Letter from LARKIN GOLDSMITH MEAD to JOHN NORTON POMEROY, dated March 12, 1858.
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John N. Pomeroy Esq.
Dear Sir
I have just returned from Washington and take an early hour to answer your kind letter, informing me of matters concerning the Allen Statue
I am proud to know that there is a Statue even talked of in our worthy State of Vermont, and I should feel gratified in taking part in the execution of this work, which ought to be a credit, and not a subject of ridicule to us. I hope it may be a thorough and earnest undertaking, which shall show that we appreciate and honor our Hero
Before I can answer your several questions, namely, The heighth of Statue,
Size of the block,
Expense of working model ampc. I shall need a small drawing of the monument (by a
scale.) This I suppose one of the workmen would do in a little time. I can then
write you a more satisfactory letter. Of the matter --"Which would be preferable
Marble or Granite." I think the colour of the Marble contrasting with the granite
column would be very desirable. However perhaps there are good reasons for using
granite.
You will excuse my letter for I am not well Hoping I may hear from you
I remain yours respectfullyJohn N. Pomeroy EsqBurlington
References in this letter:
Ethan Allen, (1737/38-1789), is considered, with Ira Allen and Thomas Chittenden, one of the founding fathers of the state of Vermont. As a commander of the Green Mountain Boys, a local militia, outlawed in New York, Allen was a considerable force in the defense of the newly formed state against the British.
Larkin Goldsmith Mead Jr.(1835-1910) was a sculptor from Brattleboro, Vermont. although he spent most of his life in Florence. He created the statue of Agriculture that crowns the Vermont State House in 1857, and the statue of Ethan Allen in the same building in 1861. He was also responsible for the statue of Allen in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol and for an elaborate memorial to Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.
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.