USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Danby > The history and map of Danby, Vermont > Part 26
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PRIEST, JOHN another of the revolutionary patriots, was a res? ident of the town for a number of years. He served during nearly the whole of the war, for which he drew a pension. He was a stone mason and wall laver by trade. He was a man of considerable ability. full of anecdote and humor, and loved to relate incidents of the revolution, and the war of 1812, in which he Also served. He never accumulated much property. and in his old age was almost entirely dependent upon his pension for sup- port. He removed about 20 years since to Mechanicsville. N. Y. where his son then lived.
RANDALL, SNow from Adams, Mass .. about the year 1798. 11. Hannah Sherman and first settled near where Nelson Kelly non lives. He carried on the clothdressing business for many years: being succeeded by John M. Bishop. He afterwards removed to the east side of the town, on the farm How owned by Henry Wil- bur. He finally settled in Mt. Holly, Vt .. where he died. Hi- widow survived him many years. and died at a ripe old age: Their children were Caleb, Isaac, Stephen, Saga. Hannah, In. Ira Vail : and Lydia who m. Honry Pohner. Isaac m. a Chan- der. and settled in Mt. Holly.
RANDALL, CALER In. Lydia, da. of Enoch Congor, and lived a few years on the farm owned by N. P. Baxter. He afterward- settled on the farm owned by A. T. Colvin. He was a frugal. industrious farmer, a good neighbor and a respected citizen. Il.
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died in 1857. aged 76. They raised a family of seven children : Robert G .. Alvah. Nelson, Elwood, Enoch, Galen, Maria and Sophia. Robert m. Ruth, da. of Ira Edmunds, and settled in Ripley N. Y. His wife did in 1869, aged 50, leaving four chil- dren : Mariette, m. John Shoal and lives in Ohio : Ira. Lydia and Volney, Alvah became a physician, and removed to Michi- gan, where he died : Elwood m. Sabrina Rogers and removed west. Enoch in. Phebe Doty and lives in Ripley, N. Y.
RANDALL, NELSON m. Precilla Eddy and succeeded to the homestead. He was constable and collector five years and by performing his duties with fidelity and zeal, won the confidence and esteem of his townsmen. He is a man of much shrewdness and intelligence, resolute and active, courteous in his business transactions, and was a man of influence in the town. He now resides in Ripley, N. Y., to which place he removed some ten years einen, and is a U. S. detective, being peenharly adapted to that kind of business.
RAWLES, GEORGE from Dorsetshire, England. in 1856. m. Naomi Lochier, and in 1868 lived on the Ira Edmunds farm. He now lives on the Phillips' farm near Scottsville. By honest toil and industry he has accumulated considerable property, and is respected by all as a good citizen and neighbor.
RAGAN, DENNIS from Ireland in 1849, m. Hannah Grady and settled in South America. He has also by frugality and indus- try, accumulated a good property, and is considered a worthy and respectable citizen. Their children are Ellen, Jerry, Mich- acl. Joha and Hannah.
REED, ISAAC from Rhode Island in 1802, settled in the extreme southwestern part of the town. on a portion of the Governor's Right. He was a soldier of the Revolution and drew a pension. He lived to a good age, having raised a family of fifteen children. of whom are Elijah, Oliver, Isaac, Jr., Durphy. Ichabad, Solo- mon, Nelson, Abagail, Elizabeth, Susan and Patience. Elijah m. Hannah Flint and removed west. Isaac, Jr. settled in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where he became eminent. Durphy settled in Dorset, where he together with most of his childres now reside. Ichabad died of consumption in early manhood.
