Barnet, Vermont, USA (Center, East, West) (McIndoe Falls) (Mosquitoville) (Passumpsic)
1849 - Barnet
Caledonia Co. This town lies on Connecticut River, at the Fifteen Mile Falls, and opposite to Lyman, N. H. It has a good soil, and is an excellent farming town, with slate and iron ore. Many of the inhabitants are of Scotch descent. This town has a great water power on Passumpsic and Stevens' Rivers. On the latter are falls of 100 feet, in the distance of ten rods. This water power is improved by a number of flannel and other manufactories. There are a number of pleasant and fertile islands in the river, between this place and Lyman, and some beautiful ponds in Barnet, which afford fish of various kinds. This is quite a romantic place, and lies at the head of navigation on the Connecticut River.
There are three natural ponds in this town, viz., Harvey's Pond, covering about 300 acres, Ross' Pond, about 100, Morse's Pond, about fifteen acres. The present head of boat navigation on Connecticut River is at the lower village in this town at Mclndoe's Falls. The principal places of business are at this village, at the village at Stevens* Mills, and the village at Randal's Mills, on the Passumpsic River.
This is the birth-place and residence of Henry Stevens, Esq., a celebrated antiquarian. Mr. Stevens is performing great service to the State, by rescuing from oblivion large claims against the general government.
Boundaries. North by Waterford, east by Connecticut River, south by Ryegate, west by Peacham and Danville.
First Settlers. The charter of Barnet is dated September 15, 1763. The principal proprietors were Enos, Samuel, and Willard Stevens, sons of Capt. Phineas Stevens, who so nobly defended the fort at Charlestown, New Hampshire, April 4, 1747, against a large party of French and Indians, under the command of M. Debeline. The first settlement was commenced in this town by Jacob, Elijah, and Daniel Hall, and Jonathan Fowler Sarah, daughter of Elijah Hall, was the first child, and Barnet, son of Jonathan Fowler, was the first male child born in the town. The latter was presented by Enos Stevens, Esq., with 100 acres of land. The town was subsequently settled mostly by emigrants from Scotland. A part of the township was purchased, in 1774, by the late Alexander Harvey, Esq., and another gentleman, for a company in Scotland. A considerable proportion of the people are of Scotch descent.
In the summer of 1772, Enos Stevens, Esq., erected a grist mill on Stevens' River, about 150 rods from its junction with the Connecticut. The first town meeting was held, and the town organized, March 18, 1783. Walter Brock, Esq., was first town clerk, and Colonel Alexander Harvey the first representative. Major Rogers, on his return from an expedition against the St. Francis Indians, in 1759, encamped near the mouth of the Passumpsic River, in this town, where he expected to meet a supply of provisions to be sent on from Charlestown, New Hampshire, by order of General Amherst. The order of the general was complied -with. Samuel Stevens and three others proceeded up Connecticut River with two canoes, to Round Island opposite the mouth of the Passumpsic, where they encamped for the night. In the morning, hearing the report of guns, they were so terrified that they reloaded their provisions and hastened back to Charlestown, leaving Rogers and his famished rangers to their fate.
First Minister. The Rev. David Goodwillie was settled over the Presbyterian Church in 1791, and remained their minister many years.
Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 4,652 bushels; Indian corn, 6,780 bushels: potatoes, 66,410 bushels ; hay, 4,815 tons; maple sugar, 19,670 pounds; wool, 12,221 pounds.
Distances. Eleven miles south from Danville, and thirty-six east from Montpelier.
The Connecticut River Railroad passes through this town, and greatly facilitates its business.
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