Bristol Vermont – Municipal

Bristol village occupies a commanding site upon an elevated plain- about one hundred and twenty feet above the bed of New Haven River, just after that stream leaves the wild ravine known as “The Notch.” Lying thus at the very base of Hogback Mountain, with South Mountain on the southeast, fine examples of the picturesque wildness of nature, nearly approaching grandeur, are ever present to the beholder, and in rare contrast to the fertile plains north and south, and the broad view sweeping westward to the Adirondacks of Northern New York. The village itself lies principally upon four streets, North, … Read more

Bristol Vermont – Military

There were few among the early male population of Bristol that had not served in some capacity in the continental ranks. But as a town, it of course has no Revolutionary history. On the 7th of June, 1791, the first militia company was organized here, the “Tenth Company, Second Regiment, Sixth Brigade Vermont Infantry” Cyprian Eastman was elected captain and Benjamin Clapp lieutenant, positions of no little honor in those days. Another company, the “Light Infantry,” was organized June 1, 1808, which elected John Hilborn captain, and Jehial Saxton lieutenant. At the invasion of Plattsburgh, in September, 1814, sixty-six volunteers … Read more

Bristol Vermont – Mercantile Interests

W. H. Miller, dealer in clothing and furnishing goods, began business here in the sale of notions in 1876. In 1885 he went into his present business, taking the store then occupied by W. B. Dunshee. F. I. Ward, millinery, fancy goods, etc., began business in the O’Neil block in 1873, and removed to his present location in 1875, which was then built by Drake Farr, & Co. E. S. & S. D. Farr, stoves and hardware, began business in 1878, succeeding the old firm of Drake, Farr & Co. who built the the block. J. J. Dumas, dealer in … Read more

Bristol Vermont – Manufacturing Interests

At the head of the manufacturing interests of Bristol is the Bristol Manufacturing Company, which was originally established under the firm name of Howden, Daniels & Co., for the purpose of manufacturing coffins and caskets in a small way. This limited business steadily increased, and in 1867 the firm name was changed to Howden, Bosworth & Co., and on January 1, 1877, a stock company was formed under the title of the Bristol Manufacturing Company, with W. S. Howden, president, and D. Beckwith, secretary and treasurer. The original capital of $25,000 was subsequently increased to $46,000, while to the original … Read more

Bristol Vermont – Education

The Bristol Scientific Institute was established many years ago, and during the late war was changed to the Bristol Academy, which name it retained till March 2, 1881, when it was organized as the Bristol Graded School. The present building, erected in 1855, was removed a hundred rods to its present location about 1876. Mason S. Stone is principal of the academy, assisted by E. A. Hasseltine, Julia Barry, Hattie Bissonette and Miss Spencer. The town has nine school districts.

Bristol Vermont – Ecclesiastical

The Bristol Baptist Church was organized by Elder Joseph Call, in 1794, with nine members. Rev. Thomas Tuttle was the first settled minister. The church building, erected in 1794, will seat two hundred and fifty persons, and is valued at $4,900, including grounds. The society now has one hundred and two members, with Rev. P. B. Strong, pastor, who was installed August 1, 1885. The present officers of the society are Daniel W. Durfee, Octavius Cushman and William Miller, prudential committee; J. J. Dumas and A. J. Averill, deacons; and Wallace Rider, treasurer. The Congregational Church was organized July 8, … Read more

Bristol Vermont – Early Settlements

The first permanent settlement was not begun in the present town of Bristol till the summer of 1786, twenty-four years after the charter was granted. John Willard and the others who formed the committee we have previously spoken of were prosceuting the duties devolving upon them here, in 1785, about a mile west of Bristol village they came across a rude habitation occupied by a Dutchman named John Broadt, as he stated. He had made that place his home, with no other company than a dog, for twelve years, seeing in that time no human face till met by the … Read more

Bristol Vermont – Early Manufactures

The first grist-mill built in the town was put up by James, William and John O’Brian about the year 1792. It was located west of South Mountain, upon the brook which still bears the builders’ name. This mill was a small affair, and was in use but a short time, though it was very valuable to the early settlers, until a more pretentious structure was built at New Haven Mills. Subsequently, in 1805, a grist-mill was built at Bristol village by Enos Soper, and which did service until September, 1849, when it was destroyed by fire. Henry and Enos Soper … Read more

Bristol Vermont – 1880 Town Officers

The present board of officers for the town is as follows: E. M. Kent, clerk; H. C. Munsill, treasurer; H. S. Sumner, W. R. Peake, and P. W. Chase, selectmen; E. S. Farr, constable; A. D. Searls, superintendent of schools; W. W. Needham, N. J. Hill, and C. W. Norton, listers; R. A. Young, overseer of the poor; and W. W. Rider, town agent.

Bristol Vermont

THE town of Bristol lies largely upon the mountains, in the northeastern section of the county, and is bounded on the north by Monkton and Starksboro; east by Starksboro and Lincoln; south by Lincoln and Middlebury, and west by New Haven. It was originally granted by Benning Wentworth, the colonial governor of New Hampshire under King George III, “by his excellency’s command with advice of council,” June 26, 1762, to Samuel Averill and sixty-two associates, under the name of Pocock. This name, given in honor of a distinguished English admiral, was retained only a few years, however, and was changed … Read more

Bridport, Addison County, VT

BRIDPORT lies upon the lake shore, the center one of the county’s western tier of towns. It is bounded on the north by Addison; on the east by Weybridge and Cornwall; south by Shoreham, and west “by the center of the deepest channel of Lake Champlain.” The charter deed which brought the township into existence was signed by Benning Wentworth, the royal governor of New Hampshire under King George III, October 9, 1761, granting to Ebenezer Wiswall and sixty-three others “a tract of land six miles long, from north to south, and seven miles broad from east to west, bounded … Read more

Bridport Vermont- Military

A lamentable accident occurred here in 1834, which it may not be out of place to record at this point. A boat containing eleven persons, who were on a blackberrying excursion, was capsized just off the Addison line, nine of whom were drowned. Seven were members of Allen Smith’s household, and two were daughters of Joseph Eldridge. When the tide of internal war swept over the country and calls were made by the government for volunteers to aid in preserving the Union, this town responded with the same alacrity and patriotism that characterized all New England communities. The following list … Read more

Bridport Vermont- Early Business Interests

The population of Bridport has always been strictly of an agricultural character. Its tradesmen and mechanics have almost invariably devoted their energies exclusively to supplying the home demand. The dearth of manufactures is attributed to the absence, as we have previously noted, of adequate water power. At an early day, when the settlers were clearing their lands and wood ashes were plentiful, Bridport, in common with other towns, did considerable business in the manufacture of potash, which found a market in Troy, Albany, and sometimes Quebec. In this manufacture Samuel Buck was pioneer. His works were located near the present … Read more

Bridport Vermont – Physicians

Dr. H. L. Townsend, born in Plainfield, Vt., August 14, 1860, studied medicine at Burlington, and graduated in 1881. Dr. E. G. Blaisdell, born in Richford, Vt., December 13, 1846, graduated from the University of Vermont in 1871; has practiced medicine in town about fourteen years.

Bridport Vermont – Municipal History

Bridport village, or “The Center,” as it is familiarly known, occupies a beautiful site just east of the center of the town, surrounded by a fine farming district. Like many other Vermont villages, however, it may be said of it, “other days saw it more prosperous.” It does not lack the bustle and enterprise of a township mart, but its business and its population are both smaller than they formerly were. Perhaps the “occidental fever,” which attacks so many of the young men of to-day, may in a large measure account for this decline. The village now has about thirty-five … Read more

Bridport Vermont – Morning Sun Lodge, F. & A. M.

Upon petition signed by John Strong, William McKendrick, John N. Bennett, Albion Mann, Daniel Hamblin, Buel Hitchcock, Richard Redfield, John Hall, Aldric Mann, Nathaniel Calender and Joel Barber, “worthy brethren in Masonry, residing at and in the vicinity of Bridport,” the Grand Lodge of Vermont, on October 13, 1800, granted to the said petitioners “a regular lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, under the style and designation of Morning Sun Lodge No. 18” (now No. 5), which has ever since continued to exist and at the present time is in a very thrifty condition. William M. Grandey is now master, … Read more

Bridport Vermont – Ecclesiastical

The Congregational Church of Bridport, located at the village, was organized by Rev. Lemuel Haynes, of West Rutland, June 30, 1790, with twelve members. February 29, 1794, Rev. Increase Graves was installed the first settled minister. The first house of worship was a frame structure, built during the year of organization, which is now a part of the dwelling which is owned and occupied by Miss Mariette Miner and her mother, situated south of the park in Bridport village. The present commodious brick building, capable of seating five hundred and fifty persons, was erected in 1851, costing $9,000. The society … Read more

Bridport Vermont – 1880 Town Officers

Town clerk, N. S. Bennett; selectmen, J. R. Crane, C. H. Smith, G. R. Walker; town treasurer, D. H. Bennett; overseer of poor, Ira D. Fletcher; constable, C. W. Huntley; listers, J. R. Rice, H. C. Burwell, J. W. Pratt; collector of taxes, J. W. Pratt; auditors, M. K. Barbour, H. C. Burwell, F. A. Williams; town agent (to prosecute and defend), J. J. Crane; trustee United States deposit money, J. J. Crane; fence viewers, J. J. Crane, D. H. Bennett, T. W. Fletcher; sexton, C. B. Fackerel; agent Fletcher cemetery fund, T. W. Fletcher.

Bridport Vermont – 1786 Freeholders

That the reader may gain a more definite conception of the freeholders of the town, and the amount of money on which they were taxed at this time, we have herewith the grand list of 1786, from the original record: £ s. d. Alexander Osborn……… 12 0 0 Marshall Smith……….. 25 0 0 Phillip Stone………… 48 0 0 Samuel Smith…………. 26 0 0 Esril Hucker…………. 6 0 0 Isaac Chipman………… 9 0 0 Bijah Dunning………… 18 0 0 John Fisk……………. 31 0 0 ??? Rockwood…………. 5 0 0 John Nobel Bennett……. 27 0 0 Samuel Lewis…………. 57 10 0 Nathan … Read more

Biography of Zadock Everest

Zadock Everest came to Addison in the summer Of 1765 and began his clearing, as before mentioned. On his place he built a log house and there kept the first public house in the county. After the breaking out of the war he fled his family to Whitehall, and from thence sought refuge in Pawlet, Rutland county, where he was elected representative in March, 1784. During that year he returned to Addison, and represented the town of Panton in 1785 and Addison in 1788, 1789 and 1795; he also held the prominent town offices through a series of years and … Read more