USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Danby > The history and map of Danby, Vermont > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
HULETT. JOSHUA. m. Harmony Woodworth, and settled in the cast part of Pawlet, near the Danby line. on the farm now owped by Holden Keller. Ile was a hard working man. aud like lits brothers accumulated a handsome property. He built a beautiful family cemetery near his residence. enclosed with an iron finee. He died in 1658. aged 78 : his wife in 1801. aged 76. He raised a large funily of children : Silas. Betsey. m. Erwin Lillie ; Dan- ich. a. Phobe Ross : Alama. in. James Frisbie of Tinmouth ; fian- nah. m. Anson Vail : An. Joshua, Jr., Nancy. m. Nopl P. Rid- lon of Clarendon : Charles. m. Abagail Smith ; Warren, m. Me- lissa Hulett and lives in Pawlet : and Eunice, m. Almon Vail. Joshua. Jr., m. Lvdia. da. of Barton Kelley. and lives in Paulet. They have raised three children : Eunice, Juna and Adelia. En-
170
HISTORY OF DANBY.
nice m. William White. Juna m. Galen J. Hulett and have two children, Addie and Paul.
HULETT. ORESTU'S B., m. Fanny, da. of Daniel Parris, and next Delinda Pratt, who died in 1865. He settled on the Nathan Spaulding farm, where he now lives, having made some additions to the original farm. In connection with his farming he has . owned and rim a saw mill for many years. He has an artificial pond. fed by springs and well stocked with trout, Mr. Hulett is a gentleman of candor, intelligence and good judgement, being prompt and accurate in his business transactions. He has been. like his ancestors, hard laboring, a man of great industry and eu- ergy. His children are Orpha, in. a Beals and settled in Michi- igan : Mary, m. Ira Phillips ; Melissa, m. Warren Hulett : John P., m. Emily Paul of Aurora. N. Y., and now resides iu Wis- consin : Galen J. : Clark, died at the age of 18, and Orestus, died young.
HULETT, JOSIAH D., m. Rebecca, da. of William Edmunds, and settled on the Buxton farm, now owned by M. C. Hulett. He removed to Rutland about the year 1850. They raised a family of five children : Mary Ann. m. Charles Bromley, went to Wisconsin and died ; Minerva m. Henry Gleason of Rutland : Lucy, Luna and Martin.
HULETT, JARED L., m. Sarah Taylor and settled on his father's homestead. He died in 1863, leaving three children : Franklin, Laura, m. Lyman HI. Bromley ; and Sarah. Franklin became a school teacher and stood very high in that profession, In 1852 he went to California to seek a newer and grander field of duty. He now resides in Oregon.
HULETT, SILAS, m. Betsey Campbell of Rutland and settled on the Hosea Barnes farm. He is one of the prominent. substan- tial men of the town, being noted for industry and economy, and is held in high esteem as a citizen and neighbor. He is regard- ed as a successful farmer, a man of integrity and firmness ot character, and very generous and public spirited. Although not an active politician, he has at times been honored with town of- fices, the duties of which he has faithfully discharged. Ther have raised a family of eight children : Louisa. m. J. E. Nich- ols. Melissa. m. Joseph Button. Ellen. m. Isaac Button. Merritt C .. Horace, Eva, Elizabeth and Adelle. Merritt m. Sarah. da. of Jared Hulett, is a farmer, and lives on the JJosiah Huiett farm. They have one son. Frank. Horace went to California. where he was drowned in 1868 while bathing, aged 21. Eva is a teach- er and resides in Petaluna. Cal.
HUNT, Autos, m. Roxy, da. of Stephen Buxton. and was the last settler on "Dutch Hill." He removed to Dorset some twen- ty years since.
HUTCHINS, ARWIN, from Pawlet, m. a da. of Bradford Barnes and settled at the Corners where he kept tavern for several years. He was also a harness maker. He removed to Wells and died leaving two children, Emerette and Bradford.
171
HISTORY OF DANBY.
IRISH, JESSE, from Nine Partners in 1768, was the first settler on the farm now owned by Nelson Colvin. He had seves sous. some of whom, together with himself. were repated to be Torie -. In July. 1777. he himself went to Gen. Burgoyne's head-quarters at Whitehall and procured protection papers. On reaching the British Camp he presented himself to Burgoyne, saying "here is thy servant. Jesse, and his seven sons," whereupon, promising to either join the British army or remain quietly at home, he ro- ceived the General's gracions protection. It is said that he ven- dered aid to the British army, by which his property was contis- cated. He resided here with his family after the war and until his death. The names of his children are as follows : Jesse, Jr., Jonathan, William. David, Abel, Peter and John. all of whom came here with their father.
