USA > Vermont > Windham County > Brookline > The local history of Brookline, Vt. : The general history of the town > Part 2
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Cyrus Whitcomb's honse was as well adapted for school purposes as any in the distriet or town. and its location de- cided the selection of a school-room there. It was a little north of John B. Stebbins' house of to-day.
Timothy H. Whitney, an early settler and a young man of good education, was employed to teach.
The house not being very well en- closed, one day a weasel came in and sought the pantry and while he was nibbling for his meal one of Mr. Whitcomb's boys saw the intruder and asked leave to drive him ont.
It appears that schools were taught here for several years.
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The first division of the town into districts was April 21, 1796, at a legal meeting warned and holden in Brook- line, Peter Benson, moderator.
"Voted to divide the town into three school districts."
"Voted to choose a committee to (livide the same."
.Voted that Peter Benson, Richard Whitney. John Waters, Jotham Steb- bins and Benjamin Farmer, be a com- mittee for that purpose.
"Voted to choose three trustees of schools (Viz. I. Eben. Bugbee, Isaac Wellman, and Eben. Harwood.")
"Voted to adjourn the meeting to the 25th day of August. At the ad- journed meeting voted to accept of the transaction of the trustess and the com- inittee's division of the towu into school districts."
The school house built in No. 1, was located very near the foot of Whitney hill.
THE FIRST SCHOOL HOUSES :
In District No. 2, a little south of the Round school-house. In District No. 3. near the house of Samuel B. Higgins.
The first record that appears of the number of scholars between the years of 4 and 18, is March 1808.
"In the north school district, 64 schools. Attest : Archelaus Bixby. clerk."
"In the Middle School district, 57, Attest : Peter M. Benson, clerk."
THE ROUND SCHOOL-HOUSE. €
The Round school-house was built in 1822. "Old . Thunderbolt "* or Dr. Wilson. submitted the plan to the build- ing committee. Dr. Wm. Perry and Samuel Stebbins; and it is the oldest school-house now standing and is never
forgotten by those who live in or pass through the town for its grotesqueness ; yet many gifted sons and daughters have passed from this to other places to win distinction as moral and intellect- ual educators.
SCHOLAR'S LIST.
A list of scholars and parents as re- tained by district clerks in 1824:
DISTRICT No. 1 :- Samuel Rist, 6 scholars; Eliphalet Skinner 2; Samuel Frost, 5; Abiah Fuller, 5; James Johnson, 3; Tyler Derry, 3; Peter Derry, 1; Zephaniah Derry, 3; Orrin Simpson, 2; Simeon Perry, 2; Israel Whitney, 1; Solomon Whitney, 2; David Kidder, 2: Joel Harwood, 5; Ebenezer Whitney, 4; John Gates, 3; John Phillips, 5; Edmon Rhodes, 1; John Cady, 1. Total 56 scholars. Daniel Bixby, District clerk.
DISTRICT NO. 2 :- Cheney Flint. 2 scholars; Jacob Burditt, 2; Lemuel Stebbins, 3; Rufus Stebbins, 3; Eben- ezer Bugbee, 2; Isaac Wellman, 3; Timothy Wellman, 2; Elisha Fair- banks, 4; Daniel Cole, 1; Alvin Boy- den, 3; Peter Benson, 1; Wm. Perry, 3; Ebenezer Wellman, 2; Lyman Lee, 2; Samuel Adams. 4; Benjamin Orms- bee, 6: Elder Isaac Wellman, 3; Eben- ezer Pool, 3; John Blandin, 1; Jonas Blandin. 1; total 51 scholars .- Jacob Burditt, District clerk.
DISTRICT NO. 3 :- Daniel Benson, 3 scholars; Rufus M. Benson, 2; Isaac Wellman, 2; Hiram Wilder, 1; Josiah Leonard. 2; John Benson, 1; Job Big- elow, 4; Elisha Flint, 5; Polly Tarble, 1; Jesse Walker, 1; Asa Flint, 4; Simeon Cole, 5; Amasa Haile, 6; Ben- . jamin Bigelow, 4; Thomas Wells, 3; Daniel Benson, Jr .. 2: Harry Carey. 1; Thomas Crane, 4; total 51 scholars .- Thomas Crane, District Clerk.
