The 1909 Grant Family Reunion, East Concord, Vermont.
Jeffrey M. Ranney recently contacted Special Collections to offer us a copy of his book, An American Journey: The Ranney Family of the Connecticut River Valley & Virginia, 1616-2022. The family, he wrote, had deep roots in Vermont. Checking our collection to see if we already had any resources related to the Ranney family, I found an oversize photo listed as “Ranney Family Reunion, Kirby, Vermont.”
I wrote Mr. Ranney to say we would be glad to accept his family history and attached a digital copy of the photograph. In response, Mr. Ranney generously sent us the 2-volume set. Just as important, he shared information that tells the story behind the photograph and allowed us to correct the description in our finding aid.
Special Collections archivists based our description on information written on the photo’s cardboard mount. In the upper right front corner, a note in pencil reads, “Ranney Kirby VT.” On the back, Minnie E. Ranney’s name appears on the top left and in the center, possibly written by the same person. A note at the top, probably written at a different time, explains “this was taken at John McDonalds.” A third note, added more recently by a seller, includes the location (Kirby, VT) and a price (4.00).
Mr. Ranney’s research revealed that the photography was actually taken at the 10th Annual Grant Family reunion, held on September 11, 1909 at the John McDonald home in East Concord, Vermont. On Sept. 15, 1909, the St. Johnsbury Caledonian reported that 76 people attended the event, which included a bountiful dinner, lawn games and music. The Grant Family reunion was held for at least 67 years, from 1899-1966.
Minnie E. Ranney was likely the owner of the reunion photograph now in Special Collections. Minnie was born to Robert and Eliza Isham in 1866 and became a member of the Grant family when her mother married John W. Grant in 1876. John McDonald, the host of the 1909 reunion, married John Grant’s niece, Lillian Powers. Mr. Ranney found numerous articles in local papers reporting that Minnie and her husband Pliny Ranney, who lived in Kirby, Vermont, frequently attended Grant family gatherings and visited members of the extended Grant family. Mr. Ranney was unable to spot either Minnie or Pliny in our 1909 photo.
When I sent the photo to Mr. Ranney, I pointed out the drummers sitting on each side of the group. He replied that drumming was a Grant family tradition. Brothers John and Ira Grant had been drummers in the 11th Vermont Regiment during the Civil War. Ira was recognized as one of the best drummers in Vermont, and John passed on his passion for drum music to seven sons. Mr. Ranney reports that the Grant Drum Corps formed around 1900 and performed at local fairs, carnivals, parades, football games and family celebrations at least until 1962. He was not able to identify the snare drummer (left) or the bass drummer (right).
According to the report about the reunion in the St. Johnsbury Caledonian, “Grant’s veteran drum corp … was never in better trim and gave some lively selections which were greatly enjoyed by all.”
Thanks to Mr. Ranney for allowing us to share the results of his research.
Submitted by Prudence Doherty, Public Services Librarian