USA > Vermont > Windham County > Jamaica > Historical notes : Jamaica, Windham county, Vermont > Part 5
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Mr. Fish operated a grist- and sawmill near the village on road 23. Later sold to A. B. Stark who operated it for about fifty years. Sold to Leon Cheney. This mill was totally destroyed by the hurricane and flood of Septem- ber 21, 1938.
Wardwell and Flint operated a sawmill at the base of Ball Mountain near the site of the "Indian Raid" about 1880.
In 1881 Alvin Frost operated a bowl and tray shop on Mechanic Street.
1
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JAMAICA, VERMONT
In 1884 F. W. Perry had a tannery.
In 1884 Edwin F. Russell operated a chair factory in the village.
In 1884 W. L. Barnes was blacksmith and carriage maker.
Orrin Johnson, Sr., was a skillful carpenter and his son, Orrin, helped him build some of the houses on Main Street, one of which is the Telephone Exchange Building. Orrin, Sr., was an expert basket maker, all sizes from four quarts up to three bushels.
Business Directory, Jamaica, 1868
Butler, John A .- West River Bank, Cashier
Felton, A. E .- Sawmill, Felton Street
Felton, H. H .- Tannery, Main Street Felton, H. L .- Tannery, Main Street
How, Caleb-Shoe Shop, Main Street How, Jerry-Boot and Shoe Shop, Main Street
Holton, Joel-Physician, Main Street
Kellogg, E. E .- Attorney, Main Street
Muzzy, Abijah-Store, Main Street, and Factory Street Chair Shop
Muzzy, J. B .- Farmer, Main and North Streets
Pierce, C. H .- Store, Main Street
Pierce, E. G .- Store, Main Street
Parsons, Livermore & Holton-B. & S. Shop, Mechanic Street
Reed, C. D .- Tannery, North Street
Sawyer, H. E .- Hotel, Main and Mechanic Streets
Sprague, L. N .- Agent, Main Street
Wheeler, H. H .- Attorney, Main Street
Young, C .- Butcher, Main Street
Abijah Muzzy in the early 1870's had a brick kiln across the brook at Goodell point on road 23 where he made bricks.
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HISTORICAL NOTES
Jamaica Cheese Association
Par value of shares $10.
Officers in 1892: David Eddy, President; J. C. Robin- son, Clerk.
Jamaica Lumber Co.
Officers in 1905 : W. C. Shields, President ; E. J. Hollen- beck, Treasurer; G. H. Hollenbeck, General Manager.
Jamaica Tannery, 1885 F. W. Perry and Son
Jamaica Glove Co., 1912 G. H. Hollenbeck and J. S. Buchanan
Lime Kilns
In District No. 9, on Turkey Mountain road No. 8, there were two lime kilns for burning limestone. This process was called air slacking and produced quicklime used in making mortar for building purposes. One kiln was owned by W. Thayer, the other by H. Howard.
Tanning Hides with Hemlock Bark
The hides are first freed from all hair and flesh, then salted, put in pickle liquor of salt and water in the tan pit and left soaking for the proper time, and worked fre- quently to keep them pliable. The action of the tannic acid in the bark does the work. Dried hides are treated the same.
Ferns for Florists
Fern pickers are required to pick fresh stems that are 12 inches long and tie in bunches of 24 stems. They are paid at the rate of one to three cents per bunch. Formerly the picking was better and pickers made from $3 to $6 per day when the season was good.
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JAMAICA, VERMONT
Jamaica at one time had these mills, shops, factories, and other business :
Gristmills
Tanneries
*Sawmills
*Basket Makers Cattle Dealers
Cider Mills
Cheese Factory
*Carpenters
Glove Factory
*Blacksmith Bees and Honey
Rake Factory
Bowl and Tray Factory
*Ferning Livery and Sale Stable
Coffin Shop
* Maple Syrup
Leather Shop
*Maple Sugar
Shoe Shop
Turkeys
*Stone Boats
*Undertaker
Mop Wringer Factory
Wood Pulp
Lime Kilns
Those marked with an asterisk (*) are still operating.
Jamaica Street Lighting, 1903
We the undersigned subscribers hereby agree to pay the sums set opposite our respective names, for the purpose of lighting the streets of Jamaica village for one year from December 1, 1903, the same to be paid quarterly at the Post Office, Savings Bank or to C. B. Alexander, no subscription to be binding until at least sixty dollars is subscribed.
Jamaica, Vermont, November 23, 1903
J. C. Robinson $5.00
J. A. Muzzy
3.00
D. Eddy
2.00
J. G. White
2.00
Mrs. Fannie Howard
2.00
F. G. Hosley
1.00
Mrs. Lucy Kellogg
2.00
H. Knights
2.00
J. B. Muzzy
1.00
Mrs. Edna Clark
1.00
Chair Factory
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HISTORICAL NOTES
A. B. Stark 3.00
Phineas Allen
1.00
B. M. Allen 1.00
Fred Rawson
1.00
J. C. Daggett 1.00
R. Daggett
1.00
D. Sherwin 1.00
F. Sellers
1.00
D. Howe
1.00
Charlie Howe
1.00
H. F. McLean
1.00
Harry Amsden
1.00
W. Barnes
2.00
L. Savage
.50
Mrs. Newman
2.00
Elton Williams
1.00
E. G. Taylor
.50
P. Boynton
.50
H. J. Sage
3.00
Milton Howard
1.00
H. O. Emerson
1.00
W. A. Newell
2.00
L. Emery
.50
A. E. Hartwell
1.50
Willie Bemis
.50
W. E. Foskett
2.00
E. E. Bemis
1.00
H. P. Boynton
1.00
F. E. Smith
2.00
H. A. Ellis
.50
L. O. Read
1.00
Leon Torrey
1.00
Mrs. Fay Ellis
1.00
Mason Howard
1.00
H. F. Willis
1.00
A. L. Howard
2.00
Myra Bemis
.50
C. H. Taynton
2.00
J. Q. Shumway
2.50
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JAMAICA, VERMONT
A. E. Shumway
2.00
E. H. McElwen
1.00
C. S. Clark
1.00
F. C. Brigham
5.00
R. Howard
1.00
J. H. Howard
1.00
A. A. Willis
.50
E. M. Spencer
1.00
J. H. Lyman
1.00
P. E. Howard
.50
Wales Cheney
1.00
E. W. Prouty
1.00
F. A. Ballard
1.00
C. L. Harrington
1.00
Ed. M. Wheeler
.50
J. M. Clark
.50
Electric Light Company
1900. C. A. Alexander started in the McLean mill with 110-volt direct current.
1903. McLean took over the plant and put in 110-volt alternating current.
1905. Sold to Windham Light and Lumber Co.
1907. Plant burned.
1912. Plant rebuilt.
1918. F. W. Mutch built small building for power plant.
1929. Sold to Wes-Lon Light and Power Co. and is con- trolled by the Colonial Utilities Co., a Delaware corpora- tion.
The Telephone Company
Was started in 1901 by Emery Melendy of South Lon- donderry as the Melendy Telephone Co., with a single line to the David Eddy store in Jamaica with Mrs. Chloe Eddy as operator and Miss Edith M. Clark, assistant op- erator. Later the Eddy store was bought by R. J. Daggett
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HISTORICAL NOTES
who continued the telephone. Mrs. Jennie Daggett was operator.
1922. The Melendy Telephone Co. sold to the Martin H. Gleason Telephone Co. of Wardsboro, with the exchange on Mechanic Street with Merton Perry, operator. Glea- son Co. sold to Windham Telephone Co., who sold to the New England Telephone & Telegraph Co., with the ex- change on Main Street. Mrs. Mildred Perry, operator.
Newspapers
The West River Republican Spy, April, 1884, monthly, published by H. E. Mundell. Motto, "Be just and fear not."
Jamaica Ginger. 1890-92. Published by H. E. Mundell. Weekly.
Business Directory, 1940
Banks-Jamaica Branch, Vermont Savings, John S. Rob- inson, Mgr.
Basket Maker-Henry Williams
Blacksmith-L. Chapin
Boats, Stone-Rawson Bros., Manley and Portley
Carpenters-W. A. Newell (also undertaker), Will Rush, William A. Rogers
Furs and Dressed Skins-Lester Williams
General Store-J. A. Muzzy Co., E. O. Allen, Mgr .; Ar- thur L. Lewis; George H. Gleason, East Jamaica; H. Kingsbury, Rawsonville; Edward J. Wells, Rawson- ville
Gift Shop-Lottie J. Girard : China, Glass, Fancy Work Grain Store-Frank A. Rush
Insurance-F. M. Butler, East Jamaica ; Roe E. Robinson Meat Market-E. E. Bemis
Painters-F. A. Chase (also Tourist Cabins) ; Harold Henderson, East Jamaica ; Otis R. Hefflon
Physician-Dr. O. V. Hefflon
REVILO HOWARD HOUSE.
Photograph by Caroline Lowe.
REMODELLED BY THE BOOKERS, 1930.
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JAMAICA, VERMONT
Road Side Stands-Edith M. Clark, Plants, Flowers, Floral Pieces; W. C. Lippincott, Milk, Poultry, Eggs, East Jamaica ; F. J. Rue, Poultry, Milk, and Vegetables Trucking-Charles L. Clark, Mark F. McLean, Clarence W. Pierce, Alden H. Torrey
Edith M. Clark's house on road 26 was at one time used as a parsonage by the Congregational church, when it stood on the foundation of the Knowlton house, near the bank building. The house was moved to its present site and Mr. Knowlton built a new home on the old lot. This house, a few years later, was exchanged for the John C. Robinson home on Mechanic Street, about 1890.
This house on Mechanic Street, next to the Revilo How- ard house, was at one time owned by Mr. Cheney and later by William Carr, who was drowned in the flood of 1869. Later it was owned by John C. Robinson, who ex- changed it for the Knowlton house on Main Street. After Mr. Knowlton it was used by Dr. Greenwood, and was totally destroyed by fire in 1902.
The building on Main Street, at the corner of Factory Street, was built by Dr. Joel Holton and was his home and office for over fifty years. When he came to Jamaica in 1831 he lived in the house now owned by W. A. Newell, then known as the Knowlton house. After Dr. Holton died the building was used as a home and store by David Eddy. It also was the post office and the telephone ex- change. Later it was owned by R. J. Daggett and is now owned by Arthur L. Lewis.
A List of Producers of Maple Syrup and Sugar
Bennett, Edward D. Bolster, Lyle Butler, Fred M., East Jamaica Crowninshield, Marcus L.
Hamilton, Charles H., Pikes Falls
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HISTORICAL NOTES
Knothe, Miss, Fancy Maple Candy, Pikes Falls Lippincott, W. C., East Jamaica Rogers, William A. Stark, Benjamin, East Jamaica Twing, Walter C., Pikes Falls Wright, John J., South Hill
MEMORIAL LIBRARY.
-
--
AUDIENCE AT DEDICATION.
por + 3
-
Photograph, John C. Henkel.
CHILDREN'S GROUP AT DEDICATION.
CHAPTER XI
LIBRARIES
1878. Jamaica Agricultural Society Jamaica, Vt. Agricultural Library
REGULATIONS
Any member of this Association who has complied with the rules of the Library, may, either by personal application or by his order, receive from the Librarian any book which may be in the Library at the time of his application, and retain the same for three weeks, and no member shall be allowed to have out more than one book at a time, or lend any book belonging to the Association.
Any member who shall detain a book for a longer period than is allowed, shall pay for each day that the book is so detained Three cents.
Any member who shall lose, mutilate, or materially injure a book, shall supply a new copy of the same, or pay to the Libra- rian the value of said book, or the just amount of damage; the same to be decided by the Librarian, or Executive Committee.
