Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 2.djvu/243

 THEE

��GRANITE MONTHLY.

��A MAGAZINE OF LITERATURE, HISTORY, AND STATE PROGRESS.

��VOL. II.

��MAY, 1879.

��NO. 8.

��HON. LEVI W. BARTON.

��Croydon, in Sullivan County, is sit- uated on the highlands between Con- necticut and Merrimac rivers. The north branch of Sugar River crosses it, dividing it into two nearly equal parts. The soil is diversified, and much of its scenery is wild and picturesque. "Croydon Mountain," extending across the western part of the town, is the highest elevation in the county and commands an extensive and beautiful prospect.

The charter of Croydon, signed by Benning Wentworth, was dated May 31, 1 763. The township was divided into seventy-one shares, of which two were reserved as a farm for Gov. Wentworth ; one, for the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts ; one, as a glebe for the Church of England ; one, for the first minister who should settle in town ; one, for the education of youth, and the remaining sixty-five to as many different individuals.

The first meeting of the grantees was held at Grafton, Mass., June 17, 1763 ; and the first meeting in Croydon, Jan. 1 7, 1 768. From Grafton, in the spring of 1766, came the first settlers of Croydon, and commenced the erection of cabins in the unbroken forest. They were hardy, brave men and grap- pled manfully and resolutely with the hardships of pioneer life.

Among those who came to Croydon, in the spring of 1766, was Ezekiel

��Powers, son of Lemuel and Thankful (Leland) Powers, born in Grafton, Mass., March 21, 1745* He 'was ad- mirably fitted to endure the hardships and privations incident to a new set- tlement, being a man of rare physical power, but of an active, energetic and versatile mind. His children were Ezekiel, Jun., Abijah James and several daughters. Among his decendants are numbered some in each of the learned professions, and in the various walks of business life.

Bezaleel Barton* Benjamin Barton, and Peter Barton, brothers, came to Croydon, during the Revolution, from Sutton, Mass.

Levi W. Barton, grandson of Peter Barton and Ezekiel Powers, and son of Bezaleel Barton, 2d, and Hannah (Powers) Barton, the eldest of five brothers, was born in Croydon, on the first day of March, 181 8. His father's business calling him from home much of the time, the care and management of the children fell to the lot of their mother, a woman well fitted to take the responsibility. After the death of her husband she, by untiring industry and the most rigid economy managed to keep her family together and in com- fortable circumstances. But few moth- ers, if placed in her circumstances could "keep the wolf from the door." Levi W. early learned to share with his mother the cares and responsibility

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