Vermont AHGP

Part of the American History and Genealogy Project

First Settlers of Roxbury

The list of settlers to this area is long, we will list as many as we have room for. Settlers with a couple lines will be listed here, others will have their own page.

Charles Webster was killed by being thrown from his carriage in 1834. Benoni Webster, the youngest of the family, is still living, at an advanced age, in Northfield. He was born in a barn, not a modern affair, but an old log-barn. Whether he was cradled in a manger, tradition saith not. One of the children being so ill he could endure no noise, to secure him the quiet needed to save his life, the rest of the family moved into the barn, with the exception of one to nurse the sick child, and there they remained until he was restored to health, which was over a year.

Lewis Chatfield came to town in 1810, and settled on the farm now occupied by his son, Lewis. He was a man of peculiarities, but sterling worth. He, like many of the early settlers, had a hard struggle to feed and clothe his family. One winter he fortunately captured a huge bear, whose meat and lard kept grim want from the door till spring. He made a business of hop raising the last 40 years, and through industry and frugality, acquired a competence. He died in 1880, aged 94.

Billa Woodard came from Tolland, Conn., in 1802; settled on East Hill, and was for many years engaged in the manufacture of saddle-trees, and the only one in New England for a long time in that business.

Seth Richardson came here in 1802; settled near Braintree, in the south part of the town; died May 25, 1829, and Sarah, his wife, died July 1, 1836. Their children were: Phila, Hannah, Joel, Alva.

Josiah Shaw came to town in 1800; lived in the East part, and was quite a prominent man. Henry Boyce, son of Dr. Boyce, was also a prominent man in the East part of the town. He died in 1860.

Jonathan F. Ruggles was a resident of the east part of the town, and perhaps no man enjoyed in a greater degree the confidence of his fellow-townsmen, there being no office of importance but he had at some time filled. He died in Northfield.

Alvin Brigham came here when a young man, about the year 1823, from Fayston. He was born in Old Marlborough, Mass., and a brother of Elisha Brigham. Alvin Brigham married Flora Baxter, of Fayston. They moved on to the present Wetmore place. He was a man scrupulously honest, a leader in the church, and for many years leader of the choir. They had 9 children.

Roxbury Vermont | AHGP

Source: History of Washington County Vermont, Collated and Published by Abby Maria Hemenway, 1882.

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