ESSEX
COUNTY CHAPTER. 943
oral during the war, which gave him the rank of Colonel.
He was descended from the distinguished family of Hay in Scotland, and was
highly educated and distinguished for his own talent. While Commissary for the
army and resident in New York he presented a petition, the object of which was
to procure the sanction of purchases for the army in this state "to the
pretended Legislature of Vermont." The stern old fathers of Vermont felt
the insult and were in a dilemma how to rebuke the same and yet secure the
trade, till Matthew Lyon suggested that they accept his petition with the
recommend that he should address his next petition to the great grand assembly
of Vermont.
From the Vermont Record.
Robert Hanniford, of Underhill, now (January, 1867) at the
ripe age of 99, hale and hearty, in the full possession of his intellect, east
his vote for Washington, and for every occupant of the presidential chair
except Pierce and Buchanan.
———————————————
ESSEX COUNTY CHAPTER.
BY H. A. CUTTING.
The lands now in the area of Essex county were, previous
to 1764, supposed to be in the New Hampshire grants, and some of the land was
granted by the Governor of New Hampshire to different parties. It was,
however. included in New York in the year above named, and March 7th, 1770, the
government of that state erected the county of Gloucester, which included the
land in the N. E. part of the state, Essex within its limits. In 1777, the
General Convention of Vermont declared themselves independent, and in 1779
divided the state into two counties, and each county into two shires. Essex was
then within the limits of Cumberland county, in the shire of Newbury. In 1781
this county was divided into Windham, Windsor and Orange, Essex being within the
limits of Orange, with Newbury still for its shire. The county of Caledonia was
incorporated Nov. 8th, 1796, and included all the N. E. part of the state
within its limits. Essex county was, however, soon incorporated, and the county
officers were appointed in the October session of the legislature in 1800.
Essex county is about 45 miles from N. to S. and 23 from E. to W. It lies
between Lat. 44° 20' and 45°, and Lon. 4° 51' and 5° 28' E. from Washington. It
is bounded N. by Canada East and S. by the Connecticut river, bordering its
bank for more than 65 miles, S. W. by Caledonia county, and W. by Orleans
county. The land is generally fertile, though in many parts stony. Along the
valley of the Connecticut it is beautifully picturesque, and no more romantic
scenery can be found. Guildhall was chosen as its shire, and has thus far been
unchanged, but there is a strong wish among many at present to change it to
Island Pond. This county was never much settled by Indians, but was used as a
hunting ground, and through it was the main road for the St. Francis tribe of
Canada and those living in the valley of the Connecticut. It was a while
disputed territory between them, and we have every reason to suppose that there
were many ambuscades and trials of skill between the Indians of Coos and St.
Francis, within its borders. There have been a few stone tomahawks and arrow
points found within the limits of the county, but Indian relics are rare. There
are several anecdotes concerning the aborigines, but they appear in the town
histories. As a considerable portion of the county is still a wilderness, we
have four unorganized towns—Averill, Ferdinand, Lewis and Norton, and three
gores, viz. Avery's, Warner's and Warren's. Averill was chartered June 23,
1762, is 6 miles square, and bounded N. E. by Canaan, S. E. by Lemington, S.
W. by Lewis, and N. W. by Avery's gore and Norton. It is well watered and well
timbered, but broken and uneven in surface and contains but few inhabitants.
Ferdinand was chartered Oct. 13th, 1761, to contain 23
square miles, but as a portion of Wenlock has been added it now contains much
more than that. It is bounded N. by Lewis, E. by Brunswick and Maidstone, S. by
Granby and E. Haven, and W. by Newark and Brighton. It contains several ponds and
streams, which are well stocked with splendid trout, making this town the best
fishing ground in the section.
Lewis was chartered June 29th, 1762, is a mountainous
township 6 miles square, bounded N. E. by Averill, S. E. by Bloomfield, S. W.
by Ferdinand and Brighton, and N. W. by Avery's gore. This township is well
timbered with pine, but the land is not considered to be of the best quality.
Norton is
944 VERMONT
HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
bounded N. by Canada, E. by Canaan and Averill, S. by
Warner's, Warren's and Avery's gores and W. by Holland. The Grand Trunk R. R.
coming up through Warren's gore runs through near the center of the town, but
as the land is poor and rocky few have made homes in this locality.
Of the three gores Warren's contains 6380 acres, Warner's
2,000, and Avery's 10,685. They all lie together, being bounded N. by Norton,
E. by Averill and Lewis, S. by Brighton and W. by Holland and Morgan. They
contain some ponds and small streams, are in some parts well timbered, and the
Grand Trunk R. R. running througb near the center of the three, or through the
central gore, renders the timber of some value.
The first settlement of the county was made in Guildhall
(then supposed to be Lunenburgh) by David Page, Timothy Nash and Geo. Wheeler.
They had to bring their provisions from Northfield, Mass., in canoes, by river
navigation over 160 miles. During the war of the Revolution they were
constantly annoyed by the tories and Indians who killed their cattle,
plundered their houses, and carried some of their number away into captivity.
In laying before the reader the incidents of our early history, I think that
some extracts from Eben Judd's diary as good an account of the early settlers
as can be given. He surveyed this portion of Vermont, as well as northern New
Hampshire, and many incidents in his journal will show his connection with
both localities.
We commence Sept. 6th, 1766, from Judd's journal:*
"After dinner we had a Coos meeting— John Holdbrook
Moderator, Benj. Clark and all the rest that chose, council men. Went to
Baldwin's and lodged."
"Sept. 7th. Crossed the river at noon to Joseph
Wait's, surveyed on the river the Governor's lot in Brunswick."
"Sept. 9th. Finished Governor's lot," &c.
"
Sept. 10th. Went to meeting at Mr. Hall's in Maidstone. In
the afternoon went to Mr. Rich's, and saw his son sick with consumption."
"Sept. 12th. Began to survey at Lemington upper
bounds."
"Sept. 13th and 14th. Surveyed at Lemington and on
the river against that place."
"Sept. 15th. Surveyed against Minnehead; and camped
in the woods."
"Sept. 17th. Went to Nath'l Wait's in forenoon, and
drew a tooth for his wife. In the afternoon went to old Mr. Blodgett's and
heard David Judd preach."
"Sept. 18th. Made a plan of Lemington."
"Sept. 22. Began to lot Lemington."
"Sept. 30th. Run until we came to the line between
Lewis and Magog, there we went on side line to the mile tree southerly, which
tree stands on a very high mountain, where we could overlook nearly all of Lewis
and some part of Wenlock and Averill.
"Oct. 2d. Finished the lotting of Lewis and set out
homewards. Lodged on a branch of the Nulhegan river."
"Oct. 4th. Went to Mr. Rich's. Spent afternoon with
Dr. Gott.
"Oct. 5th. This day had a meeting at Wooster's. Maj.
Wilder mad. Joseph Holdbrook confused the whole meeting and conducted in a
scandalous manner; was for having Whitelaw's survey or location all broken up,
and all our allotments, and said he was ashamed of such conduct The meeting
was adjourned until the next day, and the settlers of Maidstone sent for."
"Oct. 6th. Another meeting at Wooster's —Holdbrook
continues to abuse the meeting and comes near breaking up the allotment."
"Oct, 7th. and 8th. Surveyed up the valley of the
Connecticut."
"Oct. 9th. Surveyed on side of the river in
Maidstone. Just at sunset met a company of men on a piece of land that Mr.
Shoff lived on. They held our chain-men, and said if we went on they would
break, our heads. We returned to Thomas Wooster's. (We went on with our work
until the 13th.")
"Oct. 13th. About 2 o'clock P. M. was met by a
company of settlers in a Briton's manner. They stopped and hindered us a long
time."
"Oct. 14th. Began to lot where we left off on Wait's
Bow. We went strong handed. Joseph Holdbrook carried the fore end of the chain,
and was clinched upon by Mr. Grapes. Grapes was advised to let go, and finally
did, and we went on with our lotting."
—————
* For the extracts from Judd's Journal we are indebted to
the Editor, who copied them from the original journal now in possession of
Henry Stevens, the veteran antiquarian of the State.
ESSEX
COUNTY CHAPTER. 945
"Oct. 21st. Run a line about 4 miles on a high
mountain, which is 77 rods perpendicular height."
"Oct. 22d. Run about 4 miles on the east line of
Stratford, over a large pond. Good land all around it, and a fine path made by
moose."
"Oct. 27th. Lodged at John Holdbrook's in Stratford,
and eat old hasty pudding that the old man had made a week before."
(He leaves his boarding place on account of high charges,
being 10 shillings per week for himself and horse keeping besides.)
"Nov. 8th. Surveyed on the river in Maidstone,"
(was stopped and held fast by the settlers of said town near Merrill's)
"finally they desisted." He then says "We compromised, and they
agreed to delay the matter till after the Surveyor's meeting, by our promising
to use our influence to have each settler have 20 acres of meadow and 80 acres
of upland. Great indignation was expressed against the doings and usage of
Holdbrook."
"Nov. 2d. Thanksgiving day. We lived exceeding well
at Esq. Eames." . . .
"Nov. 27th. Went to Maj. Wilder's after paper, and
then to every house where I thought I could get some. Found some at last.
Lodged at Dr. Gott's in Guildhall, who told me as many stories as I could pen
down in a month. Told me of a number of receipts that would be to infinite
advantage to any man. Told me he had made 19 almanacs, and got six of them
printed. For the first he got £30 and more for the rest. When I asked him any
question about astronomy, he could not answer." (Judd was an almanac
maker.)
"Nov. 29th. Went to Capt. Burley's after paper and
got six sheets Just before night there was a small earthquake and the ground
was felt to shake."
"Nov. 30th. Thanksgiving day in Vermont. Went to Mr.
Hall's at night. Fine supper—roasted turkey, chicken pie, and the first apples
and apple pie I have tasted since I came to Coos. Had a fiddler and Coos dance.
Went from there to Mr. Lucas' about 10 o'clock at night, where we found a
company drinking sizzled rum, or hot toddy. Had a high caper, as it is called.
About midnight returned to Esq. Eames, and made out to get to bed without help.
The weather moderated about this time, as might have been expected."
"Dec. 3d. A disease very prevalent among young women,
and some boys have it —large bunch on their throats or bronchial. About
two-thirds or more of girls and young women have these bronchial bunches which
are frequently as large as a hen's egg. Do not generally prove fatal."
"Dec. 11th. Was voted in Stratford at their adjourned
meeting to dismiss Joseph Holdbrook Esq. from all public business respecting
the town as he has been in very hardservice for sixteen years," &c.,
&c.
"Dec. 13th. The happy wished-for day has arrived and
no Holdbrook. Proceeded on business as fast as possible. Brought on Lemington
first, then Averill, then Minne- head, then Lewis, then Brunswick, then
Wenlock, then Ferdinand, then waited for the settlers of Maidstone, and opened
meeting at 1 o'clock, P. M. A number of settlers together and a large lot of
proprietors, all proceeded to business with calmness and resolution and there
was not even a high word spoken. There were matters to settle of the utmost
consequence to private persons. Finished about 2 o'clock at night and made a
settlement with all the settlers. Happy would it be for me if I could make as
much peace every day as I know I have done today. I am sure nothing would have
been done about a settlement had I not urged the matter just as I did."
(Mr. Judd now visits the Governor of Vt. and describes his
visit as follows.)
"June 4th, 1787. Crossed the river to Williston to
see his excellency Governor Chittenden of Vermont. I found him in a small house
in the woods."—Questions and answers:
QUES. In what manner must the surveyor be paid for running
the outlines of the towns?
ANS. Those towns which were settled and located before the
war the State of Vermont will pay for running the outlines.
QUES. (After showing him the advertisement and votes of
our meeting). Will this meeting answer our purpose to act upon or not?
ANS. You had better warn a new meeting and take regular
steps of the law, and
916 VERMONT
HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
then you need not fear about having any thing overhauled.
QUES. Will it be likely that we shall get a new grant of
land to make up the deficiency in those towns that fall short according to
charter?
ANS. This state would not wish to make up the damage done
by New Hampshire, but if you have paid more money for towns than you ought, the
legislature will undoubtedly give you that back in lands. That will ever be my
advice. You can draw a petition for that purpose and bring to the assembly, and
I will overlook it and see it is well stated, &c. You can as well do it
yourself as to employ any one else to do it. It will be best to set forth how
much your land falls short from the charter, and then cast up and see how much
you have paid over what you ought to have paid, and I will help you all I can.
You can, if you like, petition for Lunenburgh, to make up the deficiency, and
then pay what the overplus tax money will not pay. (I reviewed the Holdbrook
case to him and he said it was very well, for he was a worthless fellow.)
QUES. What shall we do with settlers now on pitches in the
towns?
ANS. You must put into the warning for the meeting to have
them hold their pitches, and you must not interrupt them, for I will take the
part of the poor settlers rather than have them interrupted. You must give them
more than granted, if you intend to have them peaceable. (Judd now returns to
Coos.)
"Jan. 8, 1787. Went to Southbury, Ct., to a Coos
(proprietors') meeting. Jo. Holdbrook had his vote of thanks read off to him,
&c. David Hyde behaved very scandalously."
"Feb. 1st. Began an almanac for 1788, and took 50
acres of land in Lunenburgh, for a poor debt of 500 dollars of Wm. Langdon, one
of the original proprietors of that town."
"March 25th. Went to hear Mr. Eli preach. He spoke
from these words: 'To be carnal minded is death; but to be spiritual minded is
life and peace.' He said much about the mind of a person, and that his actions
were an index of it."
I will add a sermon:
"Man is born into trouble as the sparks fly upward."
I shall divide my discourse into and confine it under the following heads:
First, man's ingress into the world. Second, his progress through the world.
Third, his egress out of the world,—
First, man comes into the world naked and bare;
Second, his progress through it is trouble and care;
Third, he goes out of it nobody knows where.
To conclude:
If you do well while here, you will fare well when there;
I can tell you no more, if I preach a whole year."
"April 12, 1787. My birth day, 26 years old."
(He now leaves his almanac with a printer, and starts for Vermont again.)
