USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 1 > Part 17
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BRANDON GRADUATES FROM MIDDLEBURY COL- LEGE-FROM PIERSON'S CATALOGUE, 1853.
1821. EZRA JUNE
was born in Brandon in 1796 ; read law with Barzillai Davenport, Esq., of Brandon, and has practised in that town since. He was judge of Rutland Co. Court 1843-1847; mem- ber of the Vermont Senate 1848-50; States Attorney for Rutland, 1850.
1823. THOMAS JEFFERSON CONANT
(Son of John and brother of John A. and late Chauncey W. Conant ) was born in Brandon, Dec. 13, 1802. He was tutor in Columbian College, D. C., 1825-'27 ; Profes- sor of Languages in Waterville College, 1822 -33 ; was ordained a minister of the Baptist denomination, but was never settled over a parish ; in 1835 became professor of Hebrew and Biblical criticism in Hamilton Univer- sity, N. Y., following the University on its removal to Rochester. For the last 20 years, Mr. Conant has been engaged under the au- spices of the American Bible Union in the revision of King James' translation of the Old and New Testament Scriptures. His new version of the books Genesis, Job and Psalms, command the admiration of biblical scholars, as well as the general reader. His translation of Gesenius Hebrew Grammar has proved a valuable aid to American students. Since his connection with the University at Rochester, he has resided in Brooklyn, N. Y. He received the degree of D. D. in 1844.
1824. LYMAN GILBERT,
born in Brandon, June 13, 1798; graduated at Andover Theo. Sem. in 1827; became pastor of the Congregational church in West Newton, Mass., in 1828, and still remains there (1853.) He received the degree of D. D. in 1850.
1826. SETE HARRISON KEELER,
born in Brandon, Sept. 24, 1800; fitted at Brandon and Castleton academies ; was pre- ceptor of New Ipswich academy, N. H, 1826- 27; graduated at Andover, Theo. Sem. 1829; was pastor of the Congregational church in South Berwick, Me., where he was in 1851.
1838. JONATHAN AVERY SHEPHERD, D.D., studied theology at the General Theological Seminary, New York City and is an Episcopal Clergyman of the P. E. Church, and Teacher at Ellicotts' Mills, Md. (1872 .- Pub.)
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BRANDON.
1839. ERASTUS CARTER SPOONER ; teacher in Vt. Literary and Scientific Insti- tution, 1839-40 ; studied at Union Theo. Sem. New York City, 1840-41; died in Brandon of consumption, Dec. 11, 1841, aged 27.
1839. CHARLES CARLOS BISBEE
was preceptor of the Vermont Literary and Scientific Institution at Brandon-(common- ly known as Brandon Seminary-Ed.) in 1839-42; of Addison County Grammar school (at Middlebury) 1842-44; then for several years associate principal of Bakers- field Academy (Franklin Co.)
1845. SAMUEL MILLS CONANT,
,
born in Brandon Nov. 22, 1820, fitted at Brandon Seminary, studied at Union Theo. Sem., 1844-46; was teacher in Brooklyn, N. Y., 1846-48 ; read law and commenced practice at Brandon ; was editor of the Ver- mont Union Whig, sometime; Assistant Clerk of the house of representatives in 1849; Assistant Secretary of the Senate in 1850; since then has been Secretary of the Senate. He is a nephew of John A. Conant.
1848. GEORGE DANA engaged in mercantile pursuits in California. 1851. JAMES EDWIN ROSS,
born in Brandon, Sept 20, 1827, fitted at Addison Co. Grammar School, and Troy Conf. Academy, Poultney ; became a teacher in Helena Academy and is reading law (1853.)
1852. ROYAL DANIELS ROSS,
born in Brandon, August, 1830, is a teacher in Flemingsburgh, Ky. (1853.)
REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS OF BRANDON.
FROM THE U. S. CENSUS, 1840.
Ebenezer Squires, aged 82.
Sophia Burnell (widow), 80.
Roger Smith, 78.
David Merriam,
80.
Phebe Tracy (widow),
73.
In our village churchyard stands, or rather has stood until within a few days past, a plain marble slab bearing the follow- ing inscription :
Over the body of RICHARD WELCH, during five years a soldier under
WELLINGTON
in the PENINSULAR WAR,
and during all his life AN HONEST MAN.
This stone is erected by his friends. He was born in Ireland 1783 ; Died in Brandon, Vt., 1842.
On the 22d of August the sons of the de- ceased, had the remains removed to the new Cemetery north of the village. The coffin was found in a very good state of preserva- tion-sufficiently so to enable it to be brought to the surface, with its contents, quite entire, by as careful and experienced a person as the worthy sexton, Mr. Parkhurst.
The remains consisted simply of the bones, which were quite whole, and in the position in which they were placed twenty-two years ago last March. The most interesting feature connected with the exhuming was the dis- covery of the character and nature of the wound received by the deceased at the battle of Vittoria, fought June 22, 1813. The wound occurred midway between the hip and knee joints of the left leg, rendering the knee joint stiff; the joint was natural, how- ever, but the thigh bone was found lapped and enlarged, and just underneath the injury, on the bottom of the coffin, was found the bullet flattened out to the size and thickness of a large cent .- From Vt. Record while pub- lished at Brandon.
REV. WILLIAM FORD.
SIXTEEN YEARS A RESIDENT OF BRANDON- SELECTIONS FROM HIS POEMS .*
Rev. Wm. Ford was born in Glenville, Schenectady Co., N. Y., Oct. 28, 1821 ; en- tered the ministry of the Church in his 21st year, having been a member from his 16th year.
His first year was on Greenfield circuit, N. Y .; his second on the Mechanicsville charge, in the same county, and on the beautiful banks of the Hudson.
In the summer of 1843, he was appointed to Brandon, where he became acquainted with Miss Ermina M. Fisk, only daughter of Edward Fisk, to whom he was married in March, 1845.
In 1853, the clergymen's sore throat com- pelled him, at the close of his two years' service at Rutland, to retire from active work, and he went to Brandon, where, 2} miles north-west of the village, he erected the necessary buildings and made himself and family a home, where he resided 16
* We are indebted for the substance of this sketch to the reverend author-Mr. Ford has deceased since the above was written .- Edl.
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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
years, beautifying his grounds, engaging as an amateur in the cultivation of fruits and flowers, particularly the grape, until "Floralside" grew to be one of the loveliest spots in all that part of the State-fit home for a clergyman, editor and poet.
In 1857, Mr. Ford purchased the " North- eastern Christian Advocate," then published by Rev. A. C. Rose, at Brandon, and entered upon his new work as editor and proprietor. Pecuniarily, this was a poor speculation, but it afforded its owner a field for his talents peculiarly gratifying to his feelings and taste. In 1859, he changed the name of his paper to the " Northern Visitor," a religious and literary sheet of no mean ability. Many excellent contributors were regularly employed, and much new and pleasing talent was revealed and developed, and a vast amount of work and brain was put into the unpretentious publication, by its editor. Indeed, he over-worked himself, running a book store, cultivating his grounds, and usu- ally preaching each Sabbath, besides work- ing some 16 hours a day on his paper.
Mr. Ford began writing verses early in life, and his paper contained many of his own poetical effusions, besides bringing prominently before the world other gifted sons and daughters of song : among others, Rev. Dr. John Wesley Carhart, author of "Sunny Hours" and the "Hebrew Poets"; Miss O. E. Paine, (now Mrs. Thomas,) and Mrs. A. H. Bingham, one of the sweetest writers of poetry Vermont has ever had.
The work of editing and publishing, with limited resources pecuniarily, led to a dis- posal of the "Visitor" early in 1871.
As a preacher, Mr. Ford is well known in Western Vermont, among other churches than those of his own denomination, having served as pastor in Brandon, Leicester, Salis- bury, Vergennes, Bristol, Burlington and Rutland, and preached 6 months each for the Congregational Church of Brandon and the Baptist Church of Whiting.
As a preacher, he is characterized by sys- tematic arrangement, force, clearness and power, and a good taste that marks all his public performances. As a prose writer he is concise and perspicuous; as a writer of verses-(we give what we regard a fair illus- tration of his fairest talent .- Ed.)
He has long contemplated publishing a volume of his poems. He aided in starting
" The Household" and still contributes to its pages.
In 1868, his health again giving way, he was compelled to retire, at least for a time, from the ministry, and in April, '69, he with his family moved to Battle Creek, Mich., where he resides at this time, in improved health and spirits, preaching often with his usual acceptability, and is, we learn, contem- plating assuming pastoral labors this coming autumn, (1872).
He has done something for both literature and religion in Vermont, besides the facts mentioned. He was chosen by Miss Hemen- way as one of her committee, in making selections for "The Poets and Poetry of Ver- mont," and aided in bringing out the poems of Gilbert Cook Lane, deceased, &c. He is known among his friends for his taste in literature and art, and for his critical skill in the various departments of thought, cul- ture and the practical activities and customs of life. He is what he calls a "High Meth- odist," yet loving all things true and beau- tiful, God and all good people.
The following is the title page of a poem published in pamphlet form :
"CELESTIALISM : a Poem delivered at the Town Hall, Brandon, February 11, 1862, on the occasion of a Benefit given to Rev. B. D. Ames and family. "I had a dream that was not all a dream"; By Rev. Wm. Ford Brandon : Printed at Gazette office, 1862."
FAREWELL TO SUMMER.
BY REV. WILLIAM FORD.
Farewell to the Summer ! whose bright golden, hours Slept soft on my heart, like the dew on the flowers; To its sweet scented blossoms, God's angels as fair, Which filled with their fragrance the soft balmy air ; To the wild-warbling songsters, who trilled their glad notes,
'Till their swelling songs choked up their joy speak- ing throats.
Disrobed is the garden, 'neath whose shady bower, Toil rested and dreamed through the noontide hour, Whilst the honey-bees' hum fell so soft on the ear That Fatigue often dreamed of a Paradise near
And the joy-dancing moments, perfumed with the rose,
Seemed a mockery of bliss-too short for repose.
Young buds which in spring-time adorned the green leas.
In Summer their petals flung out to the breeze,
' Till Flora had decked all the land with a bloom That charmed from the heart all of sadness and gloom ;
But, alas, with the Summer this loveliness fled !- Like a babe in its shroud it lies withered and dead.
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BRANDON.
The landscape is robbed of its emerald green, And gone from the skies is their bright golden aheen The woods' leafy grandeur is faded and sear, Whilst the hoarse breath of Autumn howls mournful and drear : And Oh! as I gaze on the frost-withered leaf, I weep for the loved ones whose stay was as brief.
My heart often bleeds, like a thrice-stricken deer, When I think their glad voices I'm never to hear ! The sweet-singing birds will come back with the Spring, And Summer fresh beanty and fragrance will bring; But the loved and departed-I'll see them no more, Till I greet them in bliss on the ever-green shore.
Till then, with the Summer, I'll bid them farewell, While sorrow and hope my sad bosom shall swell; And the fresh smelling turf of each newly-made grave, I'll often revisit with tear-drops to leave, And kiss the sweet rose that smiles on the sod- Bright emblems of loved ones ascended to God.
OCTOBER.
BY REV. WILLIAM FORD.
Nature seems struck with death. The hectic flush, Which glows so brightly on her wasted check, Reveals the foe that preys upon her heart. Few moons ago young Spring came joyous forth, With verdant robes and songs of gushing praise, While swelling bud and newly fluttering leaf, With gurgling brooks and gentle hum of bees, Proclaimed the universal joy.
How brief her stay !
A few short weeks she held her peaceful reign, More beautiful each day, with plumper cheek, A lighter step, and ever brightening eye, Till Summer, her gay sister, flaunting came, When Spring, the modest maiden, blushing smiled. Aud courtesied ad.eu.
So rapidly
Did Summer dance the golden hours away, Replete with love and beauty, joy and song, That ere the tide, which brought this argosy, Seemed half its destined height, its ebb began.
October! melancholy and serene ! The chastened sadness of these halcyon days, So like the spirit, patient and subdued, Of her whose sixteenth summer's beauty fades Before the touch of that insidions foe Who revels most with beanty, talent, worth- Consumption, greedy of the loved of earth, And garnerer of early fruit in heaven- Exalts my sonl, niy passions all subdnes, The cheerful music of the Summer hours In gone. The birds have fled, ull save the crow, Who croaks his hoarseness with a deeper tone, Rejoicing there's no rival to his song.
The dead and withered leaves fall monrufully, And pile the lawn, the dell, the burial ground With drifting banks of crimson and of gold. Along the mountain peaks and on the hills There, hangs a misty shroud, and e'en the snn Half vails bis burning eye, to view the scene.
T: e air rings hollow, so the rattling train, Which rumbles heavy through the distant vale Seenis scarce a inile away ; the woodman's ax Far o'er the forest brown its echo sends, Along the steeps and crags of distant hills ; And e'en the raven s voice, as on he flies, Lazy and garrulous with new felt joy, Seems strangely to possess a ten-fuld power.
As o'er the features of the dying saint A new, unearthily beauty often comes- The last sweet look of innocence and love, Which falls like balin upon the bleeding heart, And almost reconci es ns to his fate- So nature, tonched by death, serenely wraps A diadein of glory ronud I er brow, And chants a requiem to departed joys. The landscape smiles; the golden corn is piled, And waiting to be garnered ; while among Its tasseled heaps, wide-spread npon the ground, The mammoth pumpkins, ruddy as the sun When he goes down in smoke behind the hills, Are making merry for the husking eves, Or half impatient for Thanksgiving day. The Inscions grapes in purple clusters hang. Half hid behind the curled, frost-bitten leaves. The white petunia and the larkspur blue, The purple monkshood and the philoxes gay, Never seemed half so fair and sweet as now, Encrusted with the hoar-frost, death's embrace. The bending orchard looks a mount of wealth, Spreading the trodden grass about each trunk With piles ot binshing fruit, more precions far Than California's dnst, since this we give, Almost in weight, in glad exchange for that. How bright! how sad! how beautiful! how gay! How much like life ! how fraught with death I Art thou, October ! and Oh ! how I love These days of withered hopes and faded joys! And in my love there seems a sacredness, It so divests me of my earthiness, And lifts the groveling soul to brighter scenes And joys immortal, where love reigns for aye.
TO A LITTLE DAUGHTER ON HER BIRTH-DAY. OCT. 6. 1860. BY REV. WILLIAM FORD.
Waiting, hoping, trusting, Make the spirit strong ; Cheered by expectation, Thon hast waited long ; Come at length has Autumn, Clad in rich array, With its golden treasures Comes thy natal day.
Fled have five bright summers, Winged by light and love, Since like some sweet angel, (Nestling like a dove In thy mother's bosom) Lily, thou didst come, Gracing with strange loveliness Our Green Mountain home.
Precious little casket, With a priceless gem
ra
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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
Fit to deck a coronet, Or a dixdein ; Lovely as the rose-bud, Pure as flake of snow, Angel hands defend thee Through life's joys and woel
Picture of thy mother 1 Eyes as dark as jet- Gems of purest water- Stars that never set ; Cheeks as plump as peaches, Dimpled on the right, Bless me! what a treasure In a father's sight.
Moulded form of beauty, Limba of classic grace, Brow for mind's enthronement, Joy-lit, beaming face ; At our own dear Floralside, Midst the smiling flowers, Thou hast with the humming-birds Chased the golden hours. .
For thine only brother Meet companion fair, Like the dancing sunbeams, Gliding everywhere ; Mirth and joy and gladness Follow in thy train, As both life and verdure Crown an April rain.
Thou hast known no sorrow ; Thou no sin hast known; Love and joy and beauty With thy life have grown. Sporting in the sunshine, Thou shalt speed apace, Toward the realm where Duty Rules with queenly grace.
Life's rough path hath perils, Evils throng around Fate frowns from the heavens, Pit-falls strew the ground; Through the changing seasons Heaven protect thy way, Till a new October Brings thy natal day.
THE VERMONT VOLUNTEER. BY REV. WILLIAM FORD.
Three cheers! for thy Green Mountain Boys, old Ver- mont,
Who fought for our country so dear; When dangers were thickest they rushed to the field- Three cheers! for each brave Volunteer 1 The thunder of Snuiter aroused all their pride, As its echoes fell sad on the ear ; And to join in the conflict each young hero sighed- Three cheers! for the brave Volunteer.
Thy valleys shall shont to their praise, old Vermont, And hill-tops re-echo the cheer ; And granite and marble proclaim o'er their dust Thy love for the brave Volunteer ;
The spirit of Allen and Stark strung their nerves, They neither knew failure, nor fear ;
And a Swiss love of freedom burned bright in the soul Of each gallant and brave Volunteer.
Ahl dear to each heart was thy fame, old Vermont And the pathway of duty was clear ; And thy ancient renown a new luster has won By the deeds of each brave Volunteer ;
A halo of glory shall circle each brow, The dead be embalmed in our tears ; And a country united, when Victory is ours, Shall honor thy brave Volunteer.
Then hurrah I for thy Green Mountain Boys, old Ver- mont !
Their bays shall grow green with the years ; With patriot soldiers, from each royal State, Side by side stood thy brave Volunteers: They struck for their country, for Freedom and Right, And God for their help did appear ; And millions unborn, of the wise and the good, Shall hazza for the brave Volunteer.
PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERING. BY REV. WILLIAM FORD.
The storms which rock the mountain pine And toss its green plumes to the sky, But settle and extend the base That lifts the giant shaft on high.
The clouds which crown the mountain's trow, And veil the eagle's piercing sight, Cause hiin on dauntless wing to soar To regions of unclouded light.
So every woe the good man feels !- The crested waves that o'er him roll, Temptations, sorrows, griefs and fears, But strengthen and confirm the soul.
A stronger faith in truth divine, A nobler type of saintly life, The God-like in the human form, Are born midst sorrow, trial, strife.
Few flowers in Paradise shall bloom, But those Gethsemane hath grown ; And they its highest bliss shall share, Who most of Calvary have known.
Then let winds rage; the wild storm beat ; And dreadful be the tempest's shock: Unharmed the faithful soul shall stand, Firm as the adamantine rock.
Floralside, 1862.
PRAYER IN SICKNESS. MRS. A. H. BINGHAM .*
Oh! let me live, my Father ; life is sweet, And full of beauty and of joy to me ;
* Mrs. Bingham was born in St. Albans-See history of St. Albans, Vol. II., p. 361. But as she resided in Brandon during the time that most of her poetry was written, we think-and where she first appeared in print as a poetical writer, and was by her own choice classed among the Poets of Brandon in her contribu.
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BRANDON.
While present hopes and future prospects meet To form for me a happy destiny.
I know that e'en the brightest hopes decay ; That many an anchor fails to which we trust, Our treasures ruthlessly are torn away, Our idols crushed-lie mouldering in the dust.
But yet, my Father, life is dear to me, As through its mazy paths I pass along ; The beauty and the harmony I see Inspire my spirit with a gush of song,
My heart is swelling with a wild delight, Its chords are touched to many a thrilling strain; As all earth's beauty bursts upon my sight,- To try to sing the half I feel were vain.
I love to live, my Father-yet I know Temptations compass me on every side, And disappointments meet me as I go, Sickness and sorrow, pain and death betide.
And coldness often meets me where I turn, For sympathy and love, and kindly trust, And friends for whom with tenderness I yearn, My heart all coldly trample in the dust.
But yet, my Father, yet I pray to live, . For there are those to whom my life is dear, Those whom I love and who would gladly give Their all of life, could they but keep me here.
And life is beautiful, fair and bright, The air is filled with sweetest melody, The breezes play around mo soft and light, And everything in nature speaks of Thee.
So for the sake of these bright things of earth, The birds, the flowers and the pure, blue sky, For all the beauties Thou hast given birth, My Father, let me live, I cannot die.
And yet I would not murmur-let me say Thy will, not mine, whate'er it be, be done ; Help me to bow submissive, Lord I pray, For what is best is known to Thee alone.
TO YOUNG LADIES. MRS. A. H. BINGHAM.
A word to the girls of our Brave Yankee nation, Fo almired and loved by the Lords of Creation ; Who though they pretend to be wonderful wise, Are always ensnared by your bright, witching eyes. Your personal charms, with your smiles and your glances,
And the glittering net-work of glowing romances, Many sensible fellows may draw to your snare, But, girls, let me tell you you'd better beware, Though your bright eyes and beauty may win you a lover,
tion to the Poets and Poetry of Vermont; and morever u but one of her briefest poems was given with the St. Albans literary productions, we deem it proper and but just and pleasing to give her a more pertect repre- *utation in her old and once loved Brandon home. Mrs. Bingham is deceased it will be seen by reference to the St. Albans Ilistory .- Ed.
If sense does not back them, the game is all over. To be truly a lady-a lady well-bred- With all of your charms, you must have a sound head; And a sensible girl you may know understands How to use to advantage, her head and her hands. Now I've heard a girl say, that she did not know How to knit a whole stocking, and, oh dear! to sew, At least on plain sewing, the thought was quite shock- ing, She would not for the world stoop to mend her own stocking.
But when she went home would take it to mother. You'll scarcely believe it, but there was another Who said that she did not know how to wash dishes ! Now that girl, I'm sure has my very best wishes; But if I were a man and she were a Hebe, And as rich, and as great, as the old Queen of Sheba, Do you think that I'd marry her ? marry her-never ! If I lived an old bachelor for it forever.
I've heard many say, that they did not know how To cook a potato; the sight of a cow Would give them hysteries; the crow of a cock Would give to their nerves a most terrible shock. These delicate girls have all learned to make Holes and scallop in cambric, and very nice cake, But mercy 1 to think of a shirt for their brother, Or to fry up a pan-full of nut cakes for mother, The thought were enough to distract-and all that, They surely should die just to smell of the fat. Now girls, let me tell you, just roll up your sleeves, Go into the kitchen, make butter and cheese, And dumplings and doughnuts and nice loaves of bread, Both wheaten and Indian-don't shake your head; But go right to work, prepare a good meal, Learn to cook ham and eggs, and beef-steak and veal; Make puddings and pies, and take care of the cream, Keep everything 'round you in order, and clean ; You must learn to mend stockings to sew and to knit, My darling young ladies, 't wont hurt you a bit ; But see if it does not prove true to the letter You'll be happier far, and a thousand times better; It will make you more sensible, more at your ease, And you'll please all you meet without trying to please. Meantime, my dear girls, you must lay up a store Of good, useful knowledge ; you must explore The mystical workings of nature's great plan, And the greatest events in the history of man ; Mathematics and logic, and Rhetoric too; The history, both of the old times and new ; There are three things, young ladies, pray learn to do well,
They precede all others to read, write and spell, Learn to draw, and to paint, and all that sort of thing; To play the piano, to dance and to sing ; Learn as much as you can, and then do not shirk, But take hold with your mother, and help do the work.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS. BY YRS. A. H. BINGHAM.
Christmas gifts, Christmas gifts, costly and rare, Gifts for the honored and gifts for the fair ; Gifts for the futher, the mother, and son. The daughter,-and gifts, for each beautiful one; All who are wealthy, and noble, and great, Live in magnificence, splendor and state;
All who have plenty to eat and to wear, Have their rich Christmas gifts costly and rare.
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