When we first found multiple articles in Vermont newspapers about a Carrie J Shackford who was receiving multiple prizes for her outstanding butter, we could not make a connection to a Shackford but finally discovered that Mrs Carrie J Nelson, widow of Carlos W Nelson had married John Leon Shackford, the son of John L and Mary Jane (Rollins) Shackford on August 12, 1902. We suspect some of the neighbors may have raised their eyebrows a bit at this marriage as she was 54 and he was 30.
Because many newspapers from Caledonia County Vermont are available digitally from the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America, we’ve learned quite a bit about Carrie’s creamery and butter prizes and also found her obituary which interestingly lists the middle initial of her husband’s name as A when we believe it is L.
RYEGATE
Mrs. J. A. Shackford
The funeral of Mrs. J. A. Shack-
ford was held at her late home Sun-
day at two o’clock, Rev. Mr. Bailey,
pastor of the Presbyterian church at
South Ryegate and Rev. L. H. Samp-
son of the United Presbyterian
church, Ryegate, conducted the fun-
eral services at the house, each
speaking comforting words to the be-
reaved family consisting of the de-
ceased’s husband, J. A. Shackford,
sons, Carl Nelson of Concord, N. H.,
Harley, of Bath, N. H., Claude, of
Boltonville, and the daughter, Mrs.
Peasly, of Bath, Me., the many
friends and relatives called together
to show their sympathy for the family
and to bear testimony to the place
Mrs. Shackford held in the esteem of
the people with whom she had ming-
led during her life time. Mrs. Pear-
led duing her life time. Mrs. Peas-
during the last few weeks of her sick-
ness.
Mrs. Shackford was a woman who
was interested along many lines of
community life and was an active
leader in the Blue Mt. Grange since
its organization. During her widow-
hood, she was a capable manager of
her farm and was noted for her fine
dairy butter, winning the gold medal
at the Paris Exposition. A kind,
thoughtful neighbor, who will be
much missed in the community in
which she has bee prominent for so
many years. She and her family
were members of the Presbyterian
church at South Ryegate. A large
company of neighbors and relatives
gathered at her late home to show
their sympathy for the bereaved fam-
ily. The body was laid to rest in
the family lot in Blue Mt. cemetery
beneath the flowers furnished by
those who know her best and loved
her best.
SOURCES:
“DAIRY DEPARTMENT,” Vermont (Brattleboro, Vermont) Phoenix, 2 October 1903; digital images, Library of Congress Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov : accessed 31 August 2015).
“Dairy Products,” Vermont (Brattleboro, Vermont) Phoenix, 28 November 1906; digital images, Library of Congress Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov : accessed 31 August 2015).
“Mrs J. A. Shackford,” The Evening Caledonian (St. Johnsbury, Vermont), 17 May 1919; digital image, Library of Congress Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 24 May 2015).
Vermont, Vermont Vital Records, 1760-2008, p, 344, https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XFH1-KMY, John Leon Shackford and Mrs Carrie J Nelson, 12 August 1902; digital images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 5 June 2013).
SHACKFORD Family History 