Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-09-23
H. w. ALLEN e. CO.
THE OLD HAYES HOMESTEAD
Home Of Pre- sident's Grandfather Con-
tains Many Relics.

The old Hayes homestead in Brattle-
boro was built about 1910 by Rutherford
Hayes. grandfather of President Hayes,
who came from New Haven. Conn. In
IT'S and located In West Brattleboro in
the house where Mrs. Myron Thurber
now lives.
Upon its completion the house was first
occupied as a dwelling. but in 196 II was
converted into a tavern and became
favorte stopping place for teamsters,
stagemen and others.
The barroom was In the northeast corn
err of the tavern and the bar was next
to the partition between that room and
the hall. a large hole was cut through
tie partitions behind the bar for the ac-
comm?dation OF the transfers, who
could thus get their drinks without freez-
ing out the barroom frequenters by open
ing the door and allowing the cold winter
air to rush In.
The license ~ Rutherford Hayes "hy
the honorable county court TO keep tav-
ern or house OF public entertainment"
issued in 1876 by Richard whitney. clerk.
Ia in the possession OF Mrs. Bigelow. but
the Oldest document OF all Of those which
she holds e the deed to the land upon
which the tavern was built from Israel
Smith In 1883.
Israel Smith was a lieutenant In the
Revolutionary war. and he married a
daughter of the original Rutherford
Hayes. His work In and about the con-
fines Of Brattleboro forms history In
itself
Another Interesting paper kept by Mrs.
Rieelow IS that which gave Mr. Hayes
the privilege ITO shut up the road leading
by his house from the pond to the VIII
lage" on account Of the turnpike road
having been put in on the other side Of
the tavern. This road is still IN exist
ence and In excellent repair II being
the road running between Brattleboro
West Dratt!eboro and the town OF Mari
boro. The document was signed by
Selectmen Waitstill Cross. Jahez Wood
and Joseph Clark.
A certificate to keep n carriage. issued
by G.. Dennison, collector for the second
district OF Vermont. rs long ago as when
carriage was an innovation and a lux
ury is still we'll preserved and shows that
for the privilege Of owning "a two wheel
carriage called q chaise and a harness
used therefor" Mr. HAYES paid ST. "th's
certificate to be OF no avail any longer
than the aforesaid carriage shall he own
cd by the said r. Hayes"
The Hayes family were scrupulous IN
their observation OF Sunday and in all
which pertnined to Sunday. their obser-
walton beginning Saturday night. as ia
shown by one Of the Inscriptions on one
OF the invitations sent out for a card
party Mt r. Haycss hall on Saturday.
I'll,
entertainment from LOO p m. until sun
setting.
The old swinging tavern sign was dis
covered a few years ago under the attic
caves 1t is about four feet high by about
Two feet wide and bears on ~.ther side
the inscription "R. JIaycA Entertain
ment," with painted picture OF a jock
ey In yellow holding a spirited black
steed whose proportions are grotesque
in the extreme.
This sign was originally bought at auc-
ton and bears the date ITS hut this Is
barely discernible. az II was almost Oh
liberated when later date was painted
over it,
Various articles ~ furniture with which
the old house was furnished are still in
existence. and are for the most part IN
excellent condition.
Among the other relics owned by Mrs.
Rigelow and kept in the house. although
not Hayes relic, Is a pewter platter.
eighteen inches IN diameter and about
c0N wears old. II FIRST known possessor
was Mrs. Blgelow's great great-grand-
father. Colonel Seth Pomeroy, who Fought
in the French and indian war and who
was n brigadicr general In the War OF
the Revolution