Life Under The Hill

Pierrette, Maurice, and Lise discuss their family’s move from Quebec to Underhill, Vermont, in May 1949. Their father, seeking better economic opportunities, moved the family to a larger farm milking 50-55 cows compared to 20 in Canada. The family recounts the challenges they faced, including language barriers and heavy farm work, as well as their school experiences, community interactions, and cultural traditions.

Burton Rawson shares his family’s farming history in Jericho and Underhill, going back to his great-grandfather and uncle attending medical school and his grandfather, Solon, clearing the land and building a barn in 1911. Burton was born on another farm in 1946 and moved to his current farm in 1982

Ed Stygles and his friend Mike share their life experiences, including Ed’s frequent moves as a child due to his father’s farming activities. Ed settled in Jericho at 21 and farmed with his wife. Ed recounts his childhood chores, the impact of modern farming practices, and the community’s changes. Ed discusses his family and his involvement in local activities, as well as Mike’s notable moose hunting achievement.

Nate Sullivan discusses his family’s arrival in Underhill, growing up, and farming with his family. He describes memories of neighbors, farming in the community, and changes in farming practices and technologies over the decades.

Steve discusses his childhood in Underhill, his time with Michael Luck, his parents, Air Force service, and children.

In this interview, Lois Nassau recounts her life story, beginning with her birth in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1926. She describes her childhood, including moving to various places and experiencing a house fire. Lois discusses her education, including attending junior college and later moving to Connecticut where she met her husband, Jim. She details their life in Glastonbury, Connecticut, raising three children, and Jim’s career at Pratt & Whitney. Lois explains their decision to move to Vermont in 1978, influenced by their friends Ed and Betty Moore. Lois shares her lifelong involvement with music, including piano lessons, singing, and participating in choirs.

Michael Luck discusses his experiences and family history in Underhill, Vermont. Born in 1947 in Burlington, Vermont, Michael shares his deep connections to Underhill through his Irish immigrant ancestors, the Leddy family, who settled there during the potato famine in the 1840s. He recounts his childhood summers spent at a camp near Maple Leaf Farm, his friendships, and his experiences growing up in the area. Luck also discusses his professional career as an anthropologist and university administrator, and his current retirement in Underhill.

Kathleen Langlais was born in 1948 and adopted by the Romfrey family at age 3, growing up in Underhill Center. She shares fond memories of her childhood, including the marimba band, playing with neighborhood kids, having animals like a goat, and attending the local school. She talks about her parents running the town store, her mother’s artistic talents like painting, and various community members and activities. Kathleen reflects on her later life, marriage, moving around, and eventually returning to the area.

In this interview, Scott Tower discusses the history of the Tower family and the early settlers in Underhill, Vermont in the 1820s and his experience researching the Tower family history, including his mother’s interest in genealogy and his brother’s role as the family historian. Scott also shares his research into the Civil War history of Underhill, including documenting the soldiers from the town who fought in the war, as well as research into the Irish immigrant history in Underhill during the 19th century.

This interview is with Zilda Bolio Metcalf, who discusses her life growing up on a farm in Hardwick, Vermont, working at the Winooski Mills, meeting and marrying her husband Bob Bolio, running a store together in Underhill Center, and later becoming the Underhill town clerk. She talks about her involvement with the Underhill Historical Society, her children, splitting time between Vermont and Florida in retirement, and her fondness for the Underhill community.