REED, SOLOMON lived for many years upon the land formerly occupied by his father, a portion of which lies in the town of Pawlet, and upon which Solomon now resides. He has been thrice married ; first to Diantha Ormsby, next to Rachael Hatha- way, who died in 1847, aged 41 ; and last to Elecra Hazleton. He has always been a tough. hard laboring man. and a great hunter, in which he more frequently engaged in his younger days than of late, being a boll. adventurous and courageous man. That portion of the town. has ever been a haunt for wild beasts. and more especially bears. Although hunting and trapping these animals, is an employment always full of excitement and danger. but few men have possessed a keener relish for these sports. Capital stories are told of his encounters with them, and even
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during the last few years. One of these which happened about thirty years ago is worthy of notice : Solomon, together with his brother Ichabad, who was a young man of feeble health. was ont one day in what is known as "Fir Swamp" after balsam. This swamp is situated nearly to the top of the mountain. and was some considerable distance from the house. They had been there but a short time when the dog, which had followed them. commenced barking at a short distance from them. near a sort of a cave or den in the rocks, which signified that there was some- thing in there. Believing it to be nothing more than a econ, which the dog had tracked there, Solomon thought he would ven- tare in. So laying his gan down by the mouth of the cave, he crawled in to see what was there. He soon discovered that it was a bear, and called upon Ichabad to hand him the gun, which he did. Taking as good aim as possible by the light of her eyes, The fixed, but the contents failed to take offant Bruin not liking such an unceremonious call, immediately rushed out through the passage, which, not being very spacious, gave Solomon consid- erable of a squeezing. The bear, upon coming out, at once made an attack upon Ichabad, who stood at the mouth of the cave. The dog immediately closed in for a fight, and acted as if Mr. Bruin had been as rough and unceremonioas as his mas- ter had been, in intruding himself upon her notice. Solomon. on hurrying out, saw at a glance that his brother must have help immediately, and commenced an attack upon the bear, which drew her attention from Ichabad. The dog and bear then became engag- ed, and Solomon seeing that the dog would get the worst of the fight unless he had help, stepped astride of the bear and took an ear in each band. When she felt the whole weight of this new el- ement in the controversy, which was made to bear upon her, she turned her attention from the plaintive and suppliant tones of the dog to the more defiant antagonist on her back. The dog having found there was fighting to be done, now applied himself vigorously to the bear's hannches, whereupon she commenced descending the mountain, Solomon maintaining a firm hold upon her back, while Ichabad continued to beat the bear with the breach of his gun. The dog's mode of fighting soon had the tendency to lacerate her feelings so severely that she now turned her special attention to him, having no further fear of the men. Thus the dog would fight until seeing he would get the worst of it, Solomon would step astride of the bear, while his brother kept plying his blows. drawing her attention from the dog, first being nuder and then top. for the distance of a mile or more down the mountain, bi which time the gun had been used up around her, and she was completely exhausted. Solomon and the dog was then left to con- tend with the bear, while Ichabad went for another gun and the bear was then soon killed. Solomon was not much injured by this adventure, but his brother never fully recovered from its ef- fects. The names of His children are Juliette, m. Daniel Matte- son ; Isaac, Gustavus, Martin, Nancy, m. R. Wheaton ; and
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Damaras, mn. Merrick Wilkins. Isaac is married, and lives in Dorset. Gustavus m. Lydia, da. of Miner Bromley. who died in 1868, leaving three children : Solomon, Miner and JJames. In 1851, having a desire to go to sea, he sailed from New Bed- ford. Mass., in the ship Benjamin Tucker, bound on a whaling voyage, being gone about two years. Among the places visited during that time, were the Cape De Verde Islands. Juan Fernan- des, Sandwich Islands, Australia and New Zeland, and sailing as far north as the Aretie regions. He gained the reputation of a good sailor. He also served as a soldier in the late war. Mar- tin m. a Wilkins aud lives in Dorset.
READ, TIMOTHY a native of Swanzy, N. H., came to Danby in 1726 ; m Eunice, widow of Barton Kelly, and settled on the farm obtained by his wife. He was a man great force and ener- gy and had the name of being an upright. industrious. honest. Hard working man. He was at one time the owner of a large property, and was one of the most extensive farmers in town. But few men labored more hours in a day. He was also a shoe- maker by trade, and worked considerable at that business. He was a man of good ability, and occupied numerous positions of honor and responsibility. He was selectman five years; lister three years, representative to the Legislature two years ; and a jus- tice of the peace two years, in all of which he performed his duties with credit, and continued to the last to enjoy the confidence and esteem of all. Mr. Read was a man of good talents and acquire- ments, an active, sterling business man, a consistent christian and a valued member of society. He was also a public spirited man, always devoted to the interests of the town and contributed largely towards building up society, and for the advancement of morality and religion, always dispensing with a liberal hand to the poor and needy. Ile was mainly instrumental in building the church south of the Corners, which he was firm and persever- ing in accomplishing, and by which he became seriously embar- assed. He was a man decided in his opinions, and remarkable for the energy with which he carried forward whatever he ander- took. He possessed great equanimity and fortitude, was not up- lifted by prosperity or cast down by adversity ; but rather inher- ited aud cultivated through life a cheerful disposition. He was a very early riser, although the last to retire at night. So ac- tive and prompt was he in the fulfillment of his contracts. that he was known at various times to set up all night to make a pair of boots, and that it might not interfere with his labor on the farmi. But few men were his match at farm labor, being very tall in stature and of a robust frame, as well as being very stort. He was a great mower, concerning which many good stories are related. We have been told that at one time he mowed a swath nineteen feet in width. He was a kind friend and an obliging neighbor. No man ever lived more respected, or died more re- gretted. His death occurred from disease of the heart. Febru !- ry 19th, 1849, aged 52. His widow is now living, at the age of
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84, having been a very smart, industrious woman through life. Their children are Enice, m. James Fish ; Charles T .. Luey and Edward JJ., who lives upon the homestead. Iney !mas been deaf and dumb since the age of five, being caused by the rank- erash. and blind since the age of eleven. She is one of the most remarkable persons on record. She possesses ability for perfora- ing work far beyond those of many persons endowed with per- fect senses. Although deprived of the sense of seeing and hear- ing, never to behold the faces of friends. or the glories and bean- ties of nature. or hear the voices of affection and those she loves. yet by the use of the other seuses, she is enabled to know them and to perform many things. God in his goodness has so organ- ized the human family, that where one sense is deficient. it is made up in a measure by the others. In her case the loss of these two most important senses, is more than made up by the action of the others. For it is truly wouldfel to look at the labor performed by her, from the braiding of the finest hair fish line to the piecing of a bed quilt. The order, neatness and reg- ularity displayed, is miexcelled. She can distinguish color and quality as readily as any person. In piecing bed quilts, the col. ors are all neatly and tastefully arranged, and her kuitting, sew- ing and braiding is all done in the highest style of the art. She performs various other kinds of labor, in which she also diplays great mechanism. Her work has taken the premium at our State and Coumy Fairs. She is now about 35 years of age.
(John Read. father of the above named. and son of Timothy and Martha Read, was born at Rehobeth, Mass., February 10th. 1765, and settled in Swanzy, N. H. about the year 1790. He m. Lucy Warner 1795. He d. at Swanzy, June 13, 1813 ; his wife in 1844. Their children were Abel W., b. Nov. 4th. 1796, now living on the old homestead ; Timothy, b. June 19th 1798, settled in Danby ; John, b. Ang. 3, 1800, lives at Fitzwil- liam, N. H. : David. b. April 1, 1803, d. in California, Nov. 13, 1867 : Charles. b. Oet. 23, 1805, d. at Hartford, Connecti- cut, April 3. 1867 : Lucy, b. May 12 .. 1807. lives at Hartford. Conn. ; and Rawson, b. May 12, 1810. now living in Hartford. )
READ, CHARLES T. in. Lucinda, da. of Albert Bucklin, and settled on the farm formerly owned by Wm. Pierce. He is also a mau of industry and fragality. and a thrifty farmer, having accumulated a good property. He has been one of the listers four years, and was a member of the Legislature in 1867. They have three children : Hattie. Jennie and George.
RISDON, ALVAU C. from Pawler in 1815, m. Diana, da. of John Buxton. and has lived in different parts of the towy. He is a carpenter and house builder by trade. His wife died in 1865. aged 65. The names of their children follow : Beiser. Melissa, m. Azh. Hilliard ; Lydia An, John. Daniel. Isaac. Maria, Dinah and George. Betsy m. Plyn Burnham of Mid- alletown. She died, leaving one daughter ; Jania who m. Hon- ry Thompson ; Lydia Aun, m. E. J. Stimson and resides in Min-
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nessota ; John m. Betsey King, and lives in Mt. Tabor. He has a family of seven children : Clarence, Ellen, John. Silas, Jeffe, Clara ard Dilla. Daniel, m. Mary Jacobs, is a carpenter by trade and lives in Mt. Tabor. Of his children now living we know of but two : George and Daniel. Two children. Mary and Marcia, both died the same :lay and were buried in the same grave. Isaac m. Nancy Whitcomb, and lives in Watertown, Mass. Ma- ria m. William Tweedy, a blacksmith by trade, who died in 1865 leaving one son, George.
RICHARDSON. DR. ISRAEL settled here about forty years ago. in the practice of his profession. He lived near the residence of Howell Dillingham, but remained here only a few years. He was esteemed a good physician, and a man of considerable intel- ligence.
ROBERTS, WILLIAM from Nine Partners, N. Y., abent the close of the Revolution, :::. Rachael Andrus and settled first in Manchester, afterwards in Vergeunes and then in Danby. Four of his brothers also came about the same time, Christopher. John. Peter and Benjamin. Christopher settled in Manchester where his descendents still reside ; and John settled in Plattsburg. N. Y. William was a soldier of the revolution and was in the bat- tle of Bennington. He lived in the south part of the town. He died at Manchester in 1829, aged 70; his wife in 1854, aged 79. The names of their children follow : John, Ephraim. Allen C .. Ethan, Stephen, Caleb, Nathaniel. Susan and Rachael. Eph- raim m. Laura Woodcock of Manchester and settled here a short time, after which he moved to Dorset. In 1830 he owned and run a canal boat on the Erie Canal. He died at Blackrock, N. Y. Of his children are Henry, Ephraim and William. Eph- raim is now a Missionary on one of the Sandwich Islands. Ethan m. Harriet, widow of Jonathan Baker, and settled in Pawlet. and afterwards in Dorset, where he died in 1868, leaving three children : Burns, Helen and Albert. Caleb m. Drusilla Fisk, and settled in Dorset. He was one of the 16 recruits from this town to the Mexican War. and died in hospital at Puebla, Aug. 26th. 1847. Their children are Sabra, Delia who m. Charles Streeter : and Benoni, m. Rebecca Allen of Dorset. Nathaniel m. Sally Wadly and raised three children : Eliza, Emily and Burton.
ROBERTS, JOHN m. Judith, da. of Daniel Southwick, and settled here for a number of years. He finally settled in Brant. Erie Co., N. Y., where he still resides. They have raised a family of six children : Susan Ruth, Chloe, Sally, Austin and William. Susan m. John Wetherby, a merchant of Brant. Sally mn. a Madison, who was killed a few years since by the cars. He left one son, John. who is deat and dumb and is now receiving an education at the deaf and dumb asylum, New York. Austin m. Mary Stetson and resides at Brant. Chloe m. Welcome Sprague and is now dead. William is a skillful mechanic and resides in Brant. He is the patentee and inventor of several useful ma- chiues.
