USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
The first town meeting on record was held March 8, 1775, over which Zebulon Richards presided as moderator. Heber Allen was elect- ed as town clerk; Nehemiah Howe, Zebulon Richards and Cotton Fletcher were chosen selectmen; Isaac Ashley, constable; John Asit- ley, tythingman. It was voted-"six days' work for each man on the highways." Josiah Lewis, Thomas Ashley, John Owen and Ne- hemiah Howe, were appointed surveyors of highways-and the solectmen were constituted a committee for laying out highways; and they closed their proceedings by voting " that hogy should run at large."
972
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
At the town meeting held March 11, 1777, William Ward was appointed moderator. At this meeting it was deemed best for the inter- est of the proprietors, to appoint a committee of safety; and they accordingly elected Nehe. miah Howe, William Ward, John Grant, Heber Allen aud Zebediah Dewey, and instructed them to join the General Committee of Safety of the New Hampshire Grants. They also allowed William Ward 20s 6d for attending the convention of that year; and voted £ 15 for the town tax.
At an adjourned meeting held on the 27th April following, Thomas Ashley was also elect- ed one of tluk pains ue of safety.
At a me' the loved and h 16th of April, 1778,. the follogl places scattered
" Where on the banion of the inhabitants of this dist mas sand called the State of Vermont. by their delegates, did frame a Constitution, and by the same did enact a General Assembly with the same-Agreeable to their orders we have warned the inhabitants of this town. and have met in consequence thereof of said orders by reason of the orders not coming to hand be- fore our annual March meeting-we hereby organize ourselves, under said Constitution, into a town for legal purposes. '
They then proceeded to choose town officers, according to the laws of the State.
At the meeting in 1780, Nathaniel Smith, Elisha Ashley and Josiah Grant were appointed a committee to find the centre of the town.
They also voted to locate the meetinghouse on the north side of the road, near the burying- ground, and that it be built by subscription, 45 feet in length, and 35 feet wide, and to be a frame building. In 1783 they covered it, laid the lower floor, and built a desk. In this situ- ation it was occupied for several years. The town finally raised a tax and finished the house.
This year the Rev. Ithamer Hibbard came to town. He was the first settled minister in the town, and remained with the people until his dismission, which occurred in 1796 or '97. The primary cause of Mr. Hibbard's dismission was, that he connected himself with the masonic fraternity ; and lie strenuously defended him- self against the assaults that were made upon him-openly advocated the principles upon which the institution was based. He had pre viously been a chaplain in the American army. He was a man of deep piety, and the cause of religion prospered under his ministry. I leave the proper delineation of this good man's char- acter to abler hands .*
In 1784 the town "voted to raise a tax uf two pence on the pound, to be paid in money or grain : wheat at 4s 6d, corn at 3s, or other grain equivalent-payable by the first of De- cember next."
They also made the first provision, as a town, for schools, by choosing a committee consisting of Noah Smith, James Brookins. Titus Watson, Abisha Mosely and Reuben Stevens, to divide the town into school districts: and elected Nathaniel Smith, Elisha Allen, Oliver Stroug and William Hooker, trustees of schools.
This may be considered the first permanent establishment of schools in our midst. I: would be interesting to consider at some length the efforts of our predecessors in the great cause of education ; but as this department of the history of the town will be enlarged upon by him who is to follow me, I must confbe myself to a very few remarks.
The records of the town show that great pains was taken, from year to year, in the early part of its history, to cherish the schools. and in the training of children ; though in a less degree, perhaps, than at the present day-les3 actually, I mean-not less in proportion to their humble means. It is a source of satisfac- tion to those who claim Poultney as t':e home of their childhood, but whose lot in manhood has made them wanderers on the sea, or so- journers by the granite hills of the north, or the sunny cimes of the South-that so much has already been done for public education. It would be interesting and instructive. Sir, if you could have brought up from the oblivion of the past, the school and the schoolmaster of the olden time, to pass examination before us. Not one before me has forgotten the one-story schoolhouse of his early youth-the little box cast-iron stove standing in the centre of the room-the seats around bearing evident marks of that trait of Yankee character-industry. You have not forgotten the morning hour de- voted to the reading of the Bible-each one reading a verse. alternately. Some are atteu- tive to the lesson, while others, with Bible at hand, are playing pins, "leads to points." or spinning the top: but, alasi the penalty for the lad who has not the right verse in suc- cession to read! The heavy whip rings over the back of the unfortunate one, and the general whispering inquiry from one to the other-" where's the place ?"
None have forgotten the original, ingenious and impressive modes of punishment for school offences. Among them that of standing on
* See account of Rev. Mr. Hibbard in the preceding history of Hubbardton, page 758 .- Ed.
973
POULTNEY.
the platform, with a piece of wood partially split, placed across the nose of the offender; the effect of which was something like placing the nose in a vise-or the holding of a heavy stick of wood in the hand, with the arm ex- tended horizontally.
The schoolmaster of the present applies the screw to develop the boy's brains; he of the past applied the cowhide to develop marks on our backs. The teacher of to-day is inquisi- tive-he requires a why, or a wherefore. The former never gave offence to his pupils in this way.
But I have detained you longer on this point than I intended.
A distinguished writer has said; "To in- terpret the present thoroughly, we must un- derstand and unfold the past." The historian and the antiquarian are searching the world over among musty parchments and fragmentary documents, for records of deeds of the past. Should not the school and teachers of other days be brought up to the light, that our youth may the more highly estimate the advantages of the present? Great men are giving the work of their heads and the work of their hands to popular education. The most pure institution in our midst, the public school ; the foundation of our future prosperity-the one outward institution, upon which all others must depend. free from party or sectarian rule. Kept sacredly free from all such poison-and the best trait in our New England character is, that we. however else we differ and quarrel, unite in guarding our schools against these evils of public and social life. To the public school system we look, as the last and best hope for our country and our race. There lies the heart of all republicanism-of all true equality and free religion. And the more you do for that, the more you do for God, and man, and true duty. It is a growing power-one whose calm, and yet tremendous sway has nev- er before been tried on earth; the great new feature of American civilization. With all its present errors-for it is just dawning upon us now-its spirit is right. And if I were to sum up in a sentence, the word we would speak to the coming generation, I would say, Be true to conscience, to your country, and your public schools.
The schools of our town have produced rich and mellow fruit to bless the world. Many have gone forth from the public schools of this town, to honor themselves, and reflect credit upon their early home: aud I need mention
but a few: Chas. D. Mallary, D. D., of Geor- gia, Hon. Alex. W. Buel, of Michigan, Horace Greeley, Hon. Francis H. Ruggles, Hon. Elisha Ward, George Jones of New York, Rev. J. R .. Kendrick of South Carolina, Prof A. C. Ken- drick of Rochester,-Rev. Herman Hooker. D. D., Philadelphia, Rev. Isaac N. Sprague, D. D., of Geneseo, N. Y.
In 1788, the inhabitants met in a special meeting, to see whether the town would build a gristmill. William Hooker, Capt. William Watson, Thomas Ashley and Capt. James Hooker, were appointed a committee to report on the expediency of such a measure. The report and vote of the meeting were against building a mill.
At the meeting of the town held Sept. 2, 1794, it was
" Voted, That the soldiers that have turned out to supply the quota of men required by congress from the town of Poultney, shall be entitled to 40 shillings for each month's service, exclusive of the $ 1.60 allowed for clothing. to be made up to them by the treasury of this town, if neither the United States nor this State should see fit to make their wages equal to that sum per month."
It would be interesting, did time permit, to depict in full, as well as at this distant period we could, the individual life of all those who served in the Revolutionary war, and give the entire record of the town upon all matters of Revolutionary history: but this must be left to the person who shall write a complete and full history of the town.
The votes of the town meeting-the resolu- tions passed-were not mere words, expiring with the breath that uttered them. or fading away with the ink that recorded them. In all the early struggles of our own commonwealth. as well as those of the Revolution, the men of Poultney were there-they were at Ticondero- ga. A Hibbard-the Ashleys, Allens, Mar. shalls, Richards, a Grant-with their guus ready for battle, under the command of Ethan Allen: and they heard that bold reply of the noble and intrepid defender of our rig !.: 3 -" In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress."
All these men were soldiers-none of them too good for service. Their country's rights, not their own aggrandizement, was the object for which they watched without ceasing .- Many of them stood shoulder to shoulder ca every battle-field - having for their motto : "Give us Liberty, or give us Death!" No compromise was admissible in that day. No
974
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
traitor spirit found here. The sons of this town have every reason to be proud of the patriotic spirit and determined purpose of their sires. The names of many a brave soldier are conspicuous in her annals. Let their sons, to the latest generation, see to it that a reputa- tion nobly earned shall never be tarnished.
Upon the Revolutionary rolls are inscribed the names of
Thomas Ashley,
Seth Ruggles, Joseph Manning,
* Ebenezer Allen, John Grant,
William Lewis,
Capt. William Watson, James Smith,
Zebediah Dewey,
James Hooker,
Daniel Mallary, William Hooker,
Oliver Wright, Thomas Hooker,
Abel Hubbard, ' William Lewis,
Samuel Prindle, Jeremiah Armstrong,
Jesse Soper ;
and of many others, whose names I have been unable to recover. Indeed, it would seem from a cursory examination, that almost all the men capable of bearing arms were out during some portion of the protracted contest. They were no mercenary men, but the real brave yeomaury, exchanging at the call of their country the field of the husbandman for the field of battle.
And I would not forget, on this occasion, the brave women of those times, who encoun- tered almost every thing but death-who were driven from their homes and left to the tender mercies of those who opposed the cause they had espoused.
I have related one incident connected with the sufferings and hardships of the women who left, on the approach of the enemy. Permit me to relate another. Most of the women and children came together before the night of the first day. They reached Pownal, where a pub- lic house was kept; but they were not aware of the position taken upon public affairs by the innkeeper. They approached the house, and a Mrs. Dewey asked of the landlord if he was a tory or a whig. He made reply, that he did not think that any of her business. She again said to him, " Sir, I am captain of this compa- ny, and I wish a reply to my inquiry; and if you are a tory we shall go on ; if not, we will remain." He said he was not. The house was full already; as the women and children were hourly arriving from every direction. They were put together in a log meetinghouse that stood near by. They had no men to de- fend them, and they barred the doors, and laid down to rest. During the night Mrs Marshall was aroused by footsteps, as she thought. It was bright moonlight, and she
observed several men she supposed to be a scouting party from the enemy-a detachment who were but a few rods distant. She recol- lected that she saw a gun stand in one corner, as she entered the building. She got the gun, and found, on examination, that it had no lock, but had a ramrod. She took it and went to work as though she was loading the gun- and every few moments she would cease op- erations to give those on the outside the im- pression that several guns were being loaded ; and as they approached she put the muzzle out of a broken window, and took aim as if to fire: and they were so impressed from the movements, of the numbers in the building, that they very quietly left, and nothing further occurred to disturb their rest, and in the morning they resumed their journey.
Our attention has been called to the men of this Grant. It is well to advert to the part the women have had in founding, preserving and advancing this community : especially should we recount their privations at this time, when, more probably than at others, heart meets heart, and sympathies of human- ity flow spontaneously, generously, equitably. We behold them, in vision, coming to this locali- ty-living in log houses until lumber could be procured-entering upon their domicils with strong and consoling faith that whatever might be their experience of weal or woe, it would be divinely overruled for their highest welfare. We cannot but revere and bless their memory as important pioneers in the great work of employing means for contributing to the pro- motion of the high character of this com- monwealth. But for the presence, approval and affection of such fair friends, few of the men who cleared away the long standing woods of this soil-braved the perils of fam- ine and pestilence, would have had a heart to begin the world anew, in these wilds. But for those of them who had sufficient strength, even when the sufferings incident to new settlements were experienced, there would have been few, if any, who, like ministering angels, would have comforted the distressed, given medicine for the diseased-whispered truths of Christian hope beyond the grave, prayed with the dying, and commended their souls to the welcome of the Puritan's God. They met with a spirit of fortitude ; and what was more needed, of human aid in these homes of trial, than the home influences of virtuous woman, which calm the disquieted temper, cool angry resentment, cherish feelings
975
. POULTNEY.
of forbearance ; but when necessity calls, nerve the arm for noble deeds in defence of equal rights.
Such was the part of matrons who were numbered among the primitive members of this community. Thus actuated by the high- est motives received from the wonderful code of the moral universe to our fallen race, to employ the best means for accomplishing the greatest good, they liad the most suitable prep- aration for every other concern of their domes- tic and social duties. In these, though coming far short of perfection, they endeavored to discharge their relative duties, at home and Drinking together, in those days, was a pledge of friendship; and it was thought to be rather venial to drink among a certain class, provided they did not get down. abroad, so that all with whom they were as- sociated might be happier and better for such an association. In this manner they stamped upon the minds and hearts of the young-soon There was one trait of their character which to take on themselves the public responsibili. it would be well for the present generation to ties of their seniors-principles which contrib- uted more than the strongest fortifications to the permanency of the town, in their spirit, life, purpose and salutary influences.
The Poultney Library was established in 1790. It became large and flourishing. Its influence, so far as its works of sterling char- acter were, was untold, and many a son of Poultney dates the influences for good or evil exerted upon his character and life, to his connection with this Library. The men who established it were, many of them, deists; and they made the inculcation of their peculiar views a main object in the selection of books : so much so, that after the settlement of Elder Kendrick and Mr. Leonard, they both joined the Association, and were much grieved at the irreligious tendency of some of the works on its shelves. It was proposed that old books be sold at public auction, and the money be appropriated to the purchase of new ones .- Mr. Leonard and Mr. Kendrick were present, and purchased every book that they deemed pernicious in its influence, either upon the mind or morals. They had a hard struggle to procure some of them, the price was carried so high by the bidders; and their heavy pur- chases made a large draft upon their limited salaries. True to their purpose, they removed the books to Mr. Leonard's house the same even- ing, and committed every volume to the flames.
The Library was finally sold at public auc- tion, in 1841, much to the disgrace of the citizens of this town, who should have ever cherished the institution of a public library in their midst, as a means of great mental and social improvement.
of this heroic people, in the last century. They were a people of simple, unobtrusive habits-of little artificial refinement, but of sterling intel- ligence-high spirited-of great plainness of speech-generous in their feelings-lovers of wit and repartee. Constant in their friend- ships, courageous and independent in their bearing-their hospitality was unbounded; be- ing freely tendered to friend and stranger, and as readily accepted. Great frankness in avow- ing their religious principles was a trait of character always prominent.
imitate : if one had hard thoughts of his neigh- bor, he did not vent them in private slander- there was no "snake in the grass" manage- ment; he went with a bold step, erect gait, clear voice to expostulate with the offender. If their anger was easily kindled, it was as easily appeased.
At their wedding ceremonies all their rela- tives, however distant in consanguinity. were invited, and the neighbors must be invited two or three days before ; a short notice being con- sidered a slight.
At funerals all labor was suspended-they walked to the house of mourning, and the greatest respect was paid to the family, in whatever circumstances they were placed, by the whole community.
The year 1778 the inhabitants found a trying season. The rapid depreciation of Continental paper currency distressed them severely. Also, at this period, the generation then on the stage were strangers to many of the conveniences and comforts of life. Their farming utensils were clumsy, their clothing homespun and coarse, but durable. The men wore tow shirts, striped woolen frocks and leather aprons. The best suit of coarse woolen cloth was reserve I for Sabbaths and special occasions, and lasted year after year.
In the winter they wore shoes, excluding the snow by a pair of woolen leggins, fastened over the mouth of the shoe by strings. Bo ty were rare. Surtouts or over-coats were rarer still. A pair of boots would last a man many years. In summer neither men nor women wore si.oes at home. On the Sabbath the women often carried their shoes in their band, till they camo
Let us now turn our attention to the customs near the meetinghouse, (to save wear,)-when
976
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
they would put them on. They were clad, when engaged in their work-which was near- ly all the time, on week days-in short gown and petticoat, of some coarse material, with a striped apron-calico being quite a dressy arti- cle. The house furniture was rude and coarse : carpets, sofas, pianos, were unheard of. In- stead of them was the spinning-wheel, both small and great, and the loom-articles, if less ornamental, certainly more indispensable.
Tea and coffee were almost unknown: broths of various kinds-corn, bean and barley broths were in constant use. In many families hasty- pudding, with milk, if milk could be had, was almost the standing supper. For lunch in the intermissions of public worship on the Sabbath, instances were not wanting of men carrying in their pocket a few cold boiled potatoes! Some- times, in winter, families were conveyed to meeting, through deep snow, on an ox-sled. In summer the man, if he was the owner of a horse, rode to meeting with his wife seated on a pillion behind him. and a child seated on a pillow before him ; and sometimes another and a smaller child in the mother's lap, encircled by one of her arms.
A party of smart young people once assem- bled at a neighbor's, in early times, for social intercourse. The supper -- what was it? Not a modern supper of roast turkey and oysters, but hasty pudding and milk. There being but three spoons, one division of their guests sat down to the table, then another division and another, till all had been served. All went off well, and it was considered a fashionable, well managed affair.
This age has been well called the "age of home-spun." It was an age of hard work and simple fare, interspersed, on the part of the men, with trainings, musters, raising», huskings, wrestling-matches, chopping bees and piling bees-and in the female world, with quiltings, apple-pearing and carding bees.
If the rude dwelling was not often animated with the faces of visitants, they were daily en- livened with the buzzing of wheels and the clatter of looms. If the inmates liad fewer means of high-wrought excitement, they were not destitute of the sources of contentment and tranquil joy. They carded, spun, wove, colored and made up the garments of the family. Sure- ly our good grandmothers and great grand- mothers, many of whom were women of intel- ligence, high moral principles, and native-not artificial refinement-were far from eating the bread of idleness.
Numerous instances are found in the old records of this period, of persons being warned by the constable to quit the town. When they moved in, it was the duty of the selectmen. if they apprehended it might subject the town to expense for their maintenance, to direct the constable to warn them to depart. The notice was served on quite a number of individuals. They might then depart or remain ; but if they became a public burden, the town whence they came were liable for their support.
The late Elisha Ashley, an eye-witness of the state of society at that period, remarks : " Then was a period of brotherly love; each family sat under its own vine, having none to molest -no haughty looks or mincing step; no jeal. ousy, tale-bearing or envy known in town; but, as population and wealth increased. these evils crept in." The picture is a pleasing one ; colored, no doubt, by the partiality of the wit- ness to scenes of olden time; yet containing no small portion of truthfulness. The simpli- city, sincerity and cordial hospitality of most of the men and women of that day contrast favorably with the specious, but too often hol- low pretences of modern refinement.
As a sample of the usages of the time it may be stated, that at the raising of a meeting- house, a lunch was prepared for the raisers, of bread, cheese and dry fish-a dinner of meat. A barrel of rum and a barrel of cider were purchased for the use of the workmen.
The town usually chose three tythingmen- men who sat in a seat assigned them to keep order. As our settlers brought with them the views and feelings peculiar to their ancestors, they took vigilant measures to prevent travel- ing on the Sabbath.
[Here Mr. Clark happily introduces the anec- dote of the little wiry Scotch clergyman, on his way to preach in a neighboring town, arrested in the village of Poultney as a supposed Sab- bath-breaker, which is in the paper given by Elisha Ashley .- Ed.
For many years after the settlement of the town, such a thing as a wagon was not known. A Mr. Richards, living in the west part of the town, had the first one, and came with a load of worshippers to meeting; and as they started for home at the close of the service, the wagon made considerable noise, and one man gravely remarked that he wished it was 30 shillings fine for any man to drive a wagon through the streets on the Sabbath.
[Another incident here related by Mr. Clark will be found in Mr. Ashley's paper, p. 967.]
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.