USA > Vermont > Orleans County > The history of Orleans county, Vermont. Civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military > Part 62
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
The most of the names of the first settlers, and the history of them is known
368
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE
by the town clerk, and the present settlers of Westmore know the old clearings by the names of the men that cleared them. A part of these are what is known as the old Westmore commons; but a share of these farms are grown up to a second growth of timber. Many acres of fine second growth
timber stand where this Mr. Mical Bly and sons, and hired help, made salts-of-lye.
This is a good town yet for new settlers, as this township is mostly wild land yet, and the part adjoining Charleston is excellent good land for hominy.
ORLEANS COUNTY PAPERS AND ITEMS.
REV. NATHANIEL RAWSON, JR
Among those who, in an early period in the settlement of Orleans County, took a part in en- deavoring to lead the minds of its inhabitants to love and obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ, may be named the Rev. Nathaniel Rawson, jr. ; for, although his longest term of religious labor in any one place was at Hardwick, in Caledonia county, he spent more time in other parts of the State; and, as it is believed that Orleans was among the first to share his efforts, it is thought not inappropriate to give a short notice of him here.
He was born in Mendon, Mass., in the year 1780, and was the eldest son of Dea. Nathaniel Rawson of Milford, Mass., (which town was formerly a part of Mendon.) Of his other an- cestors, the fifth in the line ascending was the Rev. Grindall Rawson, of Mendon, Mass., who, in the year 1709, was the preacher of the " Elec- tion Sermon" before the General Court of Mas- sachusetts, and whose influence in public affairs was such, that it was said " he was compliment- ed as being the General Court's Oracle." Cot- ton Mather, who preached his funeral sermon, said of him: "We usually took it for granted that things would be fairly done, where he had a hand in doing them. We honored him for his doing the work of an evangelist among our In- dians, of whose language he was a master that had scarce an equal, and for whose welfare his projections and performances were such as to course. render our loss herein hardly to be repaired. Such services are pyramids."
The father of Rev. Grindall R. was Mr. Ed- ward Rawson of Newbury, Mass., who was sec- retary of Massachusetts for 35 years, ending with 1686. He was the first of the name who settled in this country, and bore an important part in the early history of the colony. He . came from England about the year 1637. His wife's maiden name was Rachel Perne, and was a grand-daughter of Edmund Grindall, who was Archbishop of Canterbury in the reign of Queen Elizabeth; and he was so faithful a
monitor of that energetic sovereign, that he in- curred her displeasure by his boldness in ex- horting her " to remember that she was a mor- tal creature, and accountable to God for the exercise of her power." Bacon styled Ahp. Grindall "The greatest and gravest prelate in the land." President Oakes of Harvard Col- lege spoke of him as " a most saintly man, and in the Archbishopric little else than a Puritan." This opinion of him is supposed to be owing to his unwillingness "to proceed to extremities against the Puritans," as well as to the evident sincerity of his piety. It may be supposed, that had his wishes been followed, a very pious class of the English people would not have found sufficient reason for dissenting from the established church.
These remarks respecting ancestors are not made with the idea that descendants are really entitled to any honor on account of them, un- less by their own conduct they give evidence that they are deserving ; but, on the contrary, I would express the opinion, that honorable lineage is a disgrace to those who do not strive to honor their parents by their own endeavors to become good and useful.
To return to the subject of this sketch. Rev. Nathaniel Rawson, jr., was not a "liberally ed- ucated" man, though it is believed that he ac- quired a better general education than was at that period usually obtained without a college The writer's youthful impressions in that respect were, that he was the wisest man that ever was, who never went to college .-- This idea was gained from his readiness in im- parting information on all subjects which the in. quiries of his children brought to his notice, and the instructions which he was wont to give them unasked. Ile studied theology with the Rev. Dr. Crane, of Northbridge, Mass .- was li- censed as a Congregational preacher by the Mendon Association.
He probably came to Vermont in 1809, as a sermon of his bearing that date seems to have been preached at St. Johnsbury, in September
369
ORLEANS COUNTY PAPERS.
of that year. In 1811, he was settled as the first Congregational pastor of Hardwick, and remained there over 6 years. Probably in 1811, he was married to Miss Betsey Fitch, daughter of the Rev. Elijah Fitch of Hopkinton, Mass., and sister of the Rev. John Fitch, formerly of Danville, Vt., and later a preceptor of an acad- emy at Thetford. After leaving Hardwick, Mr. R. went to Waterbury, where he probably lived during the most part of 1820. He is believed to have been a consistent maintaincr of sprink- ling as a valid mode of baptism; yet on one occasion he is remembered to have administer- ed immersion, with acknowledged good results. While in Waterbury, the house he occupied was near a small stream of water, and the children of the 'neighborhood were wont to carry on their sports on its banks. His children had been forbidden to go near the water. His eldest son, then being about 7 years old, in company with other children, had forgotten the prohibition, and went so near the bank that he slipped in and wet his feet. The father happening to see this, came and took his son and plunged him into the water. That prohibition was after- wards well remembered and observed by that boy
He next moved to Bristol, and for a time preached at that place and in Starksboro : dur- ing the latter part of his residence in Bristol he gave up preaching, on account of a weakness of his lungs, and employed himself in various ways to procure a livelihood-principally in tilling land, and in going about the country to repair clocks, (in which he was an expert.) In this latter employment it is most likely that he improved the opportunities presented to impart religious instruction, warning' and consolation.
In 1823 he moved to New Haven, where he worked a farm. While in this place he took a novel mode of celebrating the "Fourth of Ju- ly." He had a poor neighbor who was sick at the time, and unable to hire his work done. Knowing this, Mr. R. called on his two eldest sons to get their hoes and go with him-they all went to the sick man's house, and the fath- er accosting the woman of the house, said to her : " As others are having a day of pleasure, I thought that I and my boys would have the pleasure of hoeing out your garden." This was procecded with, and no doubt enjoyed by him at the time with as much satisfaction, as was that day' experienced by any other individual in the community ; but the boys had to wait till afterward to realize their pleasure resulting from it. At this time one of them remembers
tnat day's exercises with more satisfaction than that of any other Independence day which he has yet experienced.
The next Spring, 1824, he moved to Middle- bury, where he lived till the death of his first wife, which occurred during the ensuing sum- mer ; after which his children became scatter- ed among their friends.
The character of his first wife seems to the writer to make it proper to say something of her, as she is believed to have been, in her po- sition, a model Christian woman. Her aid to her husband is believed to have been very effi- cient, not only in the matter of carrying out his plans of labor, but also in important suggestions which made his efforts more successful; and this was done with a modesty which gave ev- idence that she had no desire to obtrude her ad- vice or opinions when not needed ; but was on- ly anxious to do all the good she could, and aid others in good works. Her faithfulness in the duties of a mother makes it evident to one who experienced her care, after mature years have enabled him more fully to understand the loss he sustained in her death, that had all mothers been as careful and judicious in the religious culture of their children, there would have been little need of Sunday Schools ; for her own pri- vate daily training was better than the once-a- week, and often inferior teaching of these very useful institutions, which are so much relied upon to perform the duties of parents, in these later years.
In this connection I desire to state an opinion that I feel there are good reasons for believing is well founded, though I cannot at this time ver- ify the fact. It is, I believe, well settled, that to Col. A. Washburn, then (1814) of Greensbo- rough, is due the honor of first establishing a Sunday School in Vermont. From the intimate friendship which ever existed between Col. W. and Mr. and Mrs. R., I feel very sure that they were consulted as to the management of this first beginning of a great work: and I also have little donbt that Mrs. R.'s suggestions coll- contributed not a little to the success of the undertaking.
Family worship was never omitted on ac- count of her husband's absence, when her health allowed her to perform the leading part. Her patience in suffering was such as to call forth the surprise of all who observed it. She was buried in the burying-ground at New Haven, East-mills.
In 1825, Mr. Rawson again commenced preach- ing in Peru and Winhall-half the time in each
370
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
place. In 1827 he married for his second wife a Miss Sarah Piper of Weston, who was a sister of the Rev. C. W. Piper, who, in 1844, and for some years after, was both a teacher and a preacher in Orleans county. While he lived in Peru, the Temperance movement, so called, be- gan to show itself in the community, and I be- lieve he made the first public address there on that subject. It was at a barn-raising, when, after the neighbors had come together, he made some remarks on the subject, the effect of which was that most of them went home without par- taking of any spirituous liquors, while a few re- mained and partook of such beverages as a good Methodist man thought his duty to provide for such an occasion.
