From Historical Rutland: an illustrated history of Rutland, Vermont, from the granting of the charter in 1761 to 1911 by Rev. F. E. Davison, Rutland, Vt.: P.H. Brehmer, 1911, page 10:
Leading Residents
Doctor Williams, Mr. Mattocks, Mr. Smith, Mr. Buell, Mr. Bell, Mr. Osgood, Messrs. Chipman, Messrs. Williams, are the leading people of the town.
Of Samuel Williams, LL.D., member of the Meteorological Society in Germany, of the Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, and of the Academy of Arts and Sciences in Massachusetts, it may with propriety be said, that he is the most enlightened man in the state in every branch of philosophy and polite learning; and it is doing him no more than justice to say there are very few in the United States possessed of greater abilities or more extensive information; added to which, he is a most excellent orator, and always speaks in a manner best adapted to the understanding and capacity of those whom he addresses. In the year 1794 the Doctor wrote and published the natural history of Vermont, executed much to his honor and to the great satisfaction of all naturalists. In politeness, ease and elegance of manners, Doctor Williams is not inferior to the most polished European gentleman.
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Mr. N. Chipman is one of the first law characters in the state. He has been district judge and chief judge of the supreme court. Mr. Darius Chipman is a good lawyer, assiduous and persevering in his profession, a gentleman of wit and humor and a most agleeable companion.
Mr. Mattocks is treasurer of the state, which office he discharges to the universal satisfaction of the people.
Mr. Smith was educated at the University of Connecticut, and was bred to the law; he is a good scholar, conversant in special pleadings, and is now a representative from the state in Congress; his manners are mild, modest and agreeable.
Mr. Buell is a practitioner at the bar, and much merit is due him for his ambition and perseverance in the objects of his pursuit, the more so perhaps for his devoting himself to a laborious profession, while nature has endowed him with great original talents for poetry, the fascinating charms of which few minds have sufficient resolution to withstand.
Mr. Bell is high sheriff of the county, a gentleman of the strictest honor and veracity, has a tenaacious memory, and I can with propriety declare he is better informed in point of the local business, and the true situation of individuals, in the different counties, than any person in the commonwealth.
Mr. Stephen Williams is one of the selectmen cf the town, and claims my particular notice and attenntion; with him for nine years past I have had the honor to be on most friendly terms of intimacy. The hospitality of his disposition toward strangers would alone be sufficient to endear him to all who know him; but the same generous turn of mind leads him to far nobler exertions of benevolence–to cheer the broken heart, to wipe the tear from the pale cheek of poverty, and to bid the friendless widow and orphan
look up and smile. These are the actions that crown his days and give to his temper that sweet serenity which only goodness can bestow. To those whose hearts resemble Mr. Williams' it would be unnecessary to [12] say, that if in his power, he would literally fulfill that divine precept of the gospel, "Not to let his left hand know what his right hand did," but take what care he will to conceal them, his paths are traced for his footsteps are known (as by irresistible impulse) to be drawn towards the abode of affliction. The sacred deeds of charity which have come within the ken of my knowledge are numberless.
Samuel Williams is one of the council of state and one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas.
Mr. Osgood is a civil magistrate, and clerk of the court of Common Pleas.