News Stories

Suicides of Whitingham

Green Leaves from Whitingham
By Clark Jilson in 1894

Samuel Martin cut his throat with a razor, October 3, 1829, at the age of 59 years. He was a resident of Jacksonville, then known as Martin's Mills.

Schuyler Murdock: cut his throat with a razor, October 24, 1830.   At this time he represented Whitingham in the Assembly of Vermont, and this fatality happened in Montpelier while the legislature was in session. Several days previous he appeared to be deranged while attempting to speak upon a bill before the house, and was advised to withdraw.  He was a man of intelligence, and much respected at home and abroad.   His age was 34 years.

Dexter Brigham, son of Edmond Brigham, closed his life by taking poison, administered by his own hand, November 4, 1832, at the age of 32 years.

John Pike, son of Orris Pike Sen., shot himself, April 9, 1854, at the age of 38 years.

Albert W. Chase, son of Warren Chase, took laudanum and died, May 11, 1857, aged 23 years.

Sylvester J. Dix, youngest son of Jonathan and Polly (Reed) Dix, committed suicide by throwing himself from a high beam in his barn and thereby causing immediate death, Dec. 25, 1863, at the age of 29 years.

Rollin O. Plumb, son of Hiram Plumb, hung himself in his fathers barn; May 28, 1869, at the age of 17 years and 6 months.   No cause was known.

Rufus Carley drowned himself in a small pond near the residence of Peter Holbrook, November 2, 1870, at the age of 82 years.   Cause unknown.

Willis H. Wheeler, son of Zechariah 2d. and Caroline I. (Allard) Wheeler, hung himself, Sept. 14, 1871, at the age of 23 years.

Edson L. Fuller, after having been convicted of murder, hung himself in Bennington jail, March 2, 1882, at the age of 62 years.

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