Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-03-31

NbAlunhl l1bnh u nDit VI foOUU, anu Ditl
for expenses Of litigation in the "school
case" $500. 1t was voted TO raise, for the
coming year, a tax of70 cents on a dollar Of
the grand list, with a discount of per cent
on all taxes paid before the first day OF
July. The prudential committee were in
structed to sell the Elliot street school
house at their discretion, and ]. NJ. Tyler
was appointed the agent of the district to
convey a titlo TO tho property. 1t was
voted, without opposition, TO pay the bill
Of $500 for expenses Of litigation in the
"school case" The old board Of officers
were reelected with no dissenting votes,
viz: S. NJ. Waite, moderator; G. II. Ste
vcns, clerk J. NJ. Tyler, s. NJ. Waite, II.
w. Clarke, prudential committee; j. w.
Slmonds, collector; Charles +. Thompson,
treasurer; J. w. Frost, auditor Il. +.
Bingham, Miss Rebecca Crosby, assistant
committee. At the close OF the routine
business Mr.. Bingham briefly addressed
the meeting, urging on the parents the
necessity Of visiting, and acquainting
themselves with, the schools where their
children are being prepared for the duties
of life. Mr.. Bingham also earnestly as
sured the parents of his deep interest in
their children, and said that, whatever
mistakes he had made, and whatever meas
ure of success had attended his labors he
had given them the best that was in him to
give. The meeting closed with a few pleas
ant and complimentary remarks from w.
II. Alexander, Esq.
THE DARNABEE CONCERT.
In spite ola combination Of most un-
favorable circumstances, the concert an
nounced TO be given by the Barnabee Con-
cert Company, Monday evening, drew a
very good house, tho name Of Darnabee
suiiicing TO make the citizens of this happy
town bravo worse things than the raging
elements, long familiarity with which
has manifestly bred naught but contempt
in their minds. The programme of this
concert, although Of an eminently popular
character, was so well chosen, and above
all so well executed, as not TO offend the
most classical ear. Mrs. Carter and Miss
HOlbrook are singers of real merit and
much cultivation, the former possessing a
clear, flexible and sufficiently powerful
soprano organ, and The latter full, sym
pathetic contralto voice. Mr.. Collins
charmed the audience with his agreeable
and well-trained tenor, equally effective in
solo and part singing, while Mr. Barnabee
Is too well known as a distinguished basso
to need any comments. But 10 this talent
was added another attraction in Miss Bell,
whose graceful and finished execution up
on the violin of Alard's celebrated "Air ct
Varic," and OF De Beriots Seventh Air."
took her hearers completely by storm. The
ease with which Miss Bell plays is most
remarkable, and her clear and rapid exc
cution OF difficult passages shows a high
degree of technique; but in order to Judge
how much her playing is inspired by the
real 'Jeu Sdcre," it would be necessary to
have other and better opportunities of lis
tening to her, which we all sincerely hope
10 have. Mr.. Barnabee delighted his adj
mirers by singing sone comic songs with
running accompaniment Of the most re-
maikable faces one may ever hope to wit
ness. His per !ormance of Bluebeard"
was unique in its way. and elected the
most hearty applause. The solos sung by
Mrs. Carter, Miss Holbrook and Mr.. Col
Inns were invariably encored, as indeed
was every selection on tho programme
The quartettes performed by the company,
especially "Now the day is over" Pinsuti,
and "Come follow me-" Zimmerman, are
particularly deserving OF mention.
FEW HISTORICAL NOTES.
There was noticed at the Centennial Exhi-
bition last week in this village, Bible l45
years old, now belonging 10 Mr.. C. C. Frost,
containing in the record two items OF his
tory not very well known, as having taken
place in old times in this vicinity. The
first is the record OF the birth and marriage
of Col. John Sergeant, the first white
male citizen born in Vermont. Mr.. John
Sar Ieani, the father OF Col. John, and his
brother James, as tradition says, (the latter
the father Of Thomas Sergeant, who was
the father of ElihU, Calvin, Thomas, Lu-
Their, &C., whom many will remember, the
two former living and dying at West river
not many years ago. purchased all the land
between West and Connecticut rivers to the
Du immersion line, or what is now called
West River. On account OF the hostility Of
the Indians ii was not deemed prudent 10
build and occupy, so they, with their fam
lilies, took refuge in Fort Dummer, which
was on the site of the present residence OF
Simon Brooks. At this place Col. John
Sergeant was born in the year 1872. De-
cember 10, 1850, he married Mary Kath-
an, whose parents, John Kathan, &C.,
with four sons and three daughters,
rs the record reads: "Jan. 5, 1852.
John Kaihan with his famaly Cam TO
settle at Bemas' rock on Conicut river in
We Government of Newhampshir eight
miles from Fort Dummer." 1t is not re-
cord ed where they came FROM. This rock,
W hich is near Putney depot, was named,
probably, for Joseph Demas, rather noted
individual in that region at that time, and
and from whom sprang numerous families
by that name who have lived and died in
that region. The place is now called Kath- |
ans ferry. The naming of these rocks in
the river, as they all have their names, APP |
pears for Two objects. One as points for |
surveys of land, as deeds are in existence |
making these rocks as boundaries. The |
other as points or stopping places in voy- |
ages on the river TO different military posts. |
The ''Stevens" rocks, Just east of Walnut |
olIceli heIo udLltu lJT Iulueds loleNeuS, an |
officer who commanded post No. 4, now |
Charlestown, N. II.
1t appears at the time OF The marriage of |
Col. John Sergeant that he built large,
two story, gambrel roof house on the site |
of the present residence OF James II. Sar-
geant OF West River, which became not
ed rendezvous for the neighborhood, and
also for entertainment for travellers and Of
fcers of military posts up and down the