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1 2 3

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Pri

A SKETCH

OF THB

: 1 1

EARLY SETTLEMENT AND HISTORY

S ]EI I P T O N^,

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CANADA EAST;

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REV. EDWARD CLEVELAND, A.M.,
Principal of Si. Francis* College, Richmond, Township of Cleveland.

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S. 0. SMITH, PRINTER^ "RICHMOND COUNTY ADVOCATE/

1858.

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CONTElSrTS.

Page.

Introduction t

I. Charter, Survey and First Inhabitants 11

II. How the First Inhabitants reached the Place 14

III. The progress of Clearing, Building, &c 19

IV. Roads and Bridges 24

V. Mills 2t

VI. Stores and Asheries. 31

VII. Taverns and Distilleries 34

VIII. Mechanics 3t

IX. Professional Men 40

X. Resources of the People 43

XI. Unfavourable Circunastances 45

XII. Hardships and Privations 51

XIII. Casualties 56

XIV. Immorality = 59

XV. Characteristics of early times, 61

XVI. Educational Interests 63

XVII. Religous Interests 69

XVIII. The Contrast , 74

XIX. Conclusion 7t

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PREFACE.

The substance of the following Sketch was first
delivered as a lecture before the Library Associa-
tions of Richmond ,and Danville. But having
received many solicitations, I have decided to
publish it, as a tribute to the Township which
gave me birth, and whose interests I would gladly
promote in every suitable way. The work how-
ever could be made far more complete, had I
time to pursue the investigation. As my engage-
ments will not allow of this, I submit it with the
hope that in its present form it will preserve from
oblivion facts which may be important to the
future. And hereafter, should opportunity be
afforded, I may revise it, and add the history of
the other townships of the county.

Edward Cleveland.

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INTEODUCTION.

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The study of history is always interesting and
important, inasmuch as curiosity is gratified by
the recital of facts, and the experience of the past
is spread out for our instruction in reference to
the future. We. learn thus how to appreciate the
present time, and the advantages of which we
' may avail ourselves in the improvement of it.
This is true, not merely on the great scale, but
even when we descend to a humbler sphere and
apply ourselves to the history of our own imme-
diate vicinity. It is therefore desirable that the
history of all our townships should be written
early, before the generation passes away who can
give minute and reliable information. The history
of Shipton could have been written to far better ad-
vantage twenty years ago, than it can be at the
present time. Then all the circumstances could
have been obtained from living witnesses. Now
only three of the first settlers are alive, viz. Pren-
tice Gushing, Henry Barnard, and John B. La-
bont^. The present time is, however, more favor-

VII

able than any future time can be; and 1 shall
attempt to collect and present in a short compass
some of the more important facts in reference to
the early settlement and history of the Township
of Shipton. It may be well to remark here, that
the Township of Shipton originally embraced
the territory now comprised in the Townships
of Shipton and Cleveland as constituted at
present. It was divided in 1855. Richmond is
the principal village of Cleveland, and Danville of
Shipton. They are eleven miles apart, and both
natural centres for business. Both townships are
now sufficiently large, and better situated than
■when they were united. But as the facts of
history which I shall relate transpired for the most
part when they were together, I shall consider it
as it was before the division.

The Township of Shipton as it originally was,
is bounded northeast by Tyngwick, southeast by
Wotton and Windsor, southwest by Melbourne,
and northwest by Kingsey. It is in latitude
nearly 46° north, and in the County of Richmond.
It is also at the junction of the Portland, Mont-
real, and Quebec Railroads. The River St. Fran-
cis washes its southwestern border, and the little
Nicolet runs through the northeastern part.
There are also other' pleasant and useful streams
in the townships, which afford water-power on

ihall

tJifi small scale, as Cushing's Brook, lioaver
Brook, Clark's Brook, Bog Brook, and Leet's
Brook. The Spooiier Pond may also be men-
tioned as » beautiful sheet of water. It is situ-
ated in the north corner of the Township of Cleve-
land, on the height of land between the St.
Francis and the Nicolet. Its shape is oval, the
length being onfe mile and the width one fourth of
a mile. It is shallow at the shores, but increases
in depth to the centre, being there about twenty-
five feet deep. It is fed wholly by springs, but
has one stream flowing from it, which enters into
the St. Francis at Kingsey. The pond is much
higher than the surrounding country, insomuch
that springs 250 yards distant from it flow in
other directions. The pond abounds with fish,
and particularly the salmon trout. There are
also leeches in abundance suited to the pur-
poses of physicians. Ducks frequent the pond,
and occasionally a lonely crane or loon. The
pond took its name from a man named Spooner
who in early times lived near it. The region of
country is now flourishing, and will be a most
favorite portion of the township. The face
of the land throughout the township is generally
rolling, though there are some high elevations.
The Pinnacle is the most noted, situated about
eight miles northeast of Richmond, and about

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four southwest of Danville. It rises perhaps
three hundred feet above the surrounding country,
and affords a beautiful and picturesque view to a
great distance, bordered by mountain ranges.
The appearance of the whole is somewhat like a
teacup inverted in a saucer, though the saucer
must be considered as very spacious. The moun-
tain back of Montreal, and the Owl's Head in
Potton, would be in its borders. Rich farms and
comfortable dwellings, as well as extensive forests,
are seen in the intervening space. And though
there are celebrated mountains in New England
which afford beautiful views and are much resort-
ed to by the pleasure-seeking world, yet the hand
of nature has been scarcely less bountiful in the
goodly prospects seen from this elevation. And
if some one would build a house of entertainment
vpon it, and make known its claims by suitable
advertisements, who can say that it would not be-
come an interesting place of resort to many ?

The soil of the township is generally a dark or
light loam, though some of it is gravelly, argilla,-
ceous, and alluvial. It is among the best town-
ships for agriculture in the Province. All the
grains flourish well here, though it is best adapted
for grazing. Excellent markets are also afforded
for stock, and for all the products of a farm, in
the cities reached by its railroads.

-V >■■

CHAPTER I.

OHARTKR, SURVEY, AND FIRST INHABITANTS.

The charter of the township was granted to
Elmore Gushing and forty-six associates in De-
cember 1801. In consequence of an otTer from
the Government of twelve hundred acres of land
apiece to actual settlers, large numbers came from
New England to this place when it was an un-
broken wilderness, and laid the foundations of
many generations. But as they were poor and
unable to fulfil all the conditions, the charter was
delayed four years from the commencement of the
settlement; which led some to leave the place,
and prevented others from coming. But at length
Stephen Gale, Secretary to Governor Prescott,
laid before him such evidence as led him to see
that the charter ought to be granted, He there-
fore took measures to have it done without further
delay. The restrictions however imposed by it,
and these previous delays, so operated that it
availed the origiral owners but little.

The party that first entered the township to
survey it, in 1797, were George Barnard, the

manager, Prentice Gushing and John Brockas, the
chainmen, Joseph Kilburn, the surveyor, and five
Frenchmen, the axemen and packmen. They
traced the outlines of the township, scaled the
river, and ran a few concessions back that the
associates might have opportunity to select one lot
apiece to begin upon. The survey was completed
in 1801, by Christopher Bailey, from Vermont.

The following comprise most of the families
who came previous to 1804 : Elmore Gushing,
William Runlet, James and Daniel Doying,
Stephen Olney, David and John Harvey, Daniel
Adams, Hosmer Cleveland, Nathan Williamson,
Zepheniah Spicer, Ephraim Mage an, Stephen
Daniels, Samuel Marstin, David Leviston, Gharles
Clark, Joseph Perkins, Jonathan Fowler, Jonas
Clark, John Philbrick, Lot and Job Wetherall,
John B. Labont^, the Hicks families, four in num-
ber, Isaac Burnham, the Drs. Silver, father and
son, John Sweeney, Thomas Simson, William and
John Lester, .John and Nathaniel Piper, Stephen,
George, and Henry Barnard, John Stephens, Wil-
liam Dastin, Royal and Joseph Shaw, Job Gush-
ing, Samuel Smart, Joel Leet, Benjamin Andros,
Timothy Morrill, Noah and Gordon Lawrence,
John Smith, and perhaps some others. Levi and
A. R. Leet, Simeon Flint, John B. Emerson, Tho-
mas Brooks, Benjamin Burbank, Solomon Daniels,

*^(

Jesse Crown, Thomas Elliot, Nutting, Kezer,
Woodman, Clough, Parsons, Richardson, Butler,
Enoch Harvey, Solomon Emerson, Moses Hall,
Burroughs, Healey, Mathews, Higby, Jared, Bray,
Eber, Joseph, Benjamin, and Thomas Willey,
Charles Bickford, Ezra Brainard, and perhaps a
few others, came soon afterwards. These came
from the different States of New England, and
prepared the way for the good that has followed.
And it will readily be inferred that they were
men of energy, courage, and large hope, to com-
mence an enterprise so far in the wilderness, and
attended with so much self-denial and hardship-

The first couple united by marriage in the
township was Daniel Adams and his wife, who
are now alive, the one seventy-seven and the
other seventy-nine years of age, having lived to
see their children to the fourth generation. Many
other families have also become very numerous.
Lydia Doying, a daughter of Daniel Doying, was
the first child born in the township. Her brother
Daniel was the first male.

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CHAPTER II.

;1;

HOW THE FIRST SETTLERS REACHED THE PLACE.

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The early settlers of Shipton came to the place
in different ways. There were then no roads, set-
tlements, or townships this side of the French
country, fifty miles north ; and from Ascot,
thirty miles south ; and scarcely any this side of
Danville, Vt. The first companies therefore came
on foot, bringing their axes and provisions on their
backs, through the pathless wilderness. Elmore
Gushing first moved his family, which arrived at
Richmond May 24, 1798. They occupied a little
shanty till August, when a house was prepared.
They came from Montreal, up the St. Francis
River, in nine birch-bark canoes, conducted by
Indians. John Brockas and Prentice Gushing
came on the bank of the river, through the woods,
driving a yoke of oxen and a cow. They were
five days on the way from the French country.
Mr. Spooner moved his family next ; and about
the same time Job Gushing and William Barnard.
They came up the St. Francis River on the ice,
in French traines, in the winter of 1799. As the

ice was glare and the travelling easy, they were
but one day in coming as far as Kingsey, the ad-
joining township. Daniel and James Doying
moved their families in canoes through Lake Mem-
phramagog and down the rivers Magog and St.
Francis.

Thismode of travelling was dangerous atall seasons
of the year, and many distressing or fatal accidents
thus occurred. The persons who travelled this way
usually carried with them tents or blankets, which
they spread by night for a shelter on a frame-work
of poles. On one side they would build a fire to
keep themselves warm. And by spreading on the
ground for a bed hemlock boughs, they would
generally sleep comfortably, and seldom take cold.
Sometimes also they would make a camp and
cover it with boughs or the bark of trees, and
leave it for successive travellers. In such a camp
on the farm of Francis Blake, in Kingsey, twenty-
nine persons sLpt one night on their way to Ship-
ton; some however sitting and clinging to the
posts, as the space was insufficient for all to sleep
in the recumbent posture.

Several years after, when roads had been par-
tially made, people generally moved in on sleds
drawn by oxen or horses. The owner would
generally drive the team, with bis family in the
forward part of the sled, while the hind part was

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filled with furniture and goods. The older boys
would perhaps go on foot, driving cows, sheep, and
swine to stock the farm. Several families would
sometimes come together, and be mutual helpers.
I will barely mention one instance, which will
serve for illustration. Fifty-four years since two
families^ started from Pomphret, Vermont, in the
month of March, and though, by the increased
facilities for travelling, scarcely a day would be
spent in such a journey now, yet they were fifteen
days in coming, averaging about twelve miles per
day. And as taverns were not often found on the
way, they would stop wherever night overtook
them at some farm-house, using their own pro-
visions and beds. They were a whole day in com-
ing to Richmond from their lodgings the preced-
ing night, five miles above. The snow had fallen
and loaded the limbs of the trees, which were thus
bent down to the road, and had to be cleared and
sometimes cut off before the loads could pass.
The next day they arrived at their habitations, on
the road leading to Danville, where the owners had
been laboring the year before and had made pro-
vision for their families.

But there were always great hardships in these
journeys, and sometimes real dangers. Not a
little ingenuity was often shown in escaping
then^. As Capt. Joseph Perkins was noioving

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his family to the township, he found it some-
times impossible to procure hay for his oxen.
His wife, who had shown great courage and discre-
tion in a scene of the Revolutionary War at New-
bury, Vermont, pointed out the remedy here.
As she had bed ticks tilled with new straw for
the family to sleep on by night, these were emptied
one by one as they were needed, which answered
the necessities of the oxen till they arrived at the
place of their destination. Such difficulties in
moving diminished of course as the settlement of
the townships increased and tlie roads were im-
proved. '■'■■-■

But to show the peculiarities of the country,
I will mention one or two instances of travel
beyond our limits, to Ireland and Megantic coun-
ty, after the difficulties to this place were mostly
removed. A man and his wife left Deacon Flint's
for this region, and drew their child in a wash-tub
fastened upon a hand-sleigh thirty miles, through
a dense and frowning wilderness, to New Ireland,
where they resided for a time, but came back and
died in Shipton. That child was Hiel Thurber.

Another family started from Danville with a
horse and sled, and five small children. They pro-
ceeded to the high lands in Chester, where the
snow became so deep that the horse could drag
the sled no further. And being ten miles from

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any habitation, they emptied their straw bed, put
the two larger children in one end of the tick, and
the three smaller ones in the other end, and swung
it across the horse's back, and went forward, the
man and woman breaking the road before the horse ;
and thus they arrived at Capt. Hall's in safety.
The man's name was Dimon or Damon.

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' CHAPTER III.

THE PROGRESS OP CLEARING, BUILDING, AC.

As the first settlers came to the place by way
of the St. Farncis, the first clearings and buildings
were commenced on or near this river. Elmore
Gushing cleared twenty-four acres on lot No. 16 in
the 14th range in the year 1798. William Barnard
commenced a clearing on Richmond Hill about the
same time. Another was also begun on the place
now occupied by Melvina, north of the present
Depot. And each man, as he came, would select
a lot and commence clearing. They would fell
the trees, cut off the larger limbs, and let them lie
till the leaves and smaller limbs became dry, and
then set them on fire. A good bum would thus
greatly facilitate the clearing, though it was
of no benefit to the land. Much of it was un-
doubtedly injured, as the vegetable matter on the
surface would be consumed, which was very valu-
able as a manure. But at first men usually cleared
in this way from ten to forty acres per year, and
openings in the woods were thus extended rapidly
through the whole township.

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Many persona took their position in that part
of the township now called Shipton about the
year 1802, the soil being superior and the face
of the land beautiful. John Philbick raised on six
acres and from six bushels of seed, one hundred
and sixty bushels of wheat ; two hundred bushels
of potatoes on half an acre ; and oats and other
things in proportion His oat-straw was six feet
and a half in length. All the surplus produce
was usually needed by more recent emigrants.
Thus there was a strong stimulus to exertion.

The first clearing in the present Township of
Shipton, north of Brand's Hill, was made by Capt.
Joseph Perkins and William Dustin, on lot 27 in
both the 3rd and 4th range ; the second by Da-
niel and James Doying, on the Nutting Hill ; the
third by Samuel Marstin, on the Marstin Hill ;
and the fourth near Danville, by Jesse Crown.
Charles Clark and Jonathan Fowler began clear-
ings on the Marstin Hill about the same time.
The first clearing north of Nicolet River was made
by John Smith, on lot No. 10 in the 1st range;
the 2nd by Enoch Harvey, on lot No. 17 in the
2nd range. These men, together with John
Harvey and Reuben Leet, came to this part of the
township in 1804 or 1805, and for three years
were connected with the other settlements only '
by a by-path on a ** spotted line," or" blazed trees."
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The first houses built were those of William
Barnard on Richmond Hill, and Elmore Gushing
at Richmond, small log shanties. Mr. Gushing
however built a more comfortable dwelling in
1798, in the month of August ; when his family
moved from the shtmty which they had occupied
since May of the same year. The houses in the
other part of the township were built simultaneous^
ly or in rapid succession, by those men as thoy
made their selection of land from time to time.

But the houses which were built in those times
were easily constructed. Round logs were used
for the body ; split or hewed plank v/ere used for
floors. And though the great principle might not
have been understood, yet the people had learned
the fact, that green lumber frozen would make
as tight floors as the best seasoned boards. And
in laying them down, they would sometimes run
a hand-saw between the joints and thus make them
very close. For fire-place, a stone wall was usual-
ly laid by one side of the house or in the middle,
and a chimney carried out with splif sticks laid
up square and plastered. A chamber floor was
made of rough boards, and a ladder prepared to as-
cend to it. Such houses were generally used for
the first twenty years. Yet the styl e was gradually
improved, and more conveniences secured. And
at the present time, the village houses aud farm

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cottages will compare well with those of any other
township of equal age. v

The barns were for the first five years built of
logs, and many of them covered with the bark
of trees. But as soon as saw-mills were erected,
barns were built in good style and the crops
and stock were well cared for. John Smith
built the first framed barn; William Dustin the
second, on lot No. 27, the 4th range. And
in respect to stock, George Tarnard brought the
first two cows to the place from the French
country in 1797. They were driven to Missisquoi
Bay, sixty miles distant, to winter ; ac there was
no hay in the place. Charles Clark took the first
cow to the other part of the town, and prepared
basswood leaves for her food in winter, but after-
wards discovered a beaver-meadow near the Pin-
nacle, from which he cut some wild grass to help in
the matter. The stock however from the earliest
period increased rapidly ; as they had in summer
the whole range of the woods for pasturage, and
in the winter the best of hay, cut from new furms.
But cows, horses, and other animals often strayed
in the woods, and were sometimes lost for days.
They would however generally come out at some
house in the neighborhood ; and here, according
to custom, they we^e taken care of till the owner
called for them. A horse of William Barnard

was once found many miles from home, and so
environed on the banks of the St. Francis that ho
could not make his escape, till discovered and re-
lieved by some boatmen.

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CHAPTER rV.

ROADS AND BRIDGE 6.

The state of civilization and the advancement of
any people is usually indicated by the means pro-
vided for intercommunication. When the Jews
were in a depressed state in the days of Shamgar
and Jael, "the hi)?hways were unoccupied, and
the travellers walked through by-ways." Among
barbarous nations now, as for the most part
throughout Asia and Africa, there are no good
roads. Among the savages of North America, in
the northern part of it, when the continent was
first discovered, the same thing was true. But
in South America where the tribes were mOre
advanced, and in the southern part of North
America, there were some regularly constructed
roads, as from Vera Cruz to Mexico. And in
British America the roads have improved just
about in proportion to our advancement in other
things. In Shipton we could very accurately
define our condition as to intelligence and refine-
ment by this particular feature.

The first road made through this township was
from Lennoxville to the French country, in 1802r

!3l6

It was made fifteen feet wide, the small trees and
fallen timber only being removed. The next
road was made from Richmond to Danville, as the
settlement extended that way. It was continued
^rom this place to Quebec in 1811. The labor
was performed mostly by the soldiers of the 49th
Regiment, under the direction of Q-ov. Craig, and
thence called Craig's Road. Cross roads were
made in the township from farm to farm, as
they were needed by the advance of population.
And although these were as good as the circum-
stances would allow, they were nevertheless very
imperfect. In the fall and spring it would be
difficult to pass on the lower or level grounds,
from the depth of the mud. Many a horse-shoe
has been left far beneath the surface, under roots
that wrenched them off, and many a nidtT has
been thrown upon the horse's neck or over his
head in the operation. As a traveller was riding
along near Pine Hill, a mile from Richmond, his
horse's hoof caught in such a place and the shoe
was torn off. The traveller alighted to find it,
and, after digging out this, found four others under
the same root. Wheel carriages were then not in
requisition, as there were no roads over which
they could pass.

In this state of things the inhabitants made
arrangements to tax themselves so many days'
work p' . annum. In this way they soon made the

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i '

roads more comfortable throughout the township,
and the opening of Craig's Eoad to Quebec at the
same time was an important item in their history.
But before bridges were built, peopk often in-
curred great dangers in crossing the f^treams* John
Smith once crossed the Nicolet when the water
was three feet over the ice, with his oxen,
and carried his wife over in his arms. The next
day the ice cleared out. The first bridge
across the Nicolet was built in 1810, and the
other streams were bridged so as to make
communication easy in all directions. The
roads tave improved from year to year by govern-
ment grants to a very small extent, and by taxes
on the people, which have always been well paid ;
and bridges have been built upon improved plans,
till we are now scarcely excelled in any part of
America. The bridge across the St. Francis
River, connecting Shipton and Melbourne, was
built in 1847, at a cost of about $20,000. And
our railroads and telegraphic wires, extending in
three directions, render our situation in this res-
pect very desirable. Thirty years ago the mail
came to Richmond but once a week ; and before
that time people at this place would scarcely hear
from their distant friends once a year. Now im-
portant information can be received from the
United States, or different British Provinces, in
the shortest time.

CHAPTER V.

MILLS.

As the settlement of the township was in pro-
gress, the saw-mill and grist-mill became indis-
pensable; the former to cut out boards and timber
for building, the latter to prepare the grains for
use. At first grain for grinding was carried in birch-
bark canoes to the upper part of Ascott, a dis-
tance of nearly forty miles. Some was also con-
veyed in the same way up the river St. Francis and
the Magog, and through the lake to West Derby.
But the time and delays and expense were such as
led many to prepare their grain for use by boiling
it ; and by seasoning it with various things, render-
ed it pleasant to the taste. Corn was also re-
duced to coarse meal by pounding it in mortars.
These were made mostly from large stumps. The
tops were cut smooth, and hollowed out in part
with the axe ; then the work would be completed
with a fire made of cobs. The burnt part would
then be removed, and the hollow made smooth with
howels. A pestle was made to correspond, and
hung to a spring-pcle, somewhat in the manner

¥h:

of a well-sweep. A pin was put through the pestle,
which was drawn down with both hands, but
raised again by the weight of the pole to which it
was attached.

But such a state of things could not last long,
and in 1802 both a grist-mill and a saw-mill were
built at Richmond by Elmore Gushing. These
mills were used five years, and then, in 1807,
replaced by more substantial ones. The irons
were obtained in Vermont, and a part of them
brought through Lake Champlain, down the
Hichelieu and St. Lawrence, and up the St.
Francis, in canoes ; and a part drawn on hand*
sleighs from Dudswcll, by Prentice Gushing,
then a lad of sixteen years old. These mills
were again replaced by Wales's stone mills in
1824, the ruins of which are now seen in
Richmond. A saw-mill and a grist-mill were next
built on Clark's Brook, near Danville, in 1805, by
Gharles Clark. He selected the site from the top
of the Pinnacle, whence it could easily be seen
through a glass. William Barnard, Joseph Per-
kins, and William Runlet were with him for this
purpose. These mills were a great blessing to
the community, though a great loss to the original
owners, on account of the sparseness of the popu-
lation and the little custom they obtained. The
water-wheel would often freeze up in the winter^

v^^~

and the first customer who came afterwards would
be obliged to wait perhaps a day for the wheel to
be cut out and the grinding done. According to
the hospitality of those times he would board with
the miller free of charge, while the toll for grind-
ing the little he would bring would be a mere
trifle. The next mill in order was Huntoon's, on
the Nicolet River, where George W. Leet's mills
now are located, built in 1807 for sawing. About
the same time another was built on the Doughty
brook near Richmond. Leet's saw mill was built
in Claremont in 1808, where Aloa Leet now occu-
pies. A grist-mill was built in Danville in 1812 by
Jesse Brown. Ladd's mills near the same place on
Clark's Brook were built in 1815. Pearson's mill
was built on the Nicolet river in 1820, where is
now a considerable village, and whose mill site is
owned by Jared and Wooster Willey. Other mills
have been built in diflierent locations and at differ-
ent times, till now within the limits of Shipton,
there are eleven saw-mills, four grist-mills, and
two oat-mills ; and in Cleveland there are four
saw-mills. Those on the Nicolet, an excellent
privilege, are owned by Alexander Willey, Jared
and. Wooster Willey, and G. W. Leet; those on
the Bay Brook, by Abijah Benbank and Enoch
Baker ; those on Clark's Brook, by Mr. Telfer, and
Hayes Gilman, A. Retus Yale and William Atkin-

1*.
t

son ; on Leet's Brook, by Timothy Leet, William
Baker, and Simeon M. Dennison. And as tho
surrounding country abounds in timber, and the
demand for building materials is all the while in-
creasing ; and as the breadth of our grain crops
becomes larger every year, these mills are doubt-
less remunerating their owners. At Richmond, in
the township of Cleveland, water could be secured
to any extent, by making a canal from the Saint
Francis ri\rer, as it is from the Merimac in Lowell,
Mass. ; and machinery could be driven, and ma-
nufactories conducted, to the greatest advantage.
The country needs these, and capitalists would do
well to consider the matter.

CHAPTER VI.

STORES AND ASHERIES.

The mercantile interest is also very important
in any community. Many things must be pur-
chased and others sold, in order to oar comfort
and prosperity in all stages of civilized life. The
individual who becomes the medium of exchange
occupies a place of importance and usefulness.
A fair bargain is one in which both parties are
gainers, when the commodities received by each
is better for him than what is given in exchange.
And this should be the case between the merchant
and the population that trade with him.

There have been a great many traders in Shipton
since its first settlement. William Barnard kept
some goods on Richmond hill in early times. But
the first merchant properly so called was Charles
Goodhue, who in 1810 occupied a part of Cushing's
house as a store. Mr. Goodhue, however, soon
built a tavern and store, where Job Adams now
lives. These were both kept by Abel Bigelow,
as a clerk under him. Causemore Goodhue built
the next store near where Mr. Birnie's house now

ill

stands, and which was afterwards purchased and
occupied by Pierce and Johnson. William Wales
was the next who commenced the business, a mile
north of the village. He continued there for many
years, but finally transferred his business to the
village, at the Barnard stand, now occupied by
Job Adams. Lovejoy and Edmonds also had a
store in Richmond in 1825, and continued some
years. Langdon, Goodal and Foster, G. K. Foster,
and Foster and Macleay, have been their succes-
sors. William Wales, McLeod and McEwen,
Gemmel and Job Adams, have traded successively
in the store now occupied by the latter. Thomas
Tait, Charles Gilman, Hargrave, McPherson,
Benoit and Son, Benoit, John Griffith, William
Brooks, Chalmers, Donelly, Alexander Gorrie,
and Joseph Bedard, have traded also in the village
of Richmond. There are at present five stores, in
it. In Danville, the centre of business in the other
part of the township, Benjamin Wilcox was the
first to commence trade in a log store near Rev.
A. J. Parker's present location. Walter Wyatt,
Lovejoy, Alpheus Smith, T. C. Allis, McDonald
& Co., Hayes Gilman, G. K. Foster & Co., Foster
and Cleveland, C. B. Cleveland, jr., A. C. Suther-
land, and Baker and Noble, have followed each
other, except the first two, in the same store.
J. P. and I. W. Stockwell, Waters and McArthur,

Burbank and Cleveland, Goodhue and Farwell,
Chester, Hovey, Dewey and Macleay, have traded
in other buildings. Some of these men have
accumulated wealth, and others have done little
or failed ; and the business is one fraught with
anxiety and uncertainty, and the man who has
a good farm, and is able to work it with his own
hands, has no occasion to envy the merchant or
the man of any other calling.

The pearl-ash may properly be brought in here,
as it has been more generally an appendange to
the store, the merchants carrying on the business
in connexion with it. Much of their collections
for goods was in the shape of black salts, which
they pearled and marketed for cash or goods again.
The first pearl-ash was built by Elmore Cushing
and Son ; the second by Capt. Ephraim Magoon,
whose son Jacob has been working in a succession
of them most of the time from 1S05 till the pre-
sent year. The third was built by Leet and Olney.
The leading merchants, as Wales, Foster, and
others, have usually had one, and the business is
carried on to some extent now.

CHAPTER VII.

TAVERNS AND DISTILLERIES.

It is desirable for the weary traveller to find iu
every place the means of comfort and refreshment
as he pursues his journey. And the tavern which
is kept with neatness and taste, and according to
the principles of good order and correct morals, is
an ornament and a blessing. The place is remem-
bered with interest afterwards by all who have
passed through it and experienced the favor of
such a home for a night. Abel Bigelow, Stephen
Barnard, Otis King, Willard Benton, Leonard
Thomas, John Hardy, and Job Adams have been
the tavern-keepers of Richmond ; of Danville,
Stephen Oilman, Michael Lynch, and G. W.
Hawse. And though, in the early settlement of
the place, there was no tavern for some years, yet
every man's house was open at that time to the
weary traveller, and a cordial welcome was ex-
tended alike to the acquaintance and the stranger.

The distillery in early times was closely allied
to the tavern, inasmuch as the one was a means
of supply to the other of the article most abused.

and the influence in this respect being similar.
Honorable mention must of course be made of I
their owners. Simeon Flint, Gordon Lawrence,
Elmore Gushing, Gol. Tilton, Ephraim Magoon,
Joseph Shaw, Samuel Daniels, Avery Dennison,
Harford Shaw, and Henry Bernard have each had
a distillery in Shipton. As the potato crop was
then abundant, each acre producing from two to
four hundred bushels, most farmers would raise a
large surplus to be converted into whiskey. The
quantity produced must have been very great,
as one man r^^tailed 3000 gallons in a year. And
though it was not drugged and adulterated, like the
same article of the present day, yet its effect was
most injurious. Intemperance, crime, poverty,
and wretchedness have always followed in its
train. Those who have witnessed the evening
scenes in these distilleries, the gatherings of men
and boys from the neighborhood, the songs, jests,
and revelry that filled up the time, would not
wonder at the worst eifects that followed. And
when we consider how the same liquid fire was
carried into the bar-room, the store, and private
dwellings, and was then so common in all depart-
ments of society, we shall at once see a pi ominent
cause of all the evils that prevailed. How many
expended the value of a good farm in this way in
a few years ! At the rate of twenty-five dollars

•n

3i\

per yccar, and tho annual interest of it for thirty
years, nearly two thousand dollars would be worse
than wasted. The loss of time, bad bargains, care-
lessness in business, and losses thus occasioned,
superadded, lead us to understand in some degree
tho evils sustained by our predecessors from this
cause, and the fitness of avoiding the snare our-
selves.

But in palliation of their faults, it is to be
remarked that they lived in the time of darkness
on this subject. The light shed upon it now by
the temperance reformation leaves us without ex-
cuse in the same. But it is a matter of congratu-
lation that not a distillery is in operation now in
the township, and that so few of our stores retail
the poison, and that our private dwellings are
generally free from it. And from the experience
of the past we may look forward with joyful anti-
cipation to the complete triumph of the Tempe-
rance cause.

i !

CIIArTER VIII.

MKCHANH.'H.

Among other mechanics needed in the settle-
ment of a place, the blacksmith is peculiarly im-
portant. No progress can be made without his
art. And as at the early settlement of this town-
ship the farmer was dependent on th« blacksmith
for his axe, hoe, pitchfork, and almost every other
tool made of iron and steel, the trade was then
more important, if possible, than it is now. Lot
Wetherall was the first blacksmith in Richmond.
Otis King, Edward Gustin, Levi Cleveland, Eph-
raim Driver, and others have followed. At
Danville, John B. Emerson was first, Thomas
Brooks, Jesse Baker, and Mr. Presby followed.
Charles Cleveland, Joseph Brown, John McCoy,
N. W. Willey, and Willard B. Hall are now pur-
suing the business.

The joiners and carpenters are also an impor-
tant class of men. John Stevens was one of the
first, and was very useful in helping the farmers
in building and in making their sleds, ox-yokes,
&c. Samuel Marstin was also a house-joiner, and
his work is now seen in very many of the build-

ings in Shipton. He was accustomed also to make
all the coffins needed at an early period, and to
conduct the funerals. Marsh Martin was also of
the same craft at Richmond, and remained there
till he died, a few years since. Zepheniah Spicer,
Jesse Grown, David Harvey, Daniel Adams, Hol-
sey Cleveland, and Enoch Baker were also early
on the ground and thus employed. James Bou-
telle has long been a cabinet-maker in Danville.

The first operative masons were Simeon Flint
and Moses Hall.

The business of tanning was much needed here
for a long time. Littlo leather was at first brought
in and none made. Men therefore would use the
hides of animals to make moccasins, tanned in an
imperfect manner. When, however, a man iiad a
side of leather, it was usually shared with his
neighbors till it was all used. John Messervey
commenced tanning at Richmond on a small scale
previous to 1 8 11 . But in that year the first tannery
was built by Job Adams, and carrier', on many years,
Bigelow & Goodhue also built a tannery at
Richmond in 1815, whose establishment was after-
wards purchased and occupied by H. & C. B.
Cleveland. Zerah Rankin followed, and is the
present occupant. Whitcomb and Reuben Leet,
jun., and Joseph L. Goodhue have been engaged in
the business in Danville, the last of whom now

carries it on in that place. The tanners also car-
ried on the business of shoemaking for many
years, employing usually a number of men at the
business. There were also scattered over the
township many men who practised shoemaking to
some extent, though their principal business was
farming. Mr. Birnie, Mr. Blanchard, and several
others carry on the business in Richmond ; Mr.
Goodhue, &c., in Danville. The saddler and the
harness-maker at first were the shoemakers, though
at the present time there are men regularly em-
ployed in that business.

John Conoly and John Lee were the first men
here who devoted themselves to the business of
tailoring. William Miller and others have follow-
ed.

Coopering was also a busmess required exten-
sively in early times, as buckets and holders were
to be furnished for every man's sugar-place, and
barrels for pearl ashes, &c. No man, however,
made it his exclusive business, but many practised
it as an incidental thing.

Mechanics have greatly multiplied in later
times, and a Mechanics' Institute and Library
Association have been formed both at Danville and
at Richmond.

'ci

■■•5

CHAPTER IX.

PROFESSIONAL MEN.

The professional men of any place are very
important. If they are of the right stamp, their
influence will of course be good, while those of
an opposite character may be instrumental of
much evil.

The clergymen that have been connected with
the township, or have performed occasional servi-
ces here, are many. Of the Methodist denomi-
nation, Messrs. Hibbard, Badger, Plumley and
Wilson, from the United States, and the two
Popes, Messrs. Williams, Deputero and Stinson,
from England, labored here occasionally up to
1826. The clergymen of the English Church,
Right Rev. Bishop Stuart, Dr. Mountain, Rev. S.
S. Wood and Rev. Mr. LePevre, were occasionally
here, and performed religious services previous to
the same date. The Rev. A. J. Parker, a Congre-
gationalist, who is now at Danville, commenced
hi^ labors there in 1829. In 1830 Rev. C. B.
Fleming, of the English Church, commenced his
labors in Richmond, and continued there far

eighteen years; the Rev. Mr. Simson fot a few
months only. Dr. Falloon commenced Sept. 1,
1848, and continues still a faithful and laborious
pastor. There have been Roman Catholic minis-
ters in the place, the last of whom is the Rev.
L. Trahan. Rev. S. C. Swinton was minister of
the Free Church for several years ; and there have
been others of other denominations occasional-
ly in the place to labor for a season. Most of those
have been good men, and useful in their place.
The Rev. Edward Cleveland, Principal of Saint
Francis College, is also a clergyman, of the Con-
gvf :: tional order, a native of the township, and a
a graduate of Yale College, Ct.

The lawyers have been few. William Brooke,
Esq., at Richmond, and Q. S. Carter, Esq., at
Danville, are at present exercising the functions
of their office in these places, and so far as I know
are the only ones who haye been located here.
Our Circuit Courts have been established in
Cleveland but a short time, and what little busi-
ness wr to be done in this line before, was done-
by non v. ; Jents.

As it Yt \ ects physicians, we have had different
ones. Dr. Cooney came to the place at the begin-
ning, and was soon drowned. For several years
afterwards Dr. Nichols, from Ascott, was the only
physician to be obtained. And from the nature

li,

mmn

of the case he could not be here often, as the dis-
tance to his residence was thirty miles through a
wilderness. But in 1803, the Drs. Silver, father
and son, came into the township, and have been
very useful in their profession. The son is now
living, though at an advanced age and unable to
practice. But his past serviced will be remem-
bered by very many with gratitude.

Dr. Jenks came to Richmond in 1820, and was
a skilfu] and useful man. He excelled in surgery.
Dr. R. N. Webb ^ is the present physician in
Richmond, and is cv ' !ered an able man in the
profession.

The physicians who have been located at Dan-
ville are Drs. Paul and Emmons, Perkins, Damon,
McDougal, McBean, Glines and Moore ; the last
two of whom still remain, bearing the burdens
and receiving the honors of the profession.

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CHAPTER X.

HESOURCES OF THE PEOPLE.

As the principal employment of the people was
agriculture, the earth of course was the great
source of wealth to all. And from this they ob-
tained their living, and increase in all the conve-
niences and comforts of life. And it has been
principally by tilling the land that all the good
we now enjoy has been obtained. But there were
other incidental things that contributed to it. In
clearing away the original forests, the farmers
were accustomed to save the wood-ashes, and conr
vert them into black-salts, potash, or pearlash.
Four tons were thus made by Prentice Gushing in
1808, from the ashes saved in clearing sixteen
acres. This was carried in flat-bottomed boats
down the St. Francis to Three Rivers, and sold
for fifteen dollars per hundred. Fifteen hundred
barrels were conveyed to the same market that
year down the river St. Francis, besides what was
carried down the little Nicolet from Danville.
The business doubtless increased afterwards, so
that a very great revenue accrued from this source.

1 1

The ashes saved in clearing the land thus paid for
the labor, and became a great help to the people
in early times. So profitable was the business,
that men would go into the woods, in the less busy
seasons of the year, and fell trees and burn them
for the simple purpose of converting the products
into money.

As in the newness of the country the woods
were full of game and the streams abounded with
fish, hunting and £sbing became a common em-
ployment in their season. The furs and fish thus
taken became quite helpful in procuring a living.

And as the primitive pine forests were extensive
and stood in all their beauty, and as lumber was
an article that would bring the ready-money, this
was made a considerable business in the surround-
ing region, and many resorted to it from this
township for a winter employment.

But though these incidental employments were
a source of gain, it is doubtless true that when
pursued to the neglect of the farm, the final result
was a loss, . ^^

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CHAPTER XI.

CIR0UM8TANCES UNFAVORABLE TO ADVANCEMENT.

In all the circumstances of life Providence deals
out her blessings with an uneven hand, usually
mingling prosperity with adversity. This, as a
moral discipline, is doubtless a means of our high-
est good. Hence we have cause of thankfulness,
as well for judgments as for mercies. The lesson
should be learned by all, and rightly improved.
The township experienced different vicissitudes in
her onward progress. And among her crosses and
disappointments were several unfavorable seasons.
From 1806 to 1809, and from 1814 to 1817, the
seasons were cold, frosts were both late in the
spring and early in autumn, and the crops were
extensively cut off, or stinted in their growth. On
the 6th, 7th, and 8th of June, 1816, there was a
continued snow-storm, which covered the ground
to the depth of more than a foot, killed the small
birds, and destroyed much vegetation.

In 1806 also the wolves made great havoc
among the flocks. The first mischief perpetrated
by them was the destruction of thirteen Sheep bC"

longing to Hosmer Cleveland. But they conti-
nued their depredations upon other flocks, so that
few were left in the settlement. Though the
farmers made enclosures near their houses to keep
them by night, the wolves went directly there and
took them without fear or favor.

The evil thus occasioned will be better under-
stood when we consider that wool raised by the
farmers had been their chief dependence for winter
clothing, as flax was for summer apparel. In
those times the spinning-wheel and the hand-loom,
instead of the piano and the guitar, were the mu-
sical instruments of every house. And Solomon's
description of the virtuous woman applied well to
the whole female population. ** She seeketh
wool and flax and worketh willingly with her
hands. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and
her hands hold the distaff". * * * ^he is not afraid
of the snow for her household. * * * She maketh
fine linen and selleth it. * * * She looketh well to
the ways of her household, and eateth not the
bread of idleness." By such economy men were
able to keep out of debt, while they enjoyod the
most substantial of the comforts of life. The
wolves deprived them of this independence, and
reduced them to the necessity of purchasing more
at the stores and of involving themselves in debt.

The bears also were numerous and did some
mischief. They often came into cornfields and
helped themselves plentifully there. Like the
wolves also, they made depredations upon their
flocks. John Philbrick had eleven sheep thus
killed in one night, and eight more wounded.
They attempted also to kill a steer for Capt.
Joseph Perkins. But being discovered in the
act, they were not allowed to complete it. But
as the steer was badly wounded, the owner killed
and dressed him, and hung the meat upon a tree.
The next morning he went for it, and found the
bear lying under the tree closely watching the
meat, as though it was his own booty.

These animals were often seen in the woods,
but would seldom show signs of fight. On« man,
however, David Croutch, who lived in the place
afterwards owned by Benjamin Burbank, a mile
west of Danville, in going to William Barnard's
for grain, saw a bear which was employed in dig-
ging and eating roots. He went very near him
before he gave the alarm. But the bear being
thus closely pressed, instead of running away, made
towards the man as though he would attack him.
Mr. Croutch, therefore, having no other weapon in
hand, shook the meal-bag at him. The bear,
being somewhat frightened at this unusual weapon
of defence^ turned aside and let the man pass.

Bray and Eber Willey, two brothers, wore
once in pursuit of a bear near Richmond. As
they were driving him by the side of a prostrate
tree, Bray directly behind him, and Eber parallel
on the other side, the bear came to a hollow and
attempted to elude his pursuers by passing under
the tree. But Eber, before he had quite cleared
himself, jumped upon his back and caught him by
the ears. Two dogs caught hold of his hind parts,
and the three held him till Bray came up and cut
his throat.

These animals at that time were very nu-
merous in the neighboring townships. And as
bears are attracted by sweets, some people in New
Ireland conceived the idea of catching one with
black-strap, a mixture of molasses and whiskey.
Tiiiey put the black-strap into a trough in the
woods, and waited some time for the approach of
the beast. But as he did not come, and they
grew cold and weary, they helped themselves too
generously to the black-strap, and lay down and
fell asleep. But the . bear at length came and
helped himself, and lay down to sleep also. In
the morning the men opened their eyes first, and
saw their sleeping companion by their side. And
before old Bruin was aware of it, his life was taken
from him.

i»

with

The war of 1812 had also an unfavorable e^ct
upon the settlement of the township. As the
shadow of this had been seen for several years,
and all the settlers were from the United States,
many returned before the commencement. As
others would not take the oath of allegiance, they
were obliged to leave. Others also who would
have come in were thus prevented. Those how-
ever who remained, always proved faithful to the
Government, and showed a readiness, whenever
required, to take up arms in its defence. Some
did go into actual service. Half the militia of the
township was once drafted to go to Montreal to
defend the city, so that the soldiers there might
go to meet Wilkinson's army, which was ap-
proaching by way of Chateauguay. Counter
orders only prevented them from going.

I might also allude to the poverty of the first
settlers as a hinderance to the rapid growth and
prosperity of the township. For the first twenty-
five years, with one exception, not a man came to
the place worth over a hundred pounds, and few
with that amount. Villages and towns soon
become flourishing at the West by the importation
of capital. But here the people were dependent
wholly upon their own exertions. Before any
enterprise could be begun that required capital,
that capital had to be created on the ground.

■i -

The policy of Government at that time, and per-
haps some other things, might be mentioned as
counteracting influences.

CHAPTER XII.

HARDSHIPS AND PRIVATIONS.

From what has already been said, it will be
seen there must have been many hardships and
privations endured. As the settlement was begun
at a great distance from other organized commu-
nities, the facilities to obtain the ordinary com-
forts of life were few. Provisions, tools, and
other things needed were to be brought fro^ i dis-
tant places to make a commencement. 1 will
^drely adduce some instances to show the nature
of the evils endured. Charles Clark once went
from home on business, but agreed with a young
man named Wiggins to convey provisions to his
family in the meantime. The young man under-
took to do as he had agreed. But on his way
from Hichmond to Danville, he lost himself in the
woods, and was eight days in coming out again.
During this time the family were destitute and
came near the point of starvation. Mr. Clark also
when at home was once so reduced himself by
hunger and care, that he said he thought he must
lie down and die. But providentially his boys

f s

■■

IIP

came in at that time, announcing that they had
discovered some large fish in the mill-stream con-
fined between sand-bars. Mr. Clark made a
wooden spear and went to the place and caught
seventeen large salmon. These restor 1 his
strength and his courage and relieved his family
for the time. , ,

Another family at a cr;rtain season became
much reduced during the protracted absence of
the man for food. In the meantime the wife with
two of her children kicked over the straw in a
neighbor's barn and collected from it half a bushel
of wheat. This she boiled and prepared for the
sustenance of the family till her husband returned.
=^ About this time Timothy Morril, on the borders
of the lake, had cleared some land^but could ob-
tain no grain for seed. The prospect before him
seemed almost desperate. At night, his wife,
who was the more considerate of the tv^o, had
thought long and seriously upon their situation,
and often asked herself what could be done. She
then fell asleep and dreamed twice in succession
that wheat could be found in a heap of chaff' under
a neighboring barn. As she had seen vheat fall
among chaff" in the process of fanning it, and knew
that chaff* was in the place alluded to, the dreani
is accounted for in a satisfactory manner. She
went the next morning with some of her family to

■^ly-

ley had
im con-
tiade a
caught
• 1 his
I family

became
ence of
fe with
iw in a
, bushel
for the
turned,
borders
uld ob-
•re him
wife,
^0, had
nation,

She
cession
f under
eat fall
1 knew
dreand

She
mily to

the bam referred to, and during the day they col-
lected three nnd a half bushels of wheat. Thus
they had sufficient for seed and some for grinding.

A certain family in the western part of the
present township of Shipton was reduced to such
extremities, that the best food that could be ob-
tained for several days was boiled beach-leaves.
But as the children thus became poor and ema-
ciated, the mother went to the potatoe field and
^ug carefully under the hills, cutting off as much
of the seed-potatoe as could be spared, and left
the rest for reproduction.

Such facts as these occurred durinr the first
three unfavorable years mentioned before. Dur-
ing the latter years of scarcity mentioned, near
1816, flour was eighteen dollars per barrel in
Three Rivers, and wheat four dollars per bushel.
Men would make pearl ash and carry ^down the
rivers to exchange for breadstuff and other neces-
saries at such a price. At home the frugal house-
wife would economise in the closest manner to
make the most of the provisions she had. And
among other expedients she would mix with the
flour boiled potatoes and stewed pumpkins, to in-
crease the amount of bread. And whatever herbs
of the field would answer for food, as cowslips,
nettle, pigweed, &c., were appropriated thus. In

: i-

I n^

the season of berries, families were known to live
for weeks on raspberries and niilk.

But poverty was not the only evil they suffered.
It has already been stated that they were without a
physician till 1803. There was much suffering dur-
ing this period from the want of medical attend-
ance. A son of Capt. Runlet broke his leg by
the falling of a tree ; and so badly, that the parts
of the broken bone protruded through the skin,
and was forced into the ground where he was
crushed downi by the tree. As no surgeon could
be obtained, the father cleansed the parts and
splintered them together as well a he " could.
The bone healed, but in a bad condition.
. Soon after another man was badly wounded by
the fialling of a tree. John B. Labonte started for
Dr. Nichols, thirty-five miles distant, on snow-shoes.
The third day he returned with the doctor in the
same way. So nmch hardship in this case de^
volved both on the patient and the physician !

Mr. Labonte himself, at an earlier period, during
the process of surveying the township, wounded
himself with a hatchet and was left alone on the
banko of the Saiat Francis, while his companions
went down to the French country for provisions.
Some Indians, however, providentially came along
the same day in bark canoes and carried him away
with them. v -

John Smith, .Iso near Danville, injured himself
at his work, so that he lay three months alone in
a shanty ; being visited occasionally by a neigh-
bor, who afforded him some assistance.

A case of less importance occurred with a lad
who stuck a fish-hook into the ball of his thumb.
There was no one who understood that it should
be forced out in the same direction, or who had
the skill to do it. Consequently the hook was
tofn out of the flesh by violence, making a great
wound, and producing much inflammation and
suffering.

The typhus fever prevailed extensively in 1802,
the year before Dr. Silver arrived, and many died
with It. Thus we see the critical state of the
people at this time.

Many other- instances can be conceived and
actually occurred of great hardship and privation
during the first years of the settlement. ^ have
barely mentioned the above as specimens o( pri-
vation, and not as a complete list of the different
cases that occurred. .: ' i; ■ ■

11^

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M^^^■v,>.:.^

■^ ■■ ■ 1 '

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't* '

CHAPTER XIII.

CASUALTIES.

J "i;

As closely connected with the former, we may-
mention also some of the casualties of early times.
The first which I remember was the burning ot a
house, in 1810, belonging to Benjamin aiid Joseph
Willey, on the place now occupied by Mr. Bangs,
near the Nicolet River. Their furniture, bedding,
and clothing were all destroyed.

In 1823, Holsey & C. B. Cleveland had a cur-
rier's shop burned at Richmond, with tools and
leather w^orth several hundred dollars. Mr. Levi
Cleveland had two houses burnt in the same place,
one after the other, with several thousand dollars'
worth of property and accounts in them. Simeon
Flint and Abijah Burbank have each had a house
burnt in Danville, and Benjamin Wilcox a barn.
More recently, as will be recollected, a number of
buildings were destroyed in Richmond, the work
of incendiaries, who are now in prison. •

At an early period a Dutchman Wiis drowned in
the St. Francis two miles above Richmond, at a
place which w^as then called ** The Dutchman's
Shoot."

liilS;.

Dr. Cooney, a physician who came among the
first to practice medicine, was drowned by the
upsetting of his canoe, in going from Richmond to
Kingsey. ^

John Brockas, in coming from the French coun-
try to Richmond with a team, broke through the
ice on the St. Francis, near Drummondville,
drowned his oxen, froze his feet, which had to be
amputated in part, and was thus made a cripple
for life.

Jonathan Johnson, in driving logs down the
little Nicolet in the spring, fell into the river and
broke one of his legs, barely escaping with his life.

Joseph Hobbs, an old shoemaker, in going to
Col. Tilton's for more whiskey, though pretty
well under its influence then, in passing on the
ice around Pine Hill, broke through where it had
become weak by the whirling of the water over
a rock, and was carried by the current down
under the ice about a rod to a similar place. And
thinking there might be some hope for him yet,
he said '* he swam up with all his might, broke his
head with the ice^ and came out safely."

John Slives, coming into the township from
Quebec, froze both feet, which were amputated
above the ankles. He was here supported in differ-
ent families for two years gratuitously, when he
learned the trade of a shoemaker and became able
to take care of himself^ v ^

nun

Nathaniel Clark fell from the collar beams of
Ephraim Magoon's barn upon his head and shoul-
ders, breaking some bones, but escaped with his
life.

Numerous instances occured also in which men
became lost in the woods, and much suffering oc-
cured in consequence. Similar things were com-
mon in the whole region around, when woods
and habitations were few, and but few traces of
human existence could be seen,

r-.y^l'fi « :'':f(\':::

_-si.."'- ', " , ,_;^ .-,"J.''

CHAP. XIV,

IMMORALITY.

Though the mass of the people of the township
were vh'tuous, in the early years of the settlement,
there was much immorality. Intemperance, as
has before been shown was very common. Licen-
tiousness was too prevalant. The Sabbath even
was some times desecrated by gambling, and this
habit became a great detriment to one of the vil-
lages. Different individuals might be mentioned
who have exerted a very vicious and degrading in-
fluence. I shall however only name one, the not-
ed Stephen Borroughs. . He came here at an early
period and began to make bills on the banks of
the United States. His first location was North
of Nicolet river, near the store ofRodericMacleay.
An attempt was made to arrest him in his shanty
where the work was carried on, but as the party
came near, a friendly individual cried out loud
enough to give the alarm, ''there is his house."
Borrouglis immediately put on his snow-shoes,
forward end behind, and went away, leaving the
appearance of tracks toward his hov>ss, while he

was going from it. Whether this was an origi-
nal thought, or whether the hint was obtained
from virgil's description of Caciis, the son of Vul-
can whom Hercules slew, who drew his stolen
cattle into his cave backwards to deceive liis pur-
suers, it had the designed effect. He escaped to
Jolm Harvey *s, and was there concealed in a pota-
toe hole for a time, covered up so close, that he
came near dying with suffocation. He afterwards
went to Richmond Hill were he lived many years,
at first employed in making pictures in the shape
of bank-notes ; but after laws were passed against
this employment, he engaged in the business of
instruction, in which he excelled and became quite
useful. And I have often heard him say that his
previous example was not to be recommended to
the young, as he himself had lost every thing by
it. "Mr. Burroughs afterwards lived for a time in
Montreal, and finally in Three Rivers, where he
died. We see in him a melancholy instance of
the finest natural talents perverted, and the high-
est earthly prospects thus darkened. His down-
ward course began early, and the young of this day
should avoid a similar course.

■:«:*'

■■>j3 "■ V';y_>;:v^

!l,/

■ *f -'

CHAP. XV. ,

CHARACTERISTICS OF EARLY TIMES

There is usually something pleasing in the pecu-
liarities of new settlements. People who are thus
brought together, subject to the same sufferings
and hardships, and having the same common in-
terests, sympathize with each other and cherish
the spirit of mutual accommodation, more than in
an advanced state, where each is more indepen-
dent in himself. This seems to have been so at
least in Shipton. As few were fully supplied with
teams, tools and the various things desirable for
comfort and convenience, it was customory to bor-
row, change work, and accommodate one another,
in all ways which would bo for their mutual advan-
tage. A man would hardly feel at liberty to re-
tain his axe, hoe, shovel, or team, if he could spare
them when his neighbor was in want. And even
money was common stock. An individual who
had any on band, would, as a general thing, loan
it out without notes, bonds, or even interest. And
such was their mutual confidence, that they never
thought of fastening their doors by night, or of

putting any of their property out of sight to secure
it. And when Walker, who lived on the place
now occupied by Joseph Shaw, committed the
first theft, he was regarded with horror by all. He
stole a sheep, which be killed and placed in a
trough in his cellar. But he was followed by the
owner and detected. He was brought before Wil-
liam Barnard for trial. But by a little conni-
vance, he was allowed to escape and leave the
country for ever.

And though great hardships and privations cha-
racterized the community, they seemed hardly con-
scious of it, all, as a general thing, being happy and
contented with their lot. Their common sympa-
thy and friendly offices made amends for much
that would otherwise have been felt the most deep-
ly. , ...... ,..:,,

'.,'.•>■

■»-'■;

'M'

■■.. i,i. ■

yi'fi >:{;:■: \

CHAPTER XVI.

EUUOATIONAL INTEnESTS.

The educational interests of Shipton, from the
nature of the case, could not receive the first at-
tention. They were nevertheless kept in mind,
and were attended to as soon as circumstances
would permit ; and our schools have been cher-
ished and fostered and gradually improved from
the first commencement up to the present time.

The first school in the township was taught by
Miss Kimball, afterwards the wife of George Bar-
nard. It was in the house of Job Gushing, and
njostly confined to his family. There were still
other schools taught in Richmond in private
houses afterwards.

The first school-house was built of round logs,
in 1807, near the house which is now occupied by
Edward Gleave. Basswood plank, split or hewn,
constituted the floor, benches, and desks. Dr.
Silver was the first teacher -employed here. The
first school taught in Danville was in the thresh-
ing-floor of Ephraim Magoon's barn. Mr. Moun-
tain was the teacher, a half-crazy man, who was

'soon dismissed. The next summer, Mrs. Ezra
Leet taught in a log-liouse near where Joseph
Silver now lives. James Lord k('i)t a school the
winter afterwards, in the house of Simeon Flint.
This was in the year 1812 or 1813. Nancy Flint
taught one or two summers afterwards, in the
same place. Sally Pierce and Betsey Daniels
taught two successive summers, in tlio roof of
Ephraim Magoon's distillery. Mr. J]ore, a Metho-
dist minister from England, taught a part of one
winter, in a log-house belonging to Capt. Eph-
raim Magoon ; and his son, John lioro, taught at
the same time, over Nicolet. Abel Willey taught
also in the house of Capt. Magoon for a time.
Electa Adams was a teacher in Shipton in the
winter of 1815; a very good teacher. There
were also schools kept in Mr. Crown's house ; at
Jared Willey's ; and in Claremonfc, near Koyal
Shaw's, in a school-house, the second built in the
township. Another, near A. R. Limit's, was built
soon after. The fourth was built, in Danville,
in 1817 ; the preliminaries were arranged in the
house of Hosmer Cleveland. The writer of this
was present, and remembers the proceedings as
follows. After a little conversation, Hosmer
Cleveland said he would give ten dollars towards
a house. David Harvey proffered ten more; Si-
meon Flint, anothir ten. They then looked to

Ephriiim Magoon for n,n offor. IIo hositated about
giving ton ; whereupon David llarvoy, the prin-
cipal poet of the place, soon presented the follow-
ing specimen :

'!•'»

•i.t

" ITis great farm Is on a sirlc hill ;
Within tlio side tliero is a still ;
His iiouso stands in a valloy :
And iffor weiglity i)ur[)oso such '

He tliinks a rtMidy ten too much,
The thought is but a folly."

This produced the desired effect. These four in-
dividuals afterwards doubled the amount then pro-
mised ; which, together with other subscriptions,
made up the number of two hundred dollars. Hol-
sey Cleveland built the house for this money. The
body of the present school-house in Danville is
the same which he built, though it has undergone
some alterations.

After the building had been raised, David Har-
vey, according to the custom of those times, at-
tempted to give it a name. And standing upon
the king-post, with his hand upon an evergreen
tree which had been fastened upon it, the multi-
tude — ilicn, women, and children — standing around
in breathless silence, he thus began :

" Let ' Art and Science ' be our motto."

But here his memory ftiiled him, owing to some
circumstances that had just occun-ed, and he could

mmmmmmt

proceed no further. He repeated it however after
the occasion was past, and it was much to the
point. The second line was > *. ,

"Let all contentions cease."

Tiiis school-house answered for schools and meet-
ings many years. The winter before this house
was completed, Samuel Daniels kept a school in
the old log-house left by John Stevens, near
where Eev. A. J. Parker now resides. At the
close, he had an exhibition in Mr. Crown's mill,
as the best place which could then be secured.
The audience was very large, and the whole aftair
was satisfactory. Mr. Daniels delivered a long
written address at the close, and, as the last thing-
advised the people to attend much to reading
Among the books inviting their attention, he said,
there was none more important than the Bible
and Morse's Geography. He w^as however not
behind the times. Geographies were not prepared
at that time with an Atlas suited to the wants of
the student. Tliere was little else pursued in the
schools but reading, writing, and a little of arith-
metic. Teachers could not be procured who
could conduct the scholar further. And the great
waste of time in oiir schools from these, circum-
stances can readily be understood. Suppose in
one of our common schools the cost of board, tui-

M ' , ^^^. .■■-;s

'F?

after
the

tion, and books for a winter amounted to five
hundred dollars. Now if from the incompetency
of teachers, the unsuitableness of books, or any
ether cause, but half the progress was made which
would be possible under more favorable circum-
stances, we should sustain a loss of two hundred
and fifty dollars for that short period. But is it
not true that such losses have been sustained in
this township from the beginning ; and is it not
expedient that the causes should be guarded
against in future? . .;.

There are twentv-five school-houses now within

ft/

the limits of the original township of Shipton, —
sixteen in Shipton, and nine in Cleveland. Suit-
able books have been prepared on all branches of
study. Teachers of better qualifications can be
procured, and the means of educating and prepar-
ing suitable^ teachers are now within our reach.
The Academy which went into operation in Dan-
ville in 1855 may become most elHcieiit in this
respect, and exert a salutary influence every way
in moulding the character of the young. * -*

The first school-house built in Richmond was
near the site of the English church. It answered
many years for schools, meetings, and civil courts.
An attempt was made some years ago to establish
an Academy in that place, which failed. The
people however have been more successful in their

\^r^

•ivV

attempt to found a College. The charter of St.
Francis College was obtained in 1855, and a pre-
paratory school opened. The buildings were com-
pleted in 1856, and the College has since been in
successful operation. It is unsectarian in religion,
though designed to exert an evangelical influence.
And from the favorableness of the locatipn and
the thoroughness of instruction, we trust it will'
obtain suitable patronage, and be very efficient in
preparing young men for the higher departments
of teaching and for the learned professions, while
the preparatory department will accomplish its
object in training the young in the earlier stages
of their education.

The Library Associations recently established
both at Danville and Richmond, with their vari-
ous means of promoting intelligence and the best
interests of the communities, should not be over-
looked. Our newspapers, periodicals and postal
arrangeriients have also an important bearing on
the interests of education.

/ -^Vv-'j; - ■■'^:':^:[^'ir.c:>-

CPIAPTER XVII.

RELIGIOUS INTERESTS.

But as moral beings in a world of probation, we
have still higher interests to promote. Our spiri-
tual welfare is of paramount importance. And
among the influences ordained to secure it, the
Church holds a prominent place. The church
edifice should therefore stand beside the school-
house. For although it has at some periods been
thought that science and religion should be
divorced, and scholars and divines have been
sometimes jealous of each other, yet all facts
prove that their legitimate tendency is to aid each
other. While the Bible is a storehouse of facts
and of the best thoughts, and puts us upon the
right track in all our investigations respecting
subjects of vital "importance, all science .contri-
butes to establish its divine authority, and assists
in explaining and enforcing it. The Church, there-
fore, with its ministry and Sabbath, and the vari-
ous arrangements to carry out and accomplish its
legitimate ends, cannot be over estimated.

Bvit the church edifice in Sliipton remained a
long time to be built. It is true, school-houses
and private dwellings were used for religious
assemblies many yi^ars. Before ministers were
employed in the place to any considerable extent,
meetings were conducted on the Sabbath by lay-
men, and were undoubtedly attended with much
good. The Sabbath was kept from entire dese-
cration. A sense of moral and religious obligation
was cultivated. The habit of attending public
worship was formed to some extent, so that the
work of gathering religious congregations became
easier afterwards. And no doubt blessings came
from above in consequence. . ^ , «»yi^

But ministers cam^ long before a church edifice
was built. The different individuals, as far as I re-
collect them, have been mentioned in the chapter
on professional men. Although other ministerial
brethren had performed labors in Danville more
or less for the first tw^enty- five years or more, yet
in 1829, when the Eev. A. J. Parker went to
Danville, it had been left and was without a
church or minister of any denomination. He la-
bored for three years and then formed a small
church, of the Congregational order. It has been
increased from time to time till one hundred and
seventy-nine have been connected with it, ninety-
seven of whom still remain. In J 836 a comfort-

led a
ouses

able place of worship was erected ia the village.
Holsey Cleveltind, James Boutelle, and Abijah
Bufbank were the builders. A large congrega-
tion and a full Sabbath-school usually assemble
there from Sabbath to Sabbath, and the success-
ful pastor has grown grey in the service. The
influence of this church has been favorable to all
the interests of the people, inasmuch as it has
been a spring of action in the right direction.

The Adventists have also a house of worship
and a minister.

As the Congregationalists were the first who be-
came permanently established at Danville, so the
Church of England were the first at Richmond.
The Methodists however had labored there, but
finally located themselves on the opposite side of
the St. Francis, in Melbourne. The site of the
English church in Richmond was conveyed to the
Lord Bishop of Quebec by Shubael Pierce in 1830,
and the edifice soon after was erected. It was the
first put-up i 1 the township, except a small Roman
Catholic chapel on Brand's Hill. And though
there has been a variety in their experience, they
have on the whole been prosperous, influential,
and useful. The Roman Catholics were the se-
cond who bailt themselves a house of worship in
Richmond, and their numbers and congregations
are now large. ^.::.''-&

' The F/ee Church came later into the field, and
have now a convenient house of worship.

There are also four houses of worship on the
other side of the river, in Melbourne, viz. the Con-
gregational, Methodist, Kirk, and Adventist, whose
members in part belong on this side. Some also
from Melbourne attend religious worship in Rich-
mond. There are also a few scattered members of
three other denominations in the vicinity, making
ten in all. It might therefore be inferred that the
people are very quarrelsome ol* very devotional.
But perhaps they are not distinguished in either
way. The circumstances of former localities have
for the most part occasioned the variety. And
there is much among them all to commend.

But the number of religious denominations can-
not be otherwise than detrimental to religious
prosperity. From the feebleness of each, they
cannot bring that influence against the cause of
Infidelity and irreligion which might otherwise be
the case. Their means also being scarcely ade-
quate to support the Gospel among themselves,
they do far less abroad. And there is a far less
amount of preaching and religious influence on the
whole in the place than there might be if the de-
nominations and houses of worship were dimi-
nished by one half. The multiplication of reli-
gious denominations therefore tends to lessen the

means of grace. Hence we ought to preserve
geatver harmony in our counsels on religious sub-
jects, remembering that union is strength, while
divisions and alienations tend to weakness and
dissolution. ,

-i':^'

''i'f

'X^'Mi-

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CjIKftl:'

■•.vv;!;i

CHAPTER XVm.

THE CONTRAST.

In the preceding chapters we have considered
the township at its origin, when the primitive
forests covered the soil and the wild-beast roved
over it at pleasure. Bi;t] the forests have for tht
most part disappeared, and nearly every lot of
land is occupied. A population of four thousanji
inhabitants are scattered through the two present
townships of Shipton and Cleveland, — in the for-
mer twenty-five hundred, in the latter fifteen hun-
dred, — possessing the advantages in a high degre^
which are usually found in an advanced state of
society. The village of Danville contains about
four hundred inhabitants, that of Richmond nearly
as many. ^^vi^^,/ ,^.: , _ ■- .;;■&,-,;•

There is in Danville the railroad station, 84
miles from Quebec and 12 from Richmond station.
Several lines of stages also run to different places.
There are in the township eleven saw-mills, four
grist-mills, two oatmeal-mills, a wool-carding ma-
chine, a fulling-mill and a cloth-dressing establish-
ment, an iron-foundry, a lathe-mill, a carriage-

shop, a chair-shop, a cabinetniakcr's shop, a gene-
ral manufactory, 4 carpenter's shops, 3 cooper's
shops, 7 blacksmith's shops, 5 shoemaker's shops,
1 tailor's shop, 1 tin-shop with hardware, 1 tan-
nery, 2 taverns, and 6 stores. There is also a
scho(>l-house, an academy, and 2 church edifices.

There is in ilichmond the railroad station, 72
miles from Montreal, 96 miles from Quebec, and
221 miles from Portland. Stacros also run from
this place to others in various directions. There
.5r^'ih" the Township of Cleveland, of which this
is* the village, 4 saw-mills and 1 grist-mill ; in the
v^Mlage, 2 bakers, 2 butchers, 3 blacksmiths, 3
joiners, 3 shoemakers, 1 tanner, 1 printing-office,
1 iron-foundry, 1 tailor, 1 wheel-wright, 1 land-
sun^eyor, 1 railroad saloon, 2 taverns, 1 school-
house, and 3 churches. St. Francis College has
its location here, at the junction of the railroads,
and the court-house is in the process of erection.

Most of the professional and business men, and
the mayors of the townships, Enoch Baker of Ship-
ton ar;d C. B. Cleveland of Cleveland, reside in
the villages. And throughout these townships and
villages there is eveiy appearance of industry and
prosperity ; and from their situation and circum-
stances they are destined to still greater advance-
ment in all that is desirable. It is true, in some
places at the West, society advances more rapidly

than here; but the wealth employed is not pro-
duced on the spot, being usually imported from
the East. But wliere is there a community which
has created its own resources, that has done better
than this ? Most of the orighinl inhabitauts and
their children are now in possession of all the
necessaries of life, and some are quite affluent.
The means of mental and spiritual illumination
are also abundant, and the prospects of the future
are inviting and cheering. The laws of the coun-
try have been greatly improved, and the spirit of
the age has had its effect upon us. How great
the contrast when we look bacV through the
space of sixty years, and consider t iC origin and
progress of the township.

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H,"

CHAPTER XIX.

CONCLUSION.

As we review the whole history thus set forth,
we see in ah the circumstances, manifest indica-
tions of the Divine goodness. That our lines are
cast in pleasant places, and so many advantages
have been secured for us, requires an acknow-
ledgement of our indebtedness to our bountiful
Benefactor. And the return suitable on our part
is a heart of gratitude and devotion. At the same
time, we should prove ourselves worthy of the
high position we have attained, by acting in these
circumstances in a fit and becoming manner.
And it will be found that public spirit and liberal-
ity will always react upon ourselves for our own
best good, while a failure here will greatly retard
our progress, and perhaps keep us permanently on
the background. And as those who have gone
before us have suffered so much for us, we should
feel our responsibility and act in view of it, both
in respect to the present and the future.

And there is a duty devolving upon all. Our
municipal organizations are important, and thoiBe

;'• •

who are in autliority under them Nlioiihl be ikith-
ful to their trusts. The school coniniissionersand
teachers of youth have also a great and good work
before them, and the faithful performance of it
wouhl be attended with the happiest results. But
above all, our churches and religious institutions
are most essential to every rational individual, and
they should be sustained and promoted in every
suitable way. As descendants and successors of-
our forefathers here, let us improve from their
experience, cherishing the right s]>irit, and pursu-
ing the proper course ; and all our interests will
be secured both for the present and the future,
and the generations that follow will be benefitted
and blessed in consequence.

>-u.

44'

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faith-
's and
work
of it
But
itions
1, and
every
jrs of-
their
mrsu-
s will
iture,
^fitted

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