The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 104

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890, [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt., Vermont watchman and state journal press
Number of Pages: 1066

USA > Vermont > Washington County > The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer: > Part 104

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).

MARVIN SIMONS,

born in Williamstown, 1804, and his wife, Olive Fisk, born Dec. 1806, moved here in March, 1829, and died Dec. 1870, age 66. He was one of the oldest and best citizens of the town, had resided here 40 years, was justice of the peace 19 years, selectman 12, and during his life held many large trusts. He never sought prefer- ment, but his fellow citizens, without dis- tinction of party, relying on his good judg- ment and integrity, kept him in service. His children were : Marcellus M., Lycur- gus L., Darrion A., Cordelia J., Olive M., Alma A., Willie G.

FREEDOM EDSON.

At one time he owned all the land in the Falls village. He married Phebe Ship- man ; children : Daniel, Martin T., Bet- sey, Eli, Sally, Sophia, Marietta, Sylves- ter, Cynthia M., Caroline E.

WILLIAM R. TUCKER,

who was born in Norwich, 1812, and came to this town in 1835, at one time owned 650 acres in the town.

JAMES GOULD,

born in Amesbury, Mass., 1803; married Rebecca Morrill; their children were : Mary E., Harriet B., Hannah R., James P.

About 1835, Mr. Gould came to North- field, and, in company with Walter Little, established a potato starch factory at Falls village, which they successfully operated a few years, until it was destroyed by fire. He then engaged in woolen manufacturing, a part of the time with Erastus Palmer,

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extending and enlarging as increasing business warranted, until failing health forced him to withdraw from business, when he sold to his brother Joseph, and passed much of his time with his children in Wisconsin and Iowa, until 1867, when he removed to Wisconsin, and in company with his son engaged in the lumber busi- ness, etc. Under the pressure of business his health again failed. He died at Janes- ville, May, 1877.

Shrewd in business, but more anxious to do justice to others than to exact the same ; foremost in worthy enterprises ; never seeking to make himself conspicuous, ac- cepting office only when forced upon him ; diffident, tender-hearted as a child, his highest ambition seemed to be to do good and make others happy. By his will, his remains were brought back for burial in our cemetery, and his last resting-place is marked with a shaft of granite from the green hills of the State he loved so dearly.

JOSEPH GOULD,

born in 1809; came to this town with his brother James in 1835. In 1857, he pur- chased the woolen factory at Gouldsville, which was consumed by fire Jan. 31, 1873. On the 23d of June next, he commenced to rebuild on the old site, and in March, 1875, put in operation a first-class mill. For 12 years previous to his death his son Joseph W., had been in partnership with him in the manufacturing business. He married twice, and had 3 children : Joseph W., Hannah C., Alice M. He united with the Methodist church in 1863; was a leading member here. The pipe organ in his church at Northfield stands as a monu- ment of his beneficence.

WALTER LITTLE,

born in Haverhill, Mass., in 1797 ; in 1813 was drafted as a soldier and stationed at Portsmouth, and after his discharge worked in the factory at Salisbury, Mass. He came to Vermont in 1820, and worked for Judge Paine in his factory 3 years. In 1823, he went back to Salisbury, and worked at his trade till 1830, when he re- turned to Northfield, brought his carding machinery with him, and set it up at the

Falls village. James Gould, with 8 horses, moved him from Salisbury, and bought out Joseph Keyes' half interest in the grist, saw and cloth-mills which they were run- ning. Mr. Little and Joseph Keyes com- mnenced the first building for a mill in 1824, at the Falls ; James Gould going into part- nership with Mr. Little in 1831. In 1832 Messrs. Little & Co. built the starch mill ; 1837, they dissolved partnership, Mr. Gould taking the custom-mill, and Mr. Little the starch-mill. In 1847, Mr. Little went to Barre, remaining 2 years, thence to North Montpelier and engaged in woolen manufacturing, where he died in 1859. He married Jerusha, daughter of Samuel Richardson, in 1824, and they had children : Hazen A., Sarah H., Walter S. He was a successful business man, and Northfield is indebted to him for starting manufactures at the Falls village. He gave employment to many laboring men and women, and with his genial good na- ture contributed much to the enjoyment of those around him. He liked a good joke and a good story, and knew when to make business pleasant and agreeable ; and was a leading and faithful mason.

WEST HILL, NORTHFIELD.

A number of inhabitants settled here at an early day on land belonging to the town of Waitsfield, but in 1822 four tier of lots were by act of the Legislature annex- ed to Northfield.

WILLIAM COCHRAN,

from Hanover, N. H., made the begin- ning there in 1798. He married Polly Graves. Their son Stephen was the first child born in that part of the town. Their children were : William G., Lyman, Wel- tha, Stephen, Washington, Edmund, Pol- ly, James.

STEPHEN COCHRAN

resides at the Center village, is a tailor by trade, and well respected.

DEA. DANIEL PARKER,

from Jaffrey, N. H., a year later than Mr. Cochran, located on West Hill. He mar- ried Jennia Cochran, of Peterboro, N. H., and had 5 children.

Daniel Jr. graduated, called the best scholar of his class, at Burlington college.

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Afterward was ordained a Congregational minister, preached some 3 or 4 years in Craftsbury ; came back to South North- field, where he lived on the Kathan farm ; from there went to Brookfield, and pub- lished a book called " The Constitutional Instructor," designed for colleges and com- mon schools; while canvassing for this work he visited Glover, and while there, died at the house of Rev. Levi H. Stone. He left a son who is now a physician of considerable note in Texas. The Doctor contributed from his father's papers two ar- ticles for Mr. Gregory's book. Extracts": THE DYE-TUB.

How bright is the picture of childish emotion, When memory paints what I used to enjoy- The frolic and fun, and each curious notion,

And all the droll capers I eut when a boy ! The wide-spreading fire-place, and pile of wood by it' The pot-hook and candlestick hung on a wire, The porridge-pot, kettle, and frying pan nigh i , And e'en the old dye-tub that stood by the fire; That old wooden dye-tub, the wooden-hooped dye-tub,

The blue begrimmed dye-tub that stood by the fire.

" I saw the stately towering trees, I felt the soft and fragrant breeze, A wild, romantie boy ; I heard-the robin's early song, I heard the warbling rills,-

With vast delight I roamed along O'er Northfield's rural hills." .

" When with a heart with care oppressed, Wandering I seek a place of rest, In which to find repose,

Where I in friendship's bowers reclined, Enjoying rural bliss, may find

Oblivion for my woes. From fancy's visionary flight, O'er distant woods and rills. Pleased with the well-known scenes I light On Northfield's rural hills."

CAPT. HENRY KNAPP,

born in Claremont, N. H., Nov. 1787, came to Northfield in 1808, and with Harry Jones and Silas Rice, Jr., young men about his age, commenced clearing land around the four corners on West Hill, where Mr. Knapp finally made for himself a good home. These young men built a shanty, took hemlock boughs for bedding, got bread baked at Deacon Parker's, and spent a few summers in clearing land ; in the fall migrating South to Claremont, and returning with the spring. It was a happy day for Mr. Knapp when he suc- ceeded in clearing an acre of land, and getting it well sown with rye, because it

was his, and the result of his labors, though they were obliged to go to Waitsfield to get their potatoes at this time.

Years after, when Mr. Knapp had pros- pered, he conceived the idea of building a large barn, and after cutting the timber and preparing it by the old rule, the ques- tion was how to raise it. The inhabitants were few and greatly scattered, but at the end of three days' hard labor from all that could be induced to lend a helping hand from the towns of Northfield. Waitsfield and Roxbury, the barn was raised, and stands to-day upon the old foundation.

Living on the main road frow West Roxbury to the " north neighborhood " in Northfield, he often had new-comers lo- cating farms call on him, and to his credit always had his "latch string out," and assisted to his ability those who after be- came substantial citizens of our growing and prosperous town.

He married Lucy, daughter of William Keyes, in 1818, born in Northfield in 1798, now living (1878), in the Depot village, with her children.

George Henry died in Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., in 1864; was a soldier from Minnesota, and taken prisoner by the rebels.

SAMUEL U. RICHMOND, ESQ.,

born in 1803, came to Northfield with his father in 1823. He was a prominent man in the Methodist church, and a leader in the Democratic party. No man was ever turned hungry from his door. He was prompt, industrious, well regulated, and his word was as good as his bond. He moved to the Depot village in 1867, and died very suddenly in 1873. He married Sophia, daughter of Capt. Henry Knapp ; children : Samuel A., Henry C., Carlos S., Lucy S., George H.

DR. N. W. GILBERT.

Norman W. Gilbert, born in Morris- town, 1830, married Sarah Atwell, of Waterbury, 1854; studied dentistry in Lowell, Mass. ; 1858, settled in Northfield ; 1867, removed to Montpelier; 1873, to Boston, where, Jan. 1877, Mrs. Gilbert died, and soon after the Doctor returned

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to Northfield. He is a graduate of the Boston Dental College.

HON. DAVID W. HADLEY,

resides on the same place where his father located. At the age of 16, on the death of his father, he took charge of the farm and family. He has been representative and selectman-see town list for-and as- sistant judge for Washington county in 1850, '51. Judge Hadley has the honor of owning the lot, by actual calculation of General Jackman, is not only the center of Northfield, but the center of Vermont ; lot 9, range 5, and originally belonged to Peres Gallup. [This center of the State honor is claimed by three towns, or more. See Waitsfield to follow .- Ed.] Judge Hadley married Louisa Brown of Willis- ton, and has 8 children.

GURDON RANDALL,

born in Scotland, Conn., in 1795 ; when 8 years old came to Northfield with his father, who settled in " Connecticut Cor- ner." Mr. Randall was a carpenter and joiner, and followed that business as long as he lived. He married Laura S. War- ner of Putney, born in 1803; they had 9 children : Gurdon Paine, Francis Voltaire, Laura T., Jean J. R., Minerva, Rouena M., Edward H. Citizen Frances Voltaire, Charles Rush.

ALLEN BALCH,

born in Old Topsham, Mass., 1791, came here in 1829, and settled on West Hill, where John Plastridge lives. He started out in the month of March, for his new home, moving his family and effects with a yoke of oxen on a sled. Getting as far as Springfield, he found the snow so deep he hired a stage-driver to take his family to Northfield ; but found them a few days after at Mr. Sampson's in Roxbury, the driver not being able to go any further with his team. Journeying along up through the west part of the town, they stopped over night at Capt. Henry Knapp's. The women on the next morning had to wade through the snow to get to their log- house. He married Hepsebah Dodge of N. H. ; 9 children ; died in 1881.

ADIN SMITH,

born in Monkton, 1794, came from Rox-

bury to Northfield, and settled on the West Hill in 1835. He married Lydia Waterman, born in Brookfield, 1792 ; chil- dren : Alvin F., Elvira E., John W., b 1819; Levi, b 1821 ; Danforth A., b 1825 ; Fanny B., Gilbert O., b 1830; Mary L., Wm. M. Adin Smith and wife made the greatest sacrifice of any of our citizens, in consenting that four of their sons, Levi, Danforth, John and Gilbert, might enlist to assist in putting down the rebellion, all of whom gave their lives to this end, ex- John, who returned.

WILLIAM A. GALLUP,

born in Hartland, May, 1795, came to Northfield in 1817, and began a clearing, boarding with David Denny and Isaiah Shaw. Growing homesick, he went back to Hartland. He was quite a military man, and received a commission as lieu- tenant of light artillery, from Gov. C. P. Van Ness, in 1825. He married Betsey Dodge, of Mass., and in 1828, came back to Northfield to stay, settling in the N. W. part of the town, where his son, Jonathan C. Gallup, until lately resided ; children : J. C., Wm. W., Roderick O. Mrs. Gal- lup died Mar. 1859, and Mr. G. Apr. 1868. J. C. GALLUP, son of Wm. A., came to Northfield with his father, was very suc- cessful, and possessed one of the largest tracts of land in Northfield. At the time he sold his West Hill farm it contained 930 acres. He moved into the depot vil lage in 1866, and bought the fine resi- dence formerly owned by Perley Belknap, commanding one of the best views of the village. He has been a lister, 1864-5-6, and in 1874-8; was director and president of the chair manufacturing company ; is director in the Northfield National Bank ; has a wife and 3 children.

SEWALL DAVIS,

born in Charlestown, N. H., in 1791, set- tled in the west part of the town. Their children were : Howard, Louisa, William, Hannah. At the burning of Charlestown, his Bible, while all the other books in the book-case were burned, even those that laid on the Bible, was preserved from de- struction ; had only one cover somewhat charred.

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JONATHAN BRIGGS,

from Putney, about 1817, settled, after living a while in the Center village, on the farm on West Hill where his son Harvey now resides. He was a constable here a few years, and gave the land where the yellow meeting-house stood, on condition it should revert back to his heirs should it not be used for such a purpose, which was done accordingly after its removal. He had 2 wives and II children.

JAMES STEELE, born in Antrim, N. H., 1793, married Esther Smith, in East Rox- bury, 1815, born in Randolph, 1798. They had 6 children. Mr. Steele died at the old homestead, in 1869, and Mrs. Steele in 1875.

Mr. Steele bought his farm of Nathan Morse in 1829, for $3,700, but } acre cleared, and moved on about April, draw- ing his goods on a hand-sled about 2 miles, as there were no roads. His small log-house was covered with hemlock bark, and he had to build a fire on the ground in the center of the house, the smoke going up through a hole left open in the roof ; oiled paper was put up to slits in the logs to admit light, and a blanket hung up for a door. They had 3 children at the time. He came from Brookfield to Northfield.

WARREN RICE, born in Claremont, N. H., Dec. 24, 1794, married Judith Johnson, in Cornish, and moved to North- field in 1821 ; children : Ruhanna P., Al- mira T., Arial K., Willard A. Mr. Rice died Nov. 29, 1845.

Edward Ingalls, writing in the Argus and Patriot of this family, says :

Mrs. Rice's mother lived to be 98 years old, and could read without spectacles at that age. At one time the men folks were all gone, and Mrs. Rice was left alone with Mr. Rice's father and mother, they being infirm and unable to do anything for themselves, and an invalid son of her own, who was also helpless. The wind was blowing strong from the north-west at the time. Mrs. Rice thought she heard a crackling like fire. Looking about to see what it was, she found the roof of the house in flames, and burning smartly. She carried water quite a distance into the attic, and put the fire out in the inside so she could open the scuttle, when she

climbed out on the roof and put it out there also.

DAVID R. TILDEN,

writer of a " chronicle on the war made on Gov. Paine and the friends of the pro- jected railroad route through Northfield," published in the Montpelier H'atchman- see Mr. Gregory's for pages 161-164 .- He was born in Williamstown in 1800, resided some years in this town, had three wives, one son Ai N., by his first, 5 children by his second, and two by his third. He died in Plattsburgh, N. Y., in 1847.

FRANK PLUMLEY.

born in Eden, was reared on a farm, and had no other advantages than farming boys generally have; for several years taught school in districts and academies both East and West; in 1866, entered the law office of Powers & Gleed, at Morrisville ; in 1867, the Law Department of Michigan University, and also pursued a selected course of the Literary Department of that University, and in 1869, was admitted to practice law at the Lamoille County Court ; June following, came to Northfield, and entered the law office of Hon. Heman Carpenter ; Jan. 1870, the firm of Carpenter & Plumley was formed ; dissolved by lim- itation in 1876; Dec. 1877, became senior partner of the firm of Plumley & Johnson. In 1871, Mr. Plumley married Lamina L. Fletcher, of Eden, then preceptress of Northfield Graded School, and they have 2 children, Charles Albert and Theodora May.

[Mr. Plumley prepared the history of Eden for vol. II of the Gazetteer. ]

SOME OF THE EARLY ANECDOTES OF THE TOWN.

BY HON. HEMAN CARI ENTER.

Capt. Henry Knapp, one of the early settlers in the southwest part of Northfield, that part set from Waitsfield, was a well- to-do farmer, just in all his dealings, want- ing just what belonged to him, and with a due regard to the rights of others. This trait of his character was well brought out by a little incident that occurred about 40 years ago. His farm lying near the base of the mountain between Waitsfield and Northfield, the sheep-pastures and folds

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were liable to be visited by bears which some seasons were very destructive to the sheep in that neighborhood. About 1839, or near that time, a great hunt was planned. The inhabitants of Roxbury, Warren, Waitsfield and Northfield were to assemble under their respective commanders. The Roxbury forces under the command of Esquire Orcutt ; Warren forces under Capt. Sargent; Waitsfield forces under Capt. Campbell, and Northfield forces un- der the leadership of Capt. Samuel Duns- moor. The preliminaries being previously settled, the forces took up the line of march at a given hour. It was a bright October day. Capt. Knapp put up teams in his stable, and went to the hunt. Heman Carpenter, a Mr. Timothy, and Mr. Gla- zier put up their teams in the Captain's stable. After a tiresome day, climbing precipices and crossing ravines, they reach- ed Capt. Knapp's home just at dusk, tired and hungry as bears, but " nary " a bear was seen that day. The three gentlemen above named, called at the house of Capt. Knapp, just as the family were about to sit down to their supper. Mr. C. inquired of the Captain if he and his friends might sup with them, assuring him that he should be paid. "O, yes," said the Captain, " cer- tainly." They sat down ; there was a plen- tiful supply of fried pork, potatoes, brown bread and new cider, and better justice was never done to the eatables. Supper over, Mr. Carpenter says to the Captain, " what is to pay ?" The Captain replied, "that he should charge 123 cents for each horse, and should charge Mr. C. 123 for his sup- per, and the other gentlemen 10 cents each for their supper," adding, "I think Mr. C., you eat a little more than they did." Mr. C. thanked him for his kindness, ac- knowledged the justice and reasonableness of the demand, paid the bill and departed for home. In 1847 and 1848, Mr. C. rep- resented the town in the legislature, and received the cordial support of the Captain, and in consideration of the fitness and qualifications of the Captain, Mr. C. ap- pointed him justice of the peace for those 2 years.

Northfield, was a man of strong build and dark complexion. He began his "clear- ing " near the east line of the town next to Williamstown, and as was the custom in those days, a bell was hung with a strap around the cow's neck, and the cow turned into the woods to browse. One night his cow did not come up, and he could not find her. The next morning he renewed the search, and finding her trail, followed it through the woods, and in the afternoon came into a clearing in the town of Wash- ington. He was discovered by the owner of the clearing, and taken for an Indian, the man in great fright ran for his log- cabin, screaming, " The Injuns are com- ing!" "The Injuns are coming!" Mr. Robinson followed to the cabin door, how- ever, and succeeded in satisfying the in- mates he was no " Injun," but an honest settler of Northfield in pursuit of a stray cow, and finding it, he returned home through the woods, a distance of about 8 miles, contented that no worse thing had befallen him than to have been taken for an Indian.

Rev. Joel Winch [see biography, page 622], was a very shrewd, jovial, homespun kind of a man, full of fun and anecdote. He was a good farmer, and a pretty good preacher. He would work the six days, and on Sundays preach in school-houses in the surrounding neighborhoods. On one occasion he was holding forth in the school-house near the head of Berlin pond. It was haying time, and the sturdy tillers of the soil filled the house, and being wearied through the labors of the week, and having confidence in the good elder at the helm, his congregation had mostly re- clined their heads to take a gentle snooze. The Elder, discoursing upon the fall of Adam, described in the 3d chapter of Gen- esis, stopping short, and casting his eyes deliberately over the sleepy congregation, taking in the situation, cried out at the top of his voice, " Adam, where art thou ?" The sleepers awoke, surprised and aston- ished, looking at each other with amaze- ment. The preacher resumed, and there was no more snoozing in the congregation

Amos Robinson, the first settler of | that day.

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About 1833 or '4, the Congregational society in town had arranged to settle a young minister by the name of Furguson, and it was said their purpose was to ap- propriate the ministerial lands in town to the use of their denomination. To head off this arrangement, and to secure the lands to the use of schools, it was arrang- ed to settle Elder Winch over the Uni- versalist society, and for him to deed the lands to the town for the use of schools. Accordingly, Elder Winch was installed over the Universalist society according to the usages of that denomination, and he deeded the lands to the town, for the use of the common schools.

The Elder for several succeeding Sun- days preached to his new society in the " old yellow meeting-house " at the Center village, on the east side of what is now the " burying-ground." On one of these Sab- baths the Elder was discoursing with great earnestness and eloquence upon the de- generacy of the race and the hypocrisy of the times, when he rounded off a climax by saying : "My Christian friends, I tell you there is more church lumber than church member in this sinful world." This utterance was characteristic of the Elder, and was original with him.

[ The newspapers had out a few years since another Northfield anecdote. A farmer in Moretown, it seems, took his fatted hog after slaughtered to Northfield to sell. The Northfield butcher in a fit of generosity patronizingly said the hog being such a fine one, he would make him a pres- ent of the head, which he accordingly did, then weighed the hog minus the head and paid for it. It took the unsophisticated seller a number of days before he could settle it in his head how the butcher could keep his usual health under such a chronic attack of generosity, but he saw the point at last, and found he had not only sold pork, but himself a little, also.]

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

FROM HION. JOHN GREGORY.

To show how the different societies in Northfield stood as to numbers when the law required the legal voters to express their preference where the ministerial

money should be distributed, from the town records the report of the committee :

June 3, 1823, division of ministerial money as follows :

Methodist Society $12 83

Congregationalist Society. 8 42

Restorationist Society ... 17 24 .

Free Will Baptist Society 13 23

Christian Society. 5 61

Division for 1825, as follows :

Free Will Baptist Society $7 62

Congregationalist Society 6 11

Restorationist Society 14 33

Christian Society. 4 27

Methodist Society 25 00

Oliver Averill, Nathan Green, Virgil Washburn, Joel Winch, Harry Emerson, committee ; Elijah Smith, town clerk.

. THE UNION MEETING-HOUSE,

at the Center village, was the first one built in this town, and was completed in 1820; building committee: Amos Rob- inson, Charles Jones, Freedom Edson, Nathaniel Jones and Oliver Averill.

At a meeting of the proprietors, Apr. 6, 1820, for selling the pews, it was voted one-fourth the value be paid in money, and the other three-fourths in stock or grain, and that the house should be com- pleted by the first day of November, and at that time a payment of money and stock to be made. The whole number of pews, 50, were all sold at public auction save 12, for $760.

The division of time for each denomina- tion reported by the committee was as follows :

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The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 104

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890, [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Montpelier, Vt., Vermont watchman and state journal press Number of Pages: 1066

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890, [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt., Vermont watchman and state journal press
Number of Pages: 1066