Benjamin F. Giddings Personal Military and Civil History

The Cavendish Historical Society has recently received, from the Brattleboro Historical Society, materials relating to Benjamin F. Giddings. Benjamin Franklin Giddings was born in Cavendish, VT July 5, 1843, the son of Hiram and Rebecca (French) Giddings. He enlisted in the Civil War the first time at age 15. After the War, Giddings settled in California.

These materials were donated by: Don Butkovich, Antique Dealer, Traverse City, Michigan in Honor of his friend Gilbert H. Whelden, Jr., the nephew of B.F. Giddings, who purchased these papers directly from the Living Estate of Mr. Whelden in Michigan.

Among the items included a bound book entitled "Personal Military and Civil History." Below are the notes from Benjamin F. Giddings about his actions during the Civil War. On each page, Giddings wrote additional notes in the margins. They are in different ink, so it is possible that information was added at a latter date. These additional notes are indented.

1) “I first enlisted Oct. 26, 1861 at age 15 in Co. “H.” 2nd Berdan US Sharpshooters: this Regt. Was composed of companies from different states. The first Regt was commanded by Col Hiram Berdon of NY. The 2nd Regt by Col. HAV Post of NY. A civil engineer by profession. And a member of the 7th NH state militia a brave and splendid officer. The Co. was formed and mustered at Brattleboro, VT. And left the state for Wash. Jan 1, 1962 and joined the Regt then encamped on Meridian Hill near Washington. Ours was the last Co to join the Regt, which had 8 companies of 100 men each. Bilbert Hart of Dorset VT was Capt. We remained in this “Camp of Instruction” thru the winter, being drilled in Ballallium & skirmish drill, armed first with Colts muskets, where were soon discarded and replaced with Sharps Target Rifles. The latter part of March 1862 the Regt started on.

Col Berdan from whom Sharpshooters was named, was the inventor of a rifle which he hoped to get adopted for use in our army, but failed. He served as Col of 1st Regt till after Gettysburg when he resigned went to Russia got his rifle adopted by Russian Gov. and was made Super of their construction became a Russian Citizen and died a very rich man.

2) its first march crossing the Potomac into VA and joined a Brigade composed of the 22-24 & 30 NY Infantry. The Brooklyn 14th zouave. The Harris Light Cavalry, and Gibbons Battery of Artl, the Brig. Commanded by Brig Genl CC Augar of the Reg army, and becoming a part of Kings Div. McDowell’s Corps. Which became an independent command and army on the departure of the army of the Potomac on its Peninsula campagne under Genl McClellan. About the middle of April our Brig led the march from Catletts Sta to Falmouth VA 40 miles in 24 hours and giving our Brig the name of the “1st Iron Brigade.” The Sharpshooters led the advance and when approaching Falmouth in the early morning formed a skirmish line with Harris L. Cavs in advance. We had little brush with enemy they retreating across Rappahannock river to Fredericksburg.

The Harris Cavalry was under command of its Lt. Col Judson Kilpatric afterwards Maj Genl and commander of Calvery Corps Army of Potomac.
Capt Gibbon comd’r of the field battery.-was after words a Maj Genl and in command of a corps.
On our first march we got lost and we spent our first night of field camp in open ?? and a cold rain lasting thru the night.

3) burning the bridges. One Brig of our corps occupied Fredericksburg. While our Brig camped on the pleasant Falmouth hills which 8 months later shook with the thunder of Burnsides guns in the great battle & defeat at Fredericksburg in Dec. 62. In May we crossed the river and started on the march to join McClellan and cooperate with him in the operations against Richmond. But after marching eight miles we were ordered back. Marched rapidly to Catletts then to Manassus Junc put on RR cars and sent up to Front Royal in Blue Ridge Mts to intersept Stonewall Jackson in his advance on Wash. Who, when he had accomplished his object in drawing us away from joining McClellan marched his force back and joined Leee opposing the army of Potomac. Our corps then marched back to our old camp at Falmouth. A cousin of mine of same age who enlisted with me and was Corpl is same Co was taken ill with typhoid fever and left behind at Haymarket VA and I never saw him again as died of the fever. (Henry E. Giddings Reading VT)

While camped near Fredericksburg our boys often visited the little city where were several flour mills. And as we had plenty of coffee and the inhabitants none, we found no difficulty in effecting an ex 1 lb of coffee for 10 lbs or more of flour. Then came pancakes for us to take place of hard tack. It used to be said that some of the boys used to dry their coffee grounds and trade them for flour. I know not about this.

4) I became disabled by rupture [an accident due to severe straining, lifting or muscular exertion] on this hard march and in June 62 was discharged for disability. And went home to VT. The Regt remained in service to the end of war seeing much hard service and many hard battles was in the #rd Corps (Genl Seckles) at Gettysburg, and lost during its term of service 126 men and 9 com. Officers killed in action. I remained home working on farm and teaching school in winter until March 7, 1864 when I enlisted again in 17th VT inftry. (Co.G) the last Regt raised in VT the Regt formed and mustered in Burlington Vt and left the state Apr 18-64 as a Battallion of 7 companies under Lt Col Chas Cummings of Brattleboro, and was rushed to the front and joined the 9th Corps Genl Burnside at Calletts Sta. Just before it jointed the Army of the Potomac on the Rapidan. The Brig then was composed of 31 & 32 Me. 6-7 & 11 NH 17th Vt and shortly after 56th Mass.

On this march into Blue Ridge Mts. Train on Mansaasa Gap RR. Carrying our Regt. Was run into by another train following and many soldiers filling and covering the old box cars were killed many more maimed. I was in front of train near engine and escaped. Thos. Bruised and thrown out of car.

5) all N.E. troops and commanded by Coil S G. Griffith of the 6 NH a skillful and intrepid officer. The Div. Was comd by Maj Gen Robt B Potter a son of Bishop Potter of Penn & a splendid officer. On the morning May 4 we started on a forced march to join the Army of Genls Grant & Meade then just breaking camp at Culpepper CH to begin the Wilderness Campaign. We marched all day of May 4 & 5th and crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford on the evening of the 5th just at the close of the 1st days fighting and got into position bet the 2nd & 5th Corps. Our Regt had never had a battalion drill. And we went into action for 380 muskets. Early on morning of May 6th, we had very severe fighting all day and lost heavily in proportion to our numbers. We were in all the terrible fighting which followed up the siege of Petersburg. On June 3 at battle of Cold Harbor I was wounded in left shoulder by musket ball and went to field hospital where I assisted the surgeon of ?Regt (Dr. Edson) in charge.

While Regt was crossing Rapidan on night of May 5 went through filled hospital tents of 6th Corps where a cousin and an officer of the VT Brig lay wounded unknown of course to me. His brother in 1st Vt cavalry had been killed the same day just as the fighting commenced in the early morn another coz was in the battle both days Col of 77th NY, in 6th Corps

6) in caring for the over 400 wounded from our one Division. The next morning I accompanied wagon & ambulance train with the wounded to White House Landing on the Pamonkie River walking the distance 12 miles and serving men who were in the train and wounded, with wate as I could get it. Went by steamer to Wash. & hospital then to Phil & then to Brattleboro, VT. Got furlough wound not healed.got pass to town. And fell in with squad of inmates of selected to be retd to Regts. Got to N.Y. Kight on Bedloe’s Island 19 days then got on Transport loaded with 1800 men, went via Ft. Munroe & up James river to City Point. When disembarked. Hunted up my Regt in lines before Petersburg after walking all night. Reported and found myself reported to Regt. As a deserter from Hospital. Was given chg of my Co. as 1st Sergt. it having no commissioned Officer. And next day Aug 19, 1864 started on march to left of line to support 5th corps (?) on Weldon RR. Promoted to 1st Lt Co B Capt Nov 64 served to end of war. Was at Berksville VA when Lee surrendered and commanded ground in chg of all guns and ordinance stores of Lee’s army. Marched to Alexandria Va and into camp. Was on Grand Review May 23 & 24, 65 mustered out at Bulrington Vt July 1865. Regt has 133 enlisted men & 14 com. Officers killed in action or died of wounds a record not excelled by an other Regt.

Annual Appeal

November 27, 2010

Dear Friend:

This past year was supposed to be one long celebration for Cavendish, given that we were honoring our 250th anniversary. While many wonderful events did take place, including weekly posts about various aspects of our town’s history, the big four-day event was scheduled for the anniversary date in October. While the flood of August 28 changed our town dramatically, we still came together and celebrated, just not at the scale we had planned on.

We saw first hand how important it is to preserve our history when the National Guard wanted to see photographs and articles about the 27 flood that could help them in the repair of the current “Cavendish Canyon. Therefore, it was not surprising that even before the shelter closed, we were being asked to mount an exhibit for 2012 comparing the 1927 flood to 2011.

CHS recognizes that what happens today is tomorrow’s history, so we are one of the supporters of the Cavendish Update, an electronic newsletter, which is archived at www.cavendishvt.blogspot.com and has a Facebook page Cavendish VT. While we are leaving a digital history for future generations, it proved to be an invaluable resource during the flood. For ten straight days, posts were issued several times a day so people would know where to go for help and assistance. Further, the Facebook page was a quick way for people to post what roads were open and who needed help.

Along with organizing a flood exhibit for the Museum, we will be focusing on the Civil War-the 150th anniversary began in 2011-and expanding our outreach through our “hands on history program.” People learn best by doing, so we are offering workshops and activities for community groups and school children. The workshop list is available at the CHS blog, or can be e-mailed (margoc@tds.net) or mailed.

We know these are hard times, but we also know that that work of CHS is making a difference in our community now and for future generations. You can be an integral part of what CHS is doing by:
• Donating to our appeal campaign (see attached forms)
• Renewing your annual membership.
• Helping with our various programs
• Helping with fundraising

Wishing you a joyous holiday season, and a happy New Year.

Sincerely,


Dan Churchill,
President

Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Quilting/Anniversary Quilt

Quilting was very prominent among the early settlers, not only because of the need for warmth, but fabric was expensive to buy and “homespun” was labor intensive. Every scrap had to be saved and “re purposed.”

The Cavendish Historical Society has quite a collection of quilts in the Museum, most of which were most likely made by a group of women to commemorate an event, such as a marriage. The oldest quilt in the collection is from the Civil War era and a recent acquisition.

Teresa Campbell of Lancaster, California was given eight squares by a friend of her husband. A quilter, as well as a genealogist, Campbell traced the squares to Cavendish and donated them in early June.

While we were discussing the Civil War era squares, a number of women and men (a first) in Cavendish, were preparing the 250th Anniversary quilt. When Campbell supplied the names of the quilters- Evey Kendall, Leizzie Kendall, Mrs. Maria Spaulding, Julia A. Davis, Mary Hemminway, Celia A. Davis, and Ella A. Spaulding-it was immediately noted that one of the quilters for Cavendish’s Anniversary quilt, Pang Ting, now lives in the house where the Kendall sisters once resided.

The Cavendish 250th Anniversary Quilt was on display at Old Home Day as well as serving as a backdrop for the play Cavendish Chronicles II: The Early Years. Because the school’s multi purpose room was both the site of the shelter during Irene recovery, and the play, the set was keep up for most of the shelter duration, so many people saw the quilt. Of particular interest was the square made by fiber artist Paulette Martell, which depicted the 1927 flood.

A combination of 14 different people made the 30 squares in the quilt. A variety of techniques were used to create a very unique design. While many of the squares were collaborative efforts, they depicted the town’s history as well as aspects that people thought should be remembered.

In addition to Martell, the quilters included:
• Jackie Blanchard: Raised in Cavendish, she is an award winning quilter. Not only did she transfer a number of photographs of Cavendish onto fabric, she included embroidered squares of the town name and dates, as well as an appliqué flower square.
• Margo Caulfield: From Baltimore, MD, is the coordinator of CHS. She, worked on several squares and choose to remember Phineas Gage, as she has spent many years working in the field of traumatic brain injury.
• Barbara Dickey: A retired researcher, Barbara worked with Wendy Regier and Tess Ellwood to capture the Cavendish countryside through six wildflower squares.
• Tess Ellwood: New to Proctorsville, Tess comes to our community from North Carolina. She is a quilter as well as a weaver. She not only contributed the log cabin square, but was the one who carefully sewed, repieced squares and masterminded the completion of the quilt.
• Gloria Leven: Born in West Virginia, Gloria has been a lover and maker of quilts for many years. She made several squares, including the pieced maple leaf.
• Paulette Martell: Originally from Maine, she is a well known fiber artist and quilter. Who knew her square depicting the 1927 flood would take on such significance?
• Jennifer McBride: A well known textile designer and owner of Jennifer Hoar designs and Soap Baubles, Jen moved to Cavendish from Brooklyn, New York just a few years ago. The bear, moose, tractor, and deer were her designs.
• Mary Ormrod: From Toronto Canada, where she lived in the bush country of Canada at one point, it is not surprising that Mary would choose the Crown Point Road as her quilt square theme
• Becky Plunkard: Growing up in a military family, Becky has lived in many different places. Making the square of the Universalist Church, known locally as “The Stone Church,” she only had to look out her window for inspiration.
• Craig Rankin: A landscape architect from New York, Craig retired to Cavendish in 1979. He was well known for his pen and ink drawings of Cavendish. His rendering of the CHS Museum was transferred to fabric by Jackie Blanchard.
• Lonnie Rankin: The daughter-in-law of Craig Rankin, she spent many happy days on the Rankin Farm and choose that as her theme. .
• Wendy Regier: From New York City, Wendy ahs been a professional weaver for the last 35 years. She made three squares: Marino sheep and loom; the Cavendish Green Marble Quarry (which is near her home) and Alexandra Solzhenitsyn
• Rich Svec: From New Jersey and Town Manager, Svec’s photograph of the town office, as well as the town logo were converted into squares by Jackie Blanchard.
• Pang Ting: From Hong Kong, while Pang may be a fiber artist with a love of paper, she created a one of a kind portrait of Cavendish today by using small pieces of fabric.

The quilt is being preserved and will be available for future generations as one of our town’s remembrances of our anniversary.

Hands on History

The Cavendish Historical Society’s (CHS) “Hands on History” program is offering the following workshops and activities to Cavendish Town Elementary School and local community groups.

• Food from various time periods
- making butter with a churn: All ages
- bread making: 4th grade and up

• Because Cavendish has been home to many people from many parts of the world, we now offer workshops that not only reflect these cultures but also the traditions that coincide with different times of the year and holidays.

• Fiber arts:
- Corn husk dolls: This will not be offered until fall 2012 as we will dry husks starting in May. This will be limited to grades 4th grade and up. We request registeration for this workshop no later than April 1, so we can dry sufficient husks.
- Felt Wool Balls: All ages
- Beeswax candle making: All grades
- Quilt squares
- Stenciling: All ages
- Paper cuts: 5th grade and up
- God’s eyes, used in many cultures including the Irish for Shamhain (Sowen): 4th grade and up
- Using dyes from nature-such as butter nuts, milk weed etc.
- Knitting and crochet
- Simple weaving

• Games and toys throughout Cavendish history

• Music: Since we are in the process of celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Cavendish is fortunate to have the fiddler Bob Naess available to play tunes from this era. Of particular note is the music of a prisoner at Camp Chase.

• Speakers on the following topics:
- Farming
o Tap trees and sugaring Grades 3-6
o Clove Apples: 3-6 grades
o Cider press: All ages
- Archeology-early man in Cavendish
- Various crafts
- Cavendish history
- Business-large and home based
- Genealogy

• Tours of historic sites, including but not limited to:
- Cemeteries
- Fitton’s Mill
- Settler’s tour (Dutton, Proctor and Coffeen)
- First school house and one room school houses
- Proctorsville Historic Walking tour
- Phineas Gage Walking tour

Programs can be designed for a particular time period that you may be studying. While programs are available free of charge, donations are appreciated. Note that CHS will be creating an 1800’s house for the spring of 2011

For more information please call the CHS coordinator at 802-226-7807 or e-mail margoc@tds.net

Scribbler II: Fall 2011 CHS Newsletter

On-line, E-mail or Print
Have it your way. That is your bi monthly copy of “The Scribber II.” CHS is trying to reduce costs and meet the growing demand for information provided in a digital format. Many people like the “paper less” aspects provided by keeping a digital file of newsletters, genealogy and other materials. Others prefer print. Whatever your preference, if you are receiving your newsletter in print form, and prefer it sent to you electronically, please e-mail margoc@tds.net and provide the e-mail address you would like the newsletter sent to you. The newsletter is available on-line at the CHS blog (address above), in print and can be directly e-mailed to you in PDF format.

Remembering Sophie Snarksi 1916-2011
It is with sadness that we inform members that Sophie Snarski, a lifetime member of CHS, died Oct. 23 at the age of 95. Known for her love of Cavendish, Sophie was actually born in Racine, WI, to parents who had immigrated to the United States from Poland. Moving to Cavendish when she was three, Sophie held a number of positions-fiddler, town auditor, “drawing in girl” for Gay Brothers Mill, member of the Holy Name of Mary Altar Society and the Cavendish Historical Society, and most notably postmaster of the Cavendish post office from 1975 to the early 1990’s. It was in this position that many came to know her as matchmaker, source of all things local and much more. The April 2009 “Scribbler II” contains an article about Sophie’s memories of living in Cavendish during the “Great Depression.” Her obituary is on-line.

How Did Cavendish Fair?
We’ve received phone calls and e-mails from CHS members all over the country, asking how we’re surviving the flood. Yes, parts of Cavendish look a bit like they did after the flood of 1927, particularly the area by the old Duttonsville School. However, like then, we are managing.

Similar to 1927, the flooding was caused by an intense amount of rain from a tropical storm (in this case Irene) after a very wet period. Irene dumped 5-8 inches of rain over large sections of Vermont, with Cavendish receiving 8+ inches in a very short time period.

Emergency measures were put into place, with evacuation of homes in several locations, plus the opening of a shelter at Cavendish Town Elementary School, which remained operational for 10 days. Over 85 individuals and families and 36 organizations and businesses, including Vermont Red Cross, Homeland Security and the National Guard brought food and water to sustain us and the tools to clean up our homes and businesses, as well as the equipment and talent to restore our roads. Approximately 120 people helped to keep the shelter going, and another 25 formed work crews to assist in restoring damaged property.

You can read more about how people were managing day to day by reading the Cavendish Update blog from August. 29-Sept. 7.

While we wish we could report that we had no fatalities, one of the Air Guard men died, on deployment in Cavendish, of an apparent heart attack. In addition, there was a flood fatality in Ludlow.

Seven homes were washed away in 1927. There are at least eight families dealing with major housing issues, with many more coping with flooded basements and property damage. However, everyone in Cavendish was impacted because all of the roads and the town’s infrastructure, water and sewer, were damaged.

If there was ever a question as to why we study history, one only needed to watch the National Guard poring over the articles written by Olin Gay in 1928 about the flood. They were particularly interested in seeing pictures of the famous 1927 “Cavendish Canyon,” as it certainly looked very similar to the 2011 version.

We’ve already been asked to mount a special exhibit for next summer on the history of the floods in Cavendish. We are not only working on this, but we are looking to see if we can once again make copies of the 1927 flood panoramic photograph.

Annual Meeting Change
CHS board and members were heavily involved in not only the flood relief efforts, but also the 250th Anniversary Celebration weekend, which took place approximately five weeks after the flood. With all that was going on, plus the fact that the financial report is limited to the first three quarters of the year, the board voted to change the meeting to the end of January beginning of February. More information will be in the winter 2012 newsletter.

Cavendish is 250 Years Old
On Oct. 12, 1761, King George III signed the Charter that created Cavendish. In spite of flood damage, Cavendish celebrated with four days of activities. On Oct. 7, local fiddler Bob Naess, brought his dance band Yankee Chank to play contras, squares and Cajun/Zydeco music. Similar to dances attended by the Coffeens in the (Cavendish’s first settlers), people lined the walls to watch the dancers.

The flood recovery required a different route, but it didn’t keep hundreds from lining Depot Street to cheer for the local fire departments, horse drawn carriages, antique automobiles and the walkers in the “short but sweet” parade. Finishing at the Proctorsville Green, author and historian Sandra Stearns, the grand marshal, read a poem she wrote in 1990. See below.

Following the activities on the green, a BBQ was held at the school. Attorney Matt Birmingham spoke about Benning Wentworth and attendees had a chance to see the newly restored Cavendish Charter and other historic documents.

On Sunday, the churches held an open house, which was followed by a presentation by the authors of “The Inventor’s Fortune Up for Grabs.” Stearns and Una Hadley Gay’s granddaughter Suzanne Gay Beyer talked about her family’s connection with Art Hadley, who in 1913 invented the expansion bracelet. While Suzanne provided pictures and stories about life at Glimmerstone with her grandparents, John S. Pfarr, a Connecticut and Rhode Island estate-planning attorney, discussed the case of Art Hadley’s descendents’ six-year effort in trying to recover a substantial portion of the fortune left by Art Hadley. Pfarr represented nine of the Gay grandchildren.

The “Meet the Authors” event was held at Crows Bakery, which just reopened after having sustained major flood damage.

The last of the four-day events was a potluck supper and presentation of the histories of the churches in Cavendish and Proctorsville.

May 1990 Cavendish, Vermont
Cavendish, Vermont! How I love that name!
Of my birth or death, perhaps both the same.
You felt the first step I did make.
May it be here, my last I take.
Your history spans so many years.
You’ve sheltered hopes, dreams and tears.
The Black River flowed thru the Gorge.
Thru channels and drops it did forge,
Now as it did in ages old.
Such memories it does enfold.
Quiet were your hills many years ago.
While wild animals roamed, to and fro.
Brave Indians traveled over your lands,
Fished your rivers, walked your sands.
Came in 1754 with prisoners from Fort # 4.
And “Captive” Johnson was born in a shelter poor.
Five years later your woods were filled,
With British soldiers cutting thru your hills.
The Crown Point Road connected fort with fort,
To move troops, baggage and supplies of all sort.
Chartered by Benning Wentworth in 1761,
But no permanent settlement was then begun.
John Coffeen and his family came to this barren land,
In 1769, alone, alone no neighbors at hand.
While sparse was the company on that road.
Settling his land, Leonard Proctor in 1780 came.
In the village that still bears hi name.
Next year Salmon Dutton arrived in town,
Built his house in the village he found.
Gradually, gradually, more settlers came,
Established homes, farmed and hunted game.
Established government, schools and a meeting place.
Utilized, organized, filled and divided the space.
Worked together to build a town,
Using whatever talents were found.
Grist mills, saw mills, carpenters too,
Farmers, blacksmiths, inns so new.
Place to congregate and for neighbors to meet,
Bridges, cemeteries, churches and streets.
All that was needed to make a town so fine.
Over the years they worked, now it’s yours and mine.
The railroad was a fabulous thing.
Its engine puffed and its wheels would sing,
Connecting Cavendish to the world so fine.
You could go almost anywhere by 1849.
The 1927 flood, what a tragic time.
A chasm grew down lower Main Street line.
Seven houses were crushed and swept away.
But everyone lived to see a better day.
Remember the lives that stood on these hills!
Remember the voices ringing in the valley shrill !
Remember the trials and cares to make it great!

Cavendish, Vermont! My Town!! My State!!

Sandra F. Stearns

Hands on History (Young Historians)
For the last two years, CHS has provided a “Young Historians” program at the Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) for students in grades 3-6. A popular program, the teachers were interested in a program that was available to all grades and students. Since we know that people learn best by doing, we have launched the “Hands on History” program, not only for the students and teachers at CTES, but for any community group or organization that might be interested.

In addition to the programs being offered, the list is posted at the Cavendish Blog, or can be obtained by e-mailing margoc@tds.net or calling 802-226-7807, we are hoping to create a temporary 1850’s house in the spring. We are fortunate to have Sandy Stearns, who was engaged in similar activities at Billings Farm, involved in the planning and implementation of this project.

Cavendish Historical Timeline 1930-1954
The Cavendish Timeline is being printed in installments in the Scribbler II. Dates covered by issue are as follows: Winter 1759-1834; Spring 1835-1880 and Summer 1886-1960

1933: A Civilian Conservation Corps camp was established in the Proctor-Piper Forest in Proctorsville. One hundred twenty five unmarried men, between the ages of 18-25, came from New York to join local men in clearing trails for horse back riding and hiking and to create a recreational area.

1938: A hurricane struck the Town. The winds blew down thousands of trees, blocking nearly every road.

1940: Cavendish Population 1,398

1941-1945 WWII Era: One hundred and sixty-eight men and one woman served in the war. Imogene Baxendale served as an Army nurse. Six men were killed in action and several were wounded. They served in every branch of the armed services and in nearly every area where American soldiers, sailors and flyers were sent.
- Gay Brothers Mill was described as “the chief war industry of the town where 300 people worked producing 30,000 yards of woolen blankets, Navy uniform cloth and Khaki flannels each week for the United States Government. 37% of the workers served in the military. In need of workers, women worked in the mills, many men had second jobs there and all high school students over 16 were asked to work at the mill whenever possible.
- Due to its proximity to Precision Valley, as well as the mills in the Villages, Cavendish was viewed as being at risk for enemy bombing. Three spotter towers were erected and were staffed by volunteers (women, high school students, and men not in the service) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The towers were located above the Duttonsville School, across from Moonlite Meadows Farm, on East Road, and at the end of Blood Terrace off of Maple Street in Proctorsville.

1946: Allen Wilcox becomes the first town manager hired. Each year the town would vote whether they wanted a paid town manager. Some years they had one and many years they didn’t. In 1960, Donald Ellison became town manager and held the post for quite some time.

1950: Dutton House moved from the Cavendish Green to the Shelburne Museum.
- Cavendish population 1,374

1950-1953: Korean War. Fifty four men from Cavendish served in this war. All returned home safely.

1953: Rutland Railroad stops passenger service, ending passenger service in Proctorsville and Cavendish. Depots in both towns are dismantled.

1954: First Television set comes to Cavendish. Vermont’s first television station, was established in 1954 when WCAX-TV began broadcasting from Burlington. Joseph Warren on Twenty Mile Stream owned the first TV set in Cavendish.

Cavendish Historical Society Board
Dan Churchill
Jen Harper
Gloria Leven
Marc Miele
Bruce McEnaney
Mike Pember
Gail Woods

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+ $ ___ 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 __ Hands on History

Donations are always welcome and can be designated as follows:
__ For general purposes __ Educational Programs __Publications
__ Archeological Activities __ Museum & Archival __ Special Events
__ Rankin Fund __ Williams Fund __ Hands on History
__ Other (please specify) __ Cemetery Restoration

Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Cavendish Halloween

Since Oct. 31 is just a few days away, we’ve included excerpts from Sandra Stearns book, “Cavendish Hillside Farm 1939 to 1957,” about her memories of Halloween at the Center Road School House.

Each year, the Center School had a Halloween party. Our greatest joy was to be invited to Cliff and Marion Johnson’s home to explore their attic looking for our attire. High button shoes, red flannelled long johns and dresses and hats from years ago were abundant there. Marion was always good for a unique costume herself. An unknown student always appeared and only by the process of elimination and observance of a missing person were we able to identify her.

Corks were burned and rubbed on our hands and faces to darken them. Lipstick was used liberally and we wore it for days before it washed off completely. Pillows were stuffed everywhere in our costumes making humped backs, roly-poly bellies, extreme fannies and bouncing cleavages. We wore our dads’ boots and shoes, the bigger the better. Our teacher, Mrs. Pickard, often dressed up as a gypsy and would tell our fortunes by the lines in our palms. Costumes were judged and prizes were awarded.

Apples were floated in a large tub of water and we bobbed for them. Faces were dunked under the water, trying to push the apple to the bottom, where we would be able to get it between our teeth and rise triumphant with our prize. The best way to snare the apple was that way, but much time was spent turning it into just the position you wanted. Usually it promptly rolled back whatever way it wanted as soon as your hands were eliminated from helping. Apples or donuts were suspended from the ceiling by strings. Our hands were tied behind our backs and we attempted to consume the dangling food as it swung back and forth. It was a neighborhood party and everyone, young and old, was involved.

The older students made a ghost walk outside, around the building. It was real dark so a rope was used to guide the “unsuspecting” parents thru our horrible moans, rattling chains, clanging pans, crazy cackles and wolf howls. The route and the noise never changed much from year to year, bout our loyal parents made our efforts worthwhile. They fulfilled their role of scared participants and we were delighted with their shrieks of fright!

One year we were invited to attend and participate in the large Halloween party at Duttonsville in the Town Hall. We had never been trick or treating and most of us were too bashful to try. I, for one, felt lost among all those unknown kids and did not enjoy myself. It was decided after that to continue our own party.

A special treat for the kids was our “Find the Right Shoe” game for the parents. Wives were taken out into the hall. They each removed the same shoe from their foot. These shoes were placed in the classroom in a pile. One at a time, our mothers would poke their foot around the door while keeping the rest of their body out of sight. The husbands had to decide if that was their wife’s foot, then pick out the right shoe and see if it fit. We were kept in stitches by how often our fathers couldn’t tell their wife’s foot, much less find the right shoe.

Another favorite contest was pie eating. Contestants of all ages were seated a table with their hands tied behind them. A piece of pie was placed on a plate in front of each one. Using only their mouths they gobbled and smeared pie from ear to ear as they tried to be the first to finish their piece. Of course blueberry was the chosen flavor because it showed up so nicely . Another contest was to see who could eat a whole pie in the same manner in the shortest time.

As we grew tired, cider and donuts were shared by everyone. Our high hopes for haunting had been fulfilled for another year.

Copies of "Cavendish Hillside Farm 1939 to 1957" are available from the Cavendish Historical Society for $15 a copy plus $5 for shipping and handling. Checks should be made payable to CHS and mailed to CHS, PO Box 472, Cavendish, VT 05142.

Atherton Dog License

Linda Welch, CHS genealogist sent the following copy of Joseph Atherton's dog license.

Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Cavendish, VT Poem

At the Cavendish 250th Anniversary Celebration on Oct. 8, Grand Marshall, historian and author Sandy Stearns read the following poem, which she wrote in 1990. It’s a very good summary of almost 250 years of Cavendish history.

Cavendish, Vermont! How I love that name!
Of my birth or death, perhaps both the same.
You felt the first step I did make.
May it be here, my last I take.
Your history spans so many years.
You’ve sheltered hopes, dreams and tears.
The Black River flowed thru the Gorge.
Thru channels and drops it did forge,
Now as it did in ages old.
Such memories it does enfold.
Quiet were your hills many years ago.
While wild animals roamed, to and fro.
Brave Indians traveled over your lands,
Fished your rivers, walked your sands.
Came in 1754 with prisoners from Fort # 4.
And “Captive” Johnson was born in a shelter poor.
Five years later your woods were filled,
With British soldiers cutting thru your hills.
The Crown Point Road connected fort with fort,
To move troops, baggage and supplies of all sort.
Chartered by Benning Wentworth in 1761,
But no permanent settlement was then begun.
John Coffeen and his family came to this barren land,
In 1769, alone, alone no neighbors at hand.
While sparse was the company on that road.
Settling his land, Leonard Proctor in 1780 came.
In the village that still bears hi name.
Next year Salmon Dutton arrived in town,
Built his house in the village he found.
Gradually, gradually, more settlers came,
Established homes, farmed and hunted game.
Established government, schools and a meeting place.
Utilized, organized, filled and divided the space.
Worked together to build a town,
Using whatever talents were found.
Grist mills, saw mills, carpenters too,
Farmers, blacksmiths, inns so new.
Place to congregate and for neighbors to meet,
Bridges, cemeteries, churches and streets.
All that was needed to make a town so fine.
Over the years they worked, now it’s yours and mine.
The railroad was a fabulous thing.
Its engine puffed and its wheels would sing,
Connecting Cavendish to the world so fine.
You could go almost anywhere by 1849.
The 1927 flood, what a tragic time.
A chasm grew down lower Main Street line.
Seven houses were crushed and swept away.
But everyone lived to see a better day.
Remember the lives that stood on these hills!
Remember the voices ringing in the valley shrill !
Remember the trials and cares to make it great!

Cavendish, Vermont! My Town!! My State!!

Cavendish 250 Years Old Today

Cavendish is offically 250 years old today. Oct 12, 1761 is the day King George III signed the Charter, which created Cavendish. Maybe eat some Old Cavendish Fruitcake or something

Cavendish Semiquincentennial: The 150th Anniversary/Other News

This Sunday, Oct. 2, is the last day the Cavendish Historical Society Museum will be open, 2-4 pm, for the season. Stop by and see the 250 year timeline.

The 250th Anniversary celebration takes place Oct 7-10. Events are as follows:

Oct 7 (Friday): Community Dance, 7 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School in Proctorsville. Yankee Chank will be playing a variety of music-contras and squares with Mark Sustic as caller (the dancing of our first settlers); and hot Cajun/Zydeco dance tunes. Given our recent situation, could it be any more fitting to have a Louisiana inspired dance band? Les Bon Temps Roulet! (Let the Good Times Roll)

Oct. 8 (Saturday): Parade on Depot Street in Proctorsville starts at 10 am. We may have an abbreviated parade, but it will be inspired. The grand marshal is Sandra Stearns historian and author of “Cavendish Hillside Farm 1939 to 1957.” A variety of activities will take place as the parade ends at the Proctorsville Green (alternative location is the school). Look for games from the 1700’s that people of all ages can enjoy, food, face painting and much more.

Oct. 9 (Sunday): The Proctorsville/Cavendish churches will be holding an open house/reception at their respective churches from noon until 2 pm. At 2 pm, the authors of “The Inventor’s Fortune Up for Grabs,” Suzanne Gay Beyer, granddaughter of Olin Gay and John S. Pfarr, will be talking about their book at Crows Bakery on Depot Street in Proctorsville. There is a very interesting connection between Cavendish and the popular wristwatch expansion bracelet. This is the iconic American story of the underdog coming from behind to prevail. Please note that the location may need to change if Crows Bakery is not fully operational by that Sunday. The school will be the alternative location.

Oct 10 (Monday): The churches will be sponsoring a pot luck supper at 5 pm at the Cavendish School in Proctorsville, followed by a discussion on the history of religion in Cavendish.


The 150th Anniversary of Cavendish celebration had to be rescheduled to August 1912, due to a smallpox epidemic. Angie Kingsbury wrote to her sister, Marietta, on August 16, 1912 about the parade and events:

I am sending a list of the floats etc. which was printed in the last Tribune. No. 1 was drawn by an ox team the man representing John Coffeen driving the oxen. One person was barefoot and they all looked rather dilapidated. The next to come along was two men riding oxen. They didn’t have any yokes or anything on. ..No. 4 was a man dressed as they did in colonial times-powdered hair, cocked hat & all the fixings-riding on horseback. He looked exactly like George Washington. …No. 5 was an old, old green wagon. No. 7 were men on horseback painted red. A float with evergreens on the bottom covered with cotton to represent snow & two Indians sitting beside an old iron kettle and a bower of evergreen….The Rebekah float, which took first prize, was all white. …The horsback riders were few & the bicycles weren’t so very wonderful. There were quite a few autos. Gay’s took first prize. That was all covered with green & flowers & some little girls around with one perched on the back of the seat holding pink lines that were hitched to the shield in front. Murdock’s was second prize & was draped with golden rod. Fletchters was third & was decorated with sunflowers. The horribles [people dressed in costume] were plentiful. ….Sandford Emery got first prize for being horrible. He drove a scrawny horse hitched to a dilapidated wagon the wheels didn’t go together very well and were patched up boards and he was rigged as an old fat woman, wore a mash(ed) and new fashioned hat and an old cotton dress & brown umbrella with the ribs all sticking out as a sunshade. He had a bundle in his arms for a baby & was labeled “votes for women.” …There were two lineal descendents of Capt. Coffeen there. A man & a woman. The woman made a fine speech. It didn’t take her more than two minutes. The man spoke quite a while… Rev. Hough read an original poem. There were more speakers…

Allen M. Fletcher was to give the closing address at this celebration, but since it was late and beginning to rain, he wisely made just a few short remarks. “Chubb Hill Farm and Cavendish, Vermont: A Family and Town History” by Barbara B. Kingsbury

Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Floods of 1936 and 1938

While the Flood of 1927 has been considered the standard by which all other floods are judged in Cavendish, few realize the damages done in 1936 and again in 1938.

In March, 1936, there was an unusual amount of snow on the ground in early March when rain and warm weather (40’s and 50’s) came March 11-12. More heavy rain came March 16-22. Cavendish received a total of 7.89 inches of rain, not counting the enormous quantity of water from the snow melt. Schools were closed, mail and milk deliveries were not possible trains stopped running, bridges were out and the roads were covered with ice and water. Local fire men and the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) were responsible for saving both lives and property. Isabelle Briggs recalled looking out of her childhood home and seeing a “lake” covering the road and the lower part of Whitesville where Twenty Mile Stream flows into the Black River.

The New England Hurricane of 1938 stuck on September 21. Strong winds blew down thousands of trees while heavy rain caused flooding again in the river valleys. In some areas, the flooding was as bad as in the Floods of 1927 and 1936. It was second to the Flood of 1927 in its total devastating impact throughout the state. For Cavendish, the wind damage caused the most destruction. Fallen trees blocked nearly every road the next day.

The disasters of the Flood of 1936 and the Hurricane of 38 at least gave work for road crews and Works Progress Administration (WPA) men in clean-up and road repair. The federal and state governments paid for most of this rather than the town. Logging the trees felled by the hurricane provided jobs as well. From “Chubb Hill Farm and Cavendish Vermont,” By Barbara B. Kingsbury.

CAVENDISH FOUNDER’S TOUR/ 250TH ANNIVERSARY ACTIVITIES

Originally scheduled for August 28, the Cavendish Founder’s Tour, will take place on September 25 (Sunday). The tour will include the homes and final resting places of the first settlers: Coffeens, Proctors and Duttons. Meet at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum at 2 pm. Please car pool if possible. While most places can be seen by car, there will be some walking involved when visiting the cemeteries.

If you haven’t had a chance to see the 250 years of Cavendish History Timeline, it is on display at the CHS Museum, open this Sunday from 2-4 pm and available at other times by request. Please note that this is the last Sunday the Museum will be open for the season.

Mark your calendars for Cavendish’s 250th Celebration, the signing of the town’s charter on Oct. 12, 1761, starting October 7, with a community dance at 7 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) and continuing with the following events:

October 8 (Saturday): Parade 10 am (goes from Cavendish to Proctorsville) with a program and reception to follow at CTES.

October 9 (Sunday): Open houses at the Cavendish/Proctorsville Churches noon-2 pm; From 2-4 pm, the authors of “The Inventor’s Fortune Up for Grabs” will be discussing the book and its links to Cavendish at the Cavendish Elementary School’s Art Room.

Oct 10 (Monday): A potluck supper at 5 pm at the school will be followed by a history of the various Cavendish Churches.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

802-226-7807 or margoc@tds.net

Lucius Paige Builder of Stone Houses

Lucius Paige of Cavendish was not the usual man of his time, a farmer. Instead he was a mechanic, wheelwright, carpenter, mason, power broker, deal maker, and many other things. He was a man who knew how to think stratgically and did what he could to take advantage of his knowledge. I thought while I am working on the DAVIS families of Cavendish, I would share the story of Lucius that we know, thus far, with you all. If anyone has anymore information, I would love to see it. For example, I would like to have a good photograph of the Hickernnel House (the gingerbread one), and an older photo of Glimmerstone. I also need to know if anyone else knows the other places that Lucius built. I think he built the stone Universalist Church in Felchville.. I have to do a little more research. Linda Welch, CHS Geneologist


Almira Davis (7) {John (6), Joshua (5), Joshua (4), Joseph (3), Joseph (2), George (1)}, was born in Springfield, Vt., 2 Nov., 1808. She m. 2 May, 1832 Lucius Paige (b. Roylaton, Vt. 7 Oct., 1802, son of Nathan & Hannah (Cobb) Paige).
Lucius’ brother was Benjamin Paige who m. Huldah Cheney and lived in Baltimore, Vt.Benjamin and Huldah had a son they named Lucius Hubbard Paige, b. Baltimore, 14 Oct., 1815, m. Wethersfield, 8 May, 1850, Lucinda Wheelock Williams]
Lucius Paige was an enterprising young man and an expert craftsman. He was responsible for building many stone structures in Cavendish and vicinity, and worked incompany with his father-in-law, John Davis. They were among the leading contracting carpenters in their day, and taking on construction projects as a company. They hired many local laborers.. Lucius helped design and built the famous "Glimmerstone" on the road to Proctorsville and also the Buck House in Cavendish Village, known to all as the 'ginger bread house.' [put in pictures of Glimmerstone and the Hickendale house here].
At the time of the 1850 census, Lucius and Almira were living in Cavendish on property valued at $1,000. He was occupied as a carpenter. Their neighbors were Salmon Dutton, Joseph Freeman, and Edmund Ingalls. They had two children living at home this time
In Cavendish on 3 June, 1850, witnessed by R. H. Eddy and F. P. Hale, Jr., Lucius applied for a patent on his invention of a new and approved "Sash-Lock." He wrote: "as a sash fastener or bolt, my device will be found to be very effective in operation, easily applicable to sashes and not liable to get out of order. The cavity for its reception in the sash frame may be made principally by a common auger, having a diameter corresponding to that of the case. A screw inserted through the center of the case and into the sash frame will not only serve to fasten the case to the sash, but as a fulcrum for the weighted arm. His figures presented with the application, he said "the combination and arrangement of the weighted arm 'D', the rack 'C' the sectoral gear or pinion 'E', the stopping arm 'F' and the stop shoulder 'H' as applied to the bolt and within the case thereof and so as to operatetogether and actuate the bolt substantially in manner as specified."
On 3 Jan., 1854, Lucius was living in Cavendish when he received Letters Patent No. 10,368 for is invention of "Screw-Bolt and Nut." He submitted his drawings and application to the patent office 7 Dec., 1853. It was witnessed by Charles L. Blood and Otis Robbins of Cavendish, and described as: It as a "new and useful improvement. The object of his invention was to prevent a screw-nut from turning backward on its screw or from being unscrewed therefrom under ordinary circumstances or when a wrench or some equivalent is not applied to the nut for the purpose of unscrewing if. His invention provides ability to "score or groove the helical thread of the male screw so as to form it into a row or line of teeth, applying the screw nut "B" with a dog or catch "C" properly made to engage with the teeth formed on the helical thread of the male screw. The catch is affixed in a recess formed in the bolt and make it as a lever to turn on a fulcrum or pin "D." He claimed that the "forming of the helical thread of a male screw with notches or teeth in combination with applying to its screw nut a dog-catch or -spring-pawl to operate in the teeth, or notches, and prevent back rotation of the nut on the screw substantially."
Lucius applied for a second patent No. 12,245 (witnessed by S. H. Wales and S. F. Cohen) and it was approved 16 Jan., 1855, for "Brake-Block For Railroad Cars." It was a new improvement in a peculiar construction and arrangement of the shoes which bear against the wheels. "The improvement of so construction the shoe and the socket or bearing thereof and applying them as described herein, that the shoe may extend entirely through and out of the socket in opposite directions and be capable of being moved up to the wheel as fast as occasion may require until it (the shoe or rubber) is worn up or rendered unfit for service; my improvement being one of the great practical importance and utility." The next patent he applied for on 20 March, 1855, with Josiah Q. Adams and OtisRobbins as witnesses, for a "Lever of Railroad-Car Brakes," which was in an improvement in mechanism for operating the brakes of the truck frames of an Eight-Wheel Railway Car. His patent for the same was approved 25 March, 1856.
The third patent we find issued to Lucius Page was dated 24 April, 1855 (Patent No. 12,765); for "Combined Table and Writing-Desk." He applied for it 30 Sept., 1854, and he described it as a new and useful "secretary, table or article of furniture which can be converted into a table or writing desk at pleasure. He submitted figure designs and the application was witnessed by Charles L. Blood and Otis Robbins of Cavendish.
In a mortgage deed to Edmund Stone of Cavendish for $200 dated 8 Dec. ,1856, we learn the boundary description of the Lucius Paige home in Cavendish. "bounded on the west on the old Weathersfield Turnpike Road, on the north by land now owned and occupied byJoseph Freeman, and Sarah A. Freeman, on the east by land of Salmon Dutton, and on the south by land owned by the Widow and heirs of Addison Fletcher, deceased, and now occupied by the widow Mary S. Fletcher, containing about half of an acre of land, be the same more or less, together with the buildings thereon. "
On 2 Nov., 1855 in a patent application witnessed by J. P. Derby and William J. Pillsbury, Lucius Paige of Cavendish applied for his fourth patent for a "Grinding-Mill." It was approved 29 Jan., 1856 and issued Letters Patent No. 14,164. This invention made use of a screw 'A' applied to a vertical shaft 'B' extending downward through a hopper 'C' and supported in suitable bearings so as to be capable of being rotated. He employed four or any other suitable number of wheels shoe peripheries were formed with teeth or helical spaces to engage and work with the screw, "that when said screw is revolved, each of said wheels will be put in revolution, thereby on its own axis." He stated that "a mill constructed and made to operate in the above described manner has been found very advantageous for crushing and grinding or pulverizing various substances; whereby one or more wheels and a hopper whereby such mechanism is ame to answer the purpose of a mill for grinding."
Lucius was not done inventing. He applied for his fifth patent from Cavendish, 20 March, 1856, witnessed by R. H Eddy and F. P. Hale, Jr. He with Albert L. Lincoln of Boston were issued the patent 22 April, 1856 for "Studs For Wearing-Apparel" This was for an improved shirt button or stud, submitted with drawings. "In carrying out by invention, I take a common shirt stud or button as constructed with a circular disk or plate holder; "a" united to another disk "by" by a shank or projection "c" and I form said disk or plate holder with a slot "d" extending inward from its circumference towards its shank, and bend one edge of said slit so as to elevate the same a little above the other edge as seen in Figure 1, and in order to enable such raised edge to be inserted in a button hole corresponding in length with that of the slit. My improvement consists in constructing the "back disk holder" of an ordinary shirt stud or button with a slit "d" extending from its circumference to the shank, and having one of its raisedwith respect to the other substantially as specified."
Lucius was issued another patent 26 Aug., 1856 (Letters Patent No 15,617) for his invention of a new and improved "Water-Gage for Steam-Boilers." His object was to so construct a gage that in case one of the tubes of the inner series should become broken, thetube surrounding it will prevent the escape of steam and enable the gage to be continued in use until a more convenient opportunity to repair it shall occur. Furthermore should any one of the tubes of the external set become broken, the inner tube thereof will sustain the column of tubes and enable to gagte to be continued in use and also, by making the gage of several separate glass tubs instead of one long glass tube, there is not much danger of its being broken or getting out of order in consequence of contraction and expansion which its emperature various from time to time when the gage is in use."
Lucius d. of dropsy in Cavendish, 15 June 1857 (age 53).
When the 1860 census was taken, Almira was a widow and head of her household living with her daughter Sarah who was employed as a music teacher. Fourteen-year- old Danny was attending school. Mr. Orasia Lockwood (age 36) the station agent was boarding in the home. Almira’s real estate holdings were valued at $1,800 and she had personal property of $200. All those “inventions” of her husband did not seem to increase their annual income, but everyone in town still believed that Lucius was a brilliant man and Almira must have been left "wealthy"From all his inventions. It could not have been farther from the truth. She struggled to take care of herself and do what she could for her children, but she had always been a proud woman. Her neighbors in 1860 included William Davis, Widow Mary (Parkhurst) Spaulding, Samuel and Calista Adams, and James and Mary Whitten. Almira lost her beloved son Chancellor in the Civil War. He died far off in Louisiana at the age of 20 in 1865. He was buried with honors at Chalmette. Almira and her children were not listed in the 1870 census of Cavendish. In 1880, Almira lived in on the Hartland Road in Woodstock with her daughter's family.
Almira d. at the home of her daughter, 3 Aug., 1880 (age 71).
Lucius and Almira and the three young children they lost early, are all buried in the Cavendish Village, Mt. Union cemetery.

Paige Children (at least):

1. Eckford Paige, b. 1833 ....... d. Cavendish 14 July, 1834
2. Henry E. Paige, b. 1837 ....... d. 2 June, 1837
3. Lucius Allen Paige, b. 1838 ...... d. 2 April, 1842
4. Sarah Paige, b. Bethel, Vt., 1840. She m. Cavendish, 1 Jan., 1868, William Henry Harrison Sargent of Woodstock, Vt. (b. Tunbridge, Vt. 4 March, 1840, son ofWilliam Brown & Mahala (Noyes) Sargent). Mr. Sargent had moved to SouthRoyalton Vermont in 1865 to find work and settled permanently in the town in 1868. He bought a blacksmith shop of Mr. Charles Crandall. When the 1860 census was taken, he had $2,100 in real estate and $1,000 in personal property. Almira, Sarah's mother lived with them and helped look after the house. He carried on the blacksmith business until 1883 when he started a meat market, which proved very successful. Impaired health deprived Sarah of an active social life for many years, but the “quiet graces of domestic life” were found constantly in her cheerful home.
Sargent children:
1. Harry Adelbert Sargent, b. Woodstock, Vt. 2 Nov., 1869. He m. April, 190, Gerturde Dowing of Newmarket, NH.
2. HerbertChancellor Sargent, b. Royalton, Vt., 30 July, 1871. He m. in Royalton, 15 Aug.,1894, Nettie Pamela Waldo (b. 12 Nov., 1871, dau. of Joseph Warren & Nettie (Woodworth) Waldo). They had no children.
3. Fred Wellington Sargent, b. Royalton, 28 Oct., 1873
4. Myra Louise Sargent, b. Royalton, 18 Dec., 1875 ….. d. of consumption, 1 Aug., 1905.
5. Josephine May, b. Royalton, 4 May, 1883. She graduated from the South Royalton Highschool, and became a teacher in 1902.
5. Chancellor Paige, b. 1844. He was a Civil War soldier. He was 20 yrs. old 20 Aug., 1864 when he enlisted Co. "G", 7th Reg't. Vt. Vols. He was mustered in 20 Aug., 1864. He died of disease in New Orleans, Louisiana, 21 Jan., 1865. He was buried in the Chalmette National Cemetery, Louisiana.
6. Danny Paige, b. 1846 (nothing further).

Myron Davis’ Chair Factory

Here is a story about that Chair Factory in Felchville. Many Cavendish men worked there on and off in the 1880s and into the 1890s. It was a large enterprise for its day. Linda Welch

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Myron Davis’ Chair Factory, Felchville, Vermont, NEWS:
NEWS: —Felchville, 17 Jan., 1879: “Myron Davis has taken in a partner in the chair business, Mr. W. S. Hodge, from East Templeton, Mass., an experienced workman.” —27 Feb., 1880: “Business is brisk at the chair shop. Since it has been in the hands of Mr. M. A. Davis, many improvements have been made. First class chairs are manufactured of the most improved styles.” —Felchville, 23 Oct., 1885: “Mrs. M. A. Davis is having a bad time with her arm. She was vaccinated for small pox and took cold in the arm when erysipelas set in.” —3 Aug., 1888: “Evidently, M. A. Davis does not mind much about the cry of ‘free trade,’ as he is laying out about six hundred dollars in repairs and new machinery for the chair shop. He is getting ready for a large fall trade, and has added to his already largelist of clients, the reform school at Vergennes, and is shipping to and receiving from there quite a quantity of chairs.” —4 Oct., 1889: “M. A. Davis and wife returned from their trip to the sea-shore last week. The former is somewhat improved in health, but tells us that medical advisers say that he must go to a warmer climate as the only means of fully regaining his health. In view of this, we are informed that he has advertised his entire chair-manufacturing business in this village, for sale. Mr. Davis began business here ten years ago, employing but three hands; but since then his business has steadily increased necessitating each year additional buildings to his enterprise and some of the time, employing over 30 men, besides a small army of cane-seaters. At the present time he has a variety of sixty cane-seat chairs, of modern patterns and styles, and judging from the loads of his goods hauled from this village, marked not only to parties in the Central and Western states, but to parties in Florida, Mississippi, California, and Washington Territory, we conclude hisreputation as a chair manufacturer extends from sea to sea. We regret that he cannot stay with us to enjoy the fruits of the reputation he has so persistently earned. In speaking of his success here, he largely attributes it to being located in a lumber region, where lumber and the living expenses of workmen are much cheaper than in the great chair manufacturing sections of Massachusetts. We hope some good man will see the advantage of investing in a well-established business.” —Advertisement: Chair Factory For Sale! Rare Opportunity for Investment! .. said business consists of a well-equipped factory for the manufacture of Cane-Seat Chairs, employing, (on full time) from 25 to 30 men; has fine water power on a branch of the Black River, running two good wheels under 30 feet head, giving ample power. There is attached to this factory a first-class circular sawmill which does a payingbusiness. In connection, there are large and commodious Storehouses and Lumber-Sheds, all well filled with lumber, stock, and finished goods. Buildings, Machinery, and Dry Kilns are in first class repair; and buildings and kilns are heated by steam. This is an excellent section for lumber, andliving expenses and rents for men are extremely low. Experienced workmen are located here; also an adequate number of cane-seaters. The above business has been established 10 years and has grown from nothing to a large and profitable industry, doing a wholesale business all over the country. This property must be sold at once and we invite parties or their representatives to investigate at once. Timberlands, houses, teams, etc., sold with the above if desired. —M. A. Davis, Felchville” — The local newspaper did what it could to enhance Myron’s plan to sell his business and in just about every weekly issue of the paperthey mentioned the success of the factory as a business in hopes that some hearty businessman would come along and buy it from Myron. NEWS:—31 Jan., 1890: “M. A. Davis has sold 40 dozen chairs within the last two weeks.” —9 May, 1890: “M. A. Davis has received an order from Dublin, Ireland, requesting price and terms for a large shipment of his chairs, and his brother, F. C. Davis is in the West on a business trip.” —8 May, 1891: “M. A. Davis has more orders for chairs than he can fill.” — Towards the latter part of Aug., 1891, Myron and his wife decided to take a pleasure trip through the northern part of the state and took in the Presidential reception in Montpelier on their return. President Harrison had made a tripthrough Vermont with his Secretary of War, Redfield Proctor, and whistle-stopped at many villages, greeting the Vermont farmers and familiesalong the way from his special train car. His train stopped in Ludlow where a large, enthusiastic crowd greeted him. —16 Oct., 1891: “Henry E. Byron and wife (Flora) of St. Johnsbury, and George Round, wife and two children of Lancaster, NH, who have been visiting at M. A. Davis’, returned home last week.” —29 April, 1892: “The tenant house of M. A. Davis, known as the ‘old boarding house’ and occupied by White Chapman, took fire from a defect in the chimney last Friday and had it burned a few minutes longer before being discovered, the building could not have been saved, but by a good supply of water, it was early extinguished.” Myron d. in Felchville, 16 Oct., 1893 (age 45). From his obituary: “... he had been an invalid for a long time. He was the proprietor of the chair shop for many years and was a highly respected

Cavendish Semiquincentennial: 1927 Flood

The Cavendish Historical Society Museum will be open this coming Sunday from 2-4 pm. We will have information about the flood of 1927 and are collecting pictures and items from previous floods, including the one from Aug. 28. For more information, margoc@tds.net or 802-226-7807.

The largest flood on record in Vermont caused heavy damage in the Black River Valley, particularly Cavendish. A quarter mile long channel avulsion bypassing the Cavendish Gorge eroded approximately 2 million tons of sediment down to bedrock leaving a channel 150 feed deep and 600 feet wide. Seven houses were washed away and the Duttonsville School ended up protruding over the edge of a high sandbank. Redfield Proctor, former Vermont governor, offered $10,000 to restore the schoolhouse. Olin Gay, Chairman of the School Board, proposed using this gift to move the school to a new location. He also proposed that the town raise an additional $5,000 by taxes to put in an auditorium basement, modernize the heating system and install toilets. The school building was moved on big rollers by oxen and horses 400 feet back to a safer location. It had much better facilities than before the flood. A Vermont Standard School until 1928, thanks to the renovations after the flood, Duttonsville was upgraded to a “Superior School,” a status it retained until closing in 1971.

President Calvin Coolidge telegraphs his cousin, Park Pollard, after the flood, wanting to know what he can do for Cavendish. He sent Herbert Hoover, his Secretary of Commerce, to visit the region and to make recommendations. Two Army engineers came to give technical help about relocating the state road.

Note: Articles from the 1927 Flood, as well as pictures, will be at the Museum on Sunday 2-4 pm.

Museum Closed Today

Given the recent damage to Cavendish from Irene, the Cavendish Historical Society Museum will be closed today. We plan to reopen on Sept. 11. Fortunately, the Museum was not damaged by the flooding.

Cavendish Chronicles II: The Early Years Rescheduled

The play about the early years of Cavendish history has been rescheduled, due to Irene, to Saturday night, September 3 at the Cavendish Town Elementary School in Proctorsville. Curtain is 7 pm. This is a free play, but donations are welcome.

Rescheduling Settler's Tour

Due to Irene, the Settler's Tour, planned for Sunday August 28 has been rescheduled to September 25 (Sunday) 2 pm. Meet at the Museum. The Museum will also be closed this Sunday due to weather.

Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Civil War Letters/Play

The play Cavendish Chronicles II: The Early Years will take place on Saturday and Sunday at 7pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School in Proctorsville. This is a free play.

The journals and diaries of the Civil War era were often filled with short sentences about daily life. “Hot today. Moving out tomorrow.” It was in the letters that a great deal can be learned about how the soldiers lived and how their families coped with the war. One such example was written to Laura Blood Atherton of Cavendish, by her cousin Marcia Ann (Blood) Marsh of Ware dated March 6, 1863. Marsh writes to Atherton about her brother Henry Sumner Blood who was an assistant surgeon with the 57th Illinois Infantry Regiment.

“You wished to know the particulars. He enlisted into the service in Chicago, Illinois, 57th Regiment, in October. Soon after he was quite sick with a fever. I don’t think he had entirely recovered when he sailed for the field of battle, then living as they did on the boat, and the privations, camping out on the shore, want of suitable food, brought on the dysentery and quick consumption. He wrote to Charles the 24th of February after the battle at Fort Donelson, Tennessee. His Regiment was not in the warmest part of the engagement. He wrote the next day after the battle. He went out on the field and such as sight as met his eyes he never should forget. He could not describe it, he would tell us when he came home, which he thought would be in July, and the war would be over. The poor boy, how little he could see of the future. He said he was scarcely able then to hold up his head, but should keep round as long as he could, then he should go to the hospital and his rank would insure him good treatment. But he added: “Lord have mercy on the poor private-if you are out of the army, keep out. I never what hardships were before, but think I do now.” He went as assistant surgeon. This was the 24th of February and he died the 4th of March. He died at Fort Henry, near Fort Donelson. The young man that had the care of him after he took to his bed said he kept up good courage and was cheerful until the day before he died. He made no complaint. Called for nothing, and apparently suffered buy little. When he was first taken he told the Colonel if anything happened, he wanted his body sent to Ware. That was all he ever said about dying. He wrote that he and others were up with him all night trying to make him comfortable. He was wandering most of the time in the morning he asked to be raised up. He raised home on his arm, that most the last, he died without a struggle. The funeral was the 19th of March. He looked very natural, but very poor. That was a trying time. I thought how would Mother have survived it if her life had been spared, but I felt she was taken from the evil to come. Two weeks ago two young men were brought home. One was shot through the head at Newburn, the same month Henry died. The other died in the hospital last June. They were not seen, so it is all around me. Oh when will this war cease?” “Families of Cavendish” Vol 4 by Linda Welch page 57.

Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Emily Dutton Proctor

On May 26, 1858, Emily Jane Dutton of Cavendish, the granddaughter of Salmon Dutton (the founder of Duttonsville) married Redfield Proctor. This marriage joined the leading families of the two villages and promised to put an end to the former rivalry, which was over a turnpike (Proctor) versus a shunpike (Dutton). As Redfield said of his first son, Fletcher Dutton Proctor, "if the old names and blood had the old inclination left to stir up strife, it would have created a fearful internal commotion." In fact, the merger of these families proved to be a propitious event for Vermont, since three governors and a United States Senator came from this Dutton-Proctor line.

A great deal is known about Redfield Proctor, who was the owner of the Vermont Marble Company, the founder of Proctor, VT, the Secretary of War during the Harrison administration and a US Senator. Much less is known about his wife.

Emily Dutton Proctor was considered a “quiet, but firm character,” raising five children, two of whom died before her own death in 1915 at 80 years of age. She moved to Boston at one point so her daughter could attend a small private school for young girls. When Redfield was in Washington, D. C., she attended balls, teas and dinners at the White House. These were the days of the Gay 90’s and the golden era of American millionaires.

Involved with many charity organizations and benevolent work, among them were the Vermont Tuberculosis Sanatorium and the Preventorium at Pittsford, VT. The Proctors were among the earliest supporters of cancer research at Harvard University. Redfield Proctor was a generous contributor to Booker T. Washington and his work at Tuskegee University, established in 1881 as training school for black teachers.

Emily died in Proctor in February 1915 and is buried there. She left $1,250 in trust, the interest to be used for the Cavendish Baptist Church “towards paying the salary of a minister as long as preaching is kept up regularly.”

In the upcoming Cavendish Chronicles, Martha Mott will play the role of Emily Dutton Proctor.

250 Years of Cavendish HIstory

If you haven't had a chance to stop by the Museum this summer, make sure you do and you will see the 250 years of Cavendish History Timeline. The Museum is open from 2-4 pm on Sunday. We will be closing this year in early October.

Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Susannah Johnson

The Cavendish Players production of “Cavendish Chronicles II: The Early Years,” will be held on August 27 and 28, 7 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School in Proctorsville. In keeping with the 250th anniversary of the town, the play covers the time period from the settling of the town through the Civil War. The next few posts will provide history about some of the characters in the play.

In August 1754, the Johnson family, who lived outside of Fort 4 in Charlestown, NH, was kidnapped by members of one of the Abenaki nations. Mrs. Susanna Johnson was nine months pregnant. She wrote the following about her capture, “Here, after being hurried from home with such rapidity, I have leisure to inform the reader respecting our Indian masters. (Susannah, as she writes her memoirs of her captivity, here, speaks to the readers of her account) They were eleven in number; all men of middle age, except one, a youth of sixteen, who, on our journey discovered a very troublesome disposition. According to their practice he who first laid hands on a prisoner considered (the prisoner) his property. My master, who was the one who first took my hand was as clever an Indian as I ever saw. He even evinced, at numberous times a disposition that showed he was by no means void of compassion. The four who took my husband claimed him as their property. My sister, three children, Labaree and Farnsworth had each a master. When the time came for us to prepare to march I almost expired at the thought of leaving my aged parents, brothers, sisters and friends and travel with savages through a dismal forest to unknown regions in the alarming situation in which I then was with three small children. The eldest (child) Sylvanus (Johnson) was but six years old. My sister Miriam (Willard) was fourteen. My husband was barefoot and otherwise thinly clad. His masters had taken his jacket. My two daughters had nothing on but their shifts and I had only the gown handed to me by the savages. In addition to the sufferings which arose from my own deplorable condition I could not but feel for my friend, Labaree. He had left a wife and four small children behind - his situation was extremely unhappy. The Indians pronounced the dreadful word, "munch", (march) and on we must go.

I was put on the horse; Mr. Johnson took one daughter and Mr. Labaree took the other. We went six or eight miles and stopped for the night. The men were made secure by having their legs put in split sticks somewhat like stocks and tied with cords which were tied to limbs of trees too high to be reached. My sister much to her mortification must lie between two Indians with a cord thrown over her and passing under each of them. The little children had blankets and I had one for my own use. The fatigues of day obliged me to sleep for several hours in spite of the horrors which surrounded me. The Indians observed great silence and never spoke but when necessary. My children were much more peaceable than could be imagined. Gloomy fear imposed a deadly silence.

The Indians captured a stray horse, which Mrs. Johnson rode. On the second day of their journey, they encamped in Reading, VT, when Mrs. Johnson went into labor. According to the Indian Stone markers on Rt 106, on the border of Reading and Cavendish, about a mile up the brook from where the stones are now, she delivered the child, Elizabeth Captive Johnson. The stone marker information would suggest that the first white child born in Cavendish would have been Elizabeth “Captive” Johnson.

The day after the child’s birth, they continued traveling northward. Starvation eventually forced the Indians to kill the horse Mrs. Johnson rode and use him for food. Given the choice of being left behind with her baby, Mr. Johnson carried his wife on his shoulders.

Once in Canada, the family was divided between Indian and French families. Mr. And Mrs Johnson were both imprisoned where they developed small pox. It would be four years before the family was reunited. Mr. Johnson’s freedom was short lived as he would die from wounds sustained at Fort Ticonderoga. Susanna Johnson lived to be 80-81 and wrote a book about her experiences “Narrative of the Captivity of Mrs. Johnson Containing A Account of her suffering during Four Years with the Indians and French.” Her diary and story was the basis for Elizabeth George Speare’s 1957 book “Calico Captive.”

Learn more about Susanna Johnson

Scribbler II : Summer 2011

250th Anniversary Activities

August 7 (Sunday): Crown Point Road Slide Show and Presentation, by Becky Tucker of the Crown Point Road Association, at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum, 2 pm. Sponsored by the Cavendish Historical Society and CPRA. For more information 226-7807

August 13 (Saturday): Picnic on the Proctorsville Green at five pm, celebrating religious freedom in our country. Sponsored by the five churches of Cavendish. For more information call 226-8199

August 27 and 28 (Saturday, Sunday): The Cavendish Community Theatre is presenting an original play called Cavendish Chronicles II to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Cavendish Charter. The play has history, humor and music. Curtain is 7 pm at The Cavendish Town Elementary School. Admission is free. For information contact 226-7398.

August 28 (Sunday): Early Settlers Tour of Cavendish. Includes the homestead of the Coffeen Family and visits to historic cemeteries. Meet at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum at 2 pm. Sponsored by the Cavendish Historical Society. For more information 226-7807

September 11 (Sunday): 18th century Potions, Lotions and Other Cures: Health care practices of the early settlers, 2pm at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum in Cavendish. For more information 226-7807

October 7-10 (Friday-Monday: Charter Weekend-Friday night will be a town dance featuring the music of local musicians. Bob Naess and his band Yankee Chank will play/call contras and squares with some hot Cajun dance tunes thrown in for good measure. Mark Huntley and his band will perform top forty . A parade, speeches and a reception will take place on October 8. On Sunday, from noon to 2 pm all of the Cavendish churches will hold an open house. From 2-4 pm the authors of “The Inventor’s Fortune Up for Grabs” will be discussing the book and its links to Cavendish at the Cavendish Elementary School’s Art Room. Monday evening there will be a potluck at 5 pm at the school followed by a talk on the history of religion in Cavendish.

Check the 250th website, Facebook and the CHS Blog for more information about Anniversary activities.

Supporting the 250th Celebrations: You can support the 250th celebrations by: volunteering to help with various activities; donations or sponsoring a 250th banner, which will be yours to keep when our year of celebration is complete. To purchase a banner send a check for $150 to the 250th Anniversary Fund and mail to Cavendish 250th Anniversary Committee, PO Box 126, Cavendish, VT 05142-0126. Donations can also be made to the same address.

First CHS Auction: Thank You: As part of Old Home Day this year, CHS held both a silent and live auction. It was not only a lot of fun, but money was raised to help with CHS expenses. A special note of thanks to Will Hunter, our auctioneer, as well as to the following who donated items for the auction: Old Cavendish Products, Inn at Glimmerstone, Therese and Hans Schrag, Gloria and Seymour Leven, Peter and Sandy Gregg, Winston Churchill, Mary McCallum, Candace Montessi, Lu Choiniere, Clare Murray, Six Loose Ladies, Judith Prescott, Heather Woodell, Bob Naess, Dan Churchill, Hunter Leigh Gallery, Richard Nye, Wallscapes (Roxie Davis), Singleton’s, Hancor, Goodman’s American Pie Pizza, Mary Ormrod, Etienne Ting, Ludlow Cooking Company, Village Clipper and Margo Caulfield

Annual Meeting: The Historical Society’s Annual Meeting and dinner will take place on Sunday, October 16 at 5 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School in Proctorsville. More information will be made available in the Fall issue of The Scribbler II.

Vermont Historical Newspapers Now Available On Line: The Vermont Digital Newspaper Project has recently added its first batch of newspapers on the Library of Congress Chronicling America page. This includes close to 10,000 pages from the Vermont Farmer, Rutland Herald, and Burlington Free Press weekly edition. You can read the newspapers at http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/newspapers/?state=Vermont

Cavendish Civil War: John Brown’s Visit to Cavendish
Linda Welch, CHS’s genealogist, recently came across a letter written by Henry Bridge Atherton, a lawyer from Cavendish, to John Redparth, a biographer of John Brown, the famous abolitionist. Below is a copy of the letter, which further adds to the knowledge that Cavendish played an interesting role in the Civil War era. Not only was Governor Ryland Fletcher, from Cavendish, but he was a staunch abolitionist.

The letter indicates that Brown was seeking guns and money to help with his cause, particularly what he had begun in Kansas .

Unfortunately, the last page of what was most likely a five-page letter, is missing.

Proctorsville, VT Mary 9th, 1882

James Redparth Esq

I have sometimes thought the day would come where your publishers would issue another edition of your “Public Life of John Brown,” which was 1st published at Boston in 1860 by Thayer and Eldridge 11 St and 116 Washington St. I have been recently reading that book, and it occurs to me that, inview of the events following the execution of the old hero-the man-the freedom of the slave, the political results of the execution-and the history of our country in the past quarter of a century-you might perhaps to write that book and, if so, I would want a copy to side by side with the copy I now have in my library. John Brown and his son, Owen, I think it was, came here in the last days of Dec. 1856 or in the early part of January 1857- and spent some time on those days at my office-boarding at the Village Hotel. At that time I held the office of Secretary of the VT Senate- and our Governor-Hon. Ryland Fletcher, a brother of the late Hon. Richard Fletcher, of Boston, and Judge of Mass. Sup. Court- now my new neighbor. Our Legislature at the previous Oct. Session at Montpelier had passed an act authorizing Gov. Fletcher, in his discretion to furnish funds to an amount not exceeding twenty thousand dollars -$20,000-for the relief of the suffering citizens of Kansas-as you will find by reference to the session laws of 1856 in the Library-Our state casual care of __ General Gundry of Vergennes, VT had on hand quite an amount of guns-out of date & useless to our State. Gundry was authorized to sell or dispose of them. In some way John Brown had learned of these facts—and came here to examine the laws-and to confer with Gov. Fletcher. The Old man told us that the generosity of the people had so supplied the citizens of Kansas with food and clothing as none of this __ appropriation would be thus needed, least be thought possibly the Gov. might be authorized to let him have some of the old guns from the state Arsenal-He became satisfied on looking at the law, that Gov. Fletcher could not appropriate guns for the Defense of Freedom in the direction indicated. The Old man told us his objectives to enlist young men-pious and patriotic determined young men-not wild and -- profane ones in his service and that he proposed to rendezvous at Tabor in Iowa-just over the boarders from Kansas and await events. He showed me the enlistment papers as drawn up by him and most neatly executed. He said he expected on the return of Spring in 1857- the Missourians-becoming supplied themselves with a new stock of whiskey, would again invade Kansas-and he wishes to be ready to repel them. He said that courage of those invaders depended very much on the amount of whiskey they had. He was very conscientious-writing at my office table many letters in the time he was here. I offered him paper, envelopes—postage stamps-and he always left the dimes in the box to pay for them. The son was a light complexioned and sandy haired youth as compared with the father-they had the chains with them-that the borders….

Cavendish Historical Timeline 1886-1930
The Winter 2011 newsletter contains the town’s history from 1759- 1834 while the Spring issue covers 1835-1880. Both newsletters are posted at the CHS blog.
1886: The Gay family moves its woolen mill operations from Tunbridge to Cavendish.
- A local group of Odd Fellow (I.O.O.F. Mt. Sinai Lodge No. 22) is organized in Proctorsville.

1883: Civil War Memorial, donated by Vermont’s Former governor Redfield Proctor, is dedicated. This memorial is in front of the Cavendish Historical Society Museum.
- Fire District # 2 is formed in Cavendish and is staffed by all volunteers.

1890: Cavendish Population 1,172

1900: Cavendish Population 1,352

1905: The Claremont Power Company began construction of the Cavendish Hydro Station on the Black River. The dam was built in 1907, at the entrance to the gorge, and operation of the hydro station began that same year.

1907: Proctorsville becomes part of the town of Cavendish.

1909: Electric light poles started being installed in Cavendish and Whitesville. Electric lights were installed in the Town Hall in 1910, but it took until the 1940’s and some stretches even later, for electricity to be available town wide.

1910: Cavendish population 1,208
- The telephone comes to Vermont. There is evidence that Ludlow Telephone was in operation by 1913. Because of the costs, telephone service was slow to come to the rural areas. Most places had phone service by the mid 1940’s. Ludlow Telephone Company was eventually sold to TDS Telecom in the 1990’s.

1911: Activities for the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Cavendish Charter are postponed due to a small pox epidemic. Festivities are held in 1912, which are documented in “The Vermonter.”

1914: Proctor Piper State Forest, with the donation of 424 acres, established. A second gift from Leon S. Gay in the mid 1930’s added 300 acres and additional purchases of property added another 700 acres.

1917-1919 (WWI): 57 men and one woman from Cavendish joined the military. The flu epidemic of 1918 took the lives of three of the four Cavendish servicemen that were to die during the war. Food and coal rationing were required. The latter was not an issue for local farmers, who burned wood, but it was difficult for those in the villages. Daylight Saving Time was started on April 1, 1918.

The mills were operating at full tilt for the war effort. Business was in a boom period through 1920. Most of the Cavendish servicemen returned home.

1918: Cavendish elected its first woman selectman, Gertrude Foster.

1920: Cavendish population 1,319

1923: WWI Memorial dedicated in Proctorsville. Redfield Proctor, Jr donated the monument.

1927: The largest flood on record in Vermont caused heavy damage in the Black River Valley, particularly Cavendish. A quarter mile long channel avulsion bypassing the Cavendish Gorge eroded approximately 2 million tons of sediment down to bedrock leaving a channel 150 feed deep and 600 feet wide. Seven houses were washed away and the Duttonsville School ended up protruding over the edge of a high sandbank. Redfield Proctor, former Vermont governor, offered $10,000 to restore the schoolhouse. Olin Gay, Chairman of the School Board, proposed using this gift to move the school to a new location. He also proposed that the town raise an additional $5,000 by taxes to put in an auditorium basement, modernize the heating system and install toilets. The school building was moved on big rollers by oxen and horses 400 feet back to a safer location. It had much better facilities than before the flood. A Vermont Standard School until 1928, thanks to the renovations after the flood, Duttonsville was upgraded to a “Superior School,” a status it retained until closing in 1971.
- President Calvin Coolidge telegraphs his cousin, Park Pollard, after the flood, wanting to know what he can do for Cavendish. He sent Herbert Hoover, his Secretary of Commerce, to visit the region and to make recommendations. Two Army engineers came to give technical help about relocating the state road
- Charles Lindbergh flies over Cavendish
- Radio Station WLAK begins in Bellows Falls. Cavendish has radio service. Many farmers make their own “crystal” radios. They would use their car batteries to power them.

1928: In September, almost ten months after the flood, President Coolidge comes to Cavendish to view the damage. He looked at the washed out areas, but characteristically, did not say much.

1929: Stock market crash. This did not have an immediate impact on Cavendish. Few people had investments to lose, and for the Gay Brothers Woolen Mill, 1929 was the best year, financially, in the history of their business. It took several years before the depression was felt. Cash was scarce, but for many farmers, that had always been the case. Frugality was part of the depression, but it wasn’t caused by it.

1930: Cavendish Population 1,418


Cavendish Historical Society Board
Dan Churchill
Jen Harper
Gloria Leven
Marc Miele
Bruce McEnaney
Mike Pember
Gail Woods

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.

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Donations are always welcome and can be designated as follows:
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Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Small Pox Epidemic Cancels 150th Celebration

The following article appeared in the Vermont Tribune Cavendish: 12 Oct., 1911: Small Pox Scare in Cavendish at the Kingsburys: — “By reason of the discovery of four cases of what was pronounced small pox in the family of H. S. Kingsbury, living just below the village of Cavendish [they lived on Chubb Hill on the old Chubb-Peck farm] the committee in charge of the 150th anniversary celebration of the founding of the charter of that town, decided after consultation with the state authorities, to postpone that event indefinitely.

There is nothing at all alarming about the situation, but precautionary measures were deemed wise, and so were adopted promptly. The local health officer, Dr. Buxton, reports the matter well in hand and ever precaution being taken so that no further outbreaks are looked for. The school on Tarbell Hill is temporarily closed.” —[more under same date]

“A well-developed small pox scare has taken possession of our town and at this writing after thorough examination by the board of health, we have four well defined cases with a greater number under suspicion. As a result of this, the board of health and the committee on the celebration met in conjunction and decided that the celebration must be called off and that all cases will be places in charge of Dr. Edward F. Hodges [of Indianapolis, Indiana, whose summer home was the former Ely place— Glimmerstone] ...who is in our community for his vacation and who is an expert and specialist on this disease.” — [more under same date]: “A short time ago Miss Marietta Kingsbury attended camp meeting in Lakeport, NH where she contracted the disease. It was not until Monday of this week that the family became aware of the nature of the illness. Dr. Buxton our health officers was called. He immediately pronounced the disease small pox and sent for Dr. Caverly of Rutland who arrived Tuesday and concurred with Dr. Buxton’s diagnosis.

At a meeting of the committee in charge of the celebration Tuesday evening it was thought best to give up the whole affair. Although from the village there are many people with whom they have been associating before they were aware of their condition, so a quarantine will be necessary.

At present Miss Marietta Kingsbury is recovering. H. S. Kingsbury, Alfred Kingsbury and younger daughter are ill. Dr. Buxton feels confident in Dr. Hedges, as he, his wife and mother, Mrs. Martha Buxton, and Mr. Conklin left Thursday for a week’s stay in New York.” — 19 Oct., 1911: “The Kingsbury family are all gaining.

There are no new cases of smallpox yet, although Dr. Hodges fears the disease may develop in Frank Hewey, a schoolboy who was living at Ira Belknap’s and in one of Clarence Belknap’s little daughters, as these two children are ill, but not as yet broken out. However their vaccination is not working. All the other people who were exposed and then vaccinated are in quarantine and their vaccinations are working well. Dr. Hodges very kindly offered to take charge of the cases of smallpox and look after the quarantine free of all expense to the town and also to save our local physicians for their usual practice. Remembering the fact that the one smallpox case in Proctorsville eight years ago cost the town $700, Cavendish ought to be very grateful to Dr. Hodges and consider itself fortunate to have such a man for a citizen, do all we can to encourage him and urge more of the same kind to locate among us.”