CHARLESTON. 105
Names. Rank. Co. Musteredin. Remarks.
Buxton, Frank Corp. F Sept.1, '62. Pro. serg't; wound. at Cold Harbor, June 1, 64; com. 2d lieut.,Oct., '64; must. out on acc't of wounds, and died at home, Aug., '65.
Matthews, AsaD. Priv. " " Pro.serg't Oct. 21, '62; 2d lieut. Aug. 11, '64; made pris. June 23, '64; 1st l'tJan. 21, '64.
Beede, Jesse " " "
Burroughs, Olin " L Jan.10, '63. Pro. corp.; wound, in action.
Carpenter,Solon B. " F Sept. 1, '62. Dis. onaccount of loss of foot at C. Harbor.
Foss, Moses A. " " " Made prisoner June 23, '64.
Frost, Lewis H. " " Nov.12, '63. Died while pris. at Florence, Ala. Oct. 20, '64.
Foster, Charles " " Sept.1, '62. Died while pris., Sept. 20, '64, Charlestown, S.C.
Foster, Elisha " " " Wounded at Cold Harbor, Va., Jan. 1, '64.
Goodall, HenryL. " " Nov. 18, '63. Diedwhile pris., Oct. 18, '64, at Florence, Ala.
Heath, GeorgeA. " " Nov. 17, '63. Killedat Cold Harbor, June 1, '64.
Pearson,William M. " " Sept. 1, '62. DischargedDec. 8, '62,
Rice, Julius Serg't " " Pro. 1st lieut., Co. M, Nov. 2, '63.
Riley, Oliver Priv. L June16, '63. Wounded in action.
Ripley, Fred.B. " F Nov. 18, '63. "
Smith, GeorgeR. " " Sept. 1, '62. DesertedOct. 8, '63.
Wheeler, Simon " " " Died Dec. 4, '62.
Wilson, John A. " " " Pro. corp.; died while pris. Jan. 15, '65, at Charleston, S. C
FifteenthRegiment.
Joslyn, AhiraO. Priv. I Oct. 22, '62.
Joslyn, RollinO. " " "
McEwen, Terance " " "
Ordway, CyrenB. " " "
Richmond,Charles H. " " "
Smith, Isaac C. Serg't " "
SecondBattery.
Carpenter,Hiram Priv.
CHARLESTON.
BYALPHA ALLYN, ESQ.
Thistownship, situated in the easterly part of Orleans County, is in lat. 44° 51',and long. 4° 53' bounded N. E. by Morgan, S. E. by Brighton, S. W. by a part ofWestmore and Brownington, and N. W. by Salem; and lies 50 miles N. E. ofMontpelier. It was granted by Gov. Thomas Chittenden the 6th, and charteredthe 8th of Nov., 1780, to Hon. Abraham Whipple, his shipmates and others;containing 23,040 acres. Commodore Whipple was a distinguished naval officerin the Revolutionary war, and he first named this township Navy, in honor ofthe American navy which he so bravely defended. The town is 8 miles 184 rodslong, and 4 miles 64 rods wide. This tract was originally divided into 69 equalshares. By the terms of the charter one share was granted for the first settledminister, one for glebe, one for support of town schools, one for support ofgrammar school, and one for college. Gen. James Whitelaw surveyed this towninto 98 lots, making each lot 196 rods in length, and 192 rods in width; andreceived $256 for his service. According to this first survey the town was 14lots long and 7 lots wide—the longest way of the lots being lengthwise of thetown. Afterwards, 69 of these lots were made by draft* at Providence, R. I.,into first division lots, each containing 236½ acres. Abner Allyn surveyed thesecond division into 69 lots, making each just one third as large as the firstdivision lots. The third division was surveyed by Charles Cummings into 69lots, each containing 10 acres 30 rods. A first, second and third division lot,consisting of 325 acres and 56 rods, constituted a share or "right."
Noneof the original grantees ever resided in town, and but three—John L. Chandler,Elisha and Andrew Brown—were ever known to come here. The most of them lived in
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*The draft of the 1st division lots was made August, 1794; the 2nd div. August,1809; the 8d div. September, 1828, and the surveys were made previous to datesof drafts.
106 VERMONTHISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
Cranston,Providence and Johnson, R. I.—One of them, Charles Murray, lived in London,England, and never resided in, or saw America. Samuel Knight, one of the votersat the organization of the town, settled in 1806 on a part of No. 5, 1stdivision of the right of said Murray. Some time after, others began to settleon the same lot; upon which Murray brought a suit, and was acknowledged by thecourt the rightful owner, as original proprietor of all the lot, excepting whatsaid Knight had gained by possession. A few of the descendants of the originalgrantees came here about 1831 and settled on their grandfathers'"rights." The heirs of Cyprian Sterry now own lot No. 51, 2d division,being all the claim in town pertaining to the heirs of the originalproprietors.
Forthe benefit of the settlement of the town, 13 of the proprietors gave 50 acresof land on each of the following lots, viz.: Nos. 4, 8, 12, 14, 24, 31, 44, 46,53, 58 and 94 of the first division, and Nos. 9 and 23 of the second division.The first three roads were located by the proprietors, according to written contract,for the benefit of these lots and the settlements thereon; the first fromBrownington to Holland; the second, called the Westmore county road, passedfrom Burke through Westmore and the centre of Navy, (now Charleston,) on thewest side of Echo pond, thence by Seymour lake and Morgan four corners, on bythe farm of Eber Robinson, in Holland, to Barnston, C. E. The third road fromNo. 4, on the Brownington and Holland road, passed through Nos. 11, 17, 24, 31,44, 73, 80 and 94. These three roads united the settlements of the town. In1816, fishermen and hunters, who were accustomed to come into this town, drawnthither principally by the abundance of lunge and other fish found in Echopond, discovered that their route might be shortened by a road from Mr. Wellman's,2 miles north of Burke Hollow, on the Westmore road, through Charleston on theeast side of Echo pond—connecting with said Westmore county road south of Z.Senter's, in said town. Through their efforts this new county road was laid,which was a great help to both East and West Charleston.
Theproprietors and agents, together with the settlers on the gift land, enteredinto a written contract agreeing to have two sets of mills—one in the east, theother in the west part of the town. Col. Christopher Olney, of Providence, R.I., who owned 2 rights of land in this town, gave 50 acres on lot No. 9, 2ddivision, as an inducement for building the first grist-mill at WestCharleston, provided he could have for the benefit of the settlement of EastCharleston, his pitch on No. 33, 2d division, instead of a draft—said lotcontaining the mill-privilege—and also have the pine lot No. 88 left out of thedraft of the second division. By this means the first mills in both East andWest Charleston were erected, some years after.
Thesoil of this township is a rich loam, producing good crops. The alluvial flatsalong the stream of the Clyde are extensive, and many of them too low forcultivation; but improve as years pass, which strengthens the theory of a longpond, which is supposed to have discharged its waters into Memphremagog lakebefore the famed Glover pond transit in 1810. In the south-east part of thetownship is a bog meadow, which contains 500 acres in one body. The climate inthis section has ever been considered healthful.— During the first 22 years ofthe settlement of the town only 13 deaths occurred, and but 3 of those, adults.
Clyderiver is the largest stream in town. It rises in Spectacle pond in Brighton,thence flowing through Island Pond into this town, in a north-westerlydirection, nearly through its centre. On this stream are some falls ofimportance, particularly the Great Falls in the west part of the town, wherethe descent is more than 100 feet in 40 rods; but its current is generally slow.The principal tributaries of the Clyde are Ferrin's river from the north, andthe waters of Suke's pond through a brook; then the waters of Coe's Copperbrook, Morgan Gull brook, also, the stream from Cole's pond in Brighton; nextBuck's brook from Brighton, Mad brook from Westmore, and Echo pond brook atthe East village; next Fenner brook from Westmore, then the Nutting brook fromBoardway pond, and Toad pond brook from Toad pond. These all flow into Clyderiver above Pension pond in this town. Echo pond, situated in the easterlypart of the township, receives the waters of Seymour lake in Morgan, andthrough that the waters of Holland pond. Echo pond is a beautiful sheet ofwater one mile from the East village, whose mill-privileges are supplied byits waters through the brook which is its outlet. It is one mile and a halflong,
CHARLESTON. 107
andone mile wide. Gen. Whitelaw gave it the name of Echo pond from the fact thatwhen any sound was produced in its vicinity it was reverberated in variousdirections, producing a succession of echoes. It has been said that seven havebeen distinctly counted from one sound. This was when the surrounding terrafirma was covered with an unbroken forest. Pension pond is the next in size,and was so named by Abner Allyn on account of the pension of Mr. Varnum, aRevolutionary soldier, being used to build a mill-dam and saw-mill in 1820 nearthe Great Falls, by his son George Varnum. Toad pond is above Pension pond nearthe great swamp on Brownington line. Boardway pond is near Morgan line.
Thistownship was an unbroken wilderness until 1802, uninhabited by man, except wegive credit to Indian testimony hereafter introduced. In June of this yearAbner Allyn felled the first trees in town, on lot No. 4, first division, andplanted potatoes the 5th of August, which he brought on his back from Barton, adistance of 12 miles. He had a good yield of large potatoes, which were wellpreserved in an out-of-door cellar until the next spring, when he planted themand had early potatoes, and also sowed grain. In July, 1803, he moved hisfamily here from Barton, where they had lived preparatory to their more pioneerlife in the wilderness. During his residence in Barton, he had been an activecitizen in all that pertained to the public good, and was first town clerk ofthat town. He moved into a log-house in Charleston, the floor of which was madeof hewed logs, and the roof covered with bark. Andrew McGaffey moved his familyinto town from Lyndon, in the Summer of 1803, a few weeks before said Allynmoved his here; but Abner Allyn being here one year previous, made the firstclearing and raised the first crop. Mr. McGaffey having seen No. 11, adjoiningNo. 4, found an arm of the great swamp from Brownington line, on the linebetween No. 4 and 11, containing 25 acres of swamp. Here he took John L.Chandler, one of the original proprietors, and kept him in the swamp nearly allday, thus succeeding in making him suppose that such was the face of thegreater part of the lot; and Mr. Chandler sold his whole right to Mr. McGaffeyfor an old $30 horse. Mr. McGaffey's wife was sick with consumption when theymoved into town. They came over Allyn's road into his clearing, crossed Clyderiver on trees felled across the stream, which was about 100 rods from theircamp on No. 7, where they lived until the death of Mrs. McGaffey, Oct. 30,1803, being the first death in town. Rev. Luther Leland, of Derby, preachedthe funeral sermon. The funeral was attended by Judge Strong, of BrowningtonAbner Allyn and family, and a few others.—Mrs. McGaffey was buried on No. 7, ina grave surrounded by woods. Before the snow fell that year Mr. McGaffey movedback to Lyndon, leaving Abner Allyn for the two succeeding years with noneighbor nearer than Judge Strong's, 4½ miles distant.
JosephSeavey moved his family into town in 1804, on to No. 58, first division, 2miles from the Westmore settlement, and 5 miles from Abner Allyn's.
In1805 Orrin Percival moved his family on to lot No. 12, one mile from AbnerAllyn's.
RobertH. Hunkins moved on to lot No. 7, in 1806. In June, this year of the greateclipse, ice froze here an inch in thickness.
Thetown of Navy was organized March 31, 1806, by Elijah Strong, justice of thepeace from Brownington. The voters at which time were Abner Allyn, JosephSeavey, Orrin Percival, Lemuel Sturtevant, Robert H. Hunkins, Samuel Morrison,Amos Huntoon, Jonathan Richards, Samuel Knights.
OFFICERSCHOSEN.—Amos Huntoon, moderator; Abner Allyn, town clerk; Robert H. Hunkins,Amos Huntoon, Jonathan Richards, selectmen; Robert H. Hunkins, treasurer; AbnerAllyn, Orrin Percival, Lemuel Sturtevant, listers; Orrin Percival, constable,
Townmeeting was held at the dwelling-house of Robert H. Hunkins,
LISTOF TOWN OF NAVY, 1806.
Abner Allyn, $66.50 Orrin Percival, $40.00
R. H. Hankins, 66.50 Jon.Richards, 46.50
Amos Huntoon, 26.50 JosephSeavey, 30.00
Samuel Knights, 25.00 L.Sturte'nt, jr., 46.50
Sam'l Morrison, 26.50
_______ _______
211.00 163.00
Total, $374.00.
POLLS,OXEN, COWS, 3 YEAR OLDS, &c.— 7 polls, 6 oxen, 10 cows, 2 3-yr. olds, 22-yr. olds, 6 horses, 1 watch.
LIST,1807—$453.60.—9 polls, 22 acres improved land, 8 oxen, 10 cows, 2 3-yr. olds, 22-yr. olds, 4 horses, 2 2-yr. old colts.
In1807 there were 10 voters, viz.: Abner Allyn, Orrin Percival, Robert H.Hunkins,
108 VERMONTHISTORICAL MAGAZINE,
AmosHuntoon, Lemuel Sturtevant, Jr., Page Colby, Jeremiah Seavey, Joseph Seavey,Joel Robinson, Jonathan Richards.
In1808 there were 11 voters, viz.: Abner Allen, Jeremiah Seavey, Wm. Merriam,Benj. Teel, Lemuel Sturtevant, Samuel Knight, Orrin Percival, Samuel Morrison,Jonathan Richards, Philip Davis, Robert H. Hunkins. In 1809 the voters were thesame, with Jonas Warren added. In 1810, Stephen Cole, Thomas Ames, WillardMarshall, Ephraim Hartshorn, Frederick Wilkins, Phineas Underwood, making 18voters. In 1811, Zacheus Senter, Robert Nichols and Levi Bradley were added.This year the number of voters was 17. In 1812, Ebenezer Cole, David Hutchinson,Samuel Grow, Samuel Jenness. Voters this year, 18 in number. In 1813 SamuelHutchinson, Stephen Cole, Sen., Harvey Cole and Joel Robinson were added to thelist of voters, making 22 in number. In 1814, on account of the cold season,the war, and the fear of Indians, whom, it was reported, were coming to theirsettlements, half of the voters left the town of Navy not to return; and alsoall of the settlers in Westmore and East Brownington.
Therewere no more added to the eleven voters left in Navy until 1819, excepting JonasWarren, Jr., who had become of legal age to vote. The voters in 1818 werePhilip Davis, Abner Allyn, Phineas Underwood, Samuel Hutchinson, EbenezerCole, Elisha Parlin, Stephen Cole, Jonas Warren, Jr. This year there were 12voters with but 11 families.— This little band, unflinching and true, enduredalmost every conceivable hardship and privation during the war and coldseasons, rather than abandon their settlement. For about 3 years the grain cropwas very light, and they were obliged to go to Bradford and Newbury for corn,and to Barnet and Ryegate for oatmeal, as a substitute for other bread. Thesefamilies, all except Z. Senter, lived on the two west tiers of lots adjoiningSalem line; and the road from Brownington to Holland was all on these lots. Z.Senter lived on No. 42, 2d div., on the old Westmore county road, a shortdistance from Dea. Jotham Cumming's in Morgan. In 1819 Joseph Huntington andAlbert Gabrin moved into town, and this year Elisha Parlin, Jonas Warren andZacheus Senter were the committee to work out the land-tax on the new countyroad, the east side of Echo pond. In 1820 the whole population was 100,According to check list* the voters added each year from this time to 1840,were as follows, viz.: In 1820 John Colby and Jabesh Clough. In 1821, JohnBishop, Thomas Colby, Jacob Richards and Winthrop Cole.—In 1822, Joseph Dickey,who came from N, H. in 1821, but not a voter here until 1822; Wm. Gray, DanielMead, Martin Pomeroy, Amos Parlin and Lewis Smith. In 1823, Hiram Harvey, JonasAllen, Eleazer Pomeroy, Eben Bartlett, John M. Morse and John M. Saunders. In1824, Alpha Allyn, John Foss, Stilman Allen, Jacob Fuller, Ezra Brigham, AaronBrigham, Willard Allen, Simeon Brown, Chauncey Fuller, Enos Harvey, Joel R.Heading, Eben Bean, Simeon Stevens, John Warren, Jacob H. Lang, ZachariahHarvey, Austin Bartlett, Levi Pierce. This year whole number of inhabitants was212.
In1825, David Chadwick Calvin Alden, Hiram Hutchinson, Henry Sherman, ParkerChase, Ira Eaton, Christopher Hall. In 1826, Ansel Perkins, JeremiahHutchinson, Jesse Corliss, Henry True, Job Drown, Daniel Fuller, Joseph A.Swazey, Michael Bly, Abel Parlin, Lothrop Cole, N. G. Ladd, Ira Warren, IsraelCheney. In 1827, Alvah Stacy, Edward Balch, John Gibson, Elisha Bingham, H. H.Swazey, Thomas Stevens, Joseph Kathan, Emerson Wolcott, John Cushman. In 1828,Rufus Gaskill, Martin Barney, Timothy Hazeltine, Randall Magoon, HoraceFairbanks, David Church, James F. Adams, Benj. Kimball, Jonas Temple, Benj.Goodwin, Winslow Farr, Tyler Bingham, Loami B. Downing, Olney Hawkins, E. A. M.Swazey, Darius Goodwin, Frederick Richardson, Wm. Melindy, John Parlin, Jr.,Peter Bigelow, Curtis Cole, Francis Chase, Orrin Colburn, Mason Lyon, PhineasAllen, Nelson Barney. In 1829, Amaziah D. Preston, Timothy Manchester,Nathaniel Weeks, Manley Sawyer, Benj. Nutting, Enoch Colby, J. Parker, LewisNye, Samuel Gaskill, Harvey Cole, George Bennett, John Badger. In 1830, AsaBrown, Ashbel Nye, Orvis L. Brown, James Knight, James Weeks, John Calkins, Wm.Hinman, Ira Cummings, Roswell Wilmot, Dennis Fuller, Daniel Streeter, CalvinW. Rugg, Richard Chaplin, Gardner Gage, Theodore L. Tripp, Rev. Royal Gage, Wm.Snow. In 1831, Erastus Hill, Michael Floyd, George R. Weeks, Lewis C. Bates,Stephen C. Cole, Jacob Parker, Wm.
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*In some exceptional cases, the check-list does not show the exact year when aman came to town, on account of his absence from town-meeting.
CHARLESTON. 109
Wilder,Robert P. Porter, Stephen E. Sargent, Joseph Willey, Nathaniel Braun, SamuelHopkins, John Mastin, Solomon Manchester, Daniel Cloud, Hezekiah Cole, EbenS. Allyn, Andrew Spaulding, David Royce, Wm. Sawyer, Harvey Cloud. In 1832,Ira Brackett, John Miles, Wm. Mansur, Benj. Streeter, Reuben Hazen, JeremiahMagoon, James G. Barnard, Wm. P. Bates, David Moody, Hilton Brackett. In 1833,Isaac F. Freeman, Abram H. Weeks, J. B. Swazey, Moses Norris, Calvin Gray, BradleyFarmer, Daniel W. Palmer, Freeman Moulton, Norman Harvey, Jonathan Davis,Wilson Buck, Hiram W. Merrill, Sylvester Bates, Royce Hinman, Samuel Porter,John Bishop, David Colby, Elisha Bingham, Jr., Calvin Dunton.— In 1834, J. P.Tyler, Comfort Carpenter, Elijah Robinson, Samuel Hopkins, Benj. F. Robinson,Hiram W. Kathan, Albro Robinson, John Sanborn, Ira Parker, George W. Wheeler,Silas Gilkey, Earl Barney, Solomon Wolcott, Benj. Fuller, Lemuel H. Nye,Luther Cole, Paschal P. Allyn. In 1835, Arad Wells, Norman Nye, Asa Lee, LeviWilliams, Samuel Brackett, Horace Brooks, Erastus Hill, John Harvey, OsmanHastings, Walter Spaulding, Albert Lawrence, S. Drown, Aaron Drown, J. T.Huntington, J. M. Robinson, Jason Babco*ck, Jer. Brackett. In 1836, John Cole,Benj. Fuller, Jr., Uriah Colby, Boswell Davis, Jacob Richards. In 1837, NathanChase, Horace Kathan, Jonathan Briggs. In 1838, John McCurdy, Richard D.Goodwin, Andrew Bean, Mason Barney, G. W. Chase, Timothy Woods, Anson Messer,Quartus Snell, Eben Cloud, Harrison Sawyer, John Sherburne, Sullivan Stevens,Jasper Robinson, Durkee Cole, Aaron Badger, Seneca B. Cooley, Lewis Moffit,Ebenezer Scribner, Jr., O. Brackett, Eliphalet Prescott, James Melvin, MosesBly, Benj. Fuller, J. Bailey, Samuel M. Cobb, Joseph Burroughs. In 1839,Elisha W. Parlin, Wm. H. Calkins, Rufus Tripp, Moses Melvin, Edson Lyon, JosephLocke, Samuel Willard, Volna Raymond, E. G. Smith, N. S. Gilman, Rufus Handy,Loren W. Young, Samuel Worthen, Willard Moss. In 1840, Barney D. Balch, L. W.Clarke, David Locklin, J. S. Pomeroy, Zenas Cole, J. W. H. Monroe, J. A.Philbrick, George W. Pierce, John M. Beebe, Simeon J. Fletcher, Lemuel Wheeler,Asa Cole, Truman Fairchilds, D. Moffit, Earl Cate, A. Pearson.
Atthe time of the first settlement of West Charleston, the nearest saw-mill,grist-mill and store was in Barton, 12 miles distant. The nearest post-officewas in Brownington. The road was unworked— the trees and underbrush cut away;but being hemmed in on both sides by thick forests, rains did not soon eitherevaporate, drain off, or settle into the ground; so that travel was ofnecessity almost impossible. The writer has heard Abner Allyn say, that he hastraveled back and forth on horseback, carrying to and from home the necessariesfor existence when his horse's legs sank so deep in the mud, that his own feettouched the ground, and that so heavy was the mud as to cause suction strongenough to actually draw the shoe from the horse's foot. He said at one time healighted, took off his coat, raised his sleeve to his shoulder, thrust in hishand and arm above his elbow, grasped the horse-shoe, drew it up and carried itto be re-set at the nearest blacksmith-shop. He related that at another timethere was a heavy rain which beat into his log-house and put out all theirfire. As the flint was their only way to strike fire, he often resorted tothat; but unfortunately he had lent his gun to some hunters to be gone fordays; so there was no other alternative than to leave his family in bed to keepfrom freezing, while he went to his neighbor, Judge Strong's, 4½ miles away toborrow fire. He did not like to tell of his calamity, so he asked to borrow theJudge's gun—returned with it, and struck fire, by which time wife and childrenwere glad enough to rise. At one time this family awoke in the night and found theirhouse on fire. They had no modern fire-department, or even neighbors to call;so they managed as best they could. They carried a bed out of doors, put thechildren snugly into it, tucking up the bed-clothes well, to prevent them fromgetting out into the deep snow—then they went to work and took the entire roofoff from the house; thus saving the rest of the house and its contents. Mr.Allyn was then obliged to take his team and go through the deep snows 12 milesto Barton, to draw boards with which to cover his house.
Greatmust have been the courage and bravery of those lone settlers thus tosurrender their best days, enduring almost every conceivable hardship anddeprivation, not merely for their own pecuniary benefit, but to lay the foundationfor the future good of this section of our country. Though not properlybelonging to Charleston history, yet as I see no mention of it in the historyof Brighton, I will relate an incident which may convey to the reader some ideaof the hardships and privations endured by the early settlers of this andadjacent towns.
110 VERMONTHISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
In1924, while the writer was at Random (now Brighton) with his father, helpingmake the survey of the 2d division lots of said town, Mr. Enos Bishop's cow ranaway a distance of 20 miles to Connecticut river, from which place he had moveda short time before. Mr. Bishop was obliged to go after her a-foot; thus traveling40 miles to secure his lost cow. In the early settlement the inhabitants badto pasture their cows in the woods. They endeavored to make enclosures bylaying slash fences; but such was the risk of losing cattle, that the peopledid not have the calves weaned until fail. The calves being enclosed near thebarn, prompted by hunger, would bring the mothers home by their incessantbleating.
Theearly settlers in the east part of the town endured like hardships with thoseof the west. They went to Burke, 14 miles distant, for all their supplies,except milling —crossing a mountainous ridge, the rise and fall being severalmiles. It was called the ten-miles woods; and when some bold adventurer haddared to make a pitch there, and fall a few acres of trees, it really seemed toshorten the distance —an oasis in the wilderness.
JosephDickey was the first to settle on the new County road in East Charleston, onthe east side of Echo pond. Ozias Hartwell had made, the first purchase of lotNo, 64, 2d Div., in 1820, but the same summer sold to said Dickey his bill ofsale and betterments for a French watch, and Dickey moved there the next winter.lie also purchased lot No. 63, 2d division, and deeded both lots to his sonJohn Dickey. Alpha Allyn afterwards made a legal purchase of lot No. 64, 2ddivision, for $15,00, and sold it to Jolla Dickey for the same. This farm hassince been owned many years by Solomon 'Wolcott, Esq. Dickey was an honest,upright man—the first tailor in town. His son Solon lost his life by the fallof a tree, Jan. 9, 1825, and was buried in the first grave-yard, in EastCharleston, on lot No. 38, 2d division. His father erected a suitablememorial-stone over his grave ; but as he had moved out of town before thepeople laid out a, new burial-ground, and exhumed most of their dead, a manfrom another county purchased the farm, and plowed the grave-yard. About thistime the stone with the name of Solon Dickey disappeared. Therefore the exactresting-place of his mortal dust is unknown.
Thenext to make beginnings its East Charleston, was John Foss, on No. 76, ashSimeon Stevens, on No. 75, both lots being in the 1st division.
Thelatter part, of the winter of i823 Jonas Allen moved his family from Waterfordto East Charleston. There being no settlement for the last l0 miles, he with afew others, broke their own roads through the threats to their destination onthe banks of the Clyde river, on No. 82, 1st div., near where the long bridgenow stands.
Hisnearest neighbor was Joseph Dickey, 3 miles north —there being at that time nofamilies on the farms begun by John Foss and Simeon Stevens. It was 7 milesfrom Jonas Allen's to Cole's mills, by direct route; but in the early settlementof East Charleston there was no road down the river, and the settlers wereobliged to go round by Morgan Four Corners, a distance of about 12 miles, toget to Cole's mills in West Charleston, the only grist-mill in town, exceptingthey went down the met in boats, as they sometimes did ; in which case theycould only- go to the Great Falls, one mile from the mill—then unload andtransport, their grain and meal back and forth upon their hacks.
'Therewas no inhabitant up the river nearer than Enos Bishop's, on the shore ofIsland pond, 7 miles distant, and no road. Jonas Allen and others were obligedto go to Morgan, the nearest sawmill, 8 miles distant, to draw their boards forbuilding purposes. In the fall of 1823, through the instrumentality of AbnerAllyn a road was made from East, to West Charleston, greatly remedying theseinconveniences.
In1824 Jonas Allyn purchased lot No. 33, where the East village now stands, at$1,60 per acre, where he erected a saw-mill. From this time the settlement progressedmore rapidly. Settlers came in for the benefit of the heavily timbered pinelot, No. 88, for which each, by paying the owner of the undivided share the sumof $5.00 had a right to draw all the timber he chose from the lot. They drewthe sawed lumber to Burke and St. Johnsbury, by which means they obtainedprovisions for their families, and were also enabled to make clearings andother improvements on their Land.
In1826 a county road was laid from Derby to brighten, past East and WestCharleston, Land-tax was laid out on this road in 1827.— This made acomfortable road from Derby to St, Johnsbury.
Bearshave in the early years of the settlement of this town infested the forests,and often been
CHARLESTON. 111
boldenough to appear upon the cleared land for the ostensible purpose of satiatingtheir hunger. Prior to the year 1810, while Capt. Page, son of Gov. Page ofLancaster, N. H., was visiting the family of Abner Allyn, a bear killed a sheepin said Allyn's flock. Capt. Page having had great experience in all thatpertained to new settlements, kindly offered his skill in the erection of alog bear-trap; when he, with Philip Davis and A. Allyn, proceeded at once tothe work, and the next night the bear was caught, and on the following morning drawnout of the woods into Allyn's door-yard.—Though they feasted not onbear's-meat, it was a festive occasion—since this was the first bear killed intown, and there seemed a chance of saving their sheep.
Onenight in 1817 Abner Allyn hearing a noise at his barn like the splitting ofboards, arose, went out, and found two places where the boards had been drawnoff, and two bears had entered, killing one sheep and frightening the rest,which had done their best to make escape. Mr. Allyn by the aid of his dogdrove off the bears, gathered the sheep back into the barn, nailed on theboards, and remained sentinel till morning, to prevent further invasion.—Thenext night two neighbors with their guns watched with him forsheep-visitors—nothing daunted by their previous night's failure they came, andone of them fell a victim to his courage, being slaughtered and nicely dressedfit for seething-pot or gridiron. During the rest of that year the sheepremained unmolested by bears. Mr. Ebenezer Bean moved his family into town in1823, into a log-house without door or floor. The fireplace was in the east,the door near the south, and the bed in the west corner of the house. Mrs.Bean had thrown inside of her door a pile of chips and bark with which to makeher morning fire; also for her husband to burn on his return from abroad, toenable him to see his supper, which she had prepared and put into a large ironkettle, and set near the fire to keep warm. To secure it from any depredationof cat or dog, she had placed her water-pail upon it. Having got all thingsarranged she retired to rest with her infant child. Some time after she heardfootsteps, and, supposing it was her husband, was undismayed until shediscovered that the path was over the chips, and that it seemed to be somequadruped larger than any dog. About that time a stick of wood upon the fire,well charred, broke in two—the two ends kindled up so as to give light, bywhich she discovered a large, heavy black bear walking majestically about,tracing with its olfactories her savory food. He just placed his huge paw uponthe pail of water, upset it, helped himself to all the food in the kettle,lapped his jaws and walked away without making acquaintance with his hostessand darling little one, who might have fallen a prey to his appetite, had henot found the master's supper upon which to feast. Thus God saved the motherand little one in the time of peril.
Atanother time the wife of Phinehas Allen had an unwelcome visit from a bear; butshe did not turn her back upon him, notwithstanding he showed more signs ofattention to her hog in his pen than to her. As Mr. Allen was away, she saw thenecessity, and was determined to assume his prerogative to rule. So, saying,"the hear shall not have my hog, unless he has me too," (though thebear had got possession of the pen) she made so much noise that be retreated alittle. She mounted the top of the pen. Bruin stood in abeyance during thewhole of the night, at a short distance, waiting his chance; but Mrs. A. keptup vigilant resistance until the morning light, when the unwelcome visitorretreated to the dense forests not far distant.
LemuelSturtevant and Stephen Cole built the first grist-mill at West Charleston, inthe year 1810. Stephen Cole also built the first framed house at WestCharleston in 1811. The first saw-mill at East Charleston was erected by JonasAllen in 1824, just above the present site of the dwelling-house of L. N.Melvin.—Stephen Cole put a small run of stone in the lower part of this saw-millin 1827, which ground corn and provender. John Cushman built a good grist-millhere in 1834, where the present one, owned by C. H. Chase, now stands.
Thefirst saw-mill at West Charleston was by Jonas Warren in 1809. The first hotelat West Charleston was erected and kept by Ira Richards in 1822. The firsthotel at the east part of the town was built and kept by John Cushman in 1827.The first carding-machine and clothing-works in town were erected at EastCharleston in 1831, by Harvey Holbrook, and run by Harvey H. Cloud, both ofWaterford, Vt.
Ira,son of Jonathan Richards, was the first merchant in town in 1822. Lewis C.Bates was the first merchant at the east part of the town in 1831. The firstphysician in West Charleston was Ezra Cushing in 1822. The
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firstphysiciean in East Charleston was Cephas G. Adams in 1855. The first lawyer wasF. C. Harrington, who was also editor of the North Union—first yearly newspaperprinted in town. The first military company was formed in 1822, and IraRichards (now in Wisconsin) first captain. Timothy Hazeltine, who moved toEast Charleston in 1828, was the first blacksmith in town. The first shoemakerin town was Chauncey Fuller, who moved from Waterford to West Charleston, in1824.
Thefirst two marriages in this town were Ebenezer Bartlett and Eunice Cole—ElishaParlin and Elizabeth Warren—married Feb. 3, 1815, by Ira Leavens, justice ofthe peace, of Morgan.
Therewas no school-house in town before the year 1822, but the children had a fewadvantages from private schools supported by the scholar. The first twoschools were kept in Orrin Percival's barn, on lot 12, in the 1st division. Thefirst school-house was erected where the West village now stands, near thepresent site of the Clyde River Hotel. The first teachers were Sally Hopkins,of Salem, Zilphia Cory, of Derby, Sally Buckman, of Lancaster, N. H., andEunice Cole, of Charleston. Miss Cory married Lemuel Sturtevant, one of thefirst settlers of this town. Miss Cole married Ebenezer Bartlett, one of theearly settlers of Morgan.—She was sister of Ebenezer and Stephen Cole, earlysettlers of Charleston—all three of whom raised large families who have beenenterprising citizens in these towns. Many of them are still living. MissBuckman married Peleg Hicks, of Burke. She was grand-daughter of the remarkablepioneer, known from his bravery as Gov. Page, who penetrated the forests of Lancaster,N. H,, and Lunenburg, Vt., making the first settlements there; and who also didmuch for the success of Guildhall as a new settlement.
Gov.Page being thus connected with Vermont history, also grandfather of the wifeof Abner Allyn, first settler of Charleston, we beg indulgence in reference tofamily reminiscences as we have heard them related in our childhood. His fatherwas a pioneer, having been the first settler of Lunenburg, Mass., from whichhis son, the Governor, named his new settlement, on the Vermont side of theConnecticut river. He and his company started from Petersham, Mass., cut theirroad 50 miles through the forests, made their pitch, and determined upon a settlementthere, nothing daunted by savages or wild beasts. The Governor had two sons and13 daughters. His sons, and all save one of daughters, (Mehitable, who hadmarried Benj. Melvin, of Winchester, N. H., and whose oldest daughter becamethe wife of Abner Allyn,) accompanied him into the forests. Though Mehitabledid not become a pioneer to suffer in Coos Co., N. H., her daughter became onein Orleans Co., Vt.
Thestory has been handed down to grand, and to great-grandchildren, thatgrandfather Page (called Governor) had the forethought to hire 12 active,smart, young men, to penetrate the forests with himself and family, to fell thetrees and do the work of making a new settlement. Whether the old gentlemantook this job into his own hands in the old Patriarchal style of adding sons tohis family, or whether the daughters were privy to the selection, traditiondoes not tell, but it expressly says the 12 daughters married the twelve youngmen and settled all around the father.
