The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 143

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 143

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).

HAT MANUFACTORY.

When the town was new and fur-bearing animals plenty, a hat manufactory was established, and the business of hat- making carried on several years. The building was on the farm now owned and occupied by George D. Tewksbury. Hat- making was carried on several years by Edmund Blood, who came from Bolton, Mass., went into the heart of the wilder- ness, off from any road, put up a factory, boarding-house, and other necessary build- ings, gathered his help, some say from 75 to 100, and went to work making hats for the gentry. The road at this time was over the river west from the building. Judging from the stories told, we think his hands employed were a great element in the social part of community and in town-meetings.

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Just what year Mr. Blood came here, we do not know, but find he purchased the land in 1828. He died previous to Apr. 1831, as we find by the records, and the hat business was not continued long afterwards. The old hat factory was taken down in 1849 by A. L. Vail, and the ma- terials used in the erection of a dwelling house in the village. Mr. Andrew A. Sweet, of Montpelier, could probably tell the story of the hat business better than any other man living.

Tanning was carried on several years. In 1849, Ebenezer Frizzell came from Berlin, and bought of John Clark the mill and water privilege where H. T. Clark's mill now stands, and built a tannery. Edwin C. Watson was associated with Mr. Frizzell a short time in the business, which they afterward sold to Simon Wheeler, of Plainfield. During quite a number of years, Mr. Wheeler and Nathan W. Frye, from Woburn, Mass., carried on the business, employing several hands. About 1861, the tannery was burned, and was never rebuilt.

The knitting business was a source of considerable income to many families for several years. It was commenced by Mrs. Artemas Richardson, and when she moved away, was continued by Mrs. Frances E. Celley, chiefly for the firm of H. B. Claflin & Co., of New York, and kept many women and children industrious, returning an in- come of several thousands of dollars.

Exporting raspberries was for a few seasons carried on quite extensively. From 1866 to about '74, it was an income to the women and children. From 2 to 8 tons per season were shipped from here to the Boston market, mostly by Templeton & Vail, merchants, for 4 to 6 cents per lb.

There are (1878) in town some 170 dwelling-houses, 2 meeting-houses, I store, I hotel, the Worcester House, 5 saw-mills, 3 blacksmith-shops, I grist-mill, 9 school- houses, I post-office, a town clerk's office and town hall. There are also a " Grand Army Post," a " Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry," and a "Lodge of Good Templars." The village has some forty dwelling-houses.

POST OFFICE,

for statistics, we are indebted to Hon. Charles Lyman, formerly of Montpelier, and for many years chief of the dead letter department of the P. O. Department, Washington. An office was established here Jan. 5, 1828. The inhabitants had before procured, what little mail matter they received, at Montpelier.

Amos Rice was appointed first postmas- ter, Jan. 5, 1828 ; Amos Rice, Jr., Mar. 5, 1828; Rufus Reed, Jr., Jan. 31, 1831 ; Samuel Andrews, Nov. 2, 1832; Jonas Abbott, April 1, 1847 ; Oliver A. Stone, Sept. 18, 1853; Thaddeus B. Ladd, Aug. 25, 1854 ; Charles C. Abbott, April 13, 1861, who is the present incumbent-1879.

John Rice, son of Amos Rice, was the first mail carrier; and it has been stated that at the first he carried the mail in his hat-now there are some 300 copies of newspapers and magazines taken in town. After a good road was worked through the town to Elmore, the mail was carried through here to the towns north ; and sub- sequently the route from Montpelier and the south, to St. Albans, was through this town, and continued so until the Central Vt. R. R. was built. We now have a daily mail (Sunday excepted,) by stage from Montpelier to and from Morrisville.

TOWN CLERKS.

John Young, 1803, 4 ; Samuel B. Stone, 1805 ; Carpus Clark, 1806-10, also 1812 and part 1813 ; Cyrus Brigham, 1811 ; part 1813, all 1814-15 ; none 1816 to 20 ; Amasa Brown, 1821, 2d organization ; Artemas Richardson, 1822; Ebenezer S. Kellogg, 1823, 4, 5; Ophir Leonard, 1826, 7, 8; Nathan Adams, 1829, 30; Amos Rice, 1831-40, 1842-46, 15 years ; Daniel Adams, 1841 ; Samuel Andrews, 1847-54 ; Thad- deus B. Ladd, 1855-60 ; Job E. Macomber, 1861-64, part 1865 ; Charles C. Abbott, since Nov. 4, 1865, deceased in 1881.

TOWN REPRESENTATIVES.

James Green, 1808 ; Carpus Clark, 1809- II, 13; Elisha B. Green, 1812; Cyrus Brigham, 1814, 15 ; none, 1816-22 ; Allen Vail, 1822, 3 ; Amos Rice, 1824 ; Samuel Hubbard, 1825; none, 1826; Nathan Adams, 1827, 8; Milton Brown, 1829-32,

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34, 37, 50; Daniel Adams, 1833; Joel Newton, 1835, 6; Jacob Cushman, 1838, 9 ; Farris Leonard, 1840, 1 ; Moses Folsom, 1842, 3; none, 1844, 5 ; Allen L. Vail, 1846, 72, 73; none, 1847; George W. Leavitt, 1848 ; Nathaniel A. Kelley, 1851, 2 ; Phineas A. Kemp, 1853, 69-72 ; none, 1854; Rodney Jones, 1855; Chauncey Hunt, 1856, 7 ; Horatio Templeton, 1858, 9; Thomas Hutchinson, 1860, 61 ; Edwin C. Watson, 1862, 3; Job E. Macomber, 1864, 5 ; Mark P. Ladd, 1866; Heman A. Hancock, 1867, 8; none, 1874, 5 ; Horace P. Darling, 1876, 7; Augustus A. Bliss, 1878, 9.

There have been many exciting contests over the election of representative ; but probably only one " contested " in the Legislature, which was in 1814 or 1815. The story of that is thus told: Early in the season a careful canvass, probably not made public at the time, showed that there were just 9 voters in town. At freeman's meeting two candidates were presented, Cyrus Brigham and Amasa Brown. A short time previous to the first Tuesday in September, however, two brothers named Goodell had signified their inten- tion of going West, and actually did leave the town, as was supposed by some for good. They were strong Brigham men, and their absence was viewed with much complacency by Mr. Brown and his friends. Freeman's meeting day came, the voting commenced, and the appearances were that Mr. Brown would win ; until, unex- pectedly to some, the Messrs. Goodell ap- peared on the scene, having come from Stowe, over the mountain through the forest, and offered their votes. The con- stable, who was a " Brown man," refused to receive their votes, however, claiming as they had left town they were not legal voters. Mr. Brigham took their votes and put them in his pocket. Counting them, Mr. Brigham had 5 votes and Mr. Brown 4. If they were rejected, Mr. Brown had a majority. Both men made their appearance at the Legislature when it convened, and the matter was left to that body for a decision. Mr. Brigham held his seat.

PHYSICIANS.

The first resident physician was Dr. JAMES S SKINNER. Just when he came we do not know ; probably about 1830. The records show he bought a place there. Jan. 1833, he was married to Julia Ann, daughter of Allen Vail, Esq., and soon after removed to Michigan, where he still resides. He was succeeded by Dr. IRA R. ROOD, who had lived here several years before studying medicine. Dr. Rood mar- ried Jane. daughter of Samuel and Jane Andrews, Sept. 7, 1834. He practiced his profession here until 1846, when he re- moved to Wisconsin and died there. Dr. BUCKLEY O. TYLER was the next, coming in 1848 or '9. During the interval be- tween Dr. Rood and Dr. Tyler the people were obliged to go to Montpelier for a physician, as they also had been previous to Dr. Skinner's coming to town.

Dr. THADDEUS B. LADD bought out Dr. Tyler in 1851. He was born in town, being a son of J. P. B. Ladd, and grad- uated at Woodstock in 1850, in the same class with Dr. George Nichols, present Secretary of State.

