He built him another--two story we've heerd."
Page 497 TOWN OF LINCOLN.
After the house was vacated by the doctor it was changed into a school-house.
- "In the year eighteen hundred twenty and four,
- They fixed the old house with a rough cleet door,
- They hired a damsel, she was very fair,
- To keep them a school and take proper care."
The lady above referred to was Miss Rachel Rhoades. The following winter Nathan Sawyer, of Weare, N. H., was engaged to teach the school.
- As for the master I now will begin,
- To describe his folly and the state he lives in,
- One thing in this master I mean to tell
- He liked all the girls a little too well,
- Though he is better and wiser if I may relate
- Than half of the gentlemen from Hampshire State."
Other school-houses were built within a few years after, and the town divided into districts, of which there are now twelve, each supporting at least six months' school per annum. It cannot be said that the school-houses are all suitable and convenient now, but were, very likely, when built. A few are very old and will be replaced by new and more commodious ones soon. The thrifty and enterprising people of the district in South Lincoln have recently built a school house with improved and modern furniture, that is not only an honor to that district but to the entire town, and leaves an example worthy to be imitated by other districts. A school-house was built in the Downingsville district in the fall of 1885, and other districts will follow in the wake soon. There are now enrolled in the schools two hundred and eighty-five scholars, between the ages of five and twenty years. The whole amount expended for schools in 1884 Was $1,134.16, an average of nearly four dollars per scholar. William W. Pope was the first superintendent of schools and M. J. Stearns is the present incumbent.
Post-offices.--The first post-office was established July 23, 1835, by the appointment of Luther M. Kent, M. D., postmaster, and was located near the Corners on the place now owned by Watson Morgan, and formerly known as the "Doctor Kent farm." Previou's to this all the mail was deposited at, and received from, the post-office at Bristol. The office was moved to the west part of the town, "Acworth," May 4, 1849, and Erastus W. Chapman was appointed postmaster. His successors were Almon C. Allen, appointed January 24, 1851; Enos P. Hoag, appointed January 25, 1854; and Franklin J.Burnham, appointed January 7,1857 Samuel M. Fish received the appointment April 13, 1861, and moved the office to the Center, where it has since been located. He was succeeded by George F. Pope January 9, 1866; by James H. Batchelder July 23, 1867; by Charles D. Peet September 5, 1876, and by Moses B. Gove December 6, 1877, who is the present incumbent. An office was established at "Acworth" by the name of West Lincoln, May 15, 1878, with Milton J. Stearns postmaster; he was succeeded by Ira W. Wakefield August 27, 1878, who still continues in the office.
Page 498 HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
During the time that Enos P. Hoag was postmaster there were only thirteen papers taken in town; at the present time there are over three hundred taken at the two offices. The mail was carried to and brought from Bristol only once a week until about 1850, then twice and three times a week until 1867, when a daily mail was received.
Since July 1, 1881, the mail leaves sufficiently early in the morning to connect with the Boston and New York mail, and returns at night with the same.
Freshet.--The year 1830 is memorable on account of a severe and destructive freshet. An unusual quantity of rain had fallen throughout the season,and especially the week preceding. The ground was soaked full of water and the streams were much swollen. Early in the forenoon of Monday, July 26, dark, massive clouds hovered over the town. The heavy roar of the thunder in the heavens, echoing and re-echoing among the hills and mountains, with the frequent flashes of the forked lightning and the sulphurous odor in the atmosphere, indicated that a terrible storm was at hand, but how terrible and destructive no one then imagined. Later in the day, when the storm commenced, the roar of the thunder was hushed by the descending rain. Those who have vivid recollections of that stormy night say that it was unlike any other storm that they ever witnessed. It seemed to descend in one continuous sheet, like the water falling over a precipice. That night the New Haven River rose to such unparalleled height that crops, trees, bridges, mills, factories, and dwelling houses were swept away in its fury. Although no human lives were lost or seriously injured in town, yet the suffering and misery endured for a time by those momentarily, expecting death cannot be portrayed or imagined. The traces of the freshet will remain visible for years to come. The channel of the river was greatly changed in several places, and it now runs where there were once meadows, gardens, and dwelling houses. The crops along the borders of the stream were wholly destroyed. Lemuel B. Eldridge, in a little volume entitled The Torrent, says "that one hundred acres of land in Lincoln, suitable for cultivation, were either totally, destroyed or rendered useless for years."
A bridge crossing the stream near George A. Thayer's present mill site, then known as the Jones bridge, was the first on the stream to be swept away. Above this bridge but comparatively little damage was done, as only the rocks and trees were exposed to its fury.
Aaron Gove lived in a log house near, or just a few rods above, where Jesse Cotey's house now stands. The family, had retired, and before they were aware of it the house was entirely, surrounded by water, and any attempt to escape--the current being so swift and strong on either side--would have resulted in certain death. When the water came into the lower part of the house the family, eight in number, went into the chamber as a last resort. A portion of the lower part of the house was washed away; a door-post, how-
Page 499 TOWN OF LINCOLN.
ever, remained on one side undisturbed, on which the upper portion rested. Had this given way the roof would have fallen, and no doubt the occupants would have either been killed by the falling timbers or drowned.
Daniel Butterfield lived a few rods below, nearly opposite William H. Hoag's present residence. His loss was heavy; a large portion of intervale meadow was carried away. The channel of the river was at that time near the west side of the intervale; since then on the east side, where it now runs.
Thomas Taber lived on the farm now owned by George Garland. His house stood several rods below where Stephen C. Varney's saw-mill now stands, and where the river now runs. His family, consisting of his wife and five small children, remained in the house until the cellar wall fell in on one side, and immediately following they heard the crash of the falling bridge, a few rods above them, and then made a hasty retreat, barely escaping with their lives. When but a short distance away they heard the house fall, and on the following morning saw the main channel of the river where the house stood the night before. One of those children now living says that he carried the old- fashioned tin lantern, with perforated sides, to pilot the family to the nearest neighbor's east. They took with them only such clothing as they had on; all the rest, with their furniture, provisions, and fifty dollars in money which Taber had that day hired for necessary purposes, was destroyed in a moment's time.
A saw-mill, owned by John Gove, situated a few rods below from where 0. S. H. Butterfield's grist-mill now stands, was carried away with all the machinery, and all that remained to mark the spot were some fragments of the dam.
About one-half mile below, the crops of Valentine Meader were destroyed and a bridge carried away.
Between this place and "Acworth," now West Lincoln, but very little damage was done. The property destroyed at "Acworth" was of more value than all the other property that suffered the same fate in the town. A thrifty little manufacturing village had suddenly sprung up at this place. A few men with small capital had invested it here in manufactories, and it was fast becoming the business heart of the town. About three years previous to the freshet Joseph Blanchard, Isaac Houston, William and Andrew Mitchell came from Acworth, N. H., and built a saw-mill, and in 1828 built a forge a few feet below. Some seventy-five or eighty rods below this forge another one was built in 1827 by Henry Soper and Philetus Pier, and at the time of the freshet was owned by Pier and Oliver W. Burnham. Midway between these two forges was a bridge, then and since known as the Dean bridge. The river above the saw-mill was narrow, and the banks on either side were very high and abrupt. In this narrow passage the water rose about four feet per hour from dark until near midnight, when the saw-mill, forge, and coal-house, with a stock of coal,
Page 500 HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
ore, and iron, were carried off and every trace of them blotted out in much less time than it takes to narrate it. The saw-mill floated down the furious current bodily and lodged on a small island opposite where Captain J. L. Lincoln's store now stands, and, with the flood-wood that had previously accumulated there, went over the dam below. The lower forge yielded to the fury of the water nearly two hours later.
Below this little village, on the east side of the river, is a tract of land known as the Burnham Flat. At the lower end of this stood a small, unfinished framed house, occupied by Prosper Durfey and family. The roaring of the water awoke Mrs. Durfey, who was alone with her children, and on examination found that escape was impossible, as the water had already surrounded the house. The floors had not been nailed down, and the lower one, with the beds occupied by the family, was raised to within about eighteen inches of the upper one. Mrs. Durfey parted the boards above, and, with her children, went through into the chamber, where they remained until morning, when they were taken ashore on a raft. It may seem almost miraculous that the house stood in such a depth of water; and it would have been destroyed, no doubt, if the lower floor had been nailed down. The main channel of the river was some four or five rods west of the house. A large hemlock log, two and one-half feet in diameter by thirty long, was thrown out from the current in the main channel on to the flat, and rolled or floated sideways to the house, protecting it from the flood-wood and debris. Below the house there was a short bend in the river, which produced a back current against the lower side, counteracting the one from above.
General Barnum, of Vergennes, bad commenced to build a dam and factory for the purpose of manufacturing whetstones, from a quarry near by, standing below the big bend and within a few rods of the west line of the town, and was the last to suffer destruction within the limits of the town. Another freshet, in which a great amount of property was destroyed, occurred on the 4th day of October, 1869. The first mill property on the river to suffer was that owned by G. A. and 0. H. Thayer, of South Lincoln, there being only one mill on the river above at that time. The mill was started in the morning with a fair run of water, and was run until about the middle of the forenoon, when the river rose so rapidly that it was thought advisable to shut down; and in only a few minutes the water was running through the mill, and in another moment it was gone out of sight in the mad rush of the water.
The next mill on the river to suffer the same fate was owned by Elisha R. Cain and situated only a few rods below.
A short distance below, the mills of James Caughlin and Asa Jackman were badly damaged, though not carried off.
A grist-mill and saw-mill owned by 0. S. H. Butterfield, situated on his present mill site, were totally destroyed and carried away. The damage to
Page 501 TOWN OF LINCOLN.
roads and bridges was very great and travel was greatly impeded for several days.
Revolutionary War--Ebenezer Durfey and Owen Briggs were in the Revolutionary War and both were pensioned at the rate of eight dollars per month.
War of 1812.--The following named persons were in the United States service in the War of 1812 from this town, or who have since resided here: Albert Beach, Noah Jennings, James Downing, Prosper Durfey, Thomas Lee, Benjamin Clark, Uriah Bush, Alanson Hamner, Daniel Bagley, and Oliver W. Burnham.
War of 1861.--The town has a soldiers' record of which her citizens may justly feel proud. The quota under the different calls of the president was promptly filled by brave and fearless men who were not afraid to face the enemy on the field of battle, and were, mostly, men of intelligence and good moral character. It is due to those who sacrificed the comforts and pleasant associations of home, to endure the hardships of army life in assisting to save the country, that their names and the memorials of them be perpetuated on the pages of history. The following list, compiled from the State records, gives the names of those who served in Vermont organizations:
Volunteers for three years credited previous to call for 300,000 volunteers of October 17, 1863:
G. H. Atwood, H. A. Atwood, S. Barnard, A. Bassalow, L. E. Bristol, J. S. Butterfield, J. H. Butterfield, T. J. Byron, E. Canfield, F. Clark, J. Clark, J. Clark, T. Clark, K. Connelly, A. Cushman, E. S. Cushman, P. Delphy, E. C. Dow, L. Dow, E. R. Gove, I. S. Gove, 0. A. Gould, T. T. Hamner, R. S. Hill, L. J. Hoadley, I. N. Mayo, S. W. Mayo, N. Miner, 0. J. Moore, R. Richards, S. J. Sargent, G. Shedrick, D. H. Stearns, F. Stevens, J. Walker, J. F. Walker, C. W. Weaver, E. S. Whittier, J. J. Whittier, J. W. Williams, D. H. York, G. W. York.
Credits under call of October 17, 1863, for 300,000 volunteers, and subsequent calls:
Volunteers for three years.--G. A. Atkins, L. M. Atwood, A. J. Barnes, C. B. Chamberlain, S. G. Chapman, J. W. Cobb, Jesse Coty, Nelson Crozier, P. Durfey, A. B. Gove, C. Hamner, J. Hufson, J. Person, F. Soriol, J. Ubar, W. Wheeler, W. J. Whittier, H. J. Wood.
Volunteers for one year.--A. D. Atkins, G. Blanchard, C. W. Clark, E. King, S. B. Morrill, J. H. Murray, H. C. Powers, D. C. Ubear.
Volunteers re-enlisted.--H. A. Atwood, P. Delphy, J. J. Whittier
Enrolled man who furnished substitute.--G. F. Pope.
Not credited by name.--Two men.
Volunteers for nine months.--A. G. Babcock, J. Coffin, L. J. Dow, W. E. Gove, W. E. Green, C. P. Jones, D. D. Jones, L. M. Kent, J. Moulton, W. E. Noyes, E. M. Percival, H. Stenior, H. Wood.
Page 502 HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
Furnished under draft.--Paid Commutation, A. Atkins, L. N. Downing, O. Frank, J. Jackson, D. Johnson, D. Palmer, N. Page, N. Purinton, S. Danforth, C. E. Varney. Procured substitute, C. E. Bristol, M. F. Gove, 0. Stokes, E. B. Tracy.
Events of 1878.--The year 1878 was replete with memorable events. It will ever be remembered by those who suffered, in consequence of an epidemic, of the financial crisis, and a fire. Diphtheria in its unwelcome and direful visits introduced sadness, sorrow, and gloom throughout the entire town. Twelve deaths were chronicled as the result of this terrible malady from May 1 to August 1. It first made its appearance in the family of Samuel Miner, in the west part of the town, then in the family of Dr. Almer A. Hier, at the Center. Five deaths occurred in the short space of ten days, within a few rods of each other. Dr. Hier, his wife, and three children were prostrated at the same time. The brittle thread that so recently held together the bright and happy family was snapped asunder, and Mrs. Hier and a little boy only survived.
The financial troubles were unprecedented. Every one that desired credit obtained it, and as the result business men trusted out their merchandise, and obligated themselves by placing their names to commercial paper beyond their capital. This was done hoping that times would change, business be more active, and money more plenty. Property of every kind and description was on the decline with very little prospect of ever rising. Things continued thus until the 26th day of January, when several attachments were made and the store of W. N. Gove was closed. In the fore part of February the union store and M. B. Gove's boot and shoe store were closed. In June the store of Cairn & Hartwell was also closed. With these parties many, farmers and others suffered, being connected with them in their business, either by loaning money or sign commercial paper. Men lost all confidence in their fellow men. More legal processes were served during the year than for several years preceding, and some of them upon parties least expecting it. A large quantity of property was sold under the hammer at a great sacrifice. Real estate on the average depreciated from thirty to fifty per cent in value, while several places at a forced sale were bought for less than one-third their former value. No less than ten sought relief under the United States bankrupt and the State insolvent act.
On the morning of August 4 a fire broke out in the building owned by E. I. Hewitt and M. B. Gove. The lower part was occupied as a store by Flanks & Johnson, and the boot and shoe store of M. B. Gove. The post-office and town clerk's office were also on this floor. The second story was occupied by the Grangers and Good Templars for their lodge room. An ell was occupied by M. B. Gove for a dwelling house. The furniture and fixtures of the Grangers and Good Templars, and the contents of the two stores were wholly consumed. The town records were in one of Marvin's fire-proof safes and were uninjured excepting the animal portions of the binding, which were destroyed. The books were rebound and are apparently as good as ever.
Page 503 TOWN OF LINCOLN.
Town Officers Elected March, 1886.--Stephen M. Colby, moderator; Moses B. Gove, clerk and treasurer; Wilber E. Hanks, Charles A. Kinsley, Isaac W. Hatch, selectmen ; Samuel D. O'Bryan, James Ward, Alfred C. Merrill, listers; George W. Burnham, Milton J. Stearns, Alfred C. Merrill, auditors; Elisha B. Clark, John H. Beane, Walter S. Colby, fence viewers; Howard Clark 2d, constable and overseer of the poor; Elihu Purinton, trustee of United States surplus fund; Abel T. Morgan, town grand juror; Harvey Farr, agent; George R. Stone, inspector of leather; Howard Clark 2d, pound-keeper; Stephen C. Varney, inspector of lumber; Stephen G. Colby, sexton; Milton J. Stearns, superintendent of schools.
County 0fficers in Town.--Howard Clark 2d, sheriff; Charles E. Pope, deputy sheriff; Moses B. Gove, Stephen M. Colby, Charles E. Pope, Watson Morgan, George W. Burnham, Charles G. Butterfield, William W. Varney, justices of the peace.
