USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 8
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MT. HOLLY.
fruits mete for repentance, until the church in | She was a daughter of Capt. Jewett, then resid- a few years numbered over 480 members. God blessed his labors abundantly. The pastor's work was not wholly confined to this church. He was often called to other towns to do min- isterial duties. Those that had gone out from this flock were attached to their first shepherd, and he was called to minister to them in times of prosperity as well as in affliction. His gen- erous heart yearned towards them : they were like children to him : they had grown up, tem- porally as well as spiritually, under his kind ministrations. The good seed sprang up and sealed his ministry, giving him souls for his hire, and he was living-the purpose of his whole soul-to do with his might what his hands found to do, whether his days should be many or few.
During the pastorate in Mt. Holly of nearly 40 years, he baptized over 1600 persons, which we trust will be as stars in the crown of his rejoicing, when God makes up his jewels. Though very liberal to other denominations, he was firm as the rock of ages in following the commands of our Saviour. He took the Bible as his guide and stand-point-Jesus as his sup- port ; all of which failed not to interest and awaken the careless and unconcerned. He gave to God the praise, to God the victory. It may be said of this now father in Israel, he has always taken an active interest in the great missionary operations of the day. Always-unless hind- ered by sickness in his family, or otherwise-he has attended the Baptist Anniversaries, Associ- ations, Conventions, and the several gatherings for the promulgation of truth, and has ever been ready with willing hand and heart to aid every good word and work for the cause of Christ. We feel that God has rewarded him in his labors of love. He has sometimes lost, fi- nancially-once, nearly all his earthly effects : but for all that his trust in God wavered not, nor were the hungry permitted to go from his door without a blessing and welcome from his scanty store.
Those fifty years were not, however, without their sometimes harmful teachings. The heart of this Christian soul was tried in the furnace of affliction, but not found wanting. His fam- ily consisted of a wife and four children. Death claimed first the eldest, a daughter, and in a few short mouths the companion of his joys and sorrows was taken. She had helped to bear the burden and heat of the day in his ear- ly life, and took none the less upon her in later life. Her maiden name was Jemma Jewett.
ing in Putney. She was a worker in her Mas- ter's vineyard. Her teachings and examplary life were not in vain in the church with whom she walked, and were the means of effecting much good. She was truly the pastor's help. She came with him to his new home ; she help- ed to heal the broken-hearted, nourish the sick, and rejoice with those that rejoiced, and weep with those that wept. She lived a peaceful life, and died a triumphant death. And then, again, in less than two short but perilous years, that silent, unwelcome messenger again knocked at the door of our hearts, and took our only brother, the pride and hope of us all. It was a severe blow to our minister father to give up his young son preparing for the ministry. But he was a devoted Christian who was called, over ready and willing to obey his Master's suinmons. God had a higher and nobler pur- pose for him.
I speak of these light afflictions, which are but for a season, to show that this long tried pilgrim has had his path threaded with shad- ows as well as with sunshine. Though now too much enfeebled for active duties, his mind is active. Though the temporal light is fading from his eye, we trust the spiritual light is growing brighter, and not far distant the day when he will not only see face to face the loved ones gone before, but he will find rest-" rest for the weary soul;" though nerer weary in his Master's cause, and reap a rich reward for his labors of love.
[Since the above was received, Mrs. Bull, daughter of Elder Packer, writes :]
" Peacefully he fell asleep in Jesus, June 30." (1873.) "I said to him, 'Father, you are just waiting at the door.' 'Yes, my child, Jesus is ready to receive me.' " His sickness was brief. Disease had struggled for months to rivet its hold upon his feeble body; but it resisted, with the aid of his masterly energy and strong will, until three weeks previous to his death. Though suffering most of the time, nothing escaped his lips but gratitude and thanks. Each day, as friends from far and near thronged to catch one more word of cheer, with smiles brightening up that dear old face, his hand and heart went out to them.
: " Ifis funeral was at the north church, July 2d. Though remodeled, from the associations of many years it had always been a sacred spot to him. The desk and orchestra were heavily draped. His slip was completely shrouded.
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A beautiful display of flowers, the autumn leaves and ripened grain, arranged in different forms, served as a symbol of the life thus pass- ed 'as a shock of corn fully ripened in its sea- son.' The church was filled to its utmost, and the congregation was composed mostly of aged people. As they lived in that day the preced- ing sixty years, the tear, the silvered heads, bowed in sweet tribute of respect to his mem- ory, evidenced how well they had revered and loved their old pastor.
"Revs. J. C. Farrar, Wright and Clement of- ficiated at his funeral-Rev. Mr. Farrar preach- ing impressively from Ps. xvii, 15. He was buried in the church-yard near his loved home. the dear body being lowered into the grave by his son and three sons-in-law. He had almost attained his 87th year."
THE INVALID'S REQUEST.
BY M. A. DICKERMAN. +
Open wide the window, Mary, the blinds wide open fling, And draw me gently thither where the genial breath of Spring
May fan my throbbing temple and cool my burning brow,
And kiss away the fever on my cheek so burning now.
Let me gaze upon the wordure-earth's richest carpet spread
For the thoughtless myriads who on her bosom tread ; O! could they see the beauties which in that verdure lie,
Twould kindle admiration in each beholder's eye.
Let me look upon the flowrets, though scarcely to be seen,
Emblems of humility, peeping up from 'mid the green Telling us of purity,-with what eloquence they speak; As in their silent language they exhort us to be meek.
Let me gaze npon the forest, in vernal tints arrayed, Now varied and commingling, like the artist's light and shade :
O! I love to look upon them-those sturdy monarch trees,
That bid defiance to the blast, but gently greet the breeze.
Let my eyes behold the mountains, those bulwarks strong and old,
Stupendously uprearing, as if guarding some strong- hold :
But my mental vision wanders, nor ceases it to roam, Till it rests on that loved object-my own Green Moun- tain home.
Let me listen to the ripple of the gently murmuring rill,
As joyously it glides along, meandering at will ; Reminding us of life,-as it hastens to its goal,
The mighty deep receives its trust-Eternity, the sonl.
Let nie listen to the warblers as they peal their merry notes,-
As strains of richest melody gush from their tiny throats ;
So happy and so joyous they buoy my spirits up,
And cause me for a moment to forget my bitter cup.
Yes, draw me to the window where the balmy breath of Spring
May kiss away the teardrops, sad thoughts are wont to bring ;
And earth in vernal splendor shall my thoughts from sadness win,
As I gaze npon the landscape, and drink its beauties in May, 1864.
* A native of Mt. Holly. These lines were sent by the proprietor of the well known establishment for in- valids, at Saratoga, N. Y., some ten years since; the name of the gentleman has escaped us. The writer was, we think, a young lady patient in the institution.
MOUNT TABOR.
BY GIDEON S. TABOR, ESQ.
The town of Mt. Tabor is situated in the S. E. corner of Rutland county ; bounded N. by Wal- lingford and Mt. Holly, E. by Weston, S. by Peru and Dorset, and W. by Danby. It was chartered Aug. 28, 1761, and was one of Gov. Wentworth of New Hampshire's charters, by the name of Harwick, to Jonathan Willard and 60 others, in the usual form of charters, to contain 6 miles square. This township lies principally on the Green Mountains-nearly two-thirds of it yet in a primeval state, with the exception of some entries for lumbering purposes; the west side, however, lies in the valley of Otter Creek, and furnishes some excellent intervale lands. Otter Creek ruus about five miles in this town ; the Rutland and Bennington railroad about the same distance. Danby railroad station is in Mt. Ta- bor. The road from Manchester to Rutland runs about 2 miles through the S. W. corner of this town-thence into Danby. running within 80 rods of the town line between Danby and Mt. Tabor, the entire length of said line. The inhabitants living in Danby, on said road, own the lands to the mountain in this town, which materially lessens our population. We find no record of any inhabitants in this town of earlier date than 1782; but there were prob- ably settlers here as early as in any towa in this vicinity.
This town was organized March 17, 1789. Gideon Tabor, moderator ; John Jenkins, town clerk; John Stafford, John Jenkins and Gide- on Baker, selectmen; Jonathan Wood, treas- urer; Elihn Allen, constable and collector ; Giles Wing and John Stafford, listers. For
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MT. TABOR.
petit jury, Beloved Carpenter, Gideon Tabor, | Mars ; and a lumber mill on the Green Moun- Giles Wing, Jonathan Wood, John Stafford and Gideon Baker.
There was another town meeting, May 28, 1788, at which it was voted that an immediate estimation be made of the property ; also a tax of £ 5 to be made out and collected in grain, to defray the expenses of laying out roads, purchasing books, and paying other nec- essary expenses.
A list of the names of the freemen was as follows : Elihu Allen, Gideon Tabor, Gideon Baker, Matthew Randall, Jr., Giles Wing, Benj- Cornwell, Beloved Carpenter, Jonathan Wood, Stutely Stafford, Edward Corban, John Stafford, Elijah Gary, Jacob Wheeler, Jr., Stephen Hill, Palmer Stafford, Samuel Quitman and Daniel Sherman : 17 recorded at the date of the or- ganization.
I found a certificate among my father's old papers, of the election of Gideon Tabor as rep- resentative of the town of Harwick, in 1788, signed by John Jenkins, town clerk-the Leg- islature to convene at Westminster.
The name of this town was changed from Harwick to Mt. Tabor. in 1803. The change was made in consequence of there being a town by the name of Hardwick in this State, which caused miscarriage of mail matter. This town has never had any postoffice within its limits, but depends on Danby and Weston.
A part of Bromley, (now Peru) 200 rods wide, east and west, and 6 miles long, was annexed to Mt. Tabor in 1805, and remained with Mt. Tabor 20 years, and then was an- nexed to Dorset. That strip contained about 14 families.
There is a natural pond on the top of the Green Mountain, on the town line between Mt. Tabor and Peru; said line running through the centre of said pond. From this pond flows a stream called the Big Branch, which runs north about 34 miles to a lumber mill built about 1854 by F. M. Button-now owned by Jenkins & Hackett; thence, west by south, to Otter Creek east of Danby Borough. The whole dis- tance of the Big Branch is about 7 miles. This stream has on it 5 lumber mills, a tannery and cheese-box factory, a stave and a clapboard ma- chine. There is another mill stream in the east part of this town, which is the head of West River, and has two lumber-mills on it, in this town. There is also a mill stream that empties into the Big Branch at the Button mill, and has a lumber mill on it which was first built by Si- las Barrett, and now owned by John B. St.
tain stream, in the southwest part of the town, owned by James P. Griffith, which does a good business. There was a road laid out and built through Mt. Tabor from Danby Borough to Weston, about 1812 or '15. About this date several families were settled in the east part of this town. The first of them was Samuel For- ter, father of Asa B. Foster, Esq., formerly of Weston-now of Pittsford.
The first Proprietors' Meeting was warned by William Fox of Wallingford, and bolden in August, 1805-William Fox, Esq., moderator, Gideon Tabor, Esq., proprietors' clerk; at which it was voted to allot the town, and that Jona- than Parker, David Steel and Gideon Tabor should be a committee to superintend the al- lotting.
It was voted, moreover, to give David Steel, Esq., a strip 500 rods wide on the east side of the town for 16 original proprietors' shares that be owned. The remainder was allotted in 1807; the Governor's lot was chartered in the S. W. corner of the town. This town, with the ex- ception of Steel's 500 rods cliff, and the Gov- ernor's 500 acre lot, was run out into 96 lots -two lots to each proprietor's share ; desig- nated by ranges and numbers, and first and second division lots. One share was for the incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, one share for a Glebe for the Church of England, as by law estab- lished ; one share for the first settled minister of the Gospel, and one share for the benedt cf a school in said town.
