The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 136

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 136

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).

Brave and hardy are the people Of our Northern State frontier ;

· So affirmed a bold invader,* And the knowledge eost lim dear.

Firm in Dorie strength and beauty Stands their Capitol ; Its dome

Looking down upon a river Something like the stream of Rome.

Winding through the verdant valley, Like a shaken silver ehain, Flows the mountain-born Winooski To the beautiful Champlain.

But we follow not his current, For the theme will bld us stay 'Mong the hills that nurse his torrent, Near the Capitol, to-day.

Just across the sparkling river, Where you hill-road winds away, Lightly lifts the graceful elm-tree Many a slender, waving spray.

Where the tiny song-birds rally, Chirping from their leafy sereen, And the mountain breezes dally, Coming down a bright ravine.

There, above the village murmur, And the din of mlll and forge, Stands an artist's quiet dwelling, In the green and narrow gorge.

On a sultry day of summer Sank beneath the wayside tree, One who sighed, in foreign aeeent, "Mary Mother, pity me! "

'Twas a sad and weary woman, With a child of tender years; On her feet the soil of travel, On her face the stain of tears.

Surely she can toil no farther 'Neath the bright, unpitying sky ; But for that sweet, patient infant, It were well that she should die!

Hers had been a happy bridal In a distant father-land ; Hers a husband, brave and noble, Firm, yet gentle, hopeful bland.

Tyranny proclaimed him rebel, For a patriot heart had he; They, in want, had fled from pertl- He was buried in the sea.

* Sir John Burgoyne.

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In her land of eross and convent, Sweet Madonna, pale and fair, Shrine of saint or tomb of martyr, Wins the stricken soul to prayer.

Now she scans that peaceful cottage- Gray its walls and sloping eaves- Lifting up its modest gables, Carved in pendant oaken leaves;

Rustie porch, with open portal, Arched windows, diamond pane- Sure it bore no slight resemblance To some humble rural fane.

Was it not a wayside chapel, Built in form of holy eross ? Was it hermitage? or dwelling? Long she mused, and much at loss,

Till an organ-tone came swelling On the silent summer air; Quick she mounts the rocky terrace, Lifts her child from stalr to stair.

In the softly shaded parlor Minnie bad sat down to play Hopeful hymns that cheered her linsband- These should while the hours away.

On she played and sang, unheeding Her who on the threshold stood, Dreaming of an old cathedral Far beyond the ocean-flood.

Through the curtain came the sunlight With a crimson-tinted ray; So it fell, from storied window, Where in youth she kneeled to pray.

Near her stood a slender table, Fair the Parian vase upon't, Quaintly earved from antique sculpture- Was it not a marble font ?

On the walls hung glowing pictures- " Autumn scenery," richly wrought, Graceful forms and gentle features- Not the haloed head she sought.

When the soaring anthem ended, Timidly she moved to say, "Lady, please, is it a chapel ? I have need to rest and pray."

Oh, not utterly mistaken Was that simple, fervent heart; Less than only Heaven's own altar Is the shrine of Love and Art.

Minnie placed a couch with pillows, Offering rest and sweet relief; Spoke as woman speaks to woman In her trial-hour of grief.

Bringing food, the cup of water, Covering for the sunburned child, Laughed the winsome little creature- Sweet the wayworn pilgrim smiled.

"Now my weary heart is lighter; Mary Mother heard my plaint- If I found no priestly altar, Surely I've not missed a saint."

BIOGRAPHICAL LETTER FROM A. G. PEASE.

Born at Canaan, Conn., February, 1811 ; the family moved to Charlotte, Vt. Nov., 1826: My father, Salmon Pease, was born at Norfolk, Conn., June 14, 1783. My mother, Matilda Huntington, was born at Ashford, Conn., Dec. 30, 1780 ; there were 9 sons and one daughter, four of the sons and the daughter still living. I graduated at the University of Vermont in 1837 ; at Andover, 1841 ; ordained and settled at Pittsford, June, 1842; married to Anne Page, daughter of Dea. William Page of Rutland, Oct. 18, 1842; went to Water- bury, July, 1847; installed 1849 ; went to Norwich, July, 1853; installed January, 1855 ; I supplied at Poultney and Royal- ton, from October, 1845, when I left Pitts- ford, until going to Waterbury. After leaving Waterbury, I preached 3 months by invitation in the first Congregational church in Quincy, Ill.

My health failed the summer of 1855, and I have had no charge since. We have had 5 daughters, of whom 3 are living, and 3 sons, all living.

Rutland, Sept. 17, 1876.

BIOGRAPHICAL LETTER FROM REV. CHAS. CARROLL PARKER.

Was born in Underhill, Sept. 26, 1814; son of Edmond (b. in Richmond, N. H.), son of Reuben, son of Benjamin, son of John, son of John, son of Dea. Thomas Parker, who settled in Reading, Mass., about 1635, where the four preceding were born; name of mother, Hepzibah Curtis, daughter of John Curtis, of Dudley, Mass. ; lived with father until nearly twenty-one, working on his and neighboring farms ; went to school 3 months in summer from five to nine, and 3 months in winter, from seven to eighteen ; began to teach school at nineteen, and taught the 8 following win- ters ; fitted for college at Jericho Academy, Bradford Academy, and under the private instruction of Rev. Samuel Kingsbury, then acting pastor of the Congregational church in Underhill; entered college in 1837; graduated Aug. 4, 1841, with no pecuniary help from first to last ; was prin- cipal of the boys' high school in Burlington

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2 years after graduating ; united with Con- gregational church, Burlington, Jan. I, 1843 ; entered Union Theological Sem- inary, N. Y., fall of 1843, and remained I year ; was again principal of boys' high school until fall of 1845 ; was then agent of the University in raising the $50,000 fund until the spring of 1847 ; resumed study of theology in Burlington, and was licensed to preach the Gospel by Winooski Asso- ciation at Williston, Oct. 11, 1847 ; preach- ed my first sermon in native parish at Underhill, first Sabbath in November fol- lowing ; began to preach in Tinmouth in January, 1848 ; was ordained, and in- stalled pastor of that church October 4th, following.

In the spring of 1853. I received an in- vitation to preach in Waterbury ; was dis- missed from the church in Tinmouth, May 18, 1853 ; was installed pastor of Congre- gational church in Waterbury, June 7, 1854. In June, 1863, I was elected Cor- responding Secretary of Vermont Domestic Missionary Society, but the Council de- clined to advise my dismissal that I might accept the office. In the fall of 1866, was elected principal of the Ladies' Seminary in Gorham, Me., and was dismissed by Council, Jan. 16, 1867, and accepted the position at Gorham.

In June, 1868, I resigned the place in the seminary, and accepted a call to the pastorate of a Congregational church in Gorham, and was installed Aug. 19, 1868 ; resigned the pastorate in Gorham, July, 1871, and was dismissed Sept. 22. In Nov. 1871, I received a call to the pastor- ate of the Congregational church in Orient, L. I .; also to that of the Presbyterian church in Passippamy, N. J., and accepted the latter ; was installed by Presbytery of Morris and Orange, Mar. 27, 1872, in which office I still remain (1876).

Was married Nov. 28, 1844, to Eliz- abeth McNiel Fleming, of Burlington, and have one son and three daughters. My pastoral and ministerial relations have been very pleasant and so remain. I have been a corporator of the University of Vermont since 1862.

REV. JONATHAN COPELAND,

was born in Smithville, Chenango Co., N. Y., Feb. 20, 1816; the eldest of 9 chil- dren, 4 sons and 5 daughters. His father, David Copeland, was a native of Brooklyn, Conn .; his mother, Martha Shepard, of Pittsfield, Mass. After their marriage, they remained some time in Smithville, then returned to Brooklyn, and soon after- wards became residents of Norwich, Conn., where they lived until 1825, when they re- moved to Rochester, where they are still living, at a very advanced age. The fath- er, a mason by trade, his family dependent upon his daily toil, was able to give his children but a limited common school edu- cation, and the sons were set at work with their father as soon as they were able to use the tools.

Jonathan was converted in his 18th year, and united with the church with which his parents were connected, the Presbyterian, and soon after was impressed to become a minister of the gospel. His father, una- ble to help him to an education, did not encourage it, but his pastor did, and he laid down his tools to study, resuming them at vacations ; and by his trade, teaching school some, and by his musical talent, carried himself through preparation for college, (Union college,) which he en- tered in 1837, and to the close of his last year in the Theological Seminary, which he entered 3 months before graduating at college. At the end of 2 years in the Seminary, he was licensed to preach by the Cayuga Presbytery, and called to the Presbyterian church in Holley, Orleans Co., N. Y., where he preached his first sermon May 14, 1843, and was installed in November. This large and flourishing field he held 153 years, when against the wishes of his people, he was dismissed to take charge of the Presbyterian church of Champlain, N. Y., where he was installed Feb., 1859; dismissed Oct., 1866, re- mained another year. The year previous, 107 new members were added to this church, and this last year there were fre- quent additions.

