HOLLAND. 231
Co. D, 4th Reg.; was in the hospital nearly all his time of service; but little is known of his proceedings; was discharged June 27, '65.
FRANKLIN WOODWARD,
age 19, son of J. Woodward, born in Peacham; enlisted in Greensboro, and mustered in at Brattleboro, Jan. 4, '64, in Co. F, 11th Reg.; at once joined the company, served with it till taken prisoner at the Weldon Railroad, June 23, '64; sent to Andersonville, died of starvation and exposure, some time in Sept., '64. He received a bounty, according to town orders, amounting to about $600.
JOSEPH R. WOODWARD,
age 20, son of J. Woodward, born in Peacham; enlisted at Concord, N. H., in July, '62, mustered in Co. E, 5th N. H. Reg.; served with the company at Point Lookout, Maryland, and in Virginia, until wounded at Petersburg, June 17, '64; sent to the hospital at White House Landing—died from wound.
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HOLLAND.
BY MRS. GEO. A. HINMAN.
This township is situated in the N. E. corner of Orleans County; bounded N. by the towns of Stanstead and Barnston, in Canada, and lies just south of the 45th deg. N. lat., and extends 7 miles, 13 chains, on Canada line, and 5 miles, 7 chains from north to south lines; and is bounded E. by Norton in Essex County, S. by Morgan, and W. by Derby; and lies in the calcareo-mica slate region of Orleans County, though a bed of gneiss extends through the central part of the town, north and south, of about a half a mile in width.
The soil is very retentive, and excellent for grass, and all the cereal grains. It is probable the average yield of hay, wheat, and oats per acre, is, at present, greater in the town of Holland than in any other town in the County, notwithstanding the fact that much of all these products have been carried to other towns every year, and the soil thus impoverished.
The surface of the township is diversified by considerable elevations, and it lies on the slope of land on the east of Lake Memphremagog, the eastern boundary being properly the eastern ridge of the Green Mountains,—though there is no elevation bearing the name of mountain, except Mount John, in the S. E. part of the town. Neither is the surface at all broken, but the highest hills are susceptible of cultivation, and their soil as good as any in town. There are several small ponds in town. One is in the S. W. part, from which rises a stream emptying into Salem pond, after passing through a part of Derby and Morgan. Another branch of Clyde River, in the N. E. part of the town, and about Mount John, emptying into Seymore Lake in Morgan, is called Mad Brook.
But the largest stream of water in town is Barlow River, which runs nearly west from Holland Pond, making, however, a little north, so as to keep most of the way in Canada, till it arrives near Beebe's Plain in Stanstead, where it turns north and runs into Massawippi Lake. This stream supplies numerous mill-sites all along its course. There are 4 saw-mills in the town of Holland, on this river, all within less than a mile of each other, and chances for more. There are also many mills on it, in Canada. It supplies the water-power of Derby Line Village.
There is also a stream of water rising near the middle of the town, known as Mill brook, which empties into Barlow River before it reaches Derby Line Village. It was upon this stream that the first saw-mill was erected in town, and just above where Paran Huntoon's mill now stands. There have also been built a grist-mill and starch-factory, at the same place, both of which were destroyed by fire.
The town was chartered, Oct. 26, 1789, to Timothy Andrews, and others.
The first proprietors' meeting of which any record can be found, was held at Greensboro, June 8, 1795, at the dwelling-house of Timothy Stanley. This meeting was adjourned to June 13; and on the 13th the meeting adjourned, to meet at Derby on the 29th, at the house of Isaac Hinman.
Many meetings were held at Derby, till on the 16th of November, following, a meeting was held at the house of Eben Strong, at which it was voted that Col. Benjamin Hinman, Jonathan Gazley, Sheldon Leavitt, Timothy Andrus, William Sabine, jr., Daniel Holbrook, and Eben Strong, be allowed to pick lots of land, on condition that they each clear off 4 acres a year for five successive years,—they giving a bond of £100 each for the fulfillment of the condition,—one fifth of the bond to be collected for each year of
232 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
failure, and the first year to end the first day of January, 1798, and so on.
