USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Danby > The history and map of Danby, Vermont > Part 27
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ROGERS, JOSEPH In. Lydia Carpenter of Granville, N. Y. and 30
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HISTORY OF DANSY.
settled on the farm uow owned by A. A. Mathewson. He was in- sane for many years. He removed to Granville, aud from thence a few years since he went to California. Ilis children are Amos. Auson, Dinah, Cynthia, Lydia Ann, Stephen and Joseph.
ROGERS, AARON Jr. m. Comfort Stimson and also settled on the farm now owned by A. A. Mathewson. He was engaged in the marble business for several years and occupied considerable town office, as selectman, lister, and justice of the peace. He became deranged and finally cut his throat in 1850. He left but one sou. Henry, who now resides in Minnesota, and is a man of consider- able prominence, having been State's Attorney and County Sen- ator.
ROGERS, GEORGE D. m. Anna Stimson and settled near his brothers. He was also a farmer and a man of peaceable and quiet habits. He died in 18 , aged . His children are Si- las. Eunice and Charles & SHlas and Eunice both died of con- sumption : Charles m. Martha, da. of Daniel Nichols, and re- sides at Rockport, Mass.
ROGERS, JOSEPH son of Stephen Rogers, m. Jemimah Holmes and settled at the Borough. He subsequently removed to Grau- ville and from thence to Ferrisburg, Vt., where he died, leaving four children : Lydia, Phebe, Henry and Ruth.
ROGERS, JOHN son of Stephen Rogers, m. Levina Mix and set tled on the homestead, where he remained some twenty years and then removed to Granville, N. Y. They both died in Pawlet. Their children are Joel M., Sarah, Hannah, Silas, Esther and Anson. Sarah m. Gorham Folger, and resides in Pawlet. Han- Jah m. Richard Barker of Granville. Anson resides in Ohio.
ROGERS, JJOEL M. m. Nancy, da. of Isaac Wilbur, and was among the active and prominent citizens of the town for many years. He at first settled on the homestead in the farming busi- ness, and afterwards at the Corners where he was engaged in the mercantile business several years. He was enterprising, bold und resolute, and possessed a most upright, generous heart. Cor- rectness and courtesy marked all his business transactions. al- though it is said he became somewhat addicted to drinking dur- ing the last days of his life. He died in 1838, aged about 40. They raised a family of children.
(ROGERS, JOHN brother of Wing and Stephen Rogers, came from Marshfield about the same time and settled in Tinmouth. He died in 18 , aged about 75. He raised a family of four sous : Abram B., John, Jr., Nicholas and Isaac. Nicholas settled in Timouth and died unmarried : Isaac settled in Canada. where his descendants still reside : Abram B., b. 1769, m. Mary Keen. 1. 1765 and settled in Tinmouth ; he died in 1842, his wife h: 1835. He was again m. to Orpha Harvy, who died in 1857. They raised the following named children : Abram C., b. 1793 : Rebecca II., b. 1796 : Sarah C., b. 1797 ; Joseph, b. 1799 ; Mary. b. 1804 : Isaac, b. 1807 ; Mercy. b. 1812. Abram C. m. Olive Ingram, and raised a family of four children : Samuel E., Mary.
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HISTORY OF DANBY.
Bradford and Lyman. Samuel E. m. Sarab Edgerton, is a farm- er and resides in Wallingford, being one of the prominent maen of that town. He was a member of the Legislature in 1867 -- 68. Mary m. Benjamin S. Phillips, and is now dead. Bradford m. a Stimson, is also a farmer and lives in Dorset. He was former- ly a school teacher by profession, and is a man of superior tal- ent. Lyman is a distinguished physician and resides at Shaft,- bury, Vt.
