VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
———————————————
WASHINGTON COUNTY — INTRODUCTORY
CHAPTER.
BY G. N. BRIGHAM, M. D.
WASHINGTON
COUNTY was incorporated
On the
organization of Lamoille County, in 1836, Stowe and Elmore were set off to that
County, leaving 17 towns; by the division of Montpelier into Montpelier and
East Montpelier, and the addition of Cabot, the County again had its 19 towns.
The County has also two gores, Goshen and Harris, east of Plainfield and
Marshfield. Some of the towns on the west side, upon the ridge of the Green
Mountains, are hilly and almost inaccessible even for timber, though but a
small tract can be called waste land.
The
surface of the County is somewhat broken, but still it may be classed one of
the best agricultural counties in the State. The original inhabitants were
Abenaqui Indians, a family of the Algonquin tribe. From their language comes
the name of its principal river, which is said to mean the land of leeks, or
onions, and was first written Winoosque, or, as some insist, [Mr. Trumbull,]
Winoos-ki, two words signifying land and leek. There are occasional relics of
this ancient people found within this County, and the valley of the Winooski
was the great highway through which they made their incursions upon the
inhabitants on the Connecticut river in its early settlements, and through
which they went and returned in that raid in which Royalton was burned.
In the
State Cabinet is a stone hatchet found in Waitsfield. About 2 miles below
Montpelier village, on what was once known as "the Collins Farm," now
owned by a Mr. Nelson, 40 rods north of the railroad-track, and some 12 rods
east of the road leading by Erastus Camp's saw-mill and house, is found what is
evidently the remains of an Indian mound. It is rectangular in form, and some
40 to 50 feet across. It has at present an elevation of some 6 feet. It has
been lowered by the present owner of the land some 15 inches, and a Mr. John
Agila says he helped plow and scrape it down many years ago at least 5 feet.
Capt. H. Nelson Taplin, who is 70 years of age, saw it when a boy of ten, and
thinks its sides had an an‑
2 VERMONT
HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
gle of about 60 degrees. Mr. Nelson found an Indian
tomahawk, a spear-head, and a relic, showing considerable mechanical skill,
which we are unable to name, some few rods south of the mound, while plowing
his meadow. The mound is situated at the opening of a narrow, glen-like passage
running back among the hills, and is flanked by two opposing bluffs, the one on
the west being the most elevated. It seems to have been set in a natural niche,
admirably chosen for its picturesqueness and beauty. In front is a level piece
of land bordering the Winooski, nearly a half-mile wide, and 1½ mile long. The
soil is light and loamy, exceedingly well adapted to the growing of their
maize. Traces of Indian pottery have also been found on the lands here
described, and also on one of the lake-made plateaus above the village. An
Indian arrow-head has been found on the high land in the rear of the mound; and
some 4 miles below, opposite to where Mad River empties into Winooski, on the
Farrar meadow, was plowed up a stone-gouge, a spear-head, and a stone-axe, all
evidently of aboriginal origin, which are deposited in the cabinet at the State
House. The axe is of horn stone of the best quality, with a fine edge. The
spear-heads are made of chert, a species of flint, but not the gun-flint;— one
finely preserved. Fracturing stone for these Indian implements is said to be an
art, and usually done by old men who are disabled from hunting.
See
page 196, 2d Vol. of Champlain's History: Upon the Champlain. He says "I
saw on the east side very high mountains," &c. [See also Addison for
the same, Vol. I. this work.] There is no doubt the mountains here spoken of
were Mansfield and Camel's Hump, and the Winooski the waters by which they were
able to go close to the mountains in their canoes.
East of
Montpelier, 1½ mile, there is a large block of limestone which was obviously
shaped by human hands, and so closely resembles the Indian monuments for graves,
to be seen in the illustrations, by Schoolcraft, as to leave little doubt that
it was originally erected as a tombstone, or other memorial of some great
aboriginal event The whole valley was probably at one time here and there
studded with wigwams, and by hunting, fishing, and growing of the maize, for
many generations, the families of the red man subsisted here, making a part of
that traditional glory belonging to the once far-famed and powerful tribe known
as the Algonquins. Some of the tribe of St. Francis Indians, a family of the
Algonquins, have lived around the eastern border, or within the limits of this
County until their families were extinct. Among these were Capt. John and Joe.
Capt. John was with a party of Indians attached to the American army when
Bourgoyne was captured. [See Newbury, Vol. II.] Old Joe used to make frequent
visits to Montpelier, stopping for a few days with a family living in an old
log house, a little out of the village on the east side of Worcester Branch.
There he used to run bullets from lead ore found by him on land a little west
of what is now called Wright's Mills. A young man of this family once went in
company with Capt. Joe and cut a block from the vein of very pure lead, which
was afterwards purchased by Hon. Daniel Baldwin, and melted. Mr. Baldwin
offered a considerable sum to be shown the spot. It was hunted for, but the
lands in the mean time having been cleared, the place could not be identified.
It was just out of Montpelier village, in this same vicinity, that a novel
system of telegraphing was invented in the earliest settlement of the County.
The mother of a family of five children, fearing they would get lost in going
after the cows in the woods, used to send the oldest forward, enjoining him not
to go beyond the call of the next, who would follow, and so of the rest, until
all were in line, she herself sending forward word, and getting answers from
the scouring party, until the cows were brought in.
In
1760, Samuel Stevens was employed by a land-company to explore the middle and
eastern portions of the New Hampshire grants, and, with a few others, began at
the mouth of White River and proceeded up the Connecticut till they came to
WASHINGTON
COUNTY. 3
Newbury. Then finding the head waters of the Winooski
river, followed it down to its mouth at Lake Champlain. This was three years
before the survey of any lands within the limits of the County. In 1763, a
party interested in the Wentworth Grants came to Waterbury and began running
the boundaries of our western towns. In the time of the Revolutionary War what
was called the Hazen road was cut through from Peacham towards Canada line,
which ran across Cabot, now in Washington Co. The line seems to have been run
through in 1774, and several companies of Col. Bedel's regiment went on
snow-shoes over the line to Canada, in 1776. Hazen made a road for 50 miles
above Peacham, going through the towns of Cabot, Walden, Hardwick, Greensboro,
and out to Lowell, which has been of great service to the inhabitants since in
northeastern and northern Vermont.
Under
the charter King Charles gave to the Duke of York, the State of New York
claimed to the Conn. River and north to New France. The old Dutch county of
Albany, (sometimes called the unlimited county of Albany) included by this
claim, all of the present territory of Vermont. A county by the State of New
York was constituted in 1766 nearly identical to the present counties of
Windham and Windsor, called Cumberland, and in March 1770, another county by
the name of Gloucester, comprising all the territory north of Cumberland Co.,
east of the Green Mountains, and Kingsland, now Washington in Orange County was
made the county seat, and the first proper session of the court held at
Newbury. By old maps it would appear this county included most, if not all of
the present territory of Washington County. A part of the townships in this
county had been previously run out in the interest of those purchasing patents
of Gov. Benning Wentworth. Waterbury and Duxbury were chartered in 1763; Stowe,
Berlin, Worcester, Middlesex and Moretown about the same time. The more eastern
towns do not seem to have been chartered till some years later, and upon the
maps then representing Gloucester County is found a tract by the name of Kilby,
which appears to have embraced the town of Montpelier and all, or portions of
some of the eastern towns, which at one time was attempted to be run out in the
interest of New York claimants. In the summer of 1773, we find that a Mr. S.
Gale, with a number of men, was employed in surveying this County in the
interests of the land jobbers of New York. Ira Allen with three men started
from the block fort on Onion River in pursuit of them. He traversed the towns
of Waterbury, Middlesex, and on up to the fabulous shire-town of Kingsland in
Gloucester County, and down on the east side of the mountains to Moretown (now
Bradford.) Obtaining information of the surveyor's destination and buying
spirits and provisions, they went again in pursuit; discovered his line and by
that tracked them to the north-east corner of the old town of Montpelier.
Probably from the description of the ground where they encamped when like to be
overtaken, they were on the Town-meadow beyond Lightning Ridge. They seem to
have made a precipitate retreat on the approach of Allen's party. Allen reached
the block fort in 16 days from the time he set out. We do not learn of any
later attempts on the part of the Yorkers to survey lands within our County
limits. New York finding it inconvenient to establish jurisdiction over so
large a territory as Albany, where for a long time all writs of ejectment,
executions, &c., issued from and were made returnable to, constituted, by
act of assembly May 12, 1772, a new county on the west side of the mountain by
the name of Charlotte, which included all the old territory of the County of
Albany on the west side of the mountain north of the towns of Arlington and
Sunderland to Canada line. Thus did the State of New York look after us in the
time of our earliest settlements. Whether any part of Washington County had it
then been inhabited, for it was not till 9 years later, would have been
returnable to Charlotte County Court at Skeenesboro, now Whitehall, is a matter
of dispute; as it is not quite certain which range of the moun‑
4 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
tains was followed. By the line made when they divided
the State into two counties, one east and one west of the mountains, the west
towns of Washington County would have been so returnable. But the jurisdiction
of New York, with right to annul contracts for land obtained by charter from
the king's governor, was not acceptable to the settlers, who soon began to cast
about for some way to carry on municipal regulations more in harmony with their
feelings.
Gloucester
Co. disappeared at the first session of the Vermont Legislature, 1778. The
State was divided into two counties by the range of the Green Mountains; that
on the east side being called Cumberland; on the West side Bennington; and
Washington Co. was divided very nearly in the center, north and south. This
date is nearly three years before Thomas Meade, the first settler of the County
of Washington, made his pitch in the town of Middlesex. We were only two years
included in Bennington Co., when by the formation of the new County of Rutland
we entered therein, and so remained during the existence of the old Rutland Co.
— 4 years and 8 months, in which time Middlesex and Waterbury began to be
settled. When Addison Co. was formed, we entered into a new County existence
with old Addison Co., and so remained with Addison two years, until Chittenden
Co. was formed, for which a part of our western towns were taken, and remained
with this County many years. By the act at Westminster of the new Vermont,
constituting Cumberland County to embrace all the territory east of the Green
Mountains, the east part of the County was first included within its limits;
afterward, when Orange County was organized it was therein included, and some
towns were retained in its jurisdiction until the organization of Jefferson
County in 1811. The settlers travelled by marked trees, carried their corn on
their backs, or more frequently drove an ox, with a bag of grain balanced
across his neck, (many miles distant,) to find a mill to get it ground. Women
and children often went to their new homes on rackets, the husband and father
coming in the year before and making his pitch, clearing two or three acres of
land, and rolling up the old fashioned log house. Some came in, it is true, in stronger
force and with more means, as Col. Jacob Davis, of Montpelier.
Nearly
60 townships had been granted by Gov, Wentworth before the organization of
Vermont in 1778, and several of our western towns were among the N. H. grants.
After the organization of the State, the Legislature took the power of making
grants into its own hands, and both for the revenue and encouraging the further
settlement of the State, proceeded rapidly to dispose of its lands. The process
of procuring these grants seems to have been very simple, and followed with
quick dispatch.
A
company of resident and non-resident men got up a petition to the Legislature
for the charter or grant of a township, specifying the locality. The
appointment of a standing committee to act upon such petition followed, and if
the committee's report was favorable, which was usually the case, a simple
resolution for making the grant was passed. Then the Governor, on the payment
of the required fees, issued the charter. Our eastern townships, not having been
laid out in the Benning-Wentworth grants, received their charters in this
manner from the Legislature of Vermont, and were run out mainly by James
Whitelaw, Surveyor-general of the State. After obtaining a charter, a
proprietor's meeting was called by a justice of the peace or other authorized
person, in the following form:
"Whereas
application hath been made to me by more than one-sixteenth part of the
proprietors of ———, in this State, to warn a meeting of said proprietors; these
are, therefore, to warn the proprietors of said Township to meet at the house
of ——— Esq., Innholder, in ——— , on (here follows the day, the time of day and
month) to act on the following articles, to wit: 1. To choose a Moderator. 2. A
Proprietor's Clerk. 3. A Treasurer. 4. To see what the Proprietors will do
respecting a Division of said Township, and to transact
WASHINGTON
COUNTY. 5
what other business as shall be thought necessary when
met." (Signed)
Justice Peace.
In
laying out Caledonia Co. there were run two gores in the S. W. corner, Goshen
and Harris, which have been set to this County with the towns set off from that
County to Washington Co. Goshen Gore, bounded N. by Marshfield and a part of
Harris Gore, E. by Harris Gore, S. by Orange, and W. by Plainfield, contains
2,828 acres, mostly covered with excellent timber, greatly enhanced in value by
the Montpelier and Wells River railroad. Some 50 persons probably are residing
within its limits. Harris Gore contains 6,020 acres; runs to a point on the N.,
bounded W. and N. W. by Goshen Gore and Marshfield, E. by Groton, and S. by
Orange. It was granted
Wood
ashes were a long time legal tender to the merchant, who sold his goods to the
woodsman, and the merchant paid his bills at Montreal and Boston in black
salts. The common price of wheat was 67 cents per bushel, best yoke of oxen
$40, best cows $25, best horses $50, and salts of lye $4 to $5 per cwt.
For
goods which the laborers paid for in these articles the merchant usually
obtained fifty per cent of profit; among them — price current — rock-salt, $3
per bushel, common $2.50; sugar, brown 17 to 20 cents per pound, loaf 42 cents;
W. I. molasses $1.17 per gallon; green tea $2.00 per pound; broadcloth $5 to
$10 per yard.
And
still, with these prices for imported necessaries, and the low price of their
products, the settlers, by their frugal habits and industry, got on very well
on the road to competency.
As our
County began to be settled immediately succeeding the heroic epoch of the
State, the military system was an important feature of its early history. Every
township enrolled all of its able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 45, and
companies were formed with commissioned and non-commissioned officers, who were
required to give them one annual drill at least — in the month of June. The
annual "June training" was a day of jollity for old and young; a
regular carnival of fun and masquerade, as well as parade — a display of the
cocked hat, gorgeous epaulette and bright cockade; day of salutes, waking up of
officers; which wake up was a rousing volley from the under officers and
privates, sometimes taking the door off its hinges, to be followed with a
treat, marching and countermarching, drinking, toasting and sham fights; a day
opened with the obstreperous clamor of the Sergeant's call, and followed with
the shriek of the fife and the noise of the drums. The roads leading out of the
village where this annual inspection and drill was to take place were filled
with old and young, on foot and horseback, in carriages of all patterns, from
the "one-horse-shay" to the poor apology of a kanuck two-wheeled
turnout, and all crowding on in the grotesque and fun-seeking tide, to enjoy
the great military frolic, called an inspection and drill, or, in common
parlance, June training. Yankee Doodle, fizzle-pop-bang, and the mock capture
of the Red Coats, were all there. June training was an institution, and the
militia, so stigmatizingly called the "Old Flood Wood," figured very
conspicuously in the history of the county at not a very remote day. This, with
"Election Day" of the old style, must now be considered as fairly
laid on the shelf, and belong only to history.
In 1805
a turnpike was chartered from
6 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
Burlington Court-House, to pass on or near the
Winooski to the north end of Elijah Paine's turnpike in Montpelier. The
Corporators were Daniel Hurlburt, Thaddeus Tuttle, Salmon Miller, John Johnson,
Martin Chittenden, Jacob Spafford, Charles Bulkley and David Wing, jr.;
corporate title, "The Winooski Turnpike Company." The road was opened
to the public in 1808, the spring before the first session of the Assembly in
the new State House at Montpelier. Gov. Martin Chittenden rendered such aid in
its construction and was so largely interested in it, it was at one time called
the Chittenden Turnpike. Later the stock was mostly, or all, purchased by
Thomas and Hezekiah Reed of Montpelier, who were its owners at the time it was
bought up for the road-bed, where it could be thus used, of the Vt. Cen. R. R.
This old road, with fine coaches and swift horses, was for a long time one of
the most popular thoroughfares in New England. Particularly when the stage
lines were in the hands of Mahlon Cottrill, the road was patronized largely at
home and from abroad. Its tollgates and numerous taverns along the line are
remembered by many: land-marks gradually lost in the progress of the century.
This
turnpike with that of Gov. Paine, running south from Montpelier, was the
through line of the country from the Lake and Canada to Boston, over which
passed an immense tonnage and very brisk lighter travel, and to which the
County road in the northeast part of the County was quite a tributary.
In 1824
John Quincy Adams sent a topographical party into the State, to make surveys
with reference to the construction of canals. Hon. Daniel Baldwin, a merchant
of
The
railroad changed much of the local and all the through travel from the turnpike
to the rail.
CONTEST
FOR THE STATE HOUSE.
The
first contest for the location of the State House was in 1805. In 1792,
Chamber in the first State House, until the year 1818,
when a new wooden Court House was built adjoining the State House grounds, that
was used until 1843, when a brick building was erected, which was burned down
during the November term of the Court, the same year. In the summer of 1844,
the present commodious and elegant brick edifice was erected. During the
October session of the Legislature of 1805, holden at
An
act establishing the permanent seat of the Legislature in
Sec. 1.
— It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, that
Elijah Paine, Ezra Butler and James Whitelaw be, and they are hereby, appointed
a committee to fix upon a place in the town of Montpelier for the erection of
buildings for the accommodation of the Legislature of the State, and to prepare
a plan for such buildings.
Sec. 2.
— And it is hereby further enacted: that if the town of Montpelier, or other
individual persons, shall before the first day of September, which will be A.
D. 1808, erect such buildings on the place designated by the aforesaid
committee for their acceptance, and shall compensate said committee for their
services, and also convey to the State of Vermont the property of said buildings
and the land whereon they shall stand, and lodge the deed of conveyance, duly
executed, in the Secretary of State's office; then and in that case said
buildings shall become the permanent seat of the Legislature for holding all
their sessions.
Sec. 3.
— Provided nevertheless, and it is hereby further enacted: that if any future
Legislature shall cease to hold their sessions in said town of Montpelier,
those persons that shall erect said building and convey the property of the
same and of the land aforesaid, shall be entitled to receive from the treasury
of this State the full value of the same, as it shall be then fairly appraised.
Passed
A true copy.
Attest.
DAVID WING, Jun., Secretary.
The
committee appointed by the Legislature located the buildings of the new
Capitol on grounds a little S. E. of where the present State buildings now
stand, and the Assembly in October, 1808, there met and held its session, since
which time
8
massive arch, and classical columns, so light, so
unique, might almost be taken as a model of art. Good judges have doubted if
its equal as a work of art was to be found anywhere else in the country. It was
built of the Barre granite — cost $132,077,22. Unfortunately it was
accidentally destroyed by fire
Mr.
Bradley, in reply to the idea of entertaining the pecuniary condition, or
putting up at auction the State House, said, "I, for one, do not feel like
raising a revenue from a loan of our institutions, taking a town in our grasp,
as I would take half a lemon, squeezing it dry, and then throwing away the rind
and trying another." Replying to Mr. Stacy, of Burlington, he goes on to
say, "the able representative of that town has told us, and truly, no
doubt, of their wealth, their break-water, their custom-house, their steamers
smoking in from all directions, their railroads built and to be built, their
monument of the glorious Allen, whose dust is mingled with the earth of their
town; and I could not help regretting that the Giver of all good had not
offered them one more boon — the blessing of content."
In Mr.
Dorr's concluding remarks he added, "the capitol was located at
and, Sir, among them I discovered a Daniel Webster, a
John C. Calhoun, a Henry Clay and a Patrick Henry. The gentleman from
Castleton, (Mr. Spencer,) being out a few minutes since, I had almost hoped he
would remain out until I had paid him a few compliments which might appear fulsome
in his presence. But, Sir, it is not uncommon here in Committee of the whole,
where wide debate is admissible, for gentlemen to go very wide into praises of
our most distinguished members. Sir, I would then beg leave to say that the
gentleman from Castleton is my Daniel Webster, and I have seen new and striking
resemblances between these two men during the present session, which have
confirmed me in the belief of their similarity. For instance, it was said by
Dr. Wheeler, in a eulogy pronounced upon Mr. Webster, that whenever Webster
attempted to argue a bad cause he always broke down; never otherwise. Well,
Sir, the gentleman from Castleton fails in every effort lie makes during this
session. He is arguing a bad cause, and, like Webster, having no knack at it,
he breaks down. In this respect we see how exactly like Webster he is. Mr.
Webster was accused in his latter clays of being bought up. But it was not
true. Well, it is surmised by some that the gentleman from Castleton is bought
up; but it is not true. I do not believe a word of it. The great Moses
Stuart—as a fearless, good man should have done—undertook to make out that
Webster acted from the best of motives; but it was all of no use. There were
enough who pretended they knew Webster had long been closeted with Calhoun. Mr
Webster had a great Moses to expound for him, but it didn't do any good. Mr.
Spencer has a little Moses to apologize for him, but I fear it will be entirely
useless." This is but a brief synopsis of Mr. Cheney's method of satire,
which convulsed the whole assembly for an hour. Comparing the claims of
Barnard, as contrasted with some other towns that had put in he plea of fine
prospects and healthy locations, Mr. Cheney goes on to say: " Is Barnard a
whit behind any in these respects? Why, as to health, the people of Barnard
seldom think of dying, and the children say they will never die. Some old men
have lived till they were tired all out with life, and have died on purpose;
having told their old yarns over until the taste was all out of them, they said
they had lived ever so far beyond all the promises, and they crammed up by
declaring they 'would not live alway,' and got up a contrivance for quitting
the world and got off somehow." In a second speech, in reply to some strictures
made by the gentleman from Westford on his previous speech, he gives this
inimitable touch of satire: "Sir, those who say that my Webster and Henry
are unworthy the names, not only admit that my Clay and Calhoun are good, but
that my devil is perfect." The speech of Mr. Cheney, whose profession had
been that of a singing-master, may well take rank with the wit and satire of
Curran and Sheridan. He is a genuine native specimen, with all the benefit of
Barnard hills. Mr. Merrill, the member from
SPIRIT
OF 1812.
A
second war was opened with
10
was in February, and the inhabitants poured in from
the surrounding towns, and the neighboring districts, filling the highways with
footmen, horsemen, and loads in single and double sleighs, to the place
appointed for the meeting, as it was also understood that the Federal party
would be there to prevent the passage of any resolutions encouraging Congress
to a declaration of war. When the house had become densely packed, one of the
committee was sent to call on Rev. Chester Wright, the settled minister at
The
chairman of the meeting in the early part of the day was Hon. Ezra Butler one
of the oldest settlers of the County, who was a Democrat. Finding the meeting
likely to be controlled by the Federal party, at this time so well organized
into what was called the Washington Societies, he resigned, and the Federals
elected Hon. Charles Bulkley, a most bitter opponent of the war. But when the
convention was thoroughly represented from the surrounding towns coming in, the
war party was found to be in such majority they had everything their own way,
and Esquire Bulkley, as Chairman of the convention, saw his name signed to the
war resolutions so triumphantly passed, and thus was made to give his sanction
to what he had intended, with his friends, to defeat. The war was heartily
supported by a large majority of the County, and patriotic volunteers were not
wanting to defend the country's
honor. When the news of Prevost's army invading the
State reached our inhabitants, it was but a grand rallying-cry from the Border,
which was responded to by almost every able-bodied man shouldering his musket
and marching for the front. They flocked from the hills and the glens, swanning
down the Winooski, the same patriotism firing them that characterized the Green
Mountain Boys in the days of Allen and Warner. An example to illustrate may be
given in the person of Capt. Timothy Hubbard, who, when the news of the
invasion of Plattsburg, N. Y., by the British, reached Montpelier, in
September, 1814, sallied out cane in hand into the streets, summoning a drummer
and a fifer to his side, one of them being a hired man, and marching the
streets all day beating up volunteers to start forthwith to the scene of
action. And such were his appeals, and such the heat of patriotism in the
community, that before night nearly or quite two thirds of the male population
were enlisted, and ready to march on the following morning, which they did,
they reaching Plattsburg in season to take place in the line of battle. Capt.
Campbell, often known as "old Captain Blue," from Waitsfield and
vicinity, summoned with the same alacrity the war spirits of
There
are a few individuals so prominent in the affairs of the State and nation, born
or residing more or less in this County, it seems fitting their names and
services should be noticed here. And first among these stands Gen. Benjamin
Wait, a distinguished revolutionary veteran and associate of Ethan Allen and
the men who made the heroic epoch of
JOHN
CLOUD,
a long-time resident of this County, was in many
engagements in the Revolutionary War; in his last battle, while leading a
retreat and firing back, he was shot through the thigh, which had to be
amputated.
WILLIAM
PHEN
also an old resident, was in the campaigns of the Duke
of Wellington.
[We
reserve a sketch of Col. John Taplin for
Conspicuously
identified with the growth of the County or connected with its internal
improvements were
JUDGE
ELIJAH PAINE,
living on the borders of the County in Williamstown.
[See vol. II, page 1150. Ed.] and his son,
who passed most of his life in the County, a man of
exceeding active, practical mind and indomitable will. In addition to running a
large manufacturing establishment he did more than all others toward securing
our present railroad facilities.
HORACE
HOLLISTER
built most of the old County road, going north from
MAHLON
COTTRILL,
the long-time popular landlord of the Pavilion, was
proprietor of several lines of stage in the County, and at one time was more
largely connected with the public travel in this vicinity than any other person
before or since. One of his lines was over the great thoroughfare from
12
Moretown side of Winooski river, has since been known
as Blaisdell's Rock.
WILLIAM
UPHAM
was a most remarkable advocate before a jury, and his
speeches in the United States Senate were very highly complimented by Daniel
Webster.
SAMUEL
PRENTISS,
as a jurist, said Chancellor
PUBLIC
MORALS
a very active interest in, sprang up in the County
about the time of its organization, the leader of which was Rev. Chester
Wright; and which under the influence of James H. Langdon extended also to
trade. In addition to a new impetus in the common district-schools,
sabbath-schools were organized, libraries purchased and lyceums formed; the
effect of which was felt in all parts of the County, and in 1858, the Union
School at the Capital was put in operation, which has really revolutionized the
old manner of teaching. Hon. Roderick Richardson superintended the erection of
the building, and was chairman of the committee-men. The example was followed
by other towns. Academies and seminaries made their appearance; one at Barre,
under the auspices of the New England Universalist societies, and one at
The
County has also been very creditably represented in the number and character of
its authors and publications, as well as many able articles from its pens
entering into the journalism of different parts of the country.
