The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-03-14
Thomas J. Deavitt Died To-
day in Montpelier, After
80 Years Practice
WAS WELL KIN IN
AS PENSIC sLAWYER
He Was President Of Capt.
tai Savings Bank Since
It's Foundation

The passing of the older attorneys of
Washington county was brought sharply
to attention to-day when notification
was given by John w. Gordon at the
opening session of Washington county
court that memorial service for John
H. Senter would be held in the after
noon, and it became known that Thomas
J. Deayitt, a well known Montpelier
man, had died this morning after two
weeks illness and two years poor health
with Bright's disease and heart trouble.
Mr.. Senter died some weeks ago of heart
trouble at his home in Montpelier.
Thomas Jefferson Deavitt was born in
Richmond Feb. II, 1910, being the eldest
son of William and Chestina tPrescott)
Deavitt. When he was nine years old
his family moved to Moretown and there
the boy received his early schooling,
which was supplemented later with a
course at Barre academy. He read law
in the office of Hon. Paul Dillingham; at
Waterbury and was admitted to the
Washington county bar in March, 1866,
just half a century ago. He was admit
ted to practice before the supreme court
in August, 1865.
From the time of his first admission to
the bar, Mr.. Deavitt practiced his profess
sion in Moretown, remaining there until
1875 when he moved to Montpelier.
Since the latter year he had conducted
an office on State street in that COM
munity. For many years he had the
largest practice Of any lawyer in New
England in pressing pension claims and,
r,Ii s. L,
partment of the legal profession.
While residing in Moretown he was SUI
perintendent of school and he was chos-
en- as a delegate to the constitutional
in 1870. He was one of the
six survivors of that convention. the
others being Chief Justice Loveland Mum
son OF Manchester, Colonel Edward b.
Sawyer of Hyde Park, George II. Gran
dali of Berlin. Dr. George V. Miles of
Hinesburg and Salmon Green of Rich
mond
Besides conducting his law business
Mr.. Deavitt was interested in many af-
'airs in Montpelier. He was one of the
of the Capital Savings
Bank & Trust company back in 1891
ind had been its president ever since
iifdb liilb- ne WIS ii director OF the
Barre & Montpelier Traction & Power
ompany from 1898 until the Tenney
took over the road in 1913.
n fraternal relations Mr.. Deavitt joined
he Masons in Moretown, being mem
er of Mad River lodge, and he also was
member of the Congregational church.
On Jan. 10, 1870, he married to Caro-
ne +. Harrington of South Royalston,
lass, and she died on Jan. IL, 1915.
here are five children, as follows, Ed
ard II. Deayitt, a Montpelier attorney
nd a former state treasurer; Carrie f.
'eavitt, also of Montpelier; Henry of
hicago, George T. Deavitt of New York
ity and William J. Deavitt of FL Paso,
ex. He also leaves one brother, Daniel
Deavitt of Moretown, and four sisters,
RS. Eveline Haseltne and Mrs. Luke J.
oberts of Waterbury and Mrs. Esther
Holmes and Mrs. Nellie N. Barrows Of
The arrangements for the funeral are
ing held in abeyarre pending the re-
ipt of word from the son, William j.
aavitt, in Texas. If he is able to come,
e funeral probably will be held on Sat
day.