The lots picked according to this vote were Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the first range, by Col. Benjamin Hinman, Jonathan Gazley, and Sheldon Leavitt, respectively; lot No. 6 in the 2nd range, by Eben Strong; lots No. 5 and 7 in the 3d range, by T. Andrus and W. Sabine; and lot No. 6 in the 5th range, by Daniel Holbrook.
It is worthy of remark, that these picked lots proved no better than other portions of the town; and it is not known that the conditions on which they were picked, were ever complied with, or the bonds ever collected. Col. Benjamin Hinman did indeed employ Joseph Cowell to fell 8 acres of trees, in the attempt to fulfill his agreement; but, as the other proprietors neglected theirs, he neglected his also, and the land has not been cleared to this day. It is now covered by a second growth of maples—the other timber having been mostly cut—and forms the best sugar-orchard in town. Some 700 trees are tapped on little more than half of it, and the number fit for tapping, still increasing. It is now owned by Joseph Marsh.
The first settlement was made in the year 1800, by Edmund Elliott from New Hampshire, and Joseph Cowell from Connecticut. Mr. Elliott began where Robert Piper now lives, and Mr. Cowell on the lot next west. The next year, 1801, several families settled in town; among them were Eber Robinson, from Connecticut, who took up the lot adjoining Mr. Elliott on the south, and Mr. Jesse Willey, who occupied the lot north of Mr. Elliott, and Mr. Goodenough, who settled on the lot north of Mr. Cowell, since known as the Ferrin place. In the Summer of this year, Adam and Jason Hinman took up lots in the S. W. part of the town :— Adam Hinman the place now owned by William Armstrong, and Jason Hinman the one now owned by Isaac Marsh; but they did not permanently reside here till 2 years later, that is, in 1803. For several years additions were made every year to the number of inhabitants by new settlements.
The first child born in town was Royal, son of Joseph Cowell, born probably in 1801 or 1802. His death also was the first one in town, caused by drinking lye from ashes, when about 4 years old,—he mistaking it for maple sap. He was buried in the present burying-ground, just north of Mr. Robert Piper's; Mr. Cowell giving the land for a burying-ground, on conditions that the town should fence it, and place stones at the grave of his son.
The latter part of the condition has never been fulfilled, and the exact place of the grave is now probably not known.
Mr. Jesse Willey, of Derby, is probably the oldest person living, who was born in Holland. He was born in 1803. J. C. Robinson and Hiram Moon were born in 1804, and are still living, and have always lived in town. They are the oldest inhabitants who have lived all their lives in town. Lucy Hinman, widow of Jason Hinman, has lived in town longer than any other person. She came in 1801, with her father, Eber Robinson, and lived in town until just before her death, which was caused by an accident in March, 1870. She was 81 years of age.
There are no very striking adventures known to have happened to the early settlers of Holland. The affairs of the nation had become settled, after the Revolutionary War, before its early settlement, and things went on smoothly as in other places.
The whole country about, being new, however, the early settlers were put to some inconvenience by the depredations of wild beasts. One adventure with a bear happened at the house of Mr. Cowell, in 1804. Mr. Cowell had erected an outer room of logs, in connection with his house, which was not completely covered, or roofed. Mrs. Cowell was accustomed to keep cooking utensils, &c., in it. On one occasion, she had left some scraps of tallow there, and a bear climbed over the logs into this room, and devoured them.
Mr. Cowell, thinking his neighbor bruin would be likely to repeat his visit the next night, as he had been so well treated the first time, placed some other eatables in the same room for him, and procured some of his neighbors to watch for his bearship's appearance.
Sometime in the latter part of the night he again entered the room, and commenced his repast. The watchers now appeared at the door, and one of them snapped his gun at his dark-haired neighbor. He, no doubt thinking mischief was meant, climbed out over the logs, as he came in, while another of the party ran round to that side of the room, with an ax, to stop him; but, not arriving in
HOLLAND. 233
season for that, he ran along side of him to a log-fence, two or three rods distant. Here, as bruin showed no disposition to stop, and cultivate acquaintance, but mounted the fence, preparatory to an exit on the other side, he dealt him a blow with his ax, so lustily, in his side, that it slipped from his hand, and bruin walked off with it to the woods.
Thus far, the bear had appeared to have the advantage. Mr. Cowell had lost his scraps, &c., and Mr. Wilcox had lost his ax; and neighbor bruin had carried them all off.
The party, reasoning, probably, that bruin could have no use for the ax, but would leave it the first favorable opportunity, procured a lantern, and followed him, by the blood he spilled by the way, to the woods, 20 or 30 rods distant, where they found the bear "stone dead;" the ax-handle protruding from his side, and the ax itself in contact with his heart.
The town was organized in March, 1805, by Timothy Hinman, Esq., of Derby.
Eber Robinson was first town clerk; and also one of the first selectmen, together with Joseph Cowell and Jesse Willey.
First freemen's meeting was held, 1st Tuesday of September, 1805. There were present Eber Robinson, Parmenas Watson, Luther Wilcox, Freeman Vining, Jesse Willey, Wm. Nelson, Asa Goodenough and John Worth.
In 1806 there were 17 present.
Eber Robinson was the first town representative, but in what year the town records do not show. The town was not represented in 1805 or 1806; and was seldom represented for many subsequent years, inasmuch as no state tax was assessed on unrepresented towns whose grand list was below a certain sum, and the grand list of Holland placed it in this category for many years.
EBER ROBINSON
was born Oct. 7, 1759, in Windham County Ct. When about 16 years of age, not being old enough to carry a musket, and having a strong desire for the independence of the then colony, he enlisted as a waiter in the continental army but as he advanced in years was promoted to office, and before the close of the war, was quartermaster.
He never boasted about his great military exploits, nor whined about his hardships and depreciated currency but was often heard to say that he was so lucky that he never was in any severe engagement, but at one time in a small one was wounded in one of his feet with two almost spent balls at the same time which caused small pieces of bones to work out of his foot occasionally ever after. Yet, although wounded in his country's service, he never asked for a pension until by an act of Congress, all Revolutionary soldiers were entitled to a pension, according to their rank and time of service.
He then applied and received a pension of $340 per year the remainder of his life.
At the close of the war, he returned home and settled in Tolland County. He was, while there, a merchant, sheriff and tavern-keeper, but was unsuccessful in business—lost what little property he possessed, and being proud and ambitious resolved to seek his fortune in a new and to him unknown country.
In accordance with this resolution in time spring of 1802 he started with his four eldest children, three boys and a girl, for the "land of promise." Lucy, who subsequently married Jason Hinman, and the mother of G. A. Hinman was but 13 and rode on horseback from Somers Ct. to this town.
He arrived in town in July, and moved his children into a log-house with Edmund Elliott's family while he was building one of his own. He settled on a college lot adjoining Mr. Elliotts in the south part of the town.
In the Fall he went after his wife and remaining daughter. Here he and his family suffered the privations, and endured the hardships of the first settlers, having to make salts of lye at from two to three dollars per hundred to support his family.
His educational advantages were very much limited, his studies at school being mostly confined to the spelling-book, but being natually a good scholar, he was a good reader, writer, mathematician, and understood well the geography of the country. He filled with ability some of the most important offices in town—was the first town clerk, first selectman, first representative, and twice a member of the constitutional convention.
For a number of years after he came into town there were but few lawyers in the county and he was frequently employed to plead the cause of defendants, having for his opponent the late Wm. Baxter, of Brownington. His good understanding of law and shrewd management often made him a victor.
In the ————— Standard of April 20th, 1866, we find a partial history of Mr. Robinson
234 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
which is supposed to be written by a political, and religious opponent, from which we make a short extract:
"EBER ROBINSON was a man of bright intellect, some culture, enterprising and ambitious. He loved distinction among his fellow citizens, and was for many years a leader, if the town ever had a leader, in politics and religion. In religion he was unquestionably the leader, and has left, by far, more results of his life than any other man. Indeed there was no other man in all the earlier history of Holland that was at all known by his Christian character. Mr. Robinson was a Methodist class-leader after a class was organized, and his house was the home of itinerant preachers, and he often conducted prayer-meetings in the absence of any preacher. He was, for his means, a liberal supporter of his church, and did a great deal to establish and maintain religious worship. The town, and especially the Methodist church, owe much to his labors."
In politics he was a Jeffersonian Democrat but hated slavery and toryism. He delivered the first Fourth of July oration ever delivered in town, about the year 1811. He died Oct. 28, 1838, aged 79 years, on the same farm on which he had lived 39 years.
JASON HINMAN
was born in 1782, in what was ancient Woodbury but is now Southbury, Ct.
He was son of Col. Joel Hinman, an officer of the Revolution and brother of the late chief justice Hinman of Connecticut.
He was one of the eldest of a family of 15 children,—was fitted for college, but knowing it was the expectation of his friends that he should practice law, (and a great share of the county practice in those days was litigation) he declined entering college, and leaving those advantages to his brothers, of whom several became distinguished barristers, he came himself to explore the new regions of northern Vermont, at the age of 19.
He walked the distance in company with a cousin, it being about 300 miles which he did several times during his first few years stay here, coming up and working summers, and going back to teach school winters.
Although his intentions when he first came were merely to stay here a few years and finally go to central New York, yet he never put his plan in execution, but spent his life here.
He was in many respects admirably adapted to a pioneer life. He possessed a large, well developed muscular frame, was an acute observer, an independent, close thinker, and a logical reasoner, and although he had failed to receive a liberal education, yet he was possessed of great originality of character; and he planned not merely to benefit himself, and the present generation but looked well to the future.
In all plans and efforts to secure and advance the educational advantages of the town, he was intimately connected and active, he taught the first winter school that was taught in town and several succeeding ones.
In political matters he was always greatly interested although he never attempted, in any way, to be a party leader. He had little to do in the party, or campaign work, of political elections, but his opinions were well known and he had a powerful influence without exciting against himself that opposition which an active electioneering habit is likely to incur.
He took the freeman's oath in 1806, was chosen town clerk in 1809, and held the office till 1824; was a member of the constitutional convention in 1836 and in 1850; represented the town in 1814, '23, '25, '36, '37, '38 and in '43.
These repeated elections, extending over a period of 36 years, in a town very evenly divided by parties, show at once his popularity and the estimation put upon his ability as a legislator.
Perhaps the remainder of his history will be as well given in a reminiscence written by a granddaughter.
MY GRANDFATHER.
Often, when care and labor are for a moment suspended, there comes to me a half effaced vision of the gray-haired old man, who used to sit hour after hour, with book or paper in hand, utterly oblivious to all outward occurrences; or who told stories of his past life, so wonderful to our childish minds.
He was one of nature's noblemen, who despised alike all the affectation—both of manners and speech, which most people think essential to respectability; and as little did he care for elegance or fashion in his dress.
Once, when sent by his town, as representative, he was met by a dandy, who looked sneeringly at his gray homespun suit, and, thinking to make a little sport at his expense,
HOLLAND. 235
asked if his town sent him there because they'd no smarter man. "O no," readily replied my grandfather, more amused at the dandy's appearance than the latter at his, "they have many smarter men, but none who wear such good clothes as I."
In early life, refusing the advantages of a college education, and a reasonable prospect of some degree of celebrity in public life, he turned his back on the comforts of home—I had almost said, on civilization, and walked from Southern Connecticut to Northern Vermont, then an unsettled wilderness.
As he cared little for comfort, and less for show, the necessary privations cost him little inconvenience. I can conceive, indeed, that the freedom of the forest was wonderfully delightful to him. To be utterly untrammeled by conventionalities,—to be free amid the beauties of unscarred nature,—even with the hard manual labor necessary,—these were enjoyments not to be despised.
With his own hands he cleared his farm, and built on his land a little log-house, and then he took to it an energetic young girl, of seventeen, to share his life's toils, and sorrows, and joys; who, like himself, had come from the State of Wooden Nutmegs.
Children came quickly, as they used to in those times, and brought with them the necessity for greater toil and hardship. Sickness and death came, too, very often. Of the 14 children who were born to them, many died in infancy; others, in the first dawn of manhood and womanhood. When my grandfather died, only five were left.
My memories of him are very like my ideas of that sturdy patriot and beloved hero of our State—Ethan Allen. He possessed the same unyielding devotion to the demands of justice, the same independence and fearlessness in his denunciations of any violation of those demands. He cared as little for man's approval, or disapproval, as for the idle breeze that fanned his cheek; but he would sooner have cut off his right hand than to have knowingly injured the least of God's creatures, or the most despised by men. Indeed, the more despised any might be, and the lower their position, the keener was his sympathy for them, and the greater the respect and kindness which he would show them.
