XX indexVermont  

 

 

 

 FAYSTON is a somewhat irregularly outlined township, and lies in the western part of Washington county, in latitude 44° 13' and longitude 4° 9', and is bounded northerly by Duxbury, easterly by Waitsfield, southerly by Warren and Lincoln, and westerly by Huntington and Buel's Gore. 

      It was chartered to Ebenezer WALBRIDGE and his associates, by the legislature of Vermont, and the charter was signed by Gov. Thomas CHITTENDEN, February 27, 1782. This township has an elevated position, and its surface is quite uneven, except the intervale along Shepard's and Mill brooks. It may be termed mountainous in the western part, which is the principal lumber region of the town. The cultivated portions of the town were principally timbered with hard wood, the sugar maple being abundant, from which large quantities of maple sugar are profitably manufactured. The soil is strong and fertile. "Grass is king," and dairying and stock growing are the leading industries of the farmers.

      The rocks that form the geological structure of Fayston are gneiss in the western half and talcose schist in the eastern half.

      The town is abundantly watered by numerous springs and brooks of pure soft water. Those large enough to afford power to drive mills and other machinery are Mill brook, which flows easterly through the southern part of the town and joins Mad river at Irasville, in Waitsfield, and Shepard's brook, which rises in the mountains, takes an easterly course through the northern part of the town, and also falls into Mad river in Waitsfield. Several mills are in operation on these streams. SHEPARD's brook received its name from a hunter by that name, who hunted the beaver, on an extensive beaver meadow on the stream.

      In 1798 the first settlement was made in Fayston by Lynde WAIT, Esq., and in 1800 the town had a population of eighteen souls. Lucia, daughter of Lynde WAIT, was born in 1801, and was the first child born in Fayston. The first male child born in town was Wait FARR, son of William, who was presented a lot of land in honor of the event.

      The town was organized at a town meeting duly called for the purpose, August 6, 1805. James WAIT was the first town clerk; Lynde WAIT, Rufus BARRETT, and William WILLIAMS were the first board of selectmen; and Thomas GREEN was the first constable.

      Fayston was a part of Chittenden county until December 1, 1811, when Jefferson county was organized, and it then became a town of the new county. The name of this county was changed to Washington, November 8, 1814. The first school district included the entire township, and was organized in 1809. The first settled minister in town was Rev. Jotham CARPENTER, who received the "minister's lot of land" provided for that purpose in the charter of the town. On account of the topographical formation of the town, and since the construction of fine roads, the people of the southern part find convenient access to church and for business at Waitsfield, and those of the northern part naturally go to Moretown.

      In 1880 Fayston had a population of 638, and was divided into eight school districts. In 1888 there was a school kept in each of the eight districts, an aggregate of twenty-two terms, and these were taught by one male and thirteen female teachers, at $6.00 per week for the male and an average of $4.48 for the female teachers. The whole number of scholars who attended school was 170. One attended a private school. The entire income for school purposes for the year was $1,159.84, while the whole amount expended was $1,078.78. J. B. THOMPSON was superintendent.

      The early inhabitants of Fayston were not unlike their neighbors in Waitsfield in credulity and superstition. Mrs. BOYCE, in Hemenway's Gazetteer of Vermont, relates this amusing incident: Some time in 1814 there was a rumor that the Spanish Legions had buried a great treasure at the forks of Shepard's brook, and William BOYCE, having a desire to suddenly secure an abundance of the "root of all evil," called to his aid Arad SHERMAN, who was possessed of such magical powers that a forked thong of witch-hazel in his hands would perform as many antics as Aaron's Rod. Arad was accordingly conducted to the location, when lo! the magical rod pointed out the exact spot of the buried treasure. Arad directed that they must dig for it only in the night, and that not a word must be spoken during the time, otherwise the treasure would be spirited away. Mr. BOYCE, thus assured and confident of success, with sufficient help, one night commenced the secret enterprise. The hours wore on; but animated with the anticipation of soon securing the treasure, and affluence for themselves, they labored with a zeal born of high expectations, when, eureka! William's bar struck against the iron chest with an unmistakable clink. Sad to relate, William, in the exuberance of his soul, shouted "I've found it!" On the instant the strong box gave an ominous rattle, and down, down it sank, taking the bar with it.

      At the raising of the frames of the new houses and barns of the early settlers it required the brawn and muscle of the athletic pioneers of the surrounding towns, together with a generous supply of new rum. These frames were invariably constructed of huge beams of hard wood timber. About 1803 the men at the head of the five or six families comprising the settlement of Fayston, and all living in a neighborhood near or on Mill brook, were invited to assist in raising a barn somewhere in Warren. In this neighborhood John and Rufus BARRETT resided, who were familiarly known later in life as Uncle John and Uncle Rufus. All went to the raising but Uncle John. Whether he unwittingly remained as the "home guard" for the women and children, and on that account concluded to celebrate alone, from the supply of the needful," then in every family, "the deponent saith not." Nothing occurred to disturb the little settlement until near sunset, when suddenly a cry between a howl and whoop burst upon his ears. Uncle John exclaimed, "Tis the Indian war whoop, and no doubt we are surrounded, and all the men away!" Uncle John, who was no coward, seized his gun, bade his wife follow him, and in quick time had collected the entire little colony, with all their firearms and ammunition, at the domicil of Uncle Rufus. Uncle John barricaded the door, loaded all the guns, and awaited the onset, determined, with the aid of the courageous women, to defend his charge just as long as possible. They listened, with bated breath and blanched faces, those ominous sounds; now nearing them, and anon far off. Night came on apace, but not the Indians. Now another anxiety distressed the little band. The men, unarmed and unaware of their peril, would be returning from the raising, and to certain distruction. Presently one of the women whispered with pale lips, "I hear voices; it is the Indians sure." With a shake at the door Uncle Rufus cried out, " What are you all about here; why don't you let us in?" The door was quickly opened, and instead of being scalped by Indians, the women fell into the strong arms of their husbands. In answer to the question " What is all this pow-wow about?" Uncle John explained that he had heard the Indian war whoop in the woods, and had collected the women and children there to defend them. The men enjoyed a hearty laugh. "It was the wolves," said Esquire WAIT. "We heard them howling on the mountain when we came along."

      NORTH FAYSTON (p. o.) is at the intersection of roads 7, 12, 13, and 15.

      S.J. DANA's shingle-mill, on Mill brook, was built by Hon. Ira RICHARDSON, and first used for sawing clapboards, and afterwards for grinding tan bark. In 1885 Mr. DANA purchased the property and converted it to its present use. His mill has the capacity for cutting about 1,000,000 shingles annually.

      C.D. BILLINGS & Son's clapboard-mill is located on road 32, and was built by C. D. BILLINGS about 1864. The firm now turns out about 700,000 feet of clapboards annually.

      John A. GRANDFIELD's saw -mills are located on Shepard's brook. He manufactures from 400,000 to 500,000 feet of coarse lumber and about 300,000 feet of clapboards annually. Mr. GRANDFIELD has been proprietor of these mills since 1886, and contemplates adding machinery for manufacturing chair stock.

      C.M. & M.L. RICHARDSON's clapboard-mill is located on Mill brook, in Fayston, and was built by Hon. Ira RICHARDSON and W. S. RICH. This firm manufactures about 400,000 feet of clapboards yearly.

      Edgar A. DAVIS's clapboard-mill, in the northern part of Fayston, was built in 1874, on the site of one destroyed by fire. Mr. DAVIS turns out about 300,000 feet of clapboards per annum.

      The first settlement on Shepard's brook (North Fayston) was made by William and Paul BOYCE, in April, 1808, near the beaver meadow. They were Quakers, and came from Richmond, N. H. WILLIAM, after making an opening in the forest, returned to Richmond and brought a wife to share his home in the "new country." Paul BOYCE married Rhoda PALMER, of Waitsfield, and resided to the close of their lives, at a good old age, on the farm where he first settled. Their son, Ziba Wentworth BOYCE, who was born and always lived in town until his death, in 1877, aged sixty-three years, received only a common school education; but by a course of study, at his own fireside, and by careful reading, he obtained a good practical education, and was a successful teacher, and a writer of ability. He acceptably filled town offices, and, not without reason, was facetiously known as the "wisdom of North Fayston."

