GreenerPasture.com

Sign In



FREE ancestry since 1999 - History belongs to all of us!

Add YOUR Family To This Page

flag  History of Essex, Vermont, USA

Journey back in time to Essex, Vermont, USA

(Essex Jct)

Visit Essex, Vermont, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.

Follow us on Instagram      Subscribe to our Youtube channel      Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com Visit Our Old Newspaper Blog Visit Our Life Blog

Do You Have Essex Roots? Share Your Ancestral Story!

Essex, Vermont, USA - Brownell Block, Essex Junction, Vt.

Essex, Chittenden, VT

Essex, town (township), Chittenden county, northwestern Vermont, U.S., on the Winooski River just east of Burlington. Chartered in 1763 and settled in 1783, it consists of the villages of Essex Junction and Essex Center. Essex Junction is a busy industrial and residential site where the Central Vermont Railroad and several highways converge; its railway depot serves as the depot for Burlington. Essex Center is a small, mostly residential settlement. The grounds of the Champlain Valley Exposition are nearby, as is the site of Fort Ethan Allen, used as a military reservation during the Spanish-American War and World Wars I and II but now occupied by private businesses and organizations.

britannica.com

There is MUCH more to discover about Essex, Vermont, USA. Read on!

Essex Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards


Essex, Vermont, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Brownell Block, Essex Junction, Vt.

Essex, Vermont, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
First Congregational Church, Essex Jct., Vt.

Essex, Vermont, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Main Street, Essex Junction, Vt.

Essex, Vermont, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
W. B. Johnson & Son's Mill, Essex Junction, Vt.

Essex, Vermont, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Methodist Church, Essex Jct., Vt.

Essex, Vermont, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Power House of Burlington Light and Power Co., Essex Junction, Vt.

Essex, Vermont, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Railroad Station, Essex Junction, Vt.

Essex, Vermont, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Lincoln Inn

Discover Essex: History, News, Travel, and Stories

Add informationAdd History/News/Story
  • 1783 - (Essex) The first settlement in town, of which history or tradition gives any account, was made early in the spring of 1783.
    Previous to the Revolutionary War emigrants came to this and adjoining towns with a view to settlement, but the opening war sent them all away to join in the battle for liberty and independence. Samuel SMITH, and William, his brother, Jonathan WINCHELL, Dubartus WILLARD, and David HALL are believed to have been the first settlers of the town, and came here about the same time.

    History of Chittenden County, Vermont With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
    Edited By W. S. Rann, Syracuse, N. Y.
    D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1886
  • 1786 - The warning for the town meeting, at which the organization of the town took place, was dated Jericho, March 10, 1786,
    and was signed John FASSETT, assistant. The meeting was held March 22, 1786, at the house of Dr. Elkanah BILLINGS, in the south part of the town.

    History of Chittenden County, Vermont With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
    Edited By W. S. Rann, Syracuse, N. Y.
    D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1886
  • 1794 - (Essex) On the 2d day of September, 1794, supposed to have been the “first Tuesday," the first "freemen's meeting" was held. At this meeting forty-eight votes were cast for governor, of which Thomas CHITTENDEN had thirty-six.
    History of Chittenden County, Vermont With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
    Edited By W. S. Rann, Syracuse, N. Y.
    D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1886
  • 1797 - (Essex) On the 3d day of October, 1797, the Congregational Church was organized.
    The first members of the church were Timothy BLISS, Daniel MORGAN, Joshua BASSETT, Morgan NOBLE, David KELLOGG, Samuel BRADLEY, Samuel BUELL, Stephen BUTLER, Zeniah BLISS, Eleanor KELLOGG and Rachel BUELL.

    History of Chittenden County, Vermont With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
    Edited By W. S. Rann, Syracuse, N. Y.
    D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1886
  • 1800 - (Essex) Some time about the year 1800 the first building was erected at the Center, and stood on the southeast corner of the Common. It was built by Samuel PELTON.
    History of Chittenden County, Vermont With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
    Edited By W. S. Rann, Syracuse, N. Y.
    D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1886
  • 1801 - (Essex) The Baptist Church was organized November 5, 1801, with five members.
    January 16, 1803, it took the name of the "Baptist Church of Christ, of Essex," and in the same year Elder David HURLBUT became the first pastor.