Some of my grandfather's relatives were wealthy and influential southern slaveholders. But neither wealth, position, nor relationship could close my grandfather's lips on a subject in which principles of justice and mercy were involved—especially, on the subject of African slavery, which, I believe, lay nearer his heart than any other. Never did those friends come to his house without being compelled to listen to all the arguments which his keen intellect could discover or invent, and all the denunciations which an unlimited supply of decidedly forcible language could express. Though these plain and unvarnished declarations of truth never produced any visible change in their course, I can but think their consciences must have felt some severe twinges as they listened to them; and it has always seemed sad to me that he could not have lived a few years longer, that he might have seen that overthrow of slavery which he so ardently desired.
His tender-heartedness, which was, in part, the cause of his abhorrence of slavery, manifested itself also in his pity and generosity to the unfortunate, as well as in his kindness to dumb beasts.
It was said of him, that he would, at any time, go ten miles on foot, rather than oblige a horse to carry him; and a whip was his utter abhorrence. I doubt if he ever struck a living creature a blow. It might almost have been said of him, that he would have allowed his cats to accumulate till, like the rats of the miserly nobleman who dwelt in the castle on the Rhine, they would have devoured himself and all his substance, before he would have drowned a kitten; or, would have made his Thanksgiving dinner on potatoes and salt, through all time, sooner than have taken a turkey's life to increase its luxuriance.
Money-making, moreover, was as far out of his line, as was the desire for the elegancies which money will purchase. He gave to all men freely, and, in business transactions, always gave "good measure, pressed down and running over." Many times have I watched him measuring out his farm products for purchasers, and never did he fail to heap the half-bushel.
Twice did his willingness to oblige, reduce him and his family to extreme poverty and suffering; yet, even then, I doubt not, he would willingly have given his last loaf of bread to any one who might have asked him.
He possessed a keen and active intellect, and an amount of information which, for one
236 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
who had procured it under such disadvantages, who had always labored with his own hands for his livelihood—often contending with poverty, as well as the inconveniencies of pioneer life, seemed wonderful. No political transactions or events, in this or any other country, escaped his notice, or failed to draw from him some expression of his opinion.
After his time for active bodily labor had passed—and it is then that I remember him—his days were spent in reading, and in discussion, or speculation Every new theory was studied and commented upon, the consequences of every political act prophesied. The principal variation was repeating some of Burns' Poems, of which he was a great admirer. When he died, at the age of 79, his mental powers seemed in nowise weakened.
Such was my grandfather;—so nobly unselfish, so fearless and independent, so true to the worthy impulses of a generous, justice-loving heart, so free from affectation and from passion, and withal, of such sound judgment, men are. I believe, not often to he found.
HOLLAND CONTINUED.
The settlements in town gradually increased and things went on smoothly till the breaking out of the war in 1812. The political feeling between the two parties was then very bitter, and caused many to leave town and seek homes elsewhere, which injured, in some degree, the prosperity of the town.
About the year 1822, a large family by the name of French and Mead entered town. They were men of considerable means, and gave quite an impetus to business affairs. A little earlier than this, two or three families by the name of Hall moved hither. These were hardy, muscular men, seemingly of iron constitutions, and industrious habits. By constant application they succeeded in amassing quite a competence. But of those that were in their youth when they came, all died in mature manhood, and in one instance the whole family, except a daughter.
The south part of the town was organized first into a school district and remained the same with the exception of some temporary changes, till a few years since, when the eastern part of it was formed into a new district, making the 8th. The 2d district was in the N. E. part of the town; the 3d between the first two. The next was in the central part of the town, and others were formed as the town was settled.
The first school in town was taught by Mrs. Worth, in Mr. Elliot's barn.
"Although the very first, settlers of Holland paid little attention to schools, and some of their children were, at an early day, sent to school in Morgan, yet after the three men, Robinson, Ferrin, and Hinman were settled, as they were, in one district, they set themselves to work zealously and liberally to support a school, each having a large family and feeling the need and value of education. It is believed that few neighborhoods in the State have done more, with equal means, than theirs, for the home education of their children. Three such men are seldom found in one country district; and there were others from time to time to help them; so that few districts have given their children so good advantages as the old south district in Holland, and the result has been that very few country districts have raised up so many intelligent, enterprising, and successful men and women. A large number of them, as our intelligent youth from every Vermont town have done, have gone out into other parts of the State, and into distant States, and have filled every station of life with honor to themselves, and usefulness to others, and in the successful pursuit of wealth. The impulse given by this first district has also been shared by those since constructed, and a more intelligent, industrious, thriving population is not easily found than the population of Holland; besides, it is undoubtedly one of the best agricultural towns in Orleans County, which is one of the best counties in the State.
