Burlington, Vt. 18 August 1873

Hon George P. Marsh, Italy,

Page 1

My dear Sir. I am disappointed in the execution of the enclosed photographs of the Ethan Allen monument and Statue--they are too small and black--but as I said I would forward you some as soon as I could obtain them, there they are, a front, north & east side view. The trees are in the way of a south side view, which, I think, is, the best. Every stranger, who comes to town, must visit Green Mount Cemetery, and all admire the Statue. I have been awaiting a letter from you for some weeks in response to the account of the inauguration and celebration, if not to mine of the 21 ultimo. I feel like shaking hands with you over the grave of Ethan -- I want to see you -- When are you coming over? -- you can not think of dying without seeing Vermont again At all events let me hear from you--and believe me to be Yours respectfully and Truly

John N. Pomeroy

References in this letter:

In 1855 the Vermont legislature appointed a committee to be in charge of a monument over the grave of Ethan Allen in the Green Mount Cemetery in Burlington. John Norton Pomeroy was appointed chair and Marsh served with him. Larkin Goldsmith Mead was chosen to create a figure of Allen for the monument. Unable to raise the necessary funds, the project was not completed until 1873. Mead's statue was instead placed on the portico of the State House and another figure, by Boston sculptor Peter Stephenson, surmounted the granite base erected in Burlington.

The lawyer, John Norton Pomeroy, (1792-1881) was a lawyer and prominent resident of Burlington, Vermont. He held several position in Vermont state government and was named chairman of the Statuary Committee to oversee the construction of the monument placed over the grave of Ethan Allen in Green Mount Cemetery in Burlington.