USA > Vermont > Orleans County > The history of Orleans county, Vermont. Civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military > Part 54
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A little event occurred at Troy in August of 1819, which well illustrates the incidents of a settler's life, and shows the resolution and pres- ence of mind of the wife of one of the early set- tlers. At this time Mr. Jonah Titus resided on the farm now owned by Capt. Kennedy, about a mile east of Troy village. This farm, which is now on one of the main roads through the county, and is surrounded by a large and flour- ishing settlement, at that time presented a very different appearance. A few acres only were partially cleared, the only buildings were a small log-house, and a hovel used as a sub- stitute for a barn. These were surrounded by a dense forest. No road led directly to Troy village; the only means of communication with the other settlements was by a path or sled road to the bridge at Phelps' Falls. No neigh- bor lived on that side of the river, except one, and he lived at the distance of more than a half mile.
At this time Mr. Titus was laboring for Mr. Oliver Chamberlain on the farm which is now the present site of Troy village, at the distance of 2 miles, as the road then was, leaving his wife with three small children in this secluded home. Early one morning Mrs. Titus was aroused by a loud squeal of the hog which was roaming in a raspberry patch near the house, Going to the door she saw the hog wounded and bleeding, running towards the house, pursued by a large she bear attended by two cubs. Mrs. Titus promptly interfered, and with the help of a small dog arrested the pursuit of the bear.
The hog fled to the hovel, and the two cubs, alarmed by the barking of the dog, ran up a tree near the house. Mrs. Titus then took a tin horn and began sounding it in the hope of arresting the attention of her distant neighbors.
By her resolute bearing, the noise of the horn and the barking of the dog, she kept the cubs up the tree and prevented the old bear from making an attack on herself. Determined if possible to bring these unwelcome invaders to their deserts, she resolutely maintained her post.
The uncommon noise of the horn at length attracted the attention of her husband and dis- tant neighbors, who suspecting trouble, has-
tened to her relief with guns and other means of defense. A shot from one of the guns brought down the old bear, the cubs also were soon slaughtered, and Mrs. Titus had the pleas- ure of seeing these unwelcome assailants atone with their lives for their invasion of her prem- ises, and their skins were the trophies of her courage and presence of mind.
PROGRESS OF THE VALLEY.
During the 10 years following, the fortunes of the Missico valley were advancing, and so- ciety seems to have been improving. Farms were improved, new lots were purchased and settled ; and the census, taken in 1830, shows that the population of Troy had almost trebled in 10 years, increasing from 227 iu 1820, to 608 in 1830. In the same period Westfield had ad- vanced from 225 to 353; Jay from 52 to 196.
Some new branches of mechanical business had been commenced, and the people had made a considerable advance in the comforts and con- veniences of life. Yet they were far from being a wealthy community, or their situation a de- sirable one for an intelligent and prosperous people. Few of the farmers produced more than was needed for the use of their own fami- lies, and for the supply of the mechanics and laborers in the immediate vicinity. None of the great staple articles were then extensively cul- tivated ; and only one farmer in the valley had any surplus produce to send to a distant market.
Money was loaned at a rate of interest from 12 to 25 per cent. The laborious process of making ashes and selling them to the merchants, or to some owner of an establisliment for man- ufacturing pearlashes, was almost the sole re- source of many to obtain small sums of money, or to purchase those necessaries of life which were procured from abroad.
Two merchants traded at that time in the valley. The largest establishment was kept at the place now known as Troy village. The stock of goods commonly consisted of a hogshead of whisky and another of molasses, and a bar. rel or two of rum or other spirits. The assort- ment of clothis a stout man might carry on his shoulders, and the crockery and hardware might be packed in a handcart or wheelbarrow. At North Troy another store was kept on a rather smaller scale.
The roads into the valley were ill wrought and in the worst locations, and over almost im- passible mountains. The most traveled .route was the old Hazen road crossing the two chains of Lowell mountains from Craftsbury to Mont-
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gomery, a route which has of later years been pretty much deserted by man and surrendered to the beasts of the forest.
A mail from Craftsbury to St. Albans passcd and returned on this road once a week, and a branch or local mail from Troy connected with this route in Lowell.
No house for public worship had been crec- ted in the valley until the year, 1829, when, by the liberality of Dea. Page and a few individuals in Westfield, a meeting house was erected in that town. No clergyman had settled and offi- ciated in that capacity in the valley for any number of years, and in the year 1828 one soli- tary physician was the only professional man who had permanently settled in these towns.
About this time several changes for the bet- ter occurred. In 1828 the Burlington and Derby road as it was called, was surveyed and par- tially made, entering the valley on the south through a natural ravine, from Eden, and pass- ing through the towns of Lowell and Westfield to Troy village, thence turning east through Troy and Newport to the "narrows" of the lake.
By this route a remarkably easy and level road was made into the valley from the south and a much more feasible and level route to the east than had ever before been enjoyed. The valley no longer remained in the inaccesible and iso- lated state it had previously been in. A large share of the travel and business from Burlington and Lake Champlain to this County passed over this road. Intersecting the principal roads, and crossing the valley at Troy village, business and travel was concentrated there. Another merchant established himself there in 1829, several mechanics settled there, and Troy, or South Troy village, became an important loca- tion in the county. Lowell also was greatly benefited by this road. A large tract of land in the S. part of that town, which had previous- appeared to be destined to remain for a long time a wilderness, was now made accessible to settlers and was soon occupied, and the popu- lation and wealth of that town was very much advanced. The Temperance reformation which was much needed here, as well as in other parts of the State, was, about this time, extended into the valley, with very salutary effect to many individuals and families. This reformation, how- ever, was strenuously opposed by a large por- tion of the people, who insisted on maintaining their free agency without pledge or control.
valley. This revival spread through four towns in this County and extensively prevailed in the adjoining town of Potton. This reformation was not as general nor its fruits as valuable as the former one in 1818. It was carried on with much of the zeal and enthusiasm which commonly characterizes the acts of the people of the valley, both good and bad. Large ad- ditions were made to the churches, particularly to the Baptist and Methodist societies. Many of the converts of that time have adorned the profession which they then made by a life cor- responding to their sacred vows, and though some have proved to be like the seed sown on stony ground, yet the moral atmosphere was purified for a time, and the cause of religion and temperance was much advanced.
IRON MINE IN TROY.
The year 1833, was distinguished by an event from which much was at the time anticipated and from which important cousequences will sometime be realized-the discovery of the iron mine in Troy. Some years previous, specimens of the ore had been found in detached rocks or boulders which had attracted attention, and had been pronounced by some scientific men to be iron, and the existence of it in large veins or quantities in the vicinity had been conject- ured. But the discovery of the mine was made in 1833 ,by Mr. John Gale. Mr. Gale was a blacksmith, and had resided in Troy for a few years previous to the war of 1812. Whilst he resided in Troy, he discoverd a rock which from its color and weight attracted his attention and lcd him to suspect it might be iron. After he left Troy, he resided some years in the iron region west of Lake Champlain, and, from the knowledge he there acquired of ore, was con- firmed in the belief that the ledge he saw in Troy contained iron. Returning to this vicin- ity on a visit, he, with Harvey Scott, Esq., of Crafstbury, commenced search for this ore, in which he was joined by Thomas Stoughton, Esq. of Westfield. After searching some days, Mr. Gale discovered the vein of ore lying, as he thought, at or near the spot where he had dis- covered it more than 20 years before. He broke off some specimens of the rock and tested their value by melting them down in a black- smith's forge and hammering them into horse- nails.
The discovery of this ore occasioned a great excitement in the vicinity, and extravagant ex- pectations were formed of the value of the mine.
In 1831, the subject of religion again en- grossed the attention of the people of the | The ore was first discovered on lot No. 90, in
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the south gore in Troy. The owner of that lot, Mr. Fletcher Putnam, gave a deed of one half of the ore to the discoverers, according to the promise he had made them when they commenc- ed their researches. These fractional interests were magnified, by the eager hopes and imag- inations of the owners, into immense fortunes which they but partially realized.
Mr. Putnam had a short time before bought this lot of land for $500. Soon after the discov- ery of the ore he sold the land and his half of the ore for $3,000. Mr. Stoughton, after keeping his interest in the ore for several years, sold for $2,000. Mr. Gale realized but little from his ore, and Mr. Scott nothing at all. This ore has been discovered, in large quantities, on lot 89, south of that on which it was first discovered, and it has also been traced on the lot north, No.
91. A forge was erected at Phelps' Falls, in 1834, by several individuals in Troy, and the manufacturing of the ore commenced. The own- ers of this forge were soon discouraged, and, in the winter following, they sold their forge, ores and machinery, to Messrs. Binney, Lewis & Co., of Boston. These gentlemen obtained an act of incorporation from the Legislature of the State, and commenced making wrought-iron, but with little success, and they soon discon- tinued the business. The forge has been aban- doned, and has fallen into a heap of ruins. In 1835, another company was formed and incor- porated by the Legislature, and in the name of the Boston and Troy Iron Company. This company purchased three-fourths of the ores, and 20 acres of land where the ores were sit- uated on lot 91, for which they gave $8,000, also about 1200 acres of other land, commenc- ed operations, and built a furnace, a large boarding-house and other buildings, in 1837. After expending large sums of money, without realizing much profit, this company failed in 1841, and the lands, ores and buildings passed, by mortgage, into the hands of Mr. Francis Fisher, of Boston.
In 1844 Mr. Fisher put the furnace again in blast, and commenced the manufacture of iron, with the prospect of making it a permanent and profitable business, but these expectations were destroyed by the alteration of the Tariff in 1846, and like many other iron estalishments in the United States, the operations of this furnace were then suspended, and have not since been resumed.
Thus far the iron mines of Troy have not answered the expectations which were formed
from them, nor justified the outlay which has been made in the manufacture. As yet it has proved an injury rather than a benefit to the people in the vicinity, and a heavy loss to all who have engaged in the manufacture. But the richness of the ore is undoubted* and from the abundant supply of charcoal and excellence of the water-power the facilities for manufac- turing are great, and the iron produced from this ore, for durability, toughness, and strength, is not exceeded by any in America. The causes of the past failures are to be at- tributed to the difficulty of melting and flux- ing the ore, the want of experience in the workmen, the fluctuations in the tariff, the remoteness of the location from water or rail- road communication, and the difficulty of finding access to markets. Let us hope that these difficulties will eventually be surmount- ed by science and the progress of improve- ment, and that the time is not far distant when the Troy iron will prove a rich mine to the owners, and be manufactured not only to supply the County but a large portion of the State with that most valuable of all metals.
.
The season in 1833, was uncommonly bad and unproductive, the Summer was wet and cold, crops were light, and Indian corn was almost a total failure. The scarcity of bread- stuffs which followed, and the improvement which had been made in the roads, occasioned in the next year the introduction of a new branch of trade in the valley, the importa- tion of Western flour in barrels. Previous to that time flour had never been brought into the valley, but since the year 1834 Western flour has constituted a large portion of the
*The following analysis of the Troy ore was made by Dr. Charles T. Jackson :
"The ore is a granular magnesite variety, the frao- tured grains having a bright shining appearance. This granular appearance is owing to imperfect chrystaliza- tion of the ore. There may be observed a silicious matter between some of the chrystals or grains. The specific gravity of this ore, tried on two specimens, was from 4.69 to 4.70. The ore yields on analysis :-
Per-Oxyd of Iron,
90 per cent.
Titanate of Iron,
8
66 66
Silica, 2
100
90 grains of Per-Oxyd of Iron contain 62.4 pure Iron, 8 grains Titanate of Iron contain 5 grains Titanic Acid and 8 grains of Protoxyd of Iron. I have no doubt that 60 per cent. of excellent cast Iron may be obtained by smelting this ore. It Is a very rich and valuable ore and will make the very best kinds of iron and steel. It may be reduced directly to malleable iron in the blooming forge by the usual process."
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bread-stuffs used in the Missisco valley, and has caused a considerable change in the sys- tem of agriculture. Since that time the farm- ers have realized less on the raising of grain, and have applied their labor and capital more to their flocks and dairies.
THE PATRIOT WAR.
The dispute between the Liberal and the Government parties in Canada, which for several years agitated that Province, resulted, in the year 1837, in an open rebellion against the British government. The inducing causes and the principal events of this insurrection, belonged to the history of the Province, rather than to this narrative, but its effects were felt yven here, and constitute quite an era in the annals of the Missisco valley. This attempt to establish the independence of the Province occasioned a great excitement in the valley, as well as in other places on the frontier of this State. The sympathy of the people was very strongly in favor of those who were con- sidered as asserting the cause of liberty and independence in the province. This feeling was increased by the reports, (some of them no doubt much exaggerated,) of the atrocities committed by the troops and adherents of the government in the Province, after the first outbreak at St. Charles had been suppressed. Many who were connected with the Radical or Revolutionary party fled from the adjoin- ing towns in Canada and took refuge in Troy. The presence of these exiles and the story of their wrongs increased the feeling of a people naturally excitable and enthusiastic. Meet- ings were called, and sometimes attended by three or four hundred people; contributions were raised for the relief of the exiles, and measures were taken for their protection. The sympathy of the people of this State for the Canadian Revolutionists would have been sufficiently strong without any prompting ; but this feeling which was perfectly natural, and would have been commendable, had it been restrained within the bounds of pru- dence and the duty of American citizens, was soon tainted by demagogueism, the bane and curse of popular excitements and American politics. The opportunity to gain a cheap popularity by a boisterous zeal for liberty, was too tempting to be lost by some who as- pired to notoriety and popular favor. Violent addresses were made to the excited people, intemperate resolutions, sympathizing with the Radicals, condemning the tyranny of the
British, and the cold neutrality of our govern- ment, were introduced into the popular meet- ings and passed by acclamation. Such was the excitement of the time that many were (or professed to be,) ready to arm and march to the assistance of the Canadian Patriots, and aid them in subverting the rule of a for- eign government.
In the month of February, 1838, the lead- ers of the Radical party, many of whom had taken refuge in Franklin and Chittenden Counties in this State, concerted a plan for a general insurrection in Canada. A provis- ional government was organized, and Robert Nelson was appointed President. A consid- erable force was collected on the borders of Franklin County. A proclamation was is- sued by provisional President Nelson, abol- ishing many of the grievances complained of, declaring the independence of Canada, and calling upon the people of Canada to arm and join his forces to establish an independent government. The design of the revolutionary leaders was to concentrate their forces at Na- pierville, and then march upon and take St. Johns and Montreal. To faciltate this enter- prise, dispatches were sent by Nelson to his partizans in this vicinity, calling upon them to take up arms and make an inroad into Potton, and another into Stanstead, to dis- tract the attention of the Provincial authori- ties and aid him in his attempt on St. Johns and Montreal. At this time a military force consisting of militia and volunteers was or- ganized and armed in Potton by the British government. This company was frequently called together for inspection and drill, and when needed, to do duty as a guard, and to resist any attempt at invasion or insurrection, and when not on duty were dispersed at their several houses through the town. This com . pany was of rather an irregular character, had but little of the order and discipline of veterans, and some of them exhibited but lit- tle courtesy towards the Radicals in the Prov- ince, or towards the citizens of this State who were supposed to favor the cause of Canadian independence. A plan was formed to disarm these troops, at the same time the invasion was made by Nelson from Franklin County. For this purpose, on the evening of February 27, 1838, a party collected at North Troy, consisting of about 30 men, of whom ten or twelve were citizens of Troy and Jay, and the remainder were exiles from Canada or
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inhabitants of Potton. Their plan was to pro- ceed to the houses of the members of this corps enrolled by the government, called " The Potton Guard," demand and take their guns and equipments, and proceed from house to house, until the whole company were dis- armed, and secure or overawe the most in- fluential and zealous of the Tory or govern- ment party, but it was not the intention to take life or destroy property.
Before they started on their expedition these invaders chose a citizen of Troy for their commander, and provided themselves amply with arms and amunition, and from the character of the men, their personal courage and enthusiasm, had they been en- gaged in a lawful and well considered enter- prise, it would not have been very safe to oppose them. This company, about 10 o'clock P. M., crossed the line of the State, called at two houses and demanded their arms. Not finding any in those two places they pro- ceeded to the house of Mr. Salmon Elkins who resided about 2 miles from North Troy. They arrived there abont 11 o'clock. Mr. Elkins was a zealous adherent of the govern- ment or Tory party, and two of his sons and one grandson had enlisted into this govern- ment corps called the "Potton Guard." This family had a short time previous been noti- fied of this attempt, and had made prepara- tions to resist if the attack should be made. The three Elkinses who belonged to the " Guard," had loaded their guns and retired to their chamber. The invading company halted near the house, four of their number were selected to go into the house and de- mand their guns. They entered the house. Mr. Salmon Elkins and his wife had not re- tired for the night, and appeared to be the only persons in the lower part of the house. The guns were demanded, and they were told they should not be harmed, but the guns must be delivered. Mr. Elkins told them they had no guns there, the company insisted that they had. Hazen Hadlock, one of their number, took a candle and with one or two others attempted to go up stairs to search for arms. The instant Hadlock appeared on the stairs two of the Elkinses fired from above; one shot took effect on Hadlock, a ball pierced his heart, he staggered back ex- claiming " I am a dead man," and fell dead in the midst of his comrades. The band were infuriated at the horrid sight. Two or three
guns were instantly raised and leveled at Mr. Salmon Elkins, and had it not been for the prompt intervention of Capt. Ira A. Bailey of Troy, he would have been shot in an in- stant by his own fireside. Some of the party proposed to fire volleys into the chamber windows, and some proposed to set fire to the house and burn it and its inmates to ashes. Bailey interfered again; he commanded the Elkinses in the chamber above, to surrender their arms immediately and their lives should be spared. The guns were immediately given up. Finding that their purpose of a surprise was frustrated, that the intelligence of their design had been communicated to the govern- ment party, and the houses in the vicinity were lighted up, the invading company placed the dead body of their companion in one of their sleighs, and sorrowfully returned to North Troy. The wretched result of this ill-judged invasion was that six stand of arms were taken from the " Potton Guard," and one unhappy man was untimely hurried into eternity.
The intelligence of this invasion spread with much exaggeration throughout the ad- jacent parts of the Province and the State. Several companies of troops were sent into Potton by the provincial authorities, from the towns of Shefford and Broome and other parts of the Province. 70 or 80 stand of arms were also collected from different towns in Orleans county and secretly delivered to the Potton Radicals. Threats of vengeance and reprisal were made by individuals on both sides of the line, and everything seemed to threaten a destructive border war.
These disturbances which had occurred on the Canadian frontier, and the remonstrances of the British government, drew the attention of the government at Washington to the sub- ject. Proclamations for maintaining the laws of a neutral government were issued, govern- ment agents and officials were dispatched to inquire into the difficulties, and United States troops were stationed at different places on the frontier to enforce our laws of neutral- ity. Troy received a share of the attention of the general government and a company of United States troops, under the command of Capt. Van Ness (a nephew of Hon. C. P. Van Ness, a former Governor of this State) was sent there in the Fall of 1838, and Troy again had the distinction of being a garrisoned town. This company remained in Troy until
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the Spring following. The prudent and ju- | cluding a horse and cow confined in the barn, dicious conduct of Capt. Van Ness tended to repress and allay the excitement on the fron - tier. His courteous and gentlemanly deport- ment towards the citizens won their confi- dence and regard, whilst his kind attentions to his soldiers, and the strict discipline he maintained over his company, composed of almost all nations, proved him an officer of merit.
But the decline of the Revolutionary cause in Canada, and the good sense of the people, began to react and to restore peace and tran- quility on our frontier. The opinion was now generally adopted by the citizens, that the cause of liberty could not be advanced by irregular forays and incendiarism ; that the Canadians, for the present, at least, had better be left to themselves ; that, unless they could exhibit more unity of conduct than they had done, they could never hope to establish or maintain an independent republic ; and that it was vain for a few individuals in this State to conquer it for them.
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