Dr. Ladd· was a man of excellent judg- ment, and bid fair to rise to eminence in his chosen profession during the few years of his active labor. In 1854, a spinal dif- ficulty developed itself, and for seven long years he was a great sufferer from that disease, which brought him to his grave. He was postmaster and town clerk several years ; was born Aug. 9, 1826; married Harriet N., daughter of Rev. Carey Rus- sell, December 5, 1850, and died Decem- ber 13, 1861.

LUCIAN VAIL ABBOTT, son of Deacon Jonas Abbott, was born May 24, 1832. At 19, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Ladd, and graduated at Wood- stock, June, 1854, with the highest honors of his class. He did not live to practice his profession, consumption claiming him as a victim. He died May 26, 1855.

Dr. JOB E. MACOMBER, a graduate of Castleton, commenced here in 1856, and practiced 10 years in this town. He was born in East Montpelier ; married Marsell L., youngest daughter of J. P. B. Ladd,

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June 12, 1858 ; removed to Montpelier in 1866, where he still resides.

Dr. OLIVER L. WATSON, son of Oliver Watson, born in this town May 1, 1828, succeeded Dr. Macomber, continuing only part of a year, when he sold out to Dr. Harris. Dr. Watson married Nancy L., daughter of Leonard Darling, Aug. 18, 1852. He now resides in West Topsham.

Dr. N. M. HARRIS was a son of Daniel Harris, one of the first settlers of the east part of this town, and was born in Calais, coming to this town with his father when quite young. He married Mary E. Frink, of Milford, Mass., and they are now (1879) living on the same place where his father first settled in town. In 1876, he sold his practice to Dr. CHAUNCEY N. HUNT, who is the now practicing physician. Dr. Hunt is a son of Chauncey Hunt ; born in this town Apr. 17, 1851 : graduated at Burling- ton, 1875, and was married to Jennie F., daughter of A. S. Emery, Sept. 28, 1875. Dr. Watson and Dr. Harris both also graduated at Burlington.

NEIGHBORHOODS.

Hampshire Hill, so called, being mostly settled from New Hampshire-many from Acworth and Alstead. It is the geograph- ical center of the town, at the foot of the mountain range, and comprises school district No. 8, with a few families in No. 2. The first beginning was made on the south end by Artemas Richardson, F. Johnson and E. S. Kellogg: Before 1830, the New Hampshire people came, and the hill was settled as far north as it ever has been. Joel Newton, John Brigham, Wm. H.and John H. Cooper, Daniel A. and David L. Frost, Daniel Adams, Aaron Kemp, Joseph Evans, Ophir Leonard, Nath'l. S. Morley, Alex. Dingwall and Horace H. Collier, and perhaps others we do not remember, were the first to make permanent homes on the hill ; substantial, honored citizens. A few of their descendants still live on the places their fathers cleared.

" MINISTER BROOK," now school dis- trict No. 4, was early settled from various localities. O. L. Smith, Cyrus Crocker, Jonas Abbott, Matthias Folsom, Daniel and Richard Colby, Samuel Upham, Ed-

ward and John Clough, Joel H. Temple- ton, Abraham, Ephraim and Jesse Abbott, Luther Hunt and others were among its early settlers.

WEST HILL, district No. 7, had David Folsom, B. F. Stone, William and Samuel Hall and others. The east part of the town from Putnam's Mills to Calais, and so north, had for early settlers: Gilmore Parmenter, Caleb Ormsby, Elias Bascom, Asa Fisher, Gload Dugar, Thayer Towns- hend, Benj. Lathrop, Daniel Harris, J. P. B. Ladd, Jacob Baldwin and others.

Wm. Hinkson and Tristram Worthen, with their families of 6 children each, set- tled in the extreme north part of the town. There were probably many among the early inhabitants whose names we have not learned. Those who came before Amasa Brown, from 1797, and left before 1818 or '19, as far as we know, never re- turned. Mrs. Olive Brown Johnson, a daughter of Amasa Brown, who came here with her father in 1812, has given the writer some information in regard to those who came here during the first or- ganization, and where they were located previous to their leaving town. Accord- ing to her recollection, Cyrus Brigham then lived on the Whitney farm, where L. M. Hutchinson now lives, a man named Farnsworth on the Leonard Hamblet place, Daniel Colby where Mr. Seaver now re- sides. The Dea. Poor place was then called the Lyon place, but no one lived there. Two families by the name of Green (Elisha and James, probably) lived on the place where P. A. Kemp now lives, Carpus Clark on a part of the Brown farm now owned by Chauncey Hunt. John Ridlon where Henry E. Hunt resides, and Henry Goodell on Mr. H. A. Hancock's farm, and in 1818-'19, Mr. Brown's family had no neighbors nearer than the Stiles' place in Middlesex, where C. L. Hunt now lives.

Ohio was being opened up to settlers, and the good stories coming from there induced those discouraged here to seek that more favored region. Nearly all mentioned as living here at that time em- igrated to Ohio.

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Mr. Brown was born in Templeton, Mass., Apr. 23, 1770; about 1792, was married to Sybil Stoddard, of Winchendon, Mass. ; born June 20, 1772. Feb. 1807, they removed from Massachusetts to Mont- pelier, residing there until April, 1812, when they came to Worcester, and settled on the place where they continued as long as they lived. When they settled here, a clearing of some 10 or 12 acres had been made and a log-house built. The house had one glass window only at this time, and stood where the ell part of the present house stands.

Mr. Brown purchased his place of Elisha B. Green. There were then no bridges across the river between Montpelier and Worcester, and as the road then went, it crossed the river twice near where Leonard Hamblet lives, so people had to cross on the ice in winter and ford the stream in the summer. Mrs. Johnson says, when she was about 9 years of age, in March, 1815, her father went to Montpelier with a horse and sleigh, taking her with him. After transacting his business, he started to return home, and it being a thawing time, the river had become swollen so the water ran over the ice at the crossings. They made the first crossing, but when they came to the second, the water was running so deeply and swiftly above the ice it seemed impossible to cross. Mr. Brown told his little danghter he saw no way except to commend themselves to the care of God and make the attempt. It was just as unsafe to try to return, and telling her to cling tight to the sleigh, he went up the stream as far as possible and plunged in. The current was so strong, the sleigh was carried down below the horse, which compelled him to keep his head nearly up the stream, the water filling the sleigh. When they reached the other shore they were some rods farther down the stream than where they entered it. When again on firm ground, Mr. Brown stopped and thanked God that they had been pre- served, and then proceeded homeward.

When Mr. Brown was left by all his neighbors in full possession of the town, he took advantage of the situation to im-

prove his own pecuniary interests. He had at this time a few sheep, a yoke of oxen and three cows. Having the whole range of the cleared land on which to keep his stock, he went to Montpelier and hired four or five more cows, for which he paid $4 per year each beside their keeping, and together with his own turned them on the town. He found a ready sale for all his butter among the families in Montpelier at 13 c. per pound ; fed the milk to his hogs, raising pork for sale, and so prospered in worldly affairs, turning the misfortunes of his less enduring neighbors to his own benefit. In 1818 or 19, Mrs. Brown's father died in Massachusetts, and Mr. Brown was sent for to help in settling the estate. He made the journey on horse- back, of which he said, when traveling through New Hampshire, he stopped over night at a tavern where quite a company was collected. During the evening as the different persons were engaged in telling stories in regard to their several localities, Mr. Brown sat and listened without saying anything, until some one of the company turned to him with the remark, that he believed they had all told where they be- longed but him. He replied that he lived in . Worcester, Vermont. Oh! said the other, I have heard of Worcester. I have heard that all the inhabitants of that town except a Mr. Brown left the place, and that he has thrown his family on the town. The story you have heard is true, said Mr. B. My name is Brown, and there is no other family living in Worcester but my owlI. As Mr. Brown's place was about half way from Montpelier to Elmore, he had frequent applications from travellers for refreshments. These applications be- came so numerous, that in 1815 or 16, according to the recollections of Mrs. Johnson, he concluded to open a tavern, and entertain travellers. Accordingly, to give notice to the public, he put up a "sign," and opened the first tavern ever kept in Worcester. His sign was a smooth board, on which he marked in large letters with red chalk, "Good Cider For Sale Here," and he nailed it up in front of his log house. Travellers were entertained in

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this log tavern until 1824 or 25, when he built a large two-story house, the one now standing, for a tavern.

In February, 1817, Benjamin Upton and wife of Bakersfield, came to visit Mr. Brown's family, Mrs. U. being Mr. B.'s sister. It was an almost unbroken forest between Elmore and Worcester, the road barely passable with teams; most of the travel being on horseback. Mr. Upton and wife arrived at Mr. Olmstead's in El- more, near noon, where they stopped to refresh themselves and horse, and inquire about the road. They were told that they could probably go through without trouble, and started about 3 o'clock, P. M. The road was quite good for a mile or two, where some of the inhabitants had been drawing wood, but they soon came where there was no track, and it became impos- sible to proceed except by Mr. Upton's treading down the snow ahead, and then leading on the horse, making very slow progress. As night approached, Mr. Up- ton and his horse became weary ; the pros- pect of getting through the woods that night grew less and less. They thought they had got about half way. Mr. Upton told his wife he saw no way but to leave her with the team, while he would go through to Mr. Brown's for help to break the road. She consented, and her hus- band wrapped her up as well as he could, taking off his overcoat and putting it on her, and wrapping a bed-quilt they had for a sleigh robe about her, he bade her good night and started. He reached Mr. Brown's about midnight, almost completely exhausted ; aroused them, and made known the situation. Mr. Brown, his two boys, and Oliver Watson, who soon after mar- ried Mr. Brown's daughter, started out. They turned out the oxen and some young cattle, put a boy on the horse, and pro- ceeded to break a path, driving the oxen unyoked, and the young cattle before them, the boy and horse bringing up the rear. About daylight, Mr. Brown, who was ahead, came in sight of the horse and sleigh with Mrs. Upton sitting upright as Mr. Upton had left her the night before. He spoke to her but received no answer; again, no

response ; becoming alarmed, went up close to the sleigh, and put his hand on her shoulder, calling her by name. This started her up. She was asleep; she was told help was at hand. She had slept most of the night. Finding they were only a little way in the woods, they took the team back to Mr. Olmstead's, so Mr. Brown and Mrs. Upton returned there, she stay- ing until the next day, the interval being spent by Mr. Brown's folks in breaking out the road. Early next morning, Mr. B. and his sister again started from Elmore, and about 3 o'clock P. M., arrived at Mr. Brown's house, finding Mr. Upton recov- ered from his exhaustion and glad to receive his wife safe again. They doubtless re- membered their visit that winter to Wor- cester as long as they lived.

Mr. Brown and wife both died compara- tively young, on the same place on which they first settled. She died March 6, 1826, aged 54 years, and he June 1, 1827, aged 57.

FRANKLIN JOHNSON,

born in Leominster, Mass., 1797, came from there Apr., 1820, in company with Capt. Artemus Richardson and Amos Mer- riam ; and the three together purchased the 300 acre lot, No. 31, situated on the south end of Hampshire hill, and reaching Minister brook. They divided the right, Mr. Merriam taking the north, known afterwards as the "Adams farm," Mr. Richardson the middle lot, known as the Farris Leonard farm, and Mr. Johnson the south lot, where he continued to reside until his death. That spring, they each chopped 5 acres on his lot. In June, Mr. Richardson and Mr. Merriam returned to Massachusetts, and left Mr. Johnson to see to the land. He stayed through the sum- mer, and burned the choppings on all three places ; then worked at clearing his own, and building him a log shanty. Just be- fore " Thanksgiving," he returned to Mas- sachusetts and spent the winter. In April, 1821, he came back to Worcester. Mr. J. started Fast day, and arrived in W. Fast day also, being just one week on the road. When he left Leominster, the farmers were plowing and sowing their fields ; when he

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arrived in Worcester, the snow was 4 feet deep. As soon as the snow was gone, he commenced work on his land, and also built him a larger log-house. Mr. Rich- ardson came back soon after Mr. Johnson, bringing his wife with him, but Mr. Mer- riam did not return, having sold his land to Ebenezer S. Kellogg of Brookfield. Mr. Johnson said, when building his house that summer, he got in a great hurry to complete it, and when shingling thought he would not stop for Sunday, as there were no neighbors near enough to be dis- turbed. In the morning, he went to work, and laid 10 or 12 shingles, but said “ such echoes as the hammer awoke I never heard. It seemed as if the sound must be heard all over town; and I concluded to wait until Monday before I shingled any more." During this summer, Mr. Kellogg worked on his land, and as his family were in Brookfield, he stayed with Mr. Johnson. Mr. J. was courting Pamelia Brown, and would sometimes be gone evenings, leav- ing Mr. K. to keep house alone, and he being naturally timid, did not like this ar- rangement. One Sunday night, Mr. John- son went to Mr. Brown's, leaving Mr. Kel- logg alone. About 10 o'clock, Johnson hearing a loud hallooing in the woods, went out to see what was the matter. Mr. K. soon emerged above the house, swing- ing a fire brand. He had heard a bear about the shanty, and was not going to stay there alone. Mr. Johnson said when he first came to Worcester, the trout were so plenty he could catch enough in the brook in ten minutes any day to make a good meal. He cleared up his land, made improvements in building, raised up his family, and ended his days there. He married Pamelia Brown, Sept. 8, 1822, who died Jan. 23, 1834; and he married 2d, Jan. 4, 1835, Olive Brown, a sister of his first wife, who is still living on the same farm. Mr. Johnson united with the Con- gregational church in 1826. He bore his share in the toils of the new settlement, and in the town business ; was a good neighbor and citizen, and died respected by his townsmen, Dec. 8, 1868, aged 71 years.

ORAMEL L. SMITH,

a brother of Col. Harvey Smith of .Thet- ford, and uncle to Hon. O. H. Smith of Montpelier, was born in 1783, where, I am unable to state, but he lived in Thetford while quite young, the writer's father and Mr. Smith being boys together there. He was married at Thetford to Polly, daughter of Thaddeus Ladd, who had a large fami- ly, mostly girls.

The story is told, that when some two or three of Mr. Ladd's girls had been mar- ried, Mrs. Smith being among the num- ber, a neighbor, who was not on very good terms with Mr. Smith and one or two other men who had married the Ladd girls, made the remark that he thought the devil had a grudge against Mr. Ladd and was paying him in sons-in-law. Mr. Smith and his wife came to Worcester in 1822 or 23, and commenced a settlement on the Minister brook, west of the " corner," and lived and died there. They had 3 girls, the two oldest, Mary and Jemima, born in. Thetford, the youngest, Frances, in Wor- cester. The eldest died unmarried, Je- mima married Herman Foster, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith lived with them at the time of their death. The youngest was the wife of Capt. Edward Hall of the 8th Vt. Regt., wounded at Cedar Creek, Oct., '64, who died of his wounds at Winchester a few days after. The daughters are all now dead.

Uncle Lyman, as Mr. Smith was famil- iarly called, was an active man in his day, and somewhat given to the use of intoxi- cating drink ; his naturally irritable dispo- sition was made more irritable, and he had very much trouble with his neighbors ; for a series of years was almost constantly in- volved in law-suits. Probably he was plaintiff or defendant in more law cases than many others together in town; and almost always was on the losing side. He was harassed by creditors almost con- stantly. It is said he concluded after awhile he could not afford to quarrel so much, and was more peaceably inclined in his later years.

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The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 143

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