USA > Vermont > Orleans County > The history of Orleans county, Vermont. Civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military > Part 18
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and put my head into one and my hands into the other; but I did not sleep much that night, and as soon as it was light enough to guide my horse by the trees, I started and got within about a mile of home when I met a man coming to find me; and I never remember of being so glad to reach home as at that time.
Perhaps the reader would like to know some- thing of the muscular strength and endurance of body of the only remaining settler who came to town previous to 1811. I am now writing this, being 89 years of age, and what I have writted is truth. STEPHEN COLE.
The above was written in a fair, plain hand, by one of the men who "tamed the wilderness," and who has ever been a respected, enterpris- ing citizen, possessing a strong mind and sound judgment. He has filled various offices of trust, and ever worked for the best interests of the town; has been a man of exemplary piety, particularly distinguished for his liberality to the poor. He possesses a remarkable memory, re- lating with great correctness past events in the history of the town. His wife, a most estima- ble woman, still survives at the age of 88.
A. ALLYN.
ELISHA PARLIN*
was born at Winchester, N. H., June 14, 1787, and was the 2d son of John and Mercy Parlin, who moved with their family to Barton, Vt., about 1806. Elisha staid in Barton two or three years, then went to Salem, this county, and, with his brother (Abel),bought two lots of land, and commenced clearing up a farm .- When the war of 1812 broke out, he enlisted from Barton, and was stationed in the towns of Derby and Holland, to guard the line and pre- vent smuggling, of which at that time and all subsequent times there has been considerable done.
I will mention only one incident in connec- tion with smuggling, out of the many in which Mr. Parlin took a prominent part. While he was stationed at Holland, he, with two others, went on snow-shoes about 15 miles through the woods to Island pond (so called from there be- ing an island in the centre of the pond,) where they overtook and captured a man by the name of Elliott, who had started with a load of goods to go through the woods to the head of Con- necticut River-there being a road cut through the woods from Canada line to Connecticut Riv-
er for the purpose of smuggling, or principally for that purpose. The snow being very deep, they had a very severe time getting back the woods to camp, where they took the team. When they had got part way back, the other two men and team tired out, and Mr. Parlin had to go back to camp and get help to go af- ter the team and men. He was gone from camp about 7 hours. In consequence of the hard- ships at that time endured, government gave them the whole prize, amounting to $110 each.
When he was discharged he came back to Salem, and Feb. 3, 1815, was married to Elizabeth Warren, daughter of Jonas Warren, of Charleston, by whom he had 10 children- 8 of whom survive him. In 1818, he removed to Charleston and bought a farm, a part of which is where the west village now stands .- He was one of the first deputy sheriff's in this town, and served as sheriff 10 years. But a good many, taking advantage of his kindness, absconded. However, by economy, he managed to save a sufficiency, and left his widow, who still survives him, a fair property.
His decease occurred Dec. 12, 1864-77 years of age. He died as he had lived, an honest, upright man.
JONAS WARREN
was born at Littleton, Mass., Feb. 4, 1764, and married Elizabeth Baker Sept. 14, 1788. She was born at Medfield, Mass., Nov. 1, 1760, and died March 6, 1794. Soon after his marriage he moved into the wilderness in Bethlehem, N. H. He, with one or two others, made their way into the forests 20 miles, with only spot- ted trees to mark the path, carrying their effects on foot and horseback. With much hardship he built a log-house and the first framed barn in that town. He was obliged to go 20 miles for men to raise his barn, and carried a sheep on his back the same distance for the dinner of the raisers. His oldest son, Otis, was the first child born in that town, Oct. 26, 1790. The other children were Elizabeth, born Aug. 18, 1792 who married Elisha Parlin of Charleston ; Jonas W., born April 28, 1798, married Roxy, daughter of Samuel Hutchinson of Charleston ; Annah, born Feb. 2, 1797, married Ira, son of Jonathan Richards, and died in Wisconsin, of cancer, Sept. 24, 1849; Hepsibeth, born Feb. 2, 1797, died July, 1798. Mr. Warren was af- terward married to Betsey Russell, Nov. 30, 1797, who was born at Winchester, Mass., June 13, 1775, and died Sept. 30, 1816. The chil- dren by the second marriage were Hepsibeth, -
* For the biographical sketches of Elisha Parlin and Jonas Warren the writer is indebted to George Par- lin and the Warren family.
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who was born July 24, 1801, married Chauncey Fuller and died at Charleston Sept. 14, 1852; Ira Warren born July 4,1803,died April 23,1805; Ira Warren, born October 5, died at Charles- ton March 26, 1855 ; Oliver Warren born Aug. 23, 1807; Sally born Oct. 9, 1809, married Hi- ram W. Merrill of Charleston, died Sept. 24, 1864; Pliny, born March 4, 1812; Harriet Vail, born June, 1814; Eunice Lincoln, born Sept. 9, 1816.
Jonas Warren, Sen., was again married Nov. 13, 1818, to Lurviah Anderson, (a widow) who was born at Stonington, Ct. Dec. 15, 1776 .- He lived in Bethlehem 10 or 12 years, bearing the trials and privations of pioneer life, proving himself one of the trust-worthy of that day- then removed to Littleton, N. H .- thence to Waterford, Vt,-then, in 1809, came to Navy, now Charleston, and erected the first saw- mill in town, which he sold, the same year, to Stephen Cole.
In those early days, while they were build- ing the mill, old Joe Indian often came with a string of trout, as many as he could lift-was friendly, and received a sip of "fire-water," sometimes, as a reward. After Mr. Warren sold his mill he returned to his family in Water- ford, Vt., where he remained until 1812, then moved to Navy and purchased the McGaffey farm. He was a stirring, enterprising man, al- ways ready to enlist in any enterprise for the improvement of the town-kept the school when there were not more than a dozen schol- ars in town. He was chosen representative in 1816, '17 and '18-also town clerk in 1815, 1821 and '22-collector in 1816, '17 and 1820 treasurer in 1818, and selectman from 1814 to 1822. Oliver Warren, his fifth son, in March, 1823, at the age of 15 years, moved with his father's family to Royalton, Vermont. He and a younger brother started from Charleston with a yoke of oxen-load of goods-also driving two cows-taking about 5 days to complete the journey of 100 miles. After having resided in Windsor county 19 years, ho returned with wife and one child. The father, Jonas Warren, Sen., also returned to Charleston, where he liv- ed until his death.
Oliver Warren served in 1850 and 1852 as constable and sheriff-built a hotel in 1843 at West Charleston, and kept tavern about seven years. In May, 1853, he moved to Morgan; was chosen representative of that town in 1862, '63. In December, 1864, returned to Charleston and served the town as first constable, justice of peace and overseer, 1867-'69 ; bought and re-
built the saw-mill with boards, shingle and clap- boards, saws, circulars, &c. He now lives in town, being one of those persevering men who never put hand to the plough and turn back.
Ira, son of Jonas Warren, moved from Roy- alton to Charleston in 1839. He was chosen captain of the militia company, and for a num- ber of years served this town as selectman and justice of the peace; was foremost in erecting the Universalist church-proved a true and hon- est citizen, and died in Charleston at the age of 52 years, mourned by the community.
Pliny was an enterprising business man ; mar- ried and settled in Bethel, Vt., where he died Sept. 30, 1859, after a distressing operation of having a cancer removed from his face. John resides in Hardwick, Vt .- raised a large fami- ly, and is a hard working man. Otis started business at Rock Island, C. E .- built a carding- machine, did quite a business in the clothing- works, and at one time went into the manufac- ture of hay-scales. He moved from Rock Island to Montreal, where he buried 4 of his children with cholera ; and remained there until the time of his death, Sept. 30, 1862.
Jonas Warren, Jr., has lived in town since 1812, and is now doing the work of a small farm. In 1813, when a boy of 15, he met a smuggling party, who belonged in the town of Holland, taking oxen designed for the British army on a back path from Navy to Canada, when, (being a boy of strong Democratic princi- ples,) quick as thought, he started, rushed with great rapidity several miles across the woods to Holland, to inform the custom house officers .- They quickly returned with the boy and man- aged to head the smugglers, who, seeing that their fate was sealed, immediately recognized the noble lad and exclaimed with great indig- nation, " That's the little devil we met!" The officers, well pleased with his valiant conduct, gave him $ 2.50 as a reward for his journey and patriotic manifestations. His youngest son in- herited the same spirit, and lost his life in the late war. At the time of the death of Jonas Warren, Sen., he had 12 living children. He died in Charleston Sept. 18, 1843.
ADDITIONAL PAPERS FROM ALPHA ALLYN.
In 1828, Alexander Farrington came into town with the Oliver Phelps titles of what had been called the Brooks lands, and sold quite a number of lots ; but, as both he and Brooks claimed under the Phelps claim, the question was which had the Oliver Phelps claim. Brooks tried his title, and he held
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the Phelps title. The proof was, Brooks pur- chased of Noah & Israel Smith, who had pur- chased these 18 rights of deficient men, who claimed under the Col. Frye Bailey vendue sale to pay the half penny tax, laid by the State of Vermont to pay New York the $30,000 claim, and the John Bailey sale and the John Rankin sale; and, as these three vendue sales were decided against by the Supreme Court, some of these original claims to these lands finally helped them without sale.
[In the proprietors' book, Charleston town clerk's office, there is a long letter to the leg- islature, dated October, 1780, sequestering this grant of land, and Nov. 6, 1780, the descrip- tion of the grant, being No. 32, containing 2340 acres. No. 31 was Salem.]
CAPTAIN ERASTUS BUCK. BY REV. P. H. WHITE.
Among the many brave Vermonters who laid down their lives for their country during the battles in the Wilderness, there was none braver than Capt. Erastus Buck of the 3d Regiment, who died of his wounds in Georgetown, May 22, 1864.
He was a native of Charleston, Vt., and dur- ing the whole of his early life, had a desperate struggle with poverty. Upon coming of age he Went to California, and in that land of gold he procured enough of the precious metal to lay the foundation of a comfortable fortune. He was living upon a well tilled and well stocked farm of his own in his native town, when the war broke out, and as soon as he could adjust his concerns he enlisted in Company D, of the 3d Regiment. He was made sergeant when the Company was organized, was promoted to the 2d lieutenancy Nov. 19, 1861, to the 1st lieu- tenancy Sept. 16, 1862, and to the captaincy last winter.
As an officer he had some peculiarities which while they.exposed him to the criticism of mar- tinets, gave him all the more influence with his own men. The rules of military service do not allow a commissioned officer to soil his hands with manual labor. But if there were trees to be felled or trenches to be dug by Company I, Captain Buck not only gave orders to that ef- fect, but set such an example as few of his men could fully imitate. In the attempt to do this, however, they accomplished more work than almost any other Company in the regiment, or even in the brigade. He was exceedingly care-
less about form of speech and of command, or- dering his company now like a gang of poor laborers then like soldiers. But they admired him for his undaunted bravery, loved him for the freedom and frankness of his intercourse with them, and promptly went wherever he or- dered ; or, rather, followed wherever he led, for he was not the man to send others where he could not go himself.
He had a robust constitution, enjoyed almost perfect health, was hardly off duty a single day, nor did he receive a single wound in the many engagements in which he shared, till the fatal one which terminated his life. His remains were conveyed to Charleston, and buried with Masonic honors, in the presence of more than a thousand people who assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to the gallant soldier.
Coventry, June 21, 1864.
REV. ROYAL GAGE.
BY FRANKLIN B. GAGE.
Royal Gage was born in Walpole, N. H .. Dec. 15, 1789. His father's name was Asa Gage .- His mother's maiden name was Betsey Kit- tridge. When he was 12 years old his father moved to St. Johnsbury, and settled near where the east village now is, where he resided until his death. Royal was one of a family of 21 children, nearly all of whom lived to years of maturity. He had but very little schooling, but what few advantages he had in those early times he improved. In June, 1811, he married Annie Tyler, youngest daughter of David Ty- ler of Piermont, N. H. His father was a be- liever in the Universalist doctrine, and he em- braced the same faith, and early commenced preaching. Investigation. however, led him to change his belief; and he left the Universalists and joined the Methodists. He continued to live in St. Johnsbury, preaching as oportunity offered. In 1826 he was sent to the Hardwick circuit. Here he had 9 towns to visit and preach to the inhabitants. On his faithful sorrel mare, with his saddlebags behind him, he traveled the circuit and preached, believing that
To bring lost sheep back to the Lord Was sure to bring its own reward.
His reward was not to be of a temporal na- ture, however, as he received only $100 for a year of such service. But true to his charge, summer and winter, he was out preaching in school-liouses, barns, and in the open air, as was most convenient. Hardship was the lot of all pioneer ministers, and his was no exception to
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that rule. In 1827 he was placed on the Bar- ton circuit. He staid at Barton 2 years, and then purchased and moved on to a farm, where a part of the village of West Charleston now is. There he moved into a small log-house with only a single room in it. The country around it was mostly wilderness, there being but 4 or 5 houses between there and Brownington, S miles. He cleared up the farm, erected a com- fortable house and barn, and put up a shop and carried on the manufacture of rakes and scythe- snaths, of which he furnished Orleans, Caledo- nia and Essex counties for nearly 10 years .- During this time he still continued to preach, where he thought he was most needed, and nearly every body in those regions knew "Elder Gage" as he was then generally called, and as he is now called by some of the old settlers .- From Charleston he moved, in 1839, back to his native town, Walpole, N. H. Two years after, he moved to Westminster, Vt., where he re- mained until his death. He had 8 children, two of whom died in infancy ; the others lived to riper years. He died at Westminster Sept. 23, 1856; his wife dying nearly six years earlier.
In 1848, he published a well-written book, entitled " Resistance and Non-Resistance," in which he took the ground that all war is con- trary to the spirit of Christianity, and that no true follower of Christ would ever engage in it. He was always earnest in his belief and Christ- ian life. He was straitforward and upright in all his dealings, and he was never idle. He be- lieved that every thing should be done in sea- son, and that
.
Toil is wedded to wisdom, None but toil ever won her- Then dream not that labor Is born of dishonor.
What e'er thy vocation, Be it lofty or lowly, All labor is noble, All labor is holy ;-
Then shrink not from labor, And fear not nor falter ; 'Tis the mother of virtue, 'Tis the only exalter !
FREDERIC ADAMS GAGE.
BY B. F. GAGE.
was born in Barton, Vt. Oct. 19, 1828. He was the youngest son of Royal and Anna Gage. He was named after Dr. Frederic Adams, then residing in Barton, but who died some years since at Montpelier, where he had removed. The first year of Frederic's life was passed in Barton. The next year his
-
father moved to Charleston, Vt. where he lived and passed his childhood until 11 years old. From Charleston he went to Westmins- ter, Vt., where he attended district school three or four winters, which was all the schooling he had. He had a great thirst for knowledge, and read standard works during his leisure hours, and thought upon what he read while at work. He had a decided taste for mathematics, and early mastered arith- metic and algebra, almost without a teacher. He commenced writing for the newspaper press when about 18 years of age. At the age of 22 he contributed a series of papers to the Windham County Democrat, published at Brattleboro, entitled Welnott's Forest Tales.
In the autumn of 1850, he went to Flor- ida, where he engaged in teaching, remain- ing there and in Georgia nearly 3 years, when he returned to Vt., where he remained until his death, which occurred May 22, 1854. He possessed a brilliant and well balanced mind, and his prose writings would do credit to any author. He was a quiet, but elo- quent speaker, never failing to rivet the at- tention of his audience. He wrote but little poetry as he did not think himself a " born poet." Enough however has been preserved to show that he was capable of writing poetry of no ordinary merit, as the following poem will testify.
THE RED VAPOR. BY FREDERIC ADAMS GAGE.
A Legend of the massacre at Fort William Henry.
The mists of the valley had fled on the gale, Aud the gay beams of morning enlivened the vale, When forth from the battlements, ragged and torn, Came a band of stern warriors, still weary and worn.
Still weary with fighting and warm in the strife, They gave to the foeman the care of each life, For the spotless white banner of peace floated free In the soft balmy air, that rolled up from the sea.
A horde of dark savages hovered around, Like vultures that watch where the prey may be found, Still nearer they hovered ;- a wild shout arose- 'Twas the death knoll of vanquished and weaponless foes.
Then the streams that ran down to the IIndson grew red, For many a gallant lay down with the dead; Then a flashing red vapor was seen to arise- A flashing rod vapor encircled the skios.
With hatchet uplifted and scalping knife raised, The fierce warriors trembled and heavenward gazed ; They saw the red vapor careen in the skies ; One moment it flashed, then suddenly dies.
The knife and the hatchet were loosed in the hand, The death-dealing weapon fell down on the sand, Full a moment they gazed on the sky's ruddy breast Full a moment they gazed, but the sky was at rest ;
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Then the death-yell arose, then the blood flowed anew And a broad crimson torrent the valley ran through : The blood-thirsty warriors knelt down by its side And drank long and deeply from out the red tide.
*
* * * *
*
The pride of the red man shall triumph no more,) For the wigwams are desolate on the lake's shore; A thousand bold warriors in anguish have died* For the angel of Death laid his hand on the tide.
[ The following poems are from the pen of F. B. Gage, the son of Rev. Royal Gage whose boyhood and youth were largely spent in this town and who has ever seemed to have a most dear and tender remembrance of Orleans County-says Mr. Gage : Ed.]
" The following poem, 'Hang Old John Brown,' was written on first receiving intelli- gence of John Brown's raid into Virginia, and sent to the New York Tribune for publi- cation. The Tribune however did not care to publish so much 'unwholesome truth,' probably thinking it might not be pleasant to its readers, and it was returned to its author.
