Here is your Friday Flashback! Thank you Betsy Curler for providing us with valuable history lessons.
Chase, C.M. (b. 1829) “The Shermans: Reminiscences in the ‘Vermont Union’ in 1890,” Morgan Horse, July 1970, p. 49.
Prior to 1800, James “Uncle Jim Sherman” settled on the farm a half mile west of Lyndon Village. Sherman was a tall, dark complexioned man, full of energy and hard work, rising at 4 a.m. and working ’till 8 o’clock at night, caring for stock, clearing land, burning charcoal, selling ashes, and was known as one of the best farmers in town and made his farm one of the most productive. He was the originator of the Sherman Morgan, so celebrated in the State during the three years prior to 1840, a time when 18 or 20stallions made music in the streets of Lyndon Corner, every Saturday. The two most famous were the “Sherman Morgan” and Eldad Root’s “Billy Root.” Stallion owners were big men Saturdays, occupying all the stable and street room and having everything their own way. Uncle Jim and Eldad were in the lead. They knew it, and which of the two was ahead was the only point of controversy between them.