"November 10th Tarry at Guildhall, to attend to my
store and mill, sawed 2141 feet of boards for John Rich to-day."
(His diary of 1800 commences in Woodstock prison, where
he was confined for debt. Officer Fitch arrested him by breaking into another
man's house, where he struck him with a cane and presented a loaded pistol to
his wife's breast. He was liberated, June 24th of this year.)
As the town histories contain most of the items which
might be in place in a county chapter, I will mention but one incident in the
political strife of 1812, 1813 and 1814.
In relation to the politics of that time, I would say that
each party was ready and willing to injure the opposite. Every opportunity was
eagerly embraced and every provocation possible given. So, after the lapse of
50 years it is impossible to arrive at the facts of all cases. The case I will
mention was the shooting of Beach by Dennett, an officer of customs. The
account at that time published is as follows: In September of 1813, Mr. Samuel
Beach, of Canaan, VT., wishing to repair a mill-dam in Canada, obtained a
permit from the governor to take over a yoke of oxen to work on the dam. He
accordingly sent a man forward with his team. The oxen were taken from him by
Lieut. John Dennett. Mr. Beach, when endeavoring to obtain his oxen, was shot
dead by Dennett. Dennett and his associates were put in Guildhall jail, from
which Dennett escaped the following spring. The next August he was retaken,
but not until mortally wounded by his pursuers. It appears that Dennett
resisted, and was shot, while attempting to kill Mr. Morgan, by a Mr. Sperry,
another of the pursuers. This is the substance of the story, as circulated by
the
ESSEX
COUNTY CHAPTER. 947
federals; while the opposite party circulated and still
say the following was true, and circumstanced seem to favor the truth of the
assertion:
In the fall of 1813, one Samuel Beach, of Canaan, owning
mills in Canada, obtained a permit to take over a yoke of cattle to repair his
dam. This he did several times, and after working them a few days would sell to
the English and take in another yoke. This was soon reported to Gen. Cushman,
who ordered Lient. Dennett with a squad of men to put a stop to it. In
attempting to do so, Beach leveled his gun at Dennett and snapped it, but it
missed fire; while he was in the act Dennett discharged his gun at him, which
took effect, killing Beach. Dennett and his associates were arrested and placed
in Guildhall jail, but as many doubts seem to have arisen about the justice of
the arrest, his associates from time to time were allowed to leave for their
homes. Dennett walked about the house and yard as he chose, and finally went
home in the spring and went to making buckets in the woods. Some little effort
was made to find him, but he was not found. At length it became common talk
that he was about home, and three men were commissioned to take him and return
him to jail. The remainder is from Dennett's own words, after he knew he could
live but a few hours: He says that he was on a log chopping, and the first
intimation he had of any one being present he was shot, the ball entering and
lodging in his back. They then bound him and took him to a village in Canaan,
where a lumber wagon was procured, and he was tied in the bottom and the wagon
was driven over the rough road to Guildhall; and, further, the wagon having no
springs, it hurt him much to ride, and he plead with his captors to drive slow
over rough places, which they not only refused to do but would drive off the
road, so as to torture him the more. After lodging him in jail, Dr. Lyman, of
Lancaster, extracted the ball; doubtless doing it in a very unskillful manner,
perhaps being the worse for liquor at the time. Some thought his (Dennett's)
enemies hired him to kill him in the operation, but it is not probable that
that was the case. Be it as it may, he lived but a short time.
I have now told the stories of the two opposing parties,
and the reader must form his own opinion of the case. It would not be strange,
in these bitter times, if both parties were hasty in the discharge of their
duty. That Beach was guilty of taking over cattle to sell, cannot he doubted.
COURTS.
The first Essex county court was holden at Lunenburgh, on
the 3d Wednesday of December, 1800. Ambrose Grow was admitted to the bar, and
seven entries were made for jury trial. The next term was. holden at Brunswick,
on the 3d Wednesday of June, 1801; Hon. Daniel Dane, chief judge. Samuel
Phelps, of Lunenburgh, and Mills DeForest, of Lemington, assistant judges.
Joseph Wait, of Brunswick, sheriff. The first trial in this court was at this
term. The action was brought by John and Ann Hugh against James and Mary Lucas,
for slander. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and assessed the damages at
$14,41. The cost was $60,70. There has been and conviction for manslaughter—the
case appeared as follows: Two brothers, Stephen and Martin Pellom, resided in
Guildhall; their father was an East Indianian, their mother a negroes or
mulatto. Stephen went and took a harrow that belonged to Martin, and while
carrying it on his back he was assaulted by Martin with a club, and finally it
seems threw down the harrow and went in for combat. Stephen, it appeared,
struck Martin on the temple with a club, fracturing his skull and killing him.
He was arrested the same day, viz., April 30, 1851, and was finally convicted
of manslaughter.
POPULATION OF ESSEX CO. 1860.
Towns Males. Females. Total.
Averill, 5 7 12
Bloomfield, 180 140 320
Brighton, 490 455 945
Brunswick, 123 89 212
Canaan, 336 172 408
Concord, 687 604 1291
East Haven, 75 61 136
Ferdinand 29 5 34
Granby, 66 66 132
Guildhall, 281 271 552
Lemington, 99 108 207
Lunenburgh, 534 500 1034
Maidstone, 145 114 259
Norton, 25 7 32
Victory, 113 99 212
——— ——— ———
Totals, 3088 2698 5786
948 VERMONT
HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
TABLE
OF COUNTY OFFICERS.
Councilors
and Sena-
tors for
Essex Co. Chief Judges. Sheriffs. State's Attorneys. Judges
of Probate.
—————————— ——————— ——————— ————————— —————————
1801 Daniel
Dana Joseph Wait, Elijah Foot, Daniel Dana,
1802 I put down
the "
" "
" "
" "
"
1803 named of the
coun- "
" "
" Levi
Barnard, "
"
1804 cil that
lived at the "
" "
" "
" "
"
1805 time of
election in "
" "
" "
" "
"
1806 Essex County.
" " William Hewes, Seth Quishman, " "
1807 "
" "
" "
" "
"
1808 Micajah
Ingham, "
" "
" "
"
1809 Haines
French, Daniel Dana,
" " "
" "
"
1810 "
" Maidst'n. Micajah
Ingham, "
" "
" Joseph Wait,
1811 "
" Oliver
Ingham, Joseph Berry, Charles Cutler,
1812 David
Hopkinson, David Hibbard, jr.,
" "
1813 Daniel
Dana, "
" Elijah
Foot, Daniel Dana,
1814 "
" "
" "
" "
"
1815 David
Hopkinson, John Dean, Joseph Berry, Isaac Cushman,
1816 Oliver
Ingham, Rich Stevens,
" " "
"
1817 "
" Henry
Hall, "
" "
"
1818 "
" Rich
Stevens, "
" "
"
1819 Joseph Berry,
" " "
" Bailey
Denison, "
"
1820 "
Guildhall, "
" John
Dean, Seth Cushman,
" "
1821 "
" Benj.
Hunkins, Dyer Hibbard, Joseph Berry, " "
1822 "
" Joseph
Berry, Elijah Hill, Seth Cushman,
" "
1823 "
" Wm.
Gates, Richard Stevens, Joseph Berry, Wm. Gates,
1824 "
" "
" Azariah
Webb, jr., "
" "
"
CIRCUIT
JUDGES.
1825 Stephen
Royce, Azariah Webb, jr, Seth Cochrane, William Cates,
1826 Samuel
Prentice, Rich Stevens,
" " Royal Cutler,
1827 Stephen
Royce, Azariah Webb, jr,
" " William Gates,
1828 Samuel
Prentice, "
" David
Hibbard, jr., Royal Cutler,
1829 Ephraim
Paddock, Henry Hall,
" " "
"
1830 "
" Chapin K.
Brooks, "
" "
"
1831 Richardson
Graves, Stephen Royce, Henry Hall, " " Wm.
Gates,
1832 "
" Nicholas
Bailis, Azariah Webb, jr., James Steele, " "
1833 "
" Stephen
Royce, Greenleaf Webb, Wm. Heywood, jr., " "
1934 Jacob
Collamer, Chapin K. Brooks, James Steele, " "
1835 Richardson
Graves. Isaac R. Redfield, Greenleaf Webb, " " "
"
SENATORS.
1836 Wm. Gates, Isaac R. Redfield. Greenleaf Webb, Wm. Heywcod, jr., Royal
Cutler,
1837 Wm. Heywood,
jr., Stephen Royce,
" " "
" Joseph
Gleason,
1838 "
" Isaac
R. Redfield, "
" "
" "
"
1839 Geo. E.
Holmes, "
" George E.
Holmes, "
" "
"
1840 Stephen Howe,
" " Greenleaf Webb, David Hibbard, jr., Royal Cutler,
1841 Moody Rich, "
" George E.
Holmes, Wm. Heywood, jr., Azariah Webb, jr.,
1842 Warner
Bingham, "
" George W.
Gates, "
" "
"
1843 "
" Charles
K. Williams, "
" "
" Moody Rich,
1844 George
Marshall, Isaac R. Redfield,
" " "
" "
"
1845 "
" "
" Beach
Blodgett, Win. T. Barron, Wm. Heywood, jr„
1846 David
Hibbard, jr., Daniel Kellogg, Preston May, " " Jonah
Brooks,
1847 "
" Charles
Davis, R. C. Benton, Wm. H. Hartshorn,
" "
1848 Oramel
Crawford, Hiland Hall, George W. Gates, Wm. Heywood, jr., Isaac Cummings,
1849 "
" Luke P.