Joseph, the second son of Abram B. settled in Timmouth, hay- ing been twice married. first to Mercy Eddy and next to a wid- ow Cole of Mount Holly. His children are Henry B. who m. Eliza Holton of Dorset, being a farmer and lives near his father : Anna m. Allen Thompson of Dorset ; Charles, who m. Lydia Welch and now lives upon the homestead ; Sally m. Winslow Rhodes of Wallingford ; David. d. young : and Christiana.
Isaac, the third son m. Nancy Matteson, and settied mn Ji- mouth. Their children are Melissa, Abram, d. young ; Orange. Eliza, Joel M .. Elias and Mary. Orange has been twice married. first to Louisa Hill, and next to Mahala Harrington.
Mercy, youngest child of Abram B., m. Lothrop Ames of Wallingford, and raised the following children : John, who m. Harriet Phillips ; Margaret, m. Milo Burton ; Abram, Flora. Samuel and Lois, both of whom died young.)
ROGERS, DAVID W. sou of David Rogers, from Granville. N. Y. settled in 1865 on the Elisha Lapham farm. He in. Cordelia Sprague, and has a family of three children. David. Cherie- and Edith.
Ross, JOSEPH was an early settler where R. E. Caswell Hon lives. He built and run a grist mill there for many years. it be- ing the second mill in town. But very few now living, can re- member the old mill, which was a very rude structure. Joseph. Ross died in town, at a very old age, leaving several children. of whom are Joseph, Jr., Jesse, Amos and Mary. Joseph. . Ir. m. Hannah Nichols and finally settled in St. Lawrence County. N. Y.
ROWLEY, THOMAS born in Hebron. Coun .. came here in 1768 and settled near the residence of A. C. Risdon. His farm con- sisted of abont 200 acres. Being a man of sound judgment and ability, he at once took a leading position in the town, and took an active interest in the civil and religious affairs of his town and neighborhood He was clerk of the proprietors till 1783. and was surveyor in the second. third and fourth divisions, to set off the proprietors rights, and was employed as surveyor for the town a number of years. He was first town chok in 1769. and held that office nine years, the last being in 1782; was one of the committee of safety for the town and was always chairman of that committee. He was the first representative elected is 1778 and again in 1782. While a member of the General As- -emby he was appointed on the most important committees. and generally made chairman, whenever a resolution was referred
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HISTORY OF DANBY.
with instructions to report a bill. Mr. Rowley lived some time in Rutland and was first judge of the special court for the coun- ty. He was associated with Chittenden, Allen and Warner in vindicating the rights of the people against New York ; partici- pated largely in the deliberations of those who declared Vermont a free and independent State. and aided in framing its first con- stitution. Hle removed to Shoreham, Vt. in 1775, where he re- mained for about one year, and then returned to Danby. At the close of the war he removed back to Shoreham and lived with his son Nathan till 1790, when he settled on the farm now be- longing to a Mr. Sanford. He was first town clerk of that town and the first justice of the peace elected in 1783.
The Rev. J. F. Goodhue, in his History of Shoreham, says of Thomas Rowley that " when arrived to the age when men gener- ally cease to be active in public affairs. for several years he led a quiet life in that town, till about 1800, when worn ont with age and infirmities, he went to reside with his son Nathan, at a place called Cold Spring, in the town of Benson, where he died about 1803. His remains were interred in a small burying-ground, which once constituted a part of his farm, and was given by him to his son Thomas. There is a small stone erected to his mem- ory, which records not the day of his birth or death, or his age when he died. Rowley was chiefly distinguished in his time as a wit and poet. If Ethan Allen roused up every Green Mountain Boy, in his log cabin, and called him forth arm- ed to the teeth, in defense of his hearth and home, by the vele- mence of his appeals in homely prose, Rowley set the mountains on fire by the inspiration of his muse. These poems, once eve- rywhere sung in the State, have mostly faded from the memory of men, and specimens have been with difficulty collected enough to afford a fair representation of his wit and genius. And it should be considered he was a man without access to books of time to devote to them : that he made most of his impromtu verses, throw- ing them ont as they were framed in the laboratory of thought, before they were put upon paper ; and that he never polished of corrected a line."
Below is an invitation to the poor fenants that live under their patroons in the province of New York. to come and settle on our good lands, under the New Hampshire Grants, composed at the time when the land jobbers of New York served their writs of ejectment on a number of our settlers, the execution of which we opposed by force, until we could have the matter fairly laid before the King and Board of Trade and Plantations. for theit directions.
BY THOMAS ROWTY.
Come all you laboring hands that toil below. Among the rocks and sands, that plow and so ; Upon your hired lands, let out by cruel hands, "Iwill make you large ameuds to Rutland go.
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HISTORY OF DANBY.
Your patroons forsake, whose greatest care Is slaves of you to make, while you live there : Come, quit their barren lands, and leave them in their hands, "Twill ease you of your bands to Rutland go.
For who would be a slave that may be free ? Here you can have good land, just come and see ; The soil is deep and good, here in this pleasant wood. Where you may raise your food and happy be.
West of the Mountain Green, lies Rutland fair. The best that c'er was seen for soil and air : Kind Zepher's pleasant breeze whispers among the tree. : Where you may live at ease, with prudent care.
Here cows give milk to eat, by nature fed ; Our fields afford good wheat and corn for bread : Here sugar trees they stand, which sweeten all our land. We have them at our hand, be not afraid.
Here's roots of every kind to aid long lives : The best of anodynes and rich costives ; The balsam of the tree supplies our chirgury ; No safer can we be in any land.
Here stands the lofty pine and makes a show, As straight as gunter's line their bodies grow ; Their lofty heads they rear amid the atmosphere. Where the winged tribes repair and sweetly sing.
The butternut and beach and the elin tree, They strive their heads to reach as high as they. But falling much below they make an even show ; The pines more lofty grow to crown the woods.
Here glides a pleasant stream that doth not fail, To spread the richest cream o'er the intervale : As rich as Eden's soil, before that sin did spoil, Or man was doomed to toil to get his bread.
ILtre little salmon glide so neat and fine, Where you may be supplied with hook and line : The - are the finest fish to cook a dainty dish. As good as one could wish to feed upon.
The pigeon, goose and duck they fill our beds, The beaver, coon and fox they crown our heads : The harmless moose and deer are food, and clothes to wear : Nature could do no more for any land.
There's many a pleasant town lies in this vale, Where you may settle down, you need not fail To make a fine estate if you are not to late : You need not fear the fate, but come along.
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HISTORY OF DANBY,
We value not New York with all their powers- For here we'll stay and work, the land is ours : And as for great Duane, with all his wicked train. They may eject again. we'll not resign.
This is that noble land by conquest wou ; Took from a savage band with sword and gun :
We drove them to the west, they could not stand the test.
And from the Gallie pest, this land is free.
Here churches we'll erect, both neat and fine, The gospel we'll protect pure and divine ;
The Pope's supremacy we utterly deny, And Lewis we defy, we are George's men.
In George we will rejoice ; he is our King ; We will obey his voice in every thing. Here we his servants stand upon our conquered land : Good Lord may he defend our property.
Mr. Rowley was rather eccentric, and somewhat negligent in his dress also. At one time being solicited to purchase a new hat, as the old one was much worn, and not becoming an officer of justice, to wear ; he held out the old hat to the merchant and exclaimed :
There's my old hat, and what of that? It is as good as the rest of my raiment ; If I should better, you would put me down debtor. And send me to jail for the payment.
REFLECTIONS.
Now where's the man that dare attend And view creation over, And reply he doth deny The great supreme Jehovah.
Who sits above in light and love And views his glorious plan, All on a scale that doth not fail, Yet never learned by man.
Ten thousand globes in shining robes. Revolve in their own sphere, Nature's great wheel doth turn the reel And bring about the year.
EPIGRAMS.
"l'is but a jest to have priest, If you pay him for his labor ; And lie and cheat in every street, And vilify your neighbor.
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HISTORY OF DANBY.
Never be willing to expose The little failing of your foes ; But of the good they ever did,- Speak much of that, and leave the bad. Attend to this and strife will cease. And all the world will be at peace.
FROM THE ELEGY ON HIS WIFE.
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Full fifty years we've labored here, In wedlock's silken bands ; No deadly strife disturbed our life. Since Cupid joined our hands. A faithful mate in every state, iu affluence, as in need ,
Freely to lend her helping hand With prudence and with speed. Some years ago she let us know, In visits from above, Her Saviour's voice made her rejoice, And sing redeeming love.
My tears like rain I can't refrain, To think that we must part ; To see her breath dissolve in death. The sight affects my heart. To see my dead lie in her bed, I feel a sore dismay ;
As to behold the finest gold Reduced to mouldering clay.
I'm like a dove that's lost her love, Mourns in the lonely tree ; Such is my case in every place, There's no more love for me.
A virtuous wife through all her life. A mother kind, likewise ;
A neighbor good, she always stood ; This truth no one denies. No slander hung upon her tongue, To wound her neighbor's breast ; Honest and true to pay her due, And do the thing that's just. Her noble mind was so refined, Her reason turned the scales ;
The tattling trade she did disdain ; Nor would she tell their tales. Her usefulness with great success, Did very far extend ; The babes unborn, in time will moan, They've lost their helping hand.
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HISTORY OF DANDY.
"On a certain occasion a man came to the old storehouse in .Ti.'-a Ininter from the lake shore, with one foot booted and the other clothed in bearskin. As he entered the bar-room in this ludicrous plight, one present wagered a gallon of rum that Row- ley could make a verse applicable, if sent for. Rowley was sum- moned over with the information that he was to make a verse on the first object he should see on entering the bar-room. He opened the door, momentarily surveyed the man. conspicuously arranged in front with his foot over the back of a chair .- took off his hat and while all kept silence, delivered this introductory :
A cloven foot without a boot, A body full of evil ; If you'd look back upon his track. You'd think it was the devil."
MEDITATION ON DEATH.
So certain are the laws of death,
That every being that hath breath
Must feel it's dreadful power ;.
Think ! Oh, my soul is this the case?
If death should find me void of grace.
"Iwill be a trying hour.
How shall I stand before my God,
When he lifts up his angry rod,
And speaks the word of ire?
Depart ye cursed from my sight, Down to the endless shades of night And burn in your own fire.
Oh, how the guilty conscience burus.
While it receives it's due returns
For all it's vain delights ;
The gnawing worm will still remain
And give the soul the keenest pain. Down in eternal night.
Oh, my soul ! there is relief.
By due repentance and belief In the attoning blood
Which Jesus shed upon the cross.
That the poor soul might not be lost. Nor feel the dreadful rod.
POWER OF LOVE.
It is not Mars nor thundering Jove, That can disolve the bands of love. Of gentle nymphs and loving swains : Let Neptune swell the nightly seas. And mount to Heaven it's foaming waves. Let Vulcan belch out fre and smoke,
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HISTORY OF DANBY.
The bands of love were never broke, By all the demi-gods that reign.
My mind is filled with thoughts of love Upon the joys I've left behind,
The first that doth begin the strife, 'Tis Molly, my dear and loving wife. There's Polly and Eunice, and Fanny and Sally,
Good Lord ! my affections are all in a rally.
So strong are the bands which love doth bind.
Not all the demi-gods above, Can make Cupids charming love ; When Cupid's stroke hath reached the heart.
Their souls do have an equal part. 'Tis their's in sickness and in death ; in pinching wani and flowing wealth, Thus Cupid gains the victory.
THE SOUL INVADED.
I've foes without and foes within, To lead me captive into siu ; "Tis from the spirit and the word, I must secure the conquering sword ; By humble prayer the cause engage, Or fall a victim to their rage. 'Tis baneful pride that heads the band, And he resolves to have command ; In my own strength I oft have tried To stay this dreadful monster, pride ; He's fixed his fortress in my heart, Resolving never to depart.
