Chittenden

DOOLITTLE, Philo

Vermont Historical Magazine, No XI, October 1867, pp 640-643 [excerpt from a 
section on the history of Burlington; authored by Mrs. Catherine E. DOOLITTLE]

When a good man is removed from the scenes and society of earth, and from the 
tender offices of human friendship and love, to his rest in the paradise of 
the blessed, the mournful satisfaction of testifying to his goodness, and of 
cherishing the memory of his virtues, remains for the sorrowing ones who are 
left behind. It is thought the following biographical sketch of Mr. 
DOOLITTLE, and of that blameless private life which made his death a public 
calamity, will be acceptable, not only to those who enjoyed his personal 
friendship and love, but also to all who value the records of the good, and 
the blessed memory of the just.

Philo DOOLITTLE was born 01 October 1793 in the town of Wallingford [New 
Haven County], Connecticut. He was the son of Theophilus DOOLITTLE, who was 
descended from Abraham DOOLITTLE, who came to America from England in 1640, 
and settled in New Haven [New Haven County], Connecticut, and removed to 
Wallingford in the autumn of 1669. The descendants of Abraham DOOLITTLE, in 
the line of Philo DOOLITTLE, were Theophilus 1st, Theophilus 2nd, Solomon, 
Theophilus 3rd, and Philo. Of Abraham DOOLITTLE and his descendants the old 
town records of New Haven and Wallingford testify that all were active men in 
the church and town, and many of them held important offices. Abiah ATWATER, 
the maiden name of the mother of Philo DOOLITTLE, was the fourth in descent 
from David ATWATER, who was also one of the first founders of New Haven. 
Philo DOOLITTLE, therefore, on father's and mother's side, stood in the fifth 
degree [generation] from the original founders of that colony.

When three or four years of age, the subject of this memoir removed with his 
parents to Vermont, in which state he resided during the remainder of his 
life. At the early age of little more than ten years, he was summoned to the 
bedside of his dying father, and received from him, as the eldest son, the 
solemn and responsible charge to be henceforth, so far as he should be able, 
the comfort and support of his mother, and the father of the bereaved family. 
This injunction the son tenderly remembered through his whole life, and 
faithfully fulfilled when more mature years had qualified him for the sacred 
tasks.

Deprived of their guardian and protector by his early death, the widowed 
mother and her four young children were thrown unprovided for upon the world. 
But God remembered them. Philo, the eldest son, found in the hospitable 
dwelling of Judge Lemuel BOTTOM, of Williston [Chittenden County], Vermont, a 
kind home, and paternal care for many subsequent years. With this family he 
sustained the most filial relations, and of their unvarying kindness he 
cherished during his life a grateful remembrance. Here the days of his youth 
passed pleasantly. In the summer seasons he was employed in the various 
light labors of the farm, and in the winter months enjoyed such advantages of 
education as were commonly given to the sons and daughters of our substantial 
farmers. In after years, upon this humble foundation of a common school 
education, he reared by the efforts of his own active and accurate mind, a 
fair superstructure of much varied and practical knowledge.

In 1808 his kind benefactor, Judge [Lemuel] BOTTOM, requested him to choose 
the occupation of his future life, leaving it optional with himself to 
continue his connection with the agricultural pursuits of the farm, with kind 
assurance of aid and advancement should he remain, or to remove to an 
eligible situation which at that time presented itself, where he might be 
educated for mercantile pursuits. He chose the latter course, and at the age 
of fifteen years entered upon the duties of clerkship in the employment of E. 
T. ENGLESBY, Esq., a merchant in Burlington, in which situation he remained 
until he attained the age of twenty-one years. In 1815 Mr. DOOLITTLE first 
engaged in business upon his own account, in partnership with Henry MAYO, 
Esq., and entered upon that career of industry, probity, and enterprise which 
secured for him, under the blessing of Providence, a reasonable measure of 
success in life. In 1822 this copartnership was dissolved, and from that 
time until the close of his mercantile life, which occurred in 1852, Mr. 
DOOLITTLE conducted his business without a partner, with the exception of the 
years from 1843 to 1847, when his son, Mr. H. H. DOOLITTLE, was associated 
with him.

Mr. DOOLITTLE's connection with the interests of navigation on Lake Champlain 
commenced with the formation of the Champlain Ferry Company, which was 
chartered by the Legislature of Vermont 18 November 1824, of which he was one 
of the original corporators. On 29 November 1824 he was chosen one of the 
first directors of the company, and in 1825 elected clerk and treasurer of 
the same, in place of Andrew THOMPSON, Esq., resigned. These appointments he 
held until the Ferry Company was incorporated with the Champlain 
Transportation Company on 24 January 1835.

On 24 October 1826 the Champlain Transportation Company was organized, of 
which Mr. DOOLITTLE was one of the original stockholders. On 10 November 
1826 he was chosen a director and appointed clerk and treasurer of the 
company. On 23 February 1827, in consequence of the building of the steamer 
"Franklin," at St. Albans [Franklin County], it was found convenient to 
remove the books of the company to that place, and Mr. DOOLITTLE resigned the 
clerk and treasureship, which was transferred to the hands of Hon. Lawrence 
BRAINARD, of St. Albans. On 31 January 1828, the "Franklin" being completed, 
Mr. DOOLITTLE was reinstated in these offices and retained them during the 
remainder of his life. Subsequently he was solicited to undertake the 
general agency of the "North and South Through Line" of railroads and 
steamers running from Rouse's Point [Clinton County] to Troy [Rensselaer 
County], New York, and although, on account of his advancing years and 
declining health, he accepted the appointment with reluctance, its arduous 
duties he discharged, so long as he lived, with the fidelity, efficiency and 
courtesy which always distinguished him, and which closely identified him 
with the traveling and commercial interests along these routes.

On 22 March 1827 Mr. DOOLITTLE was chosen one of the Board of Directors of 
the Bank of Burlington, by a unanimous vote, and on 29 January 1849 
unanimously elected President of that Board in place of E. T. ENGLESBY, Esq., 
resigned. By his connection with this institution, which continued 
uninterruptedly during his life, or for thirty-five years, Mr. DOOLITTLE has 
become more generally known perhaps, to the business men of this vicinity 
than in any other way, and we cannot in any way so accurately express the 
estimation which those associated with him in these relations place upon his 
character, or so clearly exhibit his position and standing as a business man, 
as by quoting from the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of that 
Bank in reference to his decease: "Our late President, Philo DOOLITTLE, 
Esq., having been suddenly and unexpectedly taken from us by death since the 
last weekly meeting of our Board, whereby we are saddened today by the sight 
of his vacant chair and a sorrowful sense of the loss that has befallen 
ourselves personally, and the institution over which he has so long and ably 
presided; therefore Resolved, That in the death of Mr. DOOLITTLE we feel that 
we have lost one who by the transparent kindness of heart and uniform 
urbanity of manner with which he ever presided over our deliberations; by his 
unswerving honesty and integrity of purpose, and his high sense of honor in 
all our business transactions; by the wisdom and prudence of his counsels and 
his unwearying attentiveness to his duties, had won our profound esteem and 
our most affectionate and sincere regard. Resolved, That the Bank of 
Burlington in thus losing one who has been a Director at its Board for 
thirty-five years past, and its President for the last thirteen, has lost an 
officer of whom it is largely indebted for its long course of prosperity, and 
whose labors and services in its behalf should be held in grateful 
remembrance. Resolved, That as a mark of respect to the memory of the 
deceased, and as a token of our regard for him, we will attend his burial on 
Friday next. - Bank of Burlington, 23 January 1862"

On 11 July 1820 Mr. [Philo] DOOLITTLE was united in marriage [with his first 
wife], Harriet E. HAYES, daughter of Newton HAYES, Esq., then a resident of 
Burlington [Chittenden County, Vermont], now of Staten Island [then Richmond 
County; since 1975 a borough of New York City], New York; on 01 August 1837 
Mrs. [Harriet E.] DOOLITTLE was removed by death; one son, H. H. DOOLITTLE of 
Burlington, and one daughter, Mrs. J. S. GOULD, of Chicago [Cook County], 
Illinois, were the offspring of this marriage. On 10 July 1839 Mr. Philo 
DOOLITTLE was united in marriage with [his second wife] Eliza C. HAYES, 
sister of his former wife; she [Eliza C. DOOLITTLE] died 11 November 1843, 
leaving one daughter, H. C. DOOLITTLE. On 16 September 1846 Mr. Philo 
DOOLITTLE was united in marriage with [his third wife] Catherine Esther, 
daughter of the late Reuben BRUSH, Esq., of Vergennes [Addison County, 
Vermont], and granddaughter of Col. Nathaniel BRUSH, late of Bennington 
[Bennington County, Vermont].

Of the subject of this memoir it may be truly said that in the social and 
domestic relations of life he appeared almost without a fault. Confiding 
frankness and unaffected kindness characterized all his intercourse with 
friends. One who has known him in the intimacy of the family circle thus 
writes: "I remember well my last visit at his home and the more than usual 
warmth and kindness of Mr. DOOLITTLE's manner towards me, his quiet 
cheerfulness through the day and those pleasant evenings at the fireside, 
where he displayed to such advantage his delightful home qualities." Another 
friend thus writes of him: "I have passed many happy hours with him in the 
most familiar intercourse, and never in those unrestrained moments have I 
heard him give utterance to a thought or sentiment which he would wish 
recalled, not one uncharitable or unkind word did he ever utter in the hours 
so passed." Never did the recital of the sorrows of others fail to call 
forth the tender sympathies of his heart; his kindness towards all who in 
circumstances of blameless suffering or want applied to him for aid, was most 
consoling. In his estimate of the motives and conduct of others he exercised 
a generous forbearance, carefully avoiding anything akin to detraction in his 
conversation, and always manifesting the most unaffected humility in his 
deportment.

