USA > Vermont > Washington County > The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer: > Part 135
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THE FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH
was organized about the year 1817 or '18, and included the following named, and
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perhaps other individuals : Samuel Lord, Deacon Conant, S. Gaskell, Asa Town and wife, Ira Town and wife, Deacon Abner Fuller, John Cotton and wife, and Elisha Town. Elder Bowles took part in the services. Elder Lord was ordained at this time, or soon after, pastor. Elder Lord was born in Barnsted, N. H., 1779; began to preach when quite young in his native town; afterwards moved to Ver- mont, living several years in Walden, and from that place came to Waterbury in 18II, where he spent the remainder of his life of 70 years. Unassuming in his de- portment, he was more desirous of doing good than gaining applause.
THE ADVENT CHURCH
was formed in May, 1858 ; about 40 united in this organization. The services were conducted by Elder Joshua V. Himes, who had previously held a series of meetings, continuing several weeks, in the hall of the Washington House. The Advent meeting-house was dedicated in the winter of 1859.
MILITARY.
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Eli Ashley, age 24, I 9.
Jerome Ayers, 18, B 10, com 2d Lt, June 15, 65; wd July 1, 64, July 9, 64, Sept. 19, 64. Alfred Y. Ayers, 19, D 10 ; pris June 12, 64 ; died at Salisbury.
Asa C. Atherton, 24, I 13, sergt ; dis Jan. 15, 63.
D. A. Bickford, 18, A 8; died Oct. 6, 62. Robert S. Bickford, 21, B IO.
Riley M. Bickford, 24, D 2.
H. R. Bickford, 40, D 10 ; died Dec. 1, 64. Edmond C. Bragg, 22, G 2 ; killed at Cold Harbor, June 3, 64.
James Bragg, 28, G 2 ; deserted Oct. 2, 64. Alonzo Bragg, 26, B IO.
James Briggs, 40, B 10; dis May 15, 65. W. F. Brink, 20, D 2; re-en Dec. 21, 63. Christopher B. Brown, 22, D 2. George Brown, 28, Cav. C.
C. A. Brown, Cav. C; pro sgt Nov. 1, 64. George Brown, 38, B 10; died at Ander- sonville, July 26, 64.
Thomas Bruitnell, 18, 1 9; corp ; reduced.
Wm. Bruitnell, 19, D 2 ; wd at Fred'ksbgh. H. S. Burley, 39, B 10; died of wn'ds at Cold Harbor, June 20, 64.
C. E. Bancroft, 32, I 13; com Ist Lt Sept. 23, 62 ; resigned Jan. 8, 63.
C. W. Brink, 26, I 13; disch Jan. 31, 63. Dennis Bissonnette, 30, K 17; wounded. Oscar Camp, 28, G 8.
Frank Carpenter, 17, D 2.
Michael Carr, 18, Cav. C ; re-en Dec. 28, 63. Justin Carter, 23, BIO ; com 2d lieut. Jan. 63 ; resigned Feb. 4, 64.
George Center, 24, D 2 ; corp; wounded at Fredericksburgh ; trans to inv. corps. Chas. N. Collins, 16, D 2 ; died Dec. 17, 61. Ezra W. Conant, 19, B 10 ; wd Nov. 27, 63. E. C. Crossett, 18, B 10; wd ; dis Feb. 16, 65.
W. H. Crossett, 18, B 10; wd; re-en in Regs.
Martin Cane, 18, B Io; died at Danville Jan. 29, 65.
Patrick Carver, 20, D 5.
Amos Chase, 44, C 17 ; lost arm at Weldon R. R., Sept. 30, 64.
George H. Colby, 19, 2, D; corp ; re-en Dec. 21, 63; wn'ded; disch. Feb. 5, 65. James B. Cave, 31, 13, E; re-en, 17, E. Jos. B. Conant, 21, C 15 ; died Apr. 12, 63. James Crawford, 22, I 13.
S. E. Cree, 21, 1 13.
Ransom Chaffee, 25, A 2; drafted. William Clark, 24, D 2.
Albert Deline, 25, D 2.
John Deline, 25, E 7 ; dis Oct. 15, 62.
Charles Dillingham, 24, D 2; com capt.
May 22, 61 ; maj. 8th, Jan. 18, 62; Lt .- col. Dec. 24, 62 ; resigned Dec. 12, 63. Edwin Dillingham, 23, B 10; capt Aug. 4, 62 ; maj. Jan. 17, 64 ; killed at Winches- ter, Sept. 19, 64.
Daniel Dalley, B 10 ; transferred to D.
Ed. H. Dana, 32, B IO; wd Nov. 31, 64. Richard Dodge, 40, K 17.
Thomas F. Dwyer, 30, B IO.
Oliver W. Davis, 28, C 15.
Joseph H. Demeritt, 21, I 13.
H. A. Demmon, 42, I 13 ; trans to C Oct. II, 62.
Henry Dillingham, -, E 17 ; di'd J'ly 13, 64. G. W. Farnham, 23, D 2 ; des before leav- ing State.
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Patrick Flaherty, 34, D 2 ; dis Dec. 18, 62. Wilber Foster, 21, D 2 ; dis Oct. 20, 62. J. D. Freeman, 21, B 10; wd July 9, 64. Augustus Fisher, 22, 1 13.
Daniel N. French, 28, I 13.
Martin E. French, -, I 13; wounded. Benjamin Gonio, A 7 ; des Sept. 27, 64. Isaac Godfrey, 22, B 10 ; wd at Cedar Cr'k, Oct. 19, 64.
Jacob Godfrey, 19, B 10; dis May 13, 65. T. C. Godfrey, 31, D 2 ; dis June 2, 62. - Rein, 23, C 17.
Warren C. Gilman, 29, D 2 ; corp ; red'cd to ranks.
Chas. C. Gregg, 21, D 2; com 2d lieut May 22, 61 ; dis service July 22, 62.
Allen Greeley, 20, B 10; died July 1, 64 ; wounded at Cold Harbor, Va.
Quincy A. Green, -, B 10; wd at Cold Harbor ; pro sergt April 11, 65.
Almon D. Griffin, -, Ist S S F music. Emery Guptil, 18, D 5 ; re-enlis'd ; wn'ded. Joseph Gabarie, 33, K 17.
Hamilton Glines, 40, B 10; wn'd at Cold Harbor, Va .; died June 18, 64.
Lyman Godfrey, 25, C 15 ; re-en into 17 C ; died at Salisbury, Oct. 2, 64.
Nobles Godfrey, 25, C 17.
William Goodwin, 34, K 17.
Edmond Guinan, -, 3d Battery.
Charles C. Guptil, 21, I 13; re-en 3d Bat ; sgt ; red Sept. 1, 64 ; pro corp Oct. 1, 64. Lorenzo B. Guptil, 22, I 13; re-en 17 K; corporal.
Milo K. Gray, 22, 1 13.
H. H. Griswold, 19, I 13; corp; red'cd ; pro sergt ; re-en 17 E ; sergt.
Darius A. Gray, 21, E 6; drafted.
Ira S. Gray, 24, D 5 ; killed at Savage Sta- tion, June 29, 62.
Horace Griffith, 18, K 17.
Chas. A. Hutchins, -, E 17; re-en Feb. 15, 64.
William H. Hutchins, 19, K 17.
George Hakey, 18, K 17.
Fred A. Hart, 25, D 2.
Willis Hawley, 18, K 17 ; corporal.
George S. Henry, 19, K 17; corporal.
J. Edwin Henry, 25, K 17 ; com 2d lieut Sept. 22, 64 ; kd at Petersb'gli, Apr. 2, 65. Isaac Harris, Jr., 35, C 15 ; dis June 19, 63. Leonard Hart, -, C 15.
Chas. O. Humphrey, 23, I 13; corporal. Frank S. Henry, 20, K 17.
William Hall, 26, D 2; re-en Dec. 21, 63 ; deserted Feb. 7, 64.
