Paul Kingsbury

It is with sadness that we report the passing of one of the stalwarts of the Cavendish Historical Society, Paul Kingsbury. Raised on Chubb Hill and the Kingsbury Farm, Paul's wife wrote the history of Cavendish, "Chubb Hill Farm and Cavendish, Vermont: A Family and Town History 1876-1960," while describing how life was for his family. Paul was a WWII veteran, being injured in action, and graduated from Houghton College,  Institute for Far Eastern Languages of Yale University, and received a masters from the University of Vermont.  Paul became an agricultural missionary in Korea along with his wife the former Barbara Burkholder. Retiring early, Paul and his wife retired to the family farm and became very involved in a variety of activities in Cavendish, including the Historical Society and the Cavendish Baptist Church. Paul is survived by his wife and four daughters. 

For those who wish to write to Barbara Kingsbury, letters can be sent in care of Esther and Peter Sexton, 1310 Forrest St., Brookings, S Dakota 57006. Donations can be made in Paul's name to Heifer International. 

Linda Welch, the CHS genealogist, sent the following note about Paul.

Thank you Margo for your message about Paul's death. All of us who have known Barbara and Paul through time, are filled with sadness over his death. But he had gone away from us in his mind for the last few years of his life with that cruel Alzheimer's Disease.  He was one of the most wonderful, loving, kind and interesting people I had every met in my life. Paul was a constant scholar – reading and writing and keeping up with everything current and historic. When I used to go up there to their log house to visit, I always had a capital time chatting with he and Barbara. Barbara always called him endearing names like "My Love" and "Honey." They shared a life of public service and gave back to this world love and dedication that none of us can fully realize. Not only were they missionaries, but Paul often times served as doctor, agriculturalist, teacher of easier ways and methods, in order to make the lives of the Korean people better. He and Barbara never sought the limelight, preferring to do their service in humbleness, but both of them deserve the highest honors humanity can give to such self-less love and dedication. I shall never forget the time spent with them. They loved Cavendish and the Historical Society. It must have been truly sad for both, and especially Barbara, to be taken away from their hometown. 

My heart and prayers are with all, especially Paul's family and Carmine who loved him like a brother.  I went out with Carmine & Paul once on Memorial Day when they were putting flags on all the veteran's graves. This is something they did together for many, many years. We all know that losing people like Paul is not only sad, but a loss that is not replaceable.  He was one of a kind.  I scanned in one of my favorite "Raked Scatterings" of his from the Black River paper, and I am sharing it with you below.  Lots of Love and Hugs to everyone.  Linda Welch.

Raking Scatterings by Paul Kinsbury 1995 Black River Reporter

Since the mention of “creepers” here in February, I have been gratified to hear from at least four readers who have brought me up-to-date on this subject. Thank you all. I had not seen creepers for years. It is good to know that non-slippage devices for boots in winter are readily available. This shows me that my acquaintance with modern technology is somewhat lacking and that not only in regard to computers!

 It seems that “creepers” are now called “ice treads,” and I have to admit that that world is much more meaningful than “creepers.” I am told that these helpful devices can be bought in Claremont, Chester and at the Vermont Country Store, and probably in lots of other places. Some, or all, of the ice treads have steel studs attached to an adjustable rubber strap, which fits around the shoe or boot. These would appear to be much more convenient and effective than the old creepers of long ago. You can carry them in pocket or purse, and slip them on your feet whenever you come to an icy place in the path. Surely here is an example of the inventive genius of human being, which can make life easier and safer. Such technology is good.

Sometimes we carry the overwhelming affect of technology, machinery, and gadgets on our daily lives. Perhaps we could say that technology is good when it helps us to be more human and humane, and when it reduces suffering or poverty, but bad when it merely reinforces our urge to get and to spend, with little regard to the needs of other people. Take motor vehicles for example.

In the cabbage growing hills of Korea our sympathy went out to low-income women who supplement their living by gathering the poor-quality Chinese cabbage from the fields after the good cabbage is harvested. The women carried heavy sacks of cabbage on their heads, walking for several miles to sell it in the market. If they were lucky a passing truck might give them a ride; if not, they walked to town. I have seen these sturdy women striding along with their huge loads, the sweat streaming down their faces. When trucks and busses became more plentiful some of their drudgery was relieved. Surely that is good.

But our cars sometimes separate us from other people.

In my grandfather’s day the farmers drove along the road with their horse-drawn wagons, passing neighbors plowing and haying in their fields beside the road. There would be a cheerful greeting and perhaps a longer conversation. Now we speed by in our cars and seldom stop at our neighbors.

Thjs may be too dismal a picture of modern life. Of course there are many ways to be neighborly and friendly without a horse and buggy. John Harris’ weekly report on those who visit together at the morning coffee hour tells us of one way to relate to other people, even in our modern age of technology. The information highway should help people communicate with each other.

Better creepers are good, as are those kind people who told me about them.