The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 1, Part 23

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: White River Junction VT : White River Paper Co.
Number of Pages: 868


USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 1 > Part 23


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).


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CORPORATION.


Elected. Erit.


1818, Selah Gridlev, M. D., 1825.


Theodore Woodward, M. D., 1810.


= T. P. Matthews. A. M., 1820.


1819, Hon. C. Langdon, A. M., 1830


Rev. Elihu Smith, A. M., 1831


Leonard E. Lathrop, A. B., 1820.


John Meacham, Esq., 1º39.


" John Goodwin, F.sq., 1825.


= James Adams, Esq.,


Hon. Zimri Howe. A. M.,


1820, T. P. Batchelder. A. M., M. D., 1822.


J. A. Fallup, A. M., M. D., 1824.


Amos Eaton, A. M., 1822.


1º22, Jonathan Allen, M. D., 1832.


1823,


William Anderson, M. D.,


1824.


Rev. Ethan Smith,


1827.


Hon. C. K. Williams, A. M.,


1830.


1827, William Tully, A. M., M. D.,


1839.


1828,


Benj. F. Langdon. A. M.,


1828, Joseph Perkins, M. D.,


1830, Selah H. Merrill, A, M.,


1839.


1830, Samuel Moulton, Esq., Ezekiel Buel, Esq .. ..


Orlando N. Dana, Esq.,


1940.


1839, Jonathan D. Woodward, M. D.


Chester Spencer, Esq.,


Aruna W. Hyde, Esq.,


M. G. Langdon, Esq.,


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1


1825, Henry Howe, A. M.,


1827.


1838.


1838.


.


521


CASTLETON.


.. Oliver Harris, Esq .. Timothy W. Rice, Esq.


PRESIDENTS.


1813, Selah Gridley, A. M., M. D. 1819.


1,19, J. P. Batc .elder, A. M., M. D., 1820


1 -20. Joseph A Gallup, A. M., M. D., 1823.


1421, William Tully, A. M., M. D., 1839.


1539, Horace Green. M. D., 1841.


1×41. James M'Clintock, M. D., 1843.


1-43, Joseph Perkins, M. D.,


1850.


1-50, William Sweetser, M. D.,


1856, Corydon L. Ford.


PROFESSORS.


1818, Selah Gridley, Theory and prac- tice of Medicine and Materia Medica .. 1820.


1818, Theo. Woodward, Surgery and Obstetrics. 1839.


1818, L. Leronte Cazrie, A. M., Chem.


Anat. and Phys. 1819.


1$19, Thos. P. Matthews, A. M., Chem. Anat. and Phys. 1820.


1819, John P. Batchelder, M. D , Anat. and Phys. 1822.


1820, Selah Gridley, Clin. Prac. and Med. Juris 1824


1820, Thos. P. Matthews, Chem. 1821.


1820,


Amos Eaton, Bot., Chem. and Nat. Phil. 1826.


1820, Joseph A. Gallup, Theo. and Prac. and Mat. Med. 1823.


1822,


1822, Wm. Anderson, Anat. and Phys. 1824. Jonathan Allen, Mat. Med. and Pharmacy. 1829.


1824, Win. Tully, Theo. and Prac. and Med. Juris. 1839.


1825, Alden Marsh, Anat. and Phys. 1835. 1826, Lewis C. Beck, Botany and Chem. 1832


1826, Amos Eaton, Vat. Phil. 1828.


1828, Solomon Foote. Nat. Phil. 1833.


1833,


John D'Wolf, Chem. and Nat. Phil. 1839.


1835, James HI. Armsby, Anat. and Phys. 1839.


1839, Horace Green, Theo. and Prac. of Physic. 1841.


1839. Joseph Perkins, Mat. Med. and Obstetrics.


1939, James Hadley, Chem. and Phar. 1841. 1$39. Robert Nelson. Anat. and Phys. 1840. James Bryan, Surgery and Med. Juris. 1841.


1841, James M'Clintock, Gen., Special and Surg. Anat.


1941, Frank H. Hamilton, Prin. and Prac. of Surg.


1841, C. L. Mitchell, Phy. Gen. Pathol. and Opera. Obstet 1811, David M. Ruse, Theo. and Prac. of Med.


1541, Wm. C. Wallace, Opthalmic Anat. and Surg.


J-11. Win. Mather, Chem. and Phar. 1 - 11, Win. Russel, Med. Juris.


1-12, Alfred C. Post, Opthalmia Surg. 1513, " Surg.


1842, Ezra S. Carr, Chem, Phys. and Nat. Hist.


1843, Samuel Parkman, Descriptive and Surg. Anat.


1845, Middleton Goldsmith, Prin. and Prac. of Surg.


1846, Thomas M. Markoe, Des. and Surg. Anat.


1844, Solomon Foote, Med. Juris.


1846, Wm. C. Kittridge, Med. Juris. 1849, Corydon La Ford, Anat. and Phys.


1853, George Hadley, Chem. and Nat. Hist.


1857, Adrian T. Woodward.


1857, Albert Smith. 1858, Win. P. Seymour,


1858,


E. R. Sanborn.


COLLEGE GRADUATES,


Who were residents of Castleton : James K. Guernsey, grad. at Dartmouth ; Selah H. Mer- rill, grad. at Middlebury, 1813; Leonard E. Lathrop, grad. at Mid. 1815, and received the Honorary degree of D. D. from Geneva, in 1840-minister of the gospel, settled in Auburn N. Y. Jonathan C. Southinayd, grad. at Mid. 1817-minister of the gospel, but devoted his life mainly to teaching-preceptor of the acade- my at Montpelier for several years; died at Sutherland Falls. Benjamin F. Langdon, grad. at Union Col., in 1818, practiced law in Castle- ton. Alvin H. Parker, grad. at Mid. 1820, became a minister of the gospel and settled near Philadelphia. Daniel S. Southmayd, grad. at Mid. 1822-became a minister of the gos- pel, settled first in Concord, Mass., thien in Tex- as, where he died. Julian G. Buel, grad. at Mid. 1823; lawyer, resided in Castleton; went to Georgia on account of ill health, and died there in 1834. Harvey O. Higley, grad. at Mid. 1825; minister of the gospel, preached several years in Ohio; resides at present in Castleton. Nelson Higley, grad. at Mid. 1826 ; minister of the gospel ; died at Castleton, 1831. Alexander W. Buel, grad. Mid. 1830; lawyer, settled in Detroit, Mich .- member of Congress. Edwin Hoit, grad. Mid. 1835; minister in the Advent church, lives in Michigan. Jolın E. Claghorn, grad. Mid. 1836; and Auburn theol. sem; minister of the gospel, died at Castleton, 1847, aged 36 years. Julian M. Loveland, grad. Mid. 1841 ; resides in Castleton. George N. Boardman, grad. Mid. 1847; prof. in Mid. Col., pastor at Binghampton, N. Y. ; received honor- ary title D. D. from Burlington, Vt. Is now proff. of systematic theology, in the Chicago Theolo. Seminary.


Eleazer Sherman, grad. Mid. 1849; lawyer in St. Louis, Mo. Allen P. Northrup, grad.


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1539,


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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.


Mid. 1851; teacher at Flushing, Long-Island. Francis Dake, grad. Mid. 1847. Selah Gridley Perkins, grad. Union Col. 1852. Henry May- nard, grad. Mid. 1852-lawyer, resides at Mar- quet, Wis. John Howe, grad. at Mid. 1852; lawyer at Castleton-now resides in Florida. Edward P. Hooker, grad. Mid. 1855; minister of the gospel-settled in Medway, Mass., and now at Middlebury, Vt. Henry P. Higley, grad. Mid. 1860 ; and Auburn Theo. Sem-min- ister of the gospel at Beloit, Wis. Samuel L. Miner, grad. at Mid. 1860; teacher at Cincin- nati, O. Joseph B. Steele, grad. at Mid. 1860 ; minister of the gospel-resides at Middlebury. C. G .Steel, grad. at Mid. 1860: resides at Middlebury. Rufus Cushman Flagg, graduated 1869. John Horr, graduate of Harvard, and for many years a distinguished teacher at Brookline, Mass. Charles Langdon, grad. at Williams, 1854; lawyer and marble dealer, re- sides at Castleton. Edwin H. Higley, grad. at Mid. 1868; teacher of music-resides in Boston. Alfred E. Higley, grad. at Mid. 1868 ; farmer-resides in Castleton.


Of these thirty-one graduates, fifteen entered the ministry, eight the profession of law, two have devoted themselves to teaching, and five have been engaged in different kinds of active business. Beside these five entered the minis- try without a collegiate education, viz. :


.


Rev. Stephen Rodgers; settled in Bradford, and also in Westmoreland, N. H. Shermon Kellogg ; settled in Orwell, and afterward in Montpelier; died at the West. William C. Denison preached several years in Hubbard- ton, then in Dexter, Mich., and in Prescot. Wis; now lives in Lawton, Mich. Francis C. Denison, was licensed to preach, but has devo- ted his efforts to other pursuits. Horace B. Chapin.


The following persons. residents of Castleton have graduated at Castleton Medical College. Hinman Griswold, Mose Hoit, Asahel Hough- ton, Francis C. Harrison, Lester Kingsley, Elisha S. Kellogg, Frank S. Low, James M'Kee, Charles C. Nicols, Joseph Perkins, David Palmer, Ash- bel S. Pitkin, Stephen Brownson, Josiah H. Brown, Henry S. Buel, George Bliss, William C. Benton, Luther L Deming, Horace R. Pond, Selah G. Perkins, Guy B. Shepard. James San- ford, Georgo P. Spencer, George Tuttle, Jona- than D. Woodward, R. C. M. Woodward, Har- rey B. Woodward, Adrian T. Woodward, Joseph Warner, Hoit C. Stevens, William C. Perkins, J. II. Steelo-32.


Dr. Wolcot was a practicing physician at


PHYSICIANS.


Castleton previous to 1790: but how long lie remained is not known. Dr. Samuel Shaw was a practicing physician as early as 1700, and was celebrated both as a physician and. surgeon. He was also a prominent politician, and a member of Congress.


Dr. Selah Gridley commenced practice in 1795, and did a large business for many years. He was one of the founders of Castleton Med- ical College.


DR. THEODORE WOODWARD began business in 1812. He was a man of much more than ordinary talent, and was distinguished as a phy- sician and surgeon. It would be difficult to find his equal for skill and acuteness in exam- ining a patient ; and in determining the nature and location of diseases. He was one of the prime movers of the Medical College at Castle- ton, of which he was for many years the presi- dent, and in which he was a distinguished lecturer.


DR. JOSEPH PERKINS, (grad. Cas. Med. Col., 1830), began business the same year, and is still in extensive and successful practice. He ranks among the leading physicians of his day, and is deservedly celebrated as a practitioner. Through his influence and active exertions the Medical College was revived, after two or three years suspension, consequent upon Dr. Wood- ward's failure of health, and regained its form- er measure of prosperity. For several years Dr. Perkins was its president, and a prominent lecturer.


In consequence of differences among the faculty, Dr. Perkins resigned his position, and joined his interests with the Medical College at Burlington.


Dr. J. D. Woodward, (grad. Cas. Med. Col., 1824). practiced from 1824 to 1869, the year of his death.


Dr. A. G. W. Smith, (grad. Cas. Med. Col., 1824), physician and dentist, commenced busi- ness in Castleton in 1829, and still continues ; devoting a large portion of his time at present to farming.


Dr. Josiah Northrop, (grad. at Cas. Med. Col., 1841,) physician and druggist, established in 1841, and still continues. He and his son IIen- ry Northrup have an extensive drug-store, and are doing a prosperous business.


Dr. Henry F. Smith graduated at Albany in 1855; practiced a short time in Castleton : di- ed in 1870.


Dr. II. C. Atwood, (grad. Cas. Med. Col. 1856),


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CASTLETON.


settled first in Salisbury-is now practising in Castleton.


Dr. Jas. Sanford, a native of Castleton, grad- unted at Cas. Med. College, in 1840, and set- tied in Fairhaven, now resides in Castleton.


DR. S. GRIDLEY PERKINS, a native of Cas- tleton, son of Dr. Joseph-born Nov. 11, 1826, graduated at Union College in 1846, and at Cas. Med. Col. in 1851. He possessed a brilliant, active mind, and engaged in the practice of medicine with zeal and success. Early in the late war he enlisted, and was captain of a com- pany of cavalry. He was killed at Ashley's Gap, after the battle of Antietam, when leading a charge against the enemy, Sept. 22, 1862. His remains were brought to Castleton and in- terred in the public cemetery.


LAWYERS.


