FAIRFAX HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING

- AUGUST 17, 1997

After the Annual Meeting was held on August 17, 1997, an open discussion with 22 individuals present occurred concerning Creameries and Receiving Stations located in Fairfax, Vermont.

A Receiving Station or Creamery located on the Almon Woodward Farm:

Art Webb remembered that there was a receiving station or creamery located at the 4 corners near Almon Woodward's farm as well as about three (3) barns located below Almon Woodward's House.

Receiving Station or Creamery located at the foot of the Sam Webb Road:

Art Webb, Ruth Ellsworth, Ralph Ellsworth, Larry Leach and Doug Webb who was not at the meeting remembered that there was a Creamery or Receiving Station located at the end of the Sam Webb Road where Leslie Ely now lives. It was not an operating Creamery in their lifetime that they could remember, but Ruth Ellsworth remembers being told that it was an old Creamery. I had heard that there was an old foundation on the corner of 104A and thought that that might have been the creamery, but Ruth Ellsworth stated that that was where the old 1 room school house was that was moved across the road and is now the home of Leslie Ely.

Donna Meunier and Sheri Rainville have done much research regarding the property at the end of the Sam Webb Road, but have been unsuccessful in finding any records that would verify this.

Receiving Station or Creamery located near the King Farm in North Fairfax:

Al Daniels mentioned the fact that Doug Reeves, a son in law of Paul King had told him that Paul had stated that there used to be a Creamery or Receiving Station located near or on the farm. This is quite possible as the research is not done as yet, but there appeared to be land owned by Gardner Murphy Company of Boston, Massachusetts in that area in the late 1800's and early 1900's that housed a creamery and butter factory.

The Receiving Station or Creamery above (Location unknown) has an arrow that points to Weston King according to one of his descendants.

The last creamery in existence in town was located at 1311 Main Street on the property now occupied by the residence of Sylva and Brenda (Bessette) Thibault at the north end of Fairfax village.

Reginald Cherrier, who now lives in Essex Junction was at the meeting and he originally worked at this creamery. He stated that the creamery separated the milk and just sent the cream on to Milton. The skim milk was used to make Caseine. The part of the creamery which was later converted to an apartment was used for this purpose and contained a large cement tank. The skim milk was dumped into that tank where Muriatic Acid was poured into it and after several hours, the skim milk curdled and looked like cottage cheese. It was then shovelled out, and placed in a press where the liquid was pressed out, then placed in burlap and sent on to Milton. Reginald said that the casein was used for buttons, prior to the invention of plastic. The liquid pressed out was sent through a drain pipe down to the river which ran through the Bellows Farm Meadow. It is quite likely that the pipeline is still in the ground. According to Reginald, the Creamery started in 1933 and the milk testers were required to be licensed in 1935. His father was a tester and said that he made good money there which was $12 a week working 7 days. There was no vacation or sick leave and if you wanted a day off you you hired someone out of your own pocket.

Albert Rich mentioned the fact that most of the people in the village raised pigs and the cheapest way to feed them was to go up to the creamery where they would bring a milk can and he thought for about 10 cents they could buy a whole can of skim milk which together with a little grain grew pigs from spring to fall that would weigh between 450 and 500 pounds. Shortly after Albert mentioned that Marion Chaffee located a picture of a pig that had been butchered that was 9 feet long and weighed 750 pounds which gave much credibility to Albert's story.

The creamery also contained an ice house as well as an area where the milk was received, tested, weighed and separated. Reginald also stated that the milk from the first can was tested, while other individuals who shipped their milk to other creameries stated that the milk was poured in a vat and a sample taken from the combined contents. It was also stated that a large farm was considered to be 30 cows in the early years and many families only brought in 1 can of milk. Jesse Parsons, who was Larry Parsons grandfather and whose farm was located behind the old post office in the center of the village of Fairfax, many times only had about a half a can of milk, as he only brought to the creamery what was left after delivery was made to homes. (Jesse also sold ice for ice boxes at 2 cents a pound along with the home delivery milk route). Larry also remembers there were long lines which didn't seem to move very fast as farmers were delivering their milk. Ralph Ellsworth remembers substituting as a milk carrier for some of the local carriers. When asked how much he got paid, he thought it was probably done just as a good neighbor. Individual farmers were identified by a number on their milk cans and interestingly enough, all of the farmers in attendance easily remembered the number they had. Milk haulers would drop off the second set of cans when they came to pick up milk the next day along with a little slip that told what the total weight of the milk was delivered the previous day. The little slip was usually slid over a nail located in the milk house. Ruth mentioned the fact that farmers liked to keep that weight confidential and did not necessarily like their neighbors to know.

Ruth Ellsworth remembered when milk was used from the Cyrus Leach farm for the Hot Lunch Program. It was then decided that milk should come in small cartons, so much to the dismay of the local towns people, the children were required to drink milk not from the local area.

Creameries in Cloverdale, Essex, Milton, St. Albans

Ralph Ellsworth remembered Will Barkyoumb picking up Cream from various farmers and delivering it to a Creamery in Cloverdale located on Route 15.

Art Webb stated that someone living on the old Bruce Corliss farm on the Buck Hollow Road used to deliver milk to Essex Junction to the old Ethan Allen Creamery and farmers had to be certified for the Grade A milk that was delivered there.

Win McNall stated that milk from their farm was always shipped to St. Albans and Albert Rich said that when he was born around 1910, his father used to draw milk with horses from Fairfax to St. Albans and did that for about 10 years.

Refurbishing of Milk Cans

An individual known as Tin Can Hibbard lived just above the Oakland Road and used to pick up old milk cans and get them retinned. The Creamery located near Nan's also had someone who would come from Milton and retin the cans right there at the creamery when they became rusty.

I am still researching information on Fairfax Creameries and will add information as I go along. We still have not been able to identify where the Creamery was located that shows a picture of Weston King.

Henry A. Raymond - August - 1997

RESEARCH INFORMATION ON FAIRFAX CREAMERIES

GARDNER MURPHY COMPANY - BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

(The following deeds were found in the Fairfax Town Records, Fairfax, Vermont)

Wells & Hewey to Gardner Murphy Company - Volume 21, Page 219 - June 22, 1886

Know all men by these presents that we Sarah Ann Wells and Cornelia Hewey of Fairfax, in the County of Franklin & State of Vermont in consideration of twenty Five dollars paid to our satisfaction by Gardner Murphy Company of Boston in the state of Massachusetts do freely give, grant, bargain, sell, alein and convey unto the said Gardner Murphy Company their heirs and assigns forever, the following described land & premises in Fairfax in the County of Franklin to wit: Being a strip of land six rods & eleven feet on the highway and extending twelve rods westerly from highway - and being in Northeast corner of land lately owned by Estate of Joseph Story and the same land now occupied by said Gardner Murphy Company as a butter factory or creamery and to be occupied for no other purpose whatsoever. It is a part of this contract that should the said Gardner Murphy Company their heirs or assigns cease to use said land for creamery or butter factory we the said granters have no right to the possession therof till we have paid or tendered to them the sum of twenty five dollars. To have and to hold the above granted and bargained premises, wish all privileges and appurtenances thereof and thento belonging unto the said Gardner Murphy Company their heirs and assigns to and their own proper use benefit and behoof so long only as need for creamery or butter factory and we the said do for ourselves our heirs, executors and administrators, covenant to and with the said Gardner Murphy Company, their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that at and until the enacting of this presents we are ???? seized of the premises in fee simple: that we have good right and lawful authority to bargain and sell the same in manner and form as is above written: that they are free and clear of all incumbrance andthat we will warrant and defend the same against all lawful claims and demands of any person or persons whomsoever, in witness whereor we hereunto set our hands and seals this 22 day of June A.D. 1886.

Sarah Ann Wells L.S.
Cornelia Hewey L.S.

In the presence of A. A. Brush - Miss Florence Bevins
Personally appeared at Fairfax Sarah Ann Wells Cornelia Hewey the signers and sealers of the above written instrument and acknowledged the same to be free act and deed this day of 22 June A.D. 1886 before me A. A. Brush Notary Public Town Clerks office Fairfax, Vt June 17 1886 received for record at 8 o'clock p.m. and is duly recorded. Attest A. B. Beeman Town Clerk

Gardner Murphy to O. H. Hewey - Volume 24, Page 421 - November 10, 1903

Know all men by these presents: That we Gardner Murphy of Boston in the County of Suffolk and commonwealth of Massachusetts, being the sole granter and the only person intended under the designation of Gardner Murphy Company in the deed from Sarah Ann Wells and Cornelia Hewey to me dated June 22nd, 1886, recorded with the Land Records in the Town Clerk's Office at Fairfax in the County of Franklin and State of Vermont, Book 21, Page 219 in consideration of the sum of twenty-five dollars paid to my satisfaction by O. H. Hewey of said Fairfax, do freely give, grant, bargain, sell alein, and convey unto the said O. H. Hewey and his heirs and assigns forever the following described land and premises situated in said Fairfax, namely a strip of land six rods and eleven feet on the highway and extending twelve rods westerly from the highway, and being in the northeast corner of land lately owned by the estate of Joseph Story, and the same premises heretofore occupied by the said Gardner Murphy as a butter factory and creamery. To have and to hold the above granted and bargained premises, with all the privileges and appurtenances thereof and thereto belonging unto the said O. H. Hewey and his heirs and assigns, to his and their own proper use and behoff forever, and I the said Gardner Murphy do for myself and my heirs executors and administrators covenant to and with the said O. H. Hewey and his heirs, administrators executors, and assigns, that at and until the unsealing of these presents I am well seized of the granted premises in fee simple state I have good right and lawful authority to bargain and sell the same in manner and form as is above written, that they are free and clear from all incumbrance; and that I will warrant and defend the same against the lawful claims and demands of any person or persons whomsever; and I, Hannah R. Murphy, wife of the said Gardner Murphy for the consideration aforesaid do hereby release unto the grantee and his heirs and assignes ------------------10 November 1903 and recorded February 10, 1904 at 10 o'clock a.m.

Orlando H. Hewey to W. O. King - Volume 26, Page 1 - January 4, 1908

Orlando H. Hewey transferred the farm known as the Joseph Story farm - Lying and being on both sides of the Highway running from Fairfax Village to St. Albans being all and the same lands deeded to said Hewey by Caroline Hewey and Sarah Ann Wells by warranty deed dated February 7, 1887 (excepting therefrom 10 acres of land deeded by said Hewey to O. F. Wilson June 30th 1900 recorded in Book 22, Page 198) containing 100 acres of land more or less. Said deed is recorded in Book 21, Page 282.

Orlando H. Hewey also transferred in this same deed his right to the spring on the 10 acre lot as reserved by him.

Orlando H. Hewey also transferred in this same deed the Robinson Richardson Farm "So Called" containing 65 acres of land more or less, being all and the lands and premises deeded to O. H. Hewey by Robinson Richardson and his wife Sarah S. Richardson by warrantee deed dated February 11th 1889 and recorded in Book 21, Page 277 of land records in Fairfax Town Clerk's Office to which deeds or records refer for further descriptions.

This transaction occurred on January 4, 1908, but does not show the property owned by Gardner Murphy

SUNSET CREAMERY -(This creamery was apparently in Bakersfield, Vermont)

(The following information on the Sunset Creamery and Hervey A. Churchill was taken from the book Successful Vermonters by William H. Jeffrey published by The Historical Publishing Company of East Burke, Vermont in 1907. The Book was lent to me by Larry & Mary Leach of Fairfax)

Hervey A. Churchill is best known in this section as the enterprising proprietor of an important industry, Sunset Creamery. Hervey was the brother of Hiram Churchill of Fairfax

Harvey A. Churchill, son of Parker and Paulina (Learned) Churchill, was born in Fairfax, September 11, 1871. His education was completed at Georgia High School and New Hampton Institute, Fairfax. At 11 years of age he began to work in a creamery during the summer and at the early age of 16 he became manager of a creamery in Fairfax. For 11 years he was continnously in the employ of Gardner Murphy, an extensive owner of creameries. In 1894 he was employed by the Franklin County Creamery, remaining three years; was subsequently butter maker three years at Cambridge and one year at Colchester. In the spring of 1901, he purchased the North hero Creamery, which he sold the following September.

In the fall of 1901 he erected his present plant, Sunset Creamery, one of the most thoroughly equipped and modern in the state. The separator has a capacity of two tons of milk per hour. He commenced operation in March 1902, and during eight months made 102 tons of butter. During the same months of the following year, with extended routes, he made 138 tons of butter. Mr. Churchill then decided to cut off some of the more distant and unremmunerative routes and with these reductions, the business remains about equal to that of the first year. Three teams are employed during the best of the season in gathering the cream, which is weighed and sampled at each patron's door. Mr. Churchill sends patrons' locked test jars to the experiment station at his own expense. The creamery has from seventy-five to one hundred patrons. During the winter season the creamery force is partly employed in cutting and storing ice and wood. Mr. Churchill took the first premium for butter, at Burlington, in 1897, and at Montpelier in 1898. He has a good record as a citizen, a skillful butter maker and successful salesman. He is a member of the Vermont Dairymaen's Association.

He married, in 1891, Kattie Rankin of Georgia, who died in 1896, leaving one child, Gladys. In 1900 he married Jennie, daughter of Albert G. and Celina (Larabee) Brigham. Their only child is Brigham Winston Churchill.

THE FRANKLIN COUNTY CREAMERY

(The following information on the Franklin County Creamery, which from the picture appears to show the name St. Albans, was also taken from the book Successful Vermonters by William H. Jeffrey, published by The Historical Publishing Company of East Burke, Vermont in 1907 which was lent to me by Larry & Mary Leach of Fairfax)

This institution is the parent and exemplar of its class, the largest in New England and one of the largest in the world, and for many years a potent factor in the industrial life of Franklin County. It was organized in 1890, being a consolidation of all of the small creameries in Franklin County, and a few in contiguous territory. The cream of 20,000 cows, representing 1,200 dairies, is used and during the busy season about ten tons of splendid butter are produced daily. Nearly three million pounds of butter have been made in a single year. The cream-gathering system has prevailed since 1900 and since January 1, 1906, the patrons have enjoyed the benefits of the system of weekly payments. The company also owns an immense cold storage plant with the best modern equipment for refrigeration.

The officers are: A.S. Richardson, President; F. E. Chamberlain, Vice-President and Treasurer; George H. Claflin, Manager; Frank I. Marvin, superintendent.

Milton Co-operative Dairy Corporation

(The following information was taken from exerps from a booklet given to me by Reginald Cherrier of Essex Junction at the August 17th meeting of the Fairfax Historical Society called "Milton Co-operative Dairy Corporation 1919 - Sixteen Years of Progress - 1935")

Included in this book was a picture of a Typical Vermont Dairy Farm which was that of John Shedd's Farm taken in 1935 from Route 104.

"The Milton Co-operative Dairy Corporation commenced to ship milk to the Boston Market October 6, 1919. The organizing, financing, furnishing and building of this corporation and its plants is a history of hard and determined effort on the part of the milk producers of Milton and vicinity. First, the farmers contributed the money necessary for the expense of the corporation work; second, they signed notes to the Essex Trust Company for money to build and start operations. This was a serious and important undertaking in the year of 1919 and many of the farmers pledged all they were worth in the world to the purposes of this organization. The Essex Trust Company loaned money on these notes with which to build and equip our plant. The organizers of this creamery appreciate the very helpful and opportune service given them by this bank. It is possible that without the financial aid furnished by the Essex Trust Company at that time, our corporation might never have succeeded. Besides the voluntary signing of notes as above mentioned, each farmer patron subscribed for one share of stock, of the par value of ten dollars, for each dairy cow he owned or controlled. These notes were discounted by the bank and produced the money with which the plant was built and equipped. The notes were paid off by taking out of the farmer's milk check ten cents per hundred pounds until the note was paid and cancelled.

The Milton Co-op was successful, paid its obligations and discharged its mortgages. We claim for it that it has paid as much or more than other competitors for the products of its patrons. In addition it has paid five per cent annual cash dividends, on paid up stock, except for one year when it paid four per cent, and has given stock dividends in considerable amounts. Today the patrons of the Milton Co-operative Dairy Corporation own over a half million dollars worth of property free of mortgage.

The financial success of this organization was not the only object to be attained. Service and accommodations were sought for and obtained. We established milk stations in Westford (now discontinued), Georgia (1920), Fairfax (1923), Essex Junction (1925), Colchester (1928), Brown's River (now discontinued), Alburg (1934), and Swanton (1935. This service to the remote patrons was a great convenience and a money saver. It gave them as quick service as those who lived near the main plant and saved the twenty-five cents per hundred pounds formerly paid for hauling. By means of these outposts or receiving plants, we have maintained a steady supply and a large volume without materially increasing the expense. We believe that our loyal patrons appreciate this service and saving to them and will stand together with us to the ultimate achievement of cooperative principles.

The present directorate is composed of John McGrath, president, George A. Stuart of Westford, vice-president, A. B. Wood and Lawrence J. Rowley of Milton, M. E. Shedd of Fairfax, L. J. Bixby of Essex, H. H. Nye of Georgia, and Leon D. Latham, clerk of the corporation and secretary to the board of directors."

January 5, 1892 - Berkley M. Ballard, Fairfax, Vermont - Volume 22, Page 48

March 28, 1901 - Fairfax Creamery, Fairfax, Vermont - Volume 23, Page 333 - $400.00

Description - One acre of land, more or less with a house and barn thereon standing, Bounded on the Northerly by land of J. D. Shedd, East and South by land belonging to the Estate of Emily Hunt deceased, and on the Westerly by the highway running from Fairfax to Georgia Depot. Being all and the same lands deeded to B. M. Ballard by the heirs of Mary Barrett deceased by deed dated January 5th 1892 recorded in Book 22 page 48 of land records in Fairfax Town Clerk's Office.


*******************


Fred L. Smith, Fletcher, Vermont had a creamery located on the North Road where James Ferguson now lives in 2006. The only remaining part of the old creamery is the house located on the right and I believe Carlton Ferguson who allowed me to scan the photo on August 14, 2006 told me that the house is now painted pink.


(Date------------)- Fred L. Smith, Fletcher, Vermont - (Volume ??, Page ???)

March 11, 1910 - J. G. Turnbull Company, Orleans, Vermont - Volume 24, Page 219

Description - One acre of land more or less, with a Butter Factory and outbuildings thereon standing, bounded on the northerly by lands of J. D. Shedd, East and South by lands of W. W. Holbrook and on the westerly by the highway running northerly through Fairfax Village to St. Albans.

Also conveying everything on the premises excepting the 10 gal cream cans, the print boxes, the printed paper, the 25 lb. tubs and one-half of the 60 lb. spruce tubs.

October 3, 1918 - J. G. Turnbull Company, Orleans, Vermont - Volume 27, Page 378

At a meeting of the J. G. Turnbull Co. held at its office in Orleans, Vt. October 3, 1918 in accordance with section ten of the laws of the corporation it was voted that the President of the Company be authorized and empowered to sell and convey absolutely and in fee simple seven (7) creameries of this company located respectively at Alburgh, Green's Corners, Fairfax, Montpelier, Newport Center, Derby and North Thetford, together with the land on which the same are located and adjacent thereto, or used in connection therewith the equipment and personal property contained therein or used in connection with the operation of said creameries, and the trade, custom and good will of the business appertaining thereto; also all the property of this company used in the milk, cream and dairy products business in or about the city of Boston and other large cities throughout New England upon such terms and conditions as the President of this Company may think best.

October 11, 1918 - H. P. Hood & Sons , Boston, Massachusetts- Volume 27, Page 377

Description - Being one acre of land, more or less with creamery and outbuildings thereon, and being the same land and premises conveyed by Fred L. Smith, to the said J. G. Turnbull Company by deed of Warranty dated March 11th A.D. 1910 and recorded in Book 24, Page 219 of the Land Records of said town of Fairfax.

Reference is hereby made to the above mentioned deed and to the deeds therin mentioned and to the records of each and all for a more full and complete description of said granted premises.

Also all machinery, tools and fixtures now used in the operation of said creamery on said premises.

Also all rights and privileges which the said J. G. Turnbull Company has in and to certain springs of water which supply water to said creamery.

August 13, 1920 - Milton Cooperative Dairy Cooperation - Volume 29, Page 242

Description - a certain parcel of land situated in Fairfax in the County of Franklin in said State of Vermont, and bounded and described as follows: Being one acre of land, more or less with the creamery and out buildings thereon and the same premises conveyed to said H. P. Hood & Sons, Inc. by J. G. Turnbull Company by deed dated October 11, 1918 and recorded in Book 27, Page 377 of the land records of said Town of Fairfax. Reference is hereby made to the above mentioned deed and to the deeds therein mentioned and to the records of each and all for a more full and complete description of said granted premisis. Also all machinery and fixtures now in the said creamery on said premises: and all rights and privileges which the grantor herein has in and to certain springs of water which supply said creamery.

May 7, 1956 - Fairfax Sales, Inc - Volume 36, Page 295

Description - Being all and the same premises conveyed to the Milton Co-operative Dairy Corporation by H. P. Hood and Sons, Inc., on the date of August 13, 1920 and of record in Volume 29, at page 242 of the Land Records of the Town of Fairfax. To said deed and the deeds therein referred to reference is had in aid of this description. This deed does not include any machinery or fixtures in said building except one boiler. The deed conveys all right and privileges which the Grantor has in and to certain springs of water which supply said building. This conveyance also is subject to the restrictions contained in the agreement from H. P. Bellows to the Milton Co-operative Dairy Corporation on the deed of June 8th, 1921 and or rights through a certain ditch referred to in said agreement, but conveys whatever rights the Grantor has by virtue of said agreement.

No part or portion of said property shall, at any time, be occupied, sold or used by the Grantee or its representatives or assigns, for a Creamery, the handling of milk or dairy products, and use of said property at any time for said purposes shall be a breach of the covenents of this deed and title shall revert to the Grantor herein.

 

Author: Henry A. Raymond
Web Site Design: Henry A. Raymond
Updated: March 15, 1999

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