Thewriter has listened in early life to many adventurous tales of thosesettlements, both of wild beasts and Indians.
Thewife of Gov. Page, too, has been favorably reported. No such twelve daughtersever came upon the stage of life who had not had a mother of sterlingqualities, She was reported as a woman of corpulency of body as well as mind;and on this account it was very difficult for her to make the journey at firstby a path of spotted trees; and that she had one favored son on whom sheprincipally relied for help—that he walked by her side and held her upon thehorse; that on account of her weight a very large, valuable horse wasappropriated for her use, and that like most other pioneers they did not surveyaround hills in laying their roads, but went over rigid precipices that at thepresent day are shunned. In ascending, or descending one of these, the horselost its foothold, and with its precious burden, was unable to regain standing,but rolled down the hill, broke its neck, or was otherwise so injured as tolose its life.—The faithful son succeeded in rescuing his mother from likefate. Having given a little account of the ancestry of Anna, wife of AbnerAllyn, the reader may judge somewhat of her courage and perseverance. She wasemphatically an industrious woman, possessed of great energy of character bothmental and physical. —Whatever her hands found to do she did with her might.With all the inconveniences of frontier life she had enough to do, and she didit with cheerfulness. She became the mother of eight
CHARLESTON. 113
children—fivesons and three daughters. Four sons died in early life, the oldest of whom (AlbroAllyn) was the first child born in town, July 16, 1804: died at St. Johnsbury,July 30, 1806. The third son, Abner Allyn, Jr., who died March 28, 1810,(second death in town,) was the first person buried on College hill, lot No. 3,the first burial-ground in Charleston.— One son still survives, and is thecompiler of these historical events. One daughter (Olive Allyn) was the firstfemale child born in town, June 14, 1806: —died at Charleston, Aug. 10, 1833.The youngest daughter married and settled in Newbury. She departed this lifeApril, 1861, leaving three children. The other daughter was sent abroad to bereared and educated. She commenced teaching in quite early life, but by forceof combined circ*mstances was brought much into the sick-room, and for nearly12 years was a practical nurse, ministering to the suffering of nearly allclasses, and became so familiar with different diseases, her patrons urged herto go still farther with her humanitarian views and acts. A medical college wascontemplated for women, and she was urged to become one of its first class.This she declined, not desiring notoriety. Medical books were loaned her unasked;some even presented by regular physicians as tokens of their appreciation ofher services to their patients. After a considerable reading of initiatoryworks, and finding a love for them, she entered the New England Female MedicalCollege, and after having nearly completed the required course of study there,she conceived the idea that she should be better prepared to meet all thewants, trials and responsibilities of the medical profession if she receivedinstruction in common with gentlemen students and graduated with them on thesame examination. Therefore she with six other ladies of her class entered amedical college open to both sexes, and she with three of the others graduatedin 1857 at the close of a 4 months' extra term. Sixteen gentlemen took thedegree of M. D. with them at the same place and time, since which time she hasbeen in successful practice in Massachusetts, feeling more and more as time advances,that the medical profession is one of woman's highest missions on earth for goodto the world.
Themother, Anna Allyn, died at Charleston, Feb. 5, 1849-73 years of age. Inspeaking first of Abner Allyn's wife and family, the writer has no thought ofpresenting him last, as least in consequence in his family or community. Onthe contrary, the town owes its origin to his indefatigable labors. He was awell educated man, fitted for business life. A man of strong purposes, notdaunted by ordinary discouragements. Though a kind husband and indulgentfather, he was emphatically the property of the public. He had a large heartof benevolence, to make others happy and comfortable, and to this end wasalways ready to sacrifice his own comforts. "The string to the latch ofhis door was always out." The stranger was sure to find shelter there anda cordial welcome to share with himself and family the best the houseafforded. In the cold seasons, in times of general scarcity, his larder wassometimes scantily filled; yet he was not disheartened until he actually brokedown with disease, and was obliged to leave his loved home in the forests for awhile to recuperate under more favorable circ*mstances. He was the first townclerk and the first representative of his town to the Legislature of the Statein 1807, also in 1808, and then again, after his return, in 1811 and '12. Hewas in every way in his power a public benefactor; always a strong friend toeducation and the poor; always fought against supporting schools on thescholar, or even boarding teachers upon that plan. He regarded children as thepoor man's blessing, whose rights to all the privileges and immunities of lifewere equal to those of the rich, and that they alike were destined to act inlife's great drama, the one as likely to succeed as the other in blessing theworld by upright, useful lives. He was always concerting plans for public good,even up to his very last sickness.—His last work was urging the claims of theprojected road from Guildhall to Irasburgh, through Brigham. He was born atRehoboth, Mass., Aug. 5, 1772; was a descendant of Thos. Allyn, who came fromWales, in company with his uncle, to Cape Cod, Mass. The uncle settled in NewWindsor, Ct. Thomas Allyn settled in Rehoboth, Mass.—married Deborah Cushing,of Hingham, Mass., Dec. 29, 1720, — had 13 children. Their son Abner Allyn,born at Rehoboth, Mass., Aug. 5, 1731, married Sarah Hedding, Nov. 25, 1750.They had 4 children, viz,: Jacob, born Aug. 25, 1757; Jonathan, born Sept. 25,1759; Rachel, born May 9, 1764. Abner, the youngest, was well educated at Massachusettsunder the charge of Christian parents, with a view to the ministry, but earlyevincing a tact for business life,—after finishing his studies he accepted anagency for the care and sale of wild lands in Charleston and vicinity, andcame with his brother (Dr. Jonathan Allyn) to Barton, Vt., prior to 1798. Hewas
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marriedFeb. 14, 1802, to Anna Melvin, of Winchester, N. H., and moved his wife toBarton, Vt., and from there to Charleston, where his oldest son, Alpha Allyn,(born at Barton, Nov 30, 1802,) and his family of seven children now reside.
AbnerAllyn first came to this town in 1798, accompanied by Lemuel Sturtevant, ofBarton, to look out locations for settlements and situations for mills.Equipped with a knapsack of provisions on his back, (enough to last four days,)compass under his arm, and a plan of Navy in his pocket, he proceeded along thepath from Barton to Derby as far as the Salem and Brownington line; then tookthat line and went to the west corner of Navy, (now Charleston.) thence on theline between Salem and Navy on Clyde river, which they followed up past theFalls to what is now Penson pond; then returned to the bridge near the presentsite of Webster's store, and commencing at that place surveyed and marked astraight line 6 miles, past the west corner of Navy, to hit the path fromBarton to Derby. This afterwards served as a guide to get to themill-privileges in Navy, and made way for the settlement of the town in 1802.
Hetaught school winters during the first years after he came to Vermont, and everrendered himself a useful member of society. At one time he became greatlyinterested in the then absorbing question of canals, and was appointed andserved as delegate to conventions in different parts of the country to discussthe feasibility of the enterprise, and concert plans for the same. He came tohis death before the era of telegraphs and railroads in this country, yet hesaw that great improvements were forthcoming. During his last sickness heoften alluded to the subject and had especial interviews with men of influencerelative to improvement. He was converted while a member of the Legislature atMontpelier. At one time he said to his daughter with whom he was conversingupon his coming change. "I have a strong love of life. I fear not to bedead, for I have strong confidence in God; I rely upon Him.— He is myhelper." "Somehow," said he, "I think with some dread ofthe pangs of dying." Then he remarked upon the probability, or improbabilityof the spirits of the departed having cognizance of what is transpiring onearth. Of this he felt quite uncertain, but added with a sort of pleasantry, Ifeel now that if it be possible for disembodied spirits to revisit the earththat I may be allowed that mission at the expiration of fifty years, that I mayknow of the great internal improvements, for I am assured they will be great.He died May 17, 1834. Thirty five years have seen telegraph lines all over thecountry and across the Atlantic, and railroads everywhere, stretching even fromthe Atlantic to the Pacific; and myriads of improvements in agriculturalimplements, and all the arts and sciences. Should time continue 15 years longer,the contrast of 1834 and 1884 must be overwhelming to human intelligence.There is consolation in the faith that his soul has not lain dormant.
November16, 1825, the name of Navy was changed to Charleston. In 1831 Abner Allyn madeout a petition which he sent to Congress for a mail route from Lyndon to Derby.The route was granted and post-masters appointed. This was the first U. S. mailroute through Charleston. Truman Newell. Esq., of Burke, was mail carrier forthe first 4 years. The postmasters up to the present time commencing with thefirst are as follows, viz.: In East Charleston, Ira Parker, Alpha Allyn, N. S.Gilman, E. D. Goodwin, Alpha Allyn, Moses Melvin, Jonas Carruth, George Cade,Earl Cate, C. G. Cate.—In West Charleston, Ebenezer S. Allyn, Samuel M. Cobb,Daniel Webster, Elijah Robinson, George Robinson, Charles Carpenter.
REPRESENTATIVES.
1807,'08, Abner Allyn; '09, '10, R. H. Hunkins; '11, '12, Abner Allyn; '13, '14,Ebenezer Cole; '15, none; '16—'18, Jonas Warren; '19—'24, none; '25—'27, JonasAllen; '28, '29, Elisha Bingham; '30, '31, Tyler Bingham; '32, '33, SilasGaskill; '34, '35, Ebenezer Cole; '36, '37, Elisha Bingham; '38, Silas Gilkey;'39, Stephen Cole; '40, Ebenezer Cole; '41, Stephen Cole; '42, Ira Brackett;'43, '44, Amos Parlin; '45, Gardner Gage; '46, '47, Winthrop Cole; '48, '49,Ira Warren; '50, '51, L. W. Clarke; '52, '53, W. B. Cole; '54, 55, W. E.Clarke; '56—'58, Zenas C. Cole; '59, '60, J. E. Dickerman; '61, '62, JonasCarruth; '63, Edson Lyon; '64, '65, Daniel Webster; '66, Edson Lyon; '67,Albert Lawrence; 68, 69, B. F. D. Carpenter.
TOWNCLERKS.
1 806—'14,Abner Allyn; '15, Jonas Warren; '16—'18, Ira Richards; '19, '20, Abner Allyn;'21, '22, Jonas Warren; '23—'23, Ira Richards; '27—'30, Jonas Allen; '31, '32,Amos Parlin; '33, Lewis C. Bates; '34, Amos Parlin; '35—'38, Ebenezer S. Allyn;'39—'41, Ira Brackett.
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SELECTMEN.
1806,Robert H. Hunkins, Amos Huntoon, Jonathan Richards; '07, Page Colby, JeremiahSeavey, Joel Robinson; '08, Robert H. Hunkins, Jonathan Richards, Lemuel Sturtevant;'09, R. H. Hunkins, L. Sturtevant, jr., B. G. Teel; '10, R. H. Hunkins,Jonathan Richards, Jeremiah Seavey; '11, Abner Allyn, Philip Davis. JeremiahSeavey; '12, Abner Allyn, Stephen Cole, Jeremiah Seavey; '13, Abner Allyn,David Hutchinson, Ebenezer Cole; '14, Abner Allyn, Jonas Warren, JonathanRichards; '15, Abner Allyn, Jonas Warren, Samuel Hutchinson; '16, PhineasUnderwood, Jonas Warren, Zacheus Senter; '17, '18, Jonathan Richards, JonasWarren, Ebenezer Cole; '19, Abner Allen, Jonas Warren, Phineas Underwood; '20,Abner Allyn, Jonas Warren, Jonathan Richards; '21, Phinehas Underwood, JonasWarren, Stephen Cole; '22, Abner Allyn, Jonathan Richards, Stephen Cole; '23,Ebenezer Cole, Jonathan Richards, Zacheus Senter; '24, Jonas Allen, AbnerAllyn, Stephen Cole; '25, Jonas Allen, David Preston, Ebenezer Cole; '26, JonasAllen, Phinehas Underwood, Zacheus Senter; '27, Jonas Allen, Phinchas Underwood,Ezra Brigham; '28, Elisha Bingham, Winthrop Cole, Chauncey Fuller; '29, ElishaBingham, Tyler Bingham, Michael Bly; '30, Amos Parlin, Daniel Mead, PhinehasUnderwood; '31, Chauncey Fuller, Ira Brackett, Winslow Farr; '32, ChaunceyFuller, Hilton Brackett, Samuel Gaskill; '33, Lewis C. Bates, Hilton Brackett,Royal Gage; '34, Chauncey Fuller, Hilton Brackett, David Locklin; '35, AmosParlin, Ebenezer Cole, Andrew Spaulding; '36, Chauncey Fuller, John M.Robinson, Sullivan Gilkey; '37, Jerry E. Brackett, John M. Robinson, AnsonSanborn; '38, Jerry E. Brackett, S. Gilkey, Amos Parlin; '39, Ebenezer Cole,Phinehas Underwood, Ansel Huntley; '40, Elisha Parlin, Benj. Goodwin, A.Lawrence; '41, Ira Brackett, Willard Chase, A. Lawrence.
COLLECTORS.
1806,'07, Samuel Morrison; '08, Jeremiah Seavey; '09, '10, Lemuel Sturtevant; '11,Ebenezer Seavey; '12, Phinehas Underwood; '13, David Hutchinson; '14, EbenezerCole; '15, Jonathan Richards; '16, '17, Jonas Warren; '18, Ira Richards; '19,Elisha Parlin; '20, Jonas Warren; '21, Elisha Parlin; Jonas Warren; '23, JohnBishop; '24, Ezra Cushing; '25—'28, Elisha Parlin; '29, '30, Ezra Brigham; '31,'32, William Snow; '33, Wm. P. Bates; '34, Ebenezer Gaskill; '35, Alvah Stacy;'36, Jason Babco*ck; '37, Asa Lee; '38, Hiram W. Merrill; '39, Ozro Brackett;'40, Hiram W. Merrill.
TREASURERS.
1808,Samuel Morrison; '07, Robert H. Hunkins; '08, Abner Allyn; '09, JonathanRichards; '10, Robert H. Hunkins; '11, Stephen Cole, jr.; '12, Ebenezer Cole;'13—'16, Stephen Cole, jr.; '17, Phinehas Underwood; '18, Jonas Warren; '19—'21, Jonathan Richards; '22 — '25, Ebenezer Cole; '26, '27, PhinehasUnderwood; '28—'30, Levi Pierce; '31—'40,
CHURCHSTATISTICS.
Thefirst church edifice in town—stone house now standing—was erected at WestCharleston, in the year 1843. The first church erected at East Charleston wasin 1855. The first sermon preached in town was by Rev. Luther Leland,Congregationalist, from Derby, at Mrs. McGaffey's funeral. From that timeuntil 1806, meetings were held occasion ally by the Congregationalist andCalvinist Baptists at the dwelling-house of Abner Allyn. About the year 1806,Methodist meetings commenced—the circuit embracing nearly the whole county.From this time until 1812, methodist meetings were held at the dwelling-housesof Abner Allyn and Robert H. Hunkins, with the exception of the time of thefirst reformation in 1810, when the meetings were held at the dwelling-housesof Stephen Cole and Jona. Richards. This reformation was under the preaching ofthe Methodists and a denomination called Christians. The larger part of thepeople who attended these meetings were from Morgan and most of the convertssince from that town. The names of the converts from Charleston were JosephKellam, John Bishop and Ira Richards. Joseph Kellam and Jonathan Richardsunited with the Methodists; the former of whom has since been one of thegreatest reformation preachers in New England. The first persons baptized intown were Stephen Cole and wife and Sam'l Hutchinson, in 1818, by Rev. MosesNorris. In 1823, Jonas Allen, first ordained minister in town, moved here fromWaterford and preached 7 years in both East and West Charleston. This with Rev.Royal Gage—local Methodist preacher—and the circuit preaching concluded thereligious worship up to 1832, with the exception of
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Baptistpreaching given in another place. In 1834 Jonas Allen removed to Madison, Ohio,where he died 2 years since. Orson Pratt and Lyman E. Johnson, Mormon priests,came to town in 1832, formed a large church from East Charleston and Brighton;but in a few short years this whole church with the exception of one whor*nounced the faith, gathered up their effects and removed to Missouri their"Promised Land." This sect professed to work miracles, heal the sickand performed all to the satisfaction of their followers. Their numbers weregreatly increased through the faith of the people in the healing of a Mrs.Farr who on account of sickness had been unable to leave her bed for 3 years.After a season of prayer, the Mormon priests commanded her to "rise and walk";upon which she immediately obeyed the injunction, declared herself healed, andthe next day was baptized in the waters of the Clyde. After which she engagedin the busy avocations of active life during the remaining 3 or 4 years of herstay in Charleston. From 1832 to 1843, the writer thinks had Methodistpreaching in East Charleston once in about 4 weeks, with occasionally someCongregational, Calvinist and Free-will Baptist preaching. The first Methodistclass, was formed at East Charleston in 1833. The first Sabbath school formedat East Charleston, was in 1837, and Anson Sanborn first superintendent. In1843, this year of the Advents, Charleston had its full share; and theycontinued their stay several years, holding meetings regularly during thewhole period. Besides this the principal preaching in East Charleston from1843 to 1861, was Freewill Baptist and Methodist. From that time until thepresent year, 1869, Methodist and Freewill Baptist preaching have each beensustained one half the time.
FREEWILLBAPTIST CHURCH.
BYREV. E. C. SMALLEY.
