Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-03-10
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Marlboro is situated in the central part
ofWindham County, and Is bounded North
by Newfanc and Dover, East by Brattle-
boro and Dummerston, South by Halifax,
and West by Wilmington. It was first
chartered April 20, 1751 to Timothy Dwight
and his associates, and measures were taken
to effect its settlement. The outside lines
were run, and the corners set, but the
breaking out of the French war prevented
any further progress at that time, and the
conditions of tho charter were forfeited.
However, the charter was renewed in lI6l,
and was also granted TO Timothy Dwight
New Marlborough being the name then
adopted. There seems to have beon anoth-
or charter granted in 1894 to Charles Phelps
and his associates, in which the prefix of
the namo was dropped.
The first actual settler who bravcd the
dangers of making beginning in the will
derness was Abel Stockwoll, who removed
his family from West Springfield, Mass,
in the spring of 1865. He came through
Brattleboro and established himself in the
Eastern part of the township, on the farm
since occupied by Luther Ames. He open
ed the first tavern in town, and in after
years seems to have been a leading man in
public enterprises.
a few weeks after Stockwell moved into
town Capt. Whittomore moved in from
Middlctown, Conn. He camo through
Halifax, and located himself on n farm
afterwards occupied by his grandson, Levi
Barrett, which was a few miles west Of
Stockwelis location. Each of these men
supposed himself TO be the sole resident of
the township for nearly year, when it YVES
accidentally discovered that they had been
mistaken. This discovery occasioned no
regrets, for neighbors at that time although
separated by four or five miles of wilder
ness, were blessings not to be lightly re-
garded.
These families experienced all the pri-
vations incident to pioneer life but it
seems that the greatest inconvenience was
suffered by Whittemore. 1t would seem
that he was man of limited means, and
was dependent on the products of his labor
for the support of his family, while his
neighbor, more favorably circumstance
could supply his wants without so great
tax on his present comfort. Yet it was
necessary for each to transport their means
of subsistence long distance, over poor
roads, or no roads at all. Whittemore had
a COW which, during the first Summer sup
piled the family with milk and butter but
this was often nearly worthless, for the COW
subsisted on browse, wild grass, and what
ever else she could pick up in the woods /;
leoks often came in her way, which rem
dered the milk almost unfit for use.
For grain, and other necessaries of life,
Mr.. Whittemore was obliged to go to Deer
field or Coleraine, Mass, a distance of from
| twenty-five to thirty miles, and, after hav-
ing procured it, he brought 1t home on his
| back. The first Summer he raised nothing
| but few potatoes, which were small and
poor from growing in the shade. He had
cleared pieco of land, hoping for crop
the next year, and made his cabin, to a
good extent comfortable for his family, be-
fore winter set in, but yet its approach was
witnessed with gloomy approhensions.
Their little stock of money was exhausted,
and it was a question of great moment how
they were to subsist during the inclement
months, when miles of deep snow closed
up all communication between themselves
and the settled portions of the country. If
they succeeded in maintaining existence
till Spring it would then be three or four
months before the ground would yield
them any supports and more than this,
they had no seed to SOW, and no means to
purchase it when it would be needed.
Under such circumstances Mr.. White
more and his faithful wife felt extremely
gloomy, and for time they entertained
serious thoughts of leaving their cabin and
returning to the friends they had left in
Connecticut, but every principle of indie
pendence and of self-rolying confidence re-
boiled against such a course.
"We shall be laughing stock to the
whole neighborhood," said Mrs. White
more, "if we give it up so and go back, fol-
they all told us We were simpletons fol
making this move. Now we will show
them that we can take care of ourselves, al
| least.
"You are a brave woman, Martha" said
her husband "but what can we do? Car
you devise any plan p
"Yes; you know you are a good tinker
and always get good pay at that. Now
propose that you take your kit and go on
to the settlements, and tinker this Winter
and I'll take care of myself and little Bet
sey, and cut browse for the cow
500 you think / would leave you alon'
to contend with the dangers of this wilC
country in the winter season? No, never
it is all the nerves of a strong man can en-
durer'
"There's no other way and We'll max
the best of it. The money you can earn thi
winter will keep us in bread till we can &c
crop, and l shall insist upon your doint
so."
After many efforts to avoid course 81
repugnant to his feelings, Mr.. Whittemore
at length consented to take leave of hi
family; but it seemed like consigning then
to the grave. He followed his calling dur
ing the winter only paying one visit to hi
home in the woods, which was in the montl
of February. This journey was accom-
plished on snow-shoes, and attended will
much fatigue, but on finding those he love-
still alive, and hopeful, it lightened hi
heart of a load which had become unen
durable.
During the long absence of her husband
Mrs. Whittemore was alone with her littl
daughter surrounded by a wild, trackles
expanse of snow. Yet the ferocious deni
l. l.. a. .