USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 28
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POULTNEY.
Zebediah Dewey was the first captain of the militia in town; which office he held for nearly 20 years. John Richards served under him as corporal 13 years. Military trainings and musters were once an important institution of the people of Vermont; especially as a holiday for the boys, and men of sportive na- tures. The burning of powder would com- mence at 12 o'clock, the night previous, by way of waking up the officers, and getting a treat. They would go from one to another, firing. drinking, hallooing and making night hideous, until, by morning, most of them would be clev- erly drunk. New rum and whisky must be in full supply all day. It would be amusing to stop and delineate some of these scenes, and the characters participating in them; but the courtesies of the occasion and time forbid.
Near the close of the last century there were post-routes established in Vermont under the direction of the State Government, and Antho- ny Haswell, of Bennington, was appointed Postmaster General of Vermont-and he furn- ished the mail to the inhabitants of this and other towns, from Bennington, on to Burling- ton, from 1783 to 1791. Then David Russell, of Burlington, was appointed Postmaster in Vermont, which was the first appointment un- der the General Government in this State.
The newspapers were distributed by post- riders. Many years before, we can remember the well known horu of the postboy,as he sound- ed it in the distance, before approaching the village. Vividly many of you can call to mind how eagerly the villagers sought the Lansing- burgh Gazette, Troy Budget. New York Amier- ican, Bennington Gazette and Rutland Herald. They who remember these scenes can fully ap. preciate the value of the modern daily press.
It is impossible to ascertain the exact date of the establishment of a post office in this town, under the General Government, on ac- count of the loss of the three earliest record books of the Post Office Department, in 1836; but from the Auditor's books it is ascertained that first returns were made from April, 1799. The office was probably established in the west village about January, 1799, and John Stanley appointed postmaster. He was succeeded by Timothy Crittenden, who held it until Daniel Sprague was appointed, Feb. 10, 1809. Daniel Mallary was appointed in 1315. The name of the office was changed to West Poultney, and Henry Stanley was appointed postmaster, Sept. 15, 1824. Samuel P. Hooker was postmaster from 1836 to 1841; Isaac Leffinwell from June 22, '41, to May 9, '42; James Richardson from '42 to '45; Samuel P. Hooker from '45 to '49; John B. Beaman from '49 to '53 ; Henry Clark from '53 to '60. The name of the post office was changed back to Poultney, September 2S, 1857.
The post office was established at East Poultney Aug. 4, 1824, and Stephen W. Dana appointed postmaster. Daniel Mallary was post master from 1827 to 1829-Harris Hosford from '29 to '32-William Wheeler from '32 to '34-Simeon Mears from '34 to '40 - WV. M. Bosworth from '40 to '41-Jamas P. Harris from '41 to '46-William McLeod from '46 to '49 -- Paul M. Ross from '49 to '53-J. C. Derby from '53 to '61.
From this survey of the records and history of the town, up to 1800, we cannot but be struck with a sense of the enlarged and far- sighted views of those earliest settlers. What objects were their earliest sacrifices aimed at .? What were they most anxious to secure ?- Clearly, the things they were most resolved upon, in their public affairs, and determined to have, whatsoever else they might go without, were roads, schools and church institutions. And now that a hundred years have rolled on, and our commonwealth has increased so much in population - has so vastly enlarged its
A long controversy ensued relative to the routes from Bennington to Burlington. A convention was finally called at Manchester. It was decided to have two routes established -nominated postmasters on each route. It was agreed to have the mail carrier go by Manchester to Rutland, and return from Rut- land by way of Castleton and Poultney, to wealth, multiplied its comforts of living, and Bennington-then the next week (for they had gained such an honorable fame for the intelli- gence and character of its citizens-for its principles of civil liberty and of religion-tell me, from what sources of public effort have sprung this wonderful prosperity-this intelli- gence-this honorable character ? While rely- only a weekly mail) to go by the way of Poult- ney and Castleton, and return by way of Man- cliester and Arlington. Afterwards a daily mail was established from Albany to Burling- ton, running both ways each day, which served a useful purpose, until railroads were intro- [ ing, as our fathers did, under Providence, upon duced, and then all stage routes were, in a, the annual fertility of the soil as the great measure, discontinued. source from which sustenance comes, has not
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this great expansion of the prosperity of the husbandman and of all classes, been owing to the interest our State has manifested in just those same objects ?- that is to say-first, in improving the means of communication by common roads, and, at length, by steam power; secondly, by cherishing public free schools; and, thirdly, by steadily upholding the institu- tions of public worship, and of Christianity in all its applications.