About 3000 acres of the best part of the town, including the Governor's lot in the valley of Otter Creek, was first settled, and titles ob- tained by pitches and vendue sales for taxes. It was ascertained in 1857, by running the town line between Danby and Mt. Tabor. thos parties claiming under Danby had crowded in- to Mt. Tabor 10 rods at Danby Borough, the centre of said line, which takes about 60 acres of land, 8 dwellings, the meeting-house and the old banking-house, all treated as being in Dau- by, and will virtually form Mt. Tabor. and re- main so by acquiescence, unless an act of the Legislature, or a judgment of Court sets it right.
There was a log school house built at an early date on the farin of Gideon Tabor, near where the widow Sally Griffith now lives. The first school I ever attended was in that house, taught by my father, Gideon Tabor, in the win ter of 1808-9. It was the last school tangis in that house, and the last school taught by muy
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father. There are four school districts in this town at this date. (1869.)
Of the old inhabitants the first I will mention was
JOHN SWEET, who came into town about 1782, and settled upon 60 acres of land at the foot of the Green Mountains, on the farm Martin Foley now owns. He was a pious old gentleman. An anecdote of him I have heard related from the pulpit is too good to lose: His log-house stood directly at the foot of the Green Mountains. In the month of May, 1815, there was a very se- vere rain storm one night, with heavy thunder and lightning, and a large rock, some 200 rods up the mountain, undermined by the water, started and swept every thing before it. It came directly towards the house. The fam- ily heard the thundering of the elements and tumult of the rocks, but was prevented by the darkness from seeing the real danger. They could hear, however, the fearful rumbling and clashing, and fled to a little hill just west of the house, in great consternation. Before they left, however, the old gentleman stopped to kindle the fire. The old lady urged him to hur- ry and leave the house, or he would be buried alive. The old gentleman then said to her, " Woman, remember there is a God in heaven." Daylight revealed to them, that the huge rock, sweeping all before it thus far, had come within three rods of the house, and lodged in some newly plowed ground ; and the floodwood, rocks and earth that followed had run all around the house, but had left the little tenement un- harmed. I saw it a few days after, and went to the starting point.
The old gentleman died about 1818, and was buried in the burying-ground on my father's farm, by the side of five of his children. He had a large and respectable family. They all left town soon after his decease. His eldest son, David, became a minister of the Gospel, and is now living in Hebron, N. Y., an aged man, nearly 90 years old.
[ in that ground was erected at their graves by the old lady's son, John Chatman of Dorset.
WALTER TABOR came from Tiverton, R. I., to Danby, with his family, about the year 1782 or '83. He lived in Danby about 10 years, and then came to this town: his farm was on the east side of Otter Creek, and is now owned by John B. Griffith. His buildings are all gone. He died in 1806; was a prominent man in town, and held some offices. His eldest son, Gideon Tabor, was born in 1762, and was in the war of the Revolution 4 years. He came to this town about 1784: married Hannah Car- penter, daughter of Beloved Carpenter, then living in this town. Beloved Carpenter was a brother of Governor Benjamin Carpenter of Guilford. Gideon Tabor served as town clerk in this town 28 years; represented the town in the Legislature most of the time for about 30 years; was a justice of the peace over 30 years, and died in February. 1824, in the 62d year of his age.
My father, Gideon Tabor, raised a family of 8 children that arrived to years of majority. There are but two of them living now-myself and sister Sophia, who owns and occupies the old homestead where she was born, and is now 70 years old.
CALEB BUFFUM moved into Mt. Tabor in 1815, on to a farm on the east road about 1 mile from the Creek road. He lived nearly 40 years in town, and raised a large family ; and then sold his farm, and went to Rutland to live with his son Caleb Buffum, Jr. He and his wife both died in Rutland, but were brought back and buried in Mt. Tabor burying-ground. Esquire Buffum was an energetic, useful man in town, and represented Mt. Tabor in the Legislature several years, and held all the town offices at different times.
