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 6
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21
87
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Vermont, except the water snake, which is common near the margin of lake Champlain, and about the mouth of the larger rivers, and is generally regarded as poisonous.
The other snakes of this state are the chicken snake, the black, ringed, spotted neck, brown, ribband and striped snakes. These are mostly harmless. Only the striped snake is seen in large numbers, and this is perfectly harmless. Rattlesnakes are found in but few towns, and only in the south part of the state.
AMPHIBIOUS REPTILES, or such as can live both in air and water, are common, viz: turtles or tortoises, frogs, toads and salamanders, sometimes known as lizards.
Of the tortoise five varieties are found in the state ; of the frog eight varieties; three of the toad, and eight or nine of the salamander.
Frogs are able to live a long time without air. They have been found in the heart of trees, in solid rocks, and deep in the solid earth. In Windsor, Castleton, Burlington and Bridgewater, it is said they have been dug from the earth at a depth of from five or six to more than thirty feet below the surface. After being a few minutes in the warm air, they appeared as active as any, although they had per- haps been buried ever since the drift period, or flood.
INSECTS. These are more numerous than any other divi- sion of the animal kingdom. The number of known species of insects in New England is above three thousand, most of which are found in Vermont. The spider is usually called an insect, though differing in many respects from others. There are about one hundred varieties of spiders.
Most insects are subject to several changes of form. The more common insect, are the fly, honey bee, bumblebee, hornet, wasp, butterfly, grasshopper, cricket, beetle, mos- quito, moth, &e. There are also very many bugs and worms, which are everywhere seen in the warm season. Every child should make a collection of insects, and thus commence a cabinet of natural history.
Questions.
How many varieties of fish in Vermont? Name the principal kinds. Are they abundant ? What is raid of serpents ? What
88
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
of the rattlesnake ? Watersnake ? What other kinds mentioned ? Most common snake? What are amphibious animals ? Mention those commonly found in this state. flow many species of each ? What interesting facts respecting frogs? Are insects numerous ? How many New England varieties ? What can you say respecting the spider? Do most insects change their form?
[NOTE. To the preceding account of the animals of the state, now or recently existing, it is proper to add, that others of very different character have lived here.
Rev. Z. Thompson, in his " Appendix to the History of Ver- mont," says : " It isa remarkable fact that, in making the Rutland and Burlington Railroad, which extends from Burlington to Bel- lows Falls, two of the most interesting fossils over found in New England were brought to light. There were the remains of an Elephant and a Whale.
The fossil Elephant was found in Blount Holly, in 1848, at an elevation of 1415 feet above the level of the ocean, and lying in a bed of muck, near the height of land dividing the waters that flow into lake Champlain, from those that flow into Councelieut river. These fossil bones were pronounced by Prof. Agasiz to belong to an extinct species of Elephant.
The fossil Whale was found the following year at Charlotte, in the valley of lake Champlain, 60 feet above the level of the lake, and 150 feet above the level of the ocean. This most interesting fossil is now preserved in the Geological Museum, at Montpelier, and should be examined by all who have the opportunity. The waters of the ocean once covered a considerable part of the valley of the lake ]
89
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
LESSON V.
Geology and Mineralogy.
The rocks of Vermont are of great interest and value. Every young person ought to know something about both the rocks and minerals of the state.
The following are the principal kinds of rock : carbonate of lime, usually calle'l limestone, granite, mica slate, argil- laceous slate, commonly called clay or roof slate, talcose slate, chlorile slate, utica or black slate, hornblende, syenite, sandstone, quartz rock, conglomerate rock, serpentine, stea- tite, novaculite, trap rock and porphyry.
The most valuable and abundant of this list is limestone. This comprises many varieties. When solid, and not injured by veins or jointe, it is called marble. It is easily sawn into slabs for gravestones, pillars, and ornamental building stones. Many quarries have been opened in Grand Isle, Franklin, Chittenden, Addison, Butland and Bennington counties, of immenso value to the proprietors. "The white Marble of Rutland and other tohis, is very pure and exceedingly beautiful. Mfarbe, suitable for statues, is found in several places, equal to that procured in Italy. Homense quanti- ties of mazble are now yearly transported to New York and other states. When not suitable for marble, limestone is burnt for making lime, much of which is sold in other states.
On the islands, and on the borders of lake Champlain, Trenton limestone and Chazy limestone abound, composed in part of coral anl shells. Beautiful cabinet specimens are obtained from these varieties. Dolomite or magnesian limestone occurs in many places, specimens of which are also very beautiful. Many varieties of limestone, in the state, decompose so rapidly that new elements are constantly added to the soil. Most of the limestone on the east side of the Green Mountains, contains so much quartz, or silex, that it does not make good quick lime. This variety is rapidly decomposing and adding new soil.# Large quanti-
* Leo Note on page 91.
90
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
ties of shell marl occur in the section where this variety abounds.
Granite, syenite and sandstone are highly valuable for building-stones, and are abundant in different parts of the state. The county of Essex, the eastern part of Orleans, several towns in Caledonia, Washington, Orange, Windsor and Windham counties, furnish abundant quarries of excel- lent granite, some of which have been extensively wrought for building railroads, and for other purposes. The walls of many houses are composed of granite, as well as the underpinning, doorsteps, hearthstone3, and window caps of others. The State House, at Montpelier, exhibits the beauty and excellence of Vermont granite.
Much of the sandstone found in the valley of Champlain lake is very beautiful, and highly valuable as a building stone. A variety, called Winooski marble, can be sawn like marble, and is more beautiful than any other kind. It is variegated with shades of red, brown, white, chocolate, &c.
Steatite, known also by the names soapstone and freestone, abounds in the central parts of the state, iu connection with a rock called serpentine. These beds or ranges extend from Canada, through the entire length of the state, following the general direction of the stratified rocks. When steatite is pure, it may be cut with a knife or hand-saw, and be wrought into many useful articles. It has the peculiarity of retaining heat longer than any other known substance, and is employel for stoves, ovens, arches, and foot-stones. Many quarries have been opened and wrought to a limited extent. It was formerly employed for gravestones, but it does not endure the action of frost, rain, &c., sufficiently for such a purpose. It is less injured by heat than any other kind of rock in the state, and is employed for lining furnaces. Excellent stoves are made from it, and are preferred by many to those made of iron.
Argillaceous slate, when pure, is wrought extensively for covering buildings, instead of shingles. Hence it is often called roof slate. Quarries of roofing slate have been wrought in Windham county for more than half a century. Excel- lent quarries have been opened in Rutland county, and are
91
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
extensively wrought. It is said to be equal to the best varie- ties brought from Europe. Quarries suitable for writing and roofing slates have been found in many other parts of the state, and will no doubt be valuable when wrought.
Quartz, suitable for the manufacture of glass and sand paper, occurs in many towns.
Quarries of excellent novaculite, equal to Turkey hone- stone, exist on an island in Memphremagog lake, and at Newport, Trasburgh and other places.
A quarry, very much resembling verde antique, has been opened at Roxbury, and many beautiful specimens for orna- mental purposes have been furnished, but the enterprise has not proved as profitable to the proprietors as they expected.
Talcose and chilorite slates abound in many towns, but are of little importance.
The minerals of the state are abundant, and many of them highly beautiful. A rich cabinet has been collected during the progress of the Geological survey, which is deposited in the Stato House at Montpelier. It contains specimens of nearly all the rocks and metals as well as minerals found, and is so arranged as to indicate the locality where each speci- men was obtained. The cabinet is richly worth a visit from every citizen. The following catalogue of the more impor- tant metals, ores and minerals, may be sufficiently extended for this little work. The Report of the Geological Survey may be examined for a fuller description .*
Questions.
What is said of the rocks of Vermont ? What are the principal
* Professor Hitchcock, principal at the Geological Survey recently completed. saya : (Report, Vol. 1, page 15) -. Every year has deopened my impressions of the amount and valne of the mineral resources of the State, and of the scientific inter est connected with its Geology. The incl . of Vermont ate the most dithenttt with which I have ever attempted to grapple ; but they have tor: Lt mic many a s clutable lesson ; and as to their covnonreal value, I have been impressed with the following facts: First and most important of all, we think we have discovered the reason why Vermont so excels all the other New England States in the ardirultural capabilities of ity soil. It is the existence. in almost all of hersocks, of Inge, in such a state that nit- ural pr. cessos bring it out in just about the quantity needed by vegetation. This is the case in many parts of the state where the subal danis hardly suspect the existence of lime, and those parts of the state most fitile are just the places where limeis mest abundant and decom posable. This is a treasure which Pa vidence has hadden in the earth . and provided for its elimination at the right thue and quamity, and it is of far mote value in my estimate than all the other subterranean wealth of the state, yet I hodl no suspicion of Its existence and use till a late stiga in this survey; excepting on the west side of the Green Mountains. "
92
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
kinds ? What is said of limestone ? Of marble ? Where are the principle marble quarries ? What is said of the white marble ? What other use is made of limestone ? What is said of the Tren- ton and Chazy limestone? Dolomite ? Of limestone east of the Green Mountains ? Where is granite found ? Its use ? Where is sandstone found ? Its use ? Steatite? Slate? Quartz? Now- culite? Verde Antique? Talcose and eldorite slater? What is said of the State Cabinet ?
LESSON VI. Aletals and Ores.
Native gold occurs in Vermont, in several places. With- in the entire limits of the talcose slate region, which is very extensive, gold may be found. At Jay, Worcester, Ply- mouth, Somerset, and several other places, small quantities have been procured." At Plymouth, considerable has been obtaine.l. But it is hardly probable that gold will be found in large deposits within the state. The prolific coil, and rich quarries of marble and slate, fn-nich the richest " gold fields " cf Vermont.
A small specimen of native copper was procurelon Sterl- ing mountain a few years since, but when searched for afterwards the locality could not be fomal. It probably does not abound in quantity.
Ores of copper, lead, iron and manganese, ac found more or less abundant. Salplanet of copper is abundant in Co- rinth, Vershire, Richford and Concord. Ic occurs also at Waterbury and Brighton. This variety of copper cre is not rich in that metal, but still can be smelled with some profit. Carbonate of copper he's been found at Plymouth and Rich- ford; also in one or two other places in small quantidi ... \t Richford a mine recently opened is believed to be valuable.
Lead ore occurs at Thetford, Morristown, Chittenden, and Concord; but sufficicut exploration has not been made to ascertain the extent or value of these maines. The ore at Thetford has been found of good quality, and probably con- tains a small per cent. of silver. The vein is too nairow to
93
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
be profitable. The mine at Morristown has not been opened to much depth. It contains silver. A specimen examined by Prof. Adams yielded at the rate of four pounds of silver to a ton of ore. A mine at Potton, Canada East, near Newport, Vermont, may prove valuable. [ Both copper and lead have recently been found in Newport. ]
Zinc occurs in two or three localities, but in small quan- tities only.
Iron ore is found in many places. The more important varieties are brown and red hematite, and titaniferous mag- netic oxyd. A vein of red hematite extends from Berkshire to Milton. It is seen at Sheldon, Fairfield, St. Albans, Milton and other places. The ore is not extensively wrought now at any place.
The vein of ore at Troy is found in serpentine rock, and though difficult to smelt, makes a very strong and excellent quality of iron, suitable for screws, wire, &c. Ore found at Wolcott, Elmore and Plymouth may belong to the same vein or range. The ore at Plymouth is abundant, and has been wrought with profit.
Brown Lematite, usually called brown ore, is found abundant on the west side of the Green Mountains. Fur- naces have been erected in several towns in Rutland and Bennington counties. Dorset, Wallingford, Pittsford, Bran- don, Cinttenden, Pennington, Tinmouth, Rutland and many other towns, furnish large supplies of this ore. Spathic iron is found at Plymouth. Chromate of iron is found at Jay, Troy, Westfield and Newfane. This ore is very valu- able if it ocems in large veins. From the sulphuret of iron at Strafford large quantities of copperas are manufactured.
Manganese occurs in many towns: Bennington, Berk- shire, Coventry, Brownington, East Topsham, Lowell. &c.
Questions.
Where has gold been found ? What are the best gold fields in Vermont ? Where is sulphuret of copper found ? Lead ore ? Zinc? Iron ? What is said of the veins at Troy ? Plymouth ? Where is brown ore found? Spathic ore? Chromate of iron ? What is copperas manufactured from ? Where is Manganese found ?
94
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
LESSON VII.
Localities of Minerals.
Actinolite is found at Richford, Waterville, Rochester, Newfane and many other places.
Adamsite,-Derby, Salem, Westmore.
Adularia (a variety of feldspar), -Westmore, Barton, Bellows Falls.
Albite, (a variety of feldspar ), -Cabot, Westmore.
Amianthus, -Lowell, Troy, Jay and Weybridge.
Andalusite, -- Bloomfield, Vernon.
Anthrophyllite,-Plymouth, Grafton.
Asbestos,-Troy, Lowell, Windham, Newfane, Roches- ter and many other places in the state.
Automolite,-Bridgewater.
Barytes, (heavy spar),-Berkshire, Richford.
Bitter Spar,-Bridgewater, Lowell.
Blende, -Thetford.
Braunite,-Brandon.
Brown Spar,-Bethel, Lowell, Marlboro, Windham.
Brucite,-Roxbury.
Calcareous Spar,-Burlington, St. Albans and many other places.
Calcareous Tufa,-Barton, Derby, Williamstown, Hart- ford.
Calcite,-Burlington, Craftsbury, Hartford, Orwell, Vergennes.
Chalybite,-Plymouth, South Troy.
Chalcedony,-Newfane.
Chalcopyrite,-Brighton, Corinth, Strafford, Vershire, Waterbury.
Chiastolite,-Bellows Falls. :
Chlorite, --- Hydepark, Barton, Concord, Chester, Marl- boro.
Chrysoprase,-Newfane.
Chrysolite,-Cavendish, Thetford.
Danaite, -Waterbury.
Dogtooth Spar,-Craftsbury.
95
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Dolomite,-Plymouth, Bridgewater, Cavendish, Vernon, Weathersfield.
Egeran, -Brattleboro.
Epidote, -Berkshire, Enosburgh.
Emerald Nickel,-Troy.
Fasciculite,-Grafton, Vershire, Brownington.
Feldspar,-Cabot, Westmore, Barton .:
Fibrolite,-Granby, Concord, Bellows Falls.
Fluor Spar,-Bellows Falls.
Galena,-Bridgewater, Thetford, Morristown.
Garnet, -Richford, Chester, Newfane, Windham.
Graphite,-Brandon, Glover.
IIematite,-Brandon, Berkshire, Colchester.
Hornblende,-Holland, Charleston, Brownington, Cabot, Highgate.
Ilmenite,-Troy, Bethel, Newfane.
Indicolite,-Bellows Falls. {
Infusoria,-Peacham, Maidstone, Westmore.
Iolite, -Chittenden.
Jasper,-Castleton, Highgate, Charlotte, Middlebury.
Kaolin, -Monkton, Brandon, Bennington.
Kerolite,-Lowell.
Kyanite,-Hartford, Thetford, Grafton.
Lignite,-Brandon, Burlington.
Limonite,-Brandon, Bennington, Colchester, Swanton, Dorset (North), Coventry.
Lithomarge,-North Dorset.
Magnetite, -Norwich, Troy, Wolcott, Cavendish.
Malachite,-Vershire, Richford.
Mica, -Westmore, Bellows Falls, Grafton.
