The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 91

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 91

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By the terms of the act, locating the seat of government at Montpelier, the State House was to be completed by the first of September, 1808. It was done ; and great were the preparations made among the villagers, and great the antici- pations raised among them and through all the surrounding community, in view of the advent of the new and important day of " Election." Streets were cleared of lum- ber and rubbish, side-walks prepared of plank or gravel, houses painted, new suits of clothes purchased, and everything made to assume the sprucest appearance. A fine artillery company uniformed through- out with plumed Bonaparte hats and the dress of field officers in all except the epau- lette on the privates, was organized from among the first citizens of this and the neighboring towns, to serve as the gover- nor's guard, and be in special attendance on Election days. Of this company Isaac Putnam, a man nearly six feet high, weigh- ing over two hundred pounds, well propor- tioned, and as noble in soul as in body, had the honor of being chosen the first captain, and no one of those present now living can fail to recall his fine and com- manding military appearance on those oc- casions as he stood up between his soldiers and the encircling crowd, like Saul among the people. An iron six-pounder field piece had been procured ; and a thrill of excitement ran through the excited hearts of all the boys of the community at the news, that when the election of State officers was declared on Election day, " a cannon, a great cannon, was to be fired in Montpelier Hollow !"

The eventful day at length came, and

the neighboring country, 15 or 20 miles around, came pouring into the village. But instead of attempting any further gen- eral description of the then entire novelties of the day and their effect on the multitude, we will, at the risk of the imputation of losing our dignity as a historian, again have recourse to the reminiscences of our boyhood. We were, of course, there on that day among the throngs of excited boys, congregated from all quarters, to witness the various sights and performances expected on that important occasion. A showy procession had been formed in the fore part of the day, led by the military in all the marching pomp of flying colors and rattling drums, and followed by the State officers, members of the legislature and a concourse of citizens, and the Election sermon had been preached by the Rev. Sylvanus Haynes, pastor of the Baptist Church of Middletown. The House of Representatives had been organized by the election of Dudley Chase, Esq., of Ran- dolph, Speaker ; and a canvassing com- mittee appointed still earlier in the day and put to work in counting the votes for State officers. And as the hour of sunset ap- proached, and as there had been for some hours no public demonstrations to be wit- nessed, a great proportion of the crowd was scattered all over the village. We and a lot of other boys were standing in the street somewhere against our present Court House, when, sudden as the burst- ing of a thunder clap, the whole village shook with the explosion of the cannon on the State House common. We all instant- ly ran at the top of our speed for the spot. When we had got about half way there, we met a gang of other boys from one of the back towns, who, taken by surprise and seized with panic at the stunning shock, were fleeing for their lives in the opposite direction ; but gaining a little assurance from seeing us rushing toward the scene of their fright, one, braver than the rest, stopped short, boldly faced about and exclaimed, " Hoo! I an't a n'attom afraid !" and all now joining in the race, we were, in another minute, within a few rods of the smoking gun, which had been discharged on the announcement of the election of Isaac Tichenor as Governor. The next moment our attention was at- tracted by the voice of Israel P. Dana, sheriff of the county, standing on the upper terrace of the State House, and loudly pro- claiming-" Hear ye! hear ye ! hear ye ! the Honorable Paul Brigham has been elected Lieutenant Governor, in and over the State of Vermont, by the suffrages of the freemen. God save the people !" Then

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another discharge of the piece saluted our recoiling ears and sent its sharp echoes from side to side between the encircling hills. Then came the announcement of the election of Benjamin Swan as Treas- urer, followed by a third gun; then the last announcement of the election of Coun- cillors, followed by a fourth gun ; and then, without further official announcements, the salute of guns was continued till one for each of the states had been fired.

Such were the performances on the first Election day in Montpelier, and such the interest and excitement they created among the multitude .- Thompson.

HON. JOSEPH POLAND,

second son of the late Dea. Luther and Nancy (Potter) Poland, was born in Underhill, Mar. 14, 1818; removed with his father in 1821 to Coit's Gore, now Waterville, and worked on a farm till 1835, when he came as an apprentice to the Montpelier Watchman office, and remain- ed until 1839. January 1, 1839, he com- menced the publication of the Voice of Freedom, but in less than a year sold out on account of ill health. In June, 1840, he started the Lamoille Whig at Johnson, and continued it 3 years. In 1844, he re- turned to Montpelier, and established the Green Mountain Freeman, and continued it until Dec. 1848. In 1868, in connection with his son, J. Monroe, he purchased the Watchman and Fournal, of which he is still in charge. It is probable that no ed- itor in Vermont, now in the harness, has had Mr. Poland's experience of 25 years in connection with the public press.

Mr. Poland has held numerous public offices, the duties of all having been faith- fully performed : In 1842, assistant clerk of the House of Representatives ; 1852-'3, judge of probate for Washington County ; 1858-'60, state Senator ; 1870-'71, town representative ; 1861-'68, collector of U. S. internal revenue for the first Congres- sional District ; 1849-1881, secretary and director of The Farmers' Mutual Fire In- surance Company-offices which he has held ever since the organization of the company, and to which he has been an- nually elected by unanimous votes.

Mr. Poland may well be ranked as a veteran in the celebrated anti-slavery born in 1806.

movement which has now become histori- cal, having enlisted in 1843, and conducted the organ of the party in Vermont, and served as chairman of its State Committee, for many years ; so that he may now prop- erly indulge in the double boast of both him that girdeth on the harness and he that putteth it off-having lived to see American slavery not only forever extin guished by the organic law of the land, bu remembered only with such detestation that history blushes at the record.

In 1840 Mr. Poland married Mary Ann daughter of the late Joseph Rowell. The had 7 children, of whom 5 have died 3 in infancy, Clara A., a beautiful daughter, in 1865, and Charles F., whe developing into a promising manhood, i 1875. Two sons survive, J. Monroe an Edward R. Mrs. Poland died in 186. and in 1873 Mr. P. married Miss Julia M Harvey, daughter of James K. Harvey, ( Barnet, deceased.

Mr. Poland joined the first Congreg? tional (Bethany) church in 1839, and f several years he has been one of its deacon an earnest worker in its Sabbath-schod and a promoter of all reformative ar Christian enterprises. He is favorab known in the churches of Vermont, and now publisher of two religious newspaper the Vermont Chronicle and the New Ham shire Fournal. E. P. W.

OLD PEOPLE OF 1881.

The oldest man living in town is I Nathaniel C. King, born July 19, 178 settled in the north part of the old town 1805, and came to the village to reside 1875.

The oldest woman residing in towrs Mrs. Lucy Mead, born July 23, 1789; 1; been a resident of the village since 1813

The oldest person living in the villa . and born in the limits of the old town s Orin Cummins, born Feb. 23, 1801.

The oldest person living in the villa:, born in the limits of the new town, is Jon Q. A. Peck, born in 1808.

The oldest person living in town d born in the village limits, is Snow To,

Joseph Poland

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The oldest person living in the village, and born in the village, is Wm. Nelson Peck, born Sept. 18, 1811.

The oldest resident of the village is Hon. Elijah Paine Jewett, who has resided here since 1805, and is 80 years of age.

The oldest French resident of the town is Joseph Wood, who came in 1831, and is now 85 years of age.

The oldest Irish resident in town is James McLaughlin, who came in 1832, and is now 80 years of age. Mr. John Murphy came in 1834, and is now 86 years of age.

WILLIAM W. CADWELL.

Among the very old and worthy citizens of Montpelier was William W. Cadwell, who was born in Hatfield, Mass., May 12, 1799, and in the same year was brought to Montpelier by his father, Wyllis I. Cadwell. He succeeded his father in trade for many years, and on retiring was employed as town clerk, magistrate, overseer of the poor, &c. He was esteemed as an honest man, always having the interests of the town at heart. He died suddenly in 1877, aged 78 years.

The above was not written in time to appear with the biographies of deceased citizens of Montpelier. E. P. W.

[We had filed and overlooked till now.] MRS. GOVERNOR RANSOM,

a native of Montpelier, and a sister of William W. Cadwell, Esq., who died at the residence of her son-in-law in Fort Scott, Kansas, Nov. 17, 1877. She was for many years a resident of Michigan, of which state her husband was both gover- nor and chief justice. Mrs. Ransom's name before marriage was Almira Cadwell.

The home of the Cadwells was in the old house still standing at the head of State Street. Mrs. Constant W. Storrs and Mrs. Geo. P. Ricker are the only represen- tatives of the old family left here, now. Almira Cadwell, it is said, was a beautiful girl. The old house was considered the only house in Montpelier worthy to re- ceive Lafayette in, on his visit to the capi- tal of the State of the Green Mountain Boys, for whom the great French General always had a particular admiration.

MRS. SARAH SPALDING,

widow of the late Hon. John Spalding, who was for many years the treasurer of the State of Vermont, died at her home in Montpelier Jan. 19, 1874, in her 83d year. Mrs. Spalding, a virtuous and excellent woman, was a great sufferer for many years previous to her death, and an inva- lid for over 40 years. A few days before her death, she had a second paralytic shock, after which she was never able to speak. She was the mother of 8 children, among whom was

CHARLES C. SPALDING,

a graduate of Burlington College, see page -"Charles Spalding was first civil en- gineer for a time. In 1849, when the California gold fever broke out, he was among the pioneers who sought that auri- ferous land. making the passage in a sailing vessel around Cape Horn. His success at mining was indifferent. Returning home via the Pacific coast and the Gulf of Mexi- co, he spent about a year in Montpelier, when he went to New York and entered the service of Harnden & Co. as express messenger between New York and Boston. Soon going West, he engaged in survey- ing and railroad engineering in Ohio, Illi- nois and Kentucky. At the time of the establishment of Kansas as a territory, he was living in one of the border counties of Missouri, where he married a Missouri lady. He took part in the establishment of its territorial government, making pre- liminary surveys and encouraging immigra- tion by writing special letters to the New York Tribune, which attracted no little attention in the East. He published a pa- per in Lawrence, Kansas, and was elected an alderman, and was for a short time mayor of the city. He took the democrat- ic side on the outbreak of the Kansas war, and soon after left the state. He after- wards taught school, and at the breaking out of the war returned to the East, en- listing in the 6th Vermont Regiment, served 2 years, came home and started the Newport News, at Newport, Vt. This he sold, and went to Boston in 1866, and took a position on the Boston Post. In 1869, he became connected with the Boston Herald, and remained with that paper up to the time of his decease. He had been suffering from a complication of diseases, and his death was not unexpected .- Bur- lington Free Press.

He was perhaps best known to the pub- lic through the police court column of this journal, which he has written almost con-

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tinuously for several years past. The hu- mor, the philosophy, the philanthropy, which he has there introduced into his homilies upon the doings of the criminal classes of this Metropolis, have endeared him in the hearts of thousands of people who knew him not personally, and who will regret sincerely his demise .- Rutland Herald.

[See biography of Hon. John Spalding, page 487.]

JAMES REED SPALDING,

of the class of 1840, died at Dover, N. H., early in October, 1872, in the fiftieth year of his age. He was a native of Montpelier, and chose journalism as his profession, soon after his graduation. He first gained reputation as the chief editorial writer of the New York Courier and Enquirer, dur- ing the last year of its existence. From that paper he went to the New York World, which he was interested in estab- lishing as a religious, rather than a political newspaper ; but the experiment soon failed in that form, and when Mr. Marble got possession of the paper, and turned it into a democratic organ, Mr. Spalding left it and went upon the Times, where he re- mained many years and did his best work. His daily leader-generally upon a politi- cal subject-was uniformly the best piece of writing upon the editorial page, uniting vigor with finish, full knowledge of his theme, and a statesman's grasp of its rela- tions. He had his first attack of paralysis before the death of Mr. Raymond, and re- tired to the country, but for some months, at least, kept up his constant contributions to the editorial department of the paper. He was a man of high literary attainments and was an essayist rather than an editor. To a moral character of great purity was added the fervor of Christian faith, which did not find utterance in noisy declaration, but shone luminously in the simplicity of his manners, and the consecration of his splendid powers to the advocacy of such principles as he deemed best calculated to benefit mankind. The disease which im- paired his powers in later life and eventu- ally caused his death was apoplectic paraly- sis. One of his finest public efforts was an oration delivered at the seml-centennial celebration of the foundation of this Uni- versity, in 1854 .- U. V. M. Obituary.

Mr. Spalding was brother of Rev. George B. Spalding of Dover, N. H., editor of the New Hampshire Journal, and son of Dr. James Spalding-p. 445. Dr. James and Hon. John Spalding, father of Charles Carrol, were brothers.

MARCUS D. GILMAN,

born in Calais, Jan. 28, 1820, came to Montpelier in 1835, and was engaged in merchandise there and at Northfield until 1845, when he started out on a tour in search of a favorable place in which to locate. This tour embraced the Atlantic cities from Boston to Baltimore, and the western cities and promising towns to the Mississippi river. He was greatly im- pressed by Chicago, then a fresh city o: about 8000 inhabitants, among whom were many Vermonters. Having in the mean time married Maria Malleville, daughter o Hon. Daniel Baldwin, of Montpelier, he left that town in June, 1845, with his wife and his few effects, for Chicago, and in les than a week after his arrival formed a co partnership with Charles Follansbee for general mercantile business, wholesale an retail. At the end of the first year he pui chased the entire stock, and from tha time, either alone or with different par ners, Mr. Gilman prosecuted his busines: for most of the time in two wholesale estal lishments-one of dry goods and the oth of groceries-and so successfully prosec ted it, that he was content to retire in 136 when for two years he with his family r sided at Riverside, Newton, Mass., ar then returned to the old homestead ai the scenes of their childhood and youth, Montpelier, where their beautiful hor still is.

Politically Mr. Gilman has been frc youth a Democrat, and his familiar quaintance with and friendship for " T Little Giant," Stephen A. Douglas, spired in him a zeal that has never flagge He has been the candidate of his party Mayor, and also Treasurer of Chicag; and he was tendered the candidacy L

State Treasurer of Illinois, which he clined. He was the representative f Montpelier, 1874-'5, and the only na ever elected as a Democrat since the - vision of the old town; but a Republin legislature had so high an appreciationof his integrity and business qualities tt he was elected a Director of the Se Prison. He was Librarian of the Vermit Historical Society, 1874-1881, and is

Marcus D. Gilman

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rendered the Society and the State inval- uable services, and his declination of further service is a great loss. His taste is for antiquities, history and biography, and his private library in these lines is probably more extensive and valuable than any other in the State. He is an honorary or corresponding member of various his- torical and other organizations. He is President of the Vermont Numismatical Society, and will ere long appear as author of a Bibliography of Vermont, which he has been industriously preparing for sev- eral years.

Mr. Gilman's political record to this date cannot be completed without adding that he was chairman of the Vermont delega- tion in the National Democratic Conven- tion of 1876, and voted for Samuel J. Tilden every time. His democracy is cer- tainly both unimpeachable and unappeas- able.

For additional notices of Mr. Gilman and his family, see ante, pages 155-157. E. P. W.

A SOLDIER'S LETTER-WAR OF '61.

Extract :- CURTIS A. COBURN was ap- pointed regimental postmaster at Brattle- boro, Vt., and also brigade postmaster while in camp near Washington; we all liked him much. He was always very anxious that we should get our mails promptly and daily, if it was to be got at. He was transferred to the Signal Corps in August last, and was captured by the reb- els while on our retreat from Culpepper to Bull Run, in October.

Sergt. HIRAM M. PIERCE, (in whom I feel more particularly interested, he always being with the Company, ) has been a good soldier and done his duty well in every spot and place, and by his good conduct won the esteem of every member in the company; always cheerful and happy. While a detachment of Cos. B, G, and K, were doing picket duty at Conrad's Ferry, Md., one year ago, he was detailed as act- ing quartermaster and also sergt .- major of the detachment, and in those positions he was found fully competent. By his gal- lantry at the battle of Orange Grove, he proved himself to be an earnest, brave and noble champion to the cause of humanity, liberty and his country. In the progess of that battle as we were ordered to fix bayo- nets and charge, on approaching the rail fence he spoke so loud that he was heard

by every one in the company, " Come on Co. B," and was one of the first to climb the fence. He had been over but a mo- ment when I heard him exclaim-" I am wounded, my arm is broken." The next time I saw him was at Brandy Station, Va., several days afterwards ; as soon as I heard that the wounded had arrived, I went down to see them, and I found Sergt. Pierce ; he appeared quite glad to see me, as I was to see him, but I felt very sorry to see him with but one arm, (his left arm was taken off above the elbow). He told me that it had been very painful, for on account of the hasty retreat of the medical corps from the field in light marching order, his arm was not attended to until two or three days after the battle.

Lieut. STETSON, who had been in com- mand of the company most of the time since we have been in the service, drew my attention at the battle of Orange Grove. He stood bravely at his post, re- marking " boys, keep cool, and do not shoot until you can see something to shoot at !" Lieut. Abbott of Co. D, (then act- ing as Ist Lieut. of Co. B,) was doing all all he could to keep a good line, and also to preserve good order in the company. After Gilman Storrs was shot, a boy that we have missed very much, Lieut. Stetson (whom you all know is not very easily scared), grasped a musket, and asking the boys if they had any ammunition for him, I gave him some caps, and some one else some cartridges, when he loaded and fired as fast as he could, remarking that " he hoped that each bullet would do good exe- cution, for they had killed his boy Gim." Lieut. Abbott came out with us as orderly sergeant, and after he was promoted to 2d lieut. of Co. D, the company very gener- ously presented him a sword, belt and shoulder-straps, costing about $50, as a testimony of their regard for him .- Watchman.

Curtis Coburn, who enlisted from Mont- pelier, learned the printer's trade at the Repository office, of Mr. Charles H. Sev- erance, now of the Watchman office. Coburn died in New Orleans ; see page 523. Lieutenants Abbott and Stetson, see page 522.

CHARLES W. LYMAN,

[To whom we find the following tribute in the Baltimore American,]

Died, Oct. 10, 1866, in Shelby, Ohio, after a short illness, C. W. Lyman, former- ly of Montpelier, leaving a young wife, child and numerous friends to mourn his untimely end.

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

He was among the foremost who rallied his country's defense when the tocsin of ar sounded, serving faithfully and gal- ntly as a line officer in the "Wallace uaves" of Indiana. Subsequently he as promoted to a position of great respon- bility in the Southwest, where, for ability, tegrity and honor, he won the highest comiums from such men as " Grant, herman and McPherson"-men whom e nation loves to honor. As a man and

a friend he was generous to a fault, and few can boast of more sincere friendship or warmer admirers. As a father and hus- band he was all that love and fidelity could make him; young and full of ambitious hopes, he passed from our midst a bright example to all who love the generous and the good .- Watchman.

His remains were brought to Montpelier and interred in Green Mount.

CENTRAL VERMONT DEPOT AT MONTPELIER.

Coming up from ontpelier Junction, me less than 2 miles low, we arrive at e Montpelier station about five minutes' de from the Junction. he cars stop at the ew Central depot, hich the eye strikes it a moment before nding-almost the me instant the State ouse, on the street eyond, on higher round, and the prin- pal part of State St. inning along the river de, opens up a pleas- it view of the village of the Green Moun- in Capital on the first approach to it by ilroad from St. Albans and Burlington ay. The first railroad depot building, hich stood upon the same site, was erected 1850-a brick structure, 150 x 50 feet, editable for the time, and a beginning ; ut a better building being desired in hich to receive the Legislature, and more mitable to the place, the present commo- ious brick depot was erected, being com- leted September 1880. We have the view f the exterior; the interior is well and onveniently finished for the Capital depot ; very wide central hall-wide enough for e town representatives of several of the maller counties of the State to walk through breast-gentlemen and ladies' waiting Doms upon the left, baggage room, tel-

MATTHEWS.

egraph and express offices upon the right. The whole building, warmed by steam, with all modern conveniences.

The first train of cars entered Mont- pelier, June 20, 1849. The travelling public found accommodations a few months until the first depot house was built, in a freight house, first built, just over the track south.

At this point in our description, failing to find exact data to continue, we wrote to J. W. Hobart, Gen. Supt. of the Cen. Vt. R. R. at St. Albans, that we had the en- graving of the depot, were preparing a sketch, and asking for such data and in- formation as he could give, who has sent the following descriptive letter, which, find- ing so interesting, we have concluded to give entire :

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MR. HOBART'S LETTER.

ST. ALBANS, Vt., Jan. 2, 1882. MISS HEMENWAY :

Madam :- Your favor of the 31st ult. came duly to hand, and I feel much interest in the subject of your enquiries. Probably there is no one living who is more fa- miliar with the early history of the railroad in Montpelier than myself. The advent of the cars into that beautiful town occurred on the 4th of July, 1849, and the first train consisted of ten platform cars, loaded with 100 bbls. of flour each, and covered with a

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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 91

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