GAZETTEER OF TOWNS
GAZETTEER OF ORANGE COUNTY, VT. 
1762-1888.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF 
RANDOLPH

      RANDOLPH lies in the western part of the county, in latitude 43° 56r and longitude 4° 25', and is bounded north by Brookfield, east by Tunbridge, south by Bethel, in Windsor county, and west by Braintree. The territory now included within the limits of this town has been twice granted. On the 22d of January, 1770, letters patent were issued by Lieutenant-Governor Cadwallader COLDEN, then acting-governor of New York, for the township of Middlesex, the township containing 35,000 acres, including not only what is now known as Randolph, but also a great part of Bethel, in Windsor county. In May, 1778, a company consisting of twenty persons was formed at Dresden (now Hanover, N. H.,) for the purpose of purchasing this township, and they subscribed to the following covenant:

     At a meeting of the "original twenty" proprietors, held at Capt. John HOUSE's, in Middlesex, on the second Wednesday in September, 1779, it was "Voted, that the number of Proprietors consist of forty -- each of the present proprietors to introduce one Proprietor." And a month later it was "Voted, that all the Proprietors to the number of sixty, shall have the privilege of Pitching two hundred acres of land Each, in sd. Middlesex, in A regular, uniform manner." Previous to the granting of the charter in June, 1781, the number was increased to seventy-one.

      The following extracts from the journals of the General Assembly at their sessions held in Bennington, October and November, 1780, show the steps that were taken by the proprietors to obtain good titles to the lands upon which they were settling:

      We have called the ascent from these opposite streams uniform and of the same height, and in their general features they are so. But the eastern slope is more acclivous than the western, and the ascent higher, the bed of Second or East branch being considerably lower than that of the Third or West branch. This central platform extends north and south through the whole town, and, with its slopes gradually falling away on either side, constitutes one of the most extensive and beautiful swells of land to be found in this or any other country. And, as if to bring beauty and utility into their most perfect combination, arises the remarkable fact that over the whole swell, comprising about 20,000 acres of land, there is not a single acre which may not be easily cultivated by the plow and harrow, while there is no part of Vermont where more abundant crops of all kinds are found to reward the husbandman for his labors. The rocks entering into the geological structure of -the town are of talcose schist, clay slate, and calciferous mica schist formation, the latter predominating, occupying about two-thirds of the entire territory, in the eastern part. Adjoining this and extending through the town is the clay slate, while in the extreme southwestern corner is found the talcose schist. Traces of gold in alluvium have been discovered in the southwestern part.

      The population of Randolph in 1880 was 2,910. In 1883 the town system of schools was adopted, and in 1886 Randolph had twenty-one common schools, employing two male and twenty-four female teachers, to whom was paid an average weekly salary, including board, of $17.45 to the former and $5..99 to the latter. There were 571 scholars, three of whom attended private schools. The entire income for school purposes was $5,425.91, while the total expenditures were $5,630.33, with P. E. GROW, superintendent.

      The Randolph academy, or Orange County Grammar school, was established in 1806 in the building now occupied as a dwelling HOUSE by Franklin DOTEN. It was first located on the site of the present Normal school. Of this school we can judge only by its Alumni. Its value is, attested by such sons as Hon. Jacob COLLAMER, Rev. Azariah HYDE, Rev. Constantine BLODGETT, for fifty years pastor of the First Congregational church of Pawtucket, R. I., Amos DEAN, Esq., a celebrated attorney, and principal of the Albany Law school, Gov. CONVERSE and Judge BARRETT, Hon. Justin S. MORRILL, and a score of lesser lights, whose names will occur to our older readers. The early principals of the school as given by Thompson's Vermont are as follows: William NUTTING, 1807-13; D. Breck, 1813-14; Rufus NUTTING, 1814-18; George BUSH, 1818-19; Samuel WORCESTER, 1819-20; Joseph SAWYER, 1820-21; Rufus NUTTING, 1821-28; Clement LONG, 1828-31; John FAIRCHILD, 1831-32; T. G. BRAINERD, 1832-36;. Samuel A. BENTON, 1836-38; Azariah HYDE, 1838-41; Edward CLEVELAND, 1841. Complete records of the later principals we have not obtained. In the last decade came R. M. MANLEY, Andrew FREEMAN, George DUTTON, Mr. WILLARD, Edward CONANT, and doubtless others. Next preceding Mr. CONANT was Mr. FISHER. Edward CONANT has been fitly styled "The Father of Vermont Normal Schools." The propriety of this title will be recognized by all witnesses of the discussions which marked the last years of the Orange County Grammar school, and ended in the establishment of a training school for teachers. The Normal school, already an institution in many states, was viewed distrustfully by trustees and people. The citizens of Randolph had a just pride .in their Grammar school, an institution of wide influence and reputation, which had been for many years a powerful factor in the educational work of the state. The Normal school had but one advocate among them, but that advocate was a man having the courage of his convictions, slow to change his opinions, but unyielding when his opinions were once formed. The academy, in Mr. CONANT's view, was not the need of the hour. The interests of the state demanded better training for its teachers. All the arguments which much thought and study of the matter could evolve, were brought to bear upon the trustees, and with their consent the change was made in 1866. The results are before us. For years the most bitter opponents of the change have been, if not ardent admirers of the new system, at least acquiescent.

      Randolph National bank, at West Randolph village, was organized May 8, 1875, with a capital of $100,000, and with William H. DUBOIS, president; John W. ROWELL, vice-president; and Royal T. DUBOIS, cashier, all of whom retain their respective offices. The bank now has a surplus and individual profits amounting to $20,467.

      Green Mountain Stock Farm. -- The enterprise of breeding trotting horse stock of the Messenger blood through the Hambletonian, Clay, Star, Abdallah and Morgan families was begun by the Moulton Bros. at the old homestead farm in 1867, by the purchase of a few trotting-bred mares, for five of which they paid $4.250, and a young son of "Rysdyke" Hambletonian they purchased at a cost of $1,600. The business of breeding horses exclusively was pursued until 1880, at which time it was determined to reduce the horse stock, then consisting of seventy-five or eighty head, and establish a herd of thoroughbred registered Jersey cattle. Adjoining farms were purchased, which now comprise 750 acres, suitable stock barns and a model dairy was built, and from year to year the very best and most popular Jersey stock was bought at a high average cost, twenty-six cows of the herd having cost over $1,000 each. The herd now numbers upwards of 200 head, including 150 milch cows, and the horses number thirty-five head. It is the purpose of the proprietors to increase the number of breeders and dairy cows to 300, and to establish the business on such a basis as will insure its perpetuity, and to that end a joint stock company has recently been organized under the title of the Green Mountain Stock Farm Co., with a capital stock of $200,000.

      George J. PRINCE's butter tub factory, at West Randolph village, was built by John PRINCE, father of the present owner, in 1870. George J. succeeded to the business in 1875. He employs thirty men and manufactures 200,000 butter tubs annually.

      A.W. TEWKSBURY & Sons steam saw and lumber-mills, at West Randolph village, manufacture large quantities of lumber and dimension timber annually.

      George W. BLODGETT's flouring and grist-mill, on the Second branch of White river, at North Randolph, has four runs of stones and does custom and merchant milling. Mr. BLODGETT also has a saw-mill at the same place.

      A.W. TEWKSBURY &' Sons' door, sash and blind manufactory, located on Pleasant, corner of Mill street, was established by Charles E. ABBOTT & Co. in 1866, and continued by that firm until 1871, when C. E. ABBOTT became proprietor and conducted the business until 1879. A. W. TEWKSBURY & Sons then purchased the concern, and now do an extensive business, employing about sixty men, with C. E. ABBOTT as manager. They also manufacture adjustable window screens.

      Salisbury Bros. furniture manufactory is located at West Randolph. "Their buildings were burned in 1880, and in 1881 the present commodious structure was erected. They do an extensive business, giving employment to about fifty men.

      Samuel H. BROOKS does a prosperous business in the manufacture of Brooks's patent hand force and suction pumps. He is located at West Randolph.

      Eli CAMP's saw, planing and cider-mill is located on a branch of White river, one mile north of East Randolph. He does considerable business.

      Other business enterprises are noticed in the general directory and also in the classified business list.

