John SMITH came from Salisbury, Conn., in 1774 and settled on the farm now owned by F. B. and J. Q. SMITH; in the year 1780 we find that Samuel SMITH sold to John SMITH, his son, for sixty-four pounds 1,020 acres, "in the township of Rutland, on Otter Creek, in the province of New York." The names of Thomas BLANCHARD, John DANDLY and Oliver COLBURN are mentioned in the deed as the original proprietors of the tract. In 1774, according to the records, John SMITH surveyed to himself a lot lying east of the 15 rights. An attempt was made on the part of some of the New York claimants to gain possession of his farm; but he resisted them with force, was sentenced to death for the offense, without trial but he was not arrested. He was the first town clerk of Rutland and the first representative in the General Assembly. He had five sons and one daughter, their names being John, Daniel, Joel, Silas, Elijah and Sarah, all of whom lived on the tract of land owned by their father. He bore the title of "Captain," and with his two sons, John and Daniel, took part in the battle of Bennington. The grandson, John, familiarly known as Deacon John SMITH, died in this town in 1860, at the age of seventy-eight years. Several of the descendants of this pioneer are still living in the county. Captain John SMITH died July 24, 1806, aged seventy-seven years, and his wife, Phoebe, died August 4, 1803, aged sixty-eight. His son John died November 22, 1825, at the age of seventy, and the son Silas died August 16, 1801, aged forty-three years. Elijah had a son named Elijah W. Grove L., Frank and John SMITH were sons of the latter. 

    Having now devoted considerable space to these first settlers of the town, let us very briefly note the arrival of the numerous pioneers who took up their homes here previous to the beginning of the present century, who bore the trials of the Revolution and successfully contested with unprincipled enemies for possession of their lands, and laid broad the foundations of the present prosperity of the town.

    Ichabod WALKER came to Rutland from Massachusetts soon after 1770 and settled near the site of the old court-house on Main street. His name appears as a purchaser of land here; but he left the place early in the Revolutionary struggle and after its close settled in Clarendon.

    Gideon WALKER, from Coventry, Mass., settled first in the town of Clarendon in 1768, and four or five years later came to Rutland and located on Otter Creek on the present BAXTER farm, where he owned 100 acres. At the time of the evacuation of Ticonderoga his wife and four children fled to New Providence (now Cheshire), Mass., where they remained for a time with Lewis WALKER, a cousin of Gideon, who afterwards settled in Clarendon. Daniel WALKER, a brother of Gideon, settled in Clarendon at about the same time with his brother. Gideon lived to an advanced age and left numerous descendants who now live in Addison county.

    Nathaniel CHIPMAN was one of the very early settlers and occupied a conspicuous position in the young community. He was the first judge of the Supreme Court, a talented lawyer and an able statesman. His eminent qualifications were recognized in many ways by his constituents. His brothers Daniel and Darius were also eminent attorneys and pioneers in this region. (See Chapter XVII.)

    Nathan TUTTLE came to the town before the Revolution and at one time owned a very large tract of land southwest of Rutland village. He suddenly and unaccountably disappeared in the summer of 1777. His name appears as moderator of the second proprietors' meeting, of which there are existing records, in November, 1773. At this meeting he was made a "committee to inspect deeds presented, lay out lots," etc.

    Benjamin BLANCHARD was one of the early settlers, but we cannot give the date of his arrival. He was a millwright, or carpenter, and built the mill, or a portion of it, for Colonel MEAD at Gookin's Falls. Mead told him if he would give forty days work on the mill, he should have 100 acres of land south of the corners at West Rutland. This transaction probably occurred in 1772, as the records show that he had land of MEAD in that year. He did the work and lived and died on the farm; so, also, did his son Benjamin, and his grandson of the same name. Chalon BLANCHARD, son of the third Benjamin, died on the farm in 1883. The elder Benjamin died in 1801, aged seventy-five, and his wife Ruth, in 1824. 

    James CLAGHORN was an associate of James MEAD and one of the pioneers of considerable prominence. It is on record that he surveyed to himself in 1774, 100 acres northeast of a lot bought by him of William ROBERTS. He was a selectman in 1779, and in that year it is recorded that he sold to James MEAD sixty acres of land on Otter Creek. He died in 1813, at the age of seventy-four; his wife died in the same year.

    John JOHNSON came into the town from Connecticut in April, 1773, and lived where Nahum JOHNSON now lives, and died there; he previously settled where J. M. DEWEY now lives, on Otter Creek. Cyrus L. and Nahum are his sons. The elder John JOHNSON was a prominent man and held the office of selectman for several years.  Zina JOHNSON was also a pioneer and located near West Rutland, on the road to Clarendon Springs. He had sons, Harry, a lawyer, and Oliver, who died on the homestead before his father's death.

    Deacon Wait CHATTERTON settled in Rutland before 1773 (it has been claimed as early as 1771, but this is probably an error), locating on the farm recently occupied by W. H. JOHNSON. His wife was Susannah DICKINSON and they had seven children, all of whom lived in the town in early years; but most of the descendants have disappeared from this region. Wait CHATTERTON was a prominent citizen, and especially so in the early Congregational Church. His tombstone in the West Rutland burial ground bears as part of the inscription: "who after a life of eighty years amid the most eventful interests of the church and the country, having borne a patriot's toils, discharged the duties of a citizen and enjoyed the hopes and privileges of the Christian, was gathered to his final rest, April 16, 1837." His wife died in 1832. Wait 2d was also a prominent man in the community, and lived and died on the homestead; he held many town offices. James was another son of Wait 1st, and a respected citizen.

    Rev. Benajah ROOTS was a prominent figure in the Rutland community from soon after 1771 to the time of his death in March, 1787. He was the first settled pastor over the Congregational Church, organized in 1773. In the preface to his first sermon (which was printed) he said he then knew of but one, settled Congregational minister in the whole region of country between Massachusetts and Canada, and the Hudson and Connecticut Rivers. He came from Simsbury. Conn., and was a graduate of Princeton College. It is believed that he engaged to preach for five years, the consideration being the lot of land reserved for the first settled minister; though this in reality became his property at the time of his installation, by virtue of his accepting the church office. This lot was situated in the northeast part of the town, and was never of much value to him; but he purchased other lands and dealt in real estate to some considerable extent. The lot on which he subsequently lived, with 100 acres on the opposite side of Otter Creek and 400 acres of wild land, were purchased by him for £ 195 before he came to the town. In February, 1784, he sold to Samuel MURDOCK a tract "which is the third division upon the Right of the first settled Minister, the original grantee, Benajah ROOTS." There was some dissatisfaction in the small congregation after Mr. ROOTS had preached about five years, because he asked for more compensation, which led to the employment for at least a part of the time, of other ministers. In the year 1784 it was voted by the proprietors, "to levy a tax of two pence on the pound of the grand list of A. D. 1774, in Order to satisfy Mr. ROOTS for preaching of late, to be collected September next." That there was some feeling of antagonism to the preacher is indicated by the fact that this vote was soon reconsidered and the tax reduced to one penny. But he officiated more or less in the church until his death; was a man of much strength of character and with natural gifts above the average.

    Roswell and William POST were prominent in the town from 1780 to 1790, and settled here among the earliest immigrants; they were probably brothers. There was also a Jared POST who was a contemporary with the two named and may have been another brother. Roswell POST was selectman in 1780 and held the office in several other early years, while William was moderator of most of the proprietors' meetings down to 1790; and the names both appear frequently in records of land transfers, committees for public duties, and elsewhere.

    Jonathan REYNOLDS came to the town at an early day and purchased two hundred and seventy-five acres of land of James MEAD in the Otter Creek valley, the farm, or a portion of it, being now known as the GRIGGS farm. Mr. REYNOLDS was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary Army and was known as a great hunter and trapper. He died in 1840, when he was one hundred years old, lacking sixteen days. In the old North Cemetery a stone bears the record of the death of "Joshua REYNALS," who died in 1818 at the age of seventy-five years. According to the Vermont Historical Magazine, he lived at the North (or Merriam's) Mills. We are not aware that the two were relatives. There was a large number of descendants, who lived on the road from West Rutland to Sutherland Falls. Morris and Bradley REYNOLDS live in that vicinity.

    Benjamin CAPRON settled in the town in the early years, and had a family of ten children; he located on the turnpike east of the village. Among his children were Benjamin, jr., who died in August, 1859, and Azor, also deceased. His wife was a daughter of Lemuel Haynes. Laban and Benjamin, sons of Azor, now live in this town, the former on the homestead. Theron and William T. CAPRON are sons of Benjamin, jr., and there are numerous other descendants in the county.

    Daniel GREENO settled here before the Revolution, coming from Boston. He located in the northeastern part of the town where Eugene THOMAS now owns; his title being defective, he removed to where Amasa GREENO now lives. He was several times driven from his home during the Revolution, taking refuge in Bennington. He was at the latter place during the battle and shouldered his gun and fought for freedom; his wife remained there several weeks after the battle to aid in caring for the wounded. Mr. GREENO kept a tavern many years where Amasa now resides; he had ten children, all of whom lived to maturity and had families. Of Amasa's children, Amasa A., Benjamin R., Betsey L., and Medora V. H. Pond now live in the town. (See biography of B. R. GREENO in this work).

    Amos HINES and Benjamin FARMER, jr., were among the very early settlers and located, the former on the present RUSSELL Place and the latter near the Mendon line. Benjamin FARMER, sen., settled near his son when he was eighty; years old, and died there ten years later. Amos HINES died in 1805 at the age, of fifty-seven, and is buried in the old North Cemetery.

    Timothy BOARDMAN came from Middletown, Conn., to Rutland in 1782, and located on what has always been known as "Boardman Hill," where Samuel BOARDMAN now lives. In the year 1790 he built the house now occupied by Patrick KINNEY.  In 1783 he returned to Connecticut, married Mary Ward, and immediately came back with his bride. During the Revolutionary War he served in the navy, was captured in the West Indies and kept a prisoner for six months. He resided on the old homestead until his death, April 3, 1839, at the age of eighty-six; he was prominent in the church and was long known as "Deacon." One of his sons was Elijah, who was also a deacon in the church for fifty years; he lived on the homestead, and died there in 1883. Charles G. is another son, and is deceased.

    Joseph KIMBALL settled early where Ira HAWLEY now resides. His daughter Betsey married Abijah HAWLEY. The farm has always remained in the family.

    Joseph HUMPHREY came to Rutland in 1783 from Winchester, N. H. He was employed soon after his arrival by Isaac CHATTERTON and others in building operations. About his first employment was on the old jail, on Main street, now the residence of George E. LAWRENCE. He purchased sixty acres of land of John SUTHERLAND in about the year 1790, where R. S. HUMPHREY recently lived, for which he paid £60 lawful money." He died in 1851. He became prominent in the very early marble industry at Sutherland Falls. (See account of Sutherland Falls for other members of the HUMPHREY family; also description of the marble industries of the town in later pages).

    Jabez WARD came from New Marlboro, Mass., in 1784, and settled three miles north of West Rutland in Whipple Hollow where Jay COOK now lives. His sons were Artemas WARD, now living at West Rutland, and eight others, all deceased but Artemas. The latter was born in 1805 and came to West Rutland in 1829.

    Edward DYER settled in Rutland in about the year 1789; he was from Greenwich, R. I. His first wife was Sally BOWMAN, daughter of Lieutenant BOWMAN, of Clarendon, and his second wife was Hannah HOXIE, daughter of Gideon HOXIE, a Quaker of Chittenden county. Horace H. DYER, who now resides a little south of Rutland village, is a son of Edward. It was on Mr. DYER's farm that Captain Josiah HART and a party of Revolutionary soldiers camped while on their way from Bellows Falls to Ticonderoga. Soon after the war Mr. HART visited Rutland, sought out the spring near which the encampment was made and resolved to settle there, which he did. He was a practical builder, aided in constructing the first church at Rutland village and other buildings, and died in 1811, aged seventy-two years. His grandson, George W. HART, lives on the homestead.

    We have mentioned Isaac CHATTERTON; he settled on a farm now owned by Colonel Redfield PROCTOR and recently by German H. CHATTERTON. Leverett CHATTERTON was his son, and was born on the farm in 1789, and resided on the place until his death in 1877.

    Three brothers named MCCONNELL came to Rutland soon after the Revolutionary War; their names were John, Samuel and James. They located south of Rutland village, John on the farm now owned by John C. DOTY. He had a son James, who lived on the homestead until his death in December, 1877. Samuel died in 1832, aged seventy-two years; and John died in 1839, aged seventy-seven. They were all respectable farmers, and have descendants now living in the county. William MCCONNELL, son of one of the three brothers, lived south of the village, and was a prominent citizen. He died in 1850. Thomas was brother of James, jr., and died in Rutland.

    Jesse THRALL settled in the town in the last decade of the last century, locating in the west parish in Whipple Hollow. His wife's maiden name was Mabel ROSE. There the venerable Reuben R. THRALL was born December 5, 1795. In 1814 he came to the east part of the town and settled; he was clerk in the post-office early in the century, when William D. SMITH was postmaster. Mr. SMITH was a lawyer, and Mr. THRALL studied with him, and finally was admitted to the bar and became Mr. SMITH's partner. Although he is now ninety years old he occasionally does legal business, and is believed to be the oldest practicing attorney in the world. His wife was Elizabeth GOVE, daughter of Jesse GOVE. A daughter of Mr. THRALL married Frederick CHAFFEE, now of Rutland, and his son William B. lives in Rutland; George lives in Denver. Aaron THRALL died in 1810 at the age of forty-seven; he lived at the time on a farm now owned by the Dr. SHELDON estate. Chauncey THRALL settled early where R. C. THRALL now lives. He was a prominent man -- member of the Legislature, justice, etc., and died in 1844. His son Chauncey died in 1874. Jonathan G. THRALL, one of the leading farmers of the town, and a man of strong character, lived one-half mile north of Rutland village, and died in 1852 at the age of fifty-eight.

    Nathaniel GOVE was the pioneer of that name in this town and himself and descendants have filled prominent stations in the community. He was born in Coventry, Conn., on the 21st of April, 1739, and died in Rutland September 9, 1813. We have but very meager details of his settlement here, but he came at an early day; his son, Colonel Jesse GOVE, was born in February, 1784, in Bennington. He early came to Rutland and read law with Cephas SMITH, jr., and was admitted to the Rutland county bar at the March term of 1818. He married Sophia INGERSOLL in 1809, and in the same year was appointed clerk of the United States District and Circuit Courts for the district of Vermont, and held the office until his death. He was appointed postmaster at Rutland in 1841. His military title was gained by his rank of colonel in the militia. He died April 30, 1 842.

    Jude MOULTHROP came to the town about the year 1792, at which time Nathan OSGOOD deeded to him the greater part of the farm now occupied by Mrs. H. J. MOULTHROP; the northern part of the same farm was deeded to him by Gideon TUTTLE. Jude MOULTHROP died December 10, 1800, and left among his children, Truman MOULTHROP, Nathan MOULTHROP and a daughter named Laura, now widow of Daniel GLEASON. Truman became a prominent citizen. Truman's third child and first son was Robert MOULTHROP, who was born on the farm now occupied by his heirs, December 8, 1825. Truman MOULTHROP held various town offices and was much respected.

    Daniel GRAVES removed from Whately, Mass., to Rutland county in 1792, locating first in the town of Ira, where he established a tannery, shoe shop, hat manufactory and kept a tavern. He may have lived a few years at West Rutland, as we find him in 1796 advertising a "good dwelling, shoemaker's shop, tan-yard and tan-house, with one acre and forty-seven rods of land situated a few rods south of the meeting-house, West Parish, Rutland." In any event, after his death his son George carried on the business until 1832, when he removed to Rutland and built up the tanning business north of the village at what became known as "Tanyard Village." This establishment was destroyed by fire. He also owned a tannery at Chase's Mills, N. Y., in company with his sons, George and Charles E. He died in 1879 and his sons took control of the business. George E. GRAVES now carries on a drug store in Rutland village.

    The eccentric John A. GRAHAM was a resident of Rutland in the last decade of the last century, and we find him making in 1795 the newspaper announcement that his creditors must pay up as he was about to leave the State. He was the first lawyer located in Rutland and wrote a book of early reminiscences and memoirs of Vermont men, from which we quote in later pages. He built his dwelling three stories high, on the corner occupied in later years by DANIELS & BELL, Main street, and placed his coat-of-arms on a part of the roof. The heavy tornado of 1789, which unroofed several buildings, moved his house from its foundation and blew down the coat-of-arms.

    The CHENEY family was a prominent one in the town in early times. Gershom (see extracts from his diary a little further on), Samuel and Abel came here from Londonderry in 1793 and located on what has been called "Cheney Hill," north of Rutland village. Abel had six children, one of whom was Benjamin, father of Lyman S., who now lives in the village. Abel lived in Rutland only a few years and died in Canada in 1860. Gershom became a conspicuous figure in pioneer times; he was an architect and builder of prominence, planned and helped to build the old brick church, and erected many of the oldest houses in the place, including that recently occupied by Luther DANIELS, and the old KILBURN house next south of the Governor PAGE residence. He held most of the town offices, was selectman in 1812-13 and '14, and made the grand list after he was eighty years of, age. He built the first aqueduct from a spring in the town of Mendon to supply Rutland with water; there was then no reservoir; he also kept a tavern on his place north of the village for eleven years. He had no children and died much respected in September, 1855. Gershom CHENEY, now living in Rutland village, is a nephew of the elder Gershom and son of Abel. He was proprietor of the old Franklin House from 1854 until it was destroyed by fire in 1868.

    Eliakim CHENEY, belonging to another branch of this name, came to Rutland from Dedham, with his brother Abner, before the beginning of the present century and located on South Main street. On their land brick were manufactured for many of the early brick buildings in this section. Eliakim had two sons, Warner and Hiram L.; they were among the early masons here; the former now lives in Troy, and Hiram L. died in 1880; he had also one daughter, Rosina, now widow of Moses CURTIS. George H. and Henry W., now in mercantile business in Rutland, are sons of Hiram L. CHENEY.

    John RUGGLES came to Rutland from Pomfret, Conn., in 1794, locating on what has been called the Ruggles farm, included in which was the site of the railroad depot. He died in 1831, and his farm was inherited by his son, the late Gershom C. RUGGLES, who died in 1885. He was a prominent man in the community. His oldest son was named John and another was Henry, now of Boston, and still another, George R., of Aurora, Ill.

    The Rev. Samuel WILLIAMS, LL.D., removed to Rutland in 1788, having held the professorship of mathematics and natural philosophy in Harvard University. He was born in Waltham, Mass., about 1740. He was during his life here one of the very foremost men of the county; indeed, of the State. In 1794 he preached the election sermon, and was chaplain of the Assembly the same session. (For his connection with the Rutland press see Chapter XV.) In 1794 he published The Natural and Civil History of Vermont which was extended in 1808; he was one of the founders of the University of Vermont. In writing of him John A. GRAHAM said: "He is the most enlightened man in the State, in every branch of philosophy and polite learning." He died in January, 1817.

    Hon. Samuel WILLIAMS was also one of the earliest settlers and most distinguished residents of Rutland, and one of the few Whigs who remained in Rutland after the evacuation of Ticonderoga. He was for many years town clerk and selectman; represented the town in General Assembly from 1783 to 1794, except 1786, and in 1798-99; councilor from 1795 to 1798; judge of Rutland County Court from 1790 to 1793 inclusive; chief judge from 1794 to 1799 inclusive, and held this office at the time of his death. He, with the Rev. Samuel WILLIAMS, were the founders of the Rutland Herald, and published it several years. To him is also to be credited the existence of the Rutland village "green," or park, on Main street, most of the funds for its purchase being contributed by him and he being the first grantee named in the deeds ("To Samuel WILLIAMS and other inhabitants of said town of Rutland.") The tablet above his remains in the old North Burial Ground bears as a part of the inscription: "He was a pillar of church and of state and lived and died the Father of this Village and the Friend of Mankind. Over the remains of his mortal part, as a testimony of his virtues, this marble placed by his Masonic brethren, June 24th, A. L. 5800." He died February 28, 1800.

    Levi LONG settled in Rutland in 1799, coming from Coventry, Conn., and locating about three miles northeast from the village. He had seven sons and one daughter.

    Matthias AMES settled on the farm now occupied by his grandson, Matthias, in 1785. He was a Revolutionary soldier, from Stockbridge, Mass.

    Gad DANIELS, from Worthington, Mass., settled in Rutland in 1783, on the farm now occupied by S. L. DANIELS, on the road to West Rutland. His son Stephen was killed while assisting to build a bridge at Center Rutland in 1835. 

    John HALL came to Rutland in 1798, when he was but four years old. He subsequently learned the saddler's trade, and later became a merchant in the village, with his brother William. Later in his life he gave up trade and re-tired to his farm in the northern part of the town, where he passed the remainder, of his life. He died in 1868, at the age of seventy-five years. John M. HALL, now of Rutland, is his son, and the only descendant here. William HALL was born in November, 1780, and died September 13, 1850. He became judge of probate and held other positions of trust and responsibility. Henry HALL, now residing in Rutland, and a historical writer of ability, is son of Hon. William HALL.

    Noah GRISWOLD settled in Whipple Hollow in 1800, where his grandsons now live. He was the father of Edwin L. GRISWOLD, who lives in West Rutland; the latter has been in the Legislature. Frank GRISWOLD is another son.

    James PORTER was son of a surgeon of the British army who was in this country during the Revolution; he came to Rutland when ten years old to reside with his uncle, Ezekiel PORTER, where he remained until he was eighteen years old; he then began the study of medicine and, graduating at the age of twenty-three, began practice in Rutland, and was prominent in the profession for more than fifty years; he was also one of the foremost citizens in all the affairs of the village. His eldest son, Henry W. PORTER, resided at the old homestead, No. 83 Main street, until his death in 1884; other prominent representatives of this family were Dr. Cyrus PORTER, Dr. James B. PORTER and Dr. Hannibal PORTER, and Dr. Charles PORTER, of Boston. (See Chapter XVI.)

    Among the earliest settlers of Pawlet was Captain Simeon EDGERTON, from Stamford, Conn. He died in 1809 at the age of seventy years, leaving a widow and twelve children.  Jacob EDGERTON and two others remained in Pawlet. Jacob had twelve children, of whom nine lived to maturity, and he died in 1845. But two of this family are now living. Jacob EDGERTON, jr., is still living in Rutland at the age eighty-five. He has been a prominent citizen in business and politics; held the office of sheriff for twenty-two years, and other positions of honor.

    Moses HALE and Stephen HALE were among the early settlers. The latter located about one and one-half miles east of the village on the turnpike, and resided there till his death. Franklin S. HALE is his son. Moses HALE was a prominent man at a very early day and his name appears frequently in the town records, in land transfers, etc. He was father of Deacon Asa HALE, who lived at "Tan-yard Village," where he owned a large farm, and of Thomas HALE, who died in 1812, in middle life. Deacon ASA died in 1843 at the age of eighty-four years, and was a man of prominence in the community.

    The foregoing brief sketches embrace the names of a large proportion of the pioneers who settled in the town previous to the beginning of the present Century. Relative to others of whom less is known the reader must content himself with the briefest memoranda, and such other mention as will appear in the description of the trade and industries of the town.

    Solomon SMITH settled in the town early -- probably before 1800, and lived a little east of the village; he had a son, Deacon John, but his descendants are all dead. Henry GOULD was a prominent citizen in the early years of the century; was jailor in 1807, and we find him offering "$50 reward for the arrest of Abner HAYES, the well-known counterfeiter, who broke gaol July 2, I807." Henry was a brother of Nathaniel and died in 1820. Nathaniel GOULD kept the old Franklin House in early years, when it was known as "Gould's Tavern." He was born in Claremount, Vt., September 22, 1786, and died in Westminster, Vt., March 25, 1853. He had several daughters; Clarissa married Daniel P. BELL, the early Rutland merchant, and lives in Florida; Helen Mary married Elisha AVERY, of Detroit; Priscilla married a Mr. ELMORE, of Peru, N. Y.; Narcissy married Mr. HAWLEY, of Detroit, and is dead; Jane married Dr. Cyrus PORTER and now lives on the old Porter homestead in Rutland.

    Jonathan SHAW, born in 1771, died in 1839. His first wife was Mary, daughter of Obadiah BOSS. Dr. SHAW formerly lived in the house now occupied by C. H. SHERMAN at West Rutland and was a conspicuous man in the community. He owned a grist-mill at Clarendon Springs at one time, and died there of a cancer. Moses LESTER was a prominent citizen and lived where Frank DUNCKLEE now owns. He died in 1857 at the age of eighty-seven years.

    Captain William BOLAND was an early settler and died in the town in 1810 at the age of seventy-three years; he has descendants now living in the town, the wife of Horatio MEAD being one of them. Seth GORHAM died August 29, 1852, aged ninety years. He was a man of consequence in the town. His son, Judson GORHAM, married Theodocia THRALL. Dr. John A. MEAD, of Rutland village, is a grandson of Seth GORHAM. 

    Lieutenant Samuel CAMPBELL lived on what was known as "Campbell's Hill," one and one-half miles from Rutland; he died in 1819, aged eighty-eight years. David Tuttle, who bore the military title of "Captain," was one of the very early settlers and lived on the south part of Main street; he died, in 1820, aged sixty-eight. Robert TEMPLE, from Braintree, Mass., was born in 1783 and died in 1834; he was father of Charles TEMPLE and grandfather of Edwin L. TEMPLE, now of Rutland; he was a lawyer, and the family have always been prominent in the community; Admiral William G. TEMPLE (retired), of Washington, and Robert Emmett TEMPLE, of New York State, are sons of Robert TEMPLE. Charles K. WILLIAMS came to Rutland in 1790, and died March 9, 1853, aged seventy- one years; his wife was Lucy J. LANGDON, daughter of Chauncey LANGDON, of Castleton. Mr. WILLIAMS was an attorney; held prominent political offices -- judge, justice, governor, etc., -- and was one of the foremost citizens in all respects; Charles K. WILLIAMS, now a practicing attorney of Rutland, is his grandson. (See Chapter XVII.)

    Jonathan WELLS was one of the first settlers and owned large tracts of land; the stone that marks his resting-place bears the following inscription: "As a tribute of affection to his memory and respect for his industry, fidelity, integrity and uprightness, this stone is erected by his mourning brethren." He died in 1813. 

    Issacher REED was conspicuous among the early settlers, having come here as early as 1794; he for a long period kept the Reed Hotel, a well-known tavern on Main street, which was burned: the records show that he owned a farm of thirty-five acres on the post road "one and one-half miles from the court-house, well situate where a tavern has been kept for five years and is now licensed." This announcement appeared in the Herald; Mr. REED also kept a store for a time near West Rutland. He died in 1838 at the age of eighty years. Truman Squire REED, who died in Wallingford, was a son of Issacher. 

    Hon. Israel SMITH was a leading man in Rutland after about the year 1791, and was the fourth governor of the State; he held many other important offices, and he died in 1810. (See history of the Bench and Bar of the County). Dr. James ROSS, who has been sketched in the chapter devoted to the medical profession, died in 1856, aged forty-five years. Charles E. ROSS, now of Rutland, is his son. Deacon Ezekiel GREEN, who lived where Ruel TODD now resides, died in 1829; his son, William GREEN, succeeded him on that farm and died there; he had another son, Enoch, who lived opposite the homestead; Enoch's son, Hiland E., now lives on the homestead. Daniel GLEASON, 1st, was an early settler and died in 1835 at the age of seventy-three years; he had sons Charles and Daniel, 2d; the latter was a prominent farmer and lived where Caleb BUFFUM now resides, south of Rutland village; he died in 1855; his wife was Laura MOULTHROP, sister of Truman MOULTHROP. Deacon William BARR was a prominent early churchman and much respected. He died in 1813 at the age of sixty-four years; he was selectman several years beginning with 1785; on his gravestone appears the following: "As an officer in the church, highly respected; as a neighbor, kind, peaceable and benevolent; as a citizen, firm in the support of the constitutional rights of his country; a lover of good men, himself beloved by all." Deacon Daniel FORD was another conspicuous church officer of early years; he was a farmer and lived at the North Mills; he died in 1829, aged sixty years. Ozias FULLER was a tanner and lived on Main street, where Dr. ALLEN now resides; he died in 1819. Captain Nicholas GODDARD was a well-known character early in this century; he was a jeweler, his shop being on the corner of Main and West streets, and was associated there with Captain Benjamin LORD; there they manufactured the old-fashioned hall clocks, which today command a higher price than when new. Joseph ALLEN lived, down to 1858, when he died at the age of ninety-six years, about two miles east of the village. William ALVORD came from Northampton, Mass., at an early day and died here in February, 1853, aged eighty-seven years. He was a cabinet maker, one of the first in the place, and had a shop on the east side of Main street where Richard SPAULDING is now located; he was the father of Cephas and General Benjamin ALVORD, former paymaster-general of the army, who died in Washington in 1884. Dr. Joel GREEN, who was a partner of Dr. Joel PORTER in 1820, lived where Moses PERKINS afterward resided, corner of Main and Green streets; Mrs. Q. C. ALVORD is his daughter and Dunham G. GREEN his son. Samuel MERRIAM was an early settler and a miller at the North Mills, or "Merriam's Mills," as they were called; he operated the mills and also had charge of BARRETT's distillery at that point; he lived on Cottage street and died there in 1867. Frequent allusion has been and will hereafter be made to William FAY, the early publisher of the Herald; he was a prominent man in the community for many years. One of his daughters, Mary, became the wife of Richard GOOKIN, the manufacturer of Center Rutland; another married Silas H. HODGES, and another Horace T. WHITE, then of Rutland; still another became the wife of Senator Solomon FOOT, and the fifth daughter married Albert ROBINSON, who died in Washington, D. C. A further sketch of Mr. FAY will be found in the chapter giving a history of the county press. 

    William Page was born of a family which was prominent in the early history of this State, in September, 1779. He graduated from Yale College and became a leading lawyer in Rutland. He was made the first cashier of the Bank of Rutland in 1824, and was otherwise honored by his townsmen. He had a large family of children; Hon. John S. PAGE, of Rutland (lately deceased), was his son (see biography in later pages), and Mrs. Newton KELLOGG, Mrs. PEASE, Mrs. J. B. HOLLISTER and Mrs. William BARNES are daughters; another daughter, Mrs. S. D. WINSLOW, resides in Pittsford. Dr. George PAGE, of Crown Point, and Egbert PAGE, who lives in Iowa, are sons. 

