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SCENERY ~ VILLAGE, ETC.

      St. Albans is supposed to contain at this time, January, 1869, about 6000 inhabitants, of whom, perhaps 4,300 are included in the village. The next census will probably show the town to be the third in population and commercial importance in the State. The village is situated 3 miles from the lake, at an altitude taken at the court-house, of 375 feet above it. Rev. Henry Ward BEECHER, in the opening chapter of Norwood, remarks as follows:


"The scenery of New-England is picturesque, rather than grand. Scarcely any other excursion could be planned which would so well fill a summer vacation, as one which, winding leisurely up through the western portions of Connecticut, of Massachusetts, and of Vermont, reached a climax at St. Albans, on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain; a place in the midst of greater variety of scenic beauty than any other that I remember in America."
      The village covers an area of nearly 2 miles square, and is situated on a gentle slope from east to west. The highest point is found at the residence of Gov. SMITH, which is 215 feet above the depot. A street from north to south was laid out by the proprietors of the town of the generous width of 6 rods, and on this and portions of cross streets lying nearest, the principal business of the village is carried on. North of the public park, this is called North Main Street, and south of it, South Main Street. Other streets running parallel with this, and others crossing it, are devoted to dwelling-houses. These, it is believed, will compare favorably with the private residences of New England towns generally. There are, in the village, 61 stores and a large number of mechanic-shops. Aside from the machine-shops of the rail-road company, and an extensive foundry establishment, the manufacturing industry of St. Albans is not deserving of special mention. Probably there is no place in the country, where the manufacture of various articles in common use, could be as advantageously conducted as here. On Tuesdays, when the butter and cheese, from the surrounding country, is brought here for shipment, it is no unusual spectacle to see more than 300 teams in the streets, and the space around the depot and the streets leading to it, nearly' impassable for the crowd.

      The hotels, stores and shops are full, and the place presents all the appearances of a great market town. This is especially noticed by those who visit the place after an absence of 10 or 15 years. They find but few buildings which they can recognize as ever having been seen by them before, and new and unknown faces in all the public resorts of the town.

      The pure air and delightful scenery of St. Albans have, within the past few years, come to be appreciated, and it has acquired considerable reputation as a place of summer resort. Numbers of refined and cultivated people have come among us to spend a portion of the sultry months of summer, and special attention has been given to the making of their stay enjoyable. We have 4 hotels, the oldest of which is the American, occupying a central position on the west side of the park. It is spacious in extent, having 90 rooms; and, for many years, has been a favorite stopping place for the business public. The St. Albans House is nearer the depot, not so large as the others, but well kept, and has an abundant patronage. The Tremont House is situated in North Main-street, and has a fine location. It is 3 stories in height, with a French roof and observatory, and has 68 eligible rooms. The Welden House is mainly supported by what is known as the "pleasure travel." It is 4 stories, and has 200 rooms -- is the largest country hotel in New England, and is furnished with every thing, in a scale corresponding with the large hotels of the cities. Its situation is high and airy; and during the hottest days of summer there will usually be found a delightful breeze circulating in its ample corridors. In front, upon the south, is the public park, 50 by 20 rods in extent, surrounded by a row of maples, which were planted in the year 1838, and have attained a good size for shade as well as ornament. Trees are scattered over the surface of the park, where, on bright sunny days, are seen groups of beautiful children playing at croquet, or gamboling upon the smooth green-sward. The stranger, visiting our village for the first time, receives a good impression as he alights from the cars, and finds himself in one of the most spacious and magnificent depot-buildings in the country. Nor will this impression be dissipated, when, housed in his comfortable hotel, he discovers nothing to remind him that he is not in one of the first-class hotels of our large cities. A series of beautiful and picturesque drives stretch out in every direction. One of the most popular is that along the Maquam shore, where the road runs some miles upon the bank of the lake, passing through a rich agricultural district. Another is at the end of St. Albans Point, where there is a pic-nic grove and good fishing-ground, with no want of boats. Then, there is the drive to Georgia-bay, to the mineral springs in Sheldon and Highgate, and to the village of Swanton. But by far the pleasantest excursions are those made to the hills in the rear Bellevieu, nearly 1300 feet above the level of the lake, is but 2 miles from the depot. This is conceded by all visitors, Mr. BEECHER being among them, as affording one of the most delightful views to be found in this, or any other country. At the foot of the hill lies the village -- beyond it stretches out a beautiful tract of highly cultivated farming country, from which rise, here and there, church-spires, with villages clustering round them. Then the broad, placid waters of Lake Champlain, with its numerous islands -- the distant New York shore, and, to the S. W. the Adirondacks, which, in the language of Mr. BEECHER, rise "not in chains or single peaks, but in vast broods, a promiscuous multitude of forest clothed mountains. On the north is scooped out, in mighty lines, the valley of St. Lawrence; and, in clear days, the eye may spy the faint glimmer of Montreal." On the east rise the successive masses of the Green Mountains, one of the loftiest peaks, Mount Mansfield, seemingly close at hand. Aldis hill, 500 feet in height, is within 20 minutes walk of the Welden House. This is of easy ascent for pedestrians, and its Summit is visited a good deal through the summer months. Parties go up in the morning, and pass a good portion of the day in those lofty solitudes, contemplating the tranquil panorama which opens out on every side; or, lounging away the time in half-dreamy conversation, or looking over the pages of some favorite author.