ECCLESIASTICAL.
Nearly all of the first and early settlers belonged to the Society of Friends, and for many years it was the only society that sustained regular religious worship. Those who did not belong with them were the exceptions. The first organization of this society was July 16, 1801, at which time James Varney was appointed clerk. Meetings for Worship were held about two years previous to this, in a log house owned by Levi Meader, situated very near the north line of the town, on the west part of the farm now owned by Hiram Hamner. Their meetings were held for several years in private houses. A log meeting-house was built on the land now owned by Thomas Moody, also one near where the town house now stands. I do not know when they were built or how long they were occupied. In 1802 the society proposed a plan for a house of worship to the Easton, N. Y., Quarterly Meeting, of which the Lincoln Society was a branch, for their approval. They then proposed to build a house twenty-four by thirty-six feet, with ten-feet posts, at all estimated cost of $500. The report from this quarterly meeting was not a very flattering one so far as regards their rendering any assistance, as the following extract from the report shows: "That the Friends of Lincoln had better for the present endeavor to accommodate themselves with such a house as they are able to build amongst themselves."
The present house was built in 1810 and was the only one for worship for Lincoln, a part of Bristol and South Starksboro for many years, and was the only church building in town until about 1863, when two churches were built at the Center. Large as the house now seems, it was often filled and on special occasions would not accommodate all that attended.
The Society of Friends is now quite small, but they continue to meet together twice a week for public worship.
Page 504 HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
The meetings of the other denominations for public worship were held in dwelling and school-houses in the different parts of the town, and sometimes for want of a more suitable place they were held in barns and groves.
The Methodist Society built a church in 1863, and the same year a Union Church was built, which was occupied by the Freewill Baptists and Christian societies.
Freewill Baptist Church.--A Freewill Baptist Church was organized in town as early as 1832, and was admitted into the quarterly meeting conference in January, 1834. Rev. Ziba Pope was the first pastor. Israel Freeman, a colored preacher, was the recognized pastor in 1837. Samuel Kenniston preached here before the organization, and was the first Freewill Baptist preacher ever located in town. Jarius Davis, Joshua Tucker, and Mark Atwood were pastors of the church at different times. The first quarterly meeting was held in the upper part of Ziba Pope's barn, on the farm recently owned by George H. Babcock, and now owned by Daniel and M. B. Gove. Failing to maintain its organization it was dropped from the quarterly meeting in June, 1852.
Another organization was effected November 13, 1862, with ten members, by Revs. E. B. Fuller, S. W. Perkins, and 0. B. Dike. Amos Tucker was chosen clerk, and John T. Hill deacon. The first monthly meeting was held in the Corners school-house November 25, 1862. The present membership is thirty-four. Rev. W. H. Lyster is pastor, Alfred C. Merrill, clerk, Nelson M. Brooks and John T. Hill, deacons.
Christian Church.--The Christian Church was organized November 13, 1840, at the dwelling house of Hermon Bement, with twenty members, by Rev. Joseph D. Marsh, of Randolph, Vt. Rev. Merritt W. Powers was the first pastor, Benjamin Clark first clerk, and Elisha Briggs and Davis Tucker were the first deacons. Six only of those who were members at its organization are still living, but are not residents of the town. Enos P. Hoag was about the first to unite with the church and has been a consistent member ever since. There are now sixty-four members. Rev. Charles D. Burdick is the present pastor, Mrs. Ella M. Butterfield clerk, Loyal Collins and Cornelius Soper deacons.
Methodist Church.--The Methodist Church was organized in the spring of 1836 by Rev. Nathaniel Stearns and was for several years connected with the church in Ripton, and was for a long time known as the Lincoln and Ripton Mission. The present church edifice and parsonage was built in 1863, through personal efforts of the late Rev. Caleb Stevens, who was pastor of the church at that time. Rev. Smith M. Wilbur is the present pastor. Present membership, fifty-three.
Sabbath -schools.--A Sabbath-school is maintained at each of the churches and at the school-house in South Lincoln throughout the year, and each has a library of nearly three hundred volumes. Schools are maintained at West Lincoln and Downingsville through the summer months. The first Sabbath
Page 505 TOWN OF LINCOLN.
school in town was organized at Downingsville in June, 1843, through the personal efforts of Mrs. Fanny M. Purinton and Mrs. Emily Powers.
Physicians.--A J. Cushman, a resident of the town for twenty-five years, has practiced medicine for the last three years, and is now attending lectures at the medical department of the University of Vermont.
J. S. Dodge, a graduate of the University of New York city has located in town during the last eight years.
Local Societies.--A lodge of Good Templars was organized in 1869 and flourished both financially and numerically. At one time the lodge numbered over one hundred members. They continued to hold their meetings regularly until August, 1878 when they lost their charter and furniture by fire. Since then they have ceased to exist as a lodge.
A Grange was organized in 1875 or '76, but was not a successful enterprise, and existed as an organization only a few years.
The Lincoln Cornet Band was organized in 1882 under the instruction of S. W. Hatch. Leroy S. Varney is the present leader and Albert F. Gove drum major. It has now seventeen members.
