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very largely attended, gave a very compre­hensive, appropriate and impressive review of Mr. Brown's life and character, earnestly recommending to the church of which he was a member, and to all who knew him, to follow the example of his consecrated life.

                                                                              R. H. H.

 

Mr. Brown was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and had taken the several degrees up to and including the Knights Templar. He was a member of Aurora Lodge, No. 22, from the records of which we take the following:

 

——————————————————

IN MEMORIAM.

 

BRO. ELISHA BROWN,

 

Born in Gloucester, R. I., May 14, 1802,

Died at Montpelier, Vt., February 11th, 1881;

Aged 78 years and 9 months.

Took his degrees in Aurora Lodge, No. 22, as follows:

Initiated Feb. 8th, 1869.

Passed Feb. 15th, 1869.

Raised Feb. 22d, 1869.

Chaplain of Aurora Lodge, No. 22,

From December 13, 1869, to April 15, 1878.

 

"Summoned from labor to refreshment."

——————————————————

 

MAJ. A. L. CARLTON.

 

Alfred Lathrop Carlton was born in Morristown, Lamoille County, in 1829. His father, Benjamin Franklin, and mother, Betsey Lathrop, a cousin of Daniel Web­ster, were married in Waterbury in 1826. Mr. Carlton was the eldest of four sons, of whom but one survives. His mother is still living, being 84 years of age. He ob­tained an excellent education, and was for some years a teacher. In 1854, he married Margaret, eldest daughter of Hon. Clark Fisk, of Eden, and removed to Montpelier, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he steadily and successfully followed until the day of his death, with the exception of a few years' absence in obeying the call of his country.

In the summer of 1862, Mr. Carlton en­listed in the Eleventh Regiment, in camp at Brattleboro, and was soon commissioned by Gov. Holbrook as quartermaster of the regiment. This regiment, it will be remembered, was for some time employed in the defenses of Washington. While thus engaged, Lieut. Carlton was promoted to the responsible position of commissary of subsistence, with the rank of captain. Exceedingly capable and faithful as an officer, his field of duty was rapidly en­larged, until the immense work of furnish­ing supplies and cattle to the Army of the Potomac fell upon his shoulders.

In a single trip to Western Pennsylvania, for the purchase of cattle, he took out half a million of dollars, and drew on govern­ment for another half million. To dis­charge promptly and efficiently the duties of his position, he required the assistance of from one hundred to two hundred faith­ful men, and often a detailed escort of as many more in taking herds to the front, and yet, so well organized was his depart­ment, so systematically conducted, and so well kept constantly in hand, that he might defy even the exigencies of war to find his account in an unsettled or unsat­isfactory condition. Indeed, so enviable was his reputation as an officer, that when Senator Collamer, through whose kindness he received his promotion, inquired at the headquarters in Washington after the standing of his appointee, the reply was, "He is a model officer. His capacity, integrity, efficiency and invariable habit of closing up his affairs every day, are worthy of all praise." Mr. Carlton was also de­tailed for similar service in New York city, and at some southern points, being retained in service nearly a year after the general mustering out took place. Many were the bribes he refused during these years, saying, "I rather go home with a clear conscience." He was twice very dangerously ill; once with his regiment, and again at Aquia Creek. As an attesta­tion of his honorable record as an officer, he was made Major by brevet before leav­ing the service, and that without any agency or knowledge on his part.

Like hundreds of thousands of his asso­ciates, Mr. Carlton returned from the field of strife to assume the avocations and re­sponsibilities of a good citizen. Soon after his return, he made a public profession of his faith in Christ, which he had long cherished, and united with Bethany

 

 

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church. From that time he was an active and influential member, holding various positions of honor and trust in both the church and society, and particularly in the Sabbath-school. He was a man of deep convictions and strong prejudices, and he would far sooner endure a sharp contro­versy than yield a point which he believed to be right. His natural frankness and freedom of speech was augmented by an instructive and overwhelming detestation of hypocrisy and duplicity. He was an earnest worker in temperance and all moral reforms. The same qualities which con­stituted his superiority as an officer in the army, marked his discharge of the various official trusts committed to him both in the church and community. Capacity, in­tegrity, system and promptness in under­taking and completing a given duty, were his prominent traits. He was a strong power for good in the community in which he lived. He died in Montpelier, May 29, 1874.

 

ROBERT HARVEY WHITTIER

 

was the son of John Whittier and Sally Edgerton, of Cabot, was born in that town June 16, 1822, and died at Montpelier Feb. 13, 1879. At the age of 21 years he came to Montpelier, under the friendly agency of the late Schuyler Phelps, Esq., of Berlin, and entered the service of the late William S. Smith, who for many years conducted a meat market in this village. After spending three or four years in this position, he went for a brief period to Bos­ton, and then returned to Vermont and opened a meat market in St. Johnsbury.

After the expiration of about a year, and upon the death of Mr. Phelps, the friend and patron of his youth, Mr. Whittier was married to his daughter, Susan C., and to moved to the Phelps homestead, in Berlin, where he remained for seven or eight years. In 1858, he came to Montpelier and bought out the old and popular meat market of the late William B. Hubbard, "on the corner," which business he successfully and honorably conducted until the day of his death. The character of his business was such as to bring him a very extended acquaintance, and his proverbially genial nature and buoyant spirits made friends of all who knew him—insomuch that the business men of the town are few who were so extensively known or whose death would be so seriously felt. In the death of Mr. Whittier the community has lost a public spirited citizen, whose shoulders were always ready for his share of the bur­dens; the poor a generous friend, the ex­tent of whose quiet charities will never be revealed in time; the church of his choice a habitual attendant, and appreciative lis­tener and a ready and cheerful supporter; his family the kindest of husbands and fathers. Mr. Whittier leaves a widow and son, who share the heartiest sympathy of the entire community. The funeral was observed on Saturday, Rev. Mr. Hincks, of Bethany church, officiating. A large concourse of people were in attendance, as were the Masonic fraternity in a body.

—Watchman.

 

THE DODGE FAMILY.

 

In 1811 two brothers, Jared and Thomas Dodge, who were born in New Hamp­shire, came from Barre to this town. Jared, the eldest of the two, early became a member of the Congregational church, and was a devoted member until his death. He married Naomi Olcutt, of Keene, N. H., and reared a family of 6 sons and 3 daughters, another daughter dying in infancy. Mary, the eldest, mar­ried for her first husband a Mr. Wallace, and for her second, William Storrs, for many years a merchant in town, who died in March, 1870. She was a Spartan mother, for she gave her two only sons to the late war, who were both sacrificed upon the altar of their country. (See the town military record.) Of the other daughters, Angelina and Abigail died when in their teens. Almira married, and is yet living. Of the sons, Theodore A., the eldest, was a very eccentric man. When the rebellion broke out, he offered his services to his country, but for age and disability was re­jected. We give an extract from one of his poetic effusions, to the tune, "Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled":

 

 

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THE VERMONT VOLUNTEER.

 

Who for Freedom's cause and law,

Freedom's sword of Justice draw,

For the hope that sages saw,

      "Let him follow me."

 

By the blood our fathers shed,

Reeking in a gory bed,

By the great Immortal dead,

      On to victory!

 

Be this Freedom's call to earth,

Mindless of whate'er their birth,

Let all people shout it forth,

      Rouse the world to arms!

 

Here hath Freedom's sun arose,

On the hearth-stone 'mid its foes,

Flashing bright on ceaseless blows,

      Conflict and alarms.

 

Blades are crossed and red with gore,

Let us rise as those of yore,

From the mountain and the shore,

      And relight their brands.

 

Heroes sleeping 'neath the sod,

Shall time waken unto God,

When 'tis only His the rod,

      Then shall right abide,

 

He died in 1879, aged 65. Eleazer went to California at an early day, where he yet resides. Gilman B. has been for many years janitor of Bethany church.

Richard S. is the veteran of two wars. (See town military record of Mexican War and Rebellion.) At the battle of Chepultepec, Mexico, he was complimented by his officers for bravery in the storming of the fort. He was the first man to scale the walls, and when handing down the enemy's flag, received a bayonet wound in the face, which scar he carries to this day, as he does also several others received in action. When a boy he was dubbed with the title of "Shack," which he is familiarly known by to this day. To give all of the narrow escapes which he has passed through would fill a volume. He was never "dared" but what he made the "attempt," regard­less of the result. The other two, Wm. and Joel, also reside in town. Jared died Mar. 1, 1859, in his 82d year, and his wife in Aug. 1877, in her 92d year.

Thomas married twice; had 4 children by his first marriage—1 son and 3 daugh­ters,—Job Dodge, the son, died a year since, in Illinois, leaving a large estate;— his second wife was Abby S. (Cady) Grant, by whom he had two daughters. He was for several years a partner with Silas C. French, in the boot and shoe business. He died March 31, 1867, aged 78. His wife is now living, at the age of 79. He is credited as being the author of the quota­tion of "A long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether." We are informed that the late U. S. Senator Jacob Collamer being informed of this, asked him for his picture, which upon receiving, had a portrait painted from it, and placed it in the Na­tional Art Gallery at Washington, D. C.

 

GEORGE LANGDON,

 

fourth son of Col. James H. Langdon, was born in Montpelier in 1815, and died there Nov. 10, 1870, aged 55 years. Educated in the schools of Montpelier, and having received a handsome patrimony, he early in life married Miss Sarah Sumner, oldest daughter of Senator William Upham. Mrs. Langdon inherited the remarkable graces of her mother, and from the moment Mr. and Mrs. Langdon established themselves in a home, their gracious hospitality at once attracted the best society, not only of Montpelier but of the State, and from other States. Mrs. Langdon had the advantage of experiences in the best society in the national capital, and thus with her qualities was admirably fitted to shine socially. But it was not in polite society alone that Mr. Langdon was distinguished. He had a genial and generous heart, and knew the blessedness of giving to the poor. The late Rev. Dr. Lord wrote of him as follows:

 

There are few of the prominent public men of Vermont who will not recall his genial presence and his modest and gener­ous courtesy and kindness. Placed by inherited wealth above the necessity of toil, and beyond anxiety, he has made the pleasant amenities and courtesies and hos­pitalities of life his business. He was as kind to the poor as he was hospitable to his own class associates. We have known him to drive in a cold, stormy day in win­ter, six miles, to carry to a desolate and aged widow, whose situation accidentally became known to him, a load of provisions suited to her necessities. His heart was ever overflowing with neighborly kindness, and his hand ever quick to assist in any of the troubles of those around him. Few men will be more missed from our social life.

 

 

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The tidings of his death will carry sor­row to many hearts, and few who knew him will not give the tribute of a warm and honest tear to his memory. The places that knew him will miss his accus­tomed face, and will mourn for one of their most gentle and welcome visitants, and his many friends and associates will never for­get that presence, now made sacred by death, which always brought with it a most agreeable and genial atmosphere.

 

MRS. JAMES R. LANGDON.

 

[A brief of her funeral sermon by Dr. Lord, as the sweetest description that could be given, from this the sweetest of his printed sermons. We regret we have not space for the beautiful discourse entire.—ED.]

 

"She hath done what she could."—Mark 14:3. It is a beautiful tribute to an af­fectionate woman. It was the simple ac­ceptance by the Son of God of a humble and fragrant nature which had bloomed out in hearty love for her Divine Lord.   .   .   .   In this memorial service for one who has been the companion of "honorable women not a few in this church and community, I may with propriety select these blessed words of our Saviour as most accurately descriptive of her character and work in life. I love not to lose from my sight the faces of my dear friends and parishioners. I love not to bid farewell to those endeared to me by a long and gentle ministration of kindness and help; but if I must,   .   .   .   it is with delight I may think and speak of them in such words as were consecrated by our Saviour to be the perpetual memorial   .   .   of those noble women who, how­ever reserved and quiet and domestic,   .   .   have yet in their place   .   .   .   earned for themselves, by their sweet and patient de­votion, the generous applause of the Son of God: "they have done what they could."   .   .   .   What is the work of women in this world as servants of the blessed Jesus? Have they influence peculiarly their own?   .   .   .   If they are unfaithful is any one else able to take their place, and make our societies, our homes, our churches more and more like Heaven?   .   .   .   When I look upon such pure, gentle, unostentatious women as Mrs. Langdon was; upon those beautiful, honorable Christian women, not a few, who have lived among us,   .   .   .   I cannot doubt how such questions will have their answer. Such women as have lived in this village as Christian mothers, wives and sisters,   .   .   .   whose names are embalmed with the spices of their own modesty and purity and love, with the fragrance of their own faith and charities, give us some idea of the saintly work which Christ has given to women to do in this world, and of their surprising fitness to do it; both to soften its asperities, to subdue its roughest and worst characters, and to carry the self-sacrificing ministry of the Son of Man into all of our human abodes.   .   .   .   I love to think that our Saviour places the seal of his benison   .   .   on the qualities of spiritual sincerity and gentleness; on the possible graces of a quiet Christian life; on the offerings of self-denying love. She hath done what she could. She hath adorned her station with the precious graces of tenderness and love. This is the central and most decisive test of the excellence of all character, especially of those whose lives seem, but seem only, to be confined to a nar­rower sphere than pertains to manly life, secluded within the walls of domestic care and duty and love.   .   .   .   We all know how great loveliness and sweetness there are in personal offices of love. We are familiar with the   .   .   .   supremacy of personal relationship and bonds. The per­sonality of affection just suits itself to our natural wants. A religion that did not provide for the exercise of the domestic and personal offices of love would lack hold on our human sympathies, and Christ has blessed the sex with which his incar­nated human life was alone positively affiliated and related, by bestowing a peculiar honor upon the quiet duties of personal love.   .  .   .   The kindness which watches over our earliest steps, the voice which di­rects our first prayers and songs, the love which surrounds home with the charms of a regained Paradise, and fills the air of the household with the scent of violets and lilies, and with the perfume of personal service to the sick, the dying and the dead; these are the qualities and offices that meet the full benediction of Christ's word.

Our Saviour had a very blessed personal relation with many noble women when he was here. His personal influence on the womanly hearts around him can he clearly traced as His work went on. She whom all the generations will call blessed, who is the only human medium of the assumption of our nature by the Infinite God, gave Him his first caress and received his last words of human love. What a wonderful relation! In which her heart glowed with incomparable love, adding the sacredness of a religious feeling to the wealth of a mother's affection; in which his heart beat with an unwonted pulse, adding the ten­derness of human dependence, gratitude and trust, to the sentiments of celestial pity and love. Sacred type of all blessed

 

 

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maternal and filial love; which is ever di­vested of all the usual qualities of human passion and selfishness, and blends every­thing that is best and purest in the human with everything that is sweetest and holiest in the Divine. What her happiness must have been in the more than thirty years in which she had Him to herself as a deep wellspring of delight, watching over Him, waiting on Him, beholding His glory and believing that glad, prophetic hymn which her own lips had sung before He was born, as to "how her soul rejoiced in God her Saviour." And what a happiness there must have been in his long troubled heart for her sake, we have some glimpses in the words which broke from his dying lips to the dearest disciple and the legacy He gives to the beloved John, "Son, behold thy mother." The domestic life of Christ is veiled, but if that veil were lifted, doubt­less we should see how much his pure heart was strengthened by a ministry more sympathetic than that of the angels, how much a woman's hand soothed his spirit, and a mother's love solaced and helped his sorrows. We should see some of the blessed interchanges between the human mother and the Divine Son.

But not from her alone did He have the ministry of personal kindness. A few devoted, grateful women waited upon Him all through his journeys. They gave him their enthusiastic sympathy in his work until the close of his life, and when He finished his suffering career on the cross, "Many women were there beholding and ministering unto Him."   .   .   .   Blessed were those daughters of Jerusalem,   .   .   .   who bewailed their King as he trod the wine-press alone. But did these women alone have the honor? The service of Christ was not their monopoly. They were the first fruits; they were examples   .   .   .   not to be envied; but to be imi­tated, by all their sisters who desire to know the unspeakable joy of Christian ser­vice, and they have been imitated. Faith works by love,   .   .   .   and its power has not failed since "Holy women,"   .   .   in all the relations of life, in the lowly offices of Christian ministration, have filled the houses which they adorned as wives, mothers and sisters, with the outpoured fragrance of the graces of Christ,   .     .   .   and refreshed the hearts that trusted in them. Many sons have crowned their heads with blessings. Their husbands have praised them in the gates of the city. They have made the deserts of this rough and arid life green as the land of Elim, and woven their precious golden, threads through the whole fabric of society till it has brightened with the warmest and deepest colors. Eternity alone can measure the influence of a virtuous woman; a true-hearted daughter; a loving sister; a faith­ful wife; a devoted mother. Her price is above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts in her. She stretcheth her hand to the poor    .   .   .   .

I need not say the memories I cherish of Mrs. Langdon have colored and im­pressed all these thoughts which I have spoken to-day. . . . She was a Chris­tian wife and mother, who consecrated her life to her holy domestic mission. . . . She made her home fragrant with the per­fume of piety and love  The thanks of the poor she has blessed; the tributes of the sick she has visited; the sweetness of the charities she has bestowed throng to make the fading light of her evening tranquil and beautiful.

Mrs. Langdon has resided here 38 years. She was the daughter of Mr. Charles Bowen, of Middlebury, whose life has not been unknown to us, and who, at his great age, remains to mourn over his daughter, and to look for the welcome she will give him to his long looked for home. She was married Dec. 22, 1836. Not long after, she united with the church whose welfare she has never for a moment for­gotten. . . . To those who die in the Lord, death is only the gate; its iron side turned toward us, its golden side turned the other way.

W. H. L.

Mrs. Langdon was Lucy Pomeroy Bowen, born Sept. 29, 1814, at Northfield, Mass., and died Aug. 1, 1873. Her children were: Lucy Robbins, born Apr. 10, 1841; Har­riet Frances, February 2, 1845; Elizabeth Whitcomb, Apr. 6, 1847; James Henry, Apr. 9, 1851.

 

THE GEORGE W. BAILEY FAMILY.

 

I think no couple have ever contributed to Montpelier more stalwart, energetic, suc­cessful and popular men than did the late Hon. Geo. W. Bailey and his wife, a sis­ter of Hon. Abel K. Warren of Berlin. They were both natives of Berlin, but spent most of their active life in Elmore, where their children were born, but, until the senior Bailey's death, resided in Mid­dlesex, on the border of Montpelier.

GEORGE W. BAILEY, JR., was the first to depart, in early manhood. He had adopted the law as his profession, was Secretary of State for four years, which at­tested his fidelity in that office, married Georgiana, daughter of the late Col. Thom‑

 

 

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as Reed, but was soon stricken down by consumption, dying in Montpelier, July 13, 1864.

CHARLES W. BAILEY was one of the firm of Bailey Brothers, active and shrewd business men of Montpelier, engaged main­ly in furnishing horses, cattle and sheep to Boston markets, where his attendance was regular, and by his fine personal presence and bluff but genial manners he was a fa­vorite. While attending personally to the care of sheep on a freight train at Essex Junction, he was instantly killed, Sept. 23, 1876. More than a thousand people honored him, when his remains were brought to Montpelier to be borne to his home. Mr. Bailey left a widow, two sons and a daughter. His age was 45.

J. WARREN BAILEY, the oldest of the brothers, was also a member of the firm for several years, and was also largely em­ployed in civil offices in the town, in which, as in his own business, he was very efficient. He died of a brief illness, April 21, 1880, aged 56. He left a widow and two daughters.

 

The Boston Journal said:

 

He was a brother of T. O. Bailey of the Pavilion, a member of the firm of Bailey, Bullock & Co., commission merchants, Chicago, and of V. W. Bullock & Co., Burlington, Iowa, grain dealers. Mr. Bailey was in the grain business at Montpelier, a Director in the savings bank, and has held several town offices. He was universally liked and was very liberal in the use of his large property. He was the eldest of six brothers, three of whom now survive him, and was widely known.

 

The Watchman State Journal said:

 

Born in Elmore May 1, 1824, he was near the completion of his 56th year. About 25 years ago he came to Montpelier, and engaged with John Peck in a general produce business in the store west of the "arch." The following year Mr. Peck withdrew, and the firm of Bailey Brothers was formed by the admission of Charles Bailey,—a partnership that was destined to achieve a widespread reputation for the extent and fearlessness of its operations and the combination of business acumen and high sense of commercial honor it displayed. In 1846, the brothers gave up the store and confined their operations to a general live-stock business. At the dissolution of the partnership in 1872, each continued to employ in distinct operations the comfortable fortunes their united ef­forts had secured. Five years ago Mr. Bailey engaged with V .W. Bullock, Esq., in the grain business at Burlington, Iowa, and about a year ago his operations in that direction led to the formation of the firm of Bailey, Bullock & Co., in Chicago, his brother, E. W. Bailey, Esq., of Montpe­lier, moving to Chicago to assume the act­ive management of the business of this company. In 1855, Mr. Bailey was mar­ried to Miss Harriet Guyer of Wolcott, who survives him with the daughters, Misses Ella and Clara. The funeral was largely attended on Saturday, the citizens, repre­senting every class of the community, forming an honorary escort to the cemetery. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. H. Hincks, assisted by Rev. N. Fellows of Trinity church. Among the mourning relatives was the venerable mother of the deceased, now verging on four score years, who has survived to follow to the grave the three eldest of her six sons, each dying under peculiarly afflicting circumstances. Mr. Bailey was distin­guished for the native keenness and precision of his judgment in business transactions. It was eminently speculative, but tempered with an element of caution, that taught him to shun hazardous ventures. In this community and among his former associates his bluff ways and ready humor will be greatly missed; and his name will long survive in local anecdotes, illustrating his readiness at repartee and power of pun­gent expression. In the loss of their nat­ural guardian and protector, the widow and daughters will have the unfeigned sympa­thy of this community, which will also ex­tend to the aged mother, and to the surviving sister and brothers the assurance of its participation in their sorrow.

 

A fact but little known is that Warren and Charles Bailey furnished the United States with horses for a regiment in the war for the Union. It was a gift worthy of millionaires, but they were not that, though wealthy, patriotic and generous.

Both Warren and Charles also very large­ly aided their brother,

 

THERON O. BAILEY, in constructing and furnishing the Pavilion, which has won rank among the very best hotels in New England, has made himself thereby widely famous.

The other brothers are Doct. James, residing in Ticonderoga, N. Y., and Edward, who while retaining his business

 

 

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interests in Montpelier, is largely engaged in the western states. A sister and the aged mother still reside in Elmore.

E.P.W.

 

CHARLES GAMAGE EASTMAN,

 

born at Fryeburgh, Me., was brought to Barnard, the home of his father, at an early age, where amid the rural scenes of a town beautiful in mountain scenery, his early years were mostly passed.

"His mother, Rebecca Gamage of Fryeburgh, was a woman beautiful in mind, person and affections," in all which the son strongly resembled his mother.

Born to dependence, chiefly upon his own resources, Charles Gamage worked his way through the district schools and neighboring academies up to college, com­pleting his preparation at the academy in Meriden, N. H.; he entered Burlington College, the University of Vermont, when about 18 years of age. Here he wrote for the old Burlington Sentinel first, and suc­ceeding to the admiration of his party— he was a Democrat from his earliest years; "always a Democrat and never anything but a Democrat" —he soon was contribu­ting to the other Democratic papers of the State. His articles for the newspapers winning immediate appreciation most flat­tering to a young author, his mind was soon turned to the after profession of his life, that of an editor, which he left college before graduating to adopt.

His first enterprise in opening his pro­fession was the starting of a small journal in the interest of the Democratic party at Johnson, Lamoille Co., which obtained considerable attention, and was regarded a credit to the young editor, but not prov­ing a money success, was relinquished, and in 1840, the no way discouraged editor established himself at Woodstock, the county town of old Windsor, and inaugu­rated "The Spirit of the Age," and his journal at once assumed a high position among the Democratic organs of the State. The earnest, skillful editor, still in flush of early manhood, confident of the strength of his principles, entered like an athlete the newspaper arena, giving battle with vigor in all the political contests on the tapis, and consequently soon became "a leader in the councils of his party throughout the State," and duly "a prom­inent director of its policy in national affairs."

In 1846, he sold out The Spirit of the Age at Woodstock, and came to Mont­pelier and bought out the Vermont Patriot, of which he continued the editor and pub­lisher for the remainder of his life. At the same time that he established himself in Montpelier, he established for himself also, a home—how happily, he himself teaches in song. He married a daughter of Dr. John D. Powers of Woodstock, Mrs. Susan S. Havens, whose fairest praise is in that song from their domestic hearth:

 

I touch my harp for one to me

     Of all the world most dear,

Whose heart is like the golden sheaves

     That crown the ripened year;

Whose cheek is fairer than the sky

     When 't blushes into morn,

Whose voice was in the summer night

     Of silver streamlets born;—

 

To one whose eye the brightest star

     Might for a sister own,

Upon whose lip the honey-bee

     Might build her waxen throne;

Whose breath is like the air that woos

     The buds in April hours,

That stirs within the dreamy heart

     A sense of opening flowers.

 

I touch my harp for one to me

     Of all the world most dear,

Whose heart is like the clustering vine

     That crowns the ripened year;

Whose love is like the living springs

     The mountain travellers taste,

That stormy winter cannot chill,

     Nor thirsty summer waste.

 

They had 2 sons and one daughter, all born in Montpelier.

 

Eastman to his sleeping child:

 

SWEETLY SHE SLEEPS.

 

Sweetly she sleeps! her cheek so fair

     Soft on the pillow pressed.

Sweetly, see! while her Saxon hair

     Watches her heaving breast.

Hush! all low, thou moving breeze,

     Breathe through her curtain white;

Golden birds, on the maple trees,

     Let her sleep while her dreams are light.

Sweetly she sleeps, her cheek so fair

     Soft on her white arm pressed.

Sweetly, see! and her childish care

     Flies from her quiet rest.

Hush! the earliest rays of light

     Their wings in the blue sea dip.

Let her sleep, sweet child, with her dreams so bright,

     And the smile that bewilders her lip.

 

 

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Mr. Eastman continued to prosper in his newspaper and political affairs. His paper was the leading Democratic organ of the State. We quote from the George R. Thompson and Gilman biography, prefacing the last volume of his poems (1880.)

 

It is as the conductor of this journal that he is the most widely remembered among politicians; and he managed it with an ability and faithfulness that secured it a reputation and influence seldom possess­ed by a country newspaper. His writings in this paper were in accordance with the character of the man,—direct, incisive, and earnest. He never hesitated to say what­ever was true, if it were proper to be said; and in his exposures of the errors or frauds of his opponents he employed intellectual weapons of the sharpest and most cutting kind. His arguments were convincing, his logic clear, and his convictions were stamp­ed with truth, His paper was not in any way pre-eminent as a literary one. It might be supposed, judging from his al­most idolatrous love of literary pursuits, that his journal would have been more prominent in that respect; but he never seemed ambitious to make it so. These inclinations were gratified in another way. Though a member of a political party never in the ascendancy in Vermont, he occupied many influential official positions. He was a leading member of the Democratic National Conventions of 1848, '52, '56 and '60, and at the time of his death was a prominent member of the National Demo­cratic Committee.

 

In 1852, '53, he was a senator of Wash­ington County; "a laborious and useful one," and twice candidate of his party for a member of Congress, and postmaster of Montpelier about 6 years.

 

In person, he was inclined to be large— not too large,—very handsomely formed, with open, magnetic, beautiful counte­nance, that drew almost at will hosts of friends to his cordial heart. The idol of his party, he had a multitude of friends, also out of it. True to a poet nature, abstract­ed, rapt, fitful, sombre at times, even; now and then November,—probably, at a De­cember tide—the height of the weird, when he traced that "scene in a Vermont win­ter," that "fearful night in the winter time, as cold as it ever can be" —when "the moon is full but the wings of the furious blast dash out her light."

 

"All day had the snows come down—all day,"

   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .  

"The fence was lost and the wall of stone."

——  ——  ——  "on the mountain peak

How the old trees writhe and shriek."

 

"Such a night as this to be found abroad." The "shivering dog" "by the road." "See him crouch and growl" "and shut his eyes with a dismal howl." "And old man from the town to-night," that "lost the travelled way." "The midnight past," "the moon looks out," the Morgan mare "that at last o'er a log had floundered down," the old traveller "in coat and buf­falo," stark and stiff in his sleigh in the snow-piled mountain hollow!

But an occasional mood; he had the heart of June in his nature—the spirit of spring in his spirit—whose verse oftener trailed over, one line blossoming into another, like a trailing arbutus in May woods. The old liked him. He was so genial; young men and women liked him; little children loved him. Long by those who were children in Montpelier in his time, will "his contagious laugh be remembered," and the charming hilarity with which he would push forward their innocent sports. It is said of him that no young man ever sought encouragement from him in vain. He had wide and generous views of life, an ample charity for thoughtlessness or "repented erring." As the head of a family, we may quote the words of Dr. Lord to his mourn­ing family at his funeral:

 

You will remember him first and longest for what he was to you personally,—for what he was in his domestic and social relations. You will not forget the kindness of his heart, the amenity and cheerfulness of his manners, the liveliness of fancy and wit with which he cheered the household.   .   .   .   You will not lose the recollection of his kind words, of his considerate atten­tions, of his fatherly acts and affections. You will remember the melody of his flute as it led the voices of his children in their songs and hymns; the written prayers, which I am told he composed for them, to be used morning and evening in their devo­tions. And so long as love has a place in your hearts, this household will not cease to have a shrine where his memory shall be kept green and sacred.

 

The favorite of his party, as a politician, a lovely family and society man, it is still

 

 

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as a poet that Eastman has been the widest known and his memory will be most peren­nial. Fluent in composing, laborious in revision—from his college days, or a little before, he wrote and pruned, and pruned and rewrought, and pruned again, refining and changing almost ad infinitum till the day of his death. The result: "As a lyrical poet there is no American writer who can be called his superior." He was the first American poet named with praise in the Edinburgh Review; the old Scotchman, wary of American poets, broke through the ice and praised Eastman handsomely over 20 years since, while he yet lived to catch the beautiful over-the-ocean-glow coming from the fire he had kindled. Facile, agreeable, amusing, as a poet, but not confident. Strange! Did he not know his own powers? It seems he did not;— "sensitive and doubtful as to their reception" —when his poems were committed to the press, when his book appeared and was winning golden laurels, "almost sorry he had pub­lished it." The writer remembers to have heard him say, he had made up his mind, he believed, to never publish any poem until it had been written seven years and he had revised it every year.

Mr. Eastman brought out his first vol­ume of poems in 1848; from which he contributed with manifold retouchings, to the poems, ten pages to Miss Hemenway's First Edition of the Poets and Poetry of Vermont in 1858, including: "A Picture."

 

The farmer sat in his easy chair

Smoking his pipe of clay—,

 

Eastman's "Dirge":

 

"Softly!

      She is lying

            With her lips apart;

Softly!

      She is dying

            Of a broken heart."

 

"I see her not" — "Uncle Jerry," and other pieces; and in the same work, revised and enlarged, "A scene in the Vermont Winter," specially for the volume, and other poems; as many pages in this sec­ond volume as in the first.

Mr. Eastman's health began steadily to fail from May, 1860. "An obstinate and painful disease burdened his spirit and wasted his frame." Never man needed rest more; "but his pride and sympathies were enlisted in the business of his party," and too faithful to the complicated respon­sibilities identified with and accumulated upon him, he unwisely, but most unselfishly, (says Mr. Thompson in his sketch), made secondary his own interest of health and life. "But he was at home in the bosom of his family when his eyes closed to the scenes he loved so well; and his last moments, painless and calm, were brightened by the love of family and friends, and cheered with the substantial hope of eternal happiness and joy." He died at his residence in Montpelier, Sept. 16, 1860.

MARY AVERY EASTMAN, the last and only living descendant, was born in Mont­pelier, in 1849. She married, 1872, Eldin J. Hartshorn, son of Hon. John W. Hartshorn of this State, and now resides at Emmetsburg, Iowa, where her husband is practicing his profession of the law; has been State Senator, &c.

JOHN G. EASTMAN, eldest son of Chas. G., died in Montpelier in his 20th year, May 30, 1870.

EDWARD S., second son of Charles G., died in Montpelier in his 19th year, Oct. 2, 1875.

Mrs. Eastman, for several years after her husband's decease, until after the death of her two sons, continued to reside at Montpelier, spending a part of each year with her daughter at the West; but within a few years has again taken up her residence in Woodstock.

To the first and sweetest of our Poets— pre-eminently our State bard, we must—we could not satisfy Montpelier otherwise, nor yet ourself, though crowding to a close— make space for yet a cluster from his poems to lay at the foot of his biography at the Capital:

 

THE FIRST SETTLER.

 

His hair is white as the winter snow,

His years are many, as you may know,—

     Some eighty-two or three;

Yet a hale old man, still strong and stout,

And able when 'tis fair to go out

     His friends in the street to see;

And all who see his face still pray

That for many a long and quiet day

     He may live, by the Lord's mercy.

 

 

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He came to the State when the town was new,

When the lordly pine and the hemlock grew

     In the place where the court house stands;

When the stunted ash and the alder black,

The slender fir and the tamarack,

     Stood thick on the meadow lands;

And the brook, that now so feebly flows,

Covered the soil where the farmer hoes

     The corn with his hardy hands.

 

He built in the town the first log hut;

And he is the man, they say, who cut

     The first old forest oak;

His axe was the first, with its echoes rude,

To startle the ear of the solitude,

     With its steady and rapid stroke.

From his high log-heap through the trees arose,

First, on the hills, mid the winter snows,

     The fire and the curling smoke.

 

On the land he cleared the first hard year,

When he trapped the beaver and shot the deer,

     Swings the sign of the great hotel;

By the path where he drove his ox to drink

The mill-dam roars and the hammers clink,

     And the factory rings its bell.

And where the main street comes up from the south

Was the road he "blazed" from the river's mouth,

     As the books of the town will tell.

 

In the village, here, where the trees are seen,

Circling 'round the beautiful Green,

     He planted his hills of corn;

And there, where you see that long brick row,

Swelling with silk and calico,

     Stood the hut he built one morn;

Old Central street was his pasture lane,

And down by the church he will put his cane

     On the spot where his boys were born.

 

For many an hour I have heard him tell

Of the time, he says, he remembers well,

     When high on the rock he stood,

And nothing met his wandering eye

Above, but the clouds and the broad blue sky,

     And below, the waving wood;

And how, at night, the wolf would howl

Round his huge log fire, and the panther growl,

     And the black fox bark by the road.

 

He looks with pride on the village grown

So large on the land that he used to own;

     And still as lie sees the wall

Of huge blocks built, in less than the time

It took, when he was fresh in his prime,

     To gather his crops in the fall;

He thinks, with the work that, somehow, he

Is identified, and must oversee

     And superintend it all.

 

His hair is white as the winter snow,

And his years are many, as you may know,—

     Some eighty-two or three;

Yet all who see his face will pray,

For many a long and quiet day

     By the Lord's good grace, that he

May be left in the land, still hale and stout,

And able still when 'tis fair, to go out

     His friends in the street to see.

 

THE BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH.

 

He who has still left of his two hands but one,

     With that let him grapple a sword;

And he who has two, let him handle a gun;

     And forward, boys! forward! the word.

 

The murmuring sound of the fierce battle-tide

     Already resounds from afar;

Forward, boys! forward, on every side,

     For Vermont and her glittering star!

 

Who lingers behind when the word has passed down

     That the enemy swarm o'er the line?

When he knows in the heart of a North border town

     Their glittering bayonets shine?

Push on to the North! the fierce battle-tide

     Already resounds from afar;

Push on to the North from every side,

     For Vermont and her glittering star!

 

Forward! the State that was first in the fight

     When Allen and Warner were here,

Should not be the last now to strike for the right,

     Should never be found in the rear!

Then, on to the North! the fierce battle-tide

     Already resounds from afar;

Push on to the North from every side,

     For Vermont and her glittering star!

Hark! booms from the lake, and resounds from the land,

     The roar of the conflict. Push on!

Push on to the North! on every hand

     Our boys to the rescue have gone;

Forward! the State that was first in the fight

     When Allen and Warner were here,

Should not be the last now to strike for the right,

     Should never be found in the rear.

 

OF LOVE AND WINE.

 

Of love and wine old poets sung,

     Old poets rich and rare,—

Of wine with red and ruby heart,

     And love with golden hair;

Of wine that winged the poet's thought,

     And woke the slumbering lyre;

Of love that through the poet's line

     Ran like a flash of fire.

 

But wine, when those old poets sung

     Its praises long ago,

Was something subtler than the bards

     Of modern ages know;—

Ay, wine was wine when Teian girls,

     Flushed with the rosy dew,

To old Anacreon's fiery strains

     Through wanton dances flew.

 

And love, when those old poets sung

     Its praises long ago,

Was something warmer than the bards

     Of modern ages know; —

Ay, love was love when Teian girls,

     Flushed with the melting fire,

With roses crowned Anacreon's brow,

     With kisses paid his lyre.

 

PURER THAN SNOW.

 

     Purer than snow

     Is a girl I know;

Purer than snow is she;

     Her heart is light,

     And her cheek is bright,—

Ah! who do you think she can be?

 

     I know very well,

     But I never shall tell,

'Twould spoil all the fun, you see;

     Her eye is blue;

     And her lip, like dew,

And red as a mulberry.

 

 

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THE APPLE BLOSSOM.

 

Here's an apple blossom, Mary;

     See how delicate and fair!

Here's an apple blossom, Mary;

     Let use weave it in your hair!

 

Ah! thy hair is raven, Mary,

     And the curls are thick and bright;

And this apple blossom, Mary,

     Is so beautifully white!

 

There! the apple blossom, Mary,

     Looks so sweet among your curls!

And the apple blossom, Mary,

     Crowns the sweetest of the girls.

 

But the apple blossom, Mary,

     You must have a little care

Not to tell your mother, Mary,

     That I wove it in your hair!

 

HON. RAWSEL R. KEITH,

 

oldest son of Hon. Chapin Keith, born in Uxbridge, Mass., Nov. as, 1790, died in Montpelier Oct. 25, 1874. Coming to Barre with his father in 1793, he remained there until 1817, when he came to Montpelier as deputy sheriff, and held that office and the shrievalty until 1831. He was Judge of Probate 1833 to 36, and long a director and finally president of the Bank of Montpelier, retiring voluntarily from these positions. He was a man of firmness and integrity, and highly esteemed by his fellow citizens. He married Mary T. Wheeler of Barre, who bore him 2 sons; R. D. W. Keith, now of Chicago, and Alonzo T. Keith, now of Montpelier.

 

LUTHER NEWCOMB, ESQ.

 

BY H. A. HUSE.

 

Luther Newcomb, for many years the county clerk of Washington County, was born in Derby, Apr. 10, 1826, and died from Bright's disease, at his home in Montpelier, Jan. 2, 1876. His father was Dr. Luther Newcomb, whose wife was Lucretia Martin. Dr. Newcomb was the first phy­sician to locate in that part of northern Vermont, and was eminent in his profes­sion; among his students was Dr. Colby, the father of Stoddard B. Colby. Dr. New­comb died when Luther was 5 years old, and the boy remained with his mother 6 years after his father's death.

The family was intimate with Hon. Isaac F. Redfield, and when Luther was 11 years old, be came to Montpelier and became the same as a member of Judge Redfield's family. He studied under the direction of the Judge and entered Wash. Co. Gram­mar School, where he pursued his studies until prepared to enter college. He then read law under the direction of Judge Redfield, and was for a time a student in the office of O. H. Smith, Esq. Though fit­ted for admission to the bar, he did not apply for it, but receiving an appointment in the customs service he was 2 years a revenue officer on Lake Champlain.

Jan. 1, 1849, he was appointed Deputy Clerk of Wash. Co. Court under Shubael Wheeler. He was in Dec., 1857, appoint­ed Clerk and held the position during the rest of his life. He was a model officer, and had not only the respect and affection of the Washington County bar and the court, but as the general term of the Supreme Court was held here, that of members of the bar of the whole State.

 

Mr. Newcomb married June 25, 1857, Amanda Thomas, only daughter of Gen. Stephen Thomas. His wife and 3 sons, Charles, Luther, and Stephen T., survive him.

 

Mr. J. W. Wheelock, who died the month after Mr. Newcomb, on the death of the latter wrote for his paper, from his own sick bed, a few words concerning his old friend, and among them were the fol­lowing:

 

He was in many respects a remarkable man. Beneath a business-like and, to the casual observer, almost stern exterior, was hidden a heart tender as that of a woman, and one ever prompting him to those kindly thoughts and acts which so ennoble and exalt human nature. Unobtrusive, and apparently concerned only about the proper performance of his duties as clerk of the court, he yet possessed so comprehensive and discriminating powers of mind that he took in almost intuitively the bearings and consequences of matters brought before him; and many a sentence of crisp brevity has contained, as in a nut-shell, the law and wisdom of it, and the decision at which the learned judge arrives after a most elaborate and exhaustive review.   .   .   .   He was always ready to aid and encourage the inexperienced or timid, and many a success has been achieved through a timely word of advice and aid from him. He was judicious as a counsellor, valuable

 

 

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and safe as an adviser, and faithful, even unto death, in his friendships.

The funeral of Mr. Newcomb was in the Court House, Rev. J. E. Wright conduct­ing the services, and Hon. Charles W. Willard making an address. Mr. Willard in his address spoke not only as the representative of the bar, but, indeed, as the nearest friend, and said that the friendship of Luther Newcomb had been the friendship of his manhood and his life.

 

CHARLES CLARK, M. D.,

 

son of Nathaniel and Lucy (Perry) Clark, was born in what is now known as East Montpelier, Jan. 31, 1800. His parents were among the early settlers of the town, and had come from Rochester, Mass. It is claimed by some members of the Clark family still residing in Rochester, that they are descended from Thomas Clark, mate on the Mayflower, who returned on the brig Anne, and settled in the Plymouth colony in 1623. One of the oldest stones in the cemetery at Plymouth bears the name of Nathaniel Clark, who died in 1714, at 74.

Charles was the second son in a family of 6 children. An injury of his left knee, in his fourth year, caused its amputation 3 years after. This was before the day of anæsthetics. As illustrative of the spirit of the boy, when the surgeon, Dr. Nathan Smith of Hanover, proposed to bind him, as was usual in such cases, the child refused, placed himself on the table, submitted to the painful operation without the quivering of a muscle, without a word or any sign of pain.

His father died when he was but 10 years of age, and from that time on, with an indomitable courage characteristic of his whole life, he supported himself by his own labor.

 

The record of the next 20 years is a story of trials and privations, which a less brave spirit would not have overcome. His ed­ucational advantages were limited to the common school and a few terms in the Washington County Grammar School. He studied his profession with Dr. Edward Lamb, of Montpelier, and as early as 1819, attended lectures at Castleton Medical College. He began the practice of med­icine with Dr. N. C. King. of North Mont­pelier, in 1821, and removed to Calais 2 years later, where he purchased a small farm of 20 acres, and set up for himself. He was soon after married to Clarissa Boyden, daughter of Darius Boyden, Esq., of Montpelier, where he resided 14 years. In speaking of these early days he used to say, "Medical practice in these days of warm wraps and nice robes is quite another thing from my experience in the dead of winter on horseback, or at best in a bare sleigh, with insufficient clothing."

In 1837, he removed to Montpelier, pur­chasing the Boyden homestead, where he resided for 12 years, securing an extensive practice not only in Montpelier, but in surrounding towns, winning public confidence and affection wherever known.

In 1849, he moved into the village of Montpelier, both for the better education of his children and the more convenient practice of his profession, in which he con­tinued actively engaged till 1865, when he met with an accident resulting in a severe and protracted illness, from which he never wholly recovered. After this, he retired from general practice, retaining only office and consultation business. In 1868, he was again severely injured by being thrown from his carriage. From this he had partially recovered, when a year later he was stricken with paralysis. With patient en­durance he lingered through 5 years more of suffering and prostration till his death, June 21, 1874.

Dr. Clark was a man of more than or­dinary natural gifts, or he would never have accomplished what he did—left poor in this world's goods, crippled by his physical infirmity, and with but very limited op­portunities of education. In person he was 6 feet of stature and fine presence and great physical endurance. He was re­markable for his keen observation of men and things, and was rarely mistaken in his judgment. His genial manners, generous sympathies, and fund of anecdote, made him always welcome at the bedside of his patients, and contributed not a little to his

 

 

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success. He was thoroughly devoted to his profession, kept himself well informed of the progress of the science through standard medical journals, and was always ready to accept and try new methods. But his own experience and observation served him better than books. He compounded his medicines with little regard to received formulas, and more from his judgment in each particular case. Those best ac­quainted with him, greatly regret that he did not write out for the benefit of the profession the results of his large and varied experience.

As a man and a citizen, it is not too much to say that he was universally es­teemed—a man of public spirit, interested in every movement and enterprise that looked to the welfare of society. Though not a professor of religion till late in life, he started and superintended a Sabbath-school during his short residence at North Montpelier, was one of the earliest and staunchest advocates of temperance, and was always urging improvements in methods and opportunities of education. He spared no self-denial and sacrifice to give his own children advantages which were denied to himself, and in the same gen­erous spirit sought the welfare of others. He was for 12 years president of the board of trustees and chairman of the prudential committee of the Washington County Grammar School, and for many years treas­urer of the Vermont Medical Society, of which he was an active member. He was too much given to his own special work to engage in political life, yet he yielded to the wishes of his friends, and served as representative of Montpelier in the Legis­lature in 1846, '47. He was not a public speaker, as he felt the need of proper culture for this, but was esteemed as a very useful working man on committees. His judgment was always valued in practical questions of politics. One incident, however, he was wont to recall with a good deal of satisfaction in later years. A bill for a license law was being pushed through the legislature, and was likely to pass, greatly to the regret of friends of temperance. Just at the last moment when an amendment was possible, Dr. Clark rose to his place without previous con­sultation with others, presented a brief amendment, urged it home with a few chosen words, and secured its prompt passage by the House. A leading politi­cian who had been interested in carrying the measure, rushed across the hall at once, and said to him with much excite­ment, "Your amendment has killed the bill." "Just what I intended," was the reply. He was warmly congratulated by friends of temperance at once and for years after on the defeat of a measure which he felt would have been attended with serious injury to the best interests of the State.

 

The following tribute was rendered him by his pastor, the Rev. Dr. Lord: "His life began with suffering, it closed in suffering, but its long intermediate years were filled with hard work, with brave labors, irradiated by a warm, genial spirit, by de­votion to the best interests of his fellow­men, with zeal for education, good morals and religion, by professional skill, fidelity and enthusiasm. He received, as he em­inently merited, the respect, confidence and love of all who knew him."

—From the Family.

 

DEA. CONSTANT W. STORRS

 

was born in Royalton in 1801, came to Montpelier in 1822, and from that time until his death was engaged in merchandise—more than half a century. In 1831, he became a member of the First Congre­gational Church, and in 1835 was elected one of its deacons—an office which he tried to magnify as long as he lived. For 22 years he was treasurer of the Vermont Do­mestic Missionary Society. He was great­ly interested in religious matters, and la­bored incessantly in season and out of season. Early in life he married a daughter of Wyllis I. Cadwell, who bore him two sons and a daughter, the beautiful daughter dying when about to reach maturity. The widow and son survive. Dea. Storrs died Mar. 23,1872.

E. P. W.

 

 

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HON. CHARLES REED.

 

BY REV. J. EDWARD WRIGHT.

 

Charles Reed was born in Thetford, Nov. 24, 1814, and died in Montpelier, after a sickness of less than three days, Mar. 7, 1873. He was the oldest child of Hon. Joseph Reed, and his second wife, Elizabeth Burnap, daughter of Rev. Jacob Burnap, of Merrimac, N. H., and sister of the scholarly Unitarian minister long settled in Baltimore, Md., Rev. George W. Burnap. D. D. Montpelier was Mr. Reed's home from 1827, when his father came here to reside. He pursued his preparatory studies at the Washington County Grammar School, entered Dartmouth Col­lege, and graduated in 1835. Among his classmates and intimate friends there was the late Governor Peter T. Washburn. He studied law in Montpelier, in the office of Hon. William Upham, and afterwards for 2 years in the Dane Law School, Har­vard University, where he received the de­gree of LL.B. in 1839. He was admit­ted to the Washington County Bar in 1838, and in Sept., 1839, formed a partner­ship with Hon. Homer W. Heaton, which continued for a third of a century without change in the location of the office, being only dissolved by Mr. Reed's death. He married Emily Eliza, eldest daughter of Hon. Daniel Baldwin of Montpelier, June 5, 1842, by whom he had five children; two of whom, Elizabeth Burnap, wife of Col. J. H. Lucia of Vergennes, and Maria G., with their mother, survived him. (Mrs. Lucia died, leaving husband and 3 children, Jan. 5, 1881.)

From time to time Mr. Reed's fellow citizens honored themselves in honoring him with positions of trust. He was cho­sen justice of the peace for a number of years; was elected state's attorney in 1847, and again in 1848, and was appointed reg­ister of probate in the latter year,—per­forming the duties of the office by deputy. For some 5 years he was one of the select­men of Montpelier. In 1858, he was chosen trustee and librarian of the State library, and also a member of the Vt. Historical Society, in whose work he was deeply in­terested, serving as one of its curators, and publishing committee, and also as its li­brarian. He represented Montpelier in the Legislatures of 1862 and 1863, and for the three following years occupied a seat in the Senate chamber. While in the Senate, he interested himself ardently in the institution of the Vermont Reform School, now located in Vergennes, and be­came chairman of its first board of trustees, which position he retained till his death. At the establishment of Green Mount Cemetery in Montpelier, Mr. Reed was chosen one of its commissioners, and was re­elected to that trust, which he had held for many years, on the last day of his active business life. He was one of the four far-sighted men who advocated and secured that change in the school system of Montpelier, which brought the Washing­ton County Grammar School and the district schools into harmonious relations under the same board of management and in the same building; and he was repeatedly elected chairman of the united committees. In 1869, he was chosen a member of the Council of Censors, and in that capacity advocated extending the right of suffrage to women. Politically he was a democrat in early life, but from the breaking out of the rebellion, he took sides with the repub­lican party. His last illness was occasioned by a cold taken in the chilly air of the unwarmed State Library, while he was in­vestigating some historical topic. This was increased by exposure a few days later, at the March meeting, which his interest in Temperance Reform led him to attend; and thus were developed, in a constitution originally strong, but weakened by over­work, the pleuro-pneumonia and conges­tion which ended his earthly career.

Mr. Reed was, first of all, a man of integrity. This appeared in his business relations with others, and won for him their utmost confidence; and it was shown also in his faithfulness to his own convictions. He never seemed to stop to ask if the course contemplated would gain for him profit and applause or involve loss and unpopularity. Among those of a different faith, he adhered steadfastly to the Unita­rian views with which he was imbued in

 

 

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his childhood; and, when opportunity of­fered, entered zealously into the work of establishing in Montpelier a church that should represent what he thought to be the truth in religious doctrine. He was among the foremost in the organization of the Church of the Messiah, and was inde­fatigable in laboring to promote its inter­ests. He acted with like decision, energy, and straight-forwardness in regard to the Temperance agitation, and the Woman Suffrage Reform.

He was also a man of marked public spirit. With private cares that were by no means small, he undertook a great variety and amount of work for the general wel­fare—work for which he received little or no remuneration, direct or indirect. The value of the services he rendered to his town and State, in his devotion to educa­tional interests, the Reform School, the State Library, and the Historical Society, cannot be estimated in money, and can be appreciated in its full extent by very few. Rarely, indeed, does any philanthropist contribute so freely from his purse to char­itable objects, as did Mr. Reed lavish from the wealth of his time, and physical and mental strength, for the public good.

Further, he was ever loyal to his native State. In the words of another, "As a Vermonter, believing in Vermont and the genuine Vermont character, deeply inter­ested in the past history of the State, and its present prosperity, Mr. Reed will be much missed. He was one of the no­blest and truest of loyal Vermonters. As an officer of the State Historical So­ciety he rendered invaluable service in getting up and putting in form for pres­ervation much of the early history.   .   .   .   The State has not another—if we except those who have been associated with him in this work, Hons. Hiland Hall and E. P. Walton—to fill his place."

In his chosen profession, Mr. Reed reached a proud eminence, (yet singularly without pride,) and gained a handsome property. H. A. Huse, Esq., a fellow-member of the bar, at one time his assist­ant, and later his successor in the charge of the State Library, said of him, in a memorial sketch read before the Vermont Historical Society, "Charles Reed was a true lawyer, taking pride in his profession, and loving the law as a science wherein reason has her most perfect work, and be­cause his knowledge of it enabled him to be truly a counsellor to those in trouble. Grounded by severe study in the founda­tion principles, his directness and the im­patience with which he viewed worthless and irrelevant matter made him a good pleader. His papers always gave him a standing in court.   .    .    .    .    .  Mr Reed, on trial of a case, presented clearly to court or jury the facts proved and the law applicable to them. This was done not by the use of rounded periods, impassioned gesture, or appeal to the emotional nature. His imagination supplied him neither with facts not in the case, nor with the coloring and magnifying power which often distorts things from their true relation, and gives what is unimportant undue prominence. But it was, I think, in the court of chan­cery, and perhaps still more in the supreme court, that Mr. Reed showed the qualities most clearly that stamped him as one of the leaders of the bar. In the court of last resort the premises were fixed and un­changing, and from them he worked most unerringly to the conclusion. The brief method of statement, the condensed argu­ment, had there their true sphere and al­ways their due weight. While it was not given to him to charm by silvery speech, it was given him to convince by the close­ness of his logic. The clear-cut intellect, trained by careful study, made him in­valuable as a legislator. During his term of service the laws passed received more careful scrutiny, and were more carefully framed from the very fact of his presence; and much of the intelligible legislation of the last few years owes its shape to his skill, as well since as during his occupancy of a seat in the law-making body.

"In yet another direction was his ability as a lawyer called into activity. Before 1858, the State Library was a mass of leg­islative documents without form, and void of any use. A few law reports were inter­mingled, and formed a stock from which

 

 

                                                             MONTPELIER.                                                       515

 

impecunious and conscience-lacking men plundered at will. To make this one of the best libraries in the Union in the De­partment of American Law, without large expense to the State, was a labor of years with Mr. Reed. His success, with the means at his command, has, I am sure, not been paralleled. The bar and bench of the county and State owe a great debt to him for the thoroughness of the work."

Charles Reed was no courtier, nor trimmer. He could not cajole, he could not flatter, he could not fawn and curry favor. His sincerity appeared often as bluntness, and sometimes gave offence. But those who were acquainted with him had in their minds an ever ready explana­tion of his occasional roughness of speech and manner, in the knowledge that they were dealing with an upright, downright honest man, who, under an exterior some­what hard, carried a heart throbbing with devotion to the welfare of all, a man of Roman firmness, and of Jacksonian wil­lingness to assume the responsibility in an emergency; a man whose record, whether public or private, had always been sin­gularly free from stain; a man whose very presence strengthened the worthy pur­poses of the timid and hesitating about him, a man whose

 

.   .   .   "Daily prayer, far better understood

In acts than words, was simply doing good."

 

JAMES G. FRENCH, son of Micah French, of Barre, was born in Peru, N. Y., in 1824, and died in Mont­pelier, suddenly, Aug. 8, 1878. Employed for a while as a clerk, he opened a clothing store in Montpelier, in which he was quite successful. He was postmaster 8 years under President Lincoln, and subsequently entered into the construction of the Montpelier & Wells River Railroad. He was also very energetic, and even daring, in real estate operations, and to him, more than to any one man, Montpelier owes the construction of its spacious and elegant stores. Mr. French married a daughter of the late Joel Goldsbury, of Barre, and she, with an only daughter, Mrs. W. T. Dewey, survive him.

 

LUTHER CROSS,

 

born in Swanzey, N.H., 1802, established himself in mercantile business in Montpelier in 1827. In the same year he mar­ried Miss Polly M. Day, of Woodstock, who bore him four children: Gustavus T., who died March 13, 1867, aged 33 years; Luther Burnell, now of Montpelier; Royal D., now in the West; and Lucia D., now wife of Marcus A. Farwell, of Chicago. Mr. Cross was interested in politics, and personally very popular; hence he was often the Whig candidate for represent­ative in the old town of Montpelier, and always received more than his party vote; but the town was so strongly Democratic that success was impossible. He was, however, a magistrate many years in suc­cession, and by the Legislature was repeatedly elected sergeant-at-arms. He built three brick dwellings, which were the best in Montpelier in his day, and two of them are the best of the brick houses now. The three are the two houses on State street now occupied by Hons. John A. Page and B. F. Fifield, and the Cross homestead on Elm street. He also built the "Willard block" on Main, at the head of State street. He died, suddenly, Mar. 9, 1873, aged 71 years.

 

CHARLES AND TIMOTHY CROSS

 

came to Montpelier about the time of the advent of Richard W. Hyde, and with him started the first bakery in town.

 

CHARLES CROSS was born in Tilton, N. H., Feb. 13, 1812, and his wife was born an hour or two before him. He is highly esteemed, a staunch Methodist, and a liberal contributor to that church and its educational institution on Seminary Hill. He is still engaged in a large bakery and confectionary business with his eldest and well-known son, Levi Bartlett Cross.

 

TIMOTHY CROSS died some years ago. His house was destroyed in the last great fire, and his widow and children removed to Cambridgeport, Mass.

 

[To Charles Cross the Methodist church are also indebted chiefly for the fine wood engraving of their church building. —ED.]

 

 

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DANIEL BALDWIN

 

(BY REV. J. EDWARD WRIGHT.)

 

Was born in Norwich. Vt.. July 21. 1792, and died in Montpelier, Aug. 3, 1881. He was the youngest of the seven children of Daniel and Hannah (Havens) Baldwin. His mother was a daughter of Robert Havens, of Royalton, whose house was the first entered by the Indians when Royalton was burned. He was orphaned before he was two years old, and the des­titute brood was scattered. He came to Montpelier in 1806, and remained till he was of age under the guardianship of his older brother, Sylvanus, a man of prom­inence and marked ability. With him he learned the carpenter's trade, availing him­self also of some brief opportunities for attending school; but, from the time of attaining his majority for many years, he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, with gratifying success. He relinquished these in 1848, to devote himself more exclu­sively to his duties as president of the Vt. Mutual Fire Insurance Co., of which he was the original projector, and in which he took the first policy, March 31, 1828. He was president of this Company from 1841 to 1874, and regarded with a well-grounded satisfaction the remarkable prosperity and growth of the Company during his administration. While cautious and conservative, he was eminently progressive both early and late in life. In 1827, he led in the effort to establish salt works in Montpelier. "He was called again and again into the direction of the Bank of Montpelier and the Montpelier National Bank, and was a director in the latter at the time of his decease. He was among the first to advocate and further the building of the Vermont Central Railroad, and agitated the subject from 1830 until the desired end was attained.   .   .   .   .   .    He was also one of the first board of directors of the Vermont Central, but retained that position only a year, having always strenuously maintained, in opposition to the Northfield interest which prevailed, that the route should be by way of the Williamstown Gulf. As long ago as 1850, he was one of a committee of eight, of which the Hon. J. A. Wing was chairman, who raised a subscription, and procured at considerable expense to themselves a survey of a route for a railroad from Montpelier to Wells River." * He was also one of the originators and the general manager, during the early years of its existence, of the Montpelier Gaslight Co. "He was town treasurer in 1828, and then again for 11 consecutive years from 1835 .   .   .   .   .   .  From 1837 to 1847 he was trustee of the 'Surplus Fund.' For many years from and after 1837, he was the chief engineer of the fire department. During the years 1846 and 1847, he occupied the bench as associate judge of the Washington County Court, but from 1850 on, with the excep­tion of one year's service as lister, he uni­formly avoided public office."* In early life he held high position in the Masonic Order. "He was connected with the Vermont Colonization Society during all its active existence, a large part of the time as its treasurer, and then as its pres­ident." * In politics he was a democrat— during the rebellion a "war democrat," voting more than once for the republican candidate—and in religion he was emphatically a "liberal Christian," avowing deep interest in "Spiritualism," but contributing generously to churches of various creeds, and joining most heartily with Unitarians and Universalists in the organization and support of the Montpelier Independent Meeting-House Society, of whose board of trustees he was chairman from the establishment of the board in 1866 to the day of his death. In his will he manifested his undying interest in Montpelier, by bequeathing $2,000, to be used under certain conditions in securing a suitable water supply for the village.

He married, in 1820, Emily Wheelock, grand-daughter of the first president of Dartmouth College. She died in 1872. A son and four daughters were born to them, all of whom reached maturity and were married; but only two, the first and second daughters, Mrs. Charles Reed and Mrs. Marcus D. Gilman, have survived their parents. The society of their six grand-children was a delight to Judge

———

* Memorial Sermon by Rev. J. Edward Wright.

 

 

                                                             MONTPELIER.                                                       517

 

Baldwin during the last summer of his life.

He was a man extensively known in the State, and universally esteemed for his probity, his sound judgment, his public spirit and his benevolence. Deliberate in planning and moderate in moving, he was yet positive in his decisions and energetic in his actions. A man of a peculiarly placid and even temper, and sustained by a Christian trust, he bore earth's trials with great calmness, and his declining years furnished the community an im­pressive illustration of what it is to "grow old beautifully." Though not free from all the infirmities which commonly attend old age, he was wonderfully vigorous in mind and body, and found life enjoyable down to his last day; when suddenly his powers all collapsed, and with a brief struggle he passed on, leaving an honored name and a blessed memory. It is rare that a life is more entirely successful in both is material and moral aspects.

J. E. W.

 

[Lucia L., wife of W. C. D. Grannis, of Chicago, and daughter of Hon. Daniel Baldwin, died in Chicago, aged 28.]

 

From the records of Aurora Lodge, No. 22, F. & A. M., we take the following:

 

 

IN MEMORIAM.

 

BRO. DANIEL BALDWIN,

Born in Norwich, Vt., July 21, 1792,

Died at Montpelier, Vt., August 3, 1881;

Aged 89 years and 13 days.

 

Initiated in Aurora Lodge, No. 9, at Montpelier,

January 3, 1814;

Passed January 31, 1814;

Raised in Columbian Lodge, Boston, Mass.,

May 14, 1814.

Affiliated with Aurora Lodge, No. 22,

July 11, 1881.

 

Bro. BALDWIN was an old time Mason, one of those who passed through the fiery trials of the anti-masonic period, and that he was unyielding in his devotion to the fraternity is evinced by the fact that he and Wor. Bro. Joseph Hawes op­posed to the bitter end the surrender of the char­ter of old Aurora Lodge, No. 9. In this, how­ever, he was unsuccessful, and the Lodge succumbed to what was probably inevitable, and it was voted, Sept. 19, 1834, to surrender the charter.

He successively filled all the offices of the Lodge from that of Tyler to Worshipful Master, to which latter office he was elected June 26, 1820.

He was also a prominent officer in King Solomon R. A. Chapter, No. 5, and a member of Montpelier Council, R. & S. M.

Bro. BALDWIN was a just and upright Mason, ever generous and liberal in dispensing Masonic charity, and was always reacy to whisper good I counsel in the ear of a brother.

 

 

MEMORIAL ADDRESS

 

Of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

 

At the first meeting of the directors of the Vt. Mu. Fire Ins. Co. after the death of Mr. Baldwin, Aug. 3, 1881, the Presi­dent offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:

 

Resolved, That we have learned with profound regret of the death of Hon. Dan­iel Baldwin, so long connected with this Company, and identified with the best in­terests of the town for three fourths of a century. We duly appreciate his eminent services as an officer of this company, and his usefulness as a citizen.

Resolved, That we extend to his family the sympathy of this Board in the loss of one who has so long been a kind friend and able counselor.

And a committee was chosen to prepare a memorial address to be read at the An­nual Meeting of the Company, which was prepared and read by Dr. HIRAM A. CUT­TING, of Lunenburgh.

 

"The Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company" is a name so familiar to every Vermonter, in fact, so woven into the af­fairs and interests of the people of this State, that when its originator, Daniel Baldwin, died upon the 3d day of August, in his sloth year, it sent a thrill of sorrow through the hearts of thousands. It was his foresight which planned a system of insurance that recommended itself for its cheapness, and won for itself golden opin­ions, supplying, as it did, the unfortunate with means to reconstruct their homes promptly when the fire-fiend had swept them away. Rightly has it been said of this company, "That it has clothed the naked, fed the hungry and supplied the destitute," and just was the sorrow for the departed man, for he was both the father and patron of this most beneficial associa­tion in our State. It was a happy inspi­ration which induced George Bliss, a can­vasser for the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company, about the year 1818, to call upon Daniel Baldwin, who was tem­porarily stopping in Boston, for the pur­pose of soliciting his insurance. Mr. Baldwin was at that time a prosperous young merchant. He investigated the

 

 

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subject carefully, was pleased with the idea, had his property insured, and accepted the agency of the company for this section, which he retained for 2 years, receiving premiums to the amount of over $4,000, with only $2,000 in losses. It was during this period that the idea of cheaper insurance, based upon the mutual plan, suggested itself to Mr. Baldwin. He counseled with a number of the business men of that day, but could get little encouragement from any, with the exception of Thomas Reed, Jr., James H. Langdon, Joshua Y. Vail, and Chester Hubbard. With these coadjutors, at a second trial, Nov. 10, 1827, the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company was chartered; yet not without great opposition. The mem­ber from Middlebury, one of its opposers, moved an amendment of the bill, granting a charter, requiring the company to pay 6 per cent of the profits into the State treasury annually. This shows that that member of our Legislature, at least, knew little of mutual insurance.

Under this grant the company was or­ganized, Jan. 21 , 1828. As Daniel Bald­win originated the charter, he was elected president of the meeting, but declined, and J. H. Langdon was elected in his stead. There were but six persons present. A board of directors was chosen, and that board, of which Hon. Mr. Baldwin was an active member, elected Chapin Keith of Barre, president, J. Y. Vail, secretary, and George Worthington treasurer, both of Montpelier. Their first policy was issued in March, 1828, to Daniel Baldwin.

In October, 1828, the directors reported 186 policies issued, and that the company was gaining in strength and popularity. A small beginning, truly, for a company that now issues between 5,000 and 6,000 poli­cies annually.

Mr. Keith was succeeded at the end of the year by Israel P. Dana of Danville, as president, who held the office until 1838, to be followed by John Spalding of Montpelier, who held the office until 1841, when the subject of this sketch was elected, holding office as president for 33 years. During this time, he administered the affairs of the corporation as its head. He had around him trusty men, tried and true; yet he has probably traveled more miles on insurance business, and talked insurance with more persons than any other 50 men in the State. His heart and soul were in the work, and with him that meant success. He understood the principles and rules of insurance as few ever do. He adjusted equitable rates for various classes of property with a truly wonderful precision. His devotion to the duties of his office were both conscientious and enthusiastic. As an adjustor, he was almost without an equal; while he settled closely and economically for the company, he gained the respect and good will of the insured, for he was frank and honest, dealing as he would have others deal with him. Few, if any, ever felt aggrieved, and many were the testimonials showered upon him in later years, for his honest dealing with them, when they through loss were rendered almost powerless to contest the validity of their insurance, had they been forced so to do.

The prosperity of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company is the proudest testimonial he can have of his zeal and well-directed services, and those who par­take of the benefits of that organization cannot fail to gratefully remember the man, who more than any other one has made the strong and reliable concern what it is. That its progress may be the more evident, I would say that the number of policies in force in 1831 was 1,869; in 1841, 12,012; in 1851, 11,790; in 1861, 22,237; in 1871, 27,488; and in 1881, 29,413. Such an in­crease in business is without precedent in any mutual company in our Union, and shows definitely that the true and unwav­ering course of all connected with it, has gained the confidence of the people, and the company is an honor to our State, and it is fitting that we should honor the man who originated the philanthropic scheme, and with untiring zeal pushed it to so grand success.

Age creeps stealthily on us all, and as Judge Baldwin felt the pressure upon him and looked with a just pride upon an insti‑

 

 

                                                             MONTPELIER.                                                       519

 

tution, almost his own; and surrounded by helpers in the insurance business which he had himself educated, he thought that they had better allow him to retire; and so after his election as president for the 31st year, he sent in the following resignation, in March, 1871:

 

To the Directors of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company:

 

GENTLEMEN:—Owing to infirmities in consequence of old age. I do not feel com­petent to discharge the duties of president of this company as they should be, and therefore resign the office, to take place as soon as some person shall be elected to fill the responsible place I have so long occupied.

            D. BALDWIN.

            Montpelier, March ist, 1871

 

No action was, however, taken upon this, and he was again re-elected in Octo­ber. He immediately resigned, but was over-persuaded, and consented to serve one year more by having a Vice President to relieve him of some of the duties which now rested quite heavily upon him James T. Thurston was elected Vice President, and thus he was continued until Oct. 14, 1874, when Mr. Thurston was elected President; but Hon. Mr. Baldwin was retained as director, so that his counsel and advice might rightly be available. Judge Baldwin, however, soon withdrew almost wholly from the office, but still retaining his mental faculties in a remarkable degree up to the day of his death.

All honor to the departed, and may his valuable counsels and noble example live with the company; and his original and true principles of insurance be carried out by the insurer, and the household word of Vermont continue to be the "Old Vermont Mutual." Let us here to-day, as officers of this company, pledge ourselves anew to the duties, and thus we may hope to retain with our prosperity, which seems assured, the good will and honor of our patrons, that we may, in part, share in the tributes of praise so justly given to the departed.

 

                                                                           W. H. H. BINGHAM,

                                                                           L. G. HINCKLEY,                                   Com.

                                                                           HIRAM A. CUTTING,

ABRAHAM G. D. TUTHILL

 

was born at Oyster Pond, Long Island, and in due time chose to become an artist. To perfect himself, he spent seven years as a pupil of the great painter, Benjamin West, in London, and one year in Paris. Returning to this country, he spent a few years in Montpelier, where a sister resided, and where now there are to be found many beautiful specimens of his work. His artist life was mainly spent at Buffalo, Detroit, and other western cities; but he returned to Montpelier, and died there, June 12, 1843, aged 67.

 

JOSHUA Y. VAIL

 

was one of the very early lawyers of Montpelier. He served awhile as Preceptor of Washington County Grammar School, and was County Clerk 1819-1839, 18 years. He was also Secretary of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company from the or­ganization in 1828 until 1850, and member and Secretary of the Council of Censors in 1820. His wife was a devoted chris­tian mother, Mary M., sister of the artist Tuthill, and all of her children have been well connected. Two of her sons, Solon J. Y. and Oscar J., still reside in Montpe­lier, and two daughters survive, one at Newbury and one in the West—four out of nine children. Mr. Vail died in 1854, in his 70th year; and his wife in 1876, aged 90. Both were born on Long Island.

 

THE WOOD FAMILY.

 

Late in the last century three brothers were born in Leominster, Mass., the eldest of whom spent half of his life in Mont­pelier, and the others much the largest part. They were Cyrus, John, and Zenas Wood. They were all of Puritan stock, and mem­bers of the first Congregational church in Montpelier.

 

CYRUS WOOD settled in Lebanon, N. H., about 1809, taking his brother John with him, who was then about 20 years of age. In 1814, both came to Montpelier and en­tered into partnership in the cabinet-making business, which was continued until the death of Cyrus, Nov. 25, 1840.

 

JOHN WOOD, born July 20, 1788, mar­ried Miss Mary Waterman, of Lebanon,

 

 

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N. H., who was truly a helpmeet for him, an industrious, pious and prudent woman. Bearing his share in the military burdens of his time, he became captain of Wash­ington Artillery, which was a high honor. But it was in the churches that he was most conspicuous. Long a deacon in the first Congregational church, he went to the Free church on its organization, and on its dissolution, to the Methodist church. In all he was an earnest worker, instant and earnest in prayer and exhortation, and his pure, honest and loving life attested the sincerity of his religious convictions. He died Jan. 14, 1872, in his 84th year, leaving a son and daughter, the son being Thomas W. Wood, the now highly dis­tinguished artist.

ZENAS WOOD, born Jan. 1, 1793, came to Montpelier at a somewhat later date, and engaged in the stove and tin-ware business, in which he was quite successful. He had all the excellent characteristics of his brother John, but was somewhat less demonstrative. He sympathized keenly with the sick and suffering, as the writer of this note had occasion to know by personal experience. Mr. Wood was a prudent business man, and for some years was a director in the old Bank of Montpelier. In the last great fire here his real estate was destroyed, and he went, a lone and sad man, to his affectionate daughters in St. Johnsbury, where he died Oct. 29, 1876, in his 84th year.       E. P. W.

