USA > Vermont > Orleans County > The history of Orleans county, Vermont. Civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
Resolved, That while we respect and love our brethren, Christian charity does not re-
181
DERBY.
quire, nor Christian faithfulness permit to cover over or palliate their faults.
Resolved, That this church cannot hold in fellowship those who practice, excuse or tol. erate the sin of slavery, nor justify them in coming to the table of the Lord-pretending to obey His commands : and if such profess to be ministers of the gospel we cannot ad mit them to our pulpit as Christian teachers.
Resolved, That we hold it to be the duty of bodies of associated ministers and private Christians of all denominations in the free States and elsewhere, kindly, but faithfully, to admonish those of the slave States-clear- ly to point out their danger, and urge them to repentance."
Very nearly 400 persons have thus far been received into this church, and the present membership is about 80.
Rev. George Ingersoll Bard, now pastor of the Congregational church, Dunbarton, N. H., is a child of this church. He is a son of Sim- eon I. Bard, M. D .; and a native of Francis- town, N. H .; but his parents moved into Derby when he was a mere boy. George was early converted, and joined the church in 1850. After a long course of thorough study, and a graduation at the University of Vermont, and Andover Theological Semina- ry, he was ordained as a Christian minister, at Waterford in this State, where he remained pastor for several years. Though left with- out any means from his parents, his studious habits and persistent energy, with a small amount of aid from this church and other friends, enabled him to prosecute his studies with success, and to fit himself for great use- fulness. He is a most thorough and profi- cient scholar, a talented and useful minister, and an earnest and devoted Christian.
DERBY ACADEMY.
In 1839, the Danville Baptist Association, composed of Baptist churches in Caledonia and Orleans counties, and a part of the east- ern townships of Canada, feeling the need of an institution for the education, especially of young men for ministerial and other profes- sional duties, chose a committee to locate such an institution under their care and direction.
This committee, after visiting Irasburgh, Barton, Greensboro, Hardwick and Walden, fixed upon Derby Centre as the most eligible location.
The late Benjamin Hinman and Lemuel Richmond, M. D., members of the Baptist society in Derby, gave,each,an acre of ground, and suitable buildings were erected, by the in- habitants, the following summer-Col. Chester
Carpenter defraying nearly half the expense. At a meeting of the Association holden at Burke, June, 1840, the school was called the " Derby Literary and Theological Institute," and trustees appointed, viz. : J. M. Mor- rill, L. P. Parks, John Hawes, Rev. Lewis Fisher, Rev. Rufus Godding, Enoch Thomas, Rev. Silas Davidson, John Bellows, Rev. Jon- athan Baldwin, Jonathan Lawrence, Rev. Aaron Angier, Luman Bronson, Rev. Silas Grow, Rev. Horace Hovey, Isaac Denison, Thomas Baldwin, E. L. Clark, Rev. S. B. Rider, Dustin Grow, Rev. Noah Nichols, Ches- ter Carpenter, Hon. D. M. Camp, Lemuel Richinond, Orem Newcombe, David Blanch- ard, Israel Ide, M. Cushing, Rev. Edward Mitchell, Isaac Ives, Enos Alger, Rev. N. H. Downs, W. Rexford, Joel Dagget, Rev. A. H. House and Joseph Ide.
Executive committee: Col. Chester Car- penter, Rev. Noah Nichols and Dr. Lemuel Richmond.
The next September the school was opened. Heman Lincoln, A. B. of Boston, a graduate of Brown University, Providence, R. I., now D. D. and professor of church history, New- ton Theol. Inst'n, principal, and Miss E. Ap- pleton of New Hampton, (now the wife of John Ives, M D., New York city,) precep- tress. The school numbered 147, among whom were several who were fitting for col- lege, and have since become efficient members of the pulpit, the bar and the medical depart- ment.
In the years 1841-42, Alvah Hovey, (now D. D., and president of, and professor in New- ton Theol. Ins.,) and Miss Sarah Ayer of New Hampton were principals. On the death of Miss Ayer, Miss Julictt Little, also of New Hampton, late wife of the Rev. N. Clark, suc- ceeded as preceptress.
In 1843, Austin Norcross, A. B., of Brown University (now pastor of the Baptist church, Albany, Vt.) was engaged as principal, with Miss Ann A. Nichols of New Hampton, (af- terwards Mrs. Austin Norcross,) preceptress, and remained in charge for the next 8 years, -students ranging from 100 to 150 per term.
During the first few years the Baptist Asso- ciation, at its annual meetings and through its agents appointed for the purpose, viz. Revs. Jonathan Baldwin, N. H. Downs and Aaron Angier, contributed generously towards its sup- port : but being unable under its title of Theo. Institution to procure a charter which would
182
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
entitle it to a share of the Grammar School funds, the trustees, in 1845, at a meeting hold- en in Derby decided to substitute the name of "Derby Academy."
In 1851, the services of Frederick Mott, A. B., of Brown University, (now an attorney in Iowa) and Miss Emma Dean of New Hampton, (since the late Mrs, F. Mott) were procured as princi- pals who remained 3 years.
During this time the success of the school had more than equaled the expectations of its most sanguine friends. Perhaps no term passed without the hopeful conversion of sever- al members of the school.
Among the many who prepared here to enter a collegiate course, several of whom entered one and two years in advance, and have since distinguished themselves in their several pro- fessions, honorable mention should be made of the following who became clergymen, viz. Marvin Hodge, D.D., Janesville, Wis .: Moses Bixby, mis- sionary to Burmah ; Charles S. Morse and Zenas Goss, deceased, missionaries to Turkey ; W.W. Niles, Prof. of Languages, Trinity College, Hart- ford, Ct .; J. C. Hyde, Philadelphia ; Nathan Dennison, (deceased) Mendota, Ill .; Charles Willey, N. H. ; Isaac Waldron, Horace Hov- ey, Lowell, Vt .; B. F. Morse, Thompson, Ct. ; Clark E. Ferrin, Hinesburgh, and J. G. Lorimer, Derby; Leavett Bartlett, John Kimball.
Of those who have become lawyers : Hon. Benj. H. Steele, St. Johnsbury, Hugh Buchan- an, Ga., Edgar Bullock, Montreal, P. Q., Alon- zo Bartlett, (deceased) Kansas; Maj. Amasa Bartlett, (deceased) Irasburgh; Enoch Bart- lett, (deceased) Coventry ; Ossian Ray, Lancas- ter, N. H .; George and Charles Robinson, Ga .; L. H. Bisbee, Newport, Vt. ; Jerry Dickerman, Derby ; B. F. D. Carpenter, Charleston ; Alonzo Bates, Charleston.
And Physicians : George Hinman, Holland ; Simeon Corey, Craftsbury ; Cephas Adams, Island Pond ; John Buchanan, Georgia ; John Ives, New York City, and John Masta,) de- ceased.)
Nor would we fail to mention John Graham, LL. D., president of St. Francis College, Rich- mond ; P. Q. L. L. Greenleaf, Chicago, Ill. ; Pas- chal Bates, (deceased) ; Edwin Bates, Charles- ton, S. C .; Alva Godding; D. M. Camp, editor of the Newport Express, Newport, and N. W. Bingham, Esq. known for his poetical talent.
But while the friends of the Institution felt to take courage, there had been a growing jeal- ousy on the part of some prominent members
of other religious societies in the vicinity, who used strenuous efforts to convert the Academy into a union school, and at last succeeded in electing officers in equal numbers from the three societies-Baptist, Congregationalist and Meth- odist, near the close of Mr. Mott's term of ser- vice ; the school being under the especial care of no one in particular, diminished in numbers and standing; thus giving one more proof of the truthfulness of the homely adage : "What is every body's business is nobody's."
A number of different teachers have had charge of the school, with some success; among others, Mr. J. Hill of U. V. M., (now attorney at St. Albans,) and Miss Jane Bates, afterwards Mrs. M. I. Hill, (deceased) as also John Young, A. B., of Middletown college, Ct., D. J. Pierce, of Fairfax Seminary, and George A. Bacon of Brown University.
During the past 2 years, through the indefati- gable exertions of Hon. J. L. Edwards of Der- by, and others, $8,000 have been raised by the people of Derby, aided by Aaron Wilbur of Savannah, Ga., John Lindsey of New York City, and Edwin Bates of Charleston, S. C., natives of Derby-and a new commodious academy building has been erected, which, with the other buildings connected, will furnish as good accommodations as can be found within the limits of the State.
The school is now in charge of Joseph Jack- son, Jr., A. B. of Brown University, principal -Miss Hattie E. Guy and Miss Lucy M. Gillis, preceptresses-Miss Sarah W. Pease, music teacher : and it is now confidently believed the school will rise to its former high standing.
Its present trustees are, Hon. J. L. Edwards, J. E. Dickerman, E. Jenne, L. Holt, J. Kelley, D. P. Willey, I. Frost, L. Richmond, M. D., M. Carpenter, C. Carpenter, Jr., J. Dailey, J. Ward, L. Page, 2d, J. C. Jenne, J. Bates, 2d-Pres't J. E. Dickerman-Sec. and Trea'r J. Bates, 2d-Ex. Com. E. Jenne, J. Kelley and I. Holt
BENJAMIN HINMAN.
