To secure or "flesh out" the movements of the Phillips family and connect them to St. Albans, at least through the children and or grandchildren of Antoine Phillips and Catherine Cadaive both actually Antwine Philips and his wife Catherine Émery dit Codèrre, one didn't have to look very far, or deep, to find the pieces of the genealogical puzzle ...
November 17, 1865
The Burlington Free Press Newspaper
Vermont Items
Peter Phelps, a colored man 111 years old, who had lived in St. Albans
nearly fifty years, died on Friday. He died on
November 10, 1865.
November 17, 1865
The St. Johnsbury – Caledonian Record Newspaper, Page
Franklin County
Peter Phelps, a colored man who lived at St. Albans for nearly half a
century [ca. 1815], died on Friday at the
age of 111 years.
December 01, 1865
The Orleans Independent Standard Newspaper
A Centenarian – Peter Phelps, a colored man who has lived
in St. Albans for nearly half a century, died on Friday of last week at the
advanced age of 111 years.
June 04, 1866
Again, on Monday night, June 4, 1866, Sheldon, Vermont was the scene of another
armed gathering. About 800 Irish Fenians,
(some computed them as high as 1100) that had collected quietly and unobtrusively, in the town of Fairfield among its
Irish residents, and which composed nearly the whole of the Fenian
"right wing," passed through
the town and village of Sheldon, Vermont between the hours of 9 and 12 at
midnight. They were accoutered and armed, and presented not a poor idea of war
as it is.
June 06, 1866
A guerrilla force of several hundred Fenians (perhaps as
many as 3,500) under the command of "General" Samuel Spear poured off
special trains from Boston into St. Albans, determined to liberate Canada from
the British and establish an Irish Free State. On June 6, after camping out on
the village green, they headed northeast until they crossed into Frelighsburg,
Quebec at Franklin. When they were about six miles over the border, they
planted a a bright green flag.
A small Canadian force had seen them coming, but wisely
retreated. Meeting no soldiers, the Fenians busied themselves stealing
chickens, pigs and liquor from farms in the area. A veritable armed mob, they
plundered nearby St. Armand and Frelighsburg ("Slab City"), and, it
was said, "insulted and abused" the local population.
On hearing that Canadian reinforcements were approaching,
the Fenians began a disorganized retreat to the U.S. The last 200 or so
stragglers were charged by a volunteer cavalry troop which captured sixteen
prisoners.
Canada declared martial law; President Johnson ordered the
munitions and supplies left in St. Albans seized under the Neutrality Act of
1818, and the Fenians found their campground occupied by U.S. troops. Defeated
without so much as a single shot fired, the Irishmen were escorted to the depot
and shipped back to Boston while locals were entertained by an Army band
concert.
Eugenics Records of Antoine Phillips and Descendants:
Matilda Leopard Phillips, IV, #138, states that Old
Antoine and his children lived in Highgate, Vt.
She seems to think that Old Antoine did not travel the way his children
did but that he lived for a long time in Highgate and then somewhere out toward
Fort Ethan Allen, Burlington.
Antoine Phillips was born in Canada about 1787. Matilda Leopard Phillips (Young Matilda) says
that the reason Old Antoine came to
Vermont from Canada was because of a war with the Fenians.
September 06, 1866
Death Record of
Ruby E. Brace – Berkshire, Franklin County, VT
Color: Black Age: 7
months 11 days
Born: [January 26, 1866] Berkshire,
Franklin County, Vermont
Father: Jeffrey Brace
Mother: Mary [Phelps]
May 15, 1867
Birth Record – St. Albans, Franklin County, Vermont Page
572
Almalucius Phelps
Color or Race: Not indicated
Father: William Phelps b. Franklin, Vermont
Father’s Occupation: Farmer
Mother: Rosanna b. Swanton, Franklin County, Vermont
September 27, 1867
When Loraine committed
her second daughter Ellen to the Home
for Destitute Children she indicated that Sylvester was Ellen's father.
Ellen Day, daughter of Sylvester Day and Loraine (nee: Griffin) Day
– Phelps was ‘Bound to the Home’ until 18 yrs. of age, by her mother, Loraine
Phelps:
Ellen’s father was a Mulatto – and French
& Indian blood [?] on
the Mother’s side –
October 23, 1867
Death Record – St. Albans, Franklin County, Vermont Page
570
Almalucius Phelps
Color: Colored
Age: 7 months 12 days
Father: Wm. Phelps
Mother: Rosanna
Cause of Death: Whooping Cough
August 21, 1868
Mary E. Phelps
died of consumption in Berkshire, Franklin County, Vermont. She was the 1st
wife of Jeffrey S. Brace (1844 – 1895), and was a “colored” woman born about
ca. 1847.
January 1870
Amy Polison
died of old age [90 yrs. of age] a pauper at
the Sheldon Poor Farm, in Sheldon, Franklin County, VT
January 22, 1870
Marriage Record of
Mary Phelps and Timothy Prince – St. Albans, Franklin County, VT
Groom: Timothy Prince Bride: Mary Phelps
Age: 20 yrs. Age:
18 yrs.
Father: Henry Prince Father:
William Phelps
Mother: Hannah Barlow Mother:
Rosanna Prince
ca. 1870
[See June 04 -6, 1886]
Another Fenian
Raid occurred in 1870 at Eccles Hill
(not far from Pigeon Hill), when 400 Fenians under the command of
"General" John O'Neill (President of the Fenian Brotherhood) were
repulsed by a much smaller group of Canadian home-guard and militiamen who were
waiting there to meet them. Two Fenian’s were killed and nine were injured. No
Canadians were hurt or killed. O'Neill's words to his troops were, "Men of
Ireland, I am ashamed of you."
April 25, 1872
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper
Trial for Murder
The Laselle Street
Homicide
Franklin County Court:
Daniel Prophet,
colored, testified that he lived in No. 6 Burton & Laselle block,
next to the last tenement to the west end. …
Bridget Prophet,
wife of Daniel Prophet, testified
that she heard the shot fired; that she awoke about five minutes before.
May 27, 1870
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 02
Jesse Welden
Of this person little is known by our people generally
except that he is reputed to be the first white settler of the town, lived for
a while near the present north-east corner of Main and Welden Streets of this
village, and that his name has been perpetuated by being applied to a hotel, a
street and a mineral spring. The object of this article is to shed some little
light on his history.
As early as 1785 Silas Hathaway, with a surveyor, a Mr. Beeman, the ancestor off the family of that name residing at North Fairfax, rowed through the Lake from Whitehall and landed at St. Albans Bay, then together with the surrounding country called Bellemaquam(?), by the aboriginal inhabitants probably an Indian corruption of the French, Belle ma queene (my beautiful queen.) Very soon after their arrival they met Jesse Welden, then living with an Indian wife in a hut near the shore of the Bay, and south of the present road leading to the Bay from this village.
As early as 1785 Silas Hathaway, with a surveyor, a Mr. Beeman, the ancestor off the family of that name residing at North Fairfax, rowed through the Lake from Whitehall and landed at St. Albans Bay, then together with the surrounding country called Bellemaquam(?), by the aboriginal inhabitants probably an Indian corruption of the French, Belle ma queene (my beautiful queen.) Very soon after their arrival they met Jesse Welden, then living with an Indian wife in a hut near the shore of the Bay, and south of the present road leading to the Bay from this village.
Hathaway and Beeman remained in town that summer. Having
the title to but one lot of land situated in the north part of the town and
having determined to settle near the present Main Street, Hathaway went to
Bennington, from which place he originally came and soon returned with a yoke
of oxen. Leaving these in charge of Beeman to commence clearing he again went away and returned, having the title to large tracts of land in
this vicinity obtained through Levi and Ira Allen, whose right to deed, though questionable, still was of sufficient
apparent authority to make possession in those early times secured. Previous to
Hathaway's final return, Welden had moved to the place we have mentioned, on
the corner of Welden and Main Streets, and had built the only dwelling-house
then standing in town. It was at his house that the first town meeting was
called, at which about forty settlers were present.
Welden held his
land by lease from the Allen’s until the 27th of
January, 1792, when he procured
deeds of about 350 acres, and subsequently he procured the title of 200 acres more, all lying in the vicinity
of his dwelling-house. From the records of the town it appears that he died
after July 24, 1795, and previous to March 5, 1796, as upon the former date lie executed a
deed upon record, and on the latter date a highway was laid out and running
"easterly of the Widow Welden's Barn."
His wife was an
Indian, probably of the St. Regis
tribe. Her name was Ruth, but whether given her by her Indian parents, or bestowed by Welden cannot now be
ascertained.
Jesse Welden had the following children:
David Welden,
who took the Freeman's oath in 1788
Jonathan Welden
who took the Freeman's oath in 1790
Caleb Welden who
took the Freeman's oath in 1792
Lois Welden, who married Daniel Baker
Ruth Welden,
who married Samuel Calkins
Abigail Welden,
who married Samuel Lucas
Loamy Welden,
who married William Griffin.
1.
David Welden disappeared from town after
September 1798 and previous to March 1789.
2.
Jonathan Welden was residing hi Stamford, Ulster
County, N. Y., July 13, 1790.
3.
Caleb Welden disappeared from the town after
October 1796, and previous to March, 1799.
4.
Daniel Baker disappeared from the town after
May, 1797, and previous to March, 1799.
5.
Samuel Calkins disappeared after July 25, 1795,
and previous to March, 1799. Samuel Lucas was living in Sandgate, Bennington
Co., Jan, 13, 1797.
6.
Loamy Weldon’s husband William Griffin continued
to reside in St. Albans for a number of years.
To ascertain how long Welden had been an inhabitant of
the town previous to his being seen by Hathaway is a more difficult task, and
can only be arrived at approximately, from such facts as are known. Tradition
says of him that he had been here a long time. Arriving in this section of the
country as a fugitive from justice, while it is known beyond a peradventure
that he was affiliated with a tribe of St. Regis Indians adopting the roving
life, and was never permanently located, until sometime between 1785 and 1788,
when Silas Hathaway, the real first white settler, had also built a log house
not far from the present site of the residence of J. H. Dewey, Esq.
From the traces of Indian blood in his descendants, certain other facts can be approximately ascertained.
From the traces of Indian blood in his descendants, certain other facts can be approximately ascertained.
Levi Griffin,
the son of William Griffin, and Loany
Welden, took the freeman's oath in 1814. He must therefore, have been born
as early as 1793, and as this family
shows Indian blood strongly, it can
be reasonably inferred that Loamy
was the daughter of Jesse Welden, and his Indian wife Ruth. Supposing that
she was twenty years of age at her marriage in 1793, she must have been born as
early as '73, and as we have seen that David took the freeman's oath in '88,
Jonathan in '90, and Caleb in '02, it is likewise probable that they were born
in 1767, '69 and '71, respectively, and being
satisfied with the Indian blood in Loamy Weldon - Griffin, who, as we
have shown, must have been born sometime from 1771 to 1775, the inference is very strong that all of
the children of Jesse Welden we have above enumerated, were born of the Indian
Ruth, and that he must have come into this section of the country as early
as 1765.
William Griffin had two sons Levi and William, and several daughters. Of the daughters little is at present known. It is sufficient to say that none of their descendants are living in this vicinity. Of the sons, Levi was the eldest. He married Anna Wright in 1817. William married a Canadian girl from Swanton by the name of Miller, and had several children. The only one living in this vicinity now is Loraine Griffin, wife of Lewis Phelps, (Colored) who has several mulatto children.
Of the early life and history of Jesse Welden nothing can be positively ascertained, and it is believed that the above facts are all that can be definitely known of a man whose name our people have taken so many pains to perpetuate.
William Griffin had two sons Levi and William, and several daughters. Of the daughters little is at present known. It is sufficient to say that none of their descendants are living in this vicinity. Of the sons, Levi was the eldest. He married Anna Wright in 1817. William married a Canadian girl from Swanton by the name of Miller, and had several children. The only one living in this vicinity now is Loraine Griffin, wife of Lewis Phelps, (Colored) who has several mulatto children.
Of the early life and history of Jesse Welden nothing can be positively ascertained, and it is believed that the above facts are all that can be definitely known of a man whose name our people have taken so many pains to perpetuate.
A.G.S.
August 12, 1870
1870 Federal Population Census – St. Albans, Franklin County, VT
Household 105 –
108
William J. Phelps Age: 25 yrs. (B) Black Occupation: Farm
Laborer Born: Vermont
Elizabeth Phelps (Wife) Age: 21 yrs. (B) Black
Occupation: Keeping House Born: Vermont
Ida Phelps (Daughter) Age: 01 yr. (B) Black Born: Vermont
Household 106 –
109
Jerry Coburn Age: 25 yrs. (B) Black Born: Virginia
Agnes Coburn Age: 17 yrs. (B) Black Born: Vermont
Clarence Coburn Age: 1 month (B) Black Born: Vermont
Ephraim Brace Age: 10 yrs. (B) Black Born: Vermont
Wymon Brace Age: 16 yrs. (B) Black Born: Vermont
Household 107 –
110
Mark Belden Age: 34 yrs. (B) Black Occupation: Farm
Laborer Born: Vermont
Cynthia Belden Age: 27 yrs. (B) Black Occupation: Keeping
House Born: Vermont
Alberta Belden Age: 14 yrs. (B) Black Born: Vermont
Sarah Belden Age: 9 yrs. (B) Black Born: Vermont
Joseph Belden Age: 7 yrs. (B) Black Born: Vermont
Household 108 –
111
William Phelps Age: 48 yrs. [b. ca. 1822] (B) Black
Occupation: Farm Laborer Born: Vermont
Rosanna [Prince] Age:
46 yrs. [b. ca. 1824] (B) Black Born: Vermont
Julius Phelps Age: 05 yrs. (B) Black Born: Vermont
Household 109 –
112
Timothy Prince Age: 20 yrs. (B) Black Occupation: Farm
Laborer Born: Vermont
Mary [Phelps] Age: 17
yrs. (B) Black Born: Vermont
Household 110 –
113
Abraham Prince Age: 36 yrs. (B) Black Occupation: Farm
Laborer Born: Vermont
Elizabeth Prince Age: 40 yrs. (B) Black Born: Vermont
Sarah Prince Age: 14 yrs. (B) Black Born: Vermont
Agnes Prince Age: 7 yrs. (B) Black Born: Vermont
Henry Prince Age: 5 yrs. (B) Black Born: Vermont
Mary Prince Age: 2 months (B) Black Born: Vermont
Isaac Prince Age: 23 yrs. (B) Black Born: Vermont
Household 417 –
435
Edward Bery Age: 40 yrs. (B) Black
Occupation: Barber Born: New York
Rhoda Age: 28 yrs. (W) White Occupation: Keeping House
Born: Canada
John B. Bery Age: 07 yrs. (W) White Born: Canada
Eliza Bery Age: 05 yrs. (W) White Born: Canada
Charles Bery Age: 04 yrs. (W) White Born: Canada
Hattie Bery Age: 4 months (W) White Born: Vermont
Alexander Garrison Age: 40 yrs. (B) Black
Occupation: Laborer Born: New York
Diana Garrison Age: 20 yrs. (B) Black
Born: Vermont
Household 418 –
436
Lewis Phelps Age: 37 (B) Black Occupation:
Farm Laborer Born; Vermont
Lorena [nee: Griffin] Phelps
Age: 37 yrs. (B) Black Born: Vermont
Mary Ann Phelps Age: 19 yrs. (B) Black
Born: Vermont
Charles Phelps Age: 13 yrs. (B) Black
Born: Vermont
Lewis Phelps Age: 07 yrs. (B) Black Born:
Vermont
Emma Phelps Age: 02 yrs. (B) Black Born:
Vermont
Sally Phelps Age: 2 months (B) Black
Born: Vermont
Household 419 –
437
Daniel Profit [Prophet] Age:
26 yrs. (B) Black Born: Virginia
Bridget Profit (W) White Age: 22 yrs. Born: Canada
December 02, 1872
Death Record of Louise Phelps
[Phillips] – St. Albans, Franklin County,
Vermont Page 601
Age: 7 months 2 days Born:
April 30, 1872 St. Albans, VT
Cause of death: Lung Fever
Father: Peter Phelps [Anthony/Antoine/Atwine
Phillips/Philippe and Catherine Coderre’s son]
Mother: Louise [Delia Benoit?]
January 16, 1873
The Argus & Patriot (Montpelier, VT) Newspaper
Arrested for
intoxication – Michael and Peter
Phillips, of Burlington were
arrested for being intoxicated, last Sunday night, and taken to jail. Monday
they were brought up into Court, and Michael was fined $5.00 dollars in costs.
July 02, 1875
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper
Police – Court Section
William Phelps, a gentleman of
color, was hauled up before His Honor Justice Farnsworth Friday on
the charge of furnishing liquor to William Davis, and getting him intoxicated. William Phelps has been in the habit of procuring liquor for the
colored population in the Block, as the others would be refused if
they went after it.
William Phelps pled guilty of furnishing liquor to
William Davis and disclosed on the Lake House, William Phelps was fined $20.00
dollars and costs, and not being able to “come down” he was remanded to “Limbo”
until the fine and costs be paid.
July 07, 1873
The Orleans County Monitor Newspaper
It is reported that Jake
Way a disreputable scamp, who has lived
in Hardwick, but now of Peacham,
so cruelly beat and bruised his son, a boy of twelve years of age on Saturday
June 29th, that he died on Sunday. We understand that Jake Way is still at large.
October 19, 1875
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper
Long Suffering
Woman
The neighborhood of “the Block” was the scene of another
of those family jars for which it is famous. On Saturday evening about 10:00
o’clock p.m., a colored man named William Phelps was
arrested by the Sheriff for abusing and assaulting his wife Elizabeth, and was
lodged in Mr. Morrill’s restaurant to await an examination into said charges
made against him by State’s Attorney Newton, which took place yesterday morning
before Justice Gilman, and occupied all the aforenoon. Considerable evidence
was adduced on both sides; the gist of the evidence being that William Phelps
did not use discretion in assisting his wife Elizabeth down the front steps of
a neighbor’s house, and the consequence was Elizabeth’s falling to the ground
insensible, and being taken care of by Mr.
Newport’s family, who came forward as principle witnesses against the
prisoner, William Phelps. It also appeared that when Mrs. Phelps was able to and
did go home with her husband, about half an hour after the unfortunate
accident, her husband William Phelps did attempt to display considerable
fierceness and agility with a razor in the vicinity of Elizabeth’s person, and
she, in putting up her left hand to avoid the sharp instrument had the thumb
nearly severed at the first joint. The prisoner and his wife totally denied
either of the before mentioned assaults, acknowledging only a little family
jar, but overwhelming evidence knocked their statements higher than a kite, the
former character of the respondent being
ventilated by State’s Attorney Newton to His Honor.
F. W. McGettrick, Esq., on behalf of the respondent made
an eloquent appeal, scouting the insinuation made by the State’s Attorney that
Mr. Newport was the “peace maker” and Mr. William Phelps the “peace breaker.”
But it was of no avail. The Court was convinced that the peace and dignity of
the State had been injured to the amount of $8.00 dollars and costs, in which
sum the respondent was muleted,
and the boys sang:
A darkey who lived in “the Block”
A darkey who lived in “the Block”
Gave his wife such a terrible shock
By means of a razor,
That her friends had to raise her,
And her husband was placed in the dock.
December 28, 1875
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper
Welcome and Ordway
Try It Again, and One of Them Succeeds Admirably
Saturday evening two tramps applied to Mr. Kimpton for
lodging, and were sent to the jail, where Sheriff Morrill gave them free range.
Late in the night they were heard tramping around and were remonstrated with,
and inspection of the cells also being made and the cell thought to be
especially strong in which Welcome and Ordway were confined after their
escapade of Thursday night, seemed secure. But about 4:00 o’clock a.m. Sunday
morning, a man sleeping in the jail was awakened by a rush, and on getting up,
saw Welcome disappear through the same window hole previously made use of, and
Ordway attempting to follow. He managed to stop Ordway, but Welcome had too
much start, and succeeded in escaping. The sheriff and deputies were aroused,
and the tramps closely confined, it being suspected that they assisted in
wrenching off two bars from the cell in which the prisoners were confined, and
which has been sawed off under the crossbar, apparently years ago. Sheriff
Morrill and deputies scoured the country round, arousing the people at the Bay
and in Swanton, but not a track or clue to Welcome’s whereabouts could be
obtained until Sunday evening, when a telegram from Ste. Armand, Quebec, Canada
was received, announcing the arrival of a man answering to the description of
Welcome.
Deputy McCloskey went to Ste. Armand and yesterday telegraphed that he “had his man” but the Sheriff was compelled to send an answer directing his release, as he could not be held in Canada. Notwithstanding this however, Deputies McCloskey, Bailey and Hawley arrived here yesterday afternoon with their man, who was returned to durance vile. It seems that the officer found Welcome in Ste. Armand and he consented to come back, being no doubt ignorant that he was under no legal obligation to do so.
Deputy McCloskey went to Ste. Armand and yesterday telegraphed that he “had his man” but the Sheriff was compelled to send an answer directing his release, as he could not be held in Canada. Notwithstanding this however, Deputies McCloskey, Bailey and Hawley arrived here yesterday afternoon with their man, who was returned to durance vile. It seems that the officer found Welcome in Ste. Armand and he consented to come back, being no doubt ignorant that he was under no legal obligation to do so.
William Phelps the well-known colored gentleman of the Block, whose domestic
infelicities [inappropriate, especially a remark or
expression] have frequently forced themselves onto our columns, was arrested yesterday on suspicion of having furnished acid, by
the aid of which the tramps used, and the one prisoner escaped, and he is held in jail for further examination,
on an old drunkenness mittimus.
[A mittimus written document
which can command a jailer to safely keep a felon until he or she can be
transferred to a prison. A mittimus also refers to the transcript of the
conviction and sentencing stages, which is duly certified by a clerk of court.]
The two tramps are also detained under $500.00 dollar bonds. Ordway turned State’s evidence and on his
testimony the tramps were bound up. Welcome and Ordway after their escapade of
last Thursday night were arraigned before Justice Gilman and in default of
$400.00 dollars bail each, were remanded to await trial. A competent blacksmith
has been engaged to thoroughly overhaul the leaky Franklin County Jail and stop
up all the cracks.
June 20, 1876
Death Record of
Lewis Phelps Jr. – St. Albans, Franklin County, VT Page 588
Color: Colored
Age: 12 yrs. 4 months 6 days
Born: February 14, 1864 St. Albans, VT
Father: Lewis Phelps
Mother: Loraine [nee: Griffin] Day
February 10, 1879
The St. Albans Messenger, Page 03
Good Templars’
Election
On the 29th of January, the semi-annual
election of officers of Green Mountain
Lodge resulted as follows:
James Y. Stewart, Mrs. Nellie Newport, Mrs. Ellen Brace, Mr. M. H. Warren, Nellie E. Stewart,
Myron Brace, A. Warren, Bertha Prince, Chauncey Prince, Mrs. Ida Day, Ethan Brace,
Mrs. A. Garrison, Mrs. Elizabeth Prince, A. A. Garrison, L. G. Phelps
Night of meeting, Wednesday, in mission room, Laselle street.
June 10, 1879
Marriage Record of
William J. Phelps and Mary J. (nee: Barber) Blanchard – St. Albans, VT
Page 605
His Age: 34 yrs. His 1st Marriage Born: St.
Albans, Franklin County, Vermont
Father: William Phelps
Mother: Rosanna Prince
June 18, 1879
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper
A Brutal
Affair.
A Man Murderously Assaults His Wife - He
Clears Out, But Is Overtaken and Arrested, and Locked Up In Burlington
Jail.
About two weeks ago, says the Free Press there came to
Burlington from Claremont, N.H., one Daniel
Brooks, about 40 years of age, an Englishman, who followed the occupation
of gardener; with him was his wife, about his own age, who belonged in
Woodstock and whose maiden name was Almira Clapp. The pair took quarters on North Bend Street,
at Peter English's. On Monday night they
had an altercation, caused by Brook's jealousy, and English ordered them out of
his house, and they accordingly hired a wagon, put in their trunk and started,
striking on to Williston Avenue. When
near the house of Anthony Phillips
on the Plains, at about 9:30 or 10
o'clock, that family was startled by screams of "Murder! Help! Help!”
They at once rushed out and heard the woman imploring the man to
desist. Brooks made a remark, asking
Phillips what he should do in the case of his wife's infidelity, and then
struck Mrs. Brooks three times on the head with the butt of the whip. Phillips then grappled with the wife-beater
and the woman threw herself out of the wagon, claiming protection. Brooks broke Phillip's grasp, plied the whip
vigorously and turned into the lot, where an embankment soon overturned the
team, breaking both shafts of the wagon, and the man took to his heels.
On taking the woman into the house it was found that her
face had been pounded out of all semblances to humanity. Both eyes were closed
and the whole of her face was a mass of jelly; and on her hands were twelve
distinct cuts. Her hands wrists and arms
from the elbows down were also frightfully disfigured, evidently while
attempting to ward off the blows of her worse than brutal husband. Dr. Bingham was at once summoned, and did
everything possible for the unfortunate woman.
On his return he notified the police, and Sheriff Drew and his
subordinates went to work, and finally the Sheriff arrested Brooks at Winooski
and lodged him in jail at about half past 7 o'clock Tuesday morning.
The woman still in a semi-conscious condition only, and
may possibly not recover, her injuries being very severe and dangerous. Brooks
was at first told that his wife was dead, and he expressed great contrition for
his deed, but revived somewhat when informed that she was still alive.
The assault was one of the most brutal and cowardly that
has ever come under our notice, and it is hoped that a summary example will be
made of the wrenth.
October 28, 1879
The St. Albans Daily Messenger, Page 03
Vermont News
Henry Switzer, of
Morrisville, Vermont, has been committed to the House of Correction for
nonpayment of a fine imposed for beating
his wife.
June 16, 1880
1880 Federal Population Census – Shelburne, Chittenden County, VT
Line 19 -
Household155 – 158:
Joshua Aldrich (B) Black Age: 38
yrs. Occupation: Laborer Born: VA F: VA M: VA
Cynthia [Phelps] Aldrich
(Wife) (B) Black Age: 35 yrs. Occupation: Keeping
House Born: VT F: VT M: VT
John Phelps
(Father-in-law) (B) Black Age: 70 yrs. Occupation:
Laborer Born: VT F: -- M: --
Julius Phelps
(Brother-in-law) (B) Black Age: 17 yrs. Occupation: --
Born: -- F: -- M: --
June 23, 1880
1880 Federal Population Census – St. Albans, Franklin County, VT
Household 527 –
620:
William Phelps (B) Black Age: 32
yrs. Occupation: Laborer Born: Vermont
Mary J. (nee: Barber) (W) White Age: 32 yrs. Born: New
York
Louisa Phelps Mulatto Age: 04 yrs.
Rose E. Phelps Mulatto Age: 10
months Born: May 10, 1879
Household 531 –
626:
A.W. Newport (B) Black Age: 49 yrs. Occupation: Painter
Born: Virginia
Rebecca H. Newport (B) Black Age: 36 yrs. Occupation:
House Keeper Born: Pennsylvania
Charles Newport (B) Black Age: 13 yrs. Born: New York
Nellie A. Newport (B) Black Age: 08 yrs. Born: Vermont
Henry Newport (B) Black Age: 04 yrs. Born: Vermont
Household 535 –
632:
Julius Willard (B) Black Age: 23 yrs. Occupation: Laborer
Born: N.H. Father b. Vt. Mother b. MA
Eva Willard (B) Black Age: 20 yrs. Born: New York
Household 535 –
633:
Charles Day (B) Black Age: 22 yrs. Occupation: Laborer
Born: Vermont Father b. Vt. Mother b. Canada
Ida Elizabeth (nee: Newport) Day (B) Black Age: 18 yrs. Born:
New York Father b. NY Mother b. Penn.
Mable Day (B) Black Age: 01 yr.
Household 536 –
635:
Daniel Prince (B) Black Age: 45 yrs. Occupation: Laborer
Born: Vermont
Frozen Prince (W) White Age: 16 yrs. Born: Canada
Daniel Prince (M) Mulatto Age: 11 yrs. Born: Vermont
Harriet Prince (M) Mulatto Age: 09 yrs. Born: Vermont
Household 636 –
636:
Ellen Brace (B) Black Age: 23 Born: Canada
Myron Brace (B) Black Age: 2 months Born: April 1879
Vermont
William James (B) Black Age: 30 yrs. Born: New York
Household 543 – 648 Line 50
Louis Phelps
(W) White Age: 39 Widowed Occupation: Laborer Born: Vermont
[Benoit dit Benway’s are on
this same Census Page, Francis & Julia, Alex & Matilda, Joseph, as well
as Chartier dit Sharkey’s such as Catherine (nee: Greenia) Sharkey and her
François]
February 28, 1882
Burial Permit
– City of Burlington, Vermont
No. 1103
Issued to Peter Phillips, for the body of Rosa [Delina
Benoit] Phillips, Colored, Age of 47
yrs., who died on February 27, 1882 in South Burlington, Chittenden County,
Vermont. She was buried in the Catholic Cemetery in South Burlington, Vermont.
November 22, 1882
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 03
George Prince,
a colored boy about nine years old, was tried
before Justice Greene this morning for the theft of a watch. He acknowledged
that he had done considerable stealing of late, and was sent to the reform
school for the remainder of his minority.
August 18, 1882
The Burlington Free Press
Gypsy Encampment
A band of gypsies
is encamped just below the French Church,
on North Prospect Street.
Their little settlement on wheels looks very picturesque,
especially at dusk, when the campfires are lit, and the tent-like wagons and
grotesque figures moving among them are lit up by the flickering flames. A
dozen fat and lazy horses feed at large over at the common, restrained only by
a tether between their forelegs.
Groups of brown, half-naked children tumble and roll about beneath the wagons, while their industrious parents weave baskets, and tell
fortunes that everyone knows are too good to come true. This same little grassy
common about the river is a favorite tarrying place for all the bands of
gypsies which pass through this section. There is, doubtless, in the unwritten
geography of the guild, a local habitation and a name assigned to it, and some
secret guide-post in the vicinity, by which newcomers may be guided thereto. If
any of our people are dissatisfied with their fortunes, it would be well for
them to go down to the gypsy camp and have them amended before it is too late.
Irish, Gypsies, Germans, and African descendants procured the materials necessary to weave baskets. Being a Basket-Making family doesn't make that family "Abenaki" nor an Indian.
July 06, 1883
The Burlington Free Press Newspaper, Page 04
Greased Pig Chase
The track was tightly boarded up beyond the two ends of
the grand stand, and piggy was brought in his chariot into the arena. Sixty
brawny competitors contended for the honor of embracing his delusive hog-ship.
His box was broken open, and out ran the well-shaved porker, dripping with
grease. For a time he ran through the fingers of his would-be captors like skim
milk through a sieve, but finally a stout, barelegged fellow, Anthony Phillips
by name, got his arms clasped around piggy’s neck, and hung on like grim death.
In vain, the sturdy porker squealed and struggled. He was fairly captured, and
finally rolled over with his clustered captors on top of him. The pig was
declared to be the prize of Anthony Phillips, who drove it off with pride, amid
the applause of the spectators.
February 06, 1884
The Argus and Patriot Newspaper
The St. Johnsbury Journal Section
Henry Switser, from Sheffield, was fined at Lyndon,
Vermont last week, and committed to jail in St. Johnsbury, but before the 24
hours expired he paid his fine and is now at liberty.
February 27, 1884
The Argus & Patriot (Montpelier, VT) Newspaper, Page
02
State News Items
A COON FIGHT – Several of the colored people of Bristol
recently indulged in a little dance at the residence of Angelina Day. During the evening Floyd Briggs and Jeff Brace
had a misunderstanding, and sailed in for a free fight. Mrs. Briggs and Dub. Brozier
took a hand in. Tea kettles, chairs, beer bottles, and the colored man’s
favorite weapon, the razor, were brought into use. Jeff Brace received four ugly cuts in the face from the razor,
which was used by Floyd Briggs, who
was arrested for an assault with ‘Intent-to-Kill’, and was sentenced to pay a fine
of $20.00 dollars and costs or serve 112 days at the House of Correction.
September 11, 1884
Marriage Record of
Ellen Day and Ethan Brace. She was the daughter of Sylvester Day and
Loraine Griffin, and he was the son of Theodore Brace and Sarah Prince. This
marriage was her 2nd in St. Albans, Franklin County, Vermont.
October 25, 1884
Death Record of
William M. Phelps – St. Albans, VT Page 619
Age: 87 yrs.
Occupation: Laborer
Widowed
Born: [ca. 1797] Sheldon,
Franklin County, Vermont
May 21, 1885
The Caledonian (St. Johnsbury, VT) Newspaper, Page 01
SHERIFF SULLOWAY’S
BOARDERS.
There are six men now in the county jail on Cherry
Street, about two more than the average number. Five are awaiting a hearing by
the grand jury next month. … The other prisoner is Henry Switzer of Sheffield, who has been convicted by a local
magistrate of selling liquor illegally and fined $45.00 dollars and costs, failing to pay which he must serve 269 days
in the House of Correction at Rutland. He will be taken to Rutland by
Sheriff Sulloway tomorrow, unless he raises the money to pay his fine before
then. As the grand jury meets but once a year, prisoners are liable to be
obliged to lie in jail nearly a year before they can come before that body.
May 28, 1885
The Caledonian (St. Johnsbury, VT) Newspaper, Page 01
Brief Locals Section
Henry Switzer of
Sheffield, Vermont, recently, fined $60.00 dollars for selling liquor, was
taken to the Rutland House of Correction Friday by Sheriff Sulloway to work out
the fine, in default of payment.
June 13, 1885
The St. Albans Daily Messenger Newspaper, Page 04
Theodore Leopard
of South Burlington got into an altercation that led to blows over the
possession of a horse, and was lodged in jail for disturbing the peace.
October 05, 1885
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 06
Essex Junction
The examination before Justice Russell of Antoine Phillips Jr. and Henry Pecor, upon complaint of State’s Attorney Brownell, for assault upon James Sweeney, with
intent-to-kill, resulted in their discharge, Justice Russell deciding that the
assault was justifiable on the grounds of self defense. After the discharge of
Phillips and Pecor, the complaining party, James Sweeney, James Sweeney Jr. and
Edward Sweeney were each fined for intoxication.
1886
St. Albans,
Vermont City Directory
Douglas Brace, laborer, h Water n Lasell
Ethan Brace, laborer, h Water n Lasell
Jefferson Brace, foundryman, h Lasell n Oak
Peter Brace, laborer, h 12 Lasell
Timothy Brace, laborer, h 17 Water
William Phelps,
freight transferor for C.V.R.R. h. Lasell n Water [See April 19, 1986]
Abel Prince, laborer, h Lasell n Oak
Daniel Prince, Sr. laborer h. 4 Lasell
Daniel Prince, Jr. laborer h. 4 Lasell
Mrs. Isaac Prince, h 11 Lasell
Timothy Prince,
laborer h 16 Water
Daniel Prophet,
laborer, h 13 Water NOTICE THIS ADDRESS
February 24, 1886
The Argus & Patriot (Montpelier, VT) Newspaper, Page
02
Various Burlington Brevities
Antoine Phillips Jr. was last Saturday fined $10.00 dollars and
costs for breach of the peace and intoxication.
THIS IS WHERE THE VERMONT PHILLIPS FAMILY BEGAN PICKING UP AND PERPETUATING THEIR 'INDIAN' PERSONA ...
Danville North Star Newspaper
It was in Danville, Caledonia County, Vermont that the Phillips Family members 'attached' themselves to a PARADE going down street, dressed as the Kickapoo Indians. A bystander witnessing the event, realized while witnessing these 'Indians' coming down the street at the tail end of the parade, that it was a week before that the 'Kickapoo Indians' of the Medicine Company had already left for other parts of Vermont. Thus, also realizing that the 'Indians' all dressed up were in actuality the Phillips Gypsies, they were promptly alerted that the towns folk was aware of the ruse and they went back to West Danville from whence they came.
March 25, 1886
The Caledonian (St. Johnsbury, VT) Newspaper, Page 04
Danville,
Caledonia County, Vermont
The Kickapoo
Indians have come and gone.
June 10, 1886
The St. Johnsbury – Caledonian Newspaper, Page 01
The Kickapoo
Indians have camped out on the upper portion of Railroad Street and have
practically illustrated the value of sensational advertising. Effort has been
made to force them to leave town but they still hold their ground and draw
large crowds nightly to their peculiar entertainments.
May 19, 1886
The Argus & Patriot (Montpelier, VT) Newspaper, Page
02
Various Burlington Brevities
Eben Dyer and Michael Phillips were each fined $5.00
dollars and costs, last Thursday for
intoxication. Dominick Lawrence,
for furnishing them liquor, was fined $10.00 dollars and costs.
September 01, 1886
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 02
The Kickapoo
Indians are giving entertainments now on Lake Street, just west of the ball
ground in St. Albans.
September 09, 1886
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 04
Greensboro Bend, Orleans County, Vermont
The Kickapoo
Indians are at last in our midst.
October 19, 1886
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 04
East Fairfield,
Franklin County, Vermont
The Kickapoo
Indians have been whooping up their medicines for the past two weeks and
entertaining the people with songs and dances after their custom. Their
medicine in one respect is a failure; it has failed to kill anybody so far as
heard from, while many testify to it efficacy. They go from here to entertain
the people of Highgate during the next two weeks.
October 27, 1886
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 04
Highgate,
Franklin County, Vermont
The Kickapoo
Medicine Company, with their lecturers and Indian performers, have been
holding forth here for the last week or ten days, creating much excitement
among the people.
December 14, 1886
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 04
State Brevities
Michael Phillips
of South Burlington, about 17 years of age, was arrested in Burlington on
Monday on the charge of stabbing his father. He claims it was done in self
defense.
December 16, 1886
The Argus & Patriot (Montpelier, VT) Newspaper, Page
02
Various Burlington Brevities
Michael Phillips,
of South Burlington, and Michael
Jr., his son, aged about 17 years, were last Saturday week at the residence of
Theodore Leopard, and all more or less under the influence of liquor. Young
Phillips claims that the three men were assaulted him with a chair and clubs;
that he warded off the blows as long as he could, and then drew his knife, with
which he cut his father slightly in one wrist, not wishing to seriously injure
him. The young man was arrested on Monday. After a preliminary hearing before
Justice J. W. Russell, he was held to await the action of the County Court.
December 17, 1886
The Burlington Free Press Newspaper, Page 05
Michael Phillips,
who was bound over to the County Court in the sum of $600.00 dollars for
assaulting his father with a knife, was arraigned in the City Court on information
filed at his own request charging him with that crime to which he pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to
a term of eight months in the House of Correction.
December 17, 1886
The Burlington Free Press Newspaper, Page 06
He Stabbed His
Father
Michael Phillips
of South Burlington, about 17 years of age, was arrested on College Street,
on Monday by Deputy Sherriff Dumas on the charge of stabbing his father. He was
arraigned before Justice J. W. Russell and was bound over. It appears,
according to young Phillips’s story, that a week ago Saturday he and his
father, who is also named Michael, Theodore
Blake and Theodore Leopard were
at the latter’s house, and all became more or less intoxicated. Young Phillips
further says that the three assaulted him; one using a chair and others sticks.
He warded off the blows as long as he could and when he saw he was about to be
overpowered he drew a large pocket knife and stabbed his father slightly in one
wrist which ended the conflict. He says he did not intend to injure his father
but wished merely to defend himself.
December 22, 1886
The Argus & Patriot (Montpelier, VT) Newspaper, Page
02
Various Burlington Brevities
Michael Phillips,
of South Burlington, who assaulted his father with a knife, has been taken to
the House of Correction, to serve a sentence of eight months.
May 31, 1887
Birth Record of
Hattie Phillips – St. Albans, Franklin County, VT Page 608
Father: Antoine Phillips b. Essex Junction, VT
Occupation: Laborer [son of Peter & 1st
m. Delia (Benoit) Phillips]
Mother: Rosa Murphy b. St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada [daughter of Antoine Morin & Emilie Rodier]
ca. 1887 – 1888 [See above]
During a Danville, Caledonia County, VT event, a parade
was going through the town, and adjoining it was some ‘gypsies’ disguised as Kickapoo Indians. Townspeople, detecting
the rouse, discovered that these pitiful starving gypsies, camped over by
Keyser Pond at Paradise Alley (an abandoned house that Gypsy Devil Jake Way and his wife Diantha Smith lived in), south of Danville a few miles, chased them back to where they came
from.
September 21, 1888
The Burlington Weekly Free Press Newspaper, Page 02
Peter Phillips of
South Burlington, was arraigned on the breach of the peace for assaulting Joseph Pelkey of Plattsburgh, New York,
at “jockey yard,” near the Fair Grounds and was fined $7.00 dollars, including
costs.
Joseph Pelkey pleaded guilty
to the charge of intoxication was fined $11.01 dollars, including costs.
August 19, 1889
Birth of Fred Peter Phillips – St. Albans, Franklin County,
VT, Page 599
Father: Peter Phillips Sr. Born:
Highgate, VT Occupation: Laborer
Mother: 2m. Eliza Louise Way Born: Hardwick, VT Residence: St.
Albans, VT
December 12, 1889
The Caledonia (St. Johnsbury, VT) Newspaper, Page 04
Henry Sweetser
pled guilty to the charge of bigamy
at the Lamoille County Court at Hyde Park Friday and was sentenced to the State Prison for two years.
February 08, 1890
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 06
The Mission at the
Blocks
The character of the dance
parties at the blocks is well
known to those acquainted there. It is such as to disgrace a community. Thither
are the miserable females, abandoned, brazen, and loud. There may be the toughs
of the other sex, assembled from miles around. Alas, tool from uptown. It is
averred that young men of good parentage, unknown to their friends at home,
frequent these places, and after doing their part toward making night hideous
retire to the blame laid on the blockers. Alcoholic beverages are freely
imbibed. The most profane and obscene language is indulged in. Quarrels and
fights are the rule. The fight between two women at the dance last Saturday was
characteristic by one of the witnesses at court as being like that of bull
dogs.
Realizing the mischievous effects of those proceedings,
the mission undertakes the task of rooting up the evil. The missionary drew up
and circulated the following manifesto, which received the signature of nearly
a hundred persons at the block:
“To whom it may
concern: We are convinced from experience and observation that the dance
parties conducted at the blocks are baneful to the interests of the community
at large. Almost invariably there is drinking alcoholic beverages, quarrels and
other means of disturbing the peace in common with them. They are a means of
calling together the lowest elements of the community on both sides of the
tracks.
We therefore
believe that they ought to be dealt with as public nuisance. We further pledge
by our signature to do what lies in our power to stop them.”
Dated: St. Albans,
Vt., Feb. 5, 1890
The following pledges were also obtained from agents of
the blocks:
“To all whom this
may concern: Whereas the dances held from time to time at the “blocks,” over
which I have charge, have been declared a public nuisance, I hereby forbid the
holding of any more after this date.
M. Buck, Agt.
B. C. Hall, Agt.
On Thursday night a meeting was held in the mission hall.
The meeting was unique in character, being representative of the outside community
as well as the mission people. The gathering was large and enthusiastic. After
opening of prayer by the missionary, Jeff
Brace was called to the chair. Speeches were then made by the chairman,
Leslie and McKillop, followed by a free discussion by the men and women. The
majority seemed to be weary of the condition of things at the blocks, and all
expressed a readiness to assist in bringing about an improvement. Resolutions
were unanimously passed to form a law and order association with a committee to
carry out its injunctions. Excitement runs high, and we are all hopeful of good
results. An adjourned meeting is called for Monday evening next.
May 14, 1890
Death Record – St. Albans, Franklin County, Vermont Page
636
Julius Phelps
Age: 22 yrs.
Color or Race: Not indicated on record
Occupation: Laborer
Birthplace: St. Albans, Vermont
Father: William Phelps
Mother: Rosa Smith
1890
Special Schedule –
Surviving Soldiers, etc from the Civil War of 1863- 1865
All of St. Albans, Franklin County, Vermont
William J. Phelps
Private Company C 54th MA Infantry
Enlisted: December 1863
Discharged: August 1865
2 yrs. 9 months.
Isaac Prince
(Margaret – Widow of) Private Company C 54th MA Infantry
Enlisted: December 1863
Discharged: August 1865
2 yrs. 9 months.
Abel Prince
Private Company C 54th MA Infantry
Enlisted: December 1863
Discharged: August 1865
2 yrs. 9 months.
November 03 1890
Marriage Record of
Lewis J. Phelps and Jennie Peters – New Haven, Addison County, VT Page 75
Groom: Lewis J. Phelps Bride:
Jennie Peters
Age: 35 yrs. Age:
18 yrs.
2nd Marriage 1st
Marriage
Born: Sheldon, VT Born:
New Haven, VT
Father: William Phelps Father:
Thomas Peters
Mother: Rosina Prince Mother:
Henrietta Roberts
January 31, 1891
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 06
A very creditable entertainment was given ant Hunt’s rink
last evening by the Green Mountain
Colored Lodge of Good Templars, and was greeted by nearly 200 people, who
were well pleased with the efforts of the club. The varied features that were
introduced passed off smoothly under the management of James Stewart. Thos who
took part were: Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Brace, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. James, J.
Brace, G. Jackson, F. Brace, and D. Prince.
1891
St. Albans,
Franklin County, Vermont City Directory
Dion Brace, laborer, h Water c Lasell
Ethan Brace, laborer, h Lasell n Elm
Fred Brace, Bell boy, Welden House
Jefferson Brace, foundry man, h Walnut n Lake
Peter Brace, laborer, h 12 Lasell
T. Brace, laborer, h 17 Water
Henry Peters, laborer, h 11 Newton
Moses Peters, laborer, h Pine n Lake
William Phelps,
barber, 36 Lake, h 16 Water
Peter Phillips, brakeman, h 11
Pine NOTICE THIS ADDRESS
August 02, 1891
Birth Record of
William Edward Phelps – New Haven, Addison County, VT
Color: Colored
Father: Lewis Phelps b. Sheldon, Franklin County, Vermont
Father’s Occupation: Day Laborer
Mother: Jennie Peters b. New Haven, Addison County,
Vermont
March 22, 1893
Birth Record in
New Haven, VT of Grace Phelps Page 73
Father: Lewis Phelps b. Sheldon, Franklin County, Vermont
Father’s Occupation: Day Laborer
Mother: Jennie Peters b. New Haven, Addison County,
Vermont
January 26, 1894
The Vermont Phoenix Newspaper, Page 03
Bissette, Jerome
and Lessor, who were on Tuesday sentenced to State Prison for arson,
attempted to break from Chittenden County Jail at Burlington on Wednesday. They
had secreted a knife which had been made into a saw, with which they attempted
to saw off the bars of one of the windows.
A pot of grease and a chisel, which had been handed in
from outside the jail, were found in the cell. The men have been taken to
Windsor.
December 05, 1895
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper
Obituary of
Jeffrey S. Brace
Jeffrey Brace died at his home on Rublee Street of
typhoid pneumonia at 10:00 a.m. yesterday morning. He had been ill since last
Tuesday and would have been 53 years old today. He left a wife [Ann Elizabeth nee: Jackson] and three children
one of whom is married.
Mr. Jeffrey Brace
was one of the most upright of our colored citizens
and was respected by everyone who knew him. He entered the employ of the St.
