Cavendish Historical Society News

Thursday, February 15, 2024

CHS Winter Newsletter Winter 2024

THE SCRIBBLER II

The Cavendish Historical Society Newsletter

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PO Box 472 Cavendish, VT 05142

802-226-7807 margocaulfield@icloud.com

Winter 2024 Vol. 18, Issue 1

REMEMBERING GLORIA LEVEN

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Gloria Leven on New Year’s Day. Gloria has been one of the stalwarts of the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) and even at 100, she was actively involved with the Young Historians Club at Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) and assisted with the cataloging of the Museum’s fiber collection this past summer.

Gloria grew up in Huntington, W VA, and graduated from Ohio State with a degree in social work. During WWII, she worked with the Red Cross in her hometown and ultimately worked in special education on Long Island.

As her family noted, It is with heavy hearts that we share that Gloria Ann Leven, the radiant and oh so beloved human that she was, passed peacefully on New Years Day.

She loved flowers, art, babies, books, the theater, sunshine, black coffee, meeting new people, her home, her family, her community…she loved her life, all 100 years of it, and she found joy even in mundanity and simplicity. To know Gloria was to know joyfulness and right up until the end, she remained her sunny self. She will be missed fiercely.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date with details to come."

Gloria was predeceased by her husband Seymour and son Thomas. She is survived by her brother Burt and wife Joan, sons Robert and Andrew, their wives Kim and Mary, granddaughter Jade and partner Justin, and great-grandsons Jasper and Oliver.

A much loved member of our community, Gloria left our town richer and kinder thanks to her many hours of volunteerism and presence. Thank you Gloria.

MAKE A QUILT SQUARE IN HONOR & REMEMBRANCE

In honor of Black History Month, and in remembrance of Gloria Leven, CHS and the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library are offering an opportunity to make a quilt square on Wednesday, February 28, 4-6 pm at the Library in Proctorsville.

Quilting has played a significant role in the lives of African Americans. They not only told stories through their quilts, but kept themselves and their families warm, while providing a source of income. It was also a time where they could socialize without “supervision.”

Lizzie Hobbs Keckley was born a slave, but obtained her freedom by selling intricate quilts. She became seamstress and quilter for the first lady, Mary Todd Lincoln and the Congressional wives. She created the famous “Liberty” Medallion Quilt from strips of Lincoln’s dresses. Keckley went on to become the director of Domestic Arts at Wilberforce University.

While many know the story of Harriet Tubman and her vital role with the Underground Railroad, they may be less aware of her quilting and how she used it to provide clues to guide slaves to freedom.

Quilters used their skills to provide funds for the Underground Railroad, anti-slavery newspapers and made 250,000 quilts and comforters for the Union soldiers during the Civil War. Ultimately, quilting played an important role in helping to abolish slavery.

The quilting tradition continues today through groups like the quilters in Gee’s Bend Alabama, who are the descendents of Pettway Plantation slaves. They are known for their use of colors, abstract design and storytelling.

Gloria Leven, who died January 1 at the age of 100, was an ardent quilter. She always had a project in her living room and on her nightstand. Like the many quilters before her, Gloria helped to raise money for both the Library and CHS with her needle and thread.

The workshop on Feb. 28, is free and open to the public. Participants will learn more about the history of quilting as well as have a chance to use some of Gloria’s fabrics to create their own quilt. No sewing involved. The workshop is being run from 4-6 to accommodate those who wish to drop in after work. For more information call: 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com

A special thank you to Casey Junker Bailey whose workshop at the South Londonderry Library helped to inspire this one. This workshop is made possible in part from a grant from the Cavendish Community Fund.

FIND THE CAVENDISH ROCK HEARTS

In keeping with Valentine’s Day, the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) is sharing their love of history this February with a “find the heart” hunt at various historical spots in the two villages of Cavendish.

Ten hearts have been painted on rocks by Becky Plunkard. Using the clues below, find the hearts and take a picture and/or add a heart stone of your own to the places that mean the most to you. Please don’t move the rocks.

At the end of February, we’ll count up how many additional heart stones have been added to find out which historic spots in town people most like to visit.

Clues: Use the clues to find where the rocks are hidden

Cavendish Village

• Built in 1834 by the Baptist Church, it suffered arson at the hands of Fire Bug Fitton in 1875. As a result, the Church relocated and the building has served many functions since then, including being the Cavendish Town Hall.

• The Hon. Redfield Proctor, Vermont governor 1878-1880, donated a memorial, and the land it sits on, to honor the Cavendish men who served in the Civil War.

• Many people visit Cavendish to see and learn about Phineas Gage. In honor of this historic event, the town erected a monument on the town green, which is made of a green marble that was quarried in Proctorsville.

• Under the leadership of the abolitionist, Reverend Warren Skinner, a Universalist Church was built in 1844 by Scottish stone masons.

• Salmon Dutton, the founder of Duttonsville (now referred to as Cavendish Village) gave the land and is buried here. Many veterans are also buried here from the Revolutionary War through present day. Look for the stone near the entrance.

Proctorsville Village

• Redfield Proctor, Jr., also a Vermont governor like his father, donated a memorial to honor WWI veterans from Cavendish.

• Once the site of a very large mill, a fire in 1982 destroyed most of the buildings and the area was turned into a park. A dedication marker honors the person responsible for creating the park. This monument is also made from marble quarried in Proctorsville.

• Pollards store sold everything. If they didn’t have it, you probably didn’t need it. Opened from 1863 to 1964, former president Calvin Coolidge would have frequently visited as a kid when he was in town to see cousins and family in Proctorsville. Some of the contents of the store’s pharmacy can be seen at the CHS Museum.

• Built to be an “opera house,” the building was the former home of Crow’s Bakery. Former employees believed it was haunted by children.

• A bob sled run was built close by during the 1930s as part of the Civilian Conservation Corp’s efforts. It’s been rumored that part of the land was dug up to plant potatoes during the Depression (we’ve found no evidence that this happened) and “Firebug Fitton” is buried there. You’ll find the stone near the entrance.

PROCTOR PIPER CONSERVATION CORP

Recently, Hollis Quinn provided us with photographs his father had taken while working with the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC). In addition to his pictures, we’re including excerpts from Philip Tiemann’s Memories about working with the CCC.

In Barbara Kingsbury’s history, she writes about the CCC, the locals that worked there as well as at least one person, Tom Lazetera who came with the CCC and stayed, marrying a local, Jennie Bidgood. Tom became an integral part of Cavendish.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was set up by the Roosevelt administration in April of 1933. Unmarried men from eighteen to twenty-five years of age were to be enlisted in conservation work across the country… A camp was set up in Proctor-Piper State Forest in Proctorsville in November, 1933. It was located on Bailey Hill above the Hillcrest Cemetery. 125 young men from New York City came to work. They were provided with uniform-type clothes, food and shelter. They received $30 a month: $25 of it was sent home to their families and $5 waas given them for personal expenses. Six to eight local men, with no age limit, were hired at higher pay because of their experience to loggers or because of other skills. Gray bearded Bert Hutchinson came with his son and a team of oxen; Don Ward brough team of white oxen. Hollis Quinn was another experienced local; he worked with the CCC from December, 1933 until April 1934. Much of the work was in the woods, clearing hiking trails and horse-back riding trails, building roads through the Proctor-Piper Forest, putting up bridges over streams, and building fire places and picnic facilities at various sites…

The Proctorsville camp did provide many recreational activities for the men. There were boxing matches, basketball and baseball teams, and even a log-rolling contest. They built the first mile-long bobsled run in New England. Buses were provided to take the men to near-by movie theatres on Saturdays and to churches on Sunday. ..

The CCC program was not only to help men financially and to get some forestry work done; it was planned to keep young people from becoming demoralized by the lack of jobs and to provide them with a wholesome and healthy experience…

In 1935, the CCC completed its Proctorsville project and the group moved on to New Jersey.

The following is from Philip Tiemann’s “Memoirs of Coming into Vermont (Cavendish) in the Depression.” Tiemann moved to Brook Road from Chatham, New Jersey with his wife Isabel (Carr), and three children Wyeth, Ann and Joyce in 1933.

I must admit that as October ended we were feeling somewhat depressed. And November began on the rugged side, cold, and with snow almost every day. The children enjoyed this; they had sleds to slide to school on, and Wyeth found some, old skiffs among my junk and began to learn to use them. And they stayed remarkably well.

Despite our problems, I realize as I look back that every time we apparently had reached the end of our rope something happened to enable us to keep going. So it was at that point: my neighbor came in one morning with the announcement: "They're going to build a new CCC camp over to Proctorsville, and want to hire carpenters and helpers. I’m going to try for a job, and why don't you?" "Some carpenter I’d be. And how do I get there, walk?" I asked sourly. He grinned. "They'll be tacking just about anybody, and if you apply as my helper no one will know the difference, I'm going to drive the horse, and you can ride with me if you want."

Both Isabel and I were dubious, but our friend proved to be right: we were in a long line of applicants and were duly signed up. This was at the time when the Civilian Conservation Corps was well established and many groups of young men, organized in camps on somewhat of an Army basis and in many cases commanded by Army Reserve officers were being usefully employed on various conservation projects. The Proctorsville camp was laid out for a number of long, single story wooden barracks, a mess hall, and administrative buildings, all of very simple construction. While one crew was putting in foundations others were building framework for the sides; these were pushed up very much on the order of an old-time barn-raising and a soon as they were secured the sheathing started while the rafters were being nailed in place. Flooring and window and door frames, quickly followed.

So I spent about a week turning out even earlier than usua1 in the morning in order to be ready when my friend drove by,. taking the five-mile ride in the sleigh, working all day in the open regardless of weather, and then making the long trip home. I wasn't yet hardened to that-type of life and lasted just that one week before coming down with a terrific cold which kept me in bed for some days; and then was in no shape to go back to the job. A redeeming feature of this fiasco was that for some strange reason I had been rated as a carpenter and drew wages as such.

Not that it did us much good, as within the next two weeks I broke my eye-glasses twice, and had the expense as well as the nuisance of mailing them away for repairs. Both times pure carelessness when I was breaking up kindling wood.

RESEARCHING YOUR CAVENDISH ANCESTORS

We receive a lot of inquiries about ancestors. Here are two tips to help make your search a lot easier:

Find A Grave: Thanks to dedicated volunteers, Cavendish’s cemeteries are well represented at this website. The most common comment we receive is “I looked but they weren’t there.” More often than not, I can find the ancestor using varied searches to do so.

• Don’t limit your search by dates of birth and death as these can be wrong

• Expand your search by typing in the name without limiting it to Cavendish or even Vermont

• Try just a last name or a first initial and a last name

• This site includes burial locations, headstone, photos, biographies and other information that families may choose to provide. This can often help you find other family members.

Family Search: This website contains microfilm of births, marriages and deaths from 1760-2008. Instead of making a trip to the Cavendish Town Office for this information, check this website first.

BECOME A MEMBER, RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP, DONATE

If you have not joined the Cavendish Historical Society, need to renew your membership, and/or would like to be a volunteer, please complete the form below and sending a check, payable to CHS, to CHS, PO Box 472, Cavendish, VT 05142. All contributions are tax deductible.

Name: _______________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________

Phone Number: _____________________ E-Mail: ____________________________

Membership Level

__ Individual Member $10 __ Senior Member 65+ $5 __ Sustaining Member $500

__ Household Member $15 ___ Contributing Member $250

Volunteer

___ I would be interested in serving, as a volunteer .I would be interested in serving on the following committee(s):__ Program Planning __ Fundraising __ Building (Museum)

__Archives _ Budget –– Cemetery __ Carmine Guica Young Historians

Donations are always welcome and can be designated as follows:

__ For general purposes __ Young Historians __Publications

__ Archaeological Activities _ Museum & Archival __ Special Events

__ Rankin Fund __ Williams Fund __ Solzhenitsyn Project

__ Other (please specify) __ Cemetery Restoration __ Preservation Projects

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Find the Cavendish Rock Hearts

In keeping with Valentine’s Day, the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) is sharing their love of history this February with a “find the heart” hunt atvarious historical spots in the two villages of Cavendish.

At the end of February, we’ll count up how many additional heart stones have been added to find out which historic spots in town people most like to visit.

If you have questions about clues, or need help, please e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com or call 802-226-7807.

Clues

Cavendish Village

• Built in 1834 by the Cavendish Baptist Church, it suffered arson at the hands of Fire Bug Fitton in 1875. As a result, the Church relocated and the building has served many functions since then, including being the Cavendish Town Hall.

• The Hon. Redfield Proctor, Vermont governor 1878-1880, donated a memorial, and the land it sits on, to honor the Cavendish men who served in the Civil War.

• Many people visit Cavendish to see and learn about Phineas Gage, the railroad Forman who had a tamping rod pass through his head. In honor of this historic event, the town erected a monument on the town green, which is made of a green marble that was quarried in Proctorsville.

• Under the leadership of the abolitionist, Reverend Warren Skinner, a Universalist Church was built in 1844 by Scottish stone masons.

Proctorsville Village

• Redfield Proctor, Jr., also a Vermont governor like his father, donated a memorial to honor WWI veterans from Cavendish.

• Built to be an “opera house,” the building was the former home of Crow’s Bakery. It’s believed to be haunted by children.

Monday, January 1, 2024

January 2024: CHS Briefs

Happy New Year!

In today’s brief we take a quick look back at 2023 as well as look forward to new activities for 2024.

2023 REVIEW

This has been a rather challenging year. Just when we thought we could return to normal summer programming, now that Covid is under much better control, along comes the July floods. Once again, the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) provided information on prior events in 2011 and 1927, along with documenting the current situation and its invaluable information for future generations. We were particularly pleased to see our Young Historians lending a helping hand, be it walking the streets with water, or helping with the many activities of the Shelter. Our students are definitely hands on, and it’s good to see the impact of the program.

In spite of all the rescheduling and cancellations of activities, we’ve been able to expand our

programming in new ways. We were particularly pleased to offer “A Christmas Carol” Open Studio at the former site of the Crows Bakery in December. We heard from people this summer about how they lost their holiday decorations as they were in basements that flooded. We thought Depot Street was a fitting place to hold an ornament making workshop, accompanied by a delicious hot chocolate tasting, to show that this part of town is a destination and not a place of devastation due to the floods. A special thank you to Maren Muter, a Cavendish resident and owner of That Chocolate who offered an impressive array of goodies to sample and to Pang Ting who carefully researched Victorian era ornaments. Milkweed pods, converted to ornaments, were the hit of the afternoon. If you check out Maren’s website, you can see how she makes some of the deliciousness we were able to share at the Open Studio.

A grant from the Cavendish Community Fund made this Open Studio possible. We are also incredibly grateful to Trevor Barlow who offered his newly renovated space (the former Crows Bakery) for the event.

Starting this September, we’ve begun a Young Historians Club for the Cavendish Town Elementary School’s After School Program. At 100 years old, Gloria Leven has been helping the students understand what life was like through significant eras like the Depression, WWII and beyond.

2024 WHAT’S BEING PLANNED

Fire Side Chats: The winter is the perfect time to get some friends and neighbors to gather and host a “fireside chat.” We’re happy to come to you and talk about various aspects of Cavendish’s history including a general overview. Use contact information above to arrange for an event.

Open Studios: The Open Studio was so popular, we hope to offer several this year. We’re planning one in February on the History of Chocolate (including some special tastings and pairings) combined with Valentine Card crafts. Hopefully Trevor ‘s venue on Depot St. will be available. Unfortunately, the day after our event, Trevor’s place was hit again from the December 18 rains and flooding. We’ll know by mid-January about location.

Solar Eclipse: April 8 (Monday) will be a solar eclipse. Its path for a total eclipse will be just shy of Cavendish, so we are starting to organize a trip so people can experience the full effect.

Quarry Hike: It was disappointing for many that we had to cancel the hike to see the Proctorsville Quarry. We hope to reschedule that for late spring/early summer. It’s very much weather dependent.

Ghost Walks: The Cavendish Ghost Walk will be June 22, starting at 8 pm at the CHS Museum. The Proctorsville walk will be scheduled for December.

Book Group: Ever read any of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s poems? They are among our favorites. We’re hoping to organize an on-going reading group this year, not only to read some of his classics, e.g. “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich” but also to explore his poems, essays and other writings that people are less familiar with.

Young Historians: In addition to our regular programming, the Young Historians Club, will focus each month on a different decade based on Gloria’s 100 years. January will feature the 1930s and the Great Depression.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
• Photographs: We need actual photographs of the July 2023 flood. Our printer quality isn’t the best so we’re looking for prints we can exhibit this summer. They can be mailed to CHS, PO Box 472 or call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com to arrange for a pick up.

• Made in Cavendish: One of our board members would like to mount a special exhibit at the Museum this summer “Made in Cavendish.” If you have items that were made in Cavendish, and would be comfortable loaning them to the Museum for the summer, please let us know. We will need items by May so we can organize the exhibit.

• What you like?: This is your historical society so please let us know what areas of history you are interested in.

Thursday, December 7, 2023

CHS Briefs December 2023

We’ve finally confirmed our Dec. 17^th event, which I hope you can attend. A special thank you to Dave Gallagher and Ana who have once again provided the holiday lighting at the Museum. It brings a much needed sparkle to our winter nights. We also want to thank them for doing repairs to the Cavendish Cupboard, next to the Museum steps, that is stocked with books and other goodies.

MAKING MERRY- A CHRISTMAS CAROL OPEN STUDIO: “A Christmas Carol,” by Charles Dickens, was written as a social commentary on the deplorable conditions for England’s poor, He selected this format as being far more appealing than a tract, which many would have ignored. Cash strapped from his American tour, Dickens thought this was a good way to raise money for his growing family, and besides it was the right time of year for a good ghost story.

Dickens didn’t make much money from the sale of his book-the binding was very expensive-but he left the world a richer place, with an endearing yearly tradition. Given the events of the last five months, following the July floods, his messages of charity and hope are quite appropriate.

In keeping with the spirit of this famous tale, the Cavendish Historical Society is hosting a Dickens’ Christmas Carol Open Studio on December 17, Sunday, at the former Crows Corner Bakery, 73 Depot St. in Proctorsville from 3-5:30. It will feature a variety of workshops, including wreath and ornament making, and hot chocolate tasting.

This event is free and open to the public. It’s been made possible from a grant from the Cavendish Community Fund and with the support of the new owners of Crow’s. For more information, call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com

AVAILABE ON LINE: The fall newsletter is online. We've included another excerpt from Sandra Stearns' book about growing up in Cavendish as well as Genevieve Koziol-Moore's history of the Polish families of Cavendish.

HOLIDAY GIFTS WITH A CAVENDISH THEME: Sandra's book "Cavendish Hillside Farm 1939 to 1957" is perfect for kids and adults as is "Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: The Writer Who Changed History." Both are $15 plus $5 for shipping and handling.

If you are looking for a good history of Cavendish, Barbara Kingsbury's "Chubb Hill Farm and Cavendish, Vermont" is a unique history as she tells it not only using town records and reports, but also the diaries of her husband's family. The cost is $25 plus $5 for shipping and handling.

Checks can be made payable to CHS and sent to PO Box 472, Cavendish, VT 05142. You can also call 802-226-7807 or e mail margocaulfield@icloud.com for pick up in town.

PLANNING FOR SUMMER: We’re looking to do a special exhibit at the museum this summer-Made in Cavendish. Over the years there have been any number of items made in Cavendish. If you have an item you’d like to donate or share, please contact us at the numbers above.

ANNUAL APPEAL

Dear Friend:

Just when we thought this would be the summer we could return to business as usual, as the threat of COVID has been considerably reduced, along comes the July floods, leaving a trail of destruction that’s worse than 2011’s tropical storm Irene. Once again our community has shown the resilience we have come to expect. The Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) documented and shared a lot of the July event in the Summer Newsletter, which is on-line at the CHS blog.

One of the most important things a historical society can do is leave an honest record of what we have experienced and how we dealt with it. As we noted in 2011, our community will flood again. Just as the reports from the 1927 flood propelled us to move forward with our town’s 250^th anniversary celebration following Irene, we expected future generations would need our documentation of Irene. We just hadn’t counted on it being so soon, yet we’ve needed and used the archives from Irene and all previous such events.

Programs had to be changed or scraped, but we’re moving through it. We are thrilled with our Young Historians who have risen to the challenge of helping out and we love our dynamic community that has shown up daily for the last four months.

This year saw the death of the CHS president Dan Churchill and we now have a shortage of board members. While we always need funds, this appeal isn’t just about money but rather a multitude of ways you can support the work CHS does. You can play an integral part by

• Becoming a board member

• Donating to the annual appeal campaign (see attached form), specifying how you want your contribution to be used.

• Renewing your annual membership.

• Volunteering to help with our various programs. We are currently in need of volunteers to help with the archives.

• Sharing your flood stories (use the addresses above to send to CHS)

This is your historical society so don’t hesitate to contact us about your interests as well as how you can help us continue our work.

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

Sincerely,

Margo Caulfield, Director

Sunday, November 12, 2023

THE SCRIBBLER II: Fall 2023 Newsletter

The Cavendish Historical Society Newsletter

www.cavendishhistoricalsocietynews.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/PhineasGageCavendish

www.pinterest.com/cavendishvt/historical-cavendish/

www.thewriterwhochangedhistory.com

PO Box 472 Cavendish, VT 05142

802-226-7807 margocaulfield@icloud.com

Fall 2023 Vol. 17, Issue 4

The holidays are rapidly approaching and the Cavendish Historical Society is trying something new this year. We’re hosting a special event centered around Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

Written as a social commentary on the deplorable conditions for the poor, Dickens selected this format as being far more appealing than a tract, which many would have ignored. Cash strapped from his American tour, Dickens thought this was a good way to raise money for his growing family, and besides this was the right time of year for a good ghost story.

As it was, Dickens didn’t make much money from the sale of his book-the binding was very expensive-but he left the world a richer place, with an endearing yearly tradition. Given the events of the last four months, his messages of charity and hope are quite appropriate.

CHS’s Dickens’ Christmas Carol takes place on December 17, Sunday, at the former Crows Corner Bakery on Depot St. in Proctorsville starting at 3 pm. It will feature a variety of workshops, including wreath and ornament making, hot chocolate tasting, mince pies and maybe best of all, Cavendish ghost stories told round the hearth (more like a bonfire) in the evening. More information will be posted around Thanksgiving and will be part of the Dec. 1 CHS Briefs.

MUD OR SNOW, STILL WE GO

In October, the K-2^nd grade students at Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) visited the one room school on Center Rd and the Tings’ Farm on East Rd. The 1^st and 2^nd graders were being read Sandra Stearns’ book, “Cavendish Hillside Farm 1939 to 1957.” The students not only visited the school Sandy attended, but they “walked her home,” as the Tings’ Farm (called Morse Farm at the time) on East Rd is right next to Sandy’s childhood home.

We were thrilled to have Hollis Quinn give us a guided tour of the one room schoolhouse. Hollis was a first grader at the school and his mother, Jane Quinn, featured in Sandy’s book, was one of her teachers. Because the students enjoyed learning about Sandy’s childhood not only from her book but also the field trip, we thought people might enjoy learning about Halloween and included an excerpt at the CHS blog. Very popular, we've included another chapter, in keeping with the winter months ahead. This excerpt is from Sandy’s book, “Mud, Snow, Still We Go.”

We, today, have become pampered rural citizens. We expect our roads to be plowed and well sanded so we can come and go at any time without effort on our part.

This was not the way of life when I was growing up. A major snowstorm meant we would be “motor vehicle” stranded for 2 or 3 days at a time, until the old “Oshkosh” had time to open all the main arteries, working down to the less traveled roads. It did not cancel anything. Dad waded through the snow to and from work on the third shift at Gay Brothers Mill. We trod through the snow, sometimes waist deep to school each day. Jan, and later Don Ackley, being taller broke the trail and I floundered along behind. When the weather was below zero we bundled up in several layers of clothing, and with scarves over our faces, trekked to school. By the time we reached the Morgan Bridge, I would be frozen. “I’m going home,” I cried. “You might as well go on to school. You’re over halfway now! Jan would coaxingly reply. I have never remembered to check the distance on my speedometer, but I think it was a fib. Never the less, I continued on.

Outings with the car or truck were sometimes exciting. If it was snowing, chains might be installed before we left home. Most times, however, we knew the main road would be practically bare, at least in the middle, so we slid and slithered down to Belknap’s Sawmill. Driving on the bare tar quickly wore out a set of chains. The nearer we drew to home on our way back, the more anxious we became. Would we make it back up the hill? We never approached the hill directly. The corner by Ackley’s (now Don and Rita Elliot’s) [corner of Brook and East Roads] was turned. Then we backed across the bridge to get a start on the hill. Dad shifted into first, then into second as we gathered speed to attack the hill. What a glorious relief if we made it on the first try. Often this was not the case. Down the hill we backed, slipping and sliding. This time we backed across the bridge and around the sharp corner. Dad stepped on the gas more firmly and we shot up the hill, chewing our way up bit by bit. Sometimes we needed a third try. How heartbreaking to reach the top of the hill by the big rock and not have quite enough momentum to carry us over the top. Mom and we, kids, would disembark and gather up the perishable groceries, just in in case Dad didn’t make it on the last try, and carry them home. Dad would reverse to the bottom once more and put on the chains. Usually this would be enough to get the vehicle home. ….

During mud season Dad usually left the truck at Belknap’s and we walked home carrying whatever we had. If the shopping had been extra large, I was allowed to drive the horse and wagon back down to pick up the supplies. We knew the road was bad and never complained. Often some of the family would take a shovel and turn the water into the ditches, etc. Visitors didn’t know so much about road conditions and often tried to drive through. Dad has a single whiffletree and chain handy during mud season for towing out stranded motorists. I often rode the horse to the mired vehicle while Dad walked. As I grew older I went alone. One end of the chain was wrapped around the bumper (in those days a bumper was built to last) and the other end was attached to the whiffletree and tugs of the harness. Away we would go, the horse and I, pulling the car onto solid ground. Grateful drivers were thankful to be able to continue on their way and often pressed me to accept a token of their appreciation. I loved mud season and the profit I reaped from it.

Copies of “Cavendish Hillside Farm 1939 to 1957” are available in time for holiday gift giving by sending a check for $15, plus $5 shipping and handling to CHS, PO Box 472 Cavendish VT 05142. To pick up a copy, call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com

CAVENDISH, VT ..ONLINE, POLISH STYLE

While cleaning in the Museum, we came across a booklet that was written by Genevieve H. Koziol-Moore in August 2001, that was prefaced with, “This narrative is offered to provide a bird’s eye view of the Polish American persona and culture contributing to the fellowship of the community. My sincere thanks to Kamilia/Wanda Wirzbicki who initially approached me to record the data, to Sophie Antoniewicz-Snarski who motivated me to do it and Linda Welsh who became the catalytic agent to facilitate it. I appreciate Sophie’s editing of the draft and informative/sequence corrections for authenticity.

The daughter of Anthony and Mary Koziol, Genevieve was born October 23, 1921 in Proctorsville and died at the age of 90 in Chester, NY. She graduated from Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing in 1943, served in the US Army Nurse Corps, ETO from 1944-45 and acquired a BS and MA degree in Nursing Administration from New York University in 1964 and an MPS in Health Services Administration from the New School University in 1994. Her activities focused on reorganization, upgrading and updating sophisticated nursing services as Nursing Director in 5 hospitals and multiple departments in a Health Center as Assistant Executive Director. She pioneered, coordinated, and integrated safety, legal, business practices and positive mental health approaches in facilities throughout Rockland, Orange and Sullivan counties.

Mill Housing

Koziol-Moore’s parents immigrated to the U.S. when they were both 14. Anthony was employed at the nearby woolen factory, where he started being trained as a loom fixer. He met Mary Cijka and married when they were both 18. They lived and worked in Proctorsville. From then on the family moved every time Anthony left one mill to go to another for better remuneration or because production had decreased. At one time, the family moved 3 times in Proctorsville to be closer to employment. When I was born, we moved to Ludlow as Dad was working at the Jewel Brook Mill.

Dad acquired a job as an automatic loom fixer in Cavendish, at the Gay Woolen Mill so we moved to Cavendish. The owners of the mill provided 3 buildings across from the mill which had 4 and 5 room apartments at reasonable rates ($1.00 per week) for employees at the mill. Most of these were occupied by Polish families. It was known as “the block” and became an insular Polish community where only Polish was spoken.

Polish customs were observed on Holidays. The group was a stoical one but eagerly responded to any event like a birthday or a christening party to celebrate. A few of the White Russians (displaced Poles in Russia) were always there with an accordian and their fancy Cossack dancing. From habit, they talked White Russian, which the Polish children misinterpreted to be intentional. Food was available at Perkin’s Store, Anna Percy’s Store, a milk farm and migrant farmers selling vegetables and fruits.

The children were called “Square Head” by the rest of the community, implying they were mentally deficient. In response as the children started school speaking only Polish., they attempted to excel to eliminate the stigma and ramification of the name-calling. As they learned English they came home and taught their folks. ….Our parents were interested in knowing the derivation of the town name, Cavendish. Research in the library indicated that it was probably named after Lord Cavendish of England by the early English settlers. However, the derivation we as children preferred was based on local folklore: When early settlers and Indians lived together, one day an Indian was walking on a path by the cosw pasture when he saw that a calf had gone through the fence and had fallen in a ditch. He quickly ran to the farmer in the corn field and said in broken English, pointing to the path ‘Calf in dish.’ From then on the hamlet was called Cavendish.

The night of the flood that gutted the southern portion of Cavendish by the overflowing Black River from Ludlow, leaving a gully was a memorable night. Word came through that water by the dam in Ludlow was rising and it was uncertain if the dam would survive. We were instructed to pack knapsacks of only important items and to proceed to Olin Gay’s home on the hill behind the block. [The house owned by the Bonts until 2021] The thundering sound of the river and the line our refugees with flashlights following the path to safer terrain was awesome. The Olin Gays met us at the door to their huge living room and served us hot chocolate, coffee, sandwiches, cookies and doughnuts in front of their fireplace with a roaring fire. It was like being in a palace compared to our apartment without a bathtub. We stayed there until the rain abated and it was safe to return. However, no one could sleep as the thunder of water roaring down the fields towards Whitesville, where the night before it had excavated the Prokulewicz home and others, was prohibitive.

The Poles attended evening classes to learn English and naturalization requirements. There was much revelry periodically, with dinners served in the Ludlow and Proctorsville Grange Halls. The food was cooked by the women and then reheated in the hall kitchens. Usually after the dinner there was polka dancing. The young girls danced with each other, learning the steps by watching the adults. During the summer there were Polish Picnics at the Ludlow Soapstone Mine site attended by Poles near and far. Polish people love to eat, drink and be merry. A dancing platform was constructed, a live polka band officiated and the men cooked hotdogs, corn, hamburgers, kielbaszi and served sodas and beer. On occasion, street fairs were held in Proctorsville with dancing on the road in front of the school and fireworks in the evening.

YOUNG HISTORIANS-WITNESS TO A CENTURY

With the new school year comes a new program for Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES), a Young Historians Club after school for students in grades 3-6. We’re thrilled to have Gloria Leven as an integral part of the program. At a hundred years old, Gloria is “witness to a century.”

She grew up in Huntington, W VA, where her father, I. Ben Romer, was the manager of two departments stores-Huntington Dry Goods and Bradshaw-Diehl. When asked her about life during the Depression, she explained her father’s position keep the family well cared for. However, she had vivid memories of those in need and how her mother would help them.

Students are amazed that a candy bar, such as a Baby Ruth, was five cents and that there really was such a thing as “penny candy,” some of which was two pieces for a penny.

Gloria answers all the questions the students have, be it favorite Hollywood stars-she loved Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers-to what was it like to go to school.

Gloria went to a one room school house from first through six grades. From there she attended what she called “a real school.” Ultimately she graduated from Ohio State with a degree in social work. Her father was very clear that it was important for her to have a career and make her own living, and to do that, she needed to go to college.

PROCTORSVILLE QUARRY

One of the many events cancelled this summer thanks to the floods, was a hike to the quarry in Proctorsville. In response to questions we received about the quarry, in 1836, the Black River Marble and Soapstone Manufacturing company was established for extraction of the green serpentine rock -Verde Antique. The original quarry was located on the Black River, near Winery Road at a place formerly called Hart’s Bend. It was moved to its present location, off of Twenty Mile Stream Road in 1931 when Antonio Moriglioni operated the Quarry until the local mill owners squeezed him out of business during World War II. With the mills, and other area businesses having military contracts, they needed the power and viewed the quarry as a “luxury item,” and not necessary for the war effort. In 1989 the Ruby brothers, from Fair Haven, attempted to open the quarry but did not have the necessary equipment. In the late 1990’s Vermont Quarries (owned by an Italian company) bought a 20-year lease to remove stone. The quarry was worked for 3-4 years and then ceased. During this time, stone was shipped for cutting to Italy, Spain and Brazil.