Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-11-05


bridge where the brook runs through a
deep ravine, a spot that now seems almost
inaccessible for man or beast. The pud-
ding mill was in reality a grist-nnill and
derived it's name from the fact that the
product of the mill was SO coarse that the
only way it could be utilized for human
food was to boil it into the consistency of
porridge. Many years have passed since
the pudding mill industry became extinct,
but part of the old dam yet remains, and
there is every indication on the hills
above of a well beaten path or narrow
roadway which once led along the edge of
the steep bank of that little stream and
down to the mill itself. There was an
other industry on this miniature river in
early days. This was shop or factory
where were manufactured spinning wheels.
PIiny White was ndoubtedly good his
torian. He had the historical instinct in
high degree; but the best of us are some
times caught mapping and it evident that
Pliny White was so caught in this matter
of the spinning wheel industry about
which his history is silent. 1 have talked
with one who has actually seen the fac
"
a spinning wheel which was made there
and which is on exhibition today. 1t
bears the inscription ssW. Pierce" But if
the Bloomington end of the town was set
tied first and had the first industry, the
west part of the town was not far behind.
Joseph Marsh and Timothy Goodrich came
in 1902 from Addison county and located
in log cabin built near the present site of
the old Herman house. These two families
lived together and were both employed by
Fitch. Fitch had saw mill built there
in the summer of 1903 near where the
present saw-mill by the upper falls now
stands. We hear but little more of the
western section of the town until 1921
when the village was founded. In 1902
came Perez Gardener from st. JOhnsb bury,
locating on Lots and 10, the place where
Ralph Burrows now lives. We have two
of his grandchildren with us today, name
ly, Gardner Gorham and Mrs. Ames Nor
riII. In March 1903 came John Ide from
Westminster and located on Lots 55 and
Sc with a house about forty rods west of
where Mr.. Standish now lives. The COM
ing of Mr.. Ide marks an epoch in Coven-
the most influential man in the new COM
munity. welding powerful influence for
good. In 1903 Coventry had an adult pop
ulation of sixteen, and in March of that
year the town was organized with clerk,
treasurer, selectmen, listers, etc. The first
grand list footed up to total of S60S.0O,
and John Wells paid the highest tax in
town, $1.39.
I will now speak of some of the earlier
settlers who came between 1903 and 1920.
John Mitchell came first in 1901, locating
on the place now owned by Dea. Samuel
Parker but he did Tot reside here perma-
nently until January, 1905, when he
brought his young bride. It is narrated
of this lady that while fording the
brook that runs past the Center school
house, she fell from her horse into the
water and as she had no change of cloth
ing with her she was obliged to dry her.
self as best she could by the heat from
log fire built after she had arrived at her
destination. AS this was in the month of
January it must have been rather cool
reception. The Mitchells permanently
located here and until lately their descen-
dants have been among US. William
Estey came from Westmoreland in 1903;
we have his descendants with US. Samuel
Boynton came from Westmoreland in
1905, locating on the farm that still re-
mains in the family, beingsthe property of
his honored grandson, Charles Boynton.
Samuel Boynton was first class citizen;
he left son, Ira Boynton, who for many
with many good works. Joseph and Luke
Day, father and son, came here early, I
think in 1904, and we have their represen-
tative with us in the person of Luke Day,
the grandson of Joseph Day; this gentle
man has pioneer blood on both sides, be-
ing grandson of Joseph Day on the Day
side and of Samuel Cobb on his imother's
side. DIR. Peleg Redield came in 1906 and
located on the place on which Mrs. Red
field and Peleg's granddaughter, Mrs.
yet live. The buildings were
not those which they occupy; they were
on the lower portion of the farm near the
railway track. DIR. Redfield was Coven-
try's first physician and he seems to have
entered into an extensive practice from the
start. There were only two other doctors
in Orleans county and SO his field was
large one. He attended to great deal of
public business and held at one time or
another nearly all the important offices in
the gift of his townsmen. Isaac Baldwin
came in 1907 and located on the place now
owned by Henry Black. Mr.. Baldwin was
the first man to undergo serious surgi-
cal operation; he had his limb amputated
by DIR. Adams of Barton and it is said of
him that he himself took care of the doc
tors horse and assisted the doctor in the
necessary preparation. He was then
strapped to the floor, a silver dollar placed
between his teeth and his leg was ampu-
lated without the use of anaesthetics A