Gazetteer of Vermont, Hayward, 1840.

      Franklin is situated in the northern part of Franklin Co., lat. 44° 58' and long. 4° 2'; bounded N. by St. Armand, C. E., E. by Berkshire, S. by Sheldon, and W. by Highgate; contains 19,040 acres; in form somewhat irregular, as the surrounding towns were surveyed first, leaving this tract a little deficient in measure and outline.

      The surface of the land is uneven, but not abrupt. There are only two hills worthy of mention, Bridgeman Hill lying west of the Center village, and Minister Hill about a mile north -- the former, according to Prof. HITCHCOCK, being a peak or "uplift," of the Bed Sand-rock Mountains, a distinct range, running through the N. W. part of the State.

      The soil is mostly a gravelly loam, with an occasional mixture of clay and sand, and is well adapted to all purposes of agriculture. The timber consists of maple, beach, hemlock, pine, &c. There are several swamps, abounding in cedar and ash, furnishing excellent fencing material. There is also plenty of stone, but little of it is adapted to building purposes. Slate and limestone are occasionally found. -- The only mineral yet discovered is hematite, a species of iron ore. There are no streams of importance, Rock River, a small stream that passes through the western part of the town and several brooks, furnish the available waterpower, which is, however, quite meager. -- There are at present in operation on these streams, 1 grist-mill, 1 carriage-shop, 1 carding-mill and 6 or 8 saw-mills. A little east of the center of the town is Franklin Pond, a pleasant body of water, pleasantly surrounded. about 2 1/2 miles long from south to north, and 1 mile wide; connected with this by a brook, on the east line of the town, is another body of water, known as the Little Pond, surrounded on three sides by an extensive marsh, which is gradually extending into the water -- the pond being only about one-half as large now, as at the time of the settlement of the .town, In the north part of the town is also an extensive marsh, containing 224 acres. There are no natural curiosities worthy of mention.

      This township was not inhabited by Indians, previous to its settlement by white men; but the St. Francis, a Canada tribe, employed it as a summer hunting ground, where, game being plenty, they procured their winter's stock of provisions. They used to drive the moose and deer from the hills adjoining the Little Pond, into the marshes, where they succeeded in killing them, and then prepared their flesh, with that of other animals, for transportation, by drying upon racks in the sun. There were plenty of deer, and even for a time after the first settlement of the town, they were so tame as not unfrequently to feed in the adjoining meadows. Bears and wolves also were plenty, and committed their usual depredations upon the corn-field and sheepfold, and afforded many occasions for the rally and the spirited hunt, but these inhabitants of the forest have long since disappeared, and it is rarely now one is heard of. Otter have been taken in this town, and the remains of beaver-dams is conclusive evidence that that animal once inhabited these regions. The mink, musk-rat, fox, and raccoon are still occasionally found, but gradually disappearing, and perhaps, a generation hence, will be curiosities, preserved only in the museum of the naturalist.

      Franklin was granted Oct. 24, 1787, and chartered by Governor CHITTENDEN, to Jonathan HUNT and his associates, March 19, 1789, by the name of Huntsburg. The township was, according to charter, to be divided into 69 equal parts and shared by the proprietors as follows -- with the reservations for public purposes: Hon. Jonathan HUNT, 31 shares, Samuel HUBBARD, Esq., 18 shares, Joseph FAY, Esq., 7 shares, John BRIDGEMAN, Jr., 4 shares, Hon. Ebenezer WALDBRIDGE, 3 shares, Dr. Ebenezer MARVIN, 1 share. Three equal shares were reserved for educational and two for religious purposes, making in the whole, 69. At a meeting of the proprietors of the township of Huntsburg, held at the dwelling-house of Joseph FAY, Esq., in Bennington, March 18, 1789, all being present, the following business was transacted, viz.:

      The first settlement in town was made by Samuel HUBBARD, in 1789. - He left Northfield, Mass., in March of that year, with 3 hired men, 1 yoke of oxen and 1 cow, and came by way of Skenesboro, down the lake to Missisquoi Bay, C. E., where he found a few settlers, and 10 miles to the eastward of here, in this town, selected the site now occupied by his son, Hon. J. H. HUBBARD, where he commenced a clearing, sowed 10 acres to wheat, and then returned to Northfield. The following spring he came again to Missiquoi bay; this time accompanied by his wife (having been married in the interim), and John WEBSTER and wife. Here the women remained until suitable habitations could be constructed in the wilderness.

      Mr. HUBBARD built the first log-house, frame-barn, grist and saw-mills, took active part in all matters of private or public importance, and, being a large landed proprietor, must have had business transactions with most of the early settlers -- yet have never heard aught against his name.

      John WEBSTER settled on lands at the center of the town, where his descendants still reside. For facts relating to Mr. WEBSTER's life, see biographical sketch.

      Samuel PECKHAM settled a little to the west of Mr. HUBBARD, where he built and kept the first public house. He remained here a few years, and then with his son, Samuel PECKHAM, Jr., commenced a settlement at the Center, where he resided until his death.

      John BRIDGEMAN, Jr., proprietor, settled a little to the west of the Center, near the hill that bears his name -- time unknown. Dr. Ebenezer MARVIN, proprietor, was the first physician in town, and a very prominent man. He built the first frame house, which is still standing -- a relict of the past, about a mile north of Mr. HUBBARD's, near the Province Line, now owned by Mr. Alvah RICHARD.

      Uri HILL, of Tinmouth, and Stephen ROYCE, father of ex-governor ROYCE, first came to town in the fall of 1789, and settled near the Province Line, north of the center of the town. They did not remain here long, as I find that Stephen ROYCE was the first representative of the town of Berkshire, in 1796, and Uri HILL went either to Canada or Highgate. 

      They had quite an adventure upon first coming to town, in trying to find their " pitch,' -- as related by Ebenezer HILL, Esq., of Highgate: They came up on the north-west corner of the town, and proceeding a short distance to the east, turned southward, passing through a low hemlock-timbered region, thence over Bridgeman's hill, into the low lands now occupied by the mill-ponds, in the vicinity of the Center village; taking a turn eastward, they came to a "stand-point" in "Cranberry Marsh." Not liking the "lay of the land," -- at least that portion through which they had passed, -- ROYCE ascended a tree for the purpose of making any discovery that might lead them out of the seeming labyrinth of swamp and hill, in which they had become involved. After surveying the surrounding prospect awhile, HILL asked ROYCE "what he saw?" "I hardly know what I see," exclaimed ROYCE, "but I know what I think: I wish the first man that ever visited Huntsburg had had his tongue cut out before he had the opportunity of telling any others what he saw, -- so vexed was he at the unfavorable country through which they had passed, and perhaps, supposing the rest might be of the same character. Taking a different course, they next passed over "Minister's Hill," and finally emerged upon a hard-wood tract of land, the most beautiful they ever saw, found their "pitch," and probably felt somewhat compensated, in the great change of the landscape, for the fatiguing tramp they had undergone.

     Paul GATES, a native of Worcester, Mass., came into town from Orwell, this State, about the year 1790. He settled a mile south of the Center, where his descendants now reside. -- He drove the first sleigh into town.

      Samuel HITCHCOCK lived in town previous to June, 1792, as I find the first proprietary meeting was called by him, as justice of the peace, and runs as follows:

"Whereas, application has been made to me by more than one-sixteenth of the Proprietors of Huntsburg, in the County of Chittenden, to warn a meeting of said proprietors: This is therefore to warn them to meet in said Huntsburg, at the house of Samuel HUBBARD, on the first Wednesday in October next, at 1 o'clock, P. M., to act on the following articles, viz.:     1st. To choose a Moderator and Clerk.      2d. To see if they will establish the boundaries of the late survey and draught of lots in said town.      3d. To see if then will vote an allowance to those proprietors, whose lots have been drawn or laid, partially, in thee pond, or are otherwise deficient in quantity.      4th. To see if they will provide ways and means to finish the survey, and divide the commonage into severalty, and to do any other business proper to be done when met. SAMUEL HHITCHCOCK, Justice of the Peace. Huntsburg, 12th of June, A. D., 1792.''    At said meeting as warned, -- Samuel PECKHAM, Moderator, and Samuel HUBBARD, Clerk. "Voted, to establish the boundaries of lots agreeable to the late survey. "Voted, to establish the late draught of lots in said town. “Voted, an allowance to those persons who drew lots in the pond, by taking a like quantity on the south and east sides of the Great Pond, so called, if there is a sufficiency; if not, out of the other commonage on an average. “Voted, to complete the survey for the division of the commonage in said town. "Voted, to raise Six Pounds for the purpose of scaling the two ponds in said town. "Voted, to choose a committee of three, to procure a surveyor to scale the two ponds and pay him. “Voted, to choose a Collector -- and made choice of Samuel PECKHAM. "Voted, to choose a Treasurer-and made choice of John BRIDGEMAN, Jr. "Voted, to adjourn this meeting to the last Wednesday in May next, to again meet at this place. SAMUEL PECKHAM, Moderator."

      The town was organized in 1793, Ebenezer SANDERSON, first town clerk, and Paul GATES, first treasurer, Samuel PECKHAM first representative in 1794. There are no town records in existence previous to 1802, so that possibly some matters of interest are thus rendered unavailable. Clark ROGERS settled early at the Center, and built the first tavern-stand at that place, near where the store of Alonzo GREEN now stands, where many of the proprietary meetings were held.

      DR. ENOCH POMERY, a native of Southampton, Mass., came to this town in 1794, taught school and practiced medicine for a year or two. After this he married Miss Mary TINNEY, of Bennington, and became a permanent resident. He followed the occupation of a farmer, having made a "pitch" where his son, Jesse POMERY now resides, and also practiced medicine, until within 3 or 4 years of his death. In those days of "roads anywhere you might happen to find them," the doctor used to visit his patients on horseback, guided on his way by marked trees to the scattered settlements. -- He died January, 1833, aged 62 years. His wife died August, 1863, aged 85 years.

      HEZEKIAH WEED settled early in the south part of the town, about where E. H. CLEAVELAND now lives. He was justice of the peace, and town representative in 1811.

      CAPT'. KENDALL. -- I find that Capt. William KENDALL settled on what is since known as the John HAMMOND farm, in the S. E. part of the town, as early as 1794, and that a man by the name of Robert YOUNG lived on the same tract about that time. Capt. KENDALL was killed by the falling of a building, used as an ashery, a little south of here in the edge of Sheldon, in 1798.

      WILLIAM FELTON, I should have mentioned previously, came into town in 1806, and settled at the Center, where his son Alonzo FELTON now resides. He was a prominent and respected citizen, and was seven times elected to the state legislature, and twice to the constitutional convention.

      The eastern part of the township was early settled by quite a number of persons who only remained a few years and then removed to the West. The time of settlement of each is not known, but probably extended from 1794, the year when Capt. KENDALL came into this part of the town, down until 1800, or perhaps later. The most prominent of these early settlers were:

      DANIEL DEAN, or, as be was more familiarly known, "Elder Dean," for the reason that he sometimes officiated on funeral occasions in the absence of a regular clergyman. He lived on the place now occupied by William Stanley.

      SALMON WARNER, or Squire Warner, as be was called, lived on the place now owned by Ai PEARSON. I think he was the first school-district-clerk in this part of the town, and was representative to the legislature in 1806.

      CAPT. LEMUEL ROBERTS lived on the place now owned by Dolphus DEWING. He was in the Revolutionary war, and while a resident of this town published an account of his life and adventures, It is to be regretted that a copy of this work has not been preserved, as doubtless some matters of interest would have been found therein.

      The first permanent residents of this part of the town were Trustum C. COLCORD, John HAMMOND, Reuben CURRIER, James STEVENSON, William SISCO, Asa FAY, Eleazer OLMSTEAD, &c,

      T. C. COLCORD died in 1800, and at so late a date no clergyman could be obtained to attend the funeral services, and Elder Dean, previously mentioned, made a prayer on the occasion.

      The soil in some sections of the eastern part of the town, seems to have undergone a considerable change for the better since its first settlement; for, where quite a number of individuals became discouraged at the uncertain prospect before them and disposed of their farms or clearings for a small sum and emigrated -- some with ox-teams -- to the West, are now our most prosperous farmers, who have, by their own exertions, transformed the barren wastes and wilderness into fruitful fields, and secured a goodly heritage.

      Having thus sketched, although but imperfectly, the early settlement of the town, I will refer again to the records for such items of interest as may deserve a place in this chapter. At the first proprietors' meeting held in this town, Oct. 3, 1792, it was voted to choose a committee of three, to procure a surveyor to scale the two ponds, and pay him.

      I find at a meeting of the proprietors, held at the house of Clark RODGERS, inn holder, May 26, 1807, Samuel HUBBARD of this town, Ebenezer MARVIN, jr., of Sheldon, and Adolphus WALDBRIDGE, of Burlington, were appointed a committee for the proprietors to scale the several ponds in town, to ascertain the number of acres covered by each; also the number of acres contained in the swamps and other lands unfit for cultivation, and to survey all the undivided land in town for a 3d division.

      This committee were also instructed to prepare a correct chart or map of the town, with the allotments of the several surveys, divided into 69 rights or shares, with the different ponds, swamps, streams, &c. At this meeting Ebenezer MARVIN, jr., was appointed agent for the proprietors, to prosecute any trespass on the common, or undivided lands of said proprietors; who was directed also to take suitable measures to ascertain if the proprietors were in danger of losing any of these common lands, by reason of the "statute of limitations," and to prevent any such loss by all means within his power.

      Report of the Committee appointed to scale the ponds, &c., and prepare a chart of the town: Quantity of land covered by the great pond, 1684 acres and 80 rods; by the little pond, 140 acres water and marsh ; Cranberry marsh, 224 acres and 80 rods. Amos FAY surveyed the town for the committee, 3d division of land, March 25, 1811. This closes, the proprietary records.

      We find that quite a number of men have and are now residing in town who served in the war of 1812, viz: John WEBSTER, Jabez KEEP, Erasmus OSBORNE, William FELTON, William WRIGHT, Benjamin SISCO, Horace GATES and Henry BOWMAN, the last two only of whom are now living.

      The name of the town was altered from Huntsburgh to Franklin, Oct. 25, 1817. The legislative proceedings in relation to the change are as follows:

ITEMS

      Ebenezer MARVIN, jr., first attorney in town. First birth, John, son of Samuel HUBBARD, August 4, 1791. First marriage, Nov. 29, 1792, by Samuel PECKHAM, Esq. -- Paul GATES to Zeruiah SPOONER. First death, Susannah, wife of Samuel PECKHAM, Jan. 30, 1796. First cemetery laid out in town, the one adjoining the Center village. First person buried, Mrs. Susannah PECKHAM. First highway surveyed, the one leading south, through the town, from Samuel HUBBARD's to some point on the Missisquoi river in Sheldon, -- time unknown. John WEBSTER kept the first articles of merchandise for sale, composed of groceries, iron ware, nails, &c., which he brought with him into town from New Hampshire. Thomas and Uri FOOT kept store in a log building belonging to Samuel HUBBARD; and Thomas erected the first building for this purpose about the year 1810. First military company formed in 1808-- Samuel HUBBARD, Capt.; Ephraim JOY, Lieut.; Thomas FOOT, Ensign, and William FELTON, Sergeant.

      The inhabitants of Franklin are mostly farmers, and in general pretty intelligent and successful. Sheep and horses are raised to some extent, but dairying is the leading occupation, and in consequence, large quantities of butter and cheese are yearly manufactured.

      Farms vary in size from 100 to 1000 acres, and are generally under a good state of improvement.

      FRANKLIN CENTER, a Small and pretty village, is pleasantly located and contains a tavern, two stores, four blacksmith shops, a harness shop, a tannery, a saw-mill, a carding-machine, a furniture shop, two carriage shops, two churches, an academy, post-office and about 30 dwelling-houses.

      EAST FRANKLIN has a church, post-office, store, saw-mill, blacksmith shop and several dwelling-houses.

      Samuel PECKHAM, 1794, '96, '97, 1801, '04. Samuel HUBBARD, 1795, '98, '99,1800,'0'2,'05, '07, '08, '12, '13, '14, '15, '16, '17, '19, '20. Salmon WARNER, 1806. Samuel PECKHAM, jr., 1809, '10. Hezekiah WEED, 1811. William FELTON, 1818, '24, '25, '26, '29,'31,'34. Joshua PECKHAM, 1821. Reuben TOWLE, 1822 '23. Geri CUSHMAN, 1827, '28. Philip S. GATES, 1830, '32, '33, '43. Elisha BASCOM, 1835,'36 Henry BOWMAN, 1837, '38. Jonathan H. HUBBARD, 1839, '40, '41, '46. Dolphus DEWING, 1842. Isaac WARNER, 1844. Peter CHASE, 1845. 1847, '48, '49, not represented. Lathrop MARSH, 1850, '51. John P. OLDS, 1852. Solon KINSMAN, 1853, '54. Charles FELTON, 1855, Vincent HORSKIN 1856, '57. Alonzo GREEN, 1858. John E. WHITNEY, 1859, '60. Philo HORSKIN, 1861, '62. John COLCORD, 1863, '64.

TOWN CLERKS

      Ebenezer SANDERSON, 1794. 1794 to 1802 no record. Sam'l PECKHAM, 1802-'04. Samuel PECKHAM, jr., 1804-'12. Samuel HUBBARD, 1812-'27. Philip S. GATES, 1827-'45. John ADAMS, 1845-'51. Alonzo GREEN, 1851-'53. Vincent HORSKINS, 1853-'59. Alonzo GREEN, 1859 (present incumbent 1864.)

COUNTY OFFICERS

      Ebenezer MARVIN, Chief Justice in 1796, '97, '98, '99, 1800,'01, '02, and '08. Jonathan H. HUBBARD, Assistant Chief Justice in 1845,'46, and '47. Ebenezer MARVIN jr., State's Attorney, in 1807, '08, '12, and '15. Ebenezer MARVIN, State's Attorney in 1813.

STATE SENATORS

      Jonathan H. HUBBARD, 1843, '44, '48. Alonzo Green, 1859, '60.

MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL 
CONVENTION

      Samuel HUBBARD, 1814; William FELTON, 1822; William FELTON, 1828; Orville KEMPTON, 1836; John J. DEAVITT, 1843; Charles FELTON, 1850.
JUSTICES, WITH TERM OF OFFICE.

      Jonathan H. HUBBARD, 25 years; Philip S. GATES, 23 years ; Nahum TEMPLE, 22 years; Enos PEARSON, 22 years; Peter CHASE, 19 years; John K. WHITNEY, 15 years; Dolphus DEWING, 12 years.

CENSUS

    1791 -- 46; 1800 -- 280; 1810 -- 714; 1820 -- 631; 1830 -- 1129; 1840 -- 1410; 1850 -- 1647 1860 -- 1781.

GRAND LIST

      Owing to imperfections in the record of the grand list I have been unable to obtain that of an early date.

ATTORNEYS

      Attorneys who have lived and practiced in town Ebenezer MARVIN, jr., J. J. BEARDSLEY, ___ BASFORD, John J. DEAVITT, J, Eugene TINNEY, Romeo H. START.

PHYSICIANS

      Ebenezer MARVIN, Enoch POMERY, Geri CUSHMAN, George S. GALE, Enos PEARSON, Sheldon S. SEARLES, C. N. BURLESON, E. J. POWERS, Geo. S. BRIGGS.

THE WAR OF 1812 AND THE SMUGGLERS

      During the war of 1812, a pretty extensive business in the line of smuggling was carried on by some adventurous citizens of this and adjoining towns. Many droves of cattle were taken across the "lines," on which a good price was realized, and numerous loads of merchandise found their way "this side," notwithstanding soldiers were stationed along the border, to prevent the illegal traffic. -- This being the case, there must have been numerous exciting adventures between the United States officiate and the "contraband dealers," some of which are still remembered, as related by the participators. The "smuggler's road," as it was termed, extended from some point on the Missisquoi river, in Sheldon, through this town, on the east side of the pond, to the lines adjoining St. Armand, and the whole distance was then an entire wilderness.

      William McKOY, a Scotchman, who came to this town with John Hammond, from Clarendon, about the year 1800, was a shrewd, wide-awake man, and one just suited to this line of business, in which he took an active part; and as a consequence, participated in some novel adventures, one of which we will relate and style, The Smuggler's Stratagem:

      At one time, preparations having been made to take a drove of cattle across the "lines," a certain night, and it being necessary to divert the attention of the Berkshire custom-house officer from the movement, McKOY undertook this part of the proceeding. During the day he persuaded the officer to accompany him to Franklin Center, for the ostensible purpose of intercepting the drove that was to pass, he said, on that side of the town. The officer was rather suspicions that all was not right; and, as night came on, and no cattle made their appearance, he became uneasy, and demurred at staying there, when the drove was probably passing on the other side. McKOY thought it would soon be along, when they would secure the prize;-but after remaining as long as he thought necessary for the safety of his companions, he concluded he might be mistaken in the course taken, and they had better correct the error at once. Proceeding with all haste to the north end of the pond, -- when they reached the "smuggler's road," McKOY, being a little ahead, plunged into the path, and riding a swift horse was soon out of hearing, in pursuit of his companions, leaving the out-witted officer in the forest, three miles from home in the dead of night.

      McKOY was once arrested for debt on the "other side" of the line, taken to a tavern, and placed under a guard for safe keeping. Pretending to be in no way alarmed or disconcerted, he removed his hat, coat and boots, and seated himself by the fire, as it was winter, and cold. Some men and boys getting up an excitement in the street, he asked permission to witness the scene. Not expecting any attempt to escape in his exposed condition, his request was granted. Watching his opportunity, when the guard was not very vigilant, he took advantage of their remissness, and left, Taking a bee-line across the fields, and being in a good condition "to run," he distanced all pursuers, and escaped to "this side," freezing both feet in the race. He effected numerous other escapes from officers and keepers, some of an amusing character, -- being always in trouble with some one, -- but their relation would fill a large space, and the above will suffice.

      I notice a relation of Col. CLARK's excursion to St. Armand, and attack upon the British at that place (see Burlington chapter, p. 502.) The colonel, with a number of men, visited the same township on another occasion, for the purpose of arresting a company of smugglers with a drove of cattle they had taken across the lines. The latter, supposing the former to be a British officer come to purchase their cattle, gathered around, eager for a good bargain, when, upon a given signal, part of the company were taken prisoners -- the others succeeding in escaping. The confiscated cattle were now turned upon their back track, while their former owners were obliged to assist in driving. This they did so cleverly, that upon arriving in Sheldon, the Colonel having no further need of their services, generously allowed them to proceed to their homes. After the conclusion of the war, the smugglers were summoned to Rutland, to answer for their misdoings. The father of the Hon. Geo. P. MARSH was employed as their counsel. -- Upon his raising a question of law, "that driving cattle on foot was not transporting beef," -- and the point being carried, -- they were released.

      The men of this town were men of discretion anti intelligence -- not ignorant adventurers, seeking their own personal aggrandizement merely, but men of sound practical knowledge -- men of prudence and foresight in the establishment of schools, and the organization of churches.

      Three grants of land were made for educational purposes, in the charter of the town: one for the University of Vermont, one for the first County Grammar School, and one for the schools in town.

      In 1795 and '96 there was a school taught by Josiah ALLEN, in a log house 1 1/2 miles north of the Centre, near the orchard of Esq. HUBBARD. This school was small. The only persons now living who attended this school are Ebenezer HILL, Esq., of Highgate, and Ex. Gov. ROYCE, of Berkshire [Since deceased]. In the summer of '96, Miss Easton taught school in the house of Esq. HUBBARD.

      In the winter of 1796 and '97. Dr. Enoch POMERY taught in a house in this vicinity. Scholars came from all parts of the town.

      There appear to have been no other schools in town up to this period, and no regular school-houses -- schools being taught in "back-kitchens" and sometimes in small log-buildings. The houses of Esq. HUBBARD, Mr. COBURN and Dr. MARVIN were each of them opened for this purpose. Those schools were supported by voluntary contributions -- Esq. HUBBARD paying one-half, and others the remainder.

      I am not able to learn the amount of wages paid at this time, as there are but few living who attended either of these schools.

      In 1798, the town was divided into 2 districts called the North and South Districts. The school in the South District was taught by Dr. ROBINSON in a log-house, north of the present house, near the garden of Dr. Enoch POMERY. This log-house was the first school house built in town.

      In 1799, John VAN ORMAND taught school in the house of Samuel PECKHAM, Esq., near HUBBARD's mills. This year two more districts were formed -- Centre and North-west Districts. In 1800 a log schoolhouse was built in the North District. An elm tree standing on the west side of the highway-south of Mrs. Letta PECKHAM's house-marks the spot. Judge BARNARD taught school in this house. He is said to have been a "superior teacher-a man of liberal education." Scholars from St. Albans and Vergennes attended this school. In 1803 a log-house was built in the N. W. district, near where the North and South road meets the east and west road-by HUBBARD's. This house was known as the "Democratic School House." Mr. Geo. HOLBROOK and sister were the first teachers -- afterwards Dr. Stephen COLE and others.

      In 1806, three more districts were formed -- called the North, Middle and South districts, east of the "Great Pond." No school appears to have been taught in either of those districts until a much later period.

      In 1809, a school was taught at Franklin Centre, -- in the house owned and occupied by Wm. FELTON, sen. -- by John HUBBARD. A school is said to have been taught in this district as early as 1794, by Mrs. John BRIDGEMAN in a log-house near the residence of Mr. Charles FELTON. If this be true, it was the first school taught in town, but I can find no persons living who attended this school. The first school-house in this district was built in 1800, and occupied the ground where the shop of Esq. TEMPLE now stands.

      In 1809, a school was taught in the South district-east of the "Great Pond," by Miss Almira WARNER. No school house was built until 1815. Three families sent each 7 children to Miss WARNER, who taught in a private house.

      In 1810, there were 5 districts containing 250 scholars. Amount of public money for use of schools, $86.37.

      In 1812, the districts were remodeled, but there appear to have been no schools taught except in these 5 districts until 1823.

      In 1820, the number of scholars returned was 227. In 1823, the first school was taught in the North district, east of the pond by a Mr. STEVENS, in a log-house north of the present house. In 1825, a school was taught in a log house west of the residence of Mr. Samuel BLISS, by a Miss Betsey BRIGGS.

      In 1830, number of scholars returned 325. About this time a school was taught in the S. W. part of the town by Miss Angeline BEACH. Some years later the districts were numbered.

      In 1840, No. of scholars 400. In 1850 No. of scholars 500, No. of districts 12. In 1860, No. of scholars, 525, No. of districts, 14.
For the past few years the schools have been making a constant but steady progress. The public money for several years has been about $440. Annual expense of schools $1250.

FRANKLIN ACADEMY

      Franklin Academy was incorporated in 1849, and went into successful operation the following year. Mr. SMITH was the first preceptor, since which time there have been several changes. The school is increasing in popularity.

      Average No, of students per term during the year 1863, was 72.

      The present principal, A. M. BUTLER, M. A. has had charge of the school four years.

1897 List of Church Members of the First Congregational Church, Franklin, VT