Albans Foundry in February, 1886 and had worked there ever since that time.
His employees say that he was one of the most upright and
faithful men in the foundry. Mr. Brace became interested in the Salvation Army
on its first visit to St. Albans, and ever since he had been a temperate,
honest man, and an upright Christian. He was a member of the Methodist church
and was the society’s janitor at the time of his death. He was the janitor of
the St. Alban’s Fire Department for the last two years of his life and in this
connection he performed his many duties faithfully and well. Mr. Brace was
truly a credit to his race and was a man whom the community could ill afford to
lose.
The funeral was held at his late home at 2:00 o’clock
Monday afternoon, Rev. C. S. Nutter officiating. The employees of the foundry
and many members of the St. Albans Fire Department attended the services in a
body.
March 19, 1896
The Burlington Free Press Newspaper, Page 06
Albert Washington, colored,
was arrested Saturday night by Deputy Sheriff’s Draper and Thompson, charged
with stealing a wallet containing about $4.00 dollars, the property of Mrs.
King of Ferris Street. Albert Washington was taken before Judge Flinn, where he
pleaded not guilty and was bound up in $200.00 dollars bonds for appearance
Monday. It appears that Mrs. King went to Dr.’s Sherwood and Manuel’s office
Saturday night, and when she went into the consultation room, she left her mittens
and wallet lying on the window sill in the reception room. Albert Washington
came in a few minutes later to see the doctors as well, and spying the wallet,
went over and sat on the window sill. The clerk told him to take a chair but he
said he was going out and would return soon. Of course, when Mrs. King came out
she missed her purse and word was telephoned to the jail office. Deputies
Thompson and Draper started to hunt up Albert Washington and found him at Bill Phelps’ place at “The Blocks,” and arrested him. He was
brought up to court, searched and put in jail and the officers returned to try
and find the wallet.
On going back to William
Phelps’, Bill described a wallet to the officers that Albert Washington
had.
The place was searched but no wallet found; they then
searched the highway over which they had passed with Albert Washington, and
found the purse in the road, he having slipped it out of his pocket while being
taken up to jail. There was $2.00 dollars in the purse when found.
April 14, 1896
Birth Record Page 73
Clyde Phelps (Colored)
Color: colored
Father: Lewis Phelps b. Sheldon, Franklin County, Vermont
Father’s Occupation: Day Laborer
Mother: Jennie Peters b. New Haven, Addison County,
Vermont
May 14, 1896
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 04
Henry Switzer
was brought before Justice Hall charged with intoxication. He pleaded guilty
and fined $5.00 dollars and costs. H. E. Wheeler prosecuted.
October 19, 1896
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 05
Municipal Court – St. Albans, VT
Mike Phillips
was up before the municipal court Saturday on the dual charge of ‘breach of the peace’ and ‘intoxication’,
to both of which charges he pleaded
guilty. He was fined $2.00 dollars and costs for breach of peace, which was committed at the “Blocks,” and $5.00 dollars and costs
for intoxication.
He disclosed on E. C. Wood. Wood pleaded not guilty to
this charge but on examination was fined $20.00 dollars and costs. He appealed
from the decision of the court.
Daniel Profit Jr.
pleaded not guilty to a charge of petty
larceny of stealing ‘babbitt’ metal [also known
as “bearing metal”] from the railroad company. He was tried by the
court, found guilty, and sentenced to two months in the House of Correction.
Several breach of the peace cases will be tried by the
court tomorrow. Clovi Longway, Samuel Longway, and Mike Senecal are the
respondents.
October 24, 1896
The St. Albans Daily Messenger Newspaper, Page 05
Municipal Court
Henry Switzer
was up, charged with intoxication. He pleaded not guilty, but on hearing was
adjudged to be guilty and fined $5.00 and costs. He appealed.
1897
St. Albans, Franklin County, Vermont City Directory
William J. Phelps,
laborer, h 17 Water NOTICE THIS ADDRESS
Peter Phillips, laborer, bds 13
Water
February 01, 1897 – February 01, 1898
Danville, Chittenden County, Vermont Town Report
Overseer’s Report
–
Expenses:
Jake Way and family
$15.00
Expenses Outside of Poor House:
Jake Way
$15.00
June 01, 1897
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 06
Town Affairs Section
Henry Switzer,
one of the denizens of the Blocks,
was arrested yesterday on a writ of mittimus for an old drunkenness charge.
April 18, 1898
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 05
Peter Gonyea and Henry
Switzer who were arrested Saturday night for intoxication, were fined $5.00
dollars and costs by Judge Flinn this
morning. Goyea took an appeal. State’s Attorney Feeters prosecuted.
This afternoon Jodn Robitor, who was disclosed on by
Henry Switzer, had a hearing and was discharged.
June 14, 1900
1900 Federal Population Census – Worcester, Worcester County, MA
Household 38 – 226 – 422 Tufts Street
Lewis Phelps – B (Black) Born: Feb. 1851 Age: 49 yrs. 8
yrs. married Occupation: Day Laborer
Born: Vermont Father
Born: Virginia Mother Born: Vermont
Jennie P. Phelps – B (Black) Born Apr. 1873 Age: 27 8 yrs.
married
Born: Vermont Father Born: New York Mother Born: Vermont
William Edward Phelps (son) – B (Black) Born: Aug. 1890 VT Age: 09 single –
going to school
Grace E. Phelps
(daughter) – B (Black)
Born: Apr. 1893 VT Age: 07 single
Ethel Phelps
(daughter) – B
(Black) Born: Oct. 1894 VT Age: 05 single
Clyde W. Phelps (son)
– B (Black) Born: Mar. 1897 VT Age:
03 single
Effie M. Phelps
(daughter) – B (Black)
Born: June 1898 VT Age: 01 single
Henrietta Peters (mother-in-law)
– B (Black)
Born: July 1847 Age: 52 yrs. Widowed.
April 26, 1903
Death Record of
Lewis Phelps – Worcester, Worcester County, MA
Male (B) Black) Married,
Age: 58 yrs.
Died of Carcinoma (cancer) of Stomach
Occupation: Laborer
Born: Sheldon, Vermont
Father: William Phelps b. Vermont
Mother: Rosanna Prince b. Vermont
July 01, 1903
The Argus & Patriot (Monpelier, VT) Newspaper, Page
03
David Sweetser
was arrested by Special Agent Joseph Clark and imprisoned for 10 days.
July 14, 1903
Birth Record – Worcester, Worcester County, MA
Raymond Phelps – (B) Black
Father: Lewis
Phelps
Father’s Occupation: Farmhand Born: Vermont
Mother: Jennie
Peters Born: Vermont
March 14, 1903
Birth Record – Worcester, Worcester County, MA
Earl C. Phelps
Color (B) Black
Father: Louis J. Phelps b. Sheldon, Franklin County,
Vermont
Father’s Occupation: Moulder
Mother: Jennie Peters b. New Haven, Addison County,
Vermont
June 04, 1904
Death Record – Worcester, Worcester County, MA
Earl C. Phelps 5
Maud Street
Age: 1 yr. 2 month
Color: Black
Father: Lewis Phelps b. Worcester
Mother: Jennie Peters b. New Haven, Addison County,
Vermont (informant)
June 23, 1904
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper
Justice Court Proceedings Section
Walter Brace
was arraigned before Justice Kearney and pleaded guilty to charges of breach of
the peace and intoxication. He was fined $5.00 dollars and costs in each
instance, with the usual alternative sentences. …
Mrs. William
Phelps and Cynthia Phelps were
discharged. The complaints against them were intoxication in Mrs. Phelps’ case
and Grand Larceny and Gross Lewdness in Cynthia Phelps’ case. Cynthia Phelps
was charged with the theft of $10.00 dollars from Byron Barrett, of Sheldon,
Vermont. Byron Barrett was presented in court, but refused to testify against
Cynthia Phelps.
Byron Barrett, of Sheldon, Vermont, who claimed he had
lost $10.00 dollars while on a visit to the Phelps’ domicile at “the Blocks” on June
15, 1904, and who was in such condition that he was entertained at the
jail for the evening, was arraigned before the Justice on a charge of
intoxication. He concluded he had better hedge on his $10.00 story and pleaded
guilty to the charge of drunkenness and was fined $5.00 dollars and costs.
The Phelps and Barrett cases were prosecuted by City
Grand Juror C. H. McGettrick, S. W. Flinn appearing for the respondents. …
Arthur Brace,
better known as “Babe,” was arraigned before Justice Kearney to answer to a
charge of a breach of the peace. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined
$10.00 and costs with the usual alternative sentence in the house of correction
at Rutland. He chose the alternative sentence.
February 13, 1905
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 04
The “Blocks”
The Barre Times prides itself on the fact that its home
city is disgraced by no such institution as the malodorous “Blocks” of St. Albans.
The contemporary should not mistake the significance of
mere externals, and reason that because vice does not segregate in the Dialect
city there is none there or that because to a certain extent it does segregate
in St. Albans there is more here than there is in Barre. Strange as the assertion
may appear, perhaps even more shocking to some people, St. Albans is manifestly
the gainer under present conditions because of those very same “Blocks,” upon
the theory that it is immeasurably better for the lowest and most vicious class
of people in a community to herd themselves than to be scattered throughout the
multitude as a nuisance and a contamination. If it could be so ordered that
there were no such people in St. Albans as not inhabit the “Blocks,” it would
be preferable, to be sure, but, just so long as human life and character are
what they are, the law of social gravitation will precipitate this moral filth
and wretchedness and depravity to the bottom, where it is best that it should
remain alone.
Every now and then some honest champion of right-living
argues that the “Blocks” are a disgrace to St. Albans and should be wiped out,
but that would not mend matters any. It would simply scatter the wretched
beings that live there throughout various, respectable neighborhoods in the
city. There would be no less vice in St. Albans, and in time, through
pernicious influence of such an enforced association of cleanliness with filth,
there would be more. The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper has often urged that
every pains be taken to keep these unfortunates together to prevent their
drifting elsewhere, for this very reason, but that in the meantime the city
government should ordain some manner of tenement house law that would compel
landlords to maintain buildings that would meet with modern sanitary regulations
and then make their tenants keep them clean. St. Albans has had a great deal of
experience with this problem at the “Blocks” and it has learned that prayers
and psalm-singing and missions and all that kind of thing do precious little
good there so long as the wretched creatures are compelled to inhabit dens that
by their very construction and environment breed depravity. The first step in
the reform of these people is to teach them self-respect. Preach the gospel of
soap and water to them, give them the means to put it into practice, and make
them do it. It is a long hard path they must travel, to be sure, and not all of
them will follow it any way, whatever effort is put forth to have them do so.
But it is as true today as it ever ways that “Cleanliness is next to
godliness,” and not only next, but comes first.
September 24, 1905
Death Record of
William J. Phelps – St. Albans, Franklin County, VT
Color: Negro
Age: 61 yrs.
Occupation: Laborer
Born: Vermont
Father: William Phelps
Mother: Rose Prince
October 25, 1905
Widow Mary J.
(nee: Barber) Phelp’s Husbands’ Civil War Pension Filed
On October 25th, of 1905, she made application
for a widow’s pension under her husband William J. Phelps who fought in the
Civil War Company C – 54th Mass. Inf.
Application: 836,950
Certificate: 624,269 Filed: VT
[William J. Phelps seemingly
filed for Civil War Pension on August 28, 1884 as an Invalid … Application:
521,295 Certificate: 969,999 Filed: VT.]
[There is an indication on the records that Mary June Barber was a Goodrich. This has been determined to be a possible error, as her maiden name was Barber, not Goodrich.]
[There is an indication on the records that Mary June Barber was a Goodrich. This has been determined to be a possible error, as her maiden name was Barber, not Goodrich.]
June 21, 1906
Death Record of
Chloe Jenne - Worcester, Worcester County, MA
Chloe Jenne
Age: 63
Husband: Frazier Jenne
Father: Phelps
November 10, 1906
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper
Helping the Poor
in St. Albans
Mrs. William
Phelps, of Laselle Street, was
rescued from a deplorable condition yesterday afternoon as the results of
Overseer of the Poor Napoleon J. Jarvis’ campaign against squalid homes. She
was found in a most destitute condition, without fire, with little clothing,
and practically no household furniture. Mr. Jarvis placed her in the hospital. Arrangements were made today whereby she left here on the train at 4:00
o’clock p.m. to live in Randolph,
Vermont with her daughter.
December 19, 1906
Marriage Record of
Robert DeGraff and Ada (nee: Brace) Harris in Enfield, CT
Groom: Robert De Graff (B) Black Bride:
Ada (nee: Brace) Harris (B) Black
Age: 45 yrs. Age:
34 yrs.
1st Marriage 2nd
Marriage
Residence: Springfield Residence:
Springfield
Occupation: Teamster Occupation:
Laundress
Born: Chatham, New York Born:
Charlotte, Vermont
Father: Tabe De Graff Father:
Jeffrey Brace
Mother: Unknown Mother:
Unknown
December 22, 1906
Death Record of Peter Phillips – Peacham, Caledonia County, VT
Colored
Widowed
Date of Birth: unknown
Age: 97 yrs.
Occupation: none
Wife: Eliza Way
Father: Antoine Phillips b. Montreal, Canada
Mother: Unknown
Birthplace of Mother: Unknown
Informant: W. N. Blanchard, Peacham, VT.
Cause of Death: After exposure to cold with insufficient
clothing.
Date of burial: December 23, 1906
December 22, 1906
The St. Johnsbury – Caledonian Record Newspaper
Peacham
Peter Phillips
died at the north part of the town and the burial was at Peacham, Sunday
afternoon.
June 10, 1907
Death Record of
James Douglass Brace in Sheldon, Franklin County, Vermont Vol. 1, Page 626
Sheldon Poor House
Age: 62 yrs. Born: Sheldon, Franklin County, Vermont
Identified on record as colored
Occupation: Pauper
September 16, 1909
The Burlington Free Press Newspaper, Page 03
Joe Phillips, a gypsy, who had friends in Peacham, died Monday at Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Switzer’s. The funeral was held Tuesday
afternoon, the Rev. Otto S. Raspe officiating and internment was made in Laport
cemetery.
October 10, 1909
Marriage - Springfield, Hampden County, MA
Groom - Wyron
Brace Jr. Bride
- Rose Lee Stoney
Black – 29 yrs, 1st
Marriage Black – 26 yrs, 1st Marriage
Laborer Domestic
Born: Burlington, Vermont Born:
Charleston, South Carolina
Father: Wyron Brace Father:
Callop Lee Stoney
Mother: Ellen Day Mother:
Maggie
April 09, 1910
Marriage – Bride Cynthia
Phelps Groom: Daniel
Prince
Color: Mixed 29 yrs.
of age. 1st marriage Color: Black Age: 67 3rd Marriage Occupation:
Laborer
Born: St. Albans, Vt. Born:
St. Albans, Vt.
Father: William Phelps Birthplace: St. Albans,
Vt. Father: George Prince Birthplace: St. Albans,
Vt.
Mother: Mary J. Blanchard Mother:
Caroline Billings
Rev. John C. Strausau
B. M. Hopkins, Town Clerk St. Albans City, Vt.
April 14, 1910
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 08
Prince – Phelps Marriage
Daniel Prince
and Cynthia Phelps of this city were
married April 09, 1910 by the Rev. J. C. Stephenson, acting rector of Ste.
Luke’s Church.
May 01, 1912
Marriage Record of
Wheaton A. Yates and Elizabeth L. Brace – East Windsor, CT
Groom: Wheaton A. Yates Bride:
Elizabeth L. Brace
Age: 22 yrs. (B) Black Age:
21 yrs. (B) Black
Born: Woburn, MA Born:
St. Albans, VT
Father: William H. Yates Father:
Jeffry Sylvester Brace
Mother: Caroline Johnson Mother:
Anne E. Jackson
September 20, 1912
Birth Record – Worcester, Worcester County, MA
Clifford A. Phelps
Mother: Ethel Phelps [daughter
of Lewis Phelps and 2m. Jennie Peters]
Father: Not identified on record
September 30, 1912
Marriage Record – Worcester, Worcester County, MA
Groom: Henry Prince (B) Black Bride: Minda Ruth Prophet (B) Black
Age: 25 yrs. Age:
28 yrs.
Occupation: Porter Occupation:
Houseworker
Born: Hinesburg,
Chittenden County, Vt. Born: St. Albans, Franklin County, Vt.
Father: Henry
Prince Father: Daniel Prophet
Mother: Esther Hasbrookes Mother:
Mary Hamilton
May 08, 1913
Marriage Record of
William E. Phelps and Lillian E. Ward – Putnam, CT
Groom: William Edward Phelps (B) Black Bride: Lillian E. Ward (B) Black
Age: 22 yrs. Age:
21 yrs.
First Marriage First
Marriage
Occupation: Woodworker Occupation:
None
Born: New Haven, VT Born:
Brooklyn, CT
Father: Louis Phelps Father:
William H. Ward
Mother: Jennie Peters Mother:
Arries Huggins
June 23, 1913
Marriage Record of
John J. Brace and Sarah Madeline Burrows – Enfield, CT
Groom: John J. Brace (B) Black Bride:
Sarah Madeline Burrows (B) Black
Age: 21 yrs. Age:
21 yrs.
Occupation: Moulder Occupation:
At Home
Born: St. Albans, VT Born:
Palmer, MA
Father: Jeffrey Brace Father:
Samuel Burrows
Mother: Anna E. Jackson Mother:
Emma Kelsey
August 09, 1913
Marriage Record
for Grace E. Phelps and Luther A. Ward in Enfield, CT
Groom: Luther A. Ward B (Black) Bride:
Grace E. Phelps B (Black)
Age: 22 yrs. Age:
21 yrs.
Occupation: Machinist Occupation:
At Home
Born: Newburn, NC Born:
Bristol, VT
Father: William Ward Father:
Lewis Phelps
Mother: Arries Huggins Mother:
Jennie Peters
November 22, 1913
Death Record – St. Albans, Franklin County, Vermont
Charles Day
Color: White
Age: 54 yrs. Born: June 01,
1858 St. Albans, Vt.
Single
Occupation: Teamster
Father: Charles North b. Unknown
Mother: Arain Loraine
Griffin
November 13, 1913
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper
Obituary
Death of Charles
Day
Charles Day, of Center Street, died Saturday evening at
9:15 o’clock at the state hospital at Waterbury, Vermont, where he had been
undergoing treatment for the past week, the cause of death being spastic paraplegia.
The funeral will be held at the house Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock p.m.
The Rev. Albert Gale, rector at Ste. Luke’s Church will officiate and the
burial will be in the South Main Street Cemetery. The body was brought to this
city Sunday evening at 8 o’clock on train No. 3. Mr. Day who was 51 years old,
had been in ill health for four years and once before had been at the state
hospital for treatment. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Frances Williams of this city, and
Mrs. Mary Bowers of Burlington; two
sisters, Mrs. Mary Coleman and Mrs. Helen Brace, of Burlington; also
by three nieces, three nephews, and eight grandchildren.
November 27, 1913
VERMONT NOTES
Sheriff’s Search for Peter Philips on Charge
of Assault on Neighbor.
Sheriffs of Caledonia and Orleans counties, with Canadian
deputies, are searching the county from Walden across the Canadian line for Peter Phillips, better known as “Gypsy” Phillips, who is wanted on a charge of assaulting Edward Miles, a neighbor,
who he accused of stealing his chickens. Edward Miles received a terrible gash
in the head and blood poisoning has developed. Peter Phillips is 52 years old and had a wife and six children who
are destitute. Edward Miles is 24 years old and has a wife and child.
December 16, 1913
Death Record
Daniel Prince deceased
Color: Negro
Age 70 years 2
months 7 days
Widowed
Occupation: Laborer
Birthplace: St. Albans, Vt.
Father: Henry
Prince
Mother: Not identified on record
February 12, 1914
The Burlington Free Press Newspaper
Held for County
Court
Men Caught in Raid Tuesday Night Pleaded Not
Guilty
The people who were arrested in the raid on the residence
of Mrs. Peter Phillips of First Street Tuesday night, as described in
yesterday’s Free Press were arraigned in city court yesterday afternoon. Mrs.
Peter Phillips, Mrs. Hattie Minnifield Young, William Davis and John Benoit
being the respondents. The charge against each was adultery. The two women
pleaded guilty and the two men not guilty. Hearings were immediately held in
the cases of the men, the evidence of the women, Officer Barry and Deputy Chief
Cosgrove being taken against them. At the conclusion of the hearing the two men
were held for County Court, in the sum of $1,000.00 dollars each. Sentence will
be given in the cases of the two women today.
It came out in the testimony that the two men were taken
to the house by a hackman, named Joseph Litvin and Judge Palmer asked if there
was any way in which Litvin could be reached by city ordinance or other
regulation. Mrs. Peter Phillips testified to the identity of the hackman and
said the first she saw of him was when he drove up to the front door and asked
if his two passengers could come in. Both women testified that the two men were
strangers to them.
February 12, 1914
The Burlington Free Press Newspaper, Page 05
HACKMAN ARRESTED
Joseph Litvin Jailed on Charge Growing Out
of a Raid
Joseph Litvin, the hackman, “known as “Joe Junk,” was
arrested last evening by the police department on an unusual charge, that of
being an accessory before the fact in the cases which grew out of the raid on
the Phillips place on Bright Street Tuesday evening when two men and two women
were arrested on serious charges. Litvin was the cabby who carried the two men
to the house and it was the sight of the hack standing outside the door which
led to the arrests. According to the statement by the women, the men were
brought to the house and left there by Litvin, who first asked permission for
them to come. Mrs. Peter Phillips, it is said, has made the statement that
Litvin had offered to bring men to her residence. The hackman was taken to city
court as soon as he was arrested and was placed under bonds of $1,000.00
dollars, which he was unable to furnish and he was obliged to spend the night
in jail. He will probably have a hearing in city court this morning on the
charge of aiding and abetting the crime to which the women pleaded guilty as
principals, as mentioned elsewhere. He was represented in court by Attorney
John J. Enright.
Joseph Litvin is not a hackman in his own right, but is a
licensed driver in the employ of Adelard Hamlin. Complaint has frequently been
made that certain of the hackmen were engaged in the sort of business which is
charged up to Litvin, but this is the first time that any evidence has come to
the attention of the authorities that seemed to warrant an arrest.
February 19, 1914
The Burlington Free Press Newspaper, Page 05
CASES WERE
RECALLED
New Sentences Imposed Yesterday Following
Important Information
The recent raid on the residence of the so-called Mrs. Peter Phillips of First Street,
which resulted in the arrests and convictions of that woman and Mrs. Hattie Young with State’s prison
sentences, besides the holding of William
Davis and Peter Benoit for
county court in the sum of $1,000.00 dollars each, also the implication of a
hackman, Joseph Litvin, held as
accessory before the fact, took a new and surprising turn yesterday when
State’s Attorney Hopkins ascertained to his own satisfaction that the two women
in the case were never married although they had plainly stated on the witness
stand at the time of their hearings that they had husbands living. As the
entire proceedings were based on the assumption that the women were married,
the prosecution had to begin all over again and all parties concerned were
brought before the city court on new charges.
A peculiar feature of the case was that the women did not
seem to want anybody to know that they were unmarried, although had that fact
been known they could not have been prosecuted on so serious an offense as
adultery. State’s Attorney Hopkins went so far as to telephone to St.
Johnsbury, where the supposed husband of Mr. Phillips is now confined on a
complaint for murderous assault. Peters [Peter Phillips]
told Mr. Hopkins that he and the woman were married but could not tell
when or where or give the name of the clergyman. Mrs. Peters [Ida (nee: Champagny) Phillips] denied that she
ever was married but it appeared from what she said that a marriage ceremony
had been performed at a camp meeting in Maine but no marriage license had been
obtained [There was a Felix Phillips & Ethel
Shaupany who obtained a Marriage Intention in Danville, Caledonia County on April
09, 1904 and he was 26 yrs., Laborer Born in Quechy, Vt. Son of Felix Phillips
and Rosa Delamore … “License never returned”] This was when the woman,
who was only 14 yrs old at the time, ran away from her home with Peters [sic … Peter Phillips]. She also said that they
did get a marriage license at Danville in this State but she really did not
want to marry Peters [sic … Peter Phillips Jr.]
because she was afraid of him and she tore the license up.
The necessary procedure was gone through with yesterday
afternoon to recall the cases and the sentences imposed on the women, which was
not less than two or more than four years in State’s prison for each. The
so-called Peters [sic … Phillips] woman was
then arraigned on a charge of keeping a house of ill-repute and the Young woman
was prosecuted on a general charge of unchastity. Both pleaded guilty and a
sentence of not less than one year and no more than a year and a half in the
House of Correction was imposed in each case.
The cases of Davis and Benoit, each having been held in
$1,000.00 bail as principals with the women, have already been charged in
county court and will be disposed at a hearing before one of the assistant
judges, when they will probably be released on their own recognizances.
Charges, however, were preferred against them in city court of having been the
companions of immoral women, in violation of the city charter. To this they
pleaded not guilty on hearing and were sentenced to three months in jail each.
They took appeals and furnished the $150.00 bail required
in each case. Then the case against Joe Litvin, the hackman, who took the two
men to the Peters [sic … Phillips] house,
and was placed under $1,000.00 in a charge of being an accessory before the
fact, was taken up. The charges were modified to one of being an accessory to
Mrs. Phillips’s keeping the house of ill-repute. He pleaded guilty, was found
guilty and remanded to jail pending sentence.
February 19, 1914
The Burlington Free Press Newspaper, Page 16
State’s Prison for
Two
Women Caught in Raid Sentenced and Hackman
Held for Trial
State prison sentences were imposed Friday afternoon in
the cases of Mrs. Peter Phillips and Mrs. Hattie Young, the two women arrested
in the raid on the Phillips house on First Street a few nights before, both
having entered pleas of guilty to infidelity, in court Wednesday. Joseph
Litvin, the hackman who drove two men to the house, was held for county court
on the charge of being accessory after the fact.
In imposing the sentence Judge Palmer said that the case
of the Phillips woman seemed to be an aggravated one and was almost
inconceivable to human intelligence. The woman, who was receiving the charity
of the city, had five small children and the city had evidently done all it
could for her but its charity had been abused by the dishonest method the woman
had been taking to earn money. The only thing in her favor, the court remarked,
was that she had told the truth on the witness stand, which would earn her a
small reduction in sentence. The sentence was that Mrs. Phillips be confined at
the State Prison in Windsor for a period of not less than two years and one
month, and not more than four years.
The Young woman was given the same sentence but with a
minimum of two years.
The defense decided to put in no evidence in the case of
Joseph Litvin, the hackman. Attorney Enright said that he did not think the man
could be convicted in county court if the statute under which he was prosecuted
were correctly interpreted. He asked that the bail be reduced to $500.00
dollars. The court, however, decided to keep the bail at the original figure,
$1,000.00 dollars, and held the man for trial in county court.
March 05, 1914
The Burlington Free Press Newspaper, Page 05
WANTS HIS CHILDREN
Peter Phillips Makes Application to Overseer
Delany
The case of the sentences of Mrs. Ida Phillips and Hattie Minnifield to the House of Correction
at Rutland following court a few weeks since was called to mind yesterday by
the appearance in city of Peter Phillips,
who has passed as the husband of the woman called Mrs. Peter Phillips, although the latter declared, after she had
been sentenced on a serious charge, that she had never been married to the man.
Peter Phillips, it will also be recalled, was recently sentenced in Caledonia
County to a term of imprisonment for an assault. He has lately been pardoned by Governor Fletcher and has
secured a job in Shelburne. His object in coming to the city was to look after
his five children, who were taken to the Poor Farm after their mother was
sentenced. Peter Phillips now wants to take three of the children and care for
them and send the others to his brother. The matter will be disposed of in a
few days. Peter Phillips has made application to Overseer Delany.
April 28, 1914
Marriage of Peter
Phillips and Ida Champagny – Burlington, Chittenden County, VT
Groom: Peter Phillips Bride:
Ida Champagny
Residence: 86 N. Winooski Avenue
Color: White
Age: 29 yrs.
1st Marriage
Occupation: Mason
Place of Birth: Quechee, Vermont
Father: Peter Phillips b. Canada
Mother Delima Bonne b. Canada
Married By: Rev. E. D. Face, Rutland, Vermont
April 30, 1914
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 05
The Last Chapter
Curtain Down on the Operations of the
Phillips Family in Burlington
The curtain is now rung down on the Phillips family whose
operations in Burlington have received wide publicity in the last few months.
The closing scene was the marriage at the House of Correction on Tuesday
afternoon of Phillips and the woman known as Ida Champaney, who, until recent
developments disclosed the fact that she was never married to her supposed
husband, and had passed as his wife.
Peter Phillips and family formerly lived in this city but
some time ago he removed to Caledonia County where he got into an altercation
with a man which resulted in his receiving a sentence to prison. The woman
known as Mrs. Phillips moved back to Burlington with her five children and they
immediately became city charges.
Overseer of the Poor Delany provided them with a house on
First Street and gave them such assistance as they needed in the way of
clothing, food and fuel. They did not seem to thrive under the treatment and
their reported wretched condition led to an investigation on the part of Miss
Tabouret, the police woman. What she discovered was set forth at length in the
Burlington Free Press. Not long afterward it was discovered that while the
family was accepting the City’s charity, “Mrs.” Phillips was conducting what
appeared to be a disorderly house. A raid was made and the woman with another
woman, two men and a hackman were arrested. They were later arraigned in City
Court, where they received sentences. The length of Mrs. Phillips’s sentence
was determined by her statement that she was a married woman. After the court’s
decision had been passed it was discovered that she had never been married, the
sentence was shortened and she was sent down to serve her time at the House of
Correction. Then Governor Fletcher pardoned the husband and he immediately came
to the City and took charge of his children and announced his intention of
marrying the woman who had hitherto been his wife in name only. His plan was
carried out and the ceremony was performed by the Prison Chaplain, the Rev.
Edwin D. Face, on Tuesday. It is not unlikely that a pardon for the woman will
soon follow.
August 06, 1914
Peter Phillips head of the Phillips family which obtained
much free advertising last winter has come into the lime-light again, this time
as a victim of an accident which will keep him confined for some time. He was
engaged in sawing a limb off a tree on Pearl Street Monday afternoon when he
lost his balance and fell, his foot catching in the crotch of the tree from
which he hung head downward. It was some time before he was rescued. He was
rushed to the Mary Fletcher Hospital as soon as taken down and it was found he
had three broken ribs and two breaks in his left leg below the knee.
September 03, 1914
The Burlington Free Press Newspaper, Page 16
PHILLIPS FAMILY
AGAIN
This Time Husband Assaulted wife and Took to
His Heels.
Peter Phillips, who with Mrs. Phillips has been in the
public eye for some time again sprang into the limelight Sunday when he met
Mrs. Phillips near the railroad bridge below Athletic Park where he followed up
several threats with an assault on the woman. Peter Phillips then disappeared
and the officers who went after him were unable to get track of him. Peter
Phillips had his little girl with him when last seen. Just how the quarrel
between the two started is not known but it is known that Mrs. Phillips went
down to a home near the bridge and that Peter Phillips followed her. When they
med they indulged in violent quarrel and a man attempted to interfere but he
was he was warned off, according to his story, by Peter Phillips flourishing a
revolver. The fight culminated with the woman being struck in the head with a
stone or brick or the butt of the gun. Peter Phillips, with the little girl,
then took to the track and was last seen going through the tunnel. The woman
bled profusely but her injuries are not serious, being confined to a cut on the
head. The police patrol wagon was summoned but Peter Phillips had obtained too
much of a lead to be caught.
The history of this families recent actions has been
published from time to time. Both were in prison last winter and were pardoned
out and married, it had been discovered that they had never been man and wife
although passing as married for some years. For a time all seemed to be going
well but lately there has been several complaints that they were not getting on
well together. The woman said Sunday that only a few days ago her husband
kicked her in the mouth, but she did not feel inclined to make a complaint at
that time.
July 15, 1915
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper
Obituary
Death of Mrs.
Charles Day
Mrs. Ida Elizabeth [nee:
Newport] Day aged 50 years, widow of Charles Day, died at her home on
Center Street, last evening at 6:25 o’clock p.m. after a lingering illness of
chronic Bright’s disease. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:00
o’clock p.m. at Ste. Luke’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. George W. Smith
officiating, and the burial will be in the South Main Street cemetery. The
deceased is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Francis Williams of this city, and
Mrs. John Bowers, of Burlington, her mother, Mrs. Benjamin Clayton of this
city; and one sister, Mrs. William Day, of this city.
April 17, 1916
Death Record of
Mary (nee: Brace) Martin – Springfield, MA
Mary (nee: Brace) Martin Mulatto
Married
Born: September 16, 1871 Vermont
Father: Brace
She died of Alcoholism
April 22, 1916
Death Record – Lynn, Essex County, MA
Clyde William
Phelps
Residence: 104 Blossom Street
Color or Race: Black
Single
Date of Birth: April 09, 1897
Occupation: Teamster
Father: Louis Phelps b. Sheldon, Franklin County, Vermont
Mother: Jennie Peters b. New Haven, Addison County,
Vermont
Date of Death: August 22, 1916
March 14, 1918
The Burlington Free Press Newspaper, Page 03
Antoine Phillips Jr., an inmate of the Poor Farm died there
Sunday afternoon and was buried Tuesday afternoon. Internment was made at Essex
Center.
September 12, 1918
World War 1 Draft Registration Card – Serial Num. 1170
Order Num. 5230 – Springfield, MA
Charles Wyron
Brace
3636 ½ Bay Springfield, MA
Age: 38 Born: April 19, 1880
Race: Negro Native
Born
Occupation: Coal Handler for E. C. Brownell
82 Waltham Ave. in Springfield, MA
Nearest Relative: Mrs. Ellen Brace (mother)
265 No. Winooski Ave in Burlington, VT
December 19, 1918
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 07
Green Mountain
Lodge I. A. M. Elects Officers
At the annual meeting of Green Mountain Lodge, No. 649,
International Association of Machinists, held Friday evening, the following
officers were elected: President, H. G. Gilbert; financial secretary, George
Lewis; treasurer, Lucius J. Trombley; conductor, Fred James; sentinel, H. I.
Burbank; trustees, C. H. Lampman and
E. Richards.
January 09, 1920
1920 Federal Population Census – Worcester, Worcester
County, MA
76 R. 52-141 Household: Rented
Jennie Phelps – Black
– Age: 46 yrs. – Widowed
Her occupation: Laundress for a Private Family
Raymond R. Phelps – Black
– Age: 19 yrs. - Single
His occupation: Teamster for a Coal Company
January 15 & 16, 1920
1920 Federal Population Census – Town of Grafton Precinct, Worcester County, MA
Line 46 – Household 58 – 64 Luther A. Ward (B)
Black Age: 28 yrs. Born Carolina Occupation: Shady Well Truck Driver
Line 47 Grace E. [Phelps] (Wife) (B) Black Age: 27 yrs. Born: Vermont
Line 48 Beatrice
M. Ward (Daughter) (B) Black Age: 10
months Born: Massachusetts
Household 58 – 65
William Phelps (B) Black Age: 28
yrs. Born: Vermont Occupation: Shady Well Truck Driver
Lillian [Ward]
(Wife) (B) Black Age: 24 yrs. Born: Massachusetts
January 13, 1920
1920 Federal Population Census – Wrentham, Norfolk County, MA
Wrentham, MA State School – State Hospital
Effie Phelps – Color: (B) Black
Inmate
Age: 22 Single Female
Can Read & Write
Born: Vermont
Occupation: Kitchen helper
November 23, 1922
Death Record of
Wyron Brace – St. Albans, Franklin County, VT
Color: White Age: 69 yrs. 10 months 2 days Married
Occupation: Laborer
Birth: January 21, 1853 St. Albans, Franklin County,
Vermont
Father: Theodore
Brace Born: Atlanta, Georgia
Mother: Sally
Prince Born: Atlanta, Georgia
November 30, 1922
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper
Warren Brace
Obituary
Pneumonia Believed Induced by Injury in
Automobile Accident.
