PHINEAS PAGE, born in Lunenburg, Mass.; moved to Charlestown, N. H., when a young man; married a Miss LABAREE; after her death again married Jane WEST; moved from there to Fairfax in 1788, and settled on the farm now owned by Amos PRINDLE, He brought up his goods by an ox-cart, his wife riding on horseback; died at the age of 64. His daughter Eunice, by his first wife, first married Samuel UFFORD, and after his death Timothy OLMSTED. She still lives, at the advanced age of 82, with her soil Samuel D. UFFORD, upon the old homestead, settled by her first husband, and his father Shores UFFORD, born in Bennington in 1762, served one campaign in the Revolutionary war; was at Bennington at the time of the battle, but took no part in it, being too young; married Susanna MERRILL, of Bennington; moved to Fairfax in 1788; settled upon the place now owned by Hiram COOK, and afterward changed for the place upon which his son Elijah STORY now lives. He died in 1835, aged 73, leaving four sons, now living, viz. John, in Madrid, N. Y.; Joseph and Elijah, in Fairfax, and Andrew, in Cambridge, Vt.

      His grandfather FILLMORE, when young, having an eager desire to go to sea, embarked on board a ship, sailing from New London and when a few days out the vessel was captured by the pirates: He with some of big comrades contrived together to effect their escape; and this they did, killing the captain of the pirates, and several of his crew, taking the rest prisoners, and bringing them and their vessel back into port. At the age, of 7 years he drove a team, transporting supplies for the army of the Revolution. He came to Bennington at an early age, where he was married to Seviah STORY, also of Bennington; moved, to Fairfax in 1788, and commenced improvement on the place now owned by Harmon JOHNSON; the following year moved up his family; on this place opened the first hotel in town; a few years after bought the tavern of Squire ENGLAND, where the Fairfax house now stands, a part of which house is the old original tavern of Squire ENGLAND. He kept public house here for many years, to the satisfaction of the traveling public, and the people of the town; was the first post-master; town clerk from 1807 till 1831, with the exception of one year which office he declined after that period; filled many other town offices, and retained the esteem of his fellow-citizens till his death -- July 4, 1848, -- in his 80th year. One son, Edward LOVEGROVE, is now living in Potsdam, N. Y.

      He opened, as has been before said, the second tavern in town, and many of the early town-meetings were held at his house. The farm upon which be struck the first blow is now in possession of his son, H. C. SAFFORD, whose house is situated but a short distaste from the first log house built upon the place. He was a finely formed man, erect in his carriage, and in physical strength had but few equals, even in that day of strong men -- scarcely ever knowing a sick day. Without the advantages of much schooling, his intellect was vigorous and quick, and his fund of information large. A hard-working and industrious man, he early acquired and held the esteem of the citizens of his town, retained his faculties till an advanced age, and died aged 86.

      In Sept. of 1814, when the British were approaching Plattsburg, he voluntarily shouldered his gun and knapsack, and hastened to the field of action, and was soon after chosen captain of a company of volunteers. With this company, he soon engaged with a company of British, in which the British Captain and several of his men were killed, and the remainder taken prisoners and marched into camp, In 1815 be was appointed Colonel of the second regiment of militia; in 1818, as appears by the journal of the Assembly of the State, was elected a Brigadier General. It reads as follows:

      His brother, Beriah BEEMAN, who moved into town at the same time, is yet living, the oldest inhabitant of the town. He came in at the age of 7, and is now 81. Their descendents yet living in town are numerous.

      He was town clerk in Fairfield for nearly 20 years, retaining the office till he left; represented that town in the legislature for 20 years, and attained the reputation of a sound and able legislator; was often called to preside over meetings of a benevolent and religious order, and was widely known for his benevolence towards such enterprises. He was a man seemingly almost incapable of fatigue. His ride as a physician extended through the neighboring towns. He would attend court at St. Albans, and on his return visit his patients, during the night, taking bat a few hours of sleep. He amassed a fortune by his energy, which placed him among the wealthy men of his section, and died in 1857, being 85 years and 9 months of age. He has two sons living at the present time, J. H. FARNSWORTH, M. D., in Fairfax, and Joseph A. FARNSWORTH in St. Albans.

      In the following December, 1838, he, with his brother Page, who had gone out in the fall, removed to Prairie du Chien, Wis., where they found employment till the next spring. July, 1840, they started again on foot to look up a new home on the west side of the Mississippi, having purchased blankets, cooking utensils, and provisions. They went west about 50 miles into the Winnebago country, to where Government was building a fort, now Ft. Atkinson, Ia., but soon returned to what is now Monona, Ia., and selected a claim, cut logs, and backed them a short distance, and erected the first cabin in Monona, They were the only white inhabitants at that time, and for the next 8 months in that township; nor were any nearer, then on the east, than 6 miles ; on the south 15 miles, and none west or north, to the Pacific and British Possessions, except a few government soldiers and employees. This place was 13 miles west of the Mississippi, 2 miles south-east of the lands belonging to the Indians, and 2 1/2 miles from an Indian village. The cabin they built contained two rooms where they commenced trading with the Indians, and continued in trade two years, when they threw it up, and each selected another claim adjoining the first. Two years after this, David OLMSTED sold out his claim, and again removed to Ft. Atkinson, where he engaged in the Indian trade with W. G. and G. W. EWING, who were heavy Indian traders, and obtained a wonderful influence over the tribe. When the convention was called to form a state constitution for Iowa, in 1846, he was chosen delegate for Clayton county, and occupied a prominent position in that body ; during the Mexican war he raised a company of volunteers, of which he was chosen lieutenant: this company was stationed at Ft. Atkinson to supply the place of the regulars: in 1847, in company with Henry C. RHODES, he purchased the interest of the Messrs. EWING in the Indian trade with the Winnebagos; in 1848, this tribe being removed to Long Prairie, Minnesota, he accompanied them, and it was mainly owing to his exertions, that their removal was accomplished peaceably; in June, 1848, the Winnebagos, leaving Ft. Atkinson, for Wabashaw Prairie, and tearing the climate of their selected home, and making a treaty with old Wabashaw, for a part of his domain, and refusing to proceed farther, and remaining here 6 weeks awaiting instructions from the government, by using his influence, he prevailed upon them to comply with the wishes of their great father at Washington. The Indians always called him the "good man.“ Established at Long Prairie, he endeavored to open a shorter route to Sauk Rapids, where their supplies were obtained. Taking with him an old French voyager, he proceeded on horseback with but two days' provisions. Toward evening of the second day they perceived that they were lost, and therefore dismounted, hung their saddles upon the trees, turned their-horses loose, and determined to strike across through the network of lakes swamps and aspen thickets, on foot. They soon found their trials had but just begun. The remnant of provision was soon gone. They had pistols, but their powder they were obliged to save for kindling fires. The Frenchman managed to catch two small sun-fish, and a frog, their only food the seven days they were lost after leaving their horses. The Frenchman became partially deranged, and it was with much difficulty that he could be governed, but Mr. OLMSTED pressed on, knowing it was his only hope, and at the end of the ninth day they emerged from the wilderness, and stood on the banks of Sauk river, where they met a friend in search of them from the Rapids. The Frenchman died 6 months after, and OLMSTED's constitution received a shock which was the foundation of that insidious disease which brought him to an early grave.

      On his return to Long Prairie, he was elected member of the first legislative council of the territory of Minnesota, at its session in St. Paul; he was chosen its president, which position he occupied with marked ability for 2 years, and in 1853 gave up the Indian trade to the regret of his many red friends, and removed to St. Paul; bought the Minnesota Democrat, then started about one year, which he edited with marked ability. He started the first- daily paper in Minnesota. His opposition to the charter of government, granting lands to the old N. W. Railroad which, on the part of corporations was a grand fraud, caused Congress to repeal the law, and the agents of the company, finding they could not control him, bought out his press. He was elected mayor of St. Paul in the spring of 1854, upon her first municipal election, over older residents; in 1855 moved to Winona, then a village of 25 houses, became fully identified with her every enterprise, contributed much to her prosperity, and in July, 1855, his many friends in the territory requested him to run as delegate to congress. His opponents were H. M. RICE, democrat, and W. R. MARSHALL, republican. H. M. RICE was elected, yet the canvass added much to his reputation as an honest and high-minded man. His health now, which had been failing for some time, induced him. to spend the winter of 1856 and '57 in Cuba and the Isle of Pines. He was accompanied by his nephew, N. B. UFFORD. He seemed to receive some good, and in the fall of 1857 started again to visit them, but on arriving in Fairfax, where his mother resided and many friends, he was prostrated so as to be scarcely able to leave his bed -- and yet he lingered over three years. During his sickness he watched, with anxious solicitude, the disturbed condition of our country, but left before the storm, which was then threatening, burst in its fury. Firm in his principles, he began political life a democrat, and ended by being a republican, was never a partisan, but always a patriot. He died Feb. 2, 1861, and was buried in the cemetery of St. Albans. His wife was a daughter of Judge STEVENS of St. Albans, and, with two children, survives him.

      P.P. OLMSTED, ESQ., brother of the former, settled with him in Monona, where be now resides. He was elected justice of the peace in 1841. At that time, his jurisdiction extended north to the British possessions, and west to the Missouri river. The population, at that time, consisted principally of Indians and soldiers, the inhabitants proper being about 250 (now over 20,000.) There were several thousand Indians, and, as justice, he was several times called upon to hold examinations, where some of them were charged with murder. In 1843, he was summoned by Capt. SUMNER (now General under MCCLELLAN), to hold examination of three Indians, charged with the murder of two men named FAGARDEN and ATWOOD; also two children of FAGARDEN, about 20 miles S. E. of Ft. Atkinson. He committed them, and afterward two of the Indians were found guilty, and sentenced to be hung. In 1844 he held another examination of an Indian charged with murdering a man named ARCHY, and again, in 1846, of another Indian charged with murdering a man named Riley, 2 1/2 miles from his house. He was justice till 1856, with the exception of one year; was postmaster in 1849, and is now a member of the board of county supervisors for Clayton Co.

      There he died in the month of January, 1863, the two oldest persons in town, viz. Mrs. STICKNEY, mentioned in the sketches sent you by Dr. BRUSH, and Mr. DANFORTH of North Fairfax, mentioned in my MS. This leaves Mr. Cyrus WELLS the oldest person now living in town.

LETTER,* Of MR. UFFORD.

JOHN UFFORD.
FROM MRS. G. H. SAFFORD

      John UFFORD, our town historian was a son of Albert UFFORD, born in Fairfax, July 18, 1834. His early years were spent on his father's farm and in acquiring what education a district school could afford. At the opening of the N. H. Institution in Fairfax, he entered as a student, where he remained, -with the exception of an occasional term, spent in teaching, until he graduated, He was possessed of more than ordinary intellectual ability, which being connected with a strong will, enabled him to overcome all obstacles to a thorough education. On entering the institution, he connected himself with the Social Fraternity, one of its literary societies, where he soon became a very efficient member, doing much to strengthen the society, and benefit his fellow students.

      As a speaker, his ideas were original, and his arguments clear and to the point, always giving him an attentive audience. He was sincerely in earnest in whatever he attempted, and soon became an example of thoroughness to those by whom he was surrounded. -- Prof. UPHAM in speaking of Mr. UFFORD as a student, said, that he always made circumstances conform to his will. He graduated with honor, and soon after removed to the West, purposing to enter the legal profession. He was offered a situation in the office of a well established lawyer, in Dubuque, Iowa, but was obliged to decline on account of poor health, much to his regret. The Western climate not agreeing with him, he returned to Fairfax, and in the fall of 1860 accepted a situation as principal of a government school in Canada, where he met with good success.

      On the breaking out of the Rebellion, he came home with the intention of enlisting in the service of his country; but finding that a brother had already entered the service, he returned to Canada, and completed his engagement. He was an earnest patriot, and in the fall of '62 enlisted in the 11th Vermont, and did much to obtain recruits. On the mustering and inspection of the regiment, however, on account of a slight physical defect he was not accepted, which was a great disappointment to him.

      Soon after returning to Fairfax he became interested in Miss Hemenway's efforts to give to Vermont a permanent History, and entered with energy on a preparation of the history of his native town. He spent much time and labor in collecting materials and preparing an authentic history.

      In the spring of '63, he was attacked with typhoid fever, which caused his death, June 26, 1863, in his 29th year. Though his death occurred at a time when mourning was general, his loss was deeply felt by his friends and townsmen.

JOSIAH BRUSH. 
BY DR. A. G. BRUSH.

      One of the oldest and first settlers of North Fairfax, was Josiah BRUSH, one of the volunteers at the battle of Bennington. He resided at the time near Bennington, but after. wards moved to Castleton, at the head of Castleton Pond, and kept a public-house for about 10 years, when he removed to Fairfax, and kept the first public-house in the north part of the town where he remained nearly 35 years, when he once more removed to Swanton, where he died in 1832, aged 91 years. He raised a family of 5 boys and 4 girls. When war was declared with England, in 1812, he ordered his 5 sons, Joshua, Smith, Josiah jr., Epenetus and Jonathan to at once enlist, whereupon they all obeyed, and served their country with honor.

      Josiah was 1st Lieutenant, and when the militia was called, warned out the company and marched for Burlington, Oct. 5,1813, and thence to Cumberland Head, and then to Shergrea, N. Y., where they served till winter, when Lieut. BRUSH was taken sick. He was brought home and was confined to his bed for 2 years. At the close of the war he received a discharge from ever being obliged to do military duty again. He and his wife are the oldest couple now residing in town. He was born in Castleton in 1784. His wife, Sarah ELDREY, was born at New Haven, Ct., in 1786; moved to New Haven, Vt., about 1794, and in 1804 came to Fairfax to teach school in a log school-house near Aaron ORTON's place, riding horseback, 55 miles, through woods and fording streams, which journey she accomplished in a day. She taught the school and completed the above journey two more successive years, when in 1807, she was married to Josiah BRUSH and has ever lived in said town, and at the present day is able to do her own housework. She is mother to 8 living children, grandmother to 41, and great-grandmother to 6, making 55 in the Josiah BRUSH family at the present time (1862.) Since the battle of Bennington the number of descendants from Josiah Brush is 371.

      I have also a history of about 400 names of revolutionary soldiers; of about 4000 of the soldiers of 1812, and of 1000 who were engaged in the Canadian frontier disturbance, April 4th-19th, 1839.

      THOMAS STICKNEY, one of the old soldiers, who was born in Haverhill, N. H., in 1755, and who served in New Hampshire 3 years, lives here and can read and write without "specks." He is aged 96 years, and is the only revolutionary soldier now living in the county (1862). He married Eunice WILLSON. The following is a schedule of his property in 1820:

      The settlement commenced in 1783 at first progressed very slowly, and it does not appear that any professedly pious persons came into town until the spring of 1790, when Mr. John CRESSEY, member of the Baptist Church in Bath, N. H., joined the settlement; and about the same time also Mr. Josiah SAFFORD and Mr. Stephen CHURCHILL and their wives came into the town. These were professedly pious persons, and in a little log-house about one mile north of the village, near the present residence of Mr. Albert UFFORD, they commenced public worship. On a beautiful sunny Sabbath in June, 1790, the silence of the primeval forest was broken in upon by the voice of prayer and praise. Mr., CRESSEY conducted the services, and his son James constituted the choir. In 1793 Mr. Elisha ANDREWS, a licentiate of a Baptist church, came to reside in town, and during the summer preached on the Sabbath. On Oct. 3d, 1793, he was ordained. The services were held in the open air -- he kneeling on a little flat rack near the late residence of Dea. Silas SAFFORD.

      In September, 1793, the church, consisting then of 25 members, was organized about one mouth prior to the ordination of Mr. ANDREWS, whose salary was provided for in the following manner; Dea. THURSTIN engaged to board Mr. ANDREWS and wife; other members of the church agreed to furnish their clothing and $5 in money to purchase books. The year was a very prosperous one; 45 were added by baptism. At the close of the year Mr. Andrews left, for what reason does not now appear. The records of the church from this period to March 21, 1806, are lost. It is however quite probable that during this time, by deaths, removals and other causes, the church had well nigh become extinct.

      In the autumn of 1801, Ephraim BUTLER, a young man and a young convert, came into the place and commenced visiting from house to house. In 1806 an interesting revival was enjoyed, sad 65 added by baptism, and Mr. BUTLER was licensed, and has been permitted to preach the gospel for more than half a century. He is still living, (March 1861.) July 29th, 1806, the church voted to give Rev. Amos TUTTLE a call to become their pastor. This call was accepted, and Aug. 7th, 1806, he waS installed, Isaac SAWYER, Samuel CHURCHILL, Samuel HOLMES, Joseph CALL and A. CROSSMAN taking part in the services.

      We find nothing specific in relation to the salary, until Nov. 16th, 1809, this report of a committee:

      For the next 5 years, from 1812 to 1817, the church was destitute of a pastor, and for about four years they continued the work of disciplining their members.

      In the summer of 1816 an interesting revival of religion commenced in a district school taught by Miss Sophia STONE, now Mrs. SAFFORD, and in the course of a few months 24 were baptized into the church. In April, 1817, while the revival was still in progress, Rev. Mr. TUTTLE returned on a visit to the people of his former charge. Arrangements were soon made for him again to settle as the pastor of the church, and he at once entered upon the duties of his office, and for the next three years the work of church discipline was prosecuted with all due earnestness, nearly every church-meeting was occupied with a church trial.

      Under date of June 10, 1820, we find the first record of the famous controversy on baptism that for a time threatened to destroy the Baptist church of Fairfax. The pastor, Rev. A. TUTTLE, and a large number of the church, it seems, contended that no baptism was valid unless administered by a regular Baptist minister. From this view others dissented, and contended that if a believer was baptized or immersed by a regularly ordained minister, on profession of his faith, his baptism was valid baptism, though the minister might be a member of a denomination other than Baptist, After many mouths discussion the question was brought to a test vote June 10, 1820, and by a small majority the church voted to sustain the views of the pastor and his associates. A vote was then passed directing the moderator to admonish those who in opinion dissented from the majority. And at a meeting held July 14, 1820, a motion was made to withdraw the hand of fellowship from those who had been admonished. The church however voted not to withdraw the hand of fellowship, a few that first voted with the majority not being prepared for such extreme measures. At this stage of matters 33 members, including the pastor, the deacons and the clerk, left the church and established a meeting by themselves; and at a meeting held by the church August 11, 1821, these 33 members were excluded, and this day was undoubtedly the darkest day the Baptist church in Fairfax ever witnessed. A bare majority of names remained on the old platform; but 33 of their number, including all the officers of the church, stood as excluded members. The church however sustained their meetings, Rev. Ephraim BUTLER preaching for them about one half of the time for some four years. Feb. 22, 1825, of the number excluded 22 returned to the church, and made a satisfactory confession, and were restored to the fellowship of the church, and an interesting revival of religion followed. But though most of the seceding members had been restored to the fellowship of the church, yet it soon became apparent that the cause of the difficulty had not been removed, and the baptismal question continued to be much agitated both in public and private. A remonstrance bearing the names of 25 of the persons who had before seceded and had been restored in February, 1829, was presented to the church, and this opened the whole subject anew, and after much discussion, June 6th, 1829, the church withdrew the hand of fellowship from the 25 who had signed this remonstrance. Nov. 19, 18.31, three of these members returned and made a most humble confession, and were restored to the fellowship of the church. Others soon followed, and before the close of 1832 nearly all of the seceding members bad been restored, all in turn giving a solemn pledge that they would never again agitate this question to the grief of the brethren.

      In 1830 Rev. Jeremiah HALL, D. D., then residing in Westford, but now president of Denison University, Granville, Ohio, commenced preaching with this church one half of the time, and was instrumental, to a considerable extent, of effecting the reconciliation as above.

      Thus ended one of the most serious difficulties that ever disturbed the peace of this church. This was on "spurious baptism" as licentiate, commenced his labors with the seceding party termed all baptisms not performed by regular Baptist ministers, and commenced in private circles as early as 1819. In 1920 it was brought into the church, and before the close of the year the church divided, the seceding party established a separate meeting, and the church remained in a divided state for some 13 years. During this distracted state of the church other denominations gained ground, and prejudice against the sentiments of the Baptists took deep root, and the denomination lost ground, which after the labor of years they have not been able fully to regain. At this point in our history we take leave of Rev. Amos TUTTLE. His record as now given will fail to do justice to his memory without a few additional facts. It is true he was not very successful in building up this church, but it must not be inferred that he was not a sound theologian and an able preacher. His views of baptism were evidently a little in advance of the denomination, but on all other points of Scripture doctrine as believed by Baptists, his views were regarded not only sound but remarkably clear. He was regarded by those who knew him best as a true, warmhearted friend, an affectionate and faithful pastor, and as a most powerful preacher. He was open and frank and conscientious almost to a fault. The clearness of his conception, the soundness of his logic and the readiness of his utterance made him popular with the masses, while the integrity of his heart, the purity of his life, and the sincerity of his friendship bound him very firmly to the heart of his friends. He was ever a warm advocate of correct church discipline, to this subject he gave much time and thought, and perhaps in his day there was no man in the denomination that had clearer or more correct views of this subject than he possessed. Blending with this superior knowledge, quick perception, sound reason and ready utterance, he was qualified in an eminent degree to manage difficult cases of church discipline. And the great error of his life was undoubtedly in using this special talent a little too freely. He did not make sufficient allowance for the weakness of human nature, but seemed to think that by proper discipline or pruning a church could be reared not having "spot or wrinkle or any such thing."

      In July, 1832, Mr. J. C. BRYANT, then a licentiate, commenced his labors with the church, and labored with much acceptance for several months. Near the close of 1833 Rev. Isaiah HUNTLEY engaged to supply the pulpit one half the time. His labors were quite successful, peace and harmony were restored, an interesting revival enjoyed, and the church strengthened. May, 1837, Rev. Simeon FLETCHER commenced his labors with this people and remained some two years. During this time nothing of special interest appears on the record. The work of church discipline was still carried forward with considerable earnestness, though not quite equal to former years. The church had also suffered severely in numbers owing to the spirit of emigration, till by deaths, removals, and exclusions, the church had become very much reduced.
Oct. 2., 1839, Rev. C. W. HODGES commenced a series of religious meetings, which continued about two weeks and resulted in much good. In the course of about ten months 3l were baptized.

      In May, 1840, Rev. H. D. HODGE accepted a call from the church to become their pastor and entered at once on the duties of his office. Nov. 4, 1840, Rev. C. W. HODGES commenced another series of meetings, and in a few weeks 16 were baptized. In August, 1842, Rev. H. D. HODGE resigned his pastorate charge. During the period he served the church their numbers were greatly diminished by removals, but yet his labors evidently, under God, accomplished much good. The meetings of the church assumed more of a devotional character, and less time was occupied in church discipline. In fact the period of his pastorate seems a transition period in the history of this church. Up to this time the discipline of the church was strict and severe even to a fault, and probably took the lead in this respect of all the churches in this region. For 30 years there were one or more cases of discipline before the church during almost the entire time. The meetings of the church, instead of being devoted to social worship and religious exercises, were devoted to the examining of witnesses and listening to church trials. Since 1840 there has been a very great change on this point, the members seemingly have become tired of church trials and church exclusions, and for a few year past discipline has been greatly if not criminally neglected.
In the spring of 1843 L. A. DUNN, the present pastor of the church, but then a licentiate, commenced his labors with this people. On the 4th of October he was ordained.

      The history of the church since 1843 the writer will not attempt to give, he must leave this work to be performed by those who shall come after him- He will only give a brief summary of statistics. During his pastorate 376 have been added to the church- 67 by letter and 309 by baptism; 75 have been dismissed, 11 have been excluded; present number 326.

      This church at an early day was most thoroughly indoctrinated in the great fundamental doctrines of the Bible as taught by our denomination. It has ever been thoroughly Calvinistic, though not Antinomian; and there have never been but a very few cases of apostasy. On all the doctrines and ordinances of our denomination, there has ever been a great unanimity of feeling except on the single point of baptism when administered by pedo-Baptist ministers. Millerism, Universalism, Perfectionism, Spiritualism, and the legion of other "isms" that have made such terrible work with so many Baptist churches in this region, have had but little or no effect upon this church.. This church for more than half a century has seemed rooted and grounded in its faith. At times some have complained of its Antinomian tendencies, and others have complained of its Armenian proclivities, but without being moved by the one or disturbed by the other, it has held on the even tenor of its way. This church has had 18 pastors, whose names have already been mentioned. In addition to those names, Rev. Joseph CALL, Rev. Isaac SAWYER, Rev. Roswell MEARS, and others of sacred memory, have often preached with this people and rendered valuable service. This church has licensed some 18 young men to preach the gospel, and has ordained two -- its first and present pastor.

      In 1824 this church, in connection with the Congregational church, erected a meeting-house -- a plain wooden structure 40 by 50 ft., which was the first meeting-house erected in town. In 1848 the Baptist church built a neat, substantial brick house of the same size. It was dedicated Sept. 18, 1848, the pastor preaching the sermon, and Rev. Alva SABIN and others taking part in the exercise. In 1851 the house was enlarged by dividing the building a little back of the center, and then removing the rear part of the house back 16 feet-thus giving room for 16 new pews. It was repainted and frescoed, and Sept. 21, 1851 reopened for public worship. It was furnished with a good bell and organ.

      Such is a brief review of the history of this church. It had its commencement among the log-cabins of the new settlement, and has grown and increased with the population of the town. It has had its perils, and hitherto the Lord hath helped us, and this church is now permitted to have its place beside churches of other denominations in our town and county.

Fairfax, April 1869.

      Gen. RICHARDSON, son of Israel Putnam RICHARDSON, and Susan HOLMES RICHARDSON, was born in Fairfax, Vt., Dec. 26, 1815; made a cadet, 1836 BREVET 2d Lieut. Third Infantry, July 1, 1841; First Lieut., Sept. 1846; commanded his company and was distinguished in battle of Cerro Gordo; brevet Captain for gallant conduct in battles of Contreras and Cherubusco, August 1847; brevet Major for gallant conduct in battle of Chapultepec; Captain, March 1851; brevet Major Third Infantry; resigned September 30, 1855; Colonel Second Michigan Volunteers, April 25, 1861; Brig.-Gen., May 17, 1861; Maj.-General, July, 1862; died at Sharpsburgh, Nov. 3rd, 1862, of wounds received in the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, while commanding a division in the corps of Gen. SUMNER. He was wounded while directing the fire of one of his batteries. He was dismounted and in an exposed position when he was hit in the shoulder by a piece of shrapnel. The painful wound deprived him of the pleasure of commanding his men during the remainder of the action.

      He was one of the first men in Michigan to volunteer for three years, and was made a Col. of the Second Regiment, which became the first three years regiment. Gen. RICHARDSON commanded a brigade at the first battle of Bull Run and was soon after made a Brig. Gen. It was his brigade that covered the Federal retreat and held the pursuing enemy at bay at Centreville. He was the hero of the first day's fight at Blackburn's Ford. Shortly after this and during all the Peninsula campaign he was in command of a Division. He was in all the principal battles in the Peninsula, Williamsburgh, Gaines' Mills, Malvern Mills and others, and always served with distinguished skill and bravery.

      So conspicuous and undoubted was his bravery that his soldiers familiarly dubbed him as "Fighting Dick" -- a soubriquet with which the nation has delighted to honor him."  -- Detroit Advertiser & Tribune, Nov. 5, 1862.

      Gen. RICHARDSON was buried with proper military ceremony at Pontiac, Michigan, Nov. 11, 1862, under the supervision of Brig. Gen, TERRY. The funeral services of the Episcopal church were read by the Rev. Dr. O'BRIEN, of Pontiac, and the sermon was pronounced by the Rev. A. ELDRIDGE, D. D., of Detroit, of the Presbyterian church, of which Gen. R. was a constant attendant. He had been twice married. He was first married to Dona Senorita STEVENSON, of El Paso, Texas, Aug. 3, 1850, who died at El Passe, New Mexico, Aug. 8, 1851. He was again married, May 29, 1861, in Detroit, Mich., to Miss Frances A. TRAVER, only daughter of the late Simon A. TRAVER, Esq., of Kalamazoo, Mich., who, with a young child, survives him.

      Col. I. B. RICHARDSON, of the Second Michigan Infantry, who has distinguished himself by the plain, short and business-like report of his operations, quite as much as by his bravery in the field, is a man of massive frame, with the true iron-like expression of the men of the Green Mountains, of usually quiet manners and unpretentious address. He was educated at west Point, and served nearly 20 years in the army of the United States, which he left a short time since with the rank of Major. His experience as a fighter has been very great. During the Mexican war he distinguished himself in nearly every important battle, and perhaps received more brevets than any other officer of his rank, He was known in the army by the soubriquet of "Fighting Dick," and it was said of him by an officer-himself greatly distinguished for bravery-under whom he served, that "Richardson never appeared well out of battle, but that in one he was magnificent."

      In every-day life Col. RICHARDSON is the slowest and most deliberate of mortals. Ht has none of the martinet in his discipline. Perhaps he should be styled careless in this regard. Neither does he display the particularity as to dress which usually characterizes regular officers. But be can live as his men do and, if there is any fight in them, he will be sure to bring it out. He probably never knew what fear was in his life, and goes under fire with as much nonchalance as ordinary people go to breakfast. None of the commanders sent to Washington by the States were greeted with a heartier welcome by the Commander-in-chief than he was. "I'm glad," said the old General upon meeting him, "to have my fighting Dick with me again, and have plenty of work for him to do;" and in a few days afterwards he placed him at the head of the brigade with which he covered the retreat of the army at Bull Run -- a fact which is now proved by the official account, but which the New York papers, most unaccountably, have kept from the public, probably because be was not appointed from New York city. Yet every description which has been given of the engagement reveals that he was in the right place at the right time, and that whatever he had to do was well done. This, too, without any special design to give him prominence, but because the battle without RICHARDSON would be a funeral without the corpse. He will undoubtedly be one of the principal figures of the war.

      Colonel RICHARDSON is about 6 feet in height, broad-cheated, compact and powerful in form. He is bronzed by the constant exposure of many years of military life, has a loud sonorous voice, which it would take many cannon to drown, and a piercing fiery eye, which few men can meet in anger. His intonation and pronunciation are that of a New Englander. No one who hears him speak can doubt where he comes from. He is no holiday soldier, and has no doubt that war is earnest business, in which man must shoot and be shot, and not a mere opportunity to wear fine clothes, and disport in the bravery of evening parades.

From the New York Times,
THE LATE GEN. RICHARDSON.

      A brief message comes by telegraph, announcing that Maj.-Gen. Israel B. RICHARDSON died at Sharpsburgh on Monday night, of wounds received in the battle of Antietam. So great a loss was seldom told in so few words. The nation is called to mourn one of its staunchest supporters, the army one of its moat gallant leaders. His comrades in battle -- -and in few battles has our flag been borne where "Fighting Dick" did not lead the van - will learn their loss with heavy hearts, and for his death alone the future historian will write the victory of Antietam dearly bought.

      Gen. RICHARDSON entered West Point early in life, and graduated with honor. In the Mexican war, where the making of splendid names was less sudden than in the present contest, there were three names that were seldom absent from the Commander-in-chiefs dispatches -- RICHARDSON, RINGGOLD and ROBERTS. At Cerro Gordo, a First Lieutenant commanding his company, the young hero's brow was sprinkled with fire, and lie received the baptism of "Fighting Dick," for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Cherubusco, he was breveted Captain, and at Chapultepec -- one of the little storming party that swept like a steel-crested wave over the heights -- he won his majority. Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Cherubusco and Chapultepec -- a prouder record no man need ask. Promotion in those days, when it was thought a soldier did only his duty when he stood like a wall and fought like a lion at bay, was slow and must needs be well merited, but seldom were a Major's spurs speedier won or better earned.

      When his country had no further use for him, seemingly, Major RICHARDSON left the army for a farm in Michigan. But he did not beat his sword into a plow-share -- it hung ever bright and ready to his hand against the time when his country should need it. He forestalled the President's call for men, and had a regiment well-nigh organized in his State by the time the Proclamation came rolling over the prairies. With "Fighting Dick" to lead them, men enough were found to follow. But he was not suffered to remain a Colonel long. He needed no introduction to his old commander at Washington, and a few days found him in command of a brigade with a General's star on his shoulder. On the disastrous day which hurled back our army in broken fragments upon Washington, he was conspicuous for his coolness and bravery, and if individual heroism could have turned the tide of battle, it would not have gone against us. When news of the rout and shameful retreat were brought to Gen. SCOTT's ears, almost his first question was, "Where was my Fighting Dick?" The record of the day told. When the Army of the Potomac made its memorable advance upon Manassas, in March last, the writer of this stood with Gen. RICHARDSON around the deserted fortifications at Centreville. "These are formidable works and a strong position, General," we remarked. "Yes, but a much smaller army of us took Chapultepec," he replied.

      When the route to Richmond was changed, and the Peninsula was made the point d'appui, Gen. RICHARDSON was made a division commander, and subsequently promoted to a Major-Generalship for his behavior at Harrison's Landing. His connection with the battle of Fair Oaks will not soon be forgotten. In the retreat from the Peninsula, Gen. RICHARDSON achieved distinction for the prudent and skillful handling of his division not inferior to that he had previously won for valor in the field. In the battle of Antietam he received the wounds that caused his death. He was leading a regiment that had shown signs of wavering under a fierce artillery fire, when a shell, bursting, struck him in the left breast, and his aids bore him from the field. "Tell Gen. McClellan," said he, "that I have been doing a Colonel's -work all day, and am now too badly hurt to do a General's." He was never called on to do duty again. To the only command that could call him from his country's be yielded.

      In person, Gen. RICHARDSON was tall and commanding; 6 feet in height, broad-chested, powerful in sinew, with an eye like an eagle's and a voice that rang out above the shrilling of trumpets. He was scarcely the man that even a chivalrous Southerner would select for a personal antagonist on the field. His New England. birth betrayed itself in his accents, but none ever joked him for being a Yankee In manners and dress he was eminently unpretending, and seen sitting in the door of his tent in slouched hat and only semi-uniform, would he selected by the curious observer rather as the type of a farmer than the ideal of a General. But seen on the field of battle, his character and rank could not easily be mistaken.

      In our brief sketch we have been able to give but a very imperfect idea of the man or of his life. But the biography of a man with whom deeds took the place of words, who acted while others talked, who was in the field before the President called him out, and left it only when the summons of death came, who never had a private quarrel in his life, but was never out of one of his country's battles when it was possible to be in it-the biography of such a man is not to be written in newspaper limits. As soldier and as citizen Gen. RICHARDSON served his country all his life. He never drew his sword without crowning her with honor, and only caused her grief when he died.

      Among the many eulogies to the memory of the late Maj. Gen. RICHARDSON, few, if any, have paid tribute to his sterling qualities as a man. The world acknowledges the hero and history will do honor to his fame; but only those who knew him as a man, and had learned to love him, can appreciate his noble character.

      He possessed the kindest heart and the most unselfish nature; ever careful and considerate where others were concerned, yet as guileless as a child. His intellect was clear, vigorous and comprehensive, and his perceptions so intuitive as almost to appear prophetic.

      Possessing a singleness of purpose in the conscientious discharge of every duty, he despised sophistry and duplicity in all their forms, and went straight to his work with a firm and honest heart. He was earnest in all he undertook, and integrity was so strongly marked in every act, that faith in the man was irresistible. Impartial and just in his conclusions, lenient in his judgments, firm in the right, and unswerving in his duty, he impressed his manhood upon you. The most humble could approach him, sure of an attentive hearing and a sincere interest in their wants; and the affectionate respect with which he was regarded by every soldier in his division is an evidence of his considerate care for their welfare.

      They all felt and appreciates the true nobility and grandeur of his character. Despising all vain pretensions, pomp and show, he recognized greatness only by its worth. With manly independence of thought and action, he was urbane and deferential to honest difference of opinion, but fearless in the expression of his own.

      The innate kindness of his heart made him tolerant and charitable. He looked at the world through his own unselfish nature, trust-ed to that integrity in others, which was but a counterpart of himself.

      Life to him was earnest, and he felt as though it must be so to all; thus his trust and confidence in human nature. The qualities that made up the man adorned the soldier, they were one and inseparable; in that his greatness consisted. He carried his manhood ever with him, and lived out the honest promptings of his heart. No one could be in daily intercourse with him and not feel his worth. Frank, cordial and genial, and unpretending, where he trusted, he confided.

      A close observer of men and events, a concise reasoned, possessed of a wonderful memory, and an analytical mind, his conclusions were carefully and accurately drawn, In council, as in the field, he was ever the same fearless, independent man, conscious of the right, and steadfast in its maintenance. His character was marked by strong contrasts, but the same generous impulses prompted every act, whether by the family hearth or on the tented field. It is in accordance with perfect manhood that it should be so.

      Forgetfulness of self pervaded his life. At home, the dutiful son, the devoted husband, the affectionate brother, and kind friend; thoughtful and ever mindful of those he loved, guarding them with jealous care and tender solicitude.

      But as he was kind and gentle in retirement, so was he stern and invincible in war; and, as he had lived for others, so did he die.
J. H. T.

"The Vermont Historical  Gazetteer: 
A Magazine Embracing A History of Each Town, 
Civil, Ecclesiastical, Biographical and Military."
Volume II, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille & Orange Counties.
Including Also The Natural History of Chittenden County.
Edited and Published by Miss Abby, Maria Hemenway. 
Burlington, VT. 1871.
Page 165 - 190.

Transcribed by Karima Allison 2004