250th  Anniversary for Many Vermont Towns

In 1761 Governor Benning Wentworth of New Hampshire was in a joyous mood following the end of the French and Indian War and began to dole out increasing numbers of town charters - mostly to his friends and fellow speculators.

Many of these grants, not surprisingly were situated on the right of way of the old Crown Point Road in what would become known as the New Hampshire Grants, later Vermont. Little did he care that many of the claims of subsequent landowners would become violently disputed when it was discovered that New York had  laid claim to the same land. 

Now in 2011, 250 years later, the CPRA is hoping to remind people that the reason for a number of the grants relates directly to early usage of the Crown Point Road. The Provincials who worked on the road under British supervision surely made note of the abundant natural resources they were passing through as would the Colonial militiamen passing through in time of war. A more thorough research should be done but there are many known instances of men who returned to settle following the French and Indian War.  For instance the Doolittle name turns up as proprietor in a number of these early towns. It is a fact that Doolittle was involved in the road building. His substantial home still stands in Shoreham. 

It is to be hoped that every town celebrating its 250^th anniversary will make some recognition of their birthplace on the old Crown Point Road.

As for the CPRA itself we have an exciting program to look forward to this season. Of special interest is the reopening of Fort No.4 in New Hampshire and we plan a visit there in May. Our relationship with the Fort has been a close one over the years.  We have also developed a good relationship with the Crown Point NY state historic site on the western end of the Crown Point Road. Now if we could only get the State of Vermont to acknowledge that there is something of great historic importance in between!

See the 2011 Calendar for other exciting hikes and events.

Outreach

The CPRA is really moving in to the electronic age. Our 10-year-old slide program has been up-dated and revised and is now available on disc. Becky Tucker and Susan Hunter worked on the revision. It is our hope that interested parties will either ask for a presentation or borrow the disc and script for their own use. Becky and Susan presented the older program several times in 2010.

Susan is also working on a revision of the Guide Book which should be available this summer.

Our webmaster Jim Purdy volunteers many hours keeping our website and blog current and it is now possible to view pictures and narratives of our hikes as well as news of interest. Jim also produces our mailing material.

President Jim Rowe has been asked to lead an auto tour from Mt. Independence to Hubbardton in June.

Many thanks go to all our volunteers.

Review of 2010 Events

Starting on May 23 our first hike was led by Jim Zimmer in Cavendish with stops at Morgan Cemetery, site of graves of many early settlers and Revolutionary War veterans. There was also an exploration of the CPR in the area.

Our annual outing on June 5 was led by Tom Hughes and included visits to Chimney Point and Crown Point Historic sites with a ferry ride in between.

July 18 found us in Shoreham where Jim Rowe and Larry Clark showed us the area of the Pinnacle.

Our continuing auto tour took place August 21 with stops of interest from Mt. Holly to Clarendon, led by Barry Griffith and Jim Moore

Old Brandon was the site of a tour and lecture by Bill Powers on September 19.

Our annual meeting and potluck took place October 17 at the Community Church in Perkinsville with Tom Hughes filling us in on the Crown Point Forts.

All officers were re-elected.

For pictures and more hike details go to: The Crown Point Road Association Blog

 

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