The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 117

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 117

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).

Rev. Joseph Sargent resided here in 1858 and 1859, Rev. Thomas Walton in 1860 and 1861, after which they had no stated preaching until in 1872, Rev. Les- ter Warren commenced to preach one half of the time. He was succeeded by Rev. George Forbes the next year. In 1876 L. S. Crossly removed here, and remained one year, since which they have been sup- plied a part of the time by non-resident preachers.

SCHOOLS.

In 1787, the General Assembly enacted a school law that authorized towns and school districts to build school-houses and support schools by a tax on the grand list. A majority of a town might do this, but it required a two-thirds vote of a school dis- trict, and neither a town or school district could tax the property of non-residents for this purpose. This law provided that schools might be supported by subscrip- tion, and the district collector had the same power and duties in collecting a sub- scription that he had in collecting a tax.

In 1803, Plainfield was divided into 5 school districts. The town never voted a tax for schools, and probably none of the districts did for several years. The north- west, or village, district schools were sup- ported by subscription until 1809. They commenced to build a school-house in 1803, finishing it in 1804. It stood just

east of the present hotel, in James Martin's garden. This was the first built in town, and was paid for by a tax, one-third payable in money and two-thirds in wheat. This house having been burned in the winter of 1806-7, another was built in 1807, over by the present residence of Geo. C. Wales, near the railroad bridge. In 1826, this district formed a unison with an adjoining district in Marshfield, and a school-house was built near Marshfield line north of the river. In 1866, this district built another school-house near the old one, at a cost of $6,000, exclusive of the site.

The South, or Freeman, district did not have the first school-house in town; but they had the first school-house quarrel. It had been decided to build a school-house at the Four Corners, east of Seth Free- man's, to which the Freemans were op- posed. The boys of Elder James Perry and of Philemon Perkins, and others, made arrangements to raise it secretly at mid- night. The Freemans learned of the plot, and appeared to help uninvited ; but they spelled the word raze. The result was, nothing was done at that time, but after- wards, in the fall of 1805, the house was built there.

Plainfield village is at the extreme north- ern part of the town, and as incorporated in 1867, includes a portion of the town of Marshfield. In 1812, it contained about a dozen families, in 1881 about 80.

The first mills were burned the same year they were built. The village suffered no more serious loss by fire until May 16, 1877, when the saw and grist-mills, 4 dwelling-houses, 2 shops and 4 barns were burned. James Richards was convicted of being the incendiary, and is now in prison.

The great freshet of Oct. 1869, carried off the saw and grist-mills, the clothing- works, machine-shop, blacksmith-shop,etc.

Railroad trains commenced to run from Montpelier to Plainfield for traffic, Sept. 17, 1873 ; to Wells River, Nov. 24, 1873.

It is said that a mail route wa's estab- lished from Montpelier to Danville, via Plainfield, in 1808, and a post-office was probably established at Plainfield at that

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time ; but so little did it affect the daily life of the people, that no one knows who was the first postmaster.

As late as 1823, the fees of the post- master at Plainfield were only $10.76; at Marshfield, $3.48 ; Cabot, $6.81 ; at Mont- pelier, $138.81. As postage was then very high, and the fees of the small offices about one-half of the gross income, the amount of mail matter must have been small. The mail was carried on horseback until 1827, then in a wagon until 1830, when a coach was put on, which was almost as much an object of curiosity and pride as was the advent of the cars in 1873.

TOWN REPRESENTATIVES.

Bradford Kinne, 1800, '2, '3, '4, '5, '7, '8, '9, '10, '11, '12, '13, '16, '21; Thomas Vincent, 1801, '22, '25, '26; Jonathan Kinne, 1806; Joseph Nye, 1814, '15, '17, '18, '24 ; Benjamin Whipple, 1819, '20, '23 ; Jeremy Stone, 1827, '28 ; Israel Goodwin, 1829, '30, 31 ; John Vincent, 1832, '33, '34 ; Baxter Bancroft, 1835, '36 ; James Palmer, 1837, '38, '41 ; Harvey Bancroft, 1839, '40 ; Mark M. Page, 1842 ; Ezra Kidder, 1843, '44, '50, '60, '61 ; Nathaniel Townsend, 1845, '46; Reuben Huntoon, 1847 ; Daniel A. Perry, 1848, '55; Francis Hall, 1849; Lewis Chamberlain, 1851, '52 ; John Mel- len, 1853, '54; E. Madison Perry, 1856, '57 ; Dennis Lane, 1858, 59; Sullivan B. Gale, 1862, '63 ; Willard S. Martin, 1864, '65 ; Levi Bartlett, 1866; Julius M. Rich- ards, 1867; Justus Kinney, 1868; Chan- ning Hazeltine, 1869 ; Joseph Lane (bien- nial), 1870; L. Cheney Batchelder, 1872 ; Stephen C. Shurtleff, 1874; Nathaniel Townsend, Jr., 1876; Frank A. Dwinell, 1878 ; Dudley B. Smith, 1880.

DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.

Lovel Kelton, 1814 ; John Vincent, 1822 ; Nathaniel Bancroft, 1828; James Palmer, 1836; Nath'l. Sherman, 1843, '50 ; Reuben Huntoon, 1870.

STATE SENATORS.

Nathaniel Bancroft, 1847, '48; Charles H. Heath, 1868, '69, '70.

JUDGES OF COUNTY COURT.

Bradford Kinne, 1811, '12, '13; Israel Goodwin, 1834, '35; Lewis Chamberlain,

1855, '56; Willard S. Martin, 1874, '75, '76, '77.

TOWN CLERKS.

Thomas Vincent, 1798, '99, 1800; '1, '2, '3, '9, '10, '11, '12, '14; Bradford Kinne, 1804, '5, '6, '7, '8, '13, '15, '16; Silas Wil- liams, 1817 to '33 ; James Palmer, 1834 to '41 ; Ezra Kidder, 1842 to '51 ; Mark M. Page, 1852 to '60 ; Phineas Kellogg, 1861, '62 ; Walter B. Page, 1863 to '76; Mason W. Page, 1877 ; Frank A. Dwinell, 1878. TREASURERS.

Moulton Batchelder, 1798, '99, 1800 ; Thomas Vincent, 1801, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '14; Ebenezer Freeman, 1802; Brad- ford Kinne, 1803, '04, '05, '06, '07, '13, '15, '16; Silas Williams, 1817 to '33 ; James Palmer, 1834 to '41 ; Ezra Kidder, 1842 to '51 ; Mark M. Page, 1852 to '60; S. B. Gale, 1861 to '70 ; Ira F. Page, 1871 to '74 ; Dudley B. Smith, 1875 ; F. A. Dwi- nell, 1877 to '81.

IST SELECTMEN.

Joshua Lawrence, 1797 ; Thomas Vin- cent, 1798, '99, 1800, '01, '02, '03. '10, '11, '12, '14, '18; James Boutwell, 1804, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09; B. Kinne, 1813; Asa Bancroft, 1815, '16, '17 ; Willard Shephard, 1819; John Vincent, 1820; Benjamin Whipple, 1821, '22, '23, '24, '25 ; Jeremy Stone, 1826, '35, '36; Andrew Wheatley, 1827, '28, '29; Jabez L. Carpenter, 1830 ; Elijah Perry, 1831, '32, '33 ; Baxter Ban- croft, 1834; Mark M. Page, 1837 to '41 ; James Palmer, 1842, '43; Levi Bartlett, 1844; Nathaniel Sherman, 1845; Nathan- iel Townsend, 1846, '58 ; E. Madison Per- ry, 1847, '48, '49; Daniel A. Perry, 1850 ; Amherst Perkins, 1851 ; Joel Sherburn, 1852, '53; Dudley Perkins, 1854; Allen Martin, 1855; Ira Stone, 1856; Harrison Ketchum, 1859, '60; Charles T. Batchel- der, 1861 ; L. Cheney Batchelder, 1862, 81 ; Joseph Lane, 1863, '64, '65, '75 to '79 ; Willard S. Martin, 1866, '71, '72 ; Heman A. Powers, 1867; Orrin W. Cree, 1857, '68, '70; Thomas P. Bartlett, 1869; Jere- my S. Chamberlain, 1873, '74, '80.

