USA > Vermont > Orleans County > The history of Orleans county, Vermont. Civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military > Part 32
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Capt. Dan Mason, from corporal, Co. D, 6th Regiment.
First Lieut. Elbert H. Nye, from corporal, Co. D, 6th Regiment.
Capt. Fernando A. Randall, from sergeant, Co. H, 7th Regiment.
Capt. John S. Thompson, from corporal, Co. B, 3d Regiment.
The expense to the town of procuring men all along, at the proper time, was $ 19,875, to which add $3,300.00 paid by 11 men for commutation, and the whole equals $23,175.00, all of which was promptly paid, and the close of the conflict found Glover with her war debt fully cancelled.
It is evident from what has been stated, that most of the young men who went to the war from this town were in Company D, 6th Regiment, Vt. Vols. Therefore we are most interested in the experiences of that company, and although some of our men were in other companies, yet they were not so, in num- bers large enough, to render it desirable to follow the fortunes of those companies. In Company D were many young men from Albany and Troy, and it is just to say that great harmony characterized this union, and friendships which will last as long as life were formed between them.
There was a strong religious element in this company and prayer-meetings and other religious meetings were sustained by the soldiers when it was practicable. No company was favored with officers more strictly tem- perate as a body, and the whole company was frequently complimented for their neat
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and otherwise commendable appearance by regimental commanders and brigade officers. Their military life was no idle one, for they were engaged in no less than 30 battles or skirmishes, that is, all or a part of the com- pany.
1862-April 16th, We find them having part in the battle near Lee's Mills, Virginia, in which they manifested much bravery, but not being properly supported were obliged to retreat. In this engagement they had to make their way across a creek, and while they were struggling through it, the enemy opened upon them a galling fire of rifles and musketry.
"They still went forward unfalteringly, and their ranks were rapidly thinning, when they were recalled. Not more than haif their number had crossed the stream. They reluct- antly obeyed, but soon it became more diffi- cult to return than it had been to advance. The enemy suddenly opened a sluice-way above, and almost overwhelmed them with a flow of water which reached their arm-pits. They maintained their order firmly, however, and in a short time the several companies engaged extricated themselves, bringing away all their dead and wounded exeept 6. The casualties exceeded 150.
May 5th-They were engaged in the battle of Williamsburgh, in which the Union troops manifested great courage and valor. In June, they were in the seven days fight before Richmond. On the 30th of this month, Capt. Alexander W. Davis was taken prisoner at Savage Station, after having been wounded. He was not long after exchanged, however.
Sept. 14th-This company distinguished themselves at the battle of South Mountain, Maryland. Sept. 17th and 18th, they were under heavy fire of cannon for two days, during the battle of Antietam. Dec. 12th, they took active part in the battle of Fred- ericksburgh.
1863, May 3d-In connection with the 6th army corps at the battle of Chancellorsville they helped to take St. Mary's heights. May 4th-The regiment in which they were saved the 6th Corps from disaster, and they took more prisoners than they had men able to do service.
July 2d, 3d and 4th-They were in the battle of Gettysburgh, which resulted so fa- vorably for the Uuion cause as to render it forever memorable.
1864-This company was in the terrible engagements connected with the campaign in the Wilderness and at Petersburgh and at the first taking of the Weldon railroad.
Afterwards they were transferred to a sta- tion near Washington, D. C., to help defend that city and to repel the advances of the rebel General Early.
This year also at Winchester they had part in the hardest fighting in which they en- gaged, and their comrades, not a few fell in the arms of death. Here Sept. 13th, Edwin S. Gray received his mortal wound.
At Charlestown, Va., Aug. 24th, they lost one who had been with them from the first- their much beloved Major Carlos W. Dwinell.
It may be worth while to add that Capts. Dan Mason and Alex. W. Davis, after their promotion, were with their companies at the attack on Petersburgh, when the experiment of exploding a mine was tried, and that Capt. Davis came near losing his life at that time; also that Capt. Davis and his company en- gaged in the successful assault on Fort Fisher.
Of those who belonged to Company D, 6th Regiment, Capt. Fred. M. Kimball and pri- vate Wm. Brunning will long bear evidence of the honorable service in which they en- gaged, by the injuries resulting from the wounds they received, and Frederick P. Che- ney, Esq. merits the sympathy of every pat- riot on account of the painful and severe wound by which he suffers every day, and which he received when connected with the Eleventh Regiment, Company K, in the bat- tle of Cold Harbor.
Capt. Kimball still continues (1868) in the military department of the government sta- tioned at Lawrenceville, Va.
Glover has been affected through the Rebel- lion, not only because some of her choicest sons laid down their lives on the altar of their country, but because others traveling, have made new acquaintances and have estab- lished themselves in business, far from their native town.
INCIDENTS OF INTEREST IN GLOVER-RUNAWAY POND, STATISTICS, &C.
1810-An event occurred which led to the settlement of the north-eastern part of Glover. There was a pond about 5 miles from what is now called Glover Village, which was a mile and a half long and half a mile wide, and which discharged its waters to the south, forming one of the head branches of the
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river Lamoille. Its northern shore consisted of a narrow belt of sand and a bank of light sandy earth ; here had been formed a deposit spoken of as resembling frozen gravel, 2 or 3 inches in thickness and extending into the pond for 5 or 6 rods from the northern shore. This deposit formed the only solid barrier * to the waters, preventing them from descending into Mud pond which was a little distance off in a northerly direction. From Mud pond flowed a small stream on which were built several grist and saw-mills. This was sometimes in a dry season insufficient to carry the mills to the satisfaction of those who wished them used for their benefit. Therefore it was proposed to cut a channel from the larger pond to the smaller, and thus increase the stream. On the 6th of June quite a company of persons assembled on the northern bank of the pond and proceeded to accomplish this object. To the surprise of the workmen the water did not follow the channel they had dug, but descended into the sand beneath.
It appears that they had not observed that there was beneath the gravel or hard pan, a species of quicksand. In a short time so much sand was carried away, thereby weak- ening the hard pan, that the pressure of the water widened the channel into a deep gulf, down which the waters rushed to the other pond. The workmen had to hurry away to save their lives, as they were in danger of being swallowed up in the raging torrent. In a few moments the whole pond had disappear- ed from its bed. Rushing down through Mud pond, tearing away part of its barrier and
* This barrier was no doubt the work of an ancient glacier, or one of the results of the drifts, the marks of which, are everywhere traced. The sand of which it was composed is similar to that found on the banks of large rivers flowing through granitic regions, called " river- sand."
In both Long pond and Mud pond were large quanti- ties of peat or muck which became mingled with the soil and sand deposited along the course of the flood, in many places greatly benefitting the soil, though at first it was supposed the meadows were ruined. No better meadows are anywhere found, than these have proved under cultivation.
June 6, 1860, half a century after the event, the Or- leans County Historical Society appointed a special meeting at Glover, to celebrate the event, and several of the men who were engaged with others, in draining Long pond, 50 years before, were present to hear the account of the event, prepared by Rev. Pliny H. White. The meeting was one of great interest and will.long be remembered by those who were present .- S. R. Hall.
gaining additional strength from its tributary waters, prostrating the mill of Mr. Aaron Wilson, the torrent swept down the channel of Barton river, and made a rapid descent on the meadow lands of Barton ; thence to Lake Memphremagog. Through all this dis- tance it tore up the forest trees and bore them onward, while huge stones were removed from their places and carried a considerable distance, even after a course of 17 miles, a large rock, estimated at a hundred tons weight, was moved several rods from its bed. It was a grand and majestic sight on its way, sometimes 60 feet high, and 20 rods wide, boil- ing and raging as it moved along. Some people who could hear the noise made by the torrent, but could not see the cause, imagined that the day of judgment was close at hand.
1811 .- Glover did not escape a visit from the spotted fever, which appeared first in Medfield, Mass., in March, 1806, and a year later in the Connecticut valley and along the Hoosic and Green Mountain ranges, and was most fatal in the years 1812 and '13. It ap- peared in Glover during 1811, much to the alarm of the people. Of the small number of inhabitants in town then, 20 died of this. disease.
1815 .- On the first day of January, an accident occurred in the family of John Crane, Esq., worthy of notice. As it was the custom in those days to take ardent spir- its of some kind before eating, Esq. Crane, having a number of men at work for him, gave them as much as they wished and set what remained on the shelf. A little daugh- ter of his, about 5 years old, reached up and took the vessel containing the spirit and drank from it. Some of the family spoke to her and she stepped back, but soon fell down and died in a short time. Her grave was the first one made in the east burying-ground. As we have already stated, Esq. Crane, when the temperance cause was started in Ver- mont, became one of the first and firmest advocates of total abstinence.
1816 .- June 7th, 8th and 9th, the growing crops were covered with snow. As a conse- quence of the cold and snow, the leaves on the trees were killed, but new ones after- wards started out, The birds perished from cold, by hundreds. The harvest was so light that corn rose in price, from $1.00 to $2.00 per bushel, and wheat from $ 1.00 to about $ 3.00 per bushel.
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1834, May 18th .- A brilliant aerolite, giv- ing a light more intense than that of the sun, was seen about 3 o'clock A. M., in a norther- ly direction. It descended rapidly in an easterly direction. In a few moments a shock ensued like that of an earthquake, shaking windows, the ware in houses, &c. with con- siderable violence.
1843 .- Glover suffered severely from the prevalence of the erysipelas. A large por- tion of the people were called to watch with the sick or dying. Few circles of friends escaped bereavement, and the new-made graves numbered about 20. Dr. Sandford Atherton died a martyr to his faithfulness as an attending physician.
1847 .- March town meeting. This will be long remembered as the smallest in number of voters present, known for many years. It was so on account of a severe snow storm attended with high winds which blocked up the roads with deep snow-banks, rendering travel almost impossible. There were at Glover town meeting about 30 individuals.
STATISTICS.
Population in 1800-36 ; 1807-300; 1840- 1119; 1850-1137; 1860-1244.
Grand List, 1847-$2302.28 ; 1867-$4122 .- 66. Number of children of school age in 1867-304. Amount expended in public schools the same year (1867) -$2945.45. Number of teachers employed-22.
Number of tons of butter made each year, estimated to be 150 tons.
Saw-mills in town 6-estimated number of feet of lumber sawed, of various kinds, one million feet.
These facts indicate what have been, and what probably will be the principal kinds of business in Glover in time to come.
THE CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES OF GLOVER.
The first church formed in Glover was the Congregational, and its history is as follows. In 1807, Stephen Bliss, a man of decided and earnest piety, moved into Glover, and for sev- eral years was the only active Christian there. He did much to interest and to unite the peo- ple in religious matters. In 1817, he was reinforced by Loren Frost, a young and ardent Christian, who zealously engaged in direct efforts for the salvation of souls, and with so good success, that a powerful work of the conversion of 9 persons.
grace ensued, and many persons were hope- fully converted. By these means the mate- rials for a church were provided.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
was organized, July 12, 1817, by the Rev. Samuel Goddard, of Concord, and the Rev. Luther Leland, of Derby, and consisted of 16 persons-4 males only. Stephen Bliss was elected deacon. Before the close of the year, the number was increased to 42.
For several years the church was destitute of stated preaching, but maintained the insti- tutions of religion by "reading meetings," and received frequent additions to its mem- bership. In the Spring of 1826, the Rev. Reuben Mason was installed in the pastorate, and continued in that relation 10 years. During that period, a powerful revival took place and 47 members were added to the church, of whom 30 were received at one time. In 1830, a house of worship was built in the village, in which this church had the right of occupancy one fourth of the time. In 1832, another union house was built in the west part of the town and is occupied by this church, jointly with others. After the close of Mr. Mason's ministry, the pulpit was sup- plied for a time by the Rev. Noah Cressey.
The Rev. Ora Pearson commenced preaching here late in 1839, was soon installed pastor and so remained 4 years. On the first Sab- bath in July, 1845, the Rev. Levi H. Stone commenced labors as acting pastor for half the time, and so continued 4 years and 2 months. He then became acting pastor for the whole time, and remained to the end of the year 1854. Through his influence and active agency, the church was induced to abandon its interest in the union house in the village and to build a house for itself. This was not accomplished without much sacrifice and self denial, and some assistance from be- nevolent persons and societies, and at last a debt of several hundreds of dollars remained. The house was completed in January, 1853. So much discouragement was felt that for 2 years after the close of Mr. Stone's ministry, no attempt to sustain preaching was made. In March, 1857, the Vermont Missionary Society sent one of its itinerant missionaries to Glover, who labored with good success for a time. He was followed by several others each of whom preached for a few months, to the great encouragement of the church, and
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Aug. 13, 1858, the Rev. Sidney K. B. Per- kins commenced supplying the puipit. He was ordained to the pastorate in January 1860, and has remained to the present time, (Oct. 1870-) having the longest ministry of the clergymen now preaching in Orleans County. During his pastorate, the meeting- house debt has been paid, a bequest of $1000 .- 00 has been received by the church, and 58 additions to the church, by profession and by letter, have taken place.
In the first half century of the existence of this church, it received 179 members, of whom 50 have died, 50 have been dismissed to other churches, and 14 have been excommunicated ; in all, from the first, 202. The present num- ber of members is 80 of whom 25 are males. Recently both houses of worship have been repaired and improved.
PASTORS.
1. The Rev. Reuben Mason, son of Perez and Martha (Barney) Mason, was born in Lebanon, N. H. July 3, 1778. He was brought up a carpenter, but having united with the Congregational church-in January 1817, he commenced the study of theology under the direction of Rev. Samuel Goddard, of Concord. In September 1818, he was or- dained pastor in Waterford. The Rev. Leon- ard Worcestor, of Peacham preached the ser- mon. His ministry in Waterford was very successful and many were added to the church. His next settlement was in Glover, where he was installed March 18, 1826. The Rev. Drury Fairbanks, of Littleton, N. H., preach- ed the sermon. He was dismissed in 1836 and was installed in Westfield, Sept. 26, 1837. The Rev. Chester Wright, of Hardwick preached the sermon. He was dismissed in 1842, Oct. 3; he then preached awhile in New- port, and died June 30, 1849. He married March 2, 1803, Mary Hibbard, of Lebanon, N. H., by whom he had 2 sons and 8 daugh- ters.
Mr. Mason was a man of strong mind, clear judgment, and a good and useful minister.
2. The Rev. Ora Pearson was born in Chittenden, Vt., Oct. 6, 1797, and was gradu- ated at Middlebury, in 1820, and at Ando- ver in 1824. He preached in various places in New York for a year or more, and then commenced preaching in Kingston, N. H. where he was ordained March 7, 1827. Rev. Ira Ingraham, of Bradford, Mass., preached the sermon. In connection with his ministry
in Kingston, a powerful revival occurred in 1831-2, which brought more than 60 persons into the church. He was dismissed Jan. 3, 1834, but continued to supply the pulpit till the following March. He then commenced preaching in Barton, and there continued a year and some months, after which he labor- ed several years in Canada East, as a mission- ary of N. H. Missionary Society. He was installed June 1, 1840, pastor of the churches in Barton and Glover. The Rev. James Robertson, of Sherbrooke, P. Q. preached the sermon. He was dismissed Nov. 19, 1844, and was a colporteur of the American Tract Society for 5 or 6 years, when the loss of his sight compelled him to retire from active life. He died at Peacham, July 5, 1858. He was distinguished for amiability, humility, consci- entiousness, fervency and power in prayer, and accurate knowledge of the Scriptures. So familiar was he with the language of the Bible, that when he had become entirely blind, he was in the habit of reciting whole chapters in connection with his pulpit serv- ices, and so exactly that his hearers supposed he was reading from the printed page. His last sickness was long and severe, but he gave such striking proofs of the reality and strength of his faith and the love of Christ to his peo- ple in their hours of trial, that perhaps the best work of his life was done on his death- bed. His hope strengthened and his joys brightened, as the end drew near, and he achieved a signal victory over death. He married, June 15, 1827, Mary Kimball, of Barton. His only publication was, " an ad- dress to professing heads of families, on the subject of family worship," a pamphlet of 12 pages prepared and published in 1831, by re- quest of the Piscataqua Conference.
3. The Rev. Sidney Keith Bond Perkins. a son of the Rev. Jonas and Rhoda (Keith) Perkins and a descendant, in the fifth genera- tion, from Rev. James Keith who came to this country in 1662, and was the first pastor in Bridgewater, Mass., was born in Braintree, Mass., April 14, 1830. He graduated at Am- herst college in 1851 ; taught the Hollis Insti- tute at South Braintree 2 years-graduated at Bangor Theological Seminary in 1857-1858, preached at White River Village-from which place he went to Glover-was ordained Jan. 11, 1860, his father preaching the sermon. The sermon he preached at the funeral of Mr. George W. Todd, Esq., and the one at
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the funeral of Cap. Dan Mason, and his Semi- centennial sermon at Glover, have been pub- lished. He married, May 15, 1862, Laura L. Brocklebank, of Meriden, N. H.
NATIVE MINISTER.
The Rev. Elias W. Hatch, son of Edwin and Silence (Woods) Hatch, was born Oct. 12, 1836, and at the age of 22 united with the Baptist church ; but upon careful study of the Bible became a Congregationalist, and having pursued theological studies privately, was li- censed by the Orleans Association at Charles- ton, Jan. 16, 1866, He soon commenced preaching at Berkshire, and was there or- dained pastor, September, 1866. The Rev. Pliny H. White preached the sermon. He was married Nov, 25, 1858, to Francis O. Hatch, a native of Hardwick.
The writer acknowledges his indebtedness to Rev. Pliny H. White, for a portion of these facts found in the Vermont Chronicle.
THE UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY.
The doctrine of Universalism had believ- ers in this town at an early day. In 1810, Mr. John Crane, a very earnest and zealous believer, moved here from Williamstown, and became the pioneer thereof. Through his in- fluence the early preachers of the denomina- tion in the State, visited Glover, and preach- ed their doctrines, making the house of Mr. Crane their home while they remained.
The first Universalist sermon was preached by Rev. William Farwell. He with Rev. Messrs. Babbit, Loveland, Palmer and Wat- son, occasionally supplied in Glover, during a number of years, and through their labors believers were increased.
The Universalist society was organized in 1833. Messrs. John Crane, Silas Wheeler, Lyndoll French and others, being leaders in the enterprise, and through the harmony that ruled therein for many years, it met with a good degree of prosperity.
In 1862, two ministers were employed, rep- resenting different phases of belief, viz. Rev, A. Scott and Rev. George Severance. Of these Rev. George Severance remained till 1869.
In 1857, the meeting-house occupied by this denomination was remodeled, making a very neat and commodious house of worship.
Since the organization of the society, they have employed the following clergymen, for a longer or shorter time ; Rev. Messrs. C. E. Hewes, Benj. Page, L. H. Tabor, J. W. Ford, have no minister in Glover.
S. W. Squires, T. J. Tenny, and all these ex- cept Messrs. Page and Tabor have resided in Glover.
Revs. J. W. Ford and T. J. Tenny have gone from their earthly labors, the latter while residing with the society " and have left behind them memories precious in the hearts of many."
THE REV. GEORGE SEVERANCE,
was born in Lempster, N. H. Feb. 12, 1820. The names of his parents are Dea. Abijah and Hannah Severance. In early life Mr. Sever- ance was trained to agricultural pursuits, but his mind inclining to theological studies, he availed himself of academical facilities, and in process of time, entered upon studies pre- paratory for the ministry. One year was spent under the tuition of the late Rev. S. C. Loveland, of Vermont. After itinerating for a while, he was ordained, Oct. 4, 1848, at the annual session of the Sullivan County Uni- versalist Association, in Washington, N. H., Rev. S. C. Loveland preaching the ordination sermon.
In May 30, 1850, Mr. Severance was united in marriage with Miss H. J. Stone, then of Lowell, Mass., but formerly of Cabot, Vt. Immediately after, Mr. Severance took charge of the Universalist Society in Duxbury, Mass. in which relation he continued for 2 years. In the Spring of 1855, he moved to Glover, and took charge of the Universalist Society in this place, continuing his labors to 1869- making a 14 years pastorate in Glover.
FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
In the year 1832, a Freewill Baptist church was formed in Glover. They have had preaching more or less constantly and have been blessed with several seasons of spiritual refreshing. Their ministers have labored mostly in the south part of the town.
Native Minister-Rev. Sidney D. Frost, formerly of Richmond, Vt., and preacher in other places.
WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.
In 1857, a Wesleyan Methodist church was organized at South Glover. It has never be- come very large, or strong, but still has been the means of accomplishing much good. Sev- eral of the members resided in the town of Sheffield, and when a church was organized there, they helped to form it, leaving the church in Glover much reduced as to num- bers and resources. At the present time they
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THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
had laborers early in the field, and they are spoken of as on the ground as far back as 1815. For most of the time the Methodist professors in Glover have been connected with the Barton charge.
Of the first ministers there are remembered, Rev. Messrs. R. Hoyt and Kilburn - of those more recent - Revs. Samuel Norris, John G. Dow, G. W. Fairbanks, A. Holway, Roswell and George Putnam, N. W. Aspin- wall, D. S. Dexter and N. W. Scott.
THE REV. N. W. SCOTT
was born in Hartford, Vt., Nov. 4, 1801 ; his parents were Luther and Esther Scott. In 1803, his father settled in Greensboro, where, during his minority, Mr. Scott assisted in clearing the land of its heavy growth of tim- ber. In his 20th year began his connection with the M. E. church. In 1824, he was li- censed to preach at Bethel, and entered the traveling connection as an itinerant in 1825.
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