USA > Vermont > Windham County > Gazetteer and business directory of Windham county, Vt., 1724-1884 > Part 11
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TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO.
Wentworth, Esq., our Governor and Commander-in-Chief of our said Prov- ince of New Hampshire in America, and of our Council of the said Prov- ince, have, upon the conditions and reservations hereinafter made, Given & Granted and by these Presents for us our Heirs & successors, Do Give and Grant in equal Shares unto our Loving subjects, Inhabitants of our said Province of New Hampshire and his Majesty's other Governments and to their heirs and assigns forever, whose Names are Entered on this Grant, to be divided to and amongst them into fifty-six shares, Two of which shares to be laid out in one Tract of the contents of Eight Hundred acres for his excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq., and is in full for his two shares, which Tract is bounded as follows, viz. : -
"Beginning at the rocks at the upper end of the Fort meadow so-called, Thence up Connecticut River Two hundred and forty rods, & to carry that breadth back West ten degrees North so far as to contain Eight Hundred acres. All that Tract or parcel of Land situate, lying & being within our Province of New Hampshire containing by admeasurement Nineteen Thou- sand Three Hundred and sixty acres, which tract is to contain five miles and one-half mile square & no more, out of which an allowance is to be made for highways & unimprovable lands by rocks, mountains, Ponds & Rivers, one thousand and forty acres free according to a plan thereof made and pre- sented by our said Governor's orders & hereunto annexed, Butted & bounded as follows, viz. : Beginning at the mouth of Venter's Brook, so called, where it empties itself in to Connecticut River, & runs from thence six miles or thereabouts to the Southeast corner of Marlborough, thence five miles, North ten degrees East by Marlborough aforesaid to a stake & stones in said Line; Thence East ten degrees south to Connecticut River aforesaid, then down said River to the bounds first mentioned at Venter's Brook, Except a Tract of land lying in the said East corner of said Township containing about Two Hundred acres as the same is now fenced in and improved, which is hereby granted & assigned to Oliver Willard and to his heirs and assigns, one of the within Grantees, He having heretofore cleared and improved the said Tract and is to be in full for his share & proportion of the said Township ; said Two hundred acres are bounded as follows, viz : Beginning at Venter's Brook and runs West 10' North sixty rods to a Hill, & then runs under the Hill round as the Hill runs to the rocks at the upper end of the Meadow called fort meadow, thence down the river to Venter's Brook, and that the same be and is incorported into a Township by the name of Brattleborougb. and that the Inhabitants that do or shall hereafter Inhabit said Town- ship are hereby Declared to be Enfranchised with and entitled to all & every the privileges & Immunities that other Towns within our said Province by law exercise and enjoy, and further that the said town as soon as there shall be fifty Familys resident and settled therein shall have the liberty of holding Two Fairs, one of which shall be held on the first Thursday in October annu- ally, and the other on the first Thursday in February annually, which Fairs are not to continue & be held longer than the respective Saturday following the said respective Thursday, and as soon as said town shall consist of fifty familys a market shall be opened and kept one or more days in each week as may be tho't most advantageous to the inhabitants. Also that the first meet- ing for the choice of Town Officers agreeable to the laws of our said Pror- ince shall be held on the fifteen day of Jan'ry next, which meeting shall be notifyed by Josiah Willard, Esq., who is hereby also appointed Moderator of the said first meeting which he is to notify and govern, agreeable to the laws and customs of our said Province, and that the annual meeting forever hereafter
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TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO.
for the choice of such officers of said Town shall be on the first Wednesday in March, annually. To have and to hold the said Tract of Land as above expressed, together with all the Privileges and appurtenances to them and their respective heirs & assigns forever upon the following conditions, viz .: That every Grantee his heirs or assigns shall Plant or cultivate five acres of land, within the term of five years, for every fifty acres contained in his or their share or proportion of Land in said Township, and continue to im- prove and settle the same by additional cultivations, on Penalty of the for- feiture of his Grant or share in said Township, & its reverting to his Majesty his heirs and successors, to be by him or them regtanted to such of his sub- jects as shall effectually settle and cultivate the same. That all White or other Pine Trees within the said Township, fit for Masting our Royal Navy, be carefully Preserved for that use, and none to be cut or felled without his Majesty's Especial Lycence for so doing first had and obtained, upon the penalty of forfeiture of the right of such Grantee his heirs or assigns to us our heirs & successors, as well as being subject to the Penalty of any act or acts of Parliament that now are or hereafter shall be enacted. Also his Fort Dum- mer & a Tract of land of fifty rods square round it, viz : fifty rods West, twenty- five rods South & and twenty-five rods North of said Fort. That before any Division of the land be made to and amongst the Grantees a Tract of Land as near the center of the Township as the land will admit of shall be reserved and marked out for Town Lots, one of which shall be allotted to each Grantee of the contents of one acre yielding and paying therefor to us our heirs & suc- cessors for the space of ten years, to be computed from the date hereof, the rent of one Ear of Indian corn, only, on the first day of January, annually, if Lawfully Demanded, the first payment to be made on the first day of Jan- uary after the first of January next ensuing the date hereof, and every Pro- prietor, Settler or Inhabitant, shall yield and pay to us our heirs and suc- cessors yearly & every year forever from and after the expiration of the ten years from the date hereof. Namely on the first day of January, which will be in the year of Our Lord Christ one thousand Seven Hundred & Sixty- four, one shilling Proclamation money for every hundred acres he so owns, settles or possesses, and so in proportion for a Greater or Lesser Tract of the said Land, which money shall be paid by the respective persons above said their heirs or assigns, in our Council Chamber in Portsmouth, or to such officer or officers as shall be appointed to receive the same, and this to be in lieu of all other rents and services whatsoever, in Testimony whereof we have caused the seal of our said Providence to be hereunto affixed. Witness, Benning Wentworth, Esq., our Governor & Commander-in-Chief of our said Province, the Twenty-sixth day of December, in the year of our Lord Christ 1753, and in the Twenty-seventh year of our Reign. B. WENTWORTH.
" By his Excellencys command with advice of Council.
THEODORE ATKINSON, Secty.
" Entered and Recorded according to the original under the Province Seal, this 27th day of December, 1753. Per. THEODORE ATKINSON, Secty.
[In addition were also the following reservations. ]-" His Excellency Ben- ning Wentworth a Tract of Land to contain Eight Hundred acres, which is to be accounted Two of the within mentioned shares and Laid out and bounded as within mentioned, one whole share for the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts, one whole share for the first settled Minister of the Gospel in said Town, one whole share for a Glebe for the Ministry of the Church of England, as by law Established. Also his
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TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO.
Majesty's Fort Dummer, and a Tract or Land fifty rods round it, viz .: fifty rods West, twenty-five rods South & twenty-five North of said Fort.
" Recorded from the Back of the Charter for Brattleborough the 27th day of December, 1753. Per. THEODORE ATKINSON, Secty."
The surface of the town is broken and hilly, though not so much so but that there are left many acres of fine, arable land, and in the river valleys large areas of terrace formations that well repay the labors of the husband- man. This brokenness, however, lends a charming variety to the natural scenery of the town, which, perhaps, is surpassed by that of no other in the county. The smiling valley and placid, dignified course of the Connec- ticut, could not fail to attract notice in any clime, while at this point its charms seem, if possible, to have been heightened. Overlooking the town, and ascending steeply from the opposite side of the river, rises Chesterfield or Wantastiquet mountain to a height of 1,600 feet, covered with a forest of beech, maple and dark pines, amidst which are many frowning precipices of rock, over whose faces the silver thread of many a foaming cascade may often be seen falling, in the season of melting snows. The rays of the morning sun just rising over the mountain and cool valley, with the smoke curling silently up from the chimneys of the villages, present a very picture to the early riser, who will linger long on the beautiful scene. The rosy light of the setting sun, too, tinges the top of Chesterfield long after the valley is wrapped in gathering gloom, while the moon, rising among the pine trees, that crown the mountain's summit, will detain the lover of the beautiful till her full orb at length lights the placid bosom of the river, as it glides below.
A fine view of the town may be had from the cemetery, south of the village, whence the smooth stream of the Connecticut may be seen for sev- eral miles pursuing its course through the rich meadows, or between the remarkable terraces which in many places form a striking feature of the scene. These terraces, which are generally about seventy to one hundred feet above the level of the river, occurring at different distances from its banks, are so regular as almost to appear like the work of art, and doubtless in ages long gone adown the pathway of the centuries, when the huge birds existed which have left their footprints in the enduring stone of other por- tions of the valley, were banks of the mighty river which then rolled its waters to the sea.
Another beautiful valley is that of West river. Turning to the left from the northern part of the village, and passing the beautiful meadows below it, on the edge of which stands the Vermont Asylum for the Insane, one will come to the mouth of the narrow valley, through which West river makes its way to the Connecticut. It is lined on both sides with steep and well-wooded hills, and is sometimes so narrow that it fairly hems in the stream, and some times broadens into meadow lands. About four miles up this valley is Black mountain, a mass of black slate rock, scantily covered with pines, and rising to the height of nearly a thousand feet, immediately from the bed of the stream, and forming one side of a natural amphitheater, which, in other lands
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TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO.
and in ancient times, might have witnessed the strife of gladiators or the bloody combat of wild beast. Other scenes and views, in many parts of the town, equally attractive, might be mentioned, did space permit.
The Connecticut and West rivers and Whetstone brook, with their tribu- taries, form the water-courses of the township, affording some good mill-privi- leges. West river flows a southeasterly course through the northeastern part of the town, falling into the Connecticut about a mile above the village. Whetstone brook rises in Marlboro, and flowing an easterly course through this town, through the villages of West Brattleboro, Centerville and Brattle- boro, falls over a precipice at the latter village and drops into the Connec- ticut. It is a small stream, but affords some excellent mill-sites.
The soil is similar to that generally found along the Connecticut, consist- ing of intervale, sand, loam and gravel, with such timber as is naturally adapted to them. The rocks are mostly of schistose formation. In the east- ern part, extending west, perhaps as far as Centerville, the rocks are made up of clay-slate. All west of this, except a bed of hornblende schist extend- ing north and south through the center of the town, they are what are classed as calciferous mica schist. These general formations, however, are subject to the usual modifications and changes into formations of other classes, such as argillaceous slate steatite and small quantities of granite, the latter probably being deposits of the drift period (see page 30). No deposits of mineral or metals of importance have been discovered, though a small amount of lead and gold is said to have been found in the valley of Whetstone brook. Ac- tinolite is found in the steatite, in very perfect capilliary crystals grouped to- gether in different forms. Sometimes radicated mica is found, of rose-red color with schrol in quartz, and abundance of schrol in beautiful crystals.
In 1880 Brattleboro had a population of 5,880, and in 1882 its eleven school disiricts contained eleven common schools, employing two male and twenty-four female teachers, to whom was paid an aggregate salary of $7,900. There were 750 pupils attending common school, while the entire cost of the schools for the year, ending October 31st, was $9, 150.00, with G. E. Mar- tin, superintendent.
BRATTLEBORO is a beautiful village, located in the eastern part of the town, at the junction of Whetstone brook with the Connecticut river, being the eastern terminus of the Brattleboro & Whitehall railroad, the northern terminus of the Vermont & Massachusetts, and the southern terminus of the Vermont Valley railroads. It is irregularly laid out, on uneven ground, the Main street running parallel with the river, about seventy feet above its sur- face, till it descends to the bridge across the Whetstone. At right angles with it, and running up the valley of this little stream are Elliot, Green and High streets, making the principal avenues of the village. Aside from its public buildings, its fine rows of business blocks, its several manufacturing establishments, and many beautiful private residences, the village has two hotels four banks, the extensive buildings of the Vermont Asylum for the Insane, two
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TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO.
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TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO.
enterprising weekly papers-the Vermont Phoenix, and the Reformer,-two literary journals, six churches (Congregational, Episcopal, Baptist, Universalist, Methodist, and Roman Catholic), and about 5,000 inhabitants. The village is well supplied with illuminating gas and with water of an excellent quality. The abundance of the latter article, supplied from numerous springs upon the surrounding hills, together with the beautiful and healthful surroundings, early led to Brattleboro being selected as a health and summer resort, and finally to the establishment of that once famous institution.
THE WATER CURE.
This Water Cure, or Brattleboro Hydropathic Establishment, it is claimed, had much to do with building up the village, drawing thither many visitors from all parts of the Union. The facts relative to its establishment are mainly as follows: During the latter part of the first half of the present century Mr. John Gray, a wealthy invalid of Boston, Mass., went to the water cures of Europe to recover his health, which he succeeded in doing. Becoming much impressed with the value of this hydropathic mode of treat- ment, he returned to Boston, in 1844, determined to establish in New Eng- land an institution similar to those he had visited in Europe. After due de- liberation, he decided upon Brattleboro as its site, and, in 1845, purchased two adjoining dwellings of Ashbel Dickinson, located on Elliot street, to be converted into an institute, which, in company with Dr. Robert Wesselhoeft, he immediately did, being ready to receive patients May 29, 1845. Soon after, these gentlemen were joined by Dr. Charles Grau, a very learned man and celebrated surgeon, from Germany. The success of the enterprise seems to have been assured from the first, and, in 1846, the " Brattleboro Hydro- pathic Establishment " was incorporated by an act of the legislature. The influx of visitors was so great that increased accommodations immedi- ately became necessary, and the two houses were united and much enlarged. The accommodations being still insufficient, an additional building was erected in 1846, containing a dining-hall 26x86 feet, and a large number of chambers. Other additions and new buildings were from time to time erected, until there were accommodations for three hundred patients, the establishment being at times filled to its utmost capacity. In 1853, however, Dr. Wesselhoeft, the main spirit of the concern, died. Various changes were then undergone, until 1859, when the original property was purchased by Mr. P. B. Francis, and the remainder by the same gentleman in 1870. He conducted the enterprise until the latter year, when it was abandoned and the buildings converted into tenements, for which purpose they are still used by Mr. Francis.
MANUFACTURES.
The Organ Business .- The extensive organ business in Brattleboro has made for the village a world-wide fame, and the music of its organs probably
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TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO.
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TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO.
is heard to-day in every civilized country on the earth. The infancy and growth of the great business, as far as we have been able to learn, are briefly as follows :-
On December 1, 1842, Samuel H. Jones, now of Needham, Mass., being just out of an apprenticeship to the cabinet trade and not of age until the following spring, went to Winchester, N. H., to run the business of manu- facturing melodeons. Mr. Jones had never seen but one 'melodeon, and when he arrived at the works in Winchester the only indications of the business he could see were a few patterns, the manufacture of pipe organs for church and parlor being the real business then carried on by the firm, Foster & Thayer, the melodeon business remaining yet to be developed. The first melodeon was made to be held in the player's lap, or upon a table, the bellows being worked with the elbow. It could be folded and carried under the arm with as much ease as could an ordinary bass viol, and was often so taken to church and other meetings. The compass of the key-board was usually three octaves, with ivory keys similar to those now in use. The reeds were made of common sheet brass, the sockets being stamped into form so as to fit slots made with a saw. The tongues, or vibrators, were made of the same soft metal, cut into suitable strips, and with hammer and anvil brought to the required form and temper. These were fitted and riveted to the sockets and brought to the proper pitch by hand tools.
Mr. Jones remained with this firm until the summer of 1844, when, by mutual consent, the firm of Foster & Thayer dissolved partnership, Mr. Fos- ter removing to Keene, N. H., where he established the organ and melodeon business. Mr. Jones remained in Winchester, manufacturing instruments in a small way on his own account. In 1846 Mr. Jones, having formed an aquaintance with Riley Burdett, a singing master, early in June came to Brattleboro, beginning business in a small apartment of the upper story of Smith & Woodcock's flouring mill, at what is now called Centerville, under the firm name of S. H. Jones & Co., John Woodbury and Riley Burdett being half owners and managing the sales department at their music store which was in Steen's building, corner of Main and High streets.
The first specimens of the manufacture were completed in November, and were taken to Boston, where arrangements for selling were effected with E. H. Wade, then a prominent dealer in musical merchandise at No. 176 Wash- ington street. During that winter Mr. Burdett gave his attention to learning the art of voicing and tuning. During the following year he concluded to exchange his interest in the firm of Woodbury & Burdett for Mr. Woodbury's interest in the firm of S. H. Jones & Co., Mr. Woodbury continuing the man- ufacture of his celebrated violins, in Steen's building.
The new firm of Jones & Burdett soon removed to the unoccupied office of J. B. Blake, Esq., at the corner of Main and Elliot streets, upon the site afterwards occupied by the Revere House. In the autumn of 1848, the man- ufactory itself was removed from the flour mill to the "Typhographic Build-
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TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO.
ings," occupying a part made vacant by the removal of Hollister's silk factory to Connecticut. These buildings afforded the room that increasing business made necessary, including the office, salesroom, etc. September, 1850, Mr.
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E. B. Carpenter, a farmer in the town of Guilford, who had been devoting some of his leisure time to selling the instruments, became desirous of securing an interest in the business, eventually purchasing Mr. Jones's share. The new firm of Burdett & Carpenter soon after moved into a building owned by Mr. Jacob Estey, who afterwards bought out Mr. Burdett's inter-
(ESTEY ORGAN WORKS - BRATTLEBORO, V'T.)
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TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO.
est in the concern. The next change was of Mr. Carpenter's interest sold to I. Hines, the firm name being changed to I. Hines & Co., remaining thus until 1855, when Mr. Estey became sole owner.
In the meantime, September 13, 1853, Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Jones began to manufacture melodians, over "Clark's planing-mill," near the depot, and were soon after joined by George Woods, under the firm name of Jones, Carpenter & Woods. The firm was dissolved and the business abandoned in January. 1856, Mr. Woods accepting a position in Boston, whither Mr. Jones followed him in July following.
It is, however, to the great energy, tact, and perseverence of Mr. Jacob Estey that Brattleboro owes the credit of the great organ trade for which she is so justly celebrated.
Mr. Estey was born at Hinsdale, N. H., September 30, 1814, and was, when four years of age, adopted by a wealthy family in the neighborhood. After remaining with them until 14 years of age he ran away and walked to Worcester, Mass., where a brother lived, and went to work on a farm, and attended the Worcester High school. At the age of seventeen he engaged with T. J. Sutton, of Worcester, as an apprentice, to learn the plumber's trade, including the manufacture of lead pipe, and remained with them four years. In February, 1835, he came to Brattleboro, having saved sufficient means to purchase the business, tools and real estate of a plumbing and lead pipe concern, and hired a shop on premises opposite the Brattleboro House. In this business he continued until he purchased the organ, or melodeon busi- ness, as previously stated. When he took the concern it only employed a half dozen men or so, but under his management the business rapidly in- creased.
His factory was burned in 1857, but he erected another on the site of the Brattleboro House. This factory also burned in 1864. Rebuilding, he con- tinued in successful operation until 1866, when he received into partnership his son-in-law, Levi K. Fuller, and his son, Julius J. Estey. In October, 1869, a flood swept away a part of their buildings, involving slight embarrass- ment, but not entire cessation of work. The firm now bought a tract of sixty acres, and erected new buildings. The number of these has since been increased, until they now. number, of factory buildings proper, eight, fronting on Birge street, each one hundred feet long by from thirty to thirty-eight feet wide, with several more in the rear, and three stories in height. There is also a large dry-house one hundred and forty feet long by fifty feet wide, together with other buildings in which all the wood that make up the cases and the inner parts of the organ is thoroughly dried, after a long seasoning in the open air, by a process patented by Col. Fuller. Of black walnut alone four car-loads a week are required for the cases. There are also a store- house, one hundred feet square; an engine-house, containing seven large boilers and a Corliss engine of one hundred and fifty horse-power; and other out-houses for various purposes, including a building in which is kept, for
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TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO.
ready use, two steam fire-engines, the property of the firm, and are manned by a company of the employees who are regularly exercised in their use twice a month. Each building is also suppled with fire-buckets and extinguishers.
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