USA > Vermont > Orleans County > The history of Orleans county, Vermont. Civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military > Part 4
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BY NORRIS M. DARLING.
The charter of this township was granted to Col. Henry E. Lutherloh and Maj. Thomas Cogs- well, and their associates, viz. :
Gen. Joseph Badger, Col. Ebenezer Smith, Col. Antipas Gilman, Noah Dow, Charles Clap- ham, Richard Sinclair, Gen. John Tyler, John Tyler, John Tyler, Jr. James Lord, Nathaniel Coit, Hezekiah Lord, John Mott, Nathan Geer, Joshua Stanton, Abiel Fellows, Andrew Lester. Noah Holcomb, Ruluff Dutcher, Nehemiah Lawrence, Rachel Fellows, Elisha Sheldon, Jr. Elijah Stanton, David Whitney, Correl Merrill, Samuel B. Sheldon, Calvin Ackley, Andrew Carney, Elisha Lee, Timothy O'Brien, Joshua Porter, Jr., Nergalsharezzer Rude, James Jor- dan, Frank Moore, Authur Frink, John Wheel- er, Jacob Galusha, Samuel Moore, Jr., Ebenezer Fletcher, Jacob Vosburgh, Moses Rinesdale, Ebenezer Reed, Gabriel Dutcher, Isaac White, Andrew Frink, John Park, Samuel Hull, Gid-
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eon Smith, Ezra Crane, Jr., James Holmes, John Fellows, Caleb Nichols, James Parks, John Russel, Joshua Fitchi, Jr., Isaac Peck, John Ca- ton, Thomas Selleck and Elias Lord.
Granting to them the ancient and honorable township of Lutterloh-the same being 6 miles square-reserving five equal shares for specific purposes therein named. The outlines of the town were surveyed out, and the corners noted Sept. 23 and 24, 1788. The conditions of this charter are as follows :
-That each proprietor of the township, his heirs or assigns, shall plant or cultivate five acres of land, and build a house at least 18 feet square on the floor, or have one family settle on each respective right or share of land, with- in the term of four years from the time the out . lines of said township shall be known and es- tablished, as the law directs on penalty of the forfeiture of each respective right or share of land in said township, not so improved or settled, and the same to revert to the free- men of this State, to be by their representa- tives re-granted to such persons as shall appear to settle and cultivate the same.
In testimony whereof we have caused the Seal of the State to be affixed, this 26th day of June, A. D. Seventeen Hundred and Eighty-two, in the sixth year of our Independence.
By his Excellency's command,
Joseph Fay, Sec'y.
THOS. CHITTENDEN.
The provisions and conditions of the forego- ing charter were such, that but few, if any, re- ceived any lasting benefit from it. As will be seen, the outlines of the town were surveyed six years subsequent to the grant of the char- ter. Then, after four years, all that did not comply with its provisions must forfeit their respective rights. According to the tenor of this charter, the most of these shares fell back to the freemen of the State, to be by them re- granted to such as would occupy them ; or, in the language of the charter, "to such freemen as shall appear to settle and cultivate the same." The liability to loss and forfeiture of rights in this town, served materially to retard its settle- ment. Disputed titles, and a partial survey, operated to drive away some that would have staid. The want of schools for their children prevented many from coming into town. The few inhabitants, and scattered locale of the few, made it impracticable to have schools at this stage of the town's history : for it is a matter of history, that the centre, and almost every corner of this town were taken up about the same time, and when the population did not exceed 10 or 15 families, nearly all quarters of the township were being settled. Hayden and
Jesse Rogers were in the S. W. part, on the old military road-David P. Cobb was in the N. W. corner, on the old county road-the Cham- berlins, Eli and Aaron, were 3 miles N. E. from the Centre-and Silas Downer, near the S. E. corner, close to Mindon line, (now Craftsbury) -while the Fairfields, Coggswells, and the Neals and Skinners, were scattered all along the centre road from Irasburgh line towards the south.
The town of Lutterloch (now Albany,) was organized March 27, 1806. The notice for this meeting was issued by Thomas Cogswell, Esq., upon the petition of Wm. Hayden, Jesse Rog- ers, Eli Chamberlin, Joseph Fairfield, Benj. Neal, Walter Neal, Jacob Fairfield and Daniel Skinner. The business of this meeting was
" 1st. To choose a moderator to govern said meeting.
2d. To choose a Town Clerk for the year en- suing.
3d. To choose Selecmen, Listers. Constable or Collector, and Surveyors of highways.
4th. To see how much money the town will raise to defray town charges.
5th. To see what method the town will take for the support of schools, and to transact," &c.
At this meeting Thomas Cogswell was mod- erator, and Benjamin Neal " town clerk"-Si- las Downer, Eli Chamberlin and Thomas Cogs- well, selectmen and listers.
Benjamin Neal constable and collector ; Wal ter Neal, Willam Hayden and Silas Hubbard, highway surveyors.
" Forty dollars was raised to repair and make highways and bridges," and nothing for schools. Joseph Fairfield hog-constable. Officers all
sworn. Benj. Neal, Town Clark."
At a town-meeting, held March 27, 1807, Da- vid P. Cobb was elected grand jury-the first in town-also,
"Voted, to pay a Bounty of three dollars a head for all bears that may be killed by the in- habitants of the town-said bears to be started in said town."
The first record of births was as follows :
" Cynthia Neal, daughter of Benj. and Lucy Neal, borne Feb. 18, 1804 : Augusta Neal. borne May 29, 1805 : Anny Neal, borne June 27,1806. Attest, Benj. Neal, Town Clark."
" The first Grand-List of the town of Lutter- loh, taken A. D. 1807 .- the selectmen being the first listers.
Eli Chamberlin, $58,00|Isaac Lougee, 20,00 Aar'n Chamberlin, 75,12 Benj. Neal, 86,75
Thos. Cogswell, 105,00 Walter Neal, 58,00
Silas Downer, 81,50|Daniel Skinner, 46,50
Joseph Fairfield, 76,50 Joshua Stanton, 20,12
Henry Gale, .. 39,75 Jesse Rogers, 70,00
Wm. Hayden,
60,00 David P. Cobb, 46,50
Erasnius Ballard, 33,50
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This may certify that the above is a true list of the ratable property in Lutterloh, for the year 1807. Eli Chamberlin, Selectmen
Daniel Skinner, of
Thomas Cogswell, S Lutterloh.
A true copy, Attest, Benjamin Neal, Town Clark." The first record of Deaths is as follows :
" Died, at Lutterloh, July 25th, 1808, Anny Neal, daughter of Benj. and Lucy Neal, aged two years and one month-and Orpha Gale, aged two years and seven months."
The first freemen's meeting in town was held the first Tuesday in September, 1807, at which time " Hon. Isaac Tichenor received one vote for Governor, and Hon. Israel Smith nine : and Hon. Paul Brigham had 9 votes for Lieut. Gov. Benj. Swan had 10 votes for Treasurer. For town representative none.
Attest, Benj. Neal, Town Clark."
Up to this time the number of tax-payers in town did not exceed 15 ; and the freemen were probably less, as the record shows but 10 legal voters in freemen's meeting. During this year John Fairman and John Skinner came into town, and Isaac Longee and David P. Cobb had moved out.
In 1809 William Hayden, Stephen Scott and Ithiel Smith came into town; and the next year D. P. Cobb came back to town, and James Harlow, Ebenezer Harlow, Moses Kelsy, Abi- jah Reed and Luther Scott, came in and settled in different parts of the town. During the next 2 years various changes were made- some taking leave, some returning, and a few new settlers came in-among the last Isaac Jen- nie and William Rowell; both of these settled in the east part of the town.
From 1811 to 1814 there seems to have been but few added to the number. Mr. Thomas Cogswell, who has figured so largely in the town affairs, appears no more on its records- for war had been in the land, and among thie killed was Corp. Thomas Cogswell of Lutterloh, one of the earliest settlers in town, and first ap- pointed justice of the peace in and for the coun- ty of Orleans, in Lutterloh. Mr. Cogswell was a man of undaunted courage-large, stout, ath- letic. It is said liis skill at single combat, hand- to-hand fight was exhibited with major Hamil- ton, his commander. Some matter of dispute brought them to blows. The grit of both nev - er blunted : they fought till separated by friends -neither willing to give up till parted. The whole affair was hushed up, and major and cor- poral were again on good terms. Mr. Cogswell fell in the skirmish near Shatagree River : he
was shot in the forehead by a musket-ball. A firm friend in need, he was lamented by his comrades. It is said he was emphatically a military man, better qualified to command his regiment, perhaps, than the then commandant. Erect as he was, and imposing in appearance, his bearing was more like a Colonel than a Cor- poral, and would have been a fit contemporary with Ethan of old. Let his faults and foibles go down with him to his lonely grave-his vir- tues let us cherish and emulate. The writer of the above acknowledges his indebtedness to " unkle Sam" Russell, a comrade in arms with Mr. Cogswell, and witness of what is written Mr. Cogswell's widow remained in town a short time, and then wents to parts to the writer un- known.
