The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 119

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 119

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).

BENONI WEBSTER, (BY A. WEBSTER.)

A native of Connecticut, brought his fam- ily to Roxbury in the spring of 1797. He had previously lived in Hartland, Vt., a few years.

He settled in the N. E. part of the town on lot No. 3, of the Ist range, now owned by James Steele, which he had bought in 1796, then an unbroken wilderness. His first house was logs, roofed with bark, and floored with split basswood, smoothed with an axe. In 1810, he built a large framed- house, making the rooms about 2 feet higher than it was usual to make them at that time, so that " Uncle Sam Metcalf (of Royalton), could stand up in them with his hat on." The doors were also made unusually high, so that his wife's tall rela-

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tions could come in without stooping, as he said. He was the first to plant fruit trees in town, a large apple orchard, and pear and plum trees in the garden being among his earlier improvements.

It is said that at the time of the mem- orable great November snow-storm, the effects of which may still be seen in our forests in bent and distorted trees, while the family were at dinner, the young apple trees were discovered to be breaking down beneath the fast accumulating snow, and the boys left their bowls of "hominy and milk " to shake the apple trees, which were saved only by repeating the shaking at short intervals through the afternoon and evening.

In 1804, his entire stock of cattle, con- sisting of a yoke of 4-years-old oxen and of 2 cows, were bitten by a mad dog that came along, and all died and were buried in one hole together.

Mr. Webster died Jan. 8, 1823, aged 60 years, 9 months, 21 days, leaving a wife, who died in 1838, aged 66 years, and 6 sons and 4 daughters, all of whom lived to have families of their own. Of these but two, Edmund Webster, of Randolph, and Benoni Webster, of Northfield, are known to be now living ; but the descendants of the third and fourth generations are widely scattered through the country from New Hampshire in the East to California in the West, and from Minnesota in the north to Texas in the South ; but one family, that of the writer, being left in Roxbury.

CHARLES WEBSTER.

BY A. WEBSTER.

Charles, oldest son of Benoni and Sally Metcalf Webster, was born June 5, 1790, at Lebanon Parish, Conn., and came to Roxbury with his father when 7 years old, and was educated in the common schools of district No. 1 and the home college by his father's hearth, reading by the light of the open fire during the autumn and winter evenings. It was his custom to keep a supply of birch bark to furnish light when the usual fire was insufficient.

Being the oldest boy and large of his age, he was his father's chief assistant in clearing away the forest and making a cul-

tivated farm. One of his recreations at this time was fishing in the stream that runs through the valley half a mile north of his father's farm, where the brook trout were so abundant that he often hired one of the Adams boys to help him carry his fish up the hill, home.

The wolves made havoc with the sheep of the neighborhood, and he and the Gallup boys devised a plan to capture them. They built a conical pen of saplings, about 6 feet high, and placed in it a couple of lambs to entice the wolves into the trap, shrewdly calculating while it would be easy for the wolves to run up the inclined sides and leap down into the pen, it would not be so easy for them, after gorging with mutton, to leap out.

Sanguine of success, they visited the trap every morning, expecting to find a large pack of fierce wolves safely corraled and howling with rage. This for several mornings. At length, one morning when they came to inspect, beginning to wonder why the wolves were so slow in getting in ; the trap seemed to be empty. No lambs appeared skipping around within, and after a close examination, there appeared only a few bones and shreds of wool. The wolves had doubtless climbed upon the shoulders of each other and got out. Their two lambs were gone for nought. Not to be foiled in this way, the boys immediately built a much stronger and higher pen, but the wolves were not heard from afterwards, and it was supposed they left the place in dis- gust.

He commenced teaching school when quite young, and followed it for fourteen winters, acquiring such a reputation as a teacher and disciplinarian that his services were often sought for in schools where other teachers had failed.

On one occasion, it is said that some large boys burned his ferule, and made other preparations for carrying him out, as they had a previous teacher. The game commenced promptly, but a leg hastily wrenched from a bench did such effective service that there was no further use for instruments of discipline during that term.

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In Aug. 1823, he married Eleanor P. Ryder, and settled on his farm in East Roxbury, half a mile below the mills where his son, Aaron, now resides, where he lived till the next spring, when, having bought a part of the farm of his father's estate, he moved on to it, and lived there until the spring of 1830, when he returned to his first farm, where he lived until his death, Nov. 5, 1834.

About 1830, he raised from his famous " Wild Air " mare twin colts, of which he was proud ; but one of which, a noble and powerful animal, but skittish and uncon- trollable when frightened, was the occasion of his instantaneous death, by being thrown from his wagon in the night, near the Peck farm in Brookfield. He had often ex- pressed a presentiment that he should die by accident, and was the last of three cousins, the oldest sons of three sisters, to be killed instantly by accident.

SPAULDING FAMILY.

Darius Spaulding was from Plainfield, Conn., married Hannah Ingraham from Providence, R. I. They had a number of children when they came here, in 1799. Mr. Spaulding came in the fall, slashed a piece, built a log-house, and moved his family the next spring. Nearly, and per- haps all the Spauldings in town at the present day, and they are very numerous, are descendants of Darius and Hannah Spaulding. They reared a family of 8 sons and 3 daughters.

Gilbert, the eldest, married Renda Mc Clure, moved to New York, and died at the ripe age of 90. He was a great chop- per, even for those days, when all were supposed to know how to wield an ax. It is said 8 cords only made him a fair day's work, nothing at all to boast of.

Darius Jr. married Betsey Spaulding, and they lived and died at a good old age, in Roxbury. Two of their sons still live in town, Charles and Samuel.

John, the 3d son of Darius Sen., mar- ried Betsey McClure, of Stafford, Conn. They commenced keeping hotel in 1822, near where Julius Kent now lives. They had also a saw and grist-mill.

Mr. Burnham, merchant at Roxbury vil-

lage, says, when a small boy, he went there with his grist, and Mrs. Spaulding who was an energetic little woman, took his grain, carried it into the mill, ground it and brought it back to him.

Mr. Spaulding built the Summit House in 1830, where he remained until a few years previous to his death, in 1864. His widow is still living, hale and happy, loved and respected. Her friends celebrated her 90th birth-day the 9th of last Sept. [1881.] She has had 5 children, all of whom are living, Erastus N. Billings, Mrs. P. Wiley, Mrs. Brackett and Mrs. A. N. Tilden. All living in their native town, clustered about their aged mother.

Philip married Polly Nichols, of North- field, is now living in Hermon, N. Y., 84 years of age.

Erastus, the 4th son, built the house where Dea. Edwards now lives, and kept a hotel there several years. He married a widow, Whitcomb, by name, from Waits- field. They removed to DeKalb, N. Y., where he died a short time since, at an ad- vanced age.

Allen was their first child, born in this town in 1804, and married Hannah Sam- son in 1828 ; moved on to the Rood place, and kept a small store 3 years ; then built a store in the village, which he occupied for 10 years, near the R. R. crossing, where Geo. Butterfield now resides. He represented the town 4 years. He enlist- ed, in '61, in Co. H, 6 Vt. Reg., as major ; was appointed sergeant with captain's pay.

At one time during the war, he was or- dered to take a small squad of men, and go in search of cattle for beef, as it had been a long time the regiment had subsisted on salt meat and "hard tack." They travelled till nearly night before they got track of what they were in quest of, and they found themselves 25 miles from camp in the en- emy's territory. Being told a woman near by owned a fine flock of sheep, he took a couple of men and called on her. She with her two daughters sat on a rustic seat in a beautiful garden, surrounded with the appearances of wealth and luxury. He made known his errand, when out of her mouth poured a torrent of oaths and the

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coarsest invectives that he had ever heard a woman utter, abusing him and the Union army in general. A servant rode up on an elegant horse, and dismounting, asked his mistress " if she knew she was addressing Union officers?" She said she knew it very well. The Major informed her he came to buy her sheep, but as she had none to sell to " Union men," he should take them without if they suited him, and ordering one of his men to mount the horse her servant had just dismounted from, they rode off, amid the hysterical screams of the mother and daughters. They camped for the night on an old planta- tion, about 2 miles from there, but had pickets out to keep an eye on the move- ments of the enemy. After all was quiet at the plantation, 200 mounted darkies came, and attempted to retake the widow's property, but at the first crack of a rifle, they " skedaddled." The Major got back to camp with 25 head of fat cattle, and pre- sented the beautiful pony to the Colonel.

At another time there were 100 men sick, and the surgeon said they would all die unless they had milk. The Major was ordered to take 10 men and go and buy milk for the sick. They went to a planta- tion where 100 cows were kept, just as they were coming off the ranche to be milked. They asked to buy milk for sick soldiers. The surly old fellow said he had " no milk to sell Union soldiers." - The Major went back, got a permit from the Provost Marshal, and was there early the next morning ; selected 10 fine cows, and in spite of the old gentleman's pro- testing, drove them to camp. The sick had milk freely, and when they were or- dered to Florida, in 6 weeks from that time, every man but one was able to go. The Major turned over his dairy to the Provost Marshal, according to army regu- lations, and the surly old fellow who would not sell milk to sick soldiers, never re- covered his lost kine.

So carefully did Major Spaulding look after the interests of the soldiers, he was called the father of the regiment. He is now living, hale and hearty, at the age of 77, and the oldest person living but one

who was born in town, and has lived there the most part of his life.

SAMUEL ROBERTSON, (BY ORAMEL RICHARDSON.)

Son of Patrick and Elizabeth Robertson, natives of Scotland, was born in New London, Ct., Aug. 18, 1775. He lost his father when quite young. His mother married again, and lived in Stafford, Ct., where he lived till he came to this town. Aug. 1801, he married Persis Richardson, of Tolland, Ct., and the next March they moved here, on to the place now owned by John Cumins, on East Hill. Their first business after getting settled was sugaring. They made 16 pounds, their stock of sugar for that year.

There were only five or six families in that part of the town. Mr. Samuel Rich- ardson had a few years before begun a set- tlement in the extreme west part of the town, and that at this time was the "center " of civilization, and here Mr. Robertson taught a school during the winter of 1802 and '3. The school-house was the first framed building in town, and stood very nearly where the Royal Batchelder house now does. He had 68 scholars, and the room being small, they were packed like " herrings in a box," and came from five or six miles around in different directions. He lived some 3 miles dis- tant, and walked to and from his school each day through the deep snows, with no track most of the way except what he made himself. He taught here two or three succeeding winters, and during the time moved into the school-house he had occu- pied, and lived there a few years, when he bought the land now owned by Hira G. Ellis, and made a permanent settlement, clearing up the forests and erecting com- fortable buildings. His house was on the old road leading by where Dea. W. I. Simonds and S. G. Stanton now live. He moved his buildings, about 1834, down on to the county road, where they now stand. Here he lived until within 12 years of his death.

He possessed a vigorous mind, and was very fond of investigation and argument,

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especially on religious subjects. His house was known far and wide as the " minister's tavern," and ministers of all "evangelical sects" usually made it their home when in that vicinity, and nothing suited him better than to have some stiff Baptist or Calvinist stop over night. On all such oc- casions, as soon as supper was over, chores done and candles lighted, the gauntlet was sure to be thrown down, and then came the " tug of war"-generally the old clock in the " square room" struck twelve before the battle ceased, and then only from ex- haustion, and never because either party considered themselves vanquished. He was a great reader, and never failed or feared to express his opinion on any sub- ject up for public discussion, and never failed to cast his vote every year after he attained his majority until his death. He was once in the state of New York, teach- ing, when an election occurred, and altho' but a temporary resident of the state, so great was his interest in the election, he purchased a piece of land for the sole pur- pose of being qualified to vote (a property qualification being then necessary in that state).

He held many town offices in the early part of his life, but was rather too pro- nounced and positive in his opinions of men and measures to be "popular" in po- litical circles. He took an active part in the first temperance movement which agi- tated New England. He had previous to that time been a temperate user of ardent spirits, but when the subject was presented to him, he at once gave it his unqualified support, and conferring " not with flesh and blood," he banished every drop from his house, and going farther, he abandon- ed the use of tobacco, breaking a habit of 30 years standing.

There is an anecdote about his using tobacco : Some 60 years ago, Moses Claf- lin, a simple man who lived in this town, who occasionally made his home with Mr. R., one evening sat by the fire in a " brown study," and Esq. Roberston sat opposite, quietly chewing, and now and then spitting into the broad fireplace. At last Moses looked up and asked, "Squire,

what did you learn to chew tobaker for?" Mr. Roberston replied, " Oh, so's to be a gentleman." Moses studied the matter a moment and with great gravity replied, " W'al, ye did'nt make out, did ye?"

Mrs. Roberston died Dec., 1859, after a married life of almost 60 years, during which she had borne her full share of the duties and cares of their lot.

Twice after they came to Vermont she made the journey to the home of her youth in Connecticut on horseback, a feat our lady equestrians of to-day would hardly care to undertake.

