The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 144

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 144

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).

Mr. Hutchinson's place joined his on the north, Mr. H. having another lot a mile or

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so south they were clearing, and to cross Mr. Smith's farm to reach the south lot, Mr. S. had a log-bridge across the brook south of his house ; Mr. Hutchinson's folks availed themselves of it going to and from work. Uncle Lyman, not feeling friendly at that time, forbade their passing over the bridge. One morning old Mr. Hutchinson and one of the boys started for the south lot to work, intending to cross the bridge ; but Mr. Smith came hurriedly out as the others were crossing, and succeeded in pitching the elder Mr. H. into the brook. A lawsuit resulted, in which Uncle Lyman was beat as usual. During his later years, he gave up his business cares to his chil- dren, and lived more quiet. Mrs. Smith, the opposite of her husband, was a kind neighbor and excellent nurse, and often was called up by her neighbors in sickness ; and in those years when there was no phy- sician in town, she practiced midwifery, and even after a regular physician had loca- ted here, she was called upon for that ser- vice. Both Mr. S. and wife died at the age of 71 ; he in 1854, she in 1858.

JOHN AND DODGE HAYWARD,

formerly of Thetford, commenced a settle- ment on Minister brook in 1821, where Joel H. Templeton afterwards lived and died ; but Dodge soon after went to the Dea. Poor place, and both soon left the town.

OLIVER WATSON,

born in 1786, came here from Montpelier ; was a joiner by trade, and an extra work- man, making that his life business. He married Esther, oldest daughter of Amasa Brown, May 29, 1817 ; this is the first re- corded marriage in town. Their oldest son represented the town and was assistant judge of the County court 2 years. Mr. W. was for many years very deaf. He died in 1870, at 84 years. His widow went to live with her son, Judge E. C. Watson of Hartford, and died there, but was brought to Worcester for burial.

JESSE FLINT,

of Montpelier, bought a lot here in 1815, but I do not know that he came here to live before 1820 or 21. He lived for a

short time in a log-house, or shop, which had been used for a comb shop, near S. M. Seaver's present residence, until he could build a shanty on his own land. His land was on the hill where F. C. Har- riman now lives. Mr. Flint was prominent in town matters, but probably moved away about 1830, (as we find by the land records, he sold his farm then) and went to Middle- sex to reside. He has children now living there. At the time of Mr. Flint's settle- ment, he cut a road through the woods from the Branch road, commencing near where William Maxham now lives, going up the hill by W. P. Gould's, and so on, probably where the road now goes, to his log-house on the hill. Mr. Jacob Baldwin, who then lived with his father, Benjamin Baldwin, near " Putnam's mill" in Middle- sex, and who now lives in the State of Illi- nois, in a recent letter says, " In June, 1822, in company with Silas Baldwin, I went up to the place where Joel Templeton died. The branch road did not go where it now does, but farther west, and up a very steep hill, and came into the present road a lit- tle north from the Maxham road. Flint had begun up there, and cut a road from the foot of the hill west across the flat, up the hill by where J. P. B. Ladd began af- terwards ; and on to his place at the end of the road. He was the first man on the hill ; had his pick, and settled on the poor- est farm there. From Flint's, we went by marked trees to Jesse Abbott's, (where Harrington now lives) and down to the brook where John and Dodge (Hayward) had begun, and Joel H. Templeton after- wards lived and died. There was no road in there, only one from Mr. Amasa Brown's log-house, west up by where Artemas Richardson had begun. Mr. Franklin Johnson went up the same road to his place, on which he had built a log-house."

Richard and Daniel Colby, Mr. B. says, had come in and cut down a small piece, built a small shanty, planted a few pota- toes, and were lazying round, smoking their pipes ; had killed an owl or two. They probably did not stay many years ; " lazying round" did not procure a very good living in those times.

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Samuel Upham from Brookfield, bought the place where the Haywards commenced, and moved there in 1823. He was a black- smith, built a shop on his place, and did what work he could get. Some think this was the first blacksmith shop in town. Mr. Upham moved away in 1825, having sold his place to Joel H. Templeton. Judge Zenas Upham of Brookfield is a son of Samuel Upham.

THE ABBOTTS.

During the early years there were on Minister brook and west of it seven men named Abbott. Jesse, Abraham, Ephraim, Asa and Titus, five brothers ; Nathan and Jonas, also brothers, and cousins of the former. Jesse, Abraham and Ephraim Abbott married three sisters, named Buz- zell. There were nine of the Buzzell girls, and beside those who married the Abbotts, two married Levi and Silas Pratt, two brothers; two, also, David and Calvin Pratt, brothers, and cousins to Levi and Silas ; one married James Philbriek and one Major Goodwin.

THOMAS HUTCHINSON,

with his father and brothers came from Norwich, and settled near the mouth of Minister brook, where he continued to re- side until 1867, when he removed to the place where his son, L. M. Hutchinson, now lives. Mr. H. by industry and economy made for himself and family a good home. He was for years a member of the Congre- gational church, but in some of the church's action in regard to certain members-being dissatisfied with the course taken, he with- drew for a time from the meetings; for this he was dropped from the church roll. He afterwards came back and became an active supporter himself with it again as a member of the church. though never con- necting. July 2, 1835, he was united in marriage to Almira Sumner, and together they traveled life's pathway 41 years. Mr. Hutchinson was a man of great energy and perseverance in carrying out his plans, and as his views of town matters did not always coincide with others, there would some- times come a struggle, which did not always tend to promote friendly feeling.

He bore his share of public burdens, and performed all his duties faithfully; was representative 2 years. Mr. Hutchinson died Oct. 4, 1876, age 64, and his wife Sept. 30, 1877, age 60.

The northeast part of the town was set- tled last. An effort was often made for a road through that part of the town from Moses P. Wheeler's mill, north through the eastern part of Elmore to Wolcott village. A petition was made for a court's committee ; the result only a large bill of costs for the petitioners to pay. The road was opposed by the central and western part of both Elmore and Worcester on account of the expense, and it would divert travel from the old county road. But about 1860 another petition to the court obtained a committee to examine the premises again, and the road known as the Eagle Ledge road was made, which opened the way for many settlers in that part of the town, and some good farms have been cleared ; and a more easy access to large tracts of timber lands, and a con- siderable portion of the inhabitants in that section depend on the lumber business for their livelihood. " Wheeler's mill" in Worcester, and " Slayton's," just in El- more, annually cut out large quantities of lumber.

A NIGHT'S EXPERIENCE.

Mrs. Alma P. Howieson, wife of James Howieson, who lived in this section, relates to us : " In the spring of 1864, myself and family came to Vermont first, where we had one family of relations, a brother of my husband. living in Worcester. We came to this place, and purchased a piece of wild land, and commenced a farm, in- tending to settle permanently, but 2 year's later my husband's brother, a " millwright," hired with a company in New York to go south and build a mill in Georgia. He went, and came North for more efficient laborers ; and with others took my husband and three sons, leaving me to look after things at home ; I had two little girls and my eldest son's wife with two small chil- dren, in my family. My men folks left the 11th of Oct. One week after, my little

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8-year old girl fell and broke her arm, which kept me pretty closely confined some time ; but I had a short web of flannel I wanted to get wove, and had heard of a woman in Calais, living near Mr. Snow's, who was a weaver ; so thought to go over and get my work done. The weather had been rough, but cleared, leaving about 2 inches of snow on the ground. It was the 4th of Dec. ; the sun shone pleasantly for that time of year. I took my youngest little girl with me and started by a cut across the woods into Calais, to Mr. Elias Snow's place, intending to make a short visit there and return in the evening by the road; it was 3 miles round ; but "over the hill," only 3 ths of a mile. Having been this way several times, I had no difficulty in finding my way, besides a slight path, now mostly blotted out with leaves, there was a line spot- ted through on the trees, any one at all vers- ed in wood craft, could follow. I left home about 10 o'clock, A. M., telling my daugh- ter-in-law I would be back before dark ; she was timid and did not like to stay alone. I had a pleasant walk through the woods, accompanied by my " house-dog " and large black cat, which persisted in following, in spite of my efforts to scold him back. He followed until I came into Mr. Snow's clearing, when he retreated into the sugar-house at the edge of the woods. I found the old people well, and arranged with them to get their neighbor to do my work, and after resting awhile was about to return, but the old people proposed I should remain until 3 o'clock, when the boys would be back from their work, and one of them would go and help me up the hill with my little one. As the hill was steep and long, I was willing to accept their offer. The kind old lady filled a three-quart pail with milk to take to the little folks at home. Thinking I would have time to get home after 3 o'clock, I was willing to wait, but it had been thaw- ing all day, and when the sky overspread with clouds and a drizzling rain commenc- ed, conscious it would be dark early, I did not dare wait longer for the boys, and taking the pail in one hand and the little one in my arms, I set out for home. I had

not climbed more than half way up the hill before the rain changed to sleet, and the wind rising drove the storm sharply into my face. Taking off my vail I tied it over my little one's face, and hugging her close, toiled up the steep hill in the storm, which increased every moment. On the summit I rested against a tree to regain strength. My path was entirely effaced by the thaw and storm; but I found the spotted line, and soon started as the night was fast closing in. Pressing forward, I thought in a few minutes to be clear of the woods, but after proceeding quite a distance came to a tree directly across my path ; and looking about, I had missed the way. I went back to where I first found the line, and setting down the pail of milk, which had become burden- some, made another trial to follow the marked trees; it was getting too dark for that, and I took as straight a course as I could, hoping to come into the clearing somewhere, knowing I could then find my way in the darkness, even. The storm now ceased suddenly as it had commenced, but the wind increased to a perfect hurri- cane, blowing down trees, the limbs falling in showers about me in a manner I never before witnessed, nor since ; and this with the coming darkness increased my anxiety to get clear of the woods. I urged my- self on, I rushed through the underbrush, over the trunks of old fallen trees, tear- ing my clothes, and lacerating my hands hands and face, on and on in my endeav- ors to gain the clearing. From the in- clemency of the weather at this season, I supposed I must perish if I remained in the woods such a night ; but at last I sank exhausted on the trunk of a fallen tree, crying aloud, lost ! lost ! without a ray of hope, hearing, which my little girl, Carrie, commenced to cry to go home; which once more aroused me, I must not give up. Carrie needed my care ; the little sick girl at home needed me; their father and brothers 1500 miles away ; and my daugh- ter-in-law who could not speak one word of English, she too, depended on me. I must make one more effort to preserve my life, if possible. I took in the situation.

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It was a matter of endurance; could I bear up under the strain of walking all night, and carrying that child in my arms without getting tired out, and freezing to death? I must make the trial. In the dim twilight I could see a little ways around me. I selected "a beat." My first care was for my little one, and taking of a flannel under-skirt, I wrapped it carefully around her. The wind lulled and went moaning away over the hills; the rain again descended in torrents. It was a perfect down-pour. I was soon drenched to the skin, although I had a double woolen shawl and a worsted hood on. Sometimes I would sit down for a little while on a moss-covered log at one end of my beat, but would commence to grow chilly, which warned me to be moving. Let me tell you whence my strength came : I had invoked the aid of my Heavenly Father to support me through this trying ordeal, and quick . as thought the answer came, " Be not dis- mayed; Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end." Before I had been all ex- citement; not afraid of wild beasts, or anything the woods contained, but of the cold and fatigue the long night held in store. Now this vanished ; my nerves became steady ; my strength seemed re- newed; I walked my lonely beat with as firm a tread as any sentinel could while guarding his army against the foe. The rain continued what seemed a very long time ; though it ceased about midnight ; then it grew still colder and commenced snowing, and my little dog gave vent to to his anger or distrust by barking vebe- mently. I tried to quiet him, seating my- self for a moment on my log seat, with my babe on my lap, one hand hanging beside me; a fuzzy head thrust up against my hand frightened me. I attempted to rise, but the animal pounced upon my lap press- ing its wet back against my face. The night dark as Eurebus, I could see noth- ing, but immediately knew my cat, which followed me. He stopped about an hour longer; then left for home. The weary night came to a close at last. I could see in what direction to go, and steering straight for Worcester mountains, knowing

it would bring me to some clearing where I could shape my course. I had just fairly come out of the woods when I was met by one of my nephews, who took the little girl. I attempted to follow him to a house near by ; my strength failed me and I had to be supported by another person. My will-power deserted me as human aid came to my rescue. But about noon, I was able to walk home, and soon recovered from my hard night's work. My son's wife finding I did not come, at 8 o'clock lighted her lantern and leaving her chil- dren asleep, told the sick girl she was going to find mother. She went to my brother's, and made them understand I was in the woods. My brother was away from home, but two of the boys took a lantern and started for Mr. Snow's to see if I had left there. But the trees falling so fast and their lantern having been blown out, they beat a hasty retreat, telling my son's wife they would go in the morning. She returned to her children, and spent the night in weeping, expecting, as she often tells me, I should be found dead in the woods. My brother's wife sent one of her boys " as soon as peep of day," to use her words, to Mr. Snow's : who, finding the pail of milk, knew I must be lost, and gave the alarm, and before I got clear of the woods the whole neighborhood were out hunting for me.

I was 47 years old that month, and the child I carried in my arms for over 14 hours, was 23 years old that day ; but that child was the magnet that held me to life. To this day I look back with a shudder to that dismal vigil in the woods, and thank my Father in Heaven, who gave me strength to bear up and save my own life and that of my child.

CASUALTIES.

For some of these we are indebted to a " Record of Births, Marriages and Deaths, by Simon C. Abbott ; " published in 1858 by the town.

A youth named Martin was drowned at an early day, while attempting to cross the river, on the farm where L. M. Hutchinson now lives. He was probably a son of George Martin, one of the first settlers

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who lived there. This death is thought to be the first in town. It is quite likely he was buried on the high knoll west of Mr. Hutchinson's house, as were some others, there being some graves to be seen there, when Mr. Abel Whitney lived there.

A son of S. P. Alexander, of 6 years, was drowned Sept. 1849, on the farm of S. M. Seaver. His father being at work over the river, his boy set out to go in search of him, and when missed by the family, search was made, and he was found in the river.

George C. Hancock, son of Crismon Hancock, was drowned in the " Branch," July 31, 1857, aged 14.

Charles Hall, a son of Samuel Hall, was drowned in " Minister Brook," July, 186-, by the washing away of a bridge on which he was standing, caused by a sudden rise of the water during a thunder-storm.

Moses Rood, 3d, son of Moses Rood, Jr., formerly of Barre, Jan. 27, 1829, had his thigh fractured by the fall of a tree. Feb. 2, mortification ensued, rendering amputation necessary, under which he died.

Asel Bradstreet, a child of 2 years of J. P. B. Ladd, was scalded by the over- turning of a kettle of hot water upon him, and lived three weeks after the accident.

Jedediah P. B. Ladd, the father, re- ceived his death-blow by falling from a bridge near his residence. He was crowd- ed off by an ox-team he was driving over the bridge while repairing it, and fell 22 feet, striking upon a solid rock. His thigh was badly fractured, and he sus- tained internal injuries of so serious a nature, though assistance was at once rendered and medical aid procured, and it was hoped he might recover, after linger- ing in great pain until the third day, sur- rounded by his weeping family, death closed his mortal career. Mr. Ladd came to Worcester about 1823, with Jonas Ab- bott, from Thetford. He married Eliza Baldwin, daughter of Benjamin Baldwin, and a sister of Mrs. Thomas Reed. Mr. Ladd was a brother of Mrs. O. L. Smith, and first settled on the hill near Jesse Flint's, and where Willis P. Gould now

lives, making the first clearing there about 1825. He removed to the eastern part of the town, and commenced anew again on the place where Ira W. Brown now lives ; from there, removed in 1833 to the place first settled by Allen Vail, Esq., where he resided at the time of his death. The wife of the writer of this is a daughter of Mr. Ladd. He died Sept. 19, 1844, at 42 years of age.

Sept. 19, 1833, Elisha Hutchinson, son of Eleazer, a citizen of Worcester, was killed in Montpelier by a stone thrown from a blast on the site of the State House ; age 33 years.

James, son of Thomas Reed, a boy of 14, was killed June 30, 1844, while peel- ing hemlock bark with his father and brother on the farm. A tree which had been peeled started to slide down the hill, and caught the boy between itself and an- other log, crushing out his life on the spot.

Lewis Wright died Oct. 14, 1868, aged 63. He fell in a barn on which he was at work, on the S. M. Seaver place. He was an upright Christian man, much respected by all who knew him.

Joel H. Templeton was thrown from his wagon when near his home, and received injuries from which he died in about a week, Sept. 18, 1852, aged 62. He came to Worcester from East Montpelier in 1825, and was a prominent man in town affairs for many years. He was the father of Horatio Templeton, Esq., his widow, Mrs. Abigail Templeton, still residing in town, upwards of 80 years of age (1871).

Isaac Spofford, while wrestling, had a bone fractured in his neck, which caused paralysis below the point of fracture, and resulted in his death. He lived 30 days after the accident, unable to move himself, and died Aug. 25, 1851, aged 30 years.

Jan. 21, 1876, Joel O. Durfey, son of Rev. Milo Durfey, while drawing logs and rolling them on the bank of the river near Edmund Utton's, was caught under a log and crushed to death.

At an early day, a man and his wife named Culver, traveling through the town, stopped on Clapp hill to feed their horses. The man went to the back side of the

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wagon for some grain, the horses becom- ing frightened, ran violently down the hill, and the woman was thrown out and her neck broken.

Levi Worthen, son of Tristram Worthen, one of the first settlers in the north part of the town, went to York State hunting deer. One day he was out with a companion in the forest, and in their wanderings became separated. His companion saw him through the bushes, and, mistaking him for adeer, fired, and Mr. Worthen was killed. His body was brought to Worcester for burial.

1865, a child of B. F. Johnson was scalded by sitting down in a pail of hot water.

Oct. 14, 1868, Lewis Wright, while at work on a barn for Mr. D. H. Massey, fell some 8 or 10 feet to the ground, striking on his head, and causing his death in four or five days, aged 63 years.

