USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 26
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The early settlers were truly democratic in their feelings, and acted upon a liberal policy in the establishment of schools in dif- ferent parts of the town, and other institu- tions calculated to improve and elevate the man. They were also a church-people, strict- ly regarding the Sabbath as a day of rest, set apart for the worship of Almighty God. Their meetings in the winter were held in private houses, in the summer in barns. About the year 1780 the Rev. Ithamer Hib- bard,* a Congregational minister, came among us to look after the spiritual welfare of the peo- ple. Hewas a bold, athletic man, full of the spirit of '76, quite limited in his education, had served as chaplain in the army, and was settled as the minister of the town. The inhabitants were mostly if not entirely Baptist and Con- gregationalista, but were all united in settling Mr. Hibbard as their pastor. Under his care the religious affairs went on harmoniously until 1786, when a part of the Congregation- al church withdrew, formed themselves into a separate Church, and built a small house ; but soon broke down and disbanded; most returned to the former church, and again their religious interests prospered under Mr .. Hibbard's administration, until about the year 1796, when some began to think he was not sufficiently refined for Poultney ; and finally succeeded in getting a vote to dismiss him. This almost broke the poor oid man's heart-having labored with his people so long, and with very little support-for he could almost say, with Paul : " These hands have ministered to my necessities. I have not been chargeable to any of you."-Poor and disconsolate, he preached a few years to destitute churches in the vicinity, and was gathered to his fathers. "Peace to his ashes." In 1783, they erected a house of worship, * Born in Canuan, Ct .- Heury Clark.
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on the north side of the road near the bury- ing ground, 45 feet in width, and 55 in length, covered it, laid the lower floor, and built a desk. So far it was done by sub. scription, and in this situation it was occu- pied for several years. The town finally raised a tax and finished the house. After the dismission of Mr. Hibbard, they had no settled minister for several years. In 1801, Mr. Clark Kendrick, a candidate for the ministry, of the Baptist persuasion, was in- vited to preach to them a year, which he did. The Baptist church then gave him a call to become their pastor, which he accept- ed, and was ordained in May, 1802. This movement caused the Congregational Church to withdraw from the Union. They obtained Mr. Samuel Leonard for their minister; and in 1803, built the meeting-house which they now occupy. And the old meeting-house, generally styled "Hibbard's Sanctuary," was demolished in 1812.
For many years after the settlement of the town, such a thing as a wagon was not known. The first one the writer remembers seeing came from the west part of the town, with a load of worshippers, drawn by two horses ;, and, as they started for home, at the close of the service, the wagon made consid- erable noise. One man very gravely re- marked that he wished it was thirty shillings fine for any man to drive a wagon through the street on the Sabbath.
The first inhabitants were generally from Massachusetts and Connecticut, and professed views and feelings peculiar to their ancestors. They took vigilant measures to prevent trav- elling on the Sabbath.
mitted him to go on and preach in Middle- town in the afternoon.
The first settlers were very much attached to each other, united in their efforts to pro- mote regularity and good order, and, for many years, moved on like a band of brotli- ers.
POULTNEY LIBRARY, to which allusion has been made, was established about 1790. It became a large and flourishing institution, and contributed largely to enlighten the minds and improve the morals of its numer- ous patrons. It flourished until the country became flooded with those light and trashy publications, usually styled modern litera- ture; and for this cause it was neglected, and finally broken up in 1836. No observing mind can doubt for a moment that the change that has come over the inhabitants, especially the rising generation, has not been for the better.
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celebrated her hundreth birthday-the fol- lowing is a copy of her circular of invitation.
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF POULTNEY. YOUR MOTHER SENDETH GREETING.
The present residents of Poultney, Vt., wishing to do honor to our common mother, have resolved to celebrate her hundreth birth day with befitting ceremonies.
On September, 21, 1861, she will be a cen- tury old.
And on that day we wish to welcome all the wandering Sons and Daughters of Poult- ney "at the old Homestead, to recount the joys and sorrows of" AULD LANG SYNE, and make a record for the future.
One morning, as the people were assembling JOSEPH JOSLIN. President of Centennial Association. for worship, a little Scotchman was walking to the east, and as he appeared to be going L. D. ROSS. Corresponding Secretary. past the meeting-house, the tithing man stepped up to him, and demanded the reason of his travelling upon the Sabbath. He re- CENTENNIAL ADDRESS, plied that he was a minister, and was on his Delivered at Poultney, Vermont, September 21, 1Sol, BY HENRY CLARK. way to preach in Middletown. By this time a number had gathered around him, be- Sons and Daughters, and former Residents of Poultney :- It is my first and most pleasing duty to bid you welcome to this spot and festi- val. In the name of our ancient town, Natives and former Residents of Poultney, welcome to the old Homestead !- to the scenes of your childhood - to these mountains, valleys and streams, and skies -- to the hallowed resting- ing rather suspicious that it was a false pre- tense, and questioned him closely. Finally, as they were destitute of a minister that day, they proposed to him to remain and preach to them. He consented, and took for his text: " As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." They were all well pleased with the sermon, and per- I place of the dear departed - to the joyous
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scenes of this day, the memory of which will | these hills, and rested under these shades- never be obliterated by the lapse of time, or the distance that may separate you from them.
We rejoice to see such a noble company of the sons and daughters of this town to-day, coming from the city and the village-from the hill-side and the valley-from the mountain- tops-" from the far West"-from every place where the spirit of enterprise and adventure bears men. The farmer lias left his field, the mechanic his workshop, the merchant his counting-room, the lawyer his brief, and the minister his people, and you have come to re- vive old and cherished associations, and to re- new former friendships-to lengthen the cords and strengthen time-hallowed affections. Your presence to-day not only honors your native town, but also honors yourselves. It is pledge to us that the bustle and business of life -its distracting cares and anxieties, and the various experiences which you have passed through have not alienated your affections from the scenes of your early days. You can adopt the language of the poet :
" Where'er I roam, whatsoever realms I see, My HEART, untraveled, fondly turns to thee :"
The past welcomes you as you come hither with reverential feeling for your own birth- place, or the burial fields of your ancestors- those humble but honest and enterprising pio- neers of civilization in this community.
It is a source of pleasure to us to greet here at this bour, so many who have long mingled in the active scenes of the bustling world-who have won for themselves honor and respect, but who cherish a warm affection for the mother who nurtured them in their youth-and now, in the meridian or evening of life, have returned to venerate her memory and do her honor. You have come together now-gathered from that world in which you have been running your race-from communities widely separated and diversified - from every pursuit, and having endured every form of human discipline and trial-men of different generations, showing different touches of time : hoary age, ripened manhood, and youth merging into manhood, we stand together "on this mount of observation." Around us the shadows of the past are gather- ing, and upon us shines the light of the future. Here are the evening and the morning.
bosom friends ! How changed from what you were! You bear the marks of the toil-you are covered with the dust of the conflict of life. You look upon each others' faces, and beneath these marks of years, and these sears of duty, there brighten up features of your early youth. ^ Long slumbering feelings awaken-the seal of time is melted, and the soul speaks in voices that you have heard before."
Many of you have long been known to us as prominent actors in the political, literary and religious world. We have respected you ; but to-day we meet you with warmer feelings of friendship and affection : and although your faces appear to us as the features of strangers, still we remember that there is a common interest, alike dear to you and us. These rec- ollections awaken in us the feelings of family affection, and we celebrate a mutual thanks- giving.
You have come; but our number is not all here. Many, whose hearts are with us, are detained by business, or prevented by the un- happy condition of our country : but many, too, are where no call of ours could reach them. Some rest beneath the sod of our own State- some beneath the prairies of the West-some are in their ocean-bed-some have left their bones on foreign shores-quietly slumber " on India's coral strand." Some have fallen in early prime; in deeds of patriotism, humanity and holy benevolence, and to be gathered in as shocks fully ripe.
My friends, it is fitting that we should turn from daily cares and labor, and devote one day in a century to reflections on the past; to the gladsome enjoyment of the present, and to the indulgence in hopeful anticipations of the fu- ture. This is no idle, ceremonious observance. It is connected with a wide association of sentiment. It has regard to ancestral feeling. This sentiment has its place in the bosom of every true hearted man, however humble, or however exalted. The voices of the past lead him with their fond memories, as the little child leads the loving parent; and he comes, and you now come, with the tribute of his affec- tion, to hang his votive offering in these tem- ples of his early love.
