"The soil of North Hero is of an excellent quality, and produces grains of all kinds in abundance.  It has no streams of any consequence, and no mills or mill privileges . . . This is the shire town of Grand Isle County.  The settlement of this township was commenced in 1783, by Enos and Solomon Wood, the former from Bennington, in this State, and the latter from Norwich, Ct.  The British erected a block house here, at a place called Dutchman's Point, which was garrisoned, and not given up till 1796.  The town was organized in 1789." 

Gazetteer of Vermont, Hayward, 1789.

      This town is situated in the northern part of Lake Champlain, in lat. 44° 51', and long. 30 40'- It is separated from the main land on the north, and from Grand-Isle on the south, by channels of about 1/2 a mile in width -- distant from Burlington 26 miles, and 6 miles west of St. Albans.

      The centre of the township lies in the heart of a beautiful bay, commanding a view of the eastern shore of the Lake -- limited by the bold outline of the Green Mountains. The landscape formed is a very fine one.

     Oct. 27, 1779, this island, containing 6272 acres, was granted by His Excellency Thomas CHITTENDEN, to Ethan ALLEN and Samuel HERRICK, two Revolutionary heroes -- hence it received the name of Hero.  It was called by the French Isle Longue, and in 1737 was granted by the Governor of Canada to Contrecour, Capt. of Infantry, and, with other grants, was for a long time a subject of dispute between the French and English.

     In March, 1783, Enos WOOD, Eben'r ALLEN and Alex'r GORDON, traveled on snow-shoes across the lake from St. Albans, visited the two Heroes, and drew "cutts" for the first choice of locating their claim. Wood, being fortunate, made choice of the south end of North Hero. The other two male their claims on the island south of this. The 25th of August, of the same year, the three brought their families and settled on their land. Mr. WOOD and his cousin, Solomon WOOD, with their families, were the only residents of the town, until the following spring, when a few others settled near them; and there was soon a small community of hardy pioneers, who shared, like brothers, each others' hardships.

      The growth of the settlement could not have been very rapid; for a notice of the first town-meeting is registered March 17, 1789. It was held at Benjamin BUTLER's dwelling-house. Choice was made of Nathan HAZEN for moderator; Nathan HUTCHINS, jr., town-clerk; Nathan HAZEN, John KNIGHT and John BRONSON, selectmen; Solomon WOOD, Benjamin BUTLER and Asahel TRUMBULL, listers; Enos WOOD, constable; John MARTIN, town-collector; Nathan HUTCHINS, jr., and Ephraim SAWYER, fence-viewers; Nathan HUTCHINS, Jacob BALL and Jabez BRONSON, surveyors of highways.

      The only records made of town-meetings, subsequent to this, which seem to be of any importance, are the following :

     March 16,1790, "Voted at a town-meeting, to give John KNIGHT and Nathan HAZEN two dollars for half an acre of land for a burying-ground." This was the first burying-ground in the town.

     March 27, 1792, at a town-meeting, choice was made of John MARTIN, Benjamin BUTLER and HUTCHINS, jr., as a committee to see what subscription could be raised to defray the expenses of cutting a canal through the carrying-place, to make it navigable for boats. -- The place above mentioned is near the centre of the town, quite narrow, and in the spring the island is nearly or quite divided at this point. Called carrying-place, because boats are often carried over here, to save a longer voyage; and it was occasionally found convenient as a carrying-place for smugglers, who opposed the embargo law of 1807. The attempt to have a passage cut through this place was not successful.

     March 4, 1793, choice was made of Nathan HUTCHINS, jr., John MARTIN, Elijah KNOWLTON and Enos WOOD as a committee to divide the town into school-districts. 

      The people who first settled in this town were almost all of that sturdy, independent character which usually distinguished the first inhabitants throughout our country, men and women of great physical strength, developed by constant education of the muscles, decided in their likings and aversions, yet kindly and generous, and disposed to catch all the sunshine that fell.

     They suffered with a brave spirit the inconveniences consequent on their pioneer life -- In the early days of the settlement, they were obliged to go to Skenesboro or Whitehall a distance of 90 miles, in order to get their milling done. In 1797, a wind-mill was erected which was in operation several years, and later a horse-mill was in use for a short time.

