St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-09-12

we Tell Vi the Olu Ken Sleigh.
In 1919 William Henderson and his
family, from Sterling, Scotland, landed
in America in quest OF new home, and
coming into Ryegate purchased the
Ronald farm (now owned by Martin
Gibson) moving into thelog house where
Mary Ronald, the mother of Whitelaw
Reid, was born.
In those days of hardy thrift, each
man was his own carpenter, and things
were fashioned more for durability than
for grace or beauty, and when the
necessity came for sleigh, Mr.. Hender.
son fashioned one himself with deep
capacious box, strong timbered beams
and runners. A little projection of the
floor ran out at the rear end in a half
circle, on which, when the sleigh was
loaded, the driver could stand, holding
the lines and welding the lash. When
finished it was painted red.
This sleigh was to accommodate the
family in church going, also carry the
farm produce to market. Each winter,
for years, the sleigh made a journey to
Boston, filled with well dressed porkers,
bringing home, not only cash and neces-
saries for the family, but uxuries as we'll.
The children were all remembered and
the new gown and warm shawl for the
'gude wife" were not forgotten.
Freighted with laughing lads and
lasses, the red sleigh was an important
factor in the home gatherings on Thanks
giving and New Years, as we'll as in the
merry.makings of the neighborhood.
On Sabbath it carried full load to the
kirk and we well remember our Joy at
being granted the privilege of standing
in the door of the old Presby terian
meeting house" at Ryegate Corner to
watch the unloading of the sleigh.
Slowly it wendell its way up Cameron
Lane" turned the corner and stopped at
the church steps. The good Deacon
always held the lines, driving carefully.
Tall William, the son, easily gained the
platform at one stride, while scare. need.
ing the out.stretched hand, 1.-THE, rosy.
checked Nancy, dainty little Jemima and
dimpling Miss Ellen were out in a twink
ling. Carefully the portly form OF the
heavily cloaked mother was helped out
guided and supported until safely inside
of the great ENTRY" Oh, that face, SO
kind and sweet, surrounded, like halo
by snowy cap, beneath warm com.
Portable bonnet Hergreeting was bene.
diction.
Years passed, the family were scattered
The father and mother were laid to rest
and the farm passed into other hands
while the old red.sleigh became one OF the
possessions OF Tall Dea. William" who
with family OF sons and daughters
lived in the town of Peacham. Here
again the old red sleigh became an i'm
portant feature to aid in the happy
gatherings of young and old, and the
boys and girls found ample room in it;
generous hold, while its strong sides
shook with merriment within. 1t carried
the rowing ones, as well as the glac
and gay, and was the utility sleigh fol
all occasions.
Changes came to this household, anC
another William Henderson was gather
ed to his fathers. The children had home.
of their own, or like the soldier bows haC
passed over the river.
Last winter William Henderson Sd
who lives north of this village, son o
"Tall William" and grandson of the
sturdy Scotch ancestor, went to visit
his fathers old home in Peacham, anc
brought back with him the "Old Rec
Sleigh" of his forefathers. every inch o
whose timbers reek with memories o
dear ones, long gone home.
Throughout the past winter, thu
sleigh, drawn by span of horses, ha.
been a familiar feature on the streets
and with it's strong build, bids fair tt
outlast another generation of Hender
sons.