Itappears by the record that the F. W. Baptist church was the first one organizedin town, and the organization took place Feb. 11, 1830, by a council composedof Revs. J. Woodman, Daniel Quimby and Abel Bugbee. Joel R. Hidden was thefirst clerk. Jonas Allen was a member of the church, but whether he was pastoror not does not appear on the record. 16 members composed the church at first,and for a number of years it was, in a measure prosperous, and enjoyed somegood revivals. As the town became more settled other denominations came in,and the Baptist church for a time had no stated preaching. After a lapse ofsome years the interest again revived, and two churches were organized calledEast and West Charleston churches; and both are now trying to sustain theGospel in their borders. The pastors at the West church have been, Revs. T. P.Moulton, D. Waterman, J. Whittemore and C. H. Smith. The church now reportsonly 24 members. The East church in 1862, secured the labors of Rev. E. C.Heath who labored until May 1865. During his ministry the church enjoyed someprosperity and received additions in numbers and influence. In May 1865, thewriter became pastor of this church, and has continued until the presentseason to labor here a share of the time. Present No. of members, 44. The Westchurch own a house of worship. The East church worship in a Union house withE. Methodists and Universalists.
EASTCHARLESTON, April 21, 1869.
CONGREGATIONALCHURCH.
InOctober, 1842, Rev. J. T. Howard, by invitation of the Orleans CountyAssociation, came into the county to labor as a missionary in the towns ofCharleston and Holland.
Assoon as arrangements could be made with other societies, he divided his laborsbetween West Charleston and Holland, preaching in both places on alternateSabbaths, holding meetings in school-houses, there being no meeting-house ineither town. In June 1843, the Stone church called a Union house was finished anddedicated, Rev. Proctor Moulton, Freewill Baptist, preached the sermon. Thishouse was occupied nearly half the time by the Congregationalists until June1859, when their house of worship was completed and dedicated. Rev. ThomasBayne of Irasburgh preached the dedication sermon.
WhenMr. Howard commenced his labors in West Charleston, there was but one Congregationalprofessor, (Mrs. Elizabeth Robinson, wife of Maj. J. M. Robinson,) in thevillage or immediate vicinity. In 1844, May 14, the Orthodox Congregationalchurch in West Charleston, was organized by an ecclesiastical council, of whichRev. J. S. Clark was moderator, and Dr. George A. Hinman, was scribe.
Rev.R. V. Hall preached the sermon from the words—"Fear not little flock, forit is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
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kingdom."The church in its organization was composed of 9 members, viz.: Marcus A. Growand his wife, Elizabeth Grow, Horace Holt, Charles F. Morse, Mrs. AbigailMorse, (wife of Col. Joseph Morse,) Mrs. Maria Senter by letters from theCongregational church in Derby, and Mrs. Elizabeth Robinson, by letter fromCongregatinal church in Brownington; also Mr. James G. Barnard and his wife,Lavina Barnard, united in the organization of the church, by profession. Mr.Barnard was a faithful and efficient member of the church, and served in theoffice of deacon until his death.
Thoughfew and feeble, the church in 1854 undertook to build a house of worship, andafter a severe struggle of 5 years, and receiving a considerable assistancefrom individuals and churches abroad, it was completed at a cost of $2,500.
In1857, Mr. Howard's health failed so that he was obliged to desist from hispublic labors as a minister. For nearly 3 years, 1857—'60, preaching wasmaintained only by temporary supplies. In 1859—'60, Rev. Phineas Baileypreached 6 months, and several by letter were added to the church.
InMay 1860, Rev. Charles Duren became acting pastor and continued his labors 2years and a half, dividing the time with Holland. Rev. Levi Loring succeededMr. Duren and labored 3½ years; the first year he divided his time withHolland. He was ordained and installed as pastor July, 1863, and dismissed inJune 1866. Soon after, Rev. Timothy E. Ranney became acting pastor and remainedone year. Rev. R. V. Hall then supplied the pulpit about 4 months. In October,1867, Mr. N. W. Grover began to serve as acting pastor and continued 6 months.He was followed by Rev. A. R. Gray, who preached several Sabbaths, until November,1868, when Rev. A. C. Childs, formerly of Wenham, Mass. was invited as acondidate for settlement. On the 23d of the same month by a unanimous vote ofthe church he received an invitation to become the minister of the parish withthe hope and expectation of soon being installed as the permanent pastor. Tothe credit of the church it may be observed, that during the intervals when thechurch has been without the services of the ministry, it has regularly heldmeetings on the Sabbath, conducted by one of the members.
INDIANHISTORY OF "LONG POND."
Accordingto Indian testimony there was once a long pond in this town, extending alongthe course of Clyde river from the Great Falls in Charleston, up into Brighton.There are broad meadows along the course of the river, swamps and deepmuck-beds. Though the soil is deep in most of the meadows, yet in some placesthere is no soil to speak of—hardpan, close to the surface. At the time of thefirst settlement of the town, many of the bog meadows could not be crossed insafety. I had often heard the inhabitants allude to these, with otherpeculiarities, as indicative of great changes which had been effected by somemeans, since the original creation. From them I learned that the story in regardto the matter was of Indian origin, made known to them through the St. Francistribe, who were accustomed to migrate through the town, sometimes twice a year,stop and pitch their tents on lot No. 33, where the East village now stands,staying a longer or shorter time as best suited them—hunting etc. In 1824,after Jonas Allen had settled on this lot I chanced to be at his house, and wasinformed of the Indian encampment on their lot at that time. The men being outon a hunting excursion, I stopped until their return on purpose to ferret outif possible more of this Indian tradition. When they came in, they brought alarge deer of which I purchased a part to carry to my home in West Charleston.Fortunately this company consisted of some old as well as young men. From theformer I gleaned, what seemed to me a plausible story taken in connection withthe actual phenomena of our bogs and swamps. They said it had been fifty yearssince they with their fathers, had made a permanent home at that place; atwhich time they remained 9 consecutive years; and during the whole of thatperiod there was a long pond there, 10 miles in length, with two outlets; oneby a stream into Willoughby river, thence to Mempremagog lake. The other outletthrough Clyde river into Salem pond, thence to Memphremagog lake. They alsosaid that the waters of this Long pond ran away to Memphremagog before those ofGlover pond, and that they were knowing to the facts of both at the time ofthe events. The reason they assigned for making this place their home at thattime, was because of a division among their own tribe, they being in
118 VERMONTHISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
favorof the English, and the rest in favor of the French at the time of the Frenchand Indian war. They remained—according to the testimony given—until afterpeace was concluded between the French and English in 1763, then returned toCanada. They showed where they camped, where they put their furs and potatoes,and also showed old marks on maple trees where they had been tapped 9 years in succession.This sugar lot, which was one of their camping-grounds, was situated on bothsides of the town line between Charleston and Brighton; on lot No. 37, 1stdiv. in Brighton and lot No. 95, 1st division in Charleston. They related eachcirc*mstace so clearly from time to time, and gave the several proofs with somuch correctness, that no one doubted the truthfulness of their assertions.And as years have passed from that interview to the present, the changesobserved in the meadow lands, corroborate their testimony. The bog meadowsthat a man could not cross in safety in 1803, had so much increased in density,that in 1824, hay was cut and carried out by hand, for the reason that a teamcould not safely cross. Now both people and teams pass over them secure fromdanger, only in some exceptional cases.
ADDITIONALPROOFS.—A very large milldam was constructed by George L. Varnum in the summerof 1820—a very dry season—in the highest place suitable for a dam between theGreat Falls and Pension pond, which had the effect to throw back the waters ofthis pond, and Clyde river—whose current is through the length of said pond,into Brownington swamp, near Beaver brook to which it was fast approaching.Beaver brook flows into Willoughby river, thence to Memphremagog lake by theway of Barton river. To prevent threatened law-suits with the owners of themills at Charleston Hollow and Derby, on account of the water being thus takenfrom them, said Varnum was obliged to remove his dam and build a smaller onelower down the stream. The land from Beaver brook to Clyde river, a distance of1¼ miles, is low and swampy. These circ*mstances go to prove the correctnessof the Indian story, in regard to two outlets to Long pond.
Inthe fall of 1868, while Wm. Sawyer, Jr., of East Charleston, was digging muckon his meadow, a common fishing-pole was found 4 feet 10 inches from thesurface—supposed to have been dropped into this Long pond before it broke awayfrom its former boundary. One end of this fishing-rod had the appearance ofbeing broken off, the other end of it was cut off in a slanting direction, withan ax or some other sharp edged tool. Above this pole a little nearer thesurface, was the top of an old pine tree, the larger end of which had by somemeans been broken off, and measured nearly, a foot and a half in diameter.
Listgiving the numbers, names of the original proprietors, first settlers, withdates of settlement, and present owners or occupants of each lot in the town ofCharleston, as surveyed by Gen. Whitelaw.
Original Proprietors. FirstSettlers. Present Occupants.
Nehemiah Knight, No. 1 PhilipDavis, 1808 Simeon Gay,
" Alpha Allyn, 1827 Thomas Waybo,
" John Martin, 1831 John Martin,
John Murray, 2 EnochColby, Enoch Colby,
" David Hildreth, David Hildreth,
College Lot, 3 AmosHuntoon, 1806 Levi Garland,
" Samuel Morrison, " DavidDriver,
" Jonathan Smith, 1823 Joseph Bathrow,
John Beverly, 4 AbnerAllyn, 1802 David Driver, A. Norris,
" John Campbell, John Campbell,
" Simeon Brown, 1823 ——— Norris,
" Cromwell Leonard, 1824 JohnCampbell,
Charles Murray, 5 SamuelKnight, 1806 Jonathan Page,
" Levi Pierce, 1825 Daniel Webster,
" Paschal Allyn, 1834 Peter Gilman,
Andrew Brown, 6 EbenezerS. Allyn, 1831 Jasper Cummings,
" Barney Balch, 1830 L. D. Parran, J. Lunt, A. Lyon,L. Nye,
Pitch lot 7 Andrew McGaffey, 1803 LaurenSleeper,
" Jonathan Richards, 1806 EdsonLyon,
" Enos Harvey,
CHARLESTON. 119
Original Proprietors. FirstSetters. Present Occupants.
Abram Whipple, No. 8 PhilipDavis, 1807 Simeon Gay,
" Jonathan Davis, 1829 Gideon Gay,
George Rounds, 9 Dr.Samuel Worthen, Dr. Samuel Worthen,
" David Moody,
Ralph Murray, 10 HubbardLathe, Hubbard Lathe,
" Seneca B. Cooley, PhiletusMorey,
John W. Chandler 11 PageColby, Henderson Gallup,
" Orrin Percival, 1809 "
" Royal Gage, John C. Oliver,
" Phinehas Underwood, 1812 Henderson Gallup,
Jeremiah Field, 12 OrrinPercival, 1804 Jonathan Page,
" Jonathan Smith, 1822 James Dudley,
" Harvey Cole, " Newell Smith,
John Harris, 13 EbenezerCole, 1812 Jonathan Page,
" Elisha Parlin, 1818 George Parlin,
" Stephen Cole, 1812 Elisha W. Parlin,
William Harris 14 J.Warren, 1808 Alonzo Bates, Wilson Buck,
" Stephen Cole, 1809 Egbert Robinson,
" Thomas Ames, 1810 Charles Cummings,
Abner Williams 15 DanielW. Palmer, 1833 Daniel W. Palmer &Son,
" David Palmer, before 1818
" Anson Messer, 1838 "
" —— Roby, " "
Charles Harris, 16 DavidMoody, 1843 David Moody,
" Robert Allen, 1844 Philetus Morey,
" Nathan Allyn, Elias & Edwin Huse,
Glebe Lot, 17 EleazerPomeroy, 1833 George Hamilton,
" Benjamin Kimball, 1828 DanielWebster,
" Robert Allen, Philetus Morey,
Jeremiah Rounds, 18 JohnSaunderson, about 1840 George Hamilton,
" Jacob Richards, John C. Oliver,
" Ebenezer Richards, "
Benjamin Ingraham, 19 GeorgeL. Varnum, 1820 Pascal Allyn, J. Cook,A. Nye,
" Martin Pomeroy, 1821 ——— Moran,
" Lewis Smith, 1822 Amos Parlin, Ashbel Nye,
Pitch Lot, 20 Abner Allyn, before 1806 Hiram Hutchinson,
" Daniel Mead, 1822
" Dr. Jona. Allyn, before 1806 Horace Riter,
" Amos Parlin, 1822
John H. Whipple. 21 SamuelHutchinson, 1824 Nathan Allen,
" Jonas Warren, jr., 1823 RufusBarnard
" John Warren, 1824 Moses Fuller,
William Field, 22 Unsettled,
John Matherson, 23 CharlesRoyce, 1813 Clark Royce,
" Martin Philbrick, Henry Hosmore,
" Seneca B. Cooley, HoswellMoody,
Nicholas Powers, 24 LeviBradley, 1811 James Lewis,
" David Moody, 1831 Royal Moody,
" H. M. Swazey, 1823 James Lewis,
" Asa Philbrick, " Parker Chase,
Cotton Guilson, 25 ChristopherHall, 1825 Henry Sweatland,
" Martin Pomeroy, 1823 —— Dearborn,
" H. M, Swazey,
" Olney Hawkins, 1824
Pitch Lot, 26 JohnM Morse, 1823 Loren Sawyer,
" Ira Eaton, 1825 Amos Parlin,
" Eleazer Pomeroy, 1823 Gibb Eastman,
" Edward Balch, 1826 "
" Hilton Brackett, 1832 Loren Sawyer,
Andrew Harris, 27 IraBrackett, " Elias Lunt,
" Joseph Huntington, 1819
" Jonas Warren, jr., JonasWarren, Jr.
" Jerry Brackett,
Cyprian Sterry, 28 J.T. Huntington, 1832 Nathan Allen,
" J. M. Saunders, " Philip Ledue,
" Hezekiah Cole, 1833 Jonathan Page,
120 VERMONTHISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
OriginalProprietors. FirstSettlers. Present Occupants.
PeterStone, 3d, No. 29 John Moody, 1836 JohnMoody,
" John Saunderson, 1837 John Winslow,
Grammar-SchoolLot 30 Samuel Hopkins, 1831 DavidS. Moody,
" Seneca B. Cooley, 1838
" Daniel Mead, 1831 JasonNiles,
" Orlando Peck, " CalvinSawyer,
JonathanPitcher, 31 Ephraim Hartshorn, 1810 WilliamBaker.
" Olney Hawkins, 1828 Henry Hazeltine,
" H. M. Swazey, 1824
" Daniel Meade, 1824
" David Lochlin, 1831 SilasClark,
" Amos Parlin, 1839 HenryHazeltine,
32 Randall Magoon, 1828 George Perry,
" David Royce, 1831 DanielChaplin,
" Edward Balch, 1823 Richard Chaplin,
" Jonathan Davis, EdgarMerrill,
" Stephen Cole,
JohnKing, jr., 33 Hilton Brackett, 1832 Henderson Gallup, Wm. Wilson, Gibbs Eastman,
BenjaminIngraham, 34 Jonathan Mead, 1827
" Winthrop Cole, HiltonBrackett,
" Seneca B. Cooley, — Sylvester, Warren Parlin,
35 J. F. Huntington, before 1832 Henry Calkins,
" Lewis Moffatt, 1831 Charles Sutton, J.Erase, John Patrick,
AbnerField, 36 John Saunderson, 1837 JohnWinslow,
" Joseph Gray, CharlesRoyce, Jr.
" Silas Richards,
Madeinto 3d div. lots, 37 S. C. Cole, E. Hill, 1831 William Clark,
" 38 " FernandoCole, Herbert Morse,
39 Benjamin Nutting, 1825 Warren Mansur,
" Jeremiah Hutchinson, 1825 E. D. Goodwin,
" Stephen C. Cole, 1829 EdgarMerrill.
TimothyCarpenter, 40 John Saunderson, 1832 Chas. Worthen, Edgar Merrill,
WilliamWaterman, 41 Unsettled.
42 Zacheus Senter, 1811 Comfort Chaffee,
ThomasSmart, 43 John Miles, 1832 Moses R. Stokes,
" Jacob Lochlin,
WilliamWall, 44 Wm. Merriam, 1808 Columbus Davis,
" Willard Marshall, 1810 Lucas Wheeler,
" Albert Lawrence, 1834 Albert Lawrence,
45 Alpha Allyn, 1829 Alfred Brooks,
" Albert Lawrence, AlbertLawrence,
" S. C. Cole. 1829
RichardEddy, 46 Lemuel Sturtevant, 1806 John Bly,
AlphaAllyn, 1826 John Bean,
HenryTrue, 1830 Moses Bly,
AlphaAllyn, 1829 Abner Moulton,
TownSchool Lot, 47 David Preston, 1824 William Hand,
" Ezra Brigham, 1824 NathanChase,
" Joseph Kathan, 1827
" Henry True, 1826 LewisMoffitt,
EphraimRoberts, 48 Calvin Alden, 1828 Thomas Dolloff,
" James F. Adams, " RichardPowers,
" Peter Bigelow, "
NathanWillians, 49 Michael Bly, 1826 Abner Lord,
" Zecheus Senter, 1811 Comfort Chaffee,
WilliamCorliss, 50 Jesse Corliss, 1826 Charles Allen,
" Phineas Allen, 1828 "
" Parker L. Chase, 1841 Moses R. Stokes,
ThomasJenkins, 51 Jeremiah Magoon, 1832 Vasco Davis,
" Joseph Burroughs, 1838 Henry Albee,
52 B. G. Teel, D. Preston, 1826 Samuel Davis,
" Richard Chaplin, 1830 David Morse,
BenjaminBrown, 53 Lemuel Sturtevant, 1806 John Bly,
" Ebenezer Bean, 1823
CHARLESTON. 121
Original Proprietors. FirstSettlers. Present Occupants.
Benjamin Bourn, No. 53 WilliamBrooks,
" Benjamin Goodwin, 1827 Rich'd Darius, E. D. Goodwin,
" Job Drown, 1826
" Elisha Bingham, 1827 John Bly,
John Fenner, 54 JosephKathan, William Hand,
" Nathan Chase, Nathan Chase,
" Benjamin Goodwin, E. D. Goodwin,
" Joseph Gray, Charles Gray,
55 James F. Adams, ThomasDolloff,
56 Solomon Wolcott, 1831
" Joseph & John Dickey, 1821 Hiram Wolcott,
Israel Gerton, 57 JosephSevey, before 1814 ——— Bennett,
" Earl Cate,
" Aaron Drown, 1827 ——— Labounty,
" Michael Floyd, 1828
Pardon Field, 58 JosephSeavy & Sons,
nearWestmore, 1804 Andrew Bean,
" William Gray, 1822 John Fuller,
59 Dr. Alanson Gibson, Winthrop Cole, Lucas Wheeler,
" James Gray, John Bly,
60 Wm. Gray, J. Cushman, Charles Stevens,John Bly,
First settled Minister's 61 Leasedout by the town
Lot,
" J. P. Tyler, Wm. Fisher, Dan'l Moulton, Chas. Stevens
62 All Echo pond except a
few3d div. lots.
William Potter, 63 WilliamBarney, William Barney,
Anthony Randall, 64 Unsettled, Ownedby Alfred Brooks,
Daniel Bucklin, 65 HarrisonWheeler, 1848 Clark Ladd, Jonas Carruth.
" George Goodwin, 1847 Lawrence Stoddard,
" Joseph Stoddard, AlonzoStoddard,
66 Moses Melvin, Moses Melvin,
" Alpha Allyn, Nathaniel Morse,
" Sullivan Stevens, before 1838 R. P. Stevens,
67 Jonas Allen, 1824 East Village, James,
" William Melinda, 1828 Moses & Luther Melvin,
" Moses Melvin, 1837 Amos M. Clement, Stephen C.Cole, Esq., Jas. P. Tyler,
" Alpha Allyn, 1832 Earl Cate, R. Hunt,
" Ebenezer Gaskill, HerveyWolcott, P. Balch.
James H. Olney, 68 P.Tyler, H. & E. Whee- Benj. Campbell, Porter
ler,Geo. Cloud, Tyler, JohnFuller,
" Jos. Gray, L. Melvin, C. Mrs. J. Dolloff,
Streeter,
69 Emerson Wolcott, 1827 GeorgePierce,
" — Stasey & son Alvah, "
" Daniel Cloud, 1831 Andrew Cloud,
Edward Fenner, 70 EmersonWolcott, 1727 William Morse,
" David Allard, 1841 Alonzo Barney,
Nathan Burlingame, 71 AlphaAllyn, 1832 Alpha Allyn, A. Stoddard,
Arthur Fenner, 72 D.Streeter, W. Spaulding, 1848 A. Pierce, L. Stoddard, R. P. Stevens, E. Miles,
Benjamin Jenkins 73 TylerBingham, 1827 R. P. Stevens,
" PerryPorter, 1828 Amos Piper,
74 Alpha Allyn, 1853 Alpha Allyn,
" William Malinda, 1828 James F. Adams,
" Andrew Spaulding, 1831 JosephStoddard,
Charles Jenkins, 75 SimeonStevens, 1823 Calvin Dunton,
" Frederick Richardson, 1827 Carlton & Bennett,
John Thurston, 76 JohnFoss, 1823 Alfred Pierce,
" Timothy Manchester, 1829
Daniel F. Wall, 77 TheodoreL. Tripp. 1830 Benjamin Tripp,
Seth Jenkins, 78 ElishaBingham, jr., 1854 Orson Cate,
" Richard W. Chaplin, 1860 Solomon Petrie,
John C. Green, 79 JohnHarvey, 1825 Alpha Allyn.
" Walter Spaulding, " JohnWillard,
" Daniel Streeter, 1830 Ezekiel Miles,
122 VERMONTHISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
Original Proprietors FirstSettlers. Present Occupants.
John C. Green, No.79 Alpha Allyn, 1854 Alpha Allyn,
Seth Whittemore, 80 William Sawyer, 1828 Cornell Stevens,
" StephenSargent, 1831 Jerry Applebee,
" DanielStreeter, 1830 John Piper,
" L.W. Young, 1831 Cornell Stevens,
81 JacobLang, 1823 William Sawyer, Jr.
" AlphaAllyn, 1830 Alpha Allyn, D. O. Parlin
Edward Knights, 82 Jonas Allen, 1823 William Sawyer, Jr.
" WinslowFarr, " John W. Beede,
" WilliamSnow, 1830
Josiah Gifford, 83 John Beebe, 1843 Selden Hopkins,
Christopher Olney, 84 Lorenzo Davis, Lorenzo Davis,
Andrew Brown, 85 George W. Harvey, 1858 Daniel O. Parlin,
" HughRob, 1865 "
Nehemiah Field, 86 Myron Buck, "
" HomerH. Lewis, "
Thomas Field, 87 J. Lord, Dav. Church, 1828 Myron Buck,
Made into 3d div. lots, 88 Simeon Stevens, 1826 Walter Buck,
89 HenrySherman, 1820 George Lang,
" JacobH. Lang, 1828 Andrew J. Lang
" ManleySawyer, 1829 Willard Sawyer,
90 A.J. Lang. A. J. Lang.
91 DanielHart, 1854 Cyprian Sterry,
" AlphaAllyn, N. P. Bowman,
" E.D. Goodwin, "
William Wall, 92 Unsettled. HarveyCoe, Agent,
Arthur Fenner, 93 " R. H. Allyn, M. D.
Andrew Harris, 94 George Bennett, 1829 Charles Lowell,
" IsaacF. Freeman, 1833 "
" JosephHenry, " "
Cotton Guilson, 95 Wilson Buck, " Walter Buck,
" WilliamSawyer, 1831 George Albee,
" JonathanBriggs, 1837 Samuel McDaniels,
96 JacobH. Lang, 1828 A. J. Lang,
" JohnBadger, 1837 William Sawyer,
" Sam'lMcDaniels, Samuel McDaniels,
97 AmasaWalter, Amasa Walter,
" GeorgeFoster, 1834 A. J. Lang,
" AlphaAllyn, Franklin Sawyer,
98 WilliamCargill, George Walter,
" EdgarDavis, Daniel Webster,
" E.D. Goodwin, N. P. Bowman,
VILLAGES.
Charlestoncontains two villages, 6 miles apart. Its market facilities are good, the EastVillage being situated 7 miles from the depot at Island Pond on the Grand Trunkrailroad, and the West Village—the larger of the two—situated about 10 milesfrom Newport on the Connecticut and Passumpsic railroad. The east part of thetown contains a post office, 1 church, 2 stores, 2 hotels. 2 starch-factories,1 grist-mill, 3 lumber-mills, planing and clapboard-machine, 1 shop for themanufacture of butter firkins, 3 blacksmith shops, 1 shingle and 1carriage-manufactory. The west part of the town contains a post-office, 2churches, an academy, 5 stores. 1 hotel, 1 grist-mill, 2 lumber-mills, 2 carding-machine,1 starch-factory, 1 cabinet shop, 3 blacksmith shops, 2 harness shops, 1tannery, 1 emery shop and 1 carriage manufactory.
Italso contains a Freemason's Lodge, consisting of 100 members, The East Villagehas a Good Templar's Lodge with about the same number of members. The town isdivided into 13 school districts and contained, in 1860, —1,160 inhabitants.Grand list is $3272.32.
Theoldest persons deceased in town were Benjamin Nash, formerly of Montpelier, andElizabeth Lord, (relict of Samuel Lord, one of the early settlers of Barton,)both nearly 100 years of age. The oldest persons now living in this town, arePhilip Davis,* who came to town in 1807, and Mrs. Susan Goodwin, (relict ofBenj. Goodwin,) both 90 years of age; and the only families in town who haveresided over 40 years on the farms upon which they first commenced, with the exceptionof Stephen Cole and family who remained on the same farm over fifty years.
———
*Sincedeceased.
CHARLESTON. 123
SOLDIERS FURNISHED BY THETOWN OF CHARLESTON.
Compiled mainly from theReports of the Adjutant-General of Vt. for 1864 and '65.
Volunteers for threeyears, credited previous to call for 300.000 Vols. of Oct. 17, 1863.
Names. Age. Enlisted. Reg. Co. Remarks.
Allen, Alonzo 21 Aug.4, '62. 10 K Died May 3, '63.
Allen, Daniel W. 18 July18, '62. " " Mustered out June 22, '65.
Allen, Ira H. 18 Apr.22, '61. 3 D Re-en. Dec. 10, '62; killed at Wilderness.
Allen, James 28 July15, '62. 11 F Mustered out June 24, '65.
Bancroft, John W. 22 July24, '62. 10 K " May22. '65.
Barnard, Francis P. 19 Dec.3, '61. 8 B Died May 22, '63.
Barnard, Jabez H. 20 June22, '63. 11 L Pro. Q. M. Serg't. Aug. 31, '63; dis. forpromotion in col. reg., Aug. 3, '64.
Barnard, William 22 June6, '62. 9 E Died Aug. 12, '63.
Bishop, Charles 3 D Norecord
Black, Jotham A. 21 Aug.11, '62. 10 K Pro. corp. Nov. 26, '62; must. out June 22, '62.
Blanchard, Joseph 21 Apr.22, '61. 3 D Re-en. Dec. 21, 63 ; des. Feb. 13, '64.
Bowen, Benj. F. 47 Aug.12, 62. 10 K Killed at Cedar Creek Oct. 19, '64.
Boynton, Edmund 18 Jan.18, '62. 7 H Died Nov. 6, '62.
Brainard, L. A. 18 Aug.12, '62. 10 K Mustered out June 22, '65.
Briggs, Horace 30 Apr.22, '61. 3 D Died Aug. 20, '62.
Briggs, Lucius E. 19 " " " Killedat Lee's Mills, April 16, '62.
Brown, Harvey 24 June24, '63. 11 L Mustered out June 2, '65.
Buck, Erastus 31 Apr.24, '61. 3 D Pro. capt, Co. I, Nov. 1. '63; died May 23, '64of wounds rec'd in action.
Calkins, F. C. 20 Apr.22, '61. " " Discharged Sept. 30, '62.
Calkins, Wm. H. 23 Aug.11, '62. 10 K Mustered out June 22, '65.
Cate, Orson 24 Aug.8, '62. " " "
Chaplin, Richard W. 38 " " " Trans.to Invalid Corps May 15, '64; dis.
Clark, Brooks B. 23 " " " DiedNov. 2, '64 of wounds rec'd in action.
Cookman, James 26 May1, '61. 3 D Killed at Lee's Mills, April 16, '62.
Cunningham, Wm. 18 Nov.30, '61. 8 B Mustered out June 28. '65.
Dapry, Francis 39 Jan.10, '62. 8 K Discharged Feb. 28, '63.
Davis, Wesley 22 Apr.22, '61. 3 D Mustered out July 27, '64.
Drown, Calvin 24 July21, '62. 10 K " June22, '65.
Dwire, David 41 July29, '62. " " Killed at Petersburg, April 2, '65.
Fletcher, John W. 22 May1, '61. 3 D Deserted Sept. 16, '62.
Gartlan, Daniel 22 " " " DischargedNov. 24, '62.
Gates, Hadley B. 32 July11, '61. " E Mustered out July 27, '64.
Gilbraith, Wm. 38 Apr.22, '61. " D Discharged Oct. 13, '61.
Goodwin. Ivora S. 21 July24, '62 10 K Pro. corp.; musterd out July 1, '65.
Gray, Charles H. 21 July18, '62. " " Pro. serg't; mustered out June 22, '65.
Gray, Myron 18 Dec.17, '61. 8 I Re-enlisted Jan. 5, '64; des. May 24, '64.
Gray, William H. 21 Apr.22, '61. 3 D Discharged Aug. 6, '62.
Grow, Charles H. 19 Nov.30, '61. 8 K Died Aug. 5. '62.
Grow, Edward A. 27 Apr.22,'61. 3 D Mustered out July 27, '64.
Grow, Joseph B. 22 May1, '61. " " Pro. corp, Died Jan, 21, '65.
Grow, Samuel A. 24 Apr.24, '61. " " Pro. serg't; mustered out July 27,'64.
Hamblet, Edson L. 24 " " " Deserted July 21, '61.
Harriman, Edson J. 18 May30, '61. " " Mustered out July 11, '65.
Harrington, F. " " Discharged.No record.
Harvey, Samuel E. 24 Aug.6, '62. 10 K Died Nov, 19, '63.
Hazeltine, H. W. 21 July21, '63. " " Mustered out June 22. '65.
Hagan, Francis 19 Dec.5, '61. 8 B " 28,'65.
Hutchinson, Alonzo 26 Apr.24, '61. 3 D Died April 18, '62 of wounds rec'd at Lee'sMills, April 16, '62.
Johnson, John E. 19 Aug.13, '62. " " Pro. corp.; mustered out June 19, '65.
Jones, Henry 23 July24, '62. Cav. G Mustered out June 21, '65.
Lawrence, Albert G. 26 Aug.5, '62. 10 K Died Jan. 8, '64.
Lawrence, Geo. H. 21 July18, '62, " " Died Jan 21, '84 of wounds rec'd inaction.
Lunt, Benj. P. 20 Dec.2, '61. 8 B Died July 23, '62,
Mansur, Zophar M. 19 Aug.11, '62. 10 K Discharged Aug, 31, '65.
McCoy, John A. 21 Aug.1, '62. " " Mustered out July 9, '65.
McCoy, Joshua B. 18 Aug.4, '62. " " " June22, '65.
Mansur, Jacob C. 25 Aug.11, '62. " " Discharged May 30, '65.
Taylor, Alfred 25 Apr.22, '61. 3 D Mustered out July 27, '64.
Torrence, Moses 21 " " " Discharged Oct. 21, '62.
Wadleigh, John R. 22 Aug.24, '64. 11 M Died June 22,'64, of wounds rec'd in action.
124 VERMONTHISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
Names. Age. Enlisted. Reg. Co. Remarks.
Warboys, Chas. N. 23 June16, '62. 9 E Mustered out June 13, '65.
Warboys, Henry 21 June6, '62. " " Pro. corp.; must. out June 13, '65.
Warren, Myron P. 18 Dec.16, '61. 8 B Pro. corp.; died Nov. 11, '64 of wounds rec'd atCedar Creek.
Wells, Henry 28 June7, '61. 3 D No record.
Wheeler, Jason P. 23 Apr.22, '61. " " Mustered out July 11, '65.
Vols. for three years, credits undercall of Oct. 17, 1863, for 300,000 Vols. and subsequent calls.
Allyn, Paschal W. 18 Nov.11, '63. 8 B Died Dec. 24. '64.
Campbell, Henry 24 Dec,9, '63. 3 I Discharged June 12, '65.
Clough, Horace E. 20 " " " Trans. to V. R. C., Dec. 20, '64.
Cobb, Curtis C. 37 Dec.14, '63. " " Killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, '64.
Croft, George F. 22 Dec.10, '63. " " Mustered out July 11, '65.
Lawson, Frederick 27 Nov.21, '63. " " " "
Morse, Lauren 41 Dec.11, '63. " " Killed at Wilderness May 5, '64.
Taylor, Farmer 21 Oct.20, '63. 3 D Mustered out July 11, 65.
Wilder, Charles 42 Dec.1, '63. 10 K Discharged May 12, '65.
VolunteersRe-enlisted.
Ira H. Allen, 3d reg., co. D; HollisH. Cass, 8th reg., co. B; Joseph B. Grow, 3d reg., co. D; Francis Hogan, 8threg., co. B; Edson J. Harriman, 3d reg., co. D; Patrick Franklin, 8th reg.,co. B; Wm. A. Powers, 3d reg., co. D; Henry Talbert, 3d reg., co. D; Myron P.Warren, 8th reg., co. B; Jason P. Wheeler, 3d reg., co. D.
Mickman, John 20 June9, '62. 9 E Killed at Chapin's Farm, Va. Sept. 29, '64.
Montague, Hugh 22 July9, '61. 3 D Discharged. No record.
Moody, Charles 20 Sept.25, '61. " " Died April 20, '63.
Moody, David S. 21 Apr.22, '61. " " Discharged May 23, '62.
Moody, Harvey 23 July10, '61. " K Dropped Jan. 24, '63.
Moody, Joseph 18 Apr.22, '61. " D Died Oct. 15, '62.
Moody, Samuel 19 July25, '62. " " Discharged April 22, '63.
Morse, Nixon 21 June1, '61. " " " Oct.21, '61.
Moulton, Ira A. 19 Aug.8, 62. 10 K Mustered out June 22, '65.
Moulton, John G. 27 " " " Discharged.
Moulton, Wm. S. 21 " " " Mustered out June 22, '65.
Neal, John 18 June1, '61. 3 D Killed at Lee's Mills, April 16, '62.
Niles Jason D. 23 Apr.22, '61. " " Pro. corp.; mustered out July 27,'64.
Norris, Alex. T. 33 July29, '62. 10 K " sick inGen. Hos. Aug. 31, '64.
Patrick, Benj. F. 25 Nov.30, '61. 8 B Mustered out June 28, '65.
Piper, John 2d, 40 July28, '62. 10 K Died April 22, '64.
Piper, Lucian C. 18 Aug.6, '62. " " Pro. corp.; killed at Cold Harbor June1, '64,
Plunkett, James 21 May1, '61. 3 D Tr. to 1st N. Y. Battery, Dec. 21, '62.
Parlin, Abel A. 32 Dec.4, '61. 8 B Died June 13, '63.
Powers, Wm. A. 33 Sept.25, '61. 3 D Deserted July 13, '64.
Quimby, Elisha M. 9 E Prom. capt. Dec, 22, '63; resigned May 11,'65
Royce, Clark 21 Apr.22, '61. 3 D Pro. corp.; mustered out July 27, '64.
Shannon, Patrick 22 June13, '62. 9 E Died Sept. 14, '63.
Stanton, John 20 Apr.22, '61. 3 D Killed at Antietam, Sept. 17, '62.
Stebbins, Calvin 18 July13, '61. " " Discharged Oct, 30, '62.
Stevens, Chester S. 23 Aug.8, '62. 10 K Died Dec. 21, '62.
Stoddard, Albert H. 23 " " " Mustered out June 22, '65.
Switzer, Harrison 21 " " " Died Dec. 5, '62.
Miscellaneous—notcredited by name, 8 men. Vols. for 9 months.
Barney, Alonzo 21 Sept.18, '62. 15 H Mustered out Aug, 5, '63.
Bingham, George 18 " " " Died Feb. 27, '63.
Cargell, George. C. 18 Sept.15, '62. " E Mustered out Aug. 5, '63.
Gray, Hiram A. 19 Sept.18, '62. " H " "
Gray, Robert B. 45 " " " " "
Griffin Wm. N. 21 " " " " "
Hall, Ransom 21 " " " " "
Hamilton, Benj. F. 29 " " I. " "
Lyon, Joseph P. 25 " " " Discharged Feb. 9, '63.
Prescott, Chas. W. 34 " " " Mustered out Aug. 5, '63.
West, Lafayette 19 " " "
Wolcott, Hiram A. 34 Sept.21, '62. " E Pro. corp. Jan. 16.'63; must. out Aug.5.'63
Worthen, Chas. F. 25 Sept.18, '62. " H Pro. corp. Oct. 30, '62; must. out Aug. 5,'63
Worthen, Geo. W. 18 " " " Mustered out Aug. 5, '63.
CHARLESTON. 125
FURNISHEDUNDER DRAFT.
PaidCommutation,
CharlesAllen, Wm. P. Bartlett, Charley Carpenter, Christopher C. Davis, Mortimer C.Davis, Edson Dunton, Lorenzo D. Farr, F. C. Harrington, Dennison T. Hildreth.Procured Substitute—Rinaldo L. Moffitt, Amos E. Piper.
Entered Service,
Names. Age. Enlisted. Reg. Co. Remarks.
Clark, William 22 July 31, '63, 2 E Killedat Spottsylvania, May 12, '64.
Goodwin, Edmund 20 " " " " "
Stoke, Alvin R. 21 " " K Onfurlough, July 15, '65.
Switzer, James C. 22 Aug.31, '63, " " DiedNov, 3, '64 of wounds rec'd in action.
Warren, Alby J. 29 " " M DischargedMay 22, '65.
REVOLUTIONARYPENSIONERS
whohave resided in Charleston, viz. William Sawyer, David Streeter, SamuelSpaulding, Martin Barney. Mexican Pensioner, Parker Langmayd.
STEPHENCOLE.
Stephen,Ebenezer, Harvey and Hezekiah Cole, pioneer settlers of Navy, now Charleston,were descendants of Hezekiah Cole, who had four sons and three daughters. Thenames of his sons were Daniel, Ebenezer, Stephen and Hezekiah. The third son,Stephen, (the father of the afore-mentioned pioneer settters of Navy.) andHezekiah, his brother, had to supply the Revolutionary army with one soldier,which was done between them alternately; and by agreement Hezekiah went thefirst year, and before the year was out died with what was called camp distemper.Stephen married Persis Durkee, of Pomfret, Ct., and moved his family fromWoodstock, Ct., to Waterford, Vt., about the year 1796, when the town was beingsettled very fast, and the wagon which they moved in was the first one everdriven into that town.— His family consisted of 14 children. All but 3 of themlived to marry and raise families. The names of the daughters were Betsey, whomarried Leveritt Clark, and had 11 children. Polly, married Josiah Lyon, ofSalem, Vt., had twelve children. Sally married Orrin Colburn of Brighton, Vt.,had 12 children. Persis, married Riley Chapin. Eunice, married EbenezerBartlett, of Morgan, Vt. Lucy, married John Bishop, son of Enos Bishop, one ofthe first settlers of Brighton and Morgan. Of the boys, married Martha West,had 10 children. Three of his sons, Ebenezer, Luther and John, settled inWisconsin, and have become immensely rich. The other two sons, William B. andZenas, have for many years been merchants is this town. William represented thetown in 1852, '53, and Zenas 1856—'58. Lucy married Jacob Richards, ofCharleston, son of Jonathan Richards, one of the selectmen at the organizationof the town. Harvey Cole,* brother of Ebenezer,† married Nancy Hutchinson, had4 children. His two sons were killed in the war. Hezekiah, son of Stephen ColeSen., married Polly Carpenter and moved to the West some years ago. StephenCole, the writer, and oldest son of Stephen Cole, Sen., was born the 9th ofSept., l789, and married Abigail Ames, who was born at Natick, Mass., 1781. Hermother's maiden name was Molly Carver, daughter of Jonathan Carver, who hadseveral daughters, but no son. His grandfather was the first governor of theColony of Massachusetts.
StephenCole, Jr., has had 10 children all but one of whom are at the present timeliving; and all have had families of children in this town; but they now arewidely scattered; three children are in Massachusetts, one of whom (Durkee) hasbeen judge of Orleans county court. Three are in the West, one. of whom (Hezekiah)has been town clerk of this town many years. The others are in this State.Winthrop‡ the oldest son, born Nov, 28, 1800, resides in town. He has filledmany offices of trust, and served different years as selectman andrepresentative.
StephenCole, Jr., moved from Waterford into the town of Navy the last day of March,1810. His family at that time, consisted of himself, wife and five sons—theeldest ten years of age, the youngest 13 months.
Wegot through the six miles woods from Brownington Saturday evening, and stoppedwith a neighbor, a mile from the mill-privilege, until Monday morning, when westarted for our shanty. The snow was between three and four feet deep, and someof the barks were gone from
———
*Now residing in Burke, Vt.
†Deceased since this was commenced.
‡The oldest of those now living, who have thus far spent their lives in town,are Winthrop Cole, Alpha Allyn, Boswell Davis and Hiram Hutchinson.
126 VERMONTHISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
theroof, and the dove-holes had no boards put up to keep out the snow; so it wasfilled more than half way up to the beam over the door but was slanting andhard so Mrs. Cole slid down into the shanty, and we handed her the baby, andwent to work clearing away the snow and building a fire,—and were thankful forthe comforts we enjoyed. Mrs. Cole did not visit our neighbors until snow wasgone, but was neither lonesome nor homesick until the flies, gnats andmosquitoes came to gorge themselves with the blood of our children.
Ihad exchanged land I owned in Waterford with Jonas Warren for his interest inthe mill-privileges on No. 14, in West Navy. Jonas Warren had erected asaw-mill there and Lemuel Sturtevant (from whom said Warren purchased hisinterest) had put up a suitable frame for a grist-mill, which I was to finish,and receive the land according to Christopher Olney's contract; consequentlymy energies were directed to that object, and in June following the mill was inrunning order. It would grind all kinds of grain well, but had no bolt,—butthen there was no grain to grind, and I was raising none for another year. Iwas obliged to live in the shanty the next year, with a little addition. I hadgot into debt for more than I could sell the mills for, when I found that theowner at Providence, R. I., was not ready to deed the land and water-privilegeto me—he having only leased it for a term of years to Lemuel Sturtevant, whoseright had been conveyed to me through Mr Warren. This state of affairs inrelation to the land and mill-privileges existed until 1831, when Alpha Allyn,at my request purchased 200 acres of land, inclosing the mill-privilege. ThenI, in company with my second son, Lothrop, rebuilt the mill, mill-dam and flumein the most thorough manner; put in 4 run of stone, and 3 bolts, one for wheat,one for barley, and one for India wheat. Prior to this while I was in suspenseabout the title of the mill-privilege, and the old mill was hardly worthtending, the east part of the town began to be settled, and to want a mill.Jonas Allyn built a log-house about a mile from a mill-privilege at the eastpart of the town, which was on a stream flowing from Seymour lake into Clyderiver: and invited me to take a share with himself and son, and build asaw-mill there, which I agreed to do. At a set time we took each of us an axand reconnoitered the stream and agreed,— "There is the place for thedam," and "There is the place for the mill," which was then allcovered with trees both small and great. And knowing that our success dependedupon the blessing of God there, we bowed ourselves before an ever presentSaviour and implored His blessing upon our labor; and we went to work withcheerful hearts and strong hands, which I well remember to this day; and asubstantial mill was built.
In1811 I built the first framed-house in town at West Navy, and moved into it inthe fall of 1812. In 1813 the memorable cold season began. There was verylittle raised in the vicinity of Navy. The wheat, rye and barley were so frostbitten that it was worth but little, and scarce at that. At the height of thescarcity my children and others that I knew, went to the woods and dug up leeksand ground-nuts and cooked them to eat, yet never to my knowledge cried for bread,but were healthy and happy.—At the time I came to Navy, Clyde river was wellstocked with trout, also Echo pond—a mile above—which we called our meatbarrel; and the partridge were plenty in the woods.—When the scarcest time camethere was no grain to be bought in any of the adjoining towns: so I startedwith my horse and empty bags to go south until I could find some grain to buy.I took my way through Westmore. The first 3 miles I had looked out and markedthe trees for a road, and cut out the logs and small trees. My way for the next3 or 4 miles was not much better, but coming to a house where a family wasliving I found little better roads. The inhabitants of Westmore were mostlygone. Passing by the deserted settlements to mill brook then I had 6 milesmore of woods to travel over Willoughby mountains to Newark, then through Burketo Lyndon, where I began to enquire for grain. I found where I could get somepoor wheat. I went to Waterford, but could do no better, so I returned, took 2bushels and started early, hoping to reach home before dark, taking the sameroute back. I counseled with myself. I knew my folks were expecting me, Ilooked at the sun, which it seemed would be a good while before setting. Myanxiety said "go on." I had 6 miles to go, over the worst part of theroad, which proved too long for me, for, before I had traveled half thedistance home, the sun was down, and I must stop. At dark, I arrived at a smallopening and took the bags and saddle off, teddered my horse and lay down uponthe bags to rest, but the swarms of flies, mosquitoes and gnats were almostenough to take one's life. I wanted the flint and punk which I used to carrywith me hunting and fishing. To save myself I had to untie the bags
CHARLESTON. 127
andput my head into one and my hands into the other; but I did not sleep much thatnight, and as soon as it was light enough to guide my horse by the trees, Istarted and got within about a mile of home when I met a man coming to find me;and I never remember of being so glad to reach home as at that time.
Perhapsthe reader would like to know something of the muscular strength and enduranceof body of the only remaining settler who came to town previous to 1811. I amnow writing this, being 89 years of age, and what I have writted is truth.
STEPHENCOLE.
Theabove was written in a fair, plain hand, by one of the men who "tamed thewilderness," and who has ever been a respected, enterprising citizen,possessing a strong mind and sound judgment. He has filled various offices oftrust, and ever worked for the best interests of the town; has been a man ofexemplary piety, particularly distinguished for his liberality to the poor. Hepossesses a remarkable memory, relating with great correctness past events inthe history of the town. His wife, a most estimable woman, still survives atthe age of 88.
A.ALLYN.
ELISHAPARLIN*
wasborn at Winchester, N. H., June 14, 1787, and was the 2d son of John and MercyParlin, who moved with their family to Barton, Vt., about 1806. Elisha staid inBarton two or three years, then went to Salem, this county, and, with hisbrother (Abel), bought two lots of land, and commenced clearing up a farm.—Whenthe war of 1812 broke out, he enlisted from Barton, and was stationed in thetowns of Derby and Holland, to guard the line and prevent smuggling, of whichat that time and all subsequent times there has been considerable done.
Iwill mention only one incident in connection with smuggling, out of the manyin which Mr. Parlin took a prominent part. While he was stationed at Holland,he, with two others, went on snow-shoes about 15 miles through the woods toIsland pond (so called from there being an island in the centre of the pond,)where they overtook and captured a man by the name of Elliott, who had startedwith a load of goods to go through the woods to the head of ConnecticutRiver—there being a road cut through the woods from Canada line to ConnecticutRiver for the purpose of smuggling, or principally for that purpose. The snowbeing very deep, they had a very severe time getting back the woods to camp,where they took the team. When they had got part way back, the other two menand team tired out, and Mr. Parlin had to go back to camp and get help to go afterthe team and men. He was gone from camp about 7 hours. In consequence of thehardships at that time endured, government, gave them the whole prize,amounting to $110 each.
Whenhe was discharged he came back to Salem, and Feb. 3, 1815, was married toElizabeth Warren, daughter of Jonas Warren, of Charleston, by whom he had 10children—8 of whom survive him. In 1818, he removed to Charleston and bought afarm, a part of which is where the west village now stands.—He was one of thefirst deputy sheriff's in this town, and served as sheriff 10 years. But a goodmany, taking advantage of his kindness, absconded. However, by economy, hemanaged to save a sufficiency, and left his widow, who still survives him, afair property.
Hisdecease occurred Dec. 12, 1864—77 years of age. He died as he had lived, anhonest, upright man.
JONASWARREN
wasborn at Littleton, Mass., Feb. 4, 1764, and married Elizabeth Baker Sept 14,1788. She was born at Medfield, Mass., Nov. 1, 1760, and died March 6, 1794.Soon after his marriage he moved into the wilderness in Bethlehem, N. H. He,with one or two others, made their way into the forests 20 miles, with onlyspotted trees to mark the path, carrying their effects on foot and horseback.With much hardship he built a log-house and the first framed barn in that town.He was obliged to go 20 miles for men to raise his barn, and carried a sheep onhis back the same distance for the dinner of the raisers. His oldest son, Otis,was the first child born in that town, Oct. 26, 1790. The other children wereElizabeth, born Aug. 18, 1792 who married Elisha Parlin of Charleston; JonasW., born April 28, 1798, married Roxy, daughter of Samuel Hutchinson ofCharleston; Annah, born Feb. 2, 1797, married Ira, son of Jonathan Richards,and died in Wisconsin, of cancer, Sept. 24, 1849; Hepsibeth, born Feb. 2, 1797,died July, 1798. Mr. Warren was afterward married to Betsey Russell, Nov. 30,1797, who was born at Winchester, Mass., June 13, 1775, and died Sept. 30,1816. The children by the second marriage were Hepsibeth,
———
*For the biographical sketches of Elisha Parlin and Jonas Warren the writer isindebted to George Parlin and the Warren family.
128 VERMONTHISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
whowas born July 24, 1801, married Chauncey Fuller and died at Charleston Sept.14, 1852; Ira Warren born July 4, 1803, died April 23,1805; Ira Warren, bornOctober 5, died at Charleston March 26, 1855; Oliver Warren born Aug. 23,1807; Sally born Oct. 9, 1809, married Hiram W. Merrill of Charleston, diedSept. 24, 1864; Pliny, born March 4, 1812; Harriet Vail, born June, 1814;Eunice Lincoln, born Sept. 9, 1816.
JonasWarren, Sen., was again married Nov. 13, 1818, to Lurviah Anderson, (a widow)who was born at Stonington, Ct. Dec. 15, 1776.—He lived in Bethlehem 10 or 12years, bearing the trials and privations of pioneer life, proving himself oneof the trust-worthy of that day—then removed to Littleton, N. H.—thence toWaterford, Vt.,—then, in 1809, came to Navy, now Charleston, and erected thefirst sawmill in town, which he sold, the same year, to Stephen Cole.
Inthose early days, while they were building the mill, old Joe Indian often camewith a string of trout, as many as he could lift—was friendly, and received asip of "fire-water," sometimes, as a reward. After Mr. Warren soldhis mill he returned to his family in Waterford. Vt., where be remained until1812, then moved to Navy and purchased the McGaffey farm. He was a stirring,enterprising man, always ready to enlist in any enterprise for the improvementof the town—kept the school when there were not more than a dozen scholars intown. He was chosen representative in 1816, '17 and '18—also town clerk in1815, 1821 and '22—collector in 1816, '17 and 1820 treasurer in 1818, andselectman from 1814 to 1822. Oliver Warren, his fifth son, in March, 1823, atthe age of 15 years, moved with his father's family to Royalton, Vermont. Heand a younger brother started from Charleston with a yoke of oxen-load ofgoods—also driving two cows—taking about 5 days to complete the journey of 100miles. After having resided in Windsor county 19 years, he returned with wifeand one child. The father, Jonas Warren, Sen., also returned to Charleston,where he lived until his death.
OliverWarren served in 1850 and 1852 as constable and sheriff—built a hotel in 1843at West Charleston, and kept tavern about seven years. In May, 1853, he movedto Morgan; was chosen representative of that town in 1862, '63. In December,1864, returned to Charleston and served the town as first constable, justice ofpeace and overseer, 1867—'69; bought and rebuilt the saw-mill with boards,shingle and clapboards, saws, circulars, &c. He now lives in town, beingone of those persevering men who never put hand to the plough end turn back.
Ira,son of Jonas Warren, moved from Royalton to Charleston in 1839. He was chosencaptain of the militia company, and for a number of years served this town asselectman and justice of the peace; was foremost in erecting the Universalistchurch—proved a true and honest citizen, and died in Charleston at the age of52 years, mourned by the community.
Plinywas an enterprising business man; married and settled in Bethel, Vt., where hedied Sept. 30, 1859, after a distressing operation of having a cancer removedfrom his face. John resides in Hardwick, Vt.—raised a large family, and is ahard working man. Otis started business at Rock Island. C. E.—built acarding-machine, did quite a business in the clothing-works, and at one timewent into the manufacture of hay-scales. He moved from Rock Island toMontreal, where he buried 4 of his children with cholera; and remained thereuntil the time of his death. Sept. 30, 1862.
JonasWarren, Jr., has lived in town since 1812, and is now doing the work of a smallfarm. In 1813, when a boy of 15, he met a smuggling party, who belonged in thetown of Holland, taking oxen designed for the British army on a back path fromNavy to Canada, when, (being a boy of strong Democratic principles,) quick asthought, he started, rushed with great rapidity several miles across the woodsto Holland, to inform the custom house officers—They quickly returned with theboy and managed to head the smugglers, who, seeing that their fate was sealed,immediately recognized the noble lad and exclaimed with great indignation,"That's the little devil we met!" The officers, well pleasedwith his valiant conduct, gave him $2.50 as a reward for his journey andpatriotic manifestations. His youngest son inherited the same spirit, and losthis life in the late war. At the time of the death of Jonas Warren, Sen., hehad 12 living children. He died in Charleston Sept. 18, 1843.
ADDITIONALPAPERS FROM ALPHA ALLYN.
In1828, Alexander Farrington came into town with the Oliver Phelps titles of whathad been called the Brooks lands, and sold quite a number of lots; but, as bothhe and Brooks claimed under the Phelps claim, the question was which had theOliver Phelps claim. Brooks tried his title, and he held
CHARLESTON. 129
thePhelps title. The proof was, Brooks purchased of Noah & Israel Smith, whohad purchased these 18 rights of deficient men, who claimed under the Col.Frye Bailey vendue sale to pay the half penny tax, laid by the State of Vermontto pay New York the $30,000 claim, and the John Bailey sale and the John Rankinsale; and, as these three vendue sales were decided against by the SupremeCourt, some of these original claims to these lands finally helped them withoutsale.
[Inthe proprietors' book, Charleston town clerk's office, there is a long letterto the legislature, dated October, 1780, sequestering this grant of land, andNov. 6, 1780, the description of the grant, being No. 32, containing 2340acres, No. 31 was Salem.]
CAPTAINERASTUS BUCK.
BYREV. P. H. WHITE.
Amongthe many brave Vermonters who laid down their lives for their country duringthe battles in the Wilderness, there was none braver than Capt. Erastus Buck ofthe 3d Regiment, who died of his wounds in Georgetown, May 25, 1864.
Hewas a native of Charleston, Vt., and during the whole of his early life, had adesperate struggle with poverty. Upon coming of age he went to California, andin that land of gold he procured enough of the precious metal to lay thefoundation of a comfortable fortune. He was living upon a well tilled and wellstocked farm of his own in his native town, when the war broke out and as soonas he could adjust his concerns he enlisted in Company D, of the 3d Regiment.He was male sergeant when the Company was organized, was promoted to the 2dlieutenancy Nov. 19, 1861, to the 1st lieutenancy Sept. 16, 1862, and to thecaptaincy last winter.
Asan officer he had some peculiarities which while they exposed him to thecriticism of martinets, gave him all the more influence with his own men. Therules of military service do not allow a commissioned officer to soil his handswith manual labor. But if there were trees to be felled or trenches to be dugby Company I, Captain Buck not only gave orders to that effect, but set suchan example as few of his men could fully imitate. In the attempt to do this,however, they accomplished more work than almost any other Company in theregiment, or even in the brigade. He was exceedingly careless about form ofspeech and of command, ordering his company now like a gang of poor laborersthen like soldiers. But they admired him for his undaunted bravery, loved himfor the freedom and frankness of his intercourse with them, and promptly wentwherever he ordered; or, rather, followed wherever he led, for he was not theman to send others where he could not go himself.
Hehad a robust constitution, enjoyed almost perfect health, was hardly off duty asingle day, nor did he receive a single wound in the many engagements in whichhe shared, till the fatal one which terminated his life. His remains wereconveyed to Charleston, and buried with Masonic honors, in the presence of morethan a thousand people who assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to thegallant soldier.
Coventry,June 21, 1864.
REV.ROYAL GAGE.
BYFRANKLIN B. GAGE.
RoyalGage was born in Walpole, N. H., Dec. 15, 1789. His father's name was AsaGage.—His mother's maiden name was Betsey Kittridge. When he was 12 years oldhis father moved to St. Johnsbury, and settled near where the east village nowis, where he resided until his death. Royal was one of a family of 21 children,nearly all of whom lived to years of maturity. He had but very littleschooling, but what few advantages he had in those early times he improved. InJune, 1811, he married Annie Tyler, youngest daughter of David Tyler ofPiermont, N. H. His father was a believer in the Universalist doctrine, and heembraced the same faith, and early commenced preaching. Investigation,however, led him to change his belief; and he left the Universalists and joinedthe Methodists. He continued to live in St. Johnsbury, preaching as opportunityoffered. In 1826 he was sent to the Hardwick circuit. Here he had 9 towns tovisit and preach to the inhabitants. On his faithful sorrel mare, with hissaddlebags behind him, he traveled the circuit and preached, believing that
Tobring lost sheep back to the Lord
Wassure to bring its own reward.
Hisreward was not to be of a temporal nature, however, as he received only $100for a year of such service. But true to his charge, summer and winter, he wasout preaching in school-houses, barns, and in the open air, as was mostconvenient. Hardship was the lot of all pioneer ministers, and his was noexception to
130 VERMONTHISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
thatrule. In 1827 he was placed on the Barton circuit. He staid at Barton 2 years,and then purchased and moved on to a farm, where a part of the village of WestCharleston now is. There he moved into a small log-house with only a singleroom in it. The country around it was mostly wilderness, there being but 4 or 5houses between there and Brownington, 8 miles. He cleared up the farm, erecteda comfortable house and barn, and put up a shop and carried on the manufactureof rakes and scythe-snaths, of which he furnished Orleans, Caledonia and Essexcounties for nearly 10 years. — During this time he still continued to preach,where he thought he was most needed, and nearly every body in those regionsknew "Elder Gage" as he was then generally called, and as he is nowcalled by some of the old settlers.—From Charleston he moved, in 1839, back tohis native town, Walpole, N. H. Two years after, he moved to Westminster, Vt.,where he remained until his death. He had 8 children, two of whom died ininfancy; the others lived to riper years. He died at Westminster Sept. 23,1856; his wife dying nearly six years earlier.
In1848, he published a well-written book, entitled "Resistance andNon-Resistance," in which he took the ground that all war is contrary tothe spirit of Christianity, and that no true follower of Christ would everengage in it. He was always earnest in his belief and Christian life. He wasstraitforward and upright in all his dealings, and he was never idle. Hebelieved that every thing should be done in season, and that
Toilis wedded to wisdom,
None but toil ever won her—
Thendream not that labor
Is born of dishonor.
Whate'er thy vocation,
Be it lofty or lowly,
Alllabor is noble,
All labor is holy;—
Thenshrink not from labor,
And fear not nor falter;
'Tisthe mother of virtue,
'Tis the only exalter!
FREDERICADAMS GAGE.
BYB. F. GAGE.
wasborn in Barton, Vt. Oct 19, 1828. He was the youngest son of Royal and AnnaGage. He was named after Dr. Frederic Adams, then residing in Barton, but whodied some years since at Montpelier, where he had removed. The first year ofFrederic's life was passed in Barton. The next year his father moved toCharleston, Vt. where he lived and passed his childhood until 11 years old.From Charleston he went to Westminster, Vt , where he attended district schoolthree or four winters, which was all the schooling he had. He had a greatthirst for knowledge, and read standard works during his leisure hours, andthought upon what he read while at work. He had a decided taste formathematics, and early mastered arithmetic and algebra, almost without ateacher. He commenced writing for the newspaper press when about 18 years ofa*ge. At the age of 22 he contributed a series of papers to the Windham CountyDemocrat, published at Brattleboro, entitled Welnott's Forest Tales.
Inthe autumn of 1850, he went to Florida, where he engaged in teaching, remainingthere and in Georgia nearly 3 years, when he returned to Vt., where he remaineduntil his death, which occurred May 22, 1854. He possessed a brilliant and wellbalanced mind, and his prose writings would do credit to any author. He was aquiet, but eloquent speaker, never failing to rivet the attention of hisaudience. He wrote but little poetry as he did not think himself a "bornpoet." Enough however has been preserved to show that he was capable ofwriting poetry of no ordinary merit, as the following poem will testify.
THERED VAPOR.
BYFREDERIC ADAMS GAGE.
ALegend of the massacre at Fort William Henry.
Themists of the valley had fled on the gale,
Andthe gay beams of morning enlivened the vale,
Whenforth from the battlements, ragged and torn,
Camea band of stern warriors, still weary and worn.
Stillweary with fighting and warm in the strife,
Theygave to the foeman the care of each life,
Forthe spotless white banner of peace floated free
Inthe soft balmy air, that rolled up from the sea.
Ahorde of dark savages hovered around,
Likevultures that watch where the prey may be found,
Stillnearer they hovered;—a wild shout arose—
'Twasthe death knell of vanquished and weaponless foes.
Thenthe streams that ran down to the Hudson grew red,
Formany a gallant lay down with the dead;
Thena flashing red vapor was seen to arise—
Aflashing red vapor encircled the skies.
Withhatchet uplifted and scalping knife raised,
Thefierce warriors trembled and heavenward gazed;
Theysaw the red vapor careen in the skies;
Onemoment it flashed, then suddenly dies.
Theknife end the hatchet were loosed in the hand,
Thedeath-dealing weapon fell down on the sand.
Fulla moment they gazed on the sky's ruddy breast
Fulla moment they gazed, but the sky was at rest;
CHARLESTON. 131
Thenthe death-yell arose, then the blood flowed anew
Anda broad crimson torrent the valley ran through:
Theblood-thirsty warriors knelt down by its side
Anddrank long and deeply from out the red tide
* * * * * * *
Thepride of the red man shall triumph no more,)
Forthe wigwams are desolate on the lake's shore;
Athousand bold warriors in anguish have died*
Forthe angel of Death laid his hand on the tide.
[The following poems are from the pen of F. B. Gage, the son of Rev. Royal Gagewhose boyhood and youth were largely spent in this town and who has ever seemedto have a most dear and tender remembrance of Orleans County—says Mr. Gage: Ed.]
"Thefollowing poem, 'Hang Old John Brown,' was written on first receiving intelligenceof John Brown's raid into Virginia, and sent to the New York Tribune for publication.The Tribune however did not care to publish so much 'unwholesome truth,'probably thinking it might not be pleasant to its readers, and it was returnedto its author.
Now,since the prophesy contained in the last two verses has been so signallyfulfilled, and since the authority of Jehovah has been, through the war of theRebellion, so terribly vindicated in the face of the astonished nations ofearth, it may not be unwise to review the past, to enable us to do better inthe future."
HANGOLD JOHN BROWN.
BYFRANKLIN B. GAGE
Hangthe fearless old man, he deserves it
For doing what Christ might have done:
Thereis peril in being a Christian,
When a nation containeth but one
'Tistreason to practice the doctrine:—
You should treat every man as a brother
EvenChrist was once hung as a traitor—
Hang this fearless Old Brown as an other.
HasGod been a betting this treason?
God is great! but our Nation is greater:—
Iftried by the laws of Virginia
Even God would be hung as a traitor.
ForHe was the first one to publish
The doctrine that all should be free ;—
Tisrecorded,—"Do thou unto others
As thou wouldest have others to thee."
Hangthe fearless old man, without mercy,
He will willingly suffer the sting,
Thatout of his ashes, the Freedom
Of America's millions may spring.
Tho'the Nation but wink when you hang him,
Tho' the Church but indulge in a frown—
Pleaseremember:—John Brown's insurrection
Will never be hung—withJohn Brown.
Go!feast on his blood like the vulture,
And pray to the gods ye have made:—
Butbeware !—there's a living Jehovah
Whose vengeance is only delayed !
"TENTHOUSAND SLAIN?"
Athousand mingled voices shout—
"The victory has been won!
Ourbrave boys put the foe to rout
Long ere the day was done;
Ourhorsem*n, by the wood concealed,
Rode through their ranks amain,
Andleft upon that battle-field,
Ten thousand slain!"
Ahmany a scalding tear awakes,
And many a bitter sigh,
Andmany a heart with anguish breaks
While yet the tidings fly ;
O'ermany a happy home shall sweep
The blast of grief and pain:
Andtwice ten thousand wildly weep,
"Ten thousand slain !"
Thereis a God who dwells above
Whose home is in the sky,
Whosenature is all truth and love,
That God is ever nigh;
Heloves the people of all lands,
By every stream and plain :—
Lo!on His judgment Record stands
"Ten thousand slain;"
THECLYDE.
BYFRANKLIN B. GAGE.
Respectfullydedicated to "Jane Brackett—" (Mrs. Luther Cole, Watertown,Wisconsin.)
Towardsits great home, the far off sea,
The Clyde still flows as bright as ever;—
Andwhen the grave hides you and me,
The Clyde will still flow on for ever, Jane Brackett,
TheClyde will still flow on for ever.
Ahforty years have run their race,
How strangely forty years estranges;—
Butstill the Clyde flows in its place,
Unchanged though all around it changes, Jane Brackett,
Unchangedthough all around it changes.
Today I tread the village street,
But miss the old familiar places;
Andhere to-day I only meet
With cold and unfamiliar faces, Jane Brackett,
Withcold and unfamiliar faces.
Andas I gaze upon the Clyde,
Sad tears across my cheeks are creeping;—
Forstrangers on its banks abide,
Our loved ones in its graves are sleeping, Jane Brackett,
Ourloved ones in its graves are sleeping.
Onequiet grave yard by the Clyde,
How peaceful in the hush of even ;—
Ipass the graves on every side,
The graves of George, and Charles, and Steven, Jane Brackett,
Thegraves of George, and Charles, and Steven.
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*History records that more than a thousand warriors died of the small-pox,communicated to them by drinking the blood of their victims.
132 VERMONTHISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
Hereother loved one, have been
A list too sadly long to number;
Heremany a youth, and many a maid;
Here some grown gray and aged slumber, Jane Brackett,
Heresome grown gray and aged slumber.
Whatmatters it when death shall call ?
Whether in youth or not till later ?
Forlong made graves await for all,
From frozen pole to hot equator, Jane Brackett,
Fromfrozen pole to hot equator.
YetHe who heeds the sparrow's fall,
By whom our every hair is numbered,
Fromall earth's graves shall yet recall,
The myriads that have lain and slumbered, Jane Brackett,
Themyriads that have lain and slumbered.
Ah!you and I must go ere long,
To our appointed graves to slumber,
Tojoin that vast and silent throng
Whom only God himself can number, Jane Brackett.
Whom*only God himself can number.
Yettowards its home the far off sea,
The Clyde still flows as bright as ever;—
Andwhen the grave hides you and me,
The Clyde will still flow on for ever, Jane Brackett,
Unchangedwill still flow on for ever.
————————
MARY'SGRAVE.
BYF. C. HARRINGTON,
Thesea pulse beats, where Mary sleeps,
Along the whitened sand;
Ando'er her grave the woodbine creeps,
Trained by a spirit-hand,
Thesighing willow sadly weaves
A curtain o'er her head,
Andoft the dark magnolia's leaves
Weep 'round her lowly bed
Thewhite rose blooms upon her grave,
Bathed by an angel's tear;
Andorange blossoms sweetly wave
Above that form so dear;
Butwhen the blast from northern land
Sweep cold across the main,
Sweettears thall water, sighs shall fan
The bud to bloom again.
WestCharleston, May 1, 1858,
P.S. I am a Vermonter by birth and residence.
ANINCIDENT IN THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE TOWN.
Inproceeding to the narative of the incident, it may be well to continue a briefsketch of the early life of Alpha Allyn, who is the subject of the incident. Hewas the oldest child of Abner and Anna Allyn. He was born in Barton, Nov. 30,1802.
Hewas, with his parents removed to Navy in the month of July, 1803. Only oneother family was then in town, and that one moved out before the snow came thatfall; consequently Alpha has always lived in town, never having given upresidence here, or been away except for brief periods. Though not the oldestman in town, he is the oldest inhabitant of the town. Living alone with hisfather and mother, his veneration and love for them became very strong. Asother little ones were added to their circle, his young heart bounded with joy,greatly expanding with love for the little buds of promise. Albro, born July10, 1804, was taken from them by death July 30, 1806. Here was Alpha's firstgrief. His young heart was torn with anguish, only assuaged by judiciousinstruction from his pious mother, from which he was able to comprehend theexistence of God, and his sovreign right to take again to Himself what He hadgiven. Here commenced his ideas of a religious life.
In1808, he was sent to the first school kept in town. It was a mile away throughwoods, no inhabitant between his father's house and the school-house—the lattera barn. Five children comprised this school beside himself, viz.: Erastus andOlney Percival, sons of Orrin Percival, Elvira Sargent, and Robert Hunkins,children of Robert H. Hunkins, who lived on the north side of Clyde river, morethan a mile the other way from the school. The Percival children lived on across road which came into the main road about a half mile below Mr. Allyn's,so that the children usually managed to join Alpha at the corner of the roads.One of Alpha's parents went out with and came for him the first half mile, forfear of wild beasts. In this way he attended school the summers of 1808 and1809. The spring of 1810, his father had business to Providence, R. I. a.distance of 260 miles, which journey in those days must he on horseback. Togratify the wishes of grand-parents in St. Johnsbury, he took this son of 6years with him as far as that—35 miles. He had saddle-bags upon his saddle,his overcoat lashed back of the saddle, his boy upon the horse behind, holdinghimself steady by grasping the coat. They went as far as Barton the first day,the second to Wheelock, the third to St. Johnsbury. Here the boy stayed whilehis father was gone, and walked 2 miles, and back each day to school
CHARLESTON. 133
incompany with his cousin of 4 years, of whom he took special care. He hadrecently been again bereft of another little brother, born Dec. 27, 1808, whodied March 28, 1810. This may have made him doubly careful of children youngerthan himself. The recently bereaved family left at home, consisted of themother and two little daughters, one only 2 months old. Alpha attended schoolafter this season 2 more summers in the barn. To the original number were addedchildren from the families of Stephen and Ebenezer Cole. After this aschool-house was built—(the first school-house in town, 1822,) a mile fartherfrom his father's, which made it impracticable for him to go, but as his fatherwas a man of literary culture he instructed his son at home. When nearly mangrown, he attended school at the school-house one winter, and walked 4 miles aday.
Thememorable cold season came on, what grains that were raised were so sadly frostbitten as to be unpalatable and innutritious; potatoes wore poor, and exceedinglybitter. Many families removed from the new settlemets in the north part ofVermont, to avoid suffering and perhaps starvation. In 1811, Mr. Allyn's healthfailed and though loth to go, having the agency of much of the lands in town,yet he felt compelled to, for a time. This was in 1815. His family was somewhatdispersed. Alpha went to Rhode Island and resided a while with Dr. Hosea,Humphry, who married his father's sister. In 1817, he came home in company withJoseph Owen, Esq., of Glover. The family was again gathered upon their Navyland. A share of their mowing land had been turned into pasturing, and was needfor the forage of sheep belonging to different persons. Bears were abundant,and very troublesome—they were extremely bold, so that it became necessary inthe fall of the year to gather and shelter the cattle and sheep at night. Mr.Allyn was County surveyor, consequently away from home on this business more orless of the time about in different towns. During one of these trips away, inNov. 1818. Alpha having worked upon the farm as usual during the day ofSaturday the 7th, came in from his work, and as he found it later than heexpected—it being a dull rainy day, he did not wait for supper, but went out atonce for the sheep, with his wet clothes on. These clothes were made of clothcalled roping—manufactured in Dr. Humphry's cotton-factory. Not finding thesheep in the open field, he followed their trail into the woods: soon, a thickfog set down upon the horizon, shutting out the day-light, he lost the point ofcompass; not aware of the fact, and desirous to get home he kept upon a fullrun all night, when morning came it was still cloudy. The sun not appearing,he had no means to set his course by, and he was not sure he was lost. He cameto a brook whose source he thought he knew. He felt pretty sure he was in thegreat swamp, known as Brownington swamp, which was then supposed to cover agreater area than it actually does. He did not choose to follow the brookeither way, he tried to shape his course, as he thought, in a direct linetowards home, but to his surprise he found himself repeatedly back to the samepoints on that brook. He did not allow himself rest but kept on the full runall day. He found nothing for food; once in the day he gathered spruce gumenough to chew for a little while. A little before night he had the pleasure ofseeing the sun shine out, which appeared to him to be in the east, but hefollowed it till unfortunately it went down. Here for the first time he allowedhimself to sit down for rest. This was not long, he resumed his run untilentirely overcome by exhaustion, he dropped down upon a log in a half-sittingand half-lying posture, thinking only to rest a few moments. His physicalpowers were exhausted. In all probability he lay in the same posture the entirenight without consciousness. The weather was cold, his clothes were saturatedwith water and profuse perspiration, which when he became quiet actually frozeupon his limbs. Thus, he was chilled through.
Itwill be recollected that he left home Saturday afternoon on the 7th and that hewas out all that night and all of the next day the 8th and during that night.Here I leave him, to narrate other events connected. His father was at Barton.His mother and oldest sister were at home alone. As it became dark on the eveof the 7th, they became very anxious for the return of the boy, and called asloud as possible to try to make him hear, that he might follow their voices andthus find his way home. Then they sounded the tin horn again and again, gettingno response; before morning one went to the neighbors for assistance while theother continued to blow the horn. The response from the neighbors was
134 VERMONTHISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
thathe had probably got through to Philip Davis' 2 miles away, where he was restingfor the night and would be home; early in the morning, but not coming in themorning, Hiram Hutchinson went to Mr. Davis, with a request that if the boy wasnot there he would take his horse and go as soon as possible to Barton afterMr. Allyn, which he did. In the mean time the neighbors at home circulated thepainful intelligence in town. The religious people were assembled at Mr.Stephen Cole's house at the Hollow, which was 2 miles from Mr. Allyns, fortheir usual Sabbath religious services. The news was proclaimed in the meetingwith a call for men to hunt. There was a ready response. The tender sympathy ofall hearts was touched and ready for valiant service. The men formed in companyand entered the woods in search. The women were not less sympathetic. Therewere but eleven families in town. Ten of these mothers made their way duringthe day, and evening, and the following morning to Mr. Allyn's to express theirgreat solicitude and do all in their power to aid in the alleviation ofsuffering. Mothers from Salem and Morgan gore were also there. Death had twiceentered this family in the removal of sons. They had sickened and died at homewhere fond parents and kind, anxious friends had ministered to theirnecessities. Their pillows of death had been smoothed by loving hands. Alas! inthis case, the oldest son was in the deep forest, perhaps torn by wild beastsand if alive suffering with cold, hunger, and excessive fatigue, for well theyknew he would not rest while able to move. This awful suspense was worse thandeath under ordinary circ*mstances. No traces were found of the boy this day.As the men came in Sabbath night to wait until another morning the anguish ofthe family was such as language entirely fails to portray. News of death wouldhave been a partial relief. There could be no rest in that home; visions of thedark forests, mire of the swamp, howling of ferocious wild beasts, a famishedstomach, freezing limbs, and aching body of their loved one floated constantlybefore their minds. I recently asked Mrs. Cole, aged 89 years, (who was there),how my mother appeared. She said, "Almost beside herself with grief."
Mr.Allyn came home as soon as he got the sad news, and joined the search. When, ateight, the men came in without finding the boy, Mr. Elisha Parlin wasdispatched for more men, rallying the inhabitants of Brownington and Salem.When he reached Barton with the news, the people rallied; Luther Merriam wentto Glover for help, another messenger was dispatched to Irasburgh.— The peopleof Brownington also rallied. Mr. Allyn aided them in arrangements for thesearch,—knowing more of Brownington and Charleston woods than any others. Iwould here say, though all these people would probably—being prompted bycommon humane feelings—have turned out to hunt for any human being, even thougha stranger, I think there was more intense feeling in Barton, than if thisafflicted family had been strangers to them.
Mr.and Mrs. Allyn first settled in Barton. He was their first town clerk. Alphawas born there. Mrs. Allyn had greatly endeared herself to the people there. Inthe instance of a great panic in town, by the appearance of small-pox there,which spread so that it became necessary to have a pest-house, and remove theinfected persons there, one of this number was Mrs. May, wife of James May,Esq., who had a babe. The medical adviser decided that all hope for them wasthat some healthy nursing woman should be innoculated, and enter the pest-housewith them, to care for the woman, and nurse the child at her own breast. Mrs.Allyn responded—actuated by philanthropic feelings. It was a trial to her toleave her own babe to be cared for by others; but she did, and was thereby madethe instrument of saving the life of the infected babe, who grew up to be ablessing to others. He was the late William May of Barton. The lad lost, wasthe babe that was left to be cared for while his mother performed her errandof mercy in the pest-house. After their removal to Navy, they had been obligedto go to Barton to mill, and get their general supplies there, so that afamiliar acquaintance was kept up.
Themen from the towns south of Brownington Swamp met at Brownington, madepreliminary arrangements, then entered the unbroken forest—headed by Dr.Jonathan Allyn of Barton. They chanced to go through west of where the boy was.Two Charleston, Salem, Morgan and Holland men entered the woods on the northside, going south to come out at Brownington. These chanced to go too far eastof where the boy was.
CHARLESTON. 135
Oneof these companies from the north was headed by Stephen Cole, and with him washis son, Winthrop; though older, he was an intimate friend of Alpha. They cameto a brook, where tracks were discovered in the sand, which Winthrop felt surewere made by the lost boy: the men dissented, attributing them to some animal,and continued their course as previously arranged; but Mr. Cole was led by hisboy's persistency, and thought ridiculed for it, followed his son. A Mr.Buswell and Mr. Ingraham joined—turning their course considerably. They soundeda horn to bring others in that direction; the report of which reached the earsof the lost boy, and roused him for a moment from the death-like lethargy inwhich he had lain all the previous night and day thus far. He gave ascreech—his voice having become unnatural; this the men heard, but were whollyat a loss to know whether it was from fowl, quadruped, or from the boy.Winthrop said "It is Alpha." They sounded again and again, but nomore response; yet kept on, in the direction of the strange noise, until theyfound him on the log where he lay down the previous night to rest. Withdifficulty they aroused him, by rubbing and warming him, as well as they could,by fires which they kindled, and getting him to take a little food and otherstimulant.
Theunnatural sound which the men heard, was made by the boy, but with no consciousnessthat any one was in pursuit of him. He was in a sort of reverie, was very cold,and thought he was in sight of Mr. Underwood's house, and that he saw hismother and sister standing in the door-way. The noise was an effort to call tohis sister to bring him his mittens.
Agreementhad been made that no gun should be discharged in the woods, except as a signalthat the boy was found. Guns were now discharged several times to call the companiesfrom farther search. In a short time many of them were around him. They wereuntiring for about two hours in efforts to resuscitate him; then theycommenced, past the meridian of the day, to remove him towards home. This theymust do upon their backs, which was a bad task for the men, and more so for theboy, he having been so terribly chilled, and then so hard rubbed to bring up areaction, that when he came to feeling he was conscious of unendurable sorenessof his flesh. They alternated often from one to another, perhaps oftener by hisentreaties to be set down to rest—movement so hurt him.
Therewas no sun to be seen, and the men were a little doubtful about their course,but fortunately came out to a clearing, of which most of them knew nothing.This was lot No. 15, in Charleston, since known as the Palmer place. From thisthey found their way by tracks of the workmen, who had come in, and broughtmaterials for camping.
Theycarried him on their backs to Philip Davis' house. Here they ministered to hiswants. When first found, and partially aroused, he did not seem to feel thedemands of appetite, rather refused cold victuals, saying he was going home,where he should have a warm supper,—seeming to have lost the time interveningthe first night, or the fact that he had been lost; but, after having had alittle nourishment upon his stomach, he began to feel the demands of hunger,and to solicit food. He refused stimulants in the form of ardent spirit, as healways had an aversion for it; but was bought in, to take some, now and then,by promise of giving him more food. This the men thought necessary to revivehim. From Mr. Davis' house they took him on horseback. When they reached hisfather's, the door-yard was full of men, who had got in sooner—after hearingthe report of guns, and of women and children, who were waiting in anxioussuspense. Every one was eager to give the boy a hearty shake of the hand. Awarm bed was in readiness for him. From frost in his clothes, and from sorenessof his body, it was impossibible to remove them but by cutting them off.
Toattempt a description of the scene of the long lost son, and brother, restoredto them alive, would be useless. It was a grateful rejoicing, but with fearand trembling lest he might not rally from the shock. He had the best advicefrom Dr. Newcomb of Derby, their family physician, as also the best of nursing;thus by the blessing of God, he rallied to tolerable health, though never fullyrecovered from the effects of the shock. His limbs have never been agile asbefore, nor his step as elastic. For full 40 years he was obliged to have tightbandages kept upon his wrists in order to be able to use his hands for anyheavy work: this, and the celebrated "Kittridge bone-ointment" hasgreatly
136 VERMONTHISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
strengthenedthem. His life has been one of usefulness as a citizen, especially as a townsman,being alive to all its interests. Together with his father he has been largelyengaged in the interests of wild lands, having been agents for landproprietors, and more or less for their own. He married Miss Adelaide Nash ofMontpelier, a most estimable woman, with whom he has lived in this town andreared 8 children, 6 of whom are living; two promising young lady daughtershave passed away from earth, as beacons to draw them to the better world, towhich they are journeying.
EASTCHARLESTON, VT. May 26, 1870.
AsI learned that the history of this town had been submitted for publication, inMiss Hemenway's history of the State, without an account of the above narratedevent, I felt that it was not right, as that was certainly one of the moststartling events ever experienced here. That I have failed to make it asinteresting to the reader as some other person might, I doubt not. I have doneit because no other person has to my knowledge. This therefore is a tribute tothe memory of my only surviving brother. My sisters are all deceased.
Respectfullysubmitted by
RACHELH. ALLYN, M. D.
Lowell,Massachusetts.
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COVENTRY.
BYTHE REV. PLINY H. WHITE.
Coventry,situated in latitude 44° 53´ N. and in longitude 4° 54´ E., is an irregularquadrangle, no two sides being of equal length: and is bounded N. E. (6¼ miles)by Newport and Salem, S. E. (4¾ miles) by Brownington, S. W. (5¾ miles) byIrasburgh, and N. W. (4½ miles) by Newport.
Thecharter was granted Nov. 4, 1780, to Maj. Elias Buel and 59 others. Its boundariesas defined by the charter, were as follows "beginning at a beech tree,marked Irasburgh corner, Sept. 26, 1778,' being the northwesterly corner ofIrasburgh, and running north 36° east, six miles and 63 chains, to LakeMemphremagog; then south-easterly on the shore of said lake, about 27 chains toa hemlock tree, marked 'Salem Line, 1778; ' then south 45° west, two miles andtwo chains, to a great hemlock tree, marked, 'Salem West Corner, Sept. 30, 1778;'then south 45° east, six miles and 24 chains, in the southerly line of Salem,to a stake five links north-west from a cedar tree, marked 'Coventry Corner;'then south 36° west, four miles and four chains, to the North line ofIrasburgh; then north 54° west, five miles and 60 chains, to the bounds begunat." Within these limits were supposed to be contained 16,767 acres, orabout 26 1-5 square miles. To make up the six square miles usually included ina township, there were granted 2,000 acres directly south of Newport, calledCoventry Gore, and 4,273 acres in Chittenden County, east of Starksboro, calledBuel's Gore. The north part of Buel's Gore was annexed to Huntington in 1794.That part of the town which bordered on Lake Memphremagog, being in the form ofa slip, 108 rods wide on the Lake, and 2 miles, 4 rods long, was calledCoventry Leg, somewhat inappropriately, as it was narrowest where it joined thebody of the town, and widened as it extended north. In 1816 it was annexed toNewport. Five rights were reserved by the charter, one for the benefit of acollege in this State, one for the benefit of a county grammar school, one forthe benefit of schools in town, one for the first settled minister, and one forthe support of the ministry as the inhabitants should direct. Buel, theprincipal agent in procuring the charter, was a native and resident of Coventry,Ct., and, in honor of his birth place, the same name was given to the new township.*†
—————
*Concerning Elias Buel, the founder and principal original proprietor ofCoventry, it is suitable to put on record a few facts. He was a son of CaptainPeter Buel, one of the first settlers of Coventry. Ct., at which place he wasborn 8 Oct. 1737. He married, 6 Aug. 1758, Sarah Turner, by whom be had Anna,born 2 Jan. 1759; Solomon, born 12 Apr. 1760; Elias Jr., born about 1770,studied law with Nathaniel Chipman, admitted to the Rutland County Bar in 1793,died in Waterbury, Vt., about 1810; Jesse, born 4 Jan. 1778, established andedited the Cultilator at Albany, N. Y., died at Danbury, Conn. 6 Oct. 1839;Samuel, a custom-house officer at Burlingron about 1809; also John, Eunice,Abigail, Peter, and two Sallies. Not all of those names are given in the orderof birth.
Hewas a major in the Revolutionary army, and a brother of the Rev. Samuel Buel,D. D., an eminent minister on Long Island. "He was a man of dignifieddeportment, and possessing a highly cultivated mind, full of anecdote, and amost agreeable and instructive companion. Major Buel was an ardent politician,but never sought an office; and a frequent contributor of