Shoreham Vermont Biographies

Shoreham Vermont Biographies of early settlers, copied from the Vermont Historical Gazetteer, by Abby Maria Hemenway.

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PAUL MOORE

PAUL MOORE, whose character is chiefly interesting for the conspicuous part he acted in the settlement of this town, was born in Worcester, Mass. At the age of 12 he ran away from his parents, and spent more than 20 years on the ocean. Once the vessel in which he sailed had foundered, and all on board were in great peril, when Moore jumped overboard, and stopped the leak. He first came to Vermont with some of the soldiers of the French war. He had two brothers in the service. One, lieut. commander of a company near Lake George, who was killed in an engagement with the enemy After the war, he spent much time in hunting in the vicinity of the lake, probably as early as 1763 or '64. The fall and winter of '65 he spent in Shoreham, in a hut constructed of pine and hemlock boughs, without seeing a human being for 6 months, during which he caught 70 beavers. Several winters after, he spent in hunting for furs, in which he was so successful as to accumulate a small property. He heartily sympathized with the settlers in their contests with the Yorkers, and his humble home was often a refuge for Allen, Warner, Smith, and others. Here it was the two former fled on their escape from the 6 Yorkers at the house of Mrs. Richards, in Bridport. In their excursions he was prevented from taking an active part, by lameness, caused by having caught and broken his ankle in the sawblock of his mill, which having to ride to Vergennes or Crown Point to find a surgeon was set in such a manner he was a cripple ever after. The first winter after the general flight, he and Elijah Kellogg alone remained in Shoreham. Early next winter a few soldiers, probably a scouting party, turned in to spend the night with Moore, who was now keeping castle in his hut of logs alone. Soon they heard the fearful warwhoop, and the house was immediately surrounded by a large party of Indians. Moore and his party defended the premises till morning, when the exultant enemy broke down the door, and rushed in. One of their chiefs, whom Moore had known, sprang forward with brandished tomahawk; but the brave old settler bared his bosom, and dared his savage foe to strike, when another chief interfered to "save white man to burn."

The Indians had previously burnt his mill, and saddled and bridled his horse, ready for departure; but after setting fire to the house, a dispute arose about their plunder. One claimed the horse, another the saddle, and a third the bridle. Finally, one took his horse, and mounted, with a strip of bark for a bridle, another the saddle upon his own back, and the third the bridle in his hand, and started, which presented so ludicrous an appearance it made the old sailor laugh in spite of his misfortunes. At night they encamped at Crown Point, and guards were placed over the prisoners. Moore, who had feigned so much lameness that they had given him a ride upon his own horse most of the way, they did not take the precaution to bind. His weary guard fell asleep. Now was the time. Moore took his gun, blanket, and some Canada biscuit, and started for the lake in a different direction from which they came, through a thick grove of young saplings. Bringing into practice his sailor habits, he made his way for some distance, by swinging along from one sapling to another without touching the ground, until at length he reached the lake. There was snow upon the ground, but none upon the ice, and a log upon the shore reached out to the ice. He let himself down upon the log, put on his creepers, and jumped off on to the glare ice, leaving no tracks behind. At length he came to one of those cracks made by the change of temperature between day and night. He made marks upon the ice with his creepers, and then took them off, and followed down the creek until he arrived opposite the mark; he made other marks as if he had crossed there, and putting on his creepers again, walked off a gunshot distance, and spread his blanket upon the ice, upon which he lay down, with his ready-loaded gun. The morning brought three Indians, who had started in pursuit as soon as he had been missed, up to the crack in the ice, who, seeing him on the opposite side, and the tracks where he had apparently passed over, one took the fatal leap, going down under the treacherous ice, to rise no more, whereupon Moore shot the other two, and proceeded along the lake shore as far as Bridport, where, too fatigued to proceed further, he concealed himself under a stack of straw, for the night. In the morning, finding a fall of snow had covered his track, he returned back to his former residence, dug up his dried beef from the snow, and fled to Brown's camp, in Sudbury.

The next spring he returned and built another loghouse, and about 1780 was again captured by a band of Tories and Indians, who threatened "his head would be a button for a halter, because he had killed the Indians who were sent after him the year before." He was taken to Quebec, and held prisoner about 16 months, where he sustained himself by learning to make baskets, of the squaws, and hiring them with his rations, to sell them for him, and buy such food as he could eat. After suffering much in behalf of himself and other prisoners, he wrote to the governor for new straw, and more blankets. The governor returning a harsh refusal, and reprimand for his impudence, Moore, nothing daunted, wrote in a tone still more bold and decided, — and the straw and blankets came. He also wrote an account of their condition to Governor Chittenden, which, with the application of their friends, induced the Governor to send a flag, with a letter to the commanding officer, requesting their release or exchange. The exchange was effected, and Moore and his fellow prisoners released. Many of Moore's letters, written at that time, were preserved for years, and are said to have been in excellent penmanship, and vigorous style. Others describe him as a close observer of men and things, of good practical education, and well read. It is said on his return from captivity, he revisited his former residence. Taking a view of the desolation around, he fixed his eye upon an object, which more carefully observed, proved to be a poor, lank colt, whose shaggy hair laid in every direction, and a little distance from the colt, what should he see but his old pet mare. He called her by her name, — she heard that old familiar voice, ran to her master, and laid her head on his shoulder, as if she would embrace him. This affected him even to tears. The old favorite beast he had supposed had perished, had not only supported herself by pawing through the snow for grass, but sustained the life of the strange-looking colt by her side. Moore's whole life was one marked with dangers and vicissitudes. At sea he made fortunes, and more than once lost all by shipwreck. On land, was in perils in the wilderness, among savage beasts, and more savage men, but survived them all. It is said there were among the papers which he left, several letters from a lady to whom he had been warmly attached for 30 years, and though more than once they were on the eve of marriage, yet on account of his frequent losses, the ceremony was deferred, and never consummated, and he lived a bachelor till past 50. He was once a large proprietor of lands, which if he had retained, would have made him wealthy. Some he early gave away as an inducement to settlement, and others, sold for a mere nominal sum. These sacrifices, with a long sickness before his death, left little for his family, consisting of a wife and 4 children. He died in 1810, aged 79.

JAMES MOORE

JAMES MOORE, brother of Paul, spent much of his time before the Revolution with his brother, hunting beaver. He was the first representative of the town, several years selectman, and justice of the peace, and maintained the character of peacemaker, being confided in as a man of superior discretion, and consistent Christianity, who took a deep interest in the settlement and prosperity of the town. At his death he bequeathed the Congregational Society $150.

THOMAS ROWLEY

THOMAS ROWLEY,born in Hebron, Conn., removed to Danby, Vt., before 1769; was first town clerk in 1769; town representative in 1778, '79, '80; and in '83, chairman of the committee of safety; lived some time in Rutland; was first judge of the special court for the county, and associated with Chittenden, Allen, and Warner, in vindicating the rights of the people against New York; participated largely in the deliberations of those who declared Vermont a free and independent State, and aided in forming its first constitution; while a member of the General Assembly, was appointed on the most important committees, and generally made chairman whenever a resolution was referred, with instructions to report a bill. He came to Shoreham as early as 1774, settled first at Larabee's Point, and with his son Thomas belonged to Allen's party. In 1795, he returned. to Denby, and remained till near the close of the war, when he returned to his farm on Larabee's Point, built two loghouses, and lived with his son Nathan, till 1790, when he removed to the place now owned by Lot Sanford. He was clerk of the proprietors till 1786; town clerk 2 years, and surveyor to set off the proprietors' rights, and surveyor of the town several years after its organization. When arrived to that age when men generally cease to be active in public affairs, for several years he led a quiet life in this town, till, about 1800, worn out with age and infirmities, he went to reside with his son, Nathan, at a place called Cold Spring, in the town of Benson, where he died about 1803. His remains were interred in a small burying ground, which once constituted a part of his own farm, and was given by him to his son, Thomas. There is a small stone erected to his memory, which records not the day of his birth or death, or his age when he died.

Rowley was chiefly distinguished in his time as a wit and poet. If Ethan Allen roused up every Green Mountain Boy, in his log cabin, and called him forth, armed to the teeth, in defence of his hearth and home, by the vehemence of his appeals, in homely prose, Rowley set the mountains on fire by the inspiration of his muse. These poems, once everywhere sung in the State, have mostly faded from the memory of men,* and specimens have been with difficulty collected enough to afford a fair representation of the wit and genius of "The Shoreham Bard." And it should be considered be was a man without the advantages of an early education, — without access to books, or time to devote to them; that he made most of his impromptu verses, throwing them out as they were framed in the laboratory of thought, before they were put upon paper; and that he never polished or corrected a line.

REFLECTIONS

Now where's the man that dare attend, And view creation over,
And then reply he doth deny
The great supreme Jehovah;

Who sits above, in light and love,
And views his glorious plan,
All on a scale that does not fail;
Yet never learned by man.

Ten thousand globes, in shining robes,
Revolve in their own sphere;
Nature's great wheel doth turn the reel,
And bring about the year.

EPIGRAMS

I.

'Tis but a jest to have a priest,
If you pay him for his labor,
And lie and cheat in every street,
And vilify your neighbor.

II.

Never be willing to expose
The little failings of your foes;
But of all the good they ever did, —
Speak much of that, and leave the bad.
Attend to this, and strife will cease,
And all the world will live in peace.

On a certain occasion a man came to the storehouse at the old fort in "Ti." — a hunter from the lake shore, with one foot booted, and the other clothed with bearskin. As he entered the barroom in this ludicrous plight, one present wagered a gallon of rum that Rowley could make a verse applicable, if sent for. Rowley was summoned over, with the information that he was to make a verse on the first object he should see on entering the bar-room. He opened the door, momentarily surveyed the man, conspicuously arranged in front, with his foot over the back of a chair, took off his hat, and while all kept silence, delivered his introductory.

A cloven foot without a boot;
A body full of evil;
If you'd look back upon his track,
You'd think it was the devil.

FROM THE ELEGY ON HIS WIFE

FULL fifty years we've labored here,
In wedlock's silken bands;
No deadly strife disturbed our life,
Since Cupid joined our hands.
A faithful mate in every state, —
In affluence, as in need;
Freely to lend her helping hand,
With prudence and with speed.

FROM A BIRTHDAY POEM

A SILVER gray o'erspreads my face;
The hoary head appears,
Which calls me loud to seek for grace,
With penitential tears.

A thousand dreams have filled my mind,
As days came rolling on;
As one that's deaf, and one that's blind,
I know not how they've gone.

Now the full age of man has come,
This is the very day;
But O my God, what have I done
To speed my time away?

With all his wit and waggery, Rowley was considered a man of sound judgment and ability. In stature, he was of medium height, and rather thick set; rapid in his movements; had light eyes, sprightly and piercing, indicating rapidity of perception, and sometimes the facetious poetic faculty; yet he was generally a sedate and thoughtful man, a firm believer in the Christian religion, and in sentiment a Wesleyan.

*Mr. Goodhue gives one poem, furnished from the recollection of Rev. Samuel Rowley, grandson of Thomas Rowley, now 75 years of age.

During a visit to Shoreham, we were privileged to look over a curious old pamphlet of 24 pp., entitled, '"THE SELECTIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS WORKS OF THOMAS ROWLEY; Printed for the Purchasers: Published, 1802."

COL. JOSIAH POND

COL. JOSIAH POND, one of the most influential among the early settlers, was born in Bradford, Conn., and came to Shoreham in 1783. He was of large, robust frame, 6 feet in stature, with features indicating a noble, generous disposition, and ability to command. He filled some of the most important town offices, and was the first militia captain, and first colonel of the first regiment of militia, in the county; was at the battle of Bennington, and served a few months after in the army of the Revolution; was an efficient deacon in the Congregational church; died in this town, Aug. 8, 1840, aged 83.

TIMOTHY FULLER CHIPMAN

TIMOTHY FULLER CHIPMAN. Gen. Chipman, son of Thos. and Bethia Chipman, born in Barnstable, Mass., Feb. 1, 1761; died in this town, May 17, 1830, aged 69.

Timothy, when a stripling of 16, took his father's place, who was drafted into the army in 1777, and served on the retreat of the American forces before Burgoyne's army, between Ticonderoga and Fort Schuyler, on the Hudson; was employed in felling trees into Wood Creek, to obstruct the passage of boats by water, and the army by land; being placed sentinel on an outer post at Fort Anne, was in the skirmish at Battle Hill, where a comrade was shot at his side; and having served the period of his enlistment, was honorably discharged a few days before the battle of Saratoga and surrender of Burgoyne, after which he returned home to aid his father in providing for the wants of a numerous household. In 1783, he came to Shoreham, with little else than the pack on his back. With Marshal Newton he was engaged to carry the chain in the original surveys of the townships of Shoreham and Bridport; in this survey, selected the lot on which he afterwards settled, built a plank house, and assiduously toiled until his decease. He was married to Polly, daughter of Capt. John Smith, May 24, 1786, and raised a family of 11 children. By persevering industry and economy he brought his lot in the wilderness under good cultivation, adding to his original purchase, until he had one of the most valuable farms in town, and commodious buildings, where for many years he kept a public house. He was honored by his fellow citizens with several town offices; by the U. S. Government with an appointment as an assistant assessor of lands and dwellings in district No. 1, in the 4th division of Vermont. From the rank of a private he was promoted through various grades to the rank of major general of the 4th division of Vermont militia. At the British invasion under Gen. Prevost, as he crossed the line on our northern frontier, Chipman volunteered for his country, took a musket from the arsenal at Vergennes, crossed Lake Champlain at Burlington into New York, (beyond the limits of his Vermont commission,) where he was chosen, at once, brigadier general, under Maj. Gen. Sam'l Strong, and placed at the head of the Vermont volunteers, there assembled. The enemy commenced their retreat the day before he arrived at Plattsburgh.

In his declining years he resigned his public stations, and retired to private life; in 1810, during a religious revival, became a hopeful convert; with his wife and several of his children, united with the Congregational church, and sustained his Christian profession unblemlshed until the day of his death, which occurred at his homestead on his original purchase, in the 70th year of his age. His widow died March 5, 1849, aged 81.

EBENEZER TURRILL

EBENEZER TURRILL, born in New Milford, Conn., settled in Shoreham in 1786, and lived till 1795, in a loghouse. The esquire was an enterprising, industrious man; made potash for several years, from ashes saved in clearing his land and purchased of his neighbors. Immediately after coming into town, he was appointed justice of the peace, and while there was no minister in town, frequently performed the marriage ceremony, and, it is said, sometimes took ashes for pay. He was an early member of the Congregational church, and was fond of reading metaphysical and controversial works. He died in 1825, aged 84.

HON. CHARLES RICH

HON. CHARLES RICH, son of Thomas Rich, born in Warwick, Mass., Sept. 13, 1771; arrived in this town, Aug. 1787, having travelled all the way from his native place, on foot. Here he labored diligently 4 or 5 years, assisting his father in erecting his mills, and clearing land, until he was married at the age of 20, to a daughter of Nicholas Watts, a young lady born in his native town, between whom had grown up an ardent attachment, from the days of their childhood. In a series of letters, while a member of Congress, to his daughter, then residing at Montreal, are many interesting facts in relation to this early attachment, his family history, the labors and privations of himself and companion, with whom he lived until her death, April 24, 1817, in the reciprocation of the most tender affection and confidence. In these letters there is an unreserved expression of thought and feeling, for it is the wife and mother of whom he writes, whose death both the father and daughter deeply deplored.

April 16, 1791. They commenced housekeeping, "possessed of no other property than 1 cow, 1 pair of 2 year old steers, 6 sheep, 1 bed, and a few articles of household furniture, which, altogether, were valued at $66, and about 45 acres of land, given by his father." The first year he tended gristmill for his uncle, Nathan Rich, and cleared and sowed with wheat 6½ acres of land. He says: "White at the mill I constructed a number of articles of furniture, which have been in daily use from that time to the present." It is said, while engaged in his sugar-works, he constructed a water-pail, with his jackknife, which was used for many years in the family. While a boy he had had little advantages in schooling, and after the age of 15 attended school only 3 months. But limited as his opportunities were, he was often called upon before the age of 30, to deliver Fourth of July orations; was chosen town representative when but 29, which office he held twelve times; was one of the judges of the county 6 years; representative in Congress 10 years. A ready debater in all public bodies, he was useful and popular in every station which he occupied.

He had that strong desire to master whatever he undertook to investigate, which is indispensable to eminence in any station; and in early life, formed, and kept up to its close, the habit of writing down his thoughts; cultivated his taste by reading works of an easy and pure style; and though there were not found in him any uncommon powers, or overpowering eloquence, there was a happy union of those qualities which form the man of usefulness and intelligence, a well balanced mind, retentive memory, honesty of intention, intuitive knowledge of human nature, open and bland personal appearance, and a native benevolence of heart, in all the social and domestic relations of life an example worthy of imitation. By such qualities as these, he held for so long a time a distinguished station among his fellow citizens.

By industry and economy he acquired a handsome property, and during the vacations of the sittings of Congress, was found at home, overseeing his business, and laboring diligently, until the autumn of 1824. At this time in consequence of working in the water for several days, he took a violent cold, which, followed by a fever, put a speedy end to his life, Oct. 15, in the 53d year of his age.

STEPHEN COOPER

STEPHEN COOPER. Deacon Cooper, born in East Hampton, L. I., June 22, 1746; came to Shoreham with his family, the autumn of 1789, and is especially deserving an honorable mention, as being the individual who first introduced into this town the ordinances of religion, and to whose indefatigable labors the people were indebted, as though he had been pastor, for his visits to the sick, and attendance of their funerals, during the 13 years that he led the Congregational Church as first deacon, and moderator. Living an exemplary life, he entered into rest, Jan. 29, 1827.

Dea. Cooper found worthy co-laborers in Dea. Eli Smith, of the Baptist, and Dea. Hand, of his own society. Faithfully they served their day and generation, and are held in grateful remembrance.

SILAS HEMENWAY JENNISON

SILAS HEMENWAY JENNISON. Hon. Silas H. Jennison, son of Levi and Ruth Hemenway Jennison, was born in Shoreham, May 17, 1791. When about a year old his father died, and left him, an only son, to the mother's care. This widowed mother, who is now living, at the advanced ago of 89, was a woman of uncommon energy and industry.

While very young, he developed a decided taste for reading and study; but soon as he became able to labor, his services were needed at home, and after that, only a few weeks in a year did he enjoy the benefits of school instruction. The companionship of other boys had few attractions; he spent his time at home, and rarely came into the house to sit down, without taking a book. While a youth he was more interested in his reading than husbandry, though in after life he took much satisfaction in the study of agriculture as a science, and in making improvements in its various branches.

During those seasons of the year in which he had most leisure he devoted his evenings to study, and recited to Mr. Sisson, a near neighbor, of whom he doubtless learned to write that round and beautiful hand, and became expert in arithmetic and surveying. The habit of study he kept up through life, and had a mind well stored with general information. In person he was tall, stoutly built, with a large, well formed head, manners unaffected and pleasing, easy in conversation; but through distrust of his own powers, or extreme caution, he never engaged in public debate. If he possessed little of the brilliancy of genius, he had what is no less valuable, — great prudence, a correct, though not highly cultivated taste, and, what contributed perhaps most to his advancement in public life, facility and accuracy in the transaction of business, and general knowledge of matters pertaining to civil government, and its administration.

He was town representative from 1829 to 1835; associate justice of the county 6 years; member of the State council 3 years; lieut. governor 2 years, the last of which, no choice of chief magistrate being made, he acted as governor, and in 1836 was elected governor by the popular vote, which office he filled for 6 years. The issuing of his proclamation, at the time that the sympathies of many were enlisted in favor of the insurgents in Canada in 1836, warning the citizens against violating the neutrality laws, was censured by some, and contributed for a time to diminish his popularity; but when the subject came to be better understood, the course he took was approved by the people, and the firmness and good judgment which he displayed at that critical time, rendered him one of the most popular governors the State has ever had. In 1840, in the most exciting canvass ever witnessed in Vermont, Gov. Jennison's majority over the administration candidate was 10,798. In that year he declined a re-election, but for 6 years after was judge of probate, the duties of which office he discharged to general acceptance.

After protracted sickness and suffering, he closed his life in his native town in Sept. 1849.

ELISHA BASCOM

ELISHA BASCOM, born in Newport, N. H. 1776; came with his father, Elias Bascom, to Orwell, and from thence to Shoreham, in 1802, and settled on the farm now owned by his son, Ira Bascom. In person, Judge Bascom was of a large but not corpulent frame, erect and tall. His countenance, a true index to his mind, wore an expression of benignity, self-possession, and sound judgment. These reliable qualities won him favor with his fellow citizens. He was representative of the town 9 times; judge of the county court 2 years, and frequently administrator to the estates of the deceased.

The Judge was first married to Charlotte Howley, Dec. 30, 1802, and second, to Laura Bush, Oct. 28, 1806. He was a member and supporter of the Universalist society. A man with limited means, still liberal, who was not known to have an enemy, and died in this town, Aug. 1, 1850, aged 74.

ASA STOWELL JONES

ASA STOWELL JONES, born in Shoreham, in 1828; graduated at Middlebury College, 1849; 15 months principal of Newton Academy; edited the Whitehall Chronicle one year; in 1853, established himself as a lawyer in St. Louis, Mo., where he has since taken an active part in politics. We give a brief extract from a letter to his mother as a specimen of his off-hand letter writing:

"I heard of the death of sister Emma, in the midst of an exciting political campaign. That news transported me, all absorbed in the heated excitements of a political election in a great city, as I was, to the quiet town, the green common, and the silent yard, where now lies, in peaceful slumber, my sister Emma.

"My mother, Emma is one of the jewels of memory, and I sometimes think that it is better, happier, more to be desired, to die and leave this world ere soil or taint has come upon the heart; before hopeful youth learns by bitter experiences that life, as we meet in daily contact with humanity, is hollow, treacherous, and deceitful.

"I could but mark the change in myself, from the time when engaged in schoolboy sports in that same town, on that same common, until every nook and corner, every stone, had imaged itself ineffaceably upon memory. Then how little did I imagine what was before me in the future, or under what circumstances the problem of my life's destiny should be wrought."