The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-08-13
More "reminiscences.

CHELSEA, Vt, August, 8, 1884.
Mr. Editor In a former communication
from this, the town Of my birth, | may have
said some severe things-I have been accused
of it-of its present inhabitants. l certainly
intended no disrespect and am willing to be
forgiven II | have. What more can / say?
This town, settled in 1874, has produced some
OF the greatest specimens of family longevity
on record. Take, for instance, the family Of
Caleb Douglass, one Of the earliest settlers on
the old STAFFORD road raising family of ten
children-Samuel ninety-two; Sophia, ninety
five; Caleb, seventy-two; Martha, seventy-five
Josiah, eighty-nine; Charles, eighty-two; CAL
win, buried in well at eighty-one Lucy,
seventy Guy, eighty.six, and Edward, eighty,
the two latter still living, making total Of
seven hundred and fifty years. In conversa-
ton with Mr. Edward Douglass, the only sur
viving member now living in this town, he in
formed me that his brother Guy, who lives in
Danville, had, and even has now, strong de-
sire to do something, educationaly, for this,
the town OF his birth, provided the village
itself would appreciate 1t enough to raise an
equal sum, sufficient to rebuild the academy
burned some years since. An effort was at
one time made to raise the four or five thou
sand dollars needed, but owing to the penny
wisdom and pound-foolishness of few, the
scheme was defeated. Mr.. Douglass further
said that his brother, having no children,
would, had the first effort been success, I'M
doubtedly have endowed the institution at his
death, to the amount OF S25, QUO or $50, 600. A
strange fact connected with this large family
of children is that there were only ten chill
dren among the whole lot, the most of whom
are now dead There were many families of
note here at an early day, now nearly extinct,
but whose sons and daughters went out from
under the paternal roof and carved out for
themselves names-if not fame-in a small
way. Among the number were the Bucks
Haes, Buckhams, Kilbournes and Bacons
John Bacon, the president of the Orange County
Bank, lives in the old John Stearns house."
one Of the earliest built brick buildings in the
town. 1t stands to-day monument to the
builders honesty. When built, in 1923, it was
papered-the square room with queer
and quaint paper in this day-cut and laid on
in squares or blocks of two feet or less, illus
trating scenes in Russia-the groundwork in
gray, the figures in black. And, what seems
very strange, considering the fact that this
paper has hung on those walls fifty-six years.
is its perfect state of preservation. The paper,
and every figure on it is as clear, bright and
distinct, apparently, as when first put on, al
though there have been raised in that house
not less than five generations of children that
| can remember. Among the number of boys
who have kicked and scratched at the paper,
William F. Villas, chairman of the nationa!
democratic committee, seems the most conspic-
uous at present But considering the tenden-
cies of " Bill " to smash things, in his youth
full days Saying nothing about his desire in
this day, to more than " eternaly smash - the
republican party it is a great wonder that
square of paper was left hanging on those
walls when he went out from under the pater-
nal roof. Elk