PAWLET RIVER.

odists, and Universalists. The Congregational church was organized August 8, 1781. The Rev. Lewis Beebe, the first settled minister, was settled over it from June 14, 1787, to May 6, 1791; the Rev. John Griswold from October 23, 1793, to August 11, 1830. The Rev. Elijah W. Plumb, the present minister, was settled May 18, 1831. They have a handsome meeting house erected in 1797, situated in a small village, about one mile south of the centre of the township. The Baptist church was organized Oct. 4, 1791. In the year 1800 they erected a large meeting house in the western part of the township, and Oct. 17, 1802, settled the Rev. Isaac Bealls. There is a small Episcopal church here, which is called Trinity church. Mr. Rush, one of the first settlers, died here in March, 1824, aged 110 years. The principal streams are Pawlet river, which runs southwesterly nearly through the centre of the township, and Indian river, which runs the same course across the southwest corner. The latter rises from a spring of pure water, sufficiently large to carry a grist mill. It abounds in trout, and takes its name from the great number of Indians who formerly resorted here for the purpose of fishing. The township is divided nearly in the centre by a range of mountains extending through it from south to north. The most remarkable summit is a little north of the centre, and is called Haystack mountain. The soil is dry and warm, easily cultivatod, and produces good crops of grain and grass. The timber is maple, beech, birch, elm, bass, ash, walnut, oak, hemlock and pine. There are here 1 oil, 3 saw, 1 grist and 5 fulling mills, 2 carding machines, 4 woollen factories, 1 cotton factory, 7 stores, 3 taverns, and 1 tannery. Statistics of 1840.-Horses, 369; cattle, 2,335; sheep, 20,705; swine, 1,409; wheat, bus. 2,477; oats, 12,215; rye, 3,244; buckwheat, 287; Indian corn, 10,950; potatoes, 41,920; hay, tons, 6,931; sugar, lbs. 10,300; wool, 49,422. Population, 1,748.

PEACHAM.

was chartered December 31, 1763. In 1773, that part of Peacham called "the square," was allotted, and several pitches made. In 1774, pitches were made by Jonathan Elkins, John Sanborn, Frye Bailey, John Skeel and Robert Carr, and the same year a line was run from Connecticut river in Barnet through Peacham to Missisco bay on lake Champlain. This line was of great use to our scouts and to deserters from the enemy during the revolutionary war. In the spring of 1775, Jonathan Elkins came to Peacham, with several hired men, and began im provements upon the lot he had pitched the year before. His farm in Haverhill, N. H., he had sold on a credit of several annual payments; but, on account of the depreciation of the currency, after two or three of the first payments, the purchaser paid at the rate of three, four and five bushels of corn for a hundred dollars. In March, 1776, several companies, belonging to Col. Beedel's regiment marched through Peacham to Canada, upon snowshoes, on the line run in 1774. The same spring Gen. Bailey had orders to open a road from Newbury toSt.Johns,for the conveying troops and provisions into Canada. He had it cut from Newbury six miles above Peacham, when the news arrived that our army had retreated from Canada, and the undertaking was abandoned. Jonathan Elkins had removed his family to Peacham in June of this year, but, after a stay of three weeks, was obliged to retreat with Gen. Bailey's men to Newbury, where he remained until the October following. He then removed his family again to Peacham, where they remained during the war. Only three families spent the succeeding winter in Peacham, viz; Jonathan Elkins', John Skeel's and Archibald McLachlin's. In 1777, James Baily, Asher Chamberlain and Noah Hollyday removed their families here. Henry Elkins was born on the 15th of October of this year, and was the first child born in town. In 1778, the inhabiPAWLET RIVER is a small stream which tants of Peacham were in constant alarm. rises in Dorset, runs northwesterly across Our scouts frequently discovered signs of the northeast corner of Rupert, diagonally Indians, and informed the inhabitants as across the township of Pawlet, and unites they passed and repassed. During this with Wood creek, in the state of New York, 2 or 3 miles above its mouth. This stream affords a number of eligible mill seats in Vermont.

