Elijah Winch Plann of Roxbury [VT] circa 1860

[ Elijah Winch ]

[ Manuscript document of Roxbury Vermont ] "Elijah Winch Plann of Roxbury [VT] circa 1860"

[ Roxbury, Vermont ]: Self published [ circa 1860 ]. First Edition. A manuscript document of Roxbury Vermont on a thick blotter like paper. 17 x 14 1/2 inches edge to edge. There are four large edge chips and some water damage affecting the content. The document includes 176 identifiable names laid out in a mostly square grid pattern. There are another 30 or so names that are partially missing or have water staining making clear reading difficult if not impossible. There are, in addition to inked names, penciled numbers in some grids - the purpose is unknown, although given Elijah's position property ownership, legal, or tax related issues are likely. Good. [23653]


The rear of the map notes "Elijah Winch Plann of Roxbury." We were able to determine this document was for the town of Roxbury VT by comparing the names on the map to references online and in the book "The History of the Towns of Plainfield, Roxbury, and Fayston [Vermont], Montpelier, VT published in 1882 (a few copied pages provided with matches highlighted). Those same references helped us find Elijah, who was a Town Selectmen in 1851, 58, and 1860. And a constable and collector of taxes in 1843. And a "Lister" in 1845, '57, '62, and 1863. He was also a Justice of the Peace in 1850, 51, 52, 53, 57, 58, 62, and 44. Finally he was a town representative in 1854.

As a Lister (definition from Colonial Occupation webpage) he would have been responsible for tracking property and related taxes. How closely this document relates to an actual layout of the town would be a fascinating research project, if comparables could even be found.

An undoubtedly unique object.

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