,
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
VERMONT
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FOR THE YEARS
1909-1910
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY
ill
T
R09-IO
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page
Portrait of Hiram Carleton Frontispiece
Officers of Society, 1910-11 7
Committees 8
Members 8
Corresponding members 16
Honorary members 17
Proceedings, 1909 21
Special meeting, 1910 26
Proceedings, 1910 28
President's address, 1910 38
Public address, 1910, by Matt B. Jones, Esq 43
Necrology 65
Portrait of Thomas Davenport 87
Proceedings at unveiling of Davenport Memorial 89
President Stickney's address 92
Appreciation of Thomas Davenport by T. Commerford
Martin 94
Report of Hon. Henry F. Field, Treasurer Ill
Report of E. M. Goddard, Librarian 112
Officers and Members
of the
Vermont Historical Society
OFFICERS
OF THE
Vermont Historical Society
FOR THE YEARS 1910-1911
President
WILLIAM W. STICKNEY, Ludlow.
Ylce-Presideiits.
JOSEPH A. DE BOER, Montpelier.
HORACE W. BAILEY, Newbury.
JOHN E. GOODRICH, Burlington.
Recording Secretary.
EDWARD D. FIELD, Montpelier.
Corresponding Secretaries.
EDWARD M. GODDARD, Montpelier.
CHARLES S. FORBES, St. Albans.
Treasurer.
HENRY F. FIELD, Rutland.
Librarian.
EDWARD M. GODDARD, Montpelier.
Curators.
EZRA BRAINERD, Addison County.
HALL P. McCULLOUGH, Bennington County.
HENRY FAIRBANKS, Caledonia County.
JOHN E. GOODRICH, Chittenden County.
PORTER H. DALE, Essex County.
FRANK L. GREENE, Franklin County.
NELSON W. FISK, Grand Isle County.
CARROLL S. PAGE, Lamoille County.
DR. GEORGE DAVENPORT, Orange County.
F. W. BALDWIN, Orleans County.
FRANK C. PARTRIDGE, Rutland County.
GEORGE L. BLANCHARD, Washington County.
LYMAN S. HAYES, Windbam County.
GILBERT A. DAVIS, Windsor County.
GUY W. BAILEY, Secretary of State, j
HORACE F. GRAHAM, Auditor of Accounts, V ex-offlcio.
GEORGE W. WING, State Librarian, )
STANDING COMMITTEES.
ON LlBBABY.
JOSEPH A. DE BOER, Montpelier.
HALL P. McCULLOUGH, North Bennington.
EDWARD M. GODDARD, Montpelier.
ON PRINTING.
FRANK L. GREENE, St. Albans.
CARROLL S. PAGE, Hyde Park.
FREDERICK W. BALDWIN, Barton.
ON FINANCE.
HORACE W. BAILEY, Newbury.
EDWARD M. GODDARD, Montpelier.
CARROLL S. PAGE, Hyde Park.
LIST OF MEMBEBS OF THE YEBMONT HISTOKICAL
SOCIETY.
Charles E. Allen Burlington, Vt.
Heman W. Allen Burlington, Vt.
Martin Fletcher Allen Ferrisburg, Vt.
George Pomeroy Anderson, Editorial Rooms, Boston Globe,
Boston, Mass.
ACTIVE MEMBERS 9
Wallace Gale Andrews Montpelier, Vt.
Guy W. Bailey Essex Junction, Vt.
Horace Ward Bailey Newbury, Vt.
Frederick W. Baldwin Barton, Vt.
Henry L. Ballou Chester, Vt.
Elmer Barnum Shoreham, Vt.
John L. Barstow Shelburne, Vt.
Wyman S. Bascomb Port Edward, N. Y.
James K. Batchelder Arlington, Vt.
Edward Louis Bates Bennington, Vt.
George Beckett Williamstown, Vt.
William A. Beebe Morrisville, Vt.
Robert Dewey Benedict, 363 Adelphi Street Brooklyn, N. Y.
Josiah Henry Benton, Jr., Ames Bldg Boston, Mass.
Artnur Brown Bisbee, Montpelier, Vt.
Harry Alonzo Black Newport, Vt.
Fred Blanchard Montpelier, Vt.
George Lawrence Blanchard Montpelier, Vt.
Herbert H. Blanchard Springfield, Vt.
Charles H. Bradley, P. O. Box 1486 Boston, Mass.
Ezra Brainerd Middlebury, Vt.
John Bliss Brainerd, 419 Boylston Street Boston, Mass.
George Briggs Montpelier, Vt.
William A. Briggs Montpelier, Vt.
James W. Brock Montpelier, Vt.
Timothy G. Bronson f Hardwick, Vt.
John Vail Brooks Montpelier, Vt.
George B. Brown , Burlington, Vt.
Henry T. Brown . ...Ludlow, Vt.
Dan Deming Burditt Pittsford, Vt.
Franklin George Butterfield Derby, Vt
Henry Otis Carpenter Rutland, Vt.
Charles A. Catlin, 133 Hope Street Providence, R. I.
Albert B. Chandler Randolph, Vt.
Thomas Charles Cheney Morrisville, Vt.
Byron Nathaniel Clark Burlington, Vt.
Edward R. Clark Castleton, Vt.
10 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Henry O. Clark Orange, N. J.
Isaiah R. Clark, 54 Devonshire St., (Norfolk House, Roxbury
Mass. ) Boston, Mass.
Osman Dewey Clark Montpelier, Vt.
Edith E. Clarke Burlington, Vt.
James C. Colgate Bennington Center, Vt.
Edward D. Collins Middlebury, Vt.
John M. Comstock Chelsea, Vt.
Kate Morris Cone . ., Hartford, Vt.
Walter H. Crockett Montpelier, Vt.
Lewis Bartlett Cross Montpelier, Vt.
Addison Edward Cudworth So. Londonderry, Vt.
Henry T. Cushman No. Bennington. Vt.
Harry M. Cutler Montpelier, Vt.
Porter H. Dale Brighton, Vt.
Charles Kimball Darling, 294 Washington Street, 879 Beacon
St., Boston, Mass.
Hale Knight Darling Chelsea, Vt.
George Davenport E. Randolph, Vt.
Gilbert A. Davis Windsor, Vt.
Edward Aaron Davis Bethel, Vt.
Henry C. Day Bennington, Vt.
Thomas Jefferson Deavitt Montpelier, Vt.
Edward Harrington Deavitt Montpelier, Vt.
Joseph Arend De Boer Montpelier, Vt.
Franklin H. Dewart Burlington, Vt.
Davis Rich Dewey, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
Boston, Mass.
*William T. Dewey Montpelier, Vt.
William Paul Dillingham Waterbury, Vt.
George M. Dimond, 66 Globe Building, Boston, Mass.,
Bedford, Mass.
Charles Downer Sharon, Vt.
Alexander Dunnett St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Walter A. Dutton Hardwick, Vt.
*Deceased.
ACTIVE MEMBERS 1]
William Arba Ellis Northfield, Vt.
James Borden Estee Montpelier, Vt.
Jacob Gray Estey Brattleboro, Vt.
Rev. Edward T. Fairbanks St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Rev. Henry Fairbanks St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Arthur Daggett Farwell Montpelier, Vt.
Edward Davenport Field Montpelier, Vt.
Fred Tarbell Field, Room 225, State House Boston, Mass.
Fred Griswold Field Springfield, Vt.
Henry Francis Field Rutland, Vt.
Benjamin Franklin Fifleld Montpelier; Vt
Rev. E. S. Fiske Montpelier, Vt.
Nelson Wilber Fisk Isle La Motte, Vt.
Frederick G. Fleetwood . Morrisville, Vt.
Clarke C. Fitts Brattleboro, Vt.
Allen M. Fletcher , Cavendish, Vt.
Charles Spooner Forbes St. Albans, Vt.
Eugene N. Foss, 34 Oliver Street Boston, Mass.
* David J. Foster Burlington, Vt.
Herbert S. Foster No. Calais, Vt.
Seth Newton Gage Weathersfield, Vt.
Benjamin Gates Montpelier, Vt.
Walter Benton Gates Burlington, Vt.
William W. Gay, 205 West 106th Street New York City
Mary E. Giddings Hubbardton, Vt.
James Meacham Gifford, 319 West 102d Street, and 58 Pine St.,
New York City.
Edward M. Goddard Montpelier, Vt.
Jonas Eli Goodenough ..Montpelier, Vt.
John Ellsworth Goodrich Burlington, Vt.
George H. Gorham Bellows Falls, Vt.
John Warren Gordon Barre, Vt.
Frank Keeler Goss Montpelier, Vt.
Horace French Graham Craftsbury, Vt.
Frank Lester Greene St. Albans, Vt.
Matthew Hale, 60 State Street Boston, Mass.
*Deceased.
12 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Charles Hiland Hall Springfield, Mass.
Samuel B. Hall No. Bennington, Vt.
Marshall Jay Hapgood Peru, Vt.
Erwin M. Harvey Montpelier, Vt.
John Nelson Harvey Montpelier, Vt.
Seneca Haselton Burlington, Vt.
William Moore Hatch, 221 Columbus Avenue, Boston, Mass.,
Stratford, Vt.
Donly C. Hawley Burlington, Vt.
Rush C. Hawkins, 21 West 20th Street New York City.
Lyman S. Hayes Bellows Falls, Vt.
Tracy Elliott Hazen, Barnard College, Columbia University,
New York City
Rev. William Skinner Hazen Beverly, Mass.
James S. Hill Rockingham, Vt.
G. A. Hines Brattleboro, Vt.
George Maynard Hogan St. Albans, Vt.
Arthur J. Holden Bennington, Vt.
Henry Holt Montpelier, Vt.
Henry Dwight Holton, M. D Brattleboro, Vt.
Judson N. Hooker Castleton, Vt.
Charles Willard Howard, M. D Shoreham, Vt.
Willard Bean Howe Burlington, Vt.
Phil Sheridan Howes Montpelier, Vt.
Fred A. Howland Montpelier, Vt.
William Walter Husband, 104 House Office Bldg.,
Washington, D. C.
Roger W. Hulburd ..'. Burlington, Vt.
S. Hollister Jackson Barre, Vt.
William H. Jeffrey Burke, Vt.
Frederick B. Jennings, 15 Broad Street New York City.
Rev. Isaac Jennings Bennington, Vt.
Percy Hall Jennings No. Bennington, Vt.
Philip B. Jennings, 192 Broadway New York City.
William Bigelow Jennings, 925 West End Avenue,
New York City.
ACTIVE MEMBERS 13
Matt Bushnell Jones, 111 Parker Street, Newton Center, Mass.,
Walter Edwin Jones Waitsfleld, Vt.
Harlan Wesley Kemp Montpelier, Vt.
Dorman B. E. Kent Montpelier, Vt.
Ira Rich Kent, Youth's Companion Bldg., Columbus Avenue,
Boston, Mass.
Wade Keyes, 1040^5 Tremont Bldg., 73 Tremont Street,
Boston, Mass.
Fred T. Kidder, M. D Woodstock, Vt.
Harvey P. Kingsley Rutland, Vt.
Earle S. Kinsley Rutland, Vt.
Fred Leslie Laird Montpelier, Vt.
Philip R. Leavenworth Castleton, Vt.
Charles Sumner Lord, P. O. Address, Winooski, Vt.,
Colchester, Vt.
Zophar M. Mansur Newport, Vt.
James L. Martin Brattleboro, Vt.
Charles Duane Mather Montpelier, Vt.
O. D. Mathewson Barre, Vt.
Hall Park McCullough No. Bennington, Vt.
John G. McCullough No. Bennington, Vt.
John Abner Mead Rutland, Vt.
Bert Emery Merriam Rockingham, Vt.
Olin Merrill Enosburgh, Vt.
John H. Mimms St. Albans, Vt.
Charles H. Morrill Randolph, Vt.
Clarence E. Moulton Montpelier, Vt.
Sherman R. Moulton Burlington, Vt.
Theodore H. Munroe, 57 Beacon Street Hartford, Conn.
Loveland Munson Manchester, Vt.
Robert Noble Burlington, Vt.
Clayton Nelson North Shoreham, Vt.
*Edwin A. Nutt Montpelier, Vt.
*Deceased.
14 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Andrew B. Oatman Bennington, Vt.
Arthur G. Osgood ..Randolph, Vt.
Carroll S. Page Hyde Park, Vt.
Amos E. Parlin Barton Landing, Vt.
Frank C. Partridge Proctor, Vt
Frederick Salmon Pease Burlington, Vt.
Mary Everett Pease Burlington, Vt.
Theodore Safford Peck Burlington, Vt.
Cassius Peck Burlington, Vt.
Hamilton Sullivan Peck Burlington, Vt.
Rev. Charles Huntington Pennoyer Springfield, Vt.
George Henry Perkins Burlington, Vt.
Walter E. Perkins Pomfret, Vt
Frederick S. Platt Rutland, Vt.
Frank Plumley Northfleld, Vt.
Max Leon Powell Burlington, Vt.
Thomas Reed Powell, 70 Williams Street Burlington, Vt.
George McClellan Powers Morrisville, Vt.
Horace Henry Powers Morrisville, Vt
•Fletcher D. Proctor Proctor, Vt.
Charles A. Prouty Newport, Vt.
George H. Prouty Newport, Vt.
George K. Putnam Montpelier, Vt
Ralph Wright Putnam, P. O., Putnam ville Middlesex, Vt.
Frederick Barnard Richards Glens Falls, N. Y.
Robert Roberts Burlington, Vt.
Arthur L. Robinson Maiden, Mass.
Edward Mortimer Roscoe Springfield, Vt.
John W. Rowell Randolph, Vt
Homer Charles Royce St. Albans, Vt.
Harold G. Rugg Proctorsville, Vt.
William W. Russell White River Junction, Vt
John G. Sargent Ludlow, Vt.
Olin Scott Bennington, Vt.
John H. Senter Montpelier, Vt
*Deceased.
ACTIVE MEMBERS 15
Henry Bigelow Shaw Burlington, Vt.
William A. Shaw Northfield, Vt.
Nelson Lewis Sheldon, 108-11 Niles Bldg Boston, Mass.
Andrew J. Sibley Montpelier, Vt.
Elmer E. Silver Boston, Mass.
Leighton P. Slack St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Melville Earle Smilie Montpelier, Vt.
Charles S. Slocum Morrisville, Vt.
Charles Plymton Smith Burlington, Vt.
Clarence L. Smith Burlington, Vt.
Edward Curtis Smith St. Albans, Vt.
Frank N. Smith Waterbury, Vt.
John L. Southwick Burlington, Vt.
Martha E. Spafford Rutland, Vt.
Rev. George Burley Spaulding Syracuse, N. Y.
Wendell Phillips Stafford Washington, D. C.
Zed S. Stanton Roxbury, Vt.
W. D. Stewart Bakersfield, Vt.
William B. C. Stickney Bethel, Vt.
William Wallace Stickney Ludlow, Vt.
Arthur F. Stone St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Mason Sereno Stone Montpelier, Vt.
George Oren Stratton Montpelier, Vt,
Rev. Benjamin Swift Woodstock, Vt.
Charles P. Tarbell So. Royalton, Vt.
James P. Taylor Saxtons River, Vt.
W. H. Taylor Hardwick, Vt.
William Napoleon Theriault Montpelier, Vt.
Isaac Thomas Rutland, Vt.
John M. Thomas Middlebury, Vt.
Charles Miner Thompson, 161 Brattle Street, care Youth's Com-
panion, Boston Cambridge, Mass.
Henry Crain Tinkham Burlington, Vt.
Harriet Belle Towne, 100 No. Willard Street Burlington, Vt.
Mary Louise Tracy Johnson, Vt.
Albert Tuttle Fair Haven, Vt.
Egbert Clayton Tuttle Rutland, Vt.
16 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
William Van Patten Burlington, Vt.
Martin S. Vilas Burlington, Vt.
Horatio Loomis Wait, 110 La Salle Street Chicago, 111.
Herschel N. Waite Johnson, Vt.
J. L. Walbridge Concord, Vt.
Roberts Walker, 115 Broadway New York City.
Alfred Edwin Watson Hartford, Vt.
Charles Douglas Watson St. Albans, Vt.
William Seward Webb Shelburne, Vt.
Frank Richardson Wells Burlington, Vt.
James R. Wheeler, 433 West 117th Street New York City.
Charles Warren Whitcomb .Cavendish, Vt.