John Irish settled in Timmouth on the farm afterwards owned by Judge Noble. He was alen considered a Tory and was shot by Isaac Clark. afterwards General Clark. Daniel Chipman. LL. D., in his Memoirs of Col. Seth Warner, says "that Clark was a Hientenant in Herrick's regintent of rangers and command- ed one of the scouts sent out from Manchester. He concealed his men in the woods not far from Irish's house, and after watch- ing the house for some time, and finding that Irish was within. and wishing to ascertain whether he had any' hostile designs against the Whigs. instead of surrounding the house and taking him, he sent one of his men, by the name of Clough. unarmed. Clongh had been a neighbor of Irish's, but on the evacuation or Ticonderoga. had moved off. They entered into a conversation which was continued for some time. At length Clough began to suspect that Irish intended to detain him, as he was unarmed, and feeling unsafe, he walked with apparent unconcern out of the door, and turning a corner of the log house. out of sight of fri-h. he set ont on a run toward the seout. Clark, who was watching. saw this and instantly saw Irish chasing Clough with his gun. and perceiving that he intended to shoot him before he reached the woods, drew up his rifle and shot him dead upon the spot. This was represented by the Tories as a wanton murder. and many year's afterwards, when Clark was in public life, and a prominent political partizan, some of his political opponents renewed the charge of murder against Clark, with many aggravating circumi- stances."
Another account of JJohn Irish was written by C. H. Congdon. Esq. in 1855. in reply to one written by Judge Noble. and pub- lished in the Rutland Herald. Mr. Congdon says : "I noticed a communication in your paper. over the signature of 0. Noble. relative to incidents of the Revolution : wed were it not for the fact that said communication had produced considerable evente- ment in this vicinity. I would gladly be silent. But whenever a matter of this nature is recorded. whether it be fact or tradition. unless refuted at the time soon passes into historical truth. With due deferonice to the age aud ability of Judge Noble. I shall pro-
172
HISTORY OF DANBY.
ceed to narrate the circumstances as I understand them. I have had occasion during abont twenty years. while collecting material for a work which Imuay hereafter publish, to consult the then (1777) wife of John Irish. now (1842) the widow Rebecca Stat. ford of South Wallingford. Of course iny information is tradi- tional, but at the same time the most direct I think that can pos- sibly be had of the Irish affair.' The wife of John Irish was a strong. resolute woman and possessed a strong, retentive memo- ry. , She was an ove witness of the whole affair. and the follow- ing is her statement :
" JJohn Irish bought his farm of his brother. Jonathan Irish. on the 20th day of May, 1775, as I find on examining a deed now in my possession. and as it is somewhat antiquated I have thought proper to copy it entire, as it may be a rarity to some of your numerous readers. The following is a true copy :
... Know all men be these no + 1 ... it I Jonathan frisit, of Danby, in the county of Charloty and province of New York. Yeoman, for and in consideration of the sum of forty-nine pounds. New York money received to my full satisfaction of John Irish of the township of Danby, aforesaid yeoman. I have sold and by these presents give, grant, bargain. sell. alieuate, convey and confirm and forever aequit claim unto him. the said John Irish to his heirs and assigns for ever. one certain pese or parcel of Land. lying and being in the township of Tinmouth in the county of Charloty and province aforesaid, that is to say. one eighty arre lot. it being lot No. 15 of the first division of lands. in said town- ship, the same was granted unto Elijah Cole by the govornor and council of the province of New Hampshire. I have sold and by these presents give, grant. bargain. sell, alienate. convey and confirm and forever acquit claim unto him the said John Irish his heirs and assigns tor his and their own proper uses. benefit and bchoof, furthermore. I the said JJonathan Irish Do for my self. my heirs. Executors and administrators, covenant-promises, and engage to. and with the said John Irish, his heirs and assigns for Ever, to warrant. - ceure and defend the above granted Bargain. primises unto him the said John Irish to his heirs and assigns against all the Lawful claims and demands of any person or per- sous Laving claim thereto or any part thereof, from by or under me or any person or persons whatsoever claiming the same by virtue of any act or acts allready past by the governor and councel of the province of new hampshire. Sined, sealed and Delivered this twentieth Day of May A. D. 1775. and in the fifteenth yere of his magosty Rain, and in presence of us.
