Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-12-31
From the Traveller
George Peabedy's Grandfather.

All the newspaper biographies of the great
philanthropist state that at the age Of fifteen. he
| spent year with his grandfather, at Post Mills
Village, in Thetford VT and all lists of his bene-
factions mention his gift Of ten thousand dollars
( Tor library in that village. This gift was
made while on visit 10 his relatives there, dur
ing his last visit but one TO his native country.
/ Perhaps some things which | happen to know
about the grandfather and family and residence
may interest some of your readers.
Post Mills is a little village in the northwest
corner of Thetford, containing, at the time Of
Georges visit, grist mill and saw mill, a school
house, one or two " variety s,ores,' black
smiths shop, tavern, and probably a young
physician, though DR.. Niles may have settled
there year or two later. The rest of the peo-
pie were farmers of moderate means; svme of
whom, however, occasionally msde shoes or put
up barns for their neighbors. The nearest house
of worship was five miles south, on Thetford Hill,
where the Rev. Asa Burton, d. D., well known
throughout New England as a teacher in theo-
logy, and as the great promulgltor and defender
Of the . Taste Scheme
jeremiah Dodge, Georges grandfather, lived
IN mall, neat, white two-story house. little
out the village, on the north side Of the road
lea- ug east, TO the Connecticut river, and Or
ford, n. II. His son, Eliphalet, lived a few rods
farther east, on the south side Of the road, in a
one-story farmhouse, imprinted, unless it had
once been slightly tingei with Spanish brown
Their farm was almost wholly on the south side
Of the road. do not know its exact size. Prob
ably hundred acres OF more; much Of il, around
the houses, beautifully level and reasonably fer
tile. He had a large family Of boys and girls.
oy whose help the labor Of the farm was done
Another son, Daniel, was a ''master marin
4 s.1. l.. 8.
He commanded a ship which sailed from New
York for Canton, with orders to trade between
Canton and Acheen, in Sumatra. three years,
ami then load at Canton and return. Before the
three years had quite expired, he inferred from
the newspapers that war was imminent between
the United States and England,-th war Of
1872. lie therefore loaded and returned TO New
York quickly as possible, arriving Just in sea
son 10 escape capture by the first British squad
ron sent to blockade the coast As his trips 10
Acheen had been successful, and the price OF
China goods hal risen and continued to rise. on
account Of the war, the voyage proved very
profitable to the owners
Jeremiah Dodge. when frst knew him, some
ten years afterwards, was white-heaied old
man, Too feeble from age for the severe labor Of
tie fIrm, but still erect in bis posture, AMI COM
monty busy about such ligh: work As be needel
10 kttl L4lA from the tENA4ALA OF lIltuN=-. He
vas very quiet man, never obtrusiye but al
ways stalie, never excited, never talkative: but
showing, when occasions called for it, which was
not often, keen, quiet wit, which raised a smile
among the hearers, and commonly closed an ar
gument 90 which he had been listening His
vile was some years younger, more active,
and though not laxative woman, was more
ready to engsge in conversation than her hus-
band They were both members Of the church
in lhetfo-d; but about the time last mentioned,
a house Of worship was erected 81 Post Mills. and
they, with the other Congregatioual.sts At that
place, transferred cir membership to the church
in West Fariee, worshipping there and at Post
Mills on alternate S45taIhs. As church mem
hers, they were TOO old to be very active: but
nobody ever accused or even suspected either of
them Of anything either IN the wav Of omission
or commission, inconsistent with thcs profession
With such grandparents and such surruuni-
ings, George Peabody year at Post Mills must
have been year OF intense quiet, with good
examples always before him. and gool aiy.se
whenever occe-iou caliel lor il for Mr.. Dodge
and his VIE were both too shrewl to bore him
with it ueeillssly. 1t was on his return from
this visit that he sJeut a night q; a tavern 10
Concord, y. H., aud paid for his entertainment
by saving wood the next morning. That, how
ever, must have been a piece Of George own
voluntary economy; for jeremiah Dodge would
never have sent his grani-ln home 90 D4uye-s
without tie means q procuring the necesssries
Of life on the way, and still less, II poss bic.
would Mrs. Dodge. Perhaps be told them that
be did not need any help, relying on bis own
ability 90 make his way home without burden
Ing them with the expense; but. more probably,
be Just san a chance f.g al hour or two Of pro
ftabie labor, and took advantage oft 20 ssye