USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 1 > Part 41
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COLVIN, ANTHONY, son of Stephen Colvin, m. Luranse, da. of Justus Scott, and lived in different parts of the town. He was a tanner and currier, and, at the time of his death, was one of the oldest Masons in town, and one who had squared his life by the square of virtue .- Job, one of his sons, m. Hattie Maxwell, and lived in Wallingford. He was a member of Co. C., 10th Regt. Vt. Vols., and was in a num- ber of hard fought battles. Mr. Colvin died at Bennington in 1869, aged about 70.
COLVIN, CAPT. ALONZO N., m. Anna, da. of Hiram Congor, who died in 1863, aged 38. In 1849 he went on a whaling voyage, from New Bedford, Mass., of 5 years duration. Among the places he visited during that time were New Holland, Hobartown, New Zealand, Van Dieman's Land, &c. Being a strong, stalwart and courageous man, he was well fitted for the privations and hazards of a life upon the ocean, and he gained the reputation of a good sailor. He served as captain of Co. K, 14th Regt. Vt. Vols., and after 53 months service was discharg- ed on account of ill health. He was a brave officer : cool, fearless, self-possessed ; always shared in the dangers and hardships to which his company was exposed, and would never ac- cept of better fare than they had. which greatly endeared him to them. He m. for his 2d wife, Sally Stafford of Wallingford, and has settled on the Friend Smith farm. He has several chil- dren, of whom are Ida, Sophroina and Perry T.
COLVIN, JOSHUA, was another of the early settlers. He lived near the residence of N. E. Gifford. He was insane for many years, and a number of times attempted to commit suicide, to defeat which he was watched very closely. He finally, unbeknown to any one, procured a razor, with which he cut his throat, but not deep enough to be fatal ; and, after some time, recovered and became a sane man. He subse- quently removed to the West, where he died, 'and where his descendants still live.
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CONGDON, CHARLES H., from Wallingford, m. | able disposition, very hastily accepted the con- Anna, da. of Daniel Smith, and settled on the Deliverance Rogers farm. He was a school- teacher many years, and very successful in that calling; and, although starting in life with lim- ited means, he has acquired a good property. He has been selectman 4 years, lister 6 years, long a justice of the peace; and was a mem- ber of the Legislature in 1854. He is a goed writer and debater, and is at present ranked among the influential men of the town.
COOK. SETH, born in 1745, came here from Rhode Island in 1766, and established himself on what has been since known as the " Cook Farm," south of the Corners. It was a very eligible location, and a most desirable tract of land. He at once took up a leading position in the town, which then numbered but 7 fami- lies : was one of the first board of selectmen elected in 1769; and the records show him to have been a man of more than ordinary ability. Personally he was a worthy man, although it has been said he was somewhat tinged with the royal cause. This opinion was doubtless formed from the following circum- stance : Gen. Burgoyne, while encamped at Whitehall, in July, 1777, issued a proclamation designed to spread terror among the Americans, and persuade them to come and humble them- selves before him, and through him supplicate the mercy of the king. The number and feroc- ity of the Indians, their eagerness to be let loose upon the defenceless settlements, the greatness of the British power, and the utter inability of the rebellious colonies to resist it, were all set forth. His gracious protection was promised to all those who would join his stand- ard, or remain quietly at their homes : but ut. ter destruction was denounced upon all such as should dare to oppose him. In considera- tion of this some of the inhabitants here held a meeting, and hastily decided to send two delegates to the British camp, and procure pro- tection papers. Seth Cook was appointed as one of these delegates, and very unwisely went on the journey. On considering this unwise policy, and fearing that the settlers might mis- apprehend his motives, and consider him an enemy and a mark, he concluded not to re- turn. He then went to Canada, where he re- mained during the war, and returned shortly after its close. From this, and the fact that he did not take up arms against the colonies, re- moves all suspicion of his being a Royalist. He was at heart a true man to the American cause, beyond reproach ; but being of a peace-
ditions of Burgoyne's proclamation, as did ma- ny other quiet and unassuming men. He lived here until his death in 1801, aged 57. His wife died in 1819, aged 74. They raised a family of 5 children : Mary, born in 1768, and is said to have been the first female child born in town; Rebecca, Seth, Richard ; Eunice, m. James Nichols. Seth, jr., m. Patty, wid- ow of Asa Frost of Mt. Holly, and a daughter of Justus Scott, and succeeded to the home- stead of his father. The old house is still stand- ing, and was one of the first frame-houses built in town. He died very suddenly, while at work in the field, in 1838, aged 64; his wid- ow in 1861, aged 76. Their children were: Justus, Alonzo N., Seth and Mary Anu.
RICHARD, son of Seth Cook, Sen., m. Anna, da. of Luther Colvin, and settled on the place owned by J. C. Williams. He built a saw-mill in 1810, which he run for several years. He subsequently became a Quaker preacher, and removed to Granville, N. Y., where he died in 1866.
COOK, HON. MORRIS H., born in Chester, Nov .. 6, 1816, came to Danby in 1845. He studied the profession of law with Oramel Hutchin- son, Esq., of Chester, and commenced prac- tice in 1840; was admitted to the bar of Wind- sor County Court in 1844, and to the Supreme Court of Rutland County in 1847. He was elected assistant judge of the County Court in 1858, and again in '59. He is a self-educated man, his early education having been that of the common school only. His opportunities for professional studies were limited ; but har- ing applied himself diligently, he soon reached the standard of legal acquirements which en- abled him to take rank with the leading law- yers of the State. He has been nearly 25 years in the active practice of his profession in this town. He served as a soldier during the late war in the 7th Regt. Vt. Vols., having left a lucrative practice to serve his country. He married Eliza, da. of Moses W. Hutchinson of Andover, and has 2 children.
CRANDALL, JONATHAN, from New York, was an early settler here; was a soldier of the Revolution, and received a pension, having served through nearly the whole of the war. He m. Cynthia Waters, and raised a family of 8 children : Worthy, Russell, Nathan, Jona- than, Cynthia, died in Pennsylvania; Lyman, Alanson and Jefferson. They both died at an advanced age.
CROWLEY, REV. HARVEY, born in Mt. Hol-
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ley in 1805, came here in 1815. He was a school teacher by profession, and followed that vocation a number of years. He m. Charity, da. of Isaac Vail, and joined the Baptist church. In 1837, he built and run a saw-mill near the Israel Sheldon place, where he then lived. He subsequently, having studied divinity, was ordained and preached here some 2 years. He possessed good abilities, and high aspirations for excel- lence and professional usefulness. Mr. Crowley removed to Rochester, N. Y., where he died in 1863, aged 58.
DEXTER, JONATHAN C., born at Jay, N. Y., in 1810, studied law with Hon. A. L. Brown, of Rutland. m. Helen Burt, of that place and came to Danby in 1831, and set- tled at the Corners as an attorney. He re- mained here about 5 years, when he removed back to Rutland. In February, 1849, in company with several others, he went to California, where he remained until the sub- sequent November, when he started for home. He died on board the Steamer Chero- kee, and was buried at Kingston, on the Island of Jamaica. He was a well-read lawyer ; in his general deportment courteous, manly and honorable. Being prompt, ener- getic and unremitting in his efforts for his clients, he soon attained a good reputation and an extensive practice. He left home for California with the highest anticipations of success, and with the best wishes of his friends ; and the announcement of his death brought a pang of sorrow to the hearts of many.
The widow of Mr. Dexter has since been twice married ; first to Gen. Hall, of Wal- lingford, who died a few years since, and next to Hosea Eddy, of Wallingford, with whom she now lives.
EARL, JOSEPH, from Nine Partners, in 1765, was the second settler in town. He lived not far from the residence of John Hil- liard, and seems to have been a man of abil- ity and served the town in various ways, but was not long a resident here. He left during the Revolutionary war, and we are not informed to what place he emigrated.
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EASTMAN, REV. HEZEKIAH, was the first settled minister, and the first pastor of the Baptist church. He was ordained Oct. 11, 1781, at the house of Stephen Calkins. Being the first settled minister of the Gospel, he received the benefit of one share of land, re-
served by the charter for that purpose. Mr. Eastman was one of the first Baptist minis- ters that visited this State. Although his education did not extend beyond the rudi- ments of a common English education, yet his ministry was well adapted to his people. He was a person of great natural ability, a close student of the Bible, and a careful ob- server of men and things. Having had a thorough physical training, he was prepared to endure great hardships, and encounter formidable obstacles. He was a man of ex- perience intimately acquainted with the Bible, and very zealous. He supplied the Baptist church at Middletown from 1784 until 1790, and " seems to have administered there at communion seasons, and performed the rites of baptism."
Some good anecdotes are to'd of him. While preaching at a certain house, one Dea- con Mott came in at the front door, at a very late hour, causing a slight disturbance among the hearers. Mr. Eastman, being somewhat disturbed also, remarked that those coming in at the "eleventh hour" should enter in at the back door, which would cause less disturbance. Deacon Mott replied " that the Bible taught that those who came in at the eleventh hour are just as good as those who come in at the first, and that he had come the 'straight and narrow way,' and whoso entereth in at any other way was a thief and a robber." Mr. Ea-tman met appointments in other towns, and was oblig- ed to travel many miles, often on foot, and sometimes on horseback, over bad roads, and through the wilderness, to meet these ap- pointments. His meetings were held in log-buildings, and the audience was generally quite large. He remained here until about the year 1800.