      On account of the unsettled and disturbed state of the country, in consequence of the war with Great Britain, the quarrel with New York, and claims of New Hampshire, there was a manifest reluctance, on the part of the proprietors, to settling upon their lands, so that, in order to induce settlers to locate upon, and cultivate the soil, it was found necessary to offer premiums or bounties, the first of which was prepared at a meeting held May 13, 1779, as follows:

      The early settlers were mostly from Connecticut and Massachusetts. At just what time they were sufficiently numerous to form a regular town organization is not known, or at what time the organization was effected cannot be determined with certainty, on account of the loss of the records concerning it; but it seems probable that it was previous to March 31, 1783, as the records of that date show the organization to be in regular running order, with no allusion to a recent organization. Thompson's Vermont, gives the. date of organization as March 31, 1783, and names Jehiel WOODWARD as the first town clerk.

      Samuel PEMBER came from Ellington, Conn., about 1778, and located on the place now occupied by J. M. PEMBER. He was captured by the Indians at the time of the burning of Royalton, and taken to Canada, where he remained in captivity two years. After his release he brought his family to this town. He married Esther READ, by whom he had three sons and four daughters, viz.: Elijah, Samuel, Jacob R., Achsah; Lucy, Esther and Sophronia. Samuel, Jr., was born in this town in 1795, married Marilla HASKELL, and had born to him three sons and five daughters, viz.: Samuel H., of Bethel; Esther, who died young; Frances (Mrs. David S. WASHBURN), of this town; Ellen, who was twice married, her second husband being William B. PAINE, of Marblehead, Mass., where she died September 3, 1873; Angeline, who died in 1852, aged eighteen years; Andrew J., now a resident of Bethel; Esther M., of Massachusetts; and James M., who resides in this town on the old homestead. Thomas PEMBER, a brother of Samuel, Sr., was present at the burning of Royalton, where he was killed and scalped by the Indians. Tradition says that he had a double crown, and that the Indians received pay for two scalps.

      Simeon and Moses BELKNAP, brothers, came from Connecticut to Randolph in 1779 or 1780. Simeon was captured by the Indians and taken to Canada. Moses located on the farm now occupied by George C. BRIGHAM, reared three sons and seven daughters, of whom two daughters are now living -- Sophronia, widow of Walter PERRIN, of Hardwick, Caledonia county, aged ninety-five, and Susan B., widow of John MILES, aged eighty-eight, now living on a part of the BELKNAP homestead at East Randolph.

      Zebulon HEBARD, one of the first settlers of Randolph, came from Connecticut and located on the place now occupied by W. L. HEBARD. His son Enoch, born in this town, reared two children -- Asa and Lovina (Mrs. Morse FLINT). Asa, also born here, was reared on a farm, married a daughter of Simeon PUTNAM, by whom he had one son and two daughters, viz.: William L., Lovina M. (Mrs. L. B. ATWOOD), of St. Johnsbury, and Olivia P. (Mrs. R. F. TILSON). W. L. HEBARD, born in 1846, was reared on a farm, married, first, Mary VIRGENT, in 1872, who bore him two children, Maud M. and Asa B., dying in 1878; and second, Elizabeth, daughter of Addison and Susan (POWERS) WAY, in 1885, and they have one son, Guy A., born in 1886. Mr. HEBARD occupies a part of the farm on which his great-grandfather first settled, and which has never been owned out of the HEBARD family.

     Aaron STORRS, from Hanover, N. H., with his wife, Rebecca WOODWARD, located on the “Gallup farm," where he built the first frame HOUSE in town, about 1782. He had a family of two sons and three daughters, viz.: David, who studied law and died in the prime of life; Rebecca (Mrs. FRENCH); Lydia (Mrs. LARNED); Lucy (Mrs. Josiah WASHBURN), who died in this town; and Aaron, 2d. The latter, born in this town in 1796, was reared on a farm, married, first, Betsey SMITH, who bore him one daughter, Elizabeth (Mrs. Abel KENT), and second, Eliza, daughter of Wolcott and Agnes (GRISWOLD) ALLEN, in 1838, who was born on the "Storrs place " in 1800, and by whom he had a daughter and a son, Delia Ann, and Aaron ALLEN, the latter born in 1843. Mr. STORRS is a farmer, and owns and occupies the Wolcott ALLEN farm of 185 acres.

