USA > Vermont > A history of Vermont, from its first settlement to the present time : with a geographical account of the country, and a view of its original inhabitants. For the use of schools > Part 8
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
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duty as guardians of the people, or assumed to themselves, or exercised other or greater powers than they are entitled to by the constitution. They are also to inquire whether the publick taxes have been justly laid, and collected in all parts of this commonwealth; in what manner the publick monies have been disposed of, and whether the laws have been duly executed. For these purposes they shall have power to send for persons, papers, and records ; they shall have authority to pass publick censures, to order impeach- ments, and to recommend to the legislature the repealing such laws as shall appear to them to have been passed con- trary to the principles of the constitution : these powers they shall continue to have for and during the space of one year from the day of their election, and no longer. The said Council of Censors shall also have power to call a con- vention, to mect within two years after their sitting, if there appears to them an absolute necessity of amending any article of this constitution which may be defective, ex- plaining such as may be thought not clearly expressed, and of adding such as are necessary, for the preservation of the rights and happiness of the people. But the articles to be amended, and the amendments proposed, and such articles as are proposed to be added of abolished, shall be promul- gated at least six months before the day appointed for the election of such convention, for the previous consideration of the people, that they may have an opportunity of in- structing their delegates on the subject.
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SEC. 3. Judiciary. The judiciary powers are vested in the Supreme and County Courts; a Court of Probate for the settle- ment of estates, consisting of one Judge in each district; and the Justices of the Peace in cach town.
The Supreme Court, consisting of three judges, annually bolds one session in each county," and has original jurisdic- tion in criminal actions, and civil causes, and those in which
3. Where are the judiciary powers vested ? What is said of the supreme court ! the county court ? justices of the peace ?
*Except Grand Isle. Causes for the supreme court arising in this county are tried in Franklin county.
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the State is a party ; and have appellate jurisdiction in can- ses originally tried in the county courts. They are con- stituted a Court of Chancery, and are vested with the pow- ers usually exercised by that court.
The County Court, consisting of two side judges in each county, the chief judge being one of the judges of the su- preme court, annually hold two sessions. They have orig- ina! jurisdiction in criminal causes, excepting for the higher crimes; in all civil causes except where the State is a par- ty ; and where justices have exclusive jurisdiction.
Justices of the Peace have original jurisdiction in all cau- ses where the amount does not exceed one hundred dollars, excepting in actions for slander, false imprisonment, re- plevin above seven dollars, trespass on freehold, and where the titles to land are concerned.
SEC. 4. Punishment of Crimes. Treason, murder, arson and perjury where life is jeopardized, are punishable with death .- Burglary, rape, robbery, perjury and arson without death, forgery, theft, polygamy, adultery, incest, counterfeiting and swind- ling, by imprisonment at hard labour, or fines not exceeding one thousand dollars, at the discretion of the court.
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SEC. 5. . Military Establishment. The mi- litia comprises all the able bodied men, with a few exceptions, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years. Every one that does military duty is exempted from a poll tax, and is required to keep himself con- stantly provided with the necessary arms and equipments, ready for military duty.
4. What crimes sfe punishable by death ? How are inferior crimes pun- ished !
1 5. Of what is the militia composed + What is required of them! From what are they exempt ? What is the present number ? How are they divided ? How often are they roviewed ?
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
The whole militia at present amounts to about twenty-four thousand men. They are divided into four divisions, com- prising ten brigades, which are subdivided into thirty-five regiments, consisting of from eight to twelve companies each. The companies are annually reviewed in their several towns, on the first Tuesday in June ; and in the fall once in two years, there is a regimental review.
SEC. 6. Manufactures and Trade. There are a considerable number of manufacto- ries of various kinds; among the most ex- tensive are those of paper, cotton, wool, gin, oil, leather, marble and iron. The state is eminently calculated to become a large manufacturing district. "The fine mill privileges on almost every stream, present advantages unsurpassed in any section of our country. Being also well adapted for wool growing, the manufacture of woolens will no doubt eventually become extensive.
The Trade consists principally in the sale of produce, which is generally sent to Boston, Montreal, and New-York. Large quantities of excellent beef, pork, maple sugar, butter, cheese, lumber, and pot and pearl ashes, are annually exported. Many live cattle and excellent horses are driven to market. The imports consist chiefly of European and India goods.
SEC. 7. . Science and Literature. In the fa-
C. What are the principal articles of manufacture ! Is the state calculated to become a large qmanufacturing district ! In what does the trade consist ? What are the exports ? What the imports ?
7. What is said of Science and Literature ? How many collergs are there in Vermont ? Academies ? Common Schools ! What is said of the Ver- mont \'niversity ! What of Middlebury College ! How are schools sup- ported !
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
cilities for acquiring an education, and the general diffusion of knowledge, this state is surpassed by none. Every town is divi- ded into districts, in which schools are sup- ported most of the year. There are two colleges, twenty academies, and upwards " sixteen hundred common besides many pri- vate schools.
The Vermont University was established at Burlington, by an act of the Legislature in 1791. It did not go into operation till 1800 ; and although it has suffered a series of misfortunes, it is now in a flourishing condition.
"The President and Fellows of Middlebury College" werc incorporated in 1800, and the institution commenced opera- tions the same year. It is now flourishing, and has been supported entirely by private donations.
About 120,000 acres of land are reserved for the support of various establishments for education. In addition to the funds derived from this source, a tax is levied for the sup- port of common schools. These are accessible to every one rich and poor, and persons unable to read or write are scidom to be found.
SEC. 8. Religion. In Vermont the insti- tutions of the Christian Religion are very generally regarded. The whole number of preachers of all denominations, is about three hundred. They are principally the Congregationalists and Presbyterians, Mc- thodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Frec-will Baptists, Christians, and Universalists.
SEc. 9. Population and Character. Ver- mont has been constantly increasing in pop-
8. What is said of Religion ? How many preachers are there ? What are the principal denominations !
9. What is said of population ? What was it in 1820? What is said of the early iphabitants ! Has the character of the people undergone a change ?
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ulation with more or less rapidity ever since its first settlement. In 1781 the number of inhabitants was estimated at 7,000 ; in 1791, at 85,000; in 1800, at 154,000; in 1810, at 217,000; and in 1820, at 235,000.
The early inhabitants of Vermont were distinguished for caterprise, and from their situation were not remarkable for intellectual acquirements. They were rude and uncul- tivated, brave and intrepid; and from being constantly ex- posed to danger in various forms, and being obliged to sar- mount all their difficulties by personal exertions, they were very self-confident, and acquired lofty notions of liberty and independence.
In addition to the hardslups and privations inseparably connected with an infant settlement, they often suffered severely from the depredations of the savages. The con- troversies in which they were engaged, were calculated to elicit their moral, as well as physical resources ; and in the history of their times, we find much of that boldness and energy of character, that stern inflexibility of purpose, which characterised the ancients.
The manners and character of the people have under- gone a considerable change. The former inhabitants, con- scious of their own disadvantages, early made provisions for the establishment of schools .- Hence the superior facil- ities which are now enjoyed for acquiring an education, the diffusion of knowledge, and that general intelligence and comparative refinement which is seen among the inhabitants of this state.
The Vermonters have ever been characterised by their hospitality, temperance, industry and frugality. They are firmly attached to freedom ; and we may indulge the hope that by the gradual introduction of the elegancies and lux- uries of life, the sterner virtues . which our fathers so emi- pently possessed have not been impaired by their posterity.
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
CHAPTER XI.
SEc. 1. The State of Vermont is divi- ded into thirteen counties; Windham, Windsor, Orange, Washington, Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans, east of the mountains; and Bennington, Rutland, Addison, Chit- tenden, Grand Isle, and Franklin on the west.
These counties are subdivided into two hundred and forty-five townships, which are generally about six miles square. There are a number of gores of small extent, which have never been organized as town's
The seat of government is at Montpelic' where a building has been erected for the accommodation of the Assembly. Each of the counties bas a capital or shire town, where the principal courts are held, and most of the judiciary concerns of the coun- ty are transacted.
SEC. 2. Windham County, situated in the southeast part of the state, is divided into twenty-four townships. It contains 780 square miles, and near 30,000 inhabitants. It is one of the most populous and wealthy
1. Into how many counties is Vermoot divided ? Name them. Into how many towns are the counties subdivided ? Where is the seat of government ?
2 How is Windham county situated ? What is said of it ? What is its pop- ulation ? Which is the shire town ? Which is the largest town ? Describe it.
0.7' These questions, with little variation, will apply to all the counties.
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counties in the state, and contains several very flourishing villages.
NEW-FANE is the shire town. It is a good township of land, and contains three villages. It is twelve miles from Brattleboro'.
BRATTLEBORO' is the principal town in the county and one of the most flourishing in the state. Within its limits at Fort Dummer, the first settlement was made in the state. It contains two villages ; the cast is a place of considerable business and supplies a great part of the county with their heavy goods, from its situation on the river. The scenery · around it is remarkably fine and it is noticed by travellers as very peculiar. Printing and book-binding, and the man- ufacture of paper, cotton and wool, are carried on to con- siderable extent. It is said to be the richest village of its size in New-England.
ROCKINGHAM is also a rich town. At the village of Bel- lows Falls much business is done, and from the immense water power on the river it must eventually become a large manufacturing place.
SEC. 3. Windsor County contains about 990 square miles, and is divided into twen- ty three townships, containing near 40,000 inhabitants. Most of the towns are thick- ly settled, and several have populous villa- ges. It is 48 miles long and 30 wide.
WOODSTOCK is the shire town. The principal village is situated on the Qucechy river, and is generally known by the name of "Woodstock green." It is a place of conside- rable business, which is gradually increasing. The publick buildings are a court house, jail, and four churches.
Windsor is the largest town in the county and one of the most populous in the state. It is pleasantly situated ou the banks of the Connecticut, is compactly built, and con- tains more elegant situations than any other village in the State. The publick buildings are the state prison, three churches, a court house and an academy.
Sec. 4. Orange County contains 650 square miles and is divided into 17 townships. It
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
contains about 25,000 inhabitants, and is 34 miles long and 28 wide. This is the third county in the state in point of wealth and is generally thickly settled. Chelsea is the shire town and a place of considerable business.
Randolph, situated on the White River, is the most in- teresting town in the county. The principal village, cal- led "Randolph hill," is situated on an eminence near the centre of a fertile towoship, and from it may be seen near- ly one hundred miles of the Green Mountain range.
Royalton is also a pleasant village and was formerly a place of much business, but has now considerably declined.
Sec. 5. Washington County, situated in the centre of the State, is divided into seven- teen townships, and contains upwards of 600 square miles and about 15,000 inhabi- tants. It is 36 miles long and 31 wide.
Montpelier is the shire town, and capital of the State. It contains a very pleasant and wealthy village situated on the banks of Onion river and has an extensive water power. The business of the place is considerable, and rapidly in- creasing. The publick buildings are, the state house, court house, several churches, an academy and a masonick hall.
SEC. 6. Caledonia County is divided into seventeen townships, and contains about 700 square miles and 17,000 inhabitants.
Danville is the shire town, and contains a court house, jail and three churches. This county is at present but thinly inhabited and contains some small villages.
SEC. 7, Essex County, situated in the north- east corner of the State, is divided into 18 townships, and contains 620 square miles aud upwards of 3300 inhabitants.
The settlements are confined principally to the river towns. Some back towns are nearly uninhabited. Guild- hall is the capital.
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SEC. 8. Orleans County, in the north part of the state, is divided into 23 townships, and contains about 850 square miles, and 6800 inhabitants.
At present it is thinly settled, but from the nature and richness of the soil, it will ultimately become one of the . most populous counties in the State. Irasburgh is the shire town.
SEC. 9. Bennington County, situated in the southwest corner of the State, is divided into seventeen townships, and contains 610 square miles and upwards of 16,000 inha- bitants. Bennington and Manchester are the shire towns.
Bennington, celebrated for the battle which was fought hear it, is a rich farming town, thickly settled and one of the oldest in the State. The publick buildings are a court house, jail, church, and academy. The manufacture of wool, cotton, and paper are here carried on to a considera- ble extent.
Manchester south village is situated on a pleasant eleva- tion, and is a place of some business. The publick baild- ings are an academy, church, court house and jail. The town contains several quarries of beautiful white marble, which in several places is extensively manufactured.
SEC. 10. Rutland County is divided into 26 townships, and contains 948 square miles and about 30,000 inhabitants. It is one of the most wealthy and populous counties in the state. The soil is well adapted to the purposes of agriculture and is generally well cultivated.
Rutland, the shire town, is pleasantly situated a few miles from the base of the Green Mountains, and is a place of some trade. The publiek buildings are churches, a court house, jail, and masonick hall.
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Castleton, a pleasant village ten miles from Rutland, ia celebrated for a fine Medical Institution.
Poultney is a rich farming town and contains two large and handsome villages.
SEc. 11. Addison County contains 700 square miles and is divided into 23 town- ships, containing 25,000 inhabitants. It is 33 miles long and 30 wide. It is a rich farming county, and well adapted to agri- cultural purposes,
Middlebury, the shire town, is situated on Otter Creek, and is a wealthy and flourishing village. The water privi- leges here are very fine, and there is a large cotton manu- factory, besides woollen and marble, which are extensively carried on. The publick buildings are a court house, jail, churches, and the colleges.
Vergennes, the only city in the State, is situated at the head of navigation on Otter Creek, 12 miles below Middle- bury. It is a place of considerable business, and bas as fine water privileges as any town can boast of, and which, were they managed with enterprise would render it by far the largest town in the State. Large quantities of iron ware, marble, and wool are here manufactured. The city is 480 by 400 rods in extent and contains about 1000 inhabitants.
SEC. 12. Chittenden County, situated on Lake Champlain, is divided into 16 town- ships, containing 500 square miles and 10. 000 inhabitants. It is 30 miles long and 22 broad. The soil is various, in some places being pine plain, in others a rich loam, and in others a rich alluvial.
Burlington, the shire town, is a delightful village situa- ted on Burlington Bay, and much the largest in the State. It is built upon a gentle declivity, which descends to the south and west, affording a fine view of the lake and adja- cent country. The publick buildings are, the colleges, a court house and two churches. It is a port of entry, and the town contains 1650 inhabitants.
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
SEc. 13. Grandisle County is divided into five townships, and contains eighty two square miles. It comprises the principal islands in Lake Champlain, and is the smal- lest and least populous county in the state. North Hero is the shire town.
SEC. 14. Franklin County, situated in the northwest corner of the State, is divided into nineteen townships, containing 730 square miles and upwards of 17,000 inha- bitants.
St. Albans, the shire town, is a flourishing village and a place of much business. The publick buildings are church- es, a court house, jail and an academy.
At Swanton are found large quantities of marble, which is extensively manufactured.
APPENDIX.
GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.
The Geology and Mineralogy of Ver- mont are, at present, very imperfectly known. But little attention has, until re- cently, been given to these subjects, and the mineral and geological character of many parts of the State remain totally un- explored.
The following, taken from " Thompson's* Ga-
Originally from Professor Hall's Catalogue.
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APPENDIX.
zeticcr," is the most correct account that has been published.
Geology. The general geological character of the State is decidedly primitive. Some alluvial tracts occur on the river and lake shore, but are not extensive. Beginning at the lake and proceeding easterly, the ranges are nearly as follows ;-
1st, Old Red Sandstone in an interrupted range. 2d, Graywache. 3d, Transition, or Metaliferous Limestone alterating with Transition Argillite. 4th, Transition, or Cariferous Sandstone. 5th, Transition Argillite. 6th, Pri- mitive Argillite. 7th, Sparry Limestone. 8to, Granular Limestone. 9th, Granular Quartz containing hematilic iron ore and manganese. 10th, Homblende Rock. 11th, Gneiss with alterating layers of Granite. 12th, Mica Slate constituting the middle ridge of the Green Mountains, and extending in many places a considerable distance down the eastern side.
These ranges of rocks extend from Canada to New Jer- sey, crossing the Hudson obliquely between the highlands and Albany. East of the ranges above named, the geolo- gical features are not so well defined, por so well known. The ranges are frequently interrupted, and the rocks, which are primitive, are often in alterating layers.
. Blica Slate and Gneiss are the most common rocks for a considerable distance down the cast side of the mountains. Primitive Limestone is found in Londonderry, Weston, Ludlow, Plymouth, and the southeast part of Caledonia county.
An interrupted range of Serpentine appears in Whiting- ham, Halifax, Dover, Newfane, Athens, Windham, Chester, Cavendish, and again towards the north part of the state in Kellyvale and Troy, In connexion with Serpentine, are extensive beds of Stealite, Tale, aud Chlorite.
Farther east, are found Hombleade Rock, Gneiss. Gra- nite, and Argillaccous State in interrupted ranges. A range of Granite extends through Windham county, passing Con- necticut river at Bellows Falls into New Hampshire.
Granite appears again in Chester, Baltimore, and Weath- ersfield, in connexion with Gneiss, and constitutes Asheet- ney mountain., Granite is the principal roek in the central and western part of Orange, cast part of Washington, and, in noted masses, in the south part of Essex county.
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APPENDIX.
Along Connecticut river, is an interrupted range of Ar- gillaceous Slate. Argillaceous Slate also occurs in some towns in the interior. But little is yet known of the geol- ogy of the northeastern part of the state, and others have not been examined with that minuteness, which the sub- ject deserves.
Mineralogy. Iron is the most common mineral found in Vermont. It occurs, in larger or smaller quantities, in all parts of the state. Small quantities of lead, zinc, and cop- per bave been discovered.
Actynolite occurs in Windham, Grafton, Newfane, and Brattleborough. Agate mineral in Lyndon and Groton. Aluminous State in Pownal and Rockingham. Amethyst in Westminster and Undlow. Amianthus in Weybridge, Mountholly, Kellyvale and Barton.
Argillaceous Slate in Dummerston, Brattleborough, Guil- ford, Vernon, Rockingham, Castleton, Pawiet and Berlin. Asbestus in Mountholly, Kellyvale, Troy, and Roxbury. Augite in Charlotte. Bitter Spar in Grafton, Bridgewater and Kellyvale. Blende, or Sulphuret of Zine in Orwell.
Calcareous Spar is found in Vergennes, Shoreham, Corn- wall, and Craftsbury. Calcarcons Tufa in Clarendon, Blid- dlebury and Burlington. Carbonate of Lime in all the western parts of the state, in Plymouth, Peacham and oth- er towns in the eastern parts. Chlorite in Grafton, Wind- ham, Castleton, Bethel, Stockbridge and Bridgewater.
Clay occurs in most parts of the state. Compact Lime- stone in most of the towns west of the mountains. Copper Green Carbonate, at Bellows Falls. Copperas, Sulphate of Iron, at Strafford, Shrewsbury, and Bridgewater. Cya- nite, or Sappare, in Grafton, Bellows Falls, Norwich, and Sharon.
Diallage, or Smaragdite, in New-Haven. Dolomite in Jamaica. Epidote, in Middlebury, Chester and Berkshire. Feldspar, in Townshend, Thetford, and Monkton. Fetid Limestone, in Shoreham, and Bridport. Flint in Orwell. Fluate of Lime, in Putney and Rockingham. Gamet, iu Bethel, Bridgewater, Woodstock, Grafton, Windham, Roy- alton, and Barnard.
Granular Limestone is found in most of the towns west of the mountains. Graphite, Black lead, or Plumbago, in Hancock. Horublende in Jericho, Acton, Ludlow, Graf- ton, Chester'and Royaltou. Hornstone in Cornwall, Mid- diebury, Shoreham, Bridport, Orwell and Bennington. In- dicolite at Bellows Falls.
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APPENDIX.
Iron, Bronn Oryde, in Monkton, Ripton and Pittsford. Chromate in Kellyvale. Magnetic Oxyde in Somerset, Ad- dison and Middlebury. Micaceous Oxyde in Jamaica and Newfane. Nodulur Argillaceous Oxyde in Putney. Red Oxyde in Monkton and Brandon. Specular, in Newfane Rutland and Somerset. Sulphuret in Strafford, Middlebu- ry, Shrewsbury, Tinmouth and Poultney.
Jasper occurs in Middlebury. Kaolin, or Porcelain carth, in Monkton and Brookline. Lead, Sulphuret, or Galona, iu Thetford and Sunderland. Macic, or Hollow Spar, near Bellows Falls. Magnesian Limestone in Bennington. Man- ganese, Oxyde, in Dennington, Monkton, Brandon, Pitts- ford, Williston and Goshen.
Marble abounds in most of the towns west of the moun- tains. Mari is found in Peacham, Barnard and Benson. Mica in nearly all the towns in the state. . Novaculite, or Oil Stone, in Memphremagog Jake. Pinite at Bellows Falls. Potstone in Grafton. Prohinite at Bellows Falls.
Quartz occurs in all parts of the state. Granular Quartz ia Vernon and Middlebury. Greasy in Grafton, Hancock and Middlebury. Limpid, or Rock Crystal, in Castleton, Waitsfield, St. Johnsbury, Grafton, Athens, Newfane and Rockingham. Milky in Stockbridge, Grafton and Middle- bury. Smoky in Shrewsbury and Wardsborough. Tabular in Windham.
Schorl is found in Grafton, New-Fane, Brattleborong !! , Strafford, Bridgewater, Dummerston and Rockingham .- Serpentine in Kellyvale, Troy, Grafton, Cavendish, Lund- low, Windham and Newfane. Siliceons Carbonate of Lime in Middlebury and Swanton. Stalactite in Bennington, Dorset, Weybridge and Plymouth.
Staurodite occurs in Chester, Putney and Pittsfield .- Steatite in Bethel, Grafton, Bridgewater, Newfane and Westminster. Tale in Grafton, Windham, Ludlow, Athens, Montpelier and Hancock. Tremolite in Wardsboro' and at Bellows Falls. Zoisite in Wardsboro.
Many of the above minerals occur in numerous towns, which are not mentioned. The most prominent locations, only, have been given. The inquiries, on this subject, are becoming more extensive, and we hope, that the mineralo- gy of the state will receive more attention, and soon be- come better known.
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