Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1897-12-06

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Cutler sent back word to her friends il
Sturbridge, Mass, that she was the hand
soonest woman in town. Her brothe
came during the winter bringing with hin
her daughter whom she had left at schoo
in Sturbridge. The winter was hard on
and they were on the verge Of starvation
Mr.. Shepard, their nearest neighbor il
| Greens boro, had the good fortune to kill
moose, and, with snowshoes and handsleC
with a quarter Of the venison, he started
/ for friendly call on his Craftsbury neigh
bers. When Mrs. Cutler saw him coming
she exclaimed ''I'n never give up hope
again." The early settlers experienced
many hardships and privations, but none
perhaps were more severely felt than the
one in 1916. Snow fell a foot that year in
June, and no crops except grass matured.
Corn was three dollars bushel and as
money was scarce, but few had the three
dollars or the busheI In October, 1880,
the name of the town was changed from
SsMindon" to Craftsbury in honor of it's
leading proprietor, Col. Ebenezer Crafts
He built the first frame house in town, in
1896, which is still in good condition, on
the premises now owned by Job Allen.
The large elm tree standing in front Of the
house was set out by his daughters, Matil-
da and Augusta, soon after their arrival
here, and is the largest tree in town. Ma
tilda married Royal Corbin and remained
on the old homestead. There is a little ro-
nance connected with the courtship of Au-
gusta which may not be out of place to re-
late here. When she lived in Sturbridge
it was her pleasure TO milk the cow, and as
the pretty milk-maid passed to and from
the pasture, young physician by the
name iof James Paddock frequently met
her as he rode past her fathers house to
visit his patients. The impression she
made on his tender heart was similar to
lection of the s'Judge," but unlike the
Judge he repeated "It shall be- instead of
cit might have been.'' Whether cupid
ever whispered to her before she left Stur-
bridge is not known, but it is certain that
the doctror visited the family soon after
it moved to Craftsbury without being pro-
fessionly called, and asked the Col. for his
daughters hand and the privilege of car
ry1ng her back with him, but the obstinate
Col. said "No." So he returned home
alone, but the doctor was as persistent as
the Col. was obstinate and he returned the
next year to press his petition The Col.
finally consented on condition that the
doctor should settle in Craftsbury. His
old home with his lucrative practice
seemed Sahara without Augusta, while
with her this northern wilderness was
a paradise. So one bright day in 1894
a happy couple went forth from the Col
onel's roof with his blessing and the stur-
dy doctor became one of the early pioneers
of Craftsbury.
The Congregational church was organ
lied July 18th, 1897, with twenty five mem
bers. Among its membership were num-
bered all of Col. Crafts family except his
son Samuel, the Governor, who, although
his name was not written on the church
roll, was a christian and an active worker
IN the Sunday school, teaching a large
class. Some members of his class are still |
alive and testify to the deep interest which |
be took in the work. In a letter of his |
experience to the pastor of the church /
here, he wrote, Dec. 1923, 81 have enjoyed |
much in secret prayer when I retire to my !
closet where l could commune with nv
Maker. have felt to exclaim with Peter,
1t is good for me to be here" Previous
o the organization of the church, religious
erv1ces were held in town. Rev. Paine of
Mass, visited his former mem
'ers here and preached in open air. Ser
ices were occasionally held, conducted by
1r. Holmes. The first pastor was Rev.
amuel Collins who had charge for seven
ears For fourteen years there was no
rowth in the church. In 1918 there was a
reat revival under the labors of James
hobart and thirty were added to the church
hat year. The church was now quite
trong, twenty-five having been added in
he revival of 1911 and sixteen between the
ates. Rev. Mr.. Chaplin came here in 1922
nd stayed until 1884. He was followed by
Il. Hall, D. d. He was enthusiastic in
is work and we find him exercising his
its as scientist and a teacher for the sys-
ematic training of the people. During his
astorate of fourteen years Isl were added
} the church The pastorate of E. P.
Iild, ID. D., begun in 1865, at time of
reat enthusiasm. No other man has had
ute SO much influence for Christ in this
He did all in his power to
'eate good feeling and brotherly friend
Zip between the different religious de-
omlnat1ons in town. One hundred and
venty-nine members were received dur
lg his nine years. pastorate. Rev. Joseph ,
oardman followed from 1875 to 1881 Rev.
RANGES Parker from 1886 to 1883, Rev
ohn Fraser from 1886 to 1888. These were
bod years for the church During the last
ght years the admissions have been IS.
The number of admissions for the hun T
red years is 626 On the tenth day of
arch. 1900, at special town meeting it
as voted to raise S15O. $40 in money To