WOODSTOCK — The Buck sisters presented their personal history of Buck’s Ledge to about 55 people at the Woodstock Historical Society meeting Saturday.

Marilyn Chesley, Brenda Buck Holt, and Lillian Buck Clough are all descendants of John Buck who bought land in Hamlin Gore, now Woodstock, in 1819. The sisters shared their genealogy, which traced their lineage to the family. One of the daughters married a Lapham,
hence the name of that ledge.

They shared some stories of their ancestors who lived in Hamlin Gore (now Woodstock) at the base of Buck’s Ledge. A couple of stories involved a Civil War deserter and a person who stole a horse and evaded police both hiding in the cave on the cliff face. Simeon Buck enjoyed making his liquor and selling it, even though it was during the prohibition. In 1873, the Hamlin Gore switched to the Town of Woodstock, encompassing where this Buck lived. Since Woodstock was a dry town, this action shut down his still.

Ed Rosenberg of the Woodstock Conservation Commission gave a summary of the current progress for purchasing Buck’s Ledge as a community forest to be owned by the Town of Woodstock. He showed a video of the property and a drone video that showed the cliff face
and the cave. He then mentioned the ‘Forever Forest for All’ vision for the property that imagines continued management of the 646 acres, allowing the forest to grow and protecting rare habitats and rare plants. Wildlife is a vital component of this forever forest. The vision
includes more hiking trails, with a potential for a universally accessible section of trail near the landing which could consist of wheelchair access for a small, level section.

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