A FEW ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS

      Charles ROBINSON, of Barre, noted as practicing there from 1814 to 1833, was a descendant of the famous Rev. John ROBINSON who died at Leyden before the Mayflower sailed. He was born at Tolland, Conn., January 25, 1787, and married Nancy R. WHEELER, and died in 1834. Their son Charles was a lawyer. See Baldwin, p. 190.

      Stephen S. JONES, noted as admitted in November, 1835, was of Barre, practiced a time at Hyde Park, married Lavinia M., daughter of Philo G. CAMP, of Hyde Park, went to St. Charles, Ill., went into Spiritualism, established a "Religio-Philosophical journal" at Chicago, and about ten years ago was shot in his office. He had several children.

      Newell KINSMAN, of Barre, noted as admitted in 1822, died in Montpelier, December 28, 1858. His son Edward Center, born in August, 1831, graduated at Dartmouth in 1852, read with PECK & COLBY, and practiced in Cleveland, Ohio.

      Guy C. SAMSON, admitted in the forties, was probably a son of Rev. Guy SAMSON who was at Waitsfield in 1831

      Anson SARGENT, noted as admitted in April, 1834, was born in East Randolph, and a son of Benjamin and Orpha Belknap SARGENT, and his name was Jonathan Anson SARGENT; he practiced in Orange county and left the law and became book-keeper for T. A. S. WHITE at Northfield, and after that worked for the Central R. R. See Child's Orange County Gazetteer, p. 134.

      Ira Young BURNHAM, noted as practicing in Northfield about 1855 and 1856, was admitted in Orange county, January 25, 1854, from Randolph.

      Frank Richard BATES, of Northfield, noted as admitted March term, 1879, was born in Berlin, November 26, 1855, and the exact date of his death was September 26, 1883.

      It seems to me that Arthur H. HAZEN, who read with DURANT and afterwards with WING, was admitted here about 1880, -- but I do not find any record of it. He was from Grand Isle county and has since been in Fargo in successful business.

      I have not attempted to make note of the many students who have read here-the older ones like Perkins BASS and George B. DAMON or the later, like DONAHUE who is booming at Fort Payne; nor of the many boys of the county who have studied elsewhere and practiced without the state, like William B. PERRIN now of Nashua, Iowa, and his brothers of Berlin, C. A. BRALEY, of Northfield, now in Kansas City, and Fred W. GREGG, of Northfield, now of San Bernardino, Cal. Nor of the assistant judges under the system of the last sixty years, nor of the lawyers admitted here at the general term from 1884 to the present time from other counties, nor of the Supreme Court judges who, not residents of the county, have presided here. The line as given did seem as though it would "stretch out to the crack of doom."
 

I have not read the proof of this article, and presume the typesetters will add some of their blunders to mine; but as a rule it will be just to shoot at me as the one guilty of sins of omission and commission. And I shall for answer have a precedent in the four words my good, old friend Gen. Thomas used to the rebels when he rode into the ravine the morning of the battle of Cedar Creek.      I have attempted no estimate of the lawyership of members of our bar admitted since the sixties closed. As to what I have said of the others, "right or wrong, regular or irregular, that 's the way it 's been done." Hamilton Child

JUDGE HARVEY TILDEN
(Contributed by a friend) 

      The TILDEN family is one of the oldest in New England. Joseph TILDEN was one of the London merchants who assisted in fitting out the Mayflower, and one of the family, Thomas TILDEN, came to Plymouth, Mass., in the ship Ann in 1623. In 1637 Nathaniel TILDEN was appointed one of four commissioners to determine the boundaries of Scituate, and was one of the first settlers of the town. “Nathaniel TILDEN, the ruling elder of the first church, is said to have come from Tenterden, County Kent, England. He has been followed in the old town, upon whose settlement and history he early exerted so large an influence, by a race worthy of their ancestor." The late Samuel J. TILDEN, of New York, was of this family. Every generation has produced its men of mark, and, wherever located, its members have done honor to the name.

