Trails to the Past

Vermont, Windsor County

 

 

 

Old Families of Pomfret

History of Windsor County Vermont
Lewis Cass Aldrich published in 1891

Bugbee Family, The.-Edward Bugbee, the ancestor from whom all the families in Pomfret and neighboring towns in Vermont descends, emigrated from England, sailing from the port of from England, sailing from the port of Ipswich in the ship Francis April 30, 1634. He was accompanied by his wife Rebecca and daughter Sarah. They landed in Boston and settled in Roxbury, Mass. Their son Joseph was born to them June 6, 1640. Edward died January 26, 1669. Joseph married Experience Pitcher of Dorchester, Mass., and had nine children, Joseph, jr., Rebecca, Edward. Samuel, Abigail, Mehitable, Jonathan, Josiah and Nathaniel. Joseph died at Woodstock, Conn., July 26, 1729. Josiah, son of Jonathan above named, married for his second wife Pollyeenia Arnold, of whom her descendants have the following interesting tradition. It is said that she was connected with the nobility of England, and that going aboard of a vessel about to sail for New England to bid farewell to certain of her friends, the captain suddenly and unbeknown to her weighed anchor and sailed away, refusing her appeals to be set on shore. The vessel had a long, rough voyage, was chased by pirates, came near being captured, was short of provisions, and she was made so timid by her rough experience of the seas that she never dared to return. After awhile her wardrobe was sent to her, which because of its elaborateness and richness astonished and delighted the good dames of Ashford, being so different from their homemade apparel. Samuel Bugbee, fourth child above, married Dorothy Carpenter, January 26, 1701. They had nine children, Rebecca, Samuel, Dorothy, Anne, Jesse, Joseph, James, Dorothy, second, and Experience. Jesse, fifth child of Samuel, married Experience Peake, March 14, 1733. They had eight children, Lucy, Anna, Lois, Jedediah, Anna, second, Abiel, Zilpha, Abel. Jesse died in 1756, Experience died January 8, 1797, at Pomfret. Abiel, sixth child above, married Hannah Harwood, November 15, 1770. They had nine children, Elisha, Abiel, jr., David, Adin, Calvin, Hannah, Levina, Luther and Rufus. Abiel Bugbee, sr., was a Revolutionary soldier, was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and had a shoe buckle shot from his shoe in that engagement. He took deeds of the farms in Pomfret now owned by his descendants Adin and Herman Bugbee, June 17, 1780, and March 18, 1788, moved with his family and settled upon them. He was an eccentric character, was often employed in suits in law as a pettifogger, and often proved himself more than a match for the best legal talent in the county. The noted "Kettle" case may be cited as a specimen. David Bugbee, third above, married January 7, 1808, Rebecca Swift; studied medicine with Dr. Parkhurst of Lebanon, N. H., located and practiced his profession in Pomfret and neighboring towns up to the time of his death, January 3, 1821. His wife, born February 9, 1780, died December 6, 1858. They had six children : Horace, Linnaeus, Hannah, Harriet, Abel Harwood, and Abiel. All were married and raised families. Abiel, the youngest, married March 22, 1846, Amanda M. Goff, born October 28, 1821. Her grandfather, Oliver Goff, married Thankful Seekins, came from Rehoboth, Mass., in 1782, and settled in Pomfret on the place now owned and occupied by Herman Bugbee. They had ten children, of whom their son Oliver was the ninth, born in Pomfret, August 12, 1797, died January 11, 1890, aged ninety-two years and five months. He was a man universally respected. His wife was Philena Walden. born October 14, 1801, died July 31, 1874. Abel Bugbee owns and carries on the farm in Pomfret, known as the " John Culver place." Oliver G. Bugbee, only son of Abiel and Amanda M., was born in Pomfret, May 17,1851, educated in the common schools and Plymouth and South Woodstock Academies. He married, January 22, 1883, Mrs. R. C. McAllister, born in Weston, Vt., November 8, 1850, died March 29,1886. June 1, 1890, he married Lucia A. Bruce, of Braintree, Vt., born May 20, 1859. Oliver G. in the main has followed farming. He served as justice of the peace six years, and notary public ten years. Rufus Bugbee, youngest child of Abiel and Hannah, born May 12, 1792, lived and died on the place where his son Herman now resides. He died September 30, 1871; his wife Eliza, born September 16, 1795, died September 1, 1874. He was captain of militia, justice of the peace, selectman, and a steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church many years. His children were Willis, Aurilla, Austin, Edwin, Justin and Herman. Willis, born January 8, 1819, was twice married, first to Celia Culver, second to Harriet N. Stafford. He had one child by the first wife, Elmer W.. living in Montpelier. Willis died February 24, 1884. Aurilla, born March 28, 1821, was the wife of Dexter Burke. They had six children, four of them married. Aurilla died in Sharon, Yt., September 25, 1859. Austin, born September 1, 1824 September 25, 1859. Austin, born September 1, 1824, married, first, Betsey A. Stewart, second, Carrie M. Foster. He had three children by the first, and two by the second wife. He is a farmer living in Sharon, Vt. Edwin, born October 22, 1826, married Jane Walcott. They have but one child living, Mary E., born September 27, 1868. Edwin is a merchant living in Mound City, Campbell county, South Dakota. Justin Bugbee, born April 15, 1829, married January 2, 1862, Abbie M., daughter of Nathan B. and Lorenza (Woodward) Dana, born in Pomfret, August 17, 1832. She is a descendant in the fourth generation from General Israel Putnam, whose daughter Hannah was the wife of John Winchester Dana, many of whose descendants are still residents of Pomfret. Her father died in Reading, Vt., September 30, 1871. Her mother is living with her son Nathan B. Dana, in Delaware county, Pa. Though by trade a carpenter, Justin Bugbee has divided his time between his trade and teaching, having taught in Pomfret and neighboring towns twenty-nine winters. Children of Justin and Abbie M. Bugbee are Dana J., born November 23, 1862, was graduated from the Agricultural Department of Dartmouth College in 1882, now a teacher in the public schools of Boston ; Tracy S., born February 21, 1864, died December 15, 1864; Perley R., born November 6, 1865, graduated from the Chandler Scientific Department at Dartmouth, June 26, 1890; Nathan Penn, born April 12, 1867 ; Jay D., born Aug. 4, 1868, died Feb. 1, 189l ; Eva A., born Dec. 10, 1869, died Aug. 2, 1870 ; T. Dwight, born March 30, 1871 ; Locke H., born Jan. 11, 1874 ; and Coy M., born September 19. 1875. Herman Bugbee, born November 21, 1834, married December31, 1867, Eunie E. Stinson of Topsham. Me., born November 7, 1838, died July 26, 1887. They had a son, Earle R.. born in Boston, Mass.. January 22, 1870, died July 19, 1870. Herman owns and occupies the "Bugbee" homestead, which came into his possession in 1872. With the exception of twelve years passed in Boston and other cities, in the employ of Sampson, Davenport & Co., publishers, he has lived on the place of his birth. He has devoted much time to music, and has taught it many winters in Pomfret and adjoining towns. He is now (1890) one of the selectmen of the town and town representative, and ranks high among Pomfret's successful farmers. The descendants of Abiel Bugbee, sr.. celebrated the hundredth anniversary of his settlement in this town August 22, 1888. Over one hundred of his kindred participated in the exercises, which were held under a tent erected for the occasion upon the spot where he built his house and spent his days. The day will be long remembered by all who participated in the exercises, which were closed by planting a pine tree upon the spot of ground he had selected for his burial.

Chedel, John A., was born in Pomfret, May 30, 1848. George, his great-great-grandfather, with a brother, emigrated from England and settled in Connecticut. John, his son, came in company with Bartholomew Durkee from Pomfret, Conn., and settled in Pomfret, Vt., March 9, 1770, Mr. Durkee reaching the town three days before, during which time Mr. Chedel was detained in Hartford. Thus Mr. Durkee became, by three days, the first settler of the town. John was twice married, his second wife being a Miss Allen. Of the children by the last marriage, Asa, grandfather of John A., was the second child. He was born in Pomfret, April 1, 1772, on the place now owned and occupied by his nephew, O. M  Chedel. He married Polly Aldrich, whose father lost his life as a soldier in the War of the Revolution. She was a granddaughter of the Rev. Aaron Hutchinson, the first minister in Pomfret. They had ten children, of whom seven reached adult age, viz.: George, married and settled in Woodstock, and died there February, 1889, aged eighty-nine; John, father of John A.; Mary E., widow of Stephen Raymond, living in California; Joseph A., settled in Providence, R. I., and died there; Laura, was the wife of George Dewey, and died in Hanover, N. H.; Clarissa L., was the wife of Levi Reed, and died in Bridgewater, Vt.; and Harriet M., is the widow of Solomon Harding, and lives in Pomfret. Asa died in Pomfret, May 9, 1855, and his wife died there July 14, 1868. John, son of Asa, was born in Pomfret, May 11, 1803. He married October 27, 1846, Hannah A., daughter of Asa and Alice (Dunham) Perry. She was born in Middleboro. Mass., October 24, 1828. They had two children, John A. and Hannah A. John died in Pomfret, September 29, 1872, his wife died there January 20, 1881. John A. married Jennie, daughter of Albert A. and Janet (Whitcomb) Brooks. She was born in Bethel, September 1, 1849. Their children are Maud E., born May 3, 1875; Annie L., born April 15, 1879; and Alice K., born October 28, 1883. Mr. Chedel owns the Chedel homestead in Pomfret. In 1881 he moved from Pomfret, and has carried on, at Gaysville, general merchandising there since. He has held the positions of town clerk and treasurer since 1887.

The Doton family in Pomfret descended from Edward Doton, who emigrated from England, one of the Mayflower pilgrims, when about twenty years of age. He had a son, a grandson and a great-grandson whose names were John. The latter of these three was born in 1700, died in January, 1750. The eldest of his four children was Edward Doton, born May, 1725, died April 17, 1705. He married Joannah Whitney. His son, John Doton, born in Plymouth, Mass., September 14, 1750, died March 30, 1812. He married Basheba Bowker, born March 20, 1755, died February 8, 1838. In the spring of 1786, he moved with his family from Ware, Mass., to Pomfret. He built a log house on the farm which has ever since been known as the Doton homestead. The present homestead residence was built by his son, John Edward, in 1811, his son, John Edward Doton, was born in Pembroke, Mass., July 3, 1780, died April 8, 1863. He married Betsey Vose, born March 14, 1783, died August 7, 1865. He was for many years county surveyor, justice of the peace, and held many town offices. Their children were Calvin, Sarah Matilda, Hosea, Samuel Spencer, Electa, Abigail Evarts, Louisa, Joanna and John Quincy. Samuel Spencer Doton married Charlotte, daughter of Otis and Rebecca Winn, and had children as follows: Edward Otis, Elizabeth R., William Ellery and Fred W. Samuel Spencer married second, Cynthia I. Wood, daughter of Amos and Eunice Wood.  They had no children. Mr. Doton has always lived in Pomfret. He built a saw-mill in the south part of the town, which he ran about one year, with which exception he has followed farming. He purchased the farm where he now lives of his brother, Hosea, and carried it on until he sold it to his son, Fred W., in the spring of 1886. He is now (1890) living with his son, but for the past two years he has been in feeble health. Fred W. Doton, his son, married Mary Emily, daughter of John W. and Mary Emeline (Wood) Dana, who was born in Pomfret, December 24, 1852. She is a descendant, in the fourth generation, from John Winchester Dana, who married Hannah P., daughter of General Israel Putnam, and reared a family of thirteen children. She has in her possession a pair of silver tablespoons, from a half dozen given by General Putnam to his grand-daughter, Polly Dana. Dr. Israel Putnam Dana, physician and surgeon, of South Royalton, and Edward Youngs Dana, owning and occupying the homestead farm in Pomfret, are brothers of Mrs. Doton. Fred W. now owns and carries on the home farm, giving special attention to the raising of thoroughbred Atwood Merino sheep. The children of Fred W. and Mary Emily Doton are a daughter, unnamed, born August 5, 1882. died an infant, and John Dana, born August 15, 1884. If any one were to inquire who of Pomfret's sons had left the impress of his character more wide-reaching than any other, the answer would undoubtedly be Hosea Doton. Robert A. Perkins, who was intimately associated with him in literary work, now connected with the press in New York city, wrote of him : " It is entirely within bounds, to say that, outside family influence and the atmosphere of the place, Mr. Doton stands by far the greatest single influence towards the right in the town's life, and it is a thing such as no other town ever had." This influence was exerted mainly as teacher in the schools of Woodstock, Hartford and Norwich, but for the most part in the schools of his native town of Pomfret. It is said no less than one hundred and fifty of his pupils in Pomfret became practical and successful teachers. His pupils are literally scattered from Maine to California, but wherever found, their remembrance of their teacher is with a kind of supreme respect and affection, which seems a peculiar feeling reserved only for this man. He was three times married, to Lois Paddock, to Harriet F. Ware and to Elvira Wood, who survives him, living in Woodstock, Vt. Mrs. J. K. P. Chamberlain, a widow, now a teacher in Lincoln, Neb., is his only child. Mr. Doton never desired or sought public office, but he was elected to the State Senate in 1865, also in 1866.

Gilbert, Jacob, was born in Calais, Washington county, Vt., March 29, 1809. He was the fourth in a family of thirteen children of Martin and Ruth (Reynolds) Gilbert. Jacob Gilbert, his grandfather, born in Massachusetts, moved from New Braintree, and settled in Woodstock, Vt., on the place now owned by Horatio Atwood. He married, first, Sarah Dean, and had children by her as follows: Daniel, Martin, Jacob, Jonathan, Edna and Polly. He married, second, Abigail Mayo, and by this union had children as follows: Abigail, Sally, Mary, Clarissa and Benjamin Dexter. Jacob Gilbert and his wives died in Woodstock, and are buried in the cemetery near the English Mills. Martin Gilbert, the second son by the first marriage, was born in New Braintree, September 5, 1781. He was fourteen years old when his father moved to Vermont. He married Ruth, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Strong) Reynolds, born August 18, 1885. She was the grandchild of Samuel Reynolds, who married, February 26, 1756, Ruth Monsel, and died October 24, 1763. Martin Gilbert, after his marriage, lived with his father-in-law, Jonathan Reynolds, in Pomfret, about one year, then moved to Calais, where he lived six years, then returned to the old place in Pomfret, and upon the death of Mr. Reynolds the place became the property of his wife, and here he lived until the time of his death, which occurred September 18, 1842, occasioned by a fall from a wagon. His wife survived him many years. She died at the homestead April 5, 1874. Their children were Esther, Jonathan R., Betsey, Jacob, Elizabeth S., Volucia, William D., Samuel R., Charles, Joseph, Silas, Joseph L., and Jasper H. Jacob Gilbert, since he was four years of age, has lived in Pomfret, at the homestead, and since 1843 in the house built by himself, near the homestead, where he still resides. He married, January 14, 1839, Sylvia, daughter of Elisha and Patty (Gilbert) Benson. Their children are Edwin A., Ruth A., and Lucian Edmund. Lucian E. carries on the home farm. Jacob Gilbert has been a life-long farmer. He is a Republican in politics, has served his town as assessor and lister. Though past four-score years he is well preserved in mind and body. In 1887 he had the misfortune to lose his left eye. He has been a member of the Christian Church, Woodstock, for sixty years. Samuel R. Gilbert married, November 26, 1846, Mandana R., daughter of Barnabas and Hannah (Shaw) Thompson. Mrs. Gilbert was born in Bridgewater. June 8, 1823. Her father was brother of Professor Zadock Thompson, author of Thompson Gazetteer of Vermont. Her mother was a daughter of Benoni and Hannah (Winslow) Shaw. The children of Samuel R. and Mandana R. Gilbert are Delia M., Eugene S., Mary J., Henry H., who lives with his parents, Nellie E., and Willie B. Mr. Gilbert was born in the house where he has always lived. He owns and carries on the homestead farm. He has served as justice of the peace, was executor of his father's and administrator of Jonathan Gilbert's estates. No man commands more universally the respect of their townsmen and neighbors than do Jacob and Samuel Gilbert.

Goddard, Aaron (deacon), was born October 28, 1771, and having lost both of his parents, was brought up by an uncle. He came from Swanzey, N. H., to Reading at an early day. He married Elizabeth Howe, and they had the following family : Eunice (deceased), married Sewall Fullam, jr.; Arnold Candace (deceased), married Benoni Buck; Hiram, died in Reading; Jubal, died single in Reading; Cynthia (deceased), married Allen Spaulding; Laura, died at eighteen years of age; Aaron Winchester, resides in Reading. Aaron died September 27, 1856. Arnold (son of Aaron) was born in Reading, April 5, 1798, and married Sarah Rice. They had but one child, Mrs. Sarah .A. Hager, of Proctorsville, Vt. Arnold died June 12, 1869.

