THE HISTORY:
John Porter Bowman was born in 1816. When he was just 15 years old, he began working in a leather tannery in Rutland, Vermont. After working in Rutland for about 5 years, he sought similar employment in New York State, apparently to master the trade. He returned to Vermont in Shrewsbury to set up his own tannery business and later, was involved with local politics as a Shrewsbury Townsman, and then being elected to the State Legislature in 1851.
In 1849 that he married the dignified Jennie E. Gates from Warren, New York. The couple lived in Stony Creek, New York. Mrs. Bowman is remembered for her good manners and generosity, as well as being a good wife and mother.
THE TRAGEDY:
She gave birth to their first daughter, Addie L. in 1854. Sadly, Addie lived only 4 months. A second daughter, Ella, was born in 1860, and after succumbing to illness, she died at the young age of 22 years.
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| Mausoleum Statue of little Addie Bowman |
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| Ella Bowman |
It is often said that misfortune "comes in threes", with this being true for John Bowman. In less than a year after losing young Ella, his beloved wife passed way. Grief-stricken, he had a mausoleum erected as a final resting place for his family in the "native hills" of Cuttingsville, Vermont. The monument was christend "Laurel Glen Mausoleum".
The Shrewsbury Historical Society writes:
"A plot of land in Cuttingsville
adjoining the old burying ground was chosen for the shrine. For over a
year, 125 skilled sculptors, granite and marble cutters, masons and
laborers were employed in erecting this classic example of Grecian
architecture, designed and planned by New York architect and special
designer, G. B. Croff hired by Bowman."
"A
life size statue of Mr. Bowman is posed outside. Bent with grief, and
burdened with mourning cloak, silk hat, gloves, a huge funeral wreath,
and a key, he is represented in the act of ascending the steps of the
tomb."
"In his book describing the
mausoleum, G. B. Croff expressed his thoughts in the following words: "A
most pathetic family history wrought in stone, Laurel Glen Mausoleum
will stand for centuries . . . and prove a laurel wreath, a crown of
glory to perpetuate the well-rounded, honorable, successful life and
name of its most noble founder."
"In
1881, the three caskets were placed in the mausoleum. Bowman had the
grounds graded, added retaining walls, arranged grass plots, had walks
and drives filled with crushed purple slate and set out trees.
A
greenhouse and conservatory was erected on the grounds where the many
plants were propagated and used to decorate the cemetery grounds. Laurel
Glen Cemetery was beautifully kept and park-like, it attracted people
from the city who enjoyed the trip by horse and buggy to picnic on the
grounds."
"Across the road, Bowman had G. B. Croff design and build a
magnificent Victorian summer residence, and called it Laurel Hall.
In
the May 20, 1882 edition of the Rutland Daily Herald, it stated that
"the grounds of Laurel Hall were treated as an extensive parterre or
miniature landscape, with winding walks and drives, swelling terraces
and shrubbery of various sorts, and graced with one large allegorical
Grecian fountain, in composition, a water nymph mid sweet accessories,
with laughing
sprays of water singing amid the trees and flowers their songs of
parting salutation to their homes high in the mountain side, and lulling
one to sleep and pleasant dreams, in hammock swung beneath the shadows
of the spacious covered gallery nearby."
HAUNTED MANSION:
"When completed in 1881, the mausoleum became a local tourist attraction. Thousands converged on the cemetery to gawk at this unusual crypt. With all of the attention it received Bowman had a guest book placed inside the chamber, and hired a guide to conduct short tours.
"Bowman himself died in 1891, and fittingly joined the rest of the family in this unique sanctuary."
"Perhaps the most perplexing part of this story would be the unusual will that Mr. Bowman had left behind. Allegedly, his will stated that his fortunes would go towards the maintenance and upkeep of the house, but more strangely, he wanted his caretakers and servants to act like he would be coming home each evening. So in addition to mowing the lawn and tending to the gardens, servants would change the bedding each night as if he would want to come home to a fresh bed to sleep in. Fires would be lit, and the cooks would prepare an elaborate meal which would be presented in the dining room – just in case he showed up unannounced one night and wanted a warm supper...."
"Strange and eerie occurrences have been reported around the mausoleum at night. The mansion across the street from the cemetery seems to be the focal point for hauntings. Locals believe that the ghosts of Bowman and his family still walk within the mansion they had once enjoyed during life. The mansion, vacant for years, was eventually purchased by new owners. The lucky (or unlucky) new homeowners have reported seeing ghosts of the Bowman family gliding through the rooms of the old mansion. In fact it is said to be so haunted that the owners will no longer stay at the house after dark."
"Other tales of weird noises and strange lights have been reported to manifest themselves within his grand house across the street, the most common told tale is the sounds of a phantom baby crying. The odd footnote to this is no children had ever lived inside the house, making this phenomenon a mystery." -the vermonter.com
MANIFESTATIONS:
1) An apparition of an unknown woman,
perhaps Mrs. Bowman, has been seen throughout the mansion, going about
her business. Perhaps she died before she could complete a long list
of chores to do, and she can't let go of this world because she died
before she was ready.
2) Visitors who stand at the top
of the staircase on a darkened stain, experience uneasy feelings of
"forbodence and dread." Perhaps this stain is connected to
the family deaths.
While visiting the mansion, one
must mind his or her manners, as misbehavior will sometimes be dealt
with. A young visitor who was taking a tour of the mansion with her
family, stuck her tongue out at a picture, which then came off the wall
and hit her, in full view of several people. Children need to be corrected
and if parents won't do it, an unseen presence in this house, perhaps
Mrs. Bowman will gladly step in and provide this parental service! -Need cite
When visiting the Laurel Hall (Bowman's Estate)
an apparition of an unknown woman has been seen throughout the
mansion, going about her business. Visitors of the mansion state if
they stand at the top of the stairs on a dark stained spot , an
uncomfortable and uneasy feeling comes upon them.It has been
mentioned that the dark stain maybe connected to the deaths of the
members of the Bowman family.
Other guests visiting the mansion have experienced a spirit that
appreciates manners. The story goes as follows a young female child
was visiting the mansion taking a tour with her family, The little
girl stuck out her tongue at a picture on display. Witnesses state
that the picture then came off the wall and hit her. The current
owners turned the estate into a museum. They have said that no one
should stay over night at this home so that the spirits can go on with
there business. - Flicker
