Fair Haven, Vermont, USA
1849 - Fair Haven

Rutland Co. The surface of the township consists of swells and vales, but there is nothing which deserves the name of a mountain. The soil is various, consisting of gravel, sand, and marl. Along the rivers, the soil is alluvial and very productive. The timber is pine, hemlock, beech, maple, walnut, butternut, button wood. &c. The principal streams are Poultney and Castleton Rivers. The former rises among the mountains in the south-east, and divides this township from New York. The latter originates principally from a large spring in the west part of Rutland. About one mile above Fair Haven village it receives the waters of Lake Bombazine, and one mile west of the village it joins Poultney River, and, after running three miles further, falls into the lake. Between the junction of these streams and the lake are two considerable falls.

Boundaries. North by Benson, east by Castleton, and a part of Poultney, south by Poultney River, which separates it from Hampton, N. Y., and west by West Haven.

First Settlers. The settlement was commenced in 1779, by John and William Meacham, Oliver Cleveland, Joseph Ballard, and Joseph Haskins. with their families. In 1783, Col. Matthew Lyon, Silas Safford and others moved into town, and the former commenced erecting mills. Col. Lyon had in operation at Fair Haven before 1796, one furnace, two forges, on slitting mill, one printing office, one paper mill, one saw mill, and one grist mill, and he did printing on paper manufactured by himself from basswood bark. The first settlers were from Connecticut and Massachusetts. The town was organized in 1783.

Col. Lyon, who has figured in the political world, was a native of Ireland. He emigrated to this country when sixteen years old, and was sold in Connecticut for his passage.

First Minister. The Rev. Rufus Cushman was ordained over the Congregational Church in 1807 ; died in 1829.

Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 1,055 bushels ; Indian corn, 3,050 bushels : potatoes, 18,100 bushels; hay, 1,690 tons: maple sugar, 1,845 pounds; wool, 5,655 pounds.

Manufactures. Manufactures, particularly of iron, commenced here at an early period. The water power at this place is so good, that manufactures will doubtless annually increase.

Distances. Sixteen miles west from Rutland, and nine north-east from Whitehall, N. Y.

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

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