The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 97

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 97

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such was the velocity of the on-rushing torrent that they had not proceeded half way before the mill building came down with a crash behind them, the log-way was swept from beneath their feet, and the next moment they were struggling for their lives in a flood a dozen feet deep, foaming, boiling, and so filled with trees, timber and all sorts of ruins, that it did not seem pos- sible for a human being to be borne along in the frightfully whirling mass and live a single minute.

"I saw Eastman once," said Mr. Clark in describing to me this, the most terrible scene of his life. "It was when I rose to the surface after the first plunge. He was struggling desperately to get his head above the flood-wood. But I saw him no more; for the next moment, I was borne down beneath the surface by a raft of logs that swept over me. From that time I was whirled onward with my head some- times below, and sometimes above the wa- ter, till I found myself nearing the wooded bank on the opposite side of the stream, when I soon came within reach of a small tree, which I grasped and held on to, till I began to count myself saved. But the tree quickly came up by the roots and I was again plunged into the flood. But, though now nearly in despair, I struggled on, and soon was fortunate enough to grasp another sapling by means of which I at length drew myself ashore and fell down half drowned and half dead from bruises and exhaustion. It was now nearly dark. After rallying my strength a little, I com- menced crawling and stumbling through the tangled thickets along up the stream till, after a struggle of seeming hours, I at last reached a point opposite my house, where, by loud hallooing, I rallied my fam- ily, who believed me lost, and informed them I would proceed on to the next house, on that side, stay all night and cross the next morning. This I did, and the next morning reached home, where I was re- ceived as one risen from the dead."

The remains of Eastman were found the next day washed up near the mouth of the stream on the meadow of Samuel Jones, who was injured in the loss of crops, the covering of his lands by flood-wood and washing away the soil, to the amount of $300. Whether Eastman was drowned, or killed by being crushed among the logs, was never known. Either cause was suf- ficient to have produced his death.

Such were the leading events attending the memorable thunder-storm on Jones's Brook.

The Mad river affords some of the best water privileges found in the State, and

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should the inhabitants of Moretown induce some moneyed firm to put in a large man- ufacturing house here, thus utilizing more of the water power, and urge the building of a contemplated railroad, which has al- ready been surveyed through the town, it would greatly develop the resources of and build up our town.

Moretown is considerably broken in surface, but is romantic, and affords much to please and profit the student of nature. Camel's Hump is seen from various points, and is only a few miles distant from More- town. Mineral springs are found here, which by puffing and patronizing, would be quite equal to many, no better, but cel- ebrated ones.

It is quite a dairy town, some farmers having 20 or more cows, and many others 10 to 20.

There are now 3 stores, 3 blacksmith shops, two saw-mills, 2 clapboard, 2 shingle and 2 planing-machines in the village ; also I hotel, I harness-shop, employing several workmen, 2 carriage and sleigh- shops, 1 grist-mill, I sash, door and blind- shop, near by a dressmaker, 2 milliners, I goldsmith and I tinman.

We have also a very excellent high school, taught by Miss Folsom.

Polly Phemia Munson was probably the first child born in Moretown, and Paul Knapp the first person who died in town. He was killed by the fall of a tree.

[Thus far the paper we credit to Rev. Seldon B. Currier. The following is from a lady of Moretown, contributed 10 or 12 years since] :

The first school-house in this town was within the limits of the present village of Moretown. In the first settlement of the town there were three lots set off for the first minister. Rev. Mr. Brown, Univer- salist, the first minister settled, deeded the land to the town for the benefit of schools. There are 14 school districts in town now, and we had three schools in the village last winter (1869), and for sev- eral years we have had a select school every spring and fall. Our population in 1860 was a little over 1400. There has

not been any state prison candidate from this place to this date-1870.

Our first representative of the town, Luther Moseley, was chosen by 7 voters.

The first store was opened here by Winship & Thornton, 1815. The first load of goods was bought in Burlington, and brought into town by Cephas Car- penter. Winship was a butcher from that place.

In 1822, Mr. Stevens commenced trade here. He built a distillery to make whisky, and died about 2 years after. His death was a great loss to the town. A starch factory was built in 1833, by Martin L. Lovell and Francis Liscomb, and run about 5 years, after which it was bought by Jesse Johnson, and used for a tannery from 3 to 5 years, when it was burned.

The first and only hotel to the present, was built and kept by Joseph Sawyer, in 1835. There are some stores of the olden time here.

