CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE DATE DUE INT^fiJ f&RAft¥ - ■trOAf^? HslTgELlB^ ^¥ OMl ntprlibr piry Loan PRINTCDiNU.S.A. Cornell University Library F 59D8 M28 + History of the town of Dummerston : the 3 1924 028 837 917 olin Overs The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://archive.org/details/cu31924028837917 L/yU^d^^t''*^^^ ^ -^^c^^/3. /•'5^'3^. ,^th^,' I. ■J? '"• ' ^ J --- r ■/iikyiy^z^ 'Oftdi Dyi^i^.:-^^-'^^ ^ j^ij^..j:. /^■/^^:^:t:::^ 0/.-^ t_„->l-., -ei.--* THE HISTORY /, OF THE TOWN OF DUMMERSTON, BY ^' SU^ /-^/.^ DAVID LUFKIN MANSFIELD. ^''("^^ ^ [from vol. v. of the VERMONT HISTORICAL GAZETTEER NOW IN PRESS.] [COPYEIGHTED.] The First Town Settled by Anglo Saxon descendants in the State. LUDLOW, VT. . PUBLISHED BY MISS A'. M. HEMENWAY. 1884. 1 e9±03B s Fi-oiri a painting by Dr John Wilson. al)oiit 1821, DUMMURSTON, BY DAVID wnm MANSFIELD, ■ He tkat is uot proua of His ancestors, either he has no ancestors to toe proud oT, or lie is a degenerate son, " THE FIRST VISIT OF WHITE MEN TO DUMMERSTON ' Was that of Col. Joseph Kellogg and his scouting party from Fort Dummer. They ascended Black Mountain, Nov.:30, I7'2l ; Col. Kellogg wrote in his journal at that time:: "The next scout I sent up ye West River Mountain, and there to Lodge on ye *qp and view Evening and jVIorning for smoaks, and thence up ye mountain at Great Falls and there also to Lodge on ye top and view morning and eve- ning for smoak ; but these making no discovery of any Enemy returned." Dummerston was a name originally applied to one of four tracts of land granted about 1713, by Massachu- setts to Connecticut as an equivalent for 197,793 acres of land granted by the for- mer to planters, and which upon deter- mining the boundary between the two governments were found to be within the jurisdiction of the latter. This tract containing 43.943 acres and in- cluding a portion of the present towns of Brattleboro, Dummerston, and Put- ney, was sold at auction, together with the other tracts, by order of the colony of Connecticut, April 24 and 25, 1716, and upon partition made, fell to Will- iam Dummer (afterwards Lieutenant Governor. ) Anthony Stoder (Stoddard) William Brattle and John White. Dummer being the oldest proprietor, the tract was called after him. On tl\e settlement of the judicial line between Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 1741, this tract fell within the limits of the government of New Hampshire which incoi-porated the whole into three townships, including in the middle township, the greatest part of the land belonging to the heirs of Wm. Dummer and Antony Stoder, and called the name of it Fullum. by virtue of which the privileges of a town are now held. The charter from New Hampshire, dated Dec. 26, 1753, was issued to Stoder and 56 others, and covered 19, 360 acres. The time to fulfil some of the conditions of the charter was extend- ed June 12, 1760, and again July 7, 1763. '■Hhlory vf New England' — Cooledge and Mansfield, 1860. — Town Record. iSTote: Anthony Stoddard, William Dummer and .John White, resided in Boston Mass. and Wm. Brattle in Cambridge ORIGINAL CHARTER OF DUMMERSTON. Through the kindness of O. E. Randall of Chesterfield, N. H., the representative of that town to the Legislature of that State, which met at Concord, June 4, 1879, we have obtain- ed a copy of the charter of Fullum. The original charter is recorded in VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZIxVE. the "Charter Record" Vol. 1 Page 185, ve'hich volume is kept in the offioe of the Secretary of State, for the State of New Hampshire, at Concord. PROVINCE. OP NEW HAMPSHIRE. **4li*^!f*^)tiifr*fiJ George the second ] ^ • * ^7 the grace of God, of •^' >^' t Great Britain, France A3lgii^.^j(fjj{.ijjf-j|ta6jl6- and Ireland. King, de- fender of the Faith, &c. To all Per- ,gons to whom these Presents shall come. Greeting : Know ye, that we of our special gi-ace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, for the encouragement of settling a New Plantation within our said Province, by and with the advice of our trusty and well-beloved Benning Wentworth, Esq., our Governor and Commander-in-chief of our said Prov- ince of New Hampshire, in New Eng- land, and of our Council of said Prov- ince, have upon the conditions and res- ervations hereinafter made, given and granted, and by these presents, for us our heirs and successors, do give and grant in equal shares unto our living subjects, inhabitants of our said Prov- ince of New Hampshire, and our other governments, and to their heirs and assigns forever, whose names are en- tered on this grant, to be divided to and amongst them into fifty-six shares (two of which shares to be laid out in one tract of the contents of eight hun- bred acres for His Excellency, Benning Wentworth, Esq., and in full for his two shares, which said tract is boun- ded Viz: Beginning at the North East Corner of this town, then ranningdown Connecticut River two hundred and for- ty rods, then West 10° North, till eight hundred acres are completed,) all that tract or parcel of land situate, ly- ing and being within our said Province of New Hampshire, containing by ad- measurment, nineteen thousand three hunded and sixty acres, which tract is to contain five and a half miles square and no more ; out of which an allow- ance is to be made for highways, and unimprovable lands, by rocks, ponds, mountains and rivers, one thousand and forty acres free, according, to a plan thereof, made and presented by our said Governor's order, and hereunto annex- ed, butted and bounded as follows, viz : Beginning at a stake and stone on the bank of Connecticut River, being the North East corner of Brattleborough and running West lO'' North on said Brattleborough to Marlboro East line, thence North 10° East on said Marl- borough to the line of Faine thence on the line of Faine East 10° South, five hun- dred rods, thence, northerly on said Faine four miles to a stake and stones, from thence east 10° South to Connec- ticut River, and from thence down said river to the boimd first mentioned, and that the same be, and hereby is incorp- erated into a township by the name of FuUum, and that the inhabitants that do or shall hereafter inhabit the said township, ai'e hereby declared to be en- franchised with and entitled to all and every of the privileges and immunities that other towns within our Province by law exercise and enjoy : And fur- ther, that the said town as soon as there shall be fifty families resident and settled thereon, shall have the libe,rty of holding two Fairs, one of which shall be held on the first Thursday in May annually, and the other on the first Thursday in September annually which Fairs are not to continue and be held longer than the respective Saturday fol- lowing the said respective Thursday, and that as soon as the said town shall consist of fifty families, a market shall be opened and kept one or more 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 fifteenth day of January next, which meeting shall be notified by Josiah WiUard, Esq. , who is hereby appointed the Moderator of the said first meeting which he is to notify and govern agree- able to the laws and customs of our said Province ; and that the annual meeting for ever hereafter for the choice of such officers for the said town, shall be on the first Tuesday of March, annually to have and to hold the said tract of land as above expressed together with all privileges and appurtenances, ♦,o DUMMERSTON. them and their respective heirs and as- signs forever, upon the following condi- tions, viz : I. That every grantee, his heirs or assigns shall plant or cultivate five acres of land within the term of five years, for every fifty acres contained in his or their share or proportion of land in said township, and continue to im- prove and settle the same by additional cultivations, on penalty of forfeiture of his grant or share in the said township and of its reverting to us, our heirs and successors, to be by us or them re- granted to such of our subjects as shall eifectually settle and cultivate the same. II. That all white and other pine trees within the said township, fit for Mast- ing our Royal Navy, be carefully pre- served for that use, aud none to be cut or felled without his Majesty's special license for so doing first had and ob- tained, upon the penalty of forfeiture of the right of such grantee, his heirs and assigns, to us, our heirs and suc- cessors, as well as being subject to the penalty of any act or acts of Parlia- ment that now are, or hereafter shall be enacted. III. That before any division of the said land be made to and among the grantees, a tract of land as near the centre of said township as the land will admit of, shall be -reserved and marked out for town lots, one of which shall be allotted to each grantee of the contents of one acre, IV. Yielding and paying therefor to us, our heirs and successors for the space of ten years, to be computed from the date hereof, the rent of one ear of Indian Corn only, on the first day of January, annually, if lawfully demand- ed the first payment to be made on the first day of January after the first of January next ensuing the date hereof. V. Every proprietor, settler or in- habitant, shall yield and pay unto us, our heirs and successors yearly, and every year forever, from and after the expiration of ten years from the date hereof, namely, on the first day of Jan- uary, which will be in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hun- dred and sixty four, one shilling pro- clamation money for every hundred a- cres he so owns, settles or posses.ses, and so in proportion for a greater or lesser tract of the said land ; which money shall be paid by the respective persons above said, their heirs or assigns, in our Council Chamber at Portsmouth, or to such officers as shall be appointed to re- ceive the same ; and this to be in lieu of aU other rents and services whatsoever. In testimony whereof we have caused the Seal of our said Province to be hereunto affiled. Witness — Beuning Wentworth, Esq., our Governor and Commander-in-Chief of our said Prov- ince, the twenty -sixth clay of December in the year of our Lord Christ, one thousand seven hundred and fifty three, and in the twenty-seventh year of our Reign. B. AVENTVirOHTH. By his Excellency's command, with advice of Council. THEODOKE ATKINSON, SECt'y. Entered and recorded according to the original, under the Province JSeal, this 27th day of December, 1753. NAMES OF THE GRANTEES OF FULLUM. Simeon Stodard, John Franklin, Anthony Stodard, Martha Holmes, Thomas Hubbard, Samuel Holebrook, Nathaniel Perkins, Thomas Brumfield, John Gushing, Samuel Watts, John Chandler, Joseph Royal, Benjamin Lowder, William Lowder, Solomon Willard, Daniel Oliver, Gillum Phil- lips, John Foy, John Foy, Jun., Ebenezer Field, Samuel Hunt, John Powel, Jeremiah Powel, Shrimpton Hutchinson, Eliakim Hutchinson, Hen- ry Liddle, William Hiitchinson, Rob- ert Jenkins, Thomas Amory, Nathan- iel Coffin, Jonas Mason, Thomas Seales, Nicholas Loreing, Benjamin Hallowell, Henry Bromfield, William Phillips, Samuel Freel, Richard Fos- ter, Robert Fletcher, Jun., David Nevins, James Minot, Jonathan Hub- bard, Elijah Alexander, John Summers, VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZIISTE. John Pierce, Daoiel Warner, Theo- dore Atkinson, Richard Wibird, Sam- wfil Solley, Meshech Wear. His EsceHeiicy, Beaning Wentworth, Esq. a tract of land to contain eight hundred acres, wJtich is to be account- ed two of the within mentioned shares, and laid out and bounded as within mentioned ; one whole share for the Incorporated Society for the Propaga- tion of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.; one whole share for the first settled minister of the gospel ;. in said town v one whole share for a Glebe for the minister of the Church of England, as- by Law Established ; also one whole share for Sampson Willard. Recorded from the back of the original Charter for Fullum the 27th. day of December 1753. PR. THKODORE ATKIKSON, SECT't. The Grantees, owing to Indian wars,^ as they claimed, could not fulfil the con- ditions of the charter ; hence, they ap- plied for an extension. Mr. Randall did not deem it necessary to copy the merely preliminary or terminal matter, but made the following extract from Extension of Charter : "Now know ye that we being willing to promote the end proposed, have of our farther grace and favour suspended our claims of the forfeitures which the said Grantees may have incurred, and by these presents do grant unto the said Grantees, their heirs and assigns the term of one year for performing and fulfilling the conditions, matters and things hj them to be done which term is to be renewed annually until his Maj- esrty's Plenary Instructions shall be re- ceived relative to the incident that has prevented a compliance with the charter according to the true intent and mean- ing thereof. Signed, sealed &c. by Benning Wentworth the 1 2th, of June 1760. Received pr. Theodore Atkinson, Sect'y, according to the original. June 12, 1760." DUMMEKSTON AS SURVEYED IN 1767. The plan of the town as surveyed by Isaac Miller, and Ebenezer Waters in 1767, is quite different from the one re- corded at the end of the charter on the Charter Book with the Secretary of the State of New Haanpshire. The west boundary line of the town as surveyed in 1 767, is a straight line. The plan of the town drawn on parchntent by Ebenezer Waters is stillin existence ; but the writ- ing has nearly faded out. By careful study, we have deciphered, or made out all but one or two words. It reads as^ follows : "This is a Piatt of 21,700 acres of Equivalent Lands, so called. Lying on and adjoining tlie West side of Connect- icut River and North of Haidens Land so called, and satid Equivalent Lands of Gov. Dummer and Anthony Stoddard Esq. deceased beginning at the N. E. corner of Brattleborough at a bass- wood tree marked standing on the bank f)f said River, From thence extending West d° 45 North 5 3-4 Miles and 47 rods to a Beech Tree marked on the West line of said Equivalent Lands from thence extending North 26° 25 East 6 3-4 Miles 18 1-4 rods on said West line to a small Hemlock Tree marked, Thence extending East 10°'25 South 6 3-4 mUes & 56 rods to a stake and stones Found! on the Bank of said River and from thence Extending southerly by said Riv- er on which it Bounds easterly to the Bounds as formerly said 15,600 acres of said Land was laid out in the months of Sept. & Oct. 1767, and 6100 acres laid out in the month of June — for all said Land was laid into 100 acre lots Excepting some slips that was not con- venient for lots, and these was also nxostly on corners — all was done in lots that could be by Isaac MiUer of Worces- ter &by Particular orders of Capt. John Stevens of Ashford, Conn, and Anthony Stoddard Esq. Surveyed. Per Ebenz. Waters." The Captain's name was barely leg- ible. The south line of Dummerston is now 7 miles long, and the width of the town about 5 miles. 61 lots, or 6100 acres, were sometime set off to Putney, leaving 15,600 acres. Adding 1400' DUMMERSTON. probably ouce a part of Marlboro, we have 17,000 acres, eras reported in the grandlist of 1880, 18,481 acres. The township was re-charted by Gov. Tryon in 1766. TOPOCiEAPHY or THE TOWN. Brookline and Putney bound Dum- merston on the N., Connecticut river on the E., Brattleboro on the S ., Marlboro and Newfane on the W. The surface is exceedingly diversified. There are many high hills and deep valleys. Most of the land is very productive, especially in the Connecticut river and the West river valleys ; and other portions are well adapted for grazing purposes. The principal forest trees are hemlock, pine, beech, birch, oak, ash, hickory and some chestnut. The sugar maple is abuudant, and the product of one of the largest orchards, in the best seasons, has been 3300 lbs. of maple sugar. In 1850, other products amounted to 1581 head of cattle valued at $50,000 ; 967 bush- els of rye were raised that year, also, 8639 bushels of oats ; 45066 lbs. of butter were made and 14550 lbs. of cheese. West river separates the town into two divisions called East and West Dum- merston . It flows southeasterly through the town and empties into the Connecti- cut at Brattleboro. The school districts are numbered from one to five in the west part, and from one to eight in the east. Two have been consolidated with the others leaving only eleven at the present day . The west village is located near the right bank of West river on a lowland plain running north and south. The principal buildings include a church, store, tavern, post-office, and saw and grist-miU. The thrifty farmers and mechanics occupy neat looking dwell- ings. The Brattleboro and Whitehall narrow gauge railroad is building past this village. (Written in 1879.) From this valley the hills rise gradu- ally till their summit is reached, in this town, four miles distant near Marlboro pond. From that point the hills over- look Black mountain which rises to a height of 1150 feet above the surface of West river into which flow the streams from this high range of hills. The largest stream is Allen's brook,-SO named from the circumstance that a Mr. Allen was killed by the Indians many years ago, and buried near its source at Marl- boro pond. They defeated the whites in a battle at Newfane, and Mr. Allen was one of the number pursued and killed. For long years a pine stump marked the spot where he was buried near the brook which received his name. Late years it has been called Stickney brook . On it are good water privileges , and within a few years, 4 saw-miUs were standing on its banks within the space of as many miles. Three are still in operation and one has been pulled down. Along the passes of this brook are very deep ravines. The most beautiful stream is "Furnace brook" on which is the "Cascade" made fam.ous and attractive to the passer-by on ac- count of its foaming, rushing and sparkling waters jumping, tossing and glittering in the falling rays of the sun, down over a high ledge of rocks shaded by over-hanging trees and bushes threat- ening to dash upon the traveler as he passes over the bridge under which it swiftly glides into the river below. Of the western range, Wicopee HiU is the most fam.ous. Years ago there was no other pathway up the West river valley from Brattleboro to Newfane ex- cept over this very steep hill, by marked trees ; and the traveler must have found it a hard road to travel. Black Mount- VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. ain is on the left bank of West river opposite the village of West Dummers- ton. It rises almost perpendicularly from the water 1150 feet and opens to the south in the form of a horsg-shoe, called " The Shoe of the Mountain." The appearance of the mountain as you pass along on the opposite bank of the river, is bold and majestic. Granite rocks are piled one upon another. Ever- green trees and stunted shrubbery poorly cover its surface and give it a dark and sombre hue. In the N. W. part of the town is a narrow defile made by the river. Along this narrow passway called " The vaUey of the shadow of death," is the road leading to Newfane. So steep and high are the hills and so nar- row the pass, that for two or three months of the winter the rays of the sun scarcely fall upon the road for a mile, any part of the day. Well may the traveler exclaim on his journeying over the hiUs in this town : "The hills ! the everlEisting hills ! How peerlessly they rise, Like earth's gigantic sentinels. Discoursing in the skies." Through the east part of the town passes the Vermont Valley Railroad along the Connecticut valley. The rail- road buildings include a passenger and freight depot. After leaving the rail- road station, about two miles distant across the meadows and plains is the village of Slab Hollow, not a very high sounding name, but a place of consider- able business, located on Salmon brook where there are good water privileges. The principal buildings are mills and shops, aside from the dwellings which together make quite a collection. One mile farther west is Dummerston Centre, a small village on an elevation of land that affords a delightful view of the long range of New Hampshire hiUs. No water-power is near and hence its for- mer prosperity has greatly declined. Here is where the first meeting-house was built more than a century ago. Here is where the first settlers met so often at the house of Enoch Cook to transact town business. The new meet- ing-house stands not far from' the site of the old church . The post-ofiice is located where Hosea Miller lived, who was one of fourteen to sign the first call for a settler's meeting Jan. 21, 1771. Business was once sufficient to keep open two stores, and the firm of Noyes, Mann & Hayes profited to the extent of $3,000 in one year. Litigants found employment for two lawyers ; and the old time schoolm.aster flourished his ruler over four-score and ten pupils. All is now changed. The number of school children has lessened one third. The old store is empty, the lawyers are starved out and only tillers of the soil remain. The range of hills through the central part of the town form a water- shed from which the streams flow in one direction to the West river, and in the opposite direction, easterly, to the Con- necticut. The principal streams on the eastern slope are Salmon brook and Canoe brook or Murder Hollow brook as it is called at the present day. The first name was given from the circum- stance that Alexander Kathan,one of the first settlers, found an Indian canoe in that stream. The other name was given from the fact of its being the scene of a murder committed near where it empties into the Connecticut. The victim was a peddler of silk dress-goods. His body was supposed to have been thrown into the river, as a trail from the place of violence was found leading across the sandy soil to the edge of the stream. The view from Prospect hill is always pleasing, and at this season of the year. DUMMERSTON- May 27th, when the fields and pastures are green with fresh grass, the forests clothed with new leaves and the fruit trees in full bloom, the surrey is truly delightful. Prospect is nearly 200 feet higher than the beautiful hill where the Central village stands below, and almost overlooks Black mountain on the south- west in the \Yest river valley. From its summit ten churches are visible in the several villages exposed to view. A part of the thriving village of Brattle- boro can be seen six miles southward. The Green Mountains terminate the view in the west and gradually slope downward to the valley between, fertil- ized by West river, that rushes on in its rapid course until it unites with the Connecticut a few miles to the south, and destined some day not far distant to furnish a path for the swift locomotive that carries wealth and enterprise where- ever it speeds . The blue Ascutney rises prominent in the scenery 40 miles away to the north, and the woodland hiUs fade into the horizon far beyond. The gran- ite hiUs of New Hampshire extend along the eastern sky and the grey old turret of Mt. Monadnock rears in sight far above the neighboring summits . A rich and beautiful valley intervenes, through which flow the tranquil waters of the Connecticut as they roll silently on to the broad ocean. These are some of the principal features of the surrounding landscape. Consider, also, the culti- vated fields, the numerous farm-dwell- ings, dotting the hillsides, tbe grassy plains and the fertile meadows and many pleasing objects, too numerous for de- scription, and it can well be said that the view is charming. GEOLOGY. This paper for our history was to have been written by Samuel Knight of Brat- tleboro, but old age and failing health prevented his performing the allotted task. The writer can make only a brief statement on the subject. In the east part of the town is a large quarry of ar- gillaceous or roofing slate which has been wrought for more than half a cen- tury. There are other kinds of slate some of which are serviceable for flagging stones. Schorl or black tourmaline is found in this town. Granite is also very abundant and highly valuable for build- ing stones. Excellent granite has been extensively wrought for building abut- ments, piers, culverts of highways and railroads. It is also used for the walls of buildings, underpinning, doorsteps, hearthstones, window-caps and fencing posts. Allen, or Stickney brook, flows over a bed of excellent granite near its mouth, that has been worked many years. There is a shop near by for stone mason's work where the granite is form- ed into the required shape for building purposes. Black mountain is a huge pile of granite rocks piled up like "Ossa on Pelion" making an inexhaustible gran- ite quarry. The Brattleboro and White- hall Railroad passes close to the foot of this mountain of granite. [ the above was written in 1879. The writer adds, Jan. 1884 :] This quarry was owned by a New York Company in 1879. It is now owned by Geo. Lyon of Northfield Mass. who employs about 50 men in get- ting out granite. He has a large and in- creasing business, and contracts at the present time that wiU require two or more years to fulfil. BRATTLEBORO AND WHITEHALL E. E. Gauge, three feet : The road extends up the West River vaUey from Brattleboro to Londonderry. The trains began running, Nov. 20, 1880, and the road has been in success- ful operation since that time with in- VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. creased earnings and passenger traffic from year to year. The earnings from Nov. 20, 1880, to Jan. 1, 1882, as re- ported by the treasurer, of the road are as follows : From passengers, $15,041,97 ,, freight, 15,919,78 ,, express, 579,41 ,, mails, 2,251,14 A total of 33,810,30 The total cost of the road was not far from $408,000. RECORD HISTORY,* NOTIFICATION. This is to inform the freeholders of the Town of Dummerston that they meet at the house of Mr. Isaac Miller in said town on the first Monday March at ten of the clock in the forenoon to act on the following articles, viz : 1st. To choose a Moderator to govern said meeting. 2d. To choose a Clerk for the settlers. 3d. To see if they will choose a com- mity to lay out roads in said town. 4th. To choose Surveyor to order the work on said roads, and see how many days each man shall work at the roads year ensuing. 5th. To choose a commity to view the public Lots and choose a spot to set a meeting house on, and this commity to be employed by the settlers to see to the owners for a title to the land to set a meeting house on. 6th. To choose a commity to look out u, convenient spot for a burying place. 7th. For, all who have worked on the road to bring in their account at said meeting — and further to act as they shall think proper when met together. Dummerston, January the 21st, 1771. The foregoing was signed by Alexander Kathan, Ebe'z. Haven, Chas. Davenport, Daniel Kathan, Enoch Cook, John Kilbury, Samuel Wiswall, Josiah Boyden, BarziUa Rice, Rufus Sargent, Samuel Dutton, Jr., Nathaniel French, Isaac Miller, Hosea Miller. Agreeable to the foregoing the settlers met at the house of Mr. Isaac Miller in *From Joseph Miller, Town Clerk. Dummerston on Monday the 4th day of March 1771 and acted as foUoweth, viz : 1st. Chose Mr. Alexander Kathan Moderator. Secondly Enoch Cook Settlers Clerk 31y. Voted and chose Mr. Samuel Wiswall. Mr. Alexander Kathan and Mr. Enoch Cook for to be a commity to lay out roads. 4thly. Chose Mr. Isaac Miller and Mr. Benjamin Jones to be joined by the above commity to view the public Lots andchusea spottosetthe meetinghouse. 5thly. Choose Mr. Benjamin Jones and Mr. Alexander Kathan Surveyors of highways and voted each settlers lot to work four days. 61y. Choose Mr. Charles Davenport and Mr. Daniel Kathan and Mr. Joseph Hildretli to look out a burying place. 7th. Voted the commity for viewing public Lots, to apply to the owners for a title to the land to set the Meeting- house on. Agreeable to the 7th article, put to vote whether there should be any allow- ance for any that had worked at the roads before the year 1771, and it passed in the negative. "A town meeting was holden at the house of Mr. Enoch Cook in December 1772 voted to build 'a meeting house forty foot long and thirty two foot wide Lieutenant Spaulding, and Mr. Charles Davenport and Mr. Ebenezer Haven a commity to compute the cost and ad- journed till the 28th day of this instant day of December at the house of Mr. Thompson at eleven o'clock in the fore- lon. December 28th 1772 then met accord- ing to adjournment at the house of Mr. Jacob Thompson & voted, first, that the vote for build a meeting-house forty feet long, and thirty two feet be Reconsidered and voted that a meeting house be built 50 feet long, and 40 feet wide, and fur- ther voted that Mr. John Hooker, & Mr. Joseph Hildreth and Enoch Cook be a commity to forward the building of said house, and dissolved the meeting. (No name signed as clerk but think Enocli Cook at this time was clerk.) Dummerston, Alias, Fullam, Alias, Fullam District, May 9th, 1772. DUMMERSTON- Public Notice is hereby given that tlie third Tuesday in May instant being the 19th of the same month is appointed by law, for the freeholders and inhabitants of that tract of land called Fullam which is erected into a District to elect & choose from & anaong the freeholders & inhabitants thereof one Supervisor, Assessor, Collector, Overseer of the Poor Commissioners for laying out highways. Also so many persons to be Surveyors, and Overseers of the highway as shall be thought to be necessary. Fence- viewers, and four Constables and Select- men or Trustees." INTRODUCTION TO THE RECORDS OF DUM- MERSTON FOR THE YEARS 1773 & 1774. The tract of land called Dummerston is a part of the tract of land on the west side of Connecticut River formerly granted to Connecticut government as an equivolent for some lands whieh the province of Massacdusetts Bay had granted to their planters which upon in- quiry was found to be within the Gov- ernment of Connecticut in order to secure the property of ye soil to the Massachu- setts planters, that government granted to Connecticut the property of sundry tracts of their province lands one of which was the tract here mentioned, which the government of Connecticut sold to sundry private gentlemen among whom the late Honorable William Dum- mer Anthony Stoder Esq. whose heirs are now the proprietors of one-half of the whole tract on Connecticut River supposed to contain 48000 acres the said Wm. Dummer being the oldest proprie- tor the tract v^as called after him, the name is now kept up in acknowledge- ment of the title from the original grant of the Massachusetts government which is the title the land is now held by — on the settlement of the jurisdictional line of the proviilce of Massachusetts Bay with that of New Hampshire, the tract of land here mentioned fell within the limits of New Hampshire govern- ment which incorporated the whole into three township including in the middle townships the greatest part of the lands, belonging to the heirs of Wm. Dummer & Anthony Stoddard & called the name of Fullum by virtue of which the priv- ileges of a town are now held Besides the town of it Fullum which is known by the name of Dummerston, includes near- ly one half of the town of Putney. JIINUTES FROM DUMMERSTON RECORDS. "After the record of a town meeting holden on the 17th of May 1774, are the remarks of Dr. Solomon Harvey then town clerk of Dummerston. The reader may observe that no Trustees were chosen at the annual meeting as usual, which, should it excite any spec- ulation, it may be remembered that the Government of New York who had ever since July ye 4th Anno 1764, exercised an unprecidented system of tyrany over all that territory then called State of Vermont — and did in almost numberless instances, so cruelly harrass and pillage the poor new settlers in their intolerably, inhospitable wilderness, as rendered their hard earned pittance scarce worth enjoying, and all under the sacred and auspicious name of administering jus- tice ; for a particular account of which see Col. Ethan Allen's treatise on- the monopolizing conduct of New York rel- ative to the New Hampshire grantees and settlers on the West side of the Green Mountains ; and aU to reflect on the conduct of the New Yorkers in the neighborhood from the time of the comi- mitment of Lieut. Spaulding to the common jail for high treason till' after their murthering of William French and Daniel Houghton : and no man can be at a loss in regard to the truth of what is here laid down. Governor Tyron and his imps, and the minions of the British tyrant(George the third) had by their hell invented policy, their plans, commissioners and other artful insinuations, extended their influence into every new plantation over which they tyrairized, and had not failed even to have some in their interest in this town who by art and insinuation overpursuaded the honest people of the town to omit choosingTrnstees for the year, alleging that they had no right to it by virtue of any law of the Govern- ment, notwithstanding the provision made and provided in such case, and the special injunction to all incorporated so- cieties to comply with it, and accordingly 10 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. the meeting was dissolved by a majority of votes . The people finding how grossly they had been imposed on in the affair, grew uneasy at the conduct of the artful insinuator, knowing that the next step would be that the New York Judges and Trustees in their Court convened at that blood stained star-chamber in "West- minster would appoint some of their immisaries to supply the place of Trus- tees in the town according to the law of New York made and provided in that case as aforesaid, and of consequence to avoid the mischief entended a meeting was held on the lOth of June following at 4 of the clock in the afternoon at the house of Enoch Cook in said town pre- vious to which an advertisement had been published by the Clerk exhibiting the articles hereafter acted on, viz : Istly, After the meeting being opened the Moderator of the former meeting took his place in order to keep silence agreeable to the 1st article, the inhabi- tants voted to reconsider the vote of the former meeting for dissolving it, and to revise said meeting and 2dly chose Jos- eph Hildreth, Enoch Cook and Solomon Harvey Trustees for the year ensuing. 3dly, Thomas Clark as an assessor to be joined with the other two chosen at the former meeting, after which the meeting was adjourned, and to mieet at any time or as occasion might require in the judgement of the Trustees, to consider of such business as might be thought sufficient for consideration, the response for a meeting of this nature seems to have been the threatning ap- proach of New Yorks Tyranny which might require a more speedy meeting of the inhabitants than what could have been convened agreeable to the usual method. A true record of the aforesaid pro- ceedings. Per SoLOMNN Harvey, Town Clerk. On the 18th of Oct. ADom 1774 Lieut, Leonard Spaulding of the town of Fulham Alias Dummerston was com- mitted to the common goal for high treas- on against the British Tyrant George the third, by the direction of the infa- mous Crean Brush, his attorney and Noah Sabin WiUiam Willard and Eph- raim Rana Esqrs. and Wm. Patterson the high Shreve and Benjamin Gorton and the infamous Bildad Eason his depu- ties upon which he upon the following day, viz : Oct. 29th a majority of the inhabitants meet near the house of Charles Davenport on the green and made choice of sundry persons to serve as a committee correspondency to join with other towns or respectable bodies of people, the better to secure and pro- tect the rights and privileges of them- selves and fellow creatures from the ravages and embarrassments of the British tyrant and his New York and other emmasaries. The persons made choice of ware these, viz : Solomon Harvey, John Butler, Jonathan Knight, Josiah I5oyden, Daniel Gates. By whose vigilence and activity Mr. Spaulding was released from his con- finement after about eleven days ; the committee finding it necessary to be assisted by a large concourse of their freeborn neighbors and brethren consis- ting of the inhabitants of Dummerston, Putney, Guilford, Halifax and Draper, who discovered a patriotic zeal, and true heroic fortitude on the important occas- ion. The plain truth is that the sons of freedom whose patience was worn out with the inhuman insults of the imps of power, grew quite sick of diving after redress in a legal way and finding that the law was only made use of, for the emolument of its creatures and the im- misaries of the British tyrant, resolved on an eisier method and accordingly opened the goal without key or lock- picker, and after congratulating Mr. Spaulding upon the recTovery ^ of his freedom dispersed every man in peace to his respective home, or place of abode. The aforegoing is a true and short relation of that wicked affair of the New York cut-throatly Jacobitish, High Church Torietical minions of George the third, the pope of Canada and tyr- ant of Briton. Per Solomon Hakvey, Tqwn Clerk. P. S. — Mr. Spaulding's pretended crime was that he threw out some words unfavourable to the British tyrant, relat- ing to the Quebeck bill by which he is made pope of that Government. On February ye 3d the freeholders of Dummerston met at the house of Enoch DUMMERSTON. U Cook in said town, at the hour of 2 in the afternoon agreeable to a legal adver- tisement for the. purpose. Istly. Made choice of Hosea Miller as Moderator. 2dlj. Chose Solomon Harvey, and Richard Kelley to serve as delegates to set in Congress at Westminister on the 7th instant at the hour of ten in the forenoon. 3dly. Voted that the Courts of Com- mon pleas be put by for a time. After which the meeting was adjourned to the 14th instant at 2 of the clock in the afternoon, in order to hear the report of the delegates after the rising of Congress. Hosea Miller, Moderator. A true copy from the minutes, per Solomon Hakvey Tovtn Cleek On Feb. ye 14th met according to adjournment the former Moderator be- ing absent and made choice of Enoch Cook to conclude the business of the meeting. Voted Istly, That the Delegates con- duct at the Congress is satisfactory to the town. 2ndly. Voted that the Cadet Com- pany have leave to act independent of the town until the 3d Wednesday in May next with regard to military affairs. 3dly. Voted to dissolve the meeting. A true copy from the minuets pr Solomon Harvey Tovs^n Cleek On the 23d. of November 1774, at 8 o clock in the forenoon the freeholders &c met at the house of Enoch Cook in Dummerston agreeable to an advertise'- menn previously posted for that purpose in which the articles to be acted on were regularly inserted. 1st Chose Solomon Harvey, Ebenezer Haven, Hosea Miller to act as delegates in the County Congress at Westminster, on the 30th instant 2dly Voted that the Assessors, assess the town in a discretionary sum of mon- ey sufiicient to procure lOOwt. of Gun- powder 200wt. of Lead & 300 flints for the town use, which was proposed to be procured with Potash Salts 3dly Voted that Josiah Boyden & Thomas Clark be a committee to receive the Salts & procure the articles above mentioned. The meeting was then dis- solved by vote of the town Per Solon AN harvey Town Clekk Finktur A Dom 1774. On April the 6th a meeting was held in Dummerston agreeable to the usual forms. Voted Istly That Lieut. Leonard Spaulding be the Moderator of said meeting. Voted 2dly To send Solomon Harvey, Ebenezer Haven, Cornelius Jones and William Negus to Westminster, there to meet other Committees, to consult on the best methods for dealing with the unprovoked murthers of William French and Daniel Houghton. 3dly Voted to Dismiss Alexander Kathan and Enoch Cook from being Asses,sors because they refused to asses the town for the purchasing a stock of ammunition agreeable to a vote of the town of November ye 28th 1774. 4thly Made choice of Jonathan Knight 'Hosea Miller, Wm. Negus to supply their places after which the meeting was dissolved by a majority of votes. Tests Leonard Spaulding, Moderator. Per Solomen Harvey Town Clerk." Remarks of Solomon Haevey Town Clerk I cannot conclude the records of the town regularly with regard to sundry proceedings toward the close of the year. I would cast no undue reflections but it may not be 'amiss to say that this year was the most remarkable ever known in this land, being a time of heart searching perplexity throughout all America the most porgnant griefs and raging calami- ties seems to have raged in all parts, and in this neighborhood the aflfairs of a public nature wore the most disagree- able face. The enemies of our land and of our temporal happiness exerted themselves in a very singular manner in order to create jealouses the most dangerous to societies and thereon to build the mon- strous fabric of discord designed for our distruction. The worthy inhabitants of this town cannot after a moments re- flection but be sensible of the artful insinuation of the invererate enemies of the public affairs which so far succeeded 12 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. notwithstanding my faithfulness and unshaken fidelity both to the town and country and mankind at large as ren- dered it necessary that I should resign all public offices among which that of Town Clerk. I resigned to John Scott your Constable to whom you are refer- red for the remainder of the Town .re- cords of the yearADom 1775. Thus I conclude by subscribing myself the towns and all mankinds hearty and sin- cere friend. SoLOJiON Harvey Soon after the charter of Fullum was granted, John Kathan who had resided in the limits of the town since the year 1752, united with a number of persons, purchased in conjunction with them, from the New Hampshire proprietors, a part of the township, and in the year 1754, according to his own account removed there "with his wife and seven or eight helpless children." Possessing the qualities of industry and persever- ance — qualities especially necessary to the successful management of a new settlement, he addressed himself to his task and did ' ' actually clear and improve above 120 acres, and built a good dwell- ing-house, barn and all necessary offices, and also a saw-mill and potash works," and in order to guard his improvements was " at considerable expense in build- ing a fort around his house " and was under the disagreeable necessity of resid- ing therein during the course of a tedious and distressing war. Joseph Temple of this town tradition says was saved in Westminster fight by the pewter basin in his knapsack. Another brave man of the same town- tight, John Hooker escaped with the loss of the soles of his boots which were raked off by a chance shot from the enemy. But the discomfiture was only temporary ; the art of the shoemaker was potent to restore the wanting por- tions, and the boots were afterwards worn by their owner with feelings of pride aiid satisfaction. , Many a man more distinquished but less valient than Mr. John Hooker has in time of battle found safety in trusting to his soles, and that, too, in a manner not one half as honorable. RECORD RESUMED BY MR. MANSFIELD. In accordance with the act of Congress, adopting the "non-importation, non- consumption, non- exportation associa- tion" on Oct. 20, 1774, the town held a meeting Nqv. 28, 1774, and voted : "that the assessors assess the town in a Discretionary Sum of money Suf- ficient to procure 100 weight of gun pow- der, 200 weight of Lead & 300 flints for the town use which was proposed to be procured with potash salts." Josiah Boyden and Thomas Clark were chosen a committee to receive the salts and procure the articles above taen- tioned In one of the articles of the ' 'non- importation" &c act, was a recommen- dation that a committee should be chos- en "in every county, city and town, by those qualified to vote for representatives in the Legislature, whose business it should be attentively to observe the con- duct of all persons" in regard to meas- ures adopted by the association. The ad- vice conveyed in these words, though rejected by Westminster, was heeded by the patriotic people of Dummerston. The service implied was such as suited their temper. The subject was broached in town-meeting, Jan. 3, 1775, and sev- en persons with Dr. Harvey at their head were chosen a "Committee of inspec- tion to observe the "Conduct of the in- habitants agreeable to an order or rec- ommendation of the Right Honorable Continental Congress." Under authority of this Committee, two of the town as- sessors were removed from their places, because they had refused to purchase the stock of ammunition which was to be DUMMERSTON. 13 paid for in "potash salts." From one man they took a gun because they sus- pected it contained a ball more friendly to the King than to the Congress. By their decision, another man who bad been prominent in the history of the village was declared unfit for office, and was not permitted to act in a public sta- tion, until by his conduct he evinced the spirit of a patriot. Aftsr the beginning of the Revolution, committees like these "were to be found in almost every town throughout the New Hampshire Grants, but the people of Dummerston seem to have led the way in sustaining in Cum- berland county ( now Windham and Windsor counties) the eflforts of Con- gress to guard against the manoeuvres of inimical persons. CART. JOHN KATHAN, to whom in the year 1753, the township of FuUum was granted, unitedly with a number of other persons, purchased from New Hampshire proprietors, re- moved there with his family. He address- ed himself with energy to his task and cleared and improved 120 acres on which he built a good dwelling-house and "all necessary offices, also a saw- mill and potash works," and in order to guard his improvements "was at consid- erable expense in building a fort round bis house. The first settler of Dummerston, as stated in the preceding records by the town clerk, performed good labors in the midst of great hardships and trials. Mis- fortune rendered his toil more severe. His eldest daughter, Mrs. Moore was taken captive by the Indians and he did not know her fate until she was return- ed from her captivity. The settlement, although much disturbed by the war, was not allowed to die, and a few years after the restoration of order, John Kathan and his eighteen associates, with their families were rapidly subduing the for- ests of Fullum, and accomplishing the conditions of their charter." In addition to the town record ac- count, the history of Captain Kathan, thus far given is t'roYa' HaW s History of Eastern Vermont. For further infor- mation relative to him and his family, we are indebted to relatives of the Ka- than family at the present time. Valu- able information has been obtained from two Bibles ; one containing the family record of Alexander Kathan, the other that of his father's family. Alexander's family Bible is now the property of a relative in Bangor, Me. It was printed in 1776. The Bible with the record of Captain John Kathan was printed in 1731, and is 148 years old. It is now the property of Charles C. Frost of Brattleboro. Both Bibles contain facts relative to the captiyity of Mrs. Moore, a daughter, of Capt. John and sister of Alexander Kathan. Capt. John Kathan came from Eng- land in the year 1729, and probably re- sided in Worcester, Mass. previous to his removal to Dummerston. He married a sister of Capt. Fairbank Moore. Their children were Alexander, b. Apr. 22, 1729, during the passage of his parents to America ; Margaret, b. Oct. 6, 1730 ; John, b. Jan. 7, 1732, died June 3, 1802, aged, 70 ; Mary, b Oct., 18, 1734, and married Col. John Sargeant, the first Anglo-Saxon child born in Vermont; the event is recorded in the old Bible as follows : "tuesday ye 16 day of Dec. 1760, John Sargeant and Mary Kathan was married by Major Belles, (Bellows). She was the mother of Eli Sargeant, the elder, who diedat West River, Apr. 24, 1834, aged 73. Martha Kathan was born May 8, 1736, and married "July ye 22, of tuesday 17<34 to Asa Holgait, By Samuel Stevens Esq." 14 vp:rmont historical magazine: DANIEL KATHAN was born Feb. 1, 1741 and married, " tuesday May ye 6 day 1764, to Ruth Beret (Barrett) By JMr. Gay of Hins- dell." Charles Kathan was born Mar. 26, 1743. These are the seven children that Capt. John Kathan had when he remov- ed his family to Dummerston. They were not very ' 'helpless'' at that time, for the youngest was 9 years of age and the eldest 22 years. It is not certain that A lexander came here with the rest of the family. If he did, he must have re- turned to his home in Massachusetts, where he was married in 1755, and came back to this town in 1761. John Kathan was present with his father in 1765, for John Kathan and John Kathan Jun., with nine otherper- sons signed a memorial that year. (MSS- in the office ofSect. State Mass. LXXV. 547.) It was a complaint again -it Na- than Willard, in command of Fort Dummer. The record of Capt. Kathan's settlement in this town reads thus : "June 6, 1762, John Kathan with his family Cam to settle at Bemas' rock on Conicut river in ye Government of New hampshir eight miles from Fort Dum- mer." This rock, which is near Putney depot, was named for Joseph Bemas, probably, a rather noted individual in this region at that time, and from whom sprang nu- merous families by that name. The place is now called Kathan's ferry. The naming of rocks in the river appears for two objects : one as points for surveys of land, as deeds are in ex- istence making these rocks as bounda- ries : The other as stopping places in voy- ages on the river to different military posts. Capt. John Kathan died Nov. 23, 1787, in the 81 st. year of his age. His wife, Martha (Moore) Kathan, died, "22 of September 1766, of a monday night." We read also, in the old Bible that on "tuesday february ye 10, 767, Capt. John Kathan and the '\\'idow Mary Wright maired at Kpringfield By the Rev. Mr Lotrop (Lothrop)." "May 11, 1755, Margaret Kathan maired Benjamin Moors." Although the captivity of Mrs. ]Moore is an incident in the early history of Brattleboro, it is mentioned thus brief- ly for the purpose of adding in connec- tion what was recorded in the old Bi- bles of the Kathan family. "Monday March ye 6, 1758, Capt. Moors with his son Benjamin were kill- ed and Ben's Wife and two children wertr taken captives by the Indians." After she had regained her liberty, we read in the same record : "January 26, 1764, thewidfiw Mar- garet Moors was maired to Moses John- son by the reverent Mr. Gay of Hins- dell." This passage explains what Alexan- der Kathan wrote in his Bible about the captivity of "sister Johnson" by the Indians. In the old Bible printed in 1761, we find the earliest date of births in Dummerston. "Mar. ye 5, 1761, thursday Mary Kathan or Mary Sargent wife of John Sargent ; her first child a son was born in fullom(Fullum) and province of New Hampshire. His name was Eli Sargent. He died Apr. 24, 1834, aged 73 years." The second family that moved into Dummerston was that of ALEXANDER KATHAN, son of John Kathan who came to Ameri- ca in 1729. Hewas born Apr. 22,1729, during the passage of his parents to this country. Margai-et Baird, his wife, was born Aug. 21, 1732. They were mar- ried, Dec. 4, 1755, by Rev. Mr. Rob- erts of Leicester. Their children were Mary, b, Oct. 8, 1756, married Elihu Sargent, died Dec. 18, 1850 ; John, b. DITMMEESTON. 15 Oct. 12, 1758. died Apr. 10, 1833, aged 74 ; Daniel, b, Oct, 15. ] 760. married Olive Lamb, died Sept. 10, 1804, Olive his wife died Jan. 2'6, 1803 ; Thomas, born in Dummerston Apr. 30, 1764, died July, 15, 1838 ; Elisabeth, born Dec. 25, 1767, died Jan. 13, 1828. " I, .Alexander Kathau, arrived in Fulliam May 1, 1761, with my family from Worcester. Nov. 16, 1762, moved into my log-house. Nov. 6, 1783, mov- ed into my new house west side the road. It was probably, not the first framed house built in town, as stated in anoth- er place. Alexander Kathan died Feb, 14^1825, aged 95 yrs. 6 mos ; Marga- ret, his first wife, died July 14, 1803. He married after her death, Dec. 21, 1806, Mrs. Mary Hart Davenport, who died June 22, 1830, aged 98 yrs. 3 nlos. Alexander's mother died Sept. 22. 1766. His father died Nov 23, 1787. His wife's father, Mr. Baird, died May 3, 1782. John died June 3, 1892. His brother Charles resided in Pu:;ney where he built a house in the year 1 768, "on the spot where Mrs. McLellan lives [1825] near Dr. Campbell's." As a mil- itary man, his rank was Lieut. Colonel. He died May 22, 1793, aged 50 years. His brother Lieut. Daniel Kathan died Oct. 17, 1807, aged 67 yrs. Daniel's wife, Ruth Barrett, died Aug 3, 1802, aged 57. Alexander's family Bible has the following information recorded : Mercy Baird died Mar. 22, 1802 ; Hosea Beckley, ordained minister in Dummerston Mar. 2, 1808 ; Court stop- ped at Westminster March 13, 1775 ; "Sister Johnson was taken by the In- dians, carried to Canada Mar. 6, 1758, and was redeemed by Gen . Schuyler in the fall. She died Oct. 18, 1779, up at the lake." Also, we read in the same record that Alexander Kathan and wife joined the church in Dummerston, Mar. 11, 1787. Religious sentiments and counsel for his family are written on several pages of this old Bible and many texts of scrip- ture from which he had heard sermons preached by Rev. Aaron Crosby. The first three settlers located, not on the high lands, as many have done "in early settlements, but on the forest plain « near the Connecticut. Capt. John Kath- an, Alexander Kathan and Daniel Kath - an built their log-houses near to the three principal brooks that flow into the Con- necticut river in the east part of the town . Capt. John Kathan settled near the brook north of Putney depot on land then a part of Dummerston ; Alexander, near Canoe brook, and Daniel not far from Salmon brook. These families came from Worcester, Mass. Alexander kept a memorandum in almanacs for each year, of principal events in his farming business and other matters wor- thy of note. These almanacs were kept in file by stringing them on a leathern thong, and are now in possession of his descendants ; some forty in number are in possession of a family in this town. The earliest of these almanacs is .for the year 1764, and the numbers are complete down to the year 1817, except 1795, and 1814. The oldest ones are the almanacs published by Nathaniel Low. Most of the file from 1781, are the almanacs of Isaiah Thomas. Mr. Kathan was in the habit of noting on the margin of these almanacs important events relating to his business sand other aifairs. Here are a few items in reference to the making of sugar : "March 19, 1764, tapped trees, made 21 lbs. of molasses". "February 1765, tapped trees, and sugared off 18 pounds on the 26th." "Apr. 6, 1778, made off, 10 lbs. of sugar ; that's the first this season," Here we find the date when the first meeting-house in town was raised. "November 10th 1773, raised the meeting house." 16 VERMONT HISTOEICAL MAGAZL^STE. "May I9th, 1778, remarkable dark day. "April 5th 1781, a man and a horse crossed the river on the ice." "The 2d Sabbath in the same month snow was knee deep in the field and solid "1785, snow 1st. day of Ajyil, 34 inches deep on a level." "19 th, old snow knee deep, new snow. "May 26th, put in seine and catch no shad." "May 30,catch shad." "March 31st. 1786, no snow." "2d day of April, terrible storm of wind, and snow fell knee deep." "17th. began to plow." "March 29th. 1787, burnt out the bass-wood stub and scart out two flying squirrels." "May 10th. 1788, the mountains cov- ered with snow." "Aug. 19th. a hurricane." "March, 1803, what a sight of pige- ons did fly all the 13th." "June 6th. 1804, set tobacco." "Aug. 29th. cut up tobacco." "Mrs. Kathan sea a robin on the 9th of February. Robins here seen tU the 17th." "March 5th. sea two robins." "July I2th. had string beans." " the 22d, had new tatos." "February 1811, killed 110 rats in the com house in one day". Alexander cleared a piece of plain land thickly overgrown with old pines, on which he planted corn, at one time, but the tall over-shadowing pines prevented his securing anything but a harvest of fodder. The first apple trees grown in town, he brought from Worcester, three in number, and set out on his farm. The kind of apples which these trees bore was called "cotton wool." The last one of the old trees stood tiE the year 1869, on land just north of the bam on "the old Kathan place." Mr. Kathan went to Deerfield Mass. during the first years of his settlement, to get his corn ground. The first record of a grist-mill in Dummerston was Nov. 23 , 1772, at which time the settlers voted ' ' that the rood be accepted from the meeting-house (lot) by the corner of Hosea Miller's lot, so on the south line of said Miller's ot to the Salmon brook, over the brooks down on the north side of said brook, to the Corn Mill thence to John Kilbu- ry's thence to the great rood on the south side of Daniel Kathan's barn." On one occasion when Alexander Kathan was returning from Worcester or Deerfield, guided on his way by marked trees, a dark object appeared in his path not far in front of him. It was evening and near his home. Not being able, on account of the darkness to rec- ognize what it was that obstructed his pathway, and not daring to risk too much by a nearer approach, he fired his gun and the dark object glided away into the forest. In the morning he re- turned in company with others to the scene of his adventure, and finding traces of blood followed the trail to a swamp, now south of the old burying ground near Bennett's, they discovered a dead bear. Bears wer •■ plenty in this town in those days, and frequently the faimily were kept awaken during the night time by the howling of wolves near the sheep-pens where they were often seen standing on their hind feet with their paws resting against the pen, and barking furiously. Some idea of the dense growth of the forest trees and under-brush in those times may be had from the fact that one of Mr. Kath- an's little children was lost for a sliort time in the woods only a few rods from the house, having been sent out by their mother to call their father to dinner. The first house he lived in was built of round logs, the second one, of hewn logs. The third building was framed, and may have been the first framed house built in town. The old house was remod- eled many years ago and the carpen- ter who helped do the work says, that DUMMERSTON. 17 the old roof was taken off, another sto- ry added, and what is now quite a good looking, two^torj, whit« house was once the habitation of the second family that settled in Dummerston. By good fortune this building escaped destruction in Aug. 1843. A violent whirlwind or hurricane that prostrated several acres «t' Ibrest trees on the hills west of the buildings, swept down across the plain, leveling the trees in its path, making a ■direct route towards the house around which it made a sudden turn in serpen- tine course, shaking up the stately old elms furiously, and spending its force not far to the eastward. The oldest sug- ar lot in town stands on this farm. Only thirty-one of the old monarchs of the for- est are now standing, the largest of which measures 17 1-2 feet in circum- ference. A grand-son of Alexander Kathan cut down in 1858, or 1859, one of the large trees in this old lot, and while working it up, the number of rings made by the annual growth from the place where the deepest incision was made in "boxing" the trees, were count- ed and found to be nearly one hundred. In boxing the trees for sap to run, a place or groove was cut with an axe, in- stead of boring with a bit, as the cus- tom is at the present day. With the aid of an iron gouge a place was made to receive the wooden spout. The sap was caught in bass-wood troughs. A section of wood from one of these old trees has been preserved. It shows the marks of three instances of boxing in perpendic- ular line, the central scar being in the form of the letter Y. A great grandson of Alexander Kath- an named Horace, 10 years old, was scalded with hot sugar so that he died, 9 days after the accident. Mar. 8, 1833. He was helping his father take off a kettle of hot sugar. The leg of the ket- tle caught on the side of the arch, and tipped the contents upon the boy. His father caught him up and dipped him into a tub of cold sap which relieved him of agony a short time, but was not ef- fectual in saving his life. An incident relating to John Kathan Jun. is given in Hall's History. In 1 779, he refused to serve in the Vermont mil- itia. June 17, of that year, John Kath- an and Benjamin Jones Jr. both of Dum- merston, were informed by an officer that they were required to do military duty. On their refusal to comply, being subjects of New York, the officer took a cow from each and sold one of them at auction, and retained the other for the use of the state." Ezra Robinson and Ephraim Rice, also, of this town had cattle sold in the same manner because they refused topay or serve in the militia. Children of : LiEOT. Daniel and Ruth Kathan the order of names being uncertain — Susanna, m. Freedom Bigelow of Ches- terfield, N. H., Dec. 14, 1788 ; Eunice, m. Israel Bigelow, June 11, 1792; ■ • Rufus m. Nabby Stone, Nov. 8, 1795 ; Phebe, m. 1st. WiUiam Wilder, Jan. 3, 1800, 2d. Josiah Dodge ; Daniel Jr. m. Fanny Haven, Oct. 23, 1800; Lydia m. Benjamin Frost, Oct. 25, 1801; Dolly m. Jacob Frost. Lieut. Kathan died Oct. 17, 1807, M 67 ; Ruth, his wife died Aug. 3, 1802, M 57. It is said that Mrs. Kathan was, in some way related to widow Rebecca Barrett, who died May 15, 1809, aged 79, and who was the "Parent of Lieut. Elijah Brown." One Daniel Kathan married Sybil McFarland, Oct. 18, 1803. 18 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. Silas Butler, who married Sally Mc- Farland, Jan. 25, 1816, is said to have owned the old tannery property, located south of Lt. Kathan's residence. The nld building and well-sweep were stand- ing in 1832, perhaps later than that date. A portion of the old tannery -building was occupied for a dwelling. The old mUlstone, used in thebarkmill, that lay imbedded in the earth many years, was recently removed, and now forms a part of the covering on a large water- course built 3 years ago on the Haven place. FAMILY GENEOLOGY. Daniel Kathan (2d.), son of Alexan- der, Esq. b. Oct. 15, 1790, m. Olive Lamb, who died Jan. 25, 1803. He died Sept. 10, 1804. Children of Daniel and Olive Kathan : Thomas, b. Nov. 25, 1788, m. 1st. Anna Burnham, May 22, 1803, 2d. Abigail Haven, Sept. 17, 1829 ^ Lucy, b. May 9, 1790 ; Caty, b. Dec. 22, 1791 ; Anna, b. Feb. 7, 1795, m. Alpheus Pratt, of Brattleboro, May 21st. 1812, Emery, b. May 23, 1797; Wyman Lamb, b. Dec. 9. 1798, m. Laura Burnham, July 31st. 1825 ; Orison, b. July 31, 1801. The children of Wyman and Laura Kathan were Amandarin, b. Oct. 9, 1825; Marinda, b. Oct. 5, 1827;. Eliza, b. Feb. 13, 1831 ; Wyman L. Kathan died Feb. 25, 1832, and his widow married Job Knight, June 7, 1834. They had two children, Caroline and Herbert Knight. Their mother died Oct. 17, 1842. Gardner Kathan, Sen. was a son of Colonel Charles and brother of Prentice Kathan, whose name appears on the tax list for 1802. On the same list is the name of David Kathan. Gardner, Sen. married Betsey Townshend, of Putney. He is said to have been twice married He died Feb. 11, 1813, M 46. His chil- dren were : Lydia, who m. Charles Davenport, Jr., Sept. 6, 1812: Richard; Robert, b. 1790, d. Apr. 8, 1819, M 29; Gardner, b. Aug. 11, 1794, m. Apr 10, 1821 ; Jerusha, daughter of Charles and Lydia (Scott) Kathan, b. Dec. 29, 1800 ; Betsey, born 1796, m. Abel Knight Oct. 17, 1817, d. Mar. 4, 1872, ; Orrin, b. 1802, m. Adalioe Kathan. The children of Gardner and Jerusha Kathan were : Gardner S.,b. Dec. 4, 1821 ; Henry, b. Jan. 7, 1823 ; Eliza, b. May 6, 1825 ; Norman, b. Jan, 25, 1827 ; Dorr W., b. July 8, 1829 ; John A., b. July 19, 1832 ; Frances, b. Nov. 15, 1833 ; Helen b. Dec. 2i, 1837, Riley H.,b. June 15, 1839. The father of these children died June 28, 1858. One Charles Kathan married Sabra McFarland, Mar. 29, 1811. John, eldest son of Alexander, Esq. was born Oct. 12, 1758, m. 1st. Polly Perry, sister of Bethany, wife of Jesse Knight, 2d. Rebecca, dau. of John Sev- ery of Worcester, Mass. His first wife, Polly, diedMar. 8, 1791, ^ 23 ; Rebec- ca, the second wife, died Dec. 25, 1837, JEi 12. By the first marriage he had one child, John, born Nov. 6, 1790 ; by the second, Polly, b. 1794, or '95, who m. Squire Spaulding, July 3, 1811. John Kathan m. Rhoda, daughter of Roswell Burnham, of Westmoreland, N. H., Nov. 14, 1817. She was bom Dec. 3, 1800, died Jan. 3, 1860, He d. Oct. 19, 1859. Their children were : Louisa, b. Feb. 5, 1819, m. Wilder Knight, July 2, 1839. Horace, b. Nov. 9, 1821, d. Mar. 12, 1831. Aurelia S., b. Feb. 28, 1823, m. William A. Dutton, Sept. 10, 1850. Adeline E., b. June 14, 1825, married DUMMERSTON . 19 Orrm Katlian, Sept. 14, 1856, d. July 3 9, 18C3. Fanny M,, b- Feb, 18, 1820,m. Adiu A. Duttoa, Jan. 1, 1850 ; Ellen, born Feb. 26, 1831, m. Larkin G. Cole of Westmoreland, N. H., Apr, 15, 1858; John H., b. Mar. 23, 1833, married J'anny jM. Newman, oi Brattleboro, d. Dec. 7. 1883 ; George F. Kathan, born Nov. 18, }835, married Eliza Ware, of "VVeslmorekiid, N. H,, May 18<;o ; Kiugsley S.. b. July 2,. 183«. d. Dee. 27, 1864: Henry H., b. Aug. 18, 1840, m. Belle Belknapp, May 6. 1863, died Aug, 24, 1873-. Elizabeth, youngest child of Alexan- der Kathan, was b. Dec. 25, 1767, m. Joseph Wilson, Jan. 7, 1796. The earliest record of any death in town is that of Capt. John Kathan's wife, Martha, who died Sept. 22, 1766, JE about 60. First Burials, The first burials in town \\'ere made in the old grave-yard, formerly in Dum- inerston, now in Putney, about 40 rods northwest from the railroad station. In 1873, seventeen old gravestones were left standing in the yard, and at the present time only nine remain. Therest^ have been broken down and trampled in pieces by cattle. The grave of Capt. John Kathan, the first settler in Dum- merston, is, therefore, left unmarked. Quite a number of the first settlers must have been buried in that yard ; for in making the excavation for a cellar on its site a few years ago, seven bodies or skeletons were found, and the owner of the land states that his horses some- times step into soft places where graves were dug. Thus ends the record of the births, marriages and deaths in the first three families in town. The following inscription was taken from one of the old grave-stones left Standing in that cemetery of olden time, "/?i memory Colonel Charles Kathan he Died May 22 1733 m The 51st year of his a shillings." "To bringing the powder from West- minster £.0-4-6 " To bringing the Lead from Capt. Clays 190 wait £. 0- 3 - 6 "Sept. 23 177(1, an a Count of what time I spent awaiting on the convention for a Nue State I sot out for Dorset ye 23, of Sept. and Returned hom the 2d. of October, my expenses for that journey are as follows viz : f . — 0— 0— () £.— 0—1—10 £. — 0— 0— 3 £. — 0— 2 — 10 £. — 0— 10— 4 £.— 0—1 — 10 at Westminster at Rockingham at Chester at Bruinle at Dorset at *Man Chester at Col- Bronsons £.— 0—0 — 10 at Bennington three nights and 1 wo day s a waiting for copies of ye Convention — 4 — H on my way hom — 3 — !> and my hors the same time 1 — 6 — lo my expenses at Westminster the third we(^- nesday of janery 1777 four days — 9 — 3 I went to Guilford to caiTC the papers to Coll Cai-jjenter that Cam from Dorset in order for rasing money for Con, 11 warner — 3 — R Feb. 17, 1777. to going to Westmijister to can-e aletter to Dorset by order of the commitee. Henrj' Stevns Dr. to Leonard Spaulding. Feb. 1781. To one flat iron in paper Dollars ( continental ) § 75. 00 Mar. 26 To two pound Coton wool at 30 dolers per, pound s 60. 00 Apr. 16 „ one guart of rum. ij 26.00 ,, „ ,, one kake chocalet .^ 10.00 , half a pound of Coffe $ 8. 00 No date ,, one bushel of rye $ HO one quart i-um $ 26 00 Creded tebuary 1781, by 1000 Continental dol ers with sixpence, old tener, each doller [Of the papers contributed by Mr. Mansfield we shall next give what bio- graphical account he has been able to gather of the fourteen men who signed the notification calling for the first town meeting, commencing with Ebenezer Haven, (see page 8,) and Enoch Cook, the first town clerk, chosen that day, and such other citizens of Dummerston 'UAJ^<1^^. L^^ DriMMEl?STO]S; . 