Alonzo Jones, Jr., accidentally shot himself while out hunting, and died Oct. 25, 1854, a day or two after the accident, aged 16 years.

MURDERS.

About 1862 or '63, a young married woman named Loomis was murdered on the Eagle Ledge road, her body being found in the woods a little way from the house of her husband's brother. Circumstances led to the arrest of this man, Austin Loomis, and also of Royal Carr, a neigh- bor. After a long and tedious trial, Mr. Loomis was acquitted, and Mr. Carr con- victed of manslaughter, and was sentenced to the state prison for 10 years. After serving about 9 years, he was released, having gained one year by good conduct in the prison. In December of the pres- ent year (1878) Carr was again arrested for the murder of a half-breed Indian, Wm. W. Murcommock, in the edge of Calais, with whom he was hunting, and is now lodged in jail at Montpelier awaiting his trial for that offence. [Since executed at Windsor, Apr. 29, 1881.]

Apr. 24, 1867, Patrick Fitzgibbons, a resident of this town, was stabbed and in- stantly killed in Montpelier by some un- known person.

SUICIDES.

The following persons, citizens of this town, have committed suicide by hanging : Ophir Leonard, Mar. 1841, aged 68 years ; David Foster, Dec. 1849, aged 69; Mark P. Ladd, Aug. 1867, aged 50 (died in Richmond) ; Russell Coller, Dec. 1866, aged 40 (in Calais) ; Samuel Kelley, Apr. 1871, aged 78; M. Newell Kent, Oct. 1876, aged 37.

OLD PEOPLE.

Mr. Howe Wheeler and his wife Ama moved into this town from Calais, and died here ; he, Feb. 18, 1870, aged 92 years, I month, 19 days ; she, Mar. 3, 1870, aged 91 years, 7 months, 10 days. They had been married over 70 years. The oldest person now living in town is Mrs. Esther Hamblet, widow of Jonathan Hamblet, and mother of Leonard and Edward M., who now live in this town. She came with her husband from Dracut, Mass., about 1823, and has lived here since that time. [Has since died, aged 96 years and 3 days.] Of those in this town 80 years of age and over at the time of their death, were :

Caleb Barnum, 80 yrs, died Mar. 1, 1843. Lemuel Blanchard, 92, Sept. 3, 1855. Mehitable Spear, 83, Aug. 9, 1846. Jonathan Hamblet, 86, March 3, 1859. Allen Vail, 80, May 22, 1860.

Peter Seaver, 81, June 23, 1860. Aaron Kemp, 80, Oct. 2, 1864.

Martha Rice, 87, Aug. 12, 1865. Gload Dugar, 90, Oct. 16, 1865. Norah Butler, 80, Dec. 12, 1867. Howe Wheeler, 92, Feb. 18, 1870. Ama Wheeler, 91, March 3, 1870. Oliver Watson, 84, Sept. 1870. Thomas McCurdy, 81, May 18, 1870. Lydia Richardson, 92, June, 1871. Daniel Abbott, 82, March 27, 1872. Stephen Harrington, 80, Sept. 7, 1873. Philip Hardy, 87, Jan. 30, 1874. John Brigham, 82, June 29, 1875. George Gould, 85, July, 1876. Silas Fifield, 87, Dec. 14, 1876.

Oct. 7, 1868, the wife of Martin Costello gave birth to three children, two boys and a girl. All lived until Apr. 18, 1869, when the girl died.

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CENSUS .- 1800, 25 ; 1810, 41 ; 1820, 44 ; 1830, 432 ; 1840, 587 ; 1850, 702; 1860, 685 ; 1870, 775.

BEARS

have been seen in town even within a few years, yet it is not known that more than two or three were ever killed. Since the writer moved here (in 1849) there have been several "bear hunts," but bruin has always come out ahead of the hunters. Some stories of them have been handed down. John M. Young, now living here, a nephew of the hero of the story, relates : John Young, the first town clerk, while living in this town, where Mr. Seaver now lives, who had a nice pig in a log-pen near his house, one day, working in his clear- ing near, heard an outcry from his pig- pen, and hastening to see what was up, found a large bear within after his porker. Not choosing to lose his winter meat, he charged the intruder with a heavy lever, with which he had been at work, when the bear put himself on his haunches in the most approved attitude of self defence, and when Mr. Young, a very muscular, powerful man, delivered a blow aimed at his head, by a dexterous swing of his paw, caught the weapon, and hurled it some distance away ; and then thinking "dis- cretion is the better part of valor," beat a hasty retreat to the woods, and Mr. Young saved his pig.

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The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 144

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