Hutchinson, Charles, was born in Pomfret July 6, 1806, the third in a family of ten children of William and Deborah (Bishop) Hutchinson. His great-grandfather, Aaron, was a native of Hebron, Conn. He married Margery Carter in Connecticut, from which State he moved in 1776 and settled in Pomfret, on the farm now owned and occupied by Charles Hutchinson. He died October 1800, his wife August 1818. They are buried in the Christian burying-ground in Woodstock. William Hutchinson, father of Charles, was born at the homestead in Pomfret, April 24, 1781. He married May, 1802, Deborah Bishop, born in Middleboro, Mass., February, 1784. William Hutchinson died February 25,1866; his wife April 14, 1862. They had ten children as follows: Sophronia, Louisa, Charles, William, William, 2d, Deborah, Henry, Margery, Susan and Adaline. Sophronia was the wife of Robert French. Norman, Robert and Martha Ann are their children now living. She and her husband are dead. Louisa was the wife of Lorenzo D. Hawkins. Both are dead Rush C, their only son, was colonel of the Ninth Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, known as the " Hawkin's Zouaves." William was thrice married. His first wife was Lucy Ann Burns. James B. Hutchinson of Bridgewater is their only child. His second wife was Rosina Braley. No children by this union. His third wife was Aramantha Clary, who survives him, living in Pomfret with her son, William B. She has also two other sons, Wallace and Charles. Deborah is wife of Lauriston Redwood, living in Randolph, Orange county ; children, Frances, Lemuel and Clara. Susan was the wife of Hanibal Totman. She died in Pomfret in 1869 or 1870; children, Henry, Frank and Stark. Charles Hutchinson has spent his whole life on the homestead farm. It came into his in 1866. He built his present fine residence in 1874. He is one of Pomfret's most successful farmers. He is Republican in politics, and has been town lister fifteen years, selectman three years.

Leach, Henry W., was born in Bridgewater, Vt., March 12, 1812, the youngest of six children of John and Lavina (Snow) Leach. His father was a native of Middlebury, Mass., married there, and four children were also born there, viz.: Betsey V., Otis, Adaline S., and Sophronia, all deceased except Betsey V., now ninety-two years of age, widow of Solomon Alden, living in Bridgewater. John Leach moved from Middlebury, and settled in Bridgewater, where his two youngest children were born, viz.: Marcus and Henry W. Marcus, who married Susan Lewis, of Barnard, settled in Hartford, Vt., and died there November 1886. He had no children. John Leach died in Bridgewater at the age of ninety. His wife died three years before him. Henry W. has been three times married. He married, December 1, 1838, Roxelona Thompson. She was a daughter of David and Betsey (Leach) Thompson. She was a cousin of Professor Zadock Thompson, and was born in Bridgewater, August 10, 1808, deceased March 26, 1865. Mr. Leach married second, September 6, 1865, Louisa Doton, who died February 28, 1871. He married, third, January 23, 1873, Electa Doton, sister of his second wife. (See Doton record of this volume.) After his first marriage Mr. Leach settled in North Bridgewater, where he lived till 1871, then moved to Pomfret, where he has since resided. From the time he was twenty-six years of age, he has been a member of the Congregational Church of Bridgewater. By his first marriage he had four children: Samuel 0., born September, 1841, and died June, 1844 ; Orrin Thompson, born May 1, 1842, married Sarah Alden, of Bridgewater, Mass., is a carpenter by trade, lives in Norwood, Mass., and has one child living, Emily; Austin Kingsley. born June 17, 1844, married Mary Douglass, and is a farmer living in Woodstock; Henry Corydon, born June 17, 1848, married Julia Pratt, of Middlebury, Mass., and has one child, Henry Warren.

Maxham, Charles H., was born in Pomfret, November 29, 1834, the fifth in a family of seven children of Judson A. and Elmira (Hawkins) Maxham. He received his education in the common schools of Pomfret. His first venture away from home was the delivery and sale of a wall map of St. Lawrence county, N. Y., in company with his brother Addison. For the next four years he was employed in lumbering and farming in company with his brother-in-law, Reuben Davis, in Norwich. He married March 26, 1863, Lucretia M., daughter of John and Lydia (Gordon) Roberts. She was born in Sharon, Vt, October 9, 1840. There were eight children in her father's family, only three living, Mrs. Maxham and her two brothers, William Gr. Roberts, roadmaster of the Passumsic Railroad, living at White River Junction, and Cyrus A. Roberts, section boss on the same road, living at Norwich. Mr. and Mrs. Maxham have no children of their own, but have brought up Linnie, daughter of George and Lydia Rogers, a niece of Mrs. Maxham, and Ned W. Maxham, son of Addison Maxham, a nephew of Mr. Maxhams. After marriage Mr. Maxham lived in Norwich one year, then in Sharon seven years. In 1874 he purchased the farm known as the " Hodges farm," in South Pomfret, which he has since carried on. Mr. Maxham has filled the town offices of selectman, lister, overseer of the poor and town representative in the Legislature in 1882. He has served as administrator and executor in the settlement of many estates.

Maxham, Henry Olin, was born in Woodstock, Vt., February 4, 1828. His parents were Chester and Rosalinda (Darling) Raymond. His mother died a day or two after his birth, and he was adopted by Nehemiah B. Maxham, brought up by him and received his name. He lived with this family until he reached his majority. They lived four years in Barnard, and the rest of the time in the town of Pomfret. He learned the carpenter's trade of his adopted father, and has followed it as his chief occupation. He married, January 19, 1851, Adelaide D., daughter of Isaac and Hannah (Corner) Jillson, who was born in Williamstown, Orange county, Vt., December 2, 1833. In 1853 Mr. Maxham purchased, in the southwest part of Pomfret, the Bridge Farm, so called, and built all the buildings now on the place, and has carried on the farm ever since, though he has devoted eight to ten months every year to his trade. He has superintended the erection of many of the best business blocks and private residences to be found in Windsor county. Notable among them is the business block of South Royalton, one of the first in the State, three of the best business blocks of Bethel, and the Jones Bank and Fairbanks blocks at Woodstock, and numerous other buildings. In politics Mr. Maxham is a Republican, but has been too busy a man in his business as a builder and farmer to desire or seek public office. Mr. and Mrs. Maxham have children as follows : HattieA.. born January 12, 1852, married George F. Green, January 10, 1870, a farmer living in Bridgewater, and have had three children, Laura Bell. Floyd F. (deceased), and Floy A.; Clara H., born August 27, 1853, married, December 25, 1870, Benjamin F. Ashley, a stonemason living in Woodstock, and died April 24, 1890; Mary A., born February 14, 1855, married, October 6, 1879, Charles H. Perry, a farmer in Pomfret, had one child, Gend Adalaide, and died July 19, 1889; Frances H., born June 17, 1857, married, January 1, 1878, Albert F. Hart, a farmer living in Quechee; George H., born July 4, 1860. married. May 4, 1886, Evie Berk, and they have one child, George Ernest; Herbert 0., born April 22, 1862, graduated from Tufts College in 1889, is postmaster at Tufts College, Massachusetts, is studying for the ministry, and married, June 22, 1889, Elizabeth F. Faulkner; Charles J., born August 25, 1865, married, March 15, 1887, Eulalia M. Perry, and their children were Turner P., Verne F. (deceased), and Arthur E.; Flora Belle, born July 16, 1867, married, December 25, 1889, Mark O. Boynton, a farmer in Pomfret, and they have one son; Mark, born June 15, 1871, and Mervill, born June 8, 1878, are both living at home.

Melendy, William, the supposed progenitor of all who bear the name in America, came from England about 1701, settling in Charlestown, Mass. He married Sarah Standish. Their children were William, William, 2nd, John, Thomas, Richard and Sarah. John, his third son, born in Charlestown, October 11, 1705, married Rebecca Lampson, of Reading, Mass., in 1727. They settled in Medford, Mass. Their children were John, William, James, Thomas, John, 2nd, and Ebenezer. John Melendy enlisted as a soldier in the War of the Revolution, from Sutton, Mass., in 1776. He was in Lieutenant Carrick's company at the battle of Bunker Hill; was detailed from his company to serve as a personal attendant upon General Washington, when the latter had his headquarters at Cambridge. He was with the Continental Army in Rhode Island, also at Claverack, N. Y. About the year 1777 he married Sarah Esty, of Sutton, Mass., whose grandfather, on her father's side, was a Hancock, near kin to John Hancock, and her mother was a Davenport, near kin to Governor Carver. John and Sarah Melendy, about the year 1785, moved from Sutton to Croydon, N. H., afterwards to Grantham, and finally to Waterford, Vt., where they died : John, in 1848, aged ninety-one, and Sarah, in 1844, aged eighty-seven. Their children were: Lydia, John, Abigail, William, Betsey, Mary and Lucy, and a child that was killed by the falling of a chimney. The children named married and reared families. Otis Chamberlain, son of Abigail, who married Laban Chamberlain was for many years one of Pomfret's most prominent citizens. He was town clerk for forty-nine years, selectman, and represented the town in the State Legislature. He died in Pomfret, February 9, 1884. Israel Goodwin, who married Betsey, was elected to the Legislature of his State (Vermont), two years as representative, and two years as senator, and was also appointed side judge. Elam Marsh Goodwin, their son, of Hartland, Vt., has represented his town and district in both branches of the Vermont Legislature. Marmaduke Allen, who married Mary, was "kith and kin " of General Ethan Allen. John, the eldest son of John and Sarah Melendy, born in Sutton, Mass, November 11, 1780, married, November 23, 1809, Sarah, daughter of Captain Nathan and Sabrina (Metcalf) Clark, born in Croydon, May 2, 1702. After his marriage he settled in Croydon, and lived there till the death of his wife, December 25, 1831. The children by this union were Rachel, Harvey, Elbridge Gerry, Catharine, Alonzo, Almira Jane, Albert, David, Zelinda Clark and Sarah C. He married, second, Mrs. Betsey Martin, of Springfield, N. H. After this marriage he moved from Croydon to Grantham, N. H., where he died March 28, 1860. He was prominently identified with the anti-slavery cause, being a co-worker with William Lloyd Garrison at a time when it required rare nerve. He prophesied the near downfall of slavery, and had he lived three years longer would have lived to realize and rejoice over its fulfillment. Of his children, Rachel and Catharine died of typhoid fever; Elbridge is a retired gentleman, living in Broadhead, Wis. Alonzo was for many years superintendent of the Ogden Knitting Mills at Cohoes, N. Y., now living in Waterford, N. Y. Almira was the wife of Winslow Twitchell. She died in Cohoes. She taught school in Georgetown, D. C, during the administration of James K. Polk. Albert died in childhood. David is a farmer, living in Cornish, N. H. Zelinda is the wife of Noah Allen, farmer living in East Westmoreland, N. H. Sarah is the wife of Bela Chapin, of Claremont, N. H. She was a graduate of Kimball Union Academy, at Meriden, N. H., and for four years taught school in the Edgefield district, S. C. and was a contributor to the Lowell Casket. Harvey Melendy was born in Croydon, August 17, 1812. He passed his minority at home, receiving his education in the common school. When twenty-one years of age he engaged in the manufacture of whips and rakes in the employ of Norman McGregor, at Newport, N. H.; then at Plainfield, N. H., with Wilder & Eddy, in the same line. He then set up for himself in Hartland, Vt., the manufacture of hand and horse-rakes, and continued in the business till 1853. He then sold his factory in Hartland, and settled in Pomfret, on the "Sylvester Miller'' farm, where he has since resided. Though at first a manufacturer and then farmer, Mr. Melendy has been all his life a great reader of general literature, and has made history, theology, anatomy, and physiology subjects of special study. He married, August 28, 1836, Emily, daughter of George and Dotha (Miller) Gerry. Mrs. Melendy was born in Pomfret, February 15, 1817. Losing her mother when three years of age, she lived till her marriage with her Grandmother, Esther Miller, on the place now owned and occupied by Mr. Melendy. The children' of Harvey and Emily Melendy are Gustavus S., Ellen, Delavan, Erwin and Emma.

Newton, Reuben Whipple, was born in Norwich, Vt, October 5, 1835, the eldest in a family of two children of Calvin C. and Sarepta (Whipple) Newton. His first great-grandfather Newton married Mary Collons, by whom he had six children, viz.: Mollie, Avis, Anna, Isaac, Joseph and David. The latter, his great-grandfather, born in Milford, Conn., married Mary Hazen of Norwich. They had sixteen children, ten sons and six daughters, born between the years 1774 and 1799, viz.: Sheldon, Rufus, Avis, David, Truman, Andrew, Anna. Rebecca, Polly, Abner, Elizabeth, Lucy, Daniel, Enos Wood, Jasper and Solon. Truman Newton, fifth of the above, born October 1, 1779, grandfather of Reuben W., married Eunice Wilson, born August 31, 1785. Their children were Calvin C, Eunice, Orson, Daniel, Russell, Enos, Laura, Joseph T., Edward Orvis and Leonard, twins, and Sarah Lucinda. All except Russell and Leonard, who died young, were married and raised families. Calvin C. Newton, the eldest above, was twice married. First he married, October 5, 1834, Sarepta Whipple, born August 16, 1806, died November 5, 1840. The children by this union were Reuben Whipple and Elizabeth Snow. He married, second, October 2, 1843, Mary Howard Spencer, born September 18 1816. The children by this union were Maria Louisa, Carlton Spencer and Lucy Ida. They also had an adopted child, George G., who was killed in the battle of the Wilderness.  In 1837 Calvin Newton moved from Vermont to Denmark, Lee county, la., where his wife died, and he returned to Vermont in 1842, going and returning with a private team, and after his second marriage he settled in Pomfret, near the west and central part of the town, where he died May 15, 1875. Reuben Whipple Newton lived with his father in Iowa, Norwich and Pomfret, Vt.. until he was twenty-two. He then went to work for Amos Wood in Pomfret, and October 2, 1858, married his daughter, Frances A., born January 17, 1830. Her father, born May 4, 1793, died September 3, 1865. His wife, Eunice Vail, born July 6, 1789, died August 7, 1890, aged ninety-one.. Mr. Newton worked for his father-in-law until the latter died, then carried on the farm until the death of Mrs. Wood, when he became its owner, and is now carrying it on. His wife died October 12, 1884. He married, second, June 7, 1885, Mary A., daughter of Jonathan and Polly P. (Wilson) Keith, born in Enfield, N. H., June 7, 1850. Mr. Newton is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the First Congregational Church of Pomfret.

Perkins, Joel, who settled in Pomfret about the year 1799, came from West Springfield, Mass., and was a descendant in the seventh generation from John Perkins, who was born in En Perkins, who was born in England, came to Boston with his family in 1631, and removed to Ipswich, Mass., in 1633. The second son of John, Deacon Thomas Perkins, who was born in England in 1616, settled in Topsfield, Mass., where he engaged in farming, and lived in great esteem till his death in 1686. His eldest son, John, also lived in Topsfield, where he died in 1668, within two years after his marriage, leaving an only child, Thomas, who removed to Enfield, where he died in 1709, leaving six children. The oldest of these, also named Thomas, left a son, John, who was born in 1723, and married Mary Bramble. John lived for a time in East Windsor, where his sixth son, Joel, was born in 1761. He afterwards removed to West Springfield, where he died, leaving a numerous family. His will is dated February 1, 1782. Joel Perkins married Eunice Fuller, of Halifax, Mass., and after living with his father for a time at West Springfield, removed to Vermont near the close of the last century. He died at Pomfret in 1841, leaving five .sons, Ebenezer, John, Ansel, Nelson and Alva Chipman. Ebenezer Perkins, father of Albro E. Perkins, was born in West Springfield, Mass., August 7, 1790, married February 26, 1816, Mary C, daughter of Barnabas and Katura (Conant) Washburn. His wife's parents came from Bridgewater, and settled on Bridgewater Hill, Pomfret. Mary C. Perkins died in Pomfret, April 10, 1860. The children of Ebenezer and Mary C. Perkins were John W., Martin L., Mary A. and Albro E.  Albro E. Perkins has always lived on the place of his birth. He purchased the homestead of his father in 1845. He married, September 30, 1846, Emeline, daughter of Simeon and Judith (Huse) Bacon, sister of Albert Bacon above mentioned. Mrs. Perkins was born in Vershire, Vt., January 6, 1827. For about forty years Mr. Perkins has been identified as one of Vermont's leading breeders and dealers in Merino sheep. His first transaction was the purchase of thirty-four Merino ewes of W. P. Sanford, of Orwell, Addison county, Vt. This was in 1857. In 1859 he purchased twelve Merino ewes of Edwin Hammond, of Middlebury, Vt. These were inbred with rams also purchased of Mr. Hammond, Victor Wright and Colonel E. Stowell. He has always taken great pains in the breeding of his flock, and has established a name as a successful breeder and dealer scarcely second to none in the State. His sheep have been sold in at least fourteen States of the Union. He has been by far the largest dealer in sheep in eastern Vermont. He has made several trips, connected with this traffic, to Texas, Wyoming and Nebraska. He was awarded a gold medal for "Best Flock Merino Sheep'' at the Vermont State Fair, 1875. He received a " Certificate of Award '' from the United States Centennial Commission at the International Exhibition at Philadelphia in 1876, first, for the best American Merino Ram, 'Constitution,' one year old; sheep-stakes for three breeding American Merino ewes; second, for three breeding ewes, American Merino, four ewes and one ram, American Merino ; third, for American Merino ram, two years old." The reasons assigned in giving these awards are, high excellence in quality, uniformity, symmetry and evenness of fleece, length of staple, large constitutional development, and for being very superior specimens of the breed to which they belong. Mr. Perkins has the reputation of using a good deal of common sense in the breeding of sheep. His preference is for the "golden mean," between what are regarded " smooth " sheep and those covered with folds from the " tip of the nose to the tips of the toes." He secures, in this mode of breeding, sheep with a hardier constitution, and while not realizing as much wool to the jingle fleece, he makes up for this loss in wool in sheep decidedly better for the mutton market. Mr. Perkins is a Republican in politics. He was selectman six years, overseer of the poor and lister three years. He represented the town m the Legislature in 1885, and was a member of the State Board of Agriculture two years. During the War of the Rebellion he was assistant provost-marshal for Pomfret. His children are Ellen M., born December 26, 1847 ; Pamelia A., born August 24, 1849; Willie A., born May 8. 1852; Fred H., born November 3, 1853 ; Clara E., born July 28, 1856; Abbie M., born February 4, 1860; Walter E., born December 8, 1861; and Frank, born July 29, 1872.

Perry, Lieutenant Robert, son of John and Abigail (Knowlton) Perry, born in Ash-ford, Conn., November, 1743, a veteran in the French and Revolutionary Wars, settled in the northern part of Pomfret, October 16, 1780, where he resided until his death in 1816. He married Sarah Hodgas in Ashford. They had ten children, viz.: Anna, Sarah, Percia, Clarissa. Elizabeth, Robert, Seth, Roxy, Mary and Freda (twins). Captain Robert Perry, of the above children, was born December 18, 1774. He married March 23, 1803, Mehitabel Morgan. He inherited the homestead and died there April 13, 1849. His wife died June 10, 1845. Their children were Eliza, Robert, Freda, Emily, Mehitabel, Chauncy and Lester. Robert was never married. He was a man of sound judgment, a practical farmer and accumulated a snug fortune. He represented the town in the Legislature and held nearly all of the town offices. He died in the house where he was born April 13, 1883. Freda and Emily, maiden ladies, died at the homestead, Freda, March 4, 1889, Emily, February 22, 1889. Mehitabel married Peter W. Webster, a farmer of Newbury, Vt. They had nine children, only two of whom, viz., Persis and Ira. are living. She died at the homestead October 2. 1865. Chauncy Perry married January 21. 1845, Phebe Leonard, who was born in Sharon, July 13, 1820. He, with his maiden sisters, owned for many years the Perry homestead. He and his wife reside at the homestead. Lester Perry inherited a part of the homestead farm, living in a house opposite the old place, and died there February 15, 1859. He married January 4, 1847, Ruth C. Leonard, sister of Mrs. Chauncy Perry. She was born November 23, 1821. They had one child, Luvilla  Elliza, born October 25, 1852, who married, October 25, 1871, Francis Young Snow, who was born in Sharon, October 5, 1842. She married, second, John Allen, a farmer living in Pomfret. He enlisted as private, October 1, 1861, in Company E, Eighth Vermont Infantry and was discharged April 26, 1864. He had two teeth knocked out with a spent ball and received a fracture of the right fore-arm, on which account he receives a pension. He was the son of Charles B. and Maria E. (Ferguson) Snow. His father was a painter by trade, but followed farming for the most part. He died March 8, 1880. His children were William J.. Rosantha M., Sylvester M., Francis Y., George P. and Floyd S. Sylvester M. and George P. were also soldiers in the War of the Rebellion, the latter dying at Baton Rouge during the war. Francis Y. owns and carries on the Perry homestead. He has two children, Luvia M., born April 7, 1875, and Lula Ruth, born October 3, 1885.

Pratt, Joseph H., was born in Northampton, Mass., February 15, 1827. His father, Francis Pratt, born in Washington, Mass.. January 1, 1708, married Roxanna Strong, March, 1825, in Northampton. In 1833 he moved to Norwich, Vt., settled on a farm, and died there February 15, 1875. His wife died at Norwich, February 7, 1846. He married for his second wife, Mary B. Palmer, November 4, 1846, who died in Norwich May, 1881. Laura Elizabeth, born February 15, 1830, the only sister of Joseph H., married Caleb West of Norwich, March, 1847. They had three children, Francis, Charles Henry (deceased), and Samuel Boardman. Mr. West died April 3, 1884. Joseph H. was six years of age w4ien his father moved from Northampton to Norwich. He received his education in the Norwich common and academy .schools, and at the Meriden Academy, N. H. He commenced teaching winters when nineteen years of age, and taught three successive winters. He married, October 19, 1847, Ann D., daughter of John and Phinette (Willard) Hazen. Mrs. Pratt was born in Pomfret, October 28, 1823. She descends in the seventh generation from Edward Hazen who emigrated to America in 1649 and settled in Rowley, Mass The line is : 1st, Edward ; 2d, Thomas; 3d, Thomas ; 4th, Thomas ; 5th, Hezekiah ; 6th, John. These all had large families, Thomas 3d heading the list with sixteen children. After marriage Mr. Pratt lived three years in West Pomfret, then moved to Norwich, Vt., where he lived until 1864, then returned to Pomfret and settled on the Hazen homestead in district No. 7, ''Bunker Hill," the place of his wife's birth, and has carried on that farm ever since. He is Republican in politics, and represented the town of Norwich in the Legislature in 1862 ; the town of Pomfret, in 1868-9. Children: John Francis, born June 18, 1848, He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1871, and received an appointment in the United States Geodetic Coast Survey, and is now stationed in Washington on the Pacific Coast, William, born October 23, 1852, was graduated from Dartmouth in 1874. He is superintendent of the Mount Vernon, 0., Iron Bridge Company. Arthur E., born September 27, 1854, teacher of music; educated in Pomfret and in Norwich Academy. George Hazen, born March 1, 1858; educated in Norwich Academy and at Meriden, N. H.; civil engineer, employed on the Seattle and Eastern Railroad in Washington. Elizabeth R., born December 15, 1862, living at home; educated at Tilden Seminary at West Lebanon, and Kimball Academy at Meriden, N. H.

Tinkham, Nathan, great-grandfather of Orville M., was born in Halifax, Mass., April 27, 1724, died in Pomfret, Vt., October 3, 1807. He married Sarah Soule, born in Plymouth, Mass, June 15, 1726, died in Pomfret, September 25, 1807. Their youngest child. Isaiah, grandfather of Orville M., was born in Halifax, September 19, 1757, died September 29, 1842. He married Susannah Ellis, of Middleboro, Mass., who died May 12, 1844. Soon after his marriage he moved from Halifax and settled in North Pomfret, on a place held in the family many years, now owned by H. W. Colburn. The house built by him in 1793 is now occupied by Mr. Colburn. Isaiah and his wife died in Pomfret. Their children were Isaiah, Sarah. Noah, Zenas, Susannah, Ellis, Daniel, Celia and Sophia. With the exception of Isaiah, all were born in Pomfret. Isaiah married Ruth Childs. Charles Tinkham, for many years a merchant in Quechee, and still a resident there, is his son. Sarah, wife of Ephraim Brownell, moved to St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where she died aged ninety-three years. All the others died in Pomfret. Noah and Zenas died in childhood. Orville M. Tinkham, born in Pomfret, July 30. 1851, has always lived on the place of his birth. He was educated in the public school's of Pomfret and the West Randolph Academy. Judge Austin Adams, now a judge of the Supreme Court of Iowa, was the principal. Mr. Tinkham married, May 20, 1854, Mary A., daughter of Mathias and Betsey (Joslin) Jones. Mrs. Tinkham was born in Waitsfield, Vt., January 13, 1832. Their only child, Lucia Lydia, born January 20, 1862, married, December 31, 1882, Walter Harrington, farmer of Pomfret. Their children are Bessie Faith, born August 10, 1885; Angle May, born February 19, 1887; and Ellis Tinkham, born April 9. 1889. Mr. Tinkham taught in the common schools of Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. .He has taught singing-schools at different periods for thirty-five years. From 1856 to 1809 he was employed as a commercial traveler. He has served frequently as agent for publishing and other commercial houses requiring special and confidential work. In 1877 he accepted the chair of agricultural editor of the Green Mountain Freeman published in Montpelier, which position he held for seven years. In 1869 he introduced the first thoroughbred Jersey cows that were brought to Pomfret. and has taken an active interest in the raising of Jersey stock and the sale of it in the West. He is a life member of the Vermont Dairymen's Association, its secretary six years, and president two years. In 1881-82 he was Assistant State Commissioner of Agriculture. In 1884 he was appointed State Dairy Commissioner of the World's Exposition at New Orleans. He has filled a number of town offices, and represented the town in the Legislature in 1886. Mr. Tinkham is often called upon to deliver addresses, chiefly upon dairy topics, in Vermont and other States. He is a man of commanding presence, a fluent and forcible .speaker.

Vaughan, Charles H., born in Pomfret, January 23, 1840, was the only son of Oliver and Mary Ann (Henry) Vaughan. His grandfather, Caleb Vaughan, native of Massachusetts, came to Vermont and settled first in Pomfret, and afterward in Woodstock, where he died. He married a Miss Thomas. Their children were Huldah, Oliver, Mercy, Lathrop and Ansel H. Charles H. Vaughan has always lived in Pomfret. He received his education in its common and high schools. He married, December 19, 1865, Lucia, daughter of Wesley and Julia (Hewitt) Lamberton. Mrs. Vaughan was born in Pomfret January 17, 1845. She died June 12, 1887. Her father died in Pomfret, February 22, 1875. Her mother makes her home at Mr. Vaughan's and at her daughter's, Mrs. Darroch. The latter was Emma Lamberton, only sister of Mrs. Vaughan, born July 14, 1846, married, January 1, 1881, Robert Darroch, born in Scotland, April 20, 1850, is a farmer living in Pomfret. They have one child, Elmer Robert, born October 1. 1885. Mr. Vaughan has followed general merchandising at the Center of Pomfret since 1873. He has been postmaster from that year to the present. He was selectman in 1878-79 and 1880 and town lister four years He is at the present time overseer of the poor, town treasurer and town clerk. He has often been called upon to act in the settlement of estates The children of Charles H. and Lucia Vaughan are Herman H., born September 13, 1867, died August 19,1868; Mabel Ellen, born September 14, 1868; and Anna Hewitt, born June 6, 1870. The latter two are both graduates of the Woodstock High School

Whipple, William C, was born in Pomfret, January 7, 1830, the youngest of a family of three children of Obed and Charlotte (Clement) Whipple. Obed, his father, was born in Charlestown, N. H., October 9, 1797, and married June 13, 1819, Charlotte, daughter of William and Anna (Nichols) Clement,, born in Royalston, Mass., November 19,1796. He came from Charlestown, April, 1819, and settled in Pomfret on the place now owned and occupied by his son, William C. He was a tanner by trade, and followed the occupation during his life. He died July 7, 1880, at the homestead. His wife died February 25, 1887. He was a deacon in the Unitarian Church. He filled a number of the town offices ; was a quiet, unobtrusive man, but possessed sound judgment, and his counsels were sought. Their children were Matilda, Miller and Obed. William C. Whipple spent his minority at home, receiving his education in the schools of Pomfret. He also learned the tanner's trade of his father; built a new tannery near the homestead, ran it a few years, then sold it to his brother Obed. This tannery was subsequently burned. From the age of sixteen to forty he taught school in Pomfret and adjoining towns, also in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He was principal of the Academy at Wauconda, Lake county, 111., for four years. He married, March 13, 1851, Harriet Maria, daughter of Mitchell and Maria (Vail) Clark, born June 22, 1832. Her father was born in Hartford, Vt., February 29, 1796 ; died August 16, 1882. Her mother, born July 21, 1803, died February 17, 1837. Her father married, second, Lavinia Kent, October 11, 1837. He had six children by the first, and three by his last wife. Mr. Whipple was in Illinois when the War of the Rebellion broke out, and leaving his school in charge of his wife, he enlisted as private in Company I, One Hundred and Forty-Seventh Illinois Infantry, Colonel Hiram F. Sickles. He was in the service one year and two months, At its close he was regimental quartermaster. He was on detached duty most of the time, serving as scout in Alabama and Georgia. His experience in this capacity was a varied one, and full of interesting and exciting incidents. Mrs. Whipple spent five months with her husband during the time of his service. He was mustered out March 29, 1866. After being mustered out, he resumed his position as principal of Wauconda Academy, where he remained one year. In 1867 he returned to Pomfret for the purpose of taking care of his parents. Upon the death of his father he came into the possession of the homestead, which he still owns and carries on. With the exception of a single animal, Mr. Whipple and his brother Obed were the first to introduce the Jersey stock into Pomfret. Mr. Whipple has filled the offices of selectman, overseer of the poor, lister, auditor, superintendent of schools, justice of the peace, and representative in the State Legislature. He is a member of the Blue Lodge A. F. and A. M., Woodstock, No. 31. He is commander of Post 82, G. A. R.

 

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