CATTLE -- HORSES.
THE
standing of Vermont is generally strikingly shown by the reports of the Boston
cattle market; in which the number from this State appears, from week to week,
to be nearly double those of any other New England State. Of these, Addison County,
we believe, furnishes its full share; and it is represented, that the exhibitions,
at the annual County fairs, are not inferior to those of any other County. But
the farmers have made fewer efforts in that department, than in those of sheep
and horses. We regret that, with all our diligence, we have not been able to ascertain,
from those who best know, what efforts have been made and the success which has
attended them. At an early day, Thomas Byrd, Esq., of Vergennes, and soon after
General Amos W. Barnum, of the same place, introduced into that neighborhood a
considerable number of imported English breeds, and the full blood and cross breed
of Ayershires, Herefords and Durhams, are quite common in the north part of the
County, and, to some extent, prevail in other parts. Wightman Chapman, Esq., then
of Weybridge, kept on his farm, for eight or ten years, a very celebrated Ayershire
bull, presented to him by John P. Cushing, Esq., of Massachusetts, which was esteemed
by many the best bull in the country. The editor of the Albany Cultivator,
who had examined him, in the number for August 1845, says: "He is a good bull,
has a small clean head, clean limbs, a well shaped body and mellow skin. With
the exception of Mr. Archibald's bull, sent to the Poughkeepsie Show from Montreal,
he is decidedly the best bull we have ever seen." The blood of this animal has
been extensively diffused through the cattle in the central parts of the County.
Governor Jenison, in the
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
address, from which we have so largely quoted, in referring to the "effects
and general results of the introduction" of foreign breeds, says: "I venture
the assertion, that where a favorite individual is found, could the pedigree
be traced in most instances, you would not go many removes back before you would
run against some one of the imported improved breeds of stock." But the number
of full bloods of any of these breeds is quite limited. Cyrus Smith, Esq., of
Vergennes, has a celebrated Durham bull, which took the first premium at the
State fair in Rutland, and at the Addison County fair at Middlebury this year,
(1855) Alonzo L. Bingham of Cornwall, obtained several premiums, at the State
fair, on Durham, Hereford, and Devon cattle. Horatio Plumley of New Haven, has
a full blood Durham cow, from which he has raised several excellent calves,
and obtained, at the County fair, the second premium on a bull, which was one
of them. W. R. Sanford, Esq., of Orwell, two or three years since, imported
two cows and one calf of the Devonshire breed, has bought a few, since, and
now has eight full bloods, besides two, which he lately sold to the Messrs.
Hammond of Middlebury, who from them have raised two calves. Mr. Sanford says,
that the beef of this breed sells higher in England than any other. At the National
Exhibition in Boston, and at the Vermont State fair, he received several premiums
on Devon cattle. At the State fair Messrs. Hammond obtained the first premium
on bull calves of this breed.
We
are glad to learn that a movement is in contemplation for the improvement of
cattle in the County.
HORSES.
The
reputation of the County, and the enthusiasm in the breeding of horses, among
the farmers, do not suffer much in comparison with those in regard to sheep. Vermont
horses have a reputation through the whole country. The original stock consisted
of such as were common in the States from which the emigrants came. In some of
these States, and especially Connecticut, considerable efforts had been previously
made to improve the stock. In the year 1810, Ep. Jones, Esq., introduced and kept
in Middlebury, for three or four years, a very beautiful, fullblood Arabian horse.
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HISTORY
OF ADDISON COUNTY.
called the " Young Dey of Algiers." His descendants formed a very excellent
breed. But the farmers had not then come to appreciate sufficiently the improvement
in horses to patronize the high prices, which his services required, and he
was removed. Since that, at various times, different stallions have been kept
in the County, and among them the "Old Messenger," an imported English horse,
and his descendants; from which the stock has been from time to time improved.
The
present prevailing stock consists of the different branches of the Morgan horse.