      DANIEL B. MEIGS came to St. Albans in 1785, and, having selected a farm, brought his family the next year. He was the first constable of the town and an active influential citizen for many years. His son, the late John MEIGS, was the first child born of civilized parents in St. Albans. Mr. MEIGS died some twenty five years ago.
      JONATHAN HOIT was here at the organization of the town, and first town clerk; filled many offices of trust afterward, among which was that of judge of probate. He united with the Congregational church in 1808, and was always a reliable and influential man.
      ABIJAH STONE for many years a magistrate and clerk of the town, died Sept. 29, 1840. One of his daughters married N. W. KINGMAN, a second the late Hon. Jacob COLLAMER, U. S. Senator, a third the Hon. Philip H. MOORE of St. Armand, in Canada.
      CAPT. FREEBORN POTTER moved into St. Albans in 1786, from Sunderland, Vt. and was an active influential man during his life, which closed August 9, 1845.
      DAVID STEVENS was born at Methune, Mass., July 2, 1763. He came to St. Albans nearly 70 years since. He took a prominent part in town affairs, and died Aug. 31, 1844.
      CAPT. JOHN GILMAN was among the early settlers and lived half a mile south of the court-house on the farm still occupied by his descendants. He died Aug. 31, 1845, aged 76 years.
      LEWIS WALKER filled many town offices and was highly esteemed among the first Settlers. He died Sept. 5, 1852, aged 82 years.
      CAPT. JOHN GATES died July 21, 1838. He raised a large family of children, who have been more than ordinarily successful in life. He was the father of Silas GATES whose death is noticed in the history of the town.
     THE BROOKS FAMILY. -- Hananiah came in 1788, Azariah and Eleazer in 1790, Adonijah and Asahel subsequently. They settled upon St. Albans Point -- were a thrifty and industrious set of men, and have left many descendants.
      DEA. DAVID CAMPBELL was here as early as 1790; settled in the north part of the town; attended the meetings of the Baptist church, in Swanton, of which he was deacon.
      ELEAZAR JEWETT settled in the north part of the town and built a grist and saw-mill on a stream that is now nearly dry. He came in 1793, and has been dead many years.
      ORNAN TULLAR lived on the first farm south of Jewett. He came to town in 1796 -- was a prominent member of the Congregational church, and highly esteemed by his townsmen.
      DR. HIRAM FAIRCHILD STEVENS was born in St. Albans, Aug 3, 1825. He was the eldest son of David and Rachel (FAIRCHILD) STEVENS, and received a good English education at the Franklin County Grammar School in St. Albans. At the age of 15 his father died and he became, by request of his parent, a private pupil of the Rev. Dr. SMITH, at that time pastor of the Congregational church. In August, 1842, he was entered as a student of the University of Vermont, and became a member of the Sophomore class. His health was such, that he was frequently interrupted in his studies, and at the commencement of his senior year, much to his regret, he was obliged to abandon his collegiate course altogether. In 1849, he entered the office of Dr. John L. CHANDLER and commenced the study of medicine. During his course of study, he attended lectures at Pittsfield, Mass., Woodstock, Vt., and at the College of physicians and surgeons, in the city of New York, where he took the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in March, 1850. His health failed again in 1852, and in the Fall of that year he went to Jacksonville in Florida, where he passed the following Winter. He came home in the Summer much improved, but fearing a recurrence of his disease (that of the lungs), he returned to the South, and passed the Winter following in Charleston, S. C. His health was now so well established that he returned in the Spring of 1854, and recommenced the practice of medicine in his native town. This he continued with remarkable success, until the time of his death, which occurred from typhoid fever, Jan. 15, 1866.
      Dr. STEVENS was a very decided Christian. He was admitted a member of the Congregational church, Dec. 5, 1847, and was always esteemed as one of its brightest ornaments. He was married Aug. 7, 1849, to Miss Louisa JOHNSON, of Georgia, who is still living. In October, 1857, he was elected president of the Vermont Medical Society, before which he delivered the annual address, a production which was received with much favor. In 1856 and '57, he was elected to represent the town of St. Albans in the General Assembly of the State, and was chosen to the State Senate by the county of Franklin, in the years 1862 and '63. From this brief record it will readily be seen that his standing was in all respects high. He was amiable and kind-spirited to an eminent degree, and his deportment dignified and graceful. He secured the confidence of all classes, and few men have lived more respected, or died more lamented.
      BATES TURNER was born in Canaan, Ct., in October, 1760, of respectable and pious parentage, from whose example and precepts he early imbibed those religious impressions, and that sacred regard for the rights of his fellow-men, which he never ceased to cherish through his after life. Deeply participating in the sense of wrong and oppression which pervaded the public mind at that period, he entered the army of the Revolution at the age of 16, and exposed himself to hardships and dangers, in defence of the liberties of his country. At the close of the war he entered on a course preparatory to the profession of law; to the duties of which his subsequent life was devoted. He attended the celebrated law-school at Litchfield, then in charge of Judges REEVE and GOULD; and, after pursuing the usual course of study, was admitted to the bar, and soon after removed to Vermont He married about this time, Mrs. Persis HUMPHREY, who lived near the city of Providence, R. I. He first settled in Fairfield, in the year 1796, which place it was then supposed would be made the shire-town of the county. In 1798 he removed to St. Albans, and in 1804, formed a copartnership with Asa ALDIS, which continued but a few years;' and Mr. TURNER removed back to Fairfield. There he set up a law-school for the purpose of preparing young men for admission to the bar. He was reputed to have the faculty of fitting his students for admission and practice in much less time than was ordinarily spent in preparatory studies. Hence many young men resorted to him for the purpose of being fitted for admission to the bar in a shorter time than the rules of the court required.

      Nearly 175 students at law were entered in his office; a number exceeding by far that of any office in the State, as well as most of the private law-schools of New England. In 1812, he moved to Middlebury, with the purpose of establishing a law-school in that place. Not receiving adequate encouragement, he returned to Fairfield. In 1814 his wife died; and, in 1815 he removed to St. Albans. Soon after this he married Mrs. Sarah WEBB of North Hero, a lady of uncommon excellence, who died Aug., 1839. In the year 1827, and again in 1828, he was elected a judge of the supreme court. At the expiration of the second term, he returned to his profession. As a sound lawyer, a fair minded and skillful practitioner, a companion at once amiable and facetious, he enjoyed, it is believed, the confidence and esteem of the bar in this county, with which he was for some 50 years connected, and to which he stood for a long time related as its senior member. Few men entertained so high respect for the profession. Indeed, while others cultivated it as a means of affluence and fame, Judge TURNER -- to whom no one ever imputed a sordid or covetous spirit -- loved it for its own sake; and in the recollections it furnished he found an unfailing source of gratification, even after the infirmities of age had withdrawn him from active pursuits. His life is full of instruction to those who covet for themselves a cheerful and happy old age. He was preeminently a genial man, always in good spirits-courteous and kind to all around him. His conversation sparkled with witticisms and piquant sayings, which 40 years ago were quoted by almost every body. He was particularly noted for his powers of repartee. Once, when calling upon a lady acquaintance, with his bag of law papers in his hand, he was playfully reminded by her, that Judas carried a bag. "Yes," said he, "and he kept better company than I do, too," He would always get out his sleigh upon the first appearance of snow, whether there was sufficient for sleighing or not. Once he was grinding along on the grave, the road-way being merely white from a recent flurry, when a neighbor met him and said. "Well, Judge, how does it go?" "Rather hard." he replied" the fact is, you can't have right good sleighing without some snow." His social habits he cultivated to the last, receiving and returning the visits of his friends with the utmost cordiality and gust, till within a few days of his death. His interest in passing events, whether of a public or local nature, hardly suffered a decline -- scarcely any abatement in his active habits was observed till about the age of 80 years. Up to that period. no obstacle seemed sufficient to deter him from his out-door calls. At all seasons of the year, through the most inclement weather, and over roads deemed almost impassable to young and hardy men, he might be found, pursuing his cheerful way to his appointed object. As a Christian, his memory will be long cherished among his surviving acquaintance. He was an honored and influential member of the Congregational Church in St. Albans from the time of his last settlement, in the year 1815. The last years of his active life were zealously employed in promoting the spiritual welfare of those around him; and the evening of his days devoted to pious meditation and prayer. With Christian serenity of mind he contemplated the approach of death, and died, April 30, 1847, at peace with God, and in charity with all men.


NEHEMIAH WASHBURN KINGMAN.
BY HON. JAMES DAVIS.

      Nehemiah W. KINGMAN, a native of Canaan, N. Y., came to St. Albans more than 60 years ago. He was a hatter by trade, and for a considerable time worked at his trade here. He subsequently enlarged his business, and kept a small retail store of groceries and dry-goods in connection with the hatting business. By degrees he gave up the hatting business, and limited his attention to dry gods and groceries, and such other matters as were usually kept in a country store. He was industrious and frugal in his manner and style of living, and by such means he was able, in the course of his residence in St. Albans, to acquire an ample fortune. Though living frugally, and avoiding all sorts of extravagance in his domestic management, he was liberal and public spirited in relation to what he considered to be beneficial to the town or to the community at large. He came to St. Albans a poor mechanic, and died worth more than $100,000, a larger estate than that owned by any other man in Franklin county at that time, excepting, perhaps, one man. He died in 1845, at the age of about 65 years, after a long and lingering illness, which obliged him to relinquish business some two or three years before his death.

      His first marriage was in 1805, with Miss Almira HUMPHREY, a step-daughter of Judge TURNER, who died in 1816. He was married in 1820, to Miss Thankful STONE, who died in 1855. He represented the town of St. Albans in the general assembly of the State, for the year 1816; and, Dec. 31, 1815, made a profession of religion by uniting with the Congregational church. He was exceedingly reticent and undemonstrative. His diffidence, was such that he never took part in public meetings, but enjoyed the entire confidence of the community. At his death, he left a provision far his pastor, Rev. Dr. SMITH of $80 per annum, during his pastorate, which was paid by his administrator.

      As a man of business and enterprise, the death of Mr. KINGMAN was considered as a public loss. There is reason to believe that had his life and health been spared, he would have been among the first in this community to have assisted and carried forward to completion the important projects that have been planned and executed in this part of the county, which has added so materially to the wealth and prosperity of the village and adjacent country. For many pears previous to his death he was president of the bank of St. Albans; and the stock-holders of that institution are much indebted to his prudent management of its concerns for the good standing it constantly maintained through all the difficulties it had to encounter, and for its successful termination at the expiration of its charter.


SETH WETMORE
BY HON. JAMES DAVIS

      Seth WETMORE came to St. Albans about the year 1800. He was a native of Mass., and had been unfortunate in his speculations in Georgia lards, or in the Yazoo claims, as they were called. He studied law in Middlebury, and came to St. Albans to commence practice. After he came here he married the daughter of Gen. SHEPHERD of Massachusetts, who died not long after, leaving one son, William Shepherd WETMORE, now a wealthy citizen of Newport, R. I. It does not appear that Mr. WETMORE possessed much property when he came to St. Albans, or afterwards acquired much by his practice as a lawyer. His second wife was the daughter of Deacon SMITH, and the sister of the late Hon. John SMITH. She died many years ago. He was two or three times elected a member of the General Assembly. Sometime previous to 1810, he was appointed sheriff of the county. At that time it was hazardous to be sheriff on account of the scarcity of money, the difficulty of collecting debts by process of law, and the general demoralization of the people. Such a state of things often occurs in a new county, where the settlers are made up of all grades of persons, coming from different places and for different reasons. Mr. WETMORE was unfortunate in his official or ministerial operations, trusting too much to the assurances and honesty of those with whom he had to deal. He was a defaulter on an execution for a large amount in favor of the Vermont State Bank, and was confined to the jail limits for some time. His bail was prosecuted on his bond, and their property sold on execution. This created a prejudice against him of course, on the part of the sufferers, which they did not overlook or forget. He became embarrassed in his financial affairs, and remained so to the end of his life. He again turned his attention to the practice of law, and supported his family by that means. Subsequently he was judge of probate for the county, and held the office from his first appointment in 1817, till he died. He was also a member of the executive council for Franklin county for a number of years in succession. In the discharge of his duties under these appointments, he faithfully served the county and State to the entire satisfaction of the people generally. He was a useful citizen in all matters that concerned the welfare and prosperity of the community, and his opinion and advice was much relied on in all concerns of the village.

      He was reputed to be a sound lawyer, though not an eloquent advocate; and he was honorable in his practice and business connections with his professional brethren. For a long time he was the principal magistrate in the town for the trial of causes, and in that capacity he officiated more than any, other man in the town or county. An anecdote is related of him as an instance of absent-mindedness, or rather his want of skill in remarking the difference between horses that bore a slight resemblance to each other. In early times, before there was any regular line of stages between St. Albans and the place where the legislature was sitting, he borrowed a horse of a neighboring farmer to ride to the seat of the State government. At the end of the session he returned home, and sent the horse which he rode to the supposed owner, who, as soon as he saw the horse, declared it was not his, but an inferior animal. He refused to receive the horse. Mr. WETMORE was unable, after diligent search and inquiry to discover any traces of the horse he had borrowed, and which be had somehow exchanged away for the very inferior one he rode home. The circumstance was the more singular, as one of the horses was a gelding and the other a mare. Mr. WETMORE, of course, was obliged to pay the difference of value between the two animals.

      Mr. WETMORE was a respectable member of the Methodist church. His death occurred after a long and lingering illness of a pulmonary character. The members of the bar generally attended his funeral, and marched in procession to the grave. His son, William Shepherd WETMORE, has since erected a handsome monument to his memory. His death took place in August, 1830, when he was about 65 years of age.


GEN. LEVI HOUSE 
BY HON. JAMES DAVIS.

      Gen. HOUSE was probably the most conspicuous attorney, here, in those early times. He came into St. Albans about the time the county was organized; perhaps a little before. He first resided in Georgia, and there married the daughter of Nathaniel B. TORREY. After his removal to St. Albans he became quite noted as an advocate of the law. For a considerable time be was successful in business, and, before the year 1802 he was reputed to be the first attorney in the county. He seems to have been a man of brilliant talents, but not a learned lawyer. His legal qualifications were such as pleased the majority of the people of those times. He was bold, positive and abusive. He had a great run of business, and at one time was supposed to be quite wealthy. It has been said that he kept no books of account, but made his charges on loose strips of paper. He was negligent in collecting his debts, and consequently lost a considerable portion of his earnings. He built a house on the spot where now (1860) stands the dwelling of H. R. BEARDSLY, Esq. This house was the largest and most costly of any before erected in the county of Franklin It was of wood, but elegant and showy. It was burned to ashes in 1821, while owned by Orange FERRIS.

      He was elected Brigadier General, and served for several years in that capacity. He was a man of independent feelings, fearing and caring for no one. He was profane and abusive in relation to those whom he considered hostile to him. He was a federalist in his politics, and deemed all those of the opposite party his political adversaries. The writer has in his possession a copy of a memorandum written by the late Seth WETMORE, detailing the conversation, or rather the language, held by HOUSE towards Judge JANES, at a public inn, in St. Albans, August 7, 1808. It was profane and abusive in the extreme. JANES was then chief judge of the county court, and requested Mr. WETMORE to note down the language used by HOUSE, with a view, probably of commencing an action of slander against HOUSE. The language was undoubtedly actionable; but it does not appear that JANES ever brought an action of the kind against HOUSE for this slanderous language. He probably considered that HOUSE's abusive language was harmless, as to any injury to reputation. HOUSE by this time had become intemperate, and people had lost confidence in him as a lawyer, and as a man of business. He became involved in debt, and was unable to pay. He not long after -- previous to 1810 -- removed to Canada, and, of course, did no more business in St. Albans. He afterward returned here, where he died to 1813. He left no property. The spacious house which he had built had sometime previous become the property of another proprietor.

      SILAS HATHAWAY came from Bennington county to St. Albans to look out for a place of settlement, in March 1788; and afterwards, in 1789, moved with his family to the farm on which Romeo H. HOYT now lives. His first house was a log-house, a little south of where Mr. HOYT's house now stands. All the boards that were used in the house were those which composed the sleigh-box in which the family rode from Bennington to their now residence. In 1793 he built the house in which Mr. HOYT now lives. He occupied the house and farm till 1800, when he sold it to Asa FULLER, and moved to Swanton Falls, where he owned mills. He afterwards removed back to St. Albans, where he died in November, 1831, at the age of 67 years. Mr. HATHAWAY was a noted man in town, was influential, and had much to do in town matters, He was called Baron HATHAWAY, on account of the lands he owned or claimed in Swanton and St. Albans. Those lands had all slipped through his hands, before his death; and when he died there was very little left for his widow.

NATHANIEL B. ELDRIDGE.
BY THE HON. JAMES DAVIS

      Mr. Nathaniel ELDRIDGE came to St. Albans in 1811, from Connecticut, which was his native State. He had been admitted to the bar then, but had not been in practice but little, if any. He made application for admission in this county, and after some preparatory study he was admitted in the winter of 1811-12. He commenced practice in St. Albans, and soon obtained a considerable run of business, particularly as a collecting attorney. He was quite popular with a considerable portion of the federal party by whom he was esteemed as a young man of talents, and deserving patronage; and they threw into his hands all the business they could. He was somewhat fond of military honors, and he was made colonel of the regiment which embraced the militia of the town. His health soon began to fail; and he was advised to take a voyage to a more genial clime. Accordingly, in the summer or autumn of 1819 he went to France. He staid in Bordeaux the following winter, and in the spring returned to St. Albans with improved health, as he supposed. He again commenced business in his profession. But the disease with which he was afflicted soon assumed a confirmed character, and he died of consumption in the Summer of 1821.

      Col. ELDRIDGE was not reputed to be a great lawyer, not having arrived to that age at which the mental faculties are supposed to be fully developed or matured, His friends had full confidence that if his life had been spared he would have obtained a highly respectable standing as a lawyer and as a citizen. Some four or five years before his death he married Eliza JONES, daughter of Joseph JONES, one of the early settlers, who died several years before. Col, ELDRIDGE's widow re sided in St. Albans some considerable time after her husband's decease, but finally removed to Upper Canada to reside with her brother. She there married a Mr. MORRIS, and died several years since.


JOSHUA K. SMEDLEY
BY THE HON. JAMES DAVIS

      Joshua K. SMEDLEY was born in Georgia, in this county, about the year 1783 or '84. He studied law with Benjamin SWIFT, and was admitted to the bar in 1809. In the next winter, 1810 or '11, he formed a partnership with Gen. Elias FASSETT of St. Albans, and removed to the village, where he and his partner continued in the practice of law for several years, until the connection was dissolved by the removal of FASSETT into Chittenden county. Mr. SMEDLEY continued his business afterwards in this place for a considerable time; first alone, and then in connection with Henry ADAMS, until the summer of 1828, when he was attacked with a violent fever of which he died. FASSETT died in Burlington, some years before.

      Mr. SMEDLEY had not the advantage of a classical education, except what was attainable at the Franklin county Grammar School in St. Albans. But he was not an unlearned man. He made good use of the opportunities which bad been afforded him, and treasured up a store of information which he turned to a good account in the practice of his profession. He was reputed to be a man of sound sense and strict integrity. He stood well at the bar as a sound lawyer; and though not highly distinguished as an advocate, there were few young men in this vicinity who had a better reputation for legal knowledge, or could be more safely consulted as an adviser or counsellor. He had many warm, devoted friends, and few, if any enemies. He was what is called, a self-made man, not having had the advantages of powerful or influential friends to assist and patronize him in the commencement of his practice. For the reputation he acquired as a faithful and industrious lawyer, he was indebted to his own habits of industry and perseverance and to those alone. He was never married, and left but few relatives to mourn his loss.

      He was the representative of St. Albans, in the general assembly of the State, in 1817.

      DEA. HORACE JANES, son of Judge Jonathan and Mrs. Martha JANES, was born at Brimfield, Mass., Sept. 18, 1781, and came to St. Albans early in the, present century. He was post-master of the town from 1807 to 1829, and clerk of the courts from 1816 to the close of his life. He was elected one of the deacons of the Congregational church, Aug. 30, 1827, and was active and faithful in the discharge of his duties. He was a man of uncommonly decided christian character, and particularly distinguished for his liberality in the support of religious institutions. He was for many years the agent of the great benevolent societies of the country, to receive and forward the benefactions of the charitable. In him, the sick and afflicted ever found a helper and friend; the youth a guide and counsellor, and the cause of truth and righteousness a firm and consistent advocate. He died a truly Christian and peaceful death, March 15, 1834.
      JOHN SMITH was the youngest son of Dea. Samuel and Mrs. Patience SMITH, and was born in Barre, Mass., Aug. 12, 1789. He came to St. Albans in the year 1800, with the family of his father, who purchased a farm upon which he settled, in the S. E. part of the town. Titles to lands in northern Vermont became at this time exceedingly uncertain, and source of much vexations and expensive litigation. Deacon SMITH lost his farm, through a defective title, and removed to the village. With such preparation as the slender educational facilities of the town afforded at that time, he commenced the study of the law in the office of his brother-in-law, Roswell HUTCHINS. His legal studies, however, were mainly prosecuted in the office of the Hon. Benjamin SWIFT. He was admitted to the bar in 1810, and soon afterwards formed a copartnership with Mr. SWIFT, in the practice of the law. This firm was remarkably successful, having a very large and remunerative business, and ranking second to none in ability and integrity. The copartnership continued for 17 years, when Mr. SWIFT, having been elected a representative to Congress, retired. Mr. SMITH was married Sept. 18, 1814, to Miss Maria W. CURTIS, of Troy, N. Y., who still survives him.

      Dec. 31, 1815, he made a profession of religion, by connecting himself with the Congregational church, and continued to the day of his death, an active acid influential member. He held the office of state's attorney for the county of Franklin, from the year 1827 to '33, and was the representative of the town in the general assembly of Vermont, with the exception of 1 year, (1834) from 1827 to '38. He was elected speaker of the house in 1832 and '33. In '38 he was nominated by the democratic party as their candidate for representative in congress. The district was strongly whig; but the personal popularity of the candidate was such, that after three spirited trials he was elected.

      In 1840, the great political storm that swept the country, carried away Mr. SMITH with it, and his congressional career was terminated March 4, 1841. But one speech of his was ever published. This was in defense of the much abused Independent treasury bill, and was of ability: and, judged in the light of subsequent events, would be considered eminently wise and just. He continued the practice of law after his dissolution with Mr. SWIFT, having several partners at different times, until 1845; when, until his death, he gave his time and energies to the introduction of rail-roads into Vermont, the State in whose prosperity he took a very decided interest. Opportunities are sometimes afforded to men of doing much to benefit the communities among which they live and to command the reverence and gratitude of the generations who succeed them. Enterprising and far-seeing, they take advantage of circumstances, or inaugurate a course of measures, the result of which is to greatly advance the material wealth and prosperity of those with whom they are associated in interest Thus it was that Mr. SMITH, and other gentlemen in different parts of the State, in the perfection of our great lives of rail-way, were instrumental in conferring inestimable and lasting benefits upon the people. As a benefactor to the county of Franklin, and of St. Albans in particular, no one deserves to rank with Mr. SMITH. The fruits of his sagacity, boldness and untiring energy are too abundant; the memory of his earnest struggles and ultimate triumph too fresh, to admit any questioning of this assumption. That his perplexing and exhaustive labors were the cause of his sudden death, Nov. 20, 1858, there is no reason to doubt. Mr. SMITH, throughout his entire life, was eminently liberal and public-spirited. The estimation, in which he was held by his townsmen, is shown by the many all but unanimous elections to offices of trust, which he received at their hands. To say that he was an exemplary and moral man, is to say nothing. He was much more. conscientious and firm in his religious principles, he led the life of an earnest Christian man, "full of charity and good works, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."

      JOSEPH S. BRAINARD came to St. Albans, from Troy, N. Y., in October, 1808. The Hon. Lawrence BRAINARD, who was brought up in this family, came in with them. The subject of this sketch was an active and influential man in town affairs, and for many years was deputy-sheriff and keeper of the jail. He died Jan. 1, 1817, leaving a widow who died Feb. 22, 1857.
      JEREMIAH MCDANIEL, a young man of extraordinary ability and piety, came to St. Albans in 1815, to study the classical languages at the academy. His parents then resided in the east part of Johnson. He was at this time but 17 years of age; but was licensed to preach by the Methodist Quarterly Conference. He may be said to have been a Christian all his days, so lovely was his character and so humble and conscientious his daily walk, all through his boyhood add youth. At the request of the Methodist congregation in St. Albans, he was stationed here in 1816 and '17. His saintly life, and the almost angelic fervor and beauty of his ministrations, attracted the attention and regard of many outside his own denomination. He gave great promise of eminence and usefulness, but his brilliant career was to be a short one. Severe pulmonary symptoms were apparent in the fall of 1817, which increased gradually, and toward spring he became partially insane. His reason was never regained. The disease continued to progress, and he died at the house of Daniel DUTCHER, August 17, 18l8, aged 20 years.
      DR. JULIUS HOYT was the son of Samuel HOYT of Guilford, Ct., from which place he removed with his family temporarily during the Revolutionary war, to Sunderland, Vt., as a place of safety from the incursions of the enemy. The subject of this notice was born in Sunderland, Nov. 26, 1778. The family remained in Sunderland till the war was over, and then went back to Guilford. When he was about 17 years old he went to live with his brother Joseph, who had settled in Westford, Vt., in which place he taught school. From Westford he went to Arlington, where he studied medicine with Dr. TODD. While prosecuting his studies, he found it necessary to labor to procure the requisite means; and accordingly worked on the Hudson river at Lansingburgh, at a time when a great effort was making to render the river navigable to that place. The project failed, and the city of Troy was consequently built up, and Lansingburgh went down, or ceased to grow. After he had completed his studies he formed a partnership with his cousin, John WILCOX, in the druggist business, and removed to Vergennes. In July, 1802, be came to St. Albans, and established himself as a physician and druggist on the corner of South Main and Nason streets. He had a store afterwards on the ground now occupied by the American House. He subsequently purchased the brick store which he occupied until he died, part of the time as a store, and the latter part of the time as a dwelling-house, he having fitted it up for that purpose. The practice of medicine was soon relinquished, and his stock of goods was extended to the usual assortment of a country store. Sept. 15, 1805, he was united in marriage with Miss Jemima TAYLOR, daughter of Col. Holloway TAYLOR, who is still living. He connected himself by profession with the Congregational church, Dec. 1, 1811, and was, from that time to the day of his death, among its most honored and influential members. March 1, 1816, he was elected one of its deacons, an office which be held during the remainder of his life. 

      Dr. HOYT was a man of great decision of character, strict in the performance of his religious duties, honest and straightforward in all his dealings. In the latter part, of his life he became actively interested in the great slavery controversy, and by his influence and benefactions, sought to accomplish its overthrow. Previous to his death, he had retired from the prosecution of mercantile business, and employed his time in superintending the work upon a farm lying near his residence, on which his son, the Hon. Romeo H. HOYT, now lives. He never had the slightest aspiration for office, and consequently, although possessed of every requisite qualification, he was never elected to any but town offices. As a decidedly religious man, he was known throughout the State; and his fluency and aptness in remark, are still remembered by the few of his contemporaries who survive him. He lived unostentatiously and prudently, and although his religious contributions were on a liberal scale, he acquired an ample estate, which fell to his widow and two children, who survive him. His last disease was cancer in the face. It had been for years in development, but at length became exceedingly painful and confined him to his room. He died Nov. 14, 1852. It need not be added that be bore his sufferings with Christian patience and resignation, or that he left the world with a tranquil, yet firm and abiding hope in a blessed immortality.

      DR. EPHRAIM LITTLE was born in Cummington, Mass, Dec. 7, 1779. He was educated at Deerfield Academy, and studied medicine in his native town with Dr. Peter BRYANT, a physician of great eminence in his profession, and father of William Cullen BRYANT, the poet. In 1802, he married Miss Elizabeth NORTON, of Ashfield, Mass., and in the year following came with her to St. Albans, and commenced the practice of his profession. He lived, for about 12 years, one mile south of the village. After this, he owned and occupied until his death, the house which formerly stood where Dr. O. F. FASSETT's house now stands, near the Welden House. He united by profession with the Congregational church, Jan. 7, 1814, and March 1, 1816, was chosen one of its deacons, and discharged the duties of his office until his death. He was a man on whom his pastor could always rely, as a steadfast, friend and helper, and his fervent love for the great truths of Christianity, together with his ability and zeal in discussing and defending them, were widely known. He soon came to be considered as an able and skillful physician, humane and assiduous in his care of the sick and distressed. He was believed by the people to be punctiliously honest and safe as a practitioner, and as a consequence, he soon attained a highly respectable practice, which he held through his life. He died of consumption Dec. 30, 1829, aged 50 years; leaving a large circle of warm and sincere friends to mourn his loss.
      DR. BENJAMIN CHANDLER was born in the State of Connecticut, in August 1772. His father soon after settled in Vermont and was killed in the battle of Bennington, Aug. 16, 1777, by a shot from one of the tories, who had rallied under the standard of Col. BAUM, the British command. Dr. CHANDLER became a medical student in the office of Dr. CHIPMAN, at Pawlet, and afterwards with Dr. Ebenezer MARVIN, of Tinmouth. He settled in Fairfield, Vt., in 1792, and, being almost the only regular surgeon and physician in the county, his ride became very extensive Having a large and increasing practice in St. Albans, he removed thither in 1807. Here he became the leading man in his profession, a position which he maintained throughout his life. His opportunities for the obtaining of an education were exceedingly slender, and yet, by the industrious use of such as were within his reach, he became a fair classical scholar. He pursued the study of the Latin language by the light of the kitchen-fire, and improved every advantage that offered to increase his stock of learning.
      Dr. CHANDLER was not an office-seeker, and consequently was not an office-holder. Like most professional men of high standing, he devoted his principal attention to his profession, disregarding the honors and allurements of office as being of little value compared with the celebrity of a skillful and learned physician. He, however, did not ignore politics, but manifested a deep interest in the affairs of government. He was a federalist, in the stormy times preceding and during the war of 1812, and was consequently opposed to the measures adopted by the national government in relation to the war, and to the acts of Congress preceding the declaration of war against Great Britain. His opposition to the acts of the dominant party, and the fearless expression of his opinion on public measures and public men, produced enemies who were not backward in manifesting their opposition to him. And this opposition was not confined to him as a politician, or as a citizen; but extended to his practice as a physician. But it did not detract from his high standing in the medical fraternity as a skillful surgeon and physician.

      Dr. CHANDLER, as we are aware, never expressed any dissent to the leading doctrines of Christianity. But he was considered to be somewhat skeptical in matters pertaining to religion. But whatever his doubts were respecting the great truths of Christianity, they were removed a short time previous to his death; and he died an open and public professor of the doctrines pertaining to the Episcopal church.

      In the year 1818, to recruit his health, which his active labors had seriously impaired, he visited the Springs at Saratoga, N. Y. Receiving no particular benefit, he started upon his return, and had reached the tavern of Gen. Jacob DAVIS, in Milton, where, from weakness, he was obliged to remain. In the course of a week, however, he rallied to such an extent as to bear the remainder of his journey home, where he died Dec. 13, 1818, aged 46 years.


HON. JONATHAN JANES
By HON JAMES DAVIS

      Jonathan JANES emigrated from Hartford, Ct., soon after, if not before, the organization of the county of Franklin. He first settled in Richford as an agent for some person in Hartford who owned a large quantity of land in that town. He removed to St. Albans some years after, and was appointed a judge of the county court; was subsequently judge of probate and clerk of the county and supreme court. He died in the summer of 1824, at an advanced age. Judge JANES was a man of strong mind, considerably above the average of men in his situation. During the heat of party controversy between the Federalists and Republicans, he was a warm and zealous partisan, and took a decided stand in favor of the measures adopted by the general government, preceding and during the war of 1812 with Great Britain. By reason of his party politics he had political enemies, as almost every man had in those stormy times, who was conspicuous in the ranks of either of the great political parties. But he had, however, a very respectable standing in society, and was hold in honorable estimation by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.


REV. WORTHINGTON SMITH, D. D.

      Probably no man has ever lived in St. Albans, who made so decided and enduring an impression upon the public mind, as the Rev. Dr. SMITH. His ministry covered a space of 27 years, during which time (with a few interruptions only,) he produced two finished sermons each week, which he delivered to his people. A memoir [By the late Professor and President, Joseph TORREY, of the University of Vermont.]  and selections from his sermons have been published, but as the work will be seen by a few only of the readers of this, the following brief sketch is given. He was the son of Dea. Seth and Mrs. Lydia SMITH, and was born at Hadley, Mass., Oct. 11, 1795. His ancestors had lived upon the farm where he was born from the first settlement of the town in 1659, and the farm still remains in the possession of members of the family. His preparatory studies were pursued at the academy in his native town, and he entered the sophomore class in Williams College, in the year 1813. He graduated in 1816, and during the same year made a profession of religion by joining the Congregational church in Hadley. Having decided to become a preacher of the Gospel, he entered the Theological Seminary, at Andover, in the fall of 1816. His theological course was completed in 1819, and as he did not think it best to enter at once upon the duties of the ministry, he accepted the situation of principal of the academy at Hadley, in which be continued about a year. He received a call Feb. 17, 1821, from the church in Windsor, Vt., which he declined, for reasons which are unknown. In the month of August, 1822, he came to St. Albans on a short visit to the friend who was soon to be his faithful helpmate to the end of his life. Here, as will be seen in the history of the Congregational church, he was ordained pastor, June 4, 1823. He married Miss Mary Ann LITTLE, eldest daughter of Dr. Ephraim LITTLE, of St. Albans, July 1, 1823, and thus became settled and domiciliated on the spot which was thenceforth, and to the end of his life on earth, his fixed residence, and the home of his affections.
 

      As early as 1835, he began to receive applications to exchange his field of labor. These came from wealthy and influential churches, and from literary institutions, but all which, he felt constrained to decline. A formal call in 1837 from the Washington street church in Beverly, Mass., he favored so far, as to submit the matter to a council. This council, of which Rev. Prof. MARSH was moderator, unanimously decided against his dismission, and in this he acquiesced. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity, in August, 1845. When the seat of President of the University of Vermont, was vacated by the resignation of Dr. WHEELER, in 1849, Dr, SMITH was appointed to the vacant office, At first he declined. Afterwards, when it came to be represented to him, that unanimity in the choice of a presiding officer could not easily be secured in the case of any other nomination, he consented to reconsider the matter; and finally, to the general regret of the church and community with whom he had been so long connected, and who were now, as before, exceedingly unwilling to part with him, he accepted the appointment. The failure of his organs of speech, now worn and enfeebled by long and constant public speaking, was an argument, both to himself and his friends, in favor of his trying the experiment of a change of labor, in a vocation where there would be less occasion for a constant strain upon the voice. He entered upon the duties of the Presidency and was inaugurated in August, 1849. The 6 years which followed, were believed to be the most laborious of his life. In the autumn of 1853, an observable change in the state of his general health began to be remarked by his friends, and in August, 1854, he gave in his resignation to the corporation, At the earnest request of the board, he consented that their action upon his resignation might be postponed, but at the next commencement, in 1855, he requested that it be accepted, which was done. The interval was short between the termination of his connection with the college, and the termination of his mortal career. Feb. 4, 1856, he was obliged to take his bed, and on the 13th, he expired.

      The following letter from the late Rev. Dr, PEASE, the immediate successor of Dr. SMITH in the office, well embodies what should be said in conclusion:


“Professor Torrey:

Dear Sir -- I can, without much difficulty, comply with your request; that I would give you my impressions of the general character of President SMITH. His character was marked by traits so distinct and positive as to make a distinct and positive impression on my mind. The word that best expresses my view of his character, as a whole, is integrity. His moral virtues were those which sprang out of, and illustrated that quality. There was a proportion in his sentiments, and, therefore an almost instinctive justice in his moral judgments. His approval or condemnation of measures and opinion was remarkably free from any apparent self-reference, and seemed to be affected very little, if at all, by their relation to other persons. I think the judgment of others coincides with my own, that his judgments were impartial.

“His intellectual character was marked by the like integrity and soundness. This appears to me to be true in two respects. In the first place, he investigated a subject with calmness, patience and comprehensiveness; making himself master of it in alt its details and bearings. He was, therefore, seldom mistaken in matters of fact. Where he professed to know at all, his knowledge was accurate. In the second place, he had a liberal and fair appreciation of all departments of human knowledge and labor. This saved him from any improper bias arising from the careful interest with-which he devoted his thoughts to particular subjects. I think his professional career affords a confirmation of this opinion. Nearly all his active life was spent in the discharge of the duties of a Christian pastor and preacher; and but few men were better versed in all the more fundamental questions of law and government and public policy. The methods and progress of the medical profession, we might suppose, judging from his conversation, had been made by him matters of special observation and study. He was widely conversant with general literature. He took a lively and intelligent interest in all the great questions of the day. He was acquainted not only with the general bearings and importance of agriculture and the arts, but also with their processes. He had always taken so practical an interest in education, that, when he was chosen to the presidency of the college, he seemed almost as familiar with its duties as if his life had been spent in the discharge of them. This comprehensive view which he took of all the great subjects of human interest, gave to his mind what I cannot better express than by calling it a judicial character. And I believe it is a fact that in the circle where he habitually moved, his opinions, although given with modesty and reserve, had the practical effect of decisions.

"Like traits belonged to his social character. There was a generous frankness in his social intercourse, which left oh the mind a conviction of his sincerity and honesty. There was, however, at the same time, a dignity and reserve in his manner, which did not encourage very great familiarity. He awakened in his friends more the sentiments of confidence and respect, than any of a more tender character. His bearing towards others was always that of dignified kindness and courteous consideration. Here, also, he maintained the character of impartiality.

“His religions character was in harmony with the rest; giving to the rest, indeed, much of its beauty and excellence. Thorough, self-searching, and vigilant with reference to his own personal experience, he was not disposed to make that a matter of frequent conversation. His confidence with reference to him self, as well as to others, rested more on the habitual life, than on any transient emotions. He was decided, clear, and profound in his theological opinions, and was able to express them with great power, both in conversation and in the pulpit, but was tolerant to those who differed from him, not attributing their difference to unworthy motives or ends. The just balance of his intellectual character seemed to be in its proportions to his religious life; and the purity of his religious character communicated its own sincerity and clearness to his intellectual processes, and both together completed that combination of qualities which I have called integrity. I might illustrate what I have said, but perhaps nothing further is necessary to the clear communication of what you desired of me, -- my impression of President SMITH's general character.

Yours truly,

CALVIN PEASE. 
      HON. JAMES DAVIS was born at North Kingston, R. I., Aug. 8, 1783. His father, the late Joshua DAVIS, Esq., was a farmer, and the owner of a grist-mill. The son worked on the farm until he was- 17 years of age, and then attended the mill some 3 years. In the latter occupation he found considerable time for reading, and imbibed a taste for composing. Feeling the want of a. better education than the common school could supply, he became a student of Washington Academy, at the village of Wickford, in December, 1803. In November, 1805, he entered Union College, at Schenectady. To reach that place, he took passage in a sloop from Wickford to Albany, the voyage lasting 2 weeks. He was a hard student, working until after midnight and through the usual vacations. He graduated in 1809, and in November following, commenced teaching an academy in Lansingburgh, N. Y. He continued in this situation until November, 1810, when he came to St. Albans and commenced the study of law in the office of Asahel LANGWORTHY, Esq. In March, 1811, he left the office of Mr. LANGWORTHY, and continued the study of law with the Hon. Asa ALDIS, and his partner, Sanford GADCOMB. He was admitted to the bar in the winter of 1812, and not long after opened an office at North Hero, in the county of Grand Isle. In the Fall of 1813, he was appointed States' Attorney for the county, but declined the appointment and removed to Fairfield, where he became partner with Hon. Bates TURNER, in the practice of law. This copartnership was broken by the removal of Judge TURNER to St. Albans, in 1815; and in 1816, Judge DAVIS opened an office in Swanton. In the fall of 1818, Judge ALDIS proposed to him a copartnership, which he accepted, and in January, 1819, took up his permanent residence in this town. He devoted himself with great assiduity to the business of the office, and was regarded as a sound and judicious lawyer. He never took upon himself, however, the duties of an advocate to any extent, but his preparation of causes for trial was always very full and complete. Feb. 15, 1829, he was married to Miss Esther PALMER, by whom be had two sons, James P., now in the customs department, and Wilbur P., editor and proprietor of the VERMONT TRANSCRIPT. In 1828 he was elected a delegate to the Constitutional Convention which met in June and in September, 1829, and in 1830 a member of the Executive Council of the State. In the Fall of 1843 he was elected associate Judge of Franklin County, and re-elected in 1844. In 1845 he was elected Judge of Probate, and re-elected in '46, '47, '49, '53, '55. In February, 1859, whilst attending the funeral of Mrs. Cynthia PENNIMAN, as a pall-bearer, he was severely injured by the overturning of the carriage in which he was riding, and by a fall in about a year afterward, the neck of his left thigh-bone was fractured, by which accident be was mainly confined to the house for the remainder of his life. He passed his time in reading, writing and study.

      One fruit of his writing was "Reminiscences of St. Albans, by an old inhabitant," published in the TRANSCRIPT in a series of numbers.

      His last illness was short and painful. He at all times enjoyed the entire confidence of the people of St. Albans, and has left a large circle of friends and acquaintances who will deplore his loss.

      His contributions to the public press were characterized by great purity and elegance of language, and were principally anonymous essays, in the local newspapers. He was a man of rare modesty and integrity. The world has need of more such men as was our departed friend, the Hon. James DAVIS.


ASA ALDIS

      By far the most sagacious, influential end distinguished man in St. Albans, during the first 30 years of the present century, was Judge Asa ALDIS, The following sketch is mostly from a paper prepared by the late Judge DAVIS, who was his copartner in the practice of law, and for several years an inmate of his family.


"Asa ALDIS was born in the town of Franklin, Norfolk Co., Mass., in the year 1770. His father was a merchant in that town, and when the revolution commenced he was reputed to be a man of considerable wealth."
 
      Unfortunately he was a Loyalist, and his social and business relations with the English party in Boston, whither be had removed some months before the Revolution, led his friends to suppose he would join the tories, in the coming struggle. But he died in Boston, in May, 1775, prior to the declaration of independence. His wife had died 2 years before. She was a Miss METCALF; and was said to be a lady of superior intellectual endowments, was a parishioner and friend of the erudite and wall known Dr. EMMONS, and well versed in the metaphysical subtleties of that age. She left to her son a library of theological works, among which the writings of EDWARDS were prominent. The subject of this sketch, an only child, was thus at the age of 5 years left an orphan, in the care of a sister of his mother, in whose family he lived until he was 14. His father's sudden death, and the suspicion of toryism under which he rested, led his relatives in the country to suppose his property would be confiscated. Much of it was sacrificed, but there was no confiscation. After the war was over and independence established, Judge METCALF, the uncle and guardian of Asa, received information from a mercantile firm in Boston, that Mr. ALDIS' books and papers were in their hands. Up to this time, all but the lands in Franklin was supposed to be lost. It was now discovered, that immediately after Mr. ALDIS' death, his friend, Capt. GOLDSBURY, of the English army, had, unknown to the family, conveyed the papers to England, he said "to preserve the property for the boy." He had now returned them. Judge METCALF now laid the case before the Massachusetts general court, by whom it was decided that there could be no confiscation. That the deceased was loyal to the only government existing at the time.

"A portion of this property consisted in a large farm, containing about 400 acres. He esteemed this to be choice property, as it was the homestead of his father. He retained a considerable portion of it to the day of his death."
 

      Somewhat later in life than is usual for young men to begin to prepare for college, he commenced his preparatory studies under the direction of the noted grammarian and teacher, Mr. ALEXANDER, who taught a school in that vicinity. He entered Rhode Island College, now called Brown University, in 1792, and was graduated in 1796. Tristam BURGESS, the noted rhetorician, and some other distinguished men, were in the same class. He commenced the study of law in the office of Judge HOWELL of Providence, at that time the most distinguished lawyer in Rhode Island. After his admission to the bar in Providence, he established an office in the village of Chepachet, in the town of Gloucester, Providence Co. He resided in that place 2 or 3 years, and acquired a good run of business, and the reputation of an able lawyer. Here he married the daughter of Lieut. Governor OWEN, then the widow of a Mr. GADCOMB, who had died some years before. At the time of her marriage with Mr. ALDIS she had 4 children, 2 sons and 2 daughters, two of whom are now living. Not satisfied with the business prospects of the place in which ho was located, he proposed to remove Westerly. And with that view made a journey to Ohio in quest of a more desirable location. He traveled through a considerable part of the State, and the western part of Pennsylvania, and returned home by the way of St. Albans.

      The State of Ohio, and that part of Pennsylvania through which he passed, was new and not much settled; and the country did not appear to him to offer much attraction to an aspiring attorney, who was in pursuit of business. But he discovered in St. Albans such evidences of business in the legal profession, that after his return to Rhode Island, He made up his mind to settle there. Accordingly, after settling up his business in Chepaehet, and arranging his affairs in Franklin, he removed here with his wife and her children, in 1802. Soon after his settlement in St. Albans, he formed a partnership with Bates TURNER, who was then in business at this place. The partnership did not continue a great length of time, and Mr. TURNER removed to Fairfield. The attorneys in practice in St. Albans when ALDIS came into the place, were Levi HOUSE, Thaddeus RICE, Daniel BENEDICT, Elias FASSETT, Roswell HUTCHINS and Abner MORTON. Soon afterwards, C. P. VAN NESS came into the place, and, not many years after, Benjamin SWIFT. The county was then new, and the people, like all others who are the first settlers of a country, coming from different places, were somewhat dissipated, and prone to litigation. HOUSE, at that time, was on the wane, as we have before mentioned. When VAN NESS came to St. Albans he was a very young man, and had not been but little in practice, if any. He had been admitted to the bar in the State of Now York, and came to Vermont to commence business. It was soon discovered that he had powerful talents; and he immediately acquired a fair run of practice. He remained but a few years in St. Albans, but removed to Burlington previous to 1810.

      ALDIS, the subject of this sketch, never associated with the dissipated portion of the population which be found here when he first came among them. He confined his attention to his business, and soon became the first and most trustworthy attorney in the county: and this rank he held as long as he continued in practice, and his assistance was sought for more than that of any other lawyer in the county. He soon became a warm partisan, and united himself with the republican party which then supported Jefferson and Madison. He was an ardent supporter of the embargo and non-intercourse measures, which preceded the declaration of war against Great Britain. When war was declared by our government he was among the foremost of those who were prosecuting it with all the energy and power of the government. There were many opponents of the war in this vicinity, and considerable smuggling with the enemy, which was the occasion of numerous lawsuits. ALDIS readily took a decided stand against the violators of the laws, and was employed as counsel in most of the suits that originated in the county, in behalf of these who claimed the benefit and protection of the laws. He had great influence with the democratic or republican party, and he was consulted more in relation to their views and measures than any other man in this part of the State. In this county his opinion was considered as the law of his party, in everything that concerned coercive or restraining measures adopted by the general government, preceding and during the continuance of the war. Mr. VAN NESS and he agreed as to the propriety of those measures, and they were equally popular with the war-party, and equally influential with the multitude in their hatred of, and opposition to, the federal party.

      In the year 1815, he was elected chief justice of the supreme court; an office which he did not seek and did not want. Previous to this time the court was in the hands of the federalists; and in order to effect a change, it was deemed advisable to select popular and able men to fill the offices of judges in that court.

      ALDIS, SKINNER and FISK were put in nomination by the democrats, and they were elected by the general assembly. Judge ALDIS declined a re-election and returned to the bar as a practicing attorney. Mr. GADCOMB, his former partner, soon after removed to Burlington, and for a while he was alone in business. In January 1819, he formed a partnership with the writer of this sketch. This partnership continued till September, 1832, when it was dissolved, and his son, Asa O. ALDIS, who had now finished his preparatory studies, and had been admitted to the bar, became his partner. Judge ALDIS gradually grew weary of the practice, and several years previous to his death, retired entirely from business, giving it over to his son. For some time before his death, his bodily infirmities rendered him unfit for professional, business, though his mental faculties remained unimpaired. He had never been a very healthy man, often subject to temporary fits of illness, and was afflicted with distressing attacks of hypochondria, or dejection of mind, for which he could not ascribe any adequate cause, other than a constitutional temperament. He had had, many years before his death, several severe attacks of fever, from which he barely recovered. He died October 16, 1847, after a somewhat lingering illness, in the 78th year of his age.

      Judge ALDIS possessed a powerful intellect, considerably above the majority of professional men. As a lawyer, his opinion and judgment in litigated questions always had great weight with his associate counsel, as well as with the litigant parties. In all important cases, when he bad become acquainted with the facts and substantiating evidence, he thought long and intensely-considered how the case would strike the minds of a jury, under the charge of the court; and if he supposed that the chance was against his client, he advised a compromise. -- He was not, perhaps, what is technically called a learned or book-lawyer, and seldom read a law-book, except in the preparation of the causes in which he was engaged. This remark is not applicable so much to the early part of his practice as to a later period of his life; and even here an exception, perhaps, should be made in relation to the law of real estate. Few lawyers were so well acquainted with the law relating to real actions as he. When he first came into Vermont, actions of ejectment constituted a considerable portion of the litigation in the courts, and his knowledge of the law in relation to such actions was superior to most of the attorneys in this part of the State, and was much relied on by all concerned. When he first commenced practice in St. Albans, there does not seem to have been much use for books and book-learning. More reliance was placed on the skill of the, advocate, and the ignorance or bias of the court, than on precedents and legal lore produced from books.

      While at college he devoted considerable attention to metaphysics and to mathematics, and was probably more interested in those sciences than in the classic literature of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The theory of Locke, Reid and Stewart had more attractions for him than that of Plato and Aristotle; and the problems of Euclid and Achimides, and the principle of Newton received more of his attention than the stately epics of Homer and Virgil, or the dramatic works of Sophocles or Terrence, or Aeschylus, or Euripides, His standing in his class at college was among the first. His oration, delivered on his graduation at commencement, was published in pamphlet form. Later in his life he was not a great reader. Like moat other. lawyers, who are pressed with professional business, his attention was too mush engrossed by his profession to employ much of his time in miscellaneous reading: but he made himself acquainted with the important political and theological questions of the day, and, indeed, with all other topics which deeply engaged the attention of the public mind, and was ready to express an opinion on all questions which admitted of different interpretations.

      Although he had been regularly educated at a university, he seems to have entirely neglected the ancient classics after leaving college, not viewing them practically of any importance. -- But however little he may have regarded the benefit of a classic education in regard to himself; he spared no pains nor expense in the education of his children, not only in those branches of learning that intimately concern the practical business of life, but also in those sciences and arts which are called accomplishments, and serve to embellish character rather then prepare the recipient for the proper and skillful performance of professional services, and the practical duties and requirements of domestic life.

      We have said that after Judge ALDIS was somewhat advanced in years, he was not a great reader. He seemed to prefer working out results by the force of his own powerful intellect, to the easier process of reaching them through the learning and reasoning of other men. His vigorous mind was seldom inactive. He was inclined often to retirement and seclusion from society, that he might ponder without molestation on the subjects which mostly interested him, He adopted no conclusions without thorough investigation. His opinions were not the mere echo of those of other men. They were formed from a different and more elevated point of view than that from which men in general form their opinions. Hence his views were often original and different from those of other men, owing their peculiarity to deep thought and serious and earnest reflection. In the investigation of legal questions, in which he was concerned he seldom failed to come to right conclusions, and to convince his opposite counsel of the correctness of his views. He had little relish for the common newspaper topics of the day, which interest the generality of common readers, and are forgotten almost as soon as read. He was strongly inclined to investigate the general effect of great principals, -- principles which influence the actions of great men -- which control the affairs of nations, and effect the welfare of mankind through successive generations.

      He seldom read for mere pastime, and had little taste for novels and light literature; viewing such matters as all calculated to prepare one for the great duties of life, or to qualify a man for success in the arduous services which devolve on the jurist, the statesman and the politician. He seemed to be of the opinion, that deep thought and reflection were indispensable to enable one to make a proper application of one's reading to the common concerns of life, and that serious and intense meditation is as necessary for the acquirement of useful knowledge as continuous miscellaneous reading.

      Such men are solid rather than brilliant. In addresses to the jury, and in discussions of legal questions to the court, no one was more listened to, or was more efficacious in convincing the triers.

      He was considered as the oracle of the law, and was dreaded as an opponent more than any other attorney at the bar. It appeared to be the opinion of many clients, that if they could have ALDIS on their side, they would be pretty sure of victory.

      He was never desirous of extending his business, and was strongly inclined to confine it to his own county. But as the county of Grand Isle was contiguous to Franklin, and the shire town of that county was near St. Albans, he was accustomed to attend the courts there, 'till near the time of his retirement from business.

      He was sometimes accused of a want of liberality, in regard to subscriptions for public purposes. But this charge should be understood with considerable qualification, and applicable only to matters which he considered not promotive of the public good. In regard to things which he deemed necessary for public convenience, or conducive to the prosperity of the village, he did his part to the satisfaction of the people generally. With respect to the public schools, and contributions for the religious societies, he was one of the most liberal in the village, and was looked up to as the friend and benefactor of them all. As regards his family arrangements, his liberality might he considered by persons parsimoniously disposed as bordering on extravagance. He was a very plain man, caring little about his apparel, or gay and fashionable furniture; but as to these matters he submitted to the wishes and opinions of his family. It is very much to the credit of this and other families of St. Albans at that time, that they set a good example of frugality and economy to the community.

      As to his religious views it may be said that, in the early part of his life he attended the Rev. Dr. EMMONS' church, in his native town, who was a decided Hopkensian, and carried out the doctrines of Calvin to their utmost extent And, apparently, he believed in the logical deductions and conclusions of his learned and talented pastor. Speculatively he was a Calvinist; but was thought to be somewhat skeptical in his opinions relating to religious concerns, though he never expressed any dissent to the leading doctrines of Christianity.

      His appreciation of his old pastor, Dr. EMMONS, is shown by the fact that, up to the death of this venerable man, he paid regularly an annual subscription for his support.

      For many years after his removal to St. Albans, he attended public worship at the Congregational church, where much the same doctrines were taught as he had listened to in the preaching of Dr. EMMONS. But after the Episcopal church and society had been organized in St. Albans, and a portion of his family had become regular members of that church, he seems to have relaxed his partiality to the strong doctrines of Calvinism, and, by degrees, become partial to the principles and ceremonies of Epispiscopacy; and, in a little time subsequently, he became a regular attendant, on the Sabbath, at the Episcopal church, and was ever afterwards one of its principal supporters. What influence individuals of his family may have produced in his religious views, we pretend not to know. All circumstances, however, concur in producing a belief, that his opinions in regard to Christian doctrines suffered material change in the latter part of his life. His doubts, if he had any, in respect to the leading doctrines of the gospel, were removed, and he died in full communion with the Episcopal church.