The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-10-25
BRADFORD, VERMONT, OCTOBER 25, 1895

usual energy ana aD1l1ty, a pOpu-
lar townsman and often called
upon to preside at public meet
ings.
The Tillotsons were a promi-
nent family, and largely influen-
tia in the business affairs of the
town. Samuel Tillotson came to
Orford more than a hundred years
ago from Hebron, Conn. Five of
his children settled in this town.
Daniel Frye, son of Daniel and
grandson of Samuel Tillotson,
was born in 1915, on the same
farm occupied by his father and
grandfather, and was for many
years in trade. Later he was ex-
tensively engaged in trade in the
purchase of supplies for the gov
ernment during the war, and also
lumber, produce and bark. He
was a man of strong personality
and considerable energy, but to
use the slang of the day "bit off
more than he could chew" His
business was far too various and
extended to receive that careful
supervision necessary to success.
Rev. B. M. Ti1lotson was a Uni
versalist clergyman of unusual
oratorical ability, and preached
many years at St. Johnsbury, Vt.
DR.. John Niles came to Oxford
from Portsmouth soon after the
Revolution, and located on the
farm now occupied by his grand
son, B. F. Niles. Capt. Nathan
ie1 Niles, one of his eleven chill
dren, served as a captain in the
war of 1912.
VIM. Howard the progenitor of
thekfSrailv of that name, was a
halter by trade, and came to Or
ford in 1899, at the age of twen-
ty-four. He carried on the man.
fracture of hats many years,
reared a family of seven children
by his first wife, Betsy Pierce,
and five by his second wife, Aba
gail Stratton; and died in 1S4S.
Stephen Cushman came from
Landaff about 1912, located at
Orfordville, and there carried on
the carding, cloth dressing and
fulling business many years. He
reared a family of nine children
4x,,o &c ~, 49,, To1,,, T o,1J IL ~
we'll c. were engaged in trade
here in company with Frye Till
olson from 1912 to 1872. H. c.
Cushman is still living in town
with his son, William A. Henry
O. Cushman, another son, is pas
tor of the First Universalist
church, Providence, r. l.
James M. Learned was born in
Weathersfield in 1909, and after
living two years in Bath, (where
he was captain of militia), and
also for a time at Haverhill, came
to Ouint town, the south eastern
part of Oxford, in 1889 He had
been a farmer, a speculator, lum-
herman, and for almost half a
century an auctioneer. "Uncle
Jim Learned" was the prodigy of
the town. He is a walking ency-
clopedia of local facts and dates,
and could quote poetry by the hour
and had the Scripture at his
tongues end. He was a very pro-
nounced Universalist, and rather
an astute debater on theological
and religious questions. He used
to be quite wrestler and some
thing of an athelete at eighty
six. Four of his SONS were in the
late war and one died at Ander-
sonville. Mr.. Learned had been
selectman and overseer of the poor
five years, collector seven years
and Justice more than forty years.
CONCLUSION.
Fifty years ago, Quint town as
south eastern Oxford was called,
was a flourishing agricultural re-
gion, and turned out school of
more than sixty scholars. Now
the entire region is relapsing into
decay, and nature is kindly trying
to cover with foliage the ruins of
the past.
The same statement applies in
part to Hall town and Davis town.
Formerly lime was largely manu-
iactured in this region. Farther
70 the north is Indian pond, a
more stony and broken region,
formerly containing many good
farms, an important whet stone
quarry and a teeming population
low very much diminished.