Harrie C. White No. Bennington, Vt.
Albert M. Whitelaw Ryegate, Vt.
Oscar Livingston Whitelaw St. Louis, Mo.
Robert Henry Whitelaw St. Louis, Mo.
LaFayette Wilbur Jericho, Vt.
Frank J. Wilder, Algonquin Block Saratoga Springs, N. Y.
George Washington Wing Montpelier, Vt.
Gustavus L. Winship Fairlee, Vt!
Urban A. Woodbury Burlington, Vt.
George M. Wright, 280 Broadway New York City.
James Edward Wright, D. D Montpelier, Vt.
CORRESPONDING MEMBERS.
Everett C. Benton Boston, Mass.
George F. Bixby Plattsburg, N. Y.
* Albert Clarke 77 Bedford St., Boston, Mass.
Herbert W. Denio University of Illinois, Urbana, 111.
W. O. Hart 134 Carondelet St., New Orleans, La.
Edward R. Houghton Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass.
David Sherwood Kellogg, M. D Plattsburg, N. Y.
George Dana Lord Hanover, N. H.
Rev. Edwin Sawyer Walker Springfield, 111.
Rev. William Copley Winslow, D. D., 525 Beacon St., Boston, Mass.
*Deceased.
ACTIVE MEMBERS 17
HONORARY MEMBERS.
John W. Burgess New York City
Charles Edgar Clark, Rear Admiral U. S. N Philadelphia, Pa.
Charles Hial Darling Burlington, Vt
George Dewey, Admiral U. S. N Washington, D. C.
John W. Simpson 25 Broad St., New York City.
'
A report of the meetings of the
Vermont Historical Society
for the years 1909 and 1910
'
VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PROCEEDINGS.
SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING.
OCTOBER 19, 1909.
Pursuant to printed notice the Vermont Historical So-
ciety held its seventy-first annual meeting in its rooms in
the State Capitol on Tuesday, October 19, 1909, at two
o'clock in the afternoon.
The following members were in attendance: W. W.
Stickney, J. A. DeBoer, F. A. Rowland, W. H. Crockett,
E. M. Goddard, G. L. Blanchard, G. W. Wing, E. A. Nutt,
J. W. Gordon, S. R. Moulton, G. M. Hogan, J. K. Batchel-
der and E. D. Field.
President Stickney called the meeting to order. The
minutes of the last meeting were read by the secretary and
on motion approved.
The report of the treasurer, Henry F. Field, was read
and on motion approved. It showed a balance from last
account of $394.27, receipts of $297.94 and disbursements
of $219.60, leaving a balance on hand October 18, 1909, of
$472.61. The treasurer's account of the Dewey Monu-
ment Fund in the hands of the Society as trustee showed a
balance on November 10, 1908, of $2,718.92, received from
interest during the year $109.82 and balance in bank on
October 18, 1909, $2,828.74.
The report of the librarian, Edward M. Goddard, was
read and approved. It showed accessions during the year
22 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
of 206 books and pamphlets, bringing the whole number
accessioned to date to 5784. Among the additions to the
Society's collections during the year he mentioned :
"Proprietors' Records of the Town of Fairlee, Ver-
mont," a volume of 240 pages containing valuable histori-
cal data and land records of the town. This manuscript was
presented by Mr. Gustavus Loomis Winship.
Two volumes of manuscript records of the "Vermont
General Convention of Ministers 1795 to 1855" — loaned to
the Society by the General Convention of Congregational
Ministers at the suggestion of the Rev. W. C. Clark.
A manuscript commission issued to Simeon Dewey by
Governor Tichenor, appointing him Captain, dated 1799.
Presented by Col. Osman Dewey Clark.
A bronze medal bearing the portrait of Daniel Web-
ster. Presented by Mr. John G. Norton.
A medal fac-simile of the one given to Commodore
Thomas McDonough by Congress in recognition of his
great victory on Lake Champlain. Presented by Dr.
Charles P. Thayer.
A portrait of Governor George Herbert Prouty, to
complete the Society's collection of portraits of the Gov-
ernors of the State.
A portrait of the late Hon. George Grenville Benedict,
of Burlington, president of the Society from 1896 until his
death, April 8, 1907. Presented by Mrs. Benedict.
Mr. Goddard called the Society's attention to an error
in the title of the last printed proceedings. The title reads
"Proceedings for 1908-09" when it should have read 1907-
08. He reported the general condition of the library and
cabinet as quite satisfactory.
PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL MEETING 23
President Stickney made a verbal report for the Board
of Managers, in which he referred to the successful appeal
to the last legislature for an increase in the annual appro-
priation from $100 to $500. This money will be used each
year in purchasing rare volumes and in binding books and
pamphlets already belonging to the Society. This in-
creased appropriation will enable the Society to extend its
library in a small way by direct purchase of material.
Heretofore it was entirely dependent upon gifts and what
could be secured through exchange. He reported an in-
crease in membership during the last decade from 114 to
249. He also read the names of members who have de-
ceased since the last meeting and said arrangements would
be made for the presentation of their biographical sketches
to the next annual meeting. The list follows: Active
members, Hon. John L. Bacon, of Hartford; Robert O.
Bascom, of Fort Edward, N. Y., Secretary of the New
York Historical Society; Ex-Governor Charles J. Bell, of
Walden; Hon. Hiram Carleton, of Montpelier, a former
president of the Society; Robert H. Hutchins, of New
York City; the Rt. Rev. John Stephen Michaud, of Bur-
lington, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Vermont;
Henry L. Sheldon, of Middlebury; Corresponding mem-
bers, James Turner Phelps, of Boston, Mass.; James H.
Canfield, of New York City, librarian of Columbia Univer-
sity.
The Committee appointed a year ago to consider the
matter of providing more shelf room for the Society, com-
posed of Messrs. F. W. Baldwin, J. A. DeBoer and W. B.
C. Stickney, reported through Mr. Baldwin no progress
and the committee was continued without change for an-
other year.
24
THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
On motion of Mr. DeBoer the Board of Managers was
instructed to take under consideration the establishment of
the office of State Historian, or some similar office and the
securing of aid for the same from the next legislature.
The following gentlemen were unanimously elected
to active membership:
Name. Residence.
Charles P. Tarbell, Royalton, Vt.,
Harrie C. White, N. Bennington, Vt.,
James C. Colgate, Bennington Ctr., Vt.,
Percy H. Jennings, N. Bennington, Vt.,
Theo. H. Munroe,
Frank J. Wilder,
Hartford, Conn.,
Saratoga Springs,
N. Y.
Andrew B. Oatman, Bennington, Vt.,
Rev. I. Jennings,
Wm. W. Russell,
Ira Rich Kent,
Geo. M. Dimond,
Chas. A. Catlin,
Fred T. Field,
Tracy E. Hazen,
Proposed by.
W. W. Stickney.
H. P. McCullough.
H. P. McCullough.
H. P. McCullough.
W. W. Stickney.
E. D. Field.
Henry Holt,
J. K. Batchelder,
Martin S. Vilas,
E. D. Field.
Bennington, Vt., E. M. Goddard.
Hartford, Vt., E. M. Goddard.
Boston, Mass., G. P. Anderson.
Bedford, Mass., G. P. Anderson.
Providence, R. I., G. P. Anderson.
Boston, Mass., G. P. Anderson.
New York, N. Y., E. M. Goddard.
Montpelier, Vt., E. D. Field.
Arlington, Vt., W. W. Stickney.
Burlington, Vt., W. H. Crockett.
On motion of Mr. Gordon the secretary was unani-
mously instructed to cast a ballot for the re-election of the
old list of officers, excepting the offices of Curator for
Washington and Windham Counties, which were vacant.
The ballot was cast and the following officers declared
elected to serve for the ensuing year :
President, William W. Stickney, Ludlow.
Vice-Presidents, Joseph A. De Boer, Montpelier.
Horace W. Bailey, Newbury.
John E. Goodrich, Burlington.
Recording Secretary, Edward D. Field, Montpelier.
Corresponding Secretaries, Edw. M. Goddard, Mont-
pelier; Chas. S. Forbes, St. Albans.
25
Treasurer, Henry F. Field, Rutland.
Librarian, Edward M. Goddard, Montpelier.
Curators, Ezra Brainerd, Addison County.
Hall Park McCullough, Bennington County.
Henry Fairbanks, Caledonia County.
John E. Goodrich, Chittenden County.
Porter H. Dale, Essex County.
Frank L. Greene, Franklin County.
Nelson Wilbur Fisk, Grand Isle County.
Carroll S. Page, Lamoille County.
George Davenport, Orange County.
Frederick W. Baldwin, Orleans County.
Frank C. Partridge, Rutland County.
Bert Emery Merriam, Windham County.
Gilbert A. Davis, Windsor County.
Ex-Offtcio.
Guy W. Bailey, Secretary of State.
Horace F. Graham, Auditor of Accounts.
George W. Wing, State Librarian.
The vacancies were filled by the election of George
L. Blanchard, of Montpelier, as Curator from Washing-
ton County and of Lyman S. Hayes, of Bellows Falls, as
Curator from Windham County.
The amendment to Sec. 5 of Chapter II of the By-
Laws, proposed one year ago by Mr. J. W. Gordon, so as
to permit members to take from the rooms of the Society
for temporary use such books as might be duplicated if
lost or destroyed, was withdrawn by the proposer without
objection.
The committee on finance was instructed, by a unani-
mous vote, to cooperate with the treasurer in taking ac-
26 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
tive steps to collect arrearages in dues from members of the
Society.
Letters were read by the Secretary from Dr. John B.
Brainerd, of Boston; Hall Park McCullough, of North
Bennington; F. W. Baldwin, of Barton, and the Hon.
W. C. Hart, of New Orleans, La. Dr. Brainerd suggested
that the neglected field of collecting Vermont epitaphs from
tombstones in our old cemeteries should have some atten-
tion by the Society and active steps be taken to preserve
these old records of deaths before the evidence had all
crumbled to decay. The suggestion was favorably com-
mented upon but no action taken.
President Stickney announced the following commit-
tee appointments for the year ensuing:
On Library: Jos. A. De Boer, John E. Goodrich,
Edward M. Goddard.
On Printing: Frank L. Greene, Horace W. Bailey,
Frederick W. Baldwin.
On Finance: Edward D. Field, Edward M.. Goddard,
Horace W. Bailey.
The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p. m.
A true record.
Attest :
EDWARD D. FIELD,
Recording Secretary.
SPECIAL, MEETING, APRIL 12, 1910.
A special meeting of the Society was held at Mont-
pelier Tuesday morning, April 12, 1910.
President Stickney called the meeting to order.
Members present: W. W. Stickney, J. A. De Boer,
PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL MEETING 27
F. A. Rowland, E. M. Goddard, George Briggs, J. B.
Estee and E. D. Field.
On motion of Mr. De Boer it was voted to loan the
Society's portrait of Senator Justin S. Morrill for use in
connection "with the memorial exercises to be held in
Bethany Congregational Church, Montpelier, Vermont, on
the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of that dis-
tinguished statesman, April 14, 1910.
Mr. James E. Davidson, an electrical engineer and
President of the Consolidated Lighting Company of Mont-
pelier, appeared before the meeting and communicated to
it the desire of the National Electrical Association to honor,
in some substantial way, the memory of Thomas Daven-
port, inventor of the electric motor. He reported that the
Association would defray the expense but wished the So-
ciety to cooperate in the selection of the form the memorial
should take, where it should be placed and the date and
program of dedicatory exercises.
On motion it was voted to authorize President Stick-
ney to go to New York, at the Society's expense, to con-
fer with Mr. T. Commerford Martin of the Electrical As-
sociation, preparatory to calling a meeting of the Society
or the Board of Managers to take definite action in the
matter.
Attest :
EDWARD D. FIELD,
Recording Secretary.
28 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ANNUAL MEETING, OCTOBER l8,
Pursuant to printed notice the Vermont Historical
Society held its seventy-second annual meeting in its rooms
in the State Capitol at two o'clock, Tuesday afternoon,
October 18, 1910.
The meeting was called to order by President William
W. Stickney of Ludlow and the opening prayer was given
by Rev. John M. Thomas, the President of Middlebury
College.
The following members were present: W. W. Stick-
ney, Jos. A. De Boer, W. H. Crockett, Dr. H. D. Holton,
E. H. Deavitt, C. D. Mather, W. A. Button, J. L. Bar-
stow, Frank J. Wilder, W. G. Andrews, G. W. Wing,
E. A. Nutt, H. F. Field, E. M. Goddard and E. D. Field.
The minutes of the meetings of October 19, 1909, and
April 12, 1910, were read by the Secretary and on motion
approved.
The report of the Treasurer was presented by H. F.
Field and on motion accepted, adopted and ordered re-
corded. (See Appendix "A.").
The report of the Librarian was presented by E. M.
Goddard and on motion accepted and adopted. (See Ap-
pendix "B.")-
President Stickney made a verbal report for the Board
of Managers, in which he referred to the increase in mem-
bership in two years from 230 to 256 and to the fact that
there were 20 applications in hand for action at the pres-
ent meeting. He referred to the tablet which had been
erected to the memory of Thomas Davenport, the inventor
of the electric motor, at Forestdale, near Brandon in this
state, by the allied electrical associations and advised the
PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL MEETING 29
Society that the electrical associations would like to have
it accept a deed to the land on which the memorial was
erected and title to the tablet itself. He said that the exer-
cises in connection with the dedication of the tablet were
very fitting and impressive, that he had secured copies of
the addresses delivered and that, in his opinion, they
should be included in the next printed proceedings of the
Society.
He announced the following list of deceased members
whose death had not been previously reported at any reg-
ular meeting of the Society and stated that biographical
sketches of them would appear in the next printed proceed-
ings of the Society: Robert M. Colburn, Springfield, Ver-
mont ; Robert O. Bascom, Fort Edward, New York ; Brad-
ley B. Smalley, Burlington, Vermont; John Heman Con-
verse, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Edgar O. Silver, New
York City; General William H. Gilmore, Fairlee, Ver-
mont; Daniel W. Robinson, Burlington, Vermont.
In relation to the customary public meeting of the So-
ciety, President Stickney announced that it would probably
be held on the evening of November loth, with Matt B.
Jones, Esq., of Newton, Mass., as the speaker, who would
take for the title of his address "The Making of a Hill
Town." President Taft had during the summer accepted
an invitation to deliver an address before the Society dur-
ing the present session of the Legislature but later was
obliged to cancel the engagement.
The special committee which has during the past year
had under consideration the ways and means for providing
additional shelf and cabinet room for the Society reported
that in their opinion the best solution of the problem was
30 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
for the state to erect a suitable building, apart from and
outside of the State House, for the Supreme Court and
State Library and allow the Society the use of the present
quarters of the Supreme Court. In their opinion these
rooms would make very convenient quarters for the So-
ciety for years to come and the present quarters of the Su-
preme Court and Library are very inadequate. The com-
mittee was composed of F. W. Baldwin of Barton, Joseph
A. De Boer of Montpelier and W. B. C. Stickney of Bethel.
Their report was on motion adopted. The discussion on the
committee's report was participated in by Dr. H. D. Hoi-
ton, Hon. J. L. Barstow, Rev. John M. Thomas and Frank
J. Wilder, all of whom expressed themselves as very much
in favor of the committee's recommendation and urged
that the matter be not allowed to drop without further
action. On motion of the Reverend Mr. Thomas the So-
ciety voted to continue the old committee for one year and
instructed them to cooperate with the State Library Com-
missioners and the representatives of the Supreme Court in
an effort to secure action toward the erection of the
building described.
PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL MEETING
31
The following were proposed and unanimously elected
as active members of the Society :
by.
Name.
Matthew Hale,
Wyman S. Bascom,
Charles H. Slocum,
Geo. McC. Powers,
Charles H. Hall,
Philip B. Jennings,
Arthur J. Holden,
Wm. B. Jennings,
Edward L. Bates,
Thomas R. Powell,
Rev. H. L. Ballou,
Charles P. Smith,
Kate Morris Cone,
James P. Taylor,
Egbert C. Tuttle,
Harvey R. Kingsley,
Byron N. Clark,
Timothy G. Branson,
Seth Newton Gage,
Max Leon Powell,
Residence.
Boston, Mass.,
Fort Edward, N. Y,
Morrisville, Vt.,
Morrisville, Vt.,
Springfield, Mass.,
Bennington Ctr., Vt.
Bennington, Vt.,
Bennington Ctr., Vt.;
Bennington, Vt.,
Burlington, Vt.,
Chester, Vt.,
Burlington, Vt.,
Hartford, Vt.,
Saxtons River, Vt.,
Rutland, Vt.,
Rutland, Vt.,
Burlington, Vt.,
Hardwick, Vt.,
Weathersfield, Vt.,
Burlington, Vt.,
Recommended
G. P. Anderson,
the Secretary.
Carroll S. Page.
Carroll S. Page.
H. P. McCullough.
H. P. McCullough.
H. P. McCullough.
H. P. McCullough.
H. P. McCullough.
Frank J. Wilder.
Edward M. Goddard.
Fred A. Howland.
the Secretary.
Gilbert A. Davis.
W. W. Stickney.
W. W. Stickney.
Frank J. Wilder.
Walter A. Dutton.
Walter A. Dutton.
Walter A. Dutton.
Mr. Deavitt moved that the Secretary be instructed to
cast a ballot for the re-election of the old board of officers.
This method of election was objected to by the Secretary
and the motion was withdrawn by the proposer without
objection. He then substituted a motion that a nominating-
committee of three be appointed and it was so voted. Presi-
dent Stickney appointed as such committee Messrs. Bar-
stow, Deavitt and Mather. Mr. Deavitt in behalf of the
committee presented the following list of officers to serve
for the year ensuing:
President, William W. Stickney, Ludlow.
Vice-Presidents, Joseph A. De Boer, Montpelier.
Horace W. Bailey, Newbury.
John E. Goodrich, Burlington.
Recording Secretary, Edward D. Field, Montpelier.
32 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Corresponding Secretaries, Edward M. Goddard,
Montpelier; Charles S. Forbes, St.
Albans.
Treasurer, William T. Dewey, Montpelier.
Librarian, Edward M. Goddard, Montpelier.
Curators, Ezra Brainerd, Addison County.
Hall Park McCullough, Bennington County.
Henry Fairbanks, Caledonia County.
John E. Goodrich, Chittenden County.
Porter H. Dale, Essex County.
Frank L. Greene, Franklin County.
Nelson Wilbur Fisk, Grand Isle County.
Carroll S. Page, Lamoille County.
Dr. George Davenport,, Orange County.
F. W. Baldwin, Orleans County.
Frank C. Partridge, Rutland County.
George L. Blanchard, Washington County.
Lyman S. Hayes, Windham County.
Gilbert A. Davis, Windsor County.
Ex-Officio.
Guy W. Bailey, Secretary of State.
Horace F. Graham, Auditor of Accounts.
George W. Wing, State Librarian.
Mr. Deavitt then moved that the Secretary be in-
structed to cast a ballot for the entire list and it was so
voted. The ballot was cast and the above named officers
were declared duly elected to serve for the year ensuing.
Mr. F. J. Wilder of Saratoga Springs presented to the
Society a large old-fashioned lock which was formerly on
the old jail in Bennington, Vermont. On motion of Dr.
Holton the Society voted its thanks to Mr. Wilder for the
gift.
33
On motion of Henry F. Field the President was author-
ized to accept in behalf of the Society the deed to the land
on which the Davenport tablet was erected and title to
the tablet itself and to express the deep thanks of the So-
ciety to the allied electrical associations for their gift and
for this fitting honor to the man who is now acknowl-
edged to have been the inventor of the electric motor.
On motion by the Secretary it was voted to include
the addresses delivered at the Davenport dedicatory exer-
cises in the next proceedings of the Society.
The Secretary read correspondence from the grand-
daughters of Aaron Iceland, Lieutenant-Governor of the
State of Vermont from 1822 to 1827, who expressed a de-
sire to present to the Society an oil painting of Mr. Le-
land. It was moved and voted that the Secretary be in-
structed to inform Mrs. E. S. Milendy and Mrs. L. R.
Wardner of Chicago, the granddaughters of Mr. Leland,
that the Society will gratefully accept this gift and will
appreciate very much having the portrait of so noble a
man to add to its collection.
He also read correspondence from Mrs. Julia A. Jack-
son, a niece of the late Hon. John A. Conant of Brandon,
relative to the possible presentation to the Society of an
oil painting of Mr. Conant. The Secretary was instructed
to inform Mrs. Jackson that it is the sincere wish of the
members of the Society present at the annual meeting
that her purpose be consummated and the portrait received
by the Society.
The following resignations from membership in the
Society were reported: Walter E. Ranger of Providence,
34 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
R. I., and M. M. Parker of Washington, D. C. On motion
they were accepted.
The Committee on Printing was instructed to secure,
if possible, the regular appropriation from the Legisla-
ture for printing the proceedings of the Society for the
year 1909-1910.
President Stickney announced the following commit-
tee appointments :
On Library: Jos. A. De Boer, H. P. McCullough, E.
M. Goddard.
On Printing: F. L. Greene, Carroll S. Page, F. W.
Baldwin.
On Finance: W. T. Dewey, H. W. Bailey, E. D.
Field.
On motion of Mr. Goddard it was voted to include
in the next printed proceedings of the Society the bibli-
ography of the publications of the Historical Society pre-
pared by Mr. Hall P. McCullough.
The meeting adjourned on motion of Mr. Goddard, to
meet at 2 p. m., November 10, 1910.
Attest: EDWARD D. FIELD,
Secretary.
ADJOURNED MEETING, NOVEMBER IO, 1910.
Pursuant to adjournment the Vermont Historical So-
ciety met in its rooms in the State Capitol at two o'clock,
Thursday afternoon, November 10, 1910.
The meeting was called to order by President William
Wr. Stickney of Ludlow.
The minutes of the meeting of October 18, 1910, were
read by the Secretary, and on motion approved.
PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL MEETING 35
A letter was received from William T. Dewey of
Montpelier declining to accept the office of Treasurer of
the Society to which he was elected at the October meet-
ing. His declination was accepted and on motion of Mr.
Goddard, Hon. Henry F. Field of Rutland was re-elected
as Treasurer of the Society for the year ensuing. Mr.
Field had previously been communicated with and very
kindly consented under the circumstances to continue the
Treasurer's work for another year.
President Stickney announced that, in order to com-
ply with the by-laws of the Society, it would be necessary
to revise the Committee on Finance. He appointed as a
new committee, Messrs. Horace W. Bailey, of Newbury,
Edward M. Goddard, of Montpelier and Carroll S. Page,
of Hyde Park.
The following named gentlemen were elected active
members of the Society: Phil Sheridan Howes, Mont-
pelier; Andrew Jackson Sibley, Montpelier; Fred G. Field,
Springfield; Henry B. Shaw, Burlington and F. H. De-
wart, Burlington.
On motion of the Secretary, the Society voted to pur-
chase from Mr. Edward M. Goddard the balance of the
edition of the reprint of the first pamphlet issued by the
Society. This pamphlet was first issued in 1846 and con-
tained the proceedings of the first meeting of the Society
in October 1840, an address by Prof. James Davie Butler
on "Deficiencies in Our History" and "The Song of the
Vermonters."
The Secretary brought to the attention of the Society
correspondence with Miss Julia A. Jackson, of Brandon,
in relation to an oil painting of her uncle, the late Hon.
36 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
John A. Conant, a widely known railroad pioneer. This
painting has been loaned to the Metropolitan Museum of
Art, of New York City, but Miss Jackson desired to have
it passed to the Society on her death or at her volition dur-
ing her lifetime. On motion of Mr. Goddard. the Sec-
retary was instructed to inform Miss Jackson that the so-
ciety would gratefully accept the portrait at any time she
sees fit to present it.
A suggestion was made by Mr. F. J. Wilder that a
public meeting be held during the coming year at some
place outside of Montpelier, Bennington being named as
the best place. The matter was referred to the Board of
Managers with authority to act if deemed advisable.
On motion the meeting adjourned to meet at 7.30
o'clock in the hall of the House of Representatives for the
public exercises of this Society.
Attest :
EDWARD D. FIELD,
Recording Secretary.
VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
PUBUC EXERCISES, NOVEMBER 10, 1910.
The Society met at 7.30 o'clocjk in the hall of the
House of Representatives as provided in the motion of
adjournment.
The meeting was called to order by President Stick-
ney and prayer was offered by Rev. Alvin W. Ford, Chap-
lain of the House of Representatives.
President Stickney, in his introductory remarks, re-
viewed the work of the Society during the past two years
PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL MEETING 37
and called to attention the urgent need of more room for
the Society's library and collections. He also made re-
port of the exercises at the unveiling of the Thomas Daven-
port Memorial at Brandon.
Following his remarks he introduced Matt Bushnell
Jones, Esq., of Newton, Mass., who gave a very scholarly
address on "The Making of a Hill Town." At the close
of Mr. Jones' paper the following resolution was proposed
by Mr. F. A. Howland and unanimously adopted by a viva
voce vote of the Society:
Resolved: That the Vermont Historical Society hereby
tenders to Matt Bushnell Jones, Esq., its sincere thanks
for his able and interesting historical address on "The
Making of a Hill Town" and requests him to furnish a
copy of the same for publication in the Proceedings of the
Society.
On motion the meeting adjourned.
Attest:
EDWARD D. FIELD,
Recording Secretary.
ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT.
Members of the Vermont Historical Society, Ladies and
Gentlemen:
Since the last public meeting of the Society two years
ago, our membership has increased from 230 to 281. If the
membership were doubled in the near future, we would be
able to do more efficient service with increased interest in
the work. During the last two years the library has shown
a material growth. The accessions have numbered 422,
some of which are pamphlets, but by far the greater part
are bound volumes. The greatest need of the Society at
present is more space for the collections and more shelf
room for the books. Much of our collection is inaccessible
owing to the crowded condition of the quarters we occupy.
The conservation of the State's history and the
preservation of related documents are of vital importance
to the whole State, in which every citizen has an interest.
The title to the property of the Society, if ever the organ-
ization ceases to exist, rests in the State itself.
The legislature of 1884 provided the State House An-
nex for the uses of the State Library, the Supreme Court,
"and the collection and library of the Vermont Historical
Society." This building is no longer of sufficient capacity
to accommodate more than one of the three objects for
which it was constructed. In 1908, the matter of securing
more commodious quarters was taken up by the Society.
A committee was appointed to consider the subject and they
PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL MEETING 39
have made some progress. At their instigation the legis-
lature of that year passed an act for investigating the need
of additional buildings for the use of the State.
But the committee provided for by the act, although
an exceedingly strong one, seems to have accomplished
nothing, and it appears that they have never been called
together. We believe that it is not too much to ask of the
present legislature that it do something practical along the
line of meeting the urgent need for a building at the Capi-
tol for the administration of justice and the State Law Li-
brary. Then the use of the Annex could be more effec-
tually devoted to the purposes of the Historical Society.
It became my pleasant duty, as president of the So-
ciety, to attend in September last at Brandon the exercises
connected with the unveiling of a marble monument, with
a bronze tablet, in memory of Thomas Davenport, the in-
ventor of the electric motor.
The memorial was erected by the Allied Electrical As-
sociation of America, and presented to this Society for its
care and keeping. It is located in the little hamlet of For-
estdale, three miles from Brandon village, where seventy
years ago Davenport labored as a blacksmith.
The public exercises were held on September 28th,
when a company of some five hundred people gathered to
do honor to the once humble but now famous inventor.
Charles E. Parker of Vergennes, president of the Ver-
mont Electrical Association, presided. The presentation ad-
dress was made by A. J. Campbell of New London, Conn.,
President of the New England section of the National
Electric Light Association, and the memorial was accepted
on behalf of the Vermont Historical Society by your Presi-
dent.
40 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The chief address of the occasion was made by Mr. T.
Commerford Martin of New York city, Secretary of the
National Light Association, who, in a manner delightfully
free from technical expressions, traced the life and scien-
tific research of Davenport from his birth in Williamstown
in 1802, to his early death at the age of forty-nine years.
The Society has voted to publish in the next volume
of its Proceedings all the addresses delivered at Forestdale,
so that a very full account of Davenport's life and work
will be accessible to every member of this Society.
Your attention is now invited to the address of the
occasion by Matt Bushnell Jones, Esq., of Newton Center,
Massachusetts, on the "Making of a Hill Town."
The Making of a Hill Town
An Address by
Matt Bushnell Jones, Esq.
of Newton Center, Mass.
Delivered before the Vermont Historical
Society on November 10, 1910, in the Hall
of the House of Representatives,
Montpelier, Vermont
THE MAKING OF A HILL TOWN.
AN ADDRESS BY MATT BUSHNELL JONES, ESQ., OF NEWTON
CENTER, MASS.
Cradled against the heart of the Green Mountains, in
a beautiful basin shut in by lofty peaks, except where the
narrow thread of a little river winds its way in and out
again, lies the town whose making has been chosen as the
subject of this paper. There is little, if anything, in its
humble history to distinguish it from a hundred other
towns in our New England states. It is not old, even
in that comparative sense in which America speaks of age,
for Washington was gathering up the reins of govern-
ment of the new republic when, in the summer of 1789, a
man of fifty-three years, with his children and his sons'
children, sought out this fertile spot and made his pitch
in the midst of a wilderness unbroken for many miles by
any human habitation. But its making is so far typical of
the foundation upon which our nation rests that its con-
sideration may not be out of place upon an occasion like
this.
Until the year named, no white person had lived with-
in its borders, nor had it been the home of aboriginal
tribes. Its solitudes were broken only by the fleeting pres-
ence of men bent on war.
Perhaps no portion of the American Continent has
seen more of strife or played a more important part in the
44 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
strategy of war than the valleys of Lake Champlain and
Lake George. Here, from the earliest days, was the chosen
battle ground of Algonquin warriors and their hated rivals
from the Long House of the Iroquois. Here passed the
latter bent upon destruction of the feeble French settle-
ments along the St. Lawrence, and here the Jesuit fathers
suffered torture. Here during sixty years of conflict be-
tween France and England for supremacy on the northern
continent, war parties came upon their cruel errands to
New England hamlets, returning hither with their
wretched captives; and here were fought the fiercest con-
flicts of the final struggle between those mighty rivals.
Here the flower of European soldiery marched to defeat
against the blue-f rocked farmers of New England; and
crumbling battlements, like the shingle on the shore, mark
the high tide of England's power over the western world.
For more than two centuries from the time when Cham-
plain's arquebus first awoke the echoes near the future site
of Ticonderoga, the valley which now bears his name was
debated ground, and between it and the New England fron-
tier on the Connecticut, war parties of both sides passed
to and fro.
Thus it came about that the territory of Vermont, fer-
tile and beautiful though it was, presented no attractive
abiding place for Indian encampments or for the Eng-
lish pioneer, and not until the close of the French 'yVar was
it fairly opened up for settlement. Beginning in 1763,
there came an influx of settlers, but it was not until the
assertion of independence and the establishment of an in-
dependent government had in some measure quieted land
THE MAKING OF A HILL TOWN 45
titles that the tide of emigration from Massachusetts, New
Hampshire and Connecticut turned toward Vermont.
And what manner of man was this first settler? Let
us pause a moment to consider, for he typifies the best of
those sturdy characters who founded this fair common-
wealth.
He was a native of Massachusetts, and his father kept
a tavern on the Boston-Albany highway, where soldiers
in the French wars were wont to linger as they journeyed
to and fro. We picture him as a lad lying of a winter
evening before the great fireplace in the living room, while
in the dim light of the flames the father and his guests,
with mugs of steaming flip in hand, related tales of war-
fare, suffering and heroism that sent the youngster shiver-
ing to his attic bed.
Truly environment played large part in his develop-
ment, for his active career began in 1755, when, as a boy of
eighteen, he marched under Shirley on the ill-starred ex-
pedition to reduce Niagara. Through the long winter at
Oswego he saw more than half his comrades die of hunger
and of cold, and in the spring he, with the survivors, was
a victim of the superior generalship of Montcalm. Com-
pelled by his Indian captors to run the gauntlet, and rescued
from them by a French woman who hid him under a cask
in her cellar, he was finally sent to France a prisoner of
war, but in sight of its very shores the transport on which
he sailed was captured by a British man-of-war and he was
brought back to his native land. He was with Amherst
at Louisbourg in 1758, and after the fall of that fortress
returned with those troops which the commander led to
46 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
reinforce Abercrombie at Lake George, where, until the
close of the war, he served as ensign in a company of Rob-
ert Rogers' Rangers, and in that matchless corps of fron-
tier fighters bore his full share of hard and perilous ex-
perience in conflict with the Indians and Frenchmen. He
participated in the terrible suffering of the expedition that
crushed the St. Francis Indians, and, after the fall of Mon-
treal, his company, with one other, was detailed to take
possession of Detroit and other outposts in the western
wilderness. From Detroit he was sent in command of
only twenty men to bring in the French garrisons from the
territory around the southern end of Lake Michigan, a
service that was successfully performed in dead of winter,
but at the cost of intense suffering.
At the age of twenty-five he was a veteran of forty
skirmishes and battles, but had received no harm.
The war ended he married, and, with his girl wife,
pushed out to the frontier town of Windsor, Vermont, to
make himself a home. Here he promptly allied himself
with the Green Mountain Boys, taking a leading part in
their struggle on the east side of the mountains.
Upon the outbreak of the Revolution he became cap-
tain of the first company of Hoisington's Rangers, and dur-
ing the Bennington campaign was made a major in Samuel
Herrick's regiment, leading the detachment that in Sep-
tember, 1777, cut Burgoyne's lines of communication at Ti-
conderoga. Two years later he was chosen a member of
the Vermont Board of War, and so continued until the close
of the Revolution. During the dark years of 1780-1781
he was in command of forces on the northern frontier of
the state, and in 1783, with rank of colonel, he commanded
THE MAKING OF A HILL TOWN 47
the little regiment raised at Governor Chittenden's request
to enforce Vermont authority among the New York sym-
pathizers in the southeasterly portion of the state.
For seven years he was the sheriff of his county, an
office that was then little less than military, and in 1786,
aided by a company of militia from his own regiment, he
dispersed the mobs that had gathered to resist the action
of the courts in Windsor County, but at the cost of wounds
that incapacitated him for many weeks.
He sat as sole delegate from Windsor in the conven-
tion that adopted a constitution for the new state of Ver-
mont, and represented his town for several years in the
General Assembly then created. He had just resigned the
highest military office in the gift of his state that he might
free himself for his fresh struggle with the wilderness,
and ranked high among the founders of the little republic
that was still knocking ineffectually at the doors of the
Union. He was withal a Christian gentleman, with virtues
proven by the test of harsh experience — a pioneer of the
type that has throughout our history made the words of
William Stoughton, spoken in 1688, still ring true: "God
sifted a whole nation that he might send choice grain into
the wilderness."
And now he turned his back upon the certainty of an
honorable old age spent in such comfort as the times could
afford, and pushed out into the primeval forest to clear up
farms for himself and his children in a township that had
been granted to him and his associates some years earlier.
Here gathered around him old neighbors and com-
panions-in-arms, an upright, God-fearing people, who
builded well the foundations of the little municipality. For
48 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
more than a generation he lived among them, the father
of the town, the leader in every sense, honored by all who
knew him, until at the ripe age of eighty-six he was
gathered to his fathers, and slept upon the little hillock
where his strong arms had rolled up his first rude cabin.
The town settled rapidly. The land was fertile and"
the men who came early persuaded their relatives and
friends to join them; in fact nearly the entire population,
prior to the year 1800, came from two communities, and
afforded but another illustration of the far-reaching effect
of kinship and neighborhood upon migratory movements.
The life was hard. Long hours of toil for every mem-
ber of the family were the rule. Food and raiment were
scarce, and must be produced in most part upon the farm.
Such necessities as iron, steel, salt, tea, spices, New Eng-
land rum and cloth for the occasional best gown were pro-
cured by barter for the ordinary products of the farm, and
for pearl ash and potash, which sold for four to five dol-
lars per hundred weight. One scarcely realizes how ex-
clusively trade was barter in those early days without turn-
ing the pages of the newspapers of the period.
One merchant says in a typical advertisement :
"I will sell groceries for good clear salts of lye, ashes,
beef cattle, butter, cheese (or even good bank bills)."
Another says : "The subscriber wishes to purchase a
few thousand bushels of potatoes, for which he will give
in exchange a quart of gin per bushel, or twenty-five cents
in English goods."
Even the editor encourages business with this summer
item: "Good butter will be received at this office in pay-
ment for newspapers, books, advertisements, etc.," and in
THE MAKING OP A HILL TOWN 49
December he announces : "Cold news ! Those who have
agreed to pay bark at this office for papers are notified that
the first snow has come/' while in the spring the poor
man, surfeited with produce, says : "Potatoes for sale. En-
quire of the printer."
But after all, barter had its advantages in view of the
uncertain state of the currency, which is well illustrated by
the following notice issued by an early Vermont merchant :
"Vermont bills and specie taken at par, Boston and other
outlandish bills at a discount as the parties can agree."
And so men chopped and burned and ploughed and
harvested; the women spun and knit, and wove; and the
boys and girls bore their full share in the general life of
hardship.
Of the professions it may be said that pettifoggers,
using the word in its old and honorable sense, flourished,
and all neighborly disputes were litigated. The musty cor-
ners of an ancient town clerk's office will yield old writs
almost by the bushel, bearing testimony to heated quarrels
before the local justice and his jury. Indeed, no change
in country life is more marked than the great decrease in
petty litigation after the middle of the last century; but a
glance at the fee bills of the period leads one to surmise
that the legal luminaries found refuge from penury only
in the length of the docket. For example; in 1812, the
fixed fee of an attorney for drawing a writ and declaration
upon a promissory note was seventeen cents, while the
sheriff's fee for serving process by reading was six cents.
In much the same position were the country doctors,
who farmed as well as physicked, often leaving plough in
furrow and riding many weary miles to minister with a
woman's tenderness to some poor sufferer. And then, even
50 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
as now, he had to meet the competition of the proprietary
medicine, flaunting its claims flamboyantly throughout the
land. Does not the following from an early Vermont news-
paper have a familiar sound?
"Dr. Kittredge's true and Genuine Bone Ointment.
The above medicine has from long experience been found
to be a safe, salutory and efficacious remedy in fractured
and dislocated bones, sprains, bruises, stiffness of the joints,
contractions of the tendons, piles, salt rheum, inflamma-
tions, burns, etc."
For five years after its settlement our township had
no political organization, but in March, 1794, the first set-
tler, who held a commission as justice of the peace, called
the first town meeting to consider the following articles
of business:
1. To choose a Moderator.
2. To choose a Town Clerk.
3. To choose Selectmen and other town officers.
4. To see if the town will suffer their swine to run
at large.
5. To act on any other business they shall think proper
to be done.
Under the last article the voters chose a committee to
"Lay out a Meeting House Spoat and other Public Yard."
• Thus did the Church tread upon the heels of the
State.
Another early piece of business was to provide for
leasing out the public lands which, in accordance with the
charter of the town, had been set apart for the support of
churches, colleges and schools, and you are all acquainted
with the quaint habendum of these leases : "To have and to
hold unto him, the said A. B., his heirs, executors and ad-
THE MAKING OF A HILL TOWN 51
ministrators, from the first day of January, 1799, so long
as wood shall grow or water run."
Of public works the earliest form, of course, was high-
ways, which were surveyed and laid out at the earliest op-
portunity. We, not unnaturally, think of them as well
established landmarks, but when one finds an official survey
a century old "beginning near the south corner of Thomas
Green's Cornfield," he wonders how our modern Highway
Commissioner establishes the boundaries of an ancient way.
The construction of roads of course made bridges neces-
sary, and it is of interest to note that in this work the master
builder could command a wage of one dollar a day, while
ordinary workmen received sixty-six cents and boarded
themselves, and this at a time when corn and wheat were
taken in payment of taxes at fifty cents and eighty-three
cents per bushel respectively.
These roads were poor, and unruly mountain streams
played frequent havoc with the frail bridges, but such as
they were they furnished outlet to the world beyond the
hills, and freight teams laden with the surplus produce of
the farms sought the big market two hundred miles away,
returning with West India goods and manufactures.
Until the Act of February, 1784, Vermont had no of-
ficial postal facilities. That act created post-offices at Ben-
nington, Rutland, Brattleborough, Windsor and Newbury,
and granted to the post riders a monopoly on their respec-
tive routes, providing also for a subsidy of two pence per
mile (increased to three pence per mile on the Bennington-
Brattleborough route) in addition to all postage collected.
At the same time the principle of governmental regulation of
public service monopolies seems to have been recognized by
52 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
a requirement that the post riders should keep an accurate
account of their "profits and emoluments," and exhibit the
same to the Governor and Council whenever requested so
to do.
With only slight extensions these were the postal facili-
ties of the state at the date of its admission into the Union,
nor were they much improved for several years thereafter.
Indeed our hill town had no facilities whatever for nearly
thirty years after its settlement, although mail could be
sent and received by traveling some twenty miles to the
shire town which was visited by the weekly stage from
Burlington to Windsor.
Next a goodly tract of land was purchased for a com-
mon, on one side of which a burying-ground was marked
out, ploughed and levelled. Here also the pound was built
"of sound logs, 30 feet square, and seven feet high, with
a sufficient door," as the vote recites. In this connection
our modern method of conducting large affairs was em-
ployed, for the contract for constructing this enclosure was
put up forthwith at vendue, and bid in at the price of six
dollars. In fact vendue was at that time a favorite method
of settling most public contracts, and not infrequently
public office that carried compensation, as, for example,
the collectorship of taxes, was put up at auction, the lowest
bidder being chosen to the office.
Politics, both state and national, played a far larger
part in the early life of our country towns than they do
to-day. The reason is not far to seek. Life moved at a
moderate pace, interests were less diversified, the press
devoted its energies almost exclusively to a presentation
of political news and comment, and succeeded in a manner
that will bear comparison with modern journalism.
THE MAKING OP A HILL TOWN 53
It is probably safe to assert that the average man
thought more deeply upon questions of government and
acted with a keener insight into underlying principles than
does the average citizen today, and the vitalizing influence
of this intelligent interest in matters political during the
formative years of our national government can scarcely
be overestimated; but on the other hand, party feeling ran
too high and was too venomous, political enmities were far
too numerous and bitter ; there was less independent voting,
and standards of political honesty were far lower than they
are today.
After the State the Church, and not much behind or
far separated from it. We have already noted that the
first town meeting made provision for the meeting-house.
The second voted "to raise 12 pounds in wheat to pay for
preaching," and a committee was appointed to procure a
preacher, but no settled minister could then be had, and for
several years the only preaching was supplied by some
itinerant preacher or missionary.
Nor was there any church edifice for more than a
decade. Annually some dwelling, or more frequently some
barn "as nigh the center as possible," was chosen as the
place of meeting, for our forefathers were great sticklers
for geographical equality. Annually, also, the struggle
was renewed to fix the site and provide the means for
building a meeting-house, until the hill faction prevailed
over the valley party and fixed upon the common as the
center.
A building committee was chosen, which soon reported
a plan for construction, and recommended that subscrip-
tions be paid one-fourth in lumber, one-fourth in neat cat-
54 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
tie, and one-fourth in wheat — concluding with the words:
"It is our opinion that the business cannot be prosecuted
with success unless one-fourth of the pay be made in cash
for the purpose of procuring nails, glass and rum for the
raising."
Meanwhile a church was gathered, and a settled min-
ister procured in the person of a graduate of Harvard
College, who labored for some years upon a salary of $166.-
67 per year, raised by a tax upon the grand list of the so-
ciety members, and paid one-half in money, and one-half
in wheat, rye, Indian corn, flax, butter, cheese, beef and
pork. To him the selectmen deeded the farm that had
been reserved by the charter for the first settled minister,
and when the youthful members of the parish made a bee
>to aid the dominie in clearing up his land, the good man
journeyed several miles to procure a liberal supply of New
England rum for their refreshment.
Soon, however, came a man of sterner mould to min-
ister to this people. Accustomed to privation as needs must
be, careless of dress, often uncouth in manner, compelled
to till a farm and teach the district school in order to eke
out the scanty salary, he nevertheless stood out a born
leader, a profound thinker, a high priest in the temple
of his God. His monument is one of Christian character
wrought among his people. He has been dead these many
years, but even now the people of the little town speak with
reverence of that early pastor.
It is doubtful if the broader views and changed ac-
tivities of the Christian Church can be more forcibly
brought home to one than by glancing at the records of
our churches of a hundred years ago, when articles of prac-
THE MAKING OF A HILL TOWN . 55
tice stood side by side with confession of faith and covenant,
and church discipline in large measure filled the place of
a court of law. Perhaps a few examples may serve to
elaborate the thought.
In 1798 a committee of the church (Congregational)
was chosen to "discourse" with Brother H. concerning an
"uneasiness" which, it appears, consisted of "uniting in
Baptist preaching"; indeed a council of neighboring
churches was called to consider the erring brother's case,
but after mature deliberation he was excused on the ground
that there was no other than Baptist preaching in the town
at the time.
A year later Brother C. complains of Brother J. that
his property and character had been injured by false testi-
mony given by the latter before a civil court. The finding
was that Brother C's character had received no injury, but
that Brother J. in giving his evidence "did not appear to be
guarded and cautious as the solemnness of the oath and the
honor or religion required"; and it was thereupon ordered
that he make an acknowledgment of his sin before the con-
gregation. Brother J. promptly asked for a re-hearing,
and this being granted, he pleaded that the church had
failed, before placing him on trial, to take the scriptural
steps set out in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, and was
in consequence itself in the wrong. This demurrer having
been decided in favor of the defendant, the church made a
public retraction, and besought his forgiveness. Brother
J's advantage was only temporary, however, for within
four days the spiritual steps^ had been duly taken, he was
again placed on trial, and promptly found guilty of having
"colored his evidence in a civil court, and of having lost
66 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
his temper when cross-questioned." He was thereupon
ordered to make a public confession, which he did in a
truly handsome manner, admitting his wrong", and beg-
ging forgiveness of his brethren and his God.
In 1809 we find the following: "Whereas there appears
to be reason to fear that our sister, Mrs. G., is in danger
of a snare by an attendance on the preaching of Methodists ;
voted that it is the duty of this church to look into the sub-
ject and give our sister that warning and counsel in the
case as the Gospel may warrant." But alas ! the wanderer
proved obdurate, and was a few years later excommunicated
for these sins. How little had a century and a half re-
moved us from the spirit of Governor Dudley's quatrain!
"Let men of God in courts and churches watch
O'er such as do a Toleration hatch,
Lest that ill egg bring forth a cockatrice
To poison all in heresy and vice."
After the State the Church; after the Church the
schools. It is but fitting, therefore, that, within a year
after the organization of a church, the first school district
in our town came into being, and that provision was made
for a school to be kept in a convenient kitchen, the expense
to be defrayed by an assessment on the district list, with the
exception that "those who send to school this ensuing win-
ter shall provide the wood according to their number of
scholars."
The record also says : "It was put to vote to see if the
district would hire Mr. S. Smith to keep school and engage
him 10 bushels of wheat, and passed in the negative."
Mr. Smith had evidently presumed too far. Other
good men and true stood ready to teach the district school
THE MAKING OF A HILL TOWN 57
without exacting such excessive pay, and the meeting there-
fore voted "To hire Mr. S. Smith to keep school if he can
be obtained without engaging him grain; otherwise to hire
Stephen Pierce."
The school established, provision was at once made
for a schoolhouse. As was almost universally the case,
its location was determined by the geographical centre of
the district and the worthlessness of the ground on which
it stood, exposed to the scorching sun of summer and the
bleak winds of winter. Indeed the tendency of those early
days to seek mere geographical convenience and the con-
sequent multiplication of districts and small schools without
reference to efficiency or economy in their management still
persists, and is a crying evil in our hill towns today.
Compare the cost of any of our modern buildings with
the appropriation order for this first schoolhouse in the
town:
"VOTED: To build a schoolhouse 24 feet x 18 feet,
with 9 foot posts, and to raise the sum of $16.66 in cash
and $30 in lumber, at the rate of $6 per thousand for
spruce boards, $5 per thousand for hemlock boards, $6 per
thousand for slit work, one penny per foot for square tim-
ber, one penny for each three feet of timber suitable for
rafters and sleepers, and $2 for shingles."
Cheap in construction and forbidding in external as-
pect, our schoolhouse was even worse within. In front,
near the entrance, stood the teacher's desk, and near at
hand the fire-place, in which smouldered the green wood
just dragged from the nearby forest. Around three sides
of the room ran a rude shelf or desk, and two rows of
backless benches, one for the larger scholars, the other for
58 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
the little tots. There was no ventilation, and doubtless
some here present have vivid recollections of the unsatis-
factory working of the primitive heating plant, for these
conditions prevailed without much variation until the mid-
dle of the last century, not only in Vermont, but through-
out New England.
