The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-06-14
New bury Centre,

ny lllG utdUll VI INlClluIu dlItISOI, ISUl.
(which took place at his home ON Thursday
morning of last week, this town has lost /
man who has been prominent in its affairs
so many years-that only few can remem
Der when he came here.
Mr.. Patterson was born at Markinch, in
Ethe county of Fife, Scotland, Jan. 3, 1909
and was consequently in his STU year
The earliest recollecti0nS of his long life
embraced events which seem almost ancient
history to the present generation He re.
membered person born before 1920, had
seen several men who took part in the Re
bellion of 1745, and personally knew Pat
rick Grant. the last survivor of the battle
Of Culloden Moor.
He could recall the excitement produced
In Scotland by the news that Napolean had
left Elba ana was once more at the head of
the French armies; the anxiety over the
campaign in Belgium in 1915, and remem-
bered the sound of the cannon from Edin-
burgh castle on the 22d of June in that
year, which announced the victory of Wa.
terloO and the down fall of the French EN-
peror. He saw many of the celebrities of
Edinburgh and heard DR.. Chalmers preach
in tie height of his fame
His advantages were very limited, his
only school master being one John Ander-
son, who had been soldier in the British
army during the American war and had
lost his right arm at the battle of Bunker
bill.
Like most young men in Scotland at that
day he learned trade and worked at it
several years. but after his marriage to
Janet Donaldson in 1929 the young couple
decided to try their fortunes in America,
she remaining with her friends until he had
made ahome for her here. Accompanied by
his wife's brother, George Donaldson, he
started on the Goth of September, 1882. and
passing Abbotsford hoped to get sight of
Sir Walter Scott They were too late. 1t
was the day before Sir Walters death, and
curtains in the windows of the room where
he lay dying.
The young men were nine weeks on the
voyage and when they came to Montreal
found the small poX raging there so they
kept on to Burlington. and came across the
State on foot to Ryegate, where they fonnd
work and friends and where his wife joined
him. His first purchase of land was eighty
acres from Samuel Gibson, in 1884, wild
land ON which he built log house. TothiS
purchase he added from time to time. and
cleared his farm, which leaves the marks of
his many years of toll. There they spent the
rest of their lives, their children were born
there, and there Mrs. Patterson, a woman
of strong intellect, and warm heart and of
invaluable ministrations in sickness or
tronble, died suddenly in February, 1882
In addition to his farming he was land
surveyor, in which business his services
were in frequent demand in the town and
elsewhere, he knew more about division
lines and the transfer of real estate than
any man now living, and his field books
several hundred surveys. will
probably be referred to for many years
This knowledge made him an important |
witness in several cases involving the title |
to real estate. He also practced law to
some extent and often proved more than a
match for lawyers of many times his early |
lie served the town as auditor and select |
nan several years and represented New
)ury in the Constitutional Convention of |
$40 in which he took an active part He
was present at every town meeting from |
1874 to 1898 unless absent from home, in |
heSe he was sure to be heard, and his in
did n0t.always tend toward |
he peace of mind of town officials
In politics he was a democrat of the eX-
rene type, but he was no demagOgue and
never changed his views, or pretended to
hange them one iota for the sake of popu
arity. In religious views he probably con-
idered himself an agnOStic, yet he was
,reat reader Of theology and in converse
ion with the writer, few weeks before he
lied, being asked what five books he would
elect as the sole companions of solitude
epliedi First, the bible, second, Shakes
,eare-I should find it hard to decide on
he other three"
Mr.. Patterson travelled quite extensively
n this country, and in 1868 with Mr.. James
Idlley he visited Scotland spending sever
/ months in nearly every part of that his
ORIG land.
He was a great reader, particularly of
and historical works; few men
we're so well read in English literature and
is conversation informed by his extensive
eading and the results of his intelligent
observation. made his society valued by
lany who didn't agree with his religious
r political views. He did his own think
lg and great deal of 1t. Nothing pleas
d him better than to find out young men
7ho loved to read, and others beside the
yriter will always cherish sincere graft
lde to Mr.. Patterson for the use of his Ii
rary, for the kindness with which he in
crested himself in their studies. for his
willingness to impart his aid in the choice
books, and for those helpful suggestions
yhich mean so much to those who must re-
y upon reading for their education if they
re to obtain any at all.
Only man of strong constitution could
ave accomplished all he did, his frame
lelded reluctantly to the inroads of age,
e was sick but short time and his mental
lculties endured to the last
SO has passed away Richard Patterson,
lmost the very last of that generation of
cOtchmen so numerous here half a CEN
Try ago, a unique character, the like of
hich Newbury will never see again.
His funeral was held at his late home
n Saturday, Rev. c. H. Coolidge officiat
e, and he was buried by his wife and son
the Town House.
The children of Mr.. and Mrs. Patterson
ere: Margaret, who married John Gil
ore and lives in Illinos; Richard who died
1850; Ellen Mrs. John Buchanan),
Washington, formerly lawyer in Iowa.
I'd Susan A. Mrs. J. M. Waldon) all of
is place. F. W.
We received a very pleasant call
ON D Wilkey on Tuesday last, be-
g the first call we have received from
IN since he was in the employ of A.
Nelson at Derby Line sixteen years
70.