Caledonia

BARNET, John

Vermont Historical Magazine, No XI, October 1867, pp 409-410

"Captain John BARNET," said "The Caledonian," in an obituary notice, "was one 
of our oldest citizens; had been a resident of this town [St. Johnsbury, 
Caledonia County, Vermont] fifty years or upwards, was widely known and much 
respected." Mrs. CURTIS, his daughter, who resides in St. Johnsbury, thus 
writes: "Your kind offer to insert something in the St. Johnsbury chapter, 
if I would furnish it, of my father, stirs me up to attempt. I shall fail to 
write an article that will read well, would that I could borrow some able pen 
to write a history of that lovely man,, but I will endeavor to give you a few 
facts."

"From the large family Bible bequeathed to me, I find the record: John 
BARNEY [typo in original text for BARNET], born in New Haven [New Haven 
County], Connecticut, 04 January 1775; married in St. Johnsbury [Caledonia 
County], Vermont, 17 July 1802, to Betsy CARLTON." He resided in his native 
place until about twenty-one years of age. After this settlement at St. 
Johnsbury he became the captain of a military company, which office he 
acceptably filled several years. He built the second public house of 
entertainment on the Plain. A part of the building now remains, connected 
with the St. Johnsbury House. This house he kept for many years, and as was 
customary in those days, it had its bar, but when the temperance cause awoke 
in Vermont, and came up like a bannered host from the wilderness, he was one 
of the first to enlist in this great moral reform, and stand ever afterward 
by its sacred standard. He held several town offices in his day; was deputy 
sheriff from 1809 a number of years; also justice of the peace several years; 
and was known as a townsman always one of the first in all patriotic, 
enterprising and benevolent movements. I have often heard my parents narrate 
various incidents connected with their habits of living, social, moral and 
physical. True, I find as I dwell upon them none of the superfluities and 
elegancies of life that constitute the luxuries of the present, but I find 
instead, a homely but hearty sufficiency, with frugality and cleanliness 
withal, and a home ever made desirable and appreciated."

"A characteristic picture of their sociality was the winter evening visit. 
Some long and pleasant December or January evening, the noble yoke of oxen 
were 'whoa'd' and 'gee'd' to the kitchen door, hitched to the sled, and the 
first family started; calling for the next family and the next, on the way, 
till the last family on the road joined the party; arrived at their 
destination, as our old fashioned surprise party came steadily up to the log 
mansion, and shaking off their 'buffalo of hay,' the sleds were unloaded upon 
the great stone door step, the welcomings and greetings were sometimes so 
hearty as to be almost deafening. The well fatted turkey must be prepared 
for the spit, and pies and puddings well flavored, placed for baking; 
meanwhile a mug of hot flip* came not amiss after their cold ride of eight or 
ten miles. A good supper, joviality and sincere good will crowned the hour."

"I could dwell at much length on many adventures of these early settlers, 
deer huntings, etc., but others will recount for you similar narratives. And 
of my father's Christian character I would speak more fully. In or about 
1827, he made a public profession of the Christian religion, and erected a 
family altar, where from thenceforth prayer went up daily from a heart 
overflowing. Even now I seem to hear the kindness that lingered in his voice 
as he reproved our childish follies, or see the patient, beaming smile, as he 
encouraged our feeble efforts to do the right. Thus a sainted father's 
heavenly influences still shine out sweetly and clearly upon the path of his 
child, guilding on like a beacon star to right purposes, activity, patience 
here, and the hope of the beyond. It is an inestimable blessing to have such 
a father. And to lose him ---. But I write of the dead, and would not wrong 
the messenger that gathered back the breath..."

"He died 12 October 1860, suddenly, of heart disease, at the house of his 
daughter in Lancaster [County], New Hampshire, aged seventy-six. At his 
funeral, one of the deacons of the church [Gov. FAIRBANKS] arose after the 
sermon, and amid the tearful congregation, spoke at some length of the power 
of holy example. 'I know,' said he, 'it is not according to our custom to 
thus speak in the funerals of our dead, but a good man has departed, and I 
cannot refrain from this just tribute.' Our aged mother, who has already 
seen eighty-one summers, resides in her old home with her son George. Her 
children are all living, four in number." [A poem, written by his niece from 
Connecticut, Sarah Elizabeth, published in "The Caledonian" and entitled "A 
Good Man Has Departed," has been omitted.]

[* Flip was made in a large pewter mug or earthenware pitcher, which could 
hold as much as three or four quarts. The mug was filled about two-thirds 
full of strong beer, ale or cider, and a "gill" of rum, eggs, sweetener 
(sugar or molasses) and flavorings (pumpkin, nutmeg, or ginger) added. A 
loggerhead (iron poker), always kept warm in the ashes, was then inserted in 
the mug to burn the mug of flip, causing it to bubble up and foam. As an old 
New England verse put it: "Where dozed a fire of beechen logs that bred, 
strange fancies in its embers golden-red, and nursed the loggerhead, whose 
hissing dip, timed by wise instinct, creamed the bowl of flip."]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly