Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-03-17
Books Of an oId-Time Merchant.

BOOKS OF an Otd~ iHiS tFtOi~'N's
E.A. Flint of Bethel Gilead has in his
possession the account book OF his grand
father, Edward Flint, who was store
keeper In Montpelier in 1873. The old
time merchant was descended from
Thomas Flint the founder Of the family
in America, VINO came from England to
Salem, Mass, in 1880, and was originally
responsible for the large Flint population
of Braintree and Randolph.
A perusal of his accounts would give
the Anti-Saloon league delirium tremensi
for the worthy citizens OF Montpelier In
those DAYS seemed to have no need what
ever for dry goods aud only one during
the month OF July wasted good money
that way; the singular party, smith by
name, really got trusted for three bushels
OF wheat and one bushel OF corn, to be
used perhaps in q private distillery.
One Mr.. WEIGH bought q quart OF gin
July Z and BY sparing indulgence man
aged to worry along until the 18th, when
he refreshed himself with another quart.
Daniel Ingalls, laid in % quarts OF gin
and two quarts of cider on the 10Th but
had to replenish the supply on the nth
and again on the 22nd. Colonel Scoheld
bought his stimulant by the gallon ana
saved himself the trouble OF going to the
store more frequently than once in -FOUR
days.
Besides his accounts Mr.. Flint kept MS
family record in the old book entered 10
itemized form as follows:-"My son, JOS
eph, was born April Z in the year 1913.
NV son, Samuel, was born July 81 in the
year 1895. My daughter, Betsey, was
born Oct. in the year 1897. My wife,
Elizabeth, died June 8 in the year OF our
Lord 1893. Married Mabel Ufiord Nov. 10
in the year OF our Lord 1900. My daughter,
Polly, was born Sept. % in the year 1901.
NV daughter, Sally, was born Feb B. IN
the year OF our Lord 1906. My daughter,
Eliza, was born Monday the.3rd day OF
August, in the year 1907. My daughter,
Anna, was born Jan. "a, 1910. My
daughter, Nancy. was born June IL,
1918. Orville Ufiord Flint was born May
"a, 1916"
A nice little family OF nine children to
rejoice the heart of the father until his
pen traced these sorrowful entries:-"My
daughter, Anna, died March 4, 1913. My
son, Joseph, died, March 4, 1918. My
daughter, Sally, died Oct. 81, 1888. My
daug hter, Polly, died Jan. IL, 1885. My
daughter, Betsey, died Nov. 20, 1886"
Mr.. Flint did business in Richford and
Fairfield and bad lumber dicker in West
ford, and in all his dealings followed the
careful business methods, which have
made the Flints of later generations all
thrifty people.
A copy OF "The Christian aud Farmers
Almanackp for the year 1888, compiled
bv Zadock Thompson OF Burlington was
preserved among the old merchants pa
pers and en- its front cover offers to the
toil-worn farmers the comforting motto
"Tbere is resi- in heaven" After giving
the usual calendar information regarding
the seasons. the moon and the probable
weather, the 'salmRnack" ministers to
the Christian enlightenment of its read
ers. In narrative Of the state of relig-
ion in Vermont, presented at meeting
Of the general convention OF CoDg'l and
Presbyterian ministers at Middlebury in
1892, the condition of Orange county is set
forth in the following quaint phraseology
that used to distinguish distinctly relig-
ious conversation
"Twelve churches in the Orange ascot
alton are connected with the general con-
vention OF Vermont and nearly all OF
them are at present stateoiy supplleu
with preaching of the gospel. Eight OF
these churches were favored with the re-
wing influence OF the Divine Spirit
about the period OF the last anniversaryi
these gracious visitations continued to be
enjoyed for several months of the year
aud did not entirely cease until the be-
ginning of August. All the churches
have received some addition to their num-
bers. and the whole increase of the year IS
estimated at 3S9. Sabbath schools gem
orally are in q flourishing condition and,
I in many instances, continued through
the whole year. The Sabbath school con-
cert is observed in several Of the churches
with increasing interest, and the temper
Ance cause has received good share OF
attention, although in some towns COM
paratively little has as yet been Effected.