The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 1, Part 7

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 7

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Secretary's Office, Rutland, October 22, 1784.

The preceding is a true copy of an Act passed by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, on the 20th day of October instant.

Attest, MICAH TOWNSEND, Secretary."

CHARLES JOHNSON

came to this town towards the close of the last century. He married Nabby Holt, Sept. 11, 1799. He was by trade a tailor, which business he followed more or less for a great part of his life. He was constable of the town, from the year 1804, for a long pe- nod. and died Feb. 2, 1859, aged $5. In his form he was considerably below medium height, but well proportioned. He was erect, and remarkably quick in his motions And though he lived to an advanced age, his death was lastened by a fall which injured his head, rather than by any disease or in- firmity incident to a long life.

CAPTAIN JOSIAH POWERS

was originally of Littleton, but afterwards of Greenwich, Mass His name is first in the charter, and he was authorized to call the first meeting of the proprietors, and pre- side until they were organized

He became by far the largest land owner

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in the town, having commenced purchasing 'rights' of his co-grantees soon after the patent was issued, which he did for consider- ations merely nominal; some as low as 5s. a right. His first purchase was in Novem- ber, within a month from the date of the charter. He was doubtless the prime mover in obtaining the charter, and as a sufficient number of names attached to the applica- tion, or petition, was all that was necessary to obtain a patent, the Colonial Governor; Wentworth, being desirous of encouraging settlement, he obtained the signatures of his neighbors to the required number, probably by an understanding with some of them to take their shares if a patent could be ob- tained. He owned at one time some 3,000 acres, but he continued to sell as he had opportunity, so that previous to his death he had disposed of most of his land.

He came here to reside in 1774. In July of that year he is named in a deed as " of Greenwich, Mass.," and on the 3d day of November after, he is set up as "of Nesho- be." &c.

He resided on the place since known as the Daniel Goodenow farm, now in posses. sion of Dea. Elijah Goodenow. His log house was some 50 rods south-westerly of the present dwelling. The place is indicated by apple trees still standing there. Mr. Powers was the first in possession of this place. He had two daughters, Susan, wife of Noah Strong, and Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Nathaniel Sheldon. Mr. Powers and his brother, Dr. Benjamin, were the only two of the original proprietors who came here to reside; they both died before the close of the war. Jo- siah was drowned in attempting to ford a stream on horseback, which was swollen by a flood, while on his return from Windsor, where he had been to attend the legislature in October, 1778; this is partly presumed however, that is, that he was returning from Windsor, as all accounts agree that he was drowned in this manner, about that time, and when returning from abroad, where he had been on public business; and the Jour. Dal shows that he was a member, and in at tendance on the legislature at that session at Windsor, and his name, although often oc. curring before in the town records, nowhere appears after that period.

DR. BENJAMIN POWERS,

brother to Capt. Josiah Powers, was also

from Greenwich, Mass. and is named in deeds to him, dated in September and November, 1774, as "of Neshobe." He was a physi- cian, and said to be an intelligent and wor- thy man. He died near the close of the war. Deeds were executed by him in 1780, while deeds from the administrators on his estate were dated in 1783.

He is presumed to have been a single man,, as his heirs named in a deed dated in 1783, were all children of his deceased brother, Josiah.

He was the first physician that settled in this town, but from the sparseness of its pop- ulation, he could have had but little profes- sional business, and his principal employment was that of dealing in lands, of which he was a large proprietor.

AMOS CUTLER

was the first white man ever known to have passed a winter in this town. He came here in the month of October, 1772, from Hamp- ton, Ct., his native town, made an "opening" and built a cabin, which he occupied " soli- tary and alone" during the next winter, having no other companion than a faithful dog. He was then 23 years old and single. In the fall after, he returned to Hamp- ton and was married to Amy, daughter of Jacob Simonds, Nov. 23, 1773; the father of the bride performing the ceremony, he being a magistrate.

Mr. C. purchased of Josiah Powers the original right of Stephen Brown, for the con- sideration of £10. On this right he had a first and second division of 110 acres sur- veyed, adjoining each other, and covering his "pitch," which was in the southerly part of the town, and comprised his homestead during his life.

He had served some time as an apprentice to the blacksmith's business in Connecticut, and was the first of that trade here, although his work was rather rough, having but few tools, and those made by himself. The work of the mechanic at that day, however, was very simple; that is, such as he was allowed to do in the colonies, the British government compelling the people here to purchase from the inother country, or "go without," by for- bidding the manufacture or fabrication of al- most all articles of necessity or convenience. But while the people were obliged to resort to England for their horse-shoes, they were permitted to "set " them, and to do some

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other specified acts which must be done here, or not at all.

Mr. Cutler's skill as a blacksmith was probably about equal to the state of the times, and as the restrictive measures to which we have alluded were nullified by the Revolution, the trades were soon supplied with operatives quite equal to the demand. Mr. Cutler's principal object, too, being that of farming, he gradually left his trade as others engaged in it. One act, however, he performed before retiring from this "profes- sion," which is deemed worthy of a "passing notice."

Soon after the first fulling-mill was built and put in operation here, an accident hap- pened, the breaking of the crank, which oc- casioned sadness to the settlers as well as the owner, it being the most important and ex- pensive part of the mill, and another could not be obtained from any nearer point than Connecticut, whence this was brought. In this state of things, Mr. C. suggested that he might possibly repair it, if the people would "turn out with their hand-bellowses and as- sist him." To this they readily assented, and atter burning an extra quantity of charcoal for the occasion, they commenced "heating up." having selected a place beside a flat rock which was to be used as the anvil. The puffing and blowing of these hand bel- lows was kept up to the highest pitch, the iron being so massive as to require a power- ful blast to obtain the requisite heat. At length the huge iron was placed upon the rock, and the welding heat found to be pro- duced, the cheering news of which rapidly spread through the town.

This incident will doubtless seem trivial to some youthful readers who may chance to see the notice of it, but to the inhabitants of that day a fulling-mill was appreciated as a most important acquisition to the town.

Mr. Cutler had two sons and four daugh - ters, all married. They are noticed else- where.

He was of about medium height, with large head, short neck, fat and good-natured; full of anecdotes, especially such as related to the primitive settlers in the town, and incidents which occurred at an early period of its his- tory.

Ile died, Mar. 13, 1818, where he com- meneed 46 years before.

JOHN CONANT, ESQ.,

a native of Ashburnham, Mass., was born Feb. 2, 1773. He came to this town in 1796, and purchased of Simeon King and Joseph Hawley, "one half of the mills and water power in the village," for the consideration of £160; deed bearing date Dec. 23, 1796. He had served an apprenticeship to the trade of carpenter and joiner, and the knowledge thus acquired, added to superior mechanical talents, was of great service to him in the important business which he established, an.l in superintending the valuable buildings and works of his own, erected in after years.

By subsequent purchases he became the proprietor of the entire water-power in the village.

In 1816, he built the stone grist-mill, still standing at the head of the lower falls ; and in 1839, he erected the brick-mill below it, which, at the time, was one of the best struc. tures of the kind in the State.

In 1820, he erected the furnace* in the

* At this furnace was cast the old "Conant stove" -- the first stove made in the State, and a great inven- tion for the time; and which was the wonder of the farmer's kitchen, and sold in all the villages around and abroad, till the more convenient "rotary" came in for competition. It was the first stove we ever saw -our father bought one and brought home as a sur- prise ;- and never was anything brought into the house that created such an interest, it was the inauguration of a new era in the culinary kingdom-the pleasant ofd fire place with the swinging crane of well filled pots and kettles, bearth-spiders with legs and bake-kettles and tin-bakers to stand before the blazing logs and bake custard pies in-all went down at once and disap- peared before that first stove, without so much as a passing struggle. We do not know whether there has been ono kept in the State to this day-there should be as an antiquariao relic- Ed.

Since the above was in print we have received the following from John A. Conant, son'of John Conant : ' You are right in saying that ' The Old Conant Stove' was the first cooking stove cast in the State. Stoves with ovens, but without boilers, etc., had been previ- ously made to some extent.

The State was being supplied with cooking stoves previous to LS19 by a House in Troy, N. Y., who had their castings made in Philadelphia. The 'Conant Stove,' and others that soon followed, took the place of the Troy pattern.

