Bristol, Vermont, USA
1849 - Bristol

Addison Co. About one third of this town lies entirely west of the Green Mountains, and is very level, rich, and productive The remainder of the town is broken, and a considerable part incapable of cultivation. A considerable mountain extends through the town, from north to south. That part of it north of the Great Notch, through which New Haven River passes, is called the Hog Back, and that on the south is called South Mountain. A part of the latter was formerly much, infested with rattle snakes. New Haven River enters this town from the south-east, and, before it reaches the centre of the town, receives Baldwin Creek from the north. After passing the Notch and Bristol village, it runs some distance nearly south, and then turns to the west into New Haven, There are three natural ponds here; the largest, called Bristol Pond, is a mile and a half long and three fourths of a mile wide. In the west part of the town is a spring which is slightly medicinal, and is sometimes visited. There is a bed of iron ore in the part of the town next to Monkton, and there have been several forges here. Most of the ore which is used here is brought from Monkton, and from a bed in Moriah, N. York, west of Lake Champlain. This town furnishes large quantities of sawed lumber, which are sent to market.

The village is near the centre of the town, upon New Haven River, immediately after it passes the Notch in the mountain. It is very pleasantly located. The greater part of it is watered by an aqueduct nearly 400 rods in length, laid in water lime.

Boundaries. North by Monkton and Starksboro, east by Lincoln and Starksboro, south by Middlebury and Avery's Gore, and west by New Haven.

First Settlers. The settlement of this town was commenced immediately after the revolutionary war, by Samuel Stewart and Eden Johnson. These were soon joined by Benjamin Griswold, Cyprian, Calvin, and Jonathan Eastman. Justus Allen, and others.

First Minister. The first ordained minister was the Rev. Amos Stearns.

Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 1 ,524 bushels; Indian corn, 6,300 bushels; potatoes, 25,150 bushels; hay, 2,252 tons ; maple sugar, 9,500 pounds : wool, 11,800 pounds.

Distances. Twenty-five miles southwest from Montpelier, and eleven north from Middlebury. The Northern Railroad passes near this town.

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

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