Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-04-10
TRIBUTES TO JUDGE TAFT
Action Taken by Vermont Anti
quarian Society.
Paper by Professor Goodrich on Early
immigration to vermont-GIftf from
General Peck-Oflcers Elected
for Another Year.

The adjourned annual meeting of the
Vermont Antiquarian society was held at
the Y. M. c. A. building last evening at
eight o'clock. After the reading Of the re-
port of tie secretary, treasurer and cxecu-
tive committee, two names were present
ed for membership and duly elected. The
resignation Of c. 70. Miner was also
brought before the meeting and accepted.
The president appointed Gen. T. 8. Peck
II. o. Wheeler and A. c. Tuttle as a COM
mittee to nominate officers for the year
ensuing. At the close Of the meeting, they
presented their report and the following
were unanimously elected.
President-William j. Van Patten.
First Vice president--Henry Ballard
Second e-presldent-George Grenvile
Benedict
Recording secretary-Charles +. Allen.
Corresponding secretary-George II. Per-
kins.
Treasurer-Albert T.. Willard.
Executive committee-Eben Putnam,
Hamilton s. Peck Daniel w. Robinson.
Membership committec--Henry o. Wheel
er. Albert G. Whittemore. Russell w. Taft
At this point the Hon. H. s. Peck pre-
scented resolutions on the death Of the late
Judge Russell 8. Taft. who was the foun-
der of the society and one of it's chief pro-
motors. Mr.. Peck said that Judge Taft
nlled a large place in the community by
reason OF his great mental capacity, in
dustry and accurate judgment CT human
nature. He was a man greatly respected
by the Masons. politicians and the COM
munity in general and was an oracle for
all. He made legal decisions according to
the law as 1t ought to be and his success
was due In great measure to his accurate
judgment.
Judge T. Z. Wales spoke Of the deceased
ma ,hcr mi uoi1 hot
Judge Taft when but boy. came to his
Office from Williston in penniless condi-
ton his only possession being his great
ambition. Mr.. Wales said that he had de-
termined not to take a partner in his bust
ness but by the time Mr. Taft was admit
ted to the bar the two men had become so
attached to each other that he was un-
willing to part with him and he was thus
taken into partnership with Mr.. Wales
Judge Taft was great lover of books,
much interested in the business affairs of
the city and when he undertook to DO a
politician he was a good one. Judge Wales
said that he had been associated with no
man for whom he entertained stronger
friendship than for Judge Taft and the
community has met a great loss as he was
at his full strength when he died.
Hon. G.. G. Benedict also spoke briefly
along the same lines that Judge Peck
followed.
The following resolutions were unani-
inously adopted by rising vote:
Resolved. That by the death Of Russell
&. Taft chief judge OF the Supreme Court
of this state. the Vermont Antiquarian So
ciety has lost its most valued member.
Judge Taft was the founder Of this So
ciety. To his urgent initiative. and WIS
counscls, Is chiefly due the measure OF
public favor which it has received
He loved "old books to read both for
what there was in them and because they
were old They had for him a certain
charm which pleased his taste and stin-
ulated a Just and modest pride. Not only
old books but many other products Of the
mind and hand which bore the marks OF
age and Of former usefulness, had more
tnan an intrinsic value to him.
He was especially interested in antquar
ian and historical research. He believed
that the records of lives worthily lived,
and OF events which made all there is in
history worth saving. should be carefully
collected and preserved.
In further recognition OF his worth and
as tribute to his memory
Resolved. That the Vermont Antiquarian
society records its appreciation Of the
many strong and varied gifts of Judge
Taft, OF his able and honorable career a
Judge of the Supreme Court of this State,
and especially OF his valuable services rem
dered this society. and in promoting the
objects Of antiquarian and historical re-
search
Resolved, That these resolutions be made
part of the records OF this society; thai
a copy thereof be presented to the family
of Judge Taft, and like copy to the pres
OF this city.
PAPER BY PROF. GOODRICH.
Prof. J. L. Goodrich then presented Il
vciy valuable paper on EARLY lmmErn
70
Capt. Samuel Robinson, having been north
fighting :hc Indians. lost His way on re-
turning to his home in Massachusetts ana
found himself In the present town Of Ben
nirEtor, where the soil was so much more
fertile and the surroundings so muo n NOR
pleasant than In his MnsSs chusetts homu
ttat he persuaded a few friends cf the
same religious belief to settle with him in
this pleasant spot. soon others, because
OF religious pcrsecution also emisratrd
from Massachusetts and came to Nern onr.
Capt. Robinson preserved harm0 ny by in
Vlt'ng the CongreeatiCnalists to remain at
Bennington. sending tbs Bap,ists to
Stattsbury, the Episcoralians to Gurliny-
ton and those with no church at all ia
Pownal. But religious persecution was NOT
the only motive Of emigration, land was
much cheaper ard the soil moro produc-
tive In Vermont than in Ma ssachusetts md
Connecticut; the Indians were no longer
hostile and special prizes were offered that
the territory might become settled: thus
many who were RESTLESS by nature and
who had moth ing to loose and cvcrythtna
to gain, left their home; IN the southern
part Of new Erglond to settle In Vermont
and New Hampshire.
v"te of thanks was extended to Prot
Goodrich fof his valuable paper.
Gen. It, S. Peck presented to tho society
number Of old d,guer otypes which had
been the property of the late Mrs. John
Peck. Among them were the picture OF
the Rev Mr.. Ingersoll and wife and Col
John II. Peek snd wife A vote Of thanks
was extended to Gen. Peek.
THE BELLOWS FALLS BANQUET.