USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 1 > Part 36
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Sheep were not allowed to run at large that year, and another pound was built, near the house of Ephraim Seley, and the office of
auditor was created and three elected, viz. Daniel Parris, Lemuel Griffith and Edward Vail. The grand list of the town amounted to £ 5570.
The census of 1800 shows the population of the town to have been 1437, a gain of 281 in 9 years, by which we can see that rapid progress had been made in the settlement of the town. At that time nearly every part of the town was settled, the farms cleared up and under cultivation ; 3 saw-mills had been built and considerable progress made in the erection of framed houses. Roads had been built in nearly every direction ; 2 churches had become established; and 2 stores and 3 hotels were in operation. There were but two dwelling-houses at Danby Borough, at that time, and one hotel kept by Bradford Barnes but it was very thickly settled along Otter Creek, north of the village. The cen- tral part of the town, in the vicinity of Dan- by 4 Corners, and south from there, was at that time the most thickly settled. A settle- ment had been commenced on what is now known as " Dutch Hill," by Henry Signor and others. A large number of the inhabi- tants had settled in the little village, and a few had located themselves in the " Ox-bow." That portion of the town known as " Brom- ley hollow," and "South America," had also become quite thickly settled, and the town was in a flourishing condition,
LIST OF THE FREEMEN, MADE IN 1800.
Benjamin Kelly, Joseph Irish, Hatsel Kel- ley, Abel Irish, Gideon Irish, Enoch Congol, David Irish, Benjamin Sherman, Jacob Wynn, David Irish, jr., Ebenezer Smith, John Har- rington, Richard Calkins, Stephen Calkins, Alexander Barrett, William Lewis, William Cook, Deliverance Rogers, Gershom Congor, Isaac Wilber, James Nichols, Rufus Rogers, Joseph Ross, Abraham Brown, Nathan Smith, James Bates, Joseph Bates, Nicholas Cook, Sylvanus Cook, John Barlow, Jacob Shippee, Henry Wilbur, Daniel Southwick, George Cook, Nathaniel Harrington, Henry Chase, Ishmael Matteson, Elisha Southwick, Charles Wells, Charles Nichols, John Rogers, Anthony Nichols, Ezekiel Ballard, Joseph Button, Thomas Potter, Jacob Bartlett, Nathaniel Wait, Joseph Rogers, James Soule, Oba.linh Edmunds, Jonathan Wood, Dan'l Cook, Mat- thew Wing, Matthew Wing, jr., Timothy Bull, jr., Crispin Bull, Joseph Bull, Zoeth Allen,
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John Allen, Bradford Barnes, Lemuel Griffith, Elisha Fish, Stephen Rogers, David Griffith, John H. Andrus, Jonathan Irish, jr., Peter Lewis, Abel Haskins, John Sealey, David Nichols, Rufus Colvin, Darius Lobdell, Hen- ry Frost, Micajah Weed, Cha. Phillips, John Harrington, jr., Pardon Kelly, Jonathan Seley, Stephen Sava, Abner Blackmore, Sampson Harrington, Adam Johnston, Peter Harrington, Miner Hilliard, Thomas Griffith Jonathan Griffith, Nathan Lapham, Moses Keith, Samuel Dow, Seth Wood, Joel Micks, James Bowling, Abraham Staples, Daniel Sherman, Daniel Cook, Isaac Ballard, Nathan Ballard, Joseph Harris, Henry D. Hitt, Snow Randall, Constant Viol, Levi Thornton, Richard Chatsey, George Griffith, Levi Sher- man, Thomas Harrington, jr., Noah Wood, Isahad Thayer, Prince Allen, Asa Brown, Daniel Brown, Daniel Parris, John Fay, Elisha Brown, Parris Brown, Reuben Fisk, John Allen, jr., John Buxton, Joshua Colvin, Amos Colvin, Caleb Parris, William Ed- munds, Charles Kingsbury, Peter Wooden, Isaac Rogers, Benjamin Thompson, Nathan Spaulding, Caleb Phillips, Amos Brown, Dan- iel Kelley, John Northrup, Israel Phillips, Titus Colvin, Timothy Buxton, John Lewis, Nathaniel Smith, Thomas