The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-11-27
For the Register
The Ketcham Family.

ihoMNS hEICIihM was one oil the tirst
settlers in the town OF Sudbury. lie had
five sofis and five daughters, who lived TO
mature years and settled in Sudbury and
became useful members of society. On
the 18th Of October, about fifty of his
descendants residing in Sudbury, Brandon,
Pittsioid, I1ubbarlton, Benson, Orwell,
Whiting, and also Harvey ketcham and
lady, and his sisters frrm Malone. n. Y.
met at the residence of Allen Ketcham in
Whiting, for the purpose of renewing old
acquaintance and to have a sucial famjly
visit.
They could scarcely have selected
more appropriate placc-ds Mr.. Ketchani
and his amiablc lady, his sons and his
beautiful and accomplished daughters
are well adapted for such an occasion.
They gave TIER guests welcume recep.
ton and spread farmers table in a style
that would have done credit to a first-clas.
hotel
Mr.. ketcham is an extensive farmer
and model farmer-has a place for
everything and everything in its place--a
characteristic of the family. His elegant
and richly furnished residence, the ar
rangement of his out buildings, his extcn-
sive and highly cultivated fields waving
with rich harvest; the vast expanse of
alluvlal meadows on the banks of Otter
Greek, and his fine stock of cattle, horses
and sheep, all bcspeak the taste and
Judgment of their proprietor and yet he
Is excelled by some Of his guests.
Time will not permit AMI your columns
would forbid my particularizing. suffice 1t
Is to say that perhaps one Of the number
is the most extensive fruit-grower and
horiiculturist in western Vermont. He
has ID acres of orcharding, all in -four
ishing condition, bending under its burden
OF delicious fruit, to say nothing of his
extensive nurseries of fruit trees and or
namcntal Strawberries, or Of his garden of
luXurics blooming with the beauties of
nature, to graity the taste and delight
the eye. lie appears to possess by nature
a peculiar gilt in ncu;raizing the rigor of
our climate to such degree that even
the various kinds of tropical fruit are un-
aware but what they are in the sunny
South, and bloom AMI h)urlsl under his
fostering care.
Several of the brotherhood may with
propriety be sail to be business farmers.
| recently met one of them in the street
on Green Island. We had social chat.
lie appeared to be insno particular hurry
as he had only G40 head Of cattle with
him on their way to market.
The presence Of two aged matrons at
the family circle added an interest to the
&C ion. The widow. Patty Knowlton,
las seen more t ar four.scorc years. is
the My surviving member of the ketcham
Family. She same to Sudbury when it
was nearly an unbroken wilderness, here
and there an opening Just sufficient 20 let
daylight shine down into the dark for
bidding and almost impene;rable Forest
when naught was to be heard but the
howlng OF the wolves, the sullcn growlS
o the hca AMI the sharp screams of
the pantners, which frightened the herds
of deer that roamcd at large on Sudbury
hills and on the banks of Otter Greek.
she has followed five brothers and four
sisters to the quiet churcll-yar and those
monuments whose white heads point up
lleavenward, mark the last resting place
OF those whose memories and VIII use yir-
tues are enbalmed in the hearts of their
numerous desccndents never to be forgot
ten. She has lei life anl set an ex-
ample worthy the imitation of all.
The widow of the late Major Ketcham
OF Sudbury, was present. She was ono
Of the first settlers AMI underwent hard
ships and prlvations incident to the early
settlers. Ilard-hips of which the present
, generation are ignorant.
She is n remarkable woman, has lived
to see the dense forests disappear and give
place to one of the richest farming dis
tric Is in the valley of Otter Greek. She
Is n connecting link between two CEN
, turles having seen nearly four. score years
and ten, AMI notwithstanding her ad-
. vanced age. her mental faculties appear
with all of the strength AMI vigor OF
youth. Industry AMI irugality, upright
, ness AMI integrity, energy and decision OF
, character, have been her prominent traits
dnr'ns her long AMI useful life.
, Her social qualities render her the life
and animation of the circle of acquaint-
ance in which she moves. The lessons OF
instruction, of wisdom. which have fallen
from her lips from year to year during
: the last half century, have been treasured
= up; enshrned in the hearts of her chill
t dren, and her chlldren's children, and are
never to be forgotten. She will long be
remembered by the entire community for
, her many amiable qualities, for her steady
| and exemplary life and for her deep an
r hcufjd p'ey.
r 1t was truly social gathering and as
1 they renewed former acquaintance. they
? lived their lives over again. They were
led to recall to mind former years and
: goneby days. They were lei t, recall tc
| mind the scenes of their childhood, the
pastimcs of their youth. They were led
1 to recall to mind that period of their lives
t when they resided under their parental
1 roof, where parents and children, brother.
: and sisters, surrounded the same hearth
J stone, the same family table, and sharet
5 richly in the bOIntiCs of pruyilcnce NJ