USA > Vermont > Orleans County > The history of Orleans county, Vermont. Civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military > Part 50
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Given and granted by the General Assem- bly, by their Act, bearing date the twenty- sixth day of October, A. D., one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one.
In testimony of the foregoing I have caused the seal of this State to be hereunto affixed.
Given under my hand, in the Council at Burlington, this thirtieth day of October, A. D., one thousand eight hundred and two, and of the Independence of the United States the twenty-seventh.
By His Excellency's command, ISAAC TICHENOR.
DAVID WING, Jun'r, Sec'y of State.
Secretary of State's Office. ) Montpelier, Sept. 21, 1803, §
Recorded in Liber I., Folio 360, 361 and 362, of Charters.
Attest, D. WING, Jun'r, Sec'y. SMALL BEGINNING.
In the town treasurer's office is a receipt for State Taxes, of which the following is a сору ;
" Treasurer's Office.
Westminster, 15th October, 1803.
Received of Abel Parkhurst, First Consta- ble of Duncansboro by the hands of W. Cha- pin, Nine Dollars in full for the tax on said Duncansboro, including Interest, granted October 1802.
BENJAMIN SWAN, Treas."
RECORD OF FIRST TOWN MEETING.
Notice is hereby given to warn the Inhab- itants of the Town of Duncansborough who are legal Voters in Town Meetings to meet at the Dwelling House of Luther Chapin for the purpose of organizing sd. Town on the 11th Day of March next, ten o'clock forenoon.
1st,-To Choose a Moderator to govern said Meeting.
2d,-To Chouse a Town Clerk.
3d,-To Chouse and appoint all other nec- essary Officers as the Law Directs.
Dated at Derby, this 25th day of Februa- ry, A. D. 1800.
JEHIEL BOARDMAN, J. Peace.
A true Record
Attest, Amos Sawyer, Town Clerk.
Duncansborough, March 11th A. D. 1800.
Being met according to Warrant and pro- ceeded,
lly,-Chose James C. Adams moderator to govern sd meeting.
2ly,-Chose Amos Sawyer Town Clerk for the year ensuing.
3ly-Chose Enos Bartlett, James C. Adams and Amos Sawyer Selectmen for the year ensuing.
4ly-Chose Luther Chapin, Constable and Collector.
5ly-Chose Amos Sawyer, James C. Adams and Enos Bartlett, Listers.
6ly-Chose Amos Sawyer Grand Juryman the year ensuing.
7ly-Chose Enos Bartlett and Nathaniel Dagget Surveyors of highways.
8ly-Chose James C. Adams Pound Keeper.
9ly-Chose Simon Carpenter fence viewer and hay ward.
10ly-Chose Amos Sawyer Sealer of weights and measures.
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Illy-Voted to raise five dollars for the | dollars fifty cents to be paid into the treasury use of Schooling.
12ly-Nominated James C. Adams, Amos Sawyer, Enos Bartlett and Nathaniel Dagget to serve as petty Juryes.
13ly-Voted to ajourn said meeting with- out day.
Attest, AMOS SAWYER, Town Clerk. TOWN CLERKS.
Amos Sawyer, 1800 -- '01; Nathaniel Hor- ton, 1801-'02; Amos Sawyer, 1802-'04 ; Luther Chapin, 1805-'10; Amos Sawyer, 1810-'17; Daniel Warren, 1817-'21 ; Josiah Rawson, 1821-'24; Seymour Lane, 1824- ' 25; Abial A. Adams, 1825-' 26; Seymour Lane, 1826-' 33 ; Tyler Mason, 1833, March to Dec. Seymour Lane, Dec. 1833-' 37; Thomas Glysson, 1837-'39; Seymour Lane 1839-'63; Royal Cummings, 1863 -.
THE NAME OF THE TOWN.
Originally Duncansboro, it was changed to Newport in the fall of 1816, though why it was called Newport we are uninformed. At or about the same time a part of Coventry called Coventry Leg, extending from Coven- try proper to the lake, was annexed, as also that part of Salem which lay on the west side of the lake, in which is now situated New- port Village.
FIRST TOWN OFFICERS, MARCH 11, 1800. James C. Adams, moderator. Amos Saw- yer, town clerk. Enos Bartlett, James C. Adams, Amos Sawyer, selectmen. Luther Chapin, constable and collector. Amos Saw- yer, James C. Adams, Enos Bartlett, listers. Amos Sawyer, grand juror. Enos Bartlett, Nathaniel Daggett, surveyors of highways. James C. Adams, pound keeper. Simon Car- penter, fence viewer and hayward. Amos Sawyer sealer of weights and measures.
The first Grand List, A. D. 1800, contains only the following eleven names : John Prouty, Nathaniel Daggett, Abel Parkhurst, Amos Sawyer, Luther Chapin, James C. Ad- ams, Abraham Horton, Nathaniel Horton, Simon Carpenter, Enos Bartlett, Jos. Page.
The same was undoubtedly the check-list at the first freeman's meeting, as there were eleven votes for each office.
School district No. 1 was organized Nov, 17, 1807. The first school house was built of " hewed timber, six inches thick, 32 feet long, 18 wide" and the sum appropriated for it was " forty dollars to be paid in labor, boards, shingles, nails, glass &c."
June 1, 1818, Voted to raise a tax of fifteen
in the month of January next in grain, for the purpose of building a stone chimney in the school-house in district No. 1.
A special town meeting was called Feb. 23. 1819, to see if the town would accept the chimney.
In 1800, however, the sum of $ 5.00 was voted "for the use of schooling. In 1801 and 1802 $ 10.00 were raised for support of a school, so that it is probable there was some sort of a school held before the school house was built.
The present number of school districts, whole and fractional is sixteen.
SMALL POX IN TOWN.
The following is a copy of record :
" SMALL POX NOTICE .- We the Selectmen of Newport hereby notify the public that we have licensed two pest houses in said town to wit : one occupied by Mr. Abial A. Adams, and one occupied by Mr. Orin Jones, formally the store, situated on the Lake road at the four corners. We have fenced up the road passing by those houses and turned it into the field and placed notices where the road is turned. We hereby forbid any person going to or from those houses or receiving any thing from them whereby they might endanger the public health, without license from us, under the pains and penalties of the law as in such cases made and provided.
Newport, Jan.1, 1844.
ORVILLE ROBINSON,
SYLVANUS HEMINGWAY, Selectmen." JOSIAH JOSLYN.
The first birth, recorded in town, was that of Allen Adams, born, Dec. 29, 1794.
The first marriage, recorded in town, was that of Thomas Davenport and Hannah Blanchard, both of Potton, C. E., by Luther Chapin, justice of the peace, Jan. 8, 1801.
The following is a copy of the record of the first death in town :-
"Polly Chapin died July 7th, 1808, sun one hour high in the morning, aged 25 years, one month, 18 days."
TOWN REPRESENTATIVES.
1800 to 1804, inclusive, Luther Chapin.
The records are silent as to representatives for the next six years.
1811 and 1812, James C. Adams.
1813, Amos Sawyer.
1814, Martin Adams.
1815, Amos Sawyer.
1816 to 1818, Daniel Warner.
Silent again for ten years.
1828, Elias Eastman.
1829 and 1830, Samuel Warner.
Silent again until 1863.
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NEWPORT.
SELECTMEN.
1800.
Enos Bartlett, James C. Adams, Amos Sawyer. 1801. Luther Chapin, Nathaniel Daggett, Nathaniel Horton. 1802. Amos Sawyer, Asa Daggett, Martin Adams. 1803. Amos Sawyer, Luther Chapin, Asa Daggett. 1804.
Amos Sawyer, Luther Chapin, Enos Bartlett. 1805.
Luther Chapin, Amos Sawyer, Martin Adams. 1806. Amos Sawyer, Luther Chapin, James C. Adams. 1807.
Luther Chapin, Amos Sawyer, Asa Daggett. 1808.
Amos Sawyer, Luther Chapin, Nathaniel Daggett. 1809.
Luther Chapin, Asa Daggett, Martin Adams. 1810. Martin Adams, Amos Sawyer, Nathaniel Daggett. 1811. Amos Sawyer, Enos Bartlett, Jeremiah Sawyer. 1812. Amos Sawyer, Rufus Call,
Nathaniel Daggett. 1813. Amos Sawyer, Nathaniel Daggett, Daniel Warner. 1814. Daniel Warner, Benjamin Newhall, Jeremiah Sawyer. 1815. Amos Sawyer, Daniel Warner, Martin Adams. 1816. Oliver Stiles, Benjamin Newhall, Nathaniel Daggett.
Daniel Warner, John M. Beebe,
Rhoderick Adams. 1818. Martin Adams, Daniel Warner, John M. Beebe. 1819, 1820.
Daniel Warner, Martin Adams, John M. Beebe.
1821-'24. No record. 1824. Samuel Warner, Rhoderick Adams, John Atwood. 1825. Samuel Warner, Orville Daggett, John Atwood. 1826.
Samuel Warner, I. Ide,
H. Adams.
1827. Samuel Warner, Orville Daggett, Israel S. Scott. 1828, 1829. Samuel Warner, Orville Daggett, Seymour Lane. 1830. Samuel Warner, Peter Wheelock, Lucius Carpenter. 1831. Samuel Warner, Orville Daggett, Peter Wheelock. 1832. Peter Wheelock, Jonathan Frost, Israel S. Scott. 1833. Jonathan Frost, Sumner Frost, Asa B. Moore. 1834.
Sumner Frost, Asa B. Moore, Levi Jones. 1835.
Sumner Frost, Jonathan Frost, Peter Wheelock. 1836. Sumner Frost, Peter Wheelock, Asa B. Moore. 1837. Sumner Frost, Asa B. Moore, Jonathan Frost. 1838.
Asa B. Moore, Thomas Glysson,
Solomon Jenness. 1839. 1855.
Asa B. Moore,
Peter Wheelock,
Warren Adams, Freeman Miller,
Orville Daggett. 1840.
1856.
Freeman Miller,
Ira A. Adams,
John A. Prouty. 1857.
Jonathan Frost, Timothy B. Pratt,
John A. Prouty,
Otis Sawyer. 1842.
George L. Sleeper 1858.
Asa B. Moore, Freeman Miller,
Sylvanus Hemingway, Ashley Gould, Orville Robinson. 1843.
George L. Sleeper. 1859.
Orville Robinson, Hiram B. Lane,
Sylvanus Hemingway, Otis Sawyer, Josiah Joslyn. 1844.
1860.
Orville Robinson,
Lucius Robinson,
Joel R. Daggett,
Otis Sawyer, Orville Robinson. 1861.
Lucius Robinson,
Joel R. Daggett, George W. Kendall, Hiram Cutting. 1846.
William Batchelder Stephen Peabody. 1862.
Joel R. Daggett, George W. Kendall, Roswell Prouty. 1847.
Lucius Robinson, William Batchelder, Stephen Peabody. 1863.
William Moon, Jr.,
Lucius Robinson,
Roswell Prouty, Orville Robinson. 1848. George W. Kendall,
Lucius Robinson, Ira A. Adams,
Roswell Prouty, Freeman Miller. 1849. Luther Baker,
Dudley Holbrook. 1865.
Lucius Robinson,
Freeman Miller,
Dudley Holbrook,
Joel R. Daggett. 1850. Luther Baker,
George L. Sleeper. 1866.
Lucius Robinson,
Freeman Miller,
Solomon Jenness. 1851 Freeman Miller,
William Moon, Jr., Joseph A. Ide. 1852. William Moon, Jr., Joseph A. Ide, Luther Baker. 1853.
Freeman Miller, George W. Kendall, Luther Baker. 1854.
Joseph A. Ide, Charles M. Seabury, Warren Adams.
David M. Camp, George R. Lane, K Walker.
Ira A. Adams.
Jonathan Frost, Timothy B. Pratt, Otis Sawyer. 1841.
Ira A. Adams,
Lucius Robinson.
Otis Sawyer. 1845.
John A. Prouty, Emera Miller,
1864.
George L. Sleeper, Dudley Holbrook. 1867. Walter D. Crane, E. H. Williams. George R. Lane. 1868.
Walter D. Crane, George R. Lane, John L. Crawford. 1869.
Walter D. Crane, George R. Lane, John L. Crawford. 1870.
1
1817.
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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
NEWSPAPERS IN NEWPORT. BY HON. D. M. CAMP.
The first newspaper here was started May 20, 1863, by Charles C. Spaulding, who was both editor and publisher. It was called the " Newport News," and the subscription price, $1.50, afterwards increased to $2.00, or $1.25 in Canada currency. It professed to be a Union paper, but instead of living up to its professions, it was, instead, very neutral at first, but, in August, 1864, boldly showed what it had ever really been at heart-a Democratic organ. This proved unfavorable to its success and obnoxious to the greater portion of its supporters, and it was discon- tinued Dec. 8, 1864. The materials were sold to the Vermont Union, at Lyndon.
The inhabitants, having thus come to real- ize some of the advantages of a paper in their midst, even if of a contrary political faith, were determined to start one of their own stamp, and maintain it. A few of themn, ac- cordingly, purchased the material belonging to the Green Mountain Express, which had been established in Irasburgh, May 21, 1863, and for want of patronage had given up the ghost, after the publication of only 50 num- bers. These were removed to Newport, and the first number of the Newport Republican was issued, Oct. 19, 1864; W. G. Cambridge, editor and proprietor. As its name indicated, it was strictly republican ; terms $2.00 per year. As Mr. Cambridge was a stranger in the county, and possessed of hardly sufficient .energy and determination to build up the character of his paper, he received but a lim- ited support. Consequently, on the 1st of March, following. it passed into the hands of D. K. Simonds, Esq., and Royal Cummings. The name was changed to the Newport Ex- press,-Mr. Simonds assuming the editorial management. From this time forward, the fortunes of journalism here revived.
After these frequent changes, with many embarrassments, and with constant and per- sistent effort, the Express was firmly founded, and has ever since continued to prosper. Its original size was 23 by 36 inches, but, Jan. 1, 1866, it was enlarged by lengthening its col- umns 2 inches. In April, 1866, Mr. Simonds, desiring to give his undivided attention to the practice of law, sold his entire interest in the paper to D. M. Camp, who, with the issue of April 17, 1866, became editor and associate publisher. The circulation and advertising
patronage continued to increase so rapidly that it became necessary again to enlarge its borders. This was done, March 1, 1869, by adding 4 columns, and increasing their length from 24 inches to 26}; making the entire sheet 282 by 43} inches, and containing 32 columns-its present size. At the same time a new outfit of type and a new head were secured. July 12, 1869, D. M. Camp pur- chased Mr. Cummings' entire interest in the business, and is now editor, publisher, and sole proprietor. The success of the paper is now fully and permanently established .- From a small beginning, it has, in a period of 52 years, reached a circulation of over 2500; has secured a large and remunerative advertising patronage, and the well-earned reputation of being one of the largest and best local papers in the State.
" Archives of Science and Transactions of the Orleans County Society of Natural Sciences."
This publication was commenced October 1st, 1870, under the editorial charge of J. M. Currier, M. D. of Newport, Geo. A. Hinman, M. D. of West Charleston, Vt., and the pub- lication committee of the Orleans County So- ciety of Natural Sciences, consisting of Hon. J. L. Edwards and Rev. J. G. Lorimer, of Derby, Vt. and J. M. Currier, M. D. It is published quarterly at Newport, by the sen- ior editor, in pamphlet form, containing 64 octavo pages. It is printed by Royal Cum- mings, of Newport Vt.
The design of this work is to afford the sci- entific men of Vermont an opportunity to re- cord scientific facts, results of scientific obser- vation and original investigations in all branches of science. It has connected with it for collaborators some of the most thoroughly scientific men of the State. Its articles are all original, and of practical use. The sub- scription list was only 200 at the beginning, but is gradually increasing as numbers are issued and its character observed by the readers of Vermont.
SALEM.
BY PLINY H. WHITE.
Salem is in the Noth Eastern part of Or- leans County lat. 44 deg. 54 min. N. and long. 4 deg. 46 min. E. It is of an irregular five- sided form, no two sides being of equal length nor parallel, except for two or three miles.
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SALEM.
It is bounded N. by Derby, N. E. by Mor- gan, S. E. by Charleston, S. W. by Brownington and W. by Coventry. The surface is uneven and hilly. Clyde River runs through the eas- tern part of the town for a short distance, but affords no mill privileges, and there are no other streams of any account. Salem pond lies partly in the north part of this town and partiy in Derby, and a part of Brownington pond lies in Salem. Two small ponds, a few rods apart, lie in the course of Clyde River, which also passes through Salem Pond. The South bay of Lake Memphremagog extends into the west corner of the town.
The town was granted Nov. 7, 1780, to Josiah Gates and others ; upon condition, however, that unless the granting fees- amounting to £540, were paid before Feb. 1, 1781, the grant should be void. The fees were not paid, and thereupon Gov. Thomas Chittenden authorized Noah Chittenden and Thomas Tolman to sell the township to any persons who would pay the granting fees. Col. Jacob Davis of Montpelier and 64 others became the purchasers, and a charter was issued to them, Aug. 18, 1781. The charter boundaries were as follows :
"Beginning at the southwest corner of Navy, (now Charleston,) then North-East in the North West line of Navy to an angle thereof supposed to be about six miles, and carrying back that breadth North West so far as that a parallel line with the North West line aforesaid will encompass the con- tents of six miles square." Upon a survey of the land thus bounded it was found that 5,710 acres were within the bounds of the previously charterd town of Derby. The un- certainty resting upon the title to these lands discouraged settlements in both towns, and led to long controversies between the respec- tive proprietors. In 1791, the legislature confirmed the grant to Derby, thus leaving Salem nearly a fourth part smaller than a full township. The proprietors of Salem made repeated applications to the legislature for the return of a proportion of the purchase money, and in 1799 the sum of $1116.26 was voted to them as a compensation for their loss.
A large part of the originally granted lands also proved unavailable on account of being covered by the waters of Lake Memhprema- gog, and application was made to the legis- lature for compensation, but with what suc- cess no records are extant to show.
In 1816, the town was made still smaller by the annexation to Newport of all that part of Salem lying west of the Lake. Notwith- standing so large a part of its granted lands was under water, Salem, had it been allowed to retain its original boundaries, would have become second to no other town in the County in population and wealth. But all its water- privileges, its best village sites, and its most valuable lands, were outside of the limits within which it was at last circumscribed.
to the proprietors of Salem ; while within its bounds, as finally established, there is no vil- lage, nor any natural center of business and population. It does not contain asingle store tavern, mechanic's shop, post office, house of worship, or office of a professional man. The telegraph from Island Pond to Stanstead passes through the east part of the town, and the Pasumpsic Railroad through the west, but neither of them has a place of business, except a wood-station on the railroad.
The first meeting of the proprietors of Salem Vas held 14 Oct. 1794, at the house of Timo- thy Hinman in Greensboro. A. C. Baldwin was chosen moderator and Timothy Hinman clerk, and they were appointed a committee to allot the land. With a view to encourage settlements it was voted that the first six pro- prietors who should make settlements should have the right to select their lots instead of having them assigned by draft. Proprietors meetings continued to be held in Greensboro till 29 June 1795, when they began to be held in Derby. The first meeting in Salem was held 21 July 1800, at the house of the only resident.
While the town was yet an uninhabited wilderness, there occurred within its limits the death of a solitary traveller. In the winter of 1796 or 1797, a man named Carr passed through Derby, going southward on foot.
Not long after, his dead body was found by the road-side frozen stiff. A rum bottle in his pocket revealed the reason of his un- timely death. His body was conveyed to Derby, and there buried.
The first settlement of Salem, was made by Ephraim Blake, who arrived there 15 March 1798. He came from Thornton N. H- but on the way stopped 2 years at Barnet and labored for hire, that he might have an advance supply of the necessaries of life.
Aside from his earnings there, his resources were very scanty ; but his industry, thrift and good management, during his residence in Šalem put him in possession of a handsome fortune. He was the only inhabitant of the town till 1801, when he was reinforced by Amasa Spencer, who built a small log cabin near the present residence of David Hopkin- son. David Hopkinson, Jr., from Guildhall was the next settler. He arrived 22 or 23 March 1802, and bought Spencer's improve- ments. Spencer speedily moved out of town.
Hopkinson built a small framed house, which still stands upon its original site, the oldest house in Salem. The first native of the town was Thomas E. Blake, who was born 20 Sept. 1803.
Before the town was at all inhabited a road had been made through it, connecting the settlements in Derby and Brownington and it had become quite a thoroughfare.
Blake and Hopkinson both settled on this road, Blake near the centre of the town, and Hopkinson at the extreme north, and both commenced tavern keeping at an early day.
The thrifty village of Newport, the village of West Derby, and a considerable part of Hopkinson was licensed in March 1803, and Derby Center, are on territory once granted I his tavern was maintained for more than
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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
half a century. Blake was licensed in Au- -- war of 1812, viz. Asa Lathe and his sons, gust, 1804. He also kept tobacco, tea, and other groceries to sell. In 1808, Thaddeus Elliot and Orin Lathe, the latter from Croy- don, N. H. came residents. In 1809, Nath'l Cobb, from Westmoreland, N. H. made the first settlement in the west part of the town. Moses and David. Asa was in the battles at Bridgewater and Fort Erie, in the latter of which he received a wound. Moses was in the battle at Plattsburgh. David was in the battles at Chippewa and Williamsburgh ; was wounded in the latter, aud lived nearly half a century after, to draw his pension.
He was a blacksmith by trade, and soon opened a shop, where he did a successful business. He was a much better workman than was then to be found any where else in the region, and he attracted customers from far and near. He was familiarly known as "Copper Cobb." John Horton, Abiel Cole and Asa Lathe, were among the other early settlers. By 1810, the population had increased to 58.
In 1810, there occurred an incident similar to that early adventure of Putnam with the wolf, by which he laid the foundation of his reputation for dauntless courage, and equally worthy of a permanent record in the annals of bravery. A pack of wolves, 8 in number, made great havoc among sheep in Salem and adjoining towns. Four of them were killed, in the course of the year. In December Ephraim Blake set several traps, and upon, going to them on a certain day, he found two of them containing each a wolf, and the third missing. It had evidently been dragged away by a wolf, but it was not till the third day that he was able to trace the animal to his hiding-place, a den in the woods. He attempted to dig him out, but the den proved to be so surrounded by large stones that it could not be entered by digging. He then decided to go into the den, and having pro- cured a gun, a one-tined pitchfork and some candles, he commenced his perilous under- taking, Armed only with the pitchfork, and followed by his son, about 16 years old, with a candle, he entered the den. For about 20 feet he crawled on his hands and knees, then the roof of the den became so low that he was obliged to lie down and drag himself along nearly as much further. Here he encountered the wolf and inflicted many severe wounds upon him, but none severe enough to disable him, till at length he thrust him quite through the gambril joint of the leg ; then bending the end of the handle so as to insert it under a projecting rock and prevent the wolf from coming forward, he withdrew from the den, quite exhausted with exertion and almost stifled with the fetid air of the den After resting awhile, he re-en tered the den with his gun, shot the wolf and dragged him out, perforated with 19 pitchfork holes, a bullet, and three buckshot. The distance from the mouth of the den to where the wolf lay was ascertained by meas- urement to be 42 feet. The old " queen's arm" used in this daring exploit still remains in possession of the son, Samuel Blake of Derby.
In 1811, Ephraim Blake was appointed a justice of the peace, and held the office for 18 years.
Salem furnished three soldiers for the
The population of the town increased very slowly, and in 1820, amounted only to 80. It remained unorganized till 30 Apr. 1822, when an organization was effected by the choice of officers as follows; Noyes Hopkinson, moder- ator and treasurer ; Samuel Blake, town clerk, ( and he was re-elected for 30 years ;) Ephraim Blake, J, Lyon, and Nathaniel Cobb, select- men ; John Houghton, constable; Noyes Hopkinson, Orin Lathe, grand jurors ; Abel Parlin, Samuel Blake, Asa Lathe, listers ; Nathaniel Cobb, Ephraim Blake, Abel Parlin highway surveyors. A company of militia was organized 3 September 1822, by the choice of Nathaniel Cobb, captain ; Noyes Hopkin- son, sergeant ; Ephraim Blake and Mason Lyon, corporals.
At the first freeman's meeting, 23 Sept. 1822, Richard Skinner received the unani- mous vote of the town, 15 votes, for governor. The same unamimity prevailed during the two succeeding years, in which C. P. Van Ness received all the votes, 14 the first year and 17 the next. For 5 successive years the town voted not to elect a representative. In 1827 Ephraim Blake had the honor of being elected the first representative. His son Samuel was the representative in 1838, '42, '46 and '50 ; and his grandson Charles in '57.
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