i i : : : x Bis rheoe i " Soe (ets Si i aie i ae ' Lire Aiteats het Wracs foe ¢ : E ¥ : : h pebageites a Hes ag ! REprene i : v cite Searbaiec car a Stee Ase ae TIS le =| - CORNELL UNIVERSITY |}. LIBRARY jj we ; fs. SF ea DATEDUE }©— & GAYLO RD. PRINTEDINU.S.A, Be ces ane | i Cornell University Library F 59P8 J83 “TNT _ 8 27 olin A HISTORY - POULTNEY, VERMONT, TO THE YEAR 1875, "ey ee . ; wit . en —PAWOLY AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS, J. JOSLIN, B. FRISBIE AND F. RUGGLES. ' POULTNEY: _ JOURNAL PRINTING OFFICE. ACTS, GOK UNE EM yy hia RARY fe TO THE ; CITIZENS OF PO UL TNRY, oF THIS AND COMING GENE} RATIONS), wo WOULD KNOW : THE INCIDENTS CONNECTED WITH THE ORIGIN OF THE TOWN: - HOW THE FATHERS OF THE EARLY TIMES LIVED, | HOW THEY TOILED AND HOW THEY STRUGGLED, AND HOW THEY CONQUERED THE WILDERNESS AND ITS DIFFICULTIES, LAID THE FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIETY ON A FIRM BASIS, ' AND LEFT FOR THEIR DESCENDANTS THE PLEASANT VILLAGE HOMES AND CULTIVATED FARMS THEY NOW ENJOY, hi fos is if Hesptinty Pcicata, THE AUTHORS. PREFACE. We have completed the History of Poultney aceoibie to ‘the best of our ability and the means of information within our reach, and such as it is we dedicate to the “present and coming generations.” At the annual town meeting in Poultney, in March, 1878, a - resolution was adopted appointing Joseph Joslin, Barnes F risbic and Frederick Ruggles a committee to collect materials for the History. That committee, soon after their appointment, com- menced the work assigned them, and before the year closed had the larger portion of the body of the history prepared. But in the year 1874 very little was done. In the spring of 1875 the committee took upon themselves the responsibility of publish- ing the History, and made their arrangements accordingly. That our work is incomplete we are aware, and how could it he otherwise? We could obtain no information from the first sci- tlers, for they had all passed away. “Some items had been cop- ied from ihe town records prior to their destruction by.fire, in 1862. Church and family records, inscriptions on monuments a ould throw light upon the history of the town were sought and examined. We consulted the oldest inhabitants, both personally and by letter; availed ourselves of. tradition, when it was deemed reliable. With such sources of information we have dcne the: best we could, and hope critics will pass charitably over our work, ‘for, notwithstanding its incompleteness, we think we have saved ‘much from oblivion which in a few years oe have been beyond the reach of the historian. In the spring of 1875 we decided to go more into biographi- cal and family sketches than was at first contemplated. This gave us more work, and of the most tiresome and perplexing kind. We published a request in the Poultney Journal to fam- \ vi : ‘PREFACE. ilies to furnish the necessary infor mation for these Ukorches, and, _in addition to the published notice, we made personal applica- tion to very many for the desired material; but few complied, leaving us to pick up the materials as hest we could. We are aware that some families have been omitted, others have meagre sketches, and our only. npology | is, We cannot give infor mation ° unless we can procure it. _ It would be strange if some errors ‘were not found. Writers and printers are liable to mistakes, and those furnishing dates — "and other information are not free from such liability. We ask the reader to make due allowance for the literary execution of our work, for it has been done amid the cares and interruptions of other business, and we are aware that the literature of the family sketches will not. endure close criticism. We did not engage in this work with any idea of making money out of it; we knew when we commenced that the profits would not be in dollars and cents. A hundred years had passed away since the town was settled, and no historic record had been made. We believed that even a partial history of the ‘first half century of ‘the town’s existence would be written soon or never. To pre- serve what we could of that history has been our aim. ~Onr ' work, such as it is, is before you. CONTENTS, | : fi Page CHAPTER I. Q Tutroductory—Chart. er—Changes i in the Charter iies—evoorietors! Meet-- | ings—Streams of Water, and something ot the Topography of the Towa... seeeadeceeees sting aca cenraau sd teapiiue roan eaenndrduadareeti eeeneoewaaivigeacenianeomnnnS 9 \ CHAPTER IL 5 The First Settlement and the First Settlers... su... bachiisakacesheceuserecoseceietatetsice 28 ’ CHAPTER III. a: Burgoyne’s Invasion in the Summer of 1777—The Settlers driven off Interesting Incidents. ..........csecesesccescecessevevessecaeneees, seavstssanssasenessnesst nese veeece 34 CHAPTER Iv. The First Town Representative—Reorganization of tha Town—Grand List. of 1781—Settlement of Ithamar Hibbard—First Meeting House erected ' —Division of the Town into School Districts....csssssssecscssesesseaesseceesceeee: 39 ? : CHAPTER Vv. The Poultney Library—Other Libraries—The first Census—Mills erecied - ; prior to 1800.. daisabeasaceacricvestberia wotenebiGhascddavowen. “sevcdsittamuedsouseara® sulng adnonmuaesasinesets 46 p ‘ CHAPTER VI. - Population of the Town by Decades, 1791 to 1870—The villages in 1800—The Business at and about that time—Post Offices. 53 CHAPTER VII. The Poultney Turnpike—The Flood of 1811—Damages by the Flood—Inci- I OCINES oc ccsisdcinies stax cise sdcuiies cvawteaceu “edesedes auiaranicandenee ten seonies eases Need JentaReeMeRs tesge Seyeee 62 CHAPTER VIII. The War of 1812—Political Excitement—Its Effect among the People......... 70 CHAPTER IX. . Agriculture and the Industries—Social Habits cic Ghawhwsennnoakea’ ONT : CHAPTER X. The East and West Villages—Their Growth—The Poultney Gazette and Northern Spectator—The Poultney Band icssscssseee 89 CHAPTER XI. i Ecclesiastical—History of Congr egational, Faptist, Methodist, veers Advent and Roman Catholic CHUrches...ccsssssetneeesensceseeeeeessensecareetcrss 08 ' CHAPTER XII. ay Masons—Odd Fellows—Tem perance and Temperance Organizations.......... 157 : CHAPTER XIIt. The Troy Conference Academy—Ripley Female College—Poultuey Nor- mal Institute—St. John’s SChOOl sss csccmnenecmeseepamaannminee 162 \ * Vill. CONTENTS. ; Page. CHAPTER XIV. The Bank of Poultuey—Rutland and Washington Railroad—Telegraph.... 176 CHAPTER XV. seietaltvadss 181 CHAPTER XVI. Poultney IM: the War Of USO .ccisevccnsessissacscesssececeasecstecdeaassucensseneseesseesvsens vsescoes wore «= «188 FAMILY AND BIOGRAPHICAL - 197 Be PEN DUR orccusvesseisrmmnessinasiaveasenvienetoaieaenarcen ieee 367. ‘ The Slate Interest............ HISTORY OF POULTNEY, CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY—CHARTER—CHANGES IN THE CHARTER: LINES— PROPRIETORS’ MEETINGS—STREAMS OF WATER, AND SOME- ' THING OF THE TOPOGRAPHY OF THE TOWN. i LITTLE more than a century ago, Poultney was an un- _ broken wilderness. No foot of white man, unless: it S may have been some adventurous explorer, had ever trod its solitary pathways. The same venerable summits, ‘Old Herrick,” Spruce Knob and Bird Mountain, stood then as now, _and from their tops a grand and beautiful view could have been obtained of the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain at the north- west, the Catskill Mountains at the south-west, and the. Green Mountain chain on the east, for nearly a hundred miles in extent. Town Hill and Howe’s Hill (the latter formerly ‘known as Parker’s Hill) then, as now, looked down upon the Valley of Poultney River, which seperates these two prominences. That river, too, was then here, and its tributaries. They were filled with the speckled trout, larger and much more plentiful . than now found in those streams; and Poultney River, then without a name, unchecked by dam or crossed by bridge, coursed _ its roaring or babbling way beneath the tufted foliage of the _ primeval forest into the quiet waters of Lake Champlain. Bears ‘growled, deer pounded, and wolves howled amid the thickets, (which no woodman’s axe had invaded. No voice of man had ‘for once awakened the echoes of these hills and glens, save some Indian hunter, as he pursued his game, or uttered the defiant war-whoop as he met his foe in deadly conflict. Then, every- thing was in its rudest dress—hill side and hollow, forest and | rock—all as nature made, all as their untutored: occupants left them. 10 ; HISTORY OF POULTNEY.. The Indian passed away, and with him perished the story of his race. All their tender loves and their revenges; every ad- venture of chief or subject—all alike unrecorded, have gone | fotever into an oblivion from which the pen of the. historian can never recover them. The white man came. In defiance of a frowning forest, the inclemencies of a severe climate, and in the midst of blood-thirsty beasts of prey, he sought his home. He counted and accepted the cost; he set up the altars of his faith, and taught the » wilderness to “bud and blossom as the rose.” He made of the forest tree his comfortable dwellin g; the virgin soil soon answered his call, and loaded his table with luxuries, and filled his barns with plenty. Idle streams were made to work their passage, as they were made to turn his machinery, and thus, with tireless | gladness, to aid-and assist him in’ the business of life. ‘The | patient genius of religion and education built the church; the school-house took his little ones in care, and trained them up to execute new triumphs in the arts of civilization. And -now for a hundred years, on this ground, that race have / plied their intelligence, their invention, their industry and their skill. .And why may we not—why should we not gather up the story which those busy years can furnish? Who would refuse to trace the record of their sayings and doings? .Who withhold from the hardy pioneers who inaugurated, and the wise and yaliant men who have transmitted to us this noble inherit- ance, that meed of praise their names co richly deserve ? much less shall we allow their names to sink into oblivion. Surely not the — worthy sons who inherit their names and virtues; surely not the natives of other towns, who have been’ drawn hither by the prospects of good, and who are now gathering the fruits of a prosperity which others planted. Every just, every filial, every. honorable son or citizen of Poultney, must respond to the claim > which his native or adopted town has to a permanent and in- structive history. It would be undutiful and unjust to the depart ted gener ations—the ancient wor thies of our town—to refuse it. No efforts should be deemed too costly which can secure it. =a “HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 11 ‘On the 9th fins of January, 1862, the town clerk’s lites kept | by Nelson Ransom, then town clerk, in the Union store, in the East Village-of Poultney, with nearly all ‘the records and valu- able documents which had been accumulating fora century, were burned. A’ Centennial Celebration was held in Poultney on the 21st day of September, A. D. 1861. Henry Clark, Esq., then of Poultney, now of Rutland, delivered an address on the occasion, and, fortunately, he had, in his preparation, gathered much from the records and documents which otherwise would have been lost. He saved an egsential portion of the proprietors’ records, and of other documents,. by copying, and kindly furnished to the writers of this work what he had thus saved, with much other material that he had collected in preparing his address. Mr, Clark, in his address, says: “The grants: of Charters in this State by Governor. Benning Wentworth, commences with. Bennington, J anuary 3d, 1754, and extends to August 4th, 1764. _ Only sixteen charters, and most of those for towns located on the east side of the mountain, were granted until 1761. In that year, sixty charters were granted. In the month of September, eleven were granted, and seven of these were within the present — limits of the. County of Rutland, viz.: Shrewsbury, September 4; Clarendon, September 5; Rutland, September 7; Tinmouth and Wells, September 15; Poultney, ee 21; and Castle- ton, September 22.” Here we have the beginning of the coed of the town of -Poultney—the Charter, which .we find was granted by Benning . Wentworth, the “Royal Governor of New Hampshire,” Sept., _ 21,1761. The following is a copy of the Charter: hoy 1781. roubies of New Hampshire. Grorce the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King and Defender of ‘the Faith, ete, . To all Persons to Whom these Presents shall.come: Kwow YE, That we, of Our special grace, certain knowledge and motion, for the due encour agement of settling a new plan- tation within Our said Brower, by and with the advice of Our . 12 i : HISTORY OF POULTNEY. trusty and well belov ad Benning Wentworth, Feng its; Our Governour and Commander-in-Chief of Our said Province of New Hampshire, in New England, and of the Council of said Province, have, upon the conditions and. reservations herein- after made, given and granted, and by these presents for Our - Heirs and Successors, do give and grant, in equal shares, unto Our loving subjects, inhabitants of Our said Province of New Hampshire, and to their heirs and assigns forever, whose names are entered on this grant, to be divided to and amongst them into seventy equal shares, all that tract of land situate, lying and being within Our Province of New Hampshire, containing by admeasurement. 23,040 acres, which tract is to contain six miles square, and no more, of which an allowance is. to be made for highways and unimprovable lands, rocks, ponds, mountains and rivers, 1,040 acres free, according to a plan and: survey thereof made by said Governour’s order, and returned into the Secretary’s office, and hereunto annexed, butted and bounded as follows, .viz.: Beginning at the north-west corner of Wells, a township lately granted in this Province, and from thence running due north, six miles; thence turning off at right angles, and running ' due east, six miles; thence turning at right angles, and running due south, six miles, to the north-east corner of Wells afore- said; thence due west, by Wells aforesaid, to the north-west corner thereof, being the bounds begun at, and that the same be, and hereby is, incorporated into a township by the name of Poultney. And the inhabitants that do, or shall hereafter in- habit the said township, are hereby declared to be enfranchised with, and entitled to, all and every the privileges and immuni- ties that other towns within our Province, by law, exercise and enjoy. And further, that the said town, as soon as there shall be fifty families resident and settled therein, shall have the liberty of holding two fairs, one of which shall be held on the , and the other on the- , annually; which fairs shall. not continue longer than the respective following the said And that as soon as the said town shall consist of fifty families, a market may be opened, and be kept one or more HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 13 days in each week, as may be thought most advantageous to the inhabitants. Also, that the first meeting for the choice of town officers, agreeable to the laws of Our said Province, shall be held -- on the second Tuesday of October next, which said meeting shall be notified by Mr. Samuel Brown, who is hereby appointed the Moderator of said first meeting, which he is to notify and govern agreeable to the laws and customs of Our said Province. And that’ the annual meeting, forever after, for the choice of such officers for the said town, shall be on the second Tuesday of March annually. hss To have and to hold said tract. of land as above expressed, together with all privileges and appurtenances to whom, and their ae heirs and assign forever, upon the following - conditions, viz. lst. That every gr: antee, his heiis and assigns, shall plant and cultivate five acres of land within the town in five years, for every fifty acres contained in his or her share, or proportion of land in said township, and to improve and settle the same by additional cultivation, on the penalty, or forfeiture of his grant or share in the said township, of its reverting to Us, Our heirs or successors, to be by us or them regranted to such of Our sub- jects as shall effectually settle and cultivate the same. si 2d. “That all white or other pine trees within the said town- ship, fit for masting Our Royal Navy, be carefully preserved ‘ for that use, and none to be cut -and felled without Our special license for so doing first had and obtained, upon the penalty of the forfeiture of the right of such grantee, his heirs and assigns, |, a ; ‘to Us, Our heirs and successors, as well as being subject to the : penalty of an Act or Acts of Parliament that now are, or shall be enacted. 3d. That before any division be made to and among the grantees, a tract of land, as near the center of the township as the land will admit of, shall be reserved and marked out for town lots, and of which shall be allotted to each oe antee of the _ contents one acre. 4th. Yielding and paying therefor to Us, 0 Our heirs ane Suc: “eessors, for the space of ten years, to be computed from the date 14 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. haréof, the rent of one ear of Indian corn only, on the 25th day of December, annually, if lawfully’ ‘demanded; the first pay- ment to be made on the 25th day of December, 1762. 5th. Every proprietor, settler or inhabitant shall’ yield and pay unto Us, Our heirs and successors, yearly, and every year from and after the expiration of ten years, from the above said 25th day of December, which will be in the year of our Lord 1772, one shilling, proclamation money, for every hundred acres — he so owns, settles or possesses, and so in proportion for ‘a greater or less tract of the said land, which money shall be paid by the respective persons above said, their heirs or assigns, in Our Council Chamber’ in Portsmouth, or to such officer or officers as shall be appointed. to receive the same, and this to be in lieu of all other rents and service whatever. In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of Our said Province to be hereunto affixed. "Witness, Benning Went- worth, Esquire, Our Governour and Commander-in-Chief of Our said Province, the 21st day of September, in the year of our tot Christ 1761, and in the first year: or Our reign. aa! By His Excellency’s command, with advice of Conic e THEODORE ATKINSON, Secretary Province New Hampshire. September 21, 1761. Recorded i in the Book of Charters, page 201, 202. ‘Then follow the names of the eeniees: on the aks of the Charter :— Samuel Brown, Woodbury Langdon, Moses Boynton, Isaac Lawrence, Elijah Wilson, Titus Salter, Timothy Hopkins, Abraham Brown, Elijah Cobb, Ezra Whittlesey, © Stephen Hallock, Eli Cowles, Isaac Brown, John Chamberlin, Solomon Whitney, Coffee Vanshaus, Samuel Southgate, Riduff Dutcher, Samuel Brown, Jr. David Whitney, _ William Buck, Eien Brown, Benjamin Cowles, Ephraim Hewitt, HISTORY OF POULTNEY. mee 15 Abraham Vandusen, Gideon Lawrence, Caleb; Colver, _Conrad Vandusen, John Nelson, Daniel Wolditch, ‘John Vandusen, Isaac Davis, == . James Cornwall, — Matthew Vandusen, John Douaghy, . Elkanah Parris, Jacob Vandusen, John Hart, : Richard Southgate, Isaac Vandusen, Aaron Whitmore, Thomas Gage, Jonathan Nash, Thomas Sumner, Tiny Demick, | Reuben Pixley, William Douaghy, Stephen Dewey, Joseph Patterson, Thomas Ashley, | Abner Dewey, John Brown, Nathaniel Fellows, Stephen Fay, John Fassil, Isaac Garfield, , Daniel Warner, John Langdon, David Glasier, . Thomas Bradford. Theodore-Atkinson, His Excellency, Benning Wentworth, Esquire, a.tract of land, to contain five hundred acres, as marked “B. W.” in the plan, which is to be counted two written shares; one whole share for the incorporated society for the propogation of the Gospel in foreign parts; one’ share for the glebe of the Church of England, as by law established; one share for the first settled minister of the Gospel, and one share for the benefit of schools in said town. Province of New Hampshire, September 21, 1761. Recorded in Book of Charters, page 203. THEODORE. ATKINSON, Secretary. Recorded by Sotomon Wurrney, Froprietors’ Clerk. We have no record of any action which preceded the grant- ing of the Charter, but it was.understood by the old inhabitants that the grantees were at the time residents of Litchfield County, Connecticut, and Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and it was evidently so, in the main at least. The first Proprietors’ Meet-. ings were held in those counties. -Those.two counties were con- tiguous—one the north-western county of Connecticut, the other the western county of Massachusetts. The work preliminary to obtaining the Charter was doubtless performed in the locality named; but whether any of the grantees had hitherto visited the locality, since known as. Poultney, we know not. We are left, too, in ignorance as to the origin of the name of our town. , 16 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. . There has been a tradition, but perhaps not reliable, that there was at some time, in England, a Lord Poultney, and that a know- ledge of this lord suggested the name. Mr. Clark informs us that some years since he visited a family. in Baltimore, with the hope of ascertaing the origin of the name of our town, ‘and that, in the interview, members of the family gave it as their impression that Benning Wentworth was a friend of some distinguished personage or family in England by the name of Poultney, and hence came the name. Poultney may be found on the map of England, as the name of a small lake, and it is the name of one other town in the United States. The name is not common, but it isa good onc. _ The town of Poultney, as will be seen, was chaberel by the Governor and Council of a Royal Province, and the first set-- tlers and occupants. of our soil were subjects of George III, King of Great Britain. It is evident that at the time of grant- ing the Charter, no survey had been made, except on paper. This, however, they were enabled to do ina manner that the lines could be located to a certainty, as it was a town six miles. square, and the east and west lines running “due north,’’ from the north-west and north-east corners of Wells. The lines have since been surveyed, and it is found that they run eight degrees from a due course north or south, east or west. Time has produced this variation, as surveyors will understand. The south-west corner, the starting point of the survey in the Charter, is in the east line of the State of New York, and was the, south-west corner of a farm formerly owned by Samuel Hyde, and is some fifty rods west of north of the Williams Slate Mill. The north-west corner is in a swale in the -east line of Fairhaven, and is also the south-west corner of Castleton. This corner is not far from the Farnum and other slate quarries. The north-east corner is on the west side of Bird Mountain, near the south end, and i is in the west line of Ir. a, andis also the south-east. corner of Castleton. The last two corners named have remained unchanged from the day of the Charter. The south-east corner, as located by the Charter, is about half a mile nearly north of Middletown village, on what. has been called HISTORY OF POULTNEY. tly the Loomis farm, recently owned by Royal Coleman, and the nor th- east corner of ae as chartered and originally located, was also there. : _ On the 13th of October: 1784, the.town of Middletown was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, approved at that date, and the territory of which it was composed was taken. from the the towns of Poultney, Ira, Tinmouth and Wells. The survey embodied in the. act, gives 2,388 acres as taken from the south-east part of the town of Poultney. The piece taken ~ is nearly triangular in form, the base resting eS the original south line of Poultney. . . _ It will be seen that the Charter survey begins “at the north- west corner of Wells,” and runs “due north, six miles.” In a - > portion of the distance on this line there has been this change. ‘Preparatory to the admission of Vermont into the Union, in 1790, Commissioners were appointed on the part of the States of Vermont and New York to examine and report a boundary line between the two States. The Commissioners report a line “ be- ginning at the north-west corner of Massachusetts; thence west- ward along the south boundary of the township of Pownal, to the south-west corner thereof; thence northerly, along the west- ern boundaries of Pownal, Bennington, Shaftsbury, Arlington, Sandgate, Rupert, Pawlet, Wells and Poultney, as those town- ships are now held and possessed, to the river, commonly called Poultney River; thence doun the same, eee the deepest channel thereof, to East Bay.” : s The report was accepted and ratified by the two States, and. the boundary line established as reported. The amount of land gained or lost by the town of Poultney in this settlement of the- boundary question was but a trifle, as the “due north” line was made thereby to follow the river from a point a little south of west from West Poultney village, to a point a little north of where A. M. Knapp now lives, and where it strikes the east line of Fairhaven, a distance of about two miles. On the 31st day of October, 1798, five thousand five’ hundred and forty-two and three-fourth acres and thirty-nine rods were set to Poultney from the north part of Wells, by a: act of the 3 1 : i 18 HISTORY Or POULTNEY. Legislature (the inhabitants of thie respective towns having pre- viously assented and agreed thereto in town meetings called for that purpose). This annexation to Poultney carried the south line of the town some two miles farther south, and gave to ‘Poultney over three thousand acres more than it had by the Benning Wentworth charter. The town of Poultney is now bounded north by Castleton, east by Tra and Middletown, south by Middletown and Wells, and west by Granville and Hampton, N. Y., and Fairhaven, Vermont. The five hundred acres reserved to Benning Wentworth, the Governor, were located in the south-west corner of the town as chartered: The tract was fora long, time familiarly known as the Governor’s farm. He, doubtless, disposed of it at an early day; but who his grantee or grantees were, neither the town records, as. they were destroyed by fire, nor tradition informs us. Samuel Hyde at one time owned a large portion of this tract. It is now owned mainly’ by Ira M. Clark, N. C. Hyde, N. P.- Beach, Friend Martin and William R. and John R. Williams. The locating ‘of the “one whole share for the ncoriorated soeiety for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts,” information can now be given, except that the share is now is ‘two parts, one in the farm now owned by Hiel Angevine, about three miles north of the west village, the other on the Deacon Hindman farm, so-called, east of the east village, and a mile or so up the Hampshire Hollow road. This farm is now owned by Michael Igo. _ The occupants of those two farms pay an annual rent to the Episcopal Church. , The share “for the glebe of the Church of-England” has been diverted to the use of schools in the town. This share, which would consist of 329 acres, or thereabouts, . seems to have been located in parcels at different points; and so of the share “for the benefit of a school in said town.” Previous. to the year 1868, there had come to be a good deal of confusion in re-— gard to amount of rents, as well as to the localities of the school lands. In pursuance of a vote of the town, that year, Merritt Clark and Joseph Joslin, by an examination of the few HISTORY OF POULTNEY. _ 19 remaining records of the town, old deeds found here and there, and by surveys, succeeded in locating all, or nearly all, the school lands. in town, which, as -will now be understood, in- ‘gluded both the glebe and school lots; also in ascertaining the annual rents or dues arising from each. Mr. ‘Clark kept a necord of the same, which is here copied: The owner of the Kinney- farm, so-called, located between the east and west villages, now owned and occupied by Marcus W. Bliss and wife, pays anannualrent of = - <4 ce - > + $29 00 The Joslin farm, located some two miles north of “West Poultney, now owned and occupied by | Michael Caraway, an annual rent of - — - - 58 50 The Town Farm, an annualrentof - - - - 519° Alanson Adams, on land located a mile, or there- abouts, east of East Village, annually, - 9 7 00 Julius Spalding, Guernsey and Jones lot, east of East Village, annually, §- - - oe - -.. 7 00 ‘Archibald Dewey lot, annually, - - - - 7 00 8. J. Dewey lot, annually, - =~ - ee 8 S00 Horace M. Ruggles, anannualrentof - - — - 68 A timber lot, lately owned by Walter Ward, now owned. by D. Ballard and others, a rent of - 5 00 A timber lot, owned by Edwin S. Dewey, rent - 5 00 There is also an annual rent derived from the Ashley farm, located near East Poultney, which arises : from the original town plot; itis - 9- -- : 1 80 - The town of Wells. pays annually to the town of: Poultney - - - ee Boas - - 18 26 _ How these lands came to be so seatered! we are now unable to explain, or give ‘satisfactory account thereof; but they are ' located as above given, and the annual rents paid in sums as given, and all parties acquiesce therein. - There seems, from all the information we can eet, to have been some doubts in regard to the “ share for the first settled minister.” Ithamar Hibbard was ee first pottled minister, and 20 _ HISTORY OF POULTNEY: the share was located a little north of the east village, and Mr. Hibbard built a barn upon it on the west side of the highway, ‘which, at the present wr iting, is still standing. A question arose in regard to the formality of his ordination, and it was sipposed, for a time that his right to the land so appropriated would be dis- puted. It is not now known whether he was ever disturbed in his claim to the first settled minister’s right; he actually took | possession of it, for a time occupied it, and finally sold and con- ‘veyed it. 4 Mr. Clark informs us, in his address, that “ the earliest recorded meeting of the proprietors was held in Sheffield, Mass., October 7, 1768,” and at that meeting, “Samuel Brown, agreeably to the provisions of the Charter, was elected Moderator, and Solomon Whitney, Proprietors’ Clerk;” and that “there was a full or- ‘ganization, by the choice of officers,” and the transaction of other “ business proper to be done in the way of organization.” Meetings were held, from time to time, in Massachusetts and Connecticut, as occasion required, until a meeting was held in Canaan, Conn., February 28, 1772, when Ethan Allen was chosen Proprietors’ Clerk, Elisha Baker, Justice of the Peace, and Thomas Ashley, Treasurer. At that meeting, it was “voted that future meetings-be held at the house of Heber Allen, in Poultney; ” and, accordingly, it adjourned to meet there on the first Tuesday in April, 1772. The proprietors’ meetings, after ‘the adjournment at Canaan, were held in Poultney, the action of which we shall hereafter notice. Ethan Allen and his brothers had by this time come to be largely interested in Poultney lands, as will hereafter appear. * The principal stream of water in this town is Poultney River. It rises in the town of Tinmouth, runs a westerly course, through _ Middletown—receives several small streams from the north and south—enters Poultney near the south-east corner of the town; thence, runs north- -westerly about two miles, to the north line of the Adams farm; thence westerly, about four miles through the central part of the town, until it strikes the western boundary of the State, about half a mile south of west from Bhd: HISTORY OF POULTNEY. : 21. the west village. It there turns northwardly, and makes the State line as it winds and turns, until it enters Lake Champlain near Whitehall, N. Y. - Its principal tributaries in Poultney enter it upon the north. side. The first rises in the mountain, near Spruce Knob, runs a south-westerly course through “ Morse Hollow,” and enters the river on the Stephen ‘Morse farm, so-called. This 1 was s formerly known as the “Tilden Brook.” | The second rises in’ “Clark Hollow,” receives a small stream from “ Hampshire Hollow,” near,where Joseph Clark now lives, and enters the river on Alanson Adams’ farm, opposite the red school house. ‘The third rises in the town of. Ira, north of Spruce Knob, runs a westerly course across the farm now owned . by Andrew Perry, at the upper part of “ Hampshire Hollow,” and from thence south-westerly, through “ Finnel Hollow,” and enters the river at the Todd. place, now owned by William H. Hall. . The fourth is called the “ Whitney Brook;” it rises on Town Hill, near Noah Fenton’s, and runs a south-westerly course; crosses the Castleton road about a mile north of the east village, . runs near Merritt Clark’s house, passes under the Poultney House, and then into the river near the railroad bridge, south of the west village.. The fifth is called the “Howe Brook.” It - rises on the David Ransom farm, runs a southerly, then a west- erly course, and enters the river near A. M. Knapp’s. The last, and most considerable, tributary i is the “Lewis Brook.” It rises on Pond Hill, in the north-east part of the town, has a south- westerly course, crossing the Castleton road near ..Mark Lewis’ house, the railroad and the old turnpike near Philo Hosfords, and the Fairhaven road near L. C, Spalding’s, and enters the river on the Dodge farm, now owned by R. Jones, i in the town of Fairhaven. Poultney river is a rapid stream, at least, it so appears in high water. It rises suddenly, after a thaw or heavy rain, and sometimes it has occasioned much damage, accounts of which, to some extent, will be given hereafter. In an early day, before the lands were so generally cleared and the low lands drained, the river furnished areliable water-power. The stream is not as large as formerly, yet might now be made available as 22 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. a water power, perhaps, the entire year, by the construction of stone dams and reservoirs. _ The geological formation of the town of Poultney is, as we understand, mainly slate. This is clearly so in the western portion of the town—the eastern parts being, to some extent, limestone and some other substances. The soils may be given as a fair average with other Vermont towns in productivenéss. In the central portion of the town, or that portion where the - two-villages are located, and between them, the soil is filled with small stones and gravel, brought on, without doubt, by the Poultney River at some time prior to the settlement of the town, The western portion of the town is comparatively level; the eastern portions more hilly and mountainous. Before the town was settled, like other portions of Vermont, it was covered with a forest. Large pine trees, and many of them, were found in the lower lands of the western part of the town, with some hemlock, and, on the higher lands, beech and maple predomi- nated. On the grounds now belonging to the Troy Conference: _ Academy are still standing a goodly number of maples, which ; were left standing of the original forest.. In and about the locality where the west village now is, there were many elm - trees—a few of them are still standing, though we cannot say that all of them were started in their growth prior to the set- tlement. A large elm tree was left standing about where the south end of the depot building in Potltney now is, which was cut down by Ephraim Herrick about the year 1800, when he built his house in that locality. The tree was cut near the ground, and the house built over the stump. In 1856, or near that time, the house (it had then become the depot building) was repaired. In taking up the floor.of the south-east corner room, the stump of the old elm was discovered, measured, and found to be nine feet and four inches in diameter. The stump was then in a condition of what is called “ dry rot,” but was apparently as perfect in size and form as ever. The timber where the east village now is was thainly hemlock, and east of there, beech and maple, interspersed now and then with hem- lock and pine. —— ‘ HISTORY OF POULTNEY, 23 CHAPTER It. _THE FIRST SETTLEMENT, AND THE FIRST SETTLERS, { [ N the year 1854, Elisha Ashley, then an old man of. _ seventy-cight years, wrote an article which was pub- lished in the Rutland Herald in March, 1954, and was headed, “The Early Settlement of the Town of Poulthey.” Mr. Ashley was born in Poultney, i in the year 1776, was a son of one of ‘the earliest settlers, and, at the time he wrote, probably knew more of the history of the town than any man then living. He says: “The first settlement of Poultney was commenced April 15th, 1771, by Ebenezer Allen and Thomas Ashley. They were men of bold, fearless spirit—athletic and firm constitutions. They commenced some twenty rods south of where the turnpike | bridge now is in West Poultney—Allen a little west, and Ashley a little east—the river then nena some tw enty rods north of where it now does.* “They erected a shanty for Allen, who eek his é family with him. Ashley remained one month, erected a shanty for his family, which was done by setting four crutches in the ground, placing poles on the top, and covering the roof and body with bark. He cleared some land, and raised corn sufti- cient to bread his family, consisting of seven. He then returned, -and brought on his family. Allen had a son born the same year, the first white child born in Poultney. Allen remained a few DO *Mr. Ashley once. pointed out to a gentleman now living in Poultney the precise spot where Allen and Ashley first located, which was about twenty rods south of where the covered bridge now is, and on jand now owned by Pomeroy Wells, and.on the east and west sides of the road as it now runs from Grove street to Mr. Wells. Poultney River formerly ran through Grove street, near where Jesse Howe now resides. 24 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. years, sold out, and removed to Grana Isle. Asliley remained in town, and on the same farm, until his death, memien oceurred "in 1810, “There were several families followed the same season. _ Elijah and John Owen, Isaac Ashley and Nehemiah Howe, and soon by the following persons, and somewhat in: the following order: Ichabod and Joseph Marshall, Silas Howe, Heber Allen (brother to Ethan), John Grant, Thomas Goodwin, Robert Green, Zebediah Dewey, Cotton Fletcher, John, Elkana, Elisha, Enoch and William Ashley (all brothers of Thomas and Isaac Ashley), John Tilden, Zebediah, Dan and John Richards, William Ward, Timothy, Ebenezer, James and Lemuel Hyde, Samuel Church, Joel Grannis, Isaac Craw, Nathaniel and James Smith, Morde- cai and Gilbert Soper, James and Nathaniel Brookins, Josiah: ' Lewis, and, perhaps, a few others were here in July, 1777, when the inhabitants were all driven off by Burgoyne’s army and the Indians.” * From Mr. Ashley we get the names of the early ae or the names of nearly all-who settled here from the date of the first settlement by Ebenezer Allen and Thomas Ashley, in April, 1771, to June, 1777. During this time, which was a little over six years, Mr. Ashley says: “the town was settled slowly, owing, in a great measure, to the troubles with New York about the titles to the lands, so that none located themselves here but the most bold and fearless spirits, and they were all; without exception, extremely poor.” The progress of the settlement during these years was not as rapid as it was subsequent to 1778; yet, from facts that have come to our knowledge, we may reason- ably infer that the work went bravely on, and much was accom- plished in those six years. We have before seen that the last proprietors’ meeting, be- fore adjourning to Poultney, was held at Canaan, Conn., on the 23d day of February, 1772, and that that meeting was adjourned _ *So far as is known, only two of the charter grantees, Thos. Ashley and Solomon Whitney, settled in Poultney. HISTORY OF POULTNEY.: 8 25° to meet at she house of Heber Allen, in| Poultney, on the third « Tuesday of April, 1772. Now, again, we copy from Mr. Clark, ‘He says: “At ee meeting in April, 1772, which was the first one held in this town, Samuel Howe was chosen Moderator. It was voted to lay out a highway from Wells. to Castleton, and ‘said highway to be six rods wide;’ also to lay out a highway from the west line of Poultney to the easterly part of said town, and. John. Grant was appointed a committee to lay out said roads. Also, ‘Voted to lay out aroad from the Governor’s farm, between _ Thomas Ashley’s. farm and Ebenezer Allen’s, north, as far as ' needful; said road to be four rods wide, and to pay three shil- lings a day for clearing roads.’ “On the 29th of April, 1773, ‘Voted | that Thomas Aatley -.and Ebenezer Allen may lay out 100 acres of land in their own ‘right on any of the undivided lands in. said Poultney. This liberty is on account of these men ‘first coming to town.’ On the 24th day of May, 1775, Nehemiah Howe, John Grant and Isaac Ashley were appointed ‘a committee to look out a burying place.’ At the meeting, ‘Voted, Ethan Allen may pitch 100 acres for Capt. Warner, of Bennington, anywhere on the un- divided land in said town, for the vallor i in eutting Esquire Mon- — roe, the Yorkite, out of his own land in the second division.’ ” There is a tradition that this land was located by Allen in what is now Middletown, and the same land is now owned in ‘part by Edwin Copeland, and in part by Ashael Spalding. Of this, however, we cannot be positive; and, perhaps, it is. not material. Col. Seth Warner deeded a lot of land of a hundred acres, which was the first deed recorded in the Middletown land records after the organization of that town, in 1784, and it is quite probable that this was the land he obtained for the “ vallor.”. In June, 1773, the settlers executed a document, which may be of value as a zane of the times. It is copied verbatim et . : ileratim : . ° al “ Pinal aie: June the 14—Y..1773. — “Wn, the Subscribers that have hereunto set our hands, have Covennanted as follows: for To Bare our Equelle Part in giving 4. 26 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. _ one fifty acres of Land out of our undey ided Land or Cays, To Be Payd in some sort of Murchantabell Speesheys our Equaletey, for the Settlement of a Midwife. If those that Dont Bare their Part in Land, they are To Pay thare Part to those that Let'the Land gow, and.the Speeshay for To Be Paid In three Months from the Time the Land Is given. As Witness our hands, Ebenezer Allen, Elkanah Ashley, Elijah Owen, Ebenezer Hyde, Jr., Enoch Ashley, - Joseph Hyde, ° Seth Allen, Robert Green, Zebulon Tubbs, Henry Adams, Ichabald Marshall, John Owen, John Tilden, Heber Allen, Isaac Ashley, John Richards, = James Brookins, _ Azel Holms, John Ashley, _ John Grant, Isaac Craw, . Thomas Goodwin, Thomas Ashley, ‘Cotton Fletcher, James Hyde, = James Smith, Jr, Jacob How. Zebadiah Dewey, On the first day of June, 1775, the committee on selection of a burial place “ reported that Nehemiah Howe and John Grant shall have four acres apiece for allowing the proprietors a bury- __ ing place on their home lots, Nos. 34 and 30.” The survey of . the burial ground is as follows: a 4 “Taking one acre of ye East Side of lot N 34, and one acre. out of ye W Side of Lot No. 30, on the W. Side No. of sd. river, Beginning on the Line of 34, and on the W: Line of 30, above mentioned, 24 rods North of ye river. Running E. 8 Rods to a Stake; then S. 20 Rod; then west, 16 Rod; thence north 20 Rods; thence East 8 Rods, to the first bounds—Laid and ‘Se- . quested’ for the use of buriing the Ded. Laid by order of the proprietors of ye: town of poultney. : “ Recorded pr me, “ Test, JOHN Grant, , “ Proprietors’ Clerk.” This burial ground is the one so laid, and since desoted. to | that purpose on the south side of the highway leading from the east village. of- Poultney to Middletown, and on a gentle eleva- tion, a few rods east of the east village. Thus early the settlers HISTORY OF POULTNEY. QT took care to secure a place for the burial of the dead, and a beautiful spot was selected. There are now several other burial places within the limits of the town; but here, on the banks of Poultney River, was the first one ‘“ sequestered,” and here are the earliest graves. Jocl Grannis, who, it is supposed, came here in 1771, was, not long after this burial ground was laid out, lost in the woods, and frozen to death, and was the first buried in this ground, which now contains the remains of so many of the sons and daughters of Poultney. This ground has become a hallowed place, and those whose friends have found here their last: Beeuiaiy place, need no words of the writer to fully appr eci-. ate it. : But little of noitent fas come to us from the period of. eke we are now writing, viz.: from the first settlement, in 1771, to July, 1777.. Nearly all we have been able to obtain has been ~ taken from Mr. Ashley’ paper, and from what was gathered by’ Mr. Clark from the records before they were burned, and from old people we conversed with, who have since gone to aM | graves. In common with all the early settlers in veins those in Poultney endured severe privations and hardships. As Mr. Clark well says: “None but those who saw, suffered and en- dured, can form an adequate idea of the-same. They all, at first, built log houses. In some instances, families moved into ~ these houses before the: roof was on, even in winter. Many ; furnished themselves with bedsteads, tables and chairs made from poles and slabs, and put together with no other implements but the axe and augyr.. For a fireplace, a stone buck was built _ up, and a hearth laid at one end, or one side, of the house, with such stones as they could get from the lands. After ‘the first year, with a little corn, they raised wheat, and some kept a cow, which ran in the woods. For the first few years they had to go a to Manchester to mill, some thirty miles distant. Soon a mill was built in Pawlet, by Mr. Fitch; this shortened the distance to mill about one half, ‘ which was considered a great conveni- ence.’ Nehemiah Howe built the first, grist-mill in Poultney, 28 : HISTORY OF POULTNEY. | which was erected at the falls, where the east village now is, some little time before 1777.” It will now seem incredible when we say that many of ‘the settlers went to the Manchester and Pawlet mills on foot, and carried their grain, meal and flour to and from on their shoulders; but such were facts, and we have one instance in which a man - took a hundred pounds of iron upon his shoulders, carried the same to Manchester, and exchanged for its equivalent in meal, and brought that to his home in Poultney on his shoulders. The man’s name is forgotten, but there is no doubt of the fact. It was not regarded as a remarkable feat then; now it would be. The first town meeting on record was held March 8, 1775. Over this meeting Zubulon Richards presided as Moderator; Heber Allen was elected Town Clerk; Nehemiah Howe, Zebu- lon Richards and Cotton Fletcher, Selectmen; Isaac Ashley, - Constable, and John Ashley, Tithing Man. “Voted, Six days work for each man on the highways.” Josiah Lewis, Thomas Ashley, John Owen and Nehemiah Howe were appointed Sur- veyors of Highways, and the Selectmen, Thomas Ashley and Ebenezer Hyde were appointed a committee for laying out high- ways. The proceedings of this first meeting were closed by, “ Voted, that hogs shall not run. in the road.” The proprietors’ meetings, which were commenced in Massachusetts and Con- ne¢ticut, were kept up until.1792. An old man, a life-long resident of Poultney, once said to the - writer, “the first settlers of the town were the Ethan Allen stamp of men.” -This can be appreciated, as we come to know their characters and history. ‘One brother of Ethan Allen (Heber) settled in Poultney, and, as we have seen, was made the first town clerk; Ebenezer Allen was a relative—it has been said a cousin—of Ethan; Thomas Ashley (as tradition has it) was connected by marriage; and, indeed, most of those who ~ settled here prior to 1777, were so many Allens in resolution, bravery and physical endurance. It was during this time (be- tween 1771 and 1777) that the Green Mountain Boys acquired such an enviable fame by their successful resistance to the New ies HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 29 York oliinaida and in the taking of Ticonderoga, May 10, 1775. Ethan Allen, as all the world knows, was the leader in those marvelous exploits, of which the history of this country furnishes no parallel; and it is only when we come to know the character . of the settlers gener ally, that we can regard the history of those eventful years as anything but fiction. Every man was a hero— _ strong, bold, resolute and determined. Every man had a pur- ‘pose—and that was to defend - his home—and all his energies were directed to that end, Several of the settlers were present at the taking of Ticon- deroga, but we cannot now give the names of all. Elisha aaece in his Rutland Herald article, says that Thomas Ashley “was the next man to. Allen that entered in taking the fort at old “ Ti.,” and stood at the head of the stairs as sentinel while Allen caeed the room of the commander,” and demanded the surrender of the fort “in the name of the Great Jehovah, and the Continental Congress.” Of the other settlers, it is probable that most of them were there who could be. _ Such men as the Ashley brothers, Richards, Mar shall, Ebenezer Allen, Heber Allen, Zeb. Dewey, John, Grant and J osiah Lewis, were ever ready for an emergency, and it is not likely they avoided any responsibility at this time. We have reliable information which shows that several of those named were there, and never heard or read any complaint that either neglected his duty, or was a “coward. In our biographical sketches, we shall give something more of the parts taken by individuals in the memorable strug- gles of these early days in the history of our town. At this day we should irresistibly come to the conclusion that a settlement, under the circumstances in which the settlement of Poultney was commenced, would be a fool-hardy project, and not to be attempted. But the settlers: ‘were successful, and the » philosopher will look for the reasons. “ They were all,” says Mr. Ashley, “ extremely poor.” With their poverty, they came into a wilderness hitherto wninhabited by the white -man, and undertook the clearing up of the forest, making for themselves homes, and establishing civilized society. .In addition to this Herculean task, they soon found themselves at war with the 30 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. New York claimants, who neaniatel in their mghts to ‘the land; and soon, too, they were involved in the Revolutionary struggle. But, incredible as it would now appear to one not knowing the facts from well-authenticated history, the settlers, during those trying years, pushed forward the work of clearing their lands, -and preparing the way for civilization, and’ at the same time they held themselves ready to meet the ‘invader at a moment’s warning. But, with all this great work, those obstacles and privations, in due time they made for themselves comfortable and happy homes, and laid the foundations of the institutions — which we now enjoy. What enabled them to do this under those trying circumstances? This is an important inquiry for one who. would be benefitted by the reading of history. Those men were doubtless superior. to the men of our time in physical strength and endurance, and we may well inquire for the rea- sons of their superiority in these respects. It was before the days of effeminacy; men were then enured to toil. They were made strong and vigorous by constant labor and exertion. But their success was not due to their physical powers alone. It was their stability of purpose; their economy in living; their undivided application of all their energies to the best possible effect—thus were the good results brought out. Another thought now occurs, which, perhaps, may properly be given here. The first settlers of a town will shape its des- tinies to a greater or less extent. They establish its institutions, its customs, its usages, and the character of its society, subject, of course, to modification by future settlers and by progress., But it is a truth, well known to the careful historian, that our New England towns have retained for a long time (some to this day) the distinctive characteristics given them by the early settlers. The Allen influence, if we may so call it, predomin- ated in Poultney for some years subsequent to the first settle- meut of the town. That was all right, so far as it gave energy, resolution and persistency to the settlers. It was all right, too, in integrity, honesty and fair dealing. Ethan Allen was as honest a man as ever lived; and his brother Heber, his cousin Ebenezer, and the Ashley brothers, his coadjutors in those early HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 31 days, were models of honesty, unflinching patriotism, and devc- tion to the interests of the new settlements.* But this influcnce _ favored infidelity instead of Christianity. It is well known that “the prevailing influence in the western part of the town, for nearly half a century after the first settlement, was infidel in its ' character. This we regret to publish; but it.is a part of our history, and should appear. The cause of this has been charged '. to the Allens and their intimate friends and relatives who set- tled here; but we shall not undertake to say exactly to what extent they were responsible for it, only we know from well- ate authenticated facts, that an infidel sentiment was created and prevailed in this part of the town, the effect of which remained years after the Allens and the elder Ashleys were in their ~ graves. “‘Though a man die, yet shall he live! ” ‘The ve brothers were not all infidels. » Isaac Ashiey 3 was a member of the Baptist Church when he moved here in the Fall of 1771. He died in April, 1777, leaving a son, the late Elisha Ashley, who for half a century was a leading and worthy member of the Baptist Church. John Ashley, another of the Ashley brothers, became a member of the Baptist Church some _ time after his settlement here. But it is well known that Thomas Ashley, though a man of undoubted integrity—a man who rendered invaluable service in the settlement of the town, was, . in sentiment, opposed to the doctrines of Christianity. There were others who settled here prior to 1777, who maintained a decidedly religious character. 'Among them was William Ward, and others of whom we’ shall have more to say in this work, ‘and. whose services in founding the religious institutions * Tt is not now positively known that but one (Heber) of the . Allen brothers, of whom there were seven, settled in Poultney; . but four or five of them held lands’here. Nearly one-third of the real estate in Poultney passed through the Allen’s in the ~ chain of title. We have now in our possession several deeds of Poultney lands drawn by Ethan and Ira Allen, in which. are ‘their well-written autographs. During those early years, they were much here; their property called them here—their rela- tives and intimate associates were here, and with them they held frequent consultation. It is not surprising, then, that the Allens _ had a controlling influence here in those early days. o2 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. here will appear in appropriate places; and we trust it will also appear that this sentiment of infidelity which for a time pre- vailed, was finally eradicated, ‘and that for the last half century we have been as free from it as. our neighboring towns. It is gratifying to know that so many of the first settlers of- the town of Poultney remained, and became permanent resi- dents. Ebenezer Allen remained but a few years, and Heber - Allen died in 1781; but the Ashleys, William Ward, Zebediah Dewey, Josiah Lewis, the Howes, Marshalls, Richards and Hydes remained, and their descendants (except of the Ashleys) are now with us. In the next chapter, we shall give a narration of, perhaps, the severest trial the early settlers of Poultney had to “pass through; but before coming to the stirring scenes, in con- sequence of Burgoyne’s invasion, which occurred in July, 1777, it should appear that the settlers were, and had been, thoroughly alive to the situation, and were doing all they could to proteet their homes and their rights. It appears from the State His- torical Society’s collections, that, from time to time, conventions of the settlers were held, beginning as early as the year 1772, and that Poultney was usually represented, though the names ' of the Poultney delegates do not appear, until a convention was held in Dorset, January 16th, 1776. Thomas Ashley was then present, and made chairman of a committee to whom was re- ferred “the 4th article in the warning,” which was “to see if Law of New York shall have free circulation where it doth not infringe on the title of our lands or our rights.” It does not appear that the committee reported, or that any further action was had upon this “ article in the warning.” At a town meeting, held March 11th, 1777, William Ward was appointed Moderator. At this meeting, “it was deemed best, for the interests of the proprietors, that a Committee of Safety be appointed; and, accordingly, Nehemiah Howe, William Ward, John Grant, Heber Allen and Zebediah Dewey were elected such committee, and instructed to join the General Com- mittee of Safety of the New Hampshire Grants.” The meet- ing also “voted to allow William Ward twenty shillings and sixpence, for attending the convention that year.” At an ad- HISTORY OF POULTNEY, 33 journed meeting, held the 27th of April following, Thomas Ashley was added to the Committee of Safety. The Declaration of Independence, of the 4th of July, 1776, was fully appreciated by the settlers on the New ia pale Grants. A convention was called at Dorset, July 24th, 1776, and was attended by fifty-one persons from thirty-five. towns. This convention “‘ was called to ascertain the general sentiment,” and “entered into an association among themselves for the de- fence of the liberties of the country.” Poultney was repre- sented in this convention by Nehemiah Howe and William Ward. Another. convention was holden the 25th of the follow- ing September, when Howe and Ward were again. present as delegates from. Poultney; and this convention ‘“ resolved unani- mously, to take suitable measures, as soon as may be, to, declare the New Hampshire Grants a free and separate district.” On the 15th of January, 1777, a convention was held at Westminster. At this convention, “after due examination, agreed that the only way of safety was to: form themselves into a: new State, and provide a government for themselves.” At this convention — was adopted what has been known as the “ Vermont Declaration of Independence.” Tt was declared “that the district of ter- ritory known by the name and description of the New Hamp- shire Grants, is, and of right ought to be, considered as a free and independent jurisdiction or State, by the name, and forever hereafter to be called, known and distinguished by the name. of New Connecticut, alias Vermont.” It does not appear. that Poultney was represented in this convention, but the conven- tion adjourned to meet at Windsor on the first. Wednesday of June. At the adjourned meeting, Poultney was neps esented. by “Capt. Zebediah Dewey.” We have now given all we have been ‘able to solo? in regard . to.the settlers and the settlement to July, 1777. The next — chapter will be devoted mainly to the trials of the eee? in consequence of Bur ngoyne’ s invasion. - 34 : HISTORY OF POULTNEY,. CHAPTER III. BURGOYNE’S INVASION IN THE SUMMER OF 1777—THE SETTLERS DRIVEN OFF—INTERESTING INCIDENTS. i FTER the taking of Ticonderoga, in May, 1775, the settlers on the territory, which afterwards became the State of Vermont, were not seriously disturbed, though the revolutionary struggle had been in progress for two years. War had been raging in the distance. This quieted, for the time, the New York claimants, and left the inhabitants of the Grants in comparative repose; though the ‘settlers were, never- - theless, in constant apprehension of attacks from Indians, or from some source—they hardly knew what. In the Spring of 1777, the British Government planned a campaign from Canada through, on Lake Champlain, and on to Albany, to meet and form a junction with another force, to move up the Hudson ‘River from New York. General Burgoyne headed the expedi- tion from Canada, which consisted of ten thousand British - _ soldiers, and a large number of Indians, and some Tories. Bur- ; goyne met with little resistance until the fight at Hubbardton, which occurred on the 7th of July, between'a detachment of his army, under Reidsel and Fraser, and the Green Mountain Boys, under Colonel Warner. The old fort at Ticonderoga had been surrendered without a struggle; but Burgoyne had sent out his bulletins all the way along, and thereby the settlers were thoroughly aroused. Said an old man: “The call to arms was responded to by all the men in town (Poultney), save one, and he an invalid.” Our supposition is that they were all in the Hubbardton battle; but of this we have no positive knowledge. All accounts agree that they were away from their homes, and the inference is fair that they were on duty somewhere, either in the fight at Hubbardton, or at some other place of duty as- signed them. The American force at Hubbardton was obliged - HISTORY OF POULTNEY,. { BS to retreat; as soon as that was ascertained at Castleton, a mes- senger was sent from there to Poultney to warn the women and children of the approach ‘of the enemy, and of the danger. They were told that they must at once leave their homes, and flee for their lives. The messenger came to Poultney on the Sabbath day. Many were assembled for religious services at a log school house, standing in what is now District No. 4, near a ~ small. stream of water, about thirty rods south.of where the school house in that district now stands. When the news reached the people here assembled, they all left at once—some not even visiting their homes. Mrs. Dan Richards, subsequently Mrs. Lindsey Joslin, and the mother of Deacon J. Joslin, passed di- rectly from the school house, by her own home, carrying one - child in her arms and. leading another, and thus she went on ' foot to Bennington, without stopping for refreshments.. Mrs. . Lydia Marshall, the wife of Ichabod Marshall, says a descend- ant of hers, “ prepared herself and: children as hastily as possi- ~ ple to leave their home. This resolute and good woman had nine children, one but three months old, the next but two years, : ‘and the oldest but fortrteen. For atght she could see, they must make the journey on foot. They had a horse, which had been turned into the woods, and had not been seen for weeks; but there “was no time to look him up. When about ‘ready to start, she heard the whinney of a horse, opened the door, and there stood her horse, seemingly sent by Providence for her relief. With ‘saddle and bridle, she soon equipped him for the journey. All the women then here, without a moment’s delay, made their hasty preparations for flight, and started south, with their little ones, through an almost unbroken wilderness, expecting every . _, moment, as they hurried along, to be overtaken by the pursuing ~ foe and murdered; but were able to keep in advance, and ar- rived, in due time, at a place of safety. We have no inform- ation that any other but Mrs. Marshall had a horse; but our sup- position is that nearly all, with the exception of Mrs. Marshall, were on foot, and she could not have carried her entire family on one horse. They had in view, when they started, going to - their native places in Massachusetts and Connecticut. and, there 36 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. they went. They expected to stop first at a tavern, in Pawlet, kept by a Mr. Willard, and about two miles north of where Pawlet village now is, and near the place where Elisha Allen afterwards lived and died. Their route to this place lay along’. the borders of Lake St. Catherine, in Wells. They doubtless took the “old military road,” which ran from Bennington to Burlington, and which had been travelled, some on horseback, and more on foot, for a few years preceding this time; but this road was rough and difficult. They reached Willard’s Tavern on the evening of the day they started, having travelled from — twelve to fifteen miles, and found quartered there, at the tavern, acompany of soldiers. The women and children were exhausted, and besought the landlady for something to. eat, but were refused. After the repulse at Hubbardton,the Poultney volunteers hastened to their homes in Poultney, to find them vacated by _ their wives and children. They gathered up what they could, including some provisions, beds and bedding, and followed on towards Bennington. Whether they overtook their families be- fore they reached Bennington, there seems to be a doubt, from the different accounts; but they found their wives and children either before they arrived at Bennington, or soon after. For a few days they all remained in Bennington in apparent security. But Baum, with his Hessians, came there,, and the women and children were sent to Pownal, a town lying next south, and their husbands remained, and helped to win the Battle of Bennington: on the 16th of August. The battle at Hubbardton was on the 7th; the flight from Poultney was the 8th. The women and children, on arriving at Pownal, brought-up at a tavern, and not being sure as to the position of the landlord, Mrs. Zebediah Dewey made of him the direct inquiry whether he was a Whig or a Tory. He replied that he did not think that was any of her business; to which she said: “I am Captain of this company, and wish an answer; if you are a Tory, we shall go on; if not, we will remain.” But the house proved to be full already, and those women and children were quartered in a log meeting- house, where they spent the night.’ During the night, one of HISTORY OF POULTNEY. _ Ba the women detected the sounds of footsteps outside, and, on looking out, several men, supposed.to be Tories and wandering British soldiers, were seen, apparently reconnoitering, with a ‘view to gain access to the inside. But, says our informant, “there was one within, Mrs. Zebediah Dewey, who stood up boldly for ‘woman’s rights.’” Under, pretense that there were _ soldiers within, and means of defense, she called on the “men” to load their guns, and drive away the: plundering marauders, She remembered that she had seen a gun in the house as ‘she entered, which was, in fact, the only one in the house. That _ she seized, made free use of the ramrod for a moment, in run- “ning it down the barrel, as if loading the gun, and then run the muzzle through a window. This accomplished her purpose. Mrs. Marshall, in relating the affair afterwards, said: * It would -have done you: good to see the red coats run.” Inthe morning, we have been told that this company of women and children went on their way to Massachusetts and Connecticut. But we have some doubts whether all proceeded immediately. Mrs. Marshall often said, while she lived, that she visited the bloody field where the Bennington battle was fought, after the’ fight was over; and she often described its appearance. If this was 80, she did not leave Pownal for her old home the next morning. ‘But it is undoubtedly true that these women and children did, ‘without much delay, go to their old homes in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and remained there for some little time. Most, if not all, however, returned to- their Sou homes the next Fall and following Spring. The defeat and surrender of Burgoyne, wt Saratoga, put an end to hostilities in this quarter, and soon, not only the former settlers returned, but. other settlers came. Emigration received a new impulse. It seems to have been saeetoad by the ald poeple, that. there were thirteen of those women, with their children, who ~ ‘fled from Poultney at this time. After considerable inquiry, we have collected the thirteen: names, and now is the time to make the record; having done so, it will not be our fault if their names are not perpetuated. They were: Mrs. William Ward, ; 88 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. Mrs. Thomas Ashley, Mrs. Ichabod Marshall, Mrs. Joseph Mar- shall, Mrs. Dan Richards: (afterwards Mrs. Lindsey Joslin), Mrs. _ John Richards, Mrs. Timothy Hyde (afterwards Mrs. Abner Adams, mother of the late Parker Adams, and grandmother of Alanson Adams, now residing in Poultney), Mrs. Zebediah Dewey, Mrs. Silas Howe, Mrs. Nathaniel Smith, the widow of Isaac Ashley (the mother of Elisha Ashley, Esq., subsequently the wife of Joseph Rann, the mother of the late Sylvator Rann, and grandmother of Charles A. Rann, now residing in Poultney), Mrs. Nehemiah Howe and Mrs. Josiah Lewis. . In the Spring of 1778, and from thence onward, the town was settled rapidly, though Mr. Ashley says, that for some two or: three years, “the inhabitants would often secrete some of their choicest articles before retiring to bed, fearing that they might be obliged to flee before the merciless savages before morning, or be murdered during the defenceless hours of sleep.” “This,” he says, “the writer well remembers.” But we have no inform- ation that the Poultney settlers were ever afterward molested by armed foes. Mr. Ashley informs us that. “there were two Tories in town during the Revolutionary War.” “One,” he says, “ was Gilbert Soper; and that during the absence of the inhabitants from their |. homes, when driven off in 1777, Soper remained, and made free use of such things as were left; for which, and his‘hostility to American independence, the Whigs determined to chastise him. Lieutenant James Smith, having a scouting party under him, came across Soper, while stopping for refreshments. Smith being in the house, some of the men said, “now is our time.” They swore they would hang him—seized him, put a rope around his neck, tied it to a well-sweep, and began to draw him up. Smith having been informed what was going on, rushed out, and gave orders shat Soper be let down, just in time to save his life. They both remained in town many years. Soper was a thievish, troublesome fellow; Smith an unfortunate and poor man, and often said he believed the curse of God had followed him for saving Soper’s life.” HISTORY OF POULTNEY. - 39 CHAPTER IV. THE FIRST TOWN REPRESENTATIVE—REORGANIZATION OF THE --TOWN—GRAND LIST OF 1781—SETTLEMENT: ‘OF ITHAMAR HIBBARD—FIRST MEETING HOUSE ERECTED—DIVISION OF. TOWN INTO SCHOOL DISTRICTS. FT E R the beginning of the year 1778, as before appears, the settlement more rapidly progressed in Poultney, as it did in other towns in Vermont. . It also before appears, - that i in 1777, the people residing on the territory hitherto known as the New Hampshire Grants, had declared themselves inde- pendent, and had given to this territory the name of. Vermont. A constitution had been adopted, and the first General Assembly “under this organization met at Bennington, in “Mar ch, 1778, and Poultney was represented by William Ward, to whom must be _ given the honor of being the first representative of the town. At that session the State was divided into two counties—Cum- ‘berland on the east, and Bennington on the west side of the Green Mountains. Bennington County was divided into Shires, . called Bennington and Rutland Shires, and Heber Allen, of Poultney, was made one of the judges of the Rutland Shire. The courts for the Rutland Shire were held in Tinmouth, until 1785, when Rutland was made a shire town, and has remained a shire town and county seat from that until the present time. _ The work of organizing civil government in Vermont was hardly less remarkable than the stirring scenes which preceded this orgaiiization. The same bold and decisive, and, withal, wise - .measures characterized the action of the settlers from the first, up to the time Vermont was admitted to the Union, in 1791. To the ability and_genius of her statesmen, as much as to the ‘bravery of her men who distinguished themselves in the field, was she indebted; and we are proud to say that the town of Poultney furnished a goodly number who were prominent actors - in founding the civil institutions of the State. - 40 HISTORY. OF POULTNEY. At a meeting held on the 16th March, 1778, the following yote was passed: “ Whereas, By a union of the inhabitants of this district of land, called the State of -Vermont, by their dele- gates, did frame a Constitution, and by the same did erect a General Assembly. Agreeable to their orders, we have. warned the inhabitants of this town, and have met in consequence , thereof of said orders; and by reason of said orders not coming to hand before our anil March meeting. ‘We hereby organ- ize ourselves, under said Constitution, into a town for legal pur- poses.” They then proceeded, and elected town officers in ac- cordance with the laws of the State. The town had hitherto effected an organization, or, at least, had elected the ordinary town officers, and those officers had served in their several capacities, as before appears; but after organizing a general government, under the name of Vermont, and adopting a Constitution, it was thought advisable, as it . seems, to reorganize the towns. This, then, is the explanation. of the action above taken. . At a town -meeting, held in 1780, Nathaniel Smith, Elisha . Ashley and Josiah Grant were appointed a committee “to find _out’the center of the town.” The meeting also “ Voted to locate the meeting house on the north side of the road, near the bury- ing ground, and that it be built’ by subscription—45 feet long, and 85 feet wide, and to be a frame building. In 1783, in pur- suance of this vote, the house was covered, the lower floor laid, and a desk built. In this condition it was occupied for several years, when a tax was raised by the town, and the house was ‘finished. This was the first house of worship built. within the town, and was located on the opposite side of the road from the burial ground, in East Poultney, and a little east of where a dwelling house now stands. Rev. Ithamar Hibbard was the first settled minister, and came herein 1780. ‘This has been re- garded as an event of some importance; but we reserve mainly what we have to say upon it until we come to the history of the churches. We might say here, however, that it has ‘been said that Mr. Hibbard came here from Bennington, with an organized ehurch with him. How that may have been we cannot say; but. HISTORY OF POULTNEY. ' 41, _ we had it from his relatives, that many settled here through his influence and exertions. Mr. Hibbard was a Congregationalist; but the settlers then here, who were members of churches, it is supposed, were about. equal in. number of Congregationalists' 7 and Baptists. “They united,” Beye Mr. es “in settling ~ Mr. Hibbard.” Several of the early Grand Lists were out of the Town Clerk’s office at the time of the fire, in 1862, and thereby saved. The earliest of these is dated October 4, 1781, and the following is a copy: . ae: “SrarE oF VERMONT. : ee Poultney, October 4, A.D. 1781. “A List of the Poles and Rateable Estate of the Inhabitants of .said Town, maid up by us, _ ee : ABISHAI MOSELEY, Bistins WILLIAM HOOKER, under NATHANIEL SMITH, Oath. ‘ £. 8. d. Allen, Heber - | - nee © 53° 0 0 «Elisha and Sanuel - => 56 73 18% Ashley, Thomas- - a: 66 0.0 ee Elkanah oe - - 38 10 0 -« Enoch -. 5. * 4S te «lt 0-0 “« . Elisha - |, - eee) 0 William - - - . 10 9 0O| ef John — - - S 37 0 0 Adams, Jeremiah - - 44 15 0 “Joseph - - - 6 0 0 «Benjamin e - 6°0 0 Armstrong, James - id - 90 0 0- Barber, James ~- Se : 21 0:0 Brookin, Boaz - a8 - 2510 90 «James ~~ - - ') 9 0 0 eet, Ithamar - - oa 33 0° «0 * The. figures are given from the original, and it will be noticed that there are inaccuracies in the columns of shillings and pence, _ a 42 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. ~ Buel, Ephraim - - : Blackman, Epraim - - Craw, Joseph - | Canfield, Ebenezer Craw, Joseph Jr., - - Dewey, Zebediah Dickson, Archibald - - D’Maranvile, Stephen - Darror, Ichabod, oe - Frisbie, Joel - - “¢ Ebenezer _ Be - Fletcher, Samuel - - Grant, John - - - “Josiah - - Grannis, Joel - - - - Green, Robert - - Goodin, Thomas - - Guthrie, James - - Gilbert, Elisha - - 7 Hyde, Ebenezer - - se Timothy -. - - “« James - _ “Henry - - - Hosford, Isaac - - es Reuben oe - Hibbard, Elisha . - - Holmes, Azel_ - - How, Silas - - a “Peter - Se - «Philip - ah 23 “ Widow - | - ‘ Hooker, James - - («William - “$e . e Thomas - - Higins, Samuel Lewis, Josiah _- - 46 18 36 28 22 59 47 16 15 10 31 43° 39 29 45 53 23 52 61 81 12: 22 17 15 13 51 34 18 32 38 46 18 36 e WD wm. econ” ooc oo oc co coo coc occcCcOOCCcCCOCcCOC Ce cooo oO oOHMsS eC SCO OR OC OOo Om ececonoeo ooo eo oo oO oO oO oO SG eo Co HISTORY OF POULTNEY. at vr Logan, Hezekiah Lawrence, Asa Marshall, Ichabod ms J oseph Moseley, Abishai Martin, John. Merit, Mical Morgan, Caleb _. © Jonathan Owen, Elijah “ Elijah Jr., “John Parmeter, Benjamin . Parker, Abel Priest, Philip Pierce, Phineas Richards, Zebulon & John “ Daniel Rann, Joseph Ranson, J ohn Smith, James “« John. -. "Nathaniel Soper, Mordecai on Searls, Reuben Storker, Comfort ‘Thatcher, Levi , es Amasa Tilden, John ‘Watson, Titus Ward William Wood, Thomas Wright, Ebenezer Wilder, Solomon Whitney, Tarbel me +e ao A et og So Oo Oo. © * . i o G8 @ Goo co oc 2 5 5 ew oo fo 10 a oo. ° Goscosc oo coo coocoeooscoec oso os ee eo eos eo oO oO oOo OC OOOO OO OOO OO oO OR 43 44 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. The sum total of the foregoing, the listers foot up at £1,821 15s., to which they add £464 10s., perhaps, for “Poles” and personal estate, making “total of lists,” as they say, £2286 5s, It is quite probable that the 1821 pounds and 15 shillings were the real estate valuation, though this does not distinctly appear. This grand list is valuable for another purpose: it shows who were here, of male inhabitants, subject to taxation, in 1781, and is the only record left of that date which gives as many names of the then residents. It is impossible to give the number of inhabitants at that date; but we can safely say there were at that time eighty-eight male inhabitants in town over twenty- one years old, and that there had been quite an increase from the.number here in 1777. The Adams, Canfields, Frisbies, Hos- fords, Hibbards, Hookers, Moseley, Morgans, Rann, Ransom, Watson, Whitney, and others, had come here during that time, and we may safely infer, though the evidence is mainly from — old records saved, that in the three or four years time preceding 1781, the settlement progressed rapidly. At a town meeting held in March, 1784, the town seta “a tax of two pence on the pound, to be paid in money or grain— wheat at four shillings, corn at three shillings, or other grain equivalent—payable by the first of September next.” ~ At this meeting the town made the first provision for schools, or the first of which Mr. Clark, in his researches, found any record. “A committee was appointed, consisting of Noah Smith, James Brookins, Titus Watson, Abishai Moseley and Reuben Stevens, to divide the town into school districts.” At the same meeting, “elected Elisha Allen, Oliver Strong and Willham Hooker, Trustees of Schools.” Our supposition is that the town was, in accordance with the action of this meeting, divided into school districts, though no record has been saved from which it. distinctly so appears, “The records of the town,” so says Mr. Clark, “show that great pains were taken in the early part of our history to main- tain suitable and proper schools. ey Space will be given for. our educational history as we proceed. , ‘HISTORY, OF POULTNEY. 45 * With all we have been able to recover of our history, from about the time of the close of the Revolutionary War up to 1800, but little of incident can be’ given. The business of clear- ing the lands of the forests, er ecting buildings and fences, mak- . ing ‘roads and bridges, perfecting and advancing civil, religious and social institutions we know went on. Those early grand lists which were preserved, very well indicate the degree of , Nearly every succeeding one shows an in- crease in valuation of property from the preceding one, and each one shows the names of new settlers as they come in. The material progress. Grand List of 1781 has been given. We subj oin abstracts, -amounts, of others saved, and she reader can canes his .own ratio of progress: Grand List of 1782 was . 66 ce “ce ee “cc The Grand Lists above given, with one or two exceptions, cc cc “ce 1784 1785 1786 1787 1790 1795 1797 cc cc “ce $7,773 10,598 11,036 12,463 12,800 15,848 21,200 24,325 00 00 67 00. 00 41 00 © 76 are in pounds, shillings and pence in the originals, aud were re- ‘duced to dollars and cents by the writer. ‘The lists are not all _.given—they were not all saved; but enough are given to fairly’ show the progress of increase in valuation during the time The Grand List of 1781, we have seen, con- tains the names of 88 persons; that of 1786, the names of 149; in that of 1790, the names of nearly two hundred are found. The number on this Grand List cannot be given exactly, as the which they cover. paper is so worn, that some of the names are obliterated. Grand List of 1797 contains the names of 239. . The We know but little what this or that man personally did in those busy years; We find a steady, and, withal, a rapid material ‘growth, and, as we shall hereafter see, the foundations were being laid broad and deep for a well or ganized “acai and prosperous town. but we have the general results. 46 . HISTORY OF POULTNEY. CHAPTER V. THE POULTNEY LIBRARY—-OTHER LIBRARIES—THE FIRST CENSUS MILLS ERECTED PRIOR TO 1800. N the year 1796, the “old Poultney Library ” Association | was formed. Thomas Ashley was the prime mover in $6 this project, though many others actively participated. No.records of this institution have reached us; but tradition says an association was formed, and persons became members by taking one or more shares. The price of a share was $1.50. The money paid for shares was appropriated in the purchase of books, which constituted the library. The meetings of the as- sociation were holden once in two months, at the office or room where the library was kept. Each proprietor or shareholder paid twelve and a-half cents once in two months, which went into the fund used to purchase more books, and each could draw the number of books he was entitled to (which, at first, was one book—afterwards thr ee) at each meeting. This was done by bidding; a list of the books was read, one after another, and each of the shareholders bid on such books as he wanted, until he received the number to which he was entitled. The rules re- quired that all books should be returned: once in two months, and if any were injured, a fine was imposed, paid, and went into the replenishing fund. ‘ The library became quite large and flourishing. The meet- ings were well attended, and for many years very much interest was manifested in the concern. The Poultney library may be set down as one of the useful and effective agents in diffusing intelligence, and moulding character during the time of its exist- ence. Several of the sons of Poultney, who have distinguished _ themselves in the professions and otherwise, have referred to it as one of the awakening influences which operated: upon them in the days of their youth. There were influential members of . HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 47 the association who were deists; and as they had to do more or ~ Jess with the selection and purchase of the books, some found their way into the library which were infidel in their character. "The Rev. Clark Kendrick and the Rev. Samuel Leonard, after they were settled here, joined the association, and were sorely _ troubled about these infidel books. Through their influence, a vote was obtained to sell the old books at publie auction, and appropriate thé money received in the purchase of new ones. - Messrs. Kendrick and Leonard were present’ at the auction, and purchased every book which they deemed pernicious in its in- fluences. These books were removed to the house of Mr. Leon- ard, and all were committed to the flames. Harvey D. Smith was a long time librarian, and kept the library in his store, now Dewey & Dewey’s store, in the east village, Amos Bliss was _ the last librarian. The library was sold at public auction in _ 1841, and thus it ended. i Many have spoken of the demise of the old Poultney library with regret, and many have censured the people of the town for permitting it to go down, and have gone so far as to treat the fact as evidence of the decline of our people. But it should not be so regarded. The Poultney library was in existence a half century, and was finally driven out of existence by a change ~ that will now be noted. In 1790, when the library was estab- lished, there were but two newspapers in Vermont; and, indeed, newspaper circulation, until many years after the beginning of the present century, was a mere trifle, compared with what it now’ is. Those who took a newspaper, not often had more than one, and that a small sheet that could be read through in a few minutes. ‘The people read their Bibles, and supplied themselves with solid works from the libr ary. Such was, then, their read- ing; they could avail. themselves of no other. But as the pub- lication of newspapers, magazines and books increased, the peo- ple began to lose their interest in the town library, and Jost: it more and more, until, the library books were disposed of, and the concern closed up. We were no ‘less a reading people in 1841 than in 1790; but, in 1841, we had come to supply our- selves with reading matter outside the town library. In addition 48 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. to the great increase of newspapers, periodicals and books, Sunday School libraries had been established in all the’ churches, which supplied a large portion of the children with reading. In a word, the change here indicated, killed the Poultney library. ‘In this connection, we may as well speak of other libraries that came into existence after the failure of the so-called Poultney library. In 1862, an Agricultural Library was formed — in Poultney. J. J. Joslin became the librarian. A small but valuable selection of books was made, and for a time consider- able interest was manifested; but, of late, the indications are ' that it will, ere long, share the'fate of the old Poultney library. It would be very desirable, if the farmers of the town would hold meetings, at stated times, for discussions of subjects con- nected. with their calling, and avail themselves of the valuable information contained in the books of their library. This they are at liberty to do; but if they will not, there is no law to com- pel them. Dr. W. W. Hibbard, some three years ago, established a cir- culating library, which, so far, has proved a success. He is gradually adding to it, and his patrons areincreasing. He rents the use of his books, the price depending on the time they are kept. He keeps a bookstore and circulating library in the same building. : ; Troy Conference Academy has quite an extensive library, and many choice works. There are several very respectable private libraries in town. There is no want of reading matter in our midst; but the same evil is apparent here as elsewhere, a dis- position to seleet that which is of doubtful utility. . ‘We now return to 1790.. During this year, the subject of the admission of Vermont into the Union was deeply agitated throughout the State. In that year, the long pending New York controversy was satisfactorily adjusted, the boundary line be- tween the two States fixed, and, by an act of Congress, Vermont became one of the United States of America on the Fourth of March. 1791, The first census was taken dike same year of its admission. Twenty years had elapsed since Ebenezer Allen and Thomas HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 49 Ashley entered the wilderness, and began the settlement of Poultney. In that twenty years, what results? In that time the Revolutionary War had begun; in that: time it had ended in glorious victory to the Colonists; in that time a Republican Government had been organized, and a Constitution adopted, based upon ‘the principle that “all men are created equal;” in that time Vermont, in the exer cise of that br avery, persistency, mative talent .and wise statesmanship, which were without par allel i in the history of the world, had extricated herself from . an extremely trying and anomalous position, and entered the family -of States; in that time the town of Poultney had come . to have within its borders 1121 inhabitants, the number given by the first census. Those inhabitants were in every part of the town. The ells settlers, as they came, could select such localities as they chose, if not pre-occupied. ‘Thomas Ashley settled near the west vil- lage; Heber Allen in the east village, or where that village now is; William Ward in the upper part of what was afterwards known as Fenel Hollow; Zebediah Dewey in Hampshire Hollow; Josiah Lewis in the north part of the town—and so they seat- tered—some settling on Pond Hill and Ames’ Hollow, when they could have procured lands at or where the villages now are, at _ the. same prices. It was not then known where the village, villages, or central place or places of business would be. A committee was appointed, as we have seen, to find the center of the town. Whether that. committee performed this duty does ‘not appear from any record, or other information left: us; nor does the purpose appear, though it is quite probable that it was with the view of locating the business center. It might. not ‘have occurred to them that natur al laws have to do in locating business centers. There were, at. one time, six saw mills on Boultsiéy River within the limits of the town. One was built by Jonathan Mor- gan, near where his sons now reside, some two miles east of the east village; another a few rods down the stream, near where . the late Harlow Hosford lived; another at the falls at the’ east village, by Abel ‘Parker, afterwards ownied by Joseph Morse; 7 N 50 : HISTORY OF POULTNEY. another by Deacon Silas Howe, at the place since known as the Candlestick Factory premises, and between the two villages; an- ‘other by Fay Hyde, on the opposite side of the river from the Ruggles’ Foundry; and another on the premises now owned by Messrs. McGraths, at the “‘ Hampton bridge,” so- called—a place formerly known as Norton’s Mills. The exact date when these several mills were built, cannot now be given; but four of these _ mills were built prior to 1800, and part of them soon after the settlement. The one at the Harlow Hosford place was built subsequent to 1800, and Fay Hyde built his mill in 1813. The freshet, of 1811 developed a water-power at the Ruggles’ Foundry place, which has since been utilized, as will hereafter appear. There are now but two saw mills:on this stream, one owned by J oseph Mears, at the east village; the other by Messrs. McGraths, at the Hampton bridge. There were, quite early, two saw mills in the south-east part of the town, on a small stream called ‘‘ Endless Brook,” which empties into Lake St. Catharine. There were also two in the south-west part of the town, on what was called the “ Hadaway Brook.” All these were long since discontinued. There were two on the * Lewis’ Brook,” in the north part of the town; one was built by John Lewis, a little below the present residence of H.' Lewis; the - other was built by Colonel John Ransom, near Philo Hosford’s dwelling-house. The former of these was discontinued many years ago; but a saw mill, at the latter place named, has been kept up to the present time, and is now owned by Harrison Smith. It was recently burned, but has been rebuilt. Prior to 1800, five grist mills had been erectéd on Poultney River within the limits of the town—one by Mr. Morgan, near _ his saw mill;, one at the “Todd place, ” a half mile east of the east village; one at East Poultney, the first one built; one at the Candlestick Factory place, and one at the Hampton bridge place. It would be gratifying to give the dates when these several mills were erected; but this cannot be done, except that we know the first one, by Nehemiah Howe, was built before the year 1777. Most of them were built quite early in the settle- ment. Grist and saw mills were then indispensable. No flour HISTORY OF POULTNEY 51 was then brought from the west, nor from atignwhene else. The people raised their own grain, and ground it in their own mills. First, the log-cabin was built, and as each settler came to be able, cut timber from his own’ land, or his neighbors, drew it to -. the saw mill, and thus obtained his lumber for a frame house. . A forge was built as early as 1785, at the “Todd place,” by Sathuel Joslin and Abel Darling. This was actively. run for some years, and furnished the blacksmiths and others with . wrought iron. #4 In our biographical and faraily- sketches, it will be found that _ the town-had, from its early settlement, its quota of mechanics. — It had the blacksmith, the carpenter and joiner, the tailor, the Shoemaker—in short, all the mechanics and manufacturers neces-_ sary to produce any article that was then deemed a want or nee : Not long after the organization of the United States Govern- ment, political parties were formed, and the people of Vermont, as elsewhere, were divided in political sentiment. During the administration of John Adams, the second President of the United States, every town, village and hamlet in Vermont was aroused to a high degree.of political cxeitement—Poultney, with | the rest. There were some laws enacted durirg his administra- tion, among which' were the “Alien and Sedition Laws,” as they. ‘were called, that brought out a popular clamor, the effect of which, doubtless, defeated Mr. Adams,.when a candidate for re- election. By the Alien Law, the Président was authorized to order any alien whom he should judge. dangerous to the peace and safety: of the United States, to depart out of the territory of the same within a time, to be limited: by. the President, under as penalty of imprisonment. The Sedition Law was designed to prevent the abuse of speech and of the press. It provided a punishment for those convicted of speaking or publishing any . _.. false, scandalous or malicious words against the Government of - the United States, either House of Congress, or the President. During this period, there was an Irish emigrant. living in Fair- haven, by the name of Matthew Lyon—a man of more than ordinary ability, a staunch democrat, and was. well known in 52 : HISTORY OF POULTNEY. the State. He had been, one term, a member of Congress from this district, and, in 1798, was found guilty of violating the sedition law,.and imprisoned at Vergennes. At this time he was the publisher of a small democratic paper, in which the offensive articles appeared. Previous to the election, in 1798, and while incarcerated in prison, hé was nominated by the — democratic party of his district for Congress. The district. was . thoroughly canvassed, and every man. brought out to the polls on election day who could be. There was living at this time, n’“ Maranville Hill,” a Frenchman by the name of Stephen D. Maranville, the common ancestor of all the Maranvilles who have since lived in the vicinity. At the time of the election, he was unable to walk, and almost entirely helpless from a. severe attack of the inflammatory rheumatism. But he was a sterling democrat, and his vote must be secur ed, if possible. A sort of ambulance was constructed, and a party of young demo- crats volunteered to carry him on that, and did carry” him, some three miles, to the polls. Here he was provided with a vote for Matthew Lyon. The vote was placed: between his fingers, and as he was being taken to the ballot-box, one of his ‘political opponents, affecting surprise, exclaimed: “What! Uncle Breve are you able to be out?” “Able,” said the old man; “yes; and strong enough to carry a Lyon in my hand!” The foregoing incident will illustrate the spirit of the people in those early days of political controversy in this country. Two political parties had been formed—federal and democratic—and. this partisan zeal manifested in Poultney at the election in 1798, ‘was kept up to about the same degree of heat until after the close of the war of 1812. It disturbed the social relations of the people to a considerable extent. This subject will receive some attention hereafter. : HISTORY OF POULTNEY. CHAPTER VI LAGES IN 1800—rHE BUSINESS AT AND ABOUT —POST OFFICES, 1791 to 1870, 53 ‘POPULATION OF THE TOWN BY DECADES, 1791— 1870—rHu VIL— THAT TIME E may as well here, as anywhere, perhaps, give the census of the inhabitants of the town of Poultney, which shail include all the enumerations made from By the 1st enumeration in 1791, the population was 1,121 cc 2d . = “ 3d “4th st 5th sc '6th Kf sé ith | sth “ 9th os “ “ “ “« “ “ “6 ce = 6S .T9 ce oe cc <9 “ 1800 1810 1820 1830 1840 1850. 1860 1870 “6 “ « 6c a“ cc 9 wo 6G “ ce “ “ ce ct cc “ 1,697 - 1,905 1,955 - 1,909 1,880 2,829 2,278 2,836 ‘Tt ‘will be seen that the increase from 1791 to 1800, a period The several enumerations show the _of nine years, was 573. most rapid increase in population in this period, of any other since the first census was taken. i ; 1860 to 1870, there was a very respectable gain, owing mainly to the springing up of the Slate business within the town, but “not quite as large a gain as during the first period named. A short time before the commencement of. the present century, there were several men became inhabitants of the town, who afterwards were among its most prominent and useful citi- zens. Among these we may name John Stanley, Daniel Sprague, ~ ‘Thomas Todd, John Jones and the Thompsons. In the period of time from The log-housés, ’ “one by one, over the town, had been giving place to substantial frame dwellings, and, in 1800, the east and west villages were We would, if we could, give Poultney as it actually begun. ‘then was; but we cannot fully: x BA HISTORY OF POULTNEY. As early as 1800, John Stanley was keeping a hotel in the same house afterwards owned and kept as a hotel by Joel Bea- man, and now owned and kept as such by Mr. Beaman’s family. The house has, at several different times, while owned by Mr. Beaman and family, been enlarged and repaired. North of Mr. Stanley’s Hotel, on what is now known as Bea- man street, there was then but one dwelling-house, which was the same in which Joseph Wade now lives, and was then occu- . - pied by Ebenezer Smith. Thomas Ashley, as before ap/pears, — had a house where Dr. McLeod now lives, east, and directly op- _ posite, of the Beaman Hotel, which was. then occupied by Mr. ‘Stanley. On what is now known as Grove street, there was a small house .on the corner, where Jonas Clark’s house now _ stands, which, some little time prior to 1800, was occupied by. Mr. Stanley, after he moved from the tavern; south, on the same side of this street, where the Daniel Mallary house, now so-called, stands, was a house built by Thomas Ashley, and for a while occupied by Zebulon Ashley, the son of Thomas. .. This, and the house last named, on Mr. Clark’s corner, were all the houses _ on the east side of what is now Grove street. On the other side of this street, Roswell Richards had a house, and lived where Herman R. Clark now lives. My. Richards was a wagon maker, and carried on the business in this locality. There was also a - dwelling- -house where Andrew Clark now lives, in which a Mr. Hull resided. On the corner, where the Poultney House now stands, there was then no building; but a little west, ‘and about where the Don A. Barker house now stands, was a one story building, about 35 by 20 feet, occupied. by Mr. Stanley asa store. This _ was the first, and, then, the only store in the west village. It was before the day of stoves. A large chimney was built in the “store, with a fire-place and a large flue, as it was then supposed none other could carry off the smoke; and to make it proof against burglars, by way of the chimney, two scythes were sharpened, and laid across the flue, with the edge up, when the | chimney was built. This building was afterwards occupied by. Joel Beaman, as a store; afterwards Ay Mr. Austin, as a shoe- HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 65 shop, and was moved a little back from the street, and now is one of the rear buildings on the Barker place, now owned by J. B. Beaman. - In going down Main street, on the snus side, the next build- , ing from the Stanley store was Daniel Sprague’s house, where Mrs. John Lewis now lives; next a house where Mrs. Leffing-- . well now lives, first occupied by Ichabold Babcock; the next, -Samuel Woodman’s, where A. E. Knapp now lives. Mr. Wood- man had a pottery, and made earthen milk-pans, plates, jugs, ete. ‘The pottery stood where the Bank now stands. He did , some business in his line'for several years; but his “business was - discontinued some time before 1825. There was a lane open at ‘Mr. Woodman’s, which led to a tan works located on Bentley avenue,- near where the dwelling-house of Elijah Ross now stands. Ephraim Herrick carried on the tan works. At the west end of what is now Main street, on what are now the Troy _ Conference Academy grounds, and about where the front fence is on these grounds, Timothy Crittenden kept a hotel. The building passed with the land to the Troy Conference Academy, in 1834. ‘The school was kept in it until the Academy building was erected, in 1837; afterwards it was moved on to the north side of Main street, since repaired by Nathaniel Mason, and is now occupied by Elias Whitcomb. On the north side of Main street there was a small house where Dr. Charles 8. Perry’s house now stands. Along up, on the same side of the street, where Mr. Mcllvaine now: lives, was a school-house, with a_ square roof, and what was called a “steeple” on the center of the roof. This is supposed to have been the first building _ erected for educational purposes in the west village. The next building was the “ Ephraim Herrick house,” afterwards used as a depot, and since moved, and now used by George Peppler as afurniture shop and store. A house stood near where Jonas Gibson now lives, and was occupied by Daniel Mallary; and ‘farther east was the house of Ichabod Babcock, still standing, * and almost unchanged, except by the wear of time. Mr: Bab-- _ cock was a hatter, and then carried on the business at this place. ’ There was also a house where Alanson Thee subsequently lived 56 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. ‘and died—the same place where his widow now lives, and one on what is now known as College street, where Hiram Chandler now lives. 5 Here, then, we have the West Village, or “ West Street, ” as ‘it has been called, as it was in 1800; and, we may say, as it was up to 1810. The change was but trifling during the first ten years of the present century in this part of the town. There were then here a school- house, two taverns, one store, a pottery, a hatter; tailor, blacksmith and paeoinnen and, if right in count, fifteen dwelling-houses. These were frame houses; but — not one of them, except Herrick’s or Smith’s had any paint out- | side or in. Herrick’s was painted white, and Smith’s red. The East Village, at this time (1800), was a little larger. The ‘‘ Eagle Tavern ” had been erected—the same building, with its additions. and changes, now standing, and owned and occu- pied as a hotel by Alexander Murdock. © On the road to Middle- _ town, a few rods east of the Eagle Hotel, a Mr. Tuttle liv ed; there is no house standing there now. A little farther still, and on the other side of the road, opposite the burial ground, Thos. Wilmot lived; and near here stood the first. meetin g-house. Opposite the Eagle Tavern, on the corner, was a house, then occupied by Daniel: Parsons. This house was afterwards enlarged, and was known for many years as the “Neal Tavern.” It is now owned and occupied by Stephen Scott. North of this house, a few rods, was the “ Thompson house,” which was stand- ing until receently, but within a year or so has been demolished and removed. Capt. Lamson built a house, where G. B. Prindle now lives, and occupied it until his death. “On theroad from the Eagle Tavern, southerly, to the. bridge, the first building was a store kept by Amos Thompson and Elisha Ashley, and near the locality where Paul J. Marshall’s store now is. The next, a dwel- ling-house occupied by William Meacham and Elisha Ashley, and the same house now occupied by. the family of Rollin Marshall. The next house was occupied by a Dr. Walker; ; subsequently by. “Stephen W. Dana, Amon Bailey, and now-by J.C. Dewey. At the bridge, or crossing at the river, there was a car ding machine establishment, built by William Mesghain before 1810, and a abel OF POULDNEY: 57 ~ saw and grist mill, whieh have been named before. Abel Par- ker lived in the house now occupied by Joseph Morse, and the - next was John Grant’s house, now owned and occupied by Mrs. Ross, the widow of Paul M. Ross. Down from this corner, on _the south side of the street running to West Poultney, the’ first - house was occupied by a Mr. Strong; the second by Rev. Mr. Leonard, the second settled pastor of the Congregational Church, and stood on the premises now owned by Salmon Richards. This house is-now, and has been for many years, occupied by Mr. Richards as a wagon shop. Next was the Wallingford Todd house, so-called, now owned by J. W. Ensign; next:a : ~-house where the father of G. B. Prindle then lived—the place. now occupied by James Matthews. A Mr. Davis lived where Abial Pearsons now resides, and next, the “ Pine Tree House.” The “Pine Tree House” was owned by Elder Kendrick, and occupied by him several of the last years of his life. A Mr. Thorndeck lived where Dea. Watkins now resides, and Stearns Marshall lived at the old. Marshall* place,’occupied by the family from the first settlement to the present time. On the north side of the road, David Thompson (the father of Amos - and Jesse) built the house now owned by M. W. Bliss, and oc- cupied it until his death, early in the present century; it was ti.en occupied for a few years by Jesse Thompson, in which time Frederick was born. Soon after it was sold to Peabody Kinney. Since then it has been owned and occupied by different families. On the opposite and north side of the road, J. Thompson lived where H. Gorham now resides; Thomas Holmes where W. H. Crittenden now does, and ‘Timothy Marshall where A. K. Mar- 3 shall now lives; J. Hollenbeach lived where Charles Beals now does; Dr. Safford at the “ Hopson place; ” Dr. Kendrick where Dr. Horton now does; Elder Kendrick, and then John Young occupied the house where Rodney Smith now lives, and Enos Wells at the Moses Noyes’ place, recently occupied by Rev. J. W. Wood. Ezekiel Buel, ahatter, and the father of Gustavus Buel, of Castleton, lived at the place now occupied by R. H. Green. Smith & Ransom had: a. store .in the same building 58 ’ HISTORY: OF POULTNEY. (since cats now occupied by Dewey & Dewey. Deacon | ge. Silas Howe lived where Frederick Ruggles now resides. Some residences and places of business may be omitted in the foregoing. We have been obliged to avail ourselves of the memories of old persons, and it is quite possible there may. be omissions, and perhaps inaccuracies in what does appear; but so far as the information can now be obtained, we have given the two villages as they were at the beginning of the present century. 2 During the period of time rnnuing from 1800 to 1811, quite a business sprung up on the river east of the east village. Samuel Joslin, one of the proprietors of the forge before men- tioned, died before the year 1800.' Thomas Todd came into the town, and took his place, in company with Darling. They soon got into difficulty between themselves, and Mr. Darling removed to Rutland. The forge was discontinued about the beginning _of the present century. Mr. Todd put up a carding machine quite early, and it is thought a little before the year 1800. Very .soon after the year 1800, Mr. Todd erected a small woolen man- ufactory, and employed John Jones, who was by trade a woolen. manufacturer, to superintend it. Mr. Jones was a native of Wales, and came to Poultney from Warren County, N. Y. He worked a few years with Mr. Todd, and until Reuben Wheeler — built a mill a little farther up the river, at the “Guernsey _ Place,” as it was afterwards called, when Mr. Jones became the superintendent of Mr. Wheeler’s manufactory. Mr. Wheeler first put up a carding machine at this place.(so we have been . informed) as early as the year 1800. The woolen manufactory. superintended by Mr. Jones, was built in 1804 or 1805, and was afterwards quite successful, or, at least, did an extensive busi-_ ness for those times. The War of 1812 raised the price of woolen goods, and in the last year of the war, Mr. Jones, in company with Chauncy Guernsey, bought out Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Jones removed to the State of Ohio, in 1823, and Hoyt Guernsey succeeded him in the ownership of the factory. Mr. Guernsey did a large manufacturing business until his death, HISTORY: OF POULTNEY. 59 which occurred in 18384. After the death of Mr. Guernsey, Francis Slason, of Rutland, and Albert Langdon, of Castleton, under the firm of Slason & Langdon, carried on the business of manufacturing at this place for some years. By reason of the manufacturing . business at this point, consider able business centered here. A store ‘and several mechanics’ shops were ee here for a time. r. Todd was an active business man, hadeh sneulor and eccentric in his’ ways and manner. Besides his carding and woolen manufactor y, he had other business. __ Dr. David Dewey was educated for a physician. and gettled, about the year 1800, a little east of the Todd place, between that.and the Guernsey place, and where Benoni Munson now resides. He was in the successful practice of his profession for some years; but he was born a mechanic and inventor. His’ tastes and genius leading him in that direction, quite early dur- ‘ing his practice he had a work and trip-hammer shops on his premises. Gradually he left the practice of his profession, and - gradually engaged in mechanical and. manufacturing pursuits. Much of the business in the town, in the early part of the pres- ent century, had its origin from his energies and skill, as will hereafter appear. . We are indebted to Henry Clark, Esq. ., for the history of the post offices of the town. Post routes were established in the State soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, and in - 1783, Anthony Haswell, of Bennington, was appointed post- “master of Vermont. He furnished this and oiher towns of the State with the mail, until 1791, when. Vermont ceased to be an _ independent government, and was admitted. into the Union of States. In 1791, David Russell was appointed by the General ' Government postmaster of Vermont. A mail route was established from Bennington to Burlington. A long controversy arose relative to the routes between those _ two places. A convention was held at Manchester, at which it’ was decided that two routes be established; that. it be carried . one week directly north, through Manchester to Rutland, and — on its return pass through Castleton and Poultney, and from 60 HISTORY OF POULINEY, thence to Bennington; the next week to pass through Pailbiey and Castleton, and return by way of Manchester and Arlington. It is impossible, says Mr. Clark, to ascertain the exact date of- the establishment of a post office in Poultney, under the General Government, as the early records of the Post Office Department were burned in 1836; but from the Auditor’s books it is ascer- tained that first returns were made from April, 1799. The office was probably established in January, 1799, and John Stanley was appointed postmaster. Mr. Stanley was succeeded (the exact date cannot be given) by Timothy Crittenden, who held the office until Daniel Sprague was appointed, February 10, 1809. Daniel Mallary was appointed in 1815. The name of the office was changed to West Poultney, September 15, 1824. Samuel P. Hooker was postmaster from 1836 to 1841 Isaac Leffingwell “ “ “« 1841 “ 1842 James Richardson “ % “1842 1845 Samuel P. Hooker “ g “1845 4“ 1849 John B. Beaman “ ne «1849 “ 1853 - Henry Clark - ee “ 1853 “ 1860 Merritt Clark was segaie sce: in 1860, and has had the office to the present time. The name of the office was changed back to Poultney, September 28th, 1857. A post office was. established at East. Poultney, under the name of Poultney, August 4, 1824, and Stephen W. Dana was appointed postmaster. At this timie the east village was the larger of the two, and a controversy had been some little time pending, which arose from the efforts of those living in the east village to remove the post office from the west village to the east. This controversy, with its results, will be found interest- ing, and will be given elsewhere in this work. One ‘of the re- sults was the establishment of a post office at the east village. The following is a list of postmasters at that place from the time the office was created to the present time: Stephen W. Dana ' from 1824 to 1827. Daniel Mallary e 1827 “* 1829 Harris Hosford ss 1829 “ 1832 ~ William Wheeler 18382 “ 1834 HISTORY, OF POULTNEY. 61 Simeon Mears - from | “1834 “ 1840 3 William M. Bosworth, “ 1840 “ 1841 Co Bes: James P. Harris 9 1841 “ 1846 - 5 William McLeod « 5 1846 * 1849 Paul M. Ross, 1 US 149 1853 e J.C. Derby — ~ « 1853 “ 1861 Edwin 8. Dewey, of the firm of Dewey & Dewey, succeeded’ ‘Mr. Derby as postmaster, and has held the post office in that’ village since his appointment. The name of the office was changed from Poultney to East Poultney in 1857. 62 HISTORY OF PQULTNEY. CHAPTER VII. s 2 THE POULTNEY TURNPIKE—THE FLOOD OF 1811—DAMAGES DONE—INCIDENTS,. NE of the first duties of a public nature attended to. by the early settlers, was the laying out-and making roads. Secs) In these duties they were prompt and faithful, though, - at best, the roads were rough and uneven for many years. They often laid out their roads over hills, instead of around them, and their children and grand-children have charged them with folly for so doing, yet are slow to this day in making changes to obviate the hills. 5 Quite early, the main road running north an south through Poultney west village became a thoroughfare for through travel. It was in the route from Lansingburgh, Troy and Albany to Middlebury, Burlington and St. Albans. Lansingburgh was then the main place of trade for Western Vermont, and all merchan- dize was carried to and from by teams. This main road, as first laid, was crooked, and in some places ran over hills, that made it difficult to draw heavy loads, and, in 1805, some enterprising and leading citizens projected the plan of a turnpike road. The Legislature sat at Danville in the fall of that year, and Amos Thompson represented the town of ‘Poultney. An act of incor- poration of “The Poultney Turnpike Company ” was passed. The company organized in 1806, adopted a set of by-laws, and elected its officers. Some scraps of the records of the company have been preserved, which give the by-laws, .and show that Benjamin Carver was the first secretary elected, but do not show who the other outicers were, first elected. The road, as incorpor- ated, started from the State line east, where it sepbrates Granville and Wells; from thence northerly, through Wells, Poultney, Castleton, Sudbury, and.from thence to Middlebury. It was de- signed as a part of a through line or route from Albany, N.Y., to , HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 63 Burlington, Ver mont, and after some years of str uggle on the part of a few enterprising and determined. men, was so established. The Poultney turnpike road was not surveyed until 1808. Three or four years more elapsed before the working of the road was completed, and the road put in running order. We find a record of a meeting “legally warned and holden at the dwelling-house (hotel) of Beaman & Lovell, in Poultney, on the — 15th day of January, 1811, and made choice of the following '_ officers: Chauncy Langdon, President; Enos Merrill, Reuben Skinner, John Stanley, Jacob Howe, Directors; Ezekiel Buel, Clerk; John Ransom, Jr., Treasurer.” At the time of this rimetine, the road had not been completed, ‘but, from the best recollection of the old persons now living, - it was completed, or nearly so, that year. It is recollected that. - General Dearborn, in 1812, took a force of United States troops _ over this turnpike road on the route from Greenbush to Platts- burg, and encamped one night at Castleton corners. A line of stages from Albany to. Burlington commenced ranping over the road very soon after it was completed. The first stages were open carriages, the Lodics‘resting on thorough- -br aces; but soon the coach appearcd on the road, similar in style and character to the ones since used.- Toll-gates were established on ‘the road. . There were two of these toll-gates within the limits of the town of Poultney; one at the extreme south part of the town, another some two miles north of the west village, and first put up at John Ransom’s, where E. D. Andrus now resides. This gate was afterwards removed further north, near to the place where the dwelling-house of Joseph Fuller now stands. While the - gate was at the Ransom place, it could be shunned by taking a road running up the hill eastwardly, and around, and the gate’. was removed for: that reason. The stages were two days in running : from Albany to Burlington. Beaman’s Hotel was about equi-distant from the two places, and was made the stop- . ping place over night. After a post office was established at the east village, the mail for a little time was carried to and . from that place; but. soon the stage was diverted from its route at. the west village, and ran from thence to the east village, 64. HISTORY OF POULTNEY. thence to Castleton, and there struck the turnpike road again.’ - The stages were kept running on this route until a railroad communication was established, in 1852. Joel Beaman wascon- ~ | nected with this line of stages a large portion of the time, as proprietor and manager. His connection therewith will be more explicitly given in his biography, which will be found elsewhere in this work. The establishment of the turnpike road was regarded as a long stride in the line of progress, and so it really was. After — it was worked, it was looked upon as an improved highway, and much superior to other roads for ease and comfort in travel, as also in hauling goods and all commodities, which, until railroads were built, were transported by teams. Theimproved highway, and the introduction of stages, seem to have been the first steps in the wonderful change the country has undergone in its modes of communication. “‘The isolation of small communities then began to ee way before larger spn etiiss and more extended interests.’ The Poultney turnpike prospered until about 1824 or 1825. The New York canals had then been opened, which diverted the heavy teaming in this section of Vermont from Troy, Albany and Lansingburgh to Whitehall. The stock soon began to de- preciate, and became less and less in value, until it was regarded as worthless, or nearly so. The gates were finally taken off, and the company surrendered the turnpike to the towns through which it passed. It was accepted by the towns, and since (in| Poultney, at least) has been used as a public highway. The ~ exact date of this surrender cannot now be given; but it was some years before the stages were discontinued. THE FLOOD oF 1811, which occurred on the 22d day of July of that year, was the most remarkable one in the history of the town. On the morn- ‘ing of that day, the sun rose clear, and the sky was cloudless. About nine o’clcok in the forenoon, thunder was heard in the distance. and a dark cloud was seen rising in the west. By ten o’clock the rain was pouring down in torrents; but it was re-— i HISTORY OF ‘POULTNEY. y 65 garded as a shower that would soon pass over. About noon there was a temporary cessation of the rain; the sun came out, and it was very hot and sultry. By one o’clock it began to rain again violently, and so continued most of the afternoon. “The fall of water was very heavy in the towns of Middletown and Tinmouth, lying east of: Poultney. - Poultney River ‘rises’ in Tinmouth, and running through a valley, drains the waters of a part of Tinmouth, and the whole of Middletown. “Most of the distance from where it rises in Tinmauth, to a point near the center of Poultney, in its course, the lands descend each side to the river, and in a shower or heavy rain, the small streams and little rills from the hill sides on either hand, rapidly pour their falling waters into it. Of course this river rises rapidly in a heavy rain, and it rises higher than streams.of the same size do in many other localities with the same fall of rain. So sud- den was the rise of water inthis instance, that the inhabitants were hardly aware of danger before mills, dwelling-houses and other buildings were being swept away. have only to add in this connection, that if we would restore our race to what it nee was, in health, hardihood and endur- 80 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. ance, we must return to the industrial habits of our ancestors. We must work.: In the matter of dress, we need not return to the exact style and character of that worn by our fathers and mothers. We may reasonably have an idea of fitness and pro- priety in dress, but we should most certainly have an idea to comfort, and to the protection of our bodies from inclemencies of the weather. During the first half century ateee the serclement of. the town, there were few changes worthy of note in the mode of farming. The same farm implements first in use were kept in usé, with very little change or improvement, until after 1820. The clumsy wooden plow, which was manufactured everywhere a third-rate blacksmith could be found (almost any man could do the wood work). About,1825, a plow with an iron mould-board was offered for sale in Poultney for the first time. It had been... introduced in New York and the Middle States some years prior to this time, and was gradually working its way into use.: The farmers in Poultney and vicinity for some time would not buy. it; they said it would break—it might do on western and south- ern lands, where there were no stones, but it would never work among the rocks and stones of Vermont—they were sure of that. But after a time, some farmers, after much ur ‘ging, were - induced. to try the iron plow. One after another saw its superi- ority, and before 1840, the old wooden plow was among the things, of the past. More recently many new farm implements have come into use, and all old ones kept in use are much’ ‘im- proved. . Mowing machines, which now cut nearly. all of the farmer's grass, are of quite recent origin. It may be twenty~ | years since the first was seen in Poultney, but not more than ten or twelve since they came in general use here. In 1825, if on some pleasant July day we had visited the meadow of some prosperous farmer, we might have seen some six or eight stalwart men enter it-at seven o’clock in the morning, with | an scythes ground, ready for a day? s work. Some one of the num- - ber would “set in,” the others would follow, and in due time they would “go round a piece” of five, six or eight acres. Each would go forward in his turn, and oo they would chase ‘HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 81 each other around stil noon, or until the grass on the piece was cut down, not forgetting at: each round to stop and take a drink, Rum was then i in every hay field. If we had visited that same meadow in the summer of 1873, instead of six or eight men coming in at seven o ‘clock, we might have seen one an, with a span of horses drawing a mowing machine, very coolly enter the meadow about nine o’clock. He, too, would go round a piece, and cut it by noon, only once or twice leaving his seat on the mower in the time to get a drink of water—no rum. The other help, during the forenoon, would have been found in the dairy-room, in. the garden, salting the cattle, or doing some necessary work about the premises ; or, perhaps, about town on errands, _ Improvement in breeds of live stock did not commence until a about. 1824, and in cattle until some years after that time. The first improvement was in sheep. The tariff of 1824, of which our late townsman and fellow citizen, the Hon. Rollin C. Mal- lary, was the able advocate in Congress, produced quite a change in farming operations—not only in’ this town, but ‘throughout New England. Under the effect of this tariff, sheep raising and wool growing, in a very short time,’came to be regarded as the most profitable branch of farm husbandry. Then it was ' that the first specialty in farming was adopted, Hitherto the object seemed to have been to grow a little of everything that “was needed for home consumption; tl:e principle in the farmers’ economy was “to do everything within themselves.” Blooded sheep were imported, introduced among the farmers, and soon there was a mania in this business. Then it was that the farmers began to enlarge their farms, that they might make - more money in wool growing. As fast as one farmer “caught the Western fever,” his neighbor would buy him out, and the . purchaser would, add to his stock of sheep. Thus we were aa populated, and the West settled. - As might have been expected, sheep husbandry in the course of a few years became less profitable, and the farmers began to. turn their attention to the dairy, and in less than ten years after - the sheep mania commenced, dairying had come to be regarded 11. g2 °° _ HISTORY OF POULTNEY. as the more profitable of the two. Up to the year 1835, or about that time, no improvement had been made in the breeds of cattle. Improvements had been made during the ten pre- . vious years in the breeds of ‘sheep and horses; but no other cattle but the native breed had been raised or kept within the ‘town. These were described as having “ gimlet-handle-shaped- ‘ bodies, with ewe-necks, and heads like a hammer.” The pioneers in Poultney and vicinity, in the way of improv- ing breeds of cattle, were the late William L. Farnam and - Joseph Joslin. They brought into this section the short-horn Durham breed. In the year 1837, they spent a week in the ex- amination of various herds in Bennington County, Vt., and | Washington, Rensellaer and Albany Counties, N. Y., and finally purchased a two year old Durham bull of Francis Bloodgood, _ of Albany, for which they paid the sum of $400.. Thé ordinary . price of animals of that age, at that time, was from eight to ten dollars. But few at first had any faith in this enterpr ise of Messrs. Farnam and Joslin, and many were the sarcastic re- marks gratuitously offered in regard to it; but in a few years: the native cattle had shared the fate of the wooden plows— they were gone. 4 Improvement i in the tillage of land has not bent pace with other improvements; but in this respect the town will not suffer in comparison with other towns in the State. For many years after the settlement, there was little use made. of fertilizers. Manures accumulated about the barns and premises, and tradi- tion has it that the barns were often removed after the manures had so accumulated as to be in the way, as: the barns could be removed at less expense than the manures. The first time that ‘plaster was used as a fertilizer in the town, was In 1826. A farmer had been reading. an agricultural paper, published at Albany, which was then the only agricultural paper published — : in this section of the country, and in that he found the use of —__ _ plaster recommended. He determined to try it, and with his oxen and cart went to Whitehall in the spring of 1826, pur-. chased and brought home a load of plaster. After spreading it _on that portion of his land which he desired to, he had a pail- ‘ y \ HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 88 full left. That he might test it to a certainty, for the benefit of himself and neighbors, with the pail-full he wrote his name - in large letters upon a conspicuous piece of grass ground. Very soon his name distinctly appeared. "The increased growth and color of the grass showed the name plainly as far as the ground coyld be seen, until the grass was mowed. This settled the question in favor of plaster as a fertilizer i in Poultney. The dairy husbandry has been on the increase in the last few "years. Associated dairying was introduced in Vermont about the year 1864. The subject was first agitated in Poultney in ~ the year 1866. A stock company was formed that year, and a - cheese factory built at East Poultney in the fall of that year. The main building, i in size, is 114 by 30 feet, and two stories . - high, with an ell of 24 by 20 feet, and supplied with an engine, _. vats, and the usual apparatus in such factories. In the spring ' of 1867, cheese making. was commenced, under the superintend- ence of C, A. Rann, and has been so continued since, having the milk, on the average, of 450 cows. : Mark Lewis established a cheese factory at his’ residence, , about three miles north of East Poultney, in May, 1874, The - building he erected is 30 by 40 feet in size, and was furnished _ with the usual apparatus for making cheese; and he commenced -~ making the 6th day of June, 1874, He has now the milk of | about. 140 cows. His factory is not a large one; it was intended for himself and his nearest neighbors, and is working well. We are inclined to regard it as a favorable indication that the dairy = business has been increasing in the town for several years, and - "that it is now the leading business among the farmers, for at this date, all things considered, it seems to be considered. as the . best business for the farm. There is a cheese factory in Hamp- ton, near the west line of Poultney, which takes the milk of a, good many cows within our town.. In, all, there are now probably more than one thousand cows kept in the town. _ The prices of labor and of farm products have advanced in — latter years. Middle-aged men.can now remember when fifty cents was the price of.a day’s work, except. in the haying sea-_ son, when it was seventy-five cents to one dollar. Farmers -— 84. HISTORY OF POULTNEY. hired men by the month for from nine to twelve dollars. Corn and rye was sold from forty to fifty cents per bushel; oats for about twenty-five cents,and wheat for one dollar. Within the last thirty or thirty-five years, those prices have doubled, and on labor have more than doubled; but it may be seriously questioned whether the condition of the laboring classes has in that time improved: The cost of living has increased fully as much as the prices of labor. Much that is now regarded as a necessity, would, forty years ago, have been treated as useless, or, at best, a luxury which men with or dinary means could not afford. We cannot deny that a progress, which is unparalleled in the history of the ~ ; _ world,_has been made in the last forty years in much that. per- tains to the welfare of civilized life; yet we claim that for rational examples. of economy and frugality, we must go back to former generations—they are not found in this. When we- speak of generations, we would -be understood in a general sense, not doubting that isolated cases may now be. found of judicious economy; but the prevailing economy of this age ‘is ‘injudicious—ruinous. It is gratifying to know, however, that the wise men of the nation have opened their eyes on this sub- ject, and have ‘deliberately come to. the conclusion that the people must be checked in their headlong extravagance, or dis- astrous consequences will surely result. oe To Elisha Ashley we are indebted to what knowledge we have of the beginning of fruit growing in Poultney. He informs us that Isaac Ashley brought seeds with him when he settled here, planted a nursery, and the young trees therefrom “ were planted on the Rann farm.” This farm is the one now owned and oc- cupied by Luther Thrall and son, located about a mile south of: East Poultney, on the road from thence to Wells. Isaac Ashley settled on this farm, and it seems to have béen understood that he was the pioneer in fruit growing. But Mr. Ashley says, “the inhabitants made early efforts to procure orchards.” This was doubtless so generally, as quite early, orchards were on almost every farm, producing apples in abundance. The soil was then such that the trees grew rapidly, and were loaded with fruit as soon as sufficiently advanced in growth. ‘ HISTORY OF POULTNEY, ; 85 ' Soon after the beginning of the present century, distilleries “. were built one after the other, until ten of those. institutions were actually in oper ation within the limits of the town. We will give the locations of these distilleries and the names of the owners, so far as we have been able to ascertain the same. Joseph Morse, senior, had one, in- Morse Hollow; John Lewis one on the Lewis farm, near where Hiram Lewis now lives; Royal Pease one near Pond Hill; its David Dewey one south of the river and opposite his house (the house now occupied by Benoni Murson); Thomas Todd one a little up the Fenel Hollew road, where the tobacco-box factory was afterwards built; Har- low Hosford one near the red school house, a mile east of the east village; Jesse Harris one on the Scott. place, now owned by Dennis Smith, and a little south of East Poultney; Alonzo Howe one where the East Poultney cheese factory now stands; Col. Ransom one on his farm, two miles north of the west village; Horace Mallary one near where Emmet Sherman now resides, : é and about a mile north of. Ransom’ s; and there was -another ~~ near the Hampton bridge. There might have been different owners, or part owners, to these distilleries at different times; our information will not allow us to be specific ‘in this regard, or as to dates. “No stigma is intended upon the names of those par ties con- nected with the distilleries. At that time the business was - regarded as legitimate and proper by all, or nearly all; and the people so far participated in it, that every, man who raised more grain than he wanted, found a market for the overplus at the distilleries. There was a cider mill in almos% every school dis- - trict, and it was not an uncommon thing for a farmer to. make fifty, or even a hundred barrels of cider. He would put into his own cellar, for his own use, from ten to twenty barrels, and the remainder would go to the distillery, for which he would get from fifty cents to one dollar per barrel. - We have now to ‘acknowledge that raising grain, growing apples, and making cider for the distilleries, the manufacture of - corn and tye whiskey and cider brandy were among the leading pursuits of our people fifty years ago. Every distiller kept — 86 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. | hogs, which were fed and fattened on the slops of the distillery, . and the hogs were more frequently marketed at Montreal, and were driven on foot to.Whitehall, and thence boated down the lake to their destination. For some years the product of the distillery business made up the leading articles of commerce. As early as 1830, this business began to decline. The tem- per ance reformation had begun, and those favoring that move- ment, used all their influence against the distilleries. The in- ~ fluence that sustained them, urged that their destruction would be a destruction-of the grain and cider market. But soon after 1830, the distilleries, one after another, went down, and -the business of liquor distillation in the town of Poultney was soon ‘ended. We are sorry to record, about this time, the interest in fruit growing declined. The apple trees were becoming old; the soil had began to loose its earlier fertility; the making of cider and cider brandy had: become unpopular, and had been re- linguiShed, except the making a limited quantity of cider. The. people, then, could not see any. use for the apple tree, except to make cider from, and for this reason many orchards and parts: of orchards were cut down, and all were neglected, and rapidly run to decay. But, fortunately, for the last dozen years or more, the people have been learning that there are legitimate and proper uses for fruit, other than making cider or cider brandy, and are giving attention (though not as much as we could wish) to growing fruit trees. Elijah Ross, Esq., now has . a nursery of about four acres, located on the south side of Poultney village, and near the. Rutland & Washington Rail- road. He commenced raising nursery stock about four years ‘since. This spring (1875) it required about three thousand trees to fill his orders for the spring trade. His nursery grounds ; are of excellent soils, and he has now over 30,000 young trees well cared for,.and growing well; and we can but see in this nursery a hopeful indication that the business of fruit growing will revive among us, and will soon. receive that attention which =~ its importance demands. / ss ~ The heading of this chapter would, ee indicate that the history of the industries of the town, including the manufac- HISTORY OF POULTNEY. So. BF turing, mechanical and all former industrial pursuits of our people, would be given in this and immediately succeeding chapters. But much of this industrial history must necessarily ‘appear in biographies, and more or less incidentally in almost every chapter, so we shall not follow the subject farther at this time. We shall endeavor to collect. and embody in the entire. work all we can gather that is material and of interest in the history of the town. ‘The social character of the er of Poultney, in the earlier): years of our history, is worthy of a few moments special atten- tion. Horace Greeley, in his work on “The American Conflict,” has a passage which very clearly and forcibly illustrates this character. It reads: “The luxuriant and omnipresent forests . were, likewise the sources of cheap and ample supplies of fuel, © _ whereby the severity of our northern winters was mitigated, and the warm, bright fireside of even the humblest family, in the long winter evenings of our latitude, rendered centers of - cheer and enjoyment. Social intercourse was more general, less formal, more hearty, more valued, than at present. Friendships’ were warmer and deeper. Relationship, by blood or marriage, was more proudly regarded. Men were not ashamed to own that they loved their cousins better than their other neighbors, ~ and their neighbors better than the rest of mankind. To spend -.a@ month in the dead of winter, in a visit to the dear old home- stead, and in interchan ges of affectionate greetings with brothers: and sisters, m married and settled at distances of twenty to fifty miles apart, was not deemed an absolute waste of time, nor even an experiment on fraternal civility and hospitality.” The foregoing, from Mr. Greeley’s work, though intended to . present the social and. friendly character of the people of this ' country in its early history, as a whole applies equally well to Poultney, and perhaps we need. not add more on that subject. But allow us to say that we have in mind many facts and inci- dents remembered by ourselves, and given to us by the old people, all which gu to show that “ social intercourse was ‘more general, less formal, more hearty, and more valued” in olden time “than at present; Be and that “ ‘friendships were warmer | 88 ' WISTORY OF POULTNEY. ‘and deeper.” Many now living have not forgotten the “old- fashioned fire-place.” “This was the “ fire-side”” indeed, with all that term implies in prose, poetry or song. At the bottom of the large flue which led up through the chimney to the open _air, was this fire-place. The bottom was a level with the kitchen floor, deep and spacious enough to take in a “back log” of three or four feet in length, and two feet in diameter, with another stick top of that, half or two- thirds its size, and in front of these a “fore stick” from eight inches to a foot in diameter, resting on andirons, with space enough between the fore-stick and back-log for the kindling and small wood. At the bottom, and in front of the fire-place, reaching out from two to.four feet into the room, was a hearth made of flat stones, “as smooth and regular'in form as could be obtained. With all the wood, large sticks and small, well on fire, so lighting the. room that the tallow candle could be dispensed with; a mug of cider on the hearth at. one corner of the fire-place, and a large dish well filled -with choice apples at the other corner, and the family, with perhaps a few neighbors or visitors, all animated and cheerful, sitting and forming a semicircle in front of, and facing the bright and glowing fire—and we have a view of the ’ farmer’s kitchen in the winter evenings of fifty years ago. We very well understand that the days of childhood and youth are sweeter and happier to all than those’ of after life, and there- fore the ld men and women of every age naturally sigh for the “good old times.” But the comparison — drawn by Mr. Greeley between the past Ana the present, of the social and friendly characteristics of each, is, nevertheless, a true one. It may now be proper to inquire for the cause of this change. - We know very well that the lives of our fathers were passed in a narrower round than ours. Their thoughts and affections were turned in more upon the “dear old home.” Now, the. means of communication are such, and the business of modern ~~ life so changed, that our thoughts, affections and aspirations take a wider field. But, be this *so, we should not forget that... the social and, friendly virtues lie at the bottom of our pros- perity and happiness asapeople. = => HISTORY OF POULTNEY. . ; 89 CHAPER X., THE EAST AND WEST’ VILLAGES—THEIR GROWTH—THE POULTNEY GAZETTE AND NORTHERN SPECTATOR——THE POULTNEY BAND. of our two villages, was, until within a few years, the larger of the two. So long as geography made a busi- ness center, so long the éast village was ahead in business im- portance; but after the railroad, which runs through the west part of the town, was built, the west village gradually gained on the east, and the slate business springing up in the west part ‘of the town, the latter has come to be much the larger village. The east village is a remarkably pleasant locality, and must re- main a desirable place in which to reside. By 1820, this village had become a place of considerable ‘business, and was, in fact, among the leading villages of this section of the State, and con- tinued to be such for some years thereafter. What we may ¢all the second generation after the settlement of the town had now _ come into active life, and were building up a beautiful village in this, then, center. Such men as Elisha Ashley, Amos Thomp- son, Harvey D. Smith, Stephen W. Dana, William P. Noyes, “Joseph Morse, Amos Bliss, Henry G. Neal, Russel Hickok, Simeon Mears, P. M. Ross, William Wheeler, and some others who might be named, were located in this village at or about this time, and were an array of active men, and actively en- gaged'in business. In-the year 1822, a newspaper was started in Poultney, (east village) by Sanford Smith and John R. Shute, called the Poultney Gazette. The exact date of the first issue _of this paper we are unable to give, though we can come near to it. The name of the paper was afterwards changed to that of Northern Spectator, the first number of which was issued the first week in January, 1825. One hundred and fourteen numbers of the Gazette had been previously issued, .and if 12 wi . 90 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. : issued weekly and continuously, without interruption, the pub- lication of the Gazette was commenced in November, 1822. Not having been able to procure any files of the Gazette, this is the nearest that we can come to accuracy as to the time when the publication was commenced—the recollection of the old people puts it in the Fall of 1822. In the Gazette was a de- partment called the “Missionary Herald,” occupying one page, and devoted to the cause of missions. Ethan Smith was the editor of this department. Messrs. Smith and Shute were young men, and both practical printers. Mr. Smith was a son of the Rev. Ethan Smith, at the time pastor of the Congrega-. tional Church in Poultney. The young man had first learned the printer’s trade—then had studied Theology—and then with his partner (Shute) started the Gazette. Of the antecedents of Mr. Shute, we have been able to learn but little. In the fifty- second number of the Northern Spectator, dated December 28, 1825, this firm gives its valedictory, from which we take an ex- tract: “Tt is now something more than three years since we first ~ introduced ourselves to the public as the editors and publishers ' of a weekly journal. We commenced with high hopes of suc- cess; with prospects bight and flattering. These hopes have - been partially realized. They would have been fully realized, had our subscribers, generally, been as willing to reward us for our toil, as we were anxious to render ourselves worthy of such reward.” : In the same issue, a “notice” appears, in which they say that they “cannot tarry in town six months, in order to settle ac- counts, and are determined to settle with all—debtors and creditors—before we leave the place.” This indicates that they _ intended to leave; and they did soon leave. Mr. Smith entered the ministry soon after, and Mr. Shute went to Massachusetts, and afterwards. died there. The Northern Spectator was pur- _ chased of Smith and Shute by a company, consisting of several | of the citizens, and the issue of January 4th, 1826, bears the names of “D. Dewey and A. Bliss, agents for the proprietors.” Those gentlemen remained agents for some months, when E. G. HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 91 Stone became the agent. It had other agents and managers, | and its publication was continued until J une, 1830, when it was discontinued. The publication of the Gazette was commenced in a part of the building, now owned by Stephen Scott; but the office was removed in the Spring of 1823, into a new building erected by Stephen Ww. Dana, for the purpose of a printing office, other offices and work shops. It was a two-story build-— ing; the upper story was occupied by the printing office, the lower story, about the same time, was occupied by Moses G. - Noyes, as a law office, and by Paul M. Ross and Olcott Sher- man, asa harness shop. ‘The printing office remained in this pbuilding as long as the paper was published. | The building was afterwards put into a dwelling-house, and is now occupied by Zebediah Dewey; it stands next south of what is known as the “Bailey Block,” on the street running from the Eagle Tavern to the cavered bridge. Both the Gazette and Spectator were good papers, and com- pared well with other country papers at the time. The Specta- tor was a sheet of four pages fifteen inches by twenty-two : inches in size, as large, and we think a little larger, than the - Rutland Herald was at that time. In the character of its read- ~ ing matter, it was a better model than the average country paper of this time, though the public could not be made to be- ‘lieve it. The editorials were well written, and ‘the selections evidently made with judgment, care and good taste. There - was an absence of dny attempt. at witticism, or the sensational, and the editors did not deem it important to gather such items as the whitewashing of kitchens and fences, or the nailing down ‘a loose shingle. — : : : ' Horace Greeley learned the printer’s trade in the office of the Northern Spectator. Horace was born in New Hampshire, and - in 1811, when about ten years old, his father moved to West Haven, in this county. As Horace grew older, he became — “anxious to learn _the printer’s trade, and in the spring of 1826, having seen-an adver rtisement in the Spectator, signifying that an apprentice was wanted at that office, he went to Poultney on foot and alone. He sought Mr. Bliss, one of the managers at 92 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. that time, whom he found planting potatoes in his garden. The following conversation, as reported by Mr. Bliss, occurred be- tween him and the boy Horace: ae you the man that carries on the printing office?” -, Bliss has said’that as he looked up at the boy, he could | ce refrain from laughing, his appearance was such; but he did, and replied: “ Yes; Iam the man.” Don’t you want a boy to learn the trade?” he next inquired. “ Well,” said Mr. Bliss, “we have been thinking of it. Do you want to learn to print ?” . “T have had some notion of it,” said Horace. Mr. Bliss, since deceased, gave to Mr. Greeley’s biographer the following, in addition to the above: “I was surprised that — such a fellow as the boy looked to be, should think of learning to print; but on entering into conversation with him, and a partial examination of the qualifications of my new applicant, it required but little time to discover that he possessed a mind of no common order, and an acquired intelligence beyond his years. There was a simple mindedness, a truthfulness and com- mon sense in what he said, that at once commanded my regard.” The applicant for a place in the Poultney printing office was successful. Mr. Bliss, after consultation with his foreman, took him in, and Horace Greeley then and there took his first lesson in typesetting. He remained in this office four years and two months. There are several persons still living in Poultney who. remember Horace Greeley well, while learning his trade in the Spectator oice. They all agree as to his personal appearance, which bas been given to the public over and over again. They agree, also, as to his remarkable industry and studious habits. Harlow Hosford, with whom Mr. Greeley boarded two years or more during the time of his appr enticeship, told the writer that My. Greeley never.lost a day from his work during his whole time here, except once or twice he made a- short visit to his ‘ parents; and when his day’s work was done, he was reading, and gave little attention to anything that was going on about him. J. Joslin, then a teacher of the schools at that village, om he heard Mr. Greeley make his first public speech. It was | HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 93 ina debating society, which held its meetings in the school -house in East Poultney. He astonished every one who heard him, and seemed better informed than any of the speakers on ‘ the subject matter of the discussion. Mr. Joslin also says that he did not attend any school while in Poultney, but kept up a study of several branches, together with his reading. As he left his work for his boarding- place, he would almost invariably | have a book ‘or paper under his arm, to which his attention would be given, instead of engaging in out-of-door sports, or rambling conversation with other young men during leisure hours. The other workmen of the office would sometimes make ' ‘themselves merry in coloring Horace’s white hair with printer’s _ ink. One or more would hold him, and another put on the ink. . Horace would make no resistance, but say, “ Now, boys, do stop; let me alone.” The last issue of the Northern Sycttater was gotten off at 11 o’clock one June morning, in 1830; and in the afternoon, at I o'clock, Horace Greeley; with a stick and small bundle resting” “on his shoulder, and an overcoat on his arm, which Mr. Hosford had given him (the first he ever had, and probably lasted until he obtained his white onc), bid adieu to friends in Poultney, ‘and started on foot for his father’s, who then lived in Pennsyl- vania, five hundred miles away. ; Mr. Greeley remembered his Poultney fr iia . He kept up an occasional correspondence with Mr. “Hosford and other friends, and always recognized his Poultney acquaintances, wherever he met them, with evident pleasure. It is but a few days since we had the relation of an interview, in 1853, at the Tribune Building in New York, between Mr. Greeley and his * old friend Amos Bliss. Our informant says: “I was in New » York with Mr. Bliss, and on his invitation. I accompanied him ‘to the Tribune Building. I followed Mr. Bliss as he wended “his way up the stairs to Mr. Greeley’s office. He opened the door without knocking, and there sat the great editor of the world writing. He was evidently thinking intently, as he heeded not our entrance. Mr. Bliss waited a moment; but no . recognition from Mr. Greeley. Soon Mr. Bliss deliberately’ 94 HISTORY OF POULTNEY, spoke, “Torace!” Instantly the pen was laid aside; Mr. Greeley knew the voice, he needed not to look in the face to, know that an old friend was present. He arose from his chair, and with outstretched arms approached Mr. Bliss, and said: ‘My . dear friend!, my benefactor! how glad Iam to see you!’ Oh, how Mr. Greeley and Mr. Bliss talked of old .times at this interview. How the battle of life was discussed.” The ,suspension of the printing office in East Poultney, in June, 1830, was not caused by any diminution of the general business of that community, for this was on the increase rather than otherwise, during the seven and a half years in which the office was run. The Northern Spectator but shared the fate of ‘many newspapers—especially country papers. ‘A foundry was built in East Poultney, in 1832, by Colonel’ Russel Hickok, which did much for that village. Simeon’ Mears soon became a partner in the concern, and the firm of Hickok & Mears did quite an extensive business for some ten years, in the manufacture of stoves, hollow ware, machinery, and articles usually made in foun ries. This establishment gave employment to some thirty workmen, and was an important part of the business then transacted in that then busy and thriving village. The foundry was located where Dewey & Dewey’s carriage manufactory now stands. The proprietors were both active men, and their efforts in behalf of the public interests, whether APE TER REED or not, were effective in good © results. In looking back upon this village, until recently the ibsitness center of our town, many pleasing recollections are revived. We remember its many active business men; its general busi- ness prosperity; its well sustained churches, and much else that — will be brought out as we proceed in our work. . The Poultney Band was organized about 1834, and had an existence ‘of some ten years. It was, in its time, one of the best, if not the best, in the State, and served to encourage the cultivation of music, and, on many occasions, to give an enliven- ing and cheering influence. That Band was constituted as follows: : HISTORY OF POULTNEY, 95 ‘ R. H. Green, Leader, Bugle, ‘and C. Bessie, Piccolo, G. W. Sprague, "Ht _ Russel 8. Wells, . W. T. Richards, Bass Horn, — Salmon Richards, Clarionet, _H. A. Crane, * Trombone, Paul M. Ross, | vies A.J. P. Martin, “ Hee Horace Gorham, . : Wm. H. Thompson, Tenor “ =F. A. Thompson, Sf J. Joslin, Bass Viol, ' Zebediah Dewey " Jackson Gorham, Cornet, _ B. F. Farwell, 7 - What may be considered as remarkable, those persons named as composing that band, with the exception of P. M. Ross, Wm. H.-Thompson, G. W. Sprague and R. 8. Wells, are still living. In the period of time when this band was in existetice, East ~ Poultney had superior church choirs and glee clubs. In vocal, -as well as instrumental music, this place, for several years, took “he lead in this section of the State. The causes of the. growth of the west village in Poultney, and the conséquent change of the business center of the town from the east to the west village, have been alluded to. We ascribe the causes mainly to locating the Troy Conference Aéademy and the Bank in this village, the building of the rail- road, and the springing up of the slate business. Towns, vil- lages and cities grow, and are built up under natural laws; but -we can often find the origin of our institutions and business © ‘concerns which build,up towns, in the enterprise and energy of a few individuals. Ina former chapter we have spoken of the Poultney turnpike, and the line of stages. These enterprises - seem to have been originated, by tlhe men of the west village, and in this village were the headquarters of those establish- * ments while they existed, . When this or future generations look back for those who | - laid the foundation for the growth and prosperity of the west village (but we will not -cotifine it to that—we will say of. the town of, Poultney), the name of Stanley will be found among the most prominent. John Stanley, who came to Poultney ’’ some years before the beginning of the present century, was from the first in active business; but for the first twenty years, or thereabouts, was not altogether successful in advancing 96 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. own interests. After Dr. David Dewey had invented his ma- chine for shearing cloth, Mr. Stanley, Daniel and Jesse Sprague and a Mr. Bulekley became joint owners in the patent with Mr. ‘Dewey. Mr. Stanley soon bought out Jesse Sprague, and made arrangements with Daniel to make the shears at a stipulated price. Bulckley never did much, so that, in fact, Mr. Stanley _ became the owner of that part of the patent, sold by Dr. Dewey, which was a one-half interest. He commenced the. manufacture of the machines in 1809. Hc made a few that year, and in.1810,a few more. His grinding fixtures’were at Norton’s mills, and at East Poultney. These were carried away by the flood of 1811. This flood, as elsewhere appears, laid bare the rocks, and developed a water-power, at what is now known as the Ruggles Foundry place. Mr. Stanley purchased this property of Jeremiah Adams, who then lived north of where the foundry is located, and on the south side of the Main street leading from West to East Poultney. Mr. Stanley. moved the house, in which Mr, Adams had lived, down to the foundry premises, for a shop. It was the same building now standing between the blacksmith’s shop and the brick tenant house. He contracted with Fay Hyde to build a dam, and asa compensation, gave him the privilege of building a saw mill on the south side of the same. Subsequently Mr. Stanley erected a two story building, and moved the machinery into the lower story. He then commenced the carding and cloth dressing business, in connection with the manufacture of shearing machines, occupying the old shop for cloth dressing, and the ‘upper story of his new one for his carding machines, and adding another water-wheel for the extra ‘power required. After a few years of successful operation in building the shear- ing machinery, he gave up that part of the business to his. sons, Henry and Myron N., and himself continued the carding and cloth dressing business. Henry and Myron continued the machine making business for several years. Myron afterwards joining his brother John in business, in Baltimore, ‘Henry Stanley continued the machine business, and added a foundry in 1828, , HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 97 . Afire, in 1829, destroyed the whole works here, except the ya foundry. It ended the carding and cloth dressing business, and _left Henry Stanley with little but his foundry. His tools and machinery for the manufacture of shearing machines were en- tirely destroyed. He then turned his attention wholly to the ' foundry business. Stoves were coming into general use, and he commenced the manufacture of a small stove called the Davy stove. He soon was manufacturing the Talmadge and Parker stove, then the leading cooking stove in the market. Mr. Stanley invented a stove for burning anthracite coal; this was patented in 1832, The success of this stove was great, and the business of Stanley’s foundry became extensive, and his establishment, for awhile, was a leading one in the country. We shall go more in detail into Mr. Stanley’s business in a biographical sketch—the purpose here being mainly to show the origin of a business which has had much to do with the destinies of Poultney. Soon after 1830, we not only find Henry Stanley in a heavy business—a business that gave employment to a large number of men, and of itself was doing much for Poultney—but we ~ then find him in the possession of means, and with a generous, enterprising public spirit, ready, when opportunity presented itself, to use his means or his influence for anything that would _ benefit his village or town. . . As we proceed in our work, we shall find that Mr. Stanley’s personal exertions and influence, co-operating with the efforts of other parties, brought into existence the Troy Conferencé Academy. We shall find that the establishment of the Academy, the large business of Mr. Stanley, with the interests — created thereby, located the Poultney Bank. It is not surpris- ing, then, that the Rutland and Washington Railroad should have been located in the west part of the town. In the endeavor.to give the reasons for the more recent ' growth of the west village, and the consequent change of the business center of the town, we have intended to give only facts and reasonable conclusions therefor. é “13 98 HISTORY OF POULTNFY. CHAPTER XI. ECCLESIASTICAL — BAPTIST, METHODIST, EPISCOPALIAN, ADVENT, AND ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES. : The Congregational Church.—On the 3d of March, A. D. 1867, the Rev. John G. Hale, then pastor of the Congregational Church in Poultney, preached a sermon to his congregation from the following text: Psalms x1v:1.—“ We have heard with our ears, O God! our fathers have told us what work Thou | didst in their days, in the times of old.” In that sermon, Mr. - Hale reviewed the history of the Congregational Church of Poultney, and much of what will appear in this sketch must be cacredited to his researches. / Mr. Hale says, in his introduction, that “it is greatly to be regretted that the earliest records of the church are lost. There | are but two volumes of the records of this church known to be in existence. The older of these volumes is headed in an old- fashioned, large, clear hand: ‘ Poultney Church Records, Book 3.’ Books No. 1 and 2,” he says, “ were undoubtedly small— very probably unbound books ”—and that “ the first records we have bear date, June 1, 1793.” The Rev. Dr. Goadby, the late pastor of the Baptist Church in Poultney, in a discourse delivered on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the Baptist Church, April 8, 1852, says that Ithamar Hibbard, “who had been a Chaplain in the Army of the Revolution, was the first settled, minister in the town, and, it is supposed, came with an organized church from Bennington.” That “an organized church came — from Bennington,” seems to rest on tradition, as the language &: of Dr. Goadby would seem to imply; but there are good reasons to believe that such was the fact. The old people with whom we have conversed seem to have so understood it, and it is known, too, that Mr. Hibbard, before coming to Poultney, was HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 99 for some years a resident of Bennington. He was there as early as 1772. A writer of the history of that town says: ‘ Rey. Tthamar Hibbard resided in the west part of the town, and for a short time was minister of a congregation which assembled at his house. The site of his residence is well known as the Hib- bard lot.” He further says, that “he is spoken of as an ortho- dox and sincere man, and of respectable attainments.” Mr. Hibbard was a native of Connecticut. Elisha Ashley, Esq., whose memory ran back to that date, says, “that about the year 1780, the Rev. Ithamar Hibbard, a Congregational minister, came among us to look after our . spiritual welfare.” The church, ata meeting held July 7, 1796, adopted a resolution, in which is a preamble: “Whereas, the Rey. Ithamar Hibbard was, in the year 1780, permanently settled over this church and congregation,” ete. This leaves us in no doubt as to the year of his settlement, and there is no doubt either that a Congregational Church was established here at that time—let the ae eeuion of its prior or rganization at Bennington be settled as itmay. The names of the members of the church at. its organization, or establishment in Poultney, cannot now be giver. This is to be regretted; but neither records or tradition can now furnish a complete list of those who founded the Congregational Church in Poultney. We have positive knowledge, or what is equiva- lent, that a church was founded in 1780, and that Ithamar Hib- bard was the first settled minister; but beyond that all must be left to conjecture, or at least to inference, so far as the organiz- ation is concerned, and who were the original members. The first records of the church, referred to by Mr. Hale, are evidently in the handwriting of Dea. Samuel Lee, who for many -years was clerk, and in these records of 1793, we find the names of Silas Howe, Calvin:Mallary, Bezaleel Farnum, Joel Frisbie, Barnabus Richmond, Timothy Crittenden, and Oliver Strong, who are supposed then to have been members of the church, - How many of them, if any, became members. at the organization, we are unable to say. -The first records relate to an “affair” or difficulty between Bro. Thompson and Bro. Bebee.” It would 100° HISTORY OF POULTNEY. seem from the records that this matter was pending-in the church for a year or more, and finally disappears without any, direct disposition of the same, except in this: Mr. Hibbard be- came implicated in the affair, and the question came up, — “Whether he had done wrong in any instance from first to last in the course of the labor with Bro. Thompson.” “ Passed in the negative.” - A discussion arose in the church, it is supposed as early as 1785 or 1786, in relation to the pastor. It was claimed by some that Mr. Hibbard was not strictly orthodox, and that there was some informality in his ordination. This division culminated in a withdrawal of a portion of the members, who were organized in a separate church, and erected.another meeting-houre, a little south of where the Baptist meeting-house in the east village now stands. A Mr. Thompson became the pastor of this church, and. the two organizations sustained places of worship, and held meetings in their respective houses until some time in the year 1796. The entries in the records of 1796, as Mr. Hale well says,- “are of some importance in.the history of the church.” The following are copied: “June 23d,1796. Heard the result, of . the committee previously chosen to try for a union with the other church, known by the name of Mr. Thompson’s Church.” It may be stated here, that after the separation, one of the organizations was known as Mr. Hibbard’s, the other as Mr. Thompson’s Church. _ At an adjourned meeting, “took into consideration the re- quest of the Rey. Mr. Hibbard, which had been made previous to this meeting, for a dismission from the special charge of this church, as their pastor, and proceeded as follows: “Whereas, The Rev. Mr. Ithamar Hibbard, in the year 1780, was permanently settled over this church and congregation, ac- cording to the strict Congregational order, and hath faithfully. performed the several offices in his ministerial function, and now believing an Evangelical situation most rulable, he requests to | be in that situation. Therefore, voted, that the church release him from the above obligation, and consider him in an evangel- ical situation. HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 101 * Voted, To continue Mr. Hibbard with us in the ministry un- til the minds of the HOSIERY be made known respecting his request.” ‘The next record nea date. October 3d, 1796, and shows the union of the two churches. It is as follows: “At a church meeting of the Congregational Church, met at the meeting-house, and Rey. Ithamar Hibbard, Moderator, and epened the meeting with prayer. After concessions to each other: Voted, by Mr. Hibbard’s Church, to accept the confes- sion of faith and covenant of grace then read. Voted, by ‘Mr, Hibbard’s Church, to receive Mr. Thompson’s Church into union and fellowship. Voted, by Mr. Thompson’s Church, to receive Mr. Hibbard’s Church into union and fellowship. Voted, by. both Churches, to receive each other into union and fellowship as one body.” > Thus the two became one, and afterwards so remained. Some ' effort has been made to learn the difference in the creed of these “two organizations, or, more particularly, to learn wherein those who withdrew from Mr. Hibbard’s Church differed from him and his followers. From all the information we have gained, we should judge there was a distinction without any substantial _ difference. ‘It seems that Mr. Hibbard was settled over the Church “according to the strict Congregational order,” and “faithfully performed his pastoral duties.” But. little is now known of Mr. Thompson. It does not appear that he was, or was not, of the “strict Congregational order.” He officiated as pastor of the separatists for some seven years; but where he came from, where he lived, or what became of -him after. he ‘ceased to be pastor, when the union was effected in 1796, is not now known to the writer. ‘After the year 1796, Mr. Hibbard’s name does not appear ‘in the church records. He preached some little time after the.vote ‘to dismiss him, and, i in. 1798, moved to Hubbardton, and died — there March 2d, 1802. In the historical sketch written’ by Mr. Ashley, in 1854, he -. says that after the bréaking up of the Thompson Church, ‘most returned to the former church, and again their religious interests 102 HISTORY OF POULTNEY, prospered under Mr. Hibbard’s administration, until some began to think he was not. sufficiently refined for Poultney, and suc- ceeded in getting a vote to dismiss him. This almost broke the old man’s heart—having labored with his people so long, and with very little support—for he could almost say with Paul, — “These hands have ministered to my necessities; I have not been chargeable to any of you.” “Poor and disconsolate, he preached a few years to destitute churches in the SOME and was gathered to his fathers.” “ Peace to his ashes.” Ata | meeting of the church, held in February, 1797, Deacon Oliver Strong was elected Moder ator. This is the first mention on the records of a deacon in the church. Silas Howe is also named as deacon in the records soon after that date. When those gentlemen were elected to that office does not appear. At a meeting held March 13,1798, the church, by vote, ex- pressed a “desire ” that “Mr. David Smith” settle with them in the w ork of the ministry. Mr. Hale says, “‘ ants call was un- doubtedly declined.” , 3 From the time Mr. Hibbard was dismissed, until the settle- ment of Mr. Leonard, in 1802, the church was without a pastor, 5 but were supplied occasionally—donbtless for a time by the Mr. Smith to whom they gave. a call—by Prince Jenney, in 1799, and by a Mr. Hawley, in 1800. How long they were sup- plied by each of these clergymen is not known—probably not long. ~ At a church ace ‘eld March 8, 1801, “‘ Voted to dhionne a committee to confer with Middletown Church on the expediency of uniting for the support of the Gospel. a : ‘ January 7th, 1802, “ Voted unanimously to unite with the Middletown Church in procuring preaching,” and “choose a committee of four to draw up articles of union with the Mid- dletown Church.” This is the last we see in the recor as of this matter of union with the Middletown Church. We have found no record or other evidence to show that the “ union ” was carried into effect, and we find that before the close ofthe year 1802, Mr. Leonard i HISTORY OF POULTNEY. eS 103 was xettled over the Congregational Church in Poultney, and less than two years thereafter, the Rev. Henry Bigelow com- menced preaching at Middletown, and in a few months was ordained and settled over that church. September 30, 1802, at church meeting, “ Voted unanimously to give Rev. Mr. Leonard a call to preach on probation.” December 6th, of the-same year (1802), “ Gave a unanimous call to the Rev. Samuel Leonard. to settle with them, ‘and labor one half of the time for the present.” My, Leonard’s letter of ‘acceptance bears the same date. The Congregatioralists com- menced the erection of a house, or rather of getting cut the timber, in the fall of. 1802, and “on the sills of this house, be- fore the frame was Up, Mr. Leonard was installed.” The instal- lation took place, or is supposed to have taken place, May, 18th, 1803. - We find the simple record, ‘“ Agreed to install the Rev. Mr. Leonard May the 18th,” and Dea, Silas Howe and Samuel ‘Lee were appointed a committee, at a previous meeting, April 15th, “to make out letters of invitation to churches.” No. re- cord is found of his installation; but there is no doubt in regard to it, as persons: are now living who attended the installation ex- ercises. The meeting-house, commenced 28 above coaneetl in thie fall of 1802, was completed during the year 1803. The old house, built in 1782-3, in which the Baptists united in building, opposite the burying ground, -was not totally demolished until 1812. It was not taken down at once, but a board or a stick of timber at a time was pulled off and carried away, until the destruction became complete. ~The Thompson House, so-called, was moved, and made into a dwelling house, and is the same now occupicd by Joseph Morse, in the east village. . The’ history of the ‘pastors of a church do not make up its entire history, though usually a very important part of it. If we could bring up to view the faithful and arduous labors of the laymen who assisted in founding and building up our religious institutions, we should have much worthy of record. ~ Deacon Samuel Lee, if he did not become a. member of the Congrega-— ~ tional Church at the time of its organization, was very early a_ 104 HISTORY OF POULTNEY, member. As before appears, the earliest records preserved were in his handwiiting, and he held the office until his death, which occurred April 9th, 1813. He and Seymour Crittenden were ordained as deacons, September 5, 1804. This office he also. held until his decease.. The old men and women all speak in high terms of his Christian character. The records show that — he and Dea. Silas Howe were oftener on committees, and in re- sponsible positions, in the early history of the church, than any other members. Bezaleel Farnum, the father of the late Dea. William L. Farnum, as would appear from the records, was a working, and, apparently, an efficient member. “Ata church meeting, holden March 9, 1804, voted that Bezaleel Farnum, Seymour Crittenden and Capt. Simeon Hickok shall be choristers.” Mr. Farnum was the leading chorister in the Congrégational Church for many years. Dea. Seymour Crittenden was also one of the active and working members of those early days. The names of Thaddeus Hickok, John.Mears, David Thompson, Joseph Morse, Ebenezer Frisbie, Seth Gorham, Oliver Sanford, Elias Babcock, and Barnabas Richmond appear on the records _ as among the early members. foe ‘Cases of discipline were frequent in the aly history of the Congregational Church. It: has been said that churches, in their early history, were severe and rigid in matters of discipline; but we must give them the credit of having been watchful over each other, and if they did go to an extreme in one direction, we can truly say our churches in later times have been loose and negligent in discipline. - In 1803, we find the Congregational Church with a new house of worship completed—the same honse since occupied by that denomination—and with a second settled pastor. Mr. Leonard’s pastorate continued for a period of eighteen years, and was, on the whole, a successful and pleasant one. At his own request, he was dismissed by an Ecclesiastical Council, held the first Wednesday in June, 1821. He removed from Poultney, and died in Chesterfield, Michigan, April 19, 1862, at the advanced age of 85 years. During Mr, Leonard’s pastorate, the church ' grew in numbers, and was apparently prosperous. — HISTORY OF POULTNEY. . 105 October 2, 1817, Moses Noyes and Calvin Hinman were ordained deacons of the church. In May, of the same year, Deacon Hinman was chosen clerk. Deacon Noyes held his office until May 19, 1835, when he reegoed by reason of his age and infirmities. At a meeting of the church, “October 1, 1821, chose Wn. L. Farnum, clerk pro tem. The church yoted to give Rev. Ethan Smith a call to become our minister.” The call was ac- cepted, and Mr. Smith was installed November 21, 1821. The telat ons of Mr. Smith and the church seem to have been ~ amicable for about five years, but November 3d, 1826, a church meeting was held, at which Mr. Smith “ stated as‘a well known fact, that a misunderstanding had arisen between one of the deacons and himself, which they were unable amicably to ad- just.” A council was called, and he was dismissed. » Following the dismission of Mr. Smith, the church, for a time, was without a pastor, On the 1st of January, 1827, “a ‘committee of supply was chosen.” “ September 3, 1827, aed met, conversed upon the subject of giving Mr. Cochran a call. No vote taken.” “September 10, 1827, after some desultory remarks, church voted to give Rev. Sylvester Cochran a call to settle over them in the work of the Gospel ministry.” The call was accepted, and Mr. Cochran was ordained and installed October 24th, 1827. Rev. Ebenezer. Hibbard, then of Whitehall, a son of Ithamar Hibbard, the first. settled pastor of the church, was present at the exercises of ordination and installation. Rev. ° Lemuel Haynes, the colored minister, made the ordaining prayer. Two or three years after the settlement of Mr. Coch- “aan, the following recerd was made: “We record it to the honor and glory of Ged, and for the information of those who. may come after us, that during the winter of 1829 and 1830, we enjoyed in allour churches in this town an’ unusual and glorious revival of. religion., This. revival extended te most parts of the town, and continued from November, 1829, till some time in the oon ing. year before it subsided. Daring 1d 106 HISTORY OF POULTNEY, _this.time nearly two hundred of all classes were hopefully con- verted ile Lord, and all the churches were refreshed and built up.” é ue After what Mr. Hale says seemed to him “ on the whole, the most successful pastorate the church has enjoyed,” Mr. Coch- ran tendered his resignation’ October 5, 1834, giving as a reason that “a small minority in the church had expressed dis- satisfaction.” A council was called, and Mr. Cochran, after about seven years service, was dismissed. When he was set- tled, in 1827, the church numbered 86. There were added during his ministry, by profession and by letter, 116. Thirty- nine were removed by death; some received letters to other churches, leaving, at the close of Mr. Cochran’s pastorate, 163 members. After his dismissal, Mr. Cochran removed, with a colony of Vermonters, to Vermontville, Michigan, and died at Northfield, in that State, March 14th, 1860, in the sixty-fourth — year of his age. December 19th, 1834, by a vote of the church, Rev. Solomon Lyman received a call to the pastorate of this church. . The call’ “was accepted, and Mr. Lyman commenced his labors the first Sabbath in January, 1835, and was installed February 26th. “May 19, 1835, the church elected, by ballot, Brother Wm. L. Farnum to officiate in place of Deacon Hooker, removed. o At the same meeting, “the church, on motion, proceeded to elect, and did elect, William P. Noyes as deacon, in the place of his father,” Deacon Moses Noyes, who resigned by reason of his age. Deacon Farnum held the office of deacon in this church from the date of his election to the time of his death, March 10th, 1873. _ “Sune 6, 1836, it was voted that a protracted. ‘ieeting be held.” « Voted, that the Rev. J. Birchard be invited to con- duct, the meeting.” “June 19, 1836, pr otracted meeting closed to-day.” On the day the meeting closed, the records show that seventeen united with the church. . ge September 15, 1888, church met and elected “Daniel Whit- ‘comb and Rollin J. Watkins as deacons.” “June 14, 1842, at a stated meeting of the chureh, Rey. S. Lyman requested a dis- i HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 107 missal.” The request was laid over one week, when the church, - by a strong negative vote, refused to accede to his request. Some months afterwards the request was renewed, and the _ matter. The council was called, and severed the relation chur ch reluctantly consented to calling a council to consider the November 16, 1842. Mr. Lyman remained through the winter, and apparently acted as pastor. until March, 6, 1848. Forty-two persons united with the church on that day—forty-one by pro- fession, and one by letter—‘the largest number,” says Mr. : Hale, “ ever admitted to this church at one time.” Soon after this Mr. Lyman removed to Easthampton, Mass., where he lived until he died, a few years since. “1843, March 25.—This day, the Be ai: Myers, of | = Whitehall, began his ministerial labors.” | This is the first record in the handwriting of William P. Noyes. He appears to have ee officiated as clerk until he resigned, in the summer of 1848, when James P. Harris was elected to fill his place. Mr. Myers was dismissed January 30, 1846, by reason of ill health. It is sup- posed that Mr. Myers is’still living on Long Island. After Mr. Myers was dismissed, the church was supplied a few months by Rev. A. G. Pease. ‘July 26, 1847, the church voted to give a eall to the Rev. Daniel C. Frost to settle over us in the Gospel ministry.” . Mr. Frost was dismissed July 6, 1848. The Rev. Cephyfs H. Kent served as a stated supply about two years and * a-half, as we should | judge by the records. February 1, 1850, Di. Beaman, then of Troy, N. Y., was invited by a formal call “to settle with us in the ministry.” This call was declined, but -- for some little anes Dr. Beaman supplied the pulpit of this _ church, awhile supplied the pulpit, received a call, which. was accepted,, failed, and he died at his father’s, in Pawlet, May 6, 1854. After- December 24, 1852, the Rev. Jacob E. Blakeley, who had for and Mr. Blakely was ordained March 9, 1853. His health soon Mr. Blakely’s illness commenced, Rev. Guy C. Strong supplied . for awhile.. October 15, 1855, Calvin N. Ransom received a eall, and he was installed January 10, 1856. Mr. Ransom was dismissed January 6, 1859. Rev. N. P. Gilbert supplied for a 108 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. few months, when Rev. John G. Hale took his place. Mr. Hale received a call from the church, and was installed April 18, 1860. His pastorate continued nearlynine years. He tendered his resignation January. 31, 1869, and was dismissed by an ecclesiastical council February 23, 1869. In his historical ser- mon, he reports that, during his pastorate, “thirty-five have been added .to the church by profession, and thirty-seven by letter. Seventeen members of the church have died; thirty- three dismissed to other churches, and eight excommunicated.” .. Soon after Mr. Hale’s dismission, he removed to Chester, Vt.,- became, and still remains, the eee of tle Congregational Church in that town. After Mr. Hale removed, Rev. Ovid Niner suppled the church about twoyears. Rev, Calvin Granger removed from Hubbard- ton to East. Poultney in the spring of 1872, and commenced his labors with this church the first Sabbath in June of that year. He still: remains the acting and acceptable pastor of the Con- gregational Church in Poultney. Marville Colvin for some years held the office of deacon in thé church, but after removing to Pawlet, received a letter of recom- mendation to that church. A.B. Ripley was chosen deacon to fill his place, May 18, 1866. Charles A. Rann, Esq., was the clerk of the church for some years. He resigned April 13, 1873, and Charles F. Harris was elected to fill his place, and still holds this office. William L. Farnum and Joseph Mears were elected deacons, October 27, 1874. Mr. Farnum is a son of the late William Lee Farnum, so long a deacon of this church. ' Sabbath Schools have been well-sustained in this church since they became a part of religious effort, which will date as far back as'1825. The members of the church have generally realized their importance as a means of religious education: The late Deacon Farnum was an active man in this department, and for many years the superintendent. Many others might be named who gave special attention and valuable service to this cause.: There are few churches whieh have a better record for work in benevolent objects. We have not the space to go into the HISTORY “OF POULTNEY, - ‘109 ctails of its history, in this regard, or hardly for’ a general notice of it. But we will say that the records show-contribu- tions, year after year, to foreign and home missions, to Bible, education, tract societies, and to.other benevolent objects which, ° at least, will . es ee with ‘other New England ehurches. ite ae 2 The’ report of the: Cancat: ‘Cbnveation of Congregational Ghntches of Vermont, in 1873, shows that the’ Poultney Con- ‘gregational Church then had a membership of ninty-three, eighteen of whom were reported absent. ‘The Berens number will not Wary much froni the above, ° “Bapatet Church. On the, 8th of April, 1852, Rev. John Goadby, D. Ds then delivered a discourse at the Baptist Church, in East Poultney, on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Organization of the Church, Its historical value induced. members of the church to. vote a- - request of a copy for publication. The request was granted, ‘the sermon published, a copy of which we have, and would be pleased to give it entire; but, for want of space, we can copy little more than that portion which is strictly historical. _ The. following was the text: “I will remember the works of the Lord; I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings.”—Psalms txxvu: 11-12, : This church, whose fiftieth anniversary we now celebrate, lias had its share of changes, but they have never’ been so fre- ; quent , nor severe as many others have experienced i in the same period. This may be attributed, in the Providence of God, to the character of its prominent members’ at its organization, ‘and to the single-mindedness of its first pastor. “Some of its mem- bers were men of rich and varied experience, in. the full vigor ‘of life, and admirably adapted for the commencement of an enterprise requiring sound judgement, persevering effort, and unwavering trust in God. As we look back over fifty years, the vigorous and venerable forms of Ward and Webster, of Mar- shall and Sanford, of Pond and Ashley, seem to. rise up- before us; and the mothers - in Israel, Lydia Marshall, Mary Mallory, 110 ‘HISTORY OF -POULTNEY. and Sally Angevine, all of whom liv ed upwards of ninety years; and Mary Whitney, the last of the original members, who. died in February, 1837. Under date of October 27, 1835, there is . the following entry in the church records: “Died, Lydia Mar- shall, in the 93 year of her age. She came to.the grave like a shock of corn fully ripe. She was the last, save one, of those who composed this church at its organization. ‘She had lived in the town sixty-two years. She, and four who now survive, were heads of families in 1777, in this town, ‘when the inhabitants were all driven from their homes by the enemy, in the War of the Revolution. She had reared a family of fourteen children, and there ate known to be living, of her posterity, above 370, extending to the fifth generation.’ The first Baptist. who moved into town, was aac Ashley, in... the Fall of 1771; William Ward was the next, 1774. They came: from Canaan, Conn., where they were baptized on the. — same day, in 1770 or 1771, by Elder Dakins. Isaac Ashley died in April, 1777, leaving an infant son* about thirteen months old. He stands among us to-day, in vigorous old age, where he has “stood, with the exception of a few months, for fifty, years. May his presence be Iong continued, as an ornament and pillar in the house of our God. ; - The inhabitants fled from ‘the town about the aa of June, . 1777; in the following year they returned, and the number of Baptists slowly, increased. Mrs. Thomas Ashley and Mrs. Ichabod Marshall were’ baptized by Elder Joseph Cornell, and, are supposed to have been the first to whom the baptism of be- lievers was administered in Poultney. Shortly after, John Ashley, Ichabod Marshall, and some others, obeyed the Lord in Hie. ordinance, till the number was about twelve. In 1782, they met at Ichabod Marshall’s, and formed themselves into a church, and choose William Ward their deacon. This little church, in its infancy, united with the Congregational Church in support- ing the Gospel, in worship, and in communion, andes the * The “infant son” was the late Elisha Ashley, sito was living in 1852. 1 HISTORY OF POULTNEY, lil pastoral care of Ithamar Hibbard, who had been a chaplain in the army of the Revolution. In 1782-3, both societies were engaged, in building a meeting-house, opposite the burying- ~ ground (east village). It was raised and covered by. subscrip- ‘tion, but finished by a town tax. About the year 1795, the Baptists, doubting the propriety of their course, withdrew from that communion, and united with the Baptist Church in Middle- town, under the pastoral care of Sylvanus Haynes, who was said to have produced the separation. They still continued in ‘union with the Congregational Church, in the support, of pr each- ing, and in public worship. - In Januar y, 1802, preliminary steps W were taken for organizing two distinct societies; they were fully organized in February ~ following. At the first meeting. of the Baptist. Society, held February 8th, after choosing officers, it was “voted to give Clark Kendrick a call to settle with said society in the Gospel, ministry.” On the 8th of April, thirty-four members were dis- missed from the Baptist Church in Middletown, and organized van independent body. The first meeting for business was held © on the 7th of the same month; William Ward was chosen « moderator, and Elijah D. Webster, clerk. It was then voted to call Mr, Kendrick to the pastoral office, and to ¢all a council for his ordination, as requested by a vote of the society, on the same day. The council assembled May 19th, and the’ next’ day Mr. Kendrick was ordained. Soon after the . ordination of Mr.” Kendrick, the Congregationalists obtained a ETHER and held Separate. meetings. - ‘In 1805, the house in which we are , assembled (Baptist house in east village) was built, at a cost of about $6000. " an 1839, this audience room was prepared at an expense of $2000. Mr. Kendrick held the pastoral office until his ‘death, which occurred at midnight, February 29, 1824, in the ‘forty- -ninth -. year of his age. His funeral was attended on Thur sday follow- ing, when Mr. Dellaway preached from “ the prayers of David, ‘the son of Jesse, are ended.” His labors had ‘been greatly blessed, and were ‘continued to within three weeks of his death. 112 , , * HISTORY’ OF POULTNEY. He administered the Lord’s Supp for the last time on the first ay day of February. ; The first person: who ‘inital with this church, was ae - Broughton, by letter. The first baptism was May 9, 1802, when when Mr. Haynes administered the ordinance to Peleg Brunson, ° Ithiel-Peck and Sally Finel. The church nearly doubled’ in numbers before the close of the year; the next year, and 1809, were seasons of great interest; but the latter part of 1816, and the whole of 1817, were one continued revival, in which 101 were added by baptism... The whole number added to the church from its organization, to the death of Mr. Kendrick, was 234—by baptism, 189; by letter, 45. The decrease was, dis- - “missed, 85; died, 10; and 22 fellowships had been withdrawn, leaving 151. : The death of their pastor was a heavy blow to the sharoh which had enjoyed his faithful labors and judicious counsels ’ so long. In the Fall of the year, they secured the services of Mr. Pharcllus Church, who had recently graduated at the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution. He was ordained June 23, 1825. Between the death of Mr. Kendrick and the ordin- ation of Mr. Chureb, 20 were received by baptism, and sone by letter. ' The labors of Mr. Church were acceptable and enocaasfal: but the period of his pastor. ate was short, extending only te October. 21, 1828, when he removed to Providence. R.I. His resignation was regarded by many as “unwarrantable, and even sinful. They had thought, in their simplicity, that the pastoral office was a permanent one. There were added, during his pastorate, by baptism, 33; by letter, 9; restored, 1. The church was destitute several months, and the desk occupied by several ministers. August 23, 1829, Mr. Eli B. Smith entered upon the pastoral office, with cheering prospeets of success. Through the follow- ing fall and winter, there was an extensive revival. ' His labors were abundantly blessed, and much people were added to the Lord. He continued with the church until May 6, 1833, whem he left to take charge of the New Hampton Institution. His removal was deeply felt. It was the second lesson of minis- 4 ® HISTORY OF POULTNEY. _ 118 terial fickleness, and produced very ‘unhappy feelings among the church. Before his coming, two were added by letter, and while he was pastor, 104 were baptized, 14 united by letter, and 8 were restored. . John H, Ricket commenced predehiie with the church, as a ane July 14,1833. The church voted to request his ordination during the session of the Association, which met here. in October. He was not ordained, and closed his labors on the 13th of the same month. “Negotiations were ‘soon entered upon’ with, Mr. Samuel C.. Dilloway, of Granville, N.Y. He entered upon the pastoral office January 6, 1834, and continued until April 1, 1838, when he was dismissed, at his own request, in the midst of an inter- esting revival. He wassubject to temporary aberations of mind, and under a consciousness of his infirmity, requested to be re- leased {rom the pastoral office. In the interim between the re- “moval of Mr. Smith and the coming of Mr. Dilloway, six persons joined the church by letter. From this time to his dis- mission, 36 were baptized, 15 added by letter, and 2 restored. In the fall of 1838, Mr. Velony R. Hotchkiss began his ministry here, and was ordained December 20, the same year. ~ His labors were faithful and successful; he gained the affection of the church, and the confidence of the mimnvaite. but left, to the grief of many, May 8, 1842. Before his ordination, 12 were baptized and 5 added by letter. During his pastorate, 25 were baptized, 27 added by letter, and 3 were restored. Four - others entered by letter before the coming of Mr. Joseph M. 2 Driver, who was the next pastor. Mr. Driver entered upon his “labors November 5, 1842. A work of great interest and power had commenced, and it was his privilege in the beginning to gather in the sheaves. He baptized 4 in number November 26th, 8 in December, 36 in February following, 30 in March, and 14 more before the end of July. During Mr. Driver’s © _ pastorate, he baptized 92, 14 were added by letter, and 1 re~ stored. In the year 1843, the church attained its highest . bumerical point; in October it numbered 274 members, equal to 15 ’ 114 : HISTORY OF POULTNEY. one-seventh of the population of the town. Mr. . Driver re- mained until April 5, 1845. After his removal, the church was supplied by various indi- viduals, as in former times of destitution; but in all of them, one of its own members had supplied almost every vacancy. I refer to Elder Isaac Fuller, whom most of youknow. He united with this church June 3, 1820, and died August 20, 1843, aged 72. In his death, the church lost a faithful, warm-hearted, sincere and devoted Christian, and a peace maker, who, by his visits, cousels and sympathies, accomplished much good in the church and in the town. He has left a name often remember ed with pleasure, and uttered with respect by those who knew him. One person only was added to the church between the dis- mission of Mr. Driver, and the settlement of Mr. Josiah Cannon, in February, 1846, whose pastoral relation to the church ceased © May 28, 1848: In the meantime, 5 were added by baptism, 20 by letter, and 1 restored; before the close of the year, 1 was - baptized and 1 added by letter. Your present pastor (Dr. Goadby) enter all upon. his office January 21, 1849, since which time 10 have been baptized, and. 16 added by letter. — 4 From the organization of the church until to day, there have - been baptized 527; added by letter, 184; dismissed, 397; fellow- ship withdrawn from 75—of whom 11 have been restored; 14 have been dropped from the records; 114 have died , leaving 156 our present number. Total increase, 722; decr CAE 600. The deacons have been fourteen— William Ward, appointed Aug..19, 1020, died Aug. 13, 1819. Oliver Sanford “Dec. 18, 1804, “ Oct. 22, 1885, Elijah D. Webster, “Feb. 12,1812, “ Jan. 17, 1823. *John Jones, Sen., “May 17, 1818, Dis. May 4, 1823. Caleb Brookins, “Oct. 21, 1823,' “ Nov. 7, 1827: ‘John Jones, Jr., “May 15,1827, “ May 1, 1881. Buzi Cramton, “Oct. 2, 1830, Did Oct. 4, 1839. Joseph Joslin, “July 6, 1835, Still in office. "* Removed to State of Ohio, and died. Hag HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 115 Adin Kendrick, appointed July 6, 1835, Died George Cutting, “Sept. 21, 1837, Dis. March 9, 1842. _ Winslow Gardner, “Jan. 18, 1840, .“ : ‘William Fifield, “Jan. 18,.1845,: ‘Wm. L. Bosworth, “Dee. 16, 1849, i Aaron C. Broughton, “ Mar. 1, 1868, Still in office. The clerks of the church have been Elijah D. Webster, Luther Finel, Clark Kendrick, Elisha Ashley, Levi Kinney, Samuel Stewart, William Fifield, Jaties R. Es oughton, J. J. Joslin. and | Ww. W. Hibbard. Two only of its members have been licensed to preach by this : church, Ithiel Peck, who I suppose was ordained in Qrwell, in October, 1835, and. Geor ge N. Cutting, now pastor of the Baptist Church, -Lyme, N. H. One who has long been a pastor” in Georgia, Charles D. Mallary, w was dismissed from this church in May, 1824; he had not then commenced preaching. Oné of “our present number is among the heathen, Mrs. Mary Brayton. The expenses attending the worship of God were defrayed: by “a tax on the grand list of the church and society, until 1829, since then by subscription, and sometimes by assessment on the menibers of the church, according to their ability; There has always been some interest felt towards the benevolent enterprises in which the denomination has engaged; 'but, with two excep- tions, no record has been kept of the amount raised for them: These are, 1840, in which the sum was $190; and 1847, when it ~ was $210. For the last three years we have raised $644.64— 1849, $143.47; 1850, $256.17; in 1851, $245. -- During the pastorate of Mr. E. B. Smith, and as neatly as T can learn, in 1829, a Sabbath School was. commenced at his urgent request. It has been continued to the present time, with a few slight intermissions. It has included, in its classes, many of mature years, and has been found interesting and profitable. The superintendents have been Elisha Ashley, Levi Kinney, Simeon Mears, Joseph Joslin, and now, Lyman 8. Clark. : Sunday Schools had existed for some years before this time, and had been carried on in yarious school districts, but I cannot learn that this church had fully'engaged in them until 1829. 116. HISTORY OF POULTNEY. Of the persons baptized into the fellowship of this church before the death of its first pastor, twenty are still members with us. -Of these, Mrs. Sally Richards (formerly Finel) was baptized before Mr. Kendrick was ordained; three in 1809, “This grave contains the remains of Maj. Heber Allen, who, with his brothers, assisted in the struggle for the independence of this and the United States> He was one of the earliest set- -tlers in the town, and died as he lived, and as expressed by his brother Ethan “the noblest work of God,” on the 10th day of April, A. D. 1782, aged 38 years.” : Allen, Henman, a son of Heber, was om in Poultney, and nfter his father’s death was adopted into the family of his : wicle, Ira Allen, in Colchester, Vt. He was Town Clerk of Colchester from 1807 to 1817; represented that town each year from 1812 to 1816; Sheriff of:Chittenden county in 1808-9; ‘Chief Judge of Chittenden County Court in 1811, and the three succeeding years. He was Marshal of the State under Mon- roe’s administration, and in 1823 was appointed Minister Pleni- - potentiary to Chili, where, he remained through the succeeding administration of J ohn Quincy Adams. After his return from Chili he resided at Burlington and anatente and died.at the latter ps in the year 1852. Ames, Exisau—Came to ponte ee the year 1783, and settled in what has since been known as “Ames’ Hollow,” a locality near Bird Mountain. His brother, Zebulon, came about ‘the same time, and settled near his brother Elijah, but in the town of Ira. Zebulon Ames was a surveyor, and one vf the earliest. But little has been learned of his family. Elijah- Ames had two sons, Elijah, junior, and Oramel. Oramel was porn in Poultney, July 22, 1800; he. marriea Maria Spaulding, — of Middletown, a daughter of Teaeph Spaulding, April 8, 1824, They had six children: Merritt, Elisa, Morris W., Ellen M., Milo and Mary R. Merritt now resides at Glens Falls, N- Y.; Elisa at Sandy Hill, N. Y.; Ellen M. married. Dea. A. B. Ripley. 200. : HISTORY OF POULTNEY. She and her sister. Mary R., now reside in Troy, N. Y. Morris . W. and Milo are dead. Oramel Ames, some years since, re- moved to Hubbardton, Vt., and died there June 1, 1870. AncEnvinE, AntHony—Came to Poultney about the year 1797. He settled opposite the Stearns Marshall place, and where Henry W, Crittenden new resides. He lived in Poult- ney a few years and removed to Mendon, N. Y., where he died. Angevine, Oliver Lawrence, a son of Anthony, was about 18 ‘years old when his father came to Poultney. He married Sally Whitney, a daughter of Solomon Whitney, and had twelve children: Solomon, Mary, Harriet, Hiel, Charity, James, Mary’ ‘Ann, Pharcellus, John, Harvey and Sarah. MHiel, James and John still reside in Poultney. Harriet married James Howe, and lives in Martinsburg, Missouri. Charity maried Nathaniel Winchell, and lives in Fairhaven. Sarah married Henry Far- mer, and also lives in Fairhaven. Pharcellus now resides in Omro, Wisconsin. Solomon, Mary, a Mary Ann and Har- vey are dead. _ Oliver Lawrence died September 26, 1870, at the age of 91 years. His widow is still living. Anprus, Roswett—Removed from Shaftsbury to Poultney about the year 1800, and settled on the farm now occupied by. . W. W. Martin, about two miles south of Poultney village. He had four children: Laura, Heman, Roswell and Linus. Laura married Amos Williams, of Wells, who died some twelve years ago in Michigan. His widow is still living in Springfield, I, with her children; she has five living. Heman was never mar- ried; he died on the farm on which his father settled, J anuary 18, 1872, of. a cancer. Roswell married Mohala Browa, and died in Poultney about twenty- -five years ago. He left five children and a widow; the widow has been dead about one year. Linus married Abagail Pattee, and resided on his father’s home- stead until bis decease, which occurred October 10, 1872, at the age of 69 years. He had two children, daughters. Sarah J. died, April 22,1837. Lucey, mar ried Wallace W. Martin, and, HISTORY OF POULTNEY. | - 201 _ with her husband, resides on the farm .occupied by her father and gr andfather. : Andrus, Daniel was a son of John Andrus. » John. Andrus was ahalf brother of Roswell Andrus. John never lived in Poultney. Daniel came here about 1815, and worked for John Broughton a year or more. Afterwards he worked for Daniel Mallary. He came to Poultney poor, but succeeded, by indus- try and close economy, to save a good property. . ‘He married Harriet Watkins, and had three children: Jane, Mary and) Ed- win.D. Jane married William M. Bosworth, and after his de- cease, Rev. John Goadby, D. D., and resides in Poultney. ' Mary married J. Jay Joslin, and now resides in Denver, Colo- rado. Edwin D. has been twice married. A Daniel Andrus died November 14, 1863, in the 67th year of his age. ee his wife, one February 23, 1874, aged 69 years, Edwin D. now resides on the facie for many years owned and occupied by his fatl: er as his homestead, which is located - about two miles north of Poultney village. ; Armstronc, JEREMIAH—Came from Connecticut about the time of the close of the Revolutionary War, and settled in that locality'in Poultney called Ames Hollow. _ He was one of the substantial men of the town in that early day, He lived’on the same land on which he settled and cleared, until his death, which occurred in or about the year 1842. His wife died a year or two thereafter. They had eight children: Levi, Dudley, Charles, John, Harvey, Diantha, Sophia and Anna. Levi and Dudley “never married, and beth died when young men.. Charles died - jn 1856; John and Anna died in 1844, or about that time. Diantha married Abel Sweet, and removed to Western New York, and died in 1855. - Sophia married Joel Winchester, of Pawlet, and died in 1862. — Harry, at -his father’s death, ‘gsueceeded to the en) and - lived on it until 1853, when he removed to. Castleton, where he © has since lived, and been known as one of the solid men of that 26 202 : HISTORY OF POULTNEY. town. He is a farmer, and his farm bears evidence that he is one of the best. He has been twice married; his first wife was Amanda Barker—she lived only about two ygars after marriage and died without issue. For his second wife he married Maria Smith. By her he had four children: Dennis, Egbert, Henry and Charles. Dennis died in 1851, at the ageof 17 years. The three sons are all in the mercantile business—Egbert, in Castle- . ton; Henry, in Poultney; and Charles is a hardware merchant in Clinton, Iowa. Henry commenced the mercantile business at Castleton in 1865, removed to Poultrey in January, 1874. He and Charles E. Jackman are the successors to J. Jay Joslin, and are now in trade in the large store occupied by Mr. Joslin until his removal to Denver, Colorado. Henry married Fanny Taft in 1872, and has one child. $ . ' Asutry.—As will appear in former chapters of this work, the Ashley’s were prominent in the early history of the town. There were seven brothers: Thomas, Isaac, John, Elkana,: - Elisha, Enoch and William Ashley, and all came to Poultney the first year of its settlement; and Thomas was one of the first two settlers. He was twice married; the first time in Connect-— icut, before his removal to Poultney, and the second time to . the widow of Zebediah Dewey. About all the information we have gained of the Ashley brothers has been given, and which we need not repeat. Ashley, Elisha, was born in Poultney in March, 1776, and, ' consequently, as he often remarked, “was oider than the United States.” His father, Isaac Ashley, died in April, 1777, and he was subsequently transferred to the family of John Tilden, who was extremely poor (the man who applied to the town to have his taxes abated on account of his poverty), and found it diffi- . cult to provide his family with the:bare necessaries of life. Af- terwards he went to live with his uncle, Thomas Ashley; but during the period of his childhood and youth he was scantily — fed and poorly clothed; came up without the fostering care of. _ parents and home, and was mostly cared for by those who esti- -) mated him chiefly for his labor, and the assistance he could render HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 203 the families in which he lived. His advantages for obtaining even a common school education were extremely limited. Still, by dint of perseverance in improving his spare moments in study, he acquired a good business education, which was of great value to him in after life, and to the community in which he lived. It has been said that he did more town business, set- tled more estates, decided more questions of dispute between contending parties than any other man that ever lived in Poult- ney. He was a friend and supporter (if not one of the found- | ers), of Poultney library, from which he stored his mind with a _large amount of historical, biographical and general knowl- “edge. He became a voter in 1797, during the administration of John Adams. Party spirit, which had been-almost unknown in town from its settlement to the present time, began to creep in, and to disturb not only the political, but the social harmony which had hitherto so happily prevailed, and people began to take firm and decided stands for and against the federal measures. adopted by Mr. Adams and his friends. And at the formation of the Federal and Democratic parties Esquire Ashley identi- fied himself with the latter, and was a firm and faithful friend and supporter of Thomas Jefferson and his ‘Democratic princi-- ciples, ur.til party strife was dissolved with the war of 1812. In early life he was an intimate friend of Wm. Miller, Judge Stanley, Timothy Crittenden, Daniel Sprague and others, and with them embraced Deistical sentiments, which he maintained until he was more than forty years old; but during a general revival of religion in town, in the winter of 1816-17, he was converted to the Christian faith, and united with the Baptist Church, April 20, 1817, of which he remained a consistent and devoted member, a liberal and firm suppoi ter until his death, which occurred December 26, 1857, and in his will left the Bap- tist’ Church a handsome legacy, that the interest of which might perpetuate his annual subscription to support the preach- ing of the Gospel in the chur ch of his choice. He possessed a fine physical development,—in stature a little above the medium height, in weight, about two hundred,—with " ye 204 ‘ HISTORY OF POULTNEY.. a fine intellectual head, a square matter-of-fact countenance, well calculated to inspire confidence and secure respect; but his unstudied frankness, his outspoken rebuke whenever the sayings or doings of others were inconsistent with his idea of propriety, his general supervision of the village‘boys, which sometimes in- terfered with their sports,‘ rendered him unpopular with that class of society. who claim for themselves the largest liberties without regard to the convenience of others. He was cautious in making pledges, but punctilious in redeeming them when made. In other words, he would do more, and better, — than he talked. Still he had some unpopular peculiarities, which came down from a puritanic ancestry. Nevertheless, his sterling integrity, his proverbial impartiality in his official acts, and his discriminating power of mind, secured for him the re- spect and confidence of all. He was not a fluent public speaker, _and often found it difficult to find words to convey his thoughts, but when he succeeded in making himself understood, notwith- standing his deficiency in language, his ideas had weight, and his opinions were listened to with interest, and highly appre- ciated. He left no children. Austin, Joun W.—Was born July 1, 1803, in Hampton, on the place now occupied by Junius Clark, formerly owned by Harvey Hotchkiss. His father, Anthony Austin, with three brothers, Amos, Zephaniah, junior, and Reuben, migrated from Sheffield, Mass., with their father, Zephaniah, senior, and settled in Whitehall some time previous to 1800. Subsequently, all the family removed to Western New York, except Anthony, who married Charlotte Brooks, and took up his residence in ’ Hampton, in the year 1794. Charlotte Brooks was the daughter of Stephen Brooks, who came from Cheshire, Conn., at. a very early day, and settled in Hampton about the year 1793, when that whole region was a wilderness. : Anthony and Charlotte (Brooks) Austin had six -children: Charlotte and Laura E, [twins], ‘born May 4th, 1801; John W., born in 1803; Hoel 8., born 18th August, 1805, died January 5th, 1839; Augustine, born December 15th, 1807; Stephen, born October 28th, 1809, died 1869. — ‘ *: . HISTORY OF POULTNEY, 205 John W. Austin came to Poultney in October, 1818, was oe N tg . apprenticed to Stephen Seward, manufacturer of leather, boots and shoes. The last three years of his apprenticeship was spent in Rutland, to which place his employer had removed. Having served his time, in 1824 he returned to Poultney, and purchased of Horace Mallory the tannery in which his appren- ~ticeship began, He carried on this tannery 25 years, continuing the manufacture of boots and shoes some years longer. In June, 1844, at the solicitation of the prominent temperance men of the place, he opened his. house as a hotel, which was kept and known as the Temperance House for about ten years. He early became identified with the temperance movement, joining the first organization formed in town, in the year 1829. The society then had about 30 members. .He was also one of the first de- cided and outspoken opponents of slavery in the town of Poult- ney, adopting these sentiments at a period when the expression of them was met with almost universal hostility, and even per- secution. He became hopefully a Christian in 1823, at Rutland, and united with the Methodist Episcopal’ Church in Poultney early in 1825. For many years he was class-leader and steward, ‘and also leader of the choir. November 23, 1826, he married Olive Whitcomb, daughter of Scotter Whitcomb, of Granville, N. Y. Their children were as follows: Eliza Luthera, b. April 17, 1828; d. Feb. 25, 1830. Jobn William, Jr., b. May 7, 1829.. Nathaniel Potter, b. December 23, 1830. Charlotte Luthera, b. September 13, 1832. Lewis Augustine, b. April 26, 1834. Maria Oakley, b. May 21, 1836; d. April 22, 1838. _, Judson Whitcomb, b. Oct. 6, 1838. ‘Sidney Franklin, b. August 21,1840, _ Charles Edward, b. Aug. 2, 1842; d. Oct. 8, 1852, Of the living children, John W., Jr., is a planter in Plague- mine, La.; N. Porter is a saosech dit in Santa: Barbara, Cal.; Luthera is Mrs. H. T. Hull, Poultney, Vt.; Lewis A. is living at Meriden, N. H., where he has been for some years Principal of Kimball Union Academy; Judson W. is Superintendent of 206 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. the Onitor Coal Mine, near Little Rock, Ark.; Sidney F. is Teller in the German American Savings Bank, Washington, D.C. Olive Whitcomb, wife of John W. Austin, died at “Manchester, Vt., March 31, 1872, and was brought to Poultney for burial. Bascocx.—Elias and Ichabod Babcock were born in Stoning- ton, Conn., and removed from Canaan, Conn., to Poultney about the year 1788. Elias settled in Finel Hollow; he bought a farm there of Philip Howe, and paid for it in part with cattle, which he drove from Connecticut. In the earlier part of his life, he was quite an active citizen, and rendered efficient service in sustaining the Congregational Church. He did the stone work in the present Congregational Church edifice. He had five children. Cornelius L. Babcock, an insurance agent now residing in Rutland, and George C. Babcock, who was killed in’ the Battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, were grand-sons of Elias Babcock. George C. was a Lieutenant in Co. F, 6th Vt. Reg , and a worthy young man. ; — Ichabod Babcock settled in the west village; he was a hatter, and followed tnat vocation while he lived. _He was a quiet, sensible man, and for many years a justice of the peace. He had five children, two sons and three daughters. Elias Babcock died in 1886; Ichabod in 1846. The widow of Ichabod, at this date, October 1, 1875, is living. . . - Bartxy, Amon.—Hon. Amon Bailey, whose familiar title was “Colonel,” one which he acquired in the days of the militia, was born in East Haddam, Conn., August 29, 1792; son of Are- tas and Jemima (Tryon) Bailey, of that place; and grandson, on his father’s side, of Jeremiah and Lydia (Crook) Bailey; the latter being a native of Wales, Great Britian. His mother’s family is traced through Caleb, David, Jr. and David Sen., to William Tryon, of Weathersfield, Conn., an immigrant, accora- ing to tradition, from the Isle of Wight. The Bailey home- | stead ‘being far from school, and the sanity large, their early education 1 was very limited. o HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 207 “Amon came to Poultney at the age of 16 to learn from his uncle, Festus Giddings, the trade of blacksmith. Being found to be playful, warm and open-hearted, and persevering, he was soon surrounded with friends. He was married in 1816, at the age of oye to Persis, daughter of John C. Hopson, Sen., of Wells, Vt. Residing in East Poultney, he carried on his. ‘ ade for some years, in the old brick shop, next the school house. He was unable to do the heavy work himself, and the business did not prosper. He failed at length; gave up all to his creditors; and was still heavily in debt. In this crisis one of his creditors, Harvey D. Smith, assisted. him to start anew; which he did ina different line, now dealiag in carding and shearing machines. In this he found some success, and in time paid every debt. From this time onward, although his busi- ness was precarious, and mostly away from home, now with one machine and now with another, or with the patents on the same, his credit was always firm. For some years, in connection with James Winchell, Esq., he carried on a small manufactor y of various articles a half mile east of the village. Afterwards, in the village, the same with R. H. Green, he manufactured reed organs for atime. He built for himself the first house south of that; and finally nearly rebuilt the. old Dana place in the. village, which was his last residence, except for. a few months before his death. .The defects of his education were never made up, in a literary aspect; what he acquired was mostly from contact with men, and the study of facts, which, with his almost perfect memory and extensive traveling, made him a man of considerable inform- ation. In his early manhood he took some fancy to the military drill and parade, and was carried on to the Colonelcey before the days of the “Flood Wood” were ended.. In politics, he, ~ was Federal, Whig, Republican. Taking considerable interest in the progress of political affairs, he probably carried, in his memory, more of the political statistics of the country than the best informed of his neighbors. .He was seldom absent from: | the polls. Far-as he journeyed, he was expected to present himself on election day. He was chosen to represent the town 2 208 | HISTORY OF POULTNEY. in the General assembly in the years 1838 and 1839, and in 1847, 48 and ’49; and was chosen State Senator in 1852 and ’53.. His religious impressions at first were what might have been expected from a Puritan ancestry, and from his early surround- ings‘in Poultney. But his wife was brought up in the Protest- ant Episcopal Church; an earnest member. He was willing therefor to take her when convenient to Hampton, to the ser- vices of the Rev. Mr. Jewett, whose sermons he liked, but for some time found it convenient to be late at service. At length his attention was excited to investigate the grounds of differ- ence, and with a result so decided that none of his near ac- quaintances afterward doubted that he had fixed principles, and reasons for them satisfactory to himself. From that time, when at home, he was commonly among the first at Divine ser- vice. He was confirmed by Bishop Griswold, in 1829, and. soon became the junior and then the senior warden of St. ’ John’s Church, which office he held through life; being ever among the largest supporters and active workers of the parish. He was chosen one of the delegates to the Diocesan Convention in 1830; and, it is said, thereafter annually for 32 years. The Journals of that convention represent him as present, and an active member dur ing 22 sessions. His temperament was very sympathetic, and he literally re- joiced with them that did rejoice, and wept with them that, wept; moreover, adversity always drew from him a respcnse - better than tears. Anything touching the sympathies, he could not read aloud without a choking voice. Those who attended chureh with him will remember how often he would “overflow” at some expression of Scripture, liturgy or sermon. He was also very hopeful and cheerful, and seldom failed to light up smiles on the faces of others. His laughing eye was the prelude to the joke that was coming from his sober mouth. . These traits made him very companionable, and as his memory seemed to retain all that he ever knew, his acquaintance became very ex- tensive. Liberality was a characteristic. Having commonly but a small property, his domestic, church and public contribu- tions were proportionately very large. When St. John’s 4. HISTOKY OF POULTNEY. on £4 209 Church was erected, he gave his all, after reserving enough to_ make his creditors safe; and much’ the same to meet the first year’s expenses of his son in college. In the summer of 1862, after toiling very har a in perfecting his arrangem 2nts for anothet journey, he was. prostrated very suddenty and alarmingly ‘by sickness. He rallicd somewhat afterward, and lingered in much distress for four months, when, with comfortable hopes through Christ, he was released, Nov. 28th, aged 73: years and 3 months. His. widow has since resided. with her son. ae : The children were two. The elder, George Swift, engaged in trade with N. B. Thompson, in the State of Georgia. In eight ° years he accumulated a fair estate for a young man; but he be- came consumptive, and finally so il! that he left his business, and travelled for some months, seeking health, in France, Italy and Sicily. . Finding no benefit, he returned homeward, as far as New York, where’he died suddenly of profuse hemorrhage, Aug. 2, 1844. _ His remains were brought home, and interred in the cemetery of St. John’s Chureh, then first epened for the reception of the dead. fs _ The younger -son, Albert Hopson, was educated at the Troy Conference Academy, the. University of Vermont, and. the teneral Theological Seminary, New York; was ordained Deacon and Priest by Bishop. Hopkins, 1846-7, and has since always atficiated in Vermont. Married, 30th July, 1846, Catherine Frances, daughter of Hon. H. G. Neal. She was called away -by death, Dec. 14, 1859, leaving him six children: Ella, Fanny, Cornelia, George, Julia and Henry Amon. Married, Oct. 10, - 1865, Susan J., daughter of Hon. John Colburn, of Fairhaven. Now rector of Grace Church, oieldn, Vt. [A. H. 3B. Be Renee Ballard was born a the town of Tinmouth, and removed to Poultney in the year 1829. | He married Polly "Whitman, and by her had nine children; eight boys and one girl. The names of the boys were: Horace, Henry, Daniel, Heman, Tilly, Harley and Harvey. Tilly, Sen. died November, . 1832, while yet a young man. Heman died ae same day his . 27 ; : ‘ 210 _ HISTORY OF POULTNEY. father did, and Horace died in September, 1855, in Poultney. Harvey dicd in Illinois, in 1872. Four of the sons are still liv- ing; Henry, Dariel and Tilly in Poultney, and Harley in Kan- — kakee, Illinois. The widow of.Tilly Ballard, Sen. died in Poultney, February 15, 1856. Barser, Eri—lived in the north part of the town of Poult- ney for several years. He moved from Fairhaven to Poultney, and died here January 25, 1837, at the age of 61 years. His wife, Sarah S., died Aug. 31, 1847. At the time of her death she was ine with her son, George Barber. Eli Barber- and his wife united with the Congr egational Church in Poult- ney, by letter from Fairhaven Church, May 1, 1835. Eli and Sarah S. had nine children: Milo, Heman, Luman, Luey, Ly- man, Lucinda, Edmund, George and Levi 8. Milo died when a child; Heman died February 7, 1875, at the age of 72, in Ben- son, Vt.; Lyman died at Poultney, March 19, 1875, at the age of 65. He died on the farm on which he had lived about 35 years, situated in the north part of Poultney, and near the Ea- gle Quarry. He left a widow and three children. Luman died in Benson, when 1 young man. Lucy died when a child. “Lu- cinda married Marcus W. Bliss, and now resides in Poultney. Edmund has resided in Saratoga for the last five years. George was never married, and died in Dresden, Iowa, in June, 1870. ° ‘Levi S. married Araminta Stone, and died in Poultney about thirty years ago. He left a widow, who afterwards married a Mr. Loveland, and removed to Connecticut, and has since died. Barker.—Eastus and Jaasaniah Barker were for some years residents of thetown. They, with Justus Barker, who new re- sides in Middletown, were sons of Pitman Barker, who was a former resident of the town of Tinmouth, and brother of Eastus Barker, of that place, who was some years a sheriff of Rutland, Coatity, about sixiy years ago, ‘Pitman lived with his sons, in Poultney, the latter part of his life, and died in Poultney at an advanced age. Eastus married Perley, a daughter of. Alfred Hosford, and had three children: Don A., Dwight and Edson. D. Don A. married a daughter of Asa J. Rogers, and now re- HISTORY OF POULTNEY. ‘ 211 x sides in Poultney. The other two reside in Plainfield, Wis. _ Eastus has been dead some years; he died in Wisconsin. His widow now resides on the old homestead, south of Poultney vil- lage. Javsaniah married, and had four oe en. He has been dead some years: ~ Bateman, Orson R.—Is an old man, and resided nearly all his life in this town. He left a year or two since, and went to ‘Johnsburg, N. Y., and for that reason the writer has not been able to get his ‘sina: He has been twice married; he had a large family of boys, and several of them, whose names appear elsewhere, served in the War of the Rebellion. Bzacu, Noau Portrr—Was born in Hardwick, Mass., and came to Poultney in 1836. - He married Rhoda Brown. He has resided in Poultney since the time he came here, except ; about two years, when he was in Malone, N. Y. ' He has owned and worked a small farm near the village, and a portion of the time has worked in the Ruggles Foundry. He sold -his farm, “and moved into the village in the spring of 1875. " He has been aman of very. industrious habits. He was married Bept ee 1843, and has had three children: Francena, b. March 14, 1848. Charles A., b. August 11, 1851. Emma C., b. Fegaaeye BEALS, Davip—Son of Caleb and Sarah Beals, was born i in Plainfield, Mass., July 21, 1792. He moved to Wells, Vt., 1816, and married Lydia, daughter of Bethuel and Mary Bagh ‘ in 1817, by whom he haa one child, Barden. She (Lydia) died May 24th, 1824, at the age of 28 years. David Beals afterward married Sally, daughter of David Keyes, of Middletown, by whom he had three children: Emeline A., John A. and Henry, all of whom are now. living. Emeline tives! in Canaan, N. H.; John in Galva, Ill., and Henry in Rutland, Vt. He (David) moved to Poultney about the year. 1832, and was killed by the caving in of a well, Sept. 13, 1836.. His occupation was that of 212 _ HISTORY OF POULTNEY, farming. Sally, his wife, afterward married Zimri Barber, of Castleton, and died there June 28, 1854, at the age of 63 years. Barden Beals was born in Wells, May 11, 1818, and married Eveline C., daughter of Abel and Amanda Parker, of Wells, January 23, 1845, and has one child, Helen S. He moved to Poultney in 1854, where he now lives, and is engaged i in the gr ocery and provision business. Bramay, Jort.—Of the ay inhabitants of Poultney there _were few that. beenme more closely identified with the interests of the town, or who was better or longer known as one of its leading business men, than Joel Beaman. Born in Leominster, Mass., he came to Vermont in the Spring of 1805, when, in Company with others, he engaged in the business of paper making (of which he had a practical knowledge), in Fairhaven, where he remained but a few years. In 1808 he married Lydia, © eldest child of John Brown, Esq., and soon after removed to Poultney, purchasing the public house still known as the “ Bea- man House,” and which has been retained by the family to the. present time. Soon after, he purchased of Thomas Ashley the house and lot afterwards the place of residence of Hon. Rollin C. Mallary, and now owned and occupied by Dr. McLeod; and ‘also the then farm lands of the said Ashley, a portion of which embraced that.part of the present village of Poultney bounded north by the East Poultney road, south by the river, west by the old turnpike (now Grove street), and extending east to the furnace. At about this time he sold his interest in the Fairhaven paper mill, and commenced in the mercantile business, which he successfully continued until his death. Soon after the close of the war of 1812-14, he purchased the farm of Judge Witherill, lying at the west end of the village, which he at a later day sold to the Troy Conference Academy Associ- ation, and which they now hold, and upon which stand the present Academy buildings. In addition to his business as— merchant—and for atime woolen manufacturer, public house keeper and farmer, Mr. Beaman was also largely engaged in staging, holding, as he did, for many years, large mail contracts . # HISTORY OF POULTNEY, _, B13 from Albany to Burlington, Rutland to Whitehall, and. several other less important routes; and though he may not have been, what in the present day would be called a fast or dashing busi- ness man, he was ever regarded as safe; and it may be truly said that no branch of his business was ever. allowed to suffer for want ‘of proper care and attention. Eccentric in some respects, owing to an apparent absence of mind to what was im- mediately passing before him, he was quick of observation, had ready perception, a remarkably retentive memory, and a sound judgment. Unpretentious and consistent in the various rela- tions in life, public spirited and courteous to all, he was highly esteemed and was often called upon to fill. many and the most important offices within the giit of the people of the town and which trusts were always well and faithfully discharged. He represented the town in the Legislatures of Vermont in the -years 1817, °18, ’30, °31, °36 and ’40. _He died, March 20,1846, leaving a. wife ad nine children, Two sons and one daughter have since died. Jenks graduated at West Point; died at Tampico, on his way home from the.Mexican War, in 1848, Joel D., a merchant in Poultney, died in 1849. Wehuices H. married W. O. Ruggles; died in New York city in 1862. © Lydia Brown (wife of Joel Beaman), who was best known among her immediate friends and her own family, as a woman of sterling worth, died January 31, 1867. Of the surviving children, George H., formerly editor and publisher of the Rutland Herald, now resides at Center Rutland. John B., a lawyer, in Poultney. Cullen C., together with Min- serva L., widow of C. R. Mallary, and two sisters, live at the old homestead. Bent, Crank E.—Was bar in Mt. Holly. He ‘came to a tiene when he was 18 years old, and has resided here since, -and now owns and lives upon a farm about two miles south of Hast Poultney. ‘Mr. Bent married Anu M. Pepper. They have one child who married Frank Marshall. 214 ' HISTORY OF POULTNEY. Bussx, Davin C,—was born in White Creek, Washington Co., N. Y., May 16, 1811, where he lived with his parents until about fifteen years of age. He then went to Danby, Vt., and there served the apprenticeship of his trade—that of black- smith—for four years. In 1830, having completed the term of his apprenticeship, he came to Poultney and worked for seven months at his trade, for Daniel Sprague. ~ He then returned to Danby and remained there until 1833, when he again came to Poultney, where he has ever since resided, and during all the time has lived in the same house he now owns and occupies. Mr. Besse married, May 30, 1830, a lady of Danby, whose maiden name was H. D. Boomer, and who is now living. They have ti:ree children living: Julia Ann, George H., and William Albert. They have buried two—John and Harriet. The name of Besse is not common in this vicinity, Mr. Besse never having known ‘of but one person of that name in this county, aside from his own family, and that one unrelated to him. The relatives of this family all live in the Western States. Mr. Besse, during his long residence in Poultney, has been a good citizen, temperate and strict in his habits of life, and respected by his townsmen for his integrity of character. - Briss, Amos—Was born in Greenwich, N. Y., Sept. 11, 1794. He came to Poultney about the year 1817, and soon commenced the mercantile business, which he followed while he lived, and in which he was successful. He first traded in the store now occupied by Deweys & Co., in the east village, and afterwards built a store a few rods from the Eagle Hotel, on the street leading from thence to the covered bridge, which he occupied as long as he was in business. He was economical in his habits, and gave close attention to his business in all its details. He was for awhile connected with the Northern Spectator, and its editor; a more full account of. which is given elsewhere. He was for many years town clerk, and was one of the founders of the Poultney Bank, and took an active \part in. the business affairs of the town. He married Mary eee May 20, 1822, and by her had four children: HISTORY o¥ POULTNEY. O15 =, : Mary Adeline, b. Suly 2, 1823. Dwight Shepard, b. Aug. 11, 1826. Sa ' Amos Shepard, b. June 2, 1829. _ Horace Shepard, b. May 27, 1834. The children all died in the life-time of the father. Horace Shepard. died Nov. 27, 1834, six months after birth; Mary Adeine, an accomplished and promising young mes died June 24, 1841, much lamented. : Mary, the wife of Mr. Bliss, a refined and accomplished - Tady, died Noy. 22, 1843. The following notice of Dwight Shepard Bliss is copied from “ Poets and Poetry of Vermont ”"— “Was born in Poultney, Vt., and died of gousiiabtion June 5, 1847. He was a natural’ nil self-instructed, and left speci- ‘mens in landscape and historical painting remarkable for taste and finish for a pupil without a tutor. He was also passionately fond of music and poetry. The specimen we have selected from his poems was written but a few weeks before his death.” We copy only a part of that poem, and. all our Bpnoe: will per- mit. It is entitled— . EARTHLY FRIENDS IN HEAVEN, % * x ® eR I’ve a mother up in Heaven, And O! tell me if you will, ‘Will the mother know her elilas en,— Will she reccllect them still ? Can she look down. from those windows To this dark and Cistant shore ? Will she know when I am coming,— Will she meet me at the door ‘aan Will she clasp me to her bosom In her ecstacy of joy ? Will she ever be my mother,— Shall I always ‘be her poy ? And, thou loved one, who didst leave us In the mor ning of ‘thy bloom, - Dearest sister, shall I meet thee When I go beyond the tomb ? “4 e 216 HISTORY OF POULINEY. Shall T see thy lovely features,— — Shall I hear thy pleasant words, Sounding o’er my spirit’s harp-strings Like the melody of birds ? And I think me ef ‘another, Of a darling little one, Who went up among the angels Ere his life was searce begun; O! T long once more to see him, And to fold him in my arms As I did when he was with us, With his thousand budding charms. % * eg #% % * And will Death alone unfold us All about the Christian’s home ? Must we pass the “narrow valley ” Ere we view the Glory-dome ? Aye, ’tis true, the goul must suffer And be bowed with anguish down, Ere ’tis fitted for its dwelling, Ere ’tis ready for its evown. And ten thousand the emotions Crowding round the restless heart, _ When its weary strings‘are breaking, When it feels it must depart! But, O Jesus! blessed Jesus! / Thou art love without alloy; Thou wilt meet, and Thou wilt bless us, Thou wilt give us-perfect joy. We also copy from the same a notice of Amos Shepard Bliss, with a poem. “Amos §. Bliss, brother of Dwight, died at Poultney, Vt., December 26, 1853, in the twenty-fifth year of his age. “He was a quiet, unpretending young man, of delicate health for several years before his death. Deep and beautiful was his admiration of his brother’s poetical talent, almost amounting to reverence. The poem we have selected is a tribute to the memory of tnis, his only brother. Now side by side sleep these young brothers who hopefully passed to the immortal life.” . ‘ HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 217 THOU. ART GONE TO THE SPIRIT-LAND. ' 'Thou art gone to the spirit-land, Brother, - Thou art gone to the spirit-land; And we are left alone, Brother, Of all that household band. _ The walls that echoed often To thy firm, elastic tread, Are silent, sad and gloomy, For a noble soul has fled. There are only two left now, Brother, There are only two left now; ". For the hand of death: lies cold, Brother, Upon that marble brow. ‘The night-wind stirreth gently The curtains o’er thy bed, . And murmurs, low and sadly, A requiem for the dead. It was very hard to part, Brother, It was.very hard to part. , From thee, so good and kind, Brother, From thee, so pure in heart. ea Our hearts are sad and. lonely, And the hearth is cold and drear; © While down the cheek is stealing Each bitter, scalding tear. x x * * * * Weare thinking of the past, Brother, We are thinking of the past; Of those hours spent with thee, Brother, Those hours too sweet to last. And hast thou gone forever _ From thy home and friends on earth ? And shall we no more listen To thy free-and gladsome mirth ? Oh, no, thou art gone to rest, Brother; Oh, no, thon art gone to rest = With the three that went before, Brother, In the home of the bright and blest. And methinks I hear the saying, As thy spirit heavenward flies, Ps “We will meet again, dear loved ones, In that home beyond the skies.” aoe 218 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. Amos Bliss was married a second time to Lucy L. Goodwin, January 6, 1847, and by her had’ one child, Irvirg Goodwin Bliss, born Sept. 9, 1849. Irving G. married Ida F., daughter of Rufus H Greene, Sept. 24, 1874, and is now a ene: of the firm of Deweys & Co., in. mercantile business at East Poultney. bed Amos Bliss died April 17, 1855. His widow afterwards mar- ried Thomas D. Dewey, and resides at the same place occupied by Mr. Bliss in his lifetime. oe Buss, Dr. Gzorer L.—Was born in Castleton, Vt., the 23d of December, 1818, and commenced the study of medicine in 1841, under the supervision of the Faculty of Castleton Medi- cal College. He completed his studies, and graduated in No- vember, 1844, and followed the practice of medicine, in Hyde- ville, Vt., town of Castleton, until January, 1847, when he moved to this town, where the pursuit of his profession has. been his principal business. He has been twice married. His: first alliance was with Miss Louise L. Hopkins, of Tinmouth Vt. on the 16th of June, 1858, with whom he lived until her death, which occurred on the 4th of April, 1869. His second mar- riage was on the 16th of June, 1870, in the city of Omaha, Ne- braska, to Mrs. J. F. Crosby, of Rockford, IIL, with whom he is living. Dr. Bliss had one child, Alice G., by his first wife, | born April 10, 1855. She now resides with her father. Buss, Marcus W.—Was born in Castleton, November 4, 1810. He was one of twelve children. Four of those children afterwards became residents of Poultney: Marcus W.; George L., a physician; Robert R., who died in Poultney, June 18, 1864, leaving a widow and two children (still living in Poult- hey); and Bethia, who married Asa Hooker. Mr. Hooke: died some years ago, and his widow now lives in Poultney village. Marcus W. married Lucinda Barber, February 14, 1838. He removed to Poultney, March 14, 1860, to the farm on which he has since resided, located east of the stone church, on the road from West to East Poultney. He has had four children: Cy- HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 219 THs M., Sarah S., Betsey B., and Charles E. Cyrus died Au-_ gust 23, 1868, at the age of 24, and just one month after his re- turn from service in the war of 1861. Sarah L. married Alonzo Herrick, and resides in Poultney. Betsey B. has been twice married, and now resides in Rutland, with her second husband, John Meeker. Charles E. married Mary O’Donald, and resides in Poultney. t Bosworru, WitLiamM Miuter—Was born in Hampton, N. Y., March 8, 1816. He spent his minority mostly in the family of “his father, Hesehiah Bosworth, of Hampton. Tis mother was a sister of Rev. William Miller. On attaining his majority, he came to the town of Poultney, where he resided until his de- ~ cease. He was a carpenter and joiner, and a first-class work- man, In 1853, in company. with Dea. Marville Colvin, he built. the steam mill in Poultney village, the same now occupied by Ripley and Stanley. This was quite an undertaking; but the projectors were equal to it, and established a concern that has done much for the place. Mr. Bosworth died May 29, 1860, at the age of 44 years. He left a widow and two daughters. The widow afterwards married Rev. John Goadby, D. D., and now. resides in Poultney. ~Mr. Bosworth, by his skill as a iechaate his industry and good management, acquired a competence. As a business man, Mr. . Bosworth endeared himseif to all with whom he came in contact : in that relation, by his integrity and ‘promptness. At the age of 15 years, he made a profession of religion, and united with the Baptist Church, and continued a member of that church until his decease. He was confined to his house but a few days in his last sickness. He said to his friends: ‘‘ Now sing to me of heaven, for I am about to die.” And so he passed “ where “the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest. u _ Booner, Purry—Another of Poultney’ s well-known citizens, was born Januar ry 11th, 1813, in Hartford, Washington County, N.Y. Perry Boomer, his father, was an officer in the War of 1812, of what rank we have not been able to determine; but the 220 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. ' subject of this sketch remembers of hearing his mother relate that his father went to the war and rode a horse. While in the army, he caught the yellow fever, of which disease he died. At about this time, also, the three and only brothers of the present Perry Boomer, and one sister, died of the same disease. . The early life of Mr. Boomer was one of hardship and priva- tion, as he relates it. His father died when he was an infant of only three months of age. Soon after this, his mother, with her family, moved to Fall River, Mass., where her husband had previously resided. His mother, Sally Boomer, lived to the age of 93 years, and died at Pawlet, Vt., November 20, 1866. ‘Mrs. Ann Lyon, a sister of Mrs. B., died at Pawlet in 1875, at ‘about 70 years of age. While at Fall River, Mr. Boomer was ~ for a time employed in the cotton factories of that place. At one time, seized ‘with the ardent desire for a sea-faring life, he shipped as cook on board a vessel bound to some of the Southern States, with a cargo of lumber. Here he experienced the hard knocks and reverses incident to the life of a seaman, and after the completion of this voyage, gave up the sea. A terrific storm at sea, while upon that voyage, holds a distinct place in, his memory. From Fall River, in 1828, with his mother, he came to Danby, Vt., and learned the blacksmith’s trade; worked for two years with David C. Besse, who after- . wards married his sister, H. D. Boomer. , _ In 1833,-he came to Poultney, where he has since aeidiiued to reside, laboring steadily for the most part of the time, until within a few years, at his trade. Mr. Boomer has been twice married. Onthe 21st January, 1836, he married Miss Marian Gorham, now deceased, a daughter of the late Moses Gorham, of this town, whose father was one of the first settlers of the town of Poultney. ‘ About 1860, for his second wife, he married Miss Pauline Rood, daughter of Captain Rood, of Hampton, N. Y. By his first marriage he had five children: A daughter who d. in infancy. Edward P., b. Feb. .19, 1838; d. Aug. 29, 1839. Charles F., b. May 18, 1839. FUSTORY OF POULTNEY. — : QO7 Edward P., b. April 19, 1841; ad, —~ Almon W., b. Oct. 30, 1842; a. Feb. 12, 1875, _ Mr. Bbcier has two sisters living, Mrs. David C. Besse, amd Mrs. Abel Bartlett, living at Danby, oe Buowgenaste Thadition says that three brothers by the name of Broughton, came from England, and settled in this country early in the history of the colonies. One branch of the family settled in New Hampshire. Thomas Broughton was a Lieutenant Governor of South Car ‘olina when it was a British colony. He died in 1737. Another branch of the family settled in Rhode Isend, From _ this branch sprung John Broughton, who with Anna, his wife, came from Rhode Island and settled in the town of Wells, Vt., among the first settlers of that town, Of their early history but little is known. He was killed in the Revolutionary War, having early espoused the cause of. the colonies; and Anna, his wife, died July 4, 1814, aged 94 years, and was buried in the family burial ground, on the farm now occupied by Asa J. Rog- ers. He had three sons; John, Samuel and Michael, and prob- . ably other children. His son Samuel became a tand-owner in the town of Wells, June 18, 1786, and for quite a number of years bought and sold more land than any other man in that town, and wher the north part of the town of Wells was set off to Poultney, he became an inhabitant of Poultney. He was one of the projectors and builders of the Granville and Poult- | ney Turnpike. He was a man very tenacious of his rights, which kept him continually involved in litigation. He removed. from Poultney to Ohio, and afterwards returned East, and set- tled in Moriah, N.,Y., where he became heavily engaged in the lumber business, He lived to an advanced age, ninety or over, and died at. Moriah. 4 Michael became a land holder in: that part at the town ‘of Wells which is now the south part of Poultney, April 29, 1786, He probably died soon after, as but little is known of his his- tory. : John Broughton, junior was born September 10, 1754, aad 899 HISTORY OF POCLTNEY. married Luey Perkins, who was bern June 23,1759. They were probably married some time during the year 1778. “The ~ dates of ‘the births of their children were as follows, viz.: Sa-- rah was born August 26,1779; William, June 29, 1782; John, December 11, 1783; Eunice; August 27, 1785; Solomon, May 1, 1787; Lucy, March 31, 1789; Joseph and Alpheus, January 31, 1791; Ira; April 20, 1793, and Russell, January. 19,1795. On -March 7, 1793, he became a land owner in that part of Wells which is now the south part of Poultney. He afterwards pur-: chased lands:at different times until he owned a large tract, ex-- tending from Lake Austin on the east to New York line on the west. His house was situated in the meadow a little west of — where Asa J. Rogers resides. He was a thrifty farmer, and 4 much respeeted citizen of Poultney until his death, which oc- curred May 31,1811. His wife, Lucy, was the first person who joined the Baptist Church in Poultney after its organization in 1802, and from that time to the present, she, or some of her de- scendants, bearing the name, have been active members of the said church. She afterwards married Dea. Job Leonard, of © Granville, N. Y., and died Feb. 10, 1833. Sarah, their oldest daughter, married Joscph Baker and emi- grated West, where she lived to an advanced age. William died January 11, 1803, uumarried. John married Charlotte McCoy. In early life they united with the Poultney Baptist Church. He died of cancer, Decem- ‘ber 2, 18331. Of their children, William, who is now a resi- _ dent and much respected citizen of Poultney, married Betsey ‘OQ. Maynard. Lyman married Zilpha Crofut; and for his see- ond wife, Isabella Webster. They now live in Covington, N. Y. Freelove married John Stone; and for her second husband Albert E. Knapp, the author of the New Genealogical and Pic- torial Family Record. They reside in the village of. Poultney.” John married Lydia Martin; and for-his second wife, her sister — Silence, widow. of Smith Austin, and are living in Covington, N.Y. Daniel'married Betsey E. Webster; and for his second wife Melissa Stratton. . Also residents of Poultney. . Eunice, their second daughter, married Cyrus Beardsley, and s HISTORY OF POULTINEY. _ : 223. for her second husband, Capt. Samuel Steward, She died in Granville, about 1827, i Solomon married Orrilla Hatch; and died March: 29, 1831. They were both members of the Poultney Baptist Church. ~ Lucy warried Noah Wells, and for her second husband, Wil- liam Hotchkiss. She died, October 30, 1830. Of the children of Noah and Lucy Wells -but one is wow living—Pomeroy Wells, of Poultney, who married Rebecca Blossom. Anna _ married Jonas Gibson; and Abbie died unmarried. Joseph died November 11, 1802, Alpheus married Judith Hadaway. They became members of thé Poultney Baptist Church in 1816. Their regular and early attendance at church is worthy of imitation. Though living several miles from church, they were usually found in their place of worship, regardless of weather. Of their chil- dren, Deborah marricd James Merchant, and afterwards, Har- vey C. Pond. Neither of them are now living. Freeman mar- ried Louise Millard. They also have been. numbered with the dead. ~ Joseph enlisted in the U. S. Army, and was engaged in the Florida War; nothing has been known of him since. Peace — married Jazemiah Barker; she survives him, and lives in Plain- field, Wis. Hezekiah married Eliza Mallary. - His example of late years-has not been worthy of imitation. Ira Broughton married Elizabeth Calkins, early in 1812. On the third day of June, 1823, he received from Governor Rich- _ard Skinner, a commission as Lieutenant of the First Company . of Light Infantry, in the Ist ves second -division of the militia of the State of Vermont. _ Also, ou the 26th of April, 1824, of Governor Richard P. Van Ness, a commission as Captain of the same company. He was among the first to engage in the great Lemperance reformation, and for the last thirty-five years of his life did not taste of intoxicating liquors. And would not even taste of sweet cider. “He and his wife joined the Baptist Church in Poultney, in 1816. He died January 12, 1869. Of their children, Eunice married Ebenezer 8. Harvey. They reside in St. Charles, Minnesota. Ira married Lavina ~ Sweet, and for his second wife, Emeline Wood. He was engin- 2.4 HISTORY OF POULTNEY- eer on the construction train in building the railroad from Cas- tleton to Salem, and has been in the employ of the railroad company since that time, and is now a resident of Salem, N. Y. Lucy Ann married George P. Conant. She survives him and resides and resides in Ft. Edward. Rachel married Linus An- drus, who died at Ft. Edward, and she is now a resident of Hampton. Aaron C. married Delia M. Codman, whose resi- dence is at Hampton. Jane M. married Webster 8. Wood. Hampton is also their place of residence. Phareellus A. mar- tied Elizabeth Griffin, and for his second wife, Margaret Mc- Gowan. He enlisted into the Seventh Vt. Regiment, and was: with them in Florida, Alabama and Texas, until .he elose of the war, and is now living in Whitehall, N. Y. Mary married James Lawrenee Cray, who was a SGantain in . the 122d Regiment of N. Y. Volunteers in the War of 1861. He was killed while leading his company into battle. For her second husband, she married James Biggart. They reside ir Kingsbury, N.Y. Carlos M. W. learned the monlder’s trade of the Vaughn Brothers, in East Poultney, which business he has since followed. He married Sallie Foster, of Philadelphia, and they are now in Peekskill, N. Y. The amited ages of these nine children of Ira and Elizabeth Bronghton, is four hundred and seventy-four years, four months and ten days, this 19th October, 1875. Their number has not been diminshed by deatlr in more than fifty years. Is there another family of nine brothers ‘and sisters, in connection with the History of Poultney, of whom the same ean be said? Their paterna} great-grandmother lived to the age of ninety-four years. Their maternal great-grand- father lived to the age of one hundred and one years, two months and eleven days. Russel Broughton married Harriet. HotehKiss. He was: economical and industrious, and honored and respeeted by alli who knew him. He early espoused the temperance cause, and was interested in all the great moral questions of the day, and was aman of excellent judgment; he was a regalar attendant and supporter of the Baptist Church, and although he never - made a public profession of religion, he was considered a strictly =~ : HISTORY OF POULTNEY. | / 995 honest and moral man. He died July 15th, 1865; his widow is $ living at East Poultney. Of their children, James R. married Susan Marshall; he is a deacon of the Baptist Church in White- hall, where he now resides. Eliza married Stephen Scott, and died November 6th, 1858, Sarah married Peter Landry, who dives upon the farm upon which Russel Br oughton lived. and died. Phebe married Stephen Scott; they now reside in East Poultney. Mary married Judson Reynolds, and they live in- Rochester, N. Ma ; Brown, Georce W.—Was born’ in Ira, Vt., Sept. Ist, 1812. He was a son of Dea. Joseph Brown, who lived for many years, - and died in the town of Tinmouth. His widow, the mother of George W., is still living with her son in Poultney, at the age of 92 years. Joseph Brown was a son of Joseph, who removed from .Westmoreland, Mass., and lived in Mi dletown, Vt., about the time of the first ‘settlement of that.tuwn, Joseph DEwn, the father of George W., died in 1865. ve _ The mother of George Ww. Brown is of the four.h generation from George White, who emigr ated from Wales about the year 1673. Many of. her ancestors lived to a great age. _ ‘George W. married Jerusha Styler, of Wells, a daughter of Gould Styles, July 3, 1836. They had two children; one died soon after birth, The other, George F., was born October 7, . 1842. George W., after his marriage, lived on a farm near the east line of Poultney, until he removed to this town, in the-year ‘1864... He now lives in this “allags; his wife, Jerusha, died December 16, 1874. : He married a second wife, Miss Nancy L. Atwater, of Wells, September 30th, 1875. George F. married Harriet E. Misti of find, Pa., and has one child, Frank G., born January 14th, 1870. | Brown, Vantan—Was born in Middletown, Vt., January 30, 1809. At the age of four years, he went with his parents to Northern New York, at a place called the “Black River : Countr y,” where he lived until 1817, wae he returned to Mia- 29% : ; 226 _ HISTORY OF POULTNEY. dletown, and lived with his grandmother, the widow of Jona- than Haynes, until he was 21 years of age. February 28, 1833, he married Nancy Ann Clark, of Berlin, N. Y., and settled in Middletown. He afterwards removed from Middletown to Danby; after living there a few years, he returned to Middle- town, and removed from thence to Poultney in 1869, whcre he still resides, on Furnace street. Heis a boot and shoe maker. . Their children were: , Sarah Ann, b, April 5, 1834; d. in Danby, oe 19, 18438. Mary Jane, b. Dec. 3, 1835; d. in N. Y. » May 16, 1872. Arus H., b. Sept. 24, 1837. : Vaniah Clark, bh. Oct. 24, 1839; d. in Danby, Jar. 1, 1942. Augusta, b. Dee. 7, 1841; d. in Danby, Dee. 16, 1842. Marcellus, b. Oct. 26, 1843. Addie D., b. Sept. 16, 1847. Emma M., b. Sept. 30, 1849. _ Mary Jane, married T. F. Davison, of New York city, Dec. 25, 1846. Arus H. married Sarah Jackson, March 2, 1862, and now resides in Poultney. Marcellus married Annie O. Donald, of New York, Sept. 28, 1865. Addie married H. P. Morgan, of Rutland, Dec. 22, 1868. Brownson, Stas 0k Stephen Brownson was born in Connecticut, in 1788. His father, with his family, removed to- Castleton, Vt., in 1785, when Stephen was about two years old. ‘His mother brought him on horseback from Connecticut to Castleton. He removed from Castleton to Poultney in 1810. He married Hannah Noyes, a daughter of Dea. Moses Noyes. In 1813, he bought out Dr. Jonas Safford, and practiced medicine _in Poultney until 1822, or 1823, when hesold out to Dr. David Palmer, who practiced a few years, and sold out to Dr. Ebenezer Porter. “After Dr. Brownson sold. to Dr. Palmer, he moved . back to Castleton, where he remained two or three years; then moved to Hampton. N.'Y., where he lived three or four years; and then returned to Poultney,.to the place where Elijah Hawes now resides. Here he lived until his wife died, and: then re- moved to Kast Poultney, and lived where R. O. Dye now does, HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 227 until he built the house now occupied by Asahel Smith; then moved into that. Here he lived until he died, September 1, _ 1849.. He had five children who lived to Brose up. Their names were— ‘John, b. March, 18165; he has been dead many ae died in his 25th year. Mary, b. April, 1817; m. Jos. F. Morse, and now raeiaag in Haast Poultney. Norman, b. in 1821; he now resides in Florida. Calvin, b. in 1825; ‘1 in Troy some years ago. Sarah, b. in 18335 m. F, A. Morse, and resides in W. Rutland. BuckKLany, Wiuttas—Was one of the early settlers of Poult- ney. He removed from Hartford, Conn., to this town in the ‘year 1783, and settled on the farm ncw occupied by Augustus Buckland, his grandson. The Bucklands were an old family in ‘Connecticut, evidently, as Augustus has deeds of Jands in Connecticut in his possession, given to members of the family 2 ae about two hundred years ago, though he has little of the family. history back of his grandfather William. William bought his farm in Poultney of Elkanah Ashley. It is situated three miles _ “north of Poultney village, and mainly on the east side of the ‘yailroad, When he bought it, there was a log house, which had ‘been occupied by the. former owner or occupant, about eight rods west of where the dwelling house on the farm now stands. ‘William Buckland was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. He was married in Hartford, Conn., and had. seven children, all ‘born in Hartford. Their names were William, Samuel, Roswell, ‘Eben, Margaret, Nancy and Hannah. William, senior, died March 11, 1795, at the age of 68 years. His widow died in 1810, being over 70 years of age. = The oldest son, William succeeded in the homestead. He married Anna Hamlin, and had six children; the two oldest diea in infancy, aud the four others were Polly, Fanny, Stephen and Augustus. Polly married John Lewis, and died in 1827, leaving three children. Fanny was never married; she died in 1849, at the age of 51 years. Stephen married Eveline Wat- 228 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 2 a kins, and died in Gold Water, Mich., about five years ago. His wife died before he did; he left four children. . Augustus lives on the homestead, as before appears. He is sev enty years old, and has no children. The seeond son of William, senior, Samuel, married Phebe Sanford, and settled on the Fuller Place, where he lived some years; he then mov ed to the State of Ohio, where he died about six years ago, at the age of 90 years. He had six children, and those living are supposed to be still in the State of Ohio. Roswell, the third son of William, senior, was married, and _ had three children. Roswell died in Poultney, December 2d, 1804; at the age of 37 years. Eben died, and was buried the 22d day of July, 1811, the day of the great flood. Margaret ‘married a Mr. Mallary, and died in Poultney many years ago. — ' Nancy married James Mallary, and died in Jay, N.Y. Hannah’ died March 19, 1792, at the age of 18 years. _ Mr. Augustus Buckland said to the writer, that his mother informed him that her grandfather, John Barrett, came from his former home in Connecticut to live with his daughter in Poultney, some years before 1796; that he was a soldier. in the French and Indian War, and often related, his trials and hard-~ ships. In an expedition to Canada, he was out forty days and nights in the winter time, with no covering but a blanket. He ‘died in the house now oceupied by Mr. Buckland, June 9, 1796, at the age of 93 years. Philu Hosford, who was fthen a boy of 13 years, has said that he saw Mr. ‘Barrett three days before his death, {hoeing corn with others, and’ he kept up with them. Those at work with him urged him to hoe a hill and skip a hill; this he resented, and it was supposed this day’s work killed him. a , BuEL, Ezuxrer—Settled i in Poultney quite early. He was a hatter, and settled in the east: village. He built the house now occupied by Rufus H. Green. He married a sister of Judge | Amos Thompson, and had several children: Maria, Julian, Charlotte, Julio, Alexander and Gustavus. Mr. Buel was a man of good natural ability, and raised a family of considerable HISTORY OF POULTNEY, 299 talent. Maria married Dr, William McLeod, and died at Castle-_ ~ ton a short time since, Julian was a lawyer, and died West. Charlotte is dead. Julio now lives in Whitehall, Alexander “was a lawyer, and was for awhile a member of Congress from the State of Michigan. Gustavus resides at Castleton. Ezekiel Buel moved to Castleton. about the time of the War of 1812. He lost his wife after he moved to Castleton, and married-a sécond time, the sister of Theodore Woodward, and ~ by her had several children. - Butt, Hvager Wes born in Hartford, N. Y., Nov, 18, 1795, He married a Rutland lady, whose’ name was Cook. He pur- chased a farm of Demmon Giddings, about a mile north of _ Poultney village, and moved here about fourteen years ago. On “this farm he lived until he died, Sept. 26, 1866. He had nine children: Henry, Edward, Charles, Clarence, Jennie, Loraine, Elizabeth, Helen and Alice. Henry and Charles live in Kansas; _ Edward in Columbus, Ohio, and Clarence and Jennie in Wis- consin. Elizabeth murried Julius J. Stowe, and removed to | Martinsburg, Missouri. Mr. Stowe is dead; his widow still re-_ sides at that place, with several children. Helen married Dr. _ Reed, and lives in New York. Loraine married a Mr. Holden, of New York, and now lives in Bridgeport, Conn. Alice mar- | ried aes H. Wells, and died pel 21, 1874, "Renee Homiden Was the third son of Abel and Rhoda Campbell. He was born in Pittsfield, Vt. May 6, 1810, and ‘lived most of the time of his minority with, his parents in that town, At the age of 19 he experienced. religion, and united with the M. E. Church’ in Pittsfield his native town. In 1831, . when he was of age, he left home and. went to Pittsford, in Rutland county, where he resided two years and a half. In August, 1834, he came to Poultney, and attended school one quarter, and taught school in the winter of 1834-5. In the spring of 1835 he went to Weybridge, where he received license and was appointed by Cyrus Prindle to preach on that circuit for that. year. In 1836 he was appointed to Warren Cireuit by: 230 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. John M. Weaver, presiding elder. On January 26, 1836, he was married to Miss Jane Hull, third daughter of Elias and Sa- rah Hall, of Chittenden. . In September, 1836, he joined the Vermont and New Hampshire Conference, and was appointed to: Wilmington Circuit. At the session of the conference in 1837, his health being pocr, he did not take an appointment, but left Wilmington and went to Hoosic Falls, N. Y., working through . the winter at his trade, for Hon. L. C. Ball. In the spring of 1838 he removed to Bennington, Vt., where he worked. at joiner work and painting. November, 11, 1839, their first child, Helen Jane was born, who died of canker rash, in Poult- ney, September 4,1845. Their second child, Jerome M., was also born in Bennington, July 26, 1841; and in November, 1841, Mr. Campbell left Bennington with his family, and came to Poultney, where he has since resided. August 19th their third ~ child, Ada 8. was born; and on October 13th, 1846, Mary ' Jane, their fourth and last child, was born. Their three sur- viving children received academic education at the Troy Con- ference Academy. In April, 1864, Ada was married to Jonas Clark, of Poultney. July 10, 1866, J erome M. was married to Susanna R. Potter, of Easton, N.Y. On October 19, 1878, Mary J. was married to Thomas Dunlop, of Patterson, N. J. Mr. Campbell was an earnest advocate for the abolition of slave. {| ery, and for total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks. In — 1844 he left the M. E. Church because slavery was tolerated in her communion, and united with the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He is an earnest and thoroughly conscientious worker — in the temperance cause, and says he is looking forward to no very distant tmme when the means of intemper ance reel “be ban-_ / ened from the land: CanvieLp.