History of Newbury, Vermont, USA

The town of Newbury was chartered on May 18, 1763.
Newbury includes the villages of Newbury, Center Newbury, West Newbury, South Newbury, Boltonville, Peach Four Corners, and Wells River. In the same fashion as Bellows Falls in Rockingham and White River Junction in Hartford, the village of Wells River in Newbury carries a considerably higher recognition factor than the town in which it is located.
familysearch.org (Mormon Genealogy Records)
Unofficial Guide to FamilySearch.org: How to Find Your Family History on the World's Largest Free Genealogy Website

1773 - First road in Newbury
"A path followed by the settlers toward Bradford, gradually became passable for ox-teams, and was formally surveyed and accepted by the town,
June 14, 1773."

History of Newbury, Vermont... by Frederic Palmer Wells, 1902

"In 1776, a bounty of ten dollars was offered for the head of each wolf killed in town. (Newbury)"

History of Newbury, Vermont... by Frederic Palmer Wells, 1902

1788 - Meeting house raised in Newbury
"The frame was raised on the 25th of June, 1788. It is said that every able-bodied man in both Newbury and Haverhill was at the raising, and the town seems to have provided a sumptuous dinner, the' bills for which are still in existence. Veal was 3p. per lb., pork 8d., butter 8p., cheese 7p., bread 2p. per lb., and rum 4 shillings a gallon."
History of Newbury, Vermont... by Frederic Palmer Wells, 1902

(Newbury) "It is believed that the first stove in this part of the country was one set up in the house of Rev. David Goodwillie, in Barnet, about 1790, by his brother, who was a tinsmith in Montreal."
"Stoves for heating were certainly in use in Newbury by 1800, but cooking stoves did not come till after 1820. Before that time all cooking was done at the fireplace, which, in the larger houses, filled more than half of one side of the great kitchen."
History of Newbury, Vermont... by Frederic Palmer Wells, 1902

1791 - Population of Newbury, Vermont - 873

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

1800 - Population of Newbury, Vermont - 1,304

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

1810 - Population of Newbury, Vermont - 1,363

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

"Not far from 1820, Dea. William Burroughs built a sawmill at the falls near his house, where a ledge of rocks made a natural dam." (Newbury)

History of Newbury, Vermont... by Frederic Palmer Wells, 1902

1820 - Population of Newbury, Vermont - 1,623

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

1830 - Population of Newbury, Vermont - 2,225

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

(Newbury) "Mr. Cook erected, about 1835, a blacksmith shop, which was fitted up with a trip-hammer, and other machinery, in which he made edge tools of a superior quality, during some years."

History of Newbury, Vermont... by Frederic Palmer Wells, 1902

1839 - Newbury
Newbury, Vermont
Orange county. This is a beautiful town on the W. side of Connecticut river, and supplied with mill privileges by Wells river, and Hariman's and Hill's brooks. These brooks have their sources in ponds of considerable size. Newbury comprises the tract commonly called the Great Oxbow, on a bend in Connecticut river. This tract is of great extent, and celebrated for its luxuriance and beauty. The agricultural productions of the town are very valuable, consisting of beef cattle, wool, and all the varieties of the dairy. The town contains a number of mineral springs, of some celebrity in scrofulous and cutaneous complaints.

The villages of Newbury and Wells River are very pleasant: they command a flourishing trade, and contain manufacturing establishments of various kinds. Some of the buildings are very handsome. The scenery of the windings of the river through this fine tract of alluvial meadow, contrasted with the abrupt acclivities in the north part of the town, is... Read MORE...

1840 - Population of Newbury, Vermont - 2,579

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

1849 - Newbury
Orange Co. This is a beautiful town on the west side of Connecticut River, and supplied with mill privileges by Wells River, and Hariman's and Hill's Brooks. These brooks have their sources in ponds of considerable size.

Newbury comprises the tract commonly called the Great Oxbow, on a bend in Connecticut River. This tract is of great extent, and celebrated for its luxuriance and beauty. The agricultural productions of the town are very valuable, consisting of beef cattle, wool, and all the varieties of the dairy. The town contains a number of mineral springs, of some celebrity in scrofulous and cutaneous complaints.

The villages of Newbury and Wells River are very pleasant ; they command a flourishing trade, and contain manufacturing establishments of various kinds. Some of the buildings arc very handsome. The scenery of the windings of the river through this fine tract of alluvial meadow, contrasted with the abrupt acclivities in the north part of the town, is very striking... Read MORE...

"On June 12, 1851, a fire broke out which consumed five dwelllings, and some of the mills." (Newbury)

History of Newbury, Vermont... by Frederic Palmer Wells, 1902

1854 - Newbury
Newbury, a post-township in Orange co., Vt., on the W. side of the Connecticut river, 25 miles S. W. from Montpelier. Pop., 2984.
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.

1872 (Newbury) - The Fleming saw mill was washed away by a freshet, June 5, 1872

History of Newbury, Vermont... by Frederic Palmer Wells, 1902

1876 - The Lamoille Valley Telegraph company will soon extend its line to Wells River. They will also build a line through Highgate to some point in Canada, to connect with Montreal.

St Albans Daily Messenger
St Albans, Vermont
July 21, 1876

1895 - Newbury
Newbury, a beautiful post-village in Newbury town ship, Orange co., Vt., on the Connecticut River, and on the Passumpsic Railroad, 4 miles S. of Wells River, and about 30 miles E.S.E. of Montpelier. It has 2 churches, the Newbury Seminary, and a large hotel. The township presents beautiful scenery, and contains the village of Wells River; also the Montebello iron and sulphur springs. Pop. of the township in 1890, 2080.
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

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in the Newbury area:
Hike the Wells River Nature Trail: Start your visit with a leisurely hike along the Wells River Nature Trail. This easy-to-moderate trail winds through lush forests and offers scenic views of the Wells River. It's an excellent place for birdwatching and enjoying the tranquility of nature.

Newbury Village: Stroll through the charming streets of Newbury Village, where you'll find historic buildings, quaint shops, and friendly locals. Be sure to stop by the Newbury Village Store for some Vermont-made goodies.

Halls Lake: Enjoy a day of swimming, picnicking, or fishing at Halls Lake. The clear waters and peaceful surroundings make it a perfect spot for a family outing.

Wells River Falls: Witness the beauty of Wells River Falls, a picturesque waterfall located just outside of Newbury. It's a great place for photography and a peaceful spot to relax.

Visit the Newbury Historical Society Museum: If you're interested in the town's history, the Newbury Historical Society Museum is a ... Read MORE...