Thompson, whose work has exerted a tremendous influence on Vermont scholars

since the Civil War, worked alone, "without any associates engaged in like pursuits ...

and almost without books."

Zadock Thompson and The Story of Vermont By]. KEVIN GRAFFAGNINO

The roll call of those who devoted large parts of their lives to the

study of Vermont history is long and impressive. From Samuel Williams to Hiland Hall to Dorothy Canfield Fisher, scores of dedicated individuals have recorded the heritage of the Green Mountain State. Yet for all their enthusiasm and hard work, Vermont historians have generally ig. nored the lives and careers of their predecessors, the men and women of earlier generations who wrote the history which each new wave of scholars used as a starting point. The work of the early historians has proved useful to their counterparts of the late twentieth century. but be­yond that the names Nathan Hoskins. Benjamin Homer Hall, George Grenville Benedict, Walter Hill Crockett and most of the others are mere bibliographic references. Those with significant political or literary careers - Ira Allen, Samuel Williams, Rowland Robinson - fare better, but their roles in the development of Vermont's historiography and the degree to which their state history writings reflect the Vermont in which they lived remain largely unknown. l

Certainly one Vermont scholar who has suffered the neglect of his successors is Zadock Thompson". Historian, naturalist. geologist. geo· grapher, clergyman. educator and editor, Thompson was the preeminent nineteenth century student of Vermont. His writings have exerted con­siderable influence on Vermont histori.ans since the Civil War, and Thompson ranks among the state's great antiquarians including Abby Maria Hemenway, Walter Hill Crockett and Henry Stevens, Sr. The man behind' the dozens of books. articles, maps, almanacs and monographs has unfortunately been forgotten. for consideration of the details of Zadock Thompson's life and writings offers worthwhile insights into both a single prolific Vermont historian and the larger community of Vermont scholars.

237

Thompson. whose work has exerled atremendous influence on Vermont scholars

since the Civil War, worked alone, "withoutany associates engaged in like pursuil.S .

and almost wichuw book..~."

Zadock Thompson and The Story of VermontBy]. KEVIN GRAFFAGNINO

The roll call of those who devoted large pans of their lives to thestudy of Vermont history is long and impressive. From Samuel Williamsto Hiland Hall to Dorothy Canfield Fisher, scores of dedicated individualshave recorded the heritage of the Green Mountain State, Yet for alltheir enthwiasm and hard work. Vennont historians have generally ig·nored the lives and careers of their predece!>SOrs, the men and womenof earlier generations who wrote the history which each new wave ofscholars used as a staning point. The work of the early historians hasproved useful to their counterparts of the late twentieth century. but be·yond Ihat the names Nathan Hoskins. Benjamin Homer Hall, GeorgeGrenville Benedict. Walter Hill Crockett and most of the others are merebibliographic references. Thost: with significant political or literarycareers - Ira Allen, Samuel Williams. Rowland Robinson - fare bener,but their roles in the development of Vermont's historiography and thedegree to which their state history writings reflect the Vermont in whichthey lived remain largely unknown. l

Certainly one Vermont scholar who has suffered the neglect of hisSUCCl$SOrs is Zadock Thompson'. Historian. naturalist. geologist. geo­grapher. clergyman. educator and edilor. Thompson was the preeminentninelccmh century student of Vennonr. His wrilings have exerted con­siderable influence on Vermont hislori.ans since the Civil War, andThompson ranks among the state's great antiquarians including AbbyMaria, Hemenway. Walter Hill Crocken and Henry Stevens, Sr. The manbehind' the dozens of hooks. articles. maps. almanacs and monogTaphshas unfonunately been forgotten. for consideration of the details of ZadockThompson's life and writings offers worthwhile il15ights inro both a singleprolific Vermont historian and lhe larger community of Vermont scholars.

237

Zadock Thompson, born in Bridgewater, Vermont, an May 23, 1796,

was very nearly a native of Massachusetts like his forebears. His branch of the Thompson family had lived in Halifax, Massachusetts, for more than 150 years before his birth. His father, Captain Barnabas Thompson, moved to Bridgewater about 1791, though the Thompson clan did not put down permanent roocs in Vermont until the last months of the following year. 2 As had most of their new neighbors. the Thompsons came to farm despite the "rough and stoney" soil covering much of Bridgewater. A friend later characterized ladock's childhood as "a can· tinual struggle with poverty, "3 though growing up on the Barnabas Thompson farm was probably not especially grim by the standards of the age. Nobody in the family of seven wanted for food, and ladock's five siblings all reached maturity in a time when many children did noc reach adulthood.

Almost from the beginning ladock rejected the prospect of a life­time on a farm. giving instead "early evidence that he liked to read better than to work." He did not get the chance to begin regular studies until the age of twelve, and then only by the chance of a serious mishap. He accidentally slashed his foot with an ax during the spring sugaring and almost died before the bleeding could be stopped. His brother Salmon later recalled that the accident "seemed to determine his future course." for Zadock used the long period of confinement to begin serious study.'

Having exhausted the resources of the local schoolhouse, at seventeen Thompson enrolled in the academy at Randolph for the fall term. He stayed at Randolph for only one term, however. leaving to teach school over the wimer. That seasonal rhythm became his pauern for the next four years as he spent the summers studying and the winters teaching. He traveled co western New York to teach in Canandaigua and Lima and stayed close to home when he taught in Barnard and Pomfret. The pattern was broken by a severe illness which kept him bedridden the first six months of 1818 and forced him to devise some means other than teaching to make a living.'

In 1818 Thompson was nm well qualified for much other than teaching, and perhaps that realiz.ation pushed him toward his eventual choice of calculating and publishing his own aimanacs. He possessed the necessary mathematical skills to work out the standard astronomical calculations, and he could gather the remaining filler material together easily enough from the other almanacs published each year in Vermont and throughout New England. To collect the material for the four almanacs he issued for the years 1819 and 1820, Thompson engaged the support of a number of people, including banker Benjamin Swan and printer David Watson of Woodstock and his own sisters, Eliza and Sally.6

238

Zadock Thompson, born in Bridgewater. Vermont, an May 23, 1796,was very nearly a nalive of Massachuseus like his forebears. His branchof the Thompson family had lived in Halifax. Massachuscets, for morethan 150 years before his birth. His father. Captain Barnabas Thompson.moved to Bridgewater about 1791, {hough {he Thompson dan did notput down pemlanenl roots in Vermon! until the last ~onths of thl::following year. l As had most of their new neighbors. the Thompsonscame to fann despite the "rough and Slaney" soil covering much ofBridgewater. A friend laler characterized Zadock's childhood as "a can·[inual s[rugglr \,'ith poveny,"J though growing up on the BarnabasThompson farm was probably nOt I::speciall)' grim by the standards ofthe age. Nobody in the family of sew:-n wanted for food, and Zadock'sfi\'e siblings all reacht':d malllrity in a timl" when many children did notreach adulthood.

Almost from the beginning Zadock rejected the' prospect of a life·time on a farm, giving lIlstead "early evidence that he likl"d to readbetter than to work." He did not get the chance 10 begin regular studiesuntil the age of twelve, and then only by the chance of a serious mishap.He accidentally slashed his foot with an ax during the spring sugaringand almost died before the bleeding could be stopped. His brothn Salmonlater recalled [hat the accident "scemed 10 determine his fUlUre coursc,"for Zadock used the long period of confinement 10 begin serious study.'

Ha'ling exhausted the reSources of the local schoolhouse, at seventeenThompson enrolled in the academy at Randolph for the fall term. Hesuyed at Randolph for only [Jne term, however, leaving to teach schoolover the winter, Thai seasonal rhythm became his p3uern for the nextfour years as he spent the summers studying and Ihe winters teaching.He traveled to western New York to teach in Canandaigua and Limaand stayed dose to home when he taught in Barnard and PomfrelThe pattern was broken by a sc\'ere illness which kept him bedriddenthe first sVr: months of 1818 and forced him to devise some means otherthan teaching to make a living.'

In 1818 Thompson was nO{ well qualified for much other than teaching,and perhaps that realilation pushed him toward his eventual choict: ofcalculating and publishing his own almanacs. He po~d the necessarymathemalical skills to work out the slandard aSTronomical calculations,and he could gather the remaining filler material together easily enoughfrom the other almanacs published each year in Vermonl and throughoutNew England, To eolkct [he material for the four almanacs he issuedfor the years 1819 and 1820, Thompson engaged the support of a numberof people. induding banker Benjamin Swan and printer David WatsOnof Woodstock and hiso.....n sisters, Eli1.a and Sally.'

238

\

Thompson's almanacs closely resembled their contemporaries, can·sisling of astronomical data, weather predictions and "a great variety oforiginal and selected instructive and entertaining matter. "1 Thompson,who apparently wrote a considerable amount of turgid verse in his earlyyears on such subjects as the War of 1812. the American Indian, andthe spotted fever epidemic of 1813, included his own poetry under thislatter rubric.' He also presented his readers with short pieces on how totreat consumption. the evils of liquor, and scientific phenomena. alongwith a calendar of historic evenLS and holidays and a host of moralmaxims drawn after Poor Richard.

In the spring of 1820, Thompson "concluded to try to gel thro' College. "9

Bypassing both Dartmouth and Middlebury College, Thompson chose

instead to go north to Burlington and enroll at the University of Vermont.His summers of schooling and winters teaching merited an advancedstatus, for he joined the sophomore class in August, 1820, after teachingthe summer term at Burlington Academy. 10

The University of Vermont rested on shaky foundations most of thethree years Thompson allended, but Thompson, who paid his collegeexpenses (S69.25 for three years) by teaching between semesters andringing the college bell in the morning. did well nonetheless. I I He wase1ecled an officer of the Phi Sigma Nu Society l2 and graduated withhonors in August. 1823.

While an undergraduate, Thompson worked out an arrangement withMontpelier printer Ezekiel P. Walton and continued to supply calculationsfor almanacsY Beginning with the issue for 1822. for a fee of abouttwenty-five dollars, Thompson performed the calculations for Walton:SVermont Register every year until his death in 1856. Although after1820 he never again published an almanac of his own, Thompson'scalculations (one set could be sold to any number of publishers) appearedin numerous Vermont, New York and Canadian almanacs, earning hima small but steady income.

Thompson also started work on his first book about Vermont soon afterleaving the University. In September, 1823. he began visiting Vermonttowns, and the next month he printed a prospectus and query form."Proposals for Publishing by Subscription, a Gazelleer of Vermont .....

Thompson promised subscribers a 300-page volume describing in detaile~ery town in Vermont and pledged himself to travel the entire state inorder to gather firsthand the necessary information. He advertised thebook. complete with map and engravings. for one dollar to subscribersbefore publication, and S1.25 thereafter.

Thompson worked almost exclusively on the Gazetteer for more than ayear. visiting towns. editing descriptions received by mail. and constantly

259

trying to enlist more subscribers. He received advice and assistance on the project from several noted Vermonters, including Secretary of State Norman Williams and Surveyor General James Whitelaw. '5 Published in November. 1824, the Gazetteer sold quite well throughout Vermont. but the inexperienced young scholar had fIxed the subscription price too low. and he barely recovered the costs of printing and distribution. 1&

Despite its failure as a financial venture. the Gazetteer was nonetheless

a remarkable book of 312 pages, with the promised folding map and 4 engravings. The Gazetteer contained descriptions and histories of every tOwn, lake, and river in Vermont. as well as a large amount of other information about the state. Thompson included sections on Vermont geography and manufactures. a brief history of the state. and chapters entitled "Political Institutions" and "State of Society." Foreshadowing his later studies, he also presented a chapter on "Natural History," with brief catalogues of Vermont plants. minerals. animals, birds, and fish. prefaced with the self-prophetic observation that "An ample field is here opened to the man of science and enterprise. "17

Vermonc scholars of Thompson's own generation recognized the worth of his Gazetteer. The long list of authors who relied on Zadock's ground­breaking work included Samuel Read Hall. Francis Smith Easunan, Nathan Hoskins and John Hayward. all of whom drew heavily on the Gazetteer in their own works. 18 In light of the esteem for Thompson's effort, it is interesting to note that 135 of the more than 250 town descriptions and histories were entirely the work of others, local citizens whose accounts Thompson published verbatim in almost every case. 19

Thompson probably wrote the more than 100 unsigned entries for towns

he knew previously or for which he could not get complete local sketches, but his primary editOrial role differed considerably from what those who admired the Gazetteer usually assigned to him. Instead of a singlehanded researcher and author, Zadock was a forerunner to Abby Hemenway and her five·volume Vermont Histor£cal Gazetteer in soliciting and gathering ,hundreds of local sketches and then arranging and editing them for publication.

It was unfortunate that the Gazetteer did not prove a great financial success. for Thompson's responsibilities doubled just before its publication. By every account the single love of his life was Phebe Boyce, whose father owned a farm close to his uncle's farm. Thompson had known Phebe all his life and had loved her for nearly a decade before their marriage on September 4, 1824. 20 Born in Bridgewater in 1798, Phebe became Thompson's loving wife and invaluable assistant for thirty-three years. She shared his interests and his work throughout their marriage and continued his projects even after his death. She was indisputably

240

trying to enlist more subscribers. He received advice and assistance onthe project from several noted VermOnters, including Secretary of StateNorman Williams and SUlveyor General James Whieelaw,'~ Published inNovember, 1824, the Ga.l.etteer sold quiee wdllhroughoul Vermont, butthe inexperienced young scholar had fixed the subscription price toolow, and he bardy recovered the costs of printing and distribution.l~

Despite iL~ failure as a financial venture, the Gaz.etteer was nonetheless

a remarkahle book of 312 pages, with the promised folding map and 4engravings. The Ga.l.etteer contained descriptiol15 and histories of everytown, lake, and river in Vermont, as well as a large amount of olherinformation about the state. Thompson included seCtions on Vermontgeography and manufactures, a brief bisLory of the state, and chaplersentitJed "Political Institutions" and "State of Society," Foreshadowing hislater studies, he also presented a chapter on "Natural History," withbrief calaJogues of Vermont planl.~, minerals, animals, birds, and fish,prefaced with the seU·prophctic observation that "An ample field is hereopened to the man of science and enterprise.'·ll

Vermont scholars of Thompson's own generation recogni:o:ed the worthof his Ga.l.elleer. The long list of authors who rdied on Zadock's ground­breaking work included Samuel Read I-Iall, Francis Smith Eastman,Nathan Hosk.iJL~ and John Hayward, all of whom dTCw heavily on theG<uetteer in IheiT own works. '" In light of the esteem for ·fbompson'seffort, it is interesting to nore that 135 of the more than 250 towndescriptions and histories were entirely the work of nlhers, local citizenswhose accounts Thompson published verbatim in almost every casco It

Thompson probably wrote the more than 100 unsigned eOlries for towns

he knew previously or for which he could not get complete local sketches,but his primary ediwrial role differed considerably from what those whoadmired the Gazelleer usually assigned to him. Inslead of a singlehandedresearcher and author, Zadock was a forerunner to Abby Hemenway andher five·volume Vermont Histoncal Gazetteer in soliciting and gathering,hundreds of local sketches and then arranging and editing them forpublication.

It was unfortunate that the Gaz.elteer did not prove a gn~at financialsuccess, for Thompson's responsibilities doubled JUSt before its publication.By every account the single love of his life was Phebe Boyce, whosefather owned a farm dose to his uncle's farm. Thompson had knownPhebe all his life and had loved her for nearly a decade before theirmarriage: on September 4, 1824.!O Born in Bridgewater in 1798, Phebebecame Thompson's lo~ing wife and invaluable assistant for thirty·threeyears. She shared his interests and his work throughout their marriageand continued his projects even after his death. She was indisputably

240

re:;ponsible for "no small part of his success. "21 The couple had three children; their only son died in childbirth. and their daughters only lived to the ages of seventeen and thirty. 22 .

The Gazetteer provided no income in 1825. but Thompson's alma mater did. The main college building had burned on May 27, 1824, but subscriptions raised enough money to rebuild and keep going. The University of Vennont hired Thompson in February. 1825. as a Tutor in

Mathematics and Science. The annual professorial salary at the University at that time was about $600. but Thompson, whose status apparently varied from Tutor to Instructor to Interim Professor as vacancies and resignations on the faculty dictated, probably never received that much. 23

He worked in those several capacities until 1827, and to live close to the university he bought a house and two-acre lot beside the University Gret'll for $1000 in 1826. 2' During these years Thompson gave ample indication of where his academic interests· lay by taking an active role in the formation of the University's College of Natural History in October, 1826. He held a number of offices within that college even after he left the university faculty and continued to present papers before its members on a variety of scientific topics. 25

In his first year on the university staff. Thompson published his second and, ultimately, his most successful book. The Youth's Assistant z'n Practzcal Arithmetic went through more than a dozen printings, revisions and reissuings between 1825 and 1848. 20 Only two or three arithmetic texts had been printed in Vermont before 1825,21 but the content of Thompson's little book also distinguished it. Beginning with Warren Colburn in 1821, American educators slowly started to switch from strict memorization of

rules co instruction on the inductive plan, which emphasized an under­standing of the principles being learned. 28 Thompson's Youth's Assistant followed Colburn's text and used many of the same questions and examples. The Youth's Assistant demonstrated little originality, but considering that. Colburn's first textbook appeared only four years earlier, the effort placed Thompson among the first in America to try to teach mathematics on the inductive system. Priced at seventy-five cents, the Youth's Assistant was sold by booksellers and printers all over the state and undoubtedly helped both Thompson's reputation and his purse.

Thompson left the university faculty in 1827 to take charge of the Burlington Academy where he had taught during his undergraduate years. 29 It was not a farsighted move, for within a year he presided over the closing of the Academy. which, because of the growth of Burlington, was replaced in 1828 by a new high school for boys. From July through September. 1828, the town hired him to run a summer school for younger children,30 and in November he opened his own school. a private "Bur·

241

responsible: for "no small part of his success."" The couple had !hrecchildren; their only son died in childbirth, and their daughters onlylived to the ages of SC'\'enteen and Ihiny. %2

The Gaul/eer provided no income jn 1825, but Thompson's almamater did. The main co[]~ge huilding had burned on May 27, 1824,but subscriptions raised enough money to rebuild and kC"C'p going. TheUniversil~' of Vermont hired Thompson in February, 1825, as a TUlor inMathematics and Science. Thc annual profe~rial salary at thc Universityat Ihat time was about $600, but Thompson, whose status apparentlyvaried from Tutor 10 InstructOr to Interim Profc:s.sor as vacancies andrt'Signa!ions on thc faculty dictated, probably nevcr recei\'cd that much. n

He worked in lhost: M::vt:ral capacities umil 1827, and to live close to theunivl':rsity he bought a house and !wo·acre lot beside the Univl':rsityGrcl't1 for $1U00 in Ul26.t< During these years Thompson gave ampleindication of where his .. cademie interesu·lay by laking an aClive role inthe formalion of the University's College of Natural History in October,1826. He held a number of offices within lhat colll':g(' even after he leftthe university faculty and cominUl':d to present papers before ilS memberson a variety of scientific IOpics.u

In his firSI year on Ihc university staff, Thompson published his secondand. ultimalely, his mosl successful book. The YO!dhs AMistanJ. in PracticalArdhmetic went through more lhan a doun printings, revisions andreiS5uings between 1825 and 1848.1~ Only tWO or three arithmetic textshall been printed in Vermont before 1825.11 but lilt:' COmetH of Thompson'slillie hook abo distinguished it. Beginning wilh Warren Colburn in 1821,American educators slowly started to switch from strict memorization ofrules to instruction on lhe inductive plan, which emphasized an under·standing of the principles being learned,21 Thompson's Youthj- Assistanlfollowed Colburn's text and used many of the same questions and examples.The Youth 'j Assistant demonslraled liuJc originality, bUI considering thatColburn's first textbook appeared only four years earlier, the effon placedThompson among (he firSI in America to try to leach mathemaTics onthe inductive system. Priced al ~venty-five cents, the Youlhj- Assistantwas sold by booksellers and printers all over the state and undoubtedlyhelped both Thompson's reputation and his purse.

Thompson left the university facuhy in (827 to take charge of theBurlington Academy where he had taught during his undergradualeyears." It was nOt a farsighted mo\·c. for within a year he presided overthe dosing of the Academy, which, because of the growth of Burlington,was replaced in 1828 by a new high school for boys. From July throughSeptember. 1828, the town hired him to run a summer .school for youngerchildren,'" and in November he opened his own school, a priVale "Bur·

24\

lington High School for Young Ladies." Located in his house beside the University Green, the female seminary offered suitable young women "instruction in the various departments of a thorough and polite edu­

cation."" Over the next winter he built a large new house for his family

and the school, and the following spring he advertised that he was ready to accept girls as boarders. 12 Despite its expanded quarters Thompson's school did not succeed financially, and in 1831 he had to close the ven­ture and sell the building and half his land to Professor Joseph Torrey of the University.B Thompson and his devoted wife and their two young daughters moved into a small white COllage set back a little from the Green on the remaining acre.

While he ran his school, Thompson signed on as editor of the semi­monthly Iris and Burlington Literary Gazelle. Starting in January, 1829, he changed the Iris noticeably, adding his personal stamp by introducing numerous scientific pieces where none had appeared before. The public, however, was not impressed with titles like "A Brief Account of the Tea Plant." The Iris ceased publication after only four months under Zadock's direction, H It probably mallered little to him in this instance, but in later years Thompson's tendency to overestimate his fellow Vermonters' interest in the natural sciences which he loved would lead to some major disappointments_

The next year Thompson joined fifty-two others in founding the

Protestant Episcopal Society of Burlington on December 6, 1830.15

Thompson became a leader in the Society, and after several years of study, was ordained a deacon by Vermont Bishop John Henry Hopkins in 1835. Chronic poor health prevented his assuming his own parish for any length of time, but after 1835 he often preached or performcd other clerical duties in Vermont and Canada. 36

Apart from his religious work, Thompson did lillie of note from 1830 to 1833. He had helped found the Burlington Lyceum in December, 1830. and delivered occasional paid lectures to its members, but the Lyceum died out in the mid-1830'sY He helped Bishop Hopkins start his Episcopal Institute, and his academic reputation was good enough for him to be named to unpaid positions on both (he Burlington Super­intending Committee of Schools and the Vermont State School Commis­sioners_ 38 However, in 1831 the Vermont State Legislature turned down his petition for assistance in revising and reprinting his Gazetteer. 39 Forced to shelve that project temporarily. Zadock soon found himself in enough financial trouble to compel him to leave Burlington in the summer of l833.

Among the reasons for Thompson's financial troubles may have been the failure of a second magazine he edited_ This time he was the pub·

242

lingLOn High School for Young Ladies," Localed in his house besidelhe University Green, the female seminary offered suita.ble young women"instruction in the various deparunems of a thorough and polit edu·

calion."31 Over the next winler he built a large new house for his familyand the school, and the following spring he advertised thaI he was readyto accept girls as boarders,32 Despite its expanded quarters Thompson'sschool did nm succeed financially. and in 1831 he had to close the ven­ture and sell the building and half his land to Professor Joseph Torreyof lhe University.J3 Thompson and liis devoted wife and their tWO youngdaughters moved imo a small white cottage set back a liule from theGreen on the remaining acre.

While he ran his school. Thompson signed on as editor of the semi·monthly Iris and Burlington L/lerary Gazette. Starling in January, 1829.

he changed lhe Iris noticeably, adding his personal stamp by introducingnumerous sciemific pieces where none had appeared before. The public.however, was not impressed with titles like "A Brief Account of the TeaPlant.·' The Iris ceased publication after only four months under Zadock'sdirection," It probably manered little to him in this instance, but inlater years Thomp.~on's tendency to overestimate his fellow Vermomers'interest in the natural sciences which he loved would lead lO some majordisappoil1lmems.

The neXI year Thompson joined fifty-two olhers in founding lhe

PrOll'stant EpiscopaJ Society of Burlington on December 6, 1830.'·Thompson became a leader in the Socieey, and after evcral years of

seudy, was ordained a deacon by Vermont Bishop John Henry Hopkinsin 1835. Chronic poor health prevented his assuming his own parish forany !long'th of time, bUl after 1835 he often preached or perfonlwdother clerical duties in Vermont and Canada. 36

Apart from his religious work. Thompson did little of noee from] 830to 1833. He had helped found the Burlingron Lyceum in December.1830. and delivered occasional paid lectures to its members, but theLyceum died out in the mid-1830's,31 He h Iped Bishop Hopkins starthi~ Episcopal Institute, and his academic reputation was good enoughfor him to be named to unpaid positions on both the Burlington Super­intending Committee of Schools and the Vermont Slate School Commis­sioners. 38 However, in 1831 the Vermont State Legislature turned downhis petition for assistan e in revising and reprinting his Gazetleer. 3' Forcedto shelve that project temporarily, Zadock soon found himself in enoughfinancial lrouble (0 compel him co leave Burlington in the summer of1833.

Among the reasons for Thompson's financial troubles may have beenthe failure of a second magazine he edited. This tim he was the pub-

242

The 1833 History presented "an anteresting a17ULlgam oforigl'nal and p1o.giarized 17ULterial. ..

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. * BUlILll'GT.O!II'.

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. ST A TE <;)F VKRM·ON'T,·

lisher. as well. Begun in January, 1832, as a monthly, The Green Mounlazn Repository acknowledged the high mortality rate among Vermont periodi­cals, hut optimistically attributed that [0 "other causes than the want of a disposition in the people to sustain a cheap work of the kind. "10 Offered

to the public at $1. 2~ a year, or an even dollar if paid in advance, the Repository never succeeded, Thompson could not get many free articles and ended up having to write every issue almost entirely by himself, emphasizing science and na(Ural history over the more popular prevailing light Fierion and poetry. He carried the magazine through to

the end of the year to honor the subscriptions, then with an almost audible sigh of relief bid his "few, very few, patrons," farewell in the December issues.

Two of the few selections in the Repository concerned with nonscientific topics previewed a larger, more permanent project. He had begun work on a history of Vermont to complement his Gazetleer, and in the January and February issues of the Repository he printed two excerpts. Although he described the work as "in press," Thompson's History of the State of Vermonl, from lis Earliest Settlement to the Close of the Year 1832

243

The 1833 History presented '~n

interesting amalgam oforiginaland plagiarized material. "

0)" 1'111

GrTUnA.. .l832.

81' ~A.ODC"~1I",1iPflO!t.~ I!l.."',,,",,,,,,,,_ .. ..,.. ...u,..all." , ..........

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lisher. as well. Begun in January. l832, as a monrhly, The GrecrL MountainRepO!'/lory acknowledged the high mortality rate among Vemlom periodi­cals, UUI optimistically attributed that to "other causes than the want of adisposition in the people to sustain a cheap work of the kind. "'0 OfferedlO the publi at $1.25 a year, or an even dollar if paid in advance.the Reposilory never succeeded. Thompson could not get many freearticles ant] ended up having to write every issue almost entirely byhimself. emphasizing science and naLUral history over th more popularprevailing light fiction and poetry. He carried the magazine through tothe end of the year to honor the subscriptions, then with an almostaudible sigh of relief bid his "C w, very f w, patrons," farewell in lhDecember issues.

Two of the few selections in the Reposilory concemed with nonscientifictopics previewed oil larger. more permanent projecl. He had begun workon a hi5lory of Vermont to complement hi Gazelleer, and in the Januaryand February issues of the Reposilory he printed tWO excerpts. Althoughhe described the work as "in press." Thompson's History of the Slale ofVermonL, from Its Earliest Selllement 10 lhe Close of the Year ]832

243

did not appear until March of 1833.<2 His third book achieved only moderate success, and a reissue in 1836, made up of unsold copies with a new cover and title'page, did little better.'3

Thompson's History presented an interesting amalgam of original and plagiarized material. fhe introductory pages, devoted to the topognphical

geography ami history of Vermom before 1760, were primarily Thompson's own. With the beginning of the account of the New Hampshire Grants land controversy, however, Thompson's book closely followed the second edition of Samuel Williams' Natural and Cil/it History of Vermont. H

Where Williams left off. Thompson borrowed extensively from the original narrative in Nathan Hoskins' History of the State of Vermont." In a manner reminiscent of the Gazetteer, Zadock compiled his History in large part from the writings of others, adding the results of his own reo search to enable him to call the book his own.

Apparently the failure of his school and the Reposilory forced Thompson to seek greener pastures. In July of 1833, he and his family packed up and headed to Canada, where Thompson had accepted the preceptorship at the new CharleslOn Academy.46 Thompson remained in Lower Canada for the next four years. teaching in Charleston and Sherbrooke and even selling his astronomical calculations to a Canadian printerY He returned to Vermont every year for the annual meetings of the Episcopal Diocese. His interest in the church continued, and he delivered occasional ser­mons and performed marriages and baptisms in Canada and northern Vermont after his ordination to the diaconate in 1835,<8

While he worked in Canada. Thompson again petitioned the Vermonl State Legislature for aid to reprint the Gazelteer, and once more he was rejectedY He was successful, however, in publishing another book while in Canada. As he had with his first Youlh's Assistant in 1825, Thompson took advantage of his surroundings and what he perceived as a void he could fill to his own profit and published the Geography and History of Lower Canada, Designed JOT the Use of Schools. a 116-pagc textbook complete with folding colored map. '0 Thompson's Lower Canada was a curiously uneven book. The first seventy-six pages, devoted to geography, were very elementary, with brief lessons illustrating different aspects of Canadian geography and institutions. Thompson displayed a decided pro­British bias and referred to the majority of French Canadians as "generally illiterale and ignorant."" The forty thin pages of history in Lower Canada hardly merited the title. Thompson simply reduced the first section of his History of the Slate of Vermonl and adapted it for the Canadian texl. He did not even try to fill in with details of Canadian history. but instead spliced together any sections from his Vermont work which pertained to Canada. As a result, his broken narrative went to 1776

244

did not appear until March of 1833.'2 His third book achieved onlymoclcrace success, and a reissue in 1836, made up of unsold copies witha new cover and title'page, did liule beuer."

Thompson's His/ory presented an interesting amalgam of original andplagiariled material. fhe inlroduct~r'fpages. devotf'd to the tOpographicalgeography dnl! history of Vennom before 1760, were primarit~' Thompson'sown. With th.: beginning of the account of the New Hampshire Grantsland COntroversy, however, Thompson's book closely followed the secondedition of Samuel Williams' Natu.ral and Ciuil History of Vermonl,"Where Williams left off. Thompson borrowed eXlf'osivc1y from the originalnarrative in N.;athan Hoskins' History of the Stall! of Vermonl. H In amanner reminiscent of the Gaulleer, Zadock compiled his HiJ/ory inlarge part from the writin~ of others, adding the resultS of his own re'search [0 enable him 10 caillhe book his own.

Apparently [he failure of his school and the Repository forced Thompsonto sl"Ck greener pastures. In July of 1833, he and his family packed upand headed to Canada, where Thompson had accepced lIle precepLorshipat the new CharlesLOn Aeademy,U Thompson rcmainN:! in Lower Canadafor the nel!.t four ~'ears. tcaching in Charleston and Sherbrooke and evenselling his astronomical calculatiorn to a Canadian printer." He returned10 Vennont cvcry year for the annual meetings of the ~:pisc:()ral Diocese,His interest in lhe church continued, and he dcli~'ered occasional ser·mons and performed marriage:;; and baptisms in Canada imd northernVermonL after his ordination to the diaeonate in 1835."

While he worked in Canada, Thompson again petitioned the VermonlState Legislature for aid to reprinL (01' Gazetleer, and once more he wasrejected." He was successful, howe\'cr, in publishing another book whilein Canada, ,\s he had wilh his first Youth's Assistant in 1825, Thompsontook advantage of his surroundings and ""hat he perceived as a void hecould fill to his own profit and puulishcd Ihe Geography and Historyof Lower Canada, Designedfor the U5C of &hools. a 116-page u:xllJOokcomplete with folding colon~d map.'G Thompson's l.olL'er Canada \,'as acuriously uneven book. The first seventy-six page:;;, devoled 10 gco~rOlphy,

were very elementary, with brief lessons illuslrating differenl aspects ofCanadian geography and institutiorn. Thompson displayed a decided [Jro·British bias and referred to the majorilY of French Canadians as '"gencrallyillltcrOlu' and ignoranL. ..., The fony thin pages of history in Lo"UX'r Calwdahardly IIU:rilt~d the title. Thompson simply reduced the first section ofhis lfisl0'Y of tlw Slale of Vermont and adapted it for til(' CallaJianteXL He did IlOt evcn try to fill in with details of Canadian history,but inSll'ad spliced together any sections from his Vermont work whichpr:rtaim:tl to Canada, As a re:;ult. his broken narrative Wt'lll 10 1776

244

and the failure of the American invasion and then skipped over three

decades to a one-sided view of the War of 1812 with which he closed the book.

Thompson's audacity in trying to sell such a makeshift book in Canada is truly surprising; his failure is not. He did not know enough about Canada, especially the French part of Lower Canada, to write well about it. By June of 1837 Thompson and his family had returned to Burlington for good. 52 They moved back near the university into the cottage on the Green that became Thompson's home for the remaining nineteen years of his life.

Thompson worked at a variety of jobs in the first few years after his return to Burlington. He again taught at Bishop Hopkins' Episcopal Institute before the Panic of '37 and the depression which followed shut it down in 1839. 53 He performed pastoral duties in and around Burlington, including a stretch of nine months during 1838-39 as visiting preacher in Vergennes, the closest he ever came to assuming full responsibilities for a regular parish. 54 Thompson offered his services in both 1838 and 1839 to Henry Stevens, Sr., as a field researcher for the newly incorporated Vermont Historical Society, 55 but Stevens could not raise the money necessary to hire him. The University of Vermont gave Thompson library

privileges and in 1841 named him President of the College of Natural History, an honorary title bestowed in rerum for his work in enlarging and cataloguing the College's museum collections. 56

During this period Thompson began work on what eventually proved his most important, most lasting book. As early as 1839 he had decided to use his Gazetteer as' the foundation for a much more substantial work on Vermont in which he planned "to devote a large space on the subjects ofzoology. botany, mineralogy, &c"Y He hoped to combine the Gazetteer, an enlarged version of his History of the State of Vermont, and aU the knowledge gained from years of study of natural history and science into one great work. The result, his History of Vermont, Natural, Civil, and Statistical,58 commonly known simply as "Thompson's Vermont," fully realized his ambition.

Thompson spent the better pan of the three years from 1839 through 1842 working on his magnum opus. He had collected information on Vermont for nearly twenty years, but he still faced an enormous task in arranging, updating, and editing the material he had gathered. Thompson had hoped to publish the History in 1841, but his own poor health and the difficulties encountered in pulling information from his more dilatory

sources pushed that back at least a year. 59

When at last he completed all the work on the book and was ready to publish, Thompson found his plans frustrated by a shortage of money.

245

and the failure of the American invasion and chen skipped over threedecades 10 a one-sided view of the War of 1812 with which he closedthe book.

Thompson's audacity in trying to sell such a makeshift book in Canadais truly surprising; his failure is not. He did not know enough aboutCanada. espcciaUy the French part of Lower Canada, 10 write well aboutit. By June of 1837 Thompson and his family had returned to Burlingtonfor good.~~ They moved back near the university into the cottage on theGrecn that be<:ame Thompson's home for the remaining nineteen yearsof his life.

Thompson worked at a variety of jobs in the first few years after hisrelum to Burlington. He again taught at Bishop Hopkins' EpiscopalInuilute before the Panic of '37 and the depression which followed shutit down in 1839.~! He perfonned pastoral duties in and around Burlington,ineluding a stretch of nine month~ during 1838':~9 as visiting preacher inVergennes, the closest he ever came to assuming full responsibilities fora regular parish.1< Thompson offered his services in hoth 1838 and 1839to Henry Sle-vens, Sr., as a field rcsearchcr for the newly incorporatedVermont Historical Society, U bUI Stevens could not raise the moneyneceii.~ary to hire him. The University of Vermont gave Thompson libraryprivileges and in 1841 named him Presidcnt of the College of NaturalHistory, an honorary title heslOwro in return for his work in enJargingand cataloguing the College's museum colleClions. ~6

During this ~riod Thompson began work on what eventually proved hismost important. mOSl lasting book. As early as 1839 he had decided tousc his Gazetreer as the foundation for a much more substantial workon Vennont in which he planned "to devote a large spac.e on the subjectsofzoology. botany. mineralogy, &c... " He hoped to combine the Gazetteer.an enlarged version of his History of the State of Vermont, and allthe knowledge gained from years of study of natural history and .scienceinto one great work. The result, his History of Vermont, Natural, Ciuil,and Statistical." commonJy knovm. simply as "Thompson's Vennont,"'fully realized his ambition.

Thompson spent the better pan of the three yeaTs from 1839 through184-2 working on his magnum opus. He had collected information onVermont for nearly twenty years, but he still faced an enormous task inarranging, updating. and editing the material he had gathered. Thompsonhad hoped [0 publish the History in 1841, but his own poor health andthe difficulties encountered in pulling infonnation from his more dilatorysources pushed Chat back at least a year.~1

\Vhen at last he completed all the work on the book and was readyto publish, Thompson found his plans frustrated by a shortage of money.

215

To help solve the problem. his friend and publisher. Chauncey Goodrich. agreed (0 print the work at cost and wait for income from sales to pay the printing bill. As George F. Houghton recalled, "This liberal offer enabled him [ThompsonJ to publish promptly, an edition of 5000 copies of 656 closely printed, double column, octavo pages, using more than five (Ons of printing paper, and although the expenditure was more than 55000 [Q secure all the profits to himself. "60 However, even at the low price of $2.50 "all the profits" could not have amounted to much. since Phebe Thompson was still trying to sell copies after her husband's death fourteen years later. 61

Intended "(0 embrace.. every thing of special importance relative to the Natural and Civil History of the State," the History of Vermont was an interesting combination of Thompson's old and new writings. 62

Predictably. the "Gazetteer" section, Pan Three, was primarily a reprint of his Gazetteer of 1824, with information added to bring each account up [Q date. Part Two, ehe "Civil History" section, also came largely from his earlier publications. With the exception of one or two elaborations on such events as the Battle of Bennington, the first lOS pages almost exactly duplicated his 1833 History of Vermont. The remaining 120 pages covered many of the same contemporary topics also discussed in the earlier work, but with longer, more detailed accounts. As a result Pan Two emerged as a mixture of rehashed history and original pieces detailing con, ditions and institutions in Vermont in 1842. In conjunction with the "Gazetteer" section, it has offered those historians who have followed a wealth of information which cannot be found readily, if at all. elsewhere,

Ironically, the freshest, most original section of Thompson's book was J probably also the lease popular. Part one, "Natural History of Vermont," resulted from twenty years of research into the plants, animals and minerals /. of the state. His other studies notwithstanding, natural history was the predominant interest of Thompson's life. Although in Vermont he worked ( virtually alone in this field with no scientific libraries near at hand, I Thompson still produced an exhaustive, book·length survey of Vermont's ) natural history, cataloguing and describing the state's plantS and animals I and writing at length on a variety of other related tOpics. As with many other zealous scholars, however, he had little understanding that what

intrigued him held no special charms for the general populace. and the unappreciative disimerest with which most Vermonters greeted his master, work disappointed him greatly.

As a natural historian, Thompson was a curious mixture of professional scholar and untrained scientist. He used with some authority the Latin names of fish and displayed familiarity with the opinions of experts like Cuvier, Holbrook, Linnaeus. Audubon, and Wilson. 63 At the same time

246

To help solve the probl m, his friend and publisher, Chauncey Goodrich.

agreed to print the work at cost and wait for income from sales to pay

rhe priming bill. As George F. Houghton recalled. "This liberal offer

enabled him [ThompsonJ to publish promptly. an edition of :>000 copie:;of 656 closely printed. double column. octavo pages, using more thanfive lons of printing paper, and although the expenditure was morethan S5000 to secure ali the profits to himself."60 However. even at rhe

low price of $2.50 "all the profits" could nor have amounted to much,since Phebe Thomp. on was stili trying to sell copies after her husband'sdeath founeen years later,61

1m nded "to embrace. , . every thing of special importan e relative

to the Natural and Civil History of the State," the History of Vermontwas an interesting combination of Thompson's old and new writings. 62

Predictably. the "Gazeueer" section, Pan Three, was primarily a reprint

of his Gazelteer of 1824, wilh information added to bring each account

up to Uatc. Pan Two, the "Civil History" seCtion, also came largely from

his earlier publications. With the exception of one or two elaborations

on such events as Ihe Bailie of Bennington, the first 105 pages almostexa t1y duplicated his 1833 History of Vermont. The remaining 120 pagescovered many of the same contemporary topics also discussed in lhe earlierwork. but with longer. more detailed accoullls. A~ a result Pan Two

emer~ed as a mixture of rehashed hislOry and original pieces detailing con·

ditions and instilutions in Vermont in 184~. In conjunction with lhe

"Caz~'lleer" section, it has offered those hislOrians who have followed a

wealth of information which cannot be f~und readily. if at all. elsewher('.

Ironically. the freshest, most original section of Thompson's book wasprobably alsu the leaSt popular. Pan one." amral History of Vermont,"resulted from twenty years of research into the plants. animals and mineralsof the state. His Olher studies notwithstanding. namral history was thepredominant interest of Thompson's life. Although in Vermont he workedvinually alone in this field with no scientific libraries near at hand.

Thompson still produced an exhaustive. book·length survey of Vermont'

natural history, cataloguing and describing the Stale's plantS and animals

and writing at leng1.h on a variety of Other related LOpics. As "'ilb many

0\ her zealous scholars. however, he had little understanding I hat whal

intrigued him held no special charms for the general populacl'_ and the

unappreciati\'e disintl'resl with which most Vermonters greeted his maSter'

work disappoinl<'d him greatly.

As a natural hislOrian. Thompson was a curious mixture of professional

scholar and untrained scientist. He used wilh some authority the atin

names of fish and displayed familiarity with lh opinions of experts like

Cuvier. Holbrook. Linnaeus, Audubon, and Wilson. 61 A[ the same time

246

)

he accepted without reservation stories of dormant frogs being revived after centuries underground and praised the medicinal powers of Vermont springwater in curing "affections of the liver, dispepsia, urinary and atl cutaneous complaints, rheumatism, inveterate sore eyes, and many others. "0' Considering his lack of formal training and the paucity of naturalists in Vermont from whom he could learn, Thompson did re­markably well, a fact which better-known American professionals in these fields acknowledged in increasing numbers after 184~.

One development which enhanced Thompson's reputatiun began in 18-14, when Vermont followed the lead of its neighbors and appropriated funds for a thorough geological survey of the state"' For Thompson, the survey offered a long-awaited chance for a steady, professional position

in scientific research on Vermont, and he probably assumed he would be named Stat,e Geologist, considering his experience, publicatiolls, and previous interest in such a position. However, Thompson was passed over, and Charles Baker Adams, who had contributed to Pan One of the History of Vermont, was selected instead, Thompson and Samuel Read Hall were appointed Adams' field assistants, and Thompson spelll much of the next three years traveling around Vermont, making observations and collening data for the survey. He and Hall contributed to Adams' annual repons to the Legislature, but the overall progress of the project was 100 slow for the tightfisted Vermont lawmakers,66 When Adams' appointment expired in February, 1848, the survey was suspended, and Thompson lost his job.

With the suspension of the survey, Thompson returned LO his writing and he pushed ahead with some new literary ventures - all 011 Vermont. Even while he worked on the survey, Thompson had found time to write a forty-eight-page Guide Lo Lake George, Lake Champlain, Montreal and Quebec·7 Aimed primarily at the growing number of travelers on the water route between Albany and Quebec, Thompson's Guide was among the first works of its kind written for the Champlain Valley. It combined

descriptions reminiscent of the Gazetteer with historical accounts of places of special interest along the steamboat lines. The considerable historical detail about Crown Point, Ticonderoga, and the Battle of Plattsburgh came from Part Two of his History of Vermont, and he took his de· scriptions of Canadian towns along the Richelieu and St. Lawrence from his Geography and History of Lower Canada. In spite of its hodge-podge provenance, the Glllde achieved enough popularity at forty cems a copy to be reissued in 1848, probably less for its history than the practical information about steamers and ferries it provided for travelers_

Freed from the survey, Thompson alSo found the time to write a more substantial new book on Vermont. Using his previous three years'

247

he accepled withouL reservation Stories of dormant frogs being revivedafll"r centuries underground and praised the ml"dicinal powers of Vl"rmomspringwau~r in curing "affeetions of the liver, dispepsia, urinary ann allrut<lllCous complaints, rheumati~m. inveterate sore eyes, and manyothers ...•• Considering his lack of formal training and the paucity ofnaturalist~ In Vermont from whom he could learn. Thompson did reomarkably well, a facl whieh beller·known American professionals in thesefidds acknowlcdgl'd in increasing numbers afler 184z.

One developmenl which enhanced Thompson's reputation ucg.'ln in1&-11. when Vermonl followed the kad of its neighbors and appropriatedfunds for a thorough geological survey of thc statc.·~ For Thompson,the ~urvey offer&:! a long·awaiLed chance for a steady, professional positioll

in sciemific rcr.carch on Vermont, and he probably assumed hc wouldbe named Sta~e Geologist, considering his experience, public3liollS, andprevious interest in such a position. However, Thompson wa~ p<lssed over,and Charles Baker Adams, who had contributed to Pan One of theHutory of Vennonl, was s.elccted instead. Thompson and Samuel ReadHall were appointed Adams' field assistants, and Thompson spent muchof the next three yea~ traveling around Vermom, making observationsand colkcling data for the survey. He and Hall contributed 10 Adams'annual reports to the Legislature, but {he overall prOgTCSS of lhe projectwas lOO slow for th~ tightfisted Vermont la ...makcrs.·.. When Adams'appointment cxpired in February, 1848. the survey was su.~pendc<..l. andThompson lost his job.

Wilh the suspension of the survey, Thompson rewrned to his wriLingand hc pushed ahead with some new literary venlures-all 011 Vermont.["en while he worked on the survcy, ThomPSOT1 had found timc to writea fony-eight-page Gliide 10 Lake George, Lake Cfw.mplain, MOIl/rcal andQuebec." Aimed primarily at the growing number of uavelcrs Oil thewater route between Albany and Quebec. Thompson's Guide was amonglhe first works of its kind written for the Champlain Valley. It comuineddescriplions reminiscent of the Gcu.elteeT with historical accounts of placesof special interest along lhe steamboat lines. The considerable hislOricaldel ail aUOUt Crown Point. Ticonderoga. and the Bailie of Plattsburghcame from Part Two of his History of Vermont, and he took his de·scriptions of Canadian towns along the Richelieu and St. Lawrencc fromhis Geography and flu/ory of Lower Canada. In spite of its hodge-podgeprovenance, the Guide achieved enough popularity at forty cents a copyLO be reissued in 1848, probably less for its history than the practicalinformation about steamers and ferries it provld&:! for travelers.

Freed from the survey. Thompson alSo found the lime to "''Tile amore suustantial new book on Vermont. Using his previous lhree years'

247

work on the survey to fill another gap in published material on the state, in 1848 he published a textbook Geography and Geology of Vermont,68 which was well·received (although it did not match Zadock's Youth's Assistant) and won approval from local schoolboards throughout Ver­mont. 69 Written "(0 enable the youth of Vermont to acquire a competent knowledge of their own state," Thompson's Geography covered a much broader range of subjects than the title indicated. In addition to detailed discussions of the soil, rocks, minerals, and geography of the state, Thompson fleshed it out with pieces from the History of Vermont, including sections on natural history and "Political Geography."

Although he compiled the Geography largely from his earlier books, it was an important addition to the list of Vermont schoolbooks. Samuel Read Hall had published a small, seventy-Cour-page Vermont geography text in 1827,70 but it was long out of print by 1848. Even with its

varied offering of material Thompson's Geography can legitimately be considered the first full-length textbook oC its kind on the state of Vermont and among the earliest state geography texts in the entire country.71 The Geography and a seventy-four-page elementary version published in 1849 as First Book of Geography, for Vermont Children stood alone in Vermont until the 1860's, when other geography texts on the state began to appear and when schoolbook histories started to include sections on geography. 72

As mid-century approached, Thompson finally began to receive recog­nition beyond the borders of Vermont. Local acclaim continued to come his way, too: in 1848 he was named to Vermont's committee to investigate international exchanges, and in 1850 he became a vice-president of the Vermont Historical Society.73 The discovery of a fossilized whale skeleton in Charlotte, Vermont, in 1849 gave him the chance to go to Boston to consult with the famed Louis Agassiz and deliver a short account of the find before the Boston Society of Natural History.H The discovery also led to several articles on Vermont for the Society's Proceedings and Benjamin Silliman's American Journal of Sc£ence and Arts, as well as numerous short scientific pieces for Vermont and New England news· papers. 75

The biggest boost to Thompson's growing reputation outside Vermont came in 1850, when the Society of Natural History invited him to return to Boston to deliver a major paper on the "Natural History of Vermont." Various Vermont and out-of-state newspapers printed parts of the well­received address, and Chauncey Goodrich, acting without Thompson's knowledge, increased its circulation considerably by publishing it in its entirety in the form of a thirty-twa-page pamphlet. 16

The "Natural History of Vermont" presented a revealing look at three

248

work on th~ sun'~y to fill iwol.h~r gap in published mal~rial on the Slate.in 1848 he: published a lextbook Geogruphy and Geology oj VeTmonl,6"\",hich was \",dl·reccived (although it did not maLeh Zadock's Youth:lAssistant) and won approval from local schoolboards throughout Ver·mont." Written "to enable the youth of Vermont La acquire a competentknowledge of their own stale," Thompson's Geography covered a muchbroader range of subjects than the titl~ indicated. In addition to detaileddiscussions of lh~ roil, rocks. minerals, and geography of the state.Thompson fleshed it out .....;th pieces from the History oj Vermont,including sections on natural history and "Political Geography."

Although he compiled the Geography largely from his earlier books.it was an important addition to thc list of Vermont schoolbooks. SamuelRead Hall had published a small. seventy·four·page Vermont geographytexl in 1827, '0 bUL it was long out of print by 1848. Even with itsvaried offering of matcrial Thompson's Geography can legitimaldy beconsidered the first full·length textbook of its kind on the state of Vermontand among the earliest Stale geography texl.~ in the enliTl~~ country."The Geography and a 5('venty·four·page elementary version publishedin 1849 as Fint Book oj Geography, Jor Vermont Childun stood alonein Vermont until lhe 1860's. when other geography leXts on the state~gan [0 appear and when schoolbook histories started to include seuionson geography."

As mid·cemury approached, Thompron finally began to receive recog·nition beyond the borders of Vermont, Local acclaim continued to comehis way, too: in 1848 he was named to Vermont's committe~ to investigateinternational exchanges, and in 1850 he ~came a vice·president of theVermont Hisrorical Society.'! The discovery of a fossilized whale skeletonin Charlotte, Vermont. in 1849 gave him the chance to go to Bostonto consult with the famed Louis Agassiz and deliver a shon aCCOuntof the find before the Boston Society of Natural History. H The discoveryalso Jed to several .articles on Vermont for the Society's ProceedingJand Benjamin SiUiman's Amen'canJoumal oj Science and Arts, as wellas numerous shon scientific pieces for Vermont .and New England news·papers."

The biggest boo5t to Thompson's growing reputation outside Vermontcame in 1850. when the Society of NaLural History invited him to returnto BostOn to deliver a major paper on the "Natural History of Vermont."V.arious Vermont and out·of·state newspapers primed parts of the well·received address, and Chauncey Goodrich, acting without Thompson'sknowledge, increased its circulation considerably by publishing it in itsentirety in the form of a thirty· two· page pamphlet. 7'

The "Natural HislOry of Vermont" presented a revealing look at three

248

GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY

"Thompson sGeography can VERMONT,legitimately be cormdered the first full-length textbook ofz'ts kind on the State of Vermont and among the earliest state geography liTJl.T6 A:""D CO~TY OUTLllill: MAPS.

texts in the entire country, " "

"lOa 'I'BJI

, . ... or !tClBOOl.S .um ".um.&&a

BY ZADOCK THOMPSON.

Durlinglolt~ PO tLI8RED BT" Tn£ ADTDoa •

•• '\JI';"T Gl)tUUUI:H, "&Un'.~

ISla

decades of Thompson's work, It not only included the variety of de­scriptions and accounts found in his books but also the details of the conditions in which he had studied, "without any associates engaged in like pursuits - without having access to any collections of specimens­

and almost without books, "17 a problem which held Thompson back as much as any other he encountered in his work. In addition, Thompson brought to the Boston address his understanding of the delicate relation· ship between man and his environment. reminding his listeners of the subspecies of animals once plentiful in Vermont but seldom seen there in 1850. Few Other naturalists of the mid·nineteenth century saw as dearly as Thompson the need for man to achieve a balance with nature and the living things around him, His thoughts on these lines never coalesced into a comprehensive statement akin to George Perkins Marsh's monumental Man 'and Nature,18 but Zadock Thompson was an early advocate of the conservation of natural resources a'nd protection of en· dangered species.

249

'Thompson sGeography canlegitimately be considered thefirst full-length textbook ofitskind on the State of Vermont andamong the earliest state geographytexts in the entire country. "

GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY

VERMONT,

6T.l.T8 A:-;D COlT:'<TY OUTLINE MAl'8.

.. or 1CI11OllLS.umJ~

BY ZAPOCK: THOlllP90N.

Darlington:rO'LIIIHII::» liT Trtl .. OTDoa •

•·.\,..~."T _OOJlIlUCIlt. ra.urn..'iiils'-

decades of Thompson's work. h not only included the variety of de­scriplions and accounts found in his books but also the details of theonditions in which he had studied, "without any associat s engaged in

like pursuits - without having access to any collections of specimens­

and almost without books, "71 a problem which held Thompson back asmuch as any other he encountered in his work. In addition, Thompsonbrought to the Boston address his understanding of the delicate relation­ship belween man and his em'ironmenl. reminding his listeners of thesubspecies of animals once plentiful in Vermont but seldom seen therein 1850. Few other naturalists of the mid·nineteenth century saw asclearly as Thompson the need for man to achieve a balance with natureand the living things around him, His thought.s on these lines nevercoalesced into a omprehensive statement akin to George Perkins Marsh'monumental Man and Nature,lI but Zadock Thompson was an earlyadvocate of lhe conservation of natural resources and prmeclion of en­dangered species.

249

One year after addressing the Society of Natural History, Thompson made ills first and only trip to Europe. The Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in London in 1851 promised to be a fascinating spectacle, and he was eager to attend. He had never been far from Vermont be­fore, and he could not afford to travel abroad on his own resources. Friends and neighbors in Burlington took a collection and gave him enough money to go. In a move probably intended to lend him status away from home, the University of Vermont named him (unpaid) Professor of Natural History and Chemistry four days before his departure. 79

Thompson, who left Burlington on May 27 and returned August 14, kept a minutely detailed journal, which he published to show his friends where he had been and what he had seen. 8~

Following his return from Europe, Thompson settled down again to his research. He gave an occasional lecture on Vermont history in Burling­ton,S1 and in the fall of 1852 wrote a hundred-page "Historic Introduction to the Census Returns of Vermont" at the request of the United States Bureau of the Census. He expected to be paid a reasonable amount for the six-week effort, but it was never published and Thompson received nothing for his work, leaving it to his widow to collect $300 from Congress after his death.8!

As he worked on the "Historic Introduction," Thompson received a regular appointment from the University of Vermont, when in September, 1852, he became a Lecturer in Chemistry at the tutor's annual salary of $400. S3 He was promoted the following year to Professor of Natural History and Curator of the Cabinet, but at the same time his salary was lowered to $300.84 Thompson appears not to have won recognition from the University commensurate with his scholarly accomplishments. His areas of interest were not generaUy taught in American universities which still maintained a largely classical curriculum. Part of the problem also lay with Thompson himself, for he may have simply been too meek and quiet to compete in the academic world for positions and salary. According to one observer, "Such a man should never have set himself

down under the evesdropping [sic] of a university, where the more ambitious absolutely lorded over him and won the praise and the prize. "85

In 1853 Thompson finally admitted defeat on one of his most cherished projects. Since 1842, he had hoped to revise, enlarge, and reprint the History of Vermont, but eleven years later he still had enough unsold copies of the first edition on hand to make that idea impractical. The failure of Vermonters to demand a new edition must have been a major disappointment for Thompson. Instead of an entire book, in 1853 he published a small, sixty· three-page Appendix,86 which he bound in with the remaining copies of the main work or sold for fifty cents to those

250

One year after addressing the Society of Natural History, Thompsonmade his first and only trip to Europe. The Great ExhibiLion at theCrystal Palace in London in 1851 promised to be a fascinating spectacle.and he was eager to attend. He had never been far from Vermont be·forC', and he could not afford to travel abroad on his own r~Ourccs,

Friends and neighbors in Burlington look a collection and gave him enoughmoney to go. In a movC' probably intended tr> lend him Slatus awayfrom home, the University of Vermont named him (unpaid) ProfC'SSorof Natural History and Chemi~try four days before his departure,"Thompson, who left Burlington on May 27 and returned August 14,kept a minutely detailed journal, which he published to show his friendswhere he had been and what he had seen. 1o

Following his return from Europe, Thompson scttled down again tohis research. He gave an occasional lecture on Vermont histol)' in Burling­ton," and in the fall of 1852 wrote a hundred-page "Historic Introductionto the Census Returns of Vennont" at the requcst of the United SutesBureau of the Census. He expened to be paid a reasonable amoum forthe six·week effort, but il was never published and Thompson receivednothing for his work, leaving it to his widow to collect .1300 from Congressafler his death. t!

As he worked on the "Historic Introduction," Thompson received aregular appointment from the University of Vermont, when in September,1852. he beeame a Leerurer in Chemistry at the tutOr's annual salaryof 1400. U He was promoted the following year to Professor of NaturalHistory and Curator of the Cabinet, but at the same time his salarywas lowered to 5300." Thompson appears not to hav~ won recognitionfrom che University commen.~urate with his scholarly accompl~hm~nLS.

His areas of interest were not generaUy taught in American universitieswhich still maintained a largely cllWical curriculum. Part of the problemalso lay with Thompson himself, for he may have Mrnply been toO meekand quiet to compete in the academic world for positions and salary.According to one observer, "Such a man should never have set himselfdown under the cvcsdropping [sic] of a university, where the more ambitiousabsolutely lorded over him and won the praise and the prize. ".s

In 1853 Thompson finally admitted defeat on one of his most cherishedprojects. Since 1842, h~ had hoped to revise, enlarge, and reprint theHistory of Vermont, but eleven years later he still had enough unsoldcopies of the first edition on hand to make that idea impractical. Thefallure of Vennonter:s to demand a new edition must have been a majordisappointment for Thompwn. Instead of an entire book, in 1853 hepublished a small, sixty-three-page Appendix,li which he bound in withthe remaining copies of the main work or sold for fifty cents to those

250

who already had the original volume. The Appendix concentrated pri­marily on natural hiswl)', additions to the catalogues of plants and ani­mals, Illore meteorological statistics, and articles on the fossil bones

Thompson had examined. A few pages at the end brought the civil history up to date, mostly in the form of figures from the Census of 1850, which Thompson had taken in Chittenden County.

A year after publishing the Appendix, Thompson revised and reprinted his successful little Guide to Lake George.8 ? In a move which demon·

strated an awareness of the changes in transportation in Vermont since 1848, Thompson shifted the focus of the pamphlet from water tra'ns­ponation to the railroad. The railroads had crisscrossed parts of Vermont and upstate New York by 1854, .and Thompson recognized that travelers' guides needed to be altered accordingly. As a result. he enlarged his map, changed the text to include new areas, distant from the lakes and rivers but easily visited by train. In a move which foreshadowed the growth of tourist publicity in Vermont and New Hampshire. he began lO praise the beauty of the great outdoors; Mount Mansfield, Camel's Hump, Lake Willoughby, and the White Mountains.

In addition to teaching at the University and publishing his books, Thompson also managed to help revive the Vermont Geological Survey in 1853. In 1851 and 1852 he had proposed a variety of plans for completion of the survey, including asking the Legislature to use the natural history part of his History of Vermont as the basis for a four­volume work on the state's geology, geography, agriculture, mineralogy anti natural hislOl)',88 The legislature rejected his proposals. but a modified versIon passed in 1853. Thompson was appointed State Naturalist and directed to finish the survey ;uthe princely salal)' of $800 a year. 89

Thompson worked hard on the survey. but a number of faclOrs in addition to the sheer size of the project itself prevented his completIng the project. The shorthand notes left by Charles B. Adams were in­decipherable and useless. Progress was further slowed by Thompson's own high standards: he could not force himself to move quickly through the natural history volume and get it into print. Finally, the fragile and failing state of Thompson's own health impeded progress more than anything else.""

Thompson had never had a robust constitution. Illness had almost taken his life in western New York in 1818, and his recovel)' stretched out over more than six months. Chronic poor health prevented his be­coming a minister and taking over his own parish, Lung fevers delayed his work on the History of Vermont in the early 1840's, and his physical condition was seldom sound thereafter. He also suffered from heart trouble to such an extent that he was reluctant to go vel)' far from home without

251

who already had the original volume. The Appendix conce.lllratcd pri.maril)' "n natural hi.lotory. addition.!. to the calalogues of plam~ amI ani·mals. !llOfC mcteorological statistics, and articles on rhe fossil hon('~

Thomp.loOn had examined. A few pages ar the end brought the eivilhistory up 10 date. mostly in rhe form of figure!> from lhe Cen.loUs of 1850,which Thompson had taken in Chittenden County.

A yt'ar after publishing the Appendix, Thompson revised and reprintedhis successful little Gwde to Lake George." In a move which demon·strated an awareness of the changes in transportation in Vermont since1848. Thompson shifted the focus of the pamphlet from watcor Ira·ns·portation to the railroad. The railroads had crisscrossed pans of Vermontand upstatc New York by 1854, .and Thompson recognized that travelers'guides needcod to be altered accordingly. As a result, he enlarged his map.c1langed the text to include new areas. distant from the lakes and rivers[JUt easily vi~ited by train. In a move which foreshadowed the growthof tourist publicilY in Vermont and New Hampshire, he began to praisetile beauty of the great outdoors; Mount Mansfield, Camel's I-lump,Lake Willoughhy, and the White Mountains,

In addition to teaching at thco University and publishing his books,Thompson also managed to help revive the Vermont Geological Su(\'eyin 1853. In 1851 and 1852 he had pTOpoSt:d a variety of plans forconlplction of the survey, including asking the Legislature to use thenatural hiStory part of his History oj Vermonl as the basis for a four·volUl1le w(lrk on the ~,.tate's geology. geogr-aphy. agriculture. mineralogyand natural history.1I The legislature reje{;tcrl his proposals, but a modifiedVl'ISltlll passed in 185~, Thompson was appointed Stale Naturalist anddirected to finish the survey :at the princely salary of $800 a ycaL"

Tholllpson worked hard on the survey. but a number of factors inaddition to the sheer size of the project itself preveOled his completingthe project. The .lohonhand nOle; lefl by Charles B. Adams were in·decipherable an:d useleM, Progress was funher slowed by Thompson'sown high StanJards: he could nOI force himself to move quickly throughIhe natural history volume and get it into print. Finally, the fragile andfailing state of Thompson's own health impeded progress more thananything else. to

Thompson had never had a robUSl constitution. Illness had almosltaken his life in western Nt:w York in 1818. and his recovery stretchedOllt over more than six months. Chronic poor health prevented his be·coming a minister and taking over his own parish. Lung fevers delayedhi.s work on the History oj Vermont in the early 1840's. and his physicalcondition was seldom sound thereafter, He also suffered from peart lroublt:to such an ex.tent that he was reluctant 10 go very far from home without

'51

a friend to accompany him. 91 For these and other reasons Thompson's health had always been precarious, but during his tenure as State Naturalist it deteriorated steadily.

By the fall of 1854 Thompson's condition was such that he wrote that he was "confined to my room and most of the time, to my bed, for a period of more than 12 months. "92 He recovered enough late in 1855

to resume his studies and accept a medal for a display sent to the French

Industrial Exhibition,93 but the remission was very short. On January 14, 1856, "being in a weak state of body, but of sound and disposing mind and memory (blessed be God for the same),"9< he made some minor adjustments in his will. Five days later, at the age of fifty-nine, he died quietly in bed of "an organic affliction of the heart. "95 Phebe entered the day's temperatures in the meteorological notebooks, just as he had been doing for thirty years. adding only, "Mr. Thompson died 5 P.M."96

The eulogies poured in as soon as news of Thompson's death circu­lated around New England. On January 21 Thompson's colleagues on the university faculty unanimously passed a lengthy set of resolutions in memory of "a most worthy alumnus, faithful friend and useful instructor. "9]

The town of BurlingtOn, Thompson's home for most of his life, also joined in the tributes to him. His funeral was attended by many of the tOwnspeople, and the stores and businesses closed in his honor. 98 Thompson was buried in the Elmwood Avenue Cemetery in Burlington beneath a white marble headstone bearing only his name, dates and last words, "God's will be done."

In addition to the many compliments offered by his fellow Vermonters,

Thompson also received posthumous recognition from outside the state. The Boston Society of Natural History, before whom Thompson had spoken six years earlier on the natural history of Vermont, adopted a resolution in February of 1856 mourning his death. H Other groups and individuals followed suit, and the Boston Atlas ably expressed the tenor of their sentiments: "New England may have more brilliant and more popUlar illustrators of her natural history, but one more earnest, more thorough, or more devoted, we have never known; nor one who once known has been more honored and esteemed by naturalists, or beloved by friends than the late Professor Thompson."loo

Thompson's writings continued to be reprinted after his death, but only for a few years. A new edition of the Northern Guide came out in 1857, followed the next year by a pirated anonymous edition with a different title but identical text. '01 His wife was still selling the History of Vermont into the 1860's, and in 1858 she reissued his History of the State of Vermont from the edition of 1833/36. 102 After these, however, Thompson's books went out of prim and remained that way for more

252

a frie;nd to accompany him." for these and other reasons Thompson'shealth had always been precarious, but during his tenure as StateNaturalist it deteriorated steadily,

By the fall of 1854 Thompson's condition was such that he wrote thathe was "confined [0 my room and most of the rime, 10 my bed, for aperiod of more (han 12 months."'2 1-1('" recovered enough late in 1855to resume his studies and accept a medal for a display scnt (0 the FrenchIndustrial Exhibition.H but the remission was very short. On January 14,1856. "i>(:ing in a weak state of body, hut of sound and disposing mindand memory (bles.'>«i be God for the same),"" he; made some minoradjustments in his will. Five days later, at the age of fifty·nine, he diedquietly in i>(:d of "an organic affliction of the hean."" Phei>(: enteredthc day's temperatures in the meteorological noteboob, just as he hadbeen doing for thirty years, adding only, "Mr, Thompson died 5 P.M."Ii

The eulogies poured in as soon as news of Thompson's death circu·lated around New England. On January 21 Thompson's colleagues onthe university faculty unanimously passed a lengthy set of resolutions inmemory of "a most worthy alumnus, faithful friend and useful instTUClOr.""The town of Burlington, Thompson's home for most of his life, alsojoined in the tributes 10 him, His funeral was attended by many of thetownspeople, and Ihe stores. and businesser; dosed in his honor.n Thompsnnwas buried in the Elmwood Avenue Cemetery in Burlington beneath awhite marble headstone bearing only his name, dates and last word~,

"God's will be done."In addition to the many compliments offered h)' his fdlow Vermonters,

Thompson also received posthumous recognition from oUL~ide the state,The Boston Society of Natural History, before whom Thomp.'iOn hadspoken six years earlier on Ihe natural hisfory of Vermont, adopted aresolution in February of 1856 mourning his death." Of her groups andindividuals followed suit, and the Boston Atlas ably expressed Ihe tenorof their sentiments: "New England may have more brilliant and morepopular illustrators of her natural history, but one more earnest, morethorough, or more devoted, we have never known: nor one who onceknown has b~n more honored and esteemed by naturalists, or belovedby friends than the late Professor Thompson, "100

Thompson's writings continued to be reprinted after his death, butonly for a few years. A new edition of thl': Northern Guide came outin 1857, followed the next year by a pirated anonymous Mition with adifferent title but identical text.,OI His wife was still selling the Hutoryof Vermonl into the 1860's, and in 1858 she reissued his History of theState of Vermont from the edition of 1833/36. 102 After these, however,Thompson's book.<> went out of prim and remained that way for more

252

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than a century, until the natural histOry section of the History of Vermont was repu blished in 1972. 103

Phebe Thompson remained in Burlington for two decades after his death. She sold his cabinet of geological and natural history specimens to the State of Vermont in 1857 for $1,000,10< bUl continued to keep up his meteomlogical notebooks and guard the remainder of his scientific collections '"as jealously as if they had been gold and diamonds. "105 She stayed in the little white cottage on the University Green until 1876, when she sold it for $2400 and moved to Northfield, Vermont. to live with her granddaughter.llM; Finally, on July 29, 1885, Phebe Boyce Thompson died at the advanced age of eighty-seven, nearly thirty years after her husband. 107

Although his books continued to be used and imitated and the significance of his work and research remained considerable, Zadock Thompson's life soon faded from memory. An occasional article or biographical sketch came out from time to time after 1860 LO provide the factual framework of his life, but these became both less frequent and more sketchy after 1900, and no serious attempt LO portray Thompson appeared after 1902. "Thompson's VeTmont" retained much of its popular and antiquarian

appeal, but its author was more or less ignored. In 1927 the flood which devastated VenT-10m also destroyed Thompson's collection of natural history specimens stored in a basement in Montpelier. Over the past half-century not one significant study of his life or writings has appeared. 108 Ironically, Zadock Thompson, who "devoted the entire period of his Iife"lo9 LO

studying Vermont, and whose books have exerted such a tremendous influence on Vermont scholars since the Civil War, has himself slipped deep into the shadows of the state's past.

NOTES

'For an overview of lhe etel.:e1opmem of Vennom historiography . .see J. Keven Graffagnino. "The Vt"nnonl 'S(or'/: Continuily and Changt' in Vt"nnool HistOriography"· Vermont His/ory. 46. no. 2 (Spring 1978). 77·99.

'Lanc~ 110155. Zadock Thompson. aUlobiographical sk~lCh. in lhe J'O'S"SSion or Mr>. Odessa Lance, Bohon. Vt.. Xerox copy and typescript in ladock Thompson 110155. Wilbur Colleclion. Bailey Library. University of Vt"nnonl. Burlington, Vl. (hereaflf'r UVM).

'/George F. HoughlOnJ. "Obituary of Proressor Thompson'" in Augustus Young. ed .. F7elimmary Reporl 0>' (hi' Naiural HiJlo')'oflhe Slale ofVermanl (Burlington: C. Goodrich, 1856). p. 37.

'Geor~ F. l-IoughlOn. "Eulogy of Re\'. Zadock Thompson'" p. 15: Ms. in Sociely Records. 5t. Paul's Episcopal Churth. Burlington. Vl.. canon one. volume t. "Biographical NOles of Clergymen & Laymen'" UVM.

'Lane< M5S. Thompson. aUlObiographical 'kelCh. 'Ibid.: l-Iou/:hlOn. "Eulogy." p. 16. 'Th. Va",onl Alrrw.nac and Far",er, Calendar. for the Year of our Lord 1819 (Woods,ock:

D. Watson. 1818). front CO\ler. 'Lance 110155. book of poems by Thompson: Xerox copy in Thompson MS5.

254

than a century. unlillhe natural histOry seclion of the History oj VermO/ltwas republished in 1972.">1

Phebe Thom~n remained in Burlington for two decades afler hisdeath, She sold his cabinet of geological and nalural history spe<:immsto L!1I: State of Vennom in l857 for $1,000,10< bUI cominued to keepup his mCleorological notebooks and guard the remainder of his scientificcollections '·as jealously as if they had ~n gold and diamonds."lo, Shestayed in the little white COllage on the University Green until 1876,when shc sold it for $2400 and moved to Northfield, Vermont. to livewith her granddaughter.I'·6 Finally, on July 29, 1885, Phebe BoyceThompson died at lhe advanced age of eighty-seven, nearly thirty yearsafter her husband. I01

Although his books cominued to be used and imitalcd and lhe significanceof his work and research remained considerable, Zadock Thompson's lifesoon faded from memory, An occasional article or biogTaphical sketchcaml" out from time to time afler 1860 [0 provide the factual frameworkof his life, but these beeam<' both less frequent and more sketchy aher1900, and no serious attempt to portray Thompson appeared after 1902.

"Thompson's Vermont" retained much of ils popular and antiquarianappeal, but its author was more or less ignored. In 1927 the nood whichdevastated Vennom alJ;O destroyerl Thompson's collection of natural historyspecimens stored in a basement in MOlllpelier. Over the past half·centurynot one signific<lnt study of his life or writings has appeared. '08 Ironically,Zadocl<. Thompson. who "devoted (he enliT€: period of his Iife'>,o~ tostudying Vermont, and wh05C books ha~ exerted ~uch a tremendousinnuence on Vermont scholars since the Civil War, has himst.:lf slippeddet:p into the shadows of the stale's pasl.

NOTES

'FoT a~ "."",irw uf Ill, ",«k>pm,n, <>f V.rm..,n' hi>lo..ognphy, >« J. Kevcn c:••ffapono. -Th.V'nnonl ·S'<I"{: GO''''nuny and Ch.ng' in Vrnnono Hiotol'>Og'aphy," 1',"""", 1/wory. iii, no, 2(Sp,ing 19,8), 17-99.

'un« MSS. Z.dock Tho",!""'n....'oboogt.ph,nl .k"h. in Ill.~ <>f M",. Od..... L.n,"".8<,loon. Vl.. X<fo. <<.>py .nd 'YI""""P' in Zod..,<k ThornJ"On MS!;. Wah.." Coll«'ion, 8.;lry Ijb•• ry.lI"i'.."",y ...f Vr""',"", Do'ti"g1on, V, (h<fur.., lIVM1.

'Ir..,»g. r, Hough..,n)...Obi.....ry of P,of"""" 1·hompson:· in Augu.iou Young. rd., Pt.iI"",.....,R.".,,, un 0., l"oJural IIUI",'J o/,~. Slol< 0/ I',,,,,onl (B.... linll;l0n C. G<>od,;ch, t1l56), p. '1.

'Gr'<lf~ F. H""lIh,on. -t:...lojr;y <>f R.,· ullock Th"",P'<"':· p, l~. M. in s.x,""y R...",v. Sc.1'.,,1'. (p;'-;"p.t Chmth. B"r1ing",". v. , (an"" QQr.•00"m. l, -BiogI.phiral NO!", <If C1r'lO"""n!<l.~"".n.··U\'M.

'un,. M$S. ·111Qmp""n..... ,ot>iol('".ph;..1 ""'«h"/b,d.; 1-1""11111 ...., "[II~.·· p. 16'Th V,rono", AI"",,,,,,, ond Fo,,,,.,; CDJ,"do., /0' lh. y~, oj Oil' Lo.d 18/9 (WtlIl<b,oc:k.

o. W><son. 1818). fron' ",'-c''L.n« MSS. book 011""""'1 by11,ompson. "'..ox (opy in Tho""J"'On :>lSS

254

•IbiJ.. , Thompson, autobiographical w,tcb. 'O(;harle. E Allen. "Sketch of lhe Burlington Academy and High School. from ilS Elilabli.hmenl

in 181510 Da",."· Proceedings of Ihe Vermonl AntiqlHlrian Sociely (April. 1897· April, 19(0). p. 48. "Univcrslly of Vermon< MSS (hereaf,cr UVM MSS), "Treasurer's Accoun' Book l816·1834:· p. 31.

LJVM Archives. Waterman Building, Universily of Vennom, Burlington, VI. "Ibid., Phi Sigma Nu Society, "Records 1815·1827:' pp. 102. 109, 122. 183. and 198. "Ms. B T 379LF, Thompson lO Walton, Dec. 9, 1819. for an earlier offer: Vermon< Historical

Society. MOn<pelier. Vennont (hereoflCr VHS ColleCllons). "Ms. Box 72. folder 4. Ibid. "HoughlOn. "Eulogy," p. 18; Zadock Thompson. A ~el/eer. p. vi. lIiVennom Slate Papers 64: 113. Zadock Thompson, petition to [he Vermont State Legislature. Dce

10, 183:J. Vermonc Stale Papers Divlsion, Secretary of State"s Office, Montpdi~r, Vennont (hereaft~r

State Papers). "Thompson. A ~eueer, p. 18. "S.R. Hall. The Childs A.s<islanl to a Knowledge of tho Geography and History of Vermoru

(Montpelier: J-S. Walton, 1827); F.S. Uslman, A H"tory oJ. Vermon; JTom ,i, Firsl Sel/lomenl 10 the Pr~nl Time (B'OllleOOro: Holbrook & Fessenden. 1828); Nalhan Haskins, A Hislory of Ihe Strue oj Vermont, [rom ,I, lJiseolJ€ry and SelllemenJ 10 tho Close of Ihe Year MDCCCXXX (Yergenne£:

1- Shedd. 1831); and John Hayward. A ~ell..r of Vermonl (Baston: Tappan, Whillemore and Mason, 1849).

I1JCo!J1pare the prinlf'd version with the manU.5Cripl submissions. Thompson MSS. Wilbur, UVM. iOLance MSS. sixty·fiye' \:erse p:>em from Zadock to Phebt:. autumn 1815; a.nd Xerox copy in

Thompson MSS. "George A. Perkins, "Skctch of the Life of Zadock Thompson," Ame'riean Geologis/. 29 (February

1902),70. "George Boyce Thompson. April 6. 1825; Harri« Towner Thompson. 1827,1844; Adeline Perry

Thompson Uudd). 1830·1860. "UYM MSS. "TruSlees Records'-' Box 2. folders 5, 7 and 8; Ibid.. "Trustees Minute.'-· 2:326 and

336 "Burlington MSS. "Land Records." 8:205·07. CilY Clerk's Office, Cily Hall, Burlington.'yl. "UYM MSS. "Records of the College of Natural History.'-· pp. 1·49. pd<sim. "Firs' edition, (Woodstock: D. WaLson, 1825). t7i\o~arcus A. McCorjson. Vermont Impn"nlS 1778-1820 (Worcester: American Antiquarian SocielY.

1963); James K. Ready. --A CheckliSt of Vermon, ImprinlS from 1821 Through 1835, Wilh a Hislorical Inlroouction," Ph.D. Diss., Catholic University of America, 1955.

"Charles Carpenter. History ojAmerican Sehoolbooits (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Pre><. 1963), pp. 141·44; John A. Nietz, Old Textboolts (PittSburgh: University of Pitt>burgh Press, 1961). pp.151·52.

"Allen. "SketCh of the Burlington Academy'-' p. 49. 'oBuriington Free Pre.s<, July 11. 1828. "Ibid.. March 13. 1829. November 14. 1829 and March 5,1830. "Ibid.. March 13. 1829. "Burlington MSS. "Land Records'-·10:189. "Burlinglon Free Press. May 8, 1829. "SI. Paul's Episcopal Church of Burlington. Vermonl (hereafler SI. Paul's). MSS. "Sociecy Records'-'

UVM. "Lance MSS, Thompson's n«ebook of derical du';e" Xerox in Thompson MSS. "Burlington Free Pre.s<.January 7.1831: Burlington Lyccum MSS. "Minutes & Roster'-' UVM. uBurJington MSS. "Town Meeting Records," 2:216: Vennont. RecDTds of the Governor and Council

ofthe Strue oj VermonJ (Montpelier: E.P. Walton, 1873·80),8:93. "Slate Papers. 62:72. ,oThe Green Mountain Repository (Burlington),January. 1832. ·'Ib,d., December, 1832. "(Burlington: E. Smith, 1833): Burlinglon Free Pre.s<, March 15. 1833, advcnising the book. "(Burlington: Smith & Harrington. 1836). "(Burlington: S. Mills. 1809). "(Vergenne.: J. Shedd. 1831). "Houghoon, "Eulogy'-' p. 19. "The Can.adian Farmers' Alrn.an.ac f01 1815 (Stans,ead and Sherbrooke: Walton & Gaylord, 1834).

Thompson"s calculations appeared in this series unlil al least l845. "Lance MSS. Thompson's notebook of clerical duties: Xerox in Thompson MSS. UVM. "Stale Papers. 64:113. >O(Stansread and Sherbrooke: Walton & Gaylord, 1835).

255

'Ibid.. Tbompoa. au<obiognphicaJ lll.e<cb."Ch.rln ( I\lkn. "S\l'tch 01 ,~ Bu,ling,,,,, Ae.<kn,y .nd H'Rh School. lrom i" r..,.Mioh.....n,

,n 1815 ", 0 .., '. Pm<"di~6' oJ I~, V~,.,.,.o~1 An'iq,",""~ So<itly(April, 1897. April. 1'.(00). p. ~8"Um....."y of V~rmo", MSS (horuft., UVM MS.'). 'T,...a.>u,," Au""n, Book 11116·1834." p. 31.

UV-,"l AlChi •.,. W..",,»n Building, Un.",,,,'yof V'NI'\(ln,. B",lin"on. V""Ibid. pl<iSigm' Nu So<:;"'y. -R~orrh 181~·lst7'-· PI' 102. 109, 122. 18'.•noJ 198."Mo. B,. 379LF. l"homp;son «, W.l,,,,,. O<e 9, 1~19. fo' on carl .. , offer: V"'''IOM H....Ol;c.1

Society. Mo",!"'J..,. Vc,mo,", ()ocr..I", VHS Collec"oM)"MI, fin. 72. f"ld.r 4. Ib,d."HouSh,,,n. "[ulogy," p. 18; bdo<k Thompoon. A c......lur, p, vi."Vennon' SlOte P'p<'" U:l )3. Zadock ThO"'p"'n. pc,;,ion '0 ,h. Vermon, ."." 1--<gi<I.,,,«. 0«.

10. 18',. V~,mon, Sur< P.pen DivulOn. s<cr~"ry of Su',', O/Tr<'. Mon.!"'l;". Vennon, (hued.. ,S..,.P.pen).

"l"hornpoo<>. A c.....IIU'. p. 18.'OS,R. Ibll. Th~ ChiltJ • ..1... .-... ..'" 10 0 K""rJ.d,. O[I~ e'(>f'oph, oM Hiolo.., o[ V~,""",,,,

(Mort'p<l"r: J S, Waknn, 1827); F.S. r~m.n, A Hu'o,., oJ. Vrrmo'" [.om >I, FirM 5<111<"",,,, to Ih.P>~QI T,m~ (Ilr."lebG,o. Hofb.ook &. FnoendeQ. 1828): N.,h.n Hook".... A Hu'''''' of lh. SlOl~ o[V",""'''i. [,om lIS DUco....., lInd S,III"n",1 /() ,II< elM, of I~ r ..., MDCCCKXX (Vcrg~,,,,n:

J- Sh<'dd. 1831).•nd Jt>I\n H'Y"".ortl. A c....." ..r <>/ VrrmoAI (11",",0,,: T.pp.n. Whi"crn"", .ndM...,.. , 1849).

"CorrJP.... tho: p""tcd ",,,;,,1' w;,h ,I>c 'n.n>utnp'.ubm;wo.... Thoml""'" M-\S. Wilhur. UVM."L.ne. MSS. " ..y·f,V< '-en< poem f,om 2.>dock '0 r~.be.•uWm.. 1815; .M X.fOO c"py in

Thornp,,,n MSS."&o'l(" A. l'~.k,ns. "Ske..h of the l.lf. 01 hdod Tl>ompoon." "m....'an Cc<>Io6io'. 29 (IC.btu.ry

1902).70."&oW 80)"" Thorn"""",. Apnl 6. 182~: lbrri., T"""ner Thorn""",. 1827.184ol, Ad,l'n. P.ft)'

Thom"",n Uudd). IS'lO IS60."UVM MSS...Tn,.,.... R«:",d.,-· aM 2. fold." 5. 7 ."d 8: Ibid.. '"Tru><." Mi.. u'....-· 2;~26 .nd"."nurl;n!,,,,, MSS. "Land Reeo"".·· S:205 07, Ci'yCIe.k·o oma-, Ci,y H.Il. Bu,Ii"ll'on:V,."UV.\f MSS. '"R«o,w.of ,h. ColI'B"'" N.."ul Hi.n0'Y-," pp. 1·49. P'W"m".-.", <'di,ion, IWood",..k: 0, W• .....,. lIr.!S)."M.«". A. M<Coo»<:m. V."no", Imp"'",, I77S-UnO (W""cn<eo: Am.';..n An';qu.';.n Soci.,y,

196~);J.m.. K. Rudy. "'\ Chockl'" af \'.nnon, Imp,;",. 1'00' lnl Through l&3S, W"h.o 11""""k.JIn,nxlu,,.on.'' I'h.D. or...., C.,holic U"i,...i,yol AmO';c•. 19~5.

"Ch.,I... CO/pen.. r. HiJtoryo[ Am",."" S<hoolboaJu (Phil.delph;a: Uni, ...i,yal P,n"'ylvan;. PT~.19M). pp. 141,4'1: john A. N;e", Old Tulboo4J (P;,..burgh: Un;..r'Sily 01 Pill,bu,gh Pt-.... 1961).pp.IS1·S2.

",\11<1'. ··Sk..<h <>f,hc Burlington Ac.d.n.y:· p. 49."8",/,,,«,,,,, F,u P>.... july II. 1828."Ibid. M••ch 13. 1929. Na....mb<-' 14. 18'l9 .nd ~l'fChS. 1830."Ibid,. M.rch 13, 1829."Butlington MSS, "Land 11.«"'''''.'' 10; 189."8u.k''W'aA F... 1'<cJJ. M.y8. lU9"s., 1'.,,1', [1'",,,,,.1 Church oS B",I;n""". V.rmon< (he... f,~r s., po"r_). MSS. "'Sou~,y R«ordo."

UVM."L.ne< MSS. Thoml""'n·,nct.book <>f d.ne.1 d",;"': X."'o in Thornp"'" .\lSS."II",I",«IOQ F... P>.... J.onu.ry 7. 18$1: Burlington Lyc-.um MSS. "'M;nu,,, II< Roo",'-· UVM"Bu,lington MSS. '"Town M"";"8 RC<'OCdo."' 2:216: V","""n,. R«o,dJ o[ ,h. Co.-.ma, ..nJ Counc,{

o[lh~SloJ< 0[1'<"""", (Mort,pc:l;,,: [.1'. W,I,on. 1'73'80),8.93."S,... P.!"'.. , 62:72."'The e..... Mou~l ..i" R.p.>JiJory(Ru,l;ngtool).j.onu.ry. 1832."Ib,d" O<<<ml><:r, 18~2.

"(Ru,lon"",,: E. Smi,h, 1833): lI~,b''W'OA F,u l't.... "'>tch IS. 18", .d""""';ng ,h. book,"(R",lington' Smith & Ibrrin"on, IB36).',<B"rl;"glo": S. Milk. 1809)."iV~'lI,n .....:J. Shodd. 1&311"H""gh,o". -Eulos'/:' 1', I'."Tho Ctu><>di4~ F.."",,,· A/""'''''c[o' ISH (S......ud .nd She.brooke: W~hon & G~yJord. \834).

Thompoon·, ..l<ul~';"N .pp..r<'d;Q ,h;,,,..... "n,il a, Ie... 18H"l.nc~MSS. Tl,omp><>n', """book ofd,ri..1du"...: X,roo ,n TI->ornp"'" MSS. UVM."s.." Popc:n, M:II,.'"(S........d .ond Sh..b,ook.: W,l<on &r G.ylord. 18'5).

255

" P. 63. "Lance MSS, Thompson autobiographical ,ketch. "John Henry Hopkins, Jr.. The ufe of the ReveumdJohn Henry Hopkins (New York: F.J. Huntington,

1873), p. 203; Lance MSS, Thompson aurobiographical sketch. "Lance MSS, Thompson notehook of clerical duties. "S«vens MSS, Thompson to Henry Stevens, Sr.. Dec. 14, 1838. and Feb. I, 1839, UVM. "UVM MSS, "Faculty Minutes," 1:18 and "Records of the CoUege of Natural History," no page,

entry for Sept. 8, 1M!. "Ms. 2511110, Thompson to Peter T. Washburn, July 29,1839. VHS Collectio.,.. "(Burlington: Chauncey Goodrich, 1842). "StcvCllS MSS, Thompson TO Henry Stevens, Sr., Sept. II, 184l, UVM. I·Houghton, "Qbinnry," p. 38. "MSC 44, Zadock and Phebe Thompson, le"ers to Dr. Ariel Hunton, 1848·59, VHS Collections;

Xerox copies in Zadock Thompson Papers, UVM. Hunton, who shared Thompson', interest in natural history, aeted as his sales agent in the Hyde Park, Vt., area.

"Zadock Thompson. Hislory oJ Vermont (1842), p. iv. "For Thompson', use of the UVM Library, see UVM MSS, "Faculty Library Loans," (1831·41).

and "Library Record," (1844·55). "Thompson, History of VeTmOnt (1842), pt. I. pp. 8 and 120. "T.O.S. Bas.e", A Hiltory oj the Vermonl Geological Surwys and State Geologisl.s (Burli"81.0n:

Vt. Geological Survey, 1976). pp. III. "See the first and second Annual RepOTl on the Geology of Vermont (Burlington, 1845, 1846). "(Burlington: C. Goodrich. 1845). "(Burlington: C. Goodrich, 1848). "Burlington Free PrI!.lJ.June 22,1849. '·Samuel Read Hall, The Child's As.ristont to a Knt>wledge of the Geography and History of

Vermont (Montpelier: J.S. Walton, 1827); reprinted, (Montpelier: J.S. Walton, 1831). "Carpenter, America>1 Schoolbooks. pp. 227 and 267; Nietz, Old Textbooks, pp. 195·233. "Pliny White revised Hall's geography (Montpelier: C. W. Willard, 1864). which then went into

""",ral edirions. The first edition of the best·known schoolbook on Vermont, Edward Conant's Geography, History and Civl1 Government of Vermont. did not come Out until 1890 (Rutland: TUlll< Co.).

"Vermont, Proceedings and Instructi07lS Coru:ermng the System of InteNllUional LiteTary and SciLntific Exchanges, Established by Alexandre Val/emare (Burlington: Free Press, 1848).

"Thompson, "On Fossil Cetacean Bones." Proceedings, Boston Society of Natural History. 3 (April 1850), 205·06.

"Ac 500 5<:r16, Thompson newspaper scraphook, VHS Collections. "NatuTal Hiltory oj Vermont (Burlington; C. Goodrich. 1850); te.t also reprint<d in Burlington

Free Pre<s. June 12, 1850. "Ibid., pp. g·4. "First edition, (New York: C. Scribne"" 1864). 'OUVM MSS, "Trwtees Minutes." 3: 123. IOZadock Thompson, Joumo.l of a Tnp /0 London, Paris. and the Great Exhib,"ion, in 1851

(Burlington: Nichols &. Warren. 1851). "Burlington Free PrI!.lJ. March 17, 1852. and Feb. 21. 1854. "MS B T 379LF Zadock Thompson to Solomon Foote, Jan. 13. 1855, VHS Collections; Untied

Stiues Statutes at Large, 11:454. "UVM MSS, "Faculty Minutes," 1:262·63. "Ibid.. 3:140and 143·44. "MSS 21 #118, E1iakim P. Walton to George F. Houghton. nodate 1857, VHS Collections. "Appendix to the History of Vermont, Na/ural, Civl'l. and Stalis/ical, 185~ (Burlington: StaC~ &.

Jameson. for the author, 1853). "Zadock. Thompson. NOTthem Guide, Lake George, Lake Champlain, MontTeal, and Quebec,

Green and White Mountains, and WIlloughby Lake, Wlih Maps and Tables of Distances (BuTlington; S.B. Nichols, 1854).

....Contents of the Proposed Volumes. by Zadock Thompson. Natural HiStory of Vermont," in Augustus Young, cd., Preliminary RepoTt on Ihe NaJural History of the State of Vermont (Burlington: C. Goodrich, 1856), pp. 75·82.

"Bassell, Vermont Geological Surveys, p. 8. ··Ibld. "Perkins, "Sketch of the Life ofZadock Thompson," p. 68. "MSS 25111ll. Thompson to Stephen Royce. Oct. 15, 1855. VHS Colleclions. "BurlingtonFru Press. Dec. 10, 1855. ~""Proba{e Records," Chittenden County Probate Coun, Burlington, Vennant.

256

" 1'.6'."Lana. MSS. Thompoo<! a"'obiographkal'ktteh."Joh.n H""Y Ilopkin1. Jr.. Tito 14~ of Ih. R"""'mJjolln 11""" HQpJrrru (Ntw 'o'OIk: F-J. HWlUrlglon.

1873). p. t05: Lan.... MSS. Thompoon .",ooiogtaphiclOJ .utoh."Lona MSS. l"hoonP..,UI>OI.bool< 01 clericlOJ duties...S,....... MSS. Thompoon to H.nryS' .......... SI.. Dec. 14. 1858.....d F~h. I. 1839. UVM."UVM MSS, "Facu1<y ~lin", ..."· 1:IR and "ReconIs <>ll~ Colle", 01 N.,u<al lliolory." no plge.

~nuyfo.5<p•. 8.1&l1."M,. t~ '110. Thomp«>n 10 P...... T. W...hbum.July 29. 1859. VHS Cnll"".iom."(B".lington: Chaunc"}'Go<ldrich. 1842).'"5,.......... MSS. Th<>mJ"O" '0 HcnrySuveru. Sr .. St:pt, II. U141, UVM."HO<I.gl"oo. "Obi",,,,y," r, !II"MSC ...... Zod..d.. and Phebe Thompoon. I."... <0 0.-. Arielllunton, 1848·59, VHS Col!«'iono.

Xr:m. ~opics in Zadock TI,on,P'O" I'op'''. UVM. Hunr"", who 'hartd Thomp1Of", 'n'....... in n.,,,...1hior.o'1'. aeted .. his ..b '8'-"'" in ,he Hycl. P".k. V,......

''1.'dock Thompson. His'''''J of V.,.""'rIl (IS42). p, iv.urnr Thompoon', we of Ihe UVM Lib... .". "'" UVM MSS. "F.culty I.;b... ry 1.0.".... (l851-fl).

and "Lib....,. R..,..,.d." (I floH ,~~).

"Tbo"'I""". His'''') ofV~ (IUt). pl. I. PI' 8 .nd 120.''T.O.S. BUOCll. 11 HisJ<1ry of '/w. v.......,..., G.oU>K'"co1 S,,""1" ,,>1<1 Stale G."In,ut-< (B".lin,g<on·

V,.Ccologi..IS,,~,1916).pp.lll."5« lh.lin' and oecond Ann",,1 Reptm on 'he Gt""'sY of Vomnont (BmlinK'on, lM~. 1846)."(B"tlingl<"': C Goodrich. Ik~)."(Butlinglon: C. Coodrich. IM8)."B1.t'/ingo"" F..e "'.."J".... n, IU9.'"$.",u.1 R.od Holl. T/w. eluU) AUUl"nl 10 0 KIJl)w/.,dS' of 'he GOO(T"phy "od Hulory ()f

V""""" (Mon,pclie,: J-S. W.lton. 1821); r<prin'td. (Monlpel",,; 1.S. W.lton, IllSl)"C.rpenler, If.......,.... S<:h<><>llI<>o-u. PI'. 221 and 261; Ni.... Old r.:<lbO<J.t.. pp. 19~·m."Pliny Wh,;", ......ud H.lh grognphy (Mompeli~r: C.W. Willard, 186~). ""h:.h Ihe" ...enr in,o

~nl ediri<>nll. ".., fi ....d',ion 01 [he ba,·!u>o"", ""hoolbook on Vrnnt>n" f,d"" ..d Con.n[·, G.og1ophy,HU'''''JonJ Cwil Go,,",",m~1I.I 0fVeTmDrIl. dJd "'" <:<>me(lU' un,ill8'XI (R"d.nd: T""I. (".()·l·

"V,"",,"",. PMc,edilyr, "od 1""",<1""" Co...e-rn"Yi l~ s,.'~rn of /nl."""imrL1.1 l"Ji"ary andS,icJui/ic £:<c~'" Blablished bJAluo>1dre VOile""''' (B"llington: Fro< J-'r.... IM8j,

"Thompoon. 'On fouil C.I".,n llon..." Prouedm,', ll<Jo<o" S<><:i<ly <>l N'lunl History, 5(April 18.50). toH6.

"Ac~ 5<<16. Thompoon _'P'p<' l-Cr.pbook. VHSColl«:,ioru"No''''oJ Hut"" of P.""o,,1 (Rmllng<on: C. Goodnd,. I8S(1); I.,.••bo ..p".n,<'<I in R"r1inglon

F",ePrw-,junc 12, J8~O.

"Ibid.. pp. 5·4."finl edi.x.n. (N""" V...k; C. S<:ribncl>. 1864).''UVM "ISS, "Tnuleo Mi""I..... 5: 125.""Zadock Thompoon, jo""",' of <I Trip to L""don. Po"'-. ond ,~ GttO' £.:<hib,'iM. ,;, 16jj

(B"rlington: Nicholl &. W.rren, 1851),"Bu,lrngtan Fru Prw. M.uh 11. 18~2. and feb. 21. 185i."MS 8 T 519LF Z.dock Th""'"",,, 10 Solomon Foote. J'"' 15. 18~S. VHS Colle"io,,",: United

Si"''' S''''uldOi L<>'I:" 11:4~i."UVM MSS. "F><;ul,y MinuI •• :· 1:262·65."/bid.. 3:140.nd 145·......"MSS 21 U l8. t1iolWn P, W.llLln r"G<orll:e f. Hough,,,n, nod... 1857. VHS Colk<'tinru."1IpJ><7'du '0 the Hiuory of V'>'m.()n'. 1'1"'''''''. CiuJ, onJ S!olisllC,u, IIHJ (Surlington. S'Kf '"

Jam"",n. For Ih••,,[hor. 1855).''Zodock Thornp"'n. ",,,,,Item Guide, Lou Geo'8', L<>1t. C""-mpJain, Montreol, a>1d Quebec,

C ..... ond Whi.. M()U'II-/oin<. a>l<1 Will<>IJghbJ Loh, ..ilh Mop' o"d raM.. of !hJ1"""&I (B"r1iogtoo:$.B. Nich"lo, 1854).

'··Co"".,.,.. of lhe: """P-<l Vol"",... by l.>.dock Th"",p"'n, N.,,, ... I H~ol)' 01 Vermonl." inA"g""''' Yount. ed .. Prelirninary n.po., "n ,h. NoJ"",1 Hut()ry ()f Ih. StOle of v.......,rIl (!lurlington:C. Goodrich. 1856), PI'· 7~·82.

..B......". P.......OrIl Ce<>1~colSun",.. p. 8."/bid."P..-IU"., -Ske[clJ '" 'lJ< Lif. oIl.dod Thompoon." p. 68."MSS 2Hlll. Thornpoon '0 Stephen R<>y<e, 0<.,. IS, 18SS. VHSGoIl<ai......."8"T~on Fro< Pr ))"e. 10. 18S5.....PTob..~ R«:orth Chill.r>d.... Coun,y P"'b.,.Coon. Burlington. Vermonl

256

"Burlington Free Pr...... Jan. 21.1856. "XMS 551.5 TS72. Thompson weatru-r notebook, VHS Collection<. "UVM MSS. "Faculty Minutes," 2:47·48. "Houghton. "Obicuary," p. 44. "Burlington Free Pre:.;, March 12. 1856. '''Quoted in !Md. ,January 26. 1856. '''Northern Guide (Burlington: S.B. Nichols. 1857); Lake Horicon, (1.AJu George.) Lake CluzmpkUn.

Monlreal and Quebec, wiihMaps and T4bles ofDiltances (Burlington: C. Goodrich. 1858). "'(Burlington: Smith & Co., 1858). '''(Rutland: Tuttle Co., 1972). reprinted from the edition of 1853. ""B=«, Vermont GeowgUal Surve)lS. p. 15. '''Burlington Free Pre.u,July 31,1885. '''Burlington MSS, "Land Records."14:231·32. "'Burlingt07l F"e Press. July 31,1885. I08For a detailed analysis of Thompson's place in Vermont hiStoriography. see J. Kevin Gra.ffagnino

"Zadock Thompson: Nineteenth Century Vermont Historian." unpublished MA Thesis, University of Vermont. 1978, pp. 58·124. For an interesting series on Thompson see the articles by T.D.S. Bassett in the Sunday Burlington Free Press, February 27 April 24. 1977, editorial page.

'''Marcus D. Gilman, The Bibliogrophy of Verrnon! (Burlington: Free Press, 1897), p. 276.

257

"n~l~~ F,uPrL,.,Jan. 11. 1856,"XMS 551.5 nn, Th<>mpson .....a''''' _.book. VIIS CoII~.ioou.

"UVM MSS. "Faculty ~;~"'''':. t:i7·~8.

"HO\lgl,,~n, "Obin..,y,"p. +4.t>1!1I..u..""" F.~. Prw. M.<d> 12.1&;6,''"Q.uo<od in Ibid.•J.nuary 26. 1856."W""h.m Cldd. (8urlinllmn: 5.8. Nid",ll. Ill;)); WI' Horicon. (l...<th Ct!><K<'.) Lli. C"-'",p4Ur:,

M"""..41ond Qu.-b.c, wh M<>po,.M, T<>bleJ <>fDUul",,<,~(8",lingt<>n. C Good";ch, 1858)"'(8ullington, SmHh &. Cn.. 1858},'''(Ru.land Tu"Jr C",.. l!t72)...[''';nlN from ,h. cdi""" of 1853.-B.-n, V"""""I G<'~lDgiuJSu""JJ. p. 15.'''/lud'..,'on F,u ""w.July 31. l8&;."'Burlington /.ISS. "Llond R«ord>."I~:231 32."'Bu'lm(lon FT.. Prw., July 31. 1m.'''F", • dc.. iled an.ll''' of llx>lnpoon', pi..., in V.rmon, l\i$,oriography. s« J Kc,,;n Guffagnit><>

"Z.deck Thaml""n: Ni....tecnth C..... 'ury V."""n, Hi<,o,i." ..· un;>ubU.h.d 1>1'" Thni<. ljn',r..i,y <>IVcrmo;>n'. 1978, pp. 5& IN. For all ;n,~..,;ng >enc:o on 11<",,,i"'O"""" ,Ile ."icb by T.O.S. Buoc.tin ,h. Sunday llu,li>v:'on FTu PtaJ, F.h",ory!7 April '/.4. 1977. t'di,onaII'Oj(".

'''M.,CUi 0 Gil""". T1l~ 8ibbographyofl'........ml (Bu.Ungron: F". AaJ. 1897). P 276.

257