Burlington Historical and Reminiscent
Bulia Fitch Hubbard Shaul

Transcription of an October 13, 1896 newspaper article (specific newspaper is unknown), which was written by Bulia Fitch Hubbard Shaul, granddaughter of Phebe Hubbard.
This article contributed by Margaret Bornick.

HEADLINE: HISTORICAL AND REMINISCENT. My paternal grandparents were among the first settlers of this town. Grandfather, with one of grandmother's uncles, Ira Johnson, who was about the same age, came to this, then a wilderness country, in the summer of 1792. They performed the journey on foot from their home in Chatham, Conn., and purchased adjoining land of Mr. Cooper, from whom Cooperstown takes its name. Each made a small clearing, built a log house, and in the fall returned to their home the same way they came. As they drew near their home grandmother and her aunt Mary, Mr. Johnson's wife, were frightened, for they thought a couple of Indians were coming. In some way they not only burned their log heaps but their shaving utensils also, and so for a long time they had none to use, and for fun went home with unwashed faces blackened by their toil. The following winter my grandparents, with two small children, the youngest a babe six weeks old, emigrated to their new home in the wilderness. They came with a pair of oxen and a sled, that carried their household goods also. Grandmother found no door to her cabin when she got here but said "I hung up my rag kiverlid." Wild beasts roamed over these hills and valleys, and one evening grandfather went through the woods about two miles distant to transact some business and on his return was chased by a pack of wolves and compelled to climb a tree, where they serenaded him with their howls till morning before they disappeared. They kept a few sheep and when they came near the house grandmother used to feed them to induce them to stay near by and one day after feeding them, she returned to her work but could not find her darning needle. Afterwards they killed one of those sheep and she found her needle in its thigh. They were energetic and very industrious but they had to endure the hardships and deprivations of pioneer life. About 1802 they built a framed barn and a large substantial house with a huge chimney in the center, as was the custom in those days, its walls not plastered but ceiled with pine. On the back of the house was a stoop which extended to the wing, also one on the front with stationary benches, and it was enclosed with lattice work about three feet high. Below the eaves were large scallops, on two of which over the entrance were painted two large American Eagles. I have often thought of their pleasure and satisfaction when they took possession of their new home, whose foundation was laid with so much toil and hardship.
Grandfather possessed excellent traits of character, but goodness did not prevent the early appearance of the destroying angel, for he passed away October 15, 1815, leaving his companion and eight children, the youngest seven years of age . . . . . . . . . .Parker. Grandmother lived a widow nearly sixty years, but always in the same dear home and in the full enjoyment of the comforts of this life. One of her sons occupied the old homestead over forty years, but he and his wife passed on before her; then a granddaughter took their place, who never failed in love and tender care for her . . . old grandmother. The hardest trial of her life was doubtless the loss and the way whereby she lost her youngest son Jared, who fell by the hand of an assassin in 1846. But she had the comforting assurance that he had gone to a better country beyond the reach of evil and designing m. . (men). He was her pride and her joy, and w . . . (well) did he deserve the love she abundantly bestowed upon him. She occupied a room by herself, which was always tidy and kept in good order, and she retained the full use of her mental faculties until about two years previous to her death when they became somewhat impaired by an injury to her head, the result of a fall. She was a beloved member of the Baptist church at Burlington Flats, and had she lived four months longer would have been a member of that body seventy-five years. After a long life of usefulness and loving service she passed to her reward and exchanged the cross for a crown on the morning of January 2, 1873. She was born January 26, 1772.
B. F. Shaul, Burlington Flats, Oct. 13, 1896

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