Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-07-28

his example worthy Of imitation, beloved
and respected most by those who knew
him best One of his grandchildren now
resides in this town, one in Rutland,
grand son and great grand child in Vir-
ginia. Capt. Joseph Whitcomb and Pc
ter Whitcomb were also in the list and
taxed about the year 1892. Mrs. Polly
Smith, wife of George Smith, experience
ed religion. She disagreed with her
husband upon the mode of administer
ing the ordinance of baptism, and rode
on horseback, guided by marked trees,
to Chester, and was baptized by Rev.
Aaron Lealand, united with the Baptist
church in Chester, and returned the first
Baptist in Tomlinson.
The first hotel and store were under
the same roof and kept by Henry Bond,
located where Widow Fishers house now
stands. 1t was log house with one
room and one bed for family and guests.
The first goods placed in the store was a
barrel Of new rum, in 1887. This was
drawn from Saxtons River, most of the
distance in the river, with oxen, on
drag built for the purpose, there being
no road. On the arrival of the goods
the citizens focked to the store to inspect
them. They were pleased with the quail
ity and purchased freely until quite
number had taken larger quantity
than they found themselves able to carry
away. In 1888 the town voted that
Samuel Spring keep tavern on the place
now owned by Capt. A. HI. Burgess.
David Stickney, Joab Gleason and En-
sign Jonathan Gibson were also licensed
to keep taverns. Great need of reform
clubs evidently existed in those days,
although the people failed to realize it.
Many of the citizens of the town were
anxious to have the town named after
the town from which they emigrated,
and to give each an equal chance it was
decided to put the name of the town up
at auction; and on the 31st day of Oc-
tober, 1892, it was sold, and Joseph Ak
tell being the highest bidder, for the
sum of So, had the pleasure of having
the town named Grafton, he having re-
moved from Grafton, Mass.
About this time there was great diff
Guilty in raising Rev. Mr.. Halls salary.
The law then provided that any one VINO
did not believe with the majority of the
people in religious matters should be ex-
empted from paying the minister, after
certifying to the fact and having it duly
recorded in the town clerks office. A
careful examination of the records of
that time reveals the fact that in those
days there were many dissenters.
In 1874 the value of taxable property
in town was 91963, Is shillings.
In 1899 the town voted to receive of
Wheeler q Hall. go pounds of powder
at S45, and that the selectmen be CON-
mittee to purchase lead and fints equiv
alent to the above 60 pounds of powder.
Voted to choose committee of five
to say what certificates shall be legal or
not legal as ministerial certificates.
Chose Amos Fisher, David Palmer,
Samuel Spaulding, Ebenezer Burgess
and Ephraim Gile for said committee.
The Baptist Church was organized in
1903. Elijah Shumway was the first or
dained Baptist minister. He was or
dained Feb. 10, 1910.
My friends, the very limited amount
of time l have been able to devote to
collecting authentic facts, since learning
that | was relied upon to give some of
the early history of Grafton on this oc-
casion, has made it impossible for me to
give you but a few of the many inter-
esting incidents that occurred during the
period | have passed over. These shall
preserve, and | trust that many Others
Of equal interest, embracing the names
of many promint citizens | have failed
% mention will be added to them, and a
historical sketch prepared with much
greater care than / have been able to
yive this, will be preserved for the bene-
it of those who occupy our places in
1916.
A BEAUTIFUL, ANSWER Whom tba