--part1_54.89e7a8.25b4a0f9_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit --part1_54.89e7a8.25b4a0f9_boundary Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Disposition: inline Return-path: [email protected] From: [email protected] Full-name: Jespane Message-ID: <[email protected]> Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 11:40:23 EST Subject: Re: [VT-L] POEM/PIONEERS VT to NY To: [email protected] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: CompuServe 2000 32-bit sub 67 I always had a vivid image of my ancestors crossing over Lake Champlain and then I found a poem by Fuller Allen (1988 poem still copyright so only a portion is displayed here). Allen's Farm Yarn They spun this yanr of Allen's farm two hundred years ago; When Jabez with his oxen Crossed the lake midst ice and snow. 'Unc' Ethan's gift gave him a lift and so on July fourth He bought from Platt a parcel that was wooded south to north." I would love to know more about the history of this group of ancestors who migrated. Family lore says that "Ethan Allen advised Jabez [Allen] that the economic situation in VT was difficult, and counseled him to relocate in NY State. Jabez, acting on this advice, walked from Grand Isle, VT (probably starting from the south tip of South Hero) , to the area that was later named Peru, in Feb or March of 1788 -- traveling on the ice with a yoke of oxen, an axe, and 20 pounds in British money, all furnished by his benefactor Ethan." Can anyone add to this picture -- either the history or the poetic imagery? I believe that an ancestor of mine followed this same trail. They purchased land in the Platt patent (from the State of New York) ... within the term of 7 years and Platt subdivided into 7 gift lots to be "given away to settlers". Fuller Allen continues his poem about shipping the timber out of Plattsburg northeast: "There inside a score of timbers lay. On May the first They durst the Worst and burst toward's Allen's bay. They sped down past the Gift Lots fast Where Great Ausaable flowed. And, soon 'twas plain that Lake Champlain Would bear this mighty load." ...... "They steered toward Ile La Motte. The Brit troops were on Point Au Fer, But didn't fire a shot." Thank you for any assistance or thoughts you might have. Does anyone know Fuller Allen in New York Jean in Haverhill MA --part1_54.89e7a8.25b4a0f9_boundary--