The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-01-29
Ryegate-James Henderson.

When the Scotch company was formed for
the purpose I grating to Americ4, they
tried u pro,:P'r, 10 far as possible, for every
vlclsstude Of lie; both as regards the .nec-
essarles and Con, enlencies which 20 towards
the enjoyment of life. Among other things
they expected to build in each township,
town-houses, halls, market houses, store
houses, ETC., and also to clear some part of
every farm in the settlement and erect build
lngs thereon as fast as circumstances would
admnt-the emigrants to pay for the build
lEgs on taking possession, if possible. 1t
will be seen that an experienced house Joiner
was necessary to carry on this Ian. Such a
man was found in the person of James Hen
derson. He was born in fitzpatrick near
the castle of Dunbarton, on the Clyde, liz
l149. He had, a few years previous to his
emigration, finished bis apprenticeship, aid
being one of the company he was sent with
the commissioners for the purpose of direct
ing in this grand enterprise in the New
World. While the commissioners came
from New Jersey on horseback, Henderson
came to Hartford in vessel, and from there
he came to Newbury in a canoe. He had
his joiner tools with him, and very valuable
cargo they proved to the settlers. They ar
rived about the first of November, 1913, and
found Mr.. Hyndman building a log house,
which, with one other, was finished so as to
be tolerably comfortable, before the cold
weather came. During the winter Hender-
son made himself very useful in making ma
ny articles Of wooden ware for the settlers
and during this first long cold winter, sur
rounded by forests and blockaded by snow,
James hel ped to while away the tedious days
by his jokes and stories. When April came
they made 60 lbs. of maple sugar. When
the settlers began to raise grain they found
it announcement and toisome to carry their
the grist on their backs through the wilder
ness to Newbury to be ground; they there
fore determined to have mill of their own.
Accordingly Mr.. Whitelaw, for the company,
bought the land of Newbury, and one-half
the water power, now known as Boltonsville.
In the spring of l71715 Henderson began to
get out timber and gearing, and on the 18th
Of ctober, 1910, the first mill on Wells Riv-
err was set in motion. Henderson afterwards
became a large lard owner and principal
manager of the company. On the 9th of
January, Iii, he was married to Agnes
Svme. This was the first marriage in Rye
gate Agnes father was one of the cOmpa-
ny, and with his family came to Ryegate in
1774. Henderson had six children-4 boys
and . girls. William, his third child, still
lives on the farm first owned and occupied
bv his father. Mr.. Henderson died in 1894
During his life he was very useful man,
and for many years the new settlers and
young people had merry times at his house.
Agnes, his wife, was born at Paisley, al
though her father was a resident and gar
dener in the parish of Glasgow. She died
in l7l9 Henderson was the first joiner, the
first millwrisht, the first married and owned
the first saw mill in Ryegate. He was also
the first military officer in town, being chosen
captain May II, l776. He held all the town
offices and was chosen representative man!
wears. He lived useful life and died with
that tranquility which is the reward Of those
who know in whom they have believed.