See Ihistory of Brattleboro, page 63, sup- posed to have been an accomplice of the rob- ber Lightfoot, who was hung.
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DISTRICT NO. 4 : - Jonathan Cutler, 1 schiolar ; Authony Moron, 5; Lot Holland 5; Nathaniel Holland, 2: . Luke B. Osgood, 5 ; Christopher Os- good, 4; Joseph Joy, 2; Timothy Fleming, 1; Charlotty Whitcomb, 1; total 26: Anthony Moran, District clerk:
In 1865, after a long contest, the town was re-districted and reduced to three distriets.
The sentiment for good schools has been the ruling, idea. No town watches over her schools with greater vigilenee.
POST-OFFICE.
From the first settlement to 1837, there was no post-office in town, and our people were troubled sometimes, to find their mail at Athens, Putney, and Newfane.
Barzillai Stickney and Alviu Boyden became strongly impressed better facil- ities might be had, and applied to Gen- eral Martin Field of Newfane, then one of the prominent men of Windham county, in their behalf, and in 1837, the following route was established: "From Bellows Falls, by Saxton's River, Cambridgeport, Westminster, West Brookline, Fayettville, Williamsville, to Dover, Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's 8 A. M. and 5 P. M., going. Thuesday's, Thursday's, and Satur- days, 8 A. M., and 5 P. M., returning. Otis Bardwell, contraetor, and the route started, Aug. 29, 1837.
Nov. 27th, 1841, is was ordered to commence the route at Cambridgeport, Athens, Brookline and Dover to Wil- mington. This route continued till 1850 when it was discontinued, and Brook- line given a side mail from Fayetteville.
POST-MASTERS
for Brookline with date of appointment : Solomon-Harvey, Aug. 9. 1837 : Eph- raim H. Mason, Apr. 27, 1839; Joel
Codding, Dec. 24, 1840; Barzillai Stickney, June 1846: Joel Codding, Dec. 18, 1849 : Barzillai Stickney, June 23, 1855; Walter S. Bennett, March 3, 1863 :- Discoutinued Sept. 14, 1868; Virgil W. Ranney, Feb. 27, 1880.
MILITARY RECORD.
A COMPANY OF MILITIA
was formed in 1801, - a commission at hand shows the appointment : by lis Excellency Isaac Skinner, Esq. of John Blandin, Captain in the seventh compa- ny, the third Regiment, First brigade, and First division of the melitia of this state." Mr. Blandin was discharged in 1803.
This is the first company of which there is any account and may have been the one ot which Francis Drake tells the story : "where the officers had all been eliosen and himself the only pri- vate left."
In times earlier than this it is said :- "this was not a law and order abiding community. that the collecting of dues and the standard of justice were some- times equivocated from."
In such instances the inhabitants re- sorted to the arm of "Billy Black," a strong arm that for a small consideration dealt out such a one a good drubbing, which, usually, brought him to easy terms.
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS.
Our settlers that were soldiers in the war of the Revolution were : - John Stebbins, Timothy Wellman, Jonathan Wooley, Richard Whitney, Daniel Benson, Ebenezer Harwood and Sam- uel Rist. Harwood and Rist witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis at York- town.
SOLDIERS OF TAL WAR OF 1812.
Our Soldiers in the last war with Great Britain were Maj. Timothy II.
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Whitney, John Holden, Lemuel Tyler Derry.
SOLDIERS OF THE CIVIL WAR,
1861-1865.
FOURTH REGIMENT, CO. F.
Hibbard G. Holden, Heury J. Bush, Samuel A. Fairbanks, Ira A. Higgins.
5TH REG., CO. E.
Joshua A. Shattuck.
8TH. REG., CO. H.