      Lois GRISWOLD, born in 1779, died in Hadley, Mass., in 1870. She was a daughter of Joseph and Margery (DOGALL) GRISWOLD, and came to Randolph at the age of five years. She married Barney BIGELOW, in 1808, and reared one daughter and two sons, viz.: Abbie, Frederick and Samuel. Abbie was born in Brookfield in 1809, married Joseph Partridge in 1829, and had born to her six sons, as follows: Joseph G., of Montana; Charles M., a civil engineer, of Buffalo, N. Y.; Edwin E., of Pennsylvania; Frederick, a soldier, who died in the army in 1863; George B., killed in battle in 1864; and John J., who died in 1860, aged fourteen years. Mr. PARTRIDGE died in 1873. Mrs. PARTRIDGE survives him.

      Jonathan CARPENTER, with his wife, Olive SESSIONS, from Rehoboth, Mass., came to Randolph previous to 1785, and located on the Bailey ADAMS farm, where he kept hotel. He had a family of five sons and two daughters, viz.: Fanny, Marshall, Chester, Elias, George and Orinda, all deceased, and Danford, a resident of Grand Rapids, Mich. Elias was born in this town in 1792, married Orinda, daughter of Sylvanus and Lefe (EDSON) BLODGETT, in 1818, and had born to him three sons and four daughters, as follows: Augustus B., Orpha, Elias D., Lefe Lucina, Sylvanus B., Orpha O. (Mrs. John B. MEAD, who died May 6, 1877), and Ellen O. Sylvanus B., born in 1828, was reared upon a farm, married, first, Laura, daughter of Luther and Lydia (READ) ADAMS, in 1854, by whom he had one daughter, Mary Ellen, who died in 1857, aged two years. His wife died in 1857, and in 1862 he married Ellen A., daughter of Alden S. and Betsey (KENDALL) LOOMIS, and they have an adopted son, George Walter, and an adopted daughter, Jennella Marie. Mr. CARPENTER owns and occupies the old John PERRIN homestead of sixty acres, on road 83. He kept the "Students' Home," a boarding-HOUSE, in. Randolph, from April, 1879, to May, 1884.

      Isaac Thayer came from Massachusetts with his wife, Abby LAMSON, and located in this town about 1785. They had five sons and two daughters, of whom William H. H., born in this town in 1812, was reared upon a farm, married, first, Sarah LEWIS, who bore him one son, Lewis P., born in 1854. His wife died in 1862, and in 1863 he wedded with Abbie E. TONES. Lewis P. married Alice, daughter of A. A. and Betsey (LOOMIS) SMITH. in 1878, and they have one daughter, Maurine L. Mr. L. P. THAYER is editor of the Herald and News, and resides on Highland avenue, West Randolph.

      Nathaniel MOULTON, from Munson, Mass., came with his wife to this town about 1787. They had three sons and four daughters. One son, Howard Lewis, (born in 1793, died in 1858,) married, first, Harty KING, by whom he had one son and three daughters, viz.: Nathaniel L., who died in infancy; Eliza K. (Mrs. Lewis SPENCER), of Lebanon, N. H.; Nancy K. (Mrs. John HUNTINGTON), who resides on the- homestead; and Lydia (Mrs. Jonas G. SARGENT), of Warren, Washington county. Mrs. MOULTON died in 1834, and he married, second, Laura Ann CRAIG, in 1847, who bore him one daughter, Jennie A. (Mrs. Harvey CUTTING), of Michigan.

      Elisha LILLIE and wife, Lavina STORY, came from Windham, Conn., to Randolph, about 1789, and located on the farm now occupied by George L. HOWARD. They had three sons and four daughters, viz.: Huldah, born in 1790; Lovinia, born in 1792; Amanda, in 1794; Elisha, Jr., in 1795; Orra, in 1797; Horatio, in 1799; Ludovicus, in 1809. Elijah, Jr., married Hannah, daughter of Oliver and Mary (STORY) BOOTH, in 1822, who bore him four sons end one daughter, viz.: Orra A. (Mrs. O. TYLER), of East Randolph; Elhanan T., of West Randolph; Oliver C., who died in 1880; Carlos M., of California; and Horatio, who died young. Elhanan T., born in 1824. married, first, Eliza BURT, and second, Charlotte A., daughter of Samuel and, Lucinda BELCHER, in 18J9, who bore him one son and four daughters, viz.: Cora E., who married George S. JONES, and died in 1886; Alice H. (Mrs. J. Samuel PRESSY); Bertha O. and Bessie O., twins, who died in infancy; and Charles H., who died young. In 1863 Mr. LILLIE enlisted in Co. G, 9th Vt.. Vols , and served about two years. He resides on School street in West Randolph village.

     Abraham, Isaac and Jacob HEATH, brothers, came from Connecticut and located in Randolph previous to 1790, -- Abraham where J. R. BURRAGE now lives, Isaac where Ethan GODFREY now lives, and Jacob on the farm now occupied by J. C. FLINT. Isaac married Sarah TIFFANY, and reared one son and two daughters -- Rebecca, Otis H. and Sarah. Otis H. was born in a floorless shanty in 1796, and died in 1866. He married Betsey, daughter of Joseph and Rachel (MANN) RIFORD, in 1823, end their children were Betsey R., Lavina H., Aureole M., Sarah (Mrs. J. C. FLINT), born in 1830, Alpine R., Olivia (Mrs. J. R. BARRAGE), Octavia J., and Ruth E. (Mrs. Ethan GODFREY). Otis HEATH was crushed under a load of logs and instantly killed. Three granddaughters of Isaac HEATH -- Mrs. FLINT, Mrs. BARRAGE, and Mrs. GODFREY-reside on the farms first settled by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and which have always been in the possession of some member of the HEATH family.

      John MORRILL, with his wife, Mariann ABBOTT, came to Randolph about 1790. They had four sons and five daughters, of whom Gilbert, born in 1813, married Sally, daughter of John and Sally (STORY) SPRAGUE, in 1837, and their children were Mary M. (Mrs. John H. BLAISDELL), Olivia (Mrs. Jasper H. WOOD), and an adopted son, William S. MORRILL. Gilbert MORRILL's wife died in 1886. He resides with his daughter, Mrs. J. H. BLAISDELL.

      Dea. Abner MORSE, of Fitzwilliam, N. H., with his wife, Betsey BYAM, located on the farm where their grandson, C. Nelson MORSE, now lives, in 1790. They had five sons and one daughter, viz.: Luther, Gracie, Calvin, Coburn, Ira, and Abiel. Ira, born in 1805, married Loretta, daughter of Holly end Betsey (MOODY) JONES, in 1831, and reared seven sons and two daughters, of whom C. Nelson and Dana H. reside in this town. Dana. H. married Emma C., daughter of Ephraim and Abigail (SPEAR) THAYER, in 1864, and they have one son and two daughters, Cassius T., Belle T., and Mary E. Cassius T., aged twenty years, who was unfortunately insane, having been confined at the asylums of Brattleboro and Concord, was brought home in March, 1886, by. Frank DAVIS, a keeper at the asylum. At the expiration of DAVIS's term of service, and on the morning he was to leave, October 25, while seated at the breakfast table, Cassius T. came stealthily behind DAVIS and struck him with an axe. The axe cleft the skull and buried itself deeply in the brain of the unsuspecting victim. C. Nelson MORSE was born in 1835 on the old homestead which he now owns and occupies, and which has never been owned outside of the MORSE family.

      Phineas MOULTON, with his wife, Molly BLODGETT, from Munson, Mass., located in this town about 1791, and built a house near what is now the old homestead. They had eight sons and two daughters, of whom Phineas lived on the Kelley farm, where he died in 1856; Stillman lived on the place now occupied by Silas CHADWICK, where he died in 1878; Molly (Mrs. David DAVIS) lived and died in this town; Nellie married Joseph MORTON; the other children were Jude, James, Daniel, Freeman, John, and Horace. The latter was born in Randolph in 1794, and in 1826 married Lucy, daughter of Rev. Samuel and Lucy (PATCH) SMITH, and their children were: Lucia S., now living on the homestead; Justin H., born in 1830; Celia L. (Mrs. Theodore CHAMBERLAIN), of Brooklyn, N. Y.; Gilman S., born in 1834; Clarence-F., born in 1837; and Adeline L., who lives at home with her sister, Lucia. Horace MOULTON died August 21, 1862, and his wife November 12, 1885.

      Elijah PEMBER, son of Samuel and Esther (READ) PEMBER, was born in this town in 1791. He married Sylvia, daughter of Israel and Ruth (WOOD) KIBLEE, and their children were Lucia (Mrs. George WILBUR), of Brookfield; Maria. (Mrs. Ezra JOSLYN), of Illinois; Elijah, Jr., of Hartford, Conn.; Harvey C. and Thomas, of Randolph; Sophronia R. (Mrs. L. CHADWICK), of Bethel; Sylvia, who died at the age of three years; George R., who died in infancy; and George R., 2d. The latter was born in 1834, married, first, Augusta ), daughter of Squire and Tryphena (BAILEY) CLAFLIN, in 1870, by whom he had one daughter, Nettie M., born in 1872. His wife died in 1874, and in 1876 Mr. PEMBER married Sarah M., daughter of Stephen J. and Olive H. (HODGES) GEORGE, of Barnard, Windsor county, who bore him one son, Frankie E., who died in 1882, aged four years. Mr. PEMBER is a prosperous farmer, owns the farm of 120 acres upon which he was born, and which has always been owned by the PEMBER family.

      Thomas LAMSON, from Brookfield, Conn., located. in this town about 1792. He married Anna, daughter of Gideon and Rachel (HEATH) MARTIN, in 1785, and located on the place now occupied by Irvin LAMSON. They had five sons and nine daughters, as follows: Ira, born in 1786, (killed by a falling tree, and the first person buried in the cemetery,) Achsah (Mrs. GRAINGER), Nancy (Mrs. Belcher SALISBURY), Catharine (Mrs. Richard LYMAN), Harvey (deceased), Foster (deceased), Sabrina, Lucinda and Anna (twins), born in 1803, Annie (Mrs. Earl C. DUBOIS), Thomas, who resides in this town, Ira (deceased), and Eliza (Mrs. Samuel MANN). Thomas married Esther, daughter of Elisha MANN, and has had born to him four sons and one daughter, viz.: Irvin, Mary H. (deceased), Jasper H. and Whitcomb E. Mr. LAMSON resides in West Randolph.

      John GIFFORD, from Ellington, Conn., with his wife, Cynthia KIMBALL, came to Randolph on horseback about 1792 and located on Gifford hill, on the farm now occupied by H. R. WRIGHT. They had a family of five sons and four daughters, of whom Friend, born in 1802, married Armida, daughter of Gilbert and Sabra (GRAVES) SMITH, in 1827, by whom he had three sons and two daughters -- John, Horace, Henry, Charlott and Cynthia (Mrs. H. T. SMITH). John, born in 1828, married, first, Eliza ALLEN, in 1857, who died in 1858, and second, Celia A., daughter of J. S. and Celia (CUSHING) ALLEN, in 1858, who bore him three sons and two daughters, viz.: Emma E., Charles C., Myrtie M. (died in 1872, aged three years), Perley J. and Walter A. Mr. John GIFFORD is a farmer, and owns and occupies the old Keith farm of 250 acres on road 55.

      Milan HEBARD, born in Windham, Conn., in 1762, married Betsey Burnham in 1793, and in 1794 located in this town on the farm now occupied by Harris HOLMAN. They reared a family of two sons and three daughters, of whom Salima (deceased) married Enoch HEBARD; Merina (deceased) married John SESSIONS; Lucius died in this town in 1875; Eliza (Mrs. John SESSIONS) died here October 21, 1886; Erastus, born here in 1800, is the oldest native resident of the town. He married Nancy, daughter of Comfort and Susan (AUSTIN) CARPENTER, in 1827, and they reared two sons and three daughters, viz.: Susan C., born in 1828; Marshall died young ; Marcia, born in 1835, married J. E. BRIGGS, and died in Newark, N. Y., in 1884; Dr. Charles TILSON, born in 1838, resides in Mondovi, Wis.; and Mary married Rev. J. R. CUSHING, of Westboro, Mass. Erastus HEBARD's wife died March 18, 1886; he resides on South Main street, West Randolph village. Lucius HEBARD married Irene, daughter of Joseph and Polly (PARMLY) BUTTS, by whom he had children as follows: William B., of Braintree; Joseph B., of Washington Territory; George L., Jane E. (Mrs. KELLOGG), Milan, Erastus, James H. and Ludolph P., of this town; Julius H., who died in 1856, aged twenty-five years; and Laura I. (Mrs. Charles WYMAN), of Brookfield. Ludolph P. was born in 1836. In 1857 he married Roxana W., daughter of Ezra and Sophia (LEONARD) WEST, and widow of Julius H. HEBARD, who had one daughter, Irene, who died in 1874, aged twenty years. He has one daughter, Louisa P. (Mrs. Albert T. MORSE), who has a daughter, Stella S., born in 1886. Mr. HEBARD owns and occupies the judge J. K. PARISH farm of 105 acres on road 1.

     Abial and Simeon Edson came from Connecticut and settled in this town in 1795. Abial located on the farm where Loren A. and Lucien A. EDSON now reside. He married Sarah KIBBEE, by whom he had two sons and three daughters, of whom Loren A. is the only one now living. Loren A. was born in 1803, married Harriet STORY in 1840, who bore him one son, Lucien A, born in 1843, She died in 1854. Loren A. and Lucien A. own and occupy the homestead where they were born, on road 21, and the place has never been owned outside the EDSON family.

     Asahel BRAINERD, son of Elijah and Lucy (SMITH) BRAINERD, was born in Haddam, Conn., in 1771, and died in this town in 1865. He married Lydia, daughter of Titus and Lydia (CHAPMAN) LOVELAND, in 1796, and came to Randolph in December of the same year, with an ox-team and sled, and was several weeks performing the journey. He first located on the farm now occupied by James WELCH, where he remained about five years, when he sold out and bought the farm on road 61 now occupied by his daughters Orpha :and Lydia. He had one son, Asahel, (born in 1797, died in 1851,) and two daughters, named above. Asahel married, first, Mary Ann MORRILL, in 1824, and they had one son and two daughters, Mary Ann, Ezra and Louisa. His wife died in 1833, and in 1837 he wedded with Sarah WRIGHT, widow of W. FLAGG. Of his children, Louisa married Dr. William B. CHAMBERLAIN, of Worcester, Mass.; Mary Ann married N. L. SHELDON, also of Worcester; and Ezra A. wedded with Mary SANBORN, who bore him three sons-Charles, who was drowned in 1866 at the age of twelve years, Walter and Frederick.

      William OSGOOD, son of Abijah and Elizabeth (SPRAGUE) OSGOOD, was born on Osgood hill in 1798. He first united in marriage with Almira DIBBLE, who bore him four sons and two daughters, when she died. He next married Dolly, daughter of Timothy HIGGINS, (widow, first, of R. C. STEVENS, and second of W. SMITH,) in 1855, who bore him one son, Arthur G., born in 1857. Arthur G. married Annie H., daughter of George and Nellie (SMITH) DAVENPORT, in 1883, and they have one daughter, Ina Adaline. He is a merchant, a member of the firm of CARTER & OSGOOD, and also a farmer. His store and residence are in East Randolph. William OSGOOD died in 1884.

      Joseph GRISWOLD, the first man by the name that settled in Randolph, was born in 1728, in the southern part of England. He, with two brothers older than himself, emigrated to America about the year 1750. The two brothers being married, they settled. Some two years after their arrival, Joseph was swimming in the Connecticut river, and was seized with cramps and a young man in company with him dragged him to the shore. All his efforts to restore him were fruitless, and he hastily covered him with his clothes and ran to the wigwam of an Indian medicine-man for aid. The Indian was not at home; but his daughter, Margery, returned with him, and after a long time succeeded in resuscitating the drowned man. He was so helpless and weak that it was many days before he was able to leave the wigwam. Margery had been his constant and attentive nurse and companion. Her father was skilled in all the lore of a learned Indian, and being the younger brother of a powerful sachem was much respected, not only by his tribe, but had many warm friends among the white settlers in that section of the country, and his medical skill was as frequently taxed by the whites as by the red men. Margery was his only child, and he instructed her in all the arts for which he was so celebrated.

     After his recovery Joseph GRISWOLD frequently visited the Indian girl-and at length, in opposition to his brother's counsel, married her, unknown to her father, and moved to Chicopee, Mass., where they lived for many years. Her father became reconciled to the union, and occasionally visited them; but GRISWOLD was not very prosperous -- children were born to him, and his wife practiced her father's profession, and rode far and near to attend the sick. But physicians came to settle near, and ridiculed the simple skill of the Indian doctress, and at length was cut off entirely the income derived from her attendance upon the sick. Disheartened by repeated misfortunes, they finally determined to start life anew, and with six children made a pitch in the northern part of Randolph. Their eldest son, Joseph, preferred remaining in Chicopee; and as he was of age, and expected soon to be married, he took the homestead, paying his father £20 "of lawful money"; and, with their worldly goods all packed in a cart, with one yoke of cattle, an old white mare-a present to Margery from her father-and one cow, they started from Chicopee for their new home, Joseph, the eldest, remaining. The names of their other children were Frederick, John, Benjamin, Sylvester, Eunice, and Lois. They were all remarkably athletic and enterprising, and fortune smiled upon them. In a few years they began to accumulate property. Mrs. GRISWOLD's uncle, the sachem, died, and her father succeeded him; but the name was only a sinecure -- the glory of the once powerful tribe had departed, and the few feeble remnants were soon dispersed-but their chief, or Dogerill, as the English called him, clung to the homes and graves of his forefathers. Once in two years he came to Vermont to visit his daughter and her family, for whom he always felt the warmest affection. He rejoiced in their prosperity. His last visit was made in the autumn of 1798, and it was a wearisome journey to him. Dispirited and sick, he reached their home; and when he left it the last time-one week later-he was carried in the dead of night, dressed in his chieftain's clothes, and laid in the field south of the house. His daughter's husband and herself hollowed the lonely bed, and, with the help of her two eldest sons, they laid that proud head down, with his gun and hunting-knife by his side, and his tomahawk in his hand. Two large stones were afterwards raised to cover the grave, and mark his resting -place.

      Josiah WASHBURN was a son of Jonah, a lieutenant in the Revolutionary war, and his wife, Huldah SEARS, from Middleburg, Mass. He was born in 1762, married Phebe, daughter of William and Susanna (PRATT) CUSHMAN, in 1784, a descendant from Rev. Robert CUSHMAN, who preached the first sermon in New England, at New Plymouth, Mass., December 12, 1621, on the "Sin and Danger of Self Love," which was printed in London, Eng., and is believed to be the oldest sermon extant in America. The WASHBURNs came to Randolph in October, 1784, and located on road 82. Josiah and wife had eight sons and four daughters, of whom Virgil, born in 1786, died in 1860; Hercules, a physician, born in 1788, died in 1850; Susannah, born in 1790, married Rev. Alfred FINNEY, went as a missionary to the Cherokee Indians and died there; Josiah, born in 1791, died in 1824;. Zebina, born in 1792, died the same year; Cephas, born in 1793, a Congregational clergyman, went as a missionary to the Cherokee Nation, and died there in 1860; Phebe, born in 1795, died in infancy; Jonah, born in 1796, was a merchant at West Randolph, where he died in. 1847; Content, born in 1797, died in 1870; Daniel, born February 26, 1800, died October 22, 1886; Titus, born in 1802, died in 1874; Phebe, born in 1804, married Randolph WASHBURN in 1842. Daniel married Adaline, daughter of Ezekiel and Lydia (SPRAGUE) STRONG, in 1836, and they reared two sons-James S., born in 1837, died in 1847, and Julian Josiah, now a resident of Batavia, N. Y.

      John MANN, born in Randolph, Mass., came to this town at an early day and located on the farm now occupied by J. G. MANN. He married Emily, daughter of Abial HOWARD, by whom he had two sons and one daughter -- John G, Cornelius L., who died at the age of twenty years, and Emma Manora, who died at the age of four years. He died in 1874. John G. was born in 1843, married Martha E., daughter of Wells and Mary F. (FLAGG). GRAINGER, in 1869, and they have one son, John Leroy, born in 1872. Mr. MANN is a farmer on the old homestead, and a dealer in ready-made clothing in the corner store, Red Lion Inn block, at West Randolph.