USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Danby > The history and map of Danby, Vermont > Part 13
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HISTORY OF DANBY.
Ann Slocum. He now lives in Rutiand, and is a man of good business talent.
BUFFUM. DANIEL. m. Fanny, da. of David Youngs, and settled . at the Borough. He died in 1853, aged 41. Icaving a family of several children : David ; Mary, m. Melvin Barrett : Leonard. m. Sabra Colburn, of Tinmouth ; and Myron, died in 1868.
BULL. TIMOTHY. from Nine Partners. N. Y., in 1767. settled on the farm now owned by John Hilliard, and a little southwest of the residence of Ezra Harrington. He was moderator of the first annual town meeting, which was held at his house, March 14th, 1769, at which meeting the town was organized. He was about the first Quaker in town, and was a very worthy member of that society. He subsequently settled on the east side of the town, near Otter Creek, with his son Crispin. He died in 1810, aged 90. His children were Michael. Williamson. Crispin and Phebe. Michael settled a short time on the Joseph Bull farm. and then removed to Peru, N. Y. Withamson m. Jernsha , and settled where Willard Baker now lives. He tended the grist mill a short time. He removed to Jay, N. Y. Ilis children were Tamar. Tabiatha and Nancy.
BULL, CRISPIN, son of Timothy Bull. came from Nine Part- ners in 1.765, some two years previous to his father, and com- menced a settlement near the present homestead of John Hilliard. Ile was the third settler in town, and at once took up a leading position. He was one of the first board of selectmen, elected in 1769. He made the first clearing on the east side of the town. about the year 1772. He received from the proprietors sixty acres of land for sixty days' work building roads, and it is now some of the best land in town. It is now owned by his grandson. Clark. He led a long. laborions and industrious lite, was upright in character, and an estimable and worthy man. He died in 1810, aged 70 ; his wife, whose name was Mary Carpenter, died in 1833, aged 92. Their family consisted of five children : Patience, Timothy, Jr., Hannah, Elijah and Carpenter. Patience m. Joseph Tuttle, and next Eli Bradford. Hannah m. Abner Bump, of Wallingford. Timothy, Jr., m. Betsey Babcock, and was a resident of the town some years. He finally removed to New Huntington, where he died some twenty years since.
BULL, ELIJAHI, m. Eunice Bump. of Wallingford, and settled on the present homestead of his son Clark. He was a man of integrity, and a magistrate for a number of years. He was a substantial, independent citizen, an industrious farmer and an estimable man. He died in 1848. aged 71; his wife in 1868. aged 28. They raised a family of four children : Alvah, Anna. Crispin and Clark. Anna m. Green Packer, of Mr. Holly, Vi. Alvah m. Louisa Packer, and was a resident of the town for many years. He was an intelligent man. and highly esteemed He removed to western New York.
BULL, CLARK. m. Sarahette Packer, and succeeded to the homestead. Ho is a man of standing and influence, an active.
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thrifty farmer. He was in the Legislature in 1805, and has occupied other places of trust and honor, which attest the respect and confidence of his townsmen. They have two children, Helen and Charles. Mr. Bull now resides in Wallingford.
BELL, JOSEPH, son of JJohn Ball, a native of South Kingston. R. I., and an early settler of Wallingford, m. Phebe Bull. and settled where his son Joseph lived. He was twice m., his last wife being the widow of Stephen Nichols. He died in 1834. aged 81 ; his widow in 1841, aged 79. Their children were : Lydia, m. Joel Mix : Rachael. m. Stephen Stafford. of Walling- ford ; Nehemiah, m. Catherine Sillsbury, of Jamaica ; Ruth. m. Joshua Johnson ; Patience. m. Joseph Dyke, and lives in Hunt- ington ; Phebe, m. Elias Thompson ; John ; Abagail, m. James Nichols ; Anna ; Joseph, Jr., and Lucy. Joseph was blind for over thirty years. He always traveled without a guide, often going many miles from home, and will long be remembered. He was Killed by the cars, July 29th, 1869, while walking upon the track, on his way home from South Wallingford.
BUTTON. JOSEPH, from Rhode Island in 1785, m. Aana Davis. and settled on what has since been known as the "Button farm." now owned by Howell Dillingham. He kept a store there for several years, which was about the first store in town, and also manufactured potash. He was one of the early members of the Quaker society, and was very influential. He accumulated a large property, and was considered one of the wealthiest men of his day, and exerted great influence among the people of his times. Being a man of great force and energy, he contributed much toward building up society, perhaps more than men in general. He was held in high esteem by his friends and neigh- bors. He died in 1829, aged 80; his wife in 18 , aged .
Their children were : Charles, Samuel, Joseph, Ezekiel. Senera. Thomas, Auson, Anna and Rhoda, only two or three of whom are now living. Thomas m. Lydia. da. of Harris Otis, and settled where Albert Bucklin now lives. He died, leaving three children, Ann Eliza, Sarah and Elizabeth. Ann Elizam. David J. Haviland, and Sarah m. Benjamin Peck of Queensbury, N. Y.
: Burros. Axsox, m. Catherine, da. of Isaac Vail, and settled on the homestead. He had a brick yard near the residence of Heury Kelley, where he manufactured brick. He built the first and only brick dwelling house in town. He was killed in falling from a load of hay, in 1845. They raised a family of seven children : Joseph, Isaac, Anna. Rhoda, Emily, Ennice and Charity. Joseph m. Melissa, da. of Silks Hulet, and lives in California, Laae in. Elleu. da. of Sile . Hulett, and also live- in California. Rhoda m. Hennibal Hopkins, of Wallingford. and died in 1855, aged 21. leaving one do., Rhoda B.
Brer. Cars. Jous, was among the early seniors. He cam here before the revolutionary war, and established himself on what is now the town farm. He has the honor of being the first innkeeper in town. The site of Capt. Bart's log tavern is
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HISTORY OF DANBY.
very near the poor house, and considerable publie busi- ness was transacted here in early times. We are told that many interesting events transpired here during the war, among which was the trial and .. beech-sealing" of John Hart, which will be found elsewhere. [ See John Hart. ] Capt. Burt was a man of more than ordinary ability, and took a lively interest in the civil affairs of his town and neighborhood, and was universally esteemed a valuable citizen. He served in the revolution, and was a prominent actor in the stirring scenes of those times. By industry and economy, he secured a handsome property. His children were John. Alpheus, Susie and Lucinda.
BUXTON. JOHN. from Rhode Island in 1790, settled on the present homestead of Merritt Hulett. Ile m. Betsey Kelley, who died in 1815, aged 60. He died in 1845. aged 85, leaving a family of nine children : Timothy ; Stephen : Eliphalet ; Benja- min, drowned in Lake Ontario ; Joseph. died in 1868 ; Hannah, m. Daniel Hulett , India, m. Josch Ruch of Pawlet : Prudence. m. Seba Phillips : and Diana. Timothy, mn. Elizabeth Colvin, and settled on a portion of the farm owned by Orange Train. They left one son. Luther, who m. Semantha Parris, and settled in Middletown. He died some years since, leaving a family of nine children : Malone, Julia Ann, Daniel, Mary Jane, Harvey, Henry, John E. Edwin, Almira and Helen. Daniel m. Ann S. Cone, was a merchant, and lived in Marengo, Ill., and is now dead. Harvey is a lawyer of considerable note, and lives in Car- lisle, Il1. [Jonathan Buxton, a brother of the above named. and wife, are now living in Slatersville, R. I., aged 102 and 100, res- pectively.]
BUXTON, STEPHEN, m. Abagail Hulett, and settled on "Dutch Hill." He removed to Rupert, where he lived several years ; and from thence he moved to Wells, where he died, leaving four children : Roxv. m. Amos Hunt ; Nancy; m. Jonas Baker ; Brayley, m. a da. of Seba Phillips, and removed to Hamburg, N. Y., and Luther.
BUXTON, ELINHALET, m. Lydia Hulett, and settled on "Dutch Hill." He was twice m., his last wife being Mariah Tooley. His children were : Benjamin : Florentina ; Harriet ; Jolin. now living in Pennsylvania ; Amos, m. Orilla Wait and lives in Middletown : Julia Ann. in. Oscar Sprague, of Wells ; Samuel, m. Emily Inlett ; Sally, m. Horace Clark ; Amanda, m. Henry Hub- bard, of Middletown. Benjamin m. Electa Harrington, and has a family of several children, of whom were : Bernice, d. in the army ; Flora, m. Favette Hulett ; Sarah, m. Chester Halott : Stephen. m. - Hoadley; Lydia. Chester, Almira and Nancy. Mr. Buxton died in 1859, aged 67 years.
CALKINS, CAFT. STEPHEN, from Cona. was an early settler. He came here in 1768, and first settled where William Herrick now lives, having purchased the original proprietor's rigia. Tiis was the first settlement north of the Corners, and there were bur few families in town at that time. He took a very active par!
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in organizing the town. and regulating society. He also took a lively interest in the religious affairs of the town, and was a man of excellent character and great moral worth. He was the first selectman elected, and was entrusted from time to time with numerous other responsible duties. He served as captain in the revolutionary war, and was at the siege of Yorktown when the British army surrendered, and was most of the time during his service under the immediate command of General Washington. He was something of a mechanic, and built the first grist mill erected in town, near Nelson Kelley's, soon after the close of the war. for which, as tradition says. he received sixty acres of land. and the privilege to take three quarts of corn to the bushel for toll as long as the mill run. This mill is said to have been a very rude structure, but answered the purpose of the settlers very well. Capt. Calkins was a very kind and amiable man, and greatly beloved by all who knew him. He died in 1811, aged 93 ; his wife in 1613, aged 73. His children were Richard and Stephen. Jr. Richard settled on the farm owned and occupied by Henry Kelley, and was a man of ability. He was constable from 1785 to 1793. We know of but two sons. Benjamin and Turner, who, together with their parents, removed to Peru, N. Y.
CALKINS, STEPHEN. JR., m. Sophronia. da. of Alexander Bar- rett, and succeeded to the homestead. Although a man of no very large meaus. be maintained a highly respectable character. and exerted a commanding influence in society. He was select- man two years, and town clerk and treasurer from 1820 to 1826. discharging his duty with fidelity and ability. He run the grist mill built by his father for many years. It was finally torn down, and a new one erected on the opposite side of the stream. In connection with this business. he carried on and improved the farm formerly owned by his father. He was recognized as a man of industry and integrity, and hell in high estimation. His first wife dying, he next m. Phebe, da. of Moses Vail. They removed to Ohio in 1834. His family consisted of seven children : Rebecca. m. Ira Allen : Moses, Horace, Orange, Turner, Lucy and Lucretia. None of the family remain.
CANFIELD, DENNIS, a patriot of the Revolution, came bere quite early and settled on " Dutch Hill." He served through nearly the whole of the war. and was in several important bat- tles. He drew a pension which was his main dependence in old age. He was a very jovial man, much given to anecdote, but firm in principle. He was three times married. His second wife was the widow Ruth MeDaniels, and the mother of James MeDaniels, who dying, he next in. Polly Walton. He removed with his family to Holland Purchase, N. Y .. many years since .. where he died.
CASWELL, JOSIAH, from Tinmouth in 1852. settled with hi- son Reland. He m. Electa Clark, a voice of Gen. Jonas Clark. of Middletown. Ryland E., the only son, m. Elizabeth Baxter. of Tinmouth, and settled on the Isaac Phillips place. north of
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THESTORY OF PANBY.
Scottsville, being a dealer and finisher of marble. His work is always done with neatness and dispatch. He is a man of excel- lent character and undoubted integrity. unobtrusive and modest in his deportment, possessing the confidence and esteem of all who know him. They have one da .. Dimis E.
CHASE, ABRAHAM. from Nine Partners in 1770, m. Lydia Allen, and settled near the residence of Alvah Risdou. He was a well educated man for one of that day, and took an active and leading part in the management of the affairs of the town. He was a man of nacommon excellence of character, and his influ- ence was beneficially exerted. Being a man of ability. he was entrusted with various town offices. He owned and kept the second tavern in town. in 1774, at which town and freemen's meetings were held, and considerable public business transacted. It was here that the committees of safety sometimes met. as occasion required. to adopt measures for the defence and welfare of the inhabitas Their doctors were always regarded as law, and any infraction of them was punished with exemplary severity. The application of the " beech seal" was then the common mode of punishment, and whenever the " Yorkers" or their adherents were found here. the " beech rod" was well applied to their naked backs. A case of this kind occurred here in the summer of 1771. It appears that a surveyor had been sent here under the authority of New York, and. while drinking flip at the tavern of Me. Chase, was arrested. The committee of safety was soon assem- bled, and the charges being read against the prisoner. he acknowl- edged that he had been sent here to survey land under the thle of New York, but pleaded the jurisdiction of that colony over the Grants, in justification of his proceedings. Notwithstanding this plea, agrecably to the sentence, the prisoner was taken from the bar of the committee. fied to the whipping post, and there, on his naked back. received one hundred stripes. and ordered to depart out of the district, on the penalty of suffering death if he returned. The sentence was carried into execution in the pres- ence of a large concourse of people. The man who applied the rod wore a false face, and was supposed to have been Remember Baker.
By gradual purchases, Abraham Chase acquired some three hundred acres of desirable land, and was a successful farmer. At the same time, he was a liberal, public spirited man, and contributed largely to the general welfare of the town. He removed to Platt burg. N. Y.
CHACE. CAPT. EPHRAIM, from Fall River, R. I., in 1831, mn. Emily Rhodes, and settled on the Davis farm, now owned by Hiram Fisk. He was a sea captain for some fifteen years pre- vine to his settling here. He was a deacon of the Baptist church a number of years, and was universally esteemed. He hopt tavern at the Corners five years, and amaintained a reporta- ble position in society. In lost he removed to Collins, N. Y., where he died in 1899, aged 71. He was nearly blind for any
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HISTORY OF DANBT.
of the last years of his life. He raised a family of several children : Mary ; Susan, m. Plyn Bartlett : Amelia. m. Harley Atwood ; Eliza. m. David Jacobs ; Lydia, m. James Wilbur ; Frances ; Ephraim ; Arnold, m. Alice Perry ; Clara, m. Wm. H. Willett. Arnold served as captain in the onion army during the late war.
CHACE, BENJAMIN, from Fall River, R. I., in 1834. was a brother of Ephraim Chace. He m. Mehitabel Wood for his first wife, and she dying, he next m. Hannah Hill, and settled at the Corners. He was also a member and deacon of the Baptist church, and a man of considerable ability, although he did not accumulate property. He removed west about the year 1850. His children are : Ephraim ; Mchitabel m. Elias Woodruff; Mary Eliza, m Dudley.
CHITTENDEN, GOV. THOMAS, from Williston, Vt. in 1776. settled in the south part of the town. We have been unable to learn the exact spot where Gov. Chittenden lived, but it was, as we are told, in the vicinity of the residence of A. C. Risdon. He was a native of East Guilford, Conn. He labored on the farm of his father till the age of 18, having only the benefit of a com- mon school education, when he went on a voyage to the West Indies. The vessel on which he embarked was captured by a French man-of-war ( England at that time being at war with France), and he taken prisoner and landed on the West India Islands, in a destitute situation, from which. he escaped. and, after enduring a great many hardships, reached his father's farm in October, 1749. About this time, he in. Elizabeth Meigs, and removed to Salisbury, Conn., which town he represented in the Legislature for the years 1765 to 1769, inclusive. and again in 1772. He was also a colonel of a regiment of militia. and a justice of the peace. In May, 1774, he removed his family to Williston, Vt .. where he had purchased a large tract of land. He remained there till the retreat of the American army from Canada, in the spring of 1776. when, on account of the exposed situation of the frontier, he with his family, women and children, came on foot, by marked trees, through Middlebury to Castleton, and from thence to Danby, and procured a farm near the foot of the mountain. He resided here until the evacuation of Ti .. " in July. 1777, when he removed to Pownal. and soon after to Williamstown, Mass. He also resided a short time in Arlington, and at the close of the war returned to Williston, which town he represented in the convention which met at Dorset Sept. 25th, 1776, and was a member of the committee who reported the compact which was manimously adopted by the convention. He was also a member of the convention which mot at West- minster. Jan. 15th. 1777. and was one of the committee to dratt " "Declaration of Independence." and to petition Congress for recognition. He was a member from this town in the convention which met at Windsor in July, 1777, which fraened our first con- stitution, was president of the court of confis cation during its
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entire period of existence. and was president of the committee of safety from its organization to March 12th. 1778, when he assumed the office of Governor. to which he was elected by a great majority He was ninet en times elected Governor by the people, and held that office from March 12th, 1778. till his death, with the exception of the year 1789. Gov. Chittenden died at his residence in Williston. the 25th day of August, 1797, in the 69th year of his age.
CLARK, HENRY, from Rhode Island about the close of the revo- lutionary war, was an early settler on the Vail farm. now belonging to J. N. Phillips. He first came to Rutland and pur- chased a farm. upon which he lived for about one year : then sold out and removed to this town. He established himself first on the farm afterwards. owned by Edmund Sherman, which he had bought of Wing Rogers, agreeing to pay in grain and cattle. But getting sick of his bargain, he concluded to purchase another farm. He was an unassuming man and contented himself with his own domestic concerns. He was considered an honest, respectable man, and died in town. at an advanced age. He raised a family of nine children : Caleb : John : Moses ; Homy ; Halaburt ; Nathan ; David ; Elisha : Ruth, m. Roswell Dart : Chloe, m. John Ciseel. John. the second son. m. a sister of James McDaniels, and raised two children : Nomy. m. John J. Harrington. and Nancy. He was again m. to Susan Peck. No was the first settler on the Willard Staples farm. Moses Clark m. Griffith, and settled a number of years on the farm now owned by Edwin Staples. He removed to Hamburg, N. Y.
CLARK, CALEB. m. Susan Wilson, of Rhode Island, and first settled on the farni owned by Edward Greene. He subsequently sold out, and bought the Seneca Palmer farm. now owned and Stephen Harrington. Personally, he was highly respected.her. always maintained the character of' a good citizen and neighren : He died in 1847 : his wife in 1821. They had three children : Phila, Wilson and Dinah. Wilson, born in 1805. m. Phobe Pratt, of Middletown, and lived here until 1848, when he removed to Pawlet. They have raised a family of six children : Merritt, Sally, Horace. Johu. Orestus and Emily.
COLVIN, LUTHER. from Rhode Island in 1765. settled on the farm now owned and occupied by L. R. Fisk, which was Let No. 27 in the first division. He was the fourth settler in town. and found his way here by marked trees. His log cabin stood some forty rods southeast of the present dwelling house, and was very rude in structure. as were all the log houses in these days. There were no windows or doors, and but one room. The Bank for the floor were born from logs. Luther Cokin. like all the other settlers, brought with him a sweets supply of household articles and furniture, and experienced much didienty in pro- during the necessaries of life while making a settlement here. It was his custom to go to Manchester to mill and back the same day, carrying the grist upon his back. At one time, when grain 16
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HISTORY OF DANBY.
was scarce, he carried the last bushel of wheat he possessed. which was to last for several months, or until harvest time came again. He was a very. industrious, hard working man during his younger days, but become somewhat feeble in after life. We have been told that he brought the first stove into town, and built the second framed house. He became a Quaker. and joined the society. He was a great hunter and trapper, and many good stories are told of his adventures while hunting bears and other wild game. He was compelled to pen his sheep every night to keep them from being devoured by the wolves. He was a man of considerable ability, and occupied a prominent place in society. His wife's name was Lydia Colvin, who died in 1814. quite ad- vanced in years. He died in 1829, aged about 90. His children were : Stephen ; Caleb ; John ; Catherine. m. Joseph Irish ; Lydia ; Esther ; Anna ; Freelove, m. Welcome Harrington.
COLVIN, STEPHEN, m. Mary Merrithew, and settled on the homestead with his father., He died in 1804. leaving a family of eleven chlidren : Benoni ; Benajah ; Luther ; Moses : Jeremiah ; Anthony ; Alfred ; Anna, m. William Northrop ; Lydia ; Sirena and Plebe. Benoni m. Rebecca, da. of Dennis Canfield, and removed to Holland Purchase, N. Y. Alfred m. Betsey Ridlon. and went to Ohio. Luther m. a da. of Daniel Southwick, and moved to western New York.
COLVIN, CALEB. m. Anna Abbot, and settled on the homestead with his father Luther. A few years after, he was found dead in the woods, whither he had been hunting. It was supposed that he died in a fit. He left three children : Caleb, who is deaf and dumb, and lives in Hartford, N. Y. : Anna and Phila.
COLVIN, JOHN, m. Lucy Frink, and settled on the farm with his father, where L. R. Fisk now lives. He died in a fit in 1825. aged 40. ITis children were : Anna, John. James, Lather and Caleb. John m. Lydia, da. of William Frink. and raised three children : Joel, m. Valariah Fisk ; Mary and Isaac. Luther m. Margaret. da. of Miner Bromley, and lives in the south part of the town. aud have one da. Helen.
COLVIN JAMES, m. Lydia, da. of David Gilbert, and lives near the Corners. They have raised a family of several children : Lucy Ann ; Lucinda, m. Wesley Leach, of Pawlet : David ; Emma died at the age of 14; Nora ; Charles. Henry, Noah d. young. Willie d. young.
COLVIN, CALEB, son of John Colvin. m. Lenora. da. of Miner Bromley, and lives at present on the Dr. G. J. Locke farm. They have a family of six children : Julia Ann, m. Nelson Wetherby ; Alice, m. Elijah Holton ; Lydia ; Luther : Frank and Rebecca.
COLVIN. BENAJAR, son of Stephen Colvin. m. Huldah. a da. of Joseph Irish, and settled where his son Nelson now lives. She dying, he nest m. Hannah. da. of Gilbert Palmer. He was a fine, sturdy, gallant, honorable man, and was the friend of all. He possessed a rugged constitution, which he fully retained through life. He was a very active, thrifty farmer, and by
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HISTORY OF DANBY.
economy and industry he acquired a good property. He was killed in the spring of 1867. while falling a tree in the woods, at the age of 80. He was capable of doing a good day's work at this advanced age. He was a quiet. domestic man, and a good citizen, and retained his mental, as well as physical ability to the last. His last wife died in 18 . His family consists of three boys and two girls : Stephen, m. Mary Willer; Nelson ; Joel ; Elsie and Huldah.
COLVIN, NELSON, m. Elizabeth, da. of John Fish, and settled on the homestead. He has owned and run a cider mill for many years, being a very industrious, thrifty farmer, and universally esteemed a valuable citizen. He is a man of good morals and steady habits. They have but two children : Huldah and Benajah. Huldah m. Henry Griffin, and has two children. the oldest of whom is Nelson. Benajah m. first Amelia. da. Ira H. Vail, and next Ineindo Hosmore, and lives with his father.
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