VERMONT-L Archives

Archiver > VERMONT > 1999-05 > 0927688224


From: "Jackie M. Botala" <>
Subject: [VERMONT-L] more old papers...
Date: Tue, 25 May 1999 20:10:24 -0700


********************************************************************
"Hog" Jones

Brandon residents tell a unique tale about John A. Conant.
He was evidently a man who believed in being able to receive
his pound of flesh. He owned some property in a feild beside
Otter Creek on which were some old barns.
When one of these barns burned, evidence pointed to
"Hog" Jones, a butcher who protested his innocence. How-
ever, Conant pressed the case against him so that Jones
was finally sent to Windsor.
In the town, resentment against Conant mounted and
"Hog" Jones let it be known that if John A. Conant died be-
fore he did, he would dig up the body from its resting place
and stand him up in his coffin in the village park so that every-
one could see the person who had made him suffer unjustly.
"Hog" Jones was released from prison, and in time, John
A. Conant died. The Conant family, greatlyu worried by
Jones' threat, had the graveyard patrolled for several days
by men armed with shot guns. However, they couldn't keep
up the guard indefinately, so they had made a marble slab
to cover John A's grave. Over this slab were placed sods
of grass.
Today, in that cemetery, the slab of marble still lies pro-
tectively over the grave of John A. Conant.

(Contributed by Mildred Lidstone)

********************************************************************
Primas Storms

The story of Primas Storms comes from Mr. Spencer,
now ninety years old. He says that Primas Storms came
across the creek from the west side of town to chop wood
for his father.
Strong, broadshouldered, six feet two inches tall, Primas
could chop more wood in a day than any man in those parts.
That was not what most impressed the boy as he listened
to the stories of Pimas. It was that Primas' skin was black,
and very few negro's were seen in Vermont.
We are told that Storm's was a slave in New York. His
master was General Storms, an aide to General Washington.
As a reward for faithful service, Primas won his freedom
and was given a small farm just north of Panton Corners.
Being a lonely man, he looked around for someone to
share his good fortunes. He chose a girl of light complexion,
married her and raised a large family. Some of the youngsters
took after their mother and some, their father.
Mr. Spencer says, "The contrast was quite noticeable
when they were all together." Descendents of Primas
Storms lived on the farm for many years and were respected
citizens of our town.

(Contributed by Dorothy Richardson)

This thread: