J.J. Green Diary

Joseph J. Green, the author of this diary, was born in Newfane, Vt on July 31, 1840. He
was the director of the Windham County Savings Bank, as well as the Newfane
stationmaster of the West River Railroad. J. J. Green’s diary for the year 1885 recounts
the everyday life of an active man who was immersed in the affairs of his family and
community. In 1886, a West River Railroad train fell 40 feet into the West River. J. J.
Green was a passenger on the train and was one of two people killed in the accident.

The original 1885 diary of J. J. Green is in the collection of the Historical Society of
Windham County. This edition of the diary was prepared by the Historical Society and
includes 30 photos of trains, railroad bridges and historical buildings. In preparing this
volume, J. J. Green’s spelling, punctuation, and grammar were transcribed exactly as
they were found.

Engine No. 1, the J. L. Martin, sits atop
the high trestle about one mile north of
Newfane village. The section of track
between Williamsville and the top of
the hill in Newfane village was the
"ruling grade", the steepest part of the
line. The trestle carried the rails on into
Townshend from the top of that grade.
The photo is from 1882.

The "Wreck at the three bridges"
of August 18, 1886, looking south
from the confluence of the West
River and Connecticut Rivers in
Brattleboro. J. J. Green died in
this accident.