WHITINGHAM.

WILD BRANCH.-WILDERSBURGH.

WILLIAMS' RIVER.

prevailed here in 1803, and the epidemic ebrated his hundredth birth day by ma of 1812 and 13 was very mortal. One king a pair of shoes, without spectacles. person has lived in this town to be 100 In 1793 the canker rash was very mortal, years of age. Otter creek waters the and carried off one fourth of the children eastern border of the township but affords in town. The typhus fever prevailed in no mill privileges. A saw mill, on a small 1801, and was fatal to more than 40 adult stream, is the only mill in town. Otter persons. Many of the first settlers of creek,till lately, afforded no valuable fish. this township had numerous families of In the spring of 1819, Mr. Levi Walker, children. Mr. Pike had 28 children, 10 of Whiting, proposed to the inhabitants by his first wife, and 18 by two others. of this and the neighboring towns along Most of these lived to a mature age, and the creek to transfer fish from the lake 19 of them were alive a few years since, into the creek above Middlebury falls. the youngest of whom was 25 years old. The plan was carried into execution, and Deerfield river runs through the whole 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 township, near Otter creek, is a swamp, which covers 2 or 3000 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 50 bushels to the acre, and Mr. Benajah Justin for several years raised an annual crop of corn which averaged 100 bushels to the acre. The stage road from Burlington to Albany passes through the centre of the township. The town is divided into five school districts, with a school house in each. Statistics of 1840.-Horses, 181; cattle, 807; sheep, 10,323; swine, 390; wheat, bu. 1,232; barley, 136; oats, 2,600; rye, 236; buckwheat, 71; Ind corn, 2,255; potatoes, 7,150; hay, tons, 2,837; sugar, lbs. 1,590; wool, 27,168. Population, 660.

length of the township, along the western part, fertilizing some handsome tracts of meadow. There are many other smaller streams in different parts. There are two natural ponds. Sawdawda pond is so called from an Indian of that name who formerly lived near it, and was afterwards supposed to have been drowned in going down Deerfield river. This pond has been gradually decreasing for 50 years past, by land forming over the water, which, to the extent of 70 or 80 acres, rises and falls with the waters of the pond. The surface of the township is uneven, but the soil is generally good, and is timbered with maple, beech, birch, ash, spruce and hemlock. A mineral spring was discovered here in 1822, which was analyzed by Doct. Wilson, and found to contain the following ingredients, viz: muriate of lime, carbonate of lime, muriate of magnesia, carbonate and per-oxyde of iron, alumina with an acid trace. It is said to be a specific for cutaneous eruptions, scrofulous humours, dropsy, gravel chronic ulcers, liver complaint, and a vaWHITINGHAM, a post town in the south-riety of other diseases. The western part west corner of Windham county, is in lat. 42° 47', and long. 4° 9', and is bounded north by Wilmington, east by Halifax, south by Heath and Rowe, Mass., and west by Reedsborough. It lies 18 miles southeast from Bennington, and 20 northwest from Greenfield, Mass., and contains 23,404 acres. The settlement was commenced in 1770, by a Mr. Bratlin and Silas Hamlinton. In 1773, Messrs. bu. 1,154; barley, 375; oats, 5,137; rye, Angel, Gustin, Nelson, Lamphire, and Pike, emigrants from Massachusetts and Connecticut, moved their families here. The town was organized March 23, 1780, and Eliphalet Hyde was first town clerk. Silas Hamlinton was the first justice of peace, and first representative. The religious denominations are Baptists, Methodists, Universalists, and Congregationalists. There have been several instances of longevity. Mr. Benj. Cook died here WILLIAMS' RIVER is formed in Chesin 1832, aged 106 years. His health and ter, by the union of three considerable strength held out remarkably, and he cel-branches, which originate in small streams

of the township abounds with limestone, which is burnt extensively into lime.The town contains a well finished meeting house, 50 by 55 feet on the ground, fourteen school districts, two grist mills nine saw mills, two fulling mills, five stores, one tavern, and one tannery. Statistics of 1840.-Horses, 267; cattle, 2,710; sheep, 3,997; swine, 989; wheat,

822; buckwheat, 1,044; Ind. corn, 3,270; potatoes, 43,978; hay, tons. 4,999; sugar, lbs. 30,389; wool, 6,809. Population, 1,391.

WILD BRANCH originates in Eden, runs through the western part of Craftsbury, and unites with the river Lamoille in Wolcott.

WILDERSBURGH. Name altered to Barre, October 19, 1793. See Barre.

WILLIAMSTOWN.

WILLISTON.

in the townships of Ludlow, Andover, that the people within had barely time to Windham and Grafton. These three escape with their lives. There had been branches unite about a mile and a half to the southeast of the two villages in Chester, and their united waters, after running 15 miles in a southeasterly direction, fall into Connecticut river in Rockingham, three miles above Bellows Falls. Along this river is some fine intervale, and it affords several good mill privileges. Williams' river derives its name from the celebrated Rev. John Williams, who was taken by the Indians at Deerfield, Mass., in 1704, and who, at the mouth of this stream, preached a sermon to his fellow captives.

no fire in the store during the day, and the cause of the ignition was not ascertained. This township lies on the height of lands between Winooski and White rivers, and contains no large streams. A brook, which here runs down a steep hill towards the west, divides naturally, and while one part runs to the north, forming Steven's branch of Winooski river, the other runs to the south, forming the second branch of White river. The turnpike from Royalton to Montpelier passes along these streams, and is known by the name of the Gulf Road, on account of the deep ravine through which it passes in this township, near the head of the second branch. The hills here, upon each side of the branch, are very high and abrupt, and approach so near each other

pally with hard wood, and the soil is well adapted to the production of grass. There is a small but pleasant village near the centre of the township, containing 2 or 3 meeting houses, 2 stores, 1 tavern, 1 tannery, several mills and mechanics' shops, and about 35 dwelling houses. There are in town 17 school districts and 16 school houses, 1 grist, 1 clover, 1 fulling and 8 saw mills. Statistics of 1840.Horses, 474; cattle, 2,909; sheep, 11,433; swine, 1,960; wheat, bush. 3,712; barley, 232; oats, 26,530; rye, 518; buckwheat, 3,927; Indian corn, 4,528; potatoes, 85,066; hay, tons, 5,459; sugar, lbs. 33,451; wool, 20,555. Population, 1,620.

WILLIAMSTOWN, a post town in the northwestern part of Orange county, is in lat. 44° 6' and long. 4° 28', and is bounded north by Barre, east by Washington, south by Brookfield, and west by Northfield. It lies 11 miles southeasterly as hardly to leave space for a road befrom Montpelier, and 45 northwesterly tween them. In this ravine a medicinal from Windsor. It was granted Novem- spring has recently been discovered which ber 6, 1780, and chartered August 9, 1781, is thought to be equal to that at Clarento Samuel Clark and others, containing don. This township is timbered princi23,040 acres. The settlement of this township was commenced in June, 1784, by Hon. Elijah Paine, John Paine, John Smith, Joseph Crane, and Josiah Lyman. Penuel Deming moved his family here in February, 1785, and this was the first family in town. Hon. Cornelius Lynde moved here in 1786. The town was organized September 4, 1787. Cornelius Lynde was the first town clerk, and Elijah Paine the first representative. The religious denominations are Congregationalists, Baptists, Methodists, Freewill Baptists, and Universalists. The Congregational church was organized in 1795, and now has 99 members. The ministers of this church have been the Revs. Jesse Olds, Nathan Waldo, Benton Pixley, Joel Davis and Andrew Royce. The Rev. J. Davis is the present minister. Their meeting house was built in 1812. The Baptist church consists of 90 members. The Rev. Friend Blood is their present minister. They built a new meeting house in 1839. The Methodist church consists of 152 members, and has a convenient chapel. The Universalists built a meeting house in 1835, and the Freewill Baptists one in 1841. Rev. Lester Warren is minister of the former, and Rev. Joshua Tucker of the latter. In August, 1839, a store was burnt in this town, with all its contents, by the spontaneous ignition and explosion of a hogshead of N. E. rum. The hogshead was about half full, 50 per cent. above proof. It exploded about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and the store was so quickly enveloped in flames

WILLISTON, a post town in the central part of Chittenden county, is in lat. 44° 25' and long. 3° 58', and is bounded north by Winooski river, which separates it from Essex, east by Jericho and Richmond, south by St. George, and west by Muddy brook, which separates it from Burlington. It lies 27 miles northwest from Montpelier, and was chartered June 7, 1763. It was called Williston in honor of Samuel Willis, one of the grantees. The settlement of this township was commenced in May, 1774, by Thomas Chittenden, who was joined in 1776, by Elihu Allen, Abijah Pratt, John Chamberlin and Jonathan Spafford. These families had, however, but just arrived, when the enemy advanced from Canada, and all the settlements in this part of the country were abandoned. John Chamberlain was attacked in his house by the Indians, and a hired man and a child were killed by

WILLOUGHBY'S RIVER.

WILMINGTON.

WINDHAM.

them. The settlers returned after the | 17 miles east from Bennington, and 46 war, and in 1786 the town was organized. southwest from Windsor. The settleRobert Donnelly was the first town clerk, ment was commenced before the revoluand Jonathan Spafford the first represen- tionary war by emigrants from Massachutative. The religious denominations are setts and Connecticut, but the settlement Congregationalists, Baptists, and Metho- was, for several years, retarded in consedists. Rev. Aaron Collins was settled quence of the township having been twice over the Congregational church January chartered by New-Hampshire, to different 29, 1800, and dismissed in 1803; Rev. proprietors, first by the name of WilmingJames Johnson was settled in October, ton, and afterwards by the name of Dra1818, and dismissed in October, 1823; per. The first charter was dated April Rev. Josiah F. Goodhue was settled from 25, 1751, and the second June 17, 1763. May, 1824, to 1833; Rev. Jonathan Hurl- The Congregational church was organbut from 1834 to 1838, and Rev. Simeon ized here in 1780 and has had the followParmelee since 1838. Their first meeting ing ministers, Rev. Winslow Packard house, built in 1797, was taken down a from July 3, 1781 to Oct. 12, 1784; Rev. few years ago, and a beautiful new one Jonas Hatch from March 7, 1787 to Feb. of brick, 40 feet by 60, erected. The 18, 1791; Rev. E. Fairbanks from Sept. other public buildings are a town house, 11, 1793 to Jan. 3, 1800; Rev. Alvan Toof brick, 30 feet by 42, and an academy, bey from Sept. 1803 to Oct. 18, 1810; Rev. of wood, 26 by 36, and two stories high. Wm. B. Stow from July, 1812 to Oct. 19, Mrs. Susannah Hart died here in 1830, 1814; Rev. Joel Wright from Oct. 28, aged 104 years, Mrs. Susannah Wells, 1829 to Jan. 2d, 1834; and Rev. Geo. Butabout 1811, aged 104, and Mrs. Rachel terfield the present minister settled June Mann, aged 96. Mrs. Adocia Thatcher, 5, 1839. The other denominations are a daughter of the latter, is now living Baptists, Methodists and Universalists. here, aged 92, but she has not walked for The Rev. Mansfield Bruce is minister of 45 years. She has a sister in Stockholm, the Baptist church. The east and west N. Y., 100 years old, who formerly resi- branch of Deerfield river unite in this townded here. There are 7 persons now liv- ship,and there are two other considerable ing here who are over 84 years old, and streams called Beaver and Cold brook. 30 who are over 70. Gov. Thomas Chit- There is one large natural pond, called tenden died here Aug. 25, 1797. (See Ray's pond, on the outlet of which is a part second, p. 85.) Williston is a very grist mill. There is also a grist mill fine farming township. The surface is on a branch of Deerfield river. There diversified, but not mountainous. The are in town 12 school districts and schoolsoil is a rich loam, of a black or yellow houses, 2 grist, 8 saw and 1 fulling mill, color, and produces abundant crops. Wi-1 carding machine, I trip-hammer, 2 tav. nooski river washes the border of this township, and there are within it some small streams, on which mills have been erected, but there are only two which can be called good mill privileges. Williston contains 9 school districts, 6 saw mills, 4 stores, 2 taverns, and 2 tanneries. Statistics of 1840.--Horses, 421; cattle, 2,054; sheep, 13,035; swine, 1,465; wheat, bush. 2,726; barley, 40; oats, 19,970; rye, 2,064; buckwheat, 406; Ind. corn, 7,526; potatoes, 42,529; hay, tons, 4,926; sugar, lbs. 13,167; wool, 23,138. Population, 1,554.

WILLOUGHBY'S LAKE. See Westmore. WILLOUGHBY'S RIVER issues from Willoughby's lake in Westmore, runs through the south part of Brownington, and unites with Barton river in the north part of Barton.

erns, 4 stores and 2 tanneries. Statistics of 1840.---Horses, 253; cattle, 3,044; sheep, 2,920; swine, 1,133; wheat, bush. 1,152; oats, 8,962; rye, 895; buckwheat, 737; Indian corn, 1,618; potatoes, 66,110; hay, tons, 4,991; sugar, lbs. 81,159; wool, 5,419. Population, 1,296.

WINDHAM, a post town in the northwestern part of Windham county, is in lat. 43° 11' and long. 4° 19', and is bounded north by Andover, east by Grafton, south by Jamacia, and west by Londonderry. It lies 31 miles northeast from Bennington, and 25 southwest from Windsor. This town was formerly a part of Londonderry. It was set off, and with the addition of a small gore of land called Mack's Leg, was constituted a separate township by the name of Windham. Among the first settlers of this township WILMINGTON, a post town in the wes- were Edward Aiken, James McCormick tern part of Windham county, is in lat. and John Woodburn. It was organized 42° 52' and long. 4° 9', and is bounded immediately after the division. The renorth by Dover and a part of Somerset, ligious denominations are Congregationeast by Marlborough, south by Whiting- alists, Baptists, Methodists and Univerham, and west by Searsburgh. It lies salists. The Rev. John Lawton was set25

PT. 111.

WINDHAM COUNTY.

WINDSOR.

tions, especially the western, have not as yet been particularly explored. The geological character of the county is uniformly primitive. The western part is of the oldest and the eastern of more recent formation. Statistics of 1840.-Horses, 4,969; cattle, 42,661; sheep, 114,336; swine, 29,435; wheat, bush. 23,796; barley, 8,129; oats, 178,761; rye, 33,502; buck-wheat, 13,387; Indian corn, 139,923; potatoes, 743,366; hay, tons, 70,393; sugar, lbs. 423,400; wool, 222,260. Population, 27,431.

WINDMILL POINT. See Alburgh.

tled over the Congregational church Oct. | buildings. Connecticut river washes the 4, 1809, and dismissed Oct. 1819. The eastern border, Williams' and Saxton's Rev.S.R. Arms, the present minister, was river water the northeastern part, West settled Jan. 5, 1825, There are two Con- river, the central part, Deerfield river, gregational meeting houses, one in the the southwestern part. The tract, emnorth part and the other near the centre. braced within the county of Windham, is The latter was built about the year 1807, hilly and uneven, and, in the western and the other a little before. The Rev. part, mountainous. Its geological feaM. D. Miller is minister of the Baptist tures, though distinctly marked, are very church. The line, between this town-irregular. Few continuous ranges can ship and Londonderry, runs along the be traced with certainty, and many secsummit of a considerable mountain. The streams are all small, and consist of branches of Williams', Saxton's and West river. In the northwest part of the town is a considerable pond. The most important minerals found in this township are actynolite, chlorite, garnets, serpentine, steatite and talc. The actynolite is found about two miles from the south meetinghouse, on the road leading to Grafton. It is in slender four sided prisms of a leek green color. Some of the crystals are five or six inches in length, and they vary from a hundredth of an inch to an inch in breadth. These crystals are embed- WINDSOR, a post town in the eastern ded in talc, and are very abundant. Be-part of Windsor county, is in lat. 43° 29' sides actynolite and talc at this locality, and long. 4° 29', and is bounded north by within the compass of a few feet, are Hartland, easterly by Connecticut river, found common serpentine, amianthus and which separates it from Cornish, N. H., ligniform and earthy asbestus. The south by Weathersfield, and westerly by town is divided into eight school districts Reading. It lies 55 miles southeast from with a schoolhouse in each. There are Montpelier, 55 northeast from Benningalso, 1 grist mill, 7 saw mills, 2 stores, 1 ton, 95 from Boston, and 420 from Washtavern and one tannery. Statistics of ington. It was chartered to Samuel Ash. 1840.-Horses, 159; cattle, 1,829; sheep, ley and 58 others, July 6, 1761, contain5,702; swine, 781; wheat, bush. 1,378;ing, by charter, 23,500 acres. The probarley, 518; oats, 5,177; rye, 894; buck-prietors immediately organized themwheat, 561; Indian corn, 1,434; pota- selves under this charter, and proceeded toes, 36,083; hay, tons, 2,723; sugar, lbs. to survey, make a plan of, and allot the 15,830; wool, 11,722. Population, 757. town. The first permanent settlement WINDHAM COUNTY, lies in the south in the town was commenced by Captain east corner of the state. It is situated be- Steele Smith, who removed his family tween 42° 44' and 43° 16' north lat. and from Farmington, Ct., to this town, in between 4 and 4° 42' east long., being August, 1764. At that time there was no 36 miles long from north to south, and 25 road north of Charleston, N.H. The next wide from east to west, and containing season Maj. Elisha Hawley, Capt. Israel about 780 square miles. It is bounded Curtis, Dea. Hez. Thompson, Dea. Thos. north by Windsor county, east by Con- Cooper, and some others, came on and necticut river, which separates it from began improvements. There was, howCheshire county, N. H., south by Hamp-ever, a man by the name of Solomon Emshire county, Mass., and west by Bennington county. This county was incorporated by the name of Cumberland, February 11, 1789. Newfane, lying near the centre, is the seat of justice. The Supreme Court sits here on the 3d Tuesday after the 4th Tuesday in January, and the County Court on the 2d Tuesday in April and September. There are several pleasant villages in this county, the most important of which are Brattleborough, Bellows Falls and Fayettville. In the latter situated in New Fane are the county

mons, and his wife, who had erected a hut, and were living here when Captain Smith arrived, but he had not purchased the land, or made any improvements with a view to a permanent settlement. Mrs. Emmons was the first and for some time the only white woman, who resided in the town. She was for many years supported by the town, and died about 1833. She was for a number of years the only midwife for many miles around. Mr. Samuel Smith, who recently died in te wn, aged 77 years, a son of Capt. Steele

WINDSOR.

WINDSOR.