Warren (Tone) Brace, negro, aged about 65
years, died at his home on Laselle Street, November 22, 1922 about 11:15
o’clock after an illness of a few days of pneumonia. The body was taken to the
undertaking rooms of C. R. McAllister, where it was first thought of having an
autopsy performed. Mr. Brace was injured in an automobile accident Sunday
evening when he was riding in a car which was owned by W. H. Masters and driven
by David Scanlon, both of this city.
According to the story of Scanlon they were driving along
the Highgate road when they struck a sandy spot in the road causing the car to
swerve into a ditch tipping over. The occupants of the car got out and righted
it and proceeded to this city. In the car besides Mr. Brace and Scanlon were
Charles Brace and Masters. No one else received any serious injuries in the
accident although “Tone” claimed of having a “lame” chest. Pneumonia is
believed to have been brought on by injuries received.
May 08, 1924
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 05
Death of William
Phelps
William Phelps, of Lascelle
Street, in St. Albans, died suddenly of heart disease Sunday afternoon at 2
o’clock p.m. Mr. Phelps had been ill for several weeks with a fever sore but
had recovered and his condition was much better than it had been for some time.
Mr. Phelps, who was a Civil War veteran, was 65 years old and is survived by
his wife and two daughters.
Funeral of William
Phelps
The funeral of William Phelps, who died of heart failure
at 2:00 o’clock p.m. on Sunday Afternoon at his residence on Lascelle Street,
was held at 10:00 o’clock a.m. Tuesday morning at his home, the Rev. E. E.
Marggraf officiating. The burial was in the South Main Street Cemetery, the
bearers being William Powell, Daniel
Prince, Charles James, and William Satchell. The funeral was attended by a
large number of representative citizens of the city.
April 10, 1930
1930 Federal Population Census – Brooklyn, Kings County, NY
Line 13 – Household 452/3 – 73 – 163 Rental
William Phelps
Negro Age: 38 yrs. (21 yrs. of age at
marriage) Born: Vermont Occupation: Truck Driver
Lilllian [Ward] Negro Age: 35 yrs.
(18 yrs. of age at marriage) Born: Connecticut
August 20, 1937
Death Record – Burlington, Chittenden County, Vermont
Charles Wyron
Brace Mary Fletcher Hospital
156 Park, Burlington, Chittenden County, Vermont
Negro – Widowed –
Spouse: Rose Stoney
Birth: April 19, 1880 St. Albans, Franklin County,
Vermont
Age at Death: 57 yrs 4 months and 1 day
Occupation: Laborer
Father: Wyron Brace b. St. Albans
Mother: Ellen Day b. St. Albans
March 19, 1940
Municipal Court of Lancaster, N. H. – Criminal Record
No. 737
Complainant:
Lester E. Moses
Vs.
Respondent: Peter
Phillips
Filed: March 19, 1940
Crime Charged: Fugitive from Justice (from State of
Vermont)
Arraigned: March 19, 1940
Hearing: March 19, 1940
Committed to Coos County Jail to be detained until April
19, 1940 unless he shall be demanded by some person authorized by the Executive
of this State of Vermont, to receive him.
Officers: Fees: Date Paid:
A.J. Kenney $20.30 (to be paid
by complainant Lester E. Moses)
F.W. Baker $01.50 Paid January
10, 1941
A true record, ATTEST: Agnes C. Moody, Clerk
[Lester E. Moses: Lancaster
Town Officer]
[Albert J. Kenney: Chief of
Police in Lancaster, N.H.]
[Fred W. Baker: Special
Justice]
April 03, 1940
1940 Federal Population Census – Borough of Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
Line 38 – Household 499 – 48 Rental
William Phelps
Negro Age: 49 yrs. Attended School up to 4th
Grade Born: Vermont Occupation: Truck Driver for Trucking Company.
Lillian Phelps
(Wife) Negro Age: 45 yrs. Attended School to 8th
Grade Born: Connecticut Occupation: Laudress and Laundry.
Robert Stropshire
(Lodger) Negro Age: 40 yrs. Attended School to 5th
Grade Born: South Carolina Occupation: Chauffeur for Private Family.
April 10, 1940
1940 Federal Population Census – Borough of Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
Line 60 – Household 498 – 175 – R – 17
Jennie Phelps
(mother) – Negro – Age: 66 – Widowed – Born: VT
Ethel Phelps
(daughter) – Negro – Age: 44 – 4 yrs. schooling –
Born: VT – Occupation: Laundry feeder
Clifford Phelps
(grandson) – Negro – Age: 26 – 7 yrs. schooling –
Born: MA – Occupation: Casting Laborer
Raymond Phelps
(son) – Negro – Age: 38 – 4 yrs. schooling – Born: MA
– Occupation: Deliver Boy for Retail Florist
Next Door:
Ethel Thomas – Negro - b.
North Carolina -Widowed, Beatrice (daughter), Mildred (daughter), James (son),
Demaris (daughter), Adele (daughter) [all children were identified as
Negro]
April 25, 1940
1940 Federal Population Census – Montpelier, Washington County,
VT
Old Ladies Home –
Washington County Jail
Line 55 – Peter
Phillips
White Male – Age 34 yrs. – Single – Born Vermont
Residence in 1935: Burlington, Chittenden County, Vermont
December 01, 1940
Death Record of
Joselyn D. (nee: Prince) Elms - Richwoods, Peoria, Illinois
Name: Joselyn D.
Elms
[Joselyn D. Prince]
Birth Date: 28
Jan 1881
Birth Place: St
Albans, VT
Death Date: 1
Dec 1940
Death Place: Richwoods,
Peoria, Illinois
Burial Date: 4
Dec 1940
Burial Place: Peoria,
Peoria, Illinois
Cemetery Name: Springdale
Death Age: 59
yrs.
Occupation: Gym
Attendant
Race: Black
Marital Status: M
Gender: Female
Residence: Peoria,
Peoria, Illinois
Father Name: Timothy
Prince
Father Birth Place: St.
Albans, VT.
Mother Name: Sarah
Fortune
Mother Birth Place: St.
Abbans, VT.
Spouse Name: Allen
Elms
September 07, 1948
Death Record of
Ethan Brace
Ethan Brace,
identified as a Negro on the record, died at the Bishop
DesGoesbriand Hospital in Burlington, Chittenden County, Vermont, of heart
issues. He was son of Theodore Brace and Sarah Prince. He was 88 yrs., 11
months, and 5 days of age at the time of passing.
April 19, 1986
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 04
Little Jerry lived
on French Hill
No readers were able to identify this photo, which was
taken from the front of a postcard now owned by the St. Albans Historical
Society.
Our information came from a brief, typed description –
author unknown – provided by the society. It was probably written prior to
1948, before Water Street was renamed Maple Street. We are reprinting it with
its original spelling and grammar:
“Shortly after the close our Civil War, there drifted
into St. Albans, a diminutive colored man, who was known to the village over as
“Little Jerry” just where he came or why he happened to land in St. Albans, was
never known. This man claimed to have been a sailor the fact that he possessed
about six hundred dollars was sufficient to introduce him into the most select families of his race then living in the
‘Blocks’ on Laselle Street, adjacent
to the railways tracks on Water Street. Jerry soon became popular with the
girls and married Agnes Brace (sister of the late Tony Brace.) after a
period of wedding festivities lasting many days and nights, a home was
purchased on ‘French Hill’ leading by the residence of the late Ex. Gov. J.
Gregory Smith. Very often in the early morning Jerry could be heard from the
top of the hill singing his favorite song: “Goan tomorrow – Soup and grease to
sorrow/ Goan away tomorrow…”
June 16, 1997
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper
Death sentence
carried out just once locally in 177 years
Condemned man attended his own funeral
service
Editor’s Note: The decision by a federal jury Friday in Denver to sentence Oklahoma
City bomber Timothy McVeigh to death has sparked new discussion about capital
punishment. Franklin County has long been removed from that debate on the local
level, with only one recorded execution being carried out here and that was 177
years ago. The following is an account of that case, taken verbatim from the
Abbey Hemenway Gazetteer, Vol. II, as quoted in the Vermont Historical
Magazine.
In the year of 1820, the first and only execution in the
county of Franklin, took place in St. Albans.
This was the hanging of Luther Virginia for the murder of
Rufus W. Jackson, in the town of Highgate, November 14, 1819.
Virginia was a youngerly colored man of intemperate and
dishonest habits. He had worked for Mr. Herrick, an innkeeper at Highgate
Falls, and was convicted of stealing money from the till of the bar; and was
sentenced to a term in the state’s prison.
After the expiration of his sentence, he settled in
Canada near the line of Highgate.
Sunday afternoon, November 14, 1819, he came to Herrik’s
partially intoxicated and demanded liquor. This being denied him, he became
quarrelsome and had some angry words with Rufus W. Jackson who was present.
He was finally expelled from the house and started, as
was supposed, for home.
Rufus W. Jackson, at sunset, started on horseback to go
to the north part of town, crossed the bridge over Missisquoi River and
ascended the hill beyond, when he was knocked from his horse by Luther Virginia
with a stake taken from a fence nearby, and beaten to death.
Luther Virginia drew the lifeless body out of the road,
and the rider-less horse returned to the tavern.
This created alarm for the safety of Rufus W. Jackson,
and a party started off to search for him.
The body was soon found and Luther Virginia was captured
before morning at his home in Canada and lodged in the jail at St. Albans.
Rufus W. Jackson’s watch was found secreted in his bed.
He was convicted of willful murder at a special session of the Supreme Court,
December 13, 1819 and sentenced to be hung between the hours of 10 in the
forenoon and 2 o’clock, P.M., January 14, 1820.
This sentence was carried into execution by Shiveric
Holmes, the sheriff of the county of Franklin, in the field on the north side
of Congress Street opposite Governor Smith’s stock-barn.
Luther Virginia attended his own funeral service at the
Court House, which was conducted by Rev. Phineas Culver, who preached a sermon
from Genesis IX, 6, “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be
shed.”
The execution was witnessed by an immense concourse of
people.
July 18, 1998
The St. Albans Messenger Newspaper, Page 02
A Brave Black Regiment: Civil War
soldiers buried locally
… Civil War
records for Vermont say 68 African Americans served in
the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. Greenwood Cemetery in
St. Albans has six known veterans of the 54th. These men enlisted
after the assault on Battery Wagner.
The 54th veterans from St. Albans in Greenwood
Cemetery are:
Daniel Prince
Abel Prince
Isaac Prince
William Phelps Jr.
Alex Garrison
Peter Brace
Garrison and Brace have many descendants in the area. Two
of these veterans are not listed in Vermont statistics. …
Peter Brace of
St. Albans, enlisted in the 54th on December 19, 1863 at the age of
19. His Vermont pay of $7.00 per month went to his wife Sallie.
Peter Brace
was wounded in the battle of Honey Hill, South Carolina on November 20, 1864.
He was discharged in August of 1865. He went on to father 16 children,
including six sets of twins, and it is believed to have taken part in the
construction of the original water and sewer system in St. Albans beginning in
the early 1880’s.
What were these PHILLIPS, sons and or grandsons of Antwine Philips and Catherine Émery dit Codèrre ... with their wives, having children in St. Albans, Vermont?
Who were they staying with while there?
Obviously they didn't go there just to stand in the rain, freeze to death in the wintertime, or get heatstroke in the summertime, let alone starve to death while there.
So who did they associate with, who did they live around?
It would appear that the PHELPS of St. Albans, VT and the PHILLIPS formerly of Highgate, VT are genealogically related to one another.
