USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 13
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The earliest M. Ds., in this town were Eliel Todd and Abishai Moseley in the north part and Lemuel and Cyrus Chipman in the south part of the town. Jonathan Safford succeed- ed Drs. Todd and Moseley, and John Sargent and Oliver L. Harmon, the Chipmans. Next and with them were Samuel Potter, Ithamar Tilden, Warren A. Cowdry, John Sargent, Jr., John L. Chandler, James H. Willard, Alva Paul, Isaac Monroe, Aaron Goodspeed, Merrill, John Cleveland, Charles Houghton, Phineas Strong, jr., and Rensse- laer G. Monroe, who practiced medicine for longer or shorter periods in this town. Our present physicians are Warren B. Sargent, and A. Sidney Houghton at the village, and M. H. Streeter at West Pawlet. Annexed is a list of all who have practiced here, or who have received their medical education in whole or in part in this town, so far as re- membered : Frederic W. Adams, Daty Allen, Allen Andrus, - Baker, Charles Beman, Joseph Blossom. Charles W. Bourn, George W. Bromley, Simon Burton, John L. Chand- ler, Lucius M. Carpenter, Lemuel Chipman, Cyrus Chipman, Gilbert Churchill, John Cleveland, John Cleveland, jr., John Cook, Warren A. Cowdry, Joshua Edgerton, Wil-
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liam U. Edgerton, Jonas Fay, Byron Flowers, Alfred Gregory, Aaron Goodspeed, Abel Han- nah, Ezekiel Harmon, jr., Oliver L. Harmon, David A. Hascall, John E. Hitt, Calvin Hol- lister, Charles Houghton, A. Sidney Hough - ton, Campbell Johnson, Frank Jones, Nathan Judson, Sylvester Kent, Henry W. Leach, Joseph Loomer, J. W. Marshall, Silas Meach- am, -- Merrill, Isaac Monroe, Renselaer G. Monroe, Orville Morrison, Abishai Mose- ley, Alva , Paul, Elijah Porter, Moses Porter, Sr., Moses Porter, 2d, Robert Porter, Samuel Potter, C. W. Potter, Samuel Potter, jr., Geo. Potter, Jonathan Safford, - Safford, John Sargent, John Sargent jr., Warren B. Sargent, Artemas Sheldon, Hiram Sheldon, Justin F. Simonds, Justin Smith, James Smith, Phineas Strong, jr., Thomas D. Strong, Ithamar Tilden, Philo Tilden, Eliel Todd, Norman Towslee, Socrate H. Tryon, James H. Willard.
At the first settlement fever and ague pre- vailed to a considerable extent, and since, though no town can boast of a more health- ful atmosphere or of purer water, it has been subject to a great variety of diseases. The epidemic of 1812 to 1814, which was so de- structive to life in many parts of the State claimed a few victims here. Consumption was prevalent 40 or 50 years ago-more than of late years. In 2 years 17 young women died of that disease in the north part of the town, and it has always prevailed to a greater or less extent. In 18.15, the small-pox spread to an alarming extent on the mountains in the south part of the town, and 40 persons were attacked by the disease, all, however, with the exception of one child recovered. To the skill and faithfulness of our physi- cians, Doctors Warren B. Sargent and Charles Houghton, together with the prompt sani- tary measures of our selectmen, Jeremiah Bushee, David Blakely and David Carver may be attributed, under Providence, our singular exemption from more fatal results, During the last 5 or 6 years diptheria has prevailed to an alarming extent and has proved fatal in many instances. Also the spotted fever this year (1367) and the last (1866-67.)
ATTORNEYS.
The profession of law has been well repre- sented here. The early expectation that this town was to become the County seat of the
present counties of Bennington and Rutland induced a large number of educated men to settle on the contemplated site of the village in the south part of the town. Jonathan Brace, Israel Smith, Noah Smith and Truman Squier settled here and commenced the prac- tice of law. Disappointed in this, Jonathan Brace returned to Connecticut, Israel Smith removed to Rutland, Noah Smith to Benning- ton, while Squier remained some 20 years an i fell back on Manchester.
The next attorney we hear of was Daniel Church, who practiced at the village, after- ward at Arlington and Bennington, and diel near Toronto, C. W. After him came Nath- aniel Hunt and Nathaniel Hamblin; the latter remained several years, but both re- moved to Ohio. Next we find Nathaniel Harmon who followed the profession some 40 years till his death. Leonard Sargent opened an office here when first admitted to the bar, but soon removed to Manchester. George W. Harmon succeeded his father, Nathaniel Har- mon, remained a few years and removei to Bennington. Fayette Potter and Jerome B. Bromley are the only practicing attorneys now in town. The following other attorneys have practiced law or originated or received their education here: Horace Allen, Isaac Allen, Merritt Allen, Royal C. Betts, A. Jui- son Blakely, Sheldon Blakely, Robert S. Blakely, Daniel W. Bromley, Aaron Clark, James Crocker, Joseph K. Edgerton, Chester Edgerton, Fayette S. Fitch, Ira Harmon, Asa Hascall, Lebbeus Hascall, Ralph Hascall, Galen R. Hitt, Marvin Hollister, James Hopkins, Walter Hurlburt, B. Newbury Loomis, Charles Meigs, John K. Porter, Ei- win Potter, Henry H. Smith Rollin F. Strong, Augustus Sykes, John H. Wilcox, Cyrenus M. Willard, Charles Winchester.
THE MOTHERS OF THE TOWN,
stood in their lot and bore their full share of the anxieties and toils, privations and sacri- fices incident to laying the foundations of society in a new country. In addition to their domestic and maternal duties they not infrequently assisted their husbands in the field, in clearing land and harvesting crops. Besides the whole labor of carding, spinning, weaving and making up their own and the.r families' wardrobe, bedding, etc., devolved upon them.
Many of them had an intimate knowledge
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of herbs and roots growing in the woods, and their services in the absence or scarcity of physicians were frequently called in requisi- tion. It is hardly too much to say they toiled 16 hours each day besides the frequent interruptions of their hours of rest. And yet many of them attained the age of 80, 90 and even 100 years. It is believed, however, that a comparison of longevity would show them to have fallen short of that of the fathers. Mrs. Zebadiah Andrus lived to 94 years ; Mrs. Isaac Beall, 81; Mrs. Selah Betts, 87 ; Mrs. David Blakely, 85; Mrs. Jonathan Blakely, 85 ; Mrs. Nathaniel Carver, 80; Mrs. Lemuel Chase, 87; Mrs. Ozias Clark, 96; Mrs. Ashael Clark, 82; Mrs. Luther Cleve- land, 86; Mrs. Moses Clevelend, 80; Mrs. Josiah Crocker, 84; Mrs. John Crapo, 81; Mrs. Simeon Edgerton, 85; Mrs. Sim- eon Edgerton, jr., 81; Mrs. Abiatha Ev- ans, 103; Mrs. Benjamin Fitch, 83; Mrs. Gideon Gifford, 91; Mrs. Sylvanus Greg- ory, 82; Miss Minerva Gregory, 80 ; Mrs. John Griswold, 92; Miss Polly Hall, 88; Mrs. Arunah Hanks, 87; Mrs. Joseph Hascall, 90; Mrs. Ashbel Hollister, 82; Mrs. Daniel Hulett, 83; Mrs. Joseph Jones, 80 ; Mrs. James Leach 87; Mrs. Abner Lumbard, 80; Mrs. Roswell Loomis, 86; Mrs. Cornwall Marks, 87; Mrs. Judah Moffitt, 83; Mrs. Timothy Nye, 8+; Mrs. Jacob Perkins, 89; Mrs. Elkanah Phil- lips, 85 ; Mrs. E. Pratt, 90; Mrs. Moses Porter, 101; Mrs. Simeon Reed; Mrs. Nathaniel Robinson, 90; Mrs. Jonathan Robinson, 82; Mrs. Joel Simmonds, 86; Mrs. Samuel Stratton, 89; Mrs. Reuben Toby, 82; Mrs. Rosabella Tuttle, 96; Mrs. Seth Viets, 80; Mrs. David Weeks, 89; Mrs. Margaret Wheeler, 88 ; Mrs. Isaac Wickham, 82; Mrs. Joseph Willard, 80. Were we to include those who lived to 70 years the list would be trebled.
RAILROAD .- The course of the Rutland and Washington railroad (opened in 1851) through this town is about 2} miles. Liberal contribu- tions were made by citizens on the line of the road to aid in its construction and no di- rect return in dividends or otherwise has been received. As an effect of opening the road. real estate greatly appreciated in value, not only in its immediate vicinity but for consid- erable distance back, and the character of farming operations was changed to some ex- tent, and heavy bulky articles, not before marketable, found a ready sale.
GEOLOGY.
A great diversity of rocks and soils is found here. The exuberant fertility of the soil and its self-recuperating qualities are doubtless owing to the peculiar character of its rocks. By the disintegration of the rocks the soil is supplied with aliment so that al- most any exhausted field, if left to itself, will recover its fertility. In the south part of the town are extensive beds of the finest lime- stone, which were formerly quarried ani burned to a considerable extent. And lime is one of the constituents of the most of the rocks in town.
In the west part are ranges of slate-rock of great extent which yet await development. Experts in the slate business pronounce these beds to be of the finest quality. A beautiful building stone is found in a range parallel :) the slate range which breaks into right angled pieces with a precision no joiner can surpass. Though there are no clay-fields of any con- siderable extent, yet clay of the best quality for brick-making crops out in various parts of the town. Here and there all over the town are deposits of muck, the value of which as a fertilizer we have not yet learne i to estimate. And we are told by Professor Eights, one of the best peat.fields in America is found on the premises of Consider S. Ba d- well, near the rail-road. It is understood that parties from Troy, N. Y., have recently bought of Mr. Bardwell 30 acres of this pet- field, paying $13,500. It is expected that this peat will be used as fuel on the railroadi.
The soil of the town is mostly susceptible of cultivation, the mountains, all bat two or three, can be tilled to their summits. And many fields that cannot be plowed make ex- cellent pastures. On the banks of Pawle: and Indian rivers are extensive alluvial meadows enriched by periodical overdows. A large proportion of the soil is a gravelly loam intermingled with slate, and is adapted to the growth of English grain, Indian corn, fruit, tobacco, potatoes, etc. It also yields the sweetest herbage for our docks and her is. In no part of the world does the sap of the sugar maple yield a larger percentage of sugar.
We notice in Prof. Albert D. Hazer's geo- logical map of the State that the western mar: of this town is of the argillaceous or rootin slate formation, while the eastern part is of the marble and limestone formation. interstrat-
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ified with silicious and magnesian slate. Prof. John L. Edgerton is our only native geologist who has been conspicuous in this branch of natural history.
ARCHITECTURE. - Perhaps it is not too much to say that by the year 1810 the town was better supplied with roomy and conveni- ent dwellings than at the present day. In- deed the people of the town, who had been cramped in their small houses went to the op- posite extreme and built houses not only too large for their comfort but too expensive for their means.
As stoves were not then in use more pains were taken to make the rooms warm by fill- ing in with unburnt brick or plaster than now. In 1800 there were no brick houses in town; the first erected soon after that time, was the hotel in the village, built by Ephraim Fitch, and the present residence of Hiram Wickham, built by Sylvanus Gregory. Quite a number of good brick and wooden houses have been built since, mainly to replace those that have decayed. So with churches and school-houses. The first Congregational church, built by Abiathar Evans about 1785, was an unpretending structure of one floor, furnished with plain seats, and altogether too small for the growing congregation, and after some 15 years was turned over to hold town meetings in, and the old Congregational church on the hill was erected, Titus A. Cook, architect. This was a more imposing structure, with a dome, belfry and steeple, and two tiers of windows. Both the ground floor and the gallery, on the sides and one end, except the singers' seat, were partitioned into square pews, in which one-third of the audience sat with their backs to the speaker and another third had to look over their shoulder. Its inside-work was elaborate and in good taste and style, after the fashion of the day, and altogether, it took rank among the first churches in the State. The next year, 1800, the church in the west part of the town, on another hill, was built, Titus A. Cook, architect, and its interior arrangements were copied after the Congregational church, but it had no belfry or steeple. The next church built was the Methodist brick church, erected in 1827, a substantial, plain edifice, fitted up on the ground floor with four tiers of slips. Its gallery, which ran round the house, also provided with slips. This, about a dozen years ago, was fitted up for a select.
school under the name of the Mettowee Acad- emy. In 1833 the Protestant Methodists built a church edifice in the southwest part of the town, near John Stearns'. The next church erected was the present Congregational church in the village, in 1811, Dan Blakely and others building committee, Elkanah Dan- forth, architect. It is an elegant church with vestry in the basement. The interior is plainly but chastely arranged and a model of pleasantness and convenience. The only drawback is the necessity, upon entering, of ascending a flight of stairs, which is perhaps balanced by the convenience of having its furnace in the basement. It has lately been refurnished throughout in handsome style.
In 1853, the new Methodist church in the village, near the Congregational, was erected, Elkanah Danforth, architect and Jonathan Randall and others, building committee. Its style and general arrangements are similar to the Congregational church.
In 1848, the church of the Disciples at West Pawlet, Henry Scoville, architect and in 1852, the Baptist church in the same place, Edmund C. Whiting, architect, were erected. These are neat, plain structures, pleasantly and well arranged in the interior after the modern style. A small but neat and hand- some church was erected in 1853, on the site of the old Baptist church. It is used mostly for funerals.
The old school-houses, specimens of incon- venience and all their surroundings repulsive as possible, have passed away and our present school-houses are generally pleasant and at- tractive. All but three or four are of brick, and are being overhauled from time to time and made better to subserve the great pur- poses for which they were erected.
HOTELS .- Probably Captain Jonathan Willard was the first innkeeper in town, on the site of the present homestead of Henry Allen. Here the town and freeman's meet- ings were held, and most of the public busi- ness transacted. His successor was Capt. Timothy Strong, who left in 1816 or 1817. Since then there has been no public house kept here, though it continued for several years to be a place of public resort for train- ings, town-officer meetings, etc. At an early day an inn was kept by Col. Stephen Pearl, near the present residence of Daniel Hulett.
We have no precise data from which to show who first kept tavern at the village.
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The present establishment was erected in 1808, by Ephraim Fitch, who kept it till his death, in 1814. After him Lemuel Barden, and his son, John T., kept it about 20 years when it passed into the hands of Col. Ozias Clark, by whom it was rented to various parties and kept as a temperance house. Harry Gris- wold, Robert Clark, E. Fitch Clark, and per. haps some others kept it till it passed from the hands of Col. Clark. Since then it has been kept by various parties each for brief periods. We recall the names of Henry Bost- wick, Vail, Chapin, Andrus, William Blos- som, jr., Dewitt. Hulett, present proprietor, and probably there have been others.
At West Pawlet, a tavern and store together was built by Eleazer Lyman, in 1807, which was kept by Joseph Ackley, James S. Brown, etc. The present residence of Captain James Johnson has been kept as a tavern by himself, Elisha Marks, Innis Hollister, Ira Gibbs and perhaps others. When the rail- road was built Ira Gibbs built a public house on the site of the present hotel which he kept several years and sold to David Woodard. This was burned in 1858 and was replaced by the present commodious house which is called the Indian River Valley Hotel. Connected with this establishment is a spacious and beautiful hall, the best connected with a hotel perhaps in the county. Joseph Armstrong kept tavern 25 years in the N. E. part of the town.
Reuben Smith kept tavern where B. F. Giles now lives, some 20 years, closing in 1832. At North Pawlet a public house was erected some 70 years ago by Bethel Hurd, whose successors have been Joel Simonds, William Stevens, Willard Cobb, Jeremiah Ar- nold, James Bigart, and perhaps some others. No tavern has been kept here since 1852.
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.
Originally the main roads were laid 4 rods wide and the others 3 rods; but encroach- ments have generally been made on these limits and the highways have been narrowed down to an inconvenient width. Consider- able attention has been given of late to the | has generally been fortunate in its agents to grading and graveling of roads ; the old log- causeways removed and replaced with stone and gravel, which, of the best quality, exists in almost every locality in town.
The extent of water-courses and their pe- culiar diagonal direction, render a great num-
ber of bridges indispensable to the public convenience. Until within about 40 years the bridges were built by the voluntary ac- tion of the several highway districts, care having been taken so to arrange the districts that the bridges would be fairly apportioned among them. Then the bridges were mostly built on heavy stringers spanning the stream and resting often on wooden abutments. But as timber grew scarce and some were disposed to shirk their proper share of the labor, the people availed themselves of the provisions of law and devolved the entire expense of bridge-building on the grand-list, and within the last 20 years great improvements have been made. The old wooden abutments have been replaced with stone; the old-fashioned stringers with framed bridges. Within our remembrance there were 8 public bridges across Pawlet river, now there are but five. On Flower brook there are 4 bridges, three framed, and one at the village of stone. On Wells brook one framed-bridge. The smaller bridges, of which there are a great number, are built or being built of stone. Besides these there is a large number of private bridges.
POOR AND TOWN FARM .- No duty devolves on a civilized and Christian community so sacred and imperative as the proper care and support of those who cannot take care of themselves. The course purs ted by this town until within a few years was to dispose of the poor to those who would agree to keep them for the least money. By this means they were scattered one, two or more in a place, and those who took them intended to make a profit out of it, it is easy to see that the interests of humanity might be frequently outraged. Awakened to a sense of the impropriety not to say inhumanity of such a course, the town in 1855, appointed Consider S. Bardwell, Lu- cius M. Carpenter and Adams L. Bromley, a committee to purchase a farm where this class might all be gathered in one family. They purchased the present town farm for $4,500 and in the judgment of a great majority it has proved a decided success. The town
take charge of the farm. It is now managed by John Smith who has leased it for 3 years expiring in April, 1867, and who provides for all the poor, for the use of the farm and stock. Under the old system it used to cost from. $1000 to $1,400 annually
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CEMETERIES.
There are 5 or 6 public cemeteries in town. The oldest is at the village and has been in use since 1776. It was laid off from the farm of John Cobb, and is almost entirely occu- pied. Margaret Wheeler, aged 88, was the first person interred.
The next oldest is in the north part of the town on land given by Caleb Allen. The first interments were Revolutionary soldiers. The third is in the west part of the town on land given by Seely Brown. Jacob Perkins was the first person interred, in 1801. This cemetery has been recently enlarged and handsomely inclosed. A row of maple trees was planted around it in 1857. There is an- other cemetery near C. S. Bardwell's and an other near Andrew Willard's, and another small public cemetery near the residence of the late Joshua Hulett, and a family cemetery. In 1866, 2 or 3 acres for a new public ceme- tery were purchased by the town, of Lyman Wheeler, for $200.
UNITED STATES DEPOSIT FUND, 1837.
The share of this town was $4,683.59. The towns by a provision. of our legislature were to loan the money on adequate security and apply the income to the support of common schools.
This fund was to be redistributed every 11 years among the towns in proportion to their then population. As the population of this town has diminished every decade since, with one exception, it follows of course that a con- siderable sum amounting to about one-quar- ter of the original sum should be withdrawn.
When the town farm was purchased in 1856, the balance of the fund was appropriated to- wards its purchase, the interest of which is annually paid into the school-fund according to the original provision. The State still holds a lien on this money, whenever it shall be required for a redistribution among the towns or for repayment into the United States treasury.
DONATION FESTIVALS,
were introduced about 1830, and have become very popular. In their inception they were limited to the supply of the pastorate with PAWLET AND WELLS AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, was formed in September, 1857. Nathan Francis, of Wells, first Pres. Chipman J. Toby, Sec. Grounds for the fair and a trotting-park were laid out on the premises of David G. such necessary articles as each donor could conveniently spare from his own stores, and subserved two principal objects, providing additional aid to the frequently scanty re- sources of the pastorate and bringing into | Blossom. The first annual fair was held Oct.
social relations the people of the parish so apt to form into cliques and classes having little or no sympathy with each other. We cannot doubt their effect has been to create more sympathy among the people, and be- tween the pastor and people, to say nothing of the material aid furnished the pastor. These festivals are now brought into requisi- tion to aid any unfortunate member of so- ciety, who, by sickness, or accident, stands in need of help, and also used to raise funds for benevolent purposes and special public ob- jects. Through their agency here and else- where, churches and parsonages have been furnished ; cemeteries bought, inclosed, and improved ; hospital stores collected for the army ; soldiers' monuments erected, and Sab- bath school and other public libraries estab- lished. And since money has become the most plentifularticle in the community, dona- tions are almost exclusively made in cash, and not infrequently from $100 to $200 are raised in an evening. They have become the festival of the day, and whatever the object, seldom fail to call out a crowd.
BASE BALL.
As if to prepare for the dread war, then im- pending, by a simultaneous impulse, all over the country, base ball clubs were organized during the year or two preceding 1861. Per- haps no game or exercise, outside of military drill, was ever practiced, so well calculated as this to harden the muscles and invigorate the physical functions,
Three clubs were formed in this town, in 1860 '61. The Hickory, at West Pawlet, the Mettowee, at the village, and the Liberty, at North Pawlet. These several clubs engaged in the work with great spirit and earnestness, and had repeated trials of skill with each other and with outside clubs. They were sus- tained with increasing interest until 1862, when a large portion of each club was sum. moned to the war when, for lack of men to play the game, they were suspended. Since the return of peace, a new impulse has been given to the game, and the old clubs are being revived.
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6, 1857-A very creditable display of stock, fruits, vegetables and domestic manufactures was made. No premiums were awarded, but the names of all winning competitors were re- corded and published. The annual fair was held on the same ground in 1858; James M. Shaw, Pres. Dr. C. C. Nihchols of Wells, Sec. The annual fair was held at the same place twice in the next three years and once at the village, drawing together crowds of people. In 1859, John S. Hulett, of Wells, was Pres. and Dr. Nichols, Sec. In 1860 '61, Allen Whedon was Pres. Dr. Nichols, Sec.
The absorbing interest felt in the war at this time, induced a suspension, which was then expected to be only temporary.
THE LYCEUM,
grew out of the debating club of the last gen- eration, and its present development is of recent origin. The usual exercises are the discussion of some popular question by the gentlemen, and the reading of a manuscript- paper, by an editress appointed beforehand,- to which contributions are furnished by mem- bers of the lyceum of volunteers, on almost every conceivable subject. This is the most attractive feature of the lyceum, and taxes the wit and wisdom of the contributors to their fullest extent. The more jokes and pleasant personalities there are introduced the better the audience is pleased. Declama- tion, the rehearsal of spicy dialogues and glee club music are frequently added to the enter- tainment.
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