Craftsbury, Vermont, USA (Mill Village) (North, East) (Craftsbury Common)
1849 - Craftsbury

Orleans Co. This township is well watered by Black River which is formed here, and by its several branches, which afford numerous mill privileges. Black River was known to the natives, who occasionally resided in this part of Vermont, by the name of Elligo-sigo. Its current is in general slow, the whole descent from Elligo Pond to Memphremagog Lake, including the falls at Irasburgh and Coventry, being by actual survey only 190 feet. Wild Branch, a tributary of Lamoille, rises in Eden and passes through the western part of this township.

There are five natural ponds, viz. Elligo, which lies partly in Greensborough. Great Hosmer, lying partly in Albany, Little Hosmer, and two smaller ponds.

The geology of this town is in many respects interesting, and, in some, peculiar. Few areas of the same space, in a region of primary rocks, furnish so many varieties in situ.

Near the centre of the township, on an elevated plain, affording an extensive prospect, is situated the centre village. This village is principally situated round an open square, forty rods north and south, by twenty-four rods east and west. Craftsbury Academy is located here : was incorporated in October, 1829, and has the avails of one half of the grammar school lands in Orleans County, being about two thousand six hundred acres, about half of which is leased. The building is of brick, two stories high, and is pleasantly situated on the west side of the common. It is the object of the trustees and instructors to render it a place of thorough education to those who resort to it.

Boundaries. North by Albany, east by Greensboro, south by Walcott, and west by Eden.

First Settlers. The first settlement in the town was commenced in the summer of 1788, by Col. Ebenezer Crafts, who during that summer opened a road fi-om Cabot, eighteen miles, cleared ten or twelve acres of land, built a house and saw mill, and made considerable preparation for a grist mill. In the spring of 1789, Nathan Cutler and Robert Trumbell moved their families into this township. In the ensuing fall Mr. Trumbell, by reason of the sickness of his family, spent the ensuing winter in Barnet, but Mr. Cutler's family remained through the winter. Their nearest neighbors were Ashbel Shepard's family, in Greensborough, distant six miles ; there were at that time no other settlements within the present bounds of Orleans County.

First Minister. In 1797, a Congregational Church was organized, and the Rev. Samuel Collins was installed, and continued to preach in this town until 1804, when he died.

Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 1,730 bushels; Indian corn, 1,928 bushels; potatoes, 47,906 bushels; hay, 3,171 tons; maple sugar, 35,412 pounds; wool, 7,880 pounds.

Distances. Twelve miles south from Irasburgh, and thirty-one north-east from Montpelier.

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

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