The first .Conant Cook Stove' was made in the an- tumin of 1819. Castings for the same having been obtained from the Pittsford Iron Works. The work of erecting a blast furnace in Brandon going on at the same time, and resulted in supplying a superior inan- tity of iron for stove maling. Unlike most of the fur- naces the castings for stoves, potash kettles and al:nost every variety of iron castings were made directly from the brown hematite ore of the regions. The business proved a success and was prosecuted by Father and Sons for a period of thirty years, and was the life of the town."

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village, the first blast of which was made in October of that year.

To this establishment, long and familiarly known as "Conant's Furnace," is this village chiefly indebted for the impetus then given, and for its continuous growth and prosperity.

No man's name has been more intimately associated with the town of Brandon for the last half century than John Conant; not, however, on account of the public positions he has held, but from the nature, extent, and successful prosecution of his business opera. tions for a long series of years, which gave employment to a large number of persons.

In all public measures for the improve- ment of the place, or for the advancement of literary or religious objects, he took an ac- tive part ; and where money was required to carry forward such measures, or for such ob- jects, his zeal was most prominently exhib- ited in his liberal contributions.

In 1823, he took into copartnership two of his sons, Chauncey W. and John A., un- der the firm name of "John Conant & Sons," by which the business of the furnace, store, and other collateral branches was conducted for many years, and until he withdrew from the firm, and from active business, or rather to the care of his private affairs; for he was al- ways busy while he lived, until disabled by an organic affection of the heart, which how- ever did not arrest him in his course of ha- bitual activity until he had passed his four- score years.

He represented the town in 1809, and at different periods-in all, four times ; held va- rious town offices, and was a justice of the peace for many years. He was the first post. master after the office was removed to the village, which he held till 1829.

He was one of the electors when Harrison was chosen president.

In his religious character and life, he maintained an unshaken fidelity to the cause which he had publicly espoused, and to the church where his vows were recorded, of which he was long an efficient member and deacon.

If, in earlier life, his strong denominational attachments led him to be somewhat unchar- itable in his views, he became, in later years, liberal in his feelings towards all evangelical Christians; cordially uniting with them in meetings and measures for the advancement of the common cause. Of the Baptist de-

nomination, however, in the State, and the church in this town, he was while he lived an acknowledged pillar.

He was first married at Ashburnham, De- cember, 1793, to Chara, daughter of Wait Broughton, by whom he had 9 children, all of whom, but one, survived him. His wife died, December 12, 1851, aged 79. He mar- ried, two years later, Mrs. C. Phillips Bow- man, of Chicago, Ill., who still survives him.

In his person he was of about medium height, full built, with plump, muscular limbs. He spoke with a gentle smile, and however much in earnest, he was unimpassioned in manner and voice, and deliberate in his enunciation. His remarks on public occa- sions were usually brief, but pertinent and sensible.

He died, June 30, 1856, in his 84th year.

DAVID JUNE

was a native of Stamford, Ct., and was born Sept. 9, 1746. He came to this town on the 5th of April, 1773, in company with his father-in-law, John Ambler. They made a joint pitch at the south part of the town, to which Mr. June added, by subsequent purchases, making in the whole 225 acres, which comprised his homestead at the time of his death. Mr. Ambler, who is noticed elsewhere, died in about three years after he arrived in town.

Mr. June having made an " opening," and built him a log-house, returned to Stamford, in Nov. of the same year, and moved his fam- ily, consisting of a wife and two sons, into their new house. As there were no roads within several miles, nor any other guide to their opening but marked trees, freight or baggage could be transported only on the backs of horses, or men's shoulders. Mr. June came with two horses, upon one of which the family rode, with the exception of himself, and the other bore the goods. The eldest son, Daniel, then in his 4th year, rode behind the mother, the youngest, Asahel, in her lap ; Mr. June on foot, leading the laden horse and bearing upon his own shoulders no light burden.

The concluding part of this journey, of some 250 miles, was fatiguing almost to ex- haustion, to Mrs. June who was, then but 21 years and 8 months old. At length her fortitude, of which she possessed a large share, began to give away, when Mr. June, walking by her side and bearing his own heavy bur-

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den, encouraged her with the assurance-" we are almost there, we shall soon get there," &c., &c. Thus it was that this pioneer fami- ly first entered the town.

