USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. ========================================================================== FREEWILL CHURCH PAGE 405 My venerable friend, Elijah Fuller, an early settler, tells wonderful stories about wild beasts, such as every where abound. He is well stricken in years, as is my friend, Squire Falkner.A man and his daughter were drowned in attempting to ford the creek with his horses and wagon. The Rev. Mr. Ide, a Green Mountain Boy, a perfect giant, and an excellent and useful man, is located near by. And here, too, is my good friend, George Valentine, and others. SINAI CHAPEL PAGE 401 Here I held a public temperance discussion with my worthy friend, Elijah Huffman, Esq., as before noticed. As usual in all such cases, we both came off best - but mine was a little the best- best as a matter of course. Old father Hannegan was a Revolutionary soldier; he died ____ years of age. I pronounced his funeral sermon, and wrote his epitaph. Peter and Jospeh Hannegan reside here - my early friends. Hon. John Crozier and Hon. George Cornelius, ex-representatives, reside here also. Friend Cornelius' son plunged into the creek to bathe or swim on a hot day - came out suddenly, complained a moment, and died upon the spot. O, what a painful shock! Boys, be careful how you plunge into the water when overheated. A Mr. Chilson hung himself upon a tree in the woods several years ago. My friends will excuse me if I make special mention of Mrs. Noah Davis. When she was a little interesting miss, I used to preach at her father's house, out upon Laughry, and ever found it a pleasantand welcome home. The memory of good old father nad mother Montgomery, how precious to my heart. More of this in its proper place. I had the pleasure of joining in the bands of matrimony two of Mrs. Davis' daughters at one time, and at one ceremony, the only occurrence of the kind in all my hymeneal career. (See humeneal department.) Mrs. Davis is a sister to the Captain Montgomery, of world-wide fame, and of good report wherever known. Eliel Chaffin, John Todd, and Samuel Wood, early settlers and worthy citizens, an my early friends, must be registered in my book. My most worthy friend, Wm. Arnold, Esq., has removed to Iowa, loved and missed. CHESTERVILLE PAGE 405 William Wheeler, Esq., and James Wells, with exceedingly interesting families, reside here, in honor and good circumstances. Good old Father and Mother Ewing, I believe, have both passed away. Nelson Ketcham, my former neighbor and friend, once lost two children at a time, or nearly so. A Mrs. ____ was once badly bitten by a copperhead- snake, right in her own house, but recovered. SPARTA PAGE 402 Hon. John D. Johnson, ex-representative and delegate to the State Constitutional Convention, resides here in peace and plenty - an excellent man, honored by all, as well he should be. And the same may be said of my venerable friend, Jospeh Churchill, Esq., and old father Givan. All have large, intelligent, and exceedingly fine and interesting families of children. Hugh Alexander had a son drowned in the creek, under circumstances somewhat indicative of foul play. A Mr. Lambertson was thrown from a runaway horse, and his brains actually dashed out against a tree - poor man. The Rev. Mr. Connelly, pastor of the Baptist Church, is highly esteemed and useful in his "work of labor and love." My Sparta friends have done nobly by me - that they have. A Mr. Sage was once bitten by a copperhead, but recovered. Barb Boese