BY HON. B. H. STEELE.
Benjamin Hinman was a plain, honest man, of pure life, simple habits and few words. He was one of the first settlers of Derby, and for more than half a century a leading business man and prominent citizen of the town. Though he lived to old age and was sur- rounded by persons upon whom he had con- ferred obligations, he never learned to talk of himself. 'On this account, perhaps, it is singu-
183
DERBY.
larly difficult to obtain the materials out of which to write even a brief sketch of the lead- ing events of his life. Of the pioneers from Con- necticut, who, in 1791, pushed their explora- tions to the frontier wilderness of Magog, he was the youngest, and lived longest to wit- ness the growth of the settlement, of which they then laid the foundation. Born in South- bury, Ct., Aug. 12, 1773, he was, when he first crossed the Clyde river near Arnold's mills, 18 years of age. At his death, Nov. 26, 1856, he had resided in Derby for a period of nearly 65 years. During this time the un- broken forest of 1791, had become a thrifty town, the foremost of the County in grand list and population.
Though less conspicuous than his elder kins- man, Judge Timothy Hinman, in the early history in the town, and less marked than others in its later development, there was no one man who aided so far as he in both. As an extensive land owner, and as agent of other proprietors of large tracts of land, he was from the first brought into business relations with such as came to settle upon lands in Derby and Salem and, to some extent,in the surround- ing towns. These business connections uni- formly merged into the closer relations of friendship and confidence. No settler found him grasping or disposed to over-reach. None who were industrious and prudent failed to receive from him, when needed, en- couragement and support. None paid him more than lawful interest, and not a man among them was driven from the land he had bought because unable to meet his payments. His house was the first temporary home of many of the early settlers, and was always hospitably open and used for their entertain- ment. In manner he was in many respects eccentric, but always natural. He had no patience with pretension of any kind, and his own life was the embodiment of transpar- ent truth and honesty. His scrupulous fair- ness and frankness in business transactions became proverbial.
His first service, in Vermont, was in the ca- pacity of cook for the company which was engaged in building the road from Greensboro to Derby Line. It was in this capacity that he carried through the dense forest, from Derby Landing to John Morrill's, one end of a pole on which was hung half a barrel of pork, the first brought into town. Late in the Fall of 1791, he returned to Connecticut,
and that Winter taught a district school for £1 6s per month, and " board around." The next Spring he went again to Vermont and made his pitch in Derby, upon the original right of his father, Aaron Hinman. From that time he called "Magog" his home, though for some years he passed his Winters teaching school in Connecticut. These jour- neys to and from Connecticut, were usually performed, both ways on foot, but sometimes by a boat down the Connecticut river. In 1794, he assisted in building the "strong mill," the first saw-mill in Derby. During this season, his grandfather, Col. Benjamin Hinman was engaged with others in exploring lands in the vicinity of Derby. In the Fall Benjamin set out for Connecticut in company with Mr. Leavenworth the master workman of the mill. His grandfather was soon to fol- low but Leavenworth delayed awhile at St. Johnsbury to do a job of mill-work, and pass- ed off his young companion as a journeyman. The Col. reached Connecticut, and not finding his grandson, great fears were for awhile enter- tained that he was lost. He endured man- fully and with a quiet relish the toils and pri- vations of pioneer life. For some time he lived in a small camp, doing all his own "housework," but during some of the earlier years his bread was made for him by Mrs. Benham, the mother of Dea. Stoddard Ben- ham. About 1798, he commenced to clear up the farm upon which Dana A. Locke now re- sides, at first living in his camp, but subse- quently with other bachelor settlers boarding with Isaac Severens who had married Abigail Dean of Grafton, N. H. Mrs. Severens frequent- ly mentioned her sister Lydia, whom she had left in Grafton, and who is said to have been at this time a person of unusual beauty, a fine singer and in other respects attractive. Several of these boarders without each other's knowledge, begged of Mrs. Severens letters of introduction to her fair sister with a view to calling at Grafton on their way to Con- necticut. Mr. Hinman was so fortunate as to be the first to start home in the Fall, and as the roads had then been partially made, performed the journey on horseback. After three days journey he presented himself at the house of Mr. Dean in the full garb of a frontiersman, his hair carefully braided in a long cue and neatly tied with a leather string and his horse loaded down with furs he was transporting to Connecticut for sale.
184
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
The lively girl of 18 who was honored by this unexpected visit, was not entirely charm- ed with her visitor in his frontier outfit, which added nothing to the attractiveness of one who at the best was never remarkable for graces of person or address. But his worth which, was as substantial as it was modest, and his unaffected frankness of manner, gradual- ly won her regard, and after numerous visits and the usual tribulations which disturb the current of all true love, they were, on the 13th of March, 1806, married. Immediately after their marriage at Grafton, they started on horseback for Derby-and commenced their married life in a small log-house a little west of the present residence of Dana A. Locke. Mrs. Hinman proved in every way equal to her new duties. By her vigilant frugality, indus- try and affectionate devotion to her husband and his interests, she contributed her full share to their success in life, while her kind- ness to the poor, and her active sympathy with misfortune, and her hospitality during a life which was spared to old age have left be- hind her a memory which will long be lov- ingly cherished. In 1810, they removed to a small house near the Sweatland dam, and Mr. Hinman commenced the construction of the house at Derby Center, into which they re- moved in 1816, and made a more permanent home. This house is now occupied by Mrs. Aaron Hinman the widow of their eldest son. From 1840, to 1854, they lived in the house now occupied by Mrs. Orville Burton, and from that time resided with their children.
Though quiet and unobtrusive, Benjamin Hinman was a man of decided opinions, sound judgment and great self-reliance. He was an extensive reader and well informed, not only upon the political questions of the hour, but also in general history and biogra- phy, and was particularly familiar with the Scriptures. In politics he was a Federalist while that party existed, and from an " Ad- ministration man" during the presidency of John Quincy Adams became a Whig when the new party was formed. He survived this party to which he was deeply attached, just long enough to cast his last vote for John C. Fremont in 1856.
He did not court public attention, but from his own townsmen received frequent proofs of their regard and confidence. In 1821, '22, '23, '24, '27, '28 and 2 years at a later date, be represented the town in the State Legisla-
ture. He was selectman 15 years, commenc- ing in 1812; trustee of the surplus fund 13 consecutive years, commencing in 1838; 4 years town clerk, and during nearly all his business life a magistrate, and served from time to time on most of the committees to whom any important business of the town was intrusted. Though close and economical with himself and his family, he contributed liberally, and sometimes beyond his means, to objects of public enterprise and improvement, as well as to objects of private benevolence. He rendered substantial aid in founding the academy and erecting the church and public buildings of which the village of Derby Center is justly proud. As a business man, also, he did much to advance the prosperity of that village. The grist and saw-mills at the upper dam were built and re-built by him, and he was also at the same time the owner of a half-interest in the tannery and woolen factory upon the same falls. These mills, together with his farming and his deal- ing with settlers in Derby and neighboring towns, who usually bought their land on time and paid in small installments and often in stock, grain, fur or some article other than money, would with most men have been to make life laborious and anxious. But " Uncle Ben," as he was familiarly called, was seldom in haste and had very little comprehension of what is termed the "worry of business." He seemed to have an abiding faith that everything would turn out right in the end. Good fortune and ill fortune were alike inef- fectual to disturb his equanimity. While others worried he read his newspaper and was quite contented to let things take their natural course. He seldom pressed parties who owed him, but consulted their conve- nience quite as much as his own as to the time of payment. The note for the purchase money of one of the best farms in Derby, he allowed to run until when finally paid it was more than 38 years old. Another note for a farm in Salem was 35 years old when paid, and many had run 30, 25 and 20 years. One man went upon a lot in Holland and after making small payments for a series of years, finally drove to him a pair of oxen to apply on the purchase and desired to take a deed and give a mortgage back for the balance. Upon carefully computing the interest on his previous payments Mr. Hinman informed him that without the oxen, he had already
185
DERBY.
overpaid for his farm to the amount of $ 30. The astonished man took his deed and $ 30 in cash and drove his oxen home to his well- stocked farm and could hardly be persuaded that he owned the whole free of debt to " Uncle Ben."
For some years he had charge of the lands owned by the Lymans, in Troy, N. Y., and also of the lands owned by Nathaniel Bacon of New Haven, Ct. Mr. Bacon finally con- cluded to sell out his interest in Vermont, and as a reward to his agent for his fidelity let him have the lands at a price considerably less than he had been offered by others. By this means Mr. Hinman was able to sell land in Derby, Salem and Holland at very low prices, and thus greatly facilitate their settlement. The title of nearly all the lands in Salem has at some time been in Benjamin Hinman.
