What’s in a name? Everything. At least that’s what Samuel Peters thought when he claimed to have named the Green Mountain State “Verd-mont.” In fact, he was so upset that it was officially named “Vermont” that he still won’t let it go. It’s said that his ghost resides at the top of Killington Peak and continues to preach to anyone who goes to these haunted woods about the name of our beloved state. Is it time he let’s it go?
While the true origin of the name “Vermont” is unclear, it likely comes from the French Les Verts Monts, meaning “the Green Mountains.”
Flickr/Mark Goebel
The first documented use of the name Vermont was is dated April 11, 1777.
Flickr/Daniel Mennerich On that day, in Philadelphia, Thomas Young stated “To the Inhabitants of Vermont, a Free and Independent State.” Young likely intended to honor Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys with the name.
But not everyone was pleased with the name Vermont.
Flickr/David Resz
You see, in 1763, reverend Samuel Peters claims to have named the state Verdmont and christened it by smashing a bottle of whiskey on top of Killington Peak.
Flickr/Oren Levine When the state’s legislature made the name Vermont official, Peters became outraged.
He said is should be Verd-mont, because Ver-mont translated to “Maggot Mountain.”
Flickr/Charles Wohlers
He reasoned that “vermis” is Latin or Old French for the word “worm,” and is the root of the word “vermin.”
Flickr/Mattia Simoncelli “Maggot Mountain!” he angrily exclaimed to anyone who would listen.
Samuel Peters, who was a reverend, was obsessed with changing the name of Vermont.
Flickr/Daniel Mennerich He was well known for not only his ability to preach, but also for his ability to stretch the truth. Among his fibs, he claimed to have a doctorate from the University of Cortona in Tuscany, however no such university existed.
He was known to yell and chase people shouting his case against “Maggot Mountain!”
Flickr/Boris Lechaftois He tried to convince anyone who would listen that the name must be changed to Verdmont as he originally named and christened it.
Legends say that in the summer, the ghost of Samuel Peters sits atop Killington Peak giving sermons about the name to anyone within earshot…
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Legend states that you can hear the ghost carrying on shouting “It’s not maggot mountain! It’s green mountain!
Flickr/LoriQoPB
One thing is for sure, “Green Mountain State” looks much better on our license plates!
Flickr/Don Shall
These supposed haunted woods can be creepy if you believe in the spirit of Samuel Peters. However, if it’s ghost hunting you want, why not spend the night at one of these haunted hotels in Vermont?
Flickr/Mark Goebel
Flickr/Daniel Mennerich
On that day, in Philadelphia, Thomas Young stated “To the Inhabitants of Vermont, a Free and Independent State.” Young likely intended to honor Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys with the name.
Flickr/David Resz
Flickr/Oren Levine
When the state’s legislature made the name Vermont official, Peters became outraged.
Flickr/Charles Wohlers
Flickr/Mattia Simoncelli
“Maggot Mountain!” he angrily exclaimed to anyone who would listen.
He was well known for not only his ability to preach, but also for his ability to stretch the truth. Among his fibs, he claimed to have a doctorate from the University of Cortona in Tuscany, however no such university existed.
Flickr/Boris Lechaftois
He tried to convince anyone who would listen that the name must be changed to Verdmont as he originally named and christened it.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Flickr/LoriQoPB
Flickr/Don Shall
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