—Ebenezer Canfield, Esq., came to Poulthey s soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, built a gambrel roofed house (which was the aristocratic style in those days), south of the highway on the height of land east ‘of ume old burying-ground in East Poultney. He was a leading man in town for several years; moved to Ohio and died. He had. HISTORY OF POULTNEY, . 931 three daughters, that remained in town. Sybil married David - Ransom; raised a family of nine children: Sophia, Rachel, Har- riet, Harry, Sarah, George, Laura, Nelson and Caroline. | Sub- mission married Jonathan Morgan, and Anna married George Morgan (who was drowned in the big flood of sie and subse- quently married Samuel Cleveland. . CHANDLER, Hiram—Was_ born® in Sudbury, Vt., December 25, 1799. In March, 1824, he married Azubah Williams, ot - Sudbury, who died in March, 1855. He: came to Poultney on: the 1st day of May, 1835, and has resided here ever since. He has had but ‘one desendant, William L., born ‘in Sudbury, March 9, 1827. He moved to Poultney with his father, and received a thorough academic education at Troy Conference Academy, completing his studies at Mr. Fowler’s Law School, Ballston Spa, where he fitted: himself for the practice of law. He was admitted to the bar in Albany, N. Y., and commenced his professional vocation in the city of New York.. Shortly after entering upon his professional duties, he was stricken down by sickness, and died August 4th, 1855. My. Hiram Chandler is the oldest male member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in this place, Hs, membership | ex- tending over a period of forty years. Crark, Warren—Was born in: East Haddam, Conn., and removed from Bethlehem, Litchfield County, Conn., to Poultney in the year 1805, with his wife and one child, and all their goods in ‘a double wagon.. He raised a ‘family of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, and all lived to grow up men and women. Their names were Lyman, Reuben Everct, ‘Clarinda, Clementina, Joseph Warren, Frederick Bacchus, Theodore Champin, Samuel Ogden, Charles Deming, Laura Ann, and Albert Bacchus. All were born in Pouitney, exc2pt Ly- man. Mr. Clark first settled on what was known as the Doo- little farm, where John Porter now lives. He lived there one Cae summer, and then moved on to the farm that John Daily now owns. At this place he lived until 1842, when he moved to Morse Hollow, where William Hanley now lives. © Warren Clark died Dec. 31, 1863, at the age of 85 yeas; his wife dicd 039 HISTORY OF POULTNEY, about ‘five years before his death. “The last year of his life he lived with son Albert B., on the farm he first settled on when -he came to Poultney. He was a very industrious, hard- -working man, and enjoyed good health. His last: mlolevege was of but a few days duration.’ He took a severe cold, w hich was the im- ‘mediate cause of his death. Of the children of Warren Clark, Lyman married Lois White, and removed to New Haven, Oswego County, N. Y., when he “was a young man, and still resides there;, he is about 72 years. old.’ Reuben E. married Sarah Baker, of Hartford, N. Y., and has now four children living: Warren E., Sarah A., Mary E., and Theodore. Reuben E. resides south of East Poultney, about a mile. His wife died Nov. 27,1870. Warren E, lives -with his father. Sarah A. married A. Y. Gray, and lives at Middietown. Mary E. married R. R. Thrall, and’ lives in Poultney. Clarinda married Eleazer Ranney, moved to West- -port, N. Y., and died January 22, 1864, at the age of 45 years, Clementina never married; she died Sept. 14, 1862, at the age _ of 62 years. Joseph W. married for his first. wife Mary E. _ Green, of Castleton; she died Jan. 3, 1853, aged 33 years. He married Emily Morgan, March 4, 1853, with whom he still lives -on the Amos Frisbie farm. He has no children. Frederick B. ‘married Caroline Inman, and lives in Wisconsin. Theodore C. married Anstys Kellogg, and died in April, 1854; his widow . and only child, a son, now reside i in Quasqueton, lee: Samuel - O. is supposed to be living; but his friends do not know where. Charles D. was killed on the cars, Nov. 6, 1847, at the age of. 26 years Laura Ann married Rodney Smith, April 6, 1843; Mr. Smith died suddenly of heart disease, June 18, 1875, leaving one son and two daughters. Albert B. has been twice married; his first wife was Jane Clift, of Middletown; his second Martha” - Streeter, with whom he now lives in Mendon, Vt. _ CrarK, AnxprEw—Removed from Cheshire county, Conn., to “Wells, in the year#790. He settled in the west part of that - town, on what was called West street. His wife’s name was -. Mary Robinson. They had ten children. Two.of these chil- HISTOKY OF POULTNEY. 288 daen, Freelove and Andrew, Jr., moved to Poultney. Freclove * - married Samuel Hyde, about the year 1794; and Andrew, Jr., married Sophia Goodspeed, of Wells, about the year 1832, and had eight children: Sylyester, Ira M., Rufus H., Andrew, Hen- ry, Herman R., Mary and Judson. Andrew 2d died at Poult- ney in May, 1840, at the age of 48 years. His widow is still’ living, at the age of 85. Sylvester died in Wells, about three years ago. Ira M. married Mandana, the widow of Nelson Hyde, in October, 1842, and now resides in Poultney. He held — the office of Constable and Collector of the town of Poultney for five succeeding years, commencing with 1852; has been sev-- eral years an acting Justice. of the Peace, Selectman, and is’ Overseer of the Poor of the town. The latter office he has held since 1862, with the exception of two years in the time. Rufus H. Clark married Prudence Rice, and no resides in Hampton, N.Y. He has three children: Junius, Annette and Hattie. Junius married Harvey Hotehkiss’s daughter, and re- sides in Hampton; Annette marriéd a Mr. Langworthy, and re: sides ‘in Middlebury; Hattie married Roswell Warren, and now resides in Poultney. Andrew Clark resides in Poultney, i ‘and has followed the business of carriage making since he has. been in the business. He has been twice married.. His first wife was Lucy Potter, of Wells. She died July 9, 1866, By her he had two. children: Albert A. and Boyd. Albert A. mar- ried, Catherine Ray, and now. resides in Middletown. Andrew - married for his second wife, Sarah Knapp, and by her he has one child, Henry married isan Eliza Thompson, and row resides in Wells. Hermon R. resides in Poultney, and has car- ried on the blacksmithing business. He married Lucia Thomp- son, and has two children. Mary married Edward J. Williams, and resides here. She has four children, three daughters and one son. Judson nancies some years since, and went to the State. of Tlinois, CLARK, Merrrrrn—We allude with pleasure to the life and business career of one of our townsmen, whose name and fame has not been confined alone to ‘our own town, aaa to whose ef- 30 234 | HISTORY OF POULTNEY. forts much of the business prosperity, and much of ‘the educ- - cational advantages the people of Poultney enjoy is due. | “ Hon. Merritt Clark was born. in Middletown, Vt., February 11, 1803, and is consequently now in his seventy-third year. His father was Jonas Clark, familiarly known as General Clark, | who came to Middletown from Connecticut when 16 years of age, with his father, Jonas Clark, Sen. General Clark was a ‘lawyer of great ability, and well known throughout the State as a successful practitioner. He was in the main a self-taught man, and obtained his legal learning while working at his trade, that of stone and brick mason. He was State’s Attorney for Rutland cotinty for sixteen successive years; represented the town of Middletown in the State Legislature for cighteen years; and held many other offices for long periods of time. He was aman of great energy, of tireless industry and perseverance, and these traits of character seem to have descended in no small degree to his son, Merritt. General Clark died at Middle- town, February 21, 1854, at the age of 79 years. The mother of Merritt. Clark was Betsey Stoddard, also a native of Connecticut, to whom General Clark was married in 1797. She died December 20, 1872, in the 90th year of her age. There were three children by this marriage: Merritt, Horace and Charles. Charles died in infancy. Horace Clark was for many years connected with his brother Merritt in business, and at his decease, in 1852, was well known as a successful railroad. manager, and held, at the time of his death, the office of Superintendent and Treasurer of the Rutland | and Washington Railroad. Horace Clark left two sons,.who are still living —Charles Clark, now in business at Rutland, and Jonas Clark, of. Poultney.. Merritt and Horace were co-workers in the enterprise of building the Rutland and Washington - Railroad, in 1848, and in most business enterprizes the brothers -seemed to be partners. In this they were brothers indeed. Merritt Clark received the usual common school education of - his day, and then prepared himself for college at the Rutland . County Grammar School, at Castleton, Vt.; and here it may not be amiss toadd that Mr. Clark is now the oldest living > ‘ / HISTORY OF POULINEY. ; - 985 - trustee of that school, having received his appointment as trustee forty-one years ago. After his preparatory course, he entered Middlebury College, from which he graduated with honor in 1823. Soon after leaving college, Mr. Clark, with his brother Horace, embarked in the mercantile business at Middle- town, in which they continued, doing a successful business, un- til 1841. ao a _- In 1841, the Poultney Bank was: organized and established. In its organization, Merritt and Horace Clark. were prime movers and controlling forces, and it is. probable that its organ- << ‘igation at that time was due to their united efforts. - Merritt was then elected cashier of this bank, which office he has ever since held. : In- 1847, the Rutland and Washington Railroad was incor- porated ; from 1848 to 1852, the road was built. But for the complete history of this subject, the difficulties experienced in getting an act of incorporation, and of building the road, the protracted and bitter strife of rival corporations, we refer the reader to the chapter upon this subject. Merritt Clark was the ‘President of this road from ‘its organization, in 1847, until the road was completed to Albany, during which time he performed ‘almost unparalleled labors, and, with the firm co-operation of his indefatigable brother, triumphed ‘over the most formidable difficulties. The estimation in which Merritt Clark was held by his fellow-laborers in this scheme, and the appreciation they had for his eminent services in this behalf, is, perhaps, best shown from the report of a “Presentation of Plate to Hon. Merritt Clark,” contained in the Albany Evening Journal of August 30, 1852, and which we here insert almost entire: — Presentation of Plate to Hon. Merritt Clark. ’ _ - On the 26th instant the citizens residing upon the line of the Rutland and Washington, Troy and Rutland, and Albany and Northern Railroads, assembled at the Bardwell House at Rut- a land, Vt., for the purpose: of presenting a Service of Plate to ~ the Hon. Merritt Clark, of West Poultney, Vt., the President of the Rutland and Washington Railroad Company, as a testi- mouial of their appreciation of his services. After partaking ~ _of a bountiful feast, the president of the evening, Hon. Caleb 236 | ' «HISTORY OF POULTNEY. B. Harrington, of Rutland, announced_that the presentation would be made by John H. McFarland, Esq., of Salem, N. NS, who. spoke as follows: a oes 2 ‘““Srr:—I have the honor of presenting to you, on behalf of the citizens residing along the line of, and interested in the Rutland and Washington, Troy and Retland, and Albany Northern Railroads, a service of plate, as a slight testimonial of their appreciation of your services and sacrifices in these enter-. . prises. They feel that you have been the master-spirit, the life- blood, the vital energy of these great works; that to your pru- dence, patience and perseverance, they are indebted for the construction of .a magnificent channel of communication, whereon the iron horse, that tireless and uncomplaining steed, will, at their whim and bidding, and at the bidding and whim of those who shall come after them, execute their every com- mand of business’ and of pleasure, as long as fire and water shall be capable of generating the element which is the susten- ance of that monster steed. They feel it was fortunate for them that circumstances forced you into the pioneer position you have occupied in relation to these works; and they know that had you possessed less of energy, less of firmness, less of ° zeal, less of integrity, they would not to-day be in the enjoy- ment of comforts and facilities, social and moral, pecuniary and physical, which to them are priceless. eo “They know that almost ‘solitary and alone you set the ball in motion,’ that you have unremittingly devoted the last five years of your life to the noble purpose of connecting by an fron River the valleys of Otter Creek and Lake Champlain with the Hudson—that during the period, and while success was still doubtful, you have wi.hstood temptations—have suffered pri- vations—performed unnumbered journeys by night and by day, in summer’s heat and winter’s cold—been assailed by malice— » been subjected to annoyance—been hampered by the want ‘of : funds for the construction of your great project—and by the _ want of friends to believe in the practicability, and in ways . manifold and numberless have voluntarily made sacrifices, per- sonal and pecuniary, at the bare mention of which, nine hun-— dred and ninety-nine out of every thousand you have beuefit- ted by your labors, would shrink from in dismay. But in spite of all opposition, in the face of all these difficulties and dis- couragements, by the force of your intellect, by the unswerv- ing and sleepless energy of your will, you have conducted a great project from doubt through difficulty, to a glorious con- summation. . - a “And while they are aware that you have had able and faith- ful coadjutors, dererving great credit, still they believe they are doing injustice to no one, and are but expressing the uni- versal.and unanimous opinion of all, in -anywise conversant \ HISTORY OF. POULTNEY. . 287 with your labors and services, that but for you, neither the Rutland and Washington, Troy and Rutland or Albany and ~ — Northern Railroads, would to-day have had a. local habitation or. name.» : “Thus feeling and believing, they have commissioned me, ia their name and on their behalf, to present you with this Service of Plate, as a token of their acimiration of your ability and ser- _ Vices, and as a memorial of their esteem. ” Mr. Clark responded as follows: _ ; “Sir—The gift is accepted.. My grateful acknowledgments are due to all who have contributed to it, and to you personally for the flattering terms of its presentation. This assemblage of personal friends, who have joined in this testimonial—this occasion, when gentlemen from abroad have left' their ordin- . ary avocations, and come here to testify in a public manner to the services of an humble. individual, and the, associations connected with a distinction so marked and yet so undeserved, » produce emotions which cannot be expressed. That pleasure is of a high order which arises from the approval of a discrimin: ating public. oy : a Pies dh). te “ You have said truly, this work was not accomplished by me , alone.. Others are equally and more deserving. Hon. Henry Stanley was the first projector of the Rutland and. Washington Railroad; and superintended its preliminary’ survey. John. Bradley,’Esq., at an early day was identified with the enter- prise, and without his aid our railroad could not and would not have been built, and to him we owe a debt of lasting gratitude. - There are many others of whom I could make honorable men- tion, but I ought not to discriminate. In this connection, how- ever, may I be pardoned for naming a brother who lies Cold in thedust, But living in our heart, _ who participated in every trial and in every council ? “Together we planned—together we labored—together we staked our fortune, limited,.indeed, but the proceeds of more than twenty year’s successful business—together we devoted the ripest years of our lives, and though the work has’ been wrought by the impaired energies of the one and the sacrifice of the other, yet it is accomplished, thank God, and accom- plished successfully. a * “Our great object 1s attained, if in the construction of this work we have won a victory—not a victory of one-over an- ‘other—but a victory, to use the language of another, ‘of prac- tical science and art over the obstructions of. Nature.’ . A. vic- . tory if we have planted happy homes where there were none. A victory, if, in tine, we have added to the amount of human . Jhappiness and human improvement... Ae 23 8 HISTOR Y*iOF POULTNEY. “Allow me again to tender to you, and to all interested in this bestowal, my sincere thanks. This hour and its incidents can- not be forgotten., The remembrance of it will last while life lasts.” There were present upon this occasion, and who took part in the exercises of the evening, Thurlow Weed, Esq., of Albany; ‘Hon. LW. Thompson, of Granville, N. Y.; E. L. Ormsbee, of Rutland; Martin I.. Townsend; of Troy; Rey. John Newman, of Poultney; and Wm. A. Russell, Esq., of Salem, N. Y. One of the important acts in the life of Mr. Clark, and one which does him great credit, was the restoration of Troy Con- ference Academy to the Conference in 1848. The Academy property had become heavily mortgaged at that time, and was encumbered to the amount of about $25,000, and the credit of the corporation was greatly impaired. Mr. Clark advanced the ioney, and bought in the said indebtedness for some $5,000, and could undoubtedly, had he been so disposed, have secured a perfect title to the property to himself for that sum. For this same property, he was afterwards offered by other parties $25,000, and could undoubtedly have sold it for a muéh larger sum. In 1849 or 1850, Mr. Clark attended a session of the Conference held at Sandy Hill, N. Y., and proposed.,to the Con- ference to restore to them the Academy property, free from) debt, for what it had cost him, which proposition was accepted. His efforts in that respect, without doubt, saved the benefits of this school-to the people of Poultney. Some.ten years.ago, or more, when Mr. Clark saw that Poult- og ney was somewhat behind the times in the matter of a burial ground, he generously gave five acres of his land to the Ceme- tery Association, formed at about that time. Merritt Clark has never been known as a politican. It is not in his nature to be such. In the good old days of the Democratic party, he was a Democrat, and as such fr equently received the nominations of the par ty for office; and on account of his experience as a financier, and his acknowledged executive — ability, it was not strange that he should be looked to as a natural leader. He represented the town of Middletown in the HISTORY OF. POULTNEY, 239 State Legislature in the years 1832-3-9, and represented the town of Poultney in 1865-6. He was a Senator for Rutland County in the State Legislature in ‘the years of 1868-4, and 1868-9. In 1850, he was the Democratic candidate for Congress in this district. He was a member of the last Constitutional Convention in this State. He has twice been the Democratic candidate for Governor of this State, and at the first nomina- tion Mr. Clark declined to serve, and John Robinson. (Democrat) was elected in his stead. He was United States agent for. the payment of pensions, for four years; under “the administration of President Polk; was postmaster for some years at Middle- town, and for many years past has held the.same office at Poult- ney. For some time he was a member of the. Vermont Board of Education. He has been a justice ofthe peace for forty- _ four successive years, with the exception of one year. For forty years he was agent of the Vermont. Mutual Fire Insurance. Company, and for many years a director of the same company. In 1852, he was a delegate to the National Democratic Conven- tion, at Baltimore, when President. Pierce was nominated. He has been Treasurer of the town of Poultney since 1861, and as such has made himself very useful to the town by his financial skill. He introduced important changes in the system of town accounting, and during the war his management was suchas to greatly improve the credit of the town, and at the close ofthe war, to leave the town comparatively free from debt. Mr.-Clark married, in 1828, Miss Laura L. Langdon, a daughter. of Ebenezer Langdon, of Castleton. . She ees ‘November’20, 1869, at the age of 65 years. - Mr. Clark has had three children: Henry Clark, ‘now one ss the editors of the Rutland Globe; Edward Clark, now teller in- the National Reise of oe and a daughter, “who died in “irfancy. - | : Dr. Theophilus Clark, now living at iam ouithy at the age of 94 years, is a cousin of the late General Clark, As to the cbaractcr of Mr. Clark, as a man, we cannot do better than to copy from .a sketch of his character given in a “number of the National Magazine, published:in 1856: 240 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. “A clear, far-reaching, comprehensive, vigorous intellect, and a bold, decisive, tenacious will may command our respect; but the qualities of the heart only can sécure our love. The highest tribute is justly due to his sensibilities. It is occasionally our . blessing to. meet a man with a soul—a soul that extends its in- fluence ont so far as to light up the eye with kindness, imprint on the face a cheering smile, and give significance to the friendly and warm-hearted grasp. One of such men is Mr. Clark. _ The success of his mereantile enterprises, the prosperity of the Bank of Poultney, and the triumphant succecs of all his plans for getting a railroad from Rutland to Albany, are the very best exponent of his financial skill and managing ability. In his own town he is a noble citizen. There is no enterprise of public spirit demanded by the interests of the community in which he is not ready to take an active part. In a cheerful and happy old age, may he reap the rewards of useful and virtuous living:”, : bgt Ss : We have found the following fragment of poetry from the pen of Mr. Clark, and although never meant for ‘publication, “as a beautiful expression of sentiment, we deem it well worthy a place here: , ~ An Incident. A gentle hand was laid on mine, | A voice of music met mine ear: “Will you,” she said, “write me a line Of poetry?” I thought it queer. - Said I: “I never wrote a rhyme - Fit to read! TP try and gather Into verse, and meter, and line ‘Some beautiful thoughts of another.” The Thoughts. “No! never can a diamond ring! Nor can the favor cf a king . + pone me to gin be driven! *Twould blight the day; *twould blight the night *['would blight the sense of ‘wrong and right; ie "would blight my hopes of Heaven! HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 241 ', But love, true love is thousand-fold, More precious than the burnished gold, Or brilliant diamonds, even! _ But love’s a crime, if trifled o’er, Remembrance tortures evermore— Twill make a Hell of Heaven! Crevetanp, Sotomon—Came to ‘Poultney soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, and settled on what is’ still known as the Cleveland Farm, located on the east side of Finel Hollow road, about half a mile from the road leading from East Poultney to Middletown. He had three children; two sons and a daughter. The sons were Samuel and Fassett. Samuel married the widow of George Morgan. He removed from Poultney to Hydeville and lived there many years. Fas- set removed from Poultney many years ago; and it is not known that either the sons are now living, or if living wheré they are, or their descendants, if they have any. Solomon Cleveland was a good citizen, and much respected. : Cox, James H.—Was ‘born at Fort Miller, Washington .Co., N.Y. He was ason of Levi and Lovina (Smith) Cox. His mother was raised in Middletown, and was a daughter of James’ Smith, an early settler of that town. The father left about the time James was born, and the mother was left with two chil- dren, with no means but her hands to care for them. She ‘moved to Middletown with her children when James was about two months ‘old, and remained there until he was about 13 years old. James went to Wells and worked for John Gray, in a woolen factory. ‘ He worked in the factory about two years, during which time his mother married Nathaniel Grover, of Wells, and moved there, when he went to live with Mr. Grover and lived with him six years. He then worked out by the month four or five years. He was married to Electa E., daugh- “ter of Rufus Perkins, of Pawlet, February 4, 1839. She died May 11, 1845. At the time of her death-he lived in Tinmouth —moved to Tinmouth in 1842; he removed to Wells in 1850. For his second wife he married Betsey L., daughter of Whit- 31 : 242 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. ing Grover, September 25, 1851. He has one child, Carrie E.,. born Mareh 18, 1860. He moved to Poultney in 1868, dnd now resides here. In Mr. Cox we find a good example of industry and economy. From a poor boy, without a father to help bim, he has gained a competence. He was a member of the Legis- lature, from the town of Wells, in the years 1828-9. ~Copman.—Dr. William Codman was born October 24th, 1786, _ and was married to Hester Sackett, of Hampton, N. Y., October 25th, 1810. She was born June 24th, 1789. They had four children: : William A., b. at Salisbury, Vt., Oct. 21, 1811; m. Lucy Atline Wilkinson, of West Haven, Vt., May 15,1837. He is now a resident of Poultney, and owns the farm known as the Guernsey farm, about one mile east of East Poultney village. They have one daughter, Mary B., who m. Thomas. Bryan, and resides in East Poultney village. Gustavus, b. July 24, 1813. He learned the cabinetmaker’s trade of James Richardson, of Poultney. He m. Betsey Howes of Brownville, N. Y., where he now resides. Christina, b. April 11, 1816; m. Henry Martin, of Poultney, Feb. 3, 1839. They now reside at Hampton, N. Y. Delia M., b. Aug. 15, 1818;-m. Aaron C. Broughton, July 11, 1848, and they now reside in Hampton, N. Y. Dr. William Codman died at Ft. Edward, N. Y., July 15th, 1820. His widow was married to Amos Frisbie, of Poultney, June 23, 1822, She and her family then became residents of — Poultney. After the death of Amos Frisbie, which occurred March 13, 1826, his widow was married, Jan. 16, 1838, to Miles Hotchkiss, of Poultney, with whom she lived to the time of his death, which occurred Sept. 2, 1850, leaving her a widow for . the third time, since which time she has livea with her daughter, Mrs. Aaron C. Broughton; she is now in her eighty-seventh ‘year. She had three children by Amos Frisbie, Mary, James &., and Emma, whose history may be found under the name of Frisbie. HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 243 Crrrrenprx.—Seymour and Timothy Crittenden settled here soon after the Revolutionary War. Their descendants inform us that they moved here from Massachusetts. " Seymour settled on the place recently occupied by N. P. Beach, near the’. State line, which divides the towns of Poultney and Hampton, N.Y. He married Sybil Kinney, and had ten childr en; the names of all we have not been able to obtain. His son Samuel ~married Olive Martin and moved to Michigan; of his descend- ants nothing is now known here. Sybil and Seymour, Jr., were twins; Sybil died young.’ Seymour Crittenden, Sen., was a worthy and useful man. He often held town offices and posi- tions of trust. He was a deacon of the Congregational Chureh, which position he held for many years, as will appear in the history of that church. In politics, he was a Democrat, and the only one in the Congregational Church in his time. But he was » honest and conscientious in all his relations; he died, July 17, 1828. Seymour, junior succeeded to the homestead, where he lived until his death. He married Abigal Ruggles, a daugh- . ~ ter of Dennison Ruggles, of Hampton. He died, July 25, 1846, leaving three children: James, Harriet and Henry H. James married Lucy Jennison, of Swanton, Vt., and removed to Iowa, where he now lives; he has several chil- dren., Harriet married Lorriston E. Thompson, lives in Poultney, and has two children. Henry H. married Lucy Hosford, lives in Poultney, and has five children. Timothy Crittenden settled on the Troy Conference Academy grounds. He early built a house where the front fence now is. It was a two story square roofed house, and, as elsewhere ap- pears, the Conference. school was first opened in this building. He sold to Dr. James Witherell, about 1810, and removed west —we cannot say where, nor what descendants, if any are liv- ing. Both Seymour and Timothy Crittenden owned good et farms, and were thriving and prosperous ‘in their business, and among the most valuable citizens of Poultney in their time. Timothy Crittenden. epresented the town in the Vermont Leg- . islature i in the years 1802 and 1803. 244 HISTORY OF POULTNEY: Cutver, Danter—Was born in Wells, Vt., and was a son of Samuel Culver, one of the old and prominent citizens of that town. Some years ago, Daniel moved from Wells to Middle- town, in 1850, and carried on a woolen manufactory there for 4 year and a half, or thereabouts, and then went to California, He returned from the latter place to Wells in the fall of 1853. He moved to Poultney in the year 1856, and set up in the grocery business in the building now occupied by E. C. Richard-, son. This business he followed until about the time he com- menced the slate business. He now owns and works a slate quarry, the location of which is given elsewhere, and he ‘is also a practical slate roofer. . He is now doing quite an extensive business at roofing, obtaining his slate from his quarry. He married Lucy Clemons, of Wells. He has no children. Dawa.—Stephen, Winchester Dana, son of Rev. Nathan ard Beulah Winchester Dana, was born in Newton, Mass., Nov. 7, 1786. His parents removed to Hubbardton, Vt., while he was a child, and he resided at that place until 1810. In September, . .. - 1810, he married Esther Rumsey, and removed to Poultney. She was a sister of Philo Rumsey, who formerly lived in Poult- ney, and was a tanner. Mr. Dana was a mechanic (a shop joiner); when he came to Poultney, he bought the place in the ‘east village now occupied by Jacob Dewey, of Dr. Walker, an’ early settler of the town. In 1816, he became a merchant, and ie was successful in the change from mechanical to mercantile pursuits. He built a part of what is known as the Bailey block, | and traded there. He was not only successful as a merchant, -_ "but was universally known asa man of integrity, and a fair and upright dealer. He dealt largely in farm produce; bought all the farmers had to sell, and thus contributed to their prosperity. He was a liberal man, and had in view the public interests as well as his own. He was a member of the Congregational Society, though not of any church at the time, and contributed of his means for its support. He lead the singing in the Con- 3 gregational Chureh for several years, and through his efforts an organ was procured for that church, which was the first one HISTORY OF. POULTNEY. 245 used in this vicinity. Te was.the leading man in getting the post office established at East Poultney. In 1827, Mr. Dana.re- ‘moved to Troy; after he left Poultney, he connected himself with the Sixth Street Presbyterian Church, and not long after was elected a ruling elder. He died August 7, 1846. At the time of his death, he was President of the Troy and Greenbush Railroad, and of the Troy Commercial Bank, Mr. Dana had _ three children: J. Jay, James 8., and Esther. J. Jay Dana is a prominent clergyman, and resides in Becket, Mass. - The widow of Stephen W. Dana died recently in Troy. She - _ lived to a great age, and was much respected. She was especi- ally interested in missionary work, and for mary years labored earnestly for the Trey Orphan Asylum. ~ Derpy, Hiram—-Was born in Pawlet, in the year 1799. He was a son of Benjamin Derby, who was born in Ellington, Conn., - and served as a soldier in the War of the Revolution for seven years; he was with Arnold in his Canada campaign. After his discharge from the service, he married Constance Hamilton, and moved to Hebron, N, Y., and prebably soon after from thence to Pawlet, Vt. He had nine children, of whom Hiram was one. One daughter married Jacob Lawrence; he died in Poultney in .1873, and his widow new resides with Warren E, Clark, in ~. Poultney, who married her daughter. One daughter married | Nehemiah Haskins, and now resides in this village. Benjamin Derby died in Pawlet, about 1830. His widow lived until 1846, and died while living with her son Hiram, in Hampton, at the age of 87 years. She drew a pension several years, as the widow of a deceased soldier. Hiram Derby married Nancy Monroe. and moved from Pawlet to Hampton; he moved from. thence to Poultney in 1850, and died here in 1866, at the age of - 67 years. He had nine children; five are now living: William H., Lovisa, John C., Hannah and Horace. - William H. married, and now resides in Iowa. Lovisa married Alanson Rice, and is now his widow. John C. Derby was born in Hampton, April 7, 182%, -and learned the harness maker’s trade of his brother, in that 246 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. ~ place. He went to East Poultney in 1852, and opened a shop in that village, where he carried on the business until he re- moved to the west village, in 1867. He married Emma E. Kelsey, of Whiting, June 10, 1°56; they have bad four children, three of whom are living—two sons and a daughter. He was Postmaster at East Poultney eight years, commencing with 1853. In 1871, he bonght the old brick school-house, in the west village, and erected a fine brick building in its place, two stories high, and 47 feet by 64 feet, om the ground, The lower story is occupied by him as a shoe store and work room, and by > Dr. Hibbard, who ‘deals in fancy goods, books, stationery, ete. ; the upper story is oceupied by F. M. Rood’s photograph rooms, and the insurance office of A. E. Cushman. Mr. Derby has given us a good example of industry. Hannah married ‘Gilbert Nichols, and lives in Auburn, N.Y. Horace Derby has been twice married; his second wife was Alida Kelsey, with whom he now resides in this town, Daan, Srirron P.—Now owns and resides on the farm re- cently oecupied by Robert Bull. He is a thriving and industri- ous farmer. Seth Dean owns and resides on a farm south of the village: . Botli are unassuming, industrious, thriving men in. their business. : [ Dever Famity.—Among the names signed to-the charter of Poultney, as original proprietors, may be found the names of Abner and Stephen Dewey. - These men were relatives; one perhaps the ancestor of Major Zebudiah Dewey, the first man of the name who settled in Poultney. He was born in Bar- rington, Mass., in 1726, and died in Poultney, Octoher 28, 1804, aged 78 years. His first wife was the widow of Solomon Jack- son, by whom he had one son—Tbomas. The widow had one daughter, who was married to one Jacob Catlin. After the de- cease of his first wife, Mr. Dewey married Beulah Stearns, of Mendon, Mass. They resided with his mother, Abigal Dewey, in Tyringham, Mass., until most of their nine children were porn, . In 1772 or 73, they moved to Poultney, and are said to. HISTORY OF “POULTNEY, i oa? have located on the site now oceupied by Beaman’s hotel. But here, as he said, “the neighbors became too near and too num- erous,” and so he sold out, and retired to the head of “ Hamp- shire Hollow,” on the farm now occupied by his grandson, B. F. Dewey. At that time, .as the clearing extended only to “town hill,” te reach his log house it was necessary to follow “blazed trees.” At this time he was 47 years of age, and his wife ten years younger. He was a bold, resolute lover of the chase and hunt. The region round about him at this time afforded him _ ample opportunity for pursuing his favorite pleasure, and many a bear, and wolf, and deer has gone down before his unerring rifle. In appearance, he was about five feet ten inches in height, slim but very muscular, small, keen black eyes, dark hair; in- lining to stoop at the shoulders; of a strong, sanguine temper- ament; aman.of good mind, good judgment, and sound com- mon sense; and hence, just the man to be selected, as he was, to represent the town in those then troublous times, in the Gen- eral Association of Delegates, for the defence of their liberties. Quite a large part of his farm he purchased by the payment of | “unpaid taxcs, at about one cent per acre. | -But the chief attrac- tions to this land, were the hard wood, and good opportunity for hunting. “But for this,” his youngest daughter said, “ might have been ‘village- belles’ instead of ‘wood nymphs. Tradition éalls him the first captain of the militia of Poultney. He, with his brother-in-law, Ichabod Marshall, with others from Poultney, werein the Battle of Hubbardton. It was there he ‘obtained the title of Major. At the dispersion of the American troops, he, with the rest, sought their home, only to ficd their families gone. He drove his young’ cattle into the woods, hastily yoked his oxen to the cart, and started in-pursuit of the fleeing families—overtaking. them at Pawlet, where they had stopped for the night. This family was somewhat “ Tory,” and so when Mrs. Dewey asked for bread for the crying Salavae: the landlady said she had none in the house; but when she left the room, Mrs. Marshall opened a cupboard, and found. plenty of bread; when the landlady returned, she found the children busily engaged in eating bread. In the morning they paid their 7” 248 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. bills and departed, “and no questions asked.” They made their way as hastily as possible toward their old home in Berkshire County, Mass. Stopping one night at Pownal, where Mrs. Dewey acted as Captain of a company of women, with one gun and no ammunition, and won the field. Major Dewey and I. Marshall, tradition says, came hack in the Berkshire Militia, and were inthe Battle of Bennington. Late that fall, or in mid- _ winter, they returned to Poultney with their families, the war being over, so far as the New Hampshire Grants were concerned. Major Dewey thereafter gave himself up to the cultivation of. his farm. We still see the Major’s love of hunting cropping out in some of his grand and great-grand-children His wife, Beulah Stearns, was born in Mendon, Mass., in 178%, and died in Poultney, Dec. 31, 1820, aged 83 years. She was a sister of Mrs. Lydia Stearns Marshall, wife of Ichabod Marshall, of Poultney. Mrs. Dewey was a resolute, “strong-minded ” woman of the stronger sort, capable and well calculated to bring up a large family in the wilds of Vermont. She was generous, kind and self-reliant. For many yeats she was the midwife of this region, and many of the older inhabitants still living re- member her as she rode on_ her little gray pony about town, on her errands of merey. Her old side-saddle is still in good re~ pair, and ready to receive and carry her suecessor in office. It may be seen at the house of Mrs. Augusta King Thayer, Rut- land, Vt., the old lady’s great-grand-daughter. After the death of Major Dewcy, she continued to reside with her son Azariah, at the old homestead. Sometime i in the early part of the century, Mrs. Dewey and Mrs. Marshall , being widows, were called upon by one Thomas Ashley, a widower, with the question: “Mrs. Marshall, do you wish to change your condition?” “No, sir,” she replied, with emphasis; “ but my sister does.” To the same question, Mrs. Dewey said “yes,” and they were accordingly married. Mr, Ashley lived but a very few years after this. After his deatl:, Mrs. Ashley returned to live at the old Dever. homestead with her son Azariah, Major Dewey’s family consisted of ten children, five sons and five daughters.. . HISTORY OF: POULTNEY, 249 ‘Thomas, the oldest son, married an Ashley, and, as one of the first settlers, moved into Milton, Vt., February 15, 1782. - He died at Milton, January, 1813. He had two sons and three daughters, one of: whom,, Mrs. J. S. Webster, still resides at ' Winooski, Vt. Zebudiah, the second son, married a Moseley, and also became an early settler of Milton. He had one son and three daughters, and died in April of the same year and of the same disease with his brother Thomas, 1813. Beulah, the oldest daughter, married Elisha Ashley, and they settled early: in Milton. They had twelve children, all of whom reached years of maturity. Mrs. Lucy Lyon, the oldest child, is still - living in Milton, at the advanced age of 91 years. ‘Mrs. Beulah Dewey Ashley died in Milton, in 1849. Charlotte, the oldest daughter, married Nathaniel Moseley. They resided in Pawlet and Rutland, Vt., and died in St. Law- rence county, N. Y. Anna, the third daughter, married Sainual Murdock. and re- sided in Milton until his death. She afterwards married a man named Richmond. She also died, in 1818. Artemesia, the fourth daughter, married Ebenezer Jennings, and removed to Western New York. She and her son died in 1832, of. cholera. Azariah, the third son, was born in Torsha, _Mass., in 1765; was 7 or 8 years old when the family came to Poultney, and 12 or 13 when the family was driven off by the Tories and ‘and Indians. His first wife was Amelia Smith, by whom he had two sons and one daughter, viz.: Solomon Jackson, Archibald, and Abigail. Solomen J. married Charlotte Finel, and died in His children are, Edwin 8. Oscar, Albert and Solomon, Archibald married Zelima Pond, and now resides in Ft. Ann, N. Y. His children are, Asahel P., Lycurgus, Henry and Pauline. Abigail married Eli Kotter son, and they reside in Michigan. After the death of his first wife, he married Louise Darby,-by whom he had five sons and one daughter: B. Frank- lin, still residing at the old homestead; Milton, residing in Rut- land; J. Randolph, still residing near the old homestead; Hen- ry and Eliza, dead, and James M., residing in Fairhaven, Vt. 32 : 250° | HISTORY OF POULTNEY: Mr. Azariah Dewey resided a few years in Milton, but came back at the death of his father, to care for and settle his fath- er’s estate. In 1798 he was commissioned a Captain of the mil- itia company of Poultney, by Gov. Tichenor, and was discharged at his own request the same year. He died, March 31, ay aged 67.. His widow died. wo : _ Jonathan, fourth son, married a Miss Newton, by whotn he had four sons and two daughters, namely: Nelson, Zebudiah, William and Daniel; Perley and Julia, all of whom are dead, excepting Zebudiah, who married Esther Mears. They now re- side in Rutland, Vt. Jonathan resided a few years in Poultney, then moved to Mendon, N..Y., where he died. Keziah, the fifth and youngest daughter of Major ay was born August 28th, 1782, and married Warren Hill, April 4, 1802. . After residing a year or two in Poultney, they removed to Milton, Vt. They had three sons: Roderick and Rodney. — (twins), and. Warren Bristol; and two daughters: Lucretia, wife of Dr. H. P. Cobb, of Milton, and mother of Dr. Lucretius es Ve Cobb, of Detroit, Mich., and Lucia, wife of Lyman Burgess, of Milton, Vt., and mother of Mrs. Lucretia B. Witters, also of Milton, Vt. Mrs. Keziah Dewey Hill died at Detroit, Mich., in Februar y, 1842. David, the youngest son of Major Zebudiah jae was born March 1, 1778, the spring after the settlers of Poultney and other towns in Western Vermont, made such a hasty exodus to escape the marauding stragglers of the British army. He was the second child born in town after the war—William Ward being the first, who was born Feb. 28, 1778 both were born the same night), for which notable instance of «“ early rising,” tradition says, he received a grant of land. The boyhood and youth of David were passed with the privations incident to all boys of that early day. His first leather shoes he had after he was twelve years of age; his mother made him cloth moccasins, and so he was accustomed to come from home down to school- house on the road, some 60 rods east from the present “red school house,” often going barefoot through snow and sleet. He worked on his father’s farm until of age. Soon after this, HISTORY OF’ POULTNEY. 251. at the suggestion of his mother, he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Selah Gridley, of Castleton, Vt. After passing the required term of study, he was licensed to practice by the Rutland County Medical Association. On March Ist, 1802, he marriéd Anna Morse. They resided at the old home- ‘stead until the death of his father, when his older brother Azariah took his place. About this time he purchased and ‘moved on a farm on the south side of the road leading from East Poultney to Middletown, and three-quarters of a mile from East Poultney. The old nae -house was on the south side of the river. From 1805 to 1809 his mind was turned to inventing some * nseful and labor-saving machines. The result of his investiga- tions and experiments was the invention of the shearing ma- chine—the first implement for shearing cloth by machinery ever patented in this country—for which invention letters. patent were granted him, signed by James Madison, Presi- dent, and C. A. Rodney, Attorney General, dated, June 27, 1809. This machine consisted of a twisted shear blade, a ‘shearing board and rollers, over which the cloth is stretched as it passes between the shear blade and the shear board. It was a-vast improvement on the old way of shearing by hand, ‘every way. In order to have the machine most valuable and durable, it was necessary to have a cutting edge to the shears, of steel. At that time there were no smiths hereabouts who could weld steel upon iron, and so he went to Connecticut, learned the art, came back and taught it to his blacksmith. This shearing machir.e was the foundation of all the present ‘highly improved machines for shearing cloth. In 1807 he built the first framed dwelling house.on his home farm, and two years after he built a cam, a trip-hammer shop, and other shops necessary for the manufacture of the shearing machines, all of © which were carried off by the flood of 1811. About that time, becoming dissatisfied with the practice of medicine, owing to ‘its great labor and small remuneration, he gave it up and en- - gaged largely in the manufacture of shearing machines, which : proved a very lucrative business From this time businesses of 252 . ¥ HISTORY OF POULTNEY.— various kinds seemed to multiply on his active mind. He. pur chased other farms and engaged more extensively in farming. His mind was not idle as regards improvements on the shearing machine, for again, in 1814, he received letters patent for the invention of a “ Vibrating Shearing Machine,” an improvement by which a vibratory motion was given to the shear blade. " These letters were signed by James Madison, President, James Monroe, Secretary of State, and Richard Rush, Attorney Gen- eral. In 1816, near the site of the trip-hammer. shop, he built a cotton factory, having rebuilt the dam nome time before. He now engaged very extensively, for those times, in the manufac- ture of cotton cloth. The next year he built and moved into his last place of residence. He also moved down the old school house of district No. 3, and made it an appendix to his factory. He continued his factory until it ceased to be profitable. In 1818 he again received letters patent for a second improvement on the shearing machine, and continued their manufacture. About this time he went into the mercantile business with. Wil- liam Wheeler, in the north half of the house now occupied by Mrs. P. M. Ross, East Poultney. Also about this time he built and carried on one of the ten distilleries which have been ‘run in this town; but becoming convinced that the business was a wicked crime against society, he stopped it and let the distill- ery rot down. At the decline of the price of cotton goods, he changed his factory into a clothier’s works, and put into one part of his factory a carding machine, built in the building by John Colby, Esq., of Hartland, Vt.; he worked a whole year in the building thereof. a: Dr. Dewey at one time owned a share of the printing office and fixtures of the Northern Spectator, a paper printed formerly at East Poultney. These various branches of business were carried on by him until they ceased to be as lucrative as he de- - sired, and then his restless and inventive mind sought and pro-, duced others. During all these years he kept up his farming interests, which so mereased on him, that he at one time was owner of and carrying on no less than six farms in this and.ad- . joining towns. His home farm was purchased of Titus Watson, _ WISTORY OF POULTNICY. O53 ~ and with the farm he took “ apt Bill Watson,” a doughty hero of the Revolution, to. board, as a sort of dependency, In 1837, Dr. Dewey received letters patent for the invention ‘of the “Spring-Tooth Horse Rake,” an implement which at once materially shortened the season and reduced the: labor of haying, and of which the present improved spring-tooth wheel- rakes are but the ‘outgrowth. Farmers of the present day can hardly realize the vast amount of labor saved by the agricultural machinery invented during these later years for their use and benetit. Lis et Dr. Dewey was one of those wiry, nervous, men, who never ‘know when they are tired, aud possess the power of inspiring all about them with activity and energy. “Such was his vigor and activity that quite often after his sixtieth year he was known to walk to Whitehall, N. Y., rather than care for and make use of a horse. Althoigh shrewd in the acquisition of wealth, he was generous to the poor and liberal: in the support: _.of public institutions. His political bias may be known by his. being elected the first Secretary of the “Washington Benevo- jent Society,” a society brought owt- in the interest of the “‘Federalists,” in 1808. He became a professor of religion after the death of his youngest daughter, united with the Con- gregational Church in Poultney, and remained an active - and’ ‘ Ca See member until his death. : - . David and Anna Dewey were the parents of twelve ae sic five of whom d. in infancy; the rést grew up, and — have families, mostly residing in Poultney, Vt. They are: Charlotte Moseley, m. to Paul M. Ross; their only child, ‘Lucretius Dewey Ross, .is a physician and surgeon, who.served in the: War of the Rebellion as Assistant Surgeon to the ae Regt. Vt. Vols-- Esther m. Isaac Leftingwell; one gon, Charles Carrol Lefiing~ well, a’ merchant, now residing in Poultney. Jacob Catlin, m. to Moriah Brownson. Children: David Brownson Dewey, a physician and surgeon, who served in the War of the Rebellion as Assistant Surgeon to the 14th pa te N. Y. Vols.; Esther M. and Henry. 254 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. --Zebudiah, m. to Charlotte Rann. Children: Lucia, Elizabeth, Catherine and Caroline. He married for his second wife, Emily Gatten. No children. - 7 .. Thomas David, m. to Lucy B. Morse. One child, Arthur T., deceased, who married Mrs. Caroline Potter; no children. He alsu married Mrs, Lucy L. Bliss; no children. Laura Augusta, m. to William Young. Children: Edwin Forest, Anna, Panline and Sarah. Sinee, m. to Jas. W. King. No children. Harriet, m. to Jas. W. ae Children: Lucretia and Angusta.- Dr. David Dewey d. Oet. 2, 1841, in the 64th year of his age. - Mrs. Anna Morse Dewey still resides with her daughter, at Poultney, in her 97th year. Dysz, Josuua—Was born in: Kent, Conn.; married Saloma Morgan; moved to Poultney soon after the Revolutionary War, and settled in what was called Ames’ Hollow, and where Patrick Kennedy now lives. He was drowned in Poultney River, in 1826, near where Harlow Hosford l'ved at the time of his. death. He went to a rock, as is supposed, by the side of a deep hole in the river, to wash. his feet, and accidentally slipped into the water. He left a widow, who died about twelve years ago, at the age of 92 years,6 months and 21 days. They had ten children. : . Daniel, the oldest son, is still living, and the only one now living in the town of Poultney; he is 81 years old. Charlotte m. Riley Ensign, whom she survived, and now lives in Albion, Michigan. - Daniel m. Betsey Ensign, a sister of Riley; she has been dead about twenty years. They had four children: George R., Rollin ee O., Elvira and Adoline E. Elvira d. 11 years ago. Adoline E. sn. Carlisle Smith, and now resides in Hampton, and has four children George R. and Rollin 0. reside t in Poultney—the former hav- . ing one child, and the latter one. / . Daniel Dye, the son of Joshua who still survives, relates some’ interesting incidents in connection with the bardships and trials * * e HISTORY OF ‘POULTNEY. - OBS of his father and family during the early years of their resi- dence in Poultney. He says his father first built a log-house, about 16 feet square, the body of it about 7 feet high, and : _ covered it with poles and bark. The cracks between the logs _-were filled with clay. The roof would oceasionally blow off, when a new one would have to be supplied with poles and bark. But we suppose Mr. Dye’s house did not differ materially from . the houses of other early settlers. Mr. Dye says that his father was very unfortunate in losing sheep and cattle, that were killed ‘by bears and wolves. It is quite likely thése animals were more troublesome in the locality in which Mr. Dye settled, than in the western and central parts of the town, and especially after the settlement had progressed. Mr. Daniel Dye says he was 22 years old the year of the cold summer (1816). He says there was a frost every few days during the summer, though there "was now-and then an excessively hot day; that he knew of three horses “melting down” in one day, on. the road ‘to Rutland Very little grain got ripe that year, except winter rye; corn was white, frost-bitten and poor, and though scarcely fit to eat, was sold for eleven shillings a bushel; that which Bot ripe enough _ for seed, was sold for $1.50 a peck. : cs CuarLes F—Was born in Bloomsburg, New Jersey, June 22, 1850, and is a son of Hon. Charles B, Eddy, of Rock- Ingham, Vt. Charles F, studied law with his father, at Bel- lows Falls, and was admitted to the bar at the April term of Windham County Court, 1872. He married Helen 8. Town- send, daughter of Seneca D. Townsend, of Wallingford, June. _ 18, 1872, and removed to Poultney in November, 1872, and has beet in the practice of his Pretesripyt. in Beulingy, since that time. a aa Eppy, Zacwartan—Was born’ in Belcher, Mass. “and ciara to Royalton, Vt. in an early day. He removed Seon Royalton to Poultney in 1812, and settled where Simeon Dean now lives, ~ a mile north of this village. He lived there about three years, and then moved to Hampton, and afterwards moved to West- ern New York, and died there. He had two sons, John’ and ¢ 256 HISTORY OF POTLTNEY. Curtis C., and three daughters, Samantha, Eunice, m. William Preston, died, and Luey. Curtis C. Eddy was born in’ 1800, ‘and lived many years in Poultney. He worked for Danief Sprague and others, when a young man, and for several years owned and ¢arried on the farm now owned by A. M. Knapp. Mr. Curtis C. Eddy has had three children: Laura E, Fanny M. and Jay P. Laura m. Lerenzo Brown, and lives in Hubbard- ton; Fanny M. m. Chauncey C. Ward, and tives in Poultney. Jay. P. m. Jennie Morse, and resides in Martinsburg, Missouri. Mr. Eddy, for about two years, has made hie home with his daughter, in Hubbardton. _Encerron, Cracncry—Born at Moriah, N .. ¥., April 11, 1817. Came to Poultney in 1832. Married jaiene M. Witherell, March, 1839, who d. April 11, 1840, leaving one son, Francis M- who next m. Emma Frisbie, April 10, 1845, with whom he now lives. Francis M., b. April 11, 1840; he entered Middlebary College in 1860, and in May, 1861, entered the service as Sergeant, Co. B, 2d Regt., Vt. Vols; promoted 2d Lieutenant, Co. F, in Oct. 1861; was transferred at once to Staff duty, as Provost Marshal of Brigade, and the next April, to Provost Marshal on Gen. W- F. Smith’s Staff. In Aug., 1862, he was made Adjutant of his regiment, ‘and in November, was appointed Aid-de-camp to Brig. Gen. A. P. Howe, commanding 24d Div. sth Corps, in which capacity he served anti] Jane, 1864, w hen he was muster ed out of serviee. He now resides in Brooklyn, L. I. Everts, Dox A.—Was born in Pawlet, Oet. 22, 1806; his - mother died when he was quite young, and his father died when ~ he was 16 years old. He was one of five children. His father had feeble health, was poor, and their children were “ put out.” Don A. did not live at home much after his mother died, and ‘when 17 years old, he was “bound out” to Aaron Lewis, of this: town, until he should arrive at 21 years of age. He served his. time, and by the agreement, received a yoke of steers and fifty dollars in money; this was equivalent to one hundred dollars, HISTOKY OF POULTNEY. 257 the usual price agreed upon in those times. This was all the . property he had to begin life with. After his time was com- _ pleted: with Mr. Lewis he went to work by the month, and worked several years in Granville, N. Y., and a year or so in Dorchester, Mass. He married Sophia Hosford, a daughter of Alfred, November 4, 1835, and purchased what was known as the Gifford farm, in Poultney, in 1836, and has lived in. Poult- ‘ ney since, except about two and ahalf years of the time in Wells. He now resides. in Poultney, on Beaman street, in a house erected by Jas. H. Lansley. He bought this house and, moved into it inthe spring of 1878. - He has had one child, ' Edna Annette, who married M. J. Horton, and now resides in Massachusetts. She has one child. Farnum, Pisa We born in the State of Connecticut, and came from Salisbury, in that State, to Poultney in the s spring | of 1784. He purchased his land before he left Connecticut; his deed bears date, January 24, 1775, and describes “Lot No. AO, First Division, and the original right of Isaac Davis, and con- taining sixty acres of land.” After spending the summer of "1784 in Poultney, he returned to Connecticut, and the next — spring, May 19, 1785, he married Hannah Lee, returned to Poultney, and settled on the land he had purchased. He built his, house on the opposite side of the road from the house now occupied by his grandson, William L. Farnum. Bazaleel Far- num was a revolutionary soldier, and after coming to Poultney, identified himself with the Gonarecetionsl Church, and was a. leader of their singing for many years. He was three times married. The children of his first wife, Hannah Lee, were: Myra, William Lee, Sophia, Phebe, Harry, Electa and Caroline. _ Myra m. Riley Richmond; Sophia m. Israel Morse; Phebe m.. ‘Truman Wilcox, and Caroline m. Worcester Morse. None of ‘the children of Bazaleel, by his first wife, are now living. For his second wife, he married Fanny Walton, of Connecticut, who did not livé long after marriage. For his third wife, he mar-— ried. Louisa Nichols, a widow, and by her had one child, Peter Farnum, who m. Amelia J. Johnson, of Bridport, and now re- 33 : \ 258 . HISTORY OF POULTNEY. sides in Addison, Vt. Bazaleel Farnum died April 9, 1831, at the age of 72 years. his first wife d. Nov. 16, 1809, in the 42d year of her age. Farnum, William Lee—The oldest son of Bazaleel and Han- nah Lee Farnum, was born in Poultney, Feb. 26, 1788, on the same farm on which he spent his life, and in a house but a few rods from the one in which he died. He had only a common school education, such as the times afforded; but the advantages he had were well improved. When a young man, he taught school several terms, with success. Sept. 12, 1812, he married Polly, a daughter of Ebenezer Frisbie, who was one of the early settlers of the town. He became a member of the Congre- gational Church in 1816, and was elected a deacon of the same church, May 19, 1835, which office he held until his decease. He represented the town in the Vermont Legislature in the | years 1832-3, °37 and 54, and often held town offices. He was made: President of the Rutland County Agricultural Society at _ its organization, some thirty years ago, and held that position — for several years. He was a farmer all his life, and one of the best. Deacon Farnum was a quiet, unassuming man; never - sought to make himself conspicuous, yet always active and an effective worker, not only in the church of which he was tong a member, but in all benevolent or other enterprizes, which had for their object the promotion of the cause of Christianity, or the interests of the people. He was not distinguished for great learning or ability, though he had a full average talent; but for equanimity, steadiness of purpose, purity of motive, and faith- fulness in good works, the town of Poultney never had a. better example than that left by Dea. William Lee Farnum. His health was generally good up to a short time before his death, On the 2d day of March, 1873, which was on the Sabbath, he attended services at the Congregational Church in the forenoon, as usual, and took part in the exercises. In the afternoon he attended at the Baptist Church, in East Poultney, and during the exercises there, he was ealled on, and addressed the audience at some length in his usual earnest Christian manner. The next day — (March 3) was a cold, windy day, and in doing his chores, he HISTORY OF 'POULTNEY. 259 took cold, was seized with chills, became sick, | ‘died March 10, 1873, at the age of 85 years. Thus passed away an old man, whose whole life was spent in the town, and whose labors and iufluences rendered him a useful man, and one long to be re- membered. His wife died, Nov. 15, 1872; wig her he lived 60 — years. ; William L, ‘Farnum : had six children. The names, dates ‘of births and deaths, of those that have died, are as follows: '.. William Henry, b. June, 1815; d. Dec., 1816. Mary, b. Feb. 6, 1818; d. Jan. 19, 1842. Fanny, b. Jan. 27, 1820. Henry Lee, b. Feb. 20,-1822. James Frisbie, b. Aug. 8, 1824; d. Oct. 18, 1843. William Lee, b. June 3, 1828. Farnum, Henry Lee—Married Elizabeth Culver, and resides in Mechanicsville, N. Y. The eee are the names of his children: ~ - | William: Henry, b. July 31, 1859. George Albert, b. Nov., 1860: d. March, 1861. Charles Edward, b Jan. 4, 1863. Nettie Arabella, b. May 1, 1865. Farnum, William Lee, 2¢d—Married Harriet Lovine Kilbourn, and resides on his father’s homestead. His surviving sister, Fanny, resides with him. He has had eight children. The following is the record: . : Jobn Kilbourn, b. Nov. 17, 1854. George W., b. Feb. 4, 1856. ' Kate Asenath, b. Oct. 13, 1857. Harry W., b. Aug. 7, 1859. Mary Adaline, b. April 26, 1861. Harriet Lovina, b. March 1, 1863. - ~ James Frisbie, b. Dec. 20, 1864. William Lee, b. Oct. 16, 1867. Farwett.—Those of the name of Farwell who have lived in Poultney trace their ancestry back to Henry Farwell, who lived in Concord, Mass., during the 17th century. Joseph, a grand- — 260 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. son of Henry, lived in Groton, Mass., and had seven children; the sixth child, Daniel, was b. May 20,1717. Daniel had eight _ ‘children; the youngest, Benjamin, born in Groton, Mass., July 2,1756. From him came the Farwells of Poultney. Benja- min Farwell was a soldier of the Revolution, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill; a private under Col. Prescott. He was then a little short of 19 years old. He married Lucy Collier of Weybridge, Mass., and had five children, all born in Groton, Mass. Their names were: Benjamin, John G., Solomon, Lucy and Elizabeth. He removed from Groton in the fall of 1798, and lived in Mt. Holly, Vt., the following winter. In the. spring of 1799 he moved to.Poultney, and settled on Pond Hill, where he livea until his decease. His son Benjamin was accidentally drowned, at Glen’s Falls John Gould, the second son, was born in Groton, November '' 12,1783. He married Lucy Laraway March 9, ——, and had six children: Benjamin F., b. Oct.-1, 1816; Dan Pénd, b. April 29, 1822; Charlotte, b. Sani: 26, 1827; Tigeys b. Oct. 4,.1829; Fonrose b. Dec. 25, 1831, and Laura, b. Sept. 29, 1834; all born ~ in Poultney. Benjamin F.m. Eliza Ward, a daughter of the. late William Ward of Poultney, and now resides in Granville, N.Y. He has had seven children; four are now living. Dan P., the second son, and Laura, the youngest child, died young... Charlotte married Hiram Lewis, and lives in Poultney; she has four children. Lucy m. Dennis Smith, and lives in Poultney; she has had two children; both are dead. Fonrose m. Ida Dyer | of Hampton, and lives in that town; he has no children. John G. Farwell d. March 24, 1872, at the age of 89. He was a man who was correct in his habits, and lived a’ long life, respected by all who knew him. His wife died July 22, 1863. His brother Solomon died at Castleton. He had eight chil- dren; four are now living: The Farwell families from the first maintained a good posi- tion in society, and have all, we believe, left a good record. WISTORY OF POULTNEY; 261 _ Feyroy, Noau C.