Bridgewater, Vermont, USA
1849 - Bridgewater

Windsor Co. The surface of this town is uneven and some parts rough and stony. Along the river, are tracts of valuable intervale, and there are many good farms in other parts. The summits of the hills are, in general, covered with spruce and hemlock ; the timber, on other parts, is mostly maple, beech, and birch. The rocks are mica, and talco-argillaceous slate, gneiss, limestone, quartz, &c. There is an inexhaustible quarry of steatite, situated nearly in the centre of the town. It has been manufactured to some extent, and makes excellent jambs, hearths, &c. In the vicinity of the steatite, are large quantities of beautiful green talc. Iron ore is found in several places. Garnets in perfect dodechedral crystals are common, and several handsome specimens of rock crystal, crystals of hornblend and schorl, have been found.

There is a small village, on the river, near the south-east corner of the town, in which are a meeting-house, several mills, factories, stores, and mechanic's shops.

In August, 1822, Mr. Aaron Lamb, while sinking a well about eighty rods north of Otta Quechee River, dug up a living frog, at the depth of twenty-six feet below the surface of the ground. It was in a state of torpor when taken up, but revived after being exposed a short time to the atmosphere. This town is watered by Otta Quechee River, which runs through the south part, and by several considerable branches. These streams afford numerous mill privileges.

The Otta Quechee Mill Company in this town was incorporated in 1847.

Boundaries. North by Barnard, east by Woodstock, south by Plymouth, and west by Sherburne.

First Settlers. Dea. Asa Jones surveyed a lot of land in Bridgewater, in September, 1779, and the next winter, removed his family into this town from Woodstock, a distance of three miles, on hand-sleds. This was the first family in town. Mr. Amos Mendall came in the spring following, May, 1780, and was married to a daughter of Deacon Jones. This was the first couple married, and was the second family in town. Their daughter, Lucy, was the first child born. In 1783, Messrs. Isaiah Shaw and Cephas Sheldon moved their families into the north part of the town, they having commenced improvements the year before. Capt. James Fletcher came in with his family about the same time. In 1784, settlements were commenced along the river in the south part of the town, by the Messrs. Southgates, Hawkins and Topliff, and from this time the settlement proceeded rapidly for a number of years.

First Minister. A Congregational Church was organized here in 1793. The Rev. John Ransom was ordained over it in 1795, and remained its pastor till 1802.

Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 3,165 bushels; Indian corn, 5,815 bushels; potatoes, 47,215 bushels : hay, 4,541 tons ; maple sugar, 34,725 pounds ; wool, 21,426 pounds.

Distances. Forty-five miles south from Montpelier, and seventeen northwest from Windsor.

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

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