The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 97

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 97

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" The Congregational Church in More- town and Duxbury met this day at the house of Dea. Benton in said Moretown, for the purpose of taking into considera- tion the disorganization of the said church in Moretown and Duxbury, organized church. The subject had been previously presented to these churches, and the above named meeting of the two churches was duly warned. The meeting was organized by choosing the Rev. Samuel G. Tenney of Waitsfield, moderator, and the Rev. Lyndon S. French of Fayston, co-minister commissioned by the Vt. Dom. Society to labor in the church of Fayston and More- town, scribe. After due consideration it appeared that the church in Moretown was not prepared for the new organization. It was accordingly voted to adjourn the meet- ing until the 18th day of January, 1836, to be held at the same place, and that pre- vious to the new organization, each church, separately, should hold a meeting to pass a vote that the new organization should be the dissolving of the two former churches in said Moretown and Duxbury.

Signed SAMUEL G. TENNEY, LYNDON S. FRENCH. Moretown, Jan. 18, 1836."

The church in Moretown and Duxbury met agreeably to agreement, having, as was voted at the first meeting, each of them voted to disorganize the old church by organizing a new one. The moderator then called for those members in those two churches who wished to unite in a new church, to present themselves. The fol-

lowing members came forward from More- town : Nathan Benton, Eunice, his wife, Abraham Spofford and Sarah, his wife, H. Spaulding and Mary, his wife. From Duxbury : Reuben Munson and Mary, his wife, Earl Ward, and Mrs. Fanny Avery."

RELIGIOUS HISTORY. [BY C. A. SMITH.]

The first church organized in town was a Congregational church. Deacon Nathan Benton and Philemon Ashley were among its early and prominent members. The school-house, and afterward the town house at the village, were used as places of worship. Public worship was main- tained until about 1840, when the mem- bership being quite small, the church was merged in the Congregational church at S. Duxbury, the services at first being held at Moretown and Duxbury alternate- ly, but afterward at S. Duxbury alone.

The Congregational Church at S. Dux- bury was founded at an early period. Among its first members were Reuben Munson, Hezekiah Ward, and Earl Ward, his son. Messrs. Seeley and Pomeroy were the earliest pastors. This church is the only church in Duxbury, the people of N. Duxbury being better accommodated at Waterbury. It has never had a large membership. Its relations with the M. E. church at Moretown are of the most cor- dial character, and for several years the pastor of the M. E. church at Moretown has been the acting pastor of the Congre- gational church at S. Duxbury.

Amasa Cole was probably the first Methodist preacher in Moretown. He was a local preacher living near Middlesex. Soon after, in 1809, Joshua Luce, a local preacher from Pittsfield, Mass., settled in town. He, with his wife and daughter Roxana, were probably the first Metho- dists in town. By their efforts a Metho- dist church was soon organized, and More- town became a part of the old Barre Cir- cuit, Vermont District and New England Conference of the M. E. Church, a circuit embracing Barre, Montpelier, Middlesex, Moretown, Waitsfield and Warren.

In the town clerk's office there is a rec- ord of the certificate of the ordination of

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Amasa Cole as a deacon by Bishop Mc- Kendree, at Durham, Me., June 4, 1814, also of that of Leonard Foster, by Bishop Asbury, June 10, 1818. Zadoc Hubbard, Ebenezer Johnson, Calvin Clark, Barna- bas Mayo and William Harris were among the leading members prior to 1820.

The first church edifice was built in 1832, at the Common. This was occupied for 22 years, until in 1854, the present church at the village was erected. The old church still stands, though unoccupied. Messrs. Frost, Newell, Steele, Peirce and Haskell were among the earliest itinerants on this circuit, while Bishop George, Wil- bur Fisk and Elijah Hedding (afterward Bishop) have officiated here.

Rev. Justin Spaulding was born in this town in 1802. He was for some years a missionary in South America, afterward a presiding elder in New Hampshire Con- ference. His health failing, he returned to his native town and resided here until his death.

