We are sad to pass along news of the death of long-time Rabbit Hill Inn innkeeper Beryl Charlton, as published in today's The Caledonian-Record. Enjoy Beryl and Eric in this video from 2018, beginning around minute 30.
Waterford, Vermont, History
History, old and new, of the Vermont town of Waterford, on the Connecticut River just east of St. Johnsbury.
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Friday, March 8, 2024
Rest in Peace, Kate Piper
With deep sorrow, we note the passing of Kate Piper, who gave her full commitment to the people and places she loved, from Waterford on outward into a world that's better for her gifts of heart and skill.
Friday, June 2, 2023
Waterford, Vermont, Occupations in the 1800s With Settlement Notes
Eugenia Powers |
Eugenia Powers wore many hats on behalf of Waterford, Vermont. Of all of them, her most significant may have been for her self-appointed historian role. Many town reports like the one shown here from 1965 included notes by Eugenia about people and buildings.
In this hot first couple of days of June 2023, I've typed up a file-card box of Eugenia's notes on local residents. Have fun browsing!
Presumed Eugenia Powers gray file box: OCCUPATIONS [typed by Beth Kanell, June 2, 2023; double line space indicates new file card; note that d can mean “died” or “daughter.”]
Artist
Jefferson C. Ensminger of Independence, Iowa, married Amanda Brown – His parents were E.M. Ensminger and June Miles
Joel Locke—b. Falmouth, Mc.—had a child born Wat. 1876
Blacksmiths
William. J. Morrison
Edwin Bickford—death 1883—age 34
Samuel Morrison—1874—married
C.H. Knapp—1874—married
Carpenters (See also Joiners)
Fred Bullock—1896 (on birth record)
Langdon Cummings—1871—married
Cloth Manufacturers—Fulling
Coopers
1878—Frank Carter—cooper—child born
1880—Fed Hunt—child born. He’s also a painter, q.v.
Doctors
Dr. Nathan Cole—from Church records his wife Polly Jameil[?] 8/15/1802
Morrison, Moses G.
Rowell, Richard F. d. 1872 of small pox age 85
Bugbee, Abel C.—1877—married in town, but lived in Derby
Ralph Bugbee—age 84—b. Ashford, Ct.
1869—Charles G. Cargill, physician, married ?? age 23
Physicians list from Vol I, p. 432-5, Hemenway
A. Kinne*
A. Farr
C. Farr
R. Bugbee, Jr.
A.C. Bugbee
Frank Bugbee
N.S. Goss
Wm. Benton
*graduate—however think all were????
Engineer
Albert Babcock—1872—married
Gunsmith
George Furby—died 1892, age 63-9-26-single
Hotel Owners—
Edwin Bowman—1887—child born LW [Lower Waterford]
Ozro B. Hurlbutt—d. 1870—suicide—LW, b. Hanover, N.H.
Hiram Hill—d.1874, age 54-1-12—of pneumonia, stage driver and hotel keeper
Jeweler—
Franklin R. Sargent‚—1874—married in Wat., resided in Stansted [sic]
Joiner—
Orange Chaplin of Wat.—1879—married
John H. Chandler—1872—married Emma C. Streeter dau. of. Timothy & Almira Streeter
Napoleon Chaboneau—of Littleton, N.H.—house joiner—married 1871
Justice
Eben Farnham 1816
Harvey Kinne—Childs p 378
merchant
town cleark—postmaster
Willard Kinne—obituary d. 12/4
s. of Nathan and Elizabeth Kinne
came from Pomfret, Conn. in 1793
error in farm—settled where Whittemore lives & then at Willis Person’s Cottage—
not Hal Peck place
farmer, stock man, drover
about 700 acres
promoter of Cal. Co. Agric. Assoc.
Lawyers—list in Abby Hemenway I, p. 432-5, from article by Thomas A. Cutler
J.D. Stoddard
R.C. Benton
R.C. Benton Jr.*
Jacob Benton
A.H. Hadley
O.T. Brown
A.J. Hale
Jonathan Ross*
E. Cutler, Jr.*
A.P. Carpenter*
Luther Kidder
* means graduate
Lawyers
J.D. Stoddard
Frank C. Streeter—died 1878—age 25—son of Timothy & Almira Streeter—consumption
James B. Donnan Esq.—1868—married Martha J. Ross
Mail Carrier
Abel F. Carpenter—died 1889—b. 5-2-16 in Lyndon, parents Abel & Betsy (Smith) Carpenter
Austin E. Blodgett—marriage—1873
Fred George—(mail service_) 1889—a birth
Patrick Carr—dies age 60 of small pox—came from Ireland—d 1872
Hiram Hill—d. 1874—was stage driver and hotel keeper
Mason
George West—1886—stone mason—b. England
Mechanics
William Furby—1884—a birth record
George H. Thomas—1888—a birth record
H.E. Cheney—1873—death Bk.4
Fred H. Blodgett—Bk.5 1885 birth rec.
James W. Newton—1868—married
Albert W. Bowles—(machinist)—married—1869 married
1878—J.S. Mullikin—child born
1884—Henry Koepke—child born
Merchants
Hiram Parks—UW [Upper Waterford]
Ephraim Swett—1871—married
Azro D. Stoddard—Merchant at Wat.—died of consumption 1871—son of Norman & Almira Stoddard
1879—Charles Brown—had a meat market—a child born
Miller
George Holland—1887—death record, age 66, born in Ireland
Grist Mill Owner (Millers)
Miner
John N. Griffin—1883—a birth—was husband of Jennie Griffin
Ministry—List from Abbyu Hemenway I, p. 432-435, article by Thomas A. Cutler
W.D. Hadley*
Alfred Stevens*
Samuel Benton*
James H. Benton*
E.I. Carpenter*
Zenas Gos[s]*
Samuel Hurlburtt
Silas Gaskill
Philander Carpenter
Ebenezer Cutler*
*graduate
Ministry—Waterford men who were ministers in town or elsewhere
Erastus Carpenter
Prosper Davison
Preserved Davison (died)
Ebenezer Cutler
Ministers (preached in town)
Silas Davison
George Roger—1890
John E. Palmer—m. Newton – Kent 1818
Rev. Carlos Marsden
Rufus Cheney
Asa Carpenter
Thomas Hall
Rev. John E. Palmer—d.1872, age 90-1-5—of old age & pneumonia
Waterford’s Contribution to Cong’l Ministry
Vt. Congregationalism—p.253
dates are dates of life if known
! connection with Am. Board of Missions or other missionary organ.
Samuel Austin Benton 1807–1865
Erasmus Irving Carpenter 1808–1877
Amander Barker 1810–?
Alfred Stevens 1810–1893
Josaih [sic] Henry Benton 1816–1907
Zenas Goss ! 1832–1864
Painter—houses? machinery and sleighs??
Fred P. Hunt—1875—married Martha Buckman
Salesmen & Peddlers
1868—Henry A. Bowman—married
1877—Albert Davis, peddler—child born
Sawyers—Sawmills Owners
Shingle Mills
Shoemakers—See Leather
Soldiers of Waterford
see—
1812 Roster
1840 Census for Rev. Pensioners then in town—
F.R. Carpenter’s War Record for Civil War.
Revolutionary Roster
Roster War of the Rebellion
Spanish Am. Roster, etc.
Voting Lists and Tax Records for exemptions
Stone Cutter
George W. Smith—1890—a birth—Bk. 5
Surveyors
Harvey Holbrook, d. 1845, age 77 (Cem. St.)
Tailors & Dressmakers—
C.J. Cobb, d. 1878—tailor—died in Aug—age 70
Teachers—
Teamsters
Alden J. Hale—died 1868—age 19-3-26—in Boston of Typhoid Pneumonia—an express teamster, son of Jo [sic] Hale
Toll Bridge Tenders
Town Clerks From Hemenway I, p. 432-5
1793-5 Selah Howe
1706-1801 John Grow
1802-5 Sylvanus Hemingway
1806 Samuel Gaskill
1807-1816 Sylvanus Hemingway
1817-23 Jonah Carpenter
1824-41 Sylvanus Hemingway
1842-1857 Lucius Freeman
Wheel Wrights
Hiram Whipple—1894 (a birth, I guess)
Asa Hovey—married 1872—Mianda [sic] Goss for his 3rd wife
Albert Howe—1878—a child born
Wood workers—Sleighs, winnowing machines, et
[second half of file box, new alphabet]
People Mentioned Childs [in Child’s Gazetteer]
James Adams—Childs p 369
1st settler (traditional)
exact date not known
proprietors mtg held in Barnet in 1783
“was adjourned to J.A.’s in said Littleton.”
Samuel D. Astle—Child[s] p 377
s. of Joseph who served in Eng. army
b—Shipton, Canada, in 1836
came to Wat. in 1857
m. Harriet Phelps (d. of Anthony Phelps) in 1859
children—Helen, Ralph, Sam Joe, Katie, Willie, Fred, Frank, Hattie
tanner & manufacturer of lumber
resides at village
George R. Barker, Childs p 379
s. of George I_
b 1815
m. Mary Mann in 1840
children Charlotte, Charles, Albert, Mary, Etta
lives on road 12
George T. Blancher, Childs p 379
s. of Wm
b. Lyndon 1833
m. Almira, d. of Cornelius Adams
served in war—wounded at Petersburg and died in 1964
wife farm on road 7
Ephraim Blodgett, Childs p 376
b. N.H. in 1815
came in 1836
children Ephraim A, Nelson (died in army), Volney B and Austin E., Louisa, Almira
Ephraim A lived on road 40
Edison Bowman, Childs p 379
s. of Willard & Tryphema
b. Littleton, N.H., 1843
m. Irene Richardson 1865
children Nellie, Eddie A, Willie R & Charles H.
manager of hotel at Lower Wat.
Frank W Brown, Childs p 376
b. Bethlehem 1845
m. Jennie Miller in 1868
selectman—
children—Celia, Edward M., Ruith E
loved in Petrie[?] homestead—road 46, corner 47
William Brown, Childs p 373
c. 1800 settled where Cushings are
s. Elisha -> s. Bradley -> s. Elisha W.
town clerk 20 yrs town records
Alpheus Bugbee, Childls p 372
from Woodstock, Conn—1797
where Mrs. George S. Russell lives
Alonzo Carpenter
Chief Justice in N.H.
s Isaiah Carpenter
Isaiah Carpenter, Childs p 375
descendant of Wm. Carpenter who came to Am. in 1638
came to town in 1808
located on Amos Carpenter place
d. Eliza married Judge Johnathan [sic] Ross
Amos m. Cosbie Parker of Concord—Amos was assistant postmaster at West Waterford
FRC—dates of life—p155 Jill Cor
Influences on him—NNE
Improved Agri. Method—HC of NEE p 173
His financing—farmers’ club
FRC diaries with Social Ferment
Puritan Counter Reformation
Temperance Crusade
Anti-Masonry
Anti-Slavery & Religion
Anti-Slavery & Politics
Equal & Exact Justice for ALL
Social Architects
His wife—as prod of past—
His Children as product of his age
Himself as versatile—his many occupations
What was he chief of?
What did he father?
blacksmith & forge man
judge & lawyer
mortician
agriculturist as well as farmer
architect
builder
inventor
Deacon Perley Church, Childs p 371
from Mansfield, Conn. about 1795
located on HC Davison place (Mary Petersons)
war record—— ?
Samuel Church, Childs p 370
youngest son of Deacon Perley
m. Lucina Felch
5 children (Sam. C., Lorena, Lyman B., Allen J & Celia A (Mrs SB Horr
family choir—were Welsh Extraction SRP
James Curtis, Childs p 378
s. of Amos
a shoemaker
b Morgan, Vt. in 1833
in Civil War—
on road 37
Allason[?] Daniels, Childs p 378
s. of Hiram
m. Lucia McLacklin in Peacham in 1882
d. Bertha May b 1885
on road 15
Rev. Silas Davison, Childs p 371-2, SRP
b. Hartland, Vt. in 1766
m. Persis Rice 1790
in town—1796
settled on Passumpsic Mt.
grson Claudius m. Rebekah Wright—d. of Capt. Walter—her brothers had cabinet shop in St. J. C. [St. Johnsbury Center]
specimens of furniture in home of Arnold W. Powers
Aaron Freeman, Childs p 372
b. of Elizah & Arad, b. Norwich Vt 1784
to Waterford with father in 1800
settled at Bean Bors.
in 1887—farm occupied by Dennis May who m. Caroline d. of Aaron
Arad Freeman, Childs p 372
from Hanover, N.H. in 1800
settled where Rollo Wright, Sr, lives
Arad settled on L D Freeman place
s. Lucius S. b 1812—town cleark for 40 yers
Lucius son was Lorenzo
Olive Hovey Freeman b 1799 in Wat Birth Records but not necessarily born in town
Elijah Freeman
brother of Arad & Aaron
settled on Williams
d Rowena m. John Sanborn
J. Sanborn is L. D. Williams’ grandfather
Abel Goss, Childs 372
settled on Goss place (Allports.) 1792
his son, Capt. Abel, gave school ground for L. W. [Lower Waterford] school
Richardson B. Graves, Childs p 378
b Athol, Mass in 1775
m. Lovina Briadfor 1801
located near Concord Corners 1796
his grandson— Herbert K—came to Water. 1881
s. died in infancy
Eli Green, Childs p 372
1799—
m Lucinda Graves
Asa Grow & Brothers, CEH [C.E. Harris book] p 11
claimed to own all land in Wat. bordering Conn.—
sold tp settlers & took their money— drawback to young men who had begun to clear land— most of them kept land & paid for it—
Grow built two-story house— about command[?] folks— Mrs. Sawyer said all puckered up with pride about 1800
Pucker St. Song- by Timothy Hazeltine who worked for James Morse blacksmith about 1825, song p 12-18
George Ide, Childs p 376
s. of Joseph & Almira Ide— born in town in 1828
a tanner
m. Mary Furby in 1861 (she died 1867)
bought Richardson saw mill in 1865
(evidently George & Joseph/son & father/in business together)
Charles D Harris, Childs p 378
b. Danville Vt., in 1842
war vet—
m. Isabella Kellogg (d. of Independent)
children—Charles E, Nellie, Bertha May b 1878
lives on road 36
Amasa Hastings, Child[s] p. 379-380
b. Ashburnham, Mass—
came to Wat. 1800
pioneer of West Wat.
settled in wilderness a mile from neighbors
went to claim by marked trees—
log cabin several years
m. Anna Brown—story about Mrs. Brown & the bear in the corn patch (green corn & beans for dinner)
lived there until old age— sold to s. Moses & moved to a small farm.
12 children—10 lived to adulthood
in 1887—two survived
Amasa Jr. then in St J—
Jefferson H— then in Newark [Vt]
Josaiah Hastings, Childs p 374
b. Westmoreland, N.H. in 1786
came here in 1807—located road 41
m. Mary Packard
descendant— Stephen J. Hastings b. 1850, attended Dartmouth, married Althea Carpenter
(in a triple wedding— SRP)
Stephen J was town rep in 1882 also selectman
Sylvanus Hemingway, Childs p. 371
from Royalston, Mass, c. 1795 with sons Laban & Cyrus.
built log houses east of Luther Hemingway’s (Young’s)
Syl. was Town C.
Cyrus T. Hill, Childs p 375
f. of Willard Hill b 1844
-> Guy Hill
on road 23
Senicon Hill, Childs p 375
from Walpole, N.H., about 1808
kept tavern until 1810
è Ambrose -> Charles T. lived on homestead, road 3 -> George, Lottie, etc.
Stewart B Horr, Childs p 377
b. in Maine 1846
Civil War— Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Petersburg
m. Celia Church, d. of Samuel
live on road 46
Asa Hovey, Childs p 374
from Hampton, Conn., in 1803
located on Kidder farm (in 1881 owned by Frank Cutler)
s William m. Lydia Richardson
è Emory b 1841 m Emily Cushman
è Guy W
Emory settled on road 40, corner 41
Benjamin Hutchinson, Childs p 373
descendant of Richard Hutchinson who came to Am. in 1634
came to Wat. from Royalston, Mass, in 1801
Benajah (grandson) b 1835—living in town in 1887
Niles Johnson, Childs p 376
b. Lunenburg, Vt., in 1843
came to town in 1865
d. Flora Wallace b. 1869
George C. Lawrence, Childs p 378
s. of Daniel
b. in Danville 1813
m Hannah Barkers in 1838
d Hattie —Addie (d)
[Hattie] m L P Winslow
è Cora m Homer Brewster
lived on road 12
Moses Ladd, Childs p 375
s of Thyng & Elizabeth Ladd
b in Salsibury, N.H., in 1812
came to Wat. in 1814
m. Hannah Carr
-> Orange S. b 1825
-> Milo E.
-> Orange S – now in St. J. Center
where did Thyng & Moses live?
John Lee
b. Moultonborough, N.H. in 177 [sic]
settled in Wat. in 1801
son Nathaniel Lee bought Lee farm 1841 WLR [Waterford Land Records]
Dr. William McDale
who was he?
Dr. Rowell studied under him
Thomas Mason, Childs p 377
b. in Ireland 1814-
came to Am at 19 (1833)
m. Jane Johnson
children—George H., Ellen, Martha, Emily, John, Thomas, Albert
prosperous farmer (dairying)
in 1853 bought Daniel Havens farm road 38
George Morrison, Childs p 377
s of George & b. of Samuel
b. Ireland 1839
came to Am at 16—1855
in Civil War (Andersonville prison)
m. Catherine Morrison in 1870
children—Eliza, Samuel, William G, & Harvey B
[Eliza] m George Ballou
lives road 44
Samuel Morrison, Childs p 377
son of George
b. in Ireland 1847
came to Am. 1864
blacksmith
located in W. 1868
m. Elocia Thurber (d. of Jehiel Thurber)
children— Mary E(dith), Charles, Harry A, Clarence A, Gertrude (d. inf.), Samuel M.
lived in Lower Wat.
William S. Morgan, Childs p 370
1st male born in town
m. Clarissa Church d of Deacon Perley
Seth Moulton, Childs p 376
b. Lyman, N.H., in 1833
came in 1845 with his father Alpheus
m. Sarah Colby of Danville in 1867—
has been selectman & other offices
lives on farm easterly part of village
Josiah Newton, Childs p 377
came to town 1861
road 21
Judge Ezra Parks, Childs p 378
s. of Eli
b. Passumpsic in 1821
mem. of legislature 1870-71
assistant county judge
dealer in stock, produce
lived 1 mile north of Passumpsic village
Nathan Pike from Royalton Mass Age 57
FH [Farmers Herald] 8/26/29- Obituary
Dennison Pike—agent for Fairbanks plows
Brigham Pike—Fire Ins. Agent in Concord
5/12/30 marriage of Jacob Ide and Ladoska Knights reporte
10/6/30—Nathan Pike a trustee for Wat.H.S.
Daniel & Nathan Pike, Childs p 369, 370
1st settlers in eastern part of town
1792— from Royalston, Mass – brought yoke of oxen, cleared land & sowed wheat, returned to Royalston
1793—Daniel & sons Luther & Nathan come in spring
1793— fall Daniel moved his wife & twin d. Sally & Polly to town
cabin built on S B Horr farm, SG Willson lot on Concord line
Nathaniel J. Reed, Childs p 379
s. of Stephen
b. Kirby 1839
served in war—
m. Lizzie, d. of Moses Lewis
d Lizzie Belle
blacksmith & wheelwright
on road 50
Rufus W Remick, Childs p 379
s. of Wm. B-
b- 1855
m. Mary A Greeley in 1875
children—Harry E, Mabel D, Homer W
farmer
lives road 42, corner 43
Johnathan [sic] Ross—brother of Royal M. settled R. Powers
son of Royal & grandson of Johnathan
Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Vt
U.S. Senator
Johnathan [sic] Ross, p 371 Childs
1794- located on road 47
grandfather of Charles Ross (s. of Abraham), R. C. Morrison place
Hon. Johnathan Ross, Child p 80-83
account of Judge Ross’s life
b April 30, 1826
Royal Ross- p 370 Childs
son of Johnathan Ross
p 371—married Eliza Mason
Royal had to promise her minister father that he would take Eliza to church every Sunday. Royal was an atheist- Father did not approve marriage but wanted promise. R. kept promise. SRR
their son Royal M.
Dr. Richard F. Rowell, Childs p 373
came to town at early date
studied with Dr. Wm. McDale.
began practice in 1825
m. Melinda Mullin 1826
6 sons – 6. daughters
4 sons served in Civil War
Daniel (son) b 1842- lived in village 1889
impressive war record
John Sanborn, Childs p 379
s. of John—
b. Kirby 1830
M. 3 times
(1) Ellen Hall—John H. & Jennie L. (Mrs. E. F. Williams in Concord)
(2) Susan Furman[?]—d. month after marriage
(3) Rowena W Freeman 1865
lives on road 18
John Stiles, Childs p 374
came from Keene, N.H., soon after 1800
m. Annie, d. of Th. Hill, in 1802
built sawmill at foot of Stiles Pond
last Stiles in town?
Rev. Alfred Stevens D. D. —
b. Wat – 1810
schooling Concord, Peacham Acad., Meriden N.H.
Portsmouth Coll. (ent. 1835 – age 26)
grad. Andover Sem. 1842 (age 32 ent. ministry)
pastor of Congo. Church, Westminster West, Vt. from 1842 – 1889 & pastor emeritus until death 1893
always a member of the Low. Wat. Congo. –
honorary degree from Dartmouth 1872—
called “Father Stevens”
Jesse Stoddard, Childs p 373
from Chesterfield, N.H., c. 1800, settled on J. Campbell’s place
George West, Childs p 377
s. of Richard
b. Summersetshire [sic], Eng. in 1835
came to Am. 1854
came to Wat. 1862
son— Herbert West
Milo Williams, Childs p 379
s. of Warner
b. Concord 1838
m. Jennie d of Ansel Hoadley 1867
children Bertha Jennie & Lula Nellie
farmer
road 10
Thaddeus B. Wheeler, Childs p 376
son of George W.
b in Littleton, N.H., in 1820
came to town 1870
on road 15
Charles White, Child[s] p 377
b. Sheffield – 1859
bought John Houghton farm in 1885
on road 46
John & Joseph Woods, p 370 Childs
1784-85 – settled on Passumpsic R.
1st person born in town. Polly Woods, d. of Joseph W.
James Works, Childs p 376
b. in Westmoreland, N.H. in 1787
came to town in 1816 (m. Almira Aldrich
2 sons & 3 d
1 son Barton b 1829 – in Civil War –
occupied homestead in 1887 (father oldest man in town at time)
[cards at end list pages of men included in Successful Vermonters by Wm. H. Jeffrey, 1904]
Edward Payson Lee 213, Herbert King Graves 215, Richardson Graves, Nathan J. Graves, Edward R. Godd 216, Abel. Goss, Abel B Goss, Charles D. Harris 217, Amory E. Hovey 217, Frank W. Hastings 218, Stephen J. Hastings 218, Elisha W. Brown 219, Volney Blodgett 220, Frank W. Brown 221, Hiram M. Parks 222, Frederick A. Cross 222, Stuart R. Hoor 223, Eddie Bowman 223, Tobias H Lyster 224, Ezra Parker Carpenter 225, Ezra Parks 225 Francis Halley Shepherd 229, Niles G. Johnson.
