Swanton, Vermont, USA
1849 Swanton

FRANKLIN Co. This township is situated on the east side of Lake Champlain, opposite to North Hero and Alburgh.

Missisco River passes through Swanton, and fertilizes a considerable portion of its territory. This river is navigable for lake vessels to Swanton Falls, six miles from its mouth. These falls descend twenty feet and, with other smaller streams, give to Swanton a water power of great value.

Bog iron ore is found in this town, and an abundance of beautiful marble. This marble is of various colors, and large quantities of it are wrought into all desired patterns, polished, and transported.

The surface and soil of Swanton are favorable to agricultural pursuits, with the exception of a part bordering the lake, which is low, wet, and cold; and which is the favorite abode, in summer, of wild geese, ducks and other water fowl.

The village of Swanton is pleasantly located, and is the site of a number of manufactories, and of an increasing trade.

Swanton may boast of the purity of its air and water, and of a Walter Scott, who died in 1815, aged one hundred and ten years.

Boundaries. North by Highgate, east by Sheldon and Fairfield, south by St. Albans, and west by Lake Champlain.

First Settlers. Before the conquest of Canada by the English, the French and Indians had a settlement at Swanton Falls, consisting of about fifty huts, and had cleared some land, on which they raised corn and vegetables. They had also built a church and a saw mill; and the channel cut through the rocks, to supply water for the latter, still remains. This place was occupied by the Indians till the commencement of the revolution. The first permanent settlers here were John Hilliker and family, about the year 1787. They were soon joined by other settlers.

First Ministers. A Congregational Church was organized in 1800, and in 1825 Rev. Ehen H. Dorman was settled. In this town is a society of Friends.

Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 4,290 bushels; Indian corn, 7,184 bushels; potatoes, 46,264 bushels; hay, 4,920 tons ; maple sugar, 10,474 pounds ; wool, 22,759 pounds.

Distances. Fifty miles north-west from Montpelier, twenty-eight north from Burlington.

The proposed railroad from Burlington to Highgate would add much to the facilities of the trade of this flourishing town.

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

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