For notice of THOMAS W. WOOD, see post.

 

THE COTTRILL FAMILY—Corrections.

Mahlon Cottrill, born in Bridport, Vt., Aug. 29, 1797; died in Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 20, 1864.

Catherine Smith Couch, his wife, born in Landaff, N. H., April 1, 1792; died in Montpelier, April 28, 1861.

Their children were: William H., born June 6, 1823, now a very popular hotel-keeper at Appleton, Wis. Lyman Hawley, born May 16, 1825, and died in Oregon, Nov., 1877. Charles Edward Huntington, born July 11, 1826; died Feb. 3, 1833. George Washington, born May 18, 1828; now a lawyer in N.Y. City. Henry Clay, born June 26, 1830; died Feb. 12, 1833. Jedd Philo C., born Apr. 15, 1832; now a lawyer in Milwaukee, Wis. Charles Mah­lon, born Oct. 20, 1834; now in Milwau­kee, Wis., and a prosperous man.

 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS—MONTPELIER.

 

COL. NATHAN LORD, Jr., commissioned colonel of the 6th Vt. regt., Sept. 16, 1861; resigned Dec. 16, 1862. Now resides in Cleaveland, Ohio.

 

COL. FRANCIS V. RANDALL, commissioned capt. of Co. F. 2d regt., May 25, 1861, promoted col. of the 13th regt., Sept. 24, 1862; mustered out of service July 21, 1863; enlisted and commissioned col. of the 17th regt. Feb. 10, 1864; mus­tered out of service July 17, 1865; remov­ed from Montpelier to Brookfield in 1877.

 

COL. PERLEY P. PITKIN, commissioned quartermaster of the 2d regt. June 6, 1861; promoted captain and assistant quarter­master of U. S. vols. Apr. 3, 1862, and subsequently to the rank of colonel and quartermaster of the depot department of the army of the Potomac; was chosen quartermaster general of Vt. after the close of the war, which office he held several years, and has since remained a resident of Montpelier.

 

LIEUT.-COL. EDWARD M. BROWN, adj. 5 regt. Sept. 16, 1861; promoted lieut.-col. of the 8th regt., Jan. 9, 1862; resigned Dec. 23, 1863. Col. Brown now resides in Bismarck, Dakota, receiving the appoint­ment of U. S. land agent, and removing thenre in 1873.

 

LIEUT.-COL. ANDREW C. BROWN, Com­missioned lieut.-col. of the 13th regt., Aug. 25, 1862; resigned May 5, 1863, and continues to reside in Montpelier.

 

LIEUT.-COL. JOHN H. EDSON, commissioned lieut.-col. of the 10th regt. Aug. 27, 1862; resigned Oct. 16, 1862; resides elsewhere.

 

MAJ. JOHN D. BARTLETT, commissioned capt. of Co. C., 1st regt., Vt. cav., Oct. 14, 1861; promoted to major Nov. 18, 1861; resigned Apr. 25, 1862; removed to Mass. in 1870.

 

MAJ. JAMES S. PECK, commissioned 2d lieut. of Co. I. 13th regt., Aug. 25, 1862; promoted to adj't. Jan. 1863; mus­tered out July 21, 1863; enlisted as private in Co. E. 17 regt., Dec. 3, 1863; commissioned adj't. of the regt. Apr. 12, 1864; promoted major July 10, 1865; mustered

 

 

                                                             MONTPELIER.                                                       521

 

out July 25, 1865; was chosen adj't. and inspector-gen. of the State in 1871, hold­ing the office ten years, receiving re-elec­tion, and resigning in 1881, receiving the appointment of postmaster of this town in April, 1881.

ADJ'T. J. MONROE POLAND, commission­ed adjutant of the 15th regt. Oct. 2, 1862; mustered out of service Aug. 5, 1863, and continues to reside in town.

CAPT. WILLIAM T. BURNHAM, commissioned captain of Co. H. 2d regt., May 23, 1861; resigned Oct. 25, 1861; died in Montpelier, June 20, 1862.

CAPT. HORACE H. CROSSMAN, commissioned 2d lieut. of Co. F. 2d regt., May 20, 1861; promoted 1st lieut. Jan. 24, 1862; capt. Oct. 1, 1862; honorably dis­charged Oct. 30, 1863, for wounds receiv­ed in battle, necessitating the amputation of his leg. He died in Washington, D. C., a few years after.

CAPT. DAYTON P. CLARK enlisted as private in Co. F. 2d regt. May 7, 1861; promoted to sergt. June 20, 1861; com­missioned 1st lieut. Jan. 29, 1862; pro­moted to capt. Nov. 3, 1863; was acting adjutant of the regt. for some months, and at the battle of Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864, was in command of the regt.; mus­tered out of service June 29, 1864, and continues to reside in Montpelier.

CAPT. JOSEPH P. AIKENS enlisted from Barnard as private in Co. D 4th regt. Aug. 28, 1861, receiving promotions to corp. and sergt.; re-enlisted from Montpelier Dec. 15, 1863; commissioned 1st lieut. of Co. C. May 6, 1864; promoted capt. Aug. 9, 1864; wounded at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864, and honorably discharged Mar. 8, 1865, for wounds received.

CAPT. CHARLES H. ANSON, enlisted and appointed to quartermaster-serg. of the 11th regt. Sept. 1, 1862; commissioned 2d lieut. of Co. E. Aug. 11, 1863; promoted to 1st lieut. Dec. 28, 1863, and to captain Apr. 2, 1865, for gallantry in the assault on Petersburgh, Va.; mustered out of ser­vice June 24, 1865; now resides in Mil­waukee, Wis., where he is engaged in business.

CAPT. JAMES RICE enlisted Aug. 24, 1861, as leader of the 5th regt. band; dis­charged April 11, 1862; enlisted in Co. F. 11th regt., and commissioned as capt. Aug. 12, 1862; honorably discharged for disa­bility, Apr. 28, 1865; now a resident of Pueblo, New Mexico, where he removed to soon after the war, and has held the office of mayor of that city since his residence there for some years.

CAPT. GEORGE S. ROBINSON Of Montpelier, as a credit from Berlin, commis­sioned 1st lieut. of Co. C. 13th regt., Aug. 29, 1862; resigned Feb. 16, 1863; enlisted and commissioned capt. of Co. E. 17th regt., Apr. 12, 1864; wounded April 12, 1865; mustered out June 14, 1865, and continues to reside in Montpelier.

CAPT. ALFRED L. CARLTON, commissioned regt. quartermaster of the 11th regt. Aug. 14, 1862; promoted to 2d lieut. of Co. C. Dec. 12, 1862; to captain and com­missary of subsistence of U. S. vols., Mar. 1, 1863; mustered out in 1865; died in Montpelier, May 29, 1874.

CAPT. JOHN W. CLARK, commissioned quartermaster of the 6th regt. Sept. 28, 1861; promoted to capt. and assist. quar­termaster of the U. S. vols., Apr. 11, 1864; resigned Dec. 7, 1864; appointed post­master of Montpelier, Mar. 1869, holding the office 12 years, retiring July 1, 1881.

CAPT. FRED E. SMITH, commissioned as quartermaster of the 8th regt., Nov. 23, 1861; honorably discharged Nov. 30, 1863, and continues to reside in Montpelier.

CAPT. EDWARD DEWEY, commissioned quartermaster of the 8th regt., Jan. 12, 1864; promoted capt. and assist. quarter­master of U. S. vols., Feb. 11, 1865, and continues to reside in Montpelier.

Q. M. NELSON A. TAYLOR, commis­sioned quartermaster of the 13th regt., Nov. 28, 1862; mustered out July 21, '63; residence Nov. 1, 1881, Council Bluffs, Ia.

SURGEON CHARLES M. CHANDLER, com­missioned assist. surgeon of the 6th regt., Oct. to, 1861; promoted to surgeon Oct. 29, 1861; resigned Oct. 7, 1863, and re­sumed his practice in Montpelier, where he continues to reside.

1st LIEUT. WALTER A. PHILLIPS, commissioned 1st lieut. Co. F. 2d regt., May

 

 

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21, 1861; discharged Dec. 31, 1861; en­listed as a credit from Calais, as private of Co H. 13th regt., Aug., 1862; promoted corp. and sergt., and com. as 1st lieut., June 4, 1863; mustered out July 21, 1863; enlisted and com. as 2d lieut. of 3d battery, Dec. 12, 1863; promoted to 1st lieut. Jan. 2, 1864, honorably discharged Feb. 3, 1865, for disability, and now resides in Peoria, Ill., where he is engaged in business.

1st LIEUT. RUSSELL T. CHAMBERLAIN, enlisted as private in Co. G. 4th regt., Aug. 27, 1861; promoted corp. March 3, 1862; re-enlisted; promoted sergt. June 10, 1864; regt'l com. sergt., Jan. 1, 1865; 2d lieut. Co. A. Feb. 27, 1865; 1st lieut. June 4, 1865; mustered out July 13, 1865; was taken prisoner, and in confinement several months; he now resides in Oregon.

1st LIEUT. CHARLES C. SPALDING, commissioned sergt.-maj. of the 5th regt., Sept. 16, 1861; promoted to 1st lieut. of Co. D. Nov. 5, 1861; honorably discharg­ed for disability Oct. 10, 1862; died in Boston, Jan. 19, 1877.

1st LIEUT. GEORGE H. HATCH, regt'l com. sergt. Oct. 15, 1861, of the 6th regt.; promoted 2d lieut. of Co. H. Oct. 22, 1862; 1st lieut. May 4, 1863; mustered out of service Oct. 28, 1863; now resides in Nashua, N. H.

1st LIEUT. HENRY C. ABBOTT, enlisted Nov. 9, 1861, as private in Co. C. 8th regt; promoted 1st lieut. in 2d Louisiana regt. Sept. 1, 1862.

1st LIEUT. WILLIAM B. BURBANK, enlisted in Co. E. 17th regt.; com. 2d lieut. April 9, 1864; promoted 1st lieut. Aug. 22, 1864; mustered out of service July 25, 1865; died in Montpelier, Nov. 5, 1870.

1st LIEUT. JAMES C. LAMB, enlisted as private in Co. E. 17th regt., Dec. 23, '63; promoted quartermaster sergt. Oct. 17 '64; 1st lieut. Co. B. July 1, '65; mustered out July 14, '65; died in Montpelier, March 18, 1869.

1st LIEUT. GEORGE D. HOWARD, commissioned 1st lieut. Co. M. frontier cavalry, Jan. 3,1865; resigned Mar. 16, '65; now resides elsewhere.

1st LIEUT. FRANK ANSON, enlisted as a credit from Halifax as private in Co. E. 11th regt., Jan. 5, 1864; regt'l com. sergt. Jan. 17, 1864; regt'l quartermaster sergt. Sept. 1, 1864; promoted 2d lieut. Co. A. May 13, 1865; 1st lieut. May 23, 1865; mustered out of service Aug. 25, 1865; now resides in Milwaukee, Wis., where he is engaged in business.

1st LIEUT. EZRA STETSON, commission­ed 1st lieut. Co. B. 10th regt., Aug. 4, '62; killed at Cold Harbor, June 1, 1864.

1st LIEUT. EDWARD J. STICKNEY, en­listed as private of Co. B. July 30, 1862; promoted corp. Mar. 27, 1864; sergt. Sept. 1, 1864; 2d lieut. Dec. 19, 1864; 1st lieut. March 22, 1865; mustered out July 21, 1865; died in Montpelier, Jan. 12, 1875.

1st LIEUT. CHARLES W. CLARK, appointed as regt'l com. sergt. 11th regt., Sept. 1, 1862; promoted 2d lieut. Co. G. March 29, 1863; 1st lieut. Nov. 2, 1863; mustered out of service June 24, 1865; re­sides at present in Montpelier.

1st LIEUT. JOHN R. WILLSON, enlisted as private of Co. I. 11th Vt. July 15, 1862; promoted corp. Jan. 1, 1864; sergt. Sept. 22, 1864; 2d lieut. Dec. 2, 1864; wounded March 27, 1865; promoted 1st lieut. June 1865, mustered out of service June 24, '65; and now resides in Malden, Mass.

1st. LIEUT. ALBERT CLARK. enlisted as private in Co. I. 13th regt. Aug. 25, 1862; promoted sergt. Oct. 10, 1862; 1st lieut. Co. G. Jan. 22, 1863; mustered out July 21, 1863; now resides in Boston, Mass.

1st LIEUT. SAMUEL F. PRENTISS, enlist­ed as private in Co. I. Aug. 25, 1862; promoted 1st lieut. Feb. 23, 1863; muster­ed out July 21, 1863; now resides in New York city, where he is successfully engaged in the practice of law.

2d LIEUT. CHARLES W. RANDALL. ap­pointed sergt. maj. of the 13th regt. Oct. 10, 1862; promoted 2d lieut. Co. G. Jan. '63; mustered out July 21, '63; enlisted and com. 2d lieut. of Co. C. 17th regt., Feb. 23, '64; honorably discharged for disability March 9, 1865; died in Montpelier Oct. 20, 1868.

2d LIEUT. JAMES B. RIKER, enlisted Dec. 31, 1861, as private in 1st battery; quartermaster sergt. Sept. 20, 1862; pro‑

 

 

                                                             MONTPELIER.                                                       523

 

moted sergt.-maj. Sept. 1863; 2d lieut. April 4, 1864; mustered out of service Aug. 10, 1864; now resides in New York.

2d LIEUT. EBEN TAPLIN, enlisted as private in 3d battery, Dec. 16, 1863; promoted corp. Jan. 1, 1864; wounded Aug. 8, '64; promoted Aug. 23, 1864, quarter­master sergt.; 2d lieut. Feb. 28, 1865; mustered out June 15, 1865; now resides in Burlington, Vt. C. DE F. BANCROFT. Dec. 1, 1881.

 

MILITARY NECROLOGY.

 

Soldiers who have died in town since the war.

(See military table, pp. 342-349.)

 

Thos. C. Alexander, Nov. 27, '69, age 39, 13th reg.

Sam'l. Andrews, Aug. 27, '79, age 25, 2d Vt. bat.

Lieut. Chas. E. Bancroft, Feb. 1, '79, age 49, Co. I, 13th reg. (Waterbury.)

Lieut. Wm. B. Burbank, Nov. 5, '70, age 33, 17th reg.

Capt. Wm. T. Burnham, June 20, '62, age 51, 2d reg.

Maj. Alfred L. Carlton, May 29, '74, age 45, 11th reg.

John S. Collins, Nov. 27, '67, age 30, F. C. cav.

L. M. Collins, Dec. 8, '71, age 26, 17th reg. (East Montpelier.)

Solomon Dodge, Dec. 11, '64, age 39, Ohio reg.

Lorenzo Dow, Dec. 1, '69, age 25, 2d Vt. bat. (Berlin.)

William Dow, Sept. 18, '71, age 33, 2d Vt. bat. (Berlin.)

Olin French, Sept. 29, '68, age 28, 1st cav. reg. (Barre.)

John C. Hackett, Oct. 13, '75, age 56, 6th reg. (Berlin.)

Orlena Hoyt, June 30, '78, age 72, 5th reg.

Timothy Hornbrook, Dec. 24, '74, age 32, 2d reg. (Berlin.)

John W. Ladd, Dec. 4, '70, age 34, 13th reg.

Lieut. James C. Lamb, Mar. 16, '69, age 38, 13th and 17th reg.

Lieut. Chas. S. Loomis, Dec. 8, '68, age 38, on Gen. McPherson's staff.

Peter Lemoine, Apr. 3, '67, age 22, 1st Vt. bat. (Plainfield.)

Chas. W. Randall, Oct. 20, '68, age 22, 13th and 17th reg.

Benj. Spinard, May 21, '79, age 39, 11th reg. (Albany, Vt.)

Louis Seymour, Dec. 29, '72, age 39, Co, M, 1st Vt. cav.

Lieut. Edward J. Stickney, Jan. 12, '75, age 30, 10th reg.

Andrew St. John, Jan. 5, '77, age 57, 17th reg.

Cyril Wheeler, Mar. 18, '76, age 47, 2d reg. (East Montpelier.)

Alfred Whitney, July 30, '76, age 48, 11th reg. (Berlin.)

Surgeon Jas. B. Woodward, Oct. 4, '79, age 55. (Kansas reg.)

Edwin C. Cummins, Feb. 27, '73, age 34, 4th reg. (East Montpelier.)

 

Montpelier soldiers who have died elsewhere since the war.

 

Jerome E. Ballou, Jan. 25, '75, age 32, 13th reg., at Cincinnati.

Henry M. Bradley, Nov. 12. '65, age 24, 10th reg., at Williston.

Curtis A. Coburn, Nov. 7, '66, age 25, 10th reg., at New Orleans.

Capt. Horace F. Crossman, 2d reg., at Washington, D. C.

Franklin S. French, 1st cav., at Chicago.

Alfred Girard, 17th reg., at Coaticook, Que., Apr. 9, 1875.

Frank J. Brunell, in 1864.

Wm. Guinan, Nov. 6, '74, age 44, 2d and 17th reg., at Springfield, Mass.

David Goodwin, Feb. 27, '73, age 33, 5th reg., at Hartford, Conn.

Thos. H. McCaulley, Mar. 26, '67, age 24, 2d reg., at Hanover, N. H.

Chas. D. Swasey, died June, '65, age 31, 13th reg., at Minneapolis, Minn.

George S. Severance, 3d reg., killed in railroad accident in Illinois, 1869.

Curtis H. Seaver, June 29, '72, age 32, 13th reg., at Richmond, Vt.

Robert Patterson, Dec. 27, '74. age 57, 10th reg., at Fitchburg, Mass.

Hiram D. Sinclair, Aug. 25, '71, age 58, 8th reg.

Lieut. Chas. C. Spalding, Jan. 19, '77, age 50, 5th reg., at Boston.

Peter Tebo, 1st cav., died in Plainfield a few years since.

            C. DE F. B.

 

 

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GREEN MOUNT CEMETERY.

 

Revolutionary War.—Elder Ziba Woodworth died in 1826, aged 66. Eliakim D. Persons died in 1846, aged 81.

War of 1812.— George W. Bailey, Sr., died in 1868, aged 70. William Bennett in 1878, aged 85. Darius Boyden, 1850, aged 85. Abel Carter in 1869, aged 83. Col. Parley Davis, '48, aged 82. Jacob F. Dodge in 1838, aged 56. Amos Farley in 1836, aged 59. Lieut. Joseph Howes in 1863, aged 80. Abijah Howard in 1840, aged 62. Capt. Timothy Hubbard in 1840, aged 66. Roger Hubbard in 1848, aged 65. Azro Loomis in 1831. Jonathan P. Miller in 1847, aged 50. Lieut. Thomas Reed in 1864, aged 71. Capt. Isaac Ricker in 1837, aged 53. Jonathan Shepard in 1863, aged 91. Cyrus Ware in 1849, aged 80. Araunah Waterman in 1859, aged 80. Daniel Wilson in 1875, aged 70.

War of the Rebellion.—1st Lieut. Chas. E. Bancroft, Jerome E. Ballou.

Henry Black, member of 2d Maine regt., died at Sloan hospital, Montpelier July 9, 1864. Capt. Lucius H. Bostwick, Co. F 13th Vt. regt., died June 4, '63, age 25.

Capt. William T. Burnham, Lieut. Wm. B. Burbank, Maj. Alfred L. Carlton, John S. Collins, Luther M. Collins, Wm. Dow.

Surgeon Elihu Foster, surgeon of the 7th regt., died in Hydepark, Jan. 9, 1867. John Fisk, 11th regt., died in Hydepark, Oct. 4, 1863.

John C. Hackett, Thomas Hand, 2d Vt. regt., died at Sloan Hospital, Jan. 8, 1865.

John W. Ladd, Lieut. James C. Lamb, Lieut. Charles S. Loomis.

Vernon L. Loomis, member Co. H 3d. regt., died Feb. 3, 1863, aged 19 years. Arthur M. Pearson, member Co. F 2d regt., died in Berlin, Sept. 15, 1876, age 40. Philander A. Preston, Co. C 1st cav., died in Florence, S. C., Jan. 20, 1865, age 31. Harlan P. Sargent, Co. I 9th Vt., died at Fortress Monroe, Nov. 30, 1863, age 25.

Lieut. Charles C. Spalding, Lieut. Edward J. Stickney, Charles D. Swasey.

Wallace H. Whitney, Co. M 1st cav., died at Sloan hospital, Montpelier, Jan. 27, 1865. Alfred Whitney.

 

ELM STREET CEMETERY.

 

Revolutionary War.—Col Jacob Davis died Feb., 1814, age 75. Aaron Griswold died in 1847, age 95. Luther King died in 1842, age 88.

War of 1812.— Stukeley Angell died in 1870, age 73. David Barton in 1839, age 57; Silas Burbank in 1847, age 78. Joseph Buzzell in 1833, age 68. Simeon Cum­mins in 1836, aged 55. Thomas Hazard in 1856, aged 75. Capt. Eben Morse in 1858, age 85. Samuel Mead in 1827, age 40. Iram Nye in 18—, age —. Ira Owen in 1836, age 48. George Rich in 1834, age 48. Diah Richardson in 1866, age 72. Harry Richardson in 1862, age 70.

War of Rebellion, 1861.— Selden B. Harran, Co F 2d regt., died at George­town, D. C., Nov. 14, 1861, age 20. Sergt. Omri S. Atherton, Co. C 17th regt., died Nov. 6, 1864, age 23. Sergt. Thomas M cCaulley.

 

CENTER CEMETERY.

 

War of 1812.—James Arbuckle died in 1844, age 61. Moses Parmenter in 1860, age 85. Benjamin Phinney in 1831, age 61. Nathaniel Proctor in 1866, age 88. Josiah Wing in 1849, aged 73. John Young in 1876, age 89.

Mexican War.—Capt. George W. Estes of the navy died in 1871, aged 60.

War of 1861.—Samuel Andrews, Ed­win C. Cummins. Lorenzo D. Cutler, Co. C 13th regt., died July 24, 1863, age 21. Lorenzo Dow. Andrew H. Emerson, Co. E 17th regt., died July 27, 1864, aged 18. Albert N. Mann, Co. I 9th regt., died Sept. 8, 1872, age 28. Orvis Ormsbee, Co. G 4th regt., died in Virginia, Jan. 19, 1862, age 21. Hiram D. Sinclair. Wil­lard Snow, Co. C 13th regt., died July 19, 1863, age 23. Cyril Wheeler. Lemuel B. Wing, 2d Co. Sharpshooters, died in 1867, age 22.

 

CATHOLIC CEMETERY.

 

War of 1861.—William Blair, Co. I 13th regt., died Beilin, June 7, 1873, age 28. Walter Burke. Co. H 13th regt., died at Wolf's Run Shoals, March 4, 1863, age 23. Frank Lanier, Co. C 11th regt., died in Berlin. Abraham Leazer, Co. C

 

 

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13th regt., died in Virginia, March 16, '63, aged 45. Rock Lemwin, Co. E 17th regt., March 11, 1864, age 43. Peter Lemoine, Erank Sanchargrin, died at Sloan hos­pital, Montpelier, in 1864. Louis Sey­mour. Joseph Shontell, 3d Battery, died in Washington, D. C., March 13, 1864, age 19. Andrew St. John, Peter Tebo.

 

ON STATE ARSENAL GROUNDS.

 

Seminary Hill.—William Whitney, 3d regt., died at Sloan hospital, Jan. 27,1865, age 27.

Monuments in Green Mount Cemetery of those buried elsewhere. — Charles W. Storrs, Co. K 7th regt., died of wounds at Mobile, Ala., April 10, 1865, age 23. Gilman D. Storrs, Co. B 10th regt., killed at Orange Grove, Nov. 27, 1863, age 20. Oscar Maxham, Co. E 8th regt., died at Salis­bury, N. C., Feb. 11, 1864, age 27. Orrin Maxham, Co. E 8th regt., died in Louisiana, Feb. 6, 1863, age 23.

Eliphalet Bryant, 11th U. S. A. regu­lars, died in Richmond, Va.

May, 1881, there were 28 headstones furnished by the government, and erected for the soldiers buried in the different cemeteries of Montpelier.

 

BURIED IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES.

 

James M. Carr, 10th regt. Co B. John H. Brown, 3d Battery. Ezekiel S. Waldron, 10th regt. Co B, City Point.

Tuffield Cayhue, 10th regt. Co. B, Cold Harbor, Va. Joseph Ladue, 4th regt. Co. G, Culpepper Court House.

Robert Brooks, 10th regt. Co. B, Dan­ville, Va.

Felix H. Kennedy, 10th regt. Co. B. Benjamin F. Taylor, 2d regt. Co. F, Cypress Hill, N. Y.

Benjamin N. Wright, 13 regt. Co. I, Gettysburgh, Penn.

James E. Thayer, 8th regt. Co. E, Chalemette, near New Orleans.

Sydney A. Gilman, 4th regt. Co. G, Andersonville, Ga.

Charles Storrs, 7th regt, Co. K, Mo­bile, Ala.

Roswell Franklin, 3d regt. Co. H. Allen Greeley, 10th regt. Co. B, Alexandria, Va.

Harris Buxton, 11th regt. Co. H. Har­mon O. Kent, 4th regt. Co. G. Albert J. Ayer, 10th regt. Co. B, Asylum, Washing­ton, D. C.                                                                                                             C. DE F. B.

 

ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS OF MONTPELIER SOLDIERS.

 

The first man to offer his services to his country from Montpelier was Robert J. Coffey, who at the age of 19 years enlisted in Co. F. 1st Vt. regt., which was mus­tered into service May 2, 1861. Five more boys from the town responded to the call and enlisted in the same company within a few hours after. On being mus­tered out with the regiment, Aug. 15, 1861, Sergt. Coffey enlisted Sept. 5, 1861, in Co. K. 4th regiment. At the battle of Banks' Ford, Va., May 2, 1863, one inci­dent occurred, it being the next day after the 6th Army Corps had charged and captured Mary's Heights. During the battle, Co. K, 4th regiment was deployed as skirmishers. After making a charge and capturing a number of prisoners, and withdrawing back towards the rear, 1st Lieut. Chas. Carter who was in the command of the company, shouted "come on boys we will get more of them yet." Sergt. Coffey went forward with the lieutenant a short distance, when spying a rebel taking aim at the lieutenant from behind a tree, he fired, the ball taking effect in the rebel's arm, when he advanced and gave himself up a prisoner, and was sent to the rear. They then advanced to the brow of a small hill. The bullets coming thick, they crawled behind an old tree-top for protec­tion. Sergt. Coffey reloaded his rifle here, an Enfield, and as they were rising up to take their departure,—things getting a little warm there—when they were front­ed by three rebels, an officer and two men, who upon the demand made by the serg­geant and lieutenant, surrendered and threw down their arms. As Lieut. Carter started with the prisoners to the rear, Sergt. Coffey heard the clanking of a sword, and ran around the tree-top, and was met by a large, fine looking rebel officer. The reply to the demand of surrender made by Sergt. Coffey was a blow across the sergeant's bayonet from the sword of the officer, which was parried off. As the rebel drew his revolver to fire, the sergeant dis­charged his rifle at him from a position of charge bayonets. The officer fell dead,

 

 

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being shot through the head. At this mo­ment Lieut. Carter called on Sergt. Coffey to come back with him. As the sergeant started to go, he saw a rebel captain and six men just below him, which was on the bank of a small stream. At this moment, when the captain was giving an order to his men, the sergeant pointed his empty rifle into his face and ordered him to sur­render. The captain thinking that they were surrounded exclaimed, "don't shoot," and ordered his men, who were in the rear of him several feet, to surrender. The cap­tain gave himself up; the other six men came upon the bank, five of them privates, all armed with Enfield rifles, and the other, a lieutenant, also well armed. Dropping their guns, the sergeant threw them into the stream below. As they ad­vanced towards where the captain stood, the lieutenant says to the captain, "what are we a doing here? he is all alone." The sergeant pointed his rifle into the lieu­tenant's face and cocked it, and told him to march on. As they advanced a squad of Co. A boys, who were forming a skir­mish line on the right, came in sight; the sergeant called on them for assistance, as they were but a few rods off; which call they responded to by coming. Taking the swords from the captain and lieutenant, the sergeant marched them in the direction of his regiment, which had just formed a line of battle on a little rise of ground sev­eral rods in the rear. The sergeant deliv­ered them over to Col. Stoughton in the presence of the regiment. The colonel directed him to take them to the rear and deliver them to the prevost guard. On their way the rebel captain informed Sergt. Coffey that his name was Carpenter, and that he was captain of a company in the 21st North Carolina regiment, that the lieutenant belonged to the same regiment, and also that the officer whom he killed, was a major of the same regiment. The five privates belonged to the 8th Louisiana regiment. There being no vacancy for promotion at that time, Sergt. Coffey was detailed with six other deserving men to go to Vermont and assist in making out the draft. Six days after he rejoined his regiment; he was wounded at Fairfax Court house, Va., in such a manner as to further disable him for service in the war. The above narration is authenticated by several comrades of his regiment as a true narrative.

In addition to this narrative might be added many more of the daring deeds per­formed by Montpelier "boys" in the army. Among them that performed by private Wallace W. Noyes of Co. F, 2d regiment, who received special mention from the commanding officer at the battle of Spott­sylvania, May 12, 1864. He mounted the enemy's breast works and fired some 30 rifles down into the enemy in rapid succes­sion, they being loaded and passed up to him by his comrades from below; the bul­lets passing like rain above him, but he escaped unhurt, although a bullet passed through his cap and was knocked off; he was afterwards severely wounded, but re­covered, and now resides in Montpelier. Another deed which is credited in history from his commanding officer, was by Cor­poral William L. Washburn of the 3d Vt. battery, at the engagement before Peters­burgh, Va., in April, 1865. At one stage in the engagement, the severe firing from the enemy's guns compelled the 3d battery boys to leave their guns and retire behind some breast-works in the rear. Corp. Washburn remained by his gun, a 12 pounder, and loaded and fired alone, that the battery might not be silenced. There he continued until the "boys" returned to the guns. He escaped without a scratch.

 

NOTES AND NECROLOGY.

 

Samuel Abbott, engaged in the jewelry business for many years in town, died May 4, 1861, aged 70.

Aaron Bancroft, Jr., an excellent mechanic at several trades, and in early life engaged in the jewelry business, was a great "wag," always full of jokes. He was commissioned captain of a militia company in town, which office he held several years from 1833. He died March 23, 1869, aged 60 years.

Chas. E. Bancroft, for some years engag­ed in the stove and tin business in this

 

 

                                                             MONTPELIER.                                                       527

 

town; was a man of mechanical genius, having taken out several patents, principal­ly on tinman's tools. He died Feb. 1, 1879, aged 49, leaving one son, Chas. De F., and one daughter, Alice D.

Cornelius Watrous Bancroft, (see biog­raphy of Carlos Bancroft,) was engaged many years in the mercantile business; an excellent business man and citizen, died Jan. 22, 1856, aged 48, leaving a son, Howard, now residing in Columbus, O.

Arthur D. Bancroft died April 11 1881, aged 37, (see biog. page 497.)

James Boyden came about 1830; was for some years engaged in preaching the Universalist faith, but giving this up, fol­lowed his trade, that of cabinet maker, until his death, Jan. 22, 1875, aged 77.

Milton Brown, Esq., son of Amasa Brown, was born April, 1801, in Winch­endon, Mass.; came to Montpelier with his father in 1807, resided in Worcester, representing that town 7 years in the legis­lature, and removing to Montpelier, was high sheriff several years. He died July 3, 1853, aged 54.

Geo. P. Blake, a merchant, died sud­denly, Aug. 1, 1854, aged 51.

Silas Burbank, a native of Montpelier, for many years successfully engaged in business in town, died Aug. 14, 1872, aged, 65 years.

Hon. Augustine Clark, who had held the office of state treasurer while a resident of this town, but was for many years previous a resident of Danville, holding many offices in that town and county, died June 17, 1841, aged 59.

Wyllys I. Cadwell, who came to this town in 1799, and was successfully en­gaged in business, died in 1823, aged about 45.

Wm. W. Cadwell, son of Wyllys I., for many years engaged in business, and also holding various town offices—justice of peace, overseer of the poor—died Dec. 17, 1877, aged 78.

Col. Abel Carter, a leading citizen of this town, born in Lancaster, Mass., died Jan. 9, 1869, aged 83, in Lowell, Mass.

Lyman G. Camp, who came about 1830, was a contractor and builder, and Washington county jailor many years. He died May 15, 1879, aged 84, leaving 5 daughters and 3 sons.

Zebina C. Camp came in 1820; was a contractor and builder of railroads, held the office of sergeant-at-arms of the State for several years, and the town office of road commissioner many years; died Jan. 3, 1881, aged 76.

Geo. W. Collamer represented the town in the Legislature; was extensively en­gaged in manufacturing, and accumulated a large property; died October 15, 1865, aged 62.

Jacob Davis, Jr., son of Col. Jacob Davis, the first settler of the town, who came with his father at the age of 19 years, died May 4, 1851, aged 83.

Thomas Davis, who was the youngest son of Col. Davis, was 17 at the time of its settlement. He was the builder and owner of the first Pavilion, and died Dec. 17, 1864, aged 95 years.

Anson Davis, son of Thomas, held va­rious town offices, and was some years sheriff; died Sept. 11, 1880, aged 71, leav­ing one son, James, residing in New York city.

Simeon Dewey, one of the first settlers of the town of Berlin, but for the last 20 years of his life residing in this village with his son, Dr. Julius Y. Dewey, died Jan. 11, 1863, aged 92.

Osman Dewey, son of Simeon, a worthy citizen, died Feb. 5, 1863, aged 68 years, leaving four sons, Frank, now a wealthy merchant of Boston; Denison, Simeon and Orville, of Montpelier; two daughters, Mrs. John W. Clark, of this village, and Mrs. H. I. Proctor, residing in Iowa.

Amos Farley, a member of Montpelier Co. at Plattsburgh, in 1812, and for many years foreman of the Watchman office, died Feb. 5, 1836, aged 59.

Gen. Shubael B. Flint was Brig. Gen. of the State militia several years, was engaged in the harness business some years, and died Dec. 18, 1856, aged 57.

Stephen Freeman, engaged in the jew­elry business in town from 1864 until death, was an excellent citizen; died Apr. 13, 1872, aged 54.

 

 

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Silas C. French, for many years engaged in the boot and shoe business in town, died Aug. 28, 1863, aged 79.

Geo. P. Foster, for 15 years proprietor of the Union House, from 1865, an en­ergetic citizen, died Jan. 1, 1881, aged 48, leaving one son, Chas. O. Foster.

Fernando C. Gilman, a son of Jehial Gilman, born in Montpelier, was engaged many years in the manufacturing of carriages in town, until his death, Nov. 26, 1880, aged 56, leaving one son, Septimus C., now residing in Boston.

David Gray, one of the early citizens of Montpelier, a member of Montpelier Co. at Plattsburgh, died Nov. 16, 1865, aged 83. Two sons, men of property, William and David R., reside in town.

John Gray came to Montpelier with his father in 1974, at the age of 8 years; was a farmer, and accumulated a large prop­erty, in speculations, being an active busi­ness man. He died in the village, Dec. 14, 1877, aged 91.

Nehemiah Harvey came here in 1810; was a partner of Silas C. French in the shoe business many years, and died April 22, 1869, aged 75. His two sons, Howard died in the West, and Alonzo K. in Mont­pelier.

Robert Hargin, born in Ireland, came to Montpelier in 1832, was many years con­nected with the old Pavilion in Cottrill's day; was constable of the town several years, and an active member of the Methodist church, died Aug 17, 1878, aged 64.

Chester W. Houghton, proprietor many years of the old Union House, also engaged several years in the tin business, died May 26, 1826, aged 47.

Abijah Howard came in an early day, held various town offices, was a much-respected citizen, a member of the Mont­pelier Co. at the battle of Plattsburgh, and died Dec. 30, 1840, aged 62.

Edwin C. Holmes came to Montpelier in 1826, when a boy; became a successful merchant; was a partner of Carlos Bancroft about 20 years; married a daughter of Capt. Isaac Riker; died May 17, 1871, aged 59, leaving a son, Edwin C., now residing in Texas, and a daughter, Helen, wife of Geo. Howes.

Roger Hubbard, a brother of Captain Timothy Hubbard, came at an early day, and was engaged in business many years. He was a member of the Montpelier Co. at Plattsburgh, and died Nov. 1848, aged 65, leaving three sons, Erastus, Gustavus and George, the two former residing in town, and a daughter, Fanny, who married Martin Kellogg, and resides in New York.

Chester Hubbard, another brother of Capt. Timothy, also came at an early day; was a successful business man, and died Aug. 27, 1832, aged 44, leaving one son, Timothy J., and a daughter, who married Anderson D. Dieter, a merchant of New Orleans, since a resident of Montpelier, and now deceased.

Timothy J. Hubbard, who accumulated a handsome property in real estate specu­lations, died Nov. 7, 1880, aged 57.

William B. Hubbard came here in 1830, accumulated a large property in business, and died Nov. 21, 1871, aged 70 years, leaving one son, Wm. E., residing in town. Two daughters, Mrs. Geo. Wilder and Mrs. Kinsman, are both deceased.

John Barnard Langdon, eldest son of Col. James H. Langdon, engaged in busi­ness in early life, died July 2, 1868, aged 57, leaving one son, John B. Jr., now of Montpelier.

Azro Loomis, merchant, of an early date, died in 1831. Left one son, Hora­tio S., of this town.

Edwin C. Lewis, a boot and shoe mer­chant, died May 13, 1867, aged 57 years.

Joel Mead came to Montpelier at an early day, and married Lucy, sister of Col. James H. Langdon; was engaged in busi­ness; on the 10th of March, 1838, was drowned by the breaking of the ice when crossing Lake Champlain, aged 53 years. He left four sons, Almon A., of this town, James and Joel, now in the West, and Lucius, deceased, and a daughter, who married Harry S. Boutwell, of this town. His widow is yet living, aged 92.

Levi Pierce, druggist and apothecary, a worthy young man, died at the age of 36,

 

                                                             MONTPELIER.                                                       529

 

Jan. 19, 1864, leaving two sons, Clarence C. and John C.

Addison L. Paige, for many years in the livery business, and also held the office of sheriff, died April 4, 1865, aged 55.

Loomis Palmer came in 1829, was en­gaged in business several years, and died Apr. 9, 1875, aged 63.

Dea. Alfred Pitkin, who was engaged in trade many years from about 1820, died Oct. 26, 1855, aged 64. His only son, Alfred Jr., died Oct. 8, 1846, aged 22.

Orrin Pitkin, engaged in the meat busi­ness for about 50 years, from 1820, died April 25, 1879, aged 76. His youngest son Charles C., died in Montpelier, Sept. 1872, aged 19.

Nathaniel Proctor came at an early day, was a member of the Montpelier Co. at the battle of Plattsburgh, and died Mar 31, 1866, aged 88.

Dr. Chas. R. Pell, an excellent citizen, who opened a dental office in town in 1871, died Mar. 4, 1881, aged 35, leaving four sons all in their teens.

Luther Poland, father of the Hons. Luke P. and Joseph Poland, came in 1850; was engaged in lumbering, and died June 16, 1880, aged 90.

Luman Rublee came in 1818, was en­gaged in the hat manufacturing business many years, and died May 12, 1879, aged 86. (See biography of Dr. C. M. Rublee.)

Barnabas Snow, an esteemed resident of the town, born in Montpelier, 1797, died June 30, 1873; married a sister of Car­los Bancroft, by whom he had 3 daughters, Mrs. N. C. Tabor, Mrs. Luther Cree, of Montpelier, and Mrs. Watson of Mass.

Philip Sprague, son of the Hon. Wooster Sprague, who was president of the horti­cultural society of Boston, died Aug. 6, 1874, aged 44.

Isaiah Silver, for many years a leading merchant in town, died May 5, 1865, aged 74, leaving five sons, George, William, Albert, Charles E., and Henry D., a sergt. of Co. F of 1st U. S. artillery, who had the honor of planting the American flag on the bloody hill of Cerro Gordo, in the Mexican war. He died at San Juan de Ulloa, Mexico, June 7, 1848.

William S. Smith came in 1841; was en­gaged in the produce business until his death, Mar. 19, 1870, aged 62, leaving one son, Carlos L., and two daughters, one, now wife of Wm. O. Standish, all of Mont­pelier.

Peter G. Smith, colored, came to Mont­pelier in 1832, and opened hair-dressing, rooms, which business he continued in until death; was a citizen of the highest character, respected by all of his towns­men. He died Dec. 7, 1878, aged 71.

Wm. S. Storrs came in 1823, was en­gaged in business many years, and died Mar. 5, 1870, aged 65. His two sons were killed in the Rebellion. (See war record, page 350.)

Josiah Town came in 1810, and com­menced business, which he continued until his death, March 30, 1826, aged 49, leaving two sons, Josiah, who died Sept. 20, 1832, aged 31, and Ira S., a jeweler of this village.

Preston Trow came in 1830, was en­gaged in house building, and accumulated a handsome property. He died Oct. 1, 1879, aged 69.

Dr. B. O. Tyler came to Montpelier in 1852, and engaged in the druggist busi­ness for some years; died May 21, 1878, aged 80.

Elisha Town, an inventor of consider­able note, taking out several patents, died Apr. 12, 1844, aged 63, leaving five sons, Snow, Samuel, Benjamin, Bar­nard, and a physician residing in Marsh­field. The first four, whose ages are from 60 to 76, all reside in town, within a few rods of where they were born, each being a few rods from each other.

John Taplin, Esq., one of the first and leading settlers of the town of Berlin, (see Berlin,) but residing the last years of his life in Montpelier with his children, was married twice. By his first wife he had 12 children; by his second, 9, all but one living—that being accidentally scalded in infancy—to maturity, marrying, and settling down as the heads of families, thus furnishing an instance of family fruitful­ness and health which perhaps never had a

 

 

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parallel in the State of Vermont. He died Nov. 1835, aged 87.

Jackson A. Vail. Esq., son of Joshua V. Vail, represented the town in the Legisla­ture, (see Washington Co. Bar,) and died Apr. 16, 1871, aged 56.

Col. Asahel Washburn, a highly esteem­ed citizen, being the originator of Sunday-schools in Vermont, died Apr. 9, 1856, aged 84.

Gamaliel Washburn, for upwards of 30 years a worthy resident of Montpelier, and for several holding the office of sheriff and jailor, was a Mason of the highest degrees in the Masonic order. He died Dec. 28, 1868, aged 66, leaving three sons, Miles, now of Boston; Geo. C., a physician of Waterbury; and Justus W. F., of Montpelier; and two daughters, Mrs. D. S. Wheatley, of this town, and Mrs. Emory Bailey, of Boston.

Chas. Wood, son of Cyrus Wood, en­gaged in the tin business several years, and died Feb. 5, 1864, aged 54, leaving one son, Charles E.

Jonathan E. Wright, a most esteemed citizen, son of Rev. Chester Wright, was several years engaged in business in town, removed to Boston, where he continued in business about 20 years, and returned to Montpelier, where he died, May 9, 1872, aged 61, leaving one son, Rev. J. Edward Wright, pastor of the Church of the Messiah, Fanny, a daughter, having de­ceased some years since.

 

ADDITIONAL CITIZENS' NECROLOGY

 

1857 Abbott, Christopher                               29

1875 Abbott, Timothy                                     49

1880 Ainsworth. Nathaniel D.                        52

1827 Bacon, Samuel                                      27

1838 Bancroft, Henry                                     24

1848 Bancroft, Azro                                        29

1845 Bancier, Ambrosie Jr.                            24

1847 Bancier, Ambrosie                                 67

1862 Bancier, Louis                                       52

1834 Baldwin, Edward                                    33

1839 Barton, David                                        57

1867 Bickford, Ebenezer                                 57

1875 Bixby, Luther                                         59

1837 Bigelow, Silas                                        37

1880 Bisconers, John                                    45

1877 Benway, Eli                                           59

1872 Belair, Edward                                       55

1878 Braley, Andrew J.                                   50

1853 Bryant, Jeremiah                                   56

1870 Bryant, Henry                                        32

1846 Brooks, Zolates                                     22

1828 Brooks, Lorenzo D.                                23

1866 Brockway, Abner                                    49

1874 Brown, Josiah L.                                    64

1844 Brown, Stewart                                      65

1849 Broody, Mathew                                     22

1843 Buckley, Francis                                    56

1874 Burnham, Lewis                                   68

1874 Buswell, George M.                                51

1833 Buzzel, Joseph                                      68

1874 Butterfly, Napoleon                               19

1880 Buck, Dana                                           62

1828 Campbell, Henry                                    49

1830 Campbell, David                                    18

1833 Carr, Samuel                                         40

1836 Carrigan, John                                      48

1836 Caravan, John                                       27

1866 Carpenter, David                                   59

1844 Cartemarche, David                               45

1881 Carson, Thomas                                    31

1862 Chase, Austin                                       22

1842 Clark, Ira                                              24

1873 Clark, Bradley M.                                   54

1839 Cleaves, Charles R.                               45

1868 Clifford, Thomas                                    62

1872 Clough, Moses                                      56

1874 Coffey, Richard                                      23

1831 Collins, Salvin                                       62

1875 Cowdry, Daniel                                      64

1852 Connors, James                                    54

1859 Cree, George                                            

1849 Crosby, Nicholas                                   62

1867 Cross, Gustavus                                   34

1852 Cross, Albert A.                                     36

1853 Culver, John W.                                    33

1837 Cutler, Miles                                         40

1841 Cutler, Prentiss                                    33

1875 Cutler, Timothy B.                                 66

1828 Cutler, Jonathan                                   56

1854 Culver, D. W.                                        38

1865 Currier, John Q.                                   41

1865 Cutting, Israel                                       68

1845 Day, Benjamin                                       24

1854 Darling, Joseph                                     38

1863 Dewey, Osman                                      68

1864 Dewey, Samuel                                      45

1878 Dieter, Anderson D.                             53

1841 Doty, H.                                                38

1861 Doty, John                                            65

1838 Dodge, Jacob F.                                     56

1879 Dodge, Theodore A.                                65

1866 Ducharme, Francis                                46

1834 Dugar, Horace                                       25

1842 Dumas, Joseph                                     49

1853 Dumas, Edward                                     26

1835 Dunning, Mr.                                         31

1843 Eaton, Leonard                                      42

1848 Emerson, Orin                                       45

1875 Edgerly, Albert W.                                  27

1871 Estis, Capt. Geo. W.                              60

1872 Fales, Chas. H.                                     22

1844 Foster, Deacon                                      44

1847 Foster, Douglas                                     47

 

 

                                                             MONTPELIER.                                                       531

 

1868 Fish, Orville E.                          21

1878 Finn, John                                33

1879 Frasier, Daniel                          32

1831 French, Henry O.                       28

1850 Fuller, David                             64

1826 Gaylord, Thomas                       67

1871 Gauthier, James                       25

1842 Gilman, J. D.                            29

1851 Gilman, Jehial                          60

1865 Gireaux, John B.                       68

1877 Gerard, Peter                            19

1877 Gerard, Joseph                          18

1877 Gary, Ephraim                           67

1877 Gary, William H.                        30

1841 Gravlin, Peter                            54

1857 Gravlin, Joseph                         28

1841 Gleason, Dr. Jacob                    34

1839 Greenough, Ira                          34

1842 Green, Wesley                           21

1869 Gould, Rodney                           55

1875 Gould, Lorenzo D.                     48

1878 Gould, Orlando                          28

1871 Gray, James                              57

1875 Gray, William                            21

1875 Gray, Mark W                            28

1866 Guernsey, Madison                   57

1877 Guernsey, Lorenzo D.                66

1847 Guernsey, Mr.                           47

1833 Hall, George                              35

1826 Hatch, Timothy                          36

1830 Hatch, Enoch                            38

1840 Hatch, Jeremiah                        52

1843 Hatch, Ira                                 29

1842 Hall, Moses E.                           35

1843 Hayward, R. B.                           34

1871 Harvey, Alonzo K.                      41

1867 Harran, John                             41

1873 Hawley, George P.                     60

1869 Haskins, Curtis                         50

1880 Hazard, George                          64

1873 Hersey, Heman F.                      50

1854 Hersey, Elijah                           68

1853 Heaton, Volney                          37

1879 Heath, Theron H.                      18

1879 Haven, William T.                      46

1876 Hibbard, Edwin S.                      37

1880 Hines, John N.                          48

1869 Hollis, Charles H.                     46

1848 Holmes, Ebenezer                     85

1852 Holmes, Barzillai                       44

1844 Hopkins, Nathaniel                   55

1841 Howes, Solon                            22

1880 Houghton, Rev. James C.          69

1836 Houghton, Lucius                      36

1859 Horne, William                          29

1859 Howland, James                        60

1853 Hyde, George                             22

1856 Hubbard, Elijah                            

1868 Hubbard, Zadock                       25

1851 Hubbard, William L.                   34

1845 Hutchins, James                       39

1835 Hutchins, William                     38

1851 Hutchins, Orison                      39

1841 Jacques, Thomas                       20

1835 Jenkins, James                         33

1841 Jennings, Solomon                    31

1848 Jones, Watson                          57

1860 Jones, James                            40

1872 Jones, Elmer                             21

1848 Jones, William                          18

1840 Johnson, D. P.                          28

1863 Johnson, Willis                         63

1867 Johonnott, Peter                       68

1881 Kane, Moses                             48

1828 Kimball, Jacob F.                       46

1846 Kimball, Seth                            42

1854 Kilbourne, Ralph                       57

1855 Kilbourne, Dr. G. H.                  32

1856 Kilbourne, Edward R.                 20

1858 Kinsman, Newell                       63

1878 Kinsman, John A.                        

1863 Kinson, William R.                    56

1869 Keeler, Andrew                          42

1873 Kent, Hermon G.                       69

1873 Ladd, Ezra W.                            41

1872 Ladam, Joseph                          42

1842 Lamb, Center                            40

1828 Lamphere, Mr.                           65

1840 Lawrence, David                        35

1842 Lawrence, Isaac                         63

1871 Lawrence, Charles                     65

1873 Lease, Gerdin                            65

1880 Leland, James                           64

1872 Lewis, David                              65

1835 Littleton, Samuel                      56

1849 Luce, Hubbard                           25

1855 Lyman, Simeon                          45

1835 Marsh, Lewis                             31

1861 Marsh, William D.                     41

1874 Marsh, Ezra                               67

1868 Marsh, Emerson                        18

1831 Marsh, Julian                            29

1832 Marsh, John                              35

1839 Mathieu, Edmund                      22

1870 Mailhot, Eustache                     61

1848 Mathieu, James                        80

1827 Mead, Samuel                           40

1872 Medler, Patrick                          62

1844 McKay, Alba                              36

1863 McCaully, James                       62

1869 McClure, William F.                   19

1876 McCue, John                             56

1848 McIntire, Timothy                      25

1876 McFarland, James                     56

1839 Miller, Albert                             38

1873 Miller, John                              47

1857 Milliken, Dr. Edward                  29

1849 Morse, Almon C.                        28

1874 Mosely, Harmon C.                    45

1872 Myers, Leslie                             21

1874 Neveaux, Dieu D.                      41

1858 Newton, Jeduthan                     38

1872 Newhall, Joseph                        42

1873 O'Niel, Thomas                         21

1836 Owen, Ira                                  47

1837 Parker, John                             45

1869 Parker, Josiah L.                       35

1875 Parker, Temple W.                     57

 

 

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1869 Park, William                         63

1859 Patterson, James                  64

1865 Paine, Richard                       74

1838 Paddock, James                     67

1877 Pitkin, William L.                  38

1846 Pitkin, Alfred                         22

1872 Pitkin, Charles C.                 20

1834 Peck, Ichabod                         62

1851 Peck, Moses                           68

1831 Percival, Thomas                   35

1852 Phinney, Elisha                        

1855 Phinney, Jay                          26

1845 Potter, Luther                        20

1856 Prescott, Enoch H.                 31

1875 Poland, Charles F.                 28

1833 Prentiss, George                    24

1879 Reed, James M.                     48

1838 Reynolds, Elisha                    52

1865 Redfield, Frederick                22

1863 Rice, Thomas P.                     60

1876 Rich, George                          46

1862 Richardson, James M.           45

1870 Richardson, Redfield J.          21

1851 Rivers, Paul                           60

1860 Rivers, Felix                           35

1852 Ripley, Franklin                     24

1853 Rowell, Hiram                        26

1867 Robinson, Geo. W.                  34

1874 Robinson, Charles C.             22

1875 Robinson, Nelson A.               63

1840 Safford, Charles                     37

1837 Sanders, Otis                         29

1889 Sargent, John P.                    35

1841 Sanborn, Lucius L.                32

1880 Scott, Samuel P.                    70

1840 Shepard, Leander                  40

1844 Sherburne, Enoch                 18

1843 Sherburne, Henry                 67

1871 Simonds, George                   22

1830 Slade, Thomas                       50

1865 Smalley, Waters B.                48

1838 Smith, Dr. Hart                      33

1868 Smith, George H.                   35

1867 Smith, Leander W.                37

1876 Smith, Alexander                  55

1881 Smith, Walter J.                    19

1840 Stearns, Lewis                       63

1855 Staples, John W.                    69

1868 Sterling, Henry                      31

1848 Stickney, Orin                       37

1853 Stickney, Asa                        34

1830 Stickney, William                  55

1874 St. John, Andrew, Jr.             27

1868 St. Onge, Mitchell                  67

1880 Skinner, Ephraim C.             39

1875 Sullivan, Timothy                  64

1846 Taplin, Guy C.                        42

1839 Thombury, Philip                   19

1832 Town, Josiah                         31

1876 True, Ziba R.                          62

1881 True, Charles B.                    35

1868 Tyler, Lorenzo D.                   62

1826 Tuller, Martin                        21

1831 Tuthill, William                     60

1852 Wainwright, Alfred                 62

1846 Warner, M. D.                           

1850 Walsh, William                      42

1851 Wilder, A. W. Sr.                     57

1846 Washburn, Judah                  58

1844 Washburn, Ephraim              45

1840 Walton, Edward                         

1850 Walton, John                          56

1862 Weed, Nathan                        41

1843 Whiten, David                        37

1849 Whitney, Levi                        45

1849 Wheelock, Loomis                 42

1849 Witherell, Elijah                    32

1862 Wing, David                            45

1856 Wing, A. Sidney                     61

1867 Wing, Christopher C.             33

1856 Wing, Lemuel B.                    36

1850 Wing, Myron                           27

1854 Wing, Melvin                             

1830 Worcester, William                22

1872 Wright, Jerome                      29

1839 York, Chester                        29

1834 Young, James                        34

                           C. DE F. RANCROFT.

 

 

GREEN MOUNT CEMETERY.

 

History from: Services at the Dedication of Green Mount Cemetery, Montpelier. Vt., Sept. 15, 1855. Published by order or the Commissioners, Montpelier; E. P. Walton, Jr., printer, 1855.

 

CALVIN J. KEITH, (see page 47) who died in 1853, left a bequest of $1000 in his will for "purchasing a suitable place for a burying-ground in Montpelier, and inclos­ing and planting trees in the same," and named Constant W. Storrs with the trustees of his estate to "lay out the ground into lots and dispose of the same at a reasona­ble price, reserving a portion to be given gratuitously to the poor. The amount re­ceived for lots to be used by said trustees in improving said ground and in planting the same thickly with trees." To the liberality and public spirit of this gift, ''the town responded equally liberal, and at the next annual meeting appointed Hezekiah H. Reed, James T. Thurston and Stoddard B. Colby a committee to act on the behalf of the town" with the trustees. The joint committee purchased of Isaiah Silver at a cost of $2210 about 40 acres, which are now inclosed and constitute Green Mount Cemetery, work on which was commenced in the Autumn of 1854. By act of the Legislature that same year, the whole management was vested in five commissioners to be chosen by the town; Elisha P. Jewett, Hezekiah H. Reed, Charles Reed,

 

 

                                                             MONTPELIER.                                                       533

 

James T. Thurston and George Langdon were elected at the annual March meeting 1855, the first board of commissioners. The town at the same time placing at their disposal to defray the expenses of the Cem­etery $5000. The grounds were so far completed as to be dedicated with the usual forms and exercises Sept. 15, 1855.

 

Dedication Services.—Chant, written for the occasion, by Col. H. D. Hopkins, per­formed by the Union Choir Association, words, Psalm 90, adapted; reading of the Scriptures by Rev. F. D. Hemmenway:

 

Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble. He cometh forth as a flower and is cut down—Job.   .   .   .   And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying: I am a stranger and a sojourner with you, give me a possession of a burying-place, that I may bury my dead.   .   .   .   And the field of Ephron.   .   .   .   the field and the cave which was therein and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about were made sure unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth.— Genesis.   .   .   Behold I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment in the twink­ling of an eye at the last trump. — 1st Cor.

   .   .   .  

Prayer—By Rev. Wm. H. Lord:

Almighty and most merciful God, the Father of our spirits and Framer of our bodies: it becometh us to recognize Thee at this time, and adore thy glorious Maj­esty. Thou hast formed us out of the dust of the earth, and passed upon us the irre­versible sentence of Thy holiness; dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return. We acknowledge the justice of the decree which consigns these earthly tabernacles of our spirits to the darkness and silence of the grave. And as we contemplate the multitudes of successive generations, who have all returned to the earth from whence they sprang, our hearts are impressed with the reality of Thy government over us, and with the solemnity of our present con­dition and future destiny. And most Holy Father, as we are now assembled in this place, to consecrate to our own use, and to the use of the generations that shall follow us, this burial place for the dead, we be­seech Thee, that serious thoughts of the greatness and majesty of Thine adminis­tration, and of our own weakness and frail­ty, may take possession of us. Remind us, we pray Thee, of our personal relations to thy moral law, and to the future before us. Let not the ceremony, in which we engage, be merely listless and formal; but enlisting our minds and hearts, may it send them forth to the contemplation of that promised inheritance of Thy people, where there is neither death nor the grave, and where no funeral monument and no conse­crated sepulchre shall ever be seen to indi­cate the mortality and to mark the corrup­tion of its inhabitants. For however beau­tiful and attractive we may make this place of sepulture, we yet confess, Great God, that it is, in all its parts, significant of our transitory and perishing estate, and that its various attractions cannot conceal from our thoughts the solemn use to which it is de­voted, and the still more solemn fact that makes its use imperative. We beseech Thee, that as often as we visit this spot, it may suggest the most serious and salutary reflections, and lead to the most earnest and holy purposes. And while we may here attest our considerate and generous affection for the dead, let this common home of us all, teach us most impressively our duties to the living. As we here dis­cover the certain destination to which we are all tending, may we learn wisdom to guide us amid the various relations of life, and find fresh and strong incentives to the performance of every duty, and to the cultivation of every grace. May we look to Him, Who, from out of the darkness of the grave, has brought life and immortal­ity to light, and in His gospel spoken to us of a resurrection from the dust of the earth. May we here learn to cherish and to value the hope of a better life, revealed in Thy Word, and to believe heartily in Him, Who will soon destroy death and rob the grave of its victims. And when we commit the bodies of our friends to this consecrated earth, may it be with the lively and assured hope, that through the blood of Jesus Christ, appropriated by faith, we may all be reunited in Thy kingdom of blessedness, to go no more out forever.

Hear this our prayer, and unto Thy name, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, be everlasting praises; Amen.

 

Address—By Rev. F. W. Shelton:

We stand upon a hill-side which, almost yesterday, lay unreclaimed in its original wildness, and now already it begins to look like an embellished garden. Art has redeemed it from its rude estate, with an almost magic transformation. It has its winding walks, and will have its shady avenues. It is the most choice position in this valley, and its natural surface presents the charm of great variety. There is no stretch of landscape, in this neighborhood, around the abodes of the living, which can vie in beauty with this Paradise which you

 

 

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now dedicate, as the resting place of your beloved dead. And it is easy to predict what its aspect will be in a few years, when its remaining roughness shall have been assuaged; when every returning sum­mer shall bring with it a richer shadow, and an added bloom:— when affection shall have beautified it in every nook, and watered its flowers with tears.

On this occasion, so fraught with sol­emn, yet not unpleasing suggestion, your thoughts will naturally recur to one whose hand was always open with a generous largess, and who devised a portion of his wealth for so benevolent an end. The heart is cold in death which lately throbbed with sympathy for the living, but if no chiselled shaft should rise in gratitude upon the height to bear the record of his vir­tues, this spot shall be his noblest monument. Peace to his ashes.

You, too, have done well, and have re­sponded to a true sentiment in consecra­ting these acres to a purpose so hallowed. Here, indeed, the husbandman shall not put in the grain, nor shall the plough-boy carol, nor shall the waving corn be seen upon these hills. They shall receive the germs of a richer harvest in their bosom. This land shall not change hands. It is the inalienable heritage of the dead forever. It is their riches, their right, their possession:—theirs, with all its abundant variety of hill and dale, and rocks, and flowing water little dust, but it is enough to satisfy the wants of many. It will be protected with a jealous care, and none will be so rude in instinct as to pluck a flower. The winds alone shall rifle the buds which grow in this gar­den, and the frosts of heaven shall nip their heads. The laws which truly guard it, are not the statutes inscribed on pillars; they are those which are graven deep in human nature: and the sentinels which keep watch over the tomb, are the most delicate sensibilities of the heart. Thus shall it descend as a burial place from gen­eration to generation, till it shall become so rich and holy with beloved dust, that all the treasures upon earth would not wrest it from your possession. It is now offered, with all its boundaries which lie beneath these skies. The deeds will be presented by your commissioners.

 

This fairest spot of hill and glade,

Where blooms the flower and waves the tree,

And silver streams delight the shade,

We consecrate, O Death, to Thee."

 

An innate sentiment teaches us to have respect to the ashes of the departed. Thus when the spark of life is fled, the mourner stands long to gaze upon the casket which contained the jewel. Tenderly does he close the eyes which shall know no more "their wonted fires," and imprints a last kiss on the lips which Death has sealed. He scatters flowers upon the silent bosom. He enrobes the form of the sleeper in fair and white habiliments, and at last in silence and in sorrow commits it to the purifying monld;—earth to earth,—ashes to ashes, —dust to dust. Nor does he rest con­tented when he has put it from his sight with the latest ceremonials which decency requires. He guards the sacred spot from each profane intrusion, and there he lin­gers long, if he has loved well.

We find a care for sepulture existing by the proof of earliest records.

 

"ABRAHAM stood up, and bowed him­self to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth. And he communed with them, saying, 'If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and intreat for me to Ephon the son of Zohar, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me, for a possession of a burial place among you.'"—Gen. 23, 7-9.

All people have exhibited the like trait of humanity, The dreamy Turk will leave the living crowd which is by the Bosphorus, and sit all day beside the graves of his kindred. The red man of the forest cher­ishes within him the same germ and attri­bute of a higher civilization: for as a hard fate drives the tribes still onward to the "Father of Waters," the last thoughts of their hearts is directed towards the spots where rest the bones of their fathers.

He who does violence to such a senti­ment, lacks even the refinement of the savage. It is the tendency of the age to disregard in some things that which the past held sacred, and to bear them down in a vast development of physical means and physical energy. That utility is short-sighted which shall ever trample on the dictates of a genuine decency. The pyramids still rise sublime, with no better base than the sands of the desert; but we must only look for ruins where Mammon builds his altars on a dead man's bones.

When we gaze upon this crowd, in con­nection with the object which has brought them here, and consider how large a part of it shall, at some time or other, be dis­solved and mingle with this surrounding dust, it awakens a throb of feeling to which words cannot do justice. There is a poetry, it is true, connected with the cul­tivation of rural cemeteries; but I trust that it is something better than the senti­mentalism which is without depth and vapid. For it is not the charm, which we may throw around these melancholy places,

 

 

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that can deprive death of its sting, or soften one shadow on the brow of the King of Terrors. It is not that the darkness of the grave can be mitigated, because the outside of it is beautified like a garden, nor that the sleeper will rest more softly on a bed which is perfumed with violets. It will be as cold and hard and dark beneath the clod, as if no garlands were above it. But the teachings of a holy faith can give a meaning to such adornments, and surround them with a tender solace, as the emblems of an immortal bloom.

It is because of the effect which they will have upon ourselves, and not for any good which they will do the silent sleepers. To be occupied in such pious rites, is to disengage us a little from the world's incrustations; to break asunder from the bonds of a prevailing selfishness; to pay that which is due to memory, and raise our eyes to the halo which invests the future. It is to gain strength for ourselves to look down fearlessly into the portals of the sol­emn tomb; to pay in thought, and study, and reflection, something of what we owe to the characters of the good and noble. We know that man but poorly, whom we have only known when he was living. The best may be said only to begin to live when the grave has closed upon them. I speak not this of their own destiny, but their major influence is given forth, only when they have ceased to be. It is the memory of their lives, more than their very lives, which can sink at last into our hearts, or fully exhibit their own. They are like those things which we might not have noticed, if they had not passed by. So, the river rolls on over an arid landscape, but when its chiefest volume has left the banks, then the vegetation springs up. It is from the past, the past, that we gather all our wisdom, and live a thousand years in a day. Thus we see that it springs from a relined motive, and that its tendency is salutary, when we seek to adorn a spot like this. It is to cherish the memory of those who have gone before us, and to show that love is not an empty name.

 

"How sleep the brave, who sink to rest,

By all their country's wishes blest:

When Spring, with dewy fingers cold,

Returns to deck their hallowed mould,

She there shall dress a sweeter sod

Than Fancy's feet have ever trod,"

 

In surveying this spot, and the uses for which it is designed, some might be dis­posed to inquire—what need of these ex­tensive domains? At a little distance from where we are now standing, among these wild Green Mountains, there is a humble village in the valley. It is full of thrift and industry, yet when centuries shall have passed away,—from its location by nature, it will be only a village still.

This place shall be a city; the youngest here present may live to see how it shall outstrip the other, in the number of its inhabitants. There will be no such compact masses and ranks of men in yonder streets as shall be assembled here. Thus death gains upon life in all places, until life shall gain the final victory over death.

On the border of that village there is already a cemetery of the dead, but it would soon be overcrowded. It clamors already for a larger domain. Thus necessity itself has coincided with feeling in selecting a more ample and eligible place. There are many tender and touching associations, no doubt, connected with that spot, for its consecration is coeval with the settlement of this village. How many tears have fallen on its hitherto untroubled and quiet graves. There the child slumbers, and the young man, cut down in the nobility of his strength; there the blossoms of the almond tree have fallen; there the lovely daughter has been borne away, when bursting into the grace of womanhood, and when

 

Consumption, like a worm in the bud,

Preyed on her damask cheek."

 

There, truly, are deposited the richest treasures which you had on earth.

But if in love and tenderness you shall disturb those ashes, to bring them here, it will be only as when one shall rearrange a couch, that they may rest more sweetly and securely and quietly forever. Here you will come afterward to smooth their narrow bed, to recall their virtues, to re­new your VOWS of constancy, and to say,— "My Father! my Mother! my Brother! my Sister! my Child! forget thee!— NEVER."

Hither will you come with every chang­ing season of the year to renew your pil­grimage. Hither, when the winter is past, when the rain is over and gone, when the flowers appear on the earth, and the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; hither, when the autumn dyes the foliage with mellow tints and hectic colors; and you will reflect upon it without a pang, and you yourselves will covet no better lot than at last to lie down with these sleepers.

 

Who ever thought these rocks and jagged hills, which Nature fashioned in her wild­est moods, should so suggest the idea of quiet? No love of sordid weal could have accomplished that which you have this day achieved by your affection. Well may yon Mount,* which towers sublime, remove the blue veil from before his eyes,

———

* Camel's Hump.

 

 

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to gaze on this assembled multidude. Here shall the rough rocks be transformed to snowy marble; but if no sculpture memorized the dead, these glorious hills would be a monument. You silver stream shall chant a constant requiem. What spot more silent and select than this among the gorgeous' scenery of the mountains, where Summer paints her richest contrasts, and Winter strews her costliest jewelry around the realms of Death! There is an Echo here which mocks the ear, but wakes up sympathies within the heart. The chaunt­ing voices and the rich harmonic chords, which just went up into the open sky, re­turned in undulations, fainter still to mor­tal sense, but never obsolete. Even now comes stealing back the soul of wild flowers on the soft, Septembral breeze. It is Death alone which dies. This is the Christian's solace. This shall cheer the mourning crowds which wind through yon­der gateway, when they come to lay be­neath the turf the loved and lost. All who are in the grave shall come forth, for this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on IMMORTALITY.

 

Presentation of the title deeds by H. H. Reed, Esq., in behalf of the commissioners.

 

Dedication.—By Rev. Dr. Lord.

SIR: We receive these Title Deeds as representing and describing these beautiful and extensive grounds, which have been se­lected with so much taste, and enclosed and arranged with so great propriety and beauty, for the purpose of a burial place for our dead. The munificent provision of one of our citizens, together with the un­usual and noble liberality of the town, in furnishing the large means to procure and embellish such a spot as this, have been equalled only by the energy, the economy and discretion with which you have applied them. In reaching the close of your labors, you have far exceeded our anticipa­tions; and now present to us a lot, in it­self, and in all its arrangements, perfectly adapted to the use for which it was de­signed, and most fit to be consecrated for­ever to the purpose of christian sepulture.

It has ever been the practice, both of humanity and of religion, to commemorate the dead by material monuments, and to regard the spot, which furnished a resting place for their bodies, as peculiarly sacred. The enclosures wherein the spirit of love and mourning has perpetuated, by the planted flower, by the rude cross, by the simple stone, by the marble shaft, or by the magnificent massive monument, some traces of the affection of children, of par­ents and of friends, and which recall the images of youth and beauty, of wisdom and goodness, and relate their worth and varied excellence; are ever hallowed in the minds of men. We do, then, give utterance to the common sentiments of human nature, when we comply with your request, and formally consecrate and set apart, to its de­signed and appropriate uses, this Ceme­tery.

We do now, therefore, dedicate all this ground, herein described, stretching from its rocky battlements on the cast to its flinty ramparts on the west; from its lofty northern boundary, along down its sloping sides; with its central mounds, its alluvial heart, and its interval reaching near to the banks of the beautiful river that flows at its base; with all its trees and rocks, its val­leys and hills, its springs and ravines; with all its arranged and still unfinished lots; to be a perpetual possession unto us and to our children, as a place where we may piously bury our dead, and rear over their ashes the symbols of our affection, and the mementoes of their worth. We dedi­cate it, as a place of reverent and mourn­ful, yet sweet recollections, of the departed; of high and solemn contemplation upon the uncertainty of human life and its cer­tain destiny; of serious purposes of holy living and preparation for death; of cheer­ful and glorious anticipations of that time when the graves shall be opened, and the dead, both small and great, shall come forth to the promised resurrection, and re­new, amid scenes far brighter than these, the holy affections and the pious friend­ships of their primeval abode. And while we consecrate it to the dead, we commit it also to the generous care of the living; with the hope, that it may be preserved in its present loveliness; with the prayer, that whenever its turf may be broken, it shall be but to receive to its keeping the body of one who believes in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as the Resurrection and the Life.

 

Hymn — By Charles G. Eastman.

 

This fairest spot of hill and glade,

      Where blooms the flower and waves the tree,

And silver streams delight the shade,

      We consecrate, 0 Death, to thee.

 

Here all the months the year may know

      Shall watch this "Eden of the Dead,"

To wreathe with flowers or crown with snow

      The dreamless sleeper's narrow bed.

 

And when above its graves we kneel,

      Resigning to the mouldering urn

The friends whose silent hearts shall reel

      No balmy summer's glad return;

 

Each marble shaft our hands may rear,

      To mark where dust to dust is given,

Shall lift its chiselled column, here,

      To point our tearful eyes to Heaven.

 

 

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Benediction—By Rev. F. D. Hemmenway.

Thus was this most beautiful inclosure dedicated to Montpelier's dead, just 27 years ago this fall. The number of inter­ments to date, Dec. 24, 1881, is 999, Sim­eon Lyman, a merchant, buried Oct. 3, 1855, aged 45 years, being the first.

A thousand times the turf has already been broken in Green Mount to receive the household props of this people, the treas­ures of its happy homes. We see on this spot how death takes toll. How many sleep around the monument of the benefi­cent Keith, upon every side, who assisted in the beautiful consecration just portray­ed: Constant W. Storrs, among the first, and all the commissioners, but one, who selected and prepared the grounds are here. The Pastor who offered the first prayer on this spot—by the side of his little Bessie. The Poet who wrote its hymn of beauty, the Poet of this cemetery still. Shelton of the lovely address, every paragraph like a cluster of precious stones, sleeps, also—in the bosom of the neighboring State upon the West.

Here are the graves of Thompson, East­man, Lord, Samuel Goss, Daniel Baldwin, Charles Reed, Samuel Wells and a few others whose names are identified with our early acquaintance at Montpelier. Most of those whose biographies are written in this book rest here; even some buried in old Elm Street Cemetery with their old sexton, have been brought up and reinterred here; whose histories have been so studied, though otherwise unknown, the names on the headstones look like old friends. It is but our second visit, and yet we cannot feel quite like a stranger here. What Vermonter could by Thompson's grave? by his grave as yet without monument or stone! the author of the Green Mountain Boys has built himself his own monument more enduring than of marble—"Pete Jones" is his monument more resonant than brass; "May Martin," a fairer headstone than another could raise. It is not doubted this grave will yet have the due commemorative stone. Only, we miss it here now—"D. P. Thompson" was so well known and endeared to the people of the State; in Montpelier so long­time and honorable a resident—her pleas­ant historian. An early friend to our Gazetteer; he was first engaged to write for it the chapters of Montpelier History; a few months before his death finding he would not be able, wrote "take therefore, anything I have ever written for Montpeler, or for Washington County, or for the State, whether printed or in manuscript, the whole or in part, as you would if it were your own, for I shall not be able to do as I had intended; and I would name to you the Hon. E. P. Walton, as the man the best qualified to aid you and to write the history of Montpelier." Having been so successful in the history of Montpelier, nearing its close, pleasant to-day is the re­membrance of his intention—the thought­ful kindness of his last letter; and we shall be very happy if we may see, as we may if contributed by his friends, his portrait stand with his biography in this County volume, for which he would, no doubt, have written so much and so well, had he lived to this day; and where it may stand in the one town which has a prior claim, his own beloved Berlin, adjoining Montpelier on the pleasant south, where was his father's old farm, where he was born, just over the river.

A handsome monumental pile!—worthy the Sleeper below. A name in the mar­ble, by author, man or woman, never for­gotten—the first literary benefactor—the handsome and the gracious patron, who pruned till they gleamed almost like fresh poems, and sent his beautiful contribu­tions with words of confidence to your first book in press, and when it came gave it notice through his newspaper at the capital, and sold many copies in his old book-store on State Street, and ad­vised and contributed to its successor. The sight of this beautiful tomb swells our heart full,—glad for as proud of his fame, —talented, bland, witty, generous East­man; the vigor, point, beauty and mazy grace of his poetry all seem concentrated and perpetuated here.

A granite stone; the tenant here that bluff, iorn-framed, but golden-hearted old

 

 

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landlord at the Pavilion, the first time that we were at Montpelier, who declared promptly that he had no bill for a young woman who had given Vermont the hand­somest book ever printed in the State. Poor book-makers might hope to live out their days were all landlords Col. Bout-wells. Peace to the ashes, severely silent, of the every-inch-alive, stirring old host. His monument is just what it should be—granite—large. We would like his stout figure in bronze in the grounds of the Pa­vilion. We are very glad of his portrait in our book. Joint vote of praise from the State House, Levi Boutwell did better; bread is better than fame.

Here;—SAMUEL GOSS! FARLEY, WAL­TON, his confreres. Father Goss had one of those countenances it stirs the heart agreeably to look into, pleasant as intelli­gent, sensible as gracious. Gen. E. P. Walton we almost seem to know in his son, Hon. E. P.

The grave of the first lady with whom we became acquainted at Montpelier—the first wife of Dr. G. N. Brigham, who re­sided some 30 years in Montpelier vil­lage. Mrs. Brigham was a cheerful, active little woman, storing her home with the honey of comfort; but when we saw her last the rose of consumption was painted on her cheek. Never was her cordiality so touching. I could not pass her resting-place without pausing. I would plant one historical flower on her grave. It shall be the poetic hyacinth, that sweetest poem, to our thought, from the pen of her talented husband, and which was inspired by a scene connected with her death-bed.

 

SONG OF THE HYACINTH.

 

One lay with bright eyes looking for the Christ,

And so near to heaven it seemed that she could hear

The song of flowers. A purple hyacinth,

Which from a vase drank dew and shed it round

In fragance, played an interlude that called

Her half-flown spirit back. For when her eye

Was fixed on it, till all her face did smile,

She handed forth her pale white hand and asked

That it be given her. We never shall forget

That smile, the dainty way her fingers toyed

Among the petals;    .   .   .   .   .   .

         .   .   .   .   .   music cadences

 

Began, "How sweet!"—'t was even as a child

Sweet toys and grows aflame with joy. And as

We gazed and saw the dappled halo glow

And ripple over all her face, we said

It is the breaking light of heaven. That night

She died, the fragrance of the hyacinth

Upon her fingers, sweetest smile that e'er

Warmed human face yet lingering; and her

Low lullaby a song of that sweet flower.

 

SONG.

 

There is no death, no death, my dearest.

      No death but death of pain;

The sleeping ones, my child, are nearest

      To Aiden's rapturing strain.

 

O, fold thy lids and drop thy sorrow,

      And sleep thee free of pain;

And when thou wakest on the morrow

      Thou wilt be born again.

 

O sleep the sleep past earth's sad waking,

      This death is nature's rest;

And in the new morn that is breaking

      Drift thee unto the blest.

 

The grave of Dr. Lord again; whose words were poetry and whose sermons poems, though we knew him first histori­cally. We had not been at Montpelier for several years; standing at the closed doors of the Historical Society, "a private session," as there told,—that is a business meeting, the annual meeting having closed a half day earlier than we had expected, Dr. Lord, hearing the name of the woman at the door, came down as she was turning to leave, and taking both hands—prince of a man as he was in manners and courtesy —would not suffer, saying as he led her within, there was not any closed session to her, or there should not be, and they, within, were only all her brothers in the same work, as she who had done more than them all, and having led her to a seat, so easily and pleasantly introduced her, a woman alone with the assembled historical gentlemen of the State, felt no awkwardness. He inquired if she was a member, and, informed "it was contrary to a by-law," by his motion, seconded by Hon. Hiland Hall of Bennington, presiding, the bar was immediately removed against a lady's admission to membership in the Society; pronounced and made obsolete by an unanimous vote of welcome to the first woman admitted to the State Historical Society, in the old State House, and which coming at the capital, and thus naturally, never having been before asked, or expected by the receiver, but which came, when introduced by Rev. Dr. Lord—who was

 

 

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made President of the Society the same day—so whole and genially, it wiped away in one moment, gracefully, all the exclu­siveness of the past. For its being an hon­or received in Montpelier, pardon, the per­sonal relation; as Montpelier is one of the few towns of the State which have given us more roses than thorns, let us toy with one.

The resting-place of one of the patriarchs of the village. On one of the sultriest days of a sultry summer—the op­pressive noon—winding out front the street of the Capital, down by the river—a vein of delicious coolness by the roadside—a gentle south breath from over the river, brushing softly aside the heated atmos­phere that beat down from above—the funeral of the man who had lived the most years in Montpelier came to Green Mount, gradually ascending the hill side to the shade of trees into which the carriages wound and stood while the venerable old man was laid in the evergreen-lined grave. The coffin resting deep down on the mosses at the bottom, the breath of the mourners and of all the crowd stilled to listen to the service; all hearts touched to sympathy with the cool, sweet pulse of nature here, we thought, and it seemed the whole crowd thought with us, more beautiful is the garden of the dead than the home of the living; and a place not to lose its attractions, how many will follow, drawn on, attracted while they know not how. Where the old man and the young man lie down together, beautiful encampment-ground!—to-day, and what may it be a hundred years from to-day? The descendants of the people of Montpelier no doubt may in a hun­dred years make this place more beauti­ful than now. He who may then come up to these grounds may find the entrance, upon the south by the river, the same as now, but an inclosure extended northward and eastward and westward—a city of the departed instead of a gar­den; walls in inscriptions, ornamentations, mossings. The ponderous gate lettered on the iron in bronze "WHERE THE WEARY ARE AT REST." Within, near the gate where the mourners go by a colossal cross from the granite of our mountains, in raised letters upon the body—"JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR ALL." All the streets longer—more streets, more graves in all the streets, and over every walk and grave, the beauty of age in nature. Nature never loses in beauty;—more leaves, more flow­ers, more tints, more mosses, richer paint­ed rocks. How beautiful the rocks grow old; softened, garnitured with moss, vine and flower, more and more every lapsing year. Man lives for a hundred years, na­ture for a hundred hundred. How beauti­ful in marble, too, its visitor may find this city, one hundred years more past.

 

And on the boldest cliff

Of these expanded grounds, swelling mountainward—

If we may look through the haze of future years—

What statue, grander than living man,

Stands, counting the multitude, slumbering

So long at his feet—trumpet in hand,

Waiting to summon up these long sleepers?

 

I note the change, as the years ran on

And art with the people grew, how the crevices

In this hillside showed, until this Eden

Of the dear departed was so fair and famed,

The traveller from over the seas called

It 'The Art Garden of the Departed'

Of this land; in every rural recess.

Scripture history was so put in marble;

So fair upon the hills and mounds and plains,

Within the dales and rocks and caves and woods

And lawns, beside the river and the rills—

Beseeming the cemeteries of the dead

In the capital of a State where the rocks

Are marble—the statues of the native sculptors;

 

Fair as the white rose growing by the grave,

The Ruler's daughter, standing by her couch,

Just risen—the dear Master of Life,

Holding the little damsel by the hand,

Over whose face new breath and beauty breaking.

 

Eastward—"in the rocky battlements," that cave

By tall trees, half-embowered. Lazarus statue,

Or figure, grave-swathed, coming forth—there

 

Where the sun touches first the grave,

All shrubs and flowers of fragrancy crowding

To depict that garden of the resurrection—

Jesus Christ and Magdalene standing within.

 

The marble shaft, the massive monument,

The simple stone, shrubbery so surrounding,—tree

And flower and vine adorning,—each did seem,

As the eye gathered it in, more beautiful;

The chiseled column—the planted flower,

Rivaled by the pure lilies on the stone,—

The rose in the foliated marble;

The oldest stone, most mossed. most beautiful;

As the ancient rocky rampart, the brown moss

Clinging to, the golden moss, th' gray wand-moss

In every crumbling fissure, scarlet tipped.

 

Most fair country : for all the people thought

Affection could not make too fair the Eden

Of their Dead—deposited in hope.

 

 

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF LIVING PERSONS.

 

 

TIMOTHY PARKER REDFIELD,

 

(BY B. F. FIFIELD, ESQ.)

 

the son of Dr. Peleg and Hannah (Parker) Redfield, was born at Coventry, Nov. 3, 1812. The father was born of sturdy English stock at Killingworth, Conn., the grandson of Capt. Peleg Redfield, who bravely fought through the revolutionary war. The mother was the daughter of Isaac and Bridget (Fletcher) Parker, born at Westford, Mass., in Nov., 1785, and married at Weathersfield, Vt., in March, 1803. They removed to Coventry, Vt., with two children, in the fall of 1807, and raised a family of 6 sons and 6 daughters, amid the perils and hardships of frontier life. [See Coventry, Vol. II, this work.]

The subject of this sketch had the usual experience of Vermont boys born and brought up on a farm, but here were laid the rudiments of that industry, self-reli­ance, and independence, which have so much distinguished him and which is pecu­liar to the stock. At Dartmouth College he ranked among the first of his class, was elected a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, and graduated with high honors in the class of 1836. He imme­diately commenced the study of the law in the office of his brother, the Hon. Isaac F. Redfield, was admitted to the bar in Orleans county in 1838, began the practice of his profession at Irasburgh, and con­tinued it there until his removal to Mont­pelier in 1848. He was senator from Or­leans county in 1848. He practiced his profession at Montpelier from 1848 to 1870, when he was elected Judge of the Supreme Court, and has received successive elections from that time to the present, 1881. He was married to Helen W. Grannis of Stanstead, Province of Quebec, Feb. 6, 1840, by which marriage he had 4 children, three of whom sleep in Green Mount Cemetery at Montpelier, and the only surviving child, Alice, the wife of Andrew J. Phillips, now resides at St. Louis, Mo.

While in the practice of his profession at Montpelier, he became widely known through the State as one of the most reli­able, painstaking and thoroughly well-read lawyers in the profession. From 1856, to the time of his elevation to the bench he was a constant attendant upon the courts in Orleans, Caledonia and Washington counties, and it is no disparagement to others to say that he had no superiors either in the knowledge of the law, or its practical adaptation to the complicated affairs of life. His sturdy independence, elevated character and fine legal attain­ments, commanded respect and admira­tion from all who knew him, and a man who was once his client was always his client.

In 1870, a vacancy occurred on the supreme court bench. Mr. Redfield had always been a democrat in politics, but his fitness for the position was so generally ac­knowledged that he was elected to the place by a legislature overwhelmingly re­publican, and against numerous competi­tors. His dignified judicial bearing and acknowledged impartiality made him at once a general favorite with the public, the bar and his associates. His fame may and will justly rest upon his judicial life.

His brother, Isaac F. Redfield, occupied a seat upon the bench of Vermont for 25 years. and he left it in 1860 only to extend his fame and establish it as one of the fore­most jurists of the age, whether English or American.

In each of the brothers is found in like degree that quality of all others the most rare, the judicial temperament, and in each is also found the intellectual grasp on the one hand and fine sense of justice on the other hand which is so essential to the just administration of the law.

Judge Redfield is an excellent scholar, and while his bearing is reserved and dig­nified, such as becomes his position, yet in social life he is one of the most charming of companions. His reminiscences of the old bar and his fund of anecdotes are the delight of those who enjoy his friendship, and will be long remembered by those who come after him. He is a member of the Episcopal church and a devoted christian, not only in profession but also in practice.

 

 

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In short, Judge Redfield is a model in all that constitutes a conscientious, christian gentleman, and an able, upright, impartial judge.

To speak thus of his record is but the "just meed of praise to acknowledged worth," and "to keep the memory of such men green is but to strengthen and stimu­late public virtue."

 

HON. ELIAKIM PERSONS WALTON.

 

[From M. D. Gilman's Bibliography of Vermont, now in course of preparation.]

 

Eliakim Persons Walton was born in Montpelier, Feb. 17, 1812, and was the first-born son of the late Gen. Ezekiel Parker Walton and Prussia Persons. On the Walton side the genealogy goes back with almost absolute certainty, through Ezekiel P.'s father, who was the late Geo. Walton, of Peacham, born at New Market. N. H., in 1762, and married Mary Parker, of New Hampshire, to George Walton, a Quaker born in England, in whose house at Newcastle, N. H., in June, 1682, oc­curred the best authenticated case of witch­craft which has ever been recorded in New England. See Mather's Magnalia Christi Americana, edition of 1820, vol. 2, p. 393, and Brewster's Rambles about Portsmouth, second series, pp. 343-354. On the Persons side, all that can be asserted is that Eliakim Davis Persons was a native of Long Island, and his wife, Rebecca Dodge, was of Mas­sachusetts, probably Northfield, who had numerous relatives, (one of them inter­married with a Houghton, uncle of the late Mrs. Samuel Prentiss, of Montpelier,) residing near the south-eastern line of Vermont. Her father and two of her brothers, Asa and John, settled in Barre, Vt., and a third, Daniel, in Northern Ver­mont. They have numerous descendants at this day in Eastern and Western Ver­mont, and in the Western States. It was and is a race of sterling virtues. The particular subject of this notice was educated first by his mother in letters and reading the notes of music; second, by an occa­sional attendance at the district school, in which he was specially noted for his habit of running away on every possible occasion; third, by many terms in Washington County Grammar School, in which he was fitted for college by one of the best prin­cipals that school ever had, the late Jona­than C. Southmayd. But the young E. P. was not permitted to go to college, and thereupon entered the law office of Samuel and Samuel B. Prentiss, when Judge Pren­tiss was in the United States Senate. Here he obtained the elements of the law, and moreover an insight into national pol­itics, through the books and documents received by Judge Prentiss as senator. But largely he was educated in his father's printing office, and an excellent school every printing office is to any boy or girl who has obtained the elements of an English education, and will improve the opportunities of the office. From the time the lad was "knee-high to a toad," and had to stand in a chair to get up to the "case," this boy was put into the office, and kept there in vacations from schools. Another very useful school was the old Montpelier Lyceum, with its written essays and extemporaneous debates. In 1826–'7 he spent a year in Essex, N. Y., and there edited and printed his first newspaper, a single issue of the Essex County Republican. The editors and publishers were away, and had suspended publication for a week; but the young and ardent politician could not have it so. Without any authority from his masters, he got up a paper full of edi­torial matter—part of it written and part of it composed at the case—and took proof-sheets. The question, Shall it be printed? was a doubtful one. The proof‑sheets were thereupon submitted to the late Gen. Henry H. Ross, of Essex, then a member of Congress, and a zealous Adams man. Bringing back the proof-sheets, the General came with his face beaming with smiles, put both hands on the boy's shoulders, and said, "Print it, boy! print it!" From that moment, though preferring the law, the business of printer and editor seemed to have been ordained for him. On becoming of age, in 1833, he became a partner with his father in the publication of the Vermont Watchman and State Gazette. Gen. Walton wrote occa­sionally for that paper, but other branches

 

 

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of a very extensive business demanded his attention, and the newspaper and printing department were in the charge of E. P. Walton, Jr., as his signature commonly was during the life of his father, although not correct except when the initials of it were given. In 1853, the paper, then the Vermont Watchman and State Journal, came into his possession exclusively, and so continued until the sale to the Messrs. Poland, in 1868.

During all this period the editorship of Walton's Vermont Register was in his charge, as it still is in all except the Bus­iness Directory. The Vermont Captol, 1857, consisted mainly of his reports; vol­ume two of the collections of the Vermont Historical Society was edited by him; and also the eight volumes of the Records of the Governor and Council, together with documents touching the early history of the State. Although an active and zealous politician from his youth, and helping many men to high offices, he never sought offices for himself. Nevertheless in 1853 he was elected representative of Montpelier; and in 1856, greatly to his surprise, he was called upon by the late Senator Foot, and another member of the Vermont delegation still living, to become a candidate for Congress in the first congressional dis­trict, on the grounds that a change was absolutely necessary, and that the member then to be elected, according to the usual courtesy in such cases, should come from Washington County. Under the very del­icate circumstances of the case, Mr. Walton was unwilling to be a candidate, and urged the late Ferrand F. Merrill to stand in his stead. Mr. Merrill refused, and ultimately Mr. Walton was nominated and received three elections, after which he declined further service. In 1870 he was the del­egate of Montpelier in the Constitutional Convention; and he was also senator for Washington County, 1874 until 1878. The honorary degree of Master of Arts has been conferred upon Mr. Walton by the University of Vermont, and also by Mid­dlebury College. He has been president of the Publishers' and Editors' Association of Vermont from its organization until 1881, and also of the Vermont Historical Society since the Rev. Dr. Lord retired. Mr. Walton married, June 6, 1836, Sarah Sophia, second daughter of the late Hon. Joseph Howes, of Montpelier, who died Sept. 3, 1880.

For a list of Mr. Walton's publications, see ante, BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MONTPELIER.

In addition to those referred to there are the following printed papers by Mr. Walton:

 

Oration delivered at Northfield, July 4, 1837, and printed in the Watchman and Journal of July 24, by request of Charles Paine, chairman of the committee of ar­rangements.

Remarks on the death of Charles Paine, delivered at Northfield, July 29, 1853. Printed in the Watchman and Journal of Aug. 4. and also in pamphlet form.

Speech delivered on the battle-field at Hubbardton, July 7, 1859, on the inauguration of the battle monument. Printed in the Watchman and Journal as an edi­torial, and reprinted in pamphlet form at Rutland.

Address on Hon. Nathaniel Chipman, delivered on the unveiling of his monument at Tinmouth, Oct. 2, 1873. Printed in some of the Rutland, Burlington and Montpelier newspapers.

Letter to Hon. Geo. F. Edmunds, Jan. 1872, with elaborate and carefully prepared tables on the apportionment of members of Congress on the census of 1870. Print­ed by order of the United States Senate.

The apportionment by the old rule under the census of 1860 gave Vermont two members of the House instead of three. Mr. Walton had no personal interest in the matter, as his last term in Congress was covered by the old apportionment; but he had a deep interest for his native State, which he dearly loved and had long tried to serve. Both houses had passed a bill reducing Vermont to two members, when Mr. Walton carefully examined the sub­ject, and demonstrated that the bill did not fairly observe the national constitu­tion and was unjust to eight states. He then explained the matter to Senator Col­lamer, and under his lead the Senate

 

 

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passed a supplementary bill, and the re­sult was that Vermont and the other seven states got the additional member. Under the census of 1870, precisely the same process was repeated. Mr. Walton again interfered, and Senators Edmunds of Ver­mont and Thurman of Ohio carried an amendment to the House bill, which saved the suffering states. It is but justice to say that Vermont is very largely indebted to Mr. Walton for saving her third mem­ber of Congress for twenty years.

 

HOMER WALLACE HEATON,

 

a member of the Washington County Bar, and now, and since 1832, a resident of Montpelier, was born in the adjoining town of Berlin, Aug. 25, 1811. His par­ents were Dr. Gershom Heaton and Polly Wallace, daughter of Matthew Wallace, one of the early settlers of Berlin.

Mr. Heaton's educational advantages were the common school, one year at the St. Lawrence Academy of Potsdam, N. Y., and two years at the Washington County Grammar School at Montpelier, of which J. C. Southmayd was the excellent principal.

In Aug. 1832, Mr. Heaton commenced the study of the law with Col. Jonathan P. Miller and Nicholas Baylies, Jr., of Montpelier, and was admitted to the bar of the Washington County Court, at the Nov. Term, 1835, when he commenced practice in company with Colonel Miller, and so continued until 1839, when from failing health Colonel Miller retired. In Sept. 1839, Mr. Heaton and Charles Reed entered into partnership for the practice of the law, as Heaton & Reed, which was continued until the death of Mr. Reed, Mar. 7, 1873. (See plate, p. 356.)

Mr. Heaton was the treasurer of the Vt. Mutual Fire Insurance Company for 2 years—1837 and 1838; and was state's attorney for Washington County 4 years—was elected by the Legislature at the Octo­ber sessions, 1839 and 1841, and the an­nual Sept. elections in 1860 and 1861. Upon the retirement of Joshua Y. Vail, a long time county clerk, the office was ten­dered Mr. Heaton by Judge Isaac F. Redfield and the county Judges, which was declined.

July 1, 1841, Mr. Heaton married Miss Harriet Stearns, daughter of John Stearns, of Boston, Mass. She died April 26, 1859, at the age of 42 years. Of this marriage three sons are now living, Charles H., James S., and Homer W.

Mr. Heaton was the representative of the original town of Montpelier in the Legislature, at the October session, 1848, when the town was divided, and the towns of Montpelier and East Montpelier crea­ted. At that session Mr. Heaton was the candidate of the Democratic party for Speaker; there being three parties—the Whig, Democratic and Free Soil—and neither in a majority: there resulted a dead lock, which continued through four days' session, when the Whig candidate was elected on the 46th ballot.

At this session the National Life Ins. Co. was chartered. The bill for that pur­pose being referred to a select committee of three members—Mr. Heaton being one —was reported favorably and passed. Mr. Heaton was one of the directors of this company and a member of its finance com­mittee for several years. He, at the same session, introduced a bill for the incorpo­ration of the Vermont Bank, which was passed, and Mr. Heaton was one of its di­rectors during its existence as a State Bank, and for 2 years its president.

Since the organization of the Montpelier Savings Bank & Trust Company in 1871, Mr. Heaton has been one of its trustees and the president.

In politics, he has always been a Demo­crat, having cast his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson at his second election.

Mr. Heaton was the Democratic candid­ate for governor at the annual election in 1869, and the first biennial election in 1870. He was the Democratic candidate for member of Congress from the first Dis­trict at the elections in 1872 and 1874. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Baltimore in 1872, when Horace Greeley was nominated for Pres­ident. He has also been a candidate of his party for Presidential Elector.

 

 

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JAMES ROBBINS LANGDON,

 

third son of Col. James H. and Nabby Robbins Langdon, born Oct. 3, 1813, was educated in Washington County Grammar School, and then from choice entered his father's grist-mill, and applied himself to learn the miller's trade and the way to manage the business of a flouring-mill. This was in fact the turning point in his business life, but his father did not ap­prove, and tempted him to leave the mill by offering to furnish capital and share the profits with his son in a promising specula­tion. At 15, then, the lad started out to scour New England and New York, and purchase Spanish coin, and sell it in Canada at a moderate profit. Persisting in this business until Spanish coin be­came scarce, he retired with a net profit of $3,400, which was divided between father and son. Spending a short time at Derby Line as a clerk, he, at 17, busied himself in settling his father's estate, and, after receiving his patrimony, invested part of it in a store at Greensboro; but the store and goods were soon burned, and then he entered upon his long and very successful career as flour merchant and manufacturer, in which, by doing an immense business at a small profit, he ac­cumulated a very large fortune for a coun­try merchant. Indeed, it is certain that no merchant of Montpelier has ever handled property to so great an amount as he has done, or with such uniform success. His rule has been to keep accurate ac­counts of every branch of his business, and to understand it all thoroughly, even to the smallest detail. Hence, by his sagacity and this perfect knowledge, success was unavoidable. But the profits of this large and successful business figure only as a part of his present fortune. Mr. Langdon has ever been a sagacious, pru­dent and fortunate financier. The profits of mercantile business have been invested in the stock of sound banks, not one of which ever failed or proved unfortunate, and in United States bonds. At 20 he was elected a director in the old Bank of Montpelier, and for 48 years he has been director, and for many years president, in three successive banks in Montpelier.

In another field, however, Mr. Langdon has rendered, and is still rendering, very important services: in the Vermont Central Railroad, and the succeeding Central Ver­mont Railroad. In preceding pages, 304—'5, Mr. Langdon's work for the Central road has been noted, but it is to be added that he was a director for the first 2 years. In 1873, he entered the Central Vermont road, and has been made vice president and chairman of the finance committee. In the last position he assumed a responsi­bility which few private citizens are ever called to; but nobody doubts his ability and his will to discharge it wisely and well.

Although Mr. Langdon has opinions of his own on the current political questions of the day, he has never put himself forward as a politician, or a candidate for office. There was, however, an unwise and long-continued division among the Republicans of the town in 1868, which was, by common consent, settled by the election of Mr. Langdon as representative, and he was re­elected in 1869, doing good service, es­pecially in financial matters.

In early life Mr. Langdon was by an ac­cident disabled sufficiently to discourage most men from personal labors; but he has been content to do, patiently and per­sistently, greater work than most thor­oughly endowed men, physically, are able to accomplish.

Mr. Langdon has two children: Lucy, formerly Mrs. Mansfield, of Nyack, N.Y., and now the wife of Mr. Schroeder, of Brooklyn, N. Y., first superintendent of the Astor Library; and Elizabeth W. The latter received a shock some years ago, which has ever since made her an object of the tenderest solicitude and care, and nobly is her father doing his part. E. P. W.

For a notice of Mrs. James R. Langdon, see page ——.

 

HON. NICHOLAS BAYLIES resided here 25 years, 1810-1835, see, also, page 314, when he removed from Montpelier. We regret that we have no further notice of the Judge for these pages.

 

 

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JOSEPH ADDISON WING,

 

son of Josiah and Polly (Gray) Wing, was born in the part of this town now known as East Montpelier, Dec. 26, 1810. He opened a law office one year before his admission to the bar, May 13, 1835, in Plainfield, this County, where he remained until June, 1838, when he removed to Mont­pelier village, where he has lived ever since. He married, Jan. 1, 1840, Samantha E. Webster, of Cabot, daughter of Jesse Webster, of that town. Mr. Wing has two sons, Geo. W., the eldest, a practicing at­torney in the same office with himself on State street, and John G., his youngest son, also a lawyer in his office, and four daughters, Florence A., Annette M., Alice M. and Elizabeth B. Mr. Wing has for many years handled the pen, writing for the newspapers, paying to incidents and oc­casions of public interest the tribute of his verse, and in 1878, brought out a small 12 mo. vol. of 252 pp., printed in this village, of no little interest to the many friends to whom it was thus presented.

A few extracts from Mr. Wing's book, which is the second volume of poems pub­lished by a native of the town:

 

"Go forth my little book, devoid of pride;

•.......•.......•.......•.......•.......•.......•.......•

Go like the brooks that through the valleys glide,

And greener make the verdure by their side;

Go like the dew that silently, doth fall

When o'er the earth night spreads her sable pall;

Go you, and zealously mankind entice

To seek for virtue and to flee from vice."

 

EXTRACTS FROM "PLUCK."

 

(Without pluck.)

 

"See yonder man with downcast look pass by,

Mark you his face—no fire is in his eye;

His coat is seedy, and his hat is old,

His pockets empty of both bills and gold,

Silent he passes through the busy throng;

No friend doth cheer him as he goes along,

No one is there that old man's hand to clasp

And warm his heart with friendship's kindly grasp

Onward, unnoticed, to his cot he goes,

Where from the world he buries all his woes;

There will he dwell unnoted and unknown

Till death's cold hand shall claim him as his own."

 

(With pluck.)

"Next view the great Napoleon,

When in its zenith glowed his sun;

•.......•.......•.......•.......•.......•.......•.......•

Napoleon wore as sweet a smile

When banished to fair Elba's isle,

As when in Russia's northern sky

He saw his eagles proudly fly."

 

WHAT SHALL WE DO ?

 

What shall I do? what shall I do?

  'Tis truth I can't decide,

So many smiling maids I view.

   Which I shall make my bride.

I can't decide, I can't decide—

  There's Ann, so gay and witty,

And lovely Sue, the village pride,

  And Mary, young and pretty.

 

There's blooming Helen, Fan, and Prue,

  With fairy forms and features,

And Lydia, Betsey, Esther too,

  All lovely, charming creatures.

 

I can't decide, I can't decide,

  'Mid eyes of every hue,

From Melvell's of the glistening black

  To Kate's of melting blue.

 

A WAIL.

 

A wail is on the southern air,

  A wail across the sea;

A rebel wail the breezes bear,

A wail of woe and fell despair

  Wherever traitors be

 

A wail of fear, of want and pain,

  A wail of grief and care;

It sweeps along each Southern plain,

'Tis heard from o'er the stormy main

  From every traitor there.

 

It comes from Georgia's fertile land,

  Where her broad rives flow,

Where Sherman's gallant vet'ran band

Before Savannah made a stand

  And humbled the proud foe.

 

'Tis heard from Charleston's burning halls,

  Which late the world defied,

And from Columbia's blackened walls,

Where Sherman's host the foe appals

  And spreads destruction wide.

 

It comes from Carolina's shore

  As mourners at the grave;

The pride of Wilmington is o'er

The stripes and stars forevermore

  Above her towers shall wave.

 

It comes from Richmond's crowded street,

  Where Davis reigns in pride;

Where want and woe you constant meet,

And starving women oft entreat

  With bread to be supplied.

 

But louder still that wail shall be

  That floats along the air,

Until the starry flag you see

Float o'er a land from slavery free

  And find no traitors there.

April 2, 1865.

 

Obit:—MRS. SARAH ELIZABETH BANCROFT, Mar. 16, 1859.

 

Upon her silent tomb

The sweetest flowers shall bloom

  Of early spring;

The willow's branch shall wave,

And birds around her grave

  Their matins sing.

 

 

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CHARLES G. EASTMAN.

 

WRITTEN AT HIS GRAVE IN GREEN MOUNT

CEMETERY, MONTPELIER, VT., 1860.

 

There is a void in bower and hall

     And grief obscures the day,

A loved one from the circle small

     Hath passed from earth away.

 

Death garnered here no whitened sheaf

     Ripe for the sickle keen,

Be garnered here no bud or leaf

     From Spring's fair fields so green.

 

A noble oak lies prostrate now,

     It fell in all its pride;

Its trunk was sound and green each bough,

     But still, alas! it died.

 

Eastman, ever kind and true,

     Lies buried 'neath this sod;

His soul, we trust, in garments new

     Has flown to meet his God,

 

He had not reached the noon of life,

     His sun knew no decline;

His path of life was rendered gay

     By fairest flower and vine.

 

His lyre, that late the soul could move

     To smiles and tears at will

And warm the heart to faith and love,

     Is tuneless now and still.

 

Now here within this sacred ground

     He rests in death's cold sleep,

And often on this humble mound

     His wife and children weep.

 

Bring flowers upon his grave to place.

     And set the trees around;

He loved the flowers in all their grace—

     He chose this sacred ground.

 

Here let him rest where first the sun

     Its morning beams illume.

And when its glorious race is run

     Last shines on Eastman's tomb.

 

 

NELSON A. CHASE

 

was born in Petersham, Mass., Feb. 18, 1802, and brought to Calais, Vt., in 1804. Dec. 13, 1827, he married Clarissa, daugh­ter of Gideon Hicks, Esq., town clerk of Calais almost time out of mind. Mr. Chase was town clerk of Calais 16 years, town repreentative 2 years, and delegate to two Constitutional Conventions. He re­moved to Montpelier in 1836, and has resided here since, except Sept. 1841 to Sept. 1865, when he was again in Calais. He has been town clerk of Montpelier 3 years, Judge of Probate 2 years, Register of Probate 20 years, County Commission­er 3 years, and is widely known as a land-surveyor. He is highly esteemed for his capability and honesty.

 

HON. RODERICK RICHARDSON

 

(BY HON. T. P. REDFIELD.)

 

Was born at Stafford, Conn., Aug. 7,1807. He was the second son of Roderick and Anna (Davis) Richardson; came to Waitsfield, Vt., with his patents, when 2 years old. When a boy he went into mercantile business with his father, and when 17 years of age, went to Boston, to do the routine duties of a country merchant. It was so well done, that he continued to do all that important and responsible business while thus connected with his father. When of full age, he went into business for himself, and continued in general and extensive business at Waitsfield until he removed to Montpelier in 1855. While at Waitsfield, he was elected for 5 successive years rep­resentative for said town in the legislature of the State, and for 4 years senator for the County; also associate judge of the County Court for one term, and declined a re-election. In all these various and re­sponsible public trusts he was vigilant, in­fluential and respected. While in the legislature, he was efficient in procuring the charter of the Vermont Bank at Mont­pelier; was a director of the bank from its organization; was the chosen agent of the bank to procure the re-organization, under the National Bank System; was president of said bank for several years. Thus while at Waitsfield, he became largely interested in the public affaiis of the County and the State, and the local public in­terests of Montpelier, and had the full confidence of his associates. After he came to Montpelier, his interest in all that concerned the public weal, not only con­tinued, but was enlarged. Schools at Montpelier had become neglected, and all interest in them, seemingly, supplanted by other matters that engrossed public at­tention. Judge Richardson, with his ac­customed energy, entered upon the plan of re-organizing the schools in Montpelier, and devoted more than 2 years of gra­tuitous, hard labor to the building of the new school-house for the graded school. And as a consequence of the effort and in­terest enlisted at that time, the whole school system at Montpelier has become

 

 

                                                             MONTPELIER.                                                       547

 

revolutionized, and educational interests have become cardinal.

 

He was a member of the Episcopal church, and was active and efficient in all the affairs of the diocese. He was three times elected from this diocese delegate to the National Triennial Conventions in New York city and Philadelphia, and one of the standing committee continuously until his removal to Boston. By his liberality, and two years of gratuitous personal labor, Christ church, Montpelier, was built. The obstacles in his way were many, and to the ordinary man, formidable; but his zeal did not flag until the capstone of the spire, in solid granite, had crowned his labor.

He was married to Harriet E. Taylor, Feb. 28, 1839. They had 4 sons; 3 of whom survive, are married, and in business. Mrs. Richardson still survives, and, in vigorous health, graces their hospitable mansion at Newton Highlands, Mass.

 

The subject of this sketch descended from vigorous Puritan stock. His ances­tor, Amos Richardson, was resident and householder on Washington street, Boston, just north of the Old South Church, in 1640; removed to Stonington, Conn., in 1666, and was there elected representative to the General Court, and was the agent of Gov. Winthrop for New England. He will be remembered, and valued, not for any brilliant speech he has made, or for any beautiful scrap of poetry he has writ­ten; but as a man of affairs, of keen per­ception, and just discrimination, and of judgment so well balanced, and of such unfaltering energy of character, that in whatever he engaged, he enlisted his whole soul, and overcame all impediment; nor could subtlety delude or deceive him. In whatever undertaking, he is, therefore, necessarily, successful. And it will justly be said of him, that the world is better that he has lived; and for that he will be remembered.

The graded school system for which Mr. Richardson labored so well has been very successful in this place; combined with the old Washington County Grammar School, they take the children from the a b c up to prepared for college; on the tax of the grand list, every citizens's boy or girl may have a solid education.

Mr. Walton gives the first schoolhouse, on page 262,—a log-house, the second, a year or two after, 1793 or '4, a frame-house was "on the road to the hills on the Branch Falls, near the spot now occupied by the old burying-ground. The School in this house was taught by Abel Knapp, afterwards Judge Knapp of Berlin. In a few years this house was burned, and an­other was built near where the Methodist chapel now stands."—(Thompson, 1860.)

The act of the incorporation of the Washington County Grammar School was procured by the Hon. David Wing, Jr. Mr. Thompson says in 1800, (a print mis­take). Mr. Walton's date, page 290, is cor­rect. The first board of trustees, when incorporated, were Col. Jacob Davis, Hon. Charles Bulkley, David Wing, Jerahmel B. Wheeler and Thomas West, Jr. "In 1800—1—2, the school districts in town re­ceived a remodelling," and were then ten in number, four of which were formed into the present Union and Graded School, 1858-9, leaving 6 districts.

The number of scholars in town in 1802, was about 400—the present number 1882, about——

 

TOWN TREASURERS.

 

Jonathan Cutler, first, 1792, 1 year; after Elnathan Pope, 1 year; Joseph Wing, alternately 29 years; Joshua Y. Vail, 1 year; John Barnard, 2 years; Daniel Baldwin, alternately, 12 years; H. N. Baylies, 1 year; Carlos Bancroft, 2 years; Timothy Cross, 1 year; J. A. Page, 6 years to 1856; R. Richardson, 1856-59; George W. Scott in 1860. — Thompson.

 

TOWN CLERKS.

 

Ziba Woodworth, first town clerk, 1791; Clark Stevens, 1792; David Wing, Jr., 1793-1807; Joseph Wing, 1807-1835; Lyman Briggs, 1835-1846; James T. Thurston, 1846-1851; Jona. E. Wright, 1851; W. W. Cadwell, 1852-1855; Geo. L. Kinsman, 1855 to 1859; Adams Kel­logg, 1859.— Thompson.

 

 

            548                         VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

 

SELECTMEN.

 

James Hawkins, 1791, '92; James Tag­gart, Hiram Peck, 1791; Benj. I. Wheeler, 1792, '93, '94, '96-1802, '11, '12, '14 to '19; Rufus Wakefield, 1793; Parley Davis, 1794, '97 to 1801, '02, '03, '08, '23; Barna­bas Doty, 1794, '95; Jacob Davis, 1795, '99; Joseph Woodworth, 1795, 1805 to 1813, '14; A. Nealey, J. Putman, 1795; Elnathan Pope, 1796; David Wing, Jr., 1797 to 1807; Arthur Daggett, 1801, 02; Paul Holbrook, 1803, '04; Clark Stevens, 1804, '05, '10; Jerahmel B. Wheeler, 1806 to '10, '13; Cyrus Ware, 1808; James H. Langdon, 1811, '20, '21, '22, '24; Ziba Woodworth, 1812; Jeduthan Loomis, 1813; Samuel Rich, 1813; Salvin Collins, 1814, '17, '18; Timothy Hubbard, 1815, '16, '19, '29; Nathaniel Davis, 1815, '16; Nahum Kelton, 1817 to 1822, '26, '27, '28; Joel Bassett, 1819; Isaac Putnam, 1820; Aranuah Waterman, 1821, 1830; Joseph Howes, 1822, '23, 1825 to 1829, '52, '53; Josiah Wing, 1822, 1825 to 1829, '31 '32; Joseph Wiggins, 1823; Thomas Reed, Jr., Andrew Sibley, 1824; Samuel Templeton, 1825, 1829, 1830; Stephen Foster, 1829; Apollos Metcalf, 1830; Royal Wheeler, 1831 to '36; Jo­seph Reed, 1831, '32; Jared Wheelock, 1833; Harry Richardson, 1833, '34, '35, '36; George Clark, 1834, '35; Isaac Cate, 1836, '37, '48; William Billings, 1836, '37; Lewis Sibley, Alfred Wainwright, 1837; John Gray, Joel Bassett, Alfred Pitkin, 1838; R. R. Keith, Larned Coburn, Cyrus Morse, 1839, 40; Charles Sibley, Ira S. Town, 1841, 42; John Vincent, 1841, '42, '43; Thomas Needham, L. A. Hathaway, 1843, '44; Hiram Sibley, 1844, '45; John J. Willard, Carlos Bancroft, 1845, 46; Charles Walling, 1846, '47; George S. Hubbard, 1847, '48; John I. Putnam, 1847; S. F. Stevens, 1848; Thomas Reed, 1849; C. W. Bancroft, 1849, '50, '55; C. H. Collins, William Howes, 1850; George Worthington, 1851; John Spalding, 1851, '54; B. F. Walker, 1851; Geo. C. Shepherd, 1852; Wm. N. Peck, 1852, '53, '54, '56, '57; Henry Nutt, 1853, '54; Charles Reed, 1855, '56, '57, '59; A. W. Wilder,  1855.

[See p. 549]

 

HON. JOHN A. PAGE

 

was born at Haverhill, N. H., June 17, 1814, son of Gov. John Page and Hannah Merrill Page. Receiving an education at Haverhill, he at 15 became clerk in a dry goods store, and at 17 engaged in a whole­sale dry goods store in Portland, Me., and was speedily put in charge of the counting‑room, and made confidential and financial clerk. In 1832, in his 19th year, he ac­cepted a partnership in a well established mercantile firm in Haverhill, N. H. In the spring of 1837, his business was closed and he intended to go to the West, but he accepted the cashiership of the Grafton Bank in Haverhill, which he held until the expiration of the charter, when he took the cashiership of the Caledonia Bank in Dan­ville, Vt., and in September, 1848, was elected representative of Danville in the Legislature. While in that office he was prevailed upon by Gov. Erastus Fairbanks to become Financial Agent of the Pas­sumpsic and Connecticut Rivers Railroad Co., and removed to Newbury. In March, 1849, he accepted the cashiership of the "Vermont Bank," and removed to Mont­pelier, where he has since resided. This brief resume of Mr. Page's experience and success as a financier sufficiently shows that he is admirably qualified for the posi­tions of still higher responsibility, to which he was speedily called. In the autumn of 1853, he was elected State Treasurer by the Joint Assembly, there having been no election by the people. Mr. Page affilia­ted with the Democratic party, as his father had long done, and in 1854, he was super­seded in the treasurer's office by the first treasurer elected by the Republian party. On the organization of the First National Bank of Montpelier, in 1865, Mr. Page was elected a director and president, and still holds these positions. In 1866 he was elected State Treasurer, and has been sub­sequently re-elected at every election. Mr. Page has been for several years an active member and deacon in Bethany Church, and a liberal supporter of it, and of kin­dred institutions, such as the Sabbath school, Bible Society, Foreign and Domes­tic Missionary Societies, &c.

                        E. P. W.

 

 

                                                             MONTPELIER.                                                       549

 

David W. Wing, 1856, '57; R. W. Hyde, 1858, '59; Ebenezer Scribner, 1858, '59; Joseph Poland, Joel Foster, Jacob Smith, 1860.— Thompson's List.

 

TOWN TREASURERS—1860 TO 1881.

George W. Scott, 1860-'61-'62-'63-64-'65-'66-'67-'68-'69. L. Bart Cross, 1870-'71-'72-'73. James C. Houghton, Jr., 1874-'75-'76-'77-'78-'79-'80-'81.

 

TOWN CLERKS—1860 TO 1881.

Adams Kellogg, 1860-'61-'62. W. E. Adams, 1863-'64-'65-'66. Nelson A. Chase, 1867-'68-'69. George W. Wing, 1870-'71-'72. Timothy R. Merrill. 1873

 

OVERSEERS OF POOR—1860 TO 1881.

H. Y. Barnes, 1860-'61-'62. B. H. Snow, 1863-'64-'65-'66-'67. Henry Barnes, 1878, resigned, and Timothy Cross elected May 19, 1868, at a special meeting. Wm. W. Cadwell, 1869-'70-'71. Chester Clark, 1872. Wm. W. Cadwell, 1873-'74-'75 '76-'77 (died.) Denison Taft filled re­mainder of 1877-'78 as overseer. Geo. S. Hubbard, 1878-'79-'80-'81.

 

SELECTMEN—1860 TO 1881.

Joseph Poland, 1860; Joel Foster, Jr., 1860, '61, '62, '65, '81; Jacob Smith, 1860, '61, '62; Carlos Bancroft, 1862, '66; Hen­ry Nutt, 1863, '64, '66, '67; Jas. T. Thurs­ton, 1865, '66, '67; Charles Reed, 1861, '67; Perley P. Pitkin, 1868, '74, '80; Sam­uel Wells, 1868, '69, '70; Albert Johon­nott, 1868, '69, '70, '78, '79, '80; H. Bost­wick, T. 0. Bailey, E. F. Kimball, 1871, '72; Joel Foster, Jr., 1873, '81; Dennison Dewey, 1873; Dennis Lane, Homer W. Heaton, 1874, '75, '76, '77; J. Warren Bailey, 1874, '75, '76, '77, '78; Sumner Kimball, 1877, '78; Arthur D. Bancroft, 1879, '80; Willard C. Walker. Clark King, 1881.

 T. R. M.

 

FROM THE RECORDS.—Town meeting, March 29, 1792: Caleb Bennett, sealer of leather; Truman West, pound keeper; David Parsons, tithing man.

Haywards.—Perley Davis, Isaac Put­nam, Lemuel Brooks, Jacob Davis, Jr., Edmund Doty.

Grand Juror.—Nathaniel Parks.

Sealer of Weights and Measures.—Jona­than Cutler.

Auditors. — John Templeton, Rufus Wakefield, David Wing.

 

Town Meeting, March 8th, 1813, John Templeton, [first] Overseer of the Poor.

                                                  T. R. MERRILL, Town Clerk.

Dec. 1881.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

 

[THOMPSON TO 1860.]

 

In 18l4, the first fire company was organized in town, the sum of $380 raised by subscription among the citizens of the vil­lage for the purpose, and an engine and hose purchased. In 1835, another com­pany was formed, and a second engine purchased. And in 1837, a third engine was purchased, with about 800 feet of hose; and a third company was organized to man it, with a hook and ladder compa­ny to act generally. About this time the whole fire department was re-organized, and placed under the direction of the Hon. Daniel Baldwin, who was appointed chief engineer. Mr. Baldwin acted in this ca­pacity many years, and, at length resign­ing the responsible post, was succeeded by Carlos Bancroft, who, in 1852, was succeeded by Capt. Almon A. Mead, who has ever since been the efficient chief en­gineer of the department. In January, 1860, "two large Button engines were pur­chased," the fire department having been re-organized in December, and companies organized to manage them. No. 4 engine arrived in February, and No. 5 in April. The Chief Engineers of the department from 1859 were Capt. A. A. Mead, from 1852 to '66; Samuel Wells 2 years from 1866; Jas. W. Brock, 2 years to 1870; Geo. C. Clark in 1871, and Gen. P. P. Pitkin from that date, 10 years, and now continues to hold the office.

The Foremen of the several companies from the same date, are: No. 4, John W. Clark, 1860, '61, '62; Levi Pierce in 1863, who died in January, 1864; Denison Dewey in 1864; Edwin C. Lewis in 1866, who died in 1867; Freeman Bixby, 1867, '68; Lewis Wood, 1869, '70, '71, '76, now resides in Taunton, Mass.; Alex. Jan‑