33 as were named in that report, — the Kathan's and Lieut. Spaulding, having lieen previously given. Ed .J EBENEZEE HAVEN FAMILY. P2benezer Haven, lived in Hopkinton, Mass., in 1734, and was at that time '2i years of age. He removed to Ox- ford with his family in 1757 or '58, thence to Sutton, and in 1770, to Dum- smerston, and was one of the signers on the first call for a meeting to organize the town in 1771. He reached the age of 79 years and his wife. 70. He was probably a brother of Deacon Moses Haven, of Hopkinton, who was bom in 1 732, and m. in 1 750. He was the son of Joseph, b. in 1689, who was a ruling Elder in Hopkinton, in 1731, and after- wards . The father of Joseph was Moses, a deacon in Hopkinton, but b. in Lynn in 1667, whose father w^as Richard, who came from England and settled in Lynn, in 1645, where, in 1692, he then living, it was " voted, that Sergeant Haven should sit in the Pulpit." Samuel Haven, son of Moses, b, Dec. 9, 1751, removed from Hopkinton to Shrewsbury, Mass, in 1800, and from the history of that town, we ascertained the information given above. Ebenezerand Abigail Haven Mere the ancestors of the Haven families in this town. He was a blacksmith and was doubtless the first man working at that trade in Dummerston. He bought lot No. 14 of the original proprietors, June 26, 1770, and the farm is now owned by his great grandson, Orrin Haven, having been kept in the family name since it was first settled. The children of Ebenezer and Abigail Haven were : Abigail, b. in Hopkinton, Oct. 26, 1754, m. 1st, Thomas Boyden ; had two 5 children that died young ; 2d, Marshall Miller, Nov. 17, 1778, died Jan. 2G, 1829. Nathaniel, boni Nov. 8, 1756, m. Mrs. Eunice Farr, widow of William Farr, of Chesterfield, N. H., May 6, 1779. Anna, b, Sept. 29, 1758, m. Arad Holton about 1776 ; d. in Fub. 1787., Joseph, b. Apr. 3, 1761, m, Pamelia Houghton, Mar. 12, 1789. Abel, born May 20, 1763, m. Rache! French. Relief, b. Mar. 2(;. 1765, m. Elijah Brown. Sarah, h. May 3, 1769, remained single tiirough life. David, born Apr. -3, 1770, m., 1st, Abigail Haven, his cousin, from Brook- lyn Ct. : 2d, Olive Goodell, of West- minster, Polly, b. Feb. 1763, the youngest of the family, m. June 5, 1796, Evans Reed, of Putney. The children of Joseph and Pamelia Haven were Amelia, m. Wilson Bennett, Jan. 1814 ; Polly, m Amasa Houghton, of Putney, Oct. 31. 1812; Rebecca;' Sarah ; Lydia, ni. Philip Allyn,Feb. 26, 1829. ; Tamar and Sylvanus. Joseph Haven and family removed to Truxton, N. Y. The children of Abel and Rachel Haven: Fanny, b. Apr. 18, 1783, m. Daniel Kathan, Jr., Oct. 23, 1800 ; Lydia m. Rodolphus Scott, of Ches- erfield, N. H. ; Ira m. Jemima Ward ; Jairus m. Arathusa Herrick, of Ches- terfield, N. H. ; Chester m. Lydia, dau. of Marshall Miller and after his death, Nov. 11, 1814, She m. 2d. Reuben Walker ; Louisa m. George Anson Miller ; Otis m. Frances Brad- bury, of Vergennes ; Abel m. Maria Miller, May 18, 1820. 34 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. The children of Ira and Jemima Haven [ Dana M. m. Lois Buck, of Lake George. N. Y. ; Nancy died young ; Susan m. Asa Lawton ; Eliza m. J. E.Worden ; Rachel, un- married ; Lucy died young ; Ira Osman m. Alvira Ford ; Louisa m. George B. Newton, of Royalston Mass. ; Fanny died young ; Julia m. Wm. O Miller ; Frances married H. Harry Miller. The children of David and Abigail Haven: Abigail m. 1st ,Thos. Kathan, Sept. 17, 1829, 2d, Benjamin Streeter ; 3d, Leonard Maxwell ; Square m. So- phia Carpenter, of Westminster ; Relief B. m. Horace T. Moore, of Putney, Oct. 6, 1825 ; William, unmarried. Square Haven married Sophia Car- penter, of Westminster. Their children were : Alvira m. Lorenzo Field, of Putney ; Minerva ra. J. L. Maxwell ; Orrin, nnmarried. David Haven, a brother of Abel, died in 1865, aged 94 years, 6 months. Jairus born in Dummerston, was the fourth child of a family of whom Deacon Abe] Haven was the youngest : Dea. Abel died on the farm now owned by his son, Joel M. Haven of Rutland. This farm was the only one in town on which good corn was raised in the cold summer of 1816. " Uncle " Jairus did the farm work that year and was in his old age quite fond of relating the particulars of his raising corn when so many failed to ecure a crop. His life-work was farm- ing, and he used a scythe in haying for nearly 80 years. Abel Haven, born Jan. 1, 1799, died Apr. 20, 1864. Maria, his wife, daii. of William and Hannah (Worden) Mil- ler and grand-daughter of Capt. Isaac Miller, died Jan. 29, 1873. Dea. Haven — deacon of the Congregational church in this town many years — and his wife were good members of the church and very helpful in society, and were much esteemed. Their portraits were donated for this publication by their son, Dea. Joel M. Haven, of Rut- land, who was born in Dummerston on the old Haven farm and was a farmer boy until the time when he became a clerk for Foster Wheeler, of Putney. Afterwards he went to Brattleboro and was clerk for A. E, Dwinell, then book- keeper and confidential clerk for Calvin Townsley until Townsley's store was burned. He then went West and en- gaged in farming ; but was not success- ful and returned to Brattleboro where he went into the dry goods trade with his brother-in-law, H. C. Fisher. The firm established a branch store at Rut- land, of which he became the manager. Some years afterward he became treas- urer of the Rutland R. R. company and has held that position many years. He engaged in various enterprises, chief among them being the purchase of the Bates House, making it one of the best hotels in the State and running it as a temperance house. His wife was Maria Dickerman, of Brattleboro, who became a prominent worker in the temperance cause throughout the State. Maria, his sister, married William Fuller, of Brook- lyn, Oliio, and Caroline, the other sis- ter, married Henry C. Fisher. CHARLES DAVENPORT. The earliest ancestor of whom there is any authentic record, is Thomas Dav- enport, of Dorchester, Mass., whose name first appears on any of its records as member of its church, Nov. 20, 1640 ; his wife, Mary, joining. Mar. 8, /C^^^^:%--Z:-^-z;>T-^S?''2-^^, 17M4. [ see John •Sargeant ftunily papers, page 21 J SAMUEL BUTTON J UN.. was the sou of Samuel Dutton, and married Rebeeea French, sister of Wil- liam French killed, in the Westminster massacre, and Nathaaiel, Asa and Jo- el were her brothers. He died Nov. 21, 182'J, aged 87. Rebecca, his wife, died July 25, 1809, aged 60 years. Their <-liildren were : Rhoda, b. Mar. 21, 1771, m. Peleg Winslow Feb. KJ. 1794; Samuel, b. Oct. 28, 1772, married Abigail Hodgskins of Dover, died Feb. 18, 1835; David, b. July 25, 1774, died Oct. 11, 1774; William, b. Aiig. 27, 177.'». d. Apr, 2G, 1791 ; Betsey, b. Aug. 26, 1777, m. Steph- en Woodbury Feb. 17, 1798, d. July 27, 1837; Lucy, b. Jan. 29, ll-Hl, married John Woodbury, died Dec. 25, 1825 ; Rebecca, b. July 22, 1783, married Ithamar Chamberlain, June 15, 1863 ; Sally, b. Sept. 26, 1755, m. Silas Whitcomb ; Philinda, b. Nov. 9, 1731, m. Dr. Isaac N. Knapp, d. Jan. 15, 1.835. The ancestors of SAMUEL DUTTON SEN., a first settler in Dummerston, were residents of Billerica, Mass., where he was born, Oct. 15, 1718. He descend- ed from Samuel Dutton 3, John 2, and 6 Thomas 1 . His parents were Samuel and Hannah (Hill) Dutton, married about 1713. Their eldest child, John, was born Oct. IS, 1715. She was a. widow when married to Mr. Dutton. Her father was Joseph Walker. Samuel of Dummers.on, mari'ied in Bedford, Aug. 19, 1740, Martha Lane, b. in Billerica, Mar. .17, 1721. Their children, born in Bedford (formerly a part of Billerica), were Pattee, b. Apr. 10, 1742; Samuel, b. July 11, 1713 ; Hannah, b. Apr. 21, 1745 ; Seth, born Apr. 9, 1747; David; Stephen ; and Asa, born 1759. No record of others. The family came to Dummerston with four sons before 1770. David m. Polly Higgins, 1782 ; Stephen's wife is not named in the record ; Asa m. Polly Tarble about 1783. He died P^eb. 11, 1836, aged 76 ; Polly, his wife, died Apr. 22, 1827, aged 68. Their children were Polly, b. Oct. 23,1785; Patty, b. Aug. 3, 1787 ; Susan, born June 8, 1789; Asa, b. May 13, 1791 ; Sibyl, b. Jan. 4, 1793 ; Sally, born Mar. 2, 1796; Lucy, b. Dec. 17, 1797; Steph- en, b. June 24, 1801. Asa Dutton 2d died Mar. 23, 1868, aged 76 yrs. the same age as his father when he died. Mary, his wife, died Dec. 4, 1864. Samuel and Martha Dutton settled on lot No. 74, now the well-known Rice farm, which he sold in 1777, with improvements, to Ephraim Rice for $500, and in the same year, bought of Jonathan Knight lot No. 49, where he remained, during life. He was living in 1802, and his wife, Martha, in 1786 when the farm was deeded in equal shares to Asa and Stephen. Samuel Jr. bought of proprietors in 1770, lot No. 122 (in the Hague). He sold it in 1782, and purchased lot No. 51, the farm where Daniel W. Gates now lives. It was his home the rest 42 vp:rmont histoeical magazine. of life. He married, late in life, Anna (Nancy) Chamberlain of Chesterfield, N. H,, for his second wife, who sutt vivedihim 33 years, and died Oct. 20, 1862, aged 87. He left considerable property for his family. Samuel, lived half a mile north of his father's residence, where no buildings are now standing, but an orchard of young apple trees surrounds the locality. ALONZO DUTTON, whose portrait is here given was born Aug. 20, 180S!. Winslow, b. 1805 ; Mary, b. 1808, m. Oct. 7, 1833, Daniel P. Kingsley, of Brattleboro, died July 18, 1851 ; Cylinda, b. Feb. 27, 1812, m. Mar- 27, 1830, Manor Smith ; Mannasseh, b. Aug, 1823, died Sept. 14, 1850. Mr. Ifotton bought Sept. 6, 1819, the farm near Connecticut river which Alonzo, his son, has owned many years. He married Oct. 25, 1827, Harriet, daughter of Enos Goss, who died June 9, 1872, M 65. Children: Adin A., b. Oct. 28, 1828, and Sarah F., b. July 17, 1837, d. Dec. 12, 1859. He married 2d, Mary, v»'idow of George Hildreth, Jiine 12, 1873. Adin A. married Jan. 1, 1850, Fan- ny M., daughter of John Kathan, and lives with his family, in the two-story house on the parental farm which he and his son, Myron F., have managed several years. Children : Mary E. died young; Myron F. ; Hattie A., married Adin F. Miller ; and Jennie F. They make the ninth generation, of the Dutton family, as here recorded, — the whole record covering a period of nearly 250 years. Alonzo Dutton was town representa- tive in 1854, and has been selectman 7 years. He and his wife are pleasantly situated near his son's residence, and, being past hard labor, he takes pride in the cultivation of the finest garden in towB, in which are grown several vari- eties of choice grapes. He has been prospered as a farioer and gained a, competence for old age by a life of hard work and habits of economiy. His son and grand -son have naade many im- provements on the farm. The well-built slate stone walls along the roadside, the well cultivated and jiroductive fields, the neat-looking buildings, shaded in part by rows of stately maples, are ev- idences of good management by pro- gressive and diligent farmers, ASA DUTTON, died Feb. 11, 1836, M 76; Polly, his wife, died Apr. 22, 1827. ^68. Their children were : * Polly, b. Oct. 23, 1785 ; Patty, born Aug. 3, 1787 ; Susan, b. June 8, 1789 ; Asa, b. May 13, 1791 ; Sibyl, born Jan. 4, 1793 ; Sally, b. Mar. 2, 1796 ; Lucy, b. Dec. 17, 1797; Stephen, born June 24, 1801. Asa Dutton 2d. died Mar. 23, 1868, M 76 ; [see page 40] Mary, his wife A. Dec. 4, 1864, aged 68. NATHANIEL FRENCH, settled in Dummerston, on what is call- ed the "Luke Norcross" place, in 1768. He was brother of William French, kill- ed at the "Westminster massacre, also of Asa, who married Mary Rice Apr. 17, 1783, Rebecca, whd married Sam'l Dutton. Joel, who married Polly Bailey Oct, 29, 1794. Asa and Mercy French were the parents of Jonathan French, who died in this town, Jan. 18, 1864 aged 73. NATHANIEL FKENCH SEN., the father of "William, killed at "West- minster, and NathanielJr., died June 8, 1801, aged 81 years. He was born in Billerica, Mass., Feb. 2, 1720, and de- scended from "William 3., John 2., "Wil- liam 1 . His mother, Elizabeth Frost, \ ^' f \ <^J^Ma/7Yw C^ a^^pu^^ DUMMERSTON. 43 '^jis 1)0171 in the same town, Aug. 31, ^^^3, dau. of WiUiam 3., James 2., James 1. They ^^-ere married Sept. 28, '44. KHzabeth (or Betsey), his wife, ()M0N HAKTBY, the physician and clerk of this patriotic village, and the records which he kept, in virtue of the latter office, exhibit on almost every page, traces of his peculiar disposition. He was chosen town clerk May, 18, 1773. The dislike which he in i!ommon with others, entertained to- wards the government of New York, had no doubt been increased by the aris- tocratic bearing of some of the county officials who held their appointments from the Colonial Legislature ; and the abuse of power which these men some- times exhibited in their functionary character, was used as an argument against those from whom they had re- ceived their authority. At a town meet- ing held May 17, 1774, the people omit- ted to choose town trustees, the zeal of the eloquent clerk in stirring up the rec- ollection of his readers upon this occa- sion may be seen on pages 4-8, record history. The next meeting was called June 10, 1774, at 4 o'clock p. m., at the house of Enoch Cook, and Joseph Hil- dreth, Enoch Cook and Solomon Harvey were chosen trustees to fill the places left vacant at the regular election. Fully on their guard, and ready to treat as tyrants those who should en- deavor to deprive them of any of their privileges, they afterwards sent dele- gates to the Westminster convention, and were among the foremost in. advan- cing the objects for which it had been convoked. Nor was it long before they had an opportunity to carry into action the spirit which they had evinced in that DUMMERSTON. 53 rock-ribbed village, which allowed full scope to their patriotism, and ended in confirming the jealous watchfulness with which they had resolved to guard their rights, which the warm-blooded Docter Harvey, the "village Hampden" of Dummerston, who, judged by his zeal, and courage, seems to have possessed. Doctor Harvey was the leader on this occasion. He has shown in his narra- tive records, how the insolence of Brit- ain was checked by the valor of himself and of his compeers, and it is but right that he should tell the story in his own quaint and energetic mode : [see paper for town record page 9 to 12] vSucli is the graphic and impartial nar- rative of one who was the chronicler of events in which he bore an important part, Mar. 15, 1775, when about 500 soldiers assembled at Westminster in order to punish the murderers of Wil- liam French etc., the beating of a drum, heralded the approach of Solomon Har- vey, Practitioner of Physic, at the head of a body of 300 men. In the centre walked four of the sherifTs posse, who had been intercepted on their way home. The whole party halted in front of the Court house. An investigation was had, which ended more favorably than the poor prisoners had expected. The stern old docter disarmed them, and dismissed them with a pass signed with his own name, to which was prefixed the title of Colonel. The courts were broken up at Westminster at that time. In an account of the meeting of the inhabitants of Dummerston held Aug. 22, 1775, occurs an entry which shows that the people were engaged in preparing an elaborate account of the disturbances which had happened in the month of March previous. The entry was made by Jonathan Knight, town clerk, in these words : Voted that it is the Sence of this town that the Letters that are in the hand of Dr. Harvey are Not any Evidance in the Case which the Commite is Collect- ing ; for tlie Evidance which tha are to Colect is the Bad Conduct of the Cort from its fust Setting up the Cort, Down to the fu^t of March Last ; and that these Letters only Shue that the Peple ware Displeaised at the Earbitary of olfiseirs of the Cort and ware Raday to Rise and Stop the Cort be fore that time ; and we think those Letters Show Like wise the unity of the People and purfix the time ; and we think it Best not to have these Letors goeto Westminster." At a town meeting held Dec. 21, 1775, it was voted ; That Jonathan Knight, Enoch Cook, Joseph Hildreth secure the town records that are in the hands of Dr. Solomon Harvey and transcribe it into a town book." This is the latest account we can find of Dr Harvey. He probably moved from this town before the close of the Revolutionary war. His farewell letter as town clerk is recorded on the town records, for which see town records. A part of this sketch is from " Hall's History of Eastern Vermont." Dr. Solomon Harvey, the efficient town clerk in Dummerston, was also, a practitioner of physic, "and when Dr. Jones rode bareheaded from Westmin- ster at the time of the courthouse fight, to Dummerston, for re-inforcements. Col. Solomon Harvey led a company of 300 men from this town and Putney to the scene of action, Capt. Leonard Spaulding inspected the men." The Doctor removed from Dummerston in 1776, to Chesterfield, N. H., where he died about 1820. He took an active part in the affairs of the town during the Revolution. In 1788, he was chosen to represent Chesterfield in the conven- tion that adopted the Federal Constitu- tion. Selectman, 1789, '92 ; town clerk 54 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. from 1800 to 181 7. His wife was Maiy . Only one child's name is recorded, Mary, b. in Dummerston, Apr. 22, 1773. DANIEL HOUGHTON, who was mortally wounded d ring the massacre at Westminster, came orio-i- nally from Petersham, Mass., and pre- vious to his death was a resident of Dummerston. The idea was general for a time, that he would recover from his injuries, and it is for this reason that his name is not often found in con- nection with that of William French. But in the records of this town the "murthering of William French and Daniel "Houghton" is spoken uf as an ar- ticle of history, which yas then receiv- ed without doubt and in the account at the meeting that held in this town on the 6th of April, less than a month ^fter the event, is a memorandum of a committee who were appointed to "go to Westminster there to meet other committees, to consult on the methods for dealing with the inhuman and un- provoked murtherers of William French and Daniel Houghton." Houghton was wounded in the body and survived only 9 days. He died at Westminster in a house situated a little northwest of the C«urt-house, and but a short distance from it. It was then occupied by Eleazer Harlow. Most of those who were wounded were taken to the house of Azariah Wright. He was buried in the old grave-yard at that place, not far from the last resting-place of French. For many years there was a stone, shapeless and unhewn, which marked the spot where he lay ; but even this slight memorial has at length disappear- ed from its place, and no one can now mark with accuracy the locality of his grave. Doctor Thomas Amsden, whom we have mentioned elsewhere as one of the physicians of this town was one of the 17 coroner's jury, who were assembled Mar. 15, 1775, to inquire into the (>ause of the death of French. The original report of the investigation is still pre- served and Dr. Amsden's name is first on the list of jurymen. CAPT. JOHN WYMAN. On a gravestone in the cemetery at Dummerston Centre, is the inscription ; "Capt John Wyman, an officer of the Revolution, Died July, 23d, 1823 ,aged 80 years." Captain Wyman was born in Cambridge, Mass., in 1743. His rank in the Revolutionary army was lieutenant, and his service was in the Rhode Island Continental Line. He was placed on the pension roll Apr. 15, 1818. Annual allowance $240. Sums received $1276.07. This information the writer obtained from an old pension roll printed about 1835, which also con- tains the names of all persons who were or had been pensioners belonging to Windham county When writing for Miss Hemenway's publication ten years ago, we obtained the information that Capt. Wyman was one of the number who dressed in the costume of Mohawk Indians, went on board of the British vessel in Boston harbor in 1773, and "Took the old tea and done as they oughter, And tipped It all out right into the water." ' Capt. Wyman's home in this town was where Henry French now lives . He was a tanner by trade, and marks of the old tan-vats are now visible on the flat south of the barn near Salmon brook. His dispositou and character were of a belligerant nature. He was all, military, and was fond of relating Ms exploits and deeds in Revolutionary times. Bunker Hill was his favorite theme. He selected the spot on his farm where he wished to be buried and call- ed it Bunker Hill. It was on high UUMMERSTON. 55 land west of the house, back of which extends a beautiful plain. He was bur- ied under military honors, a company of soldiers, or military men, being present on the occasion, from out of town. A liberty pole was erected near his grave. After a few years his remains were re- moved to the cemetery where they now rest, and over which a marble slab was raised by his relatives, bearing the in- scription we have quoted. Of the many songs about Capt. Wy- inan that he or some one else used to sing in his day, the following verse is a sample : Beleive me Sirs, now if you please, A ball took of my breeches' tnees; From a loud cannon it was sent, As I against the Britons went. A little episode of a war -like charac- ter occurred in this town, in which Capt. Wyman figured prominently. He got into a dispute with a prominent man of the town. Bela Shaw, we believe was his name. From words they came to blows, the Captain got knocked down to the floor by Shaw. The Captain in- dignant threatened prosecution ; what resulted the doggerel tells, In Mr. Shaw, he picked a flaw. Who then to have some fun, Sir, The other night did not do right And knocked John Wyman down Sir, He knocked him down upon thefloor, Sir "Wliere he did long remain; At length he rose with head so sore That loud he did complain. "Bela Shaw, " said he , you, me, havejhit And now for what you've done I'll go and get a Justice' writ As fast as I can inm." But Shaw was wise and did advise With him he'd arbitrate ; Two mugs of tod, they did award As the price of Wyman's pate. Capt. Wyman was one of the number who took offence at hearing what they called a "tory sermon preached by Rev. Hosea Beckley during the war of 1812. His text was in Rev. XII, 7. "And there was war in heaven." "England," he said, "loved us, and we declared war against her. France hated us and we loved France." Capt. Wyman would not hear Mr. Beckley preach afterward for a long time. On one occasion, whert Mr. Beckley was to exchange with an^ other minister, he called and notified the Captain of the event, and that it would afibrd hiuT an opportunity to at- tend meeting in his absence. This act restored him. to favor and he again at- tended Mr. Becklfey's meeting. HE0T. DANIEL GATES married Sarah Moore and their children were : Daniel, born Apr. 3, 1777, mi Polly Newton, Apr. 1, 1805 ; Sarah, b. Jan. 5, 1779, m. Samuel French June 15, 1800 ; Persis, born Sept. 17, 1780, m. Christopher Orms- bee. May 1, 1803; Ira, b. May 12, 1783, died Mar. 5, 1812 ; Eli, b. Mar. 22. 1786, d. Dec. 15, 1792; Joel, b. May 9, 1788, m. Susan Dut- ton. Mar. 6, 1828 ; Martin, born Feb. 25, 1791, m. Rebecca Winslow, May 3, 1826. Lieutenant Gates bought the land on which he settled in this town in 1774- His native place was probably Worces- ter, Mass., from which town Jonathan Gates came in 1777. Their relation to each other, if any, is not known. Lieut. Gates was a successful farmer and also prominent in the business afl^irs of the • town. He was prompt and efficient in all his dealings. His ability as an offi- cer in the Revolutionary a^-my was seen and acknowledged at the capture of General Burgoyne and secured to him the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, who held him in grate- ful remembrance- He died very sudden- ly Nov. 6, 1807 aged 56, when absent from home on business. He went to Worcester, Mass., with a neighbor of 56 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. Ms, and a Mr. Joy of Putney. They returned Nov. 5, as far as Oakham, Mass. He retired at night in good health but awoke about 20 minutes to three in the morning ; and complained of great distress at his heart. Stimulants were administered, and he was relieved for a time. He died in a few minutes on re- tiring again to his room. He was an ardent lover of his country and an early advocate for its freedom and in- dependence. Sarah, his wife, died Mar. 9, 1829, aged 81. Daniel Gates, who married Polly Newton, removed with his family to Truxton, N. Y. ; Children : Asa, born Feb. 11. 1806 ; Sally Moore, b. July 14, 1807; Salona and Sirena, (twins) , b. Mar. 30, 1809 ; Justin, born Jan. 3, 1811 ; Joel ; Martin. Joel and Susan (Button) Gates had *wo daughters, Sarah and Mary. The younger sister married Hiram Knapp : ■she died and he married, 2d, the elder sister, Sarah. Martin and Rebecca Gates were the parents of Martin W.,born Feb. 19. 1727, m. Ro.sella Cook; Sarah M., b. June 6, 1828, m. Fred A. Fish ; Daniel, born Nov. 24, 1831, m. Emily Orms- bee ; Emma m. Lewis H. Lynde. Martin Gates died Dec. 21, 1859, aged 68 ; Rebecca, his wife, is now liv- i]ig at ttie age of 83. Martin W. with his family, removed to Seward, Kansas, in 1877, where he died Jan. 21, 1882. He was chosen selectman in 1862, and served very ac- ceptably during four years and at a time when more than usual responsibil- ity rested with the officers of the town in connection with the war of the Re- bellion. Lieut. John S. Gates married Han- nah , and was a brother of Lieut. Daniel Gates, and settled on the river and in the northeast part of the town in 1770. It is recorded that John Gates settled on an adjoining lot the same year. It is possible that John S. and John Gates may be one and the same person. His name is also wri ten J. Shephard Gates, and in 1784, is re- corded as Shephard Gates. In 1793, John Shephard Gates is the only name recorded as the head of a family in that part of the town. Hence the on- clusion that Lt. Daniel Gates had only one brother living in Dammerston. He probably had a sister who married Reuben Spaulding, for when Spaulding died he was not buried in the family lot of his father, Lieut. Leonard Spauld- ing, but was buried iu the lot belong- ing to Lieut. Daniel Gates. It is said that Reuben Spaulding married a Gates , and after his death in 1794, she remar- ried and left town. Lieut- John S. Gates was chosen se- lectman in 1782, '83, '84, '85, and at other times up to 1806, in aU, 12 years, making the longest term of service as selectman, in this town, except that of Jason Duncan, who served 17 years. The children of Lieut. Gates and Hannah, his first wife, were John, born Apr. 11, 1776, m. Polly Goodwin, Aug. 23, 1803 ; Asa, b. Feb, 14, 1777; Lucy, born Jan. 25, 1779; Shephard, b. Oct. 1, 1780, m. Polly Dutton, Dec. 27, 1807, died Apr. 1861, M 88; William, b. Oct. 8, 1782, d. Nov. 18, 1821 ; James, b. Mar. 21, 1785, d. Dec. 26, 1816 : Hannah, b. Mar. 12, 1787 : Polly, b. Apr. 3, 1789, m. 1st Stearns Wilder, Sept. 4, 1814, 2d, Artemas Knight. Hannah, the wife of Lt. Gates, died Feb. 15, 1813, M 62, and he married, 2d Lucy Witt, Oct. 16, 1814, and died Feb. 28, 1827, aged 81. DUMMERSTON. Minor Knight m. Lavilla Gates, June 13, 183G. She liad a sister, Ma- ria. Tliey were nieces of John S. Gates. The <;hildreii of Shephard and Polly Gates ; Alanson, b. Oct. 5, 1808. and John S., b. June 24, 1811, d. Mav 22, 1849. Alanson, now living, married Julia Turner, and their children are Horatio, Asa D. and John T. Skephard Gates died Apr. 8, 1869, aged 88, and Polly, his wife, June 23, 1863, aged 77, Phineas Gates was a resident of this town 10 years. It is not certain that he was related to any one of that name in Dummerston. He married Rebecca, dau. of Pvlder Woods, of Putney West Hill, and they were residents of Wor- cester, Mass., in 1785. They lived in Petersham, Mass., in 1791, came to this town in 1798, and occupied the red building east of the common for a few years. His wile was a milliner and dressmaker. Their children were Nan- cy and Polly (twins), b. June 3, 1788 ; Sophia, b. Jan. 11, 1791 ; Henry, b. June 17, 1792: Lucy, b, Nov. 19, 1793 ; Oran, b. Feb. 29, 1796; John, b. Dec, 3, 1798; George, b. Oct. 16, 1800; Fanny, b. Sept. 9, 1802; Eliza, b. June 9, 1804 ; Emelia, b. Feb. 8, 1806, DUMMEESTON IN THE FIGHT AT me of her brothers were then in the rebel army. The officers mounted their steeds and rode away. When he went into the house, his wife reproved him for speaking to the officers, as he did, about her relatives. Her reproof added fuel to his hot temper, and he cursed and swore that he would give the Brit- ish all the information he could gather, telling his wife that, if any of her brother Sam's boys should come into his house, he would take his gun and blow his brains out. Young Laughton heard his threat and thought it time to do his errand with the to^-y and be off. He bought two bushels of rye, paid him the money and left without being recog- nized by the family. They were too much excited to ask his name, and his morning visit did not raise a suspicion tliat he had come any great distance. Huntington never allowed his wife to visit any of her relatives after the war. Her parents once made her a visit, but he was so much displeased about it that that they never had aji opportunity t(^ see their dunghtea- again, I Susaana Laughton, who married Thomas Davenport for her first husband, had by this marriage two children, Lucy and Pardon When Lucy waj? about (i years of age, her father went to New York to get work and never returned. His daughter lived in the family of Isaac and Elizabeth Boyden until she was 18 years old, and afterwards married Clark Knight. Pardon, her brother, went to Newfane, to live married, and had a large family. One of his sons, Alonzo C. Davenport, is now (1883), a merchant in Brattleboro. Capt. Samuel Laughton, Jr., once the boy who went to Warwick for rye, was born Jan. 5, 1818, and ni. Anna, dau. of Capt. Leonard Spaulding, born in Putuey, Asr. 7, 1767. Of their chil- dren, Margaret m. Thomas Boyden ; Anna m. 1st. Jonathan Tenny, 2d, Nathaniel Herrick ; Roswell died in childhood ; Wealthy did not marry ; Electa m. Rodney Laughton ; Susanna m. Wm. Chase; Betsey m. Benj. But- terfield ; Persis m. Nathaniel Bixby ; Samuel and Sally never married. Mrs. Isaac Boyden, the daughter of John Laughton, Jr., often told her grandchildren and others, the following Revolutionary story. Her father and family then lived near Boston, and when the British troops were landing in that city, a man, rode ffO VEEMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZIN?:. past their dwelling at full speed, on horsebacli, just as they were rising" ear- ly in the morning, calling, "To arms ! To arms ! The British are landing in tlie harbor. Be ready to march immedi- ately." All was excitement. Her fa- ther put the guns in order, and told his two sons to get what lead they could find and run it into bullets. The num- ber of balls were not sufficient, and Mrs. Laughton toot from the table a pewter basin and bad it made into bullets. The girls cut patches for wads, while the mother got breakfast. Very little was eaten and the father and two sons were soon on the march for conflict. Instructions had been given for the mo- ther and daughters to get sheets ready for bandages and, scrape what lint they could. It was a wise precaution, for bandages and lint were needed before sunset. This event was June 17, 1775, and the battle scene was on Bunker Hill. On that day, Mr. Langhton and his two sons saw the brave Dr. Joseph Warren fall mortally wounded. John, 3d, son of John, Jr., married Lucy Chase, of Newfane, where he went to live, and had several children. Solomon and John were two of his sons. .John was born about 1760, and married about 1791, Sally Black. The parents lived with their son, Solomon, during the decline of life. The father died and was buried in Newfane ; the mother, who survived, was brought on a bed, she being quite sick, to Dummerston, and lived with her son, John, until her death. She was buried in Newfane. "Aunt" Margaret Boyden worked for the family when she was a girl and took care of Mrs. Laughton during her last sickness. John and Sally (Black) Laughton (or Lawton as they spell the name) were the parents of Solomon, b. Sept. 3, 1793, Asa, John, Sally, Franklin, and Mary Jane, The wife of Samuel Laughton, Sen. was often called on to visit the sick, as there were few physicians in those days. She responded to all the calls for aid in sickness, and often went in winter time on snow-shoes across the lots to visit families 2 or 3 miles iiway. On one occasion she visited fi sick woman whose husband had not got reconciled to the destruction of the tea iu Boston harbor. Having brought some tea with her for the sick woman, she watched her oppor- tunity to steep it while the man was out at work, gave it to her patient and then drank some herself. Before she had finished her cup, the man came in, smelt the tea and stormed furiously, saying it cost too much human blood to drink it. It was like drinking human blood, and he would not have tea used in his house. Mrs. Laughton could not be frightened and deliberately finished drinking her tea in the presence of the enraged man. DEA. THOMAS LAUGHTON was a soldier in the French and Indian war which begun in 1754, and lasted 6 years. On one occasion he was pur- sued by Indians, and in endeavoring to escape, was obliged to cross a swamp. The passage was difficult, as the mud and water were quite deep in many places. One of the worst places, he crossed on a log. When he was near the opposite side of the swamp, he dis- covered the Indians were ahead of him and, in fact, had surrounded him. He retraced his steps immediately to the log on which he had crossed a few minutes before, and secreted himself beneath it in the water. He remained there a long time, and in order to breathe, he kept his nose just out of the water close be- hind the log, so that he escaped the no- tice of the passing Indians. They DUMMERSTON. 61 crossed and recrossed the log under which he was secreted without discov- ering him, although they had a Itttle dog that crossed on the log with tltem. M. laaghton enlisted in the Revolution- ary war, but his son. NATPIANIEL LAUGHTON, took his father's place and served as a substitute for his father. He was killed at the battle of White Plains, Oct, 28, 1776. It was only a partial engage- ment, but the Americans were obliged to retreat. In endeavoring to escape across the fields, lie jumped over a fence and, by accident dropped his gun. He thought it not safe to go on without his gun and returned to secure it. He was not seen, after that, by his fellow sol- diers, and they concluded he was killed by the enemy. Dea. Laughton moved to this town from -'Old Rutland," Mass. near the close of the Revolutionary war. He died Nov, 1-2. 1814, aged 83. Rebecca his wife died Jan. 12, 1818, aged 82. John jLaughton, his son, known as "Deacon John," tosdistinguish him from another person in town having the same name, m. Sally Miller, Jan. 1, 1795, d. Apr. 27, 1723, aged 82. His wife d. Jan. 24, 1853, aged 81. His son, Thomas Laughtop was born Jan. 3, 1766, and died Aug. 25, 1863, aged 67 years. • JACOB LAUGHTON AND LTDIA CROSBY were married Aug. 14, 1787, he died Aug. 29, 1852, aged 91, she died Apr. 15, 1837, aged 79 years ; children : Ephraim, b. Feb. 15, 1788 ; Joel and Jonathan, b. May 22, 1789, Jonathan d. Oct. 22, 1876, aged 87 ; Rodney b. Apr. 25. 1791 ; Lydiab. Jan. 10, 1793 ; A&nira, b. Jan. 10, 1796; Laura, b. June29, 1597 ; Jacob, b. July 1, 1789, d. March 13, 1870, aged 70. Lydia Bosworth, his wife, died Mar. 31, 1877, aged 75 years. LEMUEL PEESSON, a Revolutionary soldier, one of the early settlers in this town who inlisted at Deerfield, Jan. 1776, was promoted to sargeant in Co. of Capt. Wilkinson, Regt. of Col. James Reed, of Mass. line ■ \\-as in Canada and the northern depart- ment, and was discharged at Old Ticon- deroga Nov. 3, 1776, in consequence of a rupture resulting from a wound. He married Lydia Hildreth, probably a sister of Joseph Hildreth Jr., who d. May 22, 1812, ^65 ; children : Samuel b. May 24, 1779, m. Phoebe Warner of Brattleboro, June 5, 1800- as recorded on town register. Mr. Shel- don reports Susan Thomas as his wife. Lydia and mate, still born, July 8, 1782; Lemuel, b. Mar. 8, 1785, m. Betsey Burnham, Sept. 22, 1811. He d. Mar. 30, 1859. John Presson now living in town was his son. Submit b. Feb. 20, 1787, m. proba- bly, Jacob Estey. The late Presson Stearns' mother, of Chesterfield, N. H. was a daughter of Lemuel Presson. Lydia, his wife, died Mar. 1, 1787. He m. 2d. March 25, 1788, widow Anna (Lawton) Temple, and their children were : John and Esther, twins, b. Jan. 20, 1789; Aaron and Hannah, twins, b. June 26&27, 1791. William Emerson and Betsey, twins, b. Aug. 7, 1793. John m. Eliza dau. of John M. Field and removed to Warwick. Esther m. Benjamin Dennis. Aaron m. Achsah dau. of John French, of Hollis, N. H. Hannah m. July 5, 1313, Otis French. Wm. Emerson m. PoUy Brooks. Betsey m. Greenwood. Mary b. 1765, m. Leonard Smith. Joseph, b. Nov. 27, 1798, became a clergyman and settled in New York. 62 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. Sally, b. Dec. 31, 1800, m George Smith. Philanda, b. Aug. 30, 1803, m. Ebenezer Dennis. Lemuel Presson died Dec. 12, 1820. aged 67. His second wife, Anna, died about 1856 aged 97. BEMIS FAMILY. Joseph Bemis, born in 1619, was in Watertown, Mass., in 1640; d. Aug. 7, 1684. By Sarah, his wife, he hiid 9 children. PhUip Bemis, probably a grandson of Joseph, who settled in Watertown , was in Cambridge in 1723, m. Elizabeth Lawrence, Nov. 21, 1723 ; removed to Westminster, Mass., 1738, was the third settler in that township. His chil- dren, born in Cambridge, were bap- tised : Philip and William, Nov. 13, 1726 ; David, July 30, 1727 ; Abigail, July 25, 1731 ; Edward, Oct. 22, 1732 ; Zacheus, July 25, 1736 : David m. Mary, great-grand-daugh- ter of Henry Dunster, first president of Harvard College. He became a Bap- tist minister, known as Elder Bemis, who died 1813, M 86. His children were John, Joseph, Benjamin, Elias, Abner, Levi, Asa, Samuel, and Sarah, most of whom, if not all, settled in Dummerston. John, b. June 13, 1753, m. 1st Abi- gail, sister, of Henry Stevens of this town, who d. 1782 ^ 27 ; 2d Jemima, dau. of Elder Daniel Whipple, the first Baptist minister in Vermont, who died 1789, JE 97, and was bui-ied at Brat- tleboro. Children by the first marriage : Benjamin m. Rebecca Dickinson, re- sided at Bath, enlisted and died in the regular army; Abigail, m. May 1, 1806, Joseph Hildreth Jr., had children George, John, and Arazina ; Lucy m. John Streeter and settled in Lisbon, N. H. ; by 2d marriage, John Jr. , Dan- iel W., David, Stephen, William, Em- eline, Melinda, and Catherine. John Jr. m. 1st Rhoda Bebee, July 5, 1807. Children ; Roxana, married Charles Butler, who was drowned in the Connecticut river in 1838 ; John Bradley m. El-tcta Boyden ; 2d Dolly Pettis, 3d Patiftjce Wright. Daniel W. m. Melinda Goddard ; children : Melinda, Anna, Orpha, and Sumner. A few years before his death he removed to Hinsdale, N. H. ; died 1867, David m. Rhoda Sargeant, Feb. 13, 1817. Children: Erastus, Daniel G., Samuel N., and Horace. Erastus was a physician, and m. Ruth McCuUough, and settled in Pennsylvania. Daniel G. m. 1st Amanda M. Bemis, 2d her sis- ter Melvina A. He was killed instant- ly „y the falling of a tree in 1864. Samuel Newell, physician ; graduate of Vt. Medical College in 1848, mar- ried Louisa R. Miller in 1851 ; settled in Stanford, 1852 ; representative in leg- islature 1854, '55, '65, again in 1874 ; removed to Dnmm rston, 1869 ; resi- dent 12 years, with extensive practice ; removed to Brattleboro in 1881. Horace, lawyer ; studied with Asa Keyes of Brattleboro ; m. 1st Caroline S. Bruce ; removed to N. Y. ; m. 2d Sa- rah Washburn. Stephen married So- phia Daniels. William m. 1st Isabella Houghton, 2dMarinQa Willard ; '3d Dolly Sar- geant. He died 1868. William H., his son, soldier, died in late war of Re- bellion. Emeline m. Nathan Applebee, Aug. 31, 1812 ; settled in Littleton, N. H. Melinda m. David Daily ; lived in Newbury. Catherine m. Dr. Sewall Walker ; d. in 1872, John Bemis Sen. was a Revolution- ary soldier ; came from Brattleboro to this town before 1792 ; died in 1835, aged 83 ; Jemima, his wife, d. in 1830. DUMMERSTON. 63 JOSEPH BEMIS was in the Continental service at the age of 17. He wintered at Valley Forge: with Washington's army in 1777. One night he stood on guard over a house in which Gen. Washington was an inmate. ' At drybreak, the General came out and said, -'Pretty cold morning is'nt it, sol- dier ? Do you suppcse a little peach brandy would hurt you? "I think not," replied Bemis. The General sent him the brandy. On another occasion Wash- ington wished to pass into camp where Bemis was on guard. He halted the General, presented his gun and called for the countersign. "You can let me pass," said Washmgton, "I am one of the officers." "You must give the pass- word first" said the soldier. "You have aflne gun there soldier." "Yes," replied Bemis, "Guess I can kill an Indian six or eight rods off. tStand out there ; you can tell." The General held out his hat, showing the countersign inside, and was allowed to pass on. As he went by, he slapped Bemis on the shoulder and said, "I wish I had a whole regi- ment of soldiers like you." Joseph Bemis, born in 1759 : mar- ried .Jem.ima Stoddard ■ Children : Pol- ly, b. June 29, 1781, m. Nathaniel At- tridge, Jan. 24, 1802 ; Cyntha, b. Dec. 20, 1783, m. Joel Chandler, Dec. 6, 1804 ; Joseph Jr., b. Aug. 5, 1786, m. Abigail Hadley, Dec. 3, 1807 ; Sibyl, b. Nov. 26. 1789, m. Eben- ezer Hadley, Oct. 6, 1814 ; Asa, born 1795, d. 1799 ; Joanna, b. Apr. 8, 1797, m. Eiifus Hadley. Mr. Bemis settled on the farm now owned by Luke T. Bond. He died Aug. 16, 1837, aged 78 ; Jemima, his wife, d. June 15, 1842, aged 89. Joseph Jr. lived on the parental farm many years ; removed to New Y'"ork, and how living in his 98th year. Ch : Priscilla, b. 1808, m. George Dickin- son : Edwin B. m. 1st Eliza Ann, dau. of Joseph Duncan Esq. , 2d Ann Cross- field ; Louisa E. m. Alexander Dickinson \ Lewis m. Naomi Cushman ; Jesse m.. Parmelia Cole ; Abigail died youiig. Mary Ann m. John Emerson ; Jane E. m. James Peabody ; Harriet S. ; Sarah m. Dennison Wilson. Joshua Bemis, a Revolutionary sol- dier with Joseph Sen., probably a cous- in, m. Joanna — —, about 1783. Ch ^ Joanna and Abigail (twins), b. 1785, Polly, Bezina, Ira, Stephen, Olive, Sibyl, Ira 2d., Betsey and Beman. Benjamin, brother of Joseph Sen. m. Olive Baldwin Mar. 14, 1793. She was born Aug. 23, 1769, and after her father's death, her mother m. Benjamin. Jones Jr. Apr. 8, 1774. Elias Bemis, b. July 15, 1767, m. Experience Kendrick, Jan. 12, 1789.- He died June 2, 1806, from exposure after having the m.easles. The grief of his wife for him, made her partially in- sane. She mariied 2d Samuel Willing- ton, July 14, 1808. The children of Elias were Lemuel K., b. Oct. 22, 1790; Abner,b. 1792, m. Bolivia Tracy ; Clarissa, born Mar. 28, 1794, m. Jonathan French ; Sally ,^ m. Asa Miller ; Lavina, m. Edward Whitney ; Eliza m. Loran Smith ; Lemuel K.m. Feb. 23,1813, Bet- sey, dau. of Elijah Buck, a Revolution- ary soldier. Children : Mandana, Bet- sey, Maria, Cyrene, Willis, and Lem- uel. Abner Bemis. a Baptist minister, m. Katie Freeman and settled in Halifax, Levi m. and removed to New York. Asa went West, but returned to Dum- merston. Samuel m.. Betsey Bemis, his cousin, Oct. 29, 1794. She was a 64 VERMONT HrsTORrCAL MAGAZINE, dau. of Samuel, who m. Elizabeth Rob- inson of Lexington, Mass. Sarah ni. Paul Dickinson, Dee. 13. 1796. SAMUEL STEARNS, JI. D., LL. D. Dr. Samuel Stearns becamie a resi- dent of Dummerston about 1796, and practiced medicine in this town several years. He was of a roving character and, previous to his residing in Ver- mont, had ti-aveled in nine of the Amer- ican states, and in England, Scotland, Ireland, and France. He was born in Lancaster, Mass., in 1747, and was, as expressed in his own language : "early taught by parents and ministers to fear God and honor the king. I was also instructed in the various branches of grammar, arithmetic, algebra, ge- ometry, trigonometry, navigation, sur- veying, astronomy, music and medicine. I always had a natural inclination to do good ; to walk in the paths of righteous- ness, and to shun vice and immorality." When quite young, he removed with his parents to Paxton, an adjoining town, where, at the age of 26, he engaged in the practice of medicine and compiling and publishing almanacs. His medical practice was fair, and his fame as an astromomer led many of the inhabitants to consult him on the turn of future events. Nothing had occurred to change the current of his existence till after the Revolutionary war. He was suspected of being disloyal to the American cause and it became evident that he was a to- ry. For that reason his practice fell off and his friends deserted him, except those who were loyal to the king. He did not flee from the royal lines, but chose to remain and endure the sneers and insults, which were freely bestowed upon him, until 1780, when he was ar- rested. His experience for the next seven years is given in his own words in a petition dated, Brattleboro, July 18, 1799, and addressed to his Excellency Robert Liston, Philadelphia, Penn., which was the seat of U. S. govern- ment at that time, and by him to be transmitted to the king : "To the King's Most Excellent Maj- esty :— The petition of Samuel Stearns most humbly, — That when the unhappy dis- sensions commenced between Great Britain and your Majesty's American colonies, he was an inhabitant of Pax- ton, in the county of Worcester, in the province of the Massachusetts Bay, where he followed the practice of physic and the making of astronomical calcula- tions. That a number of years he suf- fered persecution in consequence of his loyalty to Your Majesty, and attachment to the British government, was made a prisoner on the twenty -third day of September. A. D. 1780, accused of holding a traitorous correspondence with, and affording aid and comfort to the enemy, supposed to be Your Maj- esty's armies, but was liberated by giv- ing bonds for his appearance before the Supreme Judicial court in April follow- ing. That on the third day after he was thus recognized he received information that his adversaries had issued a second waiTant with the design to put him in close confinement, and finding that his life was in great danger, fled for protec- tion to Your Majesty's army, then at New York. That he resided within the British lines, during the remainder of the war, and Congress having rati- fied the treaty of peace between Great Britain and America, he returned to said Paxton in the year 1784, with a design to collect sundry debts due to him and ascertain the value of the property he had left and remove his family to Nova Scotia. That although it had been in the 6th article of said treaty, that no prosecutions would be commenc- ed against any person, etc., for, or by reason of the part he had taken in the war ; and that no person would on that account, suffer any future loss or dam- age, either in person, liberty or proper- ty, yet in less than two days after his return he was seized and imprisoned in the goal in said county of Worcester, under the pretence of being brought to trial, in consequence of the accusations DUMMERSTON. 65 already mentioned. That, without any trial, without the finding of any bill against him, and without his being al- lowed anything to eat, drink or wear, at the expense of the county or state (water excepted) he suffered two years and elevem months confinement in a very disagreeable prison, although it had been customary to allow states' prisoners something for their subsistence even if they had been theives, highway robbers and murderers, and although he frequently petitioned the general court or assembly of the commonwealth of Massachusetts praying for liberation and the enjoyments of those rights which were granted to him as one of Your Majestys' subjects in the definitive treaty of peace between Great Britain and America. That, for a long time he was treated with neglect and con- tempt, but was at last discharged from confinement on the 28th day of July, 1787, by order of said General Assem- bly, Then he was liberated in a very distressed condition, being destitute of house and the common necessaries of life, but went with his claims for the loss of his houses, lands, etc.. to Montreal, in the Province of Quebec, in hopes it was in the power of the com- missioners appointed by Your Majesty to inquire into the losses, services and sufferings of the American loyalists, to grant compensation. That he found that it was not in the power of the com- missioners to receive his claims because they had not been delivered to them previous to the begining of May, 1786, at which time he was in prison ; He, therefore, went to Great Britain, peti- tioned for relief and had some compen- sation granted for what he had suffer- ed in the time of the war, but not any- thing that he knows of, for his suffer- ings since the establishment of peace. That he returns his sincere thanks to Your Majesty for those favors, and fur- ther begs leave to mention that he re- turned to America in the year 1791; and having been informed that the com- monwealth of Massachusetts had paid for his board whilst he had been a states, prisoner, went into that govetnment to visit his friends in the year 1793, when he was unexpectedly seized and impris- 9 oned in the goal in the county of Bris- tol, for not paying said board. That he suffered four days, eighteen hours and fifteen minutes close confinement in said county of Bristol, and lost by this prosecution 141 pounds, 16 shillings and 6 pence, sterling. He also lost, when imprisoned in Worcester, 273 pounds, 19 shillings and 9 pence, ster- ling, in consequence of his non-appear- ance before the Supreme Jud^ial Court, when he resided within the British lines in the time of war, the greatest part of which sum was paid to the said com- monwealth by his bondsmen, who were also imprisoned. That said imprison- ment also prevented his collecting the debts that were due to him in said state, which amount to 368 pounds, 6 shill- ings and 6 pence, sterling, including the principal, which, joined to, amount to 784 pounds, 2 shillings and pence, besides the two years, eleven months, four days, eighteen hours and fifteen minutes imprisonment which he has suf fered repugnant to the requisitions of the articles of peace. That he has pe- titioned to Your Majesty's commission- ers in Philadelphia, and these appoint- ed by the President and Senate of the United States of America, for the pur- pose of ascertaining the amount of all loses and damages as divers merchants and others. Your Majesty's subjects have sustained in consequence of their being debarred by sundry lawful imped- iments from collecting their debts in said states, praying that they the said C')mmissioners, would aid and assist him ia obtaining compensation, but they es- teem themselves as not empowered to act upon the subject because his impris- onment is considered not as lawful but as an unlawful impediment to his col- lecting his debts. That he understands that a number of Your Majesty's sub- jects in Nova Scotia and elsewhere, who formerly belonged to Massachu- setts, are debarred from receiving com- pensation for their debts in the same manner, althongh it does not appear by the. records that the General Assembly of Massachusetts ever repeated the laws they made in the time of war for the purpose of protecting the American loy- alist, and which were repugnant to the 66 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZESTE. definitive treaty of peace between Great Britain and America, till the year 1787. That it appears by an article of Con- greas passed in the year 1794, that no foreigner is allowed to sue any state within the limits of the United Staites of America. Therefore, he sees no way to obtain compensation for the injuries and abuses that he has received than that of imploring Your Majesty's most gi-aeions £^d and assistance. He there- fore praysrthat Your Majesty will 'be pleased to aid and assist your petition- er, and all others, Your Majesty's loyal subjects, who havebeen injured by viola- tions of the treaty aforesaid, "for whom no provisions appear to be made at pres- ent for their relief" in obtaining com- pensation of the United States in such a way and manner as Your Majesty in your wisdom may see fit. Sworn before me this 23d of July, 1799, Lute Knowlton, Member of the Honorable Council for the State of Vermont in America and Justice of the Peace throughout the Sts^te." The five or six years succeeding his release from imprisonment, in 1787, were spent in various parts of the Uni- ted States and Europe. In 1789, he was for a short time engaged in editing the Philadelphia Magazine. He pub- lished an almanac which was printed in Bennington. In 1790, he published a work entitled -'A Tour in Holland, by an American." It was printed in Worcester, Mass., though he was then in Europe. In 1791, he had published in Dublin a work entitled "Dr. Stearns's Tour from London to Paris." His "American Oracle" was published in New York, in 1791. It was printed for, and sold by Hodge & Campbell, & Co. In this book, he states that he is the author of a treatise entitled "The Mys- tery of Animal Magnetism Revealed to to the World." In 1801, he published by subscription '-The American Her- bal." It contains the names of sub- scribers, mostly in Vermont and New Hampshire. In the "American Oracle,"* under the head of chronology, is the fol- lowing item : "Dec. 29, 1782, Dr. Stearns, having- made the calculations, publishes the first Nautical Almanack tliat ever was print- ed in America." Tliat credit is accorded to him at the present time. His "New Hypothesis Concerning the Cause of the Aurorai Borealis" was formed while? he was in Vermont, as thus recorded in the Ora- cle. In_the evening of the 26th of Janu>- ary 1788, as I was sitting in a larg& room in the state of Vermont, the weath- er being very severe, a cat jramped into> my lap, whose hairs were stiffened witb the cold ; and, as I stroked them I ob- served that they emitted coruscations, and I began to conclude that they were' the electrical fluid." In a few mintites afterwards, he no- ticed the Northern Lights and reasoned that the atmosphere might likewise emit sparks, or electrical light, if it is prop- erly stiffened with the cold, and agitated by the different currents of air. When in London, Jan. 27, 1791, he wrote ai poem to comanemorate his new theory of the Northern Lights. The Oracle comprehends an account of recent discoveries in the arts and sci- ences. In it he records. "Jan. 26, 1790, Dr. Stearns receives a letter from Dr. Herschel, informing that Mrs. Herschel, sister to the Doctor discovered a comet on the 7th instant." Thus it is known that William Herschel LL.D., F.R.S., the celebrated astrono- mer, married a sister of Doctor Stearns. In the Boston Athenaeum Catalogue, Samuel Steams is credited with his de- gree M. D. and LL.D. It has been stated that he obtained his degree in England, but it is not known that he was a graduate from college. He says in his preface to the American Oracle, dated New York, Sept. 12, DUMMERSTON, 67 1791, that philosophy, the liberal arts and sciences have been the objects of his early and unremitting study. The practice of physic, and the making of astronomical calculations engaged his attention for upwards of twenty years. He had a familiar acquaintance with the latest and most approved authors upon the liberal and mechanical arts and sciences, attended lectures upon phsiol- ©gy, chemistry, magnetism, electricity, optics, astronomy, and other branches of natural and experimental philosophy. He invented a Tide-table for the Sea Ports of the North American continent, "was astronomer for the Provinces of "Quebec and New Brunswick : also, for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Vermont. Dr. Stearns was married before 1780, and his wife was not living at the time of his first imprisonment, for, while in jail, he wrote a poem, dated July 16, 1786, advertising himself for sale as a widower. He married twice while liv- ing inDummerston. The second wife, Sarah, died in this town and was bur- ied near the grave of Capt. John Met- calf. The following inscription was copied from the slate stone erected to her memory : "The Honorable Mrs. Sarah Stearns, tlie amiable Consort of the Hon. Sam- uel St arns, One of the Senators of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, Physician and Master of the Canon and Civil Laws, died in this Town, Oct. 14, 1801, aged 54 years 10 months and 22 days." The same inscription is recorded on the town book. His third marriage is recorded in the same book. The lady was the widow of Alexander Kelly, Sen. he died Jan. 15, 1803. She was the widow Albee when married to Mr. Kel- ley, Mar. 13, 1797, and her former residence was Bellingham, Mass. Dr. Steaxns was married to Mrs, Elizabeth KeUey, of Dummeraton, Nov. 10, 1803. by Samuel Mead, Rector of the Church in Alstead, N. H., in the presence of the following witnesses, — Jason Duncan, Sarah Duncan, Jabez Butler, Experience Butler, Delia But- ler, Thomas Lewis, Mehitable Lewis, Thankful Grover, Polly Town, Mary Grinnell and Philenda Smith. In the marriage certificate, he states that he was -'one of the Royal Pensioners, of the Kingdom of Great Britain." Thus it appears that he was successful in pe- titioning the king for aid. Dr. Stearns wJiile a resident of Dum- merston, lived in the east part of the town. In 1804, he occupied what has since been called the "Birchard place." He owned one-half acre of land and one-third of the store. Jabez Butler and Asa Houghtoii owned the remain- ing two-thirds. He sold the land and his share in the store, the same year, to Butler and Houghton. The store was 40 by 60 ft. and was the first one burned on that site, when occupied by- Roger Birchard. Asa Houghton, born in Bolton, Mass., Feb. 3, 1775, was a nephew of Dr. Steams. He was in trade in this town but died in Putney, Sept. 10, 1829, where he has a daughter now living. He was an uncle of Simon W. Houghton, Esq. of Putney. Dr. Stearns had a sister, Martha Stearns, who married Simon Houghton grandfather of Simon W. Houghton, Esq. now living in Putney. She was born in Lancaster, Mass., May 30, 1750, died Apr. 3, 1823. Her husband was born Oct. 15. 1737. Both died in Bolton, Mass., a town taken from Lan- caster. A lady now living in Dummerston, nearly 88 years old remembers the Doc- tor quite well. He was called to see her mother, who was sick of a fever, and 68 VEEMONT HISTORICAL. MAGAZINE. she describes him as a nice looking man. His hair was white and combed straight back from his forehead and worn in a qneue. During his visit to the sick woman, the doctor looked in the mirror two or three times to see whether his hair was all right. Just how long he was a resident in this town is uncertain. His home was in Brattleboro at the time of his death. In the northwest corner of the cemetery south of Brattleboro village is a slate- stone bearing the following inscription : Sacred to the Memory of Samuel Stearns, LL.D., who Died Aug. 8, 1810 aged 63 years. Self-taught, Nature was his preceptor, philosophy Sis mistress, and astronomy his prompter. Disappointment ever succeeded his hest Endeavors ; he deserved better. Ingratitude was the reward of his labort. Peace to his ashes. Note : Dr. James Conland of Brattleboro is entitled to muoli credit for looking np the his- tory of Sam'l Steams. The writer of this sketch is mnch indehted to him for valuable infor- mation taken from a paper read by him before the Brattleboro Professional club and publish- ed in the Vermont Phoenix, Junes, 1883. Dr. Samuel Stearns was an inhabit- ant of thi« town many years. His to- ryism made it unpleasant for him to re- main with the patriotic citizens of this town and he left for Canada and remain- ed tiU peace was declared, after whicli he again returned. Before his return he spent a few years in England where he had the degree of LL.D. conferred on him. He was bom at Lancaster in 1736. ADVERTISEMENT. THE WIDOWEK M JAIL EXPOSED TO SALE. A NEW SONG. (BY DB. SAMUEL STEABNS.) Te ladies all who have a mind In Matrimony to Engage With me that's honest good and kind * That Is nigh to fifty years of Age. I am but of a middling Size [Sound My Limbs are sti-ait, ther'e good and I have a pair of bluish Eyes, And with good health I do abound. I have myself once married been ; It happened in my younger Age j More than a thousand Days I've seen Since My companion left the Stage. My children, they all married l>e And all alone 1 must Keniain Unless that I should chance to See One that will Marry me again. Hence, thoi" in Prison I'm Ccmflnea I do expose myself to Sale And Advertise that it is my mind To Marry tho' I am in Jail I want a wife tliat is clean and neat. That is neither Bashfull nor too cold. Whose Siape, Deportment, all complete. That is not stingy, nor a Scold. Let such an one now visit me Whilst in the Prison I'in Confined And if with me, She can agree Ourselves, in manlage wc will bind. Some Ladies often almost Cry Because Confined in Jail I t>e And whils't they're even passing by They dare not stop to Visit me; Because they think that in these Days Some people of them would make sport If they in such Religious, ways Should once begin the men to conrt- The Ladies wish me out of Jail, Are sorry for my Dismal fate But as I'm now exposed to sale I hope they will no longer wait; But Visit me without delay That so a Husband they may find Who to a Wife both Night and Day Will always be exceeding kind. Let our Great Men soon make a Law That the Kind Ladies shaU not fail To often Visit men that Draw Their fancies, tho' they be In Jail. PINIB. Composed by a Prisoner, July 15, 1786. Note : these verses, written by Samuel Steamsi were copied by the writer from the original unpublished poem, long m the possession of J. F. Stearns of Dummerston and given by him sometime before his death, to Dea. Simon W. Houghton. John P. Steams died Nov. 25, 1872, ed 82, and is supposed to have been a relative of the doctor. The value of these verses is chief- ly of a historical character, giving as they do, a description of the doctor in his own language, stating his age and circumstances in life. He DUMMERSTON. 69 was "nigli to fifty" in 1786, and must have been bom in 1736, as Dea. Houghton, his sisters' grandson, claims. Therefore his age should have been 73 and not 63, as engraved on the slate-stone. Mrs. Houghton always said that "Poor Samuel," as she was wont to call her brother, was much older than herself, who was bom in 17!iO. Dea. Houghton claims also that Dr. Stearns came to Dummerston several years before 1796, and the claim is made good by the Doctor, himself, who says in his book that he was in Vei-mont in Jan. 17S8. SECOND MAEEIAGE OF DE. STEAENS : ENTKY ON THE TOWN EEOOKD. "The Hon. Samuel Steams LL.D. one oi the Royal Pensioners of the Kingdom of Great Britain, after being lawfully published three Sundays, was on the 10th day of Nov. 1803, le- gally married by me according to the method practiced by the church of Fngland, to Mre. Elizabeth Kelley of Dummerston. SAJTOEL MEAD, KECTOK OF THE CHURCH IN ALSTEAD. WILLIAM NEGXJS was among the first settlers in this town. His wife was Patience , and their children were PoUy, b. Feb. 17, 1778, m. John Barnes Dec. 22, 1796 ;Patience, b. 1781, d. infant; Persis, b. Sept. 19, 1782, m. Oct. 7, 1810, Daniel Newton of'Newfane ; Joseph, b. 1784, d. infant ; Samuel, b. Dec. 7, 1788. Sally, probably a daughter of William Negus, m. Asa Houghton, Aug. 10. 1804. Three daughters of John and Polly (Negus) Barnes married as follows : Mary Barnes, June 18, 1820, Cornelius Tuttle; Persis, Jan. 23, 1821, Benja- min Tuttle ; Martha, Oct. 7, 1821, Joel Tuttle. John Negus married Lydia , aad their children were Elizabeth b. Oct. 21, 1787 ; William, b. Aug. 22, 1789 ; Lyd- ia, b. Sept. 24, 1791 ; John, Jr., b. Aug. 22, 1793 ; Sarah b. Oct.l7 95. Polly, b. 1797, d. infant; Patience, b. Sept. 14, 1798 ; Zeruiah, b. Jan. 20, 1801 ; Samuel, b. Apr. 5, 1803 ; Benj- amin, b. May 13, 1805 ; Joseph, b. Apr. 13, 1807; Abigail, b. Oct. 1, 1809, John Negus, the father these children, died Sept. 30, 1809. Elizabeth Negus m. Nathan Davis May 10, 1781. His first wife was Sarah Jones whom he m. May 26, 1774. Samuel Negus m. Jan. 30, 1783, Sarah, sister of Enoch Cook. Diraxy Negus m. Thomas Barnes, Dec. 26, 1787. THOMAS HOLTON, one of thefirst five selectmen chosen Apr. 15, 1776, died Dec. 22, 1800, about 75 years of age. His son, Arad Holton, died Oct. 8, 1841, aged 88 yrs. 11 mo. Arad married Anna Haven for his first wife. She died Feb. 1, 1787, aged 28 yrs. 4 mo. — children : Reuben, b. Nov. 9, 1778 ; Ira d. Apr. 26, 1780 ; Arad, b. Sept. 9, 1781 ; Ariel, b. July 26, 1783 ; Experience d. Mar. 20, 1785. He married his second wife, Rebecca Houghton, May 13,. 1787, who died Dec. 17, 1800, aged 35 years — children : Winslow, b. Jan. 11, 1788, now living at the age of 91 years ; Louden, b. June 23, 1789 ; Rebecca and Ira, twins, b. Dec. 23, 1795 ; Abel, b. Sept. 7, 1800. He married 3d. Mrs. Eunice Spauld- ing widow of Josiah Spaulding, whose maiden name was Skinue ■. She died Jan. 21, 1856, aged 85 yrs. 6mo. — children : Joel, b. May, 14, 1803 ; Eu- nice, b. Aug. 3, 1808 ; Denslow, born Aug. 29, 1 810. CAPT. ASHBEL JOHNSON, A citizen of the town in Revolutionary times, resided in school district No. 4 in the N. E. corner of the town. He was born May 22, 1750, and died Jan. 20, 1723, aged 72. Jail Johnson, his wife was born Mar. 6, 1755. Children : William, b. Apr. 16, 1773 ; David, b. Feb. 6, 1775, d. Feb. 22, 1780; Ebenezer, b. Feb. 14, 1777 ; Lucy, b. Dec. 9, 1778 ; Martha, born Mar. 29, 1780i Ashbel,b. Jan. 90, 1782; Tab- atha, b. Jan. 12, 1784; Ezekiel Por- ter, born Nov. 20, 1785; Abigail, b. 70 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZlNii. Mar. 2, 1788 ; Samuel, bora Dec. 29, 1789 ; Mary, b. Mar. 4, 1792 ; David Ward, b. Nov. 20, 1793 ; Stephen, b. Feb. 13, 1796. EARLY FARMS. 1754 Col. Josiah Willard of Winchester, N. H., bought Jan. 9, 1764, a share of land in Dummerston belonging to Jona- than Hubbard, Esq., of Townshend, Mass., for £2 Old Tenor Bills. Hub- bard was an original grantee. Jan. 23, 1754, John Pierce, a farmer, of Win- chester, whose name is on the charter, sold a share of land in this town to Col. Willard. John Summers, farmer, of Winchester, sold him the same year his right to a share, as an original grantee. In 1759, Col. Willard bought a share of Elijah Alexander of Winchester. 1764 Capt. John Kathan bought a whole share of Capt. Samuel Hunt, gentle- man, of Northfield, Mass., for £60. Hunt was an original grantee: At this time Mr. Kathan had occupied the land 12 years. He sold the farm to his son, John Jr., for £400, June 12, 1786. In the deed the farm is described as a certain tract of land in the N. E. cor- ner of Dummerston, containing 300 acres, "on which I now live, and is one whole right of land of land deeded to me, the said John Kathan, by Samuel Hunt and surveyed to me by Elisha Root." John Griffin and Willard Moore were witnesses to the deed and were sworn, after the death of Capt. Kathan by Judge Benjamin Burt of Windham County Court, when the deed was re- corded Nov. 26, 1787. 1770 The proprietors of the township at this time were the heirs of Lieut. Will- iam Dummer and Hon. Anthony Stod- dard of Massachusetts. Govenor Dummer died in 1761, and Stoddard had died before the granting of deeds in 1770, to the set- tlers. John, Jeremiah, William, and Susanna Powell were the heirs of Gov- ernor Dummer, and Martha, Anthony, and Simeon Stoddard were the heirs of Anthony deceased. Martha had mar- ried John Stevens, and Simeon, not of age, had a guardian named Joseph Jack- son. Most of the heirs resided in Bos- ton, but Stevens was, in 1773, a resi- dent of Ashford, Conn. Each lot con- tained 100 acres, size 160x100 rods. They were numbered from one to 148 in what is now Dummerston. Kuch settler paid 5 shillings, as a recording fee, and the consideration for each lot was that certain work had been done on the land, and each purch-ser should clear and fence four acres fit for the plough or scythe, also, erect and finish a dwelling-hous*! thereon, not less than 20 feet square ; also that a house for public worship be built in Dummerston and a minister of the gospel be settled therein within 4 years from the date of the deed, June 26, 1770. Thomas Clark from Worcester, Mass. bought lot No. 52, that year, but after- wards purchased, June 12, 1783, for 100 "Spanish Milled Dollars," the ad- joining lot No. *53, on the north, and lived many years on the place now own- ed and occupied by J. E. Worden. Isaac Beard bought lot No. 113, near the present location of West riv- er bridge. Ezra Robinson's lot. No. 49, was in the south pare of the town, east of the "Rice place." He sold a part of his land to Nathan Davis, Feb. 19, 1777, reserving a bridle-path through it to Benjamin Jones's house. Robinson sold. DUMMERSTON. 