Chittenden

COLE, Richard Goldsmith

Vermont Historical Magazine, No XI, October 1867, pp 643-645 (edited excerpt 
from "Memoir of Richard G. COLE, Esq." from a commemorative discourse by the 
Rev. D. H. BUEL, contained in a section on the history of Burlington, 
Chittenden County)

Richard Goldsmith COLE was born 07 November 1795 in the town of Rindge, 
Cheshire County, New Hampshire. At the age of six years he was taken to the 
house of his uncle in Cambridgeport [Middlesex Suffolk County, 
Massachusetts], near Boston, where he was brought up. This change of 
residence had a very important influence upon his whole subsequent life. In 
his new home and yet in his childhood, he formed the attachment which ripened 
into the scared relation that rendered his domestic life peculiarly happy; 
cheering and supporting him in all his duties and trials, and at last 
tenderly soothing his passage to a better home. In this seat of high 
cultivation and refinement [Boston] he acquired also the literary tastes and 
sympathies which he carried with him through life, and which imparted to him 
a degree of intellectual culture and freshness not often found in men of 
business whose early advantages of education have been very limited.

At the age of fourteen years he was taken by his uncle into his store and 
bred to the business of a merchant. He followed this pursuit for many years, 
in Cambridgeport, in New York, and in Troy [Orleans County, Vermont]. In 
1826 he was made an officer in the bank of Troy and remained in that capacity 
six years, until he was invited to the position which has ever since held in 
Burlington [Chittenden County, Vermont]. In Troy, my [Rev. D. H. BUEL's] 
native city, I know that he left behind him an honorable name and a pleasant 
memory.

When Mr. COLE came to Burlington in 1832, he was in the full vigor of 
manhood, and to the interests of this community, and of the church in this 
place he has devoted the best part of his life. The universal respect and 
affection in which his memory is held testify that the life was well spent. 
As a bank officer and business man, the name of Mr. COLE was the symbol of 
inflexible integrity. His name and presence contributed much to inspire in 
the community universal confidence in the institution of which he was an 
important officer. The directors and proprietors of the bank here have 
attested their high appreciation of the faithfulness and ability with which 
he guarded and advanced their interests, and the testimony of our people is 
that with impartial fidelity he ever aimed to use the power of the 
institution to aid worthy men in their honest enterprises, and to advance the 
best interests of the community in which it was located.

One year after Mr. COLE came to Burlington [Chittenden County Vermont], he was 
confirmed and became a communicant of the Episcopal church. He had long been 
a warmly attached attendant upon it services, and while in Troy had zealously 
contributed his fine musical powers to conduct the music of St. Paul's 
Church. But by the steps he took in this holy house just thirty-one years 
ago, he became an avowed servant of Christ. He was then in the fullness of 
the strength of manhood, just thirty-eight years of age, and with the 
prospect of a long and prosperous and happy life before him. The Vestry of 
this parish have truly said of him that he was a pillar of strength, a 
praise, and a blessing to our church.

The simple recital of the responsible and honorable trusts which he has held 
in the church, and to most of which he was annually chosen, shows the 
reliance that was placed on him and the high estimation in which he was held. 
For thirty years he has been a vestryman of St. Paul's Church; the last 
seventeen years its Senior Warden; eighteen years treasurer of the parish; 
since 1840 a delegate to the annual Diocesan Convention; delegate from 
Vermont in the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the 
U. S., 1844 and 1853; twelve years a member of the Standing Committees of the 
Diocese; since 1856 a trustee of the Vermont Episcopal Institute, and 
treasurer of that corporation.

For some years a member of the Board of Land Agents; in all these positions 
his soundness of judgment, the wisdom of his counsels, his integrity, and 
firmness of principle, his skill in business, and his uniform kindness and 
courtesy, made him a very valuable officer, and most congenial associate; not 
honor or profit but duty was always his watchword; a faithful servant in all 
the trusts confided to him. Within the last few weeks, although very feeble 
in health, he several times encountered the inclemency of weather on a 
winter's evening, or exposure of a cold ride, that he might discharge his 
duty as a member of the standing Committee, and a Trustee of the institute.

For twenty-five years was leader of the music of the Church; possessed 
admirable musical powers; a thorough knowledge of music, excellent taste and 
judgment, a fine ear and a voice of uncommon richness and power; sacred music 
was his delight. He used his worldly substance as a steward of God, 
regarding it as a trust committed to him by God, for which he must account to 
Him. He was not a wealthy man, yet no one ever gave more largely that he to 
the maintenance of the church in this parish, and in the same spirit he 
contributed to every other good object that justly claimed his sympathy and 
aid.

The poor on all sides were the constant recipients of his thoughtful 
kindness. He was the friend and protector of the widow and the fatherless; 
and he dispensed his kindness to the needy in the most considerate way; not 
only seeking to relieve their pressing wants, but studying also their 
improvement and gratifications. His house was ever the abode of the most 
generous and kindly hospitality. On the evening of 18 December 1864 he 
[Richard Goldsmith COLE] fell asleep in Jesus as gently as a child sinks to 
rest on it mother's breast.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly