Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-10-18

AN OLD LANDMARK GONE.
Capt. William Newton died of paralysis at
his residence in the centre of the town, on
Friday, Sept 9th, at II minutes past o.
clock, in the afternoon, aged 90 years,
month and 10 days. He was born in Berlin,
Mass, August 9TH, 1888. He-was the seventh
generation in the line of descent from Eng
land, a son and the last surviving child of
Cotton and Abigail (sawyer) Newton. His
father before coming to Vermont to reside,
sold his homestead where the subject of this
notice was born-situated within short dis
lance Of where the Boston, Clinton and Fitch
burg railroad nov runs-to Mr.. Bowman, and
came to this town and made his purchase of
Joseph Clark of Brattloboro and Caleb Alex
ander of Mortified, Mass. Returning to
Massachusetts, for his family. he engaged his
brother Paul, with one yoke of oxen and a
span of horses, and Caleb Fairbanks with one
yoke of oxen and one horse, to move his fam
lily and effects into Vermont. They started
on their journey to their new home. Oct 9th
17oS, reaching Sterling the first day, Temple
ton the second, Orange the third, Hinsdale the
fourth, crossing the Connecticut river in an
oar boat owned by Wellman & Thomas reach
ing Nehemiah Horizons in the west part of
Brattleboro, on land now owned by Horace
Stockwell, the fifth day, and Rufus Howes
in Marlboro on land now owned by Clark
Higley, on the morning of the sixth day.
Here let us pause and note the change that
has taken place. We can now start at the
spot from which they started and perform
their six days wearisome journey in about
four hours And many ether changes that
have taken place correspond with this.
The family remained at Mr.. Howe's-who
married a sister of Mrs Newton-until some of
the first days of December, when they moved
to the farm, in the east part of the town. On
the 4th of May, 1914, the subject of this
sketch succeeded to the management and
ownership of the farm, his father and mother
continuing to reside with him until they de
ceased, and he remaining upon the farm till
Nov. o, 1862 period of almost seventy-one
years. Having, by reason of the inirmties
of age sold his farm the spring before to
Daniel and Algor Bailey, he then moved to
the centre of the town, where he resided I'M
ill he died
He attended the common school in the win
ter season, during his boyhood, and one term
at Brattleboro Academy, under the instruc-
ton of Preceptor Newton, in the spring of
1909, and taught school for ten winters. 1t
is no more than justice to say that he large
ly eXcelled in mathematics, solving every
probl EN- that he ever came in contact with
and leaving behind him quite collection of
some of the most difficult ones When in the
prime of life his assistance was frequently
sought by teachers and graduates of high
seminaries of learning. He was also n natur-
al mechanic, and this was principally his life
work.
lie was received into the Social Lodge,
f. q A. NJ, at Wilmington, March %, 1917.
The late Hon. John Roberts was at that time
Master of the Lodge.
liz married. May Is, 1918, Betsey Harris, in
Brnttleboro, daughter Of William and Abah
(Brooks) Harris of that town. sister of the late
Rev. Roswell Harris for many years precep-
tor of Brattleboro Academy He was, with
Rev. T. II. Newton, superintendent Of COM
mon schools while the first law of the State
was in force creating that office, and he was
also for several years one of the listers. one of
the selectmen, justice of the peace twelve
years. and represented the town in the Gen
eral Assembly of the State in 1910 and 1871
Politically, he belonged TO the Wing and Re
publican parties. His long life, retentive
memory aud intimate acquaintance with most
of the first settlers made him, perhaps, a
better historian of the town than any one liv-
ing at the time of his decease. Emphatically
he was u self made man, and one of the mark
ed men of his dizzy; man of good judgment
good neighbor, always industrious, temper
ate. of keen perception full of wit and hu-
NOR, forcible in language, a firm believer in
the Bible and its promises, in strict justice
and integrity, and he always defended what
he considered right. But his work on earth
is done, and, like shock of corn fully ripe
for the harvest, he has been gathered to his
final rest. He leaves widow and three sons,
viz; Roswell Harris Newton and William
Sawyer Newton of Brattleboro and Levi
Newton of North DANA Mass.