Rev. Nathan B. Spaulding was born in Moretown ; entered the Methodist ministry from this town. He belonged successive- ly to the New England and to the New Hampshire Conferences, in which he held a prominent position. A partial failure of health necessitated a retirement from the itinerancy in middle life. He located in his native town, and continued to preach occasionally as health and opportunity per- mitted until his death in 1863.

The topography of this town is such that the inhabitants of large portions of its territory can more conveniently attend church at Northfield, Montpelier, Middle- sex and Waterbury than at Moretown vil- lage. The M. E. church is the only Prot- estant church in town. At some periods of its history its membership has been much larger than at present ; but its con- dition and prospects are very hopeful.

Mrs. Smith says in her paper, " the first Methodist meeting was held in Mr. Slayton's barn." It is probable, says our re- cord, that we credit to Rev.Mr. Currier, that Mr. Cole was the first Methodist preacher in town. He resided near Middlesex, and

was accustomed to walk from home to the Common, preach, and return without din- ner for the reason that " Jack did not eat his supper," -- none was offered him to eat. In the winter season this walk and work must have been very fatiguing, especially when he broke his own path through the snow. often knee deep.

When the people of Moretown heard the cannon's roar at Plattsburg, the towns- men met at the tavern kept by Joshua Luce, on the farm where Alvin Pierce now resides, to see who would volunteer to go to Plattsburg to repulse the British. This was in 1812. Both the local preach- ers were present and heartily encouraged the men.

Mr. Luce was a local preacher, but farm- ing was his main occupation. He preach- ed on the Common, in the dwelling house of Ebenezer Johnson, and in the school house.

Among the prominent members of the Methodist Church in 1820, and for some years suhsequent, were Ebenezer Johnson -who was town clerk prior, for some years, to 1832, when Dr. Kingsley suc- ceeded him-Calvin Clark and Barnabas Mayo-whose names are among the sub- stantial and influential members of the Methodist family of that date.

William Harris and his excellent wife, known as "Aunt Ruth," were noted for their generosity, keeping what was called a Methodist tavern, and many a weary itinerant found shelter and food and rest in the home of " Aunt Ruth."

In 1832, the first Methodist meeting house in town was built on the Common, and for 22 years it was occupied in regular meetings. But in 1854, Moretown Hollow -now village proper-built the house now used for worship. For some years before the church building was erected at the Hollow, the Methodists worshipped in the town-house in the village or Hollow, and at the Common alternately. Soon after the church was built in the village the Common meetings were nearly abandoned, and meetings held at the new house only.

Three prominent men-who became ministers of the Gospel-had their origin

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in this town. Rev. Justin Spaulding, son of Levi and Thankful Spaulding. [See paper before.] His widow and several children are now residing in Moretown and vicinity.

Rev. Newell Spaulding, brother of the last named, is now living, and resides in New York city.

Rev. Nathan B. Spaulding [see, also, page before.]

When the Barre circuit included the 6 towns, before named, and the meetings were sometimes held in Wm. Harris' barn, when the quarterly meetings were held here, as many as 80 teams have been counted around the barn from the other towns of the circuit, which centered around.

The Methodists of Moretown and the Congregationalists of South Duxbury have alternate meetings at present, and have but one pastor. They have a good congrega- tion and an excellent Sabbath School. If any one who may read this listened to a concert by the South Duxbury Sabbath School on the first Sabbath of October, 1876, they will doubtless bear testimony to the truthfulness of the above statement, in calling the school an excellent one.

For the present prosperity of the Metho- dist Church in Moretown, any one desiring can see the Annual Minutes of Conference, 1876. The parsonage buildings have been repaired and neatly fitted up this year.

MINISTERS FROM 1860 TO 1881.

1860, J. W. Bemis ; 1862, J. Gill ; 1863- 4, P. N. Granger ; 1865-6, L. C. Powers ; 1867-8, W. B. Howard; 1869-70, D. Willis; 1871-2, J. S. Spinney ; 1873, H. G. Day; 1874-5, D. Willis; 1876-7, C. S. Buswell; 1878-9, C. A. Smith; 1880- 81, S. B. Currier.

