Whiting, Vermont, USA
1849 - Whiting

Addison Co. Otter Creek waters the eastern border of the town, but affords no mill privileges.

Otter Creek, till lately, afforded no valuable fish. In the spring of 1819, Mr. Levi Walker, of Whiting, proposed to the inhabitants of this and the neighboring towns along the creek to transfer fish from the lake into the creek, above Middlebury Falls. The plan was carried into execution, and the fish have since multiplied exceedingly. In 1823, not less than 500 pounds of excellent pickerel were taken from the creek, in the distance of two miles.

Along the eastern part of the town, near Otter Creek, is a swamp, which covers 2 or 3,000 acres. It affords an abundance of excellent cedar, pine, ash, &c.

The soil is generally of the marly kind, and produces good grass and grain. In 1810, Mr. Samuel H. Remmele had a field of five acres of wheat, which averaged fifty bushels to the acre ; and Mr. Benajah Justin for several years raised an annual crop of corn, which averaged 100 bushels to the acre.

Boundaries. North by Cornwall, east by Otter Creek, which separates it from Leicester and Salisbury, south by Sudbury, and west by Orwell and Shoreham.

First Settlers. John Wilson erected the first house in Whiting, in 1772, and in June, 1773, a family by the name of Bolster moved into it. In 1774, Mr. Wilson's and several other families moved here. During the revolution the settlement was abandoned, but was recommenced, immediately upon its close, by those persons who had been driven off, and by others. Among the first settlers were a Mr. Marshall, Gideon Walker, Joseph Williams, Daniel Washburn, Joel Foster, Samuel Beach, Ezra Allen, Jehiel Hull, Henry Wiswell, and Benjamin Andrus.

First Ministers. Elder David Rathbun was ordained over the Baptist Church, in June, 1800, and continued three or four years. After this, the Rev. John Ransom preached here about two years. In Jan. 1810, the Rev. Justin Parsons was settled over the Congregational Church, and continued about three years.

Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 1,232 bushels ; Indian corn, 2,255 bushels ; potatoes, 7,150 bushels ; hay, 2,837 tons; maple sugar, 1,590 lbs.; wool, 27,168 pounds.

Distances. Forty-miles south-west from Montpelier, and ten south from Middlebury.

The Southern Railroad passes in this vicinity.

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

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