The Old Stone Mill in Shaftsbury
Junior Harwood
Making a Living
| Hunting and Trapping | |
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| Beaver Pelts caught and skinned by Junior Harwood | |
| Junior Harwood would hunt and trap to supplement his family's income. He sold beaver, mink, otter, and other pelts to a buyer who would come to Bennington from New York State. The buyer came to know Junior the other trappers in Shaftsbury for their quality pelts and the care that they took to skin them. While hunting and trapping was not a primary source of income, it was a necessary addition to the family in order to get along. | |
| Eagle Square | |
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| Eagle Square, June 2005 | |
| Eagle Square Co. was incorporated in 1835. Silas Hawes patented the idea of a metal carpenters' square, which had originally been made out of wood. The Square began production of the carpenters' squares and demand for them soared. He made partners with Stephen Whipple who owned the Whipple Mill not far from Eagle Square. The Square become the economic center of Shaftsbury. Junior Harwood, his brothers Milo and Silas, as well as his father were employed by the Square. In 1915 the Square was purchased by Stanley Tool Co. of New Britain, Conn.. In 1971 the old buildings of the factory were torn down leaving just the original Eagle Square Shop, which is pictured above. The business boomed but in 1975 production force decreased and left 390 unemployed. The major products then produced by the mill were squares, carpenters' levels, folding wood rules, plumb bobs, web clamps, combination squares, chalk-line reels, miter boxes, utility knives, and wooden handles. Eagle Square also tried to be earth-friendly. All discharges from the factory were well within the state-approving levels. | |
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The Old Stone Mill in Shaftsbury |
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| Stephen Whipple and Gardner Barton bought the land for the mill on April 1, 1825. They built a dam to drive a water wheel and trip hammer. The mill was used to meet the mounting demands for carpenter's squares from Eagle Square. In the 1850's the mill was converted into a blacksmith's shop and furnace to meet the needs of the community. It was also used to grind grain with the millstone and drive shown below. In 1924 the mill was rebuilt as a home. It has stayed in the family of Kathy Link, who is the current resident. | |
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| The Mill, June 2005 | |
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| The Driving Wheel | Placed on top of the Wheel (Right) to Grind Grain |
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| The Millstone was Used in the Mill (Above Right) | Plaque on the Front of the Mill |
| Levin, Ruth. "Ordinary Heroes, The Story of Shaftsbury." Copyright 1978 Shaftsbury Historical Society, Inc. | |