St Johnsbury, Vermont, USA
1849 St. Johnsbury

Caledonia Co. The Passumpsic River runs through this town from north to south. and receives, just below the Plain, the Moose River, a considerable stream from the north-east, and Sleeper's River, a smaller tributary, from the north-west. The amount of available water power, furnished by these streams within the town, exceeds that of any other town in this part of the State, and affords facilities for manufacturing operations to any desirable amount.

The business of the town centres in three villages. The Centre village, so called, lies upon the Passumpsic River, in the northerly part of the town. It has been of rapid growth, and does a prosperous business.

The East Village, situated upon Moose River, in the cast part of the town, is the natural centre for the business of parts of St. Johnsbury, Waterford, Concord, Kirby, Victory, and Bradleyvale.

The pleasant village called the Plain is situated in the southerly part of the town.

All these villages are important places of business, and contain very handsome public and private buildings. The Village of the Plain is of superior beauty, and contains an excellent academy.

The soil in this town is rich and productive : the surface uneven, and somewhat hilly, though not broken; and the farms are in a high state of cultivation.

St. Johnsbury presents a fine specimen of Yankee industry and perseverance. Although shut up in a cold region, amid the craggy mountains of the North, and hitherto a three days' toilsome journey to any Atlantic city this mountain villa has sent forth, throughout our whole country and to foreign lands, articles of manufacture which would vie in workmanship and utility with any of those produced in Europe.

Until the present day, the location of our cities and trading towns have been selected for their proximity to the ocean, or situated on some navigable stream. Now the great considerations are, in the choice of a location. Does the place possess a good hydraulic power ? Is it situated in a fertile and healthy country ? Does the Monarch Carrier pass that way ? These three things attained, St. Johnsbury, like many other places similarly situated, throws into the shade many large towns, whose sites were selected solely for being situated on the banks of some shallow river, or at the head of some navigable creek.

The giant power which unites the business communities of States and distant countries, as it were, by magic, will take the burden of a ship's cargo and 500 passengers from Boston to St. Johnsbury, 170 miles, in less time than it takes the swiftest steamer to pass from Albany to New York, a distance of 145 miles, and that in any day of any season in the year.

The Monarch Carrier will commence his trips this way in the course of the year 1850. After whistling a tune in honor of the enterprise of the citizens of St Johnsbury, he will visit the Canadians, to solicit the pleasure of becoming the medium of communication between the Atlantic coast and the largest and most important mart of British commerce in America.

Boundaries. Northerly by Lyndon, north-east by Kirby, south-east by Waterford, and southwest by Danville.

First Settlers. James Adams, and his son Martin Adams, with their families, commenced the settlement on "Benton's Meadow," and Simeon Cole on the "Butler Meadow," in 1786, and the next year Dr. Jona. Arnold, Dr. Jos. Lord, Barnabas Barker, and others, moved into town.

First Ministers. The First Congregational Church was organized Nov. 21, I 1809. The Rev. Pearson Thurston was settled over this church from Oct. i25, 1815, to Oct. 13, 1817. The Rev. Josiah Morse was settled Feb. 21, 1833, The Second Congregational Church was organized April 7, 1825. The Rev, James Johnson was settled over it from Feb. 28, 1827, to May 3, 1838. Rev. John H. Worcester was , settled Sept. 5, 1839. A third Congregational Church was organized in the East Village, Nov. 25, 1840.

Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 2,478 bushels; Indian corn, 6,950 bushels ; potatoes, 74,115 bushels; hay, 4,953 tons ; maple sugar, 50,520 pounds; wool, 14,599 pounds.

Manufactures. The establishment of Messrs. E. & T. Fairbanks & Co., for the manufacture of their celebrated Platform Scales, is upon Sleeper's River, near the south end of the Plain. From 100 to 150 men are constantly employed in this establishment, while an equal number find, indirectly, employment and support, in connection with these operations.

These balances are manufactured very extensively, from the small counter scale used by traders and merchants, to the ponderous railroad scale 50 to 100 feet in length for weighing trains of cars.

The improvement has been patented in the United States and in England, and the article now is in extensive use in both countries, possessing the entire confidence of the public.

It is worthy of remark, that the mechanics of this establishment seldom leave the place, and, as a class, are respectable and worthy citizens, in independent circumstances.

Near the north end of the Plain there is a blast furnace, a machine shop, grist mill, saw mill, and sash and blind factory. In the other villages are various kinds of mechanical operations.

Distances. Seven miles north-east from Danville, ten miles from Connecticut River, thirty-seven north-east from Montpelier, forty-five south of Canada line at Stanstead, one hundred and seventy miles north from Boston, three hundred and twenty-five from New York, and 140 from Montreal.

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

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