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Family Note

Hello all!

Sue and I have been talking about this year’s family gathering as the original October 17th date looks like it will be too late in the fall to ensure reasonable weather.

As we talked, we realized that the entire month of July is open (no events or private parties have been scheduled). This made us wonder if maybe we should declare the whole month of July as a family month.

Here is what we are thinking. Lets make the month of July open to family to just show up whenever they can to enjoy the property. Go anywhere. We have blocked out the calendar so you won’t be bumping into a private party or wedding if you show up at the cemetery on a weekend in July. You can also explore the larger part of the property (across the Gully Brook) and there will be two small picnic grilling stations across the Gully so plan to hang out and grill some food! Take the kids camping. Meet up with some cousins and hang out.

Here is a photo of the grilling stations to give you an idea what to expect. There will be one down near the old picnic area and another one in a place yet to be determined but most likely up at the top of the pasture where there is a great view of the mountain! or maybe down in the hemlocks along the Gully (a nice shady spot).

We also have a map of the property you can load onto your iphone that uses your phone’s GPS to allow you to navigate through the property and always know exactly where you are. To use the map, you need to download the free iPhone App called “Avenza Map” from the app store. Then, with your phone, open this email and open the map file attached below. Select the Avenza App to open the file and you’re all set. If you are not sure how to do it let me know. The map below looks like two maps but it is really only one. The white lines are the elevation lines for the town of Poultney (the area with no white lines is the town of Ira). The yellow lines are boundary lines. Once you have the map opened in the Avenza App on your phone and you are standing at the Upper Place, you will see a blue dot that will move as you move. This way you can explore the property by just walking anywhere and the blue dot will always tell you where you are. This feature does not need to have cell service to work.

So please consider making a trip or two..or three! Spend some time on the hill this summer.

Hope you all are doing well and looking forward to seeing you on the Hill this summer!

Peter and Sue

Map File:
https://traverse.family.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/upper-place-lidar-map.pdf

Traverse Family Cemetery Incorporated

Origins, Goals, and Current Status

March 30,2025

Traverse Family Cemetery Incorporated emerged from a vision to preserve and maintain an
important piece of heritage for the clan that is the descendants of Patrick and Lena Traverse. This
report documents our organization’s journey from conception to our current status as a newly
established non-profit private cemetery.

Organizational Origins

The initial Board members (Sarah Furman, Dale Hughes, Sarah Stoodley, and Stephanie
Traverse) along with Susan Moore and Peter Traverse, held a series of organizational meetings
throughout 2021-2024 to research Vermont cemetery laws and develop comprehensive Bylaws
and guidance documents. These early meetings focused on understanding Vermont’s statutory
requirements for cemetery associations, which are outlined in Vermont Statutes Title 18, Chapter
121, Subchapter 3. This legal framework provided the foundation for our organizational structure
and operational guidelines.

During these formative meetings, the Board established:

The organization officially incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit private cemetery on November
16, 2021.

Plans to ensure annual upkeep and maintenance of the cemetery property

Developed a Perpetual Care Fund that would financially support the cemetery in perpetuity

An ongoing discussion on how to incorporate cultural heritage preservation as part of the
organization’s mission

Development of Operational Framework

The Board’s early work included research into the operational requirements of cemetery
associations in Vermont. This included studying the management practices of other cemeteries in
Poultney and surrounding areas, such as the East Poultney Cemetery, Poultney Town Cemetery,
and speaking with members of Vermont Cemetery Association professionals.

A component of our planning involved developing financial projections and establishing a target
amount for the Perpetual Care Fund. Vermont law requires cemetery associations to maintain
such funds to ensure ongoing maintenance even when active burials cease. After careful analysis
of maintenance costs, inflation projections, and investment return estimates, the Board
established a fundraising target that would generate sufficient annual returns to cover basic
maintenance in perpetuity.

Simultaneously, the Board developed a plan for the restoration and maintenance of both the
Traverse Cemetery and the adjacent historic Ames Cemetery. This included:

Documentation of existing grave markers and their condition

Development of a stone cleaning and repair protocol that adheres to preservation best practices

Creation of a regular maintenance schedule for grounds upkeep

Planning for infrastructure improvements such as access paths and boundary markers

Identifying an expansion area for the cemetery to be converted into burial sites (particularly, sites
that would allow full casket burial).

In the process of developing a cemetery plot plan to help with long term stone placements and
keeping the cemetery manageable for upkeep.

Natural Burial and Current Use Considerations

A distinctive aspect of our cemetery’s vision is the incorporation of natural burial practices. In
2015, Vermont passed legislation legalizing natural burial grounds.

Natural burial represents a return to traditional practices where the body is:

Not embalmed with chemicals

Placed in biodegradable containers made of natural materials

Buried at a shallower depth (no deeper than four feet) to remain in contact with active soil layers

Allowed to naturally decompose and return nutrients to the surrounding ecosystem

This approach aligns with our commitment to stewardship and provides an alternative to
conventional burial practices that often involve embalming chemicals and non-biodegradable
materials.

An important consideration in our planning process was the property’s status in Vermont’s
Current Use program. This program, established in 1978, provides tax incentives for landowners
who maintain their property for agricultural or forestry use. However, the forestry management
activities required by the Current Use program would conflict with our natural burial sites.

Removing the property from the Current Use program is necessary, despite the resulting increase
in property taxes. This decision reflects our commitment to maintaining the integrity of burial
sites and the surrounding landscape without disruption from logging activities. While this
increases our operating costs, it aligns with our vision for a peaceful, natural final resting place.

Milestone: Property Transfer

A significant milestone in our organization’s development occurred on February 27, 2025, with
the formal transfer of the Upper Place property from THREE GENERATIONS L3C to
TRAVERSE FAMILY CEMETERY INCORPORATED. This transfer established our legal ownership of the Upper Place and marked the transition from planning to implementation of our vision.

The property transfer involved careful legal consideration to ensure compliance with Vermont
regulations regarding cemetery lands. The deed was properly recorded with the Poultney Town
Clerk, establishing TRAVERSE FAMILY CEMETERY INCORPORATED as the legal steward
of this important and sacred place.

Governance Structure

The Board of Directors for Traverse Family Cemetery Incorporated was structured to encourage representation of the various family lines descended from Patrick and Lena Traverse. This approach honors the cemetery’s heritage while ensuring diverse perspectives in its management.

Initial Board members were recruited by Peter and Sue based on their family connections,
demonstrated commitment to the cemetery’s mission, and relevant skills they bring to the
organization. The initial Board includes:

Dale Hughes, President. Term expires 2026
Sarah Furman, Treasurer. Term expires 2029
Stephanie Traverse, Secretary. Term expires 2028
Sarah Stoodley. Historian. Term expires 2027
Board appointed member (Beayon Family member)
Board appointed member (George Traverse descendants)

This diverse skill set ensures that all aspects of cemetery management are addressed with
appropriate expertise. The Board’s composition also reflects our commitment to intergenerational
stewardship, with members representing multiple generations of the clan.

In addition to the initial Board, Susan Moore is the volunteer Sexton (cemetery manager). Peter
Traverse is appointed as a volunteer Fundraising and development coordinator.

Annual Meetings and Future Plans

The organization has established that annual meetings will be held on the first Sunday of April
each year. This timing allows for planning of spring and summer maintenance activities while
providing a regular opportunity for membership engagement and governance.

The upcoming meeting scheduled for April 6, 2025, will serve as an informational session to
update the membership on the organizational development phase. This meeting will cover:

The legal establishment of the non-profit
Property transfer details
Financial status and initial fundraising for the Perpetual Care Fund
Maintenance plans for the coming year
Opportunities for member involvement

The Board has determined that the first full membership meeting will be held in April 2026. At
this meeting, members will have the opportunity to vote on various aspects of cemetery
management, review the first year’s operations, and participate in long-term planning.

