In March, 1770, when Colonel Mead was forty years old and had a wife and ten children, the eldest of whom was Sarah, wife of Wright Roberts, the family, including the son-in-law, thirteen in all, came into the town to take up their permanent abode. Three days were occupied in the removal from Manchester, Albany County New York stopping the first night in Dorset and the second in Danby, and passing through Tinmouth and West Clarendon. In Chippenhook, in the town of Clarendon, while Sarah and Mercy were riding on a horse and Roberts was driving the cows, the three being in rear of the others, they lost their way ; but they were put upon the right track after wandering about for some time, by Simeon Jenny, whose dwelling they had reached. He was a noted Tory and "Yorker," but his counsel was, doubtless, none the less welcome at that time. Late in the evening of the third day the little party reached their log house ; but it had no roof and the cold and snows of the early spring made it entirely untenable. Not far distant were camped a party of Caughnawaga Indians, their wigwam and its glowing fire looking very tempting to the way worn travelers. Mead applied to them to share their rude quarters. After a brief consultation in their own tongue, they arose, threw their hands apart and cried " welcome;" they then gathered up their traps, gave up their hut to the family and quickly constructed another for themselves. There the Mead family lived until late in the succeeding autumn, when they built a substantial log house, in which they wintered.
It behooves us to add a little further record of this man who first took up his residence in this, the most important town in the most important county of Vermont. He was born at Horseneck, N. Y., August 25, 1730, and died January 19, 1804. He was a member of the Dorset Convention of September 25, 1776, and one of the committee appointed by the Windsor Convention in June, 1777, to arrange with the commander of Ticonderoga for the frontier defense. He was also colonel of the Third Regiment of militia. His wife was Mercy Holmes, who was born at the same place April 7, 1731. Their children were Sarah, born in 1753. James, 2d, born 1754; drowned in the flume at Center Rutland in 1773. Abner, first, born 1756; lived on the farm at West Rutland now occupied by A. J. Mead, his grandson; and died there in 1813, at the age of fifty-seven years. Samantha, born in 1757 ; married Keeler Hines, and for her second husband a Mr. Coggswell; she died in 1814. Stephen, born in 1759. Mercy, born in 1761 ; married John Smith, 2d, and lived about one and one-half miles south of West Rutland on the farm now occupied by John Brewster; one of their daughters is the widow of Harvey Chapman, now living in Clarendon. Dorcas, born in 1763. Hannah, born in 1764; married Silas Smith, and for her second husband, Darius Chipman ; died in 1821. Dimeas, born in 1766 ; married Dr. James Reed and lived a little west of Colonel James Mead's. Tameson, born in 1768. William, born September 24, 1770. James, 2d, born in 1773 (the year in which his brother James was drowned), died in 1813 in a western State.
Zebulon Mead, a brother of the pioneer, came into the town from Nine Partners in 1774 and purchased land including farms now owned by Rollin and Horatio Mead. Zebulon Mead's son Henry was then thirteen years old. He remained in the town until his death ; married Mary Munson and had ten children, seven of whom were sons. Horatio Mead, now living north of Rutland village, is the youngest of the sons except one. Joel M. Mead, one of Horatio's brothers, passed his life on the farm north of Horatio's, now occupied by Rollin Mead, who is a son of Joel. Horatio Mead is now eighty years old; has but one son, Stephen, at present one of the selectmen of Rutland. Joel Mead's widow still lives at eighty-five years of age. He died in 1880.
We cannot follow all of the many descendants of these pioneers except in the briefest manner. Abner, 1st, had as children, Ira, born in 1779. Elizabeth, born 1781 ; married Israel Harris, 2d. Truman, born 1783; was a farmer at Center Rutland. Abner, 2d, born 1785. Laura, born 1787; married Solomon Cook. Abial, born 1789; was a physician and practiced in Essex for many years. Philena, born 1791 ; married Charles Huntington and died 1817. Peter Philander, born 1793. The mother of these children was Amelia, daughter of the Rev. Benajah Roots, and died June 17, 1800.
The children of Abner Mead, 2d, were Harriet, born 1808, married Jedediah Parmalee, a preacher ; for her second husband she married Henry W. Porter, son of Dr. James Porter, and died in Rutland, Charity, born 1810, married Benjamin Franklin Blanchard, a farmer of West Rutland ; he is dead and his widow lives on the homestead. A. J. Mead, born 1815, lives on the old homestead at West Rutland. Roswell R., born 1818, was a merchant at West Rutland, where he died ; his children are John A., lives in Rutland, where he is a successful physician ; Mary L., wife of Professor Metzke, of Rutland ; and R. R. Mead, chief of the Rutland police. The other child of Abner, 2d, was John W. H., born 1820, and died in 1840 while attending Middlebury College. The mother of these children was Nancy Rowley, daughter of Roswell Rowley, who lived where Cyrus Johnson now resides, between Center Rutland and Sutherland Falls. Abner died in 1859. The other descendants need not be traced into the present generation ; they have been given thus far in detail, being entitled to whatever of honor attaches to descendants of the first settlers in any important community.
Joseph Bowker made his purchase of one hundred and fifty acres in Rutland in 1774, which appears to have been his only real estate operation ; this fact may account for his exemption from outlawry on the part of the New York government, to which many of his neighbors were subjected. His farm, according to Mr. Hall, was situated on the east side of Main street, extended one hundred rods south from about Green street, to and including part of Handpole or Moon's Brook; half a mile east of the road he located his dwelling, fronting the south and about halfway down the pleasant slope. He died in the summer of 1784 and is supposed to have been buried in the old ground at Center Rutland, then the only burial place in the town ; but no stone marks the place of his rest.
John Smith came from Salisbury, Conn., in 1774 and settled on the farm now owned by F. B. and J. Q. Smith ; in the year 1780 we find that Samuel Smith sold to John Smith, his son, for sixty-four pounds 1,020 acres, "in the township of Rutland, on Otter Creek, in the province of New York." The names of Thomas Blanchard, John Dandley and Oliver Colburn are mentioned in the deed as the original proprietors of the tract. In 1774, according to the records, John Smith " surveyed to himself a lot lying east of the 15 rights." An attempt was made on the part of some of the New York claimants to gain possession of his farm ; but he resisted them with force, was sentenced to death for the offense, without trial; but he was not arrested. He was the first town clerk of Rutland and the first representative in the General Assembly. He had five sons and one daughter, their names being John, Daniel, Joel, Silas, Elijah and Sarah, all of whom lived on the tract of land owned by their father. He bore the title of " Captain," and with his two sons, John and Daniel, took part in the battle of Bennington. It is related by descendants of the family that on one occasion Daniel Smith and thirteen others were sent northward on a scouting expedition. In Shelburne they camped over night in a deserted log house, and before morning were surprised and surrounded by a band of Indians and Tories numbering fifty-seven. The little party, however, kept up a brisk fire all night, and with excellent effect; in the morning the besiegers were surrounded and captured and taken safely to Bennington. The old musket used on this occasion by Daniel Smith is in possession of his descendants. The grandson, John, familiarly known as Deacon John Smith, died in this town in 1860, at the age of seventy-eight years. Several of the descendants of this pioneer are still living in the county. Captain John Smith died July 24, 1806, aged seventy-seven years, and his wife, Phoebe, died August 4, 1803, aged sixty-eight. His son John died November 22, 1825, at the age of seventy, and the son Silas died August 16, 1801, aged forty-three years. Elijah had a son named Elijah W. Grove L., Frank and John Smith were sons of the latter.
Ichabod Walker came to Rutland from Massachusetts soon after 1770 and settled near the site of the old court-house on Main street. His name appears as a purchaser of land here; but he left the place early in the Revolutionary struggle and after its close settled in Clarendon.
Gideon Walker, from Coventry, Mass., settled first in the town of Clarendon in 1768, and four or five years later came to Rutland and located on Otter Creek on the present Baxter farm, where he owned 100 acres. At the time of the evacuation of Ticonderoga his wife and four children fled to New Providence (now Cheshire), Mass., where they remained for a time with Lewis Walker, a cousin of Gideon, who afterwards settled in Clarendon. Daniel Walker, a brother of Gideon, settled in Clarendon at about the same time with his brother. Gideon lived to an advanced age and left numerous descendants who now live in Addison county.
Nathaniel Chipman was one of the very early settlers and occupied a conspicuous position in the young community. He was the first judge of the Supreme Court, a talented lawyer and an able statesman. His eminent qualifications were recognized in many ways by his constituents. His brothers Daniel and Darius were also eminent attorneys and pioneers in this region.
Nathan Tuttle came to the town before the Revolution and at one time owned a very large tract of land southwest of Rutland village. He suddenly and unaccountably disappeared in the summer of 1777. His name appears as moderator of the second proprietors' meeting, of which there are existing records, in November, 1773. At this meeting he was made a "committee to inspect deeds presented, lay out lots," etc.
One account of his death was as follows : " For a few weeks after the battle of Hubbardton and before the battle of Bennington, most of the Whigs having fled or taken protection under Burgoyne, the Tories in this county were entirely lords of the ascendant. Tuttle, who stayed here but refused to take protection, on one occasion being, as was frequently the case, partially intoxicated, met a party of Indians and Tories, of whom were Solomon Johns and Gustavus Spencer, of Clarendon. An altercation ensued; they threatened him and he, returning the most provoking retorts, daring them to put their threats into execution, till Johns actually ran him through with his bayonet, killing him on the spot. The party then tied stones to his body and threw it into Otter Creek below Gookin's Falls. They then went up to Joseph Keeler's, and told him what they had done, enjoining secrecy during Johns' life. What had become of Tuttle was not generally-known for several years. After the war Johns was killed in Canada by the falling of a tree - the manner of his death being considered a Providential retribution for the murder of Tuttle. When the news of this was received here Keeler published the particulars of Tuttle's death."
Benjamin Blanchard was one of the early settlers, but we cannot give the date of his arrival. He was a millwright, or carpenter, and built the mill, or a portion of it, for Colonel Mead at Gookin's Falls. Mead told him if he would give forty days' work on the mill, he should have 100 acres of land south of the corners at West Rutland. This transaction probably occurred in 1772, as the records show that he had land of Mead in that year. He did the work and lived and died on the farm ; so, also, did his son Benjamin, and his grandson of the same name. Chalon Blanchard, son of the third Benjamin, died on the farm in 1883. The elder Benjamin died in 1801, aged seventy-five, and his wife Ruth, in 1824.
James Claghorn was an associate of James Mead and one of the pioneers of considerable prominence. It is on record that he surveyed to himself in 1774, 100 acres northeast of a lot bought by him of William Roberts. He was a selectman in 1779, and in that year it is recorded that he sold to James Mead sixty acres of land on Otter Creek. He died in 1813, at the age of seventy-four; his wife died in the same year.
John Johnson came into the town from Connecticut in April, 1773, and lived where Nahum Johnson now lives, and died there ; he previously settled where J. M. Dewey now lives, on Otter Creek. Cyrus L. and Nahum are his sons. The elder John Johnson was a prominent man and held the office of selectman for several years. Zina Johnson was also a pioneer and located near West Rutland, on the road to Clarendon Springs. He had sons, Harry, a lawyer, and Oliver, who died on the homestead before his father's death.
Deacon Wait Chatterton settled in Rutland before 1773 (it has been claimed as early as 1771, but this is probably an error), locating on the farm recently occupied by W. H. Johnson. His wife was Susannah Dickinson and they had seven children, all of whom lived in the town in early years ; but most of the descendants have disappeared from this region. Wait Chatterton was a prominent citizen, and especially so in the early Congregational Church. His tombstone in the West Rutland burial ground bears as part of the inscription : - " who after a life of eighty years amid the most eventful interests of the church and the country, having borne a patriot's toils, discharged the duties of a citizen and enjoyed the hopes and privileges of the Christian, was gathered to his final rest, April 16, 1837." His wife died in 1832. Wait 2d was also a prominent man in the community, and lived and died on the homestead ; he held many town offices. James was another son of Wait 1st, and a respected citizen.
Rev. Benajah Roots was a prominent figure in the Rutland community from soon after 1771 to the time of his death in March, 1787. He was the first settled pastor over the Congregational Church, organized in 1773. In the preface to his first sermon (which was printed) he said he then knew of but one settled Congregational minister in the whole region of country between Massachusetts and Canada, and the Hudson and Connecticut Rivers. He came from Simsbury, Conn., and was a graduate of Princeton College. It is believed that he engaged to preach for five years, the consideration being the lot of land reserved for the first settled minister; though this in reality became his property at the time of his installation, by virtue of his accepting the church office. This lot was situated in the northeast part of the town, and was never of much value to him ; but he purchased other lands and dealt in real estate to some considerable extent. The lot on which he subsequently lived, with 100 acres on the opposite side of Otter Creek and 400 acres of wild land, were purchased by him for ;£195 before he came to the town. In February, 1784, he sold to Samuel Murdock a tract " which is the third division upon the Right of the first settled Minister, the original grantee, Benajah Roots." There was some dissatisfaction in the small congregation after Mr. Roots had preached about five years, because he asked for more compensation, which led to the employment for at least a part of the time, of other ministers. In the year 1784 it was voted by the proprietors, " to levy a tax of two pence on the pound of the grand list of A. D. 1774, in Order to satisfy Mr. Roots for preaching of late, to be collected September next." That there was some feeling of antagonism to the preacher is indicated by the fact that this vote was soon reconsidered and the tax reduced to one penny. But he officiated more or less in the church until his death ; he was a man of much strength of character and with natural gifts above the average.
Roswell and William Post were prominent in the town from 1780 to 1790, and settled here among the earliest immigrants; they were probably brothers. There was also a Jared Post who was a contemporary with the two named and may have been another brother. Roswell Post was selectman in 1780 and held the office in several other early years, while William was moderator of most of the proprietors' meetings down to 1790; and the names both appear frequently in records of land transfers, committees for public duties, and elsewhere.
Jonathan Reynolds came to the town at an early day and purchased two hundred and seventy-five acres of land of James Mead in the Otter Creek valley, the farm, or a portion of it, being now known as the Griggs farm. Mr. Reynolds was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary Army and was known as a great hunter and trapper. He died in 1840, when he was one hundred years old, lacking sixteen days. In the old North Cemetery a stone bears the record of the death of " Joshua Reynals," who died in 1818 at the age of seventy-five years. According to the Vermont Historical Magazine, he lived at the North (or Merriam's) Mills. We are not aware that the two were relatives. There was a large number of descendants, who lived on the road from West Rutland to Sutherland Falls. Morris and Bradley Reynolds live in that vicinity.
Benjamin Capron settled in the town in the early years, and had a family of ten children ; he located on the turnpike east of the village. Among his children were Benjamin, jr., who died in August, 1859, and Azor, also deceased. His wife was a daughter of Lemuel Haynes. Laban and Benjamin, sons of Azor, now live in this town, the former on the homestead. Theron and William T. Capron are sons of Benjamin, jr., and there are numerous other descendants in the county.
Daniel Greeno settled here before the Revolution, coming from Boston. He located in the northeastern part of the town where Eugene Thomas now owns ; his title being defective, he removed to where Amasa Greeno now lives. He was several times driven from his home during the Revolution, taking refuge in Bennington. He was at the latter place during the battle and shouldered his gun and fought for freedom ; his wife remained there several weeks after the battle to aid in caring for the wounded. Mr. Greeno kept a tavern many years where Amasa now resides ; he had ten children, all of whom lived to maturity and had families. Of Amasa's children, Amasa A., Benjamin R., Betsey L., and Medora V. H. Pond now live in the town.
Amos Hines and Benjamin Farmer, Jr., were among the very early settlers and located, the former on the present Russell Place and the latter near the Mendon line. Benjamin Farmer, Sr., settled near his son when he was eighty years old, and died there ten years later. Amos Hines died in 1805 at the age of fifty-seven, and is buried in the old North Cemetery.
Ashbel Cook, who was born May 3, 1741, came to Rutland from Wallingford, Conn., in 1778, bringing with him his family. Of his children Orel Cook was born soon after his father's removal here, on the 25th of June, 1778. Ashbel Cook was a tailor and worked at that trade in Rutland ; he must have been about the first tailor in the town. It is said that his wife Rachel cooked for Ethan Allen, Seth Warner and their men for two or three days while they were preparing for the expedition to Ticonderoga; she would boil two or three entire sheep at a time for the party. Her name was Rice before her marriage, and two of her brothers were killed in the Indian massacre at Royalton. She died in Troy, N. Y., in 1841, at the great age of one hundred years and nine days. Ashbel Cook died December 16, 1801. Orel Cook, Sr.., engaged in the hat manufacture before his marriage and continued to about 1839, keeping during a portion of the time quite a number of workmen in the business. John Cook was his fifth child, born in March, 1819, and learned his father's trade. In 1839 he went to Troy and carried on the business, returning to Rutland in 1851. From about 1870 he was in trade here, and in 1882 built his block opposite tlie Berwick House. Orel Cook, jr., brother of John Cook, became a prominent man in the community and an estimable physician. He began practice here about 1845 or 1846 ; was a member of the House of Representatives, and otherwise honored by his fellows. He was born in 1813, and died April 8, 1884.
Timothy Boardman came from Middletown, Conn., to Rutland in 1782, and located on what has always been known as " Boardman Hill," where Samuel Boardman now lives. In the year 1790 he built the house now occupied by Patrick Kinney. In 1783 he returned to Connecticut, married Mary Ward, and immediately came back with his bride. During the Revolutionary War he served in the navy, was captured in the West Indies and kept a prisoner for six months. He resided on the old homestead until his death, April 3, 1839, at the age of eighty-six ; he was prominent in the church and was long known as " Deacon." One of his sons was Elijah, who was also a deacon in the church for fifty years; he lived on the homestead, and died therein 1883. Charles G. is another son, and is deceased.
Joseph Kimball settled early where Ira Hawley now resides. His daughter Betsey married Abijah Hawley. The farm has always remained in the family.
Joseph Humphrey came to Rutland in 1783 from Winchester, N. H. He was employed soon after his arrival by Isaac Chatterton and others in building operations. About his first employment was on the old jail, on Main street, now the residence of George E. Lawrence. He purchased sixty acres of land of John Sutherland in about the year 1790, where R. S. Humphrey recently lived, for which he paid " £60 lawful money." He died in 1851. He became prominent in the very early marble industry at Sutherland Falls.
Jabez Ward came from New Marlboro, Mass., in 1784, and settled three miles north of West Rutland in Whipple Hollow, where Jay Cook now lives. His sons were Artemas Ward, now living at West Rutland, and eight others, all deceased but Artemas. The latter was born in 1805 and came to West Rutland in 1829.
Edward Dyer settled in Rutland in about the year 1789; he was from Greenwich, R. I. His first wife was Sally Bowman, daughter of Lieutenant Bowman, of Clarendon, and his second wife was Hannah Hoxie, daughter of Gideon Hoxie, a Quaker of Chittenden county. Horace H. Dyer, who now resides a little south of Rutland village, is a son of Edward. It was on Mr. Dyer's farm that Captain Josiah Hart and a party of Revolutionary soldiers camped while on their way from Bellows Falls to Ticonderoga. Soon after the war Mr. Hart visited Rutland, sought out the spring near which the encampment was made and resolved to settle there, which he did. He was a practical builder, aided in constructing the first church at Rutland village and other buildings, and died in 1811, aged seventy-two years. His grandson, George W. Hart, lives on the homestead.
We have mentioned Isaac Chatterton ; he settled on a farm now owned by Colonel Redfield Proctor and recently by German H. Chatterton. Leverett Chatterton was his son, and was born on the farm in 1789, and resided on the place until his death in 1877.
Three brothers named McConnell came to Rutland soon after the Revolutionary War ; their names were John, Samuel and James. They located south of Rutland village, John on the farm now owned by John C. Doty. He had a son James, who lived on the homestead until his death in December, 1877. Samuel died in 1832, aged seventy-two years; and John died in 1839, aged seventy-seven. They were all respectable farmers, and have descendants now living in the county. William McConnell, son of one of the three brothers, lived south of the village, and was a prominent citizen. He died in 1850. Thomas was brother of James, jr., and died in Rutland.
Jesse Thrall settled in the town in the last decade of the last century, locating in the west parish in Whipple Hollow. His wife's maiden name was Mabel Rose. There the venerable Reuben R. Thrall was born December 5, 1795. In 1814 he came to the east part of the town and settled ; he was clerk in the post-office early in the century, when William D. Smith was postmaster. Mr. Smith was a lawyer, and Mr. Thrall studied with him, and finally was admitted to the bar and became Mr. Smith's partner. Although he is now ninety years old he occasionally does legal business, and is believed to be the oldest practicing attorney in the world. His wife was Elizabeth Gove, daughter of Jesse Gove. A daughter of Mr. Thrall married Frederick Chaffee, now of Rutland, and his son William B. lives in Rutland ; George lives in Denver. Aaron Thrall died in 1810 at the age of forty-seven ; he lived at the time on a farm now owned by the Dr. Sheldon estate. Chauncey Thrall settled early where R. C. Thrall now lives. He was a prominent man - member of the Legislature, justice, etc., and died in 1844. His son Chauncey died in 1874. Jonathan G. Thrall, one of the leading farmers of the town, and a man of strong character, lived one-half mile north of Rutland village, and died in 1852 at the age of fifty-eight.
Nathaniel Gove was the pioneer of that name in this town and himself and descendants have filled prominent stations in the community. He was born in Coventry, Conn., on the 21st of April, 1739, and died in Rutland September 9, 1813. We have but very few details of his settlement here, but he came at an early day; his son, Colonel Jesse Gove, was born in February, 1784, in Bennington. He early came to Rutland and read law with Cephas Smith, jr., and was admitted to the Rutland county bar at the March term of 1818. He married Sophia Ingersoll in 1809, and in the same year was appointed clerk of the United States District and Circuit Courts for the district of Vermont, and held the office until his death. He was appointed postmaster at Rutland in 1841. His military title was gained by his rank of colonel in the militia. He died April 30, 1842.
Jude Moulthrop came to the town about the year 1792, at which time Nathan Osgood deeded to him the greater part of the farm now occupied by Mrs. H. J. Moulthrop ; the northern part of the same farm was deeded to him by Gideon Tuttle. Jude Moulthrop died December 10, 1800, and left among his children, Truman Moulthrop, Nathan Moulthrop and a daughter named Laura, now widow of Daniel Gleason. Truman became a prominent citizen. Truman's third child and first son was Robert Moulthrop, who was born on the farm now occupied by his heirs, December 8, 1825. Truman Moulthrop held various town offices and was much respected.
Daniel Graves removed from Whately, Mass., to Rutland county in 1792, locating first in the town of Ira, where he established a tannery, shoe shop, hat manufactory and kept a tavern. He may have lived a few years at West Rutland, as we find him in 1796 advertising a " good dwelling, shoemaker's shop, tan-yard and tan-house, with one acre and forty-seven rods of land situated a few rods south of the meeting-house. West Parish, Rutland." In any event, after his death his son George carried on the business until 1832, when he removed to Rutland and built up the tanning business north of the village at what became known as " Tan-yard Village." This establishment was destroyed by fire. He also owned a tannery at Chase's Mills, N. Y., in company with his sons, George and Charles E. He died in 1879 and his sons took control of the business. George E. Graves now carries on a drug store in Rutland village.
The eccentric John A. Graham was a resident of Rutland in the last decade of the last century, and we find him making in 1795 the newspaper announcement that his creditors must pay up as he was about to leave the State. He was the first lawyer located in Rutland and wrote a book of early reminiscences and memoirs of Vermont men. He built his dwelling three stories high, on the corner occupied in later years by Daniels & Bell, Main street, and placed his coat-of-arms on a part of the roof The heavy tornado of 1789, which unroofed several buildings, moved his house from its foundation and blew down the coat of-arms.
The Cheney family was a prominent one in the town in early times. Gershom, Samuel and Abel came here from Londonderry in 1793 and located on what has been called "Cheney Hill," north of Rutland village. Abel had six children, one of whom was Benjamin, father of Lyman S., who now lives in the village. Abel lived in Rutland only a few years and died in Canada in 1860. Gershom became a conspicuous figure in pioneer times ; he was an architect and builder of prominence, planned and helped to build the old brick church, and erected many of the oldest houses in the place, including that recently occupied by Luther Daniels, and the old Kilburn house next south of the Governor Page residence. He held most of the town offices, was selectman in 1812-13 and '14, and made the grand list after he was eighty years of age. He built tlie first aqueduct from a spring in the town of Mendon to supply Rutland with water; there was then no reservoir; he also kept a tavern on his place north of the village for eleven years. He had no children and died much respected in September, 1855. Gershom Cheney, now living in Rutland village, is a nephew of the elder Gershom and son of Abel. He was proprietor of the old Franklin House from 1854 until it was destroyed by fire in 1868.
Eliakim Cheney, belonging to another branch of this name, came to Rutland from Dedham, with his brother Abner, before the beginning of the present century and located on South Main street. On their land brick were manufactured for many of the early brick buildings in this section. Eliakim had two sons, Warner and Hiram L. ; they were among the early masons here ; the former now lives in Troy, and Hiram L. died in 1880; he had also one daughter, Rosina, now widow of Moses Curtis. George H. and Henry W., now in mercantile business in Rutland, are sons of Hiram L. Cheney.
John Ruggles came to Rutland from Pomfret, Conn., in 1794, locating on what has been called the Ruggles farm, included in which was the site of the railroad depot. He died in 1831, and his farm was inherited by his son, the late Gershom C. Ruggles, who died in 1885. He was a prominent man in the community. His oldest son was named John and another was Henry, now of Boston, and still another, George R., of Aurora, ILL.
The Rev. Samuel Williams, LL.D., removed to Rutland in 1788, having held the professorship of mathematics and natural philosophy in Harvard University. He was born in Waltham, Mass., about 1740. He was during his life here one of the very foremost men of the county ; indeed, of the State. In 1794 he preached the election sermon, and was chaplain of the Assembly the same session. In 1794 he published The Natural and Civil History of Vermont, which was extended in 1808 ; he was one of the founders of the University of Vermont. In writing of him John A. Graham said: " He is the most enlightened man in the State, in every branch of philosophy and polite learning." He died in January, 1817.
Hon. Samuel Williams was also one of the earliest settlers and most distinguished residents of Rutland, and one of the few Whigs who remained in Rutland after the evacuation of Ticonderoga. He was for many years town clerk and selectman ; represented the town in General Assembly from 1783 to 1794, except 1786, and in 1798-99; councilor from 1795 to 1798; judge of Rutland County Court from 1790 to 1793 inclusive; chief judge from 1794 to 1799 inclusive, and held this office at the time of his death. He, with the Rev. Samuel Williams, were the founders of the Rutland Herald, and published it several years. To him is also to be credited the existence of the Rutland village " green," or park, on Main street, most of the funds for its purchase being contributed by him and he being the first grantee named in the deeds (" To Samuel Williams and other inhabitants of said town of Rutland.") The tablet above his remains in the old North Burial Ground bears as a part of the inscription : " He was a pillar of church and of state and lived and died the Father of this Village and the Friend of Mankind. Over the remains of his mortal part, as a testimony of his virtues, this marble placed by his Masonic brethren, June 24th, A. L. 5800." He died February 28, 1800.
Levi Long settled in Rutland in 1799, coming from Coventry, Conn., and locating about three miles northeast from the village. He had seven sons and one daughter.
Matthias Ames settled on the farm now occupied by his grandson, Matthias, in 1785. He was a Revolutionary soldier, from Stockbridge, Mass.
Gad Daniels, from Worthington, Mass., settled in Rutland in 1783, on the farm now occupied by S. L. Daniels, on the road to West Rutland. His son Stephen was killed while assisting to build a bridge at Center Rutland in 1835.
John Hall came to Rutland in 1798, when he was but four years old. He subsequently learned the saddler's trade, and later became a merchant in the village, with his brother William. Later in his life he gave up trade and retired to his farm in the northern part of the town, where he passed the remainder of his life. He died in 1868, at the age of seventy-five years. John M. Hall, now of Rutland, is his son, and the only descendant here. William Hall was born in November, 1780, and died September 13, 1850. He became judge of probate and held other positions of trust and responsibility. Henry Hall, now residing in Rutland, and a historical writer of ability, is son of Hon. William Hall.
