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Un des symboles suivants apparaUra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, seion le cas: le symbols —► signifie "A SUIVRE". le symbole y signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc.. may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, aa many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film«s A des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichA, 11 est film6 d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et da haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 El Pri i? s. A SKETCH OF THB : 1 1 EARLY SETTLEMENT AND HISTORY OF S ]EI I P T O N^, ■Is*. CANADA EAST; BY jv.-'^^' REV. EDWARD CLEVELAND, A.M., Principal of Si. Francis* College, Richmond, Township of Cleveland. I V . '^ "> 3 , 1 ., ' 9 ., J 1 ■> •) '> , ■) •) O • O 3 3 -, > ">«.-) > ' ' 1 10^,3 0,3 15 ''l O 'J > 3 • •) • S. 0. SMITH, PRINTER^ "RICHMOND COUNTY ADVOCATE/ 1858. - ^: B i\>! ir !i ■■ • • • ,«••'< I • ( « « « • • • • <«c • • ••• t«< #••• • • 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 '■'Iff vi: I tfi «3 m. III ii 1*' j ■V'C ■11*^ rf:ft 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. I Edward Cleveland. d #:■ ; ''!!? INTEODUCTION. '* ;, 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- I VII I 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 IX 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 ■* ^l! .ri'. .»iJ^£M£^ mm r i V;:i 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 >■■ K^ 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 12 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, 13 *^( 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. y 2* 1 \ > V' i 1 ''^' ; 'ivv^vvvi ,r I • 1. ■ ii' >. ' ■ 1 •h>-*. » CHAPTER II. ;1; HOW THE FIRST SETTLERS REACHED THE PLACE. ' r '^: aty' 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 15 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 i* M «,'».'* mwmp^mmmnmm 16 11 V' '' liii . lit i '^y I'' 5s 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 i'.i 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 if; F.'l Iti '?^1 18 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. mM • . ,'fv. ..<; '■ fl ■^}^/*-> :■■•■:. 1 ::''?rpi.s.\-'> |H .ii- J'^^^H ■ :?- ' -' ' - ' ■" ;9| ' . ;' ;ffji^.^ / :.'/hr,jf. ' ■«i-ri.^' ?:&' :-\\ 'i-.-i^ • 1 ( . » ' ■^^,. • ■ ■-*■■■ ' 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. i ■'i- .o If'N^ ' : \] li; !•; ► i). < t ,vf :.i Ml 20 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." >. ' • ♦ ■ 21 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 tit 22 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 23 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. I.. '..■ . I.:-'. '- f y- 1, : .>)^: ■■■t;^i: ■ ':.-l J , • ' "■; .''■''^>''' - ■* >' .' 1 t ' • ' ■ V • ;,„ ■■\ ' . r t : ,;■; ,.'■..•• '■' r,. ,->-, -^r-i * J.? ■ ■'•^'. ■ ^■■•- f^i-: i i >-■ ..>;:;•- ■:'' " > .,-f,r'^,»-'> -. :,^^,:.;; .K«- ■->:-' ■> ■'.■ , 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 44 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, . ^^ :^ipf\r ■i '^i:-'it ■,'4ii 'fM^\ rf¥ ifT-]f.,;-r.:.^ ■^ ■■ ■ 1 ' •fi 't* ' CHAPTER XIII. CASUALTIES. J "i; 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;. V 57 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 ^ H nun 68 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 t 60 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 4* I ! * 62 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 64 '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 T 66 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." t But here his memory ftiiled him, owing to some circumstances that had just occun-ed, and he could mmmmmmt 66 g- 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 67 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 68 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. 70 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- 71 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. ^.::.''-& VA 72 m ' 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 73 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- .iW: •: -k ^ :a V ,■ ■'■r , • . -J.r-- 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- 75 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 76 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. ^, , , " , ' ' .f,. :^iU^i'. ■:,:.:*- ■t'Vi t - ?%*■■ c^\ .B ty»*f**#'.i«ii!Ji''l *••''. .'.'♦'i'^' ^ !•'■*■•. 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 ;'• • 78 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. M; >-u. 44' ,.fK. faith- 's and work of it But itions 1, and every jrs of- their mrsu- s will iture, ^fitted ff ,»'-