It was in part owing to Mr. Hinman's "easy disposition " that he was able to transact a large business in a new country with very little litigation. He was often selected as umpire to settle the disputes of others, particularly such as related to real estate. He had many friends and but few enemies. He heartily despised all meanness, and extortion, but made no war upon men he disliked, contenting himself merely with thoroughly letting them alone. He was high- minded and suffered no vulgar nor profane ex- pression to escape his lips, but had a genuine democratic contempt for all haughtiness and assumed superiority based upon the accidents of birth and fortune, unaccompanied by per- sonal worth, and was emphatically the poor man's friend. In his haste to relieve distress he often forgot himself. On one occasion in sending supplies of provisions and clothing to a family who had been burned out, he included his son's new overcoat. The son had the pleasure of seeing it worn all win- ter by one of his schoolmates while he him- self went without. He was a regular atten- dant upon public worship, but never united with any church. He observed the Sabbath with true Connecticut strictness. In this respect he kept the whole law, doing no work, nor letting his man-servant or his maid-servant do any. On one occasion while he was at church his hired man yoked the oxen and went with them to a field near the barn where a large quantity of grain was harvested and dry and exposed to a threaten-
ing shower. Mr. Hinman returned from church in season to discover what was being done, and ordered the oxen to be instantly unyoked, declaring that no work should be done on his premises on the Sabbath. In few other respects did he so strictly maintain the rigid outward observances of religion which characterized the home of his child- hood. He had a keen relish for harmless fun and anecdote, and occasionally unlocked a treasury of stories which would equally aston- ish and delight his friends and which he would relate in a manner not likely to be forgotten by his listeners. In person he was short, stout and plain. In his old age his head was covered with an abundance of gray hair, but his step never became feeble nor his general health seriously impaired until a few days before his death. He died at the residence of his son, Harry Hinman, Esq., at Derby Center, Nov. 26, 1856, at the age of 83 years. None of the first, and but few of the early settlers were alive to follow him to the grave. Another generation among whom he had worked and by whom he was loved and hon- ored performed the last sad offices at his burial. Let it be hoped that the memory of the worth, the integrity and the enterprise, not only of Benj. Hinman, but of others, the fathers of the town of Derby, may for many years to come be felt in the lives and the spirit of their descendants and the people of the town which owes to them in no small measure its character and prosperity.
NOTE OF THE LINEAL AMERICAN ANCESTORS OF BENJ. HINMAN, OF DERBY.
1. Serg't Edward Hinman,-of the life- guard of King Charles I. of England, came to this country before 1650, and located at Stam- ford, Ct .; married Hannah, daughter of Francis Stiles, of Windsor, Ct. She died in 1677. He, with Stiles, was the principal pur- chaser of that part of Pomperaug now South- bury, Ct. He died at Stratford, Ct. Nov. 26, 1681. All the Hinman s of Connecticut and Vermont are his descendants.
2. Benjamin Hinman,-3d son of Serg't Edward and Hannah (Stiles) Hinman, born in 1662, married Elizabeth Lamb, July 12, 1684; lived at Southbury, Ct. and died there in 1727.
3. Benjamin Hinman,-3d son of Benj. and Elizabeth (Lamb) Hinman, born April, 1692; married, Dec. 18, 1718. Sarah Sher- man a descendant of Hon Sam'l. Sherman of Stratford and a sister of Roger Sherman's father. He and his wife died in May 1827 at Southbury, Ct.
4. Col. Benjamin Hinman,-son of Benj. and Sarah (Sherman) Hinman, born 1720;
186
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
1
married Molly, daughter of Francis Stiles, a relative of President Stiles. He died at Southbury, March 22, 1810, and his wife Dec. 25, 1810. He served as early as 1751 against the French in Canada, as quartermaster of the 13th, Ct. Reg't. and subsequently served with great credit as Col. both in the French and the Revolutionary wars. After the sur- render of Ticonderoga to Col. Ethan Allen, Col. Hinman was ordered to that post and had command of the garrison for some time. There were thirteen commissioned officers by the name of Hinman from the town of South- bury in the Revolutionary army. Col. Ben- jamin was a land surveyor, and in 1794 was in Derby, Vt. and vicinity, exploring lands with the original proprietor -. " He was member of the General Assembly of Connect- icut 27 sessions. His children were Aaron, Sherman and Col. Joel, father of Judge Joel, the present Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Connecticut, and also father of the late Jason Hinman, Esq., of Holland, Vt.
5. Aaron Hinman, Esq.,-eldest son of Col. Benj. and Molly (Stiles) Hinman, born at Southbury, Ct., in 1746; married Ruth, daughter of his kinsman, Capt. Timothy Hin- man, Oct. 22, 1772. He died at Southbury, May 30, 1820, and his wife July 20, 1821. He was one of the original proprietors of Derby, Vt.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.