Brattleboro, Vermont, USA (West Brattleboro)
1849 Brattleborough

Windham Co. The surface of the town is considerably broken. A little west of the centre are two elevations called Great and Little Round Mountain. They are both accessible, and most of the land capable of cultivation. The soil is similar to that generally found along the Connecticut, consisting of intervale, sand, loam and gravel, with such timber as is naturally adapted to them. The principal streams are West River and Whetstone Brook. The former runs but a short distance in town, entering it from Dummerston and falling into Connecticut River near the north-east corner. Whetstone Brook rises in Marlborough and runs through Brattleborough very near the centre. This affords many excellent water privileges, which are already occupied by a great variety of mills and other machinery.

Connecticut River forms the eastern boundary for about six miles. It runs in several places with a strong current, denominated "The swift water," by the boatmen. The river is crossed at the lower part of the east village, by a handsome bridge, built in 1804, and connecting this town with Hinsdale, N. H. A few rods above the bridge is the general landing place for merchandise, which is brought into town by boats.

There are few minerals worthy of notice. Actynolite is found here in steatite. It is in very perfect capillary crystals which are grouped together in different forms and sometimes radicated. Argillaceous slate is very abundant, and is quarried to considerable extent. Mica is found of rose red color with schorl in quartz, and abundance of schorl in beautiful crystals, and also the red oxyde of titanium.

There are two considerable villages, one standing at the mouth of Whetstone Brook, called the East Village, and the other near the centre of the town, called the West Village. The east village is one of the most active business places in the State.

In this town is one of the most extensive Water Cure Establishments in the United States ; for a particular account of which, see Hayward's Gazetteer of Massachusetts, p. 168.

Boundaries. North by Dummerston, east by Connecticut River, which separates it from Chesterfield, N. H., south by Vernon and Guilford, and west by Marlborough.

First Settlers. This town derives its name from Colonel Brattle, of Massachusetts, one of the principal proprietors. Fort Dummer, the first civilized establishment within the present limits of Vermont, was built in 1724, in the south-east comer of the town, on what is now called 'Dummer Meadows.' Nathan Willard, David Sargeant, David Sargeant, Jr., John and Thomas Sargeant, John Alexander, Fairbank Moore and son, Samuel Wells and John Arms were among the first settlers, and were all from Massachusetts, except John and Thomas Sargeant, and John Alexander, who were born at Fort Dummer. John Sargeant is believed to have been the first white person born within the present limits of Vermont. His father and brother David were ambushed by the Indians; the former killed and scalped, and the other carried into captivity, where he adopted the Indian habits and manners, but afterwards returned to his friends. Fairbank Moore and his son were killed by Indians at West River Meadows, M two miles north of Fort Dummer, and the wife and daughter of the latter, carried into captivity. In 1771, Stephen Greenleaf. from Boston, having purchased what was called the Governor's Farm., situated where the east village now is, opened a store here, which was supposed to be the first store within the limits of Vermont.

First Ministers. The first Congregational minister was the Rev. Abner Reed; he was settled in 1770, and was succeeded by the Rev. Wm. Wells.

Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 1,235 bushels; Indian corn, 6,490 bushels; potatoes, 27,480 bushels ; hay, 3,358 tons; maple sugar, 12,250 pounds: wool, 4,058 pounds.

Distances. One hundred miles south from Montpelier, twelve miles southeast from Newfane, and thirty east from Bennington. The "Iron Horse," on his way up and down the river, passes through this beautiful town several times a day, carrying life and prosperity to the business community.



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

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