USA > Vermont > Orleans County > The history of Orleans county, Vermont. Civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military > Part 64
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but by the kindness of drink and food given to him in his exhausted state was so injured he died. He was buried on the Dark Day, November 9, 1819. He was brother to Isaac Senter of Salem, an early settler of that town, and also to the wife of Dea. Jotham Cummings. He was the father of Zacheus and Derban Sen- ter. Zacheus Senter moved into this town in 1811. He had a large family. They were good Methodist people. He died in 1843 ; his wife since. The family have sold out and left town.
EPHRAIM BLAKE, OF SALEM,
was our wolf hunter in Orleans Co. He would build a pen in the woods of logs large at the bottom, and small at the top, and place part of a sheep within for which the wolf would jump in and could not get out again.
WILLIAM GRAY,
who lived in Sheffield, in 1817, moved to Westmore and some time after to Charles- ton on to the Joseph Seavy farm. He was a Freewill Baptist, and while he lived in Sheffield had a dream. He had been indis- posed for a few days before and had also had some difficulty with Elder Nelson, about some contract between them and liad com- plained of him, -but he dreamed a doctor came to him and gave medicine that helped him and told him many things-the last one that in six years and two months, exactly, he would be with his God.
The next morning he started for Brother Nelson. He had been told in his dream also, he must not hold any hardness against him. He adjusted the matter amicably with Bro. Nelson and lived expecting to die in just the six years and two months, and had a meeting appointed at his house for the day and the night upon which he was to die. He lived in Charleston at this time. But Brother Joseph and the friends from Westmore came over and joined in the meeting. John Rogers was there from Canada, and the writer also. The morning came, he was as smart as com- mon, but for some reason not known, lost his strength, and had to be helped on to the bed. He was happy. Finally, he revived up nad a white handkerchief put on his head and set up in a chair the rest of the day. The meet- ing commenced in the afternoon and contin- ued till supper time, when it adjourned for supper, and after supper was resumed and continued till after the appointed hour of 2 o'clock. In the evening the service was led by
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Elder Jonas Allen of Charleston, and Fran- cis Chase of Salem. Brother Chase prayed for the widow and the fatherless children .-- After 2 o'clock the people were cared for the rest of the night, and returned home after breakfast the next morning. Mr. Gray said to the writer that God had promised him to live; tell your father, said he, I think I will purchase that land-(some land he had de- ferred purchasing on account of his expected death.) Mrs. Gray and her two young wo- men daughters went about her housework as usual, and Mr. Gray with his six stout sons started for boiling salts of lye in the woods. This was in 1823. All unite in saying broth- er and sister Gray were Christians.
ELEAZER POMEROY,
wife Suky and 6 children, came from Iras- burgh, where they were early settlers, to this town in 1823. They were honest Christian people. He died in 1863, his wife had died before. The children have removed from town and there are no headstones to mark the graves of this early settler and his wife.
Before 1822, Beaman Newel Esq., of Burke, carried the first mail. In 1833, Ira Parker was the first postmaster in East Charleston, and Ebenezer S. Allyn the first in West Charleston. The mail route was from Lyn- don to Derby, past Charleston, Newark and Salem, once a week. This stage road was a pretty good road in 1828.
Esq. Cooley, another early settler, was a large and naturally bright man, but lost his reason, while writing against, or trying to correct the Bible. He was writing his re- marks upon where the sheep and goats are to be separated, when he was struck down. He burned his papers, but his flesh shrank away. He might have been 40 years old when he died, but looked as old as a man of 100 years. His wife heard him say, when he begun to burn his papers, "I will not be on the left hand with the goats."
JONATHAN BRIGGS
moved into Charleston in 1837. He was president of debating meetings at different times. He died before the rebellion, but left two sons who served in the late war and died in the service of their country. His widow and daughter live in town.
Dr John Sanborn moved into East Charles- ton in 1840.
Joseph Huntington and others built the bridge across Clyde River in 1819.
There were three kinds of smugglers in the embargo times. From 1808, one kind smuggled goods out of Canada, the other beef and pork into Canada to feed the British army, and most of the salts makers of all parties smuggled salts or sold them knowing they would be smuggled. This they did to save the lives of their families. No one was hurt by this. The Democrats smuggled some. Few Feds. did not smuggle. The Democrats lost votes by trying to rob the poor of their bread in this way. The town of Navy (Charleston) sent a Fed. to Montpelier in 1813. He voted not to give thanks to God for the success of our army. He went in 1814. The year anti-masonry broke out, this Federalist was candidate of the same party, when the town asked a Jack- son man training day to read the Act of 1813, and he lost his election.
Our ministers have not usually been located long here at a time. Jonas Allen resided with us the longest. He preached here about 10 years. He was ordained here, but not settled. He was then a Freewill Bap- tist, but afterward becanie one of the three founders of the Christian denomination. Roy- al Gage, a Methodist, preached the next long- est here. And Moses Norris, a Freewill Bap- tist, preached here several years. For some- time past East Charleston and Centre Brown- ington have had circuit preaching (Methodist) half the time at each place, and the Freewill Baptist in the same places half the time and also in West Charleston. And there has been Congregational and Universalist preaching also a part of the time. The Freewill Bap- tists, Methodists and Universalists have a Un- ion meeting-house, which is the only one in the place. There were no Freewill Baptists in town till after 1810. Before that there was a little Congregational, Episcopal Methodist, standing Baptists and Christian preaching. Now the Freewill Baptists are the most nu- merous of any denomination in town.
The Christians in this place came first from Danville. I once asked Mr. Hill, who came here and started the order, of the origin of this church and he told me that it thus orignated : Three ministers, who thought just alike, viz. John E. Palmer, Elias Smith and Abner Jones, formed the order and each gathered a church and the order flourished-the first two went over to Universalism and if living, the Dr. said, lived in Waterford, Vi.
Rev. James Knight came into this town in
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1829, and staid one year. Rev. Moses Ne- rus, a Freewill Baptist, preached at the center of the town after Elder Joseph Allen had stopped preaching.
The first five settlers of this town were young men-Samuel Knight. who was one of the first selectmen-Lemuel Sturtevant, William Mason, Benjamin G. Teal and Joel Roberson-all of whom left in 1814. Samuel Mason and wife were very respectable young people, and had one child born in this town.
AMOS HUNTOON, of the first board of select- men, had a wife, one daughter and three sons. The daughter was afterwards killed in Coventry by lightning. He did not remain long here.
The heirs of Asa Matherson got over $1,500 for their claim, which was one of the 18 rights of Brooks, claimed by Farrington. After Farrington failed in the Phelps claim, he went the rounds after those who lost their claims at said vendue sales. This part of our history, those living in Charleston in 1828, well remember. Some are living now, in other States, whose fathers kept Farrington in jail at Danville several months. One of these was Winslow Farr, Esq., now Mormon Elder at Salt Lake City, who has two sons with him-one of which has a number of wives and scores of children.
Esquire Farr thus became a Mormon : his wife had been confined to her bed a long time, and was much pitied by her towns people as a confirmed invalid. In 1832, two Mormon elders, Pratt and Johnson, visited Charleston, and at this time came in and prayed with them, and laid hands on her in the name of the Lord. She believed she was healed, and arose and prayed with them that same night, and thanked God for it: and the next day she and her husband were baptized, and joined the Mormon Church. And, at different times, in the course of 3 years, quite a flock from this town started for "The Holy Land."
INDIAN ROADS.
The first from Canada, passed from Magog lake, up Clyde river, through Charleston, to Brigliton, in Essex county, at Island Pond .- The second Indian route was from Sherbrooke up the Canada river to Norton Pond, which is the head of this river-thence N. W. to the Ferren River-thence down said river to Clyde River-thence up this river to the outlet of Island Pond-thence, probably, through Old Random-thence past Pall Pond, and down Pall
stream, to its junction with the stream from Maidstone Lakc, past the saw-mill built on said stream by Mr. Beattie-thence to Maidstone Lake-thence to Moose River in Victory- tl:ence down this river to the Connecticut in St. Johnsbury.
It has been reported the Moose River Indians were more cruel than the Connecticut River In- dians. The Moose River Indians have been thought to been Quebec Indians. They did not travel through Charleston, but through Nor- ion. The East Charleston Indians were friend- ly Indians. The writer thinks that it was the Charleston Indians that visited Lancaster, N. H., that Mrs. Stockwell took over the river in her boat, at different times, on dark nights.
EARLY COUNTY ROADS.
The first road from Newbury to Derby pass- ed through Ryegate, Barnet, St. Johinsbury, Lyndon, Wheelock Hollow and Sheffield, where it received the travel from Danville Green, and from thence, via Sheffield, passed under Reuben Miles' shed, past Barton Mills, at which place it received the Montpelier travel, and from t.hence extended to Brownington, wlicre it re- ceived the Albany travel, and proceeded west of Brownington Pond, to and through Derby, straight to Canada linc.
The second road from Newbury line to Stan- stead, Canada East, passed up the Connecticut River to Guildhall-thence through Brunswick, Wenlock, Brighton Dyke, at Island Pond. Mor- gan, Holland-receiving at Holland the St. Johnsbury road travel, and thence, past West- more, and through Holland, and then through Derby street to Stanstead, Canada.
These two roads, with the Hazen road, give the reader a chance to see the situation of Or- leans county, in 1815, as to roads. These two roads were turnpikes. The turnpike through a part of Caledonia county, and Orleans to Stan- stead. was " killed" by a free road from Sutton to Barton. This road was built in 1815, and having no toll-gates or bridges, took all the travel to Derby.
We have in East Charleston a lodge of Good Templars numbering from 80 to 100 members, and in West Charleston a lodge of Freemasons.
The town meetings are held alternately at the East and West village. There is no vi !- lage at the Centre, but from here the Clyde River runs both ways through the town and enters Salem less than a mile from the north corner of the town.
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Mrs. Susan Goodwin is the oldest woman in town-91 years old, February, 1870. Of the old settlers, the only one now living is Esq. Ste- phen Cole, aged 89 years. Major John M. Rob- erson, who moved into town in 1832, died last week (first week in March), aged 70, February 21, 1870.
[The name of John Palmer is also on the U. S. pension records of 1840, for this town, aged 84 .- Ed.]
The diamond wedding of Stephen Cole came off on the 19th of May, 1870. There were about 200 guests present. Mr. Cole is in his 90th year. Three of his children were present, one 59, one 66 and one 50 years of age. Near- ly all of the oldest inhabitants of the town were present. The exercises were conducted by Rev. Mr. Peckham, and consisted of opening with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Clark, of Morgan, singing, etc., by the choir,-introduction of the bride and groom. An historical essay of the life and adventures of Mr. and Mrs. Cole, by Doc- toress Allyn, of Lowell, Mass., speaking by Rev. Mr. Childs, Rev. Mr. Bracket and Mr. Charles Carpenter, interspersed with singing-after which a diamond gift was presented by the guests, of about $55, when all repaired to the vestry and partook of a bountiful repast set by the ladies .- Newport Express.
[We had thought to give the interesting pa- per by Miss Rachel Allyn, M. D. ; but as we are much crowded for room near the close of our volume, and it has been already published in the Newport Express, and we have already in the history of Charleston a considerable notice of Mr. Cole, we must defer it till another time. -Ed.]
COVENTRY.
We have from the newspapers since the war, the deaths of Charles C. Coles, son of Seth F. Coles, of Co. I, 1st Vt. cavalry, who died of disease occasioned by starvation in rebel pris- ons, aged 22-and Parker Greely, of Vt. cav- alry, aged 48.
Dea. Thos. Wells, of Coventry, died Oct 16, 1869, aged 48.
CRAFTSBURY.
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BENJAMIN CONNER, Esquire, died in this town, at the age of 84. He was formerly of Wheelock, to which place his remains were con- veyed for interment. The deceased was the representative in the Legislature from Wheel- ock for the sessions of 1832, '33 and '34, and.
several years since was one of the assistant judg- es of the county court.
EZEKIEL SMITH, another esteemed citizen of this town, lived to a good old age, and was bu- ried with Masonic honors.
JACOB NOBLE LOOMIS
was born in Lanesborongh, Mass., Oct. 8, 1790. He graduated at Middlebury in 1817, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1820-was pastor of the Congregational church in Hard- wick 1820-'30 ;and afterwards engaged in ag- riculture until in or about 1833, in Hardwick; in 1853 in Craftsbury .- Pearson's Catalogue.
DERBY.
Of the men that acted with the government against smuggling in the war of 1812, and were true to their posts, were Col. Corning of Der- by, Hon. David Hopkinson of Salem, Parmenas Watson of Holland, and Erastus Chamberlain of Barton,-Capt. Rufus Stewart of Derby, also, though he did not assist in the suppression of smuggling, did as much as any other man of Orleans county to save the people from destruc- tion. ALPHA ALLYN.
DEATH OF LIEUTENANT CHASE.
Lieutenant George W. Chase from Der- by Line commanding Co. M, of the First Ver- mont Cavalry, died suddenly, Aug. 23, 1863, at the Georgetown Hospital. He left his com- mand on the 20th, with fever. Lt. Chase has for sometime been the only commissoned offi- cer with the company, and was on continual duty and in every scene of toil or danger through Kilpatrick's campaign-a campaign whose history will always be read with won- der and admiration. The Capt. of the Com- pany was shot some time ago, aud the 2d Lt., Enoch B. Chase, brother of George, was com- pelled to resign by disability, and even his hardy coustitution and unbending will were not able to sustain the labors that had been thrown upon him. Lt. Chase was a model officer, wonderfully calculated to control men brave, energetic, determined, scholarly, gal- ant, and quiet in thought and action. both be- loved and feared by his command. He never knew what it was to fear danger, and he could lead when any could follow. He always had a passion for military life, and when the coun- try called he came home to Derby Line from California for the purpose of enlisting. Hıs voyage from California was in the ill-fated Golden Gate which was wrecked. Chase was
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one of the few who by presence of mind and great strength succeeded in escaping death by swimming against current and tide to shore. He escaped this death to die the noble and more glorious death of the patriot soldier.
We extend our sympathy to his widowed mother, and all his relatives, and also to his bereaved command. He has died young, but more lamented and with a nobler record of achievement than often falls to the lot of those who live out the full measure of three score years and ten. - From the Green Mountain Express.
THE SOLDIER'S MONUMENT AT DERBY
is located in the upper end of Derby Centre village, on a little knoll 15 feet high, and about eight rods back from the road. The foundation is 12} feet square, and four fect deep. First upon the foundation are placed two tiers of granite steps 12 inches thick and 18 inches tread. Then comes the first base, 6 feet square and 2 feet thick, with the outer edge beveled. On this stands the second base, 5 feet square and 18 inches thick, with "O G" moulding edges. Next comes the die 3 feet square and 5 feet high. The front (West) side of this contains in heavy raised, letters, the following inscription : "In Mem- ory of the Volunteers from Derby, who Lost their Lives in the Great Rebellion-1861-5." The South side contains the names of the four offi- cers, and underneath is a sunken shield, with the raised letters "U. S." On the east side are the names of 24 privates and on the north side the names of 25 privates, which completes the list of 53 men whom Derby sacrificed in the rebellion. On the die is to be placed the cap, 5 feet square and 8 inches thick, with "(). G." moulding on the upper edge, and the reverse on the lower edge. Next is the shaft, 31 inches square at the base, 16 feet high, and finished at the top with a ball 16 inches in diameter. On this ball is placed a bronze eagle,* with wings extended, as if making ready for flight. The monument ground con- tains between one and two acres, which will be surrounded by a suitable fence, and also ornamented with shrubs, walks, &c. The monument is all granite.
* There is no eagle on the top, though it is the inten- tion to put on one. Since this description was written, the monument has been surrounded by a basement of mason work 183/4 feet square, and 3 feet high. The top of this basement is reached by 5 granite steps between 2 posts, 4 feet high to the apex. E. A. STEWART.
GLOVER.
REV. REUBEN MASON
died in Glover, June 29, 1849, aged about 70. Father Mason, as he was familiarly called, was a native of Grafton, N. H .. He was subjected to the privations and scanty privileges of his day and place. But these did not suppress his desire and determination to be both good and useful. He came into the ministry late in life -when ladened with the cares and charge of a family.
His first settlement was at Waterford, in 1820 -his second at Glover, in 1827, and his third at Westfield. As a pastor he was faithful and sympathetic : as a preacher, sincere, urgent, doctrinal. While thoroughly Calvinistical in his theological views and preaching, he was still kind and liberal in his intercourse with oth- er evangelical orders. He was ardent in feel- ing, and entered with his might, and with in- domitable perseverance, on what he conceived to be his duty. In addition to his labors as pastor he performed missionary work in various places, but mostly in the north of the State.
His last illness was distressing-proceeding, as was supposed, from a large tumor in his left wrist. In hopes of relief, he suffered amputa- tion of his arm between the elbow and the shoulder ; but his decline became more rapid, his disease more complicated-but all were endured with that patience and faith he ever preached as the fruits of Christian experience, and sum of Christian character. He died as he lived- believing, resigned. - Yeoman's Record.
MAJOR C. W. DWINELL.
In the list of wounded at the battle near Charleston, Va., August 21, appeard the name of Maj. C. W. Dwinell, of the 6th Vt. Regi- ment. His wound was not at first supposed to be dangerous, being merely a flesh wound befow the knee, bnt unfavorable symptoms soon appeared, and he died Wednesday, 24 August. His remains were conveyed to Glover, where funeral services were attended, 30 August, by a very large assembly.
Carlos William Dwinell was ason of Ira and Dorcas (Ford) Dwinell, and was born in Calais 8 Sept. 1838. In his boyhood his parents re- moved to Glover, and that was his residence till he entered the army. Both at Calais and Glover his father was an innkeeper, and thus being brought into constant contact with men, acquired an affability and knowledge of hu- man nature which were of good service to him
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when he became a soldier. His academical studies were pursued at the Orleans Liberal Institute, where he had a respectable stand- ing as a scholar.
He entered the service of the country in Oct. 1861 as a member of Co. D in the sixth reg- iment, recruited at Barton. Upon the organ- ization of the Company he was elected 2d Lieu- tenant 11 January 1862, became Adjutant 1'November 1862, was promoted Captain of Co. C, 12 January 1863, and Major a few days before his death. In all these positions he acquitted himself and became a worthy son of Vermont. He was a soldier without fear and without reproach. He had a good deal of manly beauty by which he made a favor- able impression at first sight, and this prepos- session was confirmed by his easy address, and the real kindness of his heart. To an un- usual degree he was careful of his soldiers. never exposing them to any dangers which he was not ready to share. They were ardent- ly attached to him for his bravery, and loved him for his kindness, and promptly went wherever he bade, or followed him wherever he led.
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He shared all the hard fortunes of the 6th regiment, and participated in nearly every battle in which it was engaged, but escaped without a scratch till the battle of the Wilder- ness, 5 May 1864, when he received a severe wound near the spine which disabled him for six or eight weeks. The bullet was not ex- tracted from this wound, and it is probable that the enfeebling effects of that prevented him from rallying against his final wound as le might otherwise have done.
He married, when home on a furlough, 27 Jan. 1864, Miss Amanda Smith of Albany, Vt.
P. H. W.
Coventry, 2 Sept. 1864.
CAPT. DAN. MASON.
Capt. Dan. Mason, of the 19th Reg't U. S. colored troops, died at Brownsville, Texas, Nov. 25, 1865. He was a native of Glover, Vt., aged about 26 years- and a member of the 6th Vt. Reg't from its organization till March, 1864, when he was promoted to a captaincy of the colored troops, after passing a meritorious examination before the board of which Gener- al Casey was president. He served in the ar- my of the Potomac till after the surrender of Lee, when he went to Texas under Weitzel, serving there till his death. He passed through
the whole war without a wound and almost without a sickness, till the last sickness, which terminated his life. His friends were wholly unprepared to receive the shocking intelligence of his death, being in daily expectation of hear- ing he was discharged and coming home. He leaves a young wife to mourn that he is gone.
Capt. Mason was a brave, faithful and intel- ligent officer, and one who held the respect and esteem of all his friends and acquaintances .- His remains are expected home, to be interred in the land of his nativity - Vt. Record.
An Orleans paper of 1869 says there has not been a grave made in the West Glover ceme- tary for 20 months, and but one death in the vicinity during the same time.
GREENSBORO.
DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR,
scouts from Bedell-Regiment stationed at Haverhill-were constantly sent out to trav- erse the then uninhabited regions of Vermont. On one of these expeditions, Nathaniel Martin and four others came to Greensboro, which was the terminus of their route. They stacked their guns and sat down, at a little distance, to eat their rations, when they were surprised by an unseen party of Indians, who fired upon them and killed two. The survivors, ignorant of the number of their assailants, thought it the part of prudence to make no resistance, and did not attempt to regain their guns. A single Indian soon came from the woods, to whom they surrendered, and then learned, to their great chagrin, that the attacking party consisted of only seven per- sons. It was too late to make the resistance which they would have made had they known how small was the odds against them, and they went on their way to Lake Memphre- magog. and thence to Quebec,-continually watching for the opportunity, which they never found, of escaping by flight, or by an encounter at small disadvantage with their captors. Martin was exchanged not long after, but the fate of the others is not known.
P. H. WHITE.
EDMUND HARVEY BLANCHARD,
born in Greensboro 1821; fitted at Craftsbury Academy ; graduated at Middlebury, 1848 ; was preceptor of Lyndon Academy, 1848-9; studied at Andover Theo. Sem. 1849-52 .- Pearson's Catalogue.
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