Blog 2014

Posted by Admin. for Becky Tucker

Weathersfield Hike Area
CPRA Guidebook, Map #2 Excerpt

On September 14, 2013 Barry Griffith and I led a group of twenty or so walkers on a tour of some of Weathersfield’s Crown Point Road markers, including the two known original mile markers for the road built in 1759-60.

We met at Downers, then visited Marker #24 at the location of the former Paine Tavern on Tarbell Hill Road in Cavendish, and ventured into the woods to view what remains of an old bridge abutment on the small stream there, called Crown Point Brook on some maps.

Because of some ongoing landowner discomfort, we did not travel the original route from Paine’s Tavern through the woods to Marker 22.  We missed the story of early Weathersfield settlers Eli and Sarah (Stent) Plant who were married in 1789 in Branford CT.  He was in the Revolution and was in Capt. Barker’s company in 1779, and probably came through here on the Road during the War. Eli and Sarah were in Claremont NH in 1789, and were in Weathersfield by 1793 because he was on the Tax List in town then. The Plants were here at least until 1813, and he was said to have been in Athens VT in 1855. Just after one enters Weathersfield on the old CPR in Cavendish, there is an old foundation off the trail to the left. Plant owned 20 acres in Lot 54 (probably where the cellar hole is located) and about 60 acres in the south of Lot #56 north of the Crown Point Brook.

Returning to Weathersfield via Greenbush Road we stopped to view Marker #23A placed in 2000 at the border between the two towns and commemorating Springfield’s Glenn Wheelock, who, with his family, walked the complete length of the CPR.

Pausing briefly at Marker #23 on busy Route 106 on “dump day,” we parked cars at the Weathersfield Recycling Center and continued on foot to Marker #22.  On Amsden School Road, at the foot of a driveway, this original 11-mile marker was inscribed twice, once in 1759 or 1760, and second, in 1922 after land-owner Mark LaFountain discovered it.  LaFountain, of Springfield, and his parents Albert W. “Snip” and Helen LaFountain owned a “camp” on Potwin’s Hill so-called, off the road.  LaFountain’s story of the discovery of this marker was published in WHS newsletter in July 2010.  Apparently, in 1922, the existence of the Ten-Mile Marker was not known, as he termed it “the only known original Crown Point Road Marker.”

Following the under-construction Route 131 through the village of Amsden, we traveled by Marker #21, a typical granite marker placed in 1915 by the Vermont Society D.A.R.  Due to the temporary gravel surface of 131, traffic on the usually busy quarter-mile of highway to Branch Brook Road was light and safe for walkers.

Along Branch Brook Road are two more “typical” granite markers #20 and #19, then we entered the woods again along the brook-side trail to #18, Weathersfield’s other original marker, at Ten-Mile Camp.

Here too, in Amsden, is the route walked by Susannah Johnson, and family members, captured by the Indians in August 1754 at Number #4 settlement (Charlestown NH) and carried to Canada.  The old Indian Road followed the Branch further and beside Route 106 south of Felchville is a marker commemorating the place where she gave birth to a daughter Elizabeth Captive Johnson on the second day of her journey to Canada. That trail branched off onto what we call Knapp Brook that goes up and over the mountains.

Barb Griffith Making the Branch Brook Crossing

From the Ten-Mile Camp marker, we crossed the Branch Brook, some with bare feet or “Crocs”, some just getting our boots wet, and one brave soul walking across a huge blown-down tree.  Here we paused for lunch.  After a short walk, we arrived at the Plain Cemetery, and beside it, the re-situated Grout or Sherwin Cemetery and Marker VT #17.

Leader Barry Griffith, of Shrewsbury, shared Helen B. Osgood’s story of Hilkiah and Submit (Hawks) Grout, Weathersfielders who are buried in the Grout cemetery and who first settled on the Butterfield – Claghorn farm, now in the North Springfield Flood control dam area.  He pointed out that Col. John Hawks, for whom Hawks Mountain is named, was Submit Grout’s uncle.

Following the hike, we drove through Perkinsville and down Maple Street to view the location of the Grout farm and burial ground area, as well as the now-missing bronze marker for the Butterfield Covered Bridge location close by.

During the September 14th hike there was some interest in Ernest W. Butterfield’s A Record of the Inhabitants of Weathersfield 1760 – 1813, map showing a spring (“The Grout Spring”) and camp location (“Hawkes Encampment”) somewhere near the Baltimore border on Hawks Mountain. A CPRA hike within the area of these landmarks is contemplated for the future.

Posted by Admin. for Dale Christie with Photos by Dale Christie and Hans Raum

On the morning of October 12, 2013 a small group began to gather in anticipation of a hike in northern Benson to an overlook site which is believed to have served as a reconnaissance position along the 1777 Hubbardton – Independence Military Road. At first there were only 3 – 4 attendees, but as the start time drew near, the population grew to a total of 10 people. The weather was similar to the great fall weather we had been experiencing for the majority of the season. With the exception of the hike leaders, Dale Christie and Jim Moore, no one in attendance had ever been to the destination of the hike. The group all eagerly anticipated their first visit.

View Northwest from the Benson Overlook Toward Lake Champlain and Mount Independence.

With concerns about parking options, we all consolidated at the nearby VT Fish & Wildlife parking lot and proceeded onto the Perch Pond Road. After a short discussion of the area history and the route we would follow, we began to enter the woods and ascend the terrain. There is no established trail, but it was rather easy to stay together since the woods are open and mostly free of brush. As we climbed there was a lot more exposed bedrock and large boulders visible. At the same time, the climb became much more difficult with a steeper grade and an abundance of fallen leaves.

On the Lookout

As we reached the height of land, we gathered at a large rock outcropping to enjoy the view. It offered a great and rare view of many of the higher summits of the Green Mountains of Rutland County. The group enjoyed the discussion to identify the mountains within view. After the steep climb, the spot offered a good place to rest before pushing on to the “main attraction”. One of the reasons the hike was chosen was it’s possible historical significance. The main overlook from the rocky outcropping was believed to be a lookout used for reconnaissance along the military road established between the Fort at Mount Independence and secure locations held by the American Northern Army to the south. The main reference source for the historic use of this site was the book by Joseph Wheeler. The actual route of the military road was believed to be east of the “lookout” until it crossed the current Needham Hill Road where it turned westward toward Mount Independence.

The Stone Cairn on the Benson Overlook Site. Origin Unknown.

The distance from the Eastern overlook and the main overlook was very short so the group reached the main destination very quickly. The terrain may have been steep at times, but the distance from the parking area had only been about one mile. The area we gathered at for lunch was a large grassy clearing that offered great views to the west and northwest. The winds were calm and the temperature warm enough to have worked up a sweat during the climb. The group enjoyed the view and their lunches prior to further exploration of the area. A short distance to the north a rather large rock cairn was inspected. It’s history was debated, but unclear. It is exciting to think it may have been built during the use of the Military Road, but there is no proof of this being true.After a return to the main overlook area, we gathered for the descent. To satisfy our desire for further exploration of the area, and an easier route down, we took a wide swing to the north before rejoining our original path. As a result, we discovered some interesting rock piles that must have been man made. Once we reached our starting point, there was some discussion about revisiting the area again in the near future.

As a group leader of the hike, I’d like to thank everyone for attending. These hikes always allow me to meet new people and create a good opportunity to visit with fellow members that I have not seen for a long time.

Posted for Jim Moore by Admin. with Photos by Larry Clark

Gerlach Map of the Battle of Hubbardton

On July 27, 2013 hike leaders Jim Moore and Dale Christie lead an exploration of the section of the Hubbardton Military Road located west of the Battlefield site. During this hike the leaders presented a review of their research, conducted over the past year, on this important segment of the 1777 military road. Jim and Dale discussed the Gerlach map which depicts both nearby roads and the battlefield positions of both the retreating Continental Army and the advancing British and German forces in pursuit.

Using the Gerlach map from 7/7/1777, along with Hubbardton land records, and early lotting maps, Jim Moore and Dale Christie presented their challenges regarding the route of the military road as described in 1952 by historian John Clement. President of the Vermont Historical Society and a member of the Hubbardton Battle Commission, John Clement was an accomplished historian. Wheeler cites Clement as being the most knowledgeable source of information regarding the Battle of Hubbardton.

With all the prior research conducted by others, and the recent field research conducted by Jim and Dale in mind, the hikers were guided along both postulated routes of the military road. Traveling away from the Battlefield site, up and over the ridge to the west along the earlier route defined by Clement, and returning to the Battlefield site along the route proposed by Moore and Christie.

One of Whitcomb’s Rangers. A Scout, A Spy, A Sniper

The activities of the day were greatly enriched by the attendance of reenactors from the Independent Company of Whitcomb’s Rangers. True to form, this group provided an accurate depiction of the rangers; be they scouts, spies, or snipers. Whitcomb’s Rangers, formed from companies of New Hampshire Rangers, would have been a key element for leading American Continental forces in their retreat from Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence via the road through Hubbardton.

For more photos of this event follow this link to the Hubbardton Military Road Association website www.hubbardtonmilitaryroad.org

On June 22, 2013, noted archaeologist and author Dr. David Starbuck led members and friends of the Crown Point Road Association on a guided tour of historic Rogers Island in Fort Edward, New York. The tour began at the Rogers Island Visitors Center and museum  www.rogersisland.org  which is housed at a former Mobile Oil barge terminal on the island. Dr. Starbuck provided a summary presentation on the findings from his seven years of archaeological work (1991-1998) on this historic island in the Hudson River during the morning session and, after lunch, led a walking tour of the most significant sites which he has studied.

Aerial View of Rogers Island on the East Bank of the Hudson River, Fort Edward, New York

David Starbuck Leads the CPRA Walking Tour of Rogers Island, June 2013

Maj. Robert Rogers Monument on Rogers Island. Rules of Ranging Listed on Attached Bronze Plaques

The island became known as Rogers Island since the encampment here served as the basecamp for the famed company of Provincial frontiersmen led by Major Robert Rogers and known as Rogers Rangers. The Rangers were based on Rogers Island between 1757 – 1759 and it was here that Major Rogers drafted the standing orders for Rangers known as the “Rules of Ranging”. Ranger companies were developed to aid regular British troops who were not accustomed to frontier warfare. Rangers served as scouts and guides, patrolling beyond fixed fortifications in order to supply reconnaissance for early warning against potential enemy raids, and for identification of potential enemy targets. Even in today’s modern military, upon completion of U.S. Army Ranger training, all new members of what has evolved into an elite group of airborne light infantry are presented with Major Rogers Rules of Ranging. Rogers Island is therefore very justifiably referred to as the birthplace of the U.S. Army Rangers. In my mind, the Dept. of the Army would do well to invest in the preservation and further interpretation of this historic site.

Monument at Rogers Island Dedicated to the British Expeditionary Forces

Campaigns against the French fortifications to the north on Lake Champlain were staged at Fort Edward and Rogers Island. The greatest troop build-up at this base of operations occurred under the command of General Abercrombie when over 16,000 soldiers assembled at Fort Edward in 1758 for the (failed) attack on Fort Ticonderoga. Lt. John Small would most certainly have passed through Fort Edward at that time as his regiment of the Black Watch marched to their demise. General Jeffrey Amherst was in command of Fort Edward by 1759 and at that time over 12,000 troops were garrisoned here in support of Amherst’s campaigns against Fort Ticonderoga and Fort St. Frederic. After Fort St. Frederic was seized by the British, Gen. Amherst moved his command north to Crown Point for obvious strategic reasons, but perhaps in as much to escape the smallpox disease at Fort Edward which had reached epidemic proportions as early on as 1757. In fact, once the major campaigns into the Champlain Valley were completed by the British, the main use of the facilities at Rogers Island may well have been primarily for health care. David Starbuck has focused much of his research on this topic, although to date, a very limited amount of knowledge regarding 18th Century health care has been developed beyond that of the housing for the sick. So much has yet to be learned.

Posted for Jim Moore by Admin.

Orwell Town Hall

On Sunday May 19, CPRA President Jim Rowe led a large group of participants on an exploration of the Murray Hill area located in the northeastern corner of the Town of Orwell, Vermont. Jim has always expressed a particular interest in the military road branch which connected the Crown Point Military Road to Fort Ticonderoga (formerly Fort Carillon). The two military roads linked in the Town of Sudbury, Vermont. The military road connection to the eastern shore of Lake Champlain begins near CPR Marker 51 in Sudbury. At this location the CPR is only +/- 10 miles from the Lake shore. Also known as the “Ticonderoga Branch” this segment of road had been difficult to document due to both; the fact that the area has been farmed for over 200 years and evidence of the road location on the ground has been much disturbed, as well as, the fact that early documentation is not clear regarding the route of the military road. The route of the Ticonderoga Branch as delineated by early surveyor William Cockburn in 1767 does not correspond well with a later route depicted on a 1775 – 1785 lotting map for the Town of Sudbury.

Jim Rowe Presenting the Pre-hike Briefing, Map Review, and Discussion

This topic was part of the discussion for the day. It is clear, however, that in the Fall of 1759, a Ticonderoga Branch road was made to connect the shore of Lake Champlain near Fort Ticonderoga with the Crown Point Road. A letter from Lt. John Small to General Jeffrey Amherst in 1761 makes specific reference to troops departing from Crown Point and travelling south to Fort Ticonderoga to “draw supplies” and thence marching east to join the Crown Point Road.

Brook & Carol Aldrich “Housekeeping”

The group met on the Village Green in Orwell to organize the hike, review maps, and discuss the significance of the strategic link between the Crown Point Road and Fort Ticonderoga. Once organized, all proceeded to the Murray Hill area which, in general, is located southwest of the Richville Wildlife Management Area, and west of the Lemon Fair River. Brook and Carol Aldrich took some time out to do some housekeeping at Marker 51C along the way.

Farm Lane on Murray Hill, Orwell

Of particular interest were two old cellar holes which may well be the ruins of dwellings which were located along the route of the Ticonderoga Branch. The group spent time investigating these old foundations. Potential artifacts and a dug

Giant Butternut Tree Growing within Cellar Hole Opening

well site were discovered amongst the cellar holes, but of particular interest to all was the living trunk of a massive butternut tree which remains alive within the perimeter of one of the foundations. It is an obviously ancient tree and, although it is in poor health, this tree has managed to survive the widespread “butternut canker” fungus which has obliterated much of this tree species within its native range in New England.

Posted for Barry & Barbara Griffith by Admin.

Today’s outing was inspired by the late Al Ransom, CPRA historian who uncovered and provided the CPRA with a copy of Lt. Small’s April 6, 1761 letter to General Jeffrey Amherst. Also Sanborn Partridge, the late CPRA stalwart who identified Saddle Mountain as Small’s 1761 vantage point. Last but not least: British Lieutenant John Small – the first person to make the Crown Point Road his passion.

For a brief biography of Lt. John Small and his involvement in the construction of the Crown Point Road please see the first installment of The Road Builders on the Crown Point Road Association website. 

Saddle Mountain – Lt. John Small’s “height of land” as Described to Gen. Amherst, 1761

The focus of our early spring hike to the summit of Saddle Mountain in the Town of Shrewsbury was to investigate whether or not this 2400 Ft. peak, located just west of the high peaks of the Green Mountains, was the same vantage point from which Lt. John Small identified a more advantageous route for the military road as reported in his letter to General Jeffrey Amherst. 

At the conclusion of the 1760 campaign, provincials from New England were sent home over the Crown Point Road. General Amherst again sent John Small to pay the departing troops at Fort No. 4, with orders to return thence to Crown Point. Heavy snows ensued. Small could have headed south and returned to Albany via Massachusetts. Instead Small remained in Charlestown, waiting until he could cross Vermont back to Lake Champlain.

April 2013, Near the Summit of Saddle Mountain (Mendon & Shrewsbury Peaks in Background), Photo Courtesy of Jim Moore

Small finally set out on snowshoes on March 28, 1761, accompanied by “two of the inhabitants at No. 4.” [Who!?] This party arrived at the Black River ponds around April 1, and continued perhaps three miles beyond to the “height of land.” Small then “went up to the summit of one of the highest mountains in order to try discovering from thence the nearest & most accessible passage for the road.” Small later wrote Amherst that from the summit “he could discern an opening or notch between two very high hills, but considerably more to the northward than anyone had attempted to pass before this time — it appear’d to be pretty level in a direct course toward Otter Creek.”

Small’s letter to Amherst advises that he took this new route. “I found with pleasure that this passage even exceeded my expectations. From thence to Otter Creek I met with no sort of interruption, but what could easily be made practicable for a carriage road. I caused the trees to be marked from where I left the former road (at the ponds) to where I struck Otter River & Hawkes Road about three miles above the great falls & seven miles below where the former road passes the Creek. This much I have at least shortened the road….”

Saddle Mountain, April 2013 CPRA Hike, Reenactment of Small’s April 1761 Reconnaissance on Snowshoes (Sort of) Photo Courtesy of Jim Moore

The fact that Saddle Mt. is prominently located at the division between the Connecticut River watershed and the Otter Creek watershed, from which point all water flows north to Lake Champlain, certainly would not have been lost on a skilled planner such as Lt. Small. What better place to assess the route onward to the west? Based on our hike to the summit of Saddle Mt. we are in agreement with Sandy Partridge’s conclusion – that John Small’s vantage point was Saddle Mountain in North Shrewsbury.