USA > Vermont > Orleans County > The history of Orleans county, Vermont. Civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military > Part 47
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Curtis Cobb, Co. D, 3d Reg .; son of Wm. and Nancy Cobb ; killed in the battle of the Wilderness.
Emerson D.Cowing,Co. B, 8th Reg.
Charles S. Barret, ..
Wm. Barret, Jr., Co. F, 11th Reg.
Wm. H. Smith Co. E, 15th Reg.
Samuel Townsend, Co. F, 11th Reg.
Joel Williams, =
Elias Blake, Co. H, 2d U.S. S. Shooters.
William Parker,
Alfred J. Black, 10th Reg.
Erastus M.Dunbar, Co. E, 15th and Co. G, 17th Regts .; son of Stillman and Eliza S. Dun- bar, N. Bridgewater; killed in the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864.
E. C. Burroughs, Co. H, 2d U. S. S. Shooters.
Cyrus B. Bagley, -
Ezekiel Bowles, No returns.
Elijah Allbee, Jr., Lewis Bryant, Co. L, 11th Reg.
Augustus Lyon.
·Martin J.P. Jennes, Co. D, 3d Reg.
Daniel G. Brooks, Co. F, 11th Reg. Albro Brown, " son of Cal- vin and Betsey Brown ; died at home with a wound.
Isaac H. Clough, 7, 1862. Co. D, 3 Reg .; died Dec.
Jolin R. Dawson, Co. B, 8th Reg.
David Morse, Jr., Co. F, 11th Reg.
Nixon Morse, Co. D, 3d Reg., after-
ward Co. F, 11th Reg.
Willard Morse, Co. F, 11th Reg .; son of David and Mary Morse ; died in prison at Andersonville.
E. G. I. Varnum, } Co. F, 11th Reg .; sons of Geo. C. Varnum, § Geo. L. & Hannah Var- num ; died in prison at Andersonville.
Orren T. Bartlett, Co. F, 11th Reg.
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Matthew Whitehill,Co. E, 15th Reg. Moses Whitehill,
son of
widow Betsey Whitehill; killed at the battle of Wilderness.
Clement D. Gray, vol. for one year. Benj. Cargill, Co. D, 2d Reg .; son of Charles and Eunice Cargill; died in Lin- coln Hospital; aged 20.
The bounties paid by the town to the sol- diers who enlisted the latter part of the war ranged from $ 25 to $ 500.
In the early part of the war a Female So- ciety was organized for the benefit of the sick and wounded soldiers. A number of boxes of socks, drawers, shirts, bandages, pillows, sheets, quilts, puffs and various other articles of bedding and clothing were sent by them to the hospitals.
Several collections have been taken up for the aid society.
The oldest man who has died in town was Samuel Elliot, aged 93 years.
The oldest woman is not ascertained.
The following list will show the names of those who have died in town, so far as found on record and remembered, whose ages will range from 80 to 89 years :
MEN-Benj. Varnum, Nathan Wilcox, Mr. - Taylor, Nathaniel S. Clark, Jos. Man- sur, Cutter Blowd, Joseph Burbee.
WOMEN-Molly Varnum, Sarah Cobb, Mrs - - Taylor, Rachel Wilcox, Elizabeth Cum- mings, Abiah Mansur, Anna Burbee, Phalla Levens.
The oldest man now living * is Mr. Hop- per, an Englishman, from C. E. He does not know his exact age, but he calls himself be- tween 90 and 100 years. The oldest woman is Mrs. Achsah Elliot, widow of Sam'l Elliot, and a pensioner, as before mentioned. She is now in the 90th year of her age. She has had 13 children, and all are living but one ; the oldest, 72 years, and the youngest between 40 and 50. She has 80 grandchildren and more than 40 great-grandchildren.
The first school in town was kept by a man by the name of Flint Foster. (Date not re- membered.)
In the month of March, 1811, the town was divided into two school districts. Since that time it has been sub divided into seven and in all, excepting one, there is a decent and comfortable school-house.
The first school-house was built in district No. 1, in that part of the town, formerly Brownington Gore, in 1827 or '28. Soon after one was built in district No. 3, at the Four Corners, which answered the purpose of school, meeting and town-house. Within a few years past both of these houses have been taken down and better ones built in their places. In district No. 3, more than forty years ago, Miss Roxany Sweetland, taught school in a barn owned by Mr. Samuel Bartlett, and received in compensation, for her 12 weeks service, $5 in cash and $5 worth of grain.
The average amount of schooling per year, for a number of years past, has been 6 months, or nearly that. Besides we have 3 months select school in the Fall season.
RELIGION.
Previous to the organization of any church in town, there was some religious interest. Mr. Wilcox (the first settler) was not a pro- fessor when he came to town. Though he kept up a religious form in his family, he did not date his Christian experience till some time after. Mr. C. Bartlett was a professor of religion when he came. In 1806, these two families united with some of their neigh- bors in Holland, in setting up religious meet- ings on the Sabbath, and from that time to the present (as a general rule) meetings have been sustained here regularly on the Sabbath, when they have had no preaching, as well as when they had. Thus God in his Providence prepared the way in these two individuals for building up his church, in what was then but a waste wilderness. In the course of the same year (1806) they were visited by a mis- sionary by the name of Jeremiah Hallock, from Simsbury, Ct. As it cannot be ascer- tained that there was any preacher in town before him, it is very probable that to him belongs the honor of preaching the first ser- mon. Previous to the organization of the church here, most of the professors of religion with some who had here obtained a hope in Christ, united with the Congregational church in Derby, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Leland (soon after deceased.)
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
here was organized June 4, 1823, under the superintendence of Rev. David Williston, missionary from the Hampshire Missionary Society, and Rev. Lyman Case, then pastor of the church in Coventry. At the time of
* Since deceased, and Benjamin Demick, aged 89, is now the oldest man.
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its organization, the church consisted of 11 members,-they were
Jotham Cummings and Elizabeth, his wife, Christopher Bartlett and Anna his wife, Is- rael E. Cheney and Sarah his wife, Nathan Wilcox, Joseph Dickey, Deborah Wilcox, Artimicia Bartlett and Nancy Cobb.
From that time up to 1826, by profession and letter, had been added Thankful Wilcox, Lydia Wilcox, Polly Varnum, Rachel Wil- cox, Rebecca Bartlett, Jarvis Bartlett, Eliza Hatch, Polly Bartlett.
At the organization of the church, Rev. Mr. Case was chosen moderator, and Mr. Jo- tham Cummings to fill the office of deacon and clerk.
In the month of July 1826, Jacob S. Clark, a licentiate of the Coos Association, N. H. (now Caledonia) visited this town as a candi- date for settlement. On the following Octo ber he received a call from the church and society, to settle as their pastor. In the month of November, he removed here with his family from North Haverhill, N. H. Jan. 11, 1827, he was ordained and installed as pas- tor of the little church. There not being a school-house or any other public building in town, they held their meetings in different neighborhoods, occupying barns in the Sum- mer and private dwellings in the Winter.
For the first 2 years after the settlement of the pastor, but one was added to the church and that by letter, In the Fall of 1829, a re- vival commenced and continued, with much interest, the remainder of the Fall and Win- ter. During the year 1830, the fruits of that revival, were 27 added to the church. In the Summer and Fall of 1831, we had another very interesting revival, rapid in its progress and attended with much power. In the course of that year 13 more were added. From that time up to 1840, there were added 19 at various times, mostly by profession. In the Spring of 1840 and the Fall of 1842, we had other seasons of refreshing, as the result of which 33 were gathered into the churchı. At different times since, 20 others have been added making the whole number of all that have ever belonged to this church 132.
From various causes, such as deaths, emi- grations and the organization of other sister churches in neighboring towns, where some of our members resided, this church has been reduced, so that the present number of resi- dent members is but 26,
In March 1864, the pastor felt it his duty, on account of his age and infirmities to with- draw from active service. On the following July, Rev. A. R. Gray, of Coventry, was em- ployed and has since supplied the desk as acting pastor every alternate Sabbath .*
The persons here named have been chosen and served as deacons in this church : Jotham Cummings, deceased ; Nathan Wilcox, deceas- ed; Christopher Bartlett, deceased ; Charles Cumings, removed to W. Charleston ; Will- iam Colby, deceased; William Little, present. THE METHODIST CHURCH.
The first M. E. class in this town was or- ganized February, 1830. Nath'l G. Ladd, M. D. was the first class-leader. The preachers under whose superintendence the class was organized, were a Mr. - Blaisdell and - Campbell. As no reliable records are within our reach, we have to depend wholly upon memory in giving the names of the M. E. clergy that have officiated here. The fol- lowing list contains the names, so far as can be recollected of all or nearly all the ministers that have been sent by the conference at dif - ·ferent times, to take charge of this branch of their church :
Revs. - Cutler, John S. Smith, E. Scott, Warner, - Crosby, - Naason, - - Spague, - Huston, Jonas Scott, - Wig- gins, - Kimball, David Packer, Putnam Ray, - Norris, Dyer Willis, - Colburn, Moses Pattee, Joseph Enright, Almer How- ard, E. D. Hopkins, P. N. Granger, C. D. In- graham, J. S. Speeney.
There is no one now living in town that was a member of the class at its first forma- tion. This church has increased in numbers and influence, and at the time of the writing of this sketch, is believed to be in a prosper- ous state.
We have but one house of worship in town a small building, originally 28 feet by 36. It was first built by the Methodist society in the Fall and Winter of 1842, '43. Afterwards one half of the shares were sold to the Con- gregational church and society and it was turned into a union house. In 1866, it was enlarged and the inside remodeled, so that now it is a convenient building for the con- gregation that usually assemble in it.
SABBATH SCHOOL.
Previous to the settlement of the pastor, the youth assembled in connection with the * Since deseased.
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reading meetings on the Sabbath, to recite portions of scripture ; but it does not appear that there was then any regular organization.
For several years after the settlement of the pastor, biblical instruction was conducted in the same manner. In the month of April 1838, the Congregational church resolved it- self into a Sabbath school society for the transaction of business, relative to biblical instruction.
Besides the Sabbath school that meets with the worshiping congregation on the Sabbath, there are two others in town, regularly or- ganized with superintendents and teachers.
The number of books in the libraries of these three Sunday-schools, as recently reported, may safely be estimated at from 500 to 600.
The first temperance society was organized in 1836, and sustained for a while, with con- siderable interest. But losing its organization, another was formed in 1844. In the Fall of 1854, a lodge of Good Templars was chartered which has been productive of good to the cause of temperance.
STATE PRISON CONVICTS.
A man by the name of Shillinglaw, removed from Barnet to this town and commenced a settlement in the eastern section, near what is called Morgan Plain. Having passed a suspicious looking bill, search was made about his house and premises and at last considera- ble of an amount of spurious bank notes was found deposited in his bible. He was con- victed to serve a term of years at Windsor. The State prison records will probably show more of the character of this man and his family in after life.
A young man of considerable promise by the name of Truman Nicols, went from this town to engage in some kind of business in Canada. Falling into bad company, he was enticed to try his fortune in circulating coun- terfeit currency. He took a quantity of it and repaired to Concord, N. H., where he ex- pected to meet a brother and with him go to some of the Western States. Offering to pass a small bill, he was arrested, searched, and condemned to the States prison. His. health failing, toward the latter part of his term, he was pardoned and brought home to his par- ents in Morgan, where he lingered for a while and died, it is believed, a true penitent.
A citizen by the name of David Hamblett set up the first and the last tavern ever kept. in town. He took a situation at the Four
Corners, obtained license, and continued about one year, when he abandoned it and left.
The first saw-mill was built by Calvin Wilcox .* A grist-mill, afterwards, was built by Maj. Rufus Stewart; but, not having suf- ficient water-power to make it profitable, it was taken down by his successor, Clark Morse, and the frame-work and other lumber of which it was built, purchased by Nathan Wilcox, Esq., and turned into a dwelling- house, which is still occupied by John M. Wilcox.
There are now two saw-mills in town, on small streams, which can do business only a part of the year. There is no place in town that can properly be called a village, or ville ; but the principal place of business is the Four Corners, where there are 2 stores, a harness- shop, a shoemaker, a blacksmith's shop, a picture-saloon, and a joiner's shop.
At the present time, 9 families reside within the compass of one half mile.
In 1842, '43, the erysipelas prevailed, throughout the town, to an alarming extent. Several of our principal church members, and some of our most valuable citizens, were vic- tims of this fearful epidemic. The bill of mortality for about 6 months, in proportion to the number of inhabitants, was almost unparalleled. Besides this, diphtheria, scar- let fever, or canker-rash, and typhoid fever have prevailed at different times.
The principal crops raised by the farmers are wheat, barley, oats, corn, India wheat, and potatoes. To these several kinds of produce, the soil is well adapted. A good proportion of the land is excellent for graz- ing, and the stock, such as cows, oxen, horses and sheep, raised here, will average with that of most other towns in this part of the State. The different kinds of grain, potatoes, butter, and maple sugar, are the principal articles of commerce.
The wild animals here are the same as are found in most other towns in the northern part of the State. The smaller kind, valued and sought for their furs, such as sable, otter, muskrat and mink, were never known to be numerous. Some of the two last named, however, are found and taken even now. Foxes still abound, in many instances, to the great annoyance of the poultry. Within the past year no less than 44 have been taken in one section of the town, by two enterprising * Deceased, Feb. 10, 1869.
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hunters, Messrs. Bigelow and Wilson, by means of their traps and hounds .* The lynx has been occasionally seen.
Among the larger animals known to have been found here, are the deer, moose, bear, and wolf. As late as 1827 and '28, the deer were frequently hunted and taken. In the latter part of the Summer, or early in the Fall, of 1827, a moose was seen leaving a cornfield, on the farm then owned by William Colby, and plunging into the lake. Some of the neighbors immediately took their boat and guns, pursued and shot her before she reached the opposite shore.
As a token of the hearty good will which is always felt by the inhabitants of newly and sparsely settled places, each family in the neighborhood was served with a fine steak of moose- beef.
For many years after the settlement of the town, the bears and wolves continued to in- fest the place, and were often very annoying to the inhabitants, and destructive to their flocks. But the people, in those days, were not "afraid of the bears," and the killing of a bear was not an event of uncommon occur- rence. They were often seen roaming about the lake. An instance of an encounter with one is related by an actor in the scene. Mr. Christopher Bartlett's youngest son, Byram, saw a bear swimming in the lake. He imme- diately ran and told his father and brother Tarvis, who were at work some distance off.
They seized their gun, repaired to their boat, and launched off in pursuit. As soon as they came within a proper distance, Jarvis discharged the gun at his head, which at once sank under the water. Supposing that the shot had been effectual, they brought their boat up to his side, and drew him into it. But they soon found that he was only stunned by the shock, and not materially injured ; the ball having passed through both ears, and just grazed the top of his head. Soon he began to show signs of life.
They felt for their jack-knives, but they were left in the pockets of their vests, where they had been at work. They took no am- munition with them, and so were left with only two light cedar paddles, with which they managed the boat. Whenever their shaggy passenger attempted to rise, they would rap him on the head with one of their
paddles, as if to say "Lie still, bruin." Hav- ing turned their boat, they made for the shore. As soon as they struck the land, his bearship, thinking, no doubt, that it would be a good time to make his escape, raised himself upon " all fours," ready for a race. But he mis- took in his reckoning. The lad, Byram, had just arrived with an ax, which he handed to his brother, and one well-directed blow upon the head, with the poll of the ax, ended the drama.
In the Fall of 1838, the wolves were mak- . ing ravages among the sheep, in the neigh- borhood of Elon hill. On a certain night, their howling was heard by some of the inhabitants from the top of the hill. Hav- ing thus ascertained their locality, no time was lost in communicating the intelligence throughout this and the adjacent towns. The next morning, nearly 200 people were enter- ing the woods that surrounded the hill. At a certain point on the shore of the lake, there is a narrow plat of land, something in the form of a heater, hemmed in by an almost perpendicular cliff, rising from the water's edge to a considerable height. To this point it was designed to drive the wolves, and close up the circle. In the latter part of the day, the report of their fire arms told that they had accomplished their design. Soon the boys were seen rushing from the thicket, bearing the trophies of their day's sport.
On that day this gang of marauders was lessened by three.
It being known that some had escaped, and thinking it probable that they would return in search of their companions, a watch was kept up that night. At a late hour, the howling was again heard in the same place. Messengers were immediately sent out, in all directions, where they found all ready and eager to join in pursuit of the common enemy.
" Each vale, and each sequestered glen, Mustered its little band of men,- From the grey sire, whose trembling hand
Could scarcely buckle on his brand, To the raw boy, whose shaft and bow Were yet scarce terror to the crow."
At an early hour in the morning, 300 men and boys were seen entering the forest, at different points, and before night three more of the sheep stealers were put beyond the power of further mischief. Not long after, from the sale of the skins and the government bounty, each man and boy who engaged in
*Ten more may be added to the credit of M. Leavens.
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the enterprise found himself a little more than a half dollar richer for his two day's adventure.
Some of the early settlers were noted, as being remarkably hardy and persevering .- As an illustration of this, an anecdote is re- lated of Enos Bishop. He was said to be but a small man, but firmly built. On one morning, in the month of March, he took a large pack on his shoulder, containing most or all of his movables, on the top of which was lashed a heavy six-pail iron kettle; and, thus equipped, he started, on snow-shoes, from Brunswick on Connecticut River, through a trackless wilderness, and reached his desti- nation in Morgan (a distance of 28 miles) before sunset.
NATHAN WILCOX,
the first settler in town, as before mentioned, was born in Killingsworth, Ct., Nov. 16, 1757. At an early age, he married Rachel Bennet, of East Hampton, Long Island, born July 7, 1756. While yet in the State of steady habits, he united with the church, on the old halfway covenant, in order that his chil- dren might receive the ordinance of baptism. Though not then a professor of experimental religion, he maintained its outward form in his family. When about 44 years of age, he removed from his native place to Morgan.
So far as is known, he always sustained a good moral character. Though his education was limited, he possessed good common sense and sound judgment. By means of his hon- esty and integrity in his intercourse with his fellow men, he secured the respect and confi- dence of all who procured his acquaintance.
He was one of the first justices in town, held the office for a number of years, and, for aught that appears, honorably discharged its functions.
But the most prominent trait in his char- acter, was his religion. Ever after he made a public profession, he was eminently pious. In the family, in the church, and in the world, he honored his profession by a lively Christian example. He was emphatically a man of prayer. Prayer was an exercise in which he delighted, and in which he excelled. Such were his walk and conversation before the world, that even opposers and fault- finders were constrained to acknowledge that his religion was a reality. "O, I would gladly embrace religion, if I were sure that I conld be such a Christian as Father Wilcox,"
was the remark of an enquiring sinner. Nor did his piety lead him to neglect the ordinary duties of the present life. While he was dili- gent in "business," he was " fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."
In his last sickness, which was long, and exceedingly painful, he manifested that pa- tience and resignation which is only found in the sincere Christian. When he had be- come unconscious of almost every thing else, he still recognized Jesus as his " All in All."
He died, June 21, 1840, in the 84th year of his age.
CHRISTOPHER BARTLETT
was born in Stafford, Ct., Feb. 26, 1767. He married Anna Buck, of Somers, Ct., born Aug. 4, 1765. In 1805, he removed to this town, and made his pitch upon a lot of land at the head of the lake, now owned by Sam- uel Twombly.
By the help of his boys, he subdued the forest, and soon made a valuable farm. He was strictly an honest man, and a devoted Christian. Upright in all his dealings with others, he expected the same from them.
He was a strict observer of the Sabbath, and all religious duties. If he had some eccentricities, they did not essentially affect his moral and religious character. If he was more exacting in regard to his requirements of others, than was thought to be necessary, he was yet conscientious and sincere. If in any thing he was found in the wrong, none was ever more ready to give satisfaction, as soon as convinced of his error.
For a number of his last years, he lived a widower,-his wife having deceased in the Summer of 1835. In the Fall of 1842, he seemed to have a presentiment of his death.
A friend having suggested to him the pro- priety of having one of his sons come home and relieve him from the care and burden of carrying on his farm, he remarked that there would be a change in his affairs before an- other Spring. Shortly after, he was taken with the erysipelas, and died, Dec. 27, 1842.
IRA LEAVENS
was born at Windsor, Vt., Feb. 28, 1779. He married Phalla Cobb, born at Hartland, Jan. 13, 1783. After his marriage, he settled for a while in Montgomery, and from thence removed with his wife and one child (a son) to Morgan, in 1809. He settled in that part of Morgan, formerly Brownington Gore.
Being a good farmer, persevering, indus-
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trious, economical, and calculating, he soon placed himself and family above want. As a neighbor, he was kind and accommodating; as a citizen and townsman, his influence was soon felt. In the business of the town, he largely participated ; and was frequently chosen to fill some of the most important offices.
At one time he was captain of the militia company ; and served, as town clerk, 22 con- secutive years ; and represented the town in several sessions of the State Legislature.
To the good order of society he was a friend, and although not a professor of re- ligion, a constant contributor for the support of the Gospel. Though naturally of a firm constitution, he was suddenly attacked with erysipelas, and after a short sickness died, Jan. 18. 1843, aged nearly 64 years. By the town at large, the loss was severely felt.
His widow survived him till July 17, 1866, when she also died in her 84th year. His only son Marson, and his second son, Moses, still occupy the homestead.
JOTHAM CUMMINGS.
was born in Rumney, N. H. Nov. 6, 1766; he married Elizabeth Senter, born in Marlow, N. H. 1768. For a number of years after his marriage he resided in Plymouth, N. H. In 1811, he came to Morgan, bringing with him a family of two sons and four daughters. He was a man of rare talents and sterling piety.
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