The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1891-02-05
Memorial sketch.


He died January 2S, 1891. When
about two years old his parents re-
moved to this town making the jour-
ney in January over the snow on a
sled drawn by two yoke of steers.
The family were seven days on their
journey and had with them besides
young Nathan a younger child in its
mothers arms. Jonathan Buxton
had been here before and selected a
home, such as it was, in Thompson
burg and to that spot he was now
bringing his little family.
Across the road from Mr.. John
Ramsdell's may be seen an old cellar
where at that time stood the house of
Samuel Thompson. He was the first
settler in that region and his house
was the only one in that vicinity. 1t
was at this house the Buxton's drove
up on u winters night and rested for
a few hours and then proceeded to
the spot near by where they were to
make their home. AT that time the
road passed eastward at about right
angles from the present road, just in
the rear of Mr.. Ramsdell's house
and bore round by Mr.. Stewards, out
by Mr.. Huntley's over the hill. On
this road, back of what is now Mr..
RamsdelPs, was log hut old and de-
serted with half the roof gone, and to
this inhospital spot the Buxton's
wended their way, tied their oxen to
q sheltering tree and made themselves
as comfortable as they could for their
first night in Londonderry. On the
next day Jonathan's brother who had
come with him started with the team
back to Rhode Island. They lived
in this house several years and three
children were added to the family,
Jason, Philena and Hannah.
The family afterwards moved a
short distance to the eastward where
Mr.. Buxton had bought house of
Mr.. Miller. This house stood on the
George James farm up back toward
the mountain from the house now oc-
cupied by Mr.. James.
Jonathan Buxton lived in this town
about 80 years and then with his wife
and two youngest children returned
to the old farm in Smithield, of
which it seems he still retained pos
session. He died 100 years old and
his wife at SS. He had nine children
who arrived at maturity five of whom
are supposed to be living, viz: John,
who lives in Chesterfield, N. H., 80
years old; Daniel, who lives in this
town, born May /, 1911; Cyrus, who
lives in Michigan, born March II,
1916; Selah who lives in Princeton,
born March 13, 1919 and
Philena Thompson of this town. who
was born Nov. l, 1901.
When Uncle Nathan was about 1S
years old he went to Westmoreland,
n. H., where he worked some five
years in tannery. Here he became
acquainted with Miss Elizabeth Girls
void whom he subsequently married.
They soon moved to this town and
united with the Baptist church then
under the pastoral care of Rev. Sem
Pierce. They had seven children
who arrived at maturity and one died
Young. Their names were Stephen,
Albert, Horace, Mary,
Martha and Adeline. Five died in
lS63-1865: Horace, aged Is, Sat
Fort Slocum, Washington, d. c., in
So; Capt. Albert B., killed at the
battle of the wilderness, May 6, '64;
Major Charles B., killed at the bat
lie of Winchester, Sept. 10, '64.
Two daughters died of diphtheria in
,he winter of 1864. One, only, is
living, Stephen, who a few years ago
moved West. Soon after Uncle
Nathan's return from Westmoreland
ne set up a tannery, on the brook
nearly opposite the present house Of
Mr.. Douglass, where for many years
md until his sight failed him he car
led on his business, and where ly in
lustry and frugality he accumulated
sufficient means to supply his wants
;hrough life. His wife died several
years ago.
Mr.. Buxton was man of positive
character. His opinions were firmly
leld, even to stubbornness, and free
y expressed. He was not easily con-
rinced to the contrary when once he
lad come TO conclusion. He was .
Bible student, and had
much of the New Testa-
nent and he could quote it readily
md correctly. "That's what the
,ook says" was one of his familiar
He was not a perfect
nan. His long season of total blind
less exerted its influence upon him
nd made him less able to estimate
many things in their true light, and
n the last few years the natural weak
less attendant upon old age rendered |
nm liable to errors in Judgment re-
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