The first ear-mark for sheep was recorded in Bridport’s town records on this day in 1799. Ear-marks had become necessary to help match sheep with their rightful owners.

Until the late 1800s, most Vermont farmers had at least a few sheep, and they were allowed to roam the hillsides to graze. The grazing sheep could cross boundary lines, complicating proof of ownership.

Many farmers began the practice of ear-marking their sheep with a unique pattern. Farmer Levy Baldwin submitted “a slit in the end of the right ear and a slit in the underside of the left ear” as proof of ownership for his sheep.

Image courtesy the Vermont Historical Society.