News
Glenn Andres, Professor at Middlebury College and local historian calls the Middlebury Community House, the most complete Federal Style building still intact in Middlebury. In A Walking History of Middlebury, Mr. Andres points out the following details about the Community House. Built in 1816 - 1817, the house has four high rising chimneys and is crowned by a white wooden balustrade over the eaves.
The white wooden fence along a stone wall terrace, has alternating
long and short pickets that emphasize the height of the house outline
and broaden the base line. The graceful curved door hood, called a
Belcast, shelters the doorway. It is the only one left in Middlebury.
The builder of the house, the Honorable Horatio Seymour, was a native
of Litchfield, Connecticut and was born May 31, 1778, son of Major
Moses Seymour and Mary Marsh Seymour. Horatio's father served in the
Revolutionary War, represented his town in the state legislature and
was the town clerk for almost 40 years, instilling strong community
values within his children. Horatio graduated from Yale University in
1797. He spent his first year out of school as an assistant teacher at
the Academy in Cheshire, Connecticut. The following year he decided to
study Law in Litchfield. Horatio arrived in Middlebury in 1799 to
continue his law studies with Honorable Daniel Chipman.
In 1800 Horatio married Lucy Case, daughter of John Case of Addison and sister of Loyal Case, Esq. a friend and attorney with whom Horatio worked. Mr. Seymour became licensed to practice law and entered immediately into an extensive practice. He quickly became an esteemed lawyer in Middlebury and Addison County. He was appointed postmaster when he arrived in Middlebury, was one of the first directors of the Vermont State Bank when it was established in 1806 and was elected to the U.S. Senate where he served from 1821 - 1833. He supported the incorporation of Middlebury College, Addison County Grammar School and the Female Seminary founded by Emma Willard. Horatio was certainly one of the leading citizens of Middlebury; in 1847 he was honored by Yale University when he received an Honorary Doctors of Law Degree.
Horatio and his wife, Lucy had four children. Three sons: Ozias, Moses and Horatio, all became lawyers. Only Ozias stayed in Middlebury where he practiced law with his father for a time. The Seymour's daughter Emma married Phillip Battell, another well known Middlebury name.
