A headstone in Brownington is drawing renewed attention to the story of William J. Monteith, an Irish immigrant who crossed the border from Quebec into Vermont alone in 1877. Monteith, who emigrated from County Monaghan, Ireland, settled in the town and later was buried there alongside his wife, Martha A. Leonard Monteith.
The grave marker is held by the Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village, which recently featured the stone in a photo. The museum also published a longer article titled "From County Monaghan to Vermont: An Irish Family's New Life," detailing Monteith's journey.
Monteith was 18 when he entered Vermont from Canada. The story traces his path from Ireland through Quebec and into the Northeast Kingdom, where he established a life.
NEK will be looking into the records of Irish immigration to Orleans County in the late 19th century.
Originally reported by North Star Monthly.
Photo: Phyllis Lilienthal via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
Log in as a subscriber to comment, or become a member.