Alonzo Hart, 37, D 2 ; dis Feb. 10, 63. Frank Hart, 18, D 2; re-en April 19, 64 ; corporal.
Martin L. Henry, 19, Cav C; re-enls'td 4th Hancock Corps.
Wilbur E. Henry, 20, K 17 ; pro 2d lieut July 2, 65.
Wm. W. Henry, 30, D 2; com Ist lieut May 22, 61 ; maj roth, Aug. 26, 62; lt. col Oct. 17, 62 ; col April 26, 64 ; brevet brig gen March 9, 65 ; wd Cold Harbor May, 64 ; res Dec. 17, 64.
Daniel J. Hill, 31, Cav C; sergt ; wd at Gettysburgh ; trans to invalid corps.
George W. Hill, 44, G 4 ; dis June 3, 62. Julius F. Hill, S S 2 ; trans to Inv. Corp. James O. Hovey, 20, D 2 ; re-en Dec. 21 63. George Hubbard, 22, D 2 ; re-en Jan 1, 63 ; killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 64. Robert Hunkins, 22, D 2; re-en Jan 31, 63 ; killed at Wilderness, May 5, 64. Mason Humphrey, N. H. 5; com ; killed at Cold Harbor, Va., June 64.
Frank Huntley, 18, D 2 ; corp ; deserted at Antietam, Sept. 62.
Benjamin L. Hawley, 22, H 17. H. D. Hutchins, D 2.
Henry Janes, 29, com surg 3d, June 24, 61 ; surg U S V, March 26, 63 ; brev lieut col U S V, March 13, 65.
John Jerome, 32, B 10; dis April 16, 63 ; re-en K 17.
Allen Jewett, 18, G 4; dis March 2, 62. Marcellus B. Johnson, 21, G 4 ; died Oct. 7, 62, of wd rec'd Sept. 15, 62, at South Mountain.
John P. Jones, 18, E 8; re-en Jan 5, 64 ; promoted corporal July 5, '64.
William Jones, 25, E 8 ; missed in action June 14, 63.
Daniel Jones, 29, E II ; lost arm at Win- chester, Sept. 19, 64.
James W. Jones, 35, B 10; wd, and dis May 15, 65.
Edwin Joslyn, 17, S S E 2 ; died July 11,62. Edward Kirby, 22, A 7 ; must out August 30, 64. Leander Kirby, 18, H 13.
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John D. Kellogg, I 13 ; dis Nov. 28, 62. Charles B. Lee, 32, B 10; died in 63. Sayles Locke, 28, D 2 ; died Apr. 26, 62. James Linnehen, 44, D 5 ; mustered out June 29. 65.
A. J. Loomis, 34, B 10. Charles Lapage, K 17.
James Madigan, 18, I 9 ; des Jan. 19, 63. Henry L. Marshall, 24, B 10 ; corp ; wd at Cold Harbor, June 1, 64.
Ira A. Marshall, 38, D 2 ; dis July 16, 62. Paul W. Mason, Jr., 18, C Cav ; lost arm at Gettysburgh.
Dexter Moody, 27, B IO. Hartwell Moody, 31, D 2. Samuel Morey, 23, D 2.
Michael Morrisey, 18, G 2; re-enlisted in Cowan's Battery.
Lucian M. Murray, 21, G 4 ; died Nov. 8, 62. John Martin, 21, Bat 3.
Dennis Martin, 18, H 6; re-en Mar. 1, 64. Pliny H. Moffatt, 21, C Cav; re-en Dec. 28, 63 ; pro sergt Nov. 19, 64 ; pro com sergt Jan. 21, 65 ; transferred to Co. D. James W. Marshall, 35, I 13 ; corporal. Thomas Morway, 29, H 13. Patrick Martin, H 6. Charles Moody, 21, K 17.
John McCaffery, A 6.
Walter H. Nelson, 18, B 10; wd Nov. 27, 63, June 1, 64. John O'Connor, 18, I 4. Pat. O'Connor, 16, K 17 ; music.
Tabor H. Parcher, 24, B I0; corp; dis July 6, 64. Edwin Parker, 18, B 10 ; corporal.
Henry F. Parker, 21, D 2 ; dis May 29,62. Edward N. Phelps, 22, 1 9 ; corp reduced ; transferred to Veteran Corps.
Henry C. Phillips, 26, C Cav ; sergt red ; promoted sergt.
Carlos Prescott, 23, D. 2 ; dis July 24, 62 ; died of disease contracted in service.
Leroy Prescott, 19, 1 13. L. L. Pollard, 25, G 3 ; drafted.
Homer Ruggles, 27, F 1 ; re-en in Cav C; wd ; pro corp Nov. 18, 61 ; sergt.
George G. Rice, 18, 10 G; died at Alex- andria, before joining regt.
Winslow C. Rollins, 26, D 2, des from gen hospital 1865.
George Ray, D 5.
Alva Rowell, 26, I 13; re-en; killed at Wilderness.
Curtis C. Sleeper, 19, C 2; discharged Nov. 1, 62 ; wd June 29, 62.
Timothy T. Sleeper, 32, D) 2 ; corp ; dis Feb. 5, 63 ; died Oct. 11, 63, of disease contracted in service.
Charles Smith, 45, B 10; transferred to Invalid Corps, July 1, 63.
Clifford Smith, 21, A 7 ; re-en ; deserted Sept. 27, 64.
Geo. E. Smith, 19, D 2 ; wd at Wilderness. Jerry Smith, 26, A 7 ; re-en, and deserted Sept. 27, 64.
William H. Stimson, 24, C 3, Jan. 29, 62 ; dis Feb. 3, 63 ; wd June 29, 62.
Horatio G. Stone, 19, D 2; died of wds received at Wilderness, May 4, 64.
John Stone, M Cav ; saddler.
Willard S. Stone, 24, D 2 ; killed at Wil- derness, May 5, 64.
John W. Sawyer, 29, B 10; deserted at Brattleboro, May 23, 64.
Calvin E. Seaver, 27, I 13 ; wd at Gettys- burgh, July 3, 63.
Herschall F. Smith, 26, I 13.
William C. Smith, 18, 1 13. William D. Smith, 22, I 13. Orvand A. Stone, 32, I 13.
John R. Slocum, 9.
Wayland A. Strong, 22, K 17.
Frank Stearns, 18, C 17; died Jan. 6, 64, of wds received in action May 12, 64. Edward Taylor, 18, B 10.
Lucian D. Thompson, 31, B I0; com 2d lieut Aug. 4, 62 ; Ist lieut Co. G, Dec. 27, 62 ; capt Co. D, June 17, 64 ; killed at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19. 64.
George Tatro, 28, B 10 ; died Dec. 28, 64. Burton C. Turner, 18, D 2 ; died Nov. 5, 64. Chauncy Turner, 20, D 2 ; drafted. Joseph Tate, D 5. John Toban, D 5.
Edward Wells, 25, 5 ; band ; dis Feb. 20,62. Edwin H. Wells, 22, K 17.
Henry Wells, 25, A 7 ; died Aug. 9, 62.
William Wells, 23, C Cav; com ist lieut Co. C, Oct. 14, 61 ; capt Nov. 18, 61 ; maj Oct. 30, 62 ; col June 4, 64 ; brev brig gen Feb. 22, 65 ; brig gen May 19, 65 ; brev maj gen ; wd July 6, 62, Sept. 13, 63.
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George I Wilson, D 2.
Henry M. Wood, 18, E, 8 ; died Sept. 13,63. Wm. M. Wood, 19, E8 ; died July 14, 63. Sidney H. Woodward, 18, B 10 ; wd at
Cold Harbor, June 1, 65 ; pro corporal Apr. 1, 64.
Benjamin F. Wright, 18, D 2.
George S. Woodward, 22, C Cav; killed Apr. 3, 63.
Ira S. Woodward, 18, B 10; wd at Cold Harbor, June 3, 63.
