GreenGree nMountain Mountain CourantCourant

Newsletter of the Society of Colonial

Volume 8 Issue 2 Wars in the State of Vermont December 2014 Volume 9 Issue 1 July 2015

Officers Message from the Governor

Governor Thank you to the Vermont Society for electing Hon. Walley Grover Francis me Governor at the Winter Court in Middlebury Deputy Governor in February. I will do my best to deserve this Ethan Amidon Thibault, Esq. honor. Lieutenant Governor Our Summer Court will be on July 18 in Jeffrey Richard Wells, Esq. Chester, Vermont generously hosted once Secretary/Membership Chair/Genealogist again by Brad and Christine Gorham at their Herman Charles Brown, Esq. farm. It has been three years since we had a Deputy Secretary Summer Court there, and it will be very similar Everett Thomas Pierce, Esq. to previous ones that they have hosted. We will Treasurer start at Noon with lunch followed by a relatively Douglass Mather Mabee, Esq. brief business meeting where we will consider Chaplain amending our Vermont Society constitution and Rev. David Albert Hockensmith bylaws to conform with those of the General Historian/Archivist Society. See the notice and details of the pro- William Ralph McKern, Esq. posed amendments on page 8 of this newsletter. Chancellor Notice of the amendments was given at our Bradford Gorham, Esq. Winter Court. Surgeon As we did last year at Burlington, we will dis- Donald Skinner Bicknell, M.D. cuss a book relating to the colonial era. This year GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL it will be White Devil by Stephen Brumwell. I Class of 2013 have obtained my copy and will be reading it Airell Blaine Jenks, Esq. over the next two weeks. I wanted it to be fresh James Lambert Barr, Esq. in my mind for the discussion. Class of 2014 Brad has suggested that after the meeting a Roger Lyman Amidon, Esq. visit to the Vermont Country Store in Weston Frederic Staples Hoffer III, Esq. will be well worth our while. Brad and Christine Class of 2015 have invited us to return to their farm for Gary Robert Sturgeon refreshments at “Top of the Hill” at 5 o’clock. Ian Thomas Barr The Summer Court will conclude with a din-

Deputy Governor General Governor’s Message continued on Page 2 Herman Charles Brown, Esq. July 2015 Green Mountain Courant Page 2

Governor’s Message continued from front page to the Connecticut Colony General Court, 1653, ner at a local establishment, the Stone Hearth 1654, and 1657. He was Stonington’s principal Inn & Tavern in Chester. town officer and one of the judicial committee to I and some others are staying overnight at the try small cases while that town was under the Stone Hearth. It dates from 1810 and is highly jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, recommended by Brad. There are several other 1658-1662; Provost-Marshal of New London quality inns and B&Bs in the area for you to during King Philip’s War, 1675-1676; Captain of choose from as well. a Company of 75 dragoons who captured Indian Brad’s farm is at 408 Kingsbury Road in Chief Canonchet in 1676 during the Chester. The telephone there is (802) 875-1970. Narragansett War; appointed by the [Kingsbury Road is off Route 11, 3.2 miles west Commissioners of the United Colonies along of the Chester Village Green. Turn left on with their Interpreter-General Thomas Stanton Kingsbury Road, drive to the end and keep to establish a home for the Pequots, the 1st going, right through Brad’s yard to the Top of Indian reservation in North America; and the Hill.] Stone Hearth Inn is at 698 Route 11 Stonington’s Deputy or Assistant to the West, Chester. They may be reached at (802) Connecticut Colony General Court, 1671, 1674, 875-2525 or at [email protected]. The 1675, 1678, 1682,-1687, 1689, 1693, and 1694. website is: http://stonehearthinnvermont.com Kevin William Mullen from Milton, Vermont If you want to talk with me about the by the rights of lineal descent from John Summer Court, please call (315) 416-8056 or Livermore (1638-1719). John was a Selectman of email me at [email protected]. I hope to see Watertown, Colony of Connecticut, 1692; and a many of you in Chester on July 18. soldier under the command of Captain Thomas I had the privilege and honor of attending the Prentice in the Mt. Hope campaign in King 226th General Court of the Rhode Island Society Phillip’s War, June and July, 1675. of Colonial Wars on June 24 at Mount Hope Farm in Bristol, Rhode Island. Over one hun- NEW SUPPLEMENTALS dred were there, and we enjoyed an outstanding traditional clambake. Some early arrivers were Congratulations to Warrior Everett Thomas able to hike to see King Philip’s Chair, which is Pierce for successfully registering his 5th and on private property and not open to the public. 6th Supplemental records on the rights of his The Rhode Island Society knows how to have a lineal descent from: high quality and memorable event. I thank them John Spalding (1633-1721). John served in for their hospitality. Captain Nicholas Manning’s Company, which marched out to Narragansett to recruit the army Walley Grover Francis after the Great Swamp Fight of December 19, 1675 during King Philip’s War, 1675-1676. Edward Spalding (d. 1670). Edward was chosen and served as a Selectman of New Members and Supplementals Registered Chelmsford, Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1654, 1656, 1660, and 1661. Welcome to our new Vermont Warriors since December 1, 2014: Herman Charles Brown, Esq., Genealogist Nathan Benjamin Astin from Wallingford, Vermont by the rights of lineal descent from George Denison (1616/20-1694). George was elected Captain of the New London, Colony of Fortiter Pro Patria Connecticut Train Band; New London’s Deputy July 2015 Green Mountain Courant Page 3

DEPOSITION SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE SUMMER 2015 COURT

Thank you for allowing me a moment of your time at this Court. “Tradition looks forward as well as backward,” are the words of an illustrious son of Vermont, renowned psychology professor John Dewey. For us, it’s a terse reminder of our continuous renewal grounded in the Declaration Preamble to the Vermont Society’s Constitution and Bylaws. The Society of Colonial Wars has been instituted to perpetuate the memory of those events and of the men who in military, naval, and civil positions of high trust and responsibility, by their acts or counsel assisted in the establishment, defense, and preservation of the American Colonies, and were in truth founders of this Nation. With this end in view it seeks to collect and preserve manuscripts, rolls, relics, and records; to provide suitable commemorations or memorials relating to the American Colonial period, and to inspire in its members the fraternal and patriotic spirit of their forefathers, and in the community respect and reverence for those whose public services made our freedom and unity possible. (March, 2010) I offer two suggestions. First, we’d be well-served in having the Society’s Declaration Preamble read out at the beginning of each court. It’s not long, but would be a reminder of our purpose, the effect of which should be “salubrious,” in the words of an early Colonist. Second, I urge each of us to reflect on what our colonial ancestors suffered and achieved, and its personal significance. For those so moved, you might provide a note of what it means to be a mem- ber, either for one’s own private or family reflection, or to be published in an issue of The Green Mountain Courant. Roger Lyman Amidon, Gentleman of the Council

Justa Justis, The Man of Many Names Walley Francis mixed things up. I am using Justa Justis as his name as that is the one used in the Legislators n the previous issue I wrote of Johan book. Gustafson, a soldier from Kinnekulle. I am Justa was born around 1655, probably near Igoing to tell now about his son Justa Justis. what is now New Castle, Delaware at Fort Much of this is taken from Lawmaking and Christiana while his father was stationed there. Legislators in Pennsylvania, v. 2, pp. 553-4. This is He died in February 1722. His father is given the best and only source of information about above, and his mother was Bridget/Brita him and includes references to other source doc- Mansotter/Mansdotter (showing another exam- uments. ple of name variation). Justa was a prominent I have called him the man with five names member of the Gloria Dei congregation because that book lists him as: “Justa Justis” (Swedish Lutheran, which continues to exist as (primary name) with alternatives Giosta an Episcopal parish in South Philadelphia). An Giostason/Gustaf Gustafsson/Jestell historic model of a Swedish immigrant ship Jestis/Justeson. The name variations arose from hangs over the nave in the church. If you are in the transition from Swedish to English names Philadelphia it is worth a visit. In 1684, Justa after England took over New Sweden and vari- and other Swedes purchased land on the west ous phonetic transcriptions of the Swedish side of Mill Creek in Philadelphia County. names that were made at diverse times. The In June 1709 he signed a petition to the transition from patronymic to family names Justa Justis continued on page 4 July 2015 Green Mountain Courant Page 4

Morton, a signer of the Declaration of Justa Justis Independence and the last Speaker of the Continued from page 3 Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Ann is my 4- Pennsylvania Assembly protesting William greats grandmother. Penn’s illegal confiscation of some Swedes’ The story of Justa and others like him is basi- lands. In 1711, as church warden of Gloria Dei, cally the story of the relatively small number of he signed a petition to Queen Anne from the New Sweden colonists who gradually integrated local Swedish ministers citing their close rela- with the English/Quaker/Mennonite society tionship with the Church of England and their that developed in the late 1600s and 1700s. The mutual opposition to the Quaker backed affir- Swedish Colonial Society, of which I am a fore- mation act of the Pennsylvania Assembly. The father member, is the leading society document- crown complied by repealing the act. ing and honoring their history. Their religious Justa’s opposition to the overwhelming affiliation gradually changed from Lutheran to Quaker influence in Pennsylvania caused him to Church of England/Protestant Episcopal as be elected from Philadelphia County to the 1714 Sweden ceased providing Lutheran pastors. Pennsylvania Assembly, and he was reelected in There were few Swedish soldiers in New 1715. These are his Society of Colonial Wars Sweden who left American descendants. As a qualifying services. result the Society of Colonial Wars has very few Justa did relatively little that was recorded in who claim them. Many of his descendants are in the Assembly. All that was noted in 1715 was Pennsylvania, but until the mid-1950s the the delivery of a message to Governor Gookin Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Wars required informing him that the House had gathered and descent from an officer, not a soldier, so many was ready to meet with him. descendants could not claim his service as quali- Justa’s will was written on February 7, 1722 fying. and was probated 10 days later dividing his Much of this information is from an article by estate among two daughters, six surviving sons, Peter Stebbins Craig in the “Swedish Colonial and three nephews. News” of the Swedish Colonial Society. The His granddaughter, Ann Justis, married John article was published in 1994.

Deacon Putnam and His Struggle with the Devil Roger Amidon March 10, 1754. He was elected a deacon on December 3, 1690 of the First Church of Salem he notorious began in Village (later Danvers). Edward’s eldest brother 1692, fueled in some measure by the will Thomas, Jr. and his wife, Ann Carr Putnam, Tof Lt. (a qualified were unhappy with his father’s will because his Colonial Wars ancestor for several Vermont war- half-brother Joseph, from a later marriage, riors). His first wife, Ann Holyoke (daughter of received the bulk of the Senior’s estate Edward Holyoke, who represented Lynn at the (Surviving spouses and eldest sons traditionally General Court between 1639 and 1648), died inherited most of the decedent’s property under leaving him with eight children. Thomas English common law). Their active unhappiness Putnam Sr. married (a second time) Mary Veren fed into a growing communal malaise much by whom he had another son Joseph. stimulated by a new preacher, Reverend Samuel Edward Putnam was his second son, baptized Parris. He was a Harvard educated merchant in Salem Village, April 4, 1654 and died there on Deacon Putnam continued on page 5 July 2015 Green Mountain Courant Page 5 Deacon Putnam Continued from page 4 with inherited commercial interests in the West Indies and later decided on a ministerial career. He brought two slaves from his plantation, one of whom, an Indian woman named , was accused of by Parris’s daughter, and her friend, Jr. In the socially toxic Salem Village environment Reverend Parris became an active foe of its Devils. Thomas Jr. welcomed the Rev. Parris, as did Thomas’s wife, Ann, and their daughter Ann Jr. The notorious Salem Witch Trials began in 1692, fueled in some measure by the will of Lt. Thomas Putnam. Those familiar with the Salem Witch Trials will recognize the name Ann Putnam Jr., one of the hanging and one pressed to death. For those most prominent accusers. Though there were with an interest in the Salem Witch Trials, the lit- several other Putnam families, Thomas Jr.’s was erature abounds. the only one strongly supporting Parris in nur- turing accusations of witchery. Edward, then a L’envoi deacon of the Salem Village church (1690), was Although Deacon Edward Putnam would persuaded to join the accusatory party in the seem to qualify as a viable ancestor for a service of which he interviewed not less than 13 Colonial Wars in America application due to his charged with witchcraft. The family genealogist, being the son of Lt. Thomas Putnam, only an Eben Putnam excuses Edward saying “His own intrepid spirit would offer him as a qualifying innocence of all wrong is shown by the ease ancestor, as I am, along with others. By more with which he was deceived.” But one is tempt- modern standards Edward’s record of ecclesias- ed in part to blame his environment and per- tic leadership in Salem is seriously if not fatally haps a man with a timid soul. The 13 aforemen- compromised by his complicity in the deaths of tioned persons accused of witchcraft were inter- 20 and the suffering of countless others. viewed (“interrogated” may be a better verb) at Finally, the old meeting house at Thomas Jr’s. home. Rockingham, Vermont would be similar in con- Eventually the hysteria disappeared. Well struction to the church in Salem Village in the more than 100 had to defend themselves against late 1600s. It is well worth a visit. witchery charges, but 20 lost their lives, 19 by

Vermont Society of Colonial Wars Summer Court July 18, 2015 Summer Court will be on July 18 in Chester, Vermont and generously hosted once again by Brad and Christine Gorham at their farm. [See Governor’s Message on front page for details.] July 2015 Green Mountain Courant Page 6

2015 February Annual Court

Warriors gathered at Middlebury’s Fire & Ice Restaurant for the business meeting of the annual Court of the Vermont Society of Colonial Wars on February 24. (Rear L-R) Brad Gorham, Tom Pierce, David Hockensmith, Jim Barr, Robert Rogers, Charlie Brown, Don Bicknell, Ian Barr, and Ethan Thibault. (Front) Tim Mabee, Airell Jenks, and Walley Francis.

Mary and Michael Manley. Jim Barr, Myle Truong, Ian Barr. Green Mountain Courant

Robert Rogers, Stephanie and David Hockensmith.

Volume 8 Issue 2 December 2014 July 2015 Green Mountain Courant Page 7

Colonial Wars Book Corner for Vermont Warriors

Roger L. Amidon, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor Emeritus

MAJOR JOHN HAWKS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF VERMONT’S FIRST ROAD

Construction of the Crown Point Military Road in 1759-1760 was the result of Lord Jeffrey Amherst’s determination to capture French posi- tions on the southern end of Lake Champlain and reestablish those of the British. Fort Saint- Frédéric was demolished and replaced by a new fort at Crown Point. Fort Carillon was captured and renamed Fort Ticonderoga. These were to be the gateway guardians to Lake Champlain and the valley of the upper Hudson River. To improve supply lines in their support, Lord Amherst required a road from Fort No. 4 near Charlestown, New Hampshire to Crown Point, New York. He gave the task to General John Stark, Major John Hawks, and Col. John Goffe. Hawks went first, beginning at Crown Source: Crown Point Road Association Web Site Point, proceeding across Lake Champlain and Otter Creek, using Indian trails where available. mit. Hawks’ rough and ready clearing proceeded As an endnote, The Crown Point Military southeast, across the mountains near present- Road was later used in the Revolutionary War day Ludlow, Baltimore and Weathersfield, by the Americans to re-supply Fort Ticonderoga Vermont and into the Black River valley to the following its capture. However, at General Connecticut River to Charlestown. Col. Goffe Washington’s behest for the siege of Boston, 59 began clearing the road from Fort No. 4, com- cannon from both forts were moved using a dif- pleting the task in 1760, about 15 years before ferent route (The Henry Knox Trail) by Colonel the Bayley-Hazen Military Road was created. Knox. Later, Connecticut settlers and others Major Hawks’ role in this prodigious effort is from southern New England used the road documented in part in Major John Hawks’ Orderly establishing and populating the beginnings of a Journal and Book, a copy of which is in the collec- future Vermont. tion of the Vermont Historical Society. This Today, the Crown Point Road Association is leather-bound journal contains the regimental an active organization featuring educational orders for Major Hawks in building Vermont’s activities and occasional tours (see - first road. It is my intention to review the http://crownpointroad.org/). Journal and Handbook when circumstances per- July 2015 Green Mountain Courant Page 8 Proposed Changes to Constitution and Bylaws of Vermont Society of Colonial Wars The following changes to the constitution and remove “but”; change “members” to bylaws of the Society of Colonial Wars in the “Members”; insert “officers of a State Society State of Vermont were proposed at its General including” before “Gentlemen of the Council”; Court in Middlebury on February 24, 2015. They remove the comma immediately following “… will be voted on at its Summer Court in Chester of a State Society”; remove “place a rosette of on July 18, 2015. regulation pattern upon the silk ribbon from The purpose of all the proposed changes is to which it is pendant” and replace it with “wear make the Vermont Society’s bylaws consistent the badge with the three jewels in the crown with those of the General Society. There is no suspended from a regulation ribbon around the intent to change the operation of the Society of neck.”; replace “ribbon” with “sash (broad rib- Colonial Wars in the State of Vermont in any bon)”; replace “hip.” with “hip, with the badge way. pendant at the intersection of its ends over the A. In Article II Membership replace “twenty- hip.”; Replace “the insignia shall be worn only one” with “eighteen” (changing the minimum as above described.” with “the insignia shall be age of eligibility for membership); change “13 worn only as prescribed in the Article, and in May” to “May 13” and “19 April” to “April 19” accordance with regulations adopted from time (to match the General Society’s text); in Section to time by the General Council.” (to match the (2)(c) replace “in Maryland and the Carolinas; “ General Society’s text). with “in Maryland, the Carolinas, or Georgia;” Approval of these amendments will require (to match the General Society’s text); in Section two-thirds vote of the members present at the (2)(d) add a comma after “Council … Legislative Summer Court. body”; and replace the final period with “; or” The Vermont Society is required to operate in and add a new Section (2)(e): “(e) Justice, Judge, accordance with the bylaws of the General Justice of the Peace, or other judicial officer.” (to Society of Colonial Wars. As a result these match the General Society’s text). changes are all really in effect. This is simply a B. In Article XI Insignia replace the word housekeeping action so that Vermont bylaws “relieve” with “relievo” (two places) (to match match those of the General Society. the General Society’s text); remove “as such”;

Is Your Genealogical Information under Control? Terry Hoffer Some 10 years ago I inherited the fruits of my father’s efforts in tracking our family history. He he choices of computer software with the was a curious fellow who loved to draft letters ability to hold, sort, and display family in pencil and type them up on a manual type- Tinformation can be overwhelming. There writer for mailing off to keepers of vital records are dozens of choices. or other family members with clues to missing Any one product can probably provide the pieces of the puzzle. Dad was trained as a space and ability to improve on the old school lawyer. He was particular about accuracy and storage of file cards, envelopes, and boxes, but the great difference between fact and supposi- some can do so without a great challenge in tion. He was a long time member of the using the program. Genealogical Software continued on page 9 July 2015 Green Mountain Courant Page 9

Genealogical Software continued from page 8 ited source citations for every fact. I am especial- Connecticut Society of Colonial Wars, and for ly attracted to the function that allows you to that reason among others he was interested in designate facts as proven, disputed, or dis- ancestry. proven and thereby keep an eye on the integrity Ten years ago I found myself looking through of your efforts. I his correspondence, notes, and pedigree charts, think it is critically and it occurred to me that this is exactly what important to distin- computers can do. I remember asking some of guish between a his associates in the Connecticut Society of fact with official Colonial Wars the questions of which software documentation, they used and how does it work. There was no family legends response. with no substantia- I read reviews and probably studied the mar- tion, and wild keting material of some of the leaders in the assumptions in business. and for whatever reason I acquired a need of evidence. copy of RootsMagic. Every bit of infor- Perhaps I should say that I have been using mation on a person computers on a regular basis since the early is available from this one screen, and you can 1980s. I don’t want to be considered a program- easily access notes, sources, and more for every mer, but I have created some database programs item. from the ground up, and I suppose that gives Once you get a handful of entries in your me an understanding of database software that data file you will turn to the six main views is not necessarily sophisticated but it is beyond RootsMagic offers to understand who is who. that of those who are riding the wave of apps Pedigree lets you look back and your ancestry. and screens, which allow us to point and sweep Family displays an individual’s spouse, chil- and perform astounding tasks on a smartphone. dren, and parents. Descendants provides the Nevertheless, I am a user and nothing more. names and relationships of those who followed. RootsMagic in its basic form will hold literal- People is the equivalent of a master index of the ly all the information you have about anyone in file. WebSearch will take you online to see what your ancestry. This includes vital records (birth, you can find about an individual and date marriage, and death dates and places) as well as range. Timeline provides a horizontal chart of any kind of biographical information I can imag- the individual’s life history and dates. You can ine and digital versions of photographs or his- easily switch between views by clicking on a torical documents as well. tab, and soon you will be sorting your entries The RootsMagic edit screen allows you to add six ways from Sunday. an unlimited number of facts for every person in RootsMagic makes it easy to find and edit your data file (birth, death, marriage, occupa- anyone in your file. Quickly search by surname tion, military service, place of burial, and so or given names, or perform sophisticated forth). If you want to add a fact that isn’t in the searches easily. Even find women by their mar- predefined list, you can create your own fact ried names. And you can edit any person in the types. RootsMagic also allows notes and unlim- search list with the click of a single button. Print out a list of everyone buried in some cemetery. I often find myself using the RootsMagic report function to display or print relationship charts and lists. Careful readers of the last issue

Genealogical Software continued on page 9 Green Mountain Courant

Volume 8 Issue 2 December 2014 Newsletter of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Vermont

Terry Hoffer, Editor 2059 Peacham Road Danville, Vermont 05828

The Green Mountain Courant is published twice a year. Contributions are welcome and may be submitted by post or email to [email protected]

Genealogical Data Software

See Is Your Genealogical Information ... on page 8 settle old arguments, and display charts and lists as I want them far from home. of the Green Mountain Courant will remember RootsMagic in its most recent version is sold my description of Ebenezer Goldthwaite, one of for $29.99 at Amazon.com. Like any computer the members of the Danvers Militia who gave application I think you will find it becomes easi- their lives at the Battle of Lexington on the 19th er with practice and use. I recommend it as a of April 1775. RootsMagic tells me that worthy replacement for your file cards, folders, Ebenezer Goldthwaite and I are second cousins and envelopes, and the record will be more five times removed. Last summer my mother-in- accessible and probably more interesting for law gave my daughter as a wedding present your descendants. some family flatware with initials engraved in Good Luck. the silver. In no time I had a list of exactly who the initials represented and how she was related to my daughter. Vermont Last winter I had a reason to get a portable computer, an iPad. I generally access my Society of Colonial Wars RootsMagic file on a desktop computer, which sits on the floor under a desk. RootsMagic To- Summer Court July 18, 2015 Go allows for the file to be on my iPad and use- Chester, Vermont ful as I travel. I can show family what I have,