PEACHAM, a post town in Caledonia county, situated in lat. 44° 20' and long. 4° 47. It is 20 miles east from Montpelier, and 18 northwesterly from Newbury. It is bounded northerly by Danville, easterly by Barnet, southerly by Groton, and westerly by Marshfield and Cabot. It

year, a number of prisoners and British deserters found their way through from Canada, and arrived at Peacham in a very weak and famishing condition. The inhabitants had to go to Newbury for their grinding, and a considerable part of the time in the winter, with no other than a snow shoe path. In 1779, Gen. Hazen came to Peacham with a part of his regiment, for the purpose, as he said, of completing the road commenced by Bailey in

PART III.

GAZETTEER OF VERMONT.

PEACHAM.

PEACHAM.

Oc

1776, that an army might be sent through The greater part of the people of this for the reduction of Canada. But this town are Congregationalists. A Congrewas only a feint for dividing the enemy gational church was organized here April and preventing their sending their whole 14, 1794, consisting of 12 members. force up the lakes. Hazen cut, cleared tober 30, 1799, they settled the Rev. and made a passable road for 50 miles Leonard Worcester for their pastor, and above Peacham, through the towns of he has continued his connection with the Cabot, Walden, Hardwick, Greensbor- church ever since, though, on account of ough, Craftsbury, Albany and Lowell, age and infirmity, he has ceased to preach. and erected several block-houses. This At the time of Mr. Worcester's ordination road was a great benefit to the settlers of the church consisted of 40 members. The this country after the war, and, in many most remarkable revival, which has taken places, it is still called the "Hazen Road." place, was in 1817 and '18, in conseThe present road from Peacham to Low- quence of which there was an addition to ell, occupies the same ground over which the church of 225 members. The whole the Hazen road passed. Hazen marched number admitted since its organization is to the south in the fall, abandoning all 611, and the present number 266. From the block-houses, except the one 12 miles a bill of mortality kept by Mr. Worcester, above Peacham, and committing this to it appears that the whole number of deaths the care of a sergeant's guard. In the in this town, from the 30th of October, spring of 1780, Capt. Aldrich came to 1799, to September, 1824, was 406. The Peacham and built a small picket around greatest number in any year was 59, and the house of James Bailey, and the block- the least 6. Mrs. Hunt, the oldest person house above was abandoned. In the fall who has died in this town, was aged 96. Aldrich marched his men to the south, Caledonia county grammar school was leaving the inhabitants to look out for established here by act of the legislature, themselves. Col. Thomas Johnson, of October 27, 1795. The building was Newbury, who had engaged to erect mills erected, and the school commenced in in Peacham, arrived at Jonathan Elkins' August, 1800. The institution is under Onion with the mill stones, on the evening of the direction of nine trustees. The school the 7th of March, 1781. About one o'- has been prosperous. The average numclock next morning a party of the enemy ber of scholars from 30 to 40. from Canada came upon them, and made river pond, so called from its giving rise prisoners of Col. Johnson, Jacob Page, to one of the principal branches of Onion and Col. Jonathan Elkins, of Peacham, or Winooski river, lies in the western part who was then a youth. They were all of the town, and covers about 300 acres. carried to St. Johns. Col. Johnson re- There are several other small ponds, turned on parole, Mr. Page was sent to which are not worthy of particular notice. Montreal, and Col. Elkins to Quebec, and There are two considerable streams passthe two latter imprisoned. In the fall, ing off to the east into Steven's branch, when the British fleet sailed from Quebec, which afford numerous mill privileges. Col. Elkins was sent a prisoner to Eng- A ridge of land passes through the westland with about 150 more who were dis-ern part, but there is no very consideratributed throughout the fleet and obliged ble elevation in this town. The western to do duty. When the fleet arrived at part is a hard soil, but the eastern is rich Plymouth, England, the prisoners were and pleasantly diversified with hills and confined in Mill prison, where they re- vallies, being inhabited by a great nummained until they were exchanged for ber of respectable and wealthy farmers. Cornwallis' troops, in 1782, when Col. There is, in the eastern part of the town, Elkins returned again to Peacham. Capt. a natural bog meadow, containing an inNehemiah Lovewell was stationed with exhaustible quantity of shell marl, from his company in Peacham during the sum- which lime has been manufactured to mer of 1781. In September, he sent a considerable extent. The color of the scout of four men up the Hazen road, marl is a bluish white. There is also a who were ambushed and fired upon by the plenty of limestone, from which lime is Indians. Two were killed and scalped, made. One of the most remarkable ocand the other two taken, and on the tenth currences in this town, was the loss of a day, after they left Peacham, they were man's great toe, by frost, in the month of prisoners in Quebec with Col. Elkins. June. Mr. Walker, the gentleman who There were no soldiers kept at Peacham sustained the loss, was 84 years old, and in 1782, and two Messrs. Baileys of this was frozen, in consequence of being lost prisoners to Canada, in the woods, and lying out through the town were carried Peacham was organized March 18, 1783, night of the 8th of June, 1816. There is and James Bailey was first town clerk, a small village, situated on an elevated

Pr. III.

18

PERU.

PITTSFIELD.

PHILADELPHIA. A township was chartered by this name March 14, 1761; November 9, 1814, the north half of it was annexed to Goshen, and the remainder of it annexed to Chittenden, Nov. 2, 1816.

PHILADELPHIA RIVER is a small stream which rises in the south part of Goshen, runs southwest through Chittenden, and unites with East creek, in Pittsford. PIKE RIVER. See Berkshire.

PITTSFIELD, a post town in the northeast corner of Rutland county, is in lat. 43° 48' and long. 4° 14', and is bounded easterly by Rochester, southeasterly by Stockbridge, and westerly by Chittenden and Goshen. It lies 35 miles southwesterly from Montpelier, and 17 northeast from Rutland. It was granted November 8, 1780, and chartered to Samuel Wilcox and others, July 29, 1781, containing about 12,000 acres. The settlement was commenced in 1786, by Thomas Hodgkins, Stephen Holt, George Martin, Daniel and Jacob Bowe, and a Mr. Woodard. The town was organized March 26, 1793. Thomas Hodgkins was the first town clerk, and also the first representative. The religious denominations are Congregationalists and Methodists. The Congregational church was organized in 1793. Rev. Justin Parsons was settled over it from September, 1814, to 1831. Rev. Samuel Sparhawk, the present minister, was settled March 29, 1839. Their meeting house was erected in 1820. The Methodist church was organized in 1804, and has generally been supplied by circuit preachers. Their present minister is the Rev. J. L. Slason. The dysentery prevailed here in 1803, and was very mortal, particularly to children, and the epidemic of 1813 was also very fatal. The victims of the latter were mostly adults. Two streams, one from the west, and the other from the south, unite near the centre of the township, forming Tweed river, which falls into White river in Stockbridge. These streams afford several good mill privileges. White river runs across the eastern corner. The township is mountainous, and the most important elevation is called' Wilcox's peak. The timber is such as is common to the moun

spot near the centre of the town, which is a place of some business. The public buildings, in town, are a meeting house and an academy, both standing a little out of the village to the southwest. The market road leading from Boston to Montreal through Newbury, passes through the village, and also the county road from Chelsea to Danville. There are in town 3 stores, 1 grist, 1 fulling and 6 saw mills, 1 carding machine, and 2 woollen factories. Statistics of 1840.-Horses, 373; cattle, 1,910; sheep, 9,228; swine, 1,055; wheat, bus. 5,491; barley, 730; oats, 23,603; rye, 90; Indian corn, 2,377; potatoes, 67,816; hay, tons, 4,001; sugar, lbs. 21,180; wool, 17,786. Population, 1,443. | PERU, a post town in the northeast corner of Bennington county, is in lat. 43 15' and long. 4° 8', and is bounded north by Mount Tabor, east by Landgrove, south by Winhall and west by Dorset. It lies 30 miles northeast from Bennington. and the same distance southwest from Windsor. It was chartered October 13, 1761, by the name of Bromley, and contains, by charter, 23,040 acres. The settlement of this township was commenced about the year 1773, by William Barlow, from Woodstock, Con. The town was organized March 1, 1802. John Brock was first town clerk, and Reuben Bigelow, Esq., first representative. The religious denominations are Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Methodists and Baptists. The Rev. Oliver Plympton was ordained over the Congregational church December 29, 1813, and died the next year. The Rev. Thomas Baldwin is the present minister. This society have a meeting house, which was erected in 1814. The other societies are small. In the years 1809 and '10, and 1813 and '14, the inhabitants of this township suffered much from sickness. The prevailing disorders were the measles, canker and fevers, and they were, in many cases, mortal. This township lies upon the Green Mountains, and much of it is high and broken. There are two natural ponds, one covering about 40 and the other about 60 acres. The eastern part is watered by some of the head branches of West river. The best road across the Green Mountain towns. The turnpike from Bethel tains in the state, south of Montpelier, passes through this township. There are 2 grist and 3 saw mills, 2 taverns and 1 tannery. Statistics of 1840.-Horses, 87; cattle, 717; sheep, 1,053; swine, 244; wheat, bus. 534; barley, 170; oats, 4,430; rye, 218; buckwheat, 850; Indian corn, 320; potatoes, 23,100; hay, tons, 1,290; sugar, lbs. 7,640; wool, 1,610. Population, 578.

to Rutland passes through the township along Tweed river. There are here 3 saw, 1 grist and 1 fulling mill, 2 stores, 2 taverns and 1 tannery. Statistics of 1840. Horses, 117; cattle, 729; sheep, 2,358; swine, 390; wheat, bus. 584; barley, 14; oats, 1,956; rye, 294; buckwheat, 818; Indian corn, 1,531; potatoes, 16,373; hay, tons, 1,632; sugar, lbs. 19,920; wool, 5,220. Population, 615.

PART III.

GAZETTEER OF VERMONT.

PITTSFORD.

PITTSFORD, a post town in Rutland and in the latter part of summer carried county, is in lat. 43° 43' and long. 4° 2', off 40 persons in the course of 4 weeks. and is bounded north by Brandon, east by The epidemic of 1812 and '13, was also Chittenden, south by Rutland, and west very fatal, particularly to heads of famiby Hubbardton and a small part of Ira. lies. Mrs. Elizabeth Smith one of the It lies 60 miles north of Bennington, and first settlers, lived to the age of 96 years, 44 southwest from Montpelier, and was Mr. Elisha Adams to his 92d or 93d year, chartered October 12, 1761, containing and several others to nearly the same 25600 acres. The settlement of this town- age. Mary, daughter of Ebenezer Lyship was commenced in the year 1769, by man, was born in this town June 20, Messrs. Gideon and Benjamin Cooley 1784, and died January 23d, 1794. In from Greenwich, Mass., but they were September previous to her death, being soon joined by Roger Stevens, Felix Pow- but little more than 9 years of age, she ell, Ebenezer Hopkins, Stephen Mead, weighed 174 pounds, and at the time of Moses Olmsted, Edward Owen, Joshua her death, probably weighed 200 lbs. She Woodward and others, from Massachu- was a healthy child, with good common setts and Connecticut. The first records sense, and her strength was equal to her of this town were accidentally burnt, and size. She caught a slight cold, and was therefore the time of its organization has somewhat unwell for about two weeks not been ascertained. It was probably in before she died, but ate a hearty breakfast the year 1770. Col. Benjamin Cooley on the morning preceding her death. Otwas first town clerk, and Jonathan Fas- ter creek, which flows through the midset first representative. During the rev- dle of this township, from south to north, olutionary war two picket forts were erec- with a gentle meandering current, is the ted in this township, one called Fort Mott principal stream, and its width here is and the other Fort Vengeance. The lat- from 40 to 50 yards. Furnace brook, a ter was built early in the year 1779, upon considerable tributary of Otter creek, is an eminence on the east side of Otter formed by the union of East creek, and creek,and near the present stage road from Philadelphia river. Along these streams Pittsford village to Middlebury. Pittsford are extensive meadows of the rich alluviwas a frontier township, and Fort Ven- al soil. On Furnace brook and its branch-. geance the most northerly post in Ver-es are numerous mill privileges which are mont, on the west side of the Green well improved. There are two ponds, one Mountains, which was held by the Amer- in the southeastern part covering about icans during the revolution. The reli- 20 acres, and the other in the northeastgious denominations are Congregational- ern covering about 30 acres. There are ists, Baptists and Methodists. Elder Eli- no mountains. A range of hills extends sha Rich was the first settled minister, along the west line between this townand was ordained over the Baptist church ship and Hubbardton. The soil is generabout the year 1784. Elder Rich, after ally loam, with some tracts which are preaching here a number of years, left the sandy, and some of clay. The timber is town, and was succeeded by Elder Wm. oak of several kinds, pine, maple, beech, Harrington, who was dismissed about the birch, elm, basswood, ash, cherry, butteryear 1819. The Rev. Eleazer Harwood nut, walnut, poplar, &c. This township was settled over the Congregational abounds in iron ore, which makes the church about the year 1785, and continu- best of ware, and bar iron, and has inexed its pastor till his death, which happen- haustable quarries of excellent marble. ed in 1807. December 30th, of this year, The iron ore yields about 25 per cent. of the Rev. Holland Weeks was ordained metalic iron. The marble is coarse grainover this church, and dismissed in 1814; ed and somewhat flexible. Much of it is the Rev. Asa Messer was ordained Jan. conveyed down Otter creek to Middlebu29, 1818, and dismissed February, 1822; ry, to be sawn and manufactured into and the Rev. John Ingersoll, Dec. 18, jambs, &c. The oxyde of manganese is 1823, and dismissed in September, 1826. also found in this township. In the eastThe Rev. Willard Child, the present min-ern part of the township is a deep cavern ister, was settled April 25, 1827. The in which ice may commonly be found in Congregational, Baptist, and Methodist the months of July and August. There societies have each a convenient meet- is a small village near the centre of the inghouse, two of which are situated in township, containing two meeting housthe village near the centre of the town-es, three stores, one druggist shop, two ship. There have been two general revivals of religion, the former in 1784, and '5, and the latter in 1802, and '3. The dysentery was very mortal here in 1803,

taverns, several mechanics' shops, and about 30 dwelling houses. It is situated eight miles north from Rutland court house. Another called Mill village is sit

PLAINFIELD.

uated on Furnace brook, containing two stores, a saw and grist mill, woollen factory, &c. Pittsford contains one of the best town libraries in the state. It consists of 1500 volumes, towards the purchase of which a Mr. McClure, of Mexico, gave $400. The town is divided into 13 or 14 school districts. There are 1 grist and eight saw mills, two woollen factories, 4 stores, 3 taverns, 2tanneries, 2 furnaces, and an extensive bed of iron ore. Statistics of 1840.-Horses, 333; cattle, 1,796; sheep, 22,052; swine, 536; wheat, bus. 1,837; barley, 5; oats, 10,121; rye, 2,177; buck wheat, 864; Ind. corn, 13,425; potatoes, 30,661, hay, tons, 7,162; sugar, lbs. 20,539; wool, 54,128. Population, 1,927.

PLYMOUTH.

which passes through the northwest corner, and by Great brook, which passes through the township in a northwesterly direction into Winooski river. At the junction of these streams is a small village, containing a Congregational and Methodist meeting house, two stores, one tavern, one tannery, &c. There is a small pond in the eastern part which is well furnished with excellent trout. There is also a mineral spring similar to those in Newbury, which is a place of some resort for invalids. It is situated so near the margin of Great brook as to be overflown at high water. The surface of this township is uneven, but is well timbered. There is but little waste land and the soil is generally of a good quality. The town is divided into seven school districts. There are here three saw and two grist mills, one fulling and one clover mill. Statistics of 1840.-Horses, 190; cattle, 1,145; sheep, 8,853; swine, 414; wheat, bus. 4,298; barley, 28; oats, 4, 225; rye, 199; buck wheat, 314; I. corn, 1,036; potatoes, 26,316; hay, tons, 2,832; sugar, lbs. 13,980; wool, 11,201. Popu lation, 880.

PLATT OR PLOTT RIVER. See Laplot. PLYMOUTH, a post town in the western part of Windsor county, is in lat. 43° 31' and long. 4o 19', and is bounded north by Bridgewater, east by Reading, south by Ludlow and a part of Mount Holly, and west by Shrewsbury. It lies 15 miles nearly west from Windsor, 52 south from Montpelier, and 16 southeast from Rutland; and was chartered July 6, 1761, by the name of Saltash. The settlement of this township was commenced in 1777, by John Mudge, who was soon followed by Aaron Hewett and others. Wm. Mudge was the first child born, and received in consequence a lot of land. The town was organized about 1787. Adam Brown was first town clerk, and Moses Priest first representative. The religious societies

PLAINFIELD, a small post town in the eastern part of Washington county, in lat. 44° 14' and long. 4° 35', and is bounded north by Marshfield, east by Goshen gore, south by Barre and Orange, and west by Montpelier. It lies 55 miles north from Windsor, and 21 northwest from Newbury, and was chartered to Gen. James Whitelaw, and others, Oct. 27, 1788, containing 10,000 acres. The settlement was commenced about the year 1794, by Theodore Perkins, Joseph Batchelder, and Seth Freeman. They were joined the next year by Jonathan and Bradford Kinney, Moulton Batchelder, John Moore and others, from different parts of New England. The titles to the lands, under which the first settlers purchased, proved to be bad, and they were mostly obliged to purchase a second time. But by the indulgence of the Hon. Heman Allen, into whose hands the lands fell, the inhabitants were mostly enabled to retain the farms on which they had commenced improvements. The town was organized under the name of St. Andrew's gore, April 4, 1796, and Harvey Bancroft was first town clerk, who was the same year killed by the fall of a tree. November 6, 1797, the name of the town-are Congregationalists, Baptists, Methoship was altered to Plainfield. The first town meeting under this name was March 20, 1798, and Thomas Vincent, Esq. was then chosen town clerk. A small Congregational church was organized here about the year 1796, or 1797, a Methodist church about the year 1800,and a Universalist society about the year1820. The Congregational church has, for a part of the time, enjoyed the labors of the Rev. Jonathan Kinney, and this and the other societies have been supplied to a considerable extent, by itinerant preachers. The Rev. James Perry, a Methodist preacher, died here May 13, 1840, aged 83. The township is watered by Winooski river

dists, Christians, and Freewill Baptists. The Congregational church was formed in 1806, and the Rev. Prince Jennie settled over it for 5 or 6 years. In 1822, Rev. Abel Manning was settled over it and continued about three years. The Baptist church is the most numerous and their present minister, the Rev. Ambler Edson. Elder Isaac Banister was the first minister of the Christian church, in 1819,and he was succeeded by Elder Noah Johnson, but the society is now destitute of a minister. The Freewill Baptist church consists of 52 members. A union meeting house was built in the south part of the town, in 1816. The principal