"The
Indian Captive," by Horace Steele, was published in Montpelier in 1812;
"Baylies Index," in 3 vols., by Hon. Nicholas Baylies, in 1814; Judge
Baylies published beside a book on Free-agency in 1821. "The Battle of
Plattsburgh," a poem in pamphlet, by Samuel Woodworth, in 1815: "The
Gift," 16 mo., a small poetic book, by Miss Sophia Watrous, of
The
native birdlike melody of some of Eastman's songs has rarely been equalled in
our country. An excellent painter of nature, he reflects with much felicity the
living features of the rural life of the
Daniel
P. Thompson held the most prolific pen of any man born or ever residing in the
County, the novelist of
There
have also been published in Montpelier, The Astronomical Discourses of Thomas
Chalmers in 1819, Thomas Cook's Universal Letter-writer, in 1816; James Dean's
Vermont Gazetteer, in 1808; Life of Benjamin Franklin, in 1809; Religious
Courtship, 1814, The Accident, or Henry and Julia, by Wm. Perrin, 1815; Peter
the Great, 1811; Infantry Exercise, 1820; Thompson's Vermont Gazetteer, 1824
and 1840; "A Thanksgiving Discourse," by John Gridley, wherein was
given a condensed history of Montpelier, in 1843; "A Geographical
Poem" of the County, by Ithamer Smith, some years ago; "A History of
the 13th Regiment," in journal form, by Edwin Palmer, Esq., of Waterbury,
in 1866; in 1870, "The Harvest Moon and other Poems," by G. N.
Brigham, M. D. [See Fayston.]
Other
several noted authors have had a temporary residence within the County. Samuel
Hopkins, author of an Ecclesiastical History in relation to the Seceders and
the Puritans; John S. C. Abbott, and the Hon. Isaac F. Redfield, a long-time
resident at Montpelier, and for 25 years a member of the Supreme Court of
Vermont, and nearly 10 years its Chief Justice, whose more recently published
work, called a "Practical Treatise on the Law of Railways," has
become a standard work, and given Mr. Redfield, at home and abroad rank with
the first of American and English jurists.
The
County has sustained within the last fifty years two, and much of the time
five, weekly journals, which have been ably conducted for what is known as the
country newspaper, the "Vermont Watchman," the "Free
Press," which was changed to the "Vermont Patriot,"
and more recently to the "Argus and Patriot," the "Voice
of Freedom," now the "Green Mountain Freeman," the
"Christian Messenger," and the "Christian Repository."
CENSORS:
Ezra
Butler, 1806; J. Y. Vail, 1820; Jos. Reed, 1834; H. C. Reed, 1841; H. F. Janes,
1848; Wm. W. Wells, 1855; Jos, Prentiss, 1862; Chas. Reed, 1869; T. P.
Redfield, 1869.
PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTORS:
Ezra
UNITED
STATES SENATORS:
Samuel
Prentiss, 1831-42; William Upham, 1843-53; Matt. Carpenter, Senator from
REPRESENTATIVES
TO CONGRESS:
Ezra
Butler, 1813-15; H. F. Janes, 1835-37; Paul Dillingham, 1843-47; L. B. Peck,
1847-51; E. P. Walton, 1857-63; C. W. Willard, 1869-73. A son of Judge Rice, of
Waitsfield, has also been a territorial Representative, and we have furnished
District Judge, Samuel Prentiss; and one District Clerk, Edw. H. Prentiss; and
two District Attorneys, Lucius B. Peck and B. F. Fifield.
S. B.
Colby received the appointment of first register in the office of the secretary
of the treasury under Abraham Lincoln.
Ezra
Butler was Governor from 1826 to '28; Chas. Paine from 1841 to '43; Paul
Dillingham, Lieut. Governor in 1862, '3, '4, and Governor in 1865 to '67. Gov.
Dillingham was also Lieut. Governor for 3 years preceding his election to the
chief magistracy.
D. M.
Camp and Geo. N. Dale were long-time residents of the County; the former being
Lieut. Governor from 1836 to '41. and the other being the present incumbent of
that office (1869).
The
office of State treasurer has chiefly been held by individuals of the County
since the location of the State House here. H. F. Janes, John Spaulding, E. P.
Jewett, Geo. Howes, H. M. Bates and John A. Page being the persons receiving at
different times the election to that office to 1869.
The
office of Secretary of State has also been held by County residents: David
Wing, Jr., Timothy Merrill, C. L. Knapp, F. F. Merrill, D. P. Thompson, C. W.
Willard, Geo. W. Bailey, Jr., and Geo. Nichols. Mr. Nichols also was chosen
president of the last Constitutional Convention.
Major
Charles H. Joyce, the present Speaker of the House of Representatives, was a
long time resident of this County. Timothy Merrill, O. H. Smith, F. F. Merrill,
G. R. Thompson, have been severally elected to the position of clerk of the
House. David Wing, Jr., of
14
Timothy P. Redfield, are or have been residents of
this County. The first Representatives from this County were Sam'l Harris from
Middlesex and Jacob Davis from
STATE
SENATORS.
In
1836, by a change in the constitution a Senate was substituted for the Council,
to which we sent first Arunah Waterman and Newell Kinsman two years, and after:
Jos. A. Curtis and Israel Goodwin, 1838, '39; O. W. Butler, 1840; Nathaniel
Eaton, 1840, '41; Paul Dillingham, 1841, '42, '61 , Wooster Sprague, '42, '43;
Jacob Scott, '43, 44; Roderick Richardson, '44, '45; O. H. Smith, '45, '46;
Moses Robinson, '46, '47; Nath'l Bancroft, '47, '48; Wm. Carpenter, '48, '49;
Asaph Town, '49, '50; Leonard Keith, '50, '51; C. G. Eastman, '51, '52; Royal
Wheeler, '52, '53; Jos. Moody, '53, '54; Horace Hollister and James Green. '54,
'55; John Gregory and F. A. Wright, '56-'7; Joseph Poland and Enoch Putnam,
'58-'9; Calvin Fullerton, '60-1; C. W. Willard, '60, '61; Roderick Richardson,
Addison Peck and P. D. Bradford, '62, '63; Chas. Reed, '64, '65, '66; Denslow
Upham, '64, '65; M. P. Wallace, '64; Wm. W. Henry, '65, '66, '67; J. H. Orcutt,
'66, '68; Chas. Dewey, '67, '68, '69; C. H. Heath, '68, '69, '70; J. H. Hastings,
'70; Heman Carpenter, '70, '71, '72, '71; Clark King, '72, '73, '74, '75;
Eliakim P. Walton, '74, '75, '76, '77; Ira Richardson, '76, '77; W. P.
Dillingham, '78, '79, '80, '81; Albert Dwinell, '78, '79, '80, '81.
If in
men's minds were doubt whether there were those who could uphold the honor of
their sires in the generation of to-day, the illusion dispelled with the answer
to the call for men to defend the country's flag; yeoman and clerk and professional
man, with the sound of the fife and drum, all moving on, like a sudden blast
from the north to the terrible storming of the ramparts and charge of the
battle-field, proved more than words can blazon the heroism still in the race —
a soul-working principle profound in the Vermonter, which needed but a spark to
fan it into a blaze of patriotism. War meetings were held, union leagues
formed, liberal bounties paid to men, and the families of those in the field
cared for. Our heroes and martyrs did well; where shines the lustre of so
glorious an epoch, we still feel all of our old State pride when we look on our
war-soiled banners, and hear recited the later deeds of our sons. Our dead are
on most of the battle-fields from
"Then came our gallant Second up,
And passed them on the run:"
"
For every martial son."
"St. Mary's Heights were won."
Sergeant
Bennett, a soldier of intrepid daring, was the first to mount the parapets; as
he sprang over the breast-work, a rebel officer met him, sabre in hand, and
aimed a blow, he dexterously parried with his musket, and pressed to close
quarters by several soldiers joining the officer, clubbed his musket in a
twinkling, exclaiming. "I'll clean you out of here!" levelled them
all to the earth; the next instant fell, pierced by a dozen bullets, and
expired at once.
During
the battle of the Wilderness, after forcing the rebels from strong
entrenchments and capturing and holding them a half mile in front of the main
line,
the
In the
First Regiment Cavalry, in the battles of Mount Jackson, Fort Republic,
Middletown, Winchester
Gen.
Wm. Wells enlisted from
In all
of the given Regiments the County had commissioned officers as high as captain.
It also furnished men to the 1st, 2d and 3d Batteries of Light Artillery. Of
commissioned officers there have been killed in battle and died from wounds,
twelve from the County: Lieuts. A. M. Nevins, of Moretown, David B.
16
dall, of Berlin; of wounds received at Lee's Mills,
Chas.
H. Anson, of
This
County furnished for the war 44 captains, 5 adjutants, 7 quarter-masters, 10
majors, 7 lieut. colonels, 4 colonels and generals.
Grand
list of the towns in the County; town-bounties paid and number of men raised by
each town:
TOWNS. Men. Grand
List. Bounty.
Barre 161 $7,375.17 36,500.64
Cabot. 174 4,177.52 6,376.22
Calais 98 4,500.85 26,095.23
Duxbury 152 2,145.68 9,940.00
E.
Fayston 121 1,221.32 16,840.25
Middlesex 338 3,229
20 20,882.42
Moretown 351 2,954.80 19,830.00
Roxbury 104 2,227.10 200.00
Waitsfield 110 3,267.84 10,671.17
Waterbury 99 7,729.22 23,766.26
Woodbury 84 1,965.59 22.50
Total 2965 79,519.95 320,826.00
Col.
Randall's statement of the
"The
12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th Vermont Regiments constituted Stannard's
Brigade, and were attached to the First or Reynolds' corps at the battle of
"Boys, this is General Doubleday, our corps
commander." He then said, substantially, as follows : "Men of Vermont
! the troops from your State have thus far in this war earned an enviable
reputation. I understand that you are comparatively inexperienced in battle,
but you are about to be led in by your Colonel. Much will be expected of you,
and I hope you will nobly
uphold the honor of your State. To-day is the great day that determines whether
Jeff. Davis or Abraham Lincoln controls this government. You will now follow
your Colonel." I then led them in the direction indicated by him, at a
double quick, and before reaching the crest or high land in our front, I left
the regiment in charge of Major. J. J. Boynton and Adjutant James S. Peck, and
rode myself forward to find Gen. Hancock, and see in advance where my regiment
could aid him most. As I came on top of the high ground or crest between the
cemetery and Little Round Top, I met Gen. Hancock, who was vigorously rallying
and encouraging his shattered ranks, many of whom were still fighting
valiantly, to hold on and contest the ground inch by inch. I accosted him and
told him my regiment was close at hand, and that Gen. Doubleday ordered me up
to his assistance. He appeared much gratified, and said to me that the rebels
had just taken a battery from him. He pointed out to me the direction in which
they had gone with it, and asked me if I could retake it ? I replied to him
that I thought I could. He said, "go in, then." By this time my
regiment was coming up; I took charge of them, and put them in position to
deploy from column into line of battle parallel to his main line, and in front
of his somewhat disorganized troops. Gen. Hancock sat near me on his horse, and
watched the movement narrowly. I gave the order to deploy, and rode in front
of my companies to watch the movement and see that each company came promptly
on to the line. This was under a sharp fire from the enemy, and my men were
falling on all sides by this time. As I saw my last company come on the line, I
inclined towards the center of the regiment and gave the order to forward.
Just as I did this my horse was shot dead under me, and fell, catching me by
my right foot under him. The regiment for a moment supposed I was killed, but
the horse was rolled off from me by the men as they came up, who soon saw that
I was not hurt, and they followed me as I went on foot. At this moment a body
of rebel troops, probably a brigade, was deploying from the bushy ground to our
left directly in front of us. This I did not see until my horse fell, when I
got a view of them under the smoke and dust, as it was lifted. About that time
we got a volley from them. I saw the situation was a critical one for us, and
that promptness was our chance; and I gave the order to charge upon them,
thinking to surprise and overpower them before they reloaded. My men responded
to the call most admirably. Before the rebels had time to reload or put
themselves in an attitude of defence we were upon them. They threw down their
arms and laid low, and we passed over them without much opposition. Here
we witnessed one of many acts of treachery which the rebels exhibited at times.
As we passed over them as they lay like yarded sheep, a rebel officer rose on
his elbow and discharged his pistol at Major Boynton, the charge just brushing
the Major's ear-locks. This piece of perfidy was instantly avenged by half a
dozen of our men pinning the rebel to the earth with their bayonets. We passed
on, and in about 30 rods overtook the detachment of rebel troops in charge of
the captured guns, four in number, of the U. S. Regular Artillery. Captain Lonergan,
of Co. A. of my regiment, (
18
when I got up and left the horse I heard him direct one
of his men to keep guard over my saddle and straps on my horse. When afterward
I came back the guard, saddle, and straps, were gone, but I afterwards found my
saddle. Our men from whom the guns had been taken followed them up, took their
guns, and returned with them to our lines. My regiment was now within about 50
rods, as I should judge, of the Emmetsburgh road, and I determined to push
forward and gain that road, unless I met with formidable resistance, as I did
not. I reached the road, my right resting at a small farm house, which I
suppose is called the Peter Rogers house. Here we halted, and I directed
Adjutant Peck to go back and apprise Gen. Hancock of our position, and get his
orders. About this time Capt. Lonergan came to where I was, much excited, and
informed me that the house above mentioned was full of rebels. I immediately
went with him to the house, and sure enough it was. I ordered them to throw out
their arms and surrender, which they all did; there were eighty-three of them,
including officers. While this was going on, the rebel sharp-shooters and
skirmishers were keeping up a sharp fire at my men, which they were returning,
and at about this time they ran out
I do
not wish to detract one jot from what any other regiment may have done at this
or any other battle, but must not allow my regiment to be misrepresented,
either through ignorance or design."