JONATHAN TRISK. ( Signed)
JOBS HART
Witnesses"
TICKER HART
.. . He moved on to it the same season and commenced improv - ing, a- related by Judge Noble. and lived in the peaceable enjoy- ment of his property until the day he was shot by Isaac Clark. on the 27th day of July. 1777. I have never heard it contra-
173
HISTORY OF DANBY.
dicted that the character of John Irish was withont reproach. Ile, as well as many others of this vicinity, was a Quaker in principle, was quiet and unassuming. On the 24th of July he went to Burgoyne's head-quarters at Skeensborough (now White- hall) and procur_d protection papers and returned on the morn- ing of the 27th of July, had previously been engaged in reaping wheat, he was now mowing, had mowed about an acre in the forenoon when Clough came to his house between 11 and 12 o'- clock and enquired the way to Durham Bridge ; wished Irish would direct him through the woods as he did not like to travel the road on account of spies. Irish told him to keep the road a : the safest way. Dinner being ready Irish asked Clough to cat but declined, but while Irish and his family were eating sat part- ly in the door. After dinner Irish put a pitchfork into the fire to bore a hole into a new handle and then laid down on the bed with his two eldest children. After dinner Clough called for a drink of water, which Mrs. Irish gave to him, fresh from the spring ; a few moments after she had fetched the water for him. while she was engaged in doing up the dinner dishes, all at once Clough started and ran out of the house in the direction of the spring. Mrs. Irish spoke to her husband, who immediately jumped up and followed Clough out of doors-at the same time his wife begged him not to leave the house -- he advanced about three rods from the door, when Allen raised up from behind a maple log and shot Irish through the hand, severing his third and little fin- ger from his hand, or nearly so. Clark then in a rough manquer asked him if he wanted to take more prisoners. Irish answered that he should take or harm no man, and added, you have woun- ded me, upon which he held up his hand and Clark shot him through the heart. He turned, walked about a rod and fell dead upon his face. When Clark and Allen shot him he was not more than three or four feet from the muzzles of their guns-so near that the smoke rolled up on his breast as he turned round. Af- ter this the men all disappeared in the woods. Mrs. Irish went immediately to Mr. William Irish's who was just putting on his clean clothes, being on Sunday. He said Becca, you must take care of yourself, I cannot help you. He immediately started off and did not return until about six weeks afterwards. Mrs. Irish went home, but did not attempt to do anything with her husband (hoping that some of her neighbors would come in) until nearly dark when. no one coming, she, with Irish's two oldest children. Mary 14 years old and Gilson 12 years old, assisted her in get- ting him into the house ; this they did by rolling him on a plauk and drawing him along. She afterwards laid him out. When she returned from William Irish's the children said to her that the men had gone and Papa was asleep. Ho was a man that would weigh over two handred pounds. and it was with diffienty that she and the children got him into the house. He was buried the next day by Francis and David Matteson. Jesse Irish, the father of John, and a Scotchman by the name of AAllen. A cof- 22
£
174
HISTORY OF DANBY.
fin was made by Francis Matteson from rough boards out of the chamber floor. The grave is about forty rods from where the honse formerly stood, on a knoll ; a moned and rough stones mark the spot to this day. The wife was not permitted to follow the body of her husband to the grave. as it was not thought pru- deut even for the men to perform the task, so perilous were the times. Scouting parties were out on both sides at this period."
John Irish had three children, the oldest about three years, and the youngest only two months. Mrs. Irish did not know any of the men at that time ; John Irish knew two of them ; his wife had never heard him speak of only two.
The party after killing Irish went to the widow Potter's, in the edge of Clarendon. and took dinner, stating that they had shot Irish : and here a few days after Mrs. Irish learned all their names, and also that they did not intend to kill Jolm Irish, but that William Irish was the man that word aft. offered £30 for his head. The widow thus left secured her hay and grain and also her fax, of which she had a fine lot. This was the sitnation we find her in when in the following November Ernest Noble (the father of Judge Noble) notified her that she must leave. as he had purchased the place of the confiscating agent at Rutland, and that twelve days would be given her to leave in peace. She left within the twelve days-traveled on foot with her three children to Danby. a distance of seven miles. through the uninterrupted forests of the then wilderness country. rendered doubly gloomy by the fitful gusts and wails of a bleak November wind. Tears of anguish and regret no doubt dimmed hier eye and moistened her check, as she left her home and the grave of her husband and journeyed alone and unprotected through the wilderness to find protection for herself and children. among strangers. although her deceased husband's relatives .- She had married John Irish when on his way from Nine Partners tip the country, and consequently had no intimate acquaintance with his father's family.
About three weeks after her husband was killed. and in her absence from home. her house was pillaged of everything valu- able-clothing, furniture, ete. All she ever found of the missing property was a valuable scarlet cloak. about three or four rods from the house, trampled into the mud and badly torn. Relies of plunder were met with years after, among sonte of the famni- lies of the western part of Tinmouth. It is stated by Judge No- ble that the party took Irish's gun to the council of safety. This could not have been so, from circumstances that I will relate :- About two weeks previous to the transaction above named. John Irish, hearing that all persons, irrespective of political sentiment. if found with arms, would be dealt with as enemies, and wishing to evade all trouble he dismembered his fowling piece of its stock and lock. The lock was wrapped in tow and put in the bottom of' his chest, and the stock and barrel he took into a swamp west of the house. The former he secreted mader a hollow ing. the It-
1
1
175
HISTORY OF DANBY.
ter in the same, and there the gun remained until the winter fol- lowing Irish's death, when, Irish's wife having no means to fur- nish her children with shoes, gave the gun to William Irish for the necessary articles. She told him where to find the gun and he went and recovered it and long had it in his possession. This party Judge Nable says were sent by the council of safety. Where the record of the faet is to be found I know not, but it is certain from documents in my possession that they belonged to & class of men styled Cow Boys in those days ; that their friends and families resided in Tinmonth, and that they went there of their own accord and on their own responsibility.
After this affair William Irish went to Burgoyne's camp, in about six weeks, or the same autim, and resided in Dauby, un- til the close of the war. Their property was confiscated. How? I believe that John Irish was never accused of being a Tory- was never tried as a Fory, and bow his property conid be coniis- cated. under the circumstances, was something that puzzled the most learned of the law subsequent to the peace of 1783. That it was confiscated J do not contradict. but whether in accordance with the rules practiced at that time is a question.
The best legal talent of the State decided more than thirty years ago that it was a fraudulent act, and that the heirs of John Irish could recover the property, but they like their progenitor were peaceable citizens and evaded litigation. Mr. Joseph Irish of South Wallingford was the only one I ever knew. All that knew him can attest to the statement here made. Many offers were made him by legal men to recover the property free of ex- pense to him, but being a Quaker he always desisted, and conse- quently the Noble family have been left unmolested in the pos- session of the property.
As regards the truth of the statement of the wife of John Irish, wherever she was known her word was never doubted. She was a high spirited woman, with a temperament rather san- guine than otherwise, and her villifiiers with all their heroism dare not confront ber. We will give an ilhistration : About six weeks after her husband was killed. one Noel Potter and another young man came to her house and demanded her husband's pro- tection papers. In the words of the old lady. "one with a drawn sword. the other with an iron gunstick," meaning a ramrod. She peremptorily refused, and at the same time seizing the poker ordered them out of the house. They precipitately withdrew and she was not again troubled with them. The foregoing is an account of this affair nearly word for word as the old lady gave it, and what motive she could have for falsifying the matter is lett for others to judge. On the other hand. those men who committed the deed were conscious whether it was right or wrong. If right, posterity can judge of the merits : if wrong, their own consciences upbraided them. They are numbered with the past, both friend and foe. and far be it from me to character- ize, now they are gone. It is left for the reader to determine
176
HISTORY OF DANBY.
whose lot was the most enviable, that of the men who deprived the widow of her husband and support. her children of a father and protector : who robbed the widow of her house and a !! earth- ly comforts : the men who stealthily approached their dwelling. and, having artfully drawn him forth, with their deadly aim cool- ly and deliberately shot him ; or the woman who, after experi- encing the vicissitudes above related, comes out unscathed. and lives to a good old age in the midst a large circle of friends, re- spected and beloved by all. Providence has assisted her in ac- quiring a sufficiency of this world's goods, so that in age she was beyond the privations of earlier life."
John Irish left two children. Joseph and Lucretia. in. Jeptha King. She some time after this left her home and joined the Mormons at Nauvoo, Miss. 4
IRISH, JOSEPH, m. Ean; Prowadl, and set
tled on the east side of the town. He died in 1842. aged 70. They never raised any children of their own. but brought up sev- eral children of other parents.
