USA > Vermont > Orange County > Braintree > The history of Braintree, Vermont, including a memorial of families that have resided in town > Part 3
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2. The Quaker hill road from the mill to S. E. corner of 16-1.
3. "From the S. E. Corner of Sixteen about Sixty Rod on the east line (to school house, dis. No. 3,) then on to the corner of No. 9, No. 8, No. 4, and No. 5, (past Ira Harwoods) to Mr. Bass s Brook."
4. "Beginning at the Branch Road on a line between Mr. Brackett (John Pratt) and Mr. Pratt's (Joshua B. Ford's) on to Mr. Cleveland's house (not far from Earl S. Cushman's)."
Also to lay out roads:
1. "From Mr. Clevelands house on to Mr. Edward Bass s house (lately Jefferson Pratt's), and on to Quaker hill Road." The first intention was to have this road follow the brook from Edward Bass's and come out on Quaker hill road near Henry (formerly Jonathan) Bass's; it was laid out instead to the S. E. corner of sixteen.
2. From the branch road "at the east side of the mill on to Mr. Goodall's house, thence on to Samuel Dunbars Lot," (up Riford's brook to 110-1.) This road crossed Brackett's mill pond where the bridge is and was established in 1789.
It was voted March 16, 1789, "to build a Bridge over the Branch .... Near Samuel Spears," but this action was reconsidered the 15th of September following. The road up the branch, begun in 1783, was finally laid ont from Randolph line to Kingston (now Granville) in 1789, and was quite different in certain parts from its present course. Near the Tilson place (Edward Maun's) it took a more northerly direction over the hill among the ledges and returned to the valley again a little east of Solomon (now Jonathan) Holman's. This course was taken to avoid bridging the branch between these two points, which was very wide and closely hugged the foot of the hill where the large bend now is on the flat, and around which the road was made in
21
HIGHWAYS.
1810. The freshet of 1830, it is said, changed the channel of the branch to the south side of the valley. Also, farther up the stream, near Stephen Fuller's, (Samuel R. Bachellor's) it crossed the branch nearly where the road past the coal-kilns now does, taking its course up the east bank to the place oppo- site Maj. William Ford's (George Tarbell's) where it crossed back to the west side, then took nearly its present course to Granville line. The west bank between Fuller's and Ford's was too wet to admit of a road, and when the present highway between those points was laid out some years later, it had to be built corduroy fashion. The whole branch road was surveyed and laid out substantially as it is now in 1810.
Some of the principal highways in Braintree were surveyed and ordained as follows:
1789. From Quaker hill meeting-house, via. David (now Sylvander) Part- ridge's to Ichabod Dyer's, Jr., (near Francis Thayer's).
From Bass's brook through the Hiram Bass lot (old road, now discon- tinued) past Silas Flint's (George W. Adams) to Joseph (lately Martin B.) Gooch's and thence in 1810 to Brookfield line.
1790-1. From the corner near Daniel Waite's (Heman A. Powers') via. Nathaniel Hutchinson's, (William Bass's) to Abial Howard's (lately Enos Bolton's).
1792. From the Branch road to Rev. Elijah Huntington's (George J. Fitts's).
1793. From Jacob Spear's (Joseph M. Tilson's) to Seth Hunt's (Albert Fitts's).
1794. From Seth Hunt's via. Isaac Nichols's, Jr., (Allen H. Flint's) to a bend in the hill road from Roxbury to Randolph, lot 41-1, (George F. Smith's). From David Partridge's to Jacob Bailey's (William Farnsworth's).
From the S. E. corner of 16-1 to Randolph line, the "Kidder" road; dis- continued in 1847.
1798. From the end of a road already laid up Riford's brook to Rochester line.
1803. From Zion Copeland's (John Finn's) eastward to Randolph line.
1805. From Isaac Nichols's, Jr., to Daniel Flint's (Connecticut corners).
1809. From the road near Abial Howards, past Rufus Flint's, to the road from David Partridge's to Nathaniel Spear's, discontinued in 1827.
1810. From Nathaniel Spear's (Daniel V. Page's) to Daniel Waite's (Heman A. Powers').
From Elisha Dyer's (near Francis Thayer's) to James Kenney's (Lewis S. Howard's).
From Randolph line, near Henry Brown's, through Peth to Bass's brook.
From Joseph DuBois's (at the brook north of Elisha H. Ford's) to Samuel Craig's (Frederick Whitney's). This was the old road, discontinued in part in 1844 when the present one up the brook was established.
1813. From Snowsville to Abraham Ford's (Leonard K. Fisher's).
1815. From Simeon Curtis's (Jeptha Howard's) to James Kenney's; now a private way.
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HISTORY.
From Stephen Hawes's blacksmith shop (near Lewis H. Spear's) to inter- sect the road from Snowsville to Abraham Ford's, opposite Jesse Martin's.
From "Connecticut" corners to Alvin Lyon's (Vilas C. Flint's).
1818. From Randolph line up Thayer's brook to Rochester line; the "Murray hollow" road; surveyed and laidout by Elias Stevens, of Royalton, Samuel Austin, of Tunbridge, and James Parker, of Sharon, who were ap- pointed therefor by the legislature.
1819. From Jesse Pratt's (Berry lot, so-called,) to Nathaniel Flint's (foot of Oak Hill, east side);" discontinued.
1822. From Brookfield line, near Zadoc Fuller's to Joel (now Marshall) Mann's, the old road from Joseph Gooch's southward being changed.
1826. From Joel Pratt's (near Roxbury line) via John Vinton's, Jr., (over Oak hill) to Daniel Flint's (Connecticut corners); discontinued.
1834. "From Nathaniel Spear's grist-mill (lately Washington Ford's) to the road leading by Samuel (now Ira) Harwood's; discontinued.
1837. From Thomas A. Vance's saw mill (near Edwin F. Thresher's) to the branch road.
This of course does not include a record of all the roads laid out in Brain- tree, nor is such a record needful. Too detailed a history of them would be tedious and involve much labor in research.
SCHOOLS .- There were schools in Braintree as early as 1788, the first being taught that year if not before in a log house on the "Kidder" lot, Samson Nichols, teacher. They did not seem to have been subject to any laws in particular. Any one capable of teaching the rudiments and of making the stalwarts "toe the mark" was considered qualified to handle the "rod." There were no brain-racking examinations then, no registers to fill out, simply nothing except to "keep" the school. But there were trials for the teachers even then. If their "book-larnin'" was less, they often required more grit, skill, and muscle to come out first best with the "big boys," and woe to the unlucky pedagogue who failed to "pass" in those "branches." There were exceptions however. Parents were occasionally found then, as now, who exacted filial obedience from their children every- where, and there were not wanting in the schools pupils that were sober, reflective, and a source of pleasure to the master. Of course school accommodations were exceedingly rude and primitive in those early times. A blackboard was a rarity seldom enjoyed, and we cannot say to what extent instruction was oral on account of the poverty of the text books in suitable explanations, or perhaps on account of few text- books, or none at all. There has been a gradual growth and advancement in all respects. To-day sees better school-houses, better furnished. A better sense of the great advantage of the common schools and hence of their needs is slowly but surely creeping into the perceptions of the average citizen. That advancement in respect of the schools is greater than the progress made in other town matters, is not evident. It certainly ought to be greater. Schools should stand preeminently first, for in them is cradled the power of the commonwealth. The stability of the government is founded on the in-
23
SCHOOLS.
telligence of the people. We seem as a town to have kept pace with the letter of the laws relating to schools, but not with their spirit. There is breadth and strength enough in them, if we would but grasp them, to place the district schools in the front rank of schools of that grade. Teachers just good enough, weeks of school just few enough, to satisfy the requirements of law, has been too much the prevailing notion. To reap the best advantage requires new laws or the letting out of a few more breadths of public spirit. The schools of the town are good schools as schools average. There was some excuse for their condition when necessary to hold them in private houses, in barns even, with only the rudest of appliances available; but in the last quarter of the nineteenth century there is none for not having good school- houses, good teachers, and the ordinary aids to good instruction for every school.
There were no district bounds till March 15, 1790, when a vote was taken "to Divide the Town into three School Districts." "Voted Mr. Henry Brack- ett's (Mrs. George Hutchinson's) west line be the line between the west and East District on the Branch " corresponding to districts No. 2 and 1 respect- ively. The south line of 22-1 lot (the Edward Bass farm, lately owned by Jeffer- son Pratt) was made the line between the east district and the district on Quaker hill. The next year the selectmen were authorized to make any needed alterations. The first school house was built on Quaker hill, near the old pound at the corner opposite the Braintree hill meeting house. It was erected probably in 1793; because the town voted March 3, 1794. that "town meeting be held in Futer at the school house on Quaker hill in Lue of Mr. John Kidders, and the meetings to be warned accordingly." The first school house was doubtless built of logs and was merely a temporary structure. The one built later is said to have been a framed building, large enough to accom- modate 40 to 50 pupils, and was furnished with desks and movable benches for seats. Town meetings were held in it from 1795 to 1806-11 years-after which they were held in the meeting house. It is not known who first taught in it, but Rev. Ammi Nichols and Cynthia Martin were employed there quite early. One or two, perhaps more, are now living who remember going to school there. We do not know when the school houses throughout the town were first built, nor where, though probably nearly all of them were located not far from their present site.
In 1796 the town chose a committee of three, the next year one of five, to make necessary alterations in school districts. The latter partially redis- tricted the town, giving new names to the districts, and reported at a special meeting, March 13, 1797, as follows: 1st. Washington district, from Randolph line on Bass's brook, to the west line of 31-1 (Berry lot), thence to the south line of 34-1 (Killam farm), thence east to the west line of 14-1 (Alfred Web- ster's), south far enough to include 14-1, thence east to Randolph line and to the place of beginning.
2d. Mill district, including all land lying north of Washington. -
3d. West district, including all land lying west of a Wshington and Mill, except improved lands on the Branch.
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HISTORY.
The East and the West districts on the Branch remained substantially as before, although the town voted March 6, 1797, that "Capt. Jacob Spear with all [improved] Land Lying in a body together on the Branch in Braintree be Formed into one school District." In 1802, Mill district was divided, the part north and east of Abraham Ford's (Leonard K. Fisher's) and the Lot Hutch- inson farm (George W. Flagg's) being called the Northeast, or Ayer's brook, district, and the East district was made to include in 1803 what is now the district up Riford's brook and all the Branch almost or quite to the bridge near Levi (now George L.) Spear's. The inhabitants up Riford's brook were made a separate district, March 3, 1806, called Southern, but it was set back March 5, 1810. At the former date, Hope Bradley, Seth Hunt and Rufus Neff were also constituted a district, named Bradley, (now No. 4). Two other dis- tricts were formed in 1810, viz .: Jefferson, from that part of Mill which is now substantially No. 9, and Union, from parts of Mill and Washington, compris- ing that part of No. 7 in Braintree. The remaining or north west part of Mill, as it formerly was, was organized April 5, 1821, into a district named Madison. . There"were formed at some time two other districts: South, on Thayer's brook and North, or Lyon, in the north next to Roxbury, (No. 6,) making in all eleven. March 28, 1827, Samson Nichols, Levi Spear, and Daniel Waite, were chosen a committee to establish definitely the bounds of all the school- districts, which was done.
They also numbered each, as follows:
East (on the Branch) district No. 1.
West (on the Branch) district .. No. 2.
Washington, or Quaker hill, district.
No. 3.
Bradley district. No.
4.
Northwest, or Flint, district.
No.
5.
North, or Lyon, district .. No.
6.
Union district No. 7
Ayer's brook district. No. 8.
Jefferson district No. 9.
Madison district. No. 10.
South, or Thayer's brook, district. No. 11.
A district was organized Nov. 16, 1830, from No. 3, called No. 12.
In 1832, March 19, No. 7, and Randolph district No. 13, were united.
No. 13, from that part of No. 1 up Riford's brook, was formed March 31, 1845.
Nos. 9 and 10, were united March 2, 1852, as No. 9.
Since March 1, 1853, No. 11 has been known as No. 10; No. 12 as No. 11, and No. 13 as No. 12.
CHURCHES.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY. - The first holding of religious services in Braintree seems to have been nearly co-temporaneous with its settlement. The character of those pioneers, who faced innumerable perils to people a wilderness, was stable and courageous. They were strong- armed and strong-hearted. We almost feel that they were endowed with
25
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY.
more than human qualities. But they were sensible of being merely human and of needing a larger strength than theirs to meet the contingencies and hardships incident to their circumstances. This felt-want expressed itself in a spontaneous outpouring of the soul to God. There was a union of heart. They were girt with a simple faith. The entire community was a brotherhood in that faith. Their prayer and praise meetings (conducted somewhat after the modern style) were a testimony of the faith that was in them. We cannot doubt that the worshipers at those meetings were sincere. Their worship was the rude but beautiful expression of gospel truth-beauti- ful because realized.
But as time advanced, diverse opinions found expression. . Religion, it would seem, came to be viewed by some more as a mode of life than as the source of it, and each claimed the right to choose his own mode. The records show that dissension from the common belief of the church was not infre- quent. Division of sentiment indeed became an obstacle to the progress of the church from its inception, and offered the most serious difficulties that tasked its pastor. There were no violent collisions, but the church was kept in a constant struggle. It was a warfare more against indifference than
organized opposition. Added to this was the impecunious condition of the church. It was always impossible to pledge commensurate with its needs- sometimes to secure the fulfillment of what was pledged. The church started out with a career of eminent usefulness in prospect. It occupied a business center, which promised abundant resources and facilities; its edifice was centrally located in the midst of a growing population. But the lines of business enterprise gradually centered elsewhere, withdrawing from its ยท scanty means much material strength. The church has lived; it now lingers. The generation in whose minds were inculcated vital truths, not so much by brilliancy of intellect as by the power of a life of fervor and of faith, has nearly passed away. Those succeeding it are less well taught, and less constantly.
There was no stated preaching at first. The Rev. Elijah Brainerd of Ran- dolph, began preaching from house to house, as opportunity offered, in 1788, and continued perhaps several years. It is possible that others did so, but we find no records to that effect. These were all the religious privileges enjoyed till 1801, when a pastor was settled over the church. The church was consti- tuted Dec. 25, 1794, with eight members, and the Congregational society was formed Aug. 26, 1799. Before these events, the town was the sole agent in sustaining religious service, and thereafter acted in conjunction with the church and society till 1846. As early as 1792, June 9, a meeting was warned "to see if the Town will appoint a Committee to agree with some minister of the Gospel to preach in this Town this present Year," and to vote money for that purpose. What was done is not known for the doings of the meeting were not recorded. A petition was drawn up June 6. 1793, requesting a meeting to be warned "to See if the Town will Pitch upon a Spot of Land to Build a meeting-house." On the 12th of August following a meeting was held (by adjournment) "on the Line between Lots 32 & 42 First Division," (between the farms of Daniel Flint and George F. Smith). "Voted to bild a meeting-
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HISTORY.
house on a Spot of Ground, on a nole, near the Corner of the Lots No. 41- 42-31 & 32 first Division" (south-west corner of the "Berry" lot). Jacob Spear and John French were chosen a committee to buy "Six acres of Land for the meeting house Spot." March 3, 1794, Reuben Partridge, John French, and Isaac Nichols were made a committee "to agree with a minister or ministers" in accordance with a vote at the same time "to higher Preaching for Six months." It appears that there was some question about the feasibility of the site selected; for a meeting was called June 22, 1795, evidently to consider the matter, when it was voted "to build a meeting-house on the Spot of Land the Town has heretofore agreed upon, or another Spot the Town may agree upon, the house to be built by the money arising by selling the pews." At the same time they voted "the present Selectmen be the Committee to Draw a plan of sd. meeting house and to see if the pews will sell." The committee, on the 29th of June, following, presented their report, which was accepted, as follows: "to build the meeting house, on Lot No. 29, in the First Division." This lot (Alban's hill) was then owned by Isaac and Abner Nichols who agreed to give two acres and sell two more for the "meeting-house spot." The location selected was nearly opposite Dr. Thayer's (Jonathan W. Belcher's). The draught, or plan, made "the house to be 48 feet Long and forty feet wide, with 30 pews on the Lower floor, with three seats on Each side the Broad Alley, 12 feet Long and 3 feet wide." The pews were to be sold "and the paid made one-third in materials to build sd. house, the other two-thirds in Wheat at Four Shillings pr. Bushel or neat stock aquivelent." The above plan was not conformed to. Of any subsequent action respecting the location of the church edifice the records do not take notice. John French was determined to have it stand as near to his own premises as possible, he then living where Henry Bass now does. He so ruled matters that, one spot after another being accepted and rejected, the committee finally agreed and settled upon the northwest corner of 16-1, near the site of the present edifice. The erection of a house of worship was commenced there in 1803, and completed in 1807. A description of it is given below.
It is easy to understand the difficulties which beset this little church that was planted in a wilderness. Recorded facts are few, and therefore imagina- tion must do duty in picturing its struggle to live and accomplish its mission. We can know that a reasonable pride must have been felt when Nov. 25, 1800, a call was extended to the Rev. Aaron Cleveland (which was accepted Jan. 4, 1801,) and he was ordained pastor of the church in March, 1801. The reason for his dismissal, April 22, 1802, cannot be given, but the event caused some dissension in the church. Possibly previously existing divisions, which he was unable to reconcile, may have governed somewhat. He did not gain in popularity, and his wife was a very proud woman, and altogether his pastoral relations do not seem to have been at all pleasant. From this time the church was without a pastor till Sept. 23, 1807, when Ammi Nichols was ordained and installed. The records of the society seem to show that he preached several months, perhaps a year, previous to that time, for Ang. 27, 1806, it was voted "to give Mr. Ammi Nichols one hundred Dollars out of the public money and also one Lot to be his Chois of the two Lots of Land voted to him on the
27
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY.
tenth day of April Last;" twenty cords of good fine wood "Annually so Long as he shall Remain our minister;" and the privilege of teaching part of the time, if "Necessary to his support." A call was tendered to Mr. Nichols Jan. 16, 1806, which he accepted on the 23d of the next November, he being then 25 years of age. His reply reflects so largely upon the condition of things at that time and was so characteristic, that we give it in full:
To the Congregational Church and Society in Braintree:
BRETHREN AND FRIENDS :- In satisfying myself as to duty relative to an answer to the call I have received from this church and society, I have had no small difficulty. When I reflect on the many discordant feelings which have existed in the minds of the members of this society on account of the settle- ment and dismission of your former minister, its evil effects, together with the possibility that the same or worse difficulties may arise in consequence of my connexion with this people, I have trembled lest an affirmative answer should be followed with painful sensations on my part, and war in your society. Furthermore, when I reflect on the possibility that my usefulness may be much greater in some other place than in this, on account of having had my residence here for several years past; and when I view it very possible that what is offered me will prove inadequate for my support, everything looks dark and forbidding.
On the other hand, when I view your situation and realize the necessity of the settlement of the gospel among you in order to your happiness as citizens, the advancement of your temporal interest, and the interest of your immortal souls; and when I am told, not only by individuals in this town and society, but by people from adjacent towns, that there is no probability that you will be more united at present in any other person, I in some measure rise above those clouds of difficulty which at certain times appear, and feel as though in giving a negative answer I should reject the call of God.
Having therefore taken counsel of characters experienced in the ministry, and having as I humbly hope looked upward to Him who possesses infinite wisdom, I am brought to this conclusion: that it is my duty to accept your call.
As I look to you for support, while I accept of your call I do it with an expectation that you will use every reasonable exertion to fulfill the contract on your part, and that you will afford me every aid that my necessity, or your duty, may require. I likewise put confidence in you, that instead of attempt- ing to produce disorder in society, you will let it be your constant business to pursue those measures which make for peace.
You will probably say that constant preaching on the Sabbath will be of great use to society. But it can be of no benefit to have a sermon delivered once a week to these walls while you are slumbering upon your beds or wandering in your fields. I beg therefore that I may not be disappointed in depending on your constant attendance to religious worship on the Sabbath.
While you have expressed a desire that I should be your minister, I hope you have frequently called to mind the imperfection of the man of your choice. I shall doubtless perform many things which will in your view be the effects of a simple head and a depraved heart. I hope therefore that you
28
HISTORY.
will be prepared to meet with mortification from this source, and also be pre- pared to forgive. If I know my heart it is my object the few days I tarry in this place to use every reasonable exertion to promote peace and prosperity in this society, and town at large. It is my earnest petition that you may ever have the satisfaction of beholding me engaged in the cause of the Redeemer and in the promotion of your felicity here and hereafter. 1 hope you will never forget the importance of aiming to strengthen my hands and encourage my heart.
You must not expect, however, that for the sake of pleasing men I shall withhold a part of the gospel. No, heaven forbid it! If I am a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is my business to declare the whole counsel of God, whether men will hear or whether they will forbear; for every object, even my reputation, must be sacrificed for the interest of immortal souls.
That I may ever be profitable to you as it relates to both soul and body, that I may obey the Divine commands and spend my days in the immediate service of God, I beg your prayers.
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