In connection with this incident I will make a few extracts from a sermon preached by him at St. Johnsbury, towards the close of 1809, (which may be called a temperance sermon of 60 years ago) from Ecclesiastes ix. 7, 8-which text would not be likely to be chosen by the preachers on that subject at this period :
EXTRACTS.
"Those who rank themselves among the re- ally virtuous, must be under a great decep- tion, if their lives do not habitually correspond with purity-that morality and charity which seeketh not her own. Such as eat their bread with joy and drink their wine with merriment, unless it be done with a view to the honor and glory of God, will not be ac- cepted ; for although these are the pleasures of human life, yet when not received and im- proved as the mercies of a beneficent parent whom we admire and love, our joy-our mer- riment is not good ; it is of a delusive kind and will terminate in. discontent and woe. But, endowed with the spirit of pure virtue, and a sensibility of our dependence and re- sponsibility for the right use of earthly as well as heavenly gifts, instead of living to eat and drink, and consume the riches of his boun- ty upon our lusts, we shall only eat and drink co live that we may spend the eventful days of life in preparation for the event of a certain and approaching death." *
* * "Unless the benefits of human life, the enlivening pleasures of social friendship lead us in the path of bounden duty, in all the system of virtue, in all the restraints of pure morality, and all the rigid requirements of revealed religion, liave we not greatreason to fear and treinble, lest all our spirit, joy, merriment and gaiety, is preparing for us an exceeding great disap- pointinent, when we, too late, shall learn that our works are not accepted ?" * * *
There is not a pleasure to which the ration- al and virtuous mind can aspire, that is not left in full possession of the real Christian.
"Moral and Christian mindedness forbids not, but recommends, all that decency of dress and improvement of manners, which can re-
sult from the principles of pure innocence or refined taste-"Let thy garments always be white, and let thy head lack no ointment." Pure whiteness is, in Bible phrases, indicative of purity and innocence ; and in the text is, no doubt, meant to prefigure the moral state of those who are to eat and drink with such joy and gladness, for their works were accepted. * * * We should make liberal and prop- er use of the bounties of God's providence, for this life is the only scene in which they can yield us any benefit ; soon-very soon they will be of no use to us. If we would that our garments should always be white, and free from the blood of all men, then let us be care- ful that our whole deportment and behavior towards God and man, as well as ourselves, shall be a practical compliance with the great rule of love,-expressive of the most pure and impartial goodness. Possessed of these.charac- teristics, our bread will be received and eaten with the most filial love and gratitude and joy, and our wine will be used as an over- flowing good from Heaven, and not abused by brutal excess and riot and drunkenness.
This decorum and purity of character alone can fit us for the right reception aud improve- ment of human life and its various blessings. With this temper we shall have no desire to eat our bread and drink our wine, without first craving a blessing on its use ; we shall not leave our full-stocked board without offering our unfeigned thanks for the bounty, and this tempered with that joy and merriment which the text enjoins. With this temperament of grace, we shall not forget our morning and evening tribute of thanksgiving and prayer for all good, and the pleasures of this transitory life." * * * "The season now begins to advance, when the cares and labours of the year in some measure slacken, and some of our days and many of our evenings will be devoted to our pleasures. * *
* It is nat- ural for the young to make gratifying cal- culations for pleasure for the autumnal and winter months. My friends, will you not al- low me to aid you with the advice of this sub- ject, in your plans for happiness. To those of us who have obligated ourselves, let me say, renew our engagements and put them better in practice : to those who liave been unrestrained by conscience, reason and the ho- ly scriptures, I would say, make every pos- sible amendment in your behavior ; let the youth consult their Bibles, reason, conscience, each other, and friendly, experienced persons on the subject of their behavior before God. God now accepteth thy works, only if they are good. The importance of this advice is enhanced by the consideration that this short life bounds the scene of preparation for our future destiny. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave."