Nearly 50 years since, Nathan Wheeler (I think his name was Nathan), 5 years old, son of Ira Wheeler, was lost on his way home from school. The news spread. The farmers left their hay down, and came from Waterbury, Northfield, Duxbury, Waitsfield, nearly 1500 men, and joined in the search for the lost boy. After a three days' diligent hunt the boy was found in Duxbury. It rained very hard when he was found, and the little fellow was trudg- ing on ; he said he was going home. Capt. Barnard said if the boy should work hard all of his life and be prospered, he never could pay all for their trouble in finding him ; but when we realize the sympathy and good feelings manifested, he felt that they were all well paid. The boy grew to be a man, became a good soldier and died for his country, and so, well paid.

COL. EZEKIEL CLAPP,

a farmer and prominent citizen of More- town, was a whole-souled man, much es- teemed by his neighbors. About the time he was appointed Colonel, Capt. Rufus Barnard, Capt. Orson Skinner, Maj. Elias Taylor and Col. Clapp attended a military meeting at Waterbury one evening, and after the meeting, it being 10 o'clock P. M.,

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it was agreed they would all go to Major Taylor's, in Waitsfield, to see a large cat- amount that had been killed on the East Mountain. The company filled 2 sleighs. It was very cold, but they reached Waits- field, and actually saw a large dead cat- amount. The company did not get back to Moretown till the next morning.

Many years before this, Mr. Clapp was carrying an iron kettle he had borrowed of a neighbor, home on his head. He lived at this time on Mad river, about a mile above Moretown village. Being tired, he sat down to rest, and soon saw a bear seated a little distant, suspiciously regard- ing him and his kettle. Clapp sprang forward, and cast his kettle at the bear. The bear not liking the sound of the kettle as it fell, rushed away, and Clapp picking up the kettle, made his best way home. Mr. Clapp died about 2 years since (1868). The record of him is, " a man truthful and upright in all his dealings."

Samuel Pierce, who settled here from Berlin many years since, tells of several deer having been killed in Moretown soon after he came. They were shot when they came down from the mountain to drink. He and Burr Freeman killed one, and he had the skin tanned and made into gloves, and for a long time after boasted of having a pair of Vermont deer-skin gloves. Mr. Pierce is now (1870), about 70 years of age.

been in practice here now over 40 years. He has many friends, and is now (1870), the town clerk. Dr. Calderwood came to assist Dr. K. in his practice in May of this year. [Dr. Kingsley was town clerk from March 1832 to March 1880, annually elected, holding the office 48 years, and about 10 months to the time of his death. He was postmaster from 1837 to '62-25 years, and represented Moretown in the Legislature in 1841, '42, and was actively engaged in his profession here 52 years, till within 2 years of his death, Jan. 4, 1881, aged 76.]

DR. HAYLETT,

homœopathist, has been here 2 years, from 1868. He, too, has been successful and won many friends, and his wife has also made herself welcome among us, by teach- ing music. .

There are three merchants in town : C. Lovejoy, James Evans, Nathan Spauld- ing. Mr. Evans commenced trade May, 1862 [removed to Boston sinceJ. Mr. Spaulding commenced about 1858, and has charge of the post-office [gone to Burling- ton]. His father, now deceased, was a highly esteemed Methodist minister. He was buried here.

There is one grist-mill in town [two now], owned by a Mr. Robinson ; I sash and blind factory, owned by Geo. Bulkley and Geo. Thornton, [which is now Mr. Fassett's grist and saw-mill, tub factory DR. STEPHEN PIERCE, and planing-machine matcher,] four saw- from Massachusetts, was the first physician that settled in town. He lived on the farm now occupied by Mr. Bisbee. He was a good doctor, upright in all his prac- tice, and made himself honored and useful in his· chosen field of labor. He died in Barnard about 1864. Soon after he came to Moretown, one man remarked that the Doctor had a very good theory of physic, but he lacked the practice. Soon after this Mr. A. March had a sick child. He went to the Doctor and wanted to get some theory of physic for his child. The Doctor gave him some, and often spoke of the joke to his friends. mills, three owned by David T. Jeff. Beld- ing, one on the river by Lorenzo Wells's ; 3 blacksmith's shops, carried on by Curt. Carpenter & Co., Calvin Foster, and M. Taylor; Calvin Foster's carriage shop, where he has done a good business a great many years; Towle & Lovejoy's wheel- wright shop, where a good business has been done ; [given up and turned into the blacksmith shop of Wallings & Spauld- ing] ; Collins built another shop and con- tinued business as before; William Saw- yer's harness shop employs several men, [has removed into a larger shop, with his son, partner] ; Mr. Towle's harness shop DR. LESTER KINGSLEY [he has left town, and the shop is now came to this town in Feb. 1827, and has closed] ; and we have also 2 shoemakers.

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[Written by Mrs. Smith in 1870, correct- ed by Mr. Aaron Goss, of Moretown, in the fall of 1881.]

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

[FROM MRS. SMITH.]

The original members of the First Con- gregational Church in Moretown were- Reuben Hastings, John Stockwell, Sam- uel Eaton, Mrs. Eleazer Wells, and Mrs. Stockwell. The meeting for the organi -; zation was in the first log school-house.

Mrs. Smith gives from the records the following account of the second organ- ization :

" The Congregational Church in More- town and Duxbury met this day at the house of Dea. Benton in said Moretown, for the purpose of taking into considera- tion the disorganization of the said church in Moretown and Duxbury, organized church. The subject had been previously presented to these churches, and the above named meeting of the two churches was duly warned. The meeting was organized by choosing the Rev. Samuel G. Tenney of Waitsfield, moderator, and the Rev. Lyndon S. French of Fayston, co-minister commissioned by the Vt. Dom. Society to labor in the church of Fayston and More- town, scribe. After due consideration it appeared that the church in Moretown was not prepared for the new organization. It was accordingly voted to adjourn the meet- ing until the 18th day of January, 1836, to be held at the same place, and that pre- vious to the new organization, each church, separately, should hold a meeting to pass a vote that the new organization should be the dissolving of the two former churches in said Moretown and Duxbury.

Signed SAMUEL G. TENNEY, LYNDON S. FRENCH. Moretown, Jan. 18, 1836."

The church in Moretown and Duxbury met agreeably to agreement, having, as was voted at the first meeting, each of them voted to disorganize the old church by organizing a new one. The moderator then called for those members in those two churches who wished to unite in a new church, to present themselves. The fol-

lowing members came forward from More- town : Nathan Benton, Eunice, his wife, Abraham Spofford and Sarah, his wife, H. Spaulding and Mary, his wife. From Duxbury : Reuben Munson and Mary, his wife, Earl Ward, and Mrs. Fanny Avery."

RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

[BY C. A. SMITH ]

The first church organized in town was a Congregational church. Deacon Nathan Benton and Philemon Ashley were among its early and prominent members. The school-house, and afterward the town house at the village, were used as places of worship. Public worship was main- tained until about 1840, when the mem- bership being quite small, the church was merged in the Congregational church at S. Duxbury, the services at first being held at Moretown and Duxbury alternate- ly, but afterward at S. Duxbury alone.

The Congregational Church at S. Dux- bury was founded at an early period. Among its first members were Reuben Munson, Hezekiah Ward, and Earl Ward, his son. Messrs. Seeley and Pomeroy were the earliest pastors. This church is the only church in Duxbury, the people of N. Duxbury being better accommodated at Waterbury. It has never had a large membership. Its relations with the M. E. church at Moretown are of the most cor- dial character, and for several years the pastor of the M. E. church at Moretown has been the acting pastor of the Congre- gational church at S. Duxbury.

Amasa Cole was probably the first Methodist preacher in Moretown. He was a local preacher living near Middlesex. Soon after, in 1809, Joshua Luce, a local preacher from Pittsfield, Mass., settled in town. He, with his wife and daughter Roxana, were probably the first Metho- dists in town. By their efforts a Metho- dist church was soon organized, and More- town became a part of the old Barre Cir- cuit, Vermont District and New England Conference of the M. E. Church, a circuit embracing Barre, Montpelier, Middlesex, Moretown, Waitsfield and Warren.

In the town clerk's office there is a rec- ord of the certificate of the ordination of

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Amasa Cole as a deacon by Bishop Mc- Kendree, at Durham, Me., June 4, 1814, also of that of Leonard Foster, by Bishop Asbury, June 10, 1818. Zadoc Hubbard, Ebenezer Johnson, Calvin Clark, Barna- bas Mayo and William Harris were among the leading members prior to 1820.

The first church edifice was built in 1832, at the Common. This was occupied for 22 years, until in 1854, the present church at the village was erected. The old church still stands, though unoccupied. Messrs. Frost, Newell, Steele, Peirce and Haskell were among the earliest itinerants on this circuit, while Bishop George, Wil- bur Fisk and Elijah Hedding (afterward Bishop) have officiated here.

Rev. Justin Spaulding was born in this town in 1802. He was for some years a missionary in South America, afterward a presiding elder in New Hampshire Con- ference. His health failing, he returned to his native town and resided here until his death.

Rev. Nathan B. Spaulding was born in Moretown ; entered the Methodist ministry from this town. He belonged successive- ly to the New England and to the New Hampshire Conferences, in which he held a prominent position. A partial failure of health necessitated a retirement from the itinerancy in middle life. He located in his native town, and continued to preach occasionally as health and opportunity per- mitted until his death in 1863.

The topography of this town is such that the inhabitants of large portions of its territory can more conveniently attend church at Northfield, Montpelier, Middle- sex and Waterbury than at Moretown vil- lage. The M. E. church is the only Prot- estant church in town. At some periods of its history its membership has been much larger than at present ; but its con- dition and prospects are very hopeful.

Mrs. Smith says in her paper, " the first Methodist meeting was held in Mr. Slayton's barn." It is probable, says our re- cord, that we credit to Rev.Mr. Currier, that Mr. Cole was the first Methodist preacher in town. He resided near Middlesex, and

was accustomed to walk from home to the Common, preach, and return without din- ner for the reason that " Jack did not eat his supper,"-none was offered him to eat. In the winter season this walk and work must have been very fatiguing, especially when he broke his own path through the snow. often knee deep.

When the people of Moretown heard the cannon's roar at Plattsburg, the towns- men met at the tavern kept by Joshua Luce, on the farm where Alvin Pierce now resides, to see who would volunteer to go to Plattsburg to repulse the British. This was in 1812. Both the local preach- ers were present and heartily encouraged the men.

Mr. Luce was a local preacher, but farm- ing was his main occupation. He preach- ed on the Common, in the dwelling house of Ebenezer Johnson, and in the school house.

Among the prominent members of the Methodist Church in 1820, and for some years suhsequent, were Ebenezer Johnson -who was town clerk prior, for some years, to 1832, when Dr. Kingsley suc- ceeded him-Calvin Clark and Barnabas Mayo-whose names are among the sub- stantial and influential members of the Methodist family of that date.

William Harris and his excellent wife, known as "Aunt Ruth," were noted for their generosity, keeping what was called a Methodist tavern, and many a weary itinerant found shelter and food and rest in the home of " Aunt Ruth."

In 1832, the first Methodist meeting house in town was built on the Common, and for 22 years it was occupied in regular meetings. But in 1854, Moretown Hollow -now village proper-built the house now used for worship. For some years before the church building was erected at the Hollow, the Methodists worshipped in the town-house in the village or Hollow, and at the Common alternately. Soon after the church was built in the village the Common meetings were nearly abandoned, and meetings held at the new house only.

Three prominent men-who became ministers of the Gospel-had their origin

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in this town. Rev. Justin Spaulding, son of Levi and Thankful Spaulding. [See paper before.] His widow and several children are now residing in Moretown and vicinity.

Rev. Newell Spaulding, brother of the last named, is now living, and resides in New York city.

Rev. Nathan B. Spaulding [see, also, page before.]

When the Barre circuit included the 6 towns, before named, and the meetings were sometimes held in Wm. Harris' barn, when the quarterly meetings were held here, as many as 80 teams have been counted around the barn from the other towns of the circuit, which centered around.

The Methodists of Moretown and the Congregationalists of South Duxbury have alternate meetings at present, and have but one pastor. They have a good congrega- tion and an excellent Sabbath School. If any one who may read this listened to a concert by the South Duxbury Sabbath School on the first Sabbath of October, 1876, they will doubtless bear testimony to the truthfulness of the above statement, in calling the school an excellent one.

For the present prosperity of the Metho- dist Church in Moretown, any one desiring can see the Annual Minutes of Conference, 1876. The parsonage buildings have been repaired and neatly fitted up this year.

MINISTERS FROM 1860 TO 1881.

1860, J. W. Bemis ; 1862, J. Gill ; 1863- 4, P. N. Granger ; 1865-6, L. C. Powers ; 1867-8, W. B. Howard; 1869-70, D. Willis ; 1871-2, J. S. Spinney ; 1873, H. G. Day; 1874-5, D. Willis ; 1876-7, C. S. Buswell; 1878-9, C. A. Smith; 1880- 81, S. B. Currier.

REV. LEMUEL C. POWERS, (BY A. 8. COOPER.)

Lympus charge two years ; after as Con- ference preacher there 2 years; next at Topsham 2 years, and then at Moretown in 1864, '66. The first was a dry year, but he labored on earnestly, especially in the Sunday school, and in his second year just as he was prostrated by disease, he was cheered by 12 or 15 persons at North Fayston, embraced in his charge, profess- ing conversion and wishing to receive bap- tism from his hands; but his work was done, and he received his discharge on the eve of the holy Sabbath-Nov. 18, 1866. To an only brother who watched by his bedside while he was dying, he said : " I am realizing now how

. Jesus can make a dying bed Feel soft as downy pillows are '" ;

and passed without a struggle or groan to his rest.

He left a wife and 4 children. Revs. Gill and Spaulding attended his funeral. After his brethren in the ministry and others bore his body to the grave, the citi- zens assembled and passed resolutions of respect for his memory and sympathy for his family .- [For further mention see the place of his birth-Rochester, in next volume.]

CATHOLIC CHURCH IN MORETOWN.

Those of this faith are almost entirely Irish. The first settlers were Daniel Murray, John Hogan, Patrick Calvy, Pat- rick Farral and Daniel Divine. They purchased lands on what is called South hill. Most of them commenced with very limited means, but by industry have gen- erally prospered, and will now average with others of the town in wealth. There is one school district almost all Irish pupils.

There are now 90 who have grand lists, and probably 75 voters. Among the prom- inent men of the present are Andrew Murray, Daniel Hassett, Patrick Lynch, Thomas and Charles McCarty, and the three Kerin brothers. Moretown is now a central point for the Catholic population of South Duxbury, Fayston, Waitsfield and Warren. The first priest officiating

whose life was marked with uniform con- sistency and faithfulness, was born in Rochester, this State, August, 1828. He made a Christian profession at the age of 13, and commenced his labors 'as a Metho- dist preacher when about 30. His fields were first as a local preacher on Bethel here was Father Jeremiah O'Callaghan,

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who, if we are correctly informed, was the first Catholic priest in Vermont.

[The first resident Irish priest, but not the first Catholic priest in Vermont. There was a resident priest, undoubtedly, at the old French Mission of St. Catherine, in Wells, at the Isle La Motte Mission of St. Anne (see vol. II. page 558), and the French Mission in Swanton, some interest- ing account of which will be given in the history of the late Rev. John B. Perry, of Swanton, to be embraced in this work-of any of which missions we would be par- ticularly pleased to receive any informa- tion that any person may be able to com- municate, however trifling apparently. Every little link helps in putting together the broken chain that binds us to the early days. Our histories are very ob- scure so far back ; the least little incident is the little track to the explorer that leads to the clue. There have been also mis- sionary priests earlier than Father O'Calla- ghan, as Rev. James Fulton, the venerable pastor now of the Church of the Holy Re- deemer, East Boston, who was an early missionary in Vermont. See his " Early History of the Catholic Church in New England."-ED.]

" He resided in Burlington, officiating there and in this town, and probably in other places. Father O'Callaghan was also an author, and wrote five volumes on different subjects. The second priest of- ficiating here was Father Drolet, the third, Father Druon, the fourth, Father Duglue, the fifth, Father Galligan, who resides at Waterbury, officiating there, in this town, and in Northfield.

The land for building a church on, and also for a burial ground, was given to the Catholic society by Col. Miller of Mont- pelier, in 1841. In 1858, the society built their present church building on South hill, which is a little more than a mile from the village, nearly east. They contem- plate building a new church edifice in the village, at no very distant future .- News- paper Record, 1879.

The Rev. Fathers O'Callaghan, Daly, Drolet, Maloneya nd Coopman, O. M. J.,

visited occasionally this mission, before Rev. Z. Druon built the Church (St. Pat- rick's) in 1860. The lot upon which the church stands had been given many years before by three members, to be used part- ly as a burying ground. The number of Catholic families in this mission is about 40 ; mostly farmers. They are attended now by Rev. Thomas Galligan, from Wat- erbury, and were previously, after the de- parture of Father Druon, attended from Montpelier by his successor there, Rev. Joseph Duglue, who had the pastoral care of them for a few years.

REV. Z. DRUON.

Aug. 21, 1876."

" The document sent you by Father Druon is, I think, quite correct. The lot on which the church stands was donated in 1855 by Frank Lee, Peter Lee, and J. Miller. I copy from the deed itself.

LOUIS BP. OF BULINGTON. Jan. 2, 1882."

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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 97

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