71 Oct. 22, 1779, another portion of land to John Rice for $300. John Friswell's lot, No. 61 was sold by him to Col. William Boyden, June 26, 1771. It is now Willard Dodge's farm. John Killbury purchased lot, No. 23, east of Slab Hollow. John Wilder from Sturbridge, Mass. loi'-ated on lot No. 97, the east part of which is the old Alvord place. Wilder sold 60 acres of the west part to Jonas Walker fi-om Rutland, Mass., Jan. 8, 1778. for £160. Hosea Miller settled on lot. No. 54, east of the meeting-house, June 5, 1782, he bought of the proprietors lot. No. 55, north of his homestead, for £60. Wm. O. Miller, postmaster, now owns the farm. Ebenezer Haven located on lot, No. 14, where Orren Haven now lives. •Tune 5, 1782, he bought of the propri- etors lot. No. 24 for £50, the farm has ever since been kept in the family namie. Mr. Haven owned one half of lot, No. 29 near Putney on the Connecticut riv- er. Capt. Isaac Miller, who helped Eben- ezer Waters survey the town in 1767, selected lot. No. 11, now known as the Abial Walker farm, where he lived many years. He sold the farm to hi's son, William Miller, Apr. 29, 1758, for £500. Samud Button Jr., bought lot, No. 122, up in the Hague, and sold the samii to Joshua Walton, March 10, 1783, he, performing the work required of Dutton. June 5, 1782, Mr. Uutton bought of the proprietors, lot. No. 51, one mile south of the meeting-house, where he lived many years. Alexander Kathan, Esq. settled on lot. No. 15, the well known Kathan farm. At the date of his deed, he had been a resident of the town 9 years. He owned a part of lot. No. 18, near where Samuel Wheeler now lives. It was bought of Isaac and Asa Sharpe, the Connecticvit j)roprietors, Feb. 18, 1784. Charles Davenport located on lot. No. 12, known as the John F. Stearns place. Rufus Sargeant bought lot, No. 1, in the S. E. corner of the town and in 1783, bougnt lot, No. 7, in the next range. Joseph Millet bought lot, No. 148, in the N. W. corner of the town ; own- ed by Ichabod Knapp in 1782. John Shepherd Gates bought lot No. 29, near Putney. He sold a part to Ebenezer Haven, Apr. 10, 1780. John Gates located on lot. No, 32, one half mile from Putney line on the road leading to Brattleboro. Enoch Cook lived on lot, No. 67, Levi M. Walker now owns the farm, kept in the Cook family four generations now. Mr. Cook sold to his son, Enoch Jr., Apr. 3, 1789. Joseph Temple set- tled on lot, No. 36, where the Temple family lived many years. Samuel Laughton located on lot. No. 63, where Austin Laughton now lives. Oct. 9, 1787, he deeded the farm to his sons, Samuel Jr. and Jacob in equal shares. Benjamin Jones resided on lot No. 44, in the south part of the town, near the Rice place. Elias Wilder bought lot. No. 47, of Benjamin Gould of Brattleboro, June 27, 1770. The other deeds of that year were dated June 26. Some of the ear- ly settlers neglected to have their deeds recorded in the Dummerston books, and deeds granted in 1770, were not record- ed for ten and even 14 years after that date. May 29, 1772, Dr. Stephen Little of Portsmouth, N. H., bought of Mesh- ech Weare of Hampden Falls, N. H., 72 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. three whole shares of land situated in the following township, Viz : Dummer- ston, Halifax, and Bridgewater, and the same year sold the shares to John, McKesson, a lawyer, of New York City. In 1786, McKesson appointed Jacob Bagley his attorney to sell all his lands in Vermont. June 5, 1773, Charles Leonard from Worcester, Mass., bought lot. No. 146, in the Hague, of Abraham Taylor of Worcester, and settled on the ' same, He sold one half the farm to his son, William, in 1776. June 5, 1774, Joseph Negus of Pe- tersham, Mass., sold lot. No. 81 to William Negus of Granby, Mass., for £25. In 1783, William bought a' part of lot. No. 68, east of where he lived, William and John Negus may have been sons of Joseph, [page 69] January 3, 1774, John Scott and Susanna, his wife, sold a part of lot, No. 22, east of Slab Hollow, to Aaron Brooks. He sold a part of lot. No. 4, to Brooks in 1773. The land in lot. No. 4, is near Connecticut river, east of Alonzo Button's farm. Dr. Solomon Harvey and Mary, his wife, who lived on the adjoininglot, south from Brook's, witnessed the deed. Dec. 26, 1774, Daniel Gates bought lot, No. 65 of the proprietors in Con- necticut for £23. The farm is now owned by John MiUer. Gates sold a piece of land in 1791, to Cotton Skin- ner, a shoemaker, who sold the same in 1792, to Nathan Cook. Capt. .John Metcalf, gentleman, who married Sa- rah Taylor of Hinsdale ; lived just south of Gates' house, on land which he bought in 1789, he sold his place to Wm. Moore of Greenfield, Mass., al- so the store near the meeting-house in which Benjamin Estabrook lived many years. Dec. 19, 1775. [Elijah Town sold part of lot No. 89 to his son, Elijah Jr. He had bought of J. Shepherd Gates and Adam Whitney. It is now the farm of Howard Jones. Gates bought in 1782, lot. No. 28, and the farm is probably where Alanson Gates now lives. He owned lot, No. 32 and sold in 1781, 42 acres to Smith Butler. May 26, 1776. Joshua Walton sold to Lt. Josiah Allen a part of lot. No. 122, south side of Fall Brook with the benefit of a mill spot for $176. Walton was a resident of the town in 1770, and had probably bought land of the origi- al proprietors before that date. 1777. Martha Stephens of Boston, widow of John Stephens, daughter and only heir at that time of Hon. Anthony Stoddard ; gave Dec. 9, a deed and re- lease of certain undivided land in Dum- merston, reserviiigsales previously made by her husband, to Jonathan Amory, amerchant of that city for £2600. Benjamin Estabrook from Rutland, Mass., bought of Wm. Negus, carpen- ter, one half of lot. No. 81 for £70 ; located near Black mountain and re- cently owned by Josiah Dodge. Samuel Dutton sold Jan. 9, to Eph- raim Rice from Petersham, Mass., lot, No. 74 for $500. Now called the Rice farm. Mr. Dutton probably lived on that farm before buying of Jonathan Knight in June, following. John Rice sold Oct. 23, to Amos Rice from Peter- sham, Mass., lot, No. 52 for $700. This farm may have been the Samuel Duncan place. John, also, sold Eph- raim Rice 30 acres in 1783. John Scott sold, Mar. 17, to John French, miUer, the eastern half of lot. No. 38 in Slab Hollow for £20. The boundary line began at the "L6g Bridge" below, "and running as the DUMMERSTON. road runs till you get eight rods above the grist-miU dam, then westerly a straight line, so as to take half of said lot." French sold in 1784, to his son, John Jr., 23 1-2 acres "with one half of the grist-mill and mill-spot, one. half of the dwelling-house on Jo- seph Hayward, my son-in-laws' land." A part of the boundary was *' the southeast- east corner of my Log House." Joseph Hayward was a shoe- maker. In 1783, Frenc-h sold Hay- ward one half his farm-house, grist- mill and mill-privileges. The deed was signed by John French aud Mary, his wife. Hayward was married to their daughter, Sarah. Jan. 16, 1784, by Rev. Mr. Goodhue of Putuey. April 7. Jonathan Knight, Esq., bought lot, No. 58 for ^6.55, with build- ings thereon, of Cyrus and Experience Houghton. This is the Simeon Reed farm, and the old buildings were a few rods south of the present dwelling-house on the place. Artemas Knight of Wor- cester, Mass., sold, Apr. 19, lot. No. 49 to Jonathan Knight, and he sold the same to Samuel Dutton June 9, "for $600 Bay Currency, or silver at five shillings & eight pence the ounce." In 1780, Jonathan purchased a wh(ile share of land in the township of Corn- wall, Vt. of Nathan Foot. Cyrus Houghton, who sold his farm to Mr. Knight, was doubtless the father of "Daniel Houghton, killed at Westmin- ster March ye 13, 1775" March 20. Joshua Walton sold apart of lot, No. 113 to John Crawford, near West river bridge. Mr. Crawford, on account of sickness in 1782, delivered up his property to the selectmen and they were to provide him with "such Necessaries as shall be comfortable for my support" He died in 1785, and William Boy den, Admr. sold his re- 10 maining estate to Micah French Jr. for $144. Sept. 22. Lt. John Wyman from Cambridge, Mass., bought a part of lot. No. 38 of John Sargeant of Brat- tleboro. He also purchased the same year a partof lot, No. 39 of Asa Sharpe, a proprietor in Connecticut. This farm is now owned by Henry French. Oct. 13, he bought a part of lot. No, 63 of Thomas Clark. Jonathan Gates of Worcester, Mass., sold June 19, one half of lot. No. 22 to Isaac Miller. Doe. 9, John Manley sold land to his son, John Jr., near to Jonas Liver- more. John Jr., sold a part of the same lot, No. 115 to Seth Hudson, housewright. Jan. 3, Joseph Hildreth Jr., sold lot, No. 119 to Joseph Covey and Hazael Hooker. Aug. 16, Thomas Murry sold Capt. Ebenezer Meri-ick a part of lot. No. 126, on West river road near the land of Oliver Evans. Sept. 13, Tillotson Miller of Deer field, Mass., sold lot,- No. 34 to Josiah Boy den. 1779. May 19, John Florida from Shrews- bury, Mass., bought of James Nichols a part of lot. No. 27 on the river road to Putney, for £420. Nov. 29, Samuel Laughton sold a part of lot. No. 63 to Thomas Laugh- ton, a shoemaker, from Rutland, Mass. Deacon Thomas, as he is called, lived east of Jacob Laughton's, probably where J . Arms Miller now resides. 1780. Dec. 16, Samuel Dutton sold to his son, David, one half his farm, includ- ing half the house, north end, and barn. 74 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. one half the stock, farming-tools &c. In 1786, he sold Asa Button one half of the farm, and signed an acquittance to Stephen Button for one-half the barn in 1789. Asa's half of the farm included one half of the first division of lot. No. 49, "west of the road which runs between the house and barn, as then trod," and the southern half of the second division of the lot. One half the house was deeded to Asa in 1789. 1781. Benjamin Whitney bought Nov. 1, lot. No. 10, of Baniel Taylor Esq., of Newfaue, fdr "500 Spanish Milled Bol- lars." This is probably the farm south of where Alonzo Button now lives. Mr. Whitney sold a part of his lot, 15 acres, the same year, to William Boy- den. Apr, 14, Wm. Kelley sold let, No. 93 to Jesse Manley for $200 — near the Garduer Knapp place. Apr. 27, Samuel Bunean, from Guild- ford, bought 43 acres of Ezra Robin- son, near Brattleboro line. Mr. Bun- can is reported in 1786, as a miller from Northfield, Mass., when he sold land to Ephraim Rice. 1782 Jan. 18, Jack Freeman sold to John Fuller a farm for $400, near Isaac Mil- ler's on the Connecticut river road. Aug. 20, Samuel Norcross, cord- wainer, from Putney, bought lot, No. 90, near Putney line, of Samuel Childs and Leicester Grosvenor, the Connecti- cut proprietors. June 5, Tnomas Holton settled on lot. No. 62, which he purchased of the original proprietors. He sold one half the farm to Arad, his son, and it has been occupied by the Holton family 100 years . May 13. The prepriefxirs in Boston, of land in Bummerston, gave a power of attorney to Jonathan Mason Jr., and Rufus Green Amory and their names as agents for the proprietors appear on deeds after this date. Samuel Childs Jr. , was a resident of Woodstock, Conn., and Leicester Grosvenor, of Windsor, Mass. They sold several lots to the early settlers. Baniel Taylor Esq., of Newfiine, sold most of the farms in the west part of the town to the first settlers in that locality. He bought several lots in the east part of the town and resold them to settlers. Bee. 14, Thomas Burnham sold to Oliver Halefrom Marlboro, Mass., "the whole of the labor and possession that's done on lot. No. S5, except a smallpiece that's cleared on the south part of said lot by Parmenas Temple, and a house and about one acre of land on the south west corner of said lot." Oct. 25, Nathaniel French, son of Nathaniel French of Brattleboro, settled on lot. No. 113, near West river, "it being part of the right of Mr> John White, who was one of the original pur- chasers of the commisioners appointed by the Province of Connecticut, as by the Antient Beed appears." Mr. French had probab y been on the lot some time before the purchase was made. June 5, \ Aaron Brooks bought of the proprietors, lot. No. 21, and sold one half the same Aug. 20, to John Full- er. Dea. Adin A. Button mow resides on the farm. Ban Brooks married Pol- ly Presson of Gilsum, N. H., Aug. 6, 1783, and in 1787, Aaron Brooks deed- ed him 12 acres in lot. No. 4 east, near the river. June 5, Joseph Hildreth bought of DUMMEESTON. 75 the proprietors lot, No., 91 near Spauld- ings' hill. June 5, Barzillai Rice purchased lot, No. 56 east of Jacob Laughton's. Oct. 25, John Miller bought of the Connecticut heirs lot, No. -84, near the Prospect hill, June 5, Jason Duncan bought of the orig- inal proprietors, lot. No. 80, where he settled and lived manj years, near the William Negus place. Mar. 29, Eev. Joseph Farrar bought of BarziUai Rice a part of lot. No. 65, north of the meeting-house. The place was afterward owned by « Dr. SewaU Walker and was where he resided at the time of his death. June 5, Marshall Miller bought of the proprietors, lot. No, 85 where he settled near his brother, John. In 1783, he purchased of Asa Sharpe 40 acres in ihe adjoining lot. No. 64. June 5, Beniah Putnam purchased lot. No. 95 and sold one half the same in 1784, to Jonas Livermore. June 6, Elijah Cook located on lot, No. 87 and sold one half the same to Solomon Cook. Elijah's wife was nam- ed Elefe. This farm is located where Asa Laugh ton lived many years. June 5, Richard KeUey bought lot, No. 41 one mile southwest from the Hollow. Nov. 12, Ichabod Knapp sold lot, No. 148 in the northwest corner of the town to Joshua Bemis. In 17.87, Bemis bought a part of lot. No. 126ofCapt. Merrick. Knapp sold in 1783, a part of lot, 119, to Thomas Turner of Put- ney. John Turner bought of Bemis, a part of lot, No. 148 in 1786, 1783. Apr. 24, Moses Taylor bought of Asa Sharpe lot, No. 68 south of Enoch Cook's lot. The east end of this lot. 30 acres was sold in 1784, to Dan Hib- bard by Hosea Miller- Apr. 28, Dea. Nathaniel Holmes, cordwainer, bought 40 acres taken from thewestend of lot. No. 116. Josiah Packard purchased on the same day the remaining 60 acres in lot, 116. The farm was afterwarfs owned by Deacon Daniel Walker, Apr. 22, Asa Sharpe of Pomfret, Conn., lold Lemuel Davenport 60 acres in lot. No. 64, one-half mile north of the meeting-house. He also sold Apr. 24, 50 acres in lot, No. 60, next to Put- ney line, to Jabez Butler, now proba- bly, Howard Jones' farm. Sharpe sold Jesse Hildreth, April 21, lot. No, 3, near the Slate Quarry. Capt. Eibenezer Merrick bought Apr. 16, of Josiah Willard of Winchester, N. H., one whole share of land origi- nally granted to John Pierce, a charter proprietor ; located near West river, Apr. 21, Sharpe sold Cornelius Jones lot. No. 50, about 1 1-2 miles south of Hosea Miller's. Mar. 19, Richard Kelley sold Wm. Kelley one half of lot. No. 41, and Apr. 22, Sharpe sold William Kelley 1-2 of of lot. No. 42, in vicinity of William Knapps' place. Mar. 7, Lieutenant Daniel Kathan, housewright, bought one-half of lot. No. 12' This land is east of where Roger Birchard's store was buroed. Apr. 29, Nathaniel French of Brat- tleboro bought lot. No. 5, probably now a part of Samuel Wheeler's farm. May 14, Parmenas Temple sold John Bennett his lot, No, 35. Oliver Hale had made considerable improvements on this lot and Bennett paid him £95 for his "labor and possession " A clearing made by Temple, also, a house and one 76 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. acre of land in the southwest corner of the lot were ijot sold. Apr. 21, Sharpe sold Aaron Jones lot, No. 48, south of Samuel Button. He also sold Elias Wilder, Nov. 10, one-half of lot. No. 72, a part now of the Stephen Button place. Sept. 19, Ephraim Rice bought lot. No. 76, now Leroy Wilder's farm. Nov. 12, Ebenezer Hadley bought one-half the adjoining lot. No. 75. Apr. 26, Ashbel Johnson, carpenter, bought one-half of lot. No. 31, near Putney. Apr. 22, Sharpe sold Wm. Middle- ditch, one-half of lot. No. 42, east of Samuel Button. Apr. 21, Oliver Hartwell bought 32 acres in lot, No. 50, north of Samuel Button. Apr. 21, Sharpe sold Cornelius Jones lot. No. 6, near Rufus Sargeant. Apr. 26, Jonas Stockwell from New- fane bought on Bummerston HUl a whole share of land of Colonel Josiah Willard of Winchester, N. H., origi- nally granted in the- charter to Elijah Alexander. May 14, Josiah Temple sold a part of lot, No. 36, to Parmenas Temple. 1784. Feb. 4, Baniel Sargeant bought of Bavid Bond a part of lot. No. 2, near Rufus Sargeant. Mar. 0, Br. Thomas Baker bought of John Scott, 35 acres in lot. No. 38 and lived whereJoel Miller now resides. May 7. Joseph Nourse bought lot. No. 118, near Putney line and West river. Aug. 11, Rev. Joseph Farrar sold for £140 to the town of Bummerston, his share of land known as the Public lot on which the meeting-house stands, with buildings and improvements there- on, which he claimed by virtue of his being the first settled minister of the gospel in town. Mar. 9, Ebenezer Wait, blacksmith, from South Hadley, Mass., bought of Rev. Joseph Farrar five acres in lot. No. 65, on which he buUt a blacksmith's shop, and in May 1785, he bought a house opposite the shop of Sarah Cut- ler, wife of Seth Cutler, for $22 ; lo- cation near the road east o£ Clark Ba- con's house. Oct. 19, Capt. Bavid Barton and his son, Bavid Jr., bought 50 acres in lot. No. 68, south from Enoch Cook. Asa French, the same year, sold Abraham Rice lot, No; 135, near Wic- kopee Hill. Oct. 15, Bavid Bixby from Leyden, Mass., bought 40 acres in lot. No. 97, west of Jonas Walker. May 2, Isaac ChUde bought a share of land on Bummerston HUl, of Col. Josiah Willard. He sold the same day a part of the land to Stephen Bennett from Brattleboro, for 8200. His son, Orren Bennett, was born and is still liv- ing at the age of 90 years, on this place Sept. 26, Wm. Sargeant bought land near Capt. John Kathan. May 20, Bea. Thomas Laughton bought of Barzillia Rice a part of lot. No. 57. May 17. Capt. Ellis Griffeth bought a lot on Bummerston Hill of Baniel Taylor, and he also sold a lot. May 18, to Seth Briggs in the same locality. 1785. June 22, Paul W. Hazen and Ed- ward Hazen Jr., from Swansey, N. H., bought of George Atkinson of Ports- mouth, N. H,, lot, No. 105, on West river road next to Brattleboro line. July 30, Lieut. Leonard Spaulding bought of Joseph HUdreth, lot, No. 91, in consideration of work performed ; DUMMERSTON. 77 near Putney line. In 1786, Spaulding bought of Joseph Minot of Concord, N. H., his share of land in Dummers- ton, owned by virtue of James Minott's right as a charter member. Dec. 24, Capt. Ebenezer Merrick made his "Pitch of land," 200 acres bought of Colonel Willard of Winches- ter ; location on West river road, north of the village. Merrick also made sev- eral other purchases of land in that lo- cality and resold to first settlers. Apr. 14, Samuel Howe bought land near FaU Brook, of Josiah Packard. Zachariah Cutler owned land near the same brook. Abraham Fitts, who liv- ed in that locality bought his land in lot, No. 116, of Packard in 1787. Packard bought land of Isaiah Stone of Towns- hend. Seth Smith and Hannah, his wife, soldPackardapartoflot, No. 115. 1786. May 2, Silas Taft sold Solomon Willard of Winchester, N. H., "the gristmill and houses and barns and ev- ery building and Fence on 20 acres" for £136 ; location, West Dummerston vil- lage. Mar. 14, Benjamin and Samuel Pres- soa from Chesterfield, N. H., bought of Micah French Jr. apart of lot. No. 122, up in the Hague. June 13, Seth Hudson bought of the proprietors lot. No. 94, now the Reuben Walker place, and Reuben Spauld- ing bought 32 acres of James Manley, west of the same lot. Aug. 31, Henry Cressy from Chester- field, N. H., bought 61 acres in lot. No. 34, of Josiah Boyden, joined on Canoe brook. May 4, John Whipple bought lot, No. 56, south of Jacob Laughton's place. No. 6, Jonathan Page, trader. at West village, sold his store to Dan Taylor. Oct. 5, Benjamin Whitney bought 100 acres of John Penhallow, Esq., of Portsmouth, N. H. It was a part of the original right of Richard Wibird, Esq., late of Portsmouth, of whom Pen- hallow was an heir. Robert Fletcher of Dunstable, N. H., one of the origi- nal grantees and Daniel Warner of Am- herst N.H., an original grantee, sold each, a share of land in Dummerston to Daniel Taylor. Dec. 17, Robert Usher of Merrimac, N. H., an original grantee sold his share to James Minott of Concord, N. H. Mar. 20, Stephen Woodbury, trader, bought of Charles Davenport & Son, one-half the saw-mill on Salmon brook, near the grist-mill of Maj. Josiah Boy- ilen. 1788 Jan. 10, Isaac Burnett bought lot. No. 129 and a part of 109. Rufus Green Amory, agent for the proprietors in Boston made the follow- ing sales November 5, to Isaac and Electa Bigelow, lot. No. 17 ; Sylvanus and Dorces Ballad a part of No. 35 ; Asa and Polly Dutton a part of No. 71 ; Isaac and Elizabeth Boyden, a part of No. 55 ; Samuel and Jemima Nich- ols, No. 20 ; Adam and Lucy Whit- ney, No. 141 ; Thomas and Rebecca Laughton, a part of No. 57 ; Calvin Butler No. 33 ; Jos. and Jemima Bemis, No. TO ; Lycas and Hannah Symonds, No. 140 ; Jonas and Sarah Livermore, No. 124 ; Abel and Rebecca Butler, No. 88 ; Jesse and Bethany Kaight, a part of No. 57 ; Seth and Sarah Dun- can, No. 112 ; Jabez Butler, a part of No. 57 ; Hosea MiUer, No, 145, near Newfane ; Lemuel Graham for work done by his father, Andrew Graham, 78- VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. No. 40, about 3-4 of a mile south of Slab Hollow. Jan. 4, Timothy Underwood from Srewsbury, Mass., bought land next to Putney line, Samuel Wakefield and Isaac Taylor bought lot. No. 125, in the Hague. Nov. 25, Jason Duncan bought lot 79, of Amory, where he lived and kept the town clerk's office many years. 1789. Asa Caryl from Marlboro bought what is now called the Caryl place. July 7, Samuel Porter of Putney bought lot. No. 140, on Dummerston Hill. July 28, David Pollard, shoemaker, sold all his goods, tools, stock &c. to Timothy Church of Brattleboro. EARLY ROADS. The first committee to lay out roads in this town were chosen in Mar. 1771 : Samuel Wiswall, Alexander Kathan, and Enoch Cook. At the same meet- ing, Benjamin Jones and Alexander Katlian were chosen surveyors of high- ways. Nov. 23, 1772, the town voted to accept all the roads, as then laid out ex- cept the one leading from the meeting- house to Daniel Kathan's. After an adjournment of two hours, during which time all difficulties were adjusted so that when business was again resumed, the town voted "by a grait majority" that the road be accepted as it then run from the meeting-house, past Hosea Miller's down across Salmon brook, by the "Corn Mill" (in the Hollow) out to Daniel Kathan's and the "grate road" leading from Putney to Brattleboro. In 1773, there were only three highway districts in town. For that year, John Shepherd G-ates was chosen surveyor for Dist. No. 1 in the eastern part of the town, Hosea Miller for No. 2 in the central part, and Samuel Dutton for No. 3 in the southern. June 15, 1773, John Shepherd Gates surveyor in No. 1, was instructed to have the in- habitants, living on the road leading to Putney by John Kathan's, work out their share of taxes on that road, exclu- sive of the road lately laid by J. Shep- herd Gates' to Putney. No furtherrec- ord of roads was made on the town books, as now existing, till 1780, when the selectmen laid out a road from WiUiam Boyden's. past Thomas Helton's, Sam- uel Laughton's, down across Salmon brook and up to Lt. Daniel Gates' house where John Miller now lives. That part of the road from the brook to John Miller's is not travelled at the" present day. The tame year, the road was turned a few rods north of Daniel Gates' and made to run "as strate a course as the land will admit of to the meeting- house." Before the road was straightened, the course was farther to the eastward. The road extending north to Lt. Spaulding's was probably laid out and accepted in 1772. In May 1781, the selectmen laid out a road beginning near where Dea. Le- roy Wilder now lives, running north- easterly, northernly, then northwester- ly, "to the road that leads from West river to the meeting-house." A part of this road is the one now leading past Luke T. Bond's place. The road was turned in 1780, from where Stephen'L. Dutton now lives, and laid out down to the road now leading past Hiram Knapp's residence, to Brattleboro. June 1782, a road was laid out from the house of Nathaniel Haven to Paul Wilson's land, then on his loi to the road "that goes to Shep herGates'." In 1783, Josiah Boyden had a road DUMMERSTON. 79 laid out from his house to the road lead- ing past the Temple farm. The old road from the meeting-house to West river, went south, past Enoch Cook's, where it turned southwest, and then westerly, to the top of the hill, ex- tendiug down by ihe Benjamin Esta- brook place, straight west, past Benja- min Alvord's and Jonas Walker's place, then northwesterly to the river. The old road leading east from the meeting-house was changed in 1782, and instead of running on the north side of Thomas Clark's house, where J. E- Worden now lives, was made to run south of his dwelling-house and was several rods farther south than the pres- ent road, leading from the common to the top of the hUl on the west side of the Salmon brook. In 1781, the selectmen Uiul 'Uii aroad from Rufus Sargeant's place west by Elihu Sargeant's northwesterly to Josiah Kelley's, then north to Richard Kelley's : which is the road now travelled from Parker Morse's, where Rufus Sargeant Kved, westby the George Hildreth place, round past the Joseph Nourse farm, even to the Hollow. The river road to Brattleboro, in those times, went from the place now owned by John Presson, over the hill by the Stephen French place, past Samuel Wheeler's, then southerly, coming out at the WUling- ton place now owned by Milton Miller. The road now running west, above George Knapp's place to West river, was laid out J an. 16 ^ 1781. The western part, ending near Addison Knapp's house, was laid out in 1783. The road laid out across Dea. Jesse Manley's land to Putney line, was accepted in 1797. Josiah Spaulding gave a bridle-road tlirough his land to Abraham. Farr's house, and it was es- tablished in 1797. Abraham Farr liv- ed south from the Simeon Reed place on Putney west-hill. In 1797, the town established a bri- dle-road from Mr. Haven's, to Elijah Brown's also, turned the road from the Rice place to Stephen Button's, and ac- cepted one from Daniel Zwears to the "great road" over West river. No oth- er roads are oq record up to 1797, but several more must have been laid out previous to that year. HOW THE EARLY SETTLERS LIVED. WHAT THEY ATE : — In all the New England settlements, one common arti- cle of food was bean-porridge. It was eaten for breakfast and, oftentimes, for supper. Dinner, usually, consisted of boiled meat and some kind of vegeta- bles, most frequently turnip. These were boiled in a large iron-pot or kettle. Tj make bean-porridge, a suiRcient quantity of beans were boiled with meat and turnip. When these were remov- ed, the residue with the beans, was made into porridge. In cold weather enough was made at once to las sever- al days. It is said in the old rhyme that it was "best when it's nine days old." However that may be, it was customary every morning, to "hang the kettle on" and serve the porridge smok- ing hot. After milk became plenty, that, with brown bread was eaten, usu- ally, by families, for their evening meal. The brown bread was baked in a stone or brick oven often built separate from, the house. On baking days, when the oven was sufficiently heated, the coals were removed with the "fireslice," and the oven swept clean with the "oven broom." The "bread-peel," a kind of wooden-shovel, was used to place the bread in the oven where it was baked on the bare heated stone or brick. The 80 VEKMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. grandfathers and grandmothers claimed 'Judd says in the history of Old Hadley that no bread baked in a pan or dish ever tasted so sweet as it did when bak- ed as they were accustomed to have it done. Pumpkins were baked in the same way as bread, and also furnished a common article of food. A ripe pumpkin, hav- ing a very hard shell was taken, and a hole was cut in the stem-end some five or six inches in diameter, the piece be- ing kept whole which was taken out. The seeds and all the stringy substance were then scraped out clean. Thus pre- pared, it was partly filled with new milk and covered with the piece taken out, placed in a, well-heated oven and left to bake six or eight hcmrs. It was al- lowed to cool in the oven, and, when served, was eaten with milk. Some scraped out the pumpkin and ate it in bowls — others turned the milk into the pumpkins and ate from the pumpkins. Govcnor Chittenden in his youth of- ten made a hearty meal in this way. Pumpkins were very much preferred to squashes by the early settlers, and few of the latter were raised. Turnips and parsnips were raised in large quantities and were the most com- mon vegetables. Very few potatoes were grown and scarcely a barrel would be disposed of by a large family in a year. Sweet corn, which is so exten- sively used at the present day, was un- known, and when corn was wanted to boil or roast in the green state, yellow corn was used. Considerable quanti- "ties of wheat were raised, but it was not much used in every-day life. Wheat- en cakes were a luxury to be enjoyed when company was present. Barley cakes were eaten, and buckwheat was not much relished except as hoe-cakes and "flapjacks." Boiled and baked In- dian puddings were a common diet, and that some families had 365 of these hard boiled puddings in a year. The style of living in "ye olden time" has been celebrated in song. "Pottage and puddings without custards and pies, Witli turnips and parsnips are ccrimon supplies ; We liave pumpkins at morning and pump- kins at night, 'Twas not for pumpkins, we should be in a plight." Great quantities of meats were eat- en. These consisted of beef and pork and the wild mea,ts obtained in the for- ests, such as bear, deer, moose, wild turkeys and smaller game. The streams and rivers abounded in fish of which large quantities were caught and eaten by many families. WHAT THEY DRANK. It is granted that cold water was used when nothing stronger could be obtain- ed ; but strong drinks were much used, and the grandfathers were full of expe- dients to make them. Malt beer was a common beverage. "If barley be wanting to make into malt, We must then be contented, and think it no fault; For we can make liquor, to sweeten our lips. Of pumpldns, and par.snips, and walnut tree chips." From the settlings in beer-barrels, our grandmothers made "Emptyings," a kind of yeast, so called because the bar- rels •vere emptied for the settlings. Flip, a strong drink, was usually made of beer heated foaming hot with a red hot "loggerhead," and then pouring in a glass of rum. Punch was also a com- mon drink and was passed round to the company in bowls. This kind of drink was so called because it originally con- tained five ingredients — water, sugar, tea, lemons, and arrack, a kind of spir- it. The word means five. Later, rum DUMMERSTON. 81 was the kiad of spirit used, and milk was added to make milk-pimch. Black-strap was a cheap kind of drink •and was drank when nothing better could be afforded. It was aiade of rum sweetened with molasses. Toddy and «gg-nogg furnished other varieties of •drink. As soon as the people obtain- ed orchards, cider was drank in large iquantities by all classes, rich and poor. Hop-beer was also brewed and drank in large quantities. All clrinking of the «ommon people was social, all drinking i'rom the same mug or bowl. WHAT THEY WOEE. G-arm.ents tor summer were made of tow-cloth or linen spun from flax- Wool was raised in considerable quantities and furnished ihe materials for winter garments. Carding, spinning, weav- ing, and coloring were done by the in- dustrious femalcH, and the cloth manu- factured into garments and bed-clothing. Flax was raised in large quantities. Instead of being mown or reaped, it was pulled and the dirt shaken very carefully from the roots. This was by general consent, the work of women aod girls. The flax after it was pulled was laid outandrotted for several weeks to make the fibre suitable for breaking and preparing for spinning. The young women of nearly every family could spin and and most of them could weave. The male members of a house-hold usu- ally went barefoot in summer time, and females in some cases went without shoes. The women were very careful of their shoes , and in some instances they would in going to church, carry their shoes, and at some convenient place before arriving, put them on. Shoemakers or cordwainers, as they were called, were accustomed to go about from house to hotise, and make for each family in a neighborhood, a year's 11 stock of boots and shoes, wlaidi was called "whipping the cat." THEIE CONVENIENCES OF LIFE. The style of living was necessarily simple. Theii- first houses were rude structures made of iinhewn logs. The open spaces between the logs were fill- ed with clay and mud, and the roof was shingled withliark or rived splints. The interior, usually consisted of one room lighted with one or two small pris- on-like windows. A rough stone chim- ney was built at one end of the room, having a firerplace capable o'S receiv- ing wood 4-feet in length, and children might sit in the comers and look up at thestars. More light was often conveyed ijto th room from the large chimney than from the dim little windows. One room was made to serve the purpose of kitchen, dining-room, doTmitory, and parlor. Later, when, boards coidd be procured, a more comfortable and con- venient house was built, generally with two rooms, a board floor and brick chimney, on one side of which was a brick-oven. The most important apart- ment wds the kitchen with its capa- cious fire-place, andirons and bellows, the crane and pot, suspended from it, showed that the day of stoves had not arrived. The commodious high-backed settle made a comfortable seat protect- ed from the wind, whistling through the crevices. There would be found the spinning-wheel, plied by the good house- wife as she found leisure ; and the trusty firelock and powder-horn hung over the fireplace ever ready for any emergency. For dishes, wooden plates were first used, then pewter, and later, "Queen's ware," which were kept in a sort of cupboard called a "dresser." "the light op other days," was the tallow-candle or tallow-dip as it was often called. Later, the oil-lamp VERMONT mSTOEICAL MAGAZINE. came into use, and lastly, kerosene and gas. Matches had not been invented, and the utmost precaution had to be taken lest their fires should go out. Fire was kept by burying a brand deep in the ashes. When the fire was out, it was necessary to obtain it from som.e neighbor or strike a light with the aid of flint and steel. The invention of "locofoco" matches was hailed with de- light. The line of distinction between the rich and poor, the cultivated and uncul- tivated, was more distinctly drawn in the early days than at the present time. They were verycareftd to give no titles where they were not due, and, also, as t-areftd to write the titles of persons in affairs that were passing. Mister and Mistress were respectful forms of ad- dress for persons of rank, or ministers and their wives. In a list, of 100 free- men of olden times, you will not find above four or five distinguished by Mr., although they were men of some sub- stance. "Grood man" and "good wo- man," often abbreviated to "goody," were the common titles. THEIR AMUSEMENTS were few but exceedingly social. Husk- ing and quilting-bees were frequent in the farming communities. House- warmings, house and barn-raisings, the old fashioned muster, and the fourth of July nearly completed the list of enter- tainments. TRAVELLING was performed on foot or on horseback. At every house was the horse-block or convenient place to mount the horse. A man, his wife and two children could ride conveniently on the back of a strong horse. The husband held one child in front, and the wife rode behind him on a pillion, holding another, and with one hand clinging to her husband. Before fields were fenced, cattle were kept in one drove and guarded by a man who from the nature of his employment was called a hay ward. Swine were guarded or looked after by a committee of nine persons chosen annually called "Hog-Hay wards." Isaac Miller Jr. , had the honor of be- ing elected to that office in this town in 1780. TITHING-MEN were peace officers, and were so called because they originally had charge over ten families in a neighborhood. DEEK REEVES were officers to inform against persons who kUled deer out of season, which according to law, was between January 1st and Aug. 1st. CHURCH HISTORY CHAPTER I. THE OLD MEETING HOUSE : The history of buUding the old meeting- house began with the first town meet- ing of the settlers, Mar. 4, 1771. Ac- tion was taken to secure a lot on which to build. Isaac Milier and Benjamin Jones were the committee to choose the lot. Nov. 23, 1772, the settlersac- ceptedthe lot chosen by the committee, and appointed Joseph Hildreth and Enoch Cook to forward the building. Charles Davenport and Lieut. Spauld- ing drew the plan of the house, 50x40. May, 1774, the town took action in re- gard to hiring preaching the year ensu- ing. The building of the house had so progressed that the town-meeting was held there on May 16, 1775. It is inferrrd that the committees, Cyrus Houghton and Joseph Hiidreth, did not succeed in hiring a preacher DUMMEE8T0N. 83 for that year, as, Aug. 22, 1775, it was voted in town-meeting that John Hooker, one of the heroes from Dum- merston in the fight at the court-house at Westminster, 1775, "should carry on public worship on the Lord's day." We conclude that no person was hired to preach till 1776, when it was voted Apr. 25, "to hire preaching this year," Lieut. Leonard Spaulding, Jonathan Knight and WilUam Boyden were chos- en a committee for hiring preaching. Nov. 19, 1776, Jonathan Knight was chosen to get, of the proprietors a lot of land to settle a minister on ; Bar- zilla Rice, Lieut. Leonard Spaulding and Joseph Hildreth were chosen a committee to give instructions to Mr. Knight about getting the lot of laud ; and, as it had been previously voted to hire preaching, it is inferred that MR. DUDLEY PREACHED that year, as the same committee were instructed "to treat with him about the tax due him, and how mnch he must liave before he goes away." The committee were paid for their trouble and the interest oa the money was paid to Mr. Dudley, which they had borrowed. At the same meeting the town voted to set apart, Nov, 1 776, for a day of public thanksgiving in this town. There are no further town rec- ords till February 1780. The records for the intervening time have been lost. When Rev. Joseph Farrar was hir- ed to preach, the house was in a very uncomfortable condition. There were but few, if any, pews built tUl 9 years after the church was organized, in 1779. In 1788, a committee was chosen for building pews, and a porch over the front door. Grallery-pews were sold that year to furnish money to buUd oth- er pews and finish more pews in the gallery. Windows, having glass, were not furnished for the house till 1790, at which time $60 was raised for that pur- pose. These windows were finished in 1791, and the committee drew orders on the town for making the sashes, glaz- ing and putting them in, July, 1783 ; and voted for finishing the porch 60x60, and yet after it was finished, it was not considered of much service to the town, for Aug. 15, 1786, it was voted to sell the "present porch to build a pound." Dan Hibbard and Moses Taylor agreed to build the pound 30 feet square of round poles for the porch. At the same meeting the town voted to build "stocks, and to have the post of the stocks be the whipping post." At the time the pews were built in 1788, the town voted to build another porch over the front door, 14 feet square in order to save room for four pews. The amount real- ised for the sale, of pews, 37 in num- ber, was 700. In 1791, the house was plastered for the first time at an expense of S150 ; furthermore, Charles Dav- enport Jr. was hired by the town, that year, to sweep the meeting-hause, once per quarter for the sum of 75 cents. [Information received since the above was in type. J John Hooker should, also, be include•^ in the committee for building the church, chosen, Dec. 28, 1772. The pews were sold Nov. 20, 1786, for S4:79, andwere built in 1788, with mon- ey thus received : 36 were sold and one reserved for the town, making 37 in all. lu the first paragraph. May 1774should be April 25, 1676. THE CONGREGATIONAI, CHURCH in Dummerston was organized Aug. 18, 1779, with 16 members : RET. JOSEPH PARRAK, FIRST PASTOR : members : Joseph Farrar, Thomas Hol- ton, Joseph Temple, Aaron Brooks, 84 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. John Crawford, J<>liii French, Joseph Temple Jr., Amos Rice, Mary French, Sarah Helton, Sarah Town, and Han- nah Brooks, The Ecclesiastical Coun- cil which organized the church, repre- sented the chuches in Putney, Brattle- boro, and Chesterflield, N. H. ;, Jonah G-oodhue was moderator. It is not stated in eithcT- church or town records, at what time Mr. Farrar began preaching in this town. He was probably installed in Aug. 1779. The first two children were baptised August 29, 1779, daughters of Samuel and Su- sanna Laughton, Esther and Susanna. The (;hurch records were first iept on loose pieces of paper and some of them being lost, the account is imperfect. When Mr. Farrar was first settled, the town gave him a deed of the farm on which he resided during his ministry. The town acted in concert with the church in the management of its aifairs, so far as respects the settlement and dismission of ministers, and payment of their salaries. During his pastorate, about .5 years, 129 children were bap- tised a large number compared with the infant baptisms in more mod- ern times. It may in part be accounted for by the fact persons not in full com- munion, were allowed to present their children in this ordinance. Frequent records are made to this effect. Certain persons renewed their covenant and be- came entitled to baptism for their chil- dren. Besides 82 persons were receiv- ed into full communion ; a few by letter, the rest by profession, and a large pro- portion were heads of families. These additions were scattered along, equally over the time of his pastorate. There was no special ingathering at any one time, and this constant increase would indicate faithfulness on the part of the pastor and a healthful growth of the church ; and it is probable that others were received into the church besides those who appear on the record. The church chose it.i first deacons in 1783: Amos Rice, Thomas Laughton, and Nathaniel Holmes. Mr. Farrar was dismissed Mary 12, 1784, by an ecclesiastical council in which were repre- sented the churches in Westminster, and Hinsdale, and Chesterfield, N. H.. May 31st. the town voted to accept the referees : John Sessions, Luke Knowlton, and Johsj Bridgman, mutu- ally chosen on the 13th Inst, by Mr. Farrar on one part, and the church and town committee on the other. July 22d., the town voted to have the select- men and their investors take the deed of Eev. Joseph Farrar, in behalf of the town. Also, voted unamimously to secure John Shepherd Gates, Will- iam Boyden, and Thomas Clark, the present selectmen, who have taken the deed of Mr. Farrar in behalf of the town, and make good all cost and dam- tages that may accrue to them by reason of any suit or suits brought again st them on account of their obligations gisen as aforesaid. In September the committee settled with Mr. Farrar and paid him the amount due on his salary. Some information concerning THE REV. JOSEPH FAERAR and family. Neither the church rec- ords, nor the town records of Dummer- ston, furnish any information in regard to Rev. Joseph Farrar's place of resi- dence before he was settled here in the ministry or where he' went after his dismission. During the summer of 1882, we chanced to see a copy of the "History of Marlboro, N. H." and learned several families, having the same name, Farrar , resided in that town. This history and a correspondence with the author, Charles A. Bemis, fur- DUMMjKRSTON. 85' nished this information . The name Farrar signifies iron, and was, doubt- less, first used to designate a locality where that metal was found. As a fam- ily name it was first known in England from Walkeline de Farrars, a Norman of distinction attached to William, Duke of Normandy, before the invasion of 1066. From him, all of the name, in England and America, are descended. His son, Henry de Farrars, was the first of the family to settle in England, soon after the Conquest. The family became very numerous in England. Among the original proprietors of Lancaster, Mass., were two brothers, John and Ja- cob, as early as 1663. Tradition says they came from Lancashire, England. Jacob, left his wife and children in England till a new residence was pre- pared for them in Lancaster, 1658. H-i died in Woburn, Mass., 1677. His eld- est son, Jacob, b. in England, probably about 1642, m. 1668, Hannah, dau. of George Hayward. He was killed by the Indians, Aug. 22, 1675. George, second son of Jacob Jr., b. Aug. 16, 1670, m. Sept. 9, 1692, Mary Howe, and settled in that part of Concord, now Lincoln. He died May 15, 1760. His wife d. Apr. 12, 1761. Daniel, the second son of George and Mary (Howe) Farrar, b. Nov. 30, 1696 ; id. Hannah Fletcher ; settled in Sudbury, and died about 1755. Josiah, the eldest son of Daniel, b. Sept. 1722 ; m. 1745, Han- nah Taylor of Northboro. Her father, John Taylor, was a man of considerable note andatory of the Revolution, whose name was borne by a former govenor of New Hampshire, John Taylor Gil- man. Daniel, a brother of Josiah was bom in 1724; m. 1748, Mary—. Phineas, a son of Josiah, was the father of Calvin, whose eldest daughter, Caroline Eliza, married Levi Brown of Waterford, Maine, and became the mother of Charles Farrar Brown whose nom de plume was "Artemas Ward." Rev. Joseph Farrar was the third and youQgest son of George Farrar of Lincoln, Mass., and was born probably in that town, June 30, 1744. He was doubtless, a great-grandchild of George Farrar, b. 1670, and whose death oc- curred in 1760. He graduated at Har- vard college, 1767, and married July 28, 1779, Mary Brooks of Grafton, Mass., b. Feb. 4, 1755, and who lived to be over one hundred years old and celebrated her one-hundreth birth-day by attending church. Rev. John J. Putman preached, on the occasion, from ProY. XVI. 3. "The hoary head is a crown of glorv, if it be found .in the way of righteousness." The history of Dublin, N. H., states that Rev. Joseph Farrar was the first settled gospel minister in that town, or- dained June 10, 1772 ; dismissed June 4, 1776, and enlisted in the Revolution- ary army, serving for a time as chap- lain and leaving the army became the first settled minister in Dummerston. After leaving Dummerston he became the first settled pastor in Eden, 1811; (Vol. II. Vt. His. Gaz) ; 1815, remov- ed to Petersham, Mass., where he died Apr. 5, 1816, aged 72 years. Children of Rev. Jogeph and Mary Brooks Far- rar : Joseph, b. Apr. 4, 1780 ; resided in Petersham, Mass. Mary, b. Oct. 18, 1781, died Apr. 13, 1786 ; Joel, b. July 28,1784. died April 13, 1786 ; Reuel, born Nov. 5, 1786 ; settled in Petersham, Mass ; Anna, b. Feb. 10, 1789. Sally, b. Jan. 20, 1794 ; Humphrey, b. Aug. 13, 1798 ; set- tled in Petersham, Mass. 86 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. The salary of Rev. Mr. Farrar was 40 pounds or $133 2-3 a year. A part of his salary was paid in hard money, the rest in produce and wood. June 15, 1782, the town "Voted to except Wm. Negus & Lieut. Leonard Spaulding, to provide wood (24 cords) for Mr. Farrar one year from this Day for Ten Dollars or three Pounds." MAERL4.GES BY REV. JOSEPH FARRAR. Elijah Town and Mary Reed, June 29, 1780. Samuel KeUey, Margaret Howe, July 6, 1780. Ichat)od Knapp, Caty Miller, Dec. 10, 1780. Smith Butler, Thankful Houghton, Dec.201780. Samuel Knight, Susanna Burge, Jan. 4, 1780. John Miller, PoUy Davenport, Apr. 1, 1781. Nathan Davis, Betty Negus May 10, 1781, Jahez Butler, Deliverance Whitney, May, 1781. Isaac Boyden, Elisabeth Laughton, Jan, 1781. Jonas Livermore, Sarah Woodbury, June,17Sl. John French, Rebecca Hayward, Nov. 22, 1781. David Laughton, Mary Spaulding, Nov.20,1781. Silas Gates, Mai-y Laughton, Dec. 4, 1781. David Dutton, Polly Higgins, Jan. 3, 1782. Thos. Burnham Deliverence Graham, Jan. 1782 Ezekiel Rice, Judith WOlard, May, 22, 1782. John Bumham, Ehoda Wilson, July, 3, 1782. Cha's. Wilder, Sarah Spaulding, Oct. 27, 1782. Wm. MiUer, Hannah Worden, Nov. 10, 1782. Abel Haven, Rachel French, Nov. 24, 1782. .David Bond, Patty Sargeant, Dec. 1782. Samuel Gates, Susannah Laughton, Dec. 4, 1782. Samuel Negus, Sarah Cook, Jan. 30, 1783. Asa French, Mercy Rice, Apr.17,1783. Chas. Davenpoi-t Jr., Polly Wood, May 8, 1783. Eljah Brown, Relief Haven, Oct. 8, 1783. Jesse Knight, Bethany Perry, Nov. 6, 1783. MARRIAGES BY JONA. KNIGHT ESQ. Marshall Miller ,Wid. Abigail Boyden, Nov 1778. Natha. Haven, Wld. Eunice FaiT, May, 1779. John Hasey, Mary Pratt, May 15, 1782. John Hill, Meribah, Perry, June 3, 1784. Lemuel Graham, Eunice Bumam, Aug.l9 1784, Lemuel Stoddard, Polly Thomas, Oct. 21, 1784. BenJ. Alvord, Katherine, Davenport, Nov. 1784. Asa Wilder, Wid. Joanna Crawford, Deo. 1784. Abraham Rice, Lucy Nurse, Feb. 17, 1735. Ebenezer Brooks, Sarah Bliss, Apr. 1785. Samuel KeUey, Rebecca Cheat, May 17, 1785. John HUl, Molly Graham, Mar. 8, 1786. MARRIAGES BY JUDGE JASON DUNCAN TO 1788. Joseph Shaw, Elisabeth Thomas, June 30, 1785 Samuel Laughton, Anna Spaulding Dec. 14, 1786 John Wyman Jr. , Susannah Cole, Nov. 22, 1786 Jacob Laughton, Lydia Crosby, Aug. 14, 1787. Arad Holton, Rebecca Houghton, May 13, 1787 Thos. B. Barnes, Duaxy Negus, Dec. 26. 1787. Daniel Davenport, Hannah Rice' Jan. 21, 1787 Andrew Willard, Caty Rice, Mar. 6, 1787. Sam'l Nichols, DoUy Blodget, Dec. 20, 1787. Jona. Boyden, Ruth Jefferson, Mar. 13, 1787. Jesse Hildreth, Lucy Severy, Sept.lO, 1787. Ebenz. Barber, Rebecca Alvord, Oct. 3, 1787. After the dismission of Mr. Farrar, REV. AAEON CROSBY was employed in the ministry. The records of the church during his minis- try, as well as previous to it,are very de- fective. Mr. Crosby commenced his ministry in 1784, and preached about 3 years without settlement. His sala- ry was raised from year to year by the town. In December 1786. a call was given to him to settle and a salary offer- ered to him, £66 per year, to be paid in grain. One third part in wheat at 4s. 8d. per bushel ; one third in Indian corn at 2s. 8d. Mr. Crosby accepted the call and the salary giving any individual tax payer liberty to pay his share of it, in either kind of grain that would be most con- venient for him to spare. This privi- lege was given on condition that it be paid within three or four months when it becaine due. During Mr. Crosby's ministry there were 180 baptisms and about 50 admissions to the church. Difficulties arose in the town in those days : and an unhappy contest was con- inued for a long time, relating to the "ministerial lot of land." Some per- son engaged in this contest, destroyed the town-records, extending over eight pages ; and as no church records were kept, no particulars can be given. All that is to be found on the church book is the record of baptisms and ad- missions. By those who remember Mr. Crosby, he is said to have been "a good man ;" but in the latter part of his ministry, "an abused man." There was a meeting of the church May 8, 1804, for the purpose of dis- missing of the pastor. The reason giv- DUMMERSTON. 87 en for asking a dismission was "want of health." The church voted to com- ply with his request. Four churches were represented in the council • Brat- tleboro, Newfane, Marlboro, and West- minster. The council met May 16, 1804. Rev. Hezekiah Taylor, pastor of the church in Newfane, was chosen moderator, and Rev. Sylvester Sage of Westminster was appointed scribe. Af- ter Mr. Crosby made a statement of the condition of his health and of his desire not to be a hinderanee to t e sta- ted ministrations of the word and of di- nances of the gospel, the council express- ed the unanimous opinion that it was expedient that his request should be granted. The chun h appears to have been in a harmonious state, were attached to their minister, and parted reluctantly with him, as also did the council. Mr. Crosby removed to Newfane and resided during the remainder of his life with a son who owned a farm there, — [As recorded in the history of Newfane, as also an account of his death. — ed.J Children of Rev. Aaron Crosby and Mary, his wife, were : Mary, born Nov. 25, 1776, at Cherry Valley. New York ; Eli, b. Nov. 7, 1778, atBlanford, Mass. After Rev. Joseph Farrar, the first settled minister in town was dismissed, the town voted, a sum of money to sup • ply the pulpit, and in 1785, the Rev. Aaron Crosby was paid for that ser- vice, and became afterward, the second settled minister for this town. Oct. 17, 1785, the town "voted to raise money or Produce to pay the Rev'd Aaron Crosby for the Half year which is to come." John MiUer, a grandson of the col- lector, has in his possession the original bill of which the following copy is made : "To John Miller one of the collectors for the town of Dummesrton for the Present year 1785. You are hereby Commanded to Collect the Three fol- lowing Rates as they are Respectively set against each mans Name ot each Man and in the Articles as they are Written over the Head of each Rate The first is to pay the Rev.'d Aaron Crosby for his Years Preaching to be collected forthwith and paid into the Town Treasurer. The Second Name- ly the Stock Rate, they are to have the Stock ready by the first Day of May Next to answer a Note which Mr. Levi Baker has against the Selectmen. The third Rate Namely the Hard Mon- ey Rate to be paid by the first Day of March Next to the Town Treasurer which you are to collect & pay as afore- said and is to Answer a note which said Baker has against the Selectmen. N. B. For the Rev'd Aaron Crosby The Wheat at 4-8d. Rye at 3-4d and Indian Corn at 2-8d pr Bushel. Given under our Hands in Dummers- ton this 19th of Dec'br 1785. Th's Clark Wm. Boyden Selectmen. EATE BILL FOR MINISTER TAX 1785. This first Rate to be paid in Grain; This second RaLC to be paid in Neat Stock ; This third rate Hate to be paid in Hard Mony : Archebel Woods, Nathiel Homes, Joshua Bemus, Zachriah Cutler, Samuel How, William Lenord, William Craford, Boz'th franoh, 03 2 1;01 7 1;00 82 0147 2; 7 3 3; 3 3 25 1;0 1 23;0 70 023 0;0112;0060 34 0;0 1 81;0 90 69 0;0343;0 160 23 0;01 12;0 60 46 0;0 2 30;0 1 Leon'dSpaulding.Ju.'O 34 2;0181;0 90 Seth Hudson, 7 210;0 3111;0 190 Jonas Livermore Ju. 53 0;027 2;0 120 Moses Givers, 7 8 0;03I00;O 1 82 Jonas Livermore, OlOIO 2;0 5 51;0 2 5 Blniah Putman, 06 9 0;034 2;0 1 6 Jonas Warker, 01211 1;0 6 5 0;0 210 2 Ashbil Johnson, 9 9 0;0 410 2;0 2 2 Shephard Gats, 018 9 0; 9 42;0 4 2 Capt. JolmKathan, 0; 7 50; 3 3 2 John Kathan Ju. 0;0 7 102; 3 6 John flatey (Florida) 1172;05 92;0 27 Blexander Kathan 1 2 12;0] 03; 4111 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. John Katlian 33 3 42;0 1 81 9 Daniel Kathan Jn. 2 3 0;0 112 ; 6 Ebenezer Haven, 019 10 2; 9111 4 5 Aljel Haven, 5 7 2;0 2 93 ; 1 3 Joseph Haven, 5 3 0;0 2 72 12 Jonathan Knight, 1 1 9 0;0"1010 2 4 10 Solomon Cook, .5 3 0;0 2 72 12 Vespaohent Millei , 01310 2; 6 111 3 10 Samuel Knight, 4 6 0; 2 30 10 0, Wm. Boyden, 119 0; 010102 410 0, David Laughton, 2 3 0; 1 12; 6 0, Marohel Miller, Oil 3 0; 5 72; 2 6 0, John Miller, Oil 3 0; 5 72; 2 6 0; Lenard Spalding, 16 1 2 ; 8 3; 3 7 0; Berziler Rice, 7 6 0; 3 9 0; 18 0, Hose MiUer, 1 5 10 2; 12 11 1; 5 0; Daniel Kathan 2d, 1 510 2; 12 U 1 5 9 0; John inilibry, 12 11 1 ; G 5 3 210 2; Gideen Barnam, 2 3 0; 1 1 2i 6 0; Jahez Butler, 3 4 2; 8 1; 9 0; Elijah Town Jn; 013 1 2; 6 6 3; 511 0: Thomas Holton, 015 0; 7 6 0; 3 4 0; Sam'l Laughton Jn. 1610 2 ; 8 6 1; 3 8 0: Joseph Temple Jr 012 6 3;0 6 3 1; 2 5 2: Lem'l Davenport, 010 6 0:0 5 3 0" 2 4 0: Joseph Nurse, 09 0:0460 : 2 0: Henry Stephens' 6 4 2:0 321: 15 0: John Butler, 010 1 2:0 5 5 1 2 3 0: Arad Holton, 01010 3:0 5 5 1 2 5 0: Asa Houghton, 4 6 0:02 30: 10 0: Thomas turner, 5 03:02 62. 112: Wm. Wiman, 09 00:04 60 2 0: Abel Butler. 0* 300:01 60 8 0: Isaac Boyden, 7 6 0:03 90: 18 0: Bphriafii.Havvl. 6 0:03 00: 14 0: Wm Sergent, 013 1 2: 6 6 3: 2 11 : Joel Knight, 2 3 0; 1 1 2: 6 0: Thomas Baker, 6 4 2: 03 2 1: 15 0: John Bennit, 046 0:0230 10 0: Oliver Hale, 023 0:0112 6 0: John Wyman, 090 0:0460 2 0: Calvin Butler, 023 0:0112 0: Daniel Gats, 018 9 0:0942 4 2 0: Nathan Cook, 2 7 0:0133. 7 0: Daniel Davenport, 30 0:0160 8 0: Jesse Knight, 34 2:0181 9 0: Ichob Knap, 851:0423; 111 0: Ebenezer Walght, 5 3 0:0272: 12 0: Jacob Laughton, 023 0: 0112: 6 0: Paul Willson, 3 4 2: 1 8 1: 9 0: Eliger Brown, 03 4 2: 1 8 1: 9 0: Ebenezer How, 03 4 2: 1 9 1: 9 0: Charls WUder, 3 4 2: 1 8 1: 9 0: Nathiel Haven, 8 9 3:0440: 111 2: Selvenus Ballard, 0230:0112:0060: Thomas Gleson, 2 3 : 1 1 2 : o' 6 : Thomas Laughton, 7 40:03 80:017 0: Total 31 15 6 2:1612 9 2:7 610 Oi The Rev. Aaron Crosby's salary was 69 pounds or $220 a year. It is seen by the bill that he was paid in produce at the rate of 80 cents a bushel for wheat and 55 cts. for rye, and 47 cents fo .■ In-> dian corn. Sept. 20, 1785, the town "Voted to raise a Penny on the Pound Valuation List to pay the Rev'd Aaron 'Crosby for Preaching." According to that vote the "•Valuation" List" must ha'v'e been £7626 in order to raise the £31 15s. 6d. as made out in the tax bill, nearly the half year's salary as the vote was intended to raise. Samuel Williams' History of Vermont, printed in 1794, revised in 1809, states that the Property Valuation of Dummerston in 1781, was £2970 ($9900) ; in 1791, £4978 ($16,593) ; and in 1806, it was $21,429. According to the vote and tax biU for 1785, the ''Valuation List," including the polls for that year, would be $25,420. This would make a grand list for the year, 1880, of $254, 20." After Mr. Crosby's dismissiop, the church was without a stated pastor till Mar. 2IK, 1808 ; when REV. HOSEA BECKLEY was settled. He received his call Jan. 26th. and was ordained Mar. 2, 1808, by a council of which Rev. Gessham Lyman was moderator and Rev. E. D. Andrew, scribe. Nothing further was recorded about the ordination ; nor were there any records of the church kept by Mr. Beekley, during his ministry of 23 years. After preaching a few years, he was dismissed and was absent for a short time, when he again received a call from the church ; was installed and remained till 1836. There have subse- quently been recorded, 150 names of persons, who joined the church during his ministry. Forty were admitted at . one time. He was the author of a DUMMEESTON, History of Vermont whidi he had near- ly prepared for the press, when he was suddenly arrested by death — le&ving no other patrimony to his bereaved family, hilt the work in manuscript, upon which lie had bestowed much labor, and which was published in 1-84j6, for the benefit of his widow. He died Oct. 16, 1-843, jE. 64 jears. Rev. Amos Foster of Putney preached the fameral sermon, taking for his text, Precious in the sight of the Lo«i is the death of his saints, Ps. lM:lo. Lydia Pieison, wife of Mr. Becklej died May fl, iSolyJE 71 jenrs lOmos, 30 d. "The History of Chesterfield," N. H. , by Orao Randall, pub. 1582, in- forms us : Lydia Pierson, wife of Pev. Hosea ifeeckley, was a direct descendant ' of Rector Pierson, the first president, , died Dec. 5, 1762, aged 72. The children of John and Lucretia Bennett, of this town, were Jud^h, b. T778 ; Nancy, b. 1780; Lucy, born 1781 ; John D., borrr inDuramerston. 1784; Uorcas, born, 1787, married Ezekiel L. Chapman ;. Henry L., Allyn O., Franklin W., Almyra. 1801. He married 2d, Polly Codding, Oct. 25, 1812. Children: Ixjckhart W and Melinda. NORCKOSS FAJnLY. THOMAS NORCROSS, 3 London mer- chant, born about 1550, is of the first generation of the Norcross family so far as the name has been traced. Jer- emiah of the second gen. b. about 1595, came to America in 1638, and settled in Watertown, Mass. Richard of the 3d. gen. was bom in 1621 ; resided in Watertown, died in 1709. Richard of the 4th. gen., born 1660; resided in Western, Mass., died 1745 ; Joseph of the 5th gen., b. 1701 ; resided in Wes- ton and Princeton, Mass., died 1789. SAMUEL of the 6th gen., born 1745; resided in Marlboro, and was the first Norcross, who settled in this state. He died 1812. His wife was Rachel Har- vey, who died 1811. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and belong- ed to an artillery company at a fort in Boston Harbor at the time the British evacuated Boston in 1775. He had eleven children: Samuel, born Jan 9, 1769, died young ; Nahum, born May 9, 1771, d. Jan'. 26, 1851 ; Eber, b. May 23 1772 ; resided in No. Easton, N. J., died 1861, aged 89. Rachel, b. Sept. 13, 1774, d. 1836 ; Benaiah, b. Dec. 20, 1776 ; resided in Chesterfield, N. H., d. 1860, aged! 85;. Zebrina, b. Apr. 18, 17X9', res.' im Chesterfield, N. H., Darius, b. Oct. 9, 1781, res. Lock- port, N. J., died 1838; Lucy, born Aug. 2, 1784; Shepard, b. Mar. 9, 1788, res. in No. Easton, N. J . ; Annis, born Oct. 7„ 1790, NAHUM came to Dummerston ; mar- ried Zeruiah Roel, Jan. 17, 1796. She was boni Sept. 7, 1778, died Apr. 8, 1840. Their children were: Betsey, born Nov. 24, 1797, married Aaron Grimes ; Luke, born July 15, 1799, died in infancy ; Luke 2d., born June 9, 1801 ; mar- ried Louisa French ; Mary, b. Oct. 9, 1803, m. WiUiam Woodard ; Moses, bom May 29, 1806 ; Sarah, born Dec. 7, 1808, married Anson Woodard ; Charlotte, born Nov. 24, 1809, m. first Ebenezer Wiswall, 2d, Warren Stearns ; Orison, bom Nov. 22, 1812, mar- ried Sophia Howe, Nov. 1833 ; Blucher, born May 15, 1815, m. Bet- sey, dau. of Lyman Huntley. None of the children of Nahum Nor- cross are now living. Orison d. Aug. 21, 1873, and Sophia, his wife, died July 19, 1871. Luke died June 22, 1876, and Louisa, his wife, d. Nov. 17, Candace, b. Dec. 5, 1776, died 1778 ; | 1881. Blucher, the youngest, d. in 1880. DUMMERSTON. 101 PIERCE FAMILY. William and Patty Pierce were the parents of Josiah, Sally, Moses and Henry. Henry married Philadelphia Thom- as ; children : Sophia, b. about 1792, m. Isaac Libby of Boston, Mass ; Sa'ly m. Harlow Williams of Milford, Mass. Joseph, b. 1797, died young ; Martha, b. 1800, m. Doton Smith, Middleboro, Mass. ; Joseph (2d.), m. Melinda — ; Betsey, b. 1804, m. Allen Knight, of BraUleboro ; John m. Altliea Springer, Maine ; Polly married Luther Thayer, Apr. 19, 1837, died 1859 ; Lucy m. Benjamin Newton of Shrewsbury, Mass. ; George ; Lydia married Amasa McFarland of Hopkinton, Mass. ; Phila married Josephus Cutler of HoUiston, Mass. JOSIAH PIERCE • came from Upton, Mass., to Dummer' ston, in 1793. Upton was not anorig' inal gTant, but was taken from the town^ ships of Mendon, Sutton, and Hopkin- ton, a locality from which several of the early settlers removed to this town. The children of Josiah and Sarah Pierce were : William, b. in Upton, Mar. 12, 1792 ; Jacob ; Hollis, born May 7, 1796 ; Anson, in 1798 ; Hannah, b. Dec. 18, 1803 ; Joel, b. Jan. 22, 1806 ; Susanna, born Jan. 19, 1809. William was drowned in West river Apr. 11, 1825, while crossing it in a skiff about a mile north of the old bridge-place. Henry and Moses Pierce were brothers of Jo- siah and came from Hopkinton. Their sister, SaUy , was the wife of Philip Be- mis. Moses Pierce m. Patty Barnes ; children : Asa, Eli, Ruhama, and Ira. ISAAC REED became a resident of this town about the time of his marriage to Abigail Mcwain, Sept. 2, 1790. Their ch. were : Lucy, b. July 27, 1791, died 1823 ; Sally married Ephraim Brown, Aug. 1814; David m, Betsey Fairbanks, 1824 ; Leavitt, his twin brother, m, 1st. Eme- line Hubbard, May 27, 1830, 2d. Clar- issa F. Miller ; Isaac, m. Catherine B. Alexander, Dec. 3, 1829; Eliza, m. Joseph Miller, March 3, 1841. The children of Ephraim and Sally Brown were Charles, b.Feb. 12, 1813 ; Nancy, b. Nov. 30, 1815 ; James, m. Emily Walker. Children of David and Betsey Reed : Adin Thayer, b. Dec. 28, 1826 : Lucy M. born Apr. 23. 1828 ; Fanny E. b. Dec. 8, 1829 ; George F., born Oct. 2, 1831 ; Louisa P., born Feb. 28, 1836 ; Mary C, born Feb. 26, 1838 : David Henry, b. Oct. 3, 1840. Isaac Jr., had James A., Maria, Charlotte, and Ellen, of whom James only is living. Leavitt had Romanzo and Eliza by 1st. maariage and Mar- shall I. by the second. HBRBICK FAMILY. The traditions of this very ancient fam- ily claim their descent from Ericke, a Danish chief, who invaded Britain about the year 911, during the reign of Al- fred, the Great, and, having been van- quished by that prince, was compelled, with his followers, to re-people the waste districts of East Anglia, the gov- ernment of which he held as a fief of the English crown. He was afterwards defeated in battle by Edward, the son and successer of Alfred, and was sub- sequently slain by his own subjects for alleged cruelty in his government. The Norman invasion found this name rep- resented by Eric, the Forester, who resided in Leicestershire, and was an extensive land-holder. Henry Eyryk, 102 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. a lineal descendant from Eric, the For- ester, was seated at Great Stratton, in the county of Leicester, England, at a very remote period. His grand-son, Robert Eyryk of Stratton, by his wife, Joanna, had William, who bore the ti- tle of Sir William Eyryk, Knight of Stratton. He was commisioned to attend the Prince of Wales on his expe- dition into Gascony, 1355. From him descended Robert Eyrick of Houghton, who was living in 1450. Thomas Eyrick of Houghton, settled in Leicester, and died in 1517. His second son, John Eyryk, or Herrick, born 15J3, m. Mary, daughter of John Bond, Esq., of Ward End in War- wickshire. He died Apr. 2, 1^89, leaving a large family, among whom was William, b. 1557, He was a member of Parliament from 1601, to 1630, knighted in 1605, and was known as Sir William Herrick of Leicester, London, and Beau Manor Park. He married 1596, Joan, daughter of Rich- ard May, Esq., London, died Mar. 2, 1652-53, aged 96. Henry, the fifth son of Sir William, was born at Beau Manor in 1604, and was named by command of the unfort- unate Prince Henry, the eldest son of James I. His sponsors were Sir Da- vid Murry, Sir John Spillman, and Lady Aston. He came to this country and settled in Salem, Mass., June 24. 1629. He married Edith, daughter of Mr. Hugh Laskin of Salem, and be- came the ancestor of the numerous race by that name in this country. He and his wife were among the thirty who founded the first church in Salem, in 1629. Hedied in 1671, leaving seven sons and a daughter, who are named in his will. Of these, Thomas and Ben- jamin, the eldest and youngest, and the daughter, Elizabeth, died childless. The other five sons are regarded as the pa- triarchs of their respective branches of the posterity of Henry and Editha Her- rick. They are known as Zaeharie of Beverly, Ephraim of Beverly, Henry of Beverly, Joseph of Salem, and John of Beverly. George Herrick of Salem, another ancestor of the family, was an emi- grant from England, and came to Sa- lem in 1684 or 5. He was marshal and deputy sheriff in 1691, 2. & 3 ; & 1695. Hif. wife's name was Martha. James Herrick of Southampton, N. Y., settled at Southampton, Long Is- land, then within the jurisdiction of Con- necticut, prior to 1657 ; died 1687, His wife, Martha, survived him. Henry Herrick of Beverly, d. June 1702 ; inherited ^ the paternal farm, a part of which was possessed by a lineal descendant, Mrs. Anna Meacom, dan. of Col. Henry Herrick. aged 92 in 1845. Henry Herrick's first wife was Lydia Woodbury, and their fifth child, Jonathan, was baptized in 1672. He removed from Beverly to Concord, Mass., where he possessed considerable property in mills &c. ; died 1724 ; mar- ried 1st. Elizabeth, dau. of William Dodgeof Beverly, Oct. 28, 1696, who was born 1672, died Mar. 13, 1712, aged 39 : had five children : married 2d. Bethiah Conant, Beverly, Sept. 13, 1713, by whom there were five more children. Joseph, youngest son of Henry, was born in 1720. He removed from Con- cord to Groton in 1744, where he pur- chased a farm which he sold to Josiah Conant, 1746 ; lived a while in Towns- hend, and finally settled in Brattleboro, died Mar. 16, 1795. Remarried Lois Cutler of Chehnsford, 1742, who died Aug. 5, 1812, aged 92. Their chil- dren were Jonathan, born Sept. 26, DUMMERSTON. 103 1743 ; Joseph died about 1835, atRum- ney, N. H. ; Shadrack married Abigail Stoddard, Chesterfield, N. H. ; Lois, born in Chelmsford, Mass., 1749 ; Amos married widow Miles ; Abner, Bethiah, and Mary. Jonathan Herrick of Brattleboro, m. Mehitabel French, 1770, related to Na- thaniel French of Dummerston . Their children were Jonathan, born April 1, 1 771 ; married Lucinda Dickerman, 1779^; settled in Farnham, Canada; John died 1779 ; Lydia, born June 4, 1 773 ; married Grafton Luce of Stowe, Vt. died 1821 ; Mehitabel, born April "20, 1775, married JohnPage, Clayton, N. y., 1803; Elisabeth, born 1777, died 1780 ; Edith, born P'eb. 2, 1780 ; married Calvin Sartle, Lowell, Vt. in 1799; Nathaniel, born Mar. 1, 1782; Joseph, born Mar. 1, 1784, married Eunice Coughlan, 1807 ; Seth, born Apr 16, 1986, m. Melinda Coughlan, 1815 ; Elisabeth 2d, born Apr, 9, 1788 ; Lucinda, born Angust 13, 1790, mar- ried Lincoln Bixby of Dummerston ; Asa died, 1792. Seth Herrick of Brattleboro had 7 children: Seth N. Herrick Esq., of that town, John N., Mehnda C, Susan E., Mary L., Sarah A., and Ellen C, NATHANIEL HERRICK removed from Brattleboro to Dummer- ston ; married Lydia Eastman Nov. 30, 1806. Children : Esther m. Stephen Mann, 1834 : Harriet, born Mar. 22, 1808, died 1840 ; Nancy, born July 4, 1811, married Nathaniel Eoel, 1836 ; James, born Mar. 19, 1814, married Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Crosby, Nov. 2. 