"My father was one of the poor men of Vermont. When I was a small boy I have pealed many a birch broom for a sixpence.[5] My Father could get one shilling for what he made, take them on his back, carry them four or five miles, sell them, bring home a little meal, or a little bread, sometimes a half bushel Potatoes. My mother would go two or three miles, and do a washing, bring home at night a loaf of wry bread, and a small peace was all we had for supper and a smaller Piece in the morning. Sometimes we was allowed one Potato roasted in the ashes--no Hearth in the old log-House. My mother has stirred butter in a tea-cup with the point of a knife, to keep her little children from starving. My Father had about half acre of oats--poor fence--the old cow got in the oats and died. Then came the pinch--we as little children had to flee to the woods to get something to sustain life--no schools, no meetings--nothing but hunger and despair. I lived with my Father until I was twenty-one years old. After I was sixteen my Father improved a little in living. When I was a little over twenty-one I got me a wife--we was both Poor--three knifes, three forks, three teacups, three chairs, a poor bed--hardly could we keep house. But our courage was good--my wife always standing by me, through all my trouble and trials--shoulder to shoulder--heart & hand, from the day of our marriage until the day of her Death. No man never had a better wife than I had--always kind to the Poor and to all her relations. She is now in the Grave Yard, and my judgment is, she is well prepared for the next world--and for the good feeling I have had for her for over fifty-six years, I have Erected a monument over her grave weighing 7 tons, and twenty-one feet high--it is a splendid monument--cost me over $600.00. "On the Eighth day of last July the Bishop confirmed 28 in our Church at the ---- everything in good order--the singing was complete--my Voice is still heard above all the singers and I still stand at the head of the choir--I am only 77.--On the 16th day of last October, Previous notice being given, the wardens and Vestry met at my house--one minister was also present, a Lawyer being called to do the business. At 2 o'clock, P. M. I commenced handing over Deeds of land, Buildings, Bonds, mortgages, money & furniture, to the amount of nineteen thousand and five hundred Dollars, the use and interest only to be used for the Church and the ---- Institute; but in case there should be a failure of the Church & school, for seven years, at any one time, then the Property to go back to my Heirs.