112/9 Shelves

Belt Buckle

Belt buckle consisting of a round central medallion and rectangular side loops. The medallion is bordered with a laurel wreath and shows an eagle sitting on top of a horizontal anchor. The back is inked with the inscription, "MOBILE BAY AUG. 5TH 1864".

1921.10.5a-b

Worn by Charles E. Clark of Bradford, Vermont, during the Civil War.

Figurine

Plywood cutout figurine of soldier. The figure is painted on the front, and the plywood is left bare on the reverse. The soldier is shown wearing an eighteenth-century-style military uniform consisting of a brown tricorn hat, a green coat edged in red, a yellow plaid shirt, fawn breeches and stockings, and brown shoes. He is holding a long gun over his left shoulder. The figure sits in a slot within a rectangular wooden base. The back is incised with the inscription, "Green Mountain Ranger / Parade Uniform / Horace Mills Abrams".

1943.8.2

Made by Horace Mills Abrams as a model for a series of signs to be placed around Bennington, Vermont.

Figurine

Plywood cutout figurine of soldier. The figure is painted on the front, and the plywood is left bare on the reverse. The soldier is shown wearing a tricorn hat, a fawn-colored hunting shirt and breeches, with white stockings, brown spats, and black shoes. He is holding a long gun with a strap over his left shoulder. The figure sits in a slot within a rectangular wooden base. The back is stamped with the words, "JEHIEL HAWLEY STUDIOS by" and signed, "Horace Mills Abrams". It is incised with the inscription, "Green Mountain Rangers / Field uniform".

1943.8.6

Made by Horace Mills Abrams to exhibit as a clothing reference for military clothing worn at the Battle of Bennington during the American Revolutionary War.

Flask

Ring-shaped ceramic flask or canteen. The neck at the opening is broken off.

1953.14.1

Used during the Revolutionary War by Daniel Squier.

Knee Buckle

Silver-plated brass knee buckle. The buckle is oval with a center bar. The bar has two prongs and a hinged loop. The frame is petaled.

1933.2.2

Worn by Robert Lyon of Stockbridge, Vermont

Leggings

Pair of leather leggings. Each legging secures down its length with 14 knotted leather buttons. The leggings are slightly shaped to the wearer's shin.

1960.76.5a-b

Worn by Major Moody Dustin during the American Revolutionary War

Medal

Medal of Honor (Army) presented to Brigadier General Stephen Thomas (1809-1903).
Dated Oct. 19, 1864. From the top brass (pin) bar hangs a loop of silk grossgrain ribbon (7/8" - 1" wide). The loop is made up of two types of ribbon - solid navy blue and red/white stripes. Central section is a rampant eagle on crossed cannons & cannonballs. Hanging with two jumprings from the cannons is an inverted 5 pointed brass star. Engraved on the reverse of the star is: "The Congress / to / Brig Gen'l / Stephen / Thomas, / U.S Vols. / for / distinguished / conduct at the / battle of Cedar Creek Va. / Oct. 19, 1864." Details of the design and symbolism are in a print out with the worksheet. Only half of the original box was given with the medal, the lower half that is molded to the shape of the medal and covered with flocking or dark blue velveteen. The small closure hook is at the lower end of the box.

2016.38.1

From the town of Bethel website at https://townofbethelvt.com/index.asp?SEC=F9AF2803-19B0-499F-BA42-064A393BDB46&DE=43AC5C31-7A7B-4281-BC1F-B94013CA970C

"General Stephen Thomas, considered Bethel's greatest son, received limited education in Thetford, Vermont before he began working in the woolen mills in Strafford, Thetford, and West Fairlee, Vermont. General Thomas was State Representative for West Fairlee six times, and then State Senator for Orange County twice, before serving as Lieutenant Governor in 1867 and 1868. General Thomas also served as Probate Judge and Sheriff of Orange County. He was influential in Vermont politics and Veteran's affairs.

