BHS e384-William Whipple and Washington Benevolent Society

In 2015 the historical society received a package in the mail from a family in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. The passing of one generation had caused the next generation to sort through boxes of “Dad’s stuff”. In one of the boxes were Brattleboro-related items that the family decided to donate to our organization. One of the items was William Whipple’s membership card in the Washington Benevolent Society, dating from 1811. Another was an copy of the Washington Benevolent Society’s publication of President Washington’s Farewell Address. The third item was a Society ribbon that could be worn like political pins are worn today. These family artifacts had passed from generation to generation for more than two hundred years. Here's the story...