Harrington, Paul Hulett, Ezekiel Smith, John Sayles, Reuben Colvin, Elkanah Parris, Ebenezer Nichols, Amasa Smith, David Gilmore, Bethuel Brom- ley, Reuben White, Jacob Eidy, Hosea Eddy, John Palmer, Henry Herrick, jr., Na- than Weller, Gardner Harrington, John Weller, Richard Latten, Jonathan Irish, Jon- athan Staples, Edmund Potter, Jonathan Remmington, Elisha Harrington, Jabeth Matteson, Andrew White, Levi Taft, Henry Signor, Benoni Fisk, Benjamin Fisk, Oliver Thayer, David Matteson, Job King, Joseph King, Daniel Hill, Abel Horton, Joseph Armstrong, David Comstock, Stephen Wil- liams, Hosea Williams, Daniel Bromley, Henry Clark, Stephen Colvin, Caleb Colvin, Dennis Canfield, Luther Colvin, John Clark, Nathan Clark, Moses Vail, Ephraim Seley, Harris Otis, Roswell Dart, Edmund Grin- man, William Lee, Seth Cook, Aaron Hill, John Hill, Elisha Tryon, William Bromley,
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The foregoing is supposed to be an ac- curate list of the freemen in town at that time. We find by comparison, that there are 59 names found upon the roll of 1778, which are not found upon the roll of 1800, some of whom had removed from town, and others had died
Below will be found a list of names taken from rolls made at intervening periods, and which are not found upon either of the other rolls, showing who had been residents of the town previous to 1800, but had passed off.
Caleb Clark, Moses Clark, Joseph Carr, Simeon Holton, Enoch Eddy, Phillip Griffith, Daniel Hulett, William Harrington, John White, Henry Wilbur, Christopher Sherman, John Russell, Gideon Barnum, Abraham Chase, John Broughton, Solomon Biker, Timothy Barnum, Samuel Irish, John Safford, Joseph Searle, Zebulon Sprague, Israel Seley, Caleb Morey, David Carrish, William Louin, Matteson Taft, Plin Adams, Philander Bar- rett.
There are but few of those men now living, less than half a dozen perhaps, over whose heads the winters of four score years and ten have passed.
The annual town meeting of 1801, was held at the Methodist meeting-house which stood west of the Corners, Ezekiel Ballard, moder- ator. Elward Vail, Henry Herrick, jr., and Stephen Williams, wore appointed to settle with the selectmen, and to see if the trustees had properly laid out a certain sum of money, appropriated for the purpose of repairing the meeting-house. It was voted not to allow horses, sheep nor swine to run at large. There were some alterations made that year in the 4th and 5th school-districts. The annual town meeting of 1802, was also held at the meeting-house, Jonathan Seley, moderator.
There were 20 highway surveyors appoint- ed that year, and another pound was built on the farm of Adam Johnson.
A town meeting was held Jan. 30, 1804, Jared Lobdell, moderator, at which it was voted to assess a tax of five mills on the grand list of 1803, to pay the indebtedness of the town, by which we would infer the town was not badly in debt at this time. jr., William Bromley, John Signor, Jacob | The annual town meeting of 1804, was held Lewis, Gilbert Palmer, Edward Vail, Elihu Sherman, Nathan Saulesbury, Henry Herrick, James Conkright, Daniel Remmington, Joseph
at the house of Jonathan Seley, Abel Horton, moderator. It was voted to have 5 selectmen who would serve the town free of charge. Remmington, John Johnson, Lot Harrington, | Abel Horton, John II. Andrus, Obadiah Oliver Harrington.
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Edmunds, Barton Bromley and Hosea Wil- hans were elected, and a committee to make alterations in school districts was appointed consisting of Roheth Allen, Hosea Williams, and Nathan Saulsbury, also another commit- tee, Jonathan Seley, and Edward Vail, to as- sist the county committee in laying out a county road through the town.
In 1805, in consequence of the drought which occurred, crops were generally a failure which caused considerable suffering among the inhabitants the following winter and spring. A special town meeting was held in the spring of 1806, at the house of Henry Herrick, jr., for the purpose of instructing the select- men to collect the rents then due on the glebe land, Edward Vail moderator. From the general list of the town in 1806, we find there were 202 polls, 5269 1-2 acres of improved land, and 84 houses, the assessment upon which, and other property, amounted to $ 28,876.52. It was the law at that time to add a two fold assessment to the amount of grand list. Militia men and cavalry horses were exempt from taxation. The annual town meeting of 1807, was held at the meet- ing-house, Daniel Parris moderator.
In 1809, the annual town meeting was held at the inn of Henry Herrick, jr., John H. Andrus, moderator. A town tax of five mills on the dollar was voted for that year, and a board of school trustees was elected con- sisting of Ainos Brown, Abel Horton, John Lobdel, Nathan Saulsbury, Edward Vail, Jonathan Seley, Aaron Rogers, Hosea Wil- liams, Joseph Irish for the 9 districts, one man in each, whose duty it was to make such alterations in the districts as they deemed proper. A new and tenth district was laid out that year. The annual meeting of 1810 was also held at the inn of Henry Herrick, jr., Abel Horton, moderator. Town office was not very profitable in those times, as but small charges were allowed for ser- vices. Listers and selectmen were seldom allowed over $5 for their services during the year.
In 1810, the population of the town was 1730, a gain of 213 in 10 years, and there had been rapid increase of business dwing that time. The Corners had become considerably of a business place. There were two stores, one kept by James M. Daniels, and the other by James Weeks. Jazniah Barret was also in trade south of the Corners. There were
two hotels, one kept by Elisha Brown, and the other by Henry Herrick, jr. There was also a blacksmith shop, besides other smail establishments. Several large manufacturing establishments had sprung up in different parts of the town; among these was the woolen factory of Jonathan Barrett, the trip-hammer of David Bartlett and Isaac Southwick, for the manufacture of edge tools, and a tannery at the Borough, of Peleg Nichols, Hosea Williams and Bradford Barnes. There were also several saw-mills in operation, supplying the inhabitants with lumber ; and two grist-mills. Ten years had also witnessed some change in the settlement at the Borough. Several new houses had been built, and a hotel was kept by Augustus Mulford. Two stores were in operation there, by Hosea Williams and Jesse Lapham, and doing good business. Quite a settlement had sprung up at Scottsville, and a tannery was carried on by Daniel Healey. There were put into the list of that year, 206 polls, 8118 acres of improved land, 171 houses, 4 stores, 121 oxen, 1954 cows, and 390 horses.
The March meeting of 1811 was held at the inn of Henry Herrick, jr., Jared Lobdel, moderator. It was voted to assess a tax of five mills on the grand list of 1810, to defray the expenses of the town. A committee, Abel Horton, Alexander Barrett and Jared Lobdel, was appointed to settle with the treasurer, and one consisting of Edward Vail, Jonathan Seley and Jared Lobdel, to settle with the selectmen. A town meeting was held Jan. 6, 1812, at the meeting-house, Nathan Weller, clerk pro tem., at which it was voted to establish the several school dis- tricts as they then were; and a committee, Hosea Williams, Moses White, Job King, Nathan Saulesbury, Nathan Weller, Miner Hilliard, Joseph Button, Hosea Barnes, Hat- sel Kelley and Sylvanus Cook, were appoint- ed to ascertain the lines of the districts, and make report at the next annual meeting in March; which report was made and accepted. John H. Andrus was moderator, in 1813, and a tax of eight mills on the dollar was vote.l. Abraham Locke was moderator of the an- nual meeting of 1814, and David Griffith, Alexander Barrett, and Paul Hulett, chosen to settle with the overseers of the poor, and with the treasurer. In 1815, the town was divided into 25 highway districts, and a tax of five mills on the dollar vote 1, to pay the
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expenses of keeping the poor, and other charges. Caleb Parris, moderator.
The largest population the town ever had, was about the year 1815, and probably that was the most prosperous period in the exist- ence of Danby. There were but four towns in the county having a greater population at that time, and none with the same number of inhabitants outrivaling it in business in- terests.
A period of 50 years had then elapsed since the settlement of the town, and per- haps it would be well, at this stage of our history, to notice the changes which had been made in the affairs of the town, during this half a century, and also the changes which were still going on. There had been two destructive wars with the mother coun- try-the Revolution, and that of 1812, just closed. We had also passed through that relentless struggle with New York, which raged until 1790.
The local government within that time had been variously modified. Previous to 1779, the affairs of the town were managed by the committees of safety, after which they were subject to the State government, and many changes have been made. The war from which we had just emerged, had pro- duced a bad effect upon the country. In dustry was paralyzed, property depreciated, and banks were broken; and as many had contracted debts during the war, and were now unable to meet them, many went to jail, and those who could not "swear out," gave bail and secured the liberty of the yard.
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Many of the rude cabins of the first set- tlers were without doors, and without floors, with no cellars. We cannot truly picture to ourselves those rude dwellings with bark roofs, through which the storm would beat, and around which wild animals would howl by night; how scanty, too, were the provi- sions and furniture, and household articles. Fifty years had witnessed a change in all these circumstances. The people were no longer obliged to go 15 or 20 miles to mill, on horseback, and sometimes on foot. The age of pewter plates and wooden benches for seats had passed. They could now be abund- antly supplied with bread and meat, and children were not obliged, as in former times, to go barefoot the year round. Flax and wool were now raised, and the spinning- wheel and looms set in motion, the music of
which was common in every household. These are some of the changes which hai taken place previous to 1816.
Some trouble had now arisen, concerning the right of the town to hold town meeting4 in the Methodist meeting-house, and on a petition signed by Miner Hillard, Caleb Par- ris, Abel Horton, Dennis Canfield and other-, a town meeting was held at the inn of Nich- olas Jenks, May 8, 1816, William Hitt, mol- erator; and the selectmen appointed a com- mittee to ascertain what right, if any, the town had in the meeting-house, and make a report at the next annual meeting. James McDaniels and Aaron Rogers, were appointed to examine the case of Paul Hulett, who had petitioned to be set to another school district, and the selectmen were instructed to set up 4 guide boards at suitable places in the town. A special town meeting was also held at the house of Nicholas Jenks, Oct. 9th, Abraham Locke, moderator, and Moses Ward elected first constable and collector, to nil the vacancy occasioned by the death of Iranc Vail This was also the cold summer. Gram and grass were a complete failure, and but very little corn being raised in town there was great destitution the following winter and spring. We are told that people were reduced to the last extremity, and many cattle perished. In 1820, we find the popu- lation 1607, and at the March meeting, 1820, the town voted to relinquish all right and title which it had in the Methodist meeting house to Barton Bromley. Town and free- man's meetings were held at the inn of Ar- win Hutchins, from 1824 to '25. In 1826, the meeting was held at the inn of Nicholas Jenk". and David Griffith, Hosea Barnes and David Kelley were appointed a committee to mako alterations in school districts, and James Mc- Daniels an agent to manage a law suit then pending between Danby and Dorset. In 1527. David Youngs, Joseph Allen and Edward Vail, jr., were appointed overseers of the poor, and a tax of four cents on the dollar was raised to defray the expenses of the town. William Hitt was moderator of the annual meeting of 1828, held at the inn of Ephraim Gilmore at the Corners. Andrus Eggleston, Aaron Rogers, jr., Harris Otis, John Vall Hosea Barnes, Israel Richardson and Alvah Bull, a school committee. It was voted to give all delinquent town officers who were in at - rears with the town three months to settle
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their accounts with the treasurer, and if not settled within that time, the treasurer, was directed to take legal measures to collect the same. March 31, 1829, a town meeting was held at the inn of Samuel Harnden, David Youngs, moderator ; Israel B. Richardson, Abraham Locke, Alvah Bull, Isaac South- wick and Andrus Eggleston, committee, for the examination of schools and teachers.
The population of the town in 1830 was 1362, showing a decrease of 245. The town meeting was held at the inn of Samuel Harn- den, Alexander Barrett, moderator ; the sur- veyors were increased to 26; Caleb Paris, Harris Otis and Alexander Barret, appoint. ed to settle with the selectmen and treasurer. In 1813, the town appointed Alvah Bull, Ira M. Frazer, Joel M. Rogers and Isaac South- wick, to superintend common schools; Alex- ander Barrett, James Mc Daniel and Harris Otis, to correspond with other towns, in reference to building a poor-house, if thought best, and make report at the meeting.
The annual meeting of 1832 was held at the inn of Bethuel Bromley, Caleb Parris, moderator. It was voted to pay the collector of taxes five per cent for collecting, and have no abatements allowed, on either State or town tax bills. A tax of one per cent., was voted for the support of the poor, and other town expenses; and a tax of 2 per cent. in addition to what was required by law for the repairs of highways and bridges, and William Bassett, Andrus Eggleston, Joel M. Rogers, and Rial Fisk, were appointed a su- perintending committee for common schools for 1833,
In 1834, the town voted to build a Town House to be located between the dwelling house of Seley Vail and the dwelling house of John Vail and raise $ 350, for building said house. John Vail, Daniel Bartlett, Aza- riah Hilliard, Elisha Lapham and Edward Vail, were a committee to contract and su- perintend the building. Another meeting was held, May 10th, to change the location of the town house and granting individuals the privilege of extending the house, so as to accommodate the inhabitants in holding meetings for public worship but not to in- fringe upon the right of the town. It was voted not to change the location, and not to allow individuals the privilege of using the town house, for the purpose named.
in 1835, and the annual town meeting, of 1836, held there, David Youngs, moderator. The selectmen were authorized to sell the G volumes of the Vermont Reports, and the 17 volumes of Revised Laws, belonging to the town, at public auction.
In 1837, Congress made a provision to de- posit with the several States, the accumulat- ed surplus money in the Treasury. The share of this town was $ 3,013.14. The towns, by a provision of our State Legisla- ture, were to loan the money on good secu -. rity and apply the income to the support of common schools. This fund was to be dis- tributed every 10 years, among the towns in proportion to their then population. As the population of this town has decreased since then, a certain portion of the original sum has been withdrawn. In 1856, the fund was taken to pay the indebtedness of the town. The State still holds a lien on this money, whenever it shall be required for a re-distri- bution among the towns, or for repayment into the United States treasury.
At the annual meeting of 1838, Joel M. Rogers was appointed overseer of the poor, and Aaron Rogers a committee to confer with other towns in reference to building a poor house. Many farmers, and others in this town, suffered severely during the finan- cial crisis of 1839. The "credit system" proved disastrous to business men, and many were largely in debt. This caused a great decline in business here, for several years.
The population in 1840 was 1379, about the same as 1830. John C. White was mod- erator of the annual meeting of 1841, at which Ira Edmunds was appointed agent to prosecute and defend law suits for the town, the first who occupied that office. A town meeting was held Oct. 27th, 1841, David Youngs, moderator, and William Otis was elected town clerk and treasurer, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Elwart Vail, jr., who had occupied the office since 1537.
At a freeman's meeting held the 2d day of November, 1842, Galen J. Locke was ap. pointed a delegate to attend a convention to be held at Montpelier, on the first Wednes- day in January, following, for the purpose of taking into consideration, certain amend- ments to the Constitution of the State, pro- posed by the Council of Censors. The town instructed their delegate not to vote for the
The town house was built and completed | proposed amendment.