Noah Griswold settled in Whipple Hollow in 1800, where his grandsons now live. He was the father of Edwin L. Griswold, who lives in West Rutland ; the latter has been in the Legislature. Frank Griswold is another son.
James Porter was son of a surgeon of the British army who was in this country during the Revolution ; he came to Rutland when ten years old to reside with his uncle, Ezekiel Porter, where he remained until he was eighteen years old ; he then began the study of medicine and, graduating at the age of twenty-three, began practice in Rutland, and was prominent in the profession for more than fifty years; he was also one of the foremost citizens in all the affairs of the village. His eldest son, Henry W. Porter, resided at the old homestead, No. 83 Main street, until his death in 1884; other prominent representatives of this family were Dr. Cyrus Porter, Dr. James B. Porter and Dr. Hannibal Porter, and Dr. Charles Porter, of Boston.
Among the earliest settlers of Pawlet was Captain Simeon Edgerton, from Stamford, Conn. He died in 1809 at the age of seventy years, leaving a widow and twelve children. Jacob Edgerton and two others remained in Pawlet. Jacob had twelve children, of whom nine lived to maturity, and he died in 1845. All but two of this family are now living. Jacob Edgerton, jr., is still living in Rutland at the age eighty-five. He has been a prominent citizen in business and politics; held the office of sheriff for twenty-two years, and other positions of honor.
Moses Hale and Stephen Hale were among the early settlers. The latter located about one and one-half miles east of the village on the turnpike, and resided there till his death. Franklin S. Hale is his son. Moses Hale was a prominent man at a very early day and his name appears frequently in the town records, in land transfers, etc. He was father of Deacon Asa Hale, who lived at " Tan-yard Village," where he owned a large farm, and of Thomas Hale, who died in 1812, in middle life. Deacon Asa died in 1843 at the age of eighty-four years, and was a man of prominence in the community.
Solomon Smith settled in the town early-probably before 1800, and lived a little east of the village ; he had a son. Deacon John, but his descendants are all dead.
Henry Gould was a prominent citizen in the early years of the century; was jailor in 1807, and we find him offering " $50 reward for the arrest of Abner Hayes, the well-known counterfeiter, who broke jail July 2, 1807." Henry was a brother of Nathaniel and died in 1820. Nathaniel Gould kept the old Franklin House in early years, when it was known as " Gould's Tavern." He was born in Claremount, Vt, September 22, 1786, and died in Westminster, Vt., March 25, 1853. He had several daughters; Clarissa married Daniel P. Bell, the early Rutland merchant, and lives in Florida ; Helen Mary married Elisha Avery, of Detroit; Priscilla married a Mr. Elmore, of Peru, N. Y.; Narcissy married Mr. Hawley, of Detroit, and is dead; Jane married Dr. Cyrus Porter and now lives on the old Porter homestead in Rutland.
Jonathan Shaw, born in 1771, died in 1839. His first wife was Mary, daughter of Obadiah Boss. Dr. Shaw formerly lived in the house now occupied by C. H. Sherman at West Rutland and was a conspicuous man in the community. He owned a grist-mill at Clarendon Springs at one time, and died there of a cancer.
Moses Strong was one of the foremost citizens of Rutland and the present generation still profits by the results of his energy. He was a son of John Strong, of Addison county, and was born in Connecticut. He studied for the legal profession and married in Shoreham for his first wife a daughter of Daniel Smith, in 1810, about which time he came to Rutland. He lived first where Charles Ross now resides, and about 1840 removed to what is known as " the Strong place," on Main street. He held the office of county judge, was foremost in the legal profession and a leading citizen. His family consisted of Moses M. Strong, now living in Wisconsin and seventy-five years old ; John, who lives in Washington; George W,, died in 1859;' and four daughters. He died September 29, 1842. His brother, Samuel Strong, was a conspicuous figure in the battle of Plattsburg, and bore the title of " General ; " he was of Vergennes. Moses Strong became one of the foremost men of Rutland ; owned large tracts of land and was very prominent in the early railroad operations of the State. His son, Moses M., was a prominent attorney, and went to Wisconsin where he now lives and is a prominent citizen.
Robert Pierpoint, who was a resident of Rutland after about the close of the War of 1812, was a man of eminence in the State. He was born May 4, 1791, at Litchfield, Conn. At seven years of age he went to live with an uncle in Manchester. He studied law with Governor Richard Skinner, and though of feeble constitution, was indefatigable in the pursuit of a knowledge of his chosen profession. In June, 1812, he was admitted to the bar in Bennington county. Soon after his removal to Rutland he was made deputy collector of the direct tax, which duty he successfully performed. He was sent to the Legislature in the years 1819, 1823 and 1857; was a member of the Constitutional Conventions of 1822 and 1828 ; from 1825 to 1830 inclusive was a member of the State Council ; was State senator from 1836 to 1839 inclusive ; was county clerk from 1820 to 1839; judge of probate 1832-33 ; in 1848 was elected lieutenant-governor of Vermont; received the degree of M. A. from Middlebury College in 1826, and from the University of Vermont in 1838 ; in 1850 he was made judge of the Circuit Court, continuing to 1859. He died in 1864 with honors thick upon him. Evelyn Pierpoint, now a prominent citizen of Rutland, is his only son.
Charles Burt, who was born at Bellows trails in 1791, came to Rutland in 18 I 3. His father was Leonard Burt, son of Benjamin Burt who died at Bellows Falls at the age of ninety-four years. Charles Burt was a nephew of William Fay, the eminent publisher of Rutland village (see history of the County Press), and engaged in business with him and Mr. Davidson as publishers and booksellers. A few years later he formed a partnership with Barnard McConnell in mercantile business; the firm afterward changed to Burt & Mason (Lester Mason) and then to Burt & Son (the latter being B. H. Burt) ; this began in 1850 and continued ten years. B. H. Burt continued the business to 1873, and took in Eugene Sherman; two years later the latter retired and Mr. Burt still continues trade alone, and is one of the leading dry goods houses of Rutland. Of his children, Charles Fay Burt died in Rutland ; George, in St. Augustine, Florida; James B., is now in Palatka, Florida, and William is in business in Chicago; Henry died in New Orleans; Helen was the wife first of J. C. Dexter, the first sheriff of San Francisco, and, second, of General Hall, of Wallingford, and, third, of Hosea Eddy of that town ; Margaret is the widow of A. F. Spencer.
Ebenezer Mussey came to Rutland before 1800 and in that year built the house on the old Mussey place, which is still standing, a mile south of the village, and owned by A. C. Bates. His sons were Harry, Charles, George and Edward ; the latter the father of W. B. Mussey, a merchant in Rutland ; he also had two daughters. Edward, who was born in 1798, went to Mendon, where he kept a tavern until 1850, known as "the old Mussey stand ; " he subsequently removed to Middlebury, where he kept tavern, and then to the farm north of Middlebury village now owned by Joseph Battelle ; he died there in 1878. Besides W. B., he had several sons and three daughters. Harry Mussey lived and died on the old homestead, had a large family, one daughter becoming the wife of Gen. Benjamin Alvord, of the U. S. army, and now lives in Washington.
Francis Slason, who died in 1884, was born in Stamford, Conn., in March, 1790; he went to Troy, N. Y., in 1804, and nine years later removed to West Rutland, where he purchased the store of Nathan Bristol and carried on a mercantile business for forty years. He also became interested in the marble and other interests, as will hereafter appear; he was a director in the National Bank of Rutland, from its organization in 1824 to the time of his death; he lived to the great age of ninety-four years and was one of the foremost citizens of the town ; his widow and a number of descendants now live in the town.
Luther Daniels came from Keene, N. H., to Rutland in 1814, and became one of the leading business men and prominent citizens of the village. He first engaged here as a clerk in the store of Daniel Chipman for three years, when he returned to Keene and remained until he reached his majority. He then came back to Rutland and began business in the old Daniels store, which now forms a part of tlie "Cheney store" on Main street, continuing in trade there for a period of thirty years and doing the largest business in the place. Daniel P. Bell was associated with him for a number of years and the firm of Daniels & Bell was favorably known throughout the county. He was chosen treasurer and president of the Rutland Savings Bank in 1850 and held the office until 1879. He represented the town in the Legislature and in the Senate for four years, and was foremost in all good works. He died in August, 1885, in the eighty-seventh year of his age. His first wife was Caroline Bradbury ; she died in 1837 and in 1844 he married the daughter of Moses Strong and widow of Rodney C. Royce. Mr. Royce was one of the leading attorneys of the place and died in 1836, at the age of thirty-six years. A daughter of Mr. Daniels is the wife of the Rev. Dr. Norman Seaver; another daughter is unmarried.
Avery Billings came to Rutland in 1818, from Guilford, Vt., and located on the west side of the creek, where Jesse L. Billings now resides. The place is a portion of the ministerial lot, and was purchased by Mr. Billings from the first settled minister. Mr. Billings held various offices of honor and trust, and as a farmer accumulated considerable wealth. He married Mary Packer, a sister of Rev. Daniel Packer, who was so long and favorably known in the township of Mount Holly. The Packer family are descendants of the Packers who came to this country from England about the year 1651, and settled in Connecticut. Mary Billings married John Cain, who was a prominent man in Rutland for many years. Mr. Billings died in 1860, at the age of seventy-seven, much lamented.
James Barrett came to Rutland from Concord, Mass., in 1819, locating in the village, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for a period of about forty years. He was a prominent man of the town for many years, dying in 1875, in the eighty-third year of his age. When he first came to the village he occupied the house now owned by E. A. Morse, and subsequently a house located on the site now occupied by J. B. Harris's residence, and finally the house corner of Main and Washington streets, in which he resided for a period of forty years. Mr. Barrett was a descendant of Col. James Barrett, who commanded the first regiment raised in Massachusetts, and which contained the companies who took part in the battles of Concord and Lexington. He was also one of the Committee of Safety, and also had charge of the collection of provisions and supplies, for the destruction of which the British troops were sent to Concord. Of the descendants now living in town there are : the wife of Evelyn Pierpoint, the wife of Hon. W. C. Dunton, Ellen C. Barrett, unmarried, and Rockwood Barrett, treasurer of the Columbian Marble Company.
Robert Patterson came to Rutland from Montpelier, Vt., in 1816. He served in the War of 1812 and was at the battle of Plattsburg. While in the army he contracted a disease which resulted in paralysis, from the effects of which he never recovered. He died in 1848, in his sixty fifth year. He was the father of six children, three of whom are now living. Robert E. resides in the town about four miles north of the village.
The Hodges family were of the town of Clarendon, but George T. became a resident of Rutland in early life. He was the third son of Dr. Silas Hodges, and born in 1788. He became one of the staunch business men of Rutland and was called to fill many positions of trust and honor; he represented the town in the Assembly and the county in the Senate, several years in each office, and on the death of Hon. James Meacham, member of Congress, in 1856, Mr. Hodges was chosen to fill the vacancy. He was a director in the old Bank of Rutland from its organization to his death, and a director and vice-president in the Rutland and Burlington Railroad Company. He died in August, 1860.
Few if any families in the county have greater claims upon the attention of the annalist than the Sheldons. Medad Sheldon came to Rutland before the beginning of the present century; his wife was Lucy Bass, of Sharon, Conn. He built a hotel at Center Rutland and other buildings, and carried on blacksmithing there. He died July 27, 1846, while on a visit to St. Lawrence county, N. Y. His eldest son was Lorenzo, born in 1801, died September 5, 1880. He studied medicine at the Castleton Medical College and graduated in January, 1820, returning to Rutland to begin practice with Dr. Jonathan Shaw, with whom he formed a partnership; one year later Dr. Shaw removed to Clarendon Springs. Dr. Sheldon removed to St. Lawrence county in 1826, but remained only two years, when he returned and resumed practice in Rutland. In 1835 he became interested with William F. Barnes, and then began the marble industry, which has since been developed to enormous proportions by his descendants. Later he was associated with Francis Slason, which continued until 1865, when he sold out and retired from active business in that direction. He continued to carry on a large real estate business during the remainder of his active life. He was married in 1823 to Mahala Smith, of West Rutland, a descendant of tlie pioneer John Smith ; their children were Sophronia, born 1823, died 1872 ; Darwin Rush, born 1826, died 1834; Charles S., born 1834, died 1835 ; Lucy Amorette, born 1836, died 1837; Lucy Lorenda, born 1838, widow of Harmon Goss, of West Rutland; Harley G., born 1840, lives at West Rutland; Mary Kate, born 1844, died 1869. The other children of Medad Sheldon were: Mary Lyman, born 1802, died ; Caroline, born 1804 and deceased; Sophronia, born 1806, deceased ; Lucy Amorette, born 1809, deceased ; Richard Preston, born 1811, drowned in Florida; Charles, born 1813, now living in Rutland, and the senior member of the great marble firm of Sheldon & Sons; Henry Aaron, born 1815, deceased; Chandler, born 1820, deceased I Emily Janette, born 1821, wife of Edward Sheppard, of West Rutland. The sons of Charles Sheldon, who are associated with him in the marble industry, are John A., Charles H., Archie L.. and William K.
In this connection it is proper to give a brief sketch of William F. Barnes, who has been mentioned as the partner of Lorenzo Sheldon and the pioneer in the West Rutland marble business. He was born in Pittsford in 1806. His parents went West, but he remained here and took up his residence while a boy with Elijah Boardman, in West Rutland. His younger years, and down to the time when he was about thirty years old, appear to have been a period of considerable vicissitude, and developed the remarkable energy, industry and perseverance that characterized his after life. In 1836 he discovered the marble deposit at West Rutland, and was convinced that it was of inestimable value ; he purchased a tract of hill and swamp lands and began the task of opening the marble deposit and reclaiming the low lands. A considerable tract of before worthless land now presents a surface of excellent meadow, and the Barnes House and another large brick block, erected by him at West Rutland, stand upon soil that was made by him. His energy was tireless ; his perseverance in the face of many difficulties almost phenomenal ; fortunes have been made from the quarries that he was instrumental in opening, and yet Mr. Barnes, although having a considerable estate at one time, did not become wealthy. He represented Rutland two years in the Legislature and gained the esteem of his fellow-citizens. He was killed in May, 1871, by a block of marble which fell in the quarry and struck him on the head, crushing his skull.
Thaddeus Dunklee, from New Hampshire, came to Rutland in 1812, where he married Elizabeth Capron, July 29, 1822, by whom he had five children, Benjamin F., Hiram, Sarah, Samuel and George. But two are now living, George in Boston, Mass., and Benjamin F. in Rutland. He died in 1859.
Hon. James D. Butler came to Rutland among the pioneers before 1790, and was one of the early merchants of the village ; his store was situated where J. M. Haven now lives; he was a partner for a time with T. J. Lyon, and the firm dissolved in 1796, the business being continued by Mr. Butler. He died in 1842, aged seventy-seven years. He was father of James Davie Butler, who was born in Rutland in March, 1815 ; the latter, after proper preparation, entered Middlebury College in 1832 and graduated four years later. In 1840 he graduated from the Theological Seminary at Andover. In 1842 he started on a European tour, returning in December, 1843. At different periods down to 1867 he was professor of ancient languages in Norwich University (1845), Professor of Greek at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Ind. ; professor of both Greek and Latin in the University of Wisconsin, and filled several congregational pulpits. In 1867 he began another European tour and has been in Europe twice since. He has also traveled extensively in this country. Professor Butler is an able writer in both prose and verse, and has published several volumes. He now resides in Madison, Wisconsin.
William Y. Ripley came from Middlebury to Rutland in 1837, locating at Center Rutland, where he engaged in mercantile business. He soon after acquired an interest in the marble business, and founded the large industry now carried on by his sons. (See description of the marble industries of the town). In 1861 he was elected president of the Rutland County National Bank, holding the office until his death in September, 1875 ; he was succeeded by his son William Y. W. Ripley. Edward H. Ripley, another of his sons, is a prominent citizen of Rutland village. His daughter, Julia Caroline, is now the widow of Hon. Seneca M. Dorr and lives at the beautiful residence known as the " The Maples," just outside of the limits of Rutland village. Mrs. Dorr evinced literary talent of a high order early in her life. This was developed in later years until she has gained a reputation throughout the country as a poetess and novelist of the first rank.
David Billings came into Shrewsbury from Sunderland, Mass., before 1800. His son, Benjamin Sr., was born in that town in 1801, and now lives in Mount Holly. His sons Benjamin, jr., and David C. are in the grocery trade in Rutland. John S., Franklin, and Lorenzo, the other sons, live in Mount Holly. Benjamin came to Rutland in 1856.
Simeon Post came to Rutland before 1800 and located about three miles north of the village. Levi Long lived a half mile from him and was then his nearest neighbor. Mr. Post died December 11, 1841. His son, Alpha A., was born in Rutland, and died here April 13, 1871. James E. Post, now a manufacturer of sewer pipe in Rutland, is a son of Alpha A. Post.
John Cain, a native of the Isle of Man, came to America in 1832, and soon after to Rutland; he became prominent here as an architect and builder. His wife was Mary, daughter of Avery Billings. They had five children, William J., John, Avery B., Jewett P., and Mary. Mr. Cain was conspicuous in Democratic politics. He died in Rutland in 1880.
