History of Berkshire, Vermont, USA

Berkshire was one of six towns (the others being Enosburgh, Montgomery, Richford, Wyllis [now Jay] and Westfield) authorized by the legislature in the spring of 1780.

Berkshire, Vermont
Franklin county. Elihu M. Royce, son of Stephen Royce, was the first child born in this town. That event occurred in 1793. On Missisque and Trout rivers, which water this town, is some fine intervale land. Pike river from Canada affords Berkshire a great water power. This town lies 50 miles N.W. from Montpelier, 22 N.E. by E. from St. Albans, and 31 N.E. by N. from Burlington. Population, 1830, 1,308. About 3,000 sheep.

"Pike River enters the township from Canada, and, after taking a circuit of several miles, and affording here some of the finest mill sites in the country, returns again to Canada . . . This township was granted to William Goodrich, Barzilla Hudson, Charles Dibble, and their associates, March 13, 1780, and was chartered by the name of Berkshire June 22, 1781. The settlement of this town was commenced in 1792 by Job Barber, Stephen Royce, Daniel Adams, Jonathan Carpenter and Phinehas Heath, moved their families here in 1793, and from this time the settlement advanced with considerable rapidity. Elihu M., son of Stephen Royce, was born in 1793, and was the first child born in town. The town was organized in 1794, and David Nutting was first town clerk."

Franklin Co. Missisco River runs through the south-east comer of the town, and receives Trout River near the line of Enosburgh. On these streams is some fine intervale. Pike River enters the township from Canada, and, after taking a circuit of several miles, and affording here some of the finest mill sites in the country, returns again into Canada. On Pike River, in this town, are several mills. The soil is various, but generally good. Its surface is diversified with gentle swells and vales, but does not rise into mountains. It is well watered with brooks.

Boundaries. North by St. Armand, in Canada, east by Richford, south by Enosburgh, and west by Franklin.

First Settlers. This township was granted to William Goodrich, Barzilla Hudson, Charles Dibble, and their associates, March 13, 1780, and was chartered by the name of Berkshire, June 22, 1781. The settlement of this town was commenced in 1792 by Job Barber. Stephen Royce, Daniel Adams, Jonathan Carpenter, and Phinehas Heath, ...

Berkshire, a post-township of Franklin county, Vermont, about 50 miles N. by E. from Montpelier, on the N. side of Missisque river, has very great water privileges. Population, 1955.

Berkshire, a post-township of Franklin co., Vt., about 20 miles E.N.E. of St. Albans, is drained by the Missisquoi River. It contains a village named East Berkshire, which is on a branch of the Vermont Central Railroad, and a hamlet named West Berkshire. It has 5 churches. Pop. 1609.