The Savage Brothers

From small-town bandstands to the front lines of American history

Jigsaw for January 11, 2026: The Savage Brothers from Hartford, VT

Phew….this week I didn’t go down a rabbit hole. Rather, I followed a thread and started weaving a tapestry. Last week’s puzzle was a photo of a early settlers’ reunion in Lawrence, Kansas. I thought it would be a great puzzle, and I made the connection to Vermont by learning about the New England Emigrant Aid Society.

By most measures, it was a tenuous connection. I knew there was more to it, so I kept following various threads and found these brothers and learned of their amazing move to Lawrence, Kansas.

Joseph and Forrest Savage and their cousins, the Hazen brothers, had been accomplished musicians in high school and in the Hartford Town Band. Abolitionists were very active in Vermont, and on Sunday, August 26, 1854, Joseph suddenly decided to emigrate to Kansas with a party organized by the New England Emigrant Aid Society.

Joseph made his way by rail to Boston in time for the departure on August 29.

When he went to the station the next day to join the party bound for Kansas, he was surprised to find his brother, Forrest Savage, and two cousins named Hazen, who were also members of the Hartford band. At the last moment, they too had decided to go to Kansas, all bringing their instruments:

“one E‑flat copper‑key bugle,
one brass post horn in B‑flat,
one B‑flat cornet,
and one B‑flat baritone.”

It was then that their real adventure began.

Pass this along to those who might be descendants.

There is so much more of this story, I will continue ‘in future posts.

Thanks for reading,

Cameron Cross