Here, where the first tree was felled by his own hand, was the homestead which he occu- pied for 46 years, and until his death, which occurred on the 24th day of June, 1819, in the 74th year of his age. His wife, Prudence, died April 17, 1797, aged 45. He was mar- ried a 2d time. Although his education, like most farmers of that day, was quite deficient, yet his sound judgment, good sense, and un- shaken integrity, rendered him exceedingly useful in the management of town business.

He was first on the committee appointed by the proprietors, before the town was or- ganized, to lay out the principal roads " from Pittsford to Leicester, and from Pittsford to Sudbury, on the west side of the Creek, and from Pittsford to the mills, now the village, on the east side of the Creek, (" four rods wide.") He was often appointed to some service by the proprietors, and after the town was organized he held some office al- most constantly for the first 20 years. He was selectman ten years, being one of the board, chosen at its organization.

Mr. June had 4 sons and 3 daughters, who survived him. Daniel, and Asahel, the two oldest, were born at Stamford, Conn .; Daniel, May 8th, 1770; Asahel, February Cth, 1772. It seems fitting, for reasons which will appear, that these two brothers should be joined in this brief notice. They com- menced in company, in the spring of 1793, immediately after the younger brother had arrived at the age of twenty-one, on the place, since so well known as the June farm, then an unbroken forest. Their original deed, which was from Doct. Nathaniel Shel- don, was executed to Daniel and Asahel June, for 81 acres, to which they added largely by subsequent purchases. Here they built, first their log houses, which were on the west side of the road as it now runs, but which were supplanted some years after Ly framed houses.

These brothers, thus united in their busi- ness relations were also harmonious in their religious and political views. Their domes- Lic relations too were fitted to strengthen the comamon ties of family kindred, their wives being sisters (daughters of Jacob Simonds, Eq.) In their early manhood, each was

captain, in succession, of the same militia company, distinguished for its discipline by being placed on the " right of the Regiment," at military musters. Both, too, were ap- pointed deacons of the Congregational church which office Deacon Daniel held till his death, Dea. Asahel being appointed to the vacancy soon after.

Each had a large share of the honors and burdens of the town offices which were filled by none more faithful or intelligent.

Thus these brothers labored and wor- shiped together for 37 years, when, on the 28th day of April, 1830, while they were at work together in the field, Dea. Daniel was killed by a singular accident. He was in the field at work with his cattle, prying up a stone, when the chain broke and the stone, flying up, hit him under the chin, instantly breaking his neck; without a moment's warn- ing, he was hurried into the presence of Him to whom, in his accustomed family worship he had just addressed his last prayer. In his death, which was deeply deplored by a large circle of friends, his family, and numerous relatives, sustained an irreparable loss. To the church, his death was indeed a heavy blow, and as such, has ever been felt by all its elder members.

He married Lois, daughter of Jacob Si- monds, Esq., by whom he had 4 sons. She died, Mar. 16, 1836, aged, 69. Asahel, married Anna, sister of the latter, by whom he had + daughters. She died, July 21, 1849, aged, 73. Stephen, the 3d son of David, was born Sept. 11, 1774, and was the first child born in this town. He married, for his first wife, Sally, daughter of Amos Cutler, by whom he had 6 children ; 4 sons and two daughters.

She died July 17, 1823, aged 43. He mar- ried for 2d wife, the widow of Samuel Gray, Jr. Mr. June commenced on the farm now in possession of his son, Elijah, adjoining on the south, the north line of Josiah Rossiter, formerly Amos Cutler. Here too he sub- dued the forest and made the " wilderness bud and blossom." Although now in his 86th year, he says he has never failed of attend- ing and voting at every freeman's meeting or annual town meeting since he became a vot- er. To him, and his elder brother, Dea. Asa- hel, I am greatly indebted for many of the facts and incidents noticed in this work.

David, son of David, was born, January 27, 1779. He married Emily, a daughter, also, of

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Jacob Simonds, Esq., Nov. 25, 1802. This "three fold cord"* remained unbroken, for nearly 28 years, until the death of the older brother before noticed : David removed in 1806 to Lyons, New York, where he and his wife are both still living. The daughters are noticed elsewhere.

CAPTAIN STRONG AND FAMILY.

Capt. Elisha Strong, commenced on the Governor's lot, so called, on the west side of the Creek, embracing the present farms of Jesse Hines. He purchased for £ 50, Oct. 21, 1784, of John Shumway, the 1st and 2d divi- sions of Nehemiah Fuller. He was modera- tor of the first proprietor's meeting held in this town, in September, 1774. He was some. what infirm in his lower limbs on account of rheumatic affections, but of great power in his arms. He always rode; if he went any great distance from his house, and carried a very large cane. He was one evening re- turning from Pittsford, through the woods, when near bis house a man darted from behind a tree, and seized his horse by the bit; at the same moment Captain S. ap- plied the huge cane to the head of his assail- ant, and his spurs to his horse by which he at once extricated himself and reached his house in safety ; two muskets were discharged, in quick succession, after he had broken the hold of his immediate assailant, convincing him that three men bad lain in wait for his return.

On reaching his house he found his face and bosom so besmeared with blood and brains, as left no doubt that he had dispatch- ed his adversary as suddenly as he had been attacked by him. Capt. Strong died near the close of the war.

The late Ebenezer Drury, Esq., of Pittsford. and the widow of Capt. Strong, were the ad- ministrators of his estate.

NOAH STRONG, the eldest son, commenced on the "Goss place," now known as the town farm. He was among the earliest of settlers. He purchased of Samuel Beach, then of Rut- land, for £24, the original right of Thomas Sawyer, deed dated Aug. 5, 1774. Also, (for 5 s,) of his father-in-law, Josiah Powers, the original right of William Frye, dated Jan. 26, 1775. He made several other purchases afterwards. His first log house stood near the

* That is, three June brothers married three Sim- cuds sisteru.E'd.

river, and a little south-easterly of the pres- ent dwelling-house on the farm. Although somewhat remote from the other settlers, he escaped a hostile visit during the war.

He married as before noticed a daughter, (Susanna) of Josiah Powers, an original pro- prietor, and first named in the charter. He had 7 children, all but one of whom were born in this town-the first two, during the war-the third, during that period, was born at Claren- don. He built the first mills, long known as "Strong's mills," on the site of the present marble works of Dea. E. D. Sheldon. Mr .. Strong sold his homestead containing then 180 acres, to Mr. Joshua Goss, for the consid- eration of £ 480, deed bearing date, Jan. 23, 1796, and moved to Muskingum, Ohio.

DEA. EPHRAIM STRONG, brother of the last named, after the death of his father, remain- ed in possession of the place for several years. He purchased of his brother Noah, for £ 200, 14 acres of land, with one half of the grist- mill and saw-mill thereon, known as " Strong's mills," deed dated April 20, 1793. Here he resided till his death, May 10, 1821, aged 66; the only one of his fathers children who re. mained in town till their death. He was a deacon of the Baptist church. He was un- able to walk for several years before his death, on account of rheumatic or paralytic affections. His widow, elsewhere noticed, survived him 26 years, and died at the age of 91. She was a daughter of John Ambler. Dea. Strong had no children, except an adopted son, Hiram Bigelow Strong.

REUBEN STRONG, another son of Elisha, en- listed and served in the army during the Revolutionary war. He was a man of re- markable physical powers, and as brave as he was powerful. He was in Fort Washing. ton at the time it was captured. Col. Mc Graw, then in command of the Fort, hav- ing refused to obey the summons to surren- der, sent in the night before by the British General, kept up the resistance till morning, when finding himself overpowered by num- bers, he finally capitulatel. Strong proposed to his friend and townsman, Chandler Tut- tle to " run the lines," saying he was de- termined to sell his life if neel be, to the best advantage, rather than be taken to the prison-ship. Tuttle assented; Strong took his gun by the muzzle and in both hands and with the power and suddenness of the on- slaught, wielding his musket from right to

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lit, he mowed his way through the line so quickly that he escaped the few random shots fred by the astonished and panic stricken guard : and now for the chase ; Strong soon found himself rapidly gaining on his pursu- ers, while Tuttle began to lag. Of the pur- quers two Indians soon got the lead, and while Strong was gaining, his friend was los- ing in the flight, and finally overtaken by the two Indians, who dispatched him in a moment, by cutting his throat. Strong cast- ing his eye over his shoulder at the instant, saw the act. In this, almost miraculous manner, Strong escaped, having nothing left of his musket but the barrel and a small por- tion of the stock near the end of it. This he kept as a memorial of that thrilling scene.

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The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 1, Part 7

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