Mr. DOOLITTLE made a public profession of his faith in Christ on 24 January 
1841, and was confirmed by Bishop HOPKINS, in the communion of the Episcopal 
church. In this faith he continued steadfast, and was an officer of the St. 
Paul's church for many years. With feelings of humble and devout gratitude 
for the grace given him, we quote the following resolutions, passed by the 
Vestry of St. Paul's church, at a meeting held 21 January 1863: "Whereas, it 
has pleased Almighty God, by a sudden visitation of his hand to remove from 
us the honored and beloved associate in the Vestry of St. Paul's church, 
Philo DOOLITTLE, Esq., therefore be it Resolved, That we bow with reverent 
submission to the will of our Heavenly Father, in this sudden and most 
afflictive dispensation; and feeling that we personally, and the church and 
our whole community have met with a great loss, we desire to mingle our tears 
with those of the bereaved widow and family, and respectfully tender to them 
our kindest sympathy. Resolved, That we cherish with deep respect and 
affection the memory of our departed friend, as an upright and godly man, 
sound in judgment and gentle in heart, a wise counselor and a true and 
affectionate friend, most faithful in the important trusts of life which were 
committed to him, and most kindly in all the relations of friendship and 
neighborhood. Resolved, that we feel that our parish has lost from its 
outward communion a most valuable officer and member, one whose wise counsel 
and generous gifts, and above all, whose consistent and blameless Christian 
example and constant and unobtrusive ministries to the poor, made him a 
blessing and an ornament to the church which he loved, and in whose faith he 
lived and died. Resolve, That in testimony of our respect for our departed 
friend we will attend his funeral in a body, and wear the usual badge of 
mourning for thirty days."

Although for many years Mr. DOOLITTLE had felt increasingly the infirmities 
of age, he continued his industrious and active habits of life until the very 
day when the summons came which called him hence. In a moment, from 
apparently comfortable health he was stricken down by paralysis into helpless 
unconsciousness, and in this state he passed gently away from earth 19 January 
1862. Apprehensions of an attack of this nature had for several years 
oppressed his mind with sad forebodings of sudden death. Yet even these were 
not sufficient to disturb for any great length of time the equanimity of his 
feelings, or to subdue the cheerfulness of his heart. He had prepared 
himself for his Master's summons, and when it came we believe it found him 
ready.

We will close this brief sketch with the following touching tribute from the 
pen of his pastor, Rev. D. H. BUEL: "Since we last assembled here on the 
Lord's day, one of our number, who two weeks ago worshipped with us, has 
fallen asleep in Jesus. One of the oldest officers and members of our 
church, who justly stood so high in the affectionate respect and this parish 
and of our whole community that it is eminently proper for me to follow the 
dictates of my heart and pay a tribute to his memory in this sacred place. 
He was one of the oldest and fairest pillars of our church and of society. 
He belonged to that class of men, too rare at the present day, who 
unfortunately for our country are now regarded as relics of the better days 
of the republic. A man whose integrity was like pure gold, whose honesty of 
character was as transparent as the light, and whose kindly and sympathizing 
heart responded quickly to all the claims of neighborhood and humanity. 
Blessed also with a clear and well-balanced mind and with an even temper and 
the gentlest manners, it is no wonder that, notwithstanding his singular 
modesty, he was called to fill, during a great part of his life, many 
important and responsible trusts in society; and the faintest thought 
probably never crossed any man's mind that Philo DOOLITTLE could fulfill 
those trusts otherwise than with the most scrupulous fidelity. In all the 
intercourses of friendship and courtesy he was one of the kindest of men. 
Above all he was an earnest and consistent Christian, constant to the utmost 
of his ability in devoutly attending upon all the holy duties of the house of 
God. Ever ready and glad to give generously to do his part in maintaining 
the ministrations of the church and advancing the interests of Christ's 
kingdom. The kind friend of the poor, constantly ministering to them in the 
spirit of our Heavenly Father. His life admirably exemplified St. Paul's 
beautiful description of the highest of all the Christian graces: 'Charity 
suffereth long and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, 
is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is 
not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but 
rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all 
things, endureth all things.' As our venerated brother advanced in years he 
seemed to grow in zealous love for all the duties, public and private, of the 
Christian life, and in cheerful readiness to do his part in the work of the 
church. The life of such a member of his flock the Christian pastor must 
feel to be the strongest possible support and encouragement of his ministry. 
It enforces every earnest appeal and summons to a Christian life which 
emanates from the pulpit, and it commends the gospel to the hearts of men."

Submitted by Cathy Kubly