Vermont AHGP
Part of the American History and
Genealogy Project
Range 5 ~ Lots
Lots 1 and 2, were settled by Judge Bradford Kinne, about 1795. The northern part he deeded to Philoman and Stephen Perkins in 1803, but they occupied it in 1801. This part is now owned by A. Gunnison; the southern by J. Batchelder. Judge Kinne was born in Preston, Conn., but moved here from Royalton, Vt. He was the most prominent man in town, and with good advantages might have become a distinguished lawyer. The story is well known of his defending Fisher in the suit of Cairnes v. Fisher, for assault, at the Caledonia County Court, where he directed his client to cry, when he himself did. Kinne made a pathetic appeal to the jury in favor of his client, who was a poor man, assuring them that "every dollar they took from him, they took from the mouths of babes and sucklings," at which dismal prospect Kinne burst into tears, and was followed by such a tremendous boo-hoo from Fisher, that the damages were assessed at a trifling sum, although the assault was a severe one. He removed on to the Washburn pitch in 1812, where he died in 1828, aged 64. Bradford Kinne Pierce, the distinguished Methodist clergyman, is his grandson.
Lot 3, was settled by James Perry. He was one of the first deacons of the Congregational church, but became a Methodist preacher. His farm is now owned by his grandson, Daniel A. Perry. The northern part of this lot was settled by Jacob Perkins, about 1799. It is now owned by Emmons Taft, who married his daughter. Capt. Jonathan Kinne was born in Preston, Conn., where he married, and moved to Bethel, Vt. He lived there 10 years.
In 1793, he commenced clearing lot No. 4, living in a shanty through the week and going to Seth Freeman's on Sundays. He lived thus for two summers, and built a framed house in 1794, the first in town, which stood nearly opposite to H. Q.
Perry's present residence. He moved his family here in Feb., 1795. The death of their little boy, Justus, Mar. 6, 1796, was the first death in town. He was the first minister in town, and preached for the Congregational church many years. He died at Berlin, in 1838. His son, Dea. Justus Kinney, lives upon this farm.
Lot 5, is lease land. The southern 50 acres was leased by Dea. George Ayers, who was the progenitor of all of that family in this town. This place is now occupied by Ira Stone. The middle 50 acres of this lot was first leased by Elder James Perry's son, Elijah. The northern 50 acres was leased by Aaron Whittlesey. The last two portions are now leased by Levi Bartlett's estate.
Lot 6, is lease land. The eastern portion was first leased by John Moore, now by Hiram G. Moore. The western portion was first leased by Levi Bartlett, now in part by Lee Batchelder.
The southern 100 acres of lot 7 was settled by Asa Bancroft, of Warmouth, Mass., about 1797. About the year 1801, as he and his wife were coming home, one evening, from Jeremy Stone's the wolves began to assemble in their rear. His wife was on a horse carrying their infant son, Tyler. They hurried on as fast as possible, but the wolves came so near, that they abandoned to them a piece of fresh meat that Mrs. Stone had given them, and reached home safely, the wolves howling about the house as soon as they entered it. Mr. Bancroft was frequently elected to town offices, and died in 1856, aged 87. His children were, Tyler, William, John, Eunice (Mrs. Ira F. Page) and Mrs. Reuben Huntoon. When it began to be rumored that the settlers' titles were not good, he went to Jacob Davis', who gave him security on other property, and sent word by him to the other settlers, that if they were frightened he would secure them. This quieted their fears, and only one or two went.
Lot 8, was settled by John Moore. His son, Heman Allen Moore, born here, was elected a representative to congress from Ohio, in 1844, but died the next year. Wm. Huntoon now owns this farm.
Source: History of Washington County Vermont, Collated and Published by Abby Maria Hemenway, 1882.
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