The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-09-22
BARNET WAIT.

There died in Londonderry few days
since man who was born during the
last term of President Washington, his
age being 9S years and II DAYS. Bsrnet
Wait the subject of this sketch, was
born in Londonderry August 20, 1875,
and was the second of a family of ID
children. On arriving at his majority he
learned the trade of carpenter and joiner,
which he followed many years, and the
Brattleboro Reformer, says that the
first meeting house in AndoYer, the old
tavern on Huntley hill and the Green
Mountain House ON the turnpike, lead
ing from Peru to Factory Point are mon
uments of his skill. His practical sense
and his answering integrity caused him
to be called to many positions OF trust.
He served about 40 years as overseer OF
the poor, and So years as trial justice,
and in the latter position he had few
peers in Windham county. While still a
young man, he won his way from the
ranks to lieutenantcy in the militia,
and, subsequently, to captaincy OF caval.
nv, his command embracing the flower of
his section: none of whom are living.
In his prime he was noted as an athlete.
Over six feet high, 1.-the and supple,
with great strength, he was generally
victorious in the wrestling bouts; and
though entering heartily into all manly
sports, he never lost his dignified bear
ing or descended to vulgar familiarity.
He enjoyed the distinction OF
having lived under every presi-
dental administration. He first
arrived at voting age at the time OF
the election of James Monroe, and had
voted at every presidential election
since. casting his last ballot for Grover
Cleveland when in his 9th year.
The Phoenix says: In the death Of
Barnet Wait, Esq, not only does the
town lose its Oldest resident, but one of
its most highly esteemed citizens, for
his sterling worth, both in public and
private life, was universally acknowl-
edged He held the office of justice of
the peace 55 years, was oversesr OF the
poor for over 40 years, and one OF the
board of selectmen for an indefinite
length of time, all of which offices he
filled to the satisfaction of his towns
men. Liberal in his religious views, up
right and honorable himself, never
swerving from the path of duty, he
looked for the same honorable principles
in Others that governed his own life.
Mr.. Waits ancestry was of an old and
honorable line. He was the son OF Bar
net and Diadama Warner Wait, who
came to this town from Westmoreland,
N. H., in 1890, and grandson of James
Wait, who served as major in the war
of the revolution, and who died at West
moreland, n. II. MI Waits father was
the first male child born in Westmore-
land. Us was one of three children, one
of whom died in infancy; the other, Lee
Wait. lived TO be aged. Mr.. Wait was born
on what was then known as the old
Spalding place. and is now pasture be.
longing to the Sheldon farm, situated
about one-half mile from the house
where his son, g. E. Wait, now lives.
He was married in 1928 to Polly Smith of
Andover Six children were born to
them, four of whom are now living, two
in this town. Mrs. Wait, who has been
dead for several years, was an estimabie
woman, beloved in the home circle, and
by all who knew her.
Mr.. Wait was an uncle of Mrs. G. A.
Pierce of Bennington.