July 1, 2024 at 4:00:00 PM
The month of June has brought an unusual amount of people from around the country contacting us to make an appointment to research their ancestors. In this case, David Joyslin of St. Paul, Minnesota, who arrived on June 14th with his wife and two children, presented us with a fascinating donation which belonged to his 5th Great Grandfather, Dr. David Carlisle Joyslin.
Dr. Joyslin lived in Waitsfield from about 1825 to his death in 1874, was a doctor for 50 years and lived in one of the homes in the Historic District on Main Street. (His house is listed in our “Self Guided Walking Tour” brochure which you can pick up in the Visitor Center of the Gen. Benjamin Wait House).
The articles donated included leather bound diaries, small leather cases with appointment information, a leather bound medicinal folding case with glass vials still in tact and a daguerreotype photo of the Doctor in a Union Case.
As Mr. Joyslin told us “he felt it was time for these items to go back home to be enjoyed by generations to come”. We are planning a new display shortly and this will definitely be a highlight.
Well, it doesn’t end there. A little preparation was done, to be prepared for the upcoming visit, by checking into the “History of Waitsfield” book by Matt Bushnell Jones. In doing so, we came upon some information that truly surprised the family. We were able to let Mr. David Joyslin know he is actually related to Gen. Benjamin Wait. The woman that Doctor Joyslin married in 1852 was the daughter of Gen. Benjamin Wait’s 4th son, Gilbert Wait. Swapping surprising information for such a wonderful donation on a beautiful sunny day, and Flag Day. Who could ask for more?
If you are interested in purchasing that history book by Matt Bushnell Jones we have it for sale in our office in the Wait House, which is open on Wednesdays from 2:--5: pm or email stepback@gmavt.net. The book is also on our website.
Another visitor from Shaftsbury, VT, who gave his father a “road trip” as a Father’s Day gift, will arrive in July to walk the family on the property that his 6th Great Grandfather built his home on in 1789. This will be a true surprise to his father. And our former Vice President will guide the family on their tour, as he now lives on this property.
In October we will be welcoming a couple from Georgia in search of any information we have on the gentleman’s 5th Great Grandfather, Dr. Simeon Stoddard. It just so happens, that Stoddard family built the farmhouse that is now the Lareau Farm Inn. These folks will be enjoying a stay at the Inn while visiting Waitsfield.
Lois De Heer, President/Archivist
Waitsfield Historical Society