128
BY JAMES K. TOBEY
Location: In the north-easterly part of Washington Co.;
bounded northerly by Woodbury, easterly by
From Sabin pond, the most easterly of these, Kingsbury
branch flows southerly, leaving the town near the S. E. corner. Nelson pond,
near the middle of the north line, discharges its waters southerly into
Wheelock pond, the largest in town, and thence by the Center branch southerly
and easterly into Kingsbury branch, some 2 miles from the S. E. corner of the
town. About a mile from the west line, and near its middle, is Curtis pond,
discharging its waters S. E. into the Center branch. Near the center of the
town, and a mile and a half farther south, this branch receives the waters
from Bliss pond, in the S. W. part of the town. All the ponds and streams above
mentioned, except Center branch, received their names from early settlers in
their vicinity. Near the middle of the south line is
ing its waters into the Winooski near
Among our highest points of land are Hersey and Robinson
hills, in the western ridge near
The General Assembly of the State, in session at
Resolved,
that there be, and we Do hereby, grant unto Colonel Jacob Davis, Mr. Stephen
Fay and Company, to the Number of Sixty, a Township of Land by the Name of
Calais, Situated in this State, Bounded as follows, and lying East of, and
adjoining to, Worcester, and north of Montpelier, Containing Twenty-three
Thousand and forty acres, and the Governor and Council are hereby Requested to
State the fees for Granting Said tract, and Issue a Grant under such
Restrictions and Regulations as they shall Judge Proper. —Extract from the
Journals. R. Hopkins, clerk.
The same day in Council it was
Resolved,
that the fees for granting the said tract be, and they are hereby, set at four
hundred and Eighty Pounds Lawfull Money in silver, or an Equivalent in Continental
Currency, to be Paid by the said Jacob Davis, Stephen Fay, or their Attorney,
on the Execution of the Charter of incorporation on or before the first Day of
January Next.—Extract from the minutes. JOSEPH FAY, Sec'y.
One month after the grant was made, the first recorded
meeting of the proprietors was held, and the following record made:
At Public Meeting of the Proprietors of the
1stly. Voted and Chose
2dly. Voted and Chose Stephen Fay, Proprietor's Clerk.
3dly. Voted that Mr. Stephen Fay
to apply to the Authority of the State of
4thly. for the Clerk to give Notice
of the above article by Posting.
5thly. Voted for each Proprietor to Pay
their Equal Proportion of their Agents time and expenses to obtain the grant of
said Township by the 11th Day of December next, and for the Clerk to enter
their names, or cause their names to be entered, in the Charter of said
Township.
6thly. Voted to adjourn this Meeting to the first
Wednesday in April next, at
Pro. Clerk.
There is no record of the adjourned meeting, and probably
none was held, and the proprietors do not seem to have met the requirements of
the grant in regard to payment of the granting fee, as shown:
Rec'd of Mr. Stephen Fay, Two Hundred and Thirty-three
Pounds, fourteen Shillings and three Pence. Lawfull money, Towards Granting
fees of the Town of
Pr. Me, THOMAS CHITTENDEN,
Committee.
The time of paying the balance was extended to March
following:
Rec'd of Stephen Fay, By the hand
of Noah Chittenden, three Pounds, thirteen
130
Shillings, as Part of the Granting
fees of the Town of
THOMAS
CHITTENDEN.
Rec'd of Col. Jacob Davis, Two Hundred and forty-two
Pounds, Twelve Shillings and Ninepence in full of the Granting fees of the
Town of
Pr. NOAH CHITTENDEN.
Previous to the payment of the two last mentioned sums,
the charter was issued:
Unto the said Jacob Davis, Stephen Fay, and to the several
persons hereafter named, their associates [viz]: Ephraim Starkweather, Lemuel
Kollock, Noah Goodman, Seth Washburn, Joseph Dorr, Justin Ely, Abel Goodell,
Shubal Peck, Nathan Tyler, David Wheelock, Nehemiah Stone, Nehemiah Stone,
Jun'r., Phinehas Slayton, Phinehas Slayton, Jun'r., Daniel Bacon, Jun'r.,
Henry Fisk, Jun'r., Peter Wheelock, Sarah Davis, Ezra Davis, Daniel Steeter,
Eli Jones, Josiah Town, Peter Sleeman, Salem Town, Samuel Robinson, of
Charlton, Ebenezer White, Jun'r., Eli Wheelock, John Mower, David Hammond,
Elisha Thomson, Caleb Ammidown, Nathaniel Wellington, Peter Taft, William
Ware, David Fisk, David Fay, of Charlton, Thomas Foskett, Marvin Mower, Jeremiah
Davis, Job Rutter, Jonathan Tucker, Richard Coburn, Jonathan Rich, Ebenezer
Allen [Clerk], Abijah Lamb, Ebenezer Lamb, Edward Woolcott, Lemuel Edwards,
Abner Mellen, Job Merrit, William Comins, Isaiah Rider, Samuel Fay, Elisha
Town, Oliver Starkweather, John Starkweather, Bezaleel Mann and John Morey.
The usual reservation of five rights for public uses
follows in the charter, and then the boundaries. And that the same be, and
hereby is, incorporated into a township by the name of
The charter closes with the following:
Conditions and Reservations, viz.: that each Proprietor in
the Township of Calais, aforesaid, his Heirs or Assigns, shall Plant and
Cultivate five acres of land, and build an house at least eighteen feet square
on the floor, or have one family settled on each respective Right within the
term of three years next after the circumstances of the War will admit of a
settlement with safety, on Penalty of the forfeiture of each respective Right
of land in said Township not so improved or settled, and the same to revert to
the Freemen of this State, to be by their Representatives regranted to such
Persons as shall appear to settle and cultivate the same. That all Pine Timber
suitable for a Navy he reserved for the use and Benefit of the Freemen of this
State.
In Testimony whereof we have caused the seal of this State
to be affixed, In Council this Fifteenth Day of August, Anno Domini, one
Thousand seven Hundred and Eighty-one, In the 5th year of the Independence of this,
and Sixth of the United States. THOS. CHITTENDEN.
Joseph Fay. Sec'y.
As to the name given this town, we have no positive
knowledge, and even tradition is silent, but it seems reasonable to suppose
that Colonel Jacob Davis suggested the name of
The second proprietors' meeting on record was held at the
house of Maj. Salem Town, in-holder in Charlton,
Col. Jacob Davis, moderator; Stephen Fay, Pr. clerk; Dea. Nehemiah Stone, treasurer; Maj. Salem Town,
Capt. Sam'l Robinson, Mr. Peter Taft, assessors; Capt. Peter Sleeman,
collector; Col. Jacob Davis, Capt. Peter Sleeman, Capt. Sam'l Robinson, a committee
to lot out s'd lands. Adjourned, to meet at the same place,
and also to enable the Committee to Lott out said
Township."
This was the first tax laid upon the town of
The following is from Hon. Shubael Wheeler's account of
In the summer of 1783, the proprietors sent a committee,
consisting of Col. Jacob Davis, Capt. Samuel Robinson and others, to survey a
division of this town of 160 acres to the right. "A Mr. Brush, from
At the next meeting of the proprietors, held
Sixty-four of these first division lots, each one-haif
mile square, are included in a square of 4 miles on each side. It is supposed
that these lots were intended to have been in the center of the town, leaving
an undivided space one mile wide on either side of them, but by some mistake,
their north-easterly boundary is only 37 rods from the town line.
At the s'd meeting, Dec. 1783, this first division was
drawn by lot to the several proprietors, and they also voted and granted a tax
of 54 £. 8s. 8d. silver
money, assessed on the rights of land, exclusive of public rights.
Warrant granted by the Hon. Moses Robinson, published in
the Vermont Gazette,
At a Proprietors' Meeting, held at Maj'r Calvin
Parkhurst's, in Royalton, in the State of
1stly. Voted and chose Capt. Samuel Robinson, Moderator.
2dly. Voted and chose Mr. Stephen Fay, Pro. Clerk.
3dly. Voted and chose Mr. Eben'r Waters, Clerk pro tem; Voted and chose Maj'r Calvin Parkhurst, Collector.
4thly. Voted and chose Dea'n Nehemiah Stone, Treasurer.
5thly. Voted to establish the former Votes of said
Proprietors (except such as refer to the sale of Lands and a former vote to
Raise Twelve Shillings on each Proprietor's Right, to Defray Charges.)
6thly. Voted that the Proprietors
complete the Survey of the first Division Lotts already begun in said
Township; also to lay out a second Division of Lotts in said Town to each
Proprietor.
7thly. Voted and chose a Committee of five for the above
Purpose.
8thly. Voted and chose Mr. Eben'r
Waters their Surveyor and one of the Committee, and Capt. Sam'l Robinson,
Lieut. Jonathan Tucker, Mr. Eben'r Stone and Mr. Parla Davis for their
Committee.
9thly. Voted that the above Committee be Empowered to Draw
the Second Division Lots when the survey of the same is completed.
132
10thly. Voted for those Proprietors that have advanced
Money more than their Proportion of Taxes, Interest until paid.
11thly. Voted to adjourn this Meeting to Thursday, Seventh
Day of September Next,
After the above meeting, the committee started for
"Grand Camp." I again copy from Judge Wheeler's account:
In August, 1786, Capt. Samuel Robinson, E. Waters, J.
Tucker, E. Stone and Gen. Parley Davis came from Charlton to complete the
survey of the first division and survey another. This party, after arriving at
the settlement nearest this place, which was at Middlesex, laden with provision,
cooking utensils, blankets, axes, surveying instruments, etc., passed a distance
of 13 or 14 miles to the camp erected by the party, who commenced the survey
three years previous; often- on the way expressing their anxiety to arrive,
that they might regale themselves with the pure spirit which had been permitted
to slumber three 'years, and which they imagined must be much improved in
quality by its long rest; but judge of their surprise, astonishment and
chagrin when in raising the earth they discovered the hoops had become rotten,
the staves parted, and the long-anticipated beverage had escaped. Whatever
tears were shed, or groans uttered, at the burial of the keg, they were not to
be compared with the bitter agonies of its disinterment.
The party must have soon recovered from their
disappointment, and proceeded to their work with a
will, for in less than a month from the meeting at Royalton, they were on their
way homeward, with the survey of the first and second divisions completed.
The following record was made of the first meeting held in
town:
1stly. Voted to and Drawed the Second Division Lots in
said
2dly. Voted to adjourn this Meeting to Wednesday, the
thirteenth Day of September, this Instant Month, at
EBEN'R
WATERS,
Clerk,
Pro tem.
The two next meetings were held by the party while on
their homeward journey. From the record of the first of these:
1stly. Voted to give to any Person that will erect a Good
Grist-Mill and a good Saw-Mill within Two years from this date, as near the
Middle of said
2dly. to give to Mrs. Dailey Putnam, wife of Mr. Seth
Putnam, one hundred acres of Land in said
Adjourned, to meet two days afterward
at the house of Calvin Parkhurst, in Royalton.
The following record shows the party to have been early
risers; given for an example:
1stly. Voted and chose Lieut. Jonathan Tucker, Clerk, Pro
tem.
2dly. Voted to adjourn this meeting until to-morrow
Morning, at
The following day (Saturday) was spent in adjusting and
allowing accounts for services and money advanced, and providing for their
payment, and in arranging various other matters mostly pertaining to the finances
of the proprietary.
The Record closes:
15thly. voted to adjourn this meeting to the second
Tuesday' in June next, at
Attest. JONA. TUCKER,
Clerk Pro tem.
Previous to the time to which the meetings in
Voted to leave it with the Committee's generosity whether
to abate any of their Charges or not.
The last recorded meeting of the proprietors in
In accordance with a warrant published in the Vermont
Gazette of
At a meeting held at the house of Col. Davis, in
The following account of settlements begun this year is
given by Judge Wheeler:
The settlement was commenced in the spring of 1787, by Francis
West, from Plymouth Co. Mass., who begun felling timber in a lot adjoining
The first permanent settlers, however, were Abijah, Asa
and Peter Wheelock, who started from Charlton,
They had hitherto found the roads almost impassable. Here
they were obliged to leave their wagon. Taking a few necessary articles upon a
sled, they proceeded towards this town, cutting their way and building
causeways as they passed along. After a journey of two days, and encamping two
nights in the woods, they arrived at Col. Jacob Davis' log hut, in
They returned to Charlton in October. Francis West also
left town, and returned the following spring, as did also Abijah and Peter
Wheelock, accompanied by Moses Stone. This year they built log houses, the
Wheelocks and Stone returning to
In this year, also, Gen. Parley Davis, afterward a
resident of Montpelier Center, cut and put up two or three stacks of hay upon a
beaver meadow in Montpelier, upon a lot adjoining Calais, (now known as the
Nahum Templeton farm) a part of which hay was drawn to Col. Davis', in
Montpelier, in the following winter, which served partially to break a road
from Montpelier to Calais line.
In 1788, two proprietors' meetings were held, one June 3,
at the house of Col. Davis, and Sept. 30, at Peter Wheelock's new house, in
In 1790, four proprietors' meetings were held at the house
of Peter Wheelock. At the one
There were recorded present at this meeting:
James Jennings, Samuel Twiss, Shubel Short, Asa Wheelock,
Francis West, Edward Tucker, Abijah Wheelock, Moses Harskell, Peter Wheelock.
From record of a meeting,
1stly. Voted to accept of the Corn-Mill & Saw-mill
built in
134
Davis and Mr. Sam'l Twiss, they being done according to
agreement.
Jacob Davis, 26; James Jennings, 1;
Sam'l Twiss, 5; Sam'l Fay, 3; Jedediah Fay, 1; Peter Wheelock, 4.
Voted to accept the survey of the Third Division, and
establish the Corners as the Committee have made them.
The proprietors' record closes with a meeting held
In February or March, 1789, Francis West moved his family
on to his farm, where he lived several years. Also, in March of this year,
Abijah Wheelock, with his family, Moses Stone, Samuel Twiss, with his new
married lady, accompanied by Gen. Davis, from Charlton, arrived at Col. Davis'
house, in
On the 13th of April, racket-paths having been previously
broken, Messrs Wheelock, Twiss and Stone prepared hand-sleds, loaded thereon
their beds, and some light articles of furniture, and accompanied by Mrs.
Wheelock and Mrs. Twiss, and Gen. Davis, proceeded to this town over snow 3
feet in depth, Mrs. Wheelock traveling the whole distance on foot, and carrying
in her arms an infant 4 months old, while their son, about 2 years of age, was
drawn upon the hand-sled. Mrs. Twiss, the recently married lady, also
performed the same journey on foot, making use of her broom for a walking-cane.
During the day, the snow became soft, and in crossing a
marshy piece of ground, Mrs. Twiss slumped with one foot, and sank to
considerable depth, and was unable to arise. Gen. Davis, with all the gallantry
of a young woodsman, pawed away the snow with his hands, seized her below the
knee, and extricated her. This incident was a source of no small merriment to
the party generally, of mortification to the amiable sufferer, and
gratification to Mrs. Wheelock, who felt herself secretly piqued that Mrs.
Twiss did not offer bear her precious burden some part of the distance.
They arrived in safety the same day, and commenced the
permanent settlement of the town. A large rock, now in the orchard on the farm
owned by J. W. E. Bliss, once formed the end and fire-place to the log cabin of
the first settlers of
In 1790, James Jennings arrived with a family. In the
winter of 1794, Mr. Jennings, being upwards of 60 years of age, lost his life
by fatigue and frost, while on his return through the woods from
The first settlers lived at some distance from each other,
and it was not uncommon for a woman to travel several miles to visit a
neighbor, and return home after dark through the woods, brandishing a firebrand
to enable her to discover the marked trees. For one or two years the settlers
brought the grain for their families and for seed from Williamstown,
Dates, as near as can be determined, when some of the
first settlers moved their families into town: Francis West, AbijahWheelock and
Samuel Twiss in the spring of 1789; Peter Wheelock and Moses Haskell in the
fall of that year; James Jennings in 1790; Asa Wheelock and David Goodale in
1791; Edward Tucker and others in 1792, and in 1799, considerable additions
were made to the settlement.
On
At this, the first town meeting, the officers chosen were:
Joshua Bliss, moderator; Peter Wheelock, town clerk; Joshua Bliss, Edward
Tucker and Jonas Comins, selectmen; Samuel Fay, treasurer; Jonas Comins,
collector and constable; Jedediah Fay, Abijah Wheelock and Aaron Bliss,
listers; Amos Ginnings, grand juryman; Edward Tucker, Frederick Bliss and
Goddard Wheelock, surveyors of highways; Amos Ginnings, sealer of leather;
Moses Haskell, keeper of the pound; John Crain, tithingmen; Aaron Bliss, James
Ginnings, Samuel Fay and Jennison Wheelock, hay wardens; Asa Wheelock, Stephen
Fay and Abraham Howland, fence viewers; Jonathan Tucker, sealer of weights and
measures.
Voted that the place of posting and
holding freeman's, and other town meetings, be at the house of Peter Wheelock.
In September following, Peter Wheelock was chosen to the
General Assembly. Thos. Chittenden received 8 votes for Governor, and Isaac
Tichenor, 7 votes. For David Wing, Jr., for treasurer, and for each of the
councillors, 17 votes were cast.
At a town-meeting
Voted that the Town petition the General Assembly of the
State at their next session to alter the name of this town from Calais to Mount
Vernon, and that the expense of such alteration be paid from the town
treasury.
In the same year, a meeting was warned for the purpose of
electing a Representative to Congress, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the
member-elect refusing to serve. The record of the meeting closes as follows:
"No votes being offered, the meeting was dissolved."
The warning for the town meeting, March, 1800, contains:
"6th. To see what measures the Town will take to keep in employ Idle and
Indolent persons who do not employ themselves," but at the meeting the
article was "passed over."
In 1813, what funds had accumulated for "support of
worship," nearly $40 were given to Elder Benjamin Putnam, and in 1815, the
amount then on hand was voted to Elder Benjamin Page. At this time there had
been received on the right granted to the first settled minister, $628.34. Of
this, $284.80 had been appropriated for town expenses, and $100 for support of
schools.
In March, 1815, the committee to settle with the town
treasurer found that 38 pounds of lead had been lent out of the town stock to
Samuel Rich, Esq.
In 1818, it was voted that the selectmen provide a house
for the poor, and that the money arising from lands appropriated to the use of
first-settled ministers be used for town expenses. In 1829, that
town officers be allowed $1 per day.
1827, Caleb Curtis was authorized to sell the town
military stores, and in 1828, the powder on hand was presented to the La
Fayette Artillery Co.
In 1836, Alonzo Pearce, Jesse White and Loved Kelton were
chosen a committee to locate and build a town-house near the center of the
town, and the freeman's meeting, held
In 1795, and '6, and freeman's meeting in '97, at Peter
Wheelock's: town meetings, 1797, 1800, '2 and '4, at Asa Wheelock's;
freeman's meetings, 1798, '9, 1800, and town meeting, '99, at Abdiel; town
meetings, 1801 and '3, and freeman's meeting, from 1801 to 1804, at Alpheus
Bliss's; all meetings from 1805 to spring of 1808, at Isaac Kendall's; from
fall of 1808 to 1817, at Gideon Wheelock's; then at Center school-house until
1839; since 1868, at the vestry of the Christian church.
TOWN
OFFICERS.
CLERKS.—Peter Wheelock, 1795 to 1801; Gideon Hicks, 1802
to 9, and 1818 to 47; Gideon Wheelock, 1810 to 15; Lemuel Perry, 1816, 17;
Nelson A. Chase, 1848 to 64; Alonzo Pearce, 1865; Marcus Ide, 1866 to 75;
Samuel O. Robinson, 1876 to 81.
[For
remainder of tables, see last page.]
ROADS.
The first record of the roads in town was made
136
owners or occupants being in parenthesis; Beginning at the
south line of the town by Duncan Young's (Sodom), Capt. Abdiel Bliss' (A. S.
Bliss), Edward Tucker's, (W. H. Kelton), Peter Wheelock's (S. S. Fuller's)
Jedediah Fay's (A. C. Guernsey), the mills (S. O. Robinson) Gideon Wheelock's
(J. W. Hall) and Levi Wright's, (Otis Rickord) to the north line of the town. A road leaving the above north of Levi Wright's, by Holden Wilbur's
(J. Q. Haskell) to Amos Jennings' (Mrs. Balenentine). A road from
Edward Tucker's by Joshua Bliss, 2d, (J. W. E. Bliss) David Bliss (A. Sanders),
Rufus Green's (Lewis Wood), Abijah Wheelock's (B. Wheeler), Joel Robinson's
(Harvey Ainsworth), Thomas Hathaway (C. A. Watson), to Caleb Curtis' (A. J.
Mower). From the N. W. corner of Abijah Wheelock's lot (
From Peter Wheelock's by his saw-mill, (on the brook north
of Caleb Bliss) by Shubel Shortt's (T. LeBarron) and David Fuller's (A. P.
Slayton) to Montpelier line. From Abdiel Bliss' by James Jennings', Isaac
Kendall's (E. L. Burnap) Abraham Howland's (on lot east of Burnap's), crossing
the East branch, and by Jennison Wheelock's (Alfred Wheelock's) and David
Goodell's (S. Bancroft), to Asa Wheelock's (Isaac Stanton). From
near Isaac Kendall's to Samuel White's (Kelso Gray). From near Isaac
Kendall's, southerly by Simeon Slayton's, Jesse Slayton's (Jerra Slayton),
Oliver Palmer's (Luther Converse), Goddard Wheelock's (E. Pray) and Elnathan
Hathaway's (L. M. Cate) to Montpelier line. From Oliver
Palmer's to Gershom Palmer's (W. P. Slayton). From the south line of the
town by Stephen Fay's (Walter Merritt) Phinehas Davis' (J. P. Carnes), Joshua
Bliss' (L. Converse), Elijah White's (G. Holmes), Asa Wheelock's, Samuel Fay's
(Palmer Paine), Amasa Tucker's (Henry Wells) Aaron Bliss' (Elias Smith), Noah
Bliss' (C. H. French), Jonathan Tucker's, (Marcus Waite), Jonas Comings' (N. W.
Bliss) and Noah C. Clark's, to Marshfield line. From Jennison Wheelock's by
Asahel Pearce's (W. Lilley) to Aaron Lamb's. From Joshua Lilley's (L. G.
Dwinell), to Aaron Bliss'.
This record no doubt describes all the roads in town at
that time, but some other settlements had been made.
Ebenezer Goodenough was on the farm where C. B. Marsh now
lives; John Crane where Zalmon Pearce lives; Moses Haskell had been ten years
or more on C. S. Bennett's farm; at about the date of this record, Zoath Tobey
began on C. O. Adams' farm; Elisha Doan on the lot north of Harvey Ainsworth's;
Frederic Bliss owned the lot where G. B. W. Bliss now lives; Simon Davis the
land where W. C. Bugbee lives, and Solomon Janes, Salem Wheelock and Jonathan
Eddy were residents, but their location at that time is not satisfactorily
determined.
In 1810, 11, all the roads in town were surveyed, and the
record shows the following roads not described above: The west county road was
surveyed in 1808, and the road from it to
From Lilley's Mills by Emerson's, to
Woodbury line. From Woodbury line
by E. Goodenough's, to Jonathan Tucker's. From the center of the town,
through Pekin, and by where A. N. Chapin and W. C. Bugbee now live, to John R.
Densmore's (J. P. Carnes). From near Oliver Palmer's,
southerly by Moses Haskell, to the south line of the town.
In 1809, Reuben D. Waters bought the lot on which Andrew
Haskell lives, and soon after a road was laid from the mills near the center to
his house, and in 1814, this road was extended northerly to Wood-
bury line. The road from near Harrison Bancroft's, and by W.
V. Peck's to the East branch was surveyed in 1814. The center county road in 1815, and the road from Woodbury line to
The first action of the town in regard to schools, was in March, 1796. "Voted to raise two pence
on the pound on the Grand List of 1796, for schools," and the selectmen
divided the town into the East and West school districts.
In 1798, what is now No. 4 and
the easterly half of No. 13, was made the South-east district, what is now No.
2 was named the East district, and the remainder of the former East district
was styled the Northeast district. Ebenezer Goodenough was chosen trustee of
the last-named district, and Oliver Palmer of the South-east.
School trustees chosen in 1800 were: Abijah Wheelock, West
district; Joshua Lilley, east district; Doct. Samuel Danforth,
South-east district; Noah C. Clark, North-east district; scholars in West
district between 4 and 18, 96; in S. E. district, 27.
In 1802, the North and Center districts were set off,
trustees, Abijah Wheelock, West district; Joshua Lilley, East district; Oliver
Palmer, South-east district; Jonas Comins, North-east district; Levi Wright,
Center district.
In 1805, scholars reported between 4 and 18 years of age,
207; of whom 100 were in the West district, and the next March the North-west
district was set off; 1808, the South-west district was formed. In 1812, the
town voted "to pay the school tax for the year ensuing in good corn, rye
or wheat." This is the first year that we find a complete record of the
families in town having children between 4 and 18 years of age, 100 having 329
children; 16 of these, 1 each; 25, 2 each; 18, 3 each; 14, 4 each; 14, 5 each; 10,
6 each; Jason Marsh, 7; Isaac Wells and Frederic Bliss, 8 each.
In 1818, the South district was established, and in 1825
the Blanchard district, and March, 1826, the districts were numbered: West
district, No. 1; East, No. 2; Center, No. 3; South-east, No. 4; North-west, No.
5; North-east, No. 6; South-west, No. 7; North, No. 8; South, No. 9; Blanchard,
No. 10; at the same time Nos. 11 and 12 were established; nearly the same
territory as now.
In 1828, Shubael Wheeler, Asa George and E. C. McLoud were
chosen a committee to examine teachers and visit schools. In 1829, district No.
13 was established; in 1832, No. 14.
THE
SLAYTON FAMILY.
[From
Genealogical and Biographical Sketch of the Stayton Family, 1879.]
PHINEAS SLAYTON, son of Thomas, and grandson of Capt.
Thomas, from England, b. in Barre, Mass., 1736, m. Jane Gray, 1761. He was an
officer in the Revolutionary war, and a magistrate of his town; children,
Jesse, Simeon, Elijah, Abigail, Eleanor, Hannah, Elisha; moved to
JESSE SLAYTON, b.
BUCKLIN SLAYTON, son of Jesse, b. in
138
Orrin B., Aro P., Sarah, George J.,
Fanny and Hiram K. Slayton.
He was a master carpenter, and planned and set out many of
the frame dwelling-houses and stores of
ORRIN B., his son, m. Dulcena Andrews; children, Joseph,
Austin C. Aro P. Jr., Rufus, Amanda, Amelia and Alfred.
AUSTIN C. SLAYTON, son of Orrin B., enlisted in the 3d Vt.
Regt., and served 4 years in the war of the Rebellion in the army of the
RUFUS SLAYTON, brother of Austin C., enlisted in the 7th
Vt. Regt., served faithfully, and died from sickness, occasioned by his
service in the army, soon after reaching his home. Aro and Alfred still live in
Geo. J., bro. of Aro P., m. Fanny Andrews: children,
Willis, Marinda, Cortez, Henry, Fremont and Melvina. He and some of his
children are living in Morrisville.
outrun in wealth and prosperity the nation whose dollar buys
less, as sure as death follows existence"; is the author of the
resolutions in favor of specie payments which passed the
EDWARD M. SLAYTON, son of Hiram R., b. in Calais, 1851; m.
Jennie Hovey, of Rockland, Me., 1874; has one daughter, Olive May; sons, Hovey
Edward and H. K. Slayton, Jr.; now living in Manchester, N. H., wholesale
produce and provision merchant.
DARIUS SLAYTON, son of Jesse, had 2 sons, Henry and Edson,
and 2 daughters. He is a good citizen, and still lives on his old homestead
farm in
OTIS SLAYTON married a daughter of Wm. Peck, has no
children, and lives in
SILAS
HATHAWAY
Among the few familiar names intimately connected with the
early history and settlement of
SILAS HATHAWAY, son of Elnathan, (who died at
ELNATHAN, son of Silas, born
Elnathan was a farmer and blacksmith, and resided on the
farm now (1879) of Lemuel Cate. He was for many years a prominent member of the
society of Friends, who had a church in
ESTHER, dau. of Silas, b. Sept. 1771, m. Smith Stevens, son of Prince
Stevens, of E. Montpelier, and lived there in the decline of life with James
Bennett, who m. Rhoda Stevens, a daughter. But two of this
family living, Catherine and Smith Stevens, Jr., of
THOMAS, son of Silas, born Aug. 1773; m. 1st, to Susannah
Coombs, of Rochester, Mass., Jan. 1797; 2d, to Philana Pray, of Calais, (from
Oxford, Mass.) Sept. 1845. He came with his family from
140
He returned to
LOAM, son of Thomas, b. 1803, a farmer, m. Catherine H.,
daughter of Lyman Daggett, a farmer of Calais, from Charlton, Mass. He removed
to Hardwick in 1866; resides at the
EARL, son of Thomas, b. 1806, in.
1st, to Nancy, daughter of Gains Allen, of
LORTON, b. Aug. 1808, m. Hannah N.,
dau. of Jonathan
Hamblet, of
Almeda, dau. of Thomas, b. 1810, Martin W.
Hamblet, who died 1869. She resides with her only son at Middlesex. Lora, son
of Thomas, b. July, 1812, m. Judith Cilley, of
Philander, son of Thomas, b. 1816, m. Nancy E. Coats, of
ASA, son of Silas, b. Dec. 1777, came
to
Tilmus, b. 1805, m. Lois K., dau. of Enoch Blake, of Cabot;
resided till recently on his father's old farm; now at E. Cabot; has two sons,
Asa Sprague and Clarence Lockwood. Asa has for some years past been engaged in
mercantile pursuits in
Clarence is a graduate of Norwich University, Northfield,
Vt.; studied theology with Rev. Dr. Hepworth, then of Boston; visited the
Argentine Republic, South America, as an attachee of Prof. Gould's scientific
expedition; after his return, studied medicine, and established himself in
practice in Boston, where he now resides.
Elnathan, son of Asa, b. 1808, m. Dulcenia,
dau. of Bucklin
Slayton, of
Hiram, son of Asa, b. 1811, m. 1st, Ruth H. Johnson; 2d,
Esther Ann Pren‑
tiss, both of Moretown; children, 5 by 1st and one by 2d
marriage, of whom Chas. Johnson, Edna Ruth, Asa Peck and Frank Luce are now
living. The two oldest sons, married, farmers, reside near their father; the
youngest with; the daughter married Henry A. Slayton, a merchant of Morrisville.
Hiram, farmer, resides in Moretown village; has long been a prominent citizen
of that town, and leading member of the Methodist church.
Stillman, son of Asa, b. 1813, m. Calista D. Harrington,
of
Asa Peck, son of Asa, b. 1817, m. 1st, Sarah Carlton, of
Dorchester, Mass.; 2d, Ann Maria Hilton, dau. of John Hilton, Esq., of Lynn,
Mass.; residence, Boston and Lynn, Mass.; a wholesale and commission dealer in
grain, flour and provisions, senior member of the firm of Hathaway &
Woods, 24 Commerce and 111 So. Market st.,
LYMAN DAGGETT, son of David, (an officer of the
Revolutionary war, dying in that service at
CHARLES DUGAR, born in
GLOAD, son of Charles, born in Charlton, 1775, married
Sarah Dunton, of Sturbridge,
ABNER, son of Gload, was born 1805, in Charlton; when
about 5 years old, an accident rendered him totally blind, and his career has
been remarkable for one placed in the circumstances he was. His father was
poor, and he was early thrown upon his own resources, but natural intelligence
and energy have in great measure compensated for his loss of sight. He
attended school, and made considerable progress by hearing the recitations of
other scholars, and engaged in nearly all the sports and labors of boyhood,
taking long tramps in the woods in fishing and trapping.
He began business for himself by peddling small articles
from house to house, and when about 21, having accumulated a little capital,
bought a farm, and married Hannah Jacobs, of
142
their different colors by some unaccounted for sense.
Near his house when a boy was a mill; this he clambered
over until he became so familiar with it, that he has during the leisure hours
of his busy life made two models of it, complete in all their details.
While clearing his farm, he made a considerable business
of burning charcoal, and one winter drew 900 bushels to
He once engaged of a neighbor one of a lot of young pigs.
One among them was of slightly better form than the others, and this the
neighbor intended to keep himself. But when Dugar came, he could not quite
refuse a blind man his choice; so Dugar entered the pen, and after careful
examination, came out with the identical pig the other had selected.
PALMER
FAMILY.
OLIVER PALMER married, Dec. 1786, Asenath Barnes; removed
from
GERSHAM PALMER, younger brother of Oliver, married Mercy
Bennett in Woodstock, probably about the time of his removal to Calais in
1797; lived on the farm north of his brother Oliver; was prominent in town
business; moderator in town meeting 6 years, selectman 8 years; lister 2 years;
was the fourth representative from Calais; served 7 years; in 1810, judge of
probate in what was then Caledonia Co.; 2d justice in town; served 12 years,
and by act of the Legislature,
He died Oct. 11, aged 37 years. His children, all born in
Calais, were Hannah W., b. 1798, m. 1827, Alvah Elmore, lived on the Col.
Curtis farm, where she died, Aug. 1843; Rispah, b. 1800, m. in Woodstock,
1820, Eben Cox, son of Daniel and Celia (Darling), born
Mercy, dau. of Gersham, was b. in 1802;
Lucia D., in 1803.
BENNETT, son of Gersham, b.
Dulcenia, dau. of Gersham, was born 1808;
Fanny, 1810; Mercy, Lucia, Dulcenia and Fanny are married, and reside in
DAVID GOODELL
settled on what is now known as the Smilie Bancroft farm, about
1791. He died
JOHN GOODELL, son of David, m. 1818, Lucy, dau. of Elijah
White; settled in Cabot; in 1825, returned to Calais, where he resided until
his death, July, 1860; children, Diana, b. 1824, m. Alvin Chapin; Matilda, b.
1827, m. Alonzo Taylor; resides in New York City ,
Sidney, b. 1830, m. Elizabeth Darling, of Meriden, Mass.; resides in Milford,
Mass.; Lucy, b. 1840, m. 1857, Alonzo, son of Shepherd Wheeler; their dau. Flora, born Dec. 1862.
BARNABAS DOTY,
BARNABAS DOTY, Jr., b. in Rochester,
Copy
of a letter presented Silas Ketchum by A. S. Bliss:
To Silas Williams, Esq., Maj. Steven Pitkin, Mr. Elihu
Coburn, Maj. Joel Walker, William Mattocks, Esq., Alpha Warner, Esq.; Elnathan
Strong, Esq., Ralph Parker, Esq., Wm. Baxter, Esq. and Wm. Howe, Esq:
Gentlemen:—The
bearer, Mr. Barnabas Doty, a man of integrity and faithfulness, has undertaken
to carry the mail and distribute papers, on the route formerly rode by Mr.
Henry Dewey, and from our acquaintance with him, we are persuaded he will give
as good and as general satisfaction as did Mr. Dewey. As he is a stranger,
your influence in his behalf in encouraging his business, may be of
considerable benefit to him. Yours with much respect,
WALTON & GOSS.
He made first trip, date of above letter. The route book
also presented with above letter, shows the route to lay from Montpelier
through Calais, Plainfield, Marshfield, Cabot, Peacham, Danville, Walden,
Hardwick, Greensboro, Glover, Irasburgh, Salem, Derby and Dunkensborough. [Philo. Club].
ELIJAH WHITE
came from Charlton, Mass., to Calais in the summer of
1797, and began chopping in the east lot now owned by Lewis Bancroft, but
abandoned it, and the next summer began on the lot in the south-easterly part
of the town, where he resided until his death, 1832. In Feb. 1797, he brought
his newly-married wife, Ruth Needham, to
FIRST
MEETING-HOUSE SOCIETY.
In August, 1823, a call was issued, signed by Caleb
Curtis, Medad Wright and Nathan Bancroft, asking all interested in building a
meeting-house in
At this meeting, the above society was organized, by-laws
adopted, and the following officers elected: Caleb Curtis, moderator; William
Dana, clerk, and Joshua Bliss, treasurer. Caleb Curtis, Isaac Davis, Alpheus
Bliss, Medad Wright and Joel Robinson, committee to select a plan and agree with
Caleb Bliss for land on which to set the house.
On the 30th of the same month, a meeting was held and the
committee reported they had agreed upon a building lot and drawn a plan
"40 by 42 feet, 40 pews on the lower floor, 5 feet by 6, and 18 above of
the same bigness." The report was accepted. It was decided to put up the
frame the ensuing fall, but to be 3 years completing the house; also "that
payment for pews be made in three equal instalments,
144
payable one-half in neat cattle, the other moiety in
grain, the first payment of stock in one year from the first day of October
next, and the grain part in one year from January next, and so annually." Chose Col. Caleb Curtis, Dea. Joshua Bliss, and Mr. Joel
Robinson a committee to superintend the building of the house, and "Capt.
Remember
Following the record of the above meeting are the names
of members of the society, as follows: Caleb Curtis, Isaac Davis, Alpheus
Bliss, Joshua Bliss, 2d., Medad Wright, William Dana, Vial Allen, Pliny Curtis,
Joel Robinson, Jabez Mower, Linnus Richards, Isaac Robinson, William Robinson,
Welcome Wheelock, Oliver Sheple, Benjamin Page, Gaius Allen, Curtis Mower, Ira
Brown, Joseph Brown, Daniel Harris, Caleb Bliss, Remember Kent, Shubael Shortt,
Thomas Hathaway, Ephraim Pray, John Robinson, Joshua Bliss, 3d., Joshua Bliss,
4th, Gload Dugar, Dwight Marsh, Charles Clark, Amasa McKnight, Hosea Brown,
Weston Wheeler, Mason Wheeler, Nathan Bancroft, Loam Hathaway, James Morse, Ira
Kent, Bradley Webber, Abdiel Kent, Ezekiel Kent, Hiram Robinson, J. V. R.
Kent, Joshua M. Dana, Abdiel Bliss, Kendall T. Davis, Jesse White, Joseph W. E.
Bliss, Samuel O. Robinson, Moses Clark.
Some of the last names on the list have become owners
since the building of the house.
The frame of the house was prepared and raised about the
middle of October, 1823, under the direction of Lovell Kelton, Esq. As first
framed there was a projection in front, supporting the steeple, but
subsequently the corners were filled out leaving the building in its present
shape. During the two next summers, 1824 and '5 the house was completed, under
the direction of Mr. Griffin of
William Dana was clerk of the society from its
organization until 1834. Welcome Wheelock from 1834 to '65, and J. V. R. Kent
since. The house has been little used for some years past, but the pride of the
present generation has induced them to keep in repair the work of their
fathers, though their religious zeal has not been sufficient to use it for the
purpose for which it was designed.
THE
CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION.
BY SILAS WHEELOCK, 1870.
The first Christian church was organized in
In October, 1824, Elder Edward B. Rollins and Elder Seth
Allen re-organized the church, and introduced the Rollins' discipline, (so
called).
Ezekiel Burnham was chosen Ruling Elder or Bishop of the
church. Edward B. Rollins and Seth Allen were invited to take the oversight of
the church. The number of members at this time was about thirty.
Previous to this organization, the church had no written
creed or articles of faith; taking the Scriptures as their rule of faith and
practice. In 1835 or 1836, the Ver-
There is a flourishing Sabbath-school, and a good interest
manifested among both scholars and people.
This church is now associated with the Vermont Western
Christian Conference. During the 60 years since its organization, there have
been a number of revivals of interest, and quite a number of young men have
been ordained as ministers of the Gospel.
Previous to 1824, Jera Haskell and Royal T. Haskell were
set apart for the work of the ministry, and were eminently successful in
building up the denomination; also, Jared L. Green and Bennet Palmer, but at
exactly what time they were ordained does not appear to be known.
After a few years Elder Palmer moved to
Elder Green labored with the church for many years, and
contributed much to its prosperity; then moved to
Elders Jera and Royal Haskell went to
Orrin Davis, son of Isaac Davis, one of the early members
of the church, and one who did much for the prosperity of the church, was
ordained in 1850. He is the present pastor of the church, and has been since
1860.
BY
The church in 1810 was organized with about 50 members;
there was a monthly conference established, which has been maintained until the
present time. The ordinances have been observed all, or nearly all, of the time
during the 70 years of its existence, and it has sustained preaching the most
of the time by the following ministers, viz.: Elders B. Putnam, R. Dodge, B.
Page, E. B. Rollins, J. Capron, I. Petingal, S. Allen, William Haskell, J.
Haskell, J. L. Green, B. Palmer, L. Wheeler, A. Hartshorn, S. Wheelock, J. D.
Bailey and O. Davis. It has sustained constant preaching the last 20 years; the
present membership about 80, according to the records, but there are only from
50 to 60 resident members. The church will seat about 300. The Sabbath-school
has for some years past numbered from 100 to 130.
UNIVERSALIST
PARISH IN
BY
The venerable William Farwell first promulgated our
sentiments in Washington County; Hon. D. P. Thompson, says in his History of
Montpelier, Mr. Farwell advocated our faith in a debate with Rev. Chester
Wright,—the grandfather of J. Edward. This public discussion was held in the
street of Montpelier, under the first shade trees of the village; a multitude
of people were present in the streets to hear this debate, and we doubt not
some of the fathers whose names here follow listened with intense interest to
that discussion, and returned to organize a "parish" in Calais, just
60 years ago; dated at Calais,
We, the subscribers, inhabitants of Calais in Washington
County, do hereby voluntarily associate and agree to form a society by the name
of The Universalist Society in Calais for the purpose of having meetings, or
supporting a minister to preach with us according to the "first section
of an act entitled an act for the support of the gospels," passed Oct.
26th, A. D. 1798. Subscribed to by Gideon Wheelock, Sabin Ainsworth, Abijah
Wheelock,
146
Caleb Curtis, Backus Pearce, Levi Wright, Medad Wright,
William Robinson, Aaron Lamb, Salem Goodenough, and others called a meeting, to
meet at the dwelling-house of Gideon Wheelock.
The record states this first meeting was held at Gideon
Wheelock's dwelling-house, in Calais,
That any member wishing to withdraw from said society, it
shall be his duty to make his wishes known to the clerk, in writing, and no
member may withdraw without he pay his tax, or subscription.
These have also been on committees
and acted as officers of said society; some of them many times. The clerks, or secretaries of
this society have been only ten, serving the society as clerks an average of 6
years each, viz: Gideon Wheelock, William Robinson, John Robinson, Elon Robinson,
W. Wheelock, A. Goodenough, J. V. R. Kent, James K. Toby, Alonzo Pearce and
Simeon Webb.
1840, and serving until the time of
his death in 1865—25 years.
Welcome Wheelock was society clerk longer than any other,
being elected in
In the year 1825, or when Calais Meeting-house was
dedicated, the Universalist families in this town were able to own and control
the same only 20 Sabbaths in the year; a little more than one-third; in 1845,
their share was 32 Sabbaths. Now, in 1880, we count about 100 families, but
they are so scattered all over town, it is difficult to get one-half to meet at
any one place, and meetings are held in different places. The past year, 1879,
and '80, the Universalists of Calais have had meetings of their order, one
service each Sabbath in East Calais, and each alternate Sabbath in the west
part of the town; also evening service in S. H. Foster's grove in North Calais.
To lead the singing in their meetings they have had such talent as afforded by
Pliny Curtis, Mr. Wheelock, E. W. Ormsby, Ira A. Morse, J. M. Dana, Samuel O.
Robinson and wife, Abdiel Kent, I. R. Kent, L. A. Kent, Murray A. Kent; also in
East Calais, Alonzo Pearce, A. D. Pearce; by Amasa Tucker was played the bass
viol, the first instrument of music in our meeting. Mrs. Dr.
Ide and Mrs. Burnap have also been very efficient leaders in the choirs; Mrs.
Ide in the west, and Mrs. Burnap in the east part of the town. Those who
have played the organ, are Mrs. J. C. Brown, Mrs.
Edwin Burnham, Miss Josie M. Kent, Alice Pearce and Ellen Whitcher.
About so Universalist ministers have
preached in
years ago. They have also been active in getting the reading
meetings and Sunday school started, which have been the main cause of the
present effort in the west part of
Sunday schools which were first started by Mr. Raikes of
SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION
who afterwards became residents of Calais: John Beattis,
who deserted from the British; Seth Doan, Jonas Comins, Backus Gary, Ebenezer
Goodenough, Stephen Hall, Moses Haskell, Francis Lebarron, Job Macomber, John
Martin, Shubael Shortt, Jesse Slayton, Samuel White, Edmund Willis, Duncan
Young, deserted from the British, David Fuller, Asa Wheelock, Joshua Bliss.
SOLDIERS
IN WAR OF 1812.
Danforth Ainsworth, Welcome Ainsworth, Benjamin Bancroft,
John Goodell, David Green, Isaac Hawkins, Enoch Kelton, Ansel Lebarron,
Shubael Lewis, Azel Lyon, Jason Marsh, 28 months; Perry Marsh, 14 months;
Dwight Marsh, 28 months; John Martin, Jr., Jabez Mower, Ephraim Pray, Isaac
Robinson, Joel Tucker, Josiah White, Daniel Young.
VOLUNTEERS
TO
Vial Allen, Joshua Bliss, 2d, Joshua Bliss, 4th, Ira
Brown, Pliny Curtis, Elias Drake, Samuel Fuller, Simeon Guernsey, Bemis
Hamilton, Thomas Hathaway, Pardon Janes, Jabez Mower, Noah Pearce, Joel
Robinson, Cyrenus Shortt, DarIus Slayton, Jesse Slayton, Phineas Slayton,
Simeon Slayton, Edward Tucker, Reuben D. Waters, Hiram Wells, Schuyler Wells,
Josiah White, Gideon Wheelock, Jonathan Wheelock, Levi Wright, Medad Wright.
SOLDIERS IN MEXICAN WAR.
James M. Ainsworth, died at
Amasa Tucker, an old resident and a man of remarkable
memory, has aided largely in the preparation of the foregoing lists of
soldiers, and they are perhaps as near correct as it is possible to make them
at this time.
SOLDIERS
IN THE CIVIL WAR, 1861-5.
Names. Reg. Co. Enlistment. Remarks.
Ainsworth, Geo. W. 11 I
Ainsworth, Lavake do "
3 63 Deserted
Ainsworth, Marcus 13 H
Bailey, Robert M. 11 I
Bancroft, Horace D. 8 B
Barrett, George W. 11 I
Batchelder, Chas. M. do
Benjamin, Thos. W. do
Bennett, L. Austin do
Blake, Stephen D. do
Bigelow, George 6 B July 11 63 Drafted; tr. to Co. Co. H.
Bliss, Frederick D. 11 I
148
Names. Reg. Co. Enlistment. Remarks.
Bliss, Zenas H. 9 I
Brown, James W. 11 I
Bruce, Joel 4 G
Burke, Walter 13 H
Burnham, Melvin V. 9 I
Burnap, Charles H. 11 I
Burnap, Wyman R. do " 19 62 Pro.
sergt.
Carr, Lemuel B. 11 I
Carvell, Henry W. 8 I
Clark, Aurelian M. 4 H
Clark, Charles 11 I
Clark, James H. II I
Clifford, Isaac 13 H
Church, Isaiah B. 7
Colburn, Charles C. 13 C
Colburn, Curtis C.
do
Connor, Dorman 13 H
Dodge, Oramel S. 11 I
Dudley, Andrew J. do
Eaton, Arthur G. 9 I
Eaton, Chase H. 2 F
Estes, Charles O. 13 H
Fair, Simon C. 2d Bat
Fair, Shubel B. 11 I
Flynn, John D. 9 I
Foster, Edward L. 11 I
Foster, Sidney H. 11 I
Gardner, Horace 13 H
Goodell, Dexter S. 11 I
Goodell, Henry M. do " 15 62 Disch.
Goodell, John A. 8 E
Goodell, LeeRoy 11 I
Goodell, William M. do " 8 63 Tr.
to Co. A.
Goodno, Martin, 11 I
Guernsey, Geo. H. do
Guernsey, Oscar W. do " 15 64 Mustered
out
Hale, William H. 7 A Feb
8 65 " "
Hall, Hiram A. 9 I
Hall, Hiram H. 3 H
Hall, Robert H. 1 A C
Hammond, John F. C. 6 F
Harding, John W. 8 E
Hinkson, Lyman 13 H
Hovey, James O. 2 D
Jackson, Orra W. 11 I
Jackson, Samuel 11 I
Jennings, Ira E. do "
4 63 Died
Judd, William 2d Bat
Names. Reg. Co. Enlistment. Remarks.
Kelton, Edgar A. 13 C
Larock, John, 6 G
Lawson, Truman, 11 I
Leonard, Joseph W. do
Lilley, Willard, do
Lincoln,
Linsey, Hubbard 6 B July I I 63 Drafted; tr. to Co. H.
Major, William 13 H
Marshall, Chas, H. 11 I
Marsh, Frank E. do
Marsh, Henry O. 4 G
Marsh, Wm. H. H. do do Pro. Cor.; re-enlisted
Martin, James, 9 I
Martin, John A. 11 I
Martin, John W. do
Martin, Silas B. do
Martin, William E. do
McLoud, Edward T. 11
McLoud, Henry H. 4 G
McLoud, Morrilla G. 4 G do Re-en-Dec.
63; pro. Cor.
McKnight, Chas. M. 13 H
Merrill, Isaac A. L. 11 I
Mower, Albion J. 9 I
Mower, Marcus M. 11 I
Nelson, Geo. W. 6 E
Nourse, Calvin 13 C
Ormsbee, Chas. E. 2 H
Ormsbee, DeWitt C. 11 I
Ormsbee, Geo. W. 6 H
Peck, William V. 13 H
Persons, Joseph Jr. 11 I
Pierce, Alonzo E. 3 K
Pierce, Lyman J. 8 E
Pierce, Orion A. 3 K
Phillips, Walter A. 13 H
Porter, Freeman J. 9 I
Pray, Rufus M. 3 K
Remick, George 8 A
Robinson, Ed. E. 1 ss F
Robinson, Joel E. 13 C
Robinson, Robert H. 7 A
Rodney, John 6 F Sept
28 61 Dis.
Russell,
Short, Gilbert L. 11 I
Shaw. Dexter V. 4 H
Slayton, Rufus H. 2d Bat
Slayton, Theodore M. 13 H
150
Names. Reg. Co. Enlistment. Remarks.
Slayton, Thos. J. 2d. do do Sergt.;
died
Smith, Amasa T. 3 K
Smith, Coridon D. 2d Bat
Soper, George 2 D
Stockwell, Albert S. 13
C
Stone, Judson A. 13
H
Stone, Benjamin H. 4
G
Stowe, Lewis A. 2
K
Stowe, William, 2 F
Sumner, Alonzo L. 7 H
Tewksbury, Chas. C. 1 ss F
Tice, Fletcher F. 11 I
Tichout, Alva M. do
Walling, Ransom 6 B July 11 63 Drafted; tr. to H.
Webber, Silas 4 G
Webber, Timothy C. 13
H
Wells, William R. 11 I
Wheeler, Martin E. do
Wheeler, Zimri B. do do Cor.
Pro. Sergt.
Wheelock, Jacob E. 1st
Cav C
Wheelock, Russell 13
H
White, Chas. R. do do Sergt.;
dis.
White, William O. 13
H do Cor.; dis.
Whiting, Amos A. 13 C
Whitten, Curtis B. 11 I
Witham, Aaron 9
I
There were 15 re-enlistments credited to the town, as
follows: Marcus Ainsworth, Henry Hobart, William Judd, William H. H. Marsh, H.
H. McLoud, Alonzo L. Sumner, C. C. Tewksbury, twice, Silas Webber, Amos
Whiting, Wm. O. White, not credited by name, 4.
Thirty men were drafted
Twenty-four paid commutation, as follows: Eri Batchelder,
Ira D. Cochran, Chandler Coller, Lemuel P. Goodell, Clark M. Gray, Geo. H.
Gray, Geo. E. Hall, Edwin D. Haskell, John Q. Haskell, W. V. Herrick, James M.
Jacobs, Ira Jennings, Marcus C. Kenneston, Allen Morse, Azro Nelson, Geo. S.
Newton, William V. Peck, Orion Pierce, William C. Robinson, Lewis W. Voodrey,
Henry P. Wheelock, Jacob E. Wheelock, Benjamin P. White and Lewis L. Wood.
SUMMARY.
Enlisted for three years, 96; enlisted for one year, 23;
enlisted for nine months, 27; drafted and entered service, 6; drafted and paid
commutation, 24; total, 176. Entire quota of the town, 173;
furnished in excess of quota, 3.
Partial list of natives of Calais who enlisted elsewhere:
Horace Bancroft, Calvin Bliss, Solomon Dodge, Gardner Fay, Willard Fay, Geo. W.
Foster, Jr., James Hargin, Charles C. McKnight, Lorenzo Stowe, Marcus F.
Tucker, Wm. Arlo Tucker, Calvin White; in Confederate service, Jas. M. Bliss,
Melvin Dwinell.
SOLDIERS
WHO DIED IN THE WAR.
Freeman Porter, Amasa Smith, George Lowell, Charles
Fisher, A. G. Eaton, Lyman Pierce, Lester Clifford, Austin
Bennett, are buried in East Calais cemetery; T. J.
Slayton, in Short cemetery; Rufus Slayton in South cemetery; Lorenzo Stowe,
Lewis Stowe, in Center cemetery; Joel Robinson, Marcus M. Mower, Ira Jennings,
Clark C. Colburn, in Robinson cemetery.
BIOGRAPHICAL PAPERS.
FROM MARCUS D. GILMAN, LIBRARIAN OF VT. HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
John Melvin Gilman, son of Dr. John Gilman, and only
brother of Marcus D. Gilman, was born at
While residing in
Mr. Gilman married Anna G. Cornwell, at New Lisbon, Ohio,
of
Many sermons and articles by Dr. Dwinell have been
published, mostly upon theological matters. We give a list of his principal
published writings: "Claims of Religion on the State," in New
Englander, Nov. 1854; "Self-Development, not Aggression, the true
Policy of our Nation," New Englander, Nov. 1855; "Advance in
the Type of Revealed Religion," Bibliotheca Sacra, April, 1857;
"Spiritualism tested by Christianity," New Englander, Nov.
1857; "Baptism a Consecrating Rite," Bibliotheca Sacra,
January, 1858; "Union of the Divine and the Human in the Externals of
Christianity," Bibliotheca Sacra, July, 1859; "Adaptation of Christianity
to Home Missions," Congregational Quarterly, October, 1859;
"Hope for our Country," a sermon at Salem,
152
March, 1870; "Service of the Suffering," a
sermon at Sacramento,
Besides the above, many sermons and addresses published in
the newspapers; the popular way of publishing discourses of late. Dr. Dwinell
received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from the
was born in
Mr. Goodell has been abroad three times, visiting
one of the early settlers of Calais, was a son of the
first minister of Charlton, Mass., Rev. Caleb Curtis, and his wife, Charity
(Combs) Curtis; Col. Curtis was born in Charlton,
Col. Curtis and wife moved to
He opened an excellent farm, which he industriously
cultivated, and was one of the most prominent citizens, having been chosen to
most of the civil and military offices of the town and vicinity. He was thrice
married, and brought up and educated a large and fine family. By his first
wife, who died
1st, Pliny, born in Calais,
2d, Ruth, born in Calais,
Col. Curtis married, 2d, Miss Anna, daughter of Samuel Robinson,
who settled in Calais from Charlton; she died
Plainfield, where she died
Col. Curtis married for his third wife, a widow Daggett,
by whom he had, 1st, Dauphna, born
2d, Laura A., born
Murray A., married Ruth, daughter
of Sidney Bennett and wife, Ruth (Eaton); they have a son, Dorman, and reside
at
The children of Col. Caleb Curtis were nine, two sons and
seven daughters; and his third wife, widow Daggett, added to the family three
daughters Lucy, Catharine and Mary, by her first husband, and the twelve lived
together in affection, love and harmony.
PLINY, eldest son of Col. Curtis, married Relief,
daughter of Darius Boyden, one of the early settlers of
1st, Nathaniel Bancroft, born
Mr. Curtis came to
His widow died at Warrenville,
2d, Darius Boyden, born
3d, Caroline Amanda, born
4th, Pliny, Jr., born
5th, Maria, married Dr. E. S. Deming of Calais, in 1846;
he died leaving 2 sons, Sumner, and Henry Halford, grown up to manhood;
residing with their mother in Kansas.
6th, Lucinda, married Mr. Sanger, a prominent lawyer of
154
married, 2d, a Mr. Brayton, of Peoria, and 3d, a Mr.
Wilson of the same place; she died in 1876, leaving two sons, Ezra Sanger, by
her first husband, and Curtis Brayton by her second; the sons reside in
Peoria.
8th, Levon, died at 17.
Polly Curtis, b. 1804, md. Ira Kent. (See
Colonel Curtis was one of the most active and influential
men of his time in the west part of the town; educational facilities were early
and liberally provided, and largely through his influence a spacious and
handsome church edifice was erected south of Kent's Corner, which is an
ornament to the town at this day; this was erected as a Union meeting-house,
but the Universalist element largely predominated in that part of the town at
the time of its erection, and it is now entirely owned and controlled by this
denomination. The descendants of Col. Curtis, through the most remote
branches, are of this faith, and so indeed are the descendants of the
principal early settlers of that part of the town; and no town ever did or does
contain a more intelligent, moral, independent, liberal community than is presented
in the inhabitants of West Calais, from the first settlement to the present time.
CHARLES CLARK, M. D.,
was born in
FACE
OF TOWNSHIP; NAME.
This town is peculiarly situated in some respects, it
being naturally divided by two valleys, with high hills at their sides, extending
northerly and southerly; in these valleys are the two principal streams of the
town, and they join in the south-easterly part of the same, forming a principal
branch of Winooski river. The east and west parts of
the town are thus isolated and independent in a measure of each other.
Notwithstanding the hilly and uneven character of the town, there is less of
what is denominated waste land, than in any township within our knowledge.
WHENCE
THE NAME.
Col. Jacob Davis, a proprietor in the grants of Montpelier
and Calais, selected the name of Montpelier for that township, as uncommon and
not likely to be duplicated; and what more probable than, having selected a
name from the south of France for the more southerly township in which he was
interested, than that he should have selected a name from the north of France,
Calais, for the northerly township. This we think is a solution of the
question, how did
[See remarks of Mr. Tobey to same effect.—Ed.]
The early settlers of Calais, as well as of Vermont
generally, had in view among other objects a more perfect liberty, freedom and
independence, and to escape from the injustice of a taxation for the support of
religions in which they did not believe, and other Puritan oppressions that
prevailed in Massachusetts and Connecticut, from whence Vermont was mainly
settled.
We find the following in the Freemen's Press, the
first democratic newspaper established in
NOTICE Is hereby given that a
petition will be preferred to the next legislature of
CALEB
CURTIS.
A singular explosion occurred in the northerly part of
The ground was frozen to the depth of nearly 2 feet; large
stones, weighing from 300 to 400 pounds, were thrown 30 rods, and one, weighing
nearly half a ton, as judged, was thrown 8 rods; the noise of the explosion was
heard at a considerable distance. No cause was ever assigned, except that of
the accumulation of water in the fissures of the rocks under the frozen
surface; but this seems hardly probable.
THE GILMAN FAMILY OF
FROM THE MEMORANDUM OF MARCUS D. GILMAN, OF
JONATHAN GILMAN was born at Gilmanton,
BROTHERS
The father of the above is said to have kept tavern a long
while in Gilmanton.
Children of Jonathan Gilman and wife, Susanna Dudley:
Jacob, b.
Thomas. b. Aug. 19. 1786. m. and
had 3 daughters and one son, Leonard, a dentist at
Daniel, b.
John Taylor, father of Marcus D., b. at Gilmanton, N. H.,
Susan, b.
Betsy. b. Mar. 6. 1794, m.
Shadrach Weymouth, of Vershire, and died there before 1820; left one dau. and one son; the dau. Roxy Ann, m. Lyman Cole, an artist,
and settled in
Sarah, b. at Vershire, Jan. 1776, m. Jedediah Hyde in 1812, and settled on Grand Isle; had 7 sons and 4 daughters,
who mostly settled on Grand Isle and Isle La Motte. She died at G. I.,
Roxy Ann, b. at Vershire,
Abigail, b. at Vershire,
Jonathan, b. at Vershire, 1806; learned the printer's
trade at
JOHN TAYLOR GILMAN,
born at Gilmanton, N. H.,
156
daughter of Col. Caleb Curtis, May, 1819; children: Marcus Davis,
John Melvin, [See Col. Curtis' paper, by Mr. Gilman, before these papers.] Dr.
Gilman died at
In looking over a package of old family letters, journals,
etc., we find Jonathan Gilman was found dead in his bed; died suddenly of
apoplexy. He was father of Dr. John, and grandfather to Marcus D., our
historical librarian. Dr. John Gilman— as he wrote his name, dropping the
T.—kept a note-book while at Dartmouth Medical College, in which is given the
synopsis of every lecture he heard and the name of the professor who delivered
it. From a sheet catalogue of the
Barret, Thomas T., Springfield, Vt.; Bates, Roswell,
Randolph; Brown, Leonard, Peacham; Campbell, John, Putney; *Chamberlin,
Mellen, Peacham; Elkins, Ephraim, Peacham; *Finny, Alfrid, Ludlow; Fletcher,
John, Williamstown; Gillet, Bezaleel, Hartford; Goodwin, Jacob, Bradford;
Hatch, Horace, Norwich; Hazeltine, Laban, Wardsborongh; Jennison, Charles,
Hartland; * Leavett, Harvey, Hartford; Martin, Lyman, Peacham; *Newton, Enos
W., Hartford; Paddock, William, Barre; Paddock, Wm. S., Pomfret; Page, Alfrid,
Barnard; *Richardson, John P., Woodstock; Rogers, Asher A., Thetford; Stevens,
John, Newbury; Tewksbury, Hartland; Tracey, James 2d, Hartford; Wait, James,
Brandon; Washburn, Hercules, Randolph; Wheeler, John, West Fairlee.
Whole number of students, 105;
MARCUS DAVIS GILMAN
was born at
Mr. Gilman married Maria Malleville daughter of Hon.
Daniel Baldwin, of Montpelier,
Sarah Alice, born at
The next data in given memorandum: "At this time,
March, 1870, we are residing (temporarily it may be) at
—————
* Members of college.
and is corresponding member of six or seven State
Historical Societies, &c. Mr. Gilman has said to us that he graduated at
the Washington County Grammar School at the age of 15 years, and went out into
the world for himself. In business he appears to have been remarkably
successful, and to have sensibly retired, that he may devote himself to his
historical tastes. He has a very large correspondence; his historical offices
are a laborious business; no nominal appointments, only, mere compliments, in
his hands, as we may judge from the weekly file of letters and communications
on his table. He is just the one man in the State best situated to make a
bibliotheca for Vermont, and he is doing it, several chapters of which have
been already published, though by no means the most or the best part of it, as
we are very well prepared to say, having carefully looked through the
JOHN BALDWIN GILMAN, M. D.,
son of Marcus D., died at his father's, in
EMILY E., the only surviving child of Marcus D. Gilman, m.
158
EZEKIEL, 1st, b. June, 1744, m. Ruth Garey, b. Oct., 1748,
lived and died in Rehoboth, Mass.; d. in May 1842, wife in Dec. 1818; 11
children, two of whom, Remember and Ezekiel, settled in Calais.
REMEMBER, 1st, son of Ezekiel 1st, b.
Their children all born in
REMEMBER 2d, m. Jan. 1824, Delia dau. of
Edward Tucker; made the first clearing on the farm where W. G. Kent now lives;
has resided most of his days in
IRA, m. Polly, dau. of Col. Caleb Curtis. (See
Curtis family). He has always resided on his father's old farm; was constable
in 1838, post-master some 16 years; and from 1837 to '66, he and his brother
Abdiel were in partnership under the firm name of I. & A. Kent, and
transacted a considerable mercantile and manufacturing business. His children all
born in Calais: Ira Richardson, b.
ABDIEL, when 21 years of age went to Nashua, N. H., and
worked on the foundation of the first cotton factory built there; thence to
Mass and learned the mason's trade, working at his trade summers and teaching
school winters, until about I830, he bought in Calais where he now lives, and
began manufacturing boots in a small building where the store now stands. This
business was continued some 40 years, at times employing a dozen or more men,
and for some 20 years harness-making was connected with it. In 1832, he
enlarged his shop, and put in a small stock of staple dry goods and groceries.
In 1854, the present shoe-shop and store were built, and the latter stocked
with a general assortment of goods, and this business was continued by him and
the firm of I. & A. Kent some 30 years.
In 1837, he built the brick house where he now lives, and
kept a hotel there until 1847. In 1844, in company with others, he built the
starch-factory near the centre of the town, and run it until about 1858. In
1847, put iron working machinery in the red shop at Maple Corner, where it was
run by N. W. Bancroft some 4 years. He has been a large owner of real estate in
this and other towns, a woolen-factory, mills and hotel at Craftsbury; built
and stocked the store in Woodbury, now owned by A. W. Nelson, owned for some
years the Norcross mill in Woodbury, the Ira Brown saw mill in the north-west
part of Calais, and the old saw-mill at Maple Corner. His brother, Ira, was a partner in all the above business limn 1837 to '66. Beside being one of its most active business men, he has
held nearly all the offices in the gift of the town, and that he has served
acceptably is shown by his continued re-elections, (see lists of town
officers.) He m. 1st
Fanny, in Arthur B. Bacon, resides in
GEORGE, son of Remember, m.
Murray, son of Abdiel, m. 1870, Ruth E., dau of P. S.
Bennett, resides in Calais; son Dorman B. E.; Van R.., son of m. 1874, Lelia
S., dau. of S. H. Foster of
IRA RICHARDSON, son of Ira; m. 1855, Anna E., b. June,
1834, in New York city, died
"Rich. Kent" as he was familiarly known, was a
person whom, never possessing robust health, was enabled by his indomitable
will, perseverance, and quick perceptive faculties, to accomplish while in his
younger years an amount of business which might only have been expected from
one of much stronger physique, and maturer years, and when 20 years of age
assumed the entire management of the mercantile business of I. & A. Kent,
which he continued for about 6 years, when he
engaged in buying cattle and horses and selling in the Mass. market
until 1865; during which time he filled various town offices with acceptance.
Dec. 1865, he entered into a partnership with J. E. Bacon of
LEROY A.
AZRO, son of Remember 2d, m. Nov.
1840, Hannah S., dau. of Edward and Susan Eastman b. in
PRENTISS J., son of Remember 2d, m. Sept. 1864, Elizabeth
M., dau. of Ambrose and Sally Atwater of
160
J. V. R.
EZEKIEL, 3d, m. Nov. 13. 1836, Minerva
Anna, dau. of Col. Caleb Curtis; a successful farmer; resided in Calais
until 1872, when he moved to Montpelier, where he now resides; has held town
offices before and since his removal; daughter, Alice May, b.
EATON
FAMILY IN
BY CALEB C. EATON.
Jacob Eaton, Sr., settled in the Southeast part of
Calais, on Kingsbury's branch, in 1816, with a family of 4 children, Isaac,
(who 2 years after was killed by the kick of a horse), Jacob, Mary Ann and Sylvester
C., of whom 2 survive, Jacob and Sylvester, the former living on the old
homestead farm. In 1827, Nathaniel, an older son, and Jacob, Jr., bought the
farm of their father, and they lived together until the death of the latter,
Feb. 1843, aged 77 years. Nathaniel moved to Middlesex,
Nathaniel Eaton married, 2d, Mrs. Ruth (Curtis,) widow of
Dr. John Gilman, by whom he had one son, Caleb C., born in Calais, where he
resided till he was 34 years of age, when he moved to Middlesex, living there
16 years; represented that town in the Legislature in 1876, '77; was justice of
the peace 4 years; lister 3 years, and appointed to take the census for that
town in 1880; in May. 1880, removed to
He married Susan, daughter of Larned Coburn, one of the
early settlers of East Montpelier; children, 4; all daughters; 2 died in
infancy; Flora Coburn, born in Calais, preceptress in Goddard Seminary, Barre,
m. Prof. Henry Priest, Principal of that institution,
CONTRIBUTED BY MR.
CAPT. JOSHUA LILLEY
located at an early day in
Maj. Davis, availing himself of the waterpower
facilities, erected various mills, among which one for carding wool and
dressing cloth, a trip-hammer shop, where were made scythes and hoes, and a
shop or manufacturing cut-nails.
One of the inducements for starting a nail factory was the
supposition that there was iron ore in the ledges a short distance west of the
village, all of which was true, but in the prospecting made, it was not found
rich enough to pay for working. Nails were manufactured about 2 years, when it
was found freights were too much to make the business profitable, and it went
down, and other business was started, cabinet work, clover-mill, potash, etc.
The business development called workmen and residents into the place, and the
Major put in a store.
SHUBAEL
WHEELER, ESQ.,
son of Bowers Wheeler, of Montpelier, (now East Montpelier),
married Elsey Davis, daughter of Maj. Nathaniel, about 1814, and in 1816, they
moved to East Calais, and occupied a two-story house erected by the Major, near
where the saw-mill now stands. He was a lawyer, the first and only one who ever
resided in town for any length of time. For several years he occupied a leading
position in the affairs of the town and County, representing the town several
times, and was clerk of the County Court for several years. He was interested
in farming to some extent, and was partner for some years with Samuel Rich in
mill property, deeded to them by Maj. Davis.
Judge Wheeler was a man of high attainments, largely
endowed by nature, yet his love of social pastime was at the expense of his
financial interests. About 1860, he went West to make his home with his eldest
daughter, Emily, the last one living of his 8 children—wife of Levi W. Wright,
formerly of this town, now of
CAPT. SAMUEL RICH,
born in
In 1850, he sold the mills and his lands to Albert
Dwinell, at which time he gave up active business. Mr. Rich died
CONTRIBUTED BY L. G. DWINELL.
ISRAEL DWINELL, one of the early settlers of Calais, born
in Croydon, N. H.,
162
ALCANDER DWINELL, son of
IRA S. DWINELL, son of
Solon, son of Israel, b. 1818, d. at 2½ years, the first
grave in the East Calais cemetery.
ISRAEL EDSON DWINELL, son of Israel, born Oct. 24,1820,
"began to fit for college in the Academy at Randolph Center, Sept. 1836;
taught school in Calais, winter of 1837; in Calais or Montpelier each winter
but one till graduated from college; finished for college at Montpelier
Academy, 1837, '8 and '9; entered the University of Vt., Burlington, 1839;
graduated in 1843; taught in Martin Academy, East Tennessee, 1843-5, 20
months; entered Union Theo. Sem., N. Y. City, 1845; graduated from Un. Theo.
Sem., 1848; married Rebecca Eliza Allen Maxwell, in Jonesboro, East Tennessee,
I. E. P."
ALBERT DWINELL, b.
MELVIN DWINELL, son of Israel, b.
federate army at Richmond, Va.,
LEVI GILMAN, son of Israel, b.
JANE PHILA, daughter of Israel and Phila Dwinell, b.
Harriet A., educated at Mrs. Worcester's,
Wait Byron, son of
ALDEN
FAMILY.
BY MR.
ASA ALDEN, born in
164
His widow survives, in her 81st year, (1881) living with
their youngest and only surviving daughter, Lydia Ann, in the same house they
at first occupied, and which is now the oldest dwelling in the village; built
by Capt. Caleb Putnam about 1818.
ISAAC ALDEN, nailor and merchant, came to
On the west side of the stream, next door neighbor to Mr.
Alden, lived
JONATHAN HERRICK,
shoemaker, an honest, temperate, industrious man, and his wife,
Drusilla Cole, who deserves mention among the early settlers, living in
THE
DR. SAMUEL DANFORTH, the first physician of
DR. STEPHEN COREY came in 1812; was in town but a short
time.
Dr. Jonathan Eaton came in 1812, and remained 3 years.
Dr. Nathaniel B. Spaulding came about 1819, and was here
in 1832.
Dr. John Gilman came in 1815, a man of marked abilities in
his profession. [See Gilman Family.]
Dr. Charles Clark came in 1825; removed to
Dr. Asa George came in March, 1825, and died in Aug. 1880,
a man of marked character and ability, and a leading man in his profession.
Dr. William S. Carpenter came in 1841, and left in 1842.
Dr. E. S. Deming came to
Dr. M. Ide came in 1854, and removed to Stowe in 1875. He
was town clerk many successive years, and held other town offices.
Dr. G. H. Gray came in 1868, and still resides in town.
Dr. Harris came about 1880.
Drs. Gleason, Tilton, Tobey and
others here for indefinite times.
COLLEGE
GRADUATES OF
I. E. Dwinell, M. Dwinell, D. B. Eaton, Calvin Short, C.
L. Goodell, University of Vt.; Dr. B. L. Dwinell, Harley N. Pearce, Tufts
College, Mass.; A. N. Bliss, University of Michigan; Miss Laura A. Kent, Miss
Ellen Cox, Miss Eva Darling, Antioch, Ohio. F. B. Fay entered Harvard in 1879;
W. Cate entered Tufts in 1876; C. L. Wood, a lawyer in
Mrs. Hartshorn celebrated her hundredth birthday in
BY
CLARENCE R. DWINELL
The fire spread to P. F. Whitcher's barn, the next
building south, which with its contents was completely destroyed; thence to the
boot and shoe store of D. B. Fay, whose stock was partly removed; next to the
hotel property of Phineas Wheeler, which was entirely consumed; a good hotel
building, which had been recently much enlarged and improved; two large barns,
sheds and out-buildings;
thence to the shop of A. N. Goodell, a quick victim to the
flames.
Only by the untiring efforts of the citizens, the fire
was kept from crossing to the east side of the street, and to the new dwelling
of Z. G. Pierce, just south of the hotel. This fire was a severe loss to the
village. It has not yet fully recovered from its effects, and the hotel has not
been replaced.
REMARKABLE
PRESERVATION.
BY
In the year 1866, the months of Aug. and Sept. were marked
for the unusual amount of rain which fell "in these parts," which,
culminating about the 21st of Sept., we were disposed to call it the line
storm. The falling torrents had raised the tributary streams and Kingsbury
branch to a flood of rushing waters. Rev. Mr. Liscombe, a Methodist minister,
who with his family sojourned with us 6 months, preaching occasionally (as
opportunity allowed) the morning of the 22d, was standing on the center of the
foot-bridge at the head of Moscow falls, viewing the great rush of water, when
the upper dam partially gave way, and the bridge started. He gave one leap up
stream, and bridge and man went over the falls, a distance of 300 feet—75 feet
perpendicular—over three dams; and for a wonder to everybody, he came out
alive, bearing cuts and bruises, but not seriously injured; ruining, however,
his overcoat and losing his hat.
Oct. 28, he preached his farewell sermon here, and the
Monday following, started with his family for
East Calais boasts of a young man, a graduate of Tufts
College in 1880, who taught our district school, in the winter of 1881; Harley
Nelson Pearce, who at the time of his birth, March, 1855, had twelve living
grand-parents, six on his father's, and six on his mother's side. The latest
surviving grand-parent was Judge Alonzo Pearce, who died
LONGEVITY
OF
BY AMASA TUCKER, AGED 75.
Persons deceased in town who were 70 years of age and
over:
Darius Slayton, aged 90 years; Amasa Tucker, 90; Reuben D.
Waters, 91; Welcome Ainsworth, 91; Luther Ainsworth, 88; Lyman Daggett, 95;
Howe Wheeler, 92; George Ide, 93; Gideon Hicks, Jr., 95; James Nelson, 93;
Reuben Wilbur, 94; Stephen Hall, 92; Barnabas Doty, 92; Squire Jennings, 77;
Jared Wheelock, 87; Pardon Janes, 82; John White, 89; Asahel Pearce, 87; Alonzo
Pearce, 80; Benjamin Gray, 82; Jonathan Tucker, 83; Asa George, 82; Thomas
Stanton, 83; Ezekiel Sloan, 88; John Martin, Jr., 86; Aaron Bailey, over 80;
Edmond Willis, over 80; Daniel Young, 86; Bachus Pearce, 87; Samuel Fay, 83;
Samuel Mackus, 88; Thomas Cole, 85; Gideon Hicks, Sr., 75; Israel Dwinell, 88;
Abijah Wheelock, 82; Asahel Pearce, 87; Nathan Bancroft, 82; Samuel Robinson,
85; Jabez Mower, 84; Jonathan Pray, 81; Ebenezer Cox, 81; Mason Wheeler, 81;
Joseph Brown, 82; Remember Kent, 80; Remember Kent, Jr., 81; Luther Morse, 82;
Calvin Callier, 82; Welcome Wheelock. 80; Thos. Hathaway, 84; Samuel Fuller,
84; Joshua Bliss, 2d, 84; John Martin, 84; Jonathan Dudley, 84; Luther
Ainsworth, 88; Joshua Lilley, 88; Gideon Wheelock, 80; Jason Marsh, 80; Abram
Hawkins, 83; Bucklin Slayton, 80; Willard Rideout, 86; Elijah Nye, 87; Sabin
Ainsworth, 76; Edmund Willis, 86; Moses Ainsworth; —— Jacob Ainsworth, 85;
Mercy Ainsworth, 86; Jason Marsh, 80; Amos Jennings, 82; Daniel Young, 86;
David Thayer, 80; David Daggett, 80; Sylvester Jennings, 82; Edia Fair, 80;
Beniah Short, 73; John Eddy, 76; Elias Smith, 70; Aaron Lamb, 75; Nathan
Parker, 71; John White, Jr., 78; Geo. W. Foster, 70; Chas. Dudley, 76; John Emerson,
75; Willard Bugbee, 79; John Dickerson, 70; Noah Pearce, 74; Jacob Eaton, Sr.,
77; Chas. Slayton, 71; Chancy Spaulding, 70; Jessa Slayton, 78; Simeon Slay‑
166
ton, 77; Seth Done, 71; Shubael Short, 79; Phineas
Goodnough, 74; Bucklin Slayton, 80; John Cochran, 74; Britian Wheelock, 72;
Silas Wheelock, 70; Rev. V. G. Wheelock, 71; Stephen Pearce, 74; Noah Clark,
75; Nehemiah Merritt, 73; Aaron Lilley, 74; Thomas Foster, 76; Frederick Bliss,
77; Jeremiah Cummings, 76; Perez Wheelock, 76; Asa Wheelock, 75; David Fair,
79; Squire Jennings, 78; Aaron Wheeler, 78; Adams White, 71; Reuben Pray, 72;
Thomas Pray, 75; Jesse White, 74; Horace Ainsworth, 70; Hosea Ellis, 77;
Nathaniel Hersey, 78; R. W. Tobey, 73; Caleb Bliss, 79; Sabin Ainsworth; Jonas
Hall, 73; Isaac Wells, 73; Stephen Martin, 76; Ezekiel Kent, 73; Lewis Wood,
77; Ezekiel Burnham; William Bruce; Joshua Bliss; Peter Nelson; Wm. Abbott;
Benj. Bancroft; Salem Wheelock; Amos Wheelock; Vial A. Bliss, 75; John J.
Willard; Caleb Mitchell; Lemuel Perry, 77; Jed'ah Fay; Sally Lamb, 95; Rachel
Bliss, 93; Esther Kendall, 93; Sarah Osgood, 93; Sarah Wood, 91; Amy M. A.
Wheeler, 91; Mrs. Jas. Nelson, 91; Nancy Wright, 93; Mercy Willis, 94; Polly
Janes, 80; Margaret Ainsworth, 93; Julia Johnson, 90; Polly Wheelock, 85;
Hannah Haskell, 80; Grace Jennings, 79; Polly Kent, 76; Elvira White, 74;
Alfrida White, 73; Mary Curtis, 73; Almira Bliss, 73; Catherine Robinson, 74; Charity
Mower; Mary Jarvis, 72; Polly Marsh; Sally Wheelock, 77; Nancy Hall, 73; Caroline
Wright, 77; Phebe Bancroft, 74; Mrs. Joseph Brown; Mrs. Rufus Green; Sally
Marsh, 77; Eliza Nye, 77; Sarah Mitchell; Lucy Ainsworth, 75; Polly Fay, 72;
Elanor Doane; Rachel Robinson, 78; Polly Janes, 79; Jane Hathaway, 74; Sally
White, 73; Hannah Guernsey, 79; Polly Haskell, 79; Relief Eddy, 72; Emeline
Cole, 71; Lydia Gray, 78; Betsey Stanton, 70; Catherine White, 71; Rowena
Wheelock, 70; Polly Dudley, 78; Joanna Smith, 79; Jerusha Emerson, 72; Jerusha
Sloan, 78; Lydia Eaton, 75; Amy Parker, 77; Deborah Slayton, 75; Betsey
Slayton, 72; Cynthia Wheelock, over 70; Eleanor Done; Hannah Jennings, over 70;
Mary Short, 79; Roba Pierce, over 70; Sally Cochran, 77; Cyrena McKnight, 73;
Rachel Reed, 76; Hannah Turner, 71; Rebecca Mackus, 77; Mercy Cole, 78; Sally
Hicks, 74; Phila Dwinell, 71; Polly Gilman, 73; Mrs. Johnson, over 80; Widow
Brown; Mrs. Samuel Robinson, 84; Lucy Ainsworth, 72; Alfrida Leonard, 80;
Lydia Eaton, 70; Hannah Bliss, over 70; Azubah Tucker, 87; Hannah Ainsworth
Perry, over 80; Sally Tucker, over 70; Phila Hathaway, 82.
Mrs. Esther Kendall and Mrs. Sarah Osgood, aged 93, were
twin sisters, and died within about two months of each other.
OLD PEOPLE OF
now living, over 70 years of age, July, 1881 Salem
Goodnough, 82; Aaron Tucker, 86; Hosea Brown, 81; Joseph Whiting, 82; Kelso
Gray; Elijah S. Jennings, 81; Henry Sumner, 80; Jacob Eaton, 80; E. C. M'Loud;
John Robinson; Rachel Tucker, 81; Rispah Cox, 81; Lucy Kent, 81; Mary Abbott,
86; Sarah Ormsbee, 83; Polly Foster; Avis Alden, 80; Ira Ellis, Ardin Martin,
Ira Kent, Abdiel Kent, George Kent, Harvey Ainsworth, Orin Davis, Willard
Nourse, Joseph Persons, James S. Daggett; Amasa Tucker, 75; Caleb Bliss, Jerra
Slayton, Isaac Davis, Chas. B. Marsh, Alonzo Stowe, Thos. J. Ormsbee, Thos. J.
Porter, Jacob White, Jonas G. Ormsbee, Mason W. Wright; Lemuel Perry, 75; Henry
Fay, Quincy A. Wood, Benjamin King; Sally Fuller, 87; Betsey Webster, 81; Mary
Morse, 81; Millicent Parker, 87; Sarah Mann; Rhoda Goodell, 83; Deborah D.
Little, Mehitable Kent, Sarah Bancroft, Louisa Bliss, Ruth Merritt, Chloe
Guernsey; Mary Cochran, 74; Sarafina Fay, Polly Martin, Polly Pierce, Susan
Wells, Polly Sumner, Fanny Thayer, Harriet Bruce, Caroline Wright, Eliza Stowe,
Rowe, P. S., S. F. Jones, Berthana Hockett, Lydia Brown; Lucy Hammond, 73;
Lydia Slayton, 70; Betsey Martin, 72; Marilla Perry, 73.
Sixteen persons have committed suicide in town, and 6
persons out of the town who formerly lived here.
There have been 14 saw-mills in town,
8 grist-mills, 2 potasheries, 7
distilleries and 10 cider-mills.
[The town of Calais and State of Vermont are indebted to
our aged contributor, Mr. Tucker, for the longest longevity list, both of the
dead and living, received from any town yet in the State.—Ed.]
ACCIDENTAL DEATHS,
CONTRIBUTED BY ALLEN MORSE.
Joel Marsh was drowned in 1856, at the time he was helping
to roll a lot of logs into Wheelock pond, getting entangled in them. 1839,
Nathaniel Bancroft was drowned at
1879, a son of Otis Gray was killed by the caving in of a
sand-bank, under which he was playing with some schoolmates. He was about 8
years old. James Jennings was frozen to death in 1794, [See record by Mr.
Tobey] and 9 have died in town by suicide.
MURDERS.—Rial Martin, a half-foolish, half-crazy person,
shot and killed Jennerson Wheelock and Lucius Ainsworth,
DIPHTHERIA
IN
In one family, died, Aug. 26, Truman Doty, aged 17 years,
10 months and 17 days. Aug. 31, Mortimer D. Doty, aged 12 years, 8 months and
13 days. Aug. 31, Rinaldo C. Doty, aged 47 years and 5 days. Sept. 4th, Millard
F. Doty, aged 9 years, 1 month and 10 days; four members of one family in ten
days, a father and three sons carried to the grave almost in one week; and the
mother sick at the time of their death. Other instances very sad might be
given, but this will suffice to mark, we have felt this scourge, in common
with so many towns in the State, during the last 20 years.
KILLED IN
FRANCIS WEST
In Jan. 1787, Francis West, of
168
1797, he disposed of the last of his land in
His children born in Calais were: Freeman, b. Oct. 1789,
the first child born in town, died young, and was buried in the burying-ground
east of Caleb Bliss'; Sarah, b. 1791, married Smith Bennett, who worked at
tanning in Calais from 1830 until his death, in 1859. His wife died in 1842,
and he afterward married Maria, daughter of Alexander and Polly (Tobey) White;
his children: Catherine Bennett, b. 1818, m. Forbes Jones, resided in Calais;
Philip Sidney Bennett, b. 1820, m. 1st, Ruth, daughter of Nathaniel and Ruth
Eaton, and 2d, Sarah A Cochran; resides in Calais, a successful farmer. His daughter Ruth m. Murray A. Kent.
Mary W. Bennett, b. 1828; L. Austin Bennett, b. 1833,
enlisted
MOSES STONE.
In 1788, Nehemiah Stone, of
SAMUEL TWISS.
Samuel Twiss and wife came to
ROBINSON.
Capt. Samuel, son of Josiah and Anna (Barton), b.
Joel, son of Capt. Samuel, m. Rachel
Stevens. He came to
Isaac, son of Capt. Samuel, m. Julia Harwood, in 1808, and
soon after settled on the lot north of his brother Joel's, where he died July,
1826; children: Julia M., b. 1809, m. Luke Stratton; Harriet H., b. 1811, m.
Oliver Mower; Emeline, b. 1815, died young; Samuel O., b. 18I6, m. Harriet
(Arnold) Simpson. He learned harness-making, worked in
D. Azro A. Buck, b. 1823, m. Josephine Burnett; settled in
William, son of Capt. Samuel, m. Eunice Blashfield, came
to
John, son of Joel, m. 1828, Hannah Taylor, and bought soon
after the farm where W. G. Kent now lives. In 1848, exchanged
for a farm at Maple Corner, and the same year built the "Red Shop"
which he and his sons owned until 1876. His wife died 1851, and he m.
Mrs. Lucy (Hodgkins) Crosier. His children: Emily E., b. 1829, m. William H.
Safford; they taught school some years in Calais, Montpelier and Strafford; in
1854 and 5, he published the ''Star of Vermont" at Northfield; was in the
printing house of Houghton & Co. at Cambridge, Mass., some six years, and
since 1866 has been connected with the publishing house, now Houghton &
Mifflin, Boston. Their children are: Mary Alida, b. 1848, m. Dr. W. J. Clark of
Edwin E., b. 1835, served 3 years in 1st Reg't. Vt.
Sharp-shooters; was quartermaster sergeant of the reg't.; since 1864 has
engaged in mechanical and mercantile pursuits in Worcester, Mass., Lapeer,
Mich., and since 1877, in Calais; William C., b. 1838, m. Coralinn E. Bliss;
resided in Calais; died, 1875; daughter, Ina Lucy, b. 1868.
Levi, son of Joel, m. 1832, Catherine
Daggett. He bought, 1830, the farm now owned
by his son, Julius S., where he resided until his death, Sept. 1863; his widow
d. May, 1881; children: Joel E., b. 1834; served in the 13th Reg't. Vt. Vols.,
mustered out
Elon, son of Joel, m. 1833, Patience Taylor, who died
1853, and he m. Rachel A. Bliss. He lived upon his
father's old homestead until his death, in 1863; children: Lenora G., b. 1835,
m. Martin Goodnough; Algernon E., b. 1843, d. 1863; three other children died
young.
Hiram, son of Joel, m. Julia Ainsworth, who died 1860, and
he m. Mrs. Lovisa Hodgden; resided in Calais, in Reading, Vt., and the last
few years of his life in Northern Vt. and Canada; d. 1876. His daughter,
Minerva J., b. 1837, m. Solomon K. Hapgood, and resides in
ZOETH TOBEY,
b.
Elizabeth, b. 1791, m. 1814, David Daggett, b. 1778, in
Mary and Keziah b. 1793; Mary died young; Keziah m. Isaac
Raise, resided in Somerset, Niagara Co., N. Y.; in 1865, removed to Delaware,
where she died.
Avery, b. 1796, m. Sally Norton, and settled at
Russellville, Crawford Co.,
Polly, b. 1798, m. 1820, Alexander White, by whom she had
two daughters, Sarah Maria, b. 1822, Amanda R., b. 1827, d. 1866. Mr. White d. 1828, and his widow m. Jeremiah Comins, b. 1787, in
170
Richard West, b. 1800, m. 1822,
MANUFACTORIES
1N
BY ALLEN MORSE.
The proprietors of Calais, June, 1792, to "encourage
the building of a corn-mill and saw-mill "offered 200 acres of land to any
person who would build the same within a specified time, and in "October,
1793, met and accepted" both mills which had been been built by Col. Jacob
Davis, and Samuel Twigs, near the center of the town, the saw-mill on the same
spot where the one owned by S. O. Robinson now stands, and the grist-mill just
below it. These first mills in town, were bought about
1800, by Jason Marsh, and run by him, and his son, Jason, more than 68 years.
They passed into the hands of William White, who owned them a brief time; sold
to E. N. Morse, who sold to S. O. Robinson, in 1872, present owner. The
situation of these mills is good, and had the water-power been as good, no
mills in town would have done as much business; but in dry times they are
without sufficient water, still they have always done a remunerative business,
and are in repair.
The demand for lumber, soon
caused other saw-mills to be built; one about 1800, by Col. Jacob Davis at the
outlet of what is now known as the Wheelock pond, where an excellent
water-power was easily obtained. Jason Marsh, who seemed to have a penchant
for mill-property, which he transmitted to his descendants, bought this mill
about 1820, and put a run of stone in a part of the saw-mill; running it a few
years, he sold to Gideon Wheelock, who owned it some years, since which it has
passed through several hands; owned since 1874, by H. O. Marsh, who has added a
shop for the manufacture of coffins and caskets, in which he does a small business.
The saw-mill is one of the best in town. Soon after the 2d mill the 3d, by
Peter Wheelock, on the present C. Bliss farm, poor water-power, soon abandoned.
1803, Joel Robinson built a saw-mill at
GRIST MILLS About 1820, Jason Marsh built one at No. 10,
that he run several years; sold to Gideon Wheelock, who run it 10 or 12 years
and sold to John Rich, who run it about as long, when it changed
owners often till 1874, when E. D. Haskell bought,
enlarged, and added machinery for manufacturing woolen goods, and carding wool;
employed about 6 hands; run about 3 years; failed; since it has done but
little. 1817, Col. Curtis built a small grist-mill on Curtis Pond; abandoned as
a mill in about 10 years. 1847, John Robinson built the red shop, machine
shop, etc., grist-mill; the grist-mill part was of small account; the
machine-shop part was run by Nathan Bancroft until 1852; since used as a
general repair shop, etc., for the manufacture of horse-rakes, etc., owned by
L. A. Kent.
WOOL-CARDING: Holbrook & Waters began here first on A.
Haskell's present farm, about 1802 or '3; and continued the business for a few
years. 1820, Jason Marsh put a carding-machine into his gristmill that was in
operation 8 or 10 years. 1827, E. C. and Ira McLoud commenced here and carried
on cloth-dressing at No. 10 till 1844. They charged from $1,000 to $1100 a
year; that shows the looms of our mothers were not idle; they sold to G. J.
Slayton and Joseph Andrews, who continued the business some 10 or 12 years,
adding in time the carding of wool; the building has since been used for making
and repairing carriages; is now occupied by Peter St. Rock. Holbrook &
Waters also manufactured wooden clocks, and cast bells up to 200 pound's weight;
at the same time they carded wool, but their business was small.
DISTILLERIES appeared in 1812, and in a short time
increased to seven, and did an active business for several years, but as the
temperance element developed they gradually went out of existence, and for the
last half century there has not been any liquor distilled in town, and there
probably less liquor drank in this town at present, than in any other town in
the county.
Lemuel Perry manufactured potash, opposite the Christian
church, as early it is believed as 1800, for some 10 years, and then moved just
below the Marsh mills, where he continued the business about 15 years.
Jonas Hall made axes and scythes in a small way for a
number of years, and built a two-story brick house for which he made the brick;
the house is well preserved; owned now by J. P. Laird. Mr. Hall owned and
improved the saw-mill near his place; his manufactures commenced about 1812.
STARCH-MAKING, 1844.—The Kent firm above, in Company with
L. Bancroft, built a starch factory, which they run till 1860, making some
years 80 tons. Soon after Moses Sheldon began to make starch about 2 miles
below the first company, but soon gave up the business.
CARRIAGE-MAKING was begun here in 1840, at No. 10, by Rial
Ainsworth, who made carriages of 40 different kinds in a year. His business is
much smaller now.
SILK CULTURE excited some attention here,
and several parties about 1830, engaged in it. It soon died out. This vicinity,
or those engaged in the business, were not adapted to
that industry; but some silk cloth has been manufactured in
There is one literary society in the town, called the
Calais Circulating Library, formed in 1832, with 33 members; additions have
been made nearly every year; the library numbers now nearly 800 vols. There was
also another library, started at
POST-OFFICE.
BY L. A.
The first post-office was established in town about 1828,
Gideon Wheelock first postmaster, living at the Center, where H. Bancroft now
lives; Jonas Hall was the
172
next P. M.; the office was kept at the brick house where James
Laird now lives, from 1830 to '49, when Ira Kent was made P. M., and the office
moved to Kent's Corners, where it has since remained, except from '65 to '68,
A. Goodnough held the office at his house, where B. Wheeler now lives. B. P.
White was postmaster from '68 to '73, when L. A. Kent succeeded him, and still
holds the appointment. An office was created at
LETTER OF STILLMAN CHURCHILL,
sent to me 23 years ago, inclosing a poetical contribution
from his wife—Ed.:]
Mrs. Churchill was born in
STILLMAN CHURCHILL.
A song for the mountains, the storm-brewing mountains,
Ascending the
heavens, the vaulted expanse;
Their notches and gorges the anthem prolong,
Their
valleys and woodlands enhance.
Then join the high chorus, O, man! 'tis
for thee
That up
from wild nature such pæans arise;
Drink deep of its spirit, pure, fearless and free,
And let
thy glad numbers ascend to the skies.
With thought and with purpose as firm, bold, and strong
As rocks piled to mountains, send upward thy song.
PERSONS
WHO HAVE CELEBRATED THEIR GOLDEN WEDDINGS.
Mr. and Mrs. Howe Wheeler, 72 years; Mr. and Mrs. Salem
Goodenough, 62 years; Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Tucker, 60 years; Mr. and Mrs. Luther
Morse, 59 years; Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wheeler, 59 years; Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer
Cox, 57 years; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Brown, 55 years; Mr. and Mrs. David Fair, 56
years; T. J. Porter, 51; Mr. and Mrs. Asahel Pearce, Mr. and Mrs. Gideon Hicks,
Mr. and Mrs. Israel Dwinell, Mr. and Mrs. Asa Alden, Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Asa
George, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Lamb, Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Pearce, Mr. and Mrs.
Benjamin Gray.
TOWN
OFFICERS.
TREASURERS.—Samuel Fay 95, Peter Wheelock 96 to 98, Abdiel
Bliss 99 to 1801, Oliver Palmer 1802 to 3, Joshua Bliss, 2d, 1804 to 6, 19 to
21, Jedediah Fay 1807 to 9, Samuel Danforth 10, 11, Lemuel Perry 12, 13, 15,
18, Levi Wright 14, Preserved Wright 16, 17, Caleb Curtis 22 to 25, Gideon
Hicks 26 to 47, Nelson A. Chase 48 to 64, Alonzo D. Pearce 65, William White,
66 to 69, Marcus Ide 70 to 75, Jonas G. Ormsbee, June 1875 to Mar. 76, Samuel
O. Robinson 76 to 81.
MODERATORS.—Joshua Bliss 95, 9, 1800, 2, 3, 4, 12, Jonas
Comins 96, 7, Jonathan Eddy 98, Gershom Palmer 1801, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, Caleb
Curtis 5, 6, 13, 15 to 24, Abijah Wheelock 14, Caleb Putnam 25, 6, Shubael
Wheeler 27, Lovel Kelton 28, Pliny Curtis 29, 30, 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 40 to 46,
Nathaniel Eaton 32, 5, 56, Asa George 36, 9, 47, 55, 8 to 64, 6, 7, J. Harvey
Cole 48 to 52, Abdiel Kent 53, 4, Rufus P. Moses 57, Albert Dwinell 65, 9, 70,
1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 80, 81, Benjamin P. White 68, James K. Tobey 73, 5, 9.
CONSTABLES.—Jonas Comins 95 to 97, Caleb Curtis 98, Aaron
Bliss 99, Samuel Fay 1800, Jason Marsh 1801; Joshua Bliss, 2d, 1802, Shubael
Shortt 1803, Abijah Wheelock 4 to 6, Gideon Wheelock 7, 8, Medad Wright 9, J.
R. Densmore 10, 11, Ona Kelton 12, 13, Remember Kent 13, Jedediah Fay 15 to 17,
Nathan Kelton 18 to 22, James Morse 23, 25 to 28, Shubael
Wheeler 24, Perry Marsh 29, 30, Alonzo Pearce 31 to 33,
Ira McLoud 34 to 37, Ira Kent 38, Chas. B. Marsh 39 to 41, Enoch C. McLoud 42
to 46, David B. Fay 47 to 50, Luther Morse 51 to 53, J. V. R. Kent 54, 55, 65,
66, Alonzo D. Pearce 56, 57, 67 to 69, Walter P. Slayton 58 to 63, 70 to 74,
Lee H. Bliss 64, Benjamin P. White, 75 to 81.
COLLECTORS.—Alonzo C. Slayton 68,
Smilie Bancroft 71.
SELECTMEN.—Joshua Bliss 95, 96, 98 to 1804, 12, Edward
Tucker 95, Jonas Comins 95, 97, Asa Wheelock 96, Abijah Wheelock 96, 97, 1812,
Oliver Palmer 97, Jonathan Eddy 98, Shubael Shortt 98 to 1801, Abdiel Bliss 99,
Gersham Palmer 1800 to 4, 7 to 9, Peter Wheelock 2 to 4, Caleb Curtis 5, 6, 15
to 20, Gideon Hicks 5 to 9, 13, 15 to 20, Samuel Danforth 6, Lemuel Perry 7 to
9, 13, 14, 19, 22, Rufus Green 10, 11, Ebenezer Goodenough 10, 11, Levi Wright
10, 11, Gideon Wheelock 12, 21, Isaac Kendall 13, 15, Samuel Fay 14, Jera
Wheelock 14, Jedediah Fay 16, 17, Aaron Lamb 18, Preserved Wright 20, 21, David
G. Sheple 21, Joshua Bliss, 2d, 22, Caleb Putnam 22 to 26, Lovel Kelton 23, 36,
Medad Wright 23, 24, Pardon Janes 24, 25, 27, Welcome Wheelock 25, 26, 37, 38,
Shubael Wheeler 26, 27, Jonas Hall 27, 28, 30, Alonzo Pearce 28 to 30, William
Robinson 28, 29, Oliver Merritt 29, Jesse White 30, 32, 33, 49, 50, Pliny
Curtis 31, 32, Nelson A. Chase 31, 32, 42, 43, 45 to 47, Charles Sibley 31,
Joseph Blanchard 33, 34, 48, Asa Alden 33, 34, 47, 49, 50, Charles Dudley 34,
35, 43, 44, Richard W. Tobey 35, 36, 39, Alonzo Pearce 35, Samuel Rich 36,
Joseph Lance 37, 38, 39, Israel Dwinell 37, 38, John White 39, 40, J. Harvey
Cole 40, 41, 53, 54, Lewis Wood 40, 41, 47, 48, 61, 62, 68, 69, Abdiel Kent 41,
42, 44 to 46, 66, 67, Chester Bugbee 42, 43, 48, 49, 55, 56, 57, 73, Stephen
Pearce 44 to 46, Rufus P. Moses 50, 51, Mason W. Wright 51, 52, Alfred P. Hicks
51, 52, 55, 56, 64, 65, 67, 70, 71, 72, Jonas G. Ormsbee 52, 53, Allen Tobey
53, 54, John V. R. Kent 54, 55, 58, 59, 65, John Morse 56, John Rich 57,
William S. Orcutt 57, 59, 60, 61, 66, 68, 69, Charles B. Marsh 58, Sidney H.
Foster 58, 59, 60, Zephaniah G. Pierce 60, 61, 62, 77, 78, 9, Alonzo M. Foster
62, 63, Ezekiel Kent 63, 64, Ira S. Dwinell 63, William White 64, 68, 69, 74,
75, 78, 79, 80, Albert Dwinell 65, Benjamin P. White 66, 67, 70, 71, 72,
Walter P. Slayton 70 to 74, 77, 80, J. Warren Leonard 73, 75, 76, 80, 81,
Andrew Haskell, 74, Samuel O. Robinson 75, James K. Tobey 76, 81, Lemuel M.
Cate 76, 81, Orson Putnam 77, 78, 9.
LISTERS.—Jedediah Fay 95, 98, 99, 1813, Abijah Wheelock
95, 1805, 11, Aaron Bliss 95, 1805, Samuel Fay 96, 99, 1801, 2, 3, 13, 15, 19,
Jonas Comins 96, 1803, Goddard Wheelock 96, Gersham Palmer 97, 1806, Gideon
Wheelock 97, 1802, 15, 16, Jonathan Tucker 97, 1809, Simon Davis 98, Levi
Wright 98, 1801, 12, 44, 45, Phineas Davis 99, 1801, 5, Joshua Lilley 1800,
Elnathan Hathaway 1800, 2, 3, Peter Wheelock iSoo, Jonathan Eddy1800, Caleb
Curtis 1800, 2, 8, 9, 10, 18, 21, 22, 24, 25, 32, Daniel Carpenter 1801, James
Ginnings 1801, 3, Edward Tucker 1802, Rufus Green 1803, Lemuel Perry 1803, 4,
19, Ebenezer Goodnough 1804, Alpheus Bliss 1804, Remember Kent 6, 7, Noah C.
Clark 6, 7, Oliver Palmer 7, Joshua Bliss 8, 11, Samuel Danforth 8, Isaac
Kendall 9, John R. Densmore 10, 12, 13, 15, Gideon Hicks 10, 11, 14, 16, 17,
18, 20, 23, 27, 32, 33, 37, Aaron Lamb 1812, Ephraim Ladd 14, Joel Robinson 14,
17, 20, 23, 26, Joshua Bliss, 2d, 16, Caleb B. Mitchell 17, Preserved Wright
18, Nathan B. Spaulding 19, Benjamin Page 20, Caleb Putnam 21, Isaac Davis 21,
23, Israel Dwinell 22, 24, Oliver Shipley 22, Lovel Kelton 24, 25, 27, 28, 31,
32, 33, Shubael Wheeler 25, 28, 29, 30, David G. Shipley 26, Lemuel Bliss 26,
Welcome Wheelock 27, 30, Jabez Mower 28, Nelson A. Chase 29, 30, 34, 65, Pliny
Curtis 29. 39, 40, Oliver Mower 31, Pardon Janes 31, Abdiel Kent 33, 34, 37,
42, 43, 47, Nathaniel Eaton 34, 35, 42, 43, 44, 52, Lewis Wood 35, 36, 38, 44,
45, Enoch C. McLoud 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, Charles Sibley 36, Alonzo Pearce 37,
52, John Walbridge 38, 39, Silas Wheelock 40, 56, Charles Dudley 41, 46, 47,
50, 51.
174
Alfred P. Hicks 41, 43, 50, Richard. W. Tobey 41, Joseph Lance 42, Elias Smith 45, 46, 64, 73,
76, Ezekiel Kent 46, 57, 59, 60, 61, 62, 70, 71, J. Harvey Cole 47, 59, 60, J.
W. E. Bliss 48, Charles Stevens 48, 49, John Rich 48, 49, 53, 54, Allen Tobey
49, 50, 51, 52, 55, 66, 74, Joseph W. Pierce 51, 57, 58, J. V. R. Kent 53, Ira
S. Dwinell 53, 54, 55, J. Q. A. Allen 54, Jesse White 55, 56, Levi G. Dwinell
56, William White 57, 59, Loam Hathaway 58, Jacob Eaton 58, Chester Bugbee 60
to 63, 65, 68, 70, 71, J. Warren Leonard 61 to 63, I. Rich Kent 63 to 65,
Lemuel M. Cate 64, 67, Charles French 66, 67, Lewis Bancroft 66, 67, 68, John
Morse 68, Alfred P. Wheelock 69, Walter P. Slayton 69, John Q. Haskell 69,
Charles B. Marsh 70, 71, James K. Tobey 72, 73, Andrew Haskell 72, 75, 76, 81,
Alonzo C. Slayton 72, J. P. Carnes 73, 74, 78, 81, Albert Dwinell 74, 75, 78,
Alpheus S. Bliss 73, 76, 9, Henry C. Wells 77, 81, Jerome N. Bliss 77, 80,
Harry A. Morse 77, 78, 80, Albert C. George 79, Isaac Davis 79, Willard Bugbee
80.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.—Nathaniel Eaton 46, Nelson A.
Chase 46, 7, 50, 6, 7, 60, Lester Warren 46, 9, 51, Henry Slayton 48, Asa
George 52, Silas Wheelock 53, Sidney H. Foster 54, 5, Benjamin P. White 58, 9,
61, 2, Lee H. Bliss 63, 4, J. Henry McLoud 65, 6, 8, Marcus Ide 67, Frank A.
Dwinell 69, M. S. Hathaway 70, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 81, Geo. B. Gray 73, 8, W. W.
Ainsworth 79, 80.
DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.—Samuel Fay 14,
Benjamin Page 22, Thomas Cole 28, Shubael Wheeler 36, Nelson A. Chase 43, 50.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.—Peter Wheelock 95 to 1805, Gersham
Palmer 1800 to 11, Gideon Hicks 8 to 49, Lemuel Perry 8 to 18, 22, 30 to 38,
Samuel Fay 14, Gideon Wheelock 17 to 30, Nathan Kelton 18, Caleb Curtis 18, 20
to 35, Isaac Davis 21, 2, Lovell Kelton 22, 24 to 37, Nathaniel Eaton 30 to 49,
51, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 60, 63, Medad Wright 31 to 34, Oliver Mower 31 to 36,
Shubael Wheeler 31 to 49, Jacob Tewksbury 33, 4, 7, 8, 9, 40, Pliny Curtis 33,
34, 39 to 45, Nelson A. Chase 33, 34, 41 to 55, Asa George 33 to 49, 78, 9, Jabez
Mower 33, 34, 37 to 49, Jos. Hatch 34, Wm. Robinson 35 to 39, Jedediah Fay 36,
Shubael Shortt 36, Abijah Wheelock 36, Jason Marsh 36, Alonzo Pearce 37 to 53,
55, 56, 58 to 60, 62 to 75, H. W. W. Miller 38, E. C. McLoud 38 to 49, Abdiel
Kent 38 to 54, 62, Luther Morse 38 to 50, Joseph Lance 38 to 44, Richard W.
Tobey 40 to 47, Herman Bliss 40, J. Harvey Cole 42, 46 to 49, 54, 57, Joshua M.
Dana 42, Welcome Wheelock 42 to 49, Charles Dudley 42 to 49, Lewis Wood 46 to
49, 55 to 57, 61, Joseph Blanchard 46 to 49, Alfred P. Hicks 47 to 50, 53, 4,
8, 9, 60, David B. Fay 48, 9, Bennett Palmer 48, 9, Rufus P. Moses 49 to 57,
Jonas Hall 49, A. S. Nelson 49, John Morse 49, 62 to 67, Tilnus Hathaway 49, 52
to 61, Jonas G. Ormsbee 49, Ira S. Dwinell 49, 76, 77, 80, 81, James S. Gray
49, Lemuel Perry Jr., 49, John Rich 50 to 54, F. A. Hathaway 51, H. K. Slayton
55 to 62, Charles B. Marsh 56, 7, Sidney H. Foster 56, 72, 3, J. V. R. Kent 57
to 69, 76, 7, Charles S. Bennett 58 to 60, 62 to 73, Chester Bugbee 61, William
White 61, 2, Lee H. Bliss 62, Alonzo M. Foster 63 to 65, J. Warren Leonard 63
to 69, George J. Slayton 64, 5, Walter P. Slayton 66 to 77, 80, 81, Edwin D.
Haskell 66, 67, 69 to 71, S. S. Macomber 68 to 77, Otis Slayton 68, Benjamin P.
White 70 to 73, Elias Smith 70, 71, 78, 9, Benjamin Wheeler 72, 3, S. O. Robinson
74, 5, James K. Tobey 74, 75, 78, 9, Orson Putnam 74 to 77, 80, 81, M. S.
Hathaway 74, 75, 78, 9, Shubael B. Fair 76, 7, 80, 81, Henry C. Wells 76, 7, J.
P. Carnes 78, 9, Alpheus S. Bliss, 78, 9, Herman O. Marsh 78, 9, W. W. Ainsworth
80, 81, Harry A. Morse 80, 81, Chas. French 80, 81.
REPRESENTATIVES.—Peter Wheelock 95 to 99, Abdiel Miss
1800, 1, Joshua Bliss 2, Gersham Palmer 3, 5 to 10, Lemuel Perry 4, Gideon
Wheelock 12, 13, 17, 21, Sam'l Fay 14, Benjamin Page 15, 16, 22, Caleb Curtis
18 to 20, Lovel Kelton 23 to 25, 27, David G. Shipley 26, Pardon Janes 28 to
31, Shubael Wheeler 33, 34, 47, Pliny
Curtis 35, 36, Joseph Lance 37, 38, Alonzo Pearce 39, 40,
Abdiel Kent 41, 42, Chas. Dudley 43, 44, Nelson A. Chase 45, 46, Enoch C. McLoud
48, 49, David B. Fay 50, Rufus P. Moses 51, 52, Ebenezer S. Demming 53, Asa
George, 54, 55, Lester Warren 56, 57, Hiram K. Slayton 58, 59, Albert Dwinell
60, 61, John V. R. Kent, 62, 63, Alonzo M. Foster 64, 65, Sidney H. Foster 66,
67, Ira A. Morse 68, 69, Walter P. Slayton 72, 73, James K. Tobey 74, 75,
Erasmus L. Burnap 76, 77, Benjamin P. White 78, 79, J. Warren Leonard 80, 81,
STATE SENATORS.—Nathaniel Eaton 40, 41, Albert Dwinell 78,
79, 80, 81.
ASSISTANT JUDGES OF
JUDGE OF PROBATE.—Gersham Palmer 10,
Nelson A. Chase 68, 69.
SHERIFF.—Alonzo D. Pearce 70.
CLERK OF
GRAND
LIST.
The list for the year 1795 was £501, 10s;
1796. £788 10s. The first general list
under the act of
For valuations, etc., upon which these and the following
list are based, see summary of list for 1812.
GRAND
LIST OF 1801.
The first complete list now on file. The date next the name signifies the year of settlement,
or near as can be ascertained:
a. signifies acre or
acres of improved land;
b. and figures
following, appraisal of the buildings; cash figures alone, the whole amount of
list:
1800, 1 a., $28.25, Sabin, 1797, 4 a., $3.50 Alvord, Isaac
1801, $26.50, Stephen, 1797, 6 a., $57; Bliss, Aaron 1795, 6 a., b. $250, $62,
Abdiel, 1798, 30 a., b. $400, $148.50, Alpheus, 1799, 1800, b. $300, $72.50,
Caleb, 1800, $58, David, 1797, 7 a., b. $150, $88.25, Frederick, 1795, 10 a.,
$90.50, Joshua, 1795, 15 a., $115.75; Joshua 2d., 1798, 17 a., $124.75, Noah,
1798, 4 a., $70; Beckwith, Joshua 1800, $40; Carpenter, Daniel 1800, b. $300,
$59; Clark, Noah L. 1797, 5 a., b. $100, $63.75; Comings, Jonas 1795, 5 a., b.
$200, $65.75; Curtis, Caleb 1798, 3 a., b. $250, $76.75; Daggett, David 1778,
$26.50; Danforth, Samuel 1800, $40; Davis, Silas I801, $20, Simeon, 1795, 8 a.,
$54, Phineas, 1797, 8 a., b. $250, $73.50; Dickenson, John 1798, $20; Doane,
Elisha 1797, $33; Eddy, Edmund 1800, b. $100. $27, Jonathan, 1797, $31.50;
Emerson, John 1797, 3 a., $63.25; Fay, Jedediah 1795, 5 a., $65.25, Samuel,
1795, 6 a. $79.59; Ginnings, Amos 1795, 7 a., $83.75, James, 1795, 5 a.,
$75.25; Goodell, David 1795, 4 a., $53.25; Goodenough, Ebenezer 1797, 9 a.,
$116.75; Green, Rufus 1797, 1 a., $49.75; Haskell, Moses 1795, 2 a., $56.50;
Hathaway, Asa 1800, 10 a., $37.50, Elnathan, 1796, 5 a., $75.25, Silas, 1797,
5 a., b. $150, $43.25, Thomas, 1797, 2 a., $55; Hicks, Gideon, 1800, 3 a.,
$38.75, John, 1801, $26.50; Howland, Polly, widow of Abraham, 1795, 3 a., $11.75;
Janes, Solomon 1796, 6 a„ $48.50; Kendall, Isaac 1798 or 1800, 5 a., $86.75;
Kent, Remember, 1798, 8 a., $60; Kinney, Stephen 1801, $26.50; Lamb, Aaron
1789, b. $125, $55.50, Jacob, 1801, $33.40; Lebaron, Francis 1795, 2 a., $30;
Lilley, Joshua 1797, 10 a., $145.50; Merritt, Job 1800, $53, Nehemiah, 1800, b.
$150, $29.50, Oliver, 1801, $20; Marsh, Jason 1800, $38.50; Mitchel, Caleb B.
1798, 10 a., $40; Nichols, Ezra 1801, $20; Ormsbee, Nathaniel 1800, $20;
Palmer, Gershom, 1797, 6 a,, $103, Oliver, 1796, 10 a., $97; Pearce, Asahel
1795, 6 a., $81.50, Backus, 1795, 4 a., $75.50, Noah, 1795, $51.50, Stephen,
1801, $20; Perry, Lemuel 1800, $57.50; Pope, Winslow 1797, $26.50; Rich, Samuel
10 a., $17.50; Robinson, Joel 1794,
Wm. Abbott, 1799 or 1800, $20; Ainsworth, Moses 1797,
$6.50; Reuben, 1799,
176
5 a., $61.75; Shortt, Shubael, 1795, 10 a., $95.50;
Slayton, Jesse 1796, 5 a., $68.25, Simeon, 1795, 4 a., b. $100, $60; Steward,
Ethel 1797, $26.50; Thayer, David 1798, $36.50, David, Jr., 1798, $20; Tisdale,
Seth 1801, 4 a., $7; Tobey, Zoath 1799, $53; Tucker, Amasa 1797, 6 a., $73.50,
David, 1800, $20, Edward, 1795, 25 a., b. $340, $153.25, Jonathan, 1797, 10 a.,
$150, $102; Wheelock, Abijah 1795, 10 a., $98.50, Asa, 1795, 9 a., $65.25;
Gideon, 1797, 6 a., b. $400, $78, Goddard, 1795, 9 a., $103.75, Jennison, 1795,
8 a., $93.50, Peter, Esq., 1795, $76.50, Salem, 1797, $38; White, Elijah 1797,
3 a., $61.75, Samuel, 1797, 3 a., $64.75; Wilber, Holden, 1795, 18 a., $104;
Willis, Edmund 1797, $6.50; Wright, Levi 1797, 8 a., $60.50, Preserved, 1800, 7
a., $53.75; Young, Duncan 1796, 4 a., $53.50.
Names on previous lists not on list of 1801: Lyman
Daggett, Salmon Davis, John Crane, Stephen Fay, David Fuller, Bemis Hamilton,
James Sprague, Leonard Wheelock.
New names appear in the list from year to year, 1802, Amasa,
Parley,
The lists for 1810 and '11 are not preserved. 1812, Smith
Ainsworth, George and Ira Brown, Isaac Corey, Jabez Carver, John Cate, John
Chapman, Salvin D. Collins, Israel Dwinell, Gload Dugar, Nathaniel Davis,
Jonathan Eaton, Luther Farnum, Luke Fletcher, Benjamin Gray, Simeon Guernsey,
Seth Gary, Salathiel Hammond, George Holbrook. Ona Kelton, William LeBarron,
William LeBarron, Jr., Andrew Nealey, Beniah Shortt, Henry Stone, David G.
Shipley.
GRAND
LIST RECORD FOR 1812.
From 1801 there was a steady increase in valuation 80
polls at $20, $1600; 1679 acres of improved land at $1.75, 2938; houses
assessed in the whole at $182; 112 oxen at $10, $1120; 405 cows and other
cattle of 3-years old at $6.50, 2632.50; 178 cattle of 2-years old at $5, $890;
101 horses of 3-years old, and upwards, at $13.50, $1363.50; 10 of 2-years old
at $6.50, $65; 16 of 1-year old at $3.50, $56; 7 house clocks at $10, $70; 3
gold watches at $10, $30; 12 common do. at $5, $60; 2750 dollars of money on
hand and debts due, at 6 per cent., $165; 1 practitioner assessed at $25;
mechanics and owners of mills and machines assessed in the whole at $143;
total, $11340. Deduct for 5 minors subject to military duty and equipped by
parents at $20, $100; deduct 54 militia polls at $20, $1080; deduct 5 horses of
cavalry at $13.50, $67.50; leaving list for State taxes, $10092.50
At that time the law required that all
Calais. 177
dwellings, stores and shops (log-houses excepted) should be
assessed at two per cent. of their value, if in the
judgment of the listers their value did not exceed $1000. And
if valued at more than $1000, at three per cent. The law also specified
how personal property should be set in the list, as above. Wooden clocks were
not taxed. Attorneys, physicians, merchants, mechanics, etc., were assessed in
proportion to their gains.
1820: 86 polls at $20, $1720; 1990 acres of improved land
at .08 of appraised value, $1366.42; 103 houses and lots at .04 appraised
value, $247.06; 9 mills, stores, etc., at .o6 appraised value, $48.60; 140 oxen
at $10, $1400; 429 cows and three-year olds at $6, $2574; 169 cattle, two-year
olds at $5, $845; 132 horses, three years old and upwards, at $14, $1848; 26
two-years old at $7, $182; 22 one-year old at $4, $88; 1 stallion at $50, $50;
5 brass clocks at $10, $50; 1 gold watch at $10, $10; 20 common do. at $5, $100; $1100 money at .06, $66; total, $11295.08; 34
militia polls and 9 cavalry horses were exempt from State taxes.
1830: 252 polls at $10, $2520; 3690 acres of land at .06,
$1558.60; 541 houses and lots at .04, $1401.40; 14 mills, stores, etc., at .06,
$62.40; 281 oxen at $2, $562; 712 cows and other cattle of three years old, at
$1.25, $890; 254 cattle of two years old at .75 each, $190.50; 25 horses and
mules, three years old, appraised at less than $25, at $1, $25; 180 over $25
and less than $75, at $3, $540; 6 at $75, at .06, $36; 43 two years, at $2,
$86; 33 one year, at $1.25, $41.25; 2797 sheep at .10 each, $279.70; 7
carriages at .06 of appraised value, $6.30; 8 brass clocks at $3, $24; 20
watches at $1, $20; $3350 money on hand, etc., at .06, $201; $90 bank stock at
.03, $2.70; 2 practitioners of medicine assessed, $35; 1 merchant and trader,
do., $30; total, $8511.85; 148 militia polls and 6 cavalry horses, exempt.
In 1840, the list amounted to $10373.54. Later lists were
assessed nearly as at present, and are as follows:
Polls. Real. Personal. Gd.
List.
1850 266 $281,774 $32,023 $3,675
1870 312 304,473 46,547 4,134
1870 340 374,573 71,936 4,848
1878 326 296,652 67,807 4,269
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