USA > Vermont > Orleans County > The history of Orleans county, Vermont. Civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military > Part 51
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The town was divided into 3 school-districts, 6 Oct. 1823. The first district consisted of the whole central part of the town from north to south, lying 1 mile west of the main road from Brownington to Derby, and a mile and a half east of it. The second district consist- ed of all that part of the town lying west, and the third of all that part lying east of the first. Each of these districts has since been divided into two. The first school in Salem was kept in Orin Lathe's barn by Mary Nichols.
In the absence of any special attraction to induce immigration. the town increased but slowly in population and wealth. The census has shown the population to be, in 1830, 230; in 1840, 299; in 1850, 455; in 1860, 603 ; [in 1870, 693.] The ratio of increase, however, during these several decennial periods, is fully equal to the average ratio throughout Orleans County.
SOLDIERS OF 1861.
In the war for the suppression of the Re- bellion, 1861-65, a large number of citizens of Salem enlisted, without any of the induce- ments of enormnous bounties, which in many other towns were found necessary to secure enlistments. Their names are as follows ;-
3d Regiment, Lewellyn E. Ainsworth, (de- serted 1 Sept. 1862,) Francis Dwyer, Wil- liam Dwyer, Nelson Fuller, William John-
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son, Augustus W. Lyon, Daniel Maranville, Jacob Maranville, Heber Parker, James Wil- son, (wounded in the battle of the Wilderness 5 May 1864, died 10 May,) Holbrook Wood.
4th Regiment, George I'. Ainsworth, James W. Huntoon.
8th Regiment, Peter Bodett, (died 7 Aug. 1862,) Lemuel R. Foster.
9th Regiment, Sullivan R. Church, Amasa Dwyer, Daniel Dwyer, Edson L. Hamblet, Edward Hawkins, David Johnson, William H. Johnson, Simon Maranville, Wallace Mar- ranville, William Maranville, Curtis Spencer, (died 14 Oct. 1863,) Horace Spencer, Calvin Wilson.
10th Regiment, Sylvester B. Ball, Austin Betlers, John B. Betlers, John F. Betlers, Judson Spafford, Edward Warner, (died 23 Dec. 1862.) Curtis H. Waterman.
15th Regiment, Harrison C. Lyon, (died 8 Mar. 1863.)
1st Cavalry, George S. Spafford.
The town always kept in advance of its quota, and was in advance when the order to discontinue recruiting was issued in Apr. 1865. William Johnson, of the 3d Regiment, was a drummer-boy, and during the seven days re- treat of Mcclellan before Richmond, he was the only drummer in the brigade who brought off his drum .- For his resolution and bravery the Secretary of War honored him with a special medal. Besides the soldiers mentioned in the preceding list, a large number of citi- zens of Salem enlisted to the credit of other towns in which money was more abundant than patriotism. Very few, if any other towns in the State, furnished a larger number of soldiers in proportion to the military popu- lation.
The ecclesiastical history of Salem may be written within a brief space. No religious or- ganization has ever existed in the town. Those of the inhabitants who attend public worship do so in the neighboring towns of Charleston, Derby, and Brownington. The town has pro- duced three ministers, two of them natives, one each of the Congregational, Baptist, and Free- Will Baptist denominations. John Wil- son, the last of the three, was set apart as an evangelist, at the August term, 1840, of the Wheelock Quarterly Meeting.
CHARLES FITCH MORSE, the only native of Salem graduated at college, was a son of Joseph B. and Abigail (Thomas) Morse, and was born 28 July 1845. He fitted for college at Derby and St. Johnsbury academies, was graduated at Amherst college in 1853, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1856. Having decided to become a missionary, he was ordained at Reading, Mass, 20 Aug. 1856. Rev. E. A. Park, D. D. of Andover preached the sermon. In January 1857, he sailed for Constantinople, and became one of the orig- inal members of the Bulgarian mission. He married 20 Aug. 1856, Eliza D. Winter, of Boylston, Mass.
elsewhere a year and a half, entered the Baptist Theological Institute at Fairfax, where he was graduated in 1857 .- He taught school for some time, preached 2} years in Thompson. Ct., and, in the Summer of 1861, commenced preaching in Wilbraham, Mass. He married Mary White of Wilbraham.
REPRESENTATIVES OF SALEM. .
Ephraim Blake, 1827; Noyes Hopkinson, 1828; Josiah Lyon, 1829-31; Nathaniel Cobb, 1832-33; Noyes Hopkinson, 1834 & 37; Samuel Blake, 1838; Josiah Lyon, 1840 -41; Samuel Blake, 1842; Josiah Lyon, 1844; Samuel Blake, 1846; Calvin S. Grow, 1848-49; Samuel Blake, 1850; Isaac C. Smith, 1851; Porter Lyon, 1852; Isaac C. Smith, 1853-54; John Wilson, 1856 ; Charles Blake, 1857; Porter Lyon, 1858-59 ; David Hopkinson, 1860-61; John G. Parlin, 1862 -63; Edson H. Lathe, 1864.
MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
Noyes Hopkinson, 1828; Samuel Blake, 1836; Noyes Hopkinson, 1843 & 50.
TROY.
BY SAMUEL SUMNER. .
I .- GEOGRAPHY OF THE MISSISCO VALLEY.
The upper valley of the Missisco, comprising the towns of Troy, Westfield, Jay, Lowell. and a small portion of the Province of Canada, lies between the western range of the Green Moun- tains, and the range of highlands dividing the waters of the Missisco from those of Black River and Lake Memphremagog.
The western lines of Jay, Westfield, and Lowell, commonly extend a short distance over the summits of Green Mountain range, which divides Orleans from Franklin County ; but the east lines of Troy and Lowell generally do not extend to the height of land towards Black River and Lake Memphremagog. The length of the valley in a direct line from Canada line to the south line of Lowell and the source of the Missisco river, is about 18 miles. The width of the whole valley from the summit of the moun- tains west, to the height of land on the east, is from 6 to 10 miles. The towns of Jay and Westfield are each, according to their charters, 6 miles square.
The town of Troy lies on the east of these towns almost the entire length of them, and is oblong and irregular in its form, being 11} miles in length from north to south, whilst the north line is about 5 miles, and its south line about 2 miles in length. The town of Lowell lies south of both Troy and Westfield, and is still more
Stephen Bailey Morse, brother of the above named, was born 20 Aug. 1828, and after pursuing academical studies at Derby and , irregular in its form, being almost in the shape
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of a triangle, and contains 37000 acres. These four towns, according to their charters and orig- inal surveys, contain 106,080 acres. The general face of the country is that of two great slopes or inclined plains, extending from the summits of the two chains of mountains to their common center-the Missisco river. The height of the western or Green Mountain chain is from 1500 to 4000 feet, and of the eastern range from 300 to 1500 feet, above the river.
II .- PONDS AND STREAMS.
There are no natural ponds of any size in this valley ; the regular slope and steep ascent of hills preventing the accumulation and retention of water to make them. Neither are there many streams or brooks of much size. Near the con- fluence of the Missisco with the North or Pot- ton Branch, a stream of considerable size called Mud Creek, unites with the Missisco river from the east.
This stream rises in Newport, and after run- ning some distance almost parallel with Troy line, passes into Troy, and after crossing the north-eastern part of that town, runs into Potton and pays the tribute of its waters to the Missisco a short distance above its junction with the North Branch. Around the confluence of these three streams is a large basin of interval or meadow-land, extending both into Troy and Potton, which for fertility may well compare with any in the State. Above this creek there is no stream of any size running into the Mis- sisoo from the east for several miles. The first which occurs is the Beadle brook, named from an early settler, who erected his cabin in the wilderness on its banks. This stream also rises in Newport, and, running west, unites with the Missisco. On the West side of the river the first stream of any consequence is Jay branch, which is the largest of all the branches. It rises in Jay, and after receiving almost all the rivulets of that town, runs into the Missisco in Troy, about 4 miles south of the State line.
Farther south is the Coburn brook, so called. This stream rises in Westfield and unites with the Missisco a short distance from Troy village, almost opposite the mouth of the Beadle brook. About 2 miles farther south the Missisco receives a large accession to its waters from the Taft branch, which runs through Westfield village, and receives in its course almost all the smaller rivulets of Westfield, Another stream rises in Lowell, near Hazen's Notch, and running through the north-western part of that town, joins the Missisco near Westfield line.
These are all the principal branches of the Mis- sisco in the valley ; but the river receives large accessions from numberless springs and smaller rivulets; though the streams mentioned are the only ones large enough for mill-sites. The val- ley is abundantly supplied with water-power the Missisco and its tributaries affording power enough to move all the cotton factories of New England.
The Missisco river, which, with the mountains, is the most prominent feature of the valley, rises in the chain of hills or highlands, southwest of the country, soparating the waters of the Lam- oille from the streams running into Missisco and Lake Memphremagog.
Two streams or branches rising in this chain of hills near the line between Lowell and Eden, and on the opposite sides of Mount Norris, unite near Lowell village and form the Missisco river. The eastern branch, just before its junction with the other, runs over a series of rapids or ledges, affording many excellent mill-sites. After the union of the two streams the river runs in a northeasterly course two or three miles, in the town of Lowell, crosses the town line into West- field, and runs thence 4 miles through the southeastern part of that town and passes into Troy and flows almost the entire length of that town.
For several miles below Lowell village, the river flows with a gentle current through a val- uable body of interval, but has no falls or rapids suitable for mill-sites. The first water-fall suita- ble for mills is a about a mile below Troy village, at Phelps's Falls. Below these falls the meadows are not so continuous; high rocky bluffs occasion- ally appear intermingled with frequent tracts of fertile intervals. In passing these ledges the course of the river is commonly rapid, and the fall sufficient for mills. Four of these falls occur between the falls just mentioned and North Troy, two only of which have been improved, one where the furnace is erected, and the other at the Great Falls.
The most remarkable of these falls is about one and a half miles south of North Troy, called the Great Falls, described in Thompson's Ver- mont. The fall in this river is probably not so great as described by Mr. Thompson, but the over-hanging cliff presents a scene truly grand- almost terrific. The river here runs over a steep, rocky bottom, through a zig-zag channel, worn through a ledge of rocks. The banks rise pre- cipitously, and on one side absolutely overhang the river to the height of from 60 to 80 feet, and
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cho dizzy visitor in viewing the cataract in the time of high water, from the overhanging Cliff, is filled with awe at the wild sublimity and gran- deur of the scene.
The river then runs to the village of North Troy, where there is an excellent fall for mills, and, three-fourths of a mile below North Troy crosses the State line into Canada. After run- ning about 3 miles in Potton, it unites with another stream called the North-branch, which is about one-third less than the southern or Troy branch of the Missisco. This north branch rises some 16 or 18 miles further north, in the town of Bolton, and, passing through that township and Pottou, runs through a valley very much resembling our own.
These two valleys may be compared to two vast amphitheatres, enclosed on one side by the Green Mountains, and on the other by the range of hills dividing the Missisco valley from the valley of the Memphremagog. The two rivers run in almost opposite directions-the one north and the other south, from their sources to their point of confluence ; and the whole valley on these two rivers extends almost in a straight line from the defile which we pass between Lowell and Eden, about 40 or 50 miles, to a similar defile at the head of the North-branch in Bolton, affording a direct and level route which will at some future day be a great thor- oughfare from the central part of this State to the heart of French settlements in the valley of the St. Lawrence.
The geography of Vermont presents one re- markable feature. Our highest chain, the Wes- tern range of the Green Mountans, is intersect- ed by our largest rivers, the Winooski, Lamoille and Missisco. But the course of the Missisco through these highlands is the most singular, and is perhaps an exception to all others.
In passing this range of mountains we might naturally expect a succession of high, precipit- ous cliffs for river-banks, and a channel abound- ing with precipices and water-falls : but instead of this the river from Troy to Richford, passing the mountains, flows through fertile and level meadows, with a sluggish current, without a rapid or water-fall, until it reaches the State at Richford.
III .- SOIL. ..
Through the valley the course of the river is generally lined with a succession of rich alluvi- al intervals. Much of this is overflowed by the spring freshets, and produces luxuriant crops of grass and most kinds of grain-particularly
Indian corn. Ascending from these intervals, at no great height are commonly found either large plains or gently elevated hills composed of sand, clay, and gravel, or loam in which sand generally predominates; the whole often being well mixed. These plains and hills are easily tilled, and well adapted to most kinds of pro- duce.
Rising still further, and receding from the riv- er, is found a great slope or inclined plane, of easy ascent. These generally have a rich soil resting on a substratum of rock or hardpan, and are well adapted to the culture of grass, English grain, potatoes and fruit. Ascending still far- ther the soil becomes thinner, and rocks and ledges more frequent.
This land when cleared produces a good crop of grain, and then affords a rich pasture. The summits of the mountains on the west are gen- erally steep, and are composed of rock, covered with a thin soil, and a growth of stunted ever- greens.
This glade of land does not generally occupy a space of more than from half a mile to a mile in width, and is almost the only land in the val- ley which can be called worthless. The valley is of easy access from abroad, notwithstanding the chains of mountains which appear to sur- round and hem it in. The most uneven and difficult roads leading into it are from the east. On the south a defile at the head of the Missis- co affords a level and easy entrance from the valley of the Lamoille, and on the north a like defile at the head of the north branch affords like facilities for a road ; so that without en- countering a hill we may pass from the valley of the Lamoille, through this valley to that of the St. Lawrence ; while on the west the broad vale, through which the river passes, affords ev- ery advantage for a smooth and level road to the great valley of Lake Champlain. The gen- eral appearance of the valley is naturally pic- turesque and interesting, presenting many pros- pects of surpassing beauty and sublimity, and were it improved by cultivation, and adorned by wealth and taste, it might well compare with the celebrated vales of Italy and Greece.
IV .- ROCKS AND MINERALS.
The two great chains of mountains which en- close the valley, on the east and on the west, are composed of rock similar to other parts of the Green Mountain range. Talcose slate is the prominent rock of the western range. Argil laceous slate, interstratified with the former, and with alternate slate and novaculite, consti-
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tutes the eastern hills. Granite appears in the valley of Lake Memphremagog ; but none is found in the Missisco valley, or further west, except occasional boulders, among loose stones. Near the highest parts of the mountains west, is a variety of talcose slate, much harder than usually abounds, which has sometimes been called Green Mountain gneiss. Veins of quartz abound in it. This is a gold-bearing rock, and gold has been found in it.
The most striking features of the valley are the immense ranges of sepentine and soapstone. There are two ranges of the former and two of the latter ; extending from Potton on the north to Lowell in the south end of the valley. The quantity of serpentine in Lowell and Westfield is greater than in any other part of the county. The eastern range contains the veins of mag. netic iron ore, which supplied the furnace at Troy. The quantity is inexhaustible; but the ore contains titanium, and is hard to smelt. The iron when manufactured is of the best quality, having great strength and hardness. It is fine- ly adapted to make wire, screws, &c. It would make the best kind of rails for railroads .- Should a railroad be constructed in the Missis- co valley, this ore will be of immense value to the County and State. It might even now be wrought with profit to the owners. It makes the most valuable hollow-ware and stoves.
In the serpentine range on the west side of the river is found chromate of iron, a mineral of great value iu the arts. The largest beds of it are in the eastern part of Jay, within a mile and a half of Missisco river.
Small beds of chromate of iron have been found in the serpentine range, on the east side of the river, soutli of the magnetic iron ore, in both Troy and Westfield. Most beautiful spec. imens of asbestos, common and ligniform, are found in the serpentine at Lowell and Westfield. This serpentine might be wrought, and would be found of equal value to any in the State .- It contains the most beautiful veins of amian- thus and bitter spar. Some varieties resemblo verde antique.
The soapstone which accompanies the ser- pentine, is generally hard, but no doubt might, in many places, be wrought to great advantage.
Several mineral springs have been discovered, and they appear to be impregnated more or less with sulphur and iron, some with magnesia. Most of them are of little or no value. There is, however, one of these springs near the line between Troy and Lowell, which merits an ex-
amination, and a more perfect description than given here. The waters have never been ana- lyzed, but have been much resorted to and used. They have a strong sulphurous taste and smell, and very much resemble the taste of the High- gate and Alburgh springs. The water operates as a powerful diuretic, and is considered very efficacious for sores and humors, and has been much used in the vicinity for those and other complaints. If the waters of the spring were analyzed, and their properties made known. they would doubtless draw to them many visitors and invalids.
But the most distinguished feature in the geology of our valley, is its vast deposits of iron ore before mentioned. The principal mine of iron ore was discovered in 1833: it lies in the central part of the town of Troy, in a high hill, about three-fourths of a mile east of the river.
V .- CHARTERS AND GRANTS OF LAND.
The town of Troy was originally granted in two gores of nearly equal extent; the north to Samuel Avery, and the south to John Kelley, in 1792. Westfield was granted to Daniel Owen and his associates in 1780. All or nearly all the grantees of this town resided in Rhode Island. Lowell was granted in 1791 to John Kelley, from whom the town received its origi- nal name of Kelley Vale. Jay was granted two-thirds to the celebrated John Jay of New York, and John Cozyne, and the other third in the south part of the town, to Thomas Chitten- den, the first governor of this State,
It would probably be a curious piece of histo- ry, if we could know the motives which were urged, and the intrigues used to obtain these grants, and the management and speculations of the grantees if the grants were obtained. The policy of the State in making these and other grants at that time, may well be ques- tioned.
The State, probably, never realized any pecu- niary advantage from them. The reason com- monly urged for these lavish grants, was to advance the settlement of wild lands in the State. The effect was usually different from what was intended. These towns at the time they were chartered were remote from any settlement, and some of them had been granted 20 years before any settlement was made in them.
The lands in the mean time fell into the hands ofspeculators ; and by sales, levies of executions, and vendues for taxes, titles often became con- fused and doubtful. Prices were enhanced by such speculators endeavoring to realize a fortune
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from their adventure, and whilst some specula tors realized large sums from their lands, most of them, from expenses of surveys, agencies, and land-taxes, and interest of money on these advances, sustained heavy losses.
In many instances, when early settlements were attempted, the consequences were disas- trous to the settlers. A few families were pre- maturely pushed into a remote wilderness with- out roads, mills or any of the conveniences and institutions of civilized life, and were left to encounter innumerable hardships and privations, and run the hazard of themselves and their fam- ilies relapsing into barbarism.
Had the State retained these lands a few years longer, and granted them only as they were needed for actual settlers, it might have realized a handsome profit from the lands; titles would have been better, a fruitful source of speculation and knavery prevented, a vast amount of suffering and privation avoided, and the condition of the settlers and their families improved.
The north gore of Troy was sold by Mr. Avery to a Mr Atkinson, an English merchant residing in Boston. It is said that Avery received $1 per acre for his lands; if so, he doubtless re- alized a handsome profit, but how Atkinson fared in the trade may be inferred from the fact that these lands have commonly been sold for $2 per acre, and that after sustaining the ex - penses of agencies, and innumerable land·taxes for more than half a century. A few of these lots remain unsold, and are still owned by his heirs and descendants.
Kelley sold his grant to Franklin & Robinson, a firm in New York. They failed, and the grant passed into the hands of a Mr. Hawxhurst of New York.
His land speculations were about as successful as Atkinson's. A few of his lots of land still remain unsold, in the hands of his son.
As for the town of Lowell, from some old con - veyances, we may infer that Kelley's interest passed as soon as obtained into the hands of cred- itors, among whom were some of the first names in New York, as Alexander Hamilton, the Liv- ingstons and others, who condescended to spec- ulate in the wild lands of Vermont, and sold the town to one William Duer, for $4,680. The titles of most of the lands of this town have been bandied about from one speculator to an- other, through a maze of conveyances, levies of execution, and vendue-sales for taxes, and a large portion of the town is to this day held by non-resident owners.
In Jay a portion of the town granted to Gov- ernor Chittenden is still owned by his descend- ants : a part of their grant has been sold most- ly within a few years. Of the part granted to Judge Jay, a portion of it was sold by his son 20 years since ; but the greater portion of this grant passed into the hands of Judge Williams of Concord, about half a century ago; and about 15 years since he gave his unsold lands, being about 50 or 60 lots, to the University of Ver- mont. But a small portion of the lands of this town were purchased and paid for by actual set- tlers, previous to the last 20 years.
VI .- SETTLEMENT OF TROY AND OTHER TOWNS.
The military road made by Colonel Hazen during the Revolutionary war, from Peacham to Hazen's Notch in Lowell, had a tendency to extend the knowledge of the Missisco valley, and create an interest in it. The fertile mead- ows in Troy and Potton attracted attention.
Mr. Josiah Elkins of Peacham, a noted hunt- er and Indian trader, in company with Lieuten- ant Lyford, early explored the northern part of Orleans county. Their route was to follow Ha- zen's road to the head of Black River, and thence to Lake Memphremagog, where they hunted for furs, and traded with the St. Francis Indians, who then frequented the shores of that lake.
Elkins and Lyford sometimes extended their hunting excursions into the Missisco valley .- The reports they and other hunters and traders made probably induced an exploration of the valley with a view to forming a settlement.
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