In Oct., 1867, he accepted a call from I the Congregational church of Waterbury,

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and soon afterwards removed here. He was twice solicited to be installed pastor, but declined from personal preferences. Though coming from the Presbyterians, among whom he was converted, educated, licensed and installed, and with whom he had labored for more than 20 years, he very readily conformed to Congregational usages, found a pleasant home, cordial re- lations with the ministers and churches, and ever labored harmoniously and heart- ily with them ; and had Providence so or- dered, would have spent his remaining days happily in that connection. While in Waterbury, a parsonage was purchased by the society, the house of worship twice improved and beautified, and the commu- nicants increased ; the number being larg- er, notwithstanding numerous removals, at the close than at the beginning of his labors with the church. He at present re- sides in Rochester, N. Y., and is regularly employed in preaching in that vicinity.

He was married Jan. 30, 1844, to Kezia, daughter of John and Kezia Clark, of Nis- kayuna, Schenectady Co., N. Y. They have had three sons, Clark, Edward and William, all now in business, and four daughters, three now living, and their children are all members of the church.

CALKINS FAMILY.

John P. Calkins, of New London, Conn., moved to Canaan, N. H .; and from there came to Waterbury, and settled on the River about 1796. He had 8 sons and 3 daughters. The facts in this notice the writer has from a descendant, who with nearly all of the Calkins name, went to the older Western states, where several have won distinction in educational, profession- al, and business positions.

Sarah, eldest daughter of the family, married Rev. Thomas Kennan.

Hubbard, the eldest son, died in Ohio, about 40 years ago.

Harris, second son, settled in Waterbu- ry, where he died, leaving two sons and a daughter. The younger son, Dr. Calkins of Boston, and the daughter are living.

Clarissa died in Ohio, at the age of 89.

Charles, born in New London, had 6 children, 5 of whom were living in 1879.

It is from the oldest son that we have the principal facts relating to the family. His father was briefly noticed in Mr. Park- er's Early History, as supplying the pulpit of the first meeting-house in Waterbury several months after its dedication, and previous to the coming of Rev. Dr. War- ren.

Mr. Calkins died near Cleveland. Ohio, in 1877, aged 94; Mrs. Calkins, who be- longed to the New Hampshire family of Gilmans, a few years before her husband, at the age of 86. Charles G. Calkins, the eldest son, has given many interesting details of his own family and that of his sister Eliza, Mrs. Winchester of Detroit, who has 9 grown-up children living. Of his own family, one son has served as an officer in U. S. Navy, another as editor of a daily paper in Covington, Ky. George, the son next younger than Charles , living in 1879, in Elyria, Ohio, blind and deaf, has a son who is a wealthy resident of Cincinnati.

William was a teacher in Waterbury, and we think in Burlington, about 25 years ago. The writer remembers him well. A son of his has long been a prominent citi- zen of Ticonderoga, N. Y .; another son is a successful lumber merchant.

Charles Gilman Calkins, son of Rev. Charles Calkins, after giving brief notices of each of his father's brothers and sisters (as above related) so far as known to him at the time of his writing, April, 1879, concludes his account, thus : " So there are living, George, aged 92, Jesse 84, and Jedediah 82, and his wife; and but few years ago, Clarisa died aged 89, Charles 94, and my mother 86. Six in all had lived many more years together, or not far separated than is usual in families. In- deed, I have been disposed sometimes to prepare a sketch styling them the Centen- nial family. The descendants are nume- rous and far scattered, and I know but few of them recently. They are mainly out- side of Congress and of the State prison. The name is becoming numerous and far spread. They all so far as I can learn have many of the traits of our family. Of personal resemblances there have been

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several striking instances. Longevity, large families, muscular vigor, while there has been a large tendency to clerical and professional occupations."

KENNAN FAMILY.

Among the early settlers we must not omit to notice was the family of George Kennan, whose name appears as one of the town officers as early as 1794, when he served as moderator and selectman, and again in 1797 and 1804, and was justice of the peace many years. His son George was constable in 1802 ; and selectman in 1809.

Thomas, another son, assisted in the organization of the first Congregational church as clerk of the meeting ; afterwards became a minister of that denomination. He married Sarah, eldest daughter of John P. Calkins.