There is some soil, on Connecticut river and along lake Champlain deeper and richer; but almost every acre in this town is arable, and no where can farms equally productive be purchased with less, or so little money as in Holland. We predict that it is to be one of the richest purely agricultural towns in this part of the State.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
was organized in 1842, with 6 members,—one uniting by letter, five by profession. In 1845, there was an addition of 10 and there have been other additions at various times; but removals by death and changes have occurred till at the present time there are only about 14 members. Rev. J. T. Howard was the first pastor, settled when the Church was organized, and retained the office for many succeeding years. For a considerable time
HOLLAND. 237
preaching was maintained but half the time, but for the last 5 years there has been preaching every Sabbath, Rev. T. E. Ranney has occupied the pulpit for nearly four years past.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
was first organized in the early settlement of the town, with 8 members; among whom were Eber Robinson and wife, Mr. Whitney and wife, and Mrs. Rice.
Elder Sabine, Elder Scarret, and Elder Mack were the first preachers. For more than thirty years it was the only church in town, and has always been far the largest. A house of worship was built in 1845, in the central part of the town. A parsonage, with a few acres of land has since been secured. Preaching is maintained only every alternate Sabbath. Isaiah Emerson was the first local Methodist preacher in town.
Eber Robinson, Jason Hinman, Wm. Moon and Micah Ferrin, lived and died on the places which they first occupied.
EBER ROBINSON died in 1838, in his 80th year. Mrs. E. Robinson in 1860, in her 88th year. Jason Hinman in 1861, in his 80th year. Mrs. J. Hinman, in 1870, aged 81. Wm. Moon died in 1859, in his 83d year. Mrs. Wm. Moon died in 1869, over 80 years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hall were both over 80 years when they died.
Mr. Gershom Fletcher came to town in 1825, with quite a family—his widow is now living in town, 90 years of age.
MICAH FERRIN
was born in Grafton, N. H., March 22, 1787; removed to Thornton with his father when a child; in 1808 came to the new settlement of Holland. He was then a young man of 21.
With the intention of making a home here in this wilderness town, he purchased the Goodnough place, on which he spent his life. He married Rachel Wilcox, of Morgan, with whom he lived about a year, when she passed from earth. In 1815, he married Lucinda Conant, of Westfield, Mass. There were born to them 10 children, of whom one died in infancy. Of the remainder six were sons, and three daughters—all of whom lived to manhood and womanhood. Of that large family, only two remained in town; and of these, one, who had remained on the homestead, died a few years since. The others are scattered in different parts of the country.
Mr. Ferrin was a man who identified himself with all the public improvements of the town—building highways, advancing all educational movements—securing to his family and townsmen all the advantages which could he derived from them. Especially, in providing means to erect a church, he gave far more liberally than most persons, with his means, would have thought possible; thereby securing to the town a suitable building for divine worship.
Mr. Ferrin was, in short, a good citizen, a consistent Christian, and a kind father. In town, he filled the various posts of office, and represented the town in 1847 and '48. He died in March, 1863, after living in town 58 years, and witnessing the gradual changes from a complete wilderness to a thrifty agricultural town, which will compare favorably, in beauty of scenery, fertility of soil, and general intelligence, with any town in the County.
PROFESSIONAL MEN,
Born or reared in Holland.
Charles Robinson, 2d son of Eber Robinson, was a lawyer; settled in Barre, Vt. Died in 1832.
George A. Hinman, son of Jason Hinman, was a physician; graduated at Woodstock Medical School, in 1811; settled in West Charleston.
C. E. Ferrin, son of Micah Ferrin, graduated at the University of Vermont, in 1845; afterwards at Andover Theological Seminary; and has been for many years a settled pastor at Hinesburgh.
John Buchanan, a physician, graduated at Pittsfield; settled in Texas.
