The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-12-19

was stationed near West Point and EaS the
ordered to the vicinity of New York, whc:
he became connected with a body of Guard
which were under the immediate supervision
of the noble Washington. His vcneratior
through his whole life, for the beloved Fa
ther of our Country, was very great. and
was even his highest pleasure to talk abou
him. After being in the army about tw'
years, without participating in any particula
engagement, peace was declared, the arm,
disbanded. and he returned again in com
pany with his brothers to his native Lexing
ton. Here he remained for several years
employed in honest labor, till l,SS, when ht
in company with an elder brother removed
to South Reading, Vermont, which was al
that time nearly an unbrokcn forest In thi.
place he made final settlement, bough,
him Let of land, which has since proved tC
have been we'll selected and located, and
went to work alone, full of energy and hope
to clear it up. In the forenoon of his first
days work, he unfortunately cut his knee
so badly that most persons would have given
up in despair, but nothing daunted, he went
out to work again in little over week,
despite of his lamcncss. Thus did he COM
mencc to clear up his large and thrifty farm.
l.. the summer of 1892 he commenced
building frame house, and in the fail, kay
my got it partly finished, he married Miss
Hannah .Acklry, who hal then recently i'm
migrated 10 this place from Conn. moved
int" his house. and there in coatcntnent anG
IL Happiness have they ever lived up to the
da:: of l.:s dc;;th-a period of sixty five Years
In this Old mans later history there is
much worthy of note. He, ike most revolu-
t:onacy pensioners. was always healthy and
earty-,igoroas in body aid mind. esen to
lis las, brief sickness. lie WAS fortunate
and happy in his numerous po,;erity, an,!
had the satisfaction of seeing them generally
prosperous. lie had served in various civil
and military capacities. and always proved
himself worthy of the confidence rcposed in
him.
But few years ago, he visited the scenes
OF his childhood in Lexington, and found
only two survivors of all his once large circle
of acquaintances, and they were much broken
down with age. The visit to him was one of
sad and lonely interest
A> a citizen he was always upright and
exact in all his dealings, and dignitied. though
generous and cordial in his intercourse. He
WAS public spirited. patron of noble enter
p:;>e and always contcntcd with his own lot.
/, was one of his latest remarks that during
the ,ixtv->ix Years he had lived upon his
farm. h had never wished to change his lo,
for that of any ether, nor his home for that
which any other country or cline could afford.
He learned to write while in the continental
army b. copying the ballads ana camp songs
oi the soldiers. which copies are .nw in pos
session of. and highly priced hy. the writer
OF this sketch. He had little or no education,
except that acquired by experience. Vet he
could in his old age cast up dific,.l: and en-
Iorscd notes given at annual interest. with
AZ accuracy and dispatch that might well put
to shame many Young men of the present
day.
Ike was ever stern lover oi'justicc. He
remarked to the writer but few DAYS before
he died that he had made it during his life
time controlling principle sever to do riyAt'
and to cause right to be done. lie was de-
vo'cdpatr.ot X has been present at the elections
of every President since our Re,ubic has
been established. How very appropriate
it WAS at our last Presidential election that
he. who had fought and suffered for our
liberties and free institutions. should then
deposit his vote to preserve the same. Thus
in the ninety-third year of his age. has he
passed away from our midst-a truly ven
cradle hero and patriot. Very few of these
revolutionary patriots remain, and soon the
last will be gone. Let the few that survive
be revered as the relics of happier as well
as stormicr days. Through their labors and
struggles We inherit this our land and these
our institutions, intended by them to be free.
Truly do they deserve our highest vcncration
and respect; and if thus they are honorcd
now while living. when they are all gone,
they will not of necessity. need any lofty
marble monument or deeply wrouyht;inscrip
ton to tell us of their noble deeds, devoted
patriotism and true greatness. These virtues
our hearts will spontaneously ascrihc to them
however lowly may be their resting place
Then may it truly be said of them that -
The joy
With which their children tread the halowcd
ground
That holds their veucratcd homes, the peace
HAT smiles on all they fought for and the wealth
That clothes the land they rcccvcd-thcsc, though
mute
As feeling ever is when dccpcst.-thcse
Are monuments more lasting than the vancs
Reared to the kings and demi-gods of old
G. o.. r.
SOUTH READING, VT. Nov. 10, 1851.
LAWS OF VERMONT, A. D. 1857.