Another son of this family was Jairus, who fell an early victim to his love of knowledge a few years after his graduation in 1804, as a member of the first class of the University of Vermont. At the semi- centennial anniversary of the University in 1854, the late Charles Adams, Esq., of Burlington, paid the following tribute to his memory, in response to the sentiment, " The First Graduating Class of 50 years ago": " There were four of us who grad- uated fifty years ago. Three are present on this occasion. The joy of our meeting is chastened by the reflection that our other classmate, Jairus Kennan, is no more. He was feeble while in college, and having long struggled with disease, has gone, as we trust, to a higher and a better world. Jairus Kennan was not an ordinary man. He loved knowledge, and nothing could repress his ardor in the pursuit. His in- tellectual powers were of a high order, and he cultivated them with untiring devotion. He was distinguished for warmth of feel- ing and kindness of manner, and had he lived, would have taken high rank as a philanthropist. Poor in purse and poorer in health, he was above adverse circum- stances, and alone and unaided pursued a quiet course to the highest development of mind and heart. He was a bright exam- ple of what energy and ambition may accomplish."

JOSEPH WARREN,

editor of the Buffalo Courier, died-, 18-, in that city, of congestion of the lungs, after an illness of only one day. Mr. Warren was born in Waterbury, July 24, 1829, and graduated at the University of Vermont, in the class of 1851. He immediately en- tered the profession of journalism, as as- sistant editor of the Country Gentleman, at Albany, N. Y. In 1853, he became as- sociate editor of the Buffalo Courier, be- coming its editor-in-chief in 1858, and re- taining that position until his death. Since the death of Dean Richmond, in 1866, Mr. Warren had been the recognized leader of the Democratic party in Erie county, and leader and counsellor of that party in Wes- tern New York and the State. Through his efforts the State Asylum for the insane was located at Buffalo, and he served on its board of managers and as chairman of the executive committee till within a month of his death. He was a member of the committee on location of the State Normal School at Buffalo, and a member of the board of trustees. He was one of the pro- jectors of the Buffalo fine arts academy, and was largely interested in the project of the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad. He was a former president of the Buffalo Young Men's Association, and a member of the council of the Medical de- partment of the University of Buffalo for the last 6 years. He was president of the New York State Associated Press at the time of his death. He was long a mem- ber of Ancient Land Mark Lodge of Ma- sons. He leaves a wife and one son .- Burlington Free Press.

DAN CARPENTER, (BY HON. PAUL DILLINGHAM.)

son of Simeon Carpenter and Anna Bur- ton, was born in Norwich, Vt., Nov. 21, 1776, where he lived, was educated, stud- ied law, and was admitted to the Bar, in Windsor County, in the spring of 1804. During the summer of that year he came into what is now Washington County, and settled at Waterbury. At that time the towns in Mad River valley together with Duxbury, Waterbury, Stowe and Mans- field belonged to Chittenden County ; there

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was no lawyer in either of them, and none nearer than Williston. Mr. Carpenter's choice was a fortunate one for him, for there had been for several years a growing desire that a reliable lawyer should settle in that vicinity, and he opened his office for business as early as Oct. 1, 1804. He was a sound lawyer-a man of most ex- cellent practical judgment, and he proved almost at once that he was a safe adviser. Having fixed upon Waterbury as his future home, he at once became identified with all its interests, and was soon a leading man in all its affairs. At Norwich, Jan. 27, 1805, he was married to Betsey Par- tridge, daughter of Elisha Partridge and Margaret Murdock, born Jan. 23, 1783. They commenced housekeeping in the spring following, in a one-storied house. convenient for a small family, and in the year 1815, built and finished the two-story front, where his grandson, Frank Carpen- ter, now lives. They had 8 children, four of whom died in early infancy-and four lived to be settled in life, one son, William, born Oct. 25, 1805, and three daughters, Sarah P., born May 18, 1807 ; Eliza, born Dec. 11, 1810, and Julia, born Dec. 3, 1812; Julia, the wife of Paul Dillingham, is now the sole survivor ; they were mar- ried Sept. 5, 1832. Sarah P. Carpenter Dillingham, died Sept. 20, 1831.