EATON, DR. GARDNER, a native of Ludlow, Vt., and son of William Eaton, came from Wallingford in 1966 and settled near Scotts- ville. He was born in 1809. He attended a medical school at Worcester, Mass. His inclinations from early manhood led to med- icine, and at the age of 23, he commenced the practice of his profession, which he has made a life-study. Before he settled here he had, for many years, an extensive practice throughout Rutland and Windham counties, and although having wished to decrease his practice somewhat, and many times refusing to attend cases, such is the confidence in his
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skill and ability he is often sent for from a
d .. tance. He also is sometimes called upon
to counsel in law matters. He m. Caroline Wait, and has two children : Lucinda and Louisa both married and living in Mass.
EDMUNDS, OBADIAH, from Rhode Island,
settled in 1778, m. Sarah Williams.
He
was a soldier of the Revolution, and remark- ably fitted to smooth the asperities in the settlement of a new country, being a man of uprightness, sound judgment, and of peace- able disposition. He died in 1809, his wife in 1834. Their children were Sarah, Reuben, Obadiah and Ira. Sarah died in the State of New York, aged 78, and Reuben in Michi- gan, aged 89.
EDMUNDS, IRA, m. Lydia, da. of Gilbert Palmer, and settled where he now lives, in 1804. He has been an active, thrifty, in- dustrious farmer and no man has ever filled more public stations. Selectman 10 years; lister 4; a magistrate 14; and a representative 4; and many times administrator on the es- tates of the deceased. He has lived upon the homestead 65 years, having through this long period led a laborious life, and is now, at the age of 77, quietly living out the eve- ning of his days respected by all. His wife died in 1866, aged 76. Their children : Oba- diah, Daniel, Mary, Ruth, David, Ira jr., Sophia, Henry, Galett, Merritt and John. Merritt m. Leona White, of Mt. Holly, and is a practicing physician. He resides in Weston Vt., and is successful in his profes- sion ; he was a graduate of the Castleton Medical College.
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EDDY, JACOB, (by Hon. D. E. Nicholson). Jacob Eddy was an early settler on the farm now owned by Joseph N. Phillips, and was town clerk several years. He taught a select school during the time, expressly for training young men for the vocation of teaching. Mr. Eddy was a quiet, unobtru- sive Quaker gentleman, who once being ordered in the high Court of the State, by a sheriff in uniform, to uncover his head, be- stowed upon said upstart officer a look of scorn, and appealed to the Hon. court with triumphant success for the right to the free exercise of his conscience. He would not uncover his head to a mortal man, but stood reverently chastened in presence of the Omniscient God. His wife's maiden name was Sprague. They emigrated to Hamburg, N. Y., at an early day, with most of the
family, where they lived and died. Their children were Hosea, David and John, Bar- sheba, Ann, Lydia, Sarah and Mary, of whom Ann and Mary still survive. David became eminent in Western New York and was judge of the court at Buffalo. His son, David, re- sides in Cleveland, and is in trade, a vigorous writer and debater. Mary married a Thorns and her children are scattered through the West, Abram, being a lawyer of good stand- ing, in Erie county, of which county he was for some years surrogate. Ann married a Griffin ; one son is a distinguished physician in Philadelphia, having been a professor in a medical college in that city, and is one of her staunch men, and a leader from the first in the great anti-slavery revolution which has been so marked in that city. Sarah married Spencer Nicholson : they lived and raised their family in this county. He was long a deacon of the Baptist church of which they were both useful and esteemed members many years and until their death. Of their children, Orpha, as a teacher through the period of young ladyhood, married a man by the name of Rudd who too was as- sociate deacon with the father of his wife.
They too are dead. Arnold W., a pros- perous citizen of Wallingford. Russel, a fine promise of a man, was destroyed by most shocking cramp convulsive fits, and died worn out with that disease. Hiram, the favorite of all, and the best mathematician in the State, was suddenly drowned, just as he was within grasp of prominence. Julius became a preacher of the Church of the Disciples, and in the midst of his usefulness died of an acute attack in 1804. The remaining two, David E. and Anson A., are still residing in Rutland with their respect- ive families, and are attorneys by profession.