1845 ; embarked Dec. 1845, for the Madura Mission, in south- ern India ; still in missionary work, 1882 ; John, b. July 27, 1815, m. Fi- delia Stiles. The mother of these chil- dren died Feb. 19, 1825, and thefather married 2d. Widow Jonathan Tenney, Jan. 11, 1826. Children: Jonathan T. Lydia E., and Nathaniel. Jonathan Tenney was married .Jan. 1810, and Mrs. Tenney "s maiden name was Anna Laughton ; Children : Mary Ann, m. Merrit Coughlan ; Willard m. Mary A. Stevens ; Ephraim, a college student ; Lucinda m. Charles Baggs : Anna m. George Everleth ; Oliver m. Nan Farmer ; and Arvilla m. Frederic H. Elmore. J'' '.rk-A' -' THE LINCOLNS. ] fCl,_^. "' Amasa Lincohi came'to Dummers- i ton, from Walpole, N.H., and Allen Lincoln, his cousin, came from West- i minster. They bought, Sept. 2, 1811, of Dr. Abel Duncan, one acre of land - for $100. It was taken from the south- west corner of his farm, lot. No. 54. The Lincolns built on this land a large tannery and a dwelling-house. The tannery stood a few rods west of the house at the foot of the hill ea.^t of the common. It fronted to the south and the upper part of the building was en- tered from the old road, leading past the tannery. Several of the tan-vats were in the basement (f the building. Am- asa Lincoln sold his half of the proper- ty to Allen Lincoln, Mar. 11, 1817, and removed to Newfane. AUen con- tinued the business till Nov. 21, 1821, when he sold out to Adin Thayer, who on the same day sold to Asa Knight. The Lincolns came from Massachu- setts. Amasa was born in Norton, Mass., July 10, 1787. He married, 1st. Lucy Richardson, Apr. 14, 1814, and boarded for a time with the family of Doctor Dimcan. He married, second, Mary Hastings, Jan. 26, 1730. He had four children by the first marriage. Allen Lincoln married in 1810, Fan- ny, dau. of Ezra and Amy (Snow) Davis of Chesterfield, N. H. Their 104 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. children were : Fanny D., Stella S., Allen M., and William R. He, with his family, removed to Fort Covington, or French Mills, N. Y. Jacob Amsden, a tanner, bought of Asa Knight and soon after sold to Lu- ther Thayer, who put into the tannery, a. steam apparatus for heating the vats. About 1830, the tannery was burned, and a much smaller building immediate- ly built on thi spot. The business how- ever, soon declined, and the new build- ing was removed, attached to the dwell- ing-house on the place and converted into a shoe-shop. Henry L. Porter rented the place for a time and worked at shoe-making. Af- ter two or three more changes, Adin Thayer bought the property and sold the same to Lewis Holton, who did an extensive business in making fancy mo- rocco shoes. Mr. Holton, his wife, and two children, died of erysipelas iu Jan. 1844, and the place was sold at auctioa to Wm. O. Miller. "William Luck, an Englishman, rented the shop for a time. He served a regular ap- prenticeship in England and was an ex- cellent shoemaker. No workman could make a more handsome boot or shoe than Mr. Luck. He served for a time in the British army, but deserted and came to this country. What was once the tannery, then a shoe-shop, is now the building joined to the west side of "Wm. 0. Miller's residence. His sis- ters, Mrs. Mary M. Rust and Lucretia Miller, own and occupy the Lincoln place. HIGGINS FAMILY. CALEB HiGGiNS married Lucy Hil- drethMay 5, 1796. She died in 1797, and he married, 2d, Mary Hildreth, June 17, 1798. AlpheusHiggins, prob- ably a brother of Caleb, married Phebe Hildreth Sept. 21, 1797. The children of Caleb and Lucy (Hildreth) Higgins were Caleb a)id Joshua, twins, b. Feb. 16, 1697 ; and by his second marriage, Lucy H., born Dec. 6, 1798, who m. Nathan Adams Jr., Oct. 4, 1821. Caleb, brother of Joshua, married 1st. Almeda Sawyer, July 9, 1820 ; 2d. name unknown ; 3d. Lucy Johnson, of Jamaica, Dec. 8, 1844. He was a shoe- maker by trade and with his third wife lived several years in the Hollow where Maner Smith now resides. He d. May 25, 1863, aged 66, and Lucy, his wife, died Mar. 31, 1865, aged 67. During the summer of 1883, a benevolent friend who knew them well in former years, placed at the head of their graves a marble slab bearing the inscription, in addition to their ages and time of death, "Humble and unassuming in life they did what they could." He never learn- ed to read or write. On one occasion he had a sign painted for his shop. His name and occupation, in lettering, re- quired two lines ; but when the painter showed hina the sign, he refused to take it, saying, "what man can read twice across that board while riding past my shop ?" Uriah Higgins was one of the heads i)f families in school district No. 3, in 1793, and lived near Rufus Sargent. Polly Higgins married David Dutton, in 1782. Joseph Higgins was a resi- dent of school district No. 5, in 1793. Joseph Higgins married "Widow Kath- an Aug. 26, 77 — ." July 2, 1797. From the church rec- ord. Two children of Caleb Higgins, twins, were baptized, — one named Joshua, given by its grandfather, Uri- iah Higgins, the other named Caleb, given by its grandmother, Lydia Hil- dreth" Therefore, Uriah was father of Caleb and Alpheus. DUMJfflEESTON, 105 THE HAGUE IN 1753, AND VICINITY. TJiis locality comprised 2fi Jaiailies in 1793, and was No. 7, of theschool- distrijcts. The school-house then stood ^between Johm Whiteey'^ and Elder Joa- iixhaa Haiitley'.s. la 1'820, the Mum- her of scholaES .attending ^school was 28, ■as retuMied by Lymaa Walker. Be- ligioxis services -m-ere held in the school- house for many jeaxs, regularly every ijunday. Elder Huntley preached there ifor a long time. ABRAHAM i-ITTS iwas one of the earliest residents m the Hague. Abraham Fitts Jr., married a- Barnes and lived where B. F. WU- Rard now owns. He removed to New- fane where he died -about 1863, aged nearly 90, His wife died in 1833. TIMOTHY CEOSBy married Amy, and was from Claremont, N. H., where two children, Timothy, 1784, and Amy, 1785, were born. The ciiildren born in this town were Levi, Nabby, Lydia, Ehoda, Lucy, and Hez- ekiah. Mrs.Crosby diedApr. 7, 1800. He married 2d, Amita Hale, May 15, 1803. MICAH FRENCH JR., was fixjm Royalston, Mass., and pur- chased land here in 1789. He owned land in lot. No. 121, on which he had a saw-mill in 1797, and the same year, sold it to Dyer Remington, who in turn sold it to Joseph Pooleof Brook- line. The saw-mill was probably built by Micah French, and in the sale, one acre of land was included with the saw- mill which stood on Fall brook. Mi- cah French Jr., married Sarah Howe, Jan. 28, 1787. John French Jr., mar- ried Rebecca Haywood, of Walpole, N. H., Nov. 22,1781. Children :Hay- ward, born Aug. 18, 1783. 14 JESS-E TSIAJULET •aaad Eunice, his wife, were jaawied m 1775. Children: Jesse Jr., bom Jan. 26, 1778, married Betsey French, S«5pt, 37, 1801. Amasa, bona 1780, jaarried Lydia French, Jan. 26, 1806. She was sis- ter of Jesse'-s wife and both were daugh- ters of Nathaniel French. Eunice, born 1782, juarrkd Reuben Newton, Mai'. 11, 1804. The other children were Nathamel, Hannah, Betsey, Wilham, Sally, Polly, John, and Luke, the youngest, borji Oct. 17, 1800. J^hn Manlej, son of Jesse Jr., mar- ried first Irena Gass, sister of Harriet Goss, wife of Daniel Taylor, 2d, Abi- gail WHsoa, daughter of Joseph Wil- son. Her sister, Sarah C. married John Whitney, and her brothers were Shep- ard and Elihu Wilson, JAMES MANLEY, a brother of Jesse, removed from Kil- lingsley, Ct., where he married Hannah , and where Samuel, their first child was born Jan. 13, 1774, Molly, the second child was bom in Royalston. Mass., July 30, 1776. From that place the family came to Dummerston, where Marcy was born June 1, 1778 ; Han- nah born Apr. 12, 1780, married Fair- ring Wilson, whose daughter, Hannah, married Gideon, son of Charles Cud- worth, a first settler on Putney West Hill. James Jr., born July 8,1782: Lucy, born July 9, 1784, married Stew- art Black ; Ebenezer, born Oct. 20, 1786. married Patty Black. The chil- dren of Ebenezer were Philisia, Syrene, Mary, George and Eliza. Syrene mar- ried Shepard Wilson, who now lives on the Manley homestead. JOSEPH ESTOS, a native of Portugal, came with his wife, Jemima, and one chiid, Mary, from Smithfield, R. I., to Putney where lOff VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. Hannah was born Aug. 3, 1779. Jo- seph, Jr., Betsey, Jesse, and Simeon were all born in Putney. Hannah m. Timothy Crosby, and Mary married on the same day, Sept. 29, 1802, Dan- iel Woods of Townshend. Betsey mar- ried Jonas Barrus, Mar. 30, 1806. Mr. Enos was a mUler and owned the grist- mill on Fall brook. He bought the land, about 25 acres, and the mill, of Joseph Poole in 1797, who probably built ihe mill that year. Enos sold the same to Nahum Noicross Jan. 16, 1801, "and the said Norcross is to have liberty to draw water at the saw-mill for the use of the grist-mill as he shall want or need." James Newton had a shop and furnace on the same land with rights reserved to him in the same deed. JOS'IAH TENNEY married Matilda Livermore and lived on the Abram Dewy place- He came fromBarre, Mass., where his sister, Martha was born Aug. 5, 1785. Her -first husband was Samuel Bond, born in Winchester, N. H., Aug. 28, 1783, They were married Nov. 16, 1806. Children : Luke Taylor, born Jan. 3, 1807 ; Samuel Jr., born Apr. 28, 1809. Samuel Bond died in Walpole, N. H. , March 9, 1809. His widow married second Thomas Clark. JONAS LIVERMORE JK.. married Sarah Woodbury, June 20, 1781. He was from Sutton, Mass., where his first child, Benjamin, was b. Oct. 23, 1781. The other children were Sally, b. May 12, 1784, David, Parks, Calvin, and Matilda, who mar- ried Josiah Tenney. David died 1876, aged 89 ; Olive, his wife, died 1875, aged 86. Jonas Jr., died Apr. 6, 1812, aged 58. SOLOMON NOUESE was probably from Westboro, Mass., where many persons of that name liv- ed when he came to Dummerston. Dan- iel Nurse and Sarah Ball were the parents of 11 children born in Westbo- ro. Joseph and Joel, his sons, remov- ed to Shrewsbury about 1800. Wm. Nurse married Rebecca Fay and was a resident of Shrews;bury in 1 729 ; but was set off with his farm to Westboro^ in 1741. Fraiicis Nourse of Salem Village, had children, John, Sarah. Rebecca. Samuel, Francis, Mary, Elizabeth, and Benjamin. Their mother was hung in the witchcraft delusion, July 19, 1692. The name originally Nourse, is still so written by many families. Solomon, of this town, married Me- hitible , and had children, Asa, b, 1779; Hannah, Mehitible, Sampson, PersiSjCaty, Samuel Duncan, and Ben- jamin, the youngest, b. Jan. 27, 1801. Betty, wife of Nathaniel French, was probably a sister of Soloraon Nourse. Her first husband was Samuel Duncan, and a child of her brother is named Samuel Duncan. Joseph Nourse, who lived in the east part of the town, was a cousin of Solo- mon. He xa. Hannah Holton ; Chil- dren : Hannah, b. 1781, m. 1st. Wright, 2d. John WeUman of Am- herst, 1838 ; Joseph, b. 1783, m. Sally Glynn, 1822 f Asenath.b. 1785, m. 1st. Eli S. Davis oi Brattleboro, 1817, 2d. — Abbot ; Thomas H., b. 1787, mar- ried Betsey Kingsley of Utica, N. Y. ; Abel, b. 1789 ; Elijah, b. 1791 ; EU- sha, b. 1793 f m. 1st. Sally Murdock of Townshend, 2d. Lucy — ; Reuben, b. 1794; John, b. 1797. SETH HUDSON was a Revolutionary soldier and pen- sioner, and was from Petersham, Mass. where he married Abigail — and where their first child. Polly, was born Jan. 10, 1779. Betsey born in Dummers- DUMMERSTON. 107 "onMay 27, 1781 ; Rebecca, Susanna, Joel, and Esther. Seth Hudson died Nov, 28, 1S28. Enos, probably, a brother of Seth, married Patty — , and had a son, Seth, born July 12, 1792. Betsey Hudson m. John G-rout of N. Y. Samuel S. Hudson married Sally Field, of Brat- tleboro. DANIEL BELKNAP was born in Brattleboro, Sept. 5, 1773, and first settled on the Roel place. He married Betsey Plummer and lived ma- ay years on the Reuben Walker farm. He cleared much of the land where he iirst settled at the rate of 10 acres a year for 6 years. His children were: Sally^ b. May 14, 1795, married Dr. Sewall Foster; Bet- sey, b. 1796, died 1798; Cyrus, born Apr, 8, 1798, m. Sally, dau. of John Lawton ; Asa, b. Mar. 8, 1801, mar- 'ried Ruth Greenwood ; Willard, b, June 20, 1803, married Amanda Kingsbury ; Betsey, b. Aug. 18, 1805, m. John Greenwood, brother of Asa's wife ; John P., b. 1807. m. Harriet French, dan of Nathaniel French ; Sewall married Juliette French, sister of John's wife ; Lucy m. Wm. Goss ; Harriet married George Willard, and Daniel, Jr. died unmarried. Daniel Belknap died Aug. 23, 1862, aged 89. Calvin Belknap, probably a relative of Daniel m. Bathusa — , and had Ba- thusa, born Nov. 1787 ; Asa, b. 1790 ; Daniel, b. 1792 ; Lucy, b 1794 ; PoUy, b. 1797 ; Charles Belknap married Sa- rah Duncan, Aug. 10, 1795. THE OLDEST GRAND LIST. No grand lists can be found at the clerk's office of an earlier date than about 1820. What became of them be- fore that date, no one knows. The fol- owing rate bill will show what the grand list was for the year 1801. TAX BILL OF 1802. state Tax of one cent on the Dollar on the Gramd List granted at the October Session of ISOl. Also Town Teux of one cent on the Dollar on the Grand List granted Dec. 7 1801. STATE TOWN NAMES. TAX. TAX. $ cts. $ ots. Adams Nathan 1 17 1 17 AUyn Charles «6 1 86 Arnold Gamaliel 67 1 13 Alvord Benjamin 1 28 i 28 Ash Ebenz. U « Atriclge Nathaniel 20 Allyn Joslah 11 37 Adams Samuel -38 38 Bennett Samuel Jr. 20 40 Bemis David 41 41 Bemis Benjamin 69 44 Boy den William 3 27 2 27 Bemis Elias 92 1 12 Bigelow Isaac 88 1 08 Bemis Joseph 3 20 2 2fl Butler Silas 39 67 Boyden Isaac S4 94 Brown Elijah S3 'm Butler Abel 1 84 1 84 Barrus Jonathan 31 31 Butler ? John I 17 i 17 Boyden Josiah 82 82 Burritt Isaac 1 14 1 44 Burnham John 13 33 Barrus John 19 19 Boyden Asa 47 89 Baldwin John 47 47 Bennet Samuel 59 76 Butler Thomas 25 25 Bennet Joseph 99 99 Bemis Philip 74 94 Belknap Charles 46 66 Butterfield Luke i 26 1 26 Belknap Daniel 80 1 Black Steward 40 40 Butterfield Ezra 3 58 2 58 Belknap Calvin 6i £1 Bennet Stephen 1 58 1 68 Boook Aaron Jr- 36 89 Briggs Seth 1 63 1 63 Buck Elijah 21 21 108 YERMOIST HTSTORICAL MAGAZINE. Bemis Benjamin 23, 20 Frost Jesse 10 10* Bntterfleld Ezra Jr- French ■William 33 331 Bnmett "WUkln* 29 49- Foster BamardT 3» 38' Bailey- I>tidrey- 61 61 Frost Bfenjamln' 20 20" Bixby Nathaniel 70 70 GFuemsey Siamuel 39 39< Barret Bfenjamln ■Tr- K TO Goss' Zebuloo 49 eo* B&.rrus' Mosea 20 GFOSB Henry 90 1 lO" Bebee' Jblmi 35 32 Gleason Jbsepft '26 2ff Bennet Jolin se- 26 Go'wing' Samuel .53 7» Bond Aaron el 61 Goss Daniel I 47 1 67 Clao-k Thomas' * 03 3 OS GWffeth Ellis 92 92; Clark Thomas Jr-_ 00 Gibbs< Elijah 13 33; Colhey Simeon) 63 29 Gates Daniel Ji%. 13 33= Ctiryl Levi 20 46 Graham Caleb 98 1 18-' Coasett BOswell te 66 Gates Daniel Lt. 2- 13 2 31 Chanrberiaint Selai. 21 21 Gates J. ShephanS 2 02 2 02- Cook laioch I 59 1 50 Grout Ebenezer 24 4* Cressy- Henry 51 71 Graham Lemuel 1- 32 1 SZ' Caryi Asa 35 35 Goddapd Le-vi 22 4» Caryl AMjaht 26 29 Gibbs SamneT 7 27 Cook Nathanr 33 33 Gates' Fhlneas' 39 59 Croshy Tlmothy- 33 33! Graves Eenben 26 26- Cresey Wiinani 20 Hunt Jona. —Hinsdale' 10 W GoUins' SylTanusi Hopkms Jererniahi 72 7K Cutting Joel U 33 Hildreth .Jesse 65 65. Clark Thadfens a Hildreth Josephs 95 9S- CoWeigli Jonathan Jr-, 20 Hildreth Ezekle? 51 2r Camhrldge Jbhm 6i Higgins Alpheus 39 391 Crosby Eli 50 Hildreth Wilsora 13 33! Clap IcfiohocF H 1 24 Haven Joseph 15 35 Dea-n Klchardi 69 89 Hartwell Oliver I 57 1 57 Dutton David 67 67 Hadley Benjamin I 27 1 47 Duncan Jason Esq', and Seyms- ■£ 08 2 48 Haven Abel 1 32 1 65 Duncan Abel TT 7T Healey Jamesi 10 39 Davenport Charles 34 34 Hrrdson Enos 24 24 Davenport Charles Jr. 95 a5 Hudson Seth 1 72 1 72 Dutton Asa 3 23 3 2J HUlyard Joseph) 6 6 Dutton Samuel I •nil! Holton Arad 1 25 1 25> Dutton Samuel Jr. 33 33 Haven Da'via 55 73: DVmcan SS.m'uel 12 I 1 12 Hadley Jesse 21 2E Dickenson Paul 5i 54 Herrick Jonathan I 24 1 24 Estabrook Benjamin 1 22 I 22? Hadley Ebenezer K) lot Ellis Benjarataand Sons- 33 33 Holton Eenben 44 44 Enos Joseph 66 66 Jenks Obefflah 31 31 Farr 'WiUiam U 34 JUlson Sylvester 15 35 Fisher Ebenezer H IT Johnson James 57 77 Frith Abraham Jr. 99 99 Jolinson Simeon 66 86 Fairchna Silas 26 26 Johnson F. Edwara 1 20 1 40 French Joel 6 26 Johnson Ashbel 2 02 2 02 Flarity { Florida ) James I 30 1 30 Johnson Williami French Nathan 2 49 2 40 Jacobs Josejih 40 401 French John 14 14 Kathan John 56 56 French Samuel 51 71 Kathan Gardner 41 61 Foster Skelton 57 57 Knight Joel 1 U 1 31 DUMMERSTON. 109 Knight Jesse Knight Samuel Kathan John 2d. Kellej' Alexander Kathan Daniel Kendall Luke Kendall Isaac Knight Jonathan Jr. Kathan Alex. & Thomas Kathan Daniel 2, Knapp Ichahod Kilbury Richard & John Kelley Richard Jr. Kathan David Knapp John Kneeland Abner Kathan Daniel Jr. Kathan Prentice Kelley William Laughton Jacob Leonard WUUam Larrabee J. Widow Laughton Samuel Jr. Laughton 2, & Thomas Laughton David Lamb Peter Laughton John Lt. Larrabee John Miller Vespaoian 2d. Morse John & Samuel Mann James Miller John Miller Vespaoian Capt. Miller Hosea Manley Jamea Miller William. Miller Marshal Miller Sylvanus Manley Jesse Merrick Ebenezer MUler Georg& Mann Nath'J JUann Stephen Manley Jesse Lt, Moore Jona. do. Miller Joseph Merrick Moses Negus William Negus John Norcross Nahum Newton James Nurse Joseph Orvis Widow Wm. 1 23 1 23 1 11 1 31 75 75 1 51 1 51 1 88 1 88 1 80 2 6 6 1 40 1 60 2 35 2 56 3 03 3 03 1 42 1 75 51 51 45 65 26 46 31 31 38 71 66 6S 5 25 1 59 1 79 06 96 37 37 65 65 1 13 1 33 6 26 1 11 1 11 1 19 1 19 33 33 33 53 1 62 1 62 77 77 69 2 69 2 1 31 1 31 65 85 1 53 1 53 1 17 1 17 1 67 1 67 1 48 1 48 2 09 2 09 64 64 40 60 63 S3 16 36 42 62 85 85 33 33 20 91 91 56 56 18 38 33 33 1 42 1 43 13 13 Pierce Josiab Prouty Abel Pierce Benjamin Presson Benja. & Stephen Porter Samuel Esq. Parish Asa Prentiss Elkanah Potter Reuben Pratt Asa Pierce William . Parker Elijah Presson Samuel Pratt Jesse Randall Elisha Rider David Rich E]ijah Reed Isaac Rice Nathan, Eph'm. & Elijah Rice Amos & Gardner Streeter Samuel Sabln Elisha Sargeant Caleb Sargeant Rufas Sargeant Thomas Stockwell Joel Stimpson Amos Stoddard Samuel Sargeant Calvin Stockwell Jonas- 1 Stevens Henry 1 Stimpson Simeon 1 Sargeant John Steams Daniel Shaw Bela Stickney Peter Sweetser William Stone Nathaniel Stimpson Charles Taylor Isaac Tait Silas Taft Asahel Thompson Benoni: Town Parila Taylor Daniel & Luke Thayer Thadeus Temple Joseph TwitcbeU Joshua Thompson Uriah) Turner John Turner Thomas Turner Elias Taylor Israel Viol Mason Wyman George 40 18 73 56 07 74 29 35 20 40 38 73 76 27 74 26 35 52 22 20 26 20 33 6 26 97 I 84 1 53 1 20 20 20 63 1 18 1 81 20 37 17 73 10 46 17 84 73 20 18 01 20 '57 17 73 10 20 20 2 21 2 21 60 83 56 58 20 20 56 56 2 2 69 69 98 98 28 62 50 50 74 T4 IT 1 IT 30 30 20 IT 1 17 63 63 20 20 38 ' 88 38 58 13 no VERMONT HISTOEICAL MAGAZINE. Williams Asa 1 « 1 42 Walker Jonas 1 79 1 79 Wilder Joshua 95 1 23 Wood Seth 33 53 Wliitney Benjamin 26 26 Woodbury Stephen 1 16 1 16 Waic Widow Ebenezer 23 1 23 Wilder EUas 2 03 2 03 WUlard Henry 2 86 2 69 Webster Asahel 51 51 Wilson Joseph 6 26 Wyman John Lieut. 75 75 Wyman John Jr. 58 58 Wakefield Samuel 1 04 1 04 Wilson. Ezekiel 26 26 Warner Daniel 1 04 1 04 Willard Peter 13 1 33 Welch Silas 29 29 Winslow Joseph 35 35 Wooley Asa 39 39 Wilder Athollah Jr. 46 46 Wood Jonas 42' 42 White Asa 6 26 Whitney Henry 39 39 Whipple John 69 69 Ward Nahum 93 93 •Zwear Daniel 93 93 $209. 51 S233.79 JONAS WALKER, j Selectmen STEPHEN WOODBUKY, ( i^e^e^-Luien. Dummerston, January 16, 1802 Note.— This Tax BiU was found among the palmers of John Miller, Collector, 1802. DISTRICTS AND INHABITANTS IN 1793. In connection with the old tax bill for 1802, it will be interesting to know in what part of the town most of the fam- ilies lived near the close of the last cenr tury. From the report of a committee for dividing the town into school dis- tricts, Dec. 10, 1793, of whom Jona- than Knight was chairman, the follow- ing information is obtained : The Centre School plot for the Town of Dummers- ton was DISTRICT NO. I, Samuel Dutton Jr. Joseph Hillyard John Wyman Jr., Vespacian Miller, Hosea Miller, Stephen Woodbury, David Leavitt, Thomas Clark, Simeon Colby, Ebenezer Walt, Samuel Porter, David Gates, Marshall & John Miller, Ichabod Knapp, Abner Town, Jona. Barrus, Lemuel & Dan'l Davenport, Asa & Levi Caryl, Nathan Cook, Elkanah Prentiss, Benj. Esta- brook Benja. Alvord, William & John Negus Jason Duncan, Josiah Kellogg, Solomon Cook. DISTRICT NO. 2. John Baldwin. John Kathan2d., Caleb Gra- ham, Hem-y Stearns, Richard Kelley, Samuel Wilder, Aaron Jones, Mr. Taylor, Oliver Hart- well, Alexander Kelley, Benjamin Jones Jr. Amos Bice, Samuel Duncan, Dr. Haven, Ellas Wilder, David & Asa Dutton, Joseph Bemis Philip Bemis, Ephraim Eice, Elias Burbank, Jotham Houghton, James Healey, Henry Wil- lard, Andrew.Willard, Nathan Ball. DISTRICT NO. 3. John Puller, James Nichols, Elihu Sargeant, Daniel Kathan 2d. Uriah Higgens, Eufus Sar- geant, Jonathan Willard, Stephen Beal, Benj- amin Pierce. Mr. Bond. Bela Shaw, Benjamin- Whitney, Levi Goddard, Jesse HUdi'eth, Jos. HUdreth, Jr. Capt. Jones, Jos. & (Wilson Hil- dreth, William Miller, Charles Davenport, Jr. Mr. Webster, Charles Davenport, Jabez Bijtler Aaron Brooks, John Kneeland, Wm. Middle- ditch, Benjamin, David, & Elias Bemis, Isaac Bigelow and Samuel Nichols. DISTRICT NO. 4. John Kiliiury, Daniel Kathan, Ebenezer Ha- ven, Abel Haven, Alexander Kathan, John & Eleazer Ehoades, Elijah Brown, Gideon Bum- ham, Abel Johnson, Joseph Haven, Widow Flarty (Florida ), John Shephard Gates, Ash- bel Johnson. William Sargeant, John Kathan, Gardner Kathan, Ephraim DISTRICT NO. 5. Joseph Temple Isaac Boyden, John Mo,waln, Isaac Reed, Jesse Knight, Thomas Laughton Joel Knight, John Butler, Joseph Higgens, Eli- jah Town, Samuel & Jona. Knight, Calvin But- er, Wm. Boyden, WUliam Wyman, Samuel & Jacob Laughton, Abel Butler, Benjamin Witt, Arad Holton, Henry Cressey, Simeon Johnson -Anthony Mason John Burnham, Asa White. DISTRICT NO. 6. Josiah Taft Enos PhUlips, Jonas Livermore 2 Seth&Enos Hudson, Asahel Taft, Jonas Walk- er, Josiah Pierce, Sam'l Noreross,Nath.l French Solomon Nourse Seth Duncan, John Larrabee . Silas Taft, Jonathan Child. DISTRICT NO. 7. Abraham Pitts, John Laughton, Jonathan, Jonas & Thomas Parr, -losiah Spaulding, John DUMMERSTON. Ill Marsh, Mr. Cobleigh, Mr. Parmeter, Nathaniel Holmes. Mlcah French. John Turner, Elijah Eemlngton, Luther Butler, Mrs. Twitohell, An- drew Crowl, Patrick Mcmanls, Timothy Cros- hy, John Smith, Samuel Gowen, Benj. Presson, Archibald Woods, Eufus Freeman, Seth Smith James and Jesse Manley. The oldest tax bill we have examined in this town, was for the year 1806. It contains a list of 295 tax-payers who were to pay a tax of one cent on the "general list" of said Dummerston, and is signed by Samuel Porter and Seth Hudson, selectmen of the towjj. At that time there were eight tax-payers in town, by the name of Kathan, and twelve named Miller. The most sin- gular name on the list is Zwears. Asa Dutton was the largest tax -payer, his tax being 84.65. The only man now living (1871) whose name is on this bill, is Jonas Walker who still resides in town at the venerable age of 90 years. The tax bill for 1807, shows that Henry Willard was the largest land holder at that time, and owned 418 acres. Thomas Clark stands next having 416 acres. The tax is an assessment of one cent on each acre of land for the purpose of building a State Prison. The tax for for 1808, was one cent on a dollar of the grand list, and it appears from the examination of other bills, that it was the general rate of taxation in those days. It was the custom also to make a new bill for each kind of tax assessed for the year ; and this plan was followed until sometime after Wm. 0. Miller received the office of constable and col- lector. Mr. Miller was chosen in 1844, and has collected the taxes each year since, except two, making a service at the present time (1879) of 33 years. The tax-book now in use, of which Joseph Steen of Brattleboro has a copy- right or claim of some kind, and which Mr. Miller himself used for sometime previous to the year 1867, at which time he suggested to Mr. Steen the method now used, has the names and grand list written on the left hand page and exhibits on the right the different kinds of taxes, including town, state, school and county. The tax -book for 1871, when this article was first written contains 380 names, and of this num- ber fourteen are Millers and but two Kathans. Among old deeds we men- tion two that are ancient ; one is dated 1739, the other 1754. ft ABRIDGED ANNALS. May 16th, 1775, the town " Votid that the Selectmen Be the men to take Cair of theves. Votide that Elexander Kathon Should have his gun. meeting, Disolved By a grate me Jority of votes." Mundy the twenty-second of may Enoch Cook & thomas Clark Chosen- Daligates to Set at westminester." ' ' thursday , the twenty-second of June at won of the Clock in the after noon. Votid that the town Act a Cording toi the County Congras in thaer' Resolves. Votid in By the melisha of the town Jonathan Knight Capt. Josiah Boyden Lieutenant and that william Neagos Be the insien for the melisha of said town" " At a town meetin Held the 22 of Augost At the meeting hous at fore of the Clock in the after Noon to act on the foloing artickles Viz. Meeting openid. Enoch kook chosen moderator — Votid that tis the SenCe of this town that the Letters that are in the hand of Doctr Solomon Harvy are Not any EvidanCe- in the Case which the Commite is Col- lectin for the Evidance which tha are- to Colect is the Bad Conduct of the Cort from its fust Setting up the Cort Down to the fust of march Last and that those Letters only Shue that the Peple ware Displeaised at the Earbitary Conduct of the offiseirs of the Cort and ware Rady to Rise and stop the Cort before that time ; and those Lettors Show Like wise the unity of the People and pur fix the time ; and we think it Best not to have those Letors goe to westminester ;" 112 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. P. C. Voti.l that John Hooker Cari on the Publiek worship on the Lord's Daj." September 11th, " Votide in to the Cumpini of me Lisha of tlie town Dan- iel Kathan second Lieut. William Negos Axed a Dissmi shon from said Compini as an in sine and it was grain ted. Votid iij to said Compini of me Lisha as an insian John Shepord gaits in the Room of William Negos." November 23d, " At a town xneetiug lield to .act on the foloing artickils, viz : maid Choyce of John Hooker modara- tor. Votide not to Send Daligats to nue york — Votide that Enoch Cook Shuld'not Serve nor Stand as a Com- mity man for the town nor for the County of Cumberland (Windham) Nor act in this town in a publiek Station." November 28 "Voted to Reconsider the former Votid Not to Send Daligates to Nue yorke and Votide to Send two Daligates to New york, By being in- formid that it was Nedfull to send them Votid that John Hooker Shall Repre- sent this town to set at Westminister in the Room of Enoch Cook and that said, hooker Shall Cary the town Votes to Westminister." Desember 14. The voters met accord- ing to adjournment and "a Joured to the 21st of Desember instant at one of the Clock in the after noon to jnr Enoch Cooks and all so is a Jorned to Said time." "Metatthe hows of mr Enoch Cook the 21d a Cording to a Jourment meeting oppenid and proseedid to Bis- niss." Votid to Rase the Sum of ten Dolors for to Surport Daligats to Go to new york if nede be and for the Colecttors to pay the sum of ten Dolors in to the hands of Jonathan Knight for to Ceep til furdor ordeas as the town chose him trashueri for that End. Votid that Jonathan Knight and Enoch Cook Joseph hildrith secuer the towns Records that are in Drt. Solomon har- vys hand and transCribe it into a town Book." Febuary 26, 177G, " after moshon maid and secondid maid choise of mr. John Hooker Clark protemporara — Votid to send a man to Jine the County Comitte on the twelfth of march at the hows of mr. John Saagants at Brattle- borough at Nine of the Clock in the fore Noon to Draw up a Remonstrance to Send to the Contanatshall C ongras at PhileDalpha Consarning those that per- patrated the Blody Masscaree on the thurteeinth of march Last. Secondly maid Choise of Decon Jonathan Cole of Westmoreland in the State of hampshier to Be a member to Joiue the other mem- bers at time and plase Entor on the sd Bisness. Voted that tha woold not Ex- cept of the plan the Countys Committy Gave out as a Gineral Rule to go By for a Valiations of a States. Votid to Chuse a Comitty of thre men to make a mending on the Countys Comittys Gin- aral Ruele as tha Shall think fit. maid Choise of m.r. Enoch Coock and mr. thomas Clark and mr. william Neegos to Be a Comitty for the a Bove sd por- poss. John Hooker Clark protemp Feb- urawarj ye 26, 1776." April 1.5, " Voted that hoggs Shall not Run at large. Voted to have a com- ity to take Care of hoggs — william Boy- den mr. Haven mr. Hoseah miller Be the Committy to take Care of hooggs. Votid that if any man Sustain Damage By the Comittys hoogs that two of that Committy has Libbarty to Chuse the thurd man to prise the Dammegs that his hoogs has Dun. Votid that the Comitty for the year in Suing to take the Care of hoogs uppone Complaint Being maid to them of Damige Being Dun, tley shall Go Immediately and prize the sd Damige according to thare judgment with in fore Days from thare Being Notified and if Not Settelled the hogs Shall Be posted twenty-fore owers and then sele at publiek Ven- due to the highest bider and if the Sale of sd hogs Excedt the a Bove sd Damige Be Returned to the oner of sd hogs and if he Refuse to take this Said overplus it shall Rest in sd Committys hands until furdor orders the man who suTstains the Damige shall first Notifie the oner of the hogg. Votid with a grait meJority in ye afarmitive June 18, " Voted that Lut. Ltnord Spolding Be a Commitey man in the Roome of Ebenezer haven to go to west- minister & set thar. Voted that the town will Bair thare Equil purporshon DUMMERbTON. 113 to send to tlie C'ontananshal Congras." [We have a few more leaves of this old ms. we may use for another gap.J^ STAUBBACH FALLS* is a new namd for a very beautiful fall near West river, in The Hague, on a stream called Fall brook, because the descent from its source is so precipitous. What is now called Staubbach Falls has long been known as "FallBrook Falls." It is a charming retreat in the forest, and exceedingly romantic. A winding path, shaded by evergreen trees, leads up from the highway beside the brook, along the southern bank to the water- fall. The steep, rugged banks, pros- trate, decaying old trees, projecting rocks, moss-grown and covered with ferns, give a primitive look to the local- ity. The ravine is deep and its north- ern bank just below the falls rises to a height of more than a himdred feet. The brook runs over a ledge nearly per- pendicular and 60 feet in height. Years ago the fall was 10 or 15 feetmore than it now is, as freshets have washed in a quantity of large stones at the foot of the ledge. The brook is three miles in length and has its sourc'i on Putney West HiU. * Conclusion of Paper on the Hague. A leaf of the Ms. overlooked on page 107. WARNING OUT OF TOWN. The custom of warning persons out of town, who, in the opinion of the select- men, were liable to become a "Town charge," went into practice here soon after the organization of the township. The following warrant, copied from the old records, shows the kind of instruct- ions then issued to the constables by the selectmen : "State of Vermont Windham Coun- ty Dummerston Apr. ye 2d, 1781 To Either of the Constables in the Town of Dummerston Greeting : In the Name & behalf of the freemen and by the Au- thority of the same we command you forthwith to Warn all the tranchent Per- sons that is not Inhabitants in this Town that have not been in the Town one year from this Date that is liable to be a Town Charge to Depart forthwith out of the Town with their Families if any they have." The order does not state what consti- tutes a freeman, or an inhabitant beyond one year's residence. In order to be exempt from being warned ont, it was probably necessary to be "native born," or the owner of some real estate. To the authorities there must be some vis- ible means of support, something exter- nal in the appearance of the new comer, or he must leave within a year from his time of advent. If he had "but a thousand a year," known only to him- self, he must go according to the warn- ing. Good ha])its, honesty, upright- ness, and educational accomplisliments, would not qualify a man for citizenship. According to the order issued Apr. 2, 1781, the families warned out, were .John and Susanna Fuller ; heirs, Ly- man and Eaymand Fuller ; Woods and family ; Nancy Woods ; Ebenezer How and Lucy, Patty, and Charity How : James Coats ; Israel Rich and family ; Adam Fleeman ; Margaret, Solomon, Adam Jr., Mary Magdalene, and Eu- nice Fleeman ; John Day ; Anna and Margaret Day ; David Russell ; Caty Morse ; Abner Bemis ; Catherine Be- mis : Joseph and Jemima Bemis. Date of warnings Apr. 14, and 18, 1781. Very little is now remembered in re- gard to the condition of these families, warned out of town that year, except that of Joseph and Jemima (Stoddard) , Bemis. Mr. Bemis was about 24 years old, had one child at that time and had 114 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. served through the Revolutionary war, He must have been all right physically. He did not "depart immediately," but remained to earn a living without " Town charge," bring up a family of six chil- dren, buy and pay for a g(>od farm, in- herited by his children, and died at the advanced age of 79 years, a respected, worthy citizen. His son, Joseph Jr., born in Duinmerston, Aug. 5, 1786, is now living (1884) in New York State, in his 98th year. POVERTY YEAR. The year 1816, well remembered by the oldest citizens, as the cold season or '^'Poverty-year." It was known in New England as eighteen-£roze-to-death. There was frost every month in the year, though August was exempt from frost in some localities. The mean mercurial temperature that year was about 43°. Snow fell in June and frost cut down the growing corn. The early frosts of September destroyed the unripe corn, which some farmers vainly tried to save by early husking and spreading. Fam- ine stared every one in the face and it was a hard year for all, though some of the river farmers had fair crops when all others failed. The crop of English grain was heavy and this saved the in- habitants from partial famine. The only field of corn that ripened in this town, that year, was on the " Haven farm," and the crop was raised by "uncle" Jairus Haven, a man now [1881] living at the age of 92 years. He is very deaf, but when he is made to understand that something is desired from him about 1816, he is pleased to relate his success in raising corn that year. Abeut 15 miles up the river on the New Hampshire side in Walpole was a wealthly farmer, Thomas Bellows Esq., who had a good crop of corn. He had more than he needed for his own use, and what he had to spare was sold in small quantities at the price in years of plenty to such men as needed it for their families and could pay for it only in day's labor, and were obliged to> carry it home in a bag on their backs. Speculators were hard hearted in those days, as now, and took advantage of the situation of affairs to speculate in corn. One such man called on the "Squire" to purchase corn and inquired his price. He was much surprised to> learn that it was no more than in years of plenty, and said he would take the corn, " How much would you like," inquired Mr. Bellows? "I will take all you have to spare," said the speculator. " You cannot have it," stammered the the Squire, for he had an impediment in his speech. " If you want a bushel for your family, you can have it at my price, but no man can buy of me toi speculate in this year of scarcity." The story was told to George B. Bartlett, a; visitor in Walpole some years since, and it so impressed him that he embod- ied it in a little p«)eni, we chrisen THE OLD SQUIKE. In tlie titae o( tbe aorrowfol famine year When, crops were scanty and bread was dear. The good Squire's fertile and sheltered farm In the valley nestled secure from harm : For the VP'alpole hills, in their rugged might Softened the chill winds deathly blight, So tbe ffweet Connecticut's peaceful sti'eami Reflected the harvest's golden gleam r And the buyers gathered with eager gi-eed To speculate on the poor man's need ; But the good Squire said "It is all In vain ; No one with money can buy my grain ; But he who is hungry may come and take An ample store for the giver's sake. The good old man to his rest has gone, But his fame still shines in the golden corn. For every year in its ripening grain, The grand old story was told again. Of him whose treasure was laid away In the banks that seven-fold interest pay; For to feed the hungry and clothe the poor Is a speculation that's always sure. dummj:rsto:s. 115 ElARLY MII^ITARY HISTORY. <&OING TO WESTMINSTER. The early records of this town fur- nish but little iaformation of a military •character. The first warlike event in ■which the inhabitants manifest-ed much excitement, was the fight at Westmin- ster in 1775, when William French was killed, and Daniel Houghto-i mortally ■wounded. The company from Brattle- boro, including French, stopped on their way to the court-house, at Ebenezer Haven's in this town, and were quite merry and boisterous. They laughed and joked about the grand time they should have in preventing the courtpar- ty from taking their seats. Mrs. Ha- ven thought they had cause to feel sober, and told them, their joy would be chang- ed to sadness before they returned, a prophecy that was indeed, verified. THE DUMMERSTON YORKER, Alexander Kathan, was in the fight on the side of the court party, or "to- ries," as they were called ; and so in- dignant were the citizens towards him, that he was arrested and sentenced to remain on his farm one year, and not step off from it under penalty of death. A neighbor on the farm joining his, watched him daily during the whole year, and always kept a loaded gun with him, while at work in the field, for the purpose of shooting him the moment that he should step over the boundary. "It was lucky for him," said the man, * 'that he strictly kept within his limit, for I should have shot hiha as quick as I would an Indian." In July, 1777, as soon as the news of the battle of Hubbardton reached here, a company of militia was sent from this town to Cas- tleton where the main body of the army under Gen. St. Clair, was stationed, and remained in the service till after Ihe bat- tle ofBennington was fought in August. THE DUMMERSTON FRIGHT. About the year 1780, the inhabitants in the northwestern part of this town, and a few families living near them, in Brookline, became alarmed at rounds which they heard in the woods. They had, occasionally, heard the firing of a gun in the morning and during the forenoon ; but they quieted their fears for a time. Towards night the sounds became more frequent, and a smoke having been seen in the forest, they felt sure that Indians were comiag to mur- der them and destroy their property. They hastily gathered what few valua- bles they could carry, and with their families and teams fled to the older set- tlements a few miles farther to the south- east. All the inhabitants on the way were alarmed and joined in the flight. When they reached the dwellings of those families living on the hills in the central part of the town, some were per- suaded to stop there, as it would be a good place for defence ; but several of the more timid ones, went farther on towards Brattleboro where there would be greater safety, for they declared the Indiiins would come beyond the top of the hills. A guard was stationed by those who remained on the hill, and ev- ery thing in readiness for an attack. The hours passed slowly during the night ; and to while away the time and keep awiike, potatoes were roasted andeaten, the guard frequently visited and every precaution taken against surprise. Morning dawned at last, and still no signs of the approaching enemy. Two brave men, well armed, were sent back towards the scenes of depredation to as- certain what damage had been done by the Indians. On their approach to the place, they saw the door of one house [IS VERMONT HISTORrCAL MAGAZINE. standing open and also heard a noise inside- "There ! there !" exclaimed one "the Indians are here, they are plun- dering my house !" They went cau- tiously to the door, guns in hand, ready for an encounter, whea suddenly a loud grunt was heard and out rushed an old porkel-, the only occupant of the build- ing. The men laughed heartily, went farther on, learned the causes of their alarm, and returned to the company. A heavy snow had fallen the day pre- vious to the alarm and continued to fall the next day. The weather being a little warm, the snow had lodged on the trees in large quantities, causing the limbs of some to break and fall. The inhabitants had mistaken these sounds for the report of guns. The smoke which was seen in the distance, was caused by a party of surveyors, who had stopped in the woods and built a fire ; and the hog had got access to the house after the wind had blown open the door. No lives were lost, and the inhabitants re- turned to their homes unmolested. FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. WILLIAM NEGUS, who died about 1817, nearly 90 years of age, a soldier in the French and In- dian War, lived on a farm about one mile S. W. of where the old meeting- house stood. His orchard of apple-trees bore fruit first of any in that section. He owned the first cider-mill in town. The apparatus for the pressing consist- ed of a large heavy timber fastened loose- ly at one end, between two posts, and free at the other, under which was the floor of the press ; above this was a windlass used for raising the end of the heavy timber. At first the timber was sufficiently heavy to press out the cider ; afterwards, weights were added to fin- ish the work. The pomace was gen- erally ground a second time, and water sometimes hot, poured on, so that the last pressing would be sure to squeeze out all the cider. Whenever cider was made in the mill, Mr. Negus helped to do it, and the boys were not allowed to> eat apples or drink cider, while he waSr present, for the reason that they were scarce in those times. He was muscular inform, quite tall, and much stronger than men in general. His chest and shoulders were very broad and his hands uncommonly large. He used to say very little about his fight with the Indians ; but many stories have been told of his great feats of strength. On one occasion, when he was haul- ing timber to build a house, the hired man was obliged to drive the team along the brow of a hill. There was danger of the log's rolling downward and injur- ing the team ; so Mr. Negus took a large lever, stepped over on the lower side, placed one end on the ground near the log, and the other on his shoulder. "Drive on," said he to the hired man ; but the log which was 20 feet long and large enough to make a stick of tim- ber 8 inches square, instead of going as he expected, rolled up on the lever close to his head. He stood firm, meanwhile, and straight up like a goose in a show- er, till the driver could stop the team and roll the log back again. 'Did it hurt you" inquired the driver? "No," said he, "but it pressed my bones pret- ty close together." [See Negus, page 69.J SAMUEL LAUGHTON was in the provincial army that formed a part of the British forces in the war against the French and Indians. He was in service from 1759, till the treaty of peace in 1763, and served most of the time in the state of New York. He moved into this town in 1768, and set- DUMMERSTON. 117 tied on the farm where his grand-son now lives, — the nearest house being at that time, one mile distant. He was obliged to go three miles to get an axe ground ; and went to mill in Northfield, Mas^. At the time of his death in 1814, he was 93 years old. His son, .Jacob Laughton, died in this town, Aug. 29, 1852, aged 91. MOSES ALVORD, a French and Indian war soldier, died in 1816, aged 85 years. "When he was in service in Franconia, N. H., both his feet were frozen, and amputation near the instep was necessary. Ever afterwards his walk was peculiar ; and from the circumstance that his footsteps seemed to imitate the sound of the voice in speaking the words, he received the title of "Four-pound-ten." He was a man of medium size and height, very fond of story-telling, and a great hand to carry the news. A neighbor once told him that the minister, Mr. Beckley, had a negro working for him, — he saw him chopping wood near the house, as he came along that morning. ''Has he," inquired the old man, and soon afte.- he started off, and was gone all day, tell- ing the ne>vs that some benevolent man in Connecticut had sent Mr. Beckley a negro, that he had arrived, and some- body saw him at work there. When he returned home that night, the folks told him that the story was an imposi- tion, and the next day, he again, went over the route, and corrected it. REVOLUTIONARY WAR. JOSEPH HILLIARD, one of the early settlers in town, was in the army of the Revolution. He died before the government granted pensions to the soldiers, except those who were invalids. He was 82 years old at the time of his death in 1815. He was a man of eccentric habits. rather witty in his sayings, and a socia- ble and agreeable citizen. He acquir- ed no property, and depended upon char- ity and the labor of his hands for sup- port in his declining years. He was a member of the Congrega- tional church, was very constant in at- tendance upon the Sabbath, always watched the minister closely, and could make good criticisms of the sermons. Those persons who remember the old man like to tell the story of his writing texts on a post in the meeting-house. He occupied a seat in the gallery at the right of the pulpit and quite near to the minister. At the head of his pew was a colamn which supported that end of the gallery and extended to the upper part of the building. Whenever the minister read his text, he was always ready with a pin to scratch it down on the "post," and so many times had he done so, that it was all- written over with texts as high as he could reach. Often when he was in the act of writ- ing, the young folks would whisper to each other saying, "See there ! grand- pa Hilliard is treeing the text !" BENJAMIN GLEASON, a pensioner, served in the army 7 years. He was born in 1745, lived in this town many years, and died Oct. 23, 1823, aged 78. Nothing can be ascertained about his long experience in war ; but we met with one old gentleman, who told us the following story of his killing an Indian : The Indians had come down the Con- necticut valley, from Canada for the purpose of destroying the property of the whites and taking them prisoners. Gleason was an object of their search ; but he was vigilant, and managed to es- cape into the forest, on the approach of the savages. His place of retreat was soon discovered ; and with the intention lis VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. of capturing him alive, an Indian came Jowards him looking very good natured, and for the purpose of deception, pre- ftended that he was going to shake hands, saying, as he walked along, "Sagali?" "Sagah? "in English, how areyouPhow are you? ''I'U Sagah you," said Ben, and instantly shot him dead. The In- dians were greatly enraged, on finding their comrade dead ; but Gleason was too cunning for the red men, and was never made their prisoner. JAMES HANLEY, an Irishman, and, a long time, resident of this town, was in the American ar- my, during the Revolution. In 1781, the town authorities deemed it necessa- ry to look after his interests and, "According to an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Vermont made and Provided for Idle aod Impotent Persons, appointed Lieut. JohnWyman to be his Overseer and take care of him and his Affects." This provision was essential to pre- vent his family from coming to want. His army experience made him a brave sol- dier, but not an industrious and temper- ate citizen. He died before the govern- ment granted pensions, and was at the time of his death 80 years old. Hanley hated the "Yorkers" and nev- er spoke of them in very respectful terms. Whenever they caused any disturban- ces in the community, he was always ready with his old musket, to help keep the peace. In those times, a home guard was appointed to assist the inhabitants, in any emergency, and protect persons and property. Provision was made for the guard, whenever they should be called into the service ; and for that purpose, the town owned two or three cows which were kept for a time, on the farm af Hosea Miller, and, for safe keeping, were always put into an inclosure dur- ing the night. Hanley got information one evening that some Yorkers had come into the neighborhood to drive off the cows ; and to frustrate their plan, he took his gun, hastened, to the farm of Mr. Miller, roused him up, said tliat the Yorkers were coming to steal the cows, and he must help defend them. Miller thought he was more alarmed than need be, — there was no dang'er of their steal- ing the cows. Yes, there was, .^e was sure of it, and he must help, or let his hired man. They both refused to go out and help him ; and no choice re- mained, but to let the cows be stolen or defend them himself. Hanley's cour- age was up ; he shouldered his musket and marched off to the yard to guard them alone. He was not long in wait- ing, when he heard the Yorkers tearing down the fence on the side opposite to him. Creeping cautiously up the yard, he suddenly, jumped upon the brush and rails, making a tremendous crash, fired his gun, and shouted "Surround them, brave boys ! we'll have them ! Hurrah, brave boys !" The Yorkers fled instantly, — thinking, no doubt, they were greatly outnumbered. Han- ley remained master of the situation and guarded the cows till morning. JOHN NEGUS, a son of William Negus, went into the army at the age of twenty, and served through the war. He died in 1810, o-g-'A 60 years. He often related sto- ries of hardship and exposure that were endured by soldiers of the Revolution . Many a time had he lain, in a cold win- ter night, on fir-boughs, placed on the snow, and slept souadly. When they were discharged from ser- vice, the government paid no money ; and not being furnished with transpor- iation free, as the soldiers were in the late war, they were obliged to "foot DUMMERSTON. 119 it" home and beg their living on the way. At one plac e, wliere they called for food and lodgings, the man told them he had nothing but bean-porridge for them to eat, if they liked that, he could furnish them a supper. "It is just what we want" said Negus, "we don't ask for anything better." They ate a hearty meal, and, before retiring for the night, informed their host that they wanted to start on their journey before light ; ' 'very well," said he, "help yourselves to the porridge again belbre leaving," which they did, and went on their way, feeling very grateful for their good entertain- ment. WILLIAM CTJMMINGS, a Revolutionary pensioner, (Sed April 30, 1838, in the 77th year of his age. The government at first granted pensions only to those who were in poor circum- stances ; and Mr. Cummings, being in much need of assistence, received aid from the government for a considerable time before the law granting pensions to all the soldiers, that served in the Revolution, was established. He was a man of medium height, rather slim yet strong and very athletic. At the age of seventy, he was the cham- pion wrestler in this town, or as an old gentleman expressed it, "No one in town could handle him." Of the nu- merous stories that he told, only one, that of his narrow escape from being taken prisoner, is remembered. During a skirmish with the British, our forces were overpowered and sought safety in flight. The enemy were anx- ious to secure all the prisoners they could, and followed our soldiers a long distance. Cummings, having run until he was quite exhausted, supposed that he was clear of the enemy ; but on look- ing back, he saw a British soldier climbing over the wall not far behind him. He quickly raised his gun, fired, and the soldier fell from sight. He nev- er ascertained whether he was killed or only wounded, but was sure that he did not capture him. BENJAMIN ESTABKOOK, one of the early settlers, in this town and a soldier, during the first year of the Revolution, moved his family here, in the spring of 1778. The summer previous, he had spent in clearing up a piece of land and building a frame house on his new farm, which was situated in the central part of the town, about one-half mile east of Black Mountain. He brought with him, from home, four panes of glass which were put into the new house for windows to furnish what light it was necessary to admit. On account of bad roads and swoUen^ streams without bridges, it occupied one week to perform the journey in moving his family and goods from Rutland,. Mass., to his new home in the forest, distant 60 miles. In a few years he had cleared up sev- eral acres of woodland, and reserved a large lot for wood and timber. During the summer of 1788, his fine wood-lot was destroyed by THE GEE AT HURKICANE. When the storm arose, dense black clouds rolled up from the north-west ;, the tempest winds roared with fearful' sounds of gathering power ; lightnino-g flashed vividly through the moist atmos- phere ; the thunder deepening and crash- ing as if it would rend a world ; then came the violent rain and the rushino' hurrican ) with one full blast that swept whole forests to the ground. No sway- ing of trees, back and forth, but one continued rush of the mighty wind pros- trated every tree in its range for miles up the West River valley, and along the west side of the high range of hills 120 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. k the central part of the town. Black Jlountain was left bare of its vast for- est of large trees. Many cattle were killed, buildings unroofed, and one lit- tle child lost its life. The house in which the parents lived was not consid- ered safe ; jMr. Jones, the father, was absent from home ; and the mother thought best to take her two children and go to some other place for better protection. She had not gone far from the house, when a tree fell and killed oneof the children. After the storm, some one went in search of her husband and informed him that he had bad news to tell. "What is it," said he, "are all my family killed?'' "Not so bad as that," replied the man, "but your little child is dead." People were greatly frightened dur- ing the tempest, and many went into the cellars for fear their houses would be blown down. Several men, the next day, took their axes and butcher-knives and went over the fields, and killed what cattle were living that were injur- ed beyond recovery. Mr. Estabrook was much surprised at having his wood- land cleared up so suddenly, and was anxious about his future supply of wood' and timber. Mr. Negus, a neighbor, offered to exchange lots and let him have an equal number of acres covered with woods, which proposition was gladly accepted. He lived in tovrn many years ; reared a family 'of six children, and all lived to be over fifty years old. During the year, 1775, he served 8 months in the army, and was on duty near Boston, Mass. He received no pension; for the act, Mar. 18, 1818, excluded persons worth over 8700. In 1781, he was "elected Ensign of the 4th Company in the 7th Regiment of the Militia of this State." The com- mission is in possession of his son, Ben- jamin Estabrook, now living in this town, and was signed by Thomas Chit- tenden, Govenor of Vermont. He died May 24, 1834, aged 86 yrs, Abigail, his wife, died Aug. 26, 1834, aged 82. COPY OF EBENEZER BROOKS' DISCHARGE. PAPERS — transcribed on the town rec- ords in 1701. "Ticonderoga Oct. 10th. 1776. These certify that Ebenezer Brooks, soldier in Captain Hind's Company of Col. Reed's Regiment, is rendered un- fit for future service this Campaign, by the loss of his right eye, and is hereby reccommended for a discharge. TO LT. COL. OILMAN of 2d Regl. E. GREEN vSu -g'n to 2d Regt." In eonsecjuence of the above certificate and averment that the complaint of Ebenezer Brooks is not fictitious, I do reccommend the said Ebenezer Brooks, soldier in Capt. Hind's Company of the Regiment under my command; aged 20 years, five feet three inches high, light hair, blue eyes, light complexion ; be- longing to the town of Fullam (now Dummerston) as a proper person to be discharged from the army of United States of America. ISRAEL OILMAN LT. COL. To the HONORABLE MAJ. GEN. GATES. Commander at Ticonderoga. Ebenezer Brooks in Capt. Hind's Com- pany Col. Reed's Regt. is for the reason alwve mentioned, discharged from the service of the United States of America. Given at Head Quarters the — of Oct. 1770, by the GeAeral's command. .TOHX TRUMBULL By. Adjutant General. JOEL KNIGHT was a private and drummer in the Ver- mont militia ; enlisted at the age of 18, and was in service near Lake Cham- plain. His name was placed on the pension roll Sept. 21, l.S.')3. under the act of Congress passed .June 7, 1832. He died in 18 |1, aged 711 years. He enlisted in 1780. The following J^^ A 'Z'?^^. DUMMERSTON. 121 winter, the cold was more iotense than it had ever before been known to be in this climate, within the memory of the oldest inhabitant. The winter, to this day, bears the distinctive epithet of the "hard winter," The army in encamp- ment as tkr south as Morristown, N. J., suffered extremely, and often had Washington the prospect before him of being obliged to disband his soldiers. In the early part of the winter, Mr, Knight with a company of soldiers marched over the Crreen Mountains, trom Bennington to some town in south- eastern Vermiont. The snow was "knee- deep" and the weather fr«^ezing cold. They made slow progress, had scanty rations, and not finding any habitations where they could stop and warm them- selves or obtain foo,d, on the journey through the forests, their provisions, having become exhausted, were soon weary and suffering from hunger and cold. One man finally gave out, refus- ed to go farther, and lay down to rest and sleep on the snow. The men rous- ed him up, annimated his flagging spir- its, and eoaxed him again to march on in the hopes of soon finding relief. With much difficulty he travelled a few miles further through the snow, and then said it was of no use, his strength was gone and he must stop. His comrades were impatient ; their urging and impor- tunity did no good, and, at last they left him behind, to slumber in his lone- ly bed of snow ; but a knowledge of his impending fate, that his slumber would end in the sleep of death, and feelings of regard for their lost companion in arms, caused them to return again and make him realize his dangerous situa- tion ; and this time they used no flatter- ing words, but cuffed his ears, kicked and rolled him about tOl his temper was ronsed and a promise given that he would march on with the company. 16 They soon afterwards met a fermer, returning from mill with bags of meal. Being in a starving condition, they ask- ed him for food and he told them they might have all the meal they could eat, Tliey built a fire of dried sticks, bent their hats concave, and carried water on them to make dough which they bak- ed on the coals,- some, meanwhile, eat- ing handfuls of dry meal and wet dough so impatient were they to wait till the bread was baked. Having satisfied their craving hun- ger with the farmer's generous treat, they marched on with renewed vigor and firmer pace. They had escaped starvation for a time, had saved the^life of one comrade in rescuing him from a grave of freezing snow, only to meet with another still more perilous advent- ure, the crossing of West River. The river was full of floating anchor-ice ; the bottom was icy and slippery, and ihere wfis no means of crossing, other, than to ford the stream. The swift run- ning water made it a difficult task ; but the Green Mountain boys, who had braved so many dangers, were not stopped by a stream of water, not waist deep. Reversing their guns and stick- ing the sharp bayonets into the icy bot- tom, as they walked cautiously alono-, they managed to reach the other side without accident; but, "after that," said Knight, "we had plenty of music from our rattling, icy pantaloons, the rest of the way, till we reached a house in Townshend where we found comfort- able quarters for the night, and a good Aire by which to dry our clothing, and the family prepared us a good supper of boiled meat and vegetables such as we had not enjoyed for many a day." ELIJAH BEOWN was a private in the Massachusetts con- tinental line troops. Reserved in Capt. 122 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. James Farnivall's Company, drafted from General Warner, s Brigade, as a matross, a sort of soldier in the artille- ry, in the year 1777. His nam:e was placed on the pension roll, July 16, 1818, under the act of Congress passed Mar. 18, 1818 ; was dropped from the roll underact passed May 1, 1820, and pensioned again under act passed June 7, 1832. He died Oct. 5, 1846, aged 87 years. A little story, illustrative of army life, is still remembered. They had been sent out in advance of the army, among the skirmishers, previous to a battle. The British soon began firing briskly ; the bullets flew thick and fast ; and the soldiers were ordered to shield themselves behind roeks, stumps, or anything that afforded protection. Some of the men who were over anxions to see where the ' 'red coats" were conceal- ed, frequently looked out fr'>m their hiding places. Brown thought that was sheer recklessness. He scolded them severely for needlessly exposing their lives, and told them what the result would be. ; They heeded bis warning for a time ; but one of the men again looked over a stump, when a bullet quickly pierced his brain, and he roll- ed back on the ground, dead. "There," said Brown, "I told you, you would get your d — d head shot off." JOHN HILL, an Englishman, an inhabitant of the town nearly 25 years, was a soldier in Burgoyne's army, and was taken pris- oner in the battle of Bennington in 1777. The prisoners, for a while, were kept in a stockade guarded by soldiers, in a town not far south of the battle- field. Hill with 12 others managed to escape one night, and was not exehang ed with the rest who were afterwards sent to Boston for that purpose. Several years before his death, he was obliged to call on the town for sup- port. Mr. John Miller was selectman at the time, and said to him, when ask- ed tor assistance, '■Hill, you're a Brit- ish soldier. You fought against this country and would now take my heart's blood, if you had a chance to do it. I will not give you one cent." "Mr. Mill- er, you are mistaken j" replied Hill, with a look of disappointment. ''I never entered the British service willingly. I was pressed into it, and got away the first chance I had. When I was in Eng- land, we were at a dance one night and on a sudden, the ofiicers rushed in- to the room and shouted, 'Soldiers, to your arms ! and hurried us to the ves- sels. Where we were going, and what for, I never knew until we landed at Quebec. So quickly were we hurried off that I left m\ girl standing on the floor,— and she may be there now for aught I know." Mr. Miller was satis- fied that the man was sincere ; and he was supported by the town, during the remaining years of his life. JACOB LAtFGHTON, bom in 1760; enlisted from Concord, N. H., as a private and drummer in the continental line troops, and remained 3 years in service. His name was placed on the pension roll, Nov. 24, 1818. He lived in this town several years, where he has relatives now living. On train- ing days, he was sometimes employed ' as drummer for the occasion, and being somewhat deaf, it was necessary that the fifer should march quite close to him, so that "deaf Jake," as he was often called, could hear the tune, (see pages 58—59) He removed to Oneida county N. Y., where he died in 1860, aged 100 years. JOHN MILLER, son of Isaac Miller, [see page 43] en- listed from Worcester, and was in ser- vice in the State of New Jersay. About DUMMEESTON. 123 1000 Hessians were captured at the bat- tle of Trenton, and he was one of the soldiers that guarded the prisoners, dur- ing the winter of 1776 '77. Among the prisoners was a little drummer boy about twelve years of age, whose smil- ing face, sprightly manner and evident appearance of contentment, attrticted the notice of the soldiers. When taken prisoner, all the food he had with him, was a small piece of raw pork in a lit- tle bag strapped to his shoulder. All the rest of his companions bore sad coun- tenances, were low spirited and seldom engaged in conversation. The soldiers asked him why he could be so happy when among strangers, and far away from his home. ''O," said he, "father and mother are not far behind,"- mean- ing, probably, that they were already on their way to this country to make it their home. Mr. Miller miarried Mary Davenport, dau. of Charles Davenport, one of tne first settlers, [see page SSj He died Dec. 19, 1834, aged 78 years. JOSEPH MILLEE, who died in 1814, aged 63, entered the army at the beginning of the Revolution in 1775, and served tiU the close of the war in 1782. He assisted his father, Isaac Miller, in the survey of roads in this town. After peace was declared, he returned to Dummerston, where he made it his honae whenever he was out of employment. He was never mar- ried, and spent a large share ')f his time in travelling about the country. For a few years, he was out in the Western territory, now Ohio, surveying land. He was in New Orleans, La., in 1792, and received a passport from the Span- ish authorities, which is now in posses- sion of a relative, in this town. It is 8x12 inches ; dated June 19, 1792 ; printed, and part written, in the Span- ish language, and signed by "The Bar- on of Carondelet, Defender of the Relig- ion of S. Juan, Colonel of the Real Armies, Govenor, "Intendete general," Vice-Patron of the provinces of Louis- iana, Florida occidental, and Inspector of their troops. W^hen he was residing in this town, his brother, Hosea, built a new barn on his farm. At the raisi'ig, it was dis- covered, before the frame was all up, that there would not be rum enough to go round. People drank spirits in those days i even the minister sipped the cup that Bacchus crowned ; therefore, it was decided, with no reproachful feeling of conscience, that Joseph Miller should go to Putney a distance of 4 miles, for more rum. He was soon on his way with orders to "whip up the horse and go quick " Having purchased the liq- uor and tested its quality, he sat down quietly te enjoy its effects and forgot to return home lill next day. Of course the raising was over and the men gone. His brother was n.'t pleased with suich management, and told him plainly what he thought about his being absent so long. He bore it patiently for a while, but, at length, getting restless un- der the keen reproofs, he spoke out sharply, "Do you think a man can go to Putney and back in a minute ?" Another story is told about his pre- venting on one occasion. Rev. Mr. Far- rar, the first settled minister, from get- ting a flogging. MosesJoy an old sea cap- tain, a rough, quick-tempered, savage old fellow, who cursed and swore about everything as sailors are notoriously capable of doing, not a sentence es- caping his lips without being tainted with profanity , vras not on friendly terms with Mr. Farrar and did not reverence his profession, and, because he was lame, called him the three-legged min- 124 VJERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINP: ister. He was one day going to the Hol- low for a load of boards, and when passing Mr. Farrar's house, on his way to the mill, he swore terribly at his team. He cursed the bad roads, and in some way managed to roll out a string of frightful oaths all the time he was within sight of the minister's resi- dence. Mr. Farrar resented the insult, and to punish his aggressor "felled" a tree across the road wliile he was absent at the mill. When the captain returned, the passage was eifectually blocked up. Not knowing for a certainty who had cut down the tree, he went back to Mil- ler's and made enquiry. He was in- formed that Mr. Farrar had felled the tree, but not that it was done intention- ally. Joy, full of rage, swore he would make Mr. Farrar cut that tree away from the road or he would thrash him soundly. Miller knew the old sea-dog's temper and nature too well to allow him the management of the affair alone, and so said he would take an axe and cut the tree away, and that the Captain had better not have any trouble with the minister. Joy was so greatly enraged, he could not rest easy while Miller was cutting the tree, and went straight into the par- sonage, took Mr. Farrar by the collar and led him Out to the tree, and, said Joy, "I made that infernal three-legged old cuss jump back aad forth over that log till Joe MiQer got it cut off." DANIEL LESTEK, an Englishman, deserted the British and, under anassumedname, joined the American army. He was in several important battles of the Revolution, and in one engagement was severely wound- ed and left for dead, on the battle-field. He revived sufficiently during the fol- lowing night, to crawl away from the field of carnage and avoid capture by the British and death for desertion. He was a resident of this town many years. When the pension act was passed by Congress, Mar- 18, 1818, he applied for a pension ; but the destruction of the pa- pers of the War Office in 1801, and '14, lefl no record of his service, and he had no friend that could prove his iden- tity and enlistment. AKAD HOLTON was a private in the Vermont militia and received a pension for services in the Revolutionary -war. His name was inscribed on the pension roll Aug. 15, 1833, under act passed June 7, 1832. He died Oct. 8, 1841, aged 89 years. He was one of the first settlers in town. In person, he was tall and commanding wore a broad-biimmed V at , in summei a white lir.en fr-nk, runiiiLg down to his boots and spurs>, his hair tied back in a cue wound with eel-skin, and a tin trumpet belted to his side, which he sounded loud and long, when he travel- led through villages and towns, as a far- rier, in this and neighboring states Rev. Hosea Beckley and' wife once visited the family by invitation of Mrs. Holton and were treated hospitably. At the supper table, without waiting for the customary blessing to be asked or requesting it done, he took his seat with his head covered and persisted to wear his low crowned rimmer, his mortified wife reminded him of the impropriety, but the only answer or relief obtained by her was, "Madam, my hat is paid for." EEV. JOSEPH FABRAK, son of George Farrar, born in Lincoln, Mass., June 30, 1744 ; graduated at Harvard University, 176 7. After preach- ing 12 sabbaths in Dublin, N. H., as a DUMMERSTON. 