USA > Vermont > Orleans County > The history of Orleans county, Vermont. Civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military > Part 46
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OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH.
DEACONS-Dea. Martin Reynolds continued with the church only about 14 months, when he was dismissed by letter. From that time to 1862, Br. Samuel W. Warner officiated as deacon, when he and Br. Wm. N. Blake were chosen for that office and ordained by Rev. J. S. Small and Rev. J. W. Buzzell. The former received a letter of dismission in 1868, the lat- ter remaining, still faithful to his office.
CLERKS-Calvin Wakefield, Levi B. Farr, Samuel W. Warner, Samuel O. Flemmings and Wm. N. Blake have severally officiated in this office ; the last is still in the office.
The membership has been small from its beginning, numbering only 35 at the present time.
Like most other churches, while it has been increased by additions on the one hand, on the other it has been diminished by remov- als and deaths. As seeing Him who is invisi- ble with union, and great self-sacrifice, they are still looking for that "city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God." The pecuniary ability of the church is quite limited and to meet their necessities, the Ver-
mont Baptist State Convention has rendered aid in the support of the ministry.
Until Jan. 1868, this church had no place of public worship-worshipped in school- houses, mostly, excepting two or three years, in which the Congregationalists tendered them their house for a part of the time.
Most of the time it had worshipped in the west part of the town. At the Baptist State Convention in 1866, it seemed advisable to discontinue their aid to this as a missionary church, unless the church would arise and do something by way of building a place of wor- ship at the village. At this report the church seemed wholly disheartened, and some of its most efficient members would not have ap- peared more sad and desponding if its death warrant had been sealed. However, stimu- lated and encouraged by their pastor, a sub- scription was started for the erection of a house at the village, and, after much effort, $2,000 were placed upon it. By the untiring efforts of the pastor and others a beautiful and commodious house 38 by 50 feet was dedi- cated to the worship of God, Jan. 22, 1868, at a cost of $3,000. Soon after a bell of $300 was added for which many contributed who had taken no interest in the house. In nearly one year from the dedication, as a New Year's offering, a beautiful chandelier, with pulpit and gallery lamps, were now procured by the energy and kind regards of friends, being started by, and much of the contributions made by those out of the church.
Although there remains some indebtedness upon the church, encouraged from the past, this little band are looking hopefully to the future.
Written Dec. 29, 1869, by H. N. Hovey, pastor.
ABBIE METCALF
departed this life July 27, 1857, aged 16 years, 3 months, in her native town, Lowell, Vt. "These poems," writes her sister, Mrs. C. I. Herring, under date Montpelier, Vt., May 16, 1858, " from which we select a num- ber, were all or part published in the 'North Union,' printed at Charleston, some 2 years since."
FAREWELL.
It withers not, that growing thorn-
It passes not-that endless sting- That swelling tide is onward borne Till death shall drain its bitter spring- But not to death the power is given To gild a brighter scene than this.
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To twine the wreath by sorrow riven,- And wake the angel smile of peace, The storm is past the dream is gone. The heart has burst its mournful spell The song of love flows gently on, Nor feels the saddening word "Farewell."
NEARER HOME.
Solemnly one Sabbath evening Sweet and mournful tolled the bell, As they brought his form and laid it Neath the hill.
In the pure and solemn starlight Softly rose the funeral strain, And it breathed of peace and Heaven, Not of pain.
Hushed was every sad repining, Banished every wail of woe- He is only up in heaven, I below !
Here I am content to labor In the wide spread field of life, Aiding if I can the weak ones- In the strife-
Thus my barque moves swiftly onward Heedless of the eddying foam, Every Sabbath evening brings me -- Nearer home.
THE WATCHER OF THE FALLING LEAF.
"Oh, I love," she softly whispered, " Love to watch the falling leaf,
I can hear a sweet voice calling, Every time a leaf is falling- Life is brief-Life is brief ?"
Now it is the merry spring-time- All the world is full of life,- Sweetest flowers are early springing, Joyful birds are gaily singing, And the air with joy is rife.
But the girl that used to welcome With her smiles the balmy spring, Long ago was sweetly sleeping, Where the evergreen is creeping And the wild birds daily sing.
She, one sober, mellow autumn. Gently drew her latest breath
When the soul is freed from sighing- Soars above, no longer dying, Can you say this is DEATHI ?
Long ago-the world so busy, Cannot heed the falling leaf-
Cannot hear thy gentle whispers, Mingling with the evening vespers- " Life is brief-life is brief !"
MORGAN
BY REV. JACOB 8. CLARK.
The town of Morgan is situated in the N. E. part of Orleans County, lat. 44º 50' N. long. 5° 5' E. The form of the township is irregular, bounded on the N. by Holland & Derby E. & N. |
E. by Warner's Grant & Warren Gore, S. E. by Brighton and S. W. by Charleston & Salem.
It consists principally of what was originally chartered by the name of Caldesburgh. The charter is dated Nov. 6, 1780. It was charterd by the State of Vermont, Thomas Chittenden Governor, to 64 grantees with five public rights viz. one for first settled minister, one for the support of the Gospel, one for college, one for county grammar school, and one for common school, each right containing 314 acres.
Names of Grantees.
Colonel Jedediah Elderkin, John Lawrence, Jas. Church, Hon. Matthew Griswold, William Per- kins, Eliphalet Dyer, George Willys, James Jip- son, Fenn Wadsworth, John Calders, William Watson, Hezekiah Merrill, William Knox, Wil- liam Knox jr., Colton Murry, Samuel Goodwin, James Tiley, John Kenfield, Thomas Hildrup, Inneas Calder, Jabez Huntington, Joseph Bing- ham, Thomas Dyer, Willobee Lowel, James Kilbourn, Asa Corning, William Adams, Edward Dodd, William Webster, John Cook, Samuel Mattocks, Nathaniel Steel, Ashbell Willis, Henry White, Asahel Cheney, David Little, Israel Seymour, John Burbridge, Seth Collins, Sam- uela Burr, James Knox, John Hall, Solomon Smith, Daniel Hinsdale, Joseph Burr, John Watson, Luke Wadsworth, Daniel Marsh, John Chapman, Sheldon Grayham, Titus Watson Edward Bodge, William Lawrence, George Mer- rill, Daniel Pitkin, Charles Hopkins, George Pitkin, Abiel Cheney, Thomas Jocilin, Hildrup, Hezekiah Bissel, Asa Benton Moses Crafts, Sam- uel Lawence and John Indicott.
After the town was allotted (157 acres in each lot) an alteration was made in town lines and the south easterly portion was annexed to the town- ship Wenlock,-and to the north westerly on the N. W. Brownington Gore-and on the N. E. Whitelaw's Gore-and the name of the town hanged from Caldesburgh to Morgan. That part of the town formerly Caldesburgh contains about 15000 acres, Brownington 3.500, White- aw's Gore 2.000, making the entire area of the town 20.000 acres, including water.
Brownington Gore was granted by the State of Vermont to the proprietors of Brownington and was allotted (40 acres in each lot,) in July A. D. 1807 by Hon. Samuel Hinman.
Some parts of the town are comparatively level, or gently sloping-other parts are broken with a pleasant variety of hills and valleys. There are no elevations of land which are here called mountains, though some might properly
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bear that name. Elon hill and Bear hill are the most considerable elevations. Elon hill is so called on account of a settlement being com- menced upon it by Elon Wilcox, and Bear hill receives its name from the circumstance of a bear having been seen upon it, before the town was settled, by a passing stranger.
From the summit of the former, we have a fine prospect. In a clear day, may be seen Lakes Memphremagog and Willoughby with a great many smaller collections of water and several villages in the neighboring towns. In the back-ground the more distant peaks of the Green Mountains meet the eye. There is also a chain of hills running through the town which (to the knowledge of the writer) has never re- ceived a name.
Seymour Lake is the principal collection of water. It lies in the form of a clumsy boot and covers an area of more than 16000 acres. Somewhere in this lake is said to be the geogra- phical center of the town. It is one of the most beautiful sheets of water in the State, and the scenery around it is grand and picturesque. It abounds with several kinds of fish, which ren- dered it of no small account to the early settlers. Lunge, cusk and white fish are the principal. Some very large ones of the first mentioned have been caught. The largest is said to have weighed 39 } lbs. Others at different times have been taken, weighing all along from 20 to 30 lbs. The smaller kinds weighing from 1 } to 12 pounds are generally esteemed the most palatable. It is a fact worthy of notice that though there have been many hair-breadth es- capes of those who have been fishing and sailing on this lake, no one has ever yet been drowned in it.
Being fed by numerous living springs its wa- ter is remarkably cold and pure. As another peculiarity,-it takes much cold weather to freeze it over. For weeks after lake Memphre- magog and all the other bodies of water in this vicinity have been bound in icy fetters. Lake Seymour may be seen steaming and lashing its shore as if in defiance of the frigid blasts.
There are three other inconsiderable ponds in town, two of which are named, one Meed, and the other Toad-pond. The last mentioned is the source of a small stream, known by the name of Sucker-brook. It receives its name from the multitude of suckers taken from it. From one of the other lying in the north part of the town, and partly in Holland, flows the Mill-brook that empties into the head of the lake.
Ferren's River passes through a part of the town bordering on Brighton, in the valley of which passes the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Rail Road. Almost every part of the town, is well watered by living springs and small rivulets.
The principle growth of hard wood timber is sugar-maple, yellow birch, beech, elm, and brown and yellow ash,-that of soft wood is hemlock, spruce, fir, tamarack and cedar. The rocks are mostly granite, slate and milk quarts. Some beautiful specimens of crystal quartz have been found. There is a quarry of joint granite of the very nicest quality on the east side of the lake. Much of it has been transported to other towns for monuments and other choice purposes.
The soil in general, for an upland town, is easily wrought and very productive. In the eastern section some of the farms are well sup- plied with granite boulders.
In regard to natural curiosities, there have been few discovered worthy of notice. Near the south-eastern shore of the lake there is a rock familiarly known by the name of the oven rock. It takes its name from a cavity on the side towards the shore very much resembling a brick oven. On the farm, also, of Dea. Wm. Little, the writer has been informed of late, that there is a rock judged to weigh some 20 tons, lying with the rounding side upon another rock, so completely balanced that a very little strength applied to it will tip it either way, and when the force is removed it will adjust itself.
Among the hills in the eastern part of the town, (as reported by hunters and others, who have traversed the forest for different purposes) there are several caverns, fit habitations for wild beasts; but none of them have ever been ex- plored.
Before the forest was broken by the "sturdy blows" of the first settler, there was a piece of land now attached to the farm of Mrs. Wiggins which had every appearence of having been cleared at some former period. This little plot, from the first settlement of the town, has been called the Indian garden. It is also reported by some aged persons, that more than forty years ago an aged Indian passed along in this vicinity, and stated to those who conversed with him, that in the days of his grandfather, when he was but a child, a company of the red men had their hunting-ground about this lake, then famous for beaver; and that the piece of land referred to was the place of their encampment. This is not at all improbable, since but a short distance from this, near the mouth of the head-
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stream of the lake, a beaver meadow furnishes unmistakable evidence of the former existence of these industrious little animals in this place.
The town took its name from one of the orig- inal proprietors, John Morgan, Esq., of Hartford, Ct. Of him the first settlers purchased their lands.
FIRST SETTLERS,
In 1802 Mr. NATHAN WILCOX removed with his family from Hillingsworth, Ct., and was the first settler, His children were Benjamin, Cal- vin, Jeremiah, Luther and Nathan Jr. The names of the girls were Deborah, Lydia, Thank- ful, Rachel and Lucy.
An incident occurred in his family, soon after his settlement, worthy of a passing notice. His second daughter, Lydia, then but a small child, was sent one morning to the woods to get some sprigs of fir or cedar for a broom. Wandering farther than she was aware, she was soon lost. As she did not return the family became alarmed, and with such help as could be raised from Holland, went in search; but no traces of her could be found.
The distressed parents were almost ready to give up their little one as irrecoverably lost. But before night-fall their cows. which roamed the woods for their living, came in, and, to the great joy of all, behold! their little girl was with them. It seems, from her account, that she found the cows in the fore-part of the day ; and, with remarkable presence of mind for a child, follow- ed them all day long through " thick and thin," briers and brush, till they came into the opening, when she left them and ran to the house with clothes much torn, and skin sadly scratched by means of the rough things with which she had come in contact.
But two of those boys who came from Con- necticut are now living-Calvin and Nathan, jr. Calvin left this town many years ago and re- moved to Stanstead, C. E.
Nathan, with the exception of a few years, has always lived in town. John M., the youngest son, and born here, lives on the old homestead.
Lydia, the only daughter now living, married a Mr. Boyington, and emigrated to the State of Illinois,
MR. CHRISTOPHER BARTLETT, the second set- tler, removed from Strafford Ct., A. D. 1805, with a family of seven-Lyman, Samuel, Jarvis, Aus. tin, John, Artimitia and Polly. He had also born here Zenas and Byram. Four of the boys that came from Connecticut, and the two born in Morgan, settled here. John and Zenas have emigrated, and now reside in Massachusetts.
The eldest daughter married Mr. John Foss, and removed to Charleston, this county. Her husband died in a few years, when she returned to this town, and still lives, a widow of 80 years. Her sister Polly married Mr. John Elliot, and till within a few years dwelt on the old home- stead; but having disposed of that, slie now resides in another part of the town. This large family, so far as known, are all living, and all good citizens.
From 1802 to 1807, we find but 8 persons who were legal voters that had made a settle- ment, viz. Nathan, Wilcox, (his brother) Benja- min, Calvin, and Jeremiah, (sons of Nathan,) Christopher Bartlett, Wm. D. Weeks and Eben- ezer Bayley.
The above named individuals, so far as known, are the only settlers before the town was organ- ized.
The first town-meeting was warned by Eber Robinson, Esq., of Holland, March 25, 1807. At that meeting Christopher Bartlett was chosen moderator and town clerk-Elon Wilcox. Nathan Wilcox, Ebenezer Bayley, selectmen-Wm. D. Weeks, constable-Christopher Bartlett, grand juror-Benjamin Wilcox, Calvin Wilcox, W. D. Weeks, listers-Christopher Bartlett, "keeper of the keys." At the close of the meeting the following vote is recorded.
" Voted, that the hemlock tree at the crotch of the road to Brownington, and Navy, shall be the place to set up warnings for town-meetings.'
The best data that can be obtained for ascer- taining the names, for ten years or more, is tho grand list. After the organization of the town, up to 1817, we find recorded the following: Luther Wilcox, Benj. Varnum, Erastus Hatch. Eli Fletcher, Samuel Bartlett, James Ingarson, George L. Varnum, David Hamblet, Enos Har- vey, Flint Foster, William Hamblet Enos Bishop. Silas Wilcox, Ira Leavens, William Cobb, Jr., Rufus Stewart, Jotham Cummings, John Hedge, Israel E. Cheney, George Stiles, John Willard, Samuel Killam, Daniel Brown, Moses T. Bur- bank, Zacheus Senter, Oliver Miner, Joseph Mansur, John Buzzel, Ruel Cobb, Austin Col burn, Francis Chase, John Bishop, J. Bartlett.
It is not certain that the above named are all that settled in town during the time specified, as there are two or more years in which the grand list is put down in figures on the town book, and no names attached to it.
The sum total of the grand list in each year, as it appears on the records, stands thus: in 1807, $599.75 cents; 1808 $658.45 1809, $928.00.
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in 1810, $1485.25 ; 1811, $1558.25 ; 1812, $1105.25; 1813, $837.00; 1814, $1095.37; 1815, 1099.62; 1816, $953.75; 1817, $1186.50.
There appears to be a great diminution in the amount of the grand list in 1812-13, which was not wholly made up for years afterwards This happened, in parts at least, in consequence of the war. Some enlisted and entered the United States service, and others left the town because of its proximity to Canada. About the same time there arose a dispute about the titles to the land, which occasioned much litigation; and so but few of those who had left ever return- ed to claim their possessions. It being some time before the titles were fully settled, the settlement of the town was greatly retarded.
The early settlers here, in common with the first settlers in most other places, were obliged to encounter many hardships and privations .- There was no grist-mill nearer than West Der- by or Rock Island in Stanstead. As they then traveled, either of these places was 15 miles dis- tant. In the summer and fall seasons the roads were impassable, only on foot or on horseback. Mr. Bartlett owned a horse, but could obtain no pasturing for it short of Derby Centre, 10 miles off. Whenever they needed any milling done, some one of the family'must take one day to go after the horse; the next day start for the mill with about 2 bushels-tarry over night for their grist-on the third day return home-on the fourth turn out their horse.
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Those who owned no team were obliged to go on foot and bear the burden themselves. It is related of Mr. James Ingarson, a noted rhym- er of his time (not to say poet), that as he was passing along with a bag of grain on his shoul- der, some of his neighbors accosted him respect- ing his going to mill; to which he immediate- ly replied, without turning his head, or seeming to notice them :
"I own neither horse, nor mare, nor mule, nor jack; So I go to mill with my grist on my back."
John Morgan Wilcox, the son of Nathan and Rachel Wilcox, was the first child born in town. He was named for John Morgan, Esq. before mentioned.
The first marriage was that of Luther Wil- rox and Lucinda Dean of Grafton, N. H. It was solemnized at Morgan, July 25, 1807. by Eber Robinson, Esq., of Holland.
Lucy Wilcox was the first person that died in town: her death occurred March 1, 1809- age 13 years and 16 days. She was the young- est daughter o!' Nathan and Rachel Wilcox.
The first framed house was built by Major Rufus Stewart, about one half mile north of the Four Corners. It was a small, one-story house, and never finished. Some 20 years ago it was taken down, and on the site a more com- modious house has been built and finished by Mr. Andrew Twombly.
TOWN CLERKS.
Christopher Bartlett, 1807 ; Erastus Hatch, 1808, '09, '10, and '11 ; Ira Leavens, 1812- 1833 ; John Bartlett, 1834-1839; Austin Bartlett, 1840; Charles Cummings, 1841, '42; Samuel Hemenway, 1843-deceased in March, '43, and in April Charles Cummings was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy ; Charles Cum- mings, 1844-1851 ; Byram Bartlett, 1852- 1854; Zenas Bartlett, 1855-1861. In the spring of 1862 he removed to Holland, and May 10th, George Bartlett was appointed. Paran Huntoon, 1863; G. Bartlett, 1864-'69.
The first justices of the peace were, Nathan Wilcox, Rufus Stewart, Ira Leavens and Jo- tham Cumings.
THE POST-OFFICE
was established in the month of October, 1843-Samuel Bartlett, the first postmaster, held the office about 20 years.
The other postmasters that have been ap- pointed are Wesley Foster, Moses Huntoon and Lorenzo Williams, the present incum- bent.
PHYSICIANS.
Doctor NATH'L J. LADD was the first phy- sician that ever settled here. He practiced a number of years in this vicinity with gener- al acceptance ; but thinking there was not sufficient encouragement for his calling, left, and removed to Meredith bridge, N. H., where, so far as is known, he still resides.
Doctor LEONARD MORGAN took up his resi- dence in town a few years before Dr. Ladd's exit, and continued his practice till 1839, when he also left, and went to the State of Georgia. Since that time we have had no physician in town.
There has never been sufficient encourage- ment for the legal profession to induce a law- yer to settle among us.
It is not known that more than one person brought up in this town has had a liberal education. Jacob M. Clark was graduated at the University of Vermont in August, 1845.
REPRESENTATIVES.
Rufus Stewart, the first, chosen Sept. 5, 1807; next after him was Ira Leavens. It is
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It is not ascertained at what time Mr. Leavens was first chosen ; but it appears that he rep- resented the town in 1822, '23, 32 and '39 .- Somewhere between 1811 and 1826 Dea. Jo- tham Cummings was chosen ; 1826 and '30 we were not represented. Jotham Cummings, Jr., 1828; Charles Cummings, 1834 ; Shubael Farr, 1835, '36; William Colby, 1837; John Bartlett, 1840 ; Cyrus Hemenway, 1841, '42 ; not ascertained, 1843 ; Zenas Bartlett, 1844, '45; Simeon Allbee,* 1846, '47, '48 and '61 ; Marson Leavens, 1849 and '50; Samuel Dag- get, 1851, '52; Nathan Orcott, 1853, '54 : Samuel Lord, 1855; Jarvis Bartlett, 1856, '57; Samuel Lord, 1858; John C. Moore, 1859, '60; Oliver Warren, 1862, '63 ; Byram Bartlett, 1864, '66; Josiah Hamblett, 1865 ; John Morse, 1867, '68.
MILITARY.
There is nothing to show when the first com- pany of militia was organized. In its first or- ganization it was composed of such as were lia- ble to bear arms in this town and Holland. - Afterwards it was divided, and a company or- ganized in each town. Calvin Wilcox was the first captain who commanded the company in this town : after him Ira Leavens, Ruel Cobb, Geo. L. Varnum, Siloame Tone and John Hatch.
The only higher military officer who has had his residence here was Major Rufus Stewart, who removed from Derby and settled here some time previous to 1812.
It is not known that any soldiers of the old French and Indian war ever settled in Morgan ; but Wm. Hamblett, Samuel Elliot, Christopher Bartlett and Nathaniel S. Clark, have had their residence here-all of whom were soldiers of the Revolutionary War, and pensioners.
The wife of Mr. Elliot is still living at an ad- vanced age, and draws a pension.
In the war of 1812, Ephraim Stiles and John Bishop, citizens of this town, were drafted to guard the frontier. Ruel Cobb, also, was draft- ed from Derby, and after the war settled here. Major Rufus Stewart, of the militia, received a captain's commission, and entered the regular service. Names of those who enlisted under him from this town are as follows: William Harvey, Samuel Killam, Enos Bishop, Erastus Hatch, John Hedge, James H. Varnum, Silas Wilcox.
1861.
The following are the names of the soldiers that went from this town and entered the
· Simoon Allbee was associate judge in 1862, '63.
United States' service in the war of the Re- bellion :---
Baxter Humphrey, Co. I, 6th reg., for one y'r. Jason Paul, 8th reg., "
Amos Batchelder, Co.E, 15th reg .; son of Mr. John and Mrs. Mary Batchelder; died of a fever, in Virginia; his remains brought home and interred with military honors ; he was aged 26 years and 4 months.
George Persons, Co, D, 3d Reg.
Siloame S. Persons,
George Brownwell,
Henry C. Hill, .. son of Shad-
rick and Maria Hill, aged 16, wounded at Lee's Mills ; died April 18, 1862.
David F. Elliot, Co. D, 3d Reg.
Wright Elliot, son of Sam'l and Elmira Elliot; died July 18, 1863.
Simeon Marsh, Co. E, 15th Reg.
William H. Elliot, Co. F, 11th Reg.
John W. H. Evans, Co. K, 10th Reg .; (foreign parents, deceased and not known here); died Oct. 16, 1862.
E. Gilbert Calkins, Co. H, 2d U. S. S. Shooters. Lyman P. Brooks, Co. F, 11th Reg. Charles H. Brooks, son of Hor- ace and Sarah Brooks, ( father deceased ) ; died Oct. 1st,'65, in reb. hos., S. C., aged 23.
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