    Abner MOON was an early settler and a tanner one-half mile south of the village, on Moon's Brook; he died in 1836 and has no descendants about here. Joshua OSGOOD, who died in 1833, was a prominent farmer and father of Phineas OSGOOD, who lives on the old homestead four miles north of the village. Jonathan BELL was among the first settlers, and died in 1804; he was a prominent man in the early history of the town, and, according to the inscription on his grave-stone, "was seventeen years sheriff of the county of Rutland, the duties of which office he discharged with high reputation to himself and usefulness to the public;" he has no descendants here now. William EAYRES, who died in 1834 at the age of seventy years, lived where William, his grandson, now resides, in the Greeno neighborhood north of the village; George N. and James are also grandsons; the former is now superintendent of the House of Correction. Cephas SMITH was a prominent man in Rutland early in the century; we find him in 1811 offering for sale "a beautiful situation in the southwest corner of Rutland Green containing twelve acres, dwelling house, etc.; also in the southwest corner of the green half an acre of land and a good dwelling-house." The latter was the STRONG place; he died in 1815. 

    Colonel John RAMSDELL appears to have been a prominent man and held the office of selectman several years; he died in 1807 and has no descendants hereabouts. Lewis MEACHAM, also, who died in 1813, was a respected citizen and father of Hon. James MEACHAM, of Addison county, and of Lewis MEACHAM, of New Haven, Vt. Both died in Addison county. Daniel SQUIER, who died in 1858, at the advanced age of ninety-six years, lived near the OSGOOD place and had a large family. Harwood SQUIER, now living on Woodstock avenue, is of this family. Jonathan DIKE was a native of Pittsford and lived for many years on the corner of Main and Washington streets; he was a prominent man, held the office of sheriff many years, and other positions; he died in 1871 at the age of eighty-four years. Otis FISHER was one of the early butchers of the town and grandfather of Harrison and Wilson FISHER; he died in 1845. Moses PERKINS was an early settler of the town of Clarendon, and was afterward a farmer on the east side of Main street in the southern part of the old village. He died in 1858 at the age of seventy-two years. Henry O. PERKINS, of Rutland, is his son, and a daughter is the wife of Henry HAYWARD. William GILMORE come from Londonderry with his father and located in the town of Ira before 1800. About the year 1810 William removed to West Rutland, where he carried on the farm now occupied by his son, James L. GILMORE. He died in Ira, where he also owned a farm. Captain William GILMORE, now living in Rutland, is a son of the elder William, and has been prominent in the business circles of the town. He was associated with George T. HODGES as a merchant, and in the firm of CLEMENT, GILMORE & BARNES in the marble business, when it was in its infancy. He has now retired from most active business. The foregoing names must suffice to inform the reader of a very large majority of the pioneers who devoted their lives to the establishment of homes, and the introduction of early manufacturing operations and mercantile pursuits in the town of Rutland. Though in many cases the memory, even, of their deeds is lost, and in others but meager details of their lives can be gleaned, it is eminently fit that whatever is known of their coming and going and the part they performed in the up-building of the town should be set down in a permanent record.

    Coming down to a later period the town saw the immigration from various localities of a class of men, many of whom have left the deep impress of their life-work on the general, social, and industrial interests of the community; men of marked characters, powerful intellect and eminent in moral qualities. A brief mention of some of these must complete the personal sketches of the town.

    Moses STRONG was one of the foremost citizens of Rutland and the present generation still profits by the results of his energy. He was a son of John STRONG, of Addison county, and was born in Connecticut. He studied for the legal profession and married in Shoreham for his first wife a daughter of Daniel SMITH, in 1810, about which time he came to Rutland. He lived first where Charles ROSS now resides, and about 1840 removed to what is known as "the Strong place," on Main street. He held the office of county judge, was foremost in the legal profession and a leading citizen. His family consisted of: Moses M. STRONG, now living in Wisconsin and seventy-five years old; John, who lives in Washington; George W., died in 1859; and four daughters. He died September 29, 1842. His brother, Samuel STRONG, was a conspicuous figure in the battle of Plattsburg, and bore the title of "General;" he was of Vergennes. Moses STRONG became one of the foremost men of Rutland; owned large tracts of land and was very prominent in the early railroad operations of the State. (See chapter on the Internal Improvements of the County.)  His son, Moses M., was a prominent attorney, and went to Wisconsin where he now lives and is a prominent citizen. 

    Robert PIERPOINT, who was a resident of Rutland after about the close of the War of 1812, was a man of eminence in the State. He was born May 4, 1791, at Litchfield, Conn. At seven years of age he went to live with an uncle in Manchester. He studied law with Governor Richard SKINNER, and though of feeble constitution, was indefatigable in the pursuit of a knowledge of his chosen profession. In June, 1812, he was admitted to the bar in Bennington county. Soon after his removal to Rutland he was made deputy collector of the direct tax, which duty he successfully performed. He was sent to the Legislature in the years 1819, 1823 and 1857; was a member of the Constitutional Conventions of 1822 and 1828; from 1825 to 1830 inclusive was a member of the State Council; was State senator from 1836 to 1839 inclusive; was county clerk from 1820 to 1839; judge of probate 1832-33; in 1848 was elected lieutenant-governor of Vermont; received the degree of M. A. from Middlebury College in 1826, and from the University of Vermont in 1838; in 1850 he was made judge of the Circuit Court, continuing to 1859. He died in 1864 with honors thick upon him. Evelyn PIERPOINT, now a prominent citizen of Rutland, is his only son.

    Charles BURT, who was born at Bellows Falls in 1791, came to Rutland in 1813. His father was Leonard BURT, son of Benjamin BURT who died at Bellows Falls at the age of ninety-four years. Charles BURT was a nephew of William FAY, the eminent publisher of Rutland village (see history of the County Press), and engaged in business with him and Mr. DAVIDSON as publishers and booksellers. A few years later he formed a partnership with Barnard MCCONNELL in the mercantile business; the firm afterward changed to Burt & Mason (Lester MASON) and then to Burt & Son (the latter being B. H. BURT); this began in 1850 and continued ten years. B. H. BURT continued the business to 1873, and took in Eugene SHERMAN; two years later the latter retired and Mr. BURT still continues trade alone, and is one of the leading dry goods houses of Rutland. Of his children, Charles Fay BURT died in Rutland; George, in St. Augustine, Florida; James B., is now in Palatka, Florida, and William is in business in Chicago; Henry died in New Orleans; Helen was the wife first of J. C. DEXTER, the first sheriff of San Francisco, and, second, of General HALL, of Wallingford, and, third, of Hosea EDDY of that town; Margaret is the widow of A. F. SPENCER.

    Ebenezer MUSSEY came to Rutland before 1800 and in that year built the house on the old Mussey place, which is still standing, a mile south of the village, and owned by A. C. BATES. His sons were Harry, Charles, George and Edward; the latter the father of W. B: MUSSEY, a merchant in Rutland; he also had two daughters. Edward, who was born in 1798, went to Mendon, where he kept a tavern until 1850, known as "the old Mussey stand;" he subsequently removed to Middlebury, where he kept tavern, and then to the farm north of Middlebury village now owned by Joseph BATTELLE; he died there in 1878. Besides W. B., he had several sons and three daughters. Harry MUSSEY lived and died on the old homestead, had a large family, one daughter becoming the wife of Gen. Benjamin ALVORD, of the U. S. army, and now lives in Washington.

    Francis SLASON, who died in 1884, was born in Stamford, Conn., in March, 1790; he went to Troy, N. Y., in 1804, and nine years later removed to West Rutland, where he purchased the store of Nathan BRISTOL and carried on a mercantile business for forty years. He also became interested in the marble and other interests, as will hereafter appear; he was a director in the National Bank of Rutland, from its organization in 1824 to the time of his death; he lived to the great age of ninety-four years and was one of the foremost citizens of the town; his widow and a number of descendants now live in the town.

    Luther DANIELS came from Keene, N. H., to Rutland in 1814, and became one of the leading business men and prominent citizens of the village. He first engaged here as a clerk in the store of Daniel CHIPMAN for three years, when he returned to Keene and remained until he reached his majority. He then came back to Rutland and began business in the old Daniels store, which now forms a part of the "Cheney store " on Main street, continuing in trade there for a period of thirty years and doing the largest business in the place. Daniel P. BELL was associated with him for a number of years and the firm of Daniels & Bell was favorably known throughout the county. He was chosen treasurer and president of the Rutland Savings Bank in 1850 and held the office until 1879. He represented the town in the Legislature and in the Senate for four years, and was foremost in all good works. He died in August, 1885, in the eighty-seventh year of his age. His first wife was Caroline BRADBURY; she died in 1837 and in 1844 he married the daughter of Moses STRONG and widow of Rodney C. ROYCE. Mr. ROYCE was one of the leading attorneys of the place and died in 1836, at the age of thirty-six years. A daughter of Mr. DANIELS is the wife of the Rev. Dr. Norman SEAVER; another daughter is unmarried.

    Avery BILLINGS came to Rutland in 1818, from Guilford, Vt., and located on the west side of the creek, where Jesse L. BILLINGS now resides. The place is a portion of the ministerial lot, and was purchased by Mr. BILLINGS from the first settled minister. Mr. B. held various offices of honor and trust, and as a farmer accumulated considerable wealth. He married Mary PACKER, a sister of Rev. Daniel PACKER, who was so long and favorably known in the township of Mount Holly. The PACKER family are descendants of the PACKERs who came to this country from England about the year 1651, and settled in Connecticut. Mary BILLINGS married John CAIN, who was a prominent man in Rutland for many years. Mr. BILLINGS died in 1860, at the age of seventy-seven, much lamented.

    James BARREN came to Rutland from Concord, Mass., in 1819, locating in the village, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for a period of about forty years. He was a prominent man of the town for many years, dying in 1875, in the eighty-third year of his age. When he first came to the village he occupied the house now owned by E. A. MORSE, and subsequently a house located on the site now occupied by J. B. HARRIS's residence, and finally the house corner of Main and Washington streets, in which he resided for a period of forty years. Mr. BARRETT was a descendant of Col. James BARRETT, who commanded the first regiment raised in Massachusetts, and which contained the companies who took part in the battles of Concord and Lexington. He was also one of the Committee of Safety, and also had charge of the collection of provisions and supplies, for the destruction of which the British troops were sent to Concord. Of the descendants now living in town there are: the wife of Evelyn PIERPOINT, the wife of Hon. W. C. DUNTON, Ellen C. BARRETT, unmarried, and Rockwood BARRETT, treasurer of the Columbian Marble Company.

    Robert PATTERSON came to Rutland from Montpelier, Vt., in 1816. He served in the War of 1812 and was at the battle of Plattsburg. While in the army he contracted a disease which resulted in paralysis, from the effects of which he never recovered. He died in 1848, in his sixty-fifth year. He was the father of six children, three of whom are now living. Robert E. resides in the town about four miles north of the village. 

    The HODGES family were of the town of Clarendon, but George T. became a resident of Rutland in early life. He was the third son of Dr. Silas HODGES, and born in 1788. He became one of the staunch business men of Rutland and was called to fill many positions of trust and honor; he represented the town in the Assembly and the county in the Senate, several years in each office, and on the death of Hon. James MEACHAM, member of Congress, in 1856, Mr. HODGES was chosen to fill the vacancy. He was a director in the old Bank of Rutland from its organization to his death, and a director and vice-president in the Rutland and Burlington Railroad Company. He died in August, 1860. 

