USA > Vermont > Orleans County > The history of Orleans county, Vermont. Civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military > Part 40
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turned up at the end, like those of all his descendants. He lived to extreme old age- had all the comforts of life around him, and died 1847, at the age of 94,
SAMUEL CONANT
came with his father, and at the organization of the town was chosen the first constable. His, was the second marriage ceremony solemnized in town. He resided here till 1857, when he went west with his son Samuel, who located at Janes- ville, Wisconsin. While a resident of this town Mr. Conant held many offices of honor and trust, and was considered a man of more than ordinary intelligence and ability, He was rep- resentative in 1816, and at one time colonel in the militia, by which title he was generally known throughout the county. He died at Janesville, a few years since, at the age of 80.
JAMES RICHARDSON,
who settled on the farm now owned by Daniel Houghton, opened his house to the public, and kept the first hotel. He had a family of six daughters, all beauties, and said to have been the smartest family of sisters in Vermont.
The second marriage in town was that of Samuel Conant to Sally Richardson, the oldest of these girls. This ceremony was performed by Dr. Peleg Redfield, the father of Judge Isaac F. and Timothy P. These sisters were the pride of the town. It was here that Ira H. Allen, in his younger days, put on the amorous swain and worshiped at the shrine of Betsey Richardson. He had begun to flatter himself, after a course of delicate attentions, that he was gradually fanning up a gentle flame in her heart, when she suddenly accepted the hand of a boisterous fox-hunting New Yorker, without either riches or sentiments, who carried her by storm, after a fortnight's courtship. We once had the pleasure of seeing this coy beauty of olden times, and looked in vain for those witching influences of beauty which once commanded such respect and veneration. She was a dapper little old woman, with a face that looked like an apple that had dried with the bloom on. Captain Richardson served in the army during the war of 1812, and died in the service.
CAPT. BENJAMIN BURTON
came from Norwich with his family of six sons and some daughters, and settled on what has since been called Burton hill. Benjamin Bur- ton was a man that was very much respected by his townsmen. He and his family were always very kindly treated by the late Ira H. Allen,
who allowed them to live on the land they first selected, without paying rent or tribute. Mr. Burton held many town offices during his life- was a kind neighbor and zealous Christian. He died in 1847, at the age of 92. Mrs. Burton lived several years after her husband died-was a sprightly little woman, who retained her mental faculties to extreme old age, and died in 1852, at the age of 94. Oliver Burton, the oldest son, was the first surveyer who lived in town, and surveyed many of the roads which were laid out previous to 1810. He remained here till the war of 1812 commenced, when he went into the army as a captain, and served under Hull at the West, and was surrendered with his troops. Af- ter he was exchanged he served under Harrison till the close of the war. After the peace was established, he was appointed military store- keeper at West Point, which position he filled for several years, much to the satisfaction of the government. His health failing, his physicians recommended the climate of the West Indies for his benefit. He went to Cuba, where he died in a few weeks after his arrival. He was one of the most courteous and gentlemanly men that ever lived in Vermont. A portrait in possession of the widow Skinner, at Barton, shows him to have been a man who made a fine personal appearance. John Burton, another son of Ben- jamin Burton, has always resided in town, and has been a resident longer than any other indi- vidual now living.
SARGENT MORRELL
settled on Morrell hill. He was a man past middle life when he came here-he had been the first settler, and felled the first tree in Dan- ville. Jeremiah Morrell. his son, came with him and is well remembered by all old residents. He was a bear-hunter, and killed hundreds while he lived here. He would sometimes follow bears for days, until he fairly tuckered them out. He is said to have known every bear in the county by their tracks. Jerre Morrell was a resident of the town until 1837 or '38 when he moved to the West, where he resided till 1865, when he again came to this county and lived with his daughter at Troy, where he died the follow- ing year.
PETER THATCHER
lived on Burton hill, was a man 6 feet 4 inches tall-a great wit and the comical genius of the town. When the militia was first organized, in 1807, he was elected Ist Lieutenant, and afterwards served as captain.
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JACOB BURTON,
brother of Capt. Benj. Burton settled on the hill where Mark Drew now lives. He was a justice of the peace for the several years that he was a resident. He was a smart business man, but unfortunately for the town ho did not remain many years. He and Heman Allen were great friends, and Mr. Allen always made his home there when here on business.
DANIEL GALUSHA,
a brother of Gov. Galusha, was a smart wiry, little man, not afraid of mortal or brute, He was commonly called Galoosh by the early set- tlers. He was always ready for a bear-fight, and went in as soon as he saw the game. On one occasion while fishing in the Creek in company with Capt. Burton, he killed a bear and two cubs, with a club, Capt. Burton standing by and enjoying the sport. Upon another occasion as Foster Page was returning home from Parker's mills, in the dusk of the evening, he heard a screaming in the woods, near the road, loud enough to frighten a whole tribe of Indians, Hurrying to the spot, he found that Galoosh had just laid out a bear with a stout stick. Mr. Galusha was elected grand juror at a meeting held in March 1804, which was the only office he held while in town.
EZRA ROOD
lived in the east part of the town, on lot No. 59, now owned by George Norton. Mr. Rood was a large, powerful man, somewhat quarrel- some, and given to imbibing spiritous liquors rather freely. He was fond of wrestling, which was in fact the only amusement the early settlers took much pride in, Large and powerful men are usually very good-natured and clever, but Rood was an exception to the general rule and loved a regular knock-down as well as any Hiber- nian who ever swung a shillalah. He once met Eber Burton alone in the wood, and exercised his muscle upon him merely for his own amusement. Being asked why he made the assault, he replied " that he wanted to find out what kind of stuff was in him. He brought the first tame bees into town, and guarded his hives so vigilantly, · that the boys determined to have a taste of his sweets just to let him know that they could do it. After several attempts, a hive was purloined and brought over through the woods and placed in the cellar under the house where Eber Burton lived. Here they used to meet and ask in their friends to drink a mug of flip which was always sealed with a luscious plate of honey. Rood was not idle, but took the dimensions of the
tracks made by the boys when they took his honey, and on one occasion after they had been regaling themselves with his sweets, he appear- ed with a constable,-turned up their feet, measured the soles of their boots, and then had the whole party arrested. The next day they were tried before a justice of the peace, but there being no other proof than the size of their boots, they were discharged. Not long after-Rood met one of the suspected parties and so fright- ened him that he told the whole story, who were his accomplices-where they ate the honey and who helped eat it. The parties were again arrested, and the full vigor of the law applied to them. Alexander Benton Esq., now of Barton, when speaking of the affair a few years since said, "It took a fine yoke of red oxen to pay for my share of the fun." This was the first law- suit in town. A man by the soubriquet of Shark Thompson defended the boys, and William Bax- ter Esq., of Brownington was employed by Mr. Rood. Mr. Rood was one of the listers elected in 1806, which was the only office he held in town.
EZEKIEL CURRIER
erected a distillery and manufactured potatoe- whiskey which he sold for abont 50 cents per gallon. At his place, the early settlers used to revel in whiskey, and a man was not considered much who could not carry a quart without stag- gering. `One old man says that the whiskey that Zeek Currier used to make did not hurt people, that he could get boozy on it every night and feel the better for it the next day.
Mr. Currier resided here till 1815, when he moved to Troy and erected a distillery there.
JOSEPH SKINNER
settled on Burton hill. where Mr. Jerome now resides. Mr. Skinner was a very industrious, and hard working man. At the same time, he was always ready for a frolic, and liked fun as well as any of the boys. He, and his neighbor, Jon- athan Thompson, were capable of keeping a continual stream of good humor ruuning longer than any other two men extant. He was one of those men that enjoyed all manner of athletic exercise, was always ready to run, jump, wrestle or pull sticks. He prided himself upon his ability to out-do almost every one in performing gymnastic feats, requiring physical strength and elasticity of muscle. He has been called a boy- ish man, because he never grew old. Mr. Skin- ner was a good farmer and fatted more pork than any other man in town. Some years he killed as many as 50 hogs-these he usually
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carried to Boston, where he bought what gro- ceries were needed in his family, which was always a large one. He usually attended meet- ings on the Sabbath, and would bring every one in his neighborhood that he could persuade to ride. Sometimes there would be 25 or 30 piled on his sleigh or wagon-the more the better, to suit him : and, on such occasions, he would always drive his horses into the village on the run. He attended meetings more for the sake of having a good time, going and returning, than from any spiritual consolation derived from hearing the sermons. He was the means of doing great good, because all his family, and most of his neighbors, made professions of religion, and ever after lived good exemplary Christian lives. Mr. Skinner stood high in the estimation of his townsmen as a good moral man. He died in 1839. at the age of 62, having lived in town 34 years.
BENJAMIN WALKER
bought the improvements that Levi Sylvester had made on the river. Mr. Walker was a smart business man, had a good education, and was capable of doing any business which might be required of him. He was chosen town clerk at the meeting in March, 1807; clerk, selectman and constable in 1808 and '09. He was elected captain of the first company of militia organized in town. At the first June training one Kittredge, who lived in the east part of the town, some way got excited and bit off a man's thumb. He was after known as cannibal Kittredge. Mr. Walk- er buried his wife in 1808 : her remains lie on the little knoll west of the road, and north of Mr. Leach's present residence. He lived here 3 years. When he went away the town lost an estimable citizen and worthy man.
REUBEN WILLEY
settled on lot No. 151, now owned by John and Elijah Willey. Esq. Willey, as he was usually called, was a capable man, and one who was very much respected by his townsmen .- He came here in company with Benj. Walker, and they selected farms adjoining. Mr. Willey was the second representative, having succeed- ed Mr. Leach, and represented the town in 1808 -'09 and '10-was treasurer from 1808 to '12, also town clerk and lister three of these years. He was a strong, athletic man, very fond of wrestling ; when he and Walker, Rood, Kiser and Brewster met, they usually tried strength and skill before they separated. Mr. Willey remained here till the war of 1813; went into the army, and never returned.
DIOCLESIAN WRIGHT
settled on the river south of Benjamin Walker. He came from Barre soon after Walker and Willey, to which town he returned in a few years.
BENJAMIN HARDY
selected lot No. 58, now owned by Henry Som- ers. Mr. Hardy was a man of stamina and worth ; one that commanded respect wherever he went. He held the office of selectman 21 years previous to 1833, and was elected several times in after-years, but refused to serve. He held the office longer than any other man since the organization of the town, which is the very best evidence of his wisdom and skill as a town officer. He was one of the committee of safety appointed by the town during the war of 1812; was a justice of the peace many years, and as such did a large proportion of the business which comes before those officers. He had been a soldier during the Revolutionary war, and drew a pension from the government while in old age. He was the father of Asa Hardy, Esq., who died here in 1842, and the grandfather of George W. Hardy, who represented this town in 1852. Mr. Hardy was truly one of the fathers of the town-one that was always ready to serve them and would never take any compensation for his time while doing business for the town. He died in 1851, at the age of 90.
CAPT. NATHANIEL KELLAM
came from Barre, and settled on lot No. 187, lying on the river. Deacon Kellam was in mid- dle life when he moved here, having grown up children who came with him. Mr. Kellam had been a member of the legislature several times, previous to his making this town his residence. He was representative from this town in 1813. The first religious meetings appointed on the Sabbath were by his direction-and he is said to have been the most powerful man in prayer ever heard in northern Vermont. On one occa- sion when the militia from Irasburgh were called to the frontier, during the war of 1812, a bet of two gallons of whisky was made, that a militia- man from Irasburgh could make a better prayer than the chaplain of the regiment. The officers were to be the judges, and when an occasion presented a proper time, the chaplain was re- quested to make a prayer, and as soon as he had closed, Dea. Kellam was called upon to fol- low, which he did in such a manner that his friends won the whisky. Sept. 11, 1814, the people were assembled for public worship at the house of James Mackintosh, which stood on the
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Allen farm, just at the top of the hill, and with- in the limits of the present highway. Zadock Bloss, a Federalist, had used language in bis prayer which wounded the feelings of Deacon Kellam, who, as soon as Deacon Bloss had fin- ished his prayer, fell upon his knees and invoked the Divine blessing upon the country, the army and navy in a strain of patriotic eloquence, so noble and grand that the Deacon Federalist sank into insignificant nothingness in the esti- mation of all present. During the time that Dea. Kellam was supplicating the throne of grace a sound like distant thunder reverberating over the hills, a fitting accompaniment to the eloquent and solid appeals of the Deacon. As soon as the prayer was concluded, the congregation by common consent left the house and seated themselves on the sward and silently listened to the booming of McDonough's guns which gave him the victory on Lake Champlain. It was a time of terrible anxiety and suspense for the people here; but the next day a solitary horseman rode through the town and shouted the news of McDonough's victory on the Lake. Deacon Kellam was the father of John Kellam Esq., who represented the town in 1815, and of the Hon. Sabin Kellam, who was representative in 1836, and now a resident of Topeka, Kansas; of Hiram Kellam, Esq., now of Brownington, and grandfather of the Hon. John H. Kellam now of Chicago Ill.
Deacon Kellam died in 1839, at the age of 84. JOSHUA JOHNSON
settled on Morrell hill where Mr. Connor now resides. Mr Johnson had been a soldier in the war for independence and was commonly called Lieutenant Johnson, a title brought from the army of the Revolution. He was a jolly old character and enjoyed a joke as well as any of the first settlers, and they were a mirth-provok- ing, fun-loving, comically disposed set of fellows. Mr. Johnson was a man very much respected by his townsmen ; one that had the entire con- fidence of the people as an upright man. He was constable and collector for the town several years, representative in 1814-17 and 25 ; mem- ber of the constitutional conventions held in 1814 & 22, and held many other offices in town. He was a resident of this town many years, but died in Albany a few years since at the ad- vanced age of 98. We remember him as & venerable old man, and one that was reverenced as one of that band of patriots who had fought by the side of Washington and Wayne at Bran- dywine and Stony Point, one that had marched |
barefoot over the frozen ground to Valley Forge -lived through the dark days of the Revolution and united his voice to the clarion ring of that joyous hurrah which ran along the American lines at Yorktown. Mr. Johnson had a very retentive memory, and was a walking encyclo- pedia of historical facts.
JOSEPH KIDDER
settled on lot No. 70, and was the first settler on the west side of the river. He was an en- terprising man-was considered one of the first men in town, having held many offices during his life. He was the father of Jonas Kidder, Esq., who died in 1868. Mr. Kidder held the position of deputy collector of cus- toms for many years.
ROGER ENOS
the only one of the original proprietors (ex- cept his mother and sister) who ever lived in town, moved here in 1810, though he had been here occasionally since the first settle- ment. He was associated with Heman Allen in nearly all the transactions of the proprietors during the first years of the settlement. Mr. Enos was a justice of the peace for Chitten- den county, and the leases executed in 1802, were acknowledged before him. His first residence in town was on the Caleb Leach farm. He held the position of deputy collec- tor of customs, during Madison's administra- tion ; was representative in 1812, '21 and '24; was a member of the constitutional conven- tion held in 1828, and died in 1841 at the age of 73.
HEMAN ALLEN
was a nephew of Ira Allen, and was adopted into his uncle's family after the death of his father, Heber Allen. He was chosen propri- etor's clerk at the first meeting of the propri- etors of Irasburgh. After the settlement of the town, he bought all the rights when they were sold at public vendue for the payment of taxes. He spent most of his time here dur- ing the years 1805 and '6, arranging the titles so that all who occupied lands could hold them unmolested.
Mr. Allen was sheriff of the County of Chit- tenden in 1808 and '09; chief judge of the County court for 4 years ; Marshal of the State during the first term of Mr. Monroe's administration, and in 1823 was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to the Government of Chili, where he remained through the suc- ceeding administration of John Quincy Adamns. After his return from Chili, he was
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commonly known by the name of “ Chili Al- len," which distinguished him from the Hon. Heman Allen of Milton. He died in High- gate in 1852. *
IRA H. ALLEN
came to this town in 1814, and remained here till his death which took place in April 1866. The lands in the town belonged to his mother, and at her decease in 1838, they came to him as the only surviving heir. In the manage- ment of the estate, which had for years pre- vious to his mother's decease, devolved upon him, Mr. Allen exhibited those excellent traits of character which made him so popu- lar. His mildness of manner, courteous and gentlemanly deportment, made him accessi- ble to the humble, and honored and respected by the exalted. Always ready to grant a re- quest if within his power, but if he could not consistently comply with the requirements of an individual, his refusal was couched in such language that on no occasion was any offence given. A man of that sterling integ- rity, who during his long life never swerved from what he had promised and when he had given his word, his reputation was such that no man ever had a suspicion that it would not be as he had said. In all his business transactions, he never gave any man reason to doubt his word, and oftentimes when he had promised to convey real estate for a stip- ulated sum, other parties would offer more for the property, his reply would always be that he had promised that to Mr. So or So, and if he claimed it he must have it, if some other party was willing to double the amount. A large proportion of the farms in town were held by leases, subject to an annual rent in the collection of which Mr. Allen always dis- played a lenity easy and liberal for all in- terested. In all his transactions whether of a public or private character, he won the es- teem of all who made his acquaintance. Mr. Allen was often chosen to fill honorable stations, and had he been ambitious of polit- ical honor, could have held the highest posi- tions within the gift of the people of the State. He was one of the greatest men ever produced in the State, at the same time one of the most unassuming and popular where best known. He was always ready to give an opinion upon men or upon political or civil questions, and such opinions always
proved that he had drawn them from a source, which had reason for its capital, and massive sense for its base., Mr. Allen was a man whose presence commanded respect, which, upon acquaintance changed to rever- ence, which is always the case when great ability is combined with real virtue. His ability was respected by those who knew him in public, but it was in private life where his virtues shone like a reflector, because there was no guile in the man. A sermon delivered on the occasion of his death, by Rev. Thomas Bayne, gives many particulars of interest in relation to him.
GEORGE NYE
was a resident of Irasburgh for 50 years, and was as well known throughout the County as any citizen of the town. Mr. Nye was highly esteemed by his townsmen as a busi- ness man-had kept a hotel from 1828 for several years, after which he engaged in trade in which he continued till 1842 or '43. He was best known throughout the County as " Judge Nye," a title he received from having been judge of probate for Orleans county for many years.
He was the son of the Hon. George Nye, who was assistant judge of Orleans County court from 1810 to 1814, and judge of probate from 1823 to 1825. The Hon. Salmon Nye, who held the office of judge of probate from 1825 to 1827, was a brother. Mr. Nye had been an invalid for many years, his health be- ing so poor that he engaged in no active bus- iness. He died of consumption, Sept. 24, 1867, at the age of 66.
BUSINESS MEN.
Those who have figured as business men in Irasburgh, have been Thomas Jameson, Eze- kiel Little, Theodore Parsons, Nathan B. Dodge, George Worthington and William W. Little.
THOMAS JAMESON
opened a store in 1815, and drove a success- ful business for many years. After going out of trade, Mr. Jameson was a member of the company who carried on the business at the foundry, where the principal business was the manufacture of stoves and plows. As a bus- iness man, Mr. Jameson was one who had the confidence of the community, one whose word, when given, was sufficient guarantee for any purpose for which it was pledged. He was one whose sphere led him for many years to transact business with a very large
* For further notice, see Vol. I. pp. 602-608.
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proportion of the people of this vicinity, and his manners were so courteous, that during his long and useful life he had not an enemy. Mr. Jameson was sheriff of the County of Orleans for 9 years in succession ; clerk of Irasburgh for 19 years; was one of those whose characters gave the town a recommen- dation for moral worth. He was the father of John A. Jameson, who graduated at the University of Vt. in 1845, and now of Chi- cago, Illinois, Judge of the Superior Court of that city, and eminent throughout the United States as a jurist. Mr. Jameson died in October 1868, at the age of 71, and was buried with Masonic honors.
EZEKIEL LITTLE
came from Hinsdale, N. H. in 1810, and first lived in the old mill-house. His next resi- dence was the house which had been built by Eben Burton, in which Mr. Little kept a hotel. He was one of those driving go-a-head men, who are always into some business, which he always drove a-head with a reck- less dare-devil kind of manner. From 1812 to 1836, he was the principal man of the town for any hard job, like the building of a bridge, or structure of any kind-the clearing of land, or the making of a new road. He had built mills on the river ; made brick ; cleared up the largest farm, built the best set of build- ings for his own use and kept more hands in his employ than all of the rest of the men in town. He made pearlash, owned a mill for getting out clover-seed, and in all his busi- ness he exhibited an indomitable will and perseverance rarely to be met with. Mr. Little died at Barre, in this State, where he was visiting a son, in the winter of 1850.
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