OLD PEOPLE

Who have died in Plainfield.

Mrs. Joseph Lampson, 95; Mrs. Isaac Mann, 94; Moses Bancroft, 87; Mrs. M.

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PLAINFIELD.

Bancroft, 92 ; Jonathan Perkins, 89 ; Spen- cer Lawrence, 81 ; Mrs. Spencer Lawrence, 89; Asa Bancroft, 88; Jane (Carns) Hatch, 88; Mrs. Jacob Perkins, 89; Ly- dia (Carns) Perkins (Mrs. Jonathan), 83 ; Chauncy Bartlett, 86; Mrs. C. Bartlett, 85 ; Edmund Freeman, Charles Bancroft, 84 ; Mrs. N, Townsend, 83 ; Levi Bartlett, 80 ; Benjamin Niles, 84; Nathaniel Sherman, 80; Mrs. N. Sherman, 81 ; Eliza (Carns) White, 80; David Reed, 82; Mrs. D. Reed, 81 ; James Allen, 84 ; Roderic Tay- lor, 83; John P. Ayers, 82 ; James Batch- elder, 81 ; Allen Martin, 82; Isabella (Nash) Powers, 80; Coolige Taylor, 83 ; C. W. Alvord, 82 ; Asa Fletcher, 82 ; Mrs. A. Fletcher, 85; Daniel Lampson, 80; James Perry, 80; Isaac Mann, Nathan Hill, 82.

OLD PEOPLE LIVING.

Daniel Spencer, 91 ; Susan Collins, 88 ; Baxter Bancroft, 87; Mrs. B. Bancroft, 82; Mrs. John P. Ayers, 86; Eben Mar- tin, 85; Mrs. Nathan Parker, 85 ; Justus Kinney, 83; Mrs. J. Kinney, 80; Susan Corliss, 82; Mrs. Roderic Taylor, 81 ; William Parks, 81 ; Benjamin F. Moore, 81 ; Alex Woodman, 80; Mrs. Levi Bart- lett, 80; Nathan Hill, 82.

MASONIC.

RURAL LODGE .- The records of this Lodge having been lost or destroyed, no extended history can be written of it or of its early members. The only authentic papers belonging to it are the original by- laws in manuscript form, from which we learn that a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge at its annual session in Montpelier, Oct. 12. 1825.

Charter Members .- Horace Pitkin, Marshfield ; Alden Palmer, Montpelier ; Ja- bez L. Carpenter, Plainfield : Stephen Pit- kin, William Martin, Marshfield ; William Billings, Nathaniel C. King, Montpelier ; Charles Clark, Calais ; Nathaniel Bancroft, Silas Williams, Jr., A- Simons, Plain- field ; Merrill Williams, Montpelier ; Har- vey Pitkin, Edwin Pitkin, James Pitkin, Daniel Spencer, Marshfield; Nathaniel Davis, Robert Nesmith, Montpelier ; James English, Marshfield.

The organization of the Lodge was kept

up, and some work done, until the annual session of the Grand Lodge in 1830, when they are supposed to have surrendered their charter. Only two of the charter members are known to be living, Daniel Spencer of Plainfield, at the advanced age of 91 years, and Nathaniel C. King, of Montpelier.

WYOMING LODGE, No. 80 .- Wyoming Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 80, was chartered by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Vermont, June II, A. D. 1868.

Charter Members .- Charles H. Heath, Leroy H. Hooker, Stephen C. Shurtleff, Nathan Skinner, Dudley B. Smith, Jas. M. Perry, Channing Hazeltine, J. M. Richards, William Armstrong, A. H. Whitcomb, Walter B. Page, Mark M. Page, R. H. Christy, Byron Goodwin, Fitch E. Willard, W. S. Little, Ezekiel Skinner, Samuel Simpson, Martin V. B. Hollister, D. M. Perkins, Samuel Wilson, Horace Hill, Reuben Huntoon, Lewis H. Cunningham, N. Davis, Jr., Mason T. Page, Silas E. Willis, Willard Harris, James Pitkin, Luther G. Town, Solomon L. Gilman, Nathaniel Sherman, Daniel Spencer, Nathaniel Davis, Horace H. Hollister, Nathaniel C. Page, C. W. H. Dwinell, E. O. Hammond, Eben D. Ste- vens.

First officers : Charles H. Heath, W. M .; Loren H. Hooker, S. W .; Stephen C. Shurtleff, J. W.

Officers for 1881-2: W. R. Gove, W. M .; John W. Fowler, S. W,; Dan. W. Moses, J. W.

REV. C. E. FERRIN, D. D.

Abridged from a sketch in the Vermont Chronicle by Rev. A. D. BARBER.

CLARK E. FERRIN was born in Holland, Vt., July 20, 1818. He grew up there on the farm with his father till he was of age, teaching a common school in the winter from the time he was 17, and aiding his father in the support of the family. In the fall after he had attained his majority he went to Brownington Academy, of which Rev. A. C. Twilight was preceptor, and began fitting for college. At Brown- ington he not only set his face collegeward but heavenward, experiencing that change

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of which our Lord said to Nicodemus, "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Remaining at Browington about a year, he went to Derby, finished his preparation and enter- ed the University at Burlington in the class of 1841. Though at a disadvantage by lack of early opportunities, by diligent ap- plication he gained upon the class during the course, and graduated in 1845, with the last third. The fall after he taught the Academy at Marshfield, and from thence went to Macon, Ga., where he taught for 2 years. From Macon he went to the theological seminary at Andover, Mass., completing the course in the class of 1850. The spring before he graduated at An- dover he visited Barton, Vt., preaching there, and receiving a call to the pastorate of the Congregational church. Accepting this call, he was ordained and installed at Barton, in 1857, Rev. O. T. Lamphear, a college classmate, then at Derby, preach- ing the installation sermon from Exodus IV : 14, "I know that he can speak well." Another, a seminary classmate, Rev. Mr. Dean, gave the charge to the people. Zealous and faithful at Barton, he was after nearly 3 years attacked with that facial neuralgia, which rendered his after life one of almost continued pain, and often for months and years at a time one of in- tense suffering. His enemy compelled him to suspend his ministry at Barton and seek dismission from his charge. This was granted by council. Dismissed, he sought for a time renewed health and strength in farm labors. As soon as health permitted, he took up the ministry again, received a call, and was installed pastor of the Congregational church in Hinesburgh * in 1855. At this second installation, an- other of his classmates, Rev. N. G. Clark, then professor in the University at Bur- lington, preached the sermon, and an- other classmate, Rev. A. D. Barber, of Williston, gave the Right Hand of Fellow- ship. Here, after no very long time, he began to suffer again from the assaults of his adversary, neuralgia, but for long years, though in real suffering and much of the time in keen distress by day and by

night, he persisted in doing a manly work, building with one hand for Christ and his church, and resisting the enemy of his peace and strength with the other. Here, indeed, he fought a good fight, yielding only after many years. In the winter of 1874 he went to Philadelphia, and sub- mitted to the severe surgical operation of removing a part of the facial nerve. This gave only partial relief. In the fall of 1875 he took a voyage to Europe, visiting . London and Paris, seeking aid, but finding little. Having failed now for some time in strength, but not in heart to labor, he re- signed his pastorate. His resignation was after long waiting and hope of the church and parish for his recovery, accepted, and he was dismissed, having been pastor about 24 years. Remaining in the parsonage at Hinesburgh, and experiencing some relief with returning strength, he was able at length to take up again the work he loved so well. This he did at Plainfield, where he was installed pastor Feb. 13, 1878, Rev. W. S. Hazen, of Northfield, preach- ing the sermon, from I. Cor. I : 23, " We preach Christ and Him crucified," one of his classmates, again a member of the Council, presided and offered the installing prayer. In this his third and last pastor- ate, our brother labored continuously and successfully, though his old enemy still pursued him. He ceased his labors and entered into rest, after a sickness entirely prostrating him of about 5 weeks, June, 1881. His experience during this last trial was full of the peace of God. "I am surprised," he wrote, telling us the result of the first council of physicians called to consider his case. "The fullness with which I can say, 'Thy will, not mine,' surprises, almost troubles me."

Mr. Ferrin left a wife, 3 sons and 2 daughters ; all fitted for usefulness, and of fine promise ; all were present at the time of his death. His oldest son, reaching home but a few days before, is Professor William Ferrin, of Pacific University, at Forest Grove, Oregon. The oldest daugh- ter is the wife of Rev. John Cowan, of Essex.

At the funeral, ten neighboring ministers

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PLAINFIELD.

were present, the deacons of the church from Williston and Montpelier, and a good delegation from Hinesburgh and other towns. His children conducted the ser- vices at the house, Prof. Ferrin reading select passages of Scripture, Rev. Mr. Cowan offering prayer, and all the family uniting in singing the hymn, "Rock of ages cleft for me." The service was beau- tiful, tender and touching. The casket was borne by his brother ministers. At the church, Rev. C. S. Smith read the Scripture, Rev. J. H. Hincks offered prayer, his two classmates, Rev. J. G. Hale and A. D. Barber, spoke ; Mr. Hale, of Mr. Ferrin as a man, of his place in college and in the ministry, and Mr. Barber of him as a Christian pastor.

Mr. Ferrin, besides his work as min- ister, was a most respected and highly useful citizen. He represented the town of Hinesburgh in the legislature one or two sessions, was a faithful and influential member of the corporation of the Univer- sity for more than 20 years. He received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Middlebury College at the commence- ment, a year ago, and was a man such that the family, the church and the State can alike trust.

[Mr. Ferrin compiled from the papers of the venerable Erastus Bostwick the his- tory of Hinesburgh for Vol. I. in this work, and in Vol. III. wrote the biograph- ical sketch of the Rev. O. T. Lamphear in the history of Orleans County.]

SOLDIERS ENLISTED FOR PLAINFIELD IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.

Names.

Reg. Co. Mustered. Term.

Remarks.

Ayers, George A.

2 F

June 20 61 3 y

Ball, Henry L. C.

9 1 July 9 62 3 y

Deserted Dec. 25, 62.

Blaisdell, George,

4 G Sept 20 61

3 y Died Nov. 29, 61.

Bradford, Amos C.

2 F

3 y

Bradford, John M.

3 y

Buxton, Chas. B.

4 A Dec 31 62

3 y

Bell, Joel

Cav H Aug 29 64 1

Bartlett, Mark

12 D Oct 62 9 m

Boles, David

G Jan 20 65 I y

Cummins, John D.

do Sept 20 61

3 y

Cole, Parker

Cav C Dec 25 63 3 y

Carr, Jason do

12 D

Oct 4 62 9 m

Died June 13, 65.

Clark, Nathaniel

12 D

Oct 4 62 9 m

Dolan, Bernard

4 B

Feb 15 65

I y

Duke, Edward V.

4 G Feb 25 65 I y

Downs. John H.

9 I

July 9 62 3 y

Edmons, Douglass

Cav F Sept 26 62 3 y

Fraqua, Peter

Nov 25 63 3 y

Farrar, D. W.

2 Bat

Aug 13 64 I y

Farr, Benjamin A.

4 E

Feb 14 65

I y

Gale, Sullivan F.

13 Oct 10 62 9 m

Gunnerson, Daniel

12 D Oct 4 62 9 m

Haywood, Wm. H. Cav F

Hill, David

9 I 2 D

July II 62

3 y

Discharged May 9, 63.

Leazer, Buzzell

3 H

July 16 61

3 y

Re-enlisted 3d Battery.

Leazer, Joseph

July 11 62

3 y

Deserted Sept. 28, 62.

Lemwin, Peter

I Bat Feb 28 62

3 y

Mustered out Oct. 10, 64.

Ladd, Andrew J.

Cav C

Dec 25 63 3 y

Discharged April 19, 64.

Lease, Joseph N.

4 D

Dec 31 63

3 y

Died July 8, 64, of wounds received in action June 23, 64, Welden Railroad.

Lease, Julian C.

3 y

Lease, Rufus

3 y

Died June, 64.

Lemwin, Rock

17 E

Mar 3 64

3 y

Died at Burlington, Mar. 7, 64.

Lupien, O. Liva

Cav K

Dec 31 63

3 y Died at Andersonville, Sept. 3, 64.

Discharged Aug. 26, 63.

Pris. June 23, 64 ; died at Andersonville, Ga., Oct. 6, 64. Enlisted for Barre, Aug. 26, 61.

Discharged Apr. 17, 62. [Church. Killed in action May 5, 64, at Craig's

Promoted corporal. Deserted Nov. 1, 63.

Sergeant.

Deserted Feb. 29, 64.

Lupien, Lewis

Cav K

Apr 22 62 Dec 3 63

3 y

Discharged Sept. 62.

3 y

Promoted corporal.

Sept 26 62 3 y

Lapieu, Louis

2 Bat

Aug 27 64 I y

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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Names. Reg, Co. Mustered. Term,

Remarks.

Mann, John C.

4 G Sept 20 61 3 y

Discharged Apr. 21, 62.

Mears, Horace B.

Cav D Sept 26 62 3 y Discharged Sept. 18, 63.

Morse, Marshal C.

12 D Oct 4 62 9 m

Nye, Ervin 4 . A Dec 31 63 3 y

Discharged May 12, 65.

Nasmith, K. R. 4 G Jan 20 65 1 y

Paronto, Gideon

2 A Apr 12 62

3 y

Discharged Oct. 8, 62.

Perry, Willard M. do do

3 y

Deserted Sept. 19, 64.

Porter, Geo. W.

IO I

Jan 5 64 3 y

Rollins, Charles

2 Bat

Aug 27 64 I y

Rollins, Orvis

do Aug 13 64

I y

Reed, Clark

12 D

Oct 4 62

9 m

Reed, Roswell do

9 m

Sergeant. Died May 2, 63.

Richards, Linus

9 m

Rathbury, Ira P.

4 F

Feb 14 65

I y

Spencer. Ira D.

4 G

Jan 20 65

I y

Scott, Orange

2 H · June 20 61

3 y

Re-enlisted.

Shepherd, John

4 G

Sept 20 61

Discharged April 21, 62.

Shorey, Joseph

2 F

Sept 22 62

3 y 3 y

Simons, Louis

4 G

Sept 61

3 y

Skinner, Ezekiel

Sept 20 61

3 y

Stearns, James E.

4 A

Jan 6 64 3 y

Stearns, Lowell

4 K

July 17 63 3 y

Taylor, Stephen 2 F

June 20 61 3 y

Valley, Felix

13 C

Oct 10 62

9 m

Wilson, Calvin O.

9 G

July 9 62 3 y

Woodcock, C. A.

2 F

Sept 22 62 3 y

Webster. Nathan L.

4 A Dec 31 63 3 y Prisoner June 23, 64 ; died Dec. 23, 64, soon after being exchanged. Died Feb. 14, 64.

Willey, Geo. W. 2 SSE Jan 5 64 3 y

Whicher, Geo. 2 Bat Aug 19 64 I y

Total, 68, of whom there were 5 deserted, I killed in action, 2 died of wounds, II died of disease, 12 discharged before enlistment expired, 37 served their term, or were discharged at the close of the war.

Furnished under draft-Paid commutation, Solomon Bartlett, Jacob Batchelder, Martin B. Bemis, John D. Cummings, Lucius M. Harris, Jirah S. Lawrence, Alba F. Martyn, Erasmus McCrillis, Philander Moore, Charles Morse.

Procured substitute-Edwin B. Lane.

Revolutionary soldiers-Lieut. Joshua Lawrence, John Bancroft, Solomon Bartlett, Moses Reed.

FUNERAL HYMN FOR GARFIELD. BY MRS. E. E. YAW. (Written for the memorial services at Plainfield, Sept. 21, 1881.) Years a-gone, a cry of woe Rose to Heaven an April day,

As beneath a murderer's hand Our martyred Lincoln bleeding lay. Revive the story of that erime, How all nations mourned with us,

Bowing with uncovered heads, Weeping o'er his honored dust.

And to-day, in grief again- Lord of nations, Lord of might- We come to thee with cries of pain; Shine upon our dreary night. Ah, our tears they fall like rain That the honor nobly gave, Placing Garfield at the nation's head, Led so close beside a grave.

Lay him softly in his narrow bed, Cover him with garlands fair, Gentle zephyrs, requiems sing; Angels watch-leave him there.

The services were in charge of the pastor. Remarks were made by O. L. Hoyt, E. N. Morse, Dr. D. B. Smith, Godwin Reed, Ira Stone, Joseph Bartlett, Allan Ferrin and H. O. Perry.

Mary E. Davis, also, born in this town, has published a book of verse, of which, had a volume been placed at our command, in time, we should have given a review.

Perry, Edwin R.

4 G Sept 61

3 y

Re-enlisted Dec. 15, 63.

Paronto, Napoleon

Cav K Dec 31 63 3 y

Prisoner July 9, 64 ; died March, 65.

Scott, George

Sept 22 62 3 y

Discharged Oct. 21, 62. Died Nov. 4, 61.

Shepherd, Dennison

7 K Feb 21 62

3 y

Re-enlisted.

Discharged Sept. 63,

Promoted corporal.

Wounded ; ambulance train captured ; never heard from afterwards.

Re-enlisted Jan. 64.

Died Feb. 23, 65.

Died June 17, 62.

735

ROXBURY.

BY MRS. SARAII BRIGHAM MANSFIELD.

Located in the south part of Washing- ton County, 17 miles south-westerly from Montpelier ; bounded N. by Northfield, E. by Brookfield, S. by Braintree and Granville, and W. by Warren ; was grant- ed Nov. 6, 1780, and chartered to Hon. Benjamin Emmonds and others August 6, 1781 ; 23,040 acres, situated on the height of the land between Winooski and White rivers. The village is at the sum- mit, the highest point of land on the Central Vt. R. R. There are no large streams. Three branches of Dog river flow north into the Winooski; one rising on the East Hill, flows south, passing a branch of Dog river at the Summit, one running north, the other south, the latter into White river.

Many years ago, one Capt. Ford, who owned a manufacturing establishment at Randolph, and wished a greater supply of water, came to the Summit, and turned the course of the stream going north into the one flowing south, deriving great ben- efit therefrom, but of short duration. The trick was detected by mill-owners north, and he was obliged to undo his work, and let the river take its natural course.

There are two natural ponds in town, one just south of the village and one on East Hill. Both have at one time been homes for the "beaver," where they built dams and carried on business beaver style ; but long ago they deserted their old haunts, and the pond that once reached to where the village now is, is fast disappear- ing, and a few years hence will no doubt be terra firma.

The surface is uneven, but the soil is fertile. There are some fine dairy farms along the river, and the hill farms are well adapted to wheat raising. The timber is mostly hard wood, with some spruce, hem- lock and fir. Rocks, argillaceous slate, soapstone and marble.

There were three divisions of land in this township ; the Ist div., the north half of that portion of the town lying east of this valley; the 2d div., the south half ; the 3d div., the western side of the town.

The Ist and 2d contain 100 acres ; the 3d, 136.

The first road laid in town was in 1799, from Warren line down to the first branch of White River, to the north line of Kings- ton (now Granville). Next, on the hill west of said branch, from Kingston, until it joins the branch road toward Warren. The third road led from Samuel Richard- son's house by John Stafford's and Wil- cox's to Warren ; Samson Nichols survey- or. In 1802, the road through the mid- dle of the town, from Northfield to Brook- field, was laid out, 6 rods wide. A road was surveyed from Northfield to Brook- field through the east part of the town, in 1802. In 1806, the road was laid from Samuel Smith's on East Hill, by Wm. Gold's to east part of the town. These are a few of the first roads surveyed in town.

The first town meeting was held at the house of Jedediah Huntington ; the warn- ing was dated at Williamstown, Mar. 12, 1796, signed by Joseph Crane, justice of the peace, and the meeting was held Mar. 25, 1796; when following the town officers were elected in Roxbury : Joseph Crane, moderator; Thomas Huntington, clerk : Samuel Richardson, Isaac Lewis, Jedediah Huntington, selectmen ; David Cram, treasurer : Jonathan Huntington, consta- ble ; David Cram and Thomas Hunting- ton, listers; Samuel Richardson and Christopher Huntington, highway survey- ors. The sum total of the grand list at this time was £165 and 15s. Zebediah Butler was first town representative; he resided south of what is known as E. K. Young's place.

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The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 117

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