    History of Chittenden County, Vermont With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
    Edited By W. S. Rann, Syracuse, N. Y.
    D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1886
  • 1804 - (Essex) In 1804 Mr. PELTON leased of David MORGAN the right to flow land on Alder Brook, and built a saw-mill on the bank west of Lysander WOODWORTH's.
    This brook, so called from the immense grove of alders on its bank, was then a very small stream, quite shallow, emptying in Brown's River, in the northeast part of the town. Mr. PELTON diverted this brook from its natural course, carrying the water in a flume to a reservoir dam a few miles below the present gulf cross-way. In this saw-mill some of the lumber used in building the meeting-house was prepared.

    History of Chittenden County, Vermont With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
    Edited By W. S. Rann, Syracuse, N. Y.
    D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1886
  • 1808 - In January, 1808, “The Essex Library Society" was organized under a constitution,
    the preamble of which declares that "a public library is of the greatest benefit, as it enables all concerned to acquire literary knowledge and thereby become better citizens and more useful members of society."

    History of Chittenden County, Vermont With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
    Edited By W. S. Rann, Syracuse, N. Y.
    D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1886
  • 1829 - (Essex) In December, 1829, the first Methodist class was formed, seventeen being present.
    History of Chittenden County, Vermont With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
    Edited By W. S. Rann, Syracuse, N. Y.
    D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1886
  • 1830 - (Essex) in the great freshet of 1830 the brook became a mighty power, swept off bridges, dams and mills,
    cut for itself a new channel well toward a hundred feet below the original bed and forced its way over all opposing obstacles until it mingled its waters with the Winooski, many miles away, in an entirely opposite direction from its original mouth. This was one of the most destructive calamities the town ever witnessed, and from which the "Center" never recovered.

    History of Chittenden County, Vermont With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
    Edited By W. S. Rann, Syracuse, N. Y.
    D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1886
  • 1839 - Essex
    Essex, Vermont
    Chittenden county. This town is finely watered by Onion river on the S. and Brown's river, a branch of the Lamoille, on the N. It is also watered by other smaller streams. At Hubbell's falls, on Onion river, are admirable mill sites, at which are manufactures of some extent. The surface of the town is level; a considerable portion of the soil is dry and somewhat sandy, but produces good crops of corn and rye. Along Onion river are some tracts of beautiful intervale. Essex was first settled in 1783. It lies 31 miles N.W. from Montpelier and 8 N.N.E. from Burlington. Population, 1830, 1,664.
    The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. Alphabetically arranged. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839
  • 1849 Essex
    Chittenden Co. There are no mountains, and but few hills in this township. The south and western parts are timbered principally with pine, the soil is dry and sandy, but produces good rye and com. The remaining part of the township is timbered with hard wood, and is more natural to grass. Winooski Kiver washes the southern boundary. In this river are two falls. The lower, called Hubbell's Falls, afford several valuable mill privileges. Brown's River rises in Underhill and Jericho, enters this township from the latter, and, after running across the north-east corner, and through Westford, falls into the River Lamoille in Fairfax. Indian River, called here Steven's Brook, Alder Brook, and Crooked Brook, are considerable streams. On Winooski River are beautiful tracks of intervale.

    Boundaries. North by Westford, east by Jericho, south by Williston and Burlington, from which it is separated by Winooski River, and west by Colchester.

    First Settlers. The first permanent settlement... Read MORE...

  • 1851 - The Second Congregational Church was organized at Essex Junction June 29, 1851,
    by a council representing the churches in the Chittenden County Conference. The number of members at its organization was twenty-two. This church joins with the first church in sustaining a pastor laboring in both parishes.

    History of Chittenden County, Vermont With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
    Edited By W. S. Rann, Syracuse, N. Y.
    D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1886
  • 1854 - Essex
    Essex, a post-village in Chittenden co., Vt., on the Vt. Central railroad, 35 miles N.W. from Montpelier. It contains several churches and manufactories. Pop. of the township, 2052.
    A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
  • 1857 - (Essex) In 1857 the Universalist Church was organized by Rev. Joseph SARGENT, who was its first pastor. The church building was erected in 1859.
    History of Chittenden County, Vermont With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
    Edited By W. S. Rann, Syracuse, N. Y.
    D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1886
  • 1886 - Essex
    THE township of Essex was among the New Hampshire grants, and was chartered June 7, 1763. The original of this document is now extant. It begins, "George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, king, defender of the faith," etc., and bears the official signature of "Benning WENTWORTH, esq., our governor and commander-in-chief of our said province of New Hampshire," and the countersign of "T. ATKINSON, junr., secretary." By the terms of the charter the township was to contain 23,040 acres, or to be six miles square, and was to be divided into seventy-two equal shares among as many grantees named in it, none of whom probably ever set foot on the territory thus granted. The reservations made in the charter were the governor's right, two shares; one share for a glebe for the Church of England; one share for the incorporated society for the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts; one share for the first settled minister of the gospel; and one for the... Read MORE...

  • 1892 - The Village of Essex Junction was formed — within the Town of Essex — on November 15, 1892.
    The Village was formed to provide services (such as sidewalks, water, and sewers) to the villagers that the rest of the, mostly rural, town citizens did not want, and did not want to pay for.
    wikipedia.org
  • 1895 - Essex / Essex Centre
    Essex, or Essex Centre, a post-village of Chittenden co., Vt., in Essex township, on the Burlington & Lamoille Railroad, 8 miles E. of Burlington. It has 4 churches and a classical institute. Pop, about 200. The name of its post-office is Essex. The township is bounded on the S. by the Winooski River, contains another village, named Essex Junction, and has manufactures of paper, cheese, lumber, flour, &c. Pop. of the township, 3659.
    Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
  • News  1904 - Theophile Cornnors Injures One Foot While Chopping in Wood Lot.
    ESSEX JUNCTION.
    Theophile Cornnors, who is in the employ of the Drury Brick & Tile Co., while chopping in the company's wood lot Monday injured his right foot badly. The axe struck his foot, splitting it about two inches toward the instep. Dr. C. M. Ferrin was called and dressed the wound and it is expected that the foot can be saved.
    St. Albans Daily Messenger
    St. Albans, Vermont
    December 13, 1904
  • 1916
    Essex, or Essex Center, a post-village of Chittenden co., Vt., in Essex township (town), on the Central Vermont R., 8 miles E. of Burlington. The Essex Classical Institute is located here. The town is bounded on the S. by the Winooski River, contains another village, named Essex Junction, and has various manufactures. Pop. of the town in 1900, 2203 ; of the village, about 250.

    Essex Junction, a post-village in Essex township (town), Chittenden oo., Vt., on the Winooski River and on the Central Vermont R., 8 miles E. of Burlington, its banking point. It has granite-works and manufactures of bob bins, wooden novelties, canned-goods, etc. Pop. in 1900, 1141.
    Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

Discover Your Roots: Essex Ancestry

Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Essex, Vermont, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Essex.

View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)



male ancestorPierre GUINDON (YANDOW) (1 January 1800, Saint-Eustache, Québec, Canada - 20 August 1880, Essex, Vermont, USA (Essex Jct))
female ancestorAdelia "Adeline" YANDOW (GUINDON) (1834, , Québec Province, Canada (Quebec) - 1888, Essex, Vermont, USA (Essex Jct))
female ancestorJulia DUPONT (1839, Essex, Vermont, USA (Essex Jct) - 5 June 1897, Gardner, Massachusetts, USA)
photo of Sarah Comfort BICKFORDSarah Comfort BICKFORD (14 October 1843, Granby, Vermont, USA - 2 July 1918, Essex, Vermont, USA (Essex Jct))
female ancestorMargaret FINNESSY (15 January 1850, Saranac Lake, New York, USA - 23 January 1934, Essex, Vermont, USA (Essex Jct))
male ancestorBuel D. WHITE (1852, Essex, Vermont, USA (Essex Jct) - 14 March 1875, Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorDavid PRUNIER (June 1854, Essex, Vermont, USA (Essex Jct) - 1919, Holland, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorAntoine PRUNIER (February 1858, Essex, Vermont, USA (Essex Jct) - 7 April 1927, Charlton, Massachusetts, USA (Charlton City) (Charlton Depot))
female ancestorCelia PRUNIER (22 November 1859, Essex, Vermont, USA (Essex Jct) - , )

Ancestors Who Were Married in Essex, Vermont, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Essex.

View Them Now

male ancestorRussell C MILES (1810 - 3 September 1879) and female ancestorZilpha (Tessie) DAVIS (1814 - ) married 15 January 1832
Not the place you are looking for? Try again!

Search for Your Family by Place

To search for a place, specify place name below. Choose name from the list. Then SEARCH.
*Place Name:

Who Are You Searching For?

Search for Your Family by Name

NOTE: If you don't know your ancestor's whole name or are unsure of the spelling, specify part of the name.

First Name:
*Last Name:
Gender:
Born (+/- 2 years):
Died (+/- 2 years):
Match all terms exactly:

Updated: 5/10/2023 1:11:36 PM

Essex Ancestry Tales: Share Your Unique Story!

If you'd like to be contacted by others who have ancestors from Essex, leave a message here!
The comments you read here belong only to the person who posted them. We reserve the right to remove off-topic and inappropriate comments.