Smith, was the first child born. The town this church have been Rev. Dr. Chapman, was rapidly settled, and was soon organ-in 1818, who was succeeded by the Rev. ized, though the records do not show the George Leonard, who continued till time when. Dea. Thomas Cooper was 1829; Rev. Wm. Horton, who officiathe first town clerk. During the contro- ted from 1829 to 1835; Rev. Darius Barversy between the government of New ker, from 1836 to 1838; and Rev. O. H. York and New Hampshire, respecting the Staples, from 1838 to 1841, The Rev. W. jurisdiction of the territory now forming D. Wilson is the present minister. The the state of Vermont, the proprietors of church edifice is of brick, in Grecian Windsor became alarmed for their title, style, and was consecrated Nov. 20, 1822. and conveyed their respective rights of It has a good organ and bell. In 1793 land, in trust, to Col. Nathan Stone, who the town was divided into two distinct surrendered the same to Wm. Tryon, the parishes, by an act of the Legislature. In Governor of the Province of New York, 1814, these two parishes were, by an act who regranted the township to Col.Stone of the Legislature, erected into two disand 28 others, by Letters Patent, dated tinct towns, by the names of Windsor March 28, 1772. Both these Royal grants and West Windsor, with the right in each reserved one whole share for the Propa- to send a representative to the General gation Society, one share for the first set- Assembly. The next year, however, the tled minister of the gospel, one for a glebe party excitement which had induced that for the Church of England, and one for measure, having in some degree subsided, the benefit of a public school in town. they were reunited again into one town, From what few of the proprietors' records under the ancient name of Windsor. are now remaining, it appears that the This town is hilly, but it is well watered public lots were drawn and set apart, ac- by small streams, and the soil is fertile. cording to a plan or map of the town, then Nearly all the tillageable land in town is in existence, previous to the regrant of settled; but is capable of subsisting a 1772. But after that grant, the old plan much denser population than it does at seems to have disappeared, and a new one present. The principal stream in town was substituted, in which all the public is Mill brook. It rises in the westerly rights are located on the most barren and part of Reading, and after an easterly inaccessible part of Ascutney mountain; course of about 15 miles, it falls into Conso that they are of no value to the town. necticut river at the south end of WindAt an early period, two religious societies sor village. It affords a variety of mill of the Congregational order were formed seats. Ascutney mountain is situated in Windsor, one in the east and the oth-partly in Weathersfield and partly in er in the west parish of the town. About Windsor: the line between the towns the year 1778, the Rev. Martin Tuller and the Rev. Pelatial Chapin were ordained the first ministers over their respective churches in those parishes. The Rev. Samuel Shuttleworth succeeded Mr. Tuller, as the pastor of the Congregational church in the east parish, who was ordained June 23, 1790. His successors have been Rev. Benj. Ball, Rev. Bancroft Fowler, Rev. John Wheeler, Rev. Geo. Wilson, and Rev. Thomas Kidder. The latter was recently dismissed. The Congregational church in the west parish has been for some time vacant. There is also a small Baptist church in the west parish, of which Elder Samuel Lawson is the pastor. In 1813 a Baptist church and society was formed in the east parish. Rev. Joshua Bradley was the first pastor over this church. He has been succeeded by the Rev. Leland Howard, the Rev. Romeo Elton, and the Rev. Elijah Hutchinson, who is the present pastor. An Episcopal church, by the name of St. Paul's church, was organized here Nov. 25, 1816, under the temporary ministry of the Rev. Dr. Morss. The minisers of

passing across the apex of the mountain. See Ascutney. The timber of this township is principally sugar maple, white maple, birch, ash, walnut, red oak, butternut, basswood, white pine, spruce, and hemlock. Windsor village is situated on the west bank of Connecticut river, about equi-distant from the north and south lines of the township. It is built on the westerly side of the meadow, which here is large and beautiful, about one fourth of a mile from the river, between Mill brook on the south and southwest, and the Pulk-hole brook, so called, which terminates it on the north and northwest. These two streams approach very near to each other on the west side of the village, leaving but a narrow isthmus between them; then suddenly turning, the one to the south, and the other to the north, they diverge to the extent of a mile, and then both turning easterly, they fall into the Connecticut. It is through this isthmus that the main roads from Reading, and the west parish of Windsor, and the road from Woodstock, which form a junction a little west of the village, enter it.