Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1916-03-17
GEORGE WASHINGTON BYRON,

early settlers were subject. Many
GEORGE WASHINGTON BYRON.
the principal subject of this sketch,
was born in Bridgewater, Mass,
July7, 1776. He was not a healthy
child and had but few privileges;
was active both in mind and body;
and in his earlier years evinced those
marked traits of character which he
manifested through life. He must
know "the reason why" to become
convinced and see wherein would be
the advantage, in order to be in
fuenced. He often related an an
ecdote of his early years. When he
was about five years old, there was
an alarm given that the Indians were
coming, as they often did to take
prisoners to Canada. His mother
must take her children and run to
the fort. Washington (as he was
always called) had seen friendly In
dams, and was not afraid of them.
He could not see the advantage of
going to the fort, but he knew the
worth of the meat and vegetables
that were on the fire boiling, and re-
fused to leave till after dinner. His
mother, knowing that unless the
child went willingly he would not
run very fast, asked him what she
should give him to induce him to go.
He told her if she would give him
the large pin that she used to pin
her shawl, he would go. Such
things, so common now, were then
almost unknown, and he desired it.
She did so, and they went to
the fort. But the alarm proved
false, and they returned the next
day, and much to his satisfaction
found their dinner hanging on the
crane as they had left it. At anlt Their
time when a lad he with his brother,
Benjamin were in the field, when
they saw rabbit. His brother, who
was a pious youth, commenced run
ming and crying, Lord, help! Lord,
help! when he, thinking that the
noise would do more to brighten the
animal than secure aid, said quickly,
Say nothing Ben; say nothing
two are enough to catch a rabbit"
This was not so much from irreligion,
as a habit he always had of relying
on his own eXertions and using
proper means for whatever he wish
ed to accomplish. His chance for
education was very limited, as he
had to go about three miles to
school, but he acquired a passable
knowledge of the common branches.
But this life, free from restraint,
was giving his body a vigor and
health that rendered him able in
after years to endure many hard
ships necessary for him to encounter:
and ne was acquiring a knowledge
of nature with habit of reasoning
which, combined with good jude-
ment, was very useful. When little
more than 16 it became necessary
for him to take the management of
business, as his father had not a
good business faculty. He learned
the trade of his father, and began
life in earnest. Being ingenious. he
worked at all kinds of business, and
whatever he wished to do he found
way of doing. He bought land ad-
joining his lot, with a view of i'm
proving his farm, thinking a farm
er's life the best. He built a con-
venient house and other buildings,
and gave his parents comfortable
home, as they lived to an advanced
age. His affection for his mother
was marked trait of his character
it continued undated while he lived
He received no aid pecuniarly, as
his fathers property would not pay
the debts; therefore it was some
times necessary to turn short cor
ners. He was prompt to pay. A
one time man to whom he wa
owing money, came to him as h,
was ploughing in the spring will
the first yoke of oxen he ever owned
: and wished to buy them-not S,
much to get the debt, but cattl
were scarce. He said he thought
, moment of his need of them as h,
did not know where he could ge
more, but it would pay the debt
and he Immediately unhitched them
though. he added, tears would com,
r to his eyes as he did so. But he &C