USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 1 > Part 62
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a man of excitable temper, excentric; natur. ally talented and witty. Numerous anecdotes and stories are told concerning lim, all similar- ly characteristic.
It is related that, as he had some trouble in the church-the church taking him to discipline for some violence on his part, he felt himself persecuted, and remarked that an apple tree which held many clubs in its branches was club- bed on account of the superior quality of its fruit : when one hearing it replied. that some- times trees were clubbed because of great hor- net's nests contained in them.
Dr. Beaman refers to two of his children, and relates another anecdote quite in keeping with the above .*
The following epitaph is handed down by tradition as written by Elder Dodge :
" Here lies old Dodge, who dodged all good, But never dodged evil; He dodged all he could, But never dodged the Devil."
JACOB DAVEY. for many years the most prom- inent and active business man of Fair Haven, was born in Boonton, N. J., Nov. 12, 1771. His family, consisting of his mother and sister, afterwards resided in Morristown, N. J .- mar- ried Miss Phebe Dey. December 8, '95, and re- sided in Dover, N. J., where their first three children were born, and where the second died.
In the spring of 1800 he removed with his family to Vergennes, Vt., where Lucy, after- wards Mrs. Colburn, was born in October. 1801. Delia, now Mrs. Stowe, was born in Ferris- burgh, in March, 1803, and Mr. Davey is said to have spent one year in Bridport.
He came to Fair Haven in the spring of 1804 to superintend the iron works for Dan Smith, and brought his family hither in the fall. He first resided for several years in the house at the foot of the hill, where Cyrus C. Whipple now resides, and had an office or store on the hill above the house. He bought the works of Mr. Smith, together with about 6 acres of land extending along the river westward to the turnpike. and covering the spot on which he af- terward built, (in October, '07.) and where the family has so long resided ; at the same time taking a lease for 7 years, with the privilege of purchasing, of the three hundred acres of land owned by Mr. Smith in connection with
* See Rev. Dr. Beaman's letter, after history of the Baptist church .- Ed.
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the works, lying on the east and south, beyond | the Western Vermont Railroad as receiver; the river, which he purchased in June, 1812.
Mr. Davey's business transactions were ex- tensive, and prove him to have been a man of remarkable capacity and enterprise. Besides carrying on his forge and rolling.mill, he was engaged with Messrs. Parsons & Foster in full- ing and finishing cloths during the time of the war of '12-was one of the building commit- tee of the new meeting-house ; he erected his own new and large dwelling-house in 1815- moving into it in October; and when his works were burned in November, he at once re-built them, and erected numerous other dwelling- houses for the use of his men. He owned and ran the saw mill on the Lower Falls, and after- ward bought the saw-mill on the rocks above his works, together with a house near the bridge which had been occupied by Salem Ryder just previous to '22. He dealt extensively in real estate, and was one of the selectmen of the town in '13, '14 and '15. Though not a mem- ber of the church, he was an active member of the Congregational society, and contributed lib- erally to the support of public institutions-was a Federalist in his politics, and in the time of the war belonged to the Washingtonian Benev- olent Society, a political organiztion supported by the Federalists.
He was behindhand with none in merry wit and the humorous joke. Instances are remem- bered and related of his quickness in repartee. He appreciated the benefits of education, and gave his children more than common facilities for culture. He died at his home, Oct. 15, '43 ; his wife Jan. 19, '56.
His family were : Mary Ann, James Dey, Albert Vincent, Lucy, Delia H., Caroline, Jane Eliza, Phebe Loraine, John Jacob, said to have been a portrait painter in Spain, several years since.
Israel, born in Fair Haven May 28, 1813 ; married Harriet Kilborn, daughter of Alphon- 80 Kilborn, then of Hydeville, Nov. 12, '56; was engaged some years in the mercantile bu- Biness with Mr. James Adams of Castleton ; at his father's decease came to Fair Haven as ad- ministrator of the estates, and remained in the town as proprietor of the iron-works until his death, Aug. 14, 1869.
died very suddenly at his residence in Patand. on the evening of April 8, '70, having but just returned from Fair Haven, whither he had been during the day, and where he had been fr ser. eral years previously, engaged in the slate-quar- rying business. His family were. Jane Eliza. the wife of Henry W. Cheney of Patland, and Henry Clark, who graduated at Williams Col- lege in '69.
Chalon F., b. in Fair Haven. Aug. 25. 1917; was married to Georgiana H. Vernon. Dec. 28. '43; resided several years in Burlington. where he was liberally educated at the Ciiversity, and has latterly been associated with the lie insurance business in New York city.
BENJAMIN HICKOK was born in Castleton : resided in Hubbardton at the time of the battle in September, 1777, and was taken prisoner br a party of Indians and tories on Sunday morning while at breakfast. He removed to Fair Haven in the spring of 1804, buying a farm of 52 acres ; was a surveyor of highways in 1805. azd oue of the selectmen in '06. He died March 21, 1825, aged 83. Family : Matthew, Beccis, Nancy, Elias, Elias 2d and Mary.
ANDREW MCFARLAND, known as " Cart. Me- Farland," came to Fair Haven from Hampton, N. Y., and had a store of goods in the oil Boyle and White store, about 1804; succeeding Mr. Gilbert in the office of postmaster, also, about the same time. Failing in business, bis uncle, Joshua Quinton, took charge of his goods and debts, in 1806.
He was " deputy custom-house officer" in '09 and '10, and is reported to have made a noted seizure of some $ 2000 worth of sming- gled dry goods at Granville. N. Y. ; the goods having been purchased with butter, in Canada. for Elisha Parkhill, and being at the time is transitu for the South-Joel Hamilton and Ele- azer Claghorn conveying them in a clandes- tine manner in their wagons, and pretending they had wheat.
From Fair Haven Mr. McFarland went into the army in 1812, and was stationed at Sackett's Harbor as captain of a company of cavaby ; mos. ed his family to Sackett's Harbor in '16, and was there keeping a large public house in 'Is : s terwards removing to Ohio. He married saus Bronson of Granville, N. Y. ; had a sco Q2.2- ton, and a daughter Eliza Ann.
Christopher M, b. in Fair Haven Aug. 1, '15; m. Narcissa B., daughter of Hon. Myron Clark, late of Manchester, in June, '44; was a gradu- CHRISTOPHER MINOT, cashier of a bing in Boston, married for his second wife Caterize Cutler, widow of Dr. Simeon Smith of West ate of the University of Vermont, in the class of '41 ; engaged in trade in Burlington a num- ber of years ; was a short time connected with I Haven, about 1805, and came to West Harca
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to reside ; buying in October, '05, a strip of | els of potatoes from a peck of sced planted by land where Ira C. Allen's new marble dwelling- him in the garden, then west of the hotel barns ; a harvest which was considered note worthy for the year. house now stands-added to it by two further purchases, and erected the large building there- on which was for many years, and recently, the It is said that James Olds, who worked for Beaman, and one Clark, were taken up for stealing silver ware from Beaman's shop. Olds got clear, but Clark went to State's Prison. home of Judge Kittredge. The building was constructed for a place of resort and musical entertainment, and made use of as such.
On the completion of the new school-house in Fair Haven, in '06, Mr. Minot presented the town, or district, with a bell for the same, and the bell still swings in the belfry of the town hall and village school-house, bearing the in- scription : " 1806. G. Holbrook, Brookfield. Presented by C. Minot, Fair Haven."
Mr. M. died in West Haven, Aug. 22, '24, in his 71st year, and his widow March 30, '33, aged 72 years. His family were, by his first wife, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mehitable, George and Frank.
JOEL BEAMAN, a brother of Luke Beaman, came to this town from Leominster, Mass., in the spring of 1805. and engaged with John Her- ring and Moses Colton in the paper-making bu- siness-hiring the papermill which was then owned by Alexander Dunahue of Castleton, and running it until the March following, when it was burned.