Again I welcome you to this chosen spot, at this season when all nature clothes this beauti- ful valley in her richest attire, and amid genial scenes.
Many meet who never met before, and are filled with wonder and surprise. Some meet who have met before-whose merry feet trod together the well beaten paths-who reclined Fellow-Citizens : the time for this commem- together on these green banks, sauntered over oration is aptly chosen; for, though somewhat
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more than a century has elapsed since the ear- ly settlers first traced the furrow, and sowed the seed in these broad acres, still a century this day expires since Benning Wentworth, governor of New Hampshire, affixed the seal of that State. and his own bold signature, to yonder Charter, which guarantees full privi- leges of a town ; and, in accordance with the usual custom in these celebrations, is, in fact, the only definite point of time from which to take our survey.
This assembly has come together to-day with memories and sacred associations filling our minds, that are calculated to take deep hold on the feelings. We have arrived at the close of the first century of the existence of the char- ter of our town. Standing now at the point of such a deeply interesting anniversary, our feelings cannot but be in harmony with the sentiment of the Psalmist: " We have heard with our ears, O God ! our fathers have told us, what work Thou didst in their days, in times of old." " We will not hide them from their child- ren ; showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that He hath done."
How could we properly employ our thoughts on this day, except by looking backward to the time of the fathers-to their noble struggles, their high and worthy views and purposes, and the things wrought in their day; by looking, also, upward to the all-controling and good providence of God by which events have been guided, and this people blessed; and looking forward to the future opening upon us, with its privileges, duties, hopes and fears.
If we go back one hundred and twenty-five years, we find our State almost unoccupied by civilized man. Throughout the more moun- tainous portions of our commonwealth every thing remained in a state of nature. Within these profound shades dwelt unmolested the wild beasts, and the wilderness blossomed in beauty unaided by the hand of man. Even the native tribes of Indians had very few per- manent homes within the region ; they ranged over this part of the State for hunting and fislting, but built their wigwams in more favor- able places-by the seaside and in the rich valleys, and along the shores of Lake Cham- plain.
have been picked up. The oldest traditions of the town indicate no signs of any aboriginal dwelling-place. It is believed no traces of their graves have ever been secn here.
A little more than a century ago there were but few towns in this part of the State ; and the wilderness was unsettled till the fertile grounds along the Connecticut River were reached. But enterprising men had passed over the co:In- try and marked its advantages. The history of that of Massachusetts, from which our settlers came, that there were many who were disposed to avail themselves of the new lands for settle- ment. There were sturdy hearts among the young men of Massachusetts and Connecticut, gład to think of planting for themselves a home where they might bring the ones they loved, and where they could cultivate land to call their own.
The grant, of charters in this State by Gov- ernor Wentworth commences with Bennington, Jan. 3, 1749-extends to Aug. 4, 1764. Only sixteen charters, and most of them located on the east side of the Mountain, were made until 1761. In that year 60 charters were granted. In the month of September 11 were granted, and 5 of them were within the present limits of Rutland county, namely :
Rutland, September 7, 1761 ; Tinmouth, Sep- tember 15, 1761; Wells, September 15, 1761 ; Poultney, September 21, 1761, Castleton, Sep- tember 22, 1761.
On the 17th of March, 1773, at a meeting of the Proprietors, it was
"Voted, to lay out a post road from the Governor's farm, between Thomas Ashley's and Ebenezer Allen's farm, north as far as it is needful; said road to be 4 rods wide-and to pay 3 shillings a day for clearing roads."
On the 29th of April, 1773,
" Voted, that Thomas Ashley and Ebenezer Allen may lay out 100 acres of land on their own right, or on any of the undivided lands in said Poultney. This liberty is on account of these men first coming to town."
On the 24th of May, 1775, they appointed Nehemiah Howe, John Grant and Isaac Ashley a committee to look out a burying-place.