REV. LEMUEL C. POWERS, (BY A. S. COOPER.)

Lympus charge two years ; after as Con- ference preacher there 2 years; next at Topsham 2 years, and then at Moretown in 1864, '66. The first was a dry year, but he labored on earnestly, especially in the Sunday school, and in his second year just as he was prostrated by disease, he was cheered by 12 or 15 persons at North Fayston, embraced in his charge, profess- ing conversion and wishing to receive bap- tism from his hands; but his work was done, and he received his discharge on the eve of the holy Sabbath-Nov. 18, 1866. To an only brother who watched by his bedside while he was dying, he said: “ I am realizing now how

' Jesus can make a dying bed Feel soft as downy pillows are '" ;

and passed without a struggle or groan to his rest.

He left a wife and 4 children. Revs. Gill and Spaulding attended his funeral. After his brethren in the ministry and others bore his body to the grave, the citi- zens assembled and passed resolutions of respect for his memory and sympathy for his family .- [For further mention see the place of his birth-Rochester, in next volume.]

CATHOLIC CHURCH IN MORETOWN.

Those of this faith are almost entirely Irish. The first settlers were Daniel Murray, John Hogan, Patrick Calvy, Pat- rick Farral and Daniel Divine. They purchased lands on what is called South hill. Most of them commenced with very limited means, but by industry have gen- erally prospered, and will now average with others of the town in wealth. There is one school district almost all Irish pupils.

There are now 90 who have grand lists, and probably 75 voters. Among the prom- inent men of the present are Andrew Murray, Daniel Hassett, Patrick Lynch, Thomas and Charles McCarty, and the three Kerin brothers. Moretown is now a central point for the Catholic population of South Duxbury, Fayston, Waitsfield and Warren. The first priest officiating

whose life was marked with uniform con- sistency and faithfulness, was born in Rochester, this State, August, 1828. He made a Christian profession at the age of 13, and commenced his labors as a Metho- dist preacher when about 30. His fields were first as a local preacher on Bethel here was Father Jeremiah O'Callaghan,

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who, if we are correctly informed, was the first Catholic priest in Vermont.

[The first resident Irish priest, but not the first Catholic priest in Vermont. There was a resident priest, undoubtedly, at the old French Mission of St. Catherine, in Wells, at the Isle La Motte Mission of St. Anne (see vol. II. page 558), and the French Mission in Swanton, some interest- ing account of which will be given in the history of the late Rev. John B. Perry, of Swanton, to be embraced in this work-of any of which missions we would be par- ticularly pleased to receive any informa- tion that any person may be able to com- municate, however trifling apparently. Every little link helps in putting together the broken chain that binds us to the early days. Our histories are very ob- scure so far back ; the least little incident is the little track to the explorer that leads to the clue. There have been also mis- sionary priests earlier than Father O'Calla- ghan, as Rev. James Fulton, the venerable pastor now of the Church of the Holy Re- deemer, East Boston, who was an early missionary in Vermont. See his " Early History of the Catholic Church in New England."-ED.]

" He resided in Burlington, officiating there and in this town, and probably in other places. Father O'Callaghan was also an author, and wrote five volumes on different subjects. The second priest of- ficiating here was Father Drolet, the third, Father Druon, the fourth, Father Duglue, the fifth, Father Galligan, who resides at Waterbury, officiating there, in this town, and in Northfield.

The land for building a church on, and also for a burial ground, was given to the Catholic society by Col. Miller of Mont- pelier, in 1841. In 1858, the society built their present church building on South hill, which is a little more than a mile from the village, nearly east. They contem- plate building a new church edifice in the village, at no very distant future .- News- paper Record, 1879.

The Rev. Fathers O'Callaghan, Daly, Drolet, Maloneya nd Coopman, O. M. J.,

visited occasionally this mission, before Rev. Z. Druon built the Church (St. Pat- rick's) in 1860. The lot upon which the church stands had been given many years before by three members, to be used part- ly as a burying ground. The number of Catholic families in this mission is about 40 ; mostly farmers. They are attended now by Rev. Thomas Galligan, from Wat- erbury, and were previously, after the de- parture of Father Druon, attended from Montpelier by his successor there, Rev. Joseph Duglue, who had the pastoral care of them for a few years.

