USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Danby > The history and map of Danby, Vermont > Part 9
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1861
1801
Hosea Barnes,
2
1835
1836
A. D. Smith,
1861
196S
Daniel Bartlett,
5
1835
1841
Antepas Harrington, 1
1862
1862
J. C. Dexter,
1
1838
1838
Heman Barnes,
1
1862
1=$2
Ephraim Chase.
1
1841
1841
William Pierce,
1
1863
1503
David Lapham,
1
1841
1841
J. N. Phillips,
4
1865
1668
H. F. Otis,
5
1841
1855
C. M. Bruce,
1
1865
1865
N. J. Smith,
1841
1842
P. Holton,
3
1865
1607
Timothy Reed,
1841
1842
A. S. Baker,
3
1800
1868
Caleb Parris, 2d.,
10
1841
1851
Thomas Nichols,
1 186%
1:63
Daniel Lapham,
2
1×12
1843
Isaac Wilbur,
1843
Daniel Sherman,
12
1788
1801
Rufus Bucklin, Jr., 15
1818
1841
William Stimson,
10
init
Abel Horton,
9
1801
1810
James MeDaniels,
1826
1833
J. R. Green,
8
1853
1883
Galen J. Locke,
12
1831
9
1857
1792
1798
HISTORY OF DANBY.
MANUFACTURES.
Maple sugar. was one of the earliest manufactures of the town. The process of making sugar, was somewhat different in those days. than at present. Instead of boring the trees. they were boxed with an ax, and tronghs made of softwood were us- ed instead of tin. or wooden buckets. and potash kettles were used to boil down the sap.
The salts of ashes, was another of the early manufactures. to which considerable importance was attached. By refining pro- usses, these were made into por ami peari ashes. This was the only article that would bear shipment to foreign ports at that time, and as it required but little capital. many were engaged in its manufacture, in different parts of the town. Among these were Jonathan and Jazaniah Barrett. Henry Frost, John Vaughan. Lapham & Button. Hosea Williams. Jessie Lapham. and others. The process of manufacture was very simple, which consisted in boiling down the love of ashes to the requisite consis- tence, and then subjecting it to an intense heat.
Abon, 10 year 1810. a wooden factory was built by Jonathan Barrett. one-half miles south of Danby Corners, which
was the 1 i town. There was a carding machine used in connection this. Barrett run this factory until 1821. when
he failed. a it was never run afterwards. Another factory was built in 1821. by David Youngs. at the Borough. who run it until it was burnt in 1837. There was another factory built about the same time at Scottsville, and run by Joseph Brownell. and also a carding and fulling mill. There was a cloth dressing and fulling mill, run at an early day, by John Bishop. a little west of the present site of Nelson Kelley's saw mill. Within the past twenty years, there has been no business of this kind done in town.
For a period of nearly fifty years, previous to the building of factories. nearly all of the cloth used in families, was made at home. As soon as wool and flax could be raised. wheels and looms were set in motion. We are told that the price for a week's work spinning was 4%, and for housework. I .-. The wool was taken in the fleece, picked, oiled, and then carded with hand cards, and it is said that one person could card as fast as another could spin.
There has been four or five grist mills built in town. all mon Mill Brook. The first was built by Stephen Calkins, about 1750. which ran for a number of years. There was another built in 1795, at the Borough, by Andrew White. In 1820 a new grist mill was built by Stephen Calkins. Jr. mar the site of the old
84
HISTORY OF DANBE.
one, which has been run by Hiram Kelley, William Haskins, William Frink, and others, and lastly by Nelson Kelley. Another grist mill was built at the Borough in 1837. by Nathan Baker, and Joseph Bartlett, which is now owned and run by Henry B. Jenkins.
There has been some ten or twelve saw mills in town. The first one was built about the year 1790, by Stephen Rogers, near the George F. Kelley place. The next was built soon after by Stephen Calkins, on the site of the present saw mill owned by Nelson Kelley. Another mill was built at a very early day, near the residence of Walter M. Parris, by Henry Frost, and afterwards rebuilt by Jazaniah Barrett. This mill was after- wards owned by Samuel Emmerson and Samuel Morrison. The next one was built in 1810 by Richard Cook, near the residence of Tra H. Vail and another ghout the same time, on the faum owned by C. T. Reed. The next was built by Isaac Hilliard, near the present residence of Hiram Fisk, and another soon after by Harvey Crowley, near the woolen factory. In 1840 a mill was built by Jeremy Bartlett. on the farm owned by David Wetherby, and known as the "Bromley Hollow," and was after- wards owned and run by Seneca Porter. Another one was built at the Borough by David Youngs, in 1820, which continued in operation for a number of years. The next one was built by Joseph Bartlett. in 1827. which has been run by various parties, and lastly by Edmund Bourne. There are but two saw mills in operation at the present time, one by Nelson Kelley, and the other by O. B. Hulett, in the Little Village.
Several tanneries have been set up in various parts of the town, for the manufacture of leather. The first was in 1800, by Mi- cajah Weed, near the former residence of Hiram Jenks. About the same time another was set up by Daniel Sherman. where Albert Mathewzon now lives, and another at an early day by Isaac Nichols, where he now lives, which continued in operation for a long time. The next one was built at the Borough in 1810, by Peleg Nichols, Hosea Williams, and Bradford Barnes. Daniel Healey set up au establishment at Scottsville, in 1812, which was afterwards owned by Job Scott, who carried on the business for nearly 30 years. The next was built at the Borough by Adin Green, who was succeeded by Amasa Bancroft, and is now owned by O. B. Hadwin, who is extensively cugaged in the business. In 1821 Joseph, Jessie, and Elisha Lapham, went into the business where David Rogers now lives. Besides those above mentioned, there has been severa! smaller establishments set up, by John Vanghan, Anthony Colvin, Thomas Nichols, and others. There is at present but one tannery in town.
There has been two trip hammers in town, for the manufact- ure of edge tools. The first was built at the Borough in 1795, by Samuel Dow, and the other by Savid Bartlett, and Isaac Southwick, in 1810, near the residence of Henry B. Kelley. In
85
HISTORY OF DANEY.
1815, Abel and Savid Bartiett, carried on the business of manufacturing hoes, axes, scythes. &c., until 1821, when the business went into the hands of JJeremy Bartlett. The first blacksmith shop at the Corners, was built by Henry Herrick, Jr. and among those who have been engaged at blacksmithing. are John Williams. Silas Pickering. Allen Willis, Benj. Cross, John Aldrich, John McGoom. Rufus Cady, James Morrison, William Sweat. Amasa Brown, Jacob Lyon, Charles, and Gilman Brown, Jay Potter, David Lane, Thomas Burns, Ephraim Gillmore, Henry Belding, John Conoly, P. A. Broughton, Daniel Wat- rous, and others.
The first shop at the Borough, was started by Samuel Dow and Moses Keith, in 1801, in connection with the manufacture of edge tools, where J. S. Perry's Boot and Shoe shop shon now stands. They were succeeded by Caleb Buttim, who continued the business until 1816. and was succeeded by Allen Willis, and Lemuel Stafford, until 1836, since which time various parties have been in the business, among whom are Orange Green, Henry Hamam, A. Bancroft. Thomas Griffith, Anson Griffith, Daniel Lapham, Titus Lyon, D. A. Kelley, Geo. W: Baker, and P. A. Broughton. There are at present three black- smith shops in town. There has also been one furnace in town, built quite early, by Benjamin Phillips, near the residence of Edwiu Staples, who carried on the business for a number of years.
Marble has been, and is now, the principal manufacture of the town. This commenced about the year 1840, and considerable importance is attached to it. Previous to that time, grave stones were hewn out by James Lincoln, and others. The first mill for sawing marble, was built at the Borough. by William Kelley, Alfred and Albert Kelley, and about the same time another was built by Moulton Fish, Elisha Fish, and Allen Congor, who for a time was extensively engaged in the business. In 1841, an- other was built by Aaron Rogers, Elisha Rogers, and Seth Griffith. In 1845, a new one was put in operation by George Griffith, John T. and Gardner Griffith, which flourished for a number of years. In 1848. a mill was built, and run by William Haskins, and Hiram Kelley, which did a good business for sev- eral years. Aaron Rogers, Jr., William Stimpson. and Hannibal Hopkins, next went into the business in 1850, and were largely engaged.
The building of the Railroad, greatly increased the mamifact- ure of marble. so that a number of mills were kept in operation for a long time. The business, has declined some since 1800. Soon after the new road was built. another mill was created by George F. Kelley, and run for sometime. This has since been run by Albert. and Alfred Kelley. The property is now owned by John H. Vail. of Brandon. A new one was also built bv Williama Kelley. All these were built upon Mill Brook. La adi-
11
86
HISTORY OF DANBY.
tion to those above named, there have been others engaged in the business, among whom are J. M. Fish, Heury White, A. T. Lawrence, of New York, Thomas Lymington & Co., of Balti- more, Franklin Post, of Wallingford1, and others. In 1862, the Western Vermont Marble Co., was formed, L. S. Waldo, Agent. which continued until 1868, when the property was leased by L. S. Waldo, who is at present the only one engaged in the business. Soon after, another Company, was formed, James Panton, Agent, which run until 1864. The Vermont Marble Co., was formed in 1865, G. J. Locke, Agent, which run but one season only. Notwithstanding a lapse of thirty years nearly, since the first Quarry was opened, there yet remains an untold wealth of marble, which capital and enterprise will at some future day develope.
There have been other manufactures besides those alluded to. thaie Hime and coal, which have been burnt to some considerable extent in different parts of the town. Chairs. baskets, provision barrels, casks and cheese boxes have also been manufactured. The only cheese box factory in town at present is owned and run by Nelson Kelly. Several cider mills have been set up, some quite early, but there are only two at present. In the spring of 1868, M. V. & J. C. Williams fitted up buildings at the Corners for the manufacture of cheese, which went into successful operation the following summer.
HOTELS.
Captain John Burt was the first innkeeper in town, where the Poor House now stands, about the year 1775, which he kept for inany years, and public doings were held there. Abraham Chase was the next innkeeper, about one mile south of the Corners, near the residence of Alvah Risdon. He kept a public house from 1778 until about the year 1800, when he was sue- ceeded by Henry Frost, who kept till 1810. Here town meetings were held, and public business transacted for a number of years. Since then there has been no tavern kept there, the building being taken for a store.
Elisha Brown built the first tavern at the Corners in 1800, aud kept a public house there for many years. Another one known as the " Red House." was erected soon after, a little north of the village, by Henry Herrick, Jr., who kept there for several years, and was succeeded by Nicholas Jenks, who kept until the year 1823.
1
87
HISTORY OF DANBY.
Brown was succeeded by Henry Herrick, Jr., who kept a pub- lic house for twenty-one years. The town and freemen's meetings were held here for a long time, and considerable public business transacted. His successor was David Kelley, after whom came Rufus Bucklin, Jr., John Sweat, Ephraim Chase, --- McCol- lister, Jeptha Frost, and others.
In 1850, Seneca Smith fitted up a tavern, which was first kept by Oliver Sheldon, and afterwards by John Croff, -- Bates, Joseph Smith, and some others. About the year 1830, a public house was erected by Barton Bromley, at the west end of the village. This tavern was built out of the old Methodist Meeting House, and was first kept by Arwin Hutchins, who was pareceded by Nicholas Jenks, Samuel Harnden, Bethuel Bromley, Arnold Nicholson, Ephraim Gillmore, Ephraim Vail, Jeptha Frost, and others.
Rowland Stafford built and kept the first tavern at the Borough in 1795, near the present hotel. In 1800, Bradford Barnes kept a public house, a little north of the village. on the present home- stead of Austin Baker. He was succeeded by Samuel Dow, in 1802, who stayed but a short time, since which no tavero has been kept there. Abraham Anthony kept tavern very early where the Phillips Bros. live.
In 1804, William Webber erected a public house on the site of the present hotel, and was succeeded by Dr. McClure, who left in 1808. Elisha Southwick came next, after which it passed into the hands of Augustus Mulford. The building was burnt in 1812, and rebuilt by Mulford the same year, which is the same house now standing. He was succeeded by Hosea Williams, and next by Rufus Bucklin, Jr., who kept until 1820. Since that time it has been kept by various parties. each for brief periods, among whom were Bradford Barnes, Jr., Sammel Arnold, Caleb Buffum, J. B. Clark, Harrison Vail, Alonzo White. Anscu E. Lapham, James King, M. O. Williams, Geo. W. Baker, Frank Lewis, and at present by Lytle Vance, the only one in town.
88
HISTORY OF DANBY.
MERCHANTS.
The first store ever kept in town was in 1790, by Henry Frost. near the residence of Alvah Risdon. This store was in connec- tion with the tavern. His successor was Jazaniah Barrett, who continued the business until about the year 1810. Elisha Tryon built the next store in 1805, on the farm now owned by William Herrick. He was succeeded a short time by James McDaniels, Another store was kept about the same time by Isaac Southwick, near the residence of William Herrick.
James McDaniels and James Weeks were the first merchants at the Corners, about the year 1810, after which came Daniel Faloar, John and Jonathan Dass.tt, Jazania Ball Banett, Abuci Taft, Allen Willis, Daniel Axtell, Galen J. Locke, Ira Bromley, Seneca Smith, Charles Button, Nicholas Jenks, Seneca and Nathan Smith and others.
In 1830, a large and spacious store was built by S. & N. J. Smith, who continued the business for a good many years. Soon after this another was built by Miner Hilliard. who also did good business for a long time. He was succeeded a short time by Crof & Bates. - Brown, and afterwards by P. Holton & Co.
James MeDaniels was succeeded by his sons. Thomas and Isaac, for a number of years, and then by Joel M. Rogers. The store then passed into the hands of Seneca Smith. His suc- cessors were David Jacobs, Calvin Smith and others. The McDaniels store is now occupied by Backlin & Vail. P. Holton is at present the oldest merchant at the Corners, having been in trade since 1858.
About the year 1825, a store was built at Scottsville by Job Scott, who was in trade for over 30 years, and was followed by Joseph I. Scott. Edia Baker, and Simon E. Harrington. J. I. Scott is the present proprietor.
The first store at the Borough was built and kept by Oliver Arnold, in 1803, near the present homestead of C. H. Congdon. and was succeeded by Robert Green and David Youngs. There was another about that time on the farm now owned by D. W. Rogers, built by Elisha & JJesse Lapham. The next was built in 1808. by Hosea Williams, near the present Hotel. He remained in the business a number of years, after which it passed into the hands of Jesse Lapham, who traded until 1si2. He then crested a now store, where the house of M. B. Cook now stands, which was afterwards kept by Issue Vail and Matt Vail. The stone store was built in 1820, by Jesse Lapham, with which he was connected for a number of years. This store has been kept by different parties since then, among whom are
89
HISTORY OF DANBY.
George and Aaron Vail, William Sperry, Lapham & Bruce, Arima Smith, Bruce & Nichols, C. M. Bruce, and lastly by William Pierce, the present proprietor.
There has been other stores since 1810, by Eggleston & Youngs, Seth Griffith, Caleb Buffum and others. There was a Union store started about 1855, Daniel Bromley and J. C. Thompson agents. Since then stores have been kept in the same building by N. P. Harrington, George E. Kelley, M. O. Wil- liams and W. H. Bond.
The stone store west of the Borough was built by William Kelley, soon after the marble business opened, who carried on the trade to some extent, and was succeeded by L. S. Waldo. J. B. Nichols, and last by L. S. Waldo, the present owner. In 1862. S. L. Griffith erected a new store, which is at present kept by C. H. & W. B. Griffith. In 1867, a new and elegant struc- ture was erected by C. M. Bruce, making at present six stores in town.
EDUCATION.
The settlers of this town directed their attention very early to the interests of education. As soon as they had provided for themselves a shelter and the common necessaries of life, schools were established. Our fathers considered this of the highest importance. as they were, in general, men of strong and pene- trating minds, and clearly perceived the advantages which educa- tion confers. But there were obstacles which prevented the settlers from making rapid progress in the establishment of schools. In addition to those obstacles incident to all new settle- ments, the controversies in which they were involved. and the revolutionary war, which threatened to ruin and rob there of their farms, employed nearly all their thoughts and energies.
The education received in our carly schools was somewhat limited, reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic being the only branches taught. and those to a limited degree. Teachers received but little or no compensation, as money was scarce, and school houses were rude structures, built of logs or birch poles. and sometimes deserted log cabins were taken and fitted up for school rooms. Provision was made in the charter of the town for one share of 250 acres for the benefit of schools, to which was added, by a law of the State, the share reserved for a church glebe, and the share for the society for propogating the gospel in foreign parts, which last was taken from the town by a decision of the United States court.
90
HISTORY OF DANBY.
The first general law of the State on the subject of schools was passed in 1782. .. This law provided for the division of towns into convenient school districts, and for the appointment of trustees in each town for the general superintendence of the schools. It also provided for the election of a prudential com- mittee by the inhabitants of each district, to which committee power was given to raise one-half of the money necessary for building and repairing a school house and supporting a school, by a tax assessed on the grand list, and the other half either ou the list or on the polls of the scholars, as should be ordered by a vote of the district."
The school law has been gradually improved by State legisla- tion. Formerly the selectmen were required annually to assess a tax of three cents on the dollar of the list of the town, for the support of schools. One-fourth part of the sum thus raised. together with one-fourth of the avails of the deposit money, was required to be divided equally, on the 1st day of March, among the school districts, without regard to the number of children in each, and the remainder among the districts in proportion to the number of children they contained between the ages of 4 and 18, and no district was to be entitled to a share in such money which had not, during the preceding year, kept a school at least two months, with other money than that drawn from the treasury, nor unless the money so drawn had been faithfully expended. The several districts were granted the powers of a corporation, and were authorized to raise money within the same for the support of schools, either upon the grand list or upon the polls of the scholars.
Recent legislation has modified the above law somewhat. so that at present the school money is divided on the Friday next preceding the last Tuesday in March of each year. After dividing one-fourth part equally among the districts, the remain- der is divided among the districts in proportion to the whole number of days' attendance of scholars between 4 and 20 years of age, and the entire support is raised upon the grand list. This enactment has a tendency to increase the attendance upon the schools.
In 1798, the prudential committees were required to make returns of scholars in their respective districts. By these returns we find that the town numbered 469 scholars; in 1830 it num- bered 570 ; and at present 434 scholars between 1 and 20 years of age. From the statistics of 1867, we learn that the aggre- gate amount raised upon the graud list, by the districts for the support of schools, was nearly $1.000. Number of heads of families in town, 206 ; amount paid male teachers, $109 ; amount paid female teachers, 8675. The number studying reading was 307; spelling, 304; penmanship. 105 ; arithmetic. 193 ; gram- mar, 73 ; geography, 100: composition, 4 ; history. 15; and some were pursuing other studies. Since 1830, there have been select schools taught nearly every year.
·
91
HISTORY OF DANBY.
There is a striking contrast between the advantages of educa- tion enjoyed by the people of the present day and those in early times. But notwithstanding those few advantages which the early settlers had, nearly all of them were able to read and write, and had sufficient knowledge of arithmetic for the transac- tion of ordinary business, and some of them were graduates of colleges. The education received in our schools at the present day is very liberal. Different branches have been introduced from time to time. so that many of the schools are equal to co !- leges in the extent of the course of studies. School bouses at present are better adapted for the purpose than formerly, and the methods of teaching far superior. Corporeal punishment is not so common as iu former times, and more reasonable modes of governing schools have been adopted. Teachers of the present day would be rendered very unpopular if they resorted to cor- poreat punishment, but in times pasi, when children received a punishment at school, they were almost sure to get another on reaching home.
We have listened for hours, with deep interest, at the stories of older people concerning the fashion of teaching in their day, and when the schoolmaster's authority was established by a free use of the ferule. When flagellations failed, other mnodes were resorted to. Sometimes they were seated on a dance block, or required to stand upon the floor with arm extended, and made to hold a heavy rule or book, and in case the subject was a spunky one, the ferule was applied severely to the palm of the hand. They were sometimes seated between two girls, to which they would soon become reconciled, and begin to relish it, which proved not to be much of a punishment.
Previous to 1846, the law required the towns to appoint an- nnally a superintending committee for the inspection and exam- ination of schools and teachers. Since then there has been but one superintendent, who is elected at the annual March meeting each year.
Below we annex a list of those who have occupied that posi- tion since 1846, viz :
from to
Marcus Bartlett,
1846
1847
J. C. Baker,
from 1861
Lucius Bartlett,
1847
William Wightman,
1862
Edward Lapham,
1847
C. H. Congdon,
1863
C. HI. Congdon,
1848
1853
Heman Barnes,
1863
Austin S. Baker.
1853
1855
J. T. Griffith, 1865
John T. Griffith.
1855
1857
C. H. Congdon, 1861
A. D. Smith,
1857
1861
| J. C. Williams,
1865
1867
M. W. Donegan was elected in 1867, and is the present Superintendent.
The town was originally divided into six districts, agresab !.. to a law of the State passed in 1786. By a vote of the inhabi- tants in 1792, the towa was divided into nine districts, and in 1×12 three more were added. There are at present fourteen dis- tricts, two of which-No. 4 and No. 10 -- are fractional.
92
HISTORY OF DANBY.
CHURCH HISTORY.
Early provisions were made by the settlers of the town for the preaching of the gospel. This being one of their first wants, great care and attention was manifested for the church and religious worship. Three rights were reserved by the charter for the support and propogation of Christianity : one as a glebe for a minister of the Church of England, one for the society for propogating the gospel, and one for the first settled minister.
There is scarcely any subject more worthy of our attention than the history of the oh !! this town. And white it affords us matter for study, it will furnish noble examples of faithfulness and zeal in the cause of Christ. We do not come up to that standard of piety and devotedness as did our fathers and mothers, who laid the foundation for the religious institutions we enjoy. The people of those early days would travel many miles, over bad roads, on foot and on horseback, to hear a sermon. Where we have commodious and comfortable houses in which to wor- ship, the people of those times worshiped in a log building-a log barn in summer, and a log school house in winter. If the building was small, the hearers were obliged to be withont, seated on logs, while the preacher stood in the door and proclaimed the word of life.
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