HON. CHAUNCY LANGDON bore a prominent part among the professional men who located at Castleton. He was born in Farmington, Ct. in 1764-graduated at Yale college in 1792- studied law with Judge Gilbert of Hebron, Ct .; came to Vermont immediately and settled in Castleton, where he resided until his death.


He at once identified himself with the inter- ests of this town, county and State, and was oftentimes honored by his fellow-citizens with important and varied offices. In politics he was ever a staunch whig, and bore a promin- ent part in the excited political strifes of the early days. In 1789 and 1800 he was judge of probate for the district of Fairhaven. He was elected one of the trustees of Middlebury Col- lege in 1811, and remained a member of that board until his death. He was a member of Congress in 1815 and '16. At the time of his death he was one of the councillors of the State, and had been for a number of years, a distin- gnished member of that body. In his own town he was active and liberal in promoting the interest of the town. He was a member of the Congregational church from an early day, and was ready at all times to bear his part not only in sustaining the institutions of reli- gion, but also in social and public meetings. He was a life-member. by his own contributions, of all the important benevolent societies of the State ; and was especially interested in the Vt. Bible Society, of which he was for years the honored president. In the obituary notice of him he is thus spoken of :


" By indefatigable industry, directed by em- inent professional attainments. he acquired and watained through life an elevated standing at the bar. By inflexible integrity in every sta-


tion to which he has been called by the voice of his fellow-citizens, he acquired a reputation truly enviable, and which will be long cherish- ed with honest pride by his numerous friendy. To the members of the profession to which he belonged, he has left an example of uuvieldinz integrity, persevering diligence and prudent discretion, worthy of their highest respect and imitation."


He died at Castleton in July, 1830, aged 66. HON. ROLLIN C. MALLORY


Was born at Cheshire, Ct., May 27, 1784, where he resided until '95, when he came with his parents to Poultney, in this State. He gradu- ated at Middlebury College in 1801, previous to which time he had commenced his professional studies, in which he made such proficiency, that he was admitted to the bar in this County in March, 1807. In the succeeding October he was appointed by Gov. Smith secretary of the Governor and Council; and he afterwards re- ceived the same appointment from Gov. Galu- sha for the years 1809, '10, '11 and '12; and also for 1815, '16, '17, '18 and '19. He was soon ranked among the leading lawyers of the county, and held the office of State's attorney during the years 1811, '12 and '13, and subse- quently in 1816. In 1819 Mr. Mallory was brought forward by his friends as a candidate for Congress, and he received a hearty support ; but owing to the votes of several of the towns not being returned early enough to be counted, Mr. O. C. Merrill of Bennington, the member of the preceding congress, appeared to have the greater number of votes, and was declared elect- ed. It was soon ascertained that the votes which were not returned, would have varied the result; and, at the commencement of the ensuing session of Congress, Mr. Mallory brouglit these facts to the notice of the House of Representatives, and claimed the seat to which Mr. Merrill had been returned. In this effort he was successful, and he was permitted to take his seat on the 13th of Jan .. 1820.


The ability and fidelity with which he exe- cuted his trust, appears from the six successive re-elections which he received, and under which he continued to serve his constituents until his death. He was a strong friend and advocate of the protective system. At the commence- ment of the 20th Congress he was placed at the head of the committee on manufactures, and as its chairman reported the tariff of 1828, and by his exertions on the floor of the House contributed much to secure its passage. Mr. Mallory settled in Castleton, and lived there until about the time of his going to Congress. He


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married a daughter of Esq. Stanly of Poultney, which accounts, probably, for his removal to till the time of his death, and had early en- that town.


He died at Baltimore, Md., while on his re- turn from Washington, April 15, 1831. His remains were brought to Poultney, where they were interred, and a marble monument was subsequently erected over them by the mem- bers of the bar of which he was so distinguished an ornament.


[See biography of Mr. Mallory in the history of Poultney, this volume .- Ed.]


ROBERT TEMPLE


Was a native of Braintee. Mass., born in 1783 ; studied law with Hon. C. Lang lon-admitted 1804: married and settled in Castleton. After- ward removed to Rutland where he died in 1834, aged 51. He was clerk of the county court from 1803 to 1820.


LEONARD E. LATHROP


Was born in Hebron, Ct., in 1772; grad. at Yale College in 1787-studied law in Tolland. Ct .. settled in Castleton in 1806-removed to New-York 1834; died, 1840.


HON. ZIMRI HOWE was born in Poultney in 1786, grad. at Middlebury College in 1810- studied law with Judge Seymour of Middle bury, admitted in 1813, and settled in Castle- ton and followed the practice of the law till his death, in 1863. Judge Howe was an ac- tive and useful member of society. Possessed of a large measure of public spirit, he devised measures for the good of the town, and follow- owed up his plans with great perseverance. He stood firmly on the side of good order, mor- rality and religion. His influence was felt in the church of which he was a member, and in the religious society. He was elected a trustee of the Rutland Co. Gram. School in 1819, and from that time was one of its most active members, and eminently devoted to the inter- ests of the Academy. Ile also took great interest in the common schools, which he visit- ed often, not officially, but as a friend to ed- ucation. In 1840, he became a member of the corporation of Middlebury College, which place he faithfully occupied until his death. The Temperance cause owned him as a pion- eer. and a persistent advocate at all times. and by all the means in his power. The various benevolent societies found in him a friend and supporter, as well as a valuable presiding of- ficer. He was State Senator in 1836 and '37. and one of the assistant judges of the county court from 1830 to '44. He died at Castleton, in 1862, aged 77 years.


[Judge lowe was a subscriber to this work gaged to prepare the history of Castleton for the same, but died before he had commenced his intended historical commemoration of his adopted town .- Ed.]


NOAH HOIT, ESQ., was born at Castleton in 1794 ; studied law with Hon. C. Langdon. admit- ted in 1816-retired from practice in 1817. and made farming his business through life. He died at Castleten in 1868.


SELAH H. MERRILL EsQ., was born in Cas- tleton in 1795; grad. at Mid. College in 1813; studied law with Hon. C. Langdon ; admitted 1816-died 1836, aged 41. Mr. Merrill possess- ed more than ordinary talent, and stood high in his profession. He was register of probate from 1830 to '39-State's attorney from 1830 to '35, and a member of the corporation of Rut. Co. Gram. School from 1826 until his death.


HON. ALMON WARNER


Was born at Poultney in 1792, grad. at the Vt. University in 1814; studied law with C. P. Van Ness ; admitted to Rut. Co. bar in 1825 ; located in Poultney-removed to Castleton in 1831, register of probate from '24 to '29 and judge of probate from '31 until his death, in '61.


LORENZO M. MASON, EsQ., was born at C'as- tleton in 1809; studied law with S. H. Merrill -admitted in '31-removed to Michigan in 1835; now lives in Detroit.


From Obituary Notices.


HON. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN LANGDON,


Eldest son of Chauncy and Lucy Langdon, was born in Castleton, Oct. 12, 1798; graduated at Union College in 1818, and at the Law School in Litchfield, Conn., in 1820. He was admitted to the bar of Rutland County in 1821, and practised the profession of law until his death. In 1837 he was appointed register of probate for the district of Fairhaven, which he held until 1845. In 1843, he was elected to represent his native town in the Constitutional Conven- tion called to meet that year. In 1852, he was elected one of the judges of the county court, which office he retained until 1855. He was a director of the bank of Rutland from January, 1849, until his death. As a lawyer he was well read and a safe counsellor, and in the full sense of the term, a gentleman. For the iusti- tutions of learning in Castleton he manifested great interest, and was a liberal supporter of the Seminary and Medical College of which he was a trustee. Mr. Langdon died May, 31, 1862, aged 64 years. He had a family of 10 children, 7 of whom survived childhood.


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525


CASTLETON.


HON. ISAAC T. WRIGHT


Was born in Pownal. 1809; studied law with B. F. Langdon-admitted in 1832; practised his profession at Castleton until his death in 1862. He was one of the assistant judges of the county court, and represented the town in the State Legislature in 1859 and '60.


JULIAN G. BUEL was born in Poultney, in 1501-grad. at Middlebury College in 1823: studied law with Hon. C. Langdon-admitted in 1$33; removed to Georgia in 1834, and died there the same year, aged 30.


HON. C. M. WILLARD


Was born in Pawlet in 1820; studied law with G. W. Hermon-admitted in 1842. and settled in Fairhaven, from which place he re- moved to Castleton in 1854, where he still resides, and has held the office of probate judge from 1861 to the present year. 1871 : cashier of Castleton bank from 1854 to '57.