REV. Z. DRUON.

Aug. 21, 1876."

" The document sent you by Father Druon is, I think, quite correct. The lot on which the church stands was donated in 1855 by Frank Lee, Peter Lee, and J. Miller. I copy from the deed itself.

LOUIS BP. OF BULINGTON.

Jan. 2, 1882."

PROMINENT SONS OR CITIZENS.

Among the men of note who were born or have lived in Moretown, in the early part of their lives, is Rev. ELAND FOSTER, a preacher and author. He has held many good appointments in and around New York city. Mr. Foster married the daugh- ter of Dr. Palmer, of New York. He with his wife are great revival workers. [What has Rev. Mr. Foster published? titles of his works asked for, not yet received-ED.]

Rev. WILLIAM HIGH may also be named as one who was brought up, if not born, in our town, and who is well known as quite a noted pulpit orator.

Also, Rev. E. C. BASS, now of New Hampshire Conference, is a native of Moretown, and graduate of the Vermont University.

LONGEVITY OF MORETOWN.

Persons deceased in town 70 years of age and over .- Philemon Ashley 80, Roger G. Bulkley 86, Lyman Child 81, Reuben Per- kins 72, John Pattrill 82, Lyman Cobb 72, Ephraim Cobb 81, Israel Noble 84, Elisha Goodspeed 88, Levi Spalding 81, Constant Freeman 77, Jesse Thornton 71, Cephas Carpenter 88, Nathan Benton 70, Nathan

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Benton Jr. 79, Stephen Pierce 88, Charles Howe 91, Abram Spofford 82, Elijah Win- ship 73, Rowland Taylor 77, Ichabod Thomas 79, Morty Kerin 82, Timothy Hutchins 76, Abner Child 87, Reuben Hawks 75, James Smith 73, James Smal- ley 84, Levi Munson 72, Richard Welch 71, John Poor 79, Horace Heaton 81, Zela Keyes 76, Martin Mason 70, Daniel Wood- bury 91, Daniel Murray 70, Samuel Carl- ton 83, Earl Ward 70, David Stockwell 75, Philetus Robinson 76, Micah B. Tap- lin 78, Ward Page 74, Francis Hope 82, Robert Prentiss 83, Matthias Cannon 82, John Snyder 85, Daniel Hassett 72, John Flanagan 76, Wm. Prentiss 83, Eber C. Child 76, Lester Kingsley 76, Samuel Pierce 82, William Prentiss Sr. 80, Ezra Harris over 70, Isaac Foster, Caleb Hobbs, Ebenezer Johnson, Ebenezer Mayo, Hart- well Robinson, Harvey Stowell, Samuel Kingsbury, Alfred Cram, Emory Taylor, Paul Knapp 87, Ebenezer Haseltine 79, Elisha Atherton 79, Henry Colby 84, Richard Colby 89, David Belding, John Goss 73, Aladuren Stowell 80, Sylvia Ash- ley 76, Sally Bulkley 80, Eunice Noble 71, Lydia Foster 84, Martha Davis 85, Thank- ful Spalding 80, Sibyl Clapp 80, Phœbe Thornton 80, Lucinda Curtis 89, Anna Carpenter 71, Esther Benton 77, Elizabeth Pierce 73, Martha Howe 96, Rebecca Pierce 73, Jane G. Seaver 81, Sarah Free- man 70, Nancy Smith 74, Mary Allen 77, Elizabeth Hall 75, Betsey Vose 86, Polly P. Wells 81, Louisa A. Martin 71, Abigail Haseltine 79, Emily Allen 70, Prudence Freeman 90, Phila Goss 72, Dolly F. Child 88, Sally Stiles 73, Susan Hope 78, Har- riet McNaulty 74, Rhoda Willey 80, Lydia Robinson 86, Eliza M. Poor 73, Mary Nash 78, Isabel C. Jackson 71, Priscilla Knapp 93, Polly Howes 77, Phoebe Rice 89, Sarah D. Walton 74, Betsey Clark 88, Ruth Slayton 81, Lucinda Stowell 75, Anna Barton 86, Mariam Leland 92, Par- nel Boutwell 71, Shuah Keyes 88, Florenda F. Belding 87, Sally Corss, Eunice Snyder 85, Lucinda Prentiss 75, Lizzie Prentiss 72, Mrs. Amos Palmer over 70, Esther (Luce) Ridley 86, Lucy Silsby over 70, Mrs. Eben'r Mayo, Dolly Child, Mrs.

Ephraim Clark, Rachel Kingsbury, Anna Munson 86, Clarissa Heaton 96, Mrs. Al- fred Crane 70, Juda Haseltine 96, Mrs. John Foster over 70, Mrs. David Stockwell over 70, Susan Foster 74, Hannah Flan- ders 90, Huldah Colby 70, Lucretia Free- man 73, Lydia Goss 73, Betsey Hutchin- son, Mrs. Aladuren Stowell 75.

Old people of Moretown now living over 70 .- Joel D. Rice 75, Lewis Bagley 78, Uriah Howe 72, Calvin Foster 78, John Towle 80, Wm. B. Foster 80, Osgood Evans 78, Hiram Hathaway 70, Smith Freeman 72, Ezra Hutchinson 81, William Deavitt over 70, Rolland Knapp over 70. Mary B. Evans 73, Abigail Child 81, Mary A. Spalding 86, Polly Prentiss 82, Cornelia W. Goss 75 Lucinda Tubbs 79, Rahamah T. Bulkley 72, Sarah Seaver 70, Mary Somerville over 70, Mrs. Joel Rice 75, Nancy Carlton 80, Priscilla Knapp 81.

Wales Bass, son of Alpheus Bass, of Moretown, was killed instantly, Dec. 1863, being thrown from a load of wood; the horses had taken fright.

ADDITIONAL FROM AARON GOSS.

Longevity .- Charlotte Smith died in town, aged 93; and the following died during the past year, 1881 : Lesta

Dr. Luther Kingsley, aged 76 years, who lived in town nearly 60 years, had been town clerk nearly 50 years.

Wm. Prentiss, aged 83, had always lived in town.

Samuel Pierce, aged 82, had lived in town 58 years.

Mrs. Florinda Belden, aged 87, and Mrs. Lydia B. Foster, 80.

Simon Stevens had his distillery on the premises where D. F. Freeman now lives. He was a very resolute business man, and died by taking a severe cold from over- work. G.

RE-UNION OF OSGOOD EVANS' FAMILY, which held a pleasant re-union in this town, at the old homestead, Sept. 1879; there being present Mr. Evans, the father, 76 years of age ; Mrs. Evans, 72 ; J. D. Evans and family, of the firm of Batch- elder, Evans & Co., Boston, produce deal- ers-wife and 2 children ; E. A. Shattuck,

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Central R. R. engineer, and family ; M. O. and G. B. Evans and families, and Geo. C., who lives with his father; and grand- children present, 27.

MATTHEW HALE CARPENTER

was born in Moretown, Dec. 22, 1824, and died at Washington; D. C., Feb. 24, 1881, while serving as United States Senator from the State of Wisconsin. His parents named him Decatur Merritt Harmon Car- penter ; how and why his name was changed will appear further on.

His grandfather, Col. Cephas Carpenter, was long a resident of Moretown-a man of strong intellect and marked character- istics. For years he was a justice of the peace, and as such presided in the trial of cases almost without number. When a trial was had before another justice, he was usually found acting as counsel for one of the parties, in which capacity he was quite the equal of most of the practicing attorneys of his day. It has been truly said of him that " he was a lawyer, though not a member of any bar."

