USA > Vermont > Orleans County > The history of Orleans county, Vermont. Civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military > Part 55
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" Hereditary bondmen, know ye not
Who would be free themselves must strike the blow, By their right arms the conquest must be wrought ?"
were consumed to ashes. Mrs. Elkins ( for- merly Mrs. Gilman) was an elderly lady and much esteemed by a large circle of acquaint- ances, but was strongly attached to the gov- ernment cause, her sons and other relatives had been active in that party, and the houses she owned, used for the quarters of the government troops when they were stationed in Potton. These were the probable reasons why she was made the victim of such singular and barbarous vengeance. This atrocious act closed the events of the Canadian rebellion in the Missisco valley. Sympathy for suffer- ing and exiled patriots could not justify an act like this. Public sentiment was aroused, and the universal condemnation of the act prevented the repetition ; though the actors escaped the hands of justice.
PROGRESS FROM 1854 TO 1864.
Since 1854, the seasons have generally been favorable and crops good to the present time, and the wealth and business of the town has been steadily advancing ; and if our progress has not been as great as might have been expected from the advantages we possessed, yet perhaps it has been as great as we find on comparison with other communities. The farmers have turned their attention more to cultivating their farms, to increasing and improving their stock of oattle and sheep, and producing the great sta- ple articles of beef butter and wool. The ex- tension of the Connecticut and Passumpsic Rail- road in 1864 to the head of Lake Memprhema- gog in Newport, a point within 8 or 10 miles of us has been an important era in the history of this section, and has entirely changed the state of things and course of business in this part of the State. Our people find that they can now sell their surplus produce, and buy the foreign articles they may need much more advantage- ously than before the road was constructed.
The exasperation and difficulties arising from this Canada war did not wholly termi- nate in the Missisco valley. A few remained, especially among the exiled radicals, who were still disposed to keep up a useless ex- citement and perpetrate acts of mischief and violence. The last outbreak which occurred in the vicinity happened on the night follow- ing the first Tuesday of June, 1840. On that night, the house, barn and out-buildings be- longing to Mrs. Susannah Elkins, of Potton, were set on fire and burnt. This barbarous deed was done, as with good reason was sup- posed, by four or five fugitive radicals from Canada, who had resided in Troy, though there was some reason to fear that their design Many articles, such as lumber, hemlock bark &c., which formerly were almost valueless, as having only a local and limited demand, can now be carried to the rail-road, and sold for re- munerating prices. This has facilitated the clearing of our wild or forest lands, and has greatly enhanced their value. But still great- er and more lasting advantage has been derived from the rail-road by the ready sale and im- proved prices which our farmers can get for their produce, particularly in the article of butter. Our farmers can now churn their butter, carry was known, if not approved, by others. This fire was seen at a late hour in the night by a neighbor, who ran and gave the alarm. Mrs. Elkins and her two sons, Leander Gilman and John T. Gilman, were the only occupants of the house. They were aroused from their sleep by the alarm given, and had barely time to escape with their lives from the de- vouring flames. Had the intelligence been delayed a few minutes, they must all have inevitably perished. The house and other buildings, and all the property in them, in- it in the night following to the depot, and in the
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next day it may be carried to the market, and in the morning following, even in the hottest part of our summer, may be placed on the breakfast-tables of our city friends in Massachu- setts, as fresh and as nice as when taken from the dairy-room where it was manufactured .- Stimulated by these advantages, our farmers have increased the number of their cows, and thus increased the quantity and improved the quality of the product of their dairies, and better tilled and fenced their farms, and rendered them more productive. With this increase of their in- comes, houses and buildings have been made more comfortable and convenient, and labor,stim- ulated to greater exertions, has been remuner- ated by advanced wages. With this increased wealth, there has been an evident increase of the comforts of life among the mass of the people. They are better fed and clothed, and with less labor than formerly; their houses and furniture prove that they made an advance in prosperity and refinement. If the moral and mental improvement of the community has kept pace with its pecuniary prosperity, the desires of the most sanguine philanthropist would seem to be satisfied.
RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS.
