Marshfield, Vermont, USA
1849 - Marshfield

Washington Co. The surface of this township is very uneven. That part of it west of the river is timbered with hard wood, and the soil is good. East of the river the timber consists principally of evergreens, and the surface is broken, wet and stony. The town is watered principally by Winooski River. Here, in this stream, is a fall, said to be 500 feet in the distance of thirty rods. A good view of it may be had from the road leading from Marshfield to Cabot, and it is worthy the attention of the traveller. In the north-east part of the town is a considerable natural pond. The rocks are principally slate and granite. In the north part of the town is a pleasant village.

Boundaries. Northerly by Cabot, easterly by Peacham, and Harris' Gore, southerly by Plainfield, and westerly by Calais and part of Montpelier.

First Settlers. The town was granted to the Stockbridge tribe of Indians, October 16, 1782, and chartered to them June 22, 1790, containing 23,040 acres. The township was purchased of the Indians by Isaac Marsh, Esq., of Stockbridge, Mass., from whom the town derives its name, for 140/ . lawful money, and was deeded to him, July 29, 1789. The deed was signed by eighteen Indians, who were then residents of New Stockbridge, in Montgomery County, N. Y. The improvements were commenced here in the spring of 1790, by Martin and Calvin Pitkin from East Hartford, Ct. They left the town in the fall, and returned again the succeeding spring, accompanied by Gideon Spencer. Thus, they continued to spend the summer here, and abandon the township in the winter till 1794. This year, Caleb Pitkin, Gideon Spencer, and Aaron Elmore moved their families here in the winter, while the snow was more than four feet deep. In the summer they were joined by Ebenezer Dodge and family. John Preston Davis, son of Ebenezer Dodge, was born September 17, of this year, and was the first child born in town.

Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 2,351 bushels ; Indian corn, 3,202 bushels ; potatoes, 50,256 bushels; hay, 3,966 tons ; maple sugar, 14,790 pounds ; wool, 6,731 pounds.

Distances. Fifteen miles north-east from Montpelier.

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

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