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.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Atherton Dog License
Linda Welch, CHS genealogist sent the following copy of Joseph Atherton's dog license.
Friday, October 14, 2011
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, 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!!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
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
Friday, September 30, 2011
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
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
Friday, September 23, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, September 19, 2011
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)