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From: "Pauline Manosh" <>
Subject: [VT-L] Montpelier, Vermont Washington County "The Dodge Family" New Hampshire
Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2000 14:50:41 -0500


>From Hemenway's Vermont Historical Gazetteer:
Vol. 4 pg. 501-502 published 1882
Montpelier, Vermont Washington County

In 1811 two brothers, Jared and Thomas Dodge, who were born in New
Hampshire, came from Barre to this town. Jared, the eldest of the two, early
became a member of the Congregational church, and was a devoted member until
his death. He married Namomi Olcutt, of Keene, N. H; and reared a family of
6 sons and 3 daughter, another daughter dying in infancy. Mary, the eldest,
married for her first husband a Mr. Wallace, and for her second, William
Storrs, for many years a merchant in town, who died in March, 1870. She was
a Spartan mother, for she gave her two only sons to the late war, who were
both sacrificed upon the altar of their country.(See the town military
record.) Of the other daughters, Angelina and Abigail died when in their
teens. Almira married, and is yet living. Of the sons, Theodore A; the
eldest, was a very eccentric man. When the rebellion broke out, he offered
his services to his country, but for age and disability was rejected. We
give an extract from one of his poetic effusions, to the tune, "Scots what
hae wi' Wallace bled" (The Vermont Volunteer) Not added here.
He died in 1879, aged 65. Eleazer went to California at an early day, where
he yet resides. Gilman B. has been for many years janitor of Bethany church.
Richard is the veteran of two wars. (See town military record of Mexican War
and Rebellion.) At the battle of Chepultepec, Mexico, he was complimented
by his officers for bravery in the storming of the fort. He was the first
man to scale the walls, and when handling down the enemy;s flag, received a
bayonet wound in the face, which scar he carries to this day, as he does
also several others received in action. When a boy he was dubbed with the
title of "Shack, " which he is familiarly known by to this day. To give all
of the narrow escapes which he has passed through would fill a volume. He
was never "dared" but what he made the "attempt, "regardless of the result.
The other two, Wm. and Joel, also reside in town. Jared died Mar. 1, 1859,
in his 82d year, and his wife in Aug. 1877, in her 92d year.
Thomas married twice; had 4 children by his first marriage--1 son and 3
daughter,--Job Dodge, the son, died a year since, in Illinois, leaving a
large estate;--his second wife was Abby S. (Cady) Grant, by whom he had two
daughters. He was for several years a partner with Silas C. French, in the
boot and shoe business. He died March 31, 1867, aged 78. His wife is now
living, at the age of 79. He is credited as being the author of the
quotation of "A long pull, a strong pull, and pull altogether." We are
informed that the late U.S. Senator Jacob Collamer being informed of this,
asked him for his picture, which upon receiving, had a portrait painted from
it, and placed it in the National Art Gallery at Washington, D. C.
Polly

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