The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 6

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 6

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The Society have a very commodious parsonage. Rev. Mr. Tenney resigned his charge May I. 1881. Under his min- istry the church was prospered ; differences of opinion which had existed between members were adjusted, and 130 new members added to their number; a debt that had been incurred was paid, and the society placed on a sound financial basis. By his resignation, which he was moved to tender on account of failing health, the church lost a faithful pastor and leader.

The Rev. P. McMillan, a graduate of Union Theological Seminary, is at pres- ent supplying the pulpit. No. of member- ship in 1880, 171 ; Sabbath-school, 256.

METHODISM IN BARRE.

BY REV. P MERRILL.

The first Methodist sermon was preached in Barre in 1796, by Rev. Jesse Lee, the great apostle of Methodism in New Eng- land, in the house of Col. Benj. Walker.

While listening to the sermon of Mr. Lee at this meeting, Mrs. Catherine Thomp- son, the wife of Isaac S. Thompson, re- ceived into her heart the precious seed of the Gospel sower, and the following day her husband, listening to a sermon from Mr. Lee, gave his heart to the Saviour. Others soon joined them, and a class was formed consisting of 11 members. Mrs. Thompson died in this same Christian faith, Apr. 13, 1860, aged 93 years, living all this while within one mile of where she heard the memorable discourse of Mr. Lee. In the year 1797, Rev. Ralph Wil- liston was sent to Barre as preacher. The church since that time has been blest with good and efficient preachers. It has wit- nessed three great revivals, in 1824, '26 and '42, under the labors of Revs. A. D. Merrill, I. Templeton, Daniel Kilborn, H. W. Wheelock, N. H. Houghton and J. L. Slason. The labors of other min- isters have been crowned with abundant success. The church now numbers 165 members and 32 probationers, and is on the whole in a prosperous condition.

The first church was erected on the common, but in what year the writer is unable to learn. [For date of early his- tory of Methodism in Barre, the reader is referred to the history of Methodism in Williamstown in the supplement volume of this work-Ed.] It was subsequently removed across the road to where the Congregational parsonage now stands. In the year 1837, a new church was erected, and 3 years since it was refitted and re- paired at an expense of $8,000. A fine parsonage is located opposite the church, which is furnished with the heavy furni- ture. This is considered among the best appointments in the Vermont Conference. The congregations are large on the Sab- bath, the Sabbath-school is in a prosper- ous condition, and the social meetings are of an interesting character. During its history no minister who has served it has degenerated, and no serious church trials have been experienced by its members. The oldest member connected with this church now living, (1871) is Mrs. Content

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Patterson, aged 94 years, with her mental powers all vigorous. She has always en- joyed good health-(deceased).

THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

BY REV P. S. BLISS.

The Universalist Church in Barre was organized Oct. 27, 1796. The Town Records, (vol. 1), has the following cer- tificate :

These may certify whom it may concern, that John Goldsbury, John Goldsbury, Jr., William Goldsbury, Thomas Dodge, Cal- vin Smith, Bartholomew French, Thomas Ralph, Amos Conant, Eliphalet Dens- more, George Little, Lemuel Farwell, Jon- athan Culver, Sylvanus Goldsbury, Henry Gale, Phineas Richardson, James Bodwell, llave formed themselves into a Religious Society, professing themselves to be of the Universalist Denomination, viz. : Be- lieving in universal redemption and salva- tion by the merits of Jesus Christ.

WILLIAM FARWELL, Elder,

This organization was formed 16 years after the township was chartered, and 3 years after it received the name of Barre.

Although Universalism in this place has passed through various fortunes, it has never since been disorganized. The large and influential society and church now ex- isting here are the outgrowth of this ap- parently small beginning.

There were Universalists among the first settlers of the town. John Goldsbury, whose name stands at the head of the six- teen which represent the original society, was one who began " the work of con- verting the wilderness into farms." And most of these men are known to have been men ot intelligence, enterprise and good moral and religious character. Some of them were prominent citizens among the earlier settlers of the town, and a large part of them are still represented by lead- ing families in the community, and in the Universalist church.

REV. WILLIAM FARWELL,

whose name is affixed to the certificate of organization as the Elder of the society, was not a resident of Barre at the time the society was formed, but visited this and other places in the vicinity from time to time. He moved to Barre from North

Charlestown, N. H., some time in 1803 or '4. But there is little doubt he labored considerably with the society before he came to live with it. Mr. Farwell was the first resident Universalist minister in Barre. He did not preach here all the time, but did the work of an Evangelist in the region round about. We have no means of knowing what portion of the time he preached in Barre ; but we know he often took quite extensive missionary tours in the State and into other States. Probably he did not regard himself at any time as strictly the pastor of the society ; but he gave it much of his labor, and contributed largely to its establishment and growth. He was a mau of fervent piety, and greatly beloved, not only in his own church, but by all who knew him. He died at the residence of his son, and his body was laid to rest in the rural graveyard, near his old home in the south-east part of the town. Upon the stone which marks his grave we read this just tribute :

Rev. William Farwell, died Dec. 11th, 1823, in the 74th year of his age. He was a preacher of God's universal love, cheer- ful and friendly in life, faithful in his la- bors, and departed in hope of future life and immortality.

In 1808, the Rev. Paul Dean moved to Barre, and became pastor of the society. He labored with it several years with great success. After his removal, it had no res- ident pastor until 1821 ; but was supplied by various clergymen a portion of the time.

In 1821, REV. JOHN E. PALMER was settled, and preached here statedly, a part of the time for 15 years. At that period in the history of our church, much mis- sionary labor was demanded. Our preach- ers were few, and not many of them were permitted to give their undivided labors to the care of one church. Mr. Palmer was often called to other fields of labor, and the church in Barre had to seek frequent supplies by other preachers. REV. THOMAS BROWNING was regularly employed a quar- ter of the time for several years, thus re- leasing Mr. Palmer, and enabling him to comply with the numerous demands for his services. Other preachers were also

its its f

BARRE.

frequently employed, under the ministry of Mr. Palmer and Mr. Browning. Against all these disadvantages, the church stead- ily increased in numbers, strength and spiritual life. Fathers Palmer and Brown- ing still live, (1871) rejoicing for what has been done by their instrumentality, not only in Barre, but in many other fields which are now rich with harvests, grown from the seed which they sowed.

In 1822, the society built a substantial brick church at South Barre, in which it worshipped until 1852.

Rev. R. S. Sanborn became pastor here in May, 1844, and was dismissed by his own request Oct. 1, 1848.

Rev. Joseph Sargent took charge in the autumn of 1849. His resignation was ac- cepted at the annual meeting, January 12, 1857. His labors contributed largely to the growth of the church. By his untiring efforts a new and beautiful church was built in the Lower Village in 1852. The business and population of the town had largely moved to this village, and the life of the church seemed to be waning.

The church built in 1852, is the one in which the congregation now worships. It needs, and will soon receive, extensive re- pairs. Since the society moved to its present place ot worship, its growth has been constant and rapid. There are now Io0 families connected with the society.

The church was re-organized in October, 1859, and since, 136 persons have united with it ; present membership, 118. There is connected with the society a flourishing Sabbath-school, and it has a good parson- age. The society has a small fund from which it derives an annual income.

The present pastor, Rev. F. S. Bliss, began his labors Mar. 8, 1857, and has preached to it all the time for nearly 15 years.

GODDARD SEMINARY, under the control of the Universalists of Vermont, was lo- cated in this town in 1864, and is in in- timate connection with this society. It has contributed $25,000 within 6 years for its benefit. In the meantime it has done its full share in sustaining the various en-

terprises of the denomination. It has con- tributed liberally for the freedmen, for the circulation of the Bible, for missionary work and other benevolent enterprises. And it now develops more ability, zeal and liberality than ever before. In num- bers, wealth, intelligence, moral and Chris- tian character, it is thought to compare favorably with the other churches in town. Barre, 1871.

Record continued to 1881, by Rev. W. M. KIMMELL.

Rev. F. S. BLISS resigned his pastorate of 15 years, 2 mos. from ill-health, preach- ing his last sermon, April 28, 1872.

Rev E. J. Chaffee succeeded Mr. Bliss for one year ; after him Rev. Lester War- ren 2 years. Upon his departure the old church edifice was enlarged and remod- eled at a cost of several thousand dollars. The present building is modern in style, commodious, and nicely furnished. In the fall of 1875, the Rev. James Vincent be- came pastor of the society, remaining until February, 1880, and followed the first of the next month by myself. There are 120 families belonging to the parish. The Sunday school has enrolled 180. The Library contains 501 volumes.

W. M KIMMELL, Pastor of Universalist Society.

PAPERS CONTRIBUTED FOR BARRE.

BY STILLMAN WOOD, EX-POSTMASTER.

For a while after the first settlers came in there was no grist-mill in town, and they had to go 20 miles or more to Ran- dolph with their grists. There then was no road through the gulf as at present ; they had to go by way of the route since known as the old Paine Turnpike. The first roads built in town were over the hills instead ofaround them. The object sought was to go as much on dry ground as pos- sible. At an early day there was a turn- pike road chartered and built, commencing at the checkered store in Barre and ending at Chelsea. The gate to this pike was in the town of Washington. This pike was the main thoroughfare south-east, leading from town towards Massachusetts, and an outlet for traffic to and from Boston. At

for

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

a later date, Ira Day, then the principal merchant in town, obtained a charter for a turnpike through the celebrated gulf in Williamstown. This was found to be a feasible and easily built road-was owned and built principally by Mr. Day-and found to be a source of profit, taking away a large part of the travel from the Chelsea route. The gulf road subsequently be- came the stage route, traversed by six and eight horse coaches, taking the travel from Montpelier and towns north, from Canada, even, and at one time carrying the British mail, which came then by the way of Boston, a British soldier accompanying each mail having his musket always in readiness for depredators.

STAGE COACHES AND OLD-TIME TEAMS, before the advent of railroads, were a prominent feature in the business of Barre, and were owned principally by Ira Day and Mahlon Cottrill, of Montpelier. When the stage horn was heard, there was al- ways a rush for news, and the few mo- ments the stage stopped, spectators were abundant.

Barre was also celebrated for its six and eight horse teams which carried freight to and from Boston, for Montpelier mer- chants as well as for those in Barre. Six or eight such teams were always on the road, and the regular trips were made once in each three weeks. Among the foremost of these teamsters was Capt. Wm. Brad- ford. He had one horse who went 100 trips without missing a single trip, going, of course, each journey for 6 years without a rest. A large per cent. of the heavy freight drawn consisted of hogsheads of new rum, to supply Montpelier and Barre. Some say as much as one-half, but per- haps one third would be nearer correct.

STOCK AND FARMING.

Barre has always held a good rank in raising good horses, some spans selling as high as $1,000, and some stock horses selling for several thousand. As a farm- ing town, Barre ranks among the best in the State.

Formerly sheep and wool-raising was the leading interest, but of late years

dairying has taken the lead. Although there are no large dairies in town, those of from 19 to 25 cows are numerous. We have one creamery where excellent butter is made, and the milk is used after skim- ming to make skim cheese. A large amount of Western grain is being used by dairymen ; whether to profit or not, is a question to be settled by longer experi- ence.

Grain and potatoes, in the early days of the settlers, were much used in the man- ufacture of whisky, but of late years it has entirely ceased. Potato starch was form- erly made in large quantities. potatoes selling at the first introduction of the busi- ness from 10 to 14 cents per bushel, de- livered at the factory.

Wool-carding and cloth-dressing was formerly quite an extensive business. The first carding works were built by John Baker, and were situated on the site now occupied by the Fork Co. It was also early introduced by Ira Day, near South Barre.

Once on a time Mr. Day and his fore- man were in his mill in time of a freshet. The mill was in much danger of going down stream. It soon started, Mr. Day and his man in the meantime rushing for the door, too late to reach dry land, sprang upon some timbers floating within reach. The timbers were sometimes uppermost, and then the men, but after a cool and dan- gerous ride, both were happy to regain solid ground, wetter, if not better, men than before.

EARLY POSTMASTERS.

John Baker was at a very early day ap- pointed postmaster. and held the office many years. Afterwards it was located at South Barre, and Walter Chaffee appointed P. M. Mr. Chaffee was a large, fleshy man, a tailor with a wooden leg. Each Sunday he would come to church at the north part of the town, with the week's mail in the top of his hat, and deliver the same at noon upon the meeting-house steps, to the various claimants. Postage was then 25 cents for each letter that came over 400 miles ; 6 cents and one-fourth

d B G H L.

BARRE.

was for the shortest distance, each one paying when he got his letter.

Alvan Carter was the successor of Mr. Chaffee, and held the office a long time. After his time was ended, there was a loud call for a P. O. at the lower village, and warm discussions were held which should be Barre, and which North or South Barre. But the people in the north part of the town carried their point, and since have largely outstripped their southern rival. It is now the main business centre. Since the office has been at the north vil- lage, the respective postmasters have been, James Hale, Frances Hale, E. E. French, G. B. Putnam, Stillman Wood, and Wm. A. Perry, the present occupant.

THE FIRST MERCHANTS

in town were SILAS WILLARD, who built the checked store in the lower village. IRA DAY was located at South Barre, and for many years the leading merchant in town. Each year he bought large droves of beef cattle in this and the surrounding towns, for the Boston market, which gave him an extensive and lucrative business, no one knew how to manage better than himself. At the time Gen. Lafayette made the tour of New England, he was the guest of Mr. Day, who furnished a splendid coach and six beautiful white horses for transportation of the General and his suite.

JACK POLLARD was also a merchant in those early days, of considerable notoriety. He was famous for collecting large droves of mules which were raised at that time, and sent south. Of late years the busi- ness has been entirely abandoned.

Other merchants of a more recent date were Harry Tracy, Daniel Spring, Center Lamb, George W. Collamer, John & Charles French, I. A. Phillips, H. W. French, and several others since. The present merchants are Perry & Camp, H. Z. Mills, John Morrison, L. J. Bolster, dry goods ; men's furnishing goods, G. P. Boyce ; drugs and medicines, Wm. H. Gladding, Chas. A. Smith ; flour and feed, H. Webster, R. L. Clark, L. M. Averill, L. J. Bolster; hardware and tin, J. M. Jackman, G. I. Reynolds.

Until the advent of railroads, the town was well supplied with hotels, or taverns, as the older folks called them. The three principal in an early day were, one at South Barre, owned and run by James Paddock, one at the Lower village, owned by Apollos Hale, and afterwards by James, his son ; also one at Gospel village, so called, ¿ mile east of Lower village. Judge Keith, the proprietor, was one of the noted men in town, and high sheriff of the County for several years. He used to relate that from the profits of his office of high sheriff he built, and paid for build- ing, his tavern stand in one year.

Judge Keith was a man of much influ- ence, and held many and important offices. His family of boys were intelligent and in- fluential, and also became leading men. The late Judge Keith, of Montpelier, was his oldest son.

Subsequently there were at least 6 tav- erns in town at one time, all doing an ex- tensive business, owing to the large amount of travel which went through town, but since the advent of the railroad, hotels are at a great discount.

When the first settlers commenced to clear their land and raise wheat, the wild pigeons came in great abundance, so much so as to be quite a drawback, and it re- quired great care and skill to protect the crops from their depredations. They might be seen at all hours of the day flying from point to point in different directions all about town. Thousands were caught by nets, but for the want of proper markets, were of little value, except what could be used by the inhabitants, and at some seasons of the year they were lean and scarce fit for the table.

Uncle Brown Dodge, who was famous for his large stories, and told them so often he supposed them to be true, used to re- late that once when he had sown a piece of wheat, he saw it covered with pigeons, and went for his old fusee, and fired just as the pigeons were rising, and was aware of making an under-shot-" Never killed a pigeon, not a pigeon-but mind you," said he, "I went into the field afterwards and picked up two bushels of legs."

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Mr. Dodge had three sons. Two of them settled on excellent farms, and be- came influential and wealthy, and the younger one went with his family as Mis- sionary to the Cherokee Indians. He had two sons, who when grown to man's es- tate were in need of some one for sooth- ing the rough passage of life. Mr. Dodge, the father, started East, came to Vermont, and when he returned was accompanied by two handsome young ladies, and very soon after his arrival home, had the satisfaction of seeing his sons both married to Vermont girls. Leonard, the oldest son, became a teacher ; the younger son built and run a saw-mill. He was a brave young man, to whom the Indians took an offence, and one day, while standing in his mill, a bullet from an Indian's rifle came rushing through his heart.

DOCT. ROBERT PADDOCK

settled in town about 1806, and spent a long life in the practice of his profession. He was a well-educated and energetic man, successful in practice, and not easily turned from his own way. To illustrate : He was troubled with an in-growing nail on the great toe of his right foot. One morning he came into his office, where his son and another student were studying, bringing in a chisel and mallet. Having suitably placed his chisel, he told a student to take the mallet and strike. He at first refused, but he said he should be obeyed-I tell you to strike. The toe went flying across the room, and the remedy was successful.

Doct. Lyman Paddock, son of Doct. Robert, who succeeded him in practice, spent a long number of years in the pro- fession. He is now with his sister in Illinois, is 97 or 98 years old, with a fair prospect of living to be a hundred.

DOCT. VANSICKLIN

was another of our early and noted phy- sicians. He was a man of decided tal- ents, and had a large number of students, some of whom became men of talents. The celebrated Doct. Socrates Sherman, of Ogdensburg, N. Y., was one of his students, and a Barre boy, the son of Capt. Asaph Sherman. Time does not permit us to mention particularly all who have

practiced in town, but we will not neglect to speak of

DOCT. WALTER BURNHAM,

who removed to Lowell, Mass., and be- came celebrated as a successful surgeon.

Later came Doct. A. B. Carpenter and Doct. A. E. Bigelow, now our oldest prac- ticing physician. Doct. H. O. Worthen, Doct. J. H. Jackson, Doct. . A. E. Field and Doct. B. W. Braley are our present physicians in the allopathy practice. Doct. H. E. Packer succeeds the late Doct. C. H. Chamberlin as a homœopathist.

LAWYERS

in town : one of the first was Judge James Fisk ; another, the Hon. Dennison Smith, of both of whom, see notice by Mr. Car- penter.

Hon. LUCIUS B. PECK, a partner of Judge Smith, was a man of note and a representative in Congress.

NEWELL KINSMAN was in practice for a long time, associated in business a part of the time with E. E. French, Esq. C. W. Upton, D. K. Smith, L. C. Wheelock, have all successfully practiced in town.

Our present lawyers are : Wm. A. & O. B. Boyce, E. W. Bisbee and G. W. Bassett.

SOIL AND GAME.

There is no land in town so broken but what each lot is capable of becoming a passable farm if well cultivated. No broken land except the granite hills, which are still more valuable than the land in general. The streams were formerly well stocked with the speckled trout, but of late years they have become exceeding scarce. The first settlers found wild game quite plenty, but bears and other large game found too many sharp hunters to make their haunts safe places to dwell in.

Doct. Robert Paddock kept a small pack of hounds, and no music was sweeter to his ear than the baying of his dogs. Gen- eral Blanchard was not much behind the Doctor in his love of the same kind of music. Occasionally a bear was captured ; generally by a regular hunt, when every man had a chance to show skill, as well as the more practiced huntsman. There was

1204290

BARRE.

one killed in 1844 or '5, and but one since to the writer's knowledge.

Our most successful hunter was Lemuel Richardson, who is now living in our midst, and is 81 years old. His record is as follows : Between the years of 1821 and 1847, he killed with hound and gun 714 foxes ; since then he has taken in traps 675, making in all 1,389 foxes. He has during the same time killed of other game three deer, 12 fishers, five otter and sable, coons, muskrats and mink too numerous to mention. Mr. R. is a man to be relied on, and the above statement may be taken as correct.

BARRE VILLAGE

is situated nearly in the centre of the town. The principal stream running through the village is called Jail Branch, taking its name from a log jail once built on its bank. Coming from the south part of the town is a stream called Stevens' Branch, and unit- ing with Jail Branch before it enters the village. On this stream is situated a famous water-privilege called Day's mills, on which is now a grist and saw-mill, an extensive door. sash and blind manufac- tory; on the same stream there is also Robinson's sash and blind establishment and granite polishing works, and on the same stream before it enters Jail Branch is located Moorcroft Flannel Factory. The first water occupied on Jail Branch is by the Stafford & Holden Manufacturing Com- pany, for the purpose of manufacturing all kinds of hay and manure forks, potato diggers, etc., and in addition to the water power they have a 30 or 40 horse-power engine. Next on the stream are the mills and furnace of Smith, Whitcomb & Cook. These are the works formerly owned by Joshua Twing, once a celebrated mill builder.

There is one principal street running through the village, called Main street, and near the upper end of the village called South Main street; Bridge street crossing the Branch and connecting with Brooklyn street ; also with Hoboken. Elm street leaves Main near the National Bank, and runs north ; Merchant street is another

fine street running north ; Seminary street also runs north, and passes the Goddard Seminary. Depot Square and its sur- roundings is also very pleasant. The street leading from the village by Barre Academy is a very gentle rise, leading to the Cem- etery.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 6

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