At first only a winter term of school was maintained ;
this commonly commenced immediately after Thanksgiving,
and continued until the money on hand had been expended
— a period that seldom if ever exceeded three months.
After a few years a summer term, usually called a "wom-
an's school" was provided, and attended by the girls and
the smaller boys.
Constant pressure from men with small families to be
released from taxation usually resulted in a compromise.
Funds for salaries were raised by a tax on the list, and other
expenses were assessed according to the number of pupils
in each family. The law of barter of course compelled
the teacher to board around, although the custom was not
universal, and occasionally the job of boarding the teacher
was put up at vendue and knocked off to the lowest bidder
at a price varying from 66^3 cents to 75 cents a week.
A few teachers of this period stand out by reason of
their preeminent ability, but the average was low, as might
be anticipated from the wages paid. The salary of a female
teacher seldom exceeded a dollar a week, and was often
less, while the male teachers, employed to handle the win-
ter school, did not average more than ten or twelve dollars
a month. Indeed, as late as 1850, five dollars a month was
common pay for female teachers, and the average monthly
THE MAKING OF A HILL TOWN 59
compensation of male teachers throughout the state was less
than fourteen dollars.
And in what branches were these teachers called upon
to give instruction? Each district determined its curric-
ulum, and the following is a fair sample : "Voted : That
the committee be instructed to procure a teacher capable
of teaching reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar and
geography, provided such a one can be procured for any
other pay than money."
Text books existed in unending variety, for the caprice
of successive teachers and the profit of book-sellers wholly
governed their selection. These books are interesting to-
day as a source of amusement, for crude wood cuts, fables,
quaint sayings, and bits of information and advice fill their
pages. As a general rule there were few text books suited
to beginners, the transition from the alphabet to elaborate
and stately composition being far too rapid. Nor were the
lessons always clothed in language that would today be
thought proper for the budding mind, as, for example:
"Joan is a nasty girl."
"Greedy gluttons buy many dinty bits for their un-
godly guts."
"Children drink brimstone and milk for the itch."
But on the other hand note the following from Noah
Webster's spelling-book :
"A good child will not lie, swear, nor steal. He will
be good at home, and ask to read his book : when he gets
up he will wash his hands and face clean; he will comb
his hair and make haste to school ; he will not play by the
way as bad boys do."
60 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Few of our twentieth century pupils are acquainted
with the rule of three, tear and trett, single and double
fellowship, barter, and allegation medial — terms that were
in common use in the arithmetics of a century ago. Some
here present doubtless started their table of long measure
with : "Three barley corns make one inch" ; but how many
are familiar with the rule of dry measure that, "Two quarts
make one pottle; two bushels make one strike; two strikes
make one coom ; two cooms make one quarter ; four quarters
make one chaldron; five quarters make one wey; two weys
make one last."
One notes also the marked attempt in these early arith-
metics to propound dry problems in an interesting manner,
and even to reflect the customs of the time, as witness:
"Divide 4^ gals, of brandy equally among 144
soldiers."
"What length of cord will fit to tie a cow's tail, the
other end fixed in the ground, to let her have the liberty of
eating an acre of grass and no more, supposing the cow
and the tail to be five yards and one-half?"
"When hens are nine shillings a dozen, what will be the
price of six eggs at two cents for three eggs ?"
"John made three marks on one leaf of his book, and
six on another; how many marks did he make?"
"His teacher punished him for soiling the book by
giving him four blows on one hand and five on the other;
how many blows did he strike?"
"Seven boys laughed at him on one side of the house
when he was punished, and two on the other; how many
boys laughed?"
THE MAKING OF A HILL TOWN 61
A glance at the geographies of the period cannot fail
to emphasize what exploration and development have ac-
complished in a century, even in our own country.
Here is a description of the then newly acquired ter-
ritory of Louisiana:
"This territory is bounded east by the River Mississippi ;
south by the State of Louisiana ; west by some of the Span-
ish dominions and regions unknown."
Of British America or New Britain, so-called, which
included the vast Canadian territory lying east of the
Rocky Mountains and north of the present Province of
Quebec, it was said : "This extensive country is bounded on
the east by Hudson's Bay, and the Atlantick Ocean;
south by the River St. Lawrence, and Canada; west by
parts unknown ; and north by the polar regions" ; while the
following is an interesting commentary upon the state of
our great coal industry: "In some parts of our country
stone coal is used for fuel. It is dug from the earth, and
is cheaper, and some think, better than wood."
And yet these schools with their over-crowded and ill-
ventilated rooms, their crude text books, and their utter
lack of equipment, by sheer persistence did a work in the
fundamentals of a sound education that cannot fail to com-
mand the admiration of our modern educators.
But time serves no longer. The various activities of
the little town are now established, and it is prepared to run
its peaceful course. There is but one word more that I
would leave with you.
The hill town has played well its part in the grand his-
tory of our nation. Its rugged acres have nurtured thou-
sands of good men and women whose handiwork may now
62 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
be seen in this and other states. Before it was itself firm-
ly established, its sons and daughters were pushing west-
word to newly opened lands, and since that time the never
ending stream of emigration has pursued the vanishing
frontier that like the rainbow's pot of gold kept ever just
ahead. And now its population dwindles, its homes are
falling into ruins, its farms are returning to the forest, and
the cry goes up that it is a decayed and dying member.
My friends, it is not so. Those bush-grown acres
were often never meant to till ; those ruins are replaced by
better homes; that dwindling population produces more,
is better fed and educated, has wider interests, and lives a
saner, happier life than ever did its forebears.
Let it not be assumed that the hill town has no future.
There is no longer a frontier; the fleeting will-o-the-wisp
of cheap land to the westward no longer dances before our
eyes ; and no longer will the virgin soil of the prairies yield
up its hundred-fold without return. Here, at the threshold
of the markets, is the opportunity of the future, and men
will not fail to grasp it.
The tide ebbs but to flow again, and he, whose eye can
see the coming greatness of our nation, by the same token
knows that the fertile acres of the hills and valleys of Ver-
mont must play an ever growing part in its economy.
Nor is this all. The hill town is still a mother of men
— Green Mountain Men — and in the years to come, as in
the past, the moiling millions in our smoke-grimed cities
will look for clear eyed, straight thinking leaders to her
everlasting hills.
NECROLOGY
JOHN L. BACON.
John L. Bacon was born in Chelsea, June 18, 1862.
He was educated in the common schools and in St. Johns-
bury Academy. He began his business career in 1883 as
cashier of the First National Bank of Chelsea. Upon the
organization of the National Bank of White River Junc-
tion he was elected cashier and held the place until his
death. In 1884 and 1885 he was treasurer of Orange
county. He was treasurer of the town of Hartford from
1891 to 1898. In 1892 he served as representative in the
Legislature, serving on the committees on banking and in-
surance. In 1898 he was elected state treasurer and served
in that capacity until 1906. He represented Hartford in
the Legislature of 1908, serving as chairman of the appro-
priations committee. He was a trustee of St. Johnsbury
Academy and treasurer of the Ottaquechee Woolen Co.
He died April 27, 1909.
ROBERT O. BASCOM.
Robert O. Bascom was born in Orwell, Vt., Nov. 18,
1855. He was educated in the public schools and at Fort
Edward Collegiate Institute. He studied law and was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1883. He built up a large practice
and in 1905 Governor Higgins appointed him District At-
torney for Washington county to fill a vacancy. He was
reelected that fall and elected again in 1908 for a term of
three years. He was a prominent Republican and had
66 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
been chairman of the county committee of his county. He
was one of the incorporators of the New York State His-
torical Association and in 1903 was made its secretary. His
knowledge of historical matters was profound, and he had
contributed valuable monographs to the proceedings of the
association. He was one of the charter members of the
Empire State Society, Sons of the American Revolution.
He was noted as a collector of relics and curios and had
travelled extensively throughout the United States and
Mexico. He died at his home in Fort Edward, N. Y.,
May 19, 1909.
Ex-Gov. CHARLES J.
Charles J. Bell was born in Walden, March 16, 1845.
He was educated in the common schools and at the age of
17 enlisted in 1862 as a private in the Fifteenth Vermont
Infantry. He reenlisted in Company C, First Vermont
Cavalry and was made a corporal. He engaged in farm-
ing on his discharge from the army and followed that call-
ing successfully all his life. In 1882 he represented Wal-
den in the Legislature. He served in the Senate of 1894,
was railroad commissioner 1895-96; member of the Board
of Agriculture 1897-1904 and the secretary for six years;
and cattle commissioner 1898-1902. He was elected Gov-
ernor of Vermont in 1904, serving until 1906. When the
Vermont State Grange was organized in 1872 he was
elected treasurer and held the position until he was elected
master in 1894. He was a member of the national execu-
tive committee for several years. He died suddenly on a
train in New York City, Sept. 25, 1909.
NECROLOGY 67
JAMES H.
James H. Canfield was born in Delaware, Ohio, March
1 8, 1847. He was graduated from Williams College in
1868 and for the next three years was engaged in railroad
building in Iowa and Minnesota. In 1872 he was admitted
to the Michigan bar and practiced law at St. Joseph, Mich.,
1872-77. He was superintendent of schools at St. Joseph,
and becoming interested in educational work was called to
the University of Kansas in 1877 as professor of history
and English literature, which position he held until 1891.
He was chancellor of the University of Nebraska, 1891-95,
and president of the Ohio State University, 1895-99. From
1899 to his death, March 29, 1909, he was librarian of
Columbia University. He received the honorary degree of
Litt. D. from the University of Oxford. He was a mem-
ber of many learned societies and was the author of several
books, including a History of Kansas.
HIRAM CARLETON.
Hiram Carleton was born in Barre, Vermont, August
28, 1838. He gained his early education in the public
schools of his native town and was fitted for college in
the Barre Academy. After graduating from the Univer-
sity of Vermont, in 1860, he was principal of the Hines-
burgh, Vermont, Academy. Subsequently he became in-
structor and principal of the Academy at Keeseville, New
York.
He studied law with E. E. French of Barre, Vermont,
and was admitted to the Bar in 1865. For ten years he
practiced in Waitsfield, Vermont, during which time he
68 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
represented that town in the State Legislature. In the ses-
sion of 1870 he was chairman of the committee on educa-
tion when the town system of schools was adopted. In
1870-72 he was State's Attorney for Washington county.
In 1876 he removed to Montpelier, Vermont, and in 1883
he was appointed, by Governor J. L. Barstow, Judge of
Probate of the District of Washington, and held that of-
fice, by successive elections of both political parties, for
twenty-five years and until his death at Montpelier, Ver-
mont, February 24, 1909.
Judge Carleton was a member of the Vermont His-
torical Society, of which he was for ten years treasurer,
and for six years president. From 1883 till his death he
was treasurer of the Vermont Bar Association. He was
a member of the Vermont Society, Sons of the American
Revolution, and at the time of his death he was the his-
torian and a member of the obituary committee.
ROBERT M. COLBURN.
Robert M. Colburn was born in Springfield, Vt., Dec.
6, 1844. He was educated in the common schools, at Kim-
ball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H., and at Andover,
Mass. He was a farmer and held several town offices. He
represented Springfield in the Legislature of 1880 and
served on the committee on agriculture. He was one of
the directors of the First National Bank and one of the
trustees of the Springfield Public Library. He was much
interested in historical research and in all matters pertain-
ing to education. He died July u, 1904.
NECROLOGY 69
JOHN H. CONVERSE;.
John Heman Converse died on May 3, 1910. He was
born in Burlington, Vt, Dec. 2, 1840, being the eldest son
of the Rev. J. K. Converse. He received his early educa-
tion in the public schools of Burlington, and was graduated,
with honors, from the University of Vermont, in the class
of 1861. Thrown upon his own resources in early life,
he manifested from boyhood great interest in telegraphy,
stenography and railroads. After his graduation he en-
tered the office of the Burlington Daily Times and soon
became its business manager. Three years later he re-
moved to Chicago, 111., to accept the position of con-
fidential clerk to Dr. E. H. Williams, then superintendent
of the Galena division of the Chicago and Northwestern
Railroad. When Dr. Williams was made the general su-
perintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company he
placed Mr. Converse in charge of the railroad office at Al-
toona, Pa. In 1870 Dr. Williams became a member of the
firm of Burnham, Parry, Williams & Co. proprietors of
the Baldwin Locomotive Works at Philadelphia, Pa. Mr.
Converse accompanied him to that city, and three years
later, he was a member of the firm. The extraordinary
business capacity manifested by him was recognized by re-
peated promotions until 1909, when the firm was changed
to a corporation and Mr. Converse was elected its presi-
dent and held that responsible position at the time of his
death. With the accumulation of wealth Mr. Converse
became known not only for his exceptional aptitude in the
conduct of financial affairs, but also as a patron of music
and art as well as a generous contributor to social, edu-
cational and religious enterprises.
70 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
He was a member of many civil and patriotic societies
and clubs. Among these were the Vermont Society of
Colonial Wars, of which he was Governor in 1908, the
American Philosophical Society; the American Academy
of Political and Social Science; the Franklin Institute;
the Historical Societies of Pennsylvania and Vermont; the
Geographical Society of Philadelphia; the Pennsylvania
Society Sons of the Revolution; the Union League; Con-
temporary; University; the Manufacturers and Engineers
Clubs of Philadelphia; the New England Society of Penn-
sylvania, of which he was president; the Citizens Per-
manent Relief Committee and Christian League of Phila-
delphia; and, during the Spanish War, he was president
of the National Relief Commission. In 1883-85 he was
vice-president of the Philadelphia Music Festival Commit-
tee. Since 1901 a director of the Philadelphia Orchestra
Association. For many years he was director and vice-
president of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and
one of the advisory committee of the Union League Art
Club ; president of the Philadelphia Parkway and Fairmount
Park Art Association, and a member of the Board of Public
Education. He was trustee of the Presbyterian Hospital
and of the Y. M. C. A. of Philadelphia. For twenty-five
years until his death he was an active and valued trustee
of the University of Vermont.
In his religious denomination, (Presbyterian) he was,
in 1901, the Vice-Moderator of the General Assembly
and for many years the president of its board of trustees,
chairman of its evangelistic committee and the World's
Evangelistic committee, so that this church came to regard
him as "prince of laymen, not only in his liberality in
NECROLOGY 71
financing its several enterprises, but also for the personal
service he gave to it and to its institutions."
GEN. W. H.
William H. Gilmore was born in Fairlee, Oct. 17, 1839.
He was educated in the common schools, in the academies
of Thetford and Barre and in Newbury Seminary. In
December, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Eight Vermont
Volunteers and a little later was made quartermaster ser-
geant. From the close of the war until 1901 he resided
on the home farm at Fairlee. For more than thirty-nine
years he was town treasurer. He was a member of the
Legislature from Fairlee in 1878 and in 1882 he was elected
a senator from Orange county. He was a member of
Governor Barstow's staff, and in July, 1883, took a prom-
inent part in suppressing the riots at the Ely copper mines.
In 1886 he was elected quartermaster-general and in
1900 the duties of adjutant-general were added, which po-
sition he held until his death, April 18, 1910.
DR. J. HENRY JACKSON.
J. Henry Jackson was born in Brome, Que., April 19,
1844. He removed to Barre, Vt, while a boy and was
graduated from Barre Academy in 1862 and from the
medical department of the University of Vermont in 1865.
He began the practice of medicine in Stockholm, N. Y., but
returned to Barre in 1870, where he resided thereafter.
He had a large practice. In 1882 he was chosen professor
of physiology in the University of Vermont and held the
position until his death. He was one of the incorporators
72 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
of the Barre City Hospital and its president; one of the
incorporators and for several years president of the Barre
Water Company, and for several years president of the
Barre Savings Bank and vice-president of the National
Bank of Barre. He was superintendent of the Barre
schools, 1881-82, and for many years treasurer and a trus-
tee of Barre Academy. He represented Barre in the
Legislature of 1878, was elected mayor of Barre in 1903,
was one of the delegates-at-large to the Democratic Na-
tional Convention of 1892, and was Democratic candidate
for governor in 1896. He died Sept. 13, 1907.
REV. A. N. LEWIS.
Alonzo N. Lewis was born in New Britain, Conn.,
Sept. 3, 1831. He was educated in public and private
schools and was graduated from Yale University in 1852.
He was principal of Litchfield Academy, New . Hartford
High School, taught in the North Carolina Institute for
Deaf, Dumb and Blind, was principal and superintendent
of schools at Waterbury, Conn., and principal of Parker
Academy. He was admitted to the bar in 1857. In 1866
he was ordained an Episcopal clergyman and was rector
of Christ Church, Bethlehem, Church of the Messiah, Dex-
ter, Me., St. James' Church, New Haven, Conn., Holy
Trinity Church, Westport, and Christ Church, Montpelier,
Vt. He died Sept. 12, 1907.
HAMDEN W. MC!NTYRE.
Hamden W. Mclntyre was born at Randolph Centre,
Sept. 28, 1834. He was educated in the common schools
and at the Orange County grammar school. At the age
NECROLOGY
73
of 20 he went to Augusta, Me., where he worked five or
six years in the manufacture of reeds for organs. In
March, 1865, he enlisted in Company I, First New York
Veteran Cavalry, and served until the close of the Civil
War. In 1871 he went to Alaska and for ten years was
in the employ of the Alaska Commercial Company. He
then went to California, where for several years he was
in charge of large wine and brandy cellars in Napa valley.
Later he superintended the vineyards and wine making on
the estate of the late Leland Stanford, at Vina, Cal. In
1894 he returned to Randolph. He was engaged in the
electro-plating business and with his brother organized
and managed the Randolph telephone exchange. In 1900
he represented Randolph in the Legislature. He died
Sept. 19, 1909.
JOHN H.
John H. Merrifield was born in Newfane, June 12,
1847. He was educated in the common schools and at
Springfield Wesleyan Seminary. He was engrossing clerk
in the Legislatures of 1874 and 1878, second assistant clerk
of the House in 1882 and 1888, first assistant clerk in 1890,
and clerk in 1892 and 1894. He was a member of the
House in 1878, 1880, 1902 and 1904, being speaker the last
two terms. He was a member of the Senate in 1896. In
1897 he was appointed county clerk for Windham county.
He died Dec. 29, 1906.
RT. REV. JOHN S. MICHAUD.
John Stephen Michaud, Bishop of the Roman Catholic
Diocese of Burlington, was born at Burlington Nov. 24,
74 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
1843, where he attended the parochial and commercial
schools. His father having died when the lad was young,
early employment was necessary and he worked in the
Burlington lumber mills from the age of 12 until he was
21. In September, 1865, he went to Montreal College to
resume his studies, going later to Holy Cross College, at
Worcester, Mass., where he was graduated with high honors
in 1870. He continued his studies at St. Joseph's Theo-
logical Seminary, Troy, N. Y., and June 7, 1873, he was
elevated to the priesthood. His first parish was Newport,
and the neighboring missions of Albany, Barton and Lowell,
and churches were provided for each of these towns. In
May, 1879, he was recalled to Burlington to have charge
of the construction of St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum which
he completed in 1883. At Winooski he constructed a
pastoral residence while in charge of the parish. In the
fall of 1885 he assumed charge of the parish at Benning-
ton and erected one of the finest churches in northern New
England. Father Michaud was made coadjutor bishop
April 4, 1892, and became bishop upon the death of Bishop
DeGoesbriand. He was very successful in this important
office and the church grew and prospered under his admin-
istration. In the fall of 1908 he was taken ill and made
a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, hoping to be benefited,
but his improvement was not permanent and he died in a
New York hospital Dec. 22, 1908, while on his way home.
JAMES T. PHELPS.
James T. Phelps was born at Chittenden, Vt., May 24,
1845, and died in Brookline, Mass., Dec. 8, 1908. He was
educated in the public schools, and at 13 years of age en-
NECROLOGY 75
tered the employ of the National Life Insurance Co. For
many years he was the Massachusetts representative of the
company, and at the time of his death he was a director
and vice-president of the company. He was president of
the Boston Life Underwriters' Association, 1887-88.
PROCTOR.
Redfield Proctor, who died in Washington, March 4,
1908, was born in Proctors ville, Vermont, June i, 1831.
He was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1851, tak-
ing his Master's Degree three years later. Studying law
at the Albany Law School he was admitted to the Bar
in 1859. Until his enlistment in the Third Vermont Regi-
ment in June, 1861, he practiced with his cousin, Hon.
Isaac F. Redfield, at Boston, Mass. As an army officer he
was brave, efficient and honest, and deserved promotion
followed; first a Lieutenant, then an appointment on the
staff of Gen. "Baldy" Smith, in Sept., 1861, then Major of
the Fifth Vermont Regiment and last as Colonel of the
Fifteenth Regiment in Sept., 1862. After he was mustered
out of service in August, 1863, he resumed his law prac-
tice with Judge W. G. Veazey until 1869, when he entered
upon a more active business life as manager of the
Sutherland Falls Marble Co., near Rutland. In 1880 the
Vermont Marble Co. with Col. Proctor as president, was
organized. This company eventually became, under his
efficient management, the largest industry in the State
and the largest marble concern in the world.
Col. Proctor's public career began with his election as
selectman of Rutland in 1866. The year following he rep-
resented that town in the State Legislature. In 1874 he
76 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
was elected State Senator. His valuable services and
prominence in the Assembly resulted in his nomination and
election as Lieutenant-Governor in 1876, and Governor in
1878. In all of these public positions his foresight and
ability for constructive legislation were especially recog-
nized and approved. In March, 1889, Gov. Proctor was
called to the cabinet of President Harrison as Secretary of
War. The responsible duties of this office he discharged
with signal ability. On Dec. 7, 1891, he resigned from the
cabinet to accept the appointment, by Gov. Page, of U. S.
Senator to fill the unexpired term of Senator George F. Ed-
munds, who had retired. In October, 1892, he was elected
to the same position for the remainder of the term ending
March 4, 1893, and for the full term ending March 4, 1899.
In 1898 he was re-elected for the full term ending March 4,
1905, and again re-elected for the term ending March 4,
1911. Senator Proctor was a member of the Vermont His-
torical Society and was one of the charter members of the
Vermont Society, Sons of the American Revolution and
its president for one year.
DANIEL W. ROBINSON.
Daniel Webster Robinson, who died at Burlington,
Dec. 24, 1909, was born in Nashua, N. H., October 13,
1843. His early education was obtained in the public
schools of his native town, and he was graduated from a
Commercial College in Boston, Mass. He then entered
the office of Pierce and McQuestion, lumber dealers in
Nashua, and continued with their successors, Messrs.
Cross and Tolles. Removing to Burlington, Vt., he en-
tered the employ of Lawrence Barnes & Co., of which firm
NECROLOGY 77
he became a member in 1878. In 1897, when the Burling-
ton business of this company was sold to the Robinson,
Edwards Lumber Co., incorporated, Mr. Robinson was
elected its president and so continued until his death.
From 1886 to 1904 he was a director and vice-presi-
dent of the Howard National Bank of Burlington. When
the Burlington Trust Co. was organized in 1883, Mr.
Robinson was elected a director and for the last ten years
of his life he was its vice-president. In 1893 he received
the appointment of commissioner from Vermont to the
World's Columbian Exposition. He was a member and
for two years the Governor of the Vermont Society of
Colonial Wars, in right of descent from William Hack, of
Taunton, Mass., and from William Robinson of Dor-
chester, Mass., a member of Ancient and Honorable
Artillery of Boston, Mass., in 1643, and when he died he
held office of Deputy Governor of the General Society. He
was one of the earliest members of the Vermont Society
of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was presi-
dent of this society in 1895-96. He was a member of the
Vermont Historical Society, of the National Geographic
Society, of the Algonquin Club of Burlington, of which
he was president in 1897, and of other fraternal and social
societies and clubs.
HENRY L. SHELDON.
Henry L. Sheldon was born in Middlebury, Vt., Aug.
1 5th, 1821, and died in Middlebury, Feb. 28, 1907. From
1841 to 1850 Mr. Sheldon was in business in Vergennes
and Middlebury. From 1850 to 1853 he was mail-agent
on the Rutland and Burlington railroad when he accepted
78 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
a position in the post-office at Middlebury. Resigning in
1856 he removed to Nebraska and was postmaster for a
time in Oteo. Returning to Vermont he was station-
agent at Middlebury until 1862. He held the office of
town clerk of Middlebury for twenty-five years. Becom-
ing early interested in antiquarian work he gathered a
large and valuable collection which he eventually placed
in the control of the corporation known as "The Sheldon
Art Museum and Historical Society" to be permanently
continued under the management of a board of trustees.
A devout member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church for
over sixty years, for more than one-half of which period
he was the church organist, he was for many years a mem-
ber of its vestry and parish treasurer. He was a member
of the Vermont Historical Society and of the Vermont
Society, Sons of the American Revolution.
EDGAR O.
Edgar O. Silver was born in Bloomfield, Vt., April
17, 1860, and grew up as a farmer's boy. He fitted for
college at Waterville, Me., and was graduated from Brown
University. He was employed for two years by the pub-
lishing house of D. Appleton & Co., and then for a year
was associated with H. E. Holt, author of a series of music
books for school use. In 1886 he^ established the firm of
Silver, Rogers & Co., which was succeeded in 1888 by the
firm of Silver, Burdett & Co. In 1892 it was made a cor-
poration and Mr. Silver became president of this great
publishing house. He was a trustee of Brown University,
Providence, R. I., of Roger Williams University, Nash-
ville, Tenn., of Derby Academy, Derby, Vt., chairman of
the board of trustees of Shaw University, Raleigh. N. C.,
president of the American Institute of Applied Music, New
York, president of the board of corporators of Peddie In-
stitute, Hightstown, N. J., member of the executive board
of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, president
of the New Jersey Baptist Social Union, director of the
Century Bank, New York, and a member of the New York
Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Silver died at East Orange,
N. J., Nov. 18, 1909, and burial was at Derby, Vt., where
he owned a fine farm.
BRADLEY B. SMAIXEY.
Bradley Barlow Smalley was born in Jericho, Ver-
mont, Nov. 26, 1835. His father, Hon. D. A. Smalley,
an eminent lawyer and Judge of the United States Dis-
trict Court of Vermont for twenty years, removed to Bur-
lington, Vermont, in 1839, and in the schools and academy
of that town Colonel Smalley received his early education.
He was admitted to the bar in 1863, but was never an ac-
tive practitioner. He held the office of clerk of the United
States District and Circuit Courts from 1861 to July, 1885,
and of United States Commissioner from 1861 to 1896,
discharging his official duties with faithfulness and ability
which characterized all of his public work. He was a mem-
ber of the Vermont Legislature in 1874 and 1878, and held
several of the municipal offices of his city. An active and
influential member of the Democratic party, he was for
many years prominent in its State and National councils,
as well as in its Presidential campaigns from 1876 to 1892,
being delegate to its National Conventions in 1872, '76, '80,
and '84. He held the office of United States Collector of
80 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Customs from 1885 to 1889, and from 1893 to 1897. He
was a director of the Central Vermont Railroad Company
to the time of its re-organization, the Rutland Railroad Com-
pany, and of the Southeastern system of railroads. At
various times he was president of the Montpelier & White
River Railroad Company; the Ogdensburgh and Lake
Champlain Railroad Company; and the Montreal and
Province Railroad Company. He was one of the com-
missioners from Vermont to the World's Columbian Ex-
position. For many years he was first director and then
president of the Burlington Trust Company and was con-
nected prominently with many of the leading commercial
industries of Burlington. Colonel Smalley was one of the
charter members of the Algonquin Club of Burlington ; of
the Society of Colonial Wars and of the Military Order of
the Loyal Legion. He was also a member of the Vermont
Society, Sons of the American Revolution, and of the Ver-
mont Historical Society. He died at Burlington, Vermont,
Nov. 6, 1909.
CHARLES A. SMITH.
Charles Albert Smith was born November 6,
in Waitsfield, Vermont. At the time of his death, which
occurred June 19, 1908, he was a resident of the city of
Barre, Vermont. His ancestors were among the first set-
tlers of Connecticut. A father and three sons of a fourth
and fifth generation later came to Vermont and helped to
settle the town of Brookfield, Vermont. After spending
his early life in Waitsfield, he entered Barre Academy
under Dr. Jacob S. Spaulding, graduating from that in-
NECROLOGY 81
stitution in 1870. He entered the University of Vermont,
class of 1874, but was unable on account of ill health to com-
plete his course. Returning to Barre, he entered upon a
business career which became his life work. Mr. Smith
was a trustee of Barre Academy and the clerk of the board.
He was prominent in the movement to organize the
graded school system in Barre, and a member of the com-
mittee which designed and erected the Spaulding School
building. He served several terms on the board of
assessors of the city of Barre and was long a member of
the Barre Congregational Church, for which he served as
clerk, as treasurer, as a member of the executive commit-
tee and as superintendent of the Sunday School. For
many years he was treasurer of the Vermont Bible So-
ciety, and was also a member of the Vermont Historical
Society and the Vermont Society, Sons of the American
Revolution.
FREDERICK E. SMITH.
Frederick Elijah Smith was born in Northfield, Vt,
June u, 1830, and died at Montpelier, Vt., Feb. 24, 1907.
Educated at the public schools he was graduated from
Newbury Seminary and at once engaged in the drug busi-
ness at Northfield, Vt., until 1848, when he removed to
Montpelier. For eight years, previous to Aug. 1861, he
conducted a successful drug business in Montpelier when
he was appointed by Gov. Fairbanks to take charge of the
supplies, etc., of the camp of the 6th Vt. Vols. The same
year he was sent to the Army of the Potomac to make set-
tlements with the Vermont Regiments and while thus en-
gaged he was made Regimental Quartermaster of the 8th
82 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Vt. Vols. In Sept. 1862 he was appointed to the staff of
Brig.-Gen. Weitzel, as Brigade Commissary and served
two years when he resigned from the service and returned
to Montpelier in May, 1865. The following year he re-
moved to New York City and engaged in mercantile busi-
ness. Returning to Montpelier in 1872 he became inter-
ested in manufactures. He was elected a director of the
Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Co. and subsequently its
vice-president and president. In 1891 he resigned on ac-
count of ill health. In 1895 he was again elected presi-
dent of the company and continued in that office until his
death. He held many offices of trust in several corpora-
tions, was State senator, trustee of Norwich University,
of the Soldiers' Home, and of the schools of the Episcopal
Diocese of Vermont, and for many years he was a mem-
ber of the standing committee of the Diocese and warden
of Christ Episcopal Church at Montpelier. He was a
member of the Vermont Society, Sons of the American
Revolution and of the Vermont Historical Society.
EDWARD WELLS.
Edward Wells was born in Waterbury, Vt., Oct. 30,
1835, and died in Miami, Fla., Feb. 19, 1907. After re-
ceiving a public school education and graduating from the
Bakersfield Academy, he at once entered upon a clerkship
in Montpelier, Vt. At the end of three years he returned
to Waterbury and was employed in his father's wholesale
flour store. In 1850 he went to Kansas, but finding his
health seriously affected by the climate he returned to his
former position in Waterbury. In Sept. 1861 he enlisted
in the 5th Vt. Vols. On account of his superior qualifica-
NECROLOGY 83
tions he was detailed as clerk in the Quartermaster's De-
partment, and there remained until his discharge in 1864.
Returning home he was, for four years, principal clerk
in the State Treasurer's office at Montpelier, when he de-
cided to remove to Burlington, Vt., and enter the employ
of Henry & Co., wholesale manufacturers and dealers in
drugs. On the establishment of the firm of Wells, Rich-
ardson & Co. in the same business, he became the head
partner and on the incorporation of the company, in 1882,
he was elected its president and held that office until his
death. He was president of the Burlington Trust Co., and
of the Home for Aged Women ; vice-president of the Bur-
lington Safe Deposit Co. and of the Burlington Cotton
Mills and trustee of the Fletcher Free Library Fund.
From 1890 to 1892 he was city representative in the Ver-
mont Legislature. He was a member of the Vermont His-
torical Society and the Vermont Society, Sons of the
American Revolution.
HENRY A. WIU,ARD.
Henry A. Willard was born in Westminster, Vt., May
14, 1822. He was educated in the common schools and at
Walpole (N. H.) Academy. At the age of 16 he began
work in a store at Bellows Falls. Later he secured em-
ployment in Chase's Hotel at Brattleboro. From there he
went to Troy, N. Y., where he secured a position as stew-
ard on a Hudson river steamboat. Becoming acquainted
with the owner of the City Hotel at Washington Mr. Wil-
lard purchased the property in 1847 an^ changed the name
to the Willard Hotel. In 1853 his brother Joseph was
taken into partnership and in a few years it became the
84 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
leading hotel of the city. When Abraham Lincoln came
to Washington to be inaugurated in 1861 he put up at Wil-
lard's Hotel. During the Civil War he was a loyal sup-
porter of the Union cause. He retired from active hotel
management in 1861. President Grant appointed him
vice-president of the Washington Board of Public Works.
He was president of the Columbia Street Railroad Com-
pany from 1873 to 1889, and was one of the organizers of
the Columbia Fire Insurance Company. In 1867 he organ-
ized the National Savings Bank and became its first presi-
dent. For many years he was vice-president of the Na-
tional Metropolitan Bank, was a director of the American
Security and Trust Company, vice-president of the Gar-
field Memorial Hospital, a member of the Washington
Monument Society, the Washington Association of Ver-
monters and many other organizations. He died at the
summer home of his son in Walpole, N. H., Dec. 4, 1909.
Proceedings
at the
Unveiling of the Memorial Tablet
In Memory of
Thomas Davenport
At Forestdale in Brandon
September 28, 1910
THOMAS DAVENPORT
31
The Ninth Annual Meeting of the Vermont Electrical
Association was in session at Brandon on September 28,
1910, in conjunction with the New England section of the
National Electric Light Association. The two bodies, as-
sociated with the Vermont Historical Society, had planned
an observance of Davenport Day at this time to com-
memorate the inventor and the invention of the electric
motor. A tablet of bronze on a marble block had been
placed at Forestdale in Brandon, where Davenport's early
work was done. The tablet bore the following inscription:
IN MEMORY OF
THOMAS DAVENPORT
18O2-1851
THE INVENTOR OF THE
ELECTRIC MOTOR
NEAR THIS SPOT STOOD THE
BUILDING WHERE HE DEVELOPED
HIS INVENTION
THIS TABLET IS PLACED HERE BY
ALLIED ELECTRICAL ASSOCIATIONS
OF AMERICA IN RECOGNITION OF THE
GREAT SERVICE RENDERED MANKIND
BY THE INVENTION, TO THE DEVELOP-
MENT OF WHICH HE DEVOTED
HIS LIFE
ERECTED SEPTEMBER 28, 191O
90 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Mr. Charles E. Parker of Vergennes, President of the
Vermont Electrical Association, occupied the chair, and
the tablet was unveiled with appropriate exercises.
PROGRAM.
SEPTEMBER 28, 1910.
Afternoon : Unveiling of the Davenport tablet at
Forestdale by Mrs. A. J. Campbell and Miss Frances
Davenport.
Prayer by the Rev. W. G. Davenport of Washington,
D. C.
Presentation of tablet by Mr. A. J. Campbell of New
London, Connecticut, President of the New England Sec-
tion of the National Electric Light Association.
Acceptance by Ex-Governor Stickney on behalf of
the Vermont Historical Society.
Address by Mr. T. Commerford Martin of New York,
Secretary of the National Electric Light Association.
PRESIDENT CAMPBELL'S PRESENTATION.
Mr. President: —
History — American history, of the most stirring kind
was made in these your Green Mountains. The story of
the great fight for a principle, and the tales of personal
encounters and daring exploits must thrill generations to
come, as they have thrilled Americans, from the days of
the Green Mountain Boys to the present.
But we are making history today, that is just as far
reaching in its effects although less stirring and exciting.
We are building up a great social and industrial democracy,
we are daily making greater and greater use of the forces
UNVEILING OF DAVENPORT MEMORIAL TABLET 91
of nature, and are extending- their benefits and conveniences
for the common use of all men, and are slowly, step by
step, through the arts of peace rather than of war, bring-
ing about that equality of men for which our forefathers
fought and upon which our republic is founded. It is
therefore altogether fitting that in this place, and amid
these mountains, which are the scene of so many brave
deeds, the man, Thomas Davenport, whose memory we
honor today, should have lived and wrought, and by his
inventive genius have helped in the history making of the
present generation. For a man whose invention has aided
in the creation of this industrial democracy and has helped
compel any of the forces of nature to work for the benefit
of mankind, has contributed just as truly to history, as
those brave men who risked their lives for their own in-
dependence and that of their country.
It is proper, therefore, that we should honor this man,
and preserve his memory, and to that end this stone and
tablet have been erected jointly by the Vermont Electrical
Association, the Vermont Historical Society, and the New
England Section of the National Electric Light Associa-
tion. We, of the electric interests, have perhaps profited
more directly and appreciate more fully, what this man
did, but to your society falls the pleasant and inspiring
task of seeing that honor is given where it is due. To
you, Sir, as President of the Vermont Historical Society,
I will deliver this deed, which will place in your charge
that stone and tablet erected to the memory of Thomas
Davenport, knowing that you will take care of them with
the same pains that you devote to the preservation of the
monuments erected to commemorate the Green Mountain
Boys and their brave exploits.
92 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
But you will do more than this. As the monuments
and relics that are in your charge are but the outward and
remaining visible tokens of an indomitable spirit that
fought for the right and for independence, so this stone
and this tablet but serve to tell us of a mind that conceived
and a spirit that persevered. And it is the memory of these
that I really place in your charge, knowing that you will
devote to its preservation the same zeal and the same
pride that you show in keeping alive the spirit that ani-
mated the men who pioneered and fought and died in this,
your beloved state of Vermont.
EX-GOVERNOR STICKNEY'S ACCEPTANCE.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: —
Vermont, although small in area and rugged with
hills, has a history rich in achievement both in war and in
peace. The Vermont Historical Society has for its ob-
ject the collection and conservation of the State's history.
In the seventy years or more of its existence, the society
has done much to rescue from oblivion for the use of fu-
ture generations records, traditions, and mementoes bear-
ing upon the lives of her early settlers, her writers, her
statesmen, and her soldiers.
But men deserving of honor are found in every walk
of life. To-day it is the pleasant duty of the society,
through its representatives to join with you in honoring
the memory of Thomas Davenport, the inventor of the
electric motor.
His name is no longer confined within State limits,
his fame has become world-wide. The recognition of his
genius has been tardy, but this generation is beginning
UNVEILING OF DAVENPORT MEMORIAL TABLET 93
to appreciate the greatness of his achievement, and to ac-
knowledge the permanent worth of his service. For his
inventions have resulted in awakening a sleeping giant by
making application of a motive power which seems destined
to revolutionize the methods of propelling machinery and
to increase the facilities of transportation. His work in
many ways has contributed to the benefit and uplift of
humanity at large. Not the least of his legacy to mankind
is the force of his example. A man pinched by poverty
and with limited facilities for experiment, but with un-
daunted courage, with singleness of purpose and with en-
during tenacity, he succeeded in compelling nature to re-
veal to him her secrets.
Now in the name and on behalf of the Vermont His-
torical Society, I accept the tablet here dedicated to the
memory of Thomas Davenport. May this memorial so
fittingly given be secure in our care and keeping in all the
future. Let it stand here in all the days of the years to
come, telling the story of the Williamstown blacksmith,
who turned obstacles into opportunities. Let it point the
moral that he only is great who serves his fellowmen.
The address of the occasion was then delivered by
T. Commerford Martin as follows:
SECRETARY MARTIN'S ADDRESS.
Ladies and Gentlemen: —
A nation that spends as much every year for electricity
as for daily bread may well entertain sentiments of reverence
towards its pioneers in the electrical arts. That part of
our country which has given birth to some of the most
notable of these pioneers may also well exhibit special
pride in the fact, and signalize it in appropriate manner.
It is indeed remarkable that New England has to her
credit a wonderful list of electrical worthies, and through
them has forever set, deep and imperishable, a stamp on
American invention and industry as distinctive and unmis-
takable as the imprint of her poets in literature and her
statesmen in politics. No other geographic division blends
these merits in equal degree with New England. To Massa-
chusetts as natives of Boston we owe Benjamin Franklin,
who snatched the lightning from the clouds ; and Morse,
who as father of the telegraph, made the lightnings talk.
To her also we owe Cyrus Field? the great creator of sub-
marine cables and his brilliant nephew, the electric dynamo
and railway pioneer, Stephen D. Field, both natives of
Stockbridge. From North Adams also came Frank Julian
Sprague, to whom more than any other man is due our pre-
eminence in the art and industry of electric traction on
railroads and of electric elevators in buildings. To the
Wallace family of Ansonia, Connecticut, we are indebted
for the development of our electrical wires and cables, and
for the production of our first lighting dynamos and arc
AN APPRECIATION OF THOMAS DAVENPORT 95
lamps. From Boscawen in New Hampshire, came Moses
Gerrish, farmer, inventor and founder of the modern fire
alarm system and original discoverer of the modern self-
exciting dynamo principle so fundamental in all our work.
And while neither Edison or Bell was a native New Eng-
lander, it was in Boston that Edison made and patented his
first invention and in Boston that Bell gave to the world the
telephone and the art of electrical speech transmission. At
Lynn for a quarter of a century, also, Elihu Thomson has
been producing with lavish genius one beautiful invention
after another in electric light, power, heat and measure-
ment.
Only yesterday I received a letter from Randolph, Ver-
mont, from Mr. A. B. Chandler, President of the Postal
Telegraph system, informing me that he is a native of this
state. This veteran has been the successful organizer of
the only competing telegraph system that ever survived
in the United States ; while he and Charles Tinker, another
Vermonter, and one of the chiefs of the Western Union
system, were President Lincoln's confidential telegraphers
at the White House during the whole Civil War. There
were four such men, and it is singular to say the least that
two of them should have been Green Mountain Boys.
This is surely a noble record of illustrious names and
rich achievements well distributed among sister states; but
my special duty and honor today is to add thereto with
emphasis, in this region where he lived and dreamed and
suffered and wrought, the name of Thomas Davenport
of Brandon, Vermont, the first American patentee and
builder of the electric motor; the first man in all time to
apply electric power to the operation of railways ; the
96 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
first man in the world to hitch together those two tremen-
dous forces, electricity and the printing press. Seen from
the industrial standpoint it is significant that his patent if
in force to-day, would embrace every one of the millions
of electric motors now in service in the United States,
whose royalties would constitute an income equal to any-
thing enjoyed by Rockefeller or Carnegie. That we have
escaped such a gigantic monopoly is something on which
we, and perhaps even the descendants of Davenport, are
to be congratulated ; but it would have been a merciful dis-
pensation if the bitter bread of struggle and disaster eaten
all the years of his short life by this extraordinary genius,
this prophetic village blacksmith, could have been sweetened
with the merest modicum of the vast wealth that his glow-
ing conceptions have helped to create for the benefit of us
all.
Thomas Davenport was born at Williamstown, Orange
County, Vermont, a descendant in direct line of the Daven-
port family conspicuous in the early annals of the New
Haven Colony. He was eighth in a family of eleven, and
it ma.y not be an impertinence to suggest that neither New
England nor Vermont is likely to breed more like him until
it resumes the good old habit of such large families, not
merely to enjoy these fair hills and pastures but to go
out and conquer the world at large. Thomas was only
ten when his father died, only fourteen when he was ap-
prenticed to the blacksmith trade. A farmer's son in those
days had to depend for education on the little red school
house. To-day, perhaps, a Vermont farm boy is lucky if
he finds the little red school house in existence nearby.
All the formal education that Davenport got was for six
weeks a year} for a briefly indefinite number of years, in
AN APPRECIATION OF THOMAS DAVENPORT 97
a common district school house in a remote mountain town.
But he did get hold of some fragmentary portions of a
scientific book, and as he blew the bellows, so with it he
fed and fanned the fires of his intellect. Meantime he
lived at Forestdale, then a center for a little iron industry,
the blast furnace being located there doubtless because of
the availability of charcoal. He was a slender, thoughtful
lad, and never appears to have been in very robust health.
The whole drift of his thought is indicated by the fact
of having made the acquaintance of another clever young
fellow named Orange A. Smalley, wagon builder and
wheelwright, he formed the ambitious plan of going from
place to place to deliver experimental scientific lectures.
The question of apparatus came up, and very naturally
with the discussion came the wonderful "galvanic magnet"
of Joseph Henry in operation at the Penfield Iron Works
at Crown Point, only twenty miles away, for sifting mag-
netic iron ore. This magnet it was rumored, would hold
up a blacksmith's anvil, like Mahomet's Coffin between
heaven and earth, and Davenport determined to see it and
get one. During the intervening years the peripatetic lec-
ture scheme seems to have been wholly abandoned, a rea-
son being found in his settlement at Brandon in 1823 as an
independent working blacksmith and his marriage in 1827
to Emily Goss, of that town, a beautiful girl of seventeen,
granddaughter of the famous American traveler and ex-
plorer, Jonathan Carver. Under such stimulus he worked
hard at his trade, prospered and built himself a brick house.
He was altogether in a fair way to accumulate a com-
fortable property, for he was intelligent, sober, upright,
diligent; but electro-magnetism was his undoing. We
98 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
might almost call it "malicious electro-magnetism." Go-
ing to the Penfield works in 1833 with $18 to buy iron for
his business, he spent the money there instead in buying
an electro-magnet and batteries. The iron was needed at
the shop, but how much more he needed that magnet-
We must even yet extend our retrospective sympathy to
the Vermonters with wagons and buggies at his door then
awaiting treatment. But shall we pity Davenport putting
behind him material welfare for the sake of a wild fancy?
As he handled the primitive little equipment "like a flash"
he says "the thought occurred to me that here was an
available power which was within the reach of man." Yes
it was there, and his was the superb divination of genius
to detect it. He was like another Saul hunting down his
father's asses and finding a kingdom. Again, I ask, shall
we pity him, or shall we not regard him as another of those
who have come out of great tribulation to attain lofty
ideals ? — another of the Immortals selected in some mysteri-
ous way to be the leaders of the race, the fire bringers?
Certainly from the materialistic point of view, that mag-
net was a curse, like those legendary possessions inflicting
injury upon their fatuous owners. Never again was
Davenport to know peace of mind. Never again were his
family to enjoy a home of comfort. Indeed they were
called upon to share his sacrifices. It was supposed, in
those days that wire needed silk for insulation. His brave
young wife took her silk wedding gown, cut it into narrow
strips, and with them were wound the coils of the second
motor which in October, 1835, he showed in successful
operation upon the judges' bench in the courtroom at Troy,
New York. Wifely devotion could hardly go much far-
ther. We are told that when Palissy, the famous French
99
potter, was close upon the discovery of his beautiful enamel,
he used up the furniture of his home and tore down the
very woodwork lining the walls to feed the fires of his
kiln. Madame Palissy protested and remonstrated, and
it is not to be urged against her that she was unreasonable.
But while our respectful sympathy goes forth to Madame
Palissy our admiring love is won by Mrs. Davenport. Later
on Davenport learned that silk was not so essential but that
cotton wound wire would do. Thus the simple machinery-
used to cover the wire in our grandmothers' poke bonnets
and crinolines was equally serviceable in the electrical arts.
There has always been a close and curious relationship be-
tween electricity and "the Sex," and it is largely through
such work as that of Davenport that womankind are being
emacipated from all manner of domestic toil. All electrical
apparatus is peculiarly susceptible to female manipulation,
and it is not merely because it has to do with conversation
that the telephone service is to-day almost entirely carried
on by women.
Of course the inventor had friends in all his struggles,
though many of them, including his shrewd and kindly
father-in-law, urged him to quit and settle down to the com-
monplaces of life. Others like the talented Smalley worked
with him awhile, and then drew off. One of his strongest
supporters was Ransom Cook, a furniture manufacturer
of Saratoga Springs, who gave Davenport for some years
the aid of his purse, and the assistance of his unusual me-
chanical ability. From Professor Turner, of Middlebury
College; from President Eaton of the Rensselaer Polytech-
nic Institute; from General Van Rensselaer, of Troy;
from Professor Henry, of Princeton; he received generous
and substantial help, all of them appreciating that this shy
100 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
untutored genius had made one of the greatest advances
in physics and mechanics. Everywhere he got good advice
and compliments, but such work required more than any-
thing else the backing of real money. Going sanguinely
to Washington in 1835 to secure a patent on his first motor
— he had already built about a dozen — he was obliged to
return home penniless, his errand unaccomplished, like
Mark Twain's politician who drove to the National Capi-
tal in a four-in-hand to get his appointment and then after
months of weary waiting slunk away on foot — without it.
Time and again we find Davenport playing the part of a
showman, glad to pick up a few casual dollars in that way ;
but at no time getting out of financial difficulties or plant-
ing his feet firmly on the rock of commercial success. It
must have been heartbreaking, and some of his letters show
how the iron entered his soul. But his work never ceased,
his interest never flagged, amid all vicissitudes. He re-
mained an inventor to the end of his brief life in 1851,
only 49 years of age, in the retirement of an invalid on a
small farm at Salisbury, Vermont. The very year of his
death he was engaged on some beautiful and successful ex-
periments directed to producing and sustaining the vibra-
tion of piano strings by electro-magnetism, being again a
pioneer in the application of electricity to music. He was
also engaged throughout his life in the invention and im-
provement of primary batteries, devising various types of
plates and solutions.
And now for a brief glance at what Davenport ac-
tually did, a review of the reasons that warrant the erec-
tion of this memorial. There is always the danger of
claiming too much for an inventor of the pioneer type;
there is always the temptation to read into his record that
101
which belongs only to later years when an art has been per-
fected by a multitude of men and by the courageous ven-
turing of capital on perilous enterprises. When Daven-
port came on the scene, Faraday and Henry had already
done their great work ; and the principles of both the elec-
tric generator and the electric motor had been clearly per-
ceived and enunciated. Yet there were no real motors be-
fore Davenport's time, and had the dynamo then been
known his work would have been carried to instant fruition.
Davenport and others much later than he failed of the goal
because they had no ready source of cheap current, and
because the double function of the motor, its reversibility,
so that if operated by exterior power it would generate
current, was unknown. It is at least twenty times as cost-
ly to use up zinc in a battery as to get the same equivalent
electrical energy from coal driving a steam engine con-
nected to a dynamo. In Davenport's day they had not
learned to convert either the energy of steam or that of the
waterfalls into electric current; and thus all the electrical
arts lingered and languished, except telegraphy. The rea-
son is simple. Beginning at the same time as Davenport,
and deriving it would seem, both suggestion and inspira-
tion from his apparatus, Morse was able to make practical
the art of communicating intelligence because it took such
a small amount of energy to transmit signals by dots and
dashes, over a wire. But when Davenport told the great
Joseph Henry that he proposed to build his motors up to
one horse power, the cautious philosopher warned him to
"go slow," and hinted that electricity could not compete
with steam. In Europe, Jacobi like Davenport, as early
as 1834, had obtained rotary motion from electro-magnets,
and in 1838, at the expense of Emperor Nicholas he pro-
102 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
pelled a boat on the Neva with his motor energized from
batteries. Here again the demonstration failed and ceased
for lack of an economical source of current. There is close
rivalry as to dates between the physician in Russia and
the blacksmith in Vermont, but both at least encountered
the same fatal obstacle, the lack of cheap current. So far,
moreover, electricity has made no triumphal entry into
navigation, but at a time when his native State had not a
single mile of steam railroad, Davenport built his little
model of an electric road and asserted that that was the
best way to do it. Had he been able to harness up any
one of the adjacent water powers, he could have proved
the truth of his assertion. That, however, was left for our
day, when electricity has demonstrated its superiority, in
every sense, for electric traction.
In July, 1834, Davenport had built his first motor with
two stationary electro-magnets and two revolving, the
changes of polarity in the two sets causing attraction and
repulsion, with consequent rotation, thus, as he says, "pro-
ducing a constant revolution of the wheel." We have
not advanced a bit since that hour nor can we, for as
Davenport wrote at the time of securing his patent the
principle of his invention "was the production of rotary
motion by repeated changes of magnetic poles." If any-
one can improve on the method or the description of it
he is entitled to a high place in history. That patent,
granted February 25, 1837, first of its kind in America,
was broad as a Papal Bull, and embodied this claim : "The
discovery here claimed and desired to be secured by letters
patent consists in applying magnetic and electro-magnetic
power, as a moving principle for machinery in the manner
above described, or in any other substantially the same in
AN APPRECIATION OF THOMAS DAVENPORT 103
principle." Writing of Davenport's work fifty years later,
in 1891, Franklin L. Pope, the leading- electrical patent ex-
pert and litterateur of his day said : "If this patent which
expired in February, 1851, were in force to-day, it is not
too much to say that upon a fair judicial construction of
its claim, ever successful electric motor now running
would be embraced within its scope."
The crude motor of 1834 was soon followed up by
an improved form in 1835 and by many others as the years
went by. The motor of 1835 ls interesting as being the
earliest known instance of the application of the modern
commutator. An elastic con tact- spring or brush pressed
against metallic segments fixed upon a revolving shaft, so
that the shifting polarity of the magnets was maintained as
current was received from the battery. In 1836 and 1837
motors and models were built illustrative of electric railway
work, and the motor was shown to the public running on
a miniature circular track 24 inches in diameter. The bat-
tery was not carried by the car but was placed on a tray
at the center of the circle and contact was made through
mercury cups. This device embodied therefore, remotely
but inevitably, the idea of a central station source of supply.
Later inventors still carried their batteries on the car, just
as a storage battery car does to-day. Moreover the motor
field magnets and those of the armature were connected in
parallel, so that at that early date we have a shunt wound
motor, each core being wound twice with 24 convolutions
of No. 16 wire connected in parallel. Another striking
fact was that as the model itself showed, the circular track
was used as the return circuit, just as every trolley car
uses it to-day. In 1836 his motor model filed at the Pa-
tent Office in Washington was destroyed by fire as well as
104 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
7,000 other models; just as another Davenport motor at
the Rensselaer Institute, Troy, was destroyed in 1862 by
fire. This kind of fatality pursued much of his work. In
1893, the present speaker exhibited at the Chicago Colum-
bian Exposition one of these Davenport railways where
it received an award. Its exhibit was requested for the
American section of the Paris Exhibition of 1900, and it
was shipped early in that year with the Government ex-
hibits on the steamer "Pauillac." Violent storms swept
the Atlantic, and the steamer has never been seen since.
In like manner disappeared the first dynamo ever placed
on a ship. Mr. Edison equipped the Arctic exploring ship
"Jeannette" with a little dynamo arranged so that if neces-
sary it could be driven by manual power "to help keep the
men warm." The illfated "Jeannette" like the "Pauillac"
now lies in ocean depths awaiting some cataclysm thou-
sands of years hence, when men may see again these relics
of their remote ancestors, preserved in the museum of
Eternity.
Nothing daunted by fire, Davenport made a third trip
to Washington in 1837 and secured his memorable patent,
first of a long line in which the inventive genius of our
people has shone forth so strikingly. During the same
year, Davenport and his friend Cook established themselves
in New York with a laboratory and shop, and gave ex-
hibitions of their apparatus to crowds of visitors, includ-
ing Morse, already busy on his telegraph, and Page, who
14 years later operated a battery driven locomotive of 12
horse power on the Washington and Baltimore Railroad.
In March, 1837, the partners, to raise funds for their work,
organized the Electro-Magnetic Association with its stock
divided into shares. So far as can be ascertained this was
AN APPRECIATION OF THOMAS DAVENPORT 105
the first electric stock company in America, first of sev-
eral thousands now representing a total capitalization of
ten billions of dollars in bonds and stock and earning gross
over $1,200,000,000 annually. The manager of the finan-
cial transactions of the partners was not, however, par-
ticularly honest, and it required a chancery suit to secure
an accounting, as he turned in only $1,700 out of $12,000
received. This disgusted Cook and led to his withdrawal
from the enterprise. As a piece of misfortune the inci-
dent was matched later about 1840 when a gentleman in
Ohio proposed to join Davenport and gave him $3,000 in
Ohio bank notes for an interest. Davenport had spent just
$10 when he learned that the bank had broken, and that
the money was worth nothing.
Davenport was not only the first man to drive a printing
press by electric motor but he was the editor and pub-
lisher of the first electrical journal in the world. In
1839 he gives details with regard to the operation of a
rotary printing press with a motor weighing less than 100
pounds. In January, 1840, he began in New York City
the publication of a journal which he called The Electro-
Magnet and Mechanical Intelligencer, which was not only
devoted to electricity but was printed by electrical energy.
There is evidence that a second number was issued, but
it is doubtful if the periodical ran to a third number for
on January 28 he wrote to his brother in Brandon about
the difficulties inflicted on him by impecuniosity. He had
done all the editorial work himself, and found that it would
cost $10 per week to secure editorial articles. There was
no advertising, "and I have no way to get a few dollars
except by the prospect of getting subscribers." The paper
seems to have gone prematurely to its death, but only a
106 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
few months later, on July 4th, Davenport came out with
another journal which he called The Magnet. This had
a real live editor, salary unknown, but it does not appear to
have had any longer life than its predecessor. Both were
tiny little quarto sheets, but they were the first of their
kind in America, probably first in the world, and made
Davenport the father of electrical journalism. Copies of
both journals are preserved in the offices of the National
Electric Light Association. As an electrical editor of
thirty years' standing, the speaker is proud to greet the
village blacksmith as a fellow craftsman and proud again
to assist in this tribute to the first of his profession in
America. It is interesting to note that Davenport also
employed various motors to drive his printing press of the
solenoid type, or "axial magnet" in which reciprocating
motion was obtained by the attraction and repulsion of a
core within a hollow electro-magnet. While the principle
was not altogether new with Davenport, his caveat filed in
1838 with the United States Patent Office is believed to
be the earliest proposal to employ the principle for indus-
trial purposes.
These are the bare outlines of a fascinating record,
on which one would love to linger. It must be added,
however, as an item of interest that it was proposed to
develop Davenport's invention in England and that he ac-
tually took out an English patent. This may or may not
have been the first American invention or "Yankee notion"
patented abroad; but it was beyond any doubt the first
electrical one, again first of a long series. It is really ex-
traordinary how many things Davenport was the first
American to do. They may not have been done on the
grand scale, but it is not magnitude that counts. What
AN APPRECIATION OF THOMAS DAVENPORT 107
does count, however crude, is the conception, the idea, the
execution of the idea in practice. In all this we shall find
Davenport's record astounding and unimpeachable.
These then are in brief the reasons why we electricians
honor Davenport and revere his memory. These are the
reasons why his native state and his country should be
proud of him. These are the reasons why struggling
against adversity, dying in poverty, and long obscured by
forgetfulness, this modest, simple son of Vermont stands
forth as conspicuous as one of her granite mountains
among the immortals who for the benefit of their fellow-
men have tamed and utilized the lightnings of the Al-
mighty.
APPENDIX
HENRY F. FIELD, TREASURER, IN ACCOUNT WITH VER-
MONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
1910.
Oct. 18
Dr.
To Balance from last report $472.61
Cr.
To Membership dues collected for 1903 2.00
To Membership dues collected for 1906 4.00
To membership dues collected for 1907 4.00
To Membership dues collected for 1909 30.00
To Membership dues in advance for
1910 8.00
To Annual dues additional for 1909 . . 71.00
To Annual dues collected for 1910 to
date 41.00
To Arrears of annual dues for pre-
vious years 44.00
To Interest from Montpelier Savings
Bank & Trust Co 13.57
Oct. 27, 1909 By paid Edw'd D. Field, Secy.,
bill postage $ 7.26
Dec. 10 By paid Argus & Patriot Co., bill
notices for annual meeting 4.25
Dec. 23 By paid E. M. Goddard, Librarian, 3
months' salary . ., 25.00
April 1, 1910 By paid D. W. Edson, bill let-
ter heads &c., for Secretary 2.75
April 6 By paid E. M. Goddard, Librarian, 3
months' salary 25.00
July 20 By paid E. M. Goddard, Librarian, 3
months' salary 25.00
Oct. 12 By paid E. M. Goddard, Librarian, 3
months' salary 25.00
Oct. 18 By Balance in Treasurer's hands... 575.92
$690.18 $690.18
The Treasurer also reports as follows as to the Admiral
Dewey Monument Fund in the custody of the Society:
Oct. 18, 1910 Balance on hand as last reported. $2,828.74
Interest rec. from Montpelier
Savings Bank & Trust Co. . 107.05
Present balance in Treasurer's
hands . 2,935.79
$2,935.79 $2,935.79
112 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN OF THE VERMONT
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OCT. i, 1910.
October I, 1910.
To the President and Members of the Vermont Historical
Society:
I have the honor to submit to you my report as Li-
brarian and Cabinet Keeper of the Vermont Historical So-
ciety for the year ending October ist, 1910.
The additions made to the library consist of one hun-
dred and sixty-nine volumes and forty-seven pamphlets,
a total of two hundred and sixteen.
During1 the year the sum of $402.49 has been expended
for the purchase of books and orders for that amount
have been paid by the Auditor of Accounts under author-
ity of No. 9 of the Acts of 1908.
The additions to the library by purchase have been
entirely of books relating to New England history and
genealogy and many important items have been placed on
the shelves. Orders for other books have been given
and during the next year it is hoped that our collection of
New England town histories will be largely increased.
The appropriation made in 1908 by the General As-
sembly has made it possible for the librarian to secure
some of the many books that are needed to make the li-
brary useful to those who care to consult it.
The appropriation made for cataloguing in 1906 has
been used with the exception of $23.62 and the main col-
lection of the Society is now fully catalogued. There is
however a large mass of material that ought at least to
be listed in a rough form. This matter is now all sorted
and ready for final disposition but no further work can
113
be done on it until more room is provided for its proper
shelving and care.
The librarian during the year has at his own expense
reprinted the first pamphlet issued by the Society. This
pamphlet contains the proceedings of the first meeting of
the Society in October, 1840, and the address by Prof.
James Davie Butler on "Deficiencies in Our History" and
"The Song of the Vermonters." The pamphlet was first
issued in 1846. The reprint is the first of a series which
it is proposed to issue if sufficient encouragement is given
to the project. The edition was limited to 300 copies. The
book-plate for the Society has been secured. It is a good
representation of the Daye Press. The design is pleasing
and well executed.
I must again call your attention to the absolute neces-
sity of additional room and facilities for the work of the
Society. If all of the members of the Society would take
an active part in the work of collecting and looking out
for material bearing on the history of the State I am sure
it would be the means of bringing to our collection much
matter that would be useful to the student of Vermont
history. We need active and energetic members and in
no way can the library and its collections be built up to a
high standard so easily as through a live and active mem-
bership.
//i
INDEX.
A.
Page
Adjourned meeting, Nov. 10, 1910 34
Annual meeting, Oct. 19, 1909 21
Annual meeting, Oct. 18, 1910 28
Appreciation of Thomas Davenport 94
B.
Bacon, John L 65
Bascom, Robert 0 65
Bell, Charles J 66
C.
Campbell, A. J., address at unveiling of Davenport Memorial . . 90
Canfield, James H 67
Carleton, Hiram 67
Colburn, Robert M 68
Committees, 1909-1910 26
Committees, 1910-1911 8
Converse, John H 69
Corresponding members, list of 16
D.
Davenport, Thomas 94
Dewey monument fund report Ill
G.
Gifts to Society 22
Gilmore, W. H 71
H.
Honorary members, list of 17
J.
Jackson, J. Henry 71
Jones, Matt Bushnell, address by, on The Making of a Hill
Town 43
L.
Lewis, A. N 72
Librarian's reports 22 and 112
M.
Making of a Hill Town 43
Martin, T. Commerford, address by, on the Life of Thomas
Davenport 94
fti.
Mclntyre, Hamden W 72
Members elected, 1909 24
Members elected Oct. 18, 1910 31
Members elected Nov. 10, 1910 35
Members of Society, list of 8
Merrifleld, John H 73
Michaud, John S 73
N.
Necrology 65
O.
Officers of the Society, 1909-1910 24
Officers of the Society, 1910-1911 7
P.
Phelps, James T 74
President's address, 1910 38
Proctor, Redfield 75
Public meeting, Nov. 10, 1910 36
R.
Robinson, Daniel W 76
S.
Sheldon, Henry L 77
Silver, Edgar 0 78
Smalley, Bradley B 79
Smith, Charles A 80
Smith, Frederick E 81
Special meeting, April 12, 1910 26
Stickney, William W., address Nov. 10, 1910 38
Stickney, William W., address at unveiling of Davenport
Memorial 92
T.
Treasurer's reports 21 and 111
U.
Unveiling of Davenport Memorial Tablet 89
W.
Wells, Edward 82
Willard, Henry A 83
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1909-10
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