The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 9

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 9

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JOSHUA TWING.

From Obituary in Watchman & Journal. Born in Wilbraham, Mass. ; for 40 years

BARRE.

a citizen of Barre; in mill-building long stood without a known rival. His ma- chine-shop and mill-wrighting establish- ment at Barre village had a reputation ex- tending far beyond the town and county even. It is the boast of scores of mechan- ics that they learned their trade of Joshua Twing. It was a custom with him to en- courage poor young men to learn a trade, and then, with a good character and dili- gent hand, work their way up to distinc- tion. He first learned his trade as an ap- prentice to a machinist, after which he was emphatically self-made ; and the mo- ment success began to crown his labors for himself, he turned to his straitened parents and provided for them. In this respect his example was like that of Joseph to his father, Jacob ; and the same cup of kindness came back to cheer his declining years, from the hands of his children. Strictly honest in all his extensive dealings, and generous to a fault, the memory of him embalmed with the blessings of the poor, he still left an ample estate, the re- sult of a long life of industry and personal prudence. He died in Montpelier, at the residence of his son-in-law, H. S. Loomis, in his 82d year, and labored with his own hands up to the last week of his life. He was buried in Barre Cemetery, where a fine granite monument has been erected to his memory.

SILAS KETCHUM.

From the Eulogy delivered before the New Hampshire Antiquarian Society, July 20, 1880.

BY L. W. COGSWELL, PRESIDENT.

On the evening of the 19th of Nov. 1859, three young men met in a room over one of the stores in Hopkinton village, and formed themselves into an organization under the name of "The Philomathic Club." These young men were Silas Ketchum, Darwin C. Blanchard and Geo. E. Crowell. The number of this club was limited to seven. It was made a part of the compact " the Club should never cease except by unanimous consent, and so long as two of its members lived." The orig- inal design was social intercourse and lit- erary culture.

A private collection of relics, minerals and natural curiosities, belonging to Mr. Ketchum, was in May, 1860, placed in a room in Mr. Crowell's house, fitted for the purpose, and dedicated by the Club Oct. 13, following, in which room the Club met till Oct. 6, 1868. Jan. 10, '68, the first contribution was made to the old cab- inet. It was for a time located in Hen- niker ; May 8, '72, was removed to Con- toocook. From this beginning has come the immense number of articles now in the possession of this Society, numbering more than 35,000.

Silas Ketchum was chosen Secretary of the Club, Aug. 20, 1867, which office he held until the adoption of the constitution of the New Hampshire Philomathic and Antiquarian Society, Nov, 19, 1873.

SILAS KETCHUM, son of Silas and Cynthia (Doty) Ketchum, was born in Barre, Vt., Dec. 4, 1835, His grand- father was Roger West Ketchum, born in Athol, Mass., 1770 ; his grand-mother was Wealthy Newcomb, daughter of Bradford Newcomb, and grand-daughter of Silas Newcomb, whose mother was Jerusha Bradford, daughter of Thomas Bradford, and great-grand-daughter of Major Wm. Bradford, son of William Bradford, who came to Plymouth in the May Flower, and was Governor of the colony 36 years. Mr. Ketchum was also descended from Ed- ward Doty, one of the 41 men who in the cabin of the May Flower affixed their names to the first constitution of government ever subscribed to by a whole people.

He was a good boy, thoughtful beyond his years, but feeble in his childhood, un- able to ever complete a full term of school till after twelve; fond of fishing in his youth, but as he grew old, turned his leisure moments to books. In 1854, his father removed from Barre, Vt., to Hop- kinton, N. H., and Silas learned and fol- lowed the trade of a shoemaker till 1855. But while steadily working at his trade, a more and more increasing desire for a knowledge that could take him upward out of his every-day duties pervaded him, and on his father's death, relying upon his own abilities, he resolved to obtain an educa-

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tion. He attended Hopkinton Academy several terms, teaching after his second term in the Academy, in Nelson and in Amherst ; fitted for college ; did not enter on account of severe illness ; pursued his studies under private instructors, and drawn toward the ministry, entered Bangor Theo. Sem. in 1860; Apr. 4, 1860 ; mar- ried Georgia C., daughter of Elbridge Hardy, Esq., of Amherst, N. H., a lady of culture and devoted companion to him until his death. While at Bangor he sup- ported himself and wife by working at his trade ; pursued a full course of study, never missing but one lecture or recitation ; grad- uating in 1863. From Dec. '63, he preach- ed to the Congregational church in Wards- boro, Vt., nearly 2 years ; moved to Brat- tleboro, to become associate editor with D. L. Milliken, of " The Vermont Record " and Vermont School Journal. Sept. 17, 1867, ordained pastor of the Congrega- tional church at Bristol, N. H. ; resigned in . 1855, on account of ill-health ; officiated in a small church in Maplewood, Mass., till Oct. 1876; occupied the pulpit of the Congregational church at Henniker sev- eral months, where he received a unani- mous and earnest call to become its pastor ; declined to accept one at Poquonock, Ct., July 16, 1877, which church he was pastor of at his death.

During the whole time as student and preacher, he was a diligent collector of any and every thing of a rare and curious na- ture. He presented to the New Hamp- shire Historical Society 512 volumes ; to the New Hampshire Antiquarian Society 1200 volumes and 3000 pamphlets ; and to the American Congregational Association of Boston, 352 volumes. His private li- brary, at the time of his death, consisted of 2500 volumes, comprising many works of rare merit. Of all these societies he was a member, and also of several others : The New England Historic and Genealogical Society of Boston, the Historical Society of New York, the Prince Society of Boston, and the Society of Antiquity of Worcester, Mass., and others. He was Grand Chap- lain of the Grand Lodge of F. and A. Masons of New Hampshire from 1871 to he did ; he excelled as a teacher, and as a

1875, and was many years an honorary member of the Orphans' Home Association. He was Corresponding Secretary of the Ne v Hampshire Antiquarian Society from 1873 to 1875 ; President in 1876, '77, '78, and was for many years connected with the press as correspondent, essayist and reviewer, and had at one time a tempting offer to enter the employ of Harper Broth- ers, of New York, which he declined, pre- ferring to continue his work as a minister of the gospel.

His first public address was delivered before the Lyceum at Warner, N. H., in the autumn of 1858 ; his subject was " Philip at Mount Hope." His published works are, A Farewell Discourse, Wardsboro, Vt., in 1865. History of the Philomathic Club, in 1875. Eulogy on Henry Wilson, at Malden, Mass., in 1876. Diary of the Invasion of Canada by the American Army in 1775. Special Geography of New Hampshire in 1877. Paul on Mars Hill, in 1879. Historic Masonry. Original Sources of Historic Knowledge, in 1879. Address at the Annual Meeting of the New Hampshire Antiquarian Society, July 15, 1879. At the time of his death, he had in course of preparation histories of the Ketchum and Doty families, and for some time had been at work upon an elaborate Dictionary of New Hampshire Biography, that he intended should be the crowning work of his life, and upon which he be- stowed most marvelous labor and care. Over 1000 sketches were completed, and material for 1500 more was well in hand. Worn down with such incessant toil, and being desirous of once more reaching the town which had so long been his home, he left the scene of his labors, reached the home of an intimate friend at Dorchester Highlands, Mass., where he passed peace- fully away upon Saturday morning, April 24, 1880. One of the most quiet, un- assuming, unselfish of beings, and one of the most industrious, rarest and best of men. In his youth, in his whole life, he was genial, gentlemanly ; had great vigor of mind, fertility of resource, and a most complete thoroughness of execution in all

BARRE.

preacher in the pulpit, meeting his congre- gation with something fresh and original. He was pleasing. His short, sharp, crisp sentences arrested his auditors ; they could but listen till the last word was spoken. Earnest in his utterances, deliberate in ar- gument, concise in his statements, with purity of diction and loftiness of thought, he commanded the interest of his congrega- tion, and where he preached for any length of time it was soon doubled and trebled. Of him as an antiquarian and historian, his collections in the rooms of this society, one of the very largest of its kind in this country, speaks better words of commend- ation for him than I can utter, and stands as a more enduring monument than words can erect in honor of him.

Of his domestic relations suffice it to say, notwithstanding the immense amount of labor performed by him, his home, his family, was never forgotten, within that sacred, happy circle he was the central light. But he is gone from us, and is now transfigured and with the immortals. He was taken in the prime of life, with so much accomplished and so much left un- done.

(From the resolutions passed at this meeting of the N. H. Antiq. & Hist Society )

"We here formally declare, and cause to be recorded for posterity to learn, that to the Rev. Silas Ketchum's thought, per- sonal labors, generous munificence, and untiring zeal, this New Hampshire Anti- quarian Society is indebted more than to any others, not only for its existence, but for its present proportions and prosperity."

" We recognize that New Hampshire as a state has lost one of her richest schol- ars, most logical thinkers, and most accu- rate historians, and society a most exem- plary Christian man, whose daily walk was an inspiration to holy living. "

STAFFORD & HOLDEN MANUFACTURING CO.

From a very interesting description in the Argus and Patriot, of Nov. 13, 1877, with present statement of the Company, June, 1881.

" The foremost industry in Barre to-day (1877) is the manufacture of forks and ice tools. In 1861, two Brookfield men, Her- rick and Adams, established themselves at the mill-privilege in the upper part of Barre

village ; run four fires and one trip-ham- mer, and turned out from 300 to 600 dozen per year of round-tined hay and manure- forks. Frank Safford and Loren D. Blanch- ard bought the business in 1864, and Blanchard sold out to Clark Holden. The first year's business of this new firm was 1500 dozen forks. In '68 they added the manufacture of ice-plows and tools. From '68 to '77, sold some years 250 to 300 ice- plows with the ice-tools : Among other partners and stockholders to the present, have been Luke and Ira Trow, Hial O. Hatch (foreman,) L. T. Kinney ; in March '76, the reorganization as a stock com- pany ; Stafford and Holden half owners ; of the other half ten other citizens of Barre owners; loss of some $12,000 by Chicago fire; totally destroyed by fire March, '77 ; rebuilt same year ; foundation and flume split granite ; forge-room 40 by 100 feet ; 20 fires ; 5 60-pound trip ham- mers and ice-tool machinery ; cost about $6,000. The company use cast-steel in all their manufactures, made especially for them. There are 6 polishing machines for forks, one for ferrule and one for wooden handles; amount of work about 15,000 dozen per year of not less than 60 different patterns ; employ about 50 workmen. Ire- land and Scotland take most of the forks. They go to Germany and South America. Ice-tools to Germany and Japan."

Statement of the Company, June, 1881 : " 17,000 dozen forks made in 1880; this year about the same ; about $3,000 worth of new machinery put in ; is now one of the most perfectly equipped shops in the country: directors : Josiah Wood, B. W. Braley, Dexter Trow, E. B. Wood, Hor- ace Fifield ; Clark Holden, superintendent and treasurer ; Nat. Whittier, assistant.

LIST OF PREACHERS

THE

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF BARRE.

1796, Nicholas Snethen; 1797, Ralph Williston ; 1798 and '99, Joseph Crawford ; 1799, Elijah Chichester ; 1800, Timothy Dewey ; 1801, Truman Bishop and Thomas Branch ; 1802, Solomon Langdon and Paul Dustin ; 1803, Samuel Draper and Oliver Beale ; 1804, Oliver Beale ; 1805, Elijah Hedding and Daniel Young ; 1806, Philip Munger and Jonathan Cheney ; 1807, Sam- uel Thompson and Eleazer Wells; 1808, Solomon Sias ; 1809, Warren Banister and George Gary; 1810, Eleazer Wells and

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Squire Streeter ; 1811, Nathaniel W. Stearns and John Jewett; 1812, Ebenezer F. Newell and Joseph Dennett ; 1813, David Kilburn ; 1814, David Kilburn and Jason Walker; 1815, Joel Steele ; 1816, Joel Steele and Thomas C. Pierce ; 1817 and '18, Leonard Frost ; 1819, Thomas C. Pierce ; 1820, Squire B. Haskell and E. Dunham ; 1821, John F. Adams and Abra- ham Holway; 1822, John F. Adams, D. Leslie and Z. Adams ; 1823, Samuel Norris and Hascall Wheelock ; 1824, D. Kilburn, H. Wheelock and A. H. Houghton ; 1825, J. Lord, D. Leslie and Elihu Scott ; 1826, A. D. Merrill and J. Templeton ; 1827, J. B. White, E. Jordan and R. L. Harvey ; 1828, Amasa Buck and D. Stickney ; 1829, J. Templeton and J. Nayson ; 1830, J. A. Scarritt and R. H. Deming ; 1831, N. W. Scott and R. H. Deming ; 1832, N. W. Scott and George F. Crosby ; 1833, S. H. Cutler and J. Nayson ; 1834, N. Howe and Otis F. Curtis ; 1835, Geo. Putnam and I. Wooster ; 1836, Elihu Scott and D. Wil- cox; 1837, E. J. Scott and Moses Lewis ; 1838, N. W. Aspinwall ; 1839, N. Culver ; 1840 and '41, J. Currier ; 1842 and '43, J. L. Slauson ; 1844 and '45, A. Webster ; 1846, J. W. Perkins ; 1847 and '48, B. Bed- ford ; 1849 and '50, C. Fales ; 1851 and '52, J. S. Dow ; 1853, E. Copeland ; 1854, E. Robinson ; 1855, E. Copeland : 1856 and '57, Isaac McAnn; 1858, A. T. Bullard ; 1859 and '60, J. L. Roberts ; 1861 and '62, David Packer ; 1863 and '64, H. K. Cobb ; 1865, J. W. Bemis ; 1866 and '67, Lewis Hill; 1868, Joshua Gill; 1869, Joseph A. Sherburn ; 1870, '71 and '72, Peter Mer- rill ; 1873, J. M. Puffer, (deceased while pastor) ; 1874, Walter Underwood ; 1875, '76 and '77, W. H. Wight ; 1878, '79 and '80, Harvey Webster ; 1881, J. R. Bartlett.

The above list of preachers received since in press from Rev. Mr. Bartlett now at Barre, Editor of the Christian Messen- ger, author of the interesting pamphlet " Methodism in Williamstown." Rev. Mr. Bartlett has taken in hand a complete history of the Methodists in Barre which will be in. pamphlet, and is promised to the supplement volume of this work. ED.

TELEGRAPH OFFICE.

The completion of the railroad to Barre being accomplished and thoroughly cele- brated, the next thing in connection with the railroad looked for, was the telegraph at the village depot, which was duly opened, sending its first telegram, Oct. 1, 1875.

The Barre Fire Company, page 36, took the second prize, $200 at the trial in Bur- lington.

SAMUEL GOODELL, who resides at Mas- sena, N. Y., and who frequently writes for the newspapers-we have seen his verses in the Barre Enterprise of late-was "a Barre boy," and there are others natives of the town, both among the living and the dead, who should be all counted back to Barre before the record is finally closed for the first hundred years of her history.

ADDENDA : Page 16. The number of soldiers credited to Barre in the county table is incorrect. See selectmen's report for 1865 ; page 42.

Page 24, 2d col., not I. W. but I. N. Camp ; page 25, 2d col., comma and not period after bank, and next after, small, not large a, one connected sentence. Barre Academy, same page, the name of Miss Emily Frett should have been added to the list of teachers, a neice of Mrs. Spaulding, who taught several years in this institution, now teacher in a normal school in Platteville, Wis.

Goddard Seminary, page 26, the dates for, was taken from the record of 1880, since which, Dr. Braley has died-see no- tice page 25 ; and J. M. Haynes, Esq., of St. Albans, is present vice president. The name, also, of the second principal, page 25, is Hawes and not Harris-F. M. Hawes. Page 48, for Susan Cook, read Mrs. Susan Town Cook.

We must also ask leniency for a few typographical errors in the County chapter. The proof sent to the author at a distance returned too late for corrections in place ; we noted them for insertion here, and have made the mistake to lose the paper, and to send the proofs with , them to another writer ; they may be added to the addenda at close of the County.

sta

BERLIN.

BY SYLVANUS F. NYE.

BERLIN in Washington Co .. lat. 40° 13,' long. 4º 25,' near the centre of the State, bounded N. by Middlesex, Mont- pelier and part of East Montpelier, E. by Barre and part of Williamstown, S. by Northfield and part of Williamstown, and W. by Moretown, was chartered June 8, 1763, wherein it was declared "and is hereby incorporated into a township by the name of Berlin."-Book of Charters, page 473-474 : 70 equal shares.

The first settlement was commenced in the summer of 1785, by Ebenezer San- born from Corinth, on what was afterwards known as the " Bradford farm," about half a mile from the mouth of Dog river, and Joseph Thurber from N. H., on a place near the mouth of the same river, since known as the " Shepard farm." Sanborn and Thurber removed the next year to the State of New York. In 1786, Moses Smith moved into the S. E. corner of the town, and in 1787, Daniel Morse from the town of Washington, with his family on to the place left by Thurber, and Jacob Fowler from Corinth, to that of Sanborn, and John Lathrop from Bethel, into the S. E. part of the town. In 1788, Daniel Morse left, and his place was occupied by Hezekiah Silloway from Corinth. In 1789, eight families were added, making. in all thirteen, and in 1790, eight more. The first town meeting was warned by John Taplin, a Justice of the Peace, and held March 31, 1791, at the dwelling-house of Aaron Strong ; James Sawyer, modera- tor, David Nye, clerk, Zachariah Perrin, Eleazer Hubbard and James Sawyer, se- lectmen ; Micajah Ingham, constable. The first roads through the town were " the old Brookfield road," entering the town from the south and passing west of the Pond to Montpelier and the " Coos road " from Connecticut river to Burling- ton, which passed through the town from Barre village to the first named road at the " Bugbee place." The first school in town was kept in a log school-house, standing on east street near the brick

house built by the late Dea. David Nye, by Mrs. Titcomb in the summer of 1794, and by the wife of Dr. Collins in 1795.

The first school on Dog river was kept by Dr. Gershom Heaton in the winter of 1794-5, in a log-house near the residence of the late Justus Brown.

The first saw-mill was built by Eleazer Hubbard in 1791, on the upper falls of Pond brook, now known as " Benjamin's Falls," and a grist-mill a little below the saw-mill one year later. The nearest mill for some time after the first settlement was at Corinth, more than 28 miles distant, and not patronized by our settlers to a great extent, who preferred to live on pound cake ; the recipe for making : a hole burned in the top of a large stump; the grain put in, pounded to such fineness as the pounder could afford, and then made into bread.

The first store and tavern was kept by Jonas Parker in the house afterwards the residence of " Israel Dewey, about 1800." The next was opened in the building for- merly standing south of the above, by Charles Huntoon, about 1806. A year or two after, he built at the corner opposite the large square house used for many years as a tavern. His successors in the mer- cantile business were Bemsley Huntoon, Orrin Carpenter · (in 1816), Bigelow & Wheatley, Andrew Wheatley, Farmer's and Mechanics' Interest Co., Heaton and Denney who closed out the business soon after 1850, since which time there has been no store kept in the town. The town is diversified by hills and valleys. Stevens' branch crosses the N. E. corner. A little east of the centre lies the valley of the Pond and Pond brook, and in the western part the valley of Dog river. The eastern part of the town was originally covered with a dense growth of hard wood, maple, beach, birch, elm, etc., with a mixture of spruce, hemlock and basswood, and in the swamps cedar and ash. On the mountain in the centre upon the south side of the town there is a quantity of butternut, while west of Dog river there is a larger propor- · tion of spruce and hemlock. The soil is

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well adapted to the growth of English grains and grasses, and in favorable loca- tions Indian corn is cultivated in per- fection.

The first marriage of parties living in town was Joshua Swan to Miss Collins, in . Tradition says, there being snow on the ground, the bride-elect took her seat on a hand-sled, and the gallant bride- groom, with one or two to assist, drew her to Middlesex, where lived the nearest jus- tice of the peace (probably Esq. Putnam) where the twain were duly made one fiesh, when the bride resumed her seat upon the sled, and returned home by the way she came, on the same day, having made a bridal tour of about 15 miles.

The first births in town were Abigail K., daughter of Jacob and Abigail Black, in 1789, who became the wife of Ira Andrews, and died in 1864, and Porter Perrin, Feb. 1790, who died May 17, 1871.

The first deaths were in 1789, an infant child of John Lathrop, and a little later, the Widow Collins, aged 88 years.

PHYSICIANS.

DR. EBENEZER COLLINS, who remained in town but a short time.

DR. GERSHOM HEATON, born in Swan- zey, N. H., 1773 ; removedat an early age to Hanover, N. H. ; graduated at the med- ical department in Dartmouth College about 1795, and came about the same time to Berlin ; but after a short practice, quit his profession, went to farming, and event- ually accumulated a handsome property ; died Jan. 1850, aged 77 years.

DR. JACOB MILLER, a native of Middle- boro, Mass .; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1804; pursued his medical studies with Nathan Smith, M. D., and attended lectures at Dartmouth Medical College. His name is not found, how- ever, in the list of graduates. He married Parthenia Dewey, of Hanover, N. H., Mar. 10, 1808, (born in Hanover, N. H., Feb, 13, 1781, M. 2d, Thomas Beach, of Strat- ford, N. H., where she died 21, Feb. 1846), and probably settled in Berlin about this time. He was regarded as a physician of uncommon promise, but fell a victim to

the spotted fever then prevailing as an epidemic through the State, and died Jan. 19, 1813. He left one son, Jedediah, born in Berlin, Sept. 15, 1811 ; graduated M. D. at Dartmouth College in 1839, and died in New York city a few years since.

DR. JOHN WINSLOW

was born in Pomfret, Vt., Mar. 10, 1788; read with his uncle, Dr. Joseph Winslow, of Windsor, attending lectures at Dart- mouth Medical College, and practicing with his uncle in Windsor 2 years. He settled in Berlin after the death of Dr. Miller in 1813. Dr. W. held a good rank with the practitioners of his time, being frequently called as counsel, and having an extensive practice in Berlin and other towns adjoining, until he relinquished prac- tice, soon after the death of his first wife. He was respected as a citizen for his lib- erality in whatever contributed to the pub- lic weal, and as a Christian for his con- sistent lite and support to the church and its institutions. He died July 1, 1871, aged 83 years.

Dr. Winslow was married Ist to Sarah Bishop, (born in Windsor, Dec. 17, 1791 ; died Apr. 7, 1835) ; 2d, to Keziah Heaton, (born in Hanover, N. H., 1800) ; children, a daughter, who died before the death of his first wife, and a son, John F. Winslow, who now resides in Berlin.

DR. ORIN SMITH,

son of Christopher Smith, born in Marlow, N. H., July 27, 1807, at an early age re- moved with his parents to Williamstown, Vt. ; when nineteen, studied medicine with Dr. Z. O. Burnham, of Williamstown, and in 1830, received the degree of M. D. in the University of Vermont. He com- menced practice in Berlin, and heartily de- voted himself to his profession. Nov. 1830, he was married to Julia, daughter of Abel Knapp, Esq. Of 7 children by this mar- riage, one son and daughter only are now, (1873), living, in Illinois.

Dr. Smith repeatedly held town offices ; in 1834, '35, '37, '49 was town represent- ative, and after a successful practice of nearly 20 years in Berlin, removed to Montpelier, and in 1853, became professor

BERLIN.

of obstetrics, etc., in the University of Vermont, but removed to Chicago finally, where he held a high position as a phy- sician. He died in Chicago, Aug. 1867, aged 60 years.

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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 9

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