His father was Ira Carpenter, who was born in Moretown, and resided there until well advanced in life, when he removed to | life, but desiring above all things else to be Warren. He was a particularly fine-looking man, easy in manner, social in his habits, and a favorite among his acquaintances. For more than twenty years he held the office of deputy sheriff, and was frequently constable of the town. In discharging the duties of these offices he was thrown much into the company of Hon. Paul Dillingham, a lawyer residing in Waterbury, but having a large practice in the Mad River Valley. Such close business relations soon made them fast friends, and Mr. Carpenter's house became Mr. Dillingham's habitual stopping-place when at Moretown. During these visits " Merritt," as the boy was then called, attracted the attention of the genial attorney from Waterbury, who frequently bantered him about coming to live with At this time he was tall and handsome of figure, with a noble head and winning blue eyes, with a voice of sympathetic quality, and with a manner of mingled frankness and almost boyish roguishness. His prospect was full of promise, when, after a few months' residence in Beloit, he him, promising to make a lawyer of him. On the occasion of a certain trip to More- town, while passing over the height of land midway between the latter village and Waterbury, Mr. Dillingham was surprised to meet young Carpenter, then a lad of 14,

trudging along on foot with all his worldly effects in a small bundle. When asked where he was going, the boy replied, "To Waterbury, to live with you and be a lawyer." 'Squire Dillingham, as he was then popularly called, finding his former proposals thus unexpectedly accepted, di- rected the lad to go ahead, report to Mrs. Dillingham, and await his return at night. Mrs. Dillingham was greatly pleased with her youthful visitor, who made such good use of his undeveloped arts as an advocate that when Mr. Dillingham returned, he found an entente cordiale had already been established between his wife and the boy. And this is how young Carpenter became a protege, though never a formally adopted son of Hon. Paul Dillingham, whose house thereafter was the only home he had until he entered upon the practice of his pro- fession, and had made one for himself in the West.

In 1843, through the influence of Mr. Dillingham, he was appointed a cadet in the Military School at West Point, in which institution he pursued his studies for 2 years. Having no taste for military a lawyer, he at the end of that time ten- dered his resignation. This was accepted, and he immediatety returned to Water- bury, and entered Mr. Dillingham's office as a student. In Nov. 1847, he was ad- mitted to the Washington County Bar ; but conscientiously refused to practice with- out further preparation. He went to Boston, where he was generously taken into the office of Rufus Choate. He soon won, not only the good opinion of that great man, but his admiration and unbounded confi- dence. Mr. Choate assisted him in select- ing a library suitable to his needs, and ad- vanced the money to pay for the same. Equipped with this, he removed to Beloit, Wis., in the year 1848.

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was suddenly and unaccountably afflicted with a disease of the eyes, which resulted for several months in total blindness. For 18 months he was under treatment in New York, poor, almost hopeless of cure, and with no other than his constant friends, Mr. Dillingham and Rufus Choate. Nearly 3 years were thus lost -- so far as professional advancement was concerned -- before he was able to return and resume the practice of his profession in Beloit. Poor as he then was, he managed to collect what was then the best law library in the county, and from the first developed that thoroughness of " working out" cases which ever since characterized him. Then, as since, he was very fond of literary studies. The poets he had almost by heart, and his studies of the historical, philosophical and political classics of England and America were un- ceasing. Politically, he was a democrat of the most decided cast. Going to Beloit just as the "free-soil " movement was carry- ing all before it, he had to breast the al- most unanimous political sentiment of a county and town invincibly whig before, then " free-soil," and since republican. Still, he assailed his opponents in their stronghold with so much fearlessness, wit, logic, constitutional learning and unfailing bonhommie, that only his few enemies were vexed at his personal popularity.

Still democratic on his return to Beloit, he became known more widely by occa- sional speeches in various parts of the state, while his professional success grew with steadiness. So strong had be become in a few years in his own county, that in 1852 he received the legal majority of votes cast for district attorney, although his party was beaten by over 1500 votes. His opponent received the certificate, owing to the diversity in the use of the numerous initials of his name on the ballots cast by his supporters, but Mr. Carpenter appealed to the court, and vindicated both his right and legal ability before the su- preme tribunal of the state with equal success. It was in consequence of this experience that he obtained legislative sanction to the name, Matthew Hale Carpenter, by which he had become to be

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The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 97

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