125 candidate for SPttlement ; received a call fromStowe, Oct. 17, 1771 ; was ordain- ed pastor of the Congregational church June 10, 1775, the same day on which the church was organized. His useful- ness became impaired by disease, and still more by morbid fancies in which he indulged, and so much dissatisfaction arose that a council was called to inves- tigate the matter. The council advis- ed that he should be suspended from the ministry for 6 months, and that, if his health was not then restored, he should ask a dismission. He was dismissed June 7, 1776, and became a Chaplain in the Revolutionary army. " (P. H. W. in the Vermont Record.)" TOWN MEETINfi ABOUT THE MINISTER. At a town meeting legally warned and held Dec. 10, 1783, the town took into consideration the request of Mr. Farrar relative to his being dismissed from his pastoral relation to the church and congregation and "voted to dismiss the second article in the notification, which was to see if the town would give the Rev, Mr. Far- rar a dismission or give him liberty tn* be absent two or three months for the recovery of his health." Voted to choose a committee to hold a conference with Mr. Farrar and make a report at the annual meeting in March next. Accordingly chose Deacon Amos Rice, Deacon Nathaniel Holmes, and Alexander Kathan, Esq. for said com- mittee." "Mar. 15, 1784. A true copy of the report of the e-immittee chosen in Dec. 1783, to confer with the Rev. Mr. Far- rar relative to his uneasiness. We, your committee appointed to hold a con- ference with the Rev. Mr. Farrar, on his letter dated November 26, 1783, and on his supplement to said letter da- ted Dec. 9, 1783, beg leave to report that on the 12th of December did begin said conference ; and from time to time have discoursed with him, and received the following answers. First with re- gard to his wood, we find Mr. Farrar to be mistaken, as there is no record to be found setting forth any length of wood whatever. With regard to the second complaint, Mr. Farrar declined calling the names of any persons that asked more for any articles than was agreed for in the settlement. With re- gard to the complaint of his being dis- tracted, he says he was informed of it by two persons whose names he men- tioned, viz., : Lieut. Daniel Gates and Mr. Lemuel Davenport. They Inform- ed him the people had got such a notion ; and with regard to the cruelty or bar- barity he is afflicted with, or complains of, he lays to the charge of the female sex, that they gave him Spanish flies and love powder, with other things not by him mentioned, which he says is the main cause of his asking a dismis- sion ; and with regard to the scanty measure, he says that he received some grain of one or two persons, that was so damp that when it was dried, it fell short four quarts in one bushel and a half ; and further, the Rev. Mr. Farrar stiU insists on being dismissed." AMOS EICE FOR COMMITTEE. Mr. Farrar was dismissed May 12, 1784, and for nearly 30 years after leav- ing this town, nothing is known of him. [see Church History, page 85. J He was a faithful minister, and a man of more than ordinary ability, but eccen- tric to a degree sometimes bordering up- on absolute insanity. He was almost the only minister in the State who was known to be a Democrat of the old school." LIEUT. JOHN WYMAN. (See biographical sketch page 54.) In 1772, was a citizen of Boston, when an important measure was adopted by an assembly of its inhabitants to appoint committees of correspondence and inqui- ry for the purpose of ascertaining the sentiments and confidential opinions of prominent persons living in other parts of the country, on all affairs of mutual interest. During these movements, a 126 VEEMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. plan was devised by the British Parlia- ment to introduce tea into the colonies ; but the Americans would not pay the small duty upon it, of only three pence. Several cargoes of tea ai'rived at Bos- ton. The captain of a vessel was de- spatched to the Govenor to request a passport, but he refused to grant it and a secret plan was formed to destroy the tea. Three different parties, Lieut. John Wymen being one of the men, sallied out, in the costume of Mohawk Indians, precipitately made their way to the wharves, and without noise and with- out tumult, the tea was taken from the vessels by the conspirators, ^and speed- ily emptied into the sea as an offering to the watery god. He was in the engagement af Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775, where 3000 Brit- ish under the command of General Howe were twice repulsed by the Americans ; till their ammunition failed, and on the third charge of the British, they were obliged to retire. Having served as a private in the early part of the war, he was soon afterwards promoted Lieuten- ant, for meritorious conduct in several* battles, and .was in service with the Rhode Island troops, during the- last part of the Revolution. When living in this town, during the troublesome times with the "Yorkers," he was very active in maintaining the rights of inhabitants to claims of land purchased from the Govenor of New Hampshire. The government of New York declared the titles of the land-grants good for nothing, and required the oc- cupants to purchase the lands a second time. Many refused to do this ; their lands were sold to other persons ; and the holders were sued and order- ed to leave. They would not do it ; and roughly handled the sheriffs and others, who attempted to force them away. The people at length became so enraged that they woidd not allow any person who sympathized with the York- ers to remuin at liberty, but arrested all such persons and put them in j ail at West- minster. Colonel Church, who lived in the edge of Brattleboro on the West river road was a "Yorker" in political sentiment, and to punish him for enter- taining such provocative opinions, the "committee of safety" were determined to "jug tiim." Lieut. Wynaan and Charles Davenport were the leaders of the party that proceeded to *he house of the Colonel for the purpose of taking him prisoner. On their arrival, Wy- man knocked loudly for admittance ; but no one answered the call, and the door was found to be securely fastened. He shook, pounded and kicked at the door making a tremendous noise, when it opened suddenly and a dish of hot porridge was thrown into his face. This unexpected calamity did not hinder the proceedings, — the men rushed in and searched the house thoroughly but could find nothing of the Colonel inside the building. Mr. Davenport in the mean time had searched the barn and sheds ; but not finding him there ; looked around the outside of the house. He soon found. a small opening through the un- derpinning and crawled in to reconnoi- tre the grounds. It was a difficult pas- sage ; but he pushed on through the gloomy labyrinth of cobwebs till at last he spied the Colonel snugly tucked away in the renlotest corner. Fearing he might have a gun with him, he venture- ed no farther, but crawled back, went into the house and, going directly over the place, he jumped violently on the floor, "There !" said he, "the Colonel is right under here." All rushed to the hole, and Davenport again crawled through, and crept cautiously towards him till he was satisfied he had no gun then venturing quite near said, "Come. DUMMERSTON 127 Colonel Church, come out, don't lie there like a hog, come — come out." He was finally persuaded, and came out. The party immediately started with him towards Westijainster. Just as they were going out of sight, the Colonel's boys, who were hid behind the hill, fir- ed a parting shot into the company ; but no one was injured, and the Colonel was safely lodge in jail. JOSHUA WILDER was employed by a Commissary in the Revolutionary war, and volunteered, with several laborers in the department, to perform guard duty and relieve a company of soldiers, who had been de- tached for that purpose, but whose ses- vice was then much needed in the army. He performed the duty 3 years, and for that service the government granted him a pension in 1833. Mr. "Wilder moved into town in 1795, bringing with him a family of 9 children. He occu- pied a house, or rather a frame with one room loosely boarded up, the cracks left bevween the boards, being "wide enough to stick your fingers though ; and the cellar contained millions of fleas." The room was. soon made com- fortable and in a few days, a new com- er increased the family of children one. In the summer of 1848, Mr. Wil- der, being then in his 87th. year, con- cluded to have a family "mowing bee." On the day appoimed, all things being n readiness, they commenced mowing in the following order: F'ather, son, grandson, and great grandson ; namely Joshua Wilder, Dan Wilder, Leroy Wilder, and Wallace Wilder ; four gen- erations ; and there was a boy fo the 5th generation, not present, large enough to spread the swaths. One of the spec- tators remarked, that the old man stood up the straightest of the lot. Only a fortnight before his death, he was smart enough to spring from the ground into a saddle oq the back of a horse, and rode several miles. He died Mar. 4, 1849, aged 89 years 10 months. JOSIAH DODGE was a private in the 13th Regiment of infantry, and died in the service Feb. 9, 1815. His heirs obtained a pension under act of Congress, passed April 1, 1816. REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS belonging to this town, on the pension list under act, passed Mar. 14, 1818 : Joshua Bemis ; John Burnham, died Dec. 25, 1829, aged 81 ; Elijah Gibbs, died 1838, aged 90 ; Seth Hudson, died Nov. 28, 1828, aged 76 ; Josiah Kel- ogg, Elkanah Prentice ; Isaac Taylor, tranferred from War- ren Co. N. Y.,Mar. 4, 1823, died Feb. 27, 1828, aged 77. Names inscribed hnder act, June 7, 1823. Nathan Adams, died June 5, 1835 Elijah Buck ; David Bennett ; Joseph Bemis, died August 16, 1837, aged 79 ; James Chase, John Goold ; Asa Dut- ton, died Feb. 11, 1836, aged 7q; Jonathan Huntley ; Benjamin Pierce ; Calvin Munn, pensioned first under act, March 18, 1818, relinquished for ben- efit of act Juhe 7, 1832 ; Joseph Gil, bert and Stewart Black were pension- ers, but were not paid at the agency in Burlington. DANIEL KATHAN, one of the first settlers, was appointed ' ' First Lieutenant of Captain Allen's Company of Militia in the County of Cumberland, in the Regiment whereof Eleazer Patterson Esq., is Colonel." His commission was dated Aug. 18, 1778, and signedby Geo. Clinton, Gov- ernor of New York. It is now in posses- sion of Joel Knight of this town . It is val- uable as a curious and ancient document. 128 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. THE SCARE. [ Another version of the old story, page 115, Or another alarm. ] Soon after the clo->e of the Revolu- tionary war, some men were surveying land near Lieut. Spaulding's house, one day, about noon, when they heard the Indian war-whoop on the distant hiUs in a northwesterly direction and sup- posed that Indians were approaching. The neighbors of Lt. Spaulding, also, heard the alarming sound and hastened to his house for consultation in regard to making preparations for defence. As he had served in the French and Indian war,his neighbors thought best to choose him to reconnoirter the situation, and ascertain, if possible, the number and whereabouts of the enemy. He was soon equipped and mounted on the old black horse, which he rode in the Rev- olution, hastened on his mission. During his absence, the people were so much alarmed that all the men, wo- men, and children took refuge in a log building, suited in some respects for a place of defence, and located in the val- ley east of Spaulding's house. Provis- ions, clothing, household utensUs, val- uables and keepsake.«, which the chil- dren could well carry, were removed to the extemporized fort ; Pewter plates and basins' were brought to be lun into bullets. Those persons, who had no guns, were armed with clubs and stones, and all was in readiness for the emer- gency. Just at sundown, a gun and two pistol shots were heard at Spaulding's house, a signal of his safe return. No trace of Indians was found. It was ascertained that, probably, some hunters in the vicinity had given the false alarm and sounded the Indian war-whoop contrary to the laws of those times. This news relieved the fears of the inhabit ants, and the little warlike company disbanded their forces and returned to the peaceful occupation of farming again. A REVOLUTIONARY RELIC. We have seen an old " G-in-Case " that was once the property of an officer who was one of the number on board the vetfsel from which the tea was thrown into Boston harbor in 1773. It was taken from the vessel by one of the party of Americans who, dressed in the costume of Mohawk Indians, went on board and destroyed the tea. The gin- case and its contents became the heir- loom of a Massachusetts family of wealth, and was handed dowa from its original possessor to son and grandson who died in Westfield of that state, a few years ago, and at his decease it be- came the property of a person who now resides in Dvimmerston. In form and size it is like a small trunk. Only for the name " gin-case", we should call it a trunk. Everything about it indicates the age of a century. The red velvet lining is much faded. The lock is not like any of American manufacture. The inside of the gin-case has several partitions each holding a square corner ed bottle striped with gilt. The bottles contain several kinds of liquor affirmed to be the same that was in them when the ease was taken from the British ves- sel in 1773. There were in the case two glass goblets and a little taster-glass that was made in the style of a hundred years ago. One of our friends has a similar glass-goblet that has been in the family service more than a hundred years. We were informed that $500 was once offered for this old gin-case, and refused. The people have not been as careful to preserve old relics us it is now wished. CAPT. ISAAC MILLER. From a pen and ink sketch from life. DLiMMERSTON. 128 MILLER FAMILY. [ Continued ^from page 51 .J COKTMBUTEl) By M.IJOK CHARLES DANA MILLEK OF KEWAEK OHIO, Capt. Isaac Miller, the fifth son of the Isaac Miller who settled in Dumiuers- ton ; after he had moved to the West, and about the jears, \S\\. to 1816, wrt-te a history of his father's family, giving a detailed account of tJie lives of each member of the family. The fol- lowing history of Isaac Miller, who set- tled in Dummerston, is taken verbatim from the old manuscript, writtea by Capt. Isaac Miller, Jr. "'A copy of the record oi' Isaac Mil- ler, who died in Dummerston in Ver- mont June 18, A. D. 1787, aged 79 years, 5 months and 18 days, and his wife, Sarah, who died Oct. 11, 1797, aged, 97 years, 9 months and 11 days. Few parents have a greater oifspring. They had 12 children ; all lived to have families ^ ten of them not small families. This by his son, Isaac, now id Wil- link, Erie County, New York, August, 18th. — ( Another date on the manu- script is May 24, 1814.) Isaac jMiller was born on Saturday, May, 7th, 1708, at C'lncord in Massa- chusetts and died in Dummerston in Verxaont June, 18th, 1787: where he had moved with his family in 1770, At the time of the massacre in Boston. No woman can boast of a more lov- ing and tender husband than my mother can ; and no children of a more affect- ionate father than can his. His grandfather came from Scotland and was a baker in Charleston aear Boston where he lived and died. My mother was born in Worcester, Mass- achusetts, was daughter of Joseph Cros- by of Worcester. They were married July 12, 1739. She was born May oth, j *She lived aad died a Presbyterian. I A better house wife and a more perserv- ing mother, children don't often have to educate them. They had ta wade through all troubles tliat attend giving a good education to so large a family under Kingly Government. Notwithstanding they accomplished it to a considerable degree. Neither my FatUer nor my Mother did not give over tlie care they had so long endured in bringing up the family that was committed to their charge, but extended it to their grandchildren. In- deed, there was ijothing that put an end to their usefulness to those that came after them but death ; and if they had followed their counsels it would have been much better for them. For my own part I must say that the greatest part of the evils that ever befell me came from disobediance to them, and leaves the most lasting repentance ; but the poignant guilt says they are gone, and it is not in my power now to hum- ble myself before them and as I would give much for an opportunity to do. But I was choleric and addicted to pleasure and disobedience. It is my oppinion had my Father been brought up where there had been Quak- ers he would have been one of that denomination. His neighborly conduct among his acequaintance and always enjoining it on his children, always to do as they would be done to. H« was always un- willing to acknowledge any as his Hm- pcrior by any flattery or bows, which always to him appeared unnecessary. He was scrupulous in taking away the life of any creature to support our own life. He was a great friend to Repub- lican government, and in this differed from the Quakers. He was willing his sons should be soldiers and officers in the Revolutionary ^\'ar that seperated America from Great Britain ; and ever was as long as he retained his reason a good Republican and friend to his coun- try, and was greatly beloved therefor by his acquaintance, and had the satisfac- tion to know that all his sons in that 1719, [ We omit date of Mrs, Miller's particular were obedient to a punctillio. death, 2dly, here. — Ed.] | His age lessened his usefulness in that 17 130' VEKKCfNT mSTDEICAL MAGAZINE. war but we all supposed that our pros- perity ia that war lengthened his days'. He lost eea iirterest in Worcester by scdhering' grtrictly to bis political princi- pies, but regained a good one in Dum- merston, not only for bimself but for all his sons, which he lived to enjoy many years, and many of the inhabitants have to thank him: for their interest, as he settled that town by a contract he made with the proprietors' thereof, in which it was agreed that he should build a meeting-house, settle a Minister and bring 50 settlers and continiie the settle- ment for 5000 acres, which he per- ibrmsed j but soon after his death the settlers began quarreling which lasts to this day and has been the means of re- ducing many of them to poverty. And what is stranger than all the rest is that notwithstanding all the care he took not to have any that were friendly to Kingly or British Grovernment as- settlers ; at this day more than onehalf of the town are in the interests of Great Britain. In 1763, when I wa'» 11 years old, Father was ruined by the Tories in Worcester, Mass., and some in New Hampsliire in manner following. He and others got a grant of the town of Walpole in New Hampshire for 1440 Dollars. Certain duties were to be per- formed in three years after the circum- stances if the then French war wonld permit. The same town was petitioned for by Gen. Bellows's Father who represent ed it to that General Court that the conditions of the former charter was not complv ed with according to the ten- or thereof, prayed that it might be re- granted to him : and the Gen. court of that then Province being much in favor of ETingly Government and hearing of the political principles of my Father were opposite, and they willing to get another fee of 1440 Dollars, gave it to Bellows ; which circumstance of wick- edness and fraud with many others, I have to accuse the British government with ; and hope that all the prosterity of Father will fight them both by sea and land till they have obtained a com- pensation for that fine town and all the other property they have robbed the Americans of. His property all to a trifle was sold at vendue ; and I with most of the family that were able to earn our living were put to such places where we coiild be weU dealt with and edncated." It wiU be seen by the above that my .•iruthority, for the statement that Isaa& MiUer owned and lost an interest in the- town of Walpole, N. H., in the originali manuscript (which I have seen and coppied) written by his son Capt. Isaac MiUer about the tinre of the war of 1812. Capt. Isaac Miller would cer- tainly know of the financial misfortunes: of his father as he states that he was then 11 yeairs old and he with others of the family had to be put out to service; owing to the impoverishuient of his Father. It certainly did not refer to the; trouble in the title of the DummerstoiB lands, for that occurred years afterward. Capt. Isaac MiUer does not state that the grant of Walpole was made in 1763, but that was the daite the cou»t decided against his Father's claim. It may have been granted as early as 1753, as it was then the French war commenced, and the settlement was contingent upon circumstances connected with said war. The war lasted imtil about 1763. I do not know the authority, in the history of Walpole, on which is based the state- ment that John Kilbimi purchased the township and was a settler there in 1749, but it seems to conflict with strong evidence from other sources ; and yet, he might have been a settler there in 1749, but not a purchaser until later ; and he may have been a joint partner with Miller, as Miller says that " he and others were granted, etc." This last suggestion may account for the trou- ble with Bellows as both sides spoke of a contention with Bellows. As that part of the history vvrritten by Capt. Isaac Miller which part aims to DIiMMEESTON, 131 those of the family who resided at Dum- I merston properly belongs to a history of the town I will , give jo.u extracts from the mauuscript. He .states that CAPT. VJESEASIAN JUIULEK, the oldest json, went into the French war in 1 759, and afterward-s became master of a vessel at Boston and followed the sea until 177^5, wlien he came to Diim- xnerstou. His Father ^ave bim 100 acres of laud and in 1778, he moved his family upon it. He died in Dummers- ton, July 6, 1.812. [See page 50. J HosEA, -the second son, was given by bis Father the best lot in Dummerstou, where he lived until he died Maj 7, 17%. He had collected the most prop- erty during his lifeof any of thesettlers. TiLLOTSON, the third son, did not «ome to Dummerston imtil about 1779, at whicli time there was a meeting held by the brothers, at the request of the Father, to nominate one of their num-' ber to take care of the old people dur- ing their declining days. Tillotson was selected, and Hosea went his security, but he carried out his trust so badly that the brothers deposed him aad placed the youngest, William, in charge about the year 1785. He left Dummerston soon after this and never returned to stay. He died in New York State in 18G4. Patience, the third daughter, came to Dimimerston with her Father, and soon after married I>y. Thomas Ams- <3en, of Petersham, Mass. by whom she had 13 children, (another record says twelve) She lived out of the town, however, during her husband's life ; but about the year 1814, she was living at Dummerston with her daughter, Patty. She died Jan. 22, 1822, at Chesterfield. Joseph, the fourth son, went to sea with his brother Vespasian in 1764, when he was only 13 years old. He went to Diuiimerston with his Father in 177'0. He went to sea again m 1 773, for bis health, and continued in that life untiH77A. The Revolution at tiis time was break- ing out over the land arid Joseph joined thePatiiot forces and continued through until the end of the war. He wou the confidence of Gen. Wasliington and with it tlie rank of Brigade Major. Soon after tlie close of the war, he went on a whaling voyage to South America, Jb 1 790, he went to Ohio and took land aenr Marietta, but .gave it up and re- turned to Burners ton in 1 794 . He w ent to New York State a few years after where he remained until he died -at Genoa, Se^t. 26, 1814. Capt. Isaac Miller, the fifth son says of himself, among other things ; " In the same year 1767 in Sept. I went to Dummerston, -now in Vermont, by Father's order, where I saw and went through several scenes that were of consequence to none but myself." ' ' Father met with many troubles and disappointments in getting the town of Dummerston settled with such settlers, and on such conditions as were stipu- lated between him and the proprietors." "In 1769 I continued there nearly eight months and part of the time alone, and suffered much many ways ; hard labor, hunger, some sickness, gnats, mosqui- toes and fleas in abundance." "I finally left the place in Nov. much against Father's will, but as we had sold all we could, 1 was so desirous to get to Wor- cester and eat apples and milk, and drink cider, it was impossible to keep me longer ; and in March 1770 at the time of the massacre by the British ia Boston we moved to Dummerston." "I underwent much in that journey, and had it been undertaken by persons less persevering than brother Joseph and I were, we should have failed at last ", but having the assistance of brothers Negus and Wheeler (after we arrived at Petersham) we got through." 132 VEEMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.. " The summer that followed was a severe one to me as well as the rest ol the fanilj." " I had to work for Daniel Kathern where I fared hard and work- ed hard ;, bnt blessed be God ! I had my health and in the fall I went to Peter*- hami." "In 1771, I returned in March to Dummerstoa where brother Joseph and I made a large quantity of sugar." ' ' It was this year that the title of our land was like to fall through or be- come void." " It was firstly purchased of the Indians by Massachusetts ; sold by them at vendue to the then proprie- tor, or their ancestor ^ granted to them (by their prayer) by New Hampshire ; and now was ceded by the King's Proc- lamation to New York ; and they granted it to Willard, Kathern and others, and they unwilling the occupants should have any ; as they knew they were unwilling as well as unable to pay the exorbitant price they demanded ' ' " Many persons quit that had done but little labor." Capt. Isaac Miller left Dummerston in 1772 for Massachusetts. He had considerable military knowledge and kept a military school just before the war. In April 1775, he went into the army at Cambridge. In May, he returned home and married Luoretia Knapp. After settling his property affairs he returned to the army and joined his command the day after Bunker Hill battle. On the &th of November, he was in the Leachmore's Point battle where he received a wound which was considered slight at the time, but in after life crip- pled him very much. At the end of the campaign of 1775, and in Oct. 1776, he moved his wife to Dummerston ; where he had purchased a farm with the proceeds of the sale of one in Massachusetts. At one time he was one of the proprietors and clerk of a grant of the Township of Jamiaca, Vt. Capt. Isaac Miller left Dummerstoa for the west irrl795 ; first going to New York State, then to Ashtabula County Ohio, where he died Feb. 14thi, 1826. Makshalu, the sixth^son, was born in Worcester, Mass., Sept. 20, 1754, (one record says Sept. 4tb.) He also came toDummerstonin 1770, with his Father. He was in the war in 1775, and in a few years after married Mrs. Abigial Boyden. They acquired a large prop- erty and gave two of their sons a lib- eral education. THE HISTORY OF THE MILLER FAMILY RESUMED BY MR. MANSFIELD. EPITAPH At Dummerston. " Here lies the remains of Marshall Miller, The Husband, Tlie Parent, &. The Friend. He exercised virtues, in this age, sufficient to have distinguished him in the iest. Kin,d &. tender by Nature., Industrious by Habit, Professing Religion ; He departed this life, June 10th. 1807. Aged 53 years. He died at Saratoga in the State of N. York. ' His death was occasioned by jumping from a Window in the 5th. story of a House which was on fire." MAJOR WILLIAM MILLER. Was the youngest of 12 children. His father, Isaac Miller, was one of the first settlers in Dummerston ; and from his prudent deportment in life, obtained the confidence of all who knew him. He was a very worthy and respectable citi- zen ; a man of ability, probity and sin ^^G^^6^^S-^^ DUMMEESTON. 133 cerity, by which he became introduced to public characters, and frequently pro- moted to places of public trust. He | was for a long season an agent for the ; original proprietors of the town of Dum- merston, and as such conducted himself with promptitude and fidelity. After his age liad rendered him incapable of • performing public services, he retired to more private concerns. At length his bodily infirmity increased to that degree, that he was utterly unable to attend to the ordinary concerns of life, and he finally surrendered them together with a considerable estate, to his son, the ilajor, with whom he lived, and by whom he was kindly supported through the residue of his days. Karly in life, removing into this new country. Major Miller, by the fatigues and hardships incident to new settlers, contracted hab- its of prudence, frugality, sobriety, and courage ; And in the late unhappy con- test, for liberty and independence, be- tween the United States and Great Britain, in which the State of Vermont, from its exposed situation, was obliged to take a vigorous and conspicuous part, the Major while very young voluntarily engaged in several expeditions to the northward and westward, always ex- pressing and manifesting the most un- daunted courage and unbounded zeal in the service of his country. Being early educated in the art of war, he became prepared to discharge, with accuracy and fidelity, the duties belonging to the several offices to which he has since been promoted and intrusted. At the age of 27, he was chosen and commis- sioned a subaltern in a company of Hght infantry, which office he held with dis- tinguished reputation for several years. From his military conduct while a sub- altern, he attracted the attention of those who were acquainted with military oper- ations and warlike improvements. He was elected captain of the third company of the regiment to which he belonged ; and was afterwards unanimously elected second major in the regiment. In this ofiB.ce, he continued till, by a vacancy, he was elected Lieut. Colonel Com- mander of said regiment, but saw fit to signify his non-acceptance of the ap- pointment. He was then chosen First Major of said regiment ; which ofiice he accepted and lield witli honor during his life. He died Apr. 16, 1802, in the 41st year of his age. HIS FUNERAL. The Procession formed at the house of Mr. vSylvanus Miller where the hon- ored remains had been previously, car- ried ; — from whence they moved to the meeting-house in the following order : Colonel Banister on horseback, — Maj. Jay and Col. Boyden on foot, — Capt. Leavitt witli his troops of horse, Carriers,-Hearse, -Mourners, Military Officers of the First Regiment, Civil Officers, Non-commissioned Offi- cers. Capt. Knight's and Capt, Shaw's companies, — spectators. When they arrived at the meeting- house, the Colonel, alighting, was re- ceived by the Rev. H. Taylor of New- fane, who after the large procession had taken their seats, introduced the fu- neral worship. The text was Ps. 15,5. The services concluded by a funeral anthem, suited to the occasion. The procession then moved in regular order from the meeting-house to the grave, where the Last Remains of the njble Major, so aflfable and benevolent in life were interred with suitable religious and military ceremonial ; when the whole procession retired in beautiful and sol- emn order. The whole scene was con- ducted, by every person present, with that degree of order solemnity and pro- priety as most express an unfeigned re- spect for the deceased. ( ^'■Federal Galaxy, printed at Brattle- boro, May 3, 1802. " ) ASA MILLER. was born in Dummerston, June 12, 1797., son of William and Hannah (Worden) Miller who were married Nov. 10, 1782. His moiher was a daughter of John Worden of Washing- t'ln county, Rhode Island. Mr. Mil- ler's father was a son of Capt. Isaac Miller from Worcester, Mass., who settled in Dummerston in 1770. He 134 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE had a family of 12 children, "William, the youngest, was born Oct. 2, 1761. He resided on the parental farm w'hich had been well improved when he pur- chased it of his father, Apr. 29, 1785, for $1700. The children of William and Hannah Miller were Fanny, Isaac, Charles, DoUy, George Anson, WiUiam,' Joel, Nathan, Asa, Catharine, and Maria. Fanny married Henry Whitney, Isaac married Polly Adams, Charles, Lucy Bruce, Dolly, Adin Hubbard, George Anson, Louisa Haven, William, Polly Willard, Nathan, Philinda, daughter of Elijah Buck. Asam., October, 1819, Sally Bemis, dau. of Elias and grand- daughter of David and Mary (Dunster) Bemis. Catharine m. John Wheeler, and Maria m. Dea. Abel Haven. Sally, the wife of A^a, was born Mar. 18, 1796, married Sept. 1820,died Feb. 14, 1870. They had two children : Catharine, m. 1st Orrin Slate, a mer- chant, who lost his life by a fall from a window in a public house at Winstead, Ct. Four years after his death, she m. 2d, Rev. Alfred Stevens, D. D., —of Westminister West, a Congregationalist minister in that parish for 40 years. Sidney A. m. 1st, Emily, dau. of Asahel Dickinson, 2d, a daughter of Rev. W. S. Balch, a Universalist min- ister. Early in life, Mr. Miller learned the carriage-maker's trade and was engaged in that business in Dummerston until his removal to Brattleboro in 1834. For several years in that place, his son, Sidney A. Miller, was associated with him in the manufacture of carriages. The last six years of his life were spent in Westminister West, in the family of Dr. Stevens, enjoying the tender care of his only daughter. He died Apr. 9, 1883, aged 85 yrs. 10 mos. His last visit to Dummerston was about six months before his death. He was greatly pleased to learn that a por- trait of his grandfather, Capt. Isaac Miller, would appear in the history of the town. His leisure hours were gen- erally spent in reading the daily news and very largely, for one of his age, the recent publications. He was a member of the Congregational church for more than 40 years. His Christian spirit was manifested by sympathy for and efforts to relieve the poor and suffering. Mr. Miller expressed great affection for his mother, who was a very excel- lent woman and always kind to the poor. She was loved and esteemed by all who knew her, and many were her deeds of kindness. She always fed the stranger who called at her door for food, and never refused when asked to keep even the poorest beggar over night. She was told by her friends that by so doing she would doubtless aid many who were not worthy. Her reply was that those whom she thus befriended were unknown to her, and she would rather feed ten un- worthy persons than turn one who was worthy away. During the last sickness and shortly before her death, Mrs. Dav- enport, a near neighbor, called to ex- press gratitude for the many acts of kind- ness she had received from Mrs.MUler — but in relating the incident, "Uncle Asa" paused in the narration. His voice trembled, his eyes filled with tears-, and turning his face away from the listener, he was silent for a moment, and the conversation was changed to some less affecting incident of his recol- lection. It was his last interview with the writer of this sketch, which is but a simple record of a few events in the long life of a worthy man. The portrait which accompanies this sketch was contributed by his children. 4 M (;je/v^^f^^ DUMMERSTON. 135 JOSEPH JIILLEK, son of Joseph, Sen., and grandson of Capt. Vespasian, eldest son of Capt Isaac Miller, married, 1st, Eliza A., dau. of Isaac and Abii^ail (McWayne) Reed, Mar. 3, 1841. Her parents were married in Dummerston, Sep. 2, 1790. She died Nov. 26, 1843, and he mar- 2d, Sophia, dau. of William and Polly (Frost) Arms, Deo. 25, 1844. They have three children. J.Arms, the eldest, married Sarah M. Reed of Wd,rdsboro, and lives on a farm near his father's place. Adin F. married Hattie A. Dut- on ; resides with his parents and helps manage the home farm. Ansel I., having a scholarly turn of mind, prepared for college at West Brattleboro and graduated from Wil- liams college in the class of 1881. He is at present, (1883,) studying medi- cine in New York city. Mr. Miller was town representative in 1862 and 63, has been justice of the peace many years and town clerk since 1849. He holds other offices of trust for the town, and his long experience in town business makes him a valuable officer and legal counsellor in matters pertaining to town affairs. His advice and help are often sought by his townsmen in the making of wills and the settlement of estates of deceased persons. With one exception from 1804 to 1807, the town has been very fortunate in the choice of town clerks and has made few changes in *he office. Mr. Miller, the present incum- bent, is a very efficient clerk, and keeps the records in a neac, legible, hand- writing. He was born and has always lived on the farm that he now owns. It has been in the Miller name more than a hundred years, and was the birth- place of his father in 1780. It is pleas- antly located in the eastern part of the town, produces excellent crops, and has a large orchard of maple trees from which the owner makes the best quality of sugar. The yearly product averages nearly 2800 lbs. The largest quantity made in any single year, was 3300 lbs. A large share of what he makes is sold yearly to merchants in the Western states. His maple sugar on exhibition at the Centennial in Philadelphia, 1876, was specially noticed by the French Commissioners, who, on their return to France, wrote to Miller for a sample of maple sugar and a package of seed from the trees for planting. In return he received the Commiss- ioners report containing a very compli- menta)-y notice of the sugar. WILLIAM O, MILLER. His parents were William and Esther (Knight) Miller, whose children were William O. , Dana ; Esther, who m. Winslow Dut:on ; Mary, who married Sumnfer Rust, and Lucretia. The grand-parents were Marshal and Abigail (Haven) Miller. At the time of their marriage, Nov. 17, 1778, she was the widow of Thomas Boyden.' William O. was born Jan. 31, 1816. His parents then resided in the north part of the town near Putney West hill. In 1835, they removed to the Hosea Miller farm, which his father bought of Marshal Newton, who was owner at that time. It was previously owned by Dr. Abel Duncan, who died in 1813, and his widow, a daughter of Hosea Miller, held a claim on the estate dur- ing her life time. The farm has been kept in the Miller name or some rela- tive of the family, since it was pur- chased of the original proprietors in 1770. The present dwelling-house on the place was once used for a tavern. Refugees from Shay's Rebellion in 1787 boarded there for a time, and some of 136 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. the apple trees now standing in the old orchard were set out by them to pay their expenses for board. WiUiam O.. when not otherwise em- ployed, worked on the farm with his father, who deeded the place to him sev- eral years before his death. Mr. Mil- ler's school days began in the old brick school -house near the Simeon Reed place on Putney TTest hill, and were concluded at West Brattleboro in the academy under the instruction of Ros- weU Harris. He taught school several winters in Dununerston and surround- ing towns. A few years were spent in trade at the store of his uncle, Asa Knight. In 1846, and '47. he was representa- tive of the town at the state capital. He was chosen constable and collector in 1844, and with only tw^o exceptions,, has been annually chosen to that office for 48 years. He has been high bailiff of "Windham county two years ; was appointed postmaster in 1862, and stills holds that office. He is a Congrega- tionalist, and has been clerk of the reli- gious society 43 years — being choben first m 1840. He has been clerk of school district No. 1. east, since 1842. In all the office; which he has held and stOl holds, he has discharged his duties with fidelity and thoroughness. He is a prosperous farmer, and rery helpful member of society, and a valuable citi- zen of the town. Nov. 26. 18-56. he married Julia, dau. of Ira and Jemima (WardJ Haven, and their children are William D., a graduate from Williams College in the class of '82 ; Mary L. and Freddie O., died in childhood ; and Edwin H brother of Wm. O., graduated from Dartmouth college in the class of '43. His ante- collegiate was in Townshend. in West Brattleboro and Dummerston. As a scholar, he stood in the front rank of his class. After receiving his degree, he remained at home until the following December, when he went to WasMng- ton. D. C, and was soon invited by Rev. Mr. Bulfiuch to take charge of the classical department of his school, which he did for two years. Fiom the sum- mer of 1846, to 1850, he traveled for increase of knowledge in the West and South West taking agencies to pay ex- penses. In the spring of 1850, he re- turned to Washington and vras employed as a clerk in the LandOffice. He soon received an appointment ij the Census Bureau, and at the time of his death held an appointment in the Treasury Department. He died Nov. 23, 1851. He was much respected by all who knew him. for his manly bearing, self- discipline, frank and candid friendship, and unsullied life. JOSIAH DODGE. was a soldier in the war of 1812. in the 13th regiment of infantry. He died Feb. 9, 1815. on board of a vessel at sea from the effects of a gun-shot wound in his hand which produced lock-jaw. He was bom in Westmoreland. N. H.. Mar. 19, ]7'8. married, 1st. Ruth Plummer. had one chUd, Jared, married. 2d, Phebe, dau. of Lt. Daniel Kathan andformerly the wife of William Wilder. Children : Josiah, b. Nov. 15, 1>^0X. m., 1st, Hannah C.. who died Feb. 20, 1848, aged 33 ; 2d, Eliza Jane Hews, who died Jan. 7, 1883. aged 60. He died Aug. 10, 1873. Thankful, b. about 1810. m. Lanson Stone of Ch.'sterfield. N. H.. d. Feb. 1875 in her 65th year. Willard, b. Feb. 25. 1813, m. .Sept. 5. 1837, ZUpha Temple. Has six chil- dren living. 'A /^C^-^4:^ £yL^ DUMMERSTON. 137 KNIGHT FAMILY. The earliest representative of this fam- ily in town was JONATHAN KNIGHT, ESQ, who was resident in 1774, and came fmm Worcester, Mass. He was born Jan3, 1732, d. Mar. 13, 1819, aged 87 year*.. His wife's name was Tamar Rus- sel. He first settled on the farm since owned by Asa Button, which he bought of Artema,s Knight in 1777, and sold not long afterwa ds to Samuel Button. He then bought land and settled where Simeon Reed lived many years. Tam- ar, his wife, died suddenly of apoplexy, June 27, 1803, aged 72. Their children were Samuel, Joel, Jesse, Betsey, Seth, Levi and Jonathan, Jr. Jonathan Knight was chosen one of the three selectmen. May 16, 1775, — Enoch Cook and Joseph Hildreth were the other two selectmen. They were the first selectmen chosen in town and took the place of trustees and - commis- sioners of highways, reported in the list of selectmen for the 3 years previous to 1775. He was in the court-house fight at Westminster, and received a charge in the right shoulder, and carried the buck shot in his body for more than 30 years. He died Mar. 13, 1819, aged 87. SAMUEL KNIGHT. first son of .Jonathan, settled on an adjoining farm, where Hoyt Spaulding now lives. He was a prominent justice of the peace several yfears. He married Susanna Burge, Jan. 4, 1781. He died July 2, 1817 aged 59 ; his wife, d. Feb. 4, 1837, aged 80. Their children were Tamar, b. Jan. 10, 1783, did not marry ; Artemas, b. Mar. 27, 1785, m. Oilve Bowen ; Asa. born 18 July 25, 1787, d. June 1792 ; Eber, b, Jan. 23, 1790, d. June 1792; Samuel — see separate sketch — ; Luke, b. May 24, 1796, unmarried; Salley, b. Sept, 5, 1799, m. Briggs. JOEL KNIGHT, second son of Jonathan, b. Nov. 11, 1761, settled east from his brother Sam- uel's farm. He married Esther Farr, Nov. 13, 1786; d. May 5, 1841, aged 79. His wife d. May 20, 1861, aged 33 years. Children : Rachel, b. Bee. 16, 1787, m. June 4, 1809, Bavid Bickinson ; Joel, b. Bee. 12, 1789, d. May 18, 1790; Polly, b. Mar. 4, 1791; m. John Palmer of Williamstown ; Asa b. Feb. 28, 1793, died July 20, 1851 ; Esther, b. Apr. 22, 1796, m. William Miller; Joel, b. July 18, 1799, died died Sept. 15, 1874, aged 75. JESSE KNIGHT. third son of Jonathan, b. in 1763, m. Bethany Perry, Nov. 6, 1783, and set- tled south from Joel's farm on which he built, in 1802, the house now stand- ing and owned by Sylvanus Kelley. Of Jesse's children, Jesse, m. Betsey Bickinso]! ; Thany, ip. Ashbel Johnson, son of Capt. Ashbel ; Betsiy, m. July 24, 1809, Benjamin Ware ; Abel, m. Betsey Kathan ; Lyman, m. Polly John- son ; Perry, m. Eliza Fairbanks ; Laura, m. Arba Clark, whose 2d wife was Catharine Black ; Phila, m. John B. Miller ; Job, m. Sally Bemis ; Bavid, m. Betsey Briggs ; Jonathan Russel, m. Fanny, sister of Joel Miller ; Louisa, m. Baniel Taylor ; Wilder, m. Louisa Kathan ; Octavia, m. Josiah Holton ; Jesse, m. 2d. Polly Fairbanks, mother of the last three children. Fourteen children in this family grew to adult age. Betsey married Jesse Butterfleld ; 138 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. Setli, m. Betsey Whitney, Aug. 30, 1789. Levi, m. Anna Haskel, Oct. II, 1790, Seth and Levi removed to Thetford. JONATHAN KNIGHT, JK. lived on the parental farm w^ith his father. The site of the old buildings is several rods farther south than the present location of the buildings on the farm, he married Amy Perry of Putney , Sept. 7, 1794. Mrs Ama (sometimes written Amy) Perry Knight died in Chicago, 111. Aug. 23, 1835. Of Jonathan's children, Clark, m. Lucy Davenport ; Mount Vernon, no record ; Emily, m. a Shrigley of Put- ney ; Minor, m. Lavilla Gates. SAMUEL KNIGHT, ESQ. From an obituary in tie Brattleboro paper. The death of Samuel Knight, at the venerable age of 84 years ; born in Dummerston, August, 21, 1893. He was the son of Samuel and Sus- sanna Knight, of whose family he was the last surviving member. In early life, he served for a considerable period as clerk and book-keeper in a Putney store, and for a time was a resident of Newfane, where, in 1842, he married Eliza Merrifield, by whom he had one son, Henry Samuel, who died in 1871. His first wife having died, he married, in 1844, the widow of John Robinson, a well known hot^l proprietor of BeUows Falls, who survived him at the age of 88. In 1833, he was a contributor to the columns of the "Independent Inquirer," a short-lived, semi-religious newspaper, published in Brattleboro under the man- agement of the now venerable Wm. E. Ryther, of Bernardston, Mass. WhUe in Newfane, he furnished articles for the Green Mountain Democrat, published in that town, and when the Vermont Phoenix was started in 1834, he became a contributor to that paper and served more or less, as editorial assistant. He removed to Brattleboro in the spring of 1845. He was a member of the old board of road commissioners for Windham coun- ty, which were appointed by the Legis- lature under the law passed in 1827, and was a clerk of the board until the repeal of the law in 1831, having for his asso- ciates such men as Hon.Phineas White of Putney and Gen. Barney of Guilford. He was a deligate of the State Consti- tutional Convention in 1843 ; and dur- ing his residence in Brattleboro was en- trusted very extensively with the town afiairs, in which his skill as a practical surveyor added greatly to his usefulness. He joined "The Blazing Star Lodge" of Masons at Townshend, at an early period, and was one of the charter members of Columbian Lodge in Brat- leboro. As a writer, he was noted for his wit and sarcasm. He was a great lover of fun, whether in the shape of a witty anecdote or a practical joke ; but his wit was never tinged with malice. He was always tender-hearted, good natur- ed, kind and obliging ; and however situated, was the same quiet, unassum- ing man, of kindly face and genial pres- ence, such was " Uncle Sam Knight.*' To the foregoing, condensed from the "Vermont Phoenix;," 1877, the writer of Dummerston history makes addi- tional particulars : The widow of Mr. Knight is now living, (1882) at the age of 92. Her maiden name was Mary Clark, a daughter of Thomas Clark, one of the early settlers in Dummerston. She was born in this town in 1789. Her father died at the age of 91, her mother at 84, her brother Thomas at 88,' and others in the family lived past 80. DUMMEESTOIS. 13S Mr. Kniglit resided in this town till nearly or quite 50 years old. It is true .that he was a " great lov-er of fun" and 'witty ; but some of his very intimate friends often overreached him in the playingof practical jokes. Many stories are told illustrating his eccentric habits. One such was in public print many years ago, and was written for a Boston news- paper by Rollin Keyes, a resident of Putney and well known throughout the county as a man of fine ability and very scholarly attainments. The printed story is not at hand, and th« facts are given in the writer's own language. Mr. Knight, it appears, was at Put- ney, one day, in a store, when several persons were present with whona he was well acquainted. The conversation turned upon cleaning stove-pipes, how troublesome it was to do and how ■every- body disliked to do it. He remarked that he wished there was some better way of cleaning stove-pipes than the common method. One of the men said he knew a plan that was very effectual and required lit- tle time. It was simply to put a quan- tity of powder on some paper, place it inside the stove just under the pipe ; then light tlie paper with a match when the powder would soon flush all the soot and ashes out of the pipe into the chimney. No one present cast any doubts on the feasibility of the new method, and Mr. Knight, accordingly, purchased some powder with which to clear some pipe after he returned home. When he had made ready for the trial, lie followed the directions of the Putney man implic- itly, and awaited the result. Instead of a " flush" and exit of soot and ashes as he expected, there was an explosion. The top of the stove was blown off. Stove-lids, soot and ashes, and other things were scattered promiscuously about. A section of pipe smashed through the window, and through the opening, leaped the terrified dog and cat, and disappeared for several days, Mr. Knight, himself, was perfectly as- tounded. After recoveririg somewhat from his astonishment, he was heard to say, "Any d — d fool might have known better than that." By request of his most intimate friends two papers, "Obituary Extraordinary" and "Thanksgiving disappointments" have been selected to illustrate Samuel Knight's sharp style of writing for the public prints. In the use of language he was as keen, witty and sarcastic as any man in the State. His genius for condensing was also, very remarkable. The editor of the Free Press, noticed in the obituary, was Zebina Eastman. He died at Chicago in June 1883. He wrfs one of the foremost abolitionists, and an associate of Benjamin Lundy in publishing "The Genius of Universal Emancipation," He was preparing a History of "The Black Code of Illinois when he died." OBITUARY EXTEAOEDINARY. "Time cuts down all Both great and small." Died of starvation at Fayettville, Vt. Feb. 14. 1835, "TAe Vemwnt Free Press" aged 37 weeks. Its death was occasioned by the neg- lect of its guardians to supply it with proper nourishment. Its exit from this mundane sphere was probably hastened by an unlucky leap, Sam Patch like, made, some weeks ago, plump into the bowels of Anti-masonry, from which, like its living prototype, it never recov- ered. In the death of the Free Press, the craft has lost a staunch champion for the "supremacy of the laws, a patri- 140 VERMONT mSTOEICAL MAGAZINE. otic dabbler in other people's affairs, and a noble sticMer for the truth. It was never known to utter an untruth but that it stuck to it with the greatest pertinacity even to its dying hoTw, liter- ally fulfilling the maxim "that a lie weU stuck to is as good as the truth." It is said that its paternal guardian shed "hogi'heads of tears" on the solemn occasion, and that the mourners, as is customary when great characters become defunct, will wear crape for the space of thirty days. The loss of the Free Press will be sensibly felt throughout the state. We join in the lamentations and erect this tablet to its memory ; From notbing^ Sprung, To noLliingToae; On nothing htmg. To nothing goes ; And nothing all its life it songht. And nothing now returns to naught- THANKSGIVIN& DISAPPOINTMENTS. Disappointments are said to be the lot of all men and women kind. The old saying was verified in small degree on the morning of Thanksgiving day by sundry persons on looking for their slaughtered gobblers and roosters, which they had hung up in a cool place pre- paratory for a good Thanksgiving din- ner. But lo ! the fowls were minus — gone clean, smack, smooth ! By whose hands they had been spirited away was not quite so certain ; but, although a mystery, suspicions were rife as to the whereabouts some of them had skedad- dled. One man having his "eye peeled," found by ' ' prospecting " where one of his gobblers rested. He took a "bee line " to one of his neighbors — ^rang the bell — very politely met by the man of the house, and ushered into his domocil. The loser of the tu,rkey walked straight into the kitchen, and lo ! there it lay on the table, gutted, gizzarded and stufifed ready for the spit. " You have a very fine turkey here," said the gentleman, *■' it will make a capital roast for din- ner ;" and turning it over, he stepped back aiid viewing it through his half shut hand, exclaimed — " Ho ! ha! that is an old acquaintance of mine — where did you get it ? The man of the house was dumbfounded. He stammered and tried hard to say something \, but it was no go — he couldn't get it out. Shame gave Ms face a hind of thievish hue,. His cheeks turned pale his-nose turned hlue. " Now neighbor," said the loser, '■' this is my turkey, and you, or some of your trade hooked it ;" and deliber- ately putting the dead fowl under his arm., walked to the door, and turning around, said very blandly — " Now Mr. , we wont have any hard feelings about this business — please call at the dinner hour and dine with me ; be punct- ual. Good day, sir." But he didn't go. It is said the " man of the house" on the morning of Thanksgiving day, feeling very thankful for the blessings, received and to be received, and a little pious withal, scratched his head and scratched out the following, to be by him delivered after eating, with other fixings ,. the stolen turkey, and here it is : — For turkeys young and turkeys old, For turkeys hot and turkeys cold , For turkeys tender, turkeys tough, We thank the l,ord, "we've had enough r Alas ! for his disappointments. He, however, can keep the thanks, the oext time he is more fortunate, when he ob- tains a turkey under similar circum- stances. JOEL KNIGHT JK. whose portrait has been contributed to this history, died Sept. 15, 1874. He spent his three score years and more on the old homestead, a slice from the paternal acres. He was nn industrious farmer, an upright man, a worthy cti- HON. ASA KNIGHT. DUMMERSTON. 141 zen. In early manhood, he spent his winters in teaching school. Six of his eight children were teachers. Sophia, the eldest, married Rev. S. H. McCoUester, D. D., at one time president of a college in Akron, Ohio. Charles M. Knight, the youngest son, now [1882] is a professor in the same College. In 1829, Mr. Knight married Fanny daughter of Dr. Abel Duncan who died of spotted fever in 1813. Rev. Hosea Beckley, the resident minister of this town at that time, wrote the epitaph on his grave-stone : He was sound in knowledge and in judg- ment, clear, With conduct open, and with heart sin- cere. Of purpose firm ; hut mild to reason's sway, In public good was prompt to lead the toay; Pure in friendship, and faithful to her laws. He died in humanity's sacred cause. HON. ASA KNIGHT, son of Joel and Esther and , grand-son of Jonathan, Sen., was born in Dum- merston, Feb. 28, 1793, and died July 20, 1851. Mr. Knight was a promi- nent and leading citizen of this town. He acquired an extensive knowledge of the laws both of the state and nation ; and, as a counsellor, though not a law- yer by profession, his judgement was excellent in all business of a legal char- acter. In 1821, he was appointed deputy sheriff and retained the office 7 years. He removed to Newfane in 1824, and was keeper of the county jail 2 years ; and then returned to Dummerston, in 1828, and began business as a merchant. In 1830, he was chosen representa- tive to the legislature of Vermont, and was re-elected the following year ; also, chosen again iu 1834 and 1835. He was elected Judge of Probate for the District of Marlboro' in 1834, '35 and 1836, and performed the duties of the various offices, whieh he held at diffiir- ent times, with marked ability and promptness. When living in Newfane, he received a large sum of money, late one after- noon, with the express command that it must be deposited in the bank at Brat- tleboro, that night without failure. To perform a journey of 12 miles down the West River valley, through thickly wooded forests and narrow defiles where robbers would have excellent chances to waylay the unsuspecting traveller in the hours of darkness, did not appear a pleasant undertaking. Thinking it would be prudent, therefore, to prepare for this emergency, he obtained the nec- essary means for self-defence ; and with a swift horse and light sulky, started on his journey, trusting that in case his weapons should fail of doing execution, his swift steed would bear him out of danger. The road in many places was narrow and dangerous, and the night dark as Erebus. He rode cautiously along, thinking that perhaps the darkness (>nly, had excited his fear, till at length he came to a narrow defile, made by the river on the north, and an almost inaccessible hill on the south, leaving only a narrow passway which, by one of the leaders in the early difficulties of this state, was called, -'the valley of the shadow of death ;" when, suddenly, a man sprung from a dense thicket and grabbed at the bridle of the horse. Luckily, the horse threw up his head, and the robber missed his object ; at the same time. 142 VERMOXT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE being propelled across the road by the force gained in springing down the steep bank, he did not recover himself in season to try the experiment again, be- fore Mr. Knight had whipped up the horse and was out of his reach. The spirited horse took his master swiftly over the remaining route, and rescued him from the robber and, perhaps a vio- lent death. THE CAPTUBE OF PARKS. Gen. Martin Field a lawyer in New- fane came to Mr. Knight when he was sheriff, and requested him to take a writ and serve it upon Thomas Parks of West Brattleboro, for the purpose of collecting a debt of about $500. " It will be of no use," said Knight, " for me to take that execution, as yon well know that Parks is a slippery fel- low and has evaded the officers for the past year ; even Chase, the high sheriff, has failed to arrest him." " I know that," replied Field, " but I want that you should make a trial. Parks has caused trouble enough, and you are the man to settle with him. 1 will give you $50, if you will coUect the debt." "I cannot do it. General. If I take that execution, you will oblige me either to collect the debt, or pay it myself; therefore, I'LL have nothing to do about it." ' ' Well, now," said Field, I will make you this promise. You may take the writ, and if you cannot serve it upon Parks, I -ndll take it back again, and cause you no further trouble." Knight accepted the proposal, took the writ, and at the earliest opportunity called one afternoon to see Parks. He knocked for admission, but no one ans- wered the call ; and, on his trying to open the door, he found it securely fas- tened. Parks was soon discovered stand- ing near the window, and laughing at Knight's inability to gain admittance. " Let me in," said Knight, " I want to see you on business." " No I won't, replied Parks, yon shall not come into my house." " You had better," said Knight. " If you do not let me in now, I shall get in- to the house somehow, before morning." "You can't do it," replied Parks. • ' Smarter men than you have tried that before and failed." "We will see what can be done," responded Knight, as he got into his wagon and drove off a few miles to the residence of Paul Chase, the high sher- iff. He told him his business and re- qested his aid in the work. "You can't do anything with the fel- low, Knight," said Chase, "for I have tried times enough to satisfy anybody. Parks has been secluded for months, and win let no one into his house. " I do not dispute it, Chase, but you must go with me, this time, and help arrest him." " WeU," replied Chase, I will not refuse to go where a-iy of my deputies are , willing ; but, if you will arrest Parks, I will give you 825 and the half of my fees, for I have several writs that I would like to serve upon him." Knight informed Chase of his plan which was to reach the house just before the time it would begin to grow Ught. Parks, by that time, would be tired of watching and conclude that he had given up the attempt to arrest him. At the appointed hour, they arrived on the premises and found everything quiet. Knight had, at his first visit, got sight of a ladder under the shed, which he now took and set up near a ' t 'riX^iAJ / c/L>/^i^. ^- DUMMERSTON. 143 back window in the second story of the building, and having ascertained the sash could be raised, " now," said he to Chase, " when there is light enough so that I can find my way out of the cham- ber, do you go round to the front door and make all the noise you can. Parks will soi.in be there ; and don't you stop rattling the door till you hear from me. When the first streak of dawn ap- peared. Knight pulled otf his shoes, ascended the ladder, and at the same time, Chase hastened to the door and began a tremendous racket by pounding and shaking and calling for admittance. Knight, in the meanwhile, had got access to the chamber, and found a stairway which, he concluded, led in the right direction ; he descended, and, as luck would have it, entered the room right behind where Parks was standing and swearing at Chase for pounding the door. Knight tip-toed softly across the room and instantly grabbed him on both shoulders. Parks jumped as though he had been shot." ''How came you here," he exclaimed. " None of your business," replied Knight," 1 told you I should get in ; you are my prisoner." The door was quickly unfastened ; Chase stepped in, and Parks surrendered without a fight. He settled the accounts before they left the house. For a long time after that, whenever he saw Knight, he would say " Ah, had it not been for you, I might have been out "West now, and owning a good farpa, but you got all my money and 1 had to go to work again." D. L. M. [We hold to read, a letter we will print, as it gives, beside, some additional Information, a pleasant retrospective glance at a vei-y lionor- able and well-known group of Mr. Knight's In- timate friends —Ed. ] MR. TYLER TO MR. KNIGHT. Brattleboro, May 13, 1882. Dr. Sir: The Records show Hon. Asa Knight, Judge of this Probate District for 3 years successively, 1836-6 and 7. Asa Keyes was his Register. It is a pity you had not begun seek- ing information sooner. Within a few years have died Wm. C. Bradley, J. Dorr Bradley, Judge Kellogg, Judge Keyes, Chas. K. Field, Joe Steen, any one of whom was full of informa- tion about Judge Knight. You might get on the track of some- thing in Putney — in old times, Dum- merston, for this, had more to do with Putney than with Brattleboro — perhaps they do still — I don't know. The Mil- lers, Joe and W. O. ought to put you on the track of something, perhaps also Sam P. of Newfane, his father and yours were intimate. Austin Birchard, too, has lately died, he would have known all about him. I can think of nobody, now living. Should any one occur to me, I will write again. Truly yours, R. TYLER. [ We shall next introduce two ladies of the Knight Family whose portraits have been contributed to the history of this town, and a sister to one. We give Mrs. Esther Knight as the senior Mrs. Knight, first, and also, that the two sisters be side by side ; these poi-traitSjbe- ing the first of sisters in the historv of any town thug far in the work. — Ed. ] MRS. ESTHER (fARE) KNIGHT. From information obtained in the History of Chesterfield, N. H., published in 1882 by O. E. Randall, we learn that the ancestors of Mrs. Knight came from Stowe, Mass. Samuel and Han- nah Farr of that town had, at least three children : Lydia, b. Mar. 29, 144 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 1714, Elizabeth, b. Nov. 25, 1725, Abraham, b. Oct. 1, 1730. Samuel, the father, d. June 7, ] 754, Abraham Farr m. Rachel Foskett and settled in Ches- terfield, N. H., between 1770 and '75. He d. Jan. 18, 1810, in his 80th year. His widow married William Crook who died in Westminister, Vt. She died in Chesterfield at a great age. Children : Susannah, b. Apr. 14, 1755, d. 1756 ; Abigail, b. Nov. 29, 1756, m. 1777, Amos Smith, d. July 17, 1830 ; Abra- ham married, 1784, Polly Harris and settled in Windham ; Polly was sister of Mrs. Sally (Harris) Stockwell now liv- ing, 1883, in West Brattleboro at the great age of 104 years. [Deceased Nov. 1883.— Ed.J Tabitha married, 1782, Eleazer Cobleigh ; Thomas married and had children ; Abel married Polly, dau. of Aaron Smith ; , Hannah, b. about 1774, m. 1st, 1790, Isaac, son of Sam- uel Hildreth, 2d, 1821, Samuel Stearns ; Elenor, b. Nov. 3, 1777, m. — Gibbs ; Esther, whose portrait appears in this history, married Joel Knight, [p. 137] MRS. SUSAN (miller) KNIGHT, ( CONTKIBUTED BY RANDOLPH A. KNIGHT. ) wife of Hon. Asa Knight, whose maiden name was Susan Miller, daughter of John and Polly Davenport Miller, and grand-daughter of Capt. Isaac Miller, that sturdy pioneer, and settler of the town of Dummerston, was born in this town, October 22, 1796, and married Asa Knight, May 1, 1822. Their chil- dren were : Susan H. b. May 19, 1823, married Lyman G. Bliss of Brattleboro. Mary Esther, born,July 26, 1826. Rose W. b. Oct. 31, 1828, married Lambert M. Maynard of Boston, Feb. 17, 1852, lives in Somerville, Mass. Randolph A. b. Apr. 19, 1831, mer chant, m. Ursula Longfellow a distant relative of the poet, H. W. Longfellow. Lovina L. b. Oct. 15, 1833, married Oliver Sprowl ; and is now a widow and a teacher in the graded schools of Chico, Cal. John M., b. Aug. 28, 1836, mer- chant in Des Moines, Iowa, m. Frances, dau. of Dr. W. B. Rice, Niagara Falls. Fanny D., b. June 13, 1840, m. Richard L. Ogle of Callington, Co. of Prince George, Md., Sept. 10, 1863- Her portrait was copied from an oil painting by Belknap and represents her as the age of thirty-six. In her youth, she was noted for her fair Saxon type of beauty, blue eyes, fair complexion, light golden hair and fine-cut features. Bright and cheerful in conversation, her pecu- liarly pleasent voice and Scotch wit im- pressed one as a lady of refinement and culture. In childhood, she was trained in the strict discipline of her Puritan farthers and practised economy and industry ; had a sacred regard for truth, which be- came ever after prominent in her char- acter ; and she was distinguished for her excellent judgment, good sense and her regard for the rights of others . Patient and positive in her opinion, she has been known as a true friend to the poor and friendless. She has been a great reader and long took a lively interest in all the events concerning the welfare of our country, the proceedings of Congress and news from abroad. The extensive acquaintance of her husband, brought within her doors a large number of prominent people in the county and state who remember, agree- ably, her sweet face, pleasant ways and generous hospitality. The death of her husband in 1851, left her alone with a large family and a large estate to settle. SUSAN MILLER KNIGHT, Grand-daughter of Capt. Isaac Miller, and wife of Hon. Asa Knight. i^. ^S^ .^!^y^>--t.'>^7^a^ CeA/ ,^2^ ■c^^^i-i»--Z_i5' DUMMERSTON. 145 Three old-time friends, Jndge New- ton, the Hon. C. K. Field and Wm. li. Williams, Esq., came to her a«sis- tai.ee in settling the estate, ai^d took from her much of the care and trouble. Her husband was for axany years, prior to his death, a merchant, and lived where she now lives on the hill — her homefbrupwardof fifty years. The grand old house and the store have many interesting associations with prom- inent families and times long since pass- ed away. M_\ mother was geaerous aud noble hearted. She has passed through life with that degree of fortitude seldom equalled. P^or nearly three years past, she has been a great suiFerer, occasioned hy an accident that has rendered her almost helpless and speechless. But possessing a vigerous constitution and from a long lived race, she still lives and greets her friends and children with the same cordiality and smile of recog- nition and to wish them blessings and prosperity. MBS. EOSANNA ( MILLBE )WJI.LIAMS. is a sister of Mrs. Asa Knight ; was born in Dummerston, May 19, 1794; married P'eb. 22, 1826, William H. Williams, of Newfane, a wealthy and promiaent citizen of that towa. Her portrait represents her at the ageof <55. •She wrote the signature when 88 years old, and is now living in Williamsville in her 90th year. She is a grand- daughter of Capt. Isaac Miller. 8TICKNEY FAMILY. Peter Stickney, ancestor of the fam- ily in Dummerston was a descendant of William Stickney , the first settler in this country, and the ancestor of nearly all who have since borne that name in America. It is inferred from records 19 procured in England, that he was the William who is mentioned as baptised in St. Mary's Church, P'j-ampton Lin- colnshire, England, Sept. 6, 1592, and the son of William Stickney of Framp- tou, who was baptised Dec. 30, 1558, and married June 10, 1585, Margaret Pierson, and the grandson of Robert Stickney of Frampton, who miade his will Oct. o, and was buried Oct. 18, 1582. William, the first settler in America, m. Elizabeth , and had ten chil- dren. Amos, their second son, was born in England about 1635. m. in Newbury, Mass., June 24, 1663, Sarah Morse. After his death, she m. 2d, in Newbury, Dec. 17, 1684, Stephen Acre- man. She died there, Dec. 7, 1711, Amos Stifikney had 9 children, Benjamin, 6th child, was b. Apr. 4, 1673. He m. in Rowley, Mass., Jan., 1700, 1st Mary Palmer. She died ,1747, aged 74, and was buried in Byfield. He m. 2d, widow Mary Morrison, Oct. 2, 1750, who survived him, and m. Nov, 1757, Samuel Doty of Rowley. He had 11 children. Jonathan, his 4th. son, was born in Rowley, Mar. 7, 1 706, published there Jan. 13, 1730-1 ; and m. Mary Fisk. They had 6 children, Moses, the 5th son, b. in Rowley, bapt. in Byfield, May 31, 1738 ; m. in Har- vard, Nov. 20, 1760, (when of Leom- ister), to Sybel Farnsworth of Har- vard. He enlisted as a soldier in the expedition to Crown Point 1756, and his death occurred in October 1761. His only child was born Apr. 7, 1 761 ; m. in 1782, widow Eunice (Willard) Carlton, who was sister of Henry Wil- ard of Dummerston. He enlisted, Apr, 1, 1778, in Col. Jonathan Reed's Reg., Capt. Isaac Wood's Company ; and afterwards in David Moore's Co., Aug. 3, 1780, to re-inforce the Continental us VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. army in Rhodelsland. [Mass. Archives.] Two of his four children were prob- ably born in Harvard. He removed afterwards to Dummerston, where he died in March, 1815, aged 52. His widow died in 1832. Sibyl, the eldest child of Peter, was born Feb. 13, 1783 ; m Jan. 12, 1802, Joseph Gleason, Jr. ; had 11 children ; Sally, b. — ; m. Jan. 16, 1800, Benj. Z wears ; had 11 children. Benjamin, b. Mar. 16, 1785 ; m, Oct. 25, 1807, Sally Betterley Lois, b. Feb 22, 1789 ; m. Caleb Burbank. BENJAMIN STICKNET, was born in Leomister, Massachusetts, and his wife was the sister of Samnel Betterley of Newfane, Vt. She was born, June 15, 1786, in Newfane, and died there, Jan. 30, 1802, in the same room in which she was born. Benja- min came from Massachusetts to Dum- merston about 1800, and died in this town. May 25, 1853. He had 9 chil- ren. Benjamin, the eldest, b. Sept. 4, 1808 ; m. Betsey Tanney, b. Sept- ember 10,1807. Both are nowliving, 1882 ; had five children ; reside in West Dummerston. Sarah, b. Oct. 3, 1810 ; m. Reuben M. CaU. William, b. Sept. 16, 1812 ; m. Em- ily L. Lanfair, who died, May 16, 1854. He m. 2d, Judith W. Wait, Nov. 20, 1856. They reside in Greenfield, Mass. Eunice N., b. Oct. 19, 1815 ; m. Ira Barrett, Nov. 12, 1863. Lucy, b. Aug. 21, 1817; m. Seth B. Hudson, Sept. 23, 1838. Peter, b. July 21, 1820 ; m. Abigail Wellman of Brookline ; had five chil- dren. Samuel, b. Jan. 10, 1823 ; m. Sibyl Hudson of Dummerston. Thomas, b. Nov. 18, 1824 ; d. Nov, 8, 1842 Lydia W., b. Nov.. 17, 1828; d. Nov. 7, 1842. BENJAMIN ESTABROOK FAMILY. We give the family record beginning with his great-grand-father. Captain Daniel Estabrook of Sudbury, Mass., who was born Feb. 10, 1676^ and mar- ried to Abigail Flint, Nov. 21, 1701. Ste >vas born Jan. 11, 1675, dau. ot John and Mary (Oakes) Flint. The Fints came over from England in 1635. His father Thomas Flint came that year from Mattock in Derbyshire by the river Darr.m, where he lived and his predecessors had dwelt for 800 years without any entailment. The children of Capt. Daniel Estabrook and his wife Abigail were : Abigail, b. Sept. 25, 1702; Daniel, b. June 14, 1705 ; Benjamin, b. May 7, 1708, died Sept. 12, 1787 ; Samuel, b. Aug. 18, 1710, d. Sept. 1, 1793 , Mary, b. Nov. 2, 1712 ; Anna,b. Nov. 13, 1714. Capt. Daniel Estabrook, d. Jan. 7, 1735 ; his wife d. Nov. 1770, aged 95 years. Samuel Estabrook and Abigail his wife's children were Lucy, b. Feb. 26, 1739; Jedediah, b. Sept. 16, 1740; Samuel, b. Feb. 3, 1742, d- Apr. 28, 1744; Benjamin, the subject of our sketch, was b. May 21, 1744. The remaining children were seven iu number. Samuel, father of Benjamin,d. 1793, in Massachusetts. Abigail, his mother, d. Aug. 27, 1804, aged 86, and was buried near the-grave of Hannah Estabrook, her grand-daughter. Benjamin Estabrooks married Abigail Gates, about 1776, and moved to this town from Old Rutland, Mass. DITMMERSTOISl . 147 He died, May 24, 18S0, aged 86, liia wife, Aug. 26, 1824, aged 86, Their children were: Lydia, ,b. Nov. ■6, 1778, m. William French, Oct. 4, 1801, d. May 21, 1«4S. aged 70. AbigaU, b. Oct. 1, 1750, d- Nov. 8, 1848, aged 68. Joel,b. Jan. 25, 1782, m. Ist Mary Sargeant, 2d, Anna Sargeant, d. Jan. 6, 1872, aged nearly 90. Jeddiah, b. May 22, 1784, m. Persis Cutter, widow of Erastus Baboo ck ; -d- Aug. 15, 1853. Hannah, b. Dec. 29, 1788, d. Oct. 14, 1843. Benjamin, b. Nov. 4, 1790, m. 1st, Clarissa, dau. of Abram Farr of Wind- ham, Jan. 8, 1817, 2d, Lydia Pratt of Newfane, Mar. 30, 1840, d. Mar. 14, 1770. His children by the first mar- riage were : Emeline, b. Dec. 4, 1817, m. Arba Spaulding, great-grandson of Lt. Leo- nard Spaulding, d. Sept. 29, 1843. Alvin, b. Apr. 21, 1820, d. Nov. 22, 1821. James M., b. Aug. 31, 1822, d.— infant. Clarissa Amy, b. Nov. 6, 1823, m. Mar. 11, 1873, David L. Mansfield. — [The writer of this History, whose in- terest in Dummerston, led him to fur- nish so much historical information. Ed] Benjamin Estabrook, blacksmith, was born and always lived in Dummers- ton. He learned his trade of Ebenezer MuUer, who married Ama Farr, sister of Mrs. Estabrook. After serving a few years as an apprentice, he engaged in business for himself on the parental farm and took care of his parents through life. In 1835, he purchased the blacksmith-shop and dwelling-house of Royal Miller, where he lived at the time of his death. He worked at the blacksmith business 63 years ; was a man universally respected for his up- right Christian character ; was always active in every good work, a kind- hearted and obliging neighbor, and one of the oldest members of the Congrega- tional church at the time of his death. The writer is much indebted to him for many interesting incidents connected with the early history of the town. WILDER FAMILY. JOSHDA WILDER, removed from Gerry (now Phillipston) ' Mass., in 1795, and settled on a farm in this town, now owned by Lerwy Wilder, his grandson. C)n account of ill health, his son Frank has the man- agement, making four generations, of the family that have lived on the place and cultivated the farm, which is one o-f the largest in town. The grave-yard adjoins the farm and in it are buried in one lot five generations of the Wilder family. We have not ascertained who the ancestors of Joshua Wilder were, but the family name is found among the inhabitants of Lancester, a town in the same county as Gerry, and settled more than a century before the latter town, which was incorporated in 1 786. Lieut. Nathaniel Wilder was killed by the In- dians in Lancester, July 31, 1704. Joshua was a Revolutionary soldier, and his service is reported elsewhere. He related a-n exploit of his grandfather which has been handed down to the present time. It appears that his grandfather was fond of a good horse and rode much on horseback. One time he called at an inn to stay over night and requested thaD his horse might be turned out to pasture instead of being fed in the barn. When morning came and he was ready to start on his journey, he informed the landlord that he would go and catch his 148' VERMONT HISTOKICAL MAGAZINE-. horse himself, as it ivas a young and spirited animal, and it was rery difficult for a stranger to catch him. The land- lord objected, because he had a cross hull in the pasture and he was afraid he would endanger the life of Mr. Wilder. Nothing, however, would deter him from catching his own horse. Before venturing into the pasture, he used the precaution, however, to fasten on his feet a pair of large, heavy spurs which he was accustomed to wear sometimes, when riding horseback. The landlord watched his proceedings with consider- able anxiety. The horse and the bull were feeding near together, and Mr. Wilder could not catch his horse with- out attracting the attention of the bull. He fed quietly till he noticed a stranger approaching, wher^ he suddenly turned and made a furious a'^tack. Mr. Wilder equal to the emergency, dodging his enemy, canght him in such a manner as to land astride his back. He now had the advantage, and plunging the spurs deep into the sides of the bull, compelled him to run the course like a racehorse. The bull was conquered, and stopping shortly, bellowed for mercy. Mr. Wil- der dismounted, patted him gently and said, "you are a good fellow, I have had a nice ride." The landlord was so much pleased with the brave exploit of Mr. Wilder that he would accept no pay for his night's lodging, nor would he take any pay thereafter for his staying over night, though he stopped on several occasions. Joshua Wilder married Lois Hawes. Their children were : Anja, b. 1782, m. Luke Kendal ; Betsey, b. 1783, m. Samuel Hadley ; Natt, b. 1784, m. Polly Warner ; Dan, b. 1786, m. Joanna Bemis ; Nabby, b. 1788, m. Simon Hadley of Williams- town, N. Y. Clarissa, born, 1789, m. | Stephee Hadley ; Nixon, b. 1791, m, Lindal, b. 1792, m. Betsey Had- ley ^ Ruth, b. 1795, m. Ransom Covey ;. Samuel, b. 1796, m. Olive Bemis ; Dan- iel, b. 1798, unmarried; Columbia, b, 1800 ; Jefferson, b. 1802. All lived to be adult peraons, and none died younger than 25 years, Dan Wilder man-ied, May 3, 1803,. Joanna, dau of Joshua Bemds. Their children were : Alfred. Leroy, Eliza. William, Lindall, Edmond, Betsey, El- vira, Horace, Jason H. Dan was a deacon of the Congrega tlonal church, many years. His fath- er, Joshua, united with the church in 1842, when he was 84 years old. Leroy Wilder is deacon of the church at the present time. Dea. Dan Wilder now living in his 84th year, (1869) on one occasion, when a young- man, cut from a Lorn- bardy poplar, a small sproiit to use as a riding-whip, and on returning from his; ride, stuck it into the grorimd. The soil being moist, that sprout grew to be a ta,n tree. It was cijt down a few years since, and measured across the stump, nearly 4 feet. KNAPP FAMILY OF DUMMEESTOja. ICHABOD Knapp who married Cath- arine Miner, Dec. 10, 1780, is the an- cestor of this family name now living in town. Alvine, his eldest child, bJFeb. 21, 1781, m. Mar. 24, 1808, Rinda Fuller ; had one child, Ichabod Milton, who m. Sarah Wheeler, Mar. 20, 1843. Gardner, b. Apr. 23, 1783, m. Fanny, b. Jan. 14, 1801, dau. of Asahel Taft. Their children were Hiram, b. Mar. 30, 1825 ; Addison, b. July 30, 1827 ; Ichabod Leroy ; Joel Dexter ; Emily S. ; Mary E. ; John N. DUMMERSTON. 149 Catherine, b. Mar. 18, 1785, m. 1st. G-iles Alexander, May U, 1809, 2cl, John F. Stearns ; Lurana, b. Aug. 3, 1787, m., 1808, Luther Miller ; Isaac N. (Dr.) b. Aug. 7, 1789, m. 1st, Philinda Button ; Children : Isaac, (Dr.) h. Mar. 22. 1815 ; Philinda D., b. Dec. 10, 1817 ; George H., b. Mar. 21, 1819, d. 1880 ; Samuel D., b. 1882, d. 1846 ; Caroline, b. 1825, d. 1827 : Lucy, b. June 27, 1827 ; Ellen J., b. May 2, 1832. The mother d. Jan. 15, 1835, and Dr. Knapp m. 2d, Mrs. Maria [Nutting] Benham. Three chil- dren by 2d marriage ; Lovicy and Polly, twins, b. Feb. 20, 1792, Polly, d. infant, and Lovicy, m. July 25, 1813, Ephraim Laughtoh ; Ichabod, b. 1794, d. 1799 ; Rosanna,b.July 12, 1796, m. Thomas Laughton ; George W. b. Dec. 19, 1799, m. Mrs. Eliza "Willian's ; William, b. Mar. 10, 1804, m. Lo- vinna Miller ; JONAH KNAPP, a brother of Ichabod, came from Orange, Mass. to Dummerston about 1803. The children of Jonah and Ann, his wife were, John, b. in Orange, Mass., Aug. 1, 1793, m. Jan. 31, 1822, Han- nah Adams ; Lucretia,b. July 31, 1795-, m. Justin Sargeant ; Orrin, b. Mar. 18, 1798; Caleb L., b. July 15, 1801, m. Sept. 12, 1831, Linda Sargeant ; Sally, b. in Dummerston, 1804, d. 1806 ; Hor- ace, b. Mar. 12, 1808. Polly Knapp, a sister of Jonah, m. Benjamin Rider, Jan. 30, 1806. DR. ISAAC KNAPP died May 9, 1883, in Fort Wayne, Ind. His parents were Dr. Isaac N. and Philinda (Button) Knapp. His early education was obtained in the common schools of this town and at tlie academy in Brattleboro. At about 20, he went West, and supporting himself by teacli- ing at intervals, completed a full course at Marietta college, 0., graduating in 1839. After teaching a year or two in the South and West, he returned to Ver- mont. He studied for the ministry, but gave it up on account of a throat dis- ease, which prevented his speaking in public, and studied medicine with his father. Dr. Isaac N. Knapp, a success- ful physician in Dummerston, and after- wards attended and graduated at the medical department of the University of Vermont. He again went West, and practiced medicine several years, but his health provinginadequate, he turned his attention to dentistry, and took high rank in that profession, was thrice chosen president of the Indiana State Dental Association and a prominent officer in other dential societies, in the West. He contributed much to dental literature, corresponded with eminent men in the profession and delivered pub- ic addresses, one series of which was before the Fort Wayne Medical College. His views were pronounced and his in- fluence positive, also, on all political, religious and social questions. He took an active part in the church and Sunday school work. He leaves a wife, Mrs. Rowena L. Knapp, one son, Wm. B., and a sister, Mrs. Lucy SafFord, of Windsor, Conn. (The writer is in- debted to the Fort Wayne Gazette for many of the facts pertaining to tlie life of Dr. Knapp in the West. THE HOLTON FAMILY. William Holton, Houlton, was born in England,' 1611 ; came from Ipswich to America in ship "Francis," 1634; original proprietor of' Hartford, Ct. ; 150 VERMONTN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. removed thence to Northhampton, Mass. where he was ordained deacon, 1663 ; representative to the general court 5 years from Northampton and 1 year from Hadley ; on committee for North- field at the second settlement, 1 672 ; died Aug. 12, 1691. His wife, Mary , died Nov. 16, 1691. Their children were John, Samuel, William, Mary, Sarah, Ruth, Rachel and Thomas, killed in the attack on Northampton, Mar. 14, 1676. Mary married David Burt, Nov. 18, 1656 ; Sarah married John King, Nov. 18, 1656, — the first two marriages in North- ampton. Ruth married Joseph Baker, who was killed by the Indians, Oct. 29, 1675. Rachel married Thomas Strong. John, son of William, died April 16, 1712. Abigail , his wife, was living in 1718. Their children were Mary, Eleazer, Sarah, Abigail, Joshua, William and Thomas. Thomas, son of John, was born Oct. 23, 1681 ; was in Northfield, 1718 ; killed by the Indians Aug. 23, 1723. He married Mindwell, daughter of Sam- uel Allen of Northampton. After her husband was killed she married Daniel Chapin. She died Oct. 21, 1758. Chil- dren : Joshua, born 1703 ; Thomas, 1705 ; Hannah, 1707 ; Mindwell, about 1712 : Ithamer, who died Dec. 4, '.713. THOMAS HOLTON , son of Thomas (1681) was born about 1705 ; carpenter by trade ; " dismissed from church in Northfield 1799, with wife and daughter Sarah, to be joined with others in a church in Fulham," now Dummerston, where he settled after 1771. He married Sarah ; died in this town Dec. 22, 1800, aged about 95 years. Their children were Thomas Allen, -born in Northfield, 1744 ; Sarah, Arad, Nov. 1752 ; Mindwell, Hannah, Olive and Obedience, who were baptized Apr. 29, 1764; Sarah married Elijah Town, jr., about 1776. Arad married Anna Haven, (1) ; Rebecca Houghton, (2) ; Mrs. Eunice Spaulding, (3). Mindwell married William Orvis, who died Jan. 11, 1801, aged 41 years. A slate stone marks his resting-place in the cemetery, near the meeting-house. Hannah married' Joseph Nurse ; Ol- ive married Henry Cressy ; Obedience married Calvin Butler. Five of these families resided in school district No. 5 in 1793. Calvin Butler lived on the farm now owned by I. M. Knapp. Wm. Orvis lived in a house that stood in the northwest corner of the " Orvis lot," near the place where some twenty old apple trees are now standing, west of the school-house. Elijah Town, jr., built the house and lived on the farm now owned by Howard Jones. Wranslow Holton remembers well, a little incident that occurred at his Uncle Elijah's when he was a small boy. He went there one day to visit his cousins. Young Elijah, his cousin, who was older than he, showed him the bees that were working busily about the hives. Mr. Holton says that the " little devU" gave him a piece of board and told him to go and scrape^olf the bees from the hive. Instead of so'aping ofl^ the bees he got himself into a scrape that he has never forgotten. Arad Holton was a farrier and some- what peculiar in his manner. When he was a young man he broke his leg be- low the knee, and wishing to have it set by a surgeon in Northfield, rode on horseback to that town, had the bone set, and returned on horseback next day. He always rode on horseback when traveling about the country. On one occasion he told some men that $300 DUMMERSTON. 151 had been offered him for the horse which he was riding. They looked much sur- prised. After a pause he added that it was the amouut of four or five offers. His Northfield friends told him, one time, that he was unwise to live up in Vermont on land not so productive as they had in Northfield. His reply was, " Yon boast of your productive lands, but I raised a punapkin on my farm that you could not turn over with a hand- spike. They did not believe it till he added that it grew under a large root. He claimed that he once hauled the heaviest load with a single horse of any man in Vermont. He explained that it was himself and five children, which made six whole tons, (Hol-tons) the large load of which he boasted. THE CEESSET JUMP. Henry Cressey lived on a farm east of the " Lyman Knight place," since divided up and sold in separate lots. He is known as the man who made the " Cressey jiimip." The story goes that he was walking alone across a field and coming to a brook that was wide and deep, he said to himself: " Cressy, J will bet you a dollar that you can't jump across the brook. "Done," said he, and back he went a few paces to get a good start. When at full speed he bounded like a deer across the brook. Elated by his success, he said, " Now, Cressey, I will bet you another dollar that you can't jump back again. — " Agreed," said he, and, starting as be- fore, he bounded, and missing a firm foothold, fell backwards, splash into the brook. Scrambling out of the water, he said: " It isa Cressey jump; nothing gained, nothing lost," and went , on his way a wetter if not a wiser man. THE OLDEST PERSON that is now living in Dummerston, — in 1882 — is Mr. Wranslow Holton, aged 94 years. He was born in this town, Jan. 11th, 1788. At that time there were only thirteen states in the the Union, and not as many people as now live' in the state of New York. George Washington had not then been chosen President of the United States, and did not begin his first term of office as President till April 30, 1789, when Mr. Holton was more than a year old. Thomas Holton, his grandfather, came from Northfield, Mass., with his family, and settled in this town previous to the beginning of the Revolutionary war. His journey in quest of a new liome was made by following up the Connect- icut river till he reached "Canoe brook," now called "Murder Hollow brook;" and thence westerly about 2 miles from the river, where he selected 100 acres of good land for a farm which he pur- chased of the original proprietors . The site of the first house built on the farm is N. E. of the present buildings, east of the brook at the foot of the hill. The- land is now owned by Willard Dodge. Arad, married about 1777, and set- tled west of the brook, taking one-half the farm, and his father keeping the other half of 50 acres, now called the- "Orvis lot, "owned by Mr. Dodge. Arad Holton lived on the farm from the time of settlement till his death in the 89th year of his age. Wranslow, his son, was born in the old house that stood a short distance nortn of the dwelling in which he now lives, and which was built since his remembrance. Four genera,tions of the Holton family now live in the same louse, father, son, grand-daughter, and five great grand-children. There was 13 children in his father's family. Two of his half-brothers, Reuben and Arial, lived to be about 94 years of age. Others in the family died much younger. 152 VERMONT HISTORICAL BIAGAZINE DYING FtTLL OF YEARS. Anna Spauldlng, wife of Samuel Laughton, d. Jan. 31, 1849,. aged, 81 j'ears. Mrs. Sai-ali Negiia died, Jan. 9, 1834, aged, 83. Hannah Holton, wife of Josepli Nourse, died, Jan. 12, 1842, aged, 8S years. Sally Glynn .Nourse, died. Sep. 11, 1S77, aged, 83 years and 11 months. Dea. Daniel Walker, died, June 24, 1873, aged, 8!) years, 11 months. Nathan Cook died ,Jan. 11, 1837, aged, 82 years. John Kilbury d. about 1820, over 90 years old. Einda ( Fuller) Knapp d. Jan. 18, 1873, se. 8(s yi-s. Joseph Dlx died, Jan. 24, 1873, aged, 84 years. Isaac Eeed died, June 23, 18.54, aged, 87 years. Lucy MlUer died. Aug. 16, 1875, aged, 89, years. Joseph Crosby, died Nov. 7, 1861, aged 97 years. Khoda Crosby died, Dec. 24, 18.50, aged, 84 yi-s. John F. Stearns, died, Nov. 25, 1872, aged, 82 yi-s. Polly Miller died, Feb. 28, 1834, aged, 85 years. Abel Knight, died, Oct. 4,I871,aged, SO years. Lucinda Joy, died, Feb. 21, 1863, aged, 80 years. Sally Caryl died, May 8, 1861, aged 85 years. Reuben Jones died, Apr. 17, 1875, aged, 92 yrs. Dea. David Bennett, d. June, 9, 1847, aged, 87. Beulah (Burnham)Mlller, d. Aug. 28,1877, £e. 90. John Laughton, died ,Feb. 26, 1799, se. 84 yeai-s. Betsy Hill died, Jan. 1,1871, aged, 84 years. Mary, wt. of Luther AUyn, d. Deo. 27, 1876, se. 82. Hadassah Winn, died, Oct. 27, 1855, aged,87. Shepherd Gates died, Apr. 8, 1869, aged, 88 yrs. Molly Kathan, wife of Elihue Sargeant, died, Deo. 18, 1850, aged, 94 years. WEST DUMMEKSTON. Capt. James Chase died, Jan. 30, 1871, a). 84 yrs. James Chase died, Ma.v 28, 1844, aged, 93 yrs. Polly Chase died Sep. 4, 1860, aged, S3 years, '-'nos Leonard died Aug. 10,1866, aged, 82 years. Matilda Leonard died, Oct. 15, 1877, aged, S3 yrs. Samuel MUler died, Nov. 29, 1855, aged, S3, yrs. Sj'lvia Miller died. May 8, 1866, aged, 88 years. John Greenwood died, Jan. 29. 1843, le. SO yrs. Ruth Greenwood died, Apr. 5, 1856, aged, S9 yrs. Benja. Willard died, Aug. 5, 1874, aged, 86 yrs. Lydia Willard died. May 6, 1874, aged. So years. Betsy Huntley died, Nov. 12, 1SS5, aged, 85. yrs. Dan'l Belknap died, Aug. 23, 1862, aged, 89 yrs. Win. Robertson died, Oct. 17, 1841, aged, 91 yrs. Mary Eobertson died. Mar. 15, 1842, aged, 88 yrs. Zeraviah Stoddard died, Jan, 22, 1863, a). 92 yrs. Rachel Wilson died, Jan. 1, 1861, aged 83 years. David Livermore d. Jan. 28, 1879, aged, 81 yrs. Olive Livermore d. Aug. 31, 1875, aged, S4year.s. Jacob Presoott, d. July 4, 1876, aged, 93 years. Wheatoir Wilson, d. Jan. 31 1874, aged, 87 years. David Bally d. Mar. 19, 1867, aged, 86 years. John Whitney died, Oct. 13, 1849, aged,89 yrs. Mary, w. of Tilly Wilder, d. Apr, 15, 1832, a. 80. Tlrzah, w. of Dan'l Goss, d. Api'. 21, 1843, a. 84. SaUy Wood w. of Enos Goss, Mar. 4, 1865, a. 83. Henry Willard died, Aug. 16, 1850, aged, 84 yrs. Sarah Gleason died, Oct. 21, 1849, aged, 92 yrs. Lydia, w. of Capt. Isaac Burnett, Jan. 1847, a. 88 Abigail, w. of Seth Hudson, Nov. 10, 1821, a. 81. Phlneas Pratt, died, June 9, 1831, aged, 90 yrs. L. Wm. Leonard, died, Oct. 13, 182S, aged, 93. Mrs. Thomas Betterly d., Nov. 26, 1839, aged, 88. Thomas Betterly died, June 35, 1836, aged, 85. Sehra Knight died, Nov. S, 1847, aged, SI years. Mrs. Samuel Betterly d., Jan. 15, 1875, aged, 84. Capt. Samuel Betterly d., Apr. 1, 1870, aged, 77. Lincoln Bixby died, Oct. 17, 1869 aged, S2 years. Mrs. Lincoln Bixby d. Mar. 11, 1869, aged, 7S. PEKSONS LIVING IN TOWN —1880. Orrln L. Bennett, age, 87 ; Polly Bemls, 80 ; Sylvester G. Dewey, 81; Mrs. Lydia Estabrook, 81; Mary Gleason, 81 ; Mrs. Rebecca Gates, 80. Wranslow Holton, 92; Mrs. Sophia Haven, S5. Jairus Haven, 90; Mrs. Susan Knight, 83; Mrs. Bosanna Langhton, 84; Asa Laughton, 83; Mrs. Phlla Miller, SO; George Nichols, 83; Jacob Pierce, 87 ; Mrs. Elanor B. Perry, 81 ; Mrs. Anna Stockwell, 85. Mrs. Betsey J., wife of Simeon Eeed, died. Mar. 3, 1881, aged 84. Simeon Eeed died. In 1875, ■) years.- SIMEON REED AND WIPE. SimeonReed was the son of Mr. John Reed one of the first settlers in Putney. He reiaoved to that town from Dighton, Mass., settled on "West Hill," where there was good rocky soil, lived there many years, and died, 1840, aged 83. Simeon Reed bought the Reuben Smead place in this town in 1852, where he lived when he died. Mrs. Reed, his wife, was the daughter of Capt. Amos Joy, of Putney. She was born in that town in 1795, and belonged to a large family of children, only two of whom are now living — Rev. Amariah Joy of Joyfleld, Mich, and Thomas .Toy of AVoodstock, Vt. Before her marriage. DUMMEE.STON. 153 Mrs. Reed was a school teacher. She taught the school m Dis. No. 1, Dum- merston Centre, in the cold summer of 1816, aud has often said in reference to the coldness of that season, that at times she was obliged to wear a shawl in the school-room and get into the sunshine to make herself comfortable. CHURCH HISTORY. CHAPTER II. £ Continued from page 89. J CONGEEGATIONAL CHURCH. After the dismission of Mr. Beckley, Rev. Eber Child supplied the pulpit most of the time until May 19, 1840, when :: II IC REV. NELSON BARBOUR. , was installed. The council for Mr. Bar- bour's installation consisted of Rev. Mr. Walker, pastor of the church in East Brattleboro, Rev. C. Kidder in West Brattleboro, Rev. Calvin R. Bacheldor in Westminster East, Rev. Jubilee Well- man in Westminster West ,Rev. Horatio N. Graves in Townshend, Rev. L. S. Colburn in Fayetteville, and Rev. Amos Foster in Putney ; Rev. Seth S. Arnold moderator ; Rev. C. Kidder, scribe ; invocation and reading the Scriptures, by Rev. C. R. Bacheldor ; introductory prayer, Rev. H. N. Graves ; sermon. Rev. Charles Walker ; installing prayer, Rev. C. Kidder ; charge to the pastor. Rev. S. S. Arnfild ; right hand of fel- ship, Rev. Ajuos Foster ; address to the people, Rev. J. Wellman ; concluding prayer, Rev. L. S. Colburn. Mr. Barbour's salary was 6450, paid semi-annually. The amount was raised by a tax made on the grand list of each member of the church, excepting what was obtained from others connected with the society. In 1842, a new meeting-house was built and the old 20 church was taken down. The first church was built about the year 1 777, At the raising, the frame was so heavy that the carpenters were obliged to sus- pend operations a few hours until more men could be obtained from Putney to assist in raising the building. The church was not finished for s«veral years. At first, it was shingled and the frame covered with rough boards ; planks were used for seats. Meetings were held about 2 years before the church was organized. Mr. Farrar may have preached that length of time previous to his installation in 1779. During Mr. Barbour's ministry, 22 / persons joined the church by profession and 15 by letter. He was dismissed Apr. 6, 1846. The council for that purpose consisted of Rev. H. N. Graves of Townshend, Rev. Alfred Stevens of Westminster West, Rev. Darwin Adam^ of Fayetteville, and Rev. Amos Foster -- of Putney. He died in GeorgiaT" Vt! July 31, 1867, aged 60 years, 9 months, 23 days. He was bom in Bridport, Vt. , Oct. 8, 1805, son of James and Dorcas D. Barbour ; graduated at Middlebury, 1831, at Andover 1834 ; for a year, he was agent of the American Sunday School Union ; but near the close of 1835, commenced preaching in Saxton's River village, and was ordained pastor of the Congregational church in that place Dec. 15, 1836. Rev. Henry B. Homer of Springfield preached the ser- mon. His pastorate at Saxton's River was quite successful. A house of wor- ship was built, a great revival took place, and the membership of the church was nearly doubled. He was dismissed Sept. 26, 1839. He was installed pastor of the church in Dummerston, May 10, 1840. Rev. Charles Walker of Brattleboro preach- ed the sermon. A house of worship 154 VERMONT HISTOEICAL MAGAZINE. was built during iiis pastorate and fif- teen or more conversions took place. He was dismissed Apr. 6, 1846. After leaving Dummerston in 1846, he became agent of the Protestant So- ciety, in which service he continued 3 years. From March 1849 to March 1852, he was acting pastor in Langdon, 'N. H. ; installed in Wolfboro, June 16, '52, Rev. B. P. Stone, D. D., preai h- ing the sermon ; dismissedNov. 27, '54 ; from Mar. 1856 to Dec. 1858, acting pastor in Cummingtou, Mass. ; for a year or more,preached in Jamaica, Vt. ; early in 1861, became acting pastor in Sullivan, N. H., for nearly 3 years; 1st, Sabbath Oct. 1866, preached at West Fairlee, Vt. ; Nov. 1866, began preaching in Georgia, and there con- tinued till his death, preceded by a sick- ness of only a few days, after 33 years of ministerial service. He was a sound, earnest, self-denying home missionary, sometimes blunt, yet gentle to all. He loved music, loved Christ, and all good men. He married, 1st, Aug. 24, 1835, Laura Ripley of Middlebury, who died May 8, 1846, aged 41 years ; 2d, Apf . 25, 1849, RuthDunklee of Brattleboro, who died Oct. 29, 1854, aged 38 years ; 3d, Oct. 15, 1855, Mary Willard of Rockingham. REV. BENJAMIN P. FOSTER was the fifth settled minister of this church ; was born in Hanover, N. H. , June 16, 1803, and was the son of Richard and Esther (Jewell) Foster. He was early consecrated to God by his pious parents, and his youth was marked by a conscientious regard for everything of good report. One who knew him from childhood, says: "He was an honest child, and an honest youth." Those who knew him in manhood can say he was an honest man. He learned the trade of a tanner which occupation he felt it his duty to leave after his con- version, at the age of seventeen and en- tered upon a course of study with the ministry in view. He united the same year with the Congregational church in Hanover, N. H., under the pastorate of Rev. Josiah Towne. He fitted for college at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H., and was graduated at Amherst in the class of 1829 ; after which he studied theology with the Rev. Silas McKeen, D. D., of Bradford, and was licensed at Post Mills, Vt.,Aug. 2, 1831, by the Orange Association. For a few months ; he preached in Waterford afterwards in Amoskeag, (no'\A Manchester) N. H., and was ordained there as an evangelist in Mar. 1832. The Rev. Edward L. Parker of Londonderry preached the sermon. He was installed Nov. 13, 1833, pastor of the Congregational church in Salisbury. The Rev. N. Bouton, D. D., of Concord preached the sermon. During his ministry at Salisbury there occurred several seasons of special reli- gious interest, the most marked in the winter of 1842-43, when he admitted to the church forty by profession and forty by letter. He was dismissed July 23, 1846, on account of iU health, and in- stalled at Dummerston Sept. 30, 1846. The Rev. Amos Foster, his brpther, preached the sermon7!^> oi yO^f^w—^ After a pastorate of more than 21 years, he was dismissed Dec. 18, 1867, by the same council that installed his successor, he having been unable to preach only occasionally for more than a year, previous. During his ministry fifty four joined the church by profession and twenty-three by letter. DUMMEESTON. 155 Mr. Foster was a hard-working, earn- est, faithful preacher and pastor. His sermons were plain, direct and instruc- tive ; and it was evident to his hearers that he sought only to do them good by his preaching. He was interested in all movements for the good of the community, and especially in schools. He was for many years superintendent of schools in Dum- merston, and when suffering much was faithful to that trust. His health was always poor ; rarely was he free from pain. Hence he was often greatly depressed under the cares of the minis- try. Yet there was a vein of cheerful- ness in his constitution that made him always companionable, his presence desirable, and his home a welcome place to friends. He was, however, constitu- tionally desponding, and always thought little of himself and his attainments, while esteemed by his brethren in the ministry as an able divine and good critic. He loved revivals, and labored earn- estly to promote them, and mourned that he had not been able to win more souls to Christ. He died Nov. 2, 1868, aged 65 years, trusting in the Saviour he had preached, as he had preached him for 37 years. Rev. A. Stevens of Westminster West, preached the funeral sermon, taking for his text Eph. 2: 8. Mr. Foster married Apr. 19, 1832, Ruth Hovey Kimball, of Hopkinton, N. H., who died June 3, 1845, aged 38 years ; by whom he had 5 children. Edward Cornelius, b. Jan. 17, 1834, d. Mar. 31, 1876. Benjamin, b. Sept. 11, 1836, d. Sept. 28, 1836. Frederick Webster, b. Sept. 10, 1837, d. July 16, 1838.' William Henry, b. Julyl5, 1839 ; Ellen, b. Apr. 6, 1841, d. Oct.9, 1841. In Aug. 1846, he married Mrs. Mary Perry of Manchester, N. H., now liv- ing, (1879) by whom he had Nellie F. born in May 1847. His oldest and youngest sons were soldiers in the army of the Union ; the former, EDWAKD C. FOSTER, being connected at different times with three Wisconsin regiments, and the lat- ter, William H. being for three years a member of Co. C. 3d Vt. Regiment. KEV. AUGUSTUS CHANDLER was installed pastor, Dec. 18, 1867 ; sermon by the Rev. Nathaniel Mighill of Brattleboro, Vt. He was the sixth pastor of this church and was installed the same day that his prede- cessor. Rev. Mr. Foster, was dismiss- ed, Aug. 24, 1870. He was born in Woodstoct, Ct.,Dec. 1, 1830, and was the youngest of nine brothers, all of whom grew to manhood and assumed prominent places in life. Two others are clergymen. He took his collegiate couise at Williams college and was graduatedatAndoverTheo.Sem.,1859 ; ordained and pastor at Saxton's River 1 year ; m. Lucy I. Lord, 1860 ; from 1860, about three years preached in Lempster, N. H. ; often at Strafford, Vt., about 3 years, and was settled over the church in Dummerston in 1867, but after a year and a half was obliged by failing health to discontinue the minis- try but followed the occupation of book- agent until, in the spring of 1875, when he became proprietor of the Record and and Farmer, where his rare working powers, and ability as a writer, gave his journal a reputation not often achieved by country journals. Mr. Chandler was an energetic promoter of temperance principles, and gave many of his best efforts in favor of stringent liquor laws 156 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. and their enforcement, even to the sac- rifice of that business gain which all men seek. In private life* he was a good citizen, a kind husband and indul- gent father ; a wife and three children survive him." We are indebted to ,, The Vermont Record " for this account of the Rev. Mr. Chandler, condensed, mostly, from an obituary in that paper soon after his death. He resigned his charge in this town July 10, 1869, and REV. LEVI G. CHASE preached during the remainder of the year. He completed his studies at An- dover during the winter and spring and received a call to become the pastor of this church June 24, 1870 ; was ordain- ed Aug. 24, same year. He was a faithful minister, a good preacher, and labored zealously for the welfere of the church during the 7 years, till failing health compelled him to resign the pas- torate, Sept. 10, 1877 ; much to the regret of his people. The acceptance of his resignation was delayed more than a year, his congregation hoping by rest he might regain his health, but their expectation failing, he was dismissed Mar. 5, 1879. KEY. HENBY MARDEN of New Boston, N. H., became acting pastor during the winter of 1877 '78. He had been a missionaray at Aintab, Turkey about 6 years, for the Missions, till the death of his wife in Aaintab, when he returned to New Boston with his two small children. While preach- ing in Dummerston, he was again re- quested by the Board to resume his work in Turkey, and with his family, sailed from New York, Oct. 19, 1878, arrived at Marden, Turkey, Dec. 7th. His present field of labor is in Turkey. REV. JOSIAH MEEKILL. succeeded Rev. Mr. Marden as acting pastor, Jan. 24, 1880. He was born in Otisfield, Me., Jan. 13, 1819, son of Rev. Josiah G. Merrill, then pastor of the Congregational church in that place. He united with the church at Cape Eliz- abeth, Me. ,' flitted for coUege partly at the academy at North Bridgton, partly at Gorham academy. Me. ; graduated at Dartmouth in 1841 ; studied theology at Andover and Bangor ; graduated in 1844 ; preached about 8 raos. at Roek- ville, Ct., abt. 18 mos. at Eastport,Me., ordained over White River church, Vt., Mar. 1 1848, Rev. Dr. Haddock, Dart- mouth college, preaching the sermon. He was settled over the church at Wis- casset. Me., in July 1057 j sermon by Rev. Henry D. Moore of Portland. From the autumn of 1867 to the spring of 1877, he resided atCambridge, Mass. and supplied during all that time a church at South Franklin, Mass. He was pastor of the church in Dummers- ton nearly 4 years and became pastor of the church in Ti-oy, N. H., Nov. 1, 1883. He was a very acceptable pastor during his stay in Dummerston, and the people regretted very much that he should deem it necessary to resign and accept a n^w field of labor. Mr. Merrill had no family while here, his wife hav- ing died some years ago. He married Miss Philomedia Henrietta Converse, of Portland, Me.,Aug. 23, 1848 ; children : Henrietta A., b. July 2, 1849, d. aged 6 years ; Caroline Adelaide, b. Mar. 9, 1851, m. Rev. Fred Lyman Allen, of Walpole, N. H. ; Henry F., b. June 15, 1853, now in the revenue service at Shanghai, China; James C, b. Jan. 15, 1856, now in business at Chicago ; Frederick J., b. Feb 22, 1859, now in Kansas ; Helen Isadore, b. Apr. 5, 1860, m, Lawrence Mayo, of Boston ; Ida A. DUMMEESTON. 157 b. Jan. 5, 1865, a graduate in 1883 from the Framingham State Normal school. THE PARSONAGE. Rev. Joseph Farrar occupied the house, during his residence in town, where the Rev. Aaron Crosby lived on the Dr. Walker place. The house be- longing or standing on the minister's lot. In 1789, the town voted to have a well dug on the town lot within 3 rods of the house in the most convenient place, and Abel Butler dug the well for $50 hard money. Rev. Mr. Crosby built in 1 796 , a well-curb, or more properly, a well- house with windows in it, for which he asked the town to pay ; but the town refused to pay for it. This well is on the place now owned by Dea. R. P. Pratt. Rev. Hosea Beckley had for a residence the house now called the "Ran- dall place," which then stood a few rods north of its present site. It was moved to its present location by Asa Button and used for a time as a store. Its former site was used for a situation 6n which to build a new house for Rev. Nelson Barbour, and which Rev. B. F. Foster afterwards purchased for a home- stead. The Randall house first stood on the hiU near Clark Bacon's, and a blacksmith, Ebenezer Wait, lived there. The buildings are on^.ffhe south side of the common. In 1793, Enoch Cook was hired by the town to remove the fence on the old burying-ground south side of the common, and lay out the land into house lots and sell the same at , , Public Vendue.' Probably the build- ings thereon were built not long after they were sold at auction. POT-HOUSE AND PBAEL-ASH. In 1796, David Leavitt got a vote of the town to let him ^' ' set up his pot- house on the east side of the common on the same conditions that Simeon Colby built his pearl ash and shed works in 1791. REV. ALVIN D. FRENCH. " Rev. Alvin Dancan French died in Denmark, Iowa, Oct. 25, 1866, aged 52. He was born in Dummerston, a son of Ephraim and Priscilla (Duncan) French, and was nearly self-educated though he spent several terms at Brat- tleboro Academy, and during a part of the year 1836, was a student in the Teachers Seminary at Andover, Mass. in the fall of 1837, he went to Borden- town, N. J., opened a select school and conducted it very successfully nearly 4 years ; then a similar school in Jackson, Miss., for 18 months. While a teacher he pursued classical and theological studies, and in June 1842, was licensed to preach by the Susquehanna River, (Pa.) Association, thence to August 1843, was acting pastor of the Congre- gational churches in Jackson and New Milford, Pa. and in connection with his labors, an interesting revival occurred inMilford : Receiving a call to Centre Lisle, N. Y., he commenced preaching there Apr. 1, 1843 ; was ordained pas- tor, June 4, 1844, and during his min- istry there, a church was built and several revivals took place ; at his own request he was dismissed Dec. 1, 1855, to go West in the service of the Amer- ican Home Missionary society ; he went to Eddyville, Iowa, early in January, 1856 ; was installed pastor, Oct. 8, 1858 ; two powerful revivals occurred rduing his ministry. He remained till failing health compelled him to discon- tinue preaching. He married Sept. 25, 1837, Caroline A. Clark, a native of Dummerston,'', daughter of Amasa Clark. "P. H. W." in "The Ver- mont Record," Dec. 19, 1866. 158 VERMONT HISTOELCAL MAGAZINE. The old well on the common The old well in the north-east corner of the common that supplies four fam- ilies with water constantly, also, the church-going people once a week with clear, cold, sparkling water fresh from " the moss-covered, iron-bound bucket that rose from the well," is the one dug by Eben Ash in 1801. THE OLD POUND. The old pound wall near the ledges, west of the common, a part of which is now standing, was built for the town by Benjamin Alvord in the fall of 1796, for $36. The size of the wall was 4 feet at the base, 2 feet at the top, 6 ft. high, perpendicular inside, and 2 rods clear inside. Mr. Alvord was "not to go, for the stones, over 4 rods west from the top of the ledge, west of the pound spot, and as far north as the old pound," The old pound built of round poles was located at the foot of the ledge west of the meeting-house. THE OLD NOTES & HAYES STORE occupied by the firm of Noyes & Hayes, afterwards by Noyes & Birchard, and now used for a dwelling-house and shoe- maker's shop, was built by Simeon Colby for a store, and stood on the north side of the old meeting-house, west of the road. The town gave him permis- sion to build the store and where to locate it, Sepr. 6, 1791 . Mar. 16, 1795, the town voted to have Jason Duncan move the store to its present site, and the town was to receive $5 a year, rent for the ground on which it stands so long as the buildiugwas used for a store. We have seen a few notes and receipts that were connected wi*,h the business here between the years 1812 and 1817. A promissory note given to the firm of Noyes & Mann, dated" Brattleborough July 23, 1813." Two other notes, each given to the firm of Noyes & Hayes, dated in Diimmerston, one June 26, 1816, the other March 6, 1817. A receipt for goods purchased at the store of " Noyes & Birchard " in Dummers- ton, dated April 29, 1818. These pa- ers help confirm the statement, about the time when these parties were in trade here in Dummerston, and that John Noyes remained in town for a- while after the dissolution of the firm, Noyes & Hayes, in 1817. The receipt given by Noyes & Birchard reads as follows : 2 qts St. Rum (Saint Croix,) - .75 1-4 lb. Tobacco, - .19 1-4 lb. H. T. [Hyson Skin] Tea, .23 ^.17 NoYEB & Birchard. By K. Birchard. " Sir : we shall have Bohea Tea, N. E. Rum and fish in a week." The statement has been made that Noyes, Mann & Hayes were in trade in xhis town in 1812. To confirm the statement, we copy a note. "Dummerston, Mar. 9, 1812. For value Rec'd. of Noyes, Mann & _Iayes We jointly and severally promise to pay them or their order fifty-six Dollars upon demand with interest. Witness our hands, Samuel Dutton, Asa Dutton." For 1817, we find the following re- ceipts : Dummerston, Aug. 20, 1817. Mr- Sargeant Bot of Noyes & Birchard, 1 1-2 gal. W. I. Rum, a 8 cts., $2.00 1 lb. Brown Sugur, a 17 cts., - .17 1-2 lb. Loaf Sugar, - .16 $2.33 Charged to Mr. Samuel Dutton, Jr. NoYES & Birchard. DUMMERSTON. 159 In all these old receipts the expense for rum generally exceeds that for gro- ceries. [ And the receipt looks a little supicious that the groceries were used to sweeteen the rum. Ed. J RUTHERFORD HAYES. [Written during tlie presidential campaign 1876, by the Dummerston correspondent of the "Vermont Phoenis.] William Miller, a life long resident of Dummerston, now living (1876) at the age of 87 years, was well acquainted with Rutherford Hayes, father of Gov- ernor Hayes who became and now is [1879] president of the United States. Mr. Hayes was a member of the firm, Noyes & Hayes, and Mr. Miller often traded at their store in this town. He now uses a very good razor which he bought of Mr. Hayes in 1814. During the autumn of 1812, or about a year before the marriage of Mr. Hayes to Miss Birchard of Wilmington, a pleasing incident happened to him it miay not be amiss here to relate. Jacob Laughton, grandfather of Austin Laugh- ton who now lives cm the same farm owned by his grandfather, then, lived in the old house which was burned to the ground some twenty years ago, near the site of the new house. His family had a quilting party at which the ladies were invited to be present in the after- noon and the gentlemen in the evening. Among the latter was Rutherford Hayes . When the evening's ainusement had ended, the gentlemen were expected to escort the ladies home. Mr. Hayes being a young man of good character and position, was a very desirable escort for the ladies. But the most expectant ones for his company home, were doomed to be disappointed ; for he made no choice among the anxious ones, but selected a very respectable, quiet appear- ing young lady, who had not the least thought of receiviog an invitation from him. The night was very dark. It was about one mile to the lady's home. When Mr. Hayes and his lady left the company amidst the frowning of the disappointed, they passed through the east door, supposing they could walk directly to the road. Much to their surprise, after walking a few feet, they stepped directly off a wharflng, three or four feet high, and fell plump into a mud-hole where the family were accus- tomed to throw waste-water. Neither of them were much hurt, but the lady's white dress was very much soiled. Mr. Hayes was exceedingly embarrassed for fear that Miss Farr, [for that was the young lady's name] , would think he had blundered on purpose ; but he apol- ogized for their mishap and assured Miss Farr that he was, entirely ignorant of the situation and supposed the path led directly to the road. Fortunately no one observed them and they reached home without further misfortune." When Mr. Hayes was married to Miss Birchard, he, first, lived for a short time, in the red house, afterwards- owned and occupied many years by Benjamin Estabrook whose first wife was the Miss Farr mentioned. From that house he moved into the large two- story residence now occupied by Mrs. Asa Knight,_south of the common and very near to the store where the firm, Noyes, Mann & Hayes were doing busi- ness. When the firm dissolved partner ship, the profits of the last year in trade were $3000, which was shared equally among the partners. John Noyes, a member of the firm, m. Polly Hayes, sister of Rutherford Hayes. Names of children recorded : Harriet Hayes, bom July 5, 1817 ; Charlotte Augusta, born March 2, 1819. 160 VEEMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. Mr. Hayes was called at that time one of the richest men in Windham county. He moved to Putney from this town, about 1819, where he died in 1841, October 26, aged 78 years. A daughter of his was maa-ried to Larkin G. Mead, Esq., of Brattleboro, and thus his son, Larkin G. Mead, the sculptor is a distant relative of Presi- dent Hayes. When the father of President Hayes left Dummerston in 1817, and went to Ohio to seek a home there for himself and family, he left his wife and children with the family of Mr. Noyes in whose residence Mr. Hayes and family lived. Mrs. Hayes was very much opposed to her husband's going West and could not be persuaded to remain long in the family of Mr. Noyes, but moved into a small building which then stood just east of the store where she and her children remained till her husband re- turned and took them to their Western home in Delaware, Ohio. The buUd- ing which she occupied for a time, was afterwards removed to a site opposite William Miller's, and used for many years as a work-shop by J. E. Worden. Sardis Birchard, the wealthy uncle of President Hays was once a clerk in the store for Noyes & Hayes ; and while visiting his relations in Fayetteville in 1871, he called witli his brother Hon. Austin Birchard and examined the long two-story, red building where he began his career as a clerk. The other brother, Roger Birchard, was, also, at one time a clerk for the same firm. When President Ha\ es and his fam- ily came to Vermont and visited his uncle at Fayetteville Aug. 17, 1877, the following interesting reminiscences were printed in the Boston Journal of Aug. 18, 1877. " In the town of Dummerston upon a plateau which commands a charming view of the fertile valley, are several interesting mementoes of the Birchard and Hayes families. On the south side of the common connected with a large, modern wooden structure, stands the little store in which Rutherford Hayes, father of the Presi- dent, first embarked in business as a member of the firm of Noyes, Mann and Hayes. The partners came from West Brattleboro and set up a country store, where they continued to do business for several years. The firm dissolved, and John Noyes and Rutherford Hayes uni- ted their fortunes and opened a store in a large two-story building, painted red, which still stands on the east side of the green, and is now occupied by a vener- able cordwainer. A portion of the sec- ond story was fitted up as a ball-room, and here in ye olden time the rustic belles and beaus were wont to tip a light fantastic toe to the music of the violin. The ceiling, from which great patches of plaster have fallen, is arched, and along the aides of the haU are per- manent slats, innocent of paint, which have grown brown with age. The place is destitute of ornament or furniture, contains a spinning-wheel and several old chests and trunks. In this building Mr. Hayes carried on business between the years 1812 and 1817. The kitchen and porch of the house, now owned and occupied by Mrs. Asa Knight,were built by Mr. Hayes and are still in a good degree of preservation. One of his children, a. son, born in this house was drowned while skating on the Ohio river a few years after the family emigrated to Ohio." It was a little singular, that while these facts were being obtained at the house of Mrs. Knight, the photograph DUjMMERSTON. 101 of Miss Mary Birchard, the cousin of President Hayes, who fell a victim to the Ashtabula disaster, should be pres- ented. Traditions illustrative of the character of the lather of the President who is proBomjced a very " set" msn "who had to be coETinced that ii thing was right before he would do it are rife among the older residents, and to these the visit of the son, with honor crowned has an added interest." JONAS MA.NX, who was in trade with Noyes and Hayes, married Mary Negus, daughter of Joseph Negus who married Rosanna Miller, sister oi' John B. Miller's father, A daughter of Gen. Mann's married Col. Wm. L. Marcy of New York, sec- retary of war under Polk's administra- ion. Secretary Marcy's daughter was married to Gen. George B, McCIellan making him a distant connection of the Miller family in this town. BIOGRPAPHY AND FAMILY MEMOKIAL PAPERS OF SETTLEES BEFORE 1800, COSTCIUDED. DR. THOMAS AMSDEN. £ Continued from page 95. ] The following information, showing Dr. Amsden's line of ancestry from the first emigrant ancestor down to his own family, has been furnished to the writer by W. U. Amsden, of Lebanon, N. H., while this history was in press : Isaac Amsden came from England to America about 1654. He married Frances Perriman atCambridge. Mass. June 8, 1654. They had two children, Isaac and Jacob. Isaac married Jane Rutter, of Sudbury, at Cambridge, May 17, 1677. They had six children. Abraham, the youngest, bom Oct. 15, 1692, married Hannah Newton, of Marlboro, Mass., Nov. 29, 1722. They had six children. Jacob, the third child, 21 was born May 28, 1728, and married Mary , who died at Dummerston (?) in 1797. Their children were Thomas, the subject of this sketch, born in Petersham, Jane 12, 1752, married Patience, dau. of Capt. Isaac Miller, in 1773 ; Bezaleel, Jacob, and Joel. Dr. Thomas Amsden was a resident of Dummerston during Revolutionary times. He removed with his family to Dana, Mass., where he died in 1811. He was chosen with Capt. Leonard vSpaulding to represent the town at the Legislature in 1778. His children were : Jacob, born June 1, 1774, married Lydia Rice; Polly, m. Joseph Smith ; Lovisa, m. Mr. Elliot ; Martha, m. Reuben Holton, of Dummerston; Justin; Lewis M., m. Sophia D. Wellington ; Lyman fell over- board from the frigate Constitution ; Roxanna, called Rosina, m. Benjamin Chamberlin, of Dummerstcm ; Amory, m. Mary Ormsby ; Fanny, m. " a Bos- ton man ;" Azubah, m. Dea. Wood, of Brattleboro ; Ira ; Reuben and Martha Holton lived, for a time, in the old toll- bridge house at West Dummerston, where she died. His daughter, Fanny, married Luther Thayer, and Martha, her sister, married Alvin Alexander. Benjamin and Roxanna (Amsden) Chamberlin lived where Fred Crosby now resides, and their daughter, Ro- sina, taught school in this town. SAMUEL WAKEFIELD removed from Newfane to this town in 1784. He married Olive , and was a resident of Guilford in 1776, where Samuel, Jr., was born, Oct. 25, 177G, and m. Feb. 11, 1798, Sibyl Belknap of Dummerston. Thomas, son of Samuel, b. in 1779, Obediah, 1781. and Polly, b. 1783, were natives of Newfane. 162 VERMONT HISTOEICAL MAGAZINE. Olive was born in Diimmei-ston, in 1785, Benoni,in 1788, and by a 2d wife, Joseph, in 1790, Elizabeth, in 1792, and LyraaD, in 1798. Olive, the wife of Samuel Wakefield died, 1788. Mr. Wakefield was a resident in the Hague, and firrst bought land of Dan- iel Taylor, and afterward made sales of land to Seth Briggs, Jesse Manley, aird John Whitney. Mr. Whitney was neighbor to Mr. Wakefield, and his son, John Whit- ney Jr., married Sarah Content Wil- son, May 28, 1839. DEA. THADDEUS THATEK married Rhobee Titus [ ?] of Chester- field, N. H., and had a family of 12 children. Adin, the eldest, born Jan. 29, 1785, m. Mary Ball ; Otis, Rhobee, no record of marriage ; Lewis married Lucine, dau. of Vespasian Miller, 2d, Thaddeus ; Jonathan m. Sally, dau. of Asa Button, Oct. 1816 ; Ebenezer ; Luther, married 1st, Fanny Holton, 2d, Polly Pierce ; Martha ; Lydia, married Frazier Campbell, of Westminster, Jan. 4, 1827 ; Hannah, m. Frederic Porter ; Betsey. Rhobee, wife of Dea. Thayer, died Oct. 24, 1817, aged 58. The children of Jonathan and Sally Thayer were Asa, Stephen, Otis, Lor- enzo D.. Jonathan, Sarah A., Samuel C, Martha A., Sarah C, 2d. The children of Luther and/ Fanny were Henry W., Charles H., and Fanny E. JOHN FLARIDA and family. The aame is now written Florida. John Flarida, Sen. died Nov. 11, 1785, aged 35 His widow. Silence Flarida, married William Winn, Oct. 3, 1817, aged 63. John and Silence Flarida came to this town from Shrewsbury, Mass. It is not known how long he had been a res^ ident when he bought a farm in the northeast part of the town, containing: 58 acres for $1400. Their children were : John Jr. , b, Dec. 5, 1775 j d. M_r. 11, 1811 ;, James m. Arathusa Moore, Apr. 2, 1803 ; Sarah ; Persia ;, Betsey, m. Jonas Clark ;. Ezra, mi. Catharine Clark ; Joel. The children of Ezra and Catharine Flarida were : Henrietta, Joel, Cath- arine, George, Augusta, and Adaline, who married, 1st, George Norcross, of Chesterfield, N. H., 2d, Alexander Rockwell. Hem-ietta mamed Warren Bingham ; Catharine, m. Reed Paine ;, Augusta, m. E. W. Hildreth. BENJAJirSl WHITNEY. was in town before 1 781 . His daughter Esther, married Washington Burnham, Apr. 21 , 1799. Their daughter, Polly, m,arried, 1st, James Sargeant, Jan. 18, 1817, who lived several years on the farm now owned by Lewis H. Lynde, and 2d, William Bemis. Washington Burnham was drowned and his widow married a second time and removed from town. She had two sisters Sally and Polly. Sally m. 1st, Wm. Kelley, Feb. 14, 1802 ;, 2d, Wm. Crosby. Feb. 9, 1810. PoUy m. 1st, Elijah W. Stearns, May 1, 1807 ; 2d, Nathan Adams. Henry Whitney, who married Fanny Miller, was a nephew of Benjamin. Of their children, Betsy, b">rn about 1802, m. Noble Holton, Jan. 24, 1821. Their children were Betsey, b. Feb. 6, 1822, Noble, b. May 22, 1823, Marion, b. Nov. 10, 1824, Sarah, b. Apr. 21, 1835 ; Lydia, m. Jerry Perry of Put- ney, Oct. 23, 1828 ; Fanny, married Worden Babcock, June 15, 1829 ; Mary DUMMERSTON. 163 (Dolly) m. Wm. Rice ; Hannah mar. a Plympton The other children of Henry Whitney were Maria, Catharine Freedom, Lucy, William, Henry, and Charles. A daughter of Mr. Worden Babcock marriacl Pc^rter Spencer of Brattleboro. BENJAMIN HADLEY. Resided in the south part of the town n«ar Joshua Wilder's and bought his farm of Wilder Rice, his deedbeing dated Feb. 12, 1791. He married Abigail Spaaldingof Brattleboro. Their children were ; Rufus b, Feb. 9, 1797 m. Joanna, dan. of Joseph Bemis. Lucinda, b. Apr. 21, 1798, married Daniel Attridge ; Benjamin, Jr., b. Mar. 3, 1800, m. Betsey, dau. of Joshua Bemis ; Sybil, b. July 31, 1802, died unmar- ried, aged 26 years. Elvira, b. Jan. 14, 1807, m. William Barrett. Wilson, b. Sept. 19, 1809, m. Olive Bryant ; Lewis, b. Jan. 1816, m. Maria T. Whipple. Benjamin Hadley, sen., died in 1833, aged 64. The children of Rufus were Laurilla J., Edward, Charles, Laura Ann, Horace, Warren, and Evaline. Lewis Hadley resides on the parental farm. EbenezerHadley,brother to Benjamin, m. Jemima. He bought a farm of Joshua Bemis in 1787 ; children : Eben- ezer, Jr., b. in Brattleboro, Mar. 2, 1782, m. Sibyl Bemis, Oct. 6, 1814. Jonathan, b. in Dummerston, June 3, 1784 ; Levi, 1786 ; Benjamin, 1788. Jacob Hadley, m. Molly Rice, Nov. 20, 1788. Samuel Hadley, m. Betsey Wilder, Feb. 19, 1801. ASA WHITE. lived near the Joseph Temple place. He married Nov. 27, 1791, Martha How, and both came from Wardsboro. Their children were Annis, Joanna, Ebenezer, Asa, John, and Isaac. Annis married .f ustus Scott, of Westmoreland, N. H., and removed to that town where her husband tended for several years what is now called Putney lower ferry. The parents of Mrs. White were Benjamin and Zerviah How. Their children were Sarah, b. May 16, 1766 ; Lydia, Zerviah, Alice, James, Molly, Patty (Martha), Daniel, and Betty. LEVI CARYL Married Lucy Alvord, May 26, 1791, Children; Betty, C. Dec. 9, 1791; Levi, 1794 d. infant; Levi, Aug. 8, 1798, m. Betsey Bemis, Aug. 17, 1817, had Charles, Lucy Jane, Horace and Mary; Eli, b. June 17, 1800; Asa, 1802 ; Syrene, 1803 ; Rebecca, 1805. Lucy Jane, m. Benjamin Ripley, Nov. 6, 1825 ABIJAH CARYL married Anna Warriner, Aug. 27 1792, Children: Polly, born Nov. 6, 1793, Moses, Apr. 20, 1795 : Lydia, Jan. 24, 1797 ; Sally, May 4, 1799 ; Charlotte, June 13, 1801 ; Orin, 1803 ; Willard, 1807 ; Melvina, 1811. Sally, m. Ammi Fletcher of Westford, Mass., Mar. 5 1818. ASA CARYL, brother of Abijah, had Asa, Jr., who m. Submit Pierce, Jan. 4, 1816. He d. Jan. 22. 1830. Asa Sen. d. Jan. 9, 1820. Lydia Caryl, m. Nov. 3, 1-795, Nathaniel Mastick. Sally Caryl, sister of Asa senior, died May 8, 1861, aged 85. Her sister, Polly, married Mos3s Cutter of New Braintree, Mass., 164 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE Oct. 30, 1784 ; children : Ephraim, b. in White Creek, July 22, 1785 ; Persis, b. in Marlboro, Mar. 8, 1787, m. 1st, Mr. Babcock, 2c!, Jedediah Estabrook, Sept. 16, 1810; Polly, b. in Rocking- ham, Nov. 13, 1789 ; Patty, b. in Dum- merston, Feb. 3, 1791 ; Lovice, b. Sept. 30, 1792, married Dec. 7, 1812, Lyman Walker. Moses Cutter died about 1802 and his widow m. 2d, Jacob Town, May 19, 1803. SAMUEL POKTER, ESQ and Mehetabel, his wife j children : Samuel Wadsworth, b. Nov. 4, 1792: Henry Lee, Dec. 28, 1794; Frederick Augustus, Sept. 5, 1796 ; Sophia Char- lotte, Aug. 26, 1798 ; George Wash- ington, July 23, 1800 ; Serena Stella June 8, 1802 ;, Aurelia Pbilinda, July 25, 1804 J Charles Edward, Sept. 2, 1806. Samuel Porter, Esq., died Feb. 19, 1810, aged 46 years. The wife of Hon. Saarael Porter was Mehetabel Fletcher, eldest daughter of Maj. Gen. Samuel Fletcher, and she was living in Springfield, about 1850 aged 90 years. SAMUEL W. P0RTEE,ESQ. Samuel W. Porter, th« eldest son of Judge Samuel Porter, removed from Dnmmerston to Springfield about the year, 1822. He died in that town Aug. 1882, in his 90th year. He had lived in Springfield 60 years, was in the Legislature in 1827 8, was County Judge from 1828 to 1838, and was a member of the Council of Censors and of the first Senate in 1836—7. He was Town Clerk 33 consecutive years, declining a re-election 18 months before his death. [ A more complete, history of Hon. Samuel W. Porter may be expected to appear with the history of Springfield when published.] POST-OFFICE BUSINP^SS. In looking up the post-office history for this town, we supposed that a post- office record was kept by each post- master and handed down trom one to another who succeeded to that office ; but upon inquiry we foumd oo such con- tinuous record was kept. Previous to 1811 or '12, the people of Dunmaerston and many other towns surrounding Brattleboro, got their mail at that post- office. Charles Miller was the first postmaster here and held the ofHce at the time of his death, Apr. 2, 1820. Edwin Sargeant next held the office for a short time and was succeeded by Lewis Henry who held the place till 1832, when Luther Allyn vraa appointed who held the office 21 years. In 1853', the post-ofSce was removed from the taverni kept by Mr. Allya near the Birchard place on the road fr jm. Brat- tleboro to Putney, to Slab Hollow, and was kept by Wlllard C. Wilkins two or three years until Randolph A. Knight was appointed. He remained in the office till Sept. 1st, 1861, at which time Wm. O. Miller received the place and is the present postmaster in 1879. At the time, Mr. Knight was appointed, the post-office was removed to Dummer- ston Centre. WEST DCMMERgTQN POST-OFFICE. was first kept by Elder Ziba Howard, . and he had the following successors to that office : Dea. John Greenwood, Nelson W. Willard, David Aiken, Charles Tafl, Elihu M. Wilson, John K. Leonard, and Noah B. Samson, who is the present postmaster. A record of the post-office business has to be kept and sent to Washington every mouth, or, quarter, and a copy ought, in every town, to be filed with the Town Clerk. 6^7^ m!>^ UUMMERSTOX. 165 SPELLING-BOOK MAKER. " utrjiMEKSTON, May 1,. 