History of Grafton, Vermont, USA

Many of the citizens of the town were anxious to have the town named after the town from which they emigrated, and to give each an equal chance it was decided to put the name of the town up at auction. Joseph Axtell won with a high bid of $5.00, and renamed the town for his former home of Grafton, Massachusetts. The kicker is that Axtell never paid the $5.00. Local lore has it that the bid included a jug of rum, which leads to some colorful conjecture as to how the participants chose to celebrate, and perhaps why they forgot to collect the money.

Grafton, Vermont
Windham county. Grafton is finely watered by Sexton's river, which is formed in the town by the union of several streams; and by a branch of Williams' river. On these streams are manufactures of woolen and other goods. Soap-stone of an excellent quality is very abundant in this place. It is manufactured by water power for various uses to a great extent: it is bored for aqueducts and sold at a very low price. This town contains two pleasant and flourishing villages, and a great variety of mineral treasure. Its surface is uneven with a strong and productive soil. Grafton was first settled, 1780. Population, 1830, 1,439. It lies 90 miles S. from Montpelier and 18 N. from Newfane.

Windham Co. Grafton is finely watered by Sexton's River, which is formed in the town by the union of several streams ; and by a branch of Williams' River. On these streams are manufactures of woolen and other goods. Soapstone of an excellent quality is very abundant in this place. It is manufactured by water power for various uses to a great extent ; it is bored for aqueducts and sold at a very low price. This town contains two pleasant and flourishing villages, and a great variety of mineral treasure. Its surface is uneven with a strong and productive soil. A manufacturing company in this town was incorporated in 1848.

Boundaries. North by Chester, east by Rockingham, south by Athens and Acton, and west by Windham.

First Settlers. A Mr. Hinkley and two other families came into this township about the year 1768, and began a settlement on what is called Hinkley Brook. They, however, soon abandoned it, and no permanent settlement was made till 1780. In the spring of this year,...

Grafton, a post-township of Windham county, Vermont, 90 miles S. by E. from Montpelier. Soapstone of an excellent quality is found here in great abundance. Population. 1241.