—came from Wells to Poultney some forty: years ago, lived awhile on the farm now owned by Simeon’ Dean; then in west village, and kept a livery stable, and finally _ settled on the farm first occupied by Capt. Dan Manning, where he now resides. He has been twice married. His first. wife. was a Stanley; his second wife was the daughter of Chester - Howe, a former resident of Poultney, and a brother of Stephen. Howe, late of Poultney, an industrious and worthy citizen =. Firrerp, Samcer—Was born in Kingston, N. H., April 14, 1770, His father and mother emigrated from England. His: father d. in New Hampshire, his mother in Poultney. Samuel ‘came to Poultney when a young man of twenty-one or two, and went to work for William Newton by the month. He m. . Charlotte Hamlin and settled on Pond Hill. His first two chil- . dren d. in infancy; their names are not given. The names and dates of births of six are given as follows: , -Rhoda, b. July 23, 1802, Hiram, b. January 30, 1805. Betsey, b. May 25, 180%, . William, b. December 27, 1809. Perez H., b. May 6, 1813. : Charlotte, b, February 6, 1816; d. January 11, 182%. — ‘Samuel Fifield died March 31, 1847; his wife died October 10, 1861, Rhoda m. John Lewis. Hiram m. Paulina Lewis, : and has three children. Betsey m. Hiram Kilbourn, is now his ° widow, and resides with her son Albert, in Poultney. - William m. Laura Ransom, and resides in Iowa; he was for several years constable and collector of taxes in Poultney. Per rez, HH. has ‘been twice married; he now resides in Hampton, N. Y.; he has had six children, five by his first and one by his hentia wife, His oldest son, Edson H., held a commission in a Vermont regi- ment in the war of 1861, FrNe., Epwarp—Came to Poultney soon after the close of. “the Revolutionary War. He served in that war, and was a Sergeant Major. He settled in Finel Hollow, near where Na»: 262 : HISTORY OF POULTNEY. thaniel Carlton now lives, and that locality took its name front him. He raised a large family of children, and the following are the names as given to the writer: The sons were Harvey, Luther, Calvin, Almon, Edward; the daughters were Sally, Bet- sey, Lydia, Polly, Emarrilla. The Finel family became numer- ous in the town, and for many years oecupied considerable space in the society and business affairs in Poultney. Harvey m..the eldest daughter of Solomon Whitney. The widow of Solom J. Dewey is a daughter of his. Rev. A. J. Finel, a prominent Congregational clergyman, of Glen’s Falls, N. Y., is: a son of Calvin. Several descendants of the Finel family are now living in Poultney, but none are now here who bear the name of Finel, and here we may be reminded of the changes: to whieh the race is subject. Frisziz, Jorr—Was the first of the name who settled in Poultney. Tradition says he came with Rev. Ithamer Hibbard, in 1780, and this is quite probable, as he married a sister of Mr. Hibbard, and it is positively known that he was here in 1781, as his name is on the grand list of that year. He did not reside ‘Jong in Poultney; he moved to Middletown in 1786, and set- tled on Coy Hill in that town, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1811. He left a family of several children, and some of their descendants now reside in Baldwinsville, N. Y. One of his sons, Barker, d. in Middletown in 1821; he was town clerk at the time of his death, and a lawyer of some note. Frispiz, James—Was one of four brothers who settled in Poultney ; all did not come the same year. They emigrated from Bethlehem, Litchfield county, Connecticut. James was - the oldest of the four brothers, who with his brother Ebenezer, was here as early as 1783. James settled in the east part of the town onthe road leading from Poultney to Middletown.. He d. March 24, 1797, when quite a young man. He left four children: Sylvia, Hannah, Samuel and James. Sylvia m Stephen Smith, and d. in 1854. Hannah m. Samuel Watkins, and has been dead many years. Samuel d. at Middletown with the prevailing epidemic of 1813.. James ‘settledtin Tinmouth, and has been. dead. over thirty years.. : ESSTOWY OF POULINEY. 263 Prisbie, Dineen 0 as born May 29,1757. Aug. 26, “TPs he married Eunice Moseley, and settled where Abner Lewis now lives. He had eight children: - Thomas Moseley, b. March, 1784. Sally, b. Aug. 13, 1786; m, Dexter King, of Benson; she was the mother of Moseley F. King, of that place, and of James King, recently of Rutland. _ Amos, b. Dec. 13, 1788; d. May 4, 1790. | Eunice, b, April 12, 1791; m. areee “Morse, and subse- quently Reuben Preston. - Polly, b. Jan. 5, 1793; m. William L. Pat num, ’ Ellen, b. Oct. 26, 17943 d. Dec, 19, 1795. - Betsey, b. Jan. 2, 1797; m. Joseph Morse. Julia, b. Dee, 31, 1798—was the Ist wife of Reuben Preston, . - Ebenezer Frisbie d. June 22, 1830, at the age of 74 years. — ~ Frisbie, Amos—Was born in Bethlehem, Litchfield County, Ut., Dec. 9,1769. He removed to Poultney about Nov. 30, 1792, aaa purchased the farm now occupied by Joseph W. Clark, and’ lived there until his death, which occurred March 13, 1826, aged 57 years. He was one of the substantial men of the town, and contributed largely to the genera] welfare. He identified him- self with the Congr egational Society, and was one, with others, who contributed to make up the fund of that society; he also held offices of trust in town at various times. He first married - Lucy Roberts, who died Sept. 22, 1821, aged 56 years, leaving’ no children. He next married the daughter of William Lockett, and widow of Dr. William Codman, June 25, 1822, who bore him three children: Mary, James S. and Emma, and still sur- vives him, being in her 85th year; she is now living with her - daughter, Mrs. A. C. Broughton, at Hampton, N. Y. Mary Frisbie m. James P. Harris, Oct. 28, 1845, who d July 7, 1859. es James S. m. Harriet Fuller, who d. Oct. 28, 1860. | Emma m. Chauncy Edgerton, April 10, 1845. Fr ‘ci Calvin—it is supposed, came to ‘Poultney about the time his brother Amos did, which was some years after James 264 . HISTORY OF POULTNEY. and Ebenezer settled here. He died when quite young, and, to our knowledge, none of his descendants are now living in the State of Vermont. All we have been able to learn of his family is that he left one son, Amos, who graduated at the’ Castleton Medical College about the year 1830, m. Abagail Bigelow, of. Middletown, and settled in the State of Ohio. His wife d. and hem. the widow of Orson Clark, and now resides with her in Hancock County, Ohio. Report says that he was not long in the practice of his profession, but up to the-present time has been extensively ae mercantile and other business. A daughter et Calvin Frisbie m. Philip D. Bigelow, of Mid- dleti:wn, and resides in the State of Ohio; her husband is dead. Jn the Frisbie families who’ first settled in Poultney, as welt ‘as those of their cotemporaries living elsewhere, there was a remarkable uniformity of character. They were not aspiring, but of the middling class—sensible, thrifty,’and well-to-do— and in their religious preferences, almost, without exception, were Congregationalists. Fuiier.—Elder Isaac Fuller moved his family from Litch- field County, Conn., to Poultney in the spring of 1820, and on the 3d of June, of the same year, with his wife Polly, united with the Baptist Church, of which they remained worthy and active members until their decease. Elder Fuller d. in Aug. 1843, aged 73 years. His wife d. in 1859, aged 85 years; they - were buried in the old grave-yard in East Poultney. Their children were one son and seven' daughters. Rhoda m. a Mr. Nettleton before the family came to Poultney, and never lived | in this town. Joseph, soon after he came to Poultney, m. Minerva Wheeler, of New Hayen, Vt.; she has been dead several years. He yet lives on the old homestead, two and a half miles north of the west village. He had five children, namely: Cornelia and William, unmarried, and reside with their father; Mary, m. a Mr. Bush, and moved to Illinois, where she. still lives; Sarah, m. Rev. Tnomas Cull—d. in Stillwater. N. Y., and was buried in the cemetery in this town—and one d. in in- HISTORY OF. POULTNEY. ' 265 fancy. Esther, next younger than J oseph, m. Monson Pond, moved to Ohio, where both died, leaving several children. Me- hitabel m. David Hurlburt and moved West. Lucinda m. a Mr. Nettleton; they live in Western New York. / Mary m. Rev. Mr. Brayton; they have long been, and still are, faithful missionaries in Burmah. Lydia has been twice m.; her first ‘husband was D. C. Kendrick, son of Dr. Adin; her second mar- riage was with John Clark, from Granville. Sarah, the young- est, m. Rev. Mr. Savage; they moved to Illinois, where she was left a widow, and is now living in Joliet, same State. ' Mary .and Sarah. were both eminent for their.abilities, and for their fidelity. to the Christian religion which dwelt in their grandfa- ' ther, Isaac, and their grandmother, ‘Polly. Gisson.—Thomas Gibson, the father of Jonas Gibson, lived . in Fitchburg, Mass., married Lucy Martin and had eleven chil- dren; three died young. Of those who passed the age of child- hood were Stephen, Thomas, Betsey, Lucy, John, Roxana, Levi and Jonas. Four of these children moved to Poultney early in the present century. Betsey Married Luke Beaman, (brother 6f Joel) who was a comb maker. He bought the Ephraim Herrick place; carried on his busines there for a awhile, then removed to Fairhaven. Roxana married Timothy Packard, a ‘hatter, worked awhile in Poultney, became deranged, was taken to Brattleboro and died there. Lucy, a widow, came to Poult- ney about 1820, and lived with her sisters. Jonas came to Poultney in 1822, and worked at making combs with his broth- ja-law, Luke Beaman, and afterwards went into partnership with him — bought the place where he now lives in 1827. In Febru- ary, 1828, he: married Anna Wells, a daughter of Noah Wells; she had two children, and died in 1831; her children both died young. Mr. Gibson’s ‘mother was left a widow, came to live with him and remained in his family until she died in 1850. She “was a worthy and devoted member of the Baptist church. Jonas has been three times married. After the death of his first. wife, he married a widow Chase, of Hoosac Falls, whose | maiden name was Susan. Potter, and by her had five children; 340 7 a 266 HISTORY OF. POULTNEY. three died young, two yet live, George W. and Edmund H. TFfis third wife was widow Tuttle, a daughter of Hon. Samuel Moul- ton, late of Castleton. George W. Gibson married Hellen Wells in 1861; had two children. She died in May 1870, He married Carrie W— in October 1873, and by her has one child. He lives in Schenec- tady, and is in railroad service. Edmund H. married Susan Sheldon, a daughter of the late Joseph Sheldon of Fairhaven. He lives in Greenwich, N. Y.; is a lawyer of some note, and is in company with:Judge Lowry. He is an active member of the Baptist church. He will be remembered as a very successful - teacher before he entered the law profession. He was for awhile principal of an academy in Union Village. Gippines.—Benjamin Giddings was one of the early inhabi- tants of Poultney, and came here probably as.early as 1800, He was a farmer, and owned and lived upon the farm now be- longing to the estate of his son, the late Benjamin Giddings. He. married Martha poe Dec. 29, 1774.. Their children were: Phebe, b. June 17, 1776; m. Luther nes and lived in Highgate, Vt.; d. April 4,1807. Eunice, b. Nov. 27, 1782; m. B— Butler, and lived in Can- ed ada; d. March 18, 1818. . Lyman, b. Oct. 10, 1785; m. Beulah Emerson, of Woodstook; Vt., and resided in Ellisburg, N. Y.; d. March 11, 1822. He had two children, both of whom are. dead-~Martha Seeley Gid- dings and Lyman Monroe Giddings. Joseph, b. March. 10, 1788; d. June, 1868, aged 79 years. . - Patty, b. July 30, 1790. Cyntha, b. June 14, 1792; m. Demos Adams, of Poultney; d.. Dec. 1, 1812, in the 21st year of her age. She had one son— Dome Jr.—now deceased. . Demmon, b. July 7, 1796; d. Nov. 27, 1867. _. _ Amanda, b. June 21, 1798; d. Nov. 11, 1816. HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 267 “Benjamin, b. May 25, 1802; m. Alma Goodrich, of Wells, who survives him; d. Sept. 7, 1873. There were no children by this marriage. Benjamin Giddings, Sen., d. eae 1815, in the 64th year _ of his age. His wife, “Martha, d. Sept. 11, 1842, aged 84 years. Giddings, Joseph—Marr ied Almira Andrus, of Ellisburg, N. Y. He and Lyman carried on the clothier and carding business for a time at Ellisburg.. At his death he left three children— _ Henry, Joseph LeGrand, and Benjamin—who are now living at Ellisburg. He had one either son, John J., who died. oe Giddings, ‘Demmon—Married Sophia Ransom, daughter of David Ransom, of Poultney, June 7, 1826. She is still living in Bron Sey: He was a farmer, and lived all his life in Poult- ney. He had six children: Franitiin, b. July 7, 1827, d. Sept. 15, 1849; George, b. Oct. 18, 1831, d. March 6, 1832; Amanda, b. March 4, 1834, d..June 22, 1849; Laura, b. Aug. 21, 1836— m. Carlos Loomis and now lives in Pauiney: Ellen, b. July 27, » . 1839, d. September 18, 1849; Demmon, Jr., b. Aug. 30, 1844, . | d. October, 1845. . Another numerous branch of the Giddings family in isa: _ ney has sprung from Solomon Giddings. He was a nephew of. Benjamin Giddings, senior; was born in Connecticut in March, 1775, and came to Poultney at about the same time as his uncle. He d. in June, 1840, in the 66th year of his age. He married, in 1809, Miss Martha Paine, of New Milford, Conn., who is still living, in the ninety-fifth year of. her age. - Solomon Giddings left seven children: Laura, b. September, 1802; m. Harvey Parks, of Wells, and had four children: Henry, now a physician at Great Barrington, Mass., James, ‘of Wells, Fanny and es all living. She d. some fifteen years ago. Orpha, b. Dec. 15, 1803; m. Daniel Hooker, of Poultney, and .is now living. The names of Mrs. Hooker’s children may be found elsewhere in the notice of the Hooker family. _ Armenia m. Wm. P. Merriam. Daniel Noble, lives at West Rutland, and has two children, 268 HISTORY OF POULTNEY, Solomon P., and a daughter, who is the wife of Norman Clark, formerly of Rutland. Solomon P., is a Sra ade and for some time past, on account of failing health, has been in business at Washington, D.C. He has two children living: Mary, who m. George Stickney, of Washington, and Emily, who now lives with him. He has had two sons, now deceased: Leonard Bacon, aged 18 years; and one who d. in infancy. William Baldwin, d. in the army, in the war of 1861. He left one Sanghter—Abby—who i is married and living at Fort Edward, N. Y. _ Mary Louise, is the wife of H. O. Perkins, Esq., of Rutland, _ and has eight children. Goopricu, Franxitin— Was born in Benson, Vt., March 1st, 1805. His parents were poor and when eleven years old he was te put out” to live with Amos Frisbie, of Poultney, and lived with him -until Mr. Frisbie died, when he completed his time with the widow and took his hundred dollars. He was then in- debted ten dollars, this he paid and had ninety dollars to begin with. He continued to work and manage the farm for the wid- ow as a hired man for six-years thereafter, when he bought a farm in Middletown and removed there. He added more to it, and in a few years became a large land-holder.. He rented his farm and moved to East Poultney in 1861. He married Catha- rine Scribner in December 1831, and had one child, Mrs. Henry Potter, who now resides in the East village. Mr. Goodrich died January 18th, 1873, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. Goruam.—James, Seth and Jared Gorham settled in Poultney very soon after the close of the Revolutionary war; James in that locality called Gorhamtown, Seth on Pond Hill, and Jared south of Ames Hollow. They were three of seven brothers raised in the town of Kent, Conn., and four of those brothers, John, James, Seth and Wakeman, with their father, served in the Rev- olutionary war. One of the seven settled in Castleton, Vt.+ another in Chittenden, another in Addison county; it is not known where one settled. HISTORY OF POULTNEY, 269 Gorham, James —The oldest of the brothers who settled in ‘Poultney, was twice married. He had two- -children, Thomas und Anna, by his first wife, and two, Moses and Annis, by his second wife, Thomas married and had two children who went. West, and are now there, if living. Thomas died of cancer about fifty years ago.’ Anna married Levi Gillis ana has been dead some years. Moses was twice married. He had four children by his first wife. One daughter was the first wife of '. Perry Boomer, and Harry Gerham who lives in Poultney be- tween the east and west villages, is a son of Moses Gorham: Harry is married and has several children. > ali Gorham, Seth-——Married Betsey Thompson of Guiana and had nine children, Sidna, Chester, Buel, Edmund, Minerva, - Horace, Allen, Jackson, and Harriet. Sidna married Solomon Farwell and died many years ago. Chester died at the age of 25, unmarried. Buel married Joanna Smith, and had five chil- dren. Edmund married, and died in Castleton, leaving one son who now resides in that town. Minerva married Eli Ames; she died in Castleton. Horace Gorham, now residing in the east | village, is the only one of Seth Gorham’s family now living. He married Louisa Buckland, who died June 29, 1868, at the age of 68. ‘He has had six children; four died under ten years of age; Jane E., the widow of Prof. John Nichols, and Merritt W,, are the two ica and reside with their father in East Poulney. Allen married Julia Daniels, settled in Michigan and died. leaving two'sons.. Jackson died when six or seven anes and Har- _riet when about four years old... Gorham, Jured—The third of the three ee ee first settled in Poultney, married Asénath Morgan, and had several children. He died many years ago, and his ‘children are all dead. Some descendants of this branch are left, but the writer ~ ' ds'not informed as to where they are, ~ Grant,—John' and Josiah Grant were among the early set- tlers. John built the house now occupied by Mrs. Paul .M. Ross. There is an old “Field Book,” over one hundred years old, now in the possession of, J. Joslin, in which the signature of : Test a0 7 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. John Grant, Proprietor’s clerk,” is attached to surveys, ete. He and Josiah left the town quite early in its history, and it is not known what became of them or their deseendants, if they left any. © Greey, Rurus H.— Came to Poultney about forty years ago. The Poultney Band, as before appears, was instructed and or- ‘yanized under his direction. He has arare musical talent and . plays on almost every musieal instrument known, and on each with about the same ease and skill. For several years after he came to Poultney, he was mainly engaged in teaching bands in this section, and has extensively taught instramental music in all departments. He has, to some extent, been engaged in the manufacture of musical instruments; some of his own invention. He still lives in East Poultney, and though advanced in years, can play the fiddle, clarionet, bass viol or piano, and tell a story, ‘apparently as well as ever. He married Ann a daughter of Har- vey C. Pond for his third wife, and has two children; one mar- ried Edward Clark, the other Irving G. Bliss. Green, Amasa-—— Has been many years a resident of Poultney, ‘and now lives on Furnace street. He lost several children, and now has three living; ef the three one married Barrett Gardner of Middletown, who now lives on Furnace street in Poultney; another married Warren Earl and lives in aeons the . other ig a daughter and resides with her father. Harris, James S.— Was born in Canaan, N. H. ,; January 27, “1788. He studied law with Richard Skinner in Muneheeeen/4 in | ‘the county of Bennington, and was admitted to the bar in that county at the June term, 1812. What time he came to.Poultney * i} ‘we are not informed, bat our supposition is that it was not long after his admission to the bar. Mr. Harris was a well read law- yer, and in the early part of his practice, had a good deal of ‘business. He was, for a time, engaged to some extent. in me- chanical and manufacturing business. He invented and manu- -factured, for a while, a corn sheller, which, in its time, was a good implement. Mr. Harris married Elizabeth Patterson; she _ HISTORY OF POULTNEY, 271 was a sister of the wife of Dea. Wm. P. Noyes, "He had two children, James P. and Elisabeth. Mr. Harris died March 11, 1866, at the age of 78, his wife died Dec, 24, 1852, at the age of 64, j James P, Harris, the son of James S., married — A. daugh- ter of Amos Frisbie, and died July 7, 1859, He was engaged in the mercantile business for some years before hie death, ‘and - was a very worthy young wan. “He left three childr ete Esthet E., Charles F. and Jeannette Py Esther E. married Buel S, Whitney Dec, 20, 1869, ‘and now resides in Kirkville, Onandaga county, N. Y. ‘Charles F. and Jeannette reside with their mother in East Poultney. ; Elisabeth, the daughter of. James 8. Harris, d died Oct. 28, 1865. - Harris, Jesse— A brother of James 8.1 was born in Carasn N. H. When he left the place of his nativity he first went to Tinmouth, remained there a short time, then went to Rupert, and from thence came to Poultney in 1815, He went into the mercantile business at East Poultuey soon after he came to P,, and added to this other business. He carried on a distillery for several years, and dealt extensively in hogs, which.he drove on foot to Whitehall, and thence shipped to Montreal. He was some time in quite an extensive tin business, and had his shop in East Poultney. Mr. Harris had an extensive business for many years. He was three times married and had seven: -children, all by his first wife, three only are now living. ‘Geor ge in Detaluma, Cal- ‘fornia, Freeman in San Francisco, and Norman C, in Poultney. Those in Caiifornia are in active business ther e, and Norman. CG is a machinist and a mechanic of more than ordinary skill. He was engaged by William Wheeler when he commenced the man- cufacture of candlesticks in Peultney and invented and perfected the machinery for their manufacture. He invented and perfect- ed a machine for making slate pencils, the . only one ever used -for that purpose, and with which the Castleton manufacturers sometimes.made a thousand. pencils a.day. Nomaen Harris has” been twice mnameied, and had six children, all by his first wife. 1 272 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. One of the sons of Jesse Harris, Eldridge, was drowned about twenty years ago, at the time of afiood. He undertook to save a boy in the water and both perished. : Jesse Harris is still living with his friends in. Castleton, Haswiwe, Nenem1asun— Was born in Salem, N. Y., and came to Poultney from that place in 1826: November 3, of the samé year, he married Polly Derby. ‘He has been in Poultney most of the time since he came here. He has had eight children; two died young. The names of six were James, Hiram, John P., Mary Jane, Harriet and Phebe Elmiaza Hiram died in Middletown fourteen years ago. James is married, has.a family and lives in Popituey: Hawss, Exv1yas—Was born in Randolph, Vt, April 18, 1811. His parents were born in Brookfield, Vt. His mother died when he was but five years old, and Elijah was “put out” toa Mr. Lyman, in Randolph, with whom he lived until he was fourteen tyears old. He then went to live with a'Mr. Griswold, in the same town, with whom he lived until he was twenty-one - ‘years of age. He then went to Montpelier, and learned the moulder’s trade; from thence he came to Poultney, June, 1833. After coming here, he worked at his trade for about 16 years, in the Stanley Furnace, first for Mr. Stanley, and then for Mr. Ruggles. He married Eliza Horr, November 12, 1837. After his marriage he commenced keeping house on the corner of Grove and Fur- nace streets, recently known as the Daniel Mallary house. April “1st, 1840, he bought the farm on which he has since resided, be- ‘tween Poultney and Hampton. Mr. Hawes has had two children, — Lucius A. and Martha. Martha d. Jan. 28, 1852, when about two years and a half old. Mr. Hawes held the office of justice of the peace for several years, was a selectman five isa and has held other town offices. Hawes, Lucius A.—A son of Ehjah, m. Hattié. H. Starks, in May, 1867. He has two children. In 1868, he opened a wow ‘jewelry store in Poultney, and has since continued the jewelry business. wae a HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 273 Hat, Horscr—Dr. Hall removed from Pittsford to Poult-' ney about the year-1841. He was in the practice of his profes-. sion from the time he came here until the time of his death, which oceurred April 7, 1874; his wife died April 5th, of the rame year, and both were interred the same day.and in the same grave, an instance which rarely occurs, and it is supposed never but once before in the history of the town. Mr. and Mrs. Hall: were exemplary members of the M. E. Church, and were worthy and useful citizens. They left one daughter who, m. Frederick Steele, and now resides in Gloversville, N. Y. Herrics, Erurian— Was one of the early settlers of the town, and as clsewhere appears was a tanner, and erectcd a dwelling house which was first used as a railroad ‘depot. He set out the buttonwocd trees now standing in froat of the depot, also a row. of the Lombardy poplar from the depot premises to the corner on which Dr. Perry’s house now stands. Those trees grew up, the last one: of which disapy cared about the time the ial road was built. * Mr. Herrick. died in 1814. » He was shovelling Zee heii a wagon on the highway; the horses started suddenly, and he fell ous of the wagon on to the ground; he got up and said ‘he felt faint, and bathed his arm, as that appeared to be some hurt; he went home and died in a few minutes. He left a widow but no = ° ~ children. . a —— Heres, Arcnirarp B.— Married Sophia Pember, owned and lived on the farm now occupied by Harvey Marshall. ' He had four children, Edgar, Alonzo, F Frederick and Wallace. Mr. _ Lerrick died Nov. 6; 1862, at the age of 46. His widow after- wards married Dea. Julius Spaulding, then and now of Poultney. Edgar the oldest sm of Mr. Herrick, was a soldier in the war of 1861, and diced in the service. Alowzo married a daughter of “Mareus Bliss, andl lives on a farm in the south part of Poultney. Frederick is in California. ‘Wallace married.a daughter of Dea. Spaulding, and is dead. Hinparp — Dre W.W. Hibbard was born in Orwell, Vt., and graduated at the Castléton Medical Cellege in 1848. After he 35 rar O74 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. received his diploma he was about fifteen years in Hebron, N. Y. and in Wells, Vt? Removed to Poultney in 1861, and open- ed a drug store, which was the first one opened in Poultney. To — him must be given the credit of building up the drug business. here. He sold his drug business to W. W. Burdick in 1870, and now occupies a part of Derby’s block, and deals in books and stationery. Dr. Hibbard opened the first book store in Poultney in 1870. He married Hannah-E. Rice, who was born in Brid- port. She was a graduate of the Mt. Holyoke Female Institu- | tion at South Hadley, Mass., and spent several years in teaching. | Hickox.—Thaddeus and Simeon Hickok were born in Wash- ington, Litchfield County, Conn., and emigrated to Poultney quite early, and not long after the close of the War of the Revolution. Thaddeus was a soldier.of the Revolution. He settled where L. C. Spaulding ‘now lives, and Simeon where Rodney Rowel lives. Thaddeus was twice married. Keeler Hickok, his son by his first wife, m. Fanny Mears. _.. ‘Simeon had four children: Simeon, Sally, Sheldon P. and Rus- sel. Sheldon P. m. a Miss Sophia Nichols, went West and died Col. Russel m. Rhodu Mears, and had several children. He was actively engaged in the foundry business at East Poultney for about ten years, commencing about the year 1832. Simeou Mears became a partner with him after the business was started. Col. Hickok was an active, enterprising business man, and Poultney met with a Joss when he left. ‘He has for some years resided in Fort Edward, N. Y. Hooxer.—The Hookers of this country are the descendants - of Thomas Hooker, who was born in Mayerfield, Leicestershire, England, July 9, 1586; he emigrated to America, and arrived at Boston, September 4, 1633, and was one of the first proprie- tors of the town of Cambridge, Mass. Within five wecks from the time of his arrival, he was made pastor of a Congregational Church in Cambridge, the eighth charch of that denominatiow organized in Massachusetts Bay. He afterwards moved to Hartfcrd, Conn.; organized a church there, and died there July 7th, 1647. It cannot be expected that the purpose of this worls “HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 275 will permit of more than an allusion to this common ancestor of the Hookers, or of his descendants, except those who became inhabitants of the town of Poultney. The biographer of Thos. Hooker says that 1.ot less than forty of his male descendants became ministers of the Gospel, and that. his female descendants were the mothers of as many more. Among those coming from the female line of descent, were Jonathan Edwards, Timothy Dwight, so long President of Yale College, Thomas H_ Gallan- det, the founder, and long the principal of the institution for the instruction of the deaf and dumb, and Theodore D. Woolsey, late a. President of Yale College. Many of-his descendants, coming from both the male and female line, have occupied prominent positions, among whom may be named Hon. Samuel Hooker, the first Mayor of New York city; Hon. Pierpoint Edwards, Hon. George Ashman and Aaron Burr. The biogra- pher has abont a hundred names in this list of distinguished de- scendants, and, with the exception of Burr, we recognize in them persons distinguished, not only for talent and attainment, but for great moral worth. Hooker, James—was the fifth in the line ‘of desacus from Thomas Hooker, who first. settled in Cambridge. James was. born in Connecticut, January 13,1719, He married Dorothy — Parmale, April 1, 1754. He moved to Poultney about the year 4779, and settled in Finel Hollow. He died June 8, 1798, in tne 80th year of his age; his wife died April 25th, 1814, at the age of 83 years. James Hooker had eight children, all borr in Jonnecticut. Two died young, and six, Thomas, James, Samuel, Sarah, David and Josiah became inhabitants of Poultney. But Samuel, Sarah, David and Josiah were not long residents. Samuel moved to Hampton, and lived there on the farm now owned by his sen, Martin P. Hooker, until -his death, which oc- éurred June 7, 1835. Sarah m. and went to Cornwall, and from - thence to some place West, where she died. David went to Western New York. Josiah m. and went to Middletown, where ‘he lived a few years, then moved to Castleton, and from thence moved to the State of Obio. ie Hooker Thomas—The oldest son of James, came to Poultney «“ 276 ‘HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 2 some four or five years previons to the time his father caine, and first settled on the Hooker farm, in the north part of the town; soon moved to Finel Hollow, resided there about sixteen years, and then returned to the farm on which he settled. He was three times married; the name of his first wife was Ruth _Parmalee. By her he had one child, Thomas Gould, who be- came a physician, went to Western New York, and from there ‘to the State of Michigan, where he died. For his second wife, he married Ruth Hickok, and by her had ore child, Ruth; she married Sylvester Perkins, moved to Western New York, and has been dead many years. For his third wife he married: Mary Coleman, and by her had eight children: Myron, Philomela, - Betsy, Truman, Daniel, Chesterfield, David and’ Alma. Thomas - Hooker d. Aug. 31, 1838, in the 84th year of his age; his wife d. Nov. 2, 1858, at the age of 96 years, 9 months and 11 days. Myron, a few years after his marriage, moved to Western New York, and d..there; Philomela m. George Snyder, maved to. . Western New: York, and has been dead many years; Betsey m. John Preston—she and her husband are still living in Middle- ._ town; Truman m. Betsey Griswold, of Castleton, and d. in that town; he had six children, all born in Poultney.. Of his child- ren, Newell f. is a farmer, and resides in Castleton; David is a prominent lawyer in Milwaukec,and was recently City Attorney ; . Edward. P., a-clergyman, is settled over the Congregational Church of Middlebury. - ; 7 Hooker Daniel—Was born in Poultney, August 2, 1795; m- -Orpha Giddings, February 28, 1828; he d. Oct. 9, 1867. His i widow now lives in Poultney village. “They had six children: Solomon: Egbert, b April 7, 1829 Laura Ann, b. Jan. 28, 1833; m, Castle REE and_ resides in Wyandotte, Kansas. ‘ : : Orpha Loretta, b. eee 8, 13355, m. A. B. Shafer, and resides in Passaic, N. J. CorneliaA., b. Oct. 24, 1836, lives in this: town; unmarried. Frances Ls b Jan. 19, 1844; m. Samuel Patterson, and resides in New Bedford, Mass. HISTORY OF POULTNEY. , 2a Emily M, b. July 15, 1848; m, Albert ¢ s. tenign, and iasiien in the State of Illinois. : Solomon E KE. m. Harriet Johnson, Dee. 3, 1802, and has ‘threo children: Elpleder, b. April 9, 1865; Egbert J. and Daniel J. (twins), b. April 6, 1874. Solomon E. is one of the pioneers in the slate business,.as appears in the chapter on that subject, and moved.to the village in the fall of 1874. Hooker James 2d—Known as “Colonel,” was twice married; Lucina Christy: was his first wife. For his second he married a ‘widow, whose maiden name was Chloe Hickok. -He had seven children: Vesta, James, Marcus, Stoddard, Ada.C. , Herman F., Emily, Maria—all children by his first wife. , V a m. Meritt Ransom, and a. about 50 years ago. James and Stoddard d, when young men. Marcus d. when about 40 years old: Asam, “ Bethia Bliss, and d. “August 5, 1848, at the age of 53 years; ; he shad six children, all of whom, except. Emily E., ave d. Emily HK. m. William H. Gandy. Col. James and Thomas Hooker both. left two sons: Courtland J., now living in Chicago, and. George, now living in Pontiac, Mich. Maria m, Oleott Sherman, Jan. 27, 1830, and has lived in Poultney ever since.. They had three children — one son and two daughtcrs: Solon, ITenrietta, and Ann Maria. Solon is now living in Poultney. Henrietta m, _ Henry Clark, and is now living in Rutland, Vt. Ann Maria is dead... Polly m. Charles H. Dustin, of Shrewsbury, Vt., and d. soon-after her marriage, leaving no children. ’ ~ Henry Hobart m. Clarissa Perris, of Wells, and bad thr reo children: , William, who d. in the service in the War of 1861; Mary, and ore other, whose name we have not been. able to learn, ' Henry Hobart was also in the service in. the late war; he d. Sept. 19, 1863, “i : Alfred, the son of Reuben Hosfora (1st), succeeded his father in the. occupancy of the old homestead in Poultney, and raised a family of three children, one son and two daaghters: Mrs. D. ‘A. Everts, of Poultney; Bes, Eastus Barber, ‘and Isaac W., hs) deceased... ce Mrs — Was born in Connecticut and emigrated ‘to Poultney when young. He lived in the south part of the town and died in 1850, at the age of 77 years, He left several children. . His son Horace moved: from Poultney a few years ‘since to Rochester, N. Y., where he now resides. His daughter Eunice married and now redideei in Erie, Perin.. One daughter is the widow of Russell Broughton, and lives in East Poultney. ’ Another, Laura, married Moses Brown, and has. been dead many years, Hower, Joux —Supposed to be a descendant of a relative of Lord Howe of Warwickshire, England, wasm, in Sudbury, Mass., $80 , IIsTORY OF POULTNEY. ' 1688; ‘took the freeman’s oath 1640. He was surnamed The Just by the Indians, near whom he lived and by whom he was- usually chosen umpire for the decision of their numerous quar- rels. He was the first white settler in Marlborough, Mass., the father of twelve children, one of whom, named John, born Aug. 24, 1640, married 1662, killed by Indians 1675, leaving a son John b. 1671— leaving son Peter b; 1695, who was the father of Nchemiah Howe, who moved to New “Marlborough, in west- ern Massachusetts, where he married and where his children were all born, He came to Poultney about the year 1772, aud died April 1777. His children were: ba Abner, b. Nov. 17, 17-47. Olive, b. Fan. 5, 1750. - ' Phebe, b. Jan. 31, 1752, d. Nov. 20, 1758, Beulah, b. May 31, 1754. Peter, b. Aug. 1, 1756. Candis, b. May 7, 1752, Phebe; b. Feb. 19, 1761. Jobn, b. May 2, 1763. Joel, b. April 7, 1765. Abner settled in Wells and d. there leaving ason, Benajah, “who was brought up by John Howe, went to Canada where he m, and afterwards went to Indiana. Olive first m. Isaac Ashley, and after his decease in 1777, m. Joseph Rann. Bealuh m. Mey - ~ Holmes. Peter moved to Ohio, was the father of two boys and nine girls, four of whom are new living in that state; Sophronia, aged 84; Sylvanus, aged. 79; Cyrenus, aged 82; Orinda, aged ‘76. Candis m. John Tilden. Phebe m..Wm. Ashley. John Howe lived and diced in Poultney, leaving two sons, Zimri Howe who settled. in Castleton, Vt., and d. there, leaving one son John, now residing at’ Pensacola, Mlorida, and one daughter — Caroline, the wife of Rev. James A. ree now residing at Rush- ville, Ill. Alonzo, b. July 11, 1798, d. April 15; 1 866, leaving four chil- dren: Eusebia Ann, b. Sept. 2¢, 1731; John Alonzo, b. Oct. 1, - 1834; Kuanice Courance, b. May’ 8, 1837; Harrison, b. Feb. 3, 1850... Enusebia Ann now residcs in Fast Foultney.. Eunice C, HISTORY OF POULTNEY 981 m. Edwin 8, Dewcy, resides in East Poultney; has two children, Howe and Lottie May... John A. resides at Albany; has five children, John A., Mary. E., Edwin D., Daniel I. and Lillian E, Harrison resides at East Poultney; has three children, Harrison, Gracie and Benjamin Horr. Joel. Howe. moved to Ohio and d, at Barlow, leaving a large family: now living in Ohio, ‘Wiseongin; Towa, Michigan and Minois. ; There were “other Howe families among the avily settlers be- side the one of. which the foregoing is a: sketch. Howe, Dea. Silas— Came to Poultney before the Rev olution- ary war, a8 we find his wife Susan. with those that were driven off in °77, settled i in East Poultney, kept the village tavern where Frederick Ruggles now lives, ow ned a large tr act of land lying. uiorth of the east and west road. Howe, Jacob — Brother of Silas, settled about a mile and a "half north of the west. village, built a gambrel-roof house on the eld road about sixty rods east of Sim. Deane’s, but when the | turnpike was’ built, in 1812, he er ected the house now owned by Jobn Angevine on the south part of his farm, renting the north part where he had formerly lived to his nephew, Stephen Howe junior, with all the stock and farming tools, teams, ete., for one- half the produce. At his ( Jacob’s ) decease the- whole was to be Stephen’s by the terms of the agreement, at the same time he willed the south part to the Congregational society. He d. April 3, 1813, and Stephen junior came in possession of the north part, and the Cong. society of the south part which the “Yatter seld to Stephen Howe senior, brother of Silas and Jacob, fans $2,700, which he occupied until his death. It was then sold to 0, L. Angevine. Stephen Howe junior occupied the north part; he married Chloe Norton, had several. childr en, most of them died young. James, the oldest, only survives. , He m. Harriet Angevi ine aud now lives in Martinsburg, Missouri. Hour, H. T.— Was born in Amsterdam, N. ¥. Dee. 5, 1830; was the son of Aaron W. Hull, M. D., who was a member of the N. Y., Legislature in the years 1854 and 1855. H. T. moved to 360 ~ § 282 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. | this town March 1853, and’has resided in town siuce, excepting four or five years.’ Married Jan. 1854, for his first wife Laura A. daughter of H. M. Hotchkiss of Poultney. She d. Dec. 20, 1855. By her had one daughter, Mary L., b. Sept. 18, 1855, d. May 13, 1874. Married July 3, 1867, for ‘his second wife Lu- thera O. daughter of John W. Austin. They have no children. Mr. Hull was elected Town Clerk March, 1873, and has held the offite since. Aviaasy) R. J— Was born in Wales, May 10, 1833, and with his par ents came to this country while quite young. His. father, J: W., and mother still live in M. Granville, N. YY. He m. Delia, the daughter of Julius and Sally. Drake, of Castleton, Vt., _ in 1854, He moved to Poultney Aug.’ 1866, was in the employ of J. J. Joslin two years. In December, 1873, he purchased the Bulletin printing office, and in convection with B. Frisbie, as editor, from its remains, started the Poultney Journal, which has been successfully published since. Hei is the father of nine children — six boys and three girls. _ ‘The boys are all living, but the girls died i in ‘infancy: William F., b. April 16, 1856. Eva E,, b. Jane 9, 1858. | John C, b. Oct. 21, 1860. Ada, b. a 1, 1862. George H, b. July 2; 1863. % Flora, b. Feb. 19, 1866. Louis H., b. Sept. 12, 1867-: Charles W., b. Jan. 1, 1870. _ Albert D., b. June 15,1871. Hypxr.—Soon after the year 1771, Timothy, James Lemuel and — ~ Ebenezer Hyde moved into town from Connecticut. They are supposed to have been brothers, or at least members of the same family. But little is knowr to us of Timothy, James and Lem- uel, but the Hy des i in adjoining towns are pr obably their direct descendants. ' Ebenezer Hyde was the. es of, es Tydes now living i in Poultney. He was married 2 > and bad a family of aaa tens gaily . x 988 by a4 four children: Samuel, "Thatcher anaes and Fay. Thateh- er and Ebenezer sawen. 1o Angelica, N. Y., where they married, ‘and each left children. Thatcher was by sconpitian a farmer; Kbenezer was a physician; Fay remained in Poultney and lived ‘on. the farm now owned by Friend G. Martin. “He m. Lydia Manning of Poultney, and d. here some sixty years ago. The children of Fay Hyde were: Chauncey, Julius, Eliza; Ly- dia? and Poll Fo Chauncey left Poultney at an early age, nothing was heard of him after that time. Julius m. a daughter of ’ Bliakim Doolittle, of Poultuey, and removed to. Michigan. Eliza m. Clark’ Lamb, of Wells, Vt., and died about the year 1860. William Lamb, now living in Poultney, is a son by this martiage. Lydia m. and lives in Hebron, N. Y. | Polly is m. und living in Granville, N.Y. Samuel Hyde, son of the first. Ebenezer Hyde, was b. Oct. 24,. 1771, and died in town April 11, 1820. He was a farmer and for) many years kept a “ Public House” on the farm now owned hy Pomeroy Wells. He was .m. Feb. 27, 1794, to Freelove Clark, who was born in Connecticut , and died in ‘Poultney May 28, 1874, in the 97th year of her age. She was m. a second time to Jonathan Alexander of Williston, Vt., who’ died about 1850. At the time of her death she was said to have “been the oldest person that had ever lived in Poultney, except one other, and for a person of her years retained the faculties of mind to a remarkable degree. Samuel and Freelove had twelve . children, as follows: Charlotte, b, Oct. 23,1795; m. Samuel Wood of Tinmouth, Vt., and d. June 1,1870, leaving one child, Loraine. 7 Ayanah, b. Oct. 10,1797; ™. Sept. 1, 1819, to Paulina War- ner, of Poultney; d. March 4, 1829, leaving one daughter Lucy, who is married and lives somewhere inthe West. — John Robertson, b. Aug. 14,1799; m. Aug. 17, 1826, to Al- ' mira Fletcher; d. March 18, 1873, leaving three. children, two daughters anda son, John, all of whom are now ae in some of the western ‘states. Lemuel, b. July 19, 1801; m. 2 daughter of Piince Potter, of | Granville, N. Y., and is still tag in Hamburg, N. Y. poe rd O84 7° HISTORY OF POULTNEY. Mary, b. July is 1803; m. Asahel Bunnel, of Lima, N. Y., and is still living at that place. She has two sons, Nelson and. Mar- : tin, and two daughters, Mary and Emily. : Martin, b. May 11, 1805; ‘has been ier m. First in 1831, to Calista, a daughter of Noah Dodge, of Fairhaven, Vt. His | children by this marriage were, Martha, Mandana and Maria, all of whom are deceased. Martha m. Hannibal Woodruff, of Rut- land. Martin’s first wife d. His secon marriage was to Apline @ Crossman, of Castleton, Vt. She died. Ae m.? pe B Nye Cookery Nelson? b. April 11, 1807; m. Mandana, on eber of Noah Dodge, of Fairhaven, Vt., who now survives him and is’ the wife, of Ira Me (Clark, of Poultney. Their children were, Nelson Cc. and Ellen® Ellen m, George Sabin, of New York city. Nelsov CP m. Ann ook of Wallingford, Vt. Their children, living, are, Nelson Ce Fred, Mandana, ‘the wife of George G. Parker, of Ponltney, F lorence, ‘whom. Truntan Basco, and is [ving in Bos.on, Mass., and Nellie. They have lost by death one seNs Geor, ‘who d. some ten or twelve years ago. Annis, b. ‘April 5, 1809; m. Alanson Rice, of Poultney, and at her death, which occurred twenty-five or thirty years since, left four children: Benjamin G., now in business at Poultney; — Louisa, who m. William H. Poor and 4. iy 1875, Mary who d_ unmarried about five years. . AGO, and Char lotte M. ,™m. J Ww. Chappell, d. Nov. 18, 1870.: . Lydia; b. March 29, 1811; m. Chester Ames of Hambur g, N Y., and is now living at that place, and-has children w haber names are unknown to us. , Freelove? b. June 14, 1813; m. first to Joase’ Wakefteld, of Williston, Vt.; second, to Samuel Burpee. There were no chil- dren by either of these marriages. | She is now Rying-in Poult- ‘trey, with her brother Martin. - Sally, b. April 13,1815; m. Eli Murray, of Pawlet, Vt; and resides in Massachusetts. ne have three children, Asakel; George and Pamelia.” Ly Lonisa; b. Dec. 21, 18 5; m™m. “Daniel I P. Fales, of Potiltney; both of whom are now living in town. - They have six chidren: Ledro, Charles, Samuel, -Duna;, Helen and Elizabeth, all livin gy x HISTORY: OF POULTNEY. 285 -Jenns, Norwin—Was Barn in Danby, Vt.; he came to Poultney in 1852, and has’ been here since, except some four ‘years following the year 1864, when he lived in Rutland Hig business has been that of merchant tailor. “He-married Salina Spaulding, of Middletown, in 1844; she'd. in 1861, ° IIe married Hanne 2 A. Teller, in 1863, and bas two children... : Joxrs, Jouxs—with his wife, seltous ‘ities name was “Bar bara Davis, were both from Montgomeryshire, Wales, from whence they emigrated in the last year of the 18th century, bringing with them their‘ sons; John ‘and Richard; who were born in Liverpool, England... Ow their arrival in this country, they settled in Johnsburg, Warren County, N. Y.", Mr. Jones was, by trade, » woolen manufacturer, and sought employment in that business; but at that carly day there were but few efforts made to establish that industry in this country, and he under took to clear up and cultivate a farm, with very little success, ‘however, not having but little of the training or skill requisite to make a successful farmer. A few years dragged along under privations and har dships incident to new settlers, until hearing: that a woolen manufactory existed at Poultney , when he made his way hither; and obtained employwent. of Thomas Todd, who had a small mill a mile éast-of East Poultney. He worked with Mr. Todd awhile, until Reuben Wheeler had built a mill balf a mile further east, at what was afterwards known as the Guernsey place. Mr Wheeler offered Mr. Jones the, position of superine tendent, which was accepted. He discharged the duties of this position until 1812, when, on account of the war, manufactured goods became high, and greatly stimulated enterprises of this kind. The second year of the war (1813), Mr. Jones, in com- pany with Chauncey ‘Guernsey, bought ont Mr, Wheeler at. war prices—the factory’ and some three hundred acres of land, 7 After the close of the war, prices fell; bat«-by: an indomitabla fesolution, they carfied themselves. through;:and: paid for tho property. Mr. Jones had born uito-him after his arrival in this eountry, in addition to ‘his’ sons’ born’ in’ England (John and Richard), Thomas,’ Edward:and George,.and two daughters, 286 , _ HISTORY OF POULTNEY, Mary and Elizabeth; the latter died ‘at the age of five years, _ Inthe year “1823, John Jones, Sr., removed to the State of Ohio, and died i in Granville, ‘in that State, about two years after; his wife survived him but five weeks. ‘The chars vcter of Mr. Jones was one of unusual energy, activity and euterprize; he was in- flexibly honest,. and dev ‘otedly religious—was long a deacon of the Baptist Chareh i in Poultney. Jones, John, Jr United with the Baptist Churcl: in 1818, and succeeded his father in the office of deacon, and led the singing in that church for many years. He also succeeded his father in the manufacttring business, which he: continued some years after his: father left’ Poultney, when be remov ed to Roch- ester, N. Y., and engaged therein the same business. After a few years, he gave up that business, and established an express line from Buffalo to Lockport; in this. business he was engaged until his decease. 4 . Jones, ‘Rishard—Marited: Laura Webster, inal moved to the Btate. of Ohio. We have learned but little of the other mem-' bers of the family, except George, who has made himseif,ex- tensively known. Jones, George—Lelt Poultney we about 18 years old, aba the next two or three years was a clerk i ina dry goods house i in Troy, N. Y.; afterwards in Rochester, about the same period of time. He went to New York in 1884, and in 1841, was with Henry J. Raymond a few months in the Tribune.establishment, “and there formed an intimate acquaintance with him. The same year he went to Albany, and engaged there in the book ‘and news business; this he followed for some years. Closing up- this business, he renewed. his acquaintance with Mr. Raymond, ‘who was then Speaker of the Assembly. - During. the winter, while both were at Albany, they revived a long talked of pro- ject of starting a daily paper in New York. This resulted in. the establishment of the New York Times, published daily, weekly and semi-weekly—the first number appearing on the 18th of September, 1851. Thus came into existence one of the ablest journals in the country, and one of the best. Mr. Jones has had the superintendence of the financial affairs of the cov- HISTORY OF POULTNEY; | 2987 cern from the first. In that he has been successful. The origi- nal capital was $100,000, divided into one hundred shar ‘es, of which Mr. Jones now owns a majority. His last. purchase was about two years ago, when he paid $96,000 for eight shares, or $12,000 per share. Thére has been but one sale-since Mr. Jones? purchase, and that was one share abot a year ago, at the sam@ price, The moral tone of the New York Times is well known; it has been consistent, independent, fearless, and is’ now, as it has ever been, a terror to rings, plunderers and all evil deers; and In’ its character, we recognize that of George Jones and his worthy parents: Hike Jostin.—Lindsey Josselyn (as he spelled his name) was born August 12, 1749, in the Eastern part of Massachusetts (town not remembered). At the age of five years, his parents, with their children (Samuel, Jaber, Lindsey, Sarah’ and Joseph) moved to Sheffield, Berkshire County, Mass. The Joslins were mostly iron mongers. Samuel and Lindsey were Bloomers, and soon after the close of the War of the Revolution, came to Poult- ney, and erected a forge about a half mile east of the village of . East Poultney, commonly called the “ Toad place.” Jabez, who Was a tailor, and Joseph, who was a blacksmith, soon followed. " Jabez established himself near the present residence of L. E “Thompson. Joseph remained ‘single for several years; finally he married, and settled in Western New York, where some of his descendants remain in and ‘around’ Batavia, blacksimiths, machinists, gunsmiths, etc _ ay Ce IE ae Lindsey Jostin married ‘for his first wife Stisan Welsh, in the year 1778, by whom he had six children: Faber, Abi, Sarah, Lindsey, Alvin and Susan.. ‘I think the first:-three. were born in Sheffield, Mass., andthe last three in’ Poultney.’ He was fre- quently called out during the Revolution ‘in the defence of his country, and assisted in the capture of Burguoyne. “Att he close of the war, as before stated, he ¢ame with his family to Poult: ney, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred Angust 12, 1826, aged 77 years. . His first wife, Susan, died in 1794, leaving an infant daughter named Susan, | eae 3 ¥88 HISTORY OF POULTNEY: Jabez, the eldest son, m. a Miss Waldo, of Middletown, where he resided for several years; for a time was proprietor of the Valley Ho: el (as-it is‘ ncw called); was town.:clerk, and held various town offices until about the year 1816, when he removd to-Clarendon, Orleans County, N, Y.-, where he remained wntis atte death, in March, 1873, aged 95 years. d * Abim. Rufus Branch, of Castleton, where they liv ed a fey year s—moved to: Ohio and. ds argane 7 wo wh Sarah:m. Abel Hawkins (son of! oe IN., of C en ee was left a widow’ in’ middle’ life, with a large family, remained. a short time in Castleton, then we. t to the State of Maine to live wath one of der children, - Lindsey m, Polly Wait of Guach e;. N. Yi, about the year, 1814, went td, Cayuga county, N.Y c then very thinly settled, engaged extensively i in business, accumulated a handsome prop- erty, but by becoming surety for other parties, lost a large amount, was broken up in his business, went to McHenry Co, IIL, where he was a Teading man in church and state for several years and died in Elgin, I., aged 75. He left several sons who, have: made their mark’ not only as business men, but in the learned professions— one. clergyman, three lawyers ‘and one ‘physician. Advin, the third son, left. the paternal home in: his | minority, went to Pennsylv ania with one Abyram Pierce, re-, mained there a few years, took to himsclf a wife and removed to wester n New York. ' Susan, the yougest daughter, went to visit har brother Lind- sey, (in Cayuga eounty,) where she m. Frederick Croul, a well- to-do Dutehman. They both d. in middle life leaving two daughters of. whom we have good repor ts. ‘ Lindsey Joslin senior remaind a widower until 1797, a he m. the widow of Daniel Richards, by whom he had two children, Joseph and Lucy. Joseph was b. Dee. 12, 1799; m. Caroline C Ruggles Oct, 13, 1825. They have had six clilavan! Jenks, b. Dec. 24, 1827, and d. Jan. 24, 1833.. John Jay, b. May 11, 1829; m. Mary E. Andrus. Their chil- dren are, Hattie, Edna and Frank, all living. John Jay engag- . ‘ “HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 289 ed in the mercantile eae and is now trading in 1 Denver, Colorado. Frank, b. March 18, 1832, a. June 10, 1833 Jervis, b. Sept. 29, 1835; m. Sept. 5, 1867, to Marion, daugh- ter.of James Hastings, Brandon. They have two children, Nell and Ralph. Jervis is doing a jewelry business in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory. * - William Jenks, b. Nov. 5, 1838, d. iin 18, 1841. Carrie, b, Sept. 18, 1848, m. H. M. ae Oct. 13, 1868, and is new living in Northfield, Minn. .. The 13th of Oct., 1874, was the 50th anniversary of the mar- riage of Dea. Joseph | Joslin and wife. On returning from his office a few minutes after 8 o'clock in the evening, he was sur- prised . to find his house filled with his neighbors and friends, who had come to pay their respects, in words and eae suitable - : to the « occasion: : Jounson, Joun—Was a Dane. He was a soldier in an Euro- pean army, and lost one arm while in service, He lived in Troy, | N. Y. for a time after he emigrated to this country, and moved from thence to Poultney in 1835, or °36, and purchased the’ premises on which the depot now stands, known as the Ephraim Herrick place. He died April 9, 1867, at the age of 81 years; his wife died December 29, 1847. They had three children: William, John and Elizabeth. ‘The two sons are cler gymen of ' the Episcopal denomination, and of marked ability. - Elizabeth was formerly a teacher of some note. The present residence of the children cannot be given. Jounsox, Winrram—Was an old resident, ‘and lived in the ‘south-east part of the town. He has been dead several years. Seyeral of his sons still reside in that part of the town. Kenpricx.—Rev. Clark Kendvick, of whom honorable men- tion is made in the history of the Baptis} Church, married Esther, the sister of Judge Thompson, soon after he settled in Poultney, by whom he had eight children, Adolphus was clerk 37 . af 2900 HISTORY OF POULINEY. several years in Joel Beaman’s store; wasa successful merchant in Georgia; he was never married. Asahel was a student at Hamilton, soon after the organization of that institution; he acquired eminence as a linguist and literary man, and has been for many years engaged in the Baptist Institution at Rochester, N. Y.; he has been twice married. Three daughters of Clark K. hale. Marina and Hannah, died unmarried. ~ Stillman and Judson went South, settled in Georgia, and en- gaged in the mercantile bnsiness. J. R. Kendrick was educated in Hamilton, studied for the ministry, settled in Charleston, 8. C., and in time of the Rebellion left the South, settled in New — York city, and is now preaching in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. All the male children of Elder Kendrick have acquired a.good legree of eminence in their several prolessong, whether literary, scientific or business enterprizes. Krnpricx, Apin—Was a physician; was bern in. New Hamp- shire, and educated at Hanover, in. that State He came to Poultney soon after. the year 1800—the exact date cannot be given. He was a cousin of Rev. Clark Kendrick. He married Ruth Marshall, and by her had five children: Mary, Betsey, Carlos, Samuel and Albert. Mary and Carlos are dead; the others are still living. Betsey m. Dr. Ebenezer Porter, who ¢- in 1869, and she is now his widow. Samuel resides in Troy, N- ey and Albert resides in Waukeshaly, Wisconsin; he is a physiciar of note. Dr. Kendrick was married a second time, but had no children by his seeond wife. He married for his third wife Adelia Pease, - and by her had one child, Eliza, who died young. He died Marcls 29, 1853, at the age of 72 years. Dr. Kendrick had a good standing in his profession, and a large practive for many years- As a citizen he was highly respected. He represented Poultney im the Legislature of 1845-6. Kireven, Hiraw— Was b. in Poultney, July 7, 1799. He was one of eleven ehildren—eight sons and three daughters. The father, Abraham Kilburn, was'b. Nov. 15, 1759, in Litchfield, Conn., and removed to Meese in early life, and. d. in Poult- HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 291 ‘ney in 1806. Hiram m. Mary Brown, and by her had three children; Marvy Jane, b. Jan. 20, 1829, Harriet L., b. June 11, 18311, m. Wm. L. Farnam. John Randolph, b. Oct 2, 1833, m. and lives in Addison, Vt. Mr. Kilburn’s first wife d. Sept. 15, 1840. Jan. 28, 1841, he m. Betsey Fifield and by her had three children: : "1 Samucl F.,.b. Nov, 29, 1841, m. Harriet Basking and now lives in Rutland. . , .Frank C., Jan. b. 6, 1844, enlisted and d. eapzil 18,1863 in hospital at Washington. oe Albert, b. Nov. 30, 1846, m. Ella Philips, lives in Poultney. Hiram Kilburn was accidentally killed by the ears Oct. 21, ‘1867, He was at the’ time agent at the Hosford station in Poultney. For many years. he was an active member of the Congregational chareh and for many years held the office of deacon. Kinnr —Early in the present century, Peabody Kinnie bought the farm now owned by M. W, Bliss, and moved on to it with his family, which consisted of seven children—four daughters and three sons (the oldest daughter having m.a Mr. York be- fore the removal), Sabra, Theodosa, Esther and’Susan; the sons, Levi, William and Chester, all of whom died unmarried, except William and Susan (she m. Charles Rolfe, but’ never lived with him). William m. Tryphena Richards, the youngest daughter of Daniel Richards; they have had eight children—five yet live. Ezra and Elisha have families, and live West; Morton is m, and lives in Hydeville; Luman is a Baptist clergyman, first settled i in Weston, Vt., afterwards in Ira, but gave up his charge” in-consequence of poor health. Mary Annis unmarried, and ' lives with her_parents in Fairhaven, hear aye [William Kinney and Tryphena “Richards were married in Poultney, by Rev. Clark Kendrick, July 3,1817. They cele- brated their Golden Wedding, at their ‘residence in Fair haven, July 3, 1867. Among the exercises of the very pleasant oc- - ¢asion, Was the reading of the eons pees written for the. oceasion by their son.] 292 HISTORY OF POULTNEY.. To-morrow, a Nation will lift its glad voice, That the Bir thday of Freedom has come; _ And thro’ our broad land, Freedom’s cons will rejoice That Columbia is Liberty’ 3 home. We wait not the morrow, but gather to-day ; As our family bir thday we gr eet; While our thoughts wander back o’er the past, far aw. yi Fifty years, with its bitter and sweet. A Nation is glad that our sires broke away, And the fetters that bound her did sever; We joy that the cord which was “ knotted” that day, Bound our Father and Mother together. I see two in a bark, as if they would share . Life’s voyage together, its calms and its gales; Tis all fancy, I know, since we were not there, But fancy must lead us where memory fails. Said one, “Must I walk life’s rough pathway alone ?; It looks dreary, I cannot deny it The wise man has said, ‘Two are better than one,’ Is not this a good time to try it ?” “Tl Try-phena,” he said. ‘ Will you walk, by my side, Life’s path, be it pleasant or ill?” I do not recall, or with blush or with sigh, _But I think she said, “ William, I will.” . Then they looked down the pathway again, and it seemed More pleasant than ever before; Each step was enlightened by hope, till they dreamed That no shade would come over them wore. Then came a glad day, and the greeting of friends, When the man of God slowly said o’er, “No more twain, but one flesh,” as they. stood with joined hands, For their hearts were united before. As they entered the path, 2 moment they stand, ° While friends wish them well on their wa ‘With heart knit to heart, and with hand aan in hand, And thus they have walked till to- day. The pathway was rough, and sometimes seemed steep; But hope pointed always above; So each helped the other their courage to keep, Even toil was sweetened by love. . HISTORY, oF POULTNEY. 203 And sunshine there was, and beautifl. bowers, Where they sat at the noon of the day; «nd heaven kindly dropped in their lap some sweet owark, To cheer them the rest of the way. But darkness came oer them; ‘the beautiful rose They had cherished,* was withered and pale; And the first-born was laid where the violet grows, | By the side of the way, ina vale. ‘On still in the path; but changed are the flowers . To burdens, demanding thetr care, Yet they cling to them still, thro’ the long weary hours, And are papi such burdens to bear Through sidldhing avd clond, now rough and now plain, They follow the pathway along With heart bound to heart, and eth hand joined i in hand, Love cheers the rough places with song. A cloud slowly gathers, and they see it draw nigh, Till at last its dark shadow comes o’er them; : 3 m4 And another loved one is in silence laid by, oS Who has finished her j journey b. fore them, ‘Once again, and a thunder-peal ‘bursts o’er their head: yO Sudden darkness envelops their way, Son, husband and father, is laid with ‘the dead, Leaving hearts bowed with sorrow that day. _LIsee they grow weary, the j journey is long; The stn as sunk low in the west; PB cpertN oy ‘Their step is less firm; their strength near ty gone} They would lay. down their burdens and rest. Ard now for awhile on 2 snmmit ‘they stand, ‘ “Looking back o’er the wearisome way; . : And think of the loving, invisible Hand ; a That has led them through ail the long day. If they toiled where the pathway was rugged and steep One able to aid them was near; Does darkness come o’er them ? Be it ever so deep, His voice in the darkness will cheer, And now for His presence, ' so constantly given, One grateful thanksgiving they raise; For the love that has led them thus far towards heaven, They render fresh tribute of pune : ae ee: 294 "HISTORY GF POULTNEY, The journey will end, and the toil soon be o’er, And then will the Pilgrims be blest; How sweet will it be on the glorified shore, 2 From. labor s and sorrows to rest. In the mansions of rest some are waiting to greet, _And those who yet linger will come; With oar journeyings over, at last may we meet, A family g gathered at home, L. Ke *Abagail d. young. “tLucy d. with consumption, aged 16 years. jCarlos, killed instantly while at work in a mill, at Hydeville. Kxarr.—The idttary of the Knapp fimily - in this ‘country dates back as early as 1630, at which time ‘Nicholas Knapp came from England to Conneeticut, and settled in that part of Green- wich subsequently set off to New York, and which is now the town of Rye, Ww estehester County. He moved to Stamford, Ccnn., in 1648 or 1649. His children by his first wife, Eleanor, -who d. Aug. 16,1658, were; . Jonathan, b. Dec. 27, 1631. Sarah, b. Jan. 5, 1639. Timothy, b. Dee. 14, 1632, . Ruth b. Jan. 6, 1641. . Joshua, b. June 5, 1635. Hannab March 6, 1642. Caleb, b. Jan. 20,.1637. For his second wife, Nicholas n m. Unity, widow of Peter Brown, and by her ‘his children were Moses and Lydia. THe d. April ps 16, 1670. Joshua, third son of Nicholas, m-. noni Ciex Jan. 9, 1657. Their children-were: — "Hannah, b. Mareh 26, 1660. ‘Timothy, b. 1668. Joshua, b. in Stamford, Conn., 1662. Benjamin b 1673. Joseph, b. 1664. : Caleb, b. 1677. Ruth b. 1666. oe - John, b. 1679. Joshua, Jr., m. Miss.Close, about 1682.. They had one son, John, b. March 1, 1708. John, son of Joshua, Jr, had two sons: John, Jv, b. in 1731, and Justus, b Jan 19, 1735. Fustus, son of John,m Sarah Reynolds in 1755. His children were. HISTORY OY POVLTNEY, : 295 1. Justus, Jt, b. Oct. 11, 1756. 