    Few if any families in the county have greater claims upon the attention of the annalist than the SHELDONs. Medad SHELDON came to Rutland before the beginning of the present century; his wife vas Lucy BASS, of Sharon, Conn. He built a hotel at Center Rutland and other buildings, and carried on blacksmithing there. He died July 27, 1846, while on a visit to St. Lawrence county, N. Y. His eldest son was Lorenzo, born in 1801, died September 5, 1880. He studied medicine at the Castleton Medical College and graduated in January, 1820, returning to Rutland to begin practice with Dr. Jonathan SHAW, with whom he formed a partnership; one year later Dr. SHAW removed to Clarendon Springs. Dr. SHELDON removed to St. Lawrence county in 1826, but remained only two years, when he returned and resumed practice in Rutland. In 1835 he became interested with William F. BARNES, and then began the marble industry, which has since been developed to enormous proportions by his descendants. Later he was associated with Francis SLASON, which continued until 1865, when he sold out and retired from active business in that direction. (See biographies of Charles and John A. Sheldon). He continued to carry on a large real estate business during the remainder of his active life. He was married in 1823 to Mahala SMITH, of West Rutland, a descendant of the pioneer John SMITH; their children were Sophronia, born 1823, died 1872; Darwin RUSH, born 1826, died 1834; Charles S., born 1834, died 1835; Lucy Amorette, born 1836, died 1837; Lucy Lorenda, born 1838, widow of Harmon GOSS, of West Rutland; Harley G., born 1840, lives at West Rutland; Mary Kate, born 1844, died 1869. The other children of Medad SHELDON were: Mary Lyman, born 1802, died ____; Caroline, born 1804 and deceased; Sophronia, born 1806, deceased; Lucy Amorette, born 1809, deceased; Richard Preston, born 1811, drowned in Florida; Charles, born 1813, now living in Rutland, and the senior member of the great marble firm of Sheldon & Sons; Henry Aaron, born 1815, deceased; Chandler, born 1820, deceased; Emily Janette, born 1821, wife of Edward SHEPPARD, of West Rutland. The sons of Charles SHELDON, who are associated with him in the marble industry, are John A., Charles H., Archie L., and William K. (See history of the marble industry of the town).

    In this connection it is proper to give a brief sketch of William F. BARNES, who has been mentioned as the partner of Lorenzo SHELDON and the pioneer in the West Rutland marble business. He was born in Pittsford in 1806. His parents went West, but he remained here and took up his residence while a boy with Elijah BOARDMAN, in West Rutland. His younger years, and down to the time when he was about thirty years old, appear to have been a period of considerable vicissitude, and developed the remarkable energy, industry and perseverance that characterized his after life. In 1836 he discovered the marble deposit at West Rutland, and was convinced that it was of inestimable value; he purchased a tract of hill and swamp lands and began the task of opening the marble deposit and reclaiming the low lands. A considerable tract of before worthless land now presents a surface of excellent meadow, and the Barnes House and another large brick block, erected by him at West Rutland, stand upon soil that was made by him. His energy was tireless; his perseverance in the face of many difficulties almost phenomenal; fortunes have been made from the quarries that he was instrumental in opening, and yet Mr. BARNES, although having a considerable estate at one time, did not become wealthy. He represented Rutland two years in the Legislature and gained the esteem of his fellow citizens. He was killed in May, 1871, by a block of marble which fell in the quarry and struck him on the head crushing his skull, (Further reference to his work and life will be found in the chapter devoted to the marble industry of the county).

    Thaddeus DUNKLEE, from New Hampshire, came to Rutland in 1812, where he married Elizabeth CAPRON, July 29, 1822, by whom he had five children, Benjamin F., Hiram, Sarah, Samuel and George. But two are now living, George in Boston, Mass., and Benjamin F. in Rutland. He died in 1859.

    Hon. James D. BUTLER came to Rutland among the pioneers before 1790, and was one of the early merchants of the village; his store was situated where J. M. HAVEN now lives; he was a partner for a time with T. J. LYON, and the firm dissolved in 1796, the business being continued by Mr. BUTLER. He died in 1842, aged seventy-seven years. He was father of James Davie BUTLER, who was born in Rutland in March, 1815; the latter, after proper preparation, entered Middlebury College in 1832 and graduated four years later. In 1840 he graduated from the Theological Seminary at Andover. In 1842 he started on a European tour, returning in December, 1843. At different periods down to 1867 he was professor of ancient languages in Norwich University (1845), professor of Greek at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Ind.; professor of both Greek and Latin in the University of Wisconsin, and filled several congregational pulpits. In 1867 .he began another European tour and has been in Europe twice since. He has also traveled extensively in this country. Professor BUTLER is an able writer in both prose and verse, and has published several volumes. He now resides in Madison, Wisconsin.

    William Y. RIPLEY came from Middlebury to Rutland in 1837, locating at Center Rutland, where he engaged in mercantile business. He soon after acquired an interest in the marble business, and founded the large industry now carried on by his sons. (See description of the marble industries of the town). In 1861 he was elected president of the Rutland County National Bank, holding the office until his death in September, 1875; he was succeeded by his son William Y. W. RIPLEY. Edward H. RIPLEY, another of his sons, is a prominent citizen of Rutland village. His daughter, Julia Caroline, is now the widow of Hon. Seneca M. DORR and lives at the beautiful residence known as the "The Maples," just outside of the limits of Rutland village. Mrs. DORY evinced literary talent of a high order early in her life. This was developed later years until she has gained a reputation throughout the country as a poetess and novelist of the first rank.

    David BILLINGS came into Shrewsbury from Sunderland, Mass., before 1800. His son, Benjamin B., was born in that town in 1801, and now lives in Mount Holly. His sons Benjamin, jr., and David C. are in the grocery trade in Rutland. John S., Franklin, and Lorenzo, the other sons, live in Mount Holly. Benjamin came to Rutland in 1856.

    Simeon POST came to Rutland before 1800 and located about three miles north of the village. Levi LONG lived a half mile from him and was then his nearest neighbor. Mr. POST died December 11, 1841. His son, Alpha A., was born in Rutland, and died here April 13, 1871. James E. POST, now a manufacturer of sewer pipe in Rutland, is a son of Alpha A. POST.

    John CAIN, a native of the Isle of Man, came to America in 1832, and soon after to Rutland; he became prominent here as an architect and builder. His wife was Mary, daughter of Avery BILLINGS. They had five children, William J. John, Avery B., Jewett P., and Mary. Mr. CAIN was conspicuous in Democratic politics. He died in Rutland in 1880. (See biography in later pages of this work).

    The names of many others who have been instrumental in building up the prosperous manufacturing and mercantile interests of Rutland, or have shone in professional careers, will appear as we proceed. The long list of names which we have inserted with brief notes of the personages, although partaking of the character of mere biographic notes, will yet stand as indicative of the human elements and powers that have served to develop this town to its present position in the front rank of the communities of the State. The pioneers laid deep the foundations, and their descendants have builded upon them a structure which is entirely to their credit.
 
 
 

History of Rutland County Vermont with Illustrations and Biographical 
Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
Edited by H. Y. Smith & W. S. Rann
Syracuse, N. Y.
D. Mason & Co., Publishers  1886
History of the Town of Rutland
Chapter XIX.
(pages 317-337)

Transcribed by Karima, 2002