USA > Vermont > Outlines of the geography, natural and civil history and constitution of Vermont. Also the Constitution of the United States. with notes and queries > Part 2
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Memphremagog luke lies partly in Canada. It is about 30 miles long. Nearly half of it is in Vermont, though more than half its length is in Canada. A steamboat ride on this lake is rendered intensely interesting by the beauti- ful scenery on each side. It is about 695 feet above the level of the ocean. Several rivers flow into it. The islands are small but beautiful.
Bombazine lake, situated principally in Castleton, is a beautiful sheet of water. The northern extremity of the lake is in Hubbardton. " It lies in a basin of rocks, and, in some parts, is of great depth ; it is 8 miles long, and its greatest breadth is 21 miles; an island containing about 10 acres is situated near the centre of the lake ; being pro- vided with a cottage, it is a pleasant summer resort for parties of pleasure, and adds much to the beauty of the scenery."
Willoughby lake is a beautiful body of water about 6 miles long, and varying from ! to 12 miles in width. It is almost entirely surrounded by high hills, and the scenery is exceedingly picturesque. The lake is visited by a large number of people every year.
22
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Bellwater pond, or Crystal lake in Barton, and Caspian luke, sometimes called Luke Beautiful, in Greensboro, lake Seymour or Morgan lake in Morgan, and Duumore lake in Salisbury and Leicester, are smaller but scarcely less beautiful bodies of water.
Franklin pond in Franklin, Island pond in Brighton, Joe's pond in Cabot and Danville, Long pond in Groton, Hosmer ponds in Craftsbury and Albany, Winooski pond in Peacham, Maidstone pond in Maidstone, Averill ponds in Averill and Norton, Leach ponds, in Canaan and Averill, and Miles' pond in Concord, are among the more important ponds.
Smaller bodies of water are found in almost every town, but are more numerous in the northern, than in the south- ern part of the state.
No part of the country abounds more in brooks, rivers, ponds and lakes. Mills and factories may be erected on the streams, adequate to supply the wants of the inhabitants in almost every town.
Questions.
Are the lakes of Vermont of much importance of interest ? Do the two largest lakes he wholly in Vermont ? What is the extent of lake Champlain ? Where is the line between Vermont and New York ? How high is the surface of the water ? Can steam- boats and other vessels traverse the lake ? What is said respect - ing the islands ?
Where is Memphremagog lake situated ? How long is it? How large a part is in Vermont? Is the scenery interesting around the lake ? How high is it above the ocean ?
Describe Willoughby lake. By what is it nearly surrounded ? Is it a place of common resort ? Mention other interesting lakes. Where is Franklin pond ? Island pend ? Joe's pond? Long pond? Hosmer ponds ? Winooski goud? Where are the Averill ponds : Leach ? Miles' ? Where are su. il ponds mort numerous ;
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
LESSON VI.
Rivers.
The rivers in Vermont, as before stated, are numerous, thoughi none are very large. Most of them have been men- tioned on the map, but require a more distinct notice. Those in the eastern part are the following :
Deerfield river rises in Stratton, and flows southerly till it enters Massachusetts; then passes on southeasterly till it falls into the Connecticut.
West river has its head branches in Peru and Weston, on the Green Mountains. It receives a number of streams on both sides, flowing on in a southeastern direction, and enters the Connecticut at Brattleboro.
Saxton's river has its head branches in Windham, and flows a little south of east into the Connecticut at Westmin- ster. A Mr. Saxton was drowned near the mouth, from which event it takes its name. It is from ten to fifteen miles in lengthi.
William's river is formed in Chester, by the union of several streams from Ludlow, Andover, Windham and Chester. Running a southeast course twelve or fifteen miles, it enters the Connecticut at Rockingham.
Black river heads in Plymouth, flows in a serpentine course, and enters the Connecticut at Springfield. Its length is about thirty-five miles.
Otta Quechee river rises in Sherburne, on the Green Mountains, and flows easterly. It is thirty-five or forty miles long, and is a very pleasant sirvan. Its mouth is in Hartland.
White river rises in Granville. It receives three large branches from the north. Its course is somewhat serpen- tine, in an easterly direction. The scenery along its banks is often varied and highly beautiful. In Hartford its waters unite with those of the Connecticut. The length is from fifty to sixty miles. From Bothel to its mouth it is from ten to fifteen rods wide .
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Ompompanoosuc river rises in Vershire, runs easterly into West Fairlee, and, passing through Thetford, mingles its waters with Connecticut river in the northeastern part of Norwich. Its length is about twenty miles. It affords a large number of excellent mill sites.
Questions.
Where does Deerfield river rise, and what is its course ? Where are the head branches of West viver? Where does it enter the Connecticut ? Describe Saxton's river? How did it receive its name ? Its length ? How is William's river formed ? Where does it terminate ? Course and length of Black river ? Where does Otta Quechee rise ? Its mouth ? Describe White river. In what town does it empty into the Connecticut ? Its length and width ? Give some particulars respecting Ompompanoosue river.
LESSON VIL.
Rivers, continued.
Wait's river has its head branches in Harris' Gore and Washington. It receives several other considerable branches that rise in other towns. Its course is nearly east. At the falls in Bradford, near where it enters the Connecticut, are as good mill privileges as on any stream in this part of Ver- mont. Its length is from fifteen to twenty miles.
Wells river heads in Kettle pond, in Groton, flows through Long pond, two miles in length, and from thence flows southeasterly. Soon after it enters Newbury, its waters rush down a precipice and form great falls. Mills and other machinery are very numerous on it. Its length is about twenty miles. Its month is in Newbury.
Passumpsic river has its head branches in Westmore and Newark. Its general course is south. There are consid- erable falls in Lyndon and Barnet. Moose river, which enters it at St. Johnsbury, has its head in East Haven, and is more than twenty miles in length. Joe's brook, which enters it at Barnet, flows from a pond in the south part of
25
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Walden. It passes through Joe's pond, which is nearly three miles in length. Its length is about fifteen miles. On the banks of these streams are some thriving towns, and some as fine farms as any in the state. The Passumpsic is thirty- four miles long. It is said that this river derived its name from an Indian phrase Bas-soom-snc, which means a stream where there is much medicine.
Nulhegan river (east branch) rises in Averill, another branch in Avery's gore, and flows southeasterly, entering the Connecticut near the line between Brunswick and Bloomfield. It is three rods wide at the month. and not far from twenty miles long.
There are a great number of smaller streams, that fall into the Connecticut at various places.
Questions.
Where does Wait's river rise ? In what direction does it flow ? What can you recollect respecting it ? Where does Wells' river rise ? Describe its course. In what town does it form large falls ? Are mills abundant on this stream ? How long is it ? Where does it empty ?
Where are the head branches of Passumpsie river ? lis course ? In what towns are falls in this stream ? What important branches are mentioned ? What the length of each ? Length of the Pas- sumpsie ? From what was its mane derived ?
Where does Nulhegan river rise ? Its course and mouth ? How wide at its month ? lis length ? Are there any smaller streams that fall into the Commectient ?
LESSON VIII.
Rivers, continued.
The following rivers fall into Memphremagog lake : Clyde river rises in Brighton near the south line. Its general course is northwest. It receives the waters from the pond in Morgan, which is four miles long and about two in width ; also from Echo pond in Charleston. Most of the way this river is still water, excepting at West Charleston,
26
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
till it approaches Memphremagog lake. It runs through Salem pond, a beautiful sheet of water in Salem, and has its mouth in Derby. Its length is about thirty miles.
Barton river originates in Glover, from the waters which flowed into Long pond, now known as Dry pond, and flows north. Another head branch rises in Sutton and passes through Fish pond, a beautiful sheet of water flowing into Crystal lake. At the outlet are the best mill privileges in the region, situated in the village of Barton. From Wil- loughby lake in Westmore, issues another important branch called Willoughby river. Barton river enters the Mem- phremagog in Coventry.
Black river, in Orleans county, rises in Albany, first flows south six or eight miles into Craftsbury, then turns northeast passing through the whole town of Albany, then through Irasburgh and Coventry, entering the lake through South Bay in Newport. It is a sluggish stream, and derives its name from the dark color of its waters. Its length is about thirty iniles.
The foregoing are all the streams which empty into lake Memphremagog, that are of much importance.
Questions.
Into what lake do all the rivers mentioned in this lesson empty their waters ? Where does Clyde river rise ? What is its course ? What ponds discharge their waters into this river ? Is this a rapid stream ? In what town is it., maouth ? What is its length? Where does Barton river originate ? Its direction ? Where does another head branch rise? Mention another important branch? Where does Barton river enter the lake ? Describe the origin and course of Black river. Is it Auggich ? How did it derive its name ? What is its length ? Do other important streams enter lake Memphremagog?
27
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
LESSON IX.
Rivers, continued.
The following rivers discharge their waters into lake Champlain :
Missisco river, so named from the Indian words missi meaning plenty, and kiskoo meaning water fowls, rises in Lowell, and runs north till it enters Canada; it then flows west, then southwest, and again enters Vermont, flowing through nearly the whole of Franklin county, and enters lake Champlain in ilighgate. It receives innerons branches from the south side of it, on which excellent opportunities for mills are afforded. Dead branch rises in Fletcher, and unites with it at Sheldon. There are several falls on it, furnishing important water power. It is navigable for ves- sels to Swanton falls, six miles. Its whole length is about seventy-five miles. Its intervals are excellent
Lamoille river formerly flowed fiom Long pond in Glover. Its head branches are now in Greensboro. Caspian lake in that town empties its waters into it The general course of the river is nearly west. Green river from Eden, North branch that beads in Bakersfield. and Brown's river that heads in Mansfield, are its most important branches, but are not very large. It is a pleasant stream, and has some ex- cellent interval bordering on it
It was discovered by Mr. Champlain in 1609, and called by him la mouette, the French naine for gull, a fowl abun- dant at its mouth. When it was put on the French map of New Discoveries, the ts were not crossed, and the name became Lamoille. Before it reaches Cambridge it is a slug- gish stream. Between that town and the lake are some rapids and falls. It is from sixty to seventy miles long, and enters the lake in Colchester.
Winooski, formerly called Onion ricer, rises in Cabot, and takes a southwest course to Montpelier, then a little north of west. Falls occur on this stream in Marshfield, where the water descends five hundred feet in a distance
28
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
of thirty or forty rods. It has a number of tributaries. Stevens' branch rises in Washington; North branch in El- more; Dog river in Roxbury; Mad river in Avery's gore; Waterbury river in Stowe. There are also several smaller tributaries. This river, in passing the western branch of the Green Mountains, has worn some deep and curious chan- nels into solid rock, which will be mentioned under the name of curiosities. The name Winooski is composed of two Indian words, winoos signifying onions, and ki mean- ing land. It was formerly called Onion river, which has the same meaning as Winooski, from the profusion of wild onions which grew on its banks. Its intervals are rich. After a course of about seventy miles it enters the lake be- tween Colchester and Burlington.
Questions.
From what was Missisco river named ? Where does it rise ? Describe its course. On what branch are falls affording good mill privileges ? How far is it navigable ? Its length ?
Where did Lamoille river formerly originate ? Where is its sonree at present ? What lake discharges its waters into the La- moille ? What direction does this river take? Mention its most important branches. Mention any other facts respecting it. When was it discovered ? Origin of the name Lamoille ? Can you men- tion any other facts respecting it ? Its length ?
Where does Winooski river rise ? Describe its course. What is said of falls on this stream ? Mention its tributaries. What re- markable fact can you mention respecting this river? What does Winooski mean ? Why so named ? Its length and termination ?
LESSON X.
Rivers, concluded.
Otter Creek, the largest river in the state, rises in Mount Tabor, flows south into Peru, thence northerly through the whole of Mount Tabor, and pursues nearly the same course till it unites with the waters of the lake in Ferrisburgh.
29
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Its branches are numerous, and some of them important. Mill river rises in Mount Tabor, and unites with it in Clar- endon. Cold river rises in Mendon, and enters it on the north side of Clarendon. Little West river, or Furnace brook, rises in Tinmouth, and unites with it in Rutland. East Creek rises in Mendon and joins it in Rutland. Mid- dlebury river rises in Hancock, and mingles its waters with Otter Creek at Middlebury.
Branch or New Haven river rises in Lincoln and empties into Otter Creek in New Haven. Lemon Fair river rises in Orwell, and runs into the creek in Weymouth. Dead branch rises in Bridport, and enters the creek at Ferris- burgh. These branches are from fifteen to twenty-five miles in length, affordling numerous mill sites. The largest falls on Otter Creek are at the city of Vergennes, to which place the river is navigable for the largest vessels of the lake. On its banks are extensive intervals, and better land ean hardly be wished. Its whole length is ninety miles.
Hubbardton river rises from small ponds in Sudbury, passes through Gregory's pond in Hubbardton, and falls into the lake at West Haven. It affords several good imll privileges. Its length is about twenty miles.
Castleton river rises in Pittsford, flows south into Rut- land, then west through fra and Castleton, and unites with Poultney river in Fair Haven. In Castleton it receives the waters of lake Bombazine, which is six miles in length and about two in width. The united streams enter the lake at Whitehall, New York. Its length is about twenty miles.
Buttenkill river rises in Dorset, and takes a southerly course into Manchester, then southwesterly into Arlington, where it receives several tributaries, and then passes into New York, where it falls into Hudson river. Its length in Vermont is about twenty miles.
Hoosic river is formed in Pownal and flows northwest- erly into Hoosie, New York, where it unites with the river Walloomscoik from Shaftsbury and Bennington, and passing westerly enters the Hudson river near Stillwater.
2
30
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Questions.
What is the largest river in Vermont ? Where does it rise ? Describe its course. Where does it enter the lake ? Where does Mill river rise ? Where does it unite with Otter Creek ? Where does Cold river rise and empty ? Little West river ? East Creek ? Middlebury river ? Branch river ? Lemon fair river ? Dead branch ? What length are these branches? Where are the lar- gest falls ? To what place is the Otter Creek navigable ? What is the character of the land on its banks? Its length ? Describe the course of Hubbardton river. Its length ? Where does Castleton river rise and through what towns does it pass ? What lake dis- charges its waters into this river ? Its length ?
Describe Battenkill river. Its length in Vermont ? Origin of Hoosic river ? With what stream does it unite ?
LESSON XI.
Soil, productiveness, climate, s.c.
The fertility of the soil in Vermont has long been re- garded as its peculiar characteristic. But still there are portions that are too rocky to admit of cultivation. Yet such land is often valuable for pastures. The number of cattle, horses and sheep reared in the state is not surpassed by any other equal extent of territory. Indeed more, in some years, have been sold at Brighton and Cambridge markets, than from all the other states in New England united. Wheat, rye, corn, oats, barley, peas, beans, various kinds of grass, potatoes, turnips, and several garden vegeta- bles, and flax and hemp, are the most common productions, and may be raised in every part of the state. Ilops and buckwheat are extensively cultivated.
Several kinds of fruit trees are found in most of the towns. Apples have been abundant except in new towns. Many orchards are now in a state of decay. Plums and cherries of various kinds are common. Pears and peaches do not thrive in the northern part of the state. Currants are cultivated in almost every garden. As great varieties of wild fruits and berries are found as in any part of New England.
31
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
The climate is generally temperate, but varies considera- bly in the northern and southern parts.
The hills and high lands also affect the temperature con- siderably. There is often a week or ten days difference in the forwardness of vegetables, between the towns on the Connecticut or lake Champlain, and the towns on the high lands. The weather changes more frequently in the south- ern and western parts than in the northern, especially in the winter. In the northern parts, frosts sometimes occur 80 early as to injure corn, and snow has been known to fall in October to the depth of several inches. In general, snow falls in December, and covers the ground till April. In 1816, snow fell in some places several inches deep the eighth and ninth of June. But this was an extraordinary occur- rence. Corn is usually planted from the tenth to the twen- ty-fifth of May, and is, generally, ripe in September.
Severe hail, wind, thunder and lightning, are not com- mon. The air is generally pure, and no part of the coun- try is more healthy. Some epidemic diseases have pre- vailed, the most terrible of which was denominated the " spotted fever." This prevailed but a few years. A dis- ease called by the same name now prevails in some towns. Dysentery, scarletina and diphtheria have proved fatal to numbers of children, and sometimes to adults ; but consump- tion is, doubtless, the most common and fatal disease known in the state.
The waters of Vermont are uncommonly clear and pure, though in places affected by carbonate of lime so much as to make them hard. Mineral springs are found in many towns.
Questions.
Is the fertility of the soil in Vermont very remarkable ? What use is made of very rocky land ? What domestic animals are raised extensively ? How does the number raised compare with other New England states ? What are the most common produc- tions ? Can these be raised in all parts of the state ? Other pro- ductions ? What fruit is most common ? What other kinds are cultivated considerably ? Where do pears and peaches not thrive well ? Are wild fruits and berries abundant? What is the gen-
32
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
eral climate ? Does it vary in different places ? How great is the difference between the low and high lands often, m the spring? Where does the weather change most frequently ? Do frosts occur so early as to be sometimes injurious ? What can you say respect - ing the snow in this state ? When did it fall in June ? Was that a evinmon occurence ?