Mica, (silver), -Bellows Falls, Concord.
Mies, ( Plumose),-Grafton, Concord.
Mispickel, -Stockbridge, Waterbury, Vershire, Brook- field.
Mountain Cork,-Swanton,
Molybdenite,-Brighton, Charleston, Westmore.
Natrolite,-Newfane.
Novaculite,-Newport, Franklin, Guilford, Coventry.
Ochre,-Brandon, Hydepark, Bennington, Stowe, and many other places.
96
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Orthoclase, -Norwich, Cavendish, Willoughby Lake, Corinth.
Pierolite, -- Lowell.
Picrosmine,-Jay, Roxbury, Troy.
Pimelite, -Newfane.
Pinite, -- Rockingham.
Plumbago, -Hancock, Glover, Brandon.
Porphyry,-Shelburne, Concord, Charlotte.
Prehnite, -- Bellows Falls.
Psilomelane,-Brandon, Trasburghi, Chittenden.
Pyrites (Copper), -Vershire, Corinth.
Pyrites (Iron),-Waterford, Strafford, Brownington, Woodbury and many other places.
Pyrolusite, -Monkton, Bennington, Berkshire.
Pyropo, -Rockingham.
Pyrrhotine, -Strafford, Bridgewater, Hartford.
Pyroxene .- Cavendish.
Quartz .- There are many varieties of this mineral. It is found in every town in the state.
Quartz (Crystals),- Roxbury, Thetford, Fairfield, Lyn- don, Essex, Eden.
Quartz (greasy),-Ripton, Brownington.
Quartz (green),-Concord, Troy, Newfane.
Quartz (milky ),-Jay, Bridgewater, Willoughby Lake.
Quartz (mammillary ),-Timnouth.
Quartz (smoky) ;- Newport, Strafford, Plymouth.
Quartz (ferruginous), --- Waterford, Corinth, Browning- ton, Newport.
Quartz (yellow),-Royalton, Brownington.
Quartz (rose), - Brownington.
Raphilite, --- Waterford.
Rhodonite, -- Trasburgh, Coventry, Topsham.
Rhomb Spar, -- Newfane, Cavendish, St. Albans.
Rutile, -Waterbury, Bethel, Bristol, Corinth.
Scapolite, -Guilford, Brattleboro, Holland.
Schorl. ---- Barton, Dummerston.
Scolecite, -Westminster.
Serpentine, --- Jay, Lowell, Bethel, Rochester, Newfane, Roxbury.
97
GEOGRAPILY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Spathic Iron, -Plymouth.
Specular Iron, -- Brandon, Hydepark, Chittenden, Rich- ford.
Spinel,-Bridgewater.
Spodumene, -Brattleboro.
Staurotide,-Cabot, Chester, Bellows Falls.
Steatite, -Athens, Bridgewater, Bethel.
Sulphur, -- Strafford, Vershire.
Tale, -- Waterville, Bridgewater, Bethel, Cavendish.
Tourmaline,-Cavendish, Wardsboro, Lowell, Arlington, Peacham.
Tremolite, --- Cavendish, Rockingham, Rochester, Water- ville.
Umber,-Swanton. Richford.
Verde Antique, - Roxbury.
Wad,-Warren, St. Albans, Highgate, Moretown.
Washingtonite ( another name for ilmenite),-Newfane, Norwich.
Whetstone (slate),-Brownington, Kirby, Fairlee, West- more.
Zinc,-Thetford.
Zoisite, -Woodstock, Wardsboro, Norwich.
Questions.
Give localities of mineral ..
LESSON VIIL.
Mineral Springs.
No mineral springs in Vermont have as yet attained equal celebrity with those at Saratoga, New York. Several, however, are of great value for the care of cutaneous and other diseases. Some springs are strongly impregnated with iron, sulphur, magnesia, carbonic acid, and one, at least, has been supposed to contain icdine. The springs found at Clarendon. Alburgh, Highgate, Newbury, Williamstown.
98
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Brunswick and Panton, have already become places of resort, annually, of large numbers in quest of health or pleasure. Mineral springs which emit a strong odor of sulphur are the most common. Magnesian springs are also quite com- mon. Cattle develope great fondness for the waters of the springs at Highgate, Alburgh and other places. Hydrogen gas may be procured from some which will burn when ignited by the blaze of a candle. An ochery substance is deposited from the waters of several, which has been employed as paint.
The waters of the spring at Newbury are found to con- tain sulphate of iron, sulphate of lime, sulphate of soda, chlorite of magnesia, and carbonate of iron. Wonderful cures aie attributed to the use of these waters.
The waters of Clarendon mineral spring are found to contain a large amount of carbonic acid gas, nearly one- fifth in bulk ; also nitrogen gas in considerable quantity. Carbonate of lime, mariate of lime, sulphate of soda and sulphate of magnesia are obtained by analysis.
The Quechee mineral spring at Hartford is strongly im- pregnated with muriate of soda and carbonate of lime. It also contains carbonate of soda and muriate of magnesia. Numerous cures of salt rheum, king's evil and scrofula, aro attributed to the use of the waters of this spring. The springs at Alburgh and Clarendon are frequented by large numbers. The curative properties of several of the mineral springs in the state, make them of great value to the people. Springs have been found in many towns, of more or less value for the cure of cutaneous diseases.
Questions.
Where are the principal mineral springs ? Which are most com- mon ? What is said of the springs at Highgate and Alburgh ? Of Newbury ? Clarendon ? Hartford ? What curative properties, have the mineral springs of the state ?
PART IIT.
CIVIL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
INTRODUCTION.
The children and youth of Vermont should be furnished with the means of becoming acquainted with the history of their native state. Its incidents of great interest ought to be stored in the memory of every one. No subject will, it is believed, excite greater attention, if properly presented.
Various treatises have been formerly written and pub- lished. Some of these, though prepared with distinguished ability, were not adapted to meet the wants of the young. Hlad it been otherwise, those works are now accessible to but a few in primary schools.
The writer of the following pages prepared and published a brief outline of the history of Vermont, more than thirty years ago, intended for the use of schools at that time. The book was generally studied. But a new generation has arisen. Many occurrences since that period have now be- come a part of the history of the Commonwealth. A new treatise is therefore demanded.
In the following lessons the most important events are narrated, as nearly as practicable in the order in which they occurred. The trials and sufferings of the early in-
100
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
habitants are detailed sufficiently to show how much the present generation is indebted to them.
The fact that Vermont was, for many years, an indepen- dent government, and that this position was honorably maintained, fully shows that our fathers were men of no ordinary energy, talent and perseverance. Their memory should be sacredly cherished by every descendant.
LESSON 1.
Indians were formerly the owners of the avil, and the in- habitants of this tract of country. luxe they sported in the valleys, hunted on the mountains, or giiled swiftly over the waters in their bark canoes. They lived in huts, slightly built, which they often left, as a prospect of taking game or fish excited them to change their place of abode.
They were a different race of men from us, and had nothing about them which appeared like civilization. They were savage men, wild men, and sought to obtain only those things which were most necessary to sustain life. They employed themselves in hunting, Eshing, and war. Their food consisted of the flesh of wild annoals and fish, with a few articles which they cultivated, such as corn, beans, &c. They clothed themselves mostly with the skins of animals. Government with them was simple but efficient. Their old men were their counsellors. Laws were made in a public meeting, and instead of being written on a paper, were recorded in the memory. A sachem or chief was the head of each tribe. He led them to war, and directed them when hunting, and governed them at all times.
A tribe known as the Tiqueis owned the Land in che west part of Vermont, and once bad numerous habitations on the lake and on the rivers that flow into it. Indians from other tribes, the Cossucks and St. Francis, frequented other parts, rather as hunting ground than as a place of perma- nent residence. It is not known that any white person ever visited Vermont earlier than the year 1609, whon Samuel
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.