Ever after the death of his wife, Mr. R. seemed to lose his hold of things earthly, and to be quietly waiting for the realiza- tion of the faith which had been an anchor to him and his companion during their long pilgrimage together. He was a life- long Christian. He maintained his mental faculties to a remarkable degree up to within a few weeks of his death, and was during his latter years very cheerful, very grateful for kindnesses he received, and at last passed away as an infant sinks to slumber, beloved by all who knew him, Sept. 6, 1872, aged 97 years, 19 days.

SETH RICHARDSON came here in 1802 ; settled near Braintree, in the south part of the town ; died May 25, 1829, and Sarah, his wife, died July 1, 1836. Their chil- dren were: Phila, Hannah, Joel, Alva.

JOSIAH SHAW came to town in 1800 ; lived in the East part, and was quite a prominent man. Henry Boyce, son of Dr. Boyce, was also a prominent man in the East part of the town. He died in 1860.

JONATHAN F. RUGGLES was a resident of the east part of the town, and perhaps no man enjoyed in a greater degree the confidence of his fellow-townsmen, there being no office of importance but he had at some time filled. He died in North- field.

ALVIN BRIGHAM

came here when a young man, about the year 1823, from Fayston. He was born in Old Marlborough, Mass., and a brother of Elisha Brigham (for whose bio- graphical sketch see Fayston, this vol.) Alvin Brigham married Flora Baxter, of

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Fayston. They moved on to the present Wetmore place. He was a man scrupu- lously honest, a leader in the church, and for many years leader of the choir. They had 9 children.

The eldest son, Ozro, fell in the last war. Don, the youngest son, served through the rebellion, but died a short time after his return. Bravely like a true soldier he yielded up his young life with- out a murmur, when life was fairest ; ere the clouds had dimmed the horizon of his sky, bade them all- his dear ones-a smiling "good-bye," and went out into the great "unknown."

Two other children died during an ep- idemic of fever-Flora Ann, 18, and Al- phonso, 14 years of age. One son and three daughters now reside in Lowell, Mass., and the second son, William, lives in the edge of Northfield. Mr. Brigham was a great sufferer for several years be- fore his death. When the summons came, and told he might live an hour, he said, "O! can I wait so long before I shall. be · with my Father?" He died in 1871 ; his wife survived him only a few months.

EBENEZER L. WATERMAN

is one of the early-not earliest-settlers. He came from Connecticut, as did most of them, but when he was very small. He has been a great musician in his day, and people are scarce in Central Vermont who have not heard of " Uncle Eb." Waterman and his violin. And even now, when he is between 80 and 90 years of age, the young people delight to gather in " Uncle Eb.'s" ample kitchen, and " trip the light fantastic toe," or listen to the still sweet strains of his old violin. At the age of 45 he married a wife of 18. They had 6 children.

BERT WATERMAN, leader of the Howard Opera House Orchestra at Burlington, is his only living son, and probably has not his peer in the State as violin player.

ORCUTT FAMILY.

Capt. Job came from Stafford, Conn., in 1803 ; was a carpenter by trade. He set- tled on the high lands then, and for many years, the centre of the town. He had 7 sons and 4 daughters.

Samuel M. Orcutt, with whom he spent his declining years, was one of the stirring business men of those times, hold- ing various important offices from time to time. He was town clerk for 20 years, and town meetings were held at his house for a long time. At the time of the "in- vasion " at Plattsburgh in 1812, he went out as Captain of Roxbury Co. (said com- pany including every man in town except- ing Samuel Richardson, who much re- gretted that he was too aged, and Job Orcutt, a lame man.) Capt. Samuel Or- cutt married Mary Buel, of Lebanon, Conn., and the bride came to her new home on horseback. They reared a family of 7 boys and 2 girls. The eldest daughter married Wm. Gold, of Northfield, where she now resides.

Samuel A. received an injury while assisting at a "raising," from a falling timber, from which he never recovered. He died in 1835.

Benjamin F. went to Michigan just pre- vious to the Mexican war; enlisted and served through the war; returned to Kal- amazoo, Mich., where he was elected county sheriff, and filled that office many years. When the rebellion broke out, he again enlisted, and went out as Lieut. Col. of the 25th Mich. Reg't., serving under Gen. Sherman until the war was over, when he returned to Kalamazoo, and was again elected high sheriff, and Dec. 12, 1867, was fatally shot, while on official duty, by a desperado who was trying to assist prisoners to escape from the jail. He died in the prime of a noble manhood, aged 53. James, 3d son, died when quite young.

