IT’S
BLUEBERRY TIME!
Once again Bruce and Betty McEnaney are opening their
blueberry patch to the community. Betty writes, we have had a bit of a late
start as we have been installing new posts after work and it’s been slower than
expected. The bushes were pretty heavily pruned which has caused them to grow
like crazy. The rows are tight and we are still tying back the branches, but
there’s no point in waiting, just do the best you can. Loads of plump, organic
berries waiting for you. Honor system. Picking baskets to wear on your neck so
you can pick with both hands. Scale is on the porch along with the cash box.
Bring your containers to bring them home. 354 Miner Road, Chester. If it’s
daylight, we are open. Probably best to leave dogs at home. The bushes are too
crowded for frolicking canines. Kids welcome and those under 12 get a free
pound if they pick them themselves. $3.00 a pound (not pint). Proceeds split
with Young Historians at Cavendish Historical Society ( CHS).
UPCOMING EVENTS
August
25 (Sunday):
Indian
Stones and the story of Captive Johnson (see article below). Museum, 2 pm.
September
15 (Sunday):
Annual
Phineas Gage Talk and Walk. Museum, 2 pm. Wear comfortable shoes if you plan on
walking as the site of the accident is about ¾ of a mile from the Museum. We
will begin with a presentation that takes about an hour.
October
13 (Sunday): Indigenous Peoples of
the Okemo Valley. 2 pm. As part of this presentation, we will be screening the
short film “Paleoindian Excavation at Jackson Gore,” produced by Okemo Valley
TV. Location has yet to be determined. Note that this is the last day the
Museum is open for the season.
THE
CAPTIVITY OF MRS. JOHNSON
On
August 30, 1754, a knock at the door of the Johnson family homestead in
Charlestown, NH would change their life forever. Susannah Johnson was in the
late stages of her pregnancy,
but that did not keep the Abenaki Indians from taking her, her three children,
husband, sister, a neighbor and a hired hand as captives.
On
a forced march that took them through Cavendish, Susannah went into labor.
Captive Elizabeth Johnson’s birth is the first recorded one of a European
descent child in what is today Cavendish. It was in the Knapp Pond area.
Susannah
would later write in “A Narrative of the Captivity of Mrs. Johnson,” I was
fifteen or twenty miles from the abode of any civilized being, in the open
wilderness, rendered cold by a rainy day—in one of the most perilous hours, and
unsupplied with the least necessary, that could yield concenience in the
hazardous moment. My children were crying at a distance, where they were held
by their masters, and only my husband and sister [she was 14 at the time] to
attend me.
Elizabeth
Captive Johnson, would eventually marry George Kimball of Cavendish. However,
between Captive’s birth and marriage, her family endured a forced march to Lake
Champlain, separation, prison in Quebec and ultimately a four-year journey
before returning to Charlestown, NH.
At the end of Chapter 5 of her narrative, having described the birth of
her child, a nine days march to Lake Champlain,
life in the Abenaki Village of St. Francis and her husband’s departure
to raise ransom money, but before she describes prison in Quebec, Susannah
wrote, “ In
justice to the Indians, I ought to remark, that they never treated me with
cruelty, to a wanton degree; few people have survived a situation like mine,
and few have fallen into the hands of savages, disposed to more lenity and
patience. Modesty has ever been a characteristick of every savage tribe; a
truth which my whole family will join to corroborate, to the extent of their
knowledge. As they are aptly called the children of nature, those who have
profited by refinement and education, ought to abate part of the prejudice,
which prompts them to look with an eye of censure on this untutored race. Can
it be said of civilized conquer|ors, that they, in the main, are willing to
share with their prisoners, the last ration of food, when famine stares them in
the face? Do they ever adopt an enemy, and salute him by the tender name of
brother? And I am justified in doubting, whether if I had fallen into the hands
of French soldiery, so much assiduity would have been shewn, to preserve my
life. Note
the text appears as written. 
Today,
in Reading Vermont, on route 106, there are two slate markers encased in a
granite slab. The inscription reads, “These
stones were placed in their / present Position by a Descendant of - Captain / James Johnson"-and
Susannah; his Wife." Below that inscription is a slate stone with stepped
shoulders, in which is carved "On the 31 st of August 1754, Capt James
Johnson had / a Daughter born on this Spot of Ground, being / Captivated with
his whole Family by the Indians." Depictions of various tools top the
statement. To that stone's right is set the other slate slab, in which is
carved the following inscription, accompanied by similar decoration: "This
is near the Spot that the Indians Encamp^ / the Night after they took Mr
Johnson 8 Family, / Mr Labarree & Farnsworth, August 30th 1754, and / Mrs
Johnson was Delivered of her Child Half a mile up this Brook; // When troubles
near the Lord is- kind, / He hears the Captives crys. / He can subdue the
Savage mind, / And learn it sympathy."
In 1957, Elizabeth George Speare
wrote the book “Calico Captive,” which is based on Susannah’s narrative.
However, the story is of Susannah’s sister, Miriam.
On August 25, there will be a
presentation on the Johnson family and what happened to the various captives,
including the oldest of the Johnson children Sylvanus, who was fully assimilated
into the Abenaki way of life at the time of his ransom. Following the
presentation, there will be a short drive to Reading to see the Indian Stones.
The presentation begins at 2 pm at the Museum.
Due to a computer glitch, the handout for the July 14 workshop Replacing single use plastics was not available. Per the request of those in attendance, we are providing this information in the Newsletter.
If
this seems like an odd workshop for a historical society to offer, keep in mind
that these organizations are good repositories of how people once lived.
Sometimes we need to draw on that knowledge to help people adjust to changes
that are more reflective of past eras.
It
wasn’t until 1985 that single use plastic bags became routinely used in grocery
stores. Very quickly, they took on other uses: totes for other objects, liners
for trashcans and a useful tool in cleaning up after the dog. Note that the
first “Pooper Scooper” law went into effect in 1978, almost 10 years before the
high volume of plastic bags became available.
REPLACEMENTS FOR SINGLE
USE PLASTIC
Vermont’s
law banning single use plastics goes into effect July 2020. The new law prohibits retailers and
restaurants from providing customers with single-use carryout bags, plastic
stirrers, or cups, takeout, or other food containers made from expanded
polystyrene. Straws may be provided, by request, and the ban does not extend to
those requiring straws for medical conditions.
Pooper Scooper: Make a scoop from a
milk or laundry jug. There are a number of readily available products that can
be purchased. Highly recommended is Dogit Jaws.
Straws: For those that need a
straw, the following are rated among the best by disability groups:
•
Silicon Straws receive top scores for ease of use, can be used for hot and cold
drinks, extremely durable, they’re dishwasher safe, can be sterilized.
Seraphina’s Kitchen Reusable Silicone Straws
• Stainless
steel straws with silicon tips: Stainless steel is the most durable, can be
sterilized and if you lose a tip it can be replaced. Best for cold beverages.
Mooker Silicone Straws Plus Silicone-Tipped Stainless-Steel Straws
•
Biodegradable or Single use straws-such as a restaurant might provide: Paper
does not hold
up but those made from plant-based materials are much better.
Trashcan Liners: Trashcans and bins
that hold recyclables don’t require a liner as items placed in there should be
clean and dry. If you have been using a plastic bag to hold compost-consider
using a compost bucket. Note that compost can be brought to the Cavendish
Transfer Station for free.
Tote
Bags:
While the workshop showed how to convert old T-shirts into totes, many types of
shopping bags are readily available at stores. It is not clear if stores will
charge for paper bags, which some already do.
What
to do with single use plastic bags: Most grocery stores, as well as big box
stores, e.g. Walmart have bins for recycling single use plastic. They will take grocery bags, bread bags, case overwrap, dry cleaning bags,
newspaper sleeves, ice bags, wood pellet bags, Ziplock & other re-sealable
bags, produce bags, bubble wrap, salt bags, and cereal bags. All materials must
be clean, dry and free of food residue.
CAVENDISH SCHOOLS: Part II Tarbell Hill
Inspired by the paintings of John
Snarksi, which were recently re hung in the Cavendish Town Elementary School
(CTES), the spring edition of The Scribbler included the histories of The
Cavendish Academy, Wheeler School; Fittonsville School; Duttonsville School;
and the Rumke School.
Part II focuses on Tarbell Hill
School and the memories of it shared by Carmine Guica in his “The Story of My
Life. “ Note that the text appears as written.
Tarbell Hill School: The first
recollection that I have of my school days is in the fall of the year of 1927.
The year of the great flood. The Town sent up a truck to take all the kids home
as water in the road was too deep, especially for the smaller children…In them
days school was kept five days a week regardless of the weather and all
Holidays were celebrated on the day they fell on by the calendar.
Our teachers when they taught at
Tarbell Hill school it usually was their first time of teaching and they done a
great job as they had all eight grades to teach. There usually was from 17 to
27 pupils and most of the years that I went to school perhaps it was near the
lower side.
One of things we all looked forward
to was the programs that we would put on at Holidays and the plays. We all
would have poems we would recite and at Halloween it usually ends with a Box
Social…the neighbors would come and sometime they would join with us in the
fun. I believe one of the things that made our school great was the teachers.
They were all young and very energetic and there always was a good cooperation
between teacher, parents and pupils.
We always did look forward to recess
time and to play games such as baseball, volley ball and just about all games
and some that we made up. Then in the winter time we would slide down Tarbell
Hill as there hardly was any cars.
The first few years we didn’t have
running water as it was the job of the bigger boys to go up to the Wilcox’s
with a pail for water and then we would fill up the blue stripped clay jug that
had a spigot at the bottom so we could draw drinking water.
School days were busy in them days,
as all our work we done at school. Very seldom did we have home work. I don’t
ever remembering of bringing home the work that should be done in school,
unless it was a book or so to read for pleasure. Now a days these kids have a
“Hikers Pack” with work that they have to do at home.
The first thing in the morning after
the teacher rang the bell to call us in from the playground to start our days,
we would salute the flag from the heart then extend our right arm outward
towards the Flag and recite the “Pledge of Allegiance.” Then we would all sit
at our desk and bow our heads and recite the “Lord’s Prayer.” This
accomplished, we would then start our day’s studies. I am sure that later in
life we were better for it---the start of the day with a tribute to the Flag
and to God.
Guica included in his book an
article he wrote on the Tarbell Hill School Reunion, which took place in 1991. The
original school was built before 1799, according to a deed that I have and in
1860 it was moved a short distance down Tarbell Hill from its original site to
where it was in 1956 when taken down.
Among the speakers that day was Mrs.
Murial (Blanchad) Link who taught at Tarbell Hill School in 1915-1917. She
said that she was her own janitor, built the fires in the winter, swept the
floors and everything else that needed to be done. The hours were from 9 to 4
with a 15-minute recess and one hour for noon. This would give just time for a
nice slide down Tarbell Hill in winter…Once a month the State Library sent 50
books in a wooden box, only cost was to return by Express. In the
Spring they planned for a fair in September. The children would plant seeds at
home and on fair day they would bring vegetables, canned goods, cakes, some
needle work, and bird houses. These were all judged and prizes given. Friends,
parents and neighbors all came and joined in the races and games..,When she
taught there were 37 pupils.
BECOME A MEMBER, RENEW
YOUR MEMBERSHIP, DONATE
If you have not joined the Cavendish Historical
Society, need to renew your membership, and/or would like to be a volunteer,
please complete the form below and sending a check, payable to CHS, to CHS, PO
Box 472, Cavendish, VT 05142. All contributions are tax deductible.
Name: _______________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________
Phone Number: _____________________ E-Mail:
____________________________
Membership Level
__ Individual Member $10 __
Senior Member 65+ $5 __
Sustaining Member $500
__
Household Member $15 ___ Contributing
Member $250
Volunteer
___ I would be interested in serving, as
a volunteer .I would be interested in serving on the following committee(s):__
Program Planning __ Fundraising __ Building (Museum)
__Archives
_ Budget –– Cemetery __ Carmine Guica Young Historians
Donations are always
welcome and can be designated as follows:
__ For
general purposes __ Young Historians __Publications
__ Archaeological Activities _ Museum & Archival __ Special Events
__ Rankin Fund __
Williams Fund __ Solzhenitsyn Project
__ Other (please specify) __ Cemetery Restoration __ Preservation Projects
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