THE UNDERWOOD FAMILY

John Underwood, Esq., was born at Westford, Mass., October 28, 1755. His wife, Mary Fassett, was born in the same town, or vicinity, June 15, 1759. They emigrated, with their three children, John, Benjamin and Silas, to Mooretown, Vt., now Bradford, in the year 1784.  They, of course, were among the early settlers. There were then but two or three families where the flourishing village of Bradford now is, and, indeed, but few in the town. The Underwoods stopped, for a short while, on the top of what has long been called Sharp's Hill, and then took up their permanent abode on their own place, in the same school district, quite on the south border of the town, and adjacent to Fairlee. He had there built a log cabin, a little east of the pleasant house in which he and his wife subsequently lived and died.   That house still remains, in good condition, though all its former occupants have left it. Mr. Underwood was an industrious, hard working farmer, and, by the aid of his sons, when they became of suitable age, succeeded in converting his wilderness place into fruitful fields, and, assisted by his not less industrious wife, was enabled to bring up their large family of children in quiet competency. The writer of this article had his home for a while, as a boarder, in that good family, soon after the commencement of his ministry in Bradford. For how many years Esq. Underwood officiated as Justice of the Peace does not now appear, but during the years 1790-1-2-3 he sustained the office of Town Clerk. In his religious belief and character he was remarkably decided. Both he and his wife were worthy members of the Congregational church in Bradford, and so continued unto death. She died October 21, 1821, in the sixty-third year of her age. In the course of the subsequent year, Esquire Underwood married Miss Eupheme Moore, a member of the same church, and a sister of Deacon Daniel Moore and John Moore, Esq., his friends and near neighbors.   With her he spent the remainder of his days. Both have long since passed away. He died November 19, 1837, in the eighty-third year of his age.

John Underwood, Esq., and his wife, Mary Fassett, had nine sons and one daughter. The first three were born in Westford, Mass., and all the rest in this town. Their record is as follows. As to more remote posterity, the information regarding those who were never inhabitants of Bradford will be less specific than may be given of those who were born and have lived in this town.

1 John Underwood, Jr., born July 10, 1779, died at Bradford, October 22, 1851, in the seventy-third year of his age. He was by occupation both a house carpenter and a farmer. He lived and died on the same farm with his father, but had a house of his own.   His wife was Anna Burt, of Chesterfield, N. H. She was a member of the Congregational church in Bradford, and died December 16, 1853, in the seventy-third year of her age. They had two daughters and one son.

Annaritta married John B. Corliss, of Bradford, who had a son, John Corliss, Jr.

Laura married Ira Howard, of Bradford.  

One son.  John married Susannah McKillips, of this town. He was a farmer, on the old place occupied by his father and grandfather, but finally sold it and came to the village to live. He had, by his first marriage, two sons and two daughters.

John Burt married Lydia Woodward, and built a nice house on High street, in Bradford village, doing most of the work himself, being by occupation a joiner.

Araasa went into the Western country to live. 

Lucinda died at her father's house, unmarried.

Laura married Andrew Stuart, of Wisconsin, and went with him to his home in that State.

Mr. John Underwood, after the decease of his first wife, married Miss Sarah Brickett, and had by her one son, David, who married Augusta Woodbury, and remained in Bradford; and one daughter, Lizzie, who continued to live for years with her father, after her excellent mother's decease.

Mr John Underwood and his second wife were members of Baptist church at Post Mills, but worshipped with their Congregational friends in Bradford. She died February 6, 1871, at the age of forty-seven years.

2 Benjamin Underwood was born February 3, 1782, and died at Bradford August 25, 1863, in the eighty-second year of his age. He owned and occupied a farm adjoining that of his father, on the west side. His wife was Lucy Underwood, a remote relative. She died at Bradford, April 25, 1855, in the seventy-third year of her age. They were members of the same church with his parents, and had six children.

Benjamin, Jr., married Mary Ann Newell, of Bradford.

They had three children. One, a son, died in childhood.  Wright married a Miss Waterbury, and lives in Wisconsin. His sister, Lucy Ann, married Wm. R. Whitaker, attorney at law, and lives in New Orleans.  Levi married Diantha Farr. Their children were Amos, Chester, Benjamin, who died for his country in the late war, Emma, Nancy, who married John Corliss, and Lydia.

Mary married John Ruyter, of Holland, Vt.  Lucy A. married first Joseph Southworth. They had a son, Willie, who died in early manhood. His father had died before him. Her second marriage was with Ezekiel Johnson, of Bradford, as his second wife. She lived but a few years longer.

Miss Harriet, a dress maker, the last member of her father's family, was, at the time of this writing, remaining in this place of their nativity.

Nicholas, the youngest son, married, and in a few years went off into the Western county.

3 Silas, the third son of John and Mary F. Underwood, was born December 7, 1783.   He was by occupation a farmer, and for many years lived in Hardwick, Vt.,  where he died April 24, 1859, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. His wife was Lucy W. Leslie, a native of Londonderry, N. H. She died in her eighty-second year.  They had a family of nine sons and one daughter. Their first two sons, William Trotter and G-eorge M., died in their childhood; but Silas, Alexander L., George, James G., Levi, Lucy Ann, John H., and Flavius Josephus, lived to marry and have families of their own. Levi Underwood, of this family, studied the profession of law; practiced successfully in Burlington ; was a man of extensive business and influence, and for a year or two was Lieutenant Governor of Vermont. He married Cornelia V. N.  Chamberlin, of Burlington, and had a family of two sons and four daughters.

4 Mary Underwood, the only daughter in this first family of the name in Bradford, was born here November 2, 1785; married Sans Niles, Jr., a nephew of Hon. Nathaniel Niles, of West Fairlee. He was by occupation a farmer, and there they lived, and died in good old age.  They left one son, Benjamin, who occupies the place which his father left. He has been twice married. Has one daughter, Nancy.

5 Russell Underwood, born April 9, 1787, was by occupation a joiner. For many years he pursued his calling in Lyman, N. H.; then removed to Lyndon, Vt., and after that to St. Johnsbury, where he spent the remainder of his days. At an early age he became attached to the Methodist persuasion and people, and so continued steadfast through life. He died December 23,1871, in the 85th year of his age. The name of his wife was Irena Berkley, and they had a family of ten children, consisting of two sons and eight daughters. Four of the daughters died in childhood. The two sons, Russell and Edward F., and their sisters, Mary Jane, Laura N., Caroline, and Hannah M., lived to marry, and have families of their own.

7 Timothy Underwood, born May 21, 1791, was a clothier by trade. The business of fulling and dressing woolen cloth of domestic manufacture, was in his early manhood, one of great importance. He followed that trade first at Bradford, and afterwards at Colebrook, or Stewartstown, N. H. He removed finally to Hardwick, Vt., and spent the last years of his life in agricultural pursuits; and died there Dec. 25, 1870, in the 80th year of his age. The maiden name of his wife, was Betsey Moore; a daughter of John Moore, Esq., of Bradford, and a member of the same church with her parents. She died at Hardwick, a little more than two years before the decease of her husband. They had a family of six sons, and two daughters, viz: Elizabeth, Cyrus, George, Edwin, Hazen, Hiram, Julia, and Roswell. Further than this, our information extends not.

8 Reuben Underwood, born May 24, 1793, came up an industrious, hard-working farmer, first at Bradford for several years; and then at Craftsbury in the same State.  Were it not for the laborious farmers, all other people would soon find themselves in a deplorable condition.  Reuben married Betsey Litch, and had one daughter, who married a Mr. Wiley.

9 Joseph Underwood was born Oct. 2, 1796. He remained at home engaged in agricultural pursuits till about eighteen years of age, when he went to Putney, Vt., as an apprentice to the jeweler's business. During a powerful revival of religion there, in the winter of 1815-16, he was moved to consecrate himself heartily to the Savior, and to unite with a Congregational church in that place.   In this mighty work of the spirit more than two-hundred were hopefully converted. At Putney his attention was seriously turned to the Gospel ministry. His desire was to do, thenceforth, the best and most he could for the cause of Christ. In June, 1817, he entered the Academy at Meriden, N. H., where he studied for three years. Alter this he spent one year at the academy in Chesterfield, under the tuition of his old preceptor at Meriden. He had now nearly reached the age of 25 years, and being destitute of pecuniary means, relinquished the purpose of a collegiate course, and concluded to go directly to the Theological Seminary at Bangor, where he finished his preparatory studies.

On his way to Bangor he saw, for the first time, the ocean, and at Boston stepped on board of a sea-going vessel early in the morning.  The voyage was for a few hours prosperous, but in a dense fog, at high tide, their raft ran, before noon, on rocks near the shore, and stuck fast, and at low tide was there lying high out of the water, in a piteous condition. There they had to remain during the subsequent night, about eight miles from Portland. The next morning a train of wagons came out and took the shipwrecked company into the city. The Lord being merciful, none were lost or injured. The ocean that swallows up so many in like circumstances, spared them every one.

Mr. Underwood finished his course at Bangor Semi-nary on the first of August, 1824. His first settlement in the ministry was at New Sharon, Franklin County, Maine. He was ordained and installed pastor of the Congregational church there, April 8, 1826, and continued in that position for about six years. There was during his ministry there one great revival of religion, extending all over the town, and reaching every denomination. It was a season of great refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Converts were counted by hundreds. It brought a large accession to the church under his care.  To young ministers, or others who, in trying circum-stances, are pressed by a conviction of the necessity of doing something effectual for the promotion of the Temperance cause, the following brief account of Mr. Underwood's early endeavors and remarkable success in that direction will doubtless be not only acceptable, but very encouraging.

When he went to New Sharon in 1824, the inhabitants were very greatly addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors. One merchant retailed fifty hogsheads a year, and another perhaps not quite so large an amount. Almost everybody seemed to be. addicted to the use of the drunkard's drink, in some or other of its various modifications.   This state of things was alarming, yet nobody appeared to be at all alarmed. Leading men in society were not going to deny themselves of the good things of this life, because other men made a bad use of them.  Mr. Underwood for a while knew not with whom to consult, or what to do; but while building a house for himself and family, in 1826, accidentally found among his workmen a thorough going temperance man; a Freewill Baptist deacon, he was. With that man he gladly held consultations in regard to what could be done to stay the further progress of intemperance in that community. The Deacon feared that the evil had become so general, and so deeply rooted in the habits of the people, that very little, if anything, could be done in the way of reformation.  The minister was more hopeful. He thought the case was urgent, and that they must make an effort. They finally agreed to adopt for themselves a total abstinence pledge, to take each of them a copy of it, and then use their best endeavors to induce everybody they should meet to sign it. This effort, commenced in October, was attended with so much success that the next Spring, before the snow was gone, a meeting of the subscribers was held at a school house some two miles out of the village, a Temperance Society organized, and each member took a copy of the pledge to invite others, as he or she should have opportunity, to subscribe and give their aid to the good cause.

By these means the society prospered wonderfully, and became exceedingly popular. Under its influence a Juvenile Temperance Society sprang up, embracing largely the children and youth of the town. Also a Mercantile Temperance Society was organized, embracing not only the liquor dealers of New Sharon, but all other liquor dealers within twenty miles of it. And the subsequent autumn the town, without a dissenting voice, voted not to license any one to sell intoxicating liquor within their limits.   And the people held a grand jubilee over the triumph of the Temperance cause.  Behold how great a matter a little fire kindles.

In regard to the family of Rev. Mr. Underwood, it may here be remarked that on the 17th of February, 1825, he married Miss Lucy Warner Tuel, of Chesterfield, N. H., a lady entirely worthy of his choice, who now, in 1873, is still living, to share in the various trials and consolations of his declining age. They have four sons, all active business men, and prospering in-the world. The oldest son, and three of the daughters-in-law, are members of the church, and the father expresses a strong hope that all will yet become heirs of salvation.

Mr. Underwood resigned his pastoral charge at New Sharon, and, under the patronage of the Maine Missionary Society, engaged in the work of the ministry in the newer settlements. October 16, 1833, he was installed pastor of a little church in Williamsburgh, some forty miles north of Bangor. There was no meeting house in the place, and I remember preaching, on the occasion, in a new and commodious barn, belonging to Simon Greenleaf, Esq.   His mother was a daughter of Rev. Jonathan Parsons, formerly of Newburyport, who, while we were at her son's house, entertained us with a deeply affecting account of the last day and night of the Rev. George Whitefield, who died at her father's house. She, then in her girlhood, was one of those who listened to the last public address he ever made, standing on the stairs, as he was retiring to his chamber to lay down his head on the pillow of death that night.

Owing to the death of Mr. Underwood's principal supporter, which occurred within a few months of his settlement there, and the consequent failure of his expected salary, he felt obliged, sooner than he had anticipated, to ask for a demission; and, having obtained it, accepted of a call to go to Sebec, a neighboring village, on the borders of the great wilderness in that section of Maine.  In that new field he drew together a good congregation, and succeeded in gathering and organizing a church. He also preached as a missionary in the adjacent towns of Fox croft, Dover, Atkinson, Milo and Bradford. After about two years of laborious and not unsuccessful missionary service in that region, his first beloved people gave him so strong an invitation to return to them that, by advice of his ministerial brethren, he concluded to do so, thinking it not improbable that he might spend the remainder of his life at New Sharon. But after about five years more of ministerial labor there, a severe visitation of chronic bronchitis compelled him to seek a change of climate and location, with a view to the improvement of his health; and so, in the spring of 1838, he left his beloved people of New Sharon, for the second and last time.  At Veteran, in the south-western part of the State of New York, he met with a kind reception, and accepted of an invitation to become, and was installed, pastor of the church there. He preached for some time in a shabby old school house, and in an old cloth-dressing mill; but in the course of a year or two succeeded in persuading the people to build a respectable house for public worship. The .humid atmosphere of that valley was found unfavorable to the minister's health, but he labored on for about five years, when a ruinous financial crash in the affairs of a firm largely responsible for his support occurred ; the new meeting-house was attached, shut up, and the church overwhelmed with discouragement. The pastor, again dismissed, determined to try for a while the business of a farmer, and, having rented a farm for one year, in a high and salubrious locality, applied himself, with great physical improvement, to the cultivation of the earth, preaching, however, as he had opportunity, on the Sabbaths. The result was complete restoration to health, and new energy to engage in the work of the ministry.

In the meantime, God had prepared a good place for him, and in the autumn of 1844 he was invited to the pastorate of the Congregational church in Hardwick, Vt.  He spent the subsequent winter there, and removed his family to that new home the next summer. It was over a year from the time of his coming before his regular installation was consummated. After about five years of ministerial labor, a blessed revival of religion occurred, and many precious souls were hopefully converted. The church was greatly strengthened and encouraged, and a good influence extended around on every side. In this good work the Rev. Mr. Gallaher, of Missouri, and the Rev. Joel Fisk, then of Irasburg, afforded important assistance. In 1851 the society took down two old meeting houses, and built a new one, in a different locality, which gave general satisfaction, and healed an old difficulty of long standing. Thus pleasantly and prosperously the good minister labored on, for about thirteen years, in Hardwick, when, being in feeble health, he judged it expedient for him to resign, and give his people opportunity to secure for themselves a new and more vigorous laborer. He had then numbered his three score years and ten, and his people, while still attached to him, could not refuse his request.   This was in 1867.  While at Hardwick, Rev. Mr. Underwood represented that town in the State Legislature of 1856, also in a special session of February, 1857, likewise in the sessions of 1868 and 1869, which is proof of the general esteem in which he was held by his fellow townsmen.  Alter closing his labors in Hardwick, he preached as a stated supply for longer or shorter terms in Walden, Craftsbury, Barnet, East St. Johnsbury, Walton, Barton, Guildhall, Waterford and Burke. In which last place he finished an engagement for two years, far advanced in life, and in poor health; when he judged it to be not inconsistent with duty to retire from his ministerial labors, and spend the evening of his days at his own beloved home, among his tried friends, in East Hardwick, doing good in a more private way, as God should give him means and opportunity. There, now in the seventy-seventh year of his age, with the wife of his youth and faithful companion amid the various trials and consolations through which they have been called to pass, they can testify that goodness and mercy have followed them all the days of their life, and confidently trust that in God's own house will be their home forever.  For this somewhat particular account of our friend, the Rev. Joseph Underwood, I make no apology; showing, as it does, that a man of good natural ability, though not highly educated, and though in many respects placed at disadvantages, if strong in evangelical faith, with a heart glowing with love to God and man, and zealous to save souls, may in the work of the ministry, though destined to labor in new and hard fields, with but slender pecuniary support, accomplish an amount of good which eternity itself will never be able to make fully known. " He that winneth souls is wise, and they that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars, forever and ever."

Abel Underwood, the youngest member of this family, was born April 8, 1799. The first seventeen years of his life were spent at the old homestead in Bradford. In 1817 he went to Royalton, Vt., and attended the academy there, under the tuition of Preceptor Tracy, subsequently Rev. Joseph Tracy, D. D., of Salem, Mass., until the Spring of 1819, when he went to the academy in Thetford, Vt., and there, under the tuition of Preceptor Fitch, continued till August, 1820, when he entered Dartmouth College, in the Freshman class of that year, and graduated in August, 1824. In a poetic article written merely for his own private gratification, he characterizes in Hudibrastic style each of his twenty-seven classmates and himself, in a truly shrewd and amusing way.   Take, for instance, the case of Rev. Ephraim W. Clark, missionary to the Hawaiian Islands:

"Clark, Ephraim W., short-sighted, and with specs on,

For College sins has nothing to reflect on ;

Like old Marquett, he's gone to Honolulu,

To teach the heathen :   Ephraim was a true blue,"

Immediately on leaving college Mr. Underwood entered the office of Gen. Isaac Fletcher, of Lyndon, Vt., as a student-at-law; and, in April, 1827, was, at Danville, where the Courts in Caledonia County were then held, admitted to the bar. He went directly into partnership with Gen.  Fletcher, where he continued for one year, when they dissolved, and he removed to Wells River.  While in practice at Lyndon, Mr. Underwood married, July 12, 1827, Miss Emily Rix, of Royalton, Vt., who continued to be the chief comfort of his life, till removed from him to her final rest, which occurred October 15,1861.  Mr. Underwood commenced business at Wells River, March, 1828, and there, after the lapse of forty-five years, was still abiding. His practice has mainly been in Orange and Caledonia Counties.   He was State's Attorney for Orange County, for the years 1839 to 1841, and United States District Attorney during the administrations of Presidents Taylor and Fillmore. He was elected Judge of the Circuit Court of Vermont, in 1854; and continued in that office until the autumn of 1857, when, by act of the Legislature, the Circuit system was abolished, and consequently the office of Circuit Judge ceased. During the construction of the Vermont Central Railroad, from 1846 to 1850, in company with Judge Adams, of Grand Isle, and Judge Curtiss, of Westfield, he was a commissioner for the settlement of land damages attending that great enterprise. He was for several years President of the Bank at Wells River, and for the years 1861 and 1862 Representative of Newbury in the Legislature of Vermont.

Through all these manifold trusts, responsibilities, and important business transactions, Judge Underwood has sustained the reputation of a capable, honest, and reliable man; and in his old age, in the midst of competence, if not of affluence, enjoys the esteem and cordial friendship of his fellow citizens around him. May his end be peace, and his eternity blessed.

Judge Underwood and wife had one son and four daughters. The son, George Rix, a promising young man, born April 15, 1832, went South, and engaged in commercial business. He died at Gainesville, Alabama, October 10, 1856, in the 27th year of his age. His remains were brought home to Wells River, Vt., for interment.

Elizabeth, born March 31, 1830, married Benjamin B.  Clark, of St. Johnsbury. Their children were Carrie E., Emily L., Susan E., Alice, who died young, and George B.  Emma R. E., died in childhood.

Mary Ellen, born May 12,1840, married Roscoe Deane ; had one daughter, who died in childhood. Her second husband was Dr. Hickok, of Wells River.  Susan A., born September, 1842, married George B.  Damon, who was an officer in the war for the suppression of the rebellion. They had two daughters, Emily Josephine and Ellen. The home of the mother and her daughters is with her honored father, at Wells River. 

In October, 1847, the nine sons and the one daughter of John Underwood, Esq., and Mary Fassett, his wife, with their several consorts, constituting a group of twenty persons, all in good health and spirits, had a family gathering in the old homestead, then possessed by the eldest brother. The parents had both deceased several years before. These brothers and their sister had not been all together in the home of their early days for about forty years till then. On this occasion they came not only with their wedded companions, but with many of their children; and the meeting was in several respects one of rare occurrence. Few have ever seen so remarkable and delightful a gathering of this sort. Judge Underwood in referring to it, says,  After a separation of about forty years, there we were, at the old home, where was the old arm chair and  the old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket, the moss covered bucket still hung in the well.  We had a sumptuous dinner there, at the same old pine table where we sat in childhood and youth, and in the same order as then. We promenaded the fields and orchards together, and talked over the matters and incidents of olden times. The Rev. Silas McKeen, on whose ministry our parents constantly attended, and who once boarded for a while in their family, was present with us.  The occasion was one of much interest and enjoyment.  Then we separated to return to our several homes, with out expectation of ever meeting thus again on earth. At this writing more than half of that original number have already passed away. May the entire group, of the departed and the living, be so happy as to meet their pious parents at last in a home incomparably more desirable and blessed than they, or the most favored of mortals, ever on earth enjoyed.  Biographie Index

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