Chapter IV THE FAMILY OF DUDLEY CHASE The three eldest girls, Mercy, Lois, Abigail, now have grown into capable young women, well prepared to become heads of homes, in all that was needed. About this time Deacon Chase acquired considerable wealth by the sale of his lands, and he evidently was an excellent business man. His farm furnished the family with means of comfortable support. In 1780 he began to consider ways and means for providing his young people with homes for themselves. For this object he proposed to invest in "more land." He therefore started out to explore the valley of the White River and its "West Branch" in particular. This journey was made on foot and alone;and late at night, weary and hungry, he made his camp at a point near the site of old Christ Church, in what is now called Bethel, in Vermont. Here he found a convenient (?) stone for a pillow, and doubtless made himself as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. He soon feel asleep and like Jacob of old, dreamed that he saw the "Angels of God ascending and descending a ladder down from Heaven, " and this he considered a token that he had found the land of promise. Upon awakening and resuming his search, he saw that meadow-lands up "the branch" were fair and fertile; he therefore concluded his purchase of a township of land, and named the same Bethel, the western portion, Gilead; and Bethel-Gilead it has been unto this day. Into this town of Bethel-Gilead came, not long after, several of Deacon Chase's daughters and their husbands, and one of his sons, Simeon. Mercy, born April 7, 1755, second child, and eldest daughter of Dudley and Allace Chase, married (Enos?) <<author's (?)>>Child. This couple came to Bethel-Gilead and there brought up a large family. Among their grandchildren were at least three clergymen, the Rev. George P. Commings, the Rev. Stephen Child, and the Rev. Henry Stafford. Lois Chase, third child of Dudley and Allace Chase, was born August 16, 1756. She married Benjamin Smith. The couple settled upon the fertile farm situated upon the West Branch of the White River in Bethel,Vermont. They were made happy by many children, most of whom emigrated to the far West. Among the grandchildren is Colonel Dudley Chase Smith, now living in Normal, Illinois. [BTW; the book I have has "Dudley Chase Smith, Normal, Illinois" hand written in the front. Pretty cool! huh!] Simeon Chase, second son of Dudley and Allace Chase, was born June 14, 1758. He settled upon a portion of the township of land called Bethel. He married Molly March. This couple had but two children. "Uncle Simeon" is remembered as a very handsome old man, always in his place at church, which still stands on what was his own land. He rests in God's Acre near old Christ Church among many of his kindred. Abigail, the third daughter, was born November 9, 1759. She married John Morse. They had several children, one of whom was the Rev. Intrepid Morse, who was a faithful servant of God and one of the earliest clergymen of Ohio. He always remained true to his first bishop. ( I am sure the author felt the need to point this out--- for reasons you will see much later). His honored grave is in God's Acre at Gambier (Ohio), and his memory is blessed in the hearts of old friends. Three sons came next upon the long list of the children of Deacon and Alllace Chase. Salmon, born July 14, 1761; Ithamar, September 27, 1762; Baruch, March 27, 1764. *Author's foot note: In a copy of the family record taken from the Chase family Bible, now owned by Joseph Dudley Dennison of Randolph, Vermont. It is stated that John, born in Sutton, April 30, 1754, was the oldest. He died in infancy. Of these their youngest brother, in his "Reminisces", says: "Salmon was a barrister in Portland , Maine, of whom the late Judge Dawes of Boston was heard to say that 'he never saw him enter the court but with feelings of respect.' " He died in 1806. It is probable that this young man must have left the paternal nest very early in life, as his brother gives no further record of his career and there is no mention that he was married. He was graduated at Dartmouth, and must have been among the first of her alumni. Ithamar, the next son, also studied at Dartmouth and was for many years a member of the Council of the State of New Hampshire. He died in Keen, New Hampshire, in 1819. He married a Miss Rallston, and of several children, sons and daughters, one was named Salmon Portland in honor of his uncle; his life story is on record in the annuals of his country. Baruch, the next son, also a graduate of Dartmouth, the last of the pre-Cornish children, was solicitor for Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, for many years, and president of the Merrimac county bank. He died March 4, 1841, at his home in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. He was a charming old man with a sweet gentle face. His wife was Miss Ellen Wiggin. She was a sister of Timothy Wiggin, of Manchester, England. Chapter IV to be continued Harriet M. Chase hatchase@uswest.net