Present Industries.--The industries of the town are somewhat varied in their nature. A portion of the inhabitants devote their attention to agriculture, dairying, stock raising, and the manufacturing of maple sugar; others give their whole attention to the manufacturing of lumber. The abundance of timber on the mountain and the many excellent mill privileges render the town practically a lumber manufacturing one, and it is at present the principal source of its wealth. There are fifteen mills in town, in which either coarse lumber, clapboards, shingles, or staves are made from the logs. The mills have a capacity of cutting out several million feet per annum, and give steady employment to over one hundred men. Nearly one-third of the population of the town obtain their support either directly or indirectly from this industry. Besides the hands employed in the mills, a still greater number are employed in the woods on the mountains cutting the logs, and with teams in piling and hauling them, and drawing the lumber, etc., away. Only a few of these mills are confined exclusively to any one branch of the business.
There are three mills for the exclusive manufacture of clapboards, three for staves, and one each for shingles and butter-tubs. The mills for cutting coarse lumber can economically make clapboards and shingles, by sorting the logs and using such as are best adapted for those purposes. A portion of the waste or slabs is worked into headings and laths. Heath Brothers' clapboard-mill is the first on the New Haven River, in that part of the town formerly a part of Ripton, and known, as "Pope's Paradise"--a name given to that locality many years ago, at which time Rev. Ziba Pope built a saw-mill and dwelling house and cleared up a tract of land. They manufactured during the year 1885 600,000 feet of clapboards and dressed them ready for market. The next mill
Page 506 HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
on the stream is owned by Green & Kelton, and is situated in that part of Lincoln that was formerly a part of Ripton. They manufacture dimension lumber, hardwood flooring, and clapboards. G. A. Thayer's mill for sawing staves stands where the Jones mill formerly stood. He occupies the Pope mill, a few rods below, for the manufacture of cla boards. Mr. Thayer is the largest clapboard manufacturer in town. During the year 1885 he sawed and dressed 1,000,000 feet, besides dressing large quantities for others. James Caughlin and A. A. Jackman & Son each own mills on the same stream, near together, and both manufacture coarse lumber, butter-tubs, and in addition Jackman & Son manufacture clapboards and do custom planing. S. W. Allen's mill for sawing coarse lumber, laths, and shingles is situated in the southeast part of the town, on Beaver Brook. S. C. Varney & Son are located near the Center and make all kinds of building lumber, heading, etc., and do custom work and planing. Hodijah Lincoln, at West Lincoln, gives his attention wholly to the manufacture of staves. He does the most in the stave business, and in fact more than all the others in town combined. Seth T. Hill's mill for the manufacture of coarse lumber and staves is situated on the Downing Creek, in the northeast part of the town. Mr. Hill owns more acres of land in town than any other man, several hundred of which lie in one tract above his mill. W. J. Brown's mill for the manufacture of butter-tubs is the next mill on the same stream. Below a few rods is the shingle-mill of Warren Brooks. The next is the stave-mill of Seymour J. Davis. George and Fred G. Bagley saw all kinds of building lumber and clapboards; also do custom sawing. Their mill is situated above the Corners, on the Downing Creek. Abel T. Morgan's mill for sawing coarse lumber and shingles, and Watson Morgan's mill for sawing and dressing clapboards, are both situated at the Corners. W. E. Hanks and others own a mill still farther down the creek, which has been used for the manufacture of clapboards and butter-tubs. The upper part of the mill is used for grinding meal and provender. The only grist-mill in town is owned by 0. S. H. Butterfield, and is located about one-half mile south of the post-office, on the New Haven River. It is fitted for doing all kinds of custom grinding. The mercantile business of the town is fully developed in all its departments. Captain J. L. Lincoln, at West Lincoln, carries a general line of groceries, dry goods, notions, boots and shoes. Gove & Green, at the Center, carry a full line of groceries, fancy and dry goods, clothing, and hardware. Milton J. Stearns, at the Center, has a stock of dry goods, crockery, meal, and feed. Moses B. Gove gives his whole attention to the sale of boots and shoes. E. M. Whitney commenced in the mercantile business at South Lincoln April 1, 1886, with a stock of groceries. Dodge & Gove have worked up a good business as pharmacists, and are doing a fair business in jobbing medicines, essences, flavoring extracts, etc., of their own make. They employ several men on the road selling their goods. Clark & Kinsle do an extensive butchering, business
Page 507 TOWN OF LINCOLN.
at West Lincoln and supply several markets with meat. During the year 1885 they dressed at their slaughter-house 500 beeves, 500 sheep, and 200 veal calves. The maple sugar business is an important branch of the present industries. Many tons are annually made. Though sold at low prices, yet it nets the farmers a fair profit. Ira W. Wakefield, at West Lincoln, and George R. Stone, at the Center, manufacture custom boots and shoes, and do all kinds of repairing. A. F. Gove, gunsmith at the Center. V. W. Morgan, at the Center, and Edgar R. Siples, at the Corners, are manufacturers of wagons and carriages, and do custom repairing. There are five blacksmith shops in town; Lorenzo Dow and Joseph Miner at West Lincoln, V. W. Morgan and Luther Nutting at the Center, and Thomas Dupoint at South Lincoln.
Census.--There has been a gradual increase in the population of the town since its settlement, as will be seen from the follow table: 1800, 97; 1810, 255; 1820, 278; 1830, 639; 1840, 770; 1850, 1,057; 1860, 1,070; 1870, 1,174; 1880, 1,367.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Marcus Hedding.--The Hedding families come from the vicinity of Dutchess county, N, Y., to Starksboro, Vt. Marcus Hedding, an uncle of the late Bishop Hedding of the M. E. Church, settled in the north part of the town in 1795, and soon after his son John settled here. Marcus Hedding married Candace Preston for his first wife and Mehitable Varney for his second. When they removed from Starksboro to Lincoln there was only a path marked by spotted trees between the two places. They packed their goods on a horse, which was led by a daughter riding one ahead. Harley Hedding, a son of Marcus, was born in 1795, and was the first child born in town. John Hedding died in 1815.
Lorenzo Orvis was born in Norfolk, Conn. When quite young he came to Bristol, where he married a Miss Brooks. They settled in town on the farm now owned by Hiram Hamner, in March, 1795, and were the first that made a permanent settlement. When he moved here from Bristol Flats he came with an ox team and was two days making the journey over the hills of South Starksboro. At the organization of the town he was chosen first selectman, first lister, sealer of leather and weights and measures, fence viewer, and tithingman. He died in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in the ninety-first year of his age.
Wolcott Burnham came from Connecticut and settled in town as early as 1797 on the farm now owned by Reuben Cowles; he was elected lister at the organization of the town. His son, Oliver W. Burnham, resided in town ; he held the office of selectman three years, justice of the peace seven years, and represented the town in the Legislature in 1827; was a prominent business man, and was extensively engaged in the iron business. He died June 20, 1860. George W., a soil of Oliver W., now resides in town.
Page 508 HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
Thomas Goodrich was born in Lanesboro, Berkshire county, Mass., September 10, 1780. At the age of seventeen years he left his home and came to Middlebury, Vt., where for two years he cultivated land on shares. He first came to Lincoln September 10, 1799, on his nineteenth birthday, and on the twelfth day of the same month he took a deed of the piece of land where he afterward settled, and now owned by James Butterfield. He married Esther Freeman, of New Haven, May 9, 1802, and died January 13, 1864. She was born September 17, 1781, and died September 6, 1846. Their children were Lyman, born March 7, 1804; Phebe, born July 30, 1806; Julia, born May 4, 1809; Alzina, born May 7, 1812 ; Moses, born April 15, 1815 ; Esther, born November 23, 1819; Dinah, born May 22, 1823; Ruth, born October 6, 1825. Alzina, Esther, and Ruth reside in town. He owned at one time some seven hundred acres of land and paid the largest tax of any one in town. He was quite eccentric in his ways. His team for general work consisted of an ox and cow yoked together. He kept the first hotel in town, and sold a few groceries to his townsmen ; whisky, however, was the principal article. The hotel business was not a success, although quite well patronized by the fun lovers and dram drinkers. It was the seat of all the justice courts of the town and a portion of Bristol. It is related of him that he would drive his cattle into the woods without any yoke or harness, and would construct a yoke, and by means of elm bark would draw out a good load of wood.
Chase Purinton was born in Kensington, N. H., April 27, 1757; he afterwards lived in Weare, N. H., and settled in Lincoln in March, 1803, on the farm now owned by a grandson, Elihu Purinton, purchasing it of Jedediah Durfey, also purchasing two adjoining lots south, making in the total about three hundred acres. He brought with him two yoke of oxen, a pair of horses, and six cows. Three of his sons came with the cows and oxen, taking a load of goods. The remainder of the family followed in a few days with the horse team, bringing what goods they were able. He was a blacksmith by trade, and the first that settled in town. On account of the uncertainty of the roads through the new and mountainous country, he shod his cows as well as his oxen and horses, before commencing the journey. The first mill for grinding corn and provender was built by him in 1806 on the water privilege near Abel T. Morgan's saw-mill. The mill-stones were taken from the farm now owned by Charles Heywood, and are still in use. He had eight children, Jonathan, born December 1, 1779, died in 1848; Elijah, born July 18, 1781, died in 1864; James, born November, 1783, died in 1864; Judith, born April 19, 1786, died 1877; Elizabeth, born August 3, 1788, died in 1875; Chase, jr., born July 19, 1792, died in 1872; Lydia, born October 1, 1795, died in 1882; Mary, born September 7, 1799, died in 1845. Three of the children of James Purinton now reside in town, viz.: Asa, Elihu, and Freeman. Two of the children of Jonathan also reside in town, Elijah and Mrs. Huldah Purinton.
Page 509 TOWN OF LINCOLN.
The descendants of Chase are numerous throughout the United States and Canada; over forty of them are now residing in town. They hold a family reunion each year. The sons and daughters of Chase Purinton lived to a remarkable age. One died at the age of ninety-two years, five others lived over eighty years. The average age of the eight children was seventy-eight years. At the funeral of Elizabeth Purinton there were present over one hundred relatives, all of whom, with one exception, were her nieces and nephews.
Ebenezer Durfey came from Connecticut and settled on "Elder Hill," so called, in 1804. He was a sharp, shrewd business man and quite prominent among the settlers, and was always known as 'Squire Durfey. He held the office of town clerk nine years, selectman two years, constable three years, justice of the peace twenty-one years, represented the town in the Legislature thirteen times, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1822. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was pensioned eight dollars per month during his life. He died in Westport, N. Y., at the age of ninety-three years. He had four sons and four daughters. Sally, the oldest, married Chase Lamos, of Monkton, for her first husband, and Moses Sargent for her second, and was the mother of the late Daniel H. Sargent. She died January 21, 1870, at the age of eighty years. Prosper, the oldest son, was in the War of 1812; resided in town most of the time until his death, which occurred in 1879, at the age of eighty-nine years.
Jedediah Durfey, a brother of 'Squire Durfey, settled in town about 1796 or '97, on the place now owned by Elihu Purinton. The first town meeting at which the town was organized, was held at his place in 1798. He was chosen selectman, lister, pound-keeper, and the only highway surveyor, at this town meeting. He was the first to represent the town in the Legislature, which was in 1801. He resided in town only a few years, and sold to Chase Purinton April 24, 1802.
Moses Gove, a son of Daniel and Mariam, was born in Weare, N. H., December 22, 1774. He married Hannah, his first wife, daughter of Nathan and Phebe Chase, of Weare, in 1799, who died September 15, 1831, and Martha Worth, his second, May 15, 1834. Moses Gove died June 8, 1851. Their children were Nathan C., born July 17, 1880, and died in Lincoln March 31, 1850; Levi, born February 23, 1802, died in Lynn, Mass., August 12, 1885; John C., born November 14, 1803, and now resides in New York city; Phebe (Huntington), born November 26, 1805, resides at East Randolph, N. Y.; Daniel, born October 10, 1810, resides in town on the Ziba Pope farm; Mariam (Chase), born March 22, 1813, now a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah; Dennis, born May 28, 1816, died in the copper regions in Michigan August 1, 1854; Peltiah, born June 10, 1818, and resides on the same farm on which his father settled in 1803 or 1804. The children of Daniel are James T., born June 14, 1839, and died April 10, 1862; Phebe 11. (Batchelder), born December
Page 510 HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
28, 1841, now resides in Middlebury, and Moses B., born September 28, 1847, now resides in town. The only child of Peltiah Gove lives near the old homestead, and is now Mrs. Emily C. Purinton.
Winthrop Gove was born in Seabrook, Mass., July 27, 1773; married Judith Gove, of Weare, N. H., who was born January 1, 1780. They settled in Weare after their marriage, where they resided a few years and then settled in town, March, 1804, on the farm now owned by Mrs. Electa Sherman, on what is known as Gove Hill. Their children: Richard, born in 1800; Lucy, born December, 1803; John, born March 12, 1806; Eleanor D., born July 7, 1808, and is the only survivor and still resides in town.
Elisha Gove was born in Weare, N. H., August 26, 1784. At the age of twenty years he came to Montpelier, Vt., and there married Abigail Ring of Salisbury, N. H., May 11, 1806, who was born August 15, 1773. They moved to Lincoln March, 1809, and settled on what is August as Gove Hill. She died November 14, 1844. He died June 4, 1858. They had three children, Azrias W., born November 27, 1808; Sarah F. W., born June 28, 1812, and Winthrop G., born March 2, 1815. Azrias W. Gove still resides in town and for years practiced medicine (Thom*psonian school). He married Sophrona Kelton, May 1, 1834. Their children were Peace A., now Mrs. Beaver, born March 8, 1838; Mark A., born February 3, 1842; Webster N., born May 15, 1845 ; Emily J., now Mrs. G. A. Thayer, born June 30, 1849; Henry W., born December 16, 1851, and Abbie R., born September 18, 1854, and died May 4, 1876. Mark A., Webster N., Emily J., and Henry W. reside in town.
Benjamin Taber, M. D., was born in Montpelier, Vt., June 30, 1785. At the age of fifteen years he commenced study at the Friends' Boarding-school, Nine Partners, N. Y., as a charity scholar, his parents being poor and unable to bear the expenses. His father carried him about one-half of the distance from Montpelier to Nine Partners; he walked the remaining distance. His scanty allowance of money was exhausted before he reached the end of his journey and he was compelled to dispose of his sleeve-buttons to procure food. He remained at the boarding-school a number of years and studied medicine. He married Phebe Carpenter, of Starksboro, Vt., December 8, 1808, and commenced the practice of medicine in that town. In 1817 he moved to Lincoln and located in the north part of the town, on the place for years known as the "Dr. Taber place." The dwelling house in which William Eddy now lives was built by him in 1819. He was the first physician that settled in town, and the only one for several years, and practiced until he was over sixty years of age. He died June 3, 1866, at the age of eighty-one years. They had seven sons and two daughters, all of whom are now living with the exception of one son who died in his youth. The oldest, Russel, was born November 8, 1809. He commenced in the foundry business on the home farm and became successful in the undertaking; now resides in Iowa. Louis, born September 2, 1811, resides in
Page 511 TOWN OF LINCOLN
Mount Pleasant, 0. Silas B., born April 24, 1813, resides in lowa. Sarah, wife of Daniel Gove, of Lincoln, was born March 11, 1815. James was born December 21, 1817, and died March 23, 1832. Phebe L., wife of Peltiah, of this town, was born November 23, 1819. David C., born March 15, 1822, and Benjamin J., born November 8, 1825, both reside in Minnesota. Seaman, born November 14, 1872, resides in Texas.
Dr. Luther M. Kent was born at Hinsdale, N. H., April 26, 1803. At the age of nine years he came with his family to Warren, Vt. His father immediately joined the military force then quartered at Burlington, and there died; and in spite of all efforts to find the place of his interment, he still sleeps in an unknown grave in or near by the now flourishing city. By his own unaided efforts he educated himself in the ordinary branches, completed his medical course and located in Lincoln in January, 1828, living in a small "log-cabin," at what is now known as Kent's Corners. He engaged in active practice, and continued to live on this same place up to 1859, when he removed to Bristol and remained there up to the time of his death, which occurred October 21, 1870. He was appointed first postmaster in Lincoln (see account of post- offices on another page). Dr. Kent was married to Abigail S. Richardson, in Warren, January 20, 1827. Of four children born to them one, Denslow M., died at eighteen years of age. The surviving are Adah R. (Mrs. C. P. Bush) and Dr. E. M. Kent, who now reside in Bristol, and Lucy A. (Mrs. Jesse P. Green), in Chicago. The widow of Dr. L. M. Kent, who with her husband was closely identified with the early history of Lincoln, survived him some ten years and died at the home of her son, Dr. E. M. Kent, in Bristol, in August, 1880, and side by side they rest in the little cemetery just a little way from their old home and the scenes of their early labors.
