History of Bennington County, Vt. : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 49

Author: Aldrich, Lewis Cass. cn
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Syracuse : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1214


USA > Vermont > Bennington County > History of Bennington County, Vt. : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 49


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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422


HISTORY OF BENNINGTON COUNTY.


missed him. He now procured a boat and went to his house, which he in in ashes. After searching for any remains that might be left, in case hi . and children had been burned in the house, he returned to the fort, where procured a passage up the lake to Whitehall. He was here completely at 1. as to which way his family had gone but was induced to believe they were Connecticut, where he went, but found they had not been there. He retun. and went in another direction, and, after weeks of fruitless search, had ahn : despaired of finding them, when one evening, weary and footsore, he cal . at a log-house in Dorset, Vt., for entertainment for the night. It was quy dark. A flickering light from the dying embers only rendered things mon indistinguishable. He had just taken a seat when a smart little woman, wit. a pail of milk, came in, and said, 'Moses can't you take the gentleman's hat : That voice! He sprang towards her. 'Agnes!' and she, with outstretched arms, 'John, O, John!' How quick the voice of loved ones strikes upon the car, and vibrates through the heart. That was a happy night in the little log-house The children came rushing in, and each in turn received their father's care .. Smiles of happiness and tears of joy mingled freely, for a father and husband `was restored as from the dead. They had received no tidings of him after he left his cattle and went to look for them, and they mourned him as dead. The next year he hired a farm. He represented Dorset in the Legislature from 1779 to 1782, in '81 was elected assistant judge for Bennington county and also in '82. In 1783 he returned to Addison."


The principal industry of the town is the production of marble, and the quarries that are now in operation, with one exception, are located upon the different slopes of Mount /Eolus. The marble usually lies in horizontal strata or layers, and varies in thickness from a few inches to five or six feet, each layer generally retaining its own peculiar characteristics, such as color, degree of hardness and thickness, and is likely to improve in quality as it is followed back into the mountain. The celebrated geologist, Professor Edward Hitch- cock, sen., has said of Mount AEolus: "It furnishes the beautiful white marble, equal to the finest Italian, known all over our country as a product of this State. Such a rock, and such marble certainly deserves a name as beautiful and euphonical as the epithet AEolian. But its origin needs explanation. The fine mountain in East Dorset, known generally as Dorset Mountain, and some- times as Green Peak, contains the most remarkable display of white and gray limestone in New England-perhaps in the United States. The strata here are piled upon one another to the height of nearly eighteen hundred feet, in a nearly horizontal position, and capped by a few hundred feet of talcose schist. Near the top of the limestone is a large cave descending westerly from the eastern precipitious face of the mountain. In a report on the geology of Massachusetts, we gave the name Berkshire limestone to this rock because it is well developed in Berkshire county of that State. Professor Emmons called


423


TOWN OF DORSET.


ยท Stockbridge limestone, because large quarries of it exist in that town. On the sune principle Rutland ought to be the prefix instead of Stockbridge, because


the: Rutland quarries are much the largest. But since the largest develop- ment we know of this rock is seen in Dorset Mountain, we had resolved in this report to call it Dorset limestone. In the autumn of 1860, however, the ological (senior) class in Amherst College, having gone to Vermont to assist in measuring a section across the Green Mountains, found themselves in the vi- cinity of Dorset Mountain, and could not resist the temptation to ascend it and propose a name for it. They called it Mount AEolus, in honor of the god of the winds, which are confined by him in a cave; and there is quite as much reason for supposing the cave on this mountain to have been the place where they were imprisoned as to locate it in the far inferior mountain of Stromboli. We too cannot resist the temptation to apply a name euphonical and appro- priate to this elegant rock, so like the Carrara marble, which probably skirts the western base of some of the Appalachian ridges from Canada to Alabama. If the proprietors of the marble quarries on this mountain should yield to a similar temptation AEolian marble may become as famous in the future history of this country as the Carrara marble has been in that of Italy. We do not know wherein the former is inferior to the latter." The oldest quarry of which we have any account was opened in 1785 by Isaac Underhill, and was located in South Dorset. The production of the quarry was fire-jams, chim- ney backs, hearths etc., used in the construction of fire-places. A considerable trade was soon established, which led others to engage in the quarrying busi- ness, until now there are fifteen or more quarries that have been opened and worked, some of which have been abandoned. The firm of J. K. Freedley's Sons owns one of the principal quarries, which is the most northerly of those on the eastern side of Mount /Eolus. It was opened in 1808, and has been in operation continously. The marble is the strongest of any in town, and is used almost entirely for building purposes. On this quarry is to be seen the only tunneling done in town, where the marble has been removed for several hun- dred feet, leaving large chambers back in the inountain. The mill is located in the valley below, to which the marble is brought on cars over a railroad about a mile in length, built up the steep side of the mountain, and worked by means of cable. Located in the village of East Dorset is the marble-mill of D. L. Kent & Co., which firm is at present doing the largest business of any in town. The principal quarry owned by them is a part interest in the Folsom Ledge, which produces monumental marble of high a grade, being al- most identical with the Vermont Italian marble. In addition to the supply from their own quarries this firm works a great variety of marble from differ- ent parts of the State, as they are finishers not only of building marble but also monuments, mantles, hearths, tiling, etc. The Dorset Marble Company (not now in active business), have a large mill and marble yard, also located in


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HISTORY OF BENNINGTON COUNTY.


the village of East Dorset. They own the Vermont Italian marble quarry, which is the highest quarry in town, and produces monumental marble of tl ... finest quality, very hard and susceptible of the highest polish. This firm als, have an interest in the Folsom Quarry, of which mention has been made. On the western slope of Mount AEolus is the Edmund Manley Quarry, now owned by S. F. Prince & Co. This quarry produces mostly building marble, and is said by good judges to be the best of its kind in the State. The quarry presents a perpendicular face of about one hundred feet, the marble is quite perfect, and blocks have been taken out weighing fourteen tons each. The mill belonging to this firm is situated about a mile from the quarry, but only a small portion of the marble is sawed here, being shipped in the block. At South Dorset is located the mill and one of the quarries of the National Marble Company, successors to Kent & Root. This quarry is peculiar in that its strata are irregular and curved, instead of horizontal as in the other quar- ries, and presents a remarkable diversity of marble, not only in color, but in texture. This firm also owns a share in the Folsom Ledge.


Although marble is the principal production of this town, and provides employment for many men, lumbering is quite extensively carried on, there being seven lumber mills of more or less importance.


The farming interest is devoted almost exclusively to dairying, several cheese factories being in operation seven or eight months of the year, making into cheese the milk of about one thousand cows.


Church History .- In regard to the history of the Congregational Church of Dorset we find the following in the " Vermont Historical Magazine :" "The Congregational Church of Dorset was organized September 22, 1784, by Rev. Elijah Sill, from New Fairfield, Conn. In its infancy, though struggling with the usual embarrassments of a young church in a new country, it had the pecul- iar elements of strength and increase in the decidedly Christian character and earnest devotion of some of its earliest members. Among these were Deacons John Manly and Cephas Kent, who, with their families established that regular Sabbath worship in Dorset which has now been maintained almost uninter- ruptedly for more than one hundred years. Not long after its organization the church numbered about 40 members; in 1796, about 80; in 1842, 168; in 1860, 102; and in 1889, 157."


Ministers .- The first pastor was Rev. Elijah Sill, who graduated at Yale in 1748, settled in Dorset in 1784, continued about five years, dismissed in 1791. From the town records we learn that " in 1793 the town voted to give Rev. Eli- jah Sill a call to settle in this town as a minister of the Gospel, Captain Abra- ham Underhill, Mr. Cephas Kent and Mr. John Manley be committee to treat with Mr. Sill in relation to settlement." Rev. Seth Williston, D. D., for many years pastor of a church in Durham, N. Y, spent several months of his earlier ministry in successful labor with this church in 1795-96. Rev. William Jack-


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TOWN OF DORSET.


