Essex

GASKILL, David

Vermont Historical Magazine, No. XI, October 1867, p 1037 (extracted from a 
section on the history of Maidstone, Essex County)

David GASKILL and family moved to Maidstone [Essex County, Vermont] about 
1780. He bought a lot of meadow land on the Connecticut [River], and in a 
few years, by industry and economy, they cleared their land from a wilderness 
to a well-cultivated farm, and placed themselves in comfortable circumstances 
in life. In 1788 Mr. GASKILL was elected justice of the peace, and held the 
office as long as he lived, by annual election. He performed more service as 
magistrate than all others in town. Towards the close of his life he united 
with the Methodist church. Mr. GASKILL was a singular man in many of his 
ways. When upon his death bed, Col. Rich STEVENS called to see him. When 
inquired of about his health, he replied that he was growing worse and could 
not live long, and requested that Mr. STEVENS attend to his funeral, and 
after he was lowered in the grave, to ask in a loud voice, "David GASKILL, is 
it all well with thee?" and if it was not all well, he would answer. Mr. 
STEVENS accordingly attended the funeral, and after the mourners had retired, 
knelt by the grave and fulfilled the last request of his neighbor. Receiving 
no answer, he went away with the assurance that it was all well with David 
GASKILL. He was an honest, upright man, and died about 1826.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly