USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Woodstock > The valley of the Kedron; the story of the South parish, Woodstock, Vermont > Part 14
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Water at Woodstock in Minder County da wo formant this 19th day of March 191839
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This is to be attached to a Mikrobie
Where it is in contemplation to build a meting house as . about described- and all the peces not having been subscribed for or sold. Therefore we the undersigned hereby agree to unite and form a joint company-each of us to be interested alike a and feel will abuses the responsibility of this date of said focus whichare undale if it phouse requires the whole or part of the amount of said unsolo pews - all of us paying equal suma for our equal shares in The the committee shall immediately procced to erect said house - provided there shall be files or more pulver -ilers hereto
Date at Nocostet this 13th mp of April 1809
Gains Destined
James Jack Pott 76.6. Drugs
Amor Phallah
Rich and Theother half. Jonathan Logy
Becomes Clap 8 of 170 70 3.9- 3.64 90
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219
Churches in the South Parish
This story of Religious movements in the South Parish should have a brief mention of the Millerites who held meetings in the 1840's. Part of them took place in the Chapel where they raved and shouted and threatened. They fairly filled the place with the fumes of their Hell. Outdoor meetings were held on the beautiful hill south of Mr. Cullen B. Snell's farm where some of the Slaytons lived. The disciples put on their ascension robes, one man went crazy and the Town appointed a guardian for him. A good many foolish things took place. After a time they found that they had not gone to Heaven but must still labor on the earth, and the madness passed.
This Chapter on the South Woodstock Churches covers nearly one hundred and fifty years. The beautiful Chapel still stands as a visible record of the devotion of faithful men and women.
CHAPTER XI
Items of Interest
THE POST OFFICE at South Woodstock was established July 31, 1828. A new mail route was created to run from Woodstock Green through South Woodstock, Reading, Perkinsville, Springfield and there to connect with mails for Charleston and Albany. The stages with the mails made three trips each week. Richard Mather Ransom was the first Postmaster in the South Village, but he was elected very soon to the State Legislature and at his request Rich- ard Ransom succeeded him. Richard was Postmaster only one month and a half. He served from Sept. 15, 1828 till Sept. 17, 1836 when he died. Oliver Bailey then became Postmaster and held office until Nov. 3, 1853. Gustavus Lake held the position till June 18, 1856 when he died, then his widow, Mrs. Huldah Lake served until May 3, 1866. Amos Washburn was Postmaster till Nov. 19, 1867, William Wilkins succeeded to the office and held it till April 22, 1878, Manford Wilkins was the next incumbent, serving till May 23, 1881, R. H. Kingsley held the office from July 5, 1881 to May 16, 1900 when Melvin Holt became Postmaster and continued in office till July 12, 1911. Then Louis Bartel became Postmaster and contin- ues to hold the position. The office was in the Ransom
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Items of Interest
Store on the hill for a time. It was moved to the new Ransom Store, the brick building. Oliver Bailey when he became Postmaster took it to his store, where it stayed until Wilkins moved it back to the Ransom Store. Richard Kingsley took it to his store which had been the property of Oliver Bailey. Melvin Holt moved it back to the Ransom store building. For 25 years, it has been in the store build- ing of the present Postmaster.
The first Post Office at the Green was established Sep- tember 16, 1797, when John Adams was president of these States. The old files of newspapers in the Williams Library contain a good many lists of letters uncalled for. As I read them I saw the names of several of our South Parish Citi- zens. They were not accustomed to receiving letters in that manner, for the habit was to send messages by people coming into the far country and Post Offices were some- thing strange.
This next item is quite thrilling. "South Woodstock is in luck. A new Stage route to Hartland will begin July 1, 1873. This will bring the village within nine miles of the Railroad Service." "The Springfield Stage runs only to South Woodstock, arrives there in the evening and returns in the morning. At this date April 10, 1873 Reading hill is impassible." In December 1873 the Standard announces "That the Mail Stage now run by Mr. Smith. leaves South Woodstock at half past ten every forenoon except Sunday, passing through Hartland Four Corners, Hartland Three Corners and arrives at Hartland Station so as to connect with trains going both North and South. Returns at 1 o'clock P. M. and reaches South Woodstock at 9 P. M. From one to four horses will be used on the Line. By this route
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of eight miles, mails and passengers will arrive at this place four hours earlier than by any other route." The prospec- tive Academy students are notified "That the new mail route between South Woodstock and Hartland, a distance of eight miles, will meet the North and South trains at 1 P.M. and they will be carried direct from Hartland to South Woodstock where they will arrive at 4 P. M. There is no longer any need to stop over night at the Green as heretofore."
The South Woodstock Social Circle has maintained a continuous existence at least from 1860 to the present time. The preamble of the Constitution says, "We the under- signed, believing the moral, social and religious culture of the mind and feelings to be in harmony with our nature and indispensable to our highest happiness and good-and Knowing, as we do the need of aid in the Sabbath School, for the enlargement of the Library, for text books and for the promotion of the school as a school by active encour- agement and, also believing the advantages to be best attained by forming ourselves together under the Social bonds of good feeling, into a society which shall secure these advancements, do hereby unite ourselves into a friendly band and severally pledge our sacred honor to be governed by the following articles." Then follows the Con- stitution and a long list of women's names, also names of men. The Constitution provided that there should always be Scripture reading, also selections from writers who have a real message for humanity. This custom prevails today in all the meetings of the Circle. For many years this Society held an annual Festival. They were raising money to help the Sunday School which needed lessons
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Items of Interest
and books. They made contributions to the salary of the Ministers. The following announcement appeared in the Standard, December 20th 1872:
"Gentlemen and Ladies one and all, We invite your attention to a Festival Call, Just step in that time if you please
For there will be pleasure, comfort and ease,
And the treat we give you'll truly find To please the most fastidious mind. But to weary your patience would be impolite So we wish you good luck, but please come that night."
A big snow storm that night failed to dampen the ardor of the folks. They went to the Festival and the Society took in $123.00. At the next Annual Festival, a drama was given, an original song was sung and a fine time was had by all and $160.00 enriched the treasury of the Circle. The Sunday School was also holding public entertainments, where there were dialogues, declamations and music. Christmas was observed for many years by the Sunday School. The Circle had the assistance of teachers and pupils from the Academy at their meetings during these years. There were various ministers in the neighborhood and and also Chauncey Richardson who time and again gave an original production. The subjects of these are not re- corded but once he gave a history of the Christie place on the South road, but I have not been able to have access to any of his papers so there is no data whatever to give, which is a matter of much regret. The meeting of April ist 1863 acted upon a resolution of regret because of the death of Sylvanus Randall. This resolution was placed
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upon the records and a copy was mailed to his wife. In 1864, $10.00 worth of new books for the Sunday School Library were received from Rev. Alonzo A. Miner's Church in Boston and as many more which had been used. Dr. Miner was a most distinguished Universalist minister and citizen in Boston for many years. During these years of the 1860's, Rev. G. S. Abbott and family were living in South Woodstock and they were most helpful in all good works. He spent the last years of his life in Akron, Ohio and was one of the guests at our church wedding. Rev. S. A. Parker was educating his children at the Academy at this time. The Rev. J. J. Lewis who was teaching there, was also a helper in the neighborhood affairs and both Mrs. Lewis and Mrs. Abbott were officers in the Social Circle.
The record book from 1868 to 1882 has not come to light while this research is going on, but I have the one from 1882 to 1893. The women are sewing and quilting during these years in order to earn extra money. At one meeting a letter is read from the Rev. Almon Gunnison which recalled his happy student days at the Academy.
This item appears in the report of one meeting in 1884. "It is to be hoped that in the future, dancing, society meet- ings and other foreign matters, will not be intruded upon the Circle." Some of the Secretaries indulged in more figurative and decorative language than others in writing their reports. Here is one such :- "The Circle met at Mrs. Marshall Jaquith's. After the exercises and the interchange of pleasant thoughts, we were invited to the bower of love and flowers to enjoy a feast for both mind and body, with our hostess and host who graced the head of the romantic table and expressed a willingness for merriment. Again
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Items of Interest
we leave the flowery land, feeling that age is triumphant and capable of more enjoyment as it ripens into Maturity." The last meeting recorded in this book was held at the home of Mrs. I. T. Fullerton, but they have not ceased, for faithful women continue the meetings and preserve the traditions.
The Grange in the South Parish was organized in Feb- ruary 1874 with seventy-four members. Deputy Boyden was the organizer. E. H. Slayton was chosen Master, I. T. Fullerton Overseer, Henry W. Walker Lecturer, J. W. Smith Steward, J. R. Brewster Assistant Steward, the Rev. Eli Ballou Chaplain, L. C. Kendall Treasurer, F. R. Kendall Secretary, A. E. Perkins Gate-Keeper, Mrs. E. H. Slayton Ceres, Mrs. A. E. Perkins Pomona, Mrs. Marshall Jaquith Flora, Mrs. W. H. Walker Assistant. The name Orion was given to this Grange. On December 19, 1874 a public installation was held when some changes took place in the list of officers. On January 1st 1875, "A re- union was held in the National hall when old and young, grave, and gay, enjoyed themselves. The Woodstock Qua- drille band furnished the music. Neighboring Granges participated in the event. A collection was taken for the Grasshopper Sufferers of Kansas and $16.00 was sent." The Grange continues its activities in the South Parish and for many years it has owned the old Brick School house for a permanent meeting place. It is an active and influ- ential organization, having in its membership, practically the entire neighborhood.
There was an organization of the Sons of Temperance in the South Parish in the 1870's but no records have been found of their meetings. The Standard for February 27,
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The Valley of the Kedron
1879, reported "That the Rev. Eli Ballou gave an address last evening to the Sons of Temperance in their hall."
The records of the Tomb Society are delightful in spite of the fact that they are about the end of life. "March 26, 1825, S. P. Woodstock. Agreeable to a previous Notice, the Inhabitants of this place and elsewhere met for the pur- pose of taking into consideration the expediency and necessity of Building a tomb in this place." An organiza- tion is formed like unto the pattern of the town meeting. Eleazer Parker is chosen Moderator and John A. Cottle Clerk. A committee is appointed to draft a constitution and to find a suitable place for the location of the tomb. Richard Hayes, John Lake, Chauncey Richardson, Gaius Perkins and James Slayton are the committee. After an adjournment of two weeks they meet again and adopt the Constitution which declares that the Proprietors hav- ing paid their share of the cost of Construction have equal rights in the tomb. A sexton was elected at this meeting to keep the Key and to open the tomb when necessary and he must be paid 25 cents whenever he unlocks it for the use of the Proprietors. All others using it must pay him 75 cents but the Sexton can only have the usual fee, the balance must go into the funds of the Society. A Pruden- tial Committee was elected to look after the business affairs but there could not have been adequate faith in that Com- mittee for another one is created to look after the Pruden- tial Committee. This one must have been something like the Recording Angels. Three sturdy men composed it, Abraham Kendall, James Slayton and Eleazer Parker. James Slayton was the first Keeper of the Key and Gaius Perkins was made his chief adviser. The Committee re-
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Items of Interest
ported that there was suitable ground for the tomb behind the Meeting house, but that spot was rejected and then Kendall, Slayton and Parker were appointed to select a proper place and proceed with the erection of it. They should use their own sense as to suitability of location. At the first annual meeting "it was voted that the money in the Bank should be distributed among the Proprietors but that motion was quickly voted down and another one prevailed, that the money should be used to build a Car- iage to transport the Ded, and Wm. Ellis should be a Bilding Commity." And then the meeting was dissolved. The minutes were kept by Abel Slayton and he had his own ways of spelling which surpassed that of his neighbors, but all the spelling in these records is wonderful, and it is preserved in this account.
In April 1831 a Committee was appointed to repair the tomb and next year, more repairs had to be made. At the meeting in 1834, they voted "to abate the intombing of the Widow Haines." At the Annual Meeting of 1835, "it is nominated and seconded that we have a comite to bild a Sleigh for the Herse. Gaius Perkins and Benjamin G. Bigelow made the Bildin Commite to Bild Sd. Sleigh." "The meeting was then Disolved by unanimous vote." At the meeting in 1839, the Committee reports that the sleigh is built at a cost of $14.75, the wood work cost $7.00, the ironing $6.00 and the painting $1.75. The records are most complete from 1825 to 1849 and then there is a hiatus to 1862. In 1864 a reorganization took place, a new constitution was written. The names of the first proprietors were all recorded, with the word dead after the names of those who had passed away. The records from 1864 to
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1869 were written by Chauncey Richardson in his immacu- late manner. This writing is as clear as print. The meeting of April 1864 was held in the sitting room of George Lake. The same sitting room was used in 1866. There are no records for 1865. A second meeting in 1866 was held at the Chapel when it was voted "That the Committee go on and get up a Herse according to their best Judgment and the people will sustain them." The meeting for 1867 was held in the School House and it was voted that the Committee establish a price to non-subscribers. In 1868 the meeting was held in the Library Room and it was voted "That non-subscribers pay for the use of the herse in the summer, the rate of one dollar and ten cents a mile one way. In the winter fifty cents and ten cents a mile one way."
The last meeting recorded says,-"The Proprietors of the Hears and Tomb met February 7, 1903 when a motion was made that the winter Hears must be made longer to suit the new Stile of Bodies, motion carried. Motion then made that ten dollars be used for repairs of Hears. Motion carried." George H. Marsell was Moderator for this session and L. J. Merrill Clerk, N. E. Wood, L. J. Merrill, J. K. Hoadley, Prudential Committee, and E. H. Atwood Treas- urer."
The original proprietors were :- Eleazer Parker, Abra- ham Kendall, James Slayton, Francis Perkins, Elijah Sterlin, John A. Cottle, Isaac Kendall, John Lake, Wm. Wood, Wm. Ellis, Arnold Smith, Charles M. Mckenzie, Abner Beckwith, Joseph Wood, Henry Drew, Elijah Roice Jr., Thomas Christie, Royal Cottle, Gaius Perkins, Foster Taylor, J. A. Howard, Isaac Cobb, Jason Kendall, Jona.
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Items of Interest
Ralph, John C. Beers, Amos Ralph, Abel Slayton, John R. Densmore, Humphrey Rood, Tracy Bingham, Simeon Dunham, Jns. Lovejoy, Wid. Mary Rood, Wid. Martha Benjamin, Amaziah Kendall, Elias Hoadley, Samuel Roice, Abiah Rice, Amos Pelton, A. R. Mather, Levi Washburn, J. B. Farnsworth, Benjamin Mack, Phinehas Hemenway, Richard Hayes, Isaac Parker, Alva Wilson. Total fifty-two.
Later members up to 1864 were S. P. Kingsley, John Witaker, Wid. Betsy Randall, John Upham, Jonathan Wood, Calvin Carleton, Lemuel Benjamin, Parker Morse, Willard Bowman, A. Taylor in his father's right, Ammi Willard, Daniel Ransom in his father's right, James Fletcher, Benjamin Fletcher, Ephraim Carey, Jacob Holt Jr., Leland Slayton, J. W. Cary, Seth Sterlin, David Rice, Oliver Kendall.
And now in this year of our Lord 1937, the old tomb stands intact and the dynamite used for road construction is stored in it. There are no words in our English language to describe adequately this extraordinary transition from the dead to dynamite.
Once upon a time in the dim past a tomb stood near the town farm buildings. Uneasy Spirits emerged from it, and walked again the earth on misty moonlit nights. Be- lieve it if you wish. Reject it if you so prefer. Tradition says that they were really seen by mortal eyes.
At least one graveyard in the South Parish had a formal organization under a special Statute of the State laws, "Whereas in and by the eighty-first Chapter of the Revised Statutes of the State of Vermont enacted on the 19th day of November A. D. 1839, it is provided that any number of persons associated together to provide, hold and keep
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in repair suitable grounds and other conveniences for burying the dead, shall have all the powers of a corporation and whereas a lot of land containing 126 Square Rods, situated in South Woodstock, was on the 15th day of July A. D. 1807 conveyed by Elijah Harlow and William Minor Lord to the Methodist Society in the South Parish in perpetual succession for the uses specified in said Deed." Several more legal terms are used, which state that the yard shall be forever the property of the corporation called The Methodist Burying Ground Association. A constitu- tion was drafted and officers elected. The legal Statement and Constitution are in the excellent handwriting of Chauncey Richardson. The record book contains the names of the first proprietors, the names of the men later who bought lots and the amounts paid for them. Marshall Jaquith built a fence about the yard in 1856 for which he was paid $152.32. In 1860, a row of pine trees were set all around the yard and they grew to be a beautiful asset to the scenery but a few years ago they were all cut down.
The organization still continues and the records are kept. There are some funds in the Savings Bank belonging to this Methodist Burying Ground Association.
Zadock Thompson in his history of Vermont published in 1853 tells us that South Woodstock is situated five miles South of the Court House on the road to Springfield and contains a handsome meeting house, two stores, two phy- sicians and a number of mechanics. At this date, there were on the farms in the whole town of Woodstock 15,974 sheep which were producing 39,000 pounds of wool annually. There were 5,179 head of cattle. Thousands of bushels of buckwheat, corn, oats, wheat and potatoes were being
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Items of Interest
raised. Over 30,000 pounds of maple sugar were made each year. The whole town had 621 horses, 1,655 swine and the population was 3,315.
Child's Directory and Gazetteer of Windsor County pub- lished in 1883-4 has many interesting items about the Ked- ron Valley and South Parish. There were then on the farms in this district 3,378 sheep, and 30,800 maple trees were being tapped. There is no record of horses or cows. Farm- ers were using oxen in these years. Henry Walker, Edwin Slayton and Joseph Smith were breeding pure Merinos. Some of the farmers had grade Merinos. The sheep were kept for their wool. The names of the farmers who had sheep during these years beside the ones mentioned were: Carlos Adams, Edwin Atwood, Alvin Atwood, Wm. Bailey, John M. Blake, Levi Blossom, Dean Cabot, Wm. Cady, Avery Colston, Leonard Eaton, Ferdinand Fallon, Shubel Fletcher, Thaddeus Fletcher, Charles French, I. T. Fullerton, Benjamin Hathorn, Kendall Hoadley, James Hoadley, Fred'k Kendall, Larned Kendall, Edward McGrath, Emanuel Morgan, Oscar Page, Wm. Pelton, John C. Morgan, Charles D. Perkins, Monroe Perkins, Humphrey Rood, Calvin Sherwin, Seth Sterlin, Dana Tal- bert, Otis H. Nash, Sanford Wilder. Five women farmers are listed: Miss Emeline Perry, Mrs. Maria Perry, Miss Hannah Randall, Mrs. Carrie Lord and Mrs. Abbie Mack. They all owned sheep.
Edwin Slayton and Edward Perry were growing fruit trees. So was James Howland. Sanford Wilder was raising Morgan horses. Emanuel Morgan was breeding pure Jer- sey cattle. Edward Perry owned a trotting mare, named Susan P. and he was raising horses. J. C. Morgan had Ken-
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The Valley of the Kedron
tucky Pilot and bred some Hambletonians and Morgans. Rinolda Hopkins owned a Morgan stallion which he called Bijou. In 1876 when he repainted his house-the large brick one in the Fletcher neighborhood-a picture of this horse was painted and placed above the central upstairs window on the front of the house. A man by the name of Myron Dimick from Bridgewater did the painting. It is reported that he could paint landscapes. The horse is a gay-prancing animal. Whether the following item refers to this horse or to another one nobody knows. Mr. Hopkins died in this South Woodstock house nearly sixty years ago. "Hopkins Horse" (also listed as Gen. Grant) in Battell's "The Morgan Horse," Vol. 1, page 715, is described as follows: "Dark chestnut with silver mane and tail, i53/4 hands, 1150 pounds; foaled about 1852; bred by R. Hop- kins, Bridgewater, Vt .; owned in Windsor County, Vt., till late in life, when he was sold and went to Western Ver- mont. His sire was Green Mountain Morgan, and his dam a light chestnut mare, said to be a descendant of Sherman Morgan, and J. M. Furman a well informed horseman said, he was as good a Green Mountain as I ever saw."
Carlos Adams, Alvin Atwood, Charles French, Thaddeus Fletcher and Edward McGrath were each tapping 1,000 maple trees in these interesting years. Kendall Hoadley was tapping 3,000. Fred Benjamin was teaching vocal music and holding singing schools. Ruth De Wolf was dressmak- ing. Roxana Fisher was weaving carpets. Frank Hoisington made scythes. Eliab Bridge sold patent medicines and groceries. Harrison French had retired as a harness maker. Marshall and Henry Jaquith were stone masons and so
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Items of Interest
was Benj. Ladd. Sally Thompson owned a wood shop on the Kedron. George Weeden, Wm. Fisher, George Rood, Will Rood were carpenters. Mrs. Harriet Stockwell was a nurse. R. H. Kingsley and Monford Wilkins had general stores. T. D. Gilson managed the National Hotel. Jane Morgan ran a boarding house and so did D. A. Gifford.
In 1817 when President James Monroe visited Wood- stock, David Mack of the South Parish as Captain of a Military troop went to Hartland and escorted him and his suite to Woodstock where a reception was given. When Lafayette came on his grand tour visiting Woodstock in June 1825, it is fitting to quote from Daniel Ransom's Memoirs who as a boy saw him at close range. "Lafayette was in Woodstock June 25, 1825. Of course everybody must see him, especially the boys. The Military Companies were called out for escort duty and to pay him honors. Early in the morning of that day the sun rose bright but was soon under a cloud. Several of us boys could not wait for the wagons and so we started on foot as soon as it was light enough and we walked the five miles to the Green. Taking our breakfast in our pockets to be eaten on the way. It was not certain at what hour the General would be there, but he was expected about 7 A. M. The Military were to be formed at 6. Before we reached the Green the wagons with the people and the soldiers began to pass us boys and we might as well have waited. We all arrived on good time. The Military paraded, the Woodstock men were called flood wood because they did not have any uniforms but wore their usual clothes. The Woodstock Light Infantry, the Pomfret Rifle Co., The Barnard Artillery were the escort, the last two had fine uniforms. My brother Richard
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