STEPHEN HILL, mentioned in the organization of the town, remained in town until his death, on the same farm (which was the north-west corner of the town). His youngest son, Amos, lived and died on the same farm. There are none of the family now in town, and the farm is now owned by John Hudson.
GIDEON BAKER was in town at the organiza- tion, and one of the first selectmen, and once represented the town in the Legislature. He lived where Hiram Griffith now lives, one mile Stephen Hill, Gideon Baker and Gideon Ta- bor were the only men that remained in town from its organization until their death; and there is not a legal representative of those who organized the town, except the Tabor family, that remains in the town. south of Danby Borough. He and his wife and a part of their family were Methodists. His kitchen was the stated place for holding Meth. odist meetings, for a number of years. He had a large family : there are none of them living in town now. The old lady died in 1823, and We have no meetinghouse in town, except upon the land that Danby has appropriated, as the old gentleman in 1824, and were buried in the Tabor burying-ground. The first marble | before stated, upon our Otter Creek border, and
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the inhabitants in the west part of the town | ger, Sarah Lampson, widow; John Lampson, attend meetings there, at Danby Borough.
We have Methodists and Congregationalists that hold meetings there, both in the same house. Communication from James Hathaway.
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS.
Walter Tabor, my grandfather, was a soldier of the Revolutionary army. He resided in this town from 1792 until his death in 1806. James Hathaway was also a sergeant in the Revolu- tionary army ; was long a resident of this town, and died in 1826. Joseph Moulton was in the French war, and also in the Revolutionary war. He died in 1815. Gideon Tabor, my father, was in the war of the Revolution 4 years. He went into the service at the age of 16 years.
IN THE WAR OF 1812.
Edward C. Tabor, Arden Tabor, my father and William Colston, went into the service from this town. Edward C. Tabor was an orderly sergeant.
You ask if ever any minister except Sweet resided in this town. Benjamin Shaw, a Meth- odist preacher, came into the east part of this town, and made an effort, for several years, to obtain our lands granted to the first settled minister: he did not succeed, and left. We never had a regular read lawyer to reside in town.
John W. Tabor, my brother, was an M. D. He studied with Doctor Eli Learned of Danby ; graduated at Castleton in 1822; practiced in West Clarendon a year or two, and settled in Plattsburg, N. Y .- came home to Mt. Tabor in the fall of 1829, and died in May, 1830, of con- sumption, aged 34.
MINERAL SPRINGS.
' There are two mineral springs in this town. One is about a mile and a half south of east from Danby Borough, on the mountain. The water is brought to the foot of the mountain in logs, and is in considerable use for medicinal purposes. The other one is at the foot of the mountain, on J. P. Griffith's land, about 2 miles south of the Borough.
ORIGINAL GRANTEES
Jonathan Willard, John Howard, William Buck, Elijah Ferris, John Renold, Thomas Hunter, Nathan'l Marshall, David Hunter, Eze- kiel Napp, Enos Fuller, Peter Reynold, Samuel Hawley, Abraham Finch, Joseph Crouch, Ga- briel Sherwood, James Palmer, Lewis Barton, Daniel Harris, Eli Parsons, Nehemiah Messen.
Daniel Hare, Wm. Hare, Anthony Woolf, James Cutler, Jacob Lomis, John Wentworth, John Chamberlin, Thomas Wentworth, Tho's Martin, John Walbridge, Jonathan Willard , 3d, Samuel Canfield, Eldad Vanwort, Hezekiah Lomis, Wm. Fineourt, Ebenezer Strong, John Rice, Beriah Lomis, Abraham Utler, Samuel Rose, Jr., Judah Aulger, Elisha Smith, David Aulger, Joseph Eames, Ebenezer Eames, Cyrus Aulger, John Aulger, Ebenezer Napp, Richard Fogeson, Rich- ard Truerdell, John Joslyn, Hendrick, Minard Christian Ray, Samuel Willard, Asa Douglas, Richard Wibard, Esq., Daniel Warner, Esq., James Neven, Esq., Charles Foot, John Nell- son.
