The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 1, Part 45

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 45

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when a petition was presented to the Gov- ernor, praying for a commutation of the sen- tence which was finally granted. Mr. Palm- er remained a citizen of this town for many years after this event. He died at Walling- ford in 1862, aged 8.4.

PARRIS, ELKANAH, b. 1728, in Pembroke, Mass., settled, 1797. He m. Grace Mott, of Scituate, Mass. He was a man of considera- ble means, and an exemplary member of the Quaker Society. He died, aged S5; his wife, aged 81.

PARRIS, DANIEL, born at Williamstown, Mass., 1763, m., 1st, Eunice Lamb; 2d, Dru- silla Sherman, whom he married here in 1789. His first wife died at Williamstown. He came to Danby about the year 1785, and settled on the farm now owned by his grand- son, Jolin S. He became a wealthy farmer. He was a great friend of Isaac Tichenor, third Governor of this State, who, we are told, frequently came to pay Mr. Parris a visit. He was constable in 1793; lister, 5 years; auditor 4 years ; offices to which in those days, only men of good judgment and ability were called, and, although possessing many eccentricities, he was a man of good morals and a very worthy member of com- munity, possessing the confidence of all. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity. He died, Feb 17, 1822, aged 62.

PARRIS, CALEB, settled on the homestead where Wesley Parris now lives, which he oc- cupied many years, or until his death. He built the present dwelling, known as the "sixteen cornered" house, which he was a number of years in building, having built a portion of it at a time. He was selectman, 3 years ; lister, 7; grand juror, 2; and au- ditor, 7. He was a man of considerable wealth and influence ; died unmarried, Jan. 23, 1848, aged 82.

PARRIS, CALEB, 2D, CAPT., b. 1794, m. Cata, da. of Rev. Jared Lobdel, in 1815, and settled where his son, Leonard G. now lives. He was selectman, 2 years; lister, 4; trustee of U. S. money, 6 ; a justice of the peace, 10; and moderator of town meetings many years. He was captain of the militia, by which he gained his title. He exemplified his religion by dispensing with a liberal hand to the needy, and no one was more generally re- spected in town. He died in 1868, aged 74. PABRIS, HARVEY, b. 1799; m. Sally, da.

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of Edward Herrick, and settled on the home- s:rad, and was a thrifty farmer during his residence here. He was constable and col- lector in this town 2 years ; selectman, 4; lister, 6, and justice of the peace, 5. In 1848 he removed to Pawlet.

PHILLIPS, CALEB, a native of Rhode Island, m. Martha Bishop, and came to this town during the Revolution. Three of his broth- ers, Stephen, John and Seth, also came here. He settled on the farm afterward owned by bis son Josiah, now by Warren Vaughan. Ile was the first settler in that locality. He built a framed dwelling in 1801, which stood till within a few years. He came here with nothing but his head and hands to carve himself a fortune, which by patient toil, he accomplished. He was an active participant in the struggles which the early settlers of this town had to endure. As a pioneer, he was peaceful, but able to meet danger with firmness, and his memory is held in high es- teem, as a citizen of Danby, in the stiring scenes of its early history. He died in 1825. His wife died in 1837, aged about 90. Their children were Chad, Mercy, Benjamin, Sabrah and Josiah.

PHILLIPS, CHAD, m. Sarah Weller, and set. tled near his father a short time. He re- moved to Tinmouth and was a prominent citizen of that town during his lifetime. He was a magistrate many years, and a major in the State militia. He died in 1847, aged 80; his wife in 1847, aged 78.

PHILLIPS, BENJAMIN, m. Charity, da. of Henry Herrick, and settled on a portion of his father's farm, and subsequently in Tinmouth. He at quite an early day owned and run a furnace, near the residence of Edwin Staples, known as "The Pocket Furnace," and the only one ever built in town

PHILLIPS, ISAAC, m. Ruth Lord, and settled near Scottsville. He was a good and sub- stantial citizen. He died in 1863, aged 91 ; his wife in 1854, aged 70. Their children ; William L., George, Lucinda, Lorana, and Stephen W. Lucinda has been deaf and dumb from childhood; Stephen has been a teacher of penmanship many years, favo- rably known as one of the best in the State

PHILLIPS, ISRAEL, from R. I., settled at an early day. He was a Revolutionary soldier and drew a pension. He m. Nancy Fisk. The old house in which he lived is still stand- ing, and where he kept tavern several years.

He died aged 80. He served through a large portion of the war and would tell with mach zest, the many incidents he was knowing to, of such thrilling interest to the early settlers.