Warren B. Stickney. Alvin G. Higgins, Alvin H. Merrifield. Charles A. Cutler, Alonzo P. Bush, Marshall W. Wellman, William W. Perry.
8TH. REG. CO. I.
Albro V. B. Ford.
9TH. REG. CO. K.
Denny. E. Mason, Thomas S. Crane, Jolin S. Barrett, Orlin N. Whitney, Lorenzo W. Bush, Everett G. Smith, Warren Allen.
11TH. REG. CO. G.
Edwin A. Stebbins, Henry Cutler.
12TA. REG. CO. G.
Albert Haywood, Lorenzo Rist, Winchester Smith, Everett W. Smith. 11TH. REG., CO. I.
Herbert Mason, John Lamphear, FIRST BATTALION, U. S. A.
Samuel B. Higgins.
BLACKSMITHS AND SHOPS.
The first blacksmith in the town is supposed to have been Delvis Wellman, one of the first settlers. His shop was a little north of where the school-house in District No. 1, now stands.
A blacksmith's shop was, also, built at an early day, west of the road a lit- tle south of John B. Stebbins' house ; by Ebenezer Wellman. and occupied till washed away by the June freshet, 1821 : and his son, Isaac, was a blacksmith in the north part of the town on the coun-
ty road; and Jonas Blandin, also, did work in a shop near the house of Allen O. Wellman.
In 1820, Jacob Burditt came from Putney and built a shop, near the house where Mrs. V. R. Ford lives ; and af- terwards had his shop a little east of the Union meeting-house. He became a prominent citizen ; devoted a part of his time to teaching singing-school ; was well-liked, but moved to Newfane about 1845.
Norman C. March, from Greenfield, Mass., in 1840 ; married Augusta Per- ham of Athens in 1843, and devoted the most of his time to blacksmithing, and has proved a very useful citizen, holding the prominent offices of the town ; representing it in the legislature in 1862 and '63.
EARLY REMINISCENCES.
The settlers of Brookline endured the numerous hardships, and vicissitudes of life that accompany the lot of those who first penetrated these unbroken for- ests ; though the Indian's stealthy steps were no longer heard, there were the few cattle and the little flock to protect from the ravishing wolves, that on one of the prominent knolls in the south-western part of the town, there favorite resort - used to collect, "and make night hideous with their howls," and the oc- casional meeting with and dispatching of bruin is related ; but no serious ren- countre.
A black snake, about 8 feet long was killed by Alvin Boyden, on his farm in 1829 ; and was preserved in the zoolo- gy cabinet of General Martin Field, of Nawfane, - the only one of his kind ever seen in the parts.
It is held in tradition that near the top of the hill east of the Baptist meet- ing house. a little child was burned to
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ashes by following into a coalpit, and those most superstitions, belived, that they could see afterwards a bright light, at times, at the location of the coal-pit.
About 1800, a boy by the name of Frye, in the employ of Josiah Taft, in attempting to ford West River horse- back with bags of corn, was swamped and drowned.
About 1823, Halbrook Benson, son of Peter Benson, one of the first set- tlers, was frozen to death on the Wind- mill hill road: about 2 miles from the foot of the hill, he was found.
In 1856, Elmore Fairbanks, a young lad, of rather weak mind, while returu- ing home from one of the near neigh- bors fell upon an open jack-knife that he carried for self-defense : the knife en- tered his chest and ended his life.
In 1863, David Walker, a man of not ordinary intillgence, started for a trip to Dummerston; was frozen, and found dead : as the song goes, "he took a little brown jug under his arm."
In 1866, Andrew Blood, in employ, at the time, of Timothy M. Albee in building a barn, was drowned while bathing in West River.
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ROADS
were little known to the early pioneer: marked trees were his guide-posts. The first passways, or roads lead acrost the valley east and west: three of which have long ceased to be. The earliest business transactions took the people to Putney, as merchandise conld be boated up and down Connecticut River ; therefore these roads were sought first for. The first valley road that was built followed close under the hill upon the east side, and has been re-built at different times, and makes the pleasant passway which it now occupies.
The Windmill hill road was survey- ed in 1818, and the road that now leads
westward from this point to Townshend, in 1819, and the county road, so called was built in 1828.
TOWN OFFICERS.
MODERATORS AT MARCHI MEETING.
Peter Benson, 1795, to 1801, inclusive.
3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 21: Thomas Walker, 1802 :
Daniel Bixby, 1801 - 16, - 20, - 23: Thaddeus Chamberlain, 1814:
Benjamin Ormsbee, 1819, 34, 36, 38: William Perry, 1822, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 37: Thomas Crane, 1827, 35: Alvin Boyden, 1832:
Isaac Wellman. 1835, 46, 47, 49, 50: Ephraim Park, 37, 40, 41, 43:
William, Adams, 1848, 51, 53 to 57: Ephraim H. Mason, 1844, 45 : Warren Bennet, 1857 :
Luther Osgood, 1858, to 72, 80, 84:
Osear C. Merrifield, 1863, 64, 66 :
Chas. P. Stiekney, 1865. 67, 68. 72, 73 .- 74:
Colmer W. Stebbins, 1875, to 80 : TOWN CLERKS.
John Waters, first town elerk, 1795 96, 97, 99 to 1806, 09, 10, 11 :
Delias Riggs. 1798: Timothy H. Whitney, 1806, 7, 8: Samuel Fairbanks, 1812, 13, 14:
Thomas Crane. 1815 to 20, 22 : Benjamin Ormsbee, 1820, 21, 24 to 28 : Alvin Boyden, 1828 :
Jacob Burdett, 1829, to 35, 38 to 41 : Asaph Coy, 1835, 36, 37 :
TOWN TREASURES.
Abijah Moore, 1795 to 1806: Jotham Stebbins, 1806 to 1811 : Samuel Stebbins, 1811, 17, 18, 19, 28 :
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Daniel Bixby, 1812 to 17, 20. 21 : Israel Whitney, 22 to 28.29, 30 : Ed-on Higgins. 1831. 32, 33 :s Amos Hale, 1834 : Isaac Walker. 1835 : Ephraim Parks, 1836, 7, 8, 9, 40 : Samuel Cutler. 1841, 42 : Hiram Whitney, 1843 to 49, 51 to 67 : Isaac Wellman. 1850 : Everett P. Wellman. 1867 to 84. CONSTABLES. Thomas Walker. 1795. 96 :
Timothy H. Whitney, 1797, 99 :
Micah French, 1798 : Josialı Taft, 1800. 1, 2. 3 : Peter Benson. 1804 :
Asa Flint, 1805 : 1 Daniel Benson. 1806 : Benjamin Ormsbee. 1807, 8 :
Samuel Fairbanks. 1809 :
Ebenezer Wellman. 1810, 14 :
Samuel W. Benson. 1811, 12 : John Blandin. 1813 : Archelaus Bixby, 1814 : Samuel Robbins. 1816, 17 :
Jonas Blandin. 1818. 19. Samuel Frost. 1820. Jonas Wellman, 1821. 30 to 33 :
Anthony Mason. 1822 to 29 :
Harry Cary. 1829 : Ephraim H. Masou. 1833, to 39, and 44, 45 :
Joel Ranney, 1835. Daniel E. Whitney, 1839, 40 :
Willard Linsley. 1841, 42, 43 : Harvey Morse. 1846. 47 . Win. B. Root. 1848. 49 :
Chas. W. Blandin, 1851 to 55 : Norman C. Marsh. 1855 to 1863 :
Chas. P. Stiekney, 1864, 65. 82, 83 : Luther Osgood, 1865 to 1874 : Samuel B. Iliggins. 1975 to 1882 : SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS. John B. Stebbins, first superintendent, 1850 to 1857 :
Ephraim H. Mason, 1857 : Oscar C. Merrifield, 1858, 59, 60, 62. 63, 94, 65 : .
Warren B. Stickney, 1861 : Charles Farrar. 1866 to 71 : Charles P. Stickney. 1871 to 86 : SELECTMEN. Peter Benson. 1995. 97, 1806, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22 :
Lamah Blandin, 1795 : Jotham Stebbins, 1795, 1805. 15 : Richard Whitney. 1796, 98, 99, 1800, 3, 6, 13, 15, 16 : Abijah Moore, 1796. 98 : John Waters, 1796, 98, 99. 1800, 1. 2, 4. 5, 9, 10, 11 : Micah French, 1797 : Wm. Robbins, 1797, 1807. 8, 9 :
Timothy H. Whitney, 1801, 8 :
Samuel Ballard, 1804 :
Josiah Taft, 1802 : Jolın Blandin. 1804, 7, 8, 9 :
Daniel Bixby, 1809, 10, 11, 12, 14, 22 : James Campbell, 1807 : Thomas Craine, 1812, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23 to 33, 35 :
Thaddeus Chamberlain, 1813, 14 : Jesse Walker, 1816, 17 : Ebenezer Whitney, 1817, 30, 31, 32, 37. Wm. Perry, 1818, 37, 38 : Benjamin Ormisbee, 1818, 23 to 28 :
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Ora Flint. 1818 :
Samuel Stebbins, 1819, 20, 33, 34, 42 : Elisha Flint, 1822 :
Lot Hammond, 1824, 25, 26; Jacob Burditt. 1827, 28 : Anthony Mason, 1829, 36, 40, 43, 44, Israel Whitney, 1828 : . Alvin Boyden, 1829, 30 : Edson Higgins, 1833, 34, 43 :
Samuel Adams, 1832 to 37, 38. 39 :
Isaac Wellman, 35. 36. 41, 42 : Benjamin Walker, 1837 :
Hiram Whitney, 1838 to 42, 50 : Joel Harwood, 1839 to 43, 44 : Daniel E. Whitney, 1842, 52 : John S. Osgood, 1844 :
Wm. Adams, 1844 to 50, 51 to 57 :
William Lindsley, 1845 to 49 :
Wm. B. Root, 4846 to 48 : Luther Osgood, 1850 to 53, 58 to 61, 70, 71, 72 : Norman C. Marsh, 1849. 70 to 72 in : Everett P. Wellman, 1849, 50, 73, 74 : Ira Cutler, 1851, 57 to 60 :
Erastus Whitney, 1853 to 66 :
Samuel Cutler, 1853. 44, 55. 56 : Gront Holden, 1858 :
Hiram M. Whitney, 1860, 70 to 84 :
Colmer W. Stebbins, 1861 to 70, and 73 to 84 : Andrew S. Rist, 1861.62 :
John B. Stebbins, 1863 to 70 :
Oscar C. Merrifield, 1866, 67 : Samnel B. Higgins, 1868, 69 : Timothy M. Albee, 1875 to 69 : Wm. W. Perry, 1879, 80, 81 :
George E. Ware, 1882, 83 : LISTERS. Ebenezer Bugbee 1795, 1801 ; . Wm. H.Ils, 1795, 96 ;
John Blandin, 1795, 1812, 13; Israel Whitney, 1796, 1811. 21; Ebenezer Wellman, 1796. 1811 ; Wm. Robbins, 1796. 1807 8, 9, 11 ; Delais Briggs, 1797; Jonathan Elenwood, 1797 ;
Daniel Benson, 1797, 1800, 2, 5, 15; Lemich Blandin, 1798, 1801 ; John Blandin, 1798, 1806 to 10 ;
Peter Benson, 1798,1803 ; Josiah Taft, 1799 ; Joshper Pool, 1799 ;
Timothy H. Whitney, 1799, 1802, 3. 3, 8, 13, 15 ; Jotham Stebbins, 1800 ; John Wellman, 1700; John Waters. 1701, 3, 9, 10; Amos Mansfield, 1802 ;
Samuel Ballou, 1804, 5 ;
Timothy Wellman, 1804 ;
Abijah Morse, 1804 ?