1802 " District of Vermont — To wit: (L. S.) Be it remembered, that on the third day of April, in the twenty-sixth year year of the Independence of the United States of America, Abncr Kneeland, of said District, hath deposited in this Office the Title c)f a book, the right whereof he claims as Author ; in the words following, to wit : ' The Child's Spelling Book, containing Easy Words from one to four Syllables, intermixed with Lessons of Easy Words to teach Children to read and to know their duty. By Abner Kneeland, School Master. — Lear'i, this book and you shall have one bigger.' Cephas Smith, Clerk. The above Work will be published immediately. Price 12 1-2 cts. Also, TheAmerii;an Definition Spelling Book. Price 37 1-2 cts." Probably these are the only books that have ever been published by a Dummerston author. BIOGRAPHY CONCLUDED, so far as the writer has been able to obtain it from their desendants, of the families in Dummerston, except, those in West Dummerston, that will be giv- en together in another chapter. WORDEN FAMILY. Peter Woeden was the emigrant ancestor of the Wordens in this country and from him have descended at. the present time 11 generations in America. He came, probably, from Clayton, Lan- cashire, in England, and after a short rnsidence iu Lynn, was among the early, if not the first settlers in Yarmouth, Mass, His will dated Feb. 9, 1638, is on record at Plymouth, Mass. It was proved. Mar. 5, 1638. He is called "Peter ye eld-,r" in the record. It is supposed he was born about 1568 and died at the age of 75. Peter Worden, 2d, was his only son and was made executor of the will. He inherited all his father's estate in Amer- ica. In 1676, he was one of the largest tax-payers in Yarmouth. His will is dated Jan. 9, 1680 and was proved Mar. 8, 1681. He was born probably in England in 1609 and died at the age of 72 years. His wite, Mary Sears ? or Winslow? died, 1687. Samuel, a son of Peter, 2d, was a physician ; was born 1646 ; m. Hopestill Holley, 1665 ;, removed to Stonington, Ct., before 1715 and died 1716, aged 71.. Peter, 3d, son of Samuel, was born in* Yarmouth 1668, m. Mary Holley 1693 ;. d. Nov. 18, 1732, aged 64. One of his two sons named in his will was Peter Worden, Jr., 4th, a blacksmith. He married Rebecca Richmond, lived in Westerly, R. I., and had 10 children. His son, John, born 1724? m. Dorothy Satterly, and they were the parents of. John, 2d, Nathan, Joseph, and Hannah', born 1761, who married Maj. William Miller, of Dummerston., the father of "Uncle Asa." nathen wobden was a Baptist preacher and moved to Westmoreland, N. H., 1778, thence to Chesterfield, 1786, where he preached several years, extending his labors to Keene, Dummerston and adjoining towns. Sylvester, another son of Peter, 4th, b 173")? m. Rebecca, daughter of Ichabod Eccleston. In May 1780. he came with his fanaily to Halifax, where he died before 1818. Peter, son of Sylvester, born Feb. 20, 1766, m. Sep. 17, 1788, Rachel Hale who lived to be 100 years old. He died in Halifax, aged 48 ; J. Edson, his son. b. 1808, attended the common and high schools of that town, and, for a time, the academy in West Brattle- 166 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. boro ; taught school, successfully, for 13 winters, in Halifax, Leydon, Mass., Guilford, Putney, and Dummerston. He became a resident of this town in 1830, and married, May 27, 1834, Eliza B., dau. of Ira and Jemima (Ward) Haven. They had three children of whom Gertrude E. and Gertrude L. E. died in childhood, and Eddie R. d. Aug. 14, 1864, aged, 13years. Mrs.Worden died Feb. 21, 1882, aged 67, and Mr. Worden is the only one left of a family of 12 children most of whom lived to be quite aged. His occupation has been farming, and the place which he now owns and culti- vates was settled by Thomas Clark in 1770. He has been prominent in town business many years ; was selectman in 1860 and '61, has served as deputy sher- iff, constable and collector, and has been chosen many times moderator of the an- nual town meetings ; and has been many years, and still is, a justice of the peace. WILDER FAMILY, [ Continued from page 148. '\ Additional information in regard to Joshua Wilder is that probably an an- cestor of his lived in Shrewsbury in 1732. Ward m his history of Shrews- bury, Mass., says Joshua Wilder (prob- ably from Lancaster), m. Sarah, dau. of Maj. John Keyes, Dec. 21, 1731, ajd was then called of Shrewsbury. She was added to the church in 1728. The children were Rosinah, b. July 1, 1732, the only one whose birth is on record here ; John, baptized Dec. 4, 1748. As there is no other record of John than that he was baptized here, it is not probable that he was born in town. Joshua Wilder was one of the first settlers in Princeton, Mass. This town joins Rutland fi'om which several families removed to Dummerston. Some writer in a brattleboro paper in 1848, reports having seen "four gen- erations in the field ;" and writes of the mowing-bee, briefly mentioned in the notice of Mr. Wilder in the chapter of the old military men of Dummerston. Says the writer in the paper nam3d, we witnessed a scene a few days since on the farm of Messrs. Wilder in Dum- merston, which illustrates in a marked degree, the health-giving, and life pro- longing tendency of the farming occupa- tion in New England when pursued with industry, frugality, and temperate habits. It was a mowing match par- ticipated in by four distinct generations. The mowers took their places in the field, and Joshua Wilder, a patriarch of ninety summers, after examining with a practiced eye the hanging and the edge of his scythe, led off with his usual quick and easy stroke, followed in suc- cession by his son, Dea. Dan Wilder, his grandson, Leroy Wilder, Esq.. and his great-grandson, Wallace Wilder. If his great-great-grandson, living in another part of the country had been on the ground to spread the swathes, as he could have done, it would have added to the novelty and interest of the scene. A distance of twenty-five rods and back was mowed, the venerabls leader keep- ing his place in front with little or no apparent fatigue. All reside on the same farm and cultivate it in common. They carry on the tanning business and perform other mechanical labor, also produce all the necessaries of life. At 88 years of age, Joshua Wilder built a covered wagon in which representatives of the four generations on pleasant Sab- bath mornings, may be seen wending their way to church." ELIAS WILDER lived on the Stephen Dutton place not far from Joshua Wilder's, but was not dumme:eston. 167 related to him as far as we are informed. His eldest daughter, Dolly, b. 1773, m. George Miller. The youngest of his ten children, Abigail, b. 1796, married Solomon Lawton, brother of Asa Law- tou, now 87 years old and the only per- son living in town who remembered Elias Wilder, who died Jan. 14. 1808, aged 56. SAMUEL WILDER and Huldah his wife were the parents of Joel, b. 1779, Ephraim, Calvin. Joel, m. Roxany Prior, Feb. 19, 1801. AaT-on Wilder, m. widow Joanna CraWford, Dec. 26, 1784. Charles Wilder, m. Sarah Spaulding, Oct. 27, 1782. TILLY VFILDER lived sixty years ago near the old bridge place just east of the school house now standing in Dis. No. 6. He married, probably, Mary Livermore, who died Apr. 15, 1832, aged 80. They had three daughters : Mary, m. an Allen and had three children, Ebenezer, Amos and Fanny ; Lucinda, unmarried ; Re- becca, m. Ebenezer Sparks, whose first wife was a Hodgkins. Tilly Wilder died Nov. 3, 1824, aged 74. His name does not appear in the tax list of 1810, but Lucinda is taxed that year, probably for the house in which they lived. She and Rebecca were tailoresses, and are remembered by aged persons as occupying a room in which the windows were oiled paper instead of glass and required to be changed or renewed several times a year. ZENAS WILLIS. Mr. Willis was a clothier and lived in the house which stood near the bridge that crosses Salmon brook east of the house now owned by William Wheeler. His wife was Dorcas Peterson? and they had two children, Samuel P., b 1810, and Dorcas S., 1818, both of whom died young. Chinery Puffer boarded with Mr. Willis and studied medicine with Dr. Isaac Knapp, Joseph Duncan, Jr. m. Mariah Blake, an adopted daughter of Mr. Willis. WINSLOW DDTTON. Mr. Dutton was born Sept 12, 1805, in Newfane, to which place his parents, Samuel and Abigail (Hodgkins) Dutton removed from Dummerston in 1804 and returned in 1820. He worked on a farm until he was of age, and spent the fol- lowing winter lumbering in the forests of Hinsdale, N.H. Failing health re- quired a change of employment. He returned to Dummerston and decidedto be a wheelwright, and became an appren- ice to Asa Miller, Dec. 19 1827, whose shop and dwelling-house were located at Slab Hollow, a small village on Sal- mon brook. In 1829, he bought the carding-ma- chine and carded wool in connection with other work for 9 years. He began business for himself at carriage-making Jan. 1, 1830, and during the following summer, built the carriage-shop in which he has worked at his trade 52 years. The old sign on the shop was painted by John Woodbury, and exhibits in addition to Mr. Dutton's name, an anti- que, high-back sleigh, an old-fas- hioned wagon in use before the thorough-brace, and a wheel that reminds t .e observer of a velocipede without a rider. In 1835, he bought Asa Miller's carriage-shop which was pulled down and on the site built the dwelling-house in which he now resides. In 1841, he built the house now owned and occupied by Manor Smith, who married Mr. Dutton's sister, Linda. The house now 168 VEEMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. occupied by Charles Button, his son, was built by Mr. Button in 1842, and is within a few rods of the parental homestead. Mr. Button was representative for the town at the State capital in 1848 and in 1849 ; he was a good citizen, and a good mechanic and an indus- trious man. When customers called at his shop, they always found him busy at the work-bench, and ever ready to welcome his inany friends. He was twice married, 1st to Lavilla Holton, Jan. 27, 1830, 2d to Esther Miller, dau of Wm. and Esther Knight Miller, with whom he is now living. He had 7 children, all by the first mar- riage — Amandarin, Barney, Charles, Baniel K., Eunice L., Helen Maria, Henry Marshall. The mother of these children died Jan. 22, 1854. Only two of them are now living, Charles, who married Sophia Sargeant, Oct. 3, 1860, and Helen M , who married Henry H Miller, June 5, 1861. STEPHEN BUTTON, son of Asa and Polly (Tarble) Button b. June 24, 1801, m. Electa, dau. of Calvin Sargent of Brattleboro, Apr. 16, 1826, died' Oct. 29, 1876; children: Stephen L., b. June 8, 1827 ; Caroline b. Nov. 24, 1837.; Emeline, b. Aug. 10, 1843, m. H. E. Taylor, d- Feb- 8 1877. ELIJAH GIBBS married Hephzibah, dau. of Capt. John Wyman. Children : Sally, b. Bee. 24, 1791, m. and re- moved to Windham, Sophronia, born Apr. 22, 1797, m. Lyman French, Jan. 1, 1821 ; Larkin, b. Aug. 23, 1805, m. Laura Wellman of Brookline, Oct. 14, 1827. The children of Larkin and Laura Gibbs were Alanson, who married Lucy Bingham ; Loisa, m. Anson S. Spencer ; Walter, m. Helen Rice ; Bon Carlos, married Eliza Bugbee ; Frank ; Henri ; Hester, m. George S. Cook ; Lucy, m. Frank Knight ; Helen ; Sarah. SAMUEL GIBBS, probably a brother of Elijah, m. Lucy Cutter, Nov. 25, 1790 ; children : Sam- uel Jr. b. 1791, d. 1792; James; b. Nov. 9, 1792 ; Samuel ; Joseph ; Han- nah ; Bergamin ; Lucy ; Elijah ; Mary The mother of whom died July 5, 1805, WILLIAM WHEELER. married Sarah Smith. Their children were : Francis B., b. Feb. 19, 1811, mar- ried Abigail, dau. of Luther Miller; William, b. Mar. 5, 1813, married Philinda,dau. of Br Isaac Knapp ; Sarah, b. May 27, 1816, m. I. Milton Knapp ; Joel S., b. Apr. 22, 1818, m. Phila, dau. of Jolm Miller. JOHN F. STEAENS. came to tliis town from West Brattlebo- ro and was, for a time, a clerk in the store of Noyes and Hayes He married Widow Catharine [Knapp] Alexander. Children : Susan, b. Oct. 24. 1820, m. Hon- George Sheldon of Beerfield, Mass. Frances W., b. Nov. 11, 1822, m. 1st, Jonathan R. Childs of Springfield, Mass. Jan. 1, 1846, 2d, Geo.A. Arms ; Sarah, b. Aug. 9, 1824. m. Luther ■ Bustle of Brattleboro, Jan. 31, 1865 LOYAL SMITH. married, Ist, Nov. 13, 1827, Nancy Pierce ; 2d. Mary, dau. of Jonas and Polly Walker, Jan. 15, 1844. Children : Clementia, b, Feb. 22, 1831, married George Cook ; -*^^-i^ As-i^ ^2^^^"^^^ . DUMMERSTON. 169 Nancy L, b.. Sept.ll, 1834i Ceylon, b. Mar. 6, 1838 ; Loyal, b. July 27, 1840 ; Sidney, h. May 1. 1843 ; Dwight T. b. Feb. 14, 1845, mar- ried Emogeae Boyce of Fayston and resides in Dubuque, Iowa, He holds a colonel's commission and is (1883) a member of the Governor's staff, MILLER FAMILY ^Continued from page- 136.2 HON. THOMAS MILLEE son of Marshal and Abigail (Haven) Miller, was bom, Apr. 12, 1783. All his life, except the last few years, was spent in Dummerston. He was a labor- ious and successful citizen, a prominent actor in matters pertaining to the wel- fare of his native town, as lister, select- man and town agent. He was chosen associate judge of the Windham County Court in 1847 and 1848. He was among the first of his towns- men to advocate temperance and was a firm frieud of the temperance cause as long as he lived, — his oft repeated coun- sel to his boys, being, " Touch not taste not, handle not." He died in Brattleboro, Mar. 25, 1865, aged nearly 82. His widow is still living (1884) in the 94th year of her age. She was Harriet Moore and married Mr. Miller in the spring of 1810. Their children were Chester, a teacher, m. 1st, Caroline EatoTi, 2d, Mary Cune ; Lydia L., died young; Harriet Marcia, m. Chamberlin Wilder ; Lucy L.. m. a Mr. Gate ; James Monroe, a teacher, went south and married a lady in Ten- nesee ; Lovinia, a teacher, married John DwineH ; Lestina, a teacher, m. James Reed of Brattleboro ; Robert Dexter ; Ozro, a soldier, m. Ellen, dau. of Jacob Laughton ; Walter m. 1 st, alady in Cali- fornia, 2d, a widow in Halifax, Vt. ; Julia, m. Newell Walker ; Electa, a 22 teacher, m. 1st, Rev. C. D. Jefferds, 2d, a Mr. Woodburn ; Celia died about the age of 14 years. EEV. ROBERT DEXTEB MILLER, son of Hon. Thomas Miller, was born in Dummerston, Sept. 23, 1824; pre- pared for college at the Ellington High school, Ct. , and Brattleboro Academy ; graduated from Amherst College in 1848, and from the Theological Institute of Connecticut in 1852. He was prin- cipal of Purdy Academy in Tennessee, in 1849 and 1850 ; was ordained to the ministry at North Wardsboro in 1856. His work in the ministry has been chiefly in Vermont, one year in New Hamp- shire, and a few years in Massachusetts. He is now, 1884, preaching in West Hartford, Vt. "'The writer heard Mr. Miller preach in Dummerston when vis- iting his relatives and the old homestead, and can say that his sermons were ably written, well delivered, sound in doc- trine, instructive and interesting to his hearers. Mr. Miller published a book several years ago, containing a life sketch of his brother-in-law. Rev. C. D. Jefferds with many selections from his sermons, and essays written while in college. He also published a sermon, ' written by himself, on The Great Rebel- lion. Mr. Miller has been twice married. His 1st. wf. was SaraB Lucretia Dutton of Brattleboro, the 2d. Eliza Chamber- lain Cook of Gill, Mass. He has six children. A son of his prep'sred for college at Kimball Union Academy, N. H., and was graduated from Middlebury Coll- ege in 1882. MAJOR OZEO MILLER, A brother of Rev. R. D. Miller, vras bom Dec. 7, 1826 ; enlisted in the army against the Great Rebellion and was 170 VEEMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. chosen captain of the Shelburne Falls, Mass. Co. He was a resident of Shel- burae Falls at that time, and had a wife and three small children. His partners in business presented him a ri-fle which he used with good effect while com- manding his men in the battle of Fair Oaks before Kichmond. For gallantry in that battle, he received a Major's Commission. While in command of| his regiment, the Mass. 10th, soon' afterwaid, he received a mortal wound through the lungs, was left on the field, taken prisoner and carried to Libby Prison in Richmond. He was wounded, July 2, 1862, and died in the prison, July 15, 1862. One of the men in his company, imprisoned with him, minis- tering to hi& relief and aware that his life would soon close, inquired whether be had any word to leave for his friends. He replied : " Tell them I died like a true soldier, tor my country." He once wrote to his brother, while in camp : " My country called for able-bodied men of whom I was one. It was doubtlesb my duty to enlist, and if I may but be assured leaving my children as good an inheritance as I have re- ceived, I shall be satisfied whatever my lot may be." DANA MILLER, a son of William and (Esther) Knight- Miller, was a college graduate. His name should appear on page 136 immed- iately after the name of Edwin H., son' of Wm. O. Miller, not brother as there printed. Dana Miller graduated from Dartmonth college in 1843. His ante- collegiate studies were in Townshend and what follows this statement in that sketch is descriptive of him. Wm. 0. was constable and collector 40 not 48 years. His parents were married Sept. 11, 1814. WILLIAM DANA MILLER, a son of Wm. O., graduated from Wil- liams college in 1882, and is now, 1884, principal of the graded school in West Stockbridge, Mass. A.MSBL lEWIN MILLER, son of Joseph and Sophia (Arms ) Miller, graduated from Williams college in the class of 1881 and chose medicine as nis profession. He entered the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, from which he graduatedy May 1, 1884. Following the advice of his instruct- ors, he sought and obtained a situation in a large hospital on Blackwells Island near the city. Among the 19 applicants for the eight vacancies at the time, he ranked No. 2 in the competitive exam- ination. MAJOR CHARLES DANA MILLER, His paper for the Miller family, printecE on pages 45 and 50 inclusive, was first published in the History of Licking Co. Ohio, in 1881. The corrections are : for Edward, whoi conquered the Rets, read Edwin ; inhab- itance, inhabitants ; persons, persones : about seventy, above seventy • page 46, 20th line, after Miller, insert born in Worcester, Mass. in 1756 ; Sixth James Miller ; 2d column, for sinsterread sin- ister ; mulct, mulets ; bands, band ; put a semicolon between paws and motto in 23d line; page 48, paernal, patefnaU 25th line, read of Gilman Bryant ; page 49, 2d column, for lists read list ; prin- ciple, principal. THOMAS CLARK. [^Continued from page 96.'] He became a resident of the town in 1770, not 1760 as printed in the sketch ; Thomas, Jr. was born in 1777, not 1767; died Nov. 24, 1865 not 1765; John Clark married Sarah Stockwell, DUMMERSTON. 171 Mar. 31, 1818, not June 10, 1810; George W., married in 1844, not 1644. Amasa Clark m. Arathusa Whitcomb, Oct. 24, 1813. Their eldest daughter was Catharine Trowbridge. The father of Arathusa was Jonathan "Whitcomb who became a resident of this town, with his brother Calvin soon after 1810. Hannah, a sister of Arathusa, mar- ried Ephraim Park of Newfane ; Patty- married Presson Taft of Putney ; Luke, a minister, married Esther, daughter of Dr. Jonathan Moore ; Luther married a daughter of Peter Hazelton ; Silas married Mrs. Sally (Button) Creorge. Jonathan Whitcomb m. 2d Molly Merrick. Maj. Gren. Artemas Ward died Oct. 28, 1800, not 1700 as printed. JOHN FRENCH JR. whose name appears in the sketch of Micah French on page 105 was the son of John French, whose family record is on pages 96 and 97. ^ REV. ABNEE KNEELAND , " was a resident of Dummerston in 1797. He married "Waitstill — ^. One child, Waitstill, recorded, born Nov. 26, 1797. Mr. Kneeland was married four times and had ten children. He became a . minister and was the author of several \ volumes. He was bom in Gardner, ' MaisT^ Apr. 7, 1 774, and died in Farm- ington. Van Buren Co. Iowa, Aug. 27. 1844. He began his ministerial career, as a Baptist in 1801, after his removing from this town. r "We will now give, at the close of these family papers for this part of the town, a paper from the Historian who has very carefully read the proofs,* and which besides giving a corrigenda for the pages printed has considerable addi- tional information concerning the par- ties represented. ] COL. JOHN SARGEANT. [^Continued from page 24.] Col. Sargeant was born Dec. 4, 1732 ; Thomas, born Feb. 23, 1736 ; Abigail, born 1737; Eufus, born 1740; Mary, born 1742. The history of Northfield, Mass. and the writer of " Historical Notes " in The "Vermont Phoenix, Mar. 1876, led us astray in this family record. The father of Col. John had no brother James as stated on page 23. THOMAS SARGEANT, a brother of the Colonel, married Anna Stebbins and their children were Elihu, born May 3, 1758 ; Anna, born June 18, 1760 ; Calvin, born Nov. 9, 1763 ; Electa, born Oct. 31, 1765 ; Luther, born May 15, 1768 ; Susanna, born Jan. 5, 1770 ; Erastus, born Nov. 16, 1771 ; Roxana ; Eoswell, born Nov. 27, 1776 ; Henry. -' ' ELIHUE SAKGEANT. married Mary Kathan and their children ^ere Elihu, b. Nov. 13, 1780 ; Molly ; Clarissa ; Thomas ; Alexander ; Ches- ter ; George. The father died Dec. 1, 1833. Charles C. Frost, the owner of the old Bible, printed in 1731, containing the Kathan and Sargeant family record, mentioned on page 13, died Mar. 16, 1880. Since his death, no trace of the old Bible can be found. Eli Sargeant m. Elizabeth Gorton not Mary Kathan as stated on page 24. These Briefs to be continued a few pages later. *Sinoe printed. 172 VEEMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZIJfE. CHUECH HISTOEY. CHAPTER III. Ct^NGKEGATIONAL CHUKCH. ^Continued from page 157, concluded. J CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL. The earliest history of the Sunday school in this towH dates back to about 1820. SooB after that date Miss Han- nah Wells of Brattleboro held meetings in several of the school-houses in the east part of the town, chaBging about in the diiferent districts as required for the accommodation of the pupils, who were formed into classes to study the catechism, recite verses from the Bible, memorize hymns, and learn the morn- ing and evening prayer. These meetings, or schools, led to the organization of a Sunday school at the church during the ministry of Rev. Hosea Beckley. Dea. Abel Haven was ' probably the first Sunday school super- intendent. Dea. Asa Burnap, Eev. Nelson Barbour, Asa Lawton, Eev. Augustus Chandler and Leavitt E. Bond hKve held the same position in the order named. Mr. Bond is the superintendent for 1884 and has served since May 1872. The number of teachers and officers, June 1, 1884, was 13 ; scholars over 20 years of age, 33 ; under 20 years, 28 ; total 61 ; total membership 74 ; average attendance about 60. LIBRARY. contains about 400 volumes. Jonathan French was the first librarian and had charge of a sniall collection of books kept in a trunk and located in the dea- con's seat. J. Edson Worden succeeded Mr. French and served forty years. — Myron F. Button is the present librarian and was chosen in 1883. CHURCH STATISTICS. The average attendance on public wor- ship is about 80, — the maximum, 130. The number of, male members in the church is 23, female 66, total 89. The deacons at the present time are Leroy Wilder, Adin A. Dutton and Richard P. Pratt. THE. CHURCH CHOIR. It is said that Judge Jason Duncan was the first leader of the choir. He was* succeeded by his son, Joseph Duncan, Esq. The principal leaders since his time are William Knapp,Chinery Puffer, Jonas Bennett, and Joseph Miller, Esq., who is the present leader and has served many years. During the leadership of Joseph Duncan, the key was sounded with a wooden pitch-pipe. The first instrumental music was furnished by four musicians, Asa and Sylvester Dut ton, violinists, Franklin Dix, cornet or post-horn, and Joseph Miller, bass-viol, The seraphine was first rased in the choir about 1850. An Estey organ was- bought a few years ago, and in the spring of 1884, a new Estey organ of superior tone and quality took its place. Mrs. William O. Miller is the organist for the present year, 1884, and has served very acceptably as organist for 28 years. C)thers have rendered good service at times when she could not be present. All the members of the choir, whether of long or sliort service, are entitled to much credit for the important part they perform in public worship. Previous to the use of the violin and cornet in the choir, the following per- sons at different times played the bass viol, Oscar Cooledge, who was a mer- chant in Slab Hollow about 55 years ago, Joel Knight Jr. Samuel G-. Dun- can, and Nelson French. THE OLD MEETING-HOUSE. PAGE 83. Put a period in place of the comma after in, 6th line, 2d column, and let July 1783 be the date for finishing the porch. DUMMERSTON. 173 Omit 60x60, as no size is stated except for the second porch. The house was plastered in 1 794 at an expense of $1 00. Apr. 25, 1676, should read 1776. When the pews were built, the board-seats were hung on hinges so as to turn up against the side of the pew for conven- ience in standing during prayer-time ; and as the congregation resumed their seats, these were let down with a zeal that betokened some interest in this part of the ceremony. The following stanza from a poem read by Samuel Burnham at the centen- nial celebration of the town of Rindge, N H. , will describe the scene : " And when at last tlae loud Amen Fell from aloft, tiow quickly then The seats came down with heavy rattle, Like musketry in fiercest hattle. " EEV. MOSES H. WELLS came from Claremont, N. H. to Dum- merston and began to supply the church, April 1 , 1884 and is the active pastor. He was born in Deerfield, N. H., Aug. 27, 1814 ; fitted for college at Pembroke, N. H., and graduated at Dartmouth col- leo-einl839. He graduated at the The- ological seminary at Andover, Mass., in 1845 ; was ordained at Pittsfield, N. H., Nov. 19, 1845 and dismissed Dec. 1853. He taught in the academy at South Berwick, Me., 2 years; became pastor of the church in Hinsdsle, N. H. in Oct. 1855 where he was a successful pastor for 10 years. He supplied the church at Lyndon, Vt. for 5 years from Apr. 1, 1866 ; began his pastoral care of the church at Waterford, Vt. , July 1, 1871, and remained 7 years. Begin- ning Mar. 1, 1880, he preached three years at Ascutneyville, Vt. Rev. Alfred Stevens, D. D., a class mate of Mr. Wells, recommended him to the church in Dummerston, that had been without a pastor from the time Rev. Mr. Merrill left till the time when Mr. Wells came and preached a few Sabbaths before accepting a call to be- come the resident pastor of the church. The people were very fortunate in securing the services of so able and ex- cellent a minister as Mr. Wells. He and his family will add much to all the influences that work for good in every community. Mr. Wells married 1st, Miss Ann R. Votee, of New York City ; 2d, Miss Emily M. Taylor, of Hinsdale, N. H., His children are Annie M., Charles V., and JpJia Ellen. Annie graduated from Mt. Holyoke Seminary ; taught iu the Seminary 4 years, and is now a teacher in the Hu- guenot Female Seminary at Wellington, South Africa, where she has taught 9 years. Charles is a farmer and manages the farm which his father purchased in Dummerston for himself and family. Julia Ellen, graduated from the Stev- ens High School at Claremont, N. H., and is nqw apupil in Mt. Holyoke Sem- inary for 1883 and 84. OUR PHYSCIANS. DE. DEAN who came here about 1809, had an ex- tensive practice for some years, but broke down at length and left for his native place in Massachusetts. DR. DAVIDSON who was here in 1817 and remained one or two years. DR. JOHN WILSON believed by many to be Captain Thun- derbolt, who died in Brattleboro, 1847. He came to Dummerston in 1819, and lived in what is now called the Samuel Wheeler district. He was a teacher in 174 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE the school there for one or two terms, and also taught one term in district No. 1. He was a peculiar school-master and used the " rod of correction" rather than the ferule. It was not a short stick, as many teachers used in those days rather than let school children be spoiled, but a long sweeping rod with which he could reach from his desk and switch the unruly urchins into obedience without leaving his seat. DR. JONiiTHAN MOORE will be relnembered for a time, at least, on account of his "Essence of Life" which he made by the barrel. Ebeu- ezer Miller who, oftentimes, had serious attacks of asthma, sent for medicine, on one occasion, to Dr. Moore, who sent to him a bottle full of the Essence of Life, which, on being handed to him, he drank the contents off at one dose and felt no bad effects afterwards. Dr, ISAAC BOTDEN, also, should be remembered here, who died Nov. 25, 1837, aged 52 years. — See Boyden family papers, pp. 37-40. DR. CHINERT PUFFER, ■ also who died at Shelburne Falls, Mas- sachusetts, Mar. 6. 1877, aged 73. Dr. Cyrus Butterfield and Dr. "W. R. Woodard were resident physicians here for a time. Dr. S.N. Bemis was the only resident physicsaia in 1879. SCHOOL SUPERVISION. The practice of choosing a committee of several persons to visit the schools, began here in 1828, and the first chosen were Rev. Hosea Beckley, Marshall Miller, Asa Boyden, Josiah Taft, and Jotham Burnett. It continued 6 years, when it came into disrepute, because the towns were not always careful to choose suitable persons. In most towns in the state it was easier to find one competent person for school supervision than to find so many as the law in force required. The law was changed and in 1846, Rev. William N. Barber was chosen town superintendent ; also in 1848. Rev. B. F. Foster was chosen in 1849 and served 16 years and a few months in 1868, when he resigned on account of ill health and Rev. Augustus Chandler was appointed by the select- men to fill the vacancy that year. No superintendent was chosen in 1852 53, '54. Joseph Miller, Esq. , served one year, being chosen in 1857. David L. Mansfield was chosen in 1869 ; continued in service 15 years, and still (1884) holds tl e office of town superintendent. THE HAGUE SCHOOL-HOUSE now stands near the old bridge-place across West river. Districts No. 2 West and No. 7 East, united with No. 6 and a new school-house was built about 1850. The school-house for No. 6 formerly stood near the Reuben Walker place at the foot of the hill near where the roads unite. The first school-house built in the district stood on the rocks in the southeast corner of a pasture near Jonas Walker's farm, north of the road leading to West Dummerston. FATAL ACCIDENTS. Henry Stevens, son of Henry and Relief, aged 5 years, was killed by the fall of a fence, July 20, 1796. Denison, son of Richard and Beda Kilbury, about two years old, drowned June 24, 1810. W. H. Pierce, age 33 years, was drowned in West river April 11, 1825. Nathaniel French, born 1789, was DUMMERSTON. 175 killed by the fall of a tree, aged about 60 years. Ebenezer Randall was so injured, while at work with a team, as to cause Ms death. Dorcas Bemis, 7 years old, dau. of Alanson Bemis, was burned to death by her clotnes taking fire while standing near a stove one morning in the school- house in Dis. No. 1 East,, ttbout 1842. Mrs. Lydia Walker, wife of Reuben Walker, was killed in 1860. She was riding in a wagon, and by the breaking of the king-bolt, was thrown out, caus- ing instant death ; aged 66 years. Daniel Bemis was instantly killed by the fall of a tree, Jan. 18, 1864, aged 44 years. Alfred Roel, 14 years old, son of Charles G. Roel, was kiUed Mar. 20, 1896, by the fall of a tree. He was not hit by the tree, but it fell so near to him, while he was lying on the ground, as to cause his death. Oscar J Herrick, aged about 2 years, son of -J. T. Herrick, was drowned May 3, 1868. This child was one of a family of ten children, all boys. Nine are now living. They have been the main stay in school Dis. No. 3 west, for several years. Such a family of children reminds us of the good old days of the forefathers when a few families furnished many children for the schools, instead of many families furnishing only a few children, as at the present day. Mrs. Mary M. Leonard, widow of the late John K. Leonard, Plsq., was instantly killed Aug. 19, 1881, by being thrown from a wagon ; age 47 years. James McMuUen died Mar. 28, 1861, from his neck being broken by the fall- ing limb of a tree, while chopping in th3 woods. BOENING OF ROGER BIROHARD AND HIS HOUSE. For many years, Mr. Birchard owned and occupied a store situated about 6 miles north of Brattleboro on the road leading from that place up the Connec- ticut valley to Dummerston. It was on the mainline of travel to Bellows Falls. His stoi-e was a large two-story building, painted white, nearly square, with a roof of fore sides, meeting at the ridge. There were several rooms in the store ; and the whole building was filled from cellar to garret with all kinds of goods, ancient and modern, old style and new style, that any merchant could conceive of making not only a place for business with but what may be called a curiosity store. In fact many persons called there more to see what Mr. Birchard had in his store more than for purposes of trade. Here was Mr. Birchard's home. He lived a frugal life. Sometimes he got his -meals for a season away from his store ; but for many years he boarded himself. He lived a single life, and sel- dom did more business than what he could manage himself. At times, he may have had some help in his store. When he became old and somewhat in- firm, his niece, Miss Mary Birchard, of Fayetteville, would sometimes come over to Dummerston and help her uncle a few days about making out his ac counts with customers. She was there only a short time before his death. He was unwilling that she should remain long ; but she had so much anxiety about him on account of the dangers to which he was exposed, that she remain- ed in town visiting with friends nearly two weeks. All were afraid that he would be burned in his store, as all the rooms were much crowded with boxes, barrels 176 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. and goods, so much so that it was very- difficult to get about, even, to get arou'id the little stove which the customers tried to approach that they might warm themselves when the weather was cold. Wood and kindlings were piled high un- der and around the stove. Customers had called his attention to smoking wood under the stove, but he was not pleased with their meddling with his affairs. A lady customer only a day or two before the store was burned, snatched some wood from under the stove that was all a-blaze. Others had done the same thing. On Sunday, Feb. 13, 1870, about 2 o'clock in the night, his store was dis- covered on fire, and the fire had made such progress aU efforts to save even Mr. Birchard were unavailing. A large number of persons soon gath- ered to fight the flames. Their object- ive point was the room where he slept, which was just over the one in which the little stove stood surrounded by its inflammable material. Their utmost endeavor was made to secure even his body from the devouring element. Not until the morning dawned, did they suc- ceed in raiding the charred remains from the deep bed of burning embers and red hot coals. It was carried into a little shop near by where we saw it that morning. Nothing but a blackened, charred trunk and bare skuU remained of the unfortunate man. All his limbs were burned off close to the body. He was born at Wilmington, Aug. 2, 1797, and at the time of his death was in his 73d year. He had many peculiarities, but was honest in all his dealings. We have heard him say that he would give a poor man a debt rather than make him pay it when it would oppress him or his family. The funeral services of Mr. Birchard were held in the Congregational church the following Sunday afternoon. A large number of persons, including many from Putney, Newfane and Brat- tleboro were in attendance. Rev. J. C. Houghton of Burlington, who was sup- plying the pulpit a few Sabbaths in this place, preached the funeral sermon. He mentioned the circumstance of his call- ing to see Mr. Birchard for the first time a few days before his death ; that Mr. Birchard received him kindly, open- ed the way for him to speak of religious matters, and informed him that he read the Bible and worshipped God daily in his chamber. He thanked the minister for his visit, and invited him to call again; " and I should have done so," he remarked, " had I known that his spirit would have been called home in a chariot of fire within six days from that time." During Mr. Birchard's career as a merchant, his store and go(>ds were burned three times, once at Westmin- ster West, and twice in Dummerston. On each occasion the fire was discovered on Sunday morning. The first store that was burned stood just south of the buildings which he last occupied. Very little property was saved. A large quan- tity of cheese was destroyed and men noA^^ living, who were boys then, and present at the conflagration, remem- ber of getting a good square meal of toasted cheese. The third store was once a large dwelling-house. After Mr. Birchard bought it, he purchased the old store that stood, up in town, on the old Dr. Moore place, and had it moved down and set up as an ell part on the south side of the main building. Both build- ings were filled to their utmost capacity at the time of their destruction. DUMMERSTON. 177 Of the. few goodb saved from the fire, were 36 1-2 barrels of flour. In Uni- ted States bonds, $7,000, with some rail- road bonds, passed through the flames, but not unharmed. It was a mere acci- dent that they were saved for redemp- tion. A short time before the fire, Mr. Birchard had some railroad bonds which he kept in an old earthen jar covered with tea-lead and secreted in an old brick oven, destroyed by mice. The railroad company promised to give him new bonds in place of the ones destroyed, provided he would get some person to sign a paper with him to the efl^ect that said bonds should never be paid for but once. He asked a near neighbor, Alonzo Dutton, to sign the pap^. He refused to do so, knowing that Mr. Birchard was oftentimes quite careless about his affairs and that goods were frequently stolen from his store At the time of the fire, as soon as Mr. Birchard's body was secured from the flames, Mr. Dut- ton, remembering about the bonds which the mice destroyed and where they were kept, planned a means of getting to the old brick oven across a bed of burning coals and flaming brands. A quantity of snow was thrown upon the coals, a ladder quickly put across to the oven, some planks laid on for greater safety, and a resolute man walked the burning track, wrenched off the iron-door, shov- ! eled out the old treasure-vault-jar and ^ returned without injury. The large jar had inside two flower- pots, one turned over on to the other, forming a place, within which, was a glass candy-jar, wrapped about with matting. Inside the glass jar were the bonds which tha fire had burned so that they began to fall in pieces on being ex- posed to the air. Discovering this, Mr. Dutton quickly wrapped them in cloth. Next day, Austin Birchard requested 23 them to be left at Waite's bank in Brat- tleboro, and in a few months they were redeemed in Washington. LIEUT, LEONARD SPAULDING whose record begins on page 24 was commissioned captain during the Revo- lutionary war, as we have lea-ned since the printing of his record, and he was not a citizen of the town as stated on p. 26, when it was organized. His old at;- count book dates back to 1766 not 1779 BRIEFS AND CORRIGENDA. On page 37. Thomas Boyd en lived on the paternal farm, for lives ; the birth of Phebe Perry, fori 734, read 1784. On page 41, read, Rebecca Dutton married Jube 10, 1813 and died Jume 15, 1863, and Samuel Dutton was born July 11, 1743. Lieut. John S. Gates married Hannah Moore. She may have been a sister of Sarah Moore, the wife of Lt. Daniel Gates. On page 56 read, Martin W. Gates was born 1827. On page 57, read Oren Gates, was born Feb. 19, 1797. Widow Rebecca Gates died in Dec. 1883. Among the children of Samuel and Susanna Laughton, not Susan, as print- ed. Page 58, include Samuel, Jr., as the eldest ; also, add Solomon to the children of John and Esther (Davis) Laughton. Page 59, read Samuel Laughton, Jr., born Jan. 5, 1758 not 1848. Page 61 read Thomas Laugh- toti's age 97. Laura was born 1797, and Jacob, born 1798. And on the same page Hannah Presson was mar- ried 1813, and Mary was born 1795. Robert Liston, mentioned on page 64 was British Minister from England to the United States, hence the title, his excellency. 178 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. On page 90 read Rebecca Butler, b. Apr. 22, 1788; Candace, born 1798, not 1788 ; Jabez Butler, m. May 22, 1781 ; Silas m. 2d, in 1816. The Samuel Duncan mentioned on page 92 as a distant relative of Dr. Abel Duncan had the following children : Lucretia, bom in Worcester, Mass. m. 1773 ; Jonas ; Betsey, born in Guilford in 1781 ; Simeon, b. in Dummerston, July 26, 1782; Arathusa ; Fanny; Azubah ; Electa ; Samuel ; Rebecca ; and Nancy. Samuel G., son of Joseph Duncan, Esq., married Sophia Hoyt, see page 93. On page 94 read Dr. Sewall Walker not Sewell. and Emily, dau. of Jonas Walker was bom 1826. His daughter Mary, overlooked in the record, wa& born in April 1824. She was not the daughter of Dr. Walker, as stated on page 95 Samuel Newell Walker, born Apr. 15 1824, died in Feb. 1884.— Marshall, sou of Reuben, was born in 1833, and Sarah R. in 1836 not 1839. Lyman Walker married Lovice Cutter ; William m. Juliet Parish ; Reuben is now living, 1884, aged 84. Page 104, read Caleb and Joshua Higgina, were born 1797 ; Joseph Hig- gins m. Widow Kathan about 1790. In the old tax bill, page 107, read Aaron Brooks, Jr., for Aaron Brook, Jr., and Samuel Duncan's state tax should read $1.12, John Miller's $2.69 ; for Moore Jona. do. read Dr. Include Asa French in the list ; tax 14 state, 14 town. Page 110, in Dis. No. 1, for David Gates read Daniel ; in No. 2, for Henry Stearns read Stevens ; for Dr. Haven read Hazen ; in No. 5 for Calvin Buter read Butler. Dorcas not Dorces as on page 77. Joseph T. Bennett, for Jos. F. p .92. Joel Knight married Esther Farr, Nov. 30, 1786, and she was 83, when she died. Page 137 In the Stickney family record, Sam- uel Doty should read Duty. The wife of Benjamin Stickney died in Newfane in 1862 not 1812, and the wife of Ben- jamia, Jr., was Betsey Tenny not Tanney. Simeon Reed, mentioned on page 152 was born Jan. 25, 1791, died Oct., 24 1875, aged 84. His wife died Mar. 3, 1881, aged 85. They were married Dec. 12, 1819. Children: Betsey, b. Apr. 9, 1821, m. Ezekiel'B. Campbell, died June 23, 1864 ; Simeon H., born July 23, 1823, died very suddenly May 26, 1849; Martha Ann, b. July 16, 1826, m. Mason Higgins, died Oct. 1, 1865 ; Thomas N., b. Aug. 31, 1828, m. Ellen Miller ; Mary, b. Oct. 5, 1831, died 1838. AMSDBN FAMILY. \_Gontinued from page 161.^ Jacob Amsden, who married Lydia Rice, had three sons, Jacob, William H. , and Thomas. Lewis M. Amsden had 8 children, one of whom, Thomas O., now resides in Brattleboro. Amory Amsden had six children. His son, Ira, is now living at Buffalo, N. Y. Dr. Thomas Amsden's brothers, Be- zaleel, Jacob and Joel were the ancestors of a large number of descendants tiow scattered through New England and the Middle states. Their home was at Dana and Petersham, Mass. Joseph Miller, bought lot 148, of the early farms : . Jonathan Page sold his store at the West Village, Nov. 6, 1786 : [To be continued.^ DUMMEESTON. 179 WEST DUMMERSTON IN 1810. West Dummerstoii includes all that part of the town lying west of West river. Not until the summer of 1882, did we find a record of families as they were divided into school districts in 1810 by a committee composed of Rufus Moore, Ezra butterfield and Jotham Burnett. DISTRICT NO. 1, WEST comprised 31 families in 1810 and were located, beginning at Brattleboro line : Henry Willard, David Bailey, Voranus Larrabee, Charles Bennett, James A. Chase,. Wilkins Burnett, Joel French, Dudley Bailey, Roswell Beebee, Sam- uel Bennett, Jesse Bennett, Joseph Blye, Joseph Gleason, Samuel Bennett, Jr., David Darling, Skelton Foster, Isaac Burnett, Aaron Bond, Lemuel Barrett, Ezra Butterfield, Zenas Butterfield, James Chase, Henry Zwears, Peter Stickney, Daniel Zwears, Benjamin Zwears, Samuel Guernsey, Timothy Lewis, Benjamin WiUard, Jotham Bur- nett, Benjamin Stickney. UDDLEY BAILEY married Ruhamah Dunster, daughter of David Dunster, who was son of Jona- than, whose father was Henry Dunster, the first president of Harvard College. Mr. Bailey removed from Westminster, Mass., to Brattleboro about the year 1786. In 1798, he came to Diimmers- ton and bought ii farm of Jonathan Barrus near West river, where his grandson, Silas A. Bailey now lives. Dudley and Ruhamah Bailey had five children. Polly, the eldest, m. Joel French, Oct. 29, 1794, and both lived and died in this town. Levi, unmarried, died Mar. 13, 1851 ; was insane over 50 years and supported by his brother David, who was born Sept. 9, 1780, m. Lydia, dau. of Solo- mon Allen of Marlboro. Ephriam died young, and Henry re- moved to New York. Dudley Bailey died Mar. 8, 1812. and Ruhamah his wife, Mar. 8, 1835, just 23 years from the date of her hus- band's death. David and Lydia (Allen) Bailey lived and died on the old homestead of Dud- ley Bailey. Their children were : Electa m. Wm. H. Merriam and removed to Peterborough, N. H. ; Anna, m. Daniel Baldwin of Wardsboro ; Levi, married Elizabeth Bryant of Brattleboro ; Jason R., m. Emily Bryant of Brattleboro; removed to Stukely, C. E. ; Silas A., married Arvilla Jackson of Newfane ; Chester W., m. Benleth Gove of Straf- ford ; lives in Brattleboro; Abner A., m. Caroline A. Huntley, dau. of Lyman Huntley. John L. and Wm. D., twins, John was killed, at the age of 20 years, by falling on a pitch-fork. William, m. 1st, Lois Gould, of Dover, 2d, Kather- ine Smith of Wilmington. Lawson dieJ aged 5 years. Orra. m. Julia M. Pattee ; removed to Massachusetts. David Bailey died Mar. 19, 1867 aged 86. THE WILLARD FAMILY. The earliest settler in Dummerston by the name of Willard, was HENRY WILLARD from Ashburnham, Massachusetts. Tn ] 785, he lived where Lewis Hadley now lives in the south part of the town, and remained on that farm till he sold it to Benjamin Hadley, father of Lewis. He married about 1785. Sarah Wilder, sister of Solomon Wilder of Brattleboro, father of Marshall, Anson, and Joseph 180 VERMONT HISTOEICAL MAGAZINE. Marshal] now lives on the old honit- stead where Henry Willard courted Miss Wilder. People in those days often went barefoot as long as the ground was not covered with snow, and Mr. Willard was not an exception to the custom. He Bsed to go courting barefoot, and late in the fall of the year, the neighbors often tracked him home, when he returned late in the night, from such visits, by his foot-prints left on the frosty ground. When he sold his farm, he bought again in West Dummerston where four gener- ations of the family have lived, the place being now in the possession of Nelson W. Willard. He was a man of property and bought and sold other farms in town. He kept a large stock of cattle, raised consider- able grain, but was careful to keep his granaries locked, A friend once in- quired of him why he kept his grain under lock and key. ' ' Your neigbors," said he, " are all honest." "I know it, replied Mr. Willard, " but I want to keep them so." In our study of New England history, we often find the name Willard associ- ated with the early settlers, especially, that of Col. Josiah Willard as an orig- inal jn-oprietor of several townships. For instance, the names of the proprie- tors of Westminster, Vt., on the 11th of June 1760, when the time for filfil- ing the charter was extended, included twelve Willards, viz : Josiah, William, Nathan, Oliver, Wilder, William, Jr., Prentice, Nathan, Jr., Solomon, Billey, Josiah, Jr., and Jonathan. Eight of these names appear on the charter of July 26, 1753. Nearly all the families of New England by this name, are de- scended from Major Simon Willard, who emigrated to this country from the county of Kent in England. He is first mentioned as residing at Newton (now Cambridge, Mass.) in 1634, where he became acquainted with the situation of Concord, Mass., by trading with the Indians. He was one of the original purchasers of Concord and removed to that place as early as 1635, and became by his influence and the offices to which he was elected, the chief citizen of the town. In 1654, he received the com- mission of Major and was commander- in-chief of the forces of Massachusetts in Ninigret and Philip's wars. In 1660, he removed to Lancester and was at Groton in 1672. He died in Charles- town, Mass., April 24, 1676. He was a brave commander, a wise statesman, satdt a trustworthy man, -retaining the confidence of his fellow citizens undi- minished tiU the close of life. Major Willard had three wives, 1st, Mary Sharp, 2d, Elizabelii, sister of President Dunster, of Harvard college, 3d, Mary Dunster, a relative of the sec- ond wife. By the first and third marri- ages, he had 17 children, 9 sons and 8 daughters, most of whom lived to marry and have families. Henry, the 4th son, born at Concord, Mass., June 4, 1655; married Mary Laken of Groton, Mass., July 18, 1674 ; settled in Lancnster ; after the death of his wife in 1688, married, about 1689, Dorcas Cutler, who survived her hus- band and afterwards became the wife of Benjamin Bellows, of Lancester, and ancestor of the Bellows family in Wal- pole, N. H. — by these two wives had children : Henry, Simon, born Oct. 8, 1678, Mary, John, Hezekiah, Joseph, Samuel, James, Josiah, Jonathan, Sa- rah, Abigail, Susanna, and Tabitha. Josiah son of Henry, bom about 1693, is known as Col. Josiah Willard, com- mander of Fort Dummer from 1740 to 1750. He married Hannah Wilder, of Lancaster, where he was born, and was DDMMERSTON. 181 among the first settlers of Lunenburgh, founded in 1719. His uncle, the Rev. Samuel Willard, was for a time Vice President of Harvard College. Col. Josiah died Dec. 8, 1750. He bore the character of a faithful and intelligent public officer, and was without reproach in the relations of private and domestic life. Josiah, Jr., his son, was born in Jan- uary 1716, and married Hannah Hub- bard of Groton. For several years he was intrusted with the charge of a gar- rison at Ashuelot (nowKeene,) N. H.. and in 1749 removed to Winchester in that Province. On the death of his father he was promoted to the Nation he had held. Notice of this appoint- ment was conveyed by another Josiah WUlard, a cousin, who for 39 years was secretary of the Province of Massach- usetts b\ a royal commission. "Iheart- ily join with you and your family," wrote the secretary in his letter, dated Dec. 18, 1750. in your mourning for the death of your father, esteeming it a great publick loss." Josiah, Jr., died in Winchester, Nov. 19, 1786, in the 72d year of his age. Henry Willard of Dummerston was a descendant of the Willards about whom we have written. He had two sons and six daughters, Benjamin, b. 1787, m. Lydia Bennett ; Sally, b. 1789, m. Wm. Barnes; Mary, b. 1792, married Isaac Cutler; Margaret, b. 1794, m. John Whipple ; Eunice, b. 1794, m. Josiah Goddard ; Olive, m. Nathaniel Taft ; Nancy, married Davis Rand ; Lewis, unmarried. Mr. Willard was heard to say that most parents married ofi' their daugh- ters, but he married them on, as he furnished a home for some of them much of the time after marriage. His sons-in-law did not particularly please him, and in remarking about it, some- times he would say that he believed the devil owed him a spite and paid him ofi" in son-in-laws." The children of Benjamin and Lydia Willard were : Louisa, b. 1807, Emily, Lydia, George, Nelson W., Benjamin F., Henry, Mary A., Harriet V., and Marshall, ten in number. Peter Willard of this town was a cousin to Benjamin, born 1787. Hem. Olive Frost, of Brattleboro, Jan. 11, 1802. Their children were : Jesse, Marinda, Ephraiijti, Nelson. JAMES CHASE was father of Capt. James A. Chase. They removed from Dis. No. 1 to No. 3 on West Hill, and the farm they owned many years is still called the "Jim Chase place." James Chase died May 28, 1844, aged 93. Capt. James died Jan 30, 1871. aged 83. Samuel Chase m. Cloe Dunklee, Apr. 3, 1808. Polly Chase died Sept. 4, 1860, aged 83. DR. ISAAC BURNETT was the father of Wilkins and Jotham, and by a 2d wife, Lydia who died Jan. 2, 1847, aged 88, had Mary, b. May 1, 1801, now living; married 1st, Caleb Taft, son of Josiah; 2d, Asa Dutton. Wilkins, m. Abigail Mirriam, Sept. 10, 1799. Jotham. married Abigail Pratt. Their children were: Isaac, b. Nov. 23, 1805, married Hannah Fisher, of Newfane. Stephen P., b. Mar. 27, 1808, married Emily, dau. of Samuel French ; Phebe Philena, 1811, m. Daniel Taylor ; Ly- sander, 1814, m. Esther Fisher, of New- fane ; Mary, b. 1816, m. Geo. Rodney Miller ; Forris b. 1819, a photographer, in New York, died unmarried, aged about 30 years. 182 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. JOSEPH GLEAS<5K maiTied Sarah Ball : children Deborah, b. Aug. 15, 1786 ; Patty, 1789 ; Jacob, 1791, died young; Susanna, 1793; Jacob, 2d, 1796 ; Mary, Feb. 8, 1799. One Joseph Gleason, Jr., married Sibyl Stickney, Jan. 12, 1802 ; Chil- dren : Sally, b. 1802; Louis, 1803; Xydia, 1805; Deborah, 1807; Jacob, 1809. THE MILLER FAMILY OF WEST DUMMERSTON. This is a distinct family from Isaac Miller, resident in the east part of the town. The progenitor of this family was Samuel, son of Robert Miller one of the first settlers of Londonerry, N. H. His name appears on a tax-list of that town of Nov. 9, 1750. He probably continued his residence in Londonderry and died there. His wife died in New Boston, N. H., with her daughter Mrs. Patterson. Their children were : Matthew, b. June 15, 1730 ; m. Mary Morrison, and died in Pomfret, Vt., May 30, 1824, aged 94 years. James and William, twins, b. 1738 ; Samuel, John, and Susanna who m. Dea. Patterson. ; William, married Jane Todd, dau. of Col. Andrew Todd ; James, married Catherine Gregg, who d. May 23, 1833, aged 89 years. He died Nov. 21, 1825, aged 87 years. They resided in Peterborough, N. H.. and reared up a large and important family. Their children were : Hugh, b. Oct. 1768 ; m. Anna Templeton ; d. Dec. 10, 1847, aged 79 years. Samuel, b. 1772 ; m. Sylvia Keep ; removed to Dummerston. Jenny, born 1774 ; married Samuel Templeton. James, b. April 25, 1776 ; m. 1st wife, Martha Ferguson ; 2d, wife Ruth Flint, Lincoln, Mass. Polly, b. 1777, d. Dec. 28, 1796. Catherine, b. ; m. Daniel Mc- Farland, d. in Antrim, N. H. ; Jacob, 5. ; m. Jane Popkins ; d. in Arkansas, 1822. William, b. . GENERAL James Miller has a distinguished record. He became a lawyer ; was Major, of the 4th. IJni- ted States Infantry, 1808 ; Lt. Colonel, 5th Infantry, 1810 ; Brevet Col. 1812 ; Col., 21st Infantry 1814 ; Brevet Brig- adier«General, 1814, when Congress presented him a gold medal for gallantry on the Canadian frontier ; was governor of Arkansas Territory 1819-25 ; Col- lector of Salem, Mass., 1825—49 ; died at Temple, N. H., July 7, 1851. He was father of Commodore James F. Miller, U. S. N. 1803-68. It is stated in the history of Peter- borough N. H., that Gen. James Miller was of Scotch-Irish descent. This would make the connection that Robert Miller, born about 1664, was brother to Isaac Miller, b. about 1670, and father of Isaac Miller, .Ir., b. 1708, a first settler in Dummerston. Therefore the chil- dren of John Miller, b. 1756 were third cousins to Samuel Miller, b. 1772. Gen. James Miller immortalized his name, however, in the Battle of Niagara, or Lundy's Lane, in- 1814. When, in the course of the battle, it was necessary that a certain British battery should be carried. Gen. Brown, address- ing Colonel Miller said, "■ Colonel, take your regiment, storm that work and take it." " I '11 try sir," responded the brave Miller promptly and immediately moved forward to the perilous task. A letter of his written to his wife gives a DUMMERSTON 183 graphic description of this adventure. It was dated Fort Erie, July 28, 1814, the battle having been fought on the 25th, inst. The letter is published in full in the history of Peterborough. When the order was given him to take the battery, he says : " I had short of three hundred men with me, I, however, immediately obey- ed the order. The enemy had got their artillery posted on a height in a very commanding position, where they could rake our columns in every part of the field, and prevented their advancing. We could see their slow matches and port-fires burning and ready. I did not know what side of the work was most favorable to approach, but happened to hit upon a very favorable place, notwith- standing we advanced upon the mouths of their cannon. It appeared that there was an old rail-fence on the side where we approached, with a smaU growth of shrubbery by the fence and within less than two rods of the cannon's mouth, undiscovered by the enemy. I then very cautiously ordered my men to rest across the fence, take good aim, fire, and rush, which was done in style. Not one man at the cannon was left to put fire to them. We got into the centre of their park before they had time to oppose us. A British line was formed, and lying in a st''ong position to protect their artillery. The moment we got to the centre, they opened a most destructive flank fire on us, killed a great many, and attempted to charge with the bay- onets. We returned the fire so warmly they were compelled to stand ; we fought hand to hand for some time, so cLse that the blaze of our guns crossed each Other ; but we compelled them to aban- doned their whole artillery, ammunition- wagons and all, amounting to seven pieces of elegant brass cannon, one of which was a 24 pounder, with eight horses and harness, though some of them were killed. The British made two more attempts to charge us at close quarters, both of which I repulsed be- fore I was reinforced, after which the 1st and 23d Eegs. came to my relief. And even after that, the British charged with their whole line there several times, and after getting within half pistol-shot of us were compelled to give way. I took, with my regiment, between thirty and forty prisoners, while taking and defending the artillery. * * After G-enerals Brown, Scott, and others were wounded, we were ordered to re- turn back to our camp, about three miles, and preparations had not been made for taking off the cannon, as it was impossible for me to defend them and make preparations for that too, and they were all left on the ground except one beautiful six-pounder, which was presented to my regiment in testimony of their distinguished gallantry. The officers of this army all say, who saw it, that it was one of the mott desperate things they ever saw or heard of. Gen. Brown told me, the moment he saw me, that I had immortalized myself. ' But,' said he, ' my dear fellow, my heart ached for you when I gave you the or- der, but I knew it was the only thing that would save us. Samuel Miller came from Dover in this County, to Dummerston in 1813, and bought the farm owned by James Munn for $2600 He resided there till the time of his death in 1855. The buildings on the farm were all burned by an incen- diary Feb. 14,1877. It is an excellent hill farm, but is located so far back, on West hill that no one has cared to pur- chase and rebuild. Mr. Miller had two sons and five daughters. James m. Elvira Whipple, and was the father of Mary Miller, wife of John K. Leonard, Esq., killed in- stantly Aug. 19, 1881. Geo. Rodney, represented the town in the legislature in 1850. The other children were Mary, Char- lotte, Catherine, Jane, and Sophia. The wife of Enos Leonard and mother of John K. was Matilda Keep, sister to Sylvia Keep, wife of Samuel Miller. 184 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. Sophia Miller married John W. Cook and they are living in West Brattleboro. Jane died aged 16 'years. Catherine, unmarried. Charlotte married Austin Wheeler, Mary m. Nathaniel Parish. Geo. Rodney married Mary Burnett, daughter of Jotham Burnett. DAVID DARLING one of the first settlers in this section of the town, cleared up the land, which Asa Whitney now owns, and on the place, built and lived in a small house long since gone. He lived to be quite aged, and died suddenly of heart disease about 1820, while out in the forest gath- ering the honey of wild bees. Old lady Darling, his wife, was known as an ex- cellent cook in those days, and a favor- ite dish, which she prepared, so as to make it very palatable, was fish and potatoe. ' 'Fish," she said to her guests, "had to swim three times — once in water, once in butter and once in cider. "This was quite evident, as she poured in a large quantity of melted butter while cookijg and furnished plenty of cider for the table. Abigail Darling, m. Jonathan Bump, April 7, 1805. SKELTON FOSTER was, probably, a brother of John Foster who lived across the river in Dis. No. 6. John, m. Abigail Sanderson, Jan. 25, 1804, anW their children were Joel S., b. Oct. 31, 1805; Samuel W., Maria, and Spencer. LEMUEL BARRETT married Hannah Dunklee, Sept. 20, 1801. Their children were Humphrey, born in Brattleboro, married Arozina, dau.of Joseph Hildreth ; Linda, born in Dumme)-ston, 1803, Lysia, Pardon, Michajah. Sidney H. Barrett, son of Humph- rey lives on the parental fann. DANIEL ZWEARS was one of the first settlers in this sec- tion of the town. , His wife was a sister of Henry WiUard. Their children were : Hannah, b. Aug. 8, 1772 ; Lois, born Sept. 15, 1774 ; Daniel, 1777 ; Benja- min, 1779 ; Peter, 1783 ; Henry, 1785. Benjamin, m. Sally Stickney, Jan. 16, 1800. Lois, m. Darius Mann, Jan. 12, 1792. Hannah, married Thomas Betterley, Jr., of Newfane. SAMUEL GUERNSEY and Jerusha Darling his wife, were from "Betcher," Mass., as recorded, and their first child, Samuel, Jr., was born June 1, 1784, in that town. John, Joseph, Levi, Darling, Jerusha and Lydia were born in Brattleboro . Esther , m. 1801, and David 1805, were born in this town. Mr. Guernsey lived near neighbor to Humphrey Barrett, across the brook south from his residence, in buildings long since gone to decay. DISTRICT NO. 2. contained in 1810, nine families, " all the inhabitants from Newfane line to the Baptist meeting-house on West river road, and west from said road so as to include Elisha Randall and Moses Row- ell (Roel)" The other families were WiUard Foster, Joseph Dunklee, Seth Briggs, Daniel Peters, Moody Tenney, Luke Taylor and Joel Cutdng. ELISHA RANDALL married Lydia Merrick, daughter ot Capt. Ebenezer Merrick. Dec. 25, 1799. The family lived near Moses Roel on the road leading to the Emerson place. Children : Lewis, Ebenezer, Leonard, Emily, Eveline. Harriet, and Elizabeth. Ebenezer m. Sally Brown ; Leonard mar. Lois Bird, and removed to Gran- ville, Mass. ; Emily married 1st, Sam. Dike, 2d, — Roland ; Harriet married a Mr. Woodcock. DUMMERSTON. 185 MOSES EOEL. was born in Oxford, Mass. His par- ents died when he was quite young. Soon after their death, he went to live with Dr. Baker of Guilford, who was an uncle of his. His sister, Zurviah, also went there to live. When he was about 8 years of age, he came to Dum- merston and lived during his minority with Samuel G-owen, who owned what is now called the Huntley place. He had no brother, and his only sister, Zur- viah, was a resident of this town at the time she married Nahum Norcross, Jan. 17, 1796. Moses married Oily, dau. •of Nathaniel French, Nov. 22, 1807. He bought a farm of Nathaniel Mann, formerly owned by Daniel Belknapp, and occupied it the same year he was married. They had a famity of 10 children : Almira m. Almond Butter- field ; removed to Mexico, N. Y. ; died in June 1854, leaving a family of 11 children. Nathaniel F.,m. Nancy Herrick and removed to Randolph, Mass. ; died in July 1878. Orrilla m. Harvey Greenwood ; died in 1835. Alfred removed to Randolph, Mass., m. Mary Ann Hollis ; died June 1860, leaving 4 children. Austin, m. in Randolph. 1st, Joanna White, 2d, Abby Bigelow ; died Jan. 27, 1878, leaving 2 children. Edson M., unmarried and resides in Randolph. Charles G., m. 1st, Julia Ward ; had four children ; m. 2d, Maria Wellman, mother of one child. Betsey B., d. suddenly, in Randolph, Oct. 1845. Syxvantts B. was a graduate of Am- herst College, in 1852, and at the time 24 of his death was a member of the senior class at Andover Seminary. He died of typhoid fever, in Holden, Mass. Sept. 1854, aged 26 years, and was at that time in charge of a select school. His pupils erected a momiment over his remains. Mary E. died in Randolph in 1849. Charles G. Roel now lives on the par- ental farm. CA.PT. SETH BRIGGS borli Nov. 7, 1760; m. Hannah, dau. of Capt. Ebenezer Merrick who was b. in 1722 and died 1819. Capt. Briggs died Mar. 21, 1824. Hannah, his wife, born Nov. 25, 1762, died Dec. 6, 1838. — children : Hannah, b. Dec. 22, 1785, married Willard Foster and lived near Branch Bridge. Sarah, born Nov. 10, 1788, m. Joel Hudson, d. Mar. 5, 1878 ; Mary, b. Dec. 4, 1790, married Wm. Spaulding ; Patty, b. 1793, m. Henry Goddard, d. 1819. Lucinda, b. Mar. 9, 1795, married Thompson Kingsbury, d. July 11, 1865. _: Elizabeth, b. Mar. 27, 1797, married Cornelus Hadley. Eleanor, b. May 16, 1799, married Samuel Perry. Abigail, b. 1802, d. 1811 ; Harriet, b. Apr. 29, 1804, m. Robert Lyndsey, d. Feb. 1, 1881 ; Fanny, b. May 26, 1806, unmarried, d. 1882; Laura, born May 27, 1809, m. Silas Ashley, d. June 11, 1843. Itis some- what remarkable that in this family there were 11 daughters and no sons. JOSEPH DUNCKLEY JR. m. Ruth Field, Nov. 22, 1801, lived at one time iri the West village and tended the grist mill. Joseph Dunklee, Sen., J. 185 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. supposed to be the father of Joseph Jr., married the mother of HauTiah, sister to .lacob Pierce and wife of Ormsbee But- terfield. Benjamin, son probably of Joseph, Jr., m. Ruth Sargeant ; was a blacksmith and had a shop many years ago, just below the Josiah Dodge place, where Benjamin Estabrook worked as an apprentice about 1806. MOODY TENNET, a half brother of Josiah, m. Arathusa Underwood ; children : Reuben, born 1809, Daniel and Bennett. The young- est son was killed in Massachusetts by a large rock which fell ol him. Mr. Tenney lived in the old toll-house, tended the bridge and worked at the trade of making saddle-tacks. LUKE TAYLOR deacon of the Baptist churcii in the West village, m. Mary , and their children were John, b. 1795, Daniel, b. 1797, Elizabeth L., born 1800, Polly, 1802, Luke, Jr., 1804, Charles W., 1806, Rachel, 1809, andElhanan, 1812. Daniel, married 1 st, Harriet, dau. of Zebulon G-oss, 2d, Philena Burnett, dau. of Jotham. George, a son of Daniel lives in the Hague. Moses Taylor, one of the first settlers in this part of the town, m. Sarah , whose children were : Terzah, b. Aug. 7, 1777, Rebecca, b. May 26, 1779, .Tob, b. Sept. 20, 178-3. Martha, b. Feb. 7, 1787. Isaac Taylor, who married Elizabeth . had Sarah, b. Nov. 27, 1786. m. Joseph Bruce 1807. There was an Isaac Taylor also, who used to make potash some 60 years ago, near the old bridge-place . Israel Taylor and Betsey, his wife, had twins, Huldah and Sally, b. Nov. 11, 1800. No school-house was built for the use of the school in this district. At first the district rented a part of Zebulon Goss's house, wherein a school was kept a few years. Afterwards, a part of the store, then standing Just south of Taft's tavern, was fitted up and used for the school a long time. In 1820, the number of scholars was 52, as officially reported by Elder Levi Dunham. Joel Chandler was a teacher in that district several years, and also Rufus Hadley. Hannah Estabrook, a sister of Benj'a- min, taught there in the summer of 1822. Anthony Jones was the store-keeper in 1820. Josiah Taft, the tavern-keeper. Taft married Anna Rice, of Uxbridge, Mass., children : Nancy, b. 1793, Caleb, 1795, Nathaniel, 1797, Reuben. The old tavern is now a dwelling house, and a part of the old store forms an addition to it. DISTKICT NO. 3, WEST on the hill comprised in 1810, nine fam- ilies, James Mann, Josiah Ward, Nath- aniel Bixby, Stephen Munn, Samuel Stoddard, Jonathan Tenney, Amasa Child, Jonathan Tenney, Jr., Samuel Laughton. JAMES MUNN, known as 'Elder James Munn, though he was not a licensed preacher, yet, as he preached several years. Elder Munn m. Anna Rogers, Sept. 3, 1789. Their children were : James, b. 1790, Abijah, 1792, George, 1793, Betsey, 1796, Sally, 1798, Hosea, 1801, William R., 1806. Stephen Munn, who married Naomi Perham, Oct. 4, 1798, had a family of 10 children. Darius Munn, m. Lois Zwears had Daniel, Jr. b. 1795. SAMUEL STODDAltD. David, the father of Samuel, was from Massachusetts and settledln Ches- terfield, N. H. He married Joanna Kingsly and they had 9 children, — DUMMERSTON. 187 Thomas, David, Eleazer, Lemuel, Asa, Samuel, Joseph, Jemima, and Abigail. He was a commissioned officer. Lieu- tenant ? in the Revolutionary army, and died in the service. i Samuel was born in Chesterfield, May 11, 1767 ; came to Dummerston about 1795 and purchased land on what is now called Stoddard Hill. AVhen he had made a clearing and was ready to burn his first piece, he notified friends in Chesterfield, and they witnessed the con- flagration 10 miles away in plain sight of the old homestead. He m. Zurviah Richmond, Mar. 7, 1798 ; their children were: Samuel, Jr., b. 1798, Anna, b. 1801, Lydia, b. 1803, Levi, b. June 80, 1806. William, b. 1808, Sibyl. The children of Levi, who m. Ermine, grand-daughter of Capt. John Wyman, a Revolutionary soldier, are Alonzo D., ' Horace R., Ephraim S., Eliza L.; Rose A., and Anna C. Horace resides on fee parental farm. DISTRICT NO. 4, WEST had ten families in 1810, as follows : Stephen Bennett, Daniel G-oss, Richard Dean, Joseph Bennett, Asa Parish, Luke Butterfield, Zebulon Goss, Jona- than Child, John Whipple, Pain P. Brown. LT. STEPHEN BENNETT was the son of Stephen Bennett who m. Hannah Turnes. His parents came from Mansfield, Ct. He died Apr. 19, 1807 aged 70, and was buried in the grave-yard near the old church on West hill. The children were : John, Urial, who was a physician ; Eunice, married Nathaniel Munn ; Senia, m. Eleazer Church ; Mehitable, m. Horace Turner ; Polly, who m. " Capt." Wra. Holton. Stephen Bennett removed with his family from Mansfield, Ct., to a farm in Brattleboro near the Samuel Martin place, formerly owned by Mr. Munn. His son, Lt. Stephen, bought a farm in Dummersion in 1786, made a clearing and built a house near where the sugar- house now stands and not far from the site of the present buildings on the place. He m Ruth Fellows and their children were : Senia, b. Mar. 9, 1791, unmarried and now living in Brattleboro at the age of 91 in the enjoyment of good health and strength and a competence for her declining years. OrrenL., now living, b. Sept. 15, 1792, lives on the parental arm where he has resided 90 years ; Olive, b. Aug. 4, 1 794, m. Reuben Thayer and removed to New York; Lucinda, b. May 23, 1796, m. David Merrick, half brother to Reuben Thayer and removed to New York; Almira, b. July 31, 1800, un- married, lived with her sister, Senia, in Brattleboro, and died in 1880. Lt. Stephen sold his farm to his son, Orren, and went back to the old home- stead in Brattleboro where he died and was buried in that town. C)rren m. Sarah, daughter of Stephen Bowker, of Walpole, N. H. She was born in West- moreland, N. H., in 1800, and is now living. Her father was uncle to the late S. Wright Bowker, of Newfane. The children of Orren were: Stephen B., Oscar L. F., Henry C, George R. and Sarah Jane. Samuel Bennett, Sen., was uncle to Lt. Stephen, and his children were : Samuel, Jr., Emery, Charles, Jesse, Lydia, and Lucy, who m. James Lar- rabee. Samuel, Jr., m. Hephzibah Foster, Mar. 16, 1800. Charles, m. Sally Graves, Dec. 6, 1805. Jesse, m. Tryphenia Black of Putney, July 14, 1805. Julia Bennett, married Voranus Larrabee, Mar. 20, 1808, probably sis- 188 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE ter to Lydia who m. Benjamin Willard. Josepb Bennett, a brother of Samuel, married a Whipple and settled where Lyman Dean has since lived. DANIEL GOSS was bom in Mendon, Mass. Nov. 23, 1764. His parents were Zebulon and Mary (xoss, whose cliildren were : Dan- iel, Henry, Zebulon, William, Enos, Hannah, Clarissa, Sally and Priscilla. Daniel, m. Tirzah Prouty, born in Mendon, Mass., Feb. 15, 1769, died 1843, aged 84 ; children : Clarissa, b. in Dummerston, Mar. 8, 1793, married James Eastman, of Newfane ; Zebulon, b. Sept. 12, 1794, married Betsey Chamberlain ; Amanda, b. Dec. 9, 1795 ; Polly, b. Sept. 27, 1797, mar. Samuel Morse ; Cynthia, b. July 13, 1799, m. a Prouty. Nancy, 1807 ; William, 1809, m. Lucy Belknap ; Lovinia, m. Edson Whipple. Henry Goss, m. Polly Wood of Men- don. Zebulon, m. Delany Prouty, sis- ter of Daniel's wife. William, mariied Eunice Wood. Enos, m. Sally Wood. Hannah, m. Richard Dean. Clarrisa, married Henry Walker, of Rutland. Pricilla, m. John Saddler of Upton. Mass. Zebulon and Delana Goss's children were : Trena, b. Feb. 17, 1801, m. John Manley ; Orra, Aug. 25, 1802, married Frances, dau. of Col. Rawson of Men- don ; Harriet, May 25, 1804. married Daniel, son of Dea- Luke Taylor, of Newfane ; Henry, Jan. 20, 1806, m. Betsey, dau. of Luke Kendall ; Mary, Dec. 19, 1807 ; Roswell, Oct 17, 1809, d. unmarried ; Chester, Aug. 27, 1811. died a sea-faring man ; Emery, March 28, 1813, m. Mary Wood of Boston ; Melinda, Jan. 8, 1815, married Joseph Tilden of Boston ; Daniel, Jan. 25, 1817,, lived in Boston ; Hannah, Aug. 12, 1819, and Lydia, July 17, 1821, d. young. The children of Finos and Sally Goss were : Austin who m. Deborah Newton, of Newfane ; Mary, m. David Murphy, of Boston ; Harriet, m. Alonzo Dutton ; Charlotte, m. Sumner Ballou, of Men- don ; Elizabeth and Adelia, not mar- ried ; Sarah, married Ebenezer Taft, of Mendon; George W., m. Mehitable Hitchcock, of Westminster ; Laura Ann remaned single; Charles E., married Melvina, dau. of Dr. Cyrus Butterfield. Snlly, wife of Enos Goss, d. Mar. 4, 1865, aged 83. KICHARD DEAN and Hannah Goss, his wife, -n ere the parents of Henry, b. Aug. 17. 