USA > Vermont > Orleans County > Craftsbury > Historical celebrations in Craftsbury, Vermont, 1889-1941 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
The number of its inhabitants was about eighty-five thou- sand, found in one hundred and eighty-five towns. More than seventy-seven thousand of these were south of the Winooski and Wells Rivers. The most populous town north of these rivers was Danville, with a population of five hundred and sev- enty-four. (The most populous town in the state was Guilford.) The population of Craftsbury was eighteen, of Greensboro nine- teen. In 1860 Craftsbury had one thousand four hundred and thirteen people, only Derby with about twenty-five hundred, and Barton, with fifteen hundred, exceeding it.
Craftsbury's first Town Representative was Ebenezer Crafts, 1792-3.
Craftsbury has given to the State two Governors, Samuel C. Crafts and the writer of this article; two Representatives in Congress, Samuel C. Crafts and Augustus Young ; and several other state officers, among whom are three presidential electors -Samuel C. Crafts, who voted for William Henry Harrison and John Tyler; James W. Simpson who voted for Abraham Lin- coln and Andrew Johnson ; and Horace F. Graham who voted for William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt; so far they have all been on the winning side.
March 4, 1941
Horace F. Graham
50
HISTORICAL CELEBRATIONS
APPENDIX A
PETITION OF COL. EBENEZER CRAFTS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VERMONT 1788
The Honorable General Assembly of the State of Vermont to be Holden at Manchester on the third Tuesday of October next
The Petition of Ebenezer Crafts now at Minden in the County of Chittenden Humbly Sheweth-that about Six years ago the Honoble General Assembly of Vermont was pleased to Grant a Township to your Petitioner and Associates it is of re- cent date we could obtain the survey of the out lines, last sum- mer we got it lotted out &c-in May last we set out from the County of Worcester to begin the Settlements to the Number of 15 persons with Teams Stock &c having understood that the Hon'ble Court had made provision that Hayzen Road so Called Should be repair'd and a Tax laid on the lands of the Proprietors for that purpose but when we arived at Pechem found to our mortifacation the Road impassable for near 30 Miles-we were nearly 200 Miles from our homes could not return without great Injury to our selves and impead the Settlement of our Township we therefore hired our Cattle & horses to pasture to the number of 15 head nearly a fortnate and went to work in Clearing the road makeing Causeways Repairing & building Bridges until we expended one hundred & 51/2 days Work of hard Labour before we reached the line of Minden the road we made so far Passable that we have transported about 54 hundred at four Jorneys from Peachem with a Team Consisting of three Yoke of oxen Your Petitioner is far from representing or desirous of being under- stood that he has made a good road of it but Wishis and prays the Honorable Court to adopt some effectual measure to oblige the Propprietors of the Townships from Peacham to Minden to Contribute a Tollerable sufficiency to repair the roads & build Bridges Your Petitioner prays that the Hon'l Court would Grant a Tax of at least one penny Half- penny upon each & every acre in Dewes Gore Danvill Cabot Walden Hardwick Greensborough & Minden laying two pence on Minden for the purpose of makeing your Petitioner a reasonable Compensation for what he hath expended ; but also to repair and make the roads Good, for Your Honours may rely up- on it that it will be of the first Consequence in the Settlement of this part of the State Many Good Subjects that wish to remove into this part of the state but are not able on account of the badness of the roads for a person cannot even hire a horse to perform a days work which is computed about 15 Miles, under a Doller-and further Your Petitioner cannot Se that there is any Justice or propriety in some Towns or the proprietors thereof, Neglecting their duty in Settleing as by the Charter required, to
51
CRAFTSBURY, VERMONT
the disadvantage of Others, from Cabbot to Minden, Nearly 20 Miles not a Settler or but mearly Nothing done but as it is on their Risque it is not my business-altho Towns beyond them by Settling enhances the Value of their Lands; Your Petitioner asks for nothing more than a Tax on those proprietors to make the road good and passable for those who wish to transport there familys and Goods through them,-Your Petitioner feels a Con- scious Satisfaction in the propriety of his request and prays that if Granted of which he hath no doubt that the General Court would commit the management of it into the hands of the sur- veyor General or Some other Gentleman that will effect the pur- pose
In duty bound will ever pray
Ebenez'r Crafts
Minden Septemb'r 4th 1788-
NB the labour done on the road as mentioned in this peti- tion is all on my expense
(Filing) Eben'r Crafts Petition filed Oct. 14th 1788
Attest Ros'l Hopkins Sec'y.
(Committee Report)
Manchester Oct. 15 1788
To the Honourable General assembly Now Sitting the Commitee to whom was Refered the within petition Report as our oppinion that two pence on Each acares of land in Minden publick Rights Exepted be Granted on the within petition and bring in a bill accordingly by
Israel Morey comtee
In Assembly 24th Oct. read & accepted
Attest Stephen Jacobs Clerk
From Mss. State Papers of Vermont, Vol. 18, p. 10
The act was passed on October 25th, 1788. Jesse Leavenworth, Ebenezer Crafts and Lyman Hitchcock were made accountable to the County Court for the expenditure of the tax, which David Blanchard was to collect. Usual arrangements for sale of lands for unpaid taxes and redemption within one year were incor- porated in the act which is recorded in Mss. Laws of Vermont, vol 2, p. 283
52
HISTORICAL CELEBRATIONS
APPENDIX B
Complete Text of Address prepared by Hon. Charles A. Plumley for the Craftsbury Sesquicentennial, 1939
When I was Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives back in 1908 my attention was called to that list of names of my predecessors which appears in the Legislative Directory, and. in which list the name of Samuel Chandler Crafts stands out like a sore thumb, for he was Clerk in 1798 and 1799. Prior to being Clerk he had been a member of the House as of 1796 ; he was the Town Clerk of Craftsbury in 1792; he represented Craftsbury in the Legislature four or five times, and as I recall it, he was the youngest delegate to the Vermont Constitutional Convention which was held in 1793. As has been stated as a member of the Council, Governor of the State, member of Congress from March 4, 1817 to March 3, 1825 and United States Senator from April 23, 1842 to March 3, 1843, when he came back to Craftsbury of his own volition, his was an eventful and efficient life, and the world was the better for his having lived in it.
He was an integrant part of stubborn soil, his roots were here where man companions with the deer and shares the ves- per sparrow's song at silver eventide, and here at last he was laid to rest within these borders, bounded by New England walls and mountain-high horizons.
He was typical of the day and age in which he lived; he was not a theorist and he did not claim to be a philosopher. The only theory he and his compatriots had was that every man was a man, with the right to make the most of himself and every- thing, and what he could, and without government aid or inter- ference.
They had no Utopian theory of a more abundant life than the one they could carve out for themselves, and by themselves.
They had the innate, intense and ineradicable notion that a man had a right to be free, to be secure; and they undertook to pass on to all their posterity that freedom and security there. So they opened school houses, built churches; made laws that suited their consciences, and secured the rights of individuals.
They meant exactly what they said, and they said exactly what they meant, and as a consequence from those little green hills and valleys we love, and those humble unpretentious homes which are found in our little state, there have walked out, and there still will walk out, through all the splendid history of the days to come, men and women whose deeds have changed and
53
CRAFTSBURY, VERMONT
will change the map and the current of the history of the world, whose accomplishments are the possession and the proud heri- tage of us all.
So it is true that in every crisis and at every high point in his- tory since the Green Mountain Boys laid claim to the territory we now know and love as Vermont, the every-day, unknighted, unplumed citizens of our little state, unmoved by aught save their sense of duty, have stood in the ranks, done the day's work, asked naught of any man, served the state and served the nation. And they will do it again, if and when occasion requires.
The story that the ages tell is that no method of procedure has ever been devised by which liberty could be divorced from local self-government. So often tried it has as often and always failed.
It is the threat of totalitarianism and paternalism further ex- tended which should shake us into a realizing sense of our duties and our responsibilities as Americans, whatever party label we may wear upon our sleeves.
The danger is that millions of Americans do not realize the gravity of the situation in which democracy finds itself today. It is not vested with an inevitable immortality. It has died be- fore in history. All this can happen here, may happen here, and on this continent and in this generation. No price we may be called upon to pay will be too great to prevent it, for history proves and experience teaches that in the long run democracy is safer and superior to dictatorship. Under no other system can the world be made an even reasonably safe place in which to live.
Early this morning and late last evening I listened to the war news. I studied the map of Europe and having occasion to refer to the dictionary that page on which are reproduced the flags of the countries of the world had spread out before me. As I looked at them all, and then at the stars and stripes, and again as I drove up the hill and saw "Old Glory" flying to the breeze in the yard of Governor Graham, I was reminded of the fact that recently we celebrated the 160th anniversary of the designation of our flag, by the Continental Congress, whose stripes, straight and true, now as then, point to the original American thrust against tyranny. Its field of stars representing a constellation has expanded to reveal the greatest aggregation of self-govern- ing states on the face of the earth.
The flag these days should remind each and every one of us of the noble and glorious traditions of our country, which are ours. It waved at Lexington, conquered at Bunker Hill and King's mountain; ensanguined, but glorified with fratricidal blood it was raised at Chickamauga and Chancellorsville and
54
HISTORICAL CELEBRATIONS
Gettysburg. It flew from the masthead of the Oregon as Clark sailed around the Horn, and was triumphant with Dewey and Sampson at Manila and Santiago; at Belleau Wood, Chateau Thierry and the Argonne, and in countless battles across the seas it led the way to victory, inspiring our soldiers and sailors to up- hold the honor, prestige and glory for which it stood.
The symbol of a constitutional democracy assuring all pro- tection of the personal liberties of the humble citizen, it stands the guardian over the security of a vast domain of incredible wealth, the while it is the protector of our firesides and our altars.
As the symbol of the heart and soul and patriotic consecra- tion of the people of a very great nation it typifies a century and a half of magnificent history and is of a value inestimable and immeasurable.
Our flag is what we make it and keep it. It means only what we make it mean. It must be fought for and rededicated day by day. There is room under the American flag for change and growth. The revolution from which it was born was our first forward charge in man's age-long struggle to loose himself from every form of involuntary servitude. The times in which we live today call for an abiding faith in democracy and in the American traditions of self-government. There is no room be- neath the flag of free man for the solution of our problems by any other method.
There is no banner in all the world that carried such hope, such promise, such grandeur of spirit as the stars and stripes. It was made by liberty, and for liberty, and carried in its service, but never once in all the world, nor shall it ever, be made to stoop to dictatorship or despotism. It is no painted rag. Hopes in its folds are embraced, and in them are emblazoned our whole national history.
"It is the constitution.
"It is the government.
"It is the free people who stand in the government on the constitution."
Charles A. Plumley
55
CRAFTSBURY, VERMONT
APPENDIX C
Biographical Note on Hon. James Harry Covington, one of the Speakers at the Craftsbury Sesquicentennial August 24, 1939
COVINGTON, JAMES HARRY, a Representative from Maryland; born in Easton, Talbot County, Md., May 3, 1870 ; re- ceived an academic training in the public schools of Talbot Coun- ty and the Maryland Military Academy at Oxford; entered the law department of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadel- phia in 1891, attending at the same time special lectures in his- tory, literature, and economics, and was graduated from that in- stitution in 1894 ; commenced the practice of law in Easton, Md .; unsuccessful Democratic nominee for the State senate in 1901; State's attorney for Talbot County 1903-1908 ; elected as a Demo- crat to the Sixty-first, Sixty-second, and Sixty-third Congresses, and served from March 4, 1909, until his resignation on Septem- ber 30, 1914, to accept a judicial position; chief justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia from October 1, 1914, to June 1, 1918, when he resigned; professor of law in George- town University, Washington, D. C., 1914-1919; appointed by President Wilson a member of the United States Railroad Com- mission in January, 1918; resumed the practice of law in Wash- ington, D. C. Judge Covington died at his home in Washing- ton on February 4, 1942.
56
HISTORICAL CELEBRATIONS
APPENDIX D
CASH RECORD OF CRAFTSBURY SESQUI- CENTENNIAL
Cash Receipts
1939
Aug. 22 Subscriptions
$316.50
22 Contributions for marker :
Orleans County
Historical Society
$20.00
Y. P. C. U. Society
10.00
Citizens of Greensboro 10.00 Miss Jean Simpson 10.00
50.00
23 Entertainment
81.88
24 Dinner
20.35
24 Refreshment Stand
28.04
$496.77
$496.77
Aug. 26 Balance on Hand
94.97
Cash Payments
1939
Feb. 11 Printing and Postals
$ 3.00
Mar. 8
Postage and postals
2.93
8 Stationery
10.50
Aug. 26 Advertising
41.59
26 Printing and envelopes
7.05
26 Stencils and paper
.70
26 Sports committee
6.25
26 Hazen Road Marker
65.00
26
Parade Committee
19.50
26
. Fireworks
215.00
26 Lumber
6.65
26 Telephone and Special Delivery
3.00
26 Stenographer
11.50
26 Announcer
8.00
26 Gasoline and nails
1.13
Total Disbursement
401.80
Aug. 26
Balance
94.97
$496.77
It was voted at a meeting of the Sesquicentennial Commit- tee, held in September, 1939, to invest the Balance in the print- ing of a Souvenir Book about the celebration.
57
CRAFTSBURY, VERMONT
APPENDIX E
"The First Town Meeting of Craftsbury" (from the Town Clerk's Records of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Town Meetings, 1792, 1793 and 1794)
Scene: Living-room in Colonel Ebenezer Crafts' Home, March 15, 1792.
Samuel Crafts is on the Stage arranging papers, ink-well, etc., on a table.
Enter Colonel Ebenezer Crafts and Mrs. Mehitabel Crafts.
Col. C. Is everything in readiness for the Meeting, Samuel? Sam. C. Yes, Father, I think so.
Mrs. C. Oh Ebenezer, I fear you will need more seats. (call- ing off-stage) to Lucretia Matilda, bring in some chairs !
L. M. Crafts (entering with a stool) This is the only seat I can find, Mother ; our chairs are all in here now.
Sam. C. (looking off-stage in the other direction) Look, Father! Here are two men on snow-shoes coming to the door.
Col. C. (looking likewise) It is John McDaniel, the Justice of the Peace from Hyde Park. I am glad he has come in time to take charge of the Meeting.
L. M. Just think of coming all that way from Hyde Park on snow-shoes !
(Col. C. and Sam. have gone to side of stage representing the door; they re-enter with John McDaniel and Captain Jed- ediah Hyde)
J. McD. Good afternoon Colonel Crafts ; good afternoon, Mis- tress Crafts. I have the honor to present to you my good friend Captain Jedediah Hyde.
Col. C. Welcome, Justice McDaniel; welcome, Captain Hyde. We are indeed honored by your travelling so far through the wilderness to take charge of our Meeting.
J. McD. Colonel Crafts, we deem it a privilege to be present at the organization of this young township which bears your name.
Sam. Let us relieve you of your snow-shoes, Gentlemen. (He and L. M. take out the snow-shoes and wraps of the two men. Then they re-enter)
Mrs. C. Was it not hard to find your way without any roads- and was the travelling difficult, Gentlemen? (Col. C. is looking out toward the door)
Cap. Hyde We found our way mostly by compass, Mistress Crafts; and for the most part our snow-shoes carried us easily over the crust. However, in some places in the woods the going was right heavy.
58
HISTORICAL CELEBRATIONS
Col. C. Here come the Freeholders now! (he and Sam. go to- ward the door)
Mrs. C. Come, Lucretia Matilda, let us help the gentlemen with their wraps. (they go)
(The Citizens enter ; two or three together ; then the rest)
Col. C. Friends and neighbors, let me present Justice McDaniel of Hyde Park, who has just arrived to take charge of our Meeting ; and Captain Jedediah Hyde.
(All bow in turn to J. McD. and Cap. H., as Col. C. calls their names; they murmur "most gratified to meet you," or "hon- ored," as they pass ; all stand around)
Col. C. Take chairs, Gentlemen; make yourselves as comfort- able as you may. I am sorry that I cannot offer better ac- commodation. (All sit)
Nathan Cutler. We are very comfortable, Colonel, truly.
Joseph Scott (aside to Robert Trumbull) The Colonel's big log- house seems like a palace to me, compared to my little cab- in.
R. Trumbull. Indeed it seems the same to me.
J. McD. Is everyone here now, Colonel ?
Col. C. Yes, I think so, Justice McDaniel.
J. McD. Then I will call this meeting to order by first reading the warrant therefor. (reads :) Whereas application has been made to me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace for the County of Chittenden, by more than four of the Inhabit- ants & freeholders of the Town of Craftsbury alias Minden in said County, requesting a town meeting to be warned in sd. Craftsbury some time in the month of March next, for the purpose of chooseing town officers for the year ensueing, & as the Law directs. These are therefore, by the authority of the State of Vermont to warn the Inhabitants of said Town of Craftsbury, by Law quallifyed to vote in Town meeting, to meet at the dwelling house of Col. Eben'r Crafts in said Craftsbury on Thursday the fifteenth day of March next at one o'clock P. M., then and there to chose town of- ficers for the year ensueing as the Law directs, & do any other business that may be fairly offered in sd. meeting Dated in Hydespark the 24th day February AD 1792 John McDaniels Just. Peace
And now, it being the 15th day of March, A. D. 1792, at one of the clock in the afternoon, and the Inhabitants of the Town of Craftsbury being met agreeable to notification, I declare this Meeting open. (All straighten up in their sèats) The first article to be voted upon is the choosing of a Moderator.
Nehemiah Lyon. I nominate Colonel Ebenezer Crafts!
John Corey. I second the nomination.
All. I agree! Yes, yes! Colonel Crafts! Ebenezer Crafts! J. McD. Well, Colonel, it seems to be unanimous. Mr. Modera-
59
CRAFTSBURY, VERMONT
tor, I turn this Meeting over to you. (he gives Col. C. his place at the table) (All rise and clap)
Col. C. Fellow-townsmen, I am most sincerely grateful to you. You did me much honor when you changed the name of our Town from Minden to Craftsbury; you honored me further by holding this Meeting in my home; and now you elect me for your Moderator. I am deeply sensible of all these honors, and I shall truly endeavor to serve our Town to the best of my ability. Will you now proceed to the election of a Town Clerk?
Daniel Mason. I nominate John Babcock for Town Clerk.
John Babcock (rising) Mr. Moderator Crafts, I feel that I can- not properly fill that office. I should like to nominate Samuel Crafts for Town Clerk.
R. Trumbull. I second the nomination.
All. Aye, aye! Sam Crafts, Sam Crafts .!
Col. C. Well, Samuel, it looks as if you are elected Town Clerk. Sam. C. (bowing) I sincerely thank my fellow-citizens for the trust which they have reposed in me.
Col. C. Come here, Samuel, get busy with your pen and paper. (Sam. sits at end of table and writes busily) Next in order is the choosing of three Selectmen-whom will you have?
N. Cutler (rising) I nominate Colonel Crafts for Selectman. John Corey. I second that nomination !
John Babcock. I nominate Nathan Cutler !
N. Lyon. I second it, I second it !
Joseph Scott. I nominate Nehemiah Lyon.
Ephraim Morse. I second that nomination.
Col. C. Are there any other nominations? (silence) All. in favor of Nathan Cutler, Nehemiah Lyon and myself serving as Selectmen, say Aye.
All. (with a roar) Aye! (N. Lyon and N. Cutler rise and bow)
N. Lyon and N. Cutler. Thank you, gentlemen, thank you. (they sit)
Col. C. . We now have the office of Constable to fill.
E. Morse. I nominate Joseph Scott !
J. Babcock. I second the nomination.
Col. C. All in favor say Aye.
All. Aye! Joseph Scott! Aye, aye !
Col. C. Joseph Scott is unanimously elected Constable. (J. Scott rises and bows) And now do I hear of any other bus- iness to be offered in this Meeting?
N. Cutler. Mr. Moderator, I think the Town should do some- thing about roads.
Several Voices. Hear, hear !
N. Cutler. It is nigh three years since we started settling this Town, and our efforts are continually being hampered by the lack of good roads.
60
HISTORICAL CELEBRATIONS
Col. C. Well, what, in the opinion of the Meeting, should be done about roads ?
N. Cutler. I move that the Town be divided into two districts for the laying out of roads; that part of the Town lying east of the Trout Brook shall be one district, and the part on the west shall be the other.
Robert Trumbull. I second that motion.
Col. C. You have heard this motion made by Nathan Cutler and seconded by Robert Trumbull; all in favor thereof signify by saying Aye.
All. Aye !
Col. C. The motion is carried.
N. Cutler. Mr. Moderator, I should like to move further that John Corey be the surveyor in the west district, and John Babcock in the east.
Joseph Scott. I second it.
Col. C. All in favor?
All. Aye !
Col. C. It is a vote. (J. Babcock and J. Corey rise and bow. J. Babcock sits)
J. Corey (standing) Will we not need to raise a tax for main- taining these roads?
Mills Merrifield. I move that a tax of twelve pounds be raised for the purpose of repairing and making the roads passable. E. Morse. Mr. Merrifield, that isn't enough.
R. Trumbull. But Ephraim, how could we possibly hope to raise any more ?
John Babcock. And what about breaking roads in winter?
Mills. M. I further move that one half of the said twelve pounds be laid out in summer, and the remainder in winter, in breaking roads.
Col. C. Is this motion made by Mills Merrifield seconded ? R. Trumbull. I second it.
Col. C. All in favor -?
Some (rather weakly) Aye. (Some shake their heads)
Col. C. Contrary minded ?
Someone (feebly) No.
Col. C. The Ayes have it, and the motion is carried.
John Corey. If we raise money by taxes, we shall need a Town Treasurer.
N. Cutler. You are right, Neighbor Corey. I nominate Daniel Mason for Town Treasurer.
Mills M. I second the nomination.
Col. C. All in favor ?
All. Aye !
Col. C. Well, Daniel, it seems you have the job of Town Treas- urer.
Daniel Mason. (rising and bowing) A rather thankless task, I fear. Nevertheless I appreciate your confidence, and I shall discharge my duties to the best of my capacity.
61
CRAFTSBURY, VERMONT
Nathaniel Babcock. I should like to nominate Ephraim Morse for the office of Sealer of Weights and Measures.
William Scott. I second that nomination.
Col. C. You have heard Ephraim Morse nominated by Nathan- iel Babcock and seconded by William Scott ; all in favor say : Aye.
All. Aye, Aye !
Col. C. Ephraim Morse is elected Sealer of Weights and Meas- ures. (E. Morse rises and bows.)
Mills M. I should like to make a further motion concerning roads, namely that the Selectmen be directed to survey by compass such roads as shall be thought necessary, before the Surveyors direct labor to be laid out thereon.
E. Morse. I second that motion !
Col. C. All in favor -?
All. Aye !
Col. C. The motion is carried.
Robert Trumbull. I think we should make a further ruling with regard to roads, winter roads in particular. We shall have difficulty in keeping our public roads open in winter if some people persist in driving narrow ox-sleds over them .. move therefore that no person belonging to this Town, after this present season, shall attempt to drive an ox-sled less than four feet wide in any public road in this Town.
N. Cutler. That's a very good ruling, Robert, but how are we going to enforce it? Constable Scott cannot be all over town at once, you know. (J. Scott chuckles)
R. Trumbull. Well, I will add this to my motion: if anyone does attempt to drive an ox-sled less than four feet wide over our public roads, he shall forfeit the said sled, to be sold at Public Vendue, and the money so arising shall be given to the poor, by order and direction of the Selectmen.
N. Cutler. I second this motion.
Col. C. You have heard this motion made by Robert Trumbull and seconded by Nathan Cutler ; all in favor make manifest by saying Aye.
All. Aye !
Col. C. The motion is carried. Is there any further business to be offered ?
John Corey. Mr. Moderator, I should like to bring up the mat- ter of the Town making a grant of any sum to be expended in schooling the children during the ensuing year-said sum to be granted in money, wheat, or any other way.
J. Babcock. I move that 25 bushel of wheat be raised to be ex- pended in schooling the children.
J. Corey. I second that motion, and I further move that Nehemiah Lyon, Daniel Mason and Joseph Scott be a Com- mittee to superintend the schooling.
E. Morse. I second that motion !
62
HISTORICAL CELEBRATIONS
Col. C. You have heard these motions made and seconded- what is your pleasure?
All. Aye, Aye! We agree! They're all good men !
Col. C. The motions about schooling the children are carried. Have you any further business ?
L. M. (entering to the edge of the stage) Excuse me, Sir, but my Mother desires me to say that when you Gentlemen have finished your business, you will please pass into the kitchen, where she has some refreshment prepared for you.
J. McD. A very pleasant message indeed !
Cap. Hyde. And a very pretty messenger ! (He rises and bows as L. M. goes out)
N. Lyon. I want to make a motion-I move that all Town and Freemen's Meetings for the future be held at the house of Ebenezer Crafts, until some more convenient place be ap- pointed.
All. We second that motion-aye, aye! (some begin to get up from their seats)
Col. C. (laughing) Gentlemen, Gentlemen, any further busi- ness ?
Daniel Mason. I move that this Meeting be dissolved.
All. I second it-Aye, aye !
Mrs. Crafts (stepping into the end of the room) Come this way, Gentlemen.
Nathaniel Babcock. Thank you, Mistress Crafts.
William Scott. Thank you, Mistress Crafts.
Col. C. Lead the way, Mehitabel. We'll be with you.
(Mrs. C. leads them out ; Col. C. and J. McD bring up the rear)
(Note: during the Meeting, each one who makes or seconds a motion should rise to speak. When Col. C. declares a mo- tion carried, he should pound with his hammer-gavel.)
Cast of Characters in "The First Town Meeting of Craftsbury."
Colonel Ebenezer Crafts
Mrs. Mehitabel Crafts
Samuel Crafts Lucretia Matilda Crafts
Joseph Scott Nathan Cutler Nehemiah Lyon Robert Trumbull
Ephraim Morse John Babcock John Corey Nathaniel Babcock
Martin Sawyer
Adelaide Dustan
Neil Goodwin
Dorothy Paterson, on March 4th, and Harriet Dustan on August 21st. George Dunn
Martin Johnson
William Dustan
Ray Reid, on March 4th, and William Tillotson on August 21st. Vernon Dunn
William Anderson
Henry Clapp Theron Strong
63
CRAFTSBURY, VERMONT
Mills Merrifield William Scott Daniel Mason John McDaniel, Justice of the Peace from Hyde Park
Captain Jedediah Hyde, of Hyde Park
Allen Pike Foster Tillotson Louis Marckres Earl Wilson
Clyde Simmons
Members of the Committee for the August Sesquicentennial Celebration :
President, Jean W. Simpson ; Vice-president, Thomas John- son ; Secretary, Mary H. Bailey ; Treasurer, Euna Anderson.
Chairmen of Sub-Committees : Finance, George Dunn ; Pub- licity, Harriet Dustan; Entertainment, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clapp; Program, Hon. Horace F. Graham; Grounds, Martin Sawyer; Exhibitions, Mrs. Kate Dutton and Mrs. Helen Dus- tan; Art Exhibit, Searchlight Club; Sports, Frank Young ; Parade, Penelope Easton ; Refreshment Stands, Vernon Dunn.
2737
:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.