Waterbury, Vermont, USA
1849 Waterbury

Washington Co. The surface of Waterbury is generally level, with some pleasant swells. The soil is warm and fertile ; the meadow lands on the rivers, of which there are large tracts, are not excelled in richness by any in the State.

Waterbury is separated from Duxbury by Winooski River, which, with Waterbury River and other streams, afford the town a good water power.

In the south-west corner of the town, the passage of Winooski River through a considerable hill is considered a curiosity. The stream has here worn a channel through the rocks, which, in times past, undoubtedly, formed a cataract below of no ordinary height, and a considerable lake above. The chasm is at present about 100 feet wide, and nearly as deep. On one side, the rocks are nearly perpendicular, some of which have fallen across the bed of the stream in such a manner as to form a bridge, passable, however, only at low water. On the same side, the rocks which appear to have been loosened and moved by the undermining of the water, have again rested, and become fixed in such a posture as to form several caverns, or caves, some of which have the appearance of rooms fitted for the convenience of man. Several musket balls and flints were found in the extreme part of one of them, a few years since, with the appearance of having lain there many years, which makes it evident that they were known to the early hunters.

Waterbury River rises in Morristown, and runs south through the western part of Stowe and Waterbury into Winooski River. In Stowe it receives one considerable tributary, from the east, which rises in Worcester, and two from the west, which rise in Mansfield. It also receives several tributaries from the west, in Waterbury, which originate in Bolton. The whole length of the stream is about sixteen miles, and it affords a number of good mill privileges.

Boundaries. North by Stowe, east by Middlesex, south by Winooski River, which separates it from Duxbury, and a part of Moretown, and west by Bolton.

First Settlers. In June, 1784, Mr. James Marsh moved his family, consisting of a wife and eight children, into Waterbury, from Bath, N. H., and took possession of a surveyor's cabin, which was standing near Winooski River. Mr. Marsh was induced to move his family here, at the time he did, by the promise of the proprietors, that several other families should be procured to move into the town in the following fall. This promise was not fulfilled; and for nearly a year this solitary family scarcely saw a human being but themselves, and, for more than two years, their nearest neighbors were in Bolton, seven miles distant.

First Ministers. About the year 1800 a revival of religion commenced in this town, which continued through that and the following year ; and during that time Congregational, Baptist, and Methodist Churches were organized.

Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 2,3 2 9 bushels ; Indian corn, 4,070 bushels potatoes, 21,389 bushels; hay, 3,327 tons ; maple sugar, 25,502 pounds ; wool, 9,001 pounds.

Distances. Twelve miles north-west from Montpelier, and twenty-six east south-east from Burlington.

The great Northern Railroad, from Boston to Burlington, passes through this town.

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

Visit Waterbury, Vermont, USA
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.