Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Other Cavendish Women to Know

In celebration of March being National Women’s History Month, this is the final post on Women in Cavendish History.

Arey, Harriet Ellen (Grannis), author, born in Cavendish, Vermont, 14 April 1819. Her father, John Grannis, was a member of the Canadian parliament at the breaking out of the rebellion of 1837, and was obliged to flee to the United States, where he afterward held positions of trust. The daughter became a schoolteacher in Cleveland, and a contributor to periodicals. She married Oliver Arey in 1848, and edited the "Youth's Casket" and the "Home Monthly." Her principal work is "Household Songs and other Poems" (New York, 1854).

Bacon, Fanny and Carrie Spafford: Wrote, edited and printed “The Scribbler,” in the early 1900’s. Local writers could see their poetry, essays or short stories in print. This was produced once a month.

Baxendale, Imogene: She is the only female who name appears on the WWII plaque attached to the Civil War memorial in Cavendish. Baxendale was stationed in the Philippines and Japan during and after the war. She was the first woman to join the Legion of Guardsmen, a veteran’s organization in Bellows Falls. During WWII the women in Cavendish worked multiple shifts at Gay Brothers Woolen Mills, grew Victory Gardens, took turns manning the three spotter towers in town and “Did their bit and Knit” socks for soldiers.

Foster, Gertrude: First woman elected to the Cavendish Select board in 1918.

Haven, Florence: Founder of the Cavendish Chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution)

Pollard, Erminie: Served in the Vermont Legislature in 1951-1952. She was the first woman on the Banking and Insurance Committee.

Pollard, Mary: A dietician in an Army Hospital on Ellis Island during WWI. She is the only female whose name appears on the WWI plaque attached to the Civil War memorial in Cavendish.

Skinner, Cornelia Otis: A great grand daughter of Cavendish native, the Reverend Warren Skinner, and daughter of the famous actor Otis Skinner, she spent summers at the family home in Proctorsville, which is now The Golden Stage Inn. Cornelia wrote numerous short humorous pieces for publications like The New Yorker. These pieces were eventually compiled into a series of books, including Nuts in May, Dithers and Jitters, Excuse It Please!, and The Ape In Me, among others. With Emily Kimbrough, she wrote Our Hearts Were Young and Gay.