Addison

RICH, Charles

Vermont Historical Magazine, No. XI, October 1867, pp 100-101
(extracted from a section on the history of Shoreham, Addison County, Vermont)

Hon. Charles RICH, son of Thomas RICH, was born 13 September 1771 in Warwick 
[Franklin County], Massachusetts; arrived in this town [Shoreham, Addison 
County, Vermont] in August 1787, having traveled all the way from his native 
place on foot. Here he labored diligently four or five years, assisting his 
father in erecting his mills and clearing land, until he was married at the 
age of twenty, to a daughter of Nicholas WATTS, a young lady born in his 
native town [Warwick], between whom had grown up an ardent attachment, from 
the days of their childhood. In a series of letters, while a member of 
Congress, to his daughter, then residing at Montreal [Canada], are many 
interesting facts in relation to this early attachment, his family history, 
the labors and privations of himself and companion, with whom he lived until 
her death, 24 April 1817, in the reciprocation of the most tender affection 
and confidence. In these letters there is an unreserved expression of 
thought and feeling, for it is the wife and mother of whom he writes, whose 
death both the father and daughter deeply deplored.

16 April 1791: They [Mr. and Mrs. Charles RICH] commenced housekeeping, 
"possessed of no other property than 1 cow, 1 pair of two-year-old steers, 
six sheep, 1 bed, and a few articles of household furniture, which altogether 
were valued at sixty-six dollars, and about forty-five acres of land, given 
by his father [Thomas RICH]." The first year he [Charles] tended grist mill 
for his uncle, Nathan RICH, and cleared and sowed with wheat six and a half 
acres of land. He [Charles RICH] says: "While at the mill I constructed a 
number of articles of furniture, which have been in daily use from that time 
to the present." It is said, while engaged in his sugar works, he 
constructed a water pail, with his jackknife, which was used for many years in 
the family. While a boy he had had little advantages in schooling, and after 
the age of fifteen attended school only three months. But limited as his 
opportunities were, he was often called upon before the age of thirty, to 
deliver Fourth of July orations; was chosen town representative when but 
twenty-nine, which office he held twelve times; was one of the judges of the 
county six years; and representative in Congress ten years. A ready debater 
in all public bodies, he was useful and popular in every station which he 
occupied.

He [Charles RICH] had that strong desire to master whatever he undertook to 
investigate, which is indispensable to eminence in any station; and in early 
life formed and kept up the habit of writing down his thoughts; cultivated 
his taste by reading works of an easy and pure style; and though there were 
not found in him any uncommon powers, or overpowering eloquence, there was a 
happy union of those qualities which form the man of usefulness and 
intelligence, a well-balanced mind, retentive memory, honesty of intention, 
intuitive knowledge of human nature, open and bland personal appearance, and 
a native benevolence of heart, in all the social and domestic relations of 
life an example worthy of imitation. By such qualities as these he held for 
so long a time a distinguished station among his fellow citizens. By 
industry and economy he acquired a handsome property, and during the 
vacations of the sittings of Congress, was found at home, overseeing his 
business, and laboring diligently, until the autumn of 1824. At this time in 
consequence of working in the water for several days, he [Charles RICH] took 
a violent cold, which followed by a fever, put a speedy end to his life, 15 
October [1824], in the fifty-third year of his age.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly