USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Woodstock > The valley of the Kedron; the story of the South parish, Woodstock, Vermont > Part 9
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howling wilderness and laid the subject of a Library be- fore the people. Books were scarce and hard to be obtained at that time and the inhabitants were destitute and poor but they succeeded in getting sufficient support :- Resolved that we feel sensibly the loss of one who was the inspira- tion of this Association and one of the main Pillars for more than Sixty years. He was a Father, a friend and bene- factor to us as long as he was permitted to remain." This was written by Chauncey Richardson who was then presi- dent of the Library. D. M. Hemenway, the secretary, of- fered another resolution emphasizing the fact that Mr. Slayton was the first and the last of the founders and that all through the years "He had made liberal contributions for the benefit and sustenance of this Social Compact." James Slayton had moved from his early home on the hill to the village where he kept a hotel. He was an ardent abolitionist and his hotel was "an underground station." Abolition meetings were held in an upper hall which was entered from an outside stairway. Some unbelievers from the Green attempted on one occasion to break up the meet- ing. Friend Slayton dropped them from the upper story to the ground beneath and the meeting proceeded. He held many town offices and died in the ripeness of his years, mourned by the whole community.
After the Liberal Institute was founded in 1848 the use- fulness of the Library was widely extended. Principal and Preceptress had all of its advantages without expense. Stu- dents paid 121/2 cents a term to use the books. The books covered a wide range of excellent reading, history, travel, biography, science, the arts, novels, exploration, philos- ophy, poetry. It was a Library to be proud of and the
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teachers at the Institute as well as the students used it freely. I have access to one of the old books recording the names of those who used the books as well as the books read.
A notice copied from the Vermont Standard of March 4th 1875 says, "The proprietors of the Social Library met at Gifford's Hotel, February 23 and after the election of officers, they voted a tax of 25 cents on each share and that non-proprietors shall pay 10 cents a quarter. They voted to abate all previous taxes and gave all ministers and all teachers at the Academy the free use of the books. The officers requested that all books which were out, shall be re- turned to the Librarian J. W. Smith at once, the Library is in his house." In December of 1936 I went to the Acad- emy building and counted the books which are a remnant of this Library. There are 400 on the shelves. They are good, solid reading, and tell something of the minds and character of those founders and patrons of the Social Library of South Woodstock. -
The building of the Williams Library at the Green, with its endowment and larger facilities, meant the closing of this old Library after it had functioned nearly 100 years. We of this day hold in high honor those men and women who through the long years held aloft this torch for the human mind in its search for intellectual growth.
CHAPTER VII Social Life and Other Items
WHY DO WE NOT make scrapbooks and keep diaries? Some of the most delightful sources of information for this book have been from carefully kept scrapbooks and from old diaries. One such book has samples of wedding dresses, worn by some of the South Woodstock brides. Part of them are dated. It would be interesting to give the colors of the gowns. Since that is impossible, a brief description and the name of the bride and that of her husband are given. Laura Brigham married Elijah Royce, February 23, 1788. She wore a flowered silk muslin; the flowers were rose color on a cream background. Laura Royce married Jason Kendall, wearing a white corded silk. Our town records give two dates for this marriage; one is Septem- ber 17, 1817, the other is December 27, 1818. Laura is spelled Laury for the 1817 date and Lury for the 1818 date. They lived in the house which Mrs. Seymour Bal- lard now owns. Jason's name is on the old door knocker. Mrs. Betsey Royce Brigham married Elijah Marcy, Feb- ruary 21, 1841. Being a widow she wore royal purple. Laura Brigham married Edwin Hoadley, January 1, 1852. Her dress was a grayish green silk, trimmed with brocaded velvet ribbon in tones of green. Maria Hoadley married Benjamin F. Larned, October 21, 1856. Her dress was a
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Once the Kendall Hoadley home
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bright blue silk. Mary Chase married Carleton N. Brig- ham. She wore a dress of broken plaids in blue, brown and gray tones. Lizzie French married Joseph Mckenzie, dressed in a brown corded silk. They went to Adrian, Michigan to live. Marilla C. Slayton married Stephen Kit- tridge. Her dress had broad stripes of blue and gray alter- nating with fancy narrow stripes of lavender. Lucy Ann Holt married Daniel Perry of Stoneham, Mass. Her dress was a queer colored silk of brown, trimmed with blue and mulberry. Abba Slayton married Harvey Thomas, wearing a gray striped delaine with green and red leaves scattered all over the material. Mary Ann French married Larned Kendall, January 1, 1851. Her dress was of striped green silk, very lovely. Mr. and Mrs. Kendall spent their mar- ried life in the house now owned by Mr. Owen Moon. She was a grand-daughter of Dr. Drew of South Woodstock. She and her sisters, Elizabeth Storrs and Abba Willard, were three rare and choice women. Miranda Rood married Joseph Holt, January 15, 1837. Her dress was tan silk, trimmed with gold brocaded ribbon. Ellen Brewster mar- ried E. M. Goodwin, March 17, 1859, wearing a broken plaid of green and white, (my mother wore a similar dress when married in Ohio in the early 60's). Mary W. Larned married Oliver Kibben. Her dress was a dark blue silk with gray flowers. It was trimmed with a fancy gray braid. Liz- zie Brewster married L. M. Burrington, June 30, 1859. She wore a silk dress of green and gray stripes. Mrs. Sally C. Cox married Isaac Hartwell, dressed in a gown of bro- caded maroon silk. Elmina Buchman Howe married Her- man Wallace Hoadley April 15, 1862. Her dress was made of wine colored delaine. Edith Maria Hoadley mar-
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Doorway of an old farm house
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ried George Albert Hall, dressed in brown silk. Eunice Parker Wiley married John Knights, wearing brown silk. Eliza Burnham married John M. Blake. Her dress a blue plaid silk. Aurora Ralph married Henry W. Walker and wore a lavender silk with white stripes. Mary Townsend married Bert Bowen, dressed in white silk and lace. Maria Boynton married Oliver Smith. Her dress was a change- able silk of blues and greens. Clara Atwood married Mr. Stewart, wearing a brown silk. Mrs. Estabrook married Byron Thomas. She too wore a brown silk. Mary Burnham married Lucian Morgan. She wore a brown silk. These brown silk ladies were contemporaries. Hattie Cabot mar- ried Horace Davis. Her dress was a bright blue corded silk. Augusta Havens married Charles F. Brigham. Her dress was a blue and white checked silk. Julia Lincoln married Jason Kendall Hoadley, January 4, 1881. Her dress was a mulberry color with matched trimmings. They lived in the old Jason Kendall house now owned by Mrs. Seymour Bal- lard. Ella Blake married Charles Washburn. Her dress was made of a dark green velvety material. A much earlier mar- riage than the ones just mentioned was that of Laura Ken- dall to Madison Slayton. She wore a light brown silk with fancy threads zig-zagging all over it. When we came to Woodstock in 1902, Mrs. Madison Slayton lived in the house where Miss Lucy Davis spends the summers. She be- longed to the Grand Dame Class. Her white hair was piled high on her head, her reserved dignity just a bit overawing. The type has passed from our midst.
This scrapbook with the samples of wedding dresses and records of the marriages is in the Norman Williams Library. In this scrapbook were pasted calling cards of
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Social Life and Other Items
that period when they were highly glazed. Some of these were evidently the cards of newly married couples. In the centre of one appear the names, Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Hoadley, then in the lower left hand corner is printed Edwin C. Hoadley, beneath his, is her name, Laura Brig- ham. Another is, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Hoadley, only the bride's name below, Minnie B. Stowe. Mr. and Mrs. Abra- ham Pancher, lower corner, Miss L. A. Mckenzie, Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Densmore, then Laura M. Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. E. N. Goodwin, then Eliza A. Brewster. Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Burrington, then Lizzie M. Brewster. All this card formality is delightful and shows that the people of our South Parish had a sense of etiquette and through it they preserved something of the dignity of social intercourse. Some of the cards have wreaths of colored flowers on their edges, roses and lilies and morning glories.
Formal invitations to social functions went from the farm homes to other farm homes. Three of these are given. One is written, the other two are printed. Mrs. D. A. Walker, At home Tuesday evening. October 9. Seven Oclock.
"Mr. and Mrs. Larned Kendall will be happy to see Mr. and Mrs. E. Hoadley Monday evening, January 1st." This invitation went to a large number of friends. Here is a more formal invitation:
Jan. 1, 1851 Jan 1, 1876
Mr. and Mrs. L. C. KENDALL At Home South Woodstock, Vt.
Saturday Evening 25th Anniversary
Jan. 1, 1876 No Presents.
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This hospitable home of Larned and Mary Ann Kendall has its fine traditions preserved by the present owners, Mr. and Mrs. Owen Moon. Hand decorated cards were sent out on birthdays. Some of them have heads of women and children painted on them. Many of them in this ancient scrapbook are quite wonderful. There were many other social functions and entertainments in the South Parish.
Fourth of July, 1806, was an outstanding occasion in South Woodstock. This report is quoted :- "It was a grand affair, at 11 A. M. the Reverend Clergy and orator of the day took the lead, escorted by the troops under Capt. Allen, marched to the meeting house. Here Elder Jabez Cottle offered prayer. The Declaration of Independence was read by the Orator Titus Hutchinson, who expatiated in flow- ing language upon the fundamental principles of Ameri- can Liberty. At 2:30 P. M. the procession reformed and marched to a bower and sat down to a sumptuous repast prepared by Elisha Perkins. The toasts were highly sea- soned with patriotic sentiment, the American Eagle was not forgotten. Aristocracy was sent flying to Europe and to Canada. Capt. Peter Willard was President of the Day. Capt. Perkins and Col. Raymond were the Marshalls and Rev. Andrew Smith was Chaplain. The Committee on ar- rangements consisted of Wm. Strong, Peter Willard, Oliver Farnsworth, Jabez Cottle, Jr. and Fred'k Mather."
A good many "Cotillions" were held when a hundred or more couples danced. Concerts and dances were com- bined. When D. A. Gifford managed the hotel, he had balls on Independence night, on Thanksgiving and be- tween these dates. Everybody danced. A. M. Morgan man-
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Social Life and Other Items
aged the hotel in the 1870's and he continued the balls. A concert is given by Messrs. Shaw and Nichols of the Paganini Concert Club. Mr. Shaw's violin playing was superb. They will give another concert in two weeks at the National Hotel. In August 1872, Mrs. Madison Slayton and Mrs. Eliab Bridge celebrated their birthdays, they being the same age. "A nice little affair in the shape of a party came off in their honor. Thirty-five ladies sat down to a pleasant chat over a delightful cup of tea and viands choice, the tables were adorned with fruit and flowers. The literary feast of reason and flow of soul was con- ducted by the ladies exclusively with Mrs. C. B. Benjamin in the chair. Mrs. Worcester spoke saying we are neither Professors or orators but we offer our hearty congratula- tions."
The Blaisdell and Ingall Bell Ringers came to the vil- lage and gave an excellent entertainment. A few of us are still alive who remember with delight the Bell Ringers who went about the country. The Larned Kendalls enter- tained the Band at their home in May 1872 after it had played for an Academy Exhibition, and in September of that year, Mr. Kendall had a flag raising for Grant and Wilson. Wm. Johnson, Warren French and Dr. Boynton made speeches. Mrs. Kendall read a poem, written by her sister. Then she and Mr. Kendall served "a collation" for all who were present. On February 1, 1875, Capt. Isaac Parker and wife celebrated their golden wedding. The venerable Chauncey Richardson read a paper recount- ing events of the past. Rev. Eli Ballou of the Universalist Church offered congratulations and expressed the regret of all that their son, Prof. Parker of Lombard College,
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Galesbury, Ill., could not be present. Their daughter, Mrs. L. M. Wood, acted as hostess.
On March 29, 1879, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Jaquith cele- brated their golden wedding at the National Hall. Mr. C. F. Benjamin led a band of singers. The Orion Grange marched into the hall. A newspaper published in Ran- dolph, Vt., in 1829 was shown to the many guests. It con- tained this item :- "In Hartland on March 30, by the Rev. Robert Bartlett of the Universalist Church, Marshall Jaquith was married to Miss Mary Jane Burk." Larned Kendall presented the golden wedding gifts to Mr. and Mrs. Jaquith. Their pastor the Rev. Eli Ballou gave the good wishes of the guests. Dr. and Mrs. Chandler sang a duet. James Murdock gave a party for his sister Clara in 1882 on her 82nd birthday. Twenty-two people were pres- ent and only four were under eighty. Mrs. Benj. Mack was ninety-four but was not able to attend although she was a near neighbor. Here are the names of the guests and their ages. It is quite remarkable. Mrs. Elizabeth S. R. Church, 92, Hugh P. Howe, 91, Chauncey Richardson, 88, Abraham Stearns, 88, George Bradford, 88, Mrs. George Bradford, 83, Mrs. Ebenezer Wilder, 87, Mrs. Nathan Churchill, 82, Mrs. Elinor Winslow, 85, John S. Haynes, 85, John Young, 84, Mrs. John Young, 79, Mrs. Aurelia Lamb, 84, Mrs. Susannah Richmond, 83, Joseph Kennedy, 82, Mrs. Rufus Shaw, 81, Mrs. M. A. Royce, 79, Mrs. Phoebe Blossom, 79, Mrs. Norilla Chamberlin, 71.
The items which follow are not of a social nature but they reveal something of the life in the South Parish and the relationships of the people as neighbors and as business
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people, and are pertinent to this book. Jonathan Slayton and Joseph Cottle were two of the five road surveyors for 1781. Two years earlier Jabez and Joseph Cottle were members of a committee elected to divide the town into two Parishes. In November 1795, Ransom and Cottle ad- vertize their goods and ask people to pay what they owe. Wm. Wyllys is elected thything man at one of the town meetings in 1796. Dr. Stephen Drew puts a notice in Spooner's Journal in 1796 telling his delinquent patients to settle without delay. Field and Perry announce that they have opened a new store near the meeting house and are selling all kinds of goods. It was a short lived venture. "Caveat! The old tune that I will thresh next week, will no longer answer for lawful currency. All persons in- debted to Ransom and Cottle are desired to make payment by the 10th of July. A word to the wise is sufficient." Quoted from Spooner's Journal, June 15, 1796.
Letters uncalled for by South Woodstock people at the Woodstock Post office, October 6, 1800, are addressed to Isaac Cottle, Dolly Cottle, Elisha Ransom, Phineas Thomas. Such notices appeared frequently in Spooner's Journal.
"All who wish, can be innoculated with the Kine Pox by applying to N. Trask. N. B. It is said that Small Pox is prevailing on the West Side of the Mountain." This ap- pears in Spooner's Journal, Feb. 14, 1820.
"Ransom and Son respectfully, inform those with whom they have accounts and obligations, which have become due: that Payment is expected and Immediately requested-and as they have not been in the habit of Calling this way, they flat- ter themselves, that this timely notice will supercede the neces-
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sity of Calling any other way or having any excuses for want of being notified after this date."
R. RANSOM AND SON Dec. 1828
"The Subscriber now offers for Sale his farm (Woodstock South Parish) formerly owned by Silas Perry deceased, and under good improvements with good House, two barns and other out buildings thereon standing. Any person wishing to lay out money to advantage will do well to call and look for themselves, as the crops which are now on, together with those taken off will recommend Said premises without deception. Terms of payment will be easy, if required, by having part of the money down."
ELISHA PERRY
Aug. 20, 1828
Woodstock (S. P.)
"The real and personal property of Jason Kendall, de- ceased, will be sold at public auction, at the home of Jason Kendall on Thursday next, the 28th, at one o'clock P. M. 1828. The real estate consists of 27 or 8 acres of very valuable land, woodland heavily timbered with hardwood; with the best of soil for cultivation, lying one half mile from the South Parish Meeting House, and an undivided ten acres of excellent pasture upon the east side of Long Hill. The personal prop- erty is composed of household furniture, farming tools etc. A liberal credit will be given for the real estate and for the rest, when purchases amount to $24."
CALEB KENDALL
:: Administrators.
B. F. KENDALL
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Social Life and Other Items
Thompson's Gazetteer for 1824, reports that South Woodstock has two churches, one Doctor, one store, one tavern and about twenty houses, a number of mills and mechanic shops. The firm of Stearns and Blake of the Green, set up a branch store in the South Village in 1832, under the direction of Parker Morse. It had a brief exist- ence. In 1806 the property of Captain Thomas Ellis is offered for sale:
"We the Subscribers, being appointed Commissioners by the Hon. Jesse Williams, Judge of the Probate for the district of Hartford, to receive and examine claims of creditors to the estate of Captain Thomas Ellis. We give notice that we shall attend to the business at the home of Wm. Ellis, on the last Tuesday of September and April, from 1-6 P. M."
JABEZ COTTLE STEPHEN FARNSWORTH :: Commissioners. EPHRAIM ALLEN JR.
South Parish Woodstock :- In October 1806, Hannah Pelton is appointed administratrix, to the estate of Hatzel Pelton.
A great and glorious event took place in the South Parish in 1860. Van Amberg's Circus came to town and pitched their tents on the meadow, south of the Village and east of the highway. A big elephant named Hannibal, was one of the attractions. Will Rood remembers this ele- phant; though a very small boy, he has never forgotten its splendid proportions. Oscar Farwell walked from the Green to the South Village over the hill road, following the footsteps of Hannibal. Prizes were given to small boys who could stick on a bucking mule, riding bareback about the track. The late Charles Perry was one of the riders.
Frank Standish, born in South Woodstock, was owner
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of the tannery and sawmill near the mouth of the Kedron at the Green. This item appears in our local paper on May 11, 1871. "Our Neighbor Standish would esteem it a favor if all the residents along the South Branch, would throw all their refuse, garbage, brush etc. into the stream as the quantity which now comes down to the flume is not sufficient to keep one man employed constantly, to keep it clean." That is delightful. Frank Standish and his sarcasm might still serve a useful purpose.
"The Temperance Division of South Woodstock is to hold a public meeting in the Church on Friday evening, Feb. 17, 1864, to listen to a commemorative eulogy, on Dr. Isaiah Buckman, to be pronounced by Prof. Wm. Ship- man of the Academy." Norman Montague has sold the Royce Farm in the Fletcher District, South Woodstock, to Carlos Adams for $1600. This item is dated March 1870. On Feb. 11, 1869, the ladies of the National Hotel sent the Editor of the Standard a large box of various kinds of cakes which were greatly appreciated. During these years, Mrs. Bill Fisher was weaving rag carpets for the homes of South Woodstock. Remnants of her work are to be seen occasionally.
The farmers all had sheep through the years of the 1800's, and sheep washing was a great event. The hole for that purpose was on the brook, which flows down to the Kedron from the Fletcher neighborhood. When the old tannery which stood near the stone bridge in the South Village, was being taken down, a small boy fell from one of the upper stones into the waters beneath. He was taken out nearly unconscious and badly injured. He revived and still lives. His name is G. E. Thomas. In the autumn of
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1876, Mr. Rood, on five nights, captured thirty-one Coons. Hard on the Coons! The next fall, thirty-two men ap- peared at the home of Edwin Morgan, who was very ill. The number was soon increased to nearly fifty, and they husked 250 bushels of corn, gathered the squashes and pumpkins, put his fences in order. Some weeks before this, they had done the same friendly service for Frank Perry, who was ill.
"Dr. E. M. Wilson, who has been in New York State for four months, is home again, and for a few weeks will give the citizens of South Woodstock and vicinity, the benefit of all the latest improvements in dentistry and will be happy to wait on all who need his professional services." This item appeared September 1875. Horses had a habit of running away. Russell Brewster had his do this near their home in the Kedron Valley. He was thrown out of the buggy and his leg was broken. Coming to the Green was an exciting event for the South Parish horses. On one Saturday in Nov. 1873, Amos Washburn's horse ran away, as did the horse of Mrs. A. E. Lord; both buggies were smashed.
On December 20, 1877, Mr. Perkins preached in the Universalist Church in South Woodstock and also gave an address on Margaret Fuller and Mary Lyon. Congratula- tions at this late date to Mr. Perkins for his open mind. "Otis Wood was thrown from his carriage in August 1880. He voted for the first Harrison for President, and intended to vote for the grandson, for the same office but his serious injury will prevent his going to the polls. [Vermont elec- tions were then held in September.] He is deeply disap- pointed."
1
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South Woodstock in the early years was greatly troubled by the "sheep rams" and other animals which were per- mitted to run at large. These sheep rams were especially troublesome. Under an act passed by the State Legislature on November 11, 1819, it was possible for the South Parish to create certain boundaries where animals would not be allowed loose. On September 9th, 1837, this was done. Here is a description of the limits. "Beginning at the West Abutment of bridge near Asa Whitakers carding machine, thence north westerly to north easterly corner of Billy Brown's wood house. Thence to 15 rods northerly at Hollis Stowe's dwelling house, from thence toward 10 rods west- erly of Ansel Cowdry's dwelling house. Thence to center of the highway, 25 rods westerly of James Pierce's dwell- ing house, from thence to the center of the highway, 15 rods southerly to John Lake's dwelling house from thence northeasterly to the place of beginning." The Billy Brown house was the stone one, north of Paul Kendall's place. John Lake lived where the Moons live. James Pierce is unknown.
South Woodstock had a fire department which was or- ganized in 1834. The apparatus was kept for years in the hearse house, which stood on the lot back of the Universal- ist Church. Hearse and a fire equipment, that was a funny combination. Alonza Wood owns two wheels, not of the hearse, but from the fire cart. They are attached to a cart which he uses on his farm. The district to be served by this company of fire-fighters, is definitely described as fol- lows: "Beginning at the south line of Jason Kendall's farm, including Ira Kendall's farm. John Lake's farm, and the Stephen Farnsworth farm, now owned by Oliver Bailey,
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Ezekiel Parsons and James Slayton, thence up the Main street of the village in South Woodstock by Truman Perkins, to and including the farm now owned by Hollis Stowe and from the Junction of roads near the Tomb by Monroe Mckenzies to Richard Hayes west line, and from the main street aforesaid by Slayton's grist Mill to Abner Beckwith's east line and from Elizah Sterlings by Asa Whitakers and widow Martha Benjamin's by Cephas Ran- som's to R. Ransom's store on said Main street and from the road near the meeting house by the Plastered house owned by Billy Brown to and including Samuel Brown's farm where he now lives, including all the lands and real estate owned by all persons living on the roads and streets above described and surveyed."
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