1884. Jamaica Library Association
EXTRACT
FROM THE REGULATIONS AND BY-LAWS OF THE JAMAICA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
Art. 1-Any member may, in person or by order, take any Book in the Library and retain the same for thirty (30) days. For each day after, he shall pay to the Librarian a fine of ten (10) cents per day.
Art. 2-No member shall be allowed to have but one book at a time, nor to lend books to any one.
84
HISTORICAL NOTES
Art. 3-Any book that is lost, torn, or unnecessarily injured, the person so doing shall replace it or pay for the same.
Art. 4-The President, Secretary, and Librarian, shall consti- tute a Purchasing Committee and may purchase books, and by vote of Library Association, make assessments not to exceed Two Dollars per annum for each member.
Art. 5-Any member neglecting to pay his assessments or fines to the Librarian within Ten days after being notified, shall for- feit his membership until his assessments or fines are paid.
1884. Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Had about 200 books.
1890. Baptist Church Sunday School. John Wolcott, Librarian. Had about 250 books.
1890. Congregational Church Sunday School. Had about 250 books.
Jamaica Memorial Library
1923. State of Vermont granted sanction.
February 2, 1924. Library opened.
January 1, 1934. Trustees bought the building.
August 22, 1934. Dedication.
1934. Collection catalogued by Miss Ruth Watts of the state F.E.R.A.
1938. Number of books circulated, 2430.
1938. Number of books added, 130.
January 1, 1940. Number of books catalogued, 3000.
Library open Saturday P.M.
Summer time 2 to 5. Winter time 1 to 4. Miss Harriet Watts, Librarian.
An Appeal Issued in 1923 for Contributions to the Memorial Library Fund
TO THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF JAMAICA:
It has been generally recognized for years that the Town of Jamaica stands in sore need of a Free Public Library. The town needs it as an essential part of its community life, but more especially it needs it for the benefit of its children of school age.
85
JAMAICA, VERMONT
At present, without a reference library of any kind, their school work is sorely handicapped. In this one respect alone, Jamaica is a step behind her immediate neighbors in civic progress.
At the town meeting of a year ago the voters took heed of this pressing need, and as an entering wedge, created a Board of Li- brary Trustees of five members to constitute the administrative body to carry on the work of a Public Library. Quarters have been secured, a capable librarian engaged, and necessary steps will be taken to secure our proportion of State aid as soon as a Public Library is assured.
In order that such a progressive institution may be assured we need an endowment fund; first, to provide the necessary equip- ment of books; and second, to apply the interest for necessary additions from time to time as they are needed. The happy solu- tion of this problem, we believe, is the creation of a Memorial Public Library Fund, which, instead of being a memorial to some one individual, or family, may be a memorial to all of the splendid men and women who at one time or another have been constructive factors in the community life of Jamaica.
We appeal to the loyal sons and daughters of Jamaica to take a share in this task, to contribute to a fund which shall stand as a lasting and constructive memorial to those men and women who gave us the blessed heritage of good citizenship. Contribu- tions to the proposed fund may be large or small, but we would like to have everyone represented. We would like to feel that all of the sons and daughters of Jamaica have had a part in making such a needed and useful institution possible. It will give every- one who contributes an equal sentimental interest in an effort which cannot fail to exert an exceptionally helpful influence in our community.
A Free Public Library will make Jamaica a better place in which to live. It will give Jamaica's budding citizens a much greater opportunity to profit by our Public School System. It will be for each of us who helps to create the Memorial Public Library Fund a sentimental tie to the Old Home Town which has meant so much in the lives of us all.
We urge you to do your share in making such a fund possible. Any sum, however small, may be contributed, but we wish especially that you register your approval of our plan by making
86
HISTORICAL NOTES
a contribution of some sort. Enclosed you will find a blank which, by signing and returning to us, will signify your approval of the Memorial Public Library Fund, upon which you may designate what amount you are willing to contribute, and a space in which you may specify the name or names of those in whose memory you make your contribution.
Please give this matter your thoughtful consideration, and if possible, mail your reply, with your contribution or pledge, at your earliest convenience.
Respectfully yours, (Mrs.) ELLA J. ROBINSON (Mr.) ERNEST O. ALLEN (Mrs.) MINNIE B. BUTLER (Mrs.) ANNA L. STARK (Mr.) MAX F. WOLFE Trustees of the Jamaica Public Library.
Historical Sketch Written by Harvey Gray of the Spring- field Union, and Read by Miss Mary Robinson at the Dedication of the Jamaica Memorial Library, August 22, 1934
Memorial libraries are no novelty. A tour through New England, or any part of the United States, in fact, will reveal countless libraries dedicated to the memory of some outstanding figure in a city's or town's history. It is a splendid gesture, this erection of a valuable adjunct to our institutions of learning as a monument to some outstanding man or woman.
But the exercises of today come as the result of quite a different type of memorial-a distinctive and signifi- cant type of memorial, in fact. For where these countless other Memorial Libraries are dedicated to the memories of individuals, or at most of family names, this Memo- rial Public Library of Jamaica is dedicated to the loving memory of scores of splendid men and women who in past years have contributed in greater or lesser degree to the civic life of this Windham County Town.
87
JAMAICA, VERMONT
There is an idea-or perhaps we should say ideal-be- hind this type of Memorial Public Library, for it memo- rializes a people, a community, and the many human factors which of necessity must be drawn upon to create what we recognize as "community welfare." The story of the conception of the idea of a free public library for Ja- maica, the preliminaries and finally the direct efforts taken to assure its establishment and permanence, is quite unique, and it might well serve as a pattern for other communities to follow in the establishment of similar in- stitutions. It is an idea which by its very nature will result in the library enduring for an indefinite period, gaining strength and increasing in influence and effectiveness as year follows year. For this is a memorial not only to men and women of Jamaica now passed away, but during the years to come it may serve as a memorial to those now living and to those as yet unborn.
It is, in short, a universal memorial to the best elements of manhood and womanhood which Jamaica has fostered since the days of its earliest settler, and a challenge to the present and future citizens of the town to keep its civic standards high and unassailable.
The founding of any institution, large or small, usually is based upon the prophetic vision of some individual, and in the case of Jamaica's Memorial Public Library we find no exception to this rule. The idea originated in the mind of a public spirited woman, Miss Luella Allen, who felt that the town would profit greatly by the establish- ment of a library which would not have to depend upon tax money for support. She felt that the men and women of the town and particularly the children would benefit greatly through the establishment of a town library and with this idea in mind she approached certain public spirited citizens and outlined her idea.
She discussed the idea particularly with Mrs. A. W. Thomas and later with the late Mrs. Ella J. Robinson.
88
HISTORICAL NOTES
Not only did she contribute the idea, but also stated that she would start the fund necessary for its establishment with a modest endowment. This she did eventually, then supplemented it with a sizeable additional amount which was to be designated as the "Mary Muzzy Fund."
Both Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Robinson lent their enthu- siastic support to the idea, even though Mrs. Thomas no longer was a resident of Jamaica. Every year, on Old Home Day, the subject was broached to the sons and daughters of Jamaica, including those who remained citi- zens of the town and those who had removed elsewhere. The idea had an instinctive appeal, but in spite of this and the fact that virtually no opposition developed, it was not until 1922 that matters could be shaped to war- rant a definite start being made. In the summer of that year, however, the sponsors, who had grown in number as their enthusiasm for the idea also had increased, be- lieved that the time had arrived to make a definite start. The text of an explanatory pamphlet was prepared and during the following fall and winter the pamphlet was published. Copies were sent to hundreds of former resi- dents of Jamaica, while virtually every resident of Ja- maica was approached to determine his or her attitude.
The idea, briefly, was this: As a memorial library it was to be-as previously stated-a general memorial to the men and women of Jamaica. Everyone could partici- pate, regardless of the amount of the contribution each made to the general endowment fund. A dollar contribu- tion assumed the same proportions as one amounting to hundreds of dollars. The idea was to give something ma- terial which would assist in the establishment and eventu- ally in an endowment of sufficient amount to render the institution entirely self-supporting. The ideal is yet to be realized to its fullest extent. Perhaps it never will be re- alized; but at least an impressive start was made and the culmination of the first important step has come to pass,
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JAMAICA, VERMONT
for today we are dedicating a building which is to be the permanent home of our library.