IRISH, JOSEPH. son of Abel Irish, settled on a portion of the farm now owned by Nelson Colvin. He married for his second wife Catherine Colvin. He raised a family of eleven children : Job, Samuel. Elizabeth Ruth, Huldah, m. Benajah Colvin ; Free- love, Elsie, Esther. m. Samuel Harnden : David. Auva and Jo- seph. Elizabeth m. Thomas Aldrich, and Joseph moved to Ohio.
IRISH, JONATHAN, settled on a portion of the farm now owned by O. B. Hulett. He m. Thersa, da. of Exekel Smith, and raised several children, of whom were Thersa and Ezekel. He removed to Holland Purchase, N. Y.
JENKINS, HENRY B., from Fort Ann. N. Y., in 1847, settled at the Borough. He now owns and runs the only grist mill in town. During the freshet of 1867 his house and nearly all his personal effects were washed away. In a few hours time the hard earn- ings of many years were destroyed. Through the kindness and generosity of the inhabitants of the town a subscription was ob- tained, which in part replaced the loss he had sustained. Mr. Jenkins is universally esteemed an honest man, having won the highest confidence of his townsince. He married Martha Hos- more and has raised a family of five children : Encinda. Charles HI .. Leona. Mary and Edward.
JENKS. NICHOLAS. from Gloucester. R. I .. m. Anaa. da. of John Harrington, and artiled at the corner, where he kept tavern for many years. He was also for a number of years engaged in the mercantile business. The store in which he traded stood where the cheese factory now stands. He kept what is known as the "red tavern." north of the village, and it was there in 1821 that the murder of Briggs occurred Gar Daniel Palmer). He afterwards kept the tavern west of the village, where town and freemen's meetings were held for several years. He sabe- quently lived on the Darius Lobdel farm. now occupied by Lem-
-
1
177
MSTORY OF DANBY.
uel Harrington. Although quite an active business man in his younger days, he failed to accumulate property, and became somewhat dependent in old age. His final settlement was made on the place occupied by Hiram Fisk, where he lived many years. The weight of over four score years bowed his frame and greatly impaired his energies, which rendered him incapable of performing labor for a long time previous to his death. died in 1867, aged 87, being one of the oldest Masons in town, His widow survives him at the age of 70. They raised a family of four sons : George, John, Norman and Hiram, all living, George m. Phebe, da. of Abel Haskins, and lived here several years. He finally settled in Rupert, where He has kept a hotel many years, being widely and favorably known, Of bis chil- dren, Burt m. a da. of Elisha Harrington and now lives with his father, and Sargh Ann m Hoyt Aldrich and lives in P D ........ Norman is a tailor by trade and at present lives in Poultney. having removed from Rutland where he resided several years. He m. first Salina Spaulding who died in 1861 aged 36, and next Ama Teller, by whom he has one son, Edward. Hiram married Sophia Woods, and has a family of six children : Anna. in. Richard Stone ; Rachael, George, John, Martin and Nor- man.
JENKS, JOHN, m. Lydia Lamphire, who died in 1845, leaving a family of five children : Ann Eliza, m. Artemus Shippy ; Lyd- ia. m. William Stimson, and is now dead ; Helen. m. Hollen Baker ; Hannah, m. Merritt Sargents. and William, m. Matilda Baker.
JOHNSTON, DR. ADAMI. (by Miss S. O. Lake), He came from Norton, Mass,, about 1799, and was the first physician in town who had much practice. Hle was a native of Pelham, Mass .. and of Scotch descent. Soon after serving the usual time in study. he commenced practice on board of a privateer in the Rev- olution. For some time all went well and the vessel took several rich prizes, which were sent to some port in Massachusetts, to be appraised and sold. After a time his vessel was captured. and he was carried a prisoner to England, and confined in the Tower of London for about six months. The agent, who then resided in a place called Marblehead, took himself off to Halifax. for- getting to leave Dr. Johnson's share of the prize money. Noi long after this a ship of which he owned a share was wrecked. so that when he was liberated he returned home to find himself' a poor man. The place he lived in was supplied with physician- older than himself. and after a few years he concluded to try his fortune in a new country, and came to Danby, which was then new enough to satisfy any one who chose the wilderness to live in. His first pince of business in Danby was near where the oli Quaker meeting house stood ; living in a house then belonging to Stephen Rogers. He soon after this bought ont Dr. Tolman. who they lived about of rods west of the Corners. De, Johnson was a well educated man for one in those days; was very plon-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.