Shaftsbury, Vermont, USA (South, Center)
1849 Shaftsbury

BENNINGTON Co. Shaftsbury lies between the Battenkill and Walloomscoik Rivers; it has no large streams. Some tributaries of each of these rivers rise here, which afford several mill privileges. West Mountain lies partly in this town and partly in Arlington. It extends into Shaftsbury about three miles and is about two miles in width. This mountain is timbered with chestnut, oak, maple, birch, etc. The soil is generally of a good quality and, in the southwestern part, is probably not exceeded in fertility by any in the State. The timber on the highlands is mostly chestnut and oak. The minerals are iron ore, of an excellent quality, and a beautiful white marble, which has been extensively quarried.

Boundaries. North by Arlington, east by Glastenbury, south by Bennington, and west by Cambridge, New York.

First Settlers. The settlement of the town was commenced about the year 1763. Among the early settlers may be mentioned Messrs. Cole, Willoughby, Clark, Doolittle, Waldo and several families of Mattisons.

The Hon. Jonas Galusha, late Governor of Vermont, came into this town in the spring of 1775. During the revolutionary war he was made captain of one of the two companies of militia in this town, and the other was commanded by Captain Amos Huntington. Capt. Huntington was taken prisoner at the battle of Hubbardton, and set to Canada, after which the two companies were united, under the command of Captain Galusha, who fought at their head in the Bennington battle.

First Ministers. The Baptists are the most numerous religious denomination, and they have two societies. The town gives name to the Baptist Association in this section of the State, it being called the "Shaftsbury Association," and is one of the first formed in the State. The Rev. Caleb Blood was, for many years, a zealous and successful preacher of the gospel here. He removed to Boston about the year 1807.

Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 1,999 bushels; Indian corn, 12,684 bushels ; potatoes, 50,000 bushels; hay, 4,380 tons ; maple sugar, 9,527 pounds ; wool, 43,682 pounds.

Distances. Ninety-seven miles southwest from Montpelier, and eight north from Bennington.

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

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