"There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac
and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah."
Genesis 49:31
Scattered over our land are many who feel the same solemn affection for the burial places of their home towns that Jacob felt for the cave that is in the field before Mamre.
Too often these ancient lots are neglected until they no longer exhibit the decent respect due from the living to the dead. This was the case in Weathersfield until a few years ago when the town adopted the custom of asking a small annual appropriation for the care of these places of memorial. A great improvement has already taken place and much more still remains to be done.
In August 1914 the writer saw that many stones were broken, mislaid or were so weather-worn that the inscription was almost obliterated and that soon they must become illegible. At considerable labor, he transcribed all the inscriptions and will be glad at any time to furnish the information of these records to those who are seeking for the graves of those who have gone before them.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Before 1745 Weathersfield was more or less land undiscovered until the French and Indian Wars broke out in 1745. This now becomes a time line for the Northwest passage to take it's roots in time for the Novel with Jonathan and Nathanial Rogers in the book of The North West Passage, as a group of Rogers Rangers. Was this a fact? You bet, and Weathersfield played a part in it also. Land rich in timber, animal pelts and so forth. France and England so greedy that they both laid claims to these lands. Causing the British to build a road from Fort Number 4 through Weathersfield, "a Wilderness then," shortly after 1745. As the British needed a Road to protect it's North Western boundaries along the lake, where they could hall cannons overland. When the road was finished it was a leading factor in helping capture Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain of West side of the lake in New York. It also played a part in moving Militia across the state of Vermont. Thus causing another problem when it comes to who has authority over Vermont in their land claims, New Hampshire or New York.
The town settlement of Weathersfield was granted by Benning Wentworth on August 20, 1761. It wasn't until 1769 that the first permanent settlement was made. Note: Most of these early town meetings took place in the lower states of Connecticut and Mass.
The original patents were mainly from New Haven, Conn. and Northampton, Mass. Their first meeting was held on September 25, 1761 in New Haven at Daniel Lyman's house in Connecticut. Samuel Bishop, Jr., was elected clerk and treasurer, and a committee of Phineas Bradley, Abraham Thompson and Joseph Thompson of New Haven, Phineas Lyman of Hadley, and Silas Wright of Northampton, were appointed to view and lay out the town according to the charter, and I might add here it's original charter, as described in it's Land Grant as issued by New Hampshire.
The first town meeting was held on May 19, 1772. A mere 11 years later. The following officers were elected: Dan Tuttle, moderator; William Upham, town clerk, Dan Tuttle, supervisor; Eliphalet Spafford and William Richardson, assessors; Benoni Tuttle and Gershom Tuttle, collectors; Benjamin Ailing and Aaron Blacksee, overseers of the poor; Dan Tuttle, William Richardson and William Upham, commissioners for laying out highways; Benjamin Alling, Aaron Blacksee and Joseph Douglas, surveyors of highways; William Upham and Moses Alling, fence viewers; Timothy Parkhurst, Benoni Tuttle, Eliphalet Spafford and Gershom Tuttle, pound-keepers.
Benjamin Alling arrived in Weathersfield in 1764 and did some work in the area but no actual settlement was made at this time. It was not until 1769 when Benjamin returned with Moses Alling, Gershom Tuttle, William Rexford and Aaron Blacksee that a permanent settlement was made. From the time of first settlement to the brewing of the Revolution the town grew slowly: Captain William and Asa Upham came from Sturbridge, Mass in 1772. Also about this time Dan Tuttle, Elphalet Spafford, William Richardson, Benoni Tuttle, Joseph Douglas and Timothy Parkhurst became residents of the town. In 1773 Amos Richardson, Christopher Brookett, Tucker Hart, Israel Burlingame, Oliver Kidder, Hezekiah Grout, John Marsh and Edward Grannis settled in Weathersfield. Hezekiah's wife was captured by the Indians and remained a prisoner in Montreal for three years, but was finally ransomed and returned home. William Dean, from Connecticut, settled in in town in 1774, and was soon afterwords arrested and taken to Albany for cutting down pine timber without a permit from the king's officers.
The Revolution stopped almost all new settlement to Weathersfield. Between 1775 and 1780 only a few settlers came to the area. They were Asaph Butler, Levi Stevens, John White, Samuel Lewis and Abraham Downer.
The years 1780 through 1782 saw a number of new settlers to Weathersfield. Among them were Thomas Hutchins, Abijah White, Josiah Hatch, Waters Chilson and Joseph Hubbard. In 1780 Nathaniel Stoughton came from Windsor, Conn. About the same time Josiah and Daniel Dartt and the Tolles brothers, Clark, David, Henry and John located in the town. It was also about 1780 Oliver Diggins, Stephen Steel and John Bennett settled in Weathersfield.
In 1781 Edward Goodwin operated the only grist-mill in town. Also during this year the following men came to Weathersfield: Joseph Mason, Daniel Graves, Colonel Elijah Robinson, Thomas Prentice, Gershom Clark and Benjamin Wooster (sp) Correctly is Wocester.
In 1782 Captain John Williams came from Marlboro, Vt and settled in the area of Perkinsville. In the same year Joseph Joslin, Gideon Lyman, Daniel Babcock, Asa Field, Samuel Cummings, David Polk, John Hill and Elijah Cady settled in town.
In the following year Amos Boynton, Gideon Chapin, David Paulk, Benjamin Warner, Samuel Sherman and Jonathan Nye moved into town. In 1784 Colonel John Boynton and Levi Field came to Weathersfield, the latter locating in the area of Ascutneyville.
"Prominent Families of Weathersfield:" were:
Rev. James Converse, Jonas B. Davis, William and Benajah Dean, Martin Diggins, Richard and Darius Farwell, Field Family, John Gould, Bradford Grimes, Elijah Hall, Luther Hammond, William and Major Charles Jarvis, Streeter Family, Whipple Family, Boynton Family, Chamberlain Family, Joseph and Joseph Danforth, David and Hubbard Dickinson, Downer Family, Gowing Family, Grout Family, Haskell Family, Abner Jackman, Malcom McEwen, Hiram S. Morse, Samuel Murray, John and Peter Squire, Stoughton Family, Reuben and Issac Thompson Strow, John and Josephus Streeter, Tolles Family, George C. Wilson.
Contributed by Gary Allen Lull.
A Project Started in 1998 - to - ending in 2003 .
Some 13 Cemeteries were the subject of Gary's research,
during the time in Weathersfield, Vermont only during that time frame.
" HAZARDS "
From what I have learned in 2004, Weathersfield, Vermont was thinking
of reintroducing the Big Mountain Cats again into the town. Even so there
is another problem of a population of Turkeys. These were introduced and
this can be hard on cars and people not aware of them being around, when
hit by cars. It was also decided that Moose were being talked about being
brought back into Weathersfield also, which if done would also be a HIGH
LARGE road Hazard when, hit with a car.
"History of Weathersfield, Vermont," Grave Yards.
"The Weathersfield Burial Grounds, Vermont."
There are thirteen (13) Burying Grounds in Weathersfield as follows:
With Honor and respect for those who came before me to make sure the Stones were taken care of, and recorded.
We give honor to:
E. W. Butterfield and Edith Hunter
As rewritten by Gary Allen Lull for the effort in Historical research and documentation.
Gary gives thanks to Gene Adams, and Mr. Bishop who gave him work, so
he could be part of this township.
For the Local Weathersfield, History see
http://www.weathersfield.org/pages/histsoc.htm
First and last names on Weathersfield gravestones in a line Index
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/vt/county/windsor/weathersfield/cems/index.htm
Cemetery Book available, write to:
Hunter Press
3055 Center Road, Perkinsville, Vermont. 05151
THE WEATHERSFIELD
GRAVE YARDS:
PLEASE TAKE
HEED OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION REGARDING GRAVESTONES ANYWHERE!
Under NO
circumstances should you EVER touch a stone or alter its appearance with
chemicals,
or any
substances! This will permanently deface and or start a destructive cycle/reaction
of the stone!!
INSTEAD,
to gather information on a stone which is hard to read, do the following:
1. Spray a large piece of cardboard with Silver
paint
2. Wrap with cellophane and tape it.
3. Set it up like an easel at an angle to
reflect light onto the stone so that the words cast shadows and make it
easier to photograph
4. Do NOT place coins of any kinds on the
stones because the copper with react with the stone
5. Do NOT do rubbings, chemicals will destroy
the stone over time
6. Do NOT scrub, or sand the face! This is
a totally destructive method!
7. Do NOT use shaving cream, this also reacts
with the stone!
8. ASK or talk to the Cemetery officials to
assist you with your efforts- They know how to properly re-etch and clean
the stones.
"Grave notations." *see here and below.....
Note: Relict is a name applied to a widow / widower, either of the first and or second husband and/or wife.
Note: Consort is a woman or man who has given consent to live with a man or woman as husband or wife, not always giving themselfs sexually.
Note: Consort is spelled on some of the grave stone's as confort, confusing most people into beleaving otherwise.
Note: Original word consort was used to a man or woman to royal families
of men and women.
Authors Note: (Gary Allen Lull) You shall see that I have made notation
on some of the stone data to indicate Civil War information in RED color.
The Aldrich Grave Yard, click here on the underline to view it. Data first and Pics next if we have them of the Stones.
is situated on the road from Springfield village to Weathersfield Center.
It is about a half mile south of the residence of C.F. Aldrich and near
the site of the ancient sawmill of William Upham. [East side of the Weathersfield
Center Road 2/10s of a mile north of Wellwood Orchard Road (1989).] It
was used from 1804-1856 and contains over 50 graves. The earliest stone
marks the grave of Mrs. Rena Aldrich. In this yard is the grave of Zebakiah
Belknap, a graduate of Dartmouth 1807 and a portrait painter of wide repute.
The Ascutneyville Yard, click, here on the underline to view it. Data first and Pics next if we have them of the Stones.
is north of the Ascutneyville school house. [East side of Cemetery Road
in Ascutney (1989).] It has been used since 1794 and contains nearly 800
graves. Perhaps most noticeable are the graves that mark our tragedies,
those of Joshua G. Gowing and wife murdered in 1867, and the grave of Henry
Gravline, executed for the murder of his hired man. Here, too, is "Isaac
Proctor, enlisted June 18, 1777 and served during the Revolutionary War,
wintered at Valley Forge, was in the battle of Monmouth and many others,"
and the unmarked grave of William Dean who was arrested by the British
for cutting the pines reserved for His Majesty's fleet.
The Deane Grave Yard, click, the underline to view it. Data first and Pics next if we have them of the Stones.
1812-1817, is a small family lot with but three graves. is east from the road from Cheshire Bridge to Weathersfield Bow and is near the Springfield line.
[East side of Route 5, in a pine woods a little north of the Springfield
town line (1989),]
The Eddy Grave Yard, click, here on the underline to view it. Data first and Pics next if we have them of the Stones.
1825-1828, is on a small rounded hill by the river about a mile north of Greenbush and on the farm of Perkins Fletcher.
[East of Route 106 about a mile north of Little Ascutney Road on a small hill in the meadow near North Branch Brook (1989).]
Note:*
Here are buried Newbury Eddy and his wife, notable pioneers.
The Greenbush Cemetery, click, the underline to view it. Data first and Pics next if we have them of the Stones.
is
by the roadside a short distance north of the hamlet known as Greenbush
on the Felchville road. [East side of Route 106 just north of Little Ascutney
Road (1989).] It was opened in 1825 and is still used. There are about
120 marked graves. Among them is that of Samuel Heminway who "taught in
the course of his life between forty and fifty schools and was beloved
and respected by his pupils."
The Grout Grave Yard, click, here on the underline to view it. Data first and Pics next if we have them of the Stones.
is in the southwestern part of the town on a terrace above the Black
River and near the farm buildings of S. W .Butterfield.,
[The Grout Cemetery was moved in 1959-60 when the North Springfield
Flood Control Project was built. It is now (1989) adjacent to the east
side of the Plain Cemetery. The Butterfield farm was demolished when the
Flood Control Project was put in.]
Tradition speaks of this as the oldest burying place in town, and this
may well be the truth as the rear of the yard shows the rounded mound of
numerous unmarked graves. The earliest stone is dated 1786 and the yard
is still used. Most worthy of notice are the graves of Col. John Boynton,
a Revolutionary officer, of Major Hilkiah Grout, Indian fighter, pioneer
and statesman, and his wife Submit, who with her children was captured
by the Indians and for three years detained in Canada.
The Hubbard Grave Yard, click, here on the underline to view it. Data first and Pics next if we have them of the Stones.
is a small yard on a bluff nearly opposite the Weathersfield Bow Cemetery. It has scarcely a score of graves dating from 1790 to 1812.
It is named for Col. Joseph Hubbard, a large landholder near and an
early patron of the yard.
The Plain Cemetery, click, here on the underline to view it. Data first and Pics next if we have them of the Stones.
is lacated off from the road that leads from Perkinsville Lower Village to Weathersfield Gulf.
[West of the Plains Road and North about 2/10s of a mile from
Stoughton Pond Road (1989).]
It was established in 1790 and with its more than 1100 graves is the
largest and best known of Weathersfield's cemeteries. The first grave is
that of Jane Chapin who lived in the farmhouse still standing by the Springfield
Reservoir. [The Chapin farmhouse was demolished in 1988.] Here is the grave
of Capt. John Williams, who built the first mill at Perkinsville, Rev.
James Converse, a minister of the Centre Church for 37 years, Jonathan
Allyn, who lost an ear at Bunker Hill, and many other of the founders and
supporters of the town of Weathersfield. Note*: Original name was Plan
Cemetery.
The Richards Grave Yard, click, here on the underline to view it. Data first and Pics next if we have them of the Stones.
is beautiful in its situation. It is on the bluff looking down upon
the Connecticut River just north of the Ascutneyville Bridge. Thomas Richards
of Weathersfield, Conn. had his first log house near and buried here as
did his neighbors. There are twelve marked graves all between 1774 and
1805.
The Tolles Grave Yard, click, here on the underline to view it. Data first and Pics next if we have them of the Stones.
was early used chiefly by the important Tolles and Dartt families. There are nearly 20 marked graves dating from 1793 to 1815 These graves have a lordly situation on a disused road northwest of Cook's Pond and about one half mile from the Centre church.
[Off Goulden Ridge Road 112 mile from the Weathersfield Center Road on a discontinued section of a road that once connected Cooks Pond Road and Goulden Ridge Road (1989).]
The stone of David Tolles, 1798, says that he was "excepted mason" and
is covered with rude attempts to represent Masonic emblems.
The Tuttle Grave Yard, click, here on the underline to view it. Data first and Pics next if we have them of the Stones.
is on the river road from Weathersfield Bow to Ascutneyville and a mile and a half from the Bow.
[East side of Route 5 between Weathersfield Bow and Ascutney opposite Blakeslee's Falls (1989).]
It has been used mainly by the Tuttle family from 1772 to 1882 and nearly
half of its 26 graves are marked with rough field stones. Here is the oldest
marked grave in town, Zophar Tuttle 1771, and his son John Tuttle "first
white male child born in town." Here lie at least three victims of the
1791 smallpox scourge.
The Weatherbee Grave Yard, click, here on the underline to view it. Data first and Pics next if we have them of the Stones.
1794-1815, is the most pathetic of all, a bare field high under the sky with four broken stones, three of them Weatherbees, and with more than 30 graves marked with rough stones, almost without exception children's graves, and doubtless many more graves wholly unmarked. Tradition says that in the early years of the century a virulent, infectious disease of children swept over the town and left childless many homes. Is this the meaning of this barren field? It is in a pasture near the home of Frank Jarvis on the road parallel and south of the highway from the Gulf to Ascutneyville.
[The Weatherbee (Wetherbee) Cemetery is on the west side of Wetherbee
Hill Road, a road that connects the Weathersfield Center Road and Beaver
Pond Road. The cemetery is near the summit of the hill, 2/10s of a mile
from the Center Road (1989).]
The Weathersfield Bow Cemetery, click, here underlined to view it. Data first & Pics next if we have them of the Stones.
is one of the largest and dates from 1803. It is near the Bark Mill Bridge on the road from Weathersfield Bow to Weathersfield Centre.
[North side of Bowen Hill Road just off Route 5 in Weathersfield Bow (1989).]
There are about 300 graves. The family lot of Consul William Jarvis,
the first great importer of Merino sheep and through this the founder of
the American woolen industry, is here.
Only a few have been buried in other towns; a small number from the
southwestern part of Weathersfield have found their long resting place
in the North Springfield cemetery and a smaller number in the Catholic
cemeteries of North Charlestown, Springfield and West Claremont.
The majority of the settlers of Weathersfield and vicinity are in three
distinct groups: (1) From Wethersfield, Conn. and its adjoining towns,
(2) From the hill towns around Worcester, Mass. and (3) From the uplands
of southeastern New Hampshire. The first permanent settlers came shortly
before 1770 and the birth of the first male child was in September 1771
and the first recorded death in April 1772. These pioneers built their
rough log huts on the meadows of the two rivers along the Crown Point Road
and the old Indian Trail. A few years later, the first saw mills were established
and these log cabins were replaced by substantial frame structures.
In 1775 it appears that there were 24 men in town, probably most of them with their families. For the next 15 years, immigration into the town was rapid and in 1790 we find 207* families and a population of 1150* which is rather larger than the present population. [Population * 1985 ca.-2600.]
Note:* Population in 1970 was still only 2000.
Population in 2005* was still only 2722. Note: The slow growth pattern
is either retirement or other. It is not a place to grow with a business
unless you own it, God forbid.
The graves of the first years were unmarked as the procuring of gravestones
until a stone cutter came into the vicinity and slate ledges were discovered
was practically impossible. Then a few of the dead received memorials but
others were already forgotten. Through the following years many through
poverty but more through the indifference of relatives have got unmarked
graves and the pathetic sight is often seen of a family lot with all graves
marked except the last, for there was no one left to bury the dead.
The gravestone of Rachel Dean, who died in 1809, has this inscription
"Made by Henry Locke." I wonder who this early artist was? There are in
all about 2500 marked graves and probably many hundred whose resting places
cannot be ascertained. There are three stones of the period 1770-1779,
only three for the ten years following, and 45 for the years 1790-1799.
There is an average now of about 25 deaths a year in Weathersfield. Probably
there were as many in each year following 1790 for the population was about
the same and, though the average age of the inhabitants was doubtless younger
than it is today, this was offset by the greater mortality, especially
among children.
The records given here for each yard ordinarily begin at the rear and
take the graves in order back and forth toward the front, though in the
Plain Cemetery the old part of the yard is taken before the new. In the
Index will be found all names that occur on the stones. whether for memorial
or to indicate relationship. Though several may bear the same name, it
is given but once in the Index. A woman's maiden name or name of former
marriage, where indicated by the inscription, is indexed as well as her
married name.
Q U E S T I O N S:
Suggest that being a part of the Historical Society of Weathersfield,
Vermont can offer you more information and add to your people's profile
of history research, such as the work they were involved with, hardships
of living in this town, working as a farmer, or hand to the farmer, caretaker
and so forth, worked at keeping the roads clear and graded, worked for
the town and other such things, such as teacher.
Where did they live within the township? How far did the kids have to
walk to go to school, IN THE SNOW? Weather Conditions of the town, year
of the big snows? Live stock handlers for the sheep? Sheep industry itself,
Lumber Mills, Grist Mills, Apple industry? Cider Mills? Maple sugar industry.
What kind of Mill was located at Perkinsville? How many people were hired
to work at that location? Where were the wool bens and where did the clippers
do their work? Who was employed at the Government control Dam in the Valley?
Who cut all that grass in that bottom land? What other projects and work
was being done within the town?
M I L I T A R Y:
Who were the men in Weathersfield and what Military Units were at Weathersfield,
Vermont who are not buried here? What kind of Military Units were they?
Light Infantry or Cannons.? What did the weapons look like? What were the
weapons? Who of them joined Ira Allen Reg., Green mountain Eastern Confluence
to guard against the British on Vermont’s boundary’s against the British
movements. Who joined Ethan Allen Green mountain Boys Western confluence
against the British movements? What is a Militia or what was raised in
1775 from Weathersfield, Vermont to fight against the British and who were
the leaders, Captains, Lt, Sgt, etc. from Weathersfield, Vermont. These
Units need to be put together to help these people asking about their kin.
What did their uniforms look like?
C E M E T E R Y:
Now if this is of interest to you than I also say as a suggestion that
the Historical Society look at all these kinds of questions and prepare
to answers them if those people want to join the Weathersfield, Historical
Society.? What kind of condition are the C E M E T E R Y stones in? Do
you want to get donations for repair work or fixed them up in any way?
Please tell the Historical Society People about this.
Note: * In cemeteries it is reasonable to have visitors registration booths, placements where the outside visitors may leave, comments, who they are looking for, and contact as to how they can be reached. For other means it is reasonable to contact the Historian for the town and or County, should one be assigned. Other means is the Federal snail Mail contact as shown. Another contact is the computer E-Mail and last is the phone contact should one be assigned, from the township.
O T H E R :
In most cases the site manager is not a contact person who has either
the time or interest in Genealogy or History of the site he manages
Weathersfield Historical Society News Letter:
E-Mail Contact person is Grace Knight.
Historical Information with New / Old Used books are available.
Contact: Rebecca W. Tucker
For a current list see: http://users.adelphia.net/~rwctucker/
Weathersfield Historical
Soc
2656 Center Road
Perkinsville VT 05151
Phone 802 263-5230
Web Site Description: Weathersfield
Township
Type of Resource: History Related
Organization
Primary Focus: Historical Society