Hon. William W. Pope was born in Hingham, Mass., October 12, 1807, and was the only son of Rev. Ziba Pope, a pioneer preacher of the Freewill Baptists. When six years old he came with his parents to Randolph, Vt., and lived there until 1830, and then moved to Lincoln, where he has since resided. He married Miss Caroline Kent October 23, 1835, by whom he had a son and a daughter; the latter died in its infancy. The son, George F., is the head of the firm Pope, Berry & Hall, jobbers in tea and spices, Burlington, Vt. His wife died October 19, 1841, and August 22, 1848, he married Mrs. Mercy Dow, whose maiden name was Farr, by whom he had one son, Charles Edward. William W. Pope was elected justice of the peace in 1834 and town clerk in 1839, which two offices he held until 1870, when, on account of his age and partial loss of memory, he refused to serve any longer. In 1836, and for five or six successive years, he represented the town in the General Assembly, and again in 1850. As a legislator he was careful and considerate, but a firm and earnest advocate of what he considered right and justice, and equally as earnest in denouncing wrong. In 1860 he was chosen associate judge of the
Page 512 HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
Addison County Court. In his prime he was a man of more than ordinary mental ability and strength. His counsel and advice on legal points were clear and concise. His familiarity and knowledge of the statutory law of the State and the rulings of the higher courts, with his sound and careful judgment combined, rendered him a safe and able counselor. Until within about ten or twelve years, when his memory became somewhat impaired, he was one of the principal men in the management of the business of the town. Not a single position of trust or responsibility that his townsmen could bestow upon him, but what he has held, and discharged the duties pertaining to it in a satisfactory manner. The aggregate number of years that he has held office in the town is far more than that of any other man. He was a strict temperance man, and a strong advocate of its principles; a constant attendant upon the public worship of God whenever his health would permit; well versed in the sacred Scriptures, and for many years an active member of the Sabbath-school, and a large portion of the time the teacher of a Bible class. He died at his residence of Bright's disease, April 16, 188o.
Hon. Daniel H. Sargent, a son of Moses and Sally Sargent, was born in Lincoln February 26, 1821. He married Mary Jane Hill, of Starksboro, by whom he had four children--Sewell J., Lois (Mrs. Howard Clark), Alson M., and William H., all of whom live in town. His second wife was Mrs. George (Brooks) Nichols, daughter of Obed Brooks, by whom he had four children, Herbert C., George A., Mary J., and Wallace. Mr. Sargent was at an early age placed in positions of trust by his townsmen, and always faithfully discharged the duties of his office. In 1845, at the age of twenty-four years, he was chosen one of the selectmen of the town, and held that office nine years. He was justice of the peace nineteen years; a member of the Legislature in 1855 and 1860; assistant judge of the County Court in 1876 and '77. He died June 7, 1879, on the farm where he was born and where he has ever since resided. No better eulogy can be given than the following extract from an obituary of Mrs. Ellen Johnson: "In this afflictive stroke from the hands of an all-wise Providence not only does a family suffer the loss of a kind and indulgent husband and father, but a community has lost a prominent and highly respected citizen. Mr. Sargent has long been looked upon as one of our most worthy men. His legal knowledge, careful judgment, candor, and strict integrity combined to render him an able adviser, and his opinion has been prized by such as have had occasion to seek advice. It cannot be said of him, 'He had no enemies.' Such eulogies are for men of less firmness and stabilty of character; but it may be truly said he had many friends, and those most intimately acquainted with his character esteemed him most highly."
Rev. Nathaniel Stearns was born in Monkton in 1780. He came to Lincoln in 1835, and established the M. E. Church of this place. He died in Ripton in 1852. His two sons, James L. and Joseph M., resided in town until their
Page 513 TOWN OF LINCOLN.
decease--the former March 17, 1874, aged fifty-four years, the latter November 12, 1884, aged sixty-nine years. Three of the children of James L. now reside here, Milton J., Mary S., and Wesley R., the former a merchant at the Center. Four of the children of Joseph M. also reside here, Lovina (Mrs. Zeno Page), Cynthia (Mrs. C. F. Murray), Sabra, and Elwood.
Rev. Zenas C. Pickett was born in Hope, Hamilton county, N. Y., April 27, 1807. His first charge as an itinerant preacher was on the "Wells Mission," N. Y. He was stationed on the Lincoln charge in 1870, where he remained three years, and again in 1876, preaching another term of three years. In 1879 on account of his health he located in town, having purchased a small place. The fiftieth anniversary of his married life was celebrated July 8, 1881. The following extract is from an address of the pastor of the M. E. Church, Rev. Amos Osborn, delivered at the wedding anniversary, which seemed almost prophetic of his death, which came as a welcome messenger only ten days later: "I congratulate you in view of the near approach of your departure from earth heavenward. Your sun, aye, mine too, is in the western sky; the shadows of evening are gathering. 'I brush the dews from Jordan's banks; the crossing must be near.' Soon a voice will be heard, 'Come up higher.' I am quite sure you will answer, 'Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly; I am prepared to go.'"