RELIGIOUS HISTORY

      The different religious denominations in town are the Methodist, Congregationalist and Baptist.

      There was-provision made in the charter for the support of the Gospel, and two grants of land were devoted to this purpose, the income of which is annually divided among the different Societies, according to membership.

      Previous to any church organization, there were occasional services held in town by clergymen of different denominations, but at so late a date, it is difficult getting at either dates or names, with any degree of certainty.

      Rev. Mr. NICHOLS, sent out by the Society for the promotion of Christian Knowledge, from Montreal, is either the first, or one of the first, who conducted religious services in town.

      Rev. Mr. STUART preached in town about 1807. He afterward became Bishop of the Diocese of Quebec. Others will be noticed in connection with this history.

METHODIST

      This church is the largest in town, and is composed of three different societies, so distinct m location as to require a separate history.

FIRST METHODIST SOCIETY

      This society is located on the west side of Franklin pond.

      During the latter part of the year 1799, Lorenzo DOW was sent by the New York Conference, to labor in Northern Vermont and Canada, and preached several times in the south part of the town.

      The next year Russell BIGALOW emigrated from N. H. and was the first resident Methodist in town. About this time, also, a Mr. WALLACE, an exhorter from Sheldon, came to Franklin -- then Huntsburg -- -and held religious meetings with good success. Dr. Enoch POMERY and wife and three children of Mr. BIGALOW were subjects of conversion.

      In 1802, Rev. Henry RYAN formed the first Methodist class in town, of 12 members, with Mr. BIGALOW as leader.

      At this time there was only occasional preaching, by different clergymen, yet the little church m the wilderness, struggled manfully forward, with no place of worship other than a private house or barn, and each year witnessed addition of numbers, and increase of strength.

      In 1812, the Now York Conference extended into Canada, and Wm. ROSS was appointed to the Dunham Circuit, Upon the breaking out of the war between England and the United States, the former government issued a proclamation requiring all American citizens, then in the province, to take the oath of allegiance, or leave the country within three months.

      Mr. ROSS was a young man of character, and being strongly imbued with republican principles, refused to take the required oath, and left his field of labor.

      On hearing this, the patriotism of Esquire PECKHAM -- although no Methodist -- was so aroused, that he invited the young minister to make his house his home, and preach to the people at the Centre, during the remainder of the year. Mr. ROSS gladly accepted this generous offer, and under these circumstances Methodist preaching was first established in this town, and has been maintained ever since.

      In 1822 the first Sabbath-school was organized -- Winsor PRATT, superintendent.

      In 1828 the Methodist and Congregational societies united in building a house of worship, to be occupied alternately by each; and was so occupied until 1843, when the Methodist sold their interest to the other society, and erected an edifice of their own, which they occupy at the present time.

      Says Mr. CLEAVELAND, who has kindly furnished the statistics contained in this sketch, "After the lapse of 58 years, our church has increased from 12 members to 200: it occupies a respectable position among other churches; but the best of all is, the unmistakable evidence, that God is with us."

SECOND METHODIST SOCIETY

      Previous to 1809 I find that a Methodist class was formed on the east side of the pond, with Salmon WARNER as leader. Capt. ROBERTS, Abram HARD -- who was an exhorter, I think -- and a few others, composed the society, or class. -- There is but little to be learned concerning its operations, as all, or nearly all of the original members emigrated to the West, soon after the period stated above.

      In 1822 or '23, another class was formed a little south of here, composed of 15 members, with Simeon WELCH, of Sheldon, as leader. At this time there was no stated preaching; but the people assembled on the Sabbath for religious worship, and enjoyed great seasons of prosperity. Cyrus and Hiram MEEKER, then of Sheldon, used occasionally to preach at this place -- also some others.

      In 1825 this society was embraced within the limits of Sheldon circuit, when, for the first time, it was favored with regular preaching, which has been maintained ever since. It now forms part of the West Berkshire circuit.

      The greatest number of members at one time was about 80, when the society embraced a large extent of territory -- present number 35.

THIRD METHODIST SOCIETY,
(In East Franklin.)

      This society were formed in 1838, and at first consisted of only 5 members. Soon after its formation, there was an extensive revival, when this number was largely increased.

      Circuit-preaching was established in 1838, and has been ever since maintained. It now forma a part of the West Berkshire circuit. -- In 1860 the Methodist society united with the other denominations in building a union meetinghouse, to be occupied alternately by each. The present number of members of this society is 35 -- making in the aggregate some 275 members of this denomination in town.

THE CONGRENATIONAL CHURCH

      The Congregational Church in Franklin was organized Oct. 9, 1817, and consisted of 14 members. Like most of the pioneer churches in this part of the State, it had no pastor or stated preaching for years, and had to struggle with all the difficulties which attend a small Congregational church attempting to keep up meetings on the sabbath, and enjoy the ordinances of the gospel, according to the adopted rules of that denomination.

      In 1824 the number of members was 27 -- -Jan. 1, 1855, 44 -- May 1, 1861, 44.

      For quite a number of years previous to 1845 the church and society were enabled to secure the labors of a Congregational minister one half of the time, and having united with other denominations in erecting a union meeting-house, they alternated with them in its occupancy.

      In 1844 the church and society commenced arrangements to be more by themselves in public worship. Accordingly, for this purpose, they purchased that part of the meeting-house owned by other denominations-mostly Methodists -- and, in the fall, called the Rev. L. S. FRENCH to preach to them, which he did through the winter season.

      In the following spring he accepted a call from the church and society, and on the first day of May, 1845, was installed their first pastor.

      During the 16 years' pastorate of Mr. FRENCH, the Church was aided by the V. D. M. Society, and during the whole of this period, every thing relating to the public worship of God, and the regulations of the society, were conducted strictly upon Congregational principles.

      The church and society steadily increased in pecuniary ability to sustain their pastor; in consequence, however, of the removals by death and constant emigration, the increase in numbers was small.

      At the time of the settlement of the pastor, there was a very undesirable state of feeling between them and their Methodist brethren, with whom they formerly united in the occupancy of a house of worship -- but this troublesome sectarian spirit gradually subsided, and a better state of things came in its stead. By mutual consent the two congregations now unite, on special occasions -- the ministers alternating in the exercises at these times.

      Although the church, during this period, was classed among the feeble Congregational churches of Vermont, yet it was considered the most able and staid, of any in the county, according to numbers.

      We have a good choir of singers, with a small church-organ, a good attendance at the house of public worship, and a large sabbath-school, in proportion to the number of the congregation.

      During the last year of Mr. FRENCH's ministry, the meeting-house was reconstructed and finished in as good style as any other in the county.

      Mr. FRENCH was dismissed in Jan., 1861, and in the following August the church and society hired the Rev. William SPAULDING to preach to them one year-since which they have secured the services of the Rev. Mr. LEVERING, and are at the present time (March, 1863) enjoying his ministrations.

BAPTIST
By Rev. J. COFFRIN

      The Free-Will Baptist Church was organized in West Franklin, Feb. 12, 1832, by Rev. Leland HUNTLY, and consisted of 12 members.

      The church did not have any regular pastor previous to April 5, 1845, but was supplied by the following itinerant clergymen: Messrs. HUNTLY, STICKNEY, AUSTIN, DAVIS, KILBURN, &c. At this date the church made choice of their present pastor, the Rev. J. COFFRIN, who is assisted by Rev. J. M. NELSON.

      The church has gone through various changes during the last 17 years; many of its members having removed to other places, aid a few by death, leaving the present number but 42, and those somewhat scattered in locality, and low in religious enjoyment -- yet we trust they arc striving for Heaven.

      The society erected a house of worship in 1859, and has also a convenient parsonage and grounds.

HON. SAMUEL HUBBARD
BY THOMAS S. HUBBARD

      On the 16th of August, 1777, while a little boy, not quite 14 years of age, was cradling oats on one of the high fiats in Northfield, Mass., followed by his father, Rev. John HUBBARD, raking and binding, their ears were saluted with the booming of cannon apparently at a great distance, and they concluded there must be a battle progressing somewhere, and probably in Southern Vermont. Whereupon the old gentleman retired to an elm tree, fell upon his knees and continued in prayer most of the remainder of the day -- -but the boy continued cradling. What might have been the patriotism of the father, we do not now know, we suppose an older son was in that battle, and doubtless his paternal heart was wrung with anguish and anxiety for his dear boy. He must have felt also at that dark day is if the last hope of his country was in the immediate favor of God on our arms, or Burgoyne would make good his threat and march from north to south through the whole land, completing entirely our subjugation. So having given his Roswell to the army and kept his youngest, Samuel, at home to labor for the support of the family, what should he do beside fall down on his knees in the field on the day of the battle of Bennington and continue all day in prayer?

      This Samuel was quite a boy in his way. His forte was incessant and intense labor. -- He literally fulfilled the Scripture: “Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do with thy might." Alter he had fulfilled the duties of his minority, he went to work for his uncle, Jonathan HUNT, of Hinsdale (now Vernon), subsequently lieut.-governor of Vermont. -- In 1787 he was associated with Jonathan and Arad HUNT, Lewis P. MORRIS, and one or two others, in procuring the charter for the town of Huntsburg. After spending one whole summer in surveying the township, he returned to Hinsdale, and the next summer with a hired man commenced clearing land on which he determined to settle. He sowed wheat in the spring on a piece early cleared, and having made all arrangements he could, returned again to Hinsdale in the winter. He then married Elizabeth SWAN; and in March following, or in 1789, with an older brother, started with two teams, horses and oxen, provisions and some furniture, -- his wife on the load drawn by horses-bent their course as best they could for Rutland and Whitehall, probably on the old military road leading from Charlestown, N. H. to Ticonderoga. From Whitehall they proceeded on the ice to Missisquoi Bay, Canada, where was a settlement, mostly of the Dutch refugees of the Revolution, from the vicinity of Albany; or of the Hessians from the British army who settled in that quarter. Within five or six miles of this settlement, SAXE of Highgate had a rude grist and saw-mill, and so they had some conveniences within reach. Mr. H. went east and south, ten miles through the woods to his chosen place of residence in Huntsburgh, in that spring of 1779 -- the first settler, though others followed very soon. Encountering ill the hardships of settling a perfectly new and wooded country, his courage seemed adequate to the emergency, and he never acted for a moment as if his lot was hard; it only demanded of him patient endurance of penury, severe labor, inconveniences, and personal suffering.

      He soon began to think of mills, and on a small stream near his house there was an opportunity which he determined to improve. After erecting the frame of the gristmill, a granite boulder was discovered not far off which soma one supposed would make the mill-stones. But to split this the right way, and work it for their purpose, was a task that taxed their ingenuity and resources to the utmost. They hid few tools there, little material to mike them of, and no black-smith nearer than eight miles in direct fine, on the nearest possible route, which was through woods by marked trees, the ground often very wet and in an uncomfortable state for a traveler. Yet Mr. H. carried the chisels, pecks, hammers, wedges, as occasion required, on his back, and went a-foot to that blacksmith's all that summer and until he finished the preparatory work and had the pleasure of seeing his grist-mill running. -- Then settlers could come. They could have their grain ground. He also set about the erection of a saw-mill which was attended with very many of the trials he had gone through in the erection of the grist-mill, but it must be done. Providence favored him, however, with health and with an unswerving will. Before him the forest must become the cultivated field, and the cultivated field must be furnished with all the appliances of comfortable living. He would, for this end, labor early and late, wade swamps, cut out and build roads in every direction necessary, undergo any privation, incur any expense, that others might enjoy privileges. His first yoke of oxen on which he depended for life itself nearly, he was obliged to sell to pay his assessment of $30 of the $30,000 which Vermont paid to New York for her freedom from New York's pretended claims to the right of domain. Yet he survived, and having an excellent opportunity to devise, is well as physical strength to execute plans for obtaining subsistence, he continued rather to improve in pecuniary means, and made his little settlement more and more attractive. The town of Huntsburg was organized in 1793 (name changed to Franklin in 1817), and he always bore a conspicuous part in its duties and responsibilities. He was first captain of the militia, 15 years town clerk, 17 years representative, and for 40 years was identified with every interest of the town.

      Thus he lived along, his associations being mostly with the people of Canada. His market was at Montreal, as soon as he had much to sell, that was not needed for the incoming population. There he bought most of his necessaries, which in those days were few. In Canada lie and his family attended worship, and most of. his business was transacted there. So when the embargo was laid, it came near separating very friends. When the war of 1812 commenced, all market was stopped with Canada and the dwellers on the northern line of Vermont were deeply distressed. They really had no place of business. Troy, or Albany, N. Y., were too far away to be reached by teams, and little farm produce would pay to be carried so far in the winter, and in the summer they had neither the time to go, nor much produce that would pay transportation. But some British subjects, neighbors, and friends of those who dwelt in Vermont, sometimes appeared on the south side of the line, and left with their old friends, sums of money, and soon after cattle, hogs, or horses were missing from their stalls and pens, and nothing more was ever heard from them south of 45°. Mr. H. had eight heavy hogs slaughtered in his corn-barn, and one night they disappeared. He was at home, but made no search for them. Col. FIFIELD who was then in command of a regiment at Burlington, arrested and marched him between two files of soldiers with fixed bayonets to Burlington. He was thrown into a guard-house, without fire, without a bed, with only a loose floor, and poor rations until some acquaintances told Col. F, he might expose himself to an action of civil law for abuse of a prisoner. Comforts were then supplied him, and he wearied out 20 days in confinement, when be was marched back to SWANTON for trial. As the colonel could not there substantiate his charges, and feared the result of a civil suit for false imprisonment and abuse-he was glad to settle by paying $350.

      Further disturbances did not occur. The war, soon closed, but attachments to Canada and Great Britain generally, were rather strengthened, -- and though he would not have done one thing positively injurious to his country, he had those prejudices which always go with favors received in behalf of those who bestow them, and those which follow injuries done, against those who do them. But he was no Tory. He could distinguish between right and wrong, between the accidental and the inherent, and was an unwavering friend of republicanism to the last.

      Mr. H. was unfortunate in business transactions, having been bondsman for too many friends. He had the weakness of inability to say no. Inclined to assist all who wanted a name to help, he probably paid nearly $10,000 as bondsman, for which he received little or nothing. Still he possessed a comfortable fortune and lived in the style of a well-to-do-farmer. At 72 years of age, or in the winter of 1836 and '37, he became interested in religion and hopefully pious. He had seen his wife and several of his children turning their attention to the subject, one after another, and at last his attention was deeply arrested, and for six years the old man walked with the church visible, giving comfortable evidence that his peace was made with God. At last, in April, 1844 -- being 80 years and 7 months old, he was gathered unto his fathers, and his weeping children buried him.

DR. EBENEZER MARVIN.
By HON. STEPHEN ROYCE OF BERKSHIRE

EBENEZER SANDERSON
By MISS SARAH E. FELTON

      Ebenezer SANDERSON, the first town clerk of Franklin, was born in Petersham, Mass., in 1751, He resided in his native town until after the death of his first wife, a Miss BROG of Petersham, when be married Sarah STONE of Ashby, and moved to Westmoreland, N. H. From thence he removed to Chester, Vt., and finally, in the year 1790, settled on a tract of land a little to the south of the Centre village in this town, now known as the "Gallup farm.” During the year he cleared land, sowed wheat and built a log-house, to which he moved his family in March of the succeeding year.

      Upon the organization of the town in 1793, Mr. SANDERSON was elected clerk, and discharged the duties of that office until his death, which occurred April 19, 1800, of hiccough, his being the first adult male death in town. His oldest child living, Mrs. Harriet TINNEY, of Orwell, this State, the only person from whom any account of him bas been obtained, was only 13 years of age at the time of his death.

      She says that in the spring of 1791, the snow was so deep that they were obliged to remove their most necessary articles of house-keeping into town, upon a hand-sled, from Missisquoi Bay, Canada East. Their first home in the wilderness was constructed of the trees of the forest, roofed with bark, with floor of rifted logs -- no saw-mills being at hand in those days -- and chimney built of sticks of wood, the back being formed of a large rock, against which the house was built. A blanket served in place of a door, and she well remembers sitting upon the end of the floor to warm her feet at the fire.

      This house, -a fair specimen of a Vermont frontier's residence, has long since fallen to decay; the large rock alone remaining unchanged, to mark the spot where once it stood.

JOHN WEBSTER

      John Webster was born in Franklin, N. H. in 1755, and was first cousin to the late Hon. Daniel WEBSTER. He received a liberal education and was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1778.

      In the spring of 1789, in company with Samuel HUBBARD, he came to this town, and settled on lands at the Centre still occupied by his descendants. The first house that he built was constructed of logs, and roofed with bark. The first season he cleared a considerable area of land of the original forest, and sowed a nursery of apple-seeds from which in the short space of 7 years, he had the pleasure of gathering fruit

      According to reliable information, Dea. WEBSTER kept the first articles of merchandise for sale in town, composed of groceries, iron ware, nails, ac., which he brought with him from New Hampshire.

      He always followed the occupation of a farmer, and was very retired and unobtrusive in his habits, consequently he never took an active part in town affairs. He was the principal founder of the Congregational church in Franklin, of which be was a, worthy member and officer until his death, which occurred Jan. 7, 1838, in the 84th year of his age.

REUBEN TOWLE, ESQ.

      Reuben TOWLE was born in Chester, N. H., Oct. 24, 1762. He joined the army- of the Revolution at the early age of 16, and was at West Point when the traitorous Arnold undertook to deliver that post to the British.

      He was here visited and talked very kindly to by Washington, as he lay sick of the fever-and ague. At the close of the campaign he returned home without pay, sick and on foot, reduced to the necessity of begging for food and lodging upon his way. Not discouraged, the following year he enlisted again, and served through another campaign.

      At the close of the war he married Miss Sarah CLOUGH, and removed to Enfield, N. H., where he experienced the grace of conversion, and united with the Congregational Church. In Feb., 1815, he, with his family, removed to Franklin, and settled in the eastern part of the town where he followed the occupation of a farmer, and where many of his descendant now reside.

      His wife, Sarah TOWLE, traveled from Enfield, N. H., to this town, a distance of 130 miles, and back again on horseback, part of the way being through the wilderness, with little or no roads; a feat that the ladies of the present time would hardly care to undertake.

      Mr. TOWLE took an active part in town affairs, filled several important home offices, and was twice elected representative. He died after a long life of usefulness, Sept. 15, 1849, aged 87 years. From an obituary notice the writer begs leave to extract the following:

"Here -- in Franklin -- he continued to live, until the time of his death, highly esteemed by all who knew him. He lived to see his children converted to God, and pleasantly settled in the vicinity about him, with a large circle of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, most of whom "Are traveling home to God,  In the wry their fathers trod."

SAMUEL PECKHAM, ESQ.

      Samuel PECKHAM was a native of Petersham, Mass. He came to this town about the year 1790, and at first settled just across the stream to the west of Samuel HUBBARD's. He kept the first house for the entertainment of travelers, married the first couple -- Paul GATES and Zerviah SPOONER, Nov. 29, 1792; was first representative upon the organization of the county in 1793, and alternately thereafter with Mr. HUBBARD for 10 years.

      He owned the tract of land occupied by the Centre village, where he resided during the greater part of his lifetime.

      Mr. PECKHAM was a wheelwright by trade, an enterprising citizen, and a worthy man. He died April 3, 1826, aged 79 years.

JAMES STEVENSON

      James STEVENSON, a native of Ireland, came to this country with Burgoyne's army; was taken prisoner at the battle of Saratoga, and afterward joined the American forces, with whom he served during the remainder of the war. He was one of the first settlers in the eastern part of the town, and occupied the south part of the farm now owned by Reuben TOWLE, where he died about the year 1822.

      Mr. STEVENSON lived at a time when all articles of wearing apparel were made to serve to the utmost of their capacity. He said they considered their boots and shoes but half worn out when they were obliged to bind them together with withes to keep the uppers and soles from coming apart. It was in those days that the pioneer wore deer-skin breeches; and Mr. S. relates, that on a winter's morning they would be so stiff with the cold that he could stand them up on the floor and "jump right in" -- an expeditious way, surely.

MAJOR LEONARD KEEP

      Major Leonard KEEP was a native of Westmoreland, N. H., where he was born in 1741. He belonged, for years, to the celebrated "Green Mountain Rangers," and was with them at the taking of Ticonderoga and Skeensborough. His business was principally that of quartermaster and recruiting officer, to obtain men and supplies for our army. Upon the organization of the militia of New Hampshire he was chosen major. By trade he was a bloomer, and for several years previous to 1814 he resided in Sheldon, Vt., where he built the first forge for melting iron ore in town, for Major SHELDON, which was afterwards, with other buildings, consumed by fire, supposed to have been the work of Indians.

      He came to Franklin in 1814, where he resided until his death, which occurred Jan. 20, 1830, in the 90th year of his age.

ELIAS TRUAX

      Elias TRUAX is supposed to be the oldest person now living in town, and was 90 years old July 4. 1862. -- Jan. 1, 1863, be skated across Franklin-pond, and back again-a distance of 2 ½ miles, and is said to have done it as cleverly as a boy 15 years old.

      At present (February, 1863,) he is busily engaged is manufacturing sap-tubs, and from present appearances bids fair to complete a century of years.

      He came from Albany, N. Y., 71 years ago, and says there was not a frame-building in St. Albans at that time.

      He has lived part of the time in Canada, and part in Franklin, where he now resides with his son, Elias TRUAX, jr. Truly time has wrought great changes to this part of the State, within this man's remembrance.

REV. THOMAS SWAN HUBBARD

      Rev. Thomas Swan HUBBARD, son of Hon. Samuel HUBBARD, was born in Franklin, then Huntsburgh, Dec. 20, 1811, and was fitted at the Franklin County Grammar school, in St. Albans, graduated at Middlebury College in 1834; was teacher in Bennington  in 1834 and '35 ; studied at Andover Theological Seminary from 1835 to ‘38; was pastor of the Congregational Church in Stockbridge from 1838 to '46; since 1847 has been pastor of the Congregational Church in Chelsea for -- years; was superintendent of common schools in Windsor county 1 year, and at present resides in Illinois.

JOHN SAWYER, JR. 

      John SAWYER, Jr. was graduated at the Vermont University, in the class of 1858. At the commencement of the great rebellion Mr. SAWYER left the quiet scenes of home to aid in the defense of his country; and as a reward of merit has arisen from the position of private to that of first Lieutenant of company B, lst Vt. Cavalry, by date April 1, 1863.

GOOD-BYE
BY MISS SARAH E. PELTON

Sometimes 'tis but a common word,
Convenient for the friend of but a day --
A parting word--that claims no lingering thought,
But, soon as spoken, vanished quite away. 

And sometimes 'tis a sad-toned word
Uttered by quiv'ring lips, and looked by tears, 
And pressed by friendship's hand in fervid clasp – 
And oft its tone remembered through long years. 

But oh! the anguish of that word --
Who, who can tell ? -- when life from life is risen – 
When snap the very life-strings round the heart,
As loved ones go, and the last and look is given?

Thank God! the word's unknown in Heaven!
No "good-byes" there; but glorified on high, 
Angelic friends salute, embrace, sad stay,
Hold converse Sweet, but never say---good-bye.

Bless thee, little winsome Katie,
With thy azure eyes,
And the rosy-tinted sunlight
That thy pale cheek dyes:

'Tis a long road thou 'at to travel
With thy weary feet,
Ere that lone and erring father
Shall thy presence greet –

But a holy purpose nerves thee,
And a tireless zeal
'Till that mother's food forgiveness 
Thou to him reveal!

Stranger-eyes look pitying, Katie, 
On the fragile form,
As they see thee bowing meekly 
To the world's rough Storm.

Haste thee, little wearied traveler, 
For thou 'rt almost there –
Will that wayward, erring father 
Listen to thy prayer?

Yes, those speaking eyes proclaim it – 
With bright tear-drops laved --
"Tis a hand plucked from the burning, 
For, thank God, he 's saved!"

EDWIN RUTHVEN TOWLE.

RESIGNATION

BY AMY R. __MES,

[Born in Franklin, May 25, 1816, and died Sept., 1847.] 

This world for me hath lost its charm;
I love it not as once I did;
My tears have ceased, my brow is calm,
Deep in my heart is sorrow hid.
Yet there's a hope that's pure and bright--.
'Tis not of earthly mould or form --
But came from heaven, and filled with light.
Jesus will comfort, He will guide, 
If I but trust Him for His grace; 
If in His paths my feet abide,
He'll find for me, in Heaven, a place.

"The Vermont Historical  Gazetteer: 
A Magazine Embracing A History of Each Town, 
Civil, Ecclesiastical, Biographical and Military."
Volume II, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille & Orange Counties.
Including Also The Natural History of Chittenden County.
Edited and Published by Miss Abby Maria Hemenway. 
Burlington, VT. 1871.
Page 217-233.

Transcribed by Karima Allison 2004