      The environments of a pioneer farm-life were not favorable to educational facilities, and, as his health was feeble, he was compelled to forego many advantages possessed by those of stronger physique. He was a diligent student, had a remarkably retentive memory, and began to teach school when sixteen. In this he was successful; he was a strict disciplinarian, and at the same time interested and imparted instruction to his pupils. He taught several seasons in Barre and surrounding towns. After some years he attended one term at Chelsea Academy, and this closed his school education. His lungs becoming affected, he traveled as a merchant, and in. this way visited the New England, Middle, and Western states. He also brought horses from the West to Boston markets. He became manager of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Cooperative store at Northfield, and conducted it until 1847. Here he not only gained many strong friends; but held various positions of public trust, and manifested a keen shrewdness and ability in commercial dealings.

      He married, September 25, 1849, Mariah, daughter of Rev: Doane and Polly (TWING) COOK. Their children were Willie Cook, born April 27, 1852, died December 27, 1852; Stella Cleora (Mrs. A. C. AVERILL), born December 15, 1855; Alice Maud, born April 11, 1859,.died June 10, 1859; and. Blanche Jane, born October 13, 1861, now residing in Barre with her mother. They commenced housekeeping where Dennis TILDEN now lives.

      He also this year (1849) represented Barre in the legislature, and secured the charter of Barre Academy. Mr. TILDEN had been settling the affairs of L. W. TILDEN & Co. (with whom he had been connected) for two years prior to his marriage. He now associated himself with Dennis TILDEN in the manufacture of door-latches, handles, trunk-nails, etc., thus continuing the line of the old firm at Factory Village. He had previously invented the old style door-handle with a thumb-latch, and large numbers were manufactured at the present Moorcraft stand. New Jersey competition, however, caused the business to become unprofitable, and it was finally abandoned. He was then engaged for some time in obtaining pensions and land warrants for old soldiers. In 1856 he purchased the homestead of his wife's father (now owned by J. R. LANGDON), removed thither, and this was his home until he purchased the place in 1860 where he lived until his death, and which he improved and beautified.

      Mr. TILDEN had often been chosen executor, administrator, etc., and to settle estates, and thus became thoroughly versed in probate law, and in 1856 he was elected judge of probate for the district of Washington and held the office two years. In 1862 he was appointed assessor of U. S. internal revenue, his jurisdiction extending over eight towns of the county. In 1870, after nearly nine years of unintermitting and faithful service, he resigned this office, and again assumed the duties of probate judge, for which the people deemed him preeminently well qualified. To this office he was again and again elected. He impartially administered justice, holding that a public servant should not be influenced by personal preferences. After the Probate Court became a Court of Insolvency many conflicting opinions were held as to the construction of the law, but the one given by judge Tilden was universally accepted. His reputation for judicial erudition increased each year, but his failing health caused him to resign this office in April, 1883, to take effect June 2. He did not enjoy here freedom from official cares, for May 19, 1883, death called him from earth.

      Judge TILDEN was of a sanguine, nervous, and positive temperament, taking hold with energy of everything he undertook. He was in accord with the highest principles of humanity, and was the determined opponent of every form of oppression and wrong. He was an Abolitionist when popular clamor denounced all holding the belief. During the anti-slavery period he invited Vice-President Henry Wilson to Barre to speak in a political meeting, and paid for lecture and lecturer's expenses himself. He was one of the founders of the Republican party, and gave the great weight of his nature to the cause of freedom untiringly, and was ever a prominent factor in all things tending to the betterment of morals, enlightenment, and education. Much of his time for four years was passed in securing the location of the seminary in Barre, and in strenuous exertions for erecting its buildings. Not only his time, but his money and entire credit were devoted to this work, and his name was on its paper for the full value of his property. It is not too much to say that the successful establishment of this school is due to him above all others. At his suggestion the present name, Goddard Seminary, was adopted, and for several years he was its honored secretary and treasurer.

      A firm believer in Universalism, he took an active part in all church work, and was ever ready with his sympathy and help for those in need. Wise in counsels, most energetic in labors, of a generous and loving nature, judge Harvey Tilden left an abiding memory in the hearts of his townsmen and a record worthy of the historic family from which he sprung.

Gazetteer Of Washington County, Vt. 1783-1899, 
Compiled and Published by Hamilton Child,
Edited By William Adams.
The Syracuse Journal Company, Printers and Binders.
Syracuse, N. Y.; April, 1889.
Pages 120-124

Transcribed by Karima Allison, 2003