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ROBERTS, ALLEN C. b. 1804, m. Hannah Farar of Rupert where he settled a few years, and afterwards in Dorset. He has been for many years a noted hunter and trapper, having since 1830 killed nearly fifty bears. Bat few men have a keener rel- ish for this kind of sport, which is always full of excitement and not unfrequently of danger. Even during the last few years, he has had many encounters with them, concerning which, capital stories are told. While on a hunting excursion in 1854, he ac. videntally slipped down upon the ice, when his gun which he car- ried over his shoulder was discharged, the contents entering his foot and finally resulted in the loss of his leg. He has also for a. number of years been a Methodist preacher aud exhorter. Their children are Jonathan, David. b. 1829 and d. 1830 ; Edward and Edwin (twins) b. 1831 ; Abigail, b. 1835 ; and Charles, b. 1838. Jonathan m. Mary Jones and lives in Dorset. Edward m. Mary Eldridge and lives near his father. having raised a family of inu children. Edwin m. a Stannard, and resides at Horicon, N. Y. Charles m. Sarah Sargents and lives in Rupert.
ROBERTS, STEPHEN m. Eliza. d. of Daniel Ballard, and settled in Dorset. He is a farmer and now resides at Hubbardton, Vt. Their children are Rachael, Stephen, Clara. John Jay, Rosa and Allen. Rachael m. Charles Howard and lives in Hubbarton, Stephen m. Olive Locke and lives in Dorset. Clara m. Zimri Howard, and resides at Hubbardton ..
ROGERS, WING from Mansfield, Mass., about the year 1770. settled where J. E. Nichols now lives. His log cabin stood a few rods west of the present dwelling. Being a pioneer settler of the town, he necessarily encountered untold difficulties in et- fecting a settlement, but he was a bold and resolute man, of ro- bust constitution and equal to the task. He was a man of large means, and at once came into possession of a large farm, which included the one now owned by J. E. Nichols and also the one owned by F. R. Hawley, besides portions of adjoining farms. He also owned nearly all the land in what is known as .. South America." as well as land in other parts of the town. He was .doubtless one of the most wealthy men of his times. He was a birth rig !!! member of the Quaker Society, and one of the founders of the church in this town. He was a man of many eccentricities, and many good stories are told of his oddities. It was his custom to carry his family to church in an ox cart. and sometimes he would carry his wife and children upon a trundle bed. No man wa- ever more distinguished for his peculiar habits, and his name will be remembered for many generations to come. Being a man o; considerable ability, he was often called upon to fill some office of trust. but many times refusing to serve. His name is often mentioned in connection with the early history of Danby. He was a member of the proprietors meeting held at the house of William Bromley in 1776, and was appointed one of the com- mittee to lay out the land in the fourth divisjon. He was also a prominent member of the. meetings held by the inhabitants for
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the general safety of the town, during the revolutionary war. Ile was the first appointed to the office of " hog constable," in 1777 an office of some considerable consequence in those times. He was selectman four years from 1776 and grand juror in 1786. He was a member of the Legislature in 1790, which then was held at Castleton, commencing Oct. 14 and ending Oet.28, after a session of 12 days. He was again elected for the years 1791, 92 and 93, The descendants of Wing Rogers have been numerous, being wealthy and prominent meu, He was four times married, first to Deliverance Chatman, next to Mercy Hatch, next to Rebecca Sherman, and last to Hannah Titus, In 1800 be removed to Ferrisburg. Vt., where he died well advanced in years. The names of his children are as follows : Deliverance, Elizabeth, Augustus, Aga. Rufus, Ruth, Wing. Mary, Lester and Lydia. Augustus m. Anna Bartlett, and settled in Ferrisburg, where he died, leaving Have children : Mary. Doctor and Abraham. Asa and Rufus settled in Upper Canada.
ROGERS. DELIVERENCE was b. at Marshfield and came here with his father. He m. Judith Folger and settled on the farm now owned by F. R. Hawley. then a portion of his father's home- stead, and built the house now standing. He first lived a few years in a house which stood a few rods east of the dwelling house of J. E. Nichols. He became a very wealthy, prominent and influential citizen. He removed to Granville, N. Y., where he died in 1849, aged 83 ; his widow died 1864 aged 86. His chil- dren were Cynthia, m. Jacob Bartlett : Daniel, Ruth, Dinah. Eliza, m. Stephen Dillingham ; David, Wing d. at the age of 17 ; and Mary, who m. Lydia Hemenway, settled here a few years. and then removed to Granville. He died in 1840, leaving a family of four children, of whom are Sabrina, Esther and Juda. Dinah m. David Allen of Granville. David m, Hannah Dilling- ham and also settled in Granville. We know of but two of his sons : David W. and Deliverance.
ROGERS, STEPHEN brother of Wing Rogers. also from Marsh- field, Mass., came in 1770 and settled on the farm occupied by J. T. Griffith. He also owned the farm now belonging to H. Dillingham. Ile m. Elizabeth Lapham. The house in which he lived was burned a few years since. It was built in 1790, and was the first two story house erected in town, being considered the best house in town for that day. He also became a large land holder, and was a prominent and efficient man, and contrib- uted essentially towards the prosperity of the town. His name will be found intimately associated with its early settlement. He was another of the early members of Quaker society, He was a man of exemplary religious character, of good natural abilities and of much activity and enterprise in carly life, upright. intel- ligent and honorable in all his dealings, and beloved by all for the nobleness of his nature and conduct. He died in 1835. aged 85 ; his wife in 1840, aged 80. Their children were Aaron. Jos- eph, Sarah, Hannah, John, Ruth. Stephen, Elizabeth and Syl-
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via. Hannah m. John Keyes and settled in Peru, N. Y. ; Steph- en m. Anna Emmerson and settled in Mt. Holly. From thence he removed to Poultney, Vt., where he died. Of his children are Oliver, Asa, Amos, John, Charles and David. Amos went to California in 1854, and now resides in Oregon.
ROGERS, AARON b. at Danby, 1770. m. Dinah Folger and set- tled where Howell Dillingham now lives. He is said to have been the first male child born in town. Some, however, have given priority of birth to Hosea Williams, who was born the same year. Mr. Rogers resided here for nearly 85 years, being engaged in agricultural pursuits from: boyhood. He removed to Lynn, Mass., when quite old, where he died in 1860, aged 00. His menory extended back to the infants settlements, and when most of the town was au unbroked wilderness, and to days of the Revolution, during which the inhabitants passed through countless triais. He was a witness to many great changes ; the great forest gave way before the axe of the sturdy pioneer, be- coming inhabited by a dense and thriving population. He lived with his father previous to his marriage. when he settled by him- self. With untiring energy he toiled on, until he had acquired a large competency for himself and family, causing his wilder- ness home to blossom as the rose. When in after years his sons and daughters left their paternal homes to go forth into the world, and when the snows of more than 80 winters had sprink- led his brow, and grand-children were gathered around him, his fect still lingered around the old homestead, where were associa- ted many pleasant scenes of the past. He was an influential member of the quaker society, a man of excellent morals and hab- its. He was a man of good ability, being called upon from time to time to serve the town in some capacity, but being of a quiet and peaceable turn of mind he did not take an active part in po- litical matters. He was selectman one year ; lister six years : and auditor five years. He was an honest and just man in hi- business transactions, a most affectionate husband and father. and in all the relations of life an estimable man. His wife died in 18 , aged . The names of their children are as follows : Joseph. Lydia, Moses. Aaron, Jr., Judith, Elisha K, George D .. Eunice and Seth. Lydia m. Abraham Dillingham ; Moses m. Beula; Wing, lives in Lyn, Mass., and is one of the wealthy cit- izens of that place ; Elisha m. Elizabeth Mitchell and settled at the Borough a few years. in the mercantile business ; he non lives in New York. Seth m. Hannah Mitchell and became a physician. He was also in trade a short time with his brother Elisha. He served as surgeon in the Union army, during the late war. He is a man of large experience, having traveled for a number of years, during which time he has visited France and other countries on the eastern continent. He now resides it: Worcester, Mass., and has been connected with a water eure es- tablishment of that city.
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