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RELIGIOUS HISTORY.


First ministers. The names of a few only of those who preached in Castleton in the early days have been preserved. The Rev. Mr. Camp was hired to preach for a time in 1775, perhaps the first preacher employed. Other ministers labored here in the following years, but their names are lost. The first town-meeting at which action was taken to secure preach- ing-so far as appears from the records-was held Jan. 1, 1781 ; at which Benjamin Hitch- cock, Jonathan Gilmore, Brewster Higley, Jesse Belknap and Perez Sturtevant were ap- pointed a committee to employ the Rev. Mr. Everett to preach and labor among them as a gospel minister.


At an adjourned meeting. Feb. 13, of the same year, voted "To pav Mr. Everett seventeen shillings per Sabbath, exclusive of horse keep- ing and board." Nov. 13 of the same year, voted " to raise the money to pay Mr. Everett according to their several lists." Also voted "to continue the old committee, and to employ Mr. Everett again, if he returns." It is not known whether he returned.


At a legal meeting. Sep. 12. 1783. the town "voted that this meeting will do something with regard to procuring preaching for the town. Voted and chose a committee of three for the purpose, viz. Cap. Joseph Woodward, William Woolcott and Col. Isaac Clark.


" Also, chose a committee of three. to dis- pose of money forthe purpose of teaching a sing- ing school, viz., William Woolcott, Alpheus Hall and Brewster Higley. Voted a tax of one penny on the pound, on the list 1783 for the


purpose of supporting a singing-school. At a regular meeting Oct. 15, 1753.


"The town voted to raise a rate of five pence per pound on the grand list of 1783 to hire preaching for the future."


And yet no church had been formed, and no mention had been made in the records of any religious denomination. The interest manifest- ed was the fruit of early education, and their own convictions of the importance of religious institutions. As most of the inhabitants were from Connecticut, it is probable they had a preference for the Congregational doctrines and modes of worship ; yet the question of denomi- nation seems not to have been agitated.


Early in 1784, measures were taken to pre- pare a place for public worship. Too weak as yet to build a house for this purpose, they fit- ted up the building which had been used for a store-house for the garrison during the war. Here they met for worship about 6 years : the town being the only religious society ; perform- ing all the functions of such a society ; appoint- ing committees, raising taxes and hiring min- isters.


The year 1784, is memorable by reason of an interesting revival of religion, extending to all parts of the township; which greatly cheered this young church in the wilderness, and add- ed many to their number. Rev. Jacob Wood was laboring here at the time, and was the ac- tive instrument in laying the foundations of the church. The Congregational church was or- ganized by Rev. Job Swift of Bennington in the autumn of this year, consisting of 3 male and 9 female members. The names of this little band, organized in the wilderness, in the day of small things. are worthy of record. The handful of corn has produced an abund- ant harvest. Hundreds of redeemed souls will rise up and call them blessed.


LIST OF THE ORIGINAL CHURCH.


Nehemiah Hoit, George Foot, Gershom Lake, Abijah Warren, Joseph Woodward, Benjamin Carver, Ephraim Buel, Perez Stur- devant, Jesse Belknap, Sarah Hoit, Wealthy Foot, Rebecca Moulton, Mary Woodward, Rachel Moulton, Elizabeth Carver. Amy Hickok, Mercy Sturdevant, Joanna Pond,


There seems to have been great harmony in religious matters until 1756, when a vote to build a meeting-house was passed by the town. That which should have constituted a bond of union, by reason of conflicting views and interests, became an apple of dis- "cord. The location of the house was the chief


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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.


bone of contention. Doubtless there were other issues.


The first vote of the town, on this subject, passed Apr. 11, 1786, was " to build a meet- ing-house to be located within 14 rods of the old one,"* and a committee was appointed to "stick the stake." If that committee did "stick the stake," it did not stay. Another meeting was held, and another committee appointed-and so committee after committee until Dec. 1787, when the question was final- ly settled, and the " stake stuck," within the limits of the present village; about one-fourth of a mile from the " old-house."


A large' majority of the inhabitants ap- proved, or at least acquiesced in the location. About this time, we find numerous certificates of connection with other religious denomina- tions upon the records, indicating dissatis- faction, and a purpose no longer to join harmoniously in one place of worship. And yet for more than thirty years after there was but one meeting-house in the township, and but one organized religious society.




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