Poland, Greenleaf Webb,
" " Jonah Brooks,
1850 John Dewey,
" " "
" Wm. H.
Hartshorn, "
"
1851 "
" "
" James W.
Cooper, Wm. Heywood, jr., R. W. Freeman,
1852 Henry S.
Walter, "
" William
Rich, "
" "
"
1853 "
" "
" N. W.
French, R. C. Benton, O. Crawford,
1954 Wm. H.
Hartshorn, "
" "
" "
" William
Chandler,
1855 "
" "
" D. H.
Beattie, "
" "
"
1856 R. C. Benton, A. Peck,
" " Wm. H. Hartshorn,
" "
1857 "
" Luke P,
Poland "
" Geo. N.
Dale, "
"
1858 N. W. French,
" " Wm. Cheney,
" " Jonah Brooks,
1859 Myron S.
Chandler, "
" "
" "
" "
"
1860 T. G.
Beattie, "
" H. W.
Bedell, Oscar F. Harvey,
" "
1861 "
" "
" "
" "
" "
"
1862 D. A. Beattie,
" " "
" Henry
Heywood, "
"
1863 "
" "
" Charles
Chase. "
" "
"
The following is a list of Attorneys admitted to the bar
at Essex County Court:
Ambrose Grow. 1800 David Hibbard, 1822
Benjamin Bissell, 1801 S. W. Cooper, 1822
Seth Cushman, 1804 Francis E. Phelps 1824
Andrew Judson, 1806 J. M. Cushman, 1825
Peter Converse, 1806 James Steel, 1827
Daniel Cobb. 1809 Charles C. Cushman, 1830
Samuel A. Pearson, 1810 George Paine, 1831
John N. Tilliston, 1810 Wm. Heywood, jr., 1831
Elisha Hinds, 1811 A. H. Joy, 1837
James Berry, 1811 Hiram A. Fletcher, 1838
Thomas Denison, 1812 John S. Roby, 1844
Zera Cutler, 1812 John Nichols, 1844
Charles Robinson, 1813 R. C. Benton, 1851
Samuel Ingham, 1818 D. G. Peabody, 1852
Bailey Davidson, 1818 Henry Heywood, 1860
Nelson Chamberlain, 1819 Geo. W. Hartshorn, 1860
J. W. Williams, 1820 —— Tenney, 1861
Thomas Peverly, 1821
List of Attorneys that have practiced and those that
continue to practice at Essex County Court:
Names. Residence. Com'd. Closed.
John Mattocks, Peacham, 1800 1842
Elijah Frost, Guildhall, 1800 1816
Wm. Mattocks, Danville, 1801 1840
D. S. Burtrum, Danville, 1802 1804
Levi Barnard, Lunenburgh
& Lancas‑
ter, N. H. 1802 1831
Asa King, "
" 1803 1805
A. Sprague, "
"" 1803 1805
E. Knight, "
"" 1803 1804
Wm. A. Palmer, jr., St.
Johnsbury & Dan-
ville, 1803 1807
Seth Cushman, Guildhall, 1804 1844
Wm. A. Griswold, Danville, 1805 1819
Reuben Grant, Concord, 1806 1812
Samuel A. Pearson, Lancaster,
N. H. 1810 1838
John N. Tilliston, Northumberland
N.H. 1810 1815
ESSEX
COUNTY CHAPTER. 949
A. Wetherbee, Waterford, 1809 1821
Joseph Berry, Guildhall, 1811 1820
Wm. Farrar, Lancaster,
N. H. 1811 1819
Ephraim Paddock, St.
Johnsbury, 1812 1840
Zara Cutler, Northumberland
N. H. 1813 1810
Isaac Fletcher, Lyndon, 1816 1836
David Hibbard, Concord, 1816 1846
Charles Davis, Danville
& Waterford, 1818 1840
Bailey Denison, Guildhall
and North‑
umberland N. H. 1819 1822
Thomas Peabody, jr., Northumberland
N.H. 1822 1829
Saunders W. Cooper, Guildhall
and Lancas‑
ter, N. H. 1822 1829
Turner Stevenson, Lancaster,
N. H. 1824
J. Sheaf, Lancaster,
N. H. 1825 1830
James Bell, Walden, 1825 1841
Ira Young, Colebrook
and Lancas‑
ter, N. H. 1825 1845
J. W. Williams, Lancaster,
N. H. 1826 1865
J. S. Wells, Guildhall
and Lancas‑
ter, N. H. 1828 1848
J. D. Stoddard, Waterford
& St. Johns‑
bury, 1829
Jesse Cooper, Canaan 1831 1832
Wm. Heywood, Lunenburgh
& Guildhall,
Lancaster, N. H. 1832
Titus Hull, Guildhall
& Northum‑
berland, N. H. 1835 1842
H. N. Wead, Guildhall, 1835 1838
John Doan, Jr., Lunenburgh, 1839 1843
Thomas Bartlett, Lyndon, 1840 1861
H. A. Fletcher, Colebrook
& Lancaster,
N. H. 1840
Jacob Benton, Lancaster,
N. H. 1843
O. H. Hartt, Montpelier, 1843 1845
John Nichols, Guildhall, 1844 1846
John S. Roby, Lancaster,
N. H. 1844 1846
W. T. Barrow, Guildhall, 1845 1848
George C. Cahoon, Lyndon, 1846
W. Burns, Lancaster,
N. H. 1846
W. H. Hartshorn, Guildhall, 1847
Dymon Flint, Colebrook,
N. H. 1848 1856
A. J. Willard, St.
Johnsbury, 1849
Benj. F. Whidden, Lancaster,
N. H. 1849 1862
O. T. Brown, East
St. Johnsbury, 1849
Geo. A. Bingham, Lyndon. 1849 1853
C. W. Burt, Colebrook,
N. H. 1849 1854
H. S. Bartlett, Lyndon, 1850 1856
B. W. Slade, St.
Johnsbury, 1850 1861
Geo. C. Williams, Lancaster,
N. H. 1850
R. C. Benton, Lunenburgh, 1857 1858
—— Roberts, Lyndon, 1852 1854
D. A. Rogers, Colebrook,
N. H. 1855 1858
Ira A. Ramsey, Guildhall
& Colebrook,
N. H. 1855
A. Barker, Colebrook,
N. H. 1855
Ossian Ray, Stewartstown
and Lan‑
caster, N. H. 1855
John W. Edwards, Derby, 1856
George N. Dale, Guildhall
and Island
Pond, 1857
O. F. Harvey, West
Concord, 1858
Geo. W. Hartshorn, Canaan, 1858
Charles D. Johnston, Stratford,
N. H. 1859 1861
Benjamin H. Steel, Derby
Line, 1859
Jonathan Ross, St.
Johnsbury, 1859
Wm. S. Dodd, Colebrook,
N. H. 1860
Henry Heywood, Guildhall, 1861
[In the foregoing lists I have endeavored to come as near
positive certainty as possible, yet it is not impossible that some names may be
wrong. I would acknowledge the gratuitous assistance of Henry Heywood, Esq. of
Guildhall, in searching the county records, as his aid has been of great
benefit to the correctness of the items.]
The Grand Trunk Railway, connecting Portland with
Montreal, was chartered in 1848, and built in 1853, through Essex county. It
crosses the Connecticut at the mouth of the Nulhegan from New Hampshire, and
runs in a northwesterly direction through Bloomfield, Brunswick and Ferdinand,
to Island Pond village which is in Brighton, containing the custom-house for
the entry of goods passing to and from Canada. From Brighton it runs E. of N.
into Canada, passing through a corner of Morgan, in Orleans county, Warren's
gore and Norton. When the road was first surveyed it was intended to run up
the valley of the Connecticut to Canaan, but on account of offers from the
Canadians to build to Island Pond and establish the custom-house there instead
of on the line—they then owning only the Canada end of the road and the
expense being greater to them in building to Canaan—it was finally changed to
the present route. The Grand Trunk Co. at length bought the entire road, and
being English capitalists now talk of removing the custom-house from Island
Pond to the line, yet it probably will not be done at present.
VIEWS.
To the lovers of natural scenery the valley of the
Connecticut, from the head of the fifteen-mile falls to Canaan, cannot be surpassed
in loveliness. The meandering folds of the river, the abrupt headlands, the towering
summits of the White Mountains, the variety of timber land, all conspire to render
it a changing scene and one of peculiar interest and beauty. Almost every town
in the county boasts of some hill or mountain from the summit of which scenes
of peculiar beauty lay spread before you, and such in reality is the case.
The White Mountains are in full view from the river towns,
and may be seen perhaps from every town in the county. The best view of the
White Mountain range attainable is however from Lunenburgh. Seen from that
locality they stand out in all their boldness. Perhaps the best view is from
near the village, but it is fine from almost every part of the town. From Mt.
Byron in Maidstone, the bows of the Connecticut river, five of them which are
to be seen—will spell the word Union, each bow forming a letter sufficiently
distinct for recognition. Looking over into New Hampshire and also into Canada
for 40 or 50 miles, the landscape is exceedingly beautiful. The White
Mountains are in full view, and the profile of the old man of the mountains in
Franconia notch is visible, but with this phenomenon—that the old man of the
mountain appears to be
950 VERMONT
HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
lying on his back, his rugged profile intent skyward. Many
other views might be pointed out, but to gain a good idea of them it requires
a visit in person.
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BLOOMFIELD.
BY HON. WILLIAM BURBANK.
This town is situated on the Connecticut River; and is
bounded W. by the unorganized township of Lewis, N. by Lemington and S. by
Brunswick. It was chartered by Gov. Wentworth, June, 1762, under the name of
Minnehead. By the terms of the charter the township was to be 6 miles square,
and divided into 70 shares. The grantees were 63 in number.* 500 acres, which
was to be accounted two shares, were reserved for the Governor's right, one
share for the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts, one for a glebe for
the benefit of the Church of England, one for the first settled minister in the
town, and one for the benefit of schools in town. It appears the town was first
surveyed in 1796, by Andrew Beers. This survey was unsatisfactory, and in 1798
E. W. Judd was appointed to make a new one. This survey also proving
unsatisfactory, Jonas Baker was appointed to re-survey the same in 1802, and
the township was run out into lots of 112 acres each. By whom or at what time
the town was first settled, we have no definite data. But from the best
information obtained it is reasonable to suppose that Thomas Lamkin was the
first settler, and came into town in 1796. Who his first associates were does
not appear to be definitely known, but in 1802 there had been nearly 30
"pitches" made in town. Among the settlers at this date were Gaius
Kibbe, James P. Frazier, J. J. French, Peter Mills, Stone Mills, Eben Wright,
Raymond Fuller, Daniel Holbrook and Samuel Healey. Joseph Stevens also came
not far from this time. He and Mr. Healey** are the only ones now remaining;
both are 80 years old or upwards. But few of the early settlers remained in
town for any great length of time. They commenced under disadvantageous circumstances,
and many became discontented and left, some allowing their lands to be sold for
taxes. From 1812 to 1820 the population scarcely increased at all. In 1830 the
population numbered 150. What it numbers at the present time (April 1862) is
not accurately known; but there are from 70 to 75 families.† Only that portion
in the vicinity of the Connecticut and Nulhegan rivers has as yet become
settled, but the town is gradually increasing in population and wealth, and by
the stimulus imparted to it by the construction of the Grand Trunk Railroad
(which passes through the southerly portion) is becoming a town of considerable
importance, so that no town in the county now presents greater inducements to
settlers.
At the junction of the Nulhegan and Connecticut rivers the
Messrs. Baldwin have a superior establishment for manufacturing lumber of all
kinds, furnishing employment to numerous hands, and a good market for all such
as are disposed to turn an honest penny by drawing their spare lumber during
the winter months. The market for all kinds of produce is also rendered
excellent.
The surface of the town is uneven, presenting almost
every variety of scenery. A few meadow or interval farms are found on the banks
of the Connecticut and Nulhegan rivers, but in many places the upland bluffs
extend to the rivers. The soil is mainly good; in certain sections it is very
excellent, while in other sections it appears only valuable for pasturage and
timber. A large portion of the township is covered with valuable timber of
various kinds, for which a branch of the Nulhegan river, which passes through
the center, furnishes conveyance to the mills. There are other streams of
sufficient power for manufacturing purposes, some of which have been improved.
The number of lumber mills in town is now four, being located in the different
neighborhoods in town. There are numerous other little streams formed by
springs of the
—————
* GRANTEES OF BLOOMFIELD, ORIGINALLY MINNEHEAD,— Rev. Noah
Waddams, Rev. Elijah Sill, Rev. Joel Bardwell, Rev. Sylvanus Osborne, Agus
Judson, Beach Tomlinson, Elijah Mills, Samuel Jones, Samuel Hurd, David
Baldwin, jr., Medad Wright, Ephraim Beers, Nathan Beardsley, Brewster Dayton,
Stephen Frost, John Haines, Thomas Wooster, Joseph Holbrook, Israel Jonhson,
Samuel Chatfield, jr., Wooster Twitchell, Joseph Davis, Samuel Nichols,
Benjamin Bennet, Heth Garlick, Reuben Booth, Mark Langdon, Daniel Bostwick,
Daniel Pickett, Samuel Canfield, Joseph Wheaton, Samuel Mallery, Stephen
Morehouse, Capt. Nathaniel Bosworth, Daniel Averill, Moses Averill, Elias Kene,
David Hawley, Josiah Caswell, Daniel Kene, Stephen Nobles, Israel Nobles,
Morgan Nobles, Zepaniah Branch, Benjamin Mallery, Butler Mallery, Capt. Elijah
Whittlesey, Thomas Beeman, Aaron Phelps, jr., Samuel Prindle, Capt. Nathan
Hicok, John Marsh, Portsmouth, Joseph Calhoun, John Calhoun, William Cogswell,
Samuel Averill, Hon. Theodore Atkinson, William Temple, Esq., Richard Webird,
Esq., Daniel Warner, Esq., Zachariah Nobles, David Calhoun, James Calhoun.
** Both since deceased.
† In 1860, population 320.