From The Connecticut River Valley in Southern Vermont and New Hampshire: Historical Sketches by Lyman S. Hayes, Tuttle Co., Marble City Press, Rutland, VT., 1929, page 253:
CAPTAIN CHARLES CHURCH–USED LIQUORS FREELY–INCIDENT OF A RAFTING CREW
One of the notably strong characters among the early settlers of this vicinity was Captain Charles Church, who came here in 1807 from Westmoreland, N. H., where he had been a tavern keeper. He purchased 700 acres of land in the north part of Westminster, adjacent to Bellows Falls, and built three saw mills on Saxtons River, sending his product to the markets down the Connecticut river on rafts. He was a Revolutionary soldier having served in the Continental army two years during the war. During his early years here he was prominent in the militia, probably accounting for the title of "Captain" by which he was always known. He had a family of 20 children, and of these 12 sons and sons-in-law were members of his company. There are many descendants of the family still residing in this section of New England.
Captain Church's practice in relation to the handdling of intoxicating liquors is interesting today, as showwing the practices of the broad-minded men of his day. His family was always a large one, usually from 35 to 40, including his 20 children and employees. He always purchased his liquors by the barrel, of which he always kept a number of different kinds in his capacious cellar. The prominent variety was New England rum. He made the rule that all members of his family might parrtake twice a day, before breakfast and before supper. His children came under this rule as soon as they were large enough to "line up" with the older ones. At these times the Captain mixed his great bowl of toddy with [254] a stick, the bowl being a wooden one, which is still shown by his descendants. He ranged the whole family around the room and passed the bowl from one to the other. The rule was that each was to have a certain number of swallows, and if at any time anyone attempted to take more than his allowance the Captain said sharply, "Cut, " which meant "enough, " and if the partaker did not stop quick enough to suit him, a sharp rap with his toddy stick, which he held in his right hand, was always effective. Nothwithstanding this free use of the liquors, it is noteworthy that there was never a member of the family who ever became intemperate.
In the Captain's employment of men to drive his large rafts of lumber down the Connecticut to the different city markets he made the rule that each raft take a 10-gallon cask of rum, which must do for the trip. While those in charge of the rafts had authority to procure from storekeepers along the route any proovisions needed, charging them to Captain Church, all had instructions that he would not pay for any liquors furnished. At one time a raft was stranded some days on the island just above the village of Putney and the liquor was exhausted. A discussion was held regarding the method of supplying the absolutely necessary article. Old Peter Wood, whom present citizens remember as living on the back road to Westminster, was one of the gang and fertile in expedients. He took the 10-gallon cask and put in five gallons of river water. He was an extremely large and powerful man and shouldering the keg he carried it two miles up to the Putney storekeeper (all merchants then dealt in rum). He ordered five gallons "more rum" put in it, which was done, and [255] Wood shouldered the keg for the return. The merchant asked for his pay and Wood said "Charge it to Captain Church," which was refused because of the known rule of the Captain. After a little discussion Wood took down the keg from his shoulder, saying, "Well, take your d–d old five gallons of rum back again then," which the merchant did, putting it into his hogshead, supposing all in the keg to be rum. Wood then shouldered his keg containing five gallons of mixed rum and water, carrying it back to his companions, and they completed their cruise with the supply thus furnished.
It is a well authenticated tradition that Captain Church and his family were such regular attendants at Immanuel Episcopal Church on Sunday that on one occasion when they did not go, his old horse, recognizing the day, went to the church at the appointed hour and stood under the tree as usual until the services were concluded, when he walked home as demurely as if the family were with him.