The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-05-29
TOWN LANDMARK
HAS DISAPPEARED
Brick House on Elliot Street Was
Built by Samuel Elliot, for Whom
That Street Was Named.

"And no friend take note of thy de-
iparture?"
The old brick house that has been
gradually disappearing and has finally
disappeared from it's site on Elliot street,
next west Of Abbott block, was one of the
towns ancient landmarks 1t was built
by Samuel Elliot,-no one knows just
when,-but on the 9date of it's departure
it certainly copld Mves, claimed epe huns
bred and Zen, 4ifEnA one Mlndfsd and
twelve, years as IT'S age. "a
No one knows the year when Samuel
Elliot came to this town, but it is known
that he was born in Gloucester, Massa-
chusetts, in August, l777, and that having
studied. law the required time he was ad-
mitted to Windham county bar in June,
1904 He may have studied his profession
before he came here, but it is probable
that he studied with John w. Blake.
who was then Brattleboro's only lawyer,
and its earliest, having been admitted to
the bar and settled here in 1870. We may
digress a little to state that John r. and
George B. Blake were his sons, that
they became large owners of real estate
and prominent business men in the era OF
the towns history when Francis Goodhue.
John Holbrook Calvin Townsley, Gard
ner C. Hall, Zelotes Dickinson, and Ash
bell Dickinson. who resided in this village,
and Samuel Clark of the West village,
were among the towns prominent business
men, though in a generation older than
the Blake brothers. The Connecticut
river then furnished to a large extent,
, the transportation of live stock, farm
produce and merchandise. but freight
teams were constantly on the road carry
ing freight of; various kinds to Spring
field and Boston and bringing merchan-
disc in return.
The Blake brothers afterwards estah-
lished banking house in Boston, and 1t
came and continues to be one of the
strong financial houses in that city, Blake
descendants remaining members OF the
! firm.
The land records show that Samuel FL
Iliot. between the years 1905 and 1910. be-
came owner of tracts of land upon which
] considerable part of our village is To-
Gated, especially land lying south OF Green
street. Also lands outside the village limits
| Elliot street ran through his land and
took his name, ninety-fve years ago, and
the brick house was his home. His law
office stood on the corner now occupied by
the Peoples National bank He passed ms
entire active life here in the practice o.
his profession and was distinguished anc
esteemed citizen He had the gift of ell
oouenee in speech and was called upon t
deliver addresses on many pubic Occa
sions Hes represented the town severa
wears in the legislature and foreperlods o
time was postmaster and Judge of pro
bate He married daughter of Ruther
ford Hayes, the grandfather of Presden
Hayes, Of which marriage seven children
were born, several of whom became note
as ministers and teachers. OF long lis
of grandchildren we may mention Rev
Clifford H. Smith, who was for severa
years pastor of the Congregational churc
Pittss3ga hs5n9n saa s9a 1s p Baa 5s,s1.
Wheeler, children Of the late Gilher
Smith and Sophia elliot Smith
j. NJ T.