Wm. Woodard, 19, B 10; wd at Cold Harbor, June 1, 64.
Chas. B. Wooster, 23, K 3 ; dis Oct. 30, 62. Hiram P. Wright, 28, C Cav ; wd himself. Jacob Wrisley, 19, D 2 ; re-en Jan. 21, 64. Liberty White, 44, B 10 ; trans to In. Corps. Alexander Warden, 21, D 2; discharged ; re-enlisted into 5th.
Wm. C. Woodruff, 26, 1 13.
Wm. A. Wooster, 24, I 13.
Charles S. Wrisley, 28, C 15.
John W. York, 21, D 2 ; re-en color bearer for Gen. Wright commanding 6th corps. Hiram Young, 44, BIO ; committed suicide June 26, 64.
Jos. E. Young, 36, B 10; wd at Spottsyl- vania.
Geo. W. York, 33, K 2 ; drafted ; died of wds received at Wilderness, May 5, 64.
PAPERS FURNISHED BY RUSSELL BUTLER, ESQ. LEADING TOPICS FIFTY YEARS AGO.
Upon the review of the events of about half a century ago, we find some remark- able coincidences. Within a very few years before, and subsequent, was a time of extensive religious revivals in many parts of our country and in this town. At about the same time, temperance, anti- slavery, and anti-masonry became subjects of great public interest, and whether these were all kindred in character with the reli- gious movement or not, they all seemed to be supported on the principle of public morals. Each had its period of novelty and excitement, each its time of calm dis- cussion, and each its decline in the public interest. What is most remarkable is their near contemporariness. Perhaps no time in history before or since, have all these subjects simultaneously so deeply
engaged the public mind, nor is it proba- ble they will ever again so occupy the public mind of our community, till some generations have passed away and new combinations of circumstances occur. The public mind acting as a whole is subject to the same laws as the individual mind ; when it has thoroughly canvassed a sub- ject and formed a deliberate decision, it is disposed to rest in that decision as entirely satisfactory, if no new, valid opposite evi- dence is adduced. The man who has viewed the temperance or the slavery ques- tion in their different aspects, and made his verdict deliberately, does not care to review or pass through his experiences a second time. R. B.
ANTI-SLAVERY.
The New England Anti-Slavery move- ment, led by William Lloyd Garrison, was formally organized in Boston, Jan. 6, 1832, and followed by a National Anti-Slavery Society in Philadelphia, December 1833. Anti-slavery principles soon found friends and advocates in Waterbury, and by the circulation of papers and the labors of lec- turers, became a strong moral force in the community. The movement was opposed for a time as a disturbing element in politics, though not then a party organization, as it became to some extent, later. As evi- dence of the zeal and liberality of Water- bury Abolitionists, it may be stated that upon a call of the State Society for pecu- niary aid, in 1839, one of the delegates pledged $100 from Waterbury and Dux- bury, to be raised within the year. This,- was one twentieth of the amount asked from the State, and was the highest sum pledged by any town. When the paper was circulated in Waterbury, two individ- uals subscribed $100 each, while smaller contributions in both towns increased the sum to nearly $500, more than one-fifth of the entire sum called for. At that time $100 contributed for the sole purpose of helping to create public sentiment in behalf of a philanthropic cause, was a large sum ; and the citizens whose liberality deserves mention in a history of these times are Amasa Pride and Erastus Parker. They
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were men ever ready to help a cause that they believed worthy of support.
All the subscriptions were paid.
ANTI-MASONRY.
After a lapse of 50 years since the origin of Anti-masonry, and 40 years since its disappearance in political discussions, most people of the present time'are little acquainted with its history. With no pur- pose of discussing its merits, or demerits, we cannot as chroniclers of the town do less than to refer to this chapter of its po- litical history, no more to be suppressed or omitted than any other matter equally po- tent in its influence on the public mind.
Anti-masonry as a question of morals, human rights, or political expediency, had no little influence upon the affairs of its period. So long time has passed, that the reader will wish for some account of its rise, growth and decadence.