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G. J. Locke was moderator of the annual town meeting of 1843, and the first consta- ble was voted the jurisdiction of the County. There was greater destitution prevailing in town, between 1840 and 1350, than at any former period. It was costing the town at that time, not less than $500 per year to support the poor, which was the principal- expense incurred by the town. In 1845, the number of highway districts was increased to 27.
At the annual meeting of 1846, Marcus Bartlett was appointed superintendent of common schools-the first who occupied that office in this town. A proposition was made to build a new road. leading from the Has- kin's Mill, to Danby Borough, but the town voted not to take any action thereon.
Feb. 8, 1853, a town meeting was held- Edia Baker, moderator-for the purpose of voting upon the Liquor Law, passed at the last session of the legislature, as required by said act. Votes cast, 193; in favor of the law, 112, not in favor, 81.
The following resolution was read and adopted at the annual meeting of 1856, viz.
Resolved, The selectmen are hereby in- structed to borrow the surplus money of the trustees, at 6 per cent. interest, and pay it into the town treasury, taking the treasurer's receipt therefor, and the treasurer is also in- structed to pay the same out on town orders, the same as he would any other funds in his hands agreeable to law.
The trustee was instructed to collect in the deposit money, on or before the 20th day of August following. The town instructed the selectmen, at this meeting, to confer with other towns in reference to purchasing a town farm. A special town meeting was held April 19th, Miner Hilliard, moderator, to see if the town would give the selectmen authority to borrow the United States deposit money, to defray the common expenses of the town, and it was voted not to give the selectmen that authority. At another town meeting held the 6th day of May, following, the selectmen were instructed to borrow the United States deposit money of the trustees, in accordance with the resolution passed at the last annual town meeting in March, and pledge the credit of the town for the same, with annual interest. At this meeting a committee consisting of Nelson Randall, H. F. Otis and John Bromley, was appointed to make alterations in school districts.
At a town meeting held Sept. 2, 1856,
Spencer Green, moderator, Warren Vaughan was elected trustee of surplus money, to fi.l the vacancy occasioned by the death of Am- asa Bancroft.
At the town meeting of 1858, the selec :- men were instructed to enquire into the ex- pense of repairing the basement of the church at the Corners, for the purpose of holding town meetings, also repairing the town house. A special town meeting was held for that purpose, Apr. 3, 1853, Miner Hilliard, mod- erator. A. resolution was presented by the proprietors of the church, stating on what terms the town should have said basement story, as follows :
Whereas, The basement story of the church at Danby Four Corners, is out of repair, and
Whereas, The upper part of said church would be much better preserved by keeping the basement in good repair. Therefore,
Resolved, That in consideration that the selectmen of the town of Danby, will put up good window blinds to all the windows of said basement, and also construct the neces- sary fixtures for warming said basement, and find a good and suitable stove, and put suit- able seats around the walls of said basement and keep the room in good repair, the people of said town shall have the use of said base- ment for the purpose of holding town meet- ings therein, during the pleasure of said town.
And further Resolved, That G. J. Locke, Lyman R. Fisk and Miner Hilliard, be a cominittee to confer with the selectmen.
It was voted to accept of the proposition of the society. At an adjourned meeting held the same day in the basement of the church at the Corners, the selectmen were instructed to dispose of the old town house to the best advantage.
The town meeting of 1859 was held at the town hall, and a tax of 25 per cent was voted. The report of the selectmen was printed this year for the first time. In accordance with the instructions given them at the above meeting, the selectmen purchased a town farm of John Bromley, for $ 4,000. A large portion of the people of the town were op- posed to this project, and agreeably to a petition signed by Obadiah Edmunds and others, a town meeting was held on the 7th of May to see if the town would appoint an agent to sell the town farm. The ballot gave votes to appoint an agent, 47; not to appoint an agent, 100. The course pursued by the town previous to that time was to dispose of the poor to those who would agree to keep them for the least money. By this means they were scattered one or two in 3
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