PORTER, MERRICK, m. Eliza da. of Daniel Palmer, and settled here, but removed to Wallingford where he died. Of his children are Isaac and Harry. Isaac is a carpenter and joiner by trade. He m. Hortense Odel and resides in town. He was drafted in 1863 and served three years in the 5th Vt. Regt. His children are Giraldo, Ada and Ida, twins ; Marcus, Caasi and Don.

PRIEST, JOHN, another of the Revolution- ary patriots, was a resident of the town a number of years. He served during nearly the whole of the war, for which he drew a pension. He was a stone mason and a man of considerable ability, full of anecdote and humor, and loved to relate incidents of the Revolution, and the war of 1812, in which he also served. He never accumulated much property, and in his old age was almost entirely dependent upon his pension for sup- port. He removed about 20 years since to Mechanicsville, N. Y., where his son then lived.

RANDALL, ALVAR, b. in Danby, is a physi- cian and resides in Michigan.

RANDALL, NELSON, succeeded to the home- stead of his father. He was constable and collector 5 years. He now resides in Ripley, N. Y., to which place he removed some 10 years since, and is a U. S. detective, being peculiarly adapted to that kind of business.

REED, ISAAC, from Rhode Island in 1802, settled on a portion of the Governor's Right. He was a soldier of the Revolution and drew a pension. He lived to a good age, having raised 15 children, of whom are Elijah, Oli- ver, Isaac, jr., Durphy, Ichabod, Solomon, Nelson, Abigail, Elizabeth, Susan and Pa- tience. Isaac, jr., settled in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where he became eminent.

REED, SOLOMON, lived for many years upon the land formerly occupied by his father, a portion of which lies in the town of Pawlet, and upon which Solomon now resides. He has always been a tough, hard laboring man, and a great hunter, in which he more fre- quently engaged in his younger days than of late. That portion of the town, has ever been a haunt for wild beasts, and more espec- ially bears. About thirty years ago Solo- mon, with his brother Ichabod, who was-a

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young man of feeble health, was out one day in what is known as " Fir Swamp" after balsam. This swamp is situated near the top of the mountain. They had been there but a short time when their dog, commenced barking near a sort of cave or den in the rocks, which signified there was something there. Believing it to be nothing more than a coon, the dog had tracked, Solomon thought he would venture in. So laying his gun down by the mouth of the cave, in he crawl ed to see what was there. He soon discover- ed, and called upon Ichabod to hand him a gun. Taking as good aim as possible by the light of the occupants eyes, he fired, but the contents failed to take effect. Mr. Bruin not liking the call, made a rush for the pas- sage, which, not being very spacious gave Sol- omon considerable squeezing, and upon com- ing out, at once made attack upon Ichabod, at the mouth of the cave The dog also immediately closed in for a fight. Solomon, hurrying out, saw at a glance that his brother must have help forthwith, and commenced upon the bear, which drew her attention from Ichabod. The bear however paid her atten- tion first to the dog, whereupon Sol mon seeing the dog would get the worst of the fight unless he had help, stepped astride of the bear and took an ear in each hand. And the bear feeling the whole weight of this new element in the controversy, turncl her atten- · tion from the suppliant t nes of the dog to the more defiant antagonist on her back. The dog having found there was help, now applied himself vigorously to the bear's haunches, whereupon she succumbed and commenced descending the mountain. Sol- omnon maintaining a firm hold upon her back, and Ichabod continuing to beat with the breach of his gun. But the dog's mode of fighting having the misfortune to chiefly lacerate her feelings, she turned her special attention thence to him as having no further fear of the men. Thus the dog would fight until seeing he would get the worst of it, Sol- omon would-step astride of the bear, again while his brother kept plying his blows, drawing her attention away from the dog, first being under and then top, for the dis- tance of a mile or more down the mountain, by which time the gun had been used up around her, and she being rather exhausted. Solomon and the dog were left to contend with the bear, while Ichabod went for an.

other gun and the bear was soon disposed of. Solomon was not much injured by this al- venture, but his brother never fully recov- ered from its effects.

GUSTAVUS, one of his sons, is married and lives in Dorset. In 1851, having a desire to go to sea, he sailed from New Bedford, Mass., on a whaling voyage, and was gone about 2 years. Among the places visited, were the Cape De Verde Islands, Juan Fernan les, Sandwich Islands, Australia and New Zeal- and, and sailing as far north as the Arctic regions. He also served as a soldier in the late war.

READ, TIMOTHY, a native of Swanzy, N. H., came to Danby in 1826; m. Eunice, widow of Barton Kelly, and settled on the farm obtained by his wife. He was at one time the owner of a large property, and one of the most extensive farmers in town. But few men labored more hours in a day. He was also a shoemaker, and worked considerable at that business. He was selectman 5 years ; lister three, representative and a justice of the peace two. He was mainly instrumental in building the church south of the Corners, by which he became seriously embarrassed. He was a man remarkable for the energy with which he carried forward whatever he undertook So active and prompt was he in the fulfilment of his contracts, that he was known at various times to sit up all night to make a pair of boots, that it might not interfere with his labor on the farm. few men were his match at farm-labor, be- ing very tall in stature, of robust frame and very stout. He was a great mower, concern- ing which many good stories are related. We have been told that at one time he mow- ed a swath 19 feet in width. No man ever died more regretted in town. His death occurred from disease of the heart, in 1849, at the age of 52. His widow is now living at the age of 84, having been a very smart, in- dustrious woman through life. Their chil- dren are Eunice, Charles T., Lucy and Edward J., who lives upon the homestead. Lucy has been deaf and dumb since the age of five, being caused by the canker rash, and blind since the age of eleven. She is one of the most remarkable persons on record. She possesses ability for performing work far beyond that of many persons endowed with perfect senses. Although deprived of the sense of seeing and hearing, yet by the use

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of the other senses, she is enabled to know her friends and to perform many things. God in his goodness has so organized the hu- man family, that where one sense is deficient, it is made up in a measure by the others. And in her case the loss of these two most important senses, is almost more than made up by the action of the others. It is truly won derful to look at the labor performed by her, from the braiding of the finest. hair-fish-line to the piecing of a bed-quilt. The order, neat- ness and regularity displayed, is unexcelled. She can distinguish color and quality as read. ily as any person. In piecing bed-quilts, the colors are all neatly and tastefully arranged, and her knitting, sewing and braiding is all done in the highest style of the art. She per- forms various other kinds of labor, in which she also displays great mechanism. Her work has taken the premium at our State and Coun- ty Fairs. She is now about 35 years of age.

RICHARDSON, DR. ISRAEL, settled here about forty years ago, in the practice of his profession. He lived near the residence of Howell Dillingham, but remained here only a few years. He was esteemed a good phy- sician, and a man of considerable intel- ligence.

ROBERTS, WILLIAM, from Nine Partners, N. Y., about the close of the Revolution, m. Rachael Andrus and settled first in Manches- ter, afterwards in Vergennes and then in Danby. Four of his brothers also came about the same time, Christopher, John, Peter and Benjamin. Christopher settled in Man- chester where his descendants still reside; and John settled in Plattsburg, N. Y. Wil- liam was a soldier of the Revolution and was in the battle of Bennington. He lived in the south part of the town. He died at Man- chester in 1829, aged 70; his wife in 1854, aged 79; their children were: John, Eph- raim, Allen C., Ethan, Stephen, Caleb, Na- thaniel, Susan, and Rachel. Ephraim set- tled here a short time, then moved to Dorset and in 1830 owned and run a canal boat on

the Erie Canal. He died at Blackrock, N. Y. Ephraim, one of his sons, is now a missionary on one of the Sandwich Islands. Caleb m. Drusilla Fisk, and settled in Dor- set. He was one of the 16 recruits from this town to the Mexican War, and died in hos- pital at Puebla. Aug. 26th, 1847. His chil- dren are Sabra, Delia and Benoni. Allen C. m. Hannah Farrar of Rupert where he settled

a few years, and afterwards in Dorset. He has been for many years a noted hunter and trapper, having since 1830, killed nearly fifty bears. Few men have a keener relish for this kind of sport, which is always full of excitement and not unfrequently of danger. Even during the last few years, he has had many encounters with them. While on a hunting excursion in 1854, he accidentally slipped down upon the ice, when his gun which he carried over his shoulder was dis- charged, and the contents entered his foot, which resulted in the loss of his leg. He has also for a number of years been a Methodist preacher and exhorter.

ROGERS, WING, from Mansfield, Mass., set- tled about 1770. He was a man of large means, and at once came into possession of a large farm, which included the one now owned by J. E. Nichols and also the one owned by F. R. Hawley, besides portions of adjoining farms. He also owned nearly all the land in what is known as " South Amer- ica," as well as land in other parts of the town. He was doubtless one of the most wealthy men of his times. He was a birth- right member of the Quaker Society, and one of the founders of that church in this town, a man of many eccentricities, many good stories are told of his oddities. It was his custom to carry his family to church in an ox-cart, and sometimes he would carry his wife and children upon a trundle-bed. No man was ever more distinguished for his pe- culiar habits, and his name will be remein- bered for generations to come. Being a man of considerable ability. he was often called to fill some office of trust, but many times re- fused to serve. His name is often mentioned in connection with the early history of Dan- by. He was a 'member of the proprietors' meeting held at the house of William Brom- ley in 1776, and was appointed one of the committee to lay out the land in the 4th di- vision. He was also a prominent member of the meetings held by the inhabitants for the general safety of the town, during the Rev- olutionary war. He was the first appoint- ed to the office of " hog-constable," in 1777; selectman four years; grand juror one, and a member of the Legislature in 1790, which was held at Castleton, commencing Oct. 14 and ending Oct. 28, after a session of 12 days and again elected for the years 1791, '92 and '93. The descendants of Wing Rogers have

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been numerous, being wealthy and promi- nent men. He was 4 times married, ist to Deliverance Chatman, 2d to Mercy Hatch, 3d to Rebecca Sherman, 4th to Hannah Titus. In 1800, he removed to Ferrisburg, Vt., where he died, well advanced in years. His children were: Deliverance, Elizabeth, Au- gustus, Asa, Rufus, Ruth, Wing, Mary, Les- ter, and Lydia. Deliverance was b. at Marsh - field and came here with his father. He m. Judith Folger, and became a very wealthy, and influential citizen. He removed to Granville, N. Y., where he died in 1849, aged 83; his widow died 1864 aged 86. His children were Cynthia, Daniel, Ruth, Dinah, Eliza, David, Wing, who died at the age of 17; and Mark, who m. Lydia Hemenway, settled here a few years, and then removed to Gran- ville.

ROGERS, STEPHEN, brother of Wing Rogers, also from Marshfield, Mass., came in 1770 and settled on the farm occupied by J. T. Griffith. He also owned the farm now be- longing to H. Dillingham. He m. Elizabeth Lapham. The house in which he lived was burned a few years since. It was built in 1790, and was the first two story house erect- ed in town, being considered the best house in town for that day. He also became a large land-holder, and contributed essentially towards the prosperity of the town. He was another of the early members of Quaker so- ciety, a man of exemplary religious charac- ter, and good natural abilities. He died in 1835, aged 85; his wife in 1840, aged 80. Their children were Aaron, Joseph, Sarah, Hannah, John, Ruth, Stephen, Elizabeth and Sylvia.

ROGERS, AARON, b. at Danby, 1770, m. Di- nah Folger and settled where Howell Dil- lingham now lives. He is said to have been the first male child born in town. Some, however, have given priority of birth to Hosea Williams, who was born the same year. Mr. Rogers resided here for nearly 85 years, being engaged in agricultural pursuits from boyhood. He removed to Lynn, Mass., when quite old, where he died in 1860, aged 90. He lived with his father previous to his marriage, when he settled by himself, and toiled on, until he had acquired a large com- petency. When in after years his sons and daughters left their paternal homes, and when the snows of more than 80 winters had sprinkled his brow, and grand children were

gathered around him, his feet still lingered around the old homestead, where were asso- ciated many pleasant scenes of the past. He was an influential member of the Quaker so- ciety, a man of excellent morals and habits, but being of a quiet turn of mind, did not take an active part in political matters. He was selectman 1 year; lister six, and auditor five. His children were Joseph, Lydia, Mo- ses, Aaron, jr., Judith, Elisha T., George D., Eunice and Seth. Moses lives in Lynn, Mass., and is one of the wealthy citizens of that place ; Elisha settled at the Borough a few years in the mercantile business, but now lives in New York. . Seth became a physician. He was also in trade a short time with his brother Elisha. He served as surgeon in the Union army, during the late war. He is a man of large experience, hav- ing traveled for a number of years, during which time he has visited France and other countries on the eastern continent. He now resides in Worcester, Mass., and has been connected with a water cure establishment of that city.

ROGERS, HENRY A., son of Aaron, jr., re- sides in Minnesota, and is a man of considera- ble prominence, having been State's Attor- ney and County Senator.

ROWLEY, THOMAS, born in Hebron, Ct., came here in 1768, and settled near the resi- dence of A. C. Risdon. His farm consisted of about 200 acres. Being a man of ability, he at once took a leading position in the town. He was clerk of the proprietors till 1783, surveyor in the 2d, 3d, and 4th divi- sions, to set off the proprietors's rights and was employed as surveyor for the town a number of years. He was first town clerk in 1769, and held that office 9 years, the last being in 1782; was one of the committee of safety for the town and was always chairman of that committee. He was the first repre- sentative elected in 1778 and again in 1782. While a member of the General Assembly, he was appointed on the most important committees, and generally made chairman, whenever a resolution was referred with in- structions to report a bill. Mr. Rowley lived some time in Rutland and was first judge of the special court for the County. He was associated with Chittenden, Allen and War- ner in vindicating the rights of the people against New York ; participated largely in the deliberations of those who declared Ver-

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mont a free and independent State, and aided in framing its first constitution. He removed to Shoreham, Vt., in 1775, where he remain- ed for about one year, and then returned to Danby. At the close of the war he removed back to Shoreham.

Below is an invitation to the poor tenants that live under their patroons in the prov- ince of New York, to come and settle on our good lands, under the New Hampshire Grants, composed at the time when the land jobbers of New York served their writs of ejectment on a number of our settlers, the execution of which we opposed by force until we could have the matter fairly laid before the King and Board of Trade and Planta- tions, for their directions.

[Rowley is moreover preeminently distin- guished as the poet of the Green Mountain Boys. His verses were contributed princi- pally to the Rural Magazine and the Ben- nington Gazette. Says the late Rev. P. H. White, in a material for a note in connection with a poem of Rowley's published in the Revised Poets and Poetry of Vermont, The poem mentioned is an inviting of settlers into Rutland Co., and was very popular at the time-for which see volume mentioned-For additional biography of Rowley see also biography of him in the history of Shoreham, in this work, vol 1, page 98; and for a still more complete representation of his poetry see " History and Map of Danby, Vermont, by J. C. Williams, 12mo. 281 pp. printed at Rutland by McLean and Robbins, 1869 .- Ed.]

NATHAN ROWLEY'S LIST FOR THE YEAR 1795, BY THOMAS ROWLEY.

My head contains my sight and brains, And many other senses- As taste and smell, I hear and feel, And talk of vast expenses. It doth exert each active part Of human nature'- whole ;

Reason and sense are its defense, Which some have termed the soul :

The noble part of human frame, With sense and reason bound-

Our men of sense say it shall rate At half a dozen pounds.

My real estate I have to rate, The public are partakers ;

I plant and sow and feed and mow Not far from twenty acres.

My herd allows two stately cows, As neat as woven silk ;

They seldom fail to fill the pail Up to the brim with milk.

Also, two mares, good in the years To p'ow the clay or gravel ;

When dreased with saddle and mounted straddle Are very good to travel.

'Tis my whole list; I do protest I will not add a line ;

No more this year that can appear That is my dad's or mine. My whole estate you have to rate As here I've set it down, The whole accounts, you see, amounts To eight and twenty pounds.

ON PREDESTINATION.

If I withhold my hand From what I am forbid, Why then should I be dam'd For what I never did ?

If I let loose my hand And say it was decreed, You say I shall be dam'd Because I don't take heed.

If all things are decreed, As some good people say, Why should I spend my time, Or make attempts to pray ?

The idle servant was not condemn'd For not doing what he could not :

But for leaving that undone He might have done but would not.

But some will say " I can do nothing ;" Well, if the case be so, Then I may rest quite easy, For I've nothing here to do.

REFLECTIONS ON THE RAPIDITY OF TIME.

While I reflect on misspent days, I fear Thy dreadful rod ;

See money spent in mirth and play, So little done for God.

I find a sore, corrupted will, But little faith is found ;

But there is balm in Gilead still, To heal the deadly wound.

Should I be lost in long despair, 'Tis hell within my breast ; But unto Jesus I'll repair, As He can give me rest.

May God upholdl me all day long, By His supporting grace,

And I Him praise with heaven-taught song, And speed the heavenly race.

The age of man is past with me, My soul be in thy care,

From sin and Satan to get free, To meet thy God prepare.

This day 'tis threescore years and ten Since I received my breath,

And very slothful I have been Preparing for my deatlı.

A thousand dreams have filled my mind, As days came rolling on ; Like one that's deaf or one that's blind, I know not how they've gone.

If God should add unto my days, And give me longer space ;

Oh ! may I speud them to his praise, And seek His pardoning graco.

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MEDITATION ON THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE.

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The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 1, Part 45

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

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