When is corn generally planted ? Are very severe storms of fre- quent occurrence ? Is Vermont a healthy state ? What epidemic diseases have sometimes prevailed ? What the most common and fatal disease ? What is the character of the waters in this state ? By what are they sometimes impregnated? Do mineral springs abound ?
LESSON XII.
Counties.
Having attended to the preceding subjects, we will now give attention to the Counties. They are fourteen in num- ber, and arranged in alphabetical order, as follows : Ad- dison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washing- ton, Windham, and Windsor.
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Ferrisburgh
Monkton
Starksboro.
Panton
Waltham
Bristol
New Haven
Lincoln
eybridge
Middlebury
Ripton
Granville
Shoreham
Hancock.
Whiting
Leicester.
Goshe
Orwell
ADDISON
COUNTY
ADDISON COUNTY lies directly north of Rutland county, and is bounded north by Chittenden, east by Washington, Orange and Windsor counties, and west by lake Champlain, which separates it from New York.
It embraces the following towns :
Population.
Towns.
1850,
1860.
Grand List. 1863.
Addison,
1279
1000
$5431 47
Bridport,
1393
1298
5919 59
Bristol,
1344
1355.
3264 33
Cornwall,
1155
977
4726 89
Ferrisburgh,
2075
1738
7110 03
No11 ..- The small square at the figure 20, in the above map, shows the position of the city of Vergennes.
33
Addison
Bridport
Cornwall
Salish,
34
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Population.
Towns.
1850.
1860.
Grand List. 1861.
Goshen,
486
394
816 43
Granville,.
603.
720
1182 35
Hancock,
430
448
1007 93
Leicester, .
596.
737
2223 72
Lincoln,.
1057
1070.
2107 57
Middlebury,
.3517
2879
7599 87
Monkton,
1246
1123
3267 99
New Haven,
1663
1419
6121 12
Orwell,
1470.
1341
7207 83
Panton,
559
511
1975 31
Ripton,
567
570
1011 40
Salisbury,
1027
853
3271 14
Shoreham,
1601.
1382.
7176 65
Starksboro',
1400
1437
2564 65
Vergennes,
1378
1286
3556 32
Waltham,.
270
263
1511 88
Weybridge,
804.
667
2363 88
Whiting,
629
542.
1858 04
The whole number of towns, including the city of Ver- gennes, is twenty-three. The county is about thirty miles from north to south, and thirty-three from east to west. It is watered principally by Otter Creek and its branches. On this river the land is uncommonly fertile. The easterly part of the county is mountainous, and the land harder to till. though productive. The western part is a very rich farm- ing country. Middlebury is the shire town, and is situated near the centre of the county. It not only has a greater number of inhabitants and more wealth than any other town in the county, but is distinguished for its educational ad- vantages. Middlebury College was established here in the earliest part of the present century, and has been the occa- sion of a great amount of benefit to the whole state. Several other institutions of literary merit have been established here, and continue to flourish. Several inventions have originated in this town, the influence of which has extended to the remotest parts of the country. Among these, that of the circular saw is worthy of special notice. The falls on Ot- ter Creek, near the centre of the town, furnish facilities for manufacturing not often surpassed. Valuable limestone and marble abound in the town. The soil is of excellent qual-
35
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
ity. Ferrisburgh is the next town in population and wealth. It borders on the lake, and has one of the best harbors in the state. No town has furnished a larger quantity of valua- ble timber. Large crops of wheat, corn and oats are pro- duced. It is particularly noted as a good grazing town.
Vergennes is a city, and the only one in the state. It is small in territory, being only 480 rods in length by 400 in breadth, and containing 1200 acres of land. During the war with England, in 1812, it was a place of much impor- tance.
The falls on Otter Creek, which passes through the town, furnish the best water power in the state. The river is nav- igable to the falls for large vessels, and " here was fitted up the flotilla with which Commodore MeDonough met and conquered the British fleet in Plattsburgh Bay, Sept. 11th, 1812." A blast and air furnace, many forges and a wire factory were in successful operation. One hundred and seventy-seven tons of shot were manufactured for the war. But since the restoration of peace, and especially since the construction of the Rutland and Burlington railroad, the business of the city has declined. The mineral spring, re- cently discovered at Panton, is becoming quite noted, and is resorted to by many for the cure of disease.
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