Putney, Vermont, USA (East Putney)
1849 - Putney

Windham Co. This town is finely located, on the west side of Connecticut River, and embosoms a large tract of excellent intervale land, called the " Great Meadows." There is also a good tract of intervale on Sacket's Brook, a fine mill stream, with beautiful falls, on which are erected valuable mills for the manufacture of woollen goods, paper, and various other articles.

Sacket's Brook is a large and constant stream; it falls 150 feet in the course of 100 rods. There are various mineral substances in the town worthy of the notice of the geologist. The village is pleasant, and bears the marks of taste and prosperity.

On the 19th of August, 1788, a violent tempest prostrated a great part of the forest trees here. In 1770 the town was overrun by immense swarms of worms, which, like the swarms of Egypt, ate up every green thing ; also, to a limited extent, in 1823 and 4.

Boundaries. North by Westminster, east by Connecticut River, which separates it from Westmoreland, N. H., south by Dummerston, and west by Brookline.

First Settlers. A settlement was commenced and a fort built on the " Great Meadow," so called, in the eastern part of the town, a little previous to the breaking out of the French war, in 1744; but on the commencement of hostilities the fort was evacuated, and the inhabitants, together with those from adjacent towns, retired to Northfield, Mass., which was the frontier post during that war. One circumstance took place, however, previous to the breaking up of the fort, which undoubtedly hastened that event, which was as follows: -- "A man by the name of William Phipps was hoeing corn, on the 5th of July , 1745, near the south-west corner of the meadow, when tow Indians sprang upon him, and dragged him into the woods near by. Here, after a short parley, one of the Indians departed, leaving the prisoner under the care of his comrade. Phipps, with the hardihood characteristic of the pioneers in these wilds, watching an opportunity, struck his keeper down with his hoe, and, seizing his gun, gave the other, who was returning, a fatal wound. Thus at liberty again, he sought refuge in the fort, but, unfortunately, before he reached it, he fell in with three other Indians, who butchered the brave fellow in cold blood."

First Ministers. A Congregational Church was organized Oct. 17, 1776, at which time they settled the Rev. Josiah Goodhue, who died November 14, 1797. His successors have been Rev. Jairus Remington, from Feb. 12, 1800, to Feb. 15, 1803.

Productions of the Soil Wheat, 993 bushels; Indian corn, 12,225 bushels; potatoes, 26,390 bushels; hay, 2,849 tons ; maple sugar, 8,830 pounds ; wool, 13,730 pounds.

Distances. Nine miles east from Newfane, and nine north from Brattleborough. The Connecticut River Railroad passes through the town.

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

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