     But in times of extreme necessity, and such occasions were not rare, the first settlers knew a resort where their needs would be supplied. In 1777, when the remnant of Burgoyne's army retreated to Canada, the British held a block-house on the west side of the island, at a place then called Dutchman's Point, since named Block-house Point. This they retained for 13 years after the treaty of 1783. It was commanded by Sergeant HOWARD, a humane man, and in time of extremity, the people were not turned away unrelieved. There are many incidents narrated in connection with this fort, among which is the following:

     A woman whose husband had been at work for several days, some distance from home, finding her small stock of provision entirely gone, fastened her children in the house to protect them from the bears, ignited a stump in order to have fire when she returned, and set out with a large club, with which to defend herself from the prowlers of the woods. She reached the fort safely, and procured food; on her return, she encountered a bear which she managed to frighten by a great flourish of her stick, accompanied with other athletics which kept time to a species of vocal music, fitting to the occasion, and which, I believe, the first settlers denominated "hooting;" all of which proved so efficacious, that she was enabled to return to her little family uninjured.

      The manner in which these brave, but kindly hearted women who first settled here, projected and carried out their visiting plane, I presume may seem, at least, unique to the ladies of the present day. They would take with them any little delicacy which they had, if they believed the lady to be visited did not possess it, and then, armed with a little-wheel, and a good supply of flax, they set out to consummate a long afternoon's chat; or, provided that neither the visitor nor the one to be visited happened, just then, to be favored with a large store of edibles, they often resorted to the bank of the lake, where seated with hook and line, they were soon provided with something presentable to serve up for suppers while they at the same time were enabled to proceed undisturbedly with their social enjoyments.

      The county of Grand-Isle was incorporated Nov. 9, 1802. This town had previously been included in Franklin County, and, by an act of the legislature, of 1803, became the shire-town of the county. Until the year 1825, the courts were held in the house of Jed. P. LADD. The house was built with a court-room 25 feet by 50. It contained a very convenient desk for the judges, and fixed benches surrounding the room. The house was also provided with a strong room used for the purpose of a jail.

     A court-house was commenced in 1824, and completed in 1825. It was built of Isle-La-Motte marble, 40 feet by 50. It is 2 stories high. The first story is occupied by the family of the jailor, and also containes a debtor's room and dungeon; the second story contains the court-room and jury-rooms. The town of North hero paid $500, for the privilege of useing the court-room as a place of worship.

      This year the town was divided into school-districts. It contains four, in which the houses built for school purposes are of a superior order. There is usually a select-school one or two terms per year, and the inhabitants pay great attention to the education of their children, and pay freely good prices to obtain good teachers. Many of them patronize the academies of neighboring towns, to secure to their children better advantages.

     In 1833, a printing office was built by Jed. P. LADD, in which a Univetsalist sheet was edited and published by one GARFIELD. It was styled the Theological Repository, and for about 4 months was very ably edited ; when Mr. GARFIELD, it was found, had taken a hasty leave of the establishment, leaving big patron to discharge big debts for press, type, &c.

      The roads here are not surpassed in excellence by those of any town in the State. They are hardened every year by a fresh stratum of gravel from the shore of the lake-are nearly composed of concentrated layers of this hard material, and never poor. Previous to 1848 there were two roads running from the South ferry to the centre of the town. This year they were thrown up, and one straight one was worked through this part of the island.

     All the land is arable, except that which is encumbered by timber, and is capable of producing all of the grains, yielding fine crops. Various fruits are cultivated here, with excellent success.

      There have been found, here, relics of various kinds, arrow-heals predominating. Mr. Orlin HIBBARD has in his possession a stone pestle and tapping-gouge, found on his farm, at the time of the first attempt at cultivating it. They are nearly as hard as iron. The pestle has been used by the family a great many years. This island was probably used as a resting-place by the Mohawk, Iroquois and other native tribes to and from their incursions into the French plantations. Here, it may well be supposed, they dreamed their dreams, previous to making their attack, which were to influence so much their victories; and here, perhaps they rested from their battles.

      This battle took place Sept. 11, 1814. A volunteer company was supplied from this town for that action. Joseph HAZEN was their captain. When the British fleet passed up the lake to make its assault, the inhabitants which were left in the town, consisting principally of women and children, flocked to the south end of the island, on the west store to watch its progress and attack, great excitment prevailing.

FIRST OCCURRENCES

     Nov. 4, 1785, Adin WOOD, son of Enos Wood, first birth in-this town. Nov. 27, 1786, Dame KNIGHT, daughter of John KNIGHT, the second birth.

     Jan. 27, 1787, John BRONSON to Elizabeth BATES, widow, supposed to be the first marriage, and is the first one on record.

     First circuit minister-sent here in 1802.

     First framed school house-built about 1803.

      The first school was taught by Lois HAZEN in a barn owned by John KNIGHT.

     First store built by Jed. P. LADD in 1809.

     First mail-route established in 1813. Jed P. LADD the first Post Master.

      The first steamer which plied through this ferry was the McDonough, built in St. Albans in 1728.

     First diseases prevalent, fever and ague, billions fevers, &c.

      The oldest man now living is Mr. Orlin HIBBARD, aged 81. *

      The oldest woman, Mrs. Janet BRONSON, aged 86.

      The population of North-Hero in 1800 was 125; in 1810, 552; in 1820, 503; in 1830, 638; in 1840, 716; in 1850, 731; in 1880, 594.

     Included within this town are the two islands called Butler's and Knight's islands, containing in all, several hundred acres. -- Both islands are inhabited.

      The first town-meeting was held in North Hero on the 17th of March, 1789, at Benjamin BUTLER's dwelling-house. The town clerks were appointed and bold their office as follows:

THE TAVERN

      The only hotel ever erected in this town was built in 1803. It had for its site the centre of the town, and looked out on the waters of a fine bay. For 22 years a portion of it was made use of for judicial purposes, and was provided with a court-room and jail. Individuals who saw it daily while it was standing, remember it as a large, square, time-browned edifice, constructed after the ancient regime; and from garret to collar looking rather shadowy and mysterious.

      These impressions were in a measure, due to the various uses which it had served-having answered, in its time, as court-house, church and tavern. It was ever a welcome resort for neighbors and friends. To the south of this mansion was a wing containing several apartments, where figured prominently the kitchen, of which the fireplace, to the children of the neighborhood, was a charmed spot. And on winter evenings, around its glowing hearth, was often formed an are of bright faces; and while cider and apples disappeared mysteriously, young faces brightened and clear eyes shone at the wonderful tales there related, of the remarkable, but not-to-be-doubted feats of Connecticut witches, or, perhaps, of the erratic ghosts of murdered peddlers, which were the ruling spirits when our country was young. 

      The mention of a prominent feature of the old house should not be omitted. At the northeast corner of this building, and near the roof, projected a short wooden arm, from which swung a square sign, bearing in the centre of either side, in large, black letters, the single word, "Inn." This sign seemed always moving with a melancholy creak; and after the demise of the ancient proprietor, it might well have been called the voice of the old house. -- The following article was written several years ago, by Helen M. LADD -- since Mrs. WARNER -- upon the creaking of this sign.

I sit in a lonely chamber,
In a house of olden time,
A restless, cheerless stranger -- 
Troublesome thoughts are mine. 
A book my leisure engages,
While fancy's tendrils twine – 
I list while turning its pages,
To the creaking of the sign. 
The angry waves are dashing,
The winds come wailing by 
the fiery lightning flashing.
Wearies the startled eye;
While the closing night-shades darken,
As I read each mystic line,
I cannot but choose to hearken
To the creaking of the sign.

It tells me of days departed,
Forgotten all too soon,
When the happy and joyous hearted
Gathered within this room
When youth with pleasure was sated,
Bright fleshed the ruby wine. –
But now it is desolated,
And I list to the creaking sign.

Among the garments faded
That hang in memory's hall. 
This bears, although 'tie shaded,
The brightest place of all
Perchance 'tis somewhat tattered, 
And wears the touch of time,
But I heed not how 'tis shattered, 
When I list to the creaking sign.

      This house was built by Jed. P. Ladd, and occupied by him 42 years. It was torn down in 1857.

NATHAN HUTCHINS

NATHAN HUTCHINS, JR.

      At the time of his death be was Judge of the county court. Deceased Feb. 18, 1839, in the 84th year of his age.

JOSEPH HAZEN,

BENJAMIN AND JAMES BUTLER,

JOHN DODDS

REV. STEPHEN KINSLEY

JABEZ BRONSON

     Mr. Bronson died in this town in the year 1813

     Mr. Wm. HAYNES died suddenly in the field The day of the funeral, as the procession neared the school house, in passing, Mr. BRONSON sat down and wrote the following lines:

     Mr. Lewis BRONSON moved from this town to Illinois.

LYMAN BRONSON,

JEDEDIAH P. LADD

JED. P. LADD

      While prosperity smiled upon him an adverse blow brought down two of his sons, one of them a young man of unusual promise. When his children wore in trouble or danger, his heart was as tender as a mother's, and these bereavements were deeply felt. Again about 12 years after a daughter died. She was a remarkable woman of those times. To a mind uncommonly vigorous, was added a disposition as rarely generous. With her, to see or bear of suffering was to find for it, as far as possible, immediate relief. Her modus operands was one of extreme caution, that her deeds might be done in secret. At night, and alone, she would bear heavy burdens of food and other essentials, for miles, to places where these nocturnal visits fell like a blessing. Upon her death, many gave in their testimony of her humane heart, and mourned her loss. On a little point of land in a retired spot, midway between the woods and waves is Marie's grave; a grey marble slab marks the spot, and a single line thereon attests, that

      By neither parent were those children ever forgotten; and often was a tribute paid by them to their worth.

      Mr. LADD was representative in 1809; sheriff in 1811 and 1812; register of probate 5 years; judge of the county court 3 years; deceased in 1845; aged 79. His wife Rebecca LADD, died in the year 1847, aged 83.
 
 

from an article written by Miss Linda LADD, who was born A. D. 1836, and died in 1860.

"We would sometimes be almost divine, but the dust of the world gathers on our garments and soils them. The heart should be a shrine, and the tablet thereof should be graven with God's truths. Angel guests should often visit it, and strew upon its holy places, offerings of rare fragrance. Around its altar the cool waters of reason should flow clearly, guarding it from every foe, and in the distance the wistful eye should fix itself serenely on the good Shepherd, who is neither weary nor impatient that His little flock have sometimes" lingered long and afar.

 
THE PLAINT OF THE CYPRESS-TREE
By Mrs. Helen Ladd Warner
Of Wilmington, Illinois, formerly of North Hero.

In the old church-yard a tall cypress spread
Its waving breaches, shading many a tomb 
From the warm sunlight, and each grassy bed
Looked dark and solemn In its fearful gloom, 
And, blent with wailing of the restless sea, 
Came these low plainings of the moaning tree

And are these ending faces on the earth,
And light hearts free from dark and boding fears, 
Voices of ringing music, and gay mirth,
And gentle eyes undimmed by sorrowing team, 
Soft melody breathed low in pleasant tones, 
Bright angels hovering near unbroken homes?

Yet have I never heard but sounds of woe,
And the sharp cries by bitter sorrow mule, 
While weary footsteps lingering come and go,
And black draped figures kneel beneath my shade. 
In low-tuned murmurs strange, wild things are said. 
By the pale living, o'er the silent dead ;

And whispered voices, do I often hear
Say these are happy that beneath me sleep. 
Why then the quivering sob and briny tear?
For happy ones the living need not weep; 
Is it that they walk lonely on their way, 
Haunted by tones all life's sad afterday!

"Oh, for a cheerful tone to break the spell
Of weeping music chanted here so oft!" 
The dirge of mooning branches plaintive fell,
On the still air, in cadence sad, but soft. 
Only the white tombs and the restless sea 
Heard the low murmurs of the cypress-tree. 

"The Vermont Historical  Gazetteer: 
A Magazine Embracing A History of Each Town, 
Civil, Ecclesiastical, Biographical and Military."
Volume II, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille & Orange Counties.
Including Also The Natural History of Chittenden County.
Edited and Published by Miss Abby, Maria Hemenway. 
Burlington, VT. 1871.
Page 563-570.

Transcribed by Karima Allison 2004