The organization of the Congregational and Baptist churches, consequent upon the great reformation in 1818, has already been related. Those churches have maintained their organ- ization to the present time, but have not had that growth and prosperity which the friends of religion could have desired. The causes of this depression have been various. A con- tinual emigration has been constantly drawing off many of the most active and influential mem- bers. The losses by deaths and removals have most years exceeded the additions made by new professors. The constant introduction of new doctrines and new themes of religion have ever tended to distract and divert the attention of the people.
The ministry has been in an unstable and fluctuating state. The weakness of the several societies has prevented them from providing regular and adequate salaries for the support of the clergy. The changes in the ministry have been frequent, most of them remaining but a few years with their churches. Rev. George Stone and Rev. C. W. Piper have remained for the longest periods with the Congregational, and Elder N. H. Downs with the Baptist society. Periods of destitution have been re- lieved by occasional supplies and by students from our theological seminaries.
In 1842, a Baptist meeting-house was erect- ed in Troy village, principally by the exertions and influence of Elder Downs, who then officiat- ed as the Pastor of the Baptist church. In 1845 the Congregational Church in Troy was divided, and a second church of that order was organized, consisting of members residing in Troy village and in the south part of the town, who held their meetings alternately with the Baptists, in the house at South Troy. A meet- ing-house was erected in 1848, at North Troy, under the control of the Baptists, though designed for and used by both the Congrega- tional and Baptist societies. In 1863, the Con- gregational society erected a house for public worship at South Troy, and in 1864 a house was built by the Congregational society at North Troy.
The Methodists, as has already been related, at an early day introduced their doctrines and organization into this valley and have always had a preacher stationed on this circuit. Al- though they have ever had many worthy members in their ranks, yet they could not be said to have a very important or controling in fluence on the religious interests of this section.
In 1832, two disciples or missionaries of Mor- monism visited this vicinity. They held their meetings in various sections in this valley, wrought a miracle of healing in Jay, and organ- ized a church there, principally composed of con- verts from that town. But this proved rather a transient affair. The patient they miraculous- ly restored soon relapsed into her former ail- ments and the church soon lost its organization: a few of the more zealous removed to Nauvoo which was then the head-quarters of their faith. Scarce a relic of their faith now remains among us, and should Brigham Young himself with all his miraculous power come among us, he prob- ably would not find more than a single believer with whom he could fellowship.
From an early period many individuals in this vicinity have professed a belief in the doctrine of Universal Salvation. Although many indi- viduals of property and influence have professed this faith yet they never have formed any church organizations, nor erected any house for public worship here, nor maintained any clergyman, ex- cept at irregular times, and with long intervals of entire destitution of preaching and religious services.
During the prevalence of the excitement caus- ed by the preaching of Mr. Miller and others, on the Second Advent, many here embraced
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this new sentiment, chiefly from the Baptist So- ciety, which resulted in the almost total disor- ganization of the Baptist church and the estab- lishment of a new society, of those who enter- tained this belief, and of those come-outers, who had rejected all the previously existing forms of Christian faith, and organization.
A schism was afterwards created in this last society by the introduction of the sabbatarian or seventh day doctrine, which sentiment being embraced by their pastor and some of the mem- bers, led to a new division in ecclesiastical affairs.
There are also some families of Irish and French Canadians who have settled among us, who are Roman Catholics. They have but rarely any religious services, but reject all union or con- nection with other sects or forms of worship.
The Spiritualists too have appeared amongst us. The peculiar sentiments of the sect have their belief, and their uubelief and are supposed to be common with others of the same name and practice in this and other States. They are said to hold their meetings or circles and have the same round of ceremonies, spirit-rap- pings, table-tippings revelations from the dead, trance-mediums, and healing mediums much the same as are reported in other places.
The numbers who entertan these sentiments here, is not known to the writer, but they are 80 numerous they should not be omitted in an ar- ticle which professes to enumerate the different sects or modes of belief which exist here. This sect appeared here some 10 or 12 years since their sentiments were said to be adopted, and in some measure advocated, by the clergy- man who had officiated here for the Univers- alist society. This sentiment has mostly been embraced by persons of that persuasion, and by others who had no particular religious belief. It has not yet pervaded the whole society of Universalists, but by so far, as to create anoth- er division, of which we had already too many.
POLITICAL AFFAIRS.
unanimous vote of the citizens of Troy 9 votes were cast for him, and none for any other candidate. This is probably the only unanimous political vote ever taken in the town of Troy. The great political parties which divided the nation previous to, and during the war of 1812, had their adherents here, and party spirit ran as high as it well could in so sparse a settlement where every man was so much dependent on the assistance and good will of his neighbors.
These dividing names were kept up here long after the causes of the division had ceased, and the old party names were pretty much forgotten every where else.
These party names were however chiefly used as rallying cries in town elections ; but in the presidential elections of 1824 and 1828, the citizens of Troy were, it is believed, unan- imously in favor of the election of Mr. Adams.
This unanimity of sentiment was soon lost after the election of Gen. Jackson. His ad- herents assuming the popular name of Dem- ocrats, and enjoying the patronage of the Federal Government, for several years held a majority in the town, though they were earnestly opposed by the party called Repub- licans and Whigs. The great questions of Tar- iffs, banks, &c .. which then distracted the nation were warmly debated, if not well understood by the contending parties of the town.
Political parties are inevitable under a free government, and if the paramount obligations to the country, over party ties are admitted, they cannot be considered an evil. When party dissensions are carried on with due re- gard to truth and candor, the spirit of inquiry is excited, and the intelligence of the people is increased. Parties are a check upon each other, they often prevent the adoption of bad measures and the election, or retention of bad or incompetent men in office. But if the ex- istence of two parties is beneficial in the com- munity, the existence of three or more parties at the same time seems to be attended with confusion and mischief.
The contests and strifes of political parties also have had too marked an influence on so- ciety to be omitted in any article claiming to This has long been the misfortune of Troy ; our citizens most of the time for the last 40 years could not be content with the existence of but two political parties in the town. Al- most every political sentiment which has dis- tracted the United States has had its adherents here. Anti-masons, Abolitionists, Free-Soilers and Know Nothings, have had organized par- give the history of Troy. Party spirit has usu- ally been violent here, and often more violent than was consistent either with a candid inquiry for the truth, or the peace and har- mony of the town. Soon after the organiza- tion of the town in 1802, an election was held for a member of Congress and the Hon. William Chamberlin had the honor of receiving the' ties in Troy, causing divisions among our
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people and increasing the perplexities of candidates for office.
The troubles in Kansas and the Southern rebellion have caused a nearer approach to unanimity in political sentiment than we have had in Troy for many years, a large majority of our citizens have cordially supported the constitution and government of the Union. Many have enlisted under the different calls for volunteers. The number of soldiers actual- ly furnished by Troy for the war, it would be somewhat difficult to ascertain some who have enlisted here and been reckoned as furnished by Troy had but a slight connection with us; some of them had but a short and casual res- idence here ; and many of our young men have enlisted to supply the drafts made on other towns. Most of the soldiers furnished by Troy proved their devotion to their country by faithful service in the army, and many families in the town deplore the loss of a loved and worthy son and brother who has fallen on the field of battle. It has been the sad lot of the writer of this article to know how deep is this affliction, in the loss of a noble son who fell while bravely leading his Company in one of "the seven days" battle on the Penin- sula in 1862.
EDUCATION AND LITERATURE.
The inhabitants of the Missisco valley have never been distinguished by any very great attainments in science and literature. Though many instances may be cited of more than or- dinary natural talents, and the general intelli- genee of the people is admitted, yet it must be confessed that the intellectual powers have not been cultivated and improved to that point which elevates society and humanity to their highest state of refinement and improvement. The cause of this state of things, it is, perhaps, useless to investigate, and tlie consequences which have followed this neglect of mental eul- ture, it may be offensive to point out. No schools or seminaries of learning above the common district-school have been maintained in the valley, until within a few years past.
Jn 1855 an academy was incorporated at North Troy, and in 1857 another was incorpor- ated in Westfield. These institutions are but the commencement, as is to be hoped, of great- er good. Schools have as yet been maintained in them only for portions of the year.
No young man, born and reared in the valley, has ever received a collegiate education, except Rev. W. W. Livingston, son of Dea. Livingston
of Potton ; and but few of the young men have studied the learned professions, or entered into the higher ranks of literary or scientific life, though several young men who have gone abroad have, by their character and industry, attained to a respectable rank in society.
There are no public libraries in Troy, except for sabbath schools, and but few private libra- ries of much valuc. Newspapers and periodi- eals are our principal reading matter.
I give a list of periodicals and newspapers taken at the Troy post-office-there are probably as many more taken at North Troy :
Boston Journal, weekly, 15; do., daily, 1 ; New York Tribune, weekly, 3 ; New England Farmer, do., 10 ; The Congregationalist, do., 3 ; New York Ledger, do., 10 ; Frontier Sentinel, do., 4 ; Agriculturist, monthly, 3 ; Peterson's Magazine, do., 4; Boston Post, daily, 2-do., weekly. 6; The Pilot, do., 1 ; Vt. Watchman and State Journal, do., 1; World's Crisis, do., 5 ; Watchman and Reflector, do., 8 ; Advent Herald, do., 4; The Independent, do., 1; Vt. Christian Messenger, do., 2 ; Evening Post, do., 2; The Caledonian, do., 2 ; Independen: Stand- ard, do., 39; Argus and Patriot, do., 20; Vt. Union, do., 8; New York World. do., 3; Vt. Chronicle, weekly, 1; Boston Cultivator, do , 6; North Star, do., 2 ; Herald of Gospel Liberty, do., 1 ; Woonsocket Patriot, do., 1 ; New York Weekly, 1; Burlington Times. weekly, 1; Youth's Visitor, do, 2; Advent Review, do., 1 ; Banner of Light, do., 4; Youth's Companion, do., 2; Springfield Republican, do .. 1; Christ- ian Era, do., 1; The Virginian, do .. 1; New- port Express, do., 42; Christian Repository, do., 4; Youth's Pilgrim, semi-monthly. 1; The Household, do., 5; Herald of the future King- dom. do., 1; Macedonian and Record, monthly, 1; New York World, campaign, weckly, 20
CRIMES.
No case of murder is known to have occur- red or been suspected in the valley. 'There have been two or three instances of suicide, and several melancholly instances of accidentai death, mostly by drowning. There bas searce- ly been an instance of a conviction for a felony of any resident in the valley. Some instances of prosecutions for minor offences have of course happened : and there may have been some ott er cases which have escaped, which deserved the notice and animadversions of the law
GROWTH OF BUSINESS AND POPULATION
The introduction of the manufacture of iror into Troy occasioned a very considerable in.
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eroase in the business and population of the town. The decline and final suspension of the business in 1846 caused a temporary decrease in the business of the place, and most of those attracted there by this manufacture left soon after its suspension. But the course of im- provement, though fluctuating, was, still pro- gressive : farms were extended and improved, some new settlements were commenced, and other improvements made. The introduction of the manufacture of starch, in the year 1846, brought much new land into cultivation, reliev- ed many from embarrassments, and raised some to easy and independent circumstances ; and on the whole, there was a very perceptible accumulation of capital, and an amelioration of the circumstances of the people. The popula- tion of the four towns of the valley advanced from 1965, in 1840, to 2518, in 1850.
The general improvement throughout the State. particularly in the extension of railroads, began also to affect the Missisco valley. The rap- id advance made in the agricultural interest in the adjoining county of Franklin, arising in a great measure from the improvement in dairy- ing husbandry, and the great increase in the production of butter and cheese in that county, very much affected the adjoining sections of Or- leans county. Many of the more enterprising and successful dairy farmers in Franklin county were both able and disposed to buy the farms of their less wealthy neighbors, and these, after selling their farms, instead of going to the far West were inclined to settle in a nearer region. Some enterprising farmers, also, in Franklin county, wishing to enlarge their farming and dairying operations, sold out there, and made very advantageous purchases of large tracts here, with equal if not superior advantages - The combination of these circumstances caused quite a migration from Franklin to this part of Orleans county, and of course an advance of the price of lands here. From these and other causes the price of real estate in the Missisco valley has probably doubled since 1850, and seems to be still on the increase.
