Vermont AHGP
Part of the American History and
Genealogy Project
John B. Crandall, Roxbury Vermont
John B. Crandall moved into town in 1804; was eccentric, quite a pettifogger, and always called "Judge." One time, having a lawsuit, he became disgusted with his counsel, considered an able lawyer, paid him off" and dismissed him before the suit was fairly commenced, plead his own case, and won it.
Another time he went to Waitsfield to take charge of a lawsuit. Knowing his opponent, an attorney from Montpelier, to be extremely fastidious in his tastes and manner of dress, he chose the other extreme, an awfully shabby coat, and trousers that suggested the idea that some time in an earlier stage of existence they had been the property of a Methodist preacher, they had certainly done a great deal of knee service, a dilapidated hat, a boot on one foot, an old shoe on the other, completed his outfit. The fine gentleman strutting back and forth in dignity, wondered why Mr. Crandall did not arrive, when someone turning to Mr. C, introduced them. The Montpelier attorney looked at Mr. C, surprise and contempt expressed in every feature. "What, that creature" he at last blurted out; "why, he don't know enough to say boo to a goose." The "Judge" drew his grotesque figure to its full height, made a low bow, and said "boo!" very emphatically in the face of the offended lawyer, which brought down the house, and the sleek gentleman was yet more discomfited when he lost his case, and the "Judge" won the laurels he had anticipated.
Source: History of Washington County Vermont, Collated and Published by Abby Maria Hemenway, 1882.
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