EDDY, BENJAMIN F., a mechanic born in Jamaica, Vt., came from Ludlow in 1862 and settled at the Borough. He is also a music-teacher and has taught a school here nearly every year of his residence among ns, being considered one of the best teachers in the State. Ile is also leader of the Danby Cornet Band, formed mainly through his in- strumentality. Few men have contributed more towards building up and sustaining choir-singing in our churches. He also hol ls a high position in the Masonic Fraternity. He now resides in Mt. Tabor, and is justice of the peace. He has been twice married.
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' EGGLESTON, ANDRUS, born in Stonington, Ct., Nov. 5, 1785, came to Shaftsbury, Vt., thence to Dorset and from there removed to Danby, in 1811. He is the son of Benedict Eggleston, a native of Hopkinton, R. I., who was born in 1764, and was a soldier of the Revolution, having enlisted at the age of 16 and served three years. He also came to Shaftsbury and from thence to Dorset being a stone-mason by trade and well known. In 1785, he was married to Content Brown, who died in 1808, leaving nine chil- dren, of whom were Andrus, Charlany, Polly, Betsey, and John. Polly m. a Brownell and removed West. Betsey m. a Moore and lives in Pennsylvania. John went South, owned a plantation, and has not been heard from for some time. Mr. Eggleston next m. Sally Skinner, in 1809, and raised a family of five children, all of whom are dead but Reuben, now living in Dorset. Benedict Eggleston died at Dorset, Dec. 11, 1859, aged 95, being the last survivor but one of that honored band of Revolutionary patriots.
Andrus, (oldest son,) m., in 1811, Nancy Curtis of Dorset, and was in trade at the Bor- ough under the firm of Williams, Young and Eggleston, a number of years. He was also a many years' school-teacher, and one.of the most efficient teachers in the State ; lister, 4 years; constable and collector, 2 years; long a justice of peace, and held some town office about every year, until appointed postmaster which office he held to the time of his death ; was also a surveyor, many years, for the town. He died in 1860, aged 75. Hiram was a merchant, and died in New York in 1815, aged 32; Delia, m. E. L. Way, and lives in Manchester ; Electa, m. William Chamberlin, of Manchester, a dealer in marble ; Truman C., the only son now living, m. Lucy Rideout in 1842, lives in Manchester, is a marble dealer and prominent citizen of that town.
EMMERSON, SAMUEL, a native of New Hampshire, was one of the most skillful me- chanics we ever had. He built and run a saw-mill for a number of years, in connection with which he had various kinds of ma- chinery. He was also a cabinet-maker and possessed the character of a good citizen. Ile died about 1840. Of his children, his da. Lucinda m. the Rev. Joseph Eams. Phillip, his son, is a lawyer by profession, having pursued his studies at Wallingford, with D. E. | Jan. 7. 1817, who left to his charge two Nicholson, Esq. and has been admitted to the
Rutland County Bar. He now resides at the West.
EMMERSON, REV. OLIVER, son of Samuel, was born at Danby, Aug. 30, 1814. When about 14 years of age he heard the Rev. T. Spicer preach at a quarterly meeting. The sermon made an impression upon his mind that deeply affected him for several weeks. Nov. 23, 1830, he was received on trial in the Methodist Church, by Rev. Joshua Poor. A revival took place in Pontoosue, in the town of Pittsfield, Mass., in 1851, where Mr. Em- merson then lived, which was attributed in a great measure to his instrumentality. In - May, 1833, he entered Wilbraham Academy. After spending a limited season there, during which time he was licensed as an exhorter, be Was compelled to leave the institution for want of means to prosecute his studies. He was licensed to preach and recommended to the Troy Annual Conference. Abon: 6 weeks intervened between this and the ses- sion of the Conference, which hespent on the Pittsford circuit. He was received by the Troy Conference, and appointed to Pittsfield, Mass., with Rev. T. Benedict. The next year he labored on the Saratoga circuit with Rev. John Harwood. From the Conference of 1836, he was sent to the Halfmoon circuit, Rev. O. Pier being his colleague; Jan. 17, 1831, m. Betsey Stead da. of Rev. Henry Stead; in 1837 was appointed to Esperance, with Rev. H. L. Starks, the year was one ci severe labor; at the ensuing Conference the circuit was divided ; he was appointed to Palatime Bridge, the part of the circuit on which he had resided the former year ; dur- ing the winter of that year a revival took place. In a few weeks Mr. E. preached about 20 sermons ; about 100 converted. The fol- lowing year he was appointed to the North- ampton circuit, and in 1840 to Waterford ; was returned the 2d year; Oct, 18, 1841, lost his wife ; June 1842, he was appointed to Lansingburg, and November the same year m. Sarah Stead, sister of his first wife ; rec'd about 150 persons into his ch. that year; was sent in 1844, '45 to Nassau; in 1846 was attacked with a kidney disease; appointed next to the Third st. mission in Troy, suffered severely from September till December that year, being treated in vain by the most eminent doctors ; lost his 21 wi.
small boys, the youngest but 4 months old ;
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June 1847, compelled to take a surperannu- ated relation ; being appointed by Conference as supernumerary, and in 1848, to Canajoha- rio: m. Ann Eliza Williams of that place ; In 1$49 he took an effective relation, was stationed at Schuylerville, and in 1850 ap- jointed to Greenbush. After having at- tempted to serve the church in that relation for 2 years, amid great and increasing bodily infirmities, again entered the superannuated list in 1851, in which he continued until his death. The last few months of his life were spent in Wallingford, Vt., where he sup- plied, as far as his strength permitted, two congregations, one in Wallingford and the other in Danby. He delighted in the work of the ministry, and it was his history almost
as " Fishville" was built up mainly through his enterprise. He is now (1868) living in Aurora, Ill. But few men have done more towards adding to the prosperity of the town. George, his son, m. Semantha Vail and lives in Aurora, Ill., of which city he has been marshall for 4 years. James m. Eunice Reed and lives at the Borough, being engaged in the mercantile business. He is a mason, represented the town in 1863, has been re- cently appointed postmaster, and is now grand juror. His youngest son Charles is deaf and dumb and is now receiving an els- cation at the deaf and dumb asylum, Har :- ford, Ct.
FISK, BENJAMIN, from Scituate, P .. I., in 1789, settled on the farm lately occupied by literally to " Cease at once to work and | H. E. Johnson, where he lived for a serisi live." On the last Sabbath but one of his life, he preached twice, attended a funeral on Monday, another on Wednesday and still another on Friday. From this last funeral (which was Daniel Buffum's) he returned home on Saturday completely prostrated. On Sabbath he was unable to leave his bed and died on the following Thursday, Apr. 22, 1853, not having known an hour of uninter- rupted pain for 7 years. His son Harvey died in 1859, aged about 45, two of his chil- dren, William and Gertrude are deaf and dumb, but very smart and intelligent. They have received the benefit of an educa- tion at the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, Hart- ford, Conn. of 79 years, or until his death. He came here at the age of 16, accompanied by his two brothers, Reuben and Benoni, who had sold out their farm in Rhode Island, for the purpose of seeking a home in a new country. After a year or two Benjamin went back to i.hode Island and married Freelove Colin and returned to Danby, bringing his wife and a few household effects with an ox team. He lived in a log-house 20 years, when he erected the framed house now standing. M .. Fisk was a great hunter and trapper in :: 9 early days. Deer were then quite pleasy. When at an advanced age, and somewhat childish, he would relate his hunting adres- tures of sixty or seventy-five years past, as :i FISH, ELISHA, from Rhode Island in 1778 m. Elizabeth Wilbur, and settled on the present homestead of Freelove Fish. . He was one of the earliest settlers in that part of the town. Being a man of energy and industry, he acquired considerable property, and was well esteemed. He died in 1815, aged 83, his wife in 1818 aged 83. Their children were John, Prudence, Susan, Flor- ence, Joseph, Sally, Betsey, and Sophronia. they had happened but yesterday, and world sometimes imagine that he was hunting deez or trapping for mink. This was his forte in his younger days, in which he took greit pride. His wife died in 1844, aged :2. He subsequently m. Polly Taylor, and diei in 1866 aged 95. Ile raised 11 children : Elizi- beth, Benjamin, Lucretia, Lucy, Chiloe, Ly- man R., Hiram, Daniel, Joel, Oliver ani Freelove. His son, Lyman R. has been graz i FISH, JOHN, m. Abagail Moulton and suc- ceeded to the homestead of his father. IIe subsequently settled at the Borough. In 1855, he removed to Illinois, where he died in 1864, aged 77. Moulton his son m. Mar- tha, da. of Asa Sinith, and settled at the Bor- ough, He was largely engaged in the marble business, and built and run a mill for several years. In 1848, he built the stone blacksmith shop at the Borough and carried on the black- sinithing business there. The village known juror 3 years; selectman and repr-ses :- ative one; his wf. died in 1834, aged 72, his children are Noah, Lyman R., jr., and Jo- seph ; his son Hiram has been a selectinsa 2 years and a representative one. Ilis son Daniel died in the winter of 1513 of heir: i.s- ease, being found dead in the road buta ine Tro ls from his home. II left seven chiffres: Sally Ann, Perry, Philip, Israel, Chest -: , Chas, and Daniel, all of whom removed We-c. FISK, REUBEN, SES., from Scituate in 17:3,
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