During the year 1815 two families moved out and only one camo in-Mr. Fulsam Bean. The grand-list was reduced from $1567.25, in 1814, to $1536,46 in 1815. The freemen's meeting shows but 19 votes : whereas the year before there were 20.
" At the meeting of the assembly" of Ver- mont this year, the name of the town was changed from Lutterloh to Albany. It is said that there was great excitement among the in- habitants upon this matter of a name, some proposing one name and some another. In some instances the discussions warmed up to a white heat. Nearly all were for a change .- Some would call the town Adams, after the re- renowned John Q. Adams-but Albany pre- vailed, and Albany it is.
The first public document on record, dated as at Albany, was the constable's return, as made at Albany, Feb. 6, 1816, on what was then fa- miliarly known as a summons to be served on some specified person within named, to depart said town. Under this date I find the collect- or makes his return of service, of similar chiar- acter, upon Moses Delano-and what is a little peculiar in this summons is, that it " summons Moses Delano, now residing in Lutterloh, to depart said town, with all his family." This is put into the hands of the then youthful " Con- stable and Collector" to be served. This ser- vice was deferred from April to the 6th of Feb- ruary following-when, perhaps, as he was on a visit to his dulcena, " on a sly," he left the copy of the summons at the " last and usual place of abode," &c. How soon after this offi- cial business he made known his attachment for the girl, officially, is not a matter of record. Tradition says that one day this same officer
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came and arrested this captivating lass-"for that she had stolen his heart ;" and for the re- covery of which, and for want thereof, he was authorized to " take the body." This was the first wedding in Albany known to the writer- there may have been some in Lutterloh.
During the year 1816 there was an increase in population and of the grand-list. This year Josiah Coolidge bought out James Harlow, and moved into town-at whose house were held the town and freemen's meetings for a year or more. During this and the subsequent year large additions to the legal voters in town were made, and the grand-list stood $2,000. There seemed to have been an impetus given to the settlement of this town. The year following, viz. 1818, the first company of militia was or- ganized, consisting of 11 officers, 2 musicians, and 34 privates. This formidable array of mar- tial men and officers, it appears. had all of 19 guns. The first officers of this company were William Hayden, captain ; Enoch Rowell, lieu- tenant, and John Fairman, ensign; Heury Skinner, 1st sergeant, Joseph Chamberlin. 2d do. Simeon Spaulding 3d do. and Frederick Delano 4th do. ; William Hanson 1st corporal, Jonathan Clifford 2d, Theodore Lee 3d, and Harvey Skin- ner 4th corporal. Of this company 9 were re- turned equipped at this time. The next year the increase of legal voters in town was unprecedented in the town's history : ten were added to the number of voters, and the grand- list looms up to $2638,50.
Among those that came in this year, I no- tice some of those who are here to-day-worn, and scarred, and seared, by time-they are rel- icts of other days, and may with many others be regarded as among the fathers of the town. Among them I see the name Jonathan Norris, whose youth, manhood and old age has come and almost gone, in the history of this town. The partner of his life has but just stepped through the bridge of time, just where a plank was up-and onward he is traveling alone.
About this time our aged and respected Doctor Bill, with his family, moved in, and settled near the center of the town : and such has been the hold of the Doctor upon the at- tachments of the people, that many have tried in vain to supplant him here in his profession. Among the many others are Anson Hand, Joel Cheney, James M. Darling, Dea. David Hardy, of whose christian experience and min- istrations, and labor of love, connected with the early history of the religious interest in
the place, the writer intends to speak in con- nection with some of the churches in town .- Also, at this time, I find the name of Stephen Cory, the owner of the first, and for a long time the only mill in town-a respectable cit- izen, and the father of Dr. Simeon R. Cory, now of Craftstury. There was not only an increase in population, the whole number being 253, but there is an increase of the grand-list, which this year amounts to $2,750. There is also a general appearance of thrift since the war and the cold seasons of 1816 and 1817, individual grand-lists having nearly doubled, and the aggregate nearly quadru- pled.
During the next 2 years, large numbers were added to the number of freemen. In these years we notice the arrival of Jabez Page, from Cabot, Dea. E. Carter, from Peacham, David Saxton who, about this time, was ap- pointed the first deacon of the Congregational church, which appointment was soon followed by the appointment of a second deacon .- Ephraim Carter, late of Peacham. John Cul- ver, also, was among the new arrivals. Mr. Culver had a numerous and interesting fam- ily, having 6 children at this time between 4 and 18 years of age. Mr. Culver soon com- menced to build the first saw-mill, in the west part of the town, on the river. The location of the dam, across the stream, proved bad on one shore, and the result was that the whole thing was abandoned, or moved up stream about 100 rods-after a few years of useless endeavors to secure that dam. It was with- in the flowage of this pond, where the last family of beavers had been captured in 1808, by Capt. Hayden and a man from Craftsbury. This family, four in number, were taken dur- ing the winter of that year, for food, and were the last, known to live on Black River. This may appear out of place; nevertheless it is history.
Joseph Chamberlin also came into town this year, from Craftsbury. Their family was quite large. They reported 8 at one time, be- tween 4 and 18 years. Soon after this family came into town, they were severely afflicted by the accidental scalding, and almost imme- diate death of a little boy. The little fellow sat down into a tub of boiling suds. "Oh !" said he, " Mamma, I thought it was a chair !" were his last words, uttered even in the ago- nies of death. This Chamberlin family are all scattered away-many of this numerous
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family, 16 in number, have seen the ups and downs of life.
Ralph Corey, too, came in about this time. He settled upon the river, as many did about this time. Mr. Corey subsequently lost one of his limbs, his being the first case of ampu- tation, known to the writer, to have been per- formed in town.
There is still another circumstance connect- ed with this family, that at the time proved to be a singular, natural (perhaps) curiosity. It is said of Mrs. Corey, that at the age of 25 or 30 years, she was small of stature, slim and delicate, and withal, good looking. But about this time, or a little later in life, she commenced to grow-regularly she gained .- When first apprised of the fact, she would ab- stain from food till almost famished with hunger, with a view to stop it, but all to no purpose. Her physicians informed her that it was useless to try to starve it down. She grew tall and large ; even the nose of her face assumed huge dimensions, and her hands-no man in town had such a pair of hands as hers : and this growth continued to the end of life. She was more than 6 feet tall, and of a large frame, though thin of flesh. She lived seve- ral years in this way, laboring hard all of the time. She died about 1838, I think.
Prior to 1822 Darius Wilcox moved from Craftsbury to this town and settled upon the center road. George Youran also came here from Tunbridge; and also the Haven's, from Barnet, and settled upon the river. Joseph Hyde, Roger Willis, John Whipple, Jess. Bos- worth, Samuel Russel and Levi Warren, besides many others, made their entrance here before the end of 1822.
All these additions to the numerical force and physical strength of the town, served also to change, materially, the moral and religious elements. Large additions were made by let- ter to the Congregational church, probably the only one in town, and foundations for oth- ers were being gathered together. Along with this interest generally goes a corresponding interest in education ; hence, we find the town regulating their school-districts, bounding them, and for the first time, numbering them, at this time from 1 to 8 inclusive. These sev- eral districts, as per reports, numbered from 25 to 41 scholars, from 4 to 18 years of age.
About this time Cha's and Millen Seaver, then young men, proposed to present the town with a public common, located near the then
center of business in town, and near the geo- graphical center of the town. This liberal proposal was finally accepted, and a town- house erected on or near the same. The build- ing of this house was put in specifications and let to the lowest bidder. It appears that John Culver took the contract to build the same, for $389.00. It also appears he did not build, or at least, finish this house, for subsequently we find the town voting as to dimensions al- tering its size from 30 by 30 feet, to 30 by 33. This last vote was taken March 13, 1823 .- ¿ Jan. 13, 1824, at a meeting "called to see what the town would do in regard to accept- ing the town-house," "provided Mr. Corley will give competent bonds that the house shall be completed by the first day of June next." At this meeting it was voted "To ac- cept the house, provided Mr. Corley gets it done by the first day of June." Aud further, " Voted to raise one hundred and seventy- four dollars and fifty cents, in grain, and for- ty dollars in money, to pay for said house." And at the same meeting, " Voted to have the said house done by the first day of June."
We see from these proceedings that the town was willing to do what was fair with the builders of this house, if they would come to time. At a town meeting held in March following, it was " Voted to move the town meetings to the town-house." The next we hear of this matter, is a vote taken at a sub- sequent meeting, called to "See if the town would accept and pay for the town house, as they shall agree." The vote of the town on this subject, is as follows: " Voted that Cor- ley Shall Take Thirty dollars less, than was agreed, at first."
It appears from the history of this impor- tant transaction, that the town intended to have it all their own way, or else the builder had been slow as to time, of finishing up the house, and the town was willing to make him pay thirty dollars for being dilatory. This old town-house has stood the storms of many winters, and much strife, political and other- wise. It has witnessed the excited and silent breathings of expectant aspirants for office, as the chairman of the meeting calls attention to the result of their exciting ballotting, the heart droopings of the defeated, and buoyant look of the successful competitors. More than this; it has witnessed the earnest appeal of the embassador of the Mighty Ruler of the universe, who has stood there and repeated
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the words of his master, to the erring and re- bellious-" Choose you this day whom ye will serve. If the Lord be God, serve him. If Baal, then serve him :" and many here have made the decision, and have chosen that part that Mary chose, " while others made a wretched choice, and rather starve than come."
This now dilapidated old house has been town-house, temperance-hall, school-room and meeting-house. But now is seldom used ex- cept for town and freemen's meetings. One or two more reports from these town meetings and I will close.
At a meeting called to be holden Aug. 27, 1825, one specified article reads as follows :
" To see if the town will let Mrs. Hadley have the old man, Samuel Hadley, to support, during his natural life, as she has proposed."
The action of the town is expressive in words following : '
" Voted not to let Mr. Samuel Hadley, go, to live with his wife, agreeable to her propo- sal."
What this grew out of, or what grew out of this, the writer knows not.
During the 2 years last past, there have been several additions to the list of promi- nent men in town, both from the majority of young men resident in town, and also from immigration. Among the former may be seen the name of Luthur Delano, who has served the town so well, and so long as town clerk. Among the latter the name of Chester Ten- ney, who moved from Hanover, N. H., to this town and purchased on the river. He was a man of refined sensibility and fine sense, and his abilities were appreciated by his fellow- citizens while he was able to mingle in public gatherings. His usefulness was limited on account of ill health, and he finally passed away, in 1833, leaving a widow and three small boys, and a large concourse of friends to lament his early departure. Another of those who came in about this time was Dan- iel Lawrence, from Troy, N. H. Mr. Law rence settled on the center road, near the " Center," on a small farm, where he lived till his death-44 years on this farm, and died, aged 87 years, leaving the wife of his youth, and a numerous family of children, grown to man and womanhood, to lament their loss.
The years 1825, '26, found many new names added to the list of business men in town, among which are the names of Wells Allen, who came from Brookfield to this town, and who filled several town offices a number of
years, and was representative 2 years; and B. H. Reed, who was a carpenter and joiner of "ye olden time."
The next year still greater additions were made to the solid men, among which Rufus B. Hovey and Sila Hovey and their families, from Brookfield, Orange county. These men and several other Hoveys, that then or after- wards came here were the sons of Rufus Ho- vey, late of Brookfield. (A more full account of this family may be found in connection with this history.) Also we find the name of Capt. Benjamin Aiken, who, for a number of years, enjoyed the confidence of the people. He was for a number of years one of the first magistrates in practice, and was a radical lead- er of the Democratic party. In financial af- fairs he was not quite equal to the emergencies of the times. An accident crippled him for life. He died last spring (1869) at an ad- vanced age, having seen much of the vicissi- tudes of life. Just before this time Jabez Page had erected mills and commenced busi- ness at wool-carding and cloth-dressing-the first of the kind in town. It appears also that John Culver had sold out his mill to J. Rogers, who started the first grist-mill in town.
Among the arrivals this year was also the Rev. Elias W. Kellog. Mr. K. at this time was a very acceptable preacher of the Congre- gational order. He was ordained January, 1827, and in March following was elected town clerk, in place of John R. Putnam, who had so long and so well fulfilled the responsibili- ties of this important office. This year was added likewise to the list, John Paine, Jr., who bought a farm upon the river, and still lives on the same farm, and is among the wealthiest farmers in town. Jonathan Fitz, who came here from Craftsbury and commenced the bus- iness of tanning at Albany Centre, and con- tinued this business, in connection with the boot and shoe business, by himself or with his sons while he lived. Soon after his death the old place was sold out, and the business of manufacturing leather in town abandoned. Mr. Fitz was for many years postmaster here.
About this time we also find the name of Simeon S. Hovey, so long the popular school- teacher in this and surrounding towns. Mr. Hovey was a practical surveyor, and lines and roads surveyed by him were called all right. Mr. Hovey was the younger brother of R. B. and Silas Hovey. He was a minor when he came to town from Brookfield, as a part of
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