ON PREDESTINATION.
If I withhold my hand From what I am forbid, Why then should I be dam'd For what I never did?
If I let loose my hand And say it was decreed, You'd say I shall be dam'd Because I don't take heed.
If all things are decreed, As some good people say, Why should I spend my time, Or make attempts to pray ? 31
IT
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HISTORY OF DANBY.
The idle servant was not condemn'd For not doing what he could not : But for leaving that undone He might have done but would not.
But some will say "I can do nothing :" Well, if the case be so, Then I may rest quite easy, For I've nothing here to do.
If iron fate hath every thing destined. It governs every thought and every turn of mind ; Virtue and vice can ne'er from each be differed ; Since all our actions center in the Gods.
Some say the case is so, And others say they doubt it ;
But they nor I can't know But very little about it.
Wherefore shall I stand mute, And shame my own opinion ? And leave the whole dispute To Hopkins and Arminicus. For why should I contend for forms and creeds. Since all are judged according to their deeds.
Ignorance and error are the lot of humanity. Then why should we think to measure infinity ? Our imperfect reason may lead us astray, And set up a cobweb divinity .-- T. R.
FROM A BIRTHDAY POEM.
A silver gray o'erspreads my face, The hoary head appears ; Which calls me loud to seek for grace With penitential tears.
A thousand dreams have filled my mind, As days came rolling on ; As one that's deaf, and one that's blind, I know not how they've gone.
Now the full age of man has come. This is the very day ; But O my God. what have I done To speed my life away?
T. ROWLEY'S ADVICE TO HIS DAUGHTER. Now here's advice for my young Polly, To abstain from sinful folly, Which among the youth prevails ;
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HISTORY OF DANBY.
Now you are young among the youth, Guard well your tongue and speak the truth : And never tell their foolish tales.
Guard well yourself from all rude passion ; Nor eager look for every fashion, That may appear to charm your eyes : But mind your books and mind your writing, As those are treasures more inviting. And will make you rich and wise.
Learn to sew your silks and muslins, Nurse your lambs and feed your goslins. And never be a slave to pride. This course will fit you for a wedding, With tidy clothes and handsome bedding, Proper for a virtuous bside.
For all your mates set them a patter 1 ! Wash well your clothes, use well your flat-iron ; Be always ready for a word. Obey the voice of Dad and Mamma, That they may give you silks and tamma. To make you gay as any bird.
There's one thing more to be perceived ; That you take care, be not deceived, Though you be c'er so fine and neat ; If Death should call you, you must go And leave your happy scenes below, And change your robes for a winding sheet.
Dear daughter, thank your Pa and Mamma, For all their trouble, care, and money, By them expended for your good ; While you see others vile and idle, You learn to read the Holy Bible, And choose from that the way of God.
MEDITATION ON THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE.
As I lay musing on my bed, A vision bright my woes o'erspread : Amidst the silent night. My second self lay by my side, An angel came to be her guide, And soon she made her flight ; Methought I saw her passing high Through liquid air, the etherial sky, And laud on Canaan's shore ;
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HISTORY OF DAXBY.
Where smiling angels, singing sweet, Bade her a welcome to a seat, Aud join the heavenly choir. I'm too unholy and unclean Of these bright heavenly things to dream, Till grace refines my heart ; The dying gifts of Christ, our King.
Must tune my heart in every string, To sound in every part. Oh ! how sweetly now she sings,
Her harp is tuned in all its strings, The melody to grace : Prepare me, Lord, that I may go And take a humble seat below, And sound upon the bass. Come Holy Spirit. Heavenly Dove
Give me a tale of sovereign love. Then I can safely go ; My soul would swiftly wing its way Into the realm of endless day, And sing Hosannas, too.
