Vermont
Civil, Educational, Biographical,
Religious and Military.
GUILFORD
By Gen. J. W. Phelps.
THE OLDEN INDEPENDENT TOWN:
The only independent, Republic Town ever in Vermont
Here insert the account of Guilford form Thompson's Gazetteer of Vermont, edition 1842.)
[Fine, old General, he has gone to his grave, his manuscript History of Guilford that he desired to see in print, but never did, we will open and commence to give verbatim.]
"GUILFORD, a post town in the south part of Windham county, is in lat. 42, 47* and long. 4* 26. and is bounded , north by Barttelborough, east by Vernon, south by Leyden, Mass. and west by Halifax. It lies 50 miles
south from Windsor. 31 east form Bennington. It was chartered April 2,
1754, to 54 proprietors, principally of Massachusetts, and contained 23040 acres.
When granted the town was a perfect wilderness, yet by the charter, the
grantees were to hold their first meeting for the choice of officers, &c., on the first of May 1754, and on the first Tuesday ever afterwards. It seems the town was organized by and under the very grant
itself. Power was given to the grantees to transact the business of the
town as a majority should see fit, subject only to the control of the parliament of England.
This little, enterprising band composed of Samuel HUNT, John CHANDLER, David FIELD, Elijah WILLIAMS, Micah RICE, Ira CARPENTER and others, having little fear from the nominal power of parliament, in the wilderness of Vermont, assumed the title, which was virtually created by
their charter of a little independent republic.
By the records of their first meetings they appear to have been governed
by certain committees, chosen for the purpose of surveying the lands, laying roads, drawing the shares or lots, taxing the rights, etc.; but their greatest object was to procure and encourage settlers. Their meetings were held at Greenfield, Northfield, Hinsdale, or Barttleboro, until 1765, when their first meeting was held at Guilford. There was a condition which if, not performed, went to defeat the grant. The grantees were to settle, clear and cultivate in five years, 5 acres for every 50 in said township. Although much time and money had been spent in making roads and clearing lands, yet, on the 20th of March 1764, the grantees by a special committee chosen, petitioned the Governor of N.H. for a conformation of their grant and an extension of the time, stating that the in-
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tervention of an Indian war had made it impracticable for them to fulfill the conditions of the charter. Their prayer was granted, and the time for settling the town extended to the first of January 1766. >From the time the charter was confirmed in 1764, the town began to be rapidly settled by emigrants form Massachusetts and other New England states. Through the policy of the original proprietors, the first settlers began upon lots of 50 acres, in order to fulfill the conditions
of the grant. So rapid was the increase of the population that the town
became the largest in the state as to numbers. Yet there was not a single village in the township, or rather the whole township was a village--all the hills and vallies were smoking with huts.
By the charter 350 acres were called a share and all the proprietors shares alike. The reservations in the charter consisted of "one whole share to the society in England for propagating the gospel in foreign parts; one to the first settled minister of the gospel; and one whole share for a glebe for the ministry of the church of England as by law established." The Governor was not unmindful of his own interest,. He reserved 500 and 100 acre lots. The public rights were fairly located, but the Governor's fell upon the only mountain in town, which still bears the name of authority upon the map--Gov. Mountain."
Although no reservation was made in the grant for the use of schools, yet one whole share was located for that purpose. That was a just and generous act of the proprietors but it was not the same liberality that governed them when they located, sold and settled one whole tier of 100-acre lots, beyond the extent of their charter. That was the case and the same is held by the town to this day.
"All the pine trees suitable for masting the royal Navy" were reserved to his Majesty. This shows the attention the English nation paid to the
navy: one hundred miles from the ocean where was such reservation made. What has ben related with a little "proclamation money," was the price of the charter.
The first land was cleared in 1758, by Hon. Jona. HUNT. AND Elisha HUNT,
on the farm now occupied by the REv. Asa HAYNES. The first settlement was made by Micah RICE and family, in September 1761, on the place now occupied by Jeremiah GREENLEAF Esq., Mr. R's widow died in 1832, aged 95
years , and his oldest son is now living here, aged 80.
Soon after followed Jonathan BIGELOW, John BARNEY, Daniel LYND, Wm. BIGELOW, Ebenezer GOODENOUGH, Paul CHASE, Thomas CUTLER, John SHEPARDARDSON, and others. They came into town by the way of Broad brook. Beginning at the mouth of that stream on Connecticut river in Vernon, and passing up on its banks they found their way into Guilford.--That was then the only road, and even that was impassable with teams. The first settlers had either to boil or pound their corn, or go 15 miles to mill with a grist upon their backs.
It appears by what records can be found, that the town was wholly governed by a set of officers chosen annually by the people under their charter, until the 19th May, 1772 when the inhabitants at a "district meeting assembled" in the district of Guilford, voted that Guilford was in the County of
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Cumberland and providence of New York and chose officers of the town agreeably to the laws of that province. At that meeting a record was first made in a regular town book which was purchased by the original proprietors some years before. By that record it appears John SHEPHARDSON was chosen "district clerk, John BARNEY, supervisor," &c, and the meeting was they adjourned to a day after the annual meeting by the charter.
Having renounced their charter, and there being no government which really exercised authority over them they continued to legislate for themselves, and tradition says that good justice was done, yet one principle of the charter was still adhered to, none but proprietors, or those who held under them, had a right to rule or vote in their meetings. Thus was this little republic regulated by a town meeting which was adjourned form time to time, without interruption from abroad,
or contentious at home, until the year 1776: then the town was beset with violent tories and Yorkers on the one side and brave Whigs and New statesmen on the other. The Whigs united with those opposed to the claims of the state of New York, that and the succeeding year out-voted the tories and the Yorkers. In 1776 the town voted to pay the expenses of Benjamin CARPENTER their delegate to the Westminster Convention of 1775. They voted to raise 9 soldiers for the Continental army, equip them with arms and powder, give them a bounty of L4 "bay money," by a tax upon the inhabitants of the town, and it was done.
They, also, resolved no man should vote for town officers who was not qualified according to the direction of the Continental Congress." Under that resolution their committee chosen for the purpose excluded tories form the polls, vi et armies, and the poor, if qualified, participated in the government.
The title of the town as belonging to the state of New York, was left out of the records. To give some idea of the laws passed by the old republic of Guilford, we will quote the following, passed the next year,
1777.
Voted, not to let any person vote in this meeting, but such as have L40 real or personal estate.
Voted, John BARNEY and Benjamine CARPENTER be a committee to go to Windsor, in June next to hear the report of the agent sent to Congress concerning a new state.
Voted, that any person, who shall, for the future, pretend to hold lands
by bush possession shall be dealt with by the town, as a breaker of the
peace of the town, a riotous person &c. Attest.
Elijah WELCH. T. Clerk.
They further chose a committee to establish the price of labor, all kinds of produce goods, wares and merchandise. The report of the committee was adopted as the law of the town. All the articles mentioned were a legal tender for debts with a penalty for the article sold, or the value thereof with costs.--The punishment of offenders was various, such as "beech-seal,' fines, &c, but the most disgraceful of all was to be compelled to embrace the Liberty Pole with both arms, time
specified by the committee of inspection, or judges. There was again an
entire change of politicos in 1778. It appears by the records that a warrant and notification for a town meeting was sent form the Council at
Bennington and a meeting held upon the same, when it was "voted
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not to act agreeable to said warrant," and the meeting was dissolved.
In 1779, after doing the customary town business,
"Voted, Lovell BULLOCK, Timothy ROOT, Henry SHERBARN a committee to defend the town against the pretended state of Vermont, and to represent
the town in County Committee." "Henry SHERBURN, Elliot and Hezekiah STOWELL" all violent "Yorkers were chosen to take special care of the powder and lead and other town stores," and the meeting adjourned to the next year.
In 1780, a like meeting was held. There is the following record for 1781:
"Then all the people met together, that means to stand in opposition against the pretended state of Vermont, and acted on the following articles, viz:
:Voted, Peter BRIGGS and William BULLOCK for a Committee to send to Charlestown Convention.+
Voted that Hezekiah STOWELL keep the names of those that are against said pretended state."
Also, May 1782:
"Then the people met in general and voted to stand against the pretended
state of Vermont until the decision of Congress be known with lives and fortunes."
"Voted to receive the instructions which came form New York. &c.
"Voted to receive the instructions which came from New York. &C.
"Voted, and chose Henry EVANS, Daniel ASHCRAFT, and Nathan FINCH to forbid the constable action.
These appear not to be regular meetings of the town, but of the Yorkers,
who had gotten possession of the town books and stores by a majority of votes in 1778. They in turn excluded the other party from the polls by force of arms. Frequently a company of Yorkers came from Barttleboro to
stand sentry at their meetings, when skirmishes ensued and hostile shots
were exchanged.
The Whigs and Vermonters, also, kept up their system of government by regular and stated meetings, but their records were lost, as will be related hereafter. In their turn, they sent hostile scouting parties to
Barttleboro to the assistance of their friends in that town. The Vermonters had a sheriff in Guilford, and their party had, also, a constable, who continued to collect taxes for the support of their cause,--Those Friendly to the new state paid without compulsion, while the property of the Yorkers, both real and personal was sold at the post
for taxes. For that reason the committee before mentioned was chosen "to forbid the constable acting," and their doings were spread upon the records of the town, by proclamation as follows:
To all the officers of the civil authority under the pretended state of Vermont:
You are hereby forbid to proceed against any person, or persons that owns the jurisdiction of the state of New York, according to what is recommended in a handbill by Congress, bearing date June 2, 1780, and we
do hereby forbid the constable vending those numbers hereby given him." (referring to certain lots on the plan of
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the town) "and we hereby forbid you on your apparel.
Henry EVENS*, Committee [Footnote: H. Evens was one of the five
who were banished and their property confiscated]
Dan ASHCRAFT, Chosen.
Nathan FITCH,
A true record, --Attest.
Samuel BIXBY, Town Clerk."
The Yorkers held a like meeting in 1782, April 29, and adjourned to their annual meeting, 1784.
>From 1778 to 1783, the town was governed principally by their former laws. Both parties had their committees, and the Yorkers although in authority, could not govern the town, yet, in connection with the tories, prevented anything being done under the direction and government
of the new state. In this state of things, Ethan ALLEN arrived in town at the head of 100 Green Mountain Boys; but as we have already given an
account of his proclamation and proceedings, we shall not repeat them here.
>From 1783 to 1791, no record of the proceedings of the town are preserved. In March of the year last mentioned the town was for the first time, duly organized under the constitution and laws of Vermont. William BIGELOW was chosen town clerk who came peaceably into possession
of the papers and records of the town that were to be found. Tradition says, the 7 years in which no records were kept, both parties held public and private meetings but that it was a perfect rule of arnachy. The Yorkers although they had the town books, dared not record their proceedings in them, and both parties kept secret their own records. During this confusion and jealousy, one party stole the records of the other and hid them, together with their own, many deeds and proprietor's
papers, under the earth in the pound, in order to conceal them from the other. There they lay through some dad misfortune until they were totally spoiled. When discovered and dug up they could not be read.
During that time the Yorkers having been so closely pursued by the military and civil authority of Vermont and their property, mostly confiscated fled to the state of New York and settled on the grants made
by that state to the New York sufferers. Almost all whole township, now called Bainbridge was first settled by emigrants from Guilford. This accounts for the so rapid decrease of the population from 1784.
While the town was independent of any power superior to the town meeting
assembled, refugees from the neighboring states flocked into it, but when the law came, they fled.
The violent Yorkers found but little peace under the energetic and persevering measures of the states attorney for Windham County. To him the people of Guilford are indebted for the establishment of law and order, without the effusion of blood, and the dispersion of the riotous. Migrations have not only been westward, but northward and eastward. Most of the towns in the northern and middle parts of this state contain inhabitants from old Guilford.
Although the town has decreased in population, it has increased in opulence. Where one farmer now occupies and improves, formerly lived half a dozen, or more: and you now see one respectable dwellings, instead, of as many log-huts.
Since 1791, there has been nothing remarkable in the history of the town. From that time the inhabitants have supported the character of free and independent farmers, very jealous of their rights, and form many years noted for their strong prepossessions in favor of the political school of Jefferson.
The Hon. Benjamin CARPENTER,
was a member of the first convention in Vermont, held at Dorset in 1770.
In those trying times with the brave sons of the Green Mountains, when they had not only to oppose the powerful state of New York, the claims of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, the tories and Yorkers at home, and the menacing threats of Congress abroad: but the power of his Majesty's legions in war, that brave patriot with an allowance of three days' provisions upon his back, would cross the Green Mountains on foot by marked trees, to attend the legislature at Bennington, for the purpose of devising ways and means of defense against all the enemies of the state.
As delegate to the Assembly, as a member of the Council of Safety, as Lieut. Governor of the State, he deservedly holds a conspicuous place in
the early history of the state.
Upon a large white marble tombstone in the west part of Guilford, is the
following inscription:
Hon. John SHEPARDSON
born in 1718, was a firm patriot of the Revolution, and held the offices
of judge of the supreme court and member of the council for several years. He died in 1813.
Hon. Samuel SHEPHARDSON,
born in 1757, was a useful member of society and had the honor of sitting as a member of the council several years. He died in 1813.
Hon. William BIGELOW,
one of the first settlers of the town, always a father to the people: born in 1751: was a judge of the county court which office he held with good reputation to himself, and died in 1814.
Sacred to the memory of the
Hon. Benjamine CARPENTER, Esq.
Born in Rehobeth, Mass. A.D. 1726
A magistrate in Rhode Island in 1764.
A public teacher of rightechsness
An able--eble advocate to his last for Democracy
And the equal rights of a man.
Removed to this town A.D. 1770,
Was a field officer in the rEvolutionary War.
A founder of the first constitution and government of Vermont.
A councilor of censors in A.D. 1794.
A member of the council, and Lieut. Governor of the state in A.D. 1779.
A firm professor of Christianity in the Baptist church 50 years. Left
this world and 146 persons of lineal posterity.
March 29, 1804
Aged 78 years, 10 months and 12 days
with a strong
Mind and a full faith of a more
Glorious state hereafter.
Stature about six feet--weight 200
Death had no terror.
Among the early settlers of the town since 1796, might be mentioned the names of Hon. Royal TYIER. Hon. Ja.
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ELLIOT, Hon. Richard WHITNEY, Hon. Micah TOWNSHEND, Hon. Henry SEYMOUR,
Hon. Gilbert DENNISON, Hon. Samuel ELLIOT, Hon. John NOYES, and many others of less note, who are mostly identified with the history of the state, but who have since removed from the town.
Guilford was the birthplace of Henry DENISON, Esq., [ e] late poet of Georgia, also the Rev. Wilbur FISK, late president of the Wesleyan University at Middletown. Ct.
The Rev. Royal GIRLEY
was the first settled minister in Guilford. He was of the Congregational order, and received the right of land reserved and located for that purpose. He was settled in the year 1775, and died soon after. He was a young man of science, much respected for his pious
and amiable deportment. The second of the same order was the
Rev. Henry WILLIAMS.
who was settled in 1779. Rev. Bunker GAY of Hinsdale preached his ordination sermon. The text was "Death in the pot." He was a violent Yorker and when the town submitted to the state authority, he left with
his political brethren. The third, the
Rev. Elijah WOOLAGE.
was stetted in 1794, dismissed in 1799. The next of that order was the
Rev. Jason CHAMBERLAIN.
He was settled in 1807, and in 1811 being elected professor of languages
in the University of Vermont, by his own request was dismissed. Afterwards, the Rev. Elijah WOOLAGE returned, and was received for a time, but dismissed in 1818.
An Episcopal church was formed in the East parish, Nov. 8, 1818, by the
name of Christ's Church, and on the 8th of May 1819, the Congregational
Society voted to unite with the Episcopal society, and invited their
minister, the Rev. A.L. BAURY, to perform divine service at their
meeting-house, in the center of the town, half of the time. An
Episcopal society was formed for that purpose, and a union of the tow
societies was affected, and so has continued to this time { 1842 }.
The Episcopal Ministers,
who have officiated here are: The Rev. Alfred L. BAURY from September, 1820, to May, 1822: The Rev. Samuel SHAW from 1822 to 1831: The Rev. Jacob PEARSON from 1832 to 1836: The Rev. Luman FOOTE 1837 to 1838: The Rev. John B. PRATT form 1838 to 1841.
The present minster is the Rev. Frederick A. WADLEIGH. {1842 }. This
church consists of about fifty communicants.
The Baptists
are the most numerous sect. Among the Elders who have had the care of
churches in this town may be mentioned Elders WILLIS, HICKS, SNOWE,
ALLEN, PACKARD, LELAND, BUCKLIN, WILSON, LAMB and BRUCE. Their present
minister, {1842} is Elder Milo FRAREY.
The Methodists
have several classes and there are two ministers of this order in town: Rev. Asa HAYNES, the Rev. John L. SMITH. there is also,
A Universalist Society
here, ' and their present minister is the Rev. William N. BARBER.
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There were formerly a very few of the fanatical sect called Dorrilites here.* [footnote: A band of ludicrous fanatics that sprang up in Leyden
Mass. and extended its conquests into some of the Windham County towns;--born in 1797, died in 1908.--See Thompson's, Gazetteer, Part II.
page 202. ].
The Congregationalists built the first meeting-house, the Baptists the second, The Episcopal church was built and the Methodist chapel more recently.
The town has a neat and convenient town-house, built in 1821, and situated near the Center.
Villages.
There is a village at the west, one at the south, one at the east, and one at the Center of the town: the two latter, much the largest, yet, neither containing more that 25, or 30 houses.
Early Physicians.
Elijah WELCH was the first physician that settled in town.
Simon STEVENS and Dana HYDE were the principle physicians for about forty years.
Schools
the town is divided into 15 school districts in each of which is a schoolhouse convenient for teaching from 50 to 100 scholars. In them schools are kept most of the year.
The public school fund has amounted to S210 yearly, arising from the lands. From that sum, deducting rents of the propagation rights. S79, taken up by the original proprietors, leaves S131 still annually in the treasury, arising from the glebe and school lots. The funds of the latter were nearly lost to the town as follows: In 1777, the town voted
to sell those lands amounting to 350 acres and put the money at interest
for the benefit of schools. It was done, and the price of the lands received in specie which was lent by the Whig administration of the town
in 1777, to the recruiting officers, for the purpose of tempting the soldier to enlist into the service of his country. In payment of the loans continental bills were received, which turned out to be of little or not value. Amall as is the fund, it has been of great use to the town.
In 1818, a "Female Bible and Prayer Book Society was established for the
purpose of distributing those precious books to the poor of the town, and at the same time a
Sunday School
was formed, both of which are under the Episcopal church. A library, consisting of about 300 volumes, styled
"Guilford Social Library."
established in 1790, was sold at auction, by vote of the society, in 1818.
Climate And Longevity
The air and climate are remarkably wholesome. The oldest people in the town cannot remember any remarkable season of mortality. Most of the inhabitants live to a good, old age, and the physicians remark that not one to a hundred die annually. It is not uncommon in town for people to
live to the age of 100 years.
The Agriculture
the earth is naturally covered with a deep, strong and rich soil, with a
sufficient mixture of earths to make it warm, and at the same time, to
prevent its leaching. The hills make excellent sweet pastures, and the
low lands are fine for tillage. The farms consist of from 100 to 500
acres, each, which keep through the year, from 10 to 40 cows with other
stock sufficient for the concerns of the farm. Of later
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years some of the more wise have turned their attention to the raising
of sheep, for which the hills are best suited. The land is naturally
covered with maple, hemlock, walnut, beech, birch, ash, bass, butternut
and elm. A few traces of black oak, locust and sycamore are found. The
most useful tree is the
Maple
The farmers take as much pains to keep and preserve an orchard of maples
as of apple trees, from which each manufactures from 50 to 2000 lbs. annually, mostly for their own use, but when plenty it becomes an article of commerce. Beside butter and cheese for which the town is famous, it produces beef, pork, poultry, and the finest of horses for market. Wheat does not grow well upon the old fields. Apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, and quinces grow and bear well. As the stumps
and roots decay, some of the hills washed by the rains and have decreased in value. The prudent farmers have set out shade trees upon their hills, which not only preserve the grass from the scorching rays of the sun, but the roots prevent the ground from washing.
Face of the township.
Free from rocks, stumps and shrubs, most of the hills and valleys are smooth on the surface, and in summer present to the eye a most delightful scenery. The town is hilly, but not mountainous. Except Governor Mountain, nearly the whole is subject to cultivation. East mountain, so called, extending the whole length of the town, north and south, is the largest hill. It is about one mile wide, descending gradually to the east and south, and, except the bluffs on the west side, is cleared and cultivated. Even the west side is covered with excellent timber. On the top of this hill lye some of the greatest dariy-farmers in town. There you literally see, "cattle upon a thousand
hills."
Geology of the town.
The rocks are principals mica slate, lying in tight ledges, interspersed
with strata of quartz, and running form north to south. Impure garnets are plenty in the mica slate, and some good specimens of rock crystal have been found. Quartz and school in various mixtures are found some having all the appearance of lave. On the east side of the town is a range of argillaceous slate, which is manufactured into roof and writing
slate. Rolled rocks of grant, from huge masses to small pebbles, appear
on almost every lot. On some few lots is limestone, and on others, bog iron ore, but neither sufficiently pure or planet for manufacture.
A slight volcanic eruption is said to have taken place here a few years ago upon the farm of Mr. MAXWELL.
Gneiss and hornblende slate, with those mentioned comprise the principal
rocks in town. Rocks of all kinds are not sufficiently plenty for the use of the farmer without much expanse. In the banks is found good sand, and in the low lands are pure clay, perhaps, as any in Vermont. On the farm of Maj. E. HOUGHTON, is a
Mineral Spring,
which is the resort of invalids, troubled with scrofulous and other cutaneous disease. It is situated in a piece of low, marshy ground, and
the water is impregnated with magnesia, lime, sulfur and iron. The bubbles that arise in the spring, on meeting a torch held upon the surface, will explode with a flame.
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Mill-Privilages.
Green River is a rapid stream running south through the west part of the
township, and Broad brook, a smaller stream, running east through the north part. There are two small streams, branches of Broad brook, which
ran north, one through the center and the other at the foot of the east mountain on the west side and empty into Broad brook. On both the former are fine mill-priviliges and water sufficient at all seasons of the year. The banks and bottom of these streams are clean, the waters limpid and they contain trout. Eels and suckers are found in most of the ponds; but not in plenty.
There are now in town: 1 paper-mill, 1 extensive tannery, 2 grist-mills, 6 saw-mills, one clothier's works and carding machine, 4 stores and 4 taverns. A large cotton factory, situated in the East Village, was burned in 1820.
Statistics of 1840
Horses, 255; cattle, 2312; sheep 2949; swine 790; wheat, bu. 920; barley, 1940, oats, 4630; rye, 690; buck wheat, 30; Indian corn, 9028; potatoes, 31,795; hay, tons, 3438; sugar, lbs. 12555; wool, 6472, lbs; Population, 1525.
The foregoing account is taken from Thompson's Gazetteer of the edition of 1842 which account has already become one of the antiquities of the town. It was composed by two persons at two different periods, the first article being written by Cyprian STEVENS a young lawyer of Guilford, about the year 1820, and the remainder by the Rev. John B. PRATT, an Episcopal clergyman, which brought the narrative down to 1840. Ww now propose to extend this notice to embrace the year 1868, which enters fully upon the second century of the settlement of the town.
But before giving the few unimportant items of later date, we think that
it might interest the reader to have a more detailed view than has yet been given of those of an earlier period. To this end, we shall begin with the original charter of 1754, follow this with the charter of 1764,
and then add some of the first proceedings under these charters together
with incidents that may appear to be processed of interest. By this means the reader may see the precise manner in which one of those extraordinary emanations of popular freedom, the "corporate town," or township, has grown up from its first initiation in the wilderness of a new country and gradually assumed the form of regular government and established society.
It was not in peace that the town was suffered to grow into shape: the obstacles incident to the opening of a new country were not the only obstacles that the first settlers had to contend with: but it was amid threatened Indian raids. Revolutionary disturbances and domestic conflicts of a peculiarly involved and perplexed character that the foundations of their little municipality were laid. The very act of the
government of New York in erecting the district and country to which they belonged into a county called Cumberland County, at one time being revoked by the King and Councils and again being re-established by them was accompanied by so much uncertainty and indecision as a leave the inevitable misapprehensions on the part of the people; and then subsequently, the fair promises, but faint execution with which New York
maintained her juris-
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diction, and the wavering and evasive course pursued by Congress,
together with the new and strange assumption of authority on the part of
"the new state," all tended to confuse and distract society and render the organization of work of peculiar difficulty: a bare reflection of this difficulty will be seen in the proceedings of the town meetings sometimes, where these proceedings seem glowering with the ill suppressed hostility of opposite parties. Yet, it can be clearly perceived that this conflict arose from no disruptive spirit of antagonism existing in the community itself, but from the want of a clear and definite course on the part of the superior authorities to which the town was subject. Society in America was undergoing a change: it was letting go the hold of the past and groping its way with
uncertainly into the untried further. Beset by the claims of rival authorities to its allegiance finding itself oppressed with the confusion and arnachy thus occasioned the town at times, acted for itself as a independent colony, just as the Grants themselves subsequently did when they set up to be a new state; but sensible of the limited extent of its dominion, it appeared willing to transfer its allegiance to that party which might have the best original claim to it; in perfect accord with, and even in advance of the general sentiment of the day in respect to throwing off the yoke of the mother country, as will appear by the remarkable proceedings. July 5, 1775 they were forward in showing their loyal deference to the authority of the Continental Congress, and would have readily compiled with whatever decision that new power might have made, whether in favor of New Hampshire, New York, or even "the pretended State of Vermont." But they
warmly aided the Revolutionary war of the Colonies' they were hardly prepared for that other revolution within a revolution--the independence
of the Grants: their material interests had become too intimately involved. Events, however, have thus far shown that that second revolution was fortunate and appropriate to the condition of things.
The Original Charter
Province of George II by the grace of God
of Great Britain New Hampshire France & Ireland King, Defender of the faith et.--
To all persons to whom these presents shall Come Greeting Know Ye that We of out Especial Grace certain Knowledge and mere Motion of the due Encouragement of Settling the New Plantation within our aid Province by & with the Advice of our Truly & well beloved Benning WENTWORTH, Esq. our Governor & Commander in Chief of our Said Province of New Hampshire in America and of our Council of the sd Province Have upon the Conditions & Reservations hereafter made Given & Granted and by these Presents for Us our Heirs & Successors Do Give & Grant in Equal Shares unto our Loving Subjects Inhabitants of our sd Province of New Hampshire
and his Majesty's other Governments and to their heirs & Assigns for
Ever whose names are entered on the Grant to be Divided to and amongst
them into Sixty four Equal Shares, All that Tract or Parcel of land
Stuate lying & being within our Province of New Hampshire containing by
Admeasurement twenty three thousand & forty Acres which tract is to
contain
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Six Miles Square and not more: Out of which an Allowance is to be made
for Highways & unimprovable lands, by Rocks, Mountains, Ponds & Rivers
one thousand & forty Acres free according to a plan thereof made &
presented by our Sd Governors orders and thereunto Annexed Butted &
Bounded as follows Viz., Beginning at the South East Corner of Halifax
at a stake in the Province Line thence running Six Miles due East to the
South West Corner of Hinsdell, thence due North Six Miles to the North West Corner of Hinsdell, thence due West by Barttleboro Six Miles to the
North East Corner of Halifax aforesaid, thence due South Sic Miles by Halifax to the Bounds first mentioned--and that the same be and hereby is Incorporated into a Township by the Name of Guilford and that the Inhabitants that Do or shall hereafter Inhabit said Township are hereby declared to be Enfranchised with & Instituted to all & every the Privileges & Immunities that other towns within our sd Province by Law Exercise & Enjoy, and that the first Meeting for the Choice of Town Officers, agreeable to the Laws of our sd Province Shall be held on the second Tuesday in May next which meeting shall be Notified by John CHANDLER, jun' Esq. who is hereby also appointed the Moderator of the first Meeting which he is to Notify & Govern agreeable to the Laws & Custom of our sd Province: and also the Annual Meeting for Ever hereafter for the Choice of such Officers of sd Town shall be held the first Tuesday in March Annually To Have & Hold sd Town Tract of Land as
above Expressed Together with all the Privileges Appurtenances to them Respective heirs & Assigns upon the following Conditions Viz.
That Every Grantee his Heirs shall Plant or Cultivate five Acres of Land
within the term of five Years for every fifty Acres contained in his or their share or proportion of Land in St. Township and Continue to improve & Settle the same by Additional Cultivation in penalty of Forfeiture of his Grant or Share in Sd Township andits reverting to his Majesty his heirs & Successors to be by him or them regranted to such of
his Subjects as shall Effectually Settle & Cultivate the same.
That all White & other Pine Trees within the St. Township fit for Masting Our Royal Navy be carefully preserved for that Use and none to be cut or felled without his Majesty's Especial License for so doing first had & obtained, upon the Penalty of the Forfeiture of the Right of
such Grant his Heirs or Assigns to us our Heirs & Successors as well as being subject to the Penalty of any Act or Acts of Parliament that now are or hereafter shall be Enacted.
That before any Division of the Sd Land, be made & amongst the Grantees a Tract of Land as near the Center of the Township as the Land will admit of shall be reserved & Marked out for Fair Lotts one of which shall be allotted to Each Grantee of the Contents of one acre yelding and paying there for to us our Heirs & Successors for the space of ten Years to be computed form the Date hereof, the rent of one Ear of Indian
Corn on the first day of January Annually if Lawfully Demanded the first
Payment to be made on the January next Ensuing the Date hereof namely on
the First Day of January that will be in the Year of our
==========================Page 15
Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred & sixty four one Shilling
Procamation money for every hundred Acres he so owns settles or
Prossesses and so improves or for a Greater or esser Tract of the sd Sd
Land: which Money shall be paid by the respective Person above sd their
Heirs or Assigns in our Council Canmber in Portsmouth or to such Officer
or Officers as shall be appointed to receive the same and this to be in Lieu of all other Reut & services whatsoever In Testimony hereof We have
Caused the Seal of our Province to be hereunto affixed.
Witness Benning WENTWORTH Esq., our Governor & Commander in Chieff of our Sd Province the Second Day of April in the Year of our Lord Christ 1754 and in the 27th Year of his Majesty's Reign
By his Excellency's Command
Benning WENTWORTH
With advice of Council of New Hampshire April 2, 1754
Theodore ATKINSON Secy
Entered and recorded in the Book of Charters for the Province aforesaid
Page 197 198 199 per Theodore ATKINSON Secy.
Upon the back of the charter is the following:
The Names of the Grantees of the Town of Guilford:
Elijah WILLIAMS, Seth DWIGHT, David FIELD, Samuel FIELD, William MORRIS,
Mathers CLESSEN, Eleazer HAWKS, Eleazer BARNARD, Joseph BARNARD, Obediah
DICKSON, Samuel BARNARD, Jun., Charles COATES, James MORRIS, Salah BARNARD, Samuel PARTRIDGE, John AMES, David WELLS, Aaron SCOTT, John ALLEN, Jun., Richard CROUCH, John CHANDLER, Gardner CHANDLER, John CHADWICK, James BOYD, John CURTIS, Jun., Ebenezer CULTER, George BRUCE, Asa FLAGG, Samuel MOWER, John BOYDEN, John CHANDLER, Jr., Samuel WENTWORTH of Boston, Benjamin POLLARD, Jonathan MARTIN, Jun., Elisha HIGGINS, John BILLINGS, Thoms WARREN, Phillip WEELER, Ira CARPENTER, Samuel CARPENTER, Leonard JANIS, Thoedore ATKINSON, Richard WIBIRD, Daniel WAREN, His Excellency Benning WENTWORTH, Esq., a Tract of Land to
Contain five hundred acres which is to be laid out in one body, one whole share for the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts; one whole share for the first settled Misinster
of the Gospel in Said Town; one whole share for a Glebe for the Ministery of the Church of England as by Law Established--Caleb HOWE, John WENTWORTH, Joseph BLANCHARD, Eleaz. WILLIAMS, William RAWSON Jun., Wm. JOHNSON.
Entered and recorded with the Original Charter on the other side, the 2d
of April 1754 Book of Charter page 199 200.
"pr Theodore ATKINSON Secy.
The Confirmatory Charter.
which with the original charter is carefully preserved in the town records is as follows:
"Province of New Hampshire
George The Third by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c
To all whom these presents shall come Greeting
=========================Page 16
"Whereas our late Royal grandfather King George the Second of Glorious
memory, did of His special Grace and mere motion for the Encouragement
of settling a new plantation in our said Province of New Hampshire by
his letters Patent or Charter under the Seal of our said Province dated
2d day of April 1754, and in the twenty sixth year of His Majesty's
Reign grant a tract of land equal to Six MIles square bounded as therein
expressed to a number of our Loyal Subjects, whose Names are entered on the same, to hold to them their Heirs or assigns on the conditions therein declared to be a town corporate by the Name of Guilford as a Reference to the said Charter may more fully appear.
And Whereas the said Grantees have represented that by the Intervention of an Indian war since making the said Grant it has been Impracticalble to Comply with and fulfill the Conditions and humbly Supplicated us nor to take advantage of the breach of the conditions, but to Lengthen out and grant them some Reasonable time for Performance thereof after the Impediment shall cease.
Now Know Yee that we being willing to promote the end proposed have of our further grace and Favor suspended our claim of the Forfeiture w'eh the said Grantees may have Incurred, and by these Presents do grant unto
the said Grantees their Heirs and and Assigns the term of one year from the 1st January 1775 for Performing and fulfilling the conditions, matters and things by them to be done, which term is to be renewed annually if the same impediment remains until Plenary instructions shall
be received relating to the Incident that has prevented a Complyance with the said Charter according to the Intent and meaning of the same.
In Testimony whereof we have Caused the Seal of our said Province to be hereunto affixed Witness Benning WENTWORTH Esq. our Governor and Commander in Chief of our Province aforesaid the 20 day of March in the year of our Lord Christ 1764 in the fourth year of his Majesty's Reign
By his Excellency's Council
B. WENTWORTH
with advice of Council
T. ATKINSON Jun Secy
Province of New Hampshire
June 8th 1764 recorded in the first book of Charters P 463
P. ATKINSON Jun Secy
======================================================================================
Early Proceedings of the Proprietors Under Their Charter
"Winchester
July 14th 1761 at a gegal meeting of the Proprietors of the township of Guilford in ye province of New Hampshire being duly warned & met agreeable to an act made empowering to call meetings on the 14th July 1761, ye proprietors proceeded & made choice of Capt Samuel HUNT for moderator of the meeting
2 Voted and made choice of David FIELD proprietors clerk
3d Voted to accept of Capt Nath's DWIGHTS Plan of ye fifty acre Lots laid out by him
4 Voted to draw ye Lots
5 Voted to adjourn ye meeting to ye first Tuesday in August to meet at
Northfield at ye house of Capt Samuel HUNTS at 10 of ye Clock in sd day
test Samuel HUNT moderator
=========================Page 17
August ye 4th 1761 then ye proprietors of Gilford met at ye time and
place to which ye meeting was adjourned.
1ly Voted to Raise a tax of 5 dollars on Each Right to pay the cost of Laying out ye Lots on sd township & clearing and making what Roads shall
be thought proper & other contingencies.
2ly Voted & chose Elijah WILLIAMS Esq. & Messrs Eli BARNARD & David FIELD assessors.
3d Voted & chose Capt Sam'l HUNT Treasurer
4th Voted & chose Micah RICE Collector
5ly Voted to Lay out what now Remains in Common in sd township in hundred acre Lots
6 Voted and chose Capt Nathan WILLARD David FIELD & Asa RICE to be a committee to Lay out sd Land
7ly Voted that any five of ye Proprietors by applying to ye Clerk by a writing under their hands desiring a meeting of sd Proprietors setting forth ye time place and articles to be acted upon in sd meeting & the Clark setting up notifications in Gilford Brattlebury & Northfield fourteen days before sd meeting shall be a good & legal warning until ye
Proprietors of sd town of Gilford shall determine otherwise
8th Voted to dismiss this meeting Test Samuel HUNT Moderator
Greenfield Decem ye 23 1761
at a Legal meeting of the proprietors of Gilford Elijah WILLIAMS Esq was
chosen moderator of the meeting.
2ly that house Lot number sixty three be sequested for a school in said town and that there be one full share of Land not yet drew for Left for sd use viz three hundred acre Lots
2 Voted that Cap Nathan WILLARD Esq Levi GOODMAN John INSWELL Micah RICE
& Lieut Johnathan DICKERMAN be a committee & Lay out such Rhodes as are necessary in ye township of Gilford and report to ye proprietors there doings thereon as soon as may be ye above said roads are to be Laid as near ye centre of sd township from south to ye north as may be & also from ye west part of sd township toward ye grate river as near ye centre
of ye township as the nature of ye ground will admit of
4 Whereas at a former meeting it was voted to Lay out ye common or undivided Land in Gilford into hundred acre Lots now voted to draw three
hundred acres to each proprietor at the same time making a reserve for Roads wherever they shall be Laid in sd town with out any consideration to the owner of such Lott or Lots where any Rhode or Rhodes may be Laid viz the two rhodes now voted to be Laid out the votes on ye loose paper here to be entered
5 the tickets or numbers of the Lot being prepared voted to draw ye same
6 Voted yt ye chainmen be allowed 4s pr Day
7 Voted yt Elijah WILLIAMS Esq Eb BARNARD & David FIELD be a committee to Receive & pass accounts & give orders on ye Treasurer for ye payment of ye same
Elijah WILLIAMS Mod
"Greenfield December 16th 1762
at a Legal meeting ye proprietors of Gilford Elijah WILLIAMS Esquire was
chosen moderator then voted to Adjourn the meeting to the House of Da
===========================Page 18
vid FIELD of Brookfield there to meet at nine a clock in ye morning the
next day having met
1st they voted and made choice of Cap Samuel HUNT David GOODENOUGH to be
a Comt" to---Lay out a Road through ye town of Gilford from the East side to the West side of sd township as near the centre as may be and make return of ye same at ye next meeting
2ly Voted and made choice of David FIELD and Major Selah BARNARD to be a committee to view and Lay out a Road from the south to the north Line of Gilford as near to the centre of Sd township as may be with convenience and make return of their doings at ye next meeting
3ly voted and made choice of Elijah WILLIAMS Esq Mess Ebenezer BARNARD &
David FIELD to confer and determine what articles shall be acted upon in
their next meeting in order to complete the settlement of ye sd town of Gilford and that the Clark be desired to publish the same in the Boston weekly newspaper three weeks successively
Elijah WILLIAMS mod'r
Brattle Bury Sept 14 1763
at a legal meeting of ye proprietors of ye township of Gilford Elijah WILLIAMS Esq was chosen moderator
2ly David FIELD was chosen proprietors Clerk
3 Voted that Elijah WILLIAMS Esq be added to the committee formerly chose to view and Lay out a road from ye north and south side of Gilford
& also voted yt Mr ALLEN be added to ye committee formerly chose to Lay out ye Road East & West through ye town
Voted that Mr Josiah ALLEN John ARMS and Deacon Wm NICHOLS be a committee to audit accounts with ye treasurer
Voted that Mr Saml ALLEN Mr David GOODENOUG Nathaniel SMITH Decon Wm NICHOLS Josiah ALLEN be a committee to view ye Lot No 40 viz ye house Lot and see if they can find a convenient place for a meeting-house------ field and Burying-place and make Report at this meeting Viz at ye adjournment
Voted the Clark be desired to purchase two books one for the treasurer and one for the proprietors Clark
Voted that ye Collectors be desired to post all of those Rights of Land that have not yet paid their taxes in order for sale to pay ye taxes Laid on Sd rights
Voted to adjourn this meeting to ye 17th of Sept at 10 a Clock then to meet at Joseph STEBBINS in Hinsdale
October 17th 1763
ye proprietors of Gilford met at ye time and place to which ye meeting was adjourned and then upon hearing ye Report of ye committees before chosen to view ye ground in order for Laying out Rhodes it was thought advisable to Establish no Rhodes therefore voted that Josiah ALLEN Micah
RICE Nathaniel SMITH David GOODENOUGH & David SCOTT be a committee to clear and do what else is necessary upon the rhode Leading from fort Dummer unto Gilford and also from ye South East corner of Gilford to go a course yt will bring them as near the centre of Gilford as may be and further
Voted that those who have or may be paid out of the next tax it shall be
raised on ye proprietors or any other Rhodes if shall be made to
accommodate the present settlers until ye proprietors order otherways
=========================Page 19
2 Voted that those that shall work at ye Rhodes shall be allowed in the
fall 2s 8d pr day and in the summer 3s pr day and if any person who
shall work at ye roads does not perform a days work he shall be allowed
no more that ye committee thinks proper
Voted that Colonel Josiah WILLARD and Mr Daniel JONES both or either of them be desired to get ye charter of Gilford Renewed by preferring a petition to ye governor and council of Newhampshire petition in behalf of ye proprietors for that purpose
Micah RICE Dr to a ticket 0 12 0 Abishai RICE Dr to a ticket 0 12 0 Oliver HARRIS Dr to a ticket 0 12 0 David FIELD cash for one 0 12 0 Levi GOODENOUGH Dr to a ticket 0 12 0 John FRISSEL Dr to a ticket 0 12 0 Eb BARNARD Dr to a ticket 0 12 0 Lt BILLINGS Dr to a ticket 0 12 0 David WELLS Dr to 4 tickets L2 8 0
The foregoing is a correct copy of 8 loose leaves of a small memorandum book in the town Clerk's office of Guilford, copied by Rodney B. FIELD. August 28, 1860
The First Town-Meeting
The first reocrd of any regular meeting held in the town is dated: "May
ye 19th 1772. Then the free holders and other Inhabitants of the Tract of Land called Guilford in the County of Cumberland and Province of New York met together and by a majority of votes made choice of:
1 Samuel WILLIAMS Esq Moderator of Sd meeting 2d John SHEPHERDSON Town Clerk 3 John BARNEY Supervisor 4 John SHEPHERDSON William BULLOCK & Othniel WILLIAMS Assessors 5 Chose Daniel WILLIAMS Hezekiah HOWE David GOODENOUGH & Joel CUTLER Constables 6 Josiah ALLEN Hezekiah STOWEL Josiah SCOTT Othniel WILLIKINS and Samuel BIXBY Commissioners for Laying out Highways 7 Jotham BIGELOW Micah RICE Silas RICE David STEEL Jeams and BACON fence
viewers
8 Hezkiah STOWELL field Driver
9 Hezekjah STOWELL Pound Keeper
10 Josiah ALLED Collector
11 Thomas TOWN Treasurer
12 Edmund BEMIS Gad SMITH Joel CUTLER and John BARNEY surveyors and
overseers of the highway
13 Zephaniah SHEPHERDSON Hezekiah STOWELL and John BARNEY overseers of
poor
14 Daniel BOYDEN Pual CHASE Thomas CUTLER and David STOWELL swine
Constables
15 Asa RICE Sealer of Weights and measures
16 David STOWELL Sealer of Leather
17 Voted that sheep rams should not go at large from the first of
September to the middle of November next
18 Voted that swine should go at large this year
19 Adjourned Sd meeting to the third Tuesday in May next
John SHEPHERDSON District Clerk
May 18 ye 1773 Then the free holders and other Inhabitants of the
District of Guilford in the County of New York met together and by
majority of votes made choice of
1 David JOY Esq modrator of Sd meeting
2 Thomas CUTLER Town Clerk
=========================Page 20
3 John BARNEY Supervisor
4 Smuel NICHOLS Treasurer
5 Lovell BULLOCK and Johtam BIGELO Collectors
6 Benjamin CARPENTER Esq William BULLOCK and John SHEPHERDSON Assessors
7 Paul CHASE Joel CUTLER Zephaniah SHEPHERDSON and Silas RICE constables
8 Asa RICE Samuel NICHOLS Esq John SHEPHERDSON Thomas CUTLER John RANNEY
Commetiess for Laying out Highways 9 Zephaniah SHEPHERDSON Daniel LYNDE Dr David STOWELL Jeams CUTLER William RAMSDALE Paul CHASE Overseers of the Highways 10 John BARNEY Hezekiah STOWELL Zephaniah SHEPHERDSON Overseers of the poor 11 Hezekiah STOWELL Pound Keeper and Field Driver 12 Samuel MELODY Giles ROBARD Gad SMITH Samuel CURTIS, Fence Viewers 13 Francis RICE Seth RICE Daniel LYNDE and Seth GOODING Swine Constables
14 Voted that swine be shup up and not go at large this year 15 Adjourned to the Thurd Tuesday in June at three o'clock afternoon pr John SHEPHERDSON District Clerk
On the adjournment of the annual meeting which was in June ye 15th 1773 after opening the meeting firstly made choice of Othniel WILKINS Town Clerk of sd meeting
Secondly voted to Dismiss Jotham BIGELOW from serving in the office of Collector Lieut John SHEPHERDSON to serve in his place Sd meeting adjourned to the third Tuesday in May next at the Meeting House
May the 17th 1774 Then the freeholders and other Inhabitants of the town of Guilford in the County of Cumberland and Province of New York meet together and by a majority of the votes made choice of
1st Samuel NICHOLS Esq Moderator of sd meeting 2d Elijah WELCH Town Clerk 3d Lovewell BULLOCK Supervisor 4th Elijah WELCH & Timothy ROOT Assessors 5th William BULLOCK and John BARNARD Collectors 6th John SHEPHERDSON David GOODENOUGH John BARNEY Committee for Laying out Highways 8th Benjamin CARPENTER Othniel WILKINS Jr Abel RICE Ichabot PACKER Timothy ROOT Francis RICE & James BACON Overseers of the Highways 9th Abijah ROGERS & Samuel CURTIS Fence viewers 10 Stephen SHEPHERDSON Manasah BIXBY David STOWELL John BARBER Constable
11 William BIGELO John RICKEY Sam'l ALLEN and Ebenezer TOBY Hogg Constables 12 Voted hoggs shall be shut up 13 Hezekiah STOWEL Pound Keeper The meeting adjourned to Thursday the 26th of May 1774
" May 26th AD 1774 Then met together according to adjournment and
1st Dismissed William BULLOCK from serving as Collector and made choice
of Micajah RICE to serve in his room
2d Joel CUTLER serves Constable for John BARBER lastly
===========================Page 21
Chose Thomas CUTLER Assessor
The meeting adjourned to the third Tuesday in May 1775
pr Elijah WELCH Town Clerk
Guilford May ye 6th AD 1776
Then this Town meet together according to request and
1st Made choice of Samuel NICHOLS Esq Moderator of said meeting 2ly Elijah WELCH Town Clerk 3d Voted to let none vote for Comittees town officers &c but such as are
qualified according to the Direction of the Honorable Continental Congress and made choice of Israel GURLEY Timothy ROOT and Hezekiah STOWEL for a Committee to inspect and see that there is no other that vote but such as are qualified 4 Made choice of Samuel NICHOLS Esq Israel GURLEY Deacon Thomas CUTLER and Levi GOODENOUGH to serve this Town as a Committee of inspection or safety 5 Made choice of Deacon Thomas CUTLER James BACON Levi BULLOCK Ithamer GOODENOUGH Zephaniah STEPNPERDSON Hezekiah Nathaniel CARPENTER David STOWEL John NOYES Silas CUTLER and Joseph DEXTER surveyors of Highways 6 Made choice of Asa RICE and David GOODENOUGH overseers of the Poor 7 Made choice of Hezebiah STOWEL sealer of weights and measures 8 David STOWEL Joel CUTLER and Stephen SHEPHERDSON a Committee for laying out Highways 9 Voted that those men who have blocked up the Roads by falling Trees or
any other way shall clear them on their own cost 10 Voted that all roads laid out by a Committee chosen for that purpose shall be laid open by the tenth day of November Next and that any Person
may throw down Bars and fences of those who neglect to fence out the Rode and the owner of such Lots and inclossures shall sustain the Damage
without any redress after the date above sd 11 Made choice of Samuel NICHOLS Esq Town Treasurer 12 Made choice of John BARNEY Edward HOUGHTON and Capt William BULLOCK Assessors 13 Made choice of Simeon EDWARDS and James CUTLER Collectors of Town Rates 14 Voted that sheep and hoggs Shall not run at large 15 Made choice of James BARNEY Elijah WELCH Benjamin CARPENTER his expense money that he has expended at Westminster as a deligate for the town 17 Voted to adjourn this meeting to the first Monday in May next at nine
o'Clock in the morning
Attest Elijah WELCH Town Clerk
Guilford June 3d 1776
The Town of Gulford met being Legally warned and
1 Made choice of Samuel NICHOLS Moderator
2 Made choice of Samuel NICHOLS Esq first Committee Man for the County
Samuel GURLEY 2d Ditto
3 And made choices of Simeon EDWARDS and Elijah WELCH Town Committee in
their places sd meeting Dysolved
pr Elijah WELCH Town Clerk
The Town of Guilford met together and first made choice of Samuel NIC-
===========================Page 22
ols Esq. Moderator of sd Meeting ("Guilford July ye 5th 1776" date for
before two last lines of the last page.)
It was put to vote to see if we should Raise a Bounty for the soldiers that are alled for Now and it was voted that we should by subscription and that it should be recorded in the town book and what each man subscribed.
3d was voted that the committees' Clerk should Record the proceedings of
this meeting and make a return of it to the Town Clerk 4 it was voted that we should make up the bounty of each man Four Pounds
Bay money 5th they Rescinded the 2d Vote of this meeting and voted it should be raised by a RAte 6 Voted the Constable of Safety of the Town of Guilford shall see who onght to pay Rates to make up this Bounty for the soldiers nd who ought not 7th Voted to Choose a Committee to Raise this money for the Bounty aforesd' and chose Esq. NICHOLS Capt. John BARNEY and Paul CHASE 8 Voted to Raise Ten Men to go into the service of this Colony 9 Voted that Capt. BARNEY stand a Committee Man to go to Barttleborough with some of the Committee in order to send for Fire Arms and powder and
send by Col. SMITH
a true copy of the Proceedings of sd Meeting
Levi GOODENOUGH Com't Clerk
pr Elijah WELCH Town Clerk
Feb. 20th 1777 the Town of Guilford met together according to request
first made choice of Maj. SHEPHERDSON Moderator of sd meeting 2 Voted to adjourned to the house of Hezekiah STOWEL 3 Voted to choose a Committee of Nine Men to state the Price of Labor Provisious Mercantable Goods &c and to make to the Town for their approbation and made choice of Capt. John BARNEY John NOYES Levi GOODENOUGH Timothy ROOT Adam WHITING Hezekiah STOWE Daniel WILKINS Deac Thomas CUTLER and Peter BRIGGS for the above Committee 4th made choice of John NOYES County Committee man and voted to adjourn this meeting to the 6th of March one o'clock afternoon
March 6 met according to adjournment and first on Maj. SHEPHERDSON being
absent made choice of John NOYES Moderator in his stead and the committee above sd Proceeded and made report to the Town as follows
Viz, Good merchantable wheat shall not exceed 60 cts pr Bu
Good Rye shall not exceed 40 ct pr Ditto
Good Indian Corn 30 ct pr Ditto
Oats 18 cts pr Ditto
Peas and Beans 60 cents pr bushel each
Good Yallow Potaters shall not in the Spring exceed 20 cts pr Bushel
Spannish Potaters ' 16 in the Spring
Good Flax Seed shall not exceed 60 pr Bushel
Good salt shall not exceed 10 c pr Bushel allowing one Penny a mile per Bushel for Land carriage from the por of Delivery &c
Good West India Rum and New England Rum and molasses and Muscovado sugar
shall be sold on the same as they are stated in the New England States
===========================Page 23
Farming Labors in the summer season shall not exceed 30 cts pr day and so in usual proportion at other seasons of the year and the lobor of Mechanics and Tradesmen and other Labor to be computed according to the wages and customs that hath been Practiced among us computed with farming labor
Pork weighing form Five to seven score at 3 cts pr llb from 7 score to ten 3 1/2 cts Pound and all above Ten Score 4 cts
Good Grass Beef of the best quality shall not exceed 24---(illegible) and so in Proportion for Stall fed Beef and Likewise Beef of an inferior
quality
Raw Hides shall not exceed 3 cts pr lb
Good well tanned Sole Leather shall not exceed 14 c pr lb
Mens Neat Leather Shoes of the best sort shall not exceed 90 cts pr pair
and other shoes in proportion according to their quality
Good merchantable Wool shall not exceed 20 c per lb
Good merchantable Flax shall not exceed 1 s pr lb
Good Yd wide Tow Cloth shall not exceed 2s 10d pr yd and so in proportion to its width and quality
Corse Linning to be computed after the rate of Tow Cloth
Good Striped Flannel shall (not) exceed 36c pr Yd and other Flannels according to their widdth and quality the other woolen cloths in like proportion
Good Merchantable Hay in the Cot shall not exceed (illegible) pr tun and
in the spring 36s pr tun
Good cheese shall not exceed 5c pr lb
Good Butter shall not exceed 19c per lb
Tallow shall not exceed 18c (or 8c) pr lb
Hogs Fat shall not exceed 17c pr ld
Good Pine Boards clear stuff shall not exceed "36 (?) pr Thousand and covering Boards 3/4 inch thick at 24s pr thouhsand and other Boards according to thir Quality compared to Pine & Good Clean Salted Pork 8 (?) pr H wt
This Town unanimously came into and adopted the above stated Prices and if any Person in this Town shall sell any of the commodities herein specified to any Person in the Neighboring towns at a higher price than is here stated shall forfeit the value of sd article to this Town--And if any Person or Persons Directly or Indirectly shall Receive or take a Greater Price for any of the above mentioned articles than is here stated he shall forfeit and pay the value of sd article or articles the one half to and for the use of the town and the other half to the complainant.
And we the Inhabitants of Guilford in Town Meeting assembled Do Charge and apoint the committee of sd Town to hear and determine all cases and complaints that shall Legally come to your or their knowledge so far as it Respect this Town in the aforesd' articles together with cost of suit
and if he or they are found Guilty they shall pay cost of suit.
By a Unanimous Vote of this Town And chose Maj. John SHEPHERDSON one of the Committee of Inspection
Attest Elijah WELCH Town Clerk
Guilford March ye 6th 1777
Guilford April 7th 1777
This Town meet according to custom and Unanimously Past the following votes (viz.)
===========================Page 24 1st Chose Levi GOODENOUGH Moderator of the Meeting 2d Made choice of Elijah WELCH Town Clerk 3d Chose Samuel NICHOLS Esq. and David STOWEL County Committee Men 4th Made choice of Timothy ROOT Phineas RICE Hezekiah STOWEL Levi GOODENOUGH and Simeon EDWARDS to serve this Town as a Committee of Safety for the year Insuing 5th Chose Adam WHITNEY and James CUTLER Constables 6th Chose Thomas CUTLER Town Treasurerer 7th Made choice of Thomas CUTLER Sam's BIXBY and John NOYES Assessors 8th chose William BIGELOW and Micah RICE Collectors 9th Chose Hezekiah STOWEL Daniel WILKINS David DENISON and Samuel ALLEN committee for Laying out Roads 10th Made choice of Eben'r FITCH David STOWEL John NOYES Dan'l EDWARDS Joseph DEXTER Samuel ALLEN Hezekiah HORTON Jr. Newhall EARL Elijah WELCH
Thomas CUTLER Daniel AYRES and Mannassah BIXBY surveyors of Highways 11th Voted that each Freeholder shall work 6 Days and that under age 3 Days apiece and that any Person being duly warned by the Surveyor Refuse
to work without a reasonable excuse shall pay a fine of six shillings for each days Neglect and the Town Committee to Grant out Warrants on having a complaint form the Surveyors 12th Voted to shut up sheep and hogs and not let them Run at large 13th Jesse DEMMICH James CUTLER David JOY Jun'r David DAVIS Constables 14th Chose John BARNEY Thomas CUTLER David STOWEL John SHEPHERSON and David DENISON Fence Viewers and Hezekiah STOWEL Pound Keeper 15th It was unauimous vote of this town to Sell the Right of Land in town called the school Write to be sold at Public Vendue to the highest Bidder and the use of the Money to be applied to the Manintaing a School
and for not other 16th Chose Hezekiah STOWEL Asa RICE John BARNEY Thomas CUTLER Daniel WILKINS a Committee to sell sd Land and Give a Deed in the name of and behalf of the Town
Voted to adjourn this Meeting to the first Monday in April 1778
Guilford July 3d 1777
This Day Lieut. Josiah ALLEN Capt. Daniel WILKINS Hezekiah STOWEL and
Joseph ELLIOT was sworn as constables Men for this town Before me
Elijah WELCH Town Clerk
Tuesday May the 13th AD 1777
The Town of Guilford Met together according to REquest and 1st Chose Samuel NICHOLS Esq. Moderator 2d Voted not to let any Person vote in this meeting but such as have Forty Pounds Personal or real estate 3d Voted that those Persons that have settled on Lands without Purchasing them and Refuse to buy Sd Lands of the owner shall be Emediately Dissesst. But those that dont mean to hold by possession and
are willing to buy of the Right owner when to be found to Remain in peaceful Possession until he can have an opportunity to Buy sd Land 4th Voted that those that have Run a Brush Fence Round Lots to hold them
===========================Page 25
by virtue of that shall Emediately quit sd Land and not to proceed in that manner any more-- and voted that Person that shall for the future pretend to hold Lands by such a title shall be dealt with by the town as
a breaker of the peace of this Town and a Routous Person 5th Disimiset Simeon EDWARDS and Timothy ROOT form serving as a committee of Safety for this Town and made choice of Joseph ELLIOT and Daniel WILKINS to serve in their place 6th Voted that the Committee for Laying out Highways shall be excused working at the Highway as many Days as they are on that Business Day for
Day 7th Chose John BARNEY and Benj'n CARPENTER a Committee to go to Windsor in June next to hear the Report of the agent sent to Congress concerning
a new State
Voted to dissolve this meeting
Attest Elijah WELCH Town Clerk
Monday April 6th 1778
Then the inhabitants of Guilford according to adjournment
1ly Made Choice of Thomas CUTLER Moderator 2ly Made Choice of Thomas CUTLER Town Clerk 3ly Made Choice of Thomas CUTLER Ichabod PACKER Peter BRIGGS David DENNISON and Nath'l FITCH Committeemen 4ly Made Choice of Henry EVANS and Daniel BOYDEN Constables for the present year 5ly Made choice of David ELLIOT treasurer 6ly Made Choice of Henry SHERBURN Simeon EDWARDS and Joseph ELLIOT (?Sentence in copy not complete.) 7ly Made Choice of Theophilur WADLEIGH and Joseph GOODWIN Collectors 8ly Made Choice of David DENNISON Nathan WALSWORTH with Samuel BIXBY Hezekiah STOWEL and Micah RICE Committee for Lay of Rhodes 9ly Made Choice of Nathan FITCH David DENISON Amos SMITH Benjamin MORTON
Joseph ELLIOT John BARNEY Ju Hezekiah STOWEL William RAMSDALE Daniel LYNDE Jr and Levi BULLOCK 10 Voted that sheep and hogs shall not run at large 11 Voted that horses shall not run on the common 12 Made Choice Edmund BEMIS and David FISHER Hog REEVE 13 Timothy LARABE Silas RICE and Jesse DIMMICH Fence Viewers 14 Voted to Adjourn to the first Monday of March next at nine o'clock at
the meeting-house
Thomas CUTLER Town Clerk
Monday January 12 A D 1778
The Town of Guilford meet together according to Notification and
1st Chose Daniel WILKINS Moderator 2d Made Choice of the following men to Squadnn out the town into school Divisions (Viz) Deacon Thomas CUTLER Hezekiah STOWELL John NOYES Daniel KNIGHT and Major John SHEPHERDSON
The meeting Disolved
Attest Elijah WELCH Town Clerk
Tuesday March 3 A D 1778
This town meeting according to a warrant and Notification from the council at Bennington and chose Deac'n Thomas CUTLER Moderator of Sd Meeting 2d It being put to vote whether the town would act agreeably to sd warrant and the town voted not to act
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3 Voted to dissolve the meeting
Per Elijah WELCH Town Clerk
Tuesday, May ye 1779
then a town meeting was held in Guilford according to adjournment Mr. Simeon EDWARDS was chosen Moderator Henry SHERBURN Town Clerk and Samuel BULLOCK Supervisor William BULLOCK Jesse DIMMICH Hezekiah STOWEL Assessors Job WHITNEY and William EDWARDS Constables Asa RICE and Levi BULLOCK Poor Masters Asa RICE Hezekiah STOWEL and Simeon EDWARDS a Committee to Lay out Roads
Joseph ELLIOT William WHITE James CUTLER Henry SHERBURN David SAFFORD William EDWARDS Nathan CARPENTER Ichabod PACKER and Phineas RICE Survors
of Roads Timothy LARABE and Micah RICE Fence Viewers Hezekiah STOWEL Treasurer Lovel BULLOCK Timothy ROOT and Henry SHERBURN Committee to Defend said town against the pretended State of Vermont and to represent SD town in County Committee Hezekiah STOWEL William BULLOCK Joseph ELLIOT Lovel BULLOCK and Timothy ROOT to alter the Road through Maj. HUNTS Land Joseph ELLIOT Hezekiah STOWEL and Henry SHERBURN a committee to take care of the town store of powder and lead
This meeting adjourned til the third Tuesday in May in the Year of 1780
Henry SHERBURN Town Clerk
Tuesday March 17th 1780
Then a town meeting was Held in Guilford according to a warrant and acted on the following articles Viz.
Article 1st Chose William BULLOCK Esq. Moderator to govern sd meeting At 2 Voted Samuel BIXBY town clerk At 3 Deac Thomas CUTLER supervisor 4 Chose Ebenezer FITCH Asa RICE Capt. Timothy ROOT List & Assessor Made choice of Wm BULLOCK Simon EDWARDS Esq. Hezekiah STOWEL County Committee
At 5 Made choice of Nathan FITCH James KING constables 6 Capt. Asa RICE Lieut. Timothy ROOT Poor Masters 7 Ebenezer FITCH Lovel BULLOCK Thomas CUTLER Committee men for to lay out Roads 8th Frederick STOWEL Nathan AVERY Ichabod PACKER Joel CUTLER Daniel KNIGHT Daniel BOYDEN Micah RICE Surveyors of Roads 9 Joseph ELLIOT Hezekiah STOWEL Henry SHERBURN a committee to take care of the town stores of powder and lead 10 this meeting is adjourned till the third Tuesday in May in the Year of 1781
pr Samuel BIXBY Town Clerk
Guilford ye 10th of January 1781
The people meet together all them that mean to stand in opposition against the pretended state of Vermont and acted on the following articles (Viz)
First--Made choice of David JOY Esq. Moderotor to govern sd meeting Secondly--Voted to defend themselves against the insults of the Pretended State of Vermont
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Thirdly Read the Hand Bill bearing date the Fifteenth day of November one thousand seven hundred and eighty that the convention gave at Walpole Fourthly--Voted to send a Committee to Charlestown to a seat in the Convention Fifthly--Voted William BULLOCK Capt. Peter BRIGGS the Committee Sixthly--Voted that Hezekiah STOWEL shall keep the names of those that are against the pretended State of Vermont Seventhly--Voted to Dissolve this meeting
a true copy per Saml' BIXBY town Clerk
Guilford April ye 24th 1782
Then the people meet in general and Art 1 Chose Capt. WALSWORTH Moderator to govern sd meeting Art 2 Chose Daniel SHEPHERDSON Jotham BIGELOW Capt. WALSWORTH a Committee men of Convention Art 3 Voted the old committee shall stand good for the committee of Inspection
Guilford May ye 13th 1782
Then the people meet and made choice of Jotham BIGELOW Moderator Art 2 Voted to stand against the pretended State of Vermont so called until the descision of Congress with your lives and fortune Art 3 Voted to Receive the Instructions that come from New York that Mr.
Daniel SHERHERDSON Bought from there as your agent
Guilford June ye 10 1781
Then the people meet in general in Defense of their property and Voted to choose committee out of the company to forbid the constables acting Voted Henry EVANS Capt. ASHCRAFT Capt. Nathan FITCH the committee men to
forbid the constables
Guilford June ye 10 1782
We the Committee chosen by this Body of People have forbid and Do hereby
Ever forbid your Vending these Numbers hereby given and the Blank Lands and undivided Lands included--We Do hereby forbid you upon your apparrel
Henry EVANS the
Daniel ASHCRAFT Committee
Nathan FITCH men
Attest true copy Saml BIXBY Clerk
Guilford June ye 10 1782
To all the Officers of the Civil authority under the pretended State of Vermont you are hereby forbid to proceed against any person or persons that own the jurisdiction of New York according to what is reccommended to us by Congress in a handbill Bearing date June 2d 1780 pr order of committee
True Copy Attest Benoni CUTBITH Clerk
A True Copy Saml BIXBY Clerk
Guilford June ye 10 1782
Voted Edward CARPENTER Saml BIXBY James PACKER Saml STAFFORD a committee
men of convention Voted David CULVER Benoni CUTBITH Nathan AVERY Phineas RICE Josiah RICE a committee of Inspection
a True Copy Saml BIXBY Clerk
Wednesday March 25 1782
The Free-Men of the Town of Guilford Met according to Law for the choice
of Town Officers and proceded as Follows (Viz)
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1st Made choice of Gov'r CARPENTER Moderator 2'ly Samuel SHEPHERDSON Clerk 3'ly Major Simeon EDWARDS Lieut william MARSH & Mr Ephraim NICHOLS Select Men 4th Capt. Lovel BULLOCK Treasurer 5th Mr Nich' PULLEN and Mr Abel JOY Constables 6th Mr Dan'l STOWEL Nich's PULLEN Edward BARNEY Dan'l SMITH and Mr Joseph DENSMORE Listers 7th Mr Nich's PULLEN and Mr Abel JOY Collectors 8th Mr Amasa SMEAD Leather Sealer 9ly Capt. David STOWEL Levi GOODENOUGH Esq. & Samuel NICHOLS Grand Jurors 10th Lieut William BIGELOW Capt. Comfort STARR Capt. David DENNISON and Esq. Joseph DEXTER Tything Men 11th Mr Joseph BULLOCK Lt Wm BIGELOW Amos GORE Elijah POTER Isaac WILD and Mr Isaac SMITH Hay wards 12th Mr Abraham AVERY and Benj' BUCKLAND Brandr of Horses 13th Capt. David STOWEL Sealer of Weights and Measures 14th Ens Paul CHASE Theophilur WADLEIGH Daniel DNIGHT Timothy CHICKERING
Era PRATT Hezekiah SPRAGUE Dan'l BOYDEN Benj' BUCKLAND Mr Manassah BIXBY
Wm RAMSDEL Slias RICE Zeph'n SHEPHERDSON Maj. Edward BARNEY Benoni
CUTBITH Hezekiah STOWEL Capt. D DNISON Lt Stephen GOULD and Mr Elijah
RATHBURN Surveyors of Highway
15th Voted the Select Men be a Committee for Laying out Highways
16th Mr Manassah BIXBY Capt. John BARNEY Capt. Comfort STARR Lt J NOYES
Amos SMITH Paul CHASE Capt. Lovel BULLOCK D JOY D'n CUTLER Lt Stephen
GOULD Timothy ROOT Jeddidiah WELLMAN Caleb CARPENTER Capt. D DENISON Wm
STOWEL Ezra PRATT Job WHITNEY Matthew PULLEN Amos GORE William WHITE
Joel CUTLER Capt. Elijah GORE Edw'd BARNEY Joseph CARPENTER Sam'l BIXBY
Elijah PORTER Wm SMALLEY and Lt John RICHEY petit jurors
17th Voted that the Select men of this town have the authority to bind
out all strolling Indolent persons who Impose themsleves on sd town
18th Voted that this present meeting be and is hereby Dissolved
Attest Samuel SHEPHERDSON T C
Guilford April 3d 1782
Pursuant to legal Warning the Inhabitants of the town of Guilford met at
the meeting house in sd town and proceeded to act on the following articles) viz)
Dissolved sd meeting
A true record Attest Sam" SHEPHERDSON T C
Guilford ye 31st of March Anno Domino 1783
The Freemen of the town of Guilford met at the meeting house in sd town for the choice of town Officers and petit jurymen according to law and proceeded in the following manner (Viz) 1st Made choice of William BULLOCK Esq. moderator 2d Samuel SHEPERDSON town clerk 3d Dn' Thomas CUTLER Mr William SMALLEY and Mr Joseph DINSMORE Select men Capt. Lovel BULLOCK treasurer
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5th Nicholus PULLEN and James CUTLER constables 6th Mr Matthew PULLEN Edward BARNEY John RICHEY and Jonas NICHOLS listers 7th Mr Paul CHASE and Benjamin DEAN collectors 8th Capt. David STOWEL leather sealer 9th Maj. Simeon EDWARDS and Mr Ephraim NICHOLS grand jurors 10th Mr Caleb CARPENTER and Mr Abel JOY tything men 11th Mr Dan'l STOWEL and Mr Jonas NICHOLS Haywards 12th Mr Benjamin BUCKLAND brander of horses 13th Capt. David STOWEL Sealer of Weights and measures 14th Maj. Simeon EDWARDS Caleb CARPENTER Paul CHASE Ephraim NICHOLS Peter BRIGGS Abel JOY David SMALLEY Jeddidiah WELLMAN Stephen COULD and David DENISON Surveyors of highways 15 Lieut John NOYES Joseph GOODWIN Ens' Edward BARNEY Capt. Stephen SHEPHERDSON Lieut Moses FISH James CUTLER Lieut William MARSH and Joseph
BULLOCK petit jurymen
Voted that this meeting stand adjourned to the third Monday in April
next at this place at two of the clock P M on Sd Day
A true record attest Samuel SHEPHERDSON T Clerk
Guilford ye 21st of April 1783
The Freemen of ye town of Guilford met according to adjournment and proceeded to act in the following manner viz 1st Voted that the Select men be a committee for laying out highways 2d that the 2d constable be Dismissed 3d that Lieut John RICHEY serve as 2d constable for the town of Guilford
4thly that the present meeting be and hereby is Dissolved
A true record attest Sam'l SHEPHERDSON town clerk
Guilford Tuesday ye 21st April 1783
The Freemen of the town of Guilford met according to Law for the election of Representatives Gov Dep Gov & Co according to an act of Assembly Regulating the same proceeded as follows 1 Made choice of Benjamin CARPENTER Esq. and Dn' Thomas CUTLER to represent this town in the General Assembly 2d gave in their votes for Governor Dept' Gov and treasurer 3dly Gave in their votes for councillors according to law
A true record attest Sam'l SHEPERDSON town clerk
April ye 29 1783
then the freeholders and other inhabitants of the District of Guilford in the County of Cumberland and State of New York met together and by a majority of votes Made choice of Edward CARPERTER moderator 2d Samuel BIXBY town clerk 3d Made choice of Adonijah PUTNAM supervisor 4 Hezekiah STOWEL treasurer 5 William WHITE Sam'l STAFFORD collectors 6th 7th Hezekiah STOWEL Abraham AVERY Asaph CARPENTER assessors 8th William WHITE Sam'l STAFFORD constables
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9 Edward CARPENTER Micah RICE Ichabod PACKER commissioners for laying out highways 10 David CULVER Hezekiah BROADE Micah RICE Jotham BIGELOW Newhall EARL Nathan STARK James PACKER Nathan AVERY David THURBUR Seth CLARK overseers of the highways 11th Jotham BIGELOW Ichabod PACKER Samuel MELENDY overseers of the poor 12th Jotham BIGELOW Elijah WALWORTH Hezekiah STOWEL field drivers 13th Wm WHITE Sam' MELENDY Asa RICE James PACKER Asaph OLDEN fence viewers 14 Zephaniah SHEPHERDSON Asa STOWEL Ephraim GALE Daniel HARRINGTON swine
constables
15th this meeting adjourned to the annual monday in may
pr Sam'l BIXBY town clerk
Guilford the 8th day of March 1784
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Guilford being legally warned 1st Made choice of Deacon David STOWEL moderator to govern sd meeting 2d Made choice of William SMALLEY town clerk And then adjourned to the 18th day of March
Thursday the 18th Day of March 1784
The town met according to adjournment and proceeded to choose town officers by Nomination 1st Made choice of Dea Thomas CUTTLER and Wiliam SMALLEY and Joseph DINSMORE Select Men 2d Made choice of Lovel BULLOCK for the year ensuing treasurer 3d Made choice of Nicholus PULLEN and Jonas NICHOLS and Daniel BOYDEN Constables for the year ensuing 4 Joh WHITNEY and Stephen GOULD and Rufus FISK tything men 5 David STOWEL and Daniel STOWEL sealers of leather 6 Maj. Simeon EDWARDS and Ephraim NICHOLS Grand Jurors 7 Joseph BULLOCK Caleb CARPENTER Rufus FISK tithing men 8 Samuel READ Stephen SHEPHERDSON Jr Ephraim GALE Williams MARSH for hay
wards
9 Benjamin BACKLAND Brander of horses
10 David STOWEL sealer of weights and measures
11 John NOYES Samuel MACKWAIN Job WHITNEY Captain David DENISON
Jeddidiah WELLMAN Paul CHASE Elibu ROOT David STOWEL Daniel KNIGHT
Stephen GOULD John STAFFORD Jr surveyors of highways
Voted that the constables should collect the town rates
a true record William SMALLEY town clerk
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Guilford Being Legally
warned on the 7th day of September 1784
Made choice of William BULLOCK Esq. moderator Made choice of Lieut John NOYES Lieut William BIGELOW Captain David STOWELL Committee to settle with the treasurer of said town Voted that the town be divided by the centre line for the purpose of making the two large Bridges one at James DAVIDSON mills the other at Green River
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Voted that a committee of four two from each part of the town Lieut John
NOYES and John SLAUGHTER for the west side and William BIGELOW and Stephen GOULD for the East side Be a committee for Bridges Voted that the surveyor of highways are empowered to call out the people
under their respective commands to work on the roads and Bridges when they shall think proper And then adjourned to Thursdy the 23d day of September instant then to meet at two o'clock afternoon
The above is a true Record Attest
Wm SMALLEY T C
Thursday the 23d Day of September 1784
the town of Guilford met according to adjournment and First Voted to raise a tax of one Penny on the Pound on the Grand List for the year 1784 2d Voted that Joseph BULLOCK and Amasa SMEAD be collectors for the above
tax 3d Voted that the collectors of the old town tax for the year 1781 be disrected to take the same in grain at the following price wheat 4 | 8 per Bushel Rye at 3 | 4 pr Bushel Corn 2 | 5 pr Bushel and Flax att 0 | 8d pr pound Voted that the select men e empowered to engage a master workman for the
bridge at Mr James DAVIDSONS mill
And then dissolved this meeting
the above is a true record Attest
William SMALLEY T C
Guilford the first day of April 1784
Then appeared Nicholus PULLEN Constable and drew out the Name of Matthew
PULLEN to serve as Juryman at Westminister in May next
A true record William SMALLEY town clerk
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Guilford at the meeting
in said town on Monday the 1 Day of March A D 1785
Made choice of Mr Joel BIGELOW moderator and then adjorned to the house of Mr Joel BIGELOW in said town and then proceeded to Reconsider the vote above mentioed and then Made choice of Wiliam BIGELOW moderator and then made choice of Wiliam BIGELOW town clerk And Benjamin CARPENTER Esq. first select man And then made choice of William BIGELOW Second select man And then made choice of Paul CHASE the third select man And Lieut Timothy ROOT town treasurer And Lieut Elihu ROOT first constable And Ensign Edward BARNEY second constable Josiaph BULLOCK and Rufus FISK John NOYES John CONNABLE and Samuel ALLEN
listers Capt. David STOWEL leather sealer Capt. Asa RICE and Mr Joel BIGELOW Grand Jurymen Capt. Hezekiah STOWEL and Lieut Amos FISH and Jermiah WEATHERHEAD and Lieut Paul CHASE and Mr James PACKER Jr tything men Ephraim NICHOLS and Joshua LYNDE and Richard BAILEY and James DENNIS and
Joseph GALLOP and Amos----(?) haywards Benjamin BUCKLIN hours brander And Capt. David STOWEL sealer of weights and measures
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Daniel BOYDEN Phillip MAXWELL David GUINS Capt. Lovell BULLOCK Josiah RICE John NOYES Joseph OLDEN Capt. Daniel WILKINS John SLATER Surveyors of highways James HOUGHTON pound keeper Ephraim NICHOLS and William MARSH Capt. Asa RICE committee to settle with the old treasurer Samuel STEPHERDSON and David DAVIS collectors for the town tax And then adjourned this meeting to the last Wednesday in March 1785
A true record Attest William BIGELOW town clerk
Wednesday the 30 Day of March
Then the town of Guilford met according to adjournment First made choice of William SMALLEY Clerk Protemporary Secondly Voted that Wiliam BULLOCK Esq. Maj. Simeon EDWARDS and Benjamin
BUCKLIN be a committee to see what situation the town is in respect to the town Debts and make report immediately Thirdly Voted that a Pound be made as near to Capt. Ezekiah STOWELLS as can be with covenience Fourthly Voted that a tax of one penny farthing on the pound as it stands in the grand list of the year 1784 be assessed and raised immediately to answer the debts of the town Fiftly Voted that a committee of three be chosen to call on the old committee to account concerning the school lands and the men chosen are Major Simeon EDWARDS Capt. David STOWELL and Mr Joel BIGELOW Sixthly Voted the quietry act (twenty for it and three against it) And then dissolved the meeting
Attest William BIGELOW town clerk
Guilford November ye 1st A D 1785
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Guilford the town being met according to Notification at the meeting hours Made choice of Col. Benjamin CARPENTER moderator to govern sd meeting Secondly called on the committee that was chosen to settle with the old committee that had the care of the school money and the report was that there (was) three hundred and fifty pounds or about that Due from the old Committee Thirdly Voted that a committee be chosen to settle with the old committee and make report at the next meeting the Persons chosen Maj. Simeon EDWARDS and Capt. David STOWEL and Mr Paul CHASE 4 Voted that any person that lives remote from the school house in their
District to which they belong shall have liberty to draw their money for
the use of the school where they sent
Attest Wm BIGELOW town clerk
At a meeting holden in Guilford by the Inhabitants thereof at Mr Joel
BIGELOWS of said town on Wednesday the 2d Day of Dec'r 1785
First made choice of William SMALLEY moderator Secondly Voted that the money that the school lands was sold for should be received of the old committee as it is now and to petition the Assembly to ratify the sale of the school lands Thirdly voted that the Districts should be Numbered and that they should
begin at the northwest corner of said town (and) run East No 1 Benjamin BUCKLIN
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No 2 Paul CHASE No 3 Abel JOY No 4 Timothy ROOT No 5 David STOWELL No 6 Daniel WILKINS No 7 Edward BARNEY No 8 Ichabod PACKER No 9 Hezekiah SPRAGUE
Attest William BIGELOW T C
Guilford March ye 13th 1886
At the annual meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Guilford holden at Mr Joel BIGELOWS in said Guilford according to Notification Firstly made choice of William SMALLEY moderator to govern said meeting 2d Made choice of William BIGELOW town clerk 3d Made choice of William BIGELOW and William SMALLEY and Benjamin BUCKLIN Select men for the ensuing Year 4 Made choice of Maj. Simeon EDWARDS constable for the year ensuing 5 Made choice of Amos FISK (? OR FISH ) and David GAINS and Josiah RICE and Hezekiah HORTON Jr Listers for the year ensuing 6 Made choice of Timothy ROOT 7 Made choice of Capt. Amasa SMEAD and Capt. David STOWELL Grand jury men for the Year ensuing 8 Made choice of Capt. David STOWELL Sealer of Weights and measures and Leather 9 Made choice of Caleb CARPENTER William MARSH Ephraim NICHOLS Abner STEBBINS Samuel CURTIS Solomon BARROWS John NOYES Eleazer BROWN Comfort STREETER Surveyors of highways 10 Made choice of Benjamin BUCKLIN Brander of horses 11 Made choice of Edward BARNEY Simeon EDWARDS and Joseph GOODWIN Fence viewers 12 Voted the Sureyors shall have Power to put in sub surveyors Nxtly Made choice of Hog Constables Caleb CARPENTER and Abijah RODGERS Thias JOHNSON and Joseph WEATHERHEAD and Daniel WILKINS and John OLDEN William PACKER and Isaac TOBY Nxtly Made choice of Capt. Lovell BULLOCK Collector of town taxes Likewise made choice of William BIGELOW Supervisor Jeremiah WEATHERHEAD and James PACKER and Edward BARNEY and David SMALLEY tithing men Voted that the Select Men shall be empowerng to look into the situation of the old Collectors bills and cancel what they think proper Voted that two Pence on the Pound on the Grand List of the town of Guilford shall be raised to defray the charges of the town Then adjourned the meeting to the first Monday of May next
The above is a true REcord
Attest William BIGELOW town clerk
Guilford June ye 13th 1786
At a meeting Holden at Mr Joel BIGELOWS Legally warned for to choose a Deligate to set in a convention to be holden at Manchester for the Purpose of Establishing a New Constitution Proposed by the Council of Censors When met Made choice of Mr Wm SMALLEY Secondly voted that the accounts of Col. Benjamin CARPENTER and Capt. John BARNEY and Levi GOODENOUGH Esq. shall not be allowed
===========================Page 34
The above is a true record of the proceedings of the town
William BIGELOW town clerk
January ye 15 1786
At a meeting of the town of Guilford legally warned for the Purpose of settling the Dispute concerning the school Lands Firstly made choice of Col. Benjamin CARPENTER moderator of sd meeting Secondly Voted to ratify the sales of the school Lands by giving leases to the persons that bought the same Thirdly voted to receive the money that the school Lands was sold for as
the sum was in November 1785 which sum was L311-3-2 according to the report of a committee chosen by the town the 30th day of March A D 1785--- Signed David STOWELL for Committee 4 Voted to make alterations in the school Districts and Likewise Voted that the Select men put it in the warrant at March meeting to have
all Persons that want any alterations to make report at sd meeting and then dissolved the meeting
The above is a true record
Attest William BIGELOW town clerk
Guilford March ye 5th 1787
At the Annual meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Guilford according to a Notification Holden at the widow Lucretia HOUGHTONS in said Guilford First they made choice of William SMALLEY Esq. moderator of said meeting
Secondly made choice of William BIGELOW Esq. town clerk Thirdly made choice of Wm BIGELOW and Wm SMALLEY Esq. and Mr Benjamin BUCKLIN Select men for the year ensuing Fourthly made choice of Maj. Simeon EDWARDS and Mr Daniel BOYDEN constables Fiftly made choice of Nathan HORTON William RAMSDELL Abner STEBBINS James PACKER Jr Listers Sixth--made choice of Mr Abel JOY Collector of town taxes Seventh--made choice of Capt. David STOWELL Leather sealer Eighth--made choice of Mr Paul CHASE and Capt. Lovell BULLOCK Grand Jury
men Ninth--made choice of Squire MAXWELL and Comfort STARR and Isaac BROWN Jr and Jeremiah PACKER and Joseph BULLOCK and Jebez FRANKLIN and Samuel ALLEN tything men Tenth--made choice of Mr Matthew PULLEN Edward CARPENTER Wm WHITE Joshua
LYNDE Able JOY Jonas NICHOLS Simeon TERRELL Amasa SMEAD and Josiah BIGELOW David STOWELL Nathan AVERY Samuel STAFFORD Edward BARNEY David CULVER Caleb ELLIS Nathan WALSWORTH David SMALLEY William R EDDY Surveyors of Highways
Eleventh Benjamin BUCKLIN Brander of horses Twelfth Job SALISBURY John HEALEY Ephraim WHITNEY Joseph WEATHERHEAD Andrew WILKINS Ephraim EDWARDS Augustus BELDEN John CONNABLE Haywards Thirtenth Elihue FIELD Pound Keeper Fourteenth Mr Paul CHASE Thomas WELLS John NOYES Fence viewers Voted that any School District that could agree for any alterations might and that the town would ratify the same and likewise
===========================Page 35
Voted that the District No 7 should be divided according to the vote of said District
Then Dissolved this meeting
Attest William BIGELOW town clerk
At the annual meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Guilford for the
Year 1788 the Inhabitants being met according to the warrant for that
purpose at the house of widow Lucretia Houghton
Firstly made choice of Wm SMALLEY Esq. Clerk protempory
Secondly made choice of Wm BIGELOW Esq. town clerk for the ensuing year
3--Made choice of Wm BIGELOW & Wm SMALLEY Esqs and Benjamin BUCKLIN
Select men for the Year ensuing
4 Made choice of Joseph BULLOCK Constable and Collector of town taxes
5--Made choice of Wm SMALLEY town treasurer
6--Made choice of Benjamin BULLEN {pullen? a unquestionable B; we, a
long way before, have been having Benjamin PULLEN, and suppose this may
be the man; but, we follow copy. This long transcribe of the old
records is fair, though fine writ, mostly; occasionally, only, we have
found a word or mark illegible; twice or so bearing a suspicious look
that where the old record was indecipherable, marks were made as near
like the copy as possible)
6 made choice of Benjamin BULLEN (Possibly, Benjamin BALLOU) Ephraim
NICHOLS Stephen GOULD John NOYES Listers for the Year ensuing]
7 Voted that David STOWELL be sealer of Leather And likewise that
Thomas CUTLER Wm MARSH Edward BARNEY Grandjury men And Elihu FIELD
Pound Keeper
8 Capt. Amasa SMEAD Caleb CARPENTER John NOYES Philip MAXWELL David
GAINS titheing men And then voted that Wm SMALLEY and Dana HYDE and
Zephaniah SHEPHERDSON John B CARPENTER Haywards And then voted that
Joseph BULLOCK Benjamin CARPENTER Stephen CHASE Paul CHASE Daniel BOYDEN
Joseph EDWARDS James CUTLER Jonathan ALDRICH Jr Job WHITNEY Solomon BARROWS John HAMMOND Isaac THAYER John NOYES Daniel SMITH Augustus BELDEN Nathan STARK David GAINS Surveyors of Highways And David STOWELL
Sealer of weights and measures
And then Dissolved this meeting
Attest Wm BIGELOW town clerk
At a town meeting Legally warned and in and for the town of Guilford
held on ye 4th Day of December A D 1788
Firstly Made choice of Col. Benjamin CARPENTER Moderator to Govern sd' meeting 2 Voted that Joseph BULLOCK should collect the Remainder of a tax which was taken from Simeon EDWARDS and likewise Receive twelve shillings out
of said tax for a compensation 3 Voted that a tax of one Penny on the Grand List should be assessed on the said town
Guilford December ye 4th 1788
Attest Wm BIGELOW town clerk
At the annual meeting holden at Guilford March ye 7th 1789 Being Legally
warned and the Inhabitants being met according to the warrant
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1st Made choice of Wm BIGELOW Esq. Moderator of sd meeting 2d made choice of William BIGELOW Town Clerk 3d Made choice of William BIGELOW Esq. first Select man 4 Made choice of Mr Benjamin BUCKLIN the second Select man 5 Made choice of Mr Ephraim NICHOLS the third Select man And then made choice of Insine Paul CHASE Town Treasurer And then made choice of Lieut Timothy ROOT Constable And afterwards Dismissed said ROOT and made choice of Mr Daniel BOYDEN Constable By said ROOT being his bondsman And then made choice of John FITCH Joshua LYNDE Philip MAXWELL Abel JOY Listers Then made choice of Captain David STOWELL Sealer of Leather ,,And made choice of Elihu ROOT and Thomas WELLS Grand jurors ,,And then made choice of Elihu FIELD Pound Keeper ,,And then made choice of Capt. Edward BARNEY Thomas CUTLER tythemen And then made choice of John SLATER Cyril CARPENTER Capt. Comfort STARR Col. Joel BIGELOW Mannassah BIXBY Jonas NICHOLS Theophilus WADLEIGH Salmon GOODENOUGH Amasa SMEAD Joseph WEATHERHEAD Josiah BIGELOW Ebenezer
FITCH James CLARK David CULVER Stukely STAFFORD Augustus BELDEN Peter Aldrich Joseph STANHOOP Jr Nathan CULVER Surveyors of Highways ,,Then made choice of Caleb CARPENTER tytheing man ,,And then made choice of Daniel BOYDEN Paul CHASE Augustus BELDEN Fence
Viewers And then made choice of Capt. Amasa SMEAD Sealer of Weights and measures
,, and then made choice of William BULLOCK James BOYDEN Seth SHEPHERDSON
Osman MARSH Haywards ,,and then made choice of Samuel SHEPHERDSON Town Collector ,,and then voted that the Division of the District No 7 & No 8 according
to their own agreement shall stand and hereafter be known by the name of
School District No 10 ,, and then voted that Deacon Thomas CUTLER Isaac TERRILL and Theophilus
WADLEIGH shall come off from School District No 3 and should go to
District No 4
,,The above is a true Record attest
Wm BIGELOW Town Clerk
March ye 8th 1790
the Inhabitants of Guilford being met at the house of Widow Lucretia HOUGHTON Innholder in said town of Guilford by a legal warrant for their
annual town meeting Firstly made choice of Wm BIGELOW Esq. Moderator of said meeting 2d Made Choice of William BIGELOW Town Clerk 3d--Made choice of William BIGELOW Esq. first Select man 4--,, ,, of Mr Benjamin BUCKLIN 2d Select man 5-- Made choice of Lieut John NOYES third Select man 6-- Made choice of Ensign Paul CHASE treasurer of said town 7 Made choice of Samuel SHEPHERDSON Constable
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8--,, ,, ,, Capt. David STOWELL Leather Sealer ,,-- ,, ,, Samuel SHEPHERDSON Collector ,,-- ,, ,, David STOWELL and Timothy ROOT Grand Jurors ,,-- ,, ,, Elihu FIELD Pound Keeper ,,-- ,, ,, Paul CHASE Benjamin BUCKLIN Samuel ALLEN Elihu ROOT James PACKER Jr Abel WHITNEY William CULVER tytheing men ,, made choice of B CARPENTER Elihu ROOT William PACKER Timothy ROOT
Listers ,, made choice of Henry WARD Isaac BARBER James HOUGHTON William MARSH Jun'r Edward THURBER Jr Benjamin EDDY Haywards ,, made choice of Joseph BULLOCK John BARNEY Jr Manassah BIXBY David DAVIS Samuel MELENDY Fence Viewers ,, Surveyors of Highways District No 1 William HANES Joseph SLATER Benjamin BUCKLIN No 2 William MARSH John HINCLKEY No 3 Mcihael RICE and Gideon BOWKER No 4 Philip MAXWELL Nath'l JACOBS No 5 Aaron WILDER Henry WARD No 6 James BARNEY (Jonah CUTTING No 7 No 8 Capt. Daniel ASHCRAFT-- No 9 Squire MAXWELL Nathan STARK No 10 Joshua CULVER James PACKER Jr ,, Benjamin BUCKLIN Sealer of weights and measures Voted that Elihu ROOT Nathan AVERY John B CARPENTER serve as Sextons for
Digging Graves for the dead the year ensuing Voted to choose a Committee to settle with the Inhabitants of the school
Lands Chose John NOYES Peter BRIGGS William BIGELOW Lovell BULLOCK Ephraim NICHOLS to make report
[The above and within is a true Record of the votes of said town
Attest Wm BIGELOW Town Clerk
[A few records are here added, which will still farther serve to
illustrate the workings of the township government.--J.W.P. ]
"July 26 A D 1774
Samuel MELENDY complains and says that Eunice MERRIAM wife of Samuel MELENDY and Theophilus MERRIAM her son are at his House, they being tranchent Persons and he the Sd Samuel MELENDY Determining to take the steps the Law Directs with them Therefore he brings this complaint
pr Elijah WELCH Town Clerk
December the 29th 1774
Hezekiah STOWELL has entered complaint that Ithamar HALEY & Moly his wife with Comfort LIDEA James Nancy & Asa their children came to Guilford on December the 1st 1774 and being determined to clear this town from any cost that might arise by reason of them Therefore he brings this comlaint
pr Elijah WELCH Town Clerk"
Report Of Road Committee.
"We the subscribers Regularly chosen by the freeholders and other Inhabitants of the District of Guilford to sarve in sd District as cornection en for Laying out Highways-- We have laid out the following Highway First Beinning at Barttleborough Line Near the house of David JOY Esq. Being the Northeast corner Lot of sd District thence westerly as the way
is
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now Traveled by James KINGS William RAMSDEL Samuel NICHOLS Esq-- and so by the mills and hence to Hezekiah STOWELS and by the meeting house still westly Down the hill then northerly to Broad Brook thence westerly
as the road is trod to John SHEPHERDSON and the Northwestly to the lot of Joseph PECK and so to the house of Benjamin CARPENTER thence a new untroden way still about the same point of compass to the south end of Govrners Mountain so called and Between the Governers Mountain and the Picked mountain so call and mainly about the same point to the Line of Halifax then Returned and Begun another Rhoad at the foot of the first mentioned mountain thence easterly up the hill and so to Edward BARNEYS and so to Caleb COLES and thence up the hill to Paul CHASES Barn and so by the north side of sd' Barn Down the hill to John BARNEYS
The aforementioned Rhoades we marked with a marking yr on the northerly side of sd Rhodes marked Thus H W (three straight marks under H W) the marks under the Letters to signify the number of Rods the road is in width
Guilford April ye 23 1774
John SHEPHERDSON | Commetimen
John BARNEY | for Laying
Thomas CUTLER | out highways
Recineded April y' 23
A True Copy Examined
Thomas CUTLER Town Clerk
Guilford April ye 21st A D 1784
This may certify that I have attached in favor of Sylvanus FISK all the Real estate of Giles ROBERTS Samuel BIXBY William WHITE James DAVISON David ASH CRAFT Henry EVENS Joseph PECK Adonijah PUTNAM Joshua NOURSE David GOODENOUGH Joseph ELLIOT in order to have the attachment Recorded I Lodge this with the Town Clerk
pr Nicholus PULLEN Constable
A true Record Attest
William SMALLEY Town Clerk
Recorded this 30th Day of April 1784
The following Instrument was Received to Record March 5 A D 1784
Attest
Samuel Shepherdson Town Clerk
This may certify all People whom it may concern that I the Subscriber have Attached Eighty Acres of Land belonging to the farm of Nathaniel CARPENTER Sd attachment Levied on the 4th day of March instant and Laid on the East side of sd farm in favor of Sylvanus FISK Guilford March the
5th 1784
pr Nicholus PULLEN Dept' Sheriff
A True Record Attest
Samuel SHEPHERDSON Town Clerk
[The foregoing records furnished by Rodney B. Field then town clerk, the
General resumes the pen.]
Difficulties Of Jurisdiction
The difficulties between the Yorkers and new statesmen occasioned some bloodshed and a very considerable display of military force. On the 9th
of September 1782, Ethan ALLEN at the head of 250 Green Mountain Boys entered Windam County from Bennington, which was as noted as a centre of
opposition to New York as Guilford was for its attachment to that State.
ALLEN arrived at Marlboro, was there joined by companies form that town,
Wilmington and Dummerston, which swelled his command to 400 men.-- This force was sent off to by detachments to various points in the adjoining
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towns and with the most considerable one, he in person repaired to Guilford. He there made several arrests and with his prisoners continued on with the view of turning them over to the civil authorities
at Westminster, He had not gone far before he was fired on by a party of Yorkers.
Tradition speaks of one Broadstreet who was designedly aimed at for ALLEN who rallied the Yorkers for their bad markmanship; being a large man and his clothes only having been cut by a bullet.
The Vermonters were brought to a stand and they made threats to kill one
of their prisoners for every one of their party who should be injured.
ALLEN made a announcement to the inhabitants in the most emphatic terms that unless they peacefully submitted to the authority of Vermont, he would "lay their town as desolated as Sodom and Gomorrah, by--." It does not appear that he met with any farther opposition on this occasion.
In 1783, an act was passed at Westminster to raise 100 men for the purpose of assisting the civil authority in carrying into execution the law in the southern part of the County of Windham. But on the eve of the troops being employed a party from Guilford assisted by several from
Barattleborough made an attack about midnight, Jan. 17, 1784 upon the head quarters of Gen. FLETCHER, a hero of Bunker Hill, which was at an inn in Barttleborough.
Major BOYDEN, Constable WATERS and some others holding office under the new state were lodging at the same inn: and the Major and a traveler were wounded by some of the thirty bullets that were discharged into the
building.
Constable WATERS, who had rendered himself odious by his enforcement of the collection of state taxes from the Yorkers was captured and taken away.
This inn was about a quarter of a mile N. W. from where the asylum for the insane now stands, on the road to Newfane.
The Spirit Of 76 Awoke Up
State troops were already assembled in the neighborhood, and on the morning of the 19th amidst a snowstorm, they took up their line of march
toward Guilford. They consisted of companies from Wilmington, Marlboro,
Townshend, Rockingham, Westminster, Putney and Dummerston, amounting in all to upwards of 300 men with one piece of artillery. The route which they followed was what is now known as "the old road to Guilford."
>From before so considerable a force whose numbers were augmented still by rumor, and which met with welcome from the adherents of the opposite party, the Yorkers retreated toward the southern part of the town. After one or two ineffectual stands they at length fired on their pursuers and wounded two men, Joel KNIGHT of Dummerston and Sergeant FIST, whose wound proved mortal. They then fled into Massachusetts.
On the 22d Ethan ALLEN again arrived into town with another party from Bennington; but, after a consultation with the officers from the Eastern
side of the mountains, it was not thought proper to follow into Massachusetts--and they decided to retire. The companies from Windham County reached Barttelboro that night; and some of them were dismissed to their homes, while others continued on with the prisoners to Westminter.
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Two companies,--the one comanded by Elijah KNIGHT, the other by Benjamin
WHITNEY, the first, consisting of 20 men, the latter, of 65 men, were left in Guilford and its vicinity till near the close of the following March with the object of preserving order, and preventing the return of those who had fled into Massachusetts.
GOODENOUGH And SPICER.
In this state of things, David GOODENOUGH, who held a commission of Lt. under New York, attempted to return to his home. He was accompanied by a friend, named SPICER. On the evening of the 5th of March, having advanced about half a mile within the limits of Guilford, they were challenged from the roadside by a man under arms "Who comes there?" Endeavoring to make their escape, they leaped the fence and started for the woods, but they were pursued and fired on by KNIGHT'S party, and SPICER was mortally wounded. GOODENOUGH escaped unhurt. SPICER was a citizen of Massachusetts, had had nothing to do with the differences between the Yorkers and Vermonters, and he had served in the Revolutionary War, having received his discharge only the preceding June. He was shot in two places one of the balls having "passed through
his trunk," and the dying man was treated with great harshness and severity: and, indeed, those inhabitants of the town who had given their allegiance to New York, long remembered the irritating plunderings
and exactions to which they had been exposed by some of the troops who were sent against them.
Of quite a different tenor form their martial movements is the traditionary story told of the opposition which was manifested, doubtless by the Vermont party of the town against the Rev. Henry WILLIAMS who had distinguished himself by an ardent zeal in the cause of
New York. One Sunday morning on going to his pulpit to preach, as usual, he found it occupied by a dead horse, with head crest, forefeet upon the reading desk, and the bands which were then worn by clergymen, around his neck! It is evident that the controversy had reached the moral foundations of society, and had need of being brought to a termination.
Population
The population of Guilford at about this period, was probably, nearly as
large as it ever has been since, and perhaps greater. We can find no record of the number of the inhabitants previous to 1771, and note between 1772 and 1791. In the year 1771, it was 436, of whom three were
black males and two black females.
A schedule of the inhabitants is extant, dated May 11, 1772, in which the names of the heads of families are recorded, which gives 586 souls.-- By the year 1791, it had increased to 2542, or about one fifteen hundredth part of the then population of the United States. >From that period it has steadily decreased until the census of 1860, when it was only 1292.-- It is now, probably, somewhat larger than it was at the last census. It has ranged:
1791--2432 | 1800,--2256
1810--1872 | 1820,--1862
1830--1760 | 1840--1525
1850--1389 | 1860--1292
This decrease of the number of inhabitants is owing to several causes:
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the party of differences to which we have alluded; the decrease in the virgin richness of the soil; the greater inducements offered by the fertile fields of the West; the great difficulty in the way of an inland, agricultural community becoming a manufacturing people under the
hitherto unfriendly policy of the general government, rendering it impossible for its small capital at home and abroad and the more favorable situation of Barttleboro as a natural centre of the trade of the county. But still, the town has much to recommend it; its cheerful
hills and streams lie pleasantly to the sun; its soil responds generously to good and careful tillage, and its climate is healthy;-- many of its first born sons, of whom not a few have died during the last
decade, often attaining the age of between 80 and 90 years.
It is not long since we have conversed with those whose axes helped shear the land of its pristine forests, and indeed, though our own memory extends back only fifty years, we can remember when it was customary to "clear a piece" of forest every year for the purpose of bring the land under cultivation. Some of those pieces are not again covered with a heavy growth of timber.
Grant To The Society For Propagating The Gospel In Foreign Parts.
One whole share of land, as seen by reverting to the charter was granted
to the above society, whose seat is in London-- the oldest Protestant missionary society in the world. But many believed by the Revolution, the title to the lands thus granted in the state properly vested in the government of Vermont, and hence, in 1794, the Legislature passed an act
directing them to be used for school purposes. But, after the treaty of
Ghent in 1815, an agent of the society visited Vermont and transferred the rights of the society in these lands to a Board of agents in favor of the Episcopal Church of the State. The claim, however, was not definitively settled till 1841, after a long, costly and troublesome course of litigation in which Daniel WEBSTER was council for the State, and the case had been carried up to the Supreme Court of the United States. The rents of these lands throughout the entire State amount to some $3000, and they are appropriated first to the support of the bishop, and the remainder to the use of the church in the state. The Episcopal church of Guilford has received of late years $100 annually from this fund.
As the glebe lands were designed for building up and establishing, as a state institution, a peculiar form of religion, which is contrary to the
tenor of our constitution, those lands are considered as rightly vesting
in the state and they accordingly remain, as disposed of by the act of 1764, for the benefit of schools.
The Governor's Grant.
The mercenary disposition manifested by Governor WENTWORTH in making use
of public office to enrich himself and family, does not appear to have been much respected by the original proprietors of Guilford since they located his tract of 500 acres on the least valuable land of the town, on a mountain which has ever since gone by the name of Governor's Mountain, and which may be regarded as a perpetual monument of the disapproval by the people of venal exercise of the functions of public office and trust.
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The present proprietors of that land derive their title by purchase from
the Governor's heirs.
Villages And Noted Districts.
There are four villages in town, viz: East Village in the N. E. corner of the town: Guilford Centre, near the middle: Green River in the western part and Hinesburgh in the N. W. corner. The last inconsiderable-- a collection of ten or a dozen buildings: the three former are nearly of the same size, containing each from 20 to 30 edifices, in which they have raised but very little for nearly half a century. The East Village, also, called Algiers, is probably the largest of the three, and may contain within a mile's radius some 40 houses. Within this limit there is an excellent water-power which has never been brought into use.
Besides these villages there is a collection of houses to the southward of Guilford Centre which used to be called South Neighborhood.
South Hollow is a deep, narrow valley in the eastern part of the town containing some very fine farms. It runs nearly north and south, and is
several miles in length.
To the eastward of this hollow and separated from it by East Mountain is
a region which is called the Slate Rock from the principal slate quarries being in that quarter.
In each of the three principal villages there is a tavern and a small store. There is, also, a post-office in each on a mail route, running from Brattleboro to North Adams, Mass.
Literature.
There was at one time a circle of literary men in Guilford, whose ambitious aspirations had an elevating effect on the tone of society, and whose influence was felt long after they had left town. Between 1790 and 1800, Royal TAYLER wrote "The Algerine Captive", a work of merit and of considerable celebrity. In the course of this work, the author gives a graphic picture of the horrors of the slave trade. He, also, wrote a play at this period, probably, the third ever written in America, (the writer, himself, having written the first two.) called "The Georgian Spec, or Land in the Moon", which ridicules the fever then
prevailing for speculation in Georgia lands. It was repeatedly played on the Boston stage and was received with favor. He was, also, a prolific writer for various periodicals, one of which was a spirited paper, the "Farmer's Weekly Museum, at Walploe, N. H.
Judge TAYLER resided in Guilford about 11 years, 1783- 1800, when he removed to Barttleboro, where he died in 1836. His widow, who survived him about 30 years, died 1865, ae. 94 years. She contributed largely by
her talents and the natural grace and refinement of her sex to give a stimulus to the ambition of the literary circle alluded to, of which her
husband was the head and inspiring example.
Of this circle, we may mention John SHEPHERDSON, James ELLIOT, his brother, Samuel, J. H. PALMER, John PHELPS, Henry DENISON, and Miss Elizabeth PECK. These were all poets, and the two ELLIOTS and John PHELPS became lawyers.
James ELLIOT was born in Essex Co., Gloncester, Mass. At the age of fifteen we find him in a store in Guilford. He devoted himself to reading and in the perusal of Rollin's History, he gained a thirst for military glory. The Indians were active in their hostilities upon
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the settlements northwest of the Ohio, and on July 17, 1793, he enlisted
at Springfield, Mass. as the first not commissioned officer in the Second U.S. Sub Legion, commanded by Capt. Cornelius LAYMEN. having performed a term of service against the insurgents in Pennsylvania, and against the Indians in Ohio, he returned to Guilford, Aug. 23, 1796, and
in 1798, published a volume, called "The Poetical and Miscellaneous Works of James ELLIOT, Citizen of Guilford, Vermont, and late a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Legion of the United States."
Many of the pieces are versification's of the odes of HORACE. Among the
pure original effusions is one on "The Autumnal Season", addressed to Royal TAYLER of which the four, concluding stanzas are:
Oh Thou! my carly and my constant friend!
In thee the fruits of carly knowledge shine;
In thee the graces and the virtues blend--
A soul sincere, a feeling heart, are thine.
In thee has nature various powers displayed;
Art, eloquence and taste, alike to grace
The bar, the senate, or the studious shade,
To wield the sword, or tread the walks of peace
On thee, long may the rays of science fall,
An in the life and writings greatly glow
Long be thy useful life--and thine be all
The bliss that conscious virtue can bestow.
Be thine throughout life's variegated year.
The meed of genius and the poet's lays;
And in thy autumn may bright suns appear.
To gild the happy winter of thy days.
Considering the period at which our author wrote, soon after the close
of the Revolutionary war, his ideas of equality may be considered as
possessed of peculiar interest. We give his
Ode To Equality.
All hail, divine Equality!
Benignant daughter of the sky!
Sister and friend of Godlike Liberty!
Descend from the etherial plains,
Proclaim on earth, Jehovah reigns
'Tis Nature's King who rules on high,
Oc'r Countless Equal Worlds Equal Power
Maintains!
Thou gentle, soothing, sovereign balm of woe'
And purest bliss that human beings know,
"Tis thine to cheer old age and guide the youth:
Come issue form thy calm retreat,
And fix on earth thy peaceful seat,
Attended by the radiant Ord of Truth'.
On Reason's basis build thy throne;
Exalt the peer and prince to Man,
And humble all the ig-noble clan!
Beneath Oppression's iron road,
Obedient to tyrant's rod,
No more, the wretched, human race shall groan--
Oh! come with Virtue in thy train.
And o'er the universe extend thy glorious reign!
The book contains 25 short essays, called "The Rural Moralist," which had been generally published in "The New England Galaxy." Of these, one
was written by his brother, Samuel ELLIOT and another by John H. PALMER,
then a youth of seventeen. They are apparently imitations of ADDISON, STEELE, and other English authors of that time and are quite creditable to the writers. But the most interesting part is a journal kept by the writer during his military service.
From the ELLIOT Journal
At Springfield, Mass., Aug. 7, 1794, he writes:
"Information is received that the insurrection in the western counties of Pennsylvania is assuming an extremely serious aspect.
On the 16th of July, at dawn of day 100 of the rioters attacked the house of Gen. NEVILLE, the inspector of the revenue. The General with the assistance of his servants and family, is said to have defended his house for upwards
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of an hour, wounded a number of the rioters, and ultimately obliged them
to retire.
On the following day, having augmented their number to five or six hundred, they renewed the attack. In the meantime a sergeant and twelve
men, detached form the garrison at Pittsburg, (all recruits and several of whom marched from this place on the 2d of April) had taken possession
of Gen. NEVILLE'S house. The General escaped before the attack began and the insurgents permitted his lady and the females of the family to retire. The attack then commenced, the little party defended it for a considerable time, with a degree of bravery which displays an illustrious example for the imitation of those who may hereafter be called to support the laws of their country.
The Corporal, whose name was DOUD, conducted in a manner which ought to immortalize his name.
Ebenezer WALKER and William GRIGLEY, two lads of seventeen years of age,
natives of Massachusetts, fought with astonishing bravery.
Three of the soldiers were wounded and four of the insurgents killed-- Jame McFARLUD, the leader, was killed, and a number of them were wounded.
Our little band of heroes were ultimately forced to surrender, and the rioters burned the house and out-houses and all the property which they contained; but either because they respected their courage, or dreaded the resentment of government they immediately liberated the soldiers.
Aug. 12
An account is this day published of an attack on Fort Recovery, in the Western Territory, by the Indians on the morning of the 30th of June. The enemy were repulsed with great slaughter; but they again renewed the
attack, keeping a very heavy and constant fire all that day, and by intervals during the night and morning of the 1st of July, but were ultimately compelled to retreat between the hours of 12 and 2 o'clock of
that day, with loss and disgrace, from the field, where on a former occasion, they had been entirely victorious.
Aug 20,
The President of the United States has issued orders for embodying 1300 of the Militia of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to suppress the insurrection.
Aug 30
Cap. LYMAN with a detachment of recruits, embarked at Springfield for Middletown.
New Brunswick, Sep. 9.
The Militia of New Jersey and Pennsylvania drafted by order of the President to oppose the Pittsburg rioters, are now in motion and will rendezvous in Trenton and Carlisle.
Sep 24
Arrived at Carlisle.
Carlisle is a large and handsome borough, shire of the County of Cumberland, 120 miles west of Philadelphia " " " The barracks are situated a quarter of a mile east of the town, and are large, but decayed buildings, capable of containing several thousand men.
Sep. 28
This morning an express passed through town on his way to Philadelphia with information of a victory gained by the army under General WAYNE, over the Indians, on the 20th ult, on the river Miami of the Lakes.
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Three troops of cavalry from the city of Philadelphia arrived this day.
Oct. 2d
150 infantry arrived from Philadelphia. Gen MIFFLIN, who was appointed second in command, arrived this day.
Governor LEE of Virginia, who is vested with the chief command of the Federal army, under the order of the President, is now moving toward the
scene of rebellion, at the head of 8000 men form the states of Virginia and Maryland.
Oct 3 & 4
On these days large bodies of artillery, cavalry and infantry arrived from various quarters. The President, Gen. WASHINGTON, arrived on the 4th.
Oct 6
President WASHINGTON reviewed the troops under arms, amounting to between three and 4000 men.
>From Carlisle the march was to Chambersbury, and there the President arrived on the afternoon of the 12 Oct. "without any escort, attended only by the Secretary of the Treasury, Col. HAMILTON, who acted as his aid de camp." He left on the 13 for Williamsport, Maryland, where the Maryland and Virginia lines are to rendezvous.
On the 17th Oct. the author arrived at Bedford, a town of fifty or sixty
houses.
Oct. 18
Large bodies of troops arrived form the eastward. Governor MIFFLIN arrived this day.
Oct 19
The number of troops at Bedford including those that arrived this day, amounted to between five and 6000, and occupied a circular encampment, entirely surrounding the town. *** Many men of independent fortunes and
the most respectable character were in the ranks as private soldiers. All ranks and conditions of men were united in one common band of citizen soldiers, and appeared to be irresistible determined to vindicate and maintain the violated majesty of the laws. It was deservedly styled "The Army of the Constitution." ***
This day, the President and Gov. LEE arrived in town from the encampment
of the Maryland and Virginia lines {about 30 miles south of Bedford] and
were received with a discharge of 15 cannon.
The following general order was issued: The President of the United States directs that Capt. LYMAN who commands the detachment of continental troops shall be annexed to the light corps under the command
of Col. R. PHERSON.
Oct. 20
The troops were paraded and reviewed by Generals LEE and MIFFLIN, who express their approbation of the soldierly appearance, spirit and good conduct of the army in general.
Oct 21
The President being about to return to Philadelphia to attend the approaching session of Congress, made an elegant address to Gen. LEE, expressing generally his approbation of the appearance, spirit and good conduct of the army, and his warmest wishes for their success in the cause of rational liberty, and the support of the laws of their country. This address and the order to march to Pittsburg was published
to-day.
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The town of Washington, the "cantre of the territory of sedition." is graphically described: "the country," he continues, "trembles around us and the late insurgent inhabitants are as humble and submissive as they had been insolent and daring before the army appeared. David BRADFORD, whose abilities, influence and exertions placed him foremost on the list of rebels, had descended the Ohio with a number of associates, intending to reach the Spanish territories; and many more of
the fomentors of discord were seeking their safety in flight.
Nov. 17
Arrived at Pittsburg** the whole of the Federal army was now at this place, except about 1500 who were left at Washington. The number ow at Pittsburg was calculated at 12 or 1300.
From Nov. 17 to 24
Those who had been principally concerned in the rebellion, and who did ot choose to abandon their country, were now generally secured; and the professions of repentance in the deluded inhabitants at large, had the appearance of sincerity. In order however to preclude the possibility of a renewal of the unhappy scenes that had lately distracted this country the Commander in Chief, General LEE, continued at Pittsburg, and
was employed in organizing a body of 1500 men to be commanded by Gen. MORGON, who established his head quarters on the Monongahela, a few miles from Pittsburg, for the purpose of enforcing an exact obedience to
the government.
Nov. 26
Gen. LEE left Pittsburg on his return to Virginia.
The Continental troops to which the author belonged continued on down the Ohio and arrived in; Cincinnati on the 29th December. The Spaniards
were then at work on fortifications at the mouth of the Ohio.
The whole journal during the service of Sergeant ELLIOT in Ohio is interesting, and we would like to give it entire, did space admit: we conclude with the following entry on the 3d of August:
"This day the treaty was concluded and signed by Gen. WAYNE, on the part
of the United States, and the Sachems, Chiefs, and warriors of the Wyandot, Deleware, Chipeway, Otteway, Shawanee, Miami, Potawatamy, Eel River, Neea ? Kickopoo and Kanskias, --nations of tribes of Indians."
Not long after the publication of this work, Mr. ELLIOT was elected to Congress, where he served, 1803--1809.
He then published a paper in Philadelphia. After this, he entered to army as a Captain, but after a brief period of service, returned to Vermont where he finally became the Clerk of the Court of Windham County, in which position he died at Newfane on Nov. 10, 1839.
An incident connected with his life while in Guilford shows that the people of that town did ot entertain so high an opinion of the right ot vote as is manifested at the present day.-- It appears that at a freeman's meeting Jan. 1793 for the election of a Federal representative, only eleven voted while the number of qualified electors
in town was four hundred! But at the election in 1797, there was a considerable improvement, about one hundred voted.
John PHELPS, a contemporary of James ELLIOT, and a warm friend and admirer of Judge TAYLER, was the au-
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thor of several pieces of poetry one of which, called "New England" became quite popular in its day. He composed several Christmas hymns for choir at the usual celebrations of Christmas at Christ Church, Guilford, which are still extant; and in 1825, he published a compilation called the "Legal Classic, or the Young American's first book of Rights and Duties, " a small work of about 150 pages. He was also the author of one, or more political pamphlets.
His wife, Mrs. Almira PHELPS, prepared, for the press, one edition of her Botany in Guilford, and wrote several other works of instruction on chemistry and other subjects, somewhere between 1830 and 1835.
Miss Stella PHELPS,
daughter of John PHELPS, wrote numerous pieces of verse, some of which were very flatteringly received by the public.
From: Lines ON The Death Of A Father
By Elisabeth PECK
Say, Spirit of my Father! dost thou know
When oft my mother at the silent eve
Ascends with all the "luxury of woe,"
To weep in silence o'er thy dewy grave?
Oft at that lonely hour, when all is still.
When labor ceases and the laborer sleeps,
She climbs with hasty steps the village hill,
And o'er thy humble grave in silence weeps
Oh' if thy blessed spirit, lingering near.
Would soothe her woes and bid her sorrows cease.
Wipe from her grief-worn cheek the trickling tear
And to her throbbing bosom whisper peace.
**********************************
From:
The Grass
Lowly my lot--
Among the flowers or gorgeous dyes
And thousand perfumes that arise
I am forgot.
Yet through the earth
All flesh that move in gentle mood
For carpet, sustenance and food
Most own my worth.
My name is grass:
And though of poor, ignoble birth
And crushed and trampled to the earth
By all that pass.
I stronger grow,
My roots with firmer fibre prest,
My leaves in brighter verdure drest,
And brighter glow.
And learn of me
When ingrate mortals rudely spurn
All ills for blessings give, to meek return
Sweet charity.
Jeremiah GREENLEAF
entered the U.S. service from Guilford during the war of 1812, and was promoted to a lieutenant in 1816: at what period he left the service and
returned to his home, we have not learned; but at about that period he published a work on grammar called "Grammar Simplified," which is regarded by many even now as the plainest and best treatise on that difficult subject which has ever been produced. It first appeared in 1821 and speedily rna many editions, the 20th edition being published in
Brattleboro in 1822. At a later period he prepared a modified form of this work called the "Labor Saving Grammar." which was published in 1855, but it is not equal to his original treatise.
Since that period the published literature of Guilford has consisted almost exclusively of an occasional piece of poetry: generally by some young lady. Some of these productions are possessed of considerable merit but it is evident there is not such literary aspiration as existed
formerly. the freshness and attending life in a newly opened country have already felt the effects of time and are like the music of the
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birds that pass away with the vernal season.
Thespian Societies, Lyceums And Amusements.
Of a kin to literary circles are Thespian Societies and debating clubs. Of these, several have arisen from time to time, though they have never continued for any lengthy period.
Between the year 1825 and 1832, a Thespian Society was established by the young people of the East Village which enacted several plays on different occasions. Their exhibitions were held in the hall of the tavern: and one of the principal plays brought forward was SHERIDAN'S "Pizarro,"
but generally shorter and more amusing plays were selected.
A strolling company of players about this period came from Albany to Brattleboro to exhibit there: but as Gen. Jonathan HUNT, a resident of Brattleboro, a member of Congress, and a person much beloved by the people, had recently died, the inhabitants were averse to gayety at that
time and the players exhibited for a night or two at Algiers.
It was in the hall above mentioned, that POTTER, the Magician used always to exhibit his performances. This SPOTTER was a mulatto, who had
been brought away from Southern slavery by a New Hampshire sea captain; and he was one of the most expert jugglers of the age. He always drew a
full house whenever he came; and with the proceeds of his art he finally
retired from active life and built a house in Andover, N.H. where he died some years since.
The hall of the tavern was designed chiefly as a dancing hall. It was there thanksgiving balls and dances, so called sleigh-rides, used to be held, and occasional dancing-schools.
The tavern, itself has been the centre of various changing scenes.
A Masonic lodge once held their meetings in its hall; but in course of time a hot dispute arose about the relation which such societies bore to
a free government, and in the earnest conflict of opinion the lodge succumbed. In those days the very passengers in the stage coach that stopped to change mails were heard in sharp disputation about masonry. The coach arrived from the south about 9 o'clock P.M. Sometimes the driver announced his approach by winding a melodious tin horn; and not until he had dashed away did the usual knot of villagers depart.
Among the amusements of the villagers who spent their evenings around the-barroom fire were telling stories and singing songs which were often
enlivened by a circulation of mugs and half-mugs of flip and punch. A blind miller by name of STEVENS composed songs and set them to music. The refrain, in which all joined, of one, ran:
Thus as though life we go, I would have you to know
There are slaves in high life as well as in low.
The celebration of
The Fourth Of July
was seldom omitted at least so far as the consumption of powder extended
and we remember festivities on one occasion in honor of the victory of Lake Erie,
Shooting matches were frequent during the winter.
Base ball was played by the young men on Fast day; and once, at least, while snow was on the ground, there
===========================Page 49
was a hunt for the white rabbit. Elihue FIELD, the keeper of the tavern
and the post-office was the leading spirit in this sport, and often were
the corners of his bar-room decorated at the close of a day's hunt with the fowling-pieces of the party and the rabbits which they had shot.
He, also, took a lively interest in the political affairs of the country; and when the great speech of WEBESTER was ringing through New England, we remember to have been struck by his appearance on one occasion: a tall, slim man with a large bright black eye, as stretching
forth his hand, he repeated the following passage:
"I shall enter on no encomium upon Massachusetts; she needs none, there
she is. There is Boston, and Concord and Lexington and Bunker Hill, and
there they will remain forever. The bones of her sons, falling in the great struggle for Independence, now lie mingled with the soil of every
state from New England to Georgia; and there they will lie forever."
The Fine Arts.
No person from Guilford, as we are aware of, has ever distinguished himself as an artist; but a young gentleman.--RICHARDSON, BILLINGS-- produced several oil paintings between the years 1840 and 1850, which evinced a high degree of artistic talent and genius. Unfortunately he died at an early age; had he lived, he promised to become the equal of the artists, MEAD and BROWN, of whom he was the contemporary, who are natives of the two adjoining towns of Barttleboro and Leyden.
Agriculture.
The dairy interests, which used to be very great, the butter and cheese of Guilford ranking first in the Boston market, is now reduced to a comparative small scale, there being but little cheese produced, and much less butter than formerly. The pastures are greatly worn out and need renewal by fertilizers, which can hardly take place so long as the labor of the town continues to seek as it has done for the last forty years, the more fertile fields of the West. That principle of the soil,
phosphate of lime, which goes to form bone and also lime, was so thoroughly exhausted during the dairy period that the cows came at length to suffer from the bone disease, and in many cases could hardly stand to graze from the weakness of their bones, the phosphate of lime necessary to their strength having been almost entirely taken from the soil and carried off in butter and cheese to Boston. It was at one time
customary for the principal farmers to carry to that market the product of their own dairies; going in the winter season with two, and sometimes four horse-teams, and returning in the course of two weeks with a supply of groceries for the year.
The land produces excellent crops of corn, grass, and oats: but does ot
yield potatoes as well as formerly.-- Stock-growing may now be considered as the principal interest, and efforts have been made during the last five years to introduce good breeds of cattle, horses and sheep. Bone-dust, either given in meal, or liberally strewn upon the pastures is found to be an effectual cure for the bone-disease. Not enough grain is raised for the consumption of the stock, and a great deal of corn is imported from the West for this purpose.
Fruit thrives so well that the proper care need only to be taken to insure
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success in its cultivation. Peaches have always been produced to some extent, ever since introduced, while the precious plums and pears of Mr.
BRIGGS in the north-west part of the town, shew what can be done in that
way by intelligence and attention. The southern slopes, where well sheltered from the northern winds, would doubtless yield good grapes; but unfortunately the cultivation of that fruit is not genial to the habits of the people, and but few as yet have attempted it
**************
Statistics of 1850
Value of farms, $413.223.00:
Farming implements $12998.00:
Number of horses 294:
Number of milk cows, 608:
Number of working oxen, 409:
Other cattle, 908:
Sheep, 2281: swine, 329:
Value of live stock, $64,523.00:
Bushels of corn raised, 13,614:
Bushels of oats, 13, 186:
Bushels of rye, 663:
Bushels of barley, 2, 664:
Value of orchard products, $1, 978:
Pounds of cheese, 30,250:
Pounds of butter, 55,569:
Tuns of hay, 4,684:
Pounds of hops, 2,361:
Pounds of maple sugar, 30,856:
Bushels of beans, 336:
Bushels of potatoes, 17,357:
Gallons of molasses, 400:
Value of animals, slaughtered $17,321:
Bushels of wheat, 214:
In 1863-64, an effort at associated action was made for the improvement of the stock of the town, and a
Farmer's Club
was formed at the Middle of the town., of which Mr. Charles LYNDE became
president.
A good breed of cattle was introduced, and a corresponding movement was made at the same time by Mr. Perry MELENDY of the East Village, and others; and at the same time another movement was made by Mr. Bryant MELENDY of South Hollow, to improve the breed of horses, which promises some success. Mr. George C. HALL of New York, has also kept some fine horses in town, where he purchased a farm for this purpose.
The statistics of 1870 exhibit a very considerable falling off from the census of 1850. This may be owing in part to some defect in the taking of the census: but still there has doubtless ben a decrease in the agricultural products of the town.
Statistics of 1860
Horses, 261: cows, 556:
Oxen, 324: other cattle, 804:
Sheep, 2506: swine 310:
Wheat, 1033 bushels:
Rye, 241 bushels:
Corn, 7735 bushels:
Oats, 6377 bushels:
Wool, 8615 pounds:
Sugar, 47,926 pounds:
Hops, 10,311 pounds:
Hay, 4408 tuns:
Butter, 34,870 pounds:
Cheese, 9995 pounds:
It would be well to have the census taken by the town constable, or some
other person of the township, and to have a copy entered upon the record
of the town.
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Religion.
It appears form the church records of Barattleboro that arrangements were made as early as 1769, between the inhabitants of that town and those of Guilford for the support of Mr. REEVES, a Congregational preacher. The people of Guilford were to pay half the salary, L60, New York currency, and one sixth of the settlement, which was also L60, and Mr REEVES was to preach half the time for them, they losing the time when bad weather prevented his preaching there.
the first edifice erected for Congregational service was located upon one of the highest hills, at what is called Guilford Centre, through the
village, so called , is about a mile to the northward of the geographical centre of the town.
The early settlers, descendants of the pilgrims, on entering and taking possession of a new country, see to have associated their religious condition with that of the Jews on entering the Holy Land, and their idea of worship was always connected with the act of going up to the temple of the Lord." There is moreover, a natural association between religious sentiment and elevated position.
The size of the township from its origin in early colonel, times, arose,
doubtless, from the limits over which a congregation of healthy, energetic persons could conveniently travel, on toot, if necessary in going to and returning from church. It was in fact the religious parish
that determined the size of the civil municipality: and when Benning WENTWORTH made his township grants embrace six miles square, he was following a custom that had already become established by usage.
Persons form all parts of the town used to attend this church, and at times the roads were thronged on the Sabbath by those who wended their way to it.
The house though large, was often more than filled, so that many sat around the doors outside. It was built during the last decade of the last century, at a time when the town had attained its maximum population. The graveyard was on one side of it, and the large two-story mansion of Doct. HIDE on the other. This church was as we remember it, a large, two-story weather-stained building, without a steeple, a circular window at the gable-ends, large, square pews, the seats on hinges, and an upper gallery extending round three sides. The congregation stood while at prayers, and the seats were raised to give more standing room. When the prayers were finished the seats were lowered and were usually allowed to fall to their places with a great clatter. There was no means of warming this edifice in winter, since it
was before the days of furnaces and stoves; but ladies often carried small foot-stoves made of tin, which were heated by a cup of coals placed within.
In summer when the weather had become warm, young ladies appeared in white dresses; and as wheeled vehicles had hardly begun to be introduced, many rode on horse-back. Following the primitive custom of the times, some of the foot-travelers carried an extra pair of shoes with them, which they put on in the place of an older and poorer pair just before entering the church, leaving the old pair tucked away outside. Boys and girls often went barefoot in summer time, and when they attended church, they carried their shoes in their hands until they
reached the church door.
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After the union of the Congregationalists with the Episcopalians of the East Village in 1819, this church was still used on alternate Sundays for a time; but finally, it went into the possession of the Universalists who arose in town and by them was taken down in 1837, and put up in a new shape, in the village at the foot of the hill. The mansion of Dr. HIDE was destroyed by fire; and nothing now remains upon the hill from which these two stately edifices used to overlook the country around except the grave-yard. The monuments there will shew by their inscriptions that the town has seen better days.
Across an intervening valley, stood another similar edifice with the same weather-stained appearance, and the same circular windows in the ends.--It was designed for the use of the Baptists. At what precise time it was built we have no authentic information. It was never entirely finished, and was taken probably down about the year 1833, for the purpose of being rebuilt in Brattleboro, where it is now called the "Valley Mills."
A smaller building nearer Hinesburg and on a lower site was erected in 1816 an, and has been in constant use by the Baptists ever since. It has recently been repaired and ornamented with the addition of a small steeple. It contains about 40 pews, and may average an attendance of 100 persons. In 1860 it was presented with a communion service of silver by Mr. E. BLAKE of Springfield, Mass.
It would appear from the records of this church that the early settlers of Guilford were largely composed of Baptists, since at one period there
were four considerable societies in town of that denomination.
Richard WILLIAM'S Church
so called, was organized in 1780, and by the close of the following decade it numbered 100 members.
This congregation was probably located in South Hollow or the eastern parts of the town and perhaps in both. There was formerly a church edifice in East Guilford which has long since been taken down and moved.
Second Baptist Church
The second Baptist church was constituted in 1781. Its preacher in 1796, was Rev. Whitman JACOBS.
Third Baptist Church
The Third Church was constituted in 1782. It was located in the northern part of the town and the Reverend Peleg HICKS was its presiding
elder for some 18 years, when in June 1800 it became united with the Second Church. It is now the only Baptist society in town.
Fourth Baptist Church
The Fourth Church was constituted in 1797, in the southern part of the town. In 1802, Benjamin BUCKLIN became its pastor and preached some 20 years. It then dissolved.
These church societies usually assembled in dwelling-houses, barns, school-houses and groves; the only established place being those which we have already mentioned.
The Baptist Ministers
who have officiated for this church since the Rev. Milo TRACY are: Rev. Edmund H. SMITH, 1842 Rev. Samuel S. Kingsley, 1848 Rev. Henry ARCHIBALD, 1852 Rev. John HUNT, 1855 Rev. Joseph B. MITCHELL, 1867
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Rev. J.P. HUNTINGTON, 1859: Rev. Geo. CARPENTER, 1861: Rev. Jonas G. BENNET, 1864: Rev. Samuel FISH, 1867:
The members are gratified with the belief that the church is now in a reviving condition. It has remained as a bright light through the darkest periods of the town's decline, and has been the centre and principle of Christian union and social comfort to some of our substantial and most worthy families.
We are indebted for the principal of these facts to Dea. John CARPENTER,
Church Clerk, who is a native of the town, and is now [1869 or 70] seventy six years of age.
The Episcopal Church Edifice
of the East Village has been newly slated , painted, and thoroughly repaired since 1860, for which service the parish gratefully acknowledged the assistance of Mrs. Jane McMILLAN of Cleveland, Ohio, a native of Guilford.
This church used formerly to have an attendance of about 300; but of late years it has been maintained under great disadvantages; its members
having been gradually, but constantly reduced by death and emigration until regular attendance numbers only between forty and fifty persons. Yet these are full of hope that their days of greatest trial are past, and that they may transmit to future times of worship which with its old
pleasant memories has been such a warming source of union to themselves and their fathers.
The clergymen who have officiated in Christ Church since the ministration of the Rev. Frederick WADLEIGH from Sept. 18, 1841 to June 30, 1845, are: Rev. John B. PRATT, a second time, Aug. 23 1846 to Aug. 8, 1850. Rev. G.C. EASTMAN, May 18, 1851. Rev. Ethan ALLEN, October 1855 to May 19, 1867, at which time this worthy pastor died. Rev. Silas M. ROGERS, from Aug. 4, 1867:
The Methodists
have a small chapel at Green River which was built some years ago and which has been recently repaired. Its erection and the support of service there were largely due to the efforts of Mr. Samuel CUTTING.
According to tradition the first Methodist preaching in Guilford began about seventy years ago. We have this statement from
Mr. Amherst LAMB,
an exhorter in the church. Between the years 1820 and 1830 this sect exhibited the greatest activity and seems to have attained its widest influence.
the preacher now is the
Rev. A. G. BOWKER,
and service is held by him in succession at the East Village, at Guilford Centre and at Green River. The attendance at all three places numbers considerably less than 100 persons,-- Mr. BOWKER was preceded in
the minority by the Rev. Hubbard EASTMAN.
Univrsalism In Guilford.
In 1829, Matthew Hale SMITH, who has since distinguished himself as a clever newspaper writer and as the author of several works, among which is "Sunshine and Shadow in New York," came to Guilford to preach Universalism, then, comparatively, a new doctrine in that part of the country. He was a young man of talent, about 18 of age, and, he soon be-
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came very popular with his hearers.-- He preached in the old Congregational church at Guilford Centre; but does not appear to have remained long since in 1832, her returned to Hartford. Severices were held from that period at intervals until about 1860, since which they have entirely ceased.
Congregational Church.
In 1855, a small church for Congregational service was erected in the East Village, the
Rev. Moses G. GROSVENOR
became the preacher and continued in that office with intermissions, laboring with zeal and fervor until 1865, when he removed to the West.
Since the departure of Mr. GROSVENOR, there has been only occasional preaching at this church, and generally by the Methodists. The Young Men's Christian Association of Brattleboro have recently held prayer-meetings there on Sunday afternoons.
The attendants on services there was never considerable. Its erection does not seem to have been occasioned by any growth of religious interest, or the want of additional church accommodation: for there was
already a sufficient number of such edifices in town to seat nearly, if not all the inhabitants.-- From the most reliable statements we have been able to procure, not more than one person in six, or five at farthest, attends church of any denomination. The religious spirit of the people as evinced by church-going, when compared with what it was forty years age, exhibits a marked contrast and decline.
Education.
But though the maintenance of religious worship has undergone a change the educational interest of the town appears to have been kept up with unabated care and attention.
There are 41 districts in town and though the number of pupils in each is less than half what it used to be though the expense is doubled and we are not so many to bear it as formerly. Summer and winter schools are still held in each district. The winter school now, is often kept by young ladies, where the services of a male teacher used to be considered necessary.
A general progress in these schools during the last generation is noticeable particularly in this, that it is not infrequently the case that the more advanced scholars in arithmetic are taught algebra.
A general social improvement among the people is also remarked in the greater number of musical instruments of the higher order that are met with in the houses of the inhabitants. Young ladies may be heard playing the piano or melodeon where twenty years ago such instruments were hardly known.
During the present decade the currency of the country and prices of every thing have been inflated by the war of the Rebellion, and the wages of teachers have correspondingly risen with those of other classes
of employees. The average pay of male teachers 20 years ago was $14 a month; of female teachers five or six dollars per month. The average at
this time is about $30 for male teachers and from $12 to $16 for female;
but when females teach winter schools their wages are about the same as those of males.
Select schools have occasionally been established in town; but they have never been maintained for any considerable length of time.
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Collegiates.
The following are the names of men who as far as we can learn, have entered college from Guilford: Dana HYDE, Jr.- U.V.M.- Doctor: Timothy PHELPS, " " " - Lawyer: Henry DENISON, do, - Lawyer & Ed.: Erastus ROOT, " , - Doctor: Timothy ROOT, Amherst, Cong. Cl.: Isaac BUCKLIN, Baptist Clergyman: William BULLOCK, William's College: Ebenezer BOYDEN, Yale, Epis. Cl.: Justin CARPENTER, Union, Lawyer: Mark CARPENTER, " , Bap. Cl.: Ira CARPENTER, Middlebury, Teacher: Samuel GREGORY, , Teacher: Amos W. HART, Middlebury, " Henry W. ALLEN, Hobart, Epis. Cl.: Alex. V. G. ALLEN, Gambia, ": Besides these, Gen J.W. PHELPS graduated at the West Point Military Academy in 1836, and entered the army. James M. TYLER graduated at the Albany Law School in 1860 and became a lawyer. John PHELPS received an honorary degree of A.B. form the University of Vermont in 1811. Amos W. HART, mentioned, spent but one year in Middlebury: he then pursued his studies in Germany. Samuel GREGORY is President of the College of Female Physicians, Boston,
Mass. Hosea BALLOU, President of Tufts College, Mass. is a native of Guilford.
Alex V.G. ALLEN is Professor in the Theological Seminary, Cambridge, Mass. The Rev. Wilbur FISK has been previously mentioned as a native of the town. On window No. 14 in the Metropolitan Memorial Methodist Episcopal
Church, Washington, D.C. is the following inscription:
"Wilbur FISK, D.D., John DEMPSTER, D.D. Founders of Methodist
Theological Schools in America."
James and Daniel PACKER, natives of the town, became Baptist clergymen.
Lawyers And Physicians,
Royal TYLER Elisha BIGELOW and John PHELPS have been the principal practicing lawyers of the town. There has been no resident lawyer in Guilford since 1835.
Drs. Dana HYDE, Sr. and Benjamin STEVENS were the earliest settled physicians of whom there is any record. Both resided on the hill near the old Congregational church, and both reared each a son to the medical
profession: Drs. Dana HYDE, Jr. and Benjamin W. STEVENS, the latter of whom is still living in town at the age of 80 years.
Drs EDWIN and Elisha CROSS, and Frank BURDICK have practiced medicine in
town for short periods of time and Dr. N. WEBSTER is now in practice.
Military.
At what time military trainings began in Guilford we have no precise information; but as early as 1775, an organized band is mentioned as being present from there at the disturbances of Westminster. Those disturbances sprand from the general spirit of liberty, independence and
disaffection then prevailing against the mother country which was greatly aggravated still by a belied on the part of the settlers that the royal court then about to
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set at Westminster would give decisions averse to their land claims and titles. The sitting of the court was resisted by the "liberty men," who
were in turn attacked by the court party, or tories, and several of their number wounded, two of them mortally.-- The band from Guilford marched to the support of the "liberty men."
In 1782, seven years after this event, we have the record of three companies in town, the names of whose officers are given. And even earlier still in February 1776, a company belonging to Guilford is mentioned in a report of Col. Benjamin CARPENTER to the New York Provincial Congress. From this time the militia organization of the town appears to have been kept up with get spirit for more than half a century. About the year 1830, this spirit began to decline and by the close of 1840, had nearly expired, the last June training having taken place, it is said, in 1846.
Perhaps at no time did the military spirit run higher than during the decade between 1820--1830. At one time of this period, there were three
large food companies in town besides a cavalry company which was made up
in part from Barttleboro. The cavalry and one company of infantry were called volunteer companies, while the other two companies were usually termed "flood-wood"; so called form being made up from all kinds of men;
every one between the ages of 18 and 45; with certain exception, beigh obliged to train and furnish his own musket, equilpments and uniform. No companies in regular service ever made a better appearance than the two volunteer companies; their uniforms were exceedingly martial in appearance, and their arms and equipments were complete; as were, indeed,, also, those of the flood-wood.
The infantry volunteer company uniforms consisted of a blue coat trimmed
in yellow, large eagle buttons, white drill pants, gaiters or boots, white vest, leather stock, and leather helment with high tin crest from which flowed long, red horse-hair, while from a cockade on the left rose
a tall, red feather plume with white top.
This cavalry had for its Captain between the years 1823 and 1829. Philip MARTIN, a soldier of the war of 1812, a man of great military spirit and character and of devoted patriotism. His father had served in the Revolutionary war, and he, himself, had a son, who served in the department of the Gulf during the War of the Rebellion.
The cavalry uniform consisted of red coats, blue pantaloons and helments
like the infantry, but trimmed with bearskin, as also, were their holsters. Their arms consisted of a long saber, a brace of brass mounted pistols, and they usually rode fine horses.
When the first Tuesday of June arrived, all these troops swarmed from the hills and vallies to training at the "middle of the town." The thunder of the bass drum, the rattle of the snare drum, the fife, bugle and clarionet awakened the slumbering echoes; bright armor and showy uniforms gleamed amidst the green foliage then all in its prime, and the
town was all astir, gingerbread, lemons and oranges and apples scarcely less valued than they at that season, cider, pop-beer, etc were offered for sale from waggons at every turn: rum, punch of the most delicious kind was mixed in unstinted quantities at the store and tavern; the troops marched and countermarched, maneuvered and fired blank cartridges;
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the rolls were called and unlike the practice in Shakespeare's time, all
who were absent, not those present, were pricked, and nveer was there a more enjoyable time for all both old and young than June training day.
In the fall of the year when the stress of the summer work was over, a more extensive military parade was made and the companies of several neighboring towns joined together for "general muster." At musters
Sham Fights
were held, where the maneuvers appropriate to real battles were performed, and at times a band of men representing Indians in dress and warefare style, formed a part of the contending scores, making some piece of woods on the field ring with the medley of their yells and the crack of their rifles.
At one of these musters held at Brattleboro, Sept. 11, 1816, the Guilford Light Infantry Company was on the ground by daylight in the morning but its ardor was somewhat damped by being ordered to take the left of the regimental line instead of the right , a position which its commander, Captain MARTIN claimed by virtue of commission, if not by the
excellence of his company. The order being reiterated he marched off his company and mustered, inspected and drilled it by itself; as the men were proud of their old warrior captain, they would sustain him in anything that he might do. He was court martialed, but finally acquitted, gen. Jouathan HUNT, then a candidate for Congress, acted as his attorney; and doubtless political considerations had much to do in occasioing as well as settling the discord.
Since that period, the population has rapidly declined, the young and enterprising going to the West. Of all the military activity that once existed in Guilford--of all the paraphernalia in which it once exhibited itself, by the year 1850, hardly a vestige remained. It would probably have been impossible then to have found half a dozen muskets or parts of uniform in town, and such was actually the case on the break out of the Rebellion in 1861.
Since that war an effort has been made by the State to revive the militia, and Guilford has been associated with Vernon in raising one company as part of the 12th regiment of the State.
The War Of 1812
We have no means of ascertaining fully the names of number of men who went from Guilford to the War of 1812, since no record of them was kept as there ought to have been on the town book.
The following names have been furnished to us, taken chiefly from the muster roll of the 2d Company of the 31st United State's Infantry which was in the Battle of Plattsburg, and may be relied on as correct, viz:
Sergt. Philip MARTIN:
Private Samuel ROBERTS:
" Asa BULLOCK:
" Joel BOLSTER, Jr:
" Benjamin DENNIS:
" Rodolphus EDDY:
" Theophilns WADLEIGH:
" John K. CHASE:
" George CARPENTER:
" Joshua CULVER, Jr:
Besides these it is known that Ephraim GALE, Jr. and Jonathan CHASE served in the cavalry, and that Joseph JACOBS died in the service.
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The war of 1812 was not very popular in New England, and it has not a few opponents in Vermont: But immediately on its declaration by our Government, June 18, 1812, a company of old men called the "Silver Grays" was organized and drilled many of whom had been Revolutionary soldiers. They called themselves "minute men", and with their sliver locks rendered impressive by Revolutionary memories, they made an imposing appearance, forcibly to the rising generation to sustain the country in her hour of need.
The names of some of this company of the Silver Grays as handed down by tradition:
Gen. Aaron BARNEY:
Isaac NOYES:
James NOYES:
John PHELPS:
Cyrus CARPENTER:
Samuel SHEPHERDSON:
Joseph BOYDEN:
Nathan HATCH:
James PACKER:
James SLAUGHTER:
Aaron FRANKLIN:
Elihu FIELD. Sen:
David BAKER:
Jonah CUTTING:
Joel BOLSTER, Sen.:
Paul CHASE:
Cyrus MARTIN:
William MARSH:
Ephraim GALE. Sen:
Andrew WILKINS:
Thomas LYNDE:
Jason MAKEPENCE:
William HINES:
Fred ASHCRAFT:
The officers known to have gone from Guilford to the War of 1812 were:
Jeremiah GREENLEAF, 2d Lieut. 31st Infantry:
Benj. W. STEVENS, Surgeon:
Jonathan K. CHASE, Captain of Cavalry:
Isaac NOYES, Captain of Infantry:
After the war, Benjamin W. STEVENS returned to the practice of medicine in Guilford, where he still remains at an advanced age.
The War Of 1861
the number of men tarnished by Guilford for the War of the Rebellion as credited in the reports of the Adjutant General of the State is 124 men. Not all of these were inhabitants of the town: some of them were procured elsewhere. Several were negroes, who had joined our regiments in the South. The sum total of bounties paid to these men amounts to $3,656.29. the highest bounty paid to any one man being $10.50. It will be seen that the town furnished one man for about every ten of its inhabitants, and at a direct cost of $27 for every man, woman and child. The names of all these men cannot now be given: we here record such as we consider authentic.
Volunteers For Three Years
Previous to October 17, 1863
Eliphas ACKELY:
David G. BAKER:
Herbert C. BAKER:
Charles BIXBY:
Thompson BURDICK:
George P. BURROWS:
Andrew CATTLEY:
Henry R. CHASE:
James CLIFFORD:
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Myron L. CORBETT:
John W. CROSS:
Samuel C. CUTTING:
Edmund FISHER:
Thomas FLIEN [?]:
Lorenzo FRIZZELL:
Edward P. GREGORY:
Stephen GREGORY:
Elenzer GROVER:
Henry A GROVER:
Thomas HARMON:
Elbridge G. HILL
George W. HILL:
Elisha H. JAQUITH:
Owen JONES:
Robert G. JONES:
Robert J. JONES:
Edward K. KEPLINGER:
Elbridge F. LYNDE:
Francis J. LYNDE:
Lewis H. LYNDE:
Daniel H. MARSH:
William MARTIN:
Gilbert McCLURE:
Gilbert D. Mc CLURE:
Patrick MOORE:
Osman NELSON:
Horace S. WARREN:
Charles S. WILLIAMS:
Herbert S. PIERCE:
Frederick W. RICE:
Lucius B. SHEPHERDSON:
Lewis SPEARS:
Charles D. STEVENS:
Herbert E. TAYLOR:
Rufus C. THORN:
Thomas E. TOBY:
Emery L. TUBBS:
Roger A. TUBBS:
George WHEELER:
Herbert M. WORDEN:
Volunteers for Three Years
Subsequently to October 17, 1863.
Harvey D. BARRETT:
George BOWEN:
John CARROLL:
Otis F. CHILDS:
Gilbert CLARK:
William DOLAN:
Frank DYER:
Thomas ERWIN:
Charles P. HOWARD:
Franlkin MARTER:
Joseph MARTER:
Thomas MONOHAN:
John O'NEIL:
Frank J. PUFFER:
Amos F. SMITH:
William SMITH:
George WELLS:
George A. WELLS:
William WINSLOW:
Volunteers For One Year.
Samuel B. BOYDEN:
David D. BROWN:
Langdon J. GROVER:
George C. WILLIAMS:
Ezra W. PLUM:
Moses W. ROBINSON:
James M. WARNER:
Lynde A. STARKE:
Volunteers For Nine Months
John B. BAKER:
Herbert S. BANGS:
Charles R. BARDWELL:
Samuel BOYDEN:
Hollis H. BURNETT:
John F. BURNETT:
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Joel FLAGG, Jr.:
Austin A. HILL:
Samuel S. HUNT:
George A. JACOBS:
Samuel B. WARD:
Henry W. JACOBS:
Frederick H. KING:
Jason MANN:
Elemer MASON:
George R. RYDER:
Loren SHEPHERDSON:
Sandord A. SMITH:
Grove L. STODDARD:
Frederick A. THOMPSON;
William H. TYLER:
Orrin F. WILSON:
Entered U.S. Navy
John CHASE:
William CLOSSON:
Charles FULLERTON:
Thomas O'NEIL:
Peter PATTERSON:
Entered Service
William M. EVANS:
Allen J. POTTER:
Francis BERTON:
John WATSON:
Charles SMITH:
Patrick NAGLE:
John E. TYLER:
John WALLINS:
John STEVENSON:
William COOK:
John DUNN:
Manuel BROUGHTON:
James GRANSON:
Killed, Died, And Wounded:
The following is a list as far as can be ascertained.
Killed
George A. JACOBS:
George W. HILL:
Elbridge F. LYNDE:
John W. CROSS:
Herbert PIERCE:
Died
Charles S. WILLIAMS:
Elbridge G. HILL
Stephen GREGORY:
Moses W. ROBINSON:
Edmund FISHER:
Elisha JAQUITH:
George A. WELLS:
John F. BURNETT:
Robert J. JONES:
Fred W. RICE:
Lewis SPEARS:
Wounded
Herbert E. TAYLOR:
Edward K. KEPLINGER:
Lewis H. LYNDE:
Patrick MOORE:
Emery L. TUBBS.
Of the wounded, one case is of such peculiar interest that we will append an account of it:
Herbert E. TAYLOR
Sergt. Co. F 4th Vermont Infantry enlisted Aug. 31, 1861: wounded in the Battle of the Wilderness: First wound in the small of the back right side of the spine, bu a piece of shell, weighing 3'12 oz., from bore of our own guns. It passed through to the left side of the spine where it remained four months and was then removed by Dr. Geo. F. GALE of Barttleboro: also at the same time, he received a gun shot wound in the left foot: the ball of which remained in the wound four
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weeks. A piece of the heel-bone was afterwards removed by Dr. GALE. He
recovered.
Officers Of The War Of 1861
General J. W. PHEIPS and General Charles E. PHELPS, sons of John PHELPS,
are both natives of Guilford. The first entered the service as Colonel of the First Regiment of Vermont Volunteers and the Second as Lieut. Colonel of the Maryland Seventh.
Colonel Halbert S. GREENLEAF, son of Jeremiah GREENLEAF, was also born in Guilford. He commanded the 52d. Massachusetts Volunteers in the Department of the Gulf.
Besides there were:
Henry R. CHASE, Major, of the 11th Vermont Vols. Roger TUBBS, Lieut. of the 11th Vermont Vols. Thomas BURDICK. Lieut. of a Colored regiment Frand E. BURDICK, Surgeon of an Illinois regiment. William W. LYNDE, Capt. 8th Vermont Vols. Henry H. PIERCE, Lieut, of 7th Connecticut Vols. Frank H. HOUGHTON, 2d Lieut. 17th Ohio Battery William W. LYNDE, Captain 8th Vermont Volunteers.
Manufactures
the various branches of manufacture which have sprung up in the town since its first settlement have generally flourished only for a short time. Numerous efforts have been made to rethem stable, but they have not thus far met with such success. We give a list of such as have been
pursued at different periods. viz:
Agricultural implements:
Barrels, bed-steads, chairs,--cabinet furniture; boots and shoes; brick, brooms, buttons:
Carriages, carts, sleigh and sleds: cider-brandy, combs, cotton-yarn;
Harmonicons, harness-trimmings,--hats of all kinds:
Inkstands; leather; linseed-oil; malt; ox-yokes, ox-bows; plows; whiskey.
Some of the first cast iron plows ever made in Vermont, were made in Guilford.
Fulling, cloth-dressing, wool-carding were formerly carried on at threee
or four establishments, but these branches of industry as large factories arose, went gradually into disuse. They are still occasionally met with, though not in Guilford, the last in town, having disappeared some 15 years since.
Yet a family of the old style is seen now and then where the woman raises ten or a dozen children, does all her own work and spins and weaves enough to clothe them all, herself and husband included.
The domestic linens manufactured in town some forty to fifty years ago, might compare favorably with those produced in any other quarter of the globe.
Elegant furniture was manufactured at that period by Elihu FIELD, a son of one of the original proprietors of the town. His side-boards which it was common to see in all the principal residences of those days were noted for their beauty of design, convenience of use and excellence of workmanship.--though no longer in fashion they are frequently seen in Guilford and the adjoining towns at this day.
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The manufactures now existing may be represented by four principal slate
quarries, one birck-yard, three black-smith shops, one paper-mill, four perambulator shops, one shop for chair-stuff and bed-steads, one grist-mill and seven saw-mills.
the slate quarries and brick-yard have been in operation for more than half a century. The quarries gave employment at one time, between 1850,
1860, to over 100 men; some 50 or 60 are now employed upon them.--the slate is of the best possible quality of a dark blue color, hard, firm, with a metallic ring, and apparently of unending durability. The quarries extend along a line of some six miles in the eastern part of the town, and occur at points amidst the prevailing formation of rough, gnarled mica slate.
Medical Spring
In 1868, the Medical Spring at the Centre Village, after having remained
unnoticed for many years was again brought into use. In that year Mr. James DALTON, formerly from Boston, Mass., but more lately from Calcutta, Hindostan, and who was spending a time at Brattleboro for his health, and turning his attention to the tradition concerning it, and being convinced of its value, Mr. H. purchased, together with several other gentlemen, the old HOUGHTON farm on which it is situated and commenced bottling the water for market. Before the close of the year many cases of bottles had been sent to Boston. An excellent diddertation on the qualities of the water had been published in pamphlet form by Doct. ROOT of Guilford, 51 years previous. The qualities then ascribed to it were confirmed by a recent analysis made by Dr. Charles T. JACKSON, State assayer to the commonwealth of Massachusetts and analytic and consulting chemist. Its ingredients are:
Carbonate of lime per gal. 15.80 grs.
Carbonate of soda per gal. 2.40 grs
Carbonate of iron per gal. 2.99 grs
Carbonate of magnesia per gal. 0.60 grs
Chloride of sodium per gal 2.41 grs
Insoluble silica per gal 0.60 grs
Organic vegetable matter with traces of nitrate of potash and traces of
sulfate of soda 0.40 grass
Solid matter per gal. 30.80 grs
Carbonic acid gas 30 cubic inches or 13.74 grs per gal
The water is tonic and ante acid in its effects.
Navigation Of the Connecticut
the town of Guilford does not border upon the Connecticut River, but it approaches it to within about a mile at its nearest point.--near enough to feel the warming effect of its waters, and thus to enjoy in its eastern borders a growth of the sunny chestnut about its usual latitude.
To a town from which so large an amount of produce went annually to market as from Guilford in former years, the navigation of the river was
a matter of great importance. It was hoped that steam might be introduced upon it to advantage. Its waters maintained a greater average depth in those days, before so much of the pristine forests were
cut away, than it does now, and its current was already a channel of considerable commerce with Hartford and the towns on its banks by means of long pole-boats. These boats while ascending the river and when the south wind was fresh, would often hoist large, squae, lug sails and
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when the canvass bellied out full, nothing could be more beautifully picturesque than their stately march as they steadily stemmed the current among the fields and villages along its course.
In anticipation of a successful issue of schemes of improvement by the navigation of the river, the town constructed a road to the last village
down Broad Brook to the Connecticut, which had never been accomplished till towards the close of the decade following the year 1820. But the ascent of a small steam-wheel stemmer as far as Barnet, effected by much
pushing and hauling was all the result accomplished at this time, and though other partial attempts were made, the subsequent introduction of railroads and the reduction of the number of inhabitants by emigration, rendered farther efforts unnecessary.
The following is the record of town action:
Request For Town Meeting
Jan'y 20th A.D. 1825
To the Selectmen of Guilford: We the undersigned, inhabitants and freeholders of said Guilford, request that a Town meeting be called for the purpose of choosing a delegate to the Windsor Convention on the 13th
of Feb'y next, for the purpose of taking into consideration the navigation of Connecticut River, which we consider of Vital importance to the town of Guilford.
Willard MARTIN,
Cyprian STEVENS, Edward HOUGHTON, Edward HOUGHTON, Jr. Philip MARTIN,
Benj W. STEARNS.
Notification:
These are to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of guilford who
are legal voters to meet at the Town House in said Guilford, on the 7th day of July next at one o'clock P.M. for the following purpose, to wit:
1st To choose a moderator to govern said meeting.
2d To see if the inhabitants will vote to choose some one person to
represent the town of Guilford in a Convention to be holden at Windsor
in the County of Windsor & St. of Vt. on the 15th day of Feb'y next to
take into consideration the propriety and devise the best means of
rendering the waters of Connecticut River navigable for boats and
uniting the waters of Magog Lake therewith.
3d To transact any other business though proper when met
Aaron BARNEY |
Wm. BIGELOW | Selectmen.
Elihu FIELD |
A meeting was held agreeably to the foregoing notice, and chose William MARTIN Esq. Moderator. Then voted to send a delegate to the Windsor Convention. 2d. Voted, seven dollars be paid out of the Treasury for the expenses of
said delegate.
3d Voted to choose a delegate, a first and second substitute.
4th Chose John PHELPS Esq. Delegate, Cyprian STEVENS Dana HYDE Jr.
substitutes.
5th Voted to chose
Jonah CUTTING
Guy ARMS
Jos. BOYDEN
Philip MARTIN
a Committee to make an estimate of the products and transportation to
and from market, number of tons &c.
Report made & accepted, handed over to the Delegate.
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Voted to dissolve said meeting.
A true record of notice and proceedings thereon.
Attest. Cyprian STEVENS, Town Clerk
Representatives
>From the origin of the State government ot the present time.
March 1778: Benjamin CARPENTER & John SHEPHERDSON October 1778: Comfort STARR & Levi GOODNOE 1779: David STOWELL & John NOYES 1780: David THURBER & Levi GOODHUE 1781: William BULLOCK & John SHEPHERDSON 1782: William SMALLEY: this being the first year that the town did ot have two representatives. 1783: Benjamin CARPENTER & Thomas CUTLER 1784: Lovewell BULLOCK & William BULLOCK 1785: William BIGELOW 1786, 7, 90, 96: Peter BRIGGS 1788: Benjamin CARPENTER 1789, 91-5, William BIGELOW 1799-1804, 1809-11. John NOYES 1805-8, Gilbert DENNISON 1812, 15, 21, 28,9, Aaron BARNEY 1813, Jonah CUTTING 1814, 18, John PHELPS 1816, 19, 22, 25. Willard MARTIN 1820,24, Joseph BOYDEN 1823, Amos BILLINGS 1826-27, Dana HYDE, Jr 1830-33, Russell HYDE 1831, 32, Ward BULLOCK 1834, Nathan COURANT 1829, 44, 45, John LYNDE 1841, Isaac BROWN 1842-3, Elihu FIELD 1846, 56, Samuel L. HUNT 1847, 48, Nathan P. CHAIN 1849, 50, Aaron C. BARNEY 1853-4, Cyrus CARPENTER 1857, 8, 67, 8, C.C. LYNDE 1859,60, Levi BOYDEN 1861, William W. BARNEY 1862, 65, 66, Stephen SMITH 1863, 64, Samuel L. HUNT.
State And County Officers.
the following are some of the State and County Officers from Guilford:
Benjamin CARPENTRE, Lieut. Govrnor, 1779: Member of the Governor's Council, 1788: Member of the Council of Censors, 1784:
John SHEPHERDSON, Judge of the Supreme Court from 1778 to 1779:
Royal TAYLER, State's Attorney from 1796 to 1800: elected Judge of the Supreme Court in 1801.
Samuel SHEPERDSON, Member of the Governor's Council, 1803,4,5: Register of Probate in 1806:
Gilbert DENNISON, 1806-10: Member of the Governor's Council, 1809 and 10: Sheriff from 1811 to 1819; Assistant Justice from 1817 to 19:
John PHELPS, Register of Probate, 1809 to 12: Member of the Council of Censors in 1820, 34: Member of the Governor's Council in 1831 and 1832; one of the College of Electors 1828.
Cyrus CARPENTER was Sheriff in 1852-3:
Samuel L. HUNT was Senator in 1861:
Paul CHASE was at one period Deputy Sheriff, probably about 1820.
Aaron BARNEY served many years as High Bailiff.
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Col. Russell HYDE was Deputy Sheriff for a period of several years.
During the corn harvest in October the old style
Husking
was very common: sometimes, in barns; out of doors, if the weather was fine. The weather during that season is often very pleasant, and the moon with her quiet light and benignant expression gave an additional exhilaration to the feelings, besides that naturally awakened by the abundance of the golden corn fields. The huskers, generally a score or so, were seated in front of a large pile of ears; some in chairs, and others on large pumpkins. Maudlin songs and stories were invariably the
accompaniment of this kind of sport, which was usually followed at the house by a treat of pie and cheese, with an occasional drink of rum from
the farmer's wife and daughters.
Quiltings.
The young girl was taught industry, economy, exercise of taste, forecast, etc. She was taught to sew sometimes when fours years old. The odd bits and ends of calico dresses were cut and basted for bed-quilt blocks by the mother and given to Miss to sew. The cover to her quilt she was expected to finish by the time she became marriageable
and it was to be a part of her marriage outfit. When the girl had attained somewhere near her majority, eighteen, or somewhere near, a quilting was given. All the young ladies of the neighborhood assembled at her house to complete the bed-quilt. Stories and pleasant chat enlivened the busy afternoon, followed by tea, after which the beaux were expected.
Porcus.
It is told of Dr. Dana HYDE, Sen. that it became a custom with him when called up late at night to attend a patient at some distance, as was not
unfrequently the case, he would inquire on entering the sick-room: "Well; are you going to die?" And, the Patient: Oh! I do'nt know, Doctor, but, I am very sick!
The Doctor, after feeling the pulse of the patient, examining his tongue, and finding, perhaps a case of indigestion form over-eating, or something of the kind. "Well, do you know what procus means?"
Patient: No, Doctor, I do'nt know what it means.
The Doctor: Well, procus is the Latin for Hog!"
On inquiring into the truth of this story, we learn that the case as given, certainly occurred once.
Our Architect
the Master Carpenter of the old Congregational Church was William SHEPHERDSON, or as he was usually called, "Uncle Bill SHEPHERDSON." the
frame-work being ready, was put up, according to the custom of the times, by a "raising-bee,"-- a large number of men who voluntarily came together for the purpose. The frame was thus put up, from ground-sill to ridge-pole, in a very short time. When the raising of the church had
thus been completed, it is a well-attested fact that "Uncle Bill" put one foot over his neck, and on the other hopped the full length of the ridge-pole, from end to end!
Our Strong Men
Mr. Thomas HINES, who at the age of 89 is still living (1869) with his son in Brattleboro, came to Guilford with
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his father from Rhode Island when 9 years old. It was from his father that the village of Hinesburg was named. As he grew up he became a mill-wright and was employed in putting up the machinery of many of the finest mills that were built in the surrounding country. He was six feet one inch in height, weighed 209 pounds and could lift nearly four times his own weight. He speaks of using an ash-log on one occasion, 20
ft. long and 14 in through the butt, one end of which was an over weight
for two ordinary men, but the whole of which he lifted with ease.
But there was another man in town, Nathan CUTLER, taller that he by several inches, who has taken him up withone arm and carried him off the
ground in spite of himself.
This Mr. CUTLER was noted for his extraordinary power. It is said at the raising of a barn where it took 18 men to put upon of its sides, he and John PHELPS together alone put up another. I heard a man say that he saw him once place himself under a horse, weighing 900 pounds and lift him upon his back and shoulders from the ground.
Wrestling with Brattleborians
It was formerly customary to form "wrestling rings" and challenges were given out for the championship of these rings. The victor was called the "Bully o the Ring," and was looked upon by the young men as an object of envy. The raising bees alluded to were favorite occasions for
forming these rings. At the raising of the old church or meeting house as it was called in West Brattleboro, the Guilford boys were challenged by the Bratteborians for the usual wrestling match. Twelve were chosen on each side. Dr. HYDE Sr, a very powerful man, was the first to enter the ring form Guilford. He alone, threw nine of the Brattleborians in succession, and a man by the name of Jacob BARNABY, threw the other three.
The First Waggon.
The first waggon that ever came into town was brought in by John PHELPS in 1810. It was of a light blue color with wooden springs and cost $65. Previous to that time, people when they rode to meeting or to parties, used to go in large lumber waggons, on horseback: the women often mounted on pillows behind their fathers, brothers, husbands, or lovers.
A case of
Breach of Promise
occurred in the early days of the town which occasioned much merriment.-- A maiden lady by the name of Anna GOODENOUGH received an offer of marriage from Deacon Jonathan ALLEN, who, however, subsequently
changed his mind. On coming to inform her of the change in his intentions, she expressed regret: said if it must be so, it must: but it was a disappointment to her. The Deacon replied that he was willing to make good the damages if she would let him know what they were. She said that she thought that they ought to be as much as a dollar or four and sixpence at least: and the affair was amiably settled on that basis; but the Deacon became unenviably famous by it.
The Guilford Sorrels
the early settlers were fond of good horses. Jonathan ALDRICH raised a pair of sorrels about the year 1806, at the Wild Air or Deer breed, one of which would trot a mile in less than three
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minuets with ALDRICH who weighed upwards of 200 on his back. this horse
was sold for $300, which considering the time was a large sum to be paid
for one horse.
Nahum CULTER
The Village of Algiers owes its origin largely to the enterprise of Nahum CUTLER, a native of the town of Guilford who was in many respects a remarkable man. This Village was being built up during the first 30 years of this century, the city of Algiers in Africa became particularly
noticeable in America.*** The idea of Algiers and its Day as its head officer was called, became impressed upon the public mind; and as Mr. CUTLER was a prominent character, studing in a similar relation to the village which he was building up that the Dey did on the city of Algiers, he was called the Dey of Algiers, and the village thus got its name: though its proper name is East Guilford.
Mr. CUTLER was born in 1776. He was a man of gigantic stature, being 6 feet six inches in height, and his muscular strength was in every way proportionate to his size. He had a strong intellect, was an original thinker, possessed an intuitive knowledge of men and was generally able to control them.
On attaining his majority, he went to Connecticut and there took advantageous contracts for supplying Hartford and other places with water: which he did by means of pine logs bored out for the purpose. While thus employed he became acquainted with a Mis ADAMS of Hartford, an heiress, who was as diminutive in size as he was large, whom he married. It was doubtless through her influence that he became attached
to the Episcopal form of worship, which he subsequently aided to introduce into his native town.
Returning to Guilford in 1802, he devoted his future to building up manufactures and business generally. A company comprising himself, Elihue FIELD, Artemas GALE, and others set un operation a carriage-maker's shop, cabnet-maker's shop, blacksmith's shop, a cotton-factory, distillery etc.
They erected a building for stores, and shops called the Tontine, in which there was at one time a drug-store. The national flag was often seen flying from it and the people, animated by an intense activity were
much given to the consumption of gun-powder which they often exploded form the old-fashioned 56 pound weights at other times then on holydays. Besides shops and a new tavern there was a church,, a school-house, and a number of dwellings erected. Previous to this time the village consisted chiefly of the residence and grist and saw mills of Mr. Levi BOYDEN, a tavern, school-house and a few scattered houses. It prospered till about 1820, when on the close of the war with Great Britain and the restoration of commercial relations with that country, its manufacturing interests began to decline, and Mr. CUTLER and some others of its business men went to Western Ne York. The impulse thus given to manufacturing, however, continued to be felt for many years afterwards; but it could not compete against the low priced labor of Europe, -- the low tariff imposed by the dominate political party of the
country and the greater attractions that were offered by the virgin soil
and new life of the West. Mr CUTLER removed from Cayuga
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County New York in 1836 to the State of Pennsylvania, where he died in 1840. His widow still survives. (1869)
We have alluded elsewhere to Mr. CUTLER'S great strength. It is told of
him while someone was boasting of the power of a horse which he had purchased, Mr. CUTLER offered to draw against the horse, the load to be on a stone-boat, up hill, each to carry the same weight. Three men, whose united weight was nearly 600 pounds were piled upon Mr. CUTLER'S head and shoulders, and the boat for the horse was weighed with 11 bushels of corn- Mr. C. drew the boat by falling forward upon his hands
and then rising repeating the operation: the weight of the men on his shoulders, actually helping to propel the load forward; while the load of corn was as much as the horse could well bear, to say nothing of dragging the boat. He could not budge an inch.
It is said that he afterwards ran a race of four rods weighted with the same men against another man unweighed, who was to run eight rods, and won it.
Retiring From Office
Instances have occurred, where persons have been selected to office through a long series of years. John LYNDE acted at town clerk for 15 years, concluding his period of service in 1854. His immediate predecessor, Ward BULLOCK, served form 1825 to 1839. And in concluding this imperfect sketch of the Town of Guilford, we cannot do better than to repeat the words which this last named clerk entered upon the records
at the close of his official career as follows:
"Here close the arduous duties of fourteen years service as Town Clerk. I now bid adieu to the cares and troubles of office with pleasure, and with pleasing anticipation of enjoying in quiet the sweets and pleasures
of private life the few remaining days of my earthly pilgrimage and with
a devout and fervent prayer to the Father of the spirit of all flesth that the richest and choicest blessings of heaven may rest on my immediate successor in officer that he be endowed with wisdom form on high to guide and direct him in all the duties of his official estimation, as well as in the more pleasing ones of private live: and may he be so fortunate in the discharge of those duties as to receive the approbation of an approving conscience, an approving people and the approbation of his God. And may God save the people."-- And with a hearty response to this sentiment, we thus close this historical sketch of the Town of Guilford
April 1, 1869. J.W.P.
Gen. John Wolcott PHELPS
By Cecil HAMPDEN Cutts HOWARD.
It has been truly said "the world knows nothing of its greatest men."-- Of the late General PHELPS, who as a soldier and author, gained but a partial recognition of his merits before his death, it is perhaps the most appropriate thing that could be uttered.
He died in his native town, Guilford, of heart disease. Feb, 1 1885 at the age of 71 years and 3 months.
Of his early life, prior to his entering of the West Point Military Academy at twenty, we have but little record. Spent in the company of his parents and many who have since become distinguished, it is not to be wondered at that he was always so much interested in literature and phys-
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ical pursuits, to that degree that it showed itself all through his later life. His great-grandfather, Charles PHELPS, of Northampton, Mass. was the first lawyer who ever came to live within the limits of the State of Vermont.-- His grandfather, Timothy PHELPS, was also a lawyer and held many positions of trust.
His father, John PHELPS, practiced law in Guilford, and the substantial mansion of ye olden time and the law office which he used are still standing.
General PHELPS' father was married twice, and of eight children, the subject of our sketch was the sole survivor.
The second wife of his father was Mrs. Almira LINCOLN, the celebrated teacher and author by whom he had two children, descendants of whom are now leaving in Baltimore.
In 1836, General PHELPS graduated from West Point into the army a short time before the out-break of the war with the Creek Indians. As early as 1838, his gallant conduct was conspicuous in the action of Locha Hutchee, in January of that year.
After the war, he was put in charge of the emigration to the West of the
Cherokee Indians. To quote his own words in connection with this subject he has said:
"I had alwary believed the Indians more sinned against that sinning and later in my life I finally came to use my pen in their behalf."
Many skirmishes and other duties in the South and in Canada occupied his
time until the out-break of the Mexican war, in which for two years he lead a company and was prominent in the battles of Vera Cruz, Contreras,
and Chernbusco. For gallant conduct he was breveted, but declined to accept the promotion. In 1850, he received a regular promotion. For some years afterward he was away from civilization and had the hardest kind of border experiences. In a diary written later, while in Brattleboro, he says:
"In the spring of 1852, I was obliged to leave Brownsville, Texas, because the government would not sustain me in my efforts to execute their orders for the suppression of filibustering attacks from out territory on Mexico. It left me in the lurch among savages whose cunning was exhausted in quiet, yet constant efforts to destroy the government under which they lived. I want then to Europe, simply because I was not prepared to resign, having devoted my whole life singly to the service, and remained abroad one year.
While in Europe he visited many places of note, and on his return wrote and published his first volume, entitled "Sybilline Leaves." this is connected with his journal and very original.
In 1859, he resigned his commission after having served awhile under General JOHNSON in the Utah expedition, and then returned to Brattleboro, having completed nearly 23 years of military services.
Much of the intervening space between his leaving the army and the out-break of the war of rebellion was spent in writing articles against the aggression of the slave power. In a sketch of the war he pens the following account of his services:
"At the out-break of the Rebellion I volunteered my services to lead the
first company of Vermont volunteers which together with one regiment from Mass-
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achusetts, and one from New York under my command, took possession of the mouth of the James River, thus securing the strategic point for subsequent reduction of the Rebel Capital.
>From the mouth of the James River I was ordered to the South West, where I occupied Ship Island with a brigade of New England volunteers, and subsequent took part in the reduction of New Orleans.
I garrisoned the Fort near the mouth of the Mississippi, and was the first to enter the Custom house as the citadel of New Orleans.
I then took possession of the Rebel works north of the City. The gun carriages of these works were still burning, having been set on fire previous to their falling into the hand of the government troops. The guns had been spiked, but New England ingenuity soon restored them to fighting order. At Carrolton, anmed by me, Fort Parapet, our camp was swarming with negroes which the government commands was ordering to be returned to their masters. I began organizing slaves as soldiers. The reasons for this movement were these:
First, men were wanted for holding the strategic points which had fallen
into the possession of the Government, as Vicksburg, Red River, Prot Hudson, etc. Second every slave when made a soldier, not only could help hold a strategic point, but could help throw bullets at his old masters, instead of supporting them in the rebellion with his labor. In
short, there was every military reason in favor of the measure and note against it.
I was ordered however by the Government commander to cease organizing negroes as troops and to set them at work instead cutting wood for markers and other labor. In reply to this I decidedly refused to become
a slave-driver, and resigned my commission and came to Vermont."
The given words coming as they do from his own pen tell the world much more forcibly than could be done in the language of another.
In a short time after his resignation, the plan at first presented by him was adopted, and before the war ended colored troops were plentiful.
In December 1862, General PHELPS was waited upon by a number of prominent people who asked him to return to his post. He accompanied some of them to Washington and held an interview with President LINCOLN. The result was his immediate return to Brattleboro, as President LINCOLN would not accede to some things which General PHELPS deemed important. President LINCOLN offered him a commission as Major General of Volunteers, or in other words as chief officer in command of black troops. General PHELPS' love of army life, his long service in the same, and every surrounding circumstance combined to make him resent
the proposition. It gave him no credit for previous service, and he could not honorably consent to losing any part of the credit due to him for the long time spent in active service. In addition to this, the fact that his idea of increasing the army by organizing and arming the freedmen should have been taken later, though so violently opposed at first, and acted upon through President LINCOLN's proclamation of emancipation embittered the rest of his life. He was ever after severe and bitter in his estimation of President LINCOLN's character, regarding
him a weak
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man and a "time-server." He had a deep sense of justice and his faith once shaken, was not easily restored.
Returning to Brattleboro, he realized that henceforth his life must be in a great measure spent among books, for his tastes were such that he could not mingle to any great degree with his fellow men. His friends were few, but true, and the best of them were so unfortunate as to misunderstand his motives. He wrote much and made use of his linguistic
talents to translate a work form the French on Secret Societies. His study was his earthly paradise. He lived in a giant, old house on Asylum street in Brattleboro. It was at some distance from the street and overhanging trees shaded the winding walks by which the house was reached. On the front and one side a broad piazza surrounded the house,
and at the end of the piazza was a bay-window. The house was a two story frame structure of simple design.
As you entered by the front door, you found before you on the right a flight of stairs leading to the second story. On the left of the hall were two doors, the one leading into the drawing-room, and the other into the parlor. These were furnished very simply and connected by folding-doors. They were like a soldier's quarters. In every room the long windows came down to the ground and opened out on the piazza beyond.
Opening out from the parlor was his study. In the wide bay-window he wrote day after day, and in fancy we can see him now, sitting at his table writing, around him on every side the collection of books which he
had gathered from time to time in his travels. Before him through the vine-covered bay-window he could see the village street and beyond where
Mount Wantstiqut arose. In front of the window was his garden. In summer and fall it was his delight to treat the children to pears and apples which grew on his fruit trees.
It was before he left this home that he wrote the book, called "Good Behavior." The work was intended as a text book for schools, and was adopted later in St. Louis and other cities. The chief aim he had in writing it was his idea that children should be taught good manners in school, as well as at home, thereby ensuring to all a knowledge of many of the rules of good breeding, so often unwittingly broken; obviation many of the difficulties which arise in the later life of many public school pupils. We quote from the book, as partial illustrations of its character:
"Conversation is a reflex of character, let us therefore cultivate a tone of mind and a habit of life the betrayal of which need not put us to shame in the company of the pure and the rest will be easy."
"True politeness has been defined, benevolence in little things. We are
not to be polite, because we wish to please, but, because we wish to consider the feelings of others; because in a word, we desire to carry into every act of our daily life the spirit and practice of that religion which commends us to do unto others as we would they should do unto us."
The first lessons taught young sovereigns should be the respect and kindly regard which they owe each other."
General PHELPS was greatly interested in educational matters and for many years was President of "The Vermont Teachers Association." He was,
also, a leading officer of The Vermont His-
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torical Society. Besides the works mentioned, he wrote as his last published work, a small volume on Madagascar. He contributed largely to
various periodicals throughout the country; among them "The Century," "The Christian Union," and "The Independent," as well as many scientific
periodicals.
Believing that "the Masonic Lodge was the cause of much of our country's
evils, he was always opposed to secret societies of every kind. His prominence in the matter, let to his becoming the nominee for President of "The American Parth in the presidential election of 1880.
Perhaps upon no other subject was he so thoroughly misunderstood except by the few. His temperament was such, however, that he could not stand idly by when anything arose to claim his attention, as being wrong or unjust. He never disguised his sentiments, but was always open and frank in regard to his convictions. His friends honored him for being so true to his conscience.
In 1883, he married Mrs. Anna B. DAVIS, and soon after went to reside in
his native town. Previous to this he sold his Brattleboro residence and
traveled a short time.
During his life in Guilford, after his marriage, he was very active in the affairs of the community and also kept up his literary activity.
He was an earnest advocate of the Metric System, and the week before his
death delivered a lecture upon that subject which was highly instructive
and interesting.
And, not the least among his literary abilities may be counted his art of letter-writing, in which his love of poetry was plainly portrayed, and whether he expressed his thought in poetry or prose, he was always at ease.
He had studied law and been admitted to the bar, thus adding another to his long list of accomplishments. He never practiced the profession, although he would doubtless have succeeded admirably in it.
In person, he was a man of commanding presence, nearly six feet in height, with a well developed, powerful frame and dignified bearing.
He was a man of deep religious feeling and strongly attached to his church. Fond of young people, his face framed in snowy beard and hair, with the light of a genial countenance radiation therefrom, will never be effaced fro the memory of his friends. He passed away peacefully during the night of February 1st, leaving a wife and infant son to survive him.
The following original lines, written in a friend's album by him apply to his own life
"Let us reflect through sorely tired
Neath cold, intemperate skies
Yet on dear winters farther side
A pleasant summer lies.
A more truthful and eloquent tribute to his memory was never given than that by Col. HAWKIN's in the New York Times soon after his death which we give as follows:
"General John W. PHELPS whose death was announced in your paper this morning, was one of the most notable officers of the army. He was an accomplished soldier of the highest and best type, a patriotic citizen with an unblemished reputation, a scholar, well versed in mathematics, science, history, several of the dead and four or five of the living languages.
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As a soldier, he was all that the best authorities demand, and even more, for it might be said of him that he possessed an inner sense of duty which no written formula could prescribe. It was his faithful care, intelligence and attention to his whole duty as a commanding officer, and above all, his example of indefatigable industry which made
his command one of the best disciplined, best drilled, and most efficient in the whold army. He was not much of a believer in the extra, unofficial, off-duty dress parade business. Neither was he a martinet. He had the rare, good sense to accept the volunteer army for exactly what it was. He weighed its defects and measured its virtues and governed the performance of his duties accordingly. He knew he could trust its patriotic sense of duty and intelligence to imitate a good example, and its willingness to follow where it could not be driven: and there never was a commanding officer more implicitly obeyed, or more confidently trusted.
It was my good fortune to have been ordered to his command at Newport News, Va. soon after the outbreak of the Rebellion in 1761. When I reported to him with my regiment, I was given to understand that we were
engaged in a most serious undertaking, involving as it did the national life, and that we could only hope to overcome our foes by taking advantage of all our resources, (he was the first to urge the organization of negro troops) and molding our raw material into a well disciplined army; that the accomplishment of the latter was the immediate work in hand; and work he made of it, such as many of us never
dreamed of before; but we soon saw the necessity for labor, and the good
sense involved in his orders and criticisms, and all worked with a will,
officers and men to reward the great industry of a commander who had won
our affection and deep respect. We went to him as children go to a school and left him after three months tuition, a thoroughly well disciplined regiment, of whose afte record he was justly proud.
To that kind hearted, quaint old man with his perfect sense of justice, the officers and men of my regiment owe a debt of gratitude, which can only be effaced from their memories when the last survivor of that command shall have passed away. This little statement, inadequate as it
is, is the tribute I bring to the grave of an honored friend of a quarter of a century: I could not do lett; I wish I could do more.-- Take him for all in all, I have never known a man so free from the hypocrisies, sins, and vices which make humanity despicable, as was John
W. PHELPS.
Rush C. HAWKINS
New York, Feb. 3, 1885
As indicative of the high order of his poetic genius, we append the two
following, "Day" and Night:"
Day
On such a day as this, so fair and bright,
All redolent with the breath of violets:
While the gay, summer cloud revives in the deep
Serenity above, and gleefully the wavelet
Laughs responsive form below
While songs of birds and city murmurs
Blend with music of playful fountains
And bright sunbeams flash their threads of gold
Amidst leaves and flowers, and throw oer all
A magic gauze, through which nature glances
Like beauty through her veil--
On such a day, O God?
the gladdened soul, like the cloud in ether,
Swims in the joyous spirit of thy works
And thanks thee that it lives.
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Night
And now again 'thisnight' and such a night
With her star all bright
Like jeweled princess, o'er whose dusky brow
the electric light doth catch and play,
As of emotions deep and tremulous:
Whilst the full rose sips at her dewy breath
And opens the sweets of a swelling heart;
Whilst the moist earth doth teem with quiet joy
With all the promise of a fruitful year--
Sweet with the perfume of myriad flowers,
Gay with the fairy lanterns fireflies light--
And plaintive with the song of whip-poor will
When loving hearts for the first time feel
The strange communion of this human life
With the deep-hid mysteries of the stars.
[To which, we will append a poem by the father of General PHELPS, see the poets of Guilford, page 46.]
Moonbeam
By John PHELPS. Esq
Moonbeam soft from heaven descending
With silver light;
Radiant o'er yon mountain bending
Through shades of night.--
Now rising from the gates of heaven,
By light wing'd zephyrs gently driven,
Floating high o'er silent eve'n
Clear and bright.
Amidst cerulean stars you glitter.
High in air.
In shades where wanton wood-nymphs titter
You repair;
And in yon glen Narcissa ramble;
On hills of shepherdesses gambol,
Or in her car bright Venus amble,
You sport there.
Fring'd round the curling clouds high riding
With lucid glare,
Swift on aerial pinions gliding,
Soft and fair;
Now over you proud banners streaming,
Bright on the waves of ocean gleaming,
Through mist and vapor dimly beaming
You float there.
[Also from the Author of the nice book of Botany written at Guilford, Mrs. Almira LINCOLN PHELPS, the scholarly and gifted widow of John PHELPS.
"A Farewell To Vermont
By Mrs. LINCOLN PHELPS.
Land of the Mountains Green, and rugged soil;--
Of cascades wild, of swiftly gliding streams;--
Of darkly waving pines and stately firs;''-Of gloomy ravines and
romantic dells;--
Of haunted glens and sweetly smiling dales!
Land of my beauteous, mountain home, farewell!
Yet still I linger;--for to me, thou art
A land of beauty, picturesque and rich
In native charms;--a land for poets' dreams.
For patriot's visions, and for angel's thought.
Methinks there's inspiration in the breeze
Reflected from you mountain's pine-clad side,
Breathing aerial music to my soul--
The dying mid the groves with cadence sweet.
************
There is poetry in science when it leads
To gaze upon the rainbow's glorious arch.
To follow echo to her grottoes wild,
To trace the circling planets in their course.
And watch the bud first bursting into bloom.
Nature, I owe thee much;--if I have felt
Aught of the firm resolve, or wish sublime,
Tis that I drand from thee the heavenly draught.
And gave thy moral image to the world.
And, O, ye venerable oads! whose shade
Embosoms the dear spot I new must leave.
Adieu, ye ancient friends! and may, sometimes,
Thy feathered songsters thrill in pensive notes.
Their sorrow for me, gone! for dear to me
Their matin song and vesper-hymn hath been,
Sweet home, adieu! flowers that I've loved to
To tend, watching with care materal for your bloom;
Others may cull your sweets, enjoy your charms.
May twine my woodbine o'er the treilis neat,
May guide the Lonicera's spiral way,
Or train the pensile Lycium's graceful stalk.
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O, ye have been my pride, ye twinging race,
Who have so beautified and cheered my bowers;
And i have fancied as I've seen you climb,
'Twas tratitude that urged your upward way,
And gave luxuriant blossoms for my care.
E'en on the very verge of winter's frost,
Your bloom still lingers, as if fain ye would
Cheer nature's gloom, and soothe this parting hour.
My grateful flower, methinks I hear thee ask
Why thus I leave thee to a stranger's care;
Perchance, uncared for, trampled under foot
By the rude hind as valueless and nought,
My honeysuckle sweet, list to my words.
Thou'rt a dear, docile plant, and pleasant 'tis
To train thee in the way that thou shouldst go
But I must tell thee, there are flowers on earth
Created for far pure skies that these.
They are allied to thee in outward form,
Being made of earth and beautified by God
With shape and color, lovely to the eye.
But God to these sweet flowers has given
Immortal spirits to survive decay.
In yon fair sylvan land a garden blooms
Of those immortal plants and fitting 'tis
That skillful, patient hands should lend their aid
To train them for the ends which God ordains.
As step by step thy upward way I've trained,
So must I guide them in their onward course
Up learning's height, and virtue's rugged way.--
Such labor calls me hence, but yet methinks,
When frost of time shall settle on my brow,
And age ask respite from the cares of life,
Like Noah's wandering dove, my flowers, my birds.
My ancient trees, again I'll come to you.
Here stands my home, above the busy town,
Peeping through clustering oaks with col'mus white
And fair proportions. Quick the eye of taste,
Beholding from the bustling street below,
Panses to mark its beauty, and admire
A scene so fair, lonian portico and verdant lawn,
Plazza, graveled walks, and garden, fair.
All, ail, adleu! No stranger shall intrude
Within these halls scred to studious thought.
there, the fragment of the poem we have, breaks or ends.]
Wilbur FISK, D.D.
By Rev. Alonzo G. HOUGH [Footnote, The Methodist pastor of Ludlow when
this was written, now of Montpeller.]
To the eastern branch of the Methdist Episcopal church the name of Wilbur FISK will ever be an inspiration and his memory a perpetual benifiction. He was born in Guilford, Aug. 31, 1792, of old Puritan stock and joined the church in his eleventh year. In 1809, he went to the Grammar School at Peacham, and in 1814, graduated with honor at the Brown University, Providence, R.I. Being the first Methodist minister of the Eastern states who had the advantages of a collegiate education. >From the time of his entering the ministry in 1818, he took a deep interest in ministerial culture. Craftsbury, this state, was his first field of labor. In 1819 and 1820, he was stationed at Charleston, Mass.
and then took charge of the Vermont District as presiding eldership, he was elected as principal of the Wesleyan Academy, Wibraham, Mass. and in
1830, was canned to the presidence of Wesleyans University, Middletow, Ct. of which he was one of the founders. This position made him more that ever a leader in the cause of education in the church. FISK led the whole Methodism of the East in educational enterprise. Young men from every part of the nation were attracted to the institution by the fame of its president, and under the influence of his character they were moulded for positions of usefulness in the collees and seminaries which rapidly sprang into being thought out the United States under the patronage of the church.
In 1829, Wilbur FISK was honored with the degree of D.D. by Brown
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University, and in the same year he declined the presidency of La Grange
College and a professorship in the University of Alabama. He was twice elected to the episcopacy, but declined the office saying, "If my health
would allow me, to perform the work, I dare not accept, for I believe I can do more for the cause of Christ where I am than I could do as a bishop."
Without great brilliancy of genius, remarkable literary acquisitions, or
the very highest order of intellect, but endowed with vigorous and evenly balanced facilities, good sense, quick sagacity, and a thorough devotion of the mission he found himself called to accomplish, Wilbur FISK was instrumental in giving to Eastern Methodism, through her educational institutions, a position of respect and power, and he rescued the church from the imputation of ignorance which had been cast upon her by the educated clergy of other denominations. When Mr. FISK entered the ministry there was not a literary institution of any importance under the patronage f the church. His life work marked a new
epoch in her history, and his saintly character exemplified the doctrine
of perfection which has ever been prominent in her teaching and the right hand of her power, she distinguishing qualities of men like FENELON, CHANNING, EDWARDS, and FLETCHER of Madely, not in his nature,
giving peculiar grace and charm to his features, which were harmonious, and to his voice which was softly flexible and deep. His manner in the pulpit was marked by dignity and his eloquence was of the highest order. Dr. STEVENS writes its effect: "No imaginative excitement prevailed in the audence as under Max---'s eloquence, not tumultuous wonder as under BASCOMB's, now of COOKMAN's impetuous passion or OLIN's overwhelming power; but a subduing, almost tranquil spell, of genial feeling, expressed often by tears or half suppressed ejaculations; something of the deep, but gentle effect of SUMMERFIELD combined with a higher intellectual impression.
For many years his life was an incessant struggle with pulmonary disease. He died at Middletown, Feb. 22, 1838.
Among his writings are "The Calvinist Controversy," "Travels in Europe,"
"Sermons and Lectures on Universalism," "REply to Pierpoint on the Atonement," and other tracts and sermons.
========
Family Of FELD Or FIELD
By Rodney B. FIELD.
Zechariah FIELD, son of John and grandson of John FIELD, the Astronomer,
born in East Ardsley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England about 1600, emigrated to New England, in 1629; settled in Dorchester, Mass in 1636; removed ot Hartford, Ct. in 1659; to Northampton, Mass. in 1663; to Hatfield where he died, June 30, 1666.-- He married Mary ---- Children:
Mary, b. abt 1643; m. Joshua CARTER of Nhn. and Dhd. who was killed with
Capt. LATHROP at Bloody Brook, Sept. 18, 1675. Zechariah, b. 1645 John, b. 1648 Samuel, b. 1851. (2) Joseph, b. 1658. 2 Samuel Field, son of Zechariah and Mary (1) set. in Hatfield. Mass where he was killed by Indians while hoeing corn July 13, 1697. He was a sergeant and under Capt. Turner at
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the Turner's Falls fight, May 19, 1776. He m. Aug. 1676, Sarah dau. of Thomas GILBERT of Hartford, Ct. d. about 1710.--Children:
Samuel, b. Sept 27, 1778 (3) thomas, b. June 30, 1680. Sarah, b. June 30, 1683; m. Nov. 8, 1702, Samuel WARNER of Springfield, Mass Zechariah, b. Aug. 29, 1685 Ebenezer, b. Mar. 17, 1688. Mary, b. July 23, 1690; m. June 26, 1712, Jonathan HOYT of Deefield; d. June 26, 1780. [On her 68th marriage day.] Josiah, b. 5, 1692. Joshua, b. April 9, 1695 3 Samuel FIELD, son of Samuel and Sarah (GILBERT) (2) b. in Hatfield, Mass. Sept 27, 1678. He settled in Deerfield in 1714 where he d. Aug. 28, 1762. He was in the fight at the destruction of Deerfield, Feb. 29 1704; and was wounded in a fight with Indians, Aug 25, 1725, for which he was granted 200 acres of land. He m. Jan 10, 1706, Mary, daughter of
Joseph DEWARDS of Northampton and wid. of Daniel HOYT Jr. of Deerfield,
who was killed, Feb. 29, 1704, She was b. Sept 15, 1675; d. July 25, 1747.--Children:
Elizabeth, b. April 16, 1707, Samuel, b. Feb 20, 1709; died, Oct 24, 1726. David, b. Jan 4, 1712 (4) Euncie, b. May 9, 1714; m. Nov. 14, 1735, Joseph SMEAD of Greenfield. Ebenezer, b. Oct 2, 1723; d. Oct 14, 1723.
David FIELD, Sen.
son of Samuel and Mary EDWARDS (3) b. in Hatfield, Mass. jan. 4, 1712; settled in Deerfield where he d. Apr. 19, 1792. He was one of the Council of Safety of Massachusetts, and his name was signed to an order on Col. Thomas W. DICKINSON of Deerfield, dated May 5, 1775 to finish 1500 lb. Beef for the troops to be raised by Col. Benedict ARNOD for the
capture of Fort Ticonderoga. He was Commissary General under General STARK at the Battle of Bennington, Aug. 16, 1777, with the rank of Colonel. He was one of the original proprietors of Guilford. He m. in 1740, Thankful, dau. of Thomas and Thankful (HAWKS) TAYLOR of North field, b. in Deerfield, July 18, 1716; d. March 22, 1803.--Children:
Mary, b. Oct. 31, 1741; m. Sept. 1, 1755, Rev. James TAYLOR of New Fairfield, Ct. Samuel, b. Sept. 14, 1743. Rufus, b. July 20, 1745; d. July 26, 1746. David, b. May 4, 1747 Trizah, b. April 16, 1749; m. (1) Nov. 8, 1771, Jonathan ASHLEY, Jr. of Dfd. (2) Aug. 27, 1792, Rev. Johathan LEAVITT of Heath, Mass. d. Nov. 22, 1792. Oliver, b. Sept. 13, 1751. Elihue, b. Oct 17, 1753. (5) Thankful, b. Mar. 25, 1758; m. Jan. 25, 1775, Col. Thomas W. DICKINSON of Deerfield, d. Jan 21, 1836. Hiland, b. Sept. 5, 1761; m. Consider DICKINSON of Deerfield; d. Oct. 31, 1831.
Elihue FIELD,
Son of David and Thankful (Taylor) (4) b. in Deerfield, Mass. Oct, 16, 1753, and in 1787 removed to Guilford, Vt. where he d. Aug 23, 1814. He
was a soldier of the Revolution and a promi-
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nent man in town. He was U.S. Deputy Marshal for taking the census fo 1810, and U>S> Dept. Assessor of Internal Revenue at the time of his death.
He m. Dec. 29, 1774, Hepsibah, dau. of Thomas and Prudence (SMITH) DICKINSON of Deerfield, b. May 10, 1753; d. Mar. 30, 1843.
Gratia, b. Apr. 11, 1776; m. Dec. 9, 1798, Thomas LYNDE of Guilford; d. Sept. 3, 1860.
Rectina, b. Nov. 6, 1777; m. Dec. 3, 1795, Richardson HOUGHTON of Guilford; d. Aug 23, 1846. Henry, b. Aug. 18, 1779. Elihue, b. June 6, 1781. (6) Pliny A. b. June 2, 1783. Matilda K. b. May 14, 1785; m. July 11, 1811, Robert STEVENS of Jordan, N.Y.; d. April 13, 1858. Filana, b. Dec. 12, 1787; m. Wiliam SMITH of Geneva, N.Y. d April 15, 1857. Charlotte, b. Oct. 29, 1791; d. August 22, 1794. Charlotte, b. Feb. 8, 1795; d. November 5, 1870. 6 Elihue FIELD, son of Elihue and Hepsibah (DICKINSON (3) b. in Deerfield, Mass. June 6, 1781, settled in Guilford where he d. Sept 3, 1874. He was a prominent man in town holding various town offices. He was Adjutant of the 1st Reg. 1st Brig. 1st Rev. of Militia during the War of 1812 of which the duties were very onerous, but were performed to
the satisfaction of his superior officers. He was appointed, Jan. 1, 1819, Postmaster and held the office 20 years, and represented the town in the Legislature in 1842 and 1843.
He m. April 13, 1808, Pamelia dau of Ithamer and Prudence (DICKINSON) BURT of Deeffield, b. Dec 27, 1783, d. aug. 10, 1872.--Children:
Rodney Burt b. Feb. 25, 1809. (7) Cora Arabella, b. Dec 30, 1810; m. Aug. 15, 1836, Samuel HOUGHTON Jr. of
Guilford, d. Mar. 7, 1875. Laura Pamelia, b. July 25, 1812; d. July 29, 1833. Jane Sophia, b. Feb. 18, 1816; died, Aug. 27, 1819. Jane Sophia, b. Sept. 2, 1820; died Dec. 23, 1866
7 Rodney Burt FIELD, son of Elihue and Pamelia (BURT) (6) b. in Guilford Feb. 25, 1809, where he now, 1879, resides. He was a member of
the last Constitutional Convention of Vermont held at Montpeliar, June 1870, and member of the Legislature 1870-72; Postmaster for 13 years. [dead ab. 5 yrs.
He m. Nov. 6, 1833, Louisa HADDOCK, dau. of Richard and Mary C. (KIMBALL) CHAMBERLIN, b. in Hull. L.C. Sept. 7, 1810.--Children:
Richard Elihue, b. Oct. 15, 1834, d. Sept 21, 1837. Pamelia Jane, b. Oct. 7, 1836; d. Sept. 25, 1837. Cora Arabella, b. Sept. 6, 1838; d. Jan 5, 1829. Ida Jane, b. July 21, 1842; d. June 25, 1853. Julia Paulina, b. May 11, 1845; d. June 29, 1872. Clifford Kimball, b. Oct. 9, 1848. George Pliny, b. May 20, 1851
Family Of Abijah PRINCE
(Colored.)
Abijah PRINCE, born in Wallingford Ct. 1706, a servant of the Rev. Benjamin DOOLITTLE, the first minister of Northfield, Mass. settled in 1718.-- After the death of Mr. DOOLITTLE, he
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was the "servant of Captain Ebenezer WELLS of Deerfield. In 1851, he was allotted a share in the undivided lands of Northfield, which from running the state line was in Vrnon, Vt. which he sold in 1783. On his marriage he settled on a little stream south of the cemetery and near where the R.R. depot now stands in Deerfield, which still bears his name
"Rijah's Brook." In 1764, he removed to Guilford, Vt. and took possession of a lot, given him by Col. David FIELD, but soon after returned to Deerfield where he remained several years. He was an original grantee, named in the charter of Sunderland, Vt. and the only nee who settled there. He returned to Guilford in his old age where he died, January 19, 1794, age 88. The place where he lived and died is still called the "Bijah Lot."
He was familiarly known as "Bijah" and Caesar, his oldest son was baptised by the Rev. Jonathan ASHLEY as son of "Bijah, negro, and Lucy,
his wife."-- He was married, May 17, 1756, by Major Elijah WILLIAMS to Lucy TERRY, "servant to Ebenezer WELLS." She was brought from Rhode Island to Enfield, Ct. when 5 years old (date unknown) and said to have been of pure African blood. She was baptised "on her master's account."
June 15, 1735.
Lucy was a noted character and her house was a great place of resort for
the young people, attracted thither by her wit and wisdom, often shown in her rhyme and stories. The best contemporary account of the Bars fight, August 25, 1845, is her poetic one in HOLLAND's History of Massachusetts--Deerfield.
After settling upon the SUTHERLAND grant, the title to the property was contested by Col. Eli BRONSON, and the matter finally got into the United States Court. Colonel BRONSON employed two leading Vermont lawyers: Gen. Stephen R. BRADLEY, and Royal TYLER, the wit and poet and
afterward Chief Justice of Vermont. Isaac TICHENOR, afterward Governor of Vermont, managed the case for Bijah. He drew the pleadings, and Lucy
argued the case before the court. Hon Samuel CHASE of Maryland the presiding judge, said Lucy made a better argument than he had ever heard
from a lawyer in Vermont. Desiring a liberal education for one of her sons, probably, Festus, she applied at Williams College. He was rejected on account of his race; the indigent mother argued the case in a 3-hours speech before the trustees, quoting abundantly text after text
from the scriptures in support of her claims for his reception. She died in Sunderland at a very advanced age.--Children:
Ceasar, b. Jan. 14, 1756; came to Guilford in 1776; was admitted to full
communion in the Congergational chh. in Guilford; was one of the covenanters in the settlement of the Rev. Henry WILLIAMS, January 1779. He removed to Sunderland where he died. Duruxa, b. June 1, 1758, died insane in Sunderland. Drusella, b. Aug. 1860, the 7th, --a poetess, d. Nov. 21, 1854. Festus, b. Dec 12, 1763, a natural musician, could play upon any instrument, he went to New York; d. in Dorset, Vt. in 1818. Tatnai, b. Sept. 2, 1765, lived with Capt. E. HUNT, Northfield, Mass Abijah, b. June 12, 1769, settled near Ballstown, N.Y.
Lucy came every year to visit Abijah's grave as long as long she lived. I regret the date of her death cannot be ascertained; from what I have heard my mother say, Lucy must have been alive in 1809 or 10.
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baptism of all the children is found in the Records of the Rev. Jonathan
ASHEY of Deerfield.
Lucy [TENNY] PRINCE's Poetical Account Of The Fight At The Bars In Deerfield.
Deerfield
August 'tws the twenty-fifth,
Seventeen hundred and forty-five,
The Indians did in ambush lay,
Some very valient men to slay;
The names of whom I'll not leave out:
Samuel ALLEN like a hero foute:
And though he was so brave and bold:
His face o more shall we behold.
Eleazer HAWKS was killed outright
Before he had time to fight;
Before he did the Indians see
Was shot! and died immediately.
Oliver AMADEN, he was slain,
Which caused his friends much grief and pain.
Simeon AMSDEN they found dead,
Not many rods form Oliver's head.
Adonijah GILLETT we do hear,
Did lose his life that was so dear;
John SADLER fled across the water,
And so escaped this dreadful slaughter,
Eunice ALLEN see the Indians coming,
Did hope to save herself by running;
And had not her petty-coats stop'd her,
The awful creatures had not catched her.
Nor tommy hawked her on the head
And left her on the field for dead.
Euncie ALLEN died, March 1828, I recollect having seen her when a boy. She was not scalped as all the old accounts say; was b. 1738; was 90 years. old.
Elizabeth PECK,
born in 1780, removed here with her father's family while yet young. They had for neighbors and friends the families of Judge TYLER and the other literary persons of the town. The society of these friends stimulated her native talent; she wrote considerably for her own amusement; but was so diffident about it, it was not know to her friends
generally till after her marriage when Judge TAYLER seeing a poem of her, entitled " What is it to be Happy?" had it inserted in a newspaper
published at Newfane. It was received so favorably her friends proposed
she should collate her pieces, add to them and have a volume published; but surrounded by a large family of children, and her health delicate the project was abandoned. Seh m. Bethuel RANGER of Colrine Mass. Apr. 3, 1804; died at 55. yrs.
The Violet
Sweet Violet, earliest of fair Flora's train,
Why dost thou shun the cultivated plain,
And hide thy beauties in this lonely dell
Say, why
thy modest beauties shun the public eye,
And in such solitude delight to dwell?
Sweet harbinger of Spring's delightful reign
I sought thee in my rambles through the fields,
But ne'er thy beauteous form could find
T'ill lately, in this mossy gien,
I found thee, half concealed;
And midst the leaves confined.
Methinks, I have the modest flower's reply
It is security, I count,
And therefore from the gay resord;
Of pride and fashion, noise and strife,
And all that con embitter life,
With early speed I fly.
While here from care and danger free,
The friends of Nature visit me;
Delighted with my simple charms,
While with my various sweets,
I deck their green reteats;
Secure from all alarms.
Elizabeth PECK
Capt. John BARNEY, one of the first settlers, came here, 1764, with his wife, Rebekah MARTIN, from Rhehobath Ma. They raised 12 children, six sons and six daughters who m. lived in Vermont; the sons, mostly, went; West the youngest, Aaron, Brig. Gen. Vt. Militia, Town Cl. justice of the peace, had two sons, Zenas, who went West and Aaron Chase, who mar. Charlotte, dau. of Lovell BULLOCK, had 3 sons, 3 daughters; the eldest W. W. is the present town clerk, now 8 yrs. All the rest live in the vicinity.
Previous town clerk, Sam's HUNT, 27 yrs. Selectmen, 1883-85: Francis G.
TAYLOR, Wm. H. TAYLER, Amos S. SALLUP 1886-89: A.S. GALLUP, Frank E. WARD, Joel FLAGG, Jr., Geo. E. HOUGHTON coms previous constable, J.H. RICHMOND.