One of the most refreshing elements in the brief his- tory of the library has been the manner in which former residents have come to the support of the institution. They gave money, they lent enthusiastic and practical moral support and they made other gifts which have helped to a very material degree. John Knowlton, for ex- ample, gave liberally to the fund, while Judge James M. Tyler, though never a resident, left a portion of his splen- did library as a nucleus.
But of equal importance was the attitude and the ac- tions of many others, who, due to circumstances, were unable to donate large sums. They came with contribu- tions of varying amounts, but each came with the same eager and grateful spirit. They wished to have a part in a plan which they felt was constructive. It pleased them to feel that they were doing their share in inaugurating a highly worthy institution and that the institution they helped to found would serve as a memorial to names whom they held dear, just as it would serve as a similar memorial to many others.
It should be regarded as a definite recommendation of the worthiness of the idea that the library fund has come as the result of many small contributions rather than as the result of a few large one. The larger ones are greatly appreciated, never fear, but the smaller ones have had the same noble impetus behind them and others yet to come will be accepted in the same light.
For perhaps a year after that summer of 1922 the work of establishing the Memorial Public Library was of the preparatory type. Countless things remained to be done. The State authorities had to be consulted and their sanc- tion obtained. This finally was obtained and under the authority thus granted the Town of Jamaica elected its first library board of five members, the first board serv-
90
HISTORICAL NOTES
ing for varying terms to make it possible ultimately to elect a new member to the board each year and to serve for five years.
With this work accomplished the original board ob- tained a nucleus in the form of a supply of books, shelves were constructed through the liberality of local citizens, and on February 2, 1924, the library was opened for the first time, in a room in the home of Mrs. Robinson, which she had given for this purpose. Her diary states that there were 12 visitors on that first day.
The new library was small, the supply of books was limited and the means for increasing this supply also were restricted, for only the income derived from the memorial fund could be used to purchase new books. In spite of these restrictions the supply grew gradually, there were numerous gifts of books, including many ref- erence works which have proved of especial value to the children of our schools.
Until the summer of 1930 the library remained in Mrs. Robinson's home, then was moved to a room in the John Hamilton House. Later it was moved to a room in the old Waterman place, where it occupied a room once used by Judge Eleazer Waterman as a law office when that dis- tinguished son of Jamaica was still a resident here.
Ever and always, however, the desire was felt to obtain the equip a permanent home for the library, but the means were not available and the exact location did not seem obtainable.
Today, however, we have that permanent home, which was for many years the home of the late Mrs. Eliza Jacobs. It was a delightfully picturesque little home, reminiscent of its occupant of so many years. It is cen- tral, it is unusually attractive and it has proved ideally suited to our library needs. Mrs. Clara Henkel of Brattle- boro, daughter of Mrs. Jacobs, has been more than gen- erous and considerate in her negotiations. She named an
91
JAMAICA, VERMONT
extremely moderate figure and in addition permitted the library board to sell any of the effects and use the money thus obtained for adapting the property for use as a li- brary.
When we consider this new home for the library one name stands out-the name of Dr. Warren E. Booker- for he has been the very spirit of loyalty and generosity in the manner in which he has given of his time and means to make this permanent home for the library a reality. This he has done gladly, with no thought of material re- turn.
He has been ably seconded by numerous others, who likewise have contributed liberally of their time and ma- terials. Among these are Wales A. Newell, E. A. Cook and Harley Boynton, all of whom responded willingly and generously to the call for volunteers. As a result of their efforts the library now stands completed. It is ex- cellently equipped and that equipment, for the most part, has come as the result of voluntary contributions of ma- terials and services.
It is a library of which the town may well be proud. It gives our children something substantial, it gives our men and women the means of healthful relaxation and enjoyment. It is something upon which to build, some- thing for which we may plan during the years to come.
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