USA > Vermont > Windham County > Jamaica > Historical notes : Jamaica, Windham county, Vermont > Part 6
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But, though we may regard it truly as a "going in- stitution," the work actually has barely begun. It should stand now as a challenge-a challenge to our pride, our efforts in behalf of the succeeding generations of children of Jamaica, and our spirit of progress. As it stands the library provides well-rounded means for cultural ad- vancement. But it is by no means complete. It is far from complete, in fact. There are many works on its shelves which serve as valuable sources of reference material, but much-a great deal, in fact-is still missing. The li- brary needs many more standard works of reference. It needs a greater number of high-quality books of fiction.
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HISTORICAL NOTES
But more than anything else, it needs a greater endow- ment to make it possible to expand the library service. As matters stand now it is possible to open the library for a few hours on one day each week. It makes no allow- ance whatever for evening openings, when the men and women of Jamaica might enjoy its facilities. The lack of funds with which to make this possible is responsible.
The library has no index system, for these are expen- sive things, requiring the services of someone especially trained in library work to carry it out. An index would increase the value of the store of books already in the li- brary's possession to an impressive degree, but for the present at least things must go on as they are.
But this situation should serve as a challenge. There are plenty of opportunities for development. Plenty of opportunity for growth. The State stands ready to help if it is shown that such help will serve a practical pur- pose. But to obtain that help it must be shown that those who benefit from this institution are capable of helping themselves. The work of increasing the library endow- ment should be carried on with increasing vigor. Here is a splendid achievement, this permanent home. It should serve not merely as a structure in which to house the town's memorial library, but a cornerstone upon which the town and its people may build for the future. The library now has a store of approximately 1200 books, through the generosity of many people, not the least of whom is Mrs. Frances L. Nash of New Ipswich, New Hampshire.
But the memorial idea never should be permitted to lag. The memorial fund should be constantly increasing, for this memorial idea is one which never should be per- mitted to become dormant. Additions to the fund today, tomorrow, next month, a year or five, ten or twenty years from now will show that the people of Jamaica, and for- mer residents who remain loyal to the place of their birth,
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JAMAICA, VERMONT
are fully appreciative of the start which has been made and that they stand for progress and for civic advance- ment.
Let the library idea grow! Let it never cease from growing! Let it truly become a memorial to Jamaica, past, present, and future, a civic institution with a whole- some, helpful objective. What we do now will bear fruit unceasingly during the years to come. The library has been given the spark of life. Let that spark be fanned into a flame which will serve as a perpetual beacon on the road to civic progress.
Contributors to the Jamaica Memorial Fund
The interest only may be used.
Names
In Memory Of
Allen, Mrs. Luella M.
Mary O. Muzzy
Allen, Arthur M.
Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. C. F.
Barnes, Mrs. Almira C.
Bemis, Frances A.
Berger, Emma K.
Booker, Dr. and Mrs. W. E.
Boyden, Ethel Waterman
Brazer, Paul and Doris Chase, Laura W.
David and Louisa Twitchell Samuel T. R. Cheney
Cheney, Nettie M. Cheney, Leon M. Clark, Edith M.
Mother
Cushman, Mrs. Myra Eddy, Mrs. C. J.
Ellis, Mrs. F. L. Fussell, Mary H.
Silas Parsons Martha Brown Cheney
Hannah Brown Kingsbury
Laura Wood Chase
Chandler and Polly Thayer Waterman
George Holton and David Eddy Fay L. Ellis Hannah Brown Kingsbury
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HISTORICAL NOTES
Gilfeather, Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Goodwin, Mrs. Grace White
Henkel, Clara E.
Holden, Lyman E. Holton, Harriet M. Howard, Stella
Howard, George F. Howe, Harland H.
Howe, Mrs. Viona M. Johnson,
Mr. and Mrs. Orrin A. Kellogg, Mrs. Lucy R. Kingsbury, Wyland B. Knowlton, John L. Landman, Luke T. Muzzy, Mrs. Elnora J.
Robinson, Mrs. Emma Howe Robinson, Mary
Smith, Mrs. Florence White Stearns, Ella C.
Taft, Mr. and Mrs. Willis H. M. Dorothy (Taft) Bristol Twitchell, Fremont D.
Upson, Olive Shumway
Vey, Rev. Walter Waterman, Mr. and Mrs. Eleazer
Arad T. Wood
Katharine Cheney White Catharine Brown Adams Edwin A. Smith Eliza Smith Jacobs Calwil C. Holden
Major W. H. H. Holton
Flora M. Howard Malitta M. Williams
Senica W. and Laura D. Howe The Howe Family The Johnson Family
George Kellogg Hannah Brown Kingsbury
Hannah Brown Landman James A. Muzzy Daniel Sherwin
Alfred Howe John Cheney Robinson
Ella Juelma Robinson Mrs. James H. White Ziba Chapin (Resident 1804-1858)
David and Louisa Twitchell Mr. and Mrs. J. Q. Shumway
Chandler and Polly Thayer Waterman
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JAMAICA, VERMONT
Waterman, Hugh Arthur Waterman, Ernest James Waterman, Alice Maude Waterman, Halbert Lee Webster, Mabel Waterman Wheeler, Leston A. Whitmore, Ella K.
Aaron and Julie Dutton Bemis
Hannah Brown Kingsbury
Wolcott, John K.
Wood, Mrs. Fanny
Arad T. Wood
Wright, Fred
Young, Mrs. Mary J.
F. E. Young, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Phelps
Free Public Library Jamaica, Vermont
Rules
1. Books may not be kept longer than two weeks.
2. A fine of five cents a week shall be paid on each book which is not returned according to the above rule. No book shall be is- sued to any person incurring such fine, until it has been paid.
3. All injuries to books beyond reasonable wear and all losses shall be made good to the satisfaction of the librarian. (Mark- ing a book, even with a lead pencil, turning down the corners of pages will be considered an injury.)
Report of the Trustees of the Jamaica Memorial Library
Receipts for 1938
Jan. 1, 1938, cash balance of three bank books, $626.92 (Interest only may be used)
Jan. 1, 1938, cash balance on hand,
10.78
Jan. 1, 1938, interest on three books,
6.26
July 1, 1938, interest on three books,
6.33
From town,
50.00
From fines,
4.50
Rental of "The Citadel,"
.90
$705.69
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HISTORICAL NOTES
Expenses for 1938
Paid librarian,
$ 40.50
Paid fire insurance,
1.65
Paid Crowell Publishing Co.,
9.11
Paid for 6 books,
5.91
Paid for 500 book cards,
1.53
Paid supplies,
.85
Paid postage stamps,
.78
Paid Rowley truck,
.20
Add to Memorial Fund,
4.01
$ 64.54
December 31, 1938 :
Cash balance on hand,
$ 1.64
Cash balance of three bank books,
639.51
$705.69
W. E. Booker, Secretary-Treasurer.
Jamaica Memorial Library Building
At one time was used by the West River Bank 1854-60; 1870 by John P. Robinson, store; 1877 by John C. Robin- son, post office ; 1878 by the Jamaica Savings Bank ; 1885 by various businesses ; 1912 by Eliza S. Jacobs as a resi- dence; 1934 by Jamaica Library.
Library Trustees : Warren E. Booker
Term expires 1939
Minnie Perry Term expires 1940 Ernest O. Allen Term expires 1941
Marjorie Pierce
Term expires 1942
Elnora Muzzy
Term expires 1943
CHAPTER XII
ASSOCIATIONS, CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
Ladies Industrial Society
The ladies of the Congregational Society met at the house of Benjamin Muzzy and formed themselves into a Ladies Industrial Society April 6, 1870, making choice of the following officers :
President, Mrs. W. C. Bowen
Vice-President, Miss Lucy Felton
Secretary-Treasurer, Miss Lucy A. Robinson
First Committee, Mrs. Philetus Kellogg Second Committee, Mrs. George Shaffner
Third Committee, Mrs. H. J. Livermore
Voted to meet one week from today, April 13, 1870, ad- journed.
Jamaica, Vt. L. A. Robinson, Secretary.
Meeting April 13 at the parsonage, thirteen present. Ladies brought their own work and paid six cents each to the society.
Members of the Ladies Industrial Society :
Mrs. Benjamin Muzzy Mrs. P. Kellogg
Mrs. George Shaffner Mrs. W. C. Bowen
Mrs. W. Williams Mrs. H. J. Livermore
Mrs. H. H. Wheeler
Miss Lucy A. Robinson
Mrs. C. Young Mrs. Mary Clark
Mrs. J. Muzzy Miss Lucy Felton
1870. First year work-151 hats braided, 17 pair stock- ings knit, 6 pair mittens knit, boys' suits, girls' dresses, and undergarments.
1871. Second year-266 hats braided, quilts tied and quilted, and the usual work.
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HISTORICAL NOTES
Some interesting items copied from secretary's record.
1877 For singing books $ 12.00
1878 For repairing parsonage and barn 10.00
1883 For church chandelier 21.30
1885 Paid for dishes 5.50
1894 Towards repairs on church 25.00
1897 Towards painting the church 25.00
1900 Towards the well 15.00
1901 Towards repairs at parsonage 50.00
1903 Towards carpet, etc., church 125.00
1904 Towards reducing church debt 51.86
1906 To Congregational Church Building Society 25.00
1909 To repairs on parsonage 162.27
1911 To Congregational Church Building Society 50.00
1913 To Stove for Parsonage 30.00
1915 To Congregational Church Building Society 100.00
1927 To Congregational Church Building Society 25.00
August 8, 1905. The Ladies Industrial Society held a business meeting in the Town Hall (church hall) to see what action shall be taken in regard to repair the hall, said hall having been bought of the town by an unknown friend for $800.
Voted to use $100 on repairs, and chose the following committee : Mrs. F. C. Brigham, Mrs. Lucy R. Kellogg, Mrs. J. A. Muzzy. Lucy R. Kellogg, Secretary.
Young Peoples' Christian Endeavor Society was or- ganized January, 1892. It was reorganized February 2, 1894, and twelve signed the revised pledge. February, 1894, had 24 charter members. February, 1896, had 69 names on membership list.
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JAMAICA, VERMONT
Presidents who have served : Mrs. Mary O. Muzzy, Mr. George Pierce, Dr. C. S. Brigham, Mrs. Agnes Wolcott, Miss Mabel Read.
Womans Christian Temperance Union was organized June 2, 1884, and selected the following officers :
President, Mrs. David Eddy First Vice-President, Mrs. A. M. Butler Second Vice-President, Mrs. Lucy R. Kellogg Recording Secretary, Mrs. F. W. Perry Corresponding Secretary, Miss Rose Howe Treasurer, Mrs. E. L. Waterman
August 1, 1888. Voted $10 to start a loaning library. September 4, 1888. Voted $5.25 to Library Fund. August 6, 1890. Voted the library free to all. About 200 books catalogued.
June 15-16, 1889. The Windham County W. C. T. U. held the 17th annual convention at the Baptist Church in Jamaica, Vermont.
Mothers' Christian Endeavor Society was organized June, 1894, with eight charter members : Mrs. C. L. Vin- cent, Mrs. J. C. Robinson, Mrs. H. O. Emerson, Mrs. O. H. Wardwell, Mrs. E. C. Clark, Mrs. H. A. McLean, Mrs. Flora W. Howard, Mrs. C. A. Aiken.
Loyal Temperance Legion was formed September 5, 1890, with thirty members.
Vermont State Grange No. 378 Patrons of Husbandry, officers Roe Robinson, Master; Mrs. C. C. Allen, Lec- turer; Lottie Hosley, Secretary.
Sunnyside Grange No. 147. 1884. Alvin M. Frost, Mas- ter; Mrs. C. W. Russell, Secretary.
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HISTORICAL NOTES
1884. Kingsbury's Quadrille Band. B. A. Kingsbury, Leader. Five pieces, and very popular for dances in near-by towns.
Jamaica Cornet Band, 1872-88
Some of the members :
George Waley Holton, Leader and Drum Major
Lewis Phelps, Bass Drum
H. Mundall, Horn
Charles Morgan, Cornet
Edmund C. Skinner, Clarinet
Dr. Fred Brigham, Horn
B. A. Kingsbury, Drum
Milton E. Allen, Cornet
Will Holland, Horn Alvin Frost W. Kingsbury
They used the upper floor of the Parsons, Livermore and Holton shoe shop for rehearsals once a week.
Maynard Hollow Fife and Drum Corps, 1895-98
William White, Leader Julius White, Drum Major Lester Higgins, Fife Hubert White, Bass Johnnie White, Drum Willie White, Fife
Special evening serenade to summer visitors.
1939. Woman's Missionary Auxiliary. President, Mrs. Beatrice Bemis ; Vice-President, Miss Bessie Rue; Secre- tary, Mrs. Ruth Robinson; Treasurer, Miss Mary Rob- inson.
101
JAMAICA, VERMONT
Free and Accepted Masons of Jamaica, Vermont Mt. Lebanon Lodge No. 46
This lodge was chartered January 13, 1859, to Jamaica and South Londonderry.
The first master was Sam Pierce. F. M. Marsh, Secre- tary ; J. L. Pierce, S. W .; L. H. Sprague, J. W.
Since July, 1860, the meetings have been at Jamaica.
Officers, 1939
Samuel T. R. Cheney, Worshipful Master
Clarence W. Pierce, Senior Warden
Arthur L. Lewis, Junior Warden Ernest O. Allen, Treasurer
Warren E. Booker, Secretary
Donald R. Huntington, Senior Deacon
Ralph H. Wheeler, Junior Deacon
Otis R. Hefflon, Senior Steward
Marcus T. Crowninshield, Junior Steward
Frank M. Boynton, Chaplain
Oscar V. Hefflon, Marshal
Frank A. Chase, Tyler
Members
* Allen, Ernest Orrin
Bemis, Leon W.
Booker, Warren E.
Crowninshield, Marcus T.
Boynton, Frank M.
Crowninshield, Wallace A.
*Boynton, Harlan P. Brewster, T. Crossley
*Daggett, Ralph J. *Gleason, Claude F. Gleason, George H.
*Butler, Albert W.
*Butler, Frederick M. Butler, Wayne L. *Castle, John L.
Chase, Frank A.
* Cheney, Samuel T. R. Clark, Charles L. * Past Masters.
Colman, Arlen H. Cook, Edward A.
*Gleason, Martin *Hefflon, Oscar V. Hefflon, Otis R. Howard, Perlie E.
*Huntington, Donald R. Jones, Raymond C.
102
HISTORICAL NOTES
Kendall, Raymond
Rawson, Edward B.
Rawson, Plimpton W.
Roberts, Louis G.
Shine, Charles L. Slade, Robert G.
Levin, A.
Torrey, Alden H. Twitchell, Adams H.
Lewis, Arthur Leon
Marsh, Burton E.
Van Ness, William W.
*McLean, Mark F.
Vey, Walter
Mehuron, Benjamin H.
Wheeler, Ralph H.
Newell, H. Malcolm
White, Theron L.
Newell, Wales A.
Wilder, Ray G.
Pierce, Clarence W.
Williams, Fordyce I.
Past Masters
1859 L. H. Sprague
1897 M. L. Johnson
1860 J. E. Butler
1899 H. F. Willis
1861 C. W. Reed
1901 C. J. Howe
1862 J. Q. Shumway
1903 R. J. Daggett
1863 Park Davis
1906 F. C. Brigham
1865 Philip W. Howe
1907 H. P. Boynton
1868 L. M. Read
1908 A. W. Butler
1872 J. G. Eddy
1909 E. O. Allen
1873 John Parsons
1910 A. V. D. Piper
1874 John A. Butler
1917 O. V. Hefflon
1876 Mark Livermore
1921 H. M. Kingsbury
1878 L. N. Sprague
1923 H. F. McLean
1879 Geo. M. Ruby
1924 John E. Gleason
1882 F. M. Reed
1925 M. H. Gleason
1885 Alvin Frost
1926 H. C. Williams
1887 Fred B. Pier
1929 John L. Castle
1890 Ransel Frost
1931 Claude F. Gleason
1893 C. W. Ray
1936 Don R. Huntington
1894 H. E. Spencer
1938 Fred M. Butler
1895 F. L. Sprague
1939 S. T. R. Cheney
Kidder, William W. *Kingsbury, Harrison M. Kingsbury, Henry D. Lackey, Earl H.
Piper, Arthur V. D.
103
JAMAICA, VERMONT
Order Eastern Star Mt. Lebanon Chapter No. 89
Instituted May 4, 1922. Chose name of Mt. Lebanon Chapter in honor of the local Masonic Lodge. State gave us the number 89.
First officers were :
Mrs. Ruth C. Robinson, Worthy Matron Dr. O. V. Hefflon, Worthy Patron Mrs. Minnie L. Butler, Associate Matron Albert W. Butler, Secretary Ernest O. Allen, Treasurer
Mrs. Mabel C. Boynton, Conductress Mrs. Lizzie H. McAllister, Associate Conductress
After working under dispensation for a year the chap- ter was constituted on August 29, 1923, and given its charter. The same officers were reelected to serve for an- other year with the exception of Mrs. Ruth P. Butler who was elected Conductress to fill the vacancy caused by Mrs. Lizzie H. McAllister being automatically demitted by signing a petition for a chapter to be formed in South Londonderry. Forty-three members.
Officers of 1939
Mildred Perry, Worthy Matron Ralph Daggett, Worthy Patron Alice Clark, Associate Matron Arthur Lewis, Associate Patron Lila Williams, Secretary Nettie Wheeler, Treasurer Florence McLean, Conductress Alice Piper, Associate Conductress
104
HISTORICAL NOTES
Ruth Butler, Chaplain
Emma Franklin, Marshal
Ruth Robinson, Organist Florence Crowinshield, Adah
Jennie Daggett, Ruth Eleanore A. Monroe, Esther
Edith Robinson, Martha
Vena Lackey, Electa
Mabel Boynton, Warder
Harlan Boynton, Sentinel
List of Members of O.E.S.
Florence M. Allen
Lila Kingsbury
Ruth B. Bemis
Earl H. Lackey
Rebecca Benedict
Vena Lackey
Harlan P. Boynton
Arthur L. Lewis
Mabel C. Boynton
Mrs. A. L. Lewis
Carlton Brown
Lucile Marsh
Marion Brown
Florence McLean
Albert B. Butler
Mark McLean
Fred M. Butler
Eleanore A. Monroe
Minnie B. Butler
Emma F. Newell
Ruth Butler
Walie A. Newell
Emma Castle
Mildred Perry
S. T. R. Cheney
Alice Clark
Minnie Perry Alice Piper
Florence Crowninshield
Arthur V. D. Piper
Mabel Crowninshield
Edith Robinson
Jennie Daggett
Ruth Robinson
Ralph J. Daggett
Adeline Wheeler
Harry Hill
Nettie Wheeler
Ethel Huntington
Ralph Wheeler
Mary Kidder
Theron L. White
Harrison Kingsbury
Hattie Williams
105
JAMAICA, VERMONT
Jamaica Agricultural Society Officers for 1876
William H. H. Holton, President
Mark Livermore, Vice-President
George Kellogg, Secretary
John C. Robinson, Treasurer L. M. Sprague, Marshal Lewis Phelps, Supt. of Grounds
Directors for Second Annual Fair Wednesday, September 27, 1876
Merritt T. Pierce
R. M. Thomas
Isaac N. Coombs
Lewis Phelps
A. O. Coleman
Revilo Howard
F. M. Ryder
R. A. Davidson
W. L. Barnes
Outdoor Committee
On Horses
On Cattle
Philetus Kellogg John B. Muzzy
On Sheep
On Swine
I. N. Coombs
On Poultry -
Indoor Committee
On Produce On Tools On Fancy Articles
Abijah Muzzy E. F. Russell
Mrs. A. T. Atwood
Mrs. L. A. Robinson
On Household Articles
Mrs. E. G. Pierce
Mrs. Hattie Amsden
This was a well-governed society and held several suc- cessful cattle shows in the good old New England style.
106
HISTORICAL NOTES
4-H Club, Boys
Jamaica Ginger Boys 4-H Club started when the Rev. Carl D. Lane was pastor of the Federated Church.
The names on the roll were :
Frederic Allen
William Rogers, Jr.
Reginald Bemis
Frank Rush
Raymond Benson
Robert Waite
Wilbur Cheney
Leonard White
Joseph Gavin
Maynard White
David Gray
Ernest Williams
Rev. B. E. Marsh fitted up a workshop upstairs in the barn of the parsonage and under a leader the boys did good work in wood. Alan Bartlett was a leader for a time.
Mr. Marsh acted as councillor for the boys at the State camp at Townshend, and in 1935, having won the baseball contest for the third time, was awarded the silver cham- pionship cup of the Windham County 4-H Clubs.
The clubs competing were as follows, the winning club for the season :
1930 Peaked Mountain, Townshend
1931 Handy Boys, Halifax 1932 Round Mountain, Brattleboro 1933 Ginger, Jamaica
1934 Ginger, Jamaica
1935 Ginger, Jamaica
This cup is now in the Memorial Library.
4-H Club, Girls
The Worth While 4-H Club for Girls met and organ- ized February 7, 1934. Eighteen met and chose the follow- ing officers :
President, Beverly Bemis Vice-President, Ruth Wilder Secretary, Ruth E. Robinson
107
JAMAICA, VERMONT Treasurer, Leora Cheney Leader, Mrs. J. S. Robinson
Too many for a successful club, but as some learned that there was a lot to be done if they remained members, the number soon dropped to ten. Several had gotten the idea that it was just for a grand good time and that was all. They were the ones who didn't last. This is the sixth year for the club and there are still three of the original members belonging this year.
Jamaica Republican Club July 21, 1888
President, Fred L. Sprague
Secretary and Treasurer, J. Q. Shumway
Vice-Presidents, Fred B. Pier, M. L. Boynton, J. C. Rob- inson
Executive Committee, O. N. Wardwell, Charles Robbins, David Eddy, J. W. Crowninshield, Harvey Howard, Charles Gleason, I. W. Howard, C. H. Landman, W. W. White, William F. Gleason, E. A. Bills, L. T. Landman Financial Committee, E. L. Phelps
The Benefit Society
At a called meeting held at the town hall May 9, 1914, the society was organized, and the following officers were elected.
President, Mrs. A. W. Butler Vice-President, Mrs. H. P. Boynton Secretary, Mrs. Jerusha Allen Corresponding Secretary, Miss Edith M. Clark Treasurer, Mrs. Lila Kingsbury
The object of this Society is to promote the welfare of
108
HISTORICAL NOTES
the village of Jamaica, to beautify its streets, and any public property, and to induce individuals to beautify their homes and grounds, and all to take pride in their village.
Voting members to be women only. Gentlemen to be honorary members.
Monthly meetings are to be held at the homes of the members, or at such place voted at a previous meeting. At the meetings tea will be served, and a charge of 10 cents will be made for each person present.
It was voted at an early meeting that the first money to be spent would be for cement sidewalks, and from Sep- tember 15, 1914, to September 15, 1915, 2227 feet in length were put in, and from time to time more has been laid, so that now the village has a good showing of cement walks. In order to raise money for this, and other work, they have their fancy work, dinners, suppers, dances, card parties, plays, and other entertainments, and have had Old Home Days.
The Society financed a Historical Pageant, August 7, 1930, to commemorate the One Hundred Fiftieth Anniver- sary of Jamaica.
About 1200 people came, and although it rained about 4 P.M. most stayed until the end. There was no admission fee, and no charge for parking.
Some of the work done by the Society : paying part of the electric light plant for the Congregational Church and the town hall, providing tables and benches at the Salmon Hole, repairing and painting the library building, buying books for the library, part of the cost of painting the town hall, putting shrubs at the Congregational Church, having the road signs painted and put up, clean- ing cemetery for Memorial Day, cleaning the fire cistern. The Society has spent nearly $6000 for this work since it was organized.
4+
By Lewis R. Brown.
EARLY SETTLERS, PAGEANT.
By H. L. Chapman.
AUDIENCE AT SALMON HOLE, PAGEANT.
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JAMAICA, VERMONT
Benefit Society Members
Abbott, Mrs. Andrew Allen, Mrs. E. O.
Allen, Miss Lillian Allen, Mrs. W. O. Bartlett, Mrs. F. W. Bemis, Miss Beverly
Bemis, Mrs. L. W.
Booker, Mrs. W. E.
Boynton, Mrs. H. P. Butler, Mrs. F. M. Castle, Mrs. John
Chase, Mrs. F. A.
Cheney, Miss Leora Clark, Mrs. Charles S.
Clark, Miss Edith M. Connolly, Mrs. Will Crowninshield, Mrs. Alfred Crowninshield, Mrs. Marcus T.
Crowninshield, Mrs. Wallace Ellis, Miss Mary F.
Garfield, Mrs. Fannie B.
Girard, Mrs. Joe
Hefflon, Mrs. O. V.
Howard, Miss Stella
Knight, Mrs. Rixford McLean, Miss Helen
Monroe, Mrs. Eleanore A. Muzzy, Mrs. Elnora Perry, Mrs. B. L.
Perry, Mrs. Merton Piper, Mrs. A. V. D. Robinson, Miss Elizabeth R.
Robinson, Mrs. J. S.
Robinson, Miss Mary
Robinson, Mrs. Roe Rue, Miss Bessie Rogers, Mrs. Will
Rush, Mrs. Will
Smith, Miss Jeralda Tay, Mrs. Jennie Watts, Miss Eunice Watts, Miss Harriet Williams, Mrs. Henry Wolff, Miss Gladys Wolff, Mrs. Max
Honorary Members
Abbott, Andrew Allen, E. O.
Butler, Wayne
Boynton, F. M.
Bemis, E. E.
Boynton, H. P.
Butler, A. W.
Piper, A. V. D.
Butler, F. M.
Robinson, J. S.
Butler, Prentiss
Robinson, Roe
110
HISTORICAL NOTES
OLD HOME DAY CELEBRATIONS Remarks on Jamaica, Vermont, August 1914 by Judge F. M. Butler of Rutland, Vermont
Jamaica lies about 72 degrees west longitude, and about 42 de- grees north latitude. It has been said, "East Jamaica is the center of the Universe." Like Rome, all roads lead to East Ja- maica, and Jamaica Village is only about four miles distant. You can go anywhere from Jamaica. We are in the same latitude of the great city of Paris-the emporium of fashion and finance, and about half way between it and the "Golden Gate." We can boast of the same latitude as the Mormon City of Ogden, on the Great Salt Lake, the seat of the Mormon, who claims Vermont as his birthplace, and on the direct line from Boston to Montreal. While not a great Metropolis in the modern sense, it can boast of the best people on earth and hope for the highest degree of civilization and culture. If we hope to improve on the natural, we must get close to nature, and here we can do it to perfection.
Jamaica, sealed in blood, born under strenuous circumstances, sustained and nurtured by forest and stream, she flourished in her mountain fastnesses, until the chinking of gold in the great northwest was distinctly heard over her mountains and up her fertile valleys. Before, however, the incentive had attained much force, she heard her country's call. Freely she poured out her blood on the altar of her country, when she heard the call to the boys of '61, and the record of her population and her resources tells the sad story of the consequences.
Blood is the essence of life, and seals the destinies of Nations. It signifies the genuineness of the most sacred documents and testifies to the truth of the Book of Books. Within one thousand yards of the church, the blood of the first white man saturated the sacred soil and may be called the "Seal of the Town."
Buried beneath the turf, in the summer of 1748, lie the re- mains of four of Major Melvin's heroes. While on their way from the foot of Lake Champlain to Fort Dummer, resting their weary limbs near the confluence of Ball Mountain Brook, and the West River, Major Melvin, with eighteen men were attacked by a party of savage Indian warriors, who, though surprised, made a gallant defense. Six of their number were killed, while the others
111
JAMAICA, VERMONT
made their escape. John Haywood, Isaac Taylor, John Dodge, David Mann were subsequently buried in the meadow near the river. The Baptist cemetery is not far from the spot, but no monument yet marks the site.
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