1800, married in Boston and became wealthy ; Dolly, b. 1803, married Martin, son of Rufus Moore ; Lyman, born 1807, m. Olive Salisbury ; Mary, married Orra Johnson ; Austin married a Thayer and had a family of 13 children. ASA PARISH married Lovina Cary, Apr. 29, 1791 ; children : Anson, C, b. July 18, 1792, m. Sarah Chamberlain, 1816 ; Juliaetta, b. Jan. 20, 1795, m. Capt. William Walker, a brother of Dr. Sewall Walk- er ; Nathaniel, m. Mary, daughter of Samuel Miller. Asa Parish died Feb. 1, 1830, aged 61. He built the two story brick house in which he lived many years. The school was kept in his hoiise before the first school-house in the district was built. Orren L. Bennett went to school there when he was a small boy. Five dwelling houses in this neighborhood were built of brick, made in that vicinity. The brick-yard was located about 100 rods south from the James Chase place, and was owned by Lt. Stephen Bennett and Zebulon Goss. Mr. Goss had charge of the work in the brick -yard. DUMMERSTON. 189 LUKE BUTTERFIELD lived near where the school-house now stands and which first stood at the top of the hill south from its present situa- tion. He married, 1st, Polly Farr, of Chesterfield, N. H., had one son Alpha, lame, and a tailor by trade ; 2d wife, Mercy Field ; children : Mary, married James Lamb, of Halifax ; Susanna died aged 18 ; Luke, Jr., married Sophronia Kellogg, of Mexico, N. Y. ; Zenas, m. Mercy Ware, sister of Dr. Cyrus But- terfield's wii'e ; Fanny, m. Obed, son of Capt. Ellis Griffith ; Sophia, m. Wm. Huntley of Mexico, N. Y. ; Almond, m. Almyra, dau. of Moses Roel and removed to Mexico, N. Y. ; Emily, m. Thomas, son of Gamaliel Arnold ; Franklin, married Mary, dau. of Lot Holland, and lived during his life on the old homestead, which is owned and occupied by John F. Butterfield, his son. CAPT. EZRA BDTTEBFIELD, a brother of Luke, resided in Dis. No. 1 , West, on the road leading south to Wickopee Hill. He was born Oct. 21, 1749, m. Martha Hadley, b. Jan. 29, 1760. She was, probably, a sister of Benjamin Hadley ; children : Ezra, Jr. b. Apr. 19, 1778; Ebenezer, Feb. 1, 1780; Zenas, Feb. 22, 1782, m. Sally Turner, of Putney, Dec. 1, 1803 ; Su- sanna, Aug. 2, 1785, m. Seth ■V\''oods. 1805 ; Samuel, July 17, 1787, married Polly Miller, May 8, 1805 ; Martha, May 22, 1790 ; Cyrus, Mar. 15, 1791 ; Nabby, 1793 ; Levi, 1794 ; Beajamin, 1797. Ebenezer, m. Martha Thompson, Dec. 4, 1803 ; children : Almyra and Jesse. The children of Zenas and Sally were : Alanson, born Oct. 20, 1804, Diantha, Zenas, Hannah, Sarah, Ezra, Betsey and Lucy. Polly Butterfield, m. James Lamb, Jan. 16, 1811. DE. CYKUS BUTTERFIELD was not a physician in the regular prac- tice, having made no special preparation for his profession. He married Lucy Ware and their children were : Diana who m. Alfred Prouty, of Brattleboro ; Harriet, m. Charles Harris ; Sylvia, m. Wilder Hudson ; Philena, m. Elijah Reed ; Melvina, m. 1st, Charles E. Goss, 2d, Henry Aldrich. JONATHAN CHILD married Abiah Larrabee, Feb. 11, 1788, both of Dummerston ; children : Jona- than, Jr., b. Oct. 30, 1788; Abiah, Dec. 28, 1790., JOHN WHIPPLE, He married, it is supposed, Bathusa Eleanor Hutchins ; children : Betsey, b. 1790, married Daniel Aldrich ; John, 1791, m. Margaret Willard ; Dimmus, 1792, m. George Betterley of Newfane ;, Polly, 1794, married a Howe ; Samuel, Alfred, Laura, Edson, Elvira, Maria. DISTRICT NO. V, WEST. A new school-house was built in this district, on the site of the old one, ia 1880. The first school-house stood some 40 rods farther south than the new one, and opposite where the road leading from the Moore place joins the maiit road to Brattleboro, Calvin Halladay reported, officially, 32 scholars in the district in 1820. The following famil- ies resided here in 1810 : John Morse, Samuel Morse, Ellis Griffith, Asaph Pettingill, Gamaliel Arnold, Lemuel Graham, Joel Stockwell, Jonas Stock- well and Rufus Moore. CAPT. ULLIS GRIFFITH married Elizabeth , about 1787; children: Betsey, b. Sept. 7, 1789, m. Albert Burgess of Providence, R. I. ; Waitstill, Nov. 2, 1791 ; Obed, Jan. 5, 1793, married Fanny Butterfield and 190 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. removed to Mexico, N. Y. ; Mary, Nov. 12, 1794, m. Calvin Halladay ; Lydia, Sept. 19, 1798, unmarried ; Ru- by H., Nov. 3, 1807, m. Abel Moore. GAMALIEL ARNOLD married Catherine, daughter of John Wheeler, of Newfane. She was born in 1771; children: Mary, b. 1792; Darius, 1793, d. 1795 ; Catherine. 1796 ; Gamaliel, Jr., 1797; Thomas. 1798, m. Emily Butterfield, Feb. 28, 1827 ; Clark, 1801 ; Betty, 1802 ; Serena, 1804; George, 1808; Wheeler, 1810. Sally Arnold m. Henry Holland, Jan. 28, 1827. JONAS STOCKWELL married Susanna Wheeler, dau. of John Wheeler, of Newfane. She was born in 1762, and her sister Mary, b. 1767, m. Joel Stockwell, brother of Jonas. The children of Jonas and Susanna were : Anson, b. Aug. 26, 1783 ; Rufus, b. Nov. 3, 1785, m. Anna Halladay, of Marlboro ; Lucinda, born Mar. 21, 1788, mar- ried April 20, 1815, John Estabrook of Brattleboro ; Luke, b. Dec. 11, 1789, lived on the parental farm after the death of his father, m. Anna Nichols stiU living at the age of 87 ; Susanna, b. 1793, d. 1796 ; Sarah Jedidah, b. Sept. 23, 1794, m. John Clark, son of Thomas Clark, Mar. 31, 1818; Susanna, 2d, b. Sept. 29, 1799, m. George Nichols still, living at 85 years and son of James, who died Mar. 30, 1863 aged 98. John W. b. Sept. 29, 1799 ; Melinda, b. Oct. 26, 1801, unmar- ried. She was a school teacher many years, taught in the summer of 1835 in district No. 1, East near the home of her brother-in-law, John Clark, where she was sick several months and died Dee. 16, 1837, aged 36. Elder Wm. H. Hodges, a Methodist preacher for 20 years on Dummerston West Hill, preached her funeral sermon. The children of Rufus and Anna Stockwell were: Jonas F. b, 1812. m. Lucinda Jillson of Newfane ; Caroline, b. 1814, m. Charles Tracy, of Vernon, Ct. ; Adaline, b. 1817, m. Hiram Rowe of New Haven, Ct. ; Rufus, D. born 1821, d. 1828 ; Lucy, b. 1823, unmar- ried. Denslow M. Stockwell, son of Jonas F., lives on the parental farm. LEMUEL GRAHAM married Eunice Burnham, Aug. 12, 1784';'children : Luke,b. Feb. 10, 1785, m. Mary ? Lamb ; Eunice, b. April 29, 1788, m. Joseph Coughlin, who re- sided near the central part of the town where B. F. Willard now lives ; Caleb, b. Sept. 16, 1789, m. Mercy Burnham, Nov 18, 1813 ; Anna, b. Sept. 6, 1791 ; Samuel, b. Oct. 1793 ; Lemuel, Jr., July 16, 1795 ; Betsey, b. April 1, 1800; Sophia, b. Feb. 11, 1802, m. Wm. Rockwood ; Theda, b. April 11, 1804, m. a Comstock ; Alanson and Lyman, twins, born Mar. 31, 1806; Carter, b. July 8, 1808 ; Andrew born 1811. Andrew Graham, brother of Lemuel, died Mar. 26, 1807. His wife. Submit, died Feb. 18, 1803. MoUy Graham, m. John HUl, Mar. 8, 1786. Lieut. Richard Coughlin, the father of Joseph, was a resident of Chesterfield. N. H., where his children were born. His wife was Sarah . He was a Revolution- ary soldier and died in the service. His chUdrenwere : Thomas,Joseph,George, Richard, Sally, Melinda, Susan and Eunice. George married a Wait ; Melinda, m. Seth Herrick of Brattleboro ; Sally, m. DUMMERSTON. 191 Henry Potter, Mar. 10, 1807 ; Susan, m. a Judson ; Eunice, married Joseph Herrick of Brattlcboro. The children of Joseph Ooughlin were : Merritt, who married Mary Ann Tenney ; Obed G., Mary Ann, Lemuel Gr., Julia Ann, and Charles H. EUFUS MOORE married Eiichel Moore and their child- ren were : Martin, b. Feb. 11, 1804; Abel, b. Jan. 24, 1806 ; Emily, Jan. 26, 1808. Martin married Dolly Dean and had Martin H. , Rufus A. , Laura and George D. Abel. m. Ruby H., daughter of Capt. Ellis Griffith. Abel Moore, a resident of the town, m. Lois , and their children were : Mary Ann, B. Aug. 6, 1809; Betsey P., Lucy W., John W., Abel H., Gardner M., and Dana R., b. 1820. JOHN FOSTER married Abigail Hudson. Children : Joel S., b. Oct. 31, 1805 ; Samuel W., b. June 26, 1806 ; Maria, b. Feb. 12, 1808 ; Spencer F., b. Mar. 30, 1810 ; Mary, b. , m. Chester French. Skelton Foster may have been a bro- ther of John Foster. Willard F'oster married Hannah, dau. of Capt. Seth Briggs. She was born Dec. 22, 1785. Dr. Stephen Sewall Foster married Sally, dau. of Daniel Belknap. She was born. May 14, 1795. No record of children. COL. A. B. FOSTER. [ BUKLINGTON FREE PKESS. ] whose sudden death, at Montreal, has so shocked his numerous friends, was born in Dummerston, in 1817, but re- moved with his father, the late Dr. Stephen Sewell Foster, to Frostvillage, 2 miles from Waterloo, P. Q., when he was 4 years old. He was educated in Canada, until twenty, when he joined his uncle, S. F. Belknap, the celebrated railroad contractor, with whom he was extensively engaged in constructing rail- roads in Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont. After fifteen successful years he returned from the United States to Canada, and launched into railway en- terprises of magnitude. His first con- tract was on the Grand Ti'unk from Richmond to Quebec. This was fol- lowed by the Stanstead, Shefford and Chambly, connecting St. Johns with Waterloo. He next built the South- eastern, from West Farnham to New- port, and made the extension of the Canada Central from Sand Point to Pembroke. He also received the con- tract from the Canada Central from Nipissing. He was elected in 1858 member for Sheffi:)rd in the Canada Assembly. After 2 years, he resigned and was returned by acclamation to the Legislative Council for the district of Bedford. On the accomplishment of confederation he was appointed to the Senate of the Dominion, from, which he retired 2 years since on receiving a con- tract for the construction of the Geor- gian Bay. Branch of the Pacific Rail way. He has lately been actively en- gaged in making arrangements to com- plete his contract. Financial troubles overtook him sometime ago, but he was hoping and laboring with energy to re- lieve himself. He had long been afflicted with heart disease, which is hereditary in his family. Last June, in Saratoga, he suffered severely, and after his incar- ceration, two weeks ago, in Irasburgh jail, he had another attack. His phy- sicians prescribed rest for him, and counselled him to beware of excitement. The recent trouble which he has had, no doubt, hastened his death. Mr. 192 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. Foster had a mania for building roads, and he not only invested all his own money in them, but induced his friends likewise to embark ia such speculations. The result of his almost herculean labors has been to serve the Dominion rather than to bring any substantial reward to his own family. His remains were re- moved to "Waterloo for interment. CHURCH HISTORY. CHAPTER IV. ■ THE BAPTIST CHUECH OF WEST DUMMEESTON According to the minutes of the gen- •eral convention of Baptist churches ' in Vermont, this church was organized in ' 1 783 . The earliest record of the church , recently found, begins Apr. 12, 1789. On that day the church voted to adopt the new articles of faith and covenant. They had no place for public worship •other than to meet at private dwellings. The locality where the meetings were then held, is now school district No. 6, instead of No. 1 "West, where the meet- ing-house now stands. At that time meetings were held mostly at the houses of Samuel Wakefield and Jesse Manley. Elder Joel Butler was invited to assist in one of those meetings, but it is not certain that he had previously been their pastor. John Manly, Jr., and Jesse Manley had been serving the church as deacons, but were released Aug. 9, 1 789 . At that time the church assessed and collected " sums to support the gospel." ELDEE STOSB had the pastoral care of the church for a short time, bat asked a dismission that year. No record for 1790. The church in Jamaica sent a letter Mar. 13, 1791, asking that Isaiah Stone be dis- missed to their church. May be this is Elder Stone who resigned in 1789, be- cause his mind was much troubled about the "perplexing necessities" of life. "When the record closes for that year, the church was unwilling to accept Elder Stone's resignation. Jesse Manley was church clerk in 1791 and held the position, Sept. 17, 1794, when the old record closes, which is a book of 75 pages. Feb. 18, 1792. The church voted that it was the deacons' work vo take care of the poor of the church and pro- vide for the communion. June 4, 1792. Eleven persons were admitted to the church. On the same day it was voted that " our brethren in the south part of Marlboro should be a branch of our church with full power to receive members." John Manley, Jr., was chosen clerk of that branch. Nine persons were admitted to the church, July 22, 1792, and the same number, Aug. 26, 1792. It was voted that Brother "Wakefield should improve his gift steady for fur- ther satisfaction ; and it was the opinion of the church that Br. Beriah "Willis " has a gift that may be proftebell in Zi(.n." Sept. 13, 1792, the church met at the house of Abel Bugbee in Putney and admitted to the church 13 persons, who were residents of that locality. Jesse. Manly was chosen deacon that year. Elder Isaac Kenney, of Richmond, N, H., preached several times during the year, for which he received $10 from individuals. Dec. 8, 1792. The church' voted to act on a request from a society on the west side of "West river, which is the first evidence on record that a society existed in that locality. The request was that Br. Samuel Wakefield should DTJMMERSTON. 193 he permitted to preach to them. He had recently been urged to improve liis gift with a view to preaching : also the church had asked him to serve them as deacon. Br. Wakefield received " lib- ■erty to improve his gift wliere he should judge duty.'' Micah Blench, Jr., was ■chosen deacon. Aug. 20, 17^2. The chuTcli voted thatBro. Micah Fi-ench, Jr., Samuel Manley, James Mann, Enos Philips, and Luke Taylor should take tlie lead of singing in public meeting. BB. RUFUS FREEMAN was requested to come and see the church. May 3, 1793. he received '*a call to take the pastoral care of this church." Jan. 26, 1793. The church met at Putney West Hill and admitted to the church nine persons. Bro. Stebbens was chosen to take the lead on the Sabbath of the brethren in Putney. Rufus Freeman and Phebe, his wife were admitted l)y letter from the church in FitzwiUiam, N. H. He was ordained over the church in West Dummerston, Sept. 4, 1793. The ordination took place at the house of James Manley. The churches invited were Eichmond, N. H., Marlboro, Eoyalston, Mass., Guilford [west part under Elder Jacobs] , FitzwiUiam, and Putney. The place where Jesse Manley lived in 1793, was bought by the church for £58 [$193 1 3] as a home for Elder Freeman. For a time he preached every third Sabbath at Grassy Brook in Putney. Oct. 20, 1793. The church voted to assist the brethren in Putney to ordain them an elder- Elder Freeman, Jesse Manley, Micah French, Jr., Ezekiel Wilson, Seth Hudson and Samuel Wakefield were sent for that purpose. 25 Apr. 24, 1794. The brethren at Marl- boro sent a letter requesting to be set off, and Elder Freeman, Samuel Wakefield, Micah French, Seth Hudson were sent by the church to aid in the exercises. Aug, 2, 1794, Dea. Jesse Manley, who was in trouble with the "cliurch about a trade with a brother xnember. was called on and requested " to take his place and travel with the church. No other record of the early church has been found at the time of this writing. In 1811, Seth Hudson and Jotham Burnett were a committee to revise the names on the church record. They reported 103 resident members. The whole number recorded at that time was 215. It is not certain when the first meeting-house was built in West Dum- merston. The first building occupied by the church was purchased in Guil- ford, taken down and erected on the site of the church now occupied by the so- ciety. When it became unserviceable, it was removed a few rods south from its old foundation and converted into a store and dwelling-house. The post- office is now kept in this store which is owned and occupied by John E. Town- send as merchant and post-master. THE LATE RECORDS of the church begin Nov. 29, 1827, when the First and Second Baptist Church were united. A division in the church had existed for a long time ; but it does not appear expedient to write up the cause* ot separation. At the time of the union, Ekler Jonathan Huntley was pastor, and Jesse Manley, Luke Taylor, and Oliver Carpenter, Jr., were deacons. Elder Jerome Packer was pastor, and Oliver Carpenter and Daniel Jones were deacons in 1840. Joel Chandler was church clerk many years. S. W. Wil- 194 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. son held the place a long time, and for the last few years George Everleth has been clerk of the church. ADDITIONAL STATISTICS That have been furnished to the wri- ter since the above was written : In 1818 and 1819, Elder Mansfield Bruce was pastor of one division of the church and Elder Huntley of the other. Elder Ziba Howard was pastor in 1834, and remained with the church tiU 1840. After Elder Jerome Packer's pastor- ate ended, Elder Phineas Howe became preacher, Aug. 27, 1842. In 1859, H. B. Streeter was their minister. F. M. Mace was resident pastor in 1863. Rev. Mark Carpenter, of Townshend preached for the church in 1866 and again in 1879 when he wa& 78 years of age. Rev. Jonas G. Bennett was pastor in 1869. Rev. A. N. Woodruff had the pastoral care in 1875, and Rev. C. J. Wilson in 1881. Rev. C. R. Powers is pastor for 1884. The oldest deacons of the church now living, are Dea. John Greenwood and Dea. J. Bartlett Estey. John K. Leonard was deacon in 1867 and served tiU his death in 1875. Sidney H. Barrett was chosen dea- con, Apr. 5, 1884. The church now occupied by the so- ciety, was built in 1859. James A. Chase was chosen clerk in 1843, Benja- min Stickney in 1858, S. W. Wilson in 1864, and George Everleth in 1879. DIVIDEND OF SCHOOL MONEY. to the town treasurer of Dummerston for the year 1820 : ( This report was found among the old papers of John B. Miller. ) School Districts j By whom returned ; Number of scholars. District 1 returned by Austin Birchard, 80 scholars and $21,20. District 2 returned by Joseph Bemis ; 54 scholars and $14,31. District 3 returned by John Sargeant ; 45 scholars and $11,93. District 4 returned by Elder Allen ; 33 scholars and $8,74. District 5 returned by Asa Borden ; 41 scholars and $10,865. District 6 returned by Samuel French ; 63 scholars and $16,695. District 7 returned by Lyman Walker ; 28 scholars and $7,42. District 8 returned by Doctor Boyden ; 75 scholars and $19,875. WiUian. Wheeler and others, 9 schol- ars and $2, 385. WEST SIDE OP WEST EITBK. Distrct 1 returned by Jotham Burnet ; 89 scholars and $23,585. District 2 returned by Elder Levi Dun- ham ; 52 scholars and $13,78. District 3 returned by James A. Chase ; 35 scholars and $9,275. District 4 returned by Richard Dean ; 20 scholars and $5, 30. District 5 returned by Calvin Holiday ; 32 scholars and $8,48. Total No. of scholars 656 and $173,84. James A. Chase, 1 Alvine Knapp, [- trustees. Peter Willard, } Dummerston, April 3d, A. D. 1820. The population of the town in 1820 was 1658. In 1880, the population was 816. The number of scholars attend- ing school was 183 ; between the ages of 5 and 20 years, 177. The public money divided in 1880 was $360,52. DUMMERSTON. 195 ROI,!, OP HONOR, OUR SOLDIERS: 1861-1865. VOLUNTEEES FOR THEEE YEARS, Credited previous to the call for Three Hundred Thousand Volunteers, Oct.17, 1863. William h. poster, the first soldier from this town in the late war, enlisted May 1, 1861, in Co. C. 2d. Regiment ; He was promoted Sergeant, and mustt-rtd out of service June 29, 18-64. WILLIAM S. JDDD, enlisted Oct. 24, 1861, in Co. F, 1st Reg. Cav. ; discharged Dec. 28, 1863 ; re-enlisted Jan. 2, 1864 ; promoted cor- poral, Sept. 11, sergeant. May 1, and mustered out of service July 31st, 1865. FREDERICK A. RICE, enlisted, Sept. 4, 1861, as a musician, Co. F, 4th Reg. ; sick in hospital near Washington ; died Jan. 29, 1862, aged 19 years. STLVESTER C. BUHLINGAME, enlisted Aug. 27, 1«61, Co. F, 4th Reg. ; discharged Mar. 5, 1862 ; re- enlisted May 27 ; promoted sergeant, July 9 ; wounded severely at the battle of Chapin's Farm. Sept. 29, 1864 ; pro- moted 2d Lieut., Dec. 30 ; mustered out June 13, 1865. CHARLES W. MANSFIELD, enlisted May 28, 1862, Co.K, 9th. Reg. ; taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry, Sept. 15 ; soon after paroled ; sent to Chicago, afterwards exchanged ; re- turned to Newbern, N. C. ; sick in hos- pital at Morehead City ; sent to the hos- pital at Brattleboro, Vt., Jan. 1864; returned to his Reg. at Newbern, Apr. 22 ; died in the hospital Apr. 29, 1864. in his 18th year. JOSEPH C. MANSFIELD enlisted, Aug. 11, 1862 in Company E 11th. Regiment, While in Fort Slo- cum, near Washingtijn, he was taken sick with typhoid fever which terminat- ed fatally, Oct. 11th., 1863. He was in the 25th year of his age at the time of his death. WILLIAM H. MANSFIELD enlisted, Aug. 11, 1862, in Company E, 11th. Regiment, promoted corporal, Sept. 1st, discharged on account of sick- ' ness, July 30, 1863, and died Mar. 11, 1867, aged 26 years. DANIEL G. OKMSBEE enlisted, Aug. 11th. 1863, in Company E, 11th Regiment, was promoted corp- oral, Dec. 28, 1863, and died at Alex- andria, Va., June 11th 1864, of wonnds received in battle at Cold Harbor June 1, 1864, aged 23 years. HERBERT J. KNIGHT enlisted, Aug. li, 1862 in Company E 1 1th Regiment and was discharged Jan. 20, 1865. FRANKLIN W. KNIGHT enlisted, Aug. 11, 1862 ; was wounded in battle ; had one of his feet amputa- ted ; was discharged, Aug. 11, 1865. ISAAC H. SIBLEY enlisted, Aug. 11, 1862. in Company E Uth Regiment; wounded in action and mustered out of service, June 21, 1865. JAMES B. HACKETT enlisted July 21, 1862, in Company E 11th. Regiment, and was mustered out of service, June 20, 1865. DEXTER B. DEAN enlisted, Aug. 11, 1862, in Company E 11th Regiment. He was discharged, Dec. 81, 1862, and died in 1863, aged 19 years. 196: VEEMONT HISTOEICAL MAGAZINE. FRANCIS H. MOESE enlisted in. Compauy E 11th Regiment, Aug. 11th, 1862 ; was promoted corpor- al, Oct. 11th 1864 and mastered out of service, June 4, 186&. CHARLES K. CHAMBERLAIN enlisted, Aug. 23, 1861 in Co. F, 4th Reg., disch'd, Apr. 3, 1862, aged 19. JAMES F. B. RANDOLL enlisted. May 28, 1862, in Company K, 9th Regiment, and was ii. the ser- vice three years.. JOHN F. MORSE enlisted Aug. 11, 1862, in Company ,E 11th., Regiment, and died, Feb. 17, 1863,, aged 19 years. FRANKLIN STOCKWELL enlisted Sept. 6, 1861, was musician in Co. F, 4th Reg. ; re-enlisted, Dec. 15, 1863 ;. transferred from Co. F, to Co. B, Feb. 25, 1865 ; mustered out July 13, 1865. LOYAL SMITH. Loyal Smith, Jr. , enlisted Aug. 20. 1861, Co. G-, 4th Reg. ; died atHagers- town, Md., Nov. 25, 1862, aged 22. ANDREW J. HOWE enlisted, in Co. F, Sept. 28, 186J, 1st. Cavalry Regiment, and mustered out l^ov. 18, 1864. JOHN S. JILLSON enlisted in Company F Sept. 12, 1861, 1st. Cavalry Regiment ; mustered out Nov. 18, 1864. SAMUEL W. ESTEY enlisted, Aug. 24, 1861, in Co. F, 4tu. Reg. ; promoted corporal ; mustered oat Sept. 30, 1864. ZELOTES BURLINGAME enlisted, Nov. 23, 1861, in Co. H, 2d. Reg. U. S. Sharp Shooters ; died Oct. 7, 1862, aged 43 years. ABNERL, BUTTERFIELD enlisted, Dec. 5, 1861, in Co. H, 2d. Reg. U. S. S. S-; discharged in 1862. WALTER ELMER enlisted, Aug. 11, 1862, in Co. E, llth„ Reg. ; promoted corporal, July 1, 1863, sergeant, Oct. 2, )864;. and mustered out of service, June, 24, 1865. GEORGE H. KNIGHT enlisted, Aug. 16, 1862, in Co. C. 2d'. Reg. ;. wounded in action ; discharged. May 3d, 1863. WARREN. HERSET enlisted, in Company F, First Cavalry Regiment. HENRT D. EVEELETH enlisted, Nov. 19, 1861, in 2d. Reg. Co. H, U. S. S. S. ;, discharged March 24, 1863 ;, dieH in 1863, aged 20. Anson Buxton and Hosea Stone en- listed from other towns and are credited to Dummerston. The following names are credits un- der the call of Oct. 17, 1863, for 300. 000 volunteers, and subsequent calls. Volunteers For Three Years. william d. aiken enlisted, Jan. 2, 1864, in Co. K, 9th. Reg. ^transferred to Co. C, June 13, 1864 J promoted corporal, July 22d., 1865 ; mustered out Dec. 1, 1865. HARRISON K. BACON. enlisted Jan. 2, 1864, in Co. K, 7th. Regiment ; wounded at Chapin's Farm, Sept. 29, 1864 ; transferred to Co. C, by reason of consolidation of regiment Jime 1, 1865 ; promoted corporal June 15 ; 2d. Lieut. Co. C, July 3 ; Ist Lieut. Nov. 17 ; mustered out, Dec. 1, 1865 ; died July 22, 1866, aged 24. CHARLES L. DODGE enlisted Dec. 4, 1863, in Co. K, 9th. DUMMERSTON. 197 Reg. ; died at Brattleboro, Vt., Dec. 5, 1864; aged 17. WILLIAM H. MARSHALL enlisted Dec. 24, 1863, First Vt. Bat- tery Light Artillery ; transferred to 2d Vt. Battery, July 13, 1864 ; to First Vt. Heavy Artillery, March 1, 1865 ; mustered out July 28, 1865. MARSHALL B. HOLTON enlisted Jan. 2, 1864, Co. K, 9th Reg- iment ; transferred to Co. C, June 13, 1865 ; promoted corporal, Aug. 24th ; died at Norfolk, Va., Nov. 13, 1865, aged 20 years. JOHN MILLER enlisted, Jan. 2, 1864, in Co. K, 9th. Regiment ; transferred to Co. C, June 13, 1865 ; promoted corporal July 22 ; sergeant, Sept. 21st. and mustered out, Dec. 1, 1865. AURELIUS PETEE enlisted, Dec. 17, 1863, in Co. K, 9th. Regiment ; transferred to Co. C, June 13, 1865 ; mustered out, Dec. 1, 1865. WM. L. G. V7HITNET enlisted, Aug. 28, 1862, Co. B, 16tli, Reg. ; mustered out with the regiment, Anii. 10. 1863 ; re-eulisted for 9 mos. Dec. 14, 1863 ; sick in Gen. Hospital ; died, Dec. 11, 1864, aged 21. JOHN L. WILLARD enlisted, Jan. 2, 1864, in Co. K, 9th. Regiment ; transferred to Co. C, June 13, 1865; mustered out Dec. 1, 1865. Lyman J. Brown, David Crocker, David H. Davis, Edward S. Gilman, Michael Kelly, Bradbury A. Hunt, John Hawley. Austin Loverin, Eli M. Quimby, Frank King, James Thomp- son, John M. JVelch, and Harris B. Mitchell enlisted from other towns in Vt. and credited to Dummerston. Volunteers For One Year. george h. whipple enlisted, Aug. 23, 1864 ;, was not as- signed to any regiment ; and discharged Oct. 11, 1864. GEORGE. F. WHITNEY enlisted, Sept. 2, 1864 ; Co. K. 9th. Reg. ; sick in Gen. Hospital, Dec. 1, 1864 ; died during the same month, aged 23 years. EARL F. WILLARD enlisted, Aug. 23, 1864, Co. K, 9th. Reg. ; mustered out May 22, 1865. ENROLLED MEN WHO PURNISHiId SUBSTITUTES. Asa Dutton, William H. Frost, Jer- ome W. Knight, Henry H. Miller, and. Joseph R. Nourse. Volunteers For Nine Months : Herbert G. Bond, Leroy L. Bond, Mansel H. Bush, George A. Ellis, Fredrick G. Smith, Wallace W. Wilson enlisted, Sept. 20, 1862, in Company I, 16th. Regiment, and were mustered out of service, Aug. 10 1863. ASAHEL E. ELLIS enlisted Sept. 20, 1862, in Company I, 16th. Reg. ; died at Union Mills, Va., Apr. 9, 1863. aged 20. PASCHAL S. LAUGHTON enlisted, Sep. 20, 1862, in Co. I, 16th Reg. ; promoted 1st Sergi., Oct. 23, 2d Lieut. Co. B, Mar. 17, '63 ;. died Aug. 6, 1863, aged 29 years. ORMANDO E. NORCROSS, ASA D. GATES, promoted Sergt. ; ornan prescott jr., FRED'k S STEWART, EDWIN R. WILLARD enlisted, Aug. 28, 1862, in Company B 16th Regiment, and were mustered out of service, Aug 10, 1863. 198 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. FuENiSHED Under Deaft And Paid Commutation : Ripley C. Bennett, Jcihn F. Butter- field. Stephen L. Dutton, Lucian A. Elmer, Harlan W. Holton, Anthony L. Huntley, Leroy I. Knapp, Morris E. Lawton, and Atherton Prescott. Procured Substitute : George R. Bennett, Hardin"W. Ben- nett, Alonzo Bradley. Daniel W. Gates, Jason C. Knight, Charles Ormsbee, and James H. Sargeant. ABEL D. BROWN was drafted July 13, 1863 ; assigned to Co. K, 6th Reg. ; mustered out June 26, 1865. Volunteers For One Year. IRA o. HATEN, promoted Com. Sergt. and DAVID M. ESTET enlisted, .January 30, 1865, in Company F, 1st Regiment Frontier Cavalry ; mustered out of ser- vice, June 27, 1865. AUSTIN LAUGHTON, fumished a sub- stitute , and John M. Montgomery and John Cashier entered the United States Navy. A FAMILY OF SOLDIERS. Three sons of Jesse J. Mansfield, of Dtimmerston, were in the army during the late war for the Union . All enlisted for three years. Charles W. Mansfield enlisted in May 1862, and was at that time not quite 16 years of age. ' He was. a member of Cojipany K, 9th Vt. Vols. About the middle of July the regiment was sent to "Washington. From that place they marched to Winchester, Va., where they remained tiU a few days be- fore the battle of Antietam, where they were ordered to march in quick time to Harper's Ferry. Sept. 15th they were made prisoners of war by the enemy immediately paroled, and soon after, marched to Baltimore. From that place they were sent to Camp Douglas, Chica- go, where they remained several months. Charles was sick at this place for the first time after leaving Vermont. While on duty with the regiment at Suffolk, Va., in the Fall of 1863, he was again sick. He was considered able to go with his regiment when it left this place for Newbern N. C. ; but it proved oth- erwise, and he was sent to the hospital in Morehead City. Having regained sufficient strength, he received a fur- lough, came home Dec. 5th, and was in the hospital at Brattleboro, when, with a few other soldiers, he was sent back to his regiment, Apr. 12, 1864. He arrived at Newbern on the 22d, and died Apr. 29, in the 18th year of his age. Joseph C. and William H. Mansfield joined the army in August, 1862, and both were members of Battery E, 1st Artillery,, 11th yt. Regt. This battery was stationed at Fort Slocum, near Washington, during the memorable bat- tle at Gettysburg. While in this fort, Joseph was sick with typhoid fever, which terminated fatally Oct. 11, 1863. He was in his 25th year and left a wife and one child, who survived her father's death only one year, dying Oct. 30, 1863, age, 3 years. William was in the army about one year. On account of iU health, he re- ceived a discharge from service, and returned to Vermont. When he was again able to labor, he went to Boston, Mass., where he worked as a mechanic nearly two years. During that time he had much sickness, finally gave up busi- ness, and came back to Dummerston, where he died of consumptifin, March 11, 1867, aged 26 years. Mrs. Hannah Mansfield, the mother of these soldiers, died Feb. 14, 1875, DUMMEESTON 199 agea 65 years. She was the youngest oi' a family of 11 children, eight sons and three daughters. Her father, Ben- jamin Lufkin, was one of the first set- tlers in the town of Rumford, Me., where she was boru in 1809. Her brother Joseph, the eldest of the family, was g, minister for nearly 60 years and preached his last sermon only a few Sabbaths before his death, which occur- red in 1872 in the 86 year of his age. Two other brothers were also ministers. COL. WILLIAM HENRY GKEENWOOD. During the last years of his life, the home of Col. Greenwood was in Dum- merston. Here also was the birth-place of his wife, Eva Duncan Knight, dau. of Joel and Fannie (Duncan) Knight. Mrs. Knight was the dau. of Dr. Abel Duncan, secoad cousin of Judge Jason Duncan. Col. Greenwood purchased in 1873, the farm, which has been the homestead of the Joel Knight family for three generations, but his profession as a civil and mining engineer, called him from home nearly the whole time after the p.urchase was made. Never- theless, he counted that it would afford him a place of rest from the hardships of his professional life whenever oppor- tunity should favor ; but rest came not as anticipated. The man who seemed to have a charmed life, escaping the bullets of the enemy on many hard- fought battle-fields of the late war for the Union, passing unharmed numerous attacks of Inuians which he encountered during his surveys on the plains ot the West in 1867-68 and 69, enduring hard- ships from cold and hunger which few men have ever experienced, was killed by a fatal shot from a gang of robbers and murderers in ambush, and the ca- reer of a busy lite instantly terminated. The sad event occurred in Aug. 1880, and in the spring of 1882, his remains were broughc from Mexico to their final resting place in the cemetery at Dum- merston. William Greenwood, his great-grand- father, came from Sherborn, Mass., and settled in Dublin, N. H., in 1765. He was a carpenter by trade and was killed at the raising of a barn, June 28, 1782, aged 61. He married Abigail Death of Sherborn, who d. Oct 1,1814 aged 91. Joshua Greenwood, grandfather of the Colonel, married Hannah Twitch- ell of Dublin, Aug. 22, 1779. Asa, his father, was born in Dublin, July 1, 1797, married Dec. 31, 1821, Mrs. Lucy Evens, who died in Marl- boro, N. H.,Feb. 20, 1852. He mar- ried 2d, Mary Minot, and removed to Illinois in 1853 ; returning East in the summer of 1877, to visit friends, he died at the house of his son in Dum- mer«ton, July 16, 1877. Col. Greenwood was born in Dublin, N. H. March, 27, 1832, and married Miss Knight, May 19, 1857. He was the youngest son of the family and spent his early years, for the most part in the public schools of Marlboro, N. H., where his parents removed in 1834^ Mathematics were his favorite studies and came easily to him. It was his ambition in youth to become a thorough and accomplished engineer, and that object was fulfilled. He remained in Marlboro until 1850, when he entered Norwich University, (Vt.,) graduating in ] 852. From a report of the Twelfth Reunion of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland," we subjoin : From The Vermont Phcbnix. " In 1852, he went to Illinois and engaged in the survey of railroads till 200 VERMONT HISTORICL MAGAZINE. the war of the rebellion broke out. He enlisted in the 51st Reg. 111. Vols., Jan. 17, 1862, and was commissioned after- wards 1st Lieut. Co. H, of tlat regi- ment. H's commission as captain of the same company is dated May 9, 1863. Soon after the battle of Stone River, Gen. Rosecrans selected Greenwood for a competent engineer to organize a topo- graphical service, and he was directed to report to Gen. Stanley, at that time chief of cavalry for the Army of the Cumberland with whom he remained till the fall of 1865, when the 4th Corps of that division was mustered out in Texas. No officer served in the Army of the Cumberland who was present at and participated in more battles, actions, affairs, skirmishes, than Col. Green- wood. Always strong and well, though slender of form, he was always ready for duty, day and night. The great battles in which he was a most active participant embrace such names as Per- ryville, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, three months of Atlanta campaign, an almost continuous fight, including Peach Tree Creek, the assault on Kenesaw ; finally, in the last great service of the 4th Corps, the action at Spring Hill, next day the battle of Franklin, and very soon the battle of Nashville, which ended the mission of the Army of the Cumberland, in the destruction of Hood's army. In only, 1864, when Gen. Stanley was appointed to the command of the 4th. Corps, Greenwood was commissioned by the President, Lt. Col. and Inspector, to date July 28, 1864. In July, 1865, the 4th Corps landed in Texas, and was posted at Victoria, Lavacca, and San Antonio. Col. Greenwood was put in charge of the Gulf and San Antonio Railroad which had been completely destroyed, by the rebel general, John Magruder. With the burned and bended railroad iron, and such timber as could be gathered out of the Guadaloupe low- lands, be soon had the cars running to Victoria. Having finished his work in Texas, he returned to Vermont and soon afterwards, went West, where he was employed upon the Kansas Pacific Rail road. He was appointed chief engineer of this road, and whilst holding this position, he made surveys on the 3 2d. and 35th parallels, through to San Francisco. During his service for the company, he contracted 150 miles of railroad in 100 working days and the last day laid ten and one-quarter miles in ten hours, a feat, perhaps, never equalled in railroad construction. In 1870, he made the first general report in favor of three feet narrow gauge ra;l roads, and was appointed general man- ager of construction of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Upon comple- tion of the first division of this road, he was appointed General Supentendtnt, and remained till the road was finished to Canon City. He next went to Mex- ico in company with Gen. W. S. Rose- crans and Gen. W. J. Palmer with a view to constructing a national railroad in that country. Whilst engaged in this service, he visited England and the con- tinent, in the interest of his road, but failing to get the concessious asked for from the Mexican government, he re- turned to New York and established himself as a civil engineer. In May, 1878, he took charge of the construction of the Pueblo and Arkansas Valley Railroad for the Atchison, Topeka and Santo Fe Company ; and March, 1879, took charge of the Marion and McPer- son Railroad. This is the last public work with which he was connected un- til he went to Mexico upon his last and fatal engagement. As an engineer, he DUMMERSTON. 201 ■had few peers in the profession. No obstacle that nature had interposed, jny E. Crosby, Secretary; and Geo. B. Sargent, Lecturer. REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Leonard Spaulding, Mar. 12, 1778, •178r, '84, '86, 87. Thomas Amsden, Mar. 12, 1778. Jonathan Knight, October 1778, '79, ■80, 83. Alexander Kathan, 1782, 83. Hosea MiUer, 1785. William Sargeant, 1788. Thomas Clark, 1789, '90. Jason Duncan, 1791, 92, '93, '98, '■99. 1806, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11. Daniel Taylor, 1794, '95, '96, ,97, 1801. Jonas Walker 1800. Samuel Porter, 1802, '03, '04, '05. Jonathan Huntley, 1812, '13, '14, '15 '16, '17. '22, 23. Thomas Boyden, 1818 to 1822. Marshall Miller, 1824. '25. Josiah Taft, 1826, '27. Joseph Duncan, 1828, '29, '36, '37. Asa Knight, 1830, '31, '34, '36. Enos Leonard, 1832, '33. Clark Rice, 1838. Samuel French, 1830, '40, 41. Reuben Smead, 1842, '43. None in 1844 and in 1845. Wm. O. Miller, 1846, '47. Winslow Dutton, 1848, '49. George R. Miller, 1850. [ Asa Dutton, 1851. Not represented in 1852, '53, Alonzo Dutton, 1854. Not represented in 1855. Asa La-vrton, 1856, 57. Not represented in 1858, '59. Simeon Reed, I860, '61. Joseph Miller, 1862, '63. Leroy Wilder, 1864. George W. Walker, 1865, '66. John K. Leonard, 1867, '68. Stephen L. Dutton, 1869, '70, '72, 80 Samuel N. Bemis, 1874. Thomas N. Reed, 1876. Horace R. Stoddard, 1878. THE SELECTMEN OF DUMMERSTON : Arnold, Thomas, 1833. Bailey, Abner B., 1873 to '77. Bemis, Daniel G., 1860. Bemis, Daniel W., 1847 to '54- Boyden, Asa, 1813, '41, '44. Boyden, Thomas, 1813, '17 to '21. Boyden, William, 1782 to '86, '91. Briggs, Seth, 1807, '08. Butterfield, Ezra, 1791, '93, '97, to 1891, '05, '06, '10. Burnett, Isaac, 1792. Burnett, Stephen, 1801. Burnett, Stephen P., 1869 to '72. Burnett, Jotham, 1811, '27, '34 to 1838. Gary, Phineas, 1788, '96. Clark , Amasa, 1845, '46. Clark, John, 1827, '28, '29, '43, 1848. Clark, Thomas, 1782 to '86, '89, '90, 91, '95, '96. Clark, Thomas Jr., 1872 to '79. Cook, Enoch, 1775, to '80. DUMMERSTON. 207 Cook, William, 1851, '52. Kathan, Alexander, 1789, '87, '88 Cudworth, T. J. B., 1861. Knapp, Ichabod, 1793, '94, 1807. Davenpori, Charles, 1773. Knight, Asa, 1830 to '38. Dix Joseph, 1831. Knight, Jonathan, 1775, -76, '81, Dodge, Willard, 1870, 1789. Duncan, Abel, 1809. Knight, Jonathan Jr., 1812. Duncan, Jason, 1780. '86. '92, '95 Knight, Samuel, 1808, '10, '11. to 1801, '07 to '11. Lawton, Asa, 1839. Dutton, Alonzo, 1854, '55, '67 to Leonard, Enos, 1824, '25, '26, '29, 1872. '30, '38 to 42. Dutton, Asa Jr., 1832, '33, '34 '38 Lynde, Lewis H,, 1879. 39, '40, '49, '50. Manley, Jesse, 1815 . Dutton, Samuel, 1774. Miller. George R., 1845, '46, '47. Dutton, Samuel Jr., 1794. Miller, Hosea, 1781. Dutton, Stephen L., 1854 to '60, MiUer, Isaac, 1772, 1774, '62, '63, '64, '66, '67 '80, '81. Miller, John, 1811, '16, '17, '23. Elmer, Elijah, 1864, '65. Miller, John B., 1836, '37, '83 Estey, S. Ward, 1879 to and 1884. '44, '53. French, Chester. W., 1866. Miller, Marshall, 1814, '16, '22. French, Micah, Jr., 1794. Miller Samuel, 1816 to 21. French, Nathaniel, 1781. Miller, Thomas, 1835, '47. French, Nathaniel, 1843, '48, '49. Moore, Martin, 1842, '44. ,50, '53. Moore, Rufus, 1805, '06, '08, '09, French, Samuel, 1814, '19, '23 to ,12, 13, 14, 15, 23. 1829. Negus, William, 1781. French, William, 1812, '20, '21, Portep, Samuel 1802, to '07. 1822. Reed,Thomas, N. 1882' '83. Gates, John S., 1782, to '85, '92, Rice, Amos, 1781. '97 to 1801, '04, '05, '06. Roel, Charles G., 1854 to '61. Gates, Martin, 1842. Sargeant, James H., 1856 to '60. Gates, Martin W., 1862 to '66. Sargeant, Rufus, 1786, '87. Griffith, Ellis, 1804. Sargeant, Thomas, 1808. Haven, Abel, 1818. Smead, Reuben, 1841. Haven, Abel Jr., 1845, '46. Spaulding, Leonard, 1774, '76. Haven, Ebenezer, 1773, '76. Stearns, John F., 1829, '30, '40, Herrick, Jona. T., 1877, '78, '81. '41, '43. Hibbard, Dan, 1791. Stickney, Benjamin Jr., 1851, '52, Hildreth, Joseph, 1774, '76. 1872. Holton, Thomas, 1776. Taft, Josiah, 1821, '22. Houghton, Cyrus, 1772, ' 73. Taylor, Daniel, 1790, '95, '96, 1802, Hudson, Seth, 18 02 tr '07. 1803. 208 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. Taylor, Luke, 1805. Walker, George W., 1865, '71, '73, to '80. Walker, Jonas, 1780, '89, '92, '93, 1801, '07. Wheeler, William, 1821. Wheeler, William, Jr. 1868, '69. Woodbury, Stephen, 1801. Worden, J. E., 1860, '61. WiUard, Henry, 1831, '31, '32. WiUard, Nelson W., 1861, '62, '«3,'67, 'fiS. Willis, Zenas, 1815. Wiswall, Samuel, 1772. DELEGATES TO THE COUNTY CONGRESS AND COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION. From a paper read before the Ver- mont Historical Society at Montpelier, Oct. 15, 1878, we obtain the informa- tion that Lieut. Leonard Spaulding was representative from this town to the first General Assembly which met at Wimd- .•Bor, Mar. 19, 1778. The first legislature resulted from the constitution of July 1777 ; and the con- stitution was the result of the general conventions, to which, from 1771 until 1777, the care of the most important interests of the people had been com- mitted. The first record of delegates from this town was in 1774, Nov. 28, when Solomon Harvey, Ebenezer Haven and Hosea Miller were chosen "to set as delegates in the County Congress at Westminster on the 30th instant." Jan. 3, 1775, Solomon Harvey, Jcmathan Knight, William Boyden, Enoch Cook, Leonard Spaulding, Josiah Boyden and Ebenezer Haven were chosen as a com- mittee of inspection or safety to inspect the conduct of the inhabitants agreeable to an order of the Rt. Hon. Continental Congress. Feb. 3, and May 22, 1776, Enoch Cook, Richard Kelly at the form- er date, 'Enoch Cook and Thomas Clark at the latter date, were chosen delegates to " set" at Westminster. John Hooker was chosen delegate, Nov. 28, 1775, also again chosen with Josiah Boyden, Dec. 21, 1776. Dea. Jonathan Cole of Westmoreland, N.H., was chosen Feb. 26, 1776, to meet with the county committee to meet at John Sargent's in Brattleboro, to draw up a remonstrance to send to the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, concerning the blody massacre on the 13th of March last, June 8, 1776, Joseph Hildreth and Leonard Spaulding were chosen dele- gates to " set"' at Westminster, and on Aug. 15, 1776, the same persons were chosen to " set " at Dorset. They were instructed by a committee chosen for that purpose to appear at Dorset Sept. 25th, 1776, and what course to follow in the convention. Hon. E. P. Walton says in an address givea before the Vt. His. Soc, that oh "Mar. 26, 1778, Doct. Thomas Amsden was appointed on a committee with two known members, to copy acts of th« legislature for the information of the people. Thomas Amsden rendered an account for that service, dated at Dum- merston, which was allowed by the gov- ernor to ' Doct. Amsden.' Dummers- ton was probably entitled to two mem- bers in March 1778, and had but one in Deming's list." MEMBEtlS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. Jason Duncan, 1791 ; Alexander Kathan, 1793; Jonathan Huntley, 1814 '18, '28 ; Marshall Miller, 1822 ; Samuel Knight, 1836 ; John Clark, 1843 ; Asa Dutton, 1850. DUMMERSTON. 209 COUNTY OFFICERS. The following persons from Dum- merston have seived in County offices : Assistant Judges : Jason Duncan, in 180T, '02. '06, '08 ; Tliomas Miller in 1847. JODGES OF PROBATE : Dana Miller, 1823 ; Marshall Miller, 1831, '32, '40, '41, '42 ; Asa Knight, 1884, '36, '36. Clerk of the County Court, Marshall Miller, 1841, '42, '43, 44, '45. 46, 47, '48, '49, '50. THE FIRST TOWN OFFICERS, chosen at the organ' zation of the town, were : Joseph Hildreth, moderator ; Enoch Cook, town clerk ; Ebenezer Haven, supervisor. ; Alexander Kathan and Benjamin Jones assessors ; Rufus Sargeant and Cyrus Houghton collect- ors ; Joseph Hildreth, Benjamin Jones and Charles Davenport , surveyors of highways ; Isaac Miller, Samuel AVis- well and Cyrus Houghton commision- ers to lay out highways ; Shepard Gates and Barzillai Rice, fence-viewers ; Rufus Sargeant, Barzillai Rice, Ebenezer Ha- ven and Daniel Kathan constables ; Alexander Kathan and William Boyden overseers of the poor. TOWN CLERKS. The settlers' first meeting was March 4, 1771, at which time Enoch Cook was chosen " settlers' clerk." The town was prganized May 19, 1772, and he was chosen at that time, " Town clerk " and remained in office till May 18, 1773, when Solomon Harvey was chosen as his successor. He resigned in April 1775, and on May 16th, the same year, Jonathan Knight was chosen in his place, and was clerk till 1 780. Jason Duncan, from 1780 to 1804, and from 1807 to 1812, in all 29 years. Samuel Porter, from 1804 to' 1807 ; Joseph 27 Duncan, son of the former town clerk, " Judge Duncan," served from 1812 to 1849, 37 years ; Joseph Miller, from 1849, and is still in office, 1879. population. There were 19 heads of families in 1761, and a population of about 75. The number of white males under 16, in 1771, was 54; above 16 and under 60 years, 54 ; 60 and upwards 3 ; Feaiales under 16 years, 37 ; above 16 years, 40 ; black males, 1 ; total popu- lation in 1771 was 189 ; heads of fam- ilies, 44. The population in 1791, was 1601 ; in 1800, 1692 ; in 1810, 1704 ; in 1820, 1658 ; in 1830, 1692 ; in 1840, 1263; in 1850, 1645; in 1960, 1022; 1870, 916. The rank in population of the towns in Windham County in 1791, makes this town fifth in numbec. In 1850, the rank was three. The value of ratable property in 1781 was $2970 ; in 1791, $4978. OUR cemeterip:s. These little landscapes of the dead in Dummerston are six in number, three in the west part and three in the east part of the town. All of them are simply old-fashioned grave -yards. — There is very little about them like what we see in the village cemeteries of large places. They are not so neat and beau- tiful as many would like to have them, and yet when the visitor calls there, it will be seen that evergreen trees and shrubbery shade the graves of departed generations, that the grass is left to grow green, then to wither and die on these hillocks, that the leaves fall just as au- tumn scatters them and lie close-folded over the uplifted turf; and he will not fail to notice that a sacredness is present in the still air — present in the sod as his foot gently touches it, that is in holy unison with death and the grave. The 210 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. whispers of watching angels are these for the seal of God's Acre is not over- laid by the devices of man's hand. The settlers at their first meeting in 1771, not only chose a comniittee to select a spot for the meeting-house, but chose " Daniel Kathan, Charles Daven- port and Joseph Hildreth to look out a bui-ying place." A spot on the com- mon south of the meeting-house was selected for that purpose. In 1792, the town voted to " remove the burying-ground, and a new lot was selected on the land of Hosea Miller. Daniel Gates, Seth Hudson and Col. Wm. Boyden were chosen a committee to receive'subscriptions for fencing the new lot, superintending the building of the fence and to contract with Hosea Miller for the land. They were not successful in obtaining subscriptions ; and the town voted Dec. 10, 1793, to raise the money, $105, " for fenoinj, the new burying ground. The remains of the dead in the old loi were probably moved to the new ground that year. We are not certain when ti^e other burial-lots were located. The first per- son, buried in the grave-yard east of the Hollow, was a negro, and said to be buried on the brow of the hill on the east side. At the time the yard was fenced, the wall was laid over the foot of the gi-ave. The oldest gravestone in that yard is one erected : "In memory of Sally daughter of Tilotson Miller and, Mrs. Hannah his wife, died Sept. 25, 1785, aged 3 years." In the graveyard near the Centre, the oldest gravestone has the following in- scription : Mary daughter of David and Mary Laughton, died Oct. 10, 1782, aged 8 mos. 6days. These at the cost of Mrs. Margaret Spaulding. Mrs. Spaulding was the mother of Mrs. Mary Laughton and grandmother of the child. The first white marble grave-stone erected in this yard, is tbat of Mrs. Hannah Knowles who died Mar. 9, 1805, aged 59, "Erected by John Knowles as a tribute of respect to a kind mother. This memc>rialwas erected by her son." CAPT. EZEKIEL WILSON Was the ancestor of the Wilson fam- ilies that settled in Dummerston. He was one of the first settlers on Putney West Hill, but living very near to Dum- merston line, was much associated with the affairs in the west part of this town in early times. When the Baptist church was organized in West Dummerston, 1783, he v.-a.'i otll ol the original mem- bers, He was born in Rehoboth , Mass . , and settled on Putney West Hill prob- ably about 1780. In early life, he was a sailor on board of whaling vessels, mostly in northern seas. During the Revolutionary war, he enlisted in the expedition to Montreal and Quebec un- der General Montgomery in December 1775, and suffered extreme hardship from cold and hunger, being at one time without food for three days. He was a volunteer soldier in the battle of Ben- nington and fought with distinction. He joined in the raid under Eathan Allen against the "Yorkers" in Guil- ford. His title of captain came from the circumstance of his being chosen commander of a militia company in Putney. Captain Wilson was a man of strong mind and had a good faculty for settling neighborhood troubles without recourse to law. He died in 1830, and must have been 85 or more years of age. His wife was Sarah Turner, of Rehoboth, Mass. They were married DUMMERSTON. 211 about 1766 or '67 ; children : Hannah m. Luther Butler, Aug. 25, 1790; Fairing, b. 1770, married 1st, Molly (Polly) Manley, and by this marriage had Abel, Rufus, Hannah, who married Gideon Cudworth, Thomas, 'id, Rachel Joy, who died Jan. 1861, aged 82 ; and had two more children — Sanford W. and Adaline who m. Levi M. Walker ; Abel, b. 1772, m. Betsey Taft. Reuben, b. 1774, m. Mercy Manley ; children: Sally, Mercy, Mary, Lucy, Seneca R., Chloe, James M., Marshall R., and Abram B. ; Joseph, born 1777, m. Abigail Cud- worth ; children : Gideon H., Abigail, Shepard S., Sarah C, George F., and Elihii M. ; Abram, the schoolmaster and quaker, b. 1780, went to New York state : Sally, m. a minister by the name of Smith and removed to Sherbrooke in Canada ; Betsey, m. Benj. Campbell, father of E B. Campbell, Esq., of Brattleboro ; Wheaton, b. 1788, m. 1st, Rachel Taft, 2d, SaUy Taft, Mar. 5, 1818, a sister of the first wife ; Chloe, m. John Turner. Fairing Wilson and his brothers, Reuben, Joseph and Wheaton settled in Dummerston. Fairing died in 1842, aged 72. Reuben removed in 1835 with his family to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., where he died in 1864, aged about 90. His daughter, Lucy, married Chas. Black, and Chloe married Zenas But- ' terfield, brother of Hon. E. T. Butter- field, of Wilmington. ^bram married his wife, Abigail, in Rochester, N. Y., and had fwo children, Isaac and Sarah. He died in 1866, aged 86. Joseph Wilson died in 1864, aged 87. His son, Gideon H., m. Lydia, dau. of Dea. Jesse and Betsey (French) Man- ley and removed to Weston New York . Abigail Wilson, m. John Manley. Sarah C. m. John Whitney. Abel and Betsey Wilson's children were : Angeline, John. Ezekiel, Wait- still, Harriet, Mary, George, Abel, vSarah, Daniel, and Sophia. Wheaton Wilson's children by the 1st marriage were : Albert and Wheatoti ; by the 2d, Laura J., Mary, Maria F., Alonzo, EnTily, Sophia, Caroline L., John, William Walter and Wallace W. THE HISTORIAN'S BIOGRAPHY For whioli ourself and oth ors asked. — Ed. The portrait of D. L. Mansfield, ^ which accompanies this sketch was furn- ished at the expense of several citizens in Dummerston. Their intention of so doing did not come to the knowledge of the compiler of the town's history, until the money was all subscribed and pre- sented to him as a New Year's gift at ' the beginning of 1883. He was very grateful for the expression of good will and accepted the offering as a token of appreciation for work performed in the interest of the town. A brief biograph- ical sketch of the person, aa hose portrait is given, may be admissible in this connection. He was born in Salisbury, N. H.,"^ Sept. 17, 1837, and is the eldest and only one living of six children, sons of Jesse J. and Hannah (Lufkin) Mans- field, viz: David L., Joseph C, Wil liamH., Charles W., 2d, and Hollis C Three were soldiers in the late war for the Union. The youngest died of fever at the age of 20. His mother died Feb. 14, 1875, aged 65. His father is still living and receives a pension from the/ U. S. government. i 212 VEEMONT HISTOE]CL MAGAZINE. His grand-parents were Aaron and Betsey (Jaquith) Mansfield, married in Alstead, N. H., in 1805, and whose children were : Aaron, Jesse J., Hollis, Emery, Keziah B., and Lewis H. The great-grand-parents were : Dea- con Ezra and Rebecca (Kenney) Mans- field, married in New Ipswich, N. H., Feb. 21, 1769, whose children were: Ezra, Jr., Eebecca, Aziiba, Aaron, Elijah, Barach, and Asa. Deacon Ezra Mansfield was a resi- dent of Lynn, Mass., in 1766, where two of his brothers, Daniel and William, and a sister Lydia, were married. He died in Alstead, N. H., Feb. 5, 1838, aged 92 years. The subject of ihis sketch had few advantages for schooling until after four- teen years of age. Begining in 1862, he worked on a farm during the greater portion of each year and attended school for three winters in the village of "Wal- pole, N. H., where he had the advan- tages of a high school. Six terms of school under the instruction of Prof. L. F. Ward at Westminister, two at Paper- .^jnill Village, N. H., and one at Power's Institute, Bernardston, Mass. , concluded his academical course of study. Money enough was saved from his wages to meet all the expenses of his education and also pay a considerable sum to his parents for time purchased before he was of age. The misfortune of ill health, caused by rheumatism, changed his course of life at the age of 22 years. Instead of being a farmer, as antici- pated, he engaged in school teaching, which, thus far in life, has been his principal occupation. In 1861 , he became a resident of Dum- merston. March 11, 1873, he married Clarissa Amy, dau. of Benjamin and Clarissa (Farr) Estabrook. Begining in 1857. he taught district schools four successive winters in Walpole, N. H., where he was a resident from 1852 till he removed to Dummerston. Since that time he has been connected with the schools of this town, 21 years, as teach- er, and 15 years as town superintendent. He has taught school, also, in the towns of Chesterfield, N. H., and Brattleboro. He was licensed to teach, by the State, for 10 years, and by the county, the same lengtli of time. BRIEFS AND CORRIGENDA. Page 94. Alexander C Walker who gave the portrait pf Dr. Sewall Walker to the history of Dummerston, was born Sept. 27, 1.831. Page 178. Lucretia, dau. of Samuel Duncan, was born in 1773. Mr. Dun- can, it is said, married a sister of the Kelleys, who were early settlers here. Alexander Kelley was born in Hop- kinton, Mass. , Apr. 2 1 , 1755 m. Elisa- beth — about 1773. Children : Mary, 1775,; Sarah ; Nancy ; Elisabeth Al- exander, Jr. ; Lucinda ; Lawson. William Kelley m. Lucy about 1772. Children : James ; Amos ; Sam- uel ; William Jr. ; John ; Lucy. Page 40. Samuel Adams had chil- dren : Samuel N. ; William ; Chauncey. Nathan Adan.s m. Ruth Kendrick ? about 1782. Children: Ethylinda ; Polly ; Clarissa ; Ruth ; Hannah ; Na- than ; Clark ; Fanny ; Sophia ; Betsey ; Lovinia ; Milo K. Page 122. Elijah Brown, soldier, had children: Eelief; Sally; Abel; Bill ; Timothy ; Sally 2d. Lt. Josiah J. Allen married Desire Jones? about 1777. Children : Phebe ; Sarah ; Johnson ; Desire ; Josiah Jr. Charles Allen mar. Elizabeth Gilman, Nov. 3, 1786. Ch. Charles ; William ; Eliphlet ; Harry ; Harriet ; Emelia. DUMMERSTON. 213 INDEX. MOTE :— With but few exceptions, only the names of persons belonging only to Dummer- ston, and the family name in the sketches, are contained in the following index. The correc- tion of the more important lypogiaphical er- rors, bf^gins on page 170 and is continued with additioual infonnation on other pages, or un- der the head of briefs and corrigenda. Small en'ors that will not mislead the reader have not been considered. More than fifty annec- dotes and Incidents of the early settlers are blended with the di-y historical facts. Abridged Annals, 111. Adams 40, 212. Aged Persons, 152. Allen, Lieut., 212. Alvord, Moses\ 117. Amsden, Dr. Thomas, 47, 54, 95, 161, 178. Arnold, 190. Baker, Dr. Thomas, 95. Bailey, 179. Barbour, Rev. Nelson, 153. Barrett, 184. Bemis, 62, 113. Beckley, Rev. Hosea, 88. , ~> Belknap, 107. - i^^f'-'-'-^ Bennett, 99, 187. Birchard, Roger, 175. Boyden, 37, 177. Brown, Elijah, 121. 212. > Briggs, 185.— >-V' ''-' ' Burnett, 181. Butler, 90,. 178. Butterfield, 189. Caryl, 163. Cemeteries, 209. Chase, 181. Rev. L. G., 156. Child, 189. Chandler, Rev. A., 155. Chur.'.h History, 83, 153, 172, 192. 202. Clark, 95, 170. Cook, 36. Corrigenda, 170, 177, 204, 212, 215. Crosby, Rev. Aaron. 86. Crosby, 105. Cummings, William, 119. Darling, 184. Davenport, 34. Dean, 188. Dix 215. Deer, Reeves, 82. Dodge, Josiah, 127, 136. Duncan, 93, 141, 178, 112. Dunklee, 185. Dutton, 41, 168, 177. Dutton, Alonzo, 42. Dutton. Winslow, 167. Early Farms, 70. Early Roads, 78. Early Settlers, 79. Early Military History, 115. Enos, Joseph, 105. Estabrook, 146. Farrar, Rev. Joseph, 83, 84, 124, 115. Fatal Accidents, 174. Fight at Guilford, 57. Fitts. 105. First Meeeting House, 15, 82, 172'. Foster, 184, 191. Foster, Rev. B. F., 154. French, 9, 11, 42, 106. French, John, 96, 171. French, Micah Jr., 105. French, Rev. A. D., 157. Flarida, 162 205. French and Indian war, 116. Gates, 55, 177. Gibbs, 168. Gleason, Benjamin, 117. Goss, 188. Goddard, 215. - Graham, 190. Griffeth, 189. Grand List, 107. Greenwood, Col. Wm. H., 199. Guernsey, 184. Hadley, 163. Haley. James, 118. Hague, 105. Haven, 33. Harvey, Dr. Solomon, 52. Hay wards, 82. 214 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. Hayes, Rutherford, 159, 205. Hildreth, 51. Hill, John, 122. Higgins, 104, 178. Hilliard, .Joseph, 117. Herrick, 101. Helton, 69, 124, 149, 151. Hooker, John, 12, 52, 88. Hudson, 106. Hurricane, 17, 91, 119, Jones, 51. Johnson, 69. Kathan, Capt. John, 12, 13, 70. Kathan, 14, 127. Kelley, 67, 212. Kilbury, 36. ;S, Knapp, 148, 204. Knight, 137. Knight, Joel, 57, 120. Knight Joel, Jr. 140. Knight, Esther Farr, 143, 178. Knight, Hon. Asa, 141. Knight, Susan Miller, 144. ■Kneeland, Rev. Abner, 165, 171. Laughton, 57, 116, 177, 204. Laughton, Jacob, 122. Leister, Daniel, 124. Lincoln, 103. Livermore, 106. Mann, (not Munn) 186, 187. Mann, Jonas, 161. Manley, 105. Marriages, 86. Marden, Rev. Henry, 156, 205. Merrill, Rev. Josiah, 156. Miller, 45, 129, 169, 182. Miller, Capt. Isaac, 43, Miller, John, 122, 204. Miller, Marshall, 97, 132. Miller, Maj. Wm., 98, 132. Miller, Hon. Thomas, 169. Miller, Joseph, 123. Miller, Joseph, Esq., 135, 170. Miller, Asa, 133. Miller, Wm. 0., 135., 170. Miller Samuel, 183. Minester Tax, 87. Moore, 191. Mansfield, 211, Noyes, John, 159 205. Noyes & Hayes Store, 158. Negus, 69, 116, 118. Norcross, 100. Nourse, 106. Obituary Extraordinary, 139. Orvis, 89. Parsonage, 157 Parish, 188. Physicians, 178. Population, 209. Pierce, 101. Post Office, 164. Porter, Hon. Samuel, 164. Presson, 61, 177. Poverty Year, 1 14. RandoU, 184. Reed, Isaac, 101. Reed, Simeon, 152, 178. Revolutionary War, 117 ; Relic, 128. Represenatives &c., 206. Rice, 17, 40, 97. Roel, 186. Sargeant, 21, 41, 171 ; Sargeant, Col. Wm. 92. School Districts, 110 ; Money, 194. School Supervision, 174. Smith, Loyal, 168. Soldiers in the late war, 195. Spaulding, 24, 76, 177. Stearns, Dr. Samuel, 64. Stearns, John F., 68, 168. Stockwell, 190. Stickney, 145, 178. Stoddard, 186. Staubbach Falls, 113. Sunday School, 172. Taylor, 186. Temple, 90 Tenney, 106, 186, 215. Thanksgiving Disappointments, 140. DUMMERSTON. 215 Thompson, Jacob, 52. Thayer, 162. Tithing Men, 82. Wakefield, vSamuel, 161. Walker. 94, 175 215. Dr. Sewall, 94, 178, 212. Warning out of Town , 113. Wells, Eev. M. H., 17b. White, Asa, 163. Whitney, Benjamin, 162. Whipple, John, 189. Wheeler William, 168 Willard, 179. Wilson, 210. Wilder, 127. 147, 166.7/, Williams, Mrs. Rosanna M., 145. Willis, Zenas, 167. Wiswall, Samuel, 37. Worden, 165. Wyman, Capt. John, 54, 73, 125. Zwears, 184. BRIEFS AND CORRIGENDA CONCLUDED. Page 106 : Josiah Teaney married Matilda Livermore, Jan. 13, 1813. Children : Rebecca ; Lyndon ; Mary ; and Charles C. Page 169 : read Horace Cate. Rev. R. D. Miller has only 2 children living. Page 173 : read Dr. Jeremiah Dean also, Dr Alpheus Davidson. Joseph Dix m. Cynthia, dau. of Jo- seph Crosby. Ch : Catherine, born in 1818, m. Willard Wilkins ; J. Frank- lin, a merchant in Baltimore, Md. ; Oscar m. Marcia Sargeant , Hardin. Mrs. Dix died, Sept. 28, 1845. Mr. Dix m. 2d., Eliza C. Miller. Levi Goddard m. Lydia Whitney Mar. 16, 1792. Ch : Josiah m. Eunice, Willard ; Asa ; Henry married Martha Briggs ; Lydia ; George ; Levi married Alice Davis ; Solomon ; James ; Wm. Mrs. Goddard died, Oct. 28, 1816 and Mr. Goddard m 2d. Zurvilla Duncan, Sept. 26, 1817. Page 95 : Jonas Walker m. Sarah Davis. P. 175 : Alfred Roel was killed in 1866. P. 180 : Lancaster. P. 204, John Miller m. Apr. 1, 1781 ; Levrisb. Nov. 1781. P. 144 to chh. of Mrs. Asa Knight add James, b. July 23, 1825, d. Aug. 12, 1825. To soldiers, John F. Morse Dexter R. Deaa (died, Jan. 15, 1863, aged 18 years, page 202. And the Widow of Col. Greenwood has erected a magnificent granite monument over his remains in the East Cemetery. Page 206 : Stephen L. Dutton was representative in 1880, and Lewis H. Lynde in 1882. Page ^06, '07, '08 : to bring down the list complete, of selectmen, add the names 0. L. F. Bennett, 1882, 83, '84 ; Levi M. Walker, 1880 and 1881. The population of the town in 1880 was 816. [ From a letter of Rev. Mr. Foster, the Historian of Putney, whose papers are now in the hands of the composi- tor. " You sent me some proofs con- taining an account of Rev. Mr. Farrar, the first settled minister of Dummers- ton. There are a muniber of Farrar families in Lincoln, a town adjoining Concord. Lincoln was the birth place of the Rev. Mr. Farrar ; and the Far- rars of Lincoln are relatives of the first minister of Dummerston. I am. v,'ell acquainted with them. Thinking that they might be interested in those papers I lent them to Deacon Farrar's family, who were much pleased in reading the account of their relative.] JOHN WHITNEY and Hannah, his wife, came from New- fane to Dummerston before 1805. Mr. Whitney died, Oct. 13, 1849, aged 89. Mrs. Whitney died, Aug. 8, 1828., se. 30 years. Mary, their daughter, died Oct. 14, 1826, aged 30 ; Hannah, 216 VEEMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. Dec. 23, 1842, a^ed U ; John Jr. Oct. 12,. 1844. Levi Whitney, the son of Jqhn and Hannah "Whitney, just named, and resided in Dummerston from 1804, till his death in April 1861, the 28th, at the age of about 60. He was a man of worth, integrity and considerable culture. We select from his pen-productions : " FROM NATURE'S WORKS. From Nature's works instruction you may find Tliat will improve the thoughts and elevate the mind: W,ould yon in meekness and humilty abound, Learn from the violet, blooming near the ground. The little white and lowly flower, close view. And be as meek and as unassuming, too : Go view the lily, also, spotless, white and fair, And learn of purify a lovely lesson there : Again, the blushing rose so soon to fade away, Will tell how youth must fade and nature soon deca;y ; A gentle admonition to you give, How you should act, how daily live. " A HAPPY FACE. —AN EXTRACT. " A happy face with cheerful look, ^n influence round it throws. That acts upon us as the sun Does on the blooming rose. It wakes to life those happy smiles That coldness ne'er can bring. And casts a hallowed beauty on The plainest, simplest thing. Be prudent in affairs of life. Be kind to every friend; So live that you wUl never fear The trial of life's end. Then wear the happy, cheerful face The influence round it throws, That acts upon us as the sun Does on the blooming rose. J. 0. M.* In Waverley Magazine. *.I. C. Mansfield, a soldier of Dummerston. PORTRAITS AND DONORS. TO THE DUMMERSTON BOOK. Capt. Isaac Miller, presented by the artist, Leslie W. Miller of Philadelphia Joseph Duncan Esq. by Mrs Jane M. Perkins of Rutland & other gr. children. Joel Knicht &. Mrs. Esther Faur Knight, by several of the gr. children ; from paintings by Belknapp in 1832. Joel Knight Junior by Mrs. Fanny (Duncan) Knight. Col. Wm. H. Greenwood steel engraving by Mrs. Eva D. Greenwood. Rev. Benjamin F. Foster by Mrs. Mary C. Foster and daughters: Mrs. Fredrick A Noble D. D. of Chicago ; Mrs. John Bower of Pittsburgh Penn. Dr. Sewall Walker by his son, mayor of Farley, lo., Alexander C. Walker, from a painting when the Docter was 25, made by Dr. John Wilson, believ- ed by many to be " Thunderbolt. " Mrs. Rosanna M. Williams by Mrs. Williams & grand. son, J . H. Merrifield. Dea. Abel & Mrs. Maria M. Haven by Dea. Joel M. Haven of Rutland. Elijah & Anna (Miller) Rice and Clark Rice by Mrs. Milton Miller, grand-daughtei and daughter. Hon. Asa & Mrs. Susan M. Knight, by their children. Asa IVEiLLER by his children. Alonzo Dutton by Myron F. Dutton & Mrs. Adin F. Miller, grand-children. Joseph Miller by Mrs. Sophia Arms Miller. WiNSLOw Dutton by Mr. Dutton. J. Edson ^orden by Mr. Worden. Wm. O. Miller by Mr. Miller. David L. Mansfield by his Friends. Miller Family Coat Op Arms by Col. Chas. D. Miller of Newark, 0. PUBLISHEK'S NOTE :— The Dummerston Book is the first vol. from Miss Hemenway's Histor - leal Rooms at Ludlow. Towns, now, first ready and that give the best order will be issued first This Town takes 200 copies in cloth bindings and 100 copies in the pamphlet form. Total 300.