Vergennes, Vermont, USA
1854 - Vergennes

Vergennes, a city of Addison county, Vermont, on the Otter creek, 7 miles from its en trance into Lake Champlain. and on the Rut land and Burlington railroad, 22 miles S. from Burlington. The creek is here about 600 feet wide, and navigable fur the largest vessels on the lake. Two islands opposite the city divide the stream into three channels, which have three distinct Bets of falls, affording an hydraulic power equal to the best in the state. During the war and non-intercourse with Great Britain, extensive iron manufactories were put in operation at these falls, and among other things produced was 177 tons of cannon-shot. In 1816 most of the iron-works were suspended, and have since only in part been resumed. Vergennes enjoys admirable advantages for ship-building. The flotilla, commanded by Commodore McDonough, at the battle in which the British fleet on Lake Champlain were captured, September 11, 1814, was fitted out at this place. The city is beautifully situated, and contains 3 or 4 churches, a bank, a newspaper office, and 18 or 20 stores. A United States arsenal, the only military establishment in the state belonging to the general government, was erected here in 1828. The principal edifice (of stone) is 80 feet by 36, and 3 stories high, and with the others is enclosed by about 28 acres of grounds. Arms and other munitions of war to the value of about $85,000, belonging to the United States, and of upwards of $30,000 to the State of Vermont, are constantly stored in the buildings. Settled in 1766, by Donald Mcintosh, who was a native of Scot land, and had been in the battle of Culloden. Incorporated as a city October 28, 1783. Population, 1378.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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