2. William, b. Jan. 5, 1759, 8, John E., b. 1761; d. 1884. 4, Henry, b. 1763. 8. Destahat, b. Sept. 18, 1765; m.. Rachael Mead, 6. Obadiah, b. Sept. 20, 1766; m. Betsey Dean; ad. Apr. 1, 1850. Ts ‘Sarah, b. Jan. 6, 1768; d. Aug., 1828. . James, b. Dee. 17,1770. - 9, Hannah, b, Meh, 22,1773, 10. Gilbert, b. March 21, 1775, 11. Mary, b. Jan. 2, 1778; m. Noel Whitman. 12.- ‘Samuel, b. Dee. 5, ipeis oo Justus, father of the above Family, ¢ at the close of: ‘he Rev om lutionary War, bought, soldiers’ land rights in. Georgia, where he lived and beeame immensely rich. He d. about 1816. -Henry, third son of Justus and Sarah Knapp, was -m. to: his wife Jemima, about 1784. Their children were:. 1, Elnathaa, b. at Saratoga, N. Y., Feb. 1, 1786. : 2. Pardon, b. L778 ae “Mary, b. 1789: ue 4, Jemima, b. 1791. ; 8. Lucy, b. 1793. ° 6 Henry, b. 1795. . 7 Justus, b., 1797; d. 1872, Elnathan, son of Henry and Jemima Knapp, m Polly Eaton in 1807, who was b. in Barnard, Vt. Their children were: Ceneth, b in Chester, N. Y., in 1808; m. Jessie Pray. Albert Eaton, b. in Chester, N Y., Feb. 8, 1810. Justus. L., b. in Queensbury, N. y, Dee. 12, 1812; m. Myra Ann Dible. , a Lyman, b. in Wells, Vt., January 30, 1816; din Benson, Vt. _ Oliver Perry, b. in Wells, in 1815; m. Mary Soper. — John, b. in Wells, Z April 1, 18175 ‘m, Orrelia Cole. Tle is a Methodist minister. Ae a Elnathan, b. in 1820; d. in 1824, Emily, b. 18225 m. Isaac Wheaton, “Celia, b. 1824; m. Elisha Sprague. . -Elnathan, father of the above family, d. in Monroe County, 7 N. Y., Ang. 10, 1850. aye his wife, d. in Poultney, Sept, 20, 1870, Albert Haton, son, of aaa ie Polly Knapp, m. July 8, (1837, Freelove, widow of John Stone, and daughter of John ne 296 HISTORY OF POULTNEY.: Charlotte Broughton. She was b. in Granville, N. ¥., Jan. 2 1811. Their children were:, Charles Wilber, b. June 7, 1839. ‘Caroline Josephine, b. July 15, 1850; d. May 15, 1855. Albert E. Knapp and his wife, Freclove, are still living in Poultney. - He came to this town in 1884 from Benson, Vt. He taught school for a time. in Jamesyille, N. Y., then known as the Downs District. He then went into the business of manufac- turing and selling grave stones in Poultney. In 1857 he sold out this business.to Amos Clark and then commenced dealing in produce for the Boston market, and claims to have sent the first car load of potatoes ever sent over ute railroad to Boston, He then purchased an interest with P.S. Ryan in the tin business, which they carried on in the store now ocenpied by L. E. Thompson, until the year 1856, when he built the store he now occupies. Here for a time he continued to carry on the tin and stove business. He then sold to Jairus Lewi is, and commenced dealing in general merchandise. Mr. Knapp has been known as an extensive manufacturer and dealer in roofing slate, and has done much towards developing the slate interests in this section. He is the inventor of a Genealogical Family Reeord, connected with a popular Family Bible, which, as a system of continuing @ correct genealogical record from generation to gen- cration is unsurpassed, and cannot fail of commending itself to every family. : : Charles Wilber, son of Albert Eaton and Freelove Kaapp, m. Julia Hyde Sprague, Feb. 1, 1865. She was a danghter of Geo. W. and Mary Amn Sprague, and was b. in Poultney, Oct. 19, 1841, They are now living in Poultney. Their children are: Eva Anna, b. Dec. 17, 1866; George Albert, b. July 2, 18695 Carrie Grace, b, Jan. 14, 1875. ae: Atoxzo M.— Of Poultney, was a son of . Bradford Knapp, whose father was Obadiah Knapp; and Obadiah Knapp was a son of Justus Knapp, Justus Knapp was the great grand- father of Albert Eaton Knapp, as shown above, . Alonzo M. Knapp was b. inSehroon, N. Y., and came from Crown Point to HISTORY OF POULTNEY, 297 * Hampton, and from thence to Poultney. He has five children: ’ John, who is-m. and lives in Granville, N. Y.; Melvin, who lives with his father; Agnes, m. and living in Granville, N. Y.; Louisa and Emina, both living with their father in Poultney. Lamp, Crark —- Was born in Wells, and was many years a resident of Poultney.” He m. a daughter of Lemuel-tHyde, and— lived in.the south part of the town. He enlisted in the war of 1861, when about sixty years old, and 4d. William Lamb, a son, also served his country in the late war, and was severely wounded, He-now resides in this town. KELLOGG, Freperick—Moved from Bidaletown to Poultney in 1840, and kept the Eagle Hotel in East Poultney for some years. He died in Quasqueton, Iowa, not long since, where he had lived a few years with his daughter. He left three children: — who married Theodore Clark, and now lives a widow 1 Quasqueton; Hymenius, a lawyer in Cherokee, Iowa, and ee F,, who lives in Romieney: and ie is in the business of man- ufacturing melodeons. Lamson, Epmuysp— Was born in the town of Townsend, . Mass., in 17653 served aregular apprenticeship of seven years at the blacksmithing business, in Suffield, Conn., and in 1786 came. to this town, and worked at his trade for ‘Dea. Silas Howe for $8 per month; the next “year he went into the business on his own account, his shop standing on the ground now occu- “pied by the. Congregational church. The ycar following he bonght a lot opposite the burying ground, bounded on the north. and east by the “East village meeting-house ground,” (the meet- ing-house then standing nearly opposite the east entrance to the . ‘burying’ ground,) and built the house now standing on the lot on the same foundation he placed it 88 years ago. In the year 1788 he was m. to Luey, daughter of Dea. Silas Howe, by Ith- amer Hibbard, pastor of the Congregational society, occupying this house about 12 years, when he sold it to Thos. Wilmot who carried on the business of silversmithing and clock making in a small building contiguous to it. Subsequently he (Lamson) - 38 . 298 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. bought the land, and in 1800-he built the house which he ocet- pied until his death in May, 1853. He raised a family of four sons and four daughters; the two surviving sons, Jacob and Ea- mund, and one daughter, Lucy, now reside in Michigan, and the other surviving die heer, Susan H., resides on elie old home- _ ‘stead. Lawrencr, ALANSoN — Was b. in Hampton, N. Y., July 18, 1803, and was a son of Joseph Lawrence, who was a Revolution- ary patriot. He lived in Grand Isle, Vt. before the war, and Joined the army with all his sons who were old enough to bear arms, at the time of Burgoyne’s invasion in 1777. His family then fled from their home in Grand Isle; first took refuge in the fort at Castleton, and from thence went to Bennington; on ‘their way they buried their iron ware in Pawlet. After the - battle of Bennington the family returned to Grand Isle. From thence they removed to Whitehall, and from there to Hampton, . Alanson Lawrence was a mechanic, and when about 22 years of . age was engaged by John Stanley and son in the manufacture of the Dewey: shearing machines, and had a connection with .Henry Stanley when he started the foundry, and was the first . man who melted iron in that furnace, and claims to be the first man in the State who melted iron with anthracite coal. Soon after he borght the farm now owned by F. W. Moseley and lived there until April 1, 1866, when he removed to Camden, Kent county, Delaware, where he now resides. Alanson Law- rence was twice m. His first wife was Martha, a daughter of . Dennison Ruggles of Hampton, who d. at Camden, Oct. 19, 1870. Albert A. Lawrence, a son of Alanson, was b. in Poultney Sept. 14, 1834, and has been twice m.; first to Helen E., a daughter of Henry Martin, of Hampton; second to Julia A., a daughter of Henry G. Neal. He now resides in Camden, Del. Lewis, Josiani— Emigrated from Connecticut, and was the first of the name of Lewis who settled in the town, and his de- scendants are of the opinion that he came here the first year of the settlement (1771) fe was a soldier in the Revolutionary war; was in the battle of Hubbardton, and at the taking of Ti- ae HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 299 conderoga, and was for a time an aid of Col. Brookins.. He m. Molly Cole in Connecticut, and she was one of the women who fled with her eldest son, and then only child, on Bnrgoyne’s in- vasion. She rendered service for the patriots in carrying news, etc., and was paid the same as the soldiers were. She received for her services 160 acres of land, which it is said was located near where Franklin Thompson now lives, some two miles north of East Poultney on the road to Castleton. They went to their _-old*home in Connectictit where they remained for a time and then returned to Poultney. Mr. Lewis first settled on the. east part of the farm now owned by Hiram Lewis, and ‘on the “old military road.” This is one of the very few farms of the town ; which ‘have remained in the same family froin the first settle- ment. He had two children, John- and Benjamin; John was b. in Connecticut, and both lived and d. on the same ‘farm on which “their. father first, settled. Josiah: Lewis died before the year 1800. eG Bh John—m. Anna Cleveland and had eleven children: Polly, — Eliada, Azuba, Albert, John junior, Anna, Arila, Ezra, Josiah, — Hannah, Harry. John Lewis d. in 1827, at the age of 64. erat m. Reuben Sanford and mov ea to Jay, N. Y. Eliada .a Miss Thayer, moved to the state of Ohio; supposed to be an living. Azuba m. Alfred Hosford. Albert moved to Jay, N. ¥. John junior was twice m. For his first wife he m. Polly Buckland, and for his second, Rhoda Fifield. _ He had nine children: Helen, Fanny B., Carlisle, Hiram, Mark, Julius, Charlotte, Martha and Mary. Helen m. Bingham Williams and d. in Charlotte, Jan. 8, 1851. Fanny B. m. Nelson Ransom. Carlisle is m. and lives in Charlotte. Hiram is m. and lives on the old homestead. Mark is m. and lives on a part of the orig- inal Lewis farm. Julius was in the service of the Union in the rebellion, and was killed at Charles.on, Va., Aug. 21, 1864, in a skirmish, at the age of 27. He was a sergeant in Co. I, 5th Vt, and a worthy young man, Charlotte m. Rollin Marshall. ‘Martha m. Henry Pond and lives in Castleton. Mary d. at the a -age of six or seven. - John Lewis junior represented the towa 300 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. of Poultney in the Legisla‘ ure in the year 1851, and often held town offices. He d. Nov. 15, 1865. Anna, the sixth child of John Lewis senior, m. William Buck- land. Arila m. Lois Smith, and d. a short time after his mar- riage. Josiah m. Harriet Ransom. They owned and lived on a — farm, (known as the Lusk farm,) and d. in March 1875, leaving twochildren: Eveline and Henry R. They continue to reside on the old homestead.’ Hannah m. Hiram Angevine: and d. iu Ohio. Harry d. unmarried. Benjamin,— The brother of John senior, m. Patty Durant in 1804, had three children: Laura, Clark and Pauline. aura m. Samuel Ruggles and now resides in Gaines, in the western part of New York. Clark is in Gilmantown, N. H.; istm. but has no children. Benjamin Lewis d. Noy. 26, 1811, when quite a. young man. His widow was twice m. after the death of Mr. Lewis. She is still living with her daughter, Mrs. Fifield. Lewis, Wir1.1am—Was born in Rhode Island, July 10, 1756; he died November 8, 1841, aged 85 years. His wife’s name was Experience Rice. They had ten children, whose names were as follows: William, Jr., Philip, Abner, Lydia, Giddeon, Roswell, Samuel, Waitte, James and Betsey, all of whom lived to have families, and four are living at the present time, viz.: Abier, Samuel, Waitte and Betsey. Abner, born February 27, 1787, in Westfield, Mass.; moved to Poultney (with his father) when he was five years old, where he has lived ever since, with the exception of five years he lived in Tinmouth. Abner Lewis has been twice married; he married . Betsey Nicholson, December 15,1814; she died Angust 5, 1835. — There were four children, viz.: Emily K., b. May 5, 1818. Betsey J., b. Nov. 13, 1820. Henry G., b. July 4, 1823. Abner, Ti, b. Nov. 19, 1825. % 4g These nit children are all now living i in Poultney, with the exception of Abner, Jr., who lives in Miebigan. ~ HISTORY OF ‘Poul NEY. 301 - Por his second wife he amie’ Amelia S. eae Noy., 3 1835, She was Worn in Rhode Island, March 29, 1801. They ~ had two children, vis.: . Samuel Gi b, Oct. 5, 1836, Judson A., b. March 19, 1840. Samuel C. died in Ann Arbor ‘(Michigan University) Law School, of Typhold Fever, November 24, 1862, aged 26 years. He was in the Senior Class, and about ready to graduate. His remains were sent to Poultney (all expenses being .paid by his Class), and ‘interred in the Cemetery at East Pawling. where a family monument now mar rks his resting place. eS Judson A. entered the United States service, August 11, 1862, a priv rate in Company C, 11th Vt. Regt. He served till the close of the war, in 1865, making three years, lacking a month; was mustered out as captain, having received four non-com- inissioned officers. warrants and three commissions. He is now living in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y. - Roswell Lewis died May 2, 1842, at. the age of 42 years. . He left a family of children; one son died from disease vontracted in the War of- 1861; another lives in Pair haven, und has been the constable‘of that town. N a wis, Apt Was born in Wells, February. 1, 1789. Ile married Polly Wilcox, of Wells, and remoy ed to Poultney ‘about sixty years ago, and to the place where he resided until his death, two or two and a half miles south of the village. He was an industrious and thrifty, farmer, a member of, the Episco- pal Church, to which he was much attached, and a quiet, in- offensive and valuable citizen. He died in March, 1869; his widow died in September, 1871. She left, by “ah $500 to the. Baptist Church in East Poultney. Aaron and Polly Lewis had four children—. David, b. March 5, 1812. Aaron, b. Oct. 17, 1815. oo Mary, b. Nov. 25, 1817; d. June 20, 1875. Chauncy, b. July 16, 18253, d: when about 9 months old. _ 802 HISTORY OF POULTNEY, _ Lewis, David—Married Maria L. Noble, and now resides in Poultney village. They have had two children— Egbert, b. June 20, 1849; d. June 7, 1869. Albert, b. Feb. 21, 18565 d. when 5 years old. Aaron has for some years resided in Granville. He has several children, : : ' . Lewis, Jatrus—Was born in Wells; he is a son of Ethelbert aa, an old resident of Wells, but now a resident of Poultney. Jairus was a soldier in the War of 1861, and at the close of that war moved to Poultney. He first engaged in the tin business here, but is now in a prosperous grocery and saloon business.- Mr. Lewis was constable and collector of taxes in 1868. He married Nancy Reynolds, of Albion, N. Y. ‘Lerrincwe 1, Isaac—Was born in Middletown, and was a son of Jeremiah Leftingwel), an old resident of that town. He married Esther Dewey, of Poultney, a daughter of Dr. David Dewey, October 12, 1829, and then went to Alburgh, Vt. He came to,Poultney in Sept., 1834, and went into company with Henry Stanley, i in the mereantile business. After two or three ‘years he bought: the place ‘where his widow now resides, built a store near it, and Ww vent into business by. himself, which he con- tinued until his decease, which occurred January | 20, 184%. Mr. Lefiingw cll, while here, was an active.and prominent ‘member of the Methodist Church; ‘he was a friend of education, and aided in the establishment of the Troy. Conference Academy. At the time of his death, he was President of the corporation, which position he had held for several years. He had three children, two died in infancy, one survives, Charles C., who now, with his mother, resides in the same house his father owned. He is in the mercantile business (dry goods), and occupies the store built by his father. He married Elizabeth A. Russell, and has one child. , ; Warcine “Dante Malfuny was born in. 1758, and removed from Cheshire, Conn., to Poultney in 1794. After he came to Poultney, he first lived ov the Webster place, about two miles HISTORY, OF POULTNEY, ee 303 south of Hast Pcultney, on the road to Wells; he afterwards moved into the ‘house now occupied | by Jonas Gibson, in the village. He owned and lived on the farm which A, M. Knapp ‘now owns, for some twenty years. The latter part of his life be lived in the village, where Andrew Clark now lives. He had had seven children, a Rollin G., b. May 27, 1784, Horace, hy Sept. 15,. 1788; -d. in Hanover, Chis) in 1840, Daniel, b. Feb. 23, 1791. ce _ Martha, b. March 3, 1795; d. in Aug., 1796, Henry, b. in 1798; d. in 1804, Charles D., b. Jan. 23,1801, | Phebe, b Nov. 14, 1807. Hon. Rollin C. Mallary graduated at Middlebury College in 1805; studied law with Horatio, Seymour, at Middlebury, and Robert Temple, in Rutlaud, and was admitted to the Rutlarid Sounty Bar in March, 1807. He soon became a leading lawy er in the county, and was State’s Attorney in the years 1811-12— 13, and 1815-16 In the year 1819, he was a candidate for Con- gress against O. C. Merrill, of Bennington. “Mr. Merrill was de- ‘clared elected, but, at the ensuing session, Mr. Mallar y claimed the seat, and the Tlouse, after a hearing, decided in ‘his favor, and gave him his seat, Janwary 13, 1820, This controversy dine veloped Mr, Mallary’s powers, and brought him into notice. He had several successive re-elections, and remained a member continuously wntil his death. He gained a prominent position in Congress, second, perhaps, to no other member of the House from New England whie time, and particularly distinguished himself as a friend and advocate of the protective system. At the commencement of the Twentieth Congress, he was made "chairman of the Committee on Manufactures, and reported thé tariff of 1828, and his efticient efforts doubtless contributed * largely to secure its passage. Mr. Mallary died. at Baltimore, Md., while on his return from Washington, in 1831, His re- = were brought home, and interred in the old cemetery at East Poultney, and a marble monument was erected by the : Ruiland County Bar. ‘ ‘ 304 : HISTORY OF POULTNEY. e \ Rollin C. Mallary married Ruth Stanley, the eldest daughter of John Stanley. Their children wére: Carolos R., who married Minerva, eldest daughter of Joel Beaman, Eeq. He died in Poultney, of consumption. George H. m. a Miss Bishop; was in the mercantile business awhile in Poultney, with Henry Stan- ley, under the firm of Stanley & Mallary. He now resides in New York city. Sarah m. 8. 8; Stocking, the first Principal of Troy Conference Academy. - a= Daniel Mallary, the second son of Daniel, Sr, was twice married. His first wife was Sarah, another daughter of John Stanley; she died in a few years, and Jeft no children. He - married Fanr-y Adame for his seeond wife. By her he had several children; one only, Lucretia, survives. Daniel, Jr., was in . the mercantile business in Poultney durirg all of his active life. He left Poultney about 1870, and now resides with his daughter, Lueretia, in Delevan, Wisconsin. She is married. Chartes D., the youngest son of Daniel senior, graduated at Middlebury college in 1821; removed to Columbia, South Caro- lina, in:1822,; where he was ordained a Baptist clergyman and preached six years. "He afterwards became engaged in the work of education and litefature. He was the principal founder of* Mercer University, and published several works of which he was the author. Asa man of ability, he was perhaps equal to his brother Rollin C: He died in 1864. __-Phebe, the youngest child of Daniel senior; m, Henry J. Rug- gles, she and her son Henry, who is unmarried, live on the old: homestead in the west village. © Matiary, Carvin—A brother of Daniel, Sen , came to Poult- ney in 1786, and settled about two miles south of East Poultney. ‘He had three sons and several daughters. One daughter ni ‘Dea. Webster, one Elisha Scott, one Salvator Rann, one Stearns Marshall, one Cogswold WiHiams, one Luther Marshall, and one Tchabod Marshall. Calvin was an active member of the Baptist ‘Church, and contributed largely of his means.to build the church edifice in the east village. Calvin, Jr., lived and died on the homestead of bis father. His son, Elisha, now occupies the homestead. HISTORY OF POULTNEY. j 305 ' Maxstxe, Danret— Capt. Dan. Manning, as he was’ famil- larly called, was b. in Windham, Conn., Sept. 29, 1753, and was -of Scotch and Welsh Cescent. He m. Lydia Peters of Coventry, Conn., March 2, 1775. He followed the war that “tried men’s souls;” was in the battle of Bunker Hill, the battles on Long Island, Trenton, Princeton, Monmouth and Yorktown. He- was ‘in service nearly, or quite, the entire time of the war, and ~ while he lived was fond of relating incidents which came under his observation. _ After peace was declared and he had obtained his discharge, in 1783, he tr aveled from Windham, Conn., to Poultney, and bought a place of one James Smith, a mile or so north of East Poultney, and settled on it. He gave — Smith a horse, saddle and bridle as part payment, (no inconsid- erable amount in those days,) and after some impr ovements lost the whole bya failure of title in Smith. He then bought the place ‘where Noah Fenton now lives, where he lived until his death. This he bought of Dea, Silas Howe; four years time was given him for payments which were to be made in barrels, to be delivered at the whipping post on Poultney Green, a cer- tain number each year (Mr. Manning was a cooper). Hemade his payments, cleared up: and improved his farm, and raised a | family of ten children. One, Esther, was b. in Connecticut, the others in Poultney. Capt. Dan. lived to ‘be an old man; the date x of his death cannot be given. Mananvitix.— Louis De Maranville was a Frenchman of — noble birth, and came from Paris at. the early age of ‘19, and - settled in Dartmouth, Mass. - He m. an English lady. by: the iy name of Susan Crapo, kin of ex-Gov. Crapo of Michigan, now deceased. Stephen De Maranville was his youngest son, and was pb. in Dartmouth, Mass., Aug. 15, 1750; m. Delia Barden in 1770; removed from Dartmouth te Pawlet, Vt., and from thence came to Poultney in 1782. He lived and d. where Abraham/Gates now lives, then called “ Maranville Hill.” During he Revolu- tionary war he served his country as a. “minute man,” and ren- _dered.important aid as a bearer of despatches fr om one point to another in Mass. He was a cansined invalid for a7 years from “39. 806— HISTORY OF POULTNEY. inflammatory rheumatism,’and d. Sept. 26, 1828. He was the» father, of thirteen children: Elizabeth, Thankful, Louis, Polly, Patty, Stephen, Gifford, Delia, Irene, James, Eber, and two d. in. infaney. - Ten of these children, with their father and mother, were buried in Poultney. ‘Louis, the eldest son, d. iv Fairhaven, and Gifford d. in Pennsylvania. Stephen the 2d was b. in Dartmouth, Mass., July 8,1779, and m. Esther Map- ning Jan. 15, 1801. He d. Feb. 5, 1867; his wife d. May 30, — 1865; they lived together over sixty years. Their children - _ were: Charlotte, Fanny M., Harvey M., Merritt 8., Bloomy, Galusha J. and Robert E., besides three who d. in childhood. Stephen lived in Moriah, N. Y., at the time of the battle of Plattsburg, and was a volunteer from that town. Three of their children, Charlotte; Fanny and George, lie inthe cemetery at East Poultney; Harvey resides in Akron, Ohio, and has been a surveyor of public lands, teacher and superintendent of public schools. and is now a government inspector. Merritt now lives in Wisconsin. He had four sons in the war of 1861, Rollin E., ' Albert E., Pulaski and Egbert. Rollin E. was. an_ officer in Harris’ Light Cavalry, and fell while leading a charge. The only daughter of Stephen now living, is the wife of A. J. Brown, of Castleton. Galusha J. now ies in Rutland, and was the in- ventor of a celebrated calendar‘clock. Robert E. is a graduate of Middlebury College, and has had considerable experience as 4 .. teacher; he has been a teacher of languages in Castleton Sem- Anary the last year. Marsuatt—Ichabod and Joseph Marshall, brothers, were among the earliest settlers of the town. Both raised large families, and that part of their history connected with the early settlement of the town, is one of much interest. Some portion of that history before appears in this: work, and, necessarily, some.portion that would be of interest must be omitted for “want of space. Ichabod Marshall was born in New Marlboro, Mass., in Aug. 1741. Of his ancestors but little is known, except that they were of English descent, and came to this country in the early HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 807 part of its history. He married Lydia Stearns, Nov. 1760. She was born in Mendon, Mass., Feb. 20, 1744. She was of English © descent; the coat of arms of her family was presented to her grandson Ichabod Marshall, ‘who recently died in the State of » Wisconsin. From the date of old deeds that have been pre- served, it is evident that Ichabod Marshall arrived in Poultney with his family in December, 1772. Mr. Marshall was then 31 years old—his wife 28. They had six children when they came. The journey, was through an almost unbroken wilderness for 60 or 70 miles; it was made with one horse, which brought upon its back, Lydia, a feather bed, two infant children, and all the furniture the family had for keeping house. Ichabod made the journey on foot, as did four children, aged respectively, ten, eight, six and four years. They drove a cow, and thus they came to Poultney. They settled where Horatio Marshall now | . resides, and this farm has to this day been in the ownership and possession of members of the Marshall family. Ichabod and Lydia Marshall had fourteen children; all lived — to grow up—all but one married. © The following are their names, dates of birth, and names of persons whom they married: Jonathan,: b. Dec. 28, 1762; m. Rhoda Ashley. Paul, b. Aug. 28, 1764; unmarried. Silas, b. Sept. 28, 1766; m. Miss Howe. Polly, b Aug. 17, 1768; m. Solomon Whitney. Timothy, b. May 12, 1770; m. Lucy Rogers. Lydia, b. Sept. 7, 1771; m- Palmer. Buelab, b. Jan. 26, 1773; m. John Hollenbeck. , ‘Charlotte, b. Oct. 13, 1775; m. Seth Mehurun. Abijah, b. April 20, 1777; m. Miss Duaks. “Martha, b. June 17, 1779; m. Peter Martin. Lucy, b. June 12,1781; m. Dewey. Ruth, b. Oct. 10, 1783; m. Dr. Adin Kendrick. Stearns, b. Oct. 14, 1785; m. Mabel Mallary. James, b. Feb. 24, 1788; m. Polly Shumway. ' apa Ichabod Marshall died in November, 1792, while yet’ in the’ full strength of vigor aad manhood. On the 5th of November, of that year, while returning from Troy with a load of mer- 308 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. chandize for his son-in-law, Hollenbeck, who kept a s-ore at the “ dug way,” where Charles Beals recently l1ved, he fell from his wagon, the wheels passed over him, and gave him his death wound. H's wife hearing the sad news arrived at his bed side in time to listen to his expiring groans and close his eyes in death. She remained his widow until Oct. 1836, when she died. A year or two before her death, there were together at her house five persons representing five generations of regular de- scent; they were herself, Mrs. Whitney, Mrs. Harvey Finel, Mrs. Charlotte Dewey, with her son Edwin S. Dewey, ote in the lap cf his oldest grandmother. The descendants of Ichabod and Lydia Marshall have been numerous, and it i/ impossible, with our limits, to trace them all out; so far as we are able to do this, we shall confine ourselves mainly to those who have lived in Poultney. - Paul, the second son of Ichabod, was killed Feb. 25, 1788, by a loaded sled running over his body, Rollin, who until recently resided in Poultney (now resides in Hampton), was 2 son of Timothy Marshall. Ichabod, 2d, who died recently at Winona, ’ Wisconsin, was a brother of Rollin; he was much engaged in teaching in his early life, and a man of intelligence. Stearns Marshall suceeeded to the homestead, where he lived until his death. . He had a family of ten children; their names, dates of — birth, and the names of whom they married, are as tollows: Lydia, b. July 22, 1811; m. Stephen Scott; d. Aug. 11, 1853. Harvey, b. Jan. 22, 1814; m. Angeline Brown, Sept 14, 1837. Amanda, b. May 23, 1816; m. S. H. Marshall, Sept. 19, 1838. James, b. March 20, 1819; m. Calista Austin, Sept. 19, 1838. Mary Ann, b. March 3, 1822; m. L 8. Clark, May 17, 1842. Linus, b. April 18, 1825; m. F. EK. Whiddon, Noy. 16, 1854. . Paul, J., b. Jan. 28, 1828; m. Martha Brown, Oct. 9, 1855. Adin K., b. Oct. 13, 1831; m. Mary. Gilman, Dee. 31, 1856. Rollin, . Sept. 21, 1833; m. Charlotte Lewis, Sept. 8, 1858; d. Sept. 30, 1874, leaving two children. John, b. Nov. 29, 1835; m. Sarah A. Clark, Sept. 8, 1858, Harvey Marshall now resides on the Arch Herrick place, and one of his sons occupies the old Marshall homestead. Paul J- HISTORY OF POULTNEY, 309: is in the mercantile business in the east. village; he was for some years in trade in Peshtigo, Wis., where he was.one of. the sufferers by the terrible fires that swept over a portion of that - State. Adin K. resides in Poultney. Stearns Marshall a. Jan. 22, 1868; his wife d. Marh 16, 1868. Marshall, Joseph—The brother of Ichabod, Ist, came to Poultney, as is supposed, in 1772, at. or about the time his brother did. He settled about a mile north of the Hopson. place, on a road that formerly ran in that direction from the main road between the two villages. He had nine children: Moses, Aaron, Clara, John, Luther, Lucy, Ichabod, Asa and Eavra. None are now living, except Asa, who resides a mile south of the vil- lage, and is now-abuut S80 years oll. Joseph Marshall was a— miller, and for many years had charge of a grist mill at the | Candlestick Factory place. Ife died January 10, 1835. Martin, Samuer—Was born in Scotland in 1767, and came to. Orwell, Vt., with his father, about the year 1774. From Orwell he went te. Hampton about 1795, and moved from thence to Poultney in 1806. ‘He held the office of selectman several years and was constable and collector of taxes here for ter’ years. He had ten children: Sarah, Martha, Polly, George C., Hiram, Nancy, Lucinda, William, Nenry and Jamés. . Sarah m. a Mr. Morse, and has been dead about nine years ~ Martha m, «Asa Marshall, and now lives-about two miles south of the vil- lage. Polly died over thirty years ago, unmarried. George C, d. in Hanrpton, June 9, 1874, of cancer, Hiram d. in Poultney about seventeen years ago. Nancy m. William Evarts, and d. about forty years ago. Lucinda d. when about 16 years of age; this was the first death in the family. William is still living at the West; and Henry resides in Hampton, and was for several years postmaster of that town. James married, and died about eleven years ago. Samuel Martin, the father of this family, ‘de January 14, 1831; the mother d. Sept. 22, 1848. There have been other families here of the name of Martin. ‘Andrew Martin was a son of John Mar tins u 1. Huldah Thomp- son, a daughter of Jesse Thompson. He led the singing in the 310 es HISTORY OF POULTNEY. Baptist Church for several years; and now resides in Malone, N.Y. Wis father was a brother of Samuel Martin. “ Reuben and William N. Martin were for some years inhabi- tants of the town; both have been dead many years. Reuben d. Nov. 17, 1849, and left a family. THis widow and daughter, Sarah, now live in East. Poultney. Sarah has been engaged in teaching for several years, ; McLxon.—William McLeod, M. D., was born in Charlestown, Mass., Aug. 12,1798. His father was William 8. McLeod, who emigrated to Roston, Mass., from Scotland. William S. mar- ried Mary Davidson, the mother of William, the subject of this sketch, William McLeod had two sisters: Mary and Cather- me; and six brothers: David, John, Charles, Ehenezer, Frank and Thomas Henry. David is now living in Westport, Nir Deed Thomas Henry is a lawyer, living at Middlebury, Vt.; all the other children are deccased. : . Doctor McLeod was the oldest. of the children. He was twice marricd. He married for his seeond wife Olive ‘Monroe, danghter of Califf Monroe, of Poultney ; he studied medicine with Dr. ‘Theodore Woodward, and. received. his diploma — from Middlebury, in 18238; he first’ practiced his profession at Hebron, N. Y., and subeccnienils at Whitehall, N. Y.; he then removed to Poultney, where he has since resided; he was Postmaster at East Poultney for four years; Tn 1829 he was appointed Surgeon of the 154th regiment of infantry of the State of New York.. Oct. 7, 1828, he was admitted as a mem- _ ber of the medical society of the county of Washington, New York. Dee. 24, 1839, he was elected a member of the “Board ° of Fellows” of the Vermont Academy of Medicine at Castle- ton, Vt. Dr. Mcleod is supposed to have had charge of the first case of Asiatic Cholera which ever appeard in the United States. The children of Dr. MeLeod have been: ‘William Buell, b. January 12, 1835, He graduated at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), March ’8, 1853, studied law with J. B. Beaman, of Poultney, and was admitted to the Bar in Rutland County at the March Term, 1857; he then com- HISTORY OF POULTNEY, 311 menced the study of Theology at Alexandria Seminary, Va. Failing health obliged him to abandon his studies soon after, and he died Sept. 11, 1859, a ey Henry T., b. Nov. 24, 1851, now living in Poultney. Martha A, b, Aug. 7, 1860. Mrar RS, Joux-—-W as one of the early suiting of the town; he settled here not long after 1790. He was the father of several children; of these we have obtained the names of. Roswell, Simeon and Joseph—there were others. Roswell became a Baptist clergyman of some note, and did not long reside here. Simeon m,.-Polly Hosford, a daughter of Aaron Hosford, and sister of the late Harlow Hosford, Esq. Laura. daughter of Simeon, Sen., married Reaben Seriimer; ‘the second daughter married a son of Dennison Ruggles, of Hampton; Fanny married Curtis C. Eddy. . Simeon, the only son of Simeon, Sen, w was born after his father’s death. Simeon, Jr, was a man of considerable business capacity 5 he was.in the mer- vantile business here several years, and a partner of Col, Hickok in the foundry. He has for several years been a resi- -dent of Chicago, and has been in extensive ‘business there; he’ has a family. One .son, E, Ashley Mears, is an a prominent ~ business man in that city. The widow of Simeon, Scn., fiateied Joseph Mears, the. brother of her first husband. The fruits of this marriage were, Truman, who married the daughter of Joseph Morse. Keeler Hickok, sen of Thaddeus, m, Fanny Mears, and Gen. Russel Hickok, son of Simeon, m. Rhoda, sister of Fanny; they were the daughters of Joseph Mears, by his first wife. Truman died June 10, 18513 he had four children; one died young. His widow and three children are now living g, Mary, Joseph and Elizabeth. Mary m. Asa F. Morse, and ieedes in Missouri; Joseph and Elizabeth were twins; they both reside j in Poultney. Moyroxz, Catrrr—Was born in Pawlet, and lived in. Wella several years in the early part of his fe. He represented that town in 1832, and was defeated in, 1833, by the Anti-Masons. 812 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. | Tle married Aimira Hopson, He moved to Manchester in 1839, and from thence to Poultney in 1841. He-owned the Rann farm, and lived on it several years. He has two children, ‘Ossian C. and Olive A. Ossian C. is married, resides in the vil- | lage, and has a family. Olive A. married Dr. William McLeod. Mors, Josepu—Was born in Litchfield, Conn., and moved to Poultney in the year 1780, and settled in the east part of the “town, in the locality siree known as Morse Hollow, He married - Anna Coleman, and had eight children: : Sally, b. Sept. 13, 1782; m. Phineas Derby; d. Nov. 29, 1809. Anna, b. Jan. 16,1784; m. Dr, David Dewey, and is still liv- ing at the age of 91 years. Stephen, b. Sept. 6, 1786; d. Aug. 10, 1842. Rachel, b. Jan. 11, 179-; m. a Mr. Lowell; d. in 1870. Joseph, b. July 16, 1792. : : Alvah, b. July 22, 1794—not living. Worcester, b. Nov. 5, 1797; d. in Iowa about tive years ago. Harris, b. April 30, 1801; d. in Dee., 1873. Joseph Morse, Sen., d. Sept. 28, 1833; his wife d. in 1856. Stephen, the eldest son of Joseph, Sen., married Eunice Fris- bie, Oct. 23, 1809. They had nine children: Caroline b. Sept. 1, 1811, and d. young. Pa Joseph F., b. Sept. 28, 1812. > Vipe ; Eben, b 1 No 7, 1815; d. July 19, 1842, Lucy B., b. Inly 25, 1818; d. April 18, 1852, Eliza, b. May 28, 1821; d. Sept. 20, 1822. Eliza L.,'b. July 1, 1823; d. March 7, 1849. Adoline, b. Dec. 5, 1825; d. May 21, 1852. Mary Aun, b. May 25, 1828; d. Aug. 14, 1858, Caroline F., b. Feb. 14, 1832; d. June 27, 1848. As seen frets the above, Joseph F. is the only one of his family now living; as ‘elsewhere : appears, he married a daughter of Dr. Browson; he resides in East Poultney. Joseph Morse, the second son of Joseph, Sen., has been thrice married; he first m. a daughter of Ebenezer Frisbie, and by her had four children, Julia, $ Sarah, J. Harris and Esther. Julia d. young; Sarah mm. HISTORY OF Pour TNEY. 313 Troman Mears; J. Harris d. about 20 years ago. He was an energetic business man, and much esteemed for his integrity and moral worth. He gave promise of much usefulness, but his life was terminated by an accident in his mill, while yet a young man, Esther m. Charles Ripley, Jr., and resides in the west village. Joseph m. for his second wife the daughter of Judge — ‘Higley, of Castleton, and widow of M.D. Hooker His third wife, Beulah, was the daughter of Ton. Samuel Moulton, of Castleton. Worcester Morse lived in the State of Iowa some years previous to his death; he had four children, Ellen, Laura, Charles and George. Charles i is dead; the others are supposed to be living. Harris Morse was also aresident of the West some years previous to his death. The names of his children were Dana, Frank A. , Caroline, Jay, Worces ster, Lucretia and Amos F. Dana, Canine and Lucretia are dead; Frank A. was formally in busibess in ‘Poultney, and is now in the drug busi- ness in West Rutland. Jay and Worcester are in Martinsburg, Missouri. pa The Morse family or families which sprang from Joseph and Anna (Coleman) Morse, have been numerous, and from. the early history of Poultney, have been identified with the inter- ests of thetown. The Congregational Church has drawn largely from the Morse families for its support; and these families have contributed 4énuch to sustain the many and varied interests of the town during a period of almost a hundred years. The vener- able Joseph 2 Morse, second son of Joseph, Sen., now about 83 years old, and his sister, Mrs. Dewey, still remain with us.. A brother of Joseph, Sen., by the name of Solomon, settled ‘in Morse Hollow about |the year 1780, and moved to Pennsyl- vania about the year 1800. But: little is now known here of his family. . Moreay. jeans Mor gan was born in Simsburg, Conn., February 15, 1779, and moved to Poultney in the year 1795. He settled on a farm about two miles east of the east village, on the road leading to Middletown. His father, whose name was ‘Jonathan, came from Connecticut with him, and lived veh him Blt HISTORY OF POULTNEY. nati he died. Jonathan Morgan married Submission Cuniteld, October 14, 1804. They had a family of ten children, seven of whom aie now living: Elmer, Cynthia, Emily, Savah Ann, Jane, Isaac H. and J. Allen. Jonathan Morgan Was an industrious . farmer, and built three saw mills on Poultney River, which ran through his farm; one was washed away, and the others re- mained until worn out. He died March 22, 1859, at the age of 74 years, on the same farm on which he had lived after coming to Poultney, in 1795. “His wife died December 19, 1872, at the. age of 87 years. Elmer, the oldest son living, resides in Pon- _tiac, Erie County, N. Y. Cynthia m Joseph Burdick, and lives a“ in Milford, N. H. Emily m. Joseph W. Clark, and resides in _ Poultney. Sarah Ann resides in Iowa. Jane m. Harrison F. Smith, and resides in Poultney. Isaac H. and J. Allen suc- ceeded to the home farm, now own and occupy it, aud are) among the thrifty and prosperous farmers of the town. - MIttEr, Wiiiam—Was named in the chapter on the subject of the War of 1812. Satterley E. Miller, a son of William, m. a daughter of Heman Stannard, of Fairhaven, and is now a resi- dent of Poultney, and a worthy citizen. Morr, Rosert K.— Was born in Easton, Washington Co., N. Y., February 26, 1824. His father was Anson Morrill; his mother’s maiden name was Lizzie Bennett. He has been twice “married; his first wife was Rachael Evans, of Easton, to whom he was married in 1842. By this marriage he had two children, Leroy and Lucy A., both of whom died in infancy. His second wife was Elsie Maria Davis, of Schaghticoke, N. Y., to whom he was married October 20, 1847. By his second and present wife he had two children, one, who died in infancy, and Charles, b. September 1, 1865; d. September 20, 1866. Mr. Morrill came to Poultney in 1849, and most of the time | since then has worked in the foundry at Poultney; ; he is a moulder by trade. . Neat, Henry G.—Was born Nov. 19, 1789; came from Lan- singburg, N. Y., to Poultney about 1814. After coming to Poultney he first taught ‘school several terms., He married HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 315 Julia Aun Persons, an adopted daughter of Daniel and Polly Persons, who were then residents of Poultney. He was a Jus- tice of the Peace for twenty-five years or more; held the office of Town Clerk for about twenty years, and represented the town in the Vermont Legislature two years. He kept the hotel several years in the east village; was a while in the mercantile business, Of his children, we have the names of Daniel P., George W., Benjamin F. , Catherine, Elizabeth and Julia Ann, and atbess and Fanny, whe died in childhood. Daniel P. 4. in Augustine, Fla.; George W. is now living at Bairdstown, _ Ga.; Benj. F. at Waterbury, Conn.; Catheri ine m. A. H. Bailey, D. D., and d. at Berkshire, Vt.; Elizabeth d. in 1838, at the age of 13 years. : - Nuwman.—Rev. John Newman, D. D., was born in Amster- dam, N. Y., Nov. 28, 1813. His father’s name was Elias. The family is of English extraction, and in this country is traced to Stamford, Conn. He worked ona farm until 16 years old, and from 16 to 18 was clerk in a store; common school three win- teis; fitted for college at Amsterdam; entered the sophomore | class in Union College in April, 1836, and graduated in July, 1838. ‘He was one of the teachers in Troy Conference Acade- my from 18388 to 1848, when he became the Principal of that institution, which position he held until 1851. In 1852 he was elected Professor of Latin in Union College, where he remained until 1863, when he returned to Poultney. He was President of Ripley Female College from 1863 to 1873. Dr. Newman m, Maria Dorr, of Chatham, Columbia county, N. Y., in 1841, and has two children (sons) living: George C. and° Tote E.; both are now living in Lincoln, Neb. Norrow. , Socomon—Was one of the early settlers. He built the first pn and saw mills at the Hampton bridge place; he also built the house now occupied by F. W. Moseley. He was an active well-to-do man, ‘and was a prominent citizen in his time. His children were: Solomon, John, Hannah, James R., Joel, Aaron and Amos. They were a worthy family, but all — + 816 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. long since ceased to be inhabitants of the town. Hannah was an excellent school teacher, and became 'the wife of Zimri Howe. An instance relating to James R. Norton may here be mentioned. Mr. Norton re-built bis grist mill after the flood of 1811; and while raising the building, James R. fell forty-two feet onto solid rock. In his fall he struck a man on the way down, which to some extent broke the force of the fall. The next day he helped put the rafters on the same building. Soon after this, Ephraim Herrick, as before appears, had a fall from a wagon, which resulted in his death. Herrick’s fall was per- haps not over two feet, and this contrast reminds us that “An earthquake may be made to spare The man that’s a by a hair.” Noyvezs, Most Dichess county, N. Y., to Poultney. about the year 1814. He soon held a prominent position. in. society, and particularly in the Congregational Church, of which he became an active member, and one of its deacons. Four children came with him, two sons and two daughters. Dea. Moses Noyes d. Aug. 1, 1838, at the age of - 85; his wife d. Dec. 25, 1843, at the age of 86. His son Wil- . Ham P. Noyes was b. in 1802. He succeeded his father in the oftice. of deacon in the Congregational Church; was in the mercantile busincss in Poultney for several years: He d.-in Waltham, Mass., Aug. 10, 1860, where he had lived and been in active business for afew years. Wm. P. leftason, Moses G., who was b. Oct. 6, 1832, and reisided in Poultney until his decease, which occurred Oct. 23, 1873; it was supposed that he died of heart disease. There was a squirrel bunt, in which he and oth- ers were engaged; and while hunting he became separated from his companions, and the latter, on their return, found that Mr. Noyes had not returned, Search was made and his body found. in the fields, not far from where Joseph W. Clark now lives, with indications that his death was sudden, and from the cause above named. Mr. Noyes served his country in the War of the Rebellion; and was at the time of his death the presiding Ba cer of Netis Lodge of Odd Fellows. HISTOXY OF POULTNEY. 317 Moses G. N Noyes, a scn of Moses and brother of William P., ras born in Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1794; graduated at- Middlebury College in 1819; studied law with David Russell; in the-State of New York, and was admitted to the bar in 1825; He was in practice some four years in Poultney, and removed ~ to New York. Hed. i in 1832, at the age of 38. » Patmern.-Dr, David Palmer was in practice a few years in Poultney, and left the town about the year 1822. He became a professor in a medival institution at Woodstock, Vt.; atter- wards a professor at a like institution in Massachusetts, where -he died. His death was caused by accidentally inhaling gas, while lecturing on chemistry. He ranked among.the ablest _ physicians of his time, and as a man af science in his profession had few equals, ‘Parker, Anst—Was one of the early settlers, and was sue- cessor te Nehemiah Howe in the grist mill at East Poultney. He was a large landowner in the early history of the town, . Whether he died in Poultney we cannot say, but his descend- “ants quite early became inhabitants of Wells. Carlos Parker and the wife of Charles W. Potter, now residing in Wells, and the wife of Barden Beals, of Poultuey, are descendants of Abel Parker. . . . : Parker, Garpyer—Was born in Hopkinton, Mass. His father’s name was Perley Parker; he died abont eight years ago. The maiden name of his mother was Betsey Mellen. In this family were three children: Emily, Gardner and Joshua Mellen, all of ‘whom are now living. Gardner m. Mary M. Saw- yer, of Beston, youngest daughter of Capt. George P. Sawyer, of that city Their children are: Eliza E., m. Roswell Frail, and resides in, ionldntonte George G, m. Mandana Hyde, daughter of N. C. wy de, of Poultney, re is in business in this place. Mary Carrie, m. Martin D. Hols < Cashier of Castleton Nene Bank. ae Edgar V., now liviag with his parents in Poultwey. © fe i 318 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. Mr. Parker came to Poultney in 1865, and entered into the slate business, in which he has ever since been, and is now, en- gaged. He first had charge of the quarries of the New England | Slate and Tile Company; and of those of the Union Slate Com- _ pany, and is now a manny aotiirer and general ees in slate. Parsons.—Daniel oe became 4 resident. of Poultney about the beginning of the present century, and for several years kept a hotel in the east village, in what was afterwards known as the Neal House. He was married, but had no child- ren; he had-an adopted daughter, who married Henry Neal. He died August 26, 1825. Parsons, Ajar soldier of 1812, and an honest old man, was a few years a resident of this place. He died October 5, 1875, at the age of 8L years. A son, Collamer, oceupies the homestead. Prasze—Captain Royal Pease came to Baueagy about - the beginning of the present century; bought a farm of Johu Howe, Esq., at the upper end of Finel Hollow. The relic of the house, near the cemetery in that locality, is still standing ; now owned by C. P. Austin. We are not aware that he had but three children: Adelia, the third wife of Dr. Kendrick, ~ recently deceased; Eliza, the widow of the Hon. Elisha Ward, late of Silver Creek, N. Y.; and Albert, unmarried, now resid- - ing in the north part of the town; a man of more than ordin- ary intelligence. - Perry.—Dr. Charles $8. Perry was born in West Rutland, December 22, 1818. His father’s name was Asa Perry; his mother, was Betsey, daughter of Captain Daniel Smith, of West ‘Rutland parish. Dr. Perry graduated at Castleton Medical College, in 1845, and commenced practice in Benson in 1846, _ where he practiced three or four years; from thence he went to Castleton, where he lived until he moved to Poultney, i in’ 1852, and has been in the practice of his profession here since. Aug. 19, 1846, he married Loraine, daughter of Ebenezer and Polly (Stockin) Langdon, »f Castleton, Mr. Langdon was born in © © HISTORY. OF POULTNEY. 319 Farmington, Conn., and Mrs. Langdon in New Britain, Conn: Dr. Perry has had three children; Laura Clark and Lorame Langdon, born in Castleton, and E. Langdon, born in peceica died March 24, 1860, aged about 6 years. , a Prerce, Puinzas.—Came to Poultney soon tier the surren- der of Burgoyne, settled about a half mile east of the east vil- lage, built a gambrel roof house on the bank of the Finel. Hollow brook, a few rods east of the brick house now occupied -by Janies Hopper. He was interested in the manufactare of iron in the forge built by the-Joslins. Mis children were Abiram, Keziah, who married an Austin, and after his death, married William Condry, of Mormon notority ; Rhoda, who m. Colonel John Ransom. She was one of Solomon’s. virtuous women, as described in the last chapter of Proverbs. Amos, a ‘blacksmith, who married Polly, the daughter of Dea. Sanford, and moved to Illinois; Stephen and’ Lucy, who left town ut- married, and of whom we know. but little. Porn Famy.—lIt may not be-out ef place to give the gene- alogy of the Pond family prior to their removal from Connecti- ‘ut to this town—for all, or nearly all, the Connecticut Ponds claim the same common ancestry. In 1630, Gov. Winthrop came over from Groton, England, to Boston, Mass., and brought, among others on the same ship, two brothers, Johu and Robert, Pond. The Governor, writing home to his son, says: “Tell Pond that both his sons are well, and remember their duty.” Of John, or his descendants, we hear nothing more. - Robert settled at Dorchester, Mass, and received his portion of land in the general distribution, in 1633, and died in 1637. (Vide _ Savage.) There was, later, a Thomas Pond, who came to Bos- ton in 1635, supposed by some to bea third brother—but nothing more is known of him or his descendants. © New Windsor, Conn., was largely, if not eutirely, settled. by: emigrants from Dorchester, in 1635. There is a very strong | presumption that Robert had a son, “Sammuell,” who came over with him, and cast in his lot with the others from Dorchester, who, ‘in 1635, were seeking a new home on the banks of the Connecticut, at Windsor; for. we find recorded, officially, the st 320 ; HISTORY or POULTNEY, marriage of Since: Pond, in Windsor, November 14th, 1642. Sammuell Pond died March 14th, 1654, leaving a wife and four children. We append the inventory of his property, copied from the original records, now in the State House at Hartford, Conn., all in “ye olden style.” Inventory of ye Estate af Sammuell Pond, of Windsor, de-_ ceased, made March ye 19th, 1654. c £8 de Imprimis, In honssing and land adjoining, 12 akers 21, 30 0 0 In ye little meadow, 2 “ 1,10 0 0 In Plymouth meadow, 3B 12 0 0 In ye Woods, ee 1 0 O Bought of Mr. Hanford, 1a. 5 5 U “ . ,Branker, » to. 310 0 In ye inner room of ye house, 2 bedsteads and bedding, . - - - - - 410 0 7 yard. Linning Cloth, - - - - 14 9 His apparrell, - - see - 314 0 3 old chests, and other small things in ye inner room, | - - - - - 110 0 His Arms, - - - - - - 1 0 0 In Pewter, - - - - + - 114 0 In Brass, — - - i - - - 2 0 0 In Iron Pots, - - - - - 1 8 0 In other thing's in outer room, = - - 2 3 0 60 po of Bacon, - - ~ - - 110 O Corn in house, - - - : - 3816 0 Other things in ye chambers, - 7 - 1:2 ¢6 One yoke of Steers, -. - * - 1110 0O 2 young Steers, 3 SS ae - - 6 0 0 2 yearlings, - - - - - fe 215 oO One heafer, — - - - - ee - 210 0 4 Cows,- - - - - 16 0-0 Ye tackling for ye , Oxei, - - - - 2 7 0 Two Swine, - - - - - - 14 6 Sum Totalis, 129 2 9 ; : £ os. d. In debts due Sam/7Il Pond, - -1l 0 0 Sam’! Pond indebted, on ee 914 6. Hxnry Woscort, Jr. -) Joun Moorr, Sammuell Dyed Meh. 14th, 1654. Ro. Howarp, . Intestate, left behind him Sarah his wife: A isaac his eldest sonne eight years‘of age: Brnepicrus % ALForp Sammuell, his second sonne, six years of age, ywmark, ~ HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 321 Nathariel, the third sonne, three years of age and quarter: Sarah, his danghter, 2 years one month of age: The Coert orders ye Estate to be divided, to ye widow, £40: And ye rest of ye Estate to be equally divided between ye four children. . From this date we have no difiiculty in tracing a direct line down to the present time. But to go back a little, and recapitu- 2 late—thus presenting a connected line of descent. Ist .Generation—Robert Pond came-over from’ Groton, Eng- land, 1630; d. 1637, at Dorchester, Mass. 2d Generation—* Sammuell” “Pond m. at Windsor, Coun., 1642, supposed son of Robert, d. at Windsor, 1654. (3d Generation—Sammuell 2d, b. March 4, 1648, son of Sam- muell, removed to Branfor’, Conn.; was a Deputy to the General Court i in 1678-1683— 1687 (at that time but forty- two ‘dupties i in Connecticut). 4°) Generation—Sammuell 3d, second son of Sammuell of Bran- _ ford, b. July 1, 1679; m. Abigail Goodrich, 1704.” bth Generation—Phillip, second son of Sammuell 3d, b. June 5, | _ 1706;-lived and died at Branford. | 6th Generation—Dan, the “ Patriarch,” first son of Phillip, b. March 4, 1726, at Branford, Conn. ; removed to Stockbridge, Mass., and thence to Poultney, in 1782, locating, with a por- tion of his family, on “ Pond Hill.” He had fifteen children. —13 sons and 2 daughters. All but one (Phillip) lived to have families. Dan d. May 27, 1783, aged 56 years, and is buried in the East Poultney Cemetery. . A double stone is erected to the memory of himself, and Mabel, his wife. "th Generation—The names of Dan’s 15 children are as follows, _ most of ie came-with him to Pond Hill: . , 1. Dan, Jr., b. May 4, 1751; removed from Connecticut to Shoreham, Vt. _ se 2, Phillip, a soldier of the Revolution; was taken prisoner, sent _- to Halifax, and d. there of yellow fever—unmarried. 8, Abel, third son of “Patriarch ” Dan, b. Oct. 27,1753; settled - at Lenox, Mass.; came up with his father Dan in May, 1782, -- to Poultney, at first with the others on Pond Hill, but after- wards located on what was called “Poultney Flats, ” on the 41 822 10. Il. T2. HISTORY OF POULTNEY. plase now erehod by Elijah Hive and d.. Dee 29, 1928; was one of the founders of the Peultney Paptist Church, He came up with Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys to the assault, and was present at the surrender of Fort Ticonderoga, but was compelled to remain on the cast side of the Lake, and with the majority of the force, wit- ness the proceeding, owing to the scarcity of boats to con vey them‘over in time. It is understood that the emigra- tion of the Pond family to this town from Massachusetts and Connecticut, was in consequence of ‘the repr esentations’ of Abel, who, in his expeditions, as as a soldier, repeatedly passed -. through this part of the then ape sely settled country. ; \ » Rebbecea, b. 1755; m. George Leonard, a Revolutionary soldier, and lived in the northern part of Vermont. . Josiah, b- Dee. 20, 1756; m. in Lenox, Mass.; removed to © Shoreham, Vt.; was a soldier of the Revolution—after wards _a Colonel of Militia. : . Phinneas, b. May, 1758; a soldier of the Revolution for seven years; settled in Tioga County, Penn. . Silas, b. 1759; a Revolutionary soldier; settled at Panton, “Vt.; ds Nov. 20, 1827. ; Nathaniel, b. 1760; settled in Crawford County, Penn.; 3d. - June 11, 1849. : . Jared, b. June 27, 1762; settled in Phiton: m. Esther Mer- rill, of Addison, Vt.; was a merchant, a captain of militia, -and a justice—a volunteer at the Battle of ee 1812; -d: Aug. 12,1817. William, b. Sept. 2, 1763; was a soldier of ‘the Revolution; - settled in Schroon, N. Y.; d.-1838, at Conneantyille, Pa. Asahel, b. Jan. 10, 1765; m. Lovisa Ward, of Poultney, Dec. 9,,1792; lived on Pond Hill; was a major in. the: militia, a representative in the Vermont Legislature, and an excellent practical farmer; d. Oct. 12, 1830. Ira, b. Nov. 10, 1766; settled in Shoreham; a very muscular ‘and powerful man—could handle any two men with ease; | d. March 11, 1837. eg HISTORY: OF POULTNEY. 323 “13. Benjamin, 12th son of Dan, b. 1768; m. Abigail Ashley, '. . daughter of Thomas Ashley, one of the. first settlers; of Poultney, and finally settled in Schroon, Essex County, N. Y.; was judge of the court, a representative in the New* York Legislature, and also a member of Congress for two terms; a volunteer at the Battle of Plattsburg, in 1814, and, by exposure, caught the “ camp fever,” and d. Oct. 6, 1814. 14. Thankful, b Sept: 25,1770; m. Zebulon Ashley ; removed from Poultney, in 1812, to Middiebary: Knox County, Ohio. ‘She d. July 17,1889) 7 . Monson, 13th son of “Patriarch” Dan, b. Sept. 18, 1772, at Stockbridge, Mass.; was only 10 years of age when his father came up to Poultney; m. and settled in Bridport, Vt.3 — , about 1815, removed to Middlebury, Knox County, Ohio, . afterwards to White Rock, Ogle C County, Ill, and there a. ~ Noy. 10, 1861.- ath Generation—Children of Abel. Pond, third ‘son of Dan, the “ Patriarch.” | 1, Fila, d. at 10 months of age, by. a fall into the fire. 2. Stephen, eldest. son of Abel, b. in Lenox, Mass., Sept. 29, — 1779; came to Poultney with his father, May, 1782; helped to clear the farm (bounded by College street, from the bridge.across Poultney River to the Troy Conference build- ings, and thence to the river), and afterwards learned the chair and rake making business, and manufactured the same ‘ntil 1832, when he removed to Ohio, and d. Dec. 1, 1868, aged 89-years; he was respected by all that knew him. 3. Levi, 2d son of Abel, b. Sept. 30, 1781, at Lenox, Mass. ; he . came to Poultney with his father, 1782; some time after removed to Schroon, N. Y., and there m., where four child- ren were born; returned to Poultney bse 1816, where four others were born; in 1832, removed to Knox County, Ohio, where he d. in 1853. 4, Lydia, b. 1784, at Poultney; d. March 21, 1803. » 5. Clarissa, b. 1786, at Poultney, d.of malignant typhoid fever, _ March 20, 1803. Lydia and Clarissa were both buried in one grave. | - . 324 HISTORY OF POULTNEY, TD © 10. 1 12. 13. ' 14, . Sally, b. Aug. 24, 1788; m. Wm. Pond; d. in Schroon, 1915," . Ira, 3d son of Abel, b. in Poultney, July, 1790; d. Feb. 15, 1813, with “cold plague.” . Abel, Jr., 4th son of Abel, b. Aug. 7, 1792; tempved to Knox Counts: Ohio; d. Dee: 14, 1843, » Harvey Curtis, 5th son of Abel, b. Feb. 28, 1794; m. Marian Turpin, Oct. 24, 1819. Was captain in the militia and con- stable of the town; he was possessed of a kind heart and - generous disposition. Of all the Ponds born in the town— 60 in number—he only remained to live and die in the town of his nativity! not one bearing the name now living iu Poultney—a daughter, Mrs. R. H. Green, the only one sur- viving. Eunice O., b. Aug. 1, 1797; 'm. Peter Eighmy, and now - (1875) living at Spring, Crawford County, Pa. . Joel Andrus, 6th son of Abel, m. Abigail Willis, of Hampton, 8 N..Y.; he is now living at Steuben, Crawford County; Pa, Electa, b. April 24, 1809; d. July 24, 1844—-unmarried. - ° Chauncy- Barnes, 7th son of Abel, b. Rent? 28,1811; removed to Pearl Creek, N. Y. Jairus, 8th son of Abel, b. 1813; d. March 6, 1814, _ Childs en of Major Asahel Pond: om «Monson, b. Nov. 4, 17935 m. Esther R. Fuller; d. Oct. 1, 1871, at Belmond, Iowa. . Dan, 2d son of Major Asahel, b. April 30, 1795; a phyeuietl and surgeon of note, located at Granville, N. Y.; afterwards removed to Illinois, where be died, Oct. 17, 1873. - Phillip, 3d son of Major Asahel, b. Oct. 12, 1796; m. Julia ; Ransom, of Poultney; was a Colonel of the militia, and a deputy sheriff; removed to. Castleton, where he d., Oct. 10, 1873. He.was an active, genial and useful sitizen: - Hiram, 4th son of Major Asahel, b. De 25, 1798; .d. Ang: 30, 1873. Louisa, b. Sept. 27, 1800; m. 1. Solomon Farwell, Castleton$ . Angeline, b. June 25, 1802; m. Silas Pond; removed to Panton, Vt. HISTORY OF POULTNEY. | 825 7. Zetima, b. May 29, 1804; m. ‘Archibald Dewey; resides at Kingsbury, N. Y. 8. Asahel, Jr., 5th son of Major Asahel, b. May 20, 1807; m. Calista Hariwell; removed to Castleton, resides on the bank of Lake Bomoseen, 9. Eveline, b. Dee, 7, 1809; m. Abel Thernton, of ‘Castleton, and d. 1869. 10. Perlina, b. 1811; m. John Mason, of Castleton, and ‘a. May 26, 1843,. : Louisa, Zelima and Perlina all married the same es ve at one ceremony, December 2, 1830, at the old homestead on Pond Hill—a. spectacle not often witnessed, especially in these degen- erate days of one or two children in an entire family. : 9th Generution—Children of Stephen Pond: 1. Daniel Streator, Ist. son of Stephen: Pond, b. June 29, 1805; m. Clarissa W. Ashley, daughter of Zebulon Ashley, of Poultney, now residing (1875) at Rochester Depot, Ohio; 2. Stephen, Jr., b. July 11, 1808; m. Abyah euaiale of Wind: fe Ohio,. ristiien at New essences I: 3. Betsey, b. Aug. 11, 1812; m Ceci Foster, of Windham, Ohio, now residing at petese Medina County, Ohio. _ ss 4, Harris, b. Oct. 14, 1814; d. Dec. 21, ‘1814. . ie oo 5. Harvey Curtis, b. April 9, 1816; d. Feb., 1818. — 6. Jairus, b. Feb. 16, 1818; d. Nov. 15, 1872, at New. eae Huron County, Ohio; danmeetedl 7, Ann Eliza, b. March 18, 1820; d. Aug, 31, 1822. ‘ 8. Eliza, b. Fine. 4, 1822; m. Josiah H Coats; d. March 29, ‘1867, at. Rochester. Depot, Ohio. . Bethiah, b. Dec. 6, 1824; d. Feb. 18, 1825. - 10. Lucy, b. June 21, 1826; m. A. J. Pardee, of Windham, 0, 11. Harriet Ana, b. Aisrewities 22, 1829; m. William B. Messen- ger, of Windham, Portage County, Ohio; he died at Chat- — tanooga, Tennessee, in the United States service. - ve) All of Stephen’s children were born in Poultuey, Vt. The compiler of this article is under great obligation to Daniel 3S. Pond, for many-of the facts here related, he having devoted ’ “326 - ' HISTORY OF POULTNEY. - much time labor and expense in gathering the materials for a ” “Genealogical Record of, the Pond Family,’ “ Connecticut” branch. ’ Children of Levi Pond: 1: Abel, November 28, 1808; 2 Luemma, Tie 1810; 3. Emily, November 11, 1812; 4. Sally, March 7, 1815—all born at Schroon. “After rwards Levi removed to Poultney: especially the +6. Hiram Andrew Jackson, b. in a 31, 1817; _ how resides in Iowa.» — Bea a ; George Washington, b. in eeaieaest d. aged 5 nionths. au . Laura,-b.in Poultney, and died—no dates. Wiil'ain Henry; b. in ey: April °, 1827; died in the United States:service. ao nT ~ 9, Albert, b. December 12, 1829, at Hampton, N. Y., half mile ‘from old homestead in Vermont, just over the line. Children of Harvey Curtis Pond; son of Abel: / 1. Anna, born August 13, 1820, at Poultney; married Rufus H.. Green, July 23, 1837, stillsresides in East rape sole. f survivor of all of the name in Poultney. = 2 DeWitt Clinton, born March 29, 1824, at East Poultney: now ~~ resides (1878) at Hartford, ne dealer in books and stationery. * ° _ 8 Henry Clay, b. “April 16, 1833, at Poultney; died Pea oe 22, 1854. . *4 Harvey Curran, born March > 30, 1852; died at Baltimore, ‘April 23, 1875, in the United States’ service—Battery A, od Artillery. Children of Monson Pond, Ist son of Major Asahel: 1 Harriet, born March 29, 1823, at Poultney; died July, 1833. 2 Hiram, born December 26, 1825; died June 26, 13826. er 3°Josephine J. born Reptember § , 1828; married Hiram J.Craw- ford, of Ohio. ‘ 4 Sarah Alphonsine, born June 21, 1831, at Potiitien: married ‘Charles Saunders—now in California. 5 Mary F., born June 23, 1833; married Levi, L. Warren—now at Joliett, Ill. i ee HISTORY OF POULTNEY, . “827 a : Guinn Voxptank: born May 13, 1835, at Poultney -—now lives at Scott, Ogle County, Til. e Durlin Br: ayton, born July 23, 1837, at Poultney; ‘Was‘a cay alry soldier in the War of the Rebellion—now a merchant at ~ Belmond, Wright County y Towa. °% el ean? og 8 Clark Kendrick, born. June 13, 1850, at Poultiiey; enlisted in. Hlinois Calvary in the great Rebellion, and d. in ‘the service, Children of Phillip Pond, 3d son of Major Asohet: = 1: Horace Ransom, born in ‘Poultney, January 11, 1824, a physi- . cian; died at Sacramento City, Jalifor nia, Augnist 16, 1849, . greatly regretted, - : : 2 Mary Jane, born November 14, +1825, a at or married. Delos F. Herrick, September 30,. 1845,. resides at Troy, Bradford County, Pa. 8 Julia Ann, born December 29, 1827, at, Poultney; m. Charles ‘Sullivan Proctor, September 22, 1858; he reside at Castle- ‘ton, Vt. 4 Bushrod Washington, born at anes, neve 30, 1829; married Medora Grecnow, of Rutland, where they now re- ‘ ap, side. Martha Paulina, born at‘Castleton, sine 10, 1832. rere id “ K, Curtis, and died April 29, 1861. ae 6 Henry Asahel, born at Castleton, December 21, 18345 married "| Martha Lewis,. of Poultney, December’ 22, 1863—resides under-or near Bird Mountain, Castleton, Vt... 7 John Ransom, born in Poultney, November 22, 1837, and 4d. March 31, 1838. é ” Sr In closing the record of this, once, the most numerous of tho _ early settlers of this town, one can but reflect upon the insta- “bility. and mutability of all earthly things: Above we have'the record of over seventy-five persons of one family, sixty of whom were born in the town; and yet, in a period of about ninety _ years, not one léft bearing the name. Alas! ‘that. in the com- paratively short space of fifty years, such radical changes should occur. The “ everlasting hills” remain to gl: idden the vision of the returning visitor to his native town; but the familiar faces 4 928 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. that used to greet him—where are they? Many have gone “ Over the River” to that “undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveller ere returns,” while the few remaining are like “Angel’s visits, few and far between.” DrWirr'C. Porn, of Hartford, Conn. | 6a, Wiuttiam H.—Son of Rev. David Poor, iar as with Clara M. Poor, his sister, came to Poultney as students of T. C. A., in the Spring of 1848, and left in the Summer of 1849. Rey. Joshua Poor and Rey. David Poor, brothers, and original members of the Troy Conference, together with Ww. H. Poor, came to Poultney in the Summer of 1855, to assnme control of T, C. A. Rev. Joshua Poor, having secured a lease of the premises from the Troy Conference, he became proprietor and — directed the financial interests of the institution. David Poor | held the Stewardship; W. H. Poor was Principal. David and . 'W.H. left in the Summer of 1856, to take charge of a new in- ‘stitution in Jowa—new the fiyner Towa University. W. H. Poor returned to the Principalship of T. C. A. in the Fall of , 1860, and in November of that year married, Miss Louise, . daughter of Alanson Rice, of Poultney; she died April 26, 1875. He retired from T: C. A., together with Rev. J. Poor,. in the Spring of 1863, the lease of the building having been — ‘sold to Messrs. Newman and Knapp. Rev. J. Poor then left Poultney, and has since resided elsewhere. W.-H. Poor resides “here still. 7 - Presron.—The Prestons who have lived in Poultney,trace their ancestry to Connecticut. The first settlers of that name came from Litchfield, Conn., and were here as early as 1781. Wil- Jidm Preston was the common ancestor of those who settled in Poultney, and was an old man when he came here. He d. April 15, 1815, at the age of 99 years, 11 months, and 10 days; sup- p sed to have been the oldest man who ever-d. in Poultney. John, a son of William Preston, was b. in Connecticut, and game. here about the time his father did. John had eleven chil- dren: Susan, Mary, Deodama, Reuben, James, Orman, John — HISTORY OF POULTNEY. , 329 Mehitable, Betsey, William and Rachel: John, the father of this family, d. Feb. 9, 1851, at the age of 66.. Several of his children lived to a great age, and his son John is still. living in Middletown, at the age of 88 years; his wife Betsey (Hooker ) is also living, and is about’88 years old.. Feb. 21, 1873, they celebrated the 60th anniversary of their wedding. | Reuben, as elsewhere appears, m. two daughters of Ebenezer Frisbie, and» _is dead. William, 2d, a son of John and grand son of William, dst, had six children: “William 8., James E., Mary, Martha, . John and Sylvester C. William S. is m. and lives on the “ Wait | place,” in Ti nmouth ; James E. d. in the spring of 1874, and his sister Martha occupies the homestead. Mary and a C. are dead; John resides in Leicester, Yt," Prinv.x, Siinian— a of one oF three brothers who came to this country from Northumber land, England, about the year 1749, and settled in Newtown, Conn., where Sherman was b. in “May, 1781, When he was 10 years. old his father and family removed to the town of Sandgate, Vt., where he lived until 1812, ‘then removed to this town. He was twice m. ; Bis fir st wife, Mary Ann, was a daughter of Major Gilbert Biadley of Sunder- land, by whom he had two children, Betsey and Gilbert B. She ad. in 1806. His second wite was Patty Knapp, of , Ar- _ ington, by whom he had five childr en, all of whom except Gil- bert B. are dead. About the year 1808 he represented his town in the Legislature, a position that he was perhaps as well quali- fied to fill as any man in town; he -was Justice of: the Peace and Constable for several years. He never aspired to hold office; he was always a Whig in politics; never a member of any church, but always an Episcopalian in sentiment, and was one of the first to suggest the formation of an Episcopal society in this town, and by perseverance he, with others, succeeded in — doing it, and in a few years they were enabled to purchase a lot, build and pay for the substantial church edifice- known as St. John’s Church. He srrvived his whole family except the son - alluded to, and d. in Poultney in April, 1856. 42. : 330 HISTORY OF POULTNEY, Rany.— Joseph Rann ‘was b. in New Hampshire, in, 17524 came to Poultney in 1778, m. Olive, daughter of Nehemiah Howe, then the widow of Isaac Ashley. He had six children: Anta. Silbey, Salvator, Alpha, Arithusa and Lavina. Of the daughters, Anta m. John Page, Silbey m. Leonard Doughty, . Arithusa m. John Ransford, and Lavina m. Erastus Bigelow; all settled in Essex county, N. Y., and left a numerous posterity. Salvator m. Chloe, daughter of Elisha Scott, Feb. 8, 1819, and had eight children, four sons and four daughters: Four, two sons and two daughters, d. in childhood. | Charles A., the eldest son, was b. May 23, 1823, m. Sarah A., daughter of Warner Brown, Jan. 2, 1849, and had three children. One son and a daughther d. young. Torace Clarence, the oldest — and surviving son, was b. Jan. 16, 1850, and now resides in Poultney. Charles A. Rann served his country in the war of the rebellion, and represented the town of Poultney th 1863 and 64, ' Horace, the third son of Salvator and one of the two surviv- ing, m. Ellen S., a daughter of Dea. Thaddeus Terrill, late of Middletown, Sept. 28, 1858; has one daughter, Carrie Eliza, b. May, 1863. He now resides in Ogden, N. Y. Charlotte C., one of the two daughters of Salvator Rann, wie survived childhood, m. Zebediah Dewey Jan. 10, 1843; d. Oct. | 8, 1851, leaying four daughters. Carrie, the youngest daughter of Salvator, was b. Jan. 22, 1833; m. Joseplt Fuller Dec. 1872, and mow resides in Claren- don, Vt. There are six dusiientinns: of Salvator Ranr now living, viz: The son of Charles A., daughter of Horace, and the children of Zebediah and Charlotte C. Dewey. The names of Mr. Dewey’s ehildren are Lucia, who m. Ransom Hosford; she resides in Ogden, N. Y.; Elizabeth, m. Collamer Parsons and has three children, resides in Poultney; Charlotte C., m. Rollin Watkins, resides in Pawlet; and Carrie, m. Elw oe Gillet, resides inv Ogden, N. Y. The great-grandchildr en of Salvator Rann are: five—two children of Ransom Hosford, and three of Collamer, Parsons, HISTORY OF POULTNEY. - 331 Joseph Rann d. May 23, 1800. . “His death was caused by in- juries received from the running of his team when on the road to Troy He was buried with Masonic honors in the old cem- _etery at East Poultney. He served in the army during most of the time of the Revolutionary war, and was severely wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill, by a ball which he afterwards car- ried in his ankle to his grave. Some time after the battle of ' Bunker Hill’ he was taken. prisoner, and confined in a prison ship near New York for several months, and in:the time en- dured intense suffering from: cold and hunger. He attended. the Congregational church, and was a chorister in the first ehurch that was built. opposite the burial ground, while Mr. Hibbard officiated as pastor. Olive, the wife of Joseph, d. June 25, 1826. Salvator Rann d. Nov. 2, 1857;-Chloe, his wife, d. Jan. 31, 1867. ~ Reapine, ANDREW Jackson—Was born in Castleton in 1817, “went to live with Col. Bachelor, ‘at Poultney, in 1828, lived ~ with him six or seven years, and then began to give time at the trade of blacksmithing, with James Winchell. He m. Clarissa, a daughter of Henry Winchell, of Rutland; he was a brother of James Winchell. | After his marriage he went to Rutland; from thence to Castleton, and fr om there returned to Poultney, where he has since resided.. He has had three children: Julia, m. Ira Wright, of Whitehall, N..Y., and d. in April, 1864; the surviving two are sons, George dnd Frank, Ransom.—John Ransom came from Canaan, Ct., to ppliaee in 1781. His wife was Sarah Roberts Whitney. He died in Poultney, August, 1811, His wife died the following Decem- ber. Their children were: Lemuel, John and David. : Lemuel m. Betsey ‘Hickok, and resided in Castleton, Vt. ’ His children were: Sarah, Justus and Albert; the first two are deceased; Albert lives in Castleton. Sarah m. - - Stephens, and lived at Castleton; she left one daughter, now deceased. Justus had ‘four children: Charles, Ira Allen, Albert and Emma. _ Charles resides upon the old homestead, in Castleton; he never married. Ira Allen lives in Kalamazoo, Mich. Albert m. and ys he ~ - 832 “ HISTORY OF POULTNEY. — lives in Whitehall, N. Y. Emma m. Chandler Ellenwood, and resides at Saratoga, N. Y. Albeyt, son of Lemuel. m. Flotilla Pepper; they had two children, Frances and Albert, both liv- ing at Castleton. John, the second son of John senior, m. Rhoda Pierce, ot Poultney. Both died a number of years since. Their children were: John P., who d. about 1865; Julia, m. Philip Pond; Hi- ram, m. Ann Mason, of Castleton, and removed to Illinois, where both d.; it is supposed he has childven living in that State; Horace, d. at 11 years of age, by the kick of a *horse; Mary, m. Stephen Pierce, lives in Pennsylvania, a widow; Ste- phen, m., and lives in Ilinois; Van Ness, d. in Illinois, where he has children living. David, the youngest son of Jobn Ransom, senior, was born in 1779, and died in 1838. He m. Sybil Canfield, of Poultney, in 1800. Their children were: Sophia, b. Aug. 22, 1801, m.- Demmon Giddings, of Poultney; they had several children, whose names will be found in the notice of the Giddings fam- ily. Rachel, b. Oct. 15, 1803, lives on homestead, unmarried. Harriet, b. January, 1805; m. Josiah Lewis, of .Poultney; had two children; d. in February, 1873. Harry, b- Aug. 21, 1808; never shenisieal d. in June, 1870; he represented the town of Poultney, often held town offices, and was a reliable and worthy citizen. Sarah, b. Aug. 25, 1810; m. Isaac W. Hosford; had five children; d. in November, 1862. George, b- Sept. 9, 1813; never m.;. now living in Poultney. Laura, b. Aug. 30, 1816; m: William Fifield, lives im Jowa, and has two children living— Don and Clinton. Nelson, b. Sept. 11, 1819; m. Fanny Lewis, daughter of John Lewis, of Poultney; was Town Clerk severak years, and. d. Aug. 28, "1867, much lamented; left no children. Caroline, b. Oct. 5, 1821, unmarried, and lives in Poultney. There was another Ransom family among the early inhabi- _ tants of the town. There were Bryan, Stephen and Calvin N., sons of “Old Esquire Ransom,” who owned what was after- wards called the Dea. Noyes farm. ‘ Bryan became a prominent business man, and was in com- pany with Narvey D. Smith for a time in the mercantile busi- HISTORY OF POULTNEY, ; 333 ness. He built’ the house where Mrs. Franklin Goodrich now ‘lives. He was accidentally killed near West Rutland in 1818, He left two children—son and daughter; . both are now dead, leaving no children. Stephen, was twice m.; his second wife was Emily, daughter of Col. James Hooker; she is still living. . Stephen Ransom lived several years in Cambridge, N. Y., and a few years of tho latter part of his life in | Poultney, and died in the State of epn with bis sen. **' Calvin N. was a Congregational minister, | Ricuarps.—Zebulon Richards had two sons and four daugh- ters. Ile came to’Poultney in 1773, and settled where Michael Lynch now lives. John settled on the farm now occupied by P. Conner; and Daniel, on what was more recently known as the Joslin farm. “ John was. three times married; by his first wife (name not recollected), he had eight children: Jeremiah, Roswell, Simeon, Obadiah, Jerusha, Annah, Esther and David. For his second wife he m. Hannah Moses, by whom he had two children: John and Sally. For bis third wife he-m. widow Turpin, from Con- necticut, by whom he had one son: William Tryon, now living in Connecticut; a first-class mechanic. Roswell, only, of the sons, remained and ‘died in Poultney. He was twice m.; first wife was Abigail Maxim, by whom he had two sons: Salmon, -and Alanson; his second wife was Sally Finel, whom he sur- vived. He was a wheel-wright, and made some of the best wagons and carriages in the country; and when the infirmities of age disqualified bim for business, he went to live with his son, Salmon, and d. at the advanced age of 88. Salmon was b, in 1800; he learned the wagon making business of his father, and has been a manufacturer of carriages ever since; he is a worthy citizen, whose influence has always been on the side of good morals; in 1825 hem. Lucy Norton; they have had six children: Frank, Mary N., Lucy, Helen, Emily and Ella; three, only survive. Mary m. James Wood, and lives in Fairhaven} Lucey is unmarried, and Ella m. Albert F, Hackett, and resides 834 i MISTORY OF POULTNEY, ‘in East Poultney. Alanson, the second son of Roswell, is Methodist preacher, and is now living in Gerard, Mich, . Drucilla, daughter of Zebulon, m. Thomas Ashley. his locality. He d. at Gaines, i April, 1850; he left three chil- dren; one, William Oakley, is now a broker in New York; an- other, Henry Clay, is a civil engineer‘in Cineinnati, O.; and the third, Helen, married, and now is a widow, in Gaines. Ruggles, ‘Samuel—Is a farmer, and lived in Poultney until about 1844, when he ‘moved to Gaines, N. Y. Hem. Laura Lewis, and has five children living; Jost several. Charles C. Ruggles, who went out as captain of Co. I, 7th Vermont, died near New Orleans, July 24, 1862, wasason of Samuel. The names of the five living are Pauline, William Winthrop, Susan- nah, Frank and Mary; the three last named still reside in Gaines; Pauline resides about forty miles from Gaines, and William W., in Jersey City. Ruggles, Frederick—Has lived in Poultney from his birth; he has been a farmer by occupation, ard resided on his father’s homestead until 1864; now resides im East Poultney. He rep-. resented the town in the Legislature in the years 1855 and 1856, and has often held town offices; was one of the listers of the town for over twenty years, and has ever been regarded as 2 sensible and quiet citizen, He m. Emily Wood, a daughter of Samuel Wood, an old inhabitant of town, She d June 15, HISTORY OF POULTNEY, - 348 1872, after a long and distressing sickness; was confined to her bed about four years. Mr. Ruggles has had eight childrens four died in infancy; one son, Frank W., d. Jan. 11, 1859, at the age of 20; Marion E., Julia E. and Isabella, the three sur- _ Viaing, are all living at home, in Poultney, Ruggles, Francis Haynes—The youngest son of Seth Rug- gles, became a lawyer, and first settled in Fredonia, N.Y. Ho was a man of ability, and‘attained considerable eminence as 4 politician; im polities, he was a Whig anda Republican. He held the office of county judge in Chatauqua County, N. Y., State Senator and Canal Commissioner of the State of New York; while he held the latter office he resided at Alby any. He “was appointed toa consulship to Jamaica, in 1862, and died in ‘New York, while holding this position, in May, 1865. Me mar- ried Mary Adams, of Hampton; she and one daughter survive and now reside i in Corning, Steuben County, N.Y. Rveer HS, Joun—Son of Benjamin, was born in Hardwick | in 1776. He m. Sarah Jenks, of Boston, sister of Rev. “Wm. Jenks, D. D., and sister of the wife of Seth Ruggles. He moved to Poultney in the year 1802, was an inhabitant of this town several years, and d. in. Clarendon in 1839. They had _ thirteen children. Mary m. Rev. Jervis Gilbert, of Fairhaven, and d. in Chesterfield, N. Y., in 1826. Caroline C. m..J. Joslin. Harriet m. Jabez Ward. Rosaline d. unmarried. Marriette m,_ Andrew Richards, and after his decease m. Solomon. Morse. Sa- vah m. Amos Mainard. Seven d. in infancy: Mrs. Ruggles, ‘their mother, d. in Pennsylvania in 1869, in the 87th year of her age. _ Sarrorp, Dr. Jonas—Settled in Poultney several years prior to 1800, but precisely what year the writer. is. unable to state, ‘As a physician, he is remembered as one of the best, and he held a leading position as a citizen. He was an associate judge of Rutland County court in the years 1797, ’98, 799, 1800, and_ 1801. He built the house between the two villages, known as the Hopson house; -was married, had a family of seven children; ‘sold to Dr. Stephen Browason, in 1813, and moved to the State. ‘ \ B44 | HISTORY’ OF POULTNEY.. ‘of Ohio. Dr. Safford, when here, was one of the strong mett of the town and county. He was a brother of Jonathan Saf- ' ford, late of Pawlet, and of the wife of Samucl Lee, one of the early deacons of the Poultney Congregational Chureh; but ne information can be given of his descendants, if any there are now living. Sanrorp, Orrver—Was one of the early settlers of the town. His son Oliver was an early and prominent member of the Bap- tist Church, and for many years a deacon. Most of the San- ford family who lived in Poultney died or left the town many years ago. They were, for the most part, worthy and useful vitizens, but their descendants who survive are now mainly in other sections of the country. Harvey, one of the sons of Dea- con Oliver, lived in Poultney until near the close of his life. He succeeded his father in the homestead, which is the place now ocerpied by Bliss, in the north part of the town; mar- ried Lavina, daughter of Ezra Smith; moved to western New York about 18 years ago, and died there; his widow now lives in Fairhaven. SarrerLer, JAmEs—Was one of the earliest lawyers of Poult- ney, and the writer is informed. that he studied his profession with John Cooke, who was still earlier in practice here than Mr. Satterlee. There are those now living who remember Mr. Sat- terlee, and about the only information we can gain of him is, that he was a man of unusual ability, and fine personal appear- ance. Scorr.—Elisha Seott Came from Tolman, Cenn., to Poultney in the year 1804, and contracted to build the Baptist Church in ‘the east village. That edifice was built under his supervision ~ jn 1805. Mr. Scott was a Carpenter and builder, and in his ‘time was a workman of the first class. | When he took the job, he only intended to remain in Poultney until it was completed; but afterwards concluded to settle here permanently. His children were: Charles, Stephen, Elisha, George, Samuel, and three daughters, and one child who d. in infancy. One of the. HISTORY OF POULTNEY. ' B45 daughters m. Salvator Rann, and another Calvin Mallary. Charles d. in Granville in 1862, unmarried. Elisha is a me- chanic, and lives in Whitehall.« George is a farmer, and lives in St. George, Mich. Samuel d. in Poultney when a young - man. Stephen has been a tanner and currier, which business he followed in East Poultney until a few years since; he now fol- lows shoemaking and far ming. -Suerman, Otcorr—Was born in Barre, Vt. He came to Poultney Jan. 25, 1825, in company with Paul M. Ross, and the two, in company, set up the business of harness- -making in East Poultney, as will appear in the sketch of Mr. Ross. Mr. Sher- tnan moved to the west village in 1835, where he has since re- sided, and where he now enjoys the fruits of an industrious and frugal life. He has held the office of constable and collector, and other offices in the town, and always faithfully discharged the truste. Mr. Sherman m. Maria, a daughter of Philo Hos- ford, and had three children: Solon, Ann and Henrietta. Solon -m. Isabella Lyon, of Vernon, Michigan, and lived in that State several years. He returned to Poultney in October, 1872, where he now resides, on the farm lately owned by his grandfather, -Philo Hosford. He has had five children; four have died since - bis return from Michigan; one d. of canker rash in March, _ 1873; three, in August, 1873, within the space of three weeks’ time, of diphtheria; the surviving child is about one and one- half years old. Ann, the eldest daughter of Olcott Sherman, m. C.J. Petty, of Detroit. She d. Sept. 5, 1871. Henrietta m. Henry Clark, /sq., now of Rutland. Suirn, Jozt—Settled ‘in the east part of the town soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, He had a large family of. ‘children, of which the following names have been obtained: Sanford, Ithamar, Stephen, Hannah, Harvey, Asahel, Joel and Warren. Joel Smith, Sen., d. at the time of the epidemic, in "1813, as did his oldest son, Sanford. -The second son, Ithamar, married, settled in Gaines, N. Y., raised a family of children, and d. at that place. Capt. Sieghen Smith m. a daughter of James Frisbie, and resided in Poultney until his decease, which : 44 : : XS 346 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. occurred May 22, 1863. The children of Stephen Smith were: Wealthy, Asahel, Harris F., William H., Dennis A., Eliza Ly and Sylvia J.; the oldest d. young. Asahel Smith, eldest son -of Stephen, m. Louisa Griswold, of Castleton, and now resides in East Poultney; for several years he held the office of consta- ble of the town, and for some years was deputy sheriff, and has frequently held the offices of selectman and lister. Harris F. m. Jane Morgan and resides in the north part of the town. William H. m. Sarah Brown, of. Castleton, and resides in Prophetstown, Ill.; he has two children. Dennis A. m. @ daughter of John Farwell, and resides in this town. Hannah m. Rowley Beach, and d. many yearsago. Harvey m. a daughter of Gamaliel Waldo, of Middletown, moved to Gaines, N. Y., his wife d. there, and he m. a second time; he d. in the State of Illinois. - Asalel, the son of Joel, senior, m. Abigail Couch, of Castle- ton; he had several children: Isaac N., Caroline, Henry Bs Charlotte, Ann, and two who d. young. Asahel remained in ‘Poultney until about 1865, when he removed to Mazeppa, Minn., - where he now resides. None of his children now reside in Poultney. Caroline m. Daniel A. Ensign, who has been dead some years; she m. Josiah Willard, of Fairhaven, in the Fall of 1875, and removed to that place. Joel m. Charlotte Buckland, and now lives in Menton, Ohio; he had five children. Warren m. Electa Ames and was in the State of TEnois when last heard from. It is supposed by Isis friends that he is dead. Surru, Harvey Doverass—Was born in Pawlet, Vt., Nov. 9, 1789, being the youngest of fifteen children, and the twelfth son of Nathaniel Smith, Jr., who was born May 22, #729, and d/ Oct. 19, 1821; his father, Nathaniel Smith, was b. March 3, 1702 and d. 1776; bis father, Ebenezer Smith, was b. in 1676 and, d. Sept. 15, 1728; his father, Samuel Smith, was b. in 1640 and d. at Hadley, Mass ; his father, Rev. Henry Smith, came from England, an ordained minister, and was installed first pas- tor of the church in Wethersfield, Ct., in 1636, and d. in 1648. Harvey D. Smith survived his mother, who d. eleven days after ‘ HISTORY OF POULTNEY. ; 347 his birth, and he was adopted by his maternal grandmother, Mary Douglass, who with her husband, Dominie Douglass, re- sided at Shoreham, Vt; and he was nurtured there up to the age of 16, so kindly that he said he never knew the want of a mother’s care. At that age he went to Sudbury, Vt., where he | rerved three years as a clerk for. D. Sawyer, and for two years with the firm of.Thompson & Ashley, at Poultney, where,’ in 1811, he engaged in mercantile business for himself. ‘In Sep- tember 1812, he m. Harriet Murdock, daughter of Rev. James Murdock, of Martinsburgh, N. Y.; by her he had three chil- dren: Esther M., who m. Melville H. Thrall, of Gouverneur, N. Y.; James M., now of Buffalo, N. Y., and Louisa L., now de- ceased, who m. Charles Anthony, Esq., of Gouverneur, N. Y. His wife d. February,. 1819. January 22, 1822, he m. Mary Haven Preston, of apart Vt. During his residence in Poultney he held various offices of trust, as town clerk, and justice of the peace, and was twice chosen to the Vermont Legislature. He removed, in the winter of 1824, - with his family, to Gouverneur, N. Y., where he resided till his death, on the 28th day of September, 1864, in the 75th year of his age. One who knew Harvey D. Smith well, after he took up his residence in Gouverneur, has said of him: “His modest, - truthful, self-reliant demeanor, soon gained him a place in the hearts of strangers, and he was happy in identifying himself with the interests of town and county; and public trusts were tendered and quietly accepted, and faithfully discharged; the oftice of town clerk he held for the greater part of his life, and was elected justice of the peace in 1827, and held that office, by © election, until his death, a period of thirty-seven years. In 1829 he was member of the Assembly of New York, and super- visor of his town from 1827 to 1837, except one year; in 1858 he was elected special county judge, and in 1858, surrogate of | St. Lawrence County. All these offices he distinguished by the sensible and wseful manner in which he discharged their duties. His mind was logical, and he was a profound lawyer, without appearing to know it. "His mind was remarkable for quickness and clearness of perception, his judgment sound and well bal- 348 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. | ' anced, his affections ardent and controlling; in alJ, a man of the greatest simplicity, he at a glance saw the fitness of things and acted accordingly. Those able to judge of men have said of: him, that without being admitted to the bar, he was the best lawyer of hisday; and as a court, administered law equal to judges of the highest reputation. He was a just man, of the highest religious principles, and it was said of him that he was modeled after the pattern of Him who embodied the immutable principles of Righteousness and truth; and all along his useful life he was known as “The Peace Maker.” [Contributed by I. W. T.] SmirH, NATHANIEL ann J amEs—Brothers, came to Poultney before the Revolutionary War, and settled in the north part of the town. Nathaniel was a surveyor; he d. about the beginning of the present century. James lived many years after his brother died; he had several children, among whom are remem- bered, Daniel, Bliss and Peter. Daniel and Peter both m. daughters of Stephen Maranville. Daniel had several children: Louis, m. Arila Lewis; after his decease m. Moses Gorham. Joanna m. Buel Gorham. Stephen m. Tila Manley, moved to the State of Illinois, and has been ‘reported wealthy. James m. Fanny Manning; he d. near the Hosford crossing a few years since; she survives. Harry settled in Castleton. Bliss followed his uncle Bliss to Stillwater, N. Y. Almira and Polly married Kelloggs, living in Castleton. Chauncy m. @ daughter of Eliakim Doolittle; d. in Poultney; his widow still lives in town. Bliss, the second named son of James, left town, and but little is known of him; Peter and his wife both died of. small pox, leaving no children. Surru, Esenrzer—Came to Poultney the latter part of the last century. He built the house now occupied by Joseph: — Wade, on Beaman street, Hved and died there. He had three daughters, and one of them, as before appears, became the wife of William Miller. Another daughter, Electa, m. Adna Noble, and-had two children; one m. David Lewis, the other, Heman HISTORY OF POULTNEY. * 849 Chaffee. -Aurilla, the third daughter of Ebenezor Smith, m. an Edson, the father of Melzer Edson, of Rutland. | Smrru, Revpen—Was born in Pittsford; m. Matilda Cooper, of the same town, After their marriage they lived in northern New York for a little time, then in Brandon, Vt., for about 15 years; in Castleton about one year, and from hove moved to. Poultney, about 25 years ago. They had seven children: Al len, Lois, Morris, Mary, Caroline and Dennis; the other died young. Mr, Smith d. in Poultney; has been:dead about seven _ years; his widow is still living. Allen, the eldest son, lives in Michigan; Lois m. Joseph Cornish, and is now his widow; Morris m. Myra Mallary, and lives in Middletown; Mary is mar- ried, and lives in Sioux City, Iowa; Caroline m. John Moody and lives in Rutland; Dennis m. Amanda Gilman—she d. and ‘the m. for a second , wife Arabella ‘Hodgkins; they reside in Poultney, . ' Surru, AnpREw J.—Was b. in Brandon Nov. 21, 1828. He was a son of John and Betsey Smith, late ef Brandon. He: came to Poultney about 1850, and m. Lydia E. Gowey, daugh- ter of Peter and Lucy Gowey, June 16, 1851; Lydia E. was. b.-. , dug. 15, 1828. They have had three children: Maria, b. Sept. 19, 1854—d. in infancy; Melinda, C., b. May 31, 1857; Ellew M., b. Sept. 30, 1858. Mr. Smith has been employed in the Ruggles foundry as a machinist, and is noted for his industri ious: habits. Smirn, Horacr—(Son of a Methodist preacher) was born in South Granville, N. Y., Feb, 1st, 1825. Married Calista J. Babcock, of Ft. Ann lene was b. Sept. 26, 1824), June 2, 1847, by whom he had two children: Flora C., who recéived her edu- cation at Ripley Female Coilege, in Poultney, and is now teach- ing in Elizabethtown, N. J.; and Fred D., who is clerk in a dry’ goods store, in Troy. Mr. Smith moved to.Poultney in April, 1868, and has been engaged most of the time in the potato - trade. His influence is in favor of good order. His wife. and children are active members of the Baptiss © Church, The world is the hetter for their being in it. : 850 ‘HISTORY OF POULTNEY. ' Scripver, Psrrr—Was a resident of the town as, early ag 1797. He owned what is now the town farm, located in Hamp- shire Hollow; he was a substantial, well-to-do farmer. He was twice m., and had by his first wife a family of several chil- dren. A son, Reuben, m. Laura Mears, and moved from Poult- ney many years ago. Charity, a daughter, m. Sherebiah Evans and went to some place West. William Henry Harrison Scrib- ner, another son ‘of Peter, was a resident of Poultney until gbaut 1865, and lived on the Todd place, a half mile east of ‘East Poultney. He m. a Miss Smith, of West Rutland, who d. since Mr. Seribner removed from Poultney; he is agam m and — lives i in Castleton. Grove S., a son of Mr. Scribner, held an of- fice in one of the companies of Vermont sharp shooters, in the War of the Rebellion. There were several other children whose names we are unable to give. Peter Ser ibner d. July 2 28, 1856, at the age of 87. . SpauLpine, Jutrus—Removed from Middletown to Poultney in the Spring of 1841. _ He was a deacon of the Middletown Congregational Charch when he removed from there. He has, ° been twice married; his first wife was Betsey Copeland, of Mid-, dletown; ‘she d. Feb..3, 1865. For his second wife he m. the widow of Arch. Herrick, with whom he now resides, on the west part of the Guernsey farm, east of the east village. His children were: Edwin Clement, Fanny C., Mary Elizabeth, Moses Jay and Jessie. Edwin C. is now an editor in Lake City, Miecb.; Fanny C. d from a blow frem an ax, March 29, 1851. Spauk pine, Loomis C.—Has been a. resident of Poultney. about twelve years. He bought the Brown farm, located about two miles north of the village, where he has resided. It was on this farm that several slate quarries were ‘developed, which are mentioned in the chapter on that subject. My, Spalding has been twice married; his fir st wife was a daughter of P. M. Harrington, of Middletown; his second wife was Fanny Swal- oe he has had two children by the second wife. - Sprague, Danrer—Was b. in the State of Connecticut, Nov. 4, 1769. He was by trade, a blacksmith, which trade he learned ee HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 53t of Thomas Maxon, of Salisbury, Ct., whose daughter, Hannah, he afterwards married, and who-was the mother of his children, We moved to Poultney as early as 1798, and settled in the west village, at the place now occupied by the widow of John Lewis, and carried on blacksmithing as long as he wasin business. His children were: Isaac Newton, Norman, Chauncy, Mary Ann, - Harriet, Julia Ann, ee Washington and one other; name not given, i : - Daniel:Sprague was one of the substantial men of his time; was one of the early postinasters of the town, and held other important positions. He d. June 2, 1853; his wife d. Dec. 20, 1858. - “ Isaac Newton, the eidest son, graduated at Middlebury Col- lege, entered the ministry, and has had a leading position in his denomination (Presbyterian). He is a fine speaker, and been. noted as a superior elocutionist. Ie was pastor of a church in Bona many years, and now resides in Geneseo, N. Y. » Norman left home when a young man, and was never heard of after; it is supposed that he died, a ae . Chauncy was drowned when about 5 years old. } Mary Ann m, Judge Pen: F. Witherel; she died of cholera, — in 1832. Harriet m. ‘Henry Stanley; ske d. March 10, 1844, at ei age of 45. Julia: Ann m. Oliver M,. hes and is now ving: in Detroit, Mich. George W., the youngest, was twice married; his first -wifo was Charletie, Sprague, a cousin; had two children by her: Louisa and Caroline; both d. young. For his second wife. ho m. Lucy Ann Potter, of Wells. The children from this mar- tiage were: Dan P. and: Julia Hyde (twins), Anna Maxon, George Henry and Caroline Rebecca (twins), William Wheeler and Harriet S. Dan P. is married, has three children, and lives in Texas. Julia H. m. C. W. Knapp, and resides in Poult ney; she has three children. Anna m. H. C. Hopson, and lives in Detroit; she bad two children who d.in infancy. Geo. H. m. Carrie Cable, and lives in Greenfield, Mich.; she had one \ ‘ , 852 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. child who d. in infancy. William W. lives in Detroit, unmat- ried. Henrietta S. m. Silas W. Bullock, lives in Detroit, and has two children. George W. removed from Poultney to De- troit in 1863; was in active business there until near the time of his death, which occurred Dec. 28, 1867. His widow is still living. fe 13 ms Srantey.—Hon. John Stanley removed from Canaan, Ct. to Poultney in the Fall of 1791, accompanied by his father and mother and three chiidren. He was a merchant in Connecticut, and brought his goods with him; moved into a house standing on the site of the brick house now occupied by Jonas Clark, opened his store in one part and lived with his family in the other. About 1794 he purchased the property where now the | Beaman hotel stands, and moved into a one-story house that. ' then stood there, and erected a building for a store directly op-. posite, on the south side of Main street; subsequently he re- moved the old house and erected a two-story building, which - comprises a part of the Beaman hotel building, and in 1805, or 1806, opened a public house. In 1808 he sold out’ the public house, and moved back to the.old house he first occupied, and there, in 1816, erected the brick house above named, where he resided until his death. About the time Mr. Stanley sold the public house, in 1808, he failed, and his mercantile business was suspended. He gave up all he bad to his creditors, and told them to take it in satisfaction of his debts, as far as it would ZO. Dr. Dewey, about this time, had invented his shearing machine, elsewhere mentioned, and Mr. Stanley commenced the manufac- | ture of the machines, in which he was successfal, and paid alt his old debts, with interest. A common remark at that time — was, “John Stanley is an honest man.” . Mr, Stanley’s business in the manufacture of shearing machines, and his other business subsequent to his, failure, will sufficiently appear, perhaps, in the latter part of chapter 10. Mr. Stanley was elected judge of Probate Court for the district of Fairhaven, in 1824, which of- ‘fice he held by repeated elections, until 1829; during the same time Almon Warner was register. Those who. knew J udge * HISTORY OF POULTNEY. | 853 Stanley have ever spoken of him as a model of integrity. In this respect he doubtless furnished in himself one of the best examples the town has had. He was devoted to the public in- terests; he gave the land on which the first Methodist (Stone) Church was built and, superintended the building. He gave the ground for the old cemetery on Beaman street. He always was an attendant upon the M. E. Charch, and, with his wife be: | came a member some years before his death. The early enter- prises of the town, as the first post office, the turnpike, the line of stages and other enterprises found in him an efficient advo- cate and supporter. As-a business man he was enterprising, - ‘and delighted in success as that promoted the public interests. He lived long enough to see fir mly established the Tr oy Con- far ence Academy, and the Poultney bank; institutions which he gave all the aid in their establishment his declining years’ would permit. The children of John Stanley were: Ruth, George and Sophronia, b. im Connecticut, and John, ‘Sarah, Henry and Myron N., b. in Poultney. pee _ Ruth m, Rollin C. Mollacr’ George d. young, aha Se chrodia d. in Poultney, unmarried.. John Stanley, Jr., d. in Baltimore; _ he was in business in that city for many years before his death. Sarah m. Daniel Mallary, Jr., and d. many years ago. Staniey, Henry—Was born Dec. 1795., Early in life he was actively engaged in business. In chapter 10 of this work apor-, tion of Mr, Stanley’s business history appears, and it was then intended to go more in detail into the same in a ‘biographical sketch, but having at this point used all the space allotted us in the beginning, we feel obliged to abridge as much as is consist- ent. The magnitude of the business built up in Poultney by Mr. Stanley, and its effect in bringing into existence other busi- ness interests, and thereby building up the town, we hope are sufficiently shown in the chapter above referr ed to, and by what incidentally appears elsewhere. Bus:ness cr ities might discover in Mr. Stanley’s career a want of caution, but they would ‘nev- ertheless find in him an intensely active man, enterprising, lib- eral, gener ous to a fault, and ardently devoted to the public in- terests. He erected the Ruggles foundr y buildings, what is 45° 354 : HISTORY OF POULTNEY. now known as the Poultney House, and the dwelling house now owned and occupied by Dea. Joslin. He was very active and. contributed largely of his means in establishing the Troy Con- ference Academy; he was the leading man in procuring the ‘charter for the Poultney bank; he did an important work in grading the streets and almost at his own expense; he was ever ready to lend a helping hand in any worthy public enterprise. His large business was closed up in 1842, or about that time, but he remained here a few years after, and long enough to or- iginate the scheme of building the Rutland and Washington rail- road. He was a member of the Vermont Senate in 1847-8, and sometimes held town offices when he could be prevailed on to ac- cept them. He now resides in Brooklyn, N. Y., and is 80 years old. He should be remembered as one of the best and most useful citizens the town has had. Myron N. Stanley now resides in New York. Srevens, Barnum—Married Sophronia Manning; he and his wife are both dead. They had four daughters and two. sons. Jenks B., the oldest, enlisted in tho War of 1861, and d. while in the service of his country; his remains were brought to Poultney and interred in the new cemetery. Don, the other son, is still living. Of the daughters, Susan m. James M. Dewey, who now resides in Fairhaven; Fainy m. Proctor Swallow, and lives in Poultney; Ursula and Rosaline R. live in this town, 1mmarried, and are worthy members of the Baptist Church. Each returning season they decorate with flowers the . grave of their lost brother; an example worthy of imitation. Tuompson.—David Thompson came from Goshen, Comn., to Poultney in the latter part of the last century with his family. He had two sons, Amos and Jesse, and several daughters. His ‘daughter Lucy m, Timothy Crittenden; Esther m. Rev. Clark Kendrick; Hannah m. Elkanah Ashley, and after his decease, Elisha Ashley; and of two (names net given), one m. Ezekiel Buel, another m. David Hurlburt; Olive d., unmarried. Amos, the elder son was twice m.; he first m. Dotha— Brace, by whom he had six children: four sons and two daugh- HISTORY OF POULTNEY., © 855 ters. Horace was in the War of 1812, and severely wounded in the battle of Plattsburg. He afterwards studied medicine, - acquired a good reputation as a physician, and d. in early life in Philadelphia. Norman m. Seraph Ruggles, became a suc- cessful merchant in Georgia, left there before the War of the Rebellion, and d. in Roxford, Il, in 1874. Amos, Jr., married - and went into business in Boston, where‘he still resides. Albert ‘m. a Miss Manning and moved to some place West. Eliza m. . Dr. Lockwood and resides in the State of Illinois. Dotha, the youngest of the six children, m. Simeon Mears and now resides in Chicago. Judge Thompson, for his second wife, m. Nancy Christy, by whom he had two children: James E. and Horace. Both of these sons went to Georgia and accumulated considera- able property, and just before the War of 1861, closed up their business there and went to St. Paul, Minn., where they com- menced a banking business. James E. is dead; Horace is still in business at St. Paul. Hon. Amos Thompson was a leading man in the town many years. He represented the town in the years 1804, °05, ’06, 07, 708, °13, 714 and 16; he was one of the _ Assistant Judges of Rutland County Court for eleven years, commencing with 1809, and Chief Judge of the same Court in - the 1821-4, He was a popular man with the people;-and withal a good and useful man in society. He d. Jan. 1, 1849. Jesse Thompson, the second son of David, m. Huldah Rich- ards, and had seven children: Frederick, Franklin, Emily, Lor- riston, Huldah, Laura, and Abigail. Frederick m. Eunice Horr, and had two children: Lorriston E. and Stilman K. Lor- riston E. m. Harriet Crittenden, and has two children; he is in the mercantile business in Poultney. Stilman K. m. Mercy - Frisbie; he is a dentist, and now resides in Greeley, Colorado. ‘Franklin, the second son of Jesse, m, Louisa Gowey, and had - one child, John, who d. Aug. 21, 1875, at the age of 31. Em- ily, the eldest daughter of Jesse, m. George Stewart, and d. in the Spring of 1874, leaving three children. Lorriston, the third son of Jesse, has been twice married; he resides in Anso- nia, Ct. Huldah m, Andrew Martin, and lives in Malone, N.- 356 UISTORY OF POULTNEY. Y.; she has five children. Laura m. Lemuel Harvey, and d. at Ft. Edward, N. Y., about 20 years ago. Abigail m. Sam- uel Stewart, and d. in Chataqnayy N. Y. Jesse Thompson d. Jan. 1, 1843, at the age of 73, ‘Frederick and Franklin Thompson and Lorriston E. still re- side in Poultney. . _ Topp, Tuomas.—Nearly all the knowledge we have been able to gain of Mr. Todd has already been given in different parts of this work. He was a pioneer in the woolen manufacturing in the town, and was an active, driving man in his business. He was in Poultney as early as 1795, and had a large business for his time for many years. He was twice married, and by his first wife raised a large family of children, none of whom are living here. His son, Alanson Todd, resided in Poultney until about the year 1865, when he went to Nebraska, but now resides Shoreham, Vt. Thomas Todd d. in Hampton, whither he went a few years before his death, to reside on the farm of his second wife. Turner, Mosrs.—Capt. Moses Turner was one of the early inhabitants of the town. He d. July 26, 1831. He was a well- ’ known and prominent citizen for many years, but whether any of his descendants are now living, and if so, where, ate ques- tions that cannot be answered by the writer. ; Waxp.—Hon. William Ward married Lucy Church, Dee. 11, 1763, and removed from New Marlboro to Poultney in Novem- ber, 1775, and settled in the upper part of Finel Hollow, where he resided until his death, and on the same farm since owned and occupied by his descendants. His biographer says of him: “ He was one of the early settlers, and ‘one of that sturdy band that resisted, step by step, and day by day, the progress of Burgoyne’s army, and participated in its capture. In the mean- time, his wife, unprotected and exposed to the ravages of the British soldiery, and their savage allies, fled to Bennington, , fifty miles through a wilderness, on foot with her chifdren, car- rying the youngest in her arms, and without a man to protect , HISTORY OF POULTNEY, 857 them; but reached Bennington and were safe. With others: they returned after the surrender of Burgoyne at Sartoga.. “Mr. Ward was a member of the convention which formed the Constitution of the State. He was one of the Judges of the County Court for the county of Rutland for six years; was the first Judge of the Probate Court of the District of Fairha-. ven, which office he held for twenty-twe years; he served as Justice of the Peace forty years; was the first Representative of the town, and had several successive elections. He made a public profession of religien more than fifty years, aud served “as deacon nearly forty years. His health was remarkably good ~—he was never confined to his bed an hour from sickness; never had a bone broken or dislocated; never took an emetic or vath- artic; he was never bled, nor did he ever lose a meal of victuals until the Friday. before his death.” - . ‘It may be added here that Sdos Ward was highly esteemed and respected as a citizen, and venerated as a Christian, and it was undoubtedly true of him “that he always performed the © ~ various duties assigned him, whether public or private, civil or religious, with perfect fidelity and integrity. He d. Aug. 3 41819, at the age of 76; his wife d. Jan, 6, ne at the great age of 98 Their children were: Bernard, b. Nov. 4, 1764,.m. Rachel Strong. Lucy, b, April 14, 1768, m. Philip Brookins. ‘Dexter, b. May 28, 1770, m. Hannah Stevens. Louisa, b, June 25, 1772, m. Maj. Asahel Pond. Abigail, b. July 26, 1774, m. William Cilley. William, b. Feb. 28, 1778, m. Anna Spencer. Elisha, b. July 30, 1780, m. Zelina Denzilo. Almira, b. Dec. 13, 1782, d. at the age of 4 years. ‘Lorenzo, b. July 11, 1785, m, Nabby Cleaveland. Orlando, b. June 24, 1787, m. Phebe ‘Wood. Sidna, b. May 20, 1789, m. Eliot Porter. ‘Charles, b. Jan, 3, 1792, m. Lydia King, The limits of this work will not allow the tracing out of all the descendants of William Ward. It appears above that his 358 : HISTORY OF POULTNEY. twelve children, with one exception, were married; most of them had families, and the descendants are ccattered about the ‘country. Ward, William—The third son and sixth child of William, Sen., succeeded to his father’s homestead, where he-resided un- til his death. He was a good citizen, and had the confidence of his townsmen. He was twice m.; his first wife was a daughter of John Spencer, of East Hartford, Ct., who d. Jan 3, 1819, at the age of 38; his second, Anna, widow of A. P. Hitchcock, of Granville, N. Y., he m. March 7, 1821. His children were: Elisha, b. June 20, 1804, m. Eliza Pease; Spencer, b. Jan. 7, 1806, m. widow Ann Rice; Atarah, b. April 15, 1808, d. in in- fancy; Atarah, b. Apr. 15, 1809, m. Spencer Cilley; William W., b. July 6, 1811, and lives in Cincinnati, O.; Charles, b. June 27, 1813, m. Sophia Sinclair Ama, b. Nov. 18, 1812, d. at Poult- ney, unmarried, Aug. 26 ,1839; Almira, b. June 3, 1818, m. Morgan Sacket; Fanny, b. May 28, 1823, d. at Silver Creek, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., unmarried, Aug. 22, 1845; Eliza, b. Jan. 23, 1825, m. Benjamin F. Farwell. William Ward, Jr., d. Oct. Oct. 11, 1850. Elisha Ward, the eldest of the elitanen of William, Jr., studied law, and for a short time was in practice in Poultney. He has often been called an “original genius,” and sach he was in the sense that term is used. Hem. Eliza, a daughter of Royal Pease, May 28, 1833, and removed to Chautaqua County, N. Y. He had five children’ Charles P. Ward succeeded to the old homestead, where he lived until bis death, which occurred December: - 1872. He left a widow and four children: Helen S., William _ §., Arthur and Ella., who now reside upon the Ward homestead: Chaanesy Ward, now living in Poultney,.is a son of Lorenzo Ward. Warp, Mosrs—Was born June 27, 1787, at Hebron, N. Y. He married Betsey Harrington, Feb. 22, 1810; his wife was b. near Cambridge, N. Y., Dec. 19, 1790. They had twelve chil- dren: : HISTORY OF POULTNEY. — 859 Almira, b. in Hartford, N. y, » April 10, 1811, d. Aug. 4, 1811. Willlats H., b. in Hartford, Nov. 9, 1812. = ‘Walter, b. in Danby, Vt., March 23, 1845. Ann Maria, b. in Maciptsh, N. Y., June 8, 1817, Hiram J., b. ia Hampton, Aug. 80, 1819, © James M., b. in Hampton, May 10, 1822. Benj. F., b. in Hampton, Aug. 4, 1824, David B., b. in Hampton, Sept. 14, 1826, d. Sept. 10, 1829. Solon L., b, in Hampton, Oct. 6, 1828, Martin B., b. iv Hampton, Dee. 4, 1830. ae _ Lyman 8., b. in Hampton, Jan. 18, 1834,.d. Dee. 27, 1861. Sarah J., b. in Hampton, Dea 4, 1836. Moses Ward held prominent positions in places where he lived. He moved from Hampton to Poultney over twenty years ago, and d. April 11, 1862. His widow d. in Poultney Nov. 7, 1875, and was nearly 85 years old. William H. now resides in Hartford, N. Y.; Walter in Gran- ville; Anna Maria in Hampton; Hiram in Granville; James in Titiois; Benj. F. in Poultney, and keeps a livery stable; Solon L. in Poultney, and is a dentist; Martin in Cherokee, Iowa, and Sarah in Afton, N.Y. Benjamin Ward, who resides in Poultney, is a son of John Ward, who was a brother of Moses Ward. Watson.—Capt. William Watson served seven years in the Revolutionary War—was an ardent friend of the Colonies; -he espoused their cause with a will, and no sacrifice seemed too great for him to make to promote their interests; and his un- compromising hatred to British rule was equally. prominent with his zeal for independence. He was the author of that celébrated toast, so often repeated since; it was given at a 4th of July celebration in Poultney, about 1810: ‘Tbe ene- _ mies of our Country; may they have cobweb breeches, porcu- pine saddle, a hard trotting horse, and an etarnal journey.” He was a man of a brilliant intellect, well educated, but unfor- tunately, in the Revolutionary Army, he acquired intemperate habits. He was never married, and in the latter part of ‘his 860 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. life seemed to transfer his affections and sympathy to a black and white dog, which was ‘his constant companion wherever he ap- peared, staff in hand, on the street. But, in process of time, Co- “mus died, as other dogs do. “Captain Bill,” as he was familiarly called, procured a box and buried him on the south side of the street, nearly, opposite the Congregational meeting hottse in East Poultney. At his ae he ereeted a slab with this inserip- tion: “Comus is dead! Good dog, well bred; Here he lies—enough said.” -Wetts.—Enos Wells, itis supposed, was the first man of the ‘name of Wells who settled in Poultney. He settled on what “was afterwards known as the Noyes farm, not long after the Revolutionary War. He died in the early part of the present century. , Wetis, Noan—Was b. in Colehester, Ct., and came from thence to Poultney about the year 1795, and went to live with Enos Wells, who was his uncles. Noah was then a young man, unmarried. In 1805 he bought the “hill farm,” as the family have since called it, situated in a southerly direction from the yillage, and the same farm on which are now the Gibson and Schenectady slate quarries, and now owned .by George Gib- son, About 1807 he married Lucy, daughter of John Brough- ton; he had three ehildren: Abba L., Anna R. and Pomeroy. He lived on this farm. until 1822, then purchased the “Sam Hyde” farm, moved onto that and resided there until his death, which oceurred May 27, 1828, at the age of 56 years. Lucy, his wife, d. Nov. 1, 1830, at the age of 41. Abba L. d. June 18, 1823, aged 16 years, | Anna R. m. Jonas Gibson, and d. May 27, 1882, at the age of 24, leaving two children, who 4. young. Wells, Pomeroy—Married Rebecea A., daughter of William Blossom, Aug. 30, 1834, and has had four children: Helen, m. George W. Gibson, son of Jonas Gibson, Sept 1i, 1861, and d. May 25, 1868, at the age of 32, leaving two sons: Edwin Welle, 6 b. Aug. 26, 1862; eHpery Potter, b. Dec. 12, 1866, History OF PouLTNEY. 361 now residing in Schenectady, N. Y. Charles §. b. Feb. 6, 1840, m. Anna E.j daughter of 8. P. Hooker, Sept 18, 1865; had one daughter, Helen Josephine; they are now anne in. Leroy, N.Y. : Edward Adelbert was arowald July 27, 1855, at the age of 10 years, while bathing in the Poultney river. S George H. b. June 14, 1848, m. Alice C., daughter of Suact Bull, Nov. 28,1871. She d. April 91,'1874, at the age of 21 years, leaving one child, Helen, b. Nov. 4, 1872. ~ Pomeroy Wells was born on the Wells hill farm, Dec. 3, 1810; and has resided on that and on the Hyde farm, later known ag ’ the Wells farm, all his life, with the exception of two meats 1834-5, when. he was in trade in Granville. After the foregoing was printed, the ffieida informed us that. - Helen, the wife of George W. Gibson, died May 25, 1869, in- stead of 1868, as above appears Wunsrer, Exisan D. Settled i in Poultney as early as 1795, and was one of the organic members of the Baptist Chirdh, and for many years a deacon of that church. He was twice m.; his second wife was a daughter of Calvin Mallary, As ap- “pears in another place, his daughter Laura m. Richard Jonesy she was a daughter of his ‘first wife. Of the children by his — second wife there were Mary, Caroline, William and Charles. Mary m. Reuben Hosford; she now resides on her father’s homestead, a widow. Caroline d., unmarried. William and Charles went west, and it is supposed are both dead. Dea. Webster was a worthy citizen, a man of sound and good judgment. Hed. July 17, 1828, at the age of 54. “Wuenrtrr. —John Wheeler was one of the early setelcas: of the town, and settled in Hampshire Hollow, and owned the first farm south of what is now the town farm. He d. at. an ad- vanced age, then living with his daughter, the wife of Calvin Hinman. The name Reuben Wheeler several times before ap- "pears. He was a man of considerable business capacity, and his business while in Poultney is sufficiently given elsewhere. Wheeler, Williaam—Was- bi in Bethlehem, Litchfield County, 46 . . 362 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. Conn., in November, 1796. His parents came to Poultney when he was an infant, but removed from Poultney to Onan- daga County, N. Y., in 1799. His father was drowned soon after while crossing Onandaga Lake, and he returned to Poult- ney to live with his grandfather, John Wheeler. When quite young he was apprenticed to his uncle, Reuben Wheeler, to learn the trade of ‘clothier. He had a good common school ed- ucation, and taught school several winters. For some time he _ was connected with Judge Stanley in the cloth-dressing busi- ness, and from about 1825 to 1829, he was in the mercantile business in East Poultney; then he was a clerk for Henry Stan- | dey in the foundry for some years. He was the inventor of a eurry-comb, which he.manufactured for awhile, and for some time engaged in the manufacture of candlesticks. In 1865 he received the appointment of Examiner of Patents, and removed to Washington, where he resided until 1867; went to Spring Valley, N. J., to live with his friends residing there, where he » d. Dec. 27, 1868. William Wheeler was twice m. In 1819 he m. Lydia Bab- cock, whe d. in 1852. By her he had five children, all of whom d. young. For his second wife he m. Sarah J. Allen, of Lansin-. burgh, N. Y., who survived him. Mr. Wheeler was an active member of the Congregational Church, fearless and frank in the the expression of his opinions on all moral questions, and always . a firm and persistent advocate of the temperance cause. Wuerxrur, Jonatuan R.—Was an early resident of the town. He was not of kin to either of the others above named. He — ',was a deacon of the Congregational Church-for several years, and a valued member of the church and EPELGIN he d. April. 27, 1837. Watkins, Boarpwerr—Came to Poultney in the latter part of the last century, and settled on the farm now owned and oc- cupiéd by John Driscoll, where he reared a family of twelve children: William; Rollin J., who m. Betsey Gorham; Laura, m. Dr. Tucker; Lucinda; ‘Hanes, m. Daniel Andrus; Eveline, LD. 1. Stephen Buckland; Alanson; Ahira; Alvin; Sarah; Anna, HISTORY OF POULTNEY. 363 and Samuel, all of whom are dead except Dea. Rollin J., an ex- vey man, now living in the east village. \ WItiaMs, Axsisan—Married Asenath Perrin and settled south jot East Poultney, on the farm now owned and occupied by Thomas Griffin, about the beginning of the present century. _ They had seven sons and one daughter: Ambrose, Abijah, Al- bemarl, Isaac, Amos, Cogswell and Josiah; the daughter, Eunice, _ m. George Davis, who lived and died in East Poultney. Wittiams, Wittiam R.—Was b. in Carasevou, Wales; in the year 1822; and emigrated to the United States in 1842. Hem, in 1849, Miss A na Rees; of New York City. They have tad seven children: Theodore, b. March 25, 1851, m. Fits 2, 1874, nae one child (Oriola), and is now one of the cates of the Troy Press. 3 Caradoc, b. June 2, 1851, d. Feb. 2, 1853. _ Emris, b. Dec. 19, 1853; he is now a le student at Poultney, Emily, b. Nov. 11, 1855. Victoria, b. Sept. 20, 1857. Jennie, b. Aug. 5, 1859, d. Aug. 6, 1859. Elizabeth, b. Nov. 11, 1860. Wiuams, Joun R.—(A brother of William R. r b. in Bangor, Wales, in 1824, emigrated to the United States in 1845, mar- ried Elizabeth Culver, of Newton, N. J. in 1849; his mite died ‘in 1857. Their children were: "Anna, b. June 10, 1850; married. John, b. Jan. 11, 1852, d. June 14, 1852. Louise, b. May 17, 1853. Jeremiah, b. Aug. 13, 1855, d. Sept. 6,'1855. Fred, b. Oet. 16, 1857. William R. and John R. Williams came to Poultney in 1866, and have since that time been in the business of quarrying and maunfacturing slate. They are of the firm of Williams Broth- ers & Co. and do an extensive business in the quarrying of slate, and manufacturing the same at their slate mill in Poult- ney. 864 HISTORY OF POULTNEY. » Watney, SoLomon— Was born in Canaan, Ct., Nov. 13; 1760.' He came to Poultney at an early day, and m. Mary Mar: shall, and settled about a mile north of East Poultney; his wife was b. Aug. 17, 1767, and d. Feb. 26, 1837. Their children were: Lucy, b. Nov. 11, 1786, and m,. Harvey Finel, as elsewhere appears. ~ Sally, b. Feb. 23, 1787, m. O. L. Angevine, whom she sur- vives, and now lives about a mile north of the west village, with her son, John. ; * Ichabod, the oldest son, b. in 1789, and d. in 1807. John, the second son, b. Sept. 1, 1791, m. Sally Hollenbeck, and d. a few years after, leaving no children. Solomon, Jun., b. June 4, 1793, m. Nancy Hurlburt (who d. beveral years ago); he now lives with his children in Iowa. Polly, b. May 22, 1796, 'm. Caleb Butler, moved west, and d. Chester, b. May 22, 1798, m. Ruth Crane, and d. August 6, 1845.00 ; Lydia, b. April 8, 1800, m. ey Mallary, and both d. sev- . eral years ago. Ruth, b. Sept. 22, 1804, m. and left town. Eliza, b. March4, 1807. She also passed away. Woop, Samvet—Was born Aug. 6, 1758, in the State of Con- necticut, and, it is supposed, in the town of Windham. He m: Margaret Morgan, Dec. 29, 1785; she was b. Sept. 20, 1762: They came to’ Poultney, it is supposed, before the year 1799. Their children were: Orvelin, b. Jan. 28, 1787, at Bennington; d: at Pawlet. Morgan, b. Dee. 6, 1788, at Bennington, went to the State of Ohio, and has resided there since, if living. Betsey, b. Jan. 11. 1791, at Bennington; d. at St. Johnsbury, not long since. “Samuel, b. Sept. 10, 1798, at Hebron, N. Y.; d. at Wells, about three years ago, Joseph, b. March 10, 1795, at Hebron, N. Y.; d. in rFoultaoy about 50 years ago. ‘HISTORY OF POULTNEY tee 365: Hiram, b Feb. 8, 1799, at Pealtuey d. in, Castleton shout 30 years ago. Julia, b. Feb. (24, 1802, d. at Gouverneur, N. Y,, about 20 _ years ago. » Benjamin F., b. August 29, 1804, at Potiney, and d. in : Poultney about 40 years ago. ! Emily, b. June 16, 1807; m. Frederick ven and d. June 45, 1872, leaving three children. Woopman, Samuzt—Was among the early: settlers: was & manufacturer of brown earthen-ware; his dwelling house stood. where A. E, Knapp now lives, and his pottery about where the dank building now stands. He had two sons and two daugh- ters: Samuel, junior, was a saddler- and harness-maker, and moved to the north part of the State. John m Thomas Todd's - daughter, by whom he had two sons: Charles and Archibald; "Charles is now living in Boston, and is reported wealthy. John — succeeded ‘his father in the business of the pottery: he and his wife.d. in Poultney. Aurilla m. Jobn P. Adams, and both d. at Hampton Corners. Lois, the other daughter, d. unmarried. © APPENDIX. TOWN REPRESENTATIVES. 1778 William Ward, 1779: William Ward, 1780 William Ward, 1781 Abisha Moseley, 1782 William Ward, 1783 William Ward, 1784 William Ward, 1785 William Ward, 1786 William Ward, 1787 Thomas Ashley, 1788 unknown 1789 James Brookins, . 1790 William Ward, 1791 Thomas Ashley, 1792-Thomas Ashley, 1793 Thomas Ashley, 1794 Isaac Hosford, 1795 Isaac. Hosford, 1796 Jonas Safford, 1797 William Ward, 1798 William Ward, 1799 William Ward, 1300 Thomas Ashley, 1801 Thomas Ashley, 1802 Timothy Crittenden, 1803 Timothy. Crittenden, 1804 Amos Thompson, 1805 Amos Thompson, 1806 Amos Thompson, 1807 Amos Thompson, 1808, Amos Thompson, 1809 John Stanley, 1810 John Stanley, 1811 Asahel Pond, 1812 Asahel Pond, 18138 Amos Thompson, 1814 Amos Thompson, -1815 John Stanley, 1816 1817 1818: 1819 1820 1821 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 "1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 41853 Aves Thompson, Joel Beaman, Joel Beaman,. Asahel Pond, Asahel Pond, Harvey D. Smith, Harvey D. Smith, John Ransom, John Ransom, Harris Hosford, Harris Hosford, Almen Warner, Almon Warner, Daniel Mallary, Joel Beaman, Joel Beaman, William L. Farnum, William L. Farnum, Almon Warner, Aimon Warner, Joel Beaman, . William L. Farnum, Amon Bailey, Amon Bailey,. Joel Beaman, William P. Noyes, William P. Noyes, Henry G. Neal, Henry G. Neal, Adin Kendrick, Adin Kendrick, Amon Bailey, Amon Bailey, Amon Bailey, © Joseph Joslin, John Lewis, Joseph Joslin, Joseph Joslin, 368 APPR DIX 1854 William L. Farnum, 1864 Charles A. Rann, 1855 Frederick Ruggles, 1865 Merritt Clark, 2856 Frederick Ruggles, 1866 Merritt Clark, 1857 John B. Beaman, | 1867 Barnes Frisbie, 3858 John B. Beaman, 1868 Barnes Frisbie, 1859 James Winchell, 1869 Barnes Frishie. 31860 James Winchell, BIENNIAL AFTER 1869, 1861 Harry Ransom, 3870-1 John B. Beaman, 1862 Harry Ransom, 1872-3 Barnes Frisbie, 1863 Charles A. Rann, _ 1874-5 Harvey Rowe. With the exception of one year (1788), the above list of Rep-. resentatives is complete. ‘Effort has been made to get a list of the Town Clerks and Selectmen, but we have failed to procure 4 full list. Our own records were burned, and the Seeretary of State has not a full record of the town officers. : : It before appears that Heber Allen was the first town clerk, and that Isaac Hosford was town clerk. (it is supposed about twenty years). Elisha Ashley held the offiee in 1813. Tlarvey D. Smith was elected in 1814, and held the eflice eleven years. Henry G.-Neal was first elected in 1827, and from thence held the office ten years in succession; he was elected in 3850, and held the office subsequent to that date several years. Amos Bliss was elected Town Clerk in 1841, and leld the office sever years. Stephen W. Dana, William P. Noyes, Almon Warner, Peter Farnam, Nelson Ransom, Barnes Frisbie, Edward Clark, and L, E. Thonspson have been town clerks. H.T. Hullis now Town Clerk. | -. 1 It may be proper briefly to notice here, as a matter of history, some business concerns that have grown up in the town which have not hitherto been brought out. , Fred W. Moseley and M. O. Stoddard, under the firm name of Moseley and Stoddard, have reeently built up in this village quite an extensive and apparently prosperous business in the man- . ufacture and sale of cheese factory apparatus and dairy furnish: ing goods. In 1878 they issued their first price list, and their establishment was the first of the kind in New England, and it - is supposed to be the only one now in existence. east. of Little Falls, N. Y. The associated dairy system, which is of recent origin, and which is being generally adopted by dairymen, has created the necessity of vats and, apparatus for factories and — creameries, and it is worthy of record that the. enterprise of Moseley & Stoddard established t: e first general supply depot of dairy furnishing goods in New England within the town of Poultney. - a, ES . \ , APPENDIX. B09 The history of the newspapers in Poultney was not com- pleted. Besides the Poultney Gazette and Northern Spectator may be added the Poultney Bulletin and Poultney Journal. _ The first number of the Poultney Bulletin was issued March 12, 1868; John Newman, D. D., editor, George C. Newman, assist- ant editor, and J. A. Morris, publisher. September, 1870, it was . sold to H. L. Stillson and William Haswell; Stillson sold to Haswell Aug. 12, 1871; Mr. Haswell continued the publication until November, 1873. In December, 1873, R. J. Humphrey | bought the Bulletin office, and on the 19th of December, 1873, the first number of the Poultney Journal was. issued by Frisbie & Humphrey, publishers, and B. Frisbie, editor. The publica- tion of the Journal has been since continued with a gradually increasing circulation.- A job printing office has been connected ‘with it, and the patronage of that has been on the increase, coming largely from adjacent towns. The Poultney History was printed in the Journal office. © Sate ‘ i ig 5 aoc: , , oe . . : ‘ \ a a ot Flea it ae aes