Summit County, Ohio - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 21 of those read), 1881

OQ, Country! rich in sturdy toil, In all that makes a people great: We hail thee, queen of Buc keye soil, And fling our challenge to the State, We hail thee, queen, W hose beauty won Our fathers in their golden years: A shout for greater days begun, A sigh for 'Sleeping pioveers."' HE American people are becoming famous for their love of celebrities. In opposition to the democratic theory of human equality, they have become genuine hero-worshipers. and usually select their idols from the nobler specimens of the race. _ They are not particular whether the per- - gon be dead or in the full vigor of life. So faultless conceptions that lie within the magic | circle of inspiration. Imagination comes for- | ward and decks the images with the flowering | attributes of nobility. The location of the be- | ing worshiped, in point of time, depends upon | ual temperament, and the natural elevation of | The path which men pursue in life, the dark waves they struggle to repel, the placid waters they endeavor to traverse, and their tem- | surrounding circumstances. To the war-like, the names of Alexander and Napoleon will be Musicians bow | in adoration at the grave of Mozart. Poets | bard of Avon. Philosophers view with wonder the logic of Bacon and Aristotle. Astronomers are astonished at the discoveries of Newton and Laplace. Artists stand entranced before the sublime paintings of Raphael or Angelo. The past is filled with venerated beings, many of whom had no just claims of pre-eminence. The uutrod paths of future years are partially explored by the feeble light of existing human experience : the present is illumed by the dazzling genius of the progressive man; and the past, is seen in spectral relief through the many sided prism of the soul.

Ancestral worship is universal, and has been from time immemorial. The virtues or vices of the dead. as one or the other preponderates. are magnified by the passage of time, thus leading inevitably to hero-worship. The demand for such a sentiment. and its sulted in its universal development in man, and have changed the whole current of his life. Devotion to God is the highest type of hero-worship. Devotion to ancestors is second in degree of reverence, while the great beings of' the present and the shadowy ones of the future, afford perhaps the lowest degree. is but a record of the lives of men, and the relation of those lives to the plastic forms of social and political being, renders such a study of vast interest to mankind, in view of the statement that in the past are found the greater number of those heroes who are venerated by the race. Whe.c is the youth who is not told to imitate the virtues of some person long since dead ? The existence of near relationship multiplies the loyalty of the race to the departed ancestors. How tenderly we cherish the memory of a parent or other dear friend, who has of Summit County, appropriate and ample credit will be given. That it has played the part of a star actor in the drama of the county, becomes evident to those who will take the pains to examine the memorials of its rise and progress. It was at the height of its power and prosperity when Akron was first founded: and at that time was one of the most important tradingpoints in Northeastern Ohio. Much of its early history was never recorded. and the fact that all the early settlers are dead. transports the An attempt. however. has been made to gather the promineat events of early years. with what fidelity the reader is required to determine. A citizen. well known to the people of the county.~ writes as follows: ~* The founder of this village was Capt. Joseph Hart. In 1807. he purchase:| fifty-four acres of land. including the site now occupied by the village. moved on the farm thus selected. and commenced erecting a mill. He soon after sold one-half of his purchase to Aaron the opposite side, a saw-mill, which was built soon afterward. Why the owners did not take advantage of the natural fall of water is difficult to determine. The labor would have been greater, the dam much more insecure, and the cost multiplied, had they done otherwise than they did. At least, these reasons seem to have been in their minds when they selected the millsite below the fall. A splendid custom work was immediately secured, and the mill continued to be, until the building of the canal, the most valuable mechanical enterprise in the county.

forty miles, and the Middlebury Mills became famous. No merchant work was done, as, on account of the enormous cost of transportation, it was impossible to compete with those mills near the consumer. The mill was a godsend to all the settlers for miles around, and was the corner-stone of the Middlebury of sixty years ago. After a few years, Mr. Hart died, and his interest went to his heirs. His son, William J. Hart. afterward a prominent man at Middlebury, controlled this interest until about the estate having been perfected. the son became the owner of one-half interest in the mill. At this time, about 1818, the old mill was torn down. and a new three-storied frame. 30x+0 feet, was erected a short distance above it. Tworun of stone were employed, and the vast custom be seen in all directions. 1810, John and Samuel Preston, then living in Tallmadge. purchased a small portion of the land belonging to Mr. Hart. and erected there-

' on a small frame building, in which was placed | machinery for carding wool and fulling cloth. _ The machinery was simple, and the work was _ done largely by hand. Few sheep were in the | country at that period, but a few years later could do. Wool was brought to the mill to be carded, after which it was taken to the cabins to be spun and woven into cloth, and then returned to the mill to be fulled and perhaps dressed. The fulling, dressing and coloring were done by hand. These men continued their enterprise until about the year 1820, when Bagley & Humphrey assumed control, and increased the scope of the mill. They purchased machinery for weaving, and employed a first-class weaver of satinet.

Some five or six hands Mr. Almon Brown remembers that he purchased a suit of inferior broadcloth for the consideration of a barrel of whisky and $2.

One of the industries in early years was a "furnace," erected by Laird & Norton. Considering the meager population: in the county at that time, the magnitude of this undertaking was gigantic. More than sixty employes its permanent shape. kettles were made, some of them containing a hundred gallons. These were sold to the settlers, and used in the manufacture of potash. of which enormous quantities were prepared in the backwoods in early years. Smaller kettles for culinary and domestic purposes were also made. Flat-irons, andirons, chimney jambs and other useful articles were also provided. One of the chief articles manufactured was stoves. These were known as box stoves. or ten-plate stoves. iron plates were cast with holes at the corners, and these were fastened together with iron rods, and sold to the settlers. They were looked upon as the perfection of inventive skill. A house containing one of these, instead of the old fire-place, was supposed to be without a care in the world. and its inmates were regarded as the happiest of mortals.

' tween the wood. . small opening was left, with which air-holes communicated. Here, material was left that fired the kiln after its erection was completed. The fire having been lighted, the blaze slowly ate its way through the heap of wood, under

Akron sprang into existence with its gigantic manufacturing interests, the population of Middlebury was almost or quite four hundred, and if the emphatic statements of the early settlers are to be believed, there were no idlers nor process was completed, all the air-holes were closed, and in a short time the charcoal was ready to be taken from the kiln. -Mr. Beardslee. who worked in the furnace for a number of years. says. that a premium of a gallon of whisky was promised the collier for each stick of charred cord-wood he could produce unbroken. Sometimes several were found, in which case the liquor was provided and enjoyed. The kiln was first opened on the lower edge, and. as the wood was yet a mass of glowing coals. the fire had to be smothered before the charcoal could be loaded into wagons and taken to the furnace. This smothering was done by loss. It occasionally happened that. either from the structure of the kiln or its subsequent management, the wood and labor were lost in the manner stated. A novice would be unable to tell when the burning was finished, and when the fire should be smothered out. collier. He could tell from several signs, the chief one being the settling of the covering of earth. The owners of the furnace employed, as stated above, some sixty hands in the various departments of mining and hauling the ore,

From three to five hundred pounds of nails were manufactured daily. The heavy iron was taken, and, by repeated rollings, given the desired thickness ; then, by means of suitable machinery run by water-power. the plates were cut into rough nails, and the heading and pointing process was done entirely by hand. the ~header " being able to prepare about one hundred pounds per day. The iron was largely obtained from New York, Philadelphia and other Eastern cities. and was transported to the village at the enormous cost of 123 cents per pound. This was the cost of transportation alone: four, six, eight and tenpenny nails were manufactured, and. on account of the scanty supply of ready money. the nails, kettles and other articles manutactured in the village became almost a legal tender. These products were exchanged for farm produce. and many a promissory note was given, payable in nails. kettles or agricultural products. The fuel used in the nail factory was charcoal, and many men were employed in this branch of the business. the stream, some distance below the village. The furnace, nail-factory and forge. it is said, were capable of consuming from four hundred to eight hundred bushels of charcoal per day. | This fitly illustrates the enormous quantity of » It was not long before the | heavy woods, for several miles around, were | leveled with the earth and used in the manner | stated. This accounts for the denuded condition of the surrounding country. The nails were sold for about 25 cents per pound, and the enterprise was continued until about the year 1828. and then abandoned. About this time Heine & Sherman owned and conducted a small furnace. They likewise made considerable potash. All the establishments having running machinery were operated by water-power, most of them having large overshot wheels. It sold out to Daniel Stewart, who enlarged the | scope of the enterprise. The plow was " Wood's | Patent," and many were manufactured and sold | APNE: 7) ducted an establishment of the same nature, beginning in about 1817. It was continued in operation a few years. and manufactured whisky at the rate of about eight gallons per day.

at from 15 to 25 cents per gallon, largely in trade. During all these years. whisky was imbibed by everybody, and the most respectable people were often engaged in the mauufacture that is looked upon with so much disfavor at present. chants at Middlebury, in early years, kept a keg of whisky on their counters, at all times. for the free indulgence of customers. A tavern without a bar-room was a novelty that met with comment and criticism. if it did not meet with studious avoidance from the traveling public. In truth, taverns of this character were compelled to suspend business from a lack years. His old building was burned down but a short time since. He. on one occasion, bought twenty-five barrels of whisky of a man in the Miami Valley. who was compelled to sell. paying 16 cents per gallon. and finding a ready business at that time (about 1825), that there were no less than sixteen stores in the village, and all doing a good business. Mills, factories, and mechanical shops sprang into existence as if by magic. On the location of the canal, Akron sprang up with its immense water-power,

'and, for a time. entirely overshadowed Middlebury. Several of the early friends of the village died. Others looking to immediate effects, became discouraged, and with their capital, left the place. The factories closed, the grinding ceased, the thronged streets were transferred to Akron, and the epitaph of Carthage was almost inscribed on her monument. The friends of Middlebury then discovered that prosperity did not lie in speculation nor fashion, but in industry and enterprise. lishments began to increase, and the valuable water-power was improved. A company was incorporated by the Legislature of Ohio, called the Middlebury Hydraulic Company, and authorized to raise the natural surface of Springfield Lake, in which the Little Cuyahoga had its rise, six feet, and lower it four feet below the natural surface.

ciency that could at all times be relied on." Aaron Norton. one of the founders of the village, clid a great deal in early years to improve it. The same writer continues, ** While the Judge was upon the bench, a fellow who had been emplored in the Middlebury Mills was indicted and tried for stealing a log-chain. His defense was former good character, to sustain which he called on the Judge who swore his character was about as good as that of millers in general. After the adjournment of court, Gen. Woodward, of Franklin. who was a miller took Norton to task for what he called an impeachment of the character of the millers. 'I was bound,' said Norton. - to swear to the truth. I believe his character for honesty is as good as millers in general, but I believe he stole the log-chain,'"' stock. two years. By 1825, ten years after the first store was opened, there were, as stated above, sixteen stores in the village. Among the more prominent were H. & H. A. Howard, dry goods, gro- ceries, hardware, crockery, glassware, stone and hollow-ware, tinware. drugs, medicines, surgical instruments, etc.; Hiram Johnson & Co., the same. (These firms bought all sorts of produce, flour, pork, whisky, pot and pearl ash. giving in exchange their goods or paying their money.) McClure Brothers, general assortment ; John MeMillan, ditto; Kent & Oviatt, ditto; MeNorton & Cleveland, ditto. Besides these there were H. Briggs, boots and shoes; James Ross. soap and candle factory: M. Johnson. druggist and physician ; H. Loveland, attorney at law: G. F. Norton, ditto ; Barlow & Allen. wool-carding and cloth-dressing : William Bell, saddles. harness and bridles: L. Chattield. fancy and dining chair factory: Hard & Sumner. wool-carding and cloth-dressing : H. Rhodes. tavern keeper :

Powers. Jr.. attorney at law; McNaughton & Cleveland. tanners: Mrs. L. Wheeler. milliner ; Phineas Pettis. plow manutactory : John MeMillan, grain buyer: Zenas Chase. boot and shoe maker; Alva R. Chapman. painter: B. A. Allyn. cabinet-maker: Payne & Squire. distillers at Old Forge: Linus Potter. tailor; Humphrey & Kirkum. attorneys at law: John « Legrand Hanford. hat manufacturers : Ed. Sumner. tavern keeper: McNorton & Cleveland. grain buyers ; Erastus Tarrey. ditto : Daniel Crist. boot and shoe maker; and a multitude of others. in for a short time at various pursuits.

A Masonic lodge was organized in about the year 1822. It was known as "Middlebury Lodge, No. 34." It participated in the ceremonies of the laying of the corner stone of the first college building erected at Hudson. A post office was secured at an early day, and soon a tri-weekly mail was obtained. Hemperly & Sumner ran stages between Middlebury and the villages of Cleveland. Canton and Wooster. While the canal was in process of construction. large quantities of flour, pork and produce were purchased. to be consumed by the laborers. When the canal was opened in 1827, several companies of men began buying enormous quantities of grain preparatory to being shipped away when the canal was opened. But the greater portion of this business died out, when Akron sprang full-fledged into life. There was a company of firemen 'organized at Middlebury in an early day. From the fact that McMillan & Dodge were engaged in the manufacture of " brake engines," the value of a fire organization was rendered at once easy and desirable. Julius A. Sumner, a " 'bucket company " was also organized. Whether these firemen had much work to do is not recorded. The Sumner Brothers engaged quite extensively in buying and shipping eattle and horses. Julius Sumner says he crossed the mountains eight times while engaged in this business. Oxen were purchased for about 340 a yoke. and three-yearold steers for some $10 or 312 a head. The brothers rode all over the country, buying 100 or 150 cattle. which were driven to Philadelphia or New York. Mr. Sumner says he made 3500 on his first drove. and continued the occupation until over a thousand cattle had been thus purchased and disposed of. A few droves of horses were also bought and driven to New York, whence they were shipped mostly to the West Indies, to be used on the large sugar plantations.

An independent rifle company was organized in Tallmadge during the war of 1812. many of its members residing in what is now Middlebury, a considerable portion of which belonged to the former township. It was under the command of Capt. Rial MeArthur. The following cor respondence between the citizens and Gen. Wadsworth is interesting. as showing the exposed situation of the country at the commencement of the war of 1812:

Sir: We. vour petitioners, humbly pray that you will take into consideration the defenseless condition we ure in: therefore, we pray your Honor to issue orders for Capt. Rial McArthur's

Independent Company and the Fourth Company of the Jedewenaens Battalion. Fourth Brigade 'and Fourth Division of Ohio Militia. commanded by Capt. Samuel Hale, to be retained for public safety. as we are on the frontier: that said companies he drilled one day in each week, and hold themselves in constant readiness in case of an attack to march ata moment's warning. Those families that were to the west of us have moved into the settlement. and we are left on the frontier; therefore. we. your petitioners, wish you to take this into consideration, and act as in your wisdom you shall see fit, (Signed)

This communication proves that the citizens in the vicinity of Middlebury were thoroughly aroused to the fact of their exposed situation ; but subsequent events proved that their fears were almost wholly groundless. It may be supposed that the following letter afforded universal satisfaction :

Sir: You doubtless are sensible of the critical situation of our country at this time. War being declared by the United States against Great Britain, ier, for the whole body of the militia to be in perfect readiness to meet the enemy ; being an independent company, il olkcs great confidence in your ability and activity in being ready with your company to march and meet the enem any place you may think proper and convenient, one day in each week, and in the most perfect manner possible. See that every man furnishes himself accouterments for actual service. to inform me after the first meeting of your company of their actual situation, ' EvisJAH WADSWORTH, Maj. Gen. Fourth Division Ohio Militia.

the headquarters of (ren. Wadsworth. and. finally, to the camp of Gen. Simon Perkins. a temporary post on the Huron River. They returned during the spring of 1813, after a short. bloodless. though arduous. service in the field. There were forty-eight men in the company. as follows : into the service, it comprised but forty-four | men, several of whose names do not appear | above, and were as follows: Luman Bishop, | Charles King, Stephen Perkins and William Prior. The following men were not members | of the company during the first enlistment: Samuel Atkins, Asa Draper, David Prior, Jonathan Williams, Abner Green, James Thompson, | Ephraim Clark, Jr., Aaron Norton and Joshua ]

| King. This company first volunteered, and were ordered into the service of the United | States for the protection of the frontiers, on the 22d of August, 1812. Their first term of | service ended February 22, 1813. Although ' the company was then out of service, it did not disband, but kept drilling about once a week. | On the 17th of April, 1813, Gov. R. J. Meigs ' wrote to Gen. Wadsworth, advising him that | "The Fort at the rapids of the Miami (Fort Meigs) is threatened with an attack from British and Indians,' and ordering him immediately to detach ''one flank company to strengthen the post at Lower Sandusky, as the post at the rapids is, I fear, too weak." In pursuance of this order, Gen. Wadsworth, on 'the 20th of April, 1813, ordered Capt. McArthur's company to march to Lower Sandusky immediately, and to take with them five or six days' provisions, or a sufficient allowance to take them to that place. Gen. Wadsworth says - in his order, * You will be shortly relieved. as a large number of troops are on their march to _ re-enforce that army.' This was the company | whose names appear at length above. It will _ be noticed that many members of the company lived at old Middlebury. Immediately after the surrender of Detroit by Gen. Hull, in August. 1812, Gen. Wadsworth was ordered to organize a brigade of 1,500 men. To effect this, volunteers were called for, and, finally, the General was obliged to resort to a draft. The company above mentioned. with one or two exceptions, volunteered. Among the drafted were Reuben Upson, John Caruthers, Norman _ Sackett, Moses Bradford, Ara Gillett and Jotham Blakeslee. Old Portage was the head- / quarters of these forces, and became celebrated on that account. In later years, Col. John C. Hart organized a regiment of cavalry militia at Middlebury and the surrounding country. It will be observed that almost all the members

It is now necessary to go back and notice other matters relating to the early history of Middlebury. The village comprises land formerly belonging to the townships of Tallmadge, ©

Springfield, Coventry and Portage. Some of the first owners of the Middlebury land were Capt. Joseph Hart, Aaron Norton, Liverton Dickson, William Neil and Ara Gillett. in Tallmadge; Peter Norton, Rial McArthur and others, in Springfield ; Amos Spicer and Jesse Allen. in Coventry: and Amos Spicer. Jr.. in Portage.

During all the early history of the vil- Jage, and for eleven years after the completion of the canal. the electors residing in the village met to poll their votes in their respective townships - the four mentioned above. The original village was in the southwestern corner portions of the other three townships were occupied. after being surveyed into lots. Among the early residents of what afterward became Middlebury, were the following. although this is neither a complete nor a perfect list: Capt. Joseph Hart. Judge Aaron Norton. Rial MeArthur. Liverton Dickson. Samuel and John Preston. Amos Spicer. Sr. and Jr.. Ara (rillett. Peter Norton, William Neil, Barney Williams. Mr. Graham. William J. Hart. George Simcox. Peleg Mason. Orrin Pitkin. John MeMillan. Elijah Mason. Mr. Hazen. Thomas Sumner and his

Edward and Julius A.. the latter yet living at Akron ; Nathan Gillett. probably the first Postmaster, and many others. The village was first regularly laid out into lots. and probably re-

Hart. That portion of the village known as W. was prohably the first laid out, as it is recorded in Book F, at Ravenna; while E and § are recorded in Books § and K, respectively. It is likely that over fifty lots were laid out by Mr. Hart. to which additions were made as the rapid growth of the village required. The "boom"

Ata meeting of the qualified electors of the village of Middlebury, held in said village on the first Tuesday in May, A. D., 1888, agreeable toanact to incorporate the village of Middlebury. for the purpose of electing officers of said corporation. Roan Clark. Henry Chittenden and William L. Clark were chosen Judges. and Theron A. Noble was chosen Clerk of said election. whereupon. the following officers were clected: Ilenry Chittenden. President of the Council: Theron A. Noble, Recorder: Roswell Kent, Jesse Neal, Gregory Powers, Thadeus [f. Botsford and Harry Pardee. Trustees.

These officers were immediately qualified, anil entered upon the discharge of their sever:l duties. The following committees were then appointed: T. A. Noble and Gregory Powers. on by-laws; and R. Kent. Jesse Neal. Harry Pardee and T. H. Botsford. on appointments. At a session, May 6, 1838. the ~ set of rules for the regulation of the Council ~ was unanimousiv adopted: also. Smith Burton was appvinte:l Marshal: Roswell Kent and T. H. Botsford. Committee on Streets. Highways and Nuisances. Jesse Newland, Harry Pardee. Committee on Revenue and Expenditure: and Gregory Powers and T. A. Noble. Committee on By-Laws anid Ordinances. Soon afterward. John H. MeMillan was appointed Treasurer ; Daniel McNauyghton, Assessor: and William L. Clark, Surveyor The records reveal the fact that the Council began at this time to make a vigorous attack upon all nuisances, and passed several stringent ordinances looking to the abatement of the same. On the 21st of July, 1838. it was enacted bv the Council * That the Chief Warden be authorized to procure a suitable number of hooks anil ladders at the expense of the corporation, to be made and finished as he may direct, to be used in cases of fire and not otherwise." The five fire wardens appointed a short time before were Ambrose Cotter. Daniel McNaughton. Samucl Newton, Harry Pardee and John Johns. In 1843, Philpot and Camp were permitted to build

It is likely that the village was incorporated by a special law of the Ohio Legislature, enacted during the session of 1837-38. as the following, quoted from the Middlebury records, coal obtained in Springfield. In 1845. the tirst stone bridge over the Little Cuyahoga was constructed, under the contract of Increase Sumner. who erected the stone work for 31.74 per perch. the whole cost amounting to $578.55. So fur as can be learned, the village electors voted in their respective townships until the act of incor- poration was passed ; after which, the village, having been constituted an election district, they met there to poll their votes. The following is quoted from the records of November, 1846: "The Council did not meet at the office of the President in Sherman's building according to adjournment, because the President was out of town on business, with the key in his pocket. (Signed) George W. McMillan, Recorder." The second stone bridge was built in 1847, by Abraham Rhodes, at a cost of $350.

taken from the records of 1849, is, that the sani- | tary regulations of the village were incperative | or neglected: " Resolved, That $10 be appro- | priated for the use of the Marshal in procuring Jifty bushels of lime, as required by the ordinance relating to nuisances." It is also to be inferred that the desired results were not secured ; for | two months later, it was * Resulved, That each _ member of this Council be appointed a special ' committee to examine and report what is necessary for a thorough cleansing of this town, and to report at the next meeting." The records of , a few succeeding meetings, show active work in the right direction on the part of the select

Early in 1857. the citizens of Middlebury petitioned the County Commissioners as follows : * The undersigned householders residing in Middlebury, in said county, respectfully petition your honorable body to erect and set off a new township. to be composed of the territory embraced within the corporate limits of the village of Middlebury. in the county aforesaid.' This petition was signed by eighty-four householders of the village. Attached to the petition was '"' The undersigned. Trustees of the townships interested in the formation of a new township, as proposed in the above petition, hereby give our consent that the said new township may be erected and set off in accordance with the prayer of said petition, to be composed of the territory embraced within the corporate limits of Middlebury." This was signed by a - majority of the Trustees of each township. The ~ County Commissioners. at the March session of _ 1857, proceeded as follows : '"' The Commissioners, being satisfied that the majority of the ~ householders residing in the village of Middlebury had signed the petition. and that the con- | sent of a majority of the Trustees of the several townships affected by the creation of the new township had been obtained, and that the necessary legal notices had been given, Ordered, That the territory comprised within the corporate village of Middlebury be set off from the townships of Coventry, Portage, Springfield ! and Tallmadge, and be hereafter known as the township of Middlebury." Notices were also issued by the Commissioners for the qualified | electors of the new township to meet at the | town hall in Middlebury, on the first Monday | in April, 1857, for the purpose of electing town- | ship officers. Thus the village remained until ; the spring of 1872, when the question of its an- | nexation to the city of Akron, as the Sixth Ward, was submitted to the electors in both | towns with the following result: Votes in | Akron - for annexation, 1,042 ; against annexa- | tion, 16. Votes in Middlebury - for annexa- | tion. 140 ; against annexation, 26. The neces- | secured, each town elected a committee to con- © fer with that of the other town, to unite on the , terms of annexation. These terms are too vol- | uminous to be quoted here, yet it may be said | that both towns will be benefited. in the end. © by the annexation. The later history of Middlebury will be found in another chapter.

The first schoolhouse in Middlebury was - erected near the site of the present one. in about the year 1811. It was a small one-storied frame, 20x25 feet. with a broad fire-place | in one end. The first teacher is not remembered; but. in 1813-4 and 1814=15. J.-P. Skinner, from near Ravenna, taught. This man was a skillful disciplinarian and a competent instructor. He received his pay by subscription, at the rate of some 312 or $15 per month. | The three R's were largely dwelt on, and woe unto the scholar with a neglected lesson. Whispering was prohibited, and. in case the rule was violated, dire and summary correction was sure to follow. The old-time school-teachers were very strict about their rules. They usually succeeded in creating an understanding among their scholars that the violation of a rule of the. school was an unpardonable offense, and it was _, often amusing to see how the guilty one languished. Sometimes young men were severely | feruled, and more than one school has terminated in a promiscuous fight. One day Mr. Skin- | ner, annoyed from having so much laughter in | the room, made a rule that the first one that | laughed out should take the ferule and hand it | to the next one that laughed out, who was to . do likewise, and so on, and the scholar having the ferule when school was dismissed, should be feruled by the teacher. A short time after- . ward some one laughed, whereupon the teacher handed him the ferule, of which he must get rid, or he would be punished when school closed. It passed through several hands, and The rule was, by and, when the former saw that the latter was in for sure punishment, his mirth knew no bounds. He endeavored to repress the tide, and his efforts resulted in volcanic peals of laughter. That instantly precipitated events. and the teacher told the boys they must ferule one another. This each one did, laying it on with a gusto not at all appreciated by the other. By this time, the gravity of the whole school Mutterings were heard here and there, and at last a young man named

_ There were fifty-nine scholars enrolled during the winter of 1814-15, at which time the above funny, though serious, event oc- This schoolhouse was used, summer others were employed to construct what is known in history as the *Old Brick." Both of these houses were used for school, church, town and other purposes. In 1826, Mr. I. N. Mason taught a "select grammar school" in the village. Other terms were subsequently taught. In 1853, the old brick schoolhouse was purchased by the Village Council for $255, and converted into a town hall, to which use it was devoted for many years. It is likely that the present school building was erected about the same time, although nothing is before the wri-

From the fact that Tallmadge was blessed with good churches. and that many of the early residents of Middlebury belonged to these. no efforts looking to the organization of religious societies in the village were made until about the year 1830. Many of the villagers were laborers in the various shops. and were not professors of religion; while the few who were professors preferred going to Tallmadge to church, instead of sustaining the cost of erecting a building of their own. However. soon atter the completion of the Olio Canal. several religious societies sprang into existence. The Methodists started up at an unknown date. The Presbyterians put up their church in December. 1831, and the Congregationalists, in December, 1845. Other religious organizations have been established, and Middlebury is now well supplied with churches. Many other in-