Depend upon it that while the earliest set. tlers of this township made such exertions and sacrifices, amid all the difficulties of bringing the forest under cultivation, for the sake of means of travel, schools and the church, they were directly and powerfully cooperating with just those instrumentalities and principles which have made our State honorable. Thus the fathers were working for the future, rather than for their own time. With enlightened views, heroic purposes and steadfast faith, they were acting in harmony with the eternal laws and plans of the Almighty's moral Providence, and therefore signal success followed their labors.
Before proceeding to trace the succession of 'things here since the commencement of the present century, it will be well for us to pause and consider the individual character of some of the early settlers. The first that will attract our attention is the bold and intrepid
THOMAS ASHLEY ;
and that we may understand properly the basis of the sterling qualities which entered into his whole life, let us look after his ancestors. His father, the Hon. John Ashley, settled in Shef- field in 1732. He was a man of superior abil- ities, both natural and acquired, and was ex- tensively employed in advancing the good order of the town. The proprietors were so well satisfied with his services, that they gave him 200 acres of land as an acknowledgment of his kindness in promoting the good order of the settlement. He was often a representative in the Legislature-judge of the court of common pleas. The State, then a British colony, often com:nitted to him important business.
Thomas Ashley removed to Poultney in 1771. He was treasurer, for a long time, of the Pro- prietors. He was a man of athletic and firm constitution, and of bold and fearless spirit. He was the leading man of this settlement for many years. For more than 20 years he was a justice of the peace, and held some of the most important town offices. He was a repre-
sentative to the General Assembly in 1787, '91. '92, '93, 1800 and 1801.
While a member of the Legislature he would not let a member dodge the responsibility of voting. An exciting question coming under trial by the yeas and mays, a man took his hat and arose. Ashley, quick as the man was upon his feet, with as loud a voice as became the man who followed next after Allen, at Ti, calls out-" Mr. Speaker, I move no member be per- mitted to leave the room until the question is decided." The man dropped back into his seat ; the house shouted *
In politics he was an unbending Republican. He was one of the original members of the Poultney Library association-in fact, he may be called its founder. He was a great reader : after enjoying its advantages a few years, he often remarked that he knew the situation of the old world as well as he did that of his own farm. He was the next man to Ethan Allen, as already noticed, that entered the old Fort at Ticonderoga, and stood at the top of the stairs as sentinel, while Allen entered the fort as commander. He was a man of strong mind, retentive memory and strict integrity, and was ardent in his love of country-bold and intrepid as a soldier, and greatly beloved in the private walks of life. He died July 9, 1810, aged - years.
Perhaps never, in the history of the town, has so large a concourse of citizens been in attendance upon funeral services, as at his- with the exception, perhaps, of the funerals of Rollin C. Mallary and Joel Beaman. The citizens bore the remains of their venerable and respected neighbor upon a bier, from his residence to the burial ground in this vil- lage, where he was laid to rest beside his kindred and those who had been the recipients of his hospitality, and had shared with him in toils and privation, in the early periods of our history. He exerted as great an influence as any man in town, while he lived.
Permit me to bring before you, next, the life and services of the friend and companion of Mr. Ashley-
COL. EBENEZER ALLEN.
He was born in 1743. [Sce full sketch of this brave man's life, in connection with the history of South Hero, vol. II. p. 79, this work. We have room, here, for only a few additional dates and remarks by Mr. Clark .- Ed.] He married his wife from Berkshire county, Mass.,
* Elias Ashley, page 967.
1
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POULTNEY.
where his parents had removed. He, with his brother-in-law, Thomas Ashley, moved with his family into this town in April 1771. The first night they encamped in shanties thrown up by Ashley and himself. on the south side of Poult- ney river, on the farm now owned by Pomeroy Wells, Esq. During the night a heavy rain commenced-the river overflowed its banks, and compelled them to retreat before morning, to a hill near where Geo. Martin now lives. He commenced improvements on his land, and was the first to raise any products from a farm in this town, and the first child born in this town was his son - Allen. At the last intelli-
gence we have he was living in the State of New York. It was not long before he was ap- pointed captain in Herrick's famous regiment of Rangers. And soon after he removed his family to Tinmouth, and he and Thomas Rice were the delegates from that town to the Dorset con- vention in 1776. After his capture of "im- pregnable" Mt. Defiance, with Col. Isaac Clark and 40 men, against 200, by a brilliant surprise, without the loss of a single man ; the next day he overtook a party of British soldiers retreat- ing, took 100 head of cattle, and several prison- ers. The property, by order of the Council, was, at Bennington, all handed over to Gen. Lincoln, commissioner appointed to take charge of the property, which was sent to Connecticut, and exchanged for powder, lead. &c. One John Brown, who was but a volunteer, and after- wards resided in this town, wrote Gen. Lincoln a description of this expedition, which has been accredited as the proceedings on that occasion to the present day. Without regard to Col. Herrick's letter to Gen. Gates and our Council, Ira Allen, in one of his pamphlets, gives the particulars of this event.
There is one incident connected with this expedition which is worthy of a record in let- ters of gold. [Mr. Clark here dwells eloquent- ly on the manumission document of Col. Eben'r Allen, giving freedom to the slave mother and child captured with British soldiers. See page 580, vol. II., of this work .- Ed.]
It is not only fit and proper, but it is good for us to have gathered to-day to commemorate the deeds of these honored pioneers of our town-to perpetuate their memory. We feel a spirit of holy veneration arising up within us, while we are stepping in the very footprints of those men. We seem almost to behold their venerable faces, and to hear their voices speak- ing to us out of the past, and we are more deeply impressed by the lessons they taught.
In April, 1777, the early settlers mourned the loss of two of their best and most respected associates-men who had done all in their pow- er to aid in laying deep and broad the founda- tions of religion and morality-who trusted and prayed as Christian men, that their principles might pervade the inhabitants of this new set- ment, and their descendants. I refer to Nehe- miah Howe and Isaac Ashley. The former was an intelligent, enterprising man-of exem- plary moral and religious character, and well suited to be a leader of a band of emigrants in a new country, and was a man of mark as a counsellor in the euly meetings of the propri- tors. Mr. Howe and Judge Ward represented the town in the convention which was held at Cephas Kent's, in Dorset, Sept. 25, 1776, which declared Vermont a free and independent colo- ny. Mr. Howe was one of the first board of se- lectmen, and was continued in that office until his death. He built the first gristmill in town, on the falls in this village. His residence was where the present edifice of the Congregational church now stands.
Isaac Ashley came to Poultney in the fall of 1771. He was the first Baptist who came into town. Mr. Ashley was beloved by all for the kindness, generosity and nobleness of his na- ture and conduct. He died April 17, 1777, aged 30 years, leaving an infant son about 13 months old, who spent his life in our midst, an ornament to society, and honored by his fellow-citizens. I cannot conclude this sketch in more fitting language than his Epitaph ex- presses :
The memory of the just how sweet, Though they are out of sight; We'll trace their footsteps till we meet In infinite delight.
Our attention is next directed to
MAJOR HEBER ALLEN,
who was born in Woodbury, Ct., in 1744. He came to Poultney in the fall of 1771. He was proprietor's clerk, and the first town clerk. Though not so brave as Ethan, nor so shrewd as Ira, he nevertheless acted well his part, within the narrower sphere of his activity. He seems to have been well fitted for the excu- tive position he was called upon to fill. He was a man of pleasant and insinuating address-of ex- tensive general information-decided in his opin- ions, and bold and determined in maintaining them. He drew, with much ability, many of the public papers of that day. He was assist- ant judge of the Rutland Shire of the Cumber- land county court in 1778 and '79. He died of,
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consumption, April 10, 1782, aged 38 years ; and I cannot give a better summary of his character than is inscribed on his tombstone :
" This Grave contains the Remains of
MAJOR HEBER ALLEN,
Who, with his Brothers, assisted in the struggle for the INDEPENDENCE of THIS and the UNITED STATES. He was one of the EARLIEST SETTLERS in THIS TOWN,
And died, as he lived, as expressed by his brother Ethan, ' the noblest work of God.'"
His wife, after his death, went to live with his son, (in Colchester,) the Hon. Heman Allen, late a minister to a foreign court, and a native of this town.
ICHABOD MARSHALL .- [See account by Mr. Ashley .- Ed.]
I have been more minute in narrating the efforts and difficulties from 1771 down to 1800, because the early incidents of the plantation- the scattered fragments that we can gather up -are remote for general inquiry, and are well deserving of preservation. At any rate I think they will be found interesting to those who claim lineage in this town.
The town now entered upon that uniform and eventful course which furnishes but little of the material which usually constitutes the staple of the historian's narrative. Not that any events of importance really transpired here from year to year-no, not one of all the least eventful, in the history of this town, in which those processes of thought and education were not silently go- ing on, out of which peaceful progress or vio- lent revolutions grow, and nations rise or sink. History has too often supposed its story told, and all told, when it has chronicled the march of armies-the installation or dissolution of cabinets. But history, to include all that be- longs to it, should describe more faithfully the life of the people in their homes and hamlets. But more and more it comes to be seen how, while the surface is calmest. the waters beneath are often fastest gathering volume and tide- how men are often thinking most, when acting least; and how their ideas are hardening in convictions and inflexible purposes most rapid- ly, while there is the smallest manifestation of present change.
But I must leave the larger field which is opening before me, to pursue the humbler path of the local annalist.
tions." No action was had upon this article at the meeting.
In 1806 the old meetinghouse was occupied as a townhouse, according to a vote of the pro- prietors, giving it to the town.
In April, 1809, a town meeting was called to take into consideration the critical situation of the United States, and adopt such measures as they shall judge best for the interest of the town.
The Hon. Amos Thompson presided at this meeting. The Hon. John Stanley, Timothy Crittenden, Esq., and Dr. Adin Kendrick, were appointed a committee to draft resolutions and lay before the town. The record says, "The committee laid on the table two papers, which were read, and they were adopted"-but does not give the resolutions.
1811 was an eventful year to this section of country. On the 22d of July, about 10 o'clock in the morning, it commenced to rain-about noon the sun shone clear, and at one o'clock the rain again commenced with great power : the flats along the river were inundated-the water poured from the hill-sides and mountains in torrents-houses, mills, barns and bridges were swept off in a brief hour. One man, Mr. George Morgan, was drowned. Mr. Todd's factory was swept away. He was returning from Troy with Daniel Sprague and Joel Bea- man, and they had just crossed the bridge on the turnpike, near where the covered bridge is, by Mr. Wells' in the West Village. and they were compelled to abandon their teams, and with Samuel Hyde, who was assisting them, clin.b a tree for safety. While there Mr. Todd saw the machinery of his factory float by. They were all in the tree about 34 hours. Several men attempted their rescue in a boat improvised for the occasion. The boat and men were launched some distance up stream, and attempted to cross to the tree; but were swept down by the current past the tree, and were all thrown into the water by the boat's coming in contact with an upturned elm, just about the middle of the channel : but the men all succeeded in gaining the roots of the elm, which projected high in air. A rope was thrown to them from the north shore by means of a stone tied to the end-they, in turn, throwing it to the men who had been up the tree, and who had, upon the subsiding of the flood a trifle, ridden their horses down opposite, about 20 rods-they. fastening the rope to a tree, swung hand over hand to their companions who had attempted
The first thing that will attract our notice in the records is a warning for a town-meeting in 1802, in which the following article occurs : " 5th. To see if the town will have the Small Pox introduced into town, under proper restric- their rescue, on the roots of the elm-and all
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POULTNEY.
in the same manner escaping to the north shore. Previous to this Beaman swam ashore.
So great was the damage done to the high- ways and property of the town, that at a spe- cial town-meeting Timothy Crittenden. Amos Thompson, Isaac Hosford, James Hooker, Sam- uel Martin, Oliver Sanford and Abner Adams, were appointed a committee to petition the Legislature to relinquish the State tax for two years, and authorize the town to lay out the same on the public roads and bridges.
In 1812 a special town-meeting was held, and a motion made. "That the town tax them. selves to pay the soldiers, now detached from the militia of the town. if they shall be called into active service, $ 3 per month, to be paid in grain, at or before their discharge."
The vote did not pass-59 in favor, 79 against the resolution.
This was not very patriotic ; but it is to be taken into consideration, in our judgment of the action of the town, that there were great differences of opinion as to the merits of the war.
A company was drafted from this town, un- der the command of Capt. Bryan Ransom .- They went as far as Middlebury, and learning that the battle of Plattsburgh had been fought, they returned home. Many of that company I now see before me, and it would be a matter of great interest to them and the audience, to give personal anecdotes of that two days' cam- 'paign ; but time will not allow.
So strong were the feelings of the freemen of this town against any change in the Consti- tution of the State, that when the Council of Censors, in 1813, recommended a change to the Convention held in 1814 .- the Hon. John Stan- ley having been elected delegate-after his election it was found that he was in favor of the amendments-a special meeting was called, and he was instructed to oppose all the proposed amendments. This is the only case on record where the town has instructed a delegate or representative as to his votes or acts in the General Assembly.
In 1815, the feeling relative to the war hav- ing subsided, the town voted to pay Capt. Bryan Ransom his expenses in procuring guns for the soldiers.
They also voted to pay Levi Kinney for a cartridge box he formerly furnished a militia man. This, I believe, closed up the local ex- penses of the war, so far as this town was concerned.
barous custom then so much in vogue, of letting the keeping of the town paupers to the lowest bidder. For the sake of humanity we should rejoice that such a custom is abandoned.
In 1822 THE POULTNEY GAZETTE was estab- lished, and was afterwards changed to the name of "The Northern Spectator." It was in the office of this paper that Horace Greeler com- menced his apprenticeship ; but the history and world-wide fame of Mr. Greeley does not demand any extended notice of his honorable career; but in passing I may be allowed to men- tion the fact, that two of the leading journals of this country have been established by those who have made Poultney their residence. or Vermont was their birth-place: I refer to tie New York Tribune and New York Times. The Times was established in part by the Hon. Francis H. Ruggles and George Jones. Esq .- both of whom were natives of this town.
About this time a debating club was estab- lished in this village, which was sustained with much spirit, and well remembered names are called up in connection with its history .- Among the leading members were Horace Greeley, Amon Bailey, Harvey D. Smith. Eti- sha Ward, Joseph Joslin, Moses G. Noyes. Doet. Palmer, Harlow Hosford and others.
The Troy Conference Academy was establish- ed in this town in 1836. and has been pros- perous in its history, with the exception of a few years, until it passed into the hands of ing present officers ; since which it has taken rink with some of the best schools in the country. It numbers among its alumni many honored men. It has diffused its blessings far and wide, and may it long continue its work. and place high the standard of education.
Some of our eloquent preachers. learned men and esteemed citizens have been connected with the faculty of this institution; and it would give me great pleasure, were it proper, to stop at this point and give the history of those who have been connected with it.
The Bank of Poultney was established in 1841, and re-chartered in 1859.
The Rutland and Washington Railroad was completed and commenced operations, April 1, 1852.
The first physician in town was Doct. Jones an odi- Safford, whom we shall notice more at ] ne lever before we close. He was followed by the war Walker, Hyde, Palmer, Kendrick- are dead.
.chameter was Among the first mechanics was > knew bim in In 1817 the first record appears of that bar- I beck and Mr. Munson, and some of
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names I have been unable to obtain .- The first female born in town is still (1861) living at Norfolk, N. Y., in hale old age, and had express- ed a great desire to be present on this occasion.
The oldest person now living in this town is Mrs. Perkins, (formerly Mrs. Dye,) 91 years old, who came here from Kent, Ct., 61 years agn. The oldest male person born in town, now living, is Philo Hosford. (86.)
A Mrs. Elizabeth Scott died here, some years since, aged 99} years. Mr. John Wheeler died in 1834, aged 94; Mrs. Lydia Morse, in 1836, aged 93 ; in 1859, Mrs. Anna Morse, aged 97} years.
In conclusion, let us review, briefly, the lives of a few of the more prominent citizens of the town, and I will relieve your patience.
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