The Vermont Women's History Project

Swanton

The Vermont Women's History Project is in the process of developing a statewide map and self-guided driving tours of sites related to women's history. Franklin County is our first tour. Download our map and points of interest (below in PDF format), or find hard copies at various Franklin County locations, then read on for descriptions of women of historical interest in this locale...

In 1991, Abenaki community members organized to save an area known to many as Grandma Lampmans', which was owned by a developer who had plans for building houses on the land. The group went through the necessary processes and appeals to get the area designated as an official Wildlife Refuge, learning about the ins and outs of environmental law on the local, state and federal levels. They ultimately succeeded in protecting over 500 acres of land from development, which included important sacred wetlands and ancestral hunting territory for the Abenakis. Members of the Abenaki community had been stewards of the land for generations. This particular piece of land was much more than just a wetland to the community. It was and is known as Grandma Lampman's land, where she lived and raised many children. It was and is also a great hunting area and place to gather herbs and berries. It is also known as a place for some to practice the Native Spirituality. Last, but not least, it includes very sacred burial sites, which are now protected under federal law.

Maquam Wildlife Management Area (PDF)

Agnes Elizabeth Joy was born on December 25, 1844 in Swanton, Vermont.

While she was still very young, her family moved to Quebec. Agnes dreamed of a different life, so she ran away and joined the circus. She was an equestrienne. Later she became a dancer and actress using the name Mlle. Agnes LeClercq. Agnes married Colonel (Felix) Salm-Salm. He held the title of Prince in Prussia, but his brother was the crown prince. Agnes and Salm shared the same birth date.

Agnes persuaded her friends in the military to give her husband a commission as Colonel of the New York Volunteers. To be with her husband, Agnes again persuaded a friend, the Governor of Illinois, to give her a commission of captain. The Prince ended up fighting in Mexico, and Agnes went right along with him. While she was sick with diphtheria, the Prince and Maximilian were captured by the Mexican government. When she was well enough, Agnes tried to meet with officials about releasing the men, but they would not listen. Agnes stole a horse and rode off to see General Ecobedo. She saw the Emperor and begged on her knees to plead for their lives. She tried to bribe the guards. All of her attempts were wasted. When she returned to New York, she was welcomed as heroine. Several months later the prince was sent back to his homeland, Westphalia.

Agnes received another captain's commission from General Steinmets while on assignment as a hospital assistant. She became a nursing assistant and studied at the University of Bonn in nursing and surgery. She was noted for her steadiness and calm power.

On August 18, 1870 Felix was killed and buried on the battlefield. Agnes would not have that. She went with an escort and retrieved his body for a Catholic burial. She returned to nursing and was known as "Empress". Agnes was recommended for a medal called the Order of the Iron Cross.

Agnes lived in Switzerland and was known as the Baroness Stein. She worked with the nuns in the army hospitals. Later she moved to Italy. She met and married Charles Heneage in 1876. Agnes moved back to New York in 1899 by herself. She continued her work and began to raise money for ambulances.

Agnes wrote a book called Ten Years of My Life. She was the subject of an article in 1900 that said she was a woman of title who has again sprung into prominence, untiring in her efforts to alleviate the suffering of men in battle. It was said that she led a fairy-tale life and her achievements came from her own ambitions.

In 1912 Agnes died in Karsruhe, Southern Germany.