About the year 1830, Mr. Rawson went to the western part of New York, and preached in the town of Newfield, Tompkins county; but
371
ORLEANS COUNTY PAPERS.
the water of that region did not agree with the health of some of his family ; so, after remain- ing there about a year, he moved back to New England.
He finally settled on a small farm in Hamp- ton, Ct., which had descended to his family through his first wife's mother. Here he relied on the products of farm labor for the support of his family, though he was frequently called on to assist neighboring ministers in the work of preaching. "He seemed to live a quiet life in Hampton : but it is thought that he tried to do some good, and very likely he succeeded quite as well as some in a larger circle. He was call- ed a peace-maker." He was a ready and effi- cient helper of those in distress and trouble .- "the sick and friendless seemed to look to him as their friend. He always liked to have the children enjoy themselves, and have innocent amusements, and I believe they always felt as though he was their friend, when they tried to do right."
He was killed by a stroke of lightning while at work in the hay-field of a neighbor, on July 19, 1845, aged 65 years.
As a preacher he was one who relied for suc- cess on calm and dispassionate appeals to the judgment and conscience, rather than impas- sioned efforts to excite the feelings to a degree which is likely to lead individuals to take a religious stand, which their future lives are apt to fail to carry out. While, therefore, it may not be claimed for him that he was prominent for eloquence or remarkable energy, among his fellow ·laborers, he may be regarded as one who faithfully improved his abilities to induce all who came under his influence, to live as be- comes the children of God.
His habits of living and dress were, much more than is usual, guided by the Saviour's di- rections in Matt. vi. 35-in these matters his actions seemed to indicate that, in his opinion, they were not worthy of much thought or stren- uous exertions to secure : indeed, it may have been the case, that he impaired his influence on some minds, by his lack of " thought for rai- ment." His children were :
Ist, Elijah, a printer-formerly publisher of the Yeoman's Record, at Irasburgh; and for the last 17 years a resident of Burlington. 2d, Obed, a powder-manufacturer; killed by the blowing up of a powder-mill at Canton, Ct., in 1836, at the age of 20 years.
3d, Cyrus, a silversmith and seaman ; drowned in California, in 1850, at the age of 32 years. He was never married.
4th, Dennis C., a cabinet-maker and farmer, of Hampton, Ct.
5th, Elizabeth F., wife of Mr. H. E. Rice, of Barre, Mass.
6th, Mary Jane, wife of Mr. A. Moore, of Wes- ton, Vt.
The last two were the children of his second wife.
Rev. N. Rawson, jr. was married to his first wife July, 1811, and to his second, March, 1827. He preached at Morristown in 1819, in Watertown in 1820, and in Bristol in 1821.
WILLOUGHBY LAKE.
BY HIRAM A. CUTTING, A. M., M. D.
We read of the Highlands of Scotland and the Alps of Switzerland. Contemplate almost at home the White Mountains of New Hamp- shire, and now let us look for a day among the mountains of our native State for recreation. Reader are you a friend of mountain scenery? Do you love to stand beneath a rock which measures a thousand feet perpendicular and gaze up its awful steep, or view a beautiful lake from a hight of two thousand feet from its surface ? If so allow me to describe the scenes pendant upon a visit to Willoughby Lake. Just imagine you see with my eyes and hear with my ears, and I will safely con- duct you through. It was a beautiful day the last of July, 1853, that I started from Burke, Caledonia Co., for Willoughby Lake. I had visited other mountains in the State, and ex- pected the same scenes which I had witnessed elsewhere. That is, mountains enough, but not water enough to make it pleasant. But I was happily disappointed. The first 5 miles of my journey lay through a farming country unsurpassed in beauty, and unrivaled in fer- tility by any section of our Green Mountain State. Wherever I turned my eyes I could see the luxuriant growth of wheat and corn waving in the breeze, while the hills were spotted with cattle and horses which surpass in beauty of form and elegance of movement any- thing beyond the borders of our glorious New- England. The West may boast of its bound- less prairies and its luxuriant growth of grass, of its bison and wild horses : yet when you are thirsty would you not fain drink of our crystal fountains ?- and when you have trav- eled many a long mile upon the level surface and as far as the eye can reach you can see no change, would you not sigh for a New England home, where all is romantic, all is
372
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