Now, since the prophesy contained in the last two verses has been so signally fulfilled, and since the authority of Jehovah has been, through the war of the Rebellion, so terribly vindicated in the face of the astonished na- tions of earth, it may not be unwise to re- view the past, to enable us to do better in the future."
HANG OLD JOHN BROWN. BY FRANKLIN B. GAGE Hang the fearless old man, he deserves it For doing what Christ might have done : There is peril in being a Christian, When a nation containeth but one !
"Tis treason to practice the doctrine :- You should treat every man as a brother :- Even Christ was once hung as a traitor- Hang this fearless Old Brown as an other.
Has God been a betting this treason ? God is great ! but our Nation is greater :- If tried by the laws of Virginia Even God would be hung as a traitor.
For He was the first one to publish The doctrine that all should be free ;- Tis recorded,-"Do thou unto others As thou wouldest have others to thee."
Hang the fearless old man, without mercy, He will willingly suffer the sting, That out of his ashes, the Freedom Of America's millions may spring.
Tho' the Nation but wink when you hang him, Tho' the Church but indulge in a frown- Please remember :- John Brown's insurrection Will never be hung-with John Brown.
*History records that more than a thousand warriors died of the small-pox, communicated to them by drink ing the blood of their victims.
Go! feast on his blood like the vulture, And pray to the gods ye have made :- But beware !- there's a living Jehovah Whose vengeance is only delayed !
"TEN THOUSAND SLAIN?"
A thousand mingled voices shout- "The victory has been won ! Our brave boys put the foe to rout Long ere the day was done; Our horsemen, by the wood concealed, Roda through their ranks amain, And left upon that battle-field, Ten thousand slain !"
Ah many a scalding tear awakes, And many a bitter sigh, And many a heart with anguish breaks While yet the tidings fly ; O'er many a happy home shall sweep The blast of grief and pain : And twice ten thousand wildly weep, " Ten thousand slain !"
There is a God who dwells above Whose home is in the sky, Whose nature is all truth and love, That God is ever nigh ; He loves the people of all lands, By every stream and plain :- Lo! on His judgment Record stands " Ten thousand slain;"
THE CLYDE.
BY FRANKLIN B. GAGE. Respectfully dedicated to "Jane Brackett-" (Mrs. Luther Cole, Watertown, Wisconsin.)
Towards its great home, the far off sea, The Clyde still flows as bright as ever ;- And when the grave hides you and me, The Clyde will still flow on for ever, Jane Brackett, The Clyde will still flow on for ever.
Ah forty years have run their race, How strangely forty years estranges ;- But still the Clyde flows in its place, Unchanged though all around it changes, Jane Brackett, Unchanged though all around it changes.
To day Itread the village street, But miss the old familiar places ; And here to-day I only meet With cold aud unfamiliar faces, Jane Brackett, With cold and unfamiliar faces.
And as I gaze upon the Clyde, Sad tears across my cheeks are creeping ;- For strangers on its banks abide, Our loved ones in its graves are sleeping, Jane Brackett, Our loved ones in its graves are sleeping.
One quiet grave yard by the Clyde, How peaceful in the hush of even ;- I pass the graves on every side, The graves of George, and Charles, and Steven, Jane Brackett, The graves of George, and Charles, and Steven.
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Here other loved ones have been laid, A list too sadly long to number ; Here many a youth, and many a maid ; Here some grown gray and aged slumber, Jane Brackett,
Here some grown gray and aged slumber.
What matters it when death shall call ? Whether in youth or not till later ? For long made graves await for all, From frozen pole to hot equator, Jane Brackett,
From frozen pole to hot equator.
Yet He who heeds the sparrow's fall, By whom our every hair is numbered, From all earth's graves shall yet recall, The myriads that have lain and slumbered, Jane Brackett,
The myriads that have lain and slumbered.
Ah! you and I must go ere long, To our appointed graves to slumber, To join that vast and silent throng Whom only God himself can number, Jane Brackett.
Whom only God himself can number.
Yet towards its home the far off sea, The Clyde still flows as bright as ever ;- And when the grave hides you and me, The Clyde will still flow on for ever, Jane Brackett,
Unchanged will still flow on for ever.
MARY'S GRAVE.
BY F. O. HARRINGTON,
The sea pulse beats, where Mary sleeps, Along the whitened sand ;
And o'er her grave the woodbine creeps, Trained by a spirit-hand, The sighing willow sadly weaves A curtain o'er her head,
And oft the dark magnolia's leaves Weep 'round her lowly bed
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