Orrin has lived in town most of the time since his birth. He has been sheriff and deputy 25 years ; postmaster 26 years, occupying · that position at the present time.

Wm. B. has always resided in his native town ; has 3 times represented the town in the legislature, and 2 years been county judge.

Stephen P. remained at the old family homestead many years, but now resides in Northfield. The aged mother spent her

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last days with him, dying, at the age of 96, in 1879. Jasper H. was the 7th son. He moved to Northfield.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

No. I district, in the east part of the town, was set off in 1801, then known as Daniel Kingsbury district, afterwards as Wales district, No. I. In 1802 a district was set off in the N. W. part of the town, where Samuel Richardson now lives, known as N. West district, No. 2. In 1805, an- other district was formed in the S. E. part of the town, known as David Cram's dis- trict, No. 3. The same year it was voted all the inhabitants not in regular districts should form one district, No. 4. There have been alterations from year to year and new districts organized. There are now 11 districts and ro good school-houses in town.

The number of scholars in 1807 were 108; 1811, 104; 1816, 157; 1831, 431; 1849, 418 ; 1850, 351; 1860, 336; 1880, 251 ; the average since 1816 to 1881, 340 scholars yearly.

EARLY TAVERNS AND LATER HOTELS.

The first tavern in town was where Conway now lives, what is known as the " Rood place," John Stafford, proprietor. The next was kept by Darius Spaulding, where Frank Snow now lives. John Spaul- ding kept the third hotel, opposite where Mr. Pearsons now lives, on the mountain road.

In East Roxbury, Stillman Ruggles, E. B. Pride, Samuel P. Wales, Shubael Wales, Alpheus Kendall, kept a public house on the Samuel Edwards place.

The Summit House, built in 1822, by John Spaulding, and occupied by him, has been kept by Stephen Fuller, Chester Clark, Page J. C. Rice, E. G. Sanborn, Van Ness Spaulding, Edwin Ferris, James P. Warner, Thomas Wilson, E. N. Spaul- ding, Spaulding & Colby, Spaulding & Nichols, Warner & Spaulding, Mrs. J. P. Warner, present proprietor, and D. A. Spaulding.

EARLY MERCHANTS.

The first in town was Asa Taylor, near where E. N. Spaulding's steam-mill stands.

The next was Robertson & Orcutt, who also had a potash run, and manufactured salts. Allen Spaulding, Orrin Orcutt, were the next in order among the first settlers. Partridge built the store where the post- office now is, and occupied it for several years. Then Brackett & Thorp, E. N. Spaulding, Benjamin Spear, Seth Holman and J. A. White, Union Store.

CEMETERIES.

In 1804, the town laid out three burying- grounds ; one in the west part of the town, on Uriah Richardson's farm, near where O. A. Staples now lives; one in the east part of the town, on the road from Roxbury to Braintree, near where Mr. Bowman now lives, and one in the centre of the town, on the Billa Woodard farm. Some years later another was located on the Haynes farm-the lot given by the Haynes family, and the only one in use at the present time in the west part of the town. There was also one laid out in the east part of the town, near the Henry Boyce place, about the same time. Albert Averill has been sexton for many years.

EPIDEMICS.

This has ever been called a healthful locality, and with good reason, yet at dif- ferent times it has been visited by epidem- ics. The dysentery swept through the town, carrying off many victims, in 1823. The diphtheria has appeared at different times in epidemic form, and desolated many homes.

PHYSICIANS

who have lived here : John Stafford was the first. How well versed in the science of medicine he may have been there is no record ; but there is no doubt but he dealt out "pills and potions " to the early set- tlers with a generous hand, to say nothing of cupping, blistering and bleeding.

Next came Dr. David McClure, from Stafford, Conn., the father of Mrs. John Spaulding, who remained in town during the rest of his life.

Dr. Hunter lived several years where E. L. Waterman now lives, and was consid- ered a skillful physician, as was Dr. Boyce, of the East part, who practiced there at the same time.

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For several years there was no physician in town. Dr. White came for a few months, in 1868, and Dr. S. N. Welch in 1870, and remained a few years, building the house where Mr. Frink now lives, and he had a very good practice.

Dr. George Maloy, of Montpelier, was the next. He was a student of Dr. Wood- ard, of Montpelier, but remained only a few months.

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The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 119

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