USA > Vermont > Orleans County > The history of Orleans county, Vermont. Civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military > Part 38
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who had procured it under such disadvan- tages, who had always labored with his own hands for his livelihood-often contending with poverty, as well as the inconveniencies of pioneer life, seemed wonderful. No polit- ical transactions or events, in this or any other country, escaped his notice, or failed to draw from him some expression of his opinion.
After his time for active bodily labor had passed-and it is then that I remember him- his days were spent in reading, and in dis- cussion, or speculation. Every new theory was studied and commented upon, the conse- quences of every political act prophesied. The principal variation was repeating some of Burns' Poems, of which he was a great admirer. When he died, at the age of 79, his mental powers seemed in nowise weakened.
Such was my grandfather ;- so nobly un- selfish, so fearless and independent, so true to the worthy impulses of a generous, justice- loving heart, so free from affectation and from passion, and withal, of such sound judgment, men are, I believe, not often to be found.
HOLLAND CONTINUED.
The settlements in town gradually increased and things went on smoothly till the break- ing out of the war in 1812. The political feeling between the two parties was then very bitter, and caused many to leave town and seek homes elsewhere, which injured, in some degree, the prosperity of the town.
About the year 1822, a large family by the name of French and Mead entered town. They were men of considerable means, and gave quite an impetus to business affairs. A little earlier than this, two or three families by the name of Hall moved hither. These were hardy, muscular men, seemingly of iron constitutions, and industrious habits. By constant application they succeeded in amass- ing quite a competence. But of those that were in their youth when they came, all died in mature manhood, and in one instance the whole family, except a daughter.
The south part of the town was organized first into a school district and remained the same with the exception of some temporary changes, till a few years since, when the east- ern part of it was formed into a new district, making the 8th. The 2d district was in the N. E. part of the town; the 3d between the first two. The next was in the central part of the town, and others were formed as the town was settled.
The first school in town was taught by Mrs. Worth, in Mr. Elliot's barn.
" Although the very first settlers of Holland paid little attention to schools, and some of their children were, at an early day, sent to school in Morgan, yet after the three men, Robinson, Ferrin, and Hinman were settled, as they were, in one district, they set them- selves to work zealously and liberally to sup- port a school, each having a large family and feeling the need and value of education. It is believed that few neighborhoods in the State have done more, with equal means, than theirs, for the home education of their chil- dren. Three such men are seldom found in one country district; and there were others from time to time to help them ; so that few districts have given their children so good advantages as the old south district in Hol- land, and the result has been that very few country districts have raised up so many in- telligent, enterprising, and successful men and women. A large number of them, as our in- telligent youth from every Vermont town have done, have gone out into other parts of the State, and into distant States. and have filled every station of life with honor to them- selves, and usefulness to others, and in the successful pursuit of wealth. The impulso given by this first district has also been shared by those since constructed, and a more intel- ligent, industrious, thriving population is not easily found than the population of Holland ; besides, it is undoubtedly one of the best agri- cultural towns in Orleans County, which is one of the best counties in the State.
There is some soil, on Connecticut river and along lake Champlain deeper and richer ; but almost every acre in this town is arable, and no where can farms equally productive be purchased with less, or so little money as in Holland. We predict that it is to be one of the richest purely agricultural towns in this part of the State.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
was organized in 1842, with 6 members,-one uniting by letter, five by profession. In 1845, there was an addition of 10 and there have been other additions at various times ; but removals by death and changes have occurred till at the present time there are only about 14 members. Rev. J. T. Howard was the first pastor, settled when the Church was or- ganized, and retained the office for many succeeding years. For a considerable time
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HOLLAND.
preaching was maintained but half the time, but for the last 5 years there has been preach- ing every Sabbath. Rev. T. E. Ranney has occupied the pulpit for nearly four years past.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
was first organized in the early settlement of the town, with 8 members; among whom were Eber Robinson and wife, Mr. Whitney and wife, and Mrs. Rice.
Elder Sabine, Elder Scarret, and Elder Mack were the first preachers. For more than thirty years it was the only church in town, and has always been far the largest. A house of worship was built in 1845, in the central part of the town. A parsonage, with a few acres of land, has since been secured. Preaching is maintained only every alternate Sabbath. Isaiah Emerson was the first local Methodist preacher in town.
Eber Robinson, Jason Hinman, Wm. Moon and Micah Ferrin, lived and died on the places which they first occupied.
EBER ROBINSON died in 1838, in his 80th year. Mrs. E. Robinson in 1860, in her 88th year. Jason Hinman in 1861, in his 80th year. Mrs. J. Hinman, in 1870, aged 81. Wm. Moon died in 1859, in his 83d year. Mrs. Wm. Moon died in 1869, over 80 years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hall were both over 80 years when they died.
Mr. Gershom Fletcher came to town in 1825, with quite a family-his widow is now living in town, 90 years of age.
MICAH FERRIN
was born in Grafton, N. H., March 22, 1787 ; removed to Thornton with his father when a child; in 1808 came to the new settlement of Holland. He was then a young man of 21.
With the intention of making a home here in this wilderness town, he purchased the Goodnough place, on which he spent his life. He married Rachel Wilcox, of Morgan, with whom he lived about a year, when she passed from earth. In 1815, he married Lucinda Conant, of Westfield, Mass. There were born to them 10 children, of whom one died in infancy. Of the remainder six were sons, and three daughters-all of whom lived to manhood and womanhood. Of that large family, only two remained in town; and of these, one, who had remained on the home- stead, died a few years since. The others are scattered in different parts of the country.
town-building highways, advancing all ed- ucational movements-securing to his family and townsmen all the advantages which could be derived from them. Especially, in provid- ing means to erect a church, he gave far more liberally than most persons, with his means, would have thought possible ; thereby secur- ing to the town a suitable building for divine worship.
Mr. Ferrin was, in short, a good citizen, a consistent Christian, and a kind father. In town, he filled the various posts of office, and represented the town in 1847 and '48. He died in March, 1863, after living in town 58 years, and witnessing the gradual changes from a complete wilderness to a thrifty agri- cultural town, which will compare favorably, in beauty of scenery, fertility of soil, and general intelligence, with any town in the County.
PROFESSIONAL MEN, Born or reared in Holland.
Charles Robinson, 2d son of Eber Robinson, was a lawyer; settled in Barre, Vt. Died in 1832.
George A. Hinman, son of Jason Hinman, was a physician; graduated at Woodstock Medical School, in 1841; settled in West Charleston.
C. E. Ferrin, son of Micah Ferrin, gradu- ated at the University of Vermont, in 1845; afterwards at Andover Theological Seminary ; and has been for many years a settled pastor at Hinesburgh.
John Buchanan, a physician, graduated at Pittsfield ; settled in Texas.
Hugh Buchanan, a lawyer ; settled in Georgia.
Chester Ferrin, son of Micah Ferrin, was a physician ; graduated at Burlington ; settled at East St. Johnsbury.
WILLIAM MOON.
BY HIRAM MOON.
He was born in Haverhill N.H. May 3, 1777. When a little child, his father moved to Bar- net, Vt. He was an only child and orphan at the age of twelve, both his parents having died, his mother some years before. He had his home, most of the time, at his uncle Sam'l Aiken's until of age. In his 24th year, he married Abigail Wood, and settled on his fa- ther's farm; in 1802 came to Holland and purchasd a lot of wild land, and commenced to fell trees, and had the misfortune to cut his
Mr. Ferrin was a man who identified him- self with all the public improvements of the foot badly, cutting the first tree. 1n 1803 he
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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
moved into Holland with his family, his wife [ few hours before he died, which took place and two children, and commenced to clear July 18, 1859, in the 88th year of his age. up a farm which, by industry and frugality, Of the aged people now living in town there is a Miss Abigail Huckins 87 years old, able to do light work about the house. having lived on the same place 56 years, he left without encumbrance to his heirs, He was a very singular man, in most respects, but a REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS. model of temperance, and called the decanter Eber Robinson, quarter-master, Isaac Clem- ents, sergeant, both pensioners, and the former in his 80th year when he died, the latter about 90, and his wife about the same age. There was another by the name of Holt, but not a pensioner. He lived a sort of a hermit's life in a little hut by himself, and when he became so infirm that he could not supply him- self with food, the neighbors looked after him. He was never married. He died at quite an advanced age. "the vessel of Dagon" long before temperance societies were thought of, and never had a quarrel with any man ; never made a trade for the sake of speculation, and always settled all business accounts once a year and conse- quently never was troubled with sheriffs, but was loved and respected by all, and went by the name of the "honest man". The fear of God was before his eyes, and he es- teemed others better than himself, indeed he seemed to have a mania for condeming him- THE SOLDIERS OF 1812. self, which greatly marred his enjoyment.
Being a man of strong physical constitution his strength held out to the very last, and Samuel Rogers. he dressed himself and went out doors but a
SOLDIERS OF 1861-65.
Cavalry.
Names.
Rank. Co. Mustered in.
Remarks.
Aldrich, Ezra C.
M Dec. 31, '62. "
Aldrich, John
=
Promoted Corp. Jan. 1, '64.
Dyke, Chauncy
I Nov. 12, '61. Deserted Dec. 10, '61.
Ewens, George
=
"
Died Jan. 21, '63.
Partlow, Albert
M Jan. 1, '63. "
Died April 22, '64.
Rush, James
=
Stearns, Samuel F.
Serg't Dec. 31, '62.
Rush, James L.
D Sept. 26, '62. Drowned Feb. 14, '63. =
Washburn, Samuel
Missing in action July 6, '64.
Bryant, Jonathan Woodward, John S.
Priv. B July 31, '63. Discharged Jan. 25, '64. =
Promoted Corp., mustered out July 15, '65.
Barnes, Edwin D.
D
Third Regiment. Oct. 29, '61. Re-en. Dec. 21, '63; trans. to Co. E, July 25. '64; must. out July 11, '65.
Danforth, Sewell
= Dec. 6, '61. Killed at Lee's Mills, April 16, '62.
Goodall, Richard P. Jr.Corp. Judd, Albert S.
Oct. 29, '61. Pro. Corp., re-en. Dec. 21, '63; killed at Spottsylvania, Mar. 12, '64.
Smith, George T.
Re-en. Dec. 21, '63; trans. to Co. E, July 25, '64 ; must. out July 11, '65. Promoted Serg't; must. out Oct. 29, '64.
Eighth Regiment.
Barnes, Carlos J. Priv. .B
Feb. 12, '62. Re-en. Jan. 5, '64 ; deserted May 18, '64. must. out May 18, '65.
Farr, Moses W.
Corp.
Discharged Jan. 8, '62.
Ferrin, Chester M.
Priv.
Mustered out of service June 22, '64.
Horn, Joseph
Died July 9, '62.
Horn, Samuel O.
Killed in action June 20, '63.
Horn, William Lee, William S.
Mustered out of service June 22, '64. Died July 3, '63.
Moon, Elisha D.
Mustered out of service June 22, '64.
Moon, Hiram Jr.
Discharged Aug. 12, '62.
Mosier, Levi
Absent on furlough June 22, '64.
Fiper, Nathaniel A.
Serg't Priv. Corp.
Died Aug. 9, '63.
K
Second Regiment.
= July 19, '61. Promoted 2d Lieut., Co. G, Jan. 15, '63.
Washburn, George W.
Brooks, Orville R.
who have lived in Holland are Geo. Robinson, Benj. Hall, Daniel Abbey, Peter Bailey,
239
IRASBURGH.
Names.
Rank. Co.
Mustered in.
Remarks.
Smith, James
B
Feb. 12, '63. Trans. to invalid Corps Feb. 27, '64.
Wheeler, Allen M.
Priv.
I
Dec. 18, '61. Re-en. Jan. 5, '64 ; deserted May 18, '64.
Wheeler, Charles
B
Feb. 18, '62. Mustered out of service June 22, '64. Discharged Oct. 19, '62.
McGee, Thomas
=
=
Robinson, John R.
66
¥
Re-en. June 5, '64 ; deserted May 18, '64. "
Judd, Charles
Feb. 17, '65. Discharged June 14, '65. ¥
Veteran Corps.
Ferrin, Charles Morgan, John
Yates, Stephen
McLennon, Norman
Ames, Marshall L. Bishop, Leon Ewens, Alonzo
Aug. 8, '64. Mustered out of service July 31, '65. Aug. 16, '64. Aug. 10, '64. Trans. to 1st Co. Heavy Art. Nov. 1, '65, must. out of service July 28, 65.
Volunteers for nine months.
Ames, Marshall L.
Priv.
E
Oct. 22, '62. Mustered out of service Aug. 5, '63. 66
Bryant, Charles
Bryant, George W.
66
=
Fisk, John G.
Nov. 29, '62.
Graves, Myron M.
66
..
Hall, Joshua R.
Hill, Aaron Jr.
Pillsbury, Alphonzo C. Corp. Pillsbury, Joseph H. Priv.
Oct. 22, '62. Discharged April 17, '63.
IRASBURGH. BY E. P. COLTON.
The township of Irasburgh was granted to Ira Allen and his associates, by the General Assem- bly of Vermont on the 23d day of Feb. 1781. His associates were Roger Enos, Roger Enos jr., Jerusha Enos, Jerusha Enos, jr., and Sybil Enos- a family living in Hartland in this State,-then followed the names of Nathan Allen, Nancy Allen, and Betsey Allen, who were his relatives. The 43 others whose names appear as his asso- ciates, were the names of individuals living at a distance or, were fictitious. When the Allens wanted a new township granted they merely obtained a few bona fide proprietors, and filled up the required number of grantees with assumed names from some at that time distant point, paid the first grantee dues, and afterwards professed- ly brought up these claims. When parties peti- tioned for a grant of land, it was the custom to present the papers at any time during the year; the petitions were placed in the hands of the secre- tary who usually presented them to the assem- bly at its following session. The unappropriated lands in Vermont, at this time were claimed by New Hampshire and New York, and the Conti-
nental Congress had ordered the Assembly of the " So called State of Vermont," not to grant any more lands within its jurisdiction, until the con- troversy between the inhabitants of the "So called State of Vermont," and New York and New Hampshire should be settled. The Legisla- ture at this time was what would now be called bogus, that is, it was so considered by a large portion of the people in the United Colonies. The Assembly of Vermont paid no attention to the order of Congress, nor to the threats of New York, but granted lands as long as there was an acre unappropriated. The people were demo- cratic, and were opposed to there being large landed proprietors within the bounds of the State, so the townships were granted to from 40 to 70 individuals, conditioned that each propri- etor should make inprovements on his individual right within a specified time.
There was reserved, for public and pious uses forever, five equal rights, viz. One right for the use of a college within this State ; one for the benefit of the first settled minister ; one for the use and support of the ministry in said township; one for the support of county gram- mar schools; and one for the support of an
-
Woodward, William F.
"
Carpenter, Isaac
First Battery - Vols. for three years. Jan. 6, '64. Died April 9, '64. Second Battery. Jan. 6, '64. Died Oct. 5, '64.
Second Battery- Vols. for one year.
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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
English School or Schools in said township forever. These rights contained according to the allotment, three lots each, or 351 acres.
The township was granted 6 miles square, bounded N. by Coventry, S. by Lutterloh. The lands on the east and west sides were at this time unappropriated and unnamed.
There were in the grant the following reserva- tions, and conditions that each proprietor, his heirs or assigns, should plant and cultivate 5 acres of land, and build a house at least 18 feet square, or have one family settled on each respective right within 4 years from the time of establishing the outlines of said township, on penalty of the forfeiture of each respective right not so settled and improved, as aforesaid, and the same to revert to the freemen of this State, to be, by their representatives, regranted to such persons as shall appear to settle and cultivate the same. The grant was signed by Thomas Chittenden who was at that time governor, and by Joseph Fay, secretary. The signature of Gov. Chittenden was written in the old fashioned round style, with a firm hand. Previous to 1789, Ira Allen had received conveyances from all of the origin- al proprietors, so that the whole township, except the public rights, belonged to him, sub- ject to the conditions of the grant, and Sept. 13, 1789, Ira Allen conveyed all his rights in the township of Irasburgh to Jerusha Enos jr., of Hartland, as a marriage dower. In 1792, Mr. Allen employed James Whitlaw Esq., to survey the township. Surveyor Whitlaw com- menced the survey but did not complete it till the Summer of 1793. The township was surveyed into 210 lots, each lot containing, according to the plan of the survey 117 acres. The surveyor marked the quality of the lands upon his plan, g standing for good lands, m for middling, and b for bad lands. Some lots that were marked middling at that time, are now considered as good as any in town, while others that were marked good are now known as mid- dling or poor land. The township should have been settled, or there should have been a family upon each respective right in the Summer of 1797, in order to have had the titles good under the grant. Nothing appears to have been done toward making a settlement, or to com- ply with the requirements of the grant until Autumn of 1801, when a notice appeared in the Rutland Herald, warning the proprietors to meet at the dwelling house of Ralph Parker in Glover on the 12th day of November. This notice also appeared in the columns of Spooner's Ver-
mont Journal and those of the Green Mountain Patriot, and was signed by Ralph Parker, justice of the peace. The business for which the meet- ing was called was as follows: 1st To choose a moderator, 2nd proprietors clerk and treasurer, 3d To see if the proprietors will establish the former surveys made of the lands in said town- ship, and divide the same into severalty; "4th To see if the proprietors will vote to settlers the lots they now live on, in lieu of their drafts ; 5th To see if the proprietors will vote a tax to defray the expense of surveying and allotting said town."
When the time arrived for holding the meet- ing, Esq., Parker called the meeting to order, elected himself moderator, chose Heman Allen proprietors' clerk, and then adjourned the meet- ing to the last Monday in December to meet at the same place. It does not appear that any persons were present except Heman Allen and Ralph Parker, who probably voted for Jerusha Allen as proxy.
Dec. 28, 1801, the meeting was opened agree- able to adjournment, Mr. Parker in the chair
"Voted-that the proprietors have met, and do accept of the survey, and that the same be established as the permanent survey of said town of Irasburgh." "Voted-To divide the lands of said town into severalty by draft, and that three lots be drawn to each proprietor's right."
Voted., that Roger Enos jr., be appointed to draw the numbers, as the rights are called by the clerk; Heman Allen read the proprietors' names. Roger Enos drew the numbers from the hat, in the presence of Esq., Parker, who was the meeting.
Three lots were drawn for each original pro- prietor, and three for each of the public rights. This draft left three lots undrawn and undivided. (At a meeting of the proprietors held on the first Monday in June 1806, at the house of Amos Conant, Samuel Huntington and Aaron Shepherd of Greensboro were appointed a committee to survey the undivided lands in town into lots of equal size, one for each original proprietor. Lots Nos. 36, 69, and 118 were surveyed into 69 lots of 4 acres and 78 hundredths each. This survey was accepted by the proprietors at a meeting held Feb. 9, 1807.) At the meeting held in Glover Dec. 28, 1801, the proprietors voted that the account of James Whitelaw for surveying, be allowed principal and interest, and that a tax of $6.25 be assessed on each propri- etor's share in said town. Roger Enos jr., was elected to collect said tax. None of the pro-
241
IRASBURGH.
prietors appeared to pay the tax, and Dec. 25, 1802, Mr. Enos advertised the lands for sale, the vendue to come off March 4, 1803, at Glover. At that time all the lands in Iras- burgh (public rights excepted) were sold at auction to pay the tax assessed for the purpose of paying the expense of surveying the town. These lands were deeded to Heman Allen who bought all the lots by Roger Enos jr., the collec- tor, March 14, 1804. The Legislature of the State, at their session in 1797, assessed a tax of three cents per acre on all lands in Irasburgh (public rights excepted) for the purpose of re- pairing roads and building bridges, Joseph Scott, collector, advertised the lands in Irasburgh to be sold at public auction on the March 9, 1803, at the house of Royal Corbin in Craftsbury. The lands were all sold, and again bid off by Heman Allen, who became owner by virtue of vendue deeds from two collectors, authorized to convey them by statute laws, Ira, and Jerusha Allen had, previous to these sales leased several lots in town to various individuals, some of whom were occupying them at this time. Sev- eral of these leases bear date Aug. 4, 1802; and several on Oct. 25, of the same year. The leases were perpetual, conditioned that the lessee pay, after 5 years, a rent, of 5 cents per acre, in- creasing each year 3 cents per acre, until the sum amounted to 17 cents per acre which should be the annual rent payable to Elijah Paine and Heman Allen on the first day of January of each year. All minerals and mill-priveliges werc excepted and the right to erect mills and mill- dams with all the priveliges of passing and repassing with teams for any and all such pur- posses were reserved.
The leases were forfeited in case any taxes were unpaid, or if the annual rents werc six months in arrears. Heman Allen was one of the trustees who collected the rents for Jerusha Allen ; and, after he became legal owner of the town, by virtue of vendue deeds, he caused the occupants of lands, who held them under leases from Ira and Jerusha Allen, to quit-claim their lots to him, who again leased to them in his own name.
The following persons quit-claimed their lands to Heman Allen, many of the deeds bearing date the 22d and 23d of April, 1805 : Caleb Leach, James Leaclı. Simon French, Amos Co- nant, Levi Utley, Sargent Morrell, Seneca Thom- as, Moses Bailey, Willard C. Gleason, Jacob Bay- ley, Daniel Galusha, Selim Freeman, Peter Thatcher, John Brewster, Joseph Skinner, Jon-
athan Thompson, Jacob Burton, Benj. Burton, Sam'l Warner, Enoch Rowell, Reuben Willey, Benj. Hardy, Elisha Utley, Ezekiel Currier, Andrew Whicher, Ezra Rood, Richard Currier, Wm. Fisher, Eli Fletcher, and Jeremiah Mor- rell, making 34 individuals who held claims from the original lessors. After the vendue sales in 1803, some doubt as to the legality of the proceedings of the previous proprietors' meetings existed in minds of those interested, and they succeeded in getting a special enabling act passed at the session of the general assembly in October 1804. This act reads as follows; That the proprietors of Irasburgh be, and they are hereby empowered at any future proprietors' meeting, legally warned and holden for that purpose, to ratify and confirm their former pro- ceedings, and the same shall be as good and valid in law, to all intents and purposes as though the survey, allotment, and division had been previously made in the manner prescribed by Statute law of this State in that case made and provided-any law usage or custom to the con- trary notwithstanding.
At a meeting of the legal voters held at the house of Amos Conant June 2, 1806, the survey and allotment accepted by the proprietors at a meeting held in Glover, Dec. 28, 1801, was again accepted by the resident proprietors which made all the proceedings of the previous proprietors' meetings legal and valid.
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