USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 49
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There resided on the interval, then owned by Israel Harris, now by Isaac Mathewson, a certain elderly poor man, whose name was Alesworth, and who having considerable rep- utation for knowledge of the mystic sciences derived the principal means of his support for himself and wife by making almanacs and exercising the arts of a conjuror. On one occasion John Rockwell, who lived near Geo. W. Chaplain's dwelling, had lost his horse. After searching for several days with - out discovering the slightest clue to the place of its secretion, Rockwell came one morning to consult Alesworth upon the subject. The old man brought out his lead sun-dial (clocks and watches being rare things in those days) to ascertain the exact time of day, drew a cir- cle on the ground, quartered the circle, re- prated the usual hocus-pocus and declared the lost horse was near by the house of Col. James Mead. Rockwell departed, hunted in vain for his horse all that day, and returned the next morning, to inform Alesworth of his warit of success .- The conjurer again went through the ceremonies prescribed for
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the horse was in Mead's neighborhood. Rockwell offered him a dollar if he would find it. Alesworth accepted the offer, started off alone, and toward night was seen return- ing with the missing animal. Many instan- ces of his skill, such as sitting in the house and at any time telling how many of the cat- tle the other side of the house were standing, how many were lying down, and other clair- voyant tricks similar to those practiced by the jugglers and mesmerizers of the present day, were rife among his neighbors.
DEATH OF NATHAN TUTTLE.
Nathan Tuttle, a bachelor, who once own- ed the land for a mile or more southwest of our village, suddenly disappeared in the sum- mer of 1777. The manner of his death is per- haps uncertain-one acccont of it is as fol- lows. For a few weeks after the battle of Hubbardton, and before the battle of Ben- nington, most of the whigs having fled or ta- ken protection under Burgoyne, the tories in this county were entirely lords of the ascend- ant. Tuttle, who staid here but refused to take protection, on one oceasion, being, as was frequently the case, partially intoxicated, met a party of Indians and Tories, of whom were Solomon Johns and Gustavus Spencer of Clarendon. An altercation ensued-they threatening him and he returning the most provoking retorts, daring them to put their threats into execution, till Johns actually run him through with his bayonet, killing him on the spot. The party then tied stones to his body and threw it into Otter Creek below Gookin's Falls. They then went up to Joseph Keeler 's who lived near the dwelling house now occupied by Simeon Chaffee, and told Keeler what they had done, enjoining secre- cy during John's life. What had become of Tuttle was not generally known for several ycars. After the war, Johns was killed in Canada by the falling of a tree-the manner of his death being considered a Providential retribution for the murder of Tuttle :- wlien news of this was received here, Keeler pub- lished the particulars of Tuttle's death.
A GHOST.
But Tuttle's death had remained a myste. ry so long, the wicked world might still doubt as to the facts concerning it, unless convine- ed by that last solver of human doubts, viz. the testimony of one risen from the dead .- Accordingly, Obadiah Wheeler, nephew of The declared the money was in a direction.
Tuttle, used to relate with the most unearth- ly solemnity, that he never knew a word about his uncle's death, until his ghost re- vealed it to him. One evening about dusk as he was returning from the Creek across the meadow the ghost appeared-but like all modern well-bred ghosts, since the "majesty of buried Denmark " appeared on the plat- form at Elsinore spake not until first im- portuned to disclose the cause of its unex- pected visit to earth-and then did "a tale unfold, whose lightest word would harrow up the soul." Its communications were two- fold-the first was a minute account of all the horrid circumstances, attending his own tiendish butchery-the second was a more pleasing account of a large sum of money, 1,500 dollars or more, which he, (Tuttle) had secreted in a particular spot in the ground. This money was to become his (Wheeler's) upon the performance of certain conditions, one of which required his cross- ing the Atlantic Ocean. The ghost having described where the money was secreted so faithfully that it could not be mistaken, and solemnly enjoined upon Wheeler the strict performance of the conditions mentioned be- fore he should touch the treasure, vanished. Wheeler never found it quite convenient to cross the Atlantic, and never claimed to have found his uncle's buried cash.
The Ghost's story about the hidden money being generally circulated found some faith- ful believers. Though Wheeler's mouth was hermetically sealed as to the whereabouts of the treasure and as to the exact conditions by the performance of which it might be obtain- ed, yet there were those who believed that by the aid of sorcery and divination its location might be discovered and it seized, maugre the ghost's injunctions. Our believing friend, Ebenezer Andrews, pondered o'er this subject long and devoutly. At length he went over to Ludlow and procured the services of a noted Conjuror whose professional reputation ex- tended far and wide. The Conjuro: having arrived, proceeded first to discover the point of compass or direction from them in which the treasure was secreted-he drew his circle on the floor, divided the circle into quarters, and filled the whole with figures and hiero- glyphic characters according to the cabalis- tie formula-after a sufficient study of the mysterious manifestations of his profound art, .
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which he mentioned, coinciding nearly with the Northwest. Having ascertained the di- rection the next point was the exact distance. It is a popular belief that twigs of the witch- hazel, held in a particular manner, by cer- tain persons, born under a propitious plan et and skilled in the practice of their natural gift, by their voluntary bending, point out with unerring certainty the location of the precious ores and metals. The conjuror sup- plied with the hazel wands and accompanied by Andrews and Samuel Tainter (whose fa- ther was a brother of Judge Bowker's wife,) started from Andrew's house and proceeded along in the careful use of the wands until he came to a place about forty rods West of Henry Muzzey's house, then stopped, stamped on the ground, and declared that there was the spot. But according to the black science, earth-buried treasures can be dug for only by night-therefore having pro- vided themselves with shovels, pick axes, crow bars, a dark lantern, etc. in the dark, silent, solitary hours of midnight, these wor- thies worked and delved, not altogether as if working on the railroad, or digging potatoes, for certain misgivings, certain twinging of the nerves, came over them, as they thought of the possibility of a conflict with the Prince of Darkness. Still on and on they dug till at last one of them struck the lid of a chest and the clear ringing sound told of wealth at hand. Now, the great object was to keep the treasure where it was, until they could dig down to it-for this purpose the hazel rods had been loaded with quicksilver, whose all potent influence was such, that provided there was enough of it, no power on or un- der the earth, could tear away from its at- tractions the precious metals. The conjurer having caught up the loaded rods, Andrews and Tainter dug away as if for their lives- digging and perspiring, and perhaps shiver- ing a little with supernatural fear, excited by their vast hopes, they had almost clutch- ed the object of their pursuit, when " chinck, chinck, chinck," the money was heard to rat- tle, as if the Foul Fiend by excessive tug- ging was gradually moving it away from the influence of the rods, and 'chinck, chinck, chinck,' fainter and fainter was heard the more distant rattle, and the chest had passed away, forever. Alas! for human foresight. Poor Andrews was often heard to declare with woeful visage, if they only had a few
more mineral rods they should have succeed- ed-drove off the Evil spirit and obtained the money.
To His Excellency Wm. Tryon Captain
General and Governer in Chief in and over the Province of New York and the Ter. ritories depending thereon in America, Chan- cellor and Vice Chancellor of the same.
The petition of the subscribers, who are interested in the townships of Socialborough Halesborough, Neury, Richmond, Kelso .. Moncton, and Durham in the county of Charlotte,
Most Humbly sheweth
That your petitioners being informed that the appointment of the township or place for holding the courts in the Country of Char- lotte will soon come under your excellency's consideration, they beg leave most humbly to suggest
That the township of Socialborough is nearly central to that part of the country which will probably remain a separate coun- ty when the northern part of this province becomes populous, to wit, from Battenkill to an east line from the mouth of Otter Creek, comprising a district of about seves- ty-five miles in length .- That the roa is les i- ing North from the Massachusetts Bar and westward from New Hampshire both pass through the said township, which your petitioners conceive a strong proof of ite be- ing easy of access.
That the townships and the lands in its immediate neigborhood are remarkably fer- tile and pleasantly situated on a fine river called Otter Creek which for many miles is navigable with batteaux and would be throughout but for the obstruction of the falls.
That from the best information your De- titioners are able to collect though the set- tlement began within three years, there are already thirty- five families in Socialborough, and twenty more have made improvements and are expected to remove thither the en- suing spring-the chief of whom bave ?- greed to take titles for their farms under this government.
That in the three townships of Durham, Grafton and Chesterfield, which adjuicei each other and extended from Socialborough southward there are ninety six families actua .- ly settled who all hold their estates under this government.
That in Chatham which is the next town adjoining Chesterfield towards the south there are settled fifteen families and in Elgene which adjoins it on the west, forty .- in Princetowa which aljoins Chatham on the south sevents families, and in West Camoden which a joias it on the west twelve families.
That these making in the whole near two hundred heads of families, chiefly live at a convenient distance from Socialborough aad the most remote of them not exceling forty miles, and have already the advantage o: s
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tolerable road, through which loaded carts have passed from Socialborough to Albany the last summer.
That Col. Keid's settlement which is fur- ther North, and which consists of about fif. teen families is at no greater distance from Socialborough than thirty miles and Major Skene's within twenty miles.
That from these circumstances your peti- tioners hope it will appear that this township is well situated for the county town and not only convenient to the greater part of the present inhabitants, but will continue to be so to the county in general (as far as to the said east line from the mouth of the Otter Creek) when it becomes populous and fully improved. .
That the present inhabitants of the said country are very poor and unable but by their labor to contribute any thing towards the buildings of a Court House and Gaol nor is any provision made for that purpose by law.
Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that unless your Excellency shall judge some other place to be more proper the county- town of the said county may be fixed at So- cialborough in which case your petitiners are willing and do engage to raise and pay all the money which shall be necessary for erecting a convenient Court House and Gaol for said County.
And your petitioners shall ever pray, &c. Charles Nevers, William Shirreff, Wm. Wal - ton, Hamilton Young, Rich'd Mailland, Atty, Jacob Walton, Theophylact Bache, W. Mc Adam, Jno. Harris Cruger, Henry Van Veck, G. Mazzuzin, Gerard Walton, Wm. Lupton, Stephen Kemble, John De Lancy, Theod's Van Wyck, James Thyn, Fied. de Puyster for self and Dr. Jno. Jones, Isaac Roosvelt, Adam Gilchrist, Jacobus Van Zandt, Sam'l Deall, Fred'k V. Cortlandt, William Cock-) burn, Garrett Rapalje.
By order.
It is perhaps scarcely necessary to remind the reader that the York towns of Socialbor- ough and Durham nearly coincided with the New Hampshire towns of Rutland and Clar- endon-that the present county of Rutland constitutes the Southern portion of the York county of Charlotte and that Col. Ried's set- tlement was located at Vergennes-being the same which was so valiantly defended by the doughty Highlander, Donald McIntosh.
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Of these signers. five became Royalists in the Revolution, viz. Jacob Walton, Wm. Walton, Theophilact Bache, Win. McAdam and Jobn Harris Cruger.
Jacob Walton .- He was elected member of the Colonial House of- Assembly from the city of New York in 1769, his election being considered a triumph of the Episcopalians over the Presbyterians-in 1775, he with others addressed a letter to Gen. Gage at Boston, on the state of public affairs-in 1776, Gen. Lee ordered him to remove from his house for the accommodation of the Whig troops.
William Walton .- He was Secretary to the Superintendent of the police in New York City.
Theophilact Bache. Ih 1778, while resil- ing at Flatbush, L. I., Bache was captured by Capt. Marriner, put into a boat and taken to New Jersey. In 1782, he was Vice Presi- dent of the New York Chamber of Com merce. He died in New York in 1807, aged 78. He was noted for his kindness to the whig prisoners in New York city. His bro- ther Richard was a whig and married Sarab, daughter of Dr. Franklin.
Wm. Mc Adam .- A merchant in New York City-his estate was confiscated.
John Harris Cruger. Lived in New York was a member of the council of the Colony- his estate was confiscated-at the peace, be went to England-he married a daughter of De Lancey.
Wm, Cockburn was our old acquaintance, the surveyor.
DESPOSITION OF CHARLES BUTTON.
County of Cumberland ss .- Charles Button of a place called Durham on the bank of Otter Creek on the west side of the Green Mountains, in the county of Charlotte ani province of New York, of full age duly sworn on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God deposeth and saith, that the deponent with others to the number of thirty five families, seated themselves upon the said tract, and hold a title derived from the province of New York, that the deponent has lived with fam- ily upon the same tract since the eighth dav of February 1768, has cleared and improved a large farin, built a good dwelling house with other out houses, and was lately 'ofere i a thousand pounds current money of Nerv York for his improvements. That about eleven o'clock at migut on Saturday the 2 ca instant as the deponent is informed an i veri- ly believes, Remember Baker, Ethan Alen, Robert Cochrane, and a number of other per-
The above petition seems to have been presented in 1769. The signers were citizens of New York colony speculating in Vermont lands-their statements of the population in this vicinity may be true, but it seems to resemble the stories which speculators of a more recent date have published concerning the natural advantages of their paper- planned marsh-located cities of the West, sons, armed with guns cutlisses &c, came to
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the house of Benjamin Spencer Esq., of said Durham, who holds his farm under a title derived from the government of New York and brake open the sand house, and took the said Spencer and carried him about two miles to the house of Thomas Green of Kelso, and there kept him in custody until Monday morning. The heads of the said rioters then asked the said Spencer, whether he would chose to be tried at the house of Joseph Smith in said Durham, or at his the said Spencer's own door ? To which Spencer replied, that ยท he was guilty of no crime, but if he must be tried, he would choose to have his trial at his own door : the rioters thereupon carried the said Spencer to his own door and proceeded to his trial before Seth Warner of Bennington : the said Remember Baker, Ethan Allen and Robert Cochrane who sat as Judges. That said rioters charge the said Spencer with being a great friend to the government of New York, and had acted as a magistrate of the County of Charlotte ; of which respective charges his said Judges found him guilty and passed sentence that his the said Spencer's house shold be burned to the ground, and t:lat he shold declare that he would not for the future act as a justice of the peace for the said County of Charlote. Spencer thereupon urged that his wife and children would be ruined, and his store of dry goods and all his property wholly destroyed if his house was burned. Warren then declared Spencer's house should not be wholly destroyed, that only the roof should be taken off and put on again, provided Spencer would declare, that it was put on under the New Hamp- shire title and purchase, a right under the charter from the last mentioned government. These several conditions Spencer was obliged to comply with, upon which the rioters dismissed him.
That a party of the said rioters came to the deponant's house on the night of Saturday, the 20th instant, as the deponent is inform- ed, and broke open the doors and sacked the house for the deponent, which they did not find as he was gone to Crown Point, to take Stephen Weakly upon writs issued against him at the suit of Samuel Green and one Sprague. That upon the deponent's return home with the said Weakly in custody, another party of the said rioters took the deponant, obliged him to discharge the said Weakly, and one Smith and others of the said rioters the next day declared they would pull down Green's house and give him the Beach seal. (mening that they would flog him unless he consented thereto) which he accord- ingly did.
They then obliged this deponant to give the said Weakly six shillings current money of New York, for taking him the said Weak- ly into custody, and declaring for the debts due from him, the said Weakly to the said Green and Sprague as aforesaid, and after- wards made this deponent promise that he would never serve as an officer of justice or constable to execute any precept under the
province of New York, and then gave him a certificate in the words and figures following to wit :
"Pittsford, Nov. 24th, 1773.
"These are to satisfy all the Green Moun- tain Boys that Charles Button has had his trial at Stephen Meed's, and this is his diy- charge from us.
PELEG SUNDERLING. BENJ. COOLEY "
Which certificate they declared would be a sufficient permit or pass among the New Hampshire claimants Green Mountain Boys and further the deponant saith not.
1773.
CHARLES BUTTON
Charles Button came from Connecticut- he bought his farm under a title derived from a New York grant-his dwelling-house built of logs, was located on the south side of Mill River, west of the highway leading south from Claren lon South Flats. In Bick- erstith's Boston Almanac for 1774, he is mentioned as one of the tavern kcepers on the road from No. 4 to Crown Point. His first wife was said to have been the second white woman ever in Clarendon. He died in 1790, aged 52, leaving only two children, viz. Charles F. Button, late of Clarendon and Joseph Button, late of Danby.
Letter from Benjamin Spencer to James Duane. Durham, April, 1772.
Sir :- The people of Socialborough decline buying of their lands, saving four or five, and say they will defend it by force .- The people that settled under Lydius' title, and those that have come in this spring, have agreed for their lands. The New Hampshire people strictly forbid any farther survey being made of Socialborough, or any settlements being made only under the New Hampshire title ; which riotous spirit have prevented many inhabitants settling this spring. You may ask why I do not proceed against them in a due course of law-but you need not won- der, when I tell you that it hath got to that, the people go armed, and 'guards set in the road to examine people what their business is and where they are going, and if they do not give a particular account, they are beaten in a shameful manner; and it is got to that, they say they will not be brought to justice by this province, and bid defiance to any authority in the province. We are threatened at distance of being turned off our lands or our crops destroyed I have this opportunity of writing, by way of Major Skeene, and have not opportunity of infor- ining you of the number of lots, and men's names that you may draw the deeds, but will send thein the first opportunity, as it will take some time to view the lots and give a particular account, I hope the survey of
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our patent may not be stopped on account of this tumult, as we shall labor under a great disadvantage if our lands are not divided this spring. I look upon it to be dangerous for Mr. Cockburn to come into the country until these people can be subdued, he may come here by way of Maj. Skeene, but he cannot do any work only what he doth for us; if he attempts any further. I am afraid of the consequences, but if he does not care to come, I desire that some person may be employed hereabout that we may know where our land is, which I should be glad you would inform me of, as soon as possible. One Ethan Allen hath brought from Connec- ticut, twelve or fifteen of the most black- guard fellows he can get, doubled armed in order to protect him, and if some method is not taken to subdue the towns of Benning- ton, Shaftsbury, Arlington, Manchester and those people in Socialborough, and others scattering about the woods, there had as good be an end of governinent, I am with all due regard
Your humble servant, BENJAMIN SPENCER.
Benjamin Spencer was one of the earliest settlers in Clarendon, purchased his land un- der a title derived from New York-was lo- cated where the Rev. P. C. Clark resides,- was a Tory in the Revolution,-in the sum- mer of 1777 having taken- protection under Burgoyne, he went to Ticonderoga, and it is said died there a few weeks after.
All his sons except Abel, joined the Brit- ish army and went to Canada. Of Abel the following story is told. He had clandes. tinely started for Canada, a sudden rising of the streams impeded his flight, and he stopped at the house of John Rockwell, (who lived near the present residence of G. W. Chaplin). News of his departure was received and Lieut. Forbes of the militia was despatched with a few men in pursuit-he was caught in the bush pasture west of Rockwell's by So- dias Blodgett, brought before Joseph Bowker, Esq, (who lived near the present residence of Miss Hannah Cole,) and examined on the charge of being a tory and intending to de sert to the enemy, (his saddle-bags having been found meanwhile in Rockwell's cellar) he defended himself with much volubility and ingenuity as it appeared to the assembled crowd-but the evidence was too strong to allow of his being released-he was hand- cuffed and sent on foot to Bennington, Ja- red Post, armed with a gun, acting as his guard. Abel Spencer was representative from Rutland to the Legislature in 1802-3-6 -7. He was Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives in 1797, then a representative from Clarendon, and in 1502 white represen- tative from Rutland .- End of Hall papers.
THOMAS ROWLEY
was conspicuous for a time in the early his- tory of Rutland, and was first judge of the Special court of the County of Rutland. Hle came from Connecticut to Danby before 1769. He lived in Rutland some time. While liv- - ing in Rutland he wrote his "Rutland Song," to wit:
" An invitation to the poor tenants that lived under pateroons in the province of New York, to come and settle on our good lands under the New Hampshire lit ats; composed at the time when the Land jobbers of New York served their writs of ejectment on a num- ber of our settlers, the execution of which we opposed by force, mail we could have the matter fairly laid before the King and Board of Trade and Plantations, for their directions.
Come all ye laboring hands That toil below, Among the rocks and sands; That plow and sow,
Upon your hired lands Let ont by cruel hands : 'Twil make you large amends, To Rutland go.
. Your pateroons forsake, Whose greatest care Is slaves of you to make, While you live there; Come quit their barren lands And leave them in their hands; "Twil ease you of their bands To Rutland go.
For who would be a slave That may be tree? Ilere-you good land may have, But come and see. The soil is deep and good Here in this pleasant wood, Where you may raise your food, And happy be. *
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