Friday, March 17, 2023
Waterford's Irish: A St. Patrick's Day Salute
Although the name of the town of Waterford has nothing to do with Ireland, many local farmers declared Irish descent in the 1900 US Census. Among the ones born in Ireland were George Morrison, Henry Morrison, John Morrison, Anne Rudd, and Maggie Laffre.
Others with one or both parents born in Ireland included Nelson Mayhen, William Frazier, Elmore Miles, Winfield Hastings, Jane Hastings, Elmer Mayhue, Tobias Lyster, and Mary Corlis.
George Morrison's story is of special interest because he was one of the town's several Civil War veterans to survive hellacious conditions in Andersonville as a prisoner of war.
Born in 1837 in Kilkeel Down, Ulster, Ireland, George immigrated into the United States in 1858. His wife was Katherine (also spelled Catherine). They married in 1870 in Quebec and had four children.
This page is from the Soldiers' Record of the Town of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, in the War of the Rebellion:
And here is the Caledonian's November 21, 1906, obituary for this Waterford farmer:
Friday, November 25, 2022
William A. Dow of Waterford, Passumpsic, and St. Johnsbury: A Railroad Story
An extended period of sorting my late husband Dave Kanell's research turned up this wonderful photo this month, labeled on the back "William Dow's House." The photo was taken by Charles F. Shepherd (21 Main Street, St. Johnsbury, according to the 1890 St. Johnsbury directory), whose wife was Emma A. Smith (married August 7, 1884); the photographer also stamped his work "Passumpsic Vt," indicating he had a studio there. Note the buggy to the far right of the photo.
William A. Dow was born in Waterford, Vermont, in 1850, to Joseph and Lydia Jane (Keich/Keach) Dow. William worked for the Canadian Pacific Railroad, with some express agent labors, and as a Western Union agent in McIndoe Falls, say Dave's notes. In 1880 he married Mary Agnes Smith (1958-1908). His brother John K. Dow (1845-1853; wife Beverly, 1845-1913) was a member of Company H 13th Regiment Vermont Volunteers in the Civil War, John was born in Cabot; his death in 1863 was of "typhoid."
Dave's notes indicate that William also owned a home in Cambridge, MA.
As you can see from the newspaper article (St. Johnsbury Caledonian, November 10, 1915), William Dow's notoriety at that date came from his tragic death at the railroad crossing in East Ryegate. Mr. Howard Harris, one of two auto dealership partners in Boston, was driving Mr. Dow in his brand new automobile, purchased two days earlier in Boston. "Neither one had any idea that a train was approaching the crossing and the automobile was nearly over the track when it was struck near the rear wheel by the engine," the newspaper reported. A train, presumably the next one along the tracks, brought Mr. Dow to St. Johnsbury, and he was treated at Brightlook Hospital for concussion, by "Drs. Ross and Fitch," who failed to find other injuries; he did not survive the next day, dying of heart failure.In addition to its ties to Waterford and Passumpic (presumably where the house in the photo stood) and St. Johnsbury, this material connected to today's Dow family in the region. William Dow's paternal ancestry goes to Joseph Down 1822-1905, Jacob Dow 1776-1831, Ebenezer Dow 1737-1817, John Dow 1695-1738, Thomas Dow 1653 (born in Hampton NH)-1728, Henry Dow Jr, 1615-1657. [Henry Dow Jr., in the small world of northern New England ancestry, is one of my 10-great grandfathers.]
An additional newspaper article in the St. Johnsbury Republican, also on November 10, 1915, adds that the car was a Regal; that William and Mary (who came from Littleton, N.H.) had an adopted son Earl Dow of Littleton); and that relatives called to town for the funeral included Mr. and Mrs. John Bacon of Danville (Mrs. Bacon was William's sister), Mr. and Mrs. George Smith of Littleton, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Smith of Hardwick, and Mr. and Mrs. B. R. Smith of Passumpsic, as well as A. J. Richardson and family of Littleton. William Dow's surviving brothers were Edward Dow of South Dakota and Dexter Dow, "whose whereabouts are unknown."
Friday, October 28, 2022
A West Waterford Letter from 1902
"West Waterford" existed as a significant village of Waterford beginning just before the Civil War, when 55 years of settlement created new generations and prosperous business.
Until the middle of the 20th century, post offices in Waterford took up space in the home of whoever the postmaster was at the time. Here is the history of the West Waterford post office, which must have spent many years in the home of Amos B. Carpenter and his wife Cosbi, then their daughter-in-law Mabel:
West Waterford, Caledonia County, Vermont
Established on January 5, 1856
Discontinued on February 28, 1902 (mail to Saint Johnsburg) [sic]
Reestablished on April 8, 1902
Discontinued on June 30, 1905 (mail to Saint Johnsburg) [sic]
Postmasters Appointment Dates
Through June 30, 1905
Amos B. Carpenter January 5, 1856
James W. Curtis April 21, 1862
Amos B. Carpenter October 31, 1862
Edwin L. Hovey December 11, 1863
Amos B. Carpenter August 25, 1864
Cosbi B. Carpenter August 13, 1884
Cosbi B. Carpenter (Reappointed) April 8, 1902
Mabel H. Carpenter July 16, 1903
The shift of West Waterford mail to St. Johnsbury (as it's spelled now) remains in force, a result of how mail was sorted and how carrier routes were laid out.
I purchased this letter from a dealer who specialized in postmarks, so his interest lay in the posted date, January 1902, about five weeks before the first closing of the West Waterford post office. Mabel (Hovey) Carpenter wrote the letter, to Ezra Carpenter, who was in Boston at the time. The letter is now in the hands of the Carpenter family, who maintain a residence in Waterford.
Transcription:
W. Waterford, Vt.
Jan. 21, 1902
My Dear Ned,
I wonder what you are doing this morning and if it is pleasant in Boston. Up here we are having a snowstorm & I guess we shall have quite a fall by the way it has started.
Father got home pretty cold last night but he was very happy for everybody signed his paper, Barton Works included, though he had quite a time to get him. He has gone again today.
I let the children take their dinner so we won't have many to dinner.
How is your cold? Please be careful and don't take more.
Miner [Ezra's brother] says there were about sixty down to Frank's and they had a good time.. I didn't go. Miner didn't say a word about how I was to get there & of course I wouldn't to him, but I did think that if Mary had been in my place and she wanted to go you would see that she went. I guess it is just as well for I can hardly wag (excuse the slang) this morning.
When I went to bed last night I put Miner H. [her son] into my bed. He woke up enough to realize and said "Me over here."
He laid just as still as a mouse all night.
Miss Everding's certificate [probably a teaching certificate] came last night and I sent it to Mr. Taylor today with a letter. Osgood sent a big check and I have sent that over. Will send a letter and Osgood's statement. Miner thinks he is cutting it awfully.
I must not write more, the dinner needs my attention.
Much love to my Ned.
Mabel H. Carpenter
Two years later, Mabel became a widow; the 1910 Census shows her renting a home in St. Johnsbury with her six children.
Friday, July 29, 2022
Three Generations of Adams, Blodgett, and Ladd Descendants
To make sure these photos don't vanish, here they are for remembering the pleasure of the July 12 visit to Waterford from this family -- we all met for nibbles and photo sharing at the Waterford Town Office, then collaboratively (with Helen and Beth) annotated a map so the Johnson and Brown families could drive around town for the day, visiting locations of meaning to their ancestors.