beautiful ? No dull monotony to tire the eye and no atmosphere tainted. by the bogs and fens of a level country. Reader, cast a thought upon this contrast, and then return. The next 3 miles brought me to the Lake House, and is most of the way through a lux- uriant growth of foliage interspersed with an occasional farm-house, which gives a change to the scene and renders it one of surpassing loveliness. The last mile, as if to give a fore- taste of what is coming, is a growth of cedar, American larch, and fir, interspersed with an occasional spruce. While I was admiring this scene and growing more and more absorbed in its romantic situation, I beheld the top of Mt. Pisgah, towering almost directly above my head. I had occasionally seen its blue summit for miles, but now I first realized its graudeur and before my amazement had sub- sided, the Lake House burst upon my view, and was quickly followed by view of the right- ly and far-famed Willoughby Lake. Have you ever stood in the White Mountain Notch and looked up a perpendicular rock for some thousand feet on either side ? If so just im- agine a lake 6 miles long, placed in the gorge between, and you have a Willoughby Lake scene. Justly can the mountains that rise from the side of the lake be compared with the White Mountains, in their perpendicular rugged structure, for in few places can the like be found. After passing a few minutes in the house I embarked (under the direction of an accommodating guide) upon the bosom of the lake. Its waters were scarcely ruffled by the breeze, and its purity was so great that its bottom was distinctly visible at a great depth, and be- ing covered by a green moss, you could almost imagine it the resting place of fairies. After a ride of somewhat over a mile I discharged a pistol and heard its echo, at first sharp and distinct, die away in a dull and monotonous sound among the mountains. I then visited the "Devil's Den" which is a mighty mass of granite rock, partially rent asunder by some great convulsion. At a short distance it pre- sents an entrance from the water's edge which does not fall behind the most romantic con- ception. It seems like the opening of a her- mit's cell, or it may easily be supposed the re- al of some romantic novel. After discharging a pistol into the den of his Satanic Majesty I concluded he was not at home and so land- ed and bentiny steps for the flower garden, or "Garden of Eden." After pursuing my way
up the steep acclivity for a short distance I found m'y road cut off by the perpendicular side of the mountain, which towered up to a great hight. There were two ways for me then, and contrary to the teaching of Script- ure, I took the left hand road, and after trav- eling a few rods at the foot of this tremendous steep which seemed almost ready to discharge a torrent of rocks upon my head, I came into the sunny-flower garden. My first thought was, low came the rose bush here high up the mountain-side ? But before I thought of an answer, other flowers caught my eye and my amazement was increased by their number. I counted 20 species within the distance of a few yards, among which was the common rose, evening primrose, mountain mulberry, wild pink, grape-vine, and wood-aster. Also a beautiful little plant, I never saw elsewhere. The view of the lake from this place is also splendid, and I should not have been satisfied with my visit if I had neglected to visit this beautiful spot. Soon commencing my descent, I found it somewhat dangerous, as rocks loosened behind me and kept me continually on my guard, but it was amazing to see them roll into the almost fathomless depth below. In a short time I reached the lake and another pleasant ride brought me to the shore near the Lake House. After landing, as I looked back upon the lake I could but think of that splendid poem written by Scott, entitled "The Lady of the Lake" and imagine that I beheld the real Loch Lomond, as traversed by Fitz James. All,«in fine, that was needed to make it real was the beautiful form of Ellen. Af- ter partaking of refreshments prepared for me at the house, I made preparations for the as- cent of the mountain. It was a gradual hill at first but it soon assumed a more rugged as- pect, and in the end it was steep and rugged as the mountains that belong to the far- famed White Mountain range which are ev- erywhere noted for their steep ascent. I met nothing of interest save what is com- mon to all mountainous scenery until I reached the summit, when a view broke upon my eyes which is not to be surpassed. Upon the southeast my view was only broken by the lofty White Mountain range, and up- on the west by the principal eastern range of the Green Mountains. Upon the south lay spread before me the County of Caledonia, upon which I looked down as upon a map. While upon the north my view extended far
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.