USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Baltimore > The history of the town of Baltimore, Vermont > Part 15
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23
Now brother Daniel had evidently become of age and had am- bitions to become a land owner too. He took the Freeman's Oath in 1821, and in 1822 the two brothers bought a 40 acre tract out of the northeast corner of Joshua Leland's farm adjoining their father's land on the south. In 1824 Luke Jr. deeded Daniel one-half of the 11 acres also of the 26 sq. rd., so the two brothers now owned every- thing in partnership.
Nov. 24, 1824, Luke Jr. took unto himself a wife, Relief Wood, sister of Jeremiah Wood of Springfield. They had two children, Betsey and Laura. In 1831 Luke Harris Sr. for $10 deeded son Luke all his right and title to "a certain tract, piece or parcel of land described as following viz: Seventy one and a half acres to be laid off from the north side of the tract of land that Dr. Aseph Fletcher deeded to me Feb. 1st, 1796 to be taken off by a line drawn across the whole of said tract east and west parallel with the north line of said tract and far enough north of the south line of said tract to leave on the south side of said line so drawn thirty two and a half acres and no more"(7112 and 3212 equals 104 acres. What about the acre in the very southeast corner sold to Reuben Bemis. A. M. P.)
This 29th day of April 1831 was to be a "day of deeds." That same day Luke Sr. deeded son Daniel for $10 the 3212 acres above described-"except one acre I have heretofore sold Reuben Bemis." Daniel for $10 deeded brother Luke all his right and title in the 26 sq. rds. also in the west half of the 11 acre piece of land (more sub- division). This made three deeds. Luke Jr. deeded Daniel his his rights in the 40 acres bought of Leland.
But Luke Jr. did not get all right and title to the 71 1/2 acres for just the $10. Indeed not. He agreed to "well and faithfully and truly keep and perform the conditions of a bond by me executed to the said Luke and Leah (the mother) in the penal sum of $10000 and shall maintain and support the said Luke and Leah according to their degree and standing in society in sickness and in health with all necessary comfortable and convenient houseroom, lodging, food, physick, nursing, medical attendance, wood and washing etc." This made five deeds and a bond all made out that same day.
It was in this same year that Benj. Litch made over his property to his son Lyman under the same conditions as above; the next year, 1832, Jonathan Boynton did likewise in favor of his son Martin. Those three families were nestled there behind Old Shincracker within calling distance of one another. But Benj. Litch did not live long after deeding away his property.
Neither did poor young Daniel Harris. The records reveal that he had a house by himself valued in 1828 at $87.30. No doubt this explains the cellar hole very near the road and across from the sand knoll south of what is now the Slayton Kendall place. The
128
«
8
The History of
story of the Daniel Harris family is short and extremely pathetic. Daniel died Sept. 22, 1832, aged 33 yrs. His little daughter Sarah Loret died the next year July 15, 1833, aged 17 months. She was about eight months old when her father died. That same year Oct. 29, 1833, Hannah Beal Harris, wife of Daniel, died in Chester, Vt., aged 31 years. 4 mo. 2 days.
No further mention was made of the house which was probably built by Daniel only to be occupied by him so short a time. Luke may have shared his barn with Daniel as the livestock was listed in both their names.
Levi Harris, then living in Chester, served as administrator of his brother Daniel's estate. In Nov. 1833 he sold the easterly half of the 11 acre piece of land to Earle Woodbury whose farm bounded this tract on the east. The next month he sold the 40 acre parcel east of the road to Joshua Leland and Jonathan Boynton for $296. 55. Soon Leland bought out Boynton; so the 40 acres were restored to the original Joshua Leland farm. The following June Levi sold Jona. Woodbury Jr., for $210. 75, 34 acres 88 sq. rds. of land on the . west side of the road bounded on the south by land of Joshua Leland, west by land of Stephen Robinson (Spaulding lot) north by land of Luke Harris. The cellar hole was on this piece.
This completed the sales of the real estate belonging to Daniel Harris. Probably very few people now living have ever heard of the Daniel Harris family. As Hannah survived her husband, that property probably went to her heirs.
Thus far it would seem that Luke and Leah were fairly prosper- ous. It is worthy of note that he had kept his original 104 acres in- tact, and it does not appear that Luke Sr. ever mortgaged his property. During the first years, few if any mortgaged deeds are found on the records. The young men of those days must have struggled to acquire savings that would enable them to pay cash for their land, else how did they acquire the coveted acres?
Luke Sr. died July 13, 1837, aged 74 years, so he was about 33 when he came to Baltimore. He was buried in No. Springfield cemetery.
Only Luke Jr. was now left to carry on. He had no stalwart son to help him as did his father and does not seem to have been over prosperous. The three Harrises kept rather more cattle than did the Boyntons and Litches but thirteen head was the most they kept. The number decreased after Daniel and Luke Sr. died. The Harrises kept a few sheep, probably enough for their own needs. By 1843 they had increased their sheep to 17, which was not on a par with Leland who now had 185 or Boynton and others owning pas- tures on the mountain.
In 1838 Luke Jr. sold Jona. Woodbury 8 acres beginning at the N. W. corner of Harris' home farm. Then begins a series of mort- gages-Oct. 28, 1842, mortgage to Wm. Jarvis for $75. About a month later Dec. 2, 1842, mortgages to Thomas Preston $108.48. To pay Preston on Dec. 2, 1843, he mortgaged to Wm. Jarvis for
129
Baltimore, Vermont
$225. It can be seen that Luke was steadily losing ground so far as debts were concerned.
May 2, 1845, Luke sold all his land to Joseph W. Leland for $1000. He had to buy his mother's mortgage, paying her $200 for it, but that left him quite an equity in the place.
Lyman Litch had bought and moved up to the Woodbury farm. Like Lyman, Luke, too, apparently aspired to live on higher ground. Accordingly Luke now living in Springfield bought the old Wood- bury place from Lyman Litch.
The property was conveyed by a peculiar indenture. Luke was deeded four undivided tenth parts of the farm. It would seem that Relief, Luke's wife, had some money of her own or a gift or legacy coming to her. At any rate we find that Lyman Litch deeded Jeremiah P. Wood, brother of Relief, six undivided tenth parts of the land with the following proviso: "in trust, nevertheless and to and for the following intents and uses and no other, to wit, to pay or deliver to Relief Harris wife of Luke Harris of said Springfield or to such person as she shall from time to time designate and appoint all the rents issues and proceeds thereof for her sole and separate use and without any control or disposal of the same by her said husband and in case the said Relief shall at any time elect to have the same sold and conveyed to any other person that the said Jeremiah P. Wood then and in that case to sell and convey the same to such person as she shall in writing direct and appoint and to hold the proceeds thereof in trust as aforesaid, it being understood that in all cases the sale and the separate receipt of the said Relief for the proceeds aforesaid shall be good and sufficient discharge of the said Jeremiah P. Wood in the premises."
Evidently the Harrises lived here ten years. On Apr. 1, 1856, Relief requested Jeremiah to sell her six-tenths of the farm, which he did to Fox Sherwin for $700 thereby making a profit of $100. Luke also made $100 on his four-tenths.
Mar. 20, 1857, James and Amanda Bates of Weathersfield deeded Relief Harris and her heirs the little farm partly in Weathersfield and partly in Baltimore which is still known to everyone in this locality as the "Harris place." Luke died there Sept. 13, 1869, aged 76 yrs. 4 mo. 13 days, disease of the liver.
In 1893 the writer's father, Fred Olney, bought the land. The house had been demolished, but the barn and well-house remained. It was with keen delight that the writer surveyed often her father's possessions. Although the place had been sadly neglected for probably fifteen years, it still bore traces of a pleasant little home some one had loved and cherished. A thrifty little apple orchard of grafted fruit had been set out back of the house. Grapes, plums, pears and currants, even cranberries still ripened there each in their season. Some of the varieties were not what you see pictured today in fruit catalogues, but a healthy child's appetite at ten years does not need so much whetting as the modern breakfast cereal ads would lead one to believe.
130
The History of
Of course, all the old-fashioned flowers grew there in abundance, roses, lilacs, orange lilies. The premises were not in sight of other buildings and were situated a bit off the lonely highway, yet suffi- ciently convenient to the village to attract berry pickers, pilferers in general. The writer was quite alert in harvesting the fruitful increase of the soil ahead of the would-be pilferers.
Betsey and Laura moved to North Springfield where they lived for some years, or until they died, in the house nearly opposite Ed- ward Kendall's. They were members and very regular attendants of the Baptist Church in that village. Betsey wore a brown bonnet, Laura a black one with a black ostrich feather on it. They did not resemble each other in looks or disposition. Betsey was the dominant, independent, intellectual type. Once the writer remark- ed to Ella Graves that she thought Laura looked much smarter than Betsey. "What makes you think that?" Ella asked. "Be- cause her eyes are black and look much brighter," the writer ex- plained. "Eyes are very deceiving," Ella declared. "Betsey has a good mind and was one of the very best school teachers I ever had. Laura was never very scholarly." According to Miss Bertha Field, Betsey had excellent command of English. Laura was more lovable, domestic and less domineering. Jeremiah's daughter provided the Harris girls with the house they occupied in their de- clining years. Betsey died Jan. 22, 1904, aged 78 and Laura that same year Nov. 8, aged 71 yrs. 11 mos. It was well that one did not survive the other for long. They were the last of their family and dependent on each other. No one mentioning them today ever speaks of one and not the other.
Two anecdotes have come to the writer through the late Isaline A. Davis. Betsey used to tell that when her forbears first came to Baltimore there was no fruit raised. The cleared land had to be used to raise the more essential grains and vegetables. It seems strange to think that there was a time when Baltimore had no apple trees, but such is a fact. The Harris family used to long for some food that would possess tartness so her Grandmother at times would make a sorrel pie. Does not the thoughts of that "set your teeth on edge?"
Betsey also used to tell of the first occasion a Christmas tree was held in this locality. It took place in the Congregational Church in Springfield and the whole Harris family made great effort to be present. A tall beautiful spruce tree graced the front of the church with one tin star near its top by way of decoration, no other decora- tions anywhere, no festivities, no gifts and no special program but a long, long sermon to drive home the Christmas lesson. Compare that with modern Christmas celebrations!
Eva Stevens Johnson of Chester tells this one: When the Stevens family lived on the little farm below, they some- times went up to the Harrises to spend the evening, one of the good old-fashioned customs that used to prevail everywhere. It was in those days that kerosene lamps were coming into use, and the Stevens family took their new kerosene lantern to light their path-
131
Baltimore, Vermont
way. On arriving they took the lantern into the house and set it on the table, thinking the Harris women would enjoy the better light it gave than did the candles they still used. They were always knitting or sewing during the evenings. After a brief space Betsey asked Mrs. Stevens if she would please set that lantern outside as the light was too strong for her eyes. Several have remarked upon hearing the anecdote, "That sounds just like Betsey." If she yearned for conveniences she could not afford, she was too proud to let her desires be known.
Friends of the Harris girls who are still living had told the writer that Betsey often referred to her father in conversation, giving her hearers the impression that he was intellectual and an upstanding man in his community. So it was somewhat disappointing to learn that neither Luke nor his father evinced great interest in town affairs, seldom held any office of importance. Occasionally they served as highway surveyors or listers, twice Luke Jr. was select- man, and often they were elected fence-viewers. Once Luke Jr. was voted "fensvior," but was absent and did not qualify. Per- haps he failed to recognize the animal with that spelling.
But when you look at the school-meeting records you become aware that matters of education held a distinct interest for them. With Joshua Leland, Martin Boynton and Luke Harris living in that end of the town, it might be said that the intelligentsia of Balti- more centered in the West District for a time.
Levi Harris, the oldest brother, was the one active in town affairs. He lived on the Earle Woodbury farm and must have hired it as he never was deeded any land in Baltimore. So it is because of his interest and ability in town as well as school affairs that we know Levi Harris ever lived in town over one hundred years ago.
In September 1836 Earle Woodbury still lived in town as he pre- sided over the Freemen's meeting held that month. But on Dec. 31, 1836, Levi Harris acted as moderator at a special town meeting.
At the March meeting, 1837, he presided as moderator; in 1838 he was elected town clerk, first lister, highway surveyor for West Dis- trict, auditor to settle with town treasurer. In 1839 he was chosen on committee to settle with the town treasurer, in 1840 overseer of poor and petit juror but refused to take his oath as overseer. He was elected representative to the General Assembly at the Freemen's meeting held in September 1840. This was the grand finale for Levi as Earle Woodbury sold his farm in December and Levi moved away.
Levi's progeny are the only living descendants of Luke Harris Sr. The school census of 1838 shows that Levi had three children in school. A fourth child named Piam Oliviam was born July 10, 1837, who with his wife is buried in the Plains Cemetery near Per- kinsville. Some of Levi's descendants are to be found in Indiana.
Luke Jr. and his wife Relief and his mother Leah are doubtless buried in the family lot in North Springfield, but no headstones mark their graves. Betsey and Laura each have one.
132
8
The History of
Leland Family
In preparing the Leland family sketch it was with avidity that the writer grasped the genealogy of that family compiled and pub- lished by the late Oscar Hopestill Leland, himself a native of Bal- timore. It is probably true that some of the family genealogies appearing in this production are the first and only attempt ever made thus to gather and arrange the genealogical data obtainable.
The records and traditions of the Leland family may end with the compilation of Oscar Leland, but nearly one hundred years ago, 1859, the History of the Leland Family in America was. compiled and was said to be the first genealogy of any family published in the United States. Probably the fact that the Leland family could trace its ancestry to royalty by several lines was a strong incentive to such research. And why not?
Caleb Leland, the first of that name to settle in Baltimore, through his mother Sarah Warren was of royal descent. She was the 23rd generation from Charlemagne in one line and the 29th generation from the same ancestor in another line. She was also a descendant of King Alfred the Great, King William the Conqueror, also the 26th generation from Hugh Capet, King of France and the ancestor of thirty-two French Kings. King Edward VII of England was also a descendant of all these ancestors.
The common ancestor of the New England Lelands was Hope- still Leland who came from England and settled in Weymouth, Mass., probably as early as 1624. His only son Henry was the progenitor of all the Lelands. Following Hopestill and Henry were Ebenezer, father of ten children; his son, James, father of eleven children, among whose descendants were: Elder John Leland, a Baptist elder of national reputation; Rev. Baron Stow with de- grees from Columbia College, Brown University, editor of the first Baptist periodical published in the United States, also pastor of Baptist Churches in Boston for 35 years; also Leland Stanford, Governor of California and founder of Leland Stanford University.
The son of James in whom we are most interested was Phineas. In 1752 he married Sarah Warren for his second wife. To them were born ten children.
Phineas b. 1753 d. 1820-lived in Grafton, Mass.
Eleazer b. 1755 d. 1827-lived in Grafton, Mass. His son was a lawyer, member of the House of Representatives, Speaker of same, also State Senator four terms and elected Presi- ident of Senate the last term.
Joseph b. Dec. 30, 1757 d. 1839 at Saco, Me. His daughter Elizabeth became the wife of Rev. Nathan Lord, D. D., President of Dartmouth College at Hanover, N. H., over thirty years.
David W. b. July 18, 1758 (?) d. 1832 in Grafton. His son Phineas was elected to state Senate and served as President of the same.
133
Baltimore, Vermont
Thomas b. Aug. 16, 1760-settled in Chester, Vt. d. 1830.
Sarah b. Oct. 17, 1763-settled in Owego, N. Y. d. 1824.
Caleb b. Aug. 31, 1765 m. Lakin Willard, settled in Baltimore, Vt. d. Aug. 28, 1843.
Joshua (Caleb's twin) b. Aug. 31, 1765 m. Thankful Sherwin in Chester, Vt. d. in 1829.
Lydia b. 1767 m. Jonathan Whipple, settled in Springfield, Vt. d. 1841.
Deliverance b. 1770 m. Andrew Shepard, settled in Chatham, Conn., where she had many descendants d. 1806.
Father Phineas died Oct. 16, 1773, when Deliverance was only three years old. He made his will the preceding May, "being sick and weak in body but of Perfect mind Memory Thanks be Given unto God."
By the terms of his will he provided for his widow by bequeathing her fifty-three pounds six shilling and eight pence, "all my House- hold goods and moveables ....... my Riding Chair and Tackling," room in the house and cellar, the use of two good cows and a horse the same to be kept for her by her sons Phineas and Eleazer. His wife was to be "provided with ten pounds wool, also flax, Beaf, Pork, Indian Corn, Rye, Turnips, beans, Potatoes, one bushel & a half of malt, apples, Green Summer sause she shall need for herself and Two Barrels of Cyder." Sons Phineas and Eleazer, themselves lads of only 20 and 18 years, were to provide all these things, also full and sufficient firewood, cut at her door. Sarah was to have "free Liberty to pass and Repass from and to the well and to use what water she shall please."
The two sons mentioned above were to have all their father's real and personal estate excepting what he had given their mother, but the will stated that they were to provide "suitable meat Drink, washing and Lodging and apperal & physick if need be for Thomas, Sarah, Caleb, Joshua, Lydia and Deliverance untill they come to the age of fourteen years each and I will that they be under the care and charge and government of my wife untill they come to that age." (It would appear that after that each child was expected to earn his own way). Then as an afterthought Phineas added, "I will that Phineas and Eleazer find my wife two pairs of shoes yearly as long as she remains my widow." We will state in this connection that Widow Sarah married again Apr. 4, 1776, had one more child and lived until Mar. 21, 1812. Phineas and Eleazer did not have to "find shoes" for her for so very long.
The other five sons were willed 66 pounds, 13 shillings, 4 pence apiece and the three daughters 40 pounds each.
It was fortunate that the father had so much property to leave, but the oldest children in those large families had to assume heavy burdens and responsibilities in the event of the death of either parent.
While Lakin Willard Leland's ancestry does not trace back to royalty as did Caleb's, nevertheless she was the descendant of
134
«
The History of
prominent, intellectual men and women of whom her progeny may well be proud.
Major Simon Willard was the first emigrant to come to America from Kent County, England, in May 1634. The name of Willard has been known in England over nine hundred years, being re- corded five times in the Doomsday Book compiled by order of William the Conquoror, a survey of lands in England.
Major Simon Willard was baptized Apr. 7, 1608. He founded the town of Concord, Mass., was a close friend of John Eliot the Indian missionary, was a judge in the Superior, Supreme and Ad- miralty Courts. Among his descendants were Rev. Samuel Willard, pastor of Old South Church, Boston, also President of Harvard University; Joseph Willard also President of that University; and Frances E. Willard founder of the World's W. C. T. U.
Simon Willard married three times:
1st-Mary Sharp, of England, mother of seven children, including Susannah Willard Johnson.
2nd-Elizabeth Dunster, sister of Henry Dunster, first President of Harvard College.
3rd-Mary, sister of Elizabeth and Henry-ten children-among whom was-
Benjamin b. 1675 m. Sarah Lakin b. Feb. 4, 1662 d. 1732 last sur- viving son of Simon Willard. They had six children among whom was-
Joseph Willard b. 1693 m. Martha Clark, settled in Grafton, Mass. He was one of the petitioners to purchase this place from the Indians, was given the chief seat in the meeting house and became a Major in the Revolution. He died in 1774. His wife Martha died June 3, 1794, at the age of 100 years. She was mother of the first white child born in Grafton. They had 12 children (one every two years) among whom was- Joseph Willard b. April 17, 1720 m. Hannah Rice b. 1730 of Wor- cester, Mass. He became one of the leading men in the town and had the chief seat in the church. They had ten children. When their grandson Oscar Hopestill Leland compiled his genealogy, the sum aggregate of the descendants of these ten children numbered 1640, not including his grand- mother Lakin's progeny which were quite numerous. His daughter-
Lakin Willard b. Dec. 19, 1769 m. Caleb Leland of Grafton Apr. 8, 1789.
In his will drawn up March 16, 1799, we find that Joseph Willard willed his daughters Molly, Lyon, Sarah Lyon, Martha Wood, Elizabeth Harrington, Virtue Wadsworth, Lakin Leland $100 each. The oldest son, Thomas R., graduated from Harvard College 1774, joined the Revolutionary Army as commissary and died in 1775. Phebe, who married Samuel Richards was dead, but her son was willed $50, and Josephus the only son was bequeathed all the lands, husbandry tools, clothing and all other estate not bequeathed in his last will.
135
Baltimore, Vermont
According to her grandson, Oscar Leland, Lakin Willard Leland was a remarkable woman. He grew to manhood in the same home with his grandmother and in all those years never saw her out of humor. In her youth she was beautiful and a fine singer. At the age of 14 she led the choir in the old Grafton church.
Uniquely enough we have preserved for us a picture of Lakin Leland on her monument in North Springfield cemetery. Em- bedded in the marble above the inscription is a tintype in a shield- shaped frame with a moveable cover to protect the picture from the elements. After all these years Lakin Leland's features and facial expression as portrayed bear evidence of that sweetness of disposi- tion, intellectuality, and depth of soul ascribed to her by her grand- son. In the picture Lakin is wearing a cap with a dainty white frill which lends further charm to the lines of her sweet face.
Caleb and Lakin Willard were married April 1, 1789. For a number of years they resided in Grafton, Mass. But in 1800 he moved to Chester, Vt. It will be recalled that his twin brother Joshua and also his brother Thomas had already married sisters and moved to that place. To Caleb and Lakin were born ten children as follows:
Nancy b. Aug. 28, 1789 m. William Wells, first resided in Cavendish d. 1872.
Otis b. Nov. 28, 1791 m. Nancy Spaulding of Cavendish, settled first in Lowell, Vt. d. Mar. 12, 1871 in Weathersfield, Vt. at home of son Willard Leland. Had ten children:
Octavius A. m. 1st Adeline Burnham 2nd Martha Haden. Ellen R. m. Thomas O. Brown-11 children.
Josephine M. m. Ira Chase-8 children.
Granville M. m. Marcia Payne, resided North Springfield- 2 girls.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.