When Mr. Carpenter began business in Waterbury, justice's jurisdiction was only $13; this threw a heavy business on to the County courts, and his income was large for quite a number of years. He had no competition till 1817, when Henry F. Janes came into the town. Mr. Carpenter had a fine person, nearly six feet high, slim, straight as an arrow, and lithe, and grace- ful in every movement ; in manner he was of the old school, respectful, courteous and kind to every one. He rapidly grew into favor, and strong attachments grew up between him and a great porportion of his townsmen. He was a conscientious man, very kind to the poor, and forbearing to his every debtor. The estimation in which he stood in town, county and state, is best evidenced by the following facts : In his town he was chosen town clerk in

March, 1808, and held that office by suc- cessive elections, (save one year) till 1829, when he declined to hold that office longer. He was first selectman during most of the same years. In 1817, he was chosen rep- resentative to the General Assembly, and with the exception of 1818, he represented the town till 1827. In the fall of 1827, he was chosen first assistant judge of Wash- ington County Court, and held that office by successive elections for 8 years, when he declined further service. In 1824, he was one of the State electors of president and vice president, and by his associates was deputed to carry and deliver the votes of the State in the City of Washington. From April, 1823, he had a junior partner in his law business, Paul Dillingham, Jr. The firm was Carpenter & Dillingham, and continued till he became judge, when the business was given to Mr. Dillingham. From 1820, he had a mercantile interest in Waterbury, in company with Charles R. Cleaves. In February, 1824, he purchased Mr. Cleaves' interest in this business, to- gether with all his real estate, and his son William Carpenter, became his partner. During the summer of 1834, they erected the brick store, where his grandson, W. E. Carpenter, now lives and does business. He retired from active business, and de- voted the remainder of his life to the care of the property he had accumulated.

He died Dec. 2, 1852. His memory is cherished by many now living. His wife survived him many years, living to the age of 92. William Carpenter died March 17, 1881.

PAPER FROM HON. PAUL DILLINGHAM.

HON. WILLIAM WELLINGTON WELLS,

son of Roswell and Pamelia White Wells, was born in Waterbury, Oct. 28, 1805, and died at the same place, April 9, 1869. He graduated from the University of Vermont in the class of 1824, and read law in the office of the late Charles Adams, Esq., in Burlington. He was admitted to practice at the Chittenden County Bar, but before he began the practice of his profession (for which he was thought to be particu- larly well suited both by nature and educa-

Hun. Wells

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tion,) owing to the death of his father, he was obliged to return to Waterbury and administer the estate of the deceased. He soon became so much interested in busi- ness pursuits that he abandoned the idea of a professional life, and identified him- self with the interests of both his family and his town. For several years he had a large interest in a prominent dry-goods house in Burlington. He was afterward a member of the firm of Hutchins, Wells & Co., at Waterbury. At the latter place, he also erected a tannery, and for many years carried on an extensive business. Later on, he came into the ownership of the grist-mill just north of Waterbury village, (and near the tannery before men- tioned,) and converted it into a first-class flouring mill, when for many years he carried on an extensive business. He also carried on a dry goods store at Waterbury Center, several years.

Mr. Wells represented Waterbury in the Legislature in 18.40, '63 and '64, where he took an active part in legislative matters. He was a member of the Eleventh Council of Censors in 1855, and town treasurer and selectman several years.

He was a valuable member of the com- munity in which he lived. A ripe scholar himself, he was deeply interested in the schools of the town,-feeling that in them was to be acquired such knowledge and discipline as should fit the young for intel- ligent and useful lives.

He was equally interested in whatever was for the general interests of the town- and in furthering these he was not wont to inquire what his share of the expenditure should be, but rather how much was nec- essary to effect the purpose, and this much he contributed most gladly.

From his youth up he was a radical tem- perance man. He was Grand Scribe of the Grand Division of the Sons of Tem- perance in Vermont for 8 years, and also Grand Worthy Patriarch of the Sons of Temperance of Vermont for some time. He worked ardently to accomplish every purpose he determined upon, contributing liberally both of time and money to any- thing of a public nature. He was no office

seeker or office shunner, but was careful to honor any office which he held. He was deeply interested in the welfare of the country, and when the late rebellion broke out, and during its continuance, he gave himself almost entirely to the country's service, with an enthusiasm and hopeful- ness that was an inspiration to all around him. As chairman of the board of select- men during the greater part, if not all, of its continuance, he was the strongest among the strong. There was no call for soldiers but what was filled promptly. He fully believed that it was for the town's best interest to " pay as it went," and was such a strengthener to the weak, that Waterbury was substantially free from debt at the close of the war.

Mr. Wells lived in the faith that work was honorable, and his whole life con- formed to his faith ; his boys, too, having been reared in it, have cheerfully and faith- . fully followed him in his faith and practice.

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The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 136

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