USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 1 > Part 8
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Among the many instances of personal prowess to which the Revolutionary war gave rise, it may well be doubted whether there was one more daring and successful than that here related of Reuben Strong.
He returned, at the close of the war, mar- ried, and had two sons born in town. He finally removed to the West.
ISAAC, another son of Elisha, purchased of Alexander Beebe, the other half of Strong's Mills, for £ 130, deed dated May 8, 1790. He too emigrated to the West.
ELISHA was the other and youngest son of Capt. Strong. He, with his other brothers, Reuben and Isaac, went to the West.
Capt. Strong had three daughters, all mar- ried in this town.
KESIAH married Samuel Kelsey, who came to town during the war. They had eight children, two of whom were born before the close of the war.
DEBORAH married Solomon Tuttle, son of Capt. Thomas Tuttle.
OLIVE married Jacob Bacon, who was first to commence on the Samuel Capron farm, ad- joining Leicester line.
JOHN AMBLER
came from Stamford, Ct., in company with David June, his son in-law. They arrived Apr. 5, 1773; made their pitch jointly at the south part of the town, adjoining the south line of Amos Cutler. Mr. Ambler's career was a brief one, his health being always infirm. He died of consumption, May 5, 1776, aged 42. This was the first death of an adult that occurred in town. His widow died, July 14, 1755, aged 55. They left 9 children.
PRUDENCE, the oldest, was the wife of Da- vid June. She died, April 17, 1797, aged 15.
JAMES married a sister of Samuel Seely Schofield. He built the first fulling-mill in town, on the small stream which crosses the road between Jonathan Goodenow's and Eli- jah June's. He went to Huntington, where he died, June 23, 1833, aged 84.
JAMES, the eldest son of the latter, was born in this town, May 12, 1785, and is still living in Huntington. He has been much in public life, so that the name of James Ambler, jr., has long been familiarly associ- ated with the town of Huntington. He was 9 times a member of the legislature, between the years 1812 and 1833.
EBENEZER, another son of John, went to Huntington with his brother James, and died Apr. 26, 1826, aged 71.
MOSES enlisted in and served during the Revolutionary war. He afterwards settled in Tinmouth, where he died. He held the office of justice of the peace for a great num- ber of years. He, with Reuben Strong and Chandler Tuttle, were "regulars," who en- listed in Brandon "for three years, or during the war."
WILLIAM, the youngest of the sons, was a physician of considerable reputation, in those days. He went to Lyons in the State of New York, in 1806, where he died. Dr. Am- bler married Lucy, daughter of Simeon King, Apr. 30, 1797.
LYDIA married Dea. Ephraim Strong, and died at "Strong's Mills," as the place was formerly called, Oct. 20, 1850, aged 91.
THEODOCIA married David Finney. She died in this town, Oct. 24, 1813, aged 49.
MARY married Samuel Seely Schofield and moved to Huntington, where she died, Apr. 29, 1859, aged 94.
DEBORAH died, single, at Tinmouth, Nov. 16, 1777.
CAPT. NATHAN DANIELS
was also a pioneer settler. He made his "pitch " in 1774, on the place since known as the Douglas' and afterwards as the Black- mer farm, where he continued 22 years, and until he left town. The first proprietors' meeting holden in this town, was at his house, Sept., 1774. Till then their meetings had been held out of the State.
He married Lydia, daughter of Capt Thomas Tuttle, by whom he had S children, whose births are noticed under that head.'
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He was much esteemed by his townsmen, as is shown by the amount of public service which he performed. He represented the town 4 years next succeeding its organiza- tion, excepting the first year. He was scarce- ly of medium height, but stout built, and very active in his movements-was enter- prising and public spirited, and accumulated a handsome property for that day. He sold to Benajah Douglas, July 23, 1795, for £ 625 -390 acres of land including the farm above noticed, and removed to Paris, N. Y.
DEA. JEDEDIAH WINSLOW
was a pioneer settler, having been one of those who came in 1773. He pitched on the north-east side of the Creek, near the road leading from the village to the Blackmer bridge. He is supposed to have been a na- tive of Rochester, Mass., although his resi- dence before coming here, was at Barre, in that State, where 8 of his 12 children were born; the first being born in Rochester, and all of them in Massachusetts. He is said to have been a sea-faring man, which may ac- count for the different towns in which his children were born. He was a man of great physical powers, being tall and of large limbs. He was remarkably shrewd, good- natured, and a great manager in the perilous times of the Revolution. At the formation of the Congregational church, in 1785, he was chosen the leader or moderator until a pastor was settled, which did not occur till 7 years after, occasional preaching, only, being had.
Three of his daughters were married in town, the wives of Joseph Larkin, Jonathan Dodge (his first wife), and John Lull. The last two died here-Mr. Larkin removed to the north. Two of his sons, Calvin, who married a daughter of Timothy Goodenow, and Thomas Goodspeed, who married a daughter of Capt. Nathan Daniels, went to the West.
JustIN, purchased the homestead, together with several other tracts, and lived to the age of 82, having died Nov. 10, 1851. His wife died six days before this, leaving 3 sons, and one daughter, Mrs. Bachellor.
Dea. Winslow died April 6, 1794, aged 69. JOHS WHELAN
was one of the number who came to town in 1773. He bad resided a few years in l'itts- ford. He pitched on the place now owned by Elain French, which then extended east-
erly and included the present farm of Mrs. Barnes. He had four sons, Peter, James, John, and Eli, and one daughter. The lat- ter, Hannah, married George Seaton, son of John Seaton who married the widow of John Whelan, of course the mother of his son's wife. Seaton, the father, occupied the house now Mrs. Barns' in the right of his wife dur- ing her lifetime. She died, Sept. 11, 1815, aged 76.
Of the sons of Mr. Whelan, Peter, being the oldest, was probably the principal man- ager in business matters, as would appear by the records of purchases and sales of lands. James Wheelan commenced on the farm now owned by Riley Hull, and formerly known as the Dea. Wooster farm. Mr. Whelan hav- ing exchanged with the latter for the place which he occupied till his death, which oc- curred May 5, 1829, aged 66. The other sons left town for the West, many years ago. James Whelan died without issue.
DEA. JOHN MOTT
was from Richmond, Mass. His first pur- chase was of Josiah Powers, Nov. 8, 1774, for £15, 100 acres, on the right of David Ver- nas. Also of James Stone for £ 12, 55 acres. Also of Thomas Tuttle, June 13, 1780. for £13, all his title to the right of Edward Brown, including one acre in the town plat, and a pine lot.
He came to this town in 1775 where he continued to reside till 1812. He made his first pitch on the place where he continued to re- side while here, although he bought and sold other lands to a considerable amount.
In town offices and trusts he was much em- ployed. He was seven times chosen a select- man, and three times a representative to the general assembly. He was a deacon of the Baptist church, of which he was a leading and efficient member. In his person he was above medium height, and of strong physical powers. He had an active mind, and some- what of a decided will. He built the house still standing on the premises, now in pos- session of Alvinzo Dyer, when there was but one other two-story house, out of the village, in town. He had 4 sons and 5 daughters.
He was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary war, and afterwards captain of a militia company.
He removed in 1812 to Mount Vernon, Ohio, where he died in 1839, aged St.
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BRANDON.
GIDEON MOTT,
half brother of Dea. John Mott, purchased of bim, June, 1784, for £ 11, two lots, of 55 acres each ; one adjoining on Amos Cutler, and the other on the Gilbert, now the Locke brook. On the latter he made his ' pitch.' His house stood on the north side of the road leading from Elijah Keeler's to the Locke farm.
When he commenced here there was but one house north of him, on the old stage road, and that was Noah Strong's. He had 3 sons and 3 daughters, born in town. Milo O. Mott, a son, born at Royalton, in 1808,. to which place his father removed, is the only member of the family now residing here.
SAMUEL MOTT,
brother of Dea. John, purchased of Gideon, his brother, Dec. 30, 1786, 55 acres, being the half of two 3d divisions on the rights of Lampson and Fales. He also made other purchases of small tracts : he was, by trade, a blacksmith. He was the first to commence on the present farm of J. Walton Cheney, Esq., made his " opening," and had his shop a few rods south of the dwelling-house of Mr. C. and on the west side of the road as now laid out.
NATHANIEL FISK
was from Danby, where he had resided for several years before coming to this town. His first purchase was of Zadoc Hard, Nov. 16, 1774, for £ 40, 110 acres joining on Lei- cester south line. He purchased of Case Cook, Nov. 26, 1788, the farm which his son, Na- thaniel, occupied till his death. He also purchased of Aaron Perry, Dec. 3, 1791, for £ 175, 110 acres, joining on the south line of Leicester " and west on said Fisk's home-farm. It is presumed, notwithstand- ing his early purchase, that he did not move into the town until after 1784, six of his chil- dren being born in Denby and the youngest of the six born there Jan. 18, 1784, while the first of the two born in this town was on Dec. 3, 1787. This was Edward, who came into possession of the homestead after the death of his father. The other, a daughter, and the youngest, was born, March 24, 1789. She is the mother of Senator Douglas.
Mr. Fisk had 4 wives by whom he had 8 children.
CAPT. THOMAS TUTTLE
came to this town about the year 1774. He Lad resided a few years previously at Tin-
mouth, but was last from Pittsford, as ap- pears by some of his deeds of purchase. He first settled on what has since been known as the Farrington farm; his house being near the creek, and the present road to Sud- bury, a few rods from the railroad crossing. His original survey here contained 110 acres, and is dated Sept. 27, 1774. Among other "metes and bounds," it is described as join- ing on Abraham Hard (since known as the Horton farm). Here, Capt. Tuttle's log house was burnt by the Indians in 1779, as also those of his son, and son-in-law Barker. Capt. Tuttle sold this place to Eddy, of Clar- endon, Sept. 8, 1786, then containing (by an additional purchase of 10 acres,) 120 acres, for £200, and moved to the village. He had 5 sons and 2 daughters, all, or most of whom, were of adult age when he came to town, and with the father, performed their full share of war duty, in the defence of the town against Tories and Indians. One of his sons, Chandler, who enlisted " for during the war," was one of the prisoners taken at the surrender of Fort Washington, and lost his life in a bold attempt, with Reuben Strong, to escape by flight; a remarkable case of intrepidity, which is noticed in speak- ing of the Strongs.
Capt. Tuttle was the first delegate chosen to represent the settlers of the town, and attended the convention holder at Dorset, Sept., 1776. He was again chosen and at- tended March, 1778, after the formation of the first constitution of the State. He was selectman the first two years after the town was organized, and was moderator of almost all the town meetings while he remained an inhabitant. He was a man of fine presence, tall and well proportioned; of good sense, and much respected as a worthy and useful citizen. He, and all his family, went to the West.
Solomon, son of the latter, married Debo- rah, daughter of Capt. Elisha Strong.
GEORGE AND AARON ROBINS.
These young men were brothers and single. They were from Petersham, Mass., and came to this town about the commencement of the Revolutionary war, perhaps a little before, made their pitch, and built a log house on the place now owned by N. T. Sprague, jr., and occupied by Oren Morgan ; adjoining on the north, the south line of Elam French. Their widowed mother kept house for them.
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They were bold and resolute, as is shown by the sequel ; fond of hunting, and sharp-shoot- ers. They had often been heard to say that they would never be taken alive, as prisoners, by the Indians. At an early hour in the morning, in the month of November, 1777, they went out in company with two other young men, Carley and Whelan, on a hunt- ing excursion ; probably in accordance with a previous arrangement, by the early hour at which they left. On returning they were told to run for their lives, for there were a great many Indians in the swamp, (about 100 rods north,) and they had been lurking about in sight-some of them had been to the house. George asked his mother how many she supposed there were; She replied, as many as 6 or 8, when they said if there were no more than she supposed, they would risk them, and urged her to get them some- thing to eat, being very hungry, which she did as quickly as possible, and with trem- bling anxiety. George told the others to eat, and he would stand outside as sentry. Very soon the Indians made their appearance over a little hill north of the house, when George fired, and instantly they returned a volley which brought him down. His comrades rushing from the house attempted to take nim up, when he told them to run, for they could not help him. They crossed the river running close by, when Aaron, being a little behind the others and somewhat impeded on the opposite bank by the dense alders, was hit by a tomahawk in the neck and fell back into the river, when he was quickly dis patched by the Indian who threw the toma- hawk from the opposite bank. The other two made good their escape and gave the alarm, which was sent to the Fort at Pitts. ford.
number of the other, the Robins party in supposing there were but some 6 or 8 of the Indians, the number seen by the mother, and the Indians in presuming from the boldness of the attack that a large body was near, of which these men were the outpost, or senti- nels. All traditionary accounts agree that Robins fired first. Had there been no great- er number of the Indians than the mother saw and reported, they would doubtless have been repulsed, as these sharp-shooters would covet the opportunity, it was said, of meeting twice their number of Indians in open fight.
The inhabitants of the town, and also of Pittsford, assembled promptly on the alarm being given, and buried these brothers near where they were killed. Here their remains rested until the 4th of July, 1810, when they were exhumed and removed to the village burying-ground; at which time, being the anniversary of American independence, a very large collection of people assembled from this and the adjacent towns, on which occasion Dea. Asahel June, who had been captain of the first company of militia, was chief marshal of the day, and Major Micah Brown commanded the two militia compa- nies. The Marshal and the Major are both still living, and residents of the town.
JOSEPH BARKER
came here before the war, and commenced on the lot then adjoining on the south to that of Capt. Tuttle, where he continued while he re- mained in town. His house stood on the north side and some distance from the road to Sud- bury, near where the railroad now crosses.
He married Martha, daughter of Capt. Thomas Tuttle, by whom he had 10 children, all but one, the 2d, born in Brandon ; and 4 of them during the war. One among many proofs that the inhabitants did not retreat from their homes during that period, as was the case with the settlers in all the towns north of Brandon.
This body of Indians numbered, as was afterwards ascertained, between one and two hundred. Their object in coming in so large a body, was to attack the Fort at Pittsford. Nov. 1779, the Indians made a second bos- tile visit to the town (the first being in the Fall of 1777 when they killed George and Aaron Robins) : at this time they burnt a saw-mill and the houses of Capt. Tuttle, his son, and that of Mr. Barker ; the latter they took a prisoner, leaving his wife and a child of 14 months. Left houseless and alone Mrs. Barker sat out to go to Noah Strong's, a dis- tance of more than three miles. Night com- Immediately after this affair, however, a council was held, when the Indians decided to make their retreat as rapidly as possible, the Chief telling them it was of no use to think of taking the Fort, if that was a spec- imen of the Yankee courage which they would have to encounter; and besides, it was evident, from the attack by so few, that a large body was near, &c. In this case each party was doubtless greatly deceived in the 'ing on and having gone as far as the deserted
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log house where the Robinses were killed, 2 years before, finding herself unable to pro- ceed farther, she remained here for the night, during which time she had a child born, with no other person present than the other child she brought in her arms. Here she was found the next day by her father and oth- ers who were in search of her, and be- ing then properly cared for, both she and her infant daughter did well. The latter, whose name was Rhoda, was married and moved to western New York.
Mr. Barker, feigning himself sick, kept the Indians who had the immediate charge of him awake by his groanings, until the latter part of the night, when finding them, one laying on each side of him asleep, he cau- tiously crept from between them without their awaking, made his escape, and found his wife the next day.
In the account of this affair as published in Thompson's Gazetteer there is an error as to the time when it occured. It is there stated to have been in 1777, at the time the Robinses were killed, whereas it was 2 years later, as is shown by the record of this extra- ordinary birth. Besides, the only other child she had, then about fourteen months old, was born in Sept., 1778, nearly a year after the Robinses were killed. The time of Mrs. Bark- ers marriage too, being Jan. 13, 1777, as ap- pears of record, is sufficient to settle the question.
Mr. Barker was by trade a shoemaker and the first in town. He was twice chosen a selectman, and several times as constable. He also held many other town offices. He removed to the West.
DR. NATHANIEL SHELDON
was an early settler, probably was here be- fore the war, as he is known to have been here during its continuance. He was a large land owner, by purchase, and by mar. and choice rather than necessity, to a great
sold the Farr farm to Salmon Farr, Sen., Feb. 25, 1796, for £320, and soon after went to the West. He was a physician by profession, but did not offer himself I believe as a prac- titioner, except occasionally, the pursuit of other business being his principal object. Hiz title as Dr., however, was generally appended to his name, in the doings of the proprietors, and afterwards of the town, in the several appointments conferred upon him.
JONATHAN FERRIS
was from Stamford, Ct. He purchased of John Ambler, Mar. 30, 1776, for £ 28, " York money," the first division on Nathan Chace, 110 acres, bounded on the north line of Pitts- ford, and is the farm now in possession of Ichabod Paine. Ferris lived single, and died at an advanced age. For several years be- fore his death, he was under the guardian- ship of the town.
BACON FAMILY,
NATHANIEL BACON, Sen., from Chesterfield, N. H., purchased Dec. 23, 1778, of Ezekiel Powers, for £ 100, first division of 110 acres, on the right of Josiah Powers. Also, same date, of Mary Eddy, for £300, one whole right which she held from Josiah Powers. These purchases embrace the well known Bacon farm near the village. To this place, sue- ceeded his son, Nathaniel, where the latter remained till his death, at the advanced age of 92. His wife, Melisse, was sister of Mr. Frederick Scofield. She died Mar. 16, 1542, aged 79. They had two sons and one dangh- ter ; the latter, wife of Jedediah Holcomb Esq., only, survives the father. Mr. Bacon, the last named, was a man of uncommon physical powers, and could chop, it was said. more timber in a day than any other man in the town. His industry too, was prove :- bial, for he continued to labor, from habit age. The writer saw him, raking after the cart, on the day he was 90 years old, Aug. 18, 1855. He died, Jan. 9, 1858.
riage. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Capt. Josiah Powers. He first resided in the house near the creek, built by his father in- law, Capt. Powers, and lastly on the Farr JACOB BACON, commenced on the border | lot, adjoining the south line of Leicester, and since known as the Samuel Capron farm, now in possession of his son Chauncy. He mar- ried Olive, daughter of Capt. Elisha Strong. He went to the West. farm, on which he was the first to commence, and was also the owner of most of the Dodge farm, now Jared Ive's, joining on the south, and of a large part of the Junes' farm on the north, which he sold to them. He bought and sold lands extensively, but had a repu- PHILIP BACON, brother of the latter, pur- chased of Daniel Mc Collum, Dec. 16, 1791, tation, not common to the " land jobber," of being an upright man in his dealings .. He 'for £ 30, 40 acres, lying south and joining on
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Nathaniel, jr. He also purchased of the lat- ter, in 1792, a tract from the south part of his "home farm," since known as the Capt. Parmenter farm. He went to the West.
GIDEON HORTON, SEN.,
was from Colebrook, Ct. Ifis earliest pur- chase was of the first division on the right of William Farr which was surveyed to him, Nov. 11, 1779. He did not reside here, how- ever, until about the year 1783. He pur- chased of Stephen Hard of Arlington, Aug. 10, 1785, for £ 150, 200 acres, described as the " same farm on which Abraham Hard in his life time resided."
This farm included hog back and extended westerly to the Creek. Hard's log house, was on the flat, west of hog back. He made several other purchases. He was the first town clerk after the town was organ- ized, and held the office for 2 years, when he was succeeded by his son, Hiram. His wife was a sister of Benajah Douglas, Esq. His father, Benjamin, then above 70 years old, came into town with him, where he died, Jan. 13, 1803, aged, 93. Gideon occupied, at the time of his death, the brown house stili standing on the premises of Chester Winslow Esq., east and next to his dwelling house. He died, Dec. 16, 1801, aged 67. His widow died, Oct. 24, 1827, aged 91.
HIRAM, Judge, his eldest son, made his first purchase of Thomas Tuttle, July 16, 1784, for £28, SO} acres, on the rights of Silas Lampson and John Corning. Also, Aug. 2, 1786, of administrators on the es- tate of Josiah Powers, for £107, 19 shillings, a large amount on several rights, described. He also purchased of his father Dec. 3d. 1791, for £300, 200 acres, being the home- stead of the latter. He was first to com- mence on what has since been known as the Dea. Jonathan Merriam farm, and later as that of Dea. Powers.
Here he kept the records during the three years in which he succeeded his father as town clerk. He was much esteemed for his intelligence and uprightness, was a justice of the peace for many years and Judge of the County Court. Was a selectman five years and represented the town in the general As- sembly 6 years, one more than it has been represented by any other person. He mar- ried Sarah, daughter of the late Ebenezer Drury of Pittsford, and had 8 children, 2 sons and 6 daughters, born in this town.
Four daughters were married here. Claris- sa, the eldest, to Samuel Pease, who resided in the house now owned by J. E. Higgins, Esq .; Lucy to Doct. Joel Green ; Anna to Ol- iver M. Smith, his first wife; Orpha, to Dr. Smith of Shoreham, her first husband. Judge Horton was a deacon of the Congrega- tional Church. He removed to Malone about the year 1809, where he died.
MAJOR GIDEON, JR., continued in town till 1808, when he sold the place where he had resided for many years, since known as the Oliver M. Smith farm, and moved to Hub- bardton, where he erected mills and other works on extensive water power, included in his purchase there, by which a little village was built up, since known as ' Hortonville.' Seven generations of this family have resided here. Benjamin Horton, the father of Gid- eon, senior, died here, Jan. 13, 1803, aged 93. Gideon, jr., who was his grandson, has a granddaughter in town, the wife of Frank- lin Farrington, Esq., and they have a grand- son born in this town.
JOHN SUTHERLAND
was from Rutland (Sutherland's Falls), which were named after his father. He built the first grist mill in town, which was at the ' lowmost falls,' in the village. Roger Ste- vens had previously built a saw-mill at the same place, which was burnt by the Indians in 1779. James Sutherland, father of John, purchased of Abel Stevens, Dec. 18, 1779, for 80 bushels of corn, 110 acres, being the first division on the right of Tilly Wilder, "embracing the falls and mill privileges in the village," which he sold to his son, John, March 5, 1781, for £ 10, the description being the same as above. It is doubtless true, as is affirmed by the 'oldest inhabitants,' that John Sutherland built the first grist-mill in town, and that as early as 1780, as he is known to have resided here and tended the mill as early, and for several years after the above date. Besides, he is set up in the deed from his father, Mar. 5, 1781, as John Suth- erland of "Neshobe, Miller."
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