Essex

HIBBARD, David (Sr., Jr., III) & Harry

Vermont Historical Magazine, No. XI, October 1867, pp 977-978
(extracted from a section on the history of Concord, Essex County, Vermont)

Biography of David HIBBARD [Sr.] - pp 977-978

Deacon David HIBBARD, who was born 02 December 1755 in Windham [Windham 
County], Connecticut, and who on 11 November 1779 was married to Eunice 
TALCOTT, lived for a number of years in Coventry [Tolland County], 
Connecticut. They were the parents of thirteen children, all but one of whom 
lived to manhood. In 1782 or 1783 he moved to Norwich [Windsor County], 
Vermont, where he resided until 1799, when he came to Concord [Essex County, 
Vermont], where he lived until his death; he [Deacon David HIBBARD] died 18 
February 1844 in his ninetieth year.

From an obituary published soon after his decease, we make the following 
extract, as being peculiarly to the point as a truthful account of his life: 
"He became of age in December, after the celebration of Independence, and 
engaged with ardor in the struggle that resulted in its acknowledgment by 
Great Britain. Soon after the Revolution was closed he married and removed 
to Norwich in this state [Vermont]. After a residence in Norwich of a number 
of years, he came to Concord [Essex County, Vermont] in 1799, with his 
family. This was but a few years after the settlement of the town commenced 
[Concord chartered 1781]. Previous to his coming to Concord he made a public 
confession of religion by uniting with the Congregational church in Norwich 
[Windsor County, Vermont]. When he came to Concord there was no religious 
society in town, but he did not consider this circumstance as releasing him 
from his covenant vows. On the contrary, he considered it an indication of 
Providence that he should enter into the vineyard of the Lord and labor. He 
accordingly assembled the few scattered inhabitants of the neighborhood into 
a devotional service upon the Sabbath. He led their minds to the throne of 
grace in prayer. He read to them from the word of God, and gave them 
illustrations of truth in the sermons of others. And this he continued to do 
from year to year until God sent them a pastor, the Rev. Samuel GODDARD, 
recently deceased in Norwich [Windsor County, Vermont]. Thus he [David 
HIBBARD] was emphatically, as remarked by a friend on the day of interment, 
the father of the religious society in the town. In 1807 the Congregational 
church was organized, and he was appointed the first deacon, which office he 
held until his death, and the duties of which he discharged with the 
strictest fidelity. He also held various important and responsible offices 
in town and county. In short, he was a man greatly respected by all 
acquainted with him for the strength of his mind, the soundness of his 
judgment, and the integrity of his life. In all places his labors were 
untiring, his example worthy, and his memory blessed."

Biography of David HIBBARD [Jr.] - p 978

Hon. David HIBBARD was born 23 December 1780 at Coventry [Tolland County], 
Connecticut, son of David and Eunice HIBBARD, and was the oldest of thirteen 
children. He came to this town [Concord, Essex County, Vermont] with his 
father's family in 1898, being then some eighteen years of age. His means 
for acquiring an education were limited, but his superior natural abilities 
compensated in a great degree for this deficiency. He pursued the occupation 
of a farmer until considerably past the period of manhood, and then turned 
his attention to the law as a profession. He was emphatically what is termed 
a self-made lawyer. Though not possessed of brilliant oratorical powers, he 
was an excellent judge of law, having a strong mind and remarkable retentive 
memory, and best of all, he was a man of unbending integrity, and one who 
most thoroughly despised duplicity or dishonesty in others. He was honored 
with many important offices of trust both in town and county [sheriff of 
Essex County, Vermont 1812-1814; state's attorney 1828-1831]. It was 
frequently remarked, after his decease, that the community had lost an honest 
lawyer. He [David HIBBARD, Jr.] died 21 March 1852, having suffered much in 
body and mind for several years from the effects of a severe attack of 
paralysis in 1845.

David HIBBARD 3rd - p 978

David HIBBARD 3rd was born in Concord [Essex County, Vermont], son of David 
HIBBARD, Jr., and the eldest of three children. Like his father he is a man 
of strong mind and large and varied information, a most thorough hater of 
oppression and lover of liberty and freedom. He has usefully and honorably 
filled many important offices in the town and county; but the space for 
biography in this work in intended rather for the dead and absent sons of 
Vermont than for the living resident, however they may be an honor unto and 
beloved by town or county.

Biography of Harry HIBBARD - p 978 (son of David Jr.)

Hon. Harry HIBBARD was born 01 June 1816 in Concord [Essex County, Vermont], 
second son of David HIBBARD, Jr., is also a man of decided talent, a lawyer 
by profession, residing at Bath [Grafton County], New Hampshire. Entering 
college at the early age of sixteen, he passed rapidly through his collegiate 
and professional studies and commenced the practice of law at a very early 
age, and rose rapidly to the head of his profession. He has held many 
responsible offices in his adopted state, being twice elected Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and twice President of the state Senate; served six 
years as a member of Congress from the third district in New Hampshire; in 
1845 was a candidate for the U. S. Senate, but was defeated by John P. HALE, 
whose political views were more in accordance with the public sentiment in 
New Hampshire than his. For a number of years past he has devoted himself 
entirely to his profession, and ranks with he most able advocates in his 
state.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly