“‘Tis June the sixth – a lovely morn”
June 6, 1810, Spencer Chamberlain woke up early that morning anticipating an eventful day outside the normal farming routine. The men of the community were gathering at Willson’s mill with shovels and lunch boxes to make the five mile hike to a beautiful lake called Long Pond. It was a day of celebration, and if all goes well, at the end of the day there will be more water in the stream to run the grist mill.
Spencer and his wife Millie lived in a small log house in a settlement known as Keene Corner. Silas and Sarah French had moved there in 1804 with their seven sons and three daughters, including Spencer’s wife Millie. Keene Corner was south-east of the modern village of Glover, about a mile up a steep and winding Dexter Mountain Road. The old “French Cemetery” is on the right hand side at the top of the hill just past a small fresh water spring.
French Cemetary across the road from Keene Corner
Location of 1810 Keene Corner in 2010
Spencer’s life in Keene Corner was good, except perhaps for one enduring problem. This problem is truly legendary, as it has filtered down an unwritten course for five generations. That is, the wrath he had to endure from his mother-in-law who could not accept his Indian heritage.1 Nevertheless, Spencer seemed to be accepted by others of the French family and the clan of settlers who had moved to Vermont from Keene, New Hampshire.
The 1810 census will be conducted later in the year. It will show Spencer and Millie living with a small male child. We know nothing about this child today. Perhaps he belonged to Spencer’s step-father and his wife who had raised Spencer since before he was four years old. Increase Chamberlain, Jr. died in Glover that month of June, 1810. His widow Susannah, therefore, later left Glover and moved to where her family lived in Stockbridge, Vermont.
Spencer and Millie’s first child will be a daughter named Jeanette. First in their family of five girls and one boy, Jeanette’s birth will be more than a year later, (October 13, 1811). However, she will one day commit to memory the events this day- June 6, 1810.
On that morning a future family was far from their minds. The possibility of having a family of six children assumes that Spencer Chamberlain will survive this extraordinary day. Knowing what is about happen, his odds are slim!
“Beautiful Lake with silvery wave”
Long Pond was a beautiful crystal blue lake cradled near the top of a hill about five miles south of Glover. The eastern shore was heavily timbered and elevated gradually from water’s edge. The western bank, however, was steep and rocky rising in places one hundred feet above the shore.2 The hills on the east and west sloped down and converged at north and south ends. The south end was narrow and shallow for about five hundred yards extending to its outlet. There its water began to flow southwest in the Lamoille River toward Lake Champlain.
The lake was about one and one-half miles long and one-half mile wide. Its eighty foot average depth increased to one hundred fifty feet at its deepest part extending toward the north end. The northern shoreline was about one-half mile broad. A hard pan shell extended across the northern shore and rested on a foundation of fine sand. This limestone crust and its sandy foundation formed a barrier. It was all that kept the lake’s estimated two billion gallons resting peacefully at an elevation of 1400 feet.
“Its water flowed the other way”
Less than a quarter mile north of Long Pond and down a steep decline of nearly 200 vertical feet was another lake called Mud Pond, (today Clark Pond). The two lakes were completely separated by a thick forest. The waters of Long Pond flowed south, while Mud pond formed the southern headwaters of the Barton River which flowed north. Mud Pond also had hills rising from its east and west shores. Therefore, any water great or small released from the north end of Long Pond would necessarily pass through Mud Pond.
Mud Pond in now called Clark Pond
Water from Mud pond ran about a mile before coming to a delta plain. There it was joined in confluence with a branch of the river flowing east from lakes in the west. When these two branches of the Barton River came together, it continued its northern course. It then meandered with a very gentle decline for about two miles. Then the valley constricted into a narrow passage and the water began a steeper decent for about a mile down the gulch toward Aaron Willson’s grist mill. It then flowed on through Glover, eventually ending its twenty mile course at Lake Memphremagog. The shores of Memphremagog extend across the Canadian border.
“His name is Spencer Chamberlain”
Spencer Chamberlain was twenty-four and in the prime of life. He was described as “six feet high, light complexion, blue eyes, black hair and by occupation a farmer”.3 He also was a great wrestler and runner. In this capacity, he had no equal among the settlers near and far.4
In 1889, E. T. Wilson interviewed Jeanette Chamberlain Phillips. She told him the story of Runaway Pond as she had heard it from her father in her younger days. Wilson states that the incidents in his report, from the time the party left the mill until it was carried away, “all of which Chamberlain saw,” was obtained from his daughter, Jeanette Phillips. She was 77 years of age at the time and living in Glover, Vermont.4
In my telling of the story, all quotations from E. T. Wilson’s report are in bold italics. All sub headings of this chapter are from the 1929 poem by Harry Alonzo Phillips.2
“Each bears his share of lunch and tools”
“The Spring of 1810 had been dry. Very little rain had fallen, consequently the streams were low and Mr. Willson, the owner of the mill, was much troubled from the lack of water power. The same difficulty had existed the year previous, and very little rain had fallen the previous year. Consequently the streams were low, and Mr. Willson had contemplated cutting a channel through the bank of Long Pond to let the water into Mud Pond, hoping thereby to increase his water power. After talking the matter over with the settlers from Sutton, Wheelock, Sheffield and Glover, all of whom brought grain to his mill, it was thought best to have a bee and hands take hold and dig the channel. Accordingly they met at the mill by daylight on the morning of June 6, armed with shovels and axes, Mr. Wilson furnished the whiskey.”4
The bee of men (a social gathering to assist or work together to complete a project), met at Willson’s mill. The men met at a familiar location where all had previously done business. Some reports say the gathering met at Keene Corner.5 It is likely that many of the men met there first before going to the mill. Those coming south from Barton or north from Sheffield would come through Keene Corner first. They would then travel southwest down the hill to the mill. Anyone coming from West Glover would go east down the western hills directly to the mill.
“The only mill for grinding grain”
That morning, Mr. Ripley was scheduled to bring a grist to be ground at the mill.6. “Nathan Cutler was returning to his home in West Glover when he met a settler with a grist on his back headed for Willson’s mill. Being of generous disposition, Mr. Cultler loaned his horse. Arriving at the mill the settler found Willson and others about to start for the pond. Mrs. Willson was left to operate the mill. The horse was left tied outside and the settler joined the party.”7
Aaron Willson’s mill was nestled against the western hill with a bridge over the river to the east side.
This historical report explains why Nathan Cutler’s horse was left at the mill, and also the whereabouts of Ripley who had brought the grist that was to be ground that day by Mrs. Willson.
“Mr. Wilson left his wife to attend to the mill, and the men, about fifty in number, were ready for an early start. The weather being hot and sultry, they struck into the forest when the first morning sunbeams began to fall aslant through the tree-tops, streaking their dark shadows with threads of gold. Following the course of the river nearly the whole distance, they reached the pond about eight o’clock.”4
“Know everyone must be involved”
Most accounts say there were fifty to sixty men in attendance. Though it is hard to believe that anyone knew the precise number in the party, the Reverand Pliney White claimed there were 61 to be exact.6
Pliney White named the following 37 men and where they were from:
Barton: Joseph Owen;
Glover: David Bragg, Asa Brown, Joseph Brown, Spencer Chamberlain, Silas Clark, John Crane, Solomon Dorr, Barzilla French, George French, Jonah French, Lindol French, Nathaniel French Jr., Silas French, Silas French, Jr., Zenas French, Eber Frost, Loring Frost, Richard Goodwin, Joseph Gray, Jonas Morse, Levi Partridge, Isaac Stokes, Silas Wheeler, Aaron Willson, Aaron Willson, Jr., Clark Wilson, Oliver Wilson;
Sheffield: James Daniels, Stephen Drown, John Hawkins, William Hawkins, William Hawkins Jr., Joseph Hodgeman, Josiah Miles, Jacob Twombly, Samuel Twombly and others.
O. V. Percival named 21 participants including Hezekiah Bickford and Elijah Stone not listed above.8 In an 1890 publication Percival added another new name to his list: Solon Bragg.11
Other records mention Daniel Bickford, John Crane Jr., David Flint, Daniel Frost, Daniel Frost, Jr. and James Vance. And in Baldwin’s centennial address there were four new names. This made 49 known names (though some duplication is possible): Archelaus Miles, Jr., Samuel Bean, Benjamin Hawkins and Robert Brown.9
My book, Run Chamberlain, Run- Solving the 200-year-old Mystery of Runaway Pond, shows that Ripley tied up Nathan Culter’s horse at the mill, left his grain with Mrs. Willson, and then went with the men to Long Pond. Since then, I found the full name of “Smith Ripley” in Glover town notes and the 1810 U. S. Census. Smith Ripley was the 50th name to attend the event at the Pond.
Mr. Jenness of Sheffield, who feared that more might be accomplished during the project than was intended, refused to participate and stayed home.6 He was right.
“Beside the over-murmuring stream”
The men traveled south through the forest most likely along the “usual path” on the eastern side of the river.5 They traveled singly or in small groups. First to arrive at the lake were Loring Frost, Isaac Stokes and Aaron Wilson, Jr.. They used tin horns to help guide those who were coming behind, some being unfamiliar with the location.6
“At the northern end a lofty bluff”
The bank at the north end of the pond rose gently from the water for a few feet and then sloped gradually away toward the valley for about 100 feet and then declined sharply. The bank had the appearance of a windrow of hay extending along the north shore. Standing on this bank a few feet from the water’s edge one could look out and see over the tops of the trees growing in the heavy timbered valley below.6
Most of the vegetation along the bank consisted of small trees and shrubs that could be pulled from the ground by two or three men. A single cedar with a six-inch diameter required the use of an ax. They selected the site and after removal of sufficient vegetation, the digging commenced.6
“The hills throw back the ring of steel”
“The length of the ditch to be dug was about 20 rods, which they finished about one o’clock. An encrustation of clay a few inches thick had been formed against the quicksand on the inside the entire depth of the pond; that had kept the water in its place the past ages. This was broken through and the water began to run through the ditch. All sprung out and “slokened” their thirst from the jugs and proposed to begin their celebration, which soon began in a way they little expected.”4
Differing estimates for the length of the channel are given, but it was likely between 50 to 100 feet long. It was one foot wide, fairly level along the bottom, and seven feet deep where the bank was highest. Most of the bank consisted of a fine sandy material. However, one area a few feet from the water’s edge was a patch of thick compacted yellowish sand and gravel. That required the use of a pick ax to break through.6
“Fine whiskey passed around with toasts”
The men had walked five or more miles. After digging all morning to complete the channel, they were ready for a well deserved lunch break and to celebrate, while quenching their thirst with some homemade potato whiskey.
At the northeastern corner of the lake there was a small plain along the shore covered with a growth of alders and other vegetation. There, the shore was nearly level back about 300 feet.9 This area was close to where the men were working and provided a pleasant place where they could gather in celebration.
“Alas! ’tis lost in silvery sand”
Before the celebration could begin, however, an act occurred that puts the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back” to shame. Elijah Stone lifted the shovel that let the first drop of water trickle into the channel.10
As the water began to flow into the trench, the men began to speculate how much it would lower the water level. “It will hardly be noticeable at all”, some thought. “No, it will be down a foot by nightfall” said others. One member expressed the most extreme opinion, “The water level might soon drop by three feet!” He was severely ridiculed, “You (blank) fool, this might run for three weeks without lowering the pond that much.”6
The bed of the pond consisted of a deposit of fine gravel closely cemented and forming a solid crust of a few inches thick. The water poured over the edge of this crust and into the channel. But then, to the surprise of all, instead of flowing through the channel, it entirely disappeared into the sand.
“Rescued! with neither rope nor chain”
“Soon it was noticed that the water stopped running through the ditch and a deep heavy rumbling sound was heard, and the hill on which they stood began to tremble as though shaken from some cause underneath. This seemed to increase quite fast when one of their number, Spencer Chamberlain, jumped into the ditch to discover the cause. Instantly as the bottom began to sink under him, he shouted for help and one of the party reached down and caught him by the hair of the head and drew him from the channel, which began to deepen and widen very rapidly.” 4
Spencer Chamberlain, in his attempt to find the problem, had to be rescued as the sand at the bottom of the trench would no longer support a man’s weight. He tried to get out but only sank deeper. Throwing himself forward, Richard Goodwin17 was able to catch him by his hair. Others grabbed him by his arms while still others got hold of those holding Chamberlain. Then, by forming a human chain, they pulled him to solid ground.7 Another man clung to the roots of a large tree until pulled to safety by others.5
“Soon must thy liquid make dash for its goal”
The volume of water flowing into the channel over the crust was increasing as this exit was continually widening. Though only six to eight inches deep, the current flowing toward the trench became quite swift and difficult to cross. Several persons were on the opposite side of the channel from the majority. Though wishing to cross over, some individuals were unable. The fast water flowing over the crust presented danger of being swept into the ever growing channel. It was now about forty feet wide and forty feet deep. To solve this dilemma, they joined hands with the strongest man in the lead and rushed into the current. A similarly united party on the other side met them and pulled them across.6
Fifteen-year-old Zenas French left home that morning with a new pair of cowhide boots. They were the pride of his heart. To prevent any damage to them, he took them off and set them on a rock on the bank. Zenas found himself on one side of the fast moving current while his boots were on the other.12 His boots were lost forever, but all the men were finally together on the same side of the channel.
Oliver Wilson and another man were holding onto a tree near the trench and leaning over to get a better view down into the growing chasm. Fixated on the sight, they failed to notice the top of the tree they were holding slowly swaying above them. A sharp scream from one of the party alerted them of their danger. Incredibly, as soon as they sprung back from their post of observation, the tree along with a considerable amount of earth fell into the abyss.6
“Each reddened face turns pale with fright”
“Large pieces of earth from either side with trees standing began to slide in, throwing up great sheets of water above their heads. All were much frightened; one of them afterward said; “We were too much dazed to comprehend what was passing before us. The land and trees seemed to be moving away or plunging into the deep chasm, where large trees would be broken with a sharp report distinctly heard above the great noise of the water.” The whole forest seemed to be whirling around us and sinking with the pond. The ground on which they stood began to move, when the spell was broken and all ran for higher ground.” 4
The men were in a state of shock and awe as they watched trees and earth fall into the channel. Plumes of water shot into the air above their heads and the sharp crack of breaking trees resounding above the sound of the roaring water. Still they were not fully aware of the enormity of their problem. Because, the same force that had been so rapidly deepening the channel was also at work undermining the sand beneath the thin crust. That crust was all that was supporting the weight of all the water at the north end of the pond.
“While men behold, in deep dismay”
Some men standing on a fishing raft constructed of long cedar logs and lying along the shore enjoyed an observation point for a spectacular view as they gazed down into the channel. An outcry sounded the alarm and once again averted catastrophe by the narrowest of margins. Turning around, they could see a crack in the earth along the shore slowly widening. In all haste they jumped off the raft and leaped over the crack. The first off grabbed the last of the group by their shoulders and pulled to safety. They never saw the raft again. By the time they gathered their senses and looked back it had disappeared along with much of the shoreline.
“Two loons perceiving danger nigh”
It was as if someone had pulled the plug of a mile-long bathtub. The water now formed a giant vortex plunging with a mighty roar of thunder nearly straight down into the ravine below. This caused a violent shaking of the earth felt as far away as Sheffield several miles away. It rattled dished in Glover four miles north.6 Two loons attempted to rise off the surface of the lake. They quickly became sucked down and disappeared from sight.9
The rapid evacuation of water from the pond created an instant chasm in the center of the current. Suddenly, this filled again with a loud clapping sound as the waves came back together. This concussion threw mud and water high into the air and caused a small tsunami to spread throughout the lake carrying shock waves of muddy water far up the banks. The first wave caught Silas French Jr. and Loring Frost who had ventured into the bed of retreating water to see what they could see. One of these young men became wet up to the hips, the other not so high.6
The swift current toward the trench separated some men from the majority. They valiantly crossed the current so that the entire group was together. Therefore, we know that all the men were all on the same side of the channel. It is logical to assume that they would assemble on the side of the channel where they would normally begin there journey home. This was on the east side.
“My wife! I left her grinding corn!”
“Mr. Wilson was the first to speak: “My God, what will become of my wife?” He then started to run to get ahead of the water. A few others started also, but soon came back finding themselves wholly unequal to the undertaking. A number now cried, ‘Run Chamberlain, run!'”4
Spencer Chamberlain, the miller Aaron Willson, and the rest of the men on the east side of the water, suddenly realized the peril of those in the valley below. Especially Willson’s wife as she worked in the mill.
“‘Run Chamberlain, Run!’ he gives a bound”
Spencer Chamberlain, by Artist Seth Hippen
“Quickly throwing off his jacket he sprang, it is said, over a fallen tree fully five feet from the ground and disappeared in the forest and in a few minutes passed Wilson. The channel now became dammed up from the great number of trees, but this soon gave way. The time occupied from the letting of the water into the ditch until the bed of the pond was seen, was about 25 minutes.” 4
Chamberlain’s run started on the eastern hills about 25 minutes after the water was let into the channel. Zenas French also started to run,12 but probably didn’t get far without his boots.9
“As the torrent now rushed down the decline towards Mud Pond, it cut a channel nearly 175 feet deep and fifty rods wide, taking along large rocks, one in particular, which may be seen today in a field, which is estimated to weigh not less than one hundred ton, being carried one mile. Pieces of land were taken up and carried away with trees standing on them, but were quickly torn to pieces. The speed of the torrent increased as it approached Mud Pond, into which it rushed with such great force as to lower the pond and land surrounding it nearly fifteen feet. On the east and west side of this pond are high and very steep hills approaching each other at the north in a circular form each ending in a sloping foot hill, one lapping by the other. Through this pass the pond had its outlet.”4
“This was no hindrance to the great column of water which swept away all barriers, and rushed into a narrow valley with steep wooded hills either side; here the water rose to a great height clearing the hill-sides of timber and lowering the surface to the level of Mud Pond under whose eastern hill Chamberlain was running, his path continually obstructed by fallen timbers from the high ledges. Here he was caught nearly to his knees by the water, but by climbing higher to his right he escaped. All this time he kept along side the water.”4
Here it is confirmed that Spencer Chamberlain was indeed running along the “eastern hill” above Mud Lake. The small bowl-like valley that contained Mud Lake filled so rapidly by the torrent from the larger lake that Chamberlain was caught in water up to his knees. As he was running north along the eastern hills, he escaped the water “by climbing higher to his right.”
The flowing water undermined the hard pan crust of the lake bed. The sheer weight of the lake broke through the crust and sent tons of water straight down. This caused a hydraulic explosion in the heavily timbered north shore and sent cedar trees flying through the air like matchsticks. This littered the shores of Mud Lake and obstructing Spencers path with “fallen timber from the high ledges.”
The water quickly ripped its way out of this small valley carrying much of the water of Mud Pond along with it. The sides of the hills were scraped clean of vegetation and the channel deepened.
“This stream, in Stone Pond takes a rise”
“From this narrow valley the water turned somewhat to the west into another valley about 20 feet lower, at which point, Barton River, coming from Stone Pond, turns directly north, this narrow was covered with a dense growth of soft wood timber from the edges of the river up the hill either side. The great amount of debris and broken trees which were carried into this dense growth dammed up the water which rose above the trees and again Chamberlain was caught, as he was on swampy ground in a depression between two hills. Again turning more to the right he had great difficulty in forcing his way through the thick, tangled under-growth.”4
Here is an amazing vista that only Chamberlain saw and described. The water exiting Mud Pond descended about 20 feet into a much larger valley. This valley was the delta plain where the western tributary of the Barton River flows east from Stone Pond until it meets the stream flowing north from Mud Pond. Their combined waters then continued in the Barton River’s northward course.
There were some small hills which narrowed the channel where the river came together and then went to the north. Also, there was a thick growth of soft wood timber growing in this area. Chamberlain saw the debris and broken trees being pushed along by the flood and jammed up into the forest and hills which temporarily dammed the lower Barton River. This caused the torrent to head west into the spacious valley of the western tributary temporarily reversing its flow.
What was the quickest way to the mill? Could he get there in time? Chamberlain, was “fleet as a deer and capable of great endurance,”8 but severely lacking in the fine art of risk avoidance. He now heads straight down into the Barton River. He attempts to cross the river a few hundred feet north and in the direct path of the massive flood. It is building tremendous pressure on the log jam. Again, he finds himself “caught” in the middle of the river. The river is simply described as “swampy ground in a depression between two hills,” for the river being dammed; much of the water has drained away. At least for the moment!
As he struggles through the thick tangled undergrowth along the river, he said that he then turned “more to the right.” Amazingly, this will head him toward the safety of the western foothills and in the northerly direction toward the mill.
Red arrow shows where Chamberlain crossed the river. I now believe the mill was just north of John Cranes house on the west side of the river, near Aldrich Lane.
“Then breaks away with fearful roar”
“He was soon safe and was near the head of the water and within about one mile of the mill. In a few minutes the jam again gave way with a terrific crash, sweeping everything before it, lifting pieces of land from the hill-sides and carrying them along with their trees standing on them.” 4
After his struggle to get through and out of the river he turned more to his right and headed northwest toward the western foothills. He declared with a great sense of relief that, “he was soon safe.” As he climbed the western hills he realized for the first time since he began running that he was actually out of immediate danger.
He knew from the beginning that at some point he had to cross the river ahead of the water to get to the mill. To run all the way on the eastern side along the river would be suicide. However, running higher on the eastern hills would greatly increase his distance from the mill. As he saw the water filling into the large delta valley he gambled that the log jam would hold and allow him time to cross. He won his life or death gamble with “a few minutes” to spare.
There is one thing that has been very hard to understand and probably the reason nobody before speculated that he crossed the river. This is, that after crossing a “swamp” he said that he was then “near the head of the water”. But, how could he cross the river and then find he was near the head?
When Chamberlain got on the western hills, he was near the head of the flood that was moving west.
When Chamberlain climbed high enough on the western foothills he could see that he was near the head of the flood which was still surging westward. This is the same direction that Chamberlain was going as he crossed the river. The head would continue to surge west until the water level reached the tops of the trees at the north and overpowered the log jam. This it did a few minutes after Chamberlain was safe on the hills and when he was about one mile from the mill.
The dam broke with a terrific crash releasing the torrent which swept away the forests and much of the hills which had defiantly slowed its progress. It quickly passed the mere human desperately running on the hills above its western flank.
“Of rocks and trees that form a dam”
“From this point the column turned more to the north-west for about one fourth of a mile, then again turning to the north where the hills approach each other, leaving a deep, long gulch between, at the north end of which was situated the mill. Here Chamberlain passed the water which rose to a great height. As it entered the channel it appeared to him like a wall seventy feet high. From the top large numbers of trees were dropping; small islands with trees on them would topple over as they reached the edge, which he described as being several feet in advance of the base.”4
The map of the Barton River is another confirmation of Jeanette Phillips’ accurate recollection of her father’s words. For the river indeed does run northwest for about a quarter of a mile before it turns north into the narrow valley.
As the flood reached the mouth of the narrow valley, again trees and all manner of debris formed a very compact blockage. Here the water had to collect until “the water rose to a great height”. This allowed time for Chamberlain to once again get ahead of the water at this location.
He then gives us a spectacular description of the flood as he sees it enter the valley. “As it entered the channel it appeared like a wall seventy feet high”. When the water rose above and ran over the compact dam which was blocking the channel it caused a huge waterfall 50 to 70 feet high which dropped straight down to the valley floor. These falls extended across the width of the canyon. They were slowly moving forward through the canyon, much like a clog in a drain moves slowly as it is pushed along by water pressure from behind. Chamberlain saw trees falling from the top of the falls, and islands with trees growing on them floating until they went over the edge and then straight down, for the edge of the waterfall was moving “several feet in advance of the base”.
“Descending from a daunting race”
“Chamberlain was now exhausted, and, coming in sight of a house he ran to the door shouting, “Give me some whiskey, quick! Run for your lives the water is coming!” Looking around they saw the wall of water coming from the woods, trees falling and whirling end over end. The house being on high land, was not reached by the water.”4
His arrival at John Crane’s house is a very important piece of evidence. This proves that the runner actually made it there ahead of the flood. Mrs. Crane’s story which was frequently told to her children and grandchildren provides the only eye witness account of the runner after he leaves the Pond. Her story proves that the run actual happened!
John Crane’s house was on the west side of the river. One reason we know this is because when he came down on the east side of the river after the flood, he could not get to his home. He stayed the night with Mr. French who lives at Keene Corner on the east side.13 Also, Alonzo Chamberlain Phillips knew John Crane’s house was on the west side. He used this fact to argue that Spencer Chamberlain ran on the west side.14 We now know that his argument was correct, at least once Spencer had crossed the Barton River.
One of her granddaughters, Sarah Barker, tells us that the runner gave Mrs. Crane her first warning of the pending danger. She said that in Grandmother Crane’s story, the men went that morning up to the pond with great anticipations, and “the next thing she knew came one of the men in great haste; he asked for a draught of whisky, and told her what had happen: the pond was coming”! Her grandmother gave him some of Grandfather Crane’s potato whisky and then “on he went with all the might he had”.13
Mrs. Crane then gathered her young children around her and took a hoe and laid the handle across a stump and looked to sight if the water was high enough to reach their level. She told her children to be ready to “flee to the hills”.
The Crane home was high enough to be spared by the flood, which came up to a rise of land just below their garden fence.13
“In a few minutes Chamberlain came insight of the mill, and seeing a horse hitched to a post by the door he knew some one was at work inside. The mill was at his left, down a decline about 30 rods.”4
Spencer approached the mill and began to go down the decline of about 30 rods, roughly 495 feet, to get to the mill. As he went down the hill, the mill would be on his left just as described.
“He met the Devil face to face”
“This was the moment that tested the courage and resolution of the man. He saw plainly that the attempt to reach the mill and to return was greatly risking his life; not an instant did he hesitate, but running down like a deer, and bursting through the door he shouted, “Run, run for your life!”4
Chamberlain seems entirely fearless acting again without thinking of danger as he did when he jumped into the trench to see where the water was going, requiring him to be pulled out by his long black hair. He had run four miles with a single goal, to save the life of a friend. There was no time to think of anything but to run down the hill and into the mill.
Again we can see that the mill was on the west side very close to some steep hills for he ran “down like a deer, and bursting through the door”. His plan was to “reach the mill and to return” again to the higher ground for safety.
“And conquered Death here in the dell”
“Mrs. Wilson who was tending the mill was frightened at his appearance and did not move. Seizing her with one hand and a bag of meal in the other, he rushed through the door but quickly dropped the bag, as the water was but a few rods from them. Mrs. Wilson was nearly helpless from the fright; this compelled him to literally drag her up the hill to the high bank, which he reached not a second too soon. He was caught to the waist in the water, but seizing hold of a sapling he drew himself and the woman from the water. The mill and horse were swept away and no vestige of either ever found.”4
Mrs. Crane’s eyewitness account recalled by her granddaughter Mrs. Barker confirms Spencer Chamberlain’s amazing description of the waterfall which was moving forward down the gulley. She said that when it hit, “the water rushed down upon the roof of the mill”.13 Mrs. Aaron Crane, a granddaughter-in-law, reported that Grandmother Crane said, the flood was “rushing along with an almost perpendicular front, so that literally it struck the top of the mill first.”15
“He was caught to the waist in the water, but seizing hold of a sapling he drew himself and the woman from the water.”
Spencer Chamberlain gave us his eye witness account of his path on the eastern shores of mud pond littered with fallen timber; the damming of the lower Barton river causing the flood to temporally surge westward; the description of the nearly empty river as he struggled to cross its swamps and undergrowth; the direction of the hills where he would be safe; and a spectacular view of a waterfall moving down the gulley toward the mill. We have Mrs. Crane’s witness account that he arrived at her home ahead of the water and ran off again before the water arrived; and also her confirmation of the moving waterfall just as it had been described by Chamberlain. All this recorded eighty years after the event and without a major discrepancy. Absolutely amazing!
Alonzo C. Phillips reported that, “The miller left his wife in the mill to grind out a grist for a man from West Glover”.14 It is well documented that the horse that brought the grist was owned by Nathan Cutler, who was also of West Glover. 7,14 He had loaned the horse to a neighboring settler. 7
In Pliny White’s account we learn that the man who brought the grist from West Glover on Nathan Cutler’s horse was Mr. Ripley who could not get to his home at the end of the day. Smith Ripley brought his grain on Nathan Cutler’s horse from his farm in West Glover. This is on the western side of the river. Willard C. Leonard was correct when he proposed that Ripley left the horse tied outside and joined the party that went to the pond.7 He would return, of course, on the east side and be unable to get home.
Arthur Willson related a story told by his great aunt Elizabeth Dorr (Solomon Dorr’s wife) about the man who brought the grain. She said, “the man who brought it on horseback had gone to watch the others who were digging the channel.” Smith Ripley is the 50th named man who went to the pond.
The Chamberlain versions of the story always claim that it was the miller’s wife who was working at the mill. She was known to Jeanette Phillips as Maria. O. V. Percival refers to the person working there simply as the miller.8 This is not a contradiction, for his report was written in very general terms, and therefore, anyone working at the mill might be called the miller. In Percival’s later article he said it was the miller’s wife. He wrote: Spencer Chamberlain “hurried on to the mill of Willson. He ran into the mill and shouted to his wife, who was grinding a grist, to flee for her life.”11
“Each nerve is strained to save her life”
The earliest known written document about the Runaway Pond affair was a letter from Joseph Owen to his sister. It was written on June 25, 1810 only a few days after the flood, and published in the Express some time much later. He describes the flood to his sister and tells her what he heard had happened at the mill:
“The Wilson Mill was two miles further down the stream and the man who was grinding there when he saw the water coming, took his grist and ran, but the water overtook him and he left his grist and just made his escape to the hill above. The water struck him up to his waist.”16
What Mr. Owen had heard could only be referring to the following experience of Spencer Chamberlain:
“Seizing her with one hand and a bag of meal in the other, he rushed through the door but quickly dropped the bag, as the water was but a few rods from them. Mrs. Wilson was nearly helpless from the fright; this compelled him to literally drag her up the hill to the high bank, which he reached not a second too soon. He was caught to the waist in the water.”4
“Located near the Aldrich Farm”
In my book, Run Chamberlain, Run -Solving the 200-Year-Old Mystery of Runaway Pond, pages 55-57, I discuss two possible locations for Willson’s mill. Both are on the west side of the Barton River. Harry Alonzo Phillips believed it was near Aldrich Lane.
“Located near the Aldrich farm,
Within a glad, secure from harm,
a grist-mill, so the story ran,
By Willson owned, a laboring man.”17
It is likely that the mill was near Aldrich Lane. Here Aldrich Lane crosses the Barton River. Ernest M. Chamberlain, age 94 in 2010, was Spencer Chamberlain’s oldest living descendant.
I have changed my mind and now believe the mill was near Aldrich Lane. (Just to the north of John Crane’s house) The reason for my change of opinion is that two granddaughters shared Mrs. Cranes eye-witness account. Mrs. Crane saw the water come down and hit the roof of the mill first. She would have to be very near the mill to clearly see this as it happened.
Wayne Alexander wrote: “This writer [W.H. A] was the fifth generation to live on this Aldrich farm and the family was quite specific that the location was near the entrance to Aldrich Lane. Some stonework is apparent, and it’s hard to believe it withstood the raveges of Runaway Pond. Of course the debris may have covered the mill site only to be exposed again by the 1927 flood.”18
“‘Tis over now; my tale is told”
In the last recorded event of the day, we find Spencer Chamberlain and Mrs. Willson sitting on the bank of the river of flowing muddy water. As the frantic Aaron Willson returns with the party of men, his great fear turns to joy as he sees that his wife is safe.
Alonzo Chamberlain Phillips, grandson of Spencer Chamberlain, writes the following account of Chamberlain’s arrival at the mill:
“When he came near the mill he saw a horse hitched, took out his knife, cut the hitch strap, rushed into the mill, told the woman to get right out to higher ground, for the whole pond was coming. She stood and seemed bewildered. He grabbed a bag of meal, and pushed the woman to safety”.
“There was much speculation by the returning party as to the probability of the miller ever seeing his wife again. Great was the joy of the miller on seeing Chamberlain and his wife seated on the bank watching the receding water and waiting the return of the party.”14
The rest of Chamberlain’s day must be left to the imagination of the author and the readers. Like many others, Chamberlain found himself separated from his home by the freshly carved out gully which was still flowing down a stream of thick muddy water and debris.
Spencer rested on the bank for a while to regain a fragment of strength. Then (judging his personality profile) he found some logs to cross or waded through the mud and headed toward home. He went up the hill to Keene Corner, stopped at the small spring on the hill and cleaned up the best he could, then ran the rest of the way to meet his wife Millie. He couldn’t wait to tell her the events of the day and couldn’t sleep until he told her every detail. Before falling asleep, he exclaimed, “What a story I now have to tell to our children and grandchildren!”
To be continued…..
Chapter 17- Spencer Chamberlain in the Battle of Plattsburgh Spencer Chamberlain enlisted in the Vermont 31st Infantry. Following the 31st gives us a good idea of Spencer’s experience during one of the most decisive battles of the War of 1812.
A great gift for descendants of Spencer Chamberlain. Learn more about my book and the June, 2010 Runaway Pond bicentennial celebration.
More stories about life in Glover, Vermont 1802-1855
Chapter 15- The Unusual Household of Increase Chamberlain, Jr.
Where was Spencer living in 1790 and 1800? In October 2014, I received an email from Joan Alexander, Secretary of the Glover Historical Society. It was the first big clue to what my grandfather, Harry Chamberlain, was looking for 80 years before- a major break in finding Spencer Chamberlain and his parents in Westmoreland.
Chapter 18- The Secret Life of Alonzo Chamberlain The story of Alonzo Chamberlain as an active conductor on the underground railroad. His story was previously unknown to his extended family, his home town of Glover, and to the historians of Vermont. Includes a tour of the house and farm today, where Alonzo Chamberlain lived 1843-1855. Also, see the surprising significance of Alonzo’s 1860s photo album.
Chapter 19- Spencer Chamberlain’s Family before the Civil War The big surprise at the 50th anniversary of Runaway pond. Stories and photos of the Phillips family in Glover. Also, life sketches of Spencer’s and Millie’s other children. Learn more about my book and the June, 2010 Runaway Pond bicentennial celebration.
Or, chose any single chapter from the Table of Contents
© Dennis D. Chamberlain, The Chamberlain Story, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the written content of this site without express and written permission from the author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that credit is given to Dennis D. Chamberlain and direction to www.thechamberlainstory.com.
References:
1- This is unwritten folklore from my immediate family of the story told by our mother who had heard the story from my grandfather. My brother, sister and I were strongly impressed that Mrs. French was greatly opposed to her daughter marrying a half Indian.
2- Harry Alonzo Phillips, History of Glover and Runaway Pond. A Poem in Two Cantos, 1929. Great-grandson of Spencer Chamberlain. Run Chamberlain, Run – Solving the 200-Year-Old Mystery of Runaway Pond, pages 97-102 by Dennis D. Chamberlain
3- Spencer Chamberlain’s U. S. Army discharge papers, June 3, 1815
4- E. T Wilson, The Story of Runaway Pond, June 6, 1810, Barton, VT, January 2, 1890. Runaway Pond: The Complete Story (2001), compiled by Wayne H. Alexander pp. 47-51
5- Rev. S. Edwards Dwight, Letter to the Editor of the American Journal of Science. Description of the Eruption of Long Lake and Mud Lake, in Vermont, and the desolation effected by the rush of the waters through Barton River, and the lower country, towards Lake Memphemagog, in the summer of 1810. Boston, April 4, 1826. Runaway Pond: The Complete Story (2001), compiled by Wayne H. Alexander, pp. 14-23
6- Address of Pliny H. White at the 50th Anniversary of Runaway Pond given before a meeting of the Orleans County Historical Society held at Glover, June 6, 1860. Published in Orleans County Monitor, February 1, 1911 and succeeding issues. Runaway Pond: The Complete Story (2001), compiled by Wayne H. Alexander, pp. 24-32
7- Willard C. Leonard, Long Pond” from History of Glover, 1781-1860, 1940. Runaway Pond: The Complete Story (2001), compiled by Wayne H. Alexander, pp. 84-86
8- O. V. Percival, Runaway Pond, c. 1887 from Proceedings of the Orleans County Historical Society for the year ending August, 1888. Runaway Pond: The Complete Story (2001), compiled by Wayne H. Alexander, pp. 42-44
9- Pages 68-75. Frederick W. Baldwin, Historical Address given at The Centennial Celebration of Runaway Pond, June 6, 1910. Runaway Pond: The Complete Story (2001), compiled by Wayne H. Alexander, pp.68-75
10- An unpublished letter written by Mrs. Bessie E. Shields, Glover, Vermont, February 12, 1966 to Harry Ellis Chamberlain. (Mrs. Shields is a great-great granddaughter of Elijah Stone.)
11- Captain O. V. Percival “Runaway Pond” from The Bizarre Notes and Queries in Folk-lore, 1890. Volumes 8-9, pp. 130-132.
12- Letter written by Mrs. Villa Gray Rich of Newport, Vermont. Granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Crane. Runaway Pond: The Complete Story (2001), compiled by Wayne H. Alexander, p. 60
13- Letter written by Mrs. Sarah C. Bickford Barker of Monterey, California, May 12, 1910. Granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Crane. Runaway Pond: The Complete Story (2001), compiled by Wayne H. Alexander, p. 59
14- Letter written by Alonzo Chamberlain Phillips, Glover, Vermont, April 1, 1910. Grandson of Spencer Chamberlain. Runaway Pond: The Complete Story (2001), compiled by Wayne H. Alexander, pp 54-55
15- Letter written by Mrs. Aaron M. Crane of Norfolk, Virginia, April 26, 1910. Wife of the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John Crane. Runaway Pond: The Complete Story (2001), compiled by Wayne H. Alexander, pp. 57-58
16- Joseph Owen’s letter to his sister written June 25, 1810. This letter was found sometime later by Mr. H. K. Dewey of Glover and published in the Express. Publication date Unknown. From the Proceedings of the Orleans County Historical Society. Runaway Pond: The Complete Story (2001), compiled by Wayne H. Alexander, pp. 10-12
17- Harry Alonzo Phillips, History of Glover and Runaway Pond. A Poem in Two Cantos, 1929. Great-grandson of Spencer Chamberlain. Run Chamberlain, Run – Solving the 200-Year-Old Mystery of Runaway Pond, pages 97-102 by Dennis D. Chamberlain
18- Runaway Pond: The Complete Story (2001), compiled by Wayne H. Alexander, page 8.
