUA PITKIN, ESQ.,

born in East Hartford, Conn., arrived with his wife and three children in Marsh- field on the Ist of Mar., 1795, and located where Wm. Haskins now lives. Not a tree was felled on the lot, excepting what had been felled by hunters in trapping for furs ; but he went to work and soon had a spot cleared, a log-house up and ready to occupy. He raised a large family, and resided on the same place till his death. He kept the first public house in town, and was the first justice of peace. He and his exemplary wife united with the Congregational church. She died about 1821, and he married again. He com- menced a journal of his life and busi- ness Mar. 28, 1796. The last record is dated June 10, 1847. He died June 25, 1847. His last words were, " I know that my Redeemer liveth," etc. Dea. Pitkin of Montpelier, his second son, kept the first store in town. None of his descend- ants remain in Marshfield.

HON. STEPHEN PITKIN

came with his wife into this town March I, 1795. He had a large farm, pleasantly located, where Bowman Martin now re- sides. He was very well educated for the times, and possessed of a strong mind, and great energy. His keen eye, and commanding look gave evidence he was one to lead others, rather than one to be led. His influence was great in the busi- ness transactions of the town. He was the first town representative ; held the office in all, 13 years; was first militia captain, eventually became a major, and was assistant county judge 4 years.

He was considerate of the poor, and the writer is informed by his nephew, James Pitkin, Esq., that in the cold season of 1816 and '17, when almost no provisions were raised, he bought salmon at Mont- pelier by the barrel, when he had to be trusted for it himself, and sold it out to those in need, taking his pay when they could work for it. He continued to reside on the same farm till his death, which took place May 22, 1834, age 62. He raised a family of 13 children, 12 of his own, one

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dying in infancy, and one, the motherless babe of his brother, Levi, he and his ex- cellent wife adopted and brought up as their own. His oldest son, Horace, set- tled in town, but after a few years, re- moved to Central Ohio, where he recently died. His second son, Edwin, an enter- prising citizen, settled in town, raised a large and intelligent family, was consider- ably in town business,-and was for many years the principal surveyor in the vicinity. He died a few years since. His third son, Truman, settled in Marshfield first, sub- sequently in Montpelier, where he died, leaving 3 sons and one daughter. One of his sons, Gen. P. P. Pitkin, resides in Montpelier, and the other two at the West. His 4th son, Stephen Pitkin, Jr., will be particularly mentioned in another place in this history. The two youngest sons went West, where one died a number of years since. Three daughters still live, one in Iowa, and two in Massachusetts.

CAPT. STEPHEN RICH,

cap'n in Sutton, Mass., at 15 became a tondier in the Revolutionary war, as a sub- ceitute for his father. He was at the taking of Burgoyne, and in a number of other battles. He came to Marshfield in Feb. 1798, and settled where his grandson Samuel D. Hollister now resides. He was the first selectman of. Marshfield and first town clerk; held the office 7 years. His only son George, was also town clerk 7 years. He removed to Montpelier, where he died. Capt. Rich filled various town offices, and was an esteemed citizen. He accumulated a large property, and had, besides the son mentioned, a family of ive daughters. He resided where he first settled till his death, at the age of 83. His vife, a woman of uncommon energy, sur- ived some years after his decease.

CAPT. JOSIAH HOLLISTER.

Born in E. Hartford,Ct.,came to Marsh- eld about the year 1806. He married hebe, daughter of Capt. Stephen Rich, 1809. He acquired a large property, as respected by his townsmen, and had a ir share of town offices. He represented e town in the legislature of the State 2

years, and was chosen captain of a com- pany of cavalry. He died at the age of 52. HON. HORACE HOLLISTER.

Born in E. Hartford, Ct., in 1791 ; when a young man came to Marshfield, and re- sided one year with his brother Josiah, and then returned to Ct. ; was married to Ruth P., daughter of Capt. Stephen Rich, and moved to Colebrook, N. H., first in 1817, and to Marshfield in 1821. Like his brother, he was very successful, shared largely in the confidence of the people, and was very much in public business. He was a man who had an opinion of his own, and dared express it. He was elect- ed to most of the town offices ; was over- seer of the poor many years ; also, assistant judge 2 years, and senator 2 years. He died recently, aged 76.

HON. WILLIAM MARTIN.

BY MRS. SOLOMON WELLS, OF PLAINFIELD.

Among the early settlers of Marshfield, was Wm. Martin, born in Francistown, N. H., July 28, 1786. In 1800, his father and family moved to the frontiers of Ver- mont. William worked out mostly till 21, to help support his father's family. He worked at South Boston a part of the time, and on the first canal that was built at Cambridge, and went to Canada, owing to the scarcity of money in Vermont, and worked. He had no education except what he picked up, without attending school. At 18, he enlisted in a company of cavalry ; was chosen at once an officer, and rose from one grade of office to an- other to colonel. At the time of Presi- dent Monroe's. visit to Vermont, he com- manded the company that escorted him into Montpelier, and took dinner with the President. He continued in the militia, was in the war of 1812, and at the battle of Plattsburgh.

In 1809, he married Sabra Axtell, of Marshfield, and moved that summer to Plainfield, where he lived 4 years, and then bought a farm in Marshfield, about a mile above Plainfield village, where he re- sided till 1840. His farm was one of the finest upon the head waters of the Win- ooski. He had 5 boys and 2 girls, two

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of whom are now dead. He held many of the town offices ; was constable and col- lector 25 years ; 12 years representative, and a number of times was one of the as- sistant judges of the County Court. Up to 1840, much of his time was spent in public business. He then moved to Mont- pelier (now E. Montpelier,) afterwards returned to Marshfield, but finally removed to Rockton, Ill., where he now resides. His wife is still living (1869,) but has been blind for 16 years. He is a man of fine social qualities, and was always hospitable and kind to the poor. He acquired a handsome property, and an accuracy in doing business which but few men possess. He was many years a member of the Con- gregational church in Plainfield.

JACOB PUTNAM, ESQ.

BY HON. E. D. PUTNAM, OF MONTPELIER.

My father, Jacob Putnam, moved from Alstead, N. H., to Marshfield, with his family, himself and wife, 3 boys and 3 girls, in the spring of 1820. He also brought with him his father and mother, Joseph and Miriam Putnam. They were among the first settlers of Hancock, N. H., where my father was born in 1784. He bought the farm of James English, Esq., on the river road, 2 miles south of the vil- lage, 220 acres, for which he paid $1,400. He afterwards sold 50 acres, and the remain- der was sold in 1868 for $6,200. This is about a fair sample of the rise of real estate in the town in the last 50 years. Mr. Eng- lish moved to the village, and built a house and wheelwright shop. There were at that time a saw and grist-mill, and only two houses within what are now the limits of the village. The land where the vil- lage now stands was then but partially cleared, and there were no settlements east of the river, except in the extreme N. E. and S. E. corners of the town, and there was but little money in the country. Most of the business transactions were in neat stock and grain. When anything of any considerable value was bought on credit (as was usually the case,) notes were generally given, payable in neat stock in Oct., or grain in Jan. following. When

the prices of the stock could not be agreed upon by the parties, three men were se- lected as appraisers, their appraisal to be binding upon the parties. A pair of good oxen were worth about $50 to $60 ; cows, $12 to $15 ; corn and rye were worth 50 cts. per bushel ; oats, 20 cents ; potatoes, 12 to 20 cents. Good crops of wheat were gen- erally raised in town, and I can recollect of wheat being carried as late as 1824, to Troy, N. Y., for a market. There was no manufacturing to any considerable extent done in this country as early as 1820. Nearly all the clothing was made at home by hand. The spinning-wheel and loom might be found in almost every house, and among my earliest recollections is the buzz of the wheel and the thumping of the old loom, and whenever there came a pleasant, sunny day in March, the flax-break might be heard at almost every farmer's barn, and very well do I recollect the " big bunches " of woolen and linen yarn which " ornamented " the kitchen of the old homestead, spun by my mother and (si ters. The words of Proverbs, " She se) eth wool and flax, and worketh diligen, with her hands," were peculiarly applicab .. to my mother. In addition to making all the cloth for clothing the family, she made hundreds of yards of woolen and linen cloth, and exchanged it at the store for family necessaries. These days have passed. A spinning-wheel is [rarely seen now; if found at all, it is stowed away in some old garret, a relic, and the sewing- machine is annihilating the needle. Are people happier now than they were then?

My father enjoyed the confidence of the public ; was town clerk 19 years, and oc casionally held other town offices. H lived on the same place where he firs bought 36 years, to the time of his death in 1856, aged 72 years. My mother died in 1864, aged 81. They lived together 5 years. Their children are all living, excep the eldest son, Thomas B., who died Apı 30, 1830. The youngest son, A. F. Pu nam, is the present postmaster of Marsh field. My grandfather died in 1826, age 83 years ; my grandmother in 1835, age 91.

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JONATHAN GOODWIN, ESQ. BY MRS. H. L. GOODWIN.

Jonathan Goodwin was born at Con- cord, N. H., May 27, 1784, where he passed his youth and early manhood. He was one of a large family. Were it not for the experience of the late war, it would be difficult for a person in these days to realize the bitterness of party-spirit and controversy, even among kindred, which existed before and during the war of 1812. At a family gathering where politics were discussed, Jonathan being a Democrat, and the other members of the family Fed- eralists, a brother remarked, "as there was a prospect of war, it would be a good time for him to show his patriotism and courage, if he had any." He replied, "it was a pity those who had so much sympa- thy for the enemies of their country, were not in a position to afford them the aid and assistance they would naturally wish to give." These remarks were never for- gotten. Jonathan enlisted as recruiting sergeant, was afterwards lieutenant and captain ; was stationed at Saco, Me., Bos- ton and Plattsburgh. At the latter he re- ceived an injury from which he never re- covered, and was a pensioner the remain- der of his life. It is worthy of remark that during the 7 years he was in the United States' service, although at that time the custom of using ardent spirits was almost universal, he never indulged in it, not even after being assured by his physician that probably he would not survive the cam- paign without it. In 1814, his family noved from Concord, N. H., to Randolph, Vt. After his discharge he removed to Chelsea, and in 1839, to this town to re- ide with his eldest son. The following ummer they built a house, and occupied one winter. In April it was burned.

It was burned on Saturday. The next ay, Elder Capron announced from his ilpit that on Monday the inhabitants ould meet to assist Messrs. Goodwin in tting out timber for another house-frame. On Monday, men enough came to cut e timber, hew it, frame it, draw it over a le, and raise a house, 28 by 34 feet, in a y.

He passed the remainder of his life in Marshfield; was justice of peace, town clerk 2 years, postmaster 2 years, and often administered on the estates of the deceased, and gave general satisfaction. Although in early life his opportunities for education were limited, he was a person of more than ordinary information, especially in history and the Bible, of which he was a daily student.

In early life he united with the Baptist church in Concord, but during a season of religious interest in Chelsea, was drawn to a more thorough examination of the Scrip- tures than ever before, which led to his embracing the doctrine of the final re- demption of all, in which belief he after- wards continued till his death, Jan. 1867, aged 82, generally respected as a man and a Christian.

REV. MARCUS M. CARLETON,

son of Jeremiah Carleton, Esq., was born in Marshfield, 1826. When about 15, he made a profession of religion, uniting with the Congregational church in Barre, where he resided with his uncle. He soon after decided to be a foreign missionary, and from hence devoted all his energies to pro- curing a suitable education. He first en- tered Middlebury College, but removed to Amherst College, Massachusetts, where he graduated, and on account of a chronic cough went south to study theology at Columbia, S. C. After finishing his course, he offered himself to the Congregational Board for foreign missions, but was not accepted, they fearing his health would fail; but determined in his resolutions he offered himself immediately to the Presby- terian Board by whom he was accepted, and sailed for India in 1865, where he has labored most of the time since. He was stationed first in Ambalia city, but the mission seeing him eminently fitted for an itinerant, set him apart for that work after a few years, since which he has lived. most of the time in a tent, travelling from vil- lage to village in Ambalia district, in- structing and preaching to the people, and having studied medicine, finding it very advantageous to him in his ministeral

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labors among the inhabitants, he also ad- ministers to them as a physician-some- times his family accompany him in the tent ; but during the hot season they gen- erally remain among the mountains, where he sometimes rests with them during the hottest period. [An account of his family we will not repeat here, as we have already given the same in a notice of Rev. Mr. Carleton with his family in Barre-See No. I, of this vol. p. 40. A member of the Carleton family tells me he is a man of herculean frame-physically and mentally a very strong man. In a letter to his father in 1879, an extract of which lies before me, he speaks of his good health as a source of great joy-seems to luxu- riate body and soul in his nomadic preach- ing life.]

MARSHFIELD MILITARY RECORD.

SOLDIERS OF 1812.

This place furnished 8: Abijah Bemis, Phineas Bemis, Obadiah Bemis, David Cutting, John Waugh, Abijah Hall, Isaac Austin, and Philip Delan.

Lewis Bemis, a brother of three of these soldiers, was also from this town, though he enlisted from Barnet. His father and friends all resided here, and he should have a notice here. He belonged to the old 4th regiment, which was sent out un- der Col. Miller to the then territory of Ohio, to look after the Indians who were making depredations on the frontier set- tlements. At one time they came to the dwelling of a Mr. Harriman, (whose wife was the daughter of Alexander Parker of Montpelier, and sister of Mrs. James Pit- kin of this town,) just about an hour after the savages had murdered and left him and his family. They pressed on, but failed to overtake the Indians, and soon after joined the main body under the infa- mous Gen. Hull on its way to Fort Detroit. Before arriving at Detroit, Col. Miller saw Hull's treachery, and accused him of it, and challenged him to fight a duel, both before and after their arrival, quite in vain ; he surrendered the fort and army without firing a gun. In that fort, among our men, were a number of British who had

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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 35

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