Stephen Thomas was made colonel of the 8th Vermont regiment on November 12, 1861. He served with distinction and of the highest order in the battles of Winchester, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek. He served with such signal courage and ability that following the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864, he was commissioned brigadier-general in February 1865 at the age of 55.

The location of the General Thomas Monument stands on the chimney foundation of the log cabin where General Thomas was born on December 9, 1809. The bronze inscription reads:

"General Stephen Thomas, born on this spot December 9, 1809. Colonel of the 8th Regiment, Vermont Volunteers, November 12, 1861; Brigadier-General of U.S. Volunteers for meritorious service, Patriot, brave soldier, wise consulter and beloved by all men. Died in Montpelier, Vermont, Dec. 13, 1903."

The property consists of thirty three square rods of land, deeded to the Town of Bethel by Appleton McIntosh on October 14, 1914. The monument was erected by the 8th Vermont Regiment (Civil War) at the insistence of Captain B.F. Bowman who had served under General Thomas. Dedication of the monument was made on October 19, 1914 to a crowd of 70, many of them former soldiers. The day also marked the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Cedar Creek, for which General Thomas was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor."

Powder Horn

Undecorated powder horn mounted onto a plaque with two metal U rings. The end is sealed with a round wooden plug, and there is a leather strap tied to the center of the plug and the narrow end of the horn. The plaque indicates that the horn was taken from a dead British soldier at the Battle of Bunker Hill, by John Jacob Peeler of Vernon, Vermont.

1938.2

Taken from a dead British soldier at the Battle of Bunker Hill, by John Jacob Peeler of Vernon, Vermont.

Sword

Ornate sword and accompanying scabbard. The grip of the sword is white shagreen, wrapped with twisted gold wire and embellished with gold stars. The guard, knuckle guard, and pommel are ornately chased gold in a floral pattern with an eagle and United States shield at the front of the pommel. The blade is heavily engraved with the names of ships and heavy florals. The scabbard is silver with gold locket/mouthpiece, chase/tip protector, and hook attachement.

1921.10.6a-b

Presented to Rear Admiral Charles E. Clark of Bradford, VT by the State of Oregon in commemoration of his action during the Battle of Santiago aboard the USS Oregon.

Sword

Curved sword with leather scabbard. The handle of the sword is ivory, and the pommel is in the shape of an eagle's head. The blade is lightly engraved with an all-over floral design.

1928.3a-b

Used by Brigadier General Stephen Thomas of the 8th Vermont Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War.

Sword

Curved sword and scabbard. The sword has an Arabic inscription and an English initial (B) is engraved onto the hilt. The sword blade curves into a point, with a "heel" about a quarter up from the point. The handle has a straight rain guard and a pistol grip with three brass rosettes on each side. The scabbard is chased silver in a pattern or repeating, stylized flowers.

1900.1.1a-c

Originally belonged to Lord Byron; purchased by Johnathan Peckham Miller of Montpelier, VT, who fought in the Greek War of Independence and was an anti-slavery activist.

Teakettle

1955.23.2

Used at the Tory Tavern

Time Clock

Wood and glass case housing analog clock atop metal and wood base. Base has slot for inserting time card and readout for employment settings. Lever on left is for employment settings. Large lever on the right is for punching the time card.

2022.12.1

During the usage of this time clock, the Porter Screen Company was the largest window and door screen company in the world. Started by E. N. Porter of Hardwick, Vermont at an early business incubator space in Burlington in 1881. The company quickly outgrew the shared mill space on the waterfront and moved to Winooski in 1893. After that facility burned in 1900, the company built its large factory on Spring Street that still stands today.

The Porter Screen Company thrived in the first half of the 20th century, manufacturing the iconic wood and metal sliding window screens. By 1952, with a national love of aluminum taking over the marketplace, the Porter Screen Company and its wooden products, went out of business. This time clock represents the rapid industrialization of Vermont in early 20th century. As an added connection, the maker of this clock was a subsidiary of the Computing - Recording - Tabulating company, later known as IBM, and the top employer in Vermont in the decades following the Porter Screen Company closure.