The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-02

the absolute necessaries of life land they
had no others) was at Charleston, N. H.,
then called No. 4. These hardships fos.
tered q desire for home manufacturing and
home trade; accordingly Capt. Edward
Aiken, a grandfather of our esteemed citi-
zens James and John Aiken, after clearing
a little land, began work on the first grist-
mill in town, in IVA, the same year that
historians claim the town was settled. This
mill was located at the outlet of Derry
pond. Col Rogers gave the land and right
of flowage. ubsequently Capt. Aiken sold
this mill to Geo. McMurphy, who ran it for
several years. In 1855 Capt. Aiken built
another mill on the present site of the grist
mill in this village North village) which
was run many years by his son Jonathan.
In the same year (17Sj) the fret bridge
was built in town where the bridge
now stands, near this mill, spanning the
West river, under which rippled her waters
just as they do to-day. The bottom log to
the abutments Of that bridge, built ninety
one years ago, Is the foundation of the abut-
ment that supports the bridge we cross to-
day. The first store in which goods were
sold stood where the Woods house $50
called now stands, on The height of land
between our two villages. This store was
owned and kept by Page & Burchard. Soon
after this store was opened, Parker, Dean
81 johnson opened store in the houee in
which Rodney Spauldng now resides
The two first hotels opened to the public
we're kept, one by Arlington Gibson, on
the old Gibson place, and the other by
Samuel Cherbury, whose hotel stood Just
back of the present hotel in this village
North Village.)
The first town meeting for the election
&c ntii heIt In Marcl, Al
grst-mil, at the outlet of Derry pond.
Edward Aiken was then elected the first
town clerk in the town Of Kent. He was
reelected until 177S. A record OF this
meeting cannot be found Another meet
ing was held at the same place the follow
ing May, the record Of which is signed By
Edward Aiken, town clerk. AT the annual
town meeting in 1717, five men were elect
ed as town committee, three selectmen,
constable, surveyors, collector and coun-
tiers. The committee arranged the valua-
ton of property, and among other things
performed the duty If listers. The town
of Kent elected but one representative be-
fore the name was changed. Dea Edward
Aiken was elected the first representative
March 81, 1878, and retained that Office
until 1875. In 1919 james Patterson was
elected the first grand juror, Robert Ander-
son brander Of horses, Lieut.. james Hop
kins hog constable and Joseph Oughterson
tythipgman. In 1850 Dea. Edward Aiken
was elected the first justice of the peace,
and Robert Mccormick then succeeded
james Hopkins in the Office Of t0wa clerk,
| Hopkins having been ol5 cted town clerk in
| 177S.
In a warning for n town meeting under
date of April 20, 1873, article seven was to
SOP what ACKNOWLEDGEMENT the town wOul1
make for two soldiers that are to be raised
in said town for the term of eleven months.
| | he meeting thus warned voted 20 pay two
soldiers each thirty poul Dis as bounty;
then in 1882 the Gown voted to raise two
men for the ensuing campaign, agfeeably
| to the resolve Of the assembly. They voted
| to hire Jonathan Aiken and James Mack to
| 90 into service. and have each Of them sew
ca pounds and ten shillncs, and to have
FOR wages two pounds per month, which is
to be paid in clearing their land for them
at two pounds per acre. ard to beready for
the seed by Sept. lst, 1888 They also tx
cused James Ayers, John Mccormick
and John Mack, who were out in the
three-year service. from paying any
part Of the bounty which is to be given to
the men Ia be raistd for the ensuing cam
paign. In 1915 difficulty arose between
many OF the citizens of Cumberland county
"nd the court Of King George the Ill,
which assemn'd ~ Westminster on The
18th day of March, when VIM. French
shed his life blood-Gud the first blood of
the revolution when advocating freedom
and independence. This momeutous event
was warmly agitated throughout the coun-
try, and especially within the county Of
which Kent formed part.