F. V. RANDALL.
The
brilliant achievements of our nine months' men, the 13th regiment under Colonel
Randall at the battle of Gettysburgh, from the magnitude and importance of
the battle, and the circumstance that such bravery was displayed by men for the
first time under fire, deserves something of detailed account. Our statement
of the part taken in the 2d day's fight is in Col. Randall's own language. The
3d day's part, we collect from published accounts given at the time, from both
rebel and union officers and correspondents on the field.
In the
third and last day's struggle for the victory in this greatest of modern
battles, our Regiment of thirteen months' men, never before under fire, did
more than honor to the County and State—they proved to the world that the
thinking bayonet is immeasurably superior to that of any other; that an educated
citizen soldiery, fired by patriotism and a sense of duty, would stand fire of
an enemy equal with veteran corps, provided they were well officered, and for
such disapproved the need of standing armies.
After
the previous day's service, illustrious in the annals of war, as a dash made
by inexperienced troops, they joined the 2d Vt. Brigade and slept upon their
arms. Friday, the third day of this great battle, a simultaneous cannonade was
opened upon our right and left at daybreak — Longstreet commanding the
batteries firing upon the left where was our Brigade, from an advantageous
ridge he had gained in the afternoon of the previous day. Ewell commanded the
right, which seems to
have been really the point selected for the chief
attack in the morning upon our lines. The cannonade lasted only for a short
time, when on the right one of the most obstinate and terrible infantry duels
took place known in the history of fire arms. Says an eye-witness, "for
six hours—from 5 till
The
silence for two hours had been almost oppressive along the whole left,
although the din of arms roared terribly enough away to the right. At ten
minutes before
20
something over a mile in length, and varying from a
half mile to nearly a mile in width between the confronting ridges, where thus
far the battle had raged.
The
long gray confederate lines, preceded by their skirmishers, have reached the
low ground, half the distance between the confronting armies, when the Vermont
regiments which are in advance of the main line are ordered up into line to
receive the enemy. The enemy's right at first seemed aiming directly upon our
13th and 14th regiments, and they were preparing to give them a volley, to be
followed by a charge, when an unexpected movement of the enemy offered the
opportunity of a brilliant display of military tactics and prowess, which our
Colonels and commanding officers did not fail to take advantage of. As the 13th
and 14th rose to deliver their fire, the rebel force in front changed direction
by its flank, and marched to the north across their front some 60 rods, when
again fronting it, came in upon the line of the 2d Corps to the right of these
regiments. Upon the commencement of this movement, the two regiments opened
fire upon them by battalion, and continued it by file at about 6o rods with
great effect.
At the
time the rebel charging lines fronted and advanced, after this side movement,
they swung partly to the rear and right, where they seemed to become massed,
presenting from the position of the Vermont Brigade a column massed by
regiments. Thus in position they, with a wild yell, heard above the din of our
playing batteries, came in on the charge. The shock of the charge was truly
terrible, and it was resisted with a terrible obstinacy. They reach our lines,
and the rebel Gen. Armistead is shot down with a hand on one of our guns. They
even pierce the line in the terrible struggle, but the opportunity for a
flanking movement is discovered by the commanding officers of the Vermont
Brigade, a movement already participated in to a certain extent by Col.
Randall, of the 13th, and the 13th and 16th were ordered out upon the enemies'
flank, Col. Randall already well under way.
They
marched some 60 rods parallel to the main line, then changing front, their line
swung out at nearly right angles upon the right of the rebel column, still
resolutely struggling to force our lines. As we have said. the 13th led, which
marched by the right flank, and approached very close upon the enemies' flank,
when they changed front forward on the first company, under a scattering fire
from the enemies' flank. There was but an instant of time before a rapid fire
ran down the line of the regiment, at scarcely more than half pistol range. The
effect was instantaneous and destructive beyond calculation. The rebel lines
withered away as stubble before the flame. To help complete the havoc and scoop
up the prisoners, the 16th were soon seen taking up a position upon the 13th's
left. Some 15 rounds were fired by Col. Randall's regiment at this short range,
raking the enemy through and through by this fire upon his flank. The 16th also
gave him about half as many rounds, every bullet probably taking effect, and
many passing through two or three rebel bodies. The rebels broke and fled in
all directions, the larger portion of their centre and right dropping their
arms and rushing into our lines, surrendering themselves as prisoners. Such was
the result of that great charge made by the flower of Southern chivalry (and
braver men never went to death), and such the brilliant record made by a
regiment of men never under fire before—men who nine months before were in
their shops, behind their counters, and in their farmers' suits, engaged in the
pursuits of peace. And Washington County has the honor of sending the
commanding officer of this regiment as well as two companies in it, whose
singular rare fortune it was to have such an opportunity to distinguish
themselves, and whose singularly good fortune it was to so brilliantly fill a
record so illustrious by improving its opportunity. The loss of the 13th was 8
killed, 89 wounded, and 26 missing. Men need not "doubt if the warp of
gold " be yet in the stock descended from the compatriots of Ethan Allen.
The Richmond Sentinel says of the
flanking attack, "As Kemper's Brigade moved up it
swung around to the left, and was exposed to the front and flanking fire of the
Federals, which was very fatal." Another account in the same paper says:
"A flanking party of the enemy, marching in column by regiments, was
thrown out from the enemy's left on our extreme right, and by an enfilading
fire forced the retirement of our troops." The Richmond Enquirer gives a
similar account, to which we may add the testimony of the correspondent of the
London Times, who details the movements of the flanking column and speaks of
Gen. Longstreet's order sent by Major Latrobe relating thereto, which was never
received, as Latrobe's horse was shot under him, all making the issue of the
battle turn on this point. It was one of the most memorable battles in history,
equalling the carnage of
Paul
Dillingham, of
NATURAL
HISTORY.
The
County abounds in water-privileges and numerous cold springs, which add greatly
to the value of its lands for dairying purposes, as well as its excellent
quality of grass. The Winooski, the largest river in the State, rises in the
towns of Walden and Peacham, in Caledonia Co., its two head branches uniting in
The
geological formation of the County is for the most part talcose slate; mica,
hornblend and limestone are found in considerable quantities; argillaceous
slate in the southern towns, felspar and quartz, with mica, in the eastern;
steatite and iron ore in the town of
Camel's
Hump, which lies upon the western border of the County, is only a few feet
below the Chin, the highest peak in the Green Mountain range, a bold landmark
seen in nearly all parts of the County. Bald Mountain, rising from the spur to
the east of Mad River is also a noticeable peak nearly in the corner of the
town lines of Waitsfield and Northfield. A spur or range broken off from the
Hog-Backs in Middlesex, at what is called the "Narrows." The Winooski
seems to have channeled a gateway of a few feet in width down some 80 or 90
feet in the rock, leaving abrupt and precipitous sides crowned
22 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
with overhanging pines. Before this cut there must
have been a lake of some miles in length, extending up the river and some of
its tributaries above. The Marshfield Falls are also noticeable, where the main
branch of the Winooski is said to fall 500 feet in 30 rods.
Benjamin's
Falls, near the outlet of Berlin Pond, which are exceedingly picturesque and
beautiful, have become a place of frequent resort.
The
talc, slate, mica and limestone, mixed and pulverized, are the best and among
the most durable of soils. The intervale on Dog, Mad and Winooski Rivers is
very fine, though in much of the length of these streams the valleys are
narrow. Scarcely inferior to the meadow lands along the rivers are many of the
hill farms. Pasturage is even better here, and the hay of better quality, if
falling off a little in quantity. The soil is excellent also for corn and oats
in the valleys, and besides well adapted to wheat-growing on the uplands. Asa
dairy County it has few equals.
In
1841, there was a severe tornado in the towns of Fayston and Waitsfield. It
commenced on the heights of the land in the middle of the town of Fayston, and
had a S. E. direction, spending its force against the sides of a mountain in
the town of Waitsfield, where it leveled some 20 or 30 acres of heavy woodland
in a body. As it moved down from the highlands into the valley of Mill Brook,
the scene of the storm was said by those who observed from the hill range above
the cloud, to be sublime beyond description. One rolling sea of fire with
perpetual thunders, crashed and roared as it swept through, as it seemed almost
at their very feet. A more general tornado visited the County in 1866, which
had a N. E. course, doing much damage in nearly all the towns. The gust that
did most of the damage did not last more than a minute or a minute and a half,
yet barns were carried from their foundations with cattle, horses, and all to
be mixed in one common ruin; houses were unroofed, chimneys blown down,
woodlands leveled, and all movable things put in motion, Some of our towns had
forty or fifty barns destroyed; one or two valuable horses were killed, and
several head of horned cattle. A few persons were seriously injured, though we
do not know of any one being killed. Some of the barns were among the very best
in the County, valued at two or three thousand dollars. The County has been
visited by a number of freshets since its organization, the most notable of
which was in 1830, which occasioned the memorable slide upon the eastern slope
of the Green Mountains, and by which the County lost most of its bridges and a
large share of its mills; several lives were lost. In that of 1869, nearly as
destructive, the little village of Plainfield suffered to the amount of
$20,000. Half of Montpelier village was under water, several streets in
Northfield, and there was a general destruction of bridges and mills throughout
the County; also railroad trains were delayed for days.
Deer
and the black bear were found very plenty in the first of the settlement, and
occasionally the American monsal, or moose. The bear still contests the rights
of civilization, rather too successfully for our sheep pastures at times. Fish,
also, particularly that favorite, the speckled or brook trout, abounded in our
streams.
This
county is no doubt among the best localities of the world for trout raising.
The spruce partridge and wood-pigeon were considerably hunted for game in
former times, and partridge is yet sought by the sportsman with some success.
The American panther, or catamount, which figured in our first coat of arms,
was occasionally seen, one of which had a bloody fray with a bear just out the
precincts of Montpelier village, near the sand-bottom bridge, if we credit the
story of Joel Frizzle, an old trapper, who claims to have been an eye witness,
and wolves were quite numerous. The Hon. Daniel Baldwin when a lad was chased
by a pack while traveling the road on Dog River between Northfield and Montpelier
one night after dark, and only saved himself by the dexterity with which he
handled a fire-brand.
The
cold season of 1816, I have been told by those living at the time, the snow
BARRE. 23
fell a foot deep here the eighth of June. The trees
full in leaf looked after the freeze as if a fire had over-ran the woods. Many
were broken by the weight of the snow, and the apple crop was spoiled, and
hardly enough corn raised for seed; but the cereals and the wheat gave abundant
harvest, and there was no famine.
Champlain,
on the Lake that took his name, saw mountains to the east covered with snow the
4th of July, 1609. Our winters have considerably shortened since the settlement
of the country, and our snow-fall and rain-fall no doubt diminished.
We are
aware of our incompleteness in this chapter. We have invited the members of the
Bar and clerks of the County Court to add whatever may be of interest in that
direction, receiving some encouragement it would be clone. The social societies
of the County are so much of the nature of those already given by others, we
have not thought their interest with the repetition, desirable.
Montpelier,
1869.
———————————————
BARRE.
BY
BARRE
is situated in the S. E. part of Washington Co., lat, 44° 11', long. 4° 31',
bounded N. by East Montpelier and Plainfield, E. by Orange, S. by Williamstown
and Washington, W. by Berlin, contains 19,900 acres, and was chartered
Voted, that the man that will give the
most towards building a meeting-house in said town, shall name the town, and
the town will petition the Legislature for that name. The name of the town
vendued and bid off by Ezekiel Dodge Wheeler, for 62£ lawful money, he being
the highest bidder, and said Wheeler named the town Barre.
At the
same meeting,
Voted, to recommend Lt. Benj. Walker
to serve as justice of peace.
At the
March meeting in 1794, the town
Voted, to vendue the collectorship to
the person who will collect the taxes for the least premium, and the
collectorship was vendued to Joel Shurtliff, and he is to give the town three
pence, three farthings on the pound for the privilege of collecting all the
town taxes.
At a
town meeting holden
Voted, to choose a committee of three
to procure a preacher of the Gospel. By vote, chose Benj. Walker, Esq., Apollos
Hale and Samuel D. Cooke, committee.
The
town at an early day evinced a desire to look after the moral, social and
religious interests of the people that should come among them to settle on the
lands, and clear them up to make a thriving community.
The
settlement was commenced about 1788, by Samuel Rogers and John Goldsbury, who
came into town with their families. Soon after, a number of families came in,
and from 1790, the town became rapidly settled by emigrants from Massachusetts
and New Hampshire. It was first represented in the General Assembly in 1793, by
Nathan Harrington. The town lies 6 miles easterly from Montpelier.
The Vt.
Cent. R. R. extended its line to Barre in 1875. The first passenger train
carried students and those attending Goddard Seminary Commencement exercises,
Thos.
W. Bailey has been passenger conductor since the road was opened, and Dexter
Moody baggage-master; engineers, James Bowers, Robert Gregg, David Daniels, and
present engineer, Albert Caswell. The cars have never but once been