USA > Vermont > Chittenden County > Jericho > The history of Jericho, Vermont > Part 2
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MR. THEODORE BAILEY WILLIAMS.
Theodore B. Williams was b. in Jericho, Aug. 14, 1888. Educated in the public schools and Essex Classical Institute, and graduated from the University in 1909. He has since been as- sociated with his father in the lumber business. Mr. Williams was elected school director in 1910. Is a young man of great promise.
MRS. MARY BASS DAY.
Mary Bass Whitcomb was b. in Fairfax, Vt., Jan. 20, 1846. When two years of age her parents bought and moved to the farm and store in Jericho. She received her education in the public schools and the Underhill Academy. Then taught school and assisted her parents until her marriage.
Mrs. Dạy has a gift for sketching and painting and several of her productions adorn the walls of her beautiful home. She, as she often affirms, has found greater inspiration in caring for the children, who have come her way, "who needed mothering." After her own boys, the nephews and grandchildren, seven, who had been suddenly bereft of their own parents have thus found a home and mother's care with her many years, because she es- teemed the rearing and caring for children and caring for their
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
immortal souls of far greater importance than accomplishments in art.
MRS. SARAH C. BROWN.
Sarah C. Ransom was b. in Jericho, Vt., March 19, 1859. Educated in the public schools and Jericho Academy. Was first m. to Mr. Harrison Packard, who d. Nov. 14, 1906. July 27, 1908, she m. Mr. Oliver H. Brown. Mrs. Brown has always re- sided in town, and has been a tireless worker in church, mission- ary and other organizations.
MRS. JENNIE R. WILLIAMS.
Jennie Rawson was b. in Jericho, Nov. 9, 1856, was educated in the public schools and Underhill Academy, afterwards doing special work at Goddard Seminary. Oct. 19, 1882, she was m. to Mr. Enos Bailey Williams. Mrs. Williams has always lived in town, and has ever manifested a lively interest in community affairs, is a capable musician and an excellent writer.
MRS. MEDORA B. SCHWEIG.
Medora Burdick was b. in Jericho, Aug. 31, 1860. Received her education in the public schools, and the Underhill Academy. Early in life she developed fondness for the drama. For years she has contributed much of her time and ability to training the young people of our town for appearance in local plays, etc. She was m. to Mr. Ernest Gustav Schweig, Sept. 27, 1882, a lawyer of good standing in New York City, where he d., Dec. 5th, 1898.
MRS. ETHEL GALUSHA HAWLEY.
Ethel Galusha was b. May 6th, 1873. Educated in the public schools of Jericho, and graduated from Johnson Normal School in 1891. She afterwards specialized at Vermont Acad- emy, Saxtons River. She taught school in Jericho, and became united in m. with Mr. Burton C. Hawley in December, 1894.
Mrs. Hawley is a fine soprano singer, and has the distinction of being the great great granddau. of Governor Chittenden, trac- ing her lineage back dually through each of her grandfathers.
SADIE C. BROWN.
MEDORA BURDICK SCHWEIG.
Member of the Auxiliary Com-
Member of the Auxiliary Com- mittee. Member of the Com- mittee. Chairman of the Com- mittee on Pageant. Member of mittee on Dramatic Entertain- the Banquet Committee. ment. Member of Banquet Com- mittee.
JENNIE RAWSON WILLIAMS. Member of the Auxiliary Committee. Member of the Committee on Evening Musical Entertainment.
ETHEL GALUSHA HAWLEY. Member of Auxiliary Committee. Chairman of the Committee on Evening Musical Entertainment. Member of Banquet Committee.
CORA WILLEY CHAPIN.
Member of the Auxiliary Com-
mittee. Member of the Com- mittee on Old Home Day. Mem- ber of Banquet Committee.
LINNIE CURTIS BUZZELL. Member of Auxiliary Committee.
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
MRS. CORA W. CHAPIN.
Cora M. Willey was b. in Sutton, P. Q., in 1867. She went to a rural school in Canada until 14 years of age, after which she attended the village school two years. She then attended "Maple- wood School," a private school taught by Prof. and Mrs. Thomas ; and afterwards specialized in French and music.
She taught school in Westford and Underhill with notable success. In 1892, she was united with Mr. Lucian H. Chapin in marriage. Mrs. Chapin has ever evinced a deep interest in church work and in the schools of our town.
MRS. HARRIET HIGGINS.
Harriet Hovey, dau. of Dr. Frederick Freeman and Harriet Field Hovey was b. in Jericho, Vt. Educated in the public schools, Barre Academy, and Mt. Holyoke Seminary. She was m. to Charles F. Higgins of Springfield, Mass., where they re- sided until his demise, since which Mrs. Higgins has spent much of her time in Jericho. Capable as a musician and writer, Mrs. Higgins has been of great service to the community.
MRS. LINNIE C. BUZZELL.
Linnie Curtis, dau. of Wilson R. and Sophia Bullock Curtis, was b. in Jericho in 1882. She was educated in the public schools, specializing in music at Montreal.
She became united with Mr. Max A. Buzzell in m. in 1908. Mrs. Buzzell is prominent in church work, and has especial talent as a singer.
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
PART SECOND. JERICHO'S GREAT CELEBRATION. By C. H. Hayden.
CHAPTER I.
THE CELEBRATION OF 1841,
REMEMBERED AS THE TEMPERANCE CELEBRATION.
Mrs. Homer Rawson, an octogenarian and a lifelong resident of the town, gave the editor of The Reporter the following de- scription of that event, which was published in May, 1913, from which we quote.
"While we today deplore the drink habit, it should be cheer- ing to us to know that it is not so universal a custom, as it was in the early years of the last century. A perusal of the day-book of a merchant in town, John Fassett by name, at that period shows that seventy-five per cent. of his sales were spirituous liquors. People who were contemporary of the man whose fortune made possible the two fine hospitals in our county, the Mary Fletcher and the Fanny Allen, always said that the foundation of his fortune was laid as a merchant in the town of Essex.
"In those days the leading occupation was lumbering. Ox teams drew the great pines to Burlington, where they were shipped down the lake to Montreal to be converted into masts for the King's navy. The lumbermen's thirst was always quenched at the Essex store, 'where rum and molasses were an inch on the counter.'
"Those conditions which were wide-spread in the land, led to the Temperance Movement, which in 1841 was at its zenith.
"Preparatory to the event a liberty pole was raised on the Congregational Church green. During the process of its erec- tion by perspiring townsmen Dr. Secretary Rawson walked by. He was a stanch Democrat and inquired, 'Which end of the
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
pole is Whigery?' Lawyer Hill an enthusiastic Whig replied, "The top- - - ' with much emphasis. Accepting his ver- sion the old Doctor continued his way to the post office. While there a violent thunder storm with a high wind for a time pre- vailed, and on retracing his steps homeward he found that the wind had broken off the top part of the pole! It's needless to say the 'tables were well turned.'
"A new pole was forthcoming for the great day, which was inaugurated by a grand parade. Col. Frederick Fletcher was the marshal, and a figure which awakened the keenest admiration. His mount was a dappled grey, and his costume a blue coat, white pants, blue sash and ruffled shirt, with the high black stove-pipe hat then in vogue. There were twenty-four states at that time in the Union and they were represented by twenty-four young couples : George Howe, Luther Prouty, Rollin Galusha, Law- rence Bliss, Leet Bishop, Elisha Ford, Russell White, George Fennel, Edgar Lane, John H .? Tower, Jr., and the fair young girls : Rosamond Howe, Ellen Galusha, Mary Howe, Fanny Prouty, Philura and Philinda Ford were among them.
"The young men were dressed in black coats, white pants and vests, high standing collar and stock, and the tall stove-pipe hat and their fair partners wore white dresses with wreaths on their heads.
"The banquet was spread on tables built on the church green, where the young men had planted young trees cut in the woods the day previous and set in rows to shade the tables. The menu was most bountiful : roast pigs, whole boiled hams and rice pud- dings so big they filled sugar tubs, were served among other good things. Fred Hill, an able lawyer of our town, eminently fitted for the place, acted as toastmaster, and the post-prandial exer- cises were responded to by all the local celebrities.
"The president of the day was Judge John H. Tower of Underhill, a notable character. He was the possessor of the most imposing physique, being over six feet in height, quite portly, and always dressed in shiny black broadcloth and the high hat. He had held all the offices his townsmen could bestow, having been a Representative and side Judge. A whole volume might have been written of his peculiar use of the King's Eng- lish. Therefore, it was no surprise to his friends that from his
1
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
station in the high pulpit in the old church as he announced the order of the exercises, he should say, 'Now we'll have sing- ing by the core !'
"Ray Hard, a young law student of Mr. Hill's, read the Declaration of Independence. J. Sullivan Adams of Burlington, was the leading orator of the day. How eloquent his address, the singing so grand by the large choir led by the wonderful tenor, Arthur Castle, who was then in young manhood vigor! No wind or stringed instrument led that band, but with tuning fork in hand he brought Heaven's own harmony to earthly ears."
Then the writer adds this exhortation respecting the ap- proaching celebration :
"If it was possible for our town when only half its present age, to have a celebration that made memories that lasted seventy-two years, does it not behoove us, their children and grand-children, to do as worthily? The celebration in August is for no person's glory and exaltation, but the town's. And if the town is yours by birth or adoption, it is your town. These are days when many towns are celebrating anniversaries, and let us not be ashamed of our town's 150th birthday. There are many expenses to be met, which the town's appropriation will not cover, and by generous aid and patronage only can the de- ficiencies be met."
The following excerpts are from a personal letter to myself written by Dea. Truman B. Barney, late of Ada, Oklahoma, but for about 70 years a resident of Jericho, respecting the same celebration.
"I was then eight years old and remember the celebration quite well. It had become a very common custom for most families to keep liquors in the house and to invite everyone who called to take something to drink; and even most of the min- isters when calling on their parishioners were in the habit of accepting the invitation. By this habit a great many had ac- quired a strong love of liquors and many formed the habit of drinking to excess. Then some of the best people became aware of the great danger and began to form Temperance Societies. Some good speakers were sent out and meetings were held to arouse the people generally. In Jericho, Underhill and the sur- rounding towns there was much interest manifested. A noted
1
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
Temperance Lecturer from New York (I think) who called him- self the 'Reformed Wood Sawer' came and spoke to crowded houses. He was a very interesting man and had a wonderful influence among the people in stirring them up to the Temper- ance work. Societies were formed, pledges drawn up, and great numbers rescued from the miserable drink habit. I remember the great meetings very well, and just how the Wood Sawer looked, up in that little high pulpit between the front ends of the circular gallery in the brick church at Jericho Corners. He was rather a stocky built man of good appearance, had a fine clear voice and a most powerful magnetic influence over his audience. He said he had followed the life of a Wood Sawer in the city for years, going from house to house to saw and fit stove wood, and falling into the general custom of drinking, became greatly demoralized, but was finally aroused to a sense of his condition and fully reformed.
"Col. Frederick Fletcher, who was the marshal at the great meeting, then lived at Underhill Flats, and owned a nice brick house and barn on the corner where the brick store now. stands. He was my father's cousin by marriage with the Chittenden family. Being quite rich he always had a nice uniform and a spirited horse and was a splendid officer. He was Colonel of one of our Vermont uniformed militia regiments, and knew very well how to manage a large procession so as to make it appear to good advantage. Brigadier General Orvill Shaw, who commanded the Vermont brigade of the uniformed militia at that time, was an- other prominent officer in the great temperance meetings. He then owned and lived on the farm where Mr. B. C. Hawley now lives. His son John B. and daughter Ellen M. were about my age and schoolmates for several years. General Shaw was also a splendid officer. He had command of the troops called out by the governor to squelch the great Paddy rebellion at Richmond on the fourth of July during the building of the Vermont Cen- tral R. R., and succeeded in handling them so well that no lives were lost, although the Paddys made a great show with their shal- lalahs (or shillalahs), and things looked rather dubious just before the troops made their charge. As they marched up to charge with fixed bayonets, Denison Monroe, one of the drum- mers of the Jericho and Underhill company, thought a drum
.
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
would be a queer thing to fight a big Irishman and a big shillalah with, and so took a convenient position behind a large tree and was made the butt of many a joke for a long time.
"Judge David Fish of Jericho was also prominent in the Temperance work. He had charge of seating the people, and was an excellent hand to manage large gatherings and keep good order. He knew every one and knew just where to place them. The most of the reformations under the influence of the Wood Sawer were permanent.
"Old Judge John H. Tower, a merchant at Underhill, had several barrels of liquor and cider in his store cellar, and he de- cided he would never sell another drop, nor sleep until he had emptied it all on the cellar bottom. So you see the great temper- ance work of those days was worth celebrating and is worth re- membering in the town history."
It seemed very desirable to make permanent record of so important an event as the above described celebration, because of its meaning to the people of those days; and also in memory of the men, women, and families therein referred to, many of whom became very prominent in town and county affairs.
CHAPTER II.
THE CHARTER.
A true copy of the charter, together with the subscribers to the same as issued by Benning Wentworth, June 7, 1763, is given below.
JERICHO.
*2-33 *Province of New-Hampshire.
Jerico P. S.
GEORGE THE THIRD,
By the Grace of God, of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, KING, Defender of the Faith &c.
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
To all Persons to whom these Presents shall come. Greeting.
Know ye, that We of Our special Grace, certain Knowledge, and meer Motion, for the due Encouragement of settling a New Plantation within our said Province, by and with the Advice of our Trusty and Well-beloved BENNING WENTWORTH, Esq; Our Governor and Commander in Chief of Our said Province of NEW-HAMPSHIRE in NEW-ENGLAND, and of our COUNCIL of the said Province; HAVE upon the Conditions and Reservations herein after made, given and granted, and by these Presents, for us, our Heirs, and Successors, do give and grant in equal Shares, unto Our loving Subjects, Inhabitants of Our said Province of NEW-HAMPSHIRE, and Our other Governments, and to their Heirs and Assigns for ever, whose names are entered on this Grant, to be divided to and amongst them into Seventy two equal Shares, all that Tract or Parcel of Land situate, lying and being within our said Province of NEW-HAMPSHIRE, containing by Admeasurement, 23040 Acres, which Tract is to contain Six Miles square, and no more; out of which an Allowance is to be made for High Ways and unimprovable Lands by Rocks, Ponds, Mountains and Rivers. One Thousand and Forty Acres free, according to a Plan and Survey thereof made by Our said Gover- nor's Order, and returned into the Secretary's Office, and here- unto annexed, butted and bounded as follows, Viz. Beginning at the Southerly or South Easterly Corner of Essex at the Northerly side of Onion or French River (so called) from thence Easterly up said River so far as to make Six Miles on a straight Line, allowing the same to be Perpendicular with the South Easterly Line of said Essex from thence Northerly a Parralell Line with the south Easterly line of said Essex six Miles from thence Westerly about six Miles to the North Easterly corner of said Essex, from thence southerly by the Easterly Line of said Essex Six Miles to the place begun at-And that the same be, and hereby is Incorporated into a Township by the Name of Jerico And the Inhabitants that do or shall hereafter inhabit the said Township, are hereby declared to be Enfranchized with and Intitled to all and every the Priviledges and Immunities that other Towns within Our Province by Law Exercise and Enjoy : And further, that the said Town as soon as there shall be Fifty
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
Families resident and settled thereon, shall have the Liberty of holding Two Fairs, one of which shall be held on the
And the other on the
annually, which Fairs are not to continue longer than the re- spective
following the said and that as
soon as the said Town shall consist of Fifty
Families, a Market may'be* opened and kept one or more Days in each Week, as may be thought most advantagious to the Inhabitants. Also, that the first
*2-434
Meeting for the Choice of Town Officers, agreable to the Laws of our said Province, shall be held on the 14th July next which said Meeting shall be Notified by Mr. John Burling who is here- by also appointed the Moderator of the said first meeting, which he is to Notify and Govern agreable to the Laws and Customs of our said Province; and that the annual Meeting for ever hereafter for the Choice of such Officers for the said Town, shall be on the second Tuesday of March annually, To HAVE and to HOLD the said Tract of Land as above expressed, to- gether with all Priviliges and Appurtenances, to them and their respective Heirs and Assigns forever, upon the following Con- ditions, viz.
I. That every Grantee, his Heirs or Assigns shall plant and cultivate five Acres of Land within the Term of five Years for every fifty Acres contained in his or their Share or Propor- tion of Land in said Township, and continue to improve and settle the same by additional Cultivations, on Penalty of the Forfeiture of his Grant or Share in the said Township, and of its reverting to Us, our Heirs and Successors, to be by Us or Them Regranted to such of Our Subjects as shall effectually settle and cultivate the same.
II. That all white and other Pine Trees within the said Township, fit for Masting Our Royal Navy, be carefully pre- served for that Use, and none to be cut or felled without Our special License for so doing first had and obtained, upon the Penalty of the Forfeiture of the Right of such Grantee, his Heirs and Assigns, to Us, our Heirs and Successors, as well as
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
being subject the Penalty of any Act or Acts of Parliament that now are, or hereafter shall be Enacted.
III. That before any Division of the Land be made to and among the Grantees, a Tract of Land as near the Centre of the said Township as the Land will admit of, shall be reserved and marked out for Town Lots, one of which shall be alloted to each Grantee of the Contents of one Acre.
IV. Yielding and paying therefor to Us, our Heirs and Successors for the Space of ten Years, to be computed from the Date hereof, the Rent of one Ear of Indian Corn only, on the twenty-fifth Day of December annually, if lawfully demanded, the first payment to be made on the twenty-fifth Day of Decem- ber, 1763.
V. Every Proprietor, Settler or Inhabitant, shall yield and pay unto Us, our Heirs and Successors yearly, and every Year forever, from and after the Expiration of ten Years from the abovesaid twenty-fifth Day of DECEMBER, namely, on the twenty- fifth Day of DECEMBER, which will be in the Year of our Lord 1773 One shilling Proclamation Money for every Hundred Acres he so owns, settles or possesses, and so in Proportion for a greater or lessor tract of the said Land; which Money shall be paid by the respective Persons abovesaid, their Heirs or Assigns, in our Council Chamber in Portsmouth or to such Officer or Officers as shall be appointed to receive the same; and this to be in Lieu of all other Rents and Services whatsoever.
In Testimony whereof we have caused the Seal of our said Province to be hereunto affixed. Witness BENNING WENT- WORTH, Esq; Our Governor and Commander in Chief of Our said Province, the Seventh Day of June In the Year of our LORD CHRIST,. One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty three And in the Third Year of Our Reign.
By HIS EXCELLENCY's Command,
With Advice of COUNCIL,
TT Atkinson Junr Secry
Prov New Hampr June 7th 1763
Recorded According to the Original Charter under the Prove Seal
TT Atkinson Junr Secry
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
*2-435 *The Names of the Grantees of Jerico (Viz)
Edwd Burling
James Burling
Thos Burling
Walter Burling
Saml Burling
Benja Burling
John Sackett
James Sackett Junr
John Sackett Junr
Danl Wiggins®
John Wiggins
Danl Wiggins Junr
Willm Wiggins
Benja Wiggins
Willm Latham
Danl Latham
Lancaster Burling
Amos Dodge
Amos Dodge Junr
Arthur Jarvis
James Jarvis
James Jarvis Junr
Charles Jarvis
Benja Bill
Philip Brasher
Abrm Brasher
Willm D Peyster Junr
Morris Earle
Barnard De Forcest
John Bates
Amos Underhill Junr
David Underhill
Soloman Underhill
Edmd Underhill
Saml Laurence
James Laurence
Thos Grenell
Thos Grenell Junr
William Mercier
John Burling
John Dyer Mercier Philip Burling
John Bowne
John Vermilye
Nichs H Bogart
John Martine
Jereah Martine
John Guerinaux
Peter Tetard
Saml Gillat
Charles Davis
Stephen Davis James Davis
John Davis
James McCreedy
John Cornell of Flushing
Henry Matthews
Saml Averil
Collo Saml Barr
Joseph Blanchard
Dr John Hale Thos Grenell Senr ;
Benja Jarvis
Hon John Temple, Theo: Atkinson, Mk Hg Wentworth Esqrs.
HIS EXCELLENCY Benning Wentworth Esqr a Tract of Land to Contain Five Hundred Acres as marked B-W-in the Plan which is to be Accounted two of the within Shares, One whole share for the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, One Share for a Glebe for the Church
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
of England as by Law Establish'd, One Share for the First settled Minister of the Gospel, & One Share for the benefit of a School in said Town-
Province of New Hampr June 7th 1763
Recorded according to the Back of the Original Charter of Jericho under the Prov Seal
TT Atkinson Jun Secry
CHAPTER III. CITIZENS ORGANIZE FOR THE CELEBRATION OF 1913.
The Town Celebration had its inception in an article in the warning for March meeting 1913, which had been prepared by the Town Clerk, Hon. E. B. Jordan, and which reads as follows : "To see if the Town will take any action regarding the Cele- bration of the 150th Anniversary of the granting of the Charter of the Town."
After discussion it was voted to celebrate the 150th An- niversary, which would occur June 7, 1913; and a committee of ten voters was duly elected to have general charge of the ar- rangements. They were given power to fill vacancies in the committee and also to appoint sub-committees, all to serve with- out compensation.
It was also voted to authorize the selectmen to grant an appropriation, not to exceed $150.00, for use of the Committee towards defraying the expenses of said celebration. The in- terim from March to the time of the celebration was utilized by the General Committee, in meetings for discussion of the var- ious features of the proposed celebration in making necessary preparations. Much interest developed respecting time, place, duration of celebration and means for entertainment. How ar- dently all these matters were discussed, even to the minutest de- tails !
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
Three villages in the town and varying interests, change the situation from that of towns having only one village and a united interest. At first there were spirited debates, but soon selfish interests began to yield to generous rivalry and fair play. A better mood predominated in committee discussions and town interests gained the ascendency.
Not imitating other towns in an extravagant pageant or in the attempt to crowd all into a one day's program, the com- mittee planned within their means, using town resources and native ability, with due consideration to her various interests, with results that far exceeded expectation, a schedule of events covering five days at the different villages affording all who participated great delight and satisfaction.
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