Hugh Buchanan, a lawyer; settled in Georgia.
Chester Ferrin, son of Micah Ferrin, was a physician; graduated at Burlington; settled at East St. Johnsbury.
WILLIAM MOON.
BY HIRAM MOON.
He was born in Haverhill N.H. May 3, 1777. When a little child, his father moved to Barnet, Vt. He was an only child and orphan at the age of twelve, both his parents having died, his mother some years before. He had his home, most of the time, at his uncle Sam'l Aiken's until of age. In his 24th year, he married Abigail Wood, and settled on his father's farm; in 1802 came to Holland and purchasd a lot of wild land, and commenced to fell trees, and had the misfortune to cut his foot badly, cutting the first tree. In 1803 he
238 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
moved into Holland with his family, his wife and two children, and commenced to clear up a farm which, by industry and frugality, having lived on the same place 56 years, he left without encumbrance to his heirs. He was a very singular man, in most respects, but a model of temperance, and called the decanter "the vessel of Dagon" long before temperance societies were thought of, and never had a quarrel with any man; never made a trade for the sake of speculation, and always settled all business accounts once a year and consequently never was troubled with sheriffs, but was loved and respected by all, and went by the name of the "honest man". The fear of God was before his eyes, and he esteemed others better than himself, indeed he seemed to have a mania for condeming himself, which greatly marred his enjoyment.
Being a man of strong physical constitution his strength held out to the very last, and he dressed himself and went out doors but a few hours before he died, which took place July 18, 1859, in the 88th year of his age.
Of the aged people now living in town there is a Miss Abigail Huckins 87 years old, able to do light work about the house.
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS.
Eber Robinson, quarter-master, Isaac Clements, sergeant, both pensioners, and the former in his 80th year when he died, the latter about 90, and his wife about the same age. There was another by the name of Holt, but not a pensioner. He lived a sort of a hermit's life in a little hut by himself, and when he became so infirm that he could not supply himself with food, the neighbors looked after him. He was never married. He died at quite an advanced age.
THE SOLDIERS OF 1812.
who have lived in Holland are Geo. Robinson, Benj. Hall, Daniel Abbey, Peter Bailey, Samuel Rogers.
SOLDIERS OF 1861-65.
Cavalry.
Names. Rank. Co. Mustered in. Remarks.
Aldrich, Ezra C. M Dec. 31, '62.
Aldrich, John " " Promoted Corp. Jan. 1, '64.
Dyke, Chauncy I Nov. 12, '61. Deserted Dec. 10, '61.
Ewens, George " " Died Jan. 21, '63.
Partlow, Albert M Jan. 1, '63. Died April 22, '64.
Rush, James " "
Stearns, Samuel F. Serg't " Dec. 31, '62.
Rush, James L. D Sept. 26, '62. Drowned Feb. 14, '63.
Washburn, Samuel " " Missing in action July 6, '64.
Second Regiment.
Bryant, Jonathan Priv. B July 31, '63. Discharged Jan. 25, '64.
Woodward, John S. " K " Promoted Corp., mustered out July 15, '65.
Third Regiment.
Barnes, Edwin D. D Oct. 29, '61. Re-en. Dec. 21, '63; trans. to Co. E, July 25, '64; must. out July 11, '65.
Danforth, Sewell " Dec. 6, '61. Killed at Lee's Mills, April 16, '62.
Goodall, Richard P. Jr. Corp. " July 19, '61. Promoted 2d Lieut., Co. G, Jan. 15, '63.
Judd, Albert S. " Oct. 29, '61. Pro. Corp., re-en. Dec. 21, '63; killed at Spottsylvania. Mar. 12, '64.
Smith, George T. " " Re-en. Dec. 21, '63; trans. to Co. E, July 25, '64; must. out July 11, '65.
Washburn, George W. " " Promoted Serg't; must. out Oct. 29, '64.
Eighth Regiment.
Barnes, Carlos J. Priv. B Feb. 12, '62. Re-en. Jan. 5, '64; deserted May 18, '64.
Brooks, Orville R. " " " " must. out May 18, '65.
Farr, Moses W. Corp. " " Discharged Jan. 8, '62.
Ferrin, Chester M. Priv. " " Mustered out of service June 22, '64.
Horn, Joseph " " " Died July 9, '62.
Horn, Samuel O. " " " Killed in action June 20, '63.
Horn, William " " " Mustered out of service June 22, '64.
Lee, William S. " " " Died July 3, '63.
Moon, Elisha D. " " " Mustered out of service June 22, '64.
Moon, Hiram Jr. Serg't " " Discharged Aug. 12, '62.
Mosier, Levi Priv. " " " Absent on furlough June 22, '64.
Piper, Nathaniel A. Corp. " " Died Aug. 9, '63.
IRASBURGH. 239
Names. Rank. Co. Mustered in. Remarks.
Smith, James B Feb. 12, '63. Trans. to invalid Corps Feb. 27, '64.
Wheeler, Allen M. Priv. I Dec. 18, '61. Re-en. Jan 5, '64; deserted May 18, '64.
Wheeler, Charles " B Feb. 18, '62. Mustered out of service June 22, '64.
Woodward, William F. " " " Discharged Oct. 19, '62.
McGee, Thomas " " " Re-en. June 5, '64; deserted May 18, '64.
Robinson, John R. " " " " " " "
Judd, Charles " Feb. 17, '65. Discharged June 14, '65.
Carpenter, Isaac " " " " "
Veteran Corps.
Ferrin, Charles
Morgan, John
First Battery — Vols. for three years.
Yates, Stephen Jan. 6, '64. Died April 9, '64.
Second Battery.
McLennon, Norman Jan. 6, '64. Died Oct. 5, '64.
Second Battery—Vols. for one year.
Ames, Marshall L. Aug. 8, '64. Mustered out of service July 31, '65.
Bishop, Leon Aug. 16, '64. "
Ewens, Alonzo Aug. 10, '64. Trans. to 1st Co. Heavy Art. Nov. 1, '65, must. out of service July 28, 65.
Volunteers for nine months.
Ames, Marshall L. Priv. E Oct. 22, '62. Mustered out of service Aug. 5, '63.
Bryant, Charles " " " " " "
Bryant, George W. " " " " " "
Fisk, John G. " " Nov. 29, '62. " " "
Graves, Myron M. " " " " " "
Hall, Joshua R. " " " " " "
Hill, Aaron Jr. " " " " " "
Pillsbury, Alphonzo C. Corp. " " " " "
Pillsbury, Joseph H. Priv. " Oct. 22, '62. Discharged April 17, '63.
————————
IRASBURGH.
BY E. P. COLTON.
The township of Irasburgh was granted to Ira Allen and his associates, by the General Assembly of Vermont on the 23d day of Feb. 1781. His associates were Roger Enos, Roger Enos jr., Jerusha Enos, Jerusha Enos. jr., and Sybil Enos—a family living in Hartland in this State,—then followed the names of Nathan Allen, Nancy Allen, and Betsey Allen, who were his relatives. The 43 others whose names appear as his associates, were the names of individuals living at a distance or, were fictitious. When the Allens wanted a new township granted they merely obtained a few bona fide proprietors, and filled up the required number of grantees with assumed names from some at that time distant point, paid the first grantee dues, and afterwards professedly brought up these claims. When parties petitioned for a grant of land, it was the custom to present the papers at any time during the year; the petitions were placed in the hands of the secretary who usually presented them to the assembly at its following session. The unappropriated lands in Vermont, at this time were claimed by New Hampshire and New York, and the Continental Congress had ordered the Assembly of the "So called State of Vermont," not to grant any more lands within its jurisdiction, until the controversy between the inhabitants of the "So called State of Vermont," and New York and New Hampshire should be settled. The Legislature at this time was what would now be called bogus, that is, it was so considered by a large portion of the people in the United Colonies. The Assembly of Vermont paid no attention to the order of Congress, nor to the threats of New York, but granted lands as long as there was an acre unappropriated. The people were democratic, and were opposed to there being large landed proprietors within the bounds of the State, so the townships were granted to from 40 to 70 individuals, conditioned that each proprietor should make inprovements on his individual right within a specified time.
There was reserved, for public and pious uses forever, five equal rights, viz. One right for the use of a college within this State; one for the benefit of the first settled minister; one for the use and support of the ministry in said township; one for the support of County grammar schools; and one for the support of an