Appletree Point Historical Society: July 2013

20.7.13

APHS PRESENTS STORYTELLING PROGRAM AT NORTH END NPA, JULY 24

The Neighborhood Planning Assembly meets on school nights, so summer programs feature opportunities for children to learn more about city government and NorthEnd history. APHS was asked to bring their favorite storytellers to the July 24 meeting, and here we go: takin' our show on the road!

AGENDA

6:15 Sign in, GREET NEIGHBORS and CITY OFFICIALS

6:30 WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS and ANNOUNCEMENTS, AGENDA, GROUND RULES.

6:35 BUSINESS - Nominate Lea Terhune (Ward 4) and (Carol Lavigne) Ward 7 to NPA Steering Committees

6:40 PROGRAM -

Storytelling about the history of NorthEnd, what it was like growing up here. Rolfe Eastman, Tim and Sue Prim, Norma Raymond, Christine Hebert, and Rosaire Longe. Sponsored by local history buffs.

Appointed and elected officials explain their responsibilities, and invite children to tell them what would make the NorthEnd a great-er place for kids.

8:15 REFLECTIONS - thoughts, ideas, opinions that anyone wants to share

4.7.13

FOURTH OF JULY 2013 on Appletree Point

Each year, APHS is invited to put up a historical display about life on Appletree Point when the land was farmed. This year the theme was apples, in honor of the appletrees that give the area it's name. We handed out apple juice and apples, and raffle tickets for grand prize of an apple pie. Winner of the pie was Tom Papp, a charter member of the historical society and the Strathmore board member who invited us to the parade! Three cheers for Tom!

Suddenly Tom has lots of BFFs!

Abby was on hand to sign up new members.

Chuck set the display up.

Display featured photos of farmlands
on the point. Sue and Lea made the display...

Eric Farrell brought plans for Staniford Farm, featuring home lots, ponds, and wetland buffer zones.

The rain held off all morning, and for a few hours we were able to forget the rainiest summer on record. A few hours later came a deluge that set a record for rainfall in Burlington on a single day.

Eric Farrell, a new neighbor lives at Appletree Farm, aka Staniford Farm, in the Picher house. A former winner of a Preservation Burlington Award along with Appletree Point Historical Society, Eric is preserving the 1820 Staniford farmhouse. Efforts to sell it as-is, in place, have not been successful. Eric's latest plan is to move the house, place it on a new foundation, and see if it is more attractive to a buyer. The remaining buildable land at Appletree Farm will be subdivided into home lots, conserving the wetland buffer zones as natural areas to be protected and enjoyed by new homeowners.

The Call-to-Action!
Today, all major impact developments
are previewed at *NPA to give developers
early feedback on their project.

Appletree Point Historical Society can take pride in what members and friends accomplished, never wavering in their commitment to the historic farmhouse, the pastoral context, and environmental protection of the wetlands and buffers. Lest we forget -- the flip side of the display is the original call-to-action sign that rallied the neighbors and led to a N7 Summit Meeting of residents in the seven surrounding neighborhoods.

Many thanks to Co-Presidents Sue and Tim Prim,
whose enthusiasm, dedication, knowledge and leadership
are greatly appreciated.

Felix Powel land transfer to James Murdock, 1778

Know all men by these presents that I Felix Powel of Manchester in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont gentleman for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred & ninety pounds lawful money by me recieved have given granted bargined & sold & do by these presents give grant bargin sell convey & conﬁrm unto James Murdock of Saybrook in the County of Newlondon & State of Connecticut one full share or right of land lying in the town of Burlington on Onion River in the State of Vermont which right was granted by gov Wintworth to Samuel Averill as may on the back of the charter of said town appears the pitch is made on a place Comonly called Appletree Point where there about ﬁve acres of land under improvement with a log house upon it & as I have the priviledge granted to me by the propriator of Burlington to lay out the whole right upon that place I do warrant the priviledge to said Murdock the above said granted premises to have and to hold to him the said James Murdock with all the prividileges there to belonging to him and his heirs & assignees to his and their propper beneﬁt & behoof against all claims from or by one or any way from the original grantee by virtue of any act or acts already done or suffered whatsoever in witness where of I have here unto set my hand & seal this 19th of August 1778 signed sealed and delivered in presents of Soloman Soper, Lydia Soper.

Felix Powel

Benington County. Manchester. October 20th 1778 personally appeared Felix Powel signer and sealer of the above instrument and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed before me

Martin Powel Justice of Peace

FELIX POWELL FIRST SETTLER 1773

Felix Powell, a revolutionary war soldier was the first settler in Burlington coming from Dorset in 1773. He cleared land and built a log house on Apple Tree Point. October 22, 1774 he purchased from Samuel Averill of Litchfield, Conn. for thirty pounds a tract of land which consisted, in addition to the village lots, of 103 acre lots occupying the whole of Apple Tree Point and extending nearly to the Winooski River. August 9, 1778 he sold the land to John Murdock of Saybrook, Conn. This deed is the first one recorded that recognized the
authority of Vermont. Tablet erected on Appletree Point by the City of Burlington June 1923.

MEMO: APR. 30, 2010

Overview: The Woodbury-Wick House, constructed c. 1830 and originally the farmhouse associated with over 300 acres of farmland, is listed on the Vermont State Register of Historic Resources. The house now sits on a 1.21 acre parcel, and has been altered from its original appearance, albeit with the assistance of notable Vermont architect Louis B. Newton. Deferred maintenance, vacancy, and owner neglect have resulted in the current state of deterioration and failure. The property has recently changed hands, and the new owner proposes renovations that will revive the structure and reintroduce residency into this former farmhouse and grant estate.

Mary O’Neil, Associate Planner, City of Burlington

Settlement of Burlington

The beautiful city now know as Burlington was, in the earliest days of colonization, part of New France. The king of France, in order to encourage settlement in the wilds of America, granted large tracts of land, or seigniories, to loyal servants. In July 1734 this region was granted to the Sieur de La Perriere, a Captain in the French military. By 1759, this area, along with all the French claims in North America became part of the British empire following the French defeat in the French and Indian War. With peace came increased settlement. On June 7, 1763 Burlington received its charter from the crown.

Felix Powell, First Euro-American Settler in Burlington, Appletree Point, 1773

The first settler in Burlington was Felix Powell in the year 1773. On 22 day of October Mr Powell bought of Samuel Averill a tract of land n Burlington. This land in addition to the village lots consisted of 103 acre lots occupying the whole of Appletree Point, and running nearly to Onion River. Mr. Powell subsequently cleared a portion of the land on the point, and erected a log house. He sold this right August 19, 1778 to James Murdock. source

Another source says that Felix Powell transferred the deed to 154 acres in payment of a debt on March 25, 1777, when he went into the American Army. source

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Appletree Point Historical Society

History of Appletree Point, Burlington's North End

20.7.13

APHS PRESENTS STORYTELLING PROGRAM AT NORTH END NPA, JULY 24

4.7.13

FOURTH OF JULY 2013 on Appletree Point

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