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First Families of Westminster
ABBEY
(ABBE), ALBEE, ALEXANDER, ANDROSS, AVERILL, AVERY,
BRADLEY, BRUSH, BURK,
BURT, CARPENTER, CHAFFEE,
CLARK, CONE, CRAWFORD,
CROWELL, DAY, DICKINSON,
DORAND, DOUBLEDAY, EASTON, EATON, ELLIS,
FISK, FULLER, GILSON, GOODELL, GOODRIDGE (GOODRICH),
GORHAM, GOULD (GOOLD), GROUT, HALL, HALLET, HAMBLIN, HARLOW, HEATON, HITCHCOCK, HOLT, HOWES, HOLTON,
IDE, KITTEDGE, LANE, LOVEJOY, MAY, McNIEL, MORSE, NORTON, PAINE, PATERSON, PECK, PERRY, PETTY,
PHIPPEN, PIERCE, RANNEY, RICHARDS,
ROBINSON, SESSIONS, SPOONER, STODDARD, TUTHILL, WILCOX, WHITNEY, WILLARD, WRIGHT
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ABBEE/ABBEY/ABBEE
Hezekiah Abbey/Abbe, the son of Richard4 (John3,2,1)
and Mary (Huntington) Abbe, was born Jan 1755 in Windham, Windham Co., CT and
died 25 May 1841 age 86 in Westminster. He married Martha Manning.
Hezekiah was in the American Revolutionary
War and received a pension for his service #S21034. He was listed on the Census
of Westminster taken 1 Jun 1840; age 85 years & pensioner for Rev. Service. CT, CT Sea Service;
resided Windham
CT, Capt.
Dana's Co., 1776; resided Westminster 1832.
Hezekiah Abbe References: Pension Abstracts; Fisher, 2; Gravestones, Old Cemetery Westminster;
Stevens, 669
ABBEE/ABBE/ALBEE
Jacob Abbey/Abbe/Albee the son of Ebenezer4 (Ebenezer3,
Samuel2; John1) and Abigail (Cary/Goodale?) Abbe, was
born 23 Aug 1741 in Windham, Windham Co., CT. Jacob "Albe" was living
in Westminster during the 1771 and 1791 Census. He was a private in
Captain Azariah Wright's Westminster
military company. Am Rev: VT, Capt. Hatch's Co.1776? (Fisher, 2). He married Sarah
Richardson.
Jacob Abbe References: Westminster Town Records; Fisher, 2; Fairbanks, 620.
ABBEE/ALBEE
John Abbee/Albee, the son of Ebenezer4 (Ebenezer3,
Samuel2, John1) and Abigail (Cary/Goodale?) Abbe, was
born 22 Aug 1743 in Windham, Windham Co, Connecticut and died after 1791. He married Abial Averill.
John Albe [sic] was living in Westminster as early as the 1771 Census. He was also on the 1791 Census.
He was a private in Capt. Azariah Wright's military company. He was a Minute
Man and a sergeant during the American Revolution for Vermont. Am Rev: VT, Sgt. Capt. Whitney's Co.,
1782; VT, Capt. Hatch's Co.1776? John and Abial removed to Chautaugua Co., NY.
John Abbe References: Fisher, 1-2; DAR.
ALBEE
Hon. "Ellery Albee was a man of
considerable influence in town [Westminster VT]. He was a man of few words, but prompt and efficient
in business. He held the office of Justice of the Peace, represented the town
in the Legislature in 1821, '22, '30, '46 and '48. He was a member of the
Constitutional Convention in 1828, and Judge of Probate from 1838 to '46."
Ellery Albee was an early Superintendent of the "Sabbath School" and a Sunday School teacher in 1824.
Albee References: Fairbanks,
600, 608, 609.
ALEXANDER
According to most sources, Philip
Alexander was of Deerfield, Mass. 1712-1716, Northfield, Mass. 1716-1737 and Arlington [Winchester, NH] 1737-1743. Philip married Abigail ____; her
maiden name has never been found. Their son, Aaron was born on the Great
Meadows [Putney, Vt] in 1746 and their daughter, Rhoda, was born in Northfield, Mass. in 1747. He petitioned for the grant of Westmoreland, NH in 1750 and was a grantee in 1752, along with John
and Simeon Alexander. He was a first settler in Putney,
Vt and grantee in 1752 [some records say he settled
there in 1755, obviously an error].
ANDROSS
Dr. Bildad Andross, the son of John and Elizabeth (Orvice) Andross, was
born 12 May 1719 in
Southington/Farmington, Hartford Co., CT and died in 1802 in Bradford, Orange
Co., VT.
He married Mary (Stebbins) Holton on 11 Apr 1750 in Northfield, Franklin Co., MA. Mary, the daughter of Joseph and
Mary (Williams) Stebbins, was born in 11 Jul 1719 in Northfield/ Northampton, MA and died in 1778, age 59, in Bradford, Orange Co.,
VT. Mary Stebbins married (1) Joshua HOLTON (q.v.)
on 17
Aug 1741 in Northfield, Franklin Co., MA. Joshua4, the son of
Thomas3 (John2, William1), was born 5 Dec 1715
in Northampton, Hampshire Co., MA and died on 26 Apr 1746 in Northfield,
Franklin Co., MA.
Bildad was living in Westminster in 1761 when he was chosen for a committee
established to lay out and make roads. In 1766, he was appointed as Justice of
the Peace for the whole of the New Hampshire grants in Albany Co. [NY]. He was also one of the
first nine members of the first church in the East Parish at Westminster on 11 Jun 1767. Bildad was a primary grantee of the Westminster grant of 36 Mar 1772. He was a member of the Court at
Westminster in 1775, where he signed the "statement of
facts" relating to the Westminster Massacre. He is said to have removed to
Mooretown, Washington Co., VT and to Bradford, Orange Co., VT, where he was
elected on 29 May 1777 to the Windsor Convention to represent the town of
Bradford in the writing the new state constitution. Andross also ran for a seat
in the state legislature which he retained for the rest of his life. He signed
a petition on 5 Feb 1780 for the establishment of Bradford and another
on 2
Jun 1785 for the confirmation
of lands in Bradford.
Children of Bildad Andross and Mary
(Stebbins) Holton: i. Naomi born 3 Jan 1750/51 Northfield;
ii. Levi Stebbins born 3 Aug 1753 Northfield; iii. Mary born 23 Apr 1754 Northfield;
iv. Lucy born 23 Mar 1755 Northfield;
v. Mary born 24 Jul 1756 Northfield; vi. Cynthia born 2 Mar 1760 Northfield/Wr?; vii. John born 6 Jun 1762 Northfield/Wr?
Andross References: Fairbanks, 568, 603; Southington CT Genealogies; History of Bradford VT.
AVERILL
John Averill came up the Connecticut River,
or the "Great River" as is was called, from Northfield MA with his family in canoes in the Spring of 1751 to Westminster, then called No. 1 and under a Massachusetts charter. There were two houses in town at the time,
one built by Richard Ellis and his son in 1739, at the foot of Willard's or
Clapp's hill, "at the southern extremity of the 10 rods highway,"
which was then unoccupied. The other house, whose builder is unknown, was
"at the lower end of the street, ... at the top of Willard's Hill."
The Averills moved into this house which was occupied at the time by four men,
one woman and two children; they were, William Gould, John Gould, Amos
Carpenter, and Atherton Chaffee. During the summer of 1751, Goold and Carpenter
moved their families up from Northfield.
Averill References: Fairbanks
566-567.
AVERY
Samuel Avery, the son of Humphrey4
(Samuel3, Janes2, Christopher1) and Jerusha
(Morgan) Avery,
was born on 17 Oct 1731 in
Groton MA
and died in 1806. He married (1) Sybil Noyes and (2) Mary Ann Rose.
Samuel
became a lawyer and moved to Vermont
where he thought he had acquired a large quantity of land. According to an
account in "The Burlington Free Press" by Pliny H. White of
Coventry VT,
there were three Avery Gores in Vermont
that were named for him. They were in Addison, Essex and Franklin
counties. There were said to be others
as well.
Samuel Avery lived in Wr and was
Deputy Sheriff for Cumberland County
and keeper of the jail at Wr. According to Henry Clark
Lane, Samuel built and owned one of the finest
homes in Wr. This house was later
purchased by Mr. Mark Richards. Samuel
Avery was on the Committee on Printing in 1781 with Ezra
Stiles Esq. (Stiles2, 250). He was listed on the 1791 Census of Wr
(1-2-5-0-0), Samuel, his wife, two sons and 4 daus. He continued to live in Wr and to be involved
in land speculation and was again listed on the 1800 Census Wr (00301-021011). In about the year 1800, he moved to the Susquehanna
Valley, near Tioga Point (now Athens)
in Pennsylvania.
Avery References: Fisher,
21; Averill-2, 185; Avery1; Avery2, #41; 1791 Census Wr, 1800 Census Wr.
BRADLEY
Stephen Row Bradley, the son of Moses4 (Daniel3,
Abraham2, William1)
and Mary (Rowe) Bradley, was born 20 Feb 1754 in Wallingford, New Haven
Co., CT at Cheshire CT [then Wallingford]. He died in Walpole NH on 9 Dec 1830 age 78 yrs 9 mos 19 das. Resided in Westminster in 1791 (3-2-3-0-0).
He married first to Merab Atwater on
16 May 1780 in Wallingford CT. Merab, the daughter of Reuben and Mary (Russell)
Atwater, was born 19 Jun 1757 in Cheshire Twp, New Haven Co., CT and died 7 Apr
1785 age 27 yrs 9 mos 18 das. Stephen married second to Thankful Taylor.
Thankful was born in 1768 and died 10 Jan 1802 age 34th yr. He married third to Malinda Willard
on 18
Sep 1803. Malinda, the
daughter of Billy and Agnes (Blaire) Willard, was born 12 Jul 1785 and died 1837 age 53rd yr.
Stephen was a descendant of William Bradley
who came to this country in 1637 with several of his brothers and settled in New Haven CT. Bradley was in
the American Revolution. According to the DAR, he was a Captain from Connecticut. His gravestone says that he was a Brig. General.
(DAR #127192). Stephen Row Bradley was a prominent man in Westminster VT. "His first appearance in the State of Vermont is at the adjourned session of the Superior Court at Westminster, 26 May, 1779, and in 1780, he represents the town of Westminster in the General Assembly." He removed from Westminster VT to Walpole NH in 1818. See Fairbanks, pp. 591-596 for considerably more information.
Bradley References: DAR Patriot Index; Fairbanks, 591-592; Gravestones, Old Cemetery, Westminster VT; Westminster Town Records.
BURK/BURKE
Capt.
Jesse Burke, the son of Jonathan Sr.
and Thankful (Wait) Burke, was baptized 8 Apr 1738 in Brookfield, Worcester Co., MA and died 20 Jan 1811 age 73 years.
He married Widow LEAH (JENNINGS)
RICE in May 1761 in Brookfield,
Worcester Co MA. Leah, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Webb) Jennings was born 6 Dec 1731 Brookfield, Worcester Co MA and died 5 Aug 1811 age 75 years.
Leah Jennings married first to CHARLES RICE on 6 Jan 1758 in Brookfield, Worcester Co MA. They had a son CHARLES RICE born 7 Mar 1758 Brookfield MA. Leah was the
sister of Olive Jennings who married John Lane (Stevens, 668).
Jesse came from Brimfield MA [Hardwick MA?]
to Westminster VT as early as 1771.
He lived where Ira Smith lived in 1870. He ran the Old Burke Tavern in Westminster, which was located nearly opposite the court
house. Capt. Jesse was sheriff of the
county in 1775. Jesse was a Captain during the American Revolutionary War for Vermont. He was a 2nd Sergeant in the company of Capt.
Azariah Wright of Westminster.
Jonathan
Burke Sr. was probably born about
1715 and died in Windsor VT. He married THANKFUL
WAIT on 10 May 1731 in Northampton MA.
Jonathan, from the baptisms of his children,
appears to have lived in Brookfield,
Worcester Co., MA and later in Brimfield, Hampden Co MA. He came up the Connecticut River from Brimfield MA with his three sons, Jesse, Simeon
and Silas, as early as 1771. "A deed from 'Jonathan Burk, of Westminster,'
conveying to his 'beloved son Jesse,' house-lot No. 22 and meadow-lot No. 39,
bears the above date [1771]."
"Charles Rice, who died Mar. 1, 1830, age 72, was a son of the widow Rice, who married
Capt. Jesse Burk. A grandson of Mr. Jonathan Rice says his grandfather came to Westminster with Capt. [Jesse] Burk when but 3 years of age,
which would give an earlier date by 10 years." He settled on the rise of ground later called
"Court House Hill," probably where his son Jesse kept the "Old
Burk Tavern" and lived in Westminster for a time. He later moved to Windsor VT where he died.
The 1771 Census of Westminster listed Isaiah, Jesse, Jonathan, Silas,
and Simeon Burk.
Major
Silas Burke, the son of Jonathan Sr
and Thankful (Wait) Burke, was baptized 22 Nov 1744 in Brookfield, Worcester Co., MA and died 15 Feb 1825 age 79 yrs. He
married MARY EASTMAN. Mary was born
about 1743 and died 3 Oct 1840 age 97.
Silas came from Brimfield MA to Westminster VT as early as 1771 and settled where Joseph Clark lived
in 1870. He "was one of the jury inquest when French was
killed." He was a private in Capt.
Azariah Wright's military company and a major during the Revolutionary
War. 1771 Census; 1791 Census Wr (3-0-7-0-0).
SIMEON
BURKE, the son of Jonathan Sr. and
Thankful (Wait) Burke, was baptized 3 May 1736 in Brookfield, Worcester Co., MA and died 15 Apr 1781 age 44 years.
He married MARTHA STRONG
("Patty"). Martha (Strong)
Burke was probably living in Westminster with their son Samuel when the 1791 Census was taken.
Simeon came from Brimfield MA to Westminster VT as early as 1771, when he was listed on the Census.
He was a 1st sergeant in Capt. Azariah Wright's military company and a sergeant
for Vermont during the American Revolution.
Burke References: DAR
Patriot Index; Fairbanks, 616, 617, 586; Gravestones Old Cemetery Westminster; 1771 Census Wr
BURT
Benjamin Burt, the son of Asahel4 (Joseph3,
David2 Henry1) Burt, was born 10 May 1740 in Northfield
MA and died 10 Jun 1835 aged 96 yrs in Bellows Falls at the home of his
son-in-law, Solomon Hapgood. Resided Westminster 1791 (2-0-3-0-0). He married Mary Root. Mary,
the daughter of Deacon Samuel Root of Westminster VT, was born in 1741 and and died 18 Dec 1831 in Bellows Falls.
Benjamin Burt moved to Westminster VT about 1760/61, soon after the French and Indian War.
On arrival in Westminster, he camped with Azariah and Medad Wright, Joel
Holton, and John Norton. He settled in the north part of town, just beyond the Saxtons River bridge, where he owned a square mile of land. It was
located in the southeast corner of Rockingham and the northeast corner of Westminster. "This land extended on the Connecticut river a
half mile north and south of the town line between Rockingham and Westminster,
and one mile west, and is now covered by the villages of Bellows Falls and
North Westminster. His home was near the mouth of Saxtons river on its
northerly side. Charles Chase lived there in 1870. He had a tannery and a saw
mill and grist mill; the first on Saxtons River.
He served in the French and Indian War, being
part of the expedition to Ticonderoga and Crown Point in 1759, and the army that marched to Montreal in 1760. He was commissioned under King George III of
England by Gov. Tryon of NY as 'Capt. of a Company of Foot in
the township of Westminster' in 1774. He "retained his connection with the government of that
province [New York] late enough to be termed a 'Tory:' was present in his
official capacity at the Westminster massacre, Mar. 13, 1775, and was the next
day arrested by the Liberty men and imprisoned three or four days." He was
the treasurer of Cumberland County in 1775 when the jail at Westminster was built. He later came over to the Liberty party about 1780 and thereafter took an active part
with them. "He was quartermaster of the Regt. of Vermont troops sent to Guilford to subdue the Tories in 1784, serving under Gen.
Ethan Allen." He is cited for Civil Service during the American Revolution
by the DAR.
He was elected to represent Westminster as a member of the Governor's Council of his State in
1779 and 1800. He was a member of the Assembly in 1781, 1786, 1796, 1797, and
1798. From 1786 to 1802, he held the position of assistant justice, and from
1781 to 1785, was assistant judge of the Windham County Court.
Fifty citizens of Rockingham signed a protest
in 1781 against the appointment by Gov. Chittenden and the State Council of
Benjamim Burt as county judge. He received the appointment, however, and served
as judge for eighteen years. He held justice court in a hall on the second
story of his home for a number of years.
Benjamin Burt References:
Fairbanks, 584; History of Rockingham VT;
History of Westmoreland NH;
DAR Patriot Index.
Jonathan Burt, the son of Aaron4 (Joseph3, David2,
Henry1) and Miriam (Elmer) Burt, was born 3 Sep 1742 [Northfield MA] and settled in Walpole NH. He married Thankful __??__ about 1767 and had
a son David Burt, born 4 Sep 1768. This Jonathan would have been a first cousin to Benjamin Burt who
settled in Westminster, and was possibly Jonathan Burt of Rockingham.
Jonathan Burt of Rockingham [parents unknown] was born about
1744 and died on 15 Sep 1821 age 77 in Rockingham, Windham Co., VT. He was buried in the Old Rockingham Cemetery. He married Bethiah Preston of Rockingham on 27 Jan 1774 in Rockingham. It was the first recorded marriage on
the town church records by Rev. Samuel Whiting.
Jonathan Burt was an early resident of Rockingham VT and lived three-fourths of a mile east of Rockingham
village. He was a selectman in 1776, 1780, 1783-1786, 1789, 1790 and 1795; town
clerk 1795 to 1812; constable 1781; moderator 1786; town treasurer 1798 to
1802. His home was the location of important town offices for many years. He
was one of a committee of seven called "to settle with Rev. Samuel
Whiting" in 1782. He belonged to the first Universalist church of Rockingham in 1793. Resided in Rockingham 1791 (1-4-1-0-0).
Jonathan Burt References: History of Westmoreland NH,
360-361; History of Rockingham VT,
608; History of Northfield MA.
Leonard Burt/Burtt, the son of Benjamin5 and Mary (Root)
Burt, was born 17 Aug 1768 and died over 90 years old, after 1858. Leonard, of Westminster VT, married (1) Susanna Fay on 19 Dec 1790 in Hardwick MA. Susanna died 16 Nov 1797 in Westminster VT. He married (2) Susannah Whitney. Susannah
Whitney was born 5 Dec 1781 in Westminster and died 2 Feb 1832 in Westminster. Leonard was a raftsman on the Connecticut River at one time. He was "extremely tall" (H/R).
Leonard Burt References: History of Rockingham VT;
Westminster Town Records; "Hardwick MA VT'ers Noted Under Marriages"
submitted by Mrs. Hermon B. Tripp, Branches & Twigs Vol. 20:3, 1991,
pp. 88-89.
CARPENTER
Amos Carpenter lived in Westminster,
then called No. 1 and under a Massachusetts
charter, in the Spring of 1751. There were only two houses in town at the time
--- one which was built by Richard Ellis and then unoccupied, and another, the
one Carpenter shared with William Goold, John Goold and Atherton Chaffee. John
Averill and his family arrived in the Spring of 1751 and moved in with them.
During the following summer, he and the Goolds brought their families up from Northfield.
The house, whose builder is unknown, was "at the lower end of the
street" "at the top of Willard's Hill" He established his own
home and lived on Rocky Hill in Westminster.
The farm was sold in 1776 to James Richardson. Amos then moved to Rockingham,
Windham Co., VT. The farm, according to the plan of Westminster
was Nos. 8 and 9 in the first range of 80 acre lots. The farm was later
(ca1870) owned by Clark Whitney.
Amos was listed on 1771 Census of Westminster. He was a mill-wright and a
blacksmith. He was called "ingenious." Amos served in the American
Revolution in Major Day's unit in 1780.
Carptenter References: Fairbanks,
566, 577, 578, 613, 627; DAR Patriot Index; Fisher, 96; Carpenter Memorial,
#733.
CHAFFEE
Atherton4 Chaffee (David3, Nathaniel2,
Thomas1) with his wife and two children were in Westminster,
then called No. 1 and under a Massachusetts
charter, in the Spring of 1751. There were only two houses in town at the time
--- one which was built by Richard Ellis and then unoccupied, and another, the
one they shared with William Goold, John Goold and Amos Carpenter. John Averill
and his family arrived in the Spring of 1751 and moved in with them. See also
"John Averill." During the following summer, Goold and Carpenter
brought their families up from Northfield.
The house, whose builder is unknown, was "at the lower end of the street;
at the top of Willard's Hill." This house afterwards became known as the
Averill place. He was chosen for the committee appointed to lay out the roads
and build them after the Westminster
renewed charter of 1760. Atherton Chaffee was listed on the 1771 Census for Westminster.
He was a private in the military company of Capt. Azariah Wright during the
1770's in Westminster. Atherton
surveyed Westminster.
CHAFFEE
Otis5 Chaffee, son of Atherton4 (David3 , Nathaniel2,
Thomas1) and Rachel (Fuller) Chaffee, was probably born ca1760 and died 25 May
1813/14 [29 May 1813] in Sacket's Harbor NY in the War of 1812. He married ABIGAIL
ABBY in Windham County
VT. Abigail was probably the
daughter of John and Abial (Averill) Abbe, born 3 Jul 1767 Westminster VT.
Otis was a Private for Vermont
during the American Revolution. He was in Major Elkanah Day's Unit in 1780.
From the 1791 census, it appears that Otis was
married, had two sons and one daughter and lived for a time in Westminster.
They apparently were living in Rockingham VT
in 1807 and later settled near Olean, Cattarugus Co NY about 1814.
Children of Otis and Abigail (Abby) Chaffee: a. Ory Chaffee born 23 May 1807 Rockingham, Windham Co.,
VT; b. Lyman Chaffee born 1810 Rockingham, Windham Co., VT.
Chaffee References: "Branches & Twigs;"
DAR Patriot Index; Fairbanks, 566, 568, 577, 578, 613; Fisher, Hist. of
Westmoreland NH; Westminster VT Town Records; 1791 Census, Westminster VT.
CLARK
Barnabas Clark, the son of Scotto4 (Scotto3,
Andrew2, Thomas1, John of England) and Thankful (Crosby)
Clark was born 9 Mar 1743 in Harwich, Barnstable Co., MA and died on 12 Dec
1831 age 88 years in Westminster West. Barnabus married (1) Mehitable Hall,
married (2) Hannah __??__; married (3) Priscilla (Goodell) Bemis.
Barnabus and his brother, Scotto, moved from Cape Cod,
Massachusetts to Westminster West, Vermont
in 1796 --- the year after Mehitable's brother, Atherton went there. As with
Atherton, the Clarks made the journey in fourteen days
with an ox-team. "The Clarks brought their gold to
pay for their farms. Scotto brought his in the center of a tierce of salt.
Barnabus expressed his through on the back of his oldest son, Joshua" (Fairbanks).
American Revolution, Sgt MA.
Barnabas Clark References: Radasch; Harwich MA VR;Westminster
VR; DAR; Gravestones, Westminster West
Village Cemetery;
Fairbanks, 640; Simonds.
CLARK
Scotto Clark, the son of Scotto4 (Scotto3,
Andrew2, Thomas1, John of England) and Thankful (Crosby)
Clark, was born on 22 Sep 1745 in Harwich, Barnstable Co., MA and died 27 Mar
1826 age 90 years in Westminster West. He married (1) Sarah Griffith (Fairbanks,
623, calls her Sarah Sears). Scotto married (2) Mary Rockwood.
Scotto was a sea captain while living on Cape Cod. He
was in the American Revolutionary War; Sgt MA. He removed from Barnstable
MA to Westminster
VT about 1794 with his brother Barnabas.
Scotto Clark References: DAR; Gravestones, Westminster
West Village Cemetery;
Fairbanks, 623; Radasch; Harwich
VR.
CONE
Thomas Cone, the son of Daniel and Susannah (Hurlburt) Cone was
baptized on 8 Feb 1763 in Middletown,
Middlesex Co., CT and died 16 Apr 1854
age 91 in Westminster. Tailor. He
married (1) Mehitable Lyman and (2) Sally Bixby.
Thomas Cone References: Westminster
VR; Cone Gen.
CONE
Samuel Cone was probably born about 1730 and died 23 Apr 1802 age 72 in Westminster.
He married (1) Sally Richardson and (2) Mehitable Richardson.
Samuel came from Haddam CT
about 1760 and settled in Westminster,
Windham Co., VT. He lived there on the "Upper
Street" (Lot #19)
where he built a log house and in 1770 the one now standing (1958, one story
and weatherbeaten). Samuel had a public house which was opposite the
"brick" store in Westminster.
The business was taken over about 1810 by a Mr. Brown and in 1868 by a Mr.
Danforth. Samuel was listed on the 1771 Census. He had eleven children, nine of
whom lived to be married.
Samuel Cone References: Fairbanks,
581, 602, 616; Fisher, 129; Gravestones, Old
Cemetery Westminster.
CONE
Lemuel Cone, the son of Samuel and Sally (Richardson)
Cone, was born 1755 in Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT and died in 1824 in Batavia,
Orleans Co., NY. He married (1) Susanna Norton.
Lemuel was in the mercantile business. He lived in Westminster
during the 1791 census, removed to Hartford VT
and then to Clarendon, Orleans Co., NY about 1810. Am Rev: Capt. Hatch's Co.
1776.
Lemuel Cone References: Cone Gen, 328; Fisher, 129.
JOSHUA CONE
Joshua Cone, the son of Samuel and Sally (Richardson)
Cone, was born 1761 in Haddam CT and died in Jul 1806 age 45 yrs in Westminster,
Windham Co., VT. He married Mary Wright ("Polly") about 1790.
According to The Cone Family in America, "Joshua was an active
thorough-going, conscientious business man." Am Rev: He was in Capt.
Whitney's Co. in 1782.
Joshua Cone References: Fisher, 129; Cone Gen, 328;
Gravestones, Old Cemetery
Westminster.
CRAWFORD
James Crawford, the son of James1 and Elizabeth (Campbell)
Crawford of Scotland, was born 13 Sep
1733 in Union, Tolland Co., CT and died 1 Jan 1807, 73 yrs. He married Grace Carpenter on
8 Sep 1755 in Union
CT.
The Crawfords are said to be of Scottish descent and to have come to this
country from Londonderry, Ireland
about 1730. James resided in Union CT
and removed to the south part of Westminster West VT in 1769 and to Putney in
1799. He lived on the land owned by William Braley in 1870. James was listed on
the 1771 and 1791 censuses of Westminster.
James was a Minute Man and a Corporal for Vermont
during the American Revolution. Stevens gives the following account:
He was a soldier in the Revolution, evidently a
resolute, determined man, and true patriot. The news of the battle of Lexington
reached him at sundown. He started the next morning before sunrise to join the
army, leaving his son, Theophilus, but 9 years of age, with his mother, to
clear the burnt field and get in the grain. He obtained a furlough of a few
weeks in autumn to gather the harvest. This done, he left again for the army,
leaving the mother and son alone for the winter of 1776.
The son, when nearly 90 years of age, said,
"I chopped the wood and drove the steers. Mother helped load, and we kept
warm." Noble mother and boy. Their names shall never died, nor their deeds
be untold.
Crawford References: DAR; Putney
VT; Bertha Miller Collins; Stevens, 638;
People of Putney.
CROWELL
Levi Crowell, the son of Christopher5 (Christopher4,
John3,2,1) and Deborah (Sears) Crowell, was born 16 May 1764 and died 2 Feb 1848 in Westminster.
He married Susanna Sears. Susanna was born about 1766 and died on 3 Apr 1844.
Levi Crowell removed to Westminster West about 1799/1800.
Crowell References: Westminster
VR; Gazetteer; Gravestones, Westminster
West Village Cemetery
DAY
DR.
ELKANAH DAY, the son of David and Ruth (Whipple) Day,
was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts
on 29 Jan 1732/17333 and
died in Strafford NY
in Mar 1803. He resided Chesterfield
NH 1770 and was a selectman there that year
where "the town meetings were usually held at his house till the meeting
house was built (Chesterfield). He moved to Westminster
Vt previous to 6 Jun 1775 and lived on the place formerly occupied by
Crean Brush. He was a prominent and influential man and respected
physician. According to Reading2 (pp.
72), he removed from Wr to Reading, Windsor Co., VT before 1790 and “was killed suddenly by being thrown from his
horse.” 1791 Census Wr (1-1-1-0-0);
1800 Census Strafford (00001-0000100)
He married Lavinah Merrill of
Chesterfield NH..
He came to the County Convention
at Westminster to look into the
monetary affairs of the county in the session of 6 Jun 1775. He was a delegate to the meeting of the County
Committee of Safety, held in Westminster
in June 1776 [with John Norton], and was chosen clerk. "In 1780,
Maj. Elkanah Day was one of a committee to consider the feasiblility of a new
government formed by a union of Eastern Vermont and Western
New Hampshire. He was, with John Sessions, a Representative in the
New York Assembly in 1779, and Senator in 1781, Sheriff, 1786 and '87; High
Sheriff of Windham County, 1782-87." Elkanah was listed on the 1791 Census of Westminster.
As a
physician, he attended the wounded William French at the time of the Westminster
massacre. "Elkanah Day, a physician of Westmoreland
Vt. [Westminster
Vt.], was appointed a captain of rangers by
the provincial congress of New York,
but resigned Oct. 23, 1776." He was in the Cumberland
County (now Windham
County, Vermont),
regiment in 1778. He was one of those called "Yorkers" who opposed
the State Militia law in 1779 and was fined 40 pounds. He was Major of Southern
Regiment, 1778; Adjutant under Gen. Ethan Allen, 1782; Capt.
NY
Day References: Fairbanks, 590, 603, 620; 1791 Census,
Westminster VT; The History of Rockingham, Vermont; DAR Patriot Index;
Fisher, 152; Dudley MA VR; Hist. of
Chesterfield, 279; Hall's History of
Eastern Vt, p. 640; Reading2, 72-73; Merrill, 298.
DICKINSON
Azariah Dickinson, the son of Azariah3 (Joseph2,
Nathaniel1) and Hannah (Spencer) Dickinson, was born 5 Jun 1709 in
Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT and died in 1788 age 79 at Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT.
He married Hepzebah Walkeley on 30
Nov 1732 at Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT. She is called Hepzibah
Chapman by Fairbanks.
It is said that the Dickinsons
were the third permanant settlers in Westminster
and were there in the 1760's. Their sons Dan, Azariah and Job settled in
the south part of town on the hill road to Putney. Azariah settled "on the
middle road" nearly opposite of where Zachariah Gilson settled. His land
became a part of the Ward farm of 1870. Dan and Azariah were among the nine
persons who were a part of the church when it was organized in 1767.
Children of Azariah and Hepzebah (Walkeley) Dickinson born Haddam, Middlesex
Co., CT:
- Azariah Dickinson
born 17 Jul 1733
Haddam and died 19 Jul 1808
age 75 yrs in Westminster. He
married Temperance Shipman.
- Mary Dickinson born 2 Sep 1735 Haddam.
- John Dickinson born 27 Dec 1737 Haddam. He married Martha
__??__.
- Daniel Dickinson born 14 Jan 1739 in Haddam. He married
Margaret Brown.
- Ruth Dickinson born 10 Mar 1741 Haddam.
- Agnes Dickinson born 21 Mar 1745 Haddam.
- Job Dickinson born 13 Dec 1747 Haddam and died 4 Mar 1817 age 70 yrs in Westminster.
He married Rachel Ranney on 11
Apr 1776 in Westminster.
- Thankful Dickinson
born 1749 Haddam.
Dickinson References: Fairbanks, 584, 598, 618; Gravestones,
Gilson Cem, Westminster; Gravestones, Old East Parish Cemetery, Westminster;
Westminster Town Records.
DORAND/DORAN
RICHARD DORAND/DORAN settled in Westminster
about 1782/83 and was living there during the census of 1791. He had no
descendants there in 1870 (Fairbanks,
598).
DOUBLEDAY
Nathaniel Doubleday, the son of Nathaniel and Mary (Woodhead) Doubleday
of Charlestown MA, was born ca1734 and died in Aug 1783, age 49 in Westminster,
Windham Co., VT (Adm. of Estate, 6 Oct 1783) (g.s., So. Valley Cem, WrW, Lt.
Nathaniel Doubleday, died in Aug 1788 age 49th yr; has flag epitaph at grave; probably
misread and should be 1783).
Nathaniel and his wife settled in Westminster
West before 1770 and was one of the first settlers there. History of Northfield says that their dau Anna was born in Wr in
1760. The jury roll says he resided on
lot No. 6, fifth range of 80 acre lots. An old cellar discloses the spot where
his house stood, now far away from any house or road. (Stevens, 639). "He was one the jury of inquest on the
body of William French, who was killed by the British troops, at Westminster, Mar 13, 1775. He was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War. Mass Soldiers &
Sailors Vol IV gives the following information on his service:
p. 496:
Doubleday, Nathaniel. Westminster (MA/VT?); Lieutenant, Capt John Wood's Co.,
Col Paul Dudley Sargent's Regt.; muster roll dated Aug 1, 1775; engaged April 24,
1775; service 3 mos, 15 dys, etc." (Barbour Collection also).
p. 894:
"Doubledee, Nathaniel, Putney. Private, Capt Abijah Moore's Co. of minute
men, which marched in response to the alarm of April 19, 1775; service from Apr
23, 1775, to time of returning home, 14 days," It is not known what
relation, if any, this Nathaniel was to the one in Westminster.
He married DINAH HARRIS on 13 Apr 1757
in Pomfret, Windham Co., CT. Dinah, the 6th child of Samuel and Dinah (Wilcox)
Harris, was born 18 May 1733 in New London, New London Co., CT and died 5 Dec
1793 in Westminster, Windham Co., VT (CR1, 469, as "Widow
Doubledee"). (VT VR Index, as "Widow Doubledee").
The 1791 Census Westminster (p. 56) shows
"Widow Doubleday" as a head of family consisting of two females.
Probably her unmarried daughter, Abiah, was living with her.
Doubleday References: Stevens,
639; Barbour Collection, Pomfret VR 1:107;
Mass. Soldiers & Sailors; Doubleday Families of America; Centennial
Proceedings of Northfield VT; Robinson Genealogy; Fisher, 162, not named; Stevens2, 346.
EASTON
Bildad
Easton. He married (1) ______ and (2) Martha
__??__. He moved to Westminster VT from Alstead NH about the time of the American Revolution and was
deputy sheriff during the time of the "Westminster Massacre" of 1775.
"He was noted for his Tory proclivities and the active part he took at the
time of the Revolutionary proceedings in Westminster." He was
one of the 30 men arrested in 1779 and jailed at Westminster for noncompliance with the conditions of the new
militia law of the state of Vermont. Easton References: Fairbanks, 589; Westminster Town Records.
EATON
Asa Eaton, the son of
David6 (Thomas5, John4, John3,
Nicholas2, William1) and Bethiah (Tiffany) Eaton,
was born 16 Mar 1746 in Ashford
CT. He
married Abigail Goodell on 5 Nov 1772 in Ashford. Abigail, the dau of Jabez4 (Thomas3,
Zachariah2, Robert1) and Abigail (Lyon)
Goodell,
was born 28 Jan 1749 in Pomfret
CT.
EATON, Asa [and Abigail GOODELL (Ashfield
CT)]; their
children:
Bethia born 22 Jan 1774 Ashford CT; m. Samuel Mason
Simeon born 21 May 1775
Ashford CT
David born 6 Jan 1778 Ashford CT; m. Ama Clark. 1791 Census Wr
(3-1-2-0-0)
Asa Jr. born 27 May
1780 Ashford CT; m. Malinda Hitchcock. 1791 Census Wr
(3-3-3-0-0)
James born 10
Jun 1782 Ashford CT; m. Fanny
Richards
Abigail "Nabby" born 16 Aug 1784 Ashford CT; m.
Thomas Tolman
Samuel born 8 Dec 1788 Wr; m. Anna
Merrifield. They had a dau Elizabeth R.
Eaton said to have been born 23 Mar 1824 Wr (not
found in Wr records).
Isaiah Eaton, the son of Timothy and
Abigail (Massey) Eaton,
was born 15 Oct 1757 in
Haverill MA. He m. (1) Priscilla West and (2) Azubah
(Rockwood) Grout. The deaths of
Isaiah, his second wife, and several of his children appear in Wr records.
Eaton References: Rockingham2,
Ashford VR, David Swaney; Thompson Church Records.Walpole, 87-88; NH Births;
Old East Parish Cem Wr; Wr Town Records, Wr West Village Cem
ELLIS
Richard
Ellis built one of the first two
houses in Westminster. He did not
stay and was gone by 1751. Nothing else
is known about him.
Fisk References: DAR, Brookfield VR, Gs-1; Fisher,
188; Barbour Collection; Fairbanks, 590
EXPERIANCE/EXPERIANS
FISK, son of Nathan4 (William3,
Nathan2, 1) and Eleanor (Whitney) Fisk, was born 19 Nov 1751 Greenwich MA and died 31 Mar 1825 (g.s., East Brookfield Cem, age 73 yrs 6 mos) [31 Mar 1823-5 (DAR)]. He married MARY EARLE ("Polly") on 12 Oct 1785 in Westminster (VR) (Brookfield VR). Mary, was born
ca1754 (g.s.) and died 30 Mar 1838 (g.s., East Brookfield Cem, age 74).
1791 Brookfield, Orange Co., VT (1-1-3-0-0). Lt MA and VT. Resided Westminster and Brookfield VT.
Fisk References: Vt Fam
1:67-68; DAR
SYLVANUS
FISK, son of Nathan4
(William3, Nathan2, 1) and Eleanor (Whitney) Fisk, born
about 1753 and died 27 Jun 1784 in 31st yr in Westminster VT. He was in the Revolutionary War. Bertha Miller
Collins summarized his service as follows:
"Rev. War
Rolls, State of Vt," p. 35, name appears in pay roll of company commanded
by Capt. John Petty in Col. William Williams' Regt. of Militia, served 30 days
beginning Aug 29, 1777; p. 266, name appears in two companies of Militia in
Westminster, officers and soldiers, who marched in alarm Oct. 17, 1780, served
8 days; p. 629, listed as Sergt. in pay roll of Capt. Benj. Whitney's Co.
in the State of Vt., at Guilford and other adjacent parts in the county of Windham, from Nov. 1, 1783 to Mar. 1, 1784, served 4 mos., 2 dys. "Hall's History" pp. 518, 520, 527.
"State Papers of Vermont," Vol. III, pps. 29, 32, 77. Wounded in Jan 1784
at Guilford and died in June. Expenses of sickness paid by State.
Bronze DAR marker 1946. (Caggiano)
GOOLD
John Goold Sr., said to be the son of Nathaniel and Mary (Makepeace)
Goold, was born about 1730/32 and died 27 (26?) Feb 1809 age 77 yrs in Westminster.
He married Abigail Hall.
He was living in Westminster in
the Spring of 1751 with William Goold, Amos Carpenter and Atherton Chaffee. In
the summer of that year he moved his family from Northfield
MA to Westminster.
He ran the "Whig Tavern" on the lower street in 1755 and was a large
land owner in the town. He was known as a great story teller and was said to
have been quite proud of it. The story Guilty
or Not Guilty included under Westminster Vignettes is supposed to have
taken place at his tavern and been told by him.
John was listed on the 1771 census of Westminster
and was a proprietor on 26 Mar 1772
when Westminster was re-chartered
under New York state, along with
Seth and Nathaniel Goold. He was a soldier during the American Revolution
(Fisher, p. 216).
Fairbanks lists the following
children: John Jr., Abigail, Aaron, Jonathan, Luther and Sarah. The name of a
daughter Mary is found on a gravestone.
Note: Fairbanks states
that Seth, John, and Nathaniel Goold, proprietors under the New
York charter of 1772, "were probably
brothers" (p. 613). In the same paragraph, he also states that John was
the son of William. This does not seem to follow with information known about
the family and it seems more likely that William would have been another
brother. Seth and William were privates in Capt. Azariah Wright's Westminster
Militia in the 1770's. As mentioned, Seth, John, and William Goold are listed
on the census of 1771. Seth, William and Nathaniel were members of the Baptist
Society of Westminster in 1784.
John Goold Sr. References: Fairbanks, 613; Fisher, 216.
GOOLD
John Goold Jr., said by Fairbanks (p. 613),
to be the eldest son of John Sr and Abigail (Hall) Goold, was born 25 Mar
1760/61 in Westminster, Windham Co., VT and died 22 May 1850 in Chester,
Windsor Co., VT. He married Nancy Graves.
John was a private in the American Revolution from
Vermont; Capt. Whitney's Co.,
1782. He was a printer with Spooner & Green and later had his own printing
business. John Jr. lived in Westminster
[where the parsonage stood in 1870], in Windham
VT, and Chester
VT. Fairbanks
lists the following children: John, Nancy, Abigail, Sylvester,
Lydia, Amos, Allen,
David, Polly and Aaron.
John Goold References: Chester
VR; Fisher, 214; DAR; Fairbanks, 579.
JONATHAN GOOLD
Jonathan Goold, the son of John Sr. and
Abigail (Hall) Goold, was probably born in Westminster.
He married Anna Whitney.
They lived in and ran the "Goold Tavern"
in Westminster. It stood on the west
side of the street, opposite where it stood in 1870. Jonathan was living in the
Goold Tavern with his father John Sr. during the Census of 1790. They moved to Ohio.
(Fairbanks, 613)
Jonathan Goold References: Fairbanks,
613; History of Surry NH.
SETH GOOLD
Seth was listed in the 1771 Census of Westminster and was a proprietor there
when Westminster was re-chartered
under New York State
on 26 Mar 1772. He was a
private in Capt. Azariah Wright's Westminster
military company in the 1770's
Seth Goold References: Fairbanks,
613, 579.
GOOLD
Seth Goold was born about 1758/60, probably
in Westminster, and died 23 Oct 1844 age 84/86 yrs Westminster.
He married Submit (Page) Williams.
He was in the Revolutionary War. He received a
pension for his service, R4162 NH & VT Line, also possibly MA. Seth was
listed on the Westminster Census taken 1
Jun 1840, age 80. He was a cousin of William and Daniel Goold.
Seth Goold References: Westminster
VR; Old Cemetery
Westminster.
GOOLD
William Goold, possibly the son of Nathaniel and Mary (Makepeace)
Goold, was probably born about 1730 or before in Massachusetts. William was
living in Westminster, then called
No. 1, in the Spring of 1751. There were only two houses in town at the time
--- one which was built by Richard Ellis and then unoccupied, and another, the
one he and John Goold shared with Amos Carpenter, and Atherton Chaffee. John
Averill and his family arrived in the Spring of 1751 and moved in with them.
During the following summer, the Goolds and Amos Carpenter brought their
families up from Northfield. Their
house was at the lower end of the street at the top of Willard's Hill. This
house afterwards became known as the Averill place.
John, Seth, and William were listed on the 1771 Census of Westminster. John,
Seth, and Nathaniel [William?] were proprietors in Westminster in 1772 at the
time of the grant from New York. Seth and William were privates in Capt.
Azariah Wright's Westminster militia in the 1770's. William may have had
children William born 1756 and Daniel.
William Goold References: Fairbanks, 566, 577, 578, 613.
HARLOW
Eleazer Harlow came to Westminster from Taunton MA in about 1758 and
settled on House-Lot No. 18 on the Upper Street a little to the south of the
Wright brothers on a rise of ground. It later became the Charles Willard place.
He built a plank house instead of a log cabin; the first in town. In 1782, he
built another house which is still standing. Eleazer was a prominent resident
of the town and was "a substantial element in town affairs." He was
listed on the 1771 and 1791 censuses of Westminster. Eleazer married Rhoda
Alexander, the daughter of Phillip Alexander, who was another early
associate of Westminster, although he lived on the Great Meadows in Putney.
Daniel Houghton and William French were mortally wounded at the
Revolutionary battle which became known as the "Westminster Massacre"
of March 12, 1775. William French died immediately. Daniel Houghton was taken
to the home of Eleazer Harlow, where he was protected and nursed for the
several days before his death. The house stood a short distance, northwest of
the courthouse, the sight of the "Massacre." For this public service
during the American Revolutionary War, Eleazer Harlow's descendants have become
members of the DAR.
Harlow References: Fairbanks, 575, 579, 613.
The Harlow family has a strong Pilgrim and Mayflower heritage starting with
William1 Harlow. William was born in England and came to this
country as early as 1637 and settled at Plymouth MA. The date and the ship he
came on are unknown. In Plymouth, he married his first wife, REBECCA BARTLETT.
Rebecca was the daughter of ROBERT BARTLETT of the "Anne" and MARY
WARREN of the "Mayflower." Mary was the daughter of RICHARD WARREN
and ELIZABETH MARSH, both of the "Mayflower."
Their son, Samuel2 Harlow, married his first cousin HANNAH MOREY
as his second wife. Hannah was the daughter of JONATHAN MOREY and MARY BARTLETT
MOREY and the grandaughter of ROGER MOREY and MARY JOHNSON. Mary Bartlett was
the grandaughter of ROBERT BARTLETT of the "Anne" and MARY WARREN of
the "Mayflower" (above).
Their son Eleazer3 Harlow married first to HANNAH DELANO. Hannah
was the daughter of Dr. BENONO DELANO and ELIZABETH DREW; the grandaughter of
Dr. THOMAS DELANO and MARY ALDEN; and the great grandaughter of PHILIP DELANO
(DE LA NOYE), the Huguenot Pilgrim of the "Mayflower" and his wife
HESTER DEWSBURY. Hannah Delano was then the grandaughter of Mary Alden and the
great grandaughter of JOHN ALDEN and PRISCILLA MULLINS, both of the
"Mayflower." Priscilla Mullins was the daughter of WILLIAM MULLINS
and ALICE [PORETIERS?], both of the "Mayflower." Elizabeth Drew was
the daughter of JOHN and HANNAH (CHURCHILL) DREW, but they were not of the
early Pilgrim Company.
Harlow References: Theo P. Adams, Harlow Genealogy,
compiled 1857-1860, revised & copied 1923 (The Sgt. William Harlow Family
Association, May 1979); Plymouth Mass. Vital Records; Harlow Family.
Descendants of Sgt. William Harlow [1624/25-1691 of Plymouth,
Massachusetts. Compiled by The
Genealogy Committee of the Harlow Family Association,
Edited by Alicia Crane Williams (Baltimore MD: Gateway Press, Inc., 1997)..
HOLTON
John and Joshua Holton were cousins who lived
in Northfield, Franklin Co., MA. It is not known if either of them
spent time in Westminster; however, a number of their children settled there.
The family of John is the better known of the two cousins.
John Holton, the son William3 (John2,
William1) and Abigail (Edwards) Holton was born 24 Oct 1707 in Northfield MA and died 25 Oct 1793. He married Mehitable Alexander on 7 Mar 1731
in Northfield MA. Mehitable, the dau of Ebenezer and Mehitable (Buck)
Alexander, was born in 11 Aug 1713 in Northfield MA and died 28 Dec 1792. She
was blind for many years.
Children of John Holton and Mehitable
Alexander born in Northfield MA; surname HOLTON:
i. Chloe Holton born 1 Jan 1733; m. Ebenezer Dickinson
ii. Mehitable Holton born 24 Feb 1735; m. Abner Howe
iii. Joel Holton born 10 Jul 1738; m. Bethia Farwell
iv. Irene Holton born 20 Oct 1741; m. Medad Wright
v. Anna Holton born 23 Oct 1744; m. John Norton
vi. John Holton born 22 Oct 1747; m. Hannah Sheldon.
Joel Holton was a soldier in 1759 and moved to Westminster VT in 1761, soon after the French and Indian War. He
came up the Connecticut River from Northfield with his brother-in-laws, Medad
Wright of Northfield MA and John Norton of Farmington CT along with Medad's
brother Azariah Wright. They camped together with Judge Benjamin Burt and Aaron
Petty. These men settled in the same area in Westminster --- Joel Holton on Lot
#10, north of Azariah Wright on Lot #11 [bought from Josiah Willard; deed dated
20 Apr 1761], Medad Wright on Lot #12, John Norton on Lot #13, Aaron Petty Lot
#17, along with Eleazer Harlow on Lot #18. Joel was listed on the 1771 Census
of Westminster.
Joshua Holton had at least three children,
Ebenezer, Jonathan, and Joshua. They lived in Westminster and the surrounding
area, though they were in Westminster for only a relatively short period of
time and their presence there has been almost erased.
Joshua Holton, the son of Thomas3
(John2, William1) and Mindwell (Allen) Holton, was born 5
Dec 1715 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., MA and died on 26 Apr 1746 in Northfield,
Franklin Co., MA. He was killed by the Indians "while on his way home from
Boston, with money to pay the soldiers, and those who had billited them."
Joshua had a brother Thomas who settled in Dummerston VT in 1799. Joshua
married Mary Stebbins on 17 Aug 1741 in Northfield, Franklin Co., MA. Mary, the daughter of Joseph and
Mary (Williams) Stebbins, was born in 11 Jul 1719 in Northfield/ Northampton, MA and died in 1778 in Bradford, Orange Co., VT.
Children of Joshua Holton and Mary Stebbins
born Northfield MA; surname HOLTON:
i. Ebenezer Holton was born 9 Apr 1742 in Northfield MA. He married Mary Worthington of Springfield MA on 20 Jul 1762 in West Springfield MA (Northfield). Mary Worthington, the daughter of Lt. John and Mary
(Pratt) Worthington, was born 23 Jan 1745 in Springfield MA. Ebenezer and Mary removed to Chester VT and from there to Wr, where they died. The
children of Ebenezer Holton and Mary Worthington; surname HOLTON (Northfield) (not found in Wr records): i. Nancy born 13 Mar 1763 Northfield MA; ii. Charlotte born 14 Mar 1765 Chester; iii. Ebenezer born 26 Feb 1767 Chester;
iv. _____, dau, born 28 Jan 1769 Chester; v. _____, dau, born 20 Apr 1770 Chester;
vi. _____, dau, born 16 Feb 1771 Chester; vii. Lewis born 19 Mar 1772 Chester;
viii. Worthington born 31 Jan 1774 Wr; m. Phebe (Phelps) Ranney; ix. Mary born 9 May 1776 Wr; x. Thomas born 20 Jul 1778 Wr; xi. Horace born 14 Jun 1781 Wr; xii. Lois born 14 Jun 1781 Wr; xiii. Anna born 2 Apr 1785 Wr; xiv Frederick born 15 Oct 1787 Wr
ii. Jonathan Holton born 15 Sep 1743 and died 19 Nov 1821. He married (1) Hannah Olcott and (2) Nancy Walker.
They resided in Charlestown NH in 1765, Westmoreland NH 1772-1777, and Rockingham VT by 29 Apr 1779. The names of his children are found in Rockingham2 on pp.
682-683 and Rockingham4 on pp. 15-16.
iii. Joshua Holton born 13 Oct 1745 and died 22 Oct 1828 in Chester VT. He married Esther Wilcox. Esther, the dau of Janna
and Rachel (Boardman) Wilcox (q.v.) was born 13 Mar 1749/1750 in
Middletown CT and died 14 Sep 1833 in Chester VT On 30 Mar 1777, "Joshua
and Esther Hotten [sic] at Chester, were propounded to the Chh
[church]" at Rockingham. On 11 May 1777, Joshua and Ester Hotten [sic] were received into the Chh
[church] at Rockingham and had the following children baptized: Joshua, Asahel
and Luther. Apparently they were living in Chester, but were members of the church at Rockingham. They
were listed on the census of Chester VT in 1791. Joshua and Esther's children: surname
HOLTON: i. Joshua, b. 19 Nov 1770; ii. Asahel, b. 18 Aug 1772; iii. Leonard, b. 22 Jan 1774; iv. Luther, b. 18 Mar 1776; v. Leonard, b. 16 Jul 1778; vi. Daniel, b. 27 Mar 1780; vii. Esther, b. 10 Apr 1781; viii. Janna, b. 14 Dec 1783; ix. Amos, b. 4 Dec 1785; and x. Charlotte, b. 4 Feb 1788. Joshua may have been the Joshua Holton listed on the 1771 Census of
Wr and some, if not all, of their children may have been born in Wr and/or
Rockingham.
Mary (Stebbins) Holden married (2) Dr. Bildad Andross (q.v.) on 11 Apr 1750 in Northfield, Franklin Co., MA. Bildad Andross, the son of John
and Elizabeth (Orvice) Andross, was born 12 May 1719 in Southington/Farmington,
Hartford Co., CT and died in 1802 in Bradford, Orange Co., VT.
Joshua Holton References: DAR; Rockingham4, Rockingham2; Southington CT Genealogies; History of Bradford; History of Northfield; Northfield
VR;: History of Northfield MA; Old Cem Wr; Fairbanks, 582, 615
MAY
Eleazer May was the son of Rev. Eleazer and Sibbie/Sibble/Sibyl
(Huntington) May of Haddam CT and brother of Clarissa May, the wife of Rev.
Sylvester Sage of Westminster. Eleazer was born 2 Oct 1766 in Haddam CT and
died 11 Jul 1845 age 78 of paralysis in Westminster. He married Huldah
Robinson and Cynthia House.
Eleazer moved to Westminster VT in 1789 and lived with Mr. Samuel Cone Sr.
on the upper street. He opened the first store in town in the front part of his
house and later built the one standing at the time Fairbanks wrote his history.
Cone was afterwards in company with Mark Richards. Fairbanks gives the
following (p. 602):
Eleazer May
opened a store on the upper street, near Mr. [Samuel Sr.] Cone's, both of whom
came from Haddam, CT. Samuel Cone, Jr. was clerk with May, and kept store after
Mr. May removed. There was, afterwards, the firm of Pratt & May, and when
Mark Richards came to town he bought out Mr. Pratt and with Mr. May did a large
business, and, as appears from the old account books, rum and toddy constituted
no inconsiderable part of the traffic. They had rum in those days that was
thought fit for ministers to drink, as appears from the fact that the parson
was a frequent purchaser.
References: Bailey; DAR; Fairbanks, 602, 605, 621; Old
Cemetery Westminster; Westminster VR; Granville MA VR; Vt. Fam. Vol. 1; History
of Rockingham VT.
NORTON
John Norton moved from Farmington CT to Westminster VT about 1761,
age 21, soon after the French and Indian War. He came up the Connecticut River
from Northfield MA with Azariah and Medad Wright and Joel Holton, the brother
of his future wife, Anna Holton. They camped, with Judge Burt and Aaron
Petty in Westminster. These men settled in the same area of Westminster
--- Joel Holton on Lot #10, Azariah Wright on Lot
#11, Medad Wright on Lot #12, John Norton on Lot
#13, Aaron Petty Lot #17, along with Eleazer Harlow on Lot
#18. John was listed on the 1771 Census of Westminster and the 1791 Census
(3-2-7-0-0).
He built and ran the "Norton Tavern" in Westminster
on the upper street in 1775. John Norton "was a prominent man in the town,
held various positions in the town offices, and in 1776 was delegate with Dr.
Elkanah Day to the Council of Safety for Cumberland Co. He was also a member of
the Legislature in 1782". He was a "Yorker" at the beginning of
the Revolution.
"John Norton, keeper of the tavern, playfully remarked to her [Mrs.
Frances Buchanan who was becoming acquainted with the widower, Ethan Allen] one
day, with reference to the perspective alliance, Fanny, if you marry General
Allen, you will be the queen of the new State. Yes, she replied, if
I should marry the devil, I should be the queen of hell" (Fairbanks,
p. 588).
Norton References: Fairbanks, 581, 588, 602
PETTY
Margaret (Alexander) Petty removed from Northfield to Westminster,
Windham Co., VT about 1760; it is not known if her husband, John Petty, Sr.
came with her (Temple1). She could have been living with one of her children
during the 1791 Census of Rockingham, although she apparently was not with her
son John's family in 1786 when the were "warned out" of Rockingham..
Margaret (Alexander) Petty References: History of Northfield
MA; Rockingham VR.
PETTY JR.
John Petty Jr., was the son of John and Margaret (Alexander) Petty of
Northfield MA. He removed to Westminster VT
and was chosen for the committee to layout the roads and make them after the Westminster
charter was renewed in 1760. He was a soldier under Capt. Burk in 1760. He was
a private under Capt. Azariah Wright of the "Liberty Party" in 1770.
John Petty, Capt. VT;
Capt. Williams' regt 1777; resided ?Westminster
and ?Rockingham 1790. John Petty, VT; Maj. Day's unit 1780; resided Westminster.
He was listed in the 1771 Census of Westminster and the 1791 Census of
Rockingham.
John Petty Jr. References: Fairbanks,
568; Fisher, 405; History of Northfield MA.
AARON PETTY
Aaron Petty was the son of John and Mehitable (Alexander)
Petty of Northfield, Franklin Co.,
MA. They came to Westminster VT
about 1761 at the same time as Azariah and Medad Wright, Joel Holton, John
Norton, Benjamin Burt. These men all camped together upon arrival in
Westminster and later all built in the same area --- Joel Holton on Lot #10,
Azariah Wright on Lot #11, Medad Wright on Lot #12, John Norton on Lot #13,
Aaron Petty Lot #17, just back of Eleazer Harlow who was on Lot #18 (Fairbanks,
582). Aaron's lot was too low for a building spot on the street. Aaron was in
the expedition to Crown Point under
Capt. Burk in 1759 (Temple1). He was listed on the 1771 Census of Westminster.
Aaron Petty References: History of Northfield
MA; Fairbanks,
582.
WHITNEY
Benjamin Whitney was probably born in Massachusetts.
He died 19 Nov 1822 at the
age of 81 (Obituary, "Vermont Intelligencer," 25 Nov 1822, courtesy
of Colleen Knights).
He lived for a while in Keene, Cheshire Co., NH and then removed to Surry,
Cheshire Co., NH, where his name is found in 1768 when the road was surveyed.
He was the first known blacksmith known in Surry. After a few years, he removed
to Westminster, Windham Co. VT, where he was living by about 1779. There, he
purchased Lot No. 11 in the first range of 80 acres, just north of James
Richardson's. Capt. Benjamin was chosen Horse Brander and Fence Viewer at the
first town meeting of which there is any record in Westminster
on 15 Mar 1784.
He appears to have been allied with the New York
party at the time of American Revolution, and was one of the 30 men arrested in
1779 and jailed at Westminster for
noncompliance with the conditions of the new militia law of the state of Vermont.
Am Rev: VT, Capt.; Cdr of Co. 1783; res. Westminster.
Whitney References: Fairbanks,
582, 598, 624-625; Fisher, 563; History of Surry
NH.
WILCOX
Ephraim Wilcox came to Westminster
from East Middletown CT.
He was a soldier during the American Revolution. Ephraim Wilcox was one of the
first settlers in Westminster West. He settled on the farm later owned by David
C. Gorham [1870]. Ephraim was listed on the 1771 Census of Westminster, as well
as the 1791 Census.
Note: The early Westminster Wilcox families and probably the
Whitingham Wilcox families were descended from John1 Wilcox of
Hartford CT. There was a second Wilcox family which came to Westminster
and Rockingham in the early 1800's. This was a separate and distinct family
which was descended from William Wilcox [Wilcoxson] of Stratford
CT.
Wilcox References: Middletown
Upper Houses; Stephens, 637; DAR Patriot Index.
WILLARD
Frank E. Vanderbilt Sr., has been compiling
a genealogy of the Willard family for some time. If you have any family
records that would supplement this work, please email him at vdbilt@hal-pc.org or write to 10206 Chatterton, Houston, TX 77043-3333.
WILLARD
Joseph Willard resided in Westminster.
Joseph and his brother, Billy, appear to have been allied with the New
York party [Tory] at the time of the American
Revolution. They were two of the 30 men arrested in 1779 and jailed at Westminster
for noncompliance with the conditions of the new militia law of the state of Vermont.
He was released on bail, and was later tried and fined.
Joseph Willard References: Fairbanks,
581-582.
WILLARD
Col. Josiah Willard was commissioned as a Lt. Col. in the military.
Upon the death of his father in 1750, he was placed in command of Fort
Dummer. He was also in charge of a
garrison at Ashuelot (now Keene NH)
for many years. In 1794, he removed to Winchester
NH.
Josiah was a land surveyor and owned considerable real estate
("vast domains") in New Hampshire
and Vermont. He was one of the
grantees of Putney under the Charter from New Hampshire
in 1753 and from New York in
1766. He was a proprietor of Westminster
on the New Hampshire charters of
1752 and 1760. His brothers Nathan, Oliver and Wilder and brother-in-law,
William Willard were also proprietors of Westminster, as were his children
Josiah Jr [3rd], Solomon, Prentice and Jonathan and his nephews Nathan Willard
Jr, Billy Willard and William Willard Jr.
The first meeting of the Westminster
grantees was held in Winchester at
Josiah's house on 22 Aug 1753
and met by several adjournments at Fort
Dummer on 29 Oct 1753. Josiah was instrumental in
obtaining the renewed charter of Westminster
which was obtained on 11 Jun 1760.
He called a meeting of the proprietors on 4 Feb 1761 at the house of John Averill in Westminster.
At a meeting held on 6 May 1761,
certain valuable lands --- 50 acres on Mill Brook and 60 acres at the lower end
of Governor's meadow --- were voted to Col. Willard for encouragement to build
a saw and a grist mill. In accordance with the King of England's decision to
place the lands west of the Connecticut River under the jurisdiction of New
York, a new charter was granted on 26 May 1772 and the lands were issued to
certain guarantees who conveyed to Josiah Willard of Winchester NH. He executed
release to the former proprietors or their assigns as chosen to take title
under the new authority. Josiah never lived in Westminster.
Josiah Willard References: Putney History.
WILLARD
Lynde(s) Willard resided in Westminster
"a short distance to the south" [of brother, Billy or Joseph?]. On 25 Mar 1789, his father deeded land
in Westminster to him and his
brothers Billy and Joseph. He continued to reside there during the 1791 and
1800 censuses. They later removed to Rockingham and in 1807 they moved to
Chesterfield, Essex Co., New York.
Lynde took the stand of the patriots and marched with the Westminster
militia in the alarm 17 Oct 1780
as part of Major Elkanah Day's Battalion (Muster Roll, VSRW, 267). His brothers,
Joseph and Billy, were on the opposite side, that of the "Yorkers" or
tories.
Lyndes Willard References: Fairbanks, 581; Vt Fam
1:190.
WILLARD
William Willard lived in Winchester NH
and Putney VT
and later settled in Westminster at
the foot of "Willard Hill," sometimes called "Clapp's
Hill," where Richard Ellis settled in 1739. He was a proprietor in Westminster
on the New Hampshire Charters of 1752 and 1760 and had extensive holdings of
land there. By a deed made 25 Mar 1780,
he gave land to three of his sons, Joseph, Abel and Lynde.
He joined the Fort on the Great Meadows, Putney,
VT in 1755 and was a soldier at Fort
Dummer as early as 1750 and as late
as 1756. He was on the committee chosen to lay out and make the roads after the
renewed New Hampshire charter of Westminster
in 1760. William was one of the first nine members of the East
Parish Church,
11 Jun 1767. He was justice
of the peace in Westminster in
1766, 1767 and 1768 and 1772 and assistant justice of the Court of Common Pleas
in 1768 and 1772. William was listed on the 1771 Census of Westminster as well
as the 1791 Census.
William Willard References: Willard Gen, 83; Old Cem Wr;
Fairbanks, 580-581, 617; Lunenburg MA VR; 1771 Census Cumberland Co., NY; 1791
Census Windham Co., VT.
WILLARD
Billy Willard lived on the "home place" in Westminster.
He was listed as a proprietor on the renewed New
Hampshire charter of Westminster
VT of 11 Jun 1760. He was prominent in the Westminster
Massacre of 13 Mar 1775 in
which William French was killed. In fact, he boasted of having knocked French
down.
Billy and his brother, Joseph, appear to have kept their alliance with the New
York party [Tory]. They were two of the 30 men
arrested in 1779 and jailed at Westminster
for noncompliance with the conditions of the new militia law of the state of Vermont.
They were tried and fined.
William Willard Jr. References: Brattleboro
VR; Fairbanks, 581-582; Vt Fam. I.
WRIGHT
Charles B. Wright, a
descendant of the Westminster Wrights, has been compiling a genealogy of these
Wrights & collateral families and their ancestors for some time.
He wishes to contact anyone
descended from the Wrights and from families that married into the Wrights,
such as: Alexander, Averill, Burns, Christian, Cleveland, Colville, Cook,
Corrow, Crowell, Darling, Dorand, Dunham, Eaton, Finney, Fisher, Gerry,
Goodell, Goodrich, Goodridge, Gould, Hallet, Harmon, Hathorn, Holmes, Holton,
Ide, Knowles, Lane, Luey, McLaughlin, Miller, Muzzey, Newcomb, Osborne, Page,
Parker, Pierce, Rinehart, Smith, Staples, Wheelock, Woodward, and Worthley.
If you have any family
information that would supplement this work, please email Charles Wright.
WRIGHT
Azariah Wright came up the Connecticut River
in a canoe from Northfield MA
to Westminster VT
about 1761 soon after the French and Indian War. He paddled up Spring Brook at
the south end of Main Street.
Azariah came with his brother, Medad Wright, Joel Holton and John Norton. They
camped, with Benjamin Burt, on the spot where Medad's grandson, Daniel C.
Wright lived in 1870. Aaron Petty came at the same time.
These men settled in the same area in Westminster--- Joel Holton on Lot #10,
Azariah Wright on Lot #11 [bought from Josiah Willard; deed dated 20 Apr 1761,
Medad Wright on Lot #12, John Norton on Lot #13, Aaron Petty Lot #17, along
with Eleazer Harlow on Lot #18 (Fairbanks, 582). His place was later owned by a
Mr. Newcomb. Azariah was listed on the 1771 Census of Westminster as well as
the 1791 Census.
Azariah Wright was a military man. He was a frontier soldier during the
French and Indian War and served in Capt. John Burk's company of rangers. He
was stationed at Fort Hinsdale in 1757 He was a leading spirit of his time, and
has been called an Ethan Allen on a smaller scale, for the part he took in the
New Hampshire grant troubles.
Azariah was captain of the Westminster
militia as early as 1770. Early in 1774, Westminster
was under the jurisdiction of New York
and part of Cumberland County.
A letter was sent to the county by Isaac Low of New York
to find out their feelings with regard to Great
Britain. For some unknown reason(s), the
county supervisors never communicated this to the people. This somehow became
known to Azariah Wright and Dr. Reuben Jones of Rockingham, and they called it
to the attention of their towns people. The Westminster Massacre [13 Mar 1775] soon followed and Capt.
Wright led his company at the time.. He went to Quebec
with an expedition of twelve men during the winter of 1776. He was a second
lieutenant for Vermont during the
American Revolutionary War.
Azariah Wright References: Hist. of Northfield;
DAR Patriot Index; Fairbanks, 569.
570, 582, 615; Fisher, 583; Hall.
WRIGHT
Medad Wright became acquainted with Westminster
while carrying supplies up the Connecticut River during
the French and Indian War. After the war, in about 1761, he came up the River
in a canoe from Northfield MA
to settle in Westminster with his
brother, Capt. Azariah Wright Jr., Joel Holton and John Norton. They camped,
with Benjamin Burt, on the spot where his grandson, Daniel C. Wright lived in
1870. Aaron Petty came at the same time. These men settled in the same area in Westminster
-- Joel Holton on Lot #10, Azariah Wright on Lot
#11, Medad Wright on Lot #12, John Norton on Lot
#13, Aaron Petty Lot #17, along with Eleazer Harlow on Lot
#18. Medad's house was built as
early as 1770 and was still standing on the spot where it was built until about
1870 when it was moved to the other side of the street. Medad was a shoemaker
and a farmer. He used to carry his grain to a mill in Northfield.
Medad was constable in Westminster
in 1766/1776. He was a lieutenant [for New York]
at the time of the "Massacre" and sided at that time with the
"Yorkers," while his brother Azariah was a "Patriot."
"It would seem more as a loyalty to the Mother Country." "When
the issue became clear," he took the side of freedom and became a patriot
in the Revolutionary War. Patriotic Service Vt. Fairbanks gives the following
account of Medad at the time of the "Massacre:"
His sympathies appear to have been with the New
York party. He was one of the 30 who were arrested by
the authority of the State of Vermont,
in 1779, and lodged in jail at Westminster
for noncompliance with the conditions of the new Militia law. Among those from Westminster
who were also imprisoned were: Dr. Elkanah Day, Michael Gilson, Benjamin
Whitney, John Norton, Dea. John Sessions, Billy Willard and his brother Joseph,
and Bildad Easton. They were each tried and fined from 10 pounds to 40 pounds
each, according to the magnitude of offence.
Medad was listed in the 1771 Census of Westminster, as well as the 1791
Census of Westminster. He had the reputation of a quiet, peace loving,
substantial citizen.
Medad Wright References: Fairbanks, 582; Fisher, 582, 585,
614; Bertha Miller Collins
Westminster,
Windham Co., Vermont by Rachel V. Duffalo, © Copyright 1999, All Rights
Reserved
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