Anti-masonry, as known in this century and in this country, originated in Western New York, in the autumn of 1826. It was currently reported in the summer of that year, that William Morgan of Batavia, a brick-layer and stone mason, in conjunc- tion with David C. Miller, a printer of the same place, was about to publish a book disclosing the secrets of the Masonic Or- der. It was well known that Morgan was a Mason. These reports caused an imme- diate excitement among the Masons, and an effort was made to suppress the book, first by an unsuccessful attempt to obtain the manuscript. Following this, the print- ing office took fire in a way indicating the work of an incendiary. Miller was arrested Sept. r2, on a warrant issued by a justice in Le Roy ; and on the night of the same day, after 9 o'clock, Morgan disappeared. He has not been seen by family or friends since. Many circumstances of his abduc- tion, and the route over which he was taken, have been proved in courts of jus- tice, but with no positive evidence of his final disposal. The general belief is that no mortal man has seen him alive since the night of Sept. 19, 1826.
When the fact and these circumstances of his abduction became known, the excite-
ment was intense. As there had long been among the uninitiated a sort of mysterious awe of the Order numbering in its ranks so many eminent men, these startling devel- opments, following in close succession, tended still further to increase the mystery. The governor of New York, if not the offi- cial head, was of high rank in the Order : and as the investigation proceeded, it was found that most of the important offices of counties and towns were filled by masons. Judges, sheriffs and justices of peace had in a manner control of courts. These dis- closures intensified the excitement where it began, and extended it far and wide in other states.
The extent and power of the Anti-Ma- sonic party can hardly be realized by those who have not seen the public mind arous- ed upon a subject affecting the vital inter- ests of the people.
We have given this summary sketch of the formation of the Anti-Masonic party, avoiding all particulars not essential for an understanding of the public mind. There were suspicions and even charges that the secrets of the order interfered with the purposes of justice. If this were true, the remedy lay in selecting others than Masons to make and administer the laws.
We may presume this to be the funda- mental idea of political Anti-Masonry.
If the exclusion of Masons from office were necessary to secure justice in what was known as the Morgan trials, it was thought that similar cases might exist out- side of the "infected district" of New York. This principle of excluding Ma- sons from office was naturally denounced as illiberal and proscriptive; but Anti- Masons met this charge with the state- ment that all parties are in their nature proscriptive. They became powerful in many States, and in our own State and town were dominant for several years. The reader is referred to the history of several northern States from 1828 to 1835 ; to legislation upon extra judicial oaths ; and the action of various Masonic bodies ; for the action of the order in this county, to the recent history of Montpelier.
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Comparing it with the present condition of masonry, he will wonder at its recuper- ative power, and find the event worthy his study.
MILLERISM.
About 1839, William Miller, the great preacher of the Second Coming of Christ, delivered a course of lectures in Water- bury. From diligent study of the Scrip- tures, particularly of Daniel and the Revelations, he became convinced that Christ's second coming and the end of the world would occur in 1843.
Mr. Miller appeared to be a man of ex- tensive reading, at least in matters relating ยท to his subject ; and his zeal and apparent candor gave weight to his arguments. The subject was not a new one to careful read- ers of the Bible ; but his presentation of it, with a definite time for its occurrence, was both new and startling. Multitudes flocked to hear him. The train of his reasoning was unusual, and few men were prepared to meet him on ground with which he was so familiar. [Ludlow his- tory has an interesting paper on two of its citizens who took up his challenge for pub- lic discussion and met him ; see hereafter in the Windsor County Vol .- ED.] Mr. Miller's hearers were numbered by thou- sands, and he gained many followers. Though the great event predicted so con- fidently did not occur, his presentation of Adventism did not pass away without influ- ence upon the evangelical churches of that or the present day. Many good church members, shaken in their former faith and disappointed in their expectations, sought a substitute as best they might. Few, if any, lapsed into unbelief, though without doubt the religious views of many were greatly modified. To us, a history of Waterbury would seem incomplete without recognition of the Second Advent move- ment and its effect.
The preaching and publication of Mr. Miller's views had been so wide-spread, that large numbers of believers were look- ing for the great event. In Waterbury, scores watched and waited for the second coming of the Lord. We are not surprised at the excitement that attends the burning
of a vessel, a theatre, or a city ; yet many cannot realize how large numbers of peo- ple should be so intensely wrought upon by the expectation of an event of whose approach there were no visible signs. After the lapse of forty years, when nearly all of those who were so moved by Mr. Miller have passed away, many may won- der at the credulity of sensible and intelli- gent persons who accepted his interpreta- tion of prophecy. It is, however, a matter of history.
LYCEUM AND LIBRARY.
The coming of the Colby family into town was an acquisition to society in other than business relations. The senior brother immediately became interested in planning a lyceum for the entertainment and culture of the young. He was seconded by the active labors of his mother, sister, and brothers. Their efforts resulted in large and enthusiastic gatherings, with many participants in the exercises which were so varied as to sustain a constant interest in their weekly meetings. There were occa- sional lectures from entertaining and com- petent speakers ; carefully prepared de- bates, declamations by the youngsters ; and most interesting of all, the papers which were supported by contributions from all, and read by ladies.
The lyceum became a complete success, and continued so several years. One or two seasons created such a furor scribendi, and such a demand for reading, that an association was formed, and a selection of books made by a competent committee. About 500 vols. were purchased. At the end of 2 years, the lyceum celebrated its success by a public entertainment and pic- nic on the banks of the Winooski, march- ing to the ground in a grand procession, with an array of banners, bearing the assumed names of the principal writers for the paper. Among the exercises was the reading of one of Julia Wallace Hutchins' poems by Rev. C. C. Parker, of blessed memory, not long since passed to his re- ward of heavenly rest.
The library was increased to over 600 volumes, and for io or 12 years was highly esteemed ; but after the novelty of the first
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few years had worn away, the very inex- pensiveness of its advantages seemed to diminish its usefulness, since some esti- mate value only by cost. Yet even now after 25 years, there are several hundred of the books in the care of George W. Kennedy as assistant librarian. This, together with the Agricultural Library, aided by the town or public-spirited indi- viduals, might form the basis of a new one which would be of great value to the town.
This much for the lyceum and library of a quarter of a century ago. The writer feels that their influence on the intelligence and culture of our people should not be forgotten.
[JULIA WALLACE, author of "Earth's Angels," written some 25 or 30 years since, often reprinted, a favorite with the public, is a native of Duxbury, which adjoins Wa- terbury. The years of her childhood were spent at the paternal home, on an isolated mountain, afar from neighbors, very soli- itary.
Bred with the elements, in her first poe- try-for a Montpelier paper-she sings of sunset skies, " painted and gilded," "the broad arch where starry armies throng"- she tells us what she " loves "-
" The lightning's flash, its dazzling chalu When the black thunder cloud is rent in twain ; The storm's dark drapery in sombre fold Glittering with sparkles of electric goid.
The vivid flash, the broad bright flash, I love Showing the earth beneath, the heavens above, As if the flame-winged messengers of power Glance on their errands through the tempest-hour."
We heard her recite this old, old poem. We heard her describe this mountain home most graphically a few days since : " No Duxbury house in sight, but over the river, Waterbury village beyond, that looked like a Paradise ; Governor Butler's house and farms ; Governor Dillingham's residence ; the beautiful cemetery ; all dis- tinctly seen from our little house on the Duxbury mountain. You must have my " Earth's Angels " for Duxbury,-that be- longs to Duxbury, which has her history, -though no one has yet arisen to write it ; but there will."
By our author's rule, " Athenwood" be-
longs to Waterbury. It was written here, read at that old Lyceum so pleasantly de- scribed by our venerable historian, Mr. Butler, and we think we must break in on his pages and lay it here at the foot of the old " Lyceum and Library."]
ATHENWOOD.
A LEGEND OF ST. MINNIE. .
Were you ever in Montpelier? Not that fine old town of France, But a fair Green Mountain village, Young for legend or romanee.
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