Daniel Bixby, 1805, 10 ; Phineas Alden, 1806 ; 1
Thomas Crane. 1806, 13, 18 to 25 ;
James Campbell, 1807, 8 ; Jesse Walker, 1812, 36 ; Archelaus Bixby, 1812, 16, 18 ; Joshua Fuller, 1815, 17 ; Asa Flint. 1816. 20, 23. 26 to 30 ;
Samuel Stebbins, 1819 ;
James Johnson, 1812, 19, 20, 22, 23 ; Samuel Robbins, 1817, 19 ;
Ebenezer Pool, 1818 : Zephanialı Dyer, 1819 ; Benjamin Ormsbee, 1820, 21; Samuel Adams. 1822, 29 ; Lot Holland, 1821 ; Anthony Mason, 1824, 25, 27, 33,35 ; Daniel Bixby, 1821 ; Jacob Burditt, 1825, 26;
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Alvin Boyden, 1825. 29. 27; Wm. Perry, 1828;
Ebenezer Whitney, 1818, 29. 34, 38 ; Edson Higgins, 1830, 32. 42 ;
Hiram Whitney, 1830. to 32. 37, 44, 50 to 53 ;
Harry Carey, 1830. 33. 34, 35 :
Samuel Stebbins, 1831, 32. 35, 36. 47 : Isaac Wellman. 1831 to 35 47 ;
Benjamin Walker. 1835 ;
Everett P. Wellman, 36, 63, 64, 74, Ephraim Parks, 1837 ; Amos Haile, 1837 ;
William Adams, 1838. 39, 65, 66, 78. 79, 80 to 84;
William Lindsley. 1838, 39 to 42, 44. 48. 49. 51, 52, 61. 62; Erastus Whitney. 1839, 40 to 44. 81 ;
Ephraim HI. Mason. 1840 ; John S. Osgood. 1840. 45 :
Samuel Bennett, 1841. 42 :
Joel Codding, 1842, 46 ; William B. Root, 1843 : Barzillai Stickney, 1843 ;
Asa Flint Jr., 1844 to 47, 50. 56;
Joel Harwood, 1845, 47. 58 ;
Daniel Whitney, 1846, 50, 53, 59, 60 ; Grant Holden, 1848. 49. 50, 53. 65, 66. 67. 68:
Francis Merrifield. 1848, 49 ;
Russell Mason, 1851. 53 : Ira Cutler, 1852. 62 ;
John B. Stebbins. 1854, 55. 56 ; Audrew S. Rist. 1854. 55 ;
Walter S. Bennett. 1854. 55 :
Hiram M. Whitney, 1859, 57. 63. 64 ; Warren Bennett. 1857 : ( almer W. Stebbins, 1857, 58 :
!! ; Kilder, 1750. 59 ; O-var C. Merrifield, 1859. 60. 63. 64 :
William P. Stebbins, 1861, 62, 65, 66, 67,79, 83 ;
Allen O. Wellman, 1867 to 70, 73, to 77 Wm. W. Perry, 1868, 69, 70 to 73 ; Charles A. Cutler, 1869, 70 to 73 ; Warren E. Albee, 1872 ; Timothy M, Allen, 1873, 74; Ephrain P, Osgood, 1873, 80 to 84 ; TOWN REPRESENTATIVES.
Benjamin Ormsbee, 1824, the first rep- resentative and representative in 26.27 ; William Perry, 1825, 28; Jacob Burditt, 1829, 30; Samuel Stebbins, 1831, 32, 54 ; Edson Higgins, 1833 ; Thomas Crane, 1834;
Ephraim H. Mason, 1835, 36 ;
William Adams, 37, 38, 40, 51 ;
Ephraim Park, 1839 ; Hiram Whitney. 1841, 42 ;
Hubbard Eastman, 1843 ;
John H. Osgood, 1844 ;
Asa Flint. 1847; 57, 58;
Joel Codding, 1849 ;
Isaac Wellman, 1859 ;
Daniel E. Whitney, 1852, 53 ; Samuel Cutler, 1855, 36 ;
Jolın B. Stebbins, 1859, 60 ;
Norman C. Marsh, 1861, 62 ;
Colmer W. Stebbins, 1863, 64 ;
Oscar C. Merrifield, 1865, 66 ;
Everett P. Wellman, 1867.68 ; .
Erastus Whitney, 1869, 70, 71. 80 81 :
Hiram M. Whitney, 1872, 73 ; William P. Stebbins, 1874, 75;
William W. Perry, 1876, 77 ;
Samuel B. Higgins, 1878. 79 ; Charles P. Stickney, 1882, 83.
(The manuscript of this history was sent to us in the spring of 183, since which the town of Brookline has added to her lists of officers :
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TOWN OFFICERS CONCLUDED. ;
TOWN CLERKS, - 1837 to 1886.
Jacob Burditt 1838 to 41 : Calvin T. Barrett 1841 :
Joel Codding 1842 to 46. 47 to 60 : Edson Higgins 1846 :
1 William Adams 1860 to 67 : Charles Farrar 1867 :
William Adams 1868 to 1886 and in. MODERATORS. - 1878 to 1886 :
C. W. Stebbins 1'878 to 80 : L. Osgood 1880 to 85 : N. C. Marsh 1886 :
SELECTMEN. - 1883 to $6 :
H. M. Whitney 1883 to 86 :
C. W. Stebbins 1883 :
George E. Ware 1883 to 85 :
Wm. M. Ware 1885 to 86 :
T. M. Albee 1885 to and 86. LISTERS. - 1883 to 86.
William Adams 1883 :
E. P. Osgood 1883 and 84 :
William' P. Stebbins 1883. 84 :
R. E. Marsh 1884 to and 86
L. K. Wellman 1885, 86 : .
E. W. Bush 1885 :
J. A. S. Shattuck 1886 : CONSTABLES. - 1883 to 86.
C. P. Stickney 1883 to.85. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
C. P. Stickney 1883 to 85
Isabelle Shattuck 1886 ; TREASURER.
E. P. Wellman 1883 :
N. W. Ranney 1884 to and 86. BROOKLINE LONGEVITY. 1857. Nathaniel Hill died, aged 90 yrs. 1859, Joel Codding d .. aged 74 years. ,, Anna Woolley d., aged 77
1860, Wm. B. Root d., aged 75 ., .. Fanny Cutler d .. aged 73 ., 1861. Ephraim Park d., aged 80 ,, Daniel Benson d., aged 98 ,, ,, Samuel Adams d., aged 80 ,, 1862 Calvin Barrett d., aged 92 .. 1863 Ephi'm H. Mason, aged 69 ., Rufus Stebbins d., aged 73 ,, ,, Wm. Ranney d .. aged 89 .. 1864, Betsey Whitney d., aged 67 .. 1868, Lydia Follett d., aged 80 ,, 1871, Anson Codding, aged 78 ,. 1872, Rebecca Crane, aged 22 ,, 1873. Sarah Stebbins, agedl 76 .. ,, Edith Root died, aged 91 ,, ,. Sarah B. Harwood, aged 85 .. 1874, Edson Higgins d. aged 79 ,. ,, Elisabeth Ranney, aged 86. ,, 1875. Wm. W. Perry aged 69 ., 1877, Mary B. Higgins ag'd 78 .. 1880, Mary Perry d., aged 83 ,, 1881, Daniel Holden, aged 82 ,. ,, Joel Rist died. aged 72 .,' 1882, Barzillai Stickney, aged 82 .. 1883, John Turner d .. aged 84 ., 1865, Huldah Benson d .. aged 77 ., 1866 Samuel Stebbins d .. aged 83 ,, ,, Dorcas Adams d .. aged'84 .. ,, Isaac Wellman d., aged 76 .. ., Sarah P. Stickney. aged 66 .. ., Mary Burrett d., aged 86 ,. 1867, Samuel Follett d., aged 89 ,. ,. Ira Cutler, died aged 68 ,. ,, Samuel Butterfield aged 80 ,, , Keziah Wellman d. aged 75 .. ,, Patty Park, died aged 83 ,, 1883 John B. Turner. aged 84 ,. 1884 Sullivan Pollard, ,, 87 ,, 1884, Deliverance B. Wellman, 77
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,. Fanny S. Whitney, aged 78
1885, Daniel Wellman, aged 88
.. Temperance Pierce, aged 87
., Mary E. Stebbins aged 58 1886, Hiram Whitney. aged 82
,, Wm. P. Stebbins, aged 54
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
" Vermont is a good state to be born in ; but one should emigrant young," as Stephen A. Douglass said, so it seems to be with the sons of Brookline ; but her morals are of the first rank, and the home impressions that have been given are safe guides to honorable positions a- broad.
Many of those who felled the first trees, and sowed the first seed have left no other traces behind them. Among those who added largely to the prosper- ity of the early days were Dauiel Bix- by, Lemich Blandin, Rev. Isaac Well- man, Cyrus, Whitcomb, Abijah Moore, John Waters and Peter Benson.
PETER BENSON
was justice of the peace for many years and moderator for town meetings and selectman. His opinions were often sought and his descisions were weighed with equal justice.
JOHN WATERS
was an active business man, and un- doubtedly the best educated of any of the early settlers : he taught school and was very ready with the pen. He was the first town clerk and held the office many years ; was many years a justice of the peace and selectman ; and was identified with the business of the town more than any other man.
Of those who settled here about 1780 and left descendants still living.in town are :
EBENEZER HARWOOD,
represented by his son, JJoel Harwood, and grand-son, Otis Harwood. a wor- thy and respected citizen now 66 years of age, without children :
TIMOTHY WELLMAN,
represented by his son, Daniel Wellman who is now living at the age of 80 and and grandsons, Leverett K. and Allen O. Wellman, and great-grand-sons by Leverett : Arthur C. and George Well- man, and great-grand-daughter by Al- len, Helen B. Wellman.
DANIEL BENSON,
represented by his son Daniel and grand daughters, Hannah Adams and Lucin- da Flint. and great-grand-sons, by IIan- nalı, Ozro Adams ; by Lucinda. John Flint :
BENJAMIN FLINT,
represented by his son, Asa Flint and grand-son, Anson Flint and great-grand son, John Flint.
EBENEZER WELLMAN,
represented by his son, Isaac Wellman, who was a deacon of the Baptist church many years and a prominent business man in town ; and his grandson, Ever- ett P. Wellman, also a prominent man. and his great-grand-daughters, Abbie C. and Martha Wellman ; the former was a very successful school-teacher, and married Judge Andrew A. Wyman of Athens.
RICHARD WHITNEY,
represented by his three sons, Israel, Ebenezer and Timothy H. Whitney ; and grandson by Israel, who has held the principal offices in town ; and by a great-grand-daughter, Bertha Whitney, and grand-son by Ebenezer; Erastus Whitney, a bachelor, 68 years of age : chairman of the board of selectmen who cared for the interests of the town. as.
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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
864
before said : there was not any debt ou the town at the close of the war.
THREE OLD HOMESTEADS.
There are three farms in town that with enlargements remain in the hands of the descendants of the original own- ers : the Rist farm :-
THOMAS RIST
came from Sutton, Mass. in 1788, and bought of Jonathan Boyden the now, so called, Rist farm.
SAMUEL RIST
a few years after the close of the war, came and took possession of his brotli- er's farm. He raised np a large fam- ily of children. His son. Anbrew S. Rist is a bachelor who is now 66 years of age, and as his only brother, Will- iam, also living in town is a bachelor the prospect is that the Rist farm will soon pass out of the family.
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