LETTER FROM TABOR FAMILY. "Troy, Feb. 12, 1863. " My Dear Miss Hemenway :
" I duly received your letter, and at once worte my father, who resides in northern New York, for some facts toueling my grandfather, and have his reply ; but it is very meager. I send now such a sketch as I think would be appropriate.
"My grandfather was most distinguished for his military talents and zeal, and did much to inspire the spirit the Green Mountain Boys ex- hibited in the war of 1812; in which war he he was offered a high commission in the regular service.
"It was my father who was in the Legisla- ture of Vermont, in 1833 and 4. He sold his farm in Shelburn Point some twenty years since, and has since and now resides in the valley of the St. Lawrence, Franklin Co., N. Y. I was not old enough at the time to realize how unwise it was to allow this property to go out of the family-lapse of time only serves to strengthen my regret.
"I do not know whether you are fully aware of the fact, that Shelburne is one of the most delightful regions the sun shines upon, and that the ' The Point,' so called, is the most beauti- ful part of the town.
". Very truly yours, " C. F. TABOR."
In the last War. '61, Mt. Tabor paid bounties to five soldiers, $300 each, and $ 7, per month while in the service. We paid Daniel Lain of Danby, a bounty, which is included in the tive.
We had six in the army over and above our quota, when we paid those bounties. I think there is not another town in Rutland county that has furnished as many men for the war, according to her population, as Mt. Tabor.
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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
SOLDIERS FURNISHED BY MOUNT TABOR.
Volunteers for Three Years, credited previous to call for 300,000 volunteers, of October 17, 1863.
Names. Reg. Co. Age. Enlisted.
Mustored.
Remarks.
Joseph Ayres,
10 C 28 July 22, '62 Sept. 1, '62 Killed at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864.
Henry J. Baker, 6 F 18 Aug. 13, " 15, " Pro. to Cor., killed at do. do. 6, "
Nathan F. Baker, 6 F 20 Oct. 4, '61 Oct. 15, '61 Discharged Aug. 1, '62.
Joseph Buffum, Cav. H 30 24,
= Nov. 19, = Killed July 3, '63.
E.ias E. Cox, 7 D 18 Dec. 17, " Feb. 12, '62 Re-enlisted, Feb. 17, '64.
John Fortier, 10 C 26 July 22, '62 Sept. 1, = Died Oct. 27, '62.
John J. Howard, 2ss E 28 Oct. 16, '61 Nov. 9, '61 Discharged Nov. 11, '62.
Geo. A. King, 6 F 18 Sept. 30,
Oct. 15, "
2 Oct. 24, "
Eli A. Moers,
10 C 29 Aug. 7, '62 "
8,
June 24, "
Isaac A. Sweat,
7 D 21 Dec. 6,
'61 Feb. 12, " Pro. Cor. dis. Dec. 25, '63.
Abel B. Tarbell.
5 E 21 Sept. 2,
" Sept. 16, '61 Died Feb. 4, '62. [in Gen. Hosp'].
James M. Tarbell, 2ss E 19 Oct. 16, " Nov. 9, " Pro. Serg't; re-en'd Dec. 21, '63 ; w'd-
Martin M. Tarbell, 7 D 20 Dec. 12, " Feb. 12, '62 Re-enlisted Feb. 17, '64.
Thomas J. Tarbell, 2ss E .26 Oct. 16, " Nov. 9, '61 Pro. 2d Lt. Co. E. Jan. 1, '64; died Oct. 9.
P. W. Thompson, do. 24 "
=
Discharged June 1, '65.
Wm. A Thompson, do. 27
"
"
= May 15, '62.
Lyman C. Wells, do. 23
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