Buying out Mr. Dunahue after the fire, they immediately set to work to ercct a new mill, which was run by them in company till April, 1811. Mr. B. then sold to his partners, having removed to Poultney, and there opened a pub- lic house at the West village.
Mr Beaman married in 1808, Lydia, daughi- ter of John Brown, Esq. He died in Poultney, March 20, '46, leaving children : George H., formerly editor of the RUTLAND HERALD, now residing at Centre Rutland; Mary L., deceased ; Minerva L., m. Rollin C. Mallary ; Mary, Joel D., John B., lawyer in Poultney ; Jencks, grad- uated at West Point, and died in '46, on his way home from the Mexican war; Cullen C .. keeps a public house in Poultney ; Caroline L. ; Charles II., Jane and Frances II.
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JOUN BEAMAN, originally from Massachusetts, came hither from Rutland, where he had mar- ried Sally Russel-was a silversmith by trade, and owned and occupied a shop standing near where the office built by Col. Allen now stands, in 1817, after Mr. Wilmot's death. He is said to have had a shop. at a later period, near where Richard W. Sutliff's tailor shop now is. It was a new shop in 1511. He was keeping the tav- ern house of Mrs. Lucy Wilmot in '16 and '17, and in the e .ld summer of 'if he raised 30 bush-
In '19 and '20 Beaman kept a public house in Bridport, and in August, '20. bought a farm in this town, and moved on to it.
He was constable in '23 and '24, and kept the Dennis tavern after Mr. Dennis' departure from town in '23. He removed to West Troy, where he died.
LUKE BEAMAN, a brother to Joel, and 10 years younger, came from Leominster, Mass, to Putney in the fall of '16, bringing Betsey Gibson, in the winter, and marrying her in Chester, on the way, Jan. 17, '17. He was en- gaged for about 20 years in manufacturing combs in the building which was long used for a depot, and lately removed. In '31 he bought the store and dwelling of Worcester Morse, in Fair Haven, and removed here in the follow- ing spring, carrying on the mercantile business at the old stand recently removed to give place to the new bank building, and remodeling the house in which Dr. Wakefield now lives into a hotel, in 1836.
Mrs. Beaman died Aug. 17, '44 : he removed to Port Kent, N. Y., in '47, and afterwards re- sided at Mooer's Junction.
JOHN HERRING came from Sutton, Mass., in 1805, and engaged, as has been seen, with Messrs. Colton & Beaman in paper-making. He married Sally Brevort of West Haven, and had three children in the public school of 1812. He removed to West Rutland and kept a public house for a time, and then went to Marcellus, N. Y., where he is said to have built a paper-mill. He had a brother Absalom who worked with him while here.
MOSES COLTON came here from Sutton, Mass., in 1805, and hired the paper-mill in company with Joel Beaman and John Herring, of Alex- ander Dunahue, for one year. [See Beaman.]
In March, '13, Mr. Colton bought Herring's half interest in the same-they together having previously bought out Beaman's interest, in April, 1811. Mr. C. retained an interest in the business till '26.
IIc was constable and collector in March, '06; one of the selectmen in '09; captain of the mi- litia in '14, and afterwards colonel
Col. Colton Icased the Lyon tavern house for
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5 years ; and at the expiration of this lease in | Sept. 18, 1777. He graduated at Williams Col- 34, he removed with his family to Lafayette, Ind .. where he resided as lately as '51, when last heard from.
He first married Miss Betsey Waters, from Massachusetts, who died June 10, '24, in her 42d year, leaving two children : Cullen C. W., born Nov. 11, 1809-became a clerk with Peter Myers of Whitehall, N. Y. ; removed to Lafay- ette, Indiana, and is President of the Wabash Land Company. Elizabeth Adeline married Elkinah Mason of Castleton.
Col. Colton married, 2d, his first wife's sister, Lydia A. Waters.
JABOB BARNES, a soldier for 7 years in the Revolutionary War, and drawing an annual pension of $ 96.00 while he lived, came from Woodbury, Ct., in the spring of 1806, spending the summer with his son-in-law, Noah Tuttle, of Castleton. IIe came into town in the au- tumu, and resided during the winter with his son-in-law, Samuel Smith, who, in April, 1807, deeded him 15 acres, on which he built a house, and resided there till he died, Jan. 27, '21, aged 76 years.
Mr. Barnes' wife, Rebecca Crowell, was born on the ocean. They were married in Milford, Ct. She died in town in the summer of '22, aged 77 years; and both were buried in the old village burial ground, which is now caved off into the river.
Their family, born in Connecticut, were, Han- nah, Mary, Rebecca, Sarah, Lydia, Clarissa and Eli Y.
JOSIAH QUINTON, SEN., originally of New Hampshire, came hither from Whitehall, N. Y., now Hampton-where his brother John resid- ed, and his sister, who had married a McFar- land-about 1806, bringing with him a famous horse. He was subsequently the owner of the grist-mill-died March 2, '29, leaving two sons, Joshua, Jr., and George. Joshua, Jr , came to town at the close of the war in '15, then about 19 years of age, and wearing his sailor's dress which he had worn in the privateering service during the war. He married Sally Watson, a dangliter of Benjamin Watson, March 20, 1818. and had a son John, who learned the shoemak. er's trade of Joseph Adams, and moved away to Perry, N. Y., prior to '40. A younger son and daughter went away with him to Walpole, N. H., in '46. George Quinton married Ann Bush, of West Haven, and was engaged in trade at that placc.
REV. RUFUS CUSHMAN, the first settled min- ister in Fair Haven, was born in Goshen, Mass.,
lege in 1805, and studied theology with Rev. Samuel Whitman, D. D. ; was ordained and installed as pastor of the Congregational church and society in Fair Haven, Feb. 12, '07. He purchased of Paul Scott, '08, a little more than 20 acres of land, and in '26, 50 acres more, and here made his permanent home while le lived.
Oct. 12, '13, the town voted to quitclaim to him and to his heirs the first settled minister's right, and then voted that "if the Rev. Mr. Cushman shall think proper to give the town the sum of $ 500.00 as compensation for the minister's lands, the town do agree to take a mortgage of his farm, where he now lives, as security for the payment of the said sum of $ 500, to be paid at the time when he ceases to be the minister of Fair Haven, without any in- terest for the same."
At another meeting, held Nov. 1. the town voted " to accept a clear deed of Rev. Mr. Cush- man's farm as a consideration for the minister's lands, instead of a mortgage, as previously vot- ed; and furthermore, to lease the farm to the Rev. Mr. Cushman, his heirs and assigns, for the term of 999 years, free of rent during the time that he continues his ministry in Fair Ha- ven, and from and after that time, he to pay a yearly rent of $ 30, to be laid out for the sup- port of the Gospel, under the direction of the inhabitants."
But in 1820 the sclectmen were directed to deed the farm to Mr. Cushman, free of all in- cumbrance, except that he should covenant and agree to continue his ministerial labors in said town, as heretofore, during the full term of 20 years from and after his first settlement, for the consideration of his being hereafter paid an an- nual salary of $ 300, and provided, in case of his removal by death, that the farm is to be dceded to his heirs the same as though it had been decded free of incumbrance.
Owing to the smallness of his salary, Mr. Cushman used to take students into his family. He fitted several for college. The people used to turn out and help him gather in his hay and draw his wood.
He married Theodosia Stone, who was also born in Goshen, and is said to have assisted him with means to complete his studies for the ministry. She died at her son Artemas's, in Fair Haven, June 10, '44, aged 65 years.
Their children: Artemas S., bom Dec. 28, 1807. m. Phebe S., dau. of Jacob Davey, Nov. 10, '36, and now hves in Jackson, Mich., whith- er he removed in '54. He was for several years
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a teacher in town, and afterwards associated | about 35 years of age took up his residence in with Israel Davey in the iron business.
Wealthy S. born June 23, '13, married Rev. William C. Dennison of Castleton, Oct. 16, '32 ; died at Dexter, Mich., Oct. 12, '44.
Rufus Spalding, born Aug. 31, '15 ; m. Sa- rah F. Gibson of Sandy Hill, N. Y., Aug. 10, '45 ; has 3 children-graduated at Middlebury College in August, '37; was installed as pastor of the Congregational church in Orwell, in Dc- cember, '43, and resigned his charge and re- moved to Manchester in May, '62, where he now resides as pastor of the Congregational church.
Electa Lyman, born May 2, 1817; m. Amasa W. Flagg of Hubbardton, September, '42. She died August, '55, at Castleton.
Jerusha Almira, b. October, '23; m. Pliny F. Cheever of Castleton, September, '51.
Mr. Cushman died Feb. 3. '29. His success- or, Rev. Amos Drury, writes : "He lived greatly beloved by the people of his charge, and in the high esteem of all who knew him " His sou Rufus, describing his character for the Cushman genealogy, says of him: "He was a good, plain Puritan man, distinguished for solid rather than brilliant qualities. He was sedate, firm, persevering in his labors ; not re- markable for foree or energy, or power of im- agination. He was a worker, and was willing to work on in the cause of his Master, whose serviee he loved, and whose life he aimed to imitate. His theology was of the old Pilgrim stamp; his life was pure, kind, peaceful. He did what he could to bring sinners to repent- ance, and to embrace the truth as it is in Je- sus-to promote and diffuse love to God and man."
" He was temperate in all his habits: never ased tobacco nor aleohohe spirits: was one of the first ministers in the region to favor the temperance reformation. His last siekness was a malignant epidemic fever. He was prostrat- ed by apoplexy. His last words were: 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' He was fond of mu- sic ; was a fine base singer ; could read and sing any ordinary tune at sight."
THOMAS DIBBLE, a noted horse farrier and cattle doetor, eame from Nobletown. N. Y., and married Rhoda, dan. of Oliver Cleveland. He resided west of the cedar Swamp, previons to 1807. In 1817, he sold, and removed to West Haven.
Fair Haven, Vt. entering into partnership with his unele, Jolin Quintou, in a store and scythe factory, about 18 8.
He was elected to several town offices, an I the Vermont Register for 1817 contains his name as Representative in the State Legislature, or Assembly, for Rutland county, [Fair Haven.] His politics were of the Jeffersonian school, and he continued all his life a conservative member of the Democratic party. His health failing, he was obliged to close out his business in Fair Haven, about the year 1822, and seek a change of climate. After spending a winter in Georgia he purchased a farm in the town of Batavia, N. Y. After remaining some twenty years on this farm, he sold out and removed to Darien, Genesee county, N. Y., having purchased anotli- er farm, in the spring of 1843, where he remain- ed until his death, which oeeured August 7, 1848. He had suffered most of his life from weak lungs, but the disease which proved fatal was erysipelas.
Ilis reputation as a man of striet integrity and high-toned morality was unexeelled, and few men better deserved the name of "gentleman" in its most liberal sense. He was never known to have an enemy.
His remains were subsequently removed from their resting place in Darien, to the beautiful cemetery of Elmwood, near Detroit, to which latter place his widow and two sons removed in 1849. and where they still remain. He was married in 1823, to Mary Kendrick, of Hanover, N. H., a sister of Dr. Kendrick, of Poultney, who survives him at the age of 77. The eldes: son, James A. Christie, is book-keeper and cierk in the boiler works of Desotell & Hutton. The youngest, Thos. S. Christie, is one of the firm of Hodge & Christie, iron founders and machinists.
JOUN PEABODY COLBURN, h. in St. John, N. B., Nov. 25, 1787; came with his father's fam- ily from Frederickton, N. B., to Vermont, in July, 1808.
The family settled at first in West Castleton, where the father was engaged with Joshua Quinton in a saw-mill. John P. settled in Fair Haven. The family afterward resided in Ben- son and in Fair Haven. They removed to Fer- ry, Wyoming county N. Y.
Mr. Colburn worked at his trade as a black- smith. At the time of the battle of Plattsburg he is said to have been one of the military com- pany from Fair Haven and vicinity, that went
THOMAS CHRISTIE was born on the St. John's river, in New Brunswick, March 11, 1773 ; out, but returned without regeling the scene of' loarued the trade of ship-carpenter, and when
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He was a lister and constable and collector of the town, in March, 1816, and continued in the latter office several years. In the spring of 1817, he bought of Thomas Christie one-half of the scythe-factory, standing on the ground of the Union Slate Works, and in company with John Quinton, carried on the factory and the blacksmith shop for a time. In March, 1822, he purchased of Jacob Davey a piece of land south of the paper-mill and built thereon the elegant brick dwelling-house, now standing near the railroad, He entered into a plan with Jacob Davey and James Y. Watson, about 1825, to erect a furnace at the head of East Bay, and went so far as to build the stack just below Carver's Falls. In 1829, he was interested in the business of grinding manganese at Mr. Da- vey's works.
He was an active member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and had the symbols of the order wrought into his dwelling house, as may be seen to this day. In politics he was an active Republican, and came to be an assistant judge in the county court, which post he held at the time of his death, Dec. 8, 1831.
He first married Betsey, asister of Royal Den- nis, of Hardwick, Mass., in 1818, who died September 9, 1822, leaving him two children, Moses and Betsey.
He married Lucy Davey, in July, 1824. Mrs. Colburn is still living, and a resident of this town. They had children :
Moses, a graduate of the University of Ver- mont and of Andover Theological Seminary, was for some years a settled minister in South Dedham, Mass. He is now preaching in Wau- kegan, Ill. ; Betsey Dennis, Jolm P .. , b in 1826; studied law in Burlington, Vt; removed to Iowa City, where he was admitted to the bar, and immediately afterward died, Dec. 10. '53.
Susan, m. Rev. A. H. Bailey, and resides in Sheldon, Vt.
Rufus C., resides in Fair Haven,
Albert Vincent. b. July 8. 1830. He entered the Military Academy at West Point, in June, '51, was graduated and appointed 2d lieutenant in the Ist U. S. Cavalry, under Col. Sumner, in '55. He was first stationed at Jefferson Bar. racks, Mo, and afterwards at Leavenworth, and on the Plains.
He was promoted Ist lieutenant of his regi- ment in the early part of 1861. The same year he was promoted captain, and again to be ma- jor in the Adjutant General's Department, U. S. Army, and finally was appointed to be lieu- tenant-colonel aud aide-de camp in the U. S.
volunteer service, which position he hell at the time of his death June 17, '63. His remains were brought from St. Louis to Fair Haven, and were buried in the village burying ground from the residence of his uncle, Israel Davey, Esq.
Lucy married C. T. Jenkins, of Bayport, Fla., where she now resides.
WILLIAM B. COLBURN was born in Frederick- ton, N. B., Oct. 20, 1803 ; and came with the family to Vermont, in 1808. He was clerk in the store of Colton, Warren & Sproat, about '25 and '27 ; he went into the mercantile business, in the old red store on the east side of the Com- mon. He afterward removed to Castleton and held the office of deputy sheriff for several years. He also represented the town of Castleton in the General Assembly 2 years. He kept the public house at the "Corners," a number of years pre- vions to 1854, when he removed to Grant coun- ty, Wisconsin. During the civil war he was mil- itary store keeper at St. Louis. After the war he removed to Detroit, Mich., where he resided with his children, and died Sept. 20, 1869, aged 66 years, having suffered much for two years previously from what was supposed to be a can- cer in the stomach.
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