NATHAN ROWLEY'S LIST FOR THE YEAR 175, BY THOMAS ROWLEY.
My head contains my sight and brains, And many other senses- As taste and smell, I hear and feel, And talk of vast expenses. It doth exert each active part Of human nature's whole ; Reason and sense are its defense, Which some bave termed the soul ;
The noble part of human frame, With sense and reason bound- Our men of sense say it shall rate At half' a dozen pounds. My real estate I have to rate, The public are partakers ; I plant aud sow and feed and mow Not far from twenty acres. My herd allows two stately cows, As neat as woven silk ; They seldom fail to fill the pail Up to the brim with milk. Also, two mares, good in the years To plew the clay or gravel ; When dressed with saddle and mounted straddle Are very good to travel.
"Tis my whole list ; I do protest I will not add a line ;
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HISTORY OF DANBY.
No more this year that can appear That is my dad's or mine. My whole estate you have to rate As here I've set it down, The whole accounts, you sec, amounts To eight and twenty pounds.
ENCOURAGEMENT TO SEEK THE LORD.
Seek ye the Lord, seek ye his face, Seck for his love, seek for his grace ; And seeking right you may obtain True riches-never sought in vain. In true repentance and belief, Jesus received the humble thief, And leaves the poor. reviling thief To perish in his unbelief.
Oh ! may our faith to Jesus rise, And view his glory with surprise ; His wondrous love, His power and grace Could save the whole of Adam's race. Yes ; save the whole as well as part, If they give to Him their heart. There's no decree that bends the will, But all act free who go to hell. His glory fills the worlds above, And saints below may taste His love ;
Come let us strive our hearts to raise, And taste His love and sing His praise:
REFLECTIONS ON THE RAPIDITY OF TIME: While I reflect on misspent days, I fear Thy dreadful rod ; See money spent in mirth and play, So little done for God. . .
I find a sore, corrupted will, But little faith is found ;
But there is balm in Gilead still; To heal the deadly wound.
Should I be lost in long despair, Tis hell within my breast ; But unto Jesus I'll repair, As He can give me rest. May God uphold me all day long, By His supporting grace, And I Him praise with heaven-taught song, And speed the heavenly race. The age of man is past with me, My soul be at thy care, From sin and Satan to get free,
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HISTORY OF DANBY.
To meet thy God prepare. This day 'tis threescore years and ten Since I received my breath, And very slothful I have been Preparing for my death. A thousand dreams have filled my mind, As days came rolling on ; Like one that's deaf or one that's blind, I know not how they've gone. If God should add unto my days, And give me longer space ; Oh ! may I spend them to his praise. And seek his pardoning grace.
ON FEMALE CHASTITY.
Virtue adorns the Virgin's head,
Chaste and clean she keeps her bed, Her person undefiled ; While the rude coquette of pleasure, When let loose conceives no measure Until chastity is spoiled.
When her frolies they are ended She hath lost what can't be mended, So is left to mourn and cry ; Better have been like honest Polly,
Who such pleasure counts bnt folly. While she guards her chastity. While the wanton walks the street, Polly's sitting on her seat Working busy with her hands --
Cheerful as the morning lark,
Courting profit, (not a spark), And turned her labor into lands. Polly's virtues are worth having,
Honest, trusty, kind and saving Properties to gain estate ; May Cupid send his timely dart, Prick some noble, generous heart Aud send him here for Polly's mate. .
EXTRACTS.
Farewell, my dear and loving wife, So long as death shall us divide : Farewell, thon much loved lump of clay, Farewell, till Resurrection day. Farewell, until the trumpet sound And shake the earth and cleave the ground ; Then may we rise and wing our way
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HISTORY OP DANBY.
To regions of eternal day. On yonder hill in silence lays My friend, my youthful bride : In a short space 'twill be my place. And lie down by her side. Our bones must rest in funeral chest Until the Judgment day --- When called from dust our bands shall burst To assume our forms of clay. * *
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