The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-08-01
Obituaries.

RoBINsoN.-One of Waterbury's sturdy cti-
zens, rugged type of race of which only
here and there rare specimen is left, died
Wednesday, July 25 Noah Robinson was
born in Westminster, Vt, in March, 1902
With his brothers, while youth he went to
Stowe in the early history OF that town and
settled there. He was farmer, but his capac-
ity for affairs. his native intelligence, bright
as an uncut diamond and as hard and incisive,
made him the managing man in town matters.
He held the Offices OF the town and discharged
their duties well. He WAS always deeply inter-
ested in politics, local and general. He was
one of that band of bold pioneers who had the
hardihood to form the liberty party in this
state, and was one of the daring and despised
" 319" Vermonters who in 1S43 cast their
votes for James G. Birney for president. He
had just the quick perception of right that
divested the question of slavery OF all en-
tangling considerations of interest and expe-
dency, and he struck out for the right with a
determination as rigid and uncompromising
as flint and as full of fire, as those who
tackled him learned. And this was his char
acteristic in other matters. 1t did not take
long or much sounding to find out just
where Noah Robinson stood, and when
found, he was sure to be right. There was
no need of anxiety about him afterwards. In
1854 he came to Waterbury and bought the
Scagel place at the Center, where he passed
the after years of his life. This place he
greatly improved in buildings and tillage and
made it one of the most desirable farms in
town. He was observing in farm matters, an
original thinker and on his own acres he
wrought out in his own way the practical
points on which the success of Vermont farm
ers hinges He was always an interested
listener and a close follower in the debates
in the farmers meetings of the local club or
the discussions of the state board, and fre-
quently took leading hand himself. He held
many town offices in Waterbury and was for
a nxun
affairs skllfuly, working for the best interest
of the town rather than himself, tribute as
rare as 1t Is deserving. He was active and
prominent in the temperance work, displaying
in this az in all things else, qualities of de-
csion, impatience of shams, half-heartedness
and paltering that disarmed offense at the
brusqueness with which he sometimes,
when his feelings were stirred devel-
oped his opinions of men and things. With
all those hardy qualities which won re-
spect and confidence he had merry humor, a
native wit, that shone out in retort, repartee
and attack, and was quite as effective as the
rattling fire of his serious moments. Mr.. Rob-
inson was twice marred-first to Miss Calista
Russell, who died in 1867, and, second. to Mrs.
Jnlia Peckham. sister of Mr.. Fred f Smith of
Montpelier His second wife survives him.
Three children by his first wife are living, c.
G. Robinson of Waterbury, George D. Robin
son Of Stowe and Adelia, wife of Mr.. Lorenzo
Brian Of Waterbury. Mr.. Robinson was the
compeer OF men like Daniel Lothian and b. III.
Fuller Of Stowe, II. +. James and Russell But
Ter OF Waterbury. Zenas and John Wood,
Henry Y. Barnes, Hezekiah Ward and Joseph
Somerby of Montpelier, and of many Of the
distinguished of those days, whose names we
have not space to mention. He will be greatly
missed. At the age Of eighty-one he was as
active in body and mind as most men are at
fifty. At the last state and district conven-
tions he was delegate, and he maintained up
to the time when his brief illness seized him,
scarcely a month ago, a hale and hearty phys
ique and lively interest in current events.
He who knew him best might say without ex-
aggeration, "Take him for all in all, have
never seen his like"
HosFoRD.-Died at the residence of her
daughter in Berlin July 4th, Abigail Kinney
Hosford, aged seventy-six years. Mrs Hosford
was wife of Deacon Jared Hosford, late of
Thetford, and sister of the late Deacon Justus
Kinney of Plainfeld She was the youngest
and last surviving member of her family. An
excellent mind and kind heart, united to Chris
tian principle and true life, made her good
and faithful wife and mother and noble
Christian woman. 1t has been her lot to suffer
for many years, which she bore with patience
and submission TO the divine WILL waiting for
the rest into which she has now entered.