      Nathan BOYCE came from Richmond, N. H., in 1808, and settled near Paul BOYCE, on Shepard's brook, and where his grandson Seth BOYCE now lives. He was a Quaker, and a relative of Paul BOYCE. He died on the farm where he first settled. His wife, Zerviah, survived until 1856, aged about ninety years. Their son Jacob was eleven years old when the family came to Fayston. He also resided on the homestead until his death, in 1865, and was quite a prominent man. He represented the town in the legislature several terms, and held most of the town offices. Six of his eight children reside in their native town, viz.: Seth, Dan, Maria (Mrs. Lawson CARROLL), Mary (Mrs. James P. BOYCE), Mrs. Walter D. PORTER, and Zerviah (Mrs. W. S. CHIPMAN). Guy resides in Syracuse, N. Y., and Hiram E. is a businessman in Waterbury. Seth BOYCE, before mentioned, residing on the old homestead, represented Fayston in the legislature of 1878 and ’79, and has filled acceptably most of the town offices.

      William NEWCOMB, from Swanzey, N. H., was one of the earliest pioneers of Fayston, and brought with him into the woods his wife, two sons, and a daughter. Esq. WAIT built the first framed house in town. Mr. NEWCOMB and Merrill TYLER built the next two, each in the same year. This old NEWCOMB mansion stood in its place and did service until October, 1878, when it was burned. Charles, son of William, was a lad of twelve years when his father came to Fayston. In time he settled in Waitsfield, where he spent the remainder of his life, and where his son James S. now resides. Hosea NEWCOMB, son of William, resided on the homestead many years, and his son, Dr. Dan NEWCOMB, was born and raised there, and later emigrated to Steele county, Illinois. Don Carlos, brother of the Doctor, is a prominent wholesale merchant of Atchison, Kansas.

      Joseph MARBLE, who served in the War of 1812, came to Fayston from Winchester, N. H., about 1800, and settled at North Fayston. He reared a family of fourteen children to maturity, and died in town. His son Benjamin was thirteen years old when his father settled in Fayston, and he resided here until his death, in 1877. He reared a family of ten children, six of whom are now living. Samuel, Mrs. Sylvia PEASE, and Elias L. reside in their native town.

      Joseph MARBLE was born November 24, 1752. He married Susannah BUTLER, who was born March 20, 1759, They came from Winchester, N. H., to Fayston, in 1809, and located in the northern part of the town, where he built the first saw-mill in Fayston. The place is now owned by Mary J. FISHER, and passed out of the possession of the MARBLE family in 1882. Joseph MARBLE served in the war of the Revolution, and his grandson, Joseph D. MARBLE, now has the powder-horn which he then carried. He reared six sons and five daughters, viz.: Joseph, Elijah, Emery, Benjamin, John, Jacob, Susannah, Sylvia, Martha, Polly, and Cynthia. Jacob and Benjamin settled in Fayston. Jacob married Sarah MAY, and reared two sons, Joseph D. and George L., both of whom served in the late war. Joseph D. lost a leg at Gainsville, and George L. died in Libby prison.

      Gershom BRIGHAM, with his family, emigrated to South Fayston from Winchester, N. H., in 1809. Mr. BRIGHAM was in feeble health, and their son Elisha, then but seventeen years of age, assumed the care and support of the family, and gave a home to his parents while they lived. Elisha came on the year before, and rolled up a log house, and the next year the entire family of eight came, and all were dependent upon this stripling youth. He was born in Marlboro, Mass., the ancestral home of the BRIGHAMS of this country, and in 1816 married his wife Sophronia, a woman of vigorous constitution and active mind, and possessed of just the right qualifications for the wife of a pioneer. They were parents of twelve children. From early in life till his death he almost continually filled some town office, and was especially distinguished for exact honesty. He died in 1863, aged seventy years, and without an enemy. He was "Grandfather" and "Uncle Elisha" to a large circle. Mrs. BRIGHAM survived until 1876, aged seventy-seven years.

      Capt. Elliot PORTER was born in Hartford, Vt., in 1785. In 1811 he married S. WARAD, and soon after settled in the northern part of Fayston, where they resided the remainder of their long lives. He died at the age of eighty-nine years, and Mrs. PORTER at the age of eighty-six. He was the first captain of the militia in Fayston. Willard B. PORTER, son of Capt. Elliot, has been clerk of Fayston thirty-one years, treasurer fourteen years, and justice of the peace thirty years, and has united in marriage eighty-six couples. He has represented his town in six sessions of the legislature and in two constitutional conventions. Warren C. PORTER was a soldier in the Union army, and served nearly the whole time during the late war. He has taught school successfully twenty-four terms. Walter, the youngest son, succeeded his father on the homestead, and administered to the comfort of his aged parents in their declining years.

      David BOYCE came from Richmond, N. H., and settled on the farm where John GOSS now lives, in the northern part of Fayston, in 1818. He cleared his farm and reared a family of twelve children, five of whom are living, viz.: James P., Mason W., Mrs. Sophronia STORY, and Harriet (Mrs. George NELSON), who reside in their native town, and Dennison, who resides in Waitsfield. David BOYCE died in 1861, on the farm where he first settled. James P., before mentioned, represented Fayston in the legislature of 1886 and ‘87, and has served his town as selectman, justice of the peace, and lister.

      Nathaniel JOHNSON, a native of Wendell, Mass., came to Fayston from Moretown about 1827. He settled in the northern part of the town where he resided until his death. He brought with him five children, all of whom settled in Moretown and Fayston. Ebenezer, of Duxbury, and William, of Albany, Vt., are the only survivors. Stephen, son of Ebenezer, now resides in Fayston, and is lister and justice of the peace.

      William BRAGG, from Killingly, Conn., came to Warren in 1816, and settled about a mile south of East Warren, and lived there from that time until his death. His son William settled in Warren and was active in town affairs, but died in Fayston in 1863. He reared a numerous family, of whom his son Azro D., who resides on road 28, in Fayston, is the only one now living. Azro D. is now lister and constable, and has been selectman, and represented the town in 1870 and 1872.

      Fayston, in the late war, sent over fifty of her brave and patriotic sons to the front. Thomas MAXWELL was the first who enlisted from this town. He enlisted, May 7, 1861, at the age of twenty years, in Co. F, 2d Vt. Vols., and was discharged February 21, 1863, by reason of sickness. He reenlisted March 20, 1864, in Co. F, 27th Vt. Vols., and was severely wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864. The ball entered his neck, passed through the roots of his tongue, and lodged in the base of his head, where it still remains. He was discharged June 17, 1865. Ten of these patriots never returned to Fayston.

      Mr. Doric S. STODDARD says: " Probably no town in the state suffered more financially than this. During the latter part of the war, when large bounties were demanded by volunteers, and paid by wealthy towns, Fayston, to save herself from draft, was obliged in one year, 1864, to raise for bounties and town expenses the almost unheard of sum of $12.50 upon every dollar of her grand list, thus subjecting the owner of a simple poll list to the payment of a tax of $25. Yet this enormous sum was paid immediately, with scarce a murmur of complaint, and not a dollar left to be a drag-weight upon tax payers in after years."

      Fayston can look hack upon her financial record as a town, and the military record of her soldiers, with no feelings but those of honor, satisfaction, and pride.


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  278 -284

Transcribed by Karima Allison, 2003

"Fayston, Washington Co., VT Business Directory - 1883–1884" 
from The Gazetteer Of Washington County, Vt. 1783-1899, 
Compiled and Published by Hamilton Child; May 1889

 Fayston History
from the Fayston Town Plan