These originated from the horse generally known by the name of the "Justin Morgan."
This horse was brought, when two years old, by Justin Morgan, from Springfield,
Mass., from which place he removed to Randolph, Vermont, in the year 1795, and
was kept by him there until March, 1798, when Mr. Morgan died. He was then sold
to William Rice, of Woodstock. It does not appear that he was much thought of,
or that much care was taken of him, until the excellence of his stock was revealed
by his colts. His sire was the "True Britain, or Beautiful Bay," which was raised
by Gen. Delancey, commander of the refugee forces on Long Island, and was afterwards
kept one season by Justin Morgan. The True Britain was sired by the Traveller,
an imported horse also owned by Gen. Delancey. The dam of the Justin Morgan was
said to be a descendant of Wild Air, imported also by Gen. Delancey. Mr. Joshua
Scott, of Vergennes who has been acquainted with the Morgan horses from the first
of that breed, has a record which traces back the pedigree of the sire and dam
of the first Morgan to the Arabian Horse Godolphin, in England, which we do not
think of importance enough to insert here. Mr. Scott states that four of the colts
of Justin Morgan were kept as stallions, and from them were derived the several
branches of that breed; to-wit: "Woodbury," owned and kept by Mr. Woodbury, at
Rochester, Vermont, until twelve years old, and afterwards owned successively
by Mr. Walker, of Chelsea, and Peter Burbank, of Newbury; "Sherman," owned by
Mr. Sherman, of Barge, and afterwards kept by John Bellows, Esq., of Bellows Falls;
"Bulrush," raised in Williamstown, and "Revenge," kept
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HISTORY
OF ADDISON COUNTY.
for a while in this State, and afterwards removed. The dams of the Woodbury
and Sherman were of English descent. Mr. Scott thinks that three-fourths of
the horses now generally known as Morgan, are of the Woodbury branch. Among
the colts of the Woodbury was the Gifford. This was the sire of the Green Mountain
Morgan, whose dam was also of that breed. This horse is or was owned by Silas
Hale, of Barre, Mass., and, we believe, is the most noted of those known as
Morgan horses. He was kept two seasons, a few years since, in Middlebury, in
this County. The Gifford was also kept by Mr. Scott, in 1831, in the same place.
The Hacket horse, owned and kept by Col. Hacket, in Middlebury, for several
years, was sired by the Gifford, from a Woodury dam. The Flying Morgan, sired
by the Hacket horse, and owned by Riley Adams, of Burlington, and distinguished
for his speed in trotting, was for some time kept in this County. Woodbury 2d,
raised by Mr. Scott, and now eight years old, is still kept by him in Vergennes,
and is the only real Woodbury horse kept for mares in the County.
Mr.
Weissinger, one of the editors of the Louisville, Ky., Journal, who, some
ten years ago, made a tour through Vermont, and other eastern States, and took
pains to examine the best horses of the general Morgan breed, as quoted by the
Cultivator, says, "There is no doubt whatever of this, that the breed of
the Morgan horse was and is now, in the few instances where it can be found, far
the best breed of horses for general service, that was ever in the United States,
probably the best in the world; and it is remarkable, that this breed was and
is now known by many striking peculiarities, common to nearly every individual."
The
old Woodbury Morgan, at twenty years old, was sold for $1300. Mr. Hale says, "several
stallions, begotten by Green Mountain
Morgan," of which he was the owner, "have sold as high as $1500; many have brought
prices ranging from $800 to $1200; geldings and mares from $300 to $800; few less
than $200. The Woodbury and other breeds generally designated as Morgans, are
less generally found in this County than in the eastern part of the State; and
in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, having been generally sold and removed.
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
The
Black Hawk and his descendants are more generally found here. This horse was sired
by the Sherman Morgan, then owned by John Bellows, Esq., of Bellows Falls, and
his dam was a large black mare and fast trotter, and is said to have been a half-blood
English, raised in New Brunswick. He was raised by Mr. Twombly, of Greenland,
N. H.. and when four years old, was purchased by Benjamin Thurston of Lowell,
Mass. In the year 1844, David Hill, Esq., of Bridport in this County purchased
him of Mr. Thurston, and has kept him in that place ever since. Mr. Weissinger,
from whom we have before quoted, says of him, "I think he deserves all the praise
that has been bestowed on him. He is the finest stallion I ever saw. His legs
are flat and broad shoulders well set back, loin and back bone very strong, length
of hip beyond anything I ever saw, as quick in breaking as the bullet from the
rifle, head and neck faultless; in motion, mouth open, crest sublime, legs carried
finely under him, square and even, and fore legs bending beautifully." We might
quote other printed descriptions and recommendations of him, but it does not comport
with our design.
Nearly
all his colts more or less exhibit his traits. In this County they have become
very common. Almost every farmer is anxious to obtain a Black Hawk colt. He has
also a high reputation in almost every State. Probably the stock of no horse,
ever kept in this country, has been so extensively known and so highly appreciated.
Mr. Hill says, -- "It is claimed by many of our best judges, that this is a new and
permanent variety or breed. By this is meant that they possess peculiar points
so uniform and distinct from the immediate ancestors of Black Hawk that he is
justly entitled to be considered the parent or head of a distinct class." He says
also, "Black Hawk has sired, I think, fully one hundred colts a year, since I
owned him. His colts are now distributed throughout nearly all, if not all, the
States of the Union, and several are in Canada. I know of some owned in every
State except" five southern and south-western States. He says, "this breed of
horses have great beauty and symmetry, are high-spirited, yet docile and tractable:
are more generally adapted for light and
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
rapid driving; have great courage and endurance; many are adapted for the farmer's
"all work" horses, and few or none for the slow and heavy coach."
Mr.
Hill has furnished us the following information of the prices which some of Black
Hawk's colts have been sold. Fifty colts, including a few geldings, and mares,
sold in Bridport, have averaged over $600 each. Eight, sold by himself, consisting
of four fillies, one gelding, two three year old and one four year old stallions
have averaged over $700 each. "The following," he says, "are a few of the most
noted of this horse's stock, with prices paid or offered for them. Ethan Allen,
$10,000, Red Leg, a gelding, $1,750, Black Hawk Maid, a mare, $1,600. The above
were all from the same dam, and raised by Joel W. Holcomb, of Ticonderoga, N.
Y.. Belle of Saratoga, a mare raised by David Hill, $4,200; Know Nothing, a gelding,
$5,500; David Hill, now in California, $10,000; Ticonderoga, $5,000; Hammitt colt,
$5,000; Sherman Black Hawk, $5,000; Plato, three years old, $3,000; Flying Cloud,
of Ohio, $3,000 ; Rip Van Winkle, two years old, $2,000."
Black
Hawk * is now (1855) twenty-one years old, and there is so great demand for his
services, that the price charged for each mare the present season is one hundred
dollars.
The
Rutland and Burlington Rail Road, from Burlington to Bellows Falls, and passing
through the whole length of this County, which was first opened about the first
of January, 1850, has advanced the prosperity of agriculture beyond any other
influence. It has opened a direct and rapid communication with Boston and New
York, which are adequate markets for all the agricultural productions of the County
at high prices. The result has been to raise the price of all agricultural products.
The price of lands in the vicinity, by the same means, has also been raised from
25 to 50 per cent, and in some cases doubled. And if those who have contributed
so liberally for the construction of the road, have lost their whole investment,
the farmers have gained as much. One obvious
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*
Black Hawk has died since the above was written.
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
benefit, resulting from this influence, has been to raise the amount and quality
of the productions of the dairy. There is now no danger of getting any but good
butter from any farmer.
__________
*
See Appendix No. 2, for agricultural and other products in the
County.