won. D. D. commenced preaching here in 1793, During his later years in con- sequence of failing health, he was assisted first by Rev. Mr. Gordon and Rev. James Meacham as stated supplies, and afterwards by Rev. Ezra Jones as col- league pastor. Rev. Ezra Jones, born in Waitsfield, Vt., graduated at Middle- bury in 1831, at Andover, Mass., in 1834, was installed at Dorset December 12, 1838, and dismissed October 28, 1841. For several years there was no settled pastor. Among the acceptable supplies of this period were Rev. J. D. Wick- han, of Manchester, and Rev. M. C. Searle, formerly pastor in New Hartford, N. Y. Rev. Cyrus Hudson, a native of Dorset, graduated at Middlebury in 1824, at Auburn in about 1828, and was installed pastor October 27, 1847. He re- signed his office on account of infirm health, and closed his useful services here in the spring of 1853. For two and a half years the church was without a resi- dent pastor, the pulpit being supplied for longer or shorter periods by Rev. J. Steele, Professor G. A. Boardman and others. Since January, 1856, the acting pastor has been Rev. P. S. Pratt, graduated at Hamilton College in 1842, and at Auburn in 1846. -


The first meeting-house must have been built not long after the organiza- tion of the church, and was located near the burial ground. It was afterward removed to the west end of the village nearly opposite the present site, and repaired in 1816, and burned during a storm in January, 1832. The present edifice was dedicated in February, 1833. It has since been enlarged and re- modeled, and is neatly and comfortably furnished. There is a flourishing Sab- bath-school connected with the church. The parsonage was erected shortly after the accession of Rev. Mr. Jones, about the year 1839.


A Baptist Church existed and flourished in Dorset for several years, espe- cially under the ministry of Rev. Cyrenus M. Fuller, settled in 1818, but this church is now extinct.


There is a Union church edifice at East Dorset, erected in 1838 or 1839; various denominations are represented, of which the Congregational and Meth- odist are the principal The present membership is about forty, and there is a Sabbath-school connected with the church. There is also a Roman Catholic Church, organized in 1856 in East Dorset, which is the largest church in town, having a membership of four hundred and fifty.


Schools .- The charter of the town provided a share, (two hundred and fifty acres of land) for the for the benefit of a school in town. In 1787 the town voted to lay out the school lot in the best manner for obtaining an income for the support of schools, and in 1797 the town was divided into six school districts, which number has since been increased to twelve full districts and one frac- tional. The old district system has been and is still in use, and with so many school-houses scattered through the town a good opportunity has at all times been afforded to all the children within its limits for obtaining instruction in ordinary branches. The school-houses are in good repair, the largest of which 54


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426


HISTORY OF BENNINGTON COUNTY.


quite recently built at an expense of more than $5,000, is located at the villa .... of East Dorset. The schools are supported in part by the income derived fre .. school lands, United States deposit money, and the Huntington fund, and the remaining expense is borne by the districts with the exception of a town tax averaging ten cents on the dollar. The yearly cost of schools in town is abr .... $3,500. The number of diffeent scholars in attendance is about four hundred and twenty-five. Although our schools are of fair standing, they do not afford sufficient advantages to enable our advanced scholars to remain at home.


Population .- The population of Dorset in 1791 was 958; in 1800, 1,286; in 1810, 1,294; in 1820, 1,359; in 1830, 1,507; in 1840, 1,432; in 1850, 1.700; in 1860, 2,090; in 1870, 2,195 ; in 1880, 2,005. The population of this town has not varied materially for the past thirty years, it being about the same at the present time as when the last census was taken.


The following is a civil list of town representatives: 1778, Cephas Kent, Abram Underhill ; 1779, 1780, 1781, Abram Underhill, John Strong; 1782, Benjamin Baldwin, John Strong; 1783, John Shumway, Timothy Brown; 1784, Benjamin Baldwin, Abram Underhill; 1785, John Shumway ; 1786, Silas Goodrich ; 1787, John Shumway ; 1788, William Dunton ; 1789, John Shum- way; 1790, William Dunton ; 1791, 1792, John Shumway; 1793, Jona. Arm- strong; 1794, Stephen Martindale ; 1795, John Shumway; 1796, Jona. Arm- strong ; 1797, 1798, 1799, John Shumway; 1800, Jona. Armstrong; 1801, 1802, Stephen Martindale ; 1803, 1804, John Shumway ; 1805, 1806, Samuel Collins; 1807, John Shumway; 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, Samuel Collins; 1812, 1813, 1814, Benjamin Deming; 1815, 1816, 1817, 1818, 1819, 1820, 1821, 1822, John Underhill ; 1823, 1824, Reuben H. Blackmer; 1825, Johnson Marsh ; 1826, Reuben H. Blackmer; 1827. John Cochran; 1828, S. Martindale; 1829, John Cochran ; 1830, 1831, Azel Moore ; 1832, 1833, Sylvanus Sykes; 1834. 1835, Paddock Gray ; 1836, 1837, Robert Bloomer; 1838, Abial Blanchard ; 1839, Chauncey Green ; 1840, Heman Morse ; 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845. 1846, W. Martindale ; 1847, 1848, James Curtis ; 1849, Jarvis Andrus; 1850, 1851, Daniel G. Williams; 1852, 1853, Marcius B. Roberts; 1854, 1855, George W. Farwell; 1856, George B. Holley; 1857, 1858, Ira Cochran; 1859, Charles Field ; 1860, 1861, John W. Batchelder ; 1862, 1863, Henry B. Kent ; 1864. 1865, Welcome Allen ; 1866, A. B. Armstrong ; 1867, 1868, G. M. Sykes ; 1869, W. H. Bebee; 1870, 1871, William A. Tyrel; 1872, 1873, W. H. Bebee; 1874, 1875, Duane L. Kent; 1876, 1877. George W. Farwell; 1878, 1879, Isaac Barrows; 1880, ISSI, O. E. Whitney; 1882, 1883, Dwight Sykes ; 1884, 1885. Moses Sheldon ; 1886, 1887, George M. Viall; 1888, 1889, J. L Cochran.


State senators from Dorset since 1836 .- 1846, 1847, Heman Morse ; 1859. 1860, Laurel B. Armstrong; 1865, 1866, Ira Cochran; 1880, 1881, G. M. Sykes: 1882, 1883, George M. Viall; 1884, 1885, John Curtis.


In the following lists of town clerks and treasurers, we give the number of elections for each, and the last year of each period of service :


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427


TOWN OF DORSET.


Toron Clerks .- Asa Baldwin, 4, 1777; Nathan Manly, 7, 1784; John Shumway, 12, 1796; William Dunton, 1, 1797; John Shumway, 17, 1814; lolin Underhill, 12, 1826; Azel Morse, 8, 1834; Heman Morse, 23, 1857 ; Byron Sargeant, 1, 1858; Heman Morse, 3, 1861 ; John W. Batchelder, 3, 1864; S. F. Holley, 1, 1865 ; I. G. Viall, 7, 1872 ; George W. Farwell, G, 1878; George M. Viall, 11, 1889.


Town Treasurers .- Cephas Kent, 5, 1782; Isaac Farwell, 10, 1798; Sam- uel Collins, 11, 1809 ; Peleg Smith, 1, 1826; Robert Bloomer, 1, 1827 ; Azel Morse, 7, 1834; Heman Morse, 23, 1857 ; Byron Sargeant, 1, 1858; Hemian Morse, 3, 1861 ; John W. Batchelder, 3, 1864; S. F. Holley, 1, 1865 ; J. G. Viall, 7, 1872 ; G. M. Sykes, 1, 1873; George W. Farwell, 5, 1878; George M. Viall, 11, 1889.


Members of the Constitutional Convention .- 1791, John Shumway ; 1793, William Dunton ; 1814, Benjamin Deming; 1822, Sylvanus Sykes, jr. ; 1828, Stephen Martindale ; 1836, Cyrus Armstrong; 1843, Chauncey Green; 1850, George B. Holley ; 1870, FF. W. Olmstead.


Selectmen of Dorset .- 1774, Cephas Kent, John Manley, Asa Baldwin ; 1775, Cephas Kent, Abram Underhill, Asa Baldwin ; 1776, Augustin Under- hill, Cephas Kent, Abram Underhill ; 1777, Abram Underhill, Epliraim Rey- nolds, John Manley, jr. ; 1778, Asahel Harmon, Abram Underhill, John Man- ley, jr. ; 1779, Abram Underhill, John Manly, Ebenezer Morse ; 1780, Zach- ariah Curtis, Augustin Underhill, Richard Dunning, Asahel Harmon, John Gray ; 1781, Augustin Underhill, Asahel Harmon, Isaac Farwell; 1782, Ce- phas Kent, Asahel Harmon, Benjamin Baldwin ; 1783, Asahel Harmon, Ce- phas Kent, Benjamin Baldwin ; 1784, Benjamin Baldwin, Eli Deming, Augus- tin Underhill; 1785, Benjamin Baldwin, Eli Deming, Asahel Harmon ; 1786, Benjamin Baldwin, Asahel Harmon, John Matteson ; 1787, Benjamin Baldwin, Asahel Harmon, John French ; 1788, Asahel Harmon, John French, Jona. Armstrong ; 1789, Jona. Armstrong, Eleazer Baldwin, William Underhill ; 1790, Stephen Martindale, Richard Dunning, Seth Smith; 1793, Stephen Mar- tindale; 1794, Jona. Armstrong, John Shumway; 1796, Jona. Armstrong, Samuel Collins, Price Beardsley ; 1797, Jona. Armstrong, Price Beardsley, Samuel Collins; 1798, the same ; 1799, Jona. Armstrong, John Shumway, Titus Sykes, Benjamin Matteson, Noah Morse ; 1800, Jona. Armstrong, Price Beardsley, Benjamin Baldwin ; 1801, the same; 1802, the same; 1803, the same; 1804, the same ; 1805, the same; 1806, the same ; 1807, Jona. Arm- strong, Benjamin Deming, John Vail ; 1808, Jona. Armstrong, Benjamin Den- ing, Titus Sykes; 1809, Stephen Martindale, Benjamin Deming, John Vail; 1825, Sylvanus Sykes, Joseph Morse, Horatio Sykes; 1826, Sylvanus Sykes, Joseph Leach, Horatio Sykes; 1827, Sylvanus Sykes, John Chapman, Pad- dock Gray ; 1828, Sylvanus Sykes, John Chapman, Samuel Merick ; 1829, Sylvanus Sykes, John Chapman, Paddock Gray ; 1830, John Chapman, Juba


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HISTORY OF BENNINGTON COUNTY.


Kent, Benjamin Ames; 1831, the same; 1832, John Chapman, Experience. Barrows, Benjamin Ames; 1833, Experience Barrows, Benjamin Ames, A .. vin Gray ; 1834, Alvin Gray, Heman Morse, Lyman Sykes ; 1835, Alvi Gray, William Bebee, Lyman Sykes; 1836, the same; 1837, Experience Bar. rows, Daniel G. Williams, Cyrus Armstrong ; 1838, Alvin Gray, Daniel G. Williams, Zalmon Barnum; 1839, Alvin Gray, James Curtis, Zalmon Barnum; 1840, the same; 1841, James Curtis, David Baldwin, James T. Wilson ; 1842, James Curtis, James T. Wilson, Anson Gray; 1843, Josiah Dayton, James T. Wilson, Anson Gray ; 1844, Jarvis Andrews, Experience Barrows, John T. Griffith ; 1845, Jarvis Andrews, William J. Soper. Norton Sykes; 1846, Nor- ton Sykes, Benjamin Ames, Harvey Holley ; 1847, Benjamin Ames, Chaun- cey G. Borland, William S. Martindale; 1848, the same; 1849, James Cur- tis, James A. Hodge, Harvey Holley ; 1850, Harvey Holley, Daniel G. Wil- liams, I. N. Sykes ; 1851, the same ; 1852, Harvey Holley, Hiram A. Sowle, D. G. Williams ; 1853, I. N. Sykes, James T. Wilson, John Curtis; 1854, N. J. Sanford, James T. Wilson, John Petty ; 1855, James T. Wilson, Harvey Holley, Heman Morse; 1856, the same; 1857, the same; 1858, George W. Farwell, W. A. Martindale, W. H. Bebee; 1859, George W. Farwell, W. A. Martindale, James T. Wilson ; 1860, A. B. Armstrong, John W. Batchelder, Norton Sykes; 1861, the same; 1862, George W. Farwell, John W. Batchel- der, Harvey Holley ; 1863, John W. Batchelder, Harvey Holley, W. H. Bebee ; 1864, John W. Batchelder, W. A. Martindale, Norton Sykes; 1865, George W. Farwell, W. H. Bebee, Charles Baldwin; 1866, the same; 1867, William D. Clemons, James B. Wood, Azariah Hilliard ; 1868, the same; 1869, Aza -. riah Hilliard, F. G. Harwood, O. C. Gilbert; 1870, O. C. Gilbert, F. G. Har- wood, H. A. Williams; 1871, W. H. Bebee, H. A. Williams, N. J. Sanford ; 1872, W. H. Bebee, N. J. Sanford, J. L. Cochran ; 1873, H. A. Williams, J. L. Cochran, George W. Farwell ; 1874, H. A. Williams, J. M. Griffith, George W. Farwell; 1875, H. A. Williams, W. H. Bebee, E. J. Sanford ; 1876, H. A. Williams, John Curtis, H. G. Harwood; 1877, W. H. Bebee, H. G Harwood, Charles Baldwin ; 1878, W. H. Bebee, Dwight Sykes, Nathaniel McWayne ; 1879, William D. Ames, James Codey, Martin Sheridan ; 18So, William D. Ames, Martin Sheridan, G. M. Sykes ; 1881, Isaac Barrows, Martin Sheridan, J. E. Buffum; 1882, Isaac Barrows, Martin Sheridan, J. E. Buffum; 1883, J. E. Buffum, Martin Sheridan, Isaac Barrows; 1884, J. E. Buffum, Martin Sheridan, George H. Williams ; 1885, the same; 1886, B. A. Rogers, G. M. Sykes, Edward Young; 1887, B. A. Rogers, W. C. Landon, Michael Connell ; 1888, J. E. Buffum, John H. Sheldon, Robert Carney ; 1889, J. E. Buffum, Martin Sheridan, Robert Carney.


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TOWN OF POWNAL.


CHAPTER XXIV.


HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF POWNAL. 1


T HE original limits of this town are thus expressed in the charter in 1760: South on the Massachusetts line, west by New York line, north on Ben- nington, and east on Stamford by the name of Pownal. Pownal was the name of one of the proprietors, but he never resided in the town. Thompson, in his "Tory's Daughter," gives this name to one of a party who were traveling in 1775 from Bennington to Windsor. He may have been a man of some in- fluence in those early days. The first settlers came from two directions. The lands along the Hoosick River were occupied by the Dutch from New York. At a town meeting held June 28, 1760, it was voted to give a man by the name of Kreiger a single "right" on account of improvements which he had already made at a place near the present residence of Mr. Silas Paddock. The rocky bluffs east and south of the village of North Pownal are called after the name of this first settler, "Kreiger rocks." He has no descendants in town. The rocks only perpetuate his name. Another settler occupied what was af- terwards known as the " Deal " farm. His name was Hogle. He was killed by the Indians who passed this way from the Mohawk to Massachusetts and Connecticut. His widow returned to Albany, married a man by the name of John Vondeal, and returned to the place where her former husband was killed, and repossessed the lands she had before vacated. Here they re- mained and died, and their son, Peter Vondeal, succeeded them. The other direction from whence came our first settlers was Connecticut and Rhode Is- land. Those from Rhode Island settled upon the side hills along the east side of the Hoosick Valley. Those from Connecticut selected the Pine ridges east and north of the center of the town. They did this on account of the large pine trees which grew in this locality, because they thought that the soil which produced such excellent lumber must necessarily be very rich. The Green Mountains are on the east border of the town. Petersburg or West Mountain on the west side. Between these two ranges the topography of the country is that of an inclined plane from the river to the Green Mountains, its level surface broken by frequent hills and rocky ledges, so that to a bird's eye it would have the appearance of a great basin, with the river at its lowest point. The word "Hoosick," a perversion of Hoosac, an Indian name, means "Great Basin." The Walloomsac River, rising in the southeast part of Pow-


' By T. E. Brownell, esq.


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430


HISTORY OF BENNINGTON COUNTY.


nal, flows northerly along the foot of the Green Mountains until it reaches Ben- nington, where it turns its course to the west and unites with the Hoosick ... Eagle Bridge, N. Y. The Hoosick River furnishes one of the best water- powers in the State. On this stream are now located a knitting-mill owned by Solomon Wright at the village of Pownal, and a large cotton factory owned by the North Pownal Manufacturing Company at North Pownal.


The experience of the first inhabitants of Pownal of course included a great deal of deprivation and hardships. The Indians troubled them at first, and they had to flee to Fort Massachusetts for safety. Then New York threatened those who held rights under the charter of New Hampshire. The owners of a mill near the present site of the McComber Mills were obliged to transport their machinery into Massachusetts to avoid its capture by the New Yorkers. After the charter it was several years before any mill was built, so that in November, 1763 the inhabitants in town meeting voted to pay any one the sum of sixty dollars who would build by the Ist of May next following a corn-mill or a saw-mill. They used to go to mill on horseback by a path through the woods to Albany.




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