Current Status and Next Steps

As of March 2025, Traverse Family Cemetery Incorporated has achieved several critical
milestones but continues to work toward full implementation of its vision.

Current priorities include:

Building the Perpetual Care Fund through fundraising activities such as donations, grants, and planned giving

Implementing the first phase of the stone cleaning and repair plan

Establishing clear boundaries and improving access to the cemetery grounds

Developing educational materials about the cemetery’s history and natural burial practices

Engaging with the broader group of descendants of Patrick and Lena to share our vision

As we approach our informational meeting in April 2025, we look forward to sharing more
details about our progress and engaging the membership in the next phase of this important
work. The establishment of Traverse Family Cemetery Incorporated represents not just the
preservation of a physical space, but the continuation of a cultural heritage and the creation of a final resting place that honors both our ancestors and our families who will come after us.

AMES CEMETERY RESTORATION PROJECT

Saturday and Sunday June 4th and 5th

In the late 1700s, the Upper Place was called “Ames Hollow” after one of the earliest settlers to that area. The old cemetery next to the family plot is one of the few reminders that families once lived there. The Upper Place was a special place to folks long before we arrived. Over the years, the family has been keeping the old cemetery cleaned up and being respectful of the sacred space. There have been discussions over the past few years to look into restoring the old cemetery and this year we plan to restore as much as we can with the help and direction of experienced cemetery restorationists.

In December of last year, Sue Moore and Sarah Stoodley met with Paul Laramie to check out the old Ames cemetery and consider what kind of restoration work could be done. Based on the recommendations from Paul, a number of trees needed removing to ensure the proper restoration. A tree service company was hired to safely remove the trees without causing further harm to the old stones (some trees were limbed and lowered piece-by-piece to be sure they did not fall on the headstones during removal).

Most of the trees have been cleaned up but there still are some felled trees and limbs that need to be cleaned up before the restoration weekend (June 4,5).

If you would like to help out with cleaning up the trees, please talk to Sue Moore, she is coordinating the final removal and clean up.

The restoration work will be done the weekend of June 4th and 5th. The bulk of the activity will be Saturday the 4th. Everyone is welcome to come up to help out. There will be several volunteers from the Vermont Old Cemetery Association in addition to Sarah Stoodley who all have experience with cemetery restorations. Sarah will be the lead person for the day. Any questions or directions you need, please check in with Sarah.

If you are interested in helping out with the head stones restoration work on June 4th and 5th, please reach out to Sarah Stoodley so that she can add you to the list of people to contact as things develop.

Lunch will be provided and plan to hang out later in the afternoon to just catch up.

Here are a few things to consider to make your day go well.
• Dress to get dirty. We are clearing away dirt and material from the head stones and looking for lost pieces that may have been buried over the years. You will get very dirty and maybe even muddy! Remember, we have the big outhouse there so maybe even bring a change of clothes if you think you will be really crawling around in the dirt!
• Bring gloves.
• We could use a few 5 gallon pails to help with the stone washing
• If you have a hand trawl or a stiff bristle brush, we could use a few.

Other items we could use, but check with Sarah first are:
• A couple chemical-free garden sprayers for spraying cleaner on the stones
• Some 1×1 wood stakes (for splints on broken stones)
• Large clamps to hold 1×1 wood stakes in place while cement cures
• A come-along or winch
• Rakes/shovels/wheelbarrow
• A few metal probes for looking for buried pieces of headstones

Hope to see you all there!

Spring Clean-up

Hello everyone, we hope all is well with you and your family. Just reaching out with some house keeping notes! It’s been very wet this spring on the hill, so our annual spring clean-up is pushed back to the first two weekends in June. Anyone who would like to join in are welcome! (Try to get there around 9AM to get a few hours in while it is still cool.)

And YES the Horseshoe Tournament will be held on the third Saturday, June 19th, 2021. Same as last year Carry in – Carry out! Again this year we are holding the month of July open so FAMILY can enjoy. Don’t be surprised at who you may see ❤️. Hope to see you all soon. Stay Happy, Healthy, full of Love and Laughter

Important Community Meeting Notice

Notice to all interested, and please let other family members know about this communication site.  Thank you!

The select board of Poultney held a meeting on July 27, 2020 to examine the premises, receive testimony and hear all persons interested on the proposed reclassification of Town highway 29 to the status of “Trail”.  (Which means Birdseye Rd in Poultney to our family cemetery.)There was quite a few land owners and towns people present.  With many different concerns.  More time and information was needed, so the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday September 8, 2020 at 6:00 pm on the Green in front of the Poultney Town Office on Main St.I am asking if anyone has thoughts or interest to please join me. 

If you are unable to attend and would like your voice to be heard please send a letter or email to:
Town of Poultney Office of Town Manager
9 Main St. Suite 1 Poultney VT. 05764
Or
poultneymanager@comcast.net


We need to make sure they realize the community that this involves and will continue to have an impact on!  We need access to our FAMILY CEMETERY and FAMILY REUNIONS.

A beautiful day for a meeting!

Twenty five of the Descendants of Patrick and Lena got together this past Saturday to spark conversations about next steps.  We enjoyed some tasty burgers from Peter’s cattle in Virginia as well as Sue’s famous homemade cider doughnuts.  The leaves, while past peak, were brilliant.  The shade was quite chilly unless you were standing by the fire or wrapped in many blankets like Irene.  We dragged the picnic tables out of the shade and enjoyed our conversations while the sun was shining gloriously upon us. 

We had a brief full group conversation about the goals for the day along with a call for any Most Important Things that others wanted to keep in the forefront of our minds.  Peter started by reminding us all that this is the first time our family has ever tried something like this, governing and making decisions together, and that we needed to come to this work with patience, faith and openness.  He described the two different legal entities involved.  The first is the Three Generations L3C which owns the property.  The only function of this entity is to protect the property and family members from liability in the unlikely event of a lawsuit.  The second entity is the structure that will provide decision making and where work will get done. 

Peter also asked if anyone had any Most Important Things to share as a whole group before we broke into smaller conversations.  Sue shared that she was looking forward to reuniting the extended family, and that we should consider what we leave to the next generation.  Kate shared that she will be thinking about how those of us that no longer live in the valley can be involved and contribute.  Junior stressed (51% dammit!) that he felt the Rob Traverse family should hold over 50% of the decision making as he felt these were the wishes of Patrick and Lena in leaving the land to Rob.  He reminded us that power shared among many can be a place where big family problems start.  Shirley shared that her parents decided all along that Rob would get it and that it was good to involve others but she shared Junior’s feelings about the majority of say going to Rob’s family.  Irene added, “as long as it don’t get people fighting with each other”.  Pam shared that we all have some Traverse in us and that we can “work as a Traverse” no matter which part of the extended family we come from.  There was an acknowledgment that there has always been different family members doing the work, with the example of the Beayons coming up to help build the pavilion.  Sue shared that she thinks we can look at family a different way, as a Clan. 

Peter ended the larger group conversation by directing our attention to the old cemetery.  This was once a family cemetery like ours, and it is now abandoned like so many other family cemeteries around Vermont.  Will that happen to our family as well?  With this reminder of the future we broke into groups to continue our conversations.  For this preliminary talk we broke into three groups: Cemetery, Land Use, and Communication.  We were asked to say what is on our minds and try not to stop someone else from saying something we don’t agree with.  With these rough ground rules in place we moved into our groups.

The Cemetery group talk about the old saying in the family of “first come, first served.” They felt that this doesn’t mean you will not get buried with family, for example husband and wife.  Some thought is needed to plan how to lay out the cemetery including how many in future generations, if any, are interested in being buried there.  They suggested bringing in dirt to raise up the field to allow for casket burial.  Others in the larger group suggested cremation only.  The Cemetery group wants some money in a reserve account and wants to start saving for big projects on the horizon including: permits, new fencing, and even cleaning of stones.  There were questions raised about how to do this and how much money might be needed.  There was a suggestion that Bowkes & Sons could maybe clean all headstones instead of one family at a time as currently happens.  And something about Jan Ladd and a cemetery Association in Benson…Sue?  Lastly this group spent some time talking about how they wondered if this process was creating a rift in the Robert and Irene family because of the L3C being extended to all of Patrick and Lena’s family.  The cemetery group plans to meet around Pat and Pam Traverse’s table to continue working.  Please reach out to Sue if you are interested in joining them.

The Land Use group discussed the idea of taking donations for weddings held at the Upper Place.  While donations cannot be accepted before an event due to liability, it was thought that maybe after an event happens we could accept donations.  Peter suggested that the donations would have to be made after the event and we could not specify the amount of money for donations.  There seems to be some sticking points between having rules on record versus specifically not having rules when it comes to liability.  Peter shared that once we have a rule written down or waivers for example, this opens us up to potentially more liability issues.  More discussion and fact finding is needed in this area.  We discussed the building of an access road versus using the existing stream crossing.  Some benefits of the crossing are that it has been used for many years by many types of vehicles and that it would not cost anything.  A drawback is that it would require that someone get in the stream with heavy equipment a couple times per year to keep it open.  It may also be inviting to non family members as it is right off from the main road.  The new road was talked about as possibly being an eyesore.  It was also shared that the road might discourage people from driving over to the new picnic area since the access is up beyond the small bridge by Marty’s old camp.  A question was raised about whether access matters all the time or whether people only intend to use the land for a small part of the year.  There was a suggestion to build the road but not put a road through the field for now.  There is a need for more discussions on how to keep the area wild and accessible for hunting but also provide access to other users.  Junior suggested that we set up some regular work weekends and let people know ahead of time so that many of us can attend.  We also agree that we don’t want to spend money we don’t have.  And we all want to make sure we get to use the land to reconnect with family as it has been used in the near and distant past.  There were picnics there almost every Sunday for many years.  We want this type of connection for our family now.   There was no specific plan to continue these talks at any specific time.  If anyone is interested in spearheading this conversation and holding regular meetings please reach out to Peter.

The Communication group discussed the need for many different ways to be in touch with family.  Brady suggested creating a family website that anyone can access for free from a public library if they don’t have a computer.  There is a need for a regular Facebook page and manager of Facebook communication.  The group suggested having a point of contact in each branch of the family that can call or email their immediate family members.  The group thought that this point of contact could also be responsible for regular updates to the family tree.  It was suggested that any future family conversations could be recorded for those that cannot attend.  Communication can be send via mail, email, a phone tree, and through Facebook. The group also brought up a need for outreach within the family to connect to as many members as possible.  There was a suggestion to have a family activity either at the horseshoe tournament or at another function.  Also members agreed that there should be a regular date for a Descendants of Patrick and Lena picnic.  Many in the larger group agreed that the plan to meet next year on the same weekend in October may not work.  This was a beautiful sunny day and it was still cold for older and very young family members.  There is no specific plan to continue this work in communication.  If you are interested in spearheading this work please contact Peter. 

All groups came together to share out what they had talked about to the whole group.  While some people called for the creation of a board to start making decisions, Peter said that at this point it was more important to get people to show up and do work.  He encouraged all of us in attendance to continue the work we had started today.  We scattered in the cooling fall breeze until another time.  A few of us stayed long enough to watch the fire die down and walk up the road to see the posts installed for a new gate.  It was a lovely day and a great conversation starter.  Please join in the conversations by contacting Peter or Sue.  And please reach out if you would like to be more involved.  In the words of Spike Lee, with great power comes great responsibility.  And with the immense responsibility to preserve this space for our future generations comes great power.  We each have the power to be involved and to contribute to our family legacy. 

                                                                                            -Kate Condon, Peter’s daughter