If the valley could have received this acces- sion to its population and business without any corresponding loss, it would have attained to a higher state of improvement than it now enjoys. Among the causes which have tended to retard the advance of the Missisco valley for the last ten years, the great emigration, and the withdrawal of capital to the West. may be noticed as the first. Within the last
ten years it would be safe to calculate that from seventy-five to one hundred thousand dollars had been carried from a small circle around Troy village, and invested in the West. In addition to this amount of money, the Missisco valley has paid a further contribution to the West in several worthy and enterpris- ing men, who have gone there with it.
The season of 1854 was remarkably dry and unproductive; scarcely any rain fell dur- ing the three summer months. In consequence of this drought, the hay crop, the main reli- ance of the farmer, was lighter than was ever known before. Hardly half the usual crop of hay was secured that year, and English grain and potatoes suffered much. The effects of this drought were peculiarly disastrous to the farm- ers of the Missisco valley Tempted by the great profits of dairying and stock-growing, they had engaged largely in that business. By this disastrous season they were deprived of the usual means of wintering the large stocks of cattle they had about them, and were compelled to dispose of them at the lowest prices. Taking it altogether it was perhaps one of the most unfavorable seasons ever known in Vermont. It blighted the prospects of many a flourishing farmer, and it required the labors of several years to recov- er from its effects.
DEACON SAMUEL H. HOVEY.
A brief notice of several persons who once resided in the Missisco valley seems to be re- quired by respect for their memories, and the influence they exercised upon society.
Dea. Samuel H. Hovey, one of the early settlers of Troy, was born of poor parents in Lyme, N. H. When he had arrived at an age when his labor was of some value, his father bound him out to a wealthy farmer in that vicinity, and received a yoke of cattle as a compensation for his son's services. In consequence Mr. Hovey began his career in life penniless, and with but the limited educa- tion which the district schools of that day afforded. He had, however, the advantages of a hale constitution, a stout muscular frame, and was well trained in habits of industry and thrift.
Mr. Hovey married Miss Anna Grant of Lymne, moved to Troy, purchased a lot of 100 acres of land, on what is called the East Hill, and commenced clearing it. He made after- wards additions to his farm and was for a long time the largest and most successful farmer
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in the valley. He united with the Congre- gational church in 1818, was elected a deacon, and retained that office until his death. Dea. Hovey was for many years agent for almost all the non-resident owners of lands in Troy and Jay, took an active part in the affairs of the town, and was generally and favorably known throughout the county. His house was long the resort, and his hospitality was freely bestowed on the ministers of the Gospel and other strangers who visited that, then re- mote and secluded valley. Becoming some- what involved by endorsing for a friend, he took for his security an assignment of a large part of the mine of iron ore, soon after it was first discovered in 1833. He afterwards sold his interest in the ore and the farm where he had resided to the Boston and Troy Iron Company for $13,000; and in 1837, he removed to another farm which he owned, about half a mile from Troy village, where he resided for the remainder of his life. To effect this sale, and to advance the manufacturing interest in his town, he subscribed largely for the stock of this Iron Company, all of which he lost by Its failure in 1841, and also lost much by en- dorsing for, and endeavoring to sustain this Company. He also sustained many other losses by his generous but mistaken confidence in others. For many years in the early his- tory of Troy, Dea. Hovey's name was an al- most indispensable requisite on any note sent from the vicinity to any bank for discount, and almost the only man that a sheriff from abroad would receive to back a writ, or receipt property on an attachment. This of course ru- ined his fortunes. He died in December, 1856, at the age of 81, childless, and in reduced circumstances. His wife survived him about one year. Mrs. Hovey was a most efficient helpmeet for her husband, a very active, in- telligent, and worthy lady, and was much esteemed by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances.
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