The Cavendish Historical Society's accepts tax-deductible contributions to help preserve our history. You can reach us at margocaulfield@icloud.com 802-226-7807 or PO Box 472 Cavendish, VT 05142 The CHS Museum is located at 1958 Main Street (Route 131) in Cavendish.
In honor of
Halloween, the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) is once again providing
stories about the odder, sometimes creepier, parts of Cavendish’s history. This
year’s story comes from Mary Churchill’s book “Cemeteries of Cavendish,
Vermont.”
David Ordway, a
miller and also a stone mason, lived on Twenty Mile stream in a stone house he
built. He also helped to build the stone Universalist church in Cavendish
village and cemetery tombs.
In his old age,
he decided to have his funeral sermon preached. He chose Rev. William Balch, a
former pastor of the Universalist church in Cavendish to give the sermon. The
funeral was held in the Universalist church in Ludlow on Sunday, August 2,
1876.
The occasion
brought together an unusual crowd. The preacher never at a loss how to adapt
himself to any emergency., realizing that it was only one of those freaks which
are indicative of the return of second childhood, accepted the situation and
preached a remarkable sermon. Except for a few words near the close alluding to
his aged friend and trifle explanatory of the occasion, no one would have
mistrusted that there was anything unusual.
Mr. Ordway, not
precisely in the box, but sitting in the front pew seemed well pleased with the
performance. He never realized there was anything incongruous in the exercise,
that he simply took that method to signify that he was ll through with this
world and anxious to enter on the undiscovered realities of the next.
In the Twenty
Mile Stream cemetery stands, “Uncle David’s” red sandstone monument, just a
little back up from the tomb. Its base is a real millstone. Its inscription is
unique in every respect as there is not a punctuation mark from start to
finish.
“Tho I am dead yet speaketh
For here is a
rest upon this millstone top
I set the noble
block
To let the
world no that what I have done
It is ever been
my heart desire
To do unto you
as I would you should do unto me
So cast the
beam out of your own eye
And let me lie
in peace and sing my redeemer love
Come my sweet
companion meet me here”
For years he
had his coffin, made by himself, kept in his dwelling and used it for a bean
storage box. He also had a small headstone about 24” by 18” on which is this
inscription
Come all my
friends from far and near
Without a sigh
or a fear
The storm is
past and I am at rest
Weep no more
for me
Please take the
golden rule for your guide
And a clear
conscience by your side
Mar not the
sand you see
Take you your
cross and follow me
After “Uncle
David” died, there was a large flat stone, as large as four oxen could draw,
drawn up and laid across the two graves. The small stones and rail were put in
place upon this flat stone.
Mary. “Uncle
David’s sweet companion, died July 15, 1875 ae 81 yr.
David died
November 8, 1884 aged 89 years.
“Uncle David”
has pounded up a large white limestone rock with a mortar and pestle. This, he
requested, should be put on the graves to a depth of two or three inches, each
year. This was kept in the tomb.
As part of the
Carmine Guica Young Historians (CGYH) program, the Cavendish Historical Society
(CHS) provides teachers, students, families and the community with information
on town, state and national history for the month ahead.
GENERAL
INFORMATION
• If you have
questions, want to arrange for a program or need more information, call
802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com
• To learn
more about the various programs that CHS offers for students and community, as
well as opportunities close to Cavendish, go to the Resource Page.
• The CHS
Cares Closet, located next to the steps of the Museum is free, open 24/7 and offers a wide array of things to do, read etc. for both children
and adults.
UPCOMING
ACTIVITIES
October 25
(Monday): 5th grade Ghost Walk
October 27
(Wednesday): 6th grade trip to Sturbridge Village
October 28
(Thursday): 3rd grade Brick making
November 1
(Monday): 5th grade Dia de los Meurtos (Day of the Dead)
November 5
(Friday): 5th grade Preserve & Serve leaf raking for
Proctorsville homeowner
If you would
like your home schooling student to participate in a school program, please
contact the teacher for the respective grade and be sure to complete all paper
work with the front office.
NOVEMBER 2021
Native American History Month
• Nov
1-2: Dia de los Meurtos
(Day of the Dead)
• Nov. 9-10
(1938): Kristallnacht
(the night of broken glass) occurred in Germany as Nazi mobs burned synagogues
and vandalized Jewish shops and homes.
• Nov.
11: Veteran’s Day:
• Nov. 19
(1863): Lincoln
delivers the Gettysburg address
-Landing
of the Mayflower
• Nov. 22
(1963): President
Kennedy’s assassination
• American Indian Perspective on Thanksgiving contains a teaching poster designed for educators and students 4-8 examines
the deeper meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday for American Indians through the
themes of environment, community, encounters, and innovations. Appropriate for
use at any time during the year, the poster includes information that is
essential to understanding and teaching about American Indians along with
compelling images and ideas for classroom activities.
• Harvest Ceremony: Beyond the
Thanksgiving Myth: A Study Guide from NMAI will be very helpful and can be used
for both Thanksgiving but also in understanding the Mayflower’s arrival. The
classroom discussion topics are appropriate for all ages.
• Smithsonian Dia de los Muertos (Day
of the Dead): Latino Virtual Museum
• Mexican Day of the Dead from the
British Museum Helpful
for adults to understand the tradition and customs
• Coco Winning both the Oscar
and Golden Globe, this animated film captures Dia de Muertos extremely well.
The only part that is not accurate is the spirit animals. These are not a
traditional part of the holiday but rather reflect a famous Mexican artist. The
film is available on Netflix. Here is the link to the trailer.
The Halloween Tree: Based on
the Ray Bradbury novel of the same name. The film covers many of the traditions
associated with this time of year. It is currently being redone but love the
original. The film is a little over an hour long. Watch the trailer.
If you have questions, would like to volunteer with CHS, or have
items for the CHS Cares Closet please e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com or call 802-226-7807.
After the Fitton Mill Fire
UPCOMING EVENTS: Due to the increasing cases of Covid, masks are
required in the Museum, regardless of vaccination status.
October 3 (Sunday): Fitton-the Mill, the Firebug, and Everything in Between. Starting at 2 pm at the Museum, there will be a talk on the Fitton
(Spring) Mill, the town that grew up around it-Fittonsville- and the man Robert
“Firebug” Fitton who was responsible for its demise and lots of other property
in the town of Cavendish. The talk will be following by a walk out to the site
where the Mill, boarding house, and other structures once stood. Wear
comfortable shoes and be prepared for walking on uneven terrain.
October 10 (Sunday): Event cancelled due to Covid as this was to be
an indoor presentation. Last day Museum will be open for the season though you
can schedule a private tour up until snow flies.
December 12 (Sunday): Christmas Ghost Walk Proctorsville. 7 pm. Meet
in front of the Proctorsville War Memorial. This will be outside so dress
accordingly.
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING
3rd graders at Coolidge
Carmine Guica Young Historians: September was off to a great start with the 5th
and 6th grade participating in RiverSweep and the 3rd
grade visiting Coolidge Homestead. October has a lot of activities in store
including various grades helping with fall chores in the community; the 5th
grades annual ghost walk; 6th grade will be touring Fitton’s Mill
and 5th and 6th will be participating in a dig of “farm
middens” (farm dump). They’ll be
learning archeology, along with the history of the people that once lived in
Cavendish.
CHS’s December holiday program will be
focusing on the winter solstice tradition of caring for the birds. If you have
cookie cutters you don’t want, please consider donating them to the Young
Historians as one of our projects will be bird seed cookies. The cutters need
to be open on both sides.
Phineas Gage: We had 70 people attend the annual Walk and
Talk program. One of the attendees, Barbara Drukovka returned a week later with
a 3 D skull of Gage, which we will be using for future programs. Many thanks to
Barbara and the 3-D Technology Staff at Woodstock High.
Alice Bertrand’s Dolls: While assisting with the 3rd
graders tour of Coolidge Homestead, Pang Ting was able to photograph the
collection of dolls donated by the Wheeler Family. Alice Wheeler Bertrand was
originally from the Plymouth Notch area, but married and moved to
Proctorsville. She was an award winning doll maker. We will be doing a post in
the next few weeks about the dolls.
CHS
Cares Closet: Many
are enjoying the Cares Closet. As we prepare for the fall and winter a head
we’re in need of puzzles, art supplies and games. Please contact us at the
numbers above if you have items to donate.
Donations for
CHS can be sent to CHS, PO Box 472, Cavendish, VT 05142. Checks should be
payable to the Cavendish Historical Society.
As part of the
Carmine Guica Young Historians (CGYH) program, the Cavendish Historical Society
(CHS) provides teachers, students, families and the community with information
on town, state and national history for the month ahead.
GENERAL
INFORMATION
• If you have
questions, want to arrange for a program or need more information, call
802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com
• If you
want to know more about the various programs that CHS offers for students and community,
as well as opportunities close to Cavendish, go to the Resource Page.
• Covid: CHS
staff and volunteers are all vaccinated. We follow the VT Agency on Education
(AOE) guidance, school districts as well as Centers for Disease Controls &
Prevention (CDC). At this time, anyone coming to the Museum must wear a mask.
• The CHS
Cares Closet is located next to the steps of the Museum. We include history
kits, masks, arts and crafts supplies, books, puzzles, games etc. This is open
24/7 and everything is free. If you have items you’d like to donate, or are
looking for specific items, please contact us at the above numbers.
FOR CAVENDISH
HOME LEARNERS
If you would
like to have your child participate in programs CHS offers at CTES, please
contact the office to fill out paperwork for emergency purposes. FMI:
802-875-7758.
The third grade
will be visiting Coolidge on Sept. 30. We are scheduling a variety of trips and
activities so recommend that If you have a home school student, please check
with the teachers connected with the various grade levels by going to the CTES
teachers page on the school’s website.
Susannah Johnson
SHARE THE
SUSANNAH JOHNSON STORY
Mrs. Johnson
gave birth to the first child of European descent, Captive,” in Cavendish in
1757. She wrote about her experience, “A Narrative of the Captivity of Mrs.
Johnson.” CHS has a copy of the original, which is bound in wood. Johnson erected
stones to mark this event, which have been relocated to route 106 in Reading. The
birth took place off Tarbell Hill Rd.
In her book,
Johnson provides a very interesting perspective about how they were treated by
the Abenaki (much better than the French or English). Interestingly, we have
researched the path the family took and it’s close to the same path we take to
the archeological dig at the Bruckner Preserve (Poultney and Lake Champlain
intersect).
“CalicoCaptive”
by Elizabeth George Speare is a historical fiction children’s book that is
heavily based on the diary, The book should be available from the Cavendish
Library or Fletcher Community Library in Ludlow. If there is interest, we can
do a reading group and visit both the site of the stones as well the birth
place.
OCTOBER DATES/EVENTS
National
Hispanic American Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct. 15):Honors the cultures and
contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans
• Resources from the Library of Congress, National Archives
and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National
Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United
States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Oct. 5, 1829: Chester A. Arthur, the 21st president of the
United States, was born in Fairfield, Vermont.
Arthur was vice-president under President Garfield and became president when Garfield
was assassinated in 1881.
Oct. 7, 1827: Abby Maria Hemenway, the compiler of the
Vermont Historical Gazetteer, was born in Ludlow.
Hemenway had been a schoolteacher, but decided to ask "a reliable person
in every town in Vermont" to write down all he or she could about the
town's history. She worked for thirty years and finally published four thick
volumes. Learn more about Hemenway.
Oct. 11
(Monday):Indigenous Peoples Day in
Vermont (formerly
Columbus Day)
• “BeforeColumbus” by Charles C. Mann.
The children’s version of Mann’s award winning book “1491.” Contrary to what so
many Americans learn in school, the pre-Columbian Indians were not sparsely
settled in a pristine wilderness; rather, there were huge numbers of Indians
who actively molded and influenced the land around them. The Aztec capital of
Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) had running water and immaculately clean streets,
and was larger than any contemporary European city. Mexican cultures created
corn in a specialized breeding process that it has been called human’s first
feat of genetic engineering. Indians were not living lightly on the land but were
landscaping and manipulating their world in ways that we are only now beginning
to understand.
• What Really
Happen: While a cartoon and quite short,it
accurately depicts Columbus and his activities. May not be appropriate for
younger students. A great navigator he may have been, but he was no
humanitarian. He was actively involved in the slave trade.
• There are
four bands of the Abenaki in Vermont. The Elnu is the tribe who covers the
territory where we live. Visit their website to learn more about them.
Oct. 14
(Wednesday): Cavendish Charter signed by King George in 1761. Capt. John Coffeen, Cavendish’s first
legal settler helped to draft the VT Constitution, which he signed on July 8,
1777. There is a good article in VT Digger about Gov. Wentworth and how he
illegally sold off Vermont land.
Oct. 19,
1864: Civil War comes to VT.
A small group of Confederate soldiers brought the Civil War
home to Vermont by raiding St. Albans and robbing three banks. After killing
one man and wounding others, they escaped into Canada.
Oct. 20,
1859: John Dewey, educator, philosopher, and reformer, was born in
Burlington. Dewey believed that children learn best by doing. He
changed the way school was taught in America and around the world.
Oct. 22, 1790: Should VT become the 14th
state? On the motion of Stephen R. Bradley of Westminster, the general
assembly calls a convention to decide whether Vermont should ratify the United
States Constitution and join the Union as the fourteenth state.
Oct. 31 (Sunday):Halloween & Day of the Dead (Dia de
Muertos) is a cross
quarter day,” marking the midway point between the autumn equinox and winter
solstice. Called Samhain (“sow-win”), or summer’s end, in Ireland, this is a
Gaelic festival marketing the end of the harvest season and the beginning of
winter or the “darker half” of the year.
This is the day
that barriers between the physical world and the spirit world break down,
allowing more interaction between humans and those who have passed. It was
expected that ancestors might cross over during this time as well, and Celts
would dress as animals and monsters so that fairies were not tempted to kidnap
them. Eventually, Oct. 31 became known as All Hallows Eve or Halloween, and
many of the customs adopted in 19th century America came from Irish
immigrants.
Dia de Muertos
(Day of the Dead) is celebrated throughout South America, though it is most
associated with Mexico. The traditions mix Christian influence with ancient
Indian (Mayan, Aztecs, Incas, Kichwa ) practices. Like the Irish and other
cultures, they believe this is the time when the veil between this world and
the next is lowered. Many parts of South America celebrate the day by
remembering loved ones who have died by making altars (ofrendas) with special
flowers, food and drink, pictures and special objects associated with a
departed friend or family member. It is a positive honoring of the dead and it
involves going to church, cleaning cemeteries and visiting with friends and
family. In Guatemala, giant kites are constructed and flown in the cemeteries.
Today, Sept. 13, is the 173rd anniversary of the Phineas Gage accident. Below is the handout from yesterday's Walk & Talk.
TIMELINE
Life in 1848: California Gold Rush begins; Seneca Falls Convention (first
women’s rights group); Cholera epidemic in New York kills 5,000; French
Revolution; The Communist Minifesto is published; Boston Public Library
is founded; Wisconsin becomes the 30th state; James Polk is
president; the first medical school for women opens in Boston; the Great Famine continues in Ireland; injuries
very common from falls, horse kicks and gunfire; doctors were not required to
be licensed.
1844: John Martyn Harlow graduates from Jefferson Medical
College in Philadelphia. While there learns about trepanning to drain pus from
a head injury, a technique he would use on Gage. He kept the exit wound open at
the base of the skull for drainage
1844-1857: Harlow practiced medicine in Cavendish. Left due to poor
health
1848, Nov. 25: Approximately 10 weeks after his accident, Gage returns to
his parents home in Lebanon, NH
Dec. 1848 Harlow authors: "Passage of an iron rod through the
head". Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. 39 (20): 389–393. Follow up note appears the early part of 1849
Feb. 1949:"Able to do a
little work about the horses and barn, feeding the cattle etc. [and] as the
time for ploughing came [i.e. about May or June] he was able to do half a day's
work after that and bore it well". In August his mother told an inquiring
physician that his memory seemed somewhat impaired, though slightly enough that
a stranger would not notice.
April 1849: Returns to Cavendish and visits Harlow who
notes loss of vision in the left eye. “Upon the top of the head ... a
quadrangular fragment of bone... raised and
quite prominent. Behind this is a deep depression, two inches by one and
one-half inches [51 by 38 mm] wide, beneath which the pulsations of the brain
can be perceived. Partial paralysis of the left side of the face. His physical
health is good, and I am inclined to say he has recovered. Has no pain in head,
but says it has a queer feeling which he is not able to describe.”
Nov. 1849: Bigelow, Professor of Surgery at Harvard,brings Gage to Boston for several weeks and,
after satisfying himself that the tamping iron had actually passed through
Gage's head, presented him to a meeting of the Boston Society for Medical
Improvement
1850: Bigelow brought the Phineas Gage case out of complete obscurity into
merely relative obscurity, and largely neutralized remaining scepticism about
the case."Dr.
Harlow's case of Recovery from the passage of an Iron Bar through the
Head". American Journal of the Medical Sciences. 20 (14):
13–22. Note
that the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal becomes the New England Journal of
Medicine
Aug. 1852: Gage goes to work as a long distance stage coach driver on
the Valpariso -Santiago route in Chile.
1859: Due to ill health, Gage goes to San Francisco to be with
his family, aarriving (in his
mother's words) "in a feeble condition, having failed very much since he
left New Hampshire ... Had many ill turns while in Valparaiso, especially
during the last year, and suffered much from hardship and exposure."
Recovers sufficiently to work for a farmer in Santa Clara
May 21 1860 Phineas Gage dies in San Francisco from epilepsy
Gage’s Injury: When the tamping rod
entered under the left check bone and exited his head, the left frontal lobe
was damaged. Gage’s behavior post accident was described as impulsive,
bad-tempered ne'er-do-well whose "friends and acquaintances said he was
'no longer Gage.'"
• Gage’s brain damage was far more
profound and widespread than previously thought
•
Estimated he lost small amounts of his cerebral cortex (4%) and more than 10%
of his total white matter (the information superhighway of the brain). Some
white matter was wiped out completely, others partially severed
•
Brain damaged between frontal cortex and limbic system (emotions)
Neuroplasticity/Neuorgenesis: The
human brain is a highly dynamic and constantly reorganizing system capable of
being shaped and reshaped across an entire lifespan. Experience and environment
alters the brain’s organization at some level. The key words in this new
approach to the brain are neuroplasticity and neurogenesis.. Neuroplasticity is
the ability of the brain to form new connections and pathways and change how
its circuits are wired in response to the stimulation of learning and
experience. Neurogenesis is the ability of the brain to grow new neurons. Fred “Rusty”
Gage, a cousin of Phineas Gage, discovered that the human brain continues to
produce new nerve cells into adulthood.
• Brain Injury Assoc
of NH 800-773-8400 (Family Helpline;
800-444-6443 (Information and Resources only) Can download “NH Resource
DirectoryBrain Injury & Stroke
10th Edition,” lots of good information
• National Toll
Free Brain Injury Resource Line 800-444-6443
• Cavendish Health & Senior Resources:Includes “Getting What
You Need: A Checklist” that helps with planning and understanding resource
availability locally.
•
My Stroke of Insight
by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor: Includes Forty Things I Needed Most. TED Talk