"Voted. Ethan Allen may pitch 100 acres for Capt. Warner of Bennington, any where on the undivided land in said town-for the vallor of cutting the timber of Esq. Munroe, the Yorkite, out of his own land, on the sec- ond division."
In this township it is not known that there were any cultivated grounds or permanent habitations of the red man. Very few traces On the first day of June the committee on selection of a burial-place reported " that Nehe- of so much as their wandering presence here have ever been found. An arrow head or two I miah Howe and John Graut shall have 4 acres
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a-piece for allowing the proprietors a burying- place on their home lots, Nos. 34 and 30-be- ginning on the east side of 34. and on the west side of No. 30, running 24 rods north from the river, running 20 rods south, 10 degrees west, and 8 rods each way on 34 and 30. John Grant for to take for his 4 acres on the undi- vided land joining No. 33 west of the town plats. Nehemiah Howe his 4 acres is at the northeast corner of the lot 34, on the undivid- ed land."
This is the burial ground located on yonder hill. Joel Grannis, one of the early settlers who came here in the fall of 1771, was lost in the woods, and was frozen to death, was the first person buried in the yard. Thus early our fathers took pains to secure a place for the | do very well." He died Dec. 2, 1793.
burial of the loved and lost. There are sever- al burial places scattered through the town ; but here on the banks of the stream that flows in our midst will be found the earliest and latest graves of Poultney. Who that have fol- lowed the mournful hearse, laden with the last remains of friends beloved. have not had their minds filled with hallowed associations and memories of the departed, and will not invol- untarily exclaim :
" From every Grave a thousand virtues rise
In shapes of mercy, charity and love,
To walk the world and bless it. Of every tear
That sorrowing mortals shed on these green graves Some good is born-some gentler nature comes."
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Before proceeding to sketch the early settle- ment of the town, I beg your indulgence to a brief review of the life of a gentleman who, although he never settled here, took a deep interest in its affairs, and was one of the first who ever visited the town previous to its set- tlement. He was the treasurer of the proprie- tors for many years, and visited the town in 1764-also, after the settlement: I refer to Capt. Isaac Lawrence of Canaan, Ct. He was a native of Groton, Mass .. and removed with his parents to Canaan in 1748. He is represented as being large-in stature 6 feet-erect-pleasant coun- tenance, sociable, intelligent-excellent char. acter-of active and correct business habits- by occupation a farmer. He accumulated a valuable property, owned several large farms. which he kept under cultivation; was the owner of 20 slaves at one time, to whom he gave their freedom before his death, with the exception of one, who was made so by his heirs-making provision for the aged and in- firm, and contributing to the confort of others who were needy. The record of his life is of a man of great industry and perseverance- that he made life worth something to himself
and others. He held many public offices- was a representative and a senator in the Gen- eral Assembly. His extensive business trans- actions necessarily bringing him in contact with a great number of persons, his excellent reputation, and the veneration in which he was held by the early settlers of this town, afford us the best evidence that his habits and manner of life were correct-such as to secure almost universal esteem and confidence. Mr. Solomon Whitney, who was associated with him in the meetings and affairs of the proprietors, said of him, that "nobody ever disliked old captain Isaac. If all the world were like him it would
The first settlement of this town was com- menced by Ebenezer Allen and Thomas Ashley, about 1771. They commenced near where the covered turnpike bridge is, in the west village -Allen a little west, and Ashley a little east. The river then ran some 20 rods north of where it now does. Allen brought his family, con - sisting of 7, with him, and he erected a shanty for them; which was done by setting crutches in the ground, placing poles on the top, and covering the roof and sides with bark. They cleared some land near where Daniel Sprague formerly lived, and raised corn sufficient to make bread for the family, fat his pork, and buy an under jacket. Ashley remained one month, and returned and brought on his family. His farm lay upon the sides of the highway running through the village of west Poultney. His first dwelling was on the spot where the Hon. Rollin C. Mallary lived, now occupied by Dr. McLeod.
Here the first framed house and framed barn were built. This dwelling was a large gambrel roofed house, built according to the architecture of that day. Mr. Mallary had a reverence for the associations of the location with the early history of this community, and determined, after the death of Mr. Ashley, that he would purchase it, let it cost what it would. He removed the buildings, and built the present' residence of Dr. McLeod. He had so much of the historic spirit in reference to the place, that he placed some of the timbers in his new. house as relies of the past.
In the fall of this year several other families came to town, namely : Elijah and John Owen, Isaac Ashley, Nehemiah Howe, Ichabod and Joseph Marshall, Silas Howe, Heber Allen, John Grant, Thomas Goodwin, Robert Green, Zebediah Dewey, Cotton Fletcher, Jobn, Elka- na, Elisha, Enoch and William Ashley, all
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brothers of Thomas and Isaac Ashley ; John Tilden, Zebediah, Dan and Jolin Richards, William Ward, Timothy, Ebenezer, James and Daniel Hyde; Samuel Church, Joel Grannis, Isaac Craw, Nathaniel and James Smith, Mor- decai and Gilbert Soper. James and Nathaniel Brookins, Josiah Lewis. A few others came here previous to 1777.
The deprivations of the early inhabitants of this town the time allotted me would not suf- fice to relate, if the power of description were mine to fitly portray them. None but those who saw and suffered could ever form an ade- quate idea of what they were. They all inhab- ited log houses. In some instances families moved into their houses before the roof was on. even in the winter. Many of them furnished themselves with tables, bedsteads and chairs, with no other implements than an axe and an auger. For a fire-place a stone back was built up in one end of the house, and stones, such as they could get, were laid down for a hearth.
After the first year they raised a little corn, wheat, potatoes, beans, &c .- they fared much better. Some of them had a cow which ran in the woods.
The first few years they had to go to Manches- ter, some thirty miles, to procure corn and get it ground. Soon afterward a mill was built by a Mr. Fitch, at Pawlet, which they considered a great convenience. A gristmill was built on the falls in this village, in 1776.
To many of the conveniences and comforts of life that hardy generation of men were stran- gers. Their dwellings were log-houses, illy fitted to exclude the cold. Had it not been for the rousing fires kept up in winter in the large fireplaces, fed continually by great logs, the inmates must have severely suffered.
Their farming utensils were clumsy ; their clothing homespun and coarse, but durable.
The inhabitants, at this period, had not established social institutions among them, of any importance. They had erected a log schoolhouse, as they called it, on the pent road leading north from the west village, a few rods southeast of where Daniel Andrus now lives. Whether a school was kept there previous to 1778, I have not been able to as- certain. On the Sabbath the inhabitants met in this building, and held public social wor- ship, and frequently a sermon was read. Thus things were in June, 1777.
In July, 1777, on the approach of Burgoyne's army and the Indians, the men of this town were under arms, to resist their progress; and
at the time of the battles of Hubbardton and Castleton, a messenger was sent to warn the inhabitants of the approach of the enemy, and that they must flee for their lives. The women, without a moment's delay, gathered together their children, and. commenced their line of march through an almost unbroken wilderness, to the south, expecting every hour to be over- taken and murdered; but were fortunate, in keeping in advance of the enemy, and were enabled to reach a place of safety at Benning- ton-afterwards proceeding to Connecticut and Massachusetts.
It was on the Sabbath, and many of the inhabitants were assem! 'meeting @log school- house, engaged in s When the news reached thur of the town heldout even visiting their homes. 1. Joseph
Joslin, Esq., the honored President .y,he day, lived nearest to the schoolhouse, passed direct- ly by her own home-and, with one child a few months old in her arms, and leading another, went on foot to Bennington, not stopping nor procuring any thing to eat. These were times that tried the courage of women as well as of men. .
The Battle of Bennington, on the 16th of August following, checked the march of Bur- goyne's forces, and the battle at Stillwater, where his army was taken prisoners, relieved the inhabitants of this section of the country, and they began to return to their homes : but few, however, returned until the winter and spring of 1778. For several years following they would secrete some of their choicest arti- cles before retiring for the night.
The settlement of the